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Pocket parks, people’s streets: How you can start one in your community | Pia Ranada | 4/1/2024 16:30 | PEOPLE'S STREET. Pasig residents make use of their car-free streets, such as Emerald Avenue.
Pasig Transport Facebook page
MANILA, Philippines – How would the quality of life in your barangay or city improve if there was a public open space 10 to 15 minutes away, by foot?
Numerous studies and papers have shown the benefits of parks to people. Public parks are known to improve mental health, reduce air pollution, enliven local economies, and more.
In the Philippines, many sectors and groups have long been calling for more public open spaces, especially in cities where there is a dearth of them, amid rapid and often uncontrolled urbanization.
Policy-wise, progress was achieved in mid-2023 with the signing of a joint administrative order by no less than six department secretaries and two agency heads.
Robert Siy Jr., co-convenor of the Move As One Coalition, pointed to this new government directive as a possible starting point for anyone who wants to engage with government in creating parks in their own communities.
The Move As One Coalition, a network of mobility and active transport activist groups, had actively lobbied for this order, said Siy in an interview on Rappler’s “Be The Good” show aired on December 15.
The Joint Administrative Order No. 2023-0001 was signed by the secretaries of health, tourism, interior and local government, housing, environment, and public works departments; and the heads of the National Commission for the Culture and Arts and the Philippine Commission on Women.
Dated August 2023, it’s entitled, “Guidelines on the Creation, Use, and Management of Parks and Public Open Spaces for the Promotion of Physical and Mental Health and Social Well-being.”
Calling it a “milestone document,” Siy, a public transport expert, said, “We can use this as civil society to lobby and encourage our local officials to actually take action. Because there’s a policy basis now. This is the national government’s order already. This is their aspiration.”
Siy thinks there should be at least one public open space in every barangay, and that this government directive can make that into reality.
What are highlights of the multi-agency order? It states that:
The roles of all the signing government agencies are spelled out in the order, as well as the guidelines and standards for parks and open spaces. Read the entire document here.
Siy was asked during the interview for his suggestions on how concerned citizens can, on their own, start an initiative to create a public open space in their area.
We paraphrase his tips here.
1. Get a group of concerned and like-minded community members together. Approach the barangay captain and discuss the possibility of creating a public open space. Bring a copy of the joint administrative order to cite as basis for why the local government must support your initiative. It’s important to involve as many stakeholders as possible – from local bicycle groups, business chambers, schools, and more.
2. With the barangay officials and other members of the community, select a place for the public open space. The proposed public park doesn’t have to be large. There are benefits to pocket parks too. With the lack of available land in many cities, you could propose the creation of a peoples’ street. The joint administrative order explicitly supports the establishment of people’s streets. It has its own definition in the order.
People’s streets are streets, roads, parking lots, or bridges that are “prioritized for use by pedestrians, bicycles, and light mobility devices, closed for motor vehicular through-traffic, and are designated only for physical activity, leisure, and recreational use by community members exclusively or on a specified schedule.”
For a people’s street, choose a street that, if closed off to cars, will not create traffic jams in the area. Siy suggests choosing a street in an area where the streets are in a grid system so that, when that street is closed, those parallel to it can be used as alternative routes. In Pasig City, this is implemented in Emerald Avenue. In Makati, Ayala Avenue was chosen. Siy said the Tomas Morato area, with the “Scouts” streets, is a good place to create a people’s street because of its grid arrangement.
3. Decide when and how long the car-free period will be for that street. You can start slow, blocking off only a few hours during a day of the week known to have the least car traffic – like Sunday mornings. Depending on how the community reacts to the initiative, decide whether to scale it down or up. Should it stay a people’s street only on certain holidays? Should this be extended to months because it has been beneficial to tourism and the local economy?
4. Decide what activities to hold in the street or park. They can be exercises like Zumba, or games like a treasure hunt for children. The community can hold bazaars or food fairs. Activities can also help market the initiative to the community, get their buy-in, and improve social cohesion. This could be your chance to meet your neighbors or exchange more than a greeting.
If done right and with consistency, the people’s street or park initiative will “take a life of its own,” said Siy.
Online sentiment about car-free streets or people’s streets are mostly positive, said Ivy Pedida, a Rappler Digital Communications Specialist who did an online scan about conversations surrounding these initiatives.
She said lots of people go on social media to express their satisfaction and delight at people’s streets, like those in Pasig City. Parents, in particular, post about how they feel their children are so much safer when biking or jogging in these car-free streets.
“They are very happy. If there is any criticism, what we can see is how this can be implemented longer. That’s what people really want,” said Pedida. – Rappler.com
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Why CHED is halting the senior high school program in SUCs, LUCs | Bonz Magsambol | 4/1/2024 13:26 | CHED Chairman Prospero De Vera III attends the budget hearing of the Commission on Higher Education for fiscal year 2023 at the senate on October 13, 2022. Angie de Silva/Rappler
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MANILA, Philippines – The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) has ordered state universities and colleges (SUCs) and local universities and colleges (LUCs) to discontinue offering the senior high school program beginning next school year as “there was no legal basis to fund it.”
In a CHED memorandum dated December 18, 2023, the commission said that its engagement with the Department of Education on the implementation of senior high school programs in SUCs and LUCs should only be limited to the K to 12 transition period which was only from school year 2016 to 2017 to school year 2020 to 2021.
“Considering the foregoing, SUC presidents/OICs are directed to bring their respective SUC board of regents and board of trustees the discontinuance of senior high school in SUCs because there is no legal basis to fund the same,” the memorandum read.
Based on DepEd data, some 17,751 grade 11 students are currently enrolled in SUCs and LUCs.
In a Bagong Pilipinas interview on Wednesday, January 3, CHED Chairman Prospero de Vera III said that in the past two years, the commission had been telling public universities to “wind down their senior high [enrollment] because there is no more legal basis for their offering of high school [education].”
“Tapos na ang transition period. Puno na ang state universities and colleges. Kailangan na nilang gamitin ang mga kuwarto at mga teacher. Kaya’t wala ng basehan para mag-offer sila ng senior high school,” he said.
(The transition period is over. State universities and colleges are full. They need to use the classrooms and teachers. That’s why there’s no more basis for them to offer senior high school.)
He noted that SUCs should only offer degree courses. De Vera said that SUCs that have “laboratory schools” can still offer the senior high school program since they have been doing this even prior to K to 12. Laboratory schools are those under SUCs that are being used by those pursuing an education degree.
Meanwhile, there are some 2,030,451 grade 12 students currently enrolled in SUCs and LUCs. De Vera said that universities and colleges “should let them finish the academic year.”
“The Department of Education has already issued a notice, through Private Education Assistance Committee, that beginning SY 2023-2024, there should be no more Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education and Teachers in Private Education beneficiaries from SUCs/LUCs, except those who will be entering Grade 12 in SY 2023-2024 to finish their basic education and that SUCS and LUCs with laboratory school can accept enrolled but will no longer receive vouchers,” the CHED memorandum read.
DepEd spokesperson Michael Poa said that those who might be displaced have two options next school year: enroll in public schools or enroll in private schools and avail of the voucher program.
– Rappler.com
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No Filipino casualties from Japan earthquake so far – DMW | Michelle Abad | 4/1/2024 16:58 | AFTERMATH. Kenichi Omi, a volunteer from Nagoya carries diapers and water bottles in his backpack to give evacuees, in the aftermath of an earthquake, in Wajima, Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan, on January 4, 2024.
Kim Kyung-Hoon/REUTERS
MANILA, Philippines – There have been no reported Filipino casualties so far from the powerful earthquake that rocked Japan on Monday, January 1, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said, citing an update coordinated with the Department of Foreign Affairs.
“As of today, January 4, 2024… no Filipino casualties have been reported in the latest update received by the department in coordination with the Department of Foreign Affairs, Philippine embassy in Tokyo and Philippine consulate general office in Osaka and Nagoya,” the DMW said in a statement on Thursday, January 4.
The department said it was extending assistance to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who were affected by the magnitude 7.6 quake that affected Japan’s west coast – the strongest in more than four decades, according to the United States Geological Survey.
The DMW said there are 447 Filipinos who live in the Ishikawa prefecture, where the Japan Meteorological Agency initially issued a major tsunami warning that was later downgraded to an advisory. Meanwhile, there are 700 Filipinos living in nearby Toyama prefecture.
Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) chief Arnell Ignacio earlier reported that 159 OFWs went to an evacuation center following the quake, but that all have returned home as of Tuesday, January 2.
“We are closely monitoring the situation of OFWs, especially those who are in the Ishikawa and Toyama prefectures to guarantee their safety. Also, we are ready to provide necessary medical and financial assistance to OFWs onsite,” said DMW officer-in-charge Hans Cacdac.
The DMW also said that all supervising organizations and principals of the workers were directed to monitor the safety of their deployed OFWs, and report their conditions to the Migrant Workers Office in Osaka for any necessary assistance.
The department had earlier activated a hotline for Filipinos affected by the quake.
Japan’s New Year’s Day earthquake has killed at least 78 people. Thousands of rescuers were deployed to search for quake survivors, but they face challenges of severed roads and the remote location of the worst-hit areas. – with reports from Reuters/Rappler.com
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LOOK: The Matcha Tokyo now brewing at this Quezon City mall | Steph Arnaldo | 4/1/2024 17:16 | The Matcha Tokyo's Instagram
MANILA, Philippines – Time for a rematch(a)! Japan’s The Matcha Tokyo – brought to the Philippines by The Tasteless Group – started brewing from its second branch on Wednesday, January 3, located at the ground floor of Gateway Mall 2, Cubao, Quezon City.
For your matcha-waited tea fix, The Matcha Tokyo’s premium and 100% organic matcha can now be ordered daily at Gateway Mall from 11 am to 11 pm until January 8. After the 8th, its hours will be from 10 am to 11 pm.
Since its foundation in Tokyo in 2018, The Matcha Tokyo has taken pride in its “highest quality” matcha, granting its tea leaves ceremonial-grade status. With the Japanese farm’s use of clean water, healthy soil, and high-quality control, only the best tea leaves are harvested by their experienced farmers once a year.
The Matcha Tokyo opened its first Metro Manila branch at Mitsukoshi Mall, Bonifacio Global City in November 2022.
The Matcha Tokyo’s best-selling Iced Matcha Latte starts at P250, and can be ordered using dairy, oat, soy, and almond milk options. Three different matcha options are available: the umami-forward Japan Premium, refreshing Kyoto Uji, and the strong and rare hand-picked Goko leaf. Coffee-based beverages, fruit teas, and matcha-forward pastries are also available to order. – Rappler.com
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‘No words to express the devastation and heartbreak’: Tippy Dos Santos mourns passing of mother | Ysa Abad | 4/1/2024 13:26 | Tippy Dos Santos' Instagram
MANILA, Philippines – Singer-actress Tippy dos Santos asked for understanding as their family continues to grieve over the loss of her mother, Happy, who figured in a vehicular accident in South Korea.
Tippy’s parents Happy and John were involved in an accident while they were in transit to their hotel shortly after arriving in South Korea on December 27. Happy was brought to the ICU where she lapsed into a coma. On December 30, Tippy’s family announced through Happy’s social media accounts that she had passed away.
“We will never forget the love and happiness that she brought into our lives, and we know that she has touched many others the same way,” the statement read.
In an Instagram post on Monday, January 1, Tippy also expressed her gratitude towards those who reached out to her during this ordeal.
She added: “There are really no words to express the devastation and heartbreak the loss of my mom has caused us. Please bear with us as we try to figure out how to live without mama physically in our lives.”
The singer-actress continued that their family is also trying to “process the tragedy” that cost Happy’s life.
In an interview with ABS-CBN News, Tippy disclosed other details about the incident. She recalled that she was asleep when her dad started calling her.
“He just told me na your mom and I got into an accident. They were just waiting for an ambulance and I remember he told me that he was not sure my mom was breathing,” she said.
Tippy shared that she immediately started preparing to fly to South Korea. By 7 pm, she arrived there with her aunt and her aunt’s husband.
When they arrived at the hospital, Tippy shared that the doctors told her that her mother suffered from rib bleeding, fractures, head injury, and brain edema, while her dad sustained five to six fractured ribs and minor abdominal injury/trauma.
“What was most heartbreaking the first time I saw her was how she’s not responsive and her tongue was just out and she was on a ventilator,” she told ABS-CBN News.
Tippy said that it was on December 30 when the doctors told their family that there’s no longer brain stem activity in Happy.
“They told us there was really no hope for her,” she said. “That she was not gonna recover from the injury. And that’s when they asked us to prepare and to really just wait.”
She added that the South Korean police are currently investigating the incident. – Rappler.com
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‘Never kaming kinasal’: Alden Richards debunks rumors of relationship, ‘love child’ with Maine Mendoza | Ysa Abad | 4/1/2024 15:47 | Alden Richards' Instagram
MANILA, Philippines – Alden Richards once again reiterated that he and former onscreen partner Maine Mendoza have never been married, nor do they share a child.
During the Wednesday, January 3 vlog of Toni Talks, the actor was asked about how he deals with the rumors that hound his nearly decade-long career. Most notably, some die-hard fans claim he and Mendoza have tied the knot and share a child together.
“Meron silang storytelling (They have their own way of storytelling),” he said.
AlDub, Richards and Mendoza’s tandem, gained popularity in 2015. Although the love team split up in 2018 and Mendoza had already married actor and Quezon City 1st District representative Arjo Atayde in July 2023, some AlDub fans are still claiming that Richards and Mendoza are just keeping their relationship away from the public eye.
“All along, akala ko by the time na Maine and Arjo became public and they got married eventually (mawawala na ang rumors) pero nandyan pa rin. I already said my piece about this. It’s not true. Wala pong katotohanan lahat ‘yon. Wala po kaming anak. We never got married. We don’t have a love child,” he said.
(All along, I thought that by the time Maine and Arjo went public with their relationship and eventually got married, the rumors would stop. But they’re still there. I already said my piece about this. It’s not true. There’s no truth to any of these rumors. We don’t have a child. We never got married. We don’t have a love child.”
While this isn’t the first time for Richards to address these rumors — he previously debunked the same speculations on a January 2023 episode of Fast Talk With Boy Abunda and a May 2023 interview with Ogie Diaz — the actor shared that he’s at the point where he’s starting to consider how his fans are feeling instead.
“Masaya po sila doon eh. Tatanggalin ko pa ba? Ira-rub ko pa ba sa mga buhay na, ‘Wala nga, ‘wag kayong makulit (They find happiness there. Should I take that away from them? Should I keep on telling them to stop insisting because it’s not true)?” he said. “I always support [the] happiness of people.”
On her end, Mendoza had said in a November 2022 interview that she had personally messaged these fans to tell them that the rumors were not true. The actress said that she’d also grown tired of explaining herself, as many fans still don’t believe her or Richards no matter how much they deny the claims.
“Alam ko na by telling the truth, masasaktan sila. Pero by leading them on, mas masasaktan din sila,” she said (I know that by telling the truth, they’ll get hurt. But if I keep leading them on, they’ll get hurt even more). – Rappler.com
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‘Never kaming kinasal’: Alden Richards debunks rumors of relationship, ‘love child’ with Maine Mendoza | Ysa Abad | 4/1/2024 15:47 | Alden Richards' Instagram
MANILA, Philippines – Alden Richards once again reiterated that he and former onscreen partner Maine Mendoza have never been married, nor do they share a child.
During the Wednesday, January 3 vlog of Toni Talks, the actor was asked about how he deals with the rumors that hound his nearly decade-long career. Most notably, some die-hard fans claim he and Mendoza have tied the knot and share a child together.
“Meron silang storytelling (They have their own way of storytelling),” he said.
AlDub, Richards and Mendoza’s tandem, gained popularity in 2015. Although the love team split up in 2018 and Mendoza had already married actor and Quezon City 1st District representative Arjo Atayde in July 2023, some AlDub fans are still claiming that Richards and Mendoza are just keeping their relationship away from the public eye.
“All along, akala ko by the time na Maine and Arjo became public and they got married eventually (mawawala na ang rumors) pero nandyan pa rin. I already said my piece about this. It’s not true. Wala pong katotohanan lahat ‘yon. Wala po kaming anak. We never got married. We don’t have a love child,” he said.
(All along, I thought that by the time Maine and Arjo went public with their relationship and eventually got married, the rumors would stop. But they’re still there. I already said my piece about this. It’s not true. There’s no truth to any of these rumors. We don’t have a child. We never got married. We don’t have a love child.”
While this isn’t the first time for Richards to address these rumors — he previously debunked the same speculations on a January 2023 episode of Fast Talk With Boy Abunda and a May 2023 interview with Ogie Diaz — the actor shared that he’s at the point where he’s starting to consider how his fans are feeling instead.
“Masaya po sila doon eh. Tatanggalin ko pa ba? Ira-rub ko pa ba sa mga buhay na, ‘Wala nga, ‘wag kayong makulit (They find happiness there. Should I take that away from them? Should I keep on telling them to stop insisting because it’s not true)?” he said. “I always support [the] happiness of people.”
On her end, Mendoza had said in a November 2022 interview that she had personally messaged these fans to tell them that the rumors were not true. The actress said that she’d also grown tired of explaining herself, as many fans still don’t believe her or Richards no matter how much they deny the claims.
“Alam ko na by telling the truth, masasaktan sila. Pero by leading them on, mas masasaktan din sila,” she said (I know that by telling the truth, they’ll get hurt. But if I keep leading them on, they’ll get hurt even more). – Rappler.com
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Stray bullet hits priest during New Year’s Day revelry in Baguio | Herbie G | 4/1/2024 13:38 | Shutterstock
BAGUIO, Philippines – A 60-year-old priest was hit by a stray bullet during the New Year’s Day revelry in Baguio City, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) confirmed on Wednesday, January 3.
The priest from Baguio’s Irisan district, whose identity was not disclosed, was hit in his left shoulder at around 12:15 am on January 1.
“He was immediately taken to the hospital for treatment and was later scheduled for an operation due to a fractured collarbone,” read a statement on the CBCP’s website.
Local authorities said investigators found a slug from a 9-millimeter handgun near the area where the priest was wounded. Efforts are now underway to identify the person responsible for the incident.
The local diocese’s AM radio station, DZWT, reported that the priest was already “in stable condition.”
This incident sparked renewed calls in Baguio for stricter gun control and responsible firearms use, highlighting the dangers of indiscriminate shooting, particularly during celebrations.
The CBCP and the local diocese have requested prayers for the quick recovery of the priest and have appealed to the public for any information that may aid in the investigation.
The police and the military have repeatedly warned its personnel against firing guns to greet the new year.
The Department of Health (DOH) noted a rise in New Year’s Day revelry-related injuries compared to previous years when the country was in lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Authorities suggested a possible “revenge drive” among the public for celebrating the new year with fireworks.
Data showed that there have been 116 new fireworks-related injuries recorded following New Year’s Eve celebrations based on DOH data as of January 1. Of these, 113 cases were reported in Metro Manila, followed by 27 in Central Luzon, and 24 in the Ilocos Region. – Rappler.com
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[Ilonggo Notes] The attractions along Iloilo City’s Bonifacio Drive | Marguerite de Leon | 4/1/2024 13:51 | It’s a short strip, extending from the end of General Luna to the Forbes Bridge – just about 250 meters. Thousands pass here every day to Lapaz or Jaro, barely noticing it. But Bonifacio Drive deserves more than a cursory glance; it is chock full of history and attractions. Up till the early ’70s it was lined with acacia trees, which were felled when the road was widened. In the ’80s a politician had a pedestrian overpass constructed, but few used it and it was eventually demolished, the unnecessary eyesore consigned to oblivion.
At the southern end of Bonifacio Drive is the Arroyo fountain, which is “kilometer zero” for Panay Island. All distances through the provinces of Iloilo, Antique, Capiz, and Aklan are measured from this 1928 landmark, named after the former senator Jose Maria Arroyo, who was responsible for a Republic Act creating the Iloilo Metropolitan Waterworks Authority.
The neoclassic-style fountain once had bare-breasted female statues, but this caused an uproar among conservative religious groups, and so they were covered up with flowing robes. I still have to make a closer inspection to see if I can make out the changes, but that might mean clambering over the fountain, which may not be advisable for seniors. The fountain fronts a heritage building, the Casa Real (aka Casa Gobierno), the former Iloilo provincial government’s office from the 1870s. It was hailed as the largest and most elegant of its kind in the colony, and has hosted visits of presidents and US high commissioners.
It’s been through at least a couple of fires and extensive renovations. It still hosts the Provincial Library as well as the regional offices of the DOT. On the ground floor is a display of the DTI where one can purchase tasty Ilonggo delights (tsokolate tablea, lengua de gato, cassava chips, peanuts, herbal teas) at very reasonable prices. The second floor, now for meetings and events, is reached through a grand staircase. From its tinted glass wall one can have a view of the expanse of JM Basa Street and Calle Real all the way to Guimaras Island.
The “islas de siete pecados” is a term given to the seven little “islands” and partial roundabouts that make the start of Bonifacio Drive quite challenging to pedestrians and motorists alike. It can become a traffic chokepoint at times. It’s best viewed from the upper floors of the Atrium, which has the Iloilo Supermart, a hotel, retail spaces, and a food court. On a Yuletide night the traffic is horrendous – in part because the provincial government installed a magnificent lighting display, overflowing with visitors.
On one of the “islands” is a triangular monument with a bust of Nicolas Jalandoni. Local historian Demy P. Sonza writes that Jalandoni was once the most brilliant political star in Iloilo, born in Jaro in 1881, educated at the Ateneo and the Escuela de Derecho in Manila. When the first national elections were held in 1907 for delegates to the First National Assembly, he defeated Raymundo Melliza, former justice of the Supreme Court (1899-1900) and immediate past governor of Iloilo (1904-1906). Jalandoni was the president of the Partido Nacionalista in Iloilo and a member of Nacionalista National Directorate. At age 26, he was the youngest member of the National Assembly and presided at the opening session. Sergio Osmeña was elected Speaker, Jalandoni as Speaker Protempore, and Manuel Quezon Majority Floor Leader.
Jalandoni founded the evening newspaper El Adalid (The Hero), to counter the El Tiempo of the Partido Federalista. He also founded Ang Baganihan, which was the first daily paper in Hiligaynon. Among its writers were Rosendo Mejica, Angel Magahum, Flavio Zaragoza Cano, Ulpiano Vergara, Delfin Gumban, and Quirico Abeto.
Jalandoni’s passing at the age of 30 in 1911 was deeply mourned. Colleagues and friends erected a monument in his honor. For this purpose, a committee was formed composed of Quintin Salas (chairman), Amando Avancena, Quirico Abeto, Federico Ortiz, Eladio de Guia, Fidel Hervas, and Cresenciano Lozano. The monument was unveiled on July 19, 1913.
To get a better view, I scrambled over the little picket fence to read the fading Spanish inscriptions on all three sides of the 110-year-old monument, which also features the figure of a sorrowful woman holding a wreath at its base. There is a Jalandoni quote, about the 1910 Nacionalista defeat: “Podemos caer /si: sin embargo/procuraremos/levantarmos otra vez (We can fall, nevertheless we strive to rise again).” On the other sides of the monument, some in typical Art Noveau style, are the names of the leaders of the Nacionalista Party, the monument committee members, and logos of the Associacion Escolar de Filipinas, the Jalandoni Library, and the Escuela de Derecho de Manila. The monument’s location means it is only the determined who will take a second look; it should be transplanted somewhere more accessible.
One recent addition is a relief sculpture that is a fanciful rendition of moments in Ilonggo history. Unveiled in late 2019 just before the pandemic hit, the “Iloilo” mural shows the Barter of Panay, a costumed warrior holding aloft the Santo Niño, and General Delgado astride a rearing horse. Alongside are reliefs of the Miagao Church, San Joaquin Campo Santo, and the Guimbal Watchtower; interspersed among this mélange are a Spanish galleon, paraws, the Oton death mask, the Jaro bandstand, shells, fishes, prawns, birds, and the provincial high school. A tapestry winds its way around the figures, like a thread running through history; perhaps it is a tribute to the storied past of Iloilo as a weaving capital of the country. Built by AR Sculptura, the 15-meter-long by 2-meter-high mural is of fiberglass resin, painted and glazed to look like bronze.
50 meters away is the Museo Iloilo, which is 53 years old in 2024 – the first-ever purpose-built museum in the country. It is run by the Iloilo Cultural Heritage Foundation, and has an iconic trapezoidal design by Ilonggo architect Sergio Peñasales. On its façade is a low relief of Ilonggo churches. It has a display of religious artifacts, WWII memorabilia, and relics from a sunken British steamship, and occasionally hosts contemporary art exhibits.
At the back of the Museo Iloilo is the eight-story provincial capitol of Iloilo; when it was constructed, one of the city’s open spaces, the former Rotary Park Amphitheater, was torn down and a parking lot built in its place.
Right beside the Museo Iloilo stands the former Iloilo provincial jail, with its distinctive guard turrets on four corners; it was built in 1911, and was in use for a century. In 2018 it was extensively renovated, a central glass dome installed, and it re-opened as the Regional Museum for Western Visayas. It has on display a national cultural treasure – the Oton gold death mask. There are well-curated exhibits on native embroidery and archaeology; fossils and petrified trees tell the story of ancient Panay’s emergence from the seas millions of years ago; and it has the jawbone of an extinct elephant specie that was unearthed in Cabatuan. The museum also has changing exhibitions and interactive displays and activities for school children. In front of it is a landscaped lawn and park, where native Iloilo trees (Aglaia argentea) are planted.
Across the street from the museums are a series of heritage buildings. First one is the 1923 building of the Doane Baptist Bible Institute. It is well preserved, with an overhanging balcony and filigreed ceiling carvings; some of the original exterior panel paintings with scroll designs are visible but have been given a white coat. The supporting pillars have lovely, neoclassic designs with touches of Art Noveau and emerging Art Deco. The building originally belonged to the Lopez-Vito Family.
A few meters away is Balay Remedios – built by Julio Ledesma in the late 1920s. It is in the modified balay na bato style, with huge windows and ventanillas. The house was acquired by the designer/engineer of the house, Eusebio Villanueva. It has been in four generations of the Villanueva family, and it opened to the public in late 2023 as a stylish restaurant, offering classic Ilonggo and Spanish influenced cuisine. There is a grand entrance and foyer, with Machuca tiles. The interiors are a shade of salmon pink, with vintage lighting fixtures, carvings, hardwood ebony and ivory floors, and family photographs. The exterior wood panels bear decorative scrolls and interesting floral designs – that, it is said, the Japanese occupiers liked when they expropriated the house as their headquarters in the early 1940s, and allegedly turned the basement into a torture chamber. The front fence posts are tapped by urns, and the grill gates are designed in the Art Deco style. There are plans to open the second floor as a lifestyle museum, which will further add to the attractions of Bonifacio Drive.
Two houses away is a palatial building, the former home of Don Juan Ledesma and acquired in the ’60s by a Chinoy family; this is painted a striking blue and white. In its past incarnations it was occupied by the Japanese, then used by the US Army as its headquarters, a reportedly haunted home, a bodega, an upscale massage and spa, offices, and is now the Castle Chateau hotel. And right next to it, is Iloilo’s oldest continuously running hotel – the River Queen Hotel. It used to be known as the Ledesma Hotel from its opening post World War II, until the mid ’60s. Across the street is the Iloilo Hall of Justice which hosts the courts. Beside it and just next to the bridge is a building in the Brutalist style, which are the offices of the Iloilo water district.
This whole strip could also have been called Ledesma Drive – because the Ledesma family owned most of the land in the area. Bonifacio Drive ends at the foot of the Forbes Bridge, and you can turn to either side and enjoy Iloilo’s fabled Esplanades, or you can walk about a quarter of a kilometer to the Lapaz market, where you can have your fill of batchoy! – Rappler.com
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‘No words to express the devastation and heartbreak’: Tippy Dos Santos mourns passing of mother | Ysa Abad | 4/1/2024 13:26 | Tippy Dos Santos' Instagram
MANILA, Philippines – Singer-actress Tippy dos Santos asked for understanding as their family continues to grieve over the loss of her mother, Happy, who figured in a vehicular accident in South Korea.
Tippy’s parents Happy and John were involved in an accident while they were in transit to their hotel shortly after arriving in South Korea on December 27. Happy was brought to the ICU where she lapsed into a coma. On December 30, Tippy’s family announced through Happy’s social media accounts that she had passed away.
“We will never forget the love and happiness that she brought into our lives, and we know that she has touched many others the same way,” the statement read.
In an Instagram post on Monday, January 1, Tippy also expressed her gratitude towards those who reached out to her during this ordeal.
She added: “There are really no words to express the devastation and heartbreak the loss of my mom has caused us. Please bear with us as we try to figure out how to live without mama physically in our lives.”
The singer-actress continued that their family is also trying to “process the tragedy” that cost Happy’s life.
In an interview with ABS-CBN News, Tippy disclosed other details about the incident. She recalled that she was asleep when her dad started calling her.
“He just told me na your mom and I got into an accident. They were just waiting for an ambulance and I remember he told me that he was not sure my mom was breathing,” she said.
Tippy shared that she immediately started preparing to fly to South Korea. By 7 pm, she arrived there with her aunt and her aunt’s husband.
When they arrived at the hospital, Tippy shared that the doctors told her that her mother suffered from rib bleeding, fractures, head injury, and brain edema, while her dad sustained five to six fractured ribs and minor abdominal injury/trauma.
“What was most heartbreaking the first time I saw her was how she’s not responsive and her tongue was just out and she was on a ventilator,” she told ABS-CBN News.
Tippy said that it was on December 30 when the doctors told their family that there’s no longer brain stem activity in Happy.
“They told us there was really no hope for her,” she said. “That she was not gonna recover from the injury. And that’s when they asked us to prepare and to really just wait.”
She added that the South Korean police are currently investigating the incident. – Rappler.com
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[Time Trowel] From ancient artifacts to today’s trash: Debunking misconceptions about archaeology | Marguerite de Leon | 4/1/2024 12:12 | Nico Villarete/Rappler
I love airports and airplanes. Yet, as someone whose work involves climate change mitigation, I can’t ignore the environmental impact of air travel since carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from burning jet fuel are particularly harmful when released at high altitudes. For a flight from Manila to Los Angeles, the CO2 emissions can vary but are substantial, often estimated in the range of several tons per passenger. This environmental impact is compounded by additional factors like energy-intensive airport operations and emissions of other greenhouse gases.
My work as an archaeologist though, requires travel for collaboration, research, and community engagement. I’ve collected a treasure trove of comically bewildering questions during these adventures as an archaeologist. Some have made a beeline for the insect kingdom, assuming I’m all about ants because of the whole “ANThropology” mix-up. Others, clearly inspired by Jurassic Park, have inquired if I’ve ever had a close encounter with dinosaur remains. These misconceptions are, unfortunately, quite common, highlighting the esoteric nature of archaeology and anthropology for many.
So, have you ever thought that archaeology was solely about unearthing ancient bones and relics? It’s time to reconsider! Archaeology isn’t just about delving into the past; it’s a lens through which we understand our present and how our everyday objects may be perceived by future generations. To demystify archaeology, there is a need that the knowledge it produces should accessible. Appreciating the discipline means that we must dispel the misconceptions and define what it truly entails.
Traditionally, archaeology has been perceived as the study of human history by excavating and analyzing artifacts, architecture, and biofacts from the distant past. Indeed, it’s about piecing together the puzzles of past societies, from the opulence of their cities to the simplicity of their daily utensils, to form a picture of life as it was lived centuries or even millennia ago. However, this narrow view obscures the vital role archaeology plays in not only revealing our past but also understanding our present and informing our future.
But hold onto your fedoras, because archaeology has undergone a modern makeover. No longer just the study of the deep past, it’s now thumbing through the pages of the present, sizing up today’s world as tomorrow’s history. It involves the examination of modern-day “artifacts” and “sites” — from our digital footprints to the garbage of consumer culture — providing insight into our current societies. By redefining archaeology to include the present, we make it more accessible and relevant, inviting people to see that every object in our daily lives has a story and that they, too, are part of the ongoing human narrative. This approach demystifies archaeology, transforming it from a distant scholarly pursuit into a living, breathing study of human existence that everyone can relate to and learn from.
For example, do you know what happens to your Jollibee Chickenjoy boxes? You can be a time traveler in your own backyard, uncovering the not-so-ancient relics of daily Filipino life, just like future archaeologists sifting through the now-vintage debris of the early 21st century.
Their first find? A vibrant collection of Jollibee boxes and wrappers, each a mini time capsule of family outings and quick lunch breaks. These colorful artifacts might lead to spirited discussions among future historians about the cultural significance of fast food in Filipino society. Did Jollibee truly outdo McDonald’s in the local fast-food wars? These fried chicken boxes and wrappers could be the key evidence and could spark debates among future historians about the legendary Chickenjoy; whether it really brought joy or just cholesterol.
With an accessible archaeology, it becomes less of a scholarly enigma and more of a reality show we’re all unwittingly starring in. Every coffee cup, every beer bottle, every tweet, is a breadcrumb in the trail of our collective story. So, let’s embrace this newly spruced-up archaeology, where every moment is a potential exhibit, and every one of us is a curator in the making. It’s a study of human life that invites everyone to the table — no time machine needed.
Speaking of time machine, the archaeological richness of the Philippines offers an appreciation for our deep heritage, with the potential to uncover stories that have been overshadowed by the dominant narratives of colonialism. In this context, archaeology shines as a beacon, illuminating the lives of pre-colonial societies. The Philippines boasts a diverse range of sites, from the early human evidence found in Rizal, Kalinga dating back to 700,000 years ago, to the 20th-century American logging concessions in Bicol. These sites attest to the varied societies that have flourished across the archipelago. Particularly unique to the Philippines are the Butuan plank-built and edge-pegged wooden boats, discovered in waterlogged environments and dating from the 4th to the 13th centuries C.E.
These are not mere remnants of the past, but are voices that refute the idea that our islands were isolated from the rest of the world. They remind us that our heritage is not just a chapter in someone else’s history book but a story of its own — intricate and compelling.
The narrative of the Philippines is still being written by Indigenous communities like the Ifugao, the Lumad, the Aeta, among others. Their living history, expressed through enduring rituals and crafts, is a bridge from our past to our present, knowledge systems that withstand the test of time. However, engaging with this heritage demands both celebration and caution. Deeper dives into specific sites, explorations of archaeology’s role in shaping cultural identity, and acknowledgements of ethical considerations regarding Indigenous communities can enrich our understanding. Beyond appreciation, Filipinos can become active stewards of their archaeological heritage, participating in research, preservation, and educational initiatives, ensuring this rich chapter in their history continues to inspire and empower future generations.
There exists a gap between archaeology and the public. The former often seems esoteric, reserved for scholars and history enthusiasts, but it doesn’t have to be. The archaeologists’ mission is to break down these barriers, to make archaeology as relatable and accessible as our legends. By translating academic jargon into captivating stories, we bring the past alive, inviting everyone to see themselves as part of this continuum.
Archaeology in the Philippines is more than an exploration of the past; it’s an engaged dialogue with the present, addressing today’s challenges of urban development and cultural preservation. It’s about ensuring that the lessons we unearth benefit everyone, respecting the voices of those whose histories are told.
In our classrooms, these stories enrich the curriculum, giving students a nuanced view of their heritage. They’re not just academic lessons; they inform policies and practices that honor and protect our cultural legacy, integrating the past into the living narrative of our nation.
In my work, I’ve learned to see archaeology as a key not only to our past but also to informing our future. As we face the challenges of climate change, our understanding of human-environment interactions is crucial for developing sustainable management policies for our landscapes and resources.
Through this journey, archaeology has revealed to me that every potsherd of pottery and each buried artifact is part of a larger story — our story. It’s a narrative that includes us all, a narrative that continues to unfold. It’s a discipline that connects the remnants beneath our feet to the lineage of those who came before us. By making archaeology accessible, we’re inviting everyone into a conversation about our shared heritage, demonstrating that these fragments are, indeed, chapters of a collective saga.
Back to air travel, we can reduce our impact on the environment by prioritizing essential travel, combining multiple purposes into a single trip to reduce frequency, and actively engage in carbon offsetting measures. Additionally, advocating for and choosing airlines that invest in fuel-efficient aircraft and sustainable aviation fuels can help mitigate the environmental impact.
Our travels and power needs contribute to the making of the archaeological record, especially with our use of fossil fuels. The emissions from our daily activities form part of the archaeological record, evident in sediment and ice core layers that reveal historical atmospheric conditions. These emissions contribute to climate change, impacting the preservation and condition of archaeological sites and artifacts. Additionally, the rise in carbon emissions affects radiocarbon dating techniques, necessitating adjustments to maintain accuracy in dating recent objects.
As such, archaeology shouldn’t be an abstract and esoteric concept locked in the past; it’s alive, dynamic, and evolving. It offers a place where we can view the journey of our nation and ourselves. Archaeology doesn’t mean everyone will have to dig; stakeholders can participate by being critical of the work of archaeologists. It’s a field that doesn’t just belong to the archaeologists; it belongs to us all — a heritage we share, a narrative we continue to shape together. As we look to the future, let us carry the lessons of the past with us to create a story that future generations will be proud to tell. – Rappler.com
Stephen Acabado is professor of anthropology at the University of California-Los Angeles. He directs the Ifugao and Bicol Archaeological Projects, research programs that engage community stakeholders. He grew up in Tinambac, Camarines Sur. He can be reached at @stephenacabado.bsky.social
A trowel (/ˈtraʊ.əl/), in the hands of an archaeologist, is like a trusty sidekick – a tiny, yet mighty, instrument that uncovers ancient secrets, one well-placed scoop at a time. It’s the Sherlock Holmes of the excavation site, revealing clues about the past with every delicate swipe.
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Thanks to Prof. Stephen Acabado for this very inspiring article. It links to two phases of time: present and future, and to three subjects: culture, economics, and climate change. Lastly, I would love to read how Prof. Acabado will link Anthropology to the Political and Military Sciences.
Second sentence correction: It links Anthropology to two phases …. (Sorry.)
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Sandiganbayan denies motions filed by ex-Palawan Governor Reyes, others in Malampaya graft cases | gdecastro0289 | 4/1/2024 10:05 | ANTI-GRAFT COURT. The Sandiganbayan in Quezon City, June 30, 2018.
Darren Langit/Rappler
MANILA, Philippines – The Sandiganbayan has denied motions filed by former Palawan Governor Joel Reyes and other officials who had sought the outright dismissal of 159 criminal charges filed by the Ombudsman in 2017.
The graft cases involve 210 public works projects in 2008 worth P1.585 billion funded by royalties from the operations of the Malampaya-Camago natural gas field.
In his motion for leave to file demurrer to evidence, Reyes said the prosecution’s evidence failed to specify his participation in alleged bidding irregularities in the projects.
Reyes said he was entitled to presumption of good faith for relying on the representations of his subordinates who, he said, had more involvement in reviewing the infrastructure projects.
His co-accused invoked the same argument on insufficient evidence. They also questioned the failure of the prosecution to establish conspiracy between the public officials and private contractors.
The Ombudsman had filed cases for 75 counts of violation of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, 77 counts of falsification of public documents, and seven counts of violations of Section 2 of Presidential Decree 1759. In addition to public officials involved, this PD penalizes contractors who violate provisions of a public works contract.
Aside from Reyes, the former Palawan officials who had been charged were:
From the Provincial Engineering Office, named in multiple graft charges were:
Also charged were state auditor Edwin G. Iglesia and senior technical audit specialist Ronelo O. del Socorro.
The private contractors who had been indicted by the Ombudsman were:
The Sandiganbayan said the grounds cited by the defense in their motions were “untenable.”
“The Court finds no cogent reasons to grant leave to file demurrer to evidence. At this point of the trial, there being sufficient evidence to sustain the indictment for the crimes charged, the accused movants now bear the evidentiary burden to controvert the evidence of the prosecution,” the Sandiganbayan Second Division said.
However, the court said its decision should not be taken as a ruling on the merits of the case.
“The incident before us is merely a determination of whether the evidence on record is sufficient to sustain the indictment or support a verdict of guilt and does not lead to a conclusion of the guilt or innocence of accused,” the court added.
Associate Justice Arthur O. Malabaguio penned the 15-page resolution. Associate Justices Oscar C. Herrera Jr. and Edgardo M. Caldona concurred. – Rappler.com
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LOOK: Beauty queen Katrina Dimaranan is engaged | Ysa Abad | 4/1/2024 12:03 | Katrina Dimaranan's Instagram
MANILA, Philippines – Miss Universe Philippines-Tourism 2021 Katarina Dimaranan is ready to tie the knot with boyfriend Robby Rodriguez after more than four years of dating.
In an Instagram post, the Filipina-American beauty queen shared photos from the proposal that took place in Cancun, Mexico.
“I have always said love is friendship on fire and now I get to call my best friend, my FIANCÉ,” she wrote.
Addressing Robby in her post, Katrina wrote: “It feels so surreal that I can officially say that I can’t wait to spend the rest of forever with you. Our love for each other has only gotten stronger through the years.”
She added that she also cried after hearing Robby’s proposal speech.
“Cheers to officially being off the market and getting to annoy each other for the rest of our lives,” she added.
Fellow beauty queens such as Mutya Datul, Samantha Panlilio, Steffi Rose Aberasturi, Maureen Wroblewitz, and Graciella Lehmann wrote congratulatory messages in the comments section.
Katrina started her pageant journey in 2012, where she won the Binibining Pilipinas Tourism crown. In 2018, she represented the United States at the Miss Supranational pageant wherein she finished first runner-up. Katrina came back to the Philippine pageant scene in 2021 and was named Miss Universe Philippines Tourism.
In April 2022, she bid goodbye to the pageant world, saying that she can “finally close this chapter and move forward to [her] next goals.”
Since then, she has been staying in the United States where she’s currently attending nursing school. – Rappler.com
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Cagayan de Oro gears up for Black Nazarene procession amid security concerns | Herbie G | 4/1/2024 10:26 | DEVOTION. A Catholic devotee passes by the replica of the Black Nazarene in Barangay Lapasan, Cagayan de Oro, on December 3, 2024.
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CAGAYAN DE ORO, Philippines – Police in Cagayan de Oro and elsewhere in Northern Mindanao are planning an extensive security plan to safeguard the largest annual procession of the Black Nazarene in Mindanao on January 9 to avoid a repeat of last month’s bombing of a Catholic Mass in Marawi City.
Lieutenant Colonel Rey Gaudencio Taboclaon, Cagayan de Oro police deputy director for operations, said they are deploying hundreds of police and Army soldiers to form a tight ring around the replica of the Black Nazarene procession as it winds its way on the streets of Cagayan de Oro.
Barefoot devotees, who call themselves Hijos de Nazareno, will carry the life-sized, dark-skinned wooden sculpture of the Black Nazarene, just like their counterparts in Quiapo, Manila.
Thousands of devotees are expected to attend Cagayan de Oro’s version of the Traslacion, the procession in honor of the Feast of the Black Nazarene, which is similar but much tamer than that of Quiapo.
“We will be deploying more police and Army during the procession. We will not be saying how many. We don’t want any surprises,” Taboclaon told reporters during the security briefing for the procession on Wednesday, January 3.
Taboclaon said the deadly bomb attack at the state-run Mindanao State University (MSU) in Marawi on December 3 weigh on their minds as they map out a security strategy for the Black Nazarene procession, a yearly Catholic event that gathers a significant number of devotees, predominantly from the southern Philippines.
On December 3, an explosion tore through the MSU’s Ali Dimaporo Gymnasium during a Mass, organized to mark the start of the traditional four-week preparation for Christmas. The attack killed four Catholic mass-goers and hurt several dozen others.
“We have not received any information of any threat, but it is better to be overprepared,” he said.
Monsignor Perseus Cabunoc, vicar general of the Catholic archdiocese in Cagayan de Oro, said the Callejeron or the replica of the Black Nazarene would be paraded by a convoy of vehicles from Jesus Nazareno Parish Church in Barangay Lapasan to the Saint Augustine Metropolitan Cathedral on January 8.
Cabunoc said the public viewing of the Black Nazarene would be held until 12 midnight at the Saint Augustine Metropolitan Cathedral on January 8.
He said the religious icon of the Jesus Nazareno Parish Church would be returned in a procession to its shrine at the Jesus Nazareno Parish Church in Barangay Lapasan.
Cabunoc said the practice by devotees of throwing towels and handkerchiefs to be rubbed on the image of the Black Nazarene is being discouraged during the procession.
Cabunoc said the Cagayan de Oro archdiocese has left the security of the religious event to the police, traffic officials, and medical responders.
“Even then, I am scared of the prospects of somebody bombing the religious procession,” he said.
Taboclaon said all mobile phone communications would be jammed from 5 am to 8 am when the Traslacion would start from the cathedral to the parish church.
He said police mobile checkpoints in the borders of the city with Lanao del Norte, Misamis Oriental, and Bukidnon would implement a strict check on all incoming vehicles at the same time.
Taboclaon said devotees are discouraged from bringing backpacks and wearing hats during the procession.
He said teams of policemen in civilian clothes would go along with the procession to enforce the rule on backpacks and hats.
Cagayan de Oro Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA) chief Nonito Oclarit said they would drive away vendors from the Saint Augustine Metropolitan Cathedral and the Jesus Nazareno Parish Church on January 8 and 9.
Oclarit said, as part of the security plan, they would implement a strict no-parking zone for all vehicles around the cathedral and the parish church. – Rappler.com
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‘From two embryos, to one, then to none’: Empress Schuck suffers miscarriage | Ysa Abad | 3/1/2024 10:28 | EMPRESS SCHUCK. The actress shares photos from an oath-taking ceremony in June 2022.
Empress Schuck's Instagram
MANILA, Philippines – Actress Empress Schuck disclosed that she had suffered a miscarriage in late 2023.
In an Instagram post on Monday, January 1, Schuck shared that they were supposed to welcome a new addition to their family in 2024.
“This year, we would’ve been a family of four or even five. From two embryos, to one, then to none,” she wrote, alongside a photo of a sonogram with two embryos and positive pregnancy kits.
The celebrity vlogger added that she’s still “not sure how to talk about” the loss. “I just know that sometimes our plans for ourselves don’t align with God’s plans for us.”
Schuck then went to express her gratitude towards husband Vino Guingona, saying that he was “God’s blessing” during this “puzzling experience.”
“We may not exactly understand how we feel about this but having each other is enough to say that everything will be okay,” she added.
Fellow celebrities including Melissa Ricks, Iya Villania, Jason Abalos, Ryza Cenon, Chito Miranda, and Sue Ramirez sent messages of support and comfort towards the couple in the comments section.
Schuck and Guingona, who have been dating since 2014, tied the knot in 2021. They welcomed their first child, a daughter named Athalia, in 2015. – Rappler.com
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Sharon Cuneta opens up on brief separation with Kiko Pangilinan | Ysa Abad | 3/1/2024 12:20 | SHARON CUNETA. The actress updates fans with photo with husband Kiko Pangilinan.
Sharon Cuneta's Instagram
MANILA, Philippines – After a series of cryptic posts and speculations on social media, Sharon Cuneta has finally spoken about the state of her marriage with former senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan.
The actress had an Instagram Live on Sunday, December 31, with husband Kiko and their three children: Frankie, Miel, and Miguel. “We’re fine and we love you,” the megastar said as she and her family greeted fans with a happy new year.
Through this Instagram Live, Sharon confirmed that they briefly separated due to a misunderstanding. However, she was quick to clarify that they have gotten back together since.
Moreover, they addressed the rumors of their marriage being on the rocks. Sharon apologized to those who were hurt by her post, stating that she only made those posts to show fans “when [she] was sad.”
“Nag-away kami, naghiwalay kami, tapos nagbati na kami so okay na kami (We fought, we separated, and then we made up, so we’re okay now),” she admitted after Kiko’s prior statement on how all couples and families experience misunderstandings and arguments.
“You always assume; please don’t assume,” Sharon stressed. “We [are] good. We [are] normal. We just got some emotions because we’re real people.”
Sharon then ended the Instagram Live after sending well wishes to their fans.
Netizens began to speculate about the state of Sharon and Kiko’s marriage due to a now-deleted post of the actress cropping out Kiko’s head from a family photograph. Sharon also posted and deleted quotes about loyalty and “side chicks,” fueling speculations further. – with additional reports from Ally De Leon/Rappler.com
Ally de Leon is a Rappler intern.
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Take a flight with the Filipino Little Prince, Prinsipe Bahaghari, in 2024 | Marguerite de Leon | 3/1/2024 15:38 | The following is a press release from Teatrong Mulat ng Pilipinas.
After being recognized as one of the best Filipino plays in 2023, Teatrong Mulat ng Pilipinas’ Prinsipe Bahaghari is set to land at the Power Mac Center Spotlight Blackbox Theater, Circuit Makati, on January 19- 21 and 26-28, 2024.
Prinsipe Bahaghari is the Filipino puppetry adaptation of the well-loved modern classic The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. The puppet play revolves around the journey of the Rainbow Prince in search of a companion who would help him care for his flower, the Gumamela, and keep her safe on his home planet. During his quest, he meets several extraordinary characters and makes a friend, the Storyteller, with whom he shares his joys and hardships. Prinsipe Bahaghari’s encounters ultimately led to his realization of what his relationship with the flower meant to him.
This adaptation celebrates Filipino culture, myths, and language to make the play accessible, especially to children. The puppets are made from rattan while local materials were also used in production.
“The use of the Filipino language and stories are drawn from the experiences of our people to narrate the magic and challenges of growing up, of the many ways of taking care of this world, of faith in different forms of love within and beyond the reach of the physical senses,” shared playwright Vladimeir Gonzales.
The production has received recognition and noteworthy reviews since its first iteration as a thesis project by director Aina Ramolete. It first premiered in November 2023 at the Amelia Lapeña-Bonifacio Teatro Papet Museo. It was also featured during the 14th Annual Meeting and International Conference of the Asian Theatre Working Group in March 2022 in Quezon City, Philippines, and at the Puppet Power 2022: Celebration! In May 2022 in Calgary, Canada.
The production was also one of the six finalists from across the globe in The Red Curtain International’s Good Theatre Festival for Young Audiences held on September 24 and 25, 2022, in India, where the play was recognized by the international jury and received Best Direction (Joint Winner) for Ramolete, Best Production, Best Production Design, and an honorable mention for Best Script for Gonzales.
The artistic and production teams behind this magical production include: Vladimeir Gonzales (Playwright), Aina Ramolete (Director, Illustrator, & Overall Production Designer), Amihan Bonifacio-Ramolete (Producer & Assistant Director), Steven Tansiongco (Graphics & Video Designer), Ohm David (Set Designer), Arvy Dimaculangan (Music & Sound Designer), Jessamae Gabon (Music Composer), Darwin Desoacido (Costume Designer), Gabo Tolentino (Lights Designer), Sig Pecho (Additional Shadow Puppet Designer & Publicity Manager), Clariz Caingat (Character Illustrator), Shenn Apilado (Technical Director), Shania Lee Cuerpo (Stage Manager), and Joshua Ceasar Chan (Production Manager).
Catch this award-winning puppetry theater play Prinsipe Bahaghari on January 19, 20, 26, and 27, 2024 at 7:38 pm, with matinee shows on January 21 and 28, 2024 at 3:38 pm, at Power Mac Center Spotlight Blackbox Theater, Circuit Makati. For tickets, click here.
Prinsipe Bahaghari will also go on an outreach run in Palawan on February 23, as part of the outreach program of the Cultural Center of the Philippines.
For inquiries, partnerships, and collaborations, please email at [email protected]. Follow Teatrong Mulat ng Pilipinas on Facebook and Instagram (@mulatpuppets). Connect with the hashtag #TMPPrinsipeBahaghari. – Rappler.com/Press Release
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EXPLAINER: How new Supreme Court rules can remedy abuses of anti-terror law | Jairo Bolledo | 3/1/2024 14:42 | PROTEST. In this file photo, militant students joined various militant groups in denouncing the House of Representatives amendments to the House 6875, the so-called Terror Bill following the passage of the bill in a rally at the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City on June 4, 2020.
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MANILA, Philippines – The Supreme Court (SC) has released procedural rules on handling petitions and applications on the controversial Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) of 2020 and related laws. The rules take effect on January 15.
The rules, released years after the law was implemented, cover petitions and applications concerning detentions without judicial warrants of arrest, surveillance orders, freeze orders, restrictions on travel, designations, proscriptions, and other court issuances connected to the implementation of the anti-terror law.
But aside from clarifying how the law will be implemented by the authorities, the new rules also provided some remedies for the people who will be affected by the law.
Lawyer Kristina Conti, secretary general of the National Union of Peoples Lawyers – National Capital Region (NUPL-NCR), distinguished remedies from safeguards. She explained that remedies are options one can invoke after something has already been done, while safeguards prevent abuses from happening in the first place.
Section 25 of the contested law defines the designation of individuals, groups of persons, organizations, or associations.
The anti-terror council (ATC), based on the law, holds the arbitrary power to designate who will be considered terrorists. This was considered dangerous by many activists, who challenged the law, because the ATC can designate anyone without going to trial.
The council can order the designation even just basing it on their own determination, and even without asking the side of the designee. Another mode of designation is the automatic designation of individuals and groups, which are already part of the UN Security Council’s list. In 2021, the High Court already voided the option where the ATC can designate upon the request by other nations.
Now, under the new rules, the SC allows a remedy after designation. Rule 2, Section 1 of the SC rules allows a person to file a petition for certiorari – used to review grave abuse of discretion – to challenge the designation. Conti said that the petition for certiorari will be based on gross misapprehension of facts and misinterpretation of the law.
The NUPL lawyer explained that the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the law issued by the Department of Justice (DOJ) “only elaborated on delisting, based on mistaken identity, change of circumstances, and the like.” The DOJ’s IRR allows designated terrorists to delist themselves or remove themselves from the terror list by following a process set by the rules.
Aside from designation, the authorities can also tag a person or group a terrorist through proscription. In this method, a trial would be needed to include an individual or group in the list of terrorists. Unlike designation, proscription is not arbitrary because a person can only be declared a terrorist through proscription after a full trial conducted by the judiciary.
When the contention of the anti-terror law reached the High Court, former chief justice Reynato Puno said proscription “may not be the favored method by the executive authorities considering they have to hurdle the checking power of the judiciary.” Puno served as one of the amici curiae (friends of the court) or individuals selected by the court to share their expertise that helped in the decision.
Associate Justice Alfredo Benjamin Caguioa, during the oral arguments, also questioned anti-terror council’s broad powers, noting that “designation already achieves the purpose of proscription.”
Conti said the new SC rules required “quantum of proof, clear, and convincing evidence” for the proscription. Section 12 of the new High Court rules states that on the matter of issuing a preliminary and permanent order of proscription, the burden to establish that there is enough evidence against a respondent lies on the petitioner.
The new SC rules also provide options to review the proscription order – either to modify or lift it. Conti explained the DOJ’s IRR is limited. It only “specified only itself as a party, supported by ATC and NICA (National Intelligence Coordinating Agency), which may file for a re-issuance of a proscription order.”
Under the new guidelines, the SC also provided a safeguard on surveillance. Rule 4 states that no law enforcement agent “may secretly wiretap, overhear and listen to, intercept, screen, read, surveil, record, or collect, with the use of any mode, form, kind, or type of electronic, mechanical or other equipment or device or technology,” without a written order from the judiciary, particularly the Court of Appeals.
The surveillance order only applies to the following, based on the SC rules:
The rules also require that there should be probable cause or strong evidence before the surveillance order will be released.
In addition, the SC also clarified what due regard should be given to vulnerable persons. Section 51 of the anti-terror law states that there should be due regard “for welfare of the elderly, pregnant, persons with disability, women, and children.”
The High Court rules stated that if an arrestee belongs to this sector, he/ she should be “detained in a facility that is separate and more appropriate to his/her condition,” among others.
Conti said the special rules “fill in a lot of gaps in the implementation of laws,” such as the recognition of the vulnerable persons and on the required process for surveillance. However, the new rules do “not cure the fundamental flaws of the laws” they have continually raised, the NUPL lawyer added.
“But while the rules try to address errors, overreach, and abuses in the implementation continuously observed in dismissed terror cases we have handled, it cannot assure that these will not happen in the first place,” Conti added.
She also reminded that the law enforcement should comply with the rules once they take effect on January 15, or they could be held in contempt. – with reports from Lance Spencer Yu/ Rappler.com
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[Vantage Point] Economic czar | Mia Gonzalez | 3/1/2024 13:00 | Alyssa Arizabal
Once in a while – and it’s literally far and few between – a few good men willingly join the government to make a positive difference.
I can only name two – Jaime Bautista and lately Frederick Go. Both men come from the private sector which guarantee them comfortable lives even after retirement.
What drives Bautista and Go to sacrifice their otherwise peaceful and comfortable lives to endure scorn and contempt from envious career-clinging government people? Both know that they are entering a snake pit, but the motivation to change what they see as fundamentally flawed system overrides any risks and hardship they will face.
We all know the story of Bautista ever since he took the helm of the Department of Transportation (DOTr). On how some people harboring a corrupt system try as they might to ease him out of office. His clean record has been his armor and to this day, has been impenetrable! Go is built of the same mold and we can expect the same brand of service.
In a December 15 executive order, President Ferdinand (Bongbong) Marcos Jr. announced the creation of the Office of the Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs (OSAPIEA), headed by its first-ever secretary, 54-year-old Frederick Go, president and chief executive officer of Robinsons Land Corporation (RLC).
By accepting the position, Go divested all of his substantial business shareholdings to eliminate potential conflicts of interest that would compromise his official decision making. For him, the sacrifice was huge, but necessary, if he were to truly serve the public with utmost responsibility, integrity, efficiency, and loyalty.
While Go’s appointment was well-received by foreign and local business groups, the title certainly looks intimidating enough to cause apprehension among some the country’s economic managers. Despite their public pronouncements welcoming Go’s appointment, not all seem sincere.
One of PBBM’s economic managers sees Go as lacking in the fundamentals of economic management and therefore not qualified for the position. Unfortunately for said secretary, news travels fast. Before he knew it, his antipathy reached the ears of many people. This is why I find it utterly hypocritical of him to be effusive in his praise for PBBM’s appointment of Go in various media pronouncements.
The chief mandate of OSAPIEA includes supervising and monitoring the National Economic and Development Authority, Department of Finance, Department of Budget and Management, and Department of Trade and Industry, among other agencies.
The heads of these four agencies, the chief of the Presidential Management Staff, and the secretaries of nine other departments make up the Economic Development Group, which is in charge of the major economic policies of the government. This cluster used to be headed by the finance secretary.
One of the concerns raise by some sectors against Go’s appointment is duplicity. The functions of the newly created office, they believe, are already being handled by the country’s economic managers and that there is no need to create an office to do the job.
This was however shot down by Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) president George Barcelon, who sees Go’s office more as an additional channel to relay the issues that the business sector wants to be addressed.
“I have heard some concerns that it might be an added redundancy. But from what I see, there are really times when the schedule of the president is full because of his many responsibilities. So, it’s an added channel of communication for us,” Barcelon was quoted by the Philippine Daily Inquirer as saying.
Having someone who has the ears of the president is not unique to the Philippines. The economic success of Indonesia can be largely credited to its Coordinating Ministry for Maritime and Investment Affairs (Kementerian Koordinator Bidang Kemaritiman dan Investasi), headed by Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan. The office, created by Indonesian President Joko Widodo on October 23, 2019, is tasked to lead the planning, coordinating, as well as synchronizing of policies in maritime affairs and investments.
In four years since its inception, the office has been credited with the rapid economic rise of Indonesia. Recently, Pandjaitan has cemented Indonesia’s cooperation with Korea in the field of electronic vehicles and a project to build a new capital of the Southeast Asian country, leveraging Korea’s technological expertise and Indonesia’s abundant resources.
Pandjaitan also met with US Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen in August 2023 to discuss Indonesia’s Just Energy Transition Partnership work on the Comprehensive Investment and Policy Plan. The CIPP will coordinate with partners in allocating the $20 billion in JETP financing towards specific projects and priorities that will support Indonesia’s achievement of the ambitious climate targets that its government has set in the November 2022 JETP Joint Statement.
This is the kind of swift action the Philippines needs to spur much-needed economic activities which government planners, tasked with reading economic data, will be hard put at achieving. Robert Young of the export-oriented Foreign Buyers Association of the Philippines also said in the Inquirer interview that they support Go’s appointment, primarily due to his private sector credentials. “My take is that all these departments that have been placed under his supervision, nothing is happening to the issues that are being raised to them. So, there is clamor to put a person who will be in charge of them all.”
Ebb Hinchliffe, executive director of the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines also in a message to the Inquirer said: “In our interactions with Secretary Go, we were encouraged by his desire to remove roadblocks to investment and doing business. We’re hopeful that this will translate into his new role and in the policies that the government’s economic cluster will pursue.”
I first met Go as a 19-year-old newly minted BS Management Engineering graduate of the Ateneo de Manila University. He was endorsed to me by his uncle, the late Robinson’s patriarch, John Gokongwei Jr. (Mr. John), for training in the business section of the Manila Times which I then headed as editor.
A year prior, Mr. John and I were conceptualizing how he would run Manila Times which he had just bought from the Roces family. At the time, I was the assistant business editor of the Philippine Star. Mr. John was a good friend and my business mentor, but I turned down his offer for me to be the publisher and editorial board chair of the Manila Times. I felt that I was too young and inexperienced to handle such a critical position. I gave him some names: the late Johnny Perez and the late Frederick “Ricky” Agcaoili, who became the Times publisher and editor-in-chief, respectively. The two then proceeded to fill in the editorial staff, with Mr. John’s daughter Robina Pe overseeing the Times’ editorial makeup. I settled for the position of business editor, and Mr. John allotted some company shares to me.
The thing I admire most about the Gokongwei Family is how each member had to learn the ropes, starting at the lowest possible job, before being considered for key positions in one of the companies they own.
Deck proved more than up to the task. I assigned him to cover the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the stock market beat where he honed his business writing and news gathering skills to near perfection. In the beat, he befriended government functionaries and business leaders, all the while concealing his family background. Diligent in his assigned task, he worked his butt off, never complaining and always keeping his two feet on the ground.
I left the Times for a more lucrative offer from a foreign business publication, but never lost touch with Mr. John whom I communicated with on a weekly basis. Deck was transferred to a new department where he also excelled.
I wasn’t surprised when Mr. John finally assigned Deck to take care of RLC as its president and CEO. In the past three decades, Deck has parlayed RLC into a P223-billion property conglomerate with 53 malls, 28 office buildings and 24 hotels. He was also instrumental in the group’s expansion move to the casino business, infrastructure (Luzon International Premier Airport Development Corporation), and banking.
The Gokongweis have never used their prominence or businesses to acquire political influence in furthering their own interests. When Mr. John built the Gokongwei family business in Cebu, he toiled hard and succeeded on his own entrepreneurial and leadership savvy, not on family relations or political influence. He guided each member of his family who now works for a family corporation to use the same work ethic.
Deck Go’s position as the President’s special adviser is not meant to substitute for the expertise of department heads, all of whom were appointed for their competence. President Marcos Jr. only sought to create the position so that he can have more help in coordinating his key policies and economic priorities.
Joining the government is definitely a huge sacrifice for Go. I could only surmise that the decision is spurred by the business sector’s lament that nothing is getting done to fast-track economic progress in the country. Having led a multibillion-peso company, Go is certainly a plus for the Marcos government. He will bring his vast experience in business to spur economic development. The realms of business and economics after all are intricately connected, with both playing vital roles in shaping the global landscape. While economists analyze and interpret economic phenomena, businessmen actively engage in the practical application of economic principles. Compared to economists who often operate at a more theoretical level, businessmen – with their hands-on approach to economic activities – are better-positioned to drive innovation, create value, and spur economic growth.
Businessmen are at the forefront of innovation and agility, constantly seeking new ways to meet market demands, and stay ahead of the competition. Unlike economists who may rely or focus more on analyzing historical data and formulating theories, businessmen operate in the dynamic and ever-changing business environment. Their ability to identify opportunities, take risks, and innovate in response to market needs allows them to contribute directly to economic progress.
Entrepreneurs possess a unique vision that goes beyond theoretical economic models. While economists may study and predict economic trends, businessmen have a tangible impact on the economy by bringing their visions to life. Successful businessmen often possess a deep understanding of consumer behavior, market dynamics, and emerging trends, enabling them to create products and services that resonate with the public.
Businessmen are instrumental in job creation and wealth generation, which are essential components of a thriving economy. Through the establishment and expansion of businesses, entrepreneurs contribute to employment opportunities, thereby reducing unemployment rates and fostering economic stability. Additionally, successful businesses generate wealth, not only for the entrepreneurs themselves, but also for their employees and stakeholders, thus creating a positive ripple effect throughout society. – Rappler.com
Val A. Villanueva is a veteran business journalist. He was a former business editor of the Philippine Star and the Gokongwei-owned Manila Times. For comments, suggestions email him at [email protected].
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This a very good article that is greatly in favor of the new economic czar Frederick Go. Let us hope that this statement is true and will continue to be true: “The Gokongweis have never used their prominence or businesses to acquire political influence in furthering their own interests.” Concerned, open-minded, and critical-minded Filipinos should be watchful for the possible resurgence of “Marcos Kleptocracy” but this time under version 2.0. Yet, this type of Filipino will always need the help of investigative journalists and proven independent and resilient media channels like Rappler.
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[OPINION] Blessing same-sex couples: What it means for LGBTQIA+ Catholics | Paterno Esmaquel II | 3/1/2024 17:09 | The document Fiducia Supplicans, recently released by the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, allows for the blessing of same-sex couples as well as couples in irregular situations.
It stresses that the Catholic Church still upholds its teachings on the sanctity of marriage as a sacrament and institution, as well as its teaching on homosexuality. The document, however, takes on a pastoral approach in its treatment of same-sex couples and couples in “irregular situations” (e.g. Catholics in polygamous marriages, Catholics who are divorced and/or remarried, or Catholics in relationships that are not between a biological male and female).
As two lay theologians, we invite people to reflect on three particular points regarding the document: our understanding of blessings and image of God, our understanding of synodality and subsidiarity within the Catholic Church, and lastly, what the document means for the LGBTQIA+ community here in the Philippines.
Fiducia Supplicans elaborates on what blessings mean using traditional theological sources: Scripture, Tradition, and human experience. Though still emphasizing that blessings are meant to help what is blessed conform more closely to God, blessings are also a way for people to approach God, whether it be for supplication or adoration and thanksgiving. One of the reasons why a blessing is sought and granted is mentioned in the document: we as people “beg that all that is true, good, and humanly valid in their lives and their relationships be enriched, healed, and elevated by the presence of the Holy Spirit.”
What Pope Francis in this document does is emphasize the relationships of people with each other and with God. Instead of focusing strictly on rules, the document also emphasizes that grace works beyond the rubrics the church has written down, and so the document rightly stresses that “it is essential to grasp the Holy Father’s concern that these non-ritualized blessings never cease being simple gestures that provide an effective means of increasing trust in God on the part of the people who ask for them.”
Thus, when people ask for a blessing, an exhaustive moral analysis should not be placed as a precondition for conferring it. For, those seeking a blessing should not be required to have prior moral perfection.
Given Pope Francis’ Jesuit background, the understanding of God in the document reflects an Ignatian understanding of a God who meets people where they are, and wishes to draw people to God’s self through the invocation of blessings on the relationships we have. The document challenges us to see God in all things, and so to ask where is God in the different relationships we and other people have with each other.
Even though the document takes great pains to maintain the importance of the sacrament of marriage and that the ritual blessing there is different from the blessing that will be given to same sex and irregular couples, it also takes greater pains to emphasize that people are people and not just walking sex acts, and that the Christian God is a God of love and relationships, not to be reduced to a God of rubrics.
While the the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines released an advisory on Fiducia Supplicans stating that the document “speaks for itself, and therefore does not require much explanation,” a number of local bishops have released guidelines for their own dioceses. The language used for these local guidelines departs from Fiducia Supplicans and adds an extra layer of moral judgment upon couples asking for blessings.
Archbishop Socrates Villegas, for example, argues that when a priest blesses these couples, he is “asking God to have pity on both of them and to give them the grace of conversion so that they can regularize their relationships.” The tone and language of Villegas presumes a need for conversion, for same-sex couples to “regularize” their relationships – not found in Fiducia Supplicans. In another case, Archbishop Ricardo Baccay of Tuguegarao described these couples not as “couples in irregular situations,” as was phrased in Fiducia Supplicans, but as “persons in problematic and difficult situations.”
The guidelines being drawn up by bishops seem to ignore the emphasis in recent years on synodality and subsidiarity within the Catholic Church. A synodal church invites a close listening to the people who are most affected by a decision made by the church. This is a listening to what the Catholic Church calls the “sense of the faithful” that reflects how the Christian faith is embodied and practiced in the context of the people. The principles of solidarity and subsidiarity in Catholic theology holds that the church is to pursue the common good, especially for those who are vulnerable and marginalized, and those who are most affected by any teaching/decision must have the most say in the process leading up to the teaching/decision.
The pastoral invitation of Fiducia Supplicans extends towards being and listening with the couples who seek for blessings, and to listen to their voices. In all church teachings on homosexuality, queer voices have been pushed aside time and time again. Queer lives have become an object of discourse without their voice being heard in the discussion, which does not align with the principle of subsidiarity the Catholic Church advocates for.
Rather than relying heavily on rubrics, the document highlights the need as well for us to learn to discern depending on particular circumstances: “It is not appropriate for a Diocese, a Bishops’ Conference, or any other ecclesial structure to constantly and officially establish procedures or rituals for all kinds of matters…. Canon Law should not and cannot cover everything, nor should the Episcopal Conferences claim to do so with their various documents and protocols, since the life of the Church flows through many channels besides the normative ones.”
Given all these ideas in the document, what does this mean for the Catholic Church moving forward?
This document gives hope for a more inclusive church that welcomes couples from different situations. The invitation to clergy is to create those spaces of welcome, one blessing at a time. Further down the line, this can even open the doors for a more robust and inclusive LGBTQIA+ ministry that affirms the goodness of each person. However, because of the way bishops can receive teaching from the Pope, there will be significant differences in how the teaching will be put into practice, as seen in how the different local dioceses are crafting their own guidelines, juxtaposed with bishops and priests in other countries who are willing to or have already blessed same sex couples.
Fiducia Supplicans reminds us of the Filipino saying “malayo pa, pero malayo na.” Certainly this document is a step forward in becoming more synodal, dialogical, and communal, grounded in Scripture and Tradition. – Rappler.com
Stephanie Ann Puen, PhD, is a faculty member at the Department of Theology at Ateneo de Manila University. She has taught economics and business ethics, Catholic social thought, gender and sexual ethics, and theology and popular culture at both the Ateneo de Manila University, and Fordham University in New York, as well as published on these topics for both scholarly and popular publications.
Raphael Yabut is a faculty member at the Department of Theology at Ateneo de Manila University. He is a PhD candidate at Boston College, MA, USA, currently writing his dissertation on a religious education for peace and justice in grassroots communities in the Philippines and is interested in researching on queer and post/decolonial theologies.
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[OPINION] Marcos’ disengagement from Duterte sets stage for 2025 showdown | Glenda Gloria | 3/1/2024 19:00 | The previous year could be summed up, from the perspective of a political junkie, as the year President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. disengaged from the controversial policies of his predecessor, former president Rodrigo Duterte. Whether by accident or design, the disengagement led to the unravelling of the UniTeam alliance. It also sets the stage for a dramatic clash between Marcos and Duterte forces in the 2025 mid-year elections.
President Marcos Jr. anchored his election on a nostalgic yearning for a make-believe land of peace and shared prosperity, and the perception of being Duterte’s anointed one. His critics painted him as a dictator’s spoiled son bent on rehabilitating his father’s disgraced image while continuing Duterte’s controversial policies. A year and six months after his election, President Marcos Jr. has shown that he is, other than his father’s son, not a polished Duterte clone.
The policy reversals shifted to high gear in 2023.
President Marcos Jr. talked tough on China’s incursions and rekindled strained relations with the United States. He has refused to pursue the drug war using the Duterte template. His shift from “no” to “maybe” on the issue of cooperating with the International Criminal Court (ICC), currently investigating Duterte for crimes against humanity, confounded and enraged supporters of the former president. And to rub more salt on the wounded political ties, Marcos Jr. announced the likely resumption of the stalled peace talks with remnants of the communist movement.
Disengagement may be too polite a term to describe the methodical knee-capping by attrition of the former president, carried out by the most unlikely coalition allies in the House.
Administration allies moved to weaken Duterte’s political strength by gradually raiding the ranks of the once dominant party, PDP-Laban, an effortless undertaking in reality. A key supporter of Vice President Sara Duterte, former president and Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, was a major casualty of the ensuing pogrom.
But last year’s highlight reel was the dramatic and well-orchestrated series of revelations, timed with deliberations on the national budget, that painted the Vice President as a secret fund-obsessed brat with little noteworthy credentials other than a quick temper and a solid punch.
Duterte the father, as expected, responded by ranting on air but on a smaller megaphone, the Sonshine Media Network International. The network, however, was yanked off the air for 30 days by the National Telecommunications Commission, on the prodding of the House, a few days before Christmas. It could very well lose its franchise. To spread the word among his true believers, by now a diminished force in the eyes of administration allies, the former president now relies on a downsized network of equally cantankerous online supporters and a few media personalities.
Strategically, the political disembowelment is aimed at consolidating the administration’s grip on Congress in 2025 and diffusing support for the Vice President in the 2028 presidential elections.
The emasculation of Duterte, father and daughter, can be summed up simply: after the restoration, the disruption. The knee-capping was methodical and ruthless, trademark Marcos.
It would be interesting to see the political realignments this year, as parties and candidates gear up for the 2025 mid-term elections. Senatorial candidates, in particular, would have to make a potentially career-altering choice: Team BBM or Team DDS?
The smart money, for now, is with Team BBM. There are advantages to being a candidate of the siting president, namely resources, access to funders, and a formidable machinery. With the exception of the Arroyo regime, the mid-term elections have always been dominated by administration candidates.
The administration, however, is not without some weak spots. The economy is foremost. It is easier to stage a charm offensive overseas or berate China than deal with a public disaffected by rising prices, or the perception of declining quality of life. The biggest concern for any incumbent is for disaffection to translate to protest votes, resulting in a Senate dominated by the opposition.
Still, it would be foolhardy for Duterte’s allies to prematurely call the mid-terms in their favor. For one, the economy might weather the anticipated effects of El Niño through government intervention. For the administration, the bare minimum is to keep inflation within manageable levels and, if needed, dispense financial aid to vulnerable sectors. The people need to feel their economic situation unchanged, if not improving.
For now, there is sufficient residual goodwill to assure Duterte of victory should he make good his threat to run for senator. But his intention to lead an “opposition” ticket could be problematic. When Duterte said he was toying with the idea of running for a national position, it was in response to the then-recent House decision to deny his daughter confidential funds, and rumors of impeachment. Essentially he would be running to settle a score. And that may not swing voters his way.
Besides, voters have been historically lukewarm to opposition candidates during mid-term elections. The lessons of the “Otso Deretso” senatorial ticket should be instructive, even for Duterte.
This will be an exciting year for politics and political operators. Can we expect knife fights turning into all-out war or will there be a truce for the sake of, you know, unity? And can the holdouts from former vice president Leni Robredo’s failed presidential bid summon the intestinal fortitude, and the resources, to regroup and field their own slate?
Hold on to your hats. It’s going to be wild. – Rappler.com
Joey Salgado is a former journalist, and a government and political communications practitioner. He served as spokesperson for former Vice President Jejomar Binay. This was first published on ourbrew.ph.
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Agree with writer Joey Salgado: 2024 will be an exciting year in Philippine politics. It will be the preparatory year immediately preceding the mid-term election year of 2025. More likely, the political war will increase in intensity and heat while a truce is less likely as disunity has reached its point of no return.
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[Uncle Bob] Visiting Manila? How to spend your Lunar New Year 2024 in the PH capital | Marguerite de Leon | 3/1/2024 17:10 | RED. Scenes of the celebration of the Chinese New Year at Binondo Manila.
Alecs Ongcal/Rappler
MANILA, Philippines – Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia are my three favorite countries after my own.
Two weeks ago, I was in a busy, festive mall in Manila and I thought, why not create a guide to an easy lunar new year holiday in Manila for friends in these countries, with a heavy emphasis on food, shopping, and culture? Food is a priority of course lah.
I brought some Singaporeans to Cebu years ago and we had a blast.
The Manila agenda below should be good for a four-night stay including a weekend.
I saw that the Conrad Hotel near Manila Bay is plugged directly into the Mall of Asia (MOA) and the world’s largest IKEA store. So I recommend the Conrad.
Arrange for the hotel to have their car pick you up at the airport upon arrival.
At IKEA, the restaurant is crazy huge. You can have the usual Swedish meatballs as well as Filipino dishes like sisig.
It’s nice to walk around the world’s largest IKEA store because of its wide corridors and friendly staff. Compare prices with those in your country.
It has a direct link to MOA, one of the largest malls in Asia, where you have all the major international brands like Nike, Uniqlo, Under Armour, Crocs, Muji, etc. but also a lot of local Filipino clothing, leather goods, and other shops.
Bench is the local fast-fashion brand. It’s like Uniqlo. I like their socks, handkerchiefs, underwear, and casual clothing. There’s something for everyone at Bench – short for the founder’s name Ben Chan.
Philippine souvenirs are sold in MOA at a shop called Kultura. You don’t have to go anywhere else.
Manila has one of the most beautiful sunsets in the world. Walk from the Conrad or MOA at 4 pm to the seaside. The sun sets early in Manila, around 5:30 pm, so you have to be at the seaside promenade during the magic hour before sunset.
Very Instagrammable. You will be surrounded by happy Filipino families. There are a lot of food and beverage options along the shore. Very child-friendly ambience.
Yes, the favorite topic of Singaporeans, Malaysians, and Indonesians. MOA has a staggering array of food options. They have a large food hall as well as individual restaurants.
Filipino cuisine is a blend of Spanish, Chinese, American, Malay/Indo, and regional Filipino cooking.
Korean food is huge in Manila because of the large Korean community (students, businessmen etc).
My food suggestions in the MOA area:
AbeCafe RemediosDin Tai Fung (we call it DTF) Mary Grace – Great breads and desserts, try ensaymada and cheese rolls with coffee Locavore in Conrad Halal – Of course I won’t forget my Muslim friends
There’s one point I should point out for Malaysians, the weird Filipino habit of bringing dogs to the mall. Tiny ones are pushed in prams like babies but there are big ones too, fully leashed but still annoying to me.
Dampa (take a hotel car) – Dampa is a fresh seafood market near Conrad where you pick what you want to eat and tell the staff how you want it cooked. They will give you options and suggestions. You will dine in a clean aircon restaurant next to the market. But make sure they tell you what the cooking charges are up front before closing the deal. Like Newton Hawker Centre lah, you might get overcharged.
For pork eaters, go to Rico’s lechon in MOA. Whole roast pig with crispy skin and tender meat sliced for you. It’s the national dish.
Wet wipesTissue paper in packetsPhilippine pesos in 50, 100, and 200 bills
Men should experience a haircut with a mustache-beard trim at Bruno’s Barbers in MOA. Costs P700 (SGD 17), and it’s of course cheaper for a haircut alone. Show the barber a picture of yourself with the haircut you want him to create. Leave a P100 (SGD 2.40, $1.80) tip. This tip is okay for most occasions except luxury dining.
Manila has a 12% Value Added Tax, like GST, and service charges at restaurants. Be kind and tip well if service is good, as it usually is.
The Manila Hotel – Book the buffet lunch on a weekday. I did a lot of feasting here under the guise of business meetings. Filipino, Italian, Japanese, and Arabic options are what I recall. After lunch, sit in the massive lobby and just watch people. It is 111 years old and dwarfs the Raffles Hotel.
Binondo – Ask your hotel to book you a car and guided tour of Binondo, the world’s oldest Chinatown. You will have a blast.
Sofitel buffet dinner – The Spiral dinner buffet is regarded by many as the best in Manila. Close to Conrad. A cool breeze from Manila Bay will keep you comfortable as you dine.
Grab works well in Manila. If you are adventurous, try motorcycle taxis like Joyride or Angkas (founded by a Singaporean woman married to a Pinoy). They supply helmets.
Finally, leave for the airport four hours before your flight just in case there’s heavy traffic, rain, or long queues in immigration, etc. You will probably arrive early but T3 is great, T2 is not good due to few F&B options, and T1 is the oldest and underwent a makeover in recent years.
Buy the local Don Papa rum at Duty Free. It’s great with Coke on the rocks (Cuba Libre)
I hope you enjoy my wonderful hometown. – Rappler.com
Roberto Coloma, better known as Bobby, retired in 2022 after 40 years as a foreign correspondent. He started his career as editor-in-chief of the Philippine Collegian, the student newspaper of the University of the Philippines.
#ShareAsia highlights the best and most sought-after experiences in the Asia-Pacific region. It’s a content and resource hub for tourists and locals alike seeking new, exciting experiences in the region.
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Ticket prices, seat plan: Jonas Brothers Live in Manila 2024 | Marguerite de Leon | 2/1/2024 19:33 | Jonas Brothers' Instagram
MANILA, Philippines – Heads up, Jo Bros fans! The ticket prices and seat plan for the Jonas Brothers’ upcoming Manila concert have been released by concert promoter Ovation Productions on Tuesday, January 2.
Tickets for the February 22 concert at the Mall of Asia Arena will be on sale beginning January 6, 12 pm, at smtickets.com. Prices range from P2,500 for Gen Ad to P18,500 for SVIP, plus ticketing charges. Both SVIP and VIP are standing room only.
Seat plan and ticket prices for Jonas Brothers live in Manila on February 22 at the Mall of Asia Arena. Tickets on sale January 6, 12nn at https://t.co/acTZcWszLf pic.twitter.com/UO6SJw0EQr
The three-member pop-rock band will be “celebrating five albums” during their concert. The band was last in Manila for an October 2012 concert also at the SM Mall of Asia.
The Jonas Brothers – made up of Kevin, Joe, and Nick Jonas – formed in 2005 and reached peak fame with their roles in Disney’s Camp Rock, and hit singles like “Year 3000.” The band then came out with four studio albums, releasing hit songs, such as “Lovebug,” “Burnin’ Up,” “S.O.S.,” “Paranoid,” “Pom Poms,” and “When You Look Me in the Eyes,” among others.
Due to “complications within the group,” the band split in 2013, with Nick and Joe pursuing solo music careers soon after.
In 2019, the brothers reunited, releasing their comeback single “Sucker” under their fifth album V. In May, they released The Album. – Rappler.com
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LOOK: Angelica Panganiban and Gregg Homan are married | Ysa Abad | 1/1/2024 14:31 | MARRIED. Angelica Panganiban and Gregg Homan tie the knot on December 31, 2023.
Angelica Panganiban's Instagram
MANILA, Philippines – Angelica Panganiban welcomed 2024 as a married woman!
In an Instagram post on Monday, January 1, the actress shared that she tied the knot with non-showbiz partner Gregg Homan on New Year’s Eve.
“Patuloy na mananalig at maniniwala sa pag-ibig. Sa kabila ng lahat. Ang pagmamahal pa rin ang kakapitan,” she wrote, alongside photos from their intimate wedding ceremony.
(Will continue to have faith and believe in love. In spite of everything. Love will make us hold on.)
Fellow celebrities such as Vhong Navarro, Maris Racal, Marian Rivera, Luis Manzano, Zanjoe Marudo, and Yam Concepcion sent their best wishes to the couple in the comments section.
Panganiban and Homan first confirmed their relationship in January 2021. They announced their engagement in October 2022.
Panganiban gave birth to their daughter Amila in September 2022. – Rappler.com
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Ready for 2024! Here’s how PH celebs welcomed the New Year | Ysa Abad | 1/1/2024 12:01 | MANILA, Philippines – And with that, 2023 came to an end. By now, you’ve pretty much seen year-ender posts on social media, including ones from your favorite celebrities. After all, it won’t be a New Year celebration without the stream of these essays and family portraits.
From posting their favorite memories of 2023, sharing snaps from their holiday trips, to writing their reflections and resolutions for the coming year, celebrities found creative ways to ring in 2024.
Take a look at their holiday celebrations from all over the world here:
Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach is spending the holidays in Maldives with husband Jeremy Jauncey. To mark their first New Year celebration as a married couple, the beauty queen shared that they opted to do a wellness retreat.
“Ending the year with a focus on being, resetting, and spending time to reflect and make new plans for next year. So excited for 2024,” she wrote.
Iza Calzado opened up about how her outlook in life changed after becoming a mother. The actress welcomed her first child Deia Amihan on January 26, 2023.
“Most grateful for my child, Deia Amihan, for making me realize that my body was made not merely for aesthetic reasons but to fulfill a purpose so big, no weighing scale or tape measure can begin to comprehend. This is my body’s true beauty and power,” she wrote.
Miss Universe Philippines 2023 Michelle Dee shared behind-the-scenes videos from her acting and modeling activities for the year, including her preparations for the Miss Universe pageant.
The beauty queen said that 2023 will be “one of the hardest years to move on from.”
“This one will be hard to top and it brings me to tears with how far this journey has taken me,” she said.
Sharing a video compilation of snaps from 2023, actress-socialite Heart Evangelista expressed her excitement for the coming year. “A new beginning for all of us. Let’s do this, 2024,” she wrote.
Celebrity couple Jessy Mendiola and Luis Manzano marked their second New Year celebration as a family of three. They welcomed their first child, Isabella Rose, in late December 2022, but shared this with the public only in early January 2023.
“The highlight of our year is this little one right here,” the actress wrote, alongside videos of their daughter throughout 2023.
P-pop powerhouse SB19 shared that while “2023 has its ups and downs,” it made their bond with their fans, A’TIN, “even stronger.” In 2023, the quintet released their second EP PAGTATAG, embarked on their second international tour, celebrated their fifth debut anniversary, and secured the ownership of their group name and logo.
2023 has its ups and downs, *cue Wild Tonight*, but one thing’s for sure: it made our bond even stronger. 🫂Simula pa lang ito, A’TIN! Marami pa tayong tatahakin hanggang sa wakas! 💙#2023withSB19 #SB19 pic.twitter.com/oD7FIWkCDG
Keeping it simple, Ryan Agoncillo shared a series of family portraits to express his gratitude for the past year. “Thank you 2023,” he captioned the post.
Actresses Kim Chiu, Angelica Panganiban, and Bela Padilla are spending the holidays together in the United States. “Ending the year with these beautiful people,” Chiu wrote. “Thankful for the gift of friendship.”
It’s a sunny celebration for model-actress Sarah Lahbati as she shared snaps from her beach vacation in Bohol with her family. “[A] good year to have a good year,” she wrote.
– Rappler.com
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LOOK: Angelica Panganiban and Gregg Homan are married | Ysa Abad | 1/1/2024 14:31 | MARRIED. Angelica Panganiban and Gregg Homan tie the knot on December 31, 2023.
Angelica Panganiban's Instagram
MANILA, Philippines – Angelica Panganiban welcomed 2024 as a married woman!
In an Instagram post on Monday, January 1, the actress shared that she tied the knot with non-showbiz partner Gregg Homan on New Year’s Eve.
“Patuloy na mananalig at maniniwala sa pag-ibig. Sa kabila ng lahat. Ang pagmamahal pa rin ang kakapitan,” she wrote, alongside photos from their intimate wedding ceremony.
(Will continue to have faith and believe in love. In spite of everything. Love will make us hold on.)
Fellow celebrities such as Vhong Navarro, Maris Racal, Marian Rivera, Luis Manzano, Zanjoe Marudo, and Yam Concepcion sent their best wishes to the couple in the comments section.
Panganiban and Homan first confirmed their relationship in January 2021. They announced their engagement in October 2022.
Panganiban gave birth to their daughter Amila in September 2022. – Rappler.com
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Arrivederci, Motorino – NYC pizza shop leaves PH | Marguerite de Leon | 2/1/2024 19:23 | Motorino Pizza Philippines' Facebook
MANILA, Philippines – Brooklyn-born pizzeria Motorino has closed shop in the Philippines after almost 10 years, a Facebook post by Motorino Pizza Philippines announced on Monday, January 1.
“Grateful for nearly a decade of serving ‘New York’s Best Pizza’ Neopolitan-style in Manila, we’ve reached the end of our journey, having served our last pizza on December 31, 2023,” the post read.
“As of today, January 1, 2024, we close our doors with deep gratitude for your patronage. Grazie for being an integral part of our journey. Ciao!” it added.
According to an interview on Spot.ph, Motorino Pizza Philippines owner Eugene Lorenzana said, “We just decided to close Motorino simply due to the different taste and preference of the market in the Philippines.”
Motorino’s first set up shop in the Philippines in 2014 at Greenbelt 3. It then opened several more branches over the years: The Podium, Estancia, Alabang Town Center, and Ayala Malls Manila Bay. Its original store opened in Brooklyn, New York City in 2008. – Rappler.com
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Ticket prices, seat plan: Jonas Brothers Live in Manila 2024 | Marguerite de Leon | 2/1/2024 19:33 | Jonas Brothers' Instagram
MANILA, Philippines – Heads up, Jo Bros fans! The ticket prices and seat plan for the Jonas Brothers’ upcoming Manila concert have been released by concert promoter Ovation Productions on Tuesday, January 2.
Tickets for the February 22 concert at the Mall of Asia Arena will be on sale beginning January 6, 12 pm, at smtickets.com. Prices range from P2,500 for Gen Ad to P18,500 for SVIP, plus ticketing charges. Both SVIP and VIP are standing room only.
Seat plan and ticket prices for Jonas Brothers live in Manila on February 22 at the Mall of Asia Arena. Tickets on sale January 6, 12nn at https://t.co/acTZcWszLf pic.twitter.com/UO6SJw0EQr
The three-member pop-rock band will be “celebrating five albums” during their concert. The band was last in Manila for an October 2012 concert also at the SM Mall of Asia.
The Jonas Brothers – made up of Kevin, Joe, and Nick Jonas – formed in 2005 and reached peak fame with their roles in Disney’s Camp Rock, and hit singles like “Year 3000.” The band then came out with four studio albums, releasing hit songs, such as “Lovebug,” “Burnin’ Up,” “S.O.S.,” “Paranoid,” “Pom Poms,” and “When You Look Me in the Eyes,” among others.
Due to “complications within the group,” the band split in 2013, with Nick and Joe pursuing solo music careers soon after.
In 2019, the brothers reunited, releasing their comeback single “Sucker” under their fifth album V. In May, they released The Album. – Rappler.com
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[Uncle Bob] Visiting Manila? How to spend your Lunar New Year 2024 in the PH capital | Marguerite de Leon | 3/1/2024 17:10 | RED. Scenes of the celebration of the Chinese New Year at Binondo Manila.
Alecs Ongcal/Rappler
MANILA, Philippines – Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia are my three favorite countries after my own.
Two weeks ago, I was in a busy, festive mall in Manila and I thought, why not create a guide to an easy lunar new year holiday in Manila for friends in these countries, with a heavy emphasis on food, shopping, and culture? Food is a priority of course lah.
I brought some Singaporeans to Cebu years ago and we had a blast.
The Manila agenda below should be good for a four-night stay including a weekend.
I saw that the Conrad Hotel near Manila Bay is plugged directly into the Mall of Asia (MOA) and the world’s largest IKEA store. So I recommend the Conrad.
Arrange for the hotel to have their car pick you up at the airport upon arrival.
At IKEA, the restaurant is crazy huge. You can have the usual Swedish meatballs as well as Filipino dishes like sisig.
It’s nice to walk around the world’s largest IKEA store because of its wide corridors and friendly staff. Compare prices with those in your country.
It has a direct link to MOA, one of the largest malls in Asia, where you have all the major international brands like Nike, Uniqlo, Under Armour, Crocs, Muji, etc. but also a lot of local Filipino clothing, leather goods, and other shops.
Bench is the local fast-fashion brand. It’s like Uniqlo. I like their socks, handkerchiefs, underwear, and casual clothing. There’s something for everyone at Bench – short for the founder’s name Ben Chan.
Philippine souvenirs are sold in MOA at a shop called Kultura. You don’t have to go anywhere else.
Manila has one of the most beautiful sunsets in the world. Walk from the Conrad or MOA at 4 pm to the seaside. The sun sets early in Manila, around 5:30 pm, so you have to be at the seaside promenade during the magic hour before sunset.
Very Instagrammable. You will be surrounded by happy Filipino families. There are a lot of food and beverage options along the shore. Very child-friendly ambience.
Yes, the favorite topic of Singaporeans, Malaysians, and Indonesians. MOA has a staggering array of food options. They have a large food hall as well as individual restaurants.
Filipino cuisine is a blend of Spanish, Chinese, American, Malay/Indo, and regional Filipino cooking.
Korean food is huge in Manila because of the large Korean community (students, businessmen etc).
My food suggestions in the MOA area:
AbeCafe RemediosDin Tai Fung (we call it DTF) Mary Grace – Great breads and desserts, try ensaymada and cheese rolls with coffee Locavore in Conrad Halal – Of course I won’t forget my Muslim friends
There’s one point I should point out for Malaysians, the weird Filipino habit of bringing dogs to the mall. Tiny ones are pushed in prams like babies but there are big ones too, fully leashed but still annoying to me.
Dampa (take a hotel car) – Dampa is a fresh seafood market near Conrad where you pick what you want to eat and tell the staff how you want it cooked. They will give you options and suggestions. You will dine in a clean aircon restaurant next to the market. But make sure they tell you what the cooking charges are up front before closing the deal. Like Newton Hawker Centre lah, you might get overcharged.
For pork eaters, go to Rico’s lechon in MOA. Whole roast pig with crispy skin and tender meat sliced for you. It’s the national dish.
Wet wipesTissue paper in packetsPhilippine pesos in 50, 100, and 200 bills
Men should experience a haircut with a mustache-beard trim at Bruno’s Barbers in MOA. Costs P700 (SGD 17), and it’s of course cheaper for a haircut alone. Show the barber a picture of yourself with the haircut you want him to create. Leave a P100 (SGD 2.40, $1.80) tip. This tip is okay for most occasions except luxury dining.
Manila has a 12% Value Added Tax, like GST, and service charges at restaurants. Be kind and tip well if service is good, as it usually is.
The Manila Hotel – Book the buffet lunch on a weekday. I did a lot of feasting here under the guise of business meetings. Filipino, Italian, Japanese, and Arabic options are what I recall. After lunch, sit in the massive lobby and just watch people. It is 111 years old and dwarfs the Raffles Hotel.
Binondo – Ask your hotel to book you a car and guided tour of Binondo, the world’s oldest Chinatown. You will have a blast.
Sofitel buffet dinner – The Spiral dinner buffet is regarded by many as the best in Manila. Close to Conrad. A cool breeze from Manila Bay will keep you comfortable as you dine.
Grab works well in Manila. If you are adventurous, try motorcycle taxis like Joyride or Angkas (founded by a Singaporean woman married to a Pinoy). They supply helmets.
Finally, leave for the airport four hours before your flight just in case there’s heavy traffic, rain, or long queues in immigration, etc. You will probably arrive early but T3 is great, T2 is not good due to few F&B options, and T1 is the oldest and underwent a makeover in recent years.
Buy the local Don Papa rum at Duty Free. It’s great with Coke on the rocks (Cuba Libre)
I hope you enjoy my wonderful hometown. – Rappler.com
Roberto Coloma, better known as Bobby, retired in 2022 after 40 years as a foreign correspondent. He started his career as editor-in-chief of the Philippine Collegian, the student newspaper of the University of the Philippines.
#ShareAsia highlights the best and most sought-after experiences in the Asia-Pacific region. It’s a content and resource hub for tourists and locals alike seeking new, exciting experiences in the region.
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[OPINION] Marcos’ disengagement from Duterte sets stage for 2025 showdown | Glenda Gloria | 3/1/2024 19:00 | The previous year could be summed up, from the perspective of a political junkie, as the year President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. disengaged from the controversial policies of his predecessor, former president Rodrigo Duterte. Whether by accident or design, the disengagement led to the unravelling of the UniTeam alliance. It also sets the stage for a dramatic clash between Marcos and Duterte forces in the 2025 mid-year elections.
President Marcos Jr. anchored his election on a nostalgic yearning for a make-believe land of peace and shared prosperity, and the perception of being Duterte’s anointed one. His critics painted him as a dictator’s spoiled son bent on rehabilitating his father’s disgraced image while continuing Duterte’s controversial policies. A year and six months after his election, President Marcos Jr. has shown that he is, other than his father’s son, not a polished Duterte clone.
The policy reversals shifted to high gear in 2023.
President Marcos Jr. talked tough on China’s incursions and rekindled strained relations with the United States. He has refused to pursue the drug war using the Duterte template. His shift from “no” to “maybe” on the issue of cooperating with the International Criminal Court (ICC), currently investigating Duterte for crimes against humanity, confounded and enraged supporters of the former president. And to rub more salt on the wounded political ties, Marcos Jr. announced the likely resumption of the stalled peace talks with remnants of the communist movement.
Disengagement may be too polite a term to describe the methodical knee-capping by attrition of the former president, carried out by the most unlikely coalition allies in the House.
Administration allies moved to weaken Duterte’s political strength by gradually raiding the ranks of the once dominant party, PDP-Laban, an effortless undertaking in reality. A key supporter of Vice President Sara Duterte, former president and Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, was a major casualty of the ensuing pogrom.
But last year’s highlight reel was the dramatic and well-orchestrated series of revelations, timed with deliberations on the national budget, that painted the Vice President as a secret fund-obsessed brat with little noteworthy credentials other than a quick temper and a solid punch.
Duterte the father, as expected, responded by ranting on air but on a smaller megaphone, the Sonshine Media Network International. The network, however, was yanked off the air for 30 days by the National Telecommunications Commission, on the prodding of the House, a few days before Christmas. It could very well lose its franchise. To spread the word among his true believers, by now a diminished force in the eyes of administration allies, the former president now relies on a downsized network of equally cantankerous online supporters and a few media personalities.
Strategically, the political disembowelment is aimed at consolidating the administration’s grip on Congress in 2025 and diffusing support for the Vice President in the 2028 presidential elections.
The emasculation of Duterte, father and daughter, can be summed up simply: after the restoration, the disruption. The knee-capping was methodical and ruthless, trademark Marcos.
It would be interesting to see the political realignments this year, as parties and candidates gear up for the 2025 mid-term elections. Senatorial candidates, in particular, would have to make a potentially career-altering choice: Team BBM or Team DDS?
The smart money, for now, is with Team BBM. There are advantages to being a candidate of the siting president, namely resources, access to funders, and a formidable machinery. With the exception of the Arroyo regime, the mid-term elections have always been dominated by administration candidates.
The administration, however, is not without some weak spots. The economy is foremost. It is easier to stage a charm offensive overseas or berate China than deal with a public disaffected by rising prices, or the perception of declining quality of life. The biggest concern for any incumbent is for disaffection to translate to protest votes, resulting in a Senate dominated by the opposition.
Still, it would be foolhardy for Duterte’s allies to prematurely call the mid-terms in their favor. For one, the economy might weather the anticipated effects of El Niño through government intervention. For the administration, the bare minimum is to keep inflation within manageable levels and, if needed, dispense financial aid to vulnerable sectors. The people need to feel their economic situation unchanged, if not improving.
For now, there is sufficient residual goodwill to assure Duterte of victory should he make good his threat to run for senator. But his intention to lead an “opposition” ticket could be problematic. When Duterte said he was toying with the idea of running for a national position, it was in response to the then-recent House decision to deny his daughter confidential funds, and rumors of impeachment. Essentially he would be running to settle a score. And that may not swing voters his way.
Besides, voters have been historically lukewarm to opposition candidates during mid-term elections. The lessons of the “Otso Deretso” senatorial ticket should be instructive, even for Duterte.
This will be an exciting year for politics and political operators. Can we expect knife fights turning into all-out war or will there be a truce for the sake of, you know, unity? And can the holdouts from former vice president Leni Robredo’s failed presidential bid summon the intestinal fortitude, and the resources, to regroup and field their own slate?
Hold on to your hats. It’s going to be wild. – Rappler.com
Joey Salgado is a former journalist, and a government and political communications practitioner. He served as spokesperson for former Vice President Jejomar Binay. This was first published on ourbrew.ph.
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Agree with writer Joey Salgado: 2024 will be an exciting year in Philippine politics. It will be the preparatory year immediately preceding the mid-term election year of 2025. More likely, the political war will increase in intensity and heat while a truce is less likely as disunity has reached its point of no return.
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EASL: Jeremy Lin flexes NBA pedigree, leads New Taipei to 2nd-half breakaway of Meralco | jisaga0269 | 3/1/2024 21:38 | LINSANITY. New Taipei Kings guard Jeremy Lin handles the ball against the Meralco Bolts in the East Asian Super League
East Asia Super League
MANILA, Philippines – The New Taipei Kings rode an 11-0 third-quarter start to pull off an 89-77 win against the Meralco Bolts in the 2023-2024 East Asia Super League (EASL) season at the PhilSports Arena on Wednesday, January 3.
Showing off his NBA pedigree, Jeremy Lin stole the show, as expected, in his first game in the Philippines in 10 years with a 23-point, 10-rebound double-double to go with 4 assists in 29 minutes.
Four other New Taipei standouts scored in double figures, including Jeremy’s brother Joseph, who tallied 11 points, 3 boards, and 3 dimes.
Unfazed with Meralco’s strong first half that netted a 47-42 lead, New Taipei rallied behind the elder Lin with the aforementioned 11-0 start, highlighted by two triples from the former New York Knicks and Los Angeles Lakers star that set the tone for the rest of the period.
From that point, the Bolts played catch-up basketball, which the Kings took full advantage of down the stretch. Meralco last got within single digits at the 7:21 mark of the fourth off a Prince Ibeh tip-in, 62-71, before New Taipei rallied away with an 8-2 spurt to gain a 15-point cushion, 79-64, with 6:01 to play.
Jeremy Lin – who last played in Manila in 2013 as a member of the Houston Rockets – then put the finishing touches from mid-range in the waning minutes of regulation as Meralco’s comeback lost steam for good.
Import Zach Lofton led the losing cause with 20 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists, while veteran gunner Allein Maliksi bombed away 8 quick points in a 2-minute first quarter run before settling with 12 in 19 minutes off the bench.
With the win for an unblemished 3-0 record, New Taipei is now on the cusp of securing a Final Four berth in home-and-away tournament featuring teams from four top Asian leagues, while Meralco drops on the brink of elimination with a 1-4 slate.
The Bolts now face a do-or-die situation on the road on February 7 – a rematch against Juan Gomez de Liano and the Seoul SK Knights at the Jamsil Student’s Gymnasium. – Rappler.com
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[Vantage Point] Economic czar | Mia Gonzalez | 3/1/2024 13:00 | Alyssa Arizabal
Once in a while – and it’s literally far and few between – a few good men willingly join the government to make a positive difference.
I can only name two – Jaime Bautista and lately Frederick Go. Both men come from the private sector which guarantee them comfortable lives even after retirement.
What drives Bautista and Go to sacrifice their otherwise peaceful and comfortable lives to endure scorn and contempt from envious career-clinging government people? Both know that they are entering a snake pit, but the motivation to change what they see as fundamentally flawed system overrides any risks and hardship they will face.
We all know the story of Bautista ever since he took the helm of the Department of Transportation (DOTr). On how some people harboring a corrupt system try as they might to ease him out of office. His clean record has been his armor and to this day, has been impenetrable! Go is built of the same mold and we can expect the same brand of service.
In a December 15 executive order, President Ferdinand (Bongbong) Marcos Jr. announced the creation of the Office of the Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs (OSAPIEA), headed by its first-ever secretary, 54-year-old Frederick Go, president and chief executive officer of Robinsons Land Corporation (RLC).
By accepting the position, Go divested all of his substantial business shareholdings to eliminate potential conflicts of interest that would compromise his official decision making. For him, the sacrifice was huge, but necessary, if he were to truly serve the public with utmost responsibility, integrity, efficiency, and loyalty.
While Go’s appointment was well-received by foreign and local business groups, the title certainly looks intimidating enough to cause apprehension among some the country’s economic managers. Despite their public pronouncements welcoming Go’s appointment, not all seem sincere.
One of PBBM’s economic managers sees Go as lacking in the fundamentals of economic management and therefore not qualified for the position. Unfortunately for said secretary, news travels fast. Before he knew it, his antipathy reached the ears of many people. This is why I find it utterly hypocritical of him to be effusive in his praise for PBBM’s appointment of Go in various media pronouncements.
The chief mandate of OSAPIEA includes supervising and monitoring the National Economic and Development Authority, Department of Finance, Department of Budget and Management, and Department of Trade and Industry, among other agencies.
The heads of these four agencies, the chief of the Presidential Management Staff, and the secretaries of nine other departments make up the Economic Development Group, which is in charge of the major economic policies of the government. This cluster used to be headed by the finance secretary.
One of the concerns raise by some sectors against Go’s appointment is duplicity. The functions of the newly created office, they believe, are already being handled by the country’s economic managers and that there is no need to create an office to do the job.
This was however shot down by Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) president George Barcelon, who sees Go’s office more as an additional channel to relay the issues that the business sector wants to be addressed.
“I have heard some concerns that it might be an added redundancy. But from what I see, there are really times when the schedule of the president is full because of his many responsibilities. So, it’s an added channel of communication for us,” Barcelon was quoted by the Philippine Daily Inquirer as saying.
Having someone who has the ears of the president is not unique to the Philippines. The economic success of Indonesia can be largely credited to its Coordinating Ministry for Maritime and Investment Affairs (Kementerian Koordinator Bidang Kemaritiman dan Investasi), headed by Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan. The office, created by Indonesian President Joko Widodo on October 23, 2019, is tasked to lead the planning, coordinating, as well as synchronizing of policies in maritime affairs and investments.
In four years since its inception, the office has been credited with the rapid economic rise of Indonesia. Recently, Pandjaitan has cemented Indonesia’s cooperation with Korea in the field of electronic vehicles and a project to build a new capital of the Southeast Asian country, leveraging Korea’s technological expertise and Indonesia’s abundant resources.
Pandjaitan also met with US Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen in August 2023 to discuss Indonesia’s Just Energy Transition Partnership work on the Comprehensive Investment and Policy Plan. The CIPP will coordinate with partners in allocating the $20 billion in JETP financing towards specific projects and priorities that will support Indonesia’s achievement of the ambitious climate targets that its government has set in the November 2022 JETP Joint Statement.
This is the kind of swift action the Philippines needs to spur much-needed economic activities which government planners, tasked with reading economic data, will be hard put at achieving. Robert Young of the export-oriented Foreign Buyers Association of the Philippines also said in the Inquirer interview that they support Go’s appointment, primarily due to his private sector credentials. “My take is that all these departments that have been placed under his supervision, nothing is happening to the issues that are being raised to them. So, there is clamor to put a person who will be in charge of them all.”
Ebb Hinchliffe, executive director of the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines also in a message to the Inquirer said: “In our interactions with Secretary Go, we were encouraged by his desire to remove roadblocks to investment and doing business. We’re hopeful that this will translate into his new role and in the policies that the government’s economic cluster will pursue.”
I first met Go as a 19-year-old newly minted BS Management Engineering graduate of the Ateneo de Manila University. He was endorsed to me by his uncle, the late Robinson’s patriarch, John Gokongwei Jr. (Mr. John), for training in the business section of the Manila Times which I then headed as editor.
A year prior, Mr. John and I were conceptualizing how he would run Manila Times which he had just bought from the Roces family. At the time, I was the assistant business editor of the Philippine Star. Mr. John was a good friend and my business mentor, but I turned down his offer for me to be the publisher and editorial board chair of the Manila Times. I felt that I was too young and inexperienced to handle such a critical position. I gave him some names: the late Johnny Perez and the late Frederick “Ricky” Agcaoili, who became the Times publisher and editor-in-chief, respectively. The two then proceeded to fill in the editorial staff, with Mr. John’s daughter Robina Pe overseeing the Times’ editorial makeup. I settled for the position of business editor, and Mr. John allotted some company shares to me.
The thing I admire most about the Gokongwei Family is how each member had to learn the ropes, starting at the lowest possible job, before being considered for key positions in one of the companies they own.
Deck proved more than up to the task. I assigned him to cover the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the stock market beat where he honed his business writing and news gathering skills to near perfection. In the beat, he befriended government functionaries and business leaders, all the while concealing his family background. Diligent in his assigned task, he worked his butt off, never complaining and always keeping his two feet on the ground.
I left the Times for a more lucrative offer from a foreign business publication, but never lost touch with Mr. John whom I communicated with on a weekly basis. Deck was transferred to a new department where he also excelled.
I wasn’t surprised when Mr. John finally assigned Deck to take care of RLC as its president and CEO. In the past three decades, Deck has parlayed RLC into a P223-billion property conglomerate with 53 malls, 28 office buildings and 24 hotels. He was also instrumental in the group’s expansion move to the casino business, infrastructure (Luzon International Premier Airport Development Corporation), and banking.
The Gokongweis have never used their prominence or businesses to acquire political influence in furthering their own interests. When Mr. John built the Gokongwei family business in Cebu, he toiled hard and succeeded on his own entrepreneurial and leadership savvy, not on family relations or political influence. He guided each member of his family who now works for a family corporation to use the same work ethic.
Deck Go’s position as the President’s special adviser is not meant to substitute for the expertise of department heads, all of whom were appointed for their competence. President Marcos Jr. only sought to create the position so that he can have more help in coordinating his key policies and economic priorities.
Joining the government is definitely a huge sacrifice for Go. I could only surmise that the decision is spurred by the business sector’s lament that nothing is getting done to fast-track economic progress in the country. Having led a multibillion-peso company, Go is certainly a plus for the Marcos government. He will bring his vast experience in business to spur economic development. The realms of business and economics after all are intricately connected, with both playing vital roles in shaping the global landscape. While economists analyze and interpret economic phenomena, businessmen actively engage in the practical application of economic principles. Compared to economists who often operate at a more theoretical level, businessmen – with their hands-on approach to economic activities – are better-positioned to drive innovation, create value, and spur economic growth.
Businessmen are at the forefront of innovation and agility, constantly seeking new ways to meet market demands, and stay ahead of the competition. Unlike economists who may rely or focus more on analyzing historical data and formulating theories, businessmen operate in the dynamic and ever-changing business environment. Their ability to identify opportunities, take risks, and innovate in response to market needs allows them to contribute directly to economic progress.
Entrepreneurs possess a unique vision that goes beyond theoretical economic models. While economists may study and predict economic trends, businessmen have a tangible impact on the economy by bringing their visions to life. Successful businessmen often possess a deep understanding of consumer behavior, market dynamics, and emerging trends, enabling them to create products and services that resonate with the public.
Businessmen are instrumental in job creation and wealth generation, which are essential components of a thriving economy. Through the establishment and expansion of businesses, entrepreneurs contribute to employment opportunities, thereby reducing unemployment rates and fostering economic stability. Additionally, successful businesses generate wealth, not only for the entrepreneurs themselves, but also for their employees and stakeholders, thus creating a positive ripple effect throughout society. – Rappler.com
Val A. Villanueva is a veteran business journalist. He was a former business editor of the Philippine Star and the Gokongwei-owned Manila Times. For comments, suggestions email him at [email protected].
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This a very good article that is greatly in favor of the new economic czar Frederick Go. Let us hope that this statement is true and will continue to be true: “The Gokongweis have never used their prominence or businesses to acquire political influence in furthering their own interests.” Concerned, open-minded, and critical-minded Filipinos should be watchful for the possible resurgence of “Marcos Kleptocracy” but this time under version 2.0. Yet, this type of Filipino will always need the help of investigative journalists and proven independent and resilient media channels like Rappler.
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EXPLAINER: How new Supreme Court rules can remedy abuses of anti-terror law | Jairo Bolledo | 3/1/2024 14:42 | PROTEST. In this file photo, militant students joined various militant groups in denouncing the House of Representatives amendments to the House 6875, the so-called Terror Bill following the passage of the bill in a rally at the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City on June 4, 2020.
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MANILA, Philippines – The Supreme Court (SC) has released procedural rules on handling petitions and applications on the controversial Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) of 2020 and related laws. The rules take effect on January 15.
The rules, released years after the law was implemented, cover petitions and applications concerning detentions without judicial warrants of arrest, surveillance orders, freeze orders, restrictions on travel, designations, proscriptions, and other court issuances connected to the implementation of the anti-terror law.
But aside from clarifying how the law will be implemented by the authorities, the new rules also provided some remedies for the people who will be affected by the law.
Lawyer Kristina Conti, secretary general of the National Union of Peoples Lawyers – National Capital Region (NUPL-NCR), distinguished remedies from safeguards. She explained that remedies are options one can invoke after something has already been done, while safeguards prevent abuses from happening in the first place.
Section 25 of the contested law defines the designation of individuals, groups of persons, organizations, or associations.
The anti-terror council (ATC), based on the law, holds the arbitrary power to designate who will be considered terrorists. This was considered dangerous by many activists, who challenged the law, because the ATC can designate anyone without going to trial.
The council can order the designation even just basing it on their own determination, and even without asking the side of the designee. Another mode of designation is the automatic designation of individuals and groups, which are already part of the UN Security Council’s list. In 2021, the High Court already voided the option where the ATC can designate upon the request by other nations.
Now, under the new rules, the SC allows a remedy after designation. Rule 2, Section 1 of the SC rules allows a person to file a petition for certiorari – used to review grave abuse of discretion – to challenge the designation. Conti said that the petition for certiorari will be based on gross misapprehension of facts and misinterpretation of the law.
The NUPL lawyer explained that the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the law issued by the Department of Justice (DOJ) “only elaborated on delisting, based on mistaken identity, change of circumstances, and the like.” The DOJ’s IRR allows designated terrorists to delist themselves or remove themselves from the terror list by following a process set by the rules.
Aside from designation, the authorities can also tag a person or group a terrorist through proscription. In this method, a trial would be needed to include an individual or group in the list of terrorists. Unlike designation, proscription is not arbitrary because a person can only be declared a terrorist through proscription after a full trial conducted by the judiciary.
When the contention of the anti-terror law reached the High Court, former chief justice Reynato Puno said proscription “may not be the favored method by the executive authorities considering they have to hurdle the checking power of the judiciary.” Puno served as one of the amici curiae (friends of the court) or individuals selected by the court to share their expertise that helped in the decision.
Associate Justice Alfredo Benjamin Caguioa, during the oral arguments, also questioned anti-terror council’s broad powers, noting that “designation already achieves the purpose of proscription.”
Conti said the new SC rules required “quantum of proof, clear, and convincing evidence” for the proscription. Section 12 of the new High Court rules states that on the matter of issuing a preliminary and permanent order of proscription, the burden to establish that there is enough evidence against a respondent lies on the petitioner.
The new SC rules also provide options to review the proscription order – either to modify or lift it. Conti explained the DOJ’s IRR is limited. It only “specified only itself as a party, supported by ATC and NICA (National Intelligence Coordinating Agency), which may file for a re-issuance of a proscription order.”
Under the new guidelines, the SC also provided a safeguard on surveillance. Rule 4 states that no law enforcement agent “may secretly wiretap, overhear and listen to, intercept, screen, read, surveil, record, or collect, with the use of any mode, form, kind, or type of electronic, mechanical or other equipment or device or technology,” without a written order from the judiciary, particularly the Court of Appeals.
The surveillance order only applies to the following, based on the SC rules:
The rules also require that there should be probable cause or strong evidence before the surveillance order will be released.
In addition, the SC also clarified what due regard should be given to vulnerable persons. Section 51 of the anti-terror law states that there should be due regard “for welfare of the elderly, pregnant, persons with disability, women, and children.”
The High Court rules stated that if an arrestee belongs to this sector, he/ she should be “detained in a facility that is separate and more appropriate to his/her condition,” among others.
Conti said the special rules “fill in a lot of gaps in the implementation of laws,” such as the recognition of the vulnerable persons and on the required process for surveillance. However, the new rules do “not cure the fundamental flaws of the laws” they have continually raised, the NUPL lawyer added.
“But while the rules try to address errors, overreach, and abuses in the implementation continuously observed in dismissed terror cases we have handled, it cannot assure that these will not happen in the first place,” Conti added.
She also reminded that the law enforcement should comply with the rules once they take effect on January 15, or they could be held in contempt. – with reports from Lance Spencer Yu/ Rappler.com
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Take a flight with the Filipino Little Prince, Prinsipe Bahaghari, in 2024 | Marguerite de Leon | 3/1/2024 15:38 | The following is a press release from Teatrong Mulat ng Pilipinas.
After being recognized as one of the best Filipino plays in 2023, Teatrong Mulat ng Pilipinas’ Prinsipe Bahaghari is set to land at the Power Mac Center Spotlight Blackbox Theater, Circuit Makati, on January 19- 21 and 26-28, 2024.
Prinsipe Bahaghari is the Filipino puppetry adaptation of the well-loved modern classic The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. The puppet play revolves around the journey of the Rainbow Prince in search of a companion who would help him care for his flower, the Gumamela, and keep her safe on his home planet. During his quest, he meets several extraordinary characters and makes a friend, the Storyteller, with whom he shares his joys and hardships. Prinsipe Bahaghari’s encounters ultimately led to his realization of what his relationship with the flower meant to him.
This adaptation celebrates Filipino culture, myths, and language to make the play accessible, especially to children. The puppets are made from rattan while local materials were also used in production.
“The use of the Filipino language and stories are drawn from the experiences of our people to narrate the magic and challenges of growing up, of the many ways of taking care of this world, of faith in different forms of love within and beyond the reach of the physical senses,” shared playwright Vladimeir Gonzales.
The production has received recognition and noteworthy reviews since its first iteration as a thesis project by director Aina Ramolete. It first premiered in November 2023 at the Amelia Lapeña-Bonifacio Teatro Papet Museo. It was also featured during the 14th Annual Meeting and International Conference of the Asian Theatre Working Group in March 2022 in Quezon City, Philippines, and at the Puppet Power 2022: Celebration! In May 2022 in Calgary, Canada.
The production was also one of the six finalists from across the globe in The Red Curtain International’s Good Theatre Festival for Young Audiences held on September 24 and 25, 2022, in India, where the play was recognized by the international jury and received Best Direction (Joint Winner) for Ramolete, Best Production, Best Production Design, and an honorable mention for Best Script for Gonzales.
The artistic and production teams behind this magical production include: Vladimeir Gonzales (Playwright), Aina Ramolete (Director, Illustrator, & Overall Production Designer), Amihan Bonifacio-Ramolete (Producer & Assistant Director), Steven Tansiongco (Graphics & Video Designer), Ohm David (Set Designer), Arvy Dimaculangan (Music & Sound Designer), Jessamae Gabon (Music Composer), Darwin Desoacido (Costume Designer), Gabo Tolentino (Lights Designer), Sig Pecho (Additional Shadow Puppet Designer & Publicity Manager), Clariz Caingat (Character Illustrator), Shenn Apilado (Technical Director), Shania Lee Cuerpo (Stage Manager), and Joshua Ceasar Chan (Production Manager).
Catch this award-winning puppetry theater play Prinsipe Bahaghari on January 19, 20, 26, and 27, 2024 at 7:38 pm, with matinee shows on January 21 and 28, 2024 at 3:38 pm, at Power Mac Center Spotlight Blackbox Theater, Circuit Makati. For tickets, click here.
Prinsipe Bahaghari will also go on an outreach run in Palawan on February 23, as part of the outreach program of the Cultural Center of the Philippines.
For inquiries, partnerships, and collaborations, please email at [email protected]. Follow Teatrong Mulat ng Pilipinas on Facebook and Instagram (@mulatpuppets). Connect with the hashtag #TMPPrinsipeBahaghari. – Rappler.com/Press Release
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Sharon Cuneta opens up on brief separation with Kiko Pangilinan | Ysa Abad | 3/1/2024 12:20 | SHARON CUNETA. The actress updates fans with photo with husband Kiko Pangilinan.
Sharon Cuneta's Instagram
MANILA, Philippines – After a series of cryptic posts and speculations on social media, Sharon Cuneta has finally spoken about the state of her marriage with former senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan.
The actress had an Instagram Live on Sunday, December 31, with husband Kiko and their three children: Frankie, Miel, and Miguel. “We’re fine and we love you,” the megastar said as she and her family greeted fans with a happy new year.
Through this Instagram Live, Sharon confirmed that they briefly separated due to a misunderstanding. However, she was quick to clarify that they have gotten back together since.
Moreover, they addressed the rumors of their marriage being on the rocks. Sharon apologized to those who were hurt by her post, stating that she only made those posts to show fans “when [she] was sad.”
“Nag-away kami, naghiwalay kami, tapos nagbati na kami so okay na kami (We fought, we separated, and then we made up, so we’re okay now),” she admitted after Kiko’s prior statement on how all couples and families experience misunderstandings and arguments.
“You always assume; please don’t assume,” Sharon stressed. “We [are] good. We [are] normal. We just got some emotions because we’re real people.”
Sharon then ended the Instagram Live after sending well wishes to their fans.
Netizens began to speculate about the state of Sharon and Kiko’s marriage due to a now-deleted post of the actress cropping out Kiko’s head from a family photograph. Sharon also posted and deleted quotes about loyalty and “side chicks,” fueling speculations further. – with additional reports from Ally De Leon/Rappler.com
Ally de Leon is a Rappler intern.
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‘From two embryos, to one, then to none’: Empress Schuck suffers miscarriage | Ysa Abad | 3/1/2024 10:28 | EMPRESS SCHUCK. The actress shares photos from an oath-taking ceremony in June 2022.
Empress Schuck's Instagram
MANILA, Philippines – Actress Empress Schuck disclosed that she had suffered a miscarriage in late 2023.
In an Instagram post on Monday, January 1, Schuck shared that they were supposed to welcome a new addition to their family in 2024.
“This year, we would’ve been a family of four or even five. From two embryos, to one, then to none,” she wrote, alongside a photo of a sonogram with two embryos and positive pregnancy kits.
The celebrity vlogger added that she’s still “not sure how to talk about” the loss. “I just know that sometimes our plans for ourselves don’t align with God’s plans for us.”
Schuck then went to express her gratitude towards husband Vino Guingona, saying that he was “God’s blessing” during this “puzzling experience.”
“We may not exactly understand how we feel about this but having each other is enough to say that everything will be okay,” she added.
Fellow celebrities including Melissa Ricks, Iya Villania, Jason Abalos, Ryza Cenon, Chito Miranda, and Sue Ramirez sent messages of support and comfort towards the couple in the comments section.
Schuck and Guingona, who have been dating since 2014, tied the knot in 2021. They welcomed their first child, a daughter named Athalia, in 2015. – Rappler.com
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Philippines-United States conduct joint patrols in West PH Sea | The wRap | Jaira Roxas | 3/1/2024 21:56 | Today on Rappler – the latest news in the Philippines and around the world:
The Philippines and the United States conduct the second iteration of a joint maritime cooperative activity in the West Philippine Sea. Assets of both countries performed division tactics that ‘develop their confidence in maneuvering near other vessels.’
Passengers describe as miraculous the evacuation and rescue of Japan Airlines passengers that figured in a runway collision. All 379 passengers and crew escaped the aircraft while five of the six Coast Guard plane crew were killed.
Israel is set to appear before the International Court of Justice or ICJ in the Hague to contest South Africa’s genocide accusations over the war with Hamas in Gaza.
After a series of cryptic posts and speculations on social media, Sharon Cuneta talks about the state of her marriage with former senator Kiko Pangilinan. – Rappler.com
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Philippines-United States conduct joint patrols in West PH Sea | The wRap | Jaira Roxas | 3/1/2024 21:56 | Today on Rappler – the latest news in the Philippines and around the world:
The Philippines and the United States conduct the second iteration of a joint maritime cooperative activity in the West Philippine Sea. Assets of both countries performed division tactics that ‘develop their confidence in maneuvering near other vessels.’
Passengers describe as miraculous the evacuation and rescue of Japan Airlines passengers that figured in a runway collision. All 379 passengers and crew escaped the aircraft while five of the six Coast Guard plane crew were killed.
Israel is set to appear before the International Court of Justice or ICJ in the Hague to contest South Africa’s genocide accusations over the war with Hamas in Gaza.
After a series of cryptic posts and speculations on social media, Sharon Cuneta talks about the state of her marriage with former senator Kiko Pangilinan. – Rappler.com
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Alex Eala, Brazilian partner down former world doubles No. 1 in WTA Canberra | jisaga0269 | 3/1/2024 17:00 | SPUNKY. Alex Eala celebrates after a grueling match.
Alex Eala's Facebook page
MANILA, Philippines – Alex Eala scored arguably her biggest doubles victory in the pro circuit when she and Laura Pigossi of Brazil prevailed on Wednesday, January 3, over former world No. 1 doubles player Sara Errani of Italy and Renata Zarazua of Mexico, 5-7, 6-0, 10-6, in the opening round of the $164,000 WTA Workday Canberra International in Australia.
Playing in just her 2nd WTA doubles competition, the 18-year-old Eala was also playing for the first time with the 29-year-old Pigossi, the Tokyo Olympics women’s doubles bronze medalist.
Unfamiliarity did not seem to be a cause for concern between the two as they jumped to an early 3-1 lead in the opening set. But Errani, who has won all four Grand Slam women’s titles including the Australian Open twice, and Zarazua steadied the ship and regained the lead at 5-4.
Although Eala and Pigossi tied the count at 5-5, Errani and Zarazua went up again at 6-5 then broke serve in the 12th game to bag the first set.
Despite dropping the opener, Eala and Pigossi came out in the second set with confidence that they could beat the fancied Errani who is also the former world No. 5 in singles and a former French Open women’s singles finalist.
The Filipina and Brazilian duo broke serve three times in the second set, and in all three instances came back from 30-40 deficits. They also did not drop serve to breeze through the second set, 6-0, and extend the match to a deciding super tiebreak.
Errani and Zarazua appeared to have recovered in the third set as they raced to a 4-2 lead.
Eala, 406th in the world in doubles, and Pigossi, who is 305th in the world, finally drew even at 6-6. That was all the momentum they needed as they swept the next four points to finish the match held at the hard court of the Canberra Tennis Centre after 1 hour and 32 minutes.
In the quarterfinals, the unseeded Eala and Pigossi will be facing fourth seeds Anna Bondar of Hungary, currently 56th in the world who made the French Open women’s doubles quarters twice, and 18-year-old Celine Naef of Switzerland. Bondar and Naef won their opening round match via walkover.
This will afford Eala a chance for some payback as it was her fellow teen star Naef who eliminated her in the opening round of the women’s singles event qualifiers last Sunday, December 31. – Rappler.com
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Who’s who: Meet the Permanent Court of Arbitration’s new members from the Philippines | Bea Cupin | 5/1/2024 20:01 | PRESIDENT. Philippine Ambassador to the Netherlands Eduardo Malaya leads the Administrative Council's approval of the budget of the PCA for 2024.
MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Thursday, January 4, announced that the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA)’s International Bureau confirmed the appointment of four new Filipino members of the court.
They are:
According to the DFA, their names were submitted before the PCA by the Secretary of Foreign Affairs Enrique Manalo. The PCA’s roster of its members indicate that the four were nominated or appointed on December 22, 2023.
But what is the PCA and what will Pangalangan, Candelaria, La Viña, and Malaya be doing as its members?
The PCA is based in The Hague, Netherlands and is the “first permanent intergovernmental organization to provide a forum for the resolution of international disputes through arbitration and other peaceful means,” according to its own website.
It was created in 1899 through the Convention for the Pacific Settlement of International Disputes, which was held during the first Hague Peace Conference.
“Today the PCA provides services for the resolution of disputes involving various combinations of states, state entities, intergovernmental organizations, and private parties,” reads the PCA’s official website.
Most Filipinos – or at least those who have kept abreast of the Philippine claims in the South China Sea – would remember the PCA as the body before which Manila filed an arbitration case against China over maritime disputes in those resource-rich waterway.
From 2013 to 2016, the PCA was registry and the literal venue at which hearings were held over Beijing’s activities in part of the South China Sea, known to Manila as the West Philippine Sea.
In that case – and in most other arbitration cases – the PCA formed a tribunal composed of one to five members. Arbitrators can technically be from any origin as long as the PCA considers that person “most appropriate, subject to the parties’ agreement and the rules governing the arbitration.”
Potential arbitrators are also selected from the Members of the Court.
Each member state – all 122 of them – designates up to four members who are “of known competency in questions of international law, of the highest moral reputation, and disposed to accept the duties of arbitrator.”
The four members are then considered that state’s national group. According to the DFA, this gives them “the privilege to nominate candidates for the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and propose candidates for the Nobel Peace Prize, in collaboration with the ICJ judges.”
Terms for members of the PCA last for six years at a time and may be renewed.
Who are representing the Philippines for the next six years in the PCA?
Raul Pangalangan is no stranger to international bodies. He is also familiar with The Hague. The lawyer and law professor once served as a judge in the International Criminal Court, also based in The Hague, from 2015 to 2021.
Pangalangan holds a political science and law degree from the University of the Philippines. He also has Masters of Law and Doctor of Juridicial Science degrees from Harvard University, according to his official profile on the UP Diliman College of Law website.
He was also the Philippine delegate in the drafting of the Rome Statute, which created the ICC. He was also a former publisher of the broadsheet Philippine Daily Inquirer.
Sedfrey Candelaria was dean of the Ateneo de Manila University School of Law from 2012 to 2018. He has also been a teacher of undergraduate courses in the Political Sciences Department and European Studies Program of the same university’s Loyola Schools, according to his Philippine Judicial Academy profile.
In the Philippine Judicial Academy, Candelaria heads the Research, Publications and Linkages Office.
Candelaria earned a law degree from Ateneo, and a masters of laws degree from the University of British Columbia. He has also sat as a Peace Panel Member in previous attempts to negotiate with the Communist Party of the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, according to his PHILJA profile.
Tony La Viña was once a member of the PCA’s Specialized Panel of Arbitrators and Experts for Environmental Disputes. He is Associate Director for climate policy and international relations of Manila Observatory (MO), after having served as its Executive Director previously.
La Viña, on his official website, describes himself as a “teacher, thinker, leader, lawyer, human rights and climate justice advocate, and social entrepreneur.”
Dean Tony to friends and followers, La Viña holds a Philosophy degree from the Ateneo de Manila and a law degree from the University of the Philippines College of Law. He also holds Master of Laws and Doctor of Juridical Science degrees from Yale Law School.
According to his official website, he has taught in different institutions, including Xavier University in Cagayan de Oro, the different schools and colleges under the Ateneo de Manila University, De La Salle University, and the Polytechnic University of the Philippines, among others.
La Viña is also a member of Rappler’s Board of Directors and regularly writes for this news website’s Thought Leaders section.
Eduardo Malaya is currently the Philippine Ambassador to the Netherlands and Acting President of the PCA Administrative Council from 2023 until 2024. Prior to his posting in the Netherlands, Malaya was Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs and Vice President of the Philippine Society of International Law.
Malaya, a lawyer, has also previously served as the Philippines’ Ambassador to Malaysia and DFA spokesperson. To say that Malaya is awarded is an understatement – he is the recipient of different awards, citations and distinctions from several Philippine presidents and even the Philippine Congress.
The Philippine Ambassador to The Hague is also a prolific writer, having published nine books covering international law and diplomacy. He also happens to be the brother of Jonathan Malaya, spokesperson and assistant director-general of the Philippines’ National Security Council. – Rappler.com
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Kean Baclaan bids NU Bulldogs goodbye | Jasmine Payo | 5/1/2024 19:30 | PLAYMAKER. NU point guard Kean Baclaan calls a play in UAAP action.
UAAP
MANILA, Philippines – Combo guard Kean Baclaan has bid the NU Bulldogs farewell after two seasons, a source with personal knowledge of the situation confirmed to Rappler on Friday, January 5.
Baclaan is set to play for his third collegiate team since 2022, playing momentarily with the UST Growling Tigers during the men’s basketball offseason before transferring to National University.
The source also clarified that the guard has not talked to any school yet regarding his transfer, although there is strong speculation that he is headed to reigning UAAP champion De La Salle.
If his transfer to Taft pushes through, the Green Archers will still have a huge void at point guard as Baclaan still needs to redshirt for UAAP Season 87 to serve his one-year residency.
The 21-year-old played high school ball at La Salle Zobel before committing to the UST program.
Baclaan could be reunited with UAAP Most Valuable Player Kevin Quiambao, whom he grew up with as childhood friends in their hometown of Muntinlupa.
Quiambao, on his X (formerly Twitter) account, has tweeted and retweeted posts alluding to the reunion.
During his sophomore season under coach Jeff Napa, the streaky point guard emerged as the team’s second-leading scorer at 10.7 markers, which went along with 4.5 rebounds, 4.8 assists, and 3.6 turnovers.
The Bulldogs were ousted from the playoff picture by La Salle, 97-73, in the UAAP Final Four. – Rappler.com
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Myla Pablo returns to Petro Gazz as F2 Logistics players find new homes | delfin.dioquino editor | 5/1/2024 21:47 | COMEBACK. Myla Pablo in action for the Petro Gazz Angels in the Premier Volleyball League.
PVL Images
MANILA, Philippines – Petro Gazz welcomed Myla Pablo back as players of the disbanded F2 Logistics Cargo Movers found their new homes in the Premier Volleyball League.
The Angels announced on Friday, January 5, that they are bringing in Pablo a year after she left the team to join the Cargo Movers.
“Home is where the heart is,” Petro Gazz wrote on its social media accounts. “Bagyong Pablo is coming back to the place of some of her best moments as a volleyball player.”
A two-time PVL MVP, Pablo is the Angels’ latest addition to its offseason haul that included her former F2 Logistics teammates, middle blockers Joy Dacoron and Ethan Arce, and former PLDT opposite spiker Michelle Morente.
Petro Gazz last won a title with Pablo on board, ruling the 2022 Reinforced Conference, before she jumped ship to F2 Logistics.
The Cargo Movers revealed their disbandment in December, leaving their players without a team.
It did not take long, though, for the rest of the PVL to make moves, with the likes of Dawn Macandili (Cignal), Kim Fajardo (PLDT), Ivy Lacsina (NxLed), Aby Marano and Ara Galang (Chery Tiggo) signing with new squads.
Other big moves include Choco Mucho releasing Bea de Leon and Denden Lazaro-Revilla, Creamline parting ways with Ced Domingo, and Akari acquiring Gretchcel Soltones. – Rappler.com
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Alex Eala, Brazilian partner fall in WTA Canberra semis; Alcantara exits | Jasmine Payo | 5/1/2024 20:04 | ALL SET. Alex Eala gets ready to serve in the WTA Canberra.
ALEX EALA FACEBOOK PAGE
MANILA, Philippines – Filipina teen tennis star Alex Eala and Laura Pigossi of Brazil could not sustain their strong start as the pair got eliminated by hometown bets Kaylah McPhee and Astra Sharma, 7-6 (1), 6-3, in the doubles semifinals of the $164,000 WTA Workday Canberra International on Friday, January 5, at the Canberra Tennis Centre in Australia.
The 18-year-old Eala and Pigossi, an Olympic bronze medalist in the Tokyo Games women’s doubles, surged ahead at 4-2 in the opening set after breaking serve.
But McPhee, who made the second round of the 2020 Australian Open women’s doubles, and Sharma, a finalist in the 2019 Australian Open mixed doubles, fought back to level the score at 5-5 after an exchange of service breaks before the set eventually headed to a tiebreak.
The Australian pair then dominated the tiebreak, 7-1, to go up a set.
McPhee and Sharma carried over their scoring spree to the second frame, jumping to a 5-2 advantage and closing the match in the ninth game to clinch a spot in the finals.
Eala will head to Melbourne next where she is set to compete in the Australian Open qualifiers, which will begin on January 8.
Meanwhile, Filipino doubles specialist Francis Casey Alcantara and Kaichi Uchida also fell prey to a pair of hometown bets, losing in two close sets to Pruchya Isarow and Maximus Jones of Thailand, 6-4, 7-6 (7), in the ATP Challenger Bangkok Open 1 in Nonthaburi.
One early break spelled the difference in the tight first set for the crowd favorites Isarow and Jones to pull ahead in the match.
The second frame followed the same script with the Thais gaining a 4-2 lead, before Alcantara and Uchida managed to draw even and send the match to a tiebreak where they moved ahead at 6-4.
Egged on by the local fans, Isarow and Jones rallied to tie at 6-6. Alcantara and Uchida saved a match point when they knotted the count at 7-7, but Isarow and Jones pocketed the next two points to seal the match in an hour and 25 minutes.
Currently ranked a career-high 211 in the world, Alcantara will resume his pro campaign next week in the ATP Challenger Bangkok Open 2 where he will rekindle ties with his old partner, world No. 206 Sun Fajing of China. – Rappler.com
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Ced Domingo parts ways with Creamline | delfin.dioquino editor | 5/1/2024 20:32 | KEY PLAYER. Ced Domingo in action for the Creamline Cool Smashers in the Premier Volleyball League.
PVL Images
MANILA, Philippines – Ced Domingo will not be returning to Creamline once her stint in Thailand ends.
The Cool Smashers officially parted ways with Domingo on Friday, January 5, three months after she left the Premier Volleyball League team to sign with Women’s Volleyball Thailand League squad Nakhon Ratchasima VC.
“We thank you for your excellence and heart that you showed inside and outside the court, and most importantly, for being a Creamline Cool Smasher,” the team said in a statement in Filipino.
Domingo joined Creamline in 2019 after her collegiate career with the FEU Lady Tamaraws and helped the Cool Smashers win four PVL crowns out of seven finals appearances over the next four years.
Individually, the 24-year-old earned a Second Best Middle Blocker plum and a Finals MVP award during her time with Creamline.
Despite her success with the Cool Smashers, Domingo left the team in October to pursue her aspirations of being an import in a foreign league, joining Thai powerhouse Nakhon Ratchasima.
Creamline, though, proved it remains the PVL yardstick even after the departures of Domingo and star setter Jia Morado-De Guzman, who also left for Japan, as it swept the Second All-Filipino Conference in December for its seventh title.
Determined to keep its place on top, Creamline is reportedly bringing in middle blocker Bea de Leon and libero Denden Lazaro-Revilla from sister team Choco Mucho. – Rappler.com
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NorthPort back to PBA playoffs after sending Blackwater to 9th straight loss | delfin.dioquino editor | 5/1/2024 19:01 | LOOSE BALL. Joshua Munzon in action for the NorthPort Batang Pier in the 2023-24 PBA Commissioner's Cup.
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MANILA, Philippines – NorthPort earned a trip back to the PBA playoffs after cruising to a 106-89 romp of Blackwater in the Commissioner’s Cup at the Araneta Coliseum on Friday, January 5.
Joshua Munzon and import Venky Jois both delivered all-around performances as the Batang Pier snapped a two-game skid to improve to 6-4 and become the sixth team to claim a seat in the quarterfinals.
Munzon turned in arguably his finest performance of the conference, churning out 20 points on top of 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 steals to lead six NorthPort players in double-digit scoring.
The top pick in the 2020 draft, Munzon unloaded 16 points of his output in the middle quarters as the Batang Pier turned a slim 18-17 lead at the end of the opening period to an 84-66 cushion going into the final salvo.
Jois did it all with 19 points, 20 rebounds, 7 assists, 3 blocks, and 2 steals to guide NorthPort back into the playoffs after it failed to reach the quarterfinals in the Governors’ Cup last season.
Paul Zamar fired all of his 13 points in the pivotal third quarter, while JM Calma, Arvin Tolentino, and Kris Rosales added 10 points each in the win.
Calma and Tolentino found time for 9 and 6 rebounds, respectively, as the Batang Pier sent the luckless Bossing to their ninth straight defeat.
With a chance to salvage some pride after crashing out of playoff contention, Blackwater seized a 24-20 lead early in the second quarter before it came apart and got buried 35-45 at halftime.
Rey Suerte tallied 20 points and 4 rebounds in the loss, while rookie Christian David saw his first PBA double-double of 17 points and 11 rebounds go down the drain.
Import Chris Ortiz had 14 points and 13 rebounds for the Bossing, who fell to last place with a 1-9 slate.
NorthPort 106 – Munzon 20, Jois 19, Zzamar 13, Calma 10, Tolentino 10, Rosales 10, Amores 7, Yu 6, Bulanadi 5, Flores 5, Paraiso 1, Taha 0, Chan 0, Adamos 0
Blackwater 89 – Suerte 20, David 17, Ortiz 14, Concepcion 10, Kwukuteye 8, Ilagan 7, Escoto 5, DiGregorio 3, Jopia 2, Hill 2, Ular 1, Amer 0, Guinto 0, Banal 0
Quarters: 18-17, 45-35, 84-66, 106-89.
– Rappler.com
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Dr. Josefa Saniel, former dean of UP Asian Center, dies at 98 | gdecastro0289 | 5/1/2024 19:13 | DEAN. Dr. Josefa Saniel, a former dean of the UP Asian Center, in her home in Quezon City in 2007. She died on December 21, 2023.
Takushi Ohno
MANILA, Philippines – Dr. Josefa Saniel, a former dean of the University of the Philippines (UP) Asian Center in UP Diliman, passed away during the Christmas holidays at the age of 98.
Known as the “grand dame of Japanology,” Saniel established the foundation for Japanese studies in the Philippines back in sixties when most Filipinos still despised Japan over the atrocities, destruction, and hardship during World War 2 and early post-war years.
It would take around half a century for Japan to reverse that animosity, but only after becoming the Philippines’ largest aid donor, one of the biggest sources of foreign investments and trade partners, liberalizing the entry of Filipinos in Japan, expanding cultural exchanges, and most importantly, opening its labor market to Filipinos that expanded people-to-people ties.
The UP Asian Center shared with Rappler on Friday, January 5 its internal announcement on Saniel’s death on December 21, four days before Christmas.
“It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Professor Emeritus and former Dean of the UP Asian Center, Josefa M. Saniel, Ph.D. She was a remarkable leader and an inspiring mentor, known as the ‘grand dame of Japanology’ in the Philippines. Her contributions to academia and her unwavering commitment to the development of Japanese Studies in the country have made a lasting impact on our community,” the school said.
One of her early Japanese graduate students, Takushi Ohno, recalled Saniel’s familiarity with Japanese culture by not initially correcting him in his letters that the dean of what was then the UP Graduate School of Asian Studies was female, not male.
“Before I entered UP’s Asian Center in 1970, I corresponded with the [Asian] center from Tokyo by letter, and the professor responded to me as ‘Dean’ [Dean of the Graduate School of Asian Studies]. ‘Dean should be a man,’ I thought so, and always addressed my letters as ‘Mr. Saniel,’ but my teacher didn’t bother to change that,” recalled Ohno, in an email to Rappler.
“In order to save on travel expenses, I took a cargo ship from Yokohama to Manila, and when I arrived at UP a few weeks later of academic schedule to registration, she greeted me with a smile and said, ‘Oh, I’m Mr. Saniel.’ It was her style of humor that was based on her thorough understanding of Japan’s social background, behind the assumption that ‘people in high positions are men’ at that time,” he said.
Ohno, now a retired journalist, said it took him five years to finish his master’s degree from the UP Asian Center, and he would not have been able to do it had Saniel not helped him through his poor English.
“Meeting her enriched my relationship with the Philippines ever since. When I think of ‘great Filipinos,’ Dr. Saniel always comes to mind,” Ohno, a former Manila bureau chief of the Japanese broadsheet, Asahi Shimbun, said.
Another of her graduate students, Dr. Ed Tadem, professor emeritus of Asian Studies and an Asian Center professorial lecturer, said he and Saniel shared a common Visayan heritage: Saniel was from Carcar, Cebu, while Tadem’s father was from Duero, Bohol, and they “always conversed in Cebuano.”
“Through the years, Dean Saniel constantly monitored my academic progress. When my studies lagged after my course work, she kept reminding me to do my thesis quickly. She was overjoyed when I finally got my degree nine long years after. I will always remember Dean Saniel as a uniquely warm, caring, and compassionate person,” Tadem said.
“I didn’t know Dr. Saniel but found her so endearing every time she’d come to the Asian Center and attend one of our activities,” Professor Antoinette Raquiza, assistant to the Dean for Public Affairs of the UP Asian Center, told Rappler.
In its tribute, the UP Asian Center said: “She was known for her warm personality, her willingness to listen, and her ability to motivate and guide her students. Her passion for research and dedication to her work were unparalleled. She set an example that many aspired to follow.”
Saniel finished her Bachelor of Science in Education at the UP, graduating magna cum laude in 1949. She got her master’s degree in history at the University of Chicago in 1953 through a Fulbright Smith-Mundt grant, and her doctorate in Far Eastern Studies at the University of Michigan in 1961. John W. Hall, an authority on pre-modern Japan, supervised her in her graduate studies.
“Just as Professor Hall played an influential role in the development of Japanese Studies in the United States, so did Dr. Saniel in the case of the Philippines. She helped establish area studies as a field of study, and develop Japanese Studies as a graduate degree program, in the University of the Philippines,” said the UP Asian Center in its profile on Saniel.
“…she wrote on modern Japanese history, with particular emphasis on the second half of the 19th century; Philippines-Japan relations; Japanese culture, society, and literature, and Japan’s foreign policy in Southeast Asia. Some of her publications were translated into Japanese and published in Japan,” reads a biography of Saniel published in the Asian Studies, a journal of the UP Asian Center.
The school said that her pioneering book, “Japan and the Philippines: 1868 to 1898,” which is based on her PhD dissertation and published by the UP Press, is her most-cited work.
“The greatest achievement of the author’s research is the opening of a new field so far neglected by Western scholars…. One must praise Dr. Saniel for what must have been the extremely difficult research involved in detailing the activities of the shishi, Japanese military officers and civilians who were sent to the Philippines despite the official hands-off policy of Japan,” the biography says.
Saniel also worked for a time as consultant for Japan Affairs of the Department of Foreign Affairs. She started her career in the academe by teaching history in the state university in the 1950s, and rose from the ranks to eventually become dean of the UP Asian Center from 1980 to 1985, and professor emeritus in 1993. The school’s library has a Saniel Collection which consists of 1,773 books, mostly on Japanese studies, that she donated.
In a special feature, “Meet the female scholar who helped pioneer Japanese Studies in post-war Philippine,” for International Women’s Day in 2022, the UP Asian Center honored Saniel for her contributions to Asian studies.
Citing several studies of Saniel on the Japanese family system, state building, and modernization and how they compare to the Philippines, the Asian Studies journal said what emerges is a “contrast between the two countries.”
“Meiji Japan had social cohesion, ‘strong and responsible leadership,’ a ‘political system stable and powerful enough to channel cohesive social action in the attainment of national ends,’ and ‘strong national group consciousness and solidarity.’ (Saniel 1965a, 143–45). By contrast, there was social and political fragmentation in the Philippines, and the prevalence of partisan interests that militate against nation-building. Advocating for ‘national cohesion’ and loyalty to the ‘nation,’ her conclusion in the discussion the Treaty of Amity, Commerce and Navigation, resonates today,” wrote the introduction to an Asian Studies special issue, “Area Studies and Nationalism: Japan the the Philippines in the Writings of Dr. Josefa Saniel,” published in 2018.
“The crucial need of the Philippines today is the transcending of personal and small group interests which impede the channeling of loyalties to the larger community –– the nation state. Once national cohesion is reached, it would be difficult for any country or people to bargain for any arrangement detrimental to the country and its people. The sooner this is realized by the Filipino leaders, the faster can national goals be reached, and the easier it will be for the Filipino political leaders to negotiate for mutually beneficial arrangements with another country, say Japan….,” wrote Saniel in 1971.
Due to her work on Japanese studies, Saniel was conferred in November 1986 the Order of the Precious Crown by His Majesty the Emperor of Japan and the Japanese government. According to the Philippines’ Official Gazette, the Order of the Precious Crown, established by Emperor Meiji on January 4, 1888, is given to ladies, Japanese and foreign, for meritorious services.
In a statement on Tuesday, January 9, the Japanese embassy condoled with Saniel’s family and friends.
“Dr. Saniel’s unwavering commitment to the development of Japanese Studies has rightfully earned her the title ‘grand dame of Japanology.’ Her impactful contributions to fostering cultural understanding between Japan and the Philippines has left an indelible mark on our shared academic landscape,” the embassy said.
“May her legacy continue to inspire generations of scholars, and may she rest in eternal peace.” – Rappler.com
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As power returns to Western Visayas, NGCP claps back at critics | jsitchon0312 | 5/1/2024 20:54 | BLACKOUT. Residents and workers do their tasks under candlelight after a massive blackout hits Iloilo City on January 2.
Arnold Almacen/Iloilo City Mayor's Office
CEBU, Philippines – After parts of Western Visayas finally recovered from a four-day power outage, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) refuted claims by critics that the agency failed to ensure steady power to the region.
The NGCP said in a statement sent to Rappler on Friday, January 5, that its mandate was only the management of transmission of power from producers to consumers, and that it could not intervene in matters concerning power generation
“As the transmission service provider, NGCP can only give an overview of the current supply and demand situation and endeavor to dispatch any and all available power,” the agency added.
Before this, local government units (LGUs) and state legislators called for an investigation into the cause of the regionwide blackout.
Officials like Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas vented their anger at the NGCP for what they said was its inaction on repeated blackouts which have happened previously in April 2023.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said in a video posted on his official Facebook page on Friday that the NGCP failed to resort to manual load dropping, resulting in the crisis that burdened residents of Western Visayas.
The president directed the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) to reset the NGCP’s rates without further delay.
In its statement, the NGCP cleared out rumors about its alleged inaction and abnormalities with the power grid’s system stability.
According to its data, there was no transmission disturbance before the tripping of the Panay Energy Development Corporation (PEDC) Unit 1 (83MW) at 12:06 pm on Tuesday afternoon, January 2.
The NGCP insisted that it immediately fixed the transmission system and normalized voltage before several power plants “inexplicably tripped” at 2:19 pm on Tuesday.
“Rather than using NGCP as a scapegoat, we urge policymakers to be objective in their search for facts and not coddle certain sectors,” the power agency said.
The NGCP stood firm on its position that it had undertaken actions within protocols, contrary to speculative statements coming from some officials and critics.
“We again reiterate our push for a comprehensive industry-wide approach to resolve the persistent power supply issues on Panay Island and elsewhere in the country,” the NGCP said.
As of this writing, the NGCP has fully restored power to the Panay Island sub-grid on Friday morning.
LOOK: The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) has fully restored power to the Panay island sub-grid on Friday, January 5.This happened after the entire island suffered through a blackout since Tuesday, January 2. @rapplerdotcom pic.twitter.com/piO8CQFjMI
– Rappler.com
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‘Never kaming kinasal’: Alden Richards debunks rumors of relationship, ‘love child’ with Maine Mendoza | Ysa Abad | 4/1/2024 15:47 | Alden Richards' Instagram
MANILA, Philippines – Alden Richards once again reiterated that he and former onscreen partner Maine Mendoza have never been married, nor do they share a child.
During the Wednesday, January 3 vlog of Toni Talks, the actor was asked about how he deals with the rumors that hound his nearly decade-long career. Most notably, some die-hard fans claim he and Mendoza have tied the knot and share a child together.
“Meron silang storytelling (They have their own way of storytelling),” he said.
AlDub, Richards and Mendoza’s tandem, gained popularity in 2015. Although the love team split up in 2018 and Mendoza had already married actor and Quezon City 1st District representative Arjo Atayde in July 2023, some AlDub fans are still claiming that Richards and Mendoza are just keeping their relationship away from the public eye.
“All along, akala ko by the time na Maine and Arjo became public and they got married eventually (mawawala na ang rumors) pero nandyan pa rin. I already said my piece about this. It’s not true. Wala pong katotohanan lahat ‘yon. Wala po kaming anak. We never got married. We don’t have a love child,” he said.
(All along, I thought that by the time Maine and Arjo went public with their relationship and eventually got married, the rumors would stop. But they’re still there. I already said my piece about this. It’s not true. There’s no truth to any of these rumors. We don’t have a child. We never got married. We don’t have a love child.”
While this isn’t the first time for Richards to address these rumors — he previously debunked the same speculations on a January 2023 episode of Fast Talk With Boy Abunda and a May 2023 interview with Ogie Diaz — the actor shared that he’s at the point where he’s starting to consider how his fans are feeling instead.
“Masaya po sila doon eh. Tatanggalin ko pa ba? Ira-rub ko pa ba sa mga buhay na, ‘Wala nga, ‘wag kayong makulit (They find happiness there. Should I take that away from them? Should I keep on telling them to stop insisting because it’s not true)?” he said. “I always support [the] happiness of people.”
On her end, Mendoza had said in a November 2022 interview that she had personally messaged these fans to tell them that the rumors were not true. The actress said that she’d also grown tired of explaining herself, as many fans still don’t believe her or Richards no matter how much they deny the claims.
“Alam ko na by telling the truth, masasaktan sila. Pero by leading them on, mas masasaktan din sila,” she said (I know that by telling the truth, they’ll get hurt. But if I keep leading them on, they’ll get hurt even more). – Rappler.com
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Myla Pablo returns to Petro Gazz as F2 Logistics players find new homes | delfin.dioquino editor | 5/1/2024 21:47 | COMEBACK. Myla Pablo in action for the Petro Gazz Angels in the Premier Volleyball League.
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MANILA, Philippines – Petro Gazz welcomed Myla Pablo back as players of the disbanded F2 Logistics Cargo Movers found their new homes in the Premier Volleyball League.
The Angels announced on Friday, January 5, that they are bringing in Pablo a year after she left the team to join the Cargo Movers.
“Home is where the heart is,” Petro Gazz wrote on its social media accounts. “Bagyong Pablo is coming back to the place of some of her best moments as a volleyball player.”
A two-time PVL MVP, Pablo is the Angels’ latest addition to its offseason haul that included her former F2 Logistics teammates, middle blockers Joy Dacoron and Ethan Arce, and former PLDT opposite spiker Michelle Morente.
Petro Gazz last won a title with Pablo on board, ruling the 2022 Reinforced Conference, before she jumped ship to F2 Logistics.
The Cargo Movers revealed their disbandment in December, leaving their players without a team.
It did not take long, though, for the rest of the PVL to make moves, with the likes of Dawn Macandili (Cignal), Kim Fajardo (PLDT), Ivy Lacsina (NxLed), Aby Marano and Ara Galang (Chery Tiggo) signing with new squads.
Other big moves include Choco Mucho releasing Bea de Leon and Denden Lazaro-Revilla, Creamline parting ways with Ced Domingo, and Akari acquiring Gretchcel Soltones. – Rappler.com
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[In This Economy] PH poverty dropped in 2023. But it’s too damn slow. | Chay Hofilena | 5/1/2024 18:10 | Let’s start off 2024 with a bit of good news.
In the first half of 2023, the poverty rate (or the percentage of Filipino individuals living below the poverty line) went down to 22.4%, or a little above one-fifth of all Filipinos.
That’s lower than the 23.7% two years prior, in 2021 (see Figure 1). That also translates to nearly 900,000 fewer poor Filipinos over the same period.
Looks good, right? A closer inspection, though, will show that poverty is going down at a lamentably slow rate.
Figure 1.
When I first wrote for Rappler in 2013, more than a decade ago, the poverty rate for the first half of that year was nearly 25%. Almost 1 in 4 Filipinos was considered poor.
Sure, poverty has gone down since then. But a decade later, the poverty rate went down by just 2.6 percentage points. That’s equivalent to a poverty reduction rate of just 0.26 percentage points a year. Pitiful!
The slow decline of poverty was of course disrupted by the pandemic. In 2021, the number of poor people reached a peak of 26.1 million. But the number was likely larger in 2020 during the height of the pandemic. It just so happened that we don’t have a precise idea, because the government was not at all able to collect survey data during the lockdowns.
Now that the economy is recovering in earnest, it’s natural to see poverty go down as well. But the number of poor people in 2023, which numbered 25.24 million, was still higher than the 22.26 million poor in 2018 before the pandemic.
In short, there are still more poor Filipinos now than before the pandemic.
The rate of poverty reduction from 2021 to 2023 was also 0.65 percentage points per year. That’s 2.5 times faster than the average rate over the past decade.
But still, as you’ll see in a bit, it’s nowhere near the rate needed to meet the goals of the current Marcos administration.
Remember the first State of the Nation Address of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.? He bombarded the Filipino people with tons of economic statistics in the first part of that speech.
One of those statistics is his target for poverty reduction. By 2028, he said, the poverty rate must be down to 9%. The first time, if ever, we’ll ever reach single-digit poverty rates.
That’s too ambitious, at the rate we’re going.
Note that 2028 is just five years away from 2023, when poverty was at 22.4%. To go down to 9% in five years, the rate of poverty reduction will need to be a whopping 2.68 percentage points per year!
To put that number in perspective, that’s more than four times the rate during the pandemic, and nearly 11 times the rate over the past decade.
How the hell will the Marcos administration reduce poverty that fast? I feel this is an impossible task, and the administration set itself for failure by aiming for such an impossible goal.
But why is poverty reduction so difficult in the Philippines? This problem has long troubled economists and policymakers, and it will take an entire semester (or more) at the UP School of Economics to discuss all the nuanced details.
One of the most basic stylized facts about Philippine development is that our economy grew quite fast in recent decades, but poverty reduction has not caught up. Put another way, fast growth is not translating to poverty reduction.
It’s quite embarrassing, really. Other countries, including ASEAN neighbors, have done a much better job than us. Heck, Vietnam is now richer than us, and Lao PDR is not far behind!
A knee-jerk if not lazy reaction is to blame chronic poverty on politics and politicians. To some extent that’s valid. But by no means is that the full story. Nor can we blame everything on lack of economic aid or ayuda (although that was certainly wanting especially during the draconian lockdowns).
Here are some known bottlenecks: very poor investments in human capital (education and health); overreliance on services and a lack of support for high-value added industries (including manufacturing); a perennial lack of investments due to red tape, uncertainty, and poor infrastructure; the lack of competition or a level playing field among businesses; poor governance, encompassing regulatory capture and lack of rule of law. Phew. What a list.
Despite all this, our economy continues to grow at a respectable rate. But while growth is necessary for poverty reduction (insofar as it creates more opportunities for more Filipinos), growth is by no means sufficient.
Achieving high growth while reducing poverty fast are not mutually inconsistent. We can pursue both, if politicians focus more on the issues and do what’s right. But given our state of affairs, that might be asking too much.
Finally, let’s look at another set of good data, coming from the Social Weather Stations (SWS), founded by economist Mahar Mangahas.
In November, SWS reported that 48% of Filipino families considered themselves “poor” in the third quarter of 2023. That’s almost half of all families, and higher than the 45% in June (Figure 2).
Figure 2.
That also translates to 13.2 million poor families: almost thrice the 4.5 million poor families reported by the government, and almost two million more than the poor Filipinos recorded by SWS two years prior.
If we focus on the first half of 2023, the SWS poverty rate was still 48%: higher than last year and just about the same as in 2021 (Figure 3).
In short, the SWS saw a stagnation of the poverty rate, over the same period that the government saw a statistically significant drop.
Figure 3.
Of course, self-rated poverty is a different creature compared to poverty as defined by the government (which is based on the minimum budget needed by a family of five to make ends meet in a month). We don’t have space here to explain all the nuanced differences.
But I would argue that self-reported poverty is just as informative as the official stats, and it may offer a valuable alternative lens for us to understand what’s really going on.
My sense is that self-rated poverty may be a better metric or barometer of the plight of the poor, especially during times of accelerating prices. Higher inflation reduces the purchasing power of households, and this can be more salient for Filipinos when asked to rate themselves whether they’re poor or not.
This year I hope to conduct more research on this, with the support and encouragement of Dr. Mangahas. Let’s see what the data will reveal. – Rappler.com
JC Punongbayan, PhD is an assistant professor at the UP School of Economics and the author of False Nostalgia: The Marcos “Golden Age” Myths and How to Debunk Them. JC’s views are independent of his affiliations. Follow him on Twitter (@jcpunongbayan) and Usapang Econ Podcast.
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I agree: “My sense is that self-rated poverty may be a better metric or barometer of the plight of the poor, especially during times of accelerating prices.” The PSA rating may have been manipulated for the Government to look good. Let us just hope that the SWS rating will not be manipulated, too. So, would President Marcos Jr. continue with his Impossible Dream?
The PSA data are credible and accurate, I have no doubt about it. It’s just that they’re measuring poverty differently than SWS. Rather than compare the levels of poverty between them, it’s more useful to compare trends/changes.
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Ced Domingo parts ways with Creamline | delfin.dioquino editor | 5/1/2024 20:32 | KEY PLAYER. Ced Domingo in action for the Creamline Cool Smashers in the Premier Volleyball League.
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MANILA, Philippines – Ced Domingo will not be returning to Creamline once her stint in Thailand ends.
The Cool Smashers officially parted ways with Domingo on Friday, January 5, three months after she left the Premier Volleyball League team to sign with Women’s Volleyball Thailand League squad Nakhon Ratchasima VC.
“We thank you for your excellence and heart that you showed inside and outside the court, and most importantly, for being a Creamline Cool Smasher,” the team said in a statement in Filipino.
Domingo joined Creamline in 2019 after her collegiate career with the FEU Lady Tamaraws and helped the Cool Smashers win four PVL crowns out of seven finals appearances over the next four years.
Individually, the 24-year-old earned a Second Best Middle Blocker plum and a Finals MVP award during her time with Creamline.
Despite her success with the Cool Smashers, Domingo left the team in October to pursue her aspirations of being an import in a foreign league, joining Thai powerhouse Nakhon Ratchasima.
Creamline, though, proved it remains the PVL yardstick even after the departures of Domingo and star setter Jia Morado-De Guzman, who also left for Japan, as it swept the Second All-Filipino Conference in December for its seventh title.
Determined to keep its place on top, Creamline is reportedly bringing in middle blocker Bea de Leon and libero Denden Lazaro-Revilla from sister team Choco Mucho. – Rappler.com
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Alex Eala, Brazilian partner fall in WTA Canberra semis; Alcantara exits | Jasmine Payo | 5/1/2024 20:04 | ALL SET. Alex Eala gets ready to serve in the WTA Canberra.
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MANILA, Philippines – Filipina teen tennis star Alex Eala and Laura Pigossi of Brazil could not sustain their strong start as the pair got eliminated by hometown bets Kaylah McPhee and Astra Sharma, 7-6 (1), 6-3, in the doubles semifinals of the $164,000 WTA Workday Canberra International on Friday, January 5, at the Canberra Tennis Centre in Australia.
The 18-year-old Eala and Pigossi, an Olympic bronze medalist in the Tokyo Games women’s doubles, surged ahead at 4-2 in the opening set after breaking serve.
But McPhee, who made the second round of the 2020 Australian Open women’s doubles, and Sharma, a finalist in the 2019 Australian Open mixed doubles, fought back to level the score at 5-5 after an exchange of service breaks before the set eventually headed to a tiebreak.
The Australian pair then dominated the tiebreak, 7-1, to go up a set.
McPhee and Sharma carried over their scoring spree to the second frame, jumping to a 5-2 advantage and closing the match in the ninth game to clinch a spot in the finals.
Eala will head to Melbourne next where she is set to compete in the Australian Open qualifiers, which will begin on January 8.
Meanwhile, Filipino doubles specialist Francis Casey Alcantara and Kaichi Uchida also fell prey to a pair of hometown bets, losing in two close sets to Pruchya Isarow and Maximus Jones of Thailand, 6-4, 7-6 (7), in the ATP Challenger Bangkok Open 1 in Nonthaburi.
One early break spelled the difference in the tight first set for the crowd favorites Isarow and Jones to pull ahead in the match.
The second frame followed the same script with the Thais gaining a 4-2 lead, before Alcantara and Uchida managed to draw even and send the match to a tiebreak where they moved ahead at 6-4.
Egged on by the local fans, Isarow and Jones rallied to tie at 6-6. Alcantara and Uchida saved a match point when they knotted the count at 7-7, but Isarow and Jones pocketed the next two points to seal the match in an hour and 25 minutes.
Currently ranked a career-high 211 in the world, Alcantara will resume his pro campaign next week in the ATP Challenger Bangkok Open 2 where he will rekindle ties with his old partner, world No. 206 Sun Fajing of China. – Rappler.com
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Beware of this ‘Mama Mary necklace from the Vatican’ | Paterno Esmaquel II | 5/1/2024 17:00 | FAKE. It's not GMA anchor Ivan Mayrina in this video, but an AI-generated 'anchor' promoting a 'Mama Mary necklace from the Vatican.'
Screenshot from Brother Eduard on Facebok
One has the baritone voice, tone, timber, and cadence of GMA news anchor Ivan Mayrina. The other has the homey, animated TV presence of the one-and-only Susan Enriquez.
In Facebook videos of less than 40 seconds each, both of them are promoting “Mama Mary necklaces” that supposedly came from the “Mama Mary Shrine.” The necklaces, according to them, “were blessed by priests in Vatican, Italy, so they can give guidance and comfort to anyone.” Send a message to our page, they said, and you can get these for free.
Amen?
Eek, they’re not even Ivan or Susan.
GMA’s 24 Oras exposed on Thursday, January 4, the “fake and possibly AI-generated” voices of GMA anchors promoting a free “Mama Mary necklace from Vatican, Italy.” (Hey, the Vatican is not in Italy.)
The videos of the fake GMA anchors are posted on the Facebook page of a certain “Brother Eduard.” The video of the fake Susan Enriquez was posted on December 4, and has 149,000 views as of posting time, while the video of the fake Ivan Mayrina was posted on December 16, and now has 1.9 million views on Facebook.
It’s the latest incident of fraudsters exploiting the deep religiosity of Filipinos. A former Spanish colony where friars dominated society, the Philippines is a country where 85.65 million people, or nearly 79% of the population, belong to the Roman Catholic Church.
Filipinos are known for their devotion to the saints, especially Mary, even as Catholic bishops have lost their influence over the years as seen in, well, the 2022 presidential elections.
In October 2023, we also reported about a possibly AI-generated priest named “Father Niño” who was giving away free statues of the “Santo Niño Hubad” (Naked Child Jesus), supposedly blessed by Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma. The archbishop promptly denied this claim. Later, the GMA public affairs show Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho featured the Rappler report on “Santo Niño Hubad” in one of its episodes.
Beware of these so-called lucky charms – even if they’re “free.” If they faked the voices of GMA anchors, we’ll never know what they’re truly up to.
As is written in the Gospel of Luke (16:10), “The person who is trustworthy in very small matters is also trustworthy in great ones; and the person who is dishonest in very small matters is also dishonest in great ones.” – Rappler.com
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NorthPort back to PBA playoffs after sending Blackwater to 9th straight loss | delfin.dioquino editor | 5/1/2024 19:01 | LOOSE BALL. Joshua Munzon in action for the NorthPort Batang Pier in the 2023-24 PBA Commissioner's Cup.
PBA Images
MANILA, Philippines – NorthPort earned a trip back to the PBA playoffs after cruising to a 106-89 romp of Blackwater in the Commissioner’s Cup at the Araneta Coliseum on Friday, January 5.
Joshua Munzon and import Venky Jois both delivered all-around performances as the Batang Pier snapped a two-game skid to improve to 6-4 and become the sixth team to claim a seat in the quarterfinals.
Munzon turned in arguably his finest performance of the conference, churning out 20 points on top of 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 steals to lead six NorthPort players in double-digit scoring.
The top pick in the 2020 draft, Munzon unloaded 16 points of his output in the middle quarters as the Batang Pier turned a slim 18-17 lead at the end of the opening period to an 84-66 cushion going into the final salvo.
Jois did it all with 19 points, 20 rebounds, 7 assists, 3 blocks, and 2 steals to guide NorthPort back into the playoffs after it failed to reach the quarterfinals in the Governors’ Cup last season.
Paul Zamar fired all of his 13 points in the pivotal third quarter, while JM Calma, Arvin Tolentino, and Kris Rosales added 10 points each in the win.
Calma and Tolentino found time for 9 and 6 rebounds, respectively, as the Batang Pier sent the luckless Bossing to their ninth straight defeat.
With a chance to salvage some pride after crashing out of playoff contention, Blackwater seized a 24-20 lead early in the second quarter before it came apart and got buried 35-45 at halftime.
Rey Suerte tallied 20 points and 4 rebounds in the loss, while rookie Christian David saw his first PBA double-double of 17 points and 11 rebounds go down the drain.
Import Chris Ortiz had 14 points and 13 rebounds for the Bossing, who fell to last place with a 1-9 slate.
NorthPort 106 – Munzon 20, Jois 19, Zzamar 13, Calma 10, Tolentino 10, Rosales 10, Amores 7, Yu 6, Bulanadi 5, Flores 5, Paraiso 1, Taha 0, Chan 0, Adamos 0
Blackwater 89 – Suerte 20, David 17, Ortiz 14, Concepcion 10, Kwukuteye 8, Ilagan 7, Escoto 5, DiGregorio 3, Jopia 2, Hill 2, Ular 1, Amer 0, Guinto 0, Banal 0
Quarters: 18-17, 45-35, 84-66, 106-89.
– Rappler.com
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Choco Mucho bids Bea de Leon, Denden Lazaro-Revilla farewell | delfin.dioquino editor | 5/1/2024 18:17 | CHANGE. Bea de Leon in action for the Choco Mucho Flying Titans in the Premier Volleyball League.
PVL Images
MANILA, Philippines – Choco Mucho bid goodbye to its two biggest stars in Bea de Leon and Denden Lazaro-Revilla on Friday, January 5, as roster reshuffles in the Premier Volleyball League continue.
The Flying Titans’ announcement that they parted ways with De Leon and Lazaro-Revilla came amid reports that the two will suit up for Choco Mucho sister team Creamline Cool Smashers.
De Leon, the Flying Titans’ former captain and middle blocker, joined Choco Mucho in 2019 together with Ateneo teammates Maddie Madayag and Kat Tolentino after wrapping up their UAAP careers with the Blue Eagles.
“Thank you, Bea, for your dedication to the Choco Mucho Flying Titans since your debut with the team in the pro league,” the club said in a statement.
“Your leadership as team captain and support have played a significant role in the team’s current success,” Choco Mucho added. “We’ll miss you, but we look forward to your continued success!”
Revilla-Lazaro, meanwhile, linked up with the Flying Titans in 2020 following previous stints with PLDT and Balipure and Philippine Superliga teams Cocolife and Petron.
“Thank you, Denden, for your exceptional contributions as a seasoned libero with the Choco Mucho Flying Titans. Your professionalism and maturity have positively impacted the team,” the club said.
Choco Mucho, which earlier released opposite spiker Caitlyn Viray, has undergone a roster revamp after falling short of its maiden PVL crown.
The Flying Titans reached the Second All-Filipino Conference finals in December, but they got swept by the Cool Smashers in the best-of-three title series.
There were more movements league-wide, with PLDT picking up veteran setter Kim Fajardo earlier in the day, while Dawn Macandili and Jov Fernandez (Cignal); Ivy Lacsina (Nxled); Ara Galang and Aby Marano (Chery Tiggo); and Joy Dacoron (Petro Gazz) also switched teams. – Rappler.com
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Jared Bahay turns back on UP Maroons commitment | Jasmine Payo | 5/1/2024 15:48 | HIGH SCHOOL SENSATION. Jared Bahay in action for Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu during the 2023 NBTC National Finals.
NBTC
MANILA, Philippines – Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu high school standout Jared Bahay has taken a step back and decommitted from the University of the Philippines, the men’s basketball team announced on Friday, January 5.
Bahay, who recently led the Magis Eagles to a successful title defense in the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (CESAFI) Season 23, reneged on his well-publicized commitment last March 2023 due to what team officials described as “outside forces.”
“In the last two years, the UP MBT and Jared Bahay have developed a special relationship. We envisioned a common future with Jared handling the reins of a championship-caliber team. We believed in his immense talent and capacity to lead,” said UP Office for Athletics and Sports Development director Bo Perasol.
“However, not all things go according to plan. Although we have remained in our commitment to Jared, outside forces have intervened for him to have a change of heart.”
According to Perasol, State U respects Bahay’s change of plans even as there is no official word yet where the teenage prospect is headed to next.
However, sources say that the dynamic scoring guard is likely headed to the Ateneo Blue Eagles, with UAAP defending champion De La Salle also expressing interest.
The Blue Eagles already nabbed Bahay’s former teammates Raffy Celis and Michael Asoro, with the former making his collegiate debut in UAAP Season 86.
During the recent championship series between SHS-Ateneo and the University of the Visayas Baby Lancers, Blue Eagles head coach Tab Baldwin was reportedly spotted watching when the Magis Eagles completed a three-peat.
In the championship-clinching Game 3, Bahay ended up with 14 points, 11 rebounds, 3 steals, and a block in SHS-Ateneo’s 58-55 win, earning Finals Most Valuable Player honors.
At 5-foot-9, Bahay stood tall among all high school players in the country as the top-ranked player of the National Basketball Training Centre (NBTC) 24 list. — Rappler.com
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[In This Economy] PH poverty dropped in 2023. But it’s too damn slow. | Chay Hofilena | 5/1/2024 18:10 | Let’s start off 2024 with a bit of good news.
In the first half of 2023, the poverty rate (or the percentage of Filipino individuals living below the poverty line) went down to 22.4%, or a little above one-fifth of all Filipinos.
That’s lower than the 23.7% two years prior, in 2021 (see Figure 1). That also translates to nearly 900,000 fewer poor Filipinos over the same period.
Looks good, right? A closer inspection, though, will show that poverty is going down at a lamentably slow rate.
Figure 1.
When I first wrote for Rappler in 2013, more than a decade ago, the poverty rate for the first half of that year was nearly 25%. Almost 1 in 4 Filipinos was considered poor.
Sure, poverty has gone down since then. But a decade later, the poverty rate went down by just 2.6 percentage points. That’s equivalent to a poverty reduction rate of just 0.26 percentage points a year. Pitiful!
The slow decline of poverty was of course disrupted by the pandemic. In 2021, the number of poor people reached a peak of 26.1 million. But the number was likely larger in 2020 during the height of the pandemic. It just so happened that we don’t have a precise idea, because the government was not at all able to collect survey data during the lockdowns.
Now that the economy is recovering in earnest, it’s natural to see poverty go down as well. But the number of poor people in 2023, which numbered 25.24 million, was still higher than the 22.26 million poor in 2018 before the pandemic.
In short, there are still more poor Filipinos now than before the pandemic.
The rate of poverty reduction from 2021 to 2023 was also 0.65 percentage points per year. That’s 2.5 times faster than the average rate over the past decade.
But still, as you’ll see in a bit, it’s nowhere near the rate needed to meet the goals of the current Marcos administration.
Remember the first State of the Nation Address of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.? He bombarded the Filipino people with tons of economic statistics in the first part of that speech.
One of those statistics is his target for poverty reduction. By 2028, he said, the poverty rate must be down to 9%. The first time, if ever, we’ll ever reach single-digit poverty rates.
That’s too ambitious, at the rate we’re going.
Note that 2028 is just five years away from 2023, when poverty was at 22.4%. To go down to 9% in five years, the rate of poverty reduction will need to be a whopping 2.68 percentage points per year!
To put that number in perspective, that’s more than four times the rate during the pandemic, and nearly 11 times the rate over the past decade.
How the hell will the Marcos administration reduce poverty that fast? I feel this is an impossible task, and the administration set itself for failure by aiming for such an impossible goal.
But why is poverty reduction so difficult in the Philippines? This problem has long troubled economists and policymakers, and it will take an entire semester (or more) at the UP School of Economics to discuss all the nuanced details.
One of the most basic stylized facts about Philippine development is that our economy grew quite fast in recent decades, but poverty reduction has not caught up. Put another way, fast growth is not translating to poverty reduction.
It’s quite embarrassing, really. Other countries, including ASEAN neighbors, have done a much better job than us. Heck, Vietnam is now richer than us, and Lao PDR is not far behind!
A knee-jerk if not lazy reaction is to blame chronic poverty on politics and politicians. To some extent that’s valid. But by no means is that the full story. Nor can we blame everything on lack of economic aid or ayuda (although that was certainly wanting especially during the draconian lockdowns).
Here are some known bottlenecks: very poor investments in human capital (education and health); overreliance on services and a lack of support for high-value added industries (including manufacturing); a perennial lack of investments due to red tape, uncertainty, and poor infrastructure; the lack of competition or a level playing field among businesses; poor governance, encompassing regulatory capture and lack of rule of law. Phew. What a list.
Despite all this, our economy continues to grow at a respectable rate. But while growth is necessary for poverty reduction (insofar as it creates more opportunities for more Filipinos), growth is by no means sufficient.
Achieving high growth while reducing poverty fast are not mutually inconsistent. We can pursue both, if politicians focus more on the issues and do what’s right. But given our state of affairs, that might be asking too much.
Finally, let’s look at another set of good data, coming from the Social Weather Stations (SWS), founded by economist Mahar Mangahas.
In November, SWS reported that 48% of Filipino families considered themselves “poor” in the third quarter of 2023. That’s almost half of all families, and higher than the 45% in June (Figure 2).
Figure 2.
That also translates to 13.2 million poor families: almost thrice the 4.5 million poor families reported by the government, and almost two million more than the poor Filipinos recorded by SWS two years prior.
If we focus on the first half of 2023, the SWS poverty rate was still 48%: higher than last year and just about the same as in 2021 (Figure 3).
In short, the SWS saw a stagnation of the poverty rate, over the same period that the government saw a statistically significant drop.
Figure 3.
Of course, self-rated poverty is a different creature compared to poverty as defined by the government (which is based on the minimum budget needed by a family of five to make ends meet in a month). We don’t have space here to explain all the nuanced differences.
But I would argue that self-reported poverty is just as informative as the official stats, and it may offer a valuable alternative lens for us to understand what’s really going on.
My sense is that self-rated poverty may be a better metric or barometer of the plight of the poor, especially during times of accelerating prices. Higher inflation reduces the purchasing power of households, and this can be more salient for Filipinos when asked to rate themselves whether they’re poor or not.
This year I hope to conduct more research on this, with the support and encouragement of Dr. Mangahas. Let’s see what the data will reveal. – Rappler.com
JC Punongbayan, PhD is an assistant professor at the UP School of Economics and the author of False Nostalgia: The Marcos “Golden Age” Myths and How to Debunk Them. JC’s views are independent of his affiliations. Follow him on Twitter (@jcpunongbayan) and Usapang Econ Podcast.
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I agree: “My sense is that self-rated poverty may be a better metric or barometer of the plight of the poor, especially during times of accelerating prices.” The PSA rating may have been manipulated for the Government to look good. Let us just hope that the SWS rating will not be manipulated, too. So, would President Marcos Jr. continue with his Impossible Dream?
The PSA data are credible and accurate, I have no doubt about it. It’s just that they’re measuring poverty differently than SWS. Rather than compare the levels of poverty between them, it’s more useful to compare trends/changes.
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One-eyed Philippine eagle rescued in Davao | Herbie G | 5/1/2024 17:51 | RESCUE. Members of the Philippine Eagle Foundation team bring a rescued Philippine eagle upslope toward a waiting vehicle, which will transport it to the veterinary clinic for assessment.
Ivy Marie Mangadlao/Rappler
DAVAO, Philippines – A critically endangered Philippine eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi), with a severe eye injury, was rescued from the wild along the Lipadas River at the Mount Apo Natural Park, Davao City, on Tuesday, January 2.
Lipadas, named after the river, is a two-year-old Philippine eagle with a blind right eye.
The rescue team comprised biologists from the Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF), animal keepers, and a forest guard from the Bagobo-Klata indigenous community.
Jayson Ibanez, PEF director for research and conservation, who was also present during the rescue, said it marked the first-ever rescue of a one-eyed Philippine eagle in the wild. It is also the first PEF-documented case of an eagle acquiring an eye injury at the early stage of its nestling period.
Before the rescue, Ibanez said they consulted an expert from Kenya who examined photographs of the injured eye.
Based on the expert’s analysis, the eyeballs were already swollen, and it appeared that the right eye was completely blind. Consequently, the expert recommended trapping the bird and keeping it in captivity permanently.
“We always make it a point to rescue and save each imperiled individual. And with its status now being one-eyed, its survival chances in the wild are very low. But if we rescue it and take care of it in captivity, it can still contribute new individuals to the population by breeding it and then releasing any potential offspring back to the wild to help increase population numbers,” Ibañez said.
The injured Philippine eagle was taken to a veterinary clinic by the breeding team for a thorough assessment.
Dr. Bayani Vandenbroeck, a veterinary consultant with PEF, conducted a physical examination, revealing that the eagle weighs 4.3 kilograms.
“The eagle seems to be healthy, except for the blind (right) eye. The eyeball is completely gone on the right side. The left eye appears normal, but changes seem to be happening inside. Also, the eagle might eventually be completely blind. There are no bullet wounds or evidence of any other recent physical injuries. The bones appear intact as well, with no evidence of fractures. The body condition score is 4/5, and it seems to have extra fats,” Vandenbroeck said.
Rowell Taraya, a PEF senior biologist who led in the monitoring, assessment, and study of the eagle even before it was taken in, said the bird will undergo rehabilitation at the Philippine Eagle Center (PEC) quarantine facility.
“After the full blood chemistry analysis is completed, supplemental food and medicines will be provided as needed. If its analysis showed an infection in the bloodstream, appropriate medication will be given,” Taraya said.
Taraya said blood samples will also be sent to the Institute of Biology Laboratory at the University of the Philippines-Diliman for confirmatory DNA sexing, and further assessment will be sought from a resident ophthalmologist and foreign experts to determine the appropriate intervention for the eye.
The discovery of Lipadas dates back to October 2022 when the PEF received a report from a tribal chieftain, Bagobo-Klata Datu Mariano Daug, about a Philippine eagle spotted at Lipadas River.
Daug told them that the eagle slammed against the forest floor, but flew off when locals attempted to get near it.
“The place where they saw it is a known Philippine eagle nesting territory. The territory was first discovered in 2018, and a post-fledged young was spotted together with its eagle parents. Since then, the site has been monitored with the help of the Bagobo-Klata and Bagobo-Tagabawa Bantay Bukid Volunteers from Davao City,” PEF stated in a written report.
During the monitoring, the eagle, then a 10-month-old eaglet, was photographed, and a right eye injury was noted.
PEF said that although the young eagle is still capable of flying, its infected eye prevents it from going to farther areas.
The group tried trapping the then eaglet to rescue it, but it was too young to fly to the ground to catch the bait – a rabbit – and was still dependent on its parents for food.
In November 2023, the young eagle, estimated to be two years old, was observed loudly calling and “begging” for food from its parents.
“At such an age, healthy eaglets in the wild are fully independent and would have dispersed away from their parents’ territory. However, perhaps due to its eye injury, it remained dependent on its parents for nourishment,” the report said.
Due to concerns about the young eagle possibly starving, the team decided to give it supplemental food.
In November 2023, Lipadas managed to go down to the ground and feed, leading them to confirm that the young eagle can now confidently fly and hunt on the ground.
“To habituate the bird to the bait and ensure trapping and rescue success, we continued supplemental feeding in December. Starting December 19, 2023, our forest guards started deploying a rabbit to lure the young eagle back to the nest site. The young eagle came back and took and ate the rabbit,” read part of the report.
However, after Christmas, forest guards received complaints from fellow villagers that Lipadas started feeding on native chickens from farms, and farmers threatened harm to the bird if action wasn’t taken to prevent it from hunting livestock.
This prompted the PEF to schedule an emergency trapping activity and attempt a rescue on January 2.
Ibanez pointed out that Lipadas’ case underscores the significance of community-based conservation.
“Lipadas’ case points out the value of engaging indigenous forest guards who are the direct neighbors of Philippine eagles because of their proximity to the nesting site and familiarity with the Philippine Eagle and then other wildlife. It’s practically easy for them to monitor and then protect the species. It’s a proof of concept that indeed indigenous peoples can positively contribute to endangered species conservation,” he said.
Christian Tan, one of the indigenous forest guards of Bagobo Klata who assisted in monitoring the eagle and was part of the rescue team, said he couldn’t describe his feelings when he saw the eagle.
“It was really worth the effort because after all the time we spent monitoring it, I finally held it, and up close. I saw how beautiful and majestic it truly is,” Tan said.
After the rescue, Tan said he became even more motivated to contribute to the conservation of the country’s national bird. – Rappler.com
Ivy Marie Mangadlao is an Aries Rufo Journalism fellow.
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Philippines remains open to diplomacy with China – national security adviser | Chito de la Vega | 5/1/2024 16:53 | EX-DILG CHIEF. Former Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año gives an update to President Rodrigo Roa Duterte during a meeting with the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) core members at the Malacañan Palace on January 6, 2022.
ALBERTO ALCAIN/ PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines remains open to diplomatic discussions with China and believes the two nations can achieve a resolution to disputes over the South China Sea through peaceful dialogue, its national security adviser said in a statement on Friday, January 5.
Eduardo Año’s remarks came after a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson on Thursday called recent joint patrols by the United States and the Philippines in the South China Sea “provocative” and “irresponsible”.
“Our joint patrols with the United States and potential future activities with other allied countries shows our mutual commitment to a rules-based international order and for promoting peace and stability of the region,” Año said.
The Chinese embassy in Manila repeated the foreign ministry spokesperson’s comments when asked to respond to Año’s remarks.
Two Chinese navy vessels had shadowed Philippine and US ships conducting the recently concluded joint patrols, the Philippine military said on Thursday.
The two-day maritime exercises involved four vessels from the Philippine navy and four ships from the US Indo-Pacific fleet, including Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson. The patrols ended on Thursday and the US vessels called at the port of Manila on Friday.
The joint patrols were the second held by the Philippines and the US in less than two months in the South China Sea, where tensions over disputed territorial claims are flaring.
“The Philippines remains open to diplomatic discussions with China and reaffirms its commitment to fostering good relations with all nations,” Año said.
“We believe that through peaceful dialogue and adherence to international law, we can achieve a resolution that serves the best interest of all parties involved in the region,” he said.
China lays claim to almost the entire South China Sea, a conduit for more than $3 trillion in annual ship commerce. China’s claims of sovereignty overlap territorial waters claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei.
In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague said China’s claims had no legal basis. China has rejected that ruling.
– Rappler.com
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GAB, CIDG raid wrong POGO in Pasay | Joann Manabat - CMS | 5/1/2024 16:09 | PAMPANGA, Philippines – The Games and Amusements Board (GAB) and the Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP CIDG) conducted a December 23 raid on the wrong Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) in Pasay City that led to the release of 173 foreigners.
Based on the inquest resolution obtained by Rappler, the GAB and CIDG implemented four search warrants to search, seize, and examine computer data. The warrants were addressed to six individuals: Ryan Hao, Ely Chan, Ian Lim, Bao Ma, Raymond Tan, and Noe Ming, alleged owners and operators of Xing Yao Company, and other occupants in four floors of the HC Bay Hotel at Seascape Village, CCP Complex.
The warrants, issued by the Regional Trial Court National Capital Judicial Region, Office of the Executive Judge Racquelen Abary-Vasquez, were for alleged violation of Presidential Decree 1602 or “Prescribing Stiffer Penalties for Illegal Gambling” in relation to Republic Act 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act.
The inquest stated that the foreigners found working onsite were actually employees of Tri Technology Corporation, a POGO licensed by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor). The inquest said that the foreigners were not employees of Xing Yao Company or those named in the search warrants.
The 173 foreigners underwent inquest proceedings on December 25, two days after the raid. They were ordered released on December 27.
During the raid, a Chinese man tried to escape and fractured his right leg by jumping from the second floor of the hotel building.
The attending nurse, Staff Sergeant Joemari Gumaru, said the Chinese flew back to China on December 29 for his surgery, but will return to the Philippines to work. Gumaru clarified that the injured Chinese is not employed in the wrongly raided POGO.
Sought for comment about the raid, Lieutenant Colonel Marissa Bruno of the PNP CIDG Public Information Office denied to Rappler that there was an operation last December 23 in Pasay City, based on their report.
Rappler reached out to GAB but to no avail as of posting.
Pasay City police chief Colonel Mario Mayames, however, confirmed the raid led by GAB and CIDG. Mayames added that the local police were not allowed to enter the building, and they were also not given details of the raid.
“So, in short, there was a raid. It is legal because they were armed with a search warrant. The lead agency there is GAB and CIDG. Us local police, we were not able to go up because we were disallowed. They said we are not allowed so we stayed outside the building,” Mayames told Rappler in a mix of Filipino and English.
“We are the local so it’s in our jurisdiction. But the agency who led here was CIDG and GAB so the details, the names and nationalities, we don’t have. They actually refused to give us so we did not get the details,” he added.
Mayames said they are implementing Oplan ReACT POGO or Repress Acts of Criminals Targeting POGO, which includes checking compliance with government requirements and protecting workers.
“As long as they have permits, they have licenses, we are also obliged to protect them because they have complied with the requirements of our government,” he said.
The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) said it respects what law enforcers are doing.
PAOCC spokesperson Winston Casio said government agencies should have a cooperative effort in conducting operations to prevent “encroaching” on each other’s mandates.
Casio also said the operating units should have been more transparent with the basis of their operations as well as the evidence they presented in court.
“The commission fully respects the conduct of legitimate law enforcement rooted on valid orders of the courts. In saying this, PAOCC would like to believe that the operations conducted by GAB together with detailed personnel from the PNP CIDG is legitimate unless proven otherwise,” Casio told Rappler on Thursday, January 4.
“The latter is crucial given that all the cases filed against the apprehended individuals have been recommended for future investigation owing to insufficiency,” he said. “In the case of Tri Tech, the question in everyone’s mind is why did they operate against a legitimate internet gaming license duly certified by Pagcor.” – Rappler.com
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The significance of Jokowi’s visit to Manila | Dwight de Leon | 5/1/2024 17:47 | Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Indonesian President Joko Widodo during the 42nd ASEAN Summit in Indonesia in May 2023.
Presidential Communications Office
MANILA, Philippines – Indonesian President Joko Widodo is set to make a three-day official visit to the Philippines from January 9 to 11, and is scheduled to meet President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on the 10th.
The trip reciprocates Marcos’ visit to Indonesia in September 2022 – his first foreign travel as chief executive – where he was welcomed by the Indonesian president, who is popularly known as Jokowi.
Malacañang said in a press statement that the visit seeks to review how diplomatic relations between Manila and Jakarta are progressing following Marcos’ state visit to Indonesia two years ago.
During that trip, the Marcos administration signed four deals, the most prominent of which was the renewal of a 1997 defense agreement focusing on joint exercises, development of defense technology, and logistical cooperation between the Philippines and Indonesia.
Since then, tensions have increased dramatically in the South China Sea, amid provocations – as Marcos previously described them – by China against Philippine ships.
Marcos has met with Jokowi on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit last year, but the Indonesian president’s trip to Manila offers yet another chance for the two to compare notes in terms of addressing the threats posed by Beijing in the maritime region.
“What we want is to ensure that we get to secure what is rightfully ours based on international law, while working with our like-minded partners, our neighbors especially,” geopolitical analyst Don McLain Gill told Rappler in a phone interview.
“President Marcos Jr. floated the idea of a new code of conduct between and among Southeast Asian states. I think these areas converge with the leadership in Manila and Jakarta. You know, on one hand, trying to ensure that the region builds up its own capabilities, but on the other hand, not falling victim to great power politics,” added Gill, an international studies lecturer at the De La Salle University.
The visit also gives Marcos an opportunity to personally bring up with Jokowi the case of Mary Jane Veloso, a migrant Filipino worker who has been on Indonesia’s death row for over a decade due to drug trafficking.
Marcos himself did not raise the matter when he met with Jokowi in September 2022 in Jakarta, although Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo asked the Indonesian government, through his counterpart, to grant executive clemency to Veloso.
On the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit in Labuan Bajo, Indonesia, in May 2023, Marcos asked Jokowi to examine the case again.
“I believe that it’s not a thing that only takes place when both leaders meet. I think that it’s ongoing. Of course, I believe that a sustainable outcome may be achieved, will be achieved, given, of course, the convergence of interests between President Marcos Jr. and President Jokowi,” Gill said.
In the past, Marcos said his administration is not giving up on Veloso, as the Philippine government seeks legal remedies that include pardon, commutation of sentence, or extradition.
Indonesians are heading to the polls next month to select the successor of Jokowi, who is constitutionally barred from seeking another term.
It is the end of an era not just in Indonesian politics but in Indo-Pacific geopolitics, where Jokowi has emerged as among the most influential voices.
Gill stressed that the retiring Jokowi is far from a lame duck. The Indonesian president’s defense minister, Prabowo Subianto, is the front-runner in the presidential race, and Jokowi’s son Gibran Rakabuming Raka is his running mate.
“There would be that level of continuity and whatever would be discussed between President Marcos Jr. and President Widodo would be significant because I believe that if the frontrunner wins, then, of course, this would continue to be carried out in the next administration because, you know, the Philippines-Indonesia relationship is of great significance,” Gill said.
The presidential vote in the world’s third largest democracy will be held on February 14. A runoff election will be held in June if no candidate gets a simple of majority of the votes. Jokowi’s successor will assume office in October. – Rappler.com
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Choco Mucho bids Bea de Leon, Denden Lazaro-Revilla farewell | delfin.dioquino editor | 5/1/2024 18:17 | CHANGE. Bea de Leon in action for the Choco Mucho Flying Titans in the Premier Volleyball League.
PVL Images
MANILA, Philippines – Choco Mucho bid goodbye to its two biggest stars in Bea de Leon and Denden Lazaro-Revilla on Friday, January 5, as roster reshuffles in the Premier Volleyball League continue.
The Flying Titans’ announcement that they parted ways with De Leon and Lazaro-Revilla came amid reports that the two will suit up for Choco Mucho sister team Creamline Cool Smashers.
De Leon, the Flying Titans’ former captain and middle blocker, joined Choco Mucho in 2019 together with Ateneo teammates Maddie Madayag and Kat Tolentino after wrapping up their UAAP careers with the Blue Eagles.
“Thank you, Bea, for your dedication to the Choco Mucho Flying Titans since your debut with the team in the pro league,” the club said in a statement.
“Your leadership as team captain and support have played a significant role in the team’s current success,” Choco Mucho added. “We’ll miss you, but we look forward to your continued success!”
Revilla-Lazaro, meanwhile, linked up with the Flying Titans in 2020 following previous stints with PLDT and Balipure and Philippine Superliga teams Cocolife and Petron.
“Thank you, Denden, for your exceptional contributions as a seasoned libero with the Choco Mucho Flying Titans. Your professionalism and maturity have positively impacted the team,” the club said.
Choco Mucho, which earlier released opposite spiker Caitlyn Viray, has undergone a roster revamp after falling short of its maiden PVL crown.
The Flying Titans reached the Second All-Filipino Conference finals in December, but they got swept by the Cool Smashers in the best-of-three title series.
There were more movements league-wide, with PLDT picking up veteran setter Kim Fajardo earlier in the day, while Dawn Macandili and Jov Fernandez (Cignal); Ivy Lacsina (Nxled); Ara Galang and Aby Marano (Chery Tiggo); and Joy Dacoron (Petro Gazz) also switched teams. – Rappler.com
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PLDT picks up veteran setter Kim Fajardo | delfin.dioquino editor | 5/1/2024 14:50 | NEW SQUAD. Kim Fajardo of the PLDT High Speed Hitters.
Smart Sports Media
MANILA, Philippines – The PLDT High Speed Hitters picked up veteran playmaker Kim Fajardo from the disbanded F2 Logistics Cargo Movers, the team announced on Friday, January 5.
Fajardo, a six-time best setter in the defunct Philippine Superliga, joins long-time PLDT setter Rhea Dimaculangan in the team’s quest to bring home its first professional title in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL).
“I want to be challenged under a new system, I want to learn more,” Fajardo said in Filipino.
Over the past years, Fajardo’s excellent playmaking has been hampered by numerous injuries, resulting in setbacks.
The former La Salle standout is the latest player from the former F2 Logistics squad to find a new home.
Dawn Macandili and Jov Fernandez (Cignal); Ivy Lacsina (Nxled); Ara Galang and Aby Marano (Chery Tiggo); and Joy Dacoron (Petro Gazz) have all made their successful transfers prior to Fajardo.
“I want to regain my former condition,” said Fajardo.
“I still can do it as long as I have the proper mindset and guidance of my new coaches and teammates…it’s exciting to see that everything will be new.”
The High Speed Hitters narrowly missed the 2023 PVL Second All-Filipino Conference semifinals after finishing fifth with a 7-4 record. – Rappler.com
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FACT CHECK: EMBO public school students can still wear Makati uniforms | jpcruz0306 | 5/1/2024 10:00 | Claim: Public school students in Enlisted Men’s Barrios (EMBO) can no longer wear Makati City school uniforms in 2024 as Taguig takes over the concerned areas.
Why we fact-checked this: The claim was made on January 2 by an anonymous user on the Facebook group “Proud Makatizen” which has 49,600 members.
As of writing, the post has gained 57 reactions, 104 comments, and five shares.
“Regarding school uniform, klaro na ngayon na nasa DepEd Taguig na tayo effective January 1, 2024 dahil sa turn-over. Ibig sabihin ay hindi na dapat isuot ang uniform ng DepEd Makati. DepEd Taguig uniform ang isuot ng bata simula bukas,” the post reads.
(Regarding school uniforms, it is now clear that we are under DepEd Taguig effective January 1, 2024, due to the turnover. This means that the uniform of DepEd Makati should no longer be worn. Starting tomorrow, children should wear the DepEd Taguig uniform.)
The Facebook user advised those without Taguig uniforms to wear ordinary shirts instead.
The facts: Public school students in EMBO areas may wear school uniforms from either Makati or Taguig City, the Department of Education (DepEd) Taguig-Pateros said.
DepEd Taguig-Pateros confirmed to Rappler on Thursday, January 4, that it did not release any memo barring students from wearing uniforms from the Makati City government.
During the opening of classes in August 2023, DepEd Undersecretary Francis Bringas also said that students in EMBO public schools should be allowed to wear school uniforms provided by either the Taguig or Makati City governments.
Not required: Wearing school uniforms in public schools is also not required, according to DepEd Order 65, series 2010.
“Students with existing uniforms may continue using these uniforms if they so desire, in order to avoid incurring additional costs for new attire,” the order read.
Makati-Taguig land dispute: In August 2022, the Supreme Court ruled that Fort Bonifacio and the EMBO barangays, which used to be under Makati, are part of Taguig City. This resulted in tensions between the two cities and affected EMBO residents’ access to education and healthcare. (READ: With no Makati Blu Card access, what benefits will EMBO elderly lose in 2024?)
Fourteen public schools in EMBO areas were affected by the court ruling. In August 2023, the DepEd central office placed the affected schools under its direct authority, intervening in the conflict between the two city governments.
Rappler learned from DepEd Taguig-Pateros that the EMBO schools are under its jurisdiction starting in 2024. Rappler has reached out to the DepEd central office, but it has yet to reply as of writing. – James Patrick Cruz/Rappler.com
Keep us aware of suspicious Facebook pages, groups, accounts, websites, articles, or photos in your network by contacting us at [email protected]. You may also report dubious claims to #FactsFirstPH tipline by messaging Rappler on Facebook or Newsbreak via Twitter direct message. You may also report through our Viber fact check chatbot. Let us battle disinformation one Fact Check at a time.
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Sara Duterte is ‘my president,’ says retired soldier. His Matikas ‘mistahs’ are annoyed. | Glenda Gloria | 5/1/2024 11:27 | MANILA, Philippines – So it’s come to this. Saying this was his holiday “gift” to Filipinos, a long-retired, little-known military officer went on YouTube during the break to announce two things: that there’s a move to withdraw support from the current administration, and that the purveyors want Vice President Sara Duterte to “save the boat, save the country.”
“You are the president now, as far as I’m concerned,” declared retired Army captain Clemente Enrique, referring to Vice President Duterte. Enrique graduated in 1983 at the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) as the baron of the Matikas class – which meant he was the most ranking cadet of the corps at the time. But he left the service early, so that those who were fed his video in various chat groups had to Google his name and check whether the face wearing a beret looked familiar. It didn’t. This is Enrique’s first front act in military politics – and we don’t know where he’s coming from. (Editor’s note: We misspelled Enrique’s family name in an earlier version of this story. We regret the error.)
His incendiary spiel was interrupted by another graying soldier who, before talking about the “anger” of many retired soldiers towards the Marcos government, sipped hot chocolate and – for real! – displayed a phone number where one can order.
It would have been comical if not tragic. These are, after all, men who were trained by taxpayers’ money to serve the public, not strut around with pathetic antics and market their choco business.
The irony is, some of Enrique’s PMA classmates (or mistahs in military parlance) are in the echelons of power. To name a few, there’s National Security Adviser Eduardo Año and retired police general Roman “Popong” Felix, the presidential adviser on police and military affairs.
Class officers sent Rappler a brief statement disowning Enrique’s claims. “Mr. Clemente Enrique is a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1983. Mr. Enrique’s statements in his VLOG of Pinoy Survivor, in the exercise of his right to freedom of expression, are his own personal views and opinions alone and do not in any way reflect that of PMA Class 1983 or of the individual members.”
The uploading of the video followed the release of a “Manifesto ng Taong Bayan Para Sagipin ang Inang Bayan (Manifesto of the People to Save the Mother Land)” which essentially described President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. as incompetent, greedy, indolent, cruel; declared withdrawal of support from him; and recognized “VP Inday Sara Zimmerman Duterte as the President of the Republic of the Philippines by way of succession.”
On Thursday, January 4, Armed Forces chief General Romeo Brawner, Jr. issued a statement titled, “On the emerging challenges of 2024.” Feel free to read between the lines: “The Armed Forces of the Philippines stands firm in its unwavering loyalty to the Constitution and its solemn commitment to fulfill its mandate. The men and women of the AFP remain steadfast in their role as the guardians of our nation’s sovereignty and defender of democratic principles.”
In November, Brawner admitted that he had spoken with disgruntled retired officers and warned them against recruiting active-duty soldiers to their destabilization efforts. “Some of them [are] former officers of the AFP, and nakausap ko ‘yung iba sa kanila (I’ve spoken with some of them),” Brawner said at the turnover of command of the Western Mindanao Command in Zamboanga City. His public information officer had to do damage control later, saying his boss had been “misquoted.”
What’s the context? The breakup of the Marcos-Duterte coalition and the cascade of that quarrel down to the loyalists of both factions in the armed services.
The issues compounding that are the Marcos government’s decision to reform the generous military pension system; its recent announcement resuming the stalled peace negotiations with the communist guerrillas; and the President’s distance from military generals – which is very much in contrast to Rodrigo Duterte’s feudal, personal ties with them.
Power, pension, communism – potent ingredients for agitation even to amateurs in military rebellion. But Filipinos had seen smarter days of past mutinies and actual withdrawal of institutional support from the commander-in-chief. Those days appear to be gone – gauging from the performance of these sloppy copycats.
Will these theatrical acts turn into something more serious? Depends on whether the Marcos government has the ability to separate noise from real threat – and the skills to handle them differently. – Rappler.com
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I agree with Ms. Glenda Gloria: “Power, pension, communism – potent ingredients for agitation even to amateurs in military rebellion.” And also: “Will these theatrical acts turn into something more serious?” Perhaps, more likely not. Why? By way of how these “copycats” act, they indeed act in a “sloppy” manner. The mastermind behind them is, most likely, former President Digong Duterte, who is noted for his brave and death-threatening words but “sloppy” moves.
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Inflation cools to 3.9% in December 2023 but gov’t still fails to meet target | lkyu0285 | 5/1/2024 9:10 | PUBLIC MARKET. A consumer buys from a vendor at the Agora Public Market in San Juan City, February 21, 2023.
Jire Carreon/Rappler
MANILA, Philippines – Inflation went down for the third straight month to 3.9% in December 2023, the Philippine Statistics Authority reported on Friday, January 5.
December’s figure is lower than the 4.1% inflation rate observed in November, and is the lowest for the entire 2023.
Despite the December slowdown, average inflation in 2023 still reached 6%, which is above the government’s target band of 2% to 4%.
National Statistician Dennis Mapa said in a briefing on Friday that December’s lower rate was mainly driven by easing inflation in housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels (from 2.5% in November to 1.5% in December), as well as food and non-alcoholic beverages (from 5.7% to 5.4%).
The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) also noted in a statement that “inflation for most commodity groups either slowed down or retained their previous rates during the month.”
In the National Capital Region, inflation fell from 4.2% to 3.5%, while in areas outside NCR, it slightly eased from 4.1% to 4%.
The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao posted the highest inflation rate in December at 6.2%, higher than its November figure of 5.9%. Cagayan Valley had the lowest, with inflation there easing from 2.4% to 1.6%.
Consumers felt the price pain brought by persistent inflation throughout 2023, with inflation spiking to 8.7% to start the year – the highest rate since November 2008’s 9.1%. Rice inflation also surged to 17.9% in September 2023.
Rice inflation remained a problem until the end of the year, rising to a new 14-year high of 19.6% in December from 15.8% in November, the highest since March 2009’s 22.9%.
“It was also the most significant contributor to December 2023’s inflation with 1.7 percentage points, followed by food and beverages services and housing rentals with 0.5 ppt each,” added NEDA.
NEDA Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said economic managers will look into proposing “further temporary tariff adjustments” and “measures to reduce other non-tariff barriers,” citing higher global prices of rice and the El Niño phenomenon, which is seen to trigger dry spells and droughts in parts of the Philippines.
“While our medium-term objective to boost agricultural productivity remains, it is important to augment domestic supply to ease inflationary pressures on consumers, particularly those in low-income households,” Balisacan said.
A majority of Filipinos (56%) said they disapproved of how the Marcos administration has tried to control inflation, according to a Pulse Asia survey. Analysts also pointed to inflation as being one of the factors behind President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s double-digit drop in approval ratings.
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) earlier projected inflation for December 2023 would settle within the range of 3.6% to 4.4%. The central bank cited higher prices of rice and meat as the main drivers that pushed up inflation, while falling electricity and fuel prices helped ease price pressures.
In its fight to control inflation, the BSP also kept its key policy rate steady at 6.5% in its last monetary policy meeting of 2023, with Governor Eli Remolona Jr. saying that rates won’t go down until inflation settles “comfortably” within the government’s target range. (READ: Bangko Sentral not easing rates until inflation settles in 2%-4% range)
The BSP’s latest estimates show inflation could fall “quite low” to below 3% in the early part of 2024. Base effects could then push inflation up to about 4% midyear. After this, the central bank hopes that inflation will settle within the 2% to 4% target range for the rest of 2024. – Rappler.com
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Gov’t denies job loss, higher fares even as only half of jeepneys in NCR consolidate | lkyu0285 | 5/1/2024 13:45 | CONSOLIDATION. Jeepneys ply Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City on December 12, 2023.
Jire Carreon/Rappler
MANILA, Philippines – Even with only about half of jeepneys in Metro Manila consolidating before the December 31 deadline, the government maintained that the controversial move will not lead to livelihood loss for drivers or higher transport fares.
In the National Capital Region (NCR), only 21,655 or 51.34% of jeepneys were able to consolidate before the deadline. Similarly, only 1,400 or 59.33% of UV Express vehicles consolidated. Nationwide, the consolidation figures stand at 111,581 units (73.96%) for jeepneys and 15,844 (82.03%) units for UV Express, according to the latest figures provided by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).
Still, this means that tens of thousands of public utility vehicles (PUVs) could soon lose their right to operate because of their failure to consolidate.
The government doesn’t see this leading to jeepney drivers losing their livelihood because affected drivers could be absorbed by other cooperatives or corporations.
“Ang mga drivers po ngayon, supposedly ay walang hanapbuhay dahil wala na ‘yung mga operator (Drivers right now supposedly don’t have jobs anymore becuase their operators are gone), but this is not the situation. OTC has contacted different cooperatives nationwide,” Office of Transportation Cooperatives Chairman Jesus Ferdinand Ortega said in a press conference on Friday, January 5.
“We were assured by the cooperatives na sila po ay tatanggap ng mga drivers doon sa operators na hindi po nag-consolidate (that they will accept drivers from operators that were unable to consolidate),” he said.
According to Ortega, drivers displaced by operators who did not consolidate will be “badly needed” by cooperatives and corporations.
Why? Cooperatives and corporations will take over the routes previously handled by the operators who failed to consolidate.
Meanwhile, Ortega argued that the decision whether to consolidate or not – and therefore whether to continue operating or not – was a “business decision” made by jeepney operators. Now that the December 31 deadline has passed, jeepney operators no longer have a chance to form a consolidated entity.
Operators who did not consolidate will only have until January 31, 2024 to operate along select routes, after which the LTFRB may begin due process proceedings to cancel their franchise.
Ortega also address the statement of House Speaker Martin Romualdez that “corrupt practices may have tainted” the PUV modernization program.
“Definitely, wala pong katotohanan (there’s no truth to it),” Ortega said on Friday, adding that the DOTr “will be there” in any hearing called by Congress on the issue.
Responding to House Speaker Martin Romualdez’s statement, OTC Chairman Andy Ortega says there’s no truth to accusations that “corrupt practices” have tainted the PUV Modernization program. He says the DOTr is ready to attend congressional hearings on the matter. @rapplerdotcom pic.twitter.com/Rga1H5oqUF
The government also defended the PUV Modernization Program against fears that its implementation could lead to a big-time fare hike.
“Paying the bank loans used to acquire the modern PUVs will be obligation of the cooperative, not by individual drivers who are members of the cooperative,” the DOTr said in a statement on Friday. “Loan payments will not determine increases in fares, which is approved exclusively by the LTFRB primarily due to increases in fuel prices. Other considerations for fare increases include effect of economy and affordability of commuters.”
The transportation department also criticized the “falsehoods” being spread as attempts by minority groups to “sow fear.”
“They are attempts by the minority oppositors to the PUVMP to continue to be relevant despite government’s intent to finally implement the long-delayed program for the benefit of commuters and drivers/operators,” the DOTr added.
Think tank IBON Foundation earlier said that jeepney fares could reach up to P50 in five years because of the program, as cooperatives and corporations pay back loans for modern jeepneys and try to make a profit.
Several groups such as Bayan, Anakbayan, and PISTON have also warned that the consolidation deadline could lead to an “imminent transport crisis,” which the government also denied. Jeepney drivers and operators – led by transport groups PISTON and MANIBELA – also rose up in protest against the program throughout 2023. – Rappler.com
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The Department of Transportation is free to criticize the “falsehoods” being spread by specific groups. Soon, it will be known who is speaking the truth and who is spreading falsehoods. It is hoped that those “falsehoods (loss of jobs, increase in transport fare)” will turn out to be false; otherwise, the former jeepney operators and Filipino commuters in Metro Manila will suffer.
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Sara Duterte is ‘my president,’ says retired soldier. His Matikas ‘mistahs’ are annoyed. | Glenda Gloria | 5/1/2024 11:27 | MANILA, Philippines – So it’s come to this. Saying this was his holiday “gift” to Filipinos, a long-retired, little-known military officer went on YouTube during the break to announce two things: that there’s a move to withdraw support from the current administration, and that the purveyors want Vice President Sara Duterte to “save the boat, save the country.”
“You are the president now, as far as I’m concerned,” declared retired Army captain Clemente Enrique, referring to Vice President Duterte. Enrique graduated in 1983 at the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) as the baron of the Matikas class – which meant he was the most ranking cadet of the corps at the time. But he left the service early, so that those who were fed his video in various chat groups had to Google his name and check whether the face wearing a beret looked familiar. It didn’t. This is Enrique’s first front act in military politics – and we don’t know where he’s coming from. (Editor’s note: We misspelled Enrique’s family name in an earlier version of this story. We regret the error.)
His incendiary spiel was interrupted by another graying soldier who, before talking about the “anger” of many retired soldiers towards the Marcos government, sipped hot chocolate and – for real! – displayed a phone number where one can order.
It would have been comical if not tragic. These are, after all, men who were trained by taxpayers’ money to serve the public, not strut around with pathetic antics and market their choco business.
The irony is, some of Enrique’s PMA classmates (or mistahs in military parlance) are in the echelons of power. To name a few, there’s National Security Adviser Eduardo Año and retired police general Roman “Popong” Felix, the presidential adviser on police and military affairs.
Class officers sent Rappler a brief statement disowning Enrique’s claims. “Mr. Clemente Enrique is a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1983. Mr. Enrique’s statements in his VLOG of Pinoy Survivor, in the exercise of his right to freedom of expression, are his own personal views and opinions alone and do not in any way reflect that of PMA Class 1983 or of the individual members.”
The uploading of the video followed the release of a “Manifesto ng Taong Bayan Para Sagipin ang Inang Bayan (Manifesto of the People to Save the Mother Land)” which essentially described President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. as incompetent, greedy, indolent, cruel; declared withdrawal of support from him; and recognized “VP Inday Sara Zimmerman Duterte as the President of the Republic of the Philippines by way of succession.”
On Thursday, January 4, Armed Forces chief General Romeo Brawner, Jr. issued a statement titled, “On the emerging challenges of 2024.” Feel free to read between the lines: “The Armed Forces of the Philippines stands firm in its unwavering loyalty to the Constitution and its solemn commitment to fulfill its mandate. The men and women of the AFP remain steadfast in their role as the guardians of our nation’s sovereignty and defender of democratic principles.”
In November, Brawner admitted that he had spoken with disgruntled retired officers and warned them against recruiting active-duty soldiers to their destabilization efforts. “Some of them [are] former officers of the AFP, and nakausap ko ‘yung iba sa kanila (I’ve spoken with some of them),” Brawner said at the turnover of command of the Western Mindanao Command in Zamboanga City. His public information officer had to do damage control later, saying his boss had been “misquoted.”
What’s the context? The breakup of the Marcos-Duterte coalition and the cascade of that quarrel down to the loyalists of both factions in the armed services.
The issues compounding that are the Marcos government’s decision to reform the generous military pension system; its recent announcement resuming the stalled peace negotiations with the communist guerrillas; and the President’s distance from military generals – which is very much in contrast to Rodrigo Duterte’s feudal, personal ties with them.
Power, pension, communism – potent ingredients for agitation even to amateurs in military rebellion. But Filipinos had seen smarter days of past mutinies and actual withdrawal of institutional support from the commander-in-chief. Those days appear to be gone – gauging from the performance of these sloppy copycats.
Will these theatrical acts turn into something more serious? Depends on whether the Marcos government has the ability to separate noise from real threat – and the skills to handle them differently. – Rappler.com
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I agree with Ms. Glenda Gloria: “Power, pension, communism – potent ingredients for agitation even to amateurs in military rebellion.” And also: “Will these theatrical acts turn into something more serious?” Perhaps, more likely not. Why? By way of how these “copycats” act, they indeed act in a “sloppy” manner. The mastermind behind them is, most likely, former President Digong Duterte, who is noted for his brave and death-threatening words but “sloppy” moves.
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Arrivederci, Motorino – NYC pizza shop leaves PH | Marguerite de Leon | 2/1/2024 19:23 | Motorino Pizza Philippines' Facebook
MANILA, Philippines – Brooklyn-born pizzeria Motorino has closed shop in the Philippines after almost 10 years, a Facebook post by Motorino Pizza Philippines announced on Monday, January 1.
“Grateful for nearly a decade of serving ‘New York’s Best Pizza’ Neopolitan-style in Manila, we’ve reached the end of our journey, having served our last pizza on December 31, 2023,” the post read.
“As of today, January 1, 2024, we close our doors with deep gratitude for your patronage. Grazie for being an integral part of our journey. Ciao!” it added.
According to an interview on Spot.ph, Motorino Pizza Philippines owner Eugene Lorenzana said, “We just decided to close Motorino simply due to the different taste and preference of the market in the Philippines.”
Motorino’s first set up shop in the Philippines in 2014 at Greenbelt 3. It then opened several more branches over the years: The Podium, Estancia, Alabang Town Center, and Ayala Malls Manila Bay. Its original store opened in Brooklyn, New York City in 2008. – Rappler.com
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You can now ‘Mix and Match’ Jollibee combos | Julian Cirineo | 4/1/2024 10:17 | While customers often seek things that offer the best value for their money, they sometimes feel that they need to settle for less.
No compromise is needed with Jollibee’s Mix and Match Combos, kasi ang saya pumili! Here, each option combines value and deliciousness, making it truly sulit sarap!
These combos offer a variety of Jollibee’s best-tasting products, promising customers an enjoyable, filling, and wallet-friendly meal. For only P75, they can select a main and a side enjoying savings of up to P45!
“Jollibee’s Mix and Match Combos empower customers to craft their own sulit-sarap experience. This offering stands out for its superior blend of value, taste, substantial portions, convenience, affordability, and variety,” said Mari Aldecoa, assistant vice president for Jollibee Masterbrand.
The experience comes in two simple steps:
Experience the joy of exploring delicious and affordable combinations with every spin, just like Juancho in this hilarious “Roleta” commercial:
Jollibee’s Mix and Match Combos are available nationwide for only P75 so be sure to drop by your nearest branch and create your perfect combination via dine-in, take-out, or drive-thru.
For all the latest updates, like Jollibee on Facebook, subscribe to Jollibee Philippines on YouTube, and follow @jollibee on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok. – Rappler.com
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Ticket prices, seat plan: Jonas Brothers Live in Manila 2024 | Marguerite de Leon | 2/1/2024 19:33 | Jonas Brothers' Instagram
MANILA, Philippines – Heads up, Jo Bros fans! The ticket prices and seat plan for the Jonas Brothers’ upcoming Manila concert have been released by concert promoter Ovation Productions on Tuesday, January 2.
Tickets for the February 22 concert at the Mall of Asia Arena will be on sale beginning January 6, 12 pm, at smtickets.com. Prices range from P2,500 for Gen Ad to P18,500 for SVIP, plus ticketing charges. Both SVIP and VIP are standing room only.
Seat plan and ticket prices for Jonas Brothers live in Manila on February 22 at the Mall of Asia Arena. Tickets on sale January 6, 12nn at https://t.co/acTZcWszLf pic.twitter.com/UO6SJw0EQr
The three-member pop-rock band will be “celebrating five albums” during their concert. The band was last in Manila for an October 2012 concert also at the SM Mall of Asia.
The Jonas Brothers – made up of Kevin, Joe, and Nick Jonas – formed in 2005 and reached peak fame with their roles in Disney’s Camp Rock, and hit singles like “Year 3000.” The band then came out with four studio albums, releasing hit songs, such as “Lovebug,” “Burnin’ Up,” “S.O.S.,” “Paranoid,” “Pom Poms,” and “When You Look Me in the Eyes,” among others.
Due to “complications within the group,” the band split in 2013, with Nick and Joe pursuing solo music careers soon after.
In 2019, the brothers reunited, releasing their comeback single “Sucker” under their fifth album V. In May, they released The Album. – Rappler.com
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Inflation cools to 3.9% in December 2023 but gov’t still fails to meet target | lkyu0285 | 5/1/2024 9:10 | PUBLIC MARKET. A consumer buys from a vendor at the Agora Public Market in San Juan City, February 21, 2023.
Jire Carreon/Rappler
MANILA, Philippines – Inflation went down for the third straight month to 3.9% in December 2023, the Philippine Statistics Authority reported on Friday, January 5.
December’s figure is lower than the 4.1% inflation rate observed in November, and is the lowest for the entire 2023.
Despite the December slowdown, average inflation in 2023 still reached 6%, which is above the government’s target band of 2% to 4%.
National Statistician Dennis Mapa said in a briefing on Friday that December’s lower rate was mainly driven by easing inflation in housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels (from 2.5% in November to 1.5% in December), as well as food and non-alcoholic beverages (from 5.7% to 5.4%).
The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) also noted in a statement that “inflation for most commodity groups either slowed down or retained their previous rates during the month.”
In the National Capital Region, inflation fell from 4.2% to 3.5%, while in areas outside NCR, it slightly eased from 4.1% to 4%.
The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao posted the highest inflation rate in December at 6.2%, higher than its November figure of 5.9%. Cagayan Valley had the lowest, with inflation there easing from 2.4% to 1.6%.
Consumers felt the price pain brought by persistent inflation throughout 2023, with inflation spiking to 8.7% to start the year – the highest rate since November 2008’s 9.1%. Rice inflation also surged to 17.9% in September 2023.
Rice inflation remained a problem until the end of the year, rising to a new 14-year high of 19.6% in December from 15.8% in November, the highest since March 2009’s 22.9%.
“It was also the most significant contributor to December 2023’s inflation with 1.7 percentage points, followed by food and beverages services and housing rentals with 0.5 ppt each,” added NEDA.
NEDA Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said economic managers will look into proposing “further temporary tariff adjustments” and “measures to reduce other non-tariff barriers,” citing higher global prices of rice and the El Niño phenomenon, which is seen to trigger dry spells and droughts in parts of the Philippines.
“While our medium-term objective to boost agricultural productivity remains, it is important to augment domestic supply to ease inflationary pressures on consumers, particularly those in low-income households,” Balisacan said.
A majority of Filipinos (56%) said they disapproved of how the Marcos administration has tried to control inflation, according to a Pulse Asia survey. Analysts also pointed to inflation as being one of the factors behind President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s double-digit drop in approval ratings.
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) earlier projected inflation for December 2023 would settle within the range of 3.6% to 4.4%. The central bank cited higher prices of rice and meat as the main drivers that pushed up inflation, while falling electricity and fuel prices helped ease price pressures.
In its fight to control inflation, the BSP also kept its key policy rate steady at 6.5% in its last monetary policy meeting of 2023, with Governor Eli Remolona Jr. saying that rates won’t go down until inflation settles “comfortably” within the government’s target range. (READ: Bangko Sentral not easing rates until inflation settles in 2%-4% range)
The BSP’s latest estimates show inflation could fall “quite low” to below 3% in the early part of 2024. Base effects could then push inflation up to about 4% midyear. After this, the central bank hopes that inflation will settle within the 2% to 4% target range for the rest of 2024. – Rappler.com
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[OPINION] Marcos’ disengagement from Duterte sets stage for 2025 showdown | Glenda Gloria | 3/1/2024 19:00 | The previous year could be summed up, from the perspective of a political junkie, as the year President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. disengaged from the controversial policies of his predecessor, former president Rodrigo Duterte. Whether by accident or design, the disengagement led to the unravelling of the UniTeam alliance. It also sets the stage for a dramatic clash between Marcos and Duterte forces in the 2025 mid-year elections.
President Marcos Jr. anchored his election on a nostalgic yearning for a make-believe land of peace and shared prosperity, and the perception of being Duterte’s anointed one. His critics painted him as a dictator’s spoiled son bent on rehabilitating his father’s disgraced image while continuing Duterte’s controversial policies. A year and six months after his election, President Marcos Jr. has shown that he is, other than his father’s son, not a polished Duterte clone.
The policy reversals shifted to high gear in 2023.
President Marcos Jr. talked tough on China’s incursions and rekindled strained relations with the United States. He has refused to pursue the drug war using the Duterte template. His shift from “no” to “maybe” on the issue of cooperating with the International Criminal Court (ICC), currently investigating Duterte for crimes against humanity, confounded and enraged supporters of the former president. And to rub more salt on the wounded political ties, Marcos Jr. announced the likely resumption of the stalled peace talks with remnants of the communist movement.
Disengagement may be too polite a term to describe the methodical knee-capping by attrition of the former president, carried out by the most unlikely coalition allies in the House.
Administration allies moved to weaken Duterte’s political strength by gradually raiding the ranks of the once dominant party, PDP-Laban, an effortless undertaking in reality. A key supporter of Vice President Sara Duterte, former president and Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, was a major casualty of the ensuing pogrom.
But last year’s highlight reel was the dramatic and well-orchestrated series of revelations, timed with deliberations on the national budget, that painted the Vice President as a secret fund-obsessed brat with little noteworthy credentials other than a quick temper and a solid punch.
Duterte the father, as expected, responded by ranting on air but on a smaller megaphone, the Sonshine Media Network International. The network, however, was yanked off the air for 30 days by the National Telecommunications Commission, on the prodding of the House, a few days before Christmas. It could very well lose its franchise. To spread the word among his true believers, by now a diminished force in the eyes of administration allies, the former president now relies on a downsized network of equally cantankerous online supporters and a few media personalities.
Strategically, the political disembowelment is aimed at consolidating the administration’s grip on Congress in 2025 and diffusing support for the Vice President in the 2028 presidential elections.
The emasculation of Duterte, father and daughter, can be summed up simply: after the restoration, the disruption. The knee-capping was methodical and ruthless, trademark Marcos.
It would be interesting to see the political realignments this year, as parties and candidates gear up for the 2025 mid-term elections. Senatorial candidates, in particular, would have to make a potentially career-altering choice: Team BBM or Team DDS?
The smart money, for now, is with Team BBM. There are advantages to being a candidate of the siting president, namely resources, access to funders, and a formidable machinery. With the exception of the Arroyo regime, the mid-term elections have always been dominated by administration candidates.
The administration, however, is not without some weak spots. The economy is foremost. It is easier to stage a charm offensive overseas or berate China than deal with a public disaffected by rising prices, or the perception of declining quality of life. The biggest concern for any incumbent is for disaffection to translate to protest votes, resulting in a Senate dominated by the opposition.
Still, it would be foolhardy for Duterte’s allies to prematurely call the mid-terms in their favor. For one, the economy might weather the anticipated effects of El Niño through government intervention. For the administration, the bare minimum is to keep inflation within manageable levels and, if needed, dispense financial aid to vulnerable sectors. The people need to feel their economic situation unchanged, if not improving.
For now, there is sufficient residual goodwill to assure Duterte of victory should he make good his threat to run for senator. But his intention to lead an “opposition” ticket could be problematic. When Duterte said he was toying with the idea of running for a national position, it was in response to the then-recent House decision to deny his daughter confidential funds, and rumors of impeachment. Essentially he would be running to settle a score. And that may not swing voters his way.
Besides, voters have been historically lukewarm to opposition candidates during mid-term elections. The lessons of the “Otso Deretso” senatorial ticket should be instructive, even for Duterte.
This will be an exciting year for politics and political operators. Can we expect knife fights turning into all-out war or will there be a truce for the sake of, you know, unity? And can the holdouts from former vice president Leni Robredo’s failed presidential bid summon the intestinal fortitude, and the resources, to regroup and field their own slate?
Hold on to your hats. It’s going to be wild. – Rappler.com
Joey Salgado is a former journalist, and a government and political communications practitioner. He served as spokesperson for former Vice President Jejomar Binay. This was first published on ourbrew.ph.
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Agree with writer Joey Salgado: 2024 will be an exciting year in Philippine politics. It will be the preparatory year immediately preceding the mid-term election year of 2025. More likely, the political war will increase in intensity and heat while a truce is less likely as disunity has reached its point of no return.
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Sharon Cuneta opens up on brief separation with Kiko Pangilinan | Ysa Abad | 3/1/2024 12:20 | SHARON CUNETA. The actress updates fans with photo with husband Kiko Pangilinan.
Sharon Cuneta's Instagram
MANILA, Philippines – After a series of cryptic posts and speculations on social media, Sharon Cuneta has finally spoken about the state of her marriage with former senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan.
The actress had an Instagram Live on Sunday, December 31, with husband Kiko and their three children: Frankie, Miel, and Miguel. “We’re fine and we love you,” the megastar said as she and her family greeted fans with a happy new year.
Through this Instagram Live, Sharon confirmed that they briefly separated due to a misunderstanding. However, she was quick to clarify that they have gotten back together since.
Moreover, they addressed the rumors of their marriage being on the rocks. Sharon apologized to those who were hurt by her post, stating that she only made those posts to show fans “when [she] was sad.”
“Nag-away kami, naghiwalay kami, tapos nagbati na kami so okay na kami (We fought, we separated, and then we made up, so we’re okay now),” she admitted after Kiko’s prior statement on how all couples and families experience misunderstandings and arguments.
“You always assume; please don’t assume,” Sharon stressed. “We [are] good. We [are] normal. We just got some emotions because we’re real people.”
Sharon then ended the Instagram Live after sending well wishes to their fans.
Netizens began to speculate about the state of Sharon and Kiko’s marriage due to a now-deleted post of the actress cropping out Kiko’s head from a family photograph. Sharon also posted and deleted quotes about loyalty and “side chicks,” fueling speculations further. – with additional reports from Ally De Leon/Rappler.com
Ally de Leon is a Rappler intern.
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MMFF 2023 to surpass P700-M target, as festival offers hope for Philippine film industry | gdecastro0289 | 4/1/2024 19:47 | Star Cinema's Facebook
MANILA, Philippines – After a dismal 2023 for most Philippine movies, the country’s biggest annual film festival has indicated that not all is lost on the local cinema industry.
The annual Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF), which started on Christmas Day, December 25, reached its target of P700 million combined for the 10 participating movies on January 2, Tuesday.
“It’s [box office] much higher than the P501 million in 2022,” Romando Artes, chairman of the MMFF, told One Balita PH on Thursday, January 4, adding that they expect to easily surpass the P700-million target since people can still watch until Sunday.
Unofficially leading the box office is Rewind, the comeback romance tearjerker of real-life couple Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera, also known as DongYan. Other films in the festival are: Firefly, GomBurZa, Mallari, When I Met You in Tokyo, Family of Two, Penduko, Becky and Badette, Kampon, Broken Heart’s Trip.
Artes attributed the success of this year’s festival to better quality films, as well as the active promotion by the celebrities of the movies on the ground.
“Ang tingin kong malaking factor ay magaganda yung pelikula (I think the big factor is the quality of the films),” Artes said.
In previous editions of the MMFF pre-pandemic, escapist movies by comedians Vice Ganda and Vic Sotto were often the top grossers but were often criticized for their quality. This year, both do not have any entry in the 49th edition of the MMFF.
Jose Javier Reyes, a juror in this year’s festival, praised the 2023 entries, saying the “MMFF should be a showcase of what can be done with Philippine cinema.”
“With this year’s assortment of entries, a glimpse of that promise has been fulfilled with the hope that 2024 will offer greater opportunities for producers to make great films that the Filipino audience will support with pride,” said Reyes, also a film director, in a December 27 blog.
Although this year’s festival has the same mix of romance, comedy, horror, drama, and fantasy, the addition of historical film GomBurZa gave a fresh option for moviegoers. Best picture film Firefly, produced by GMA Pictures and GMA Public Affairs, was also not the formulaic fantasy movie that catered to children.
In an earlier post, Reyes had said that “the road map of Filipino cinema in the year to come can be assessed by the patronage of the local audiences to go out and see their Christmas movies again.”
The Philippine film industry has been in dire straits for several years now, especially as cinema-goers turn to streaming platforms instead of watching in theaters. Only a handful of local movies make money, compared to the industry’s heyday in the sixties and seventies when it was producing around 200 films per year, with big theaters often filled with patrons.
The overall situation is even worse when the local industry is compared to what South Korea has done with its Hallyu wave taking the world by storm.
In an interview with Rappler on Thursday, Jose Maria Bartolome, a former GMA Network consultant who now teaches broadcast communications at the UP College of Mass Communications, attributed Rewind’s success to its main film producer Star Cinema’s knowledge of what young Filipino moviegoers want to see.
Dantes and Rivera are Kapuso stars but this movie is co-produced by Star Cinema, the cinema outfit of GMA’s former rival, ABS-CBN Corporation, with APT Entertainment and Dantes’ Agostodos Pictures.
“Kabisado na nila [Star Cinema] ang formula (They’re already familiar with the formula),” he said. “Meron nang parokyano (They already have [regular] patrons).”
Among the 10 films in this year’s MMFF, Bartolome said it’s also Rewind that has the “star value” for the current young movie-going audience. Rivera, who rose to fame via the hit 2007 teleserye Marimar, is 39, while husband Dantes is 43.
Dantes and Rivera are also active on the popular social media platform, TikTok, with Rivera having 8 million followers and Dantes with over a million. Their dance videos often rack up millions in views.
Another comeback romance movie in this year’s festival, When I Met You in Tokyo, is topbilled by showbiz veterans, Vilma Santos and Christopher de Leon. Now in their senior years, their movie isn’t doing as well as Rewind despite similar promotional compaigns such as mall tours.
Bartolome also cited the success of Star Cinema’s romance movies The Hows of Us in 2018, followed by Hello, Love, Goodbye in 2019. Both earned over P800 million each at the box office and are the Philippines’ highest grossing movies.
The Hows of Us stars Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla, which broke up officially in November after an 11-year relationship. In Hello, Love, Goodbye, Bernardo was paired with GMA’s biggest star, Alden Richards.
The breakup of KathNiel as well as the split of another popular Kapamilya couple, Kim Chiu with Xian Lim, may have been a factor also in Rewind’s success, with Filipinos wanting to see a still real-life couple on the big screen.
Bartolome also noted other Star Cinema movies that did well in the box office like the romance films of John Lloyd with several actresses, such as Bea Alonzo, Sarah Geronimo, and Jennylyn Mercado.
Reyes, meantime, urged Philippine film producers to continue upgrading the quality of local films, and to “cater to an audience over and beyond the margins of our national territory.”
“We should stretch the boundaries to an international market, turning our popular culture into an integral part of the soft economy of the country with the hope of globalizing our cinematic output,” he said in another blog post. – Rappler.com
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‘From two embryos, to one, then to none’: Empress Schuck suffers miscarriage | Ysa Abad | 3/1/2024 10:28 | EMPRESS SCHUCK. The actress shares photos from an oath-taking ceremony in June 2022.
Empress Schuck's Instagram
MANILA, Philippines – Actress Empress Schuck disclosed that she had suffered a miscarriage in late 2023.
In an Instagram post on Monday, January 1, Schuck shared that they were supposed to welcome a new addition to their family in 2024.
“This year, we would’ve been a family of four or even five. From two embryos, to one, then to none,” she wrote, alongside a photo of a sonogram with two embryos and positive pregnancy kits.
The celebrity vlogger added that she’s still “not sure how to talk about” the loss. “I just know that sometimes our plans for ourselves don’t align with God’s plans for us.”
Schuck then went to express her gratitude towards husband Vino Guingona, saying that he was “God’s blessing” during this “puzzling experience.”
“We may not exactly understand how we feel about this but having each other is enough to say that everything will be okay,” she added.
Fellow celebrities including Melissa Ricks, Iya Villania, Jason Abalos, Ryza Cenon, Chito Miranda, and Sue Ramirez sent messages of support and comfort towards the couple in the comments section.
Schuck and Guingona, who have been dating since 2014, tied the knot in 2021. They welcomed their first child, a daughter named Athalia, in 2015. – Rappler.com
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RESULTS: August 2023 civil service examination | clescudero0258 | 4/1/2024 19:32 | The following is a press release from the Civil Service Commission.
The Civil Service Commission (CSC) has announced the topnotchers in the Career Service Examination-Pen and Paper Test (CSE-PPT) conducted nationwide on August 20, 2023.
Patricia D. Victa from the National Capital Region (NCR) topped the Professional level with a rating of 93.60, while Leonard Brian E. Nicolas, also from NCR, topped the Sub-Professional level with a rating of 90.83.
Completing the list of topnotchers in the Professional level are:
Meanwhile, the rest of the top passers in the Subprofessional level are:
The list of passers in the August 20, 2023 CSE-PPT may be accessed through the widget found on the left side of the CSC website. Alternatively, examinees may go directly to the CSC Examination Portal to view the results.
Here is the list of regional performances in order of passing rate:
The CSC Examination, Recruitment, and Placement Office advised examinees to communicate with the CSC Regional Office concerned on the schedule, requirements, and procedure in claiming their certificate of eligibility.
The Career Service Professional Eligibility qualifies individuals for permanent appointment to both first level (clerical) and second level (technical) positions within the career service that do not involve practice of profession and are not covered by the bar, board, and other laws.
On the other hand, the Career Service Sub-Professional Eligibility shall be appropriate to first level positions only.
The CSC reminded the public that eligibility alone does not guarantee appointment in government service as education, experience, training, and other competency requirements of the positions must also be met. – Rappler.com
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Cagayan de Oro gears up for Black Nazarene procession amid security concerns | Herbie G | 4/1/2024 10:26 | DEVOTION. A Catholic devotee passes by the replica of the Black Nazarene in Barangay Lapasan, Cagayan de Oro, on December 3, 2024.
Froilan Gallardo/Rappler
CAGAYAN DE ORO, Philippines – Police in Cagayan de Oro and elsewhere in Northern Mindanao are planning an extensive security plan to safeguard the largest annual procession of the Black Nazarene in Mindanao on January 9 to avoid a repeat of last month’s bombing of a Catholic Mass in Marawi City.
Lieutenant Colonel Rey Gaudencio Taboclaon, Cagayan de Oro police deputy director for operations, said they are deploying hundreds of police and Army soldiers to form a tight ring around the replica of the Black Nazarene procession as it winds its way on the streets of Cagayan de Oro.
Barefoot devotees, who call themselves Hijos de Nazareno, will carry the life-sized, dark-skinned wooden sculpture of the Black Nazarene, just like their counterparts in Quiapo, Manila.
Thousands of devotees are expected to attend Cagayan de Oro’s version of the Traslacion, the procession in honor of the Feast of the Black Nazarene, which is similar but much tamer than that of Quiapo.
“We will be deploying more police and Army during the procession. We will not be saying how many. We don’t want any surprises,” Taboclaon told reporters during the security briefing for the procession on Wednesday, January 3.
Taboclaon said the deadly bomb attack at the state-run Mindanao State University (MSU) in Marawi on December 3 weigh on their minds as they map out a security strategy for the Black Nazarene procession, a yearly Catholic event that gathers a significant number of devotees, predominantly from the southern Philippines.
On December 3, an explosion tore through the MSU’s Ali Dimaporo Gymnasium during a Mass, organized to mark the start of the traditional four-week preparation for Christmas. The attack killed four Catholic mass-goers and hurt several dozen others.
“We have not received any information of any threat, but it is better to be overprepared,” he said.
Monsignor Perseus Cabunoc, vicar general of the Catholic archdiocese in Cagayan de Oro, said the Callejeron or the replica of the Black Nazarene would be paraded by a convoy of vehicles from Jesus Nazareno Parish Church in Barangay Lapasan to the Saint Augustine Metropolitan Cathedral on January 8.
Cabunoc said the public viewing of the Black Nazarene would be held until 12 midnight at the Saint Augustine Metropolitan Cathedral on January 8.
He said the religious icon of the Jesus Nazareno Parish Church would be returned in a procession to its shrine at the Jesus Nazareno Parish Church in Barangay Lapasan.
Cabunoc said the practice by devotees of throwing towels and handkerchiefs to be rubbed on the image of the Black Nazarene is being discouraged during the procession.
Cabunoc said the Cagayan de Oro archdiocese has left the security of the religious event to the police, traffic officials, and medical responders.
“Even then, I am scared of the prospects of somebody bombing the religious procession,” he said.
Taboclaon said all mobile phone communications would be jammed from 5 am to 8 am when the Traslacion would start from the cathedral to the parish church.
He said police mobile checkpoints in the borders of the city with Lanao del Norte, Misamis Oriental, and Bukidnon would implement a strict check on all incoming vehicles at the same time.
Taboclaon said devotees are discouraged from bringing backpacks and wearing hats during the procession.
He said teams of policemen in civilian clothes would go along with the procession to enforce the rule on backpacks and hats.
Cagayan de Oro Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA) chief Nonito Oclarit said they would drive away vendors from the Saint Augustine Metropolitan Cathedral and the Jesus Nazareno Parish Church on January 8 and 9.
Oclarit said, as part of the security plan, they would implement a strict no-parking zone for all vehicles around the cathedral and the parish church. – Rappler.com
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How does this make you feel? | Rappler | https://www.rappler.com/philippines/mindanao/cagayan-de-oro-gears-up-black-nazarene-procession-amid-security-concerns-january-2024/?utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=SocialFlow&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR1X6g-UsDNZ0tcJUIz4DgmY82YKqtqGqwWHth4j9Vn41dor-fTGaFQMqcw_aem_7HBHBC9OyYI980zJ5Sq57Q |
[ANALYSIS] Decriminalizing libel | Glenda Gloria | 4/1/2024 17:00 | Editor Edito Mapayo, of Radio Birada FM Claver in Surigao del Norte, faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted of cyber libel for calling out a local businessman for alleged false advertising; one of three online defamation cases since 2016. He is out on bail.
“Parang nasanay na ako sa mga kaso,” he says. “Binabalewala ko na lang. Kasi lahat ng inilabas kong isyu totoo naman.”
Arnel San Pedro was a correspondent for a Manila-based paper in 2004 when he was accused of libel. He was acquitted in 2021 after what he described as 17 “grueling” years. His newspaper, he said, did not provide him with a lawyer, “so I shelled out thousands of pesos for my defense… Sarili kong gastos.”
Journalists, and citizens in general, have reason to be weary about being charged with libel, a crime punishable by up to three and a half years in prison, and a fine of up to P1.2 million.
For decades, media groups here and abroad have been campaigning for its decriminalization, with little success to show.
Article 19 of two landmark United Nations documents – the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1949) and International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (1966) – has come to symbolize, among others, “freedom of opinion and expression.” The Philippines signed and ratified both documents.
In 2008, the UN human rights committee ruled that “imprisonment is never an appropriate penalty for defamation” and that a prison term imposed the previous year on Davao broadcaster Alexis Adonis violated the ICCPR. This opinion eventually led to a court order for Adonis’ release. The UN committee also asked State parties to consider decriminalizing libel.
From 2004 to 2012, Philippine legislators filed more than 60 bills seeking the decriminalization of libel or at least the abolition of imprisonment with regard to libel cases. A total of 35 were submitted in the 15th Congress alone. But the farthest any bill reached was approval on second reading in 2009 of House Bill 5760, whose abstract partly reads: “to allow journalists to do their work without fear of being jailed by reason of criminal complaints by those who are offended by their reporting…”
In 2008, Chief Justice Reynato Puno reminded judges of “an emergent rule of preference for the imposition of fine only rather than imprisonment in libel cases.”
The fight against criminal libel took four giant steps backward from 2012 when President Benigno Aquino III approved Republic Act No. 10175, the Cybercrime Prevention Act, which included libel among cyber crimes if “committed through a computer system.” Step Backward One: the law reinforces libel’s status as a crime.
It also increased the penalty for existing crimes one degree higher. Hence, cyber libel is punishable by up to 10 years in prison. Step Backward Two: from prisión correccional to prisión mayor.
After a legal challenge, the Supreme Court in 2014 upheld the law on cyber libel as valid and constitutional. Step Backward Three: you wake up to realize that the bad dream is for real.
In 2017, RA 10951 raised the fines for libel to up to P1.2 million. Step Backward Four.
While libel convictions are rare in the Philippines, UNESCO contends that criminal libel has “an inhibitory and silencing effect, even before a conviction takes place.” The document cites the impact of these laws in terms of time, financial resources, professional career and image, mental health, deprivation of liberty, and self-censorship.
In acquitting San Pedro, the Angeles regional trial court noted that the item in question cannot be deemed “to have been done with actual malice.” It also emphasized that the material “was true” and “done in good faith.”
Nevertheless San Pedro, now editor of the Pampanga iOrbit said, “Nasayang mga opportunities ko for 17 years.” And money: “P3k per hearing. Four times a year.” Or P204,000, not exactly loose change in a profession not known for fat salaries.
Because libel is a crime, respondents are either jailed or released on bail. Mapayo says he paid a total of P100,000 for his temporary liberty.
But that’s not all. He added: “Minsan naapektuhan [ako] dahil sa schedule sa hearing. Normal [din] lang siguro [na] hindi mawala ang takot sa atin baka biglaang bala ang gamitin ng kalaban.”
Since last year, the Philippine Press Institute has been at work encouraging, assisting and inspiring local communities to set up their own multi-sectoral councils that will entertain complaints for accuracy or the right of reply, in lieu of court cases. These urban, provincial and sometimes regional councils can be found in various stages of development in Batangas, Davao, Iloilo; Aklan, Surigao del Norte; Central Luzon, and Eastern Visayas. Already existing are councils in Cebu (which boasts of a zero-libel record) and the Cordilleras. And more to follow this year.
Participation is not limited to PPI members, or to newspapers, or frequency-based broadcast stations. They are free to include social-media bloggers and other sectors they wish to engage. Following the concept of independent co-regulation, as opposed to self-regulatory press councils, these bodies are free to determine whether the non-media members will outnumber their media counterparts.
The short-term goal is to impress upon the public that complaints against the media will be heard by a group of respected individuals from their communities.
The ultimate goal is still the decriminalization of libel. There are four bills — SB1593, SB2403, HB1769 and HB5372 — in the 19th Congress. If and when libel ceases to be a crime, the councils can become ADR (alternative dispute resolution) providers, properly trained and accredited by the Department of Justice. – Rappler.com
Gary Mariano has taught full-time for 35 years at De La Salle University. A former chair of the Philippine Press Council, he is a member of the Commission on Higher Education’s technical committee for journalism. In retirement, he helps PPI promote community-based, media-citizen councils.
Error.
Please abide by Rappler's commenting guidelines.
The sad thing here is that of all the Presidents, it was former President Benigno Aquino III who caused the four giant steps backward by signing RA No. 10175 (Cybercrime Prevention Act). Although in fairness to him, he is not a lawyer, so who advised him to do it? The Philippine Press Institute may constantly remind our lawmakers to pass the four pending bills in a consolidated law that will decriminalize libel. But more likely, it will be blocked by the combined Repression Machineries of both the Marcos-Romualdez and Duterte Political Dynasties.
How does this make you feel? | Rappler | https://www.rappler.com/voices/thought-leaders/analysis-decriminalizing-libel/?utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=SocialFlow&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR2p4phzfWZOHJLtXnBlpDDvyypVRNBAar9Tp1K8marRcRIKEZ3wSAdSIsA_aem_fij-30QIwOJFvKBMbbNMFQhttps://www.rappler.com/entertainment/celebrities/katrina-dimaranan-engaged/?utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=SocialFlow&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR0GDvX7pSnqlfgq9U7bvedeXGx9uGCJOFdri9wcA8M1dLkmeRUqcq3JPkg_aem_t_41u0h533uhbebv-rOBFwhttps://www.rappler.com/philippines/chinese-vessels-shadow-philippine-united-states-ships/?utm_campaign=SocialFlow&utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=Social&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR1RI1vTWp7UKdQO-uQJ17QShLLtbZz1IVo7dmixYYO9EpfLD9FkJwvEEjc_aem_DkLHAlinI9UpkZSHi2PIeg |
[ANALYSIS] Decriminalizing libel | Glenda Gloria | 4/1/2024 17:00 | Editor Edito Mapayo, of Radio Birada FM Claver in Surigao del Norte, faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted of cyber libel for calling out a local businessman for alleged false advertising; one of three online defamation cases since 2016. He is out on bail.
“Parang nasanay na ako sa mga kaso,” he says. “Binabalewala ko na lang. Kasi lahat ng inilabas kong isyu totoo naman.”
Arnel San Pedro was a correspondent for a Manila-based paper in 2004 when he was accused of libel. He was acquitted in 2021 after what he described as 17 “grueling” years. His newspaper, he said, did not provide him with a lawyer, “so I shelled out thousands of pesos for my defense… Sarili kong gastos.”
Journalists, and citizens in general, have reason to be weary about being charged with libel, a crime punishable by up to three and a half years in prison, and a fine of up to P1.2 million.
For decades, media groups here and abroad have been campaigning for its decriminalization, with little success to show.
Article 19 of two landmark United Nations documents – the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1949) and International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (1966) – has come to symbolize, among others, “freedom of opinion and expression.” The Philippines signed and ratified both documents.
In 2008, the UN human rights committee ruled that “imprisonment is never an appropriate penalty for defamation” and that a prison term imposed the previous year on Davao broadcaster Alexis Adonis violated the ICCPR. This opinion eventually led to a court order for Adonis’ release. The UN committee also asked State parties to consider decriminalizing libel.
From 2004 to 2012, Philippine legislators filed more than 60 bills seeking the decriminalization of libel or at least the abolition of imprisonment with regard to libel cases. A total of 35 were submitted in the 15th Congress alone. But the farthest any bill reached was approval on second reading in 2009 of House Bill 5760, whose abstract partly reads: “to allow journalists to do their work without fear of being jailed by reason of criminal complaints by those who are offended by their reporting…”
In 2008, Chief Justice Reynato Puno reminded judges of “an emergent rule of preference for the imposition of fine only rather than imprisonment in libel cases.”
The fight against criminal libel took four giant steps backward from 2012 when President Benigno Aquino III approved Republic Act No. 10175, the Cybercrime Prevention Act, which included libel among cyber crimes if “committed through a computer system.” Step Backward One: the law reinforces libel’s status as a crime.
It also increased the penalty for existing crimes one degree higher. Hence, cyber libel is punishable by up to 10 years in prison. Step Backward Two: from prisión correccional to prisión mayor.
After a legal challenge, the Supreme Court in 2014 upheld the law on cyber libel as valid and constitutional. Step Backward Three: you wake up to realize that the bad dream is for real.
In 2017, RA 10951 raised the fines for libel to up to P1.2 million. Step Backward Four.
While libel convictions are rare in the Philippines, UNESCO contends that criminal libel has “an inhibitory and silencing effect, even before a conviction takes place.” The document cites the impact of these laws in terms of time, financial resources, professional career and image, mental health, deprivation of liberty, and self-censorship.
In acquitting San Pedro, the Angeles regional trial court noted that the item in question cannot be deemed “to have been done with actual malice.” It also emphasized that the material “was true” and “done in good faith.”
Nevertheless San Pedro, now editor of the Pampanga iOrbit said, “Nasayang mga opportunities ko for 17 years.” And money: “P3k per hearing. Four times a year.” Or P204,000, not exactly loose change in a profession not known for fat salaries.
Because libel is a crime, respondents are either jailed or released on bail. Mapayo says he paid a total of P100,000 for his temporary liberty.
But that’s not all. He added: “Minsan naapektuhan [ako] dahil sa schedule sa hearing. Normal [din] lang siguro [na] hindi mawala ang takot sa atin baka biglaang bala ang gamitin ng kalaban.”
Since last year, the Philippine Press Institute has been at work encouraging, assisting and inspiring local communities to set up their own multi-sectoral councils that will entertain complaints for accuracy or the right of reply, in lieu of court cases. These urban, provincial and sometimes regional councils can be found in various stages of development in Batangas, Davao, Iloilo; Aklan, Surigao del Norte; Central Luzon, and Eastern Visayas. Already existing are councils in Cebu (which boasts of a zero-libel record) and the Cordilleras. And more to follow this year.
Participation is not limited to PPI members, or to newspapers, or frequency-based broadcast stations. They are free to include social-media bloggers and other sectors they wish to engage. Following the concept of independent co-regulation, as opposed to self-regulatory press councils, these bodies are free to determine whether the non-media members will outnumber their media counterparts.
The short-term goal is to impress upon the public that complaints against the media will be heard by a group of respected individuals from their communities.
The ultimate goal is still the decriminalization of libel. There are four bills — SB1593, SB2403, HB1769 and HB5372 — in the 19th Congress. If and when libel ceases to be a crime, the councils can become ADR (alternative dispute resolution) providers, properly trained and accredited by the Department of Justice. – Rappler.com
Gary Mariano has taught full-time for 35 years at De La Salle University. A former chair of the Philippine Press Council, he is a member of the Commission on Higher Education’s technical committee for journalism. In retirement, he helps PPI promote community-based, media-citizen councils.
Error.
Please abide by Rappler's commenting guidelines.
The sad thing here is that of all the Presidents, it was former President Benigno Aquino III who caused the four giant steps backward by signing RA No. 10175 (Cybercrime Prevention Act). Although in fairness to him, he is not a lawyer, so who advised him to do it? The Philippine Press Institute may constantly remind our lawmakers to pass the four pending bills in a consolidated law that will decriminalize libel. But more likely, it will be blocked by the combined Repression Machineries of both the Marcos-Romualdez and Duterte Political Dynasties.
How does this make you feel? | Rappler | https://www.rappler.com/voices/thought-leaders/analysis-decriminalizing-libel/?utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=SocialFlow&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR2p4phzfWZOHJLtXnBlpDDvyypVRNBAar9Tp1K8marRcRIKEZ3wSAdSIsA_aem_fij-30QIwOJFvKBMbbNMFQ |
[ANALYSIS] Decriminalizing libel | Glenda Gloria | 4/1/2024 17:00 | Editor Edito Mapayo, of Radio Birada FM Claver in Surigao del Norte, faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted of cyber libel for calling out a local businessman for alleged false advertising; one of three online defamation cases since 2016. He is out on bail.
“Parang nasanay na ako sa mga kaso,” he says. “Binabalewala ko na lang. Kasi lahat ng inilabas kong isyu totoo naman.”
Arnel San Pedro was a correspondent for a Manila-based paper in 2004 when he was accused of libel. He was acquitted in 2021 after what he described as 17 “grueling” years. His newspaper, he said, did not provide him with a lawyer, “so I shelled out thousands of pesos for my defense… Sarili kong gastos.”
Journalists, and citizens in general, have reason to be weary about being charged with libel, a crime punishable by up to three and a half years in prison, and a fine of up to P1.2 million.
For decades, media groups here and abroad have been campaigning for its decriminalization, with little success to show.
Article 19 of two landmark United Nations documents – the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1949) and International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (1966) – has come to symbolize, among others, “freedom of opinion and expression.” The Philippines signed and ratified both documents.
In 2008, the UN human rights committee ruled that “imprisonment is never an appropriate penalty for defamation” and that a prison term imposed the previous year on Davao broadcaster Alexis Adonis violated the ICCPR. This opinion eventually led to a court order for Adonis’ release. The UN committee also asked State parties to consider decriminalizing libel.
From 2004 to 2012, Philippine legislators filed more than 60 bills seeking the decriminalization of libel or at least the abolition of imprisonment with regard to libel cases. A total of 35 were submitted in the 15th Congress alone. But the farthest any bill reached was approval on second reading in 2009 of House Bill 5760, whose abstract partly reads: “to allow journalists to do their work without fear of being jailed by reason of criminal complaints by those who are offended by their reporting…”
In 2008, Chief Justice Reynato Puno reminded judges of “an emergent rule of preference for the imposition of fine only rather than imprisonment in libel cases.”
The fight against criminal libel took four giant steps backward from 2012 when President Benigno Aquino III approved Republic Act No. 10175, the Cybercrime Prevention Act, which included libel among cyber crimes if “committed through a computer system.” Step Backward One: the law reinforces libel’s status as a crime.
It also increased the penalty for existing crimes one degree higher. Hence, cyber libel is punishable by up to 10 years in prison. Step Backward Two: from prisión correccional to prisión mayor.
After a legal challenge, the Supreme Court in 2014 upheld the law on cyber libel as valid and constitutional. Step Backward Three: you wake up to realize that the bad dream is for real.
In 2017, RA 10951 raised the fines for libel to up to P1.2 million. Step Backward Four.
While libel convictions are rare in the Philippines, UNESCO contends that criminal libel has “an inhibitory and silencing effect, even before a conviction takes place.” The document cites the impact of these laws in terms of time, financial resources, professional career and image, mental health, deprivation of liberty, and self-censorship.
In acquitting San Pedro, the Angeles regional trial court noted that the item in question cannot be deemed “to have been done with actual malice.” It also emphasized that the material “was true” and “done in good faith.”
Nevertheless San Pedro, now editor of the Pampanga iOrbit said, “Nasayang mga opportunities ko for 17 years.” And money: “P3k per hearing. Four times a year.” Or P204,000, not exactly loose change in a profession not known for fat salaries.
Because libel is a crime, respondents are either jailed or released on bail. Mapayo says he paid a total of P100,000 for his temporary liberty.
But that’s not all. He added: “Minsan naapektuhan [ako] dahil sa schedule sa hearing. Normal [din] lang siguro [na] hindi mawala ang takot sa atin baka biglaang bala ang gamitin ng kalaban.”
Since last year, the Philippine Press Institute has been at work encouraging, assisting and inspiring local communities to set up their own multi-sectoral councils that will entertain complaints for accuracy or the right of reply, in lieu of court cases. These urban, provincial and sometimes regional councils can be found in various stages of development in Batangas, Davao, Iloilo; Aklan, Surigao del Norte; Central Luzon, and Eastern Visayas. Already existing are councils in Cebu (which boasts of a zero-libel record) and the Cordilleras. And more to follow this year.
Participation is not limited to PPI members, or to newspapers, or frequency-based broadcast stations. They are free to include social-media bloggers and other sectors they wish to engage. Following the concept of independent co-regulation, as opposed to self-regulatory press councils, these bodies are free to determine whether the non-media members will outnumber their media counterparts.
The short-term goal is to impress upon the public that complaints against the media will be heard by a group of respected individuals from their communities.
The ultimate goal is still the decriminalization of libel. There are four bills — SB1593, SB2403, HB1769 and HB5372 — in the 19th Congress. If and when libel ceases to be a crime, the councils can become ADR (alternative dispute resolution) providers, properly trained and accredited by the Department of Justice. – Rappler.com
Gary Mariano has taught full-time for 35 years at De La Salle University. A former chair of the Philippine Press Council, he is a member of the Commission on Higher Education’s technical committee for journalism. In retirement, he helps PPI promote community-based, media-citizen councils.
Error.
Please abide by Rappler's commenting guidelines.
The sad thing here is that of all the Presidents, it was former President Benigno Aquino III who caused the four giant steps backward by signing RA No. 10175 (Cybercrime Prevention Act). Although in fairness to him, he is not a lawyer, so who advised him to do it? The Philippine Press Institute may constantly remind our lawmakers to pass the four pending bills in a consolidated law that will decriminalize libel. But more likely, it will be blocked by the combined Repression Machineries of both the Marcos-Romualdez and Duterte Political Dynasties.
How does this make you feel? | Rappler | https://www.rappler.com/voices/thought-leaders/analysis-decriminalizing-libel/?utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=SocialFlow&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR2p4phzfWZOHJLtXnBlpDDvyypVRNBAar9Tp1K8marRcRIKEZ3wSAdSIsA_aem_fij-30QIwOJFvKBMbbNMFQhttps://www.rappler.com/entertainment/celebrities/katrina-dimaranan-engaged/?utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=SocialFlow&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR0GDvX7pSnqlfgq9U7bvedeXGx9uGCJOFdri9wcA8M1dLkmeRUqcq3JPkg_aem_t_41u0h533uhbebv-rOBFw |
LOOK: Beauty queen Katrina Dimaranan is engaged | Ysa Abad | 4/1/2024 12:03 | Katrina Dimaranan's Instagram
MANILA, Philippines – Miss Universe Philippines-Tourism 2021 Katarina Dimaranan is ready to tie the knot with boyfriend Robby Rodriguez after more than four years of dating.
In an Instagram post, the Filipina-American beauty queen shared photos from the proposal that took place in Cancun, Mexico.
“I have always said love is friendship on fire and now I get to call my best friend, my FIANCÉ,” she wrote.
Addressing Robby in her post, Katrina wrote: “It feels so surreal that I can officially say that I can’t wait to spend the rest of forever with you. Our love for each other has only gotten stronger through the years.”
She added that she also cried after hearing Robby’s proposal speech.
“Cheers to officially being off the market and getting to annoy each other for the rest of our lives,” she added.
Fellow beauty queens such as Mutya Datul, Samantha Panlilio, Steffi Rose Aberasturi, Maureen Wroblewitz, and Graciella Lehmann wrote congratulatory messages in the comments section.
Katrina started her pageant journey in 2012, where she won the Binibining Pilipinas Tourism crown. In 2018, she represented the United States at the Miss Supranational pageant wherein she finished first runner-up. Katrina came back to the Philippine pageant scene in 2021 and was named Miss Universe Philippines Tourism.
In April 2022, she bid goodbye to the pageant world, saying that she can “finally close this chapter and move forward to [her] next goals.”
Since then, she has been staying in the United States where she’s currently attending nursing school. – Rappler.com
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2 Chinese vessels shadowed PH, US ships – Philippine military | Chito de la Vega | 4/1/2024 23:41 | FILE PHOTO. Philippine Navy ships BRP Davao Del Sur (right) and BRP Gregorio Del Pilar (left) conduct a maritime cooperative activity with HMAS Toowoomba during a regional presence deployment.
(Photo from the Australian Defence Department)
Australian Defence Department
MANILA, Philippines – Two Chinese navy vessels shadowed Philippine and US ships conducting joint patrols in the South China Sea, the Philippine military said on Thursday, January 4 as tensions flare in the region over disputed territorial claims.
“We confirm the presence of two PLA-N (People’s Liberation Army Navy) vessels from a distance shadowing the participants of the Maritime Cooperative Activity,” said Xerxes Trinidad, chief of the Philippine military’s public affairs office.
The two-day maritime exercises involving Manila and Washington, which ended as planned on Thursday, were the second in less than two months in the West Philippine Sea – what Manila calls the waters in the South China Sea that fall within its 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
The activities followed Beijing’s warning to the Philippines that any miscalculation in their escalating dispute in the South China Sea would bring a resolute response.
“We are hoping that China and other foreign countries will respect our sovereignty and right to conduct the activity that is following international law,” Trinidad said.
China’s embassy in Manila did not immediately comment.
The joint patrols were underway when China’s military said it would conduct routine patrols with its naval and air forces in the South China Sea from Wednesday to Thursday but did not say where exactly the patrols would be held.
Beijing and Manila have traded accusations in recent months over several run-ins in the South China Sea, including charges that China rammed a ship last month carrying the Philippine armed forces chief of staff.
The Philippine military said on Wednesday that their second joint patrol this week involved four vessels from the Philippine navy and four ships from the US Indo-Pacific command that included an aircraft carrier, a cruiser and two destroyers.
China lays claim to almost the entire South China Sea, a conduit for more than $3 trillion of annual commerce carried by ship, including waters claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei. The Permanent Court of Arbitration in 2016 said China’s claims had no legal basis, but China has rejected that ruling. – Rappler.com
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Fireworks injuries in Ilocos Region double after pandemic restrictions lifted | Chito de la Vega | 4/1/2024 22:40 | FILE PHOTO. Firecrackers and luces workers load a powder (polvora) into a luces shells at a fireworks factory in Bocaue, Bulacan on Tuesday, December 26, 2107.
Darren Langit/Rappler
ILOCOS NORTE, Philippines— Fireworks-related injuries (FWRI) in the Ilocos Region surged two-fold compared to last year, with the public’s increased mobility after pandemic restrictions were lifted as a likely factor for the jump in cases, the regional Department of Health (DOH) said on Thursday, January 4.
“Kung ating matatandaan na noong [2022], kakabangon palang natin mula sa pandemic, kaka-lift pa lang ng restrictions at hindi gaano naka-access ng fireworks at firecrackers ang mga tao,” according to Dr. Rheuel Bobis, DOH spokesperson, during a virtual press forum.
(If we will recall, we have just recovered from the pandemic and the restrictions have just been lifted, and previously the people did not have access to firecrackers.)
Lockdowns were imposed in the country beginning March 2020 and some remained enforced until 2022 to stop the spread of COVID-19.
Three days after ringing in the New Year, injuries climbed to 213, a 117% increase compared to the 98 cases logged during the same period last year, said Bobis.
Among the top fireworks that caused the injuries were “kwitis or skyrocket” and illegal fireworks such as boga (improvised cannon) and “5-star“.
The latest DOH monitoring showed that all provinces in the region saw a rise in FWRI, with Pangasinan having the highest number with 143 cases (up 98.6% from last year), La Union with 29 (up 81.3%), Ilocos Norte with 23 (up 66.7%), and Ilocos Sur with 18 (157.1%).
Those injured ranged from ages two to 77 years old. More minors, or 10 to 14 years old, comprised the most affected group who sustained FWRI, Bobis said.
Of the 213, almost half, or 92, were hurt as “passive” victims or those who were just watching others use and ignite firecrackers.
At least seven of the 213 injuries required amputation and one was confirmed dead, Bobis said.
The youngest injured was a two-year-old while the oldest was 77-year-old.
As the FWRI jumped, Bobis said that they would urge local government units to come up and put teeth into their ordinances relating to regulation of fireworks and firecrackers during the next New Year festivities.
In San Fabian town in Pangasinan province, a 32-year-old man was arrested for indiscriminately firing a gun on New Year’s Eve that hit two siblings on their home.
The victims, aged 26 and 21, were grazed by stray bullets in their back and head. They were rushed to a nearby hospital and were subsequently declared safe.
In Ilocos Norte, the police provincial office intensified its crackdown against boga, with at least 181 confiscated.
The provincial government also enacted an ordinance which provided penalties for the possession, use, manufacture, and sale of boga and regulated the sale and possession of denatured alcohol, acetone, and its derivatives, and electronic gas stove switches, as well as similar devices, to minors. – Rappler.com
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Blogger Sass Sasot’s Facebook page temporarily disappears, returns days later | Gaby Baizas | 4/1/2024 14:52 | MANILA, Philippines – The Facebook page of blogger Sass Sasot, a vocal supporter of former president Rodrigo Duterte, temporarily disappeared from the platform but was restored days later in January 2024.
On Facebook, Sasot posts hyperpartisan political commentary under the page “For the Motherland – Sass Rogando Sasot.”
As of writing, the URL facebook.com/forthemotherlandofficial reads, “This content isn’t available right now.” This message appears if privacy settings prevent a certain user from accessing the content, or if the content has been deleted.
Other pro-Duterte bloggers announced that Sasot was no longer on Facebook as early as January 2. Banat By, whose real name is Byron Cristobal, shared on Tuesday that Sasot’s Facebook page disappeared from the platform, after his own Facebook page became unavailable on December 31.
Pro-administration blogger Krizette Laureta Chu said that apart from Sasot’s Facebook page, her personal account also became unavailable on the platform. The URL facebook.com/sassrogandosasot also displays the same error message about its content being unavailable.
In a video with vlogger Maharlika livestreamed on Tuesday, Sasot said that she received an email from Facebook’s parent company Meta, which said that her account had been flagged and suspended. This prohibited her from also accessing her page and Messenger.
Meta said that Sasot had 180 days to appeal the decision. She explained in Maharlika’s live video that she had already submitted an appeal to the tech company.
It is currently unclear why Sasot’s page became temporarily unavailable on the platform. She also claimed that prior to her Facebook page and account becoming inaccessible, Sasot did not receive any warnings from Meta about possible platform violations.
As of Thursday, January 4, Sasot’s Facebook page was restored, and is accessible under the new URL facebook.com/forthemotherland. However, Sasot also confirmed on Thursday that her personal account is still inaccessible.
Latest records from social media analytics site Social Blade showed that Sasot’s Facebook page had amassed over 807,000 likes before becoming unavailable. Social Blade did not record any Facebook statistics for Sasot’s page on January 2, when her Facebook page disappeared from the platform.
Sasot is a pro-Duterte blogger who has spread disinformation and attacked those critical of the former president in the past. A Rappler investigation also found that Sasot is among the most prominent actors spreading pro-China propaganda online in the Philippines.
Rappler has reached out to Meta to comment on the matter, but has yet to receive a response. – Rappler.com
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Cone wants Gilas ‘to stay with the process’ as it aims to reach the Olympics | delfin.dioquino editor | 19/02/2024 22:33 | MENTOR. Head coach Tim Cone while calling the shots for Gilas Pilipinas.
Inspire Sports Academy Facebook page
MANILA, Philippines – For Gilas Pilipinas head coach Tim Cone, the journey is just as significant as the destination.
Cone underscored the importance of laying down a solid foundation as he looks to steer the national team to greater heights in his four years at the helm – a quest that begins in the first window of the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers.
Months after guiding the Nationals to a historic Asian Games crown in October, Cone will once again call the shots as the Philippines faces Hong Kong and Chinese Taipei on February 22 and 25, respectively.
“We want to be goal-oriented. We want to be thinking about goals, but it’s more important for us to be growth-oriented,” said Cone on Monday, February 19, in a press conference organized by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas.
“And to become growth-oriented, we got to stay with the process. And that’s what I hope these guys are getting and will continue to get as their mindset, that they’re process-oriented.”
One of the goals Cone has set for Gilas is ending an over half-a-century absence in the Olympics.
The Philippines last sent a men’s basketball team to the Summer Games in 1972, when the likes of legends Bogs Adornado, Freddie Webb, Manny Paner, Yoyong Martirez, and Danny Florencio donned the national colors.
Cone said the target is to qualify either for the 2024 Paris Olympics in France or the 2028 Los Angeles Games in the United States.
After the first window of the Asia Cup Qualifiers, Gilas will get a crack at a Paris berth through the Riga, Latvia leg of the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in July.
“That’s our goal,” said Cone about making the Olympics. “But that’s not our focus. We’re not going to be thinking about that or talking about that as a group.”
“Our focus is what’s going to take us to get there? And that’s that day-to-day process that we’re going to battle. This window here is a part of the process and it’s going to take us forward, get us advanced.”
Beating world No. 78 Chinese Taipei and No. 119 Hong Kong should be a doable task for No. 38 Philippines, and Cone hopes his wards develop good habits.
“Yes, it’s important that we win, but it’s even more important that we build a foundation from which we can bring into the next window and from which we can bring into the next one and the next one after that,” Cone said.
Cone and Gilas fly to Hong Kong on Tuesday. – Rappler.com
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Doctor’s orders: June Mar Fajardo to sit out Gilas Pilipinas action | delfin.dioquino editor | 19/02/2024 23:23 | SIZE UP. June Mar Fajardo in action for Gilas Pilipinas in the 19th Asian Games.
PSC-POC Media Pool
MANILA, Philippines – Health comes first for June Mar Fajardo this time around.
Gilas Pilipinas will miss June Mar Fajardo in the first window of the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers as the 6-foot-10 big man sits out the pair of home-and-away games against Chinese Taipei and Hong Kong due to a calf injury.
“It’s unfortunate because I want to play for Gilas, but my doctor told me to rest,” Fajardo said on Monday, February 19, in a press conference organized by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas.
Fajardo sustained the injury in Game 4 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup finals earlier this February.
The seven-time MVP went against the doctor’s advice to take a break as he helped San Miguel finish off Magnolia in six games en route to a record-extending 29th title, averaging 16 points and 13 rebounds in the finals.
His mission with the Beermen accomplished, Fajardo is now doing as he is told by his doctor.
Fajardo said he will be out for about two weeks, although he will stay with the team.
“I’m doing my best to heal right away so I’ll be able to catch up in our practices,” said Fajardo, who only watched as the national team trained at the PhilSports Arena on Monday.
Aside from Fajardo, 6-foot-10 big man AJ Edu is also sidelined with a torn meniscus, further depleting Gilas’ frontcourt unit.
To add much-needed size, head coach Tim Cone tapped his Barangay Ginebra ward Japeth Aguilar to reinforce the squad in the first window.
Gilas leaves on Tuesday to face Hong Kong on the road on February 22 before it returns home to tangle with Chinese Taipei on February 25 at the PhilSports Arena. – Rappler.com
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IN PHOTOS: Miss Universe Philippines 2024 candidates | Ysa Abad | 19/02/2024 11:28 | MANILA, Philippines – The search for our next Miss Universe Philippines officially begins!
The Miss Universe Philippines (MUPH) organization introduced on Sunday, February 18, the 55 candidates who are competing in the pageant’s 2024 edition.
For the first time in the pageant’s history, this year’s candidates were chosen through the Accredited Partners Program, wherein only accredited partners approved by the MUPH organization can select the candidates from their respective localities through local pageants or appointments. Meaning, these official delegates in the national competition were either representatives appointed by these partners or winners of the local pageants.
Familiar names among this year’s hopefuls are pageant veterans Victoria Velasquez Vincent (Miss Universe Philippines-Charity 2021), Kris Tiffany Janson (Miss Intercontinental 2014 2nd runner-up), Stacey Gabriel (Binibining Pilipinas 2022 2nd runner-up), Ahtisa Manalo (Miss International 2018 1st runner-up), and Christi McGarry (Miss Intercontinental 2015 1st runner-up).
The 2024 roster also includes candidates representing overseas Filipino communities, such as Australia, northern and southern California, Florida, Hawaii, Miami, and the United Kingdom.
As of writing, the organization has yet to announce the details for its national pageant. Makati’s Michelle Dee, who finished in the Top 10 of the international edition, will be crowning her successor.
The Miss Universe 2024 pageant will also be the first edition without age restrictions for the candidates. This comes after mothers and wives were welcomed into the competition starting 2023.
Here are the official photos of the delegates posted by the MUPH organization:
– Rappler.com
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Meet the queens representing PH in 5 int’l pageants | Ysa Abad | 19/02/2024 14:21 | The Miss Philippines' Facebook
MANILA, Philippines – The Miss Philippines organization has named five Filipina beauty queens as the country’s representatives in international pageants.
On Sunday, February 18, the organization held its appointment ceremony, wherein they announced the official titles for its 2023 queens.
Bulacan’s Alethea Ambrosio, who was crowned Miss Philippines 2023 during the Filipino Festival Awards Night in October, will be the country’s representative to the Miss Supranational 2024 pageant.
Ambrosio is succeeding Pauline Amelinckx, the first The Miss Philippines titleholder. Amelinckx finished as first runner-up in the Miss Supranational 2023 pageant. The Philippines has only won the Miss Supranational title once, with Mutya Daul in 2013.
Aside from Ambrosio, the rest of the final four delegates in the October 2023 pageant were also appointed on Sunday.
Northern California’s Blessa Ericha Figueroa is the country’s delegate for Miss Asia Pacific while Mandaluyong’s Issa de los Santos will participate in the Miss Aura pageant.
Cebu City’s Chantal Elise Schmidt is representing the Philippines in Miss Eco International while Southern California’s Hannah Uyan will be competing in Miss Eco Teen pageant.
As of writing, there’s no final details yet regarding the schedule of activities of these international pageants.
The Miss Philippines pageant held its inaugural edition in 2023. The newly-launched competition aimed to deviate from more conventional notions of what a pageant looks like.
For their format, one of the major changes they announced was opting out of holding a swimsuit competition. As a means to “reinvent pageantry,” the pageant will instead have candidates deliver “Ted Talk-type speeches” and undergo a “Cannes-inspired red carpet segment” for formal wear. – Rappler.com
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Next generation of Ayala leaders step into the spotlight at media party | Ralf Rivas | 19/02/2024 21:03 | MEDIA NIGHT. Jaime Urquijo, Jaime Alfonso, and Mariana Zobel de Ayala host the inaugural media night of the Ayala Group on Friday, February 16, 2024.
Ralf Rivas/Rappler
The eighth-generation of Zobel de Ayalas, the clan that controls the Philippines’ oldest conglomerate, got to know members of the press through its inaugural media night.
For the first time, the daughter of Ayala Group chairman Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, Mariana, son Jaime Alfonso, and nephew Jaime Urquijo went all on stage for some brief speeches, happily played some party games, and danced to ballroom music.
The Zobel brothers, Jaime Augusto and Fernando, were noticeably absent in the event in Dusit Thani in Makati. The last media night they attended was in 2019.
Ayala executives told some reporters that the media night, held last Friday, February 16, was meant to highlight the next C-suite leaders.
Meeting the press for the first time is some sort of rite of passage for any business leader. Informal events, more so a party, is the best time for the public to have a glimpse of their character. The media also uses this social event to give out their calling cards, with some even attempting to ask burning questions about the companies they cover.
Mariana, who was deemed somewhat shy by some members of the media in previous events, was the most energetic of the three on media night. She was the most competitive in the party games, strategizing how her team would give the best answers in a game of Family Feud hosted by Ogie Alcasid.
Meanwhile, two young men also loosened up, bantering with the press on the sidelines of the event.
The three are expected to engage with the media even more, as they assume bigger responsibilities and eventually take over in leading Ayala Corporation (AC) and its subsidiaries with interests in real estate, banking, telecommunications, energy, health, logistics, and other industries.
It’s also important for the public to get to know them. During the party, AC Logistics president Rene Almendras emphasized that the Ayala clan was instrumental in the development of key infrastructure and real estate in the Philippines.
Prior to media night, Mariana, Jaime Alfonso, and Jaime were last seen together in a Christmas party for the conglomerate’s employees.
Mariana, the eldest of Jaime Augusto and Lizzie Zobel de Ayala, was named senior vice president of Ayala Land and president of Ayala Malls last October 2023.
Just recently, she led Ayala Land’s unveiling of the P13-billion redevelopment plan for their flagship malls.
The 36-year-old is also a board member of AREIT Inc. and was the senior vice president of Bank of the Philippine Islands.
She has a degree in social studies from Harvard and an MBA from INSEAD.
Her brother, Jaime Alfonso, is currently the head of AC Motors.
His first major media engagement was in October 2023, when AC Motors and Bosch unveiled a plan to open some 20 new outlets in 2024 and expand the network to 60 in the next five years. The partnership will serve current internal combustion engine-run vehicles and will eventually have repair and maintenance capabilities for electric vehicles.
The 34-year-old is also a Harvard graduate and has an MBA from Columbia. He graduated from Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, with primary concentration in government in 2013, and got his Masters of Business Administration from Columbia Business School in New York, in 2019.
The cousin of Mariana and Jaime Alfonso, Jaime Urquijo, is currently Ayala Corporation’s chief sustainability and risk officer (photo below).
The 36-year-old is also the director of BPI, Integrated Micro Electronics, AC Industrial Technology Holdings, and Merlin Solar Technology. He was previously ACEN’s vice president for business development, leading the company’s portfolio expansion in the Philippines and Southeast Asia.
Jaime earned his degree in political science from the University of Notre Dame and boasts of an MBA from INSEAD.
With the three stepping into the spotlight and embracing bigger roles, should the media expect more interviews with them? Perhaps a guesting on Rappler’s Business Sense soon? – Rappler.com
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Veteran director Tikoy Aguiluz dies at 72 | Marguerite de Leon | 19/02/2024 17:10 | From Tikoy Aguiluz's YouTube channel
MANILA, Philippines – Veteran filmmaker Amable “Tikoy” Aguiluz VI has died, Aguiluz’s family confirmed in a statement to media on Monday, February 19. He was 72.
“While we grieve this loss deeply, we kindly ask for your understanding as we choose to mourn in private for the time being,” the statement read.
“We assure you that once we are ready, we will share details about a public service where all who knew and loved Direk Tikoy can join us in paying tribute and saying our final goodbyes,” it added.
The University of the Philippines (UP) grad was best known for directing the drama Boatman (1985), the neo-noir Segurista (1996), and the historical biopic Rizal sa Dapitan (1997), among other titles.
He has received many accolades for his films, including multiple Gawad Urians for Segurista, the Grand Jury Prize at the Brussels International Film Festival for Rizal sa Dapitan, and France’s Chevalier dans l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres for his body of work.
Aguiluz also co-founded the UP Film Center and founded the Cinemanila International Film Festival.
The Filipino film community has taken to social media to mourn the loss of one of their industry’s esteemed names:
– Rappler.com
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Next generation of Ayala leaders step into the spotlight at media party | Ralf Rivas | 19/02/2024 21:03 | MEDIA NIGHT. Jaime Urquijo, Jaime Alfonso, and Mariana Zobel de Ayala host the inaugural media night of the Ayala Group on Friday, February 16, 2024.
Ralf Rivas/Rappler
The eighth-generation of Zobel de Ayalas, the clan that controls the Philippines’ oldest conglomerate, got to know members of the press through its inaugural media night.
For the first time, the daughter of Ayala Group chairman Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, Mariana, son Jaime Alfonso, and nephew Jaime Urquijo went all on stage for some brief speeches, happily played some party games, and danced to ballroom music.
The Zobel brothers, Jaime Augusto and Fernando, were noticeably absent in the event in Dusit Thani in Makati. The last media night they attended was in 2019.
Ayala executives told some reporters that the media night, held last Friday, February 16, was meant to highlight the next C-suite leaders.
Meeting the press for the first time is some sort of rite of passage for any business leader. Informal events, more so a party, is the best time for the public to have a glimpse of their character. The media also uses this social event to give out their calling cards, with some even attempting to ask burning questions about the companies they cover.
Mariana, who was deemed somewhat shy by some members of the media in previous events, was the most energetic of the three on media night. She was the most competitive in the party games, strategizing how her team would give the best answers in a game of Family Feud hosted by Ogie Alcasid.
Meanwhile, two young men also loosened up, bantering with the press on the sidelines of the event.
The three are expected to engage with the media even more, as they assume bigger responsibilities and eventually take over in leading Ayala Corporation (AC) and its subsidiaries with interests in real estate, banking, telecommunications, energy, health, logistics, and other industries.
It’s also important for the public to get to know them. During the party, AC Logistics president Rene Almendras emphasized that the Ayala clan was instrumental in the development of key infrastructure and real estate in the Philippines.
Prior to media night, Mariana, Jaime Alfonso, and Jaime were last seen together in a Christmas party for the conglomerate’s employees.
Mariana, the eldest of Jaime Augusto and Lizzie Zobel de Ayala, was named senior vice president of Ayala Land and president of Ayala Malls last October 2023.
Just recently, she led Ayala Land’s unveiling of the P13-billion redevelopment plan for their flagship malls.
The 36-year-old is also a board member of AREIT Inc. and was the senior vice president of Bank of the Philippine Islands.
She has a degree in social studies from Harvard and an MBA from INSEAD.
Her brother, Jaime Alfonso, is currently the head of AC Motors.
His first major media engagement was in October 2023, when AC Motors and Bosch unveiled a plan to open some 20 new outlets in 2024 and expand the network to 60 in the next five years. The partnership will serve current internal combustion engine-run vehicles and will eventually have repair and maintenance capabilities for electric vehicles.
The 34-year-old is also a Harvard graduate and has an MBA from Columbia. He graduated from Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, with primary concentration in government in 2013, and got his Masters of Business Administration from Columbia Business School in New York, in 2019.
The cousin of Mariana and Jaime Alfonso, Jaime Urquijo, is currently Ayala Corporation’s chief sustainability and risk officer (photo below).
The 36-year-old is also the director of BPI, Integrated Micro Electronics, AC Industrial Technology Holdings, and Merlin Solar Technology. He was previously ACEN’s vice president for business development, leading the company’s portfolio expansion in the Philippines and Southeast Asia.
Jaime earned his degree in political science from the University of Notre Dame and boasts of an MBA from INSEAD.
With the three stepping into the spotlight and embracing bigger roles, should the media expect more interviews with them? Perhaps a guesting on Rappler’s Business Sense soon? – Rappler.com
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Drilling operations for windmill project found at Masungi Georeserve | Chito de la Vega | 19/02/2024 17:29 | DRILL FOR WINDMILL. Aerial view of one of the drilling rigs for a windmill project within the vast protected area found by the Masungi Georeserve Foundation Incorporated (MGFI) during its drone surveillance in late 2023.
Photo from MGFI
MANILA, Philippines – A drone video footage revealed some drilling operations for an ongoing wind farm project within the limestone formations of the Masungi Karst Conservation Area, the sanctuary’s managing foundation revealed.
The Masungi Georeserve Foundation Incorporated (MGFI) said on February 12, its team captured the operations for the construction of 12 wind turbines by a local energy company within the Tanay town side of the sanctuary in a drone surveillance in November 2023.
MGFI co-founder Billie Dumaliang told Rappler that it was the first time they discovered drilling activities in the georeserve, especially since their drone operations in remote areas usually uncover tree-cutting operations and forest fires.
“We saw drilling rigs; we saw construction people; we saw some equipment, and even temporary structures. It’s the first time that we saw that kind of intrusion into the wildlife sanctuary,” she said.
Dumaliang said their surveillance caught a project banner showing Rizal Wind Energy Corporation (RWEC) as the proponent of the ongoing wind farm project.
Documents obtained by Rappler show that RWEC is wholly owned by 7 Balboa Energy Holdings Inc., a Filipino company based in Makati. Vena Energy, a Singapore-based energy developer, has a 25% stake in the company behind RWEC, while the rest of the shares are owned by a company called 6 Balboa, which shares the same address as 7 Balboa.
Following their discovery, Dumaliang said they twice met with representatives of Vena Energy to express their opposition to their operations. Still the company said the project is already at an “advanced pre-development stage” where they are preparing for commercialization.
“We were really surprised because we were not informed or consulted as big stakeholders in this area and conservationists, and supposedly partners of the DENR in this area,” she said.
The Masungi Karst conservation area is located within the national park, wildlife sanctuary, and game preserve situated in the provinces of Rizal, Quezon, Laguna, and Bulacan. It was declared in 1977 a national park, wildlife sanctuary and game preserve, and covered by the Expanded National Integrated Protected Area Systems (E-NIPAS) law.
This law calls for using the protected areas to align with the principles of biological diversity and sustainable development and prohibits commercial activities in the area without any clearance and permits from the DENR and Protected Area Management Board (PAMB).
The MGFI also pointed out that the discovered operation within Masungi is a “disturbing violation” of a 1993 order from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), which closed Masungi from exploration, development, and exploitation activities.
Despite the ongoing operations, Vena Energy maintained that the ongoing project is part of a study for a potential wind energy farm in the area. Vena Energy said it has worked closely with government authorities and secured all necessary permits, including an environmental compliance certificate (ECC).
“We adhere to the applicable laws and regulations on environment and protected areas. In addition, we have halted drilling, soil testing and studies in the specified area since November 2023 following a meeting with representatives from the Masungi Georeserve Foundation,” Angela Tan, corporate communications group head of Vena Energy, told Rappler on February 16.
“We are dedicated to sustainable development in renewable energy, and we are actively working with stakeholders to achieve this shared goal,” she added.
But according to Dumaliang, a copy of the company’s ECC for its supposed study was not presented during their previous meetings, while the MGFI’s team discovered that personnel of Vena Energy were still inside the conservation area as of last week.
“If there are permits already issued, they should be revoked based on the lack of consultation of key stakeholders as well as established scientific grounds. Again, as a renewable energy player, their due diligence should go beyond mere compliance but into the broader Environment, Social, and Governance impacts (ESG),” she said.
Despite the pause of activities within the areas inside Masungi, Dumaliang also insisted that the continuing construction of the wind farm project is the main issue at hand as she said that the companies “still want to do more drilling, more construction, more destruction.”
“The public should not rest until RWEC relocates the site of the wind farm away from Masungi,” she added, with their call to action to cancel the permits issued and stop the applications for projects in the sanctuary. – Rappler.com
Lance Arevada is a campus journalist at the Ateneo de Manila University. The Managing Editor of Matanglawin Ateneo, he is also an Aries Rufo Journalism fellow of Rappler for 2023-2024.
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Cebu opens Osmeña Boulevard section for traffic | Herbie G | 19/02/2024 20:49 | SKYWALK. In this photo taken on February 14, 2024, the skywalk near Fuente Osmena is without its roof, after the contractor of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), the Hunan Road and Bridge Construction Group Ltd., started demolition the day before.
ARKEEN LARISMA
CEBU, Philippines – The Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO) announced on Monday, February 19, that the portion of Osmeña Boulevard, from the corner of Fuente Osmeña Circle until the Arlington Pond intersection, is already open to traffic.
This was after the contractor of the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit (CBRT) already removed the major parts of the skywalk.
A partial road closure was implemented in that portion of the thoroughfare on February 15, due to hazards posed by the demolition works.
The CBRT, however, on its official Facebook page, announced another partial road closure on Osmeña Boulevard, from P. del Rosario Street to RR London, from February 19-20, to facilitate the removal of the roofings of the second skywalk near Abellana National School and the Cebu Normal University.
“Full closure follows from the night of February 21, Wednesday, up to February 25, Sunday, for the removal of the main span. Regular traffic flow will resume on February 26, Monday,” the CBRT said.
During this period, motorists are advised to follow the provided rerouting scheme.
As of Monday, the removal of the skywalk near Fuente Osmeña is almost complete.
The public, however, is advised to observe extra caution when crossing the streets.
“Motorists are advised to reduce speed, and traffic enforcers are present to assist pedestrians during the crossing,” the CBRT said.
The city government allowed the removal of the two skywalks to pave the way for the construction of the CBRT. – Rappler.com
Wenilyn Sabalo is a community journalist currently affiliated with SunStar Cebu and is an Aries Rufo Journalism fellow of Rappler for 2023-2024.
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Ex-Quiboloy follower: Duterte, Sara left KOJC’s ‘Glory Mountain’ with guns | Herbie G | 19/02/2024 16:07 | WITNESS. 'Rene' (not his real name) recounts his ordeal during the Senate hearing on the reported cases of physical and sexual abuses, as well as alleged human trafficking perpetrated by Kingdom of Jesus Christ founder Apollo Quiboloy and senior officials of the church, on February 19, 2024.
Senate PRIB
CAGAYAN DE ORO, Philippines – A former Kingdom of Jesus Christ and Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI) researcher claimed to have witnessed former president Rodrigo Duterte and Vice President Sara Duterte leaving controversial preacher Apollo Quiboloy’s vast property in Davao City with bags of assorted firearms.
“Minsan po pumupunta doon si former president Rodrigo Duterte at former Davao mayor Sara Duterte. ‘Pag umalis na po sila sa Glory Mountain, dala na po nila ang mga bag na siya pong mga bag na nilalagyan po ng mga baril,” said the witness identified only as “Rene” (not his real name), during an investigation by the Senate committee on women, children, family relations, and gender equality on Monday, February 19.
(Sometimes, former president Rodrigo Duterte and former Davao mayor Sara Duterte go there. When they leave Glory Mountain, they take bags with them that contain guns.)
Rene read from an affidavit that he executed earlier, according to Senator Risa Hontiveros, the Senate committee’s chairperson.
The so-called Glory Mountain is a vast property owned by Quiboloy, filled with pine trees. It sits on the slopes of Mount Apo, the highest mountain in the country, situated in the rural and impoverished village of Tamayong in Davao City’s Calinan District.
According to Rene, he was sent to Glory Mountain – a place where KOJC workers being sanctioned or in need of discipline are sent – to work as a landscaper.
The witness said he was sent there at a time when he began entertaining doubts about the KOJC’s teachings and was tasked to recruit more young people to become workers of the religious group.
Rene recounted that Quiboloy would allegedly arrive on a chopper with large bags containing firearms of different calibers. He said the guns would then be laid down on the ground in a tent located near Quiboloy’s mansion.
Asked by Hontiveros later if he saw the guns being taken from the bags and laid down on the ground, Rene responded, “Yes po, Madam Chair.”
He also confirmed that he saw the Dutertes leaving KOJC’s Glory Mountain with the large bags that were used to bring the firearms.
Rene said the tent was just a few meters away from his work area.
He also said he and other workers were given strict instructions not to tell anyone about the things they had been seeing in Glory Mountain.
The Dutertes have yet to respond to the witness’ allegations, although the former president is known to be a gun aficionado.
In December 2023, a Rappler report revealed that the former president had registered about 358 firearms. These firearms were all registered under a law he enacted in 2022, granting them 10-year validity and legal backing.
The registration was made with the Philippine National Police (PNP) shortly before he stepped down from Malacañang in 2023.
Duterte reportedly has a Type 5 license, which, based on the law, permits “certified gun collectors” to own more than 15 guns.
Based on documents, more than half of his licensed firearms – at least 222 – are pistols, and 73 rifles, including an AK-47.
The report quoted Duterte as saying, “So lahat no’ng baril ko, pati ‘yong maliit na baril, lisensiyado ‘yan. Kaya ang kinuha ko para makaano ako, kasi mahilig ako sa baril, pinarehistro ko lahat na sa Crame. Kaya sila tanong-tanong, marami kang baril, eh putang-ina tingnan mo sa Crame.”
(So all my guns, including the small ones, were all registered. I am a gun collector so I have them all registered in Camp Crame. Some people have a lot of questions about why I have many guns, son of a whore, check the licenses in Crame.)
Duterte also claimed that some of the firearms were gifts from foreign visitors, and Senator Christopher Go, his former aide, facilitated their registration with the PNP. He said some of the guns were considered collector’s items. (READ: [The Slingshot: Rodrigo Duterte’s one last act of corruption)
“Collector’s item lang ‘yan, it’s allowed by law. How can you use it against me when the practice of giving a collector’s license is allowed by law? Paano mo gamitin ‘yan, batas ‘yan eh. Doon ako napika eh. Alam ko eh, may tawag ‘yong pulis sa akin sa Crame, ‘sir, chine-check.’ Sabi ko, ‘Ibigay mo lahat, buksan mo,’” he said.
(Those guns are collector’s items allowed by law. How can you use it against me when the practice of giving a collector’s license is allowed by law? It’s the law so how can you use that against me? That’s what angered me. I am aware of the probe because of a call from police in Crame who said, “Sir, they’re checking your guns.” I said, “Give everything, open it.”) – Rappler.com
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Noted: “When they leave Glory Mountain, they take bags with them that contain guns.” So, the source was PACQ, and the receivers were FPRRD and VP Sara Duterte. With lots of guns around, it should be expected that the Duterte Political Dynasty and Pastor Quiboloy will dare to “shoot it out” against law enforcers in the future. Good luck to such law enforcers.
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Amid public outcry, DPWH trashes demolition plan for Cagayan de Oro bridge | Herbie G | 19/02/2024 19:41 | SUNSET. Cagayan de Oro's old and iconic Ysalina Bridge across the majestic Cagayan River during sunset as seen from city hall.
courtesy of Rhoel Chaves Condeza
CAGAYAN DE ORO, Philippines – Buckling under the pressure of conservationists and local officials, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said it would no longer demolish the iconic Ysalina Bridge in the city.
Engineer Sabeniano Caliao, head of the Planning and Design Division in Northern Mindanao, said instead of demolishing the bridge, they will only repair it, especially the steel girders that support the bridge deck.
Caliao earlier recommended that the Ysalina Bridge be torn down and replaced with a new one after they found significant corrosion at the steel support piles and caps, rendering the bridge unsafe for public use and vehicular traffic.
Cagayan de Oro 2nd District Representative Rufus Rodriguez said the DPWH will have to change the program of work of the P165-million budget from construction to “major repairs” of the Ysalina Bridge.
Rodriguez said the DPWH also proposed building passageways for bicycles and pedestrian traffic.
Raul Ilogon of the Kagay-an Heritage Advocates (KHA) hailed the decision of the DPWH not to demolish the Ysalina Bridge.
“Now, we can sleep soundly. We commend DPWH for listening and acting positively to the clamor of the people and city officials,” Ilogon said.
The KHA opposed the demolition of Ysalina Bridge citing the significance of its 144 years of history in Cagayan de Oro.
Ysalina Bridge was first constructed between 1880 and 1890, using bamboo under the orders of Major Juan Zanon, a military governor of Misamis Oriental.
It is the first bridge to connect the eastern and western parts of Cagayan de Oro.
The Cagayan de Oro Historical Commission reported that the bamboo Bridge was replaced with a steel one in 1931, which was destroyed during World War II.
The current bridge was constructed in 1946 and has undergone several retrofitting efforts to repair its corroded girders and trusses. – Rappler.com
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View from Manila: ‘Transparency initiative’ shifts focus to Scarborough | Bea Cupin | 19/02/2024 20:50 | PROTEST. Fisherfolk from the Association of Masinloc Fishermen tow and release an 18-foot symbolic maritime bouy at the West Philippine Sea in Masinloc, Zambales on November 6, 2023.
Jire Carreon/Rappler
MANILA, Philippines – After vowing, repeatedly, that the Philippine government’s innovative “transparency initiative” would continue in the West Philippine Sea, Philippine authorities put the spotlight on another flashpoint for Manila and Beijing: Bajo de Masinloc, a shoal located some 124 nautical miles off the coast of Zambales.
Over the weekend, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) accused China of harassment in Bajo de Masinloc (Panatag or Scarborough Shoal).
The BFAR accused the Chinese of using cyanide to fish (the PCG said it could not verify the claim but the National Security Council said it would investigate the allegations) while the PCG said China has reinstalled floating barriers at the mouth of the shoal to stop Filipino fisherfolk from accessing the shoal’s resource-rich but calm waters.
The “transparency initiative” is what the Philippine government – key officials in the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea, especially – call its strategy to expose China’s actions in the West Philippine Sea, particularly in Ayungin Shoal, another feature located just over 100 nautical miles of the coast of Palawan.
What’s the initiative done that makes officials want to continue doing it in 2024? Shaming the superpower China, for the most part.
“Transparency” to the Philippines means being as agile as bureaucracies can possibly be in telling Filipinos and the rest of the world about how Beijing’s mighty China Coast Guard (CCG) and its notorious Chinese Maritime Militia (CMM) work together to harass PCG and Philippine military-contracted ships on resupply missions.
Journeys to bring supplies to the lonely BRP Sierra Madre, a Navy ship that was purposefully run aground to serve as an outpost in Ayungin Shoal, are often tense and action-filled – a phenomenon captured in HD and 4k by Filipino journalists who regularly embed in rotation and resupply missions.
Ray Powell, a retired US Air Force officer who now leads the Gordian Knot Center for National Security Innovation’s efforts to expose China’s “gray zone” tactics in the South China Sea, has called the initiative a “game changer.”
Government officials themselves will tell you the same thing.
While far from being the top concern for the average Filipino, the West Philippine Sea has become a recurring topic both in traditional news media and the wild, wild world of social media.
It has scored points for the Philippines in the area of diplomacy and defense. Allies (the US) and strategic partners (Australia and Japan, most notably), and like-minded countries and blocs (the European Union, Canada, among many others) have consistently backed the Philippines in its debacles in Ayungin Shoal – from harassment by Chinese ships via shadowing or water cannoning to collisions that often leave Manila’s smaller vessels with the short end of the stick.
There’s no doubt that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has made it a policy for the Philippines to be much more assertive in the West Philippine Sea – both through its communication strategy and its defense engagements.
The tension-filled waters have been host to four iterations of “Maritime Cooperation Activity” (MCA) with an ally and a strategic partner – once with Australia in 2023, and thrice with the United States’ Indo-Pacific Command, first in 2023 and twice in 2024. The latest MCA with the United States – a fancy term for a joint air and sea patrol – was held in the first week and continued on to the 3rd week of February.
There is also no doubt that the rather swift 180-turn has left Beijing perplexed. Not too long ago in January 2023, Marcos and a sizable delegation of government officials and Philippine media, ventured off to Beijing for what was the President’s first state visit of 2023.
Rose-tinted glasses were du jour then – Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi promised a “golden age” in diplomatic ties. Just 12 months later, in December 2023, what glittered wasn’t gold, after all. Wang Yi would say by the year’s end: “China-Philippines relationship now stands at a crossroads, with its future yet to be decided.”
That future was charted bit by bit in Shanghai on January 17, when senior officials from both countries met for the Bilateral Consultation Mechanism on the South China Sea. There, Manila and Beijing promised to “improve [a] maritime communication mechanism in the South China Sea.”
The PCG, de facto frontliner in the WPS against their Chinese counterparts, had “high hopes with moderate expectations” from the discussion, according to PCG Spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela.
Expect the Philippine Navy, too, to have a more prominent role, at least in the communication strategy in the West Philippine Sea. In late January, the Navy appointed Commodore Roy Vincent Trinidad to be its spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea.
In relation to this, much has been said about Horizon 3, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)’s delayed third phase of its modernization program. But the delay has been serendipitous, giving the military time to adjust its acquisition wish list to align with a pronounced shift in its focus: from internal to external defense.
Excitement has led to speculation over what the Philippines plans to acquire, which in turn led the Department of National Defense to issue a statement in early February reminding the public that “only President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. and the Department of National Defense can issue official statements regarding firm commitments under the AFP Modernization Program.”
As of posting, the buy list in Horizon 3 – whether preliminary or final – has yet to be released.
Still, defense equipment-producing countries are already eager to offer their wares before the AFP.
In early February, the Czech Ambassador to Manila Karel Hejč “reiterated their country’s support to the modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.” According to a DND release, the Czech delegation “[highlighted] their defense products, ranging from small arms to various defense platforms. Ambassador Hejč also expressed keenness to pursue government-to-government cooperation, explore joint manufacturing arrangements, and offer financing options for potential projects.”
The Philippines and Sweden are also finalizing agreements leading up to the acquisition of defense equipment. “Sweden intends to participate in the implementation of projects under Horizon 3 of the Revised Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Program, specifically in the Multi-Role Fighter (MRF) Aircraft Acquisition Project of the Philippine Air Force,” according to a DND release.
India, ahead of the arrival of the long-awaited Brahmos missile system, sent a delegation of businessmen to flex its defense equipment and tech. According to a Philippine News Agency (PNA) report, India’s Ambassador to Manila Shambhu Kumaran said New Delhi was open to offering soft loans for defense procurements.
Kumaran, according to PNA, said India was also open to possible defense industry collaborations with the Philippines.
The jet-setting President Marcos has been Malacañang-bound for the most of the first quarter, only traveling to Brunei and Vietnam briefly in January and February 2024.
What little miles he accrued in the first two months of the year, he’s more than making up for by the end of the first quarter of the year. In end-February, Marcos will be traveling to Canberra, Australia, to a address a “rare joint sitting of Australia’s parliament,” according to Bloomberg.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed Marcos’ visit to Parliament House ahead of the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit in early March in Melbourne.
Bloomberg notes that a joint address is a “rare honor.” When Marcos marches up that podium in Parliament House to address both the House and Senate of Australia, he’ll be joining the ranks of former US presidents Barack Obama, George Bush, and China’s Xi Jinping, according to Bloomberg.
After Australia, Marcos will be heading to Germany, although details of that trip are still quite scarce. Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo has also confirmed that Marcos will be visiting the Czech Republic before the month of March ends. Again, details are scarce for that trip.
But what do these visits mean? Australia is now a strategic partner to the Philippines. Granting Marcos the honor of addressing Parliament sends a signal that Canberra is serious about deepening ties with fellow middle power Manila, as Beijing grows more aggressive in the South China Sea.
Marcos has also been keen on deepening ties with other middle powers. A visit to Germany builds on an earlier stop by German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock to Manila.
Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala also happens to have been Marcos’ first visitor from Europe as President.
Here’s another interesting thing to note: Fiala has been working on improving and expanding ties with Taiwan, much to China’s chagrin. – Rappler.com
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Eager to start charter change discussions, House lawmakers file RBH7 | Kaycee | 19/02/2024 20:28 | House leaders hold a press conference after filing Resolution of Both Houses No.7, proposing for the amendment of the Constitution via a constituent assembly, at the House of Representatives on February 19, 2024.
Rappler
MANILA, Philippines — Hoping to speed up amending the Constitution, majority leaders in the House of Representatives filed their version of a Resolution of Both Houses (RBH) proposing changes in the charter. This House-initiated document all but mirrors the Senate resolution filed last month.
Both the Senate’s RBH No. 6 and RBH No. 7 of the House will propose similar economic amendments. The two differ though in one contentious line. It is the part that says “each House vote separately” on the amendments.
House leaders vowed their full support of the Senate’s RBH6 as early as January, with Deputy Speaker Manuel Jose “Mannix” Dalipe saying the lower chamber “will no longer ask for any debates” on the Senate’s proposed provisions.
Fully committing to backstop RBH6, Dalipe, together with Senior Deputy Speaker Aurello Gonzales, and Deputy Speaker David Suarez, filed on Monday, February 19, the near-replica RBH7.
Monday’s RBH7 likewise opens up the country’s economy to foreign investors, specifically in the education and advertising sectors.
“Our RBH proposals are in toto to the Senate RBH,” said Gonzales, who also represents the 3rd legislative district of Pampanga.
The point of the House leaders in having near-clone resolutions is to expedite the charter change process. Since they said they would agree with whatever the senators want, the lower house does not have to wait for the Senate to conclude their deliberations.
With RBH7, the lower house can now also start their deliberations.
“Parehong pareho po. Kailangan na rin namin pag-usapan ang mga proposed amendments at sabayan ang Senado para mapabilis ang proseso lalo na ang target ng Senado na sabi ni Senate President Migz [Zubiri] ay matatapos nila bago mag-Holy Week.”
(It is exactly the same. We also need to start discussing the proposed amendments while the Senate is having its own sessions so we can expedite the process especially after Senate President Migz said they are eyeing to finish everything before Holy Week.)
RBH7 and RBH6 both propose amendments only to specific economic provisions. A copy of RBH7 has already been furnished to the Senate during plenary.
But the small difference which could be the biggest obstacle preventing both chambers from reaching an agreement is this: the variation filed by House lawmakers omitted the Senate’s version of having “each House vote separately” on the amendments.
In raising alarm over the People’s Initiative for charter change, Senate President Miguel Zubiri noted that the public petition was pushing for the two houses to vote jointly.
“While it seems simple, the goal is to make it easier to revise the Constitution by eliminating the Senate from the equation,” Zubiri said on January 23.
The Senate is adamant that the two houses of Congress would vote separately on amendments as the congressmen’s votes would easily outnumber the Senate’s 24 votes.
Suarez said they filed RBH7 as a means of “hastening the process” so that the proposed economic amendments are tackled by both houses of Congress simultaneously. Some congressmen also have questions for resource persons who were not queried by the senators.
Camarines Sur 2nd District Representative Luis Raymond Villafuerte said proposing the exact same changes as the Senate would also make it easier for lawmakers.
“We would rather work with what the Senate wants to amend so there’s a basis of agreements because can you imagine [if] we propose five amendments and them, three? It might prolong the process but in this case, the House of Representatives already adopted the three exact provisions that our counterparts in the Senate wants to amend,” Villafuerte said in mixed English and Filipino.
Congressmen now have the option to convene as a committee of the whole to tackle the proposals. Surigao del Norte 2nd District Representative Robert Ace Barbers said having discussions and debates in the presence of all congressmen would allay the fears of those wary of amending the constitution. Barbers said the presence of all congressmen elevates the level of discourse, instead of having discussions at the committee-level first.
Dalipe though said they would have to wait for a go signal.
“We will wait for the RBH7 to be referred by the bills and index division to the plenary and subsequently to the committee on rules or depending on the pleasure of the plenary,” said Dalipe, who also chairs the committee on rules.
“By then, we will be able to say if we will convene as a committee of the whole house.”
Congressmen said they cannot give a specific timeline for the discussion and the passage of RBH7.
Suarez said the lower chamber has “more or less three or four months of legislative time to act or tackle” the proposal.
“As to the timeline, we cannot say yet but we will try our best to really work double-time on this and if it means we have to extend our working hours in trying to hear everything, then we will do (that),” Dalipe said. – Rappler.com
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Looks like a long-running psychological war between our two chambers of Congress. But one variation is noteworthy: “… the variation filed by House lawmakers omitted the Senate’s version of having ‘each House vote separately’ on the amendments.” Why is the House of Representatives not contended with the Senate’s version?
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Out with injury, AJ Edu aims to be ‘good to go’ for Olympic qualifiers | delfin.dioquino editor | 19/02/2024 19:27 | YOUNG GUN. AJ Edu of Gilas Pilipinas.
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MANILA, Philippines – Expect AJ Edu to be back in action for the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) in July as he misses Gilas Pilipinas’ first event of the year.
Edu will sit out the opening window of the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers this February after suffering a torn meniscus while playing for the Toyama Grouses in the Japan B. League back in December.
“Hopefully, I’ll recover in a month or two and finish out my season in the B. League. I’ll be good to go for the OQTs,” Edu said on Monday, February 19, in a press conference arranged by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas.
Although set to miss the games against Hong Kong and Chinese Taipei on Thursday, February 22, and Sunday, February 25, respectively, Edu has been a sponge in practice as he learns the system of head coach Tim Cone.
The 6-foot-10 big man joined the national team in its four-day training camp at the Inspire Sports Academy in Laguna and will fly with the squad for their away game in Hong Kong.
“Really blessed to have the opportunity to still be out here and support the team and just learn the system and what coach Tim has envisioned for this squad,” said Edu.
Edu, 24, is considered one of the cornerstones of the national team program alongside fellow young guns Kai Sotto, 21, Kevin Quiambao, 22, Carl Tamayo, 23, and Dwight Ramos, 25.
They are expected to play together for the next four years leading up to the FIBA World Cup in 2027, with Cone planning to keep his 12-man lineup – which is also composed of veterans from the PBA – intact for the long haul.
“When coach Tim called me and told me about the plan that he has, I’m just really excited,” said Edu.
“I think we got a great group of players, some veterans, and also some guys that we’re building for the future with. Just really excited for what is to come.” – Rappler.com
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CONTEXT: Can a P100 daily wage increase hurt the poor? | Ralf Rivas | 19/02/2024 19:41 | HIGHER PAY. Labor groups ALSA Kontraktwal Cebu and Partido Manggagawa file a petition to increase daily wages in Cebu by P100, at the Department of Labor and Employment in Central Visayas on Thursday, April 27.
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MANILA, Philippines – The popular call to raise wages of minimum wage earners may actually hurt the poor – the same sector thought to benefit from the move.
The Senate on Monday, February 19, unanimously approved on third and final reading the bill mandating a P100-daily pay increase for minimum wage earners in the country.
Who doesn’t want higher pay amid inflation?
While deemed a popular measure, economists have raised the alarm over its unintended consequences, especially for those who are in the informal sector and are not covered by the wage increase.
The Foundation for Economic Freedom (FEF) underscored four reasons why they oppose the move.
“We are not against wage increases but we urge the Senate not to tamper with the existing mechanism of regional wage boards to adjust wages if needed. Regional wage boards take into account the interests of both employers and workers and the different cost and employment situations of various regions,” FEF said in a recent statement.
FEF said the wage increase will result in higher prices of goods, as additional across-the-board wage increase will push companies to charge higher prices.
“The subsequent wage-price spiral will trigger an erosion of the people’s purchasing power, causing widespread demands for future rounds of wage hikes,” FEF said.
With inflation jumping, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas may be forced to hike interest rates.
This will result in people shelling out more to pay for housing and car loans and credit card charges.
FEF added that increased interest rates will also force companies to reduce investments and cut back on employment.
The proposal also does not take into account the different cost factors and employment situations across different regions.
FEF warned that many small businesses may close shop or lay off workers.
FEF said the proposal doesn’t cover informal and seasonal workers, fishermen, gig economy workers, and market vendors, who will now suffer from the inflationary impact of legislated wage increases.
Instead of a nationally-legislated wage increase, FEF urged the government to liberalize food imports by reducing the tariffs on rice from 35% to 10% and abolishing or vastly expanding the import quotas for corn, chicken, pork, and fish.
“Liberalizing food imports will see an immediate fall in the price of food, thereby increasing the purchasing power of all Filipinos, whether formally or informally employed and whether senior citizens or babies.”
Those who are in favor, however, view these warnings as speculations.
IBON Foundation executive director Sonny Africa said wage hikes can lead to economic activity, as workers who earn more will spend more, unlike businesses that will not necessarily reinvest earnings.
Africa, as well as Makabayan lawmakers at the House, argued that higher earnings of workers will be spent on small businesses, and effectively spur economic growth.
Africa said that according to their estimates, large and medium firms will take just a 6.7% cut in profits, while small and micro businesses may take as much as a 7.9% cut.
IBON Foundation estimates that a family of five in Metro Manila needs P1,193 a day or P25,946 a month to live decently. Currently, Metro Manila’s minimum wage is just P610 a day. – with reports from Michelle Abad/Rappler.com
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