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Spread the love with these last-minute Valentine’s Day food gifts, date ideas | Steph Arnaldo | 13/02/2024 18:38 | MANILA, Philippines – Valentine’s Day only happens on one day – Wednesday, February 14 this year – but the kilig can last all day, everyday! Love knows no deadline, so if you’re still looking for last-minute sweet treats or romantic date ideas for the weekend, here are a few ideas you can spoil your other half with this season of love.
How about a unique cake for your one-of-a-kind partner? Local bakery Amberlyns Cake has a limited edition Valentine’s Cake Collection that includes an Edible Flower Bouquet Cake that’s wrapped in fairy lights – a beautiful creation that resembles a stunning bouquet, but is completely consumable, even until the vase!
If your partner’s favorite flower is the sunflower, Amberlyns’ Sunflower Cake looks just like it, complete with “graham soil” and edible petals, leaves, stem, and pot. The cake layers inside are available in chocolate, carrot, red velvet, vanilla, mocha, and strawberry flavors.
Amberlyns Cake also has an Instax Cake that resembles a polaroid camera, including cute couple polaroid snapshots that customers can have printed beforehand and a customized dedication.
Did you know that Korean skincare brand Nature Republic also has a makeup line? Decked in classy and girly packaging, Nature Republic is all about simplicity in beauty with its range of soft eyeshadow palettes, sheer tinted lipsticks, blushers, and many more products that make up that healthy, dewy, and fresh look.
Nature Republic’s handy Daily Palettes come in various kinds: Blooming Mood with soft browns and corals; Sensual Mood with burgundy and glittery shades; and Lovely Mood with cool pinks.
The Lip Studio collection is a sheer glow lipstick in different shades – these glossy lippies remind me of a heavily tinted lip balm that’s nourishing, vibrant, and non-drying. Your girl might like the deep Cherry Ripe, the bright Pink Daisy, the more muted Dawn Rose!
It’s hard not to smile at anything heart-shaped this season! Pizza Hut’s Bacon Ensaymada Heart Pan Pizza is available for a limited time only, and is made with the usual mozzarella cheese, bacon bits, parmesan, quezo de bola, and a light lather of cream cheese frosting on the crust on a heart-shaped pizza dough.
Love can come in the form of ice cream, like Dairy Queen’s Love KitKat Blizzard Cake, a 6-inch ice cream made with DQ’ soft-serve and chocolate fudge on a cake crunch base, topped with a layer of KiKat Blizzard and pink rose pipings.
Honeybon’s Pistachio Nougat Heart may also be the key to his/her heart – vanilla chiffon cake is layered with whipped cream, meringue, crushed pistachio bits for crunch.
Food and gaming, g? Enjoy the best of both worlds together with sukiyaki bar Inari Sukiyaki’s Valentine’s promo, in collaboration with Timezone, which is right next door. Both are located at Public Eatery at the fourth floor of Robinsons Magnolia.
Lovers can choose from Inari’s Valentine’s set menus, which include either of its USDA ribeye or USDA misuji sukiyaki bowls, sushi rolls, tempura, drinks, and 500 Timezone credits.
Seize the clay with your date at Tahanan Pottery Studio, building your love and your own ceramics at the same time! You can try beginner-friendly single session workshops, hand-building clay classes, or a pottery wheel class by renowned artist Rita Badilla-Gudiño.
Bond while learning a new skill, and take home your very own ceramic beauties, like cups, bowls, pitchers, jars, teapots, accessories, plates, and more! The studio is located at Scout Tobias, Quezon City.
How about a romantic staycation and a Japanese buffet? Century Park Hotel in Malate, Manila is offering special promos to diners at Century Tsukiji, the popular and premium Japanese buffet, and affordable room rates starting at P5,500 for its Superior, Deluxe or Park Tower Suites. It even comes with a free bottle of wine and a stuffed toy!
Lots of activities are in store at Marco Polo Ortigas during Valentine’s Day and the week ahead – the Vu’s Sky Bar and Lounge that overlooks the city skyline sunset will offer a generous grazing table and a glass of wine, accompanied by jazzy live entertainment.
You can also enjoy a special buffet dinner at Cucina with fresh seafood, cheese, charcuterie, paella, pasta, and Asian and Western dishes, as well as dessert and sangria. Marco Polo Ortigas’ authentic Cantonese restaurant Lung Hin is also hosting a curated 6-course lunch and dinner set for two, featuring king prawns, Australian beef tenderloin, and other dishes. You can cap off the meal with a stay at the hotel, which will include complimentary wine, a round of cocktails, and afternoon chocolates. – Rappler.com
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GAME SCHEDULE: 2024 PVL All-Filipino Conference | jisaga0269 | 27/04/2024 22:53 | PVL Images
The Premier Volleyball League (PVL) heads to another title showdown between the league’s top sister teams!
Defending champion Creamline and sister squad Choco Mucho dispute the PVL All-Filipino championship for the second straight conference in a best-of-three series. Here’s the schedule:
It’s all even again for the top four teams.
The semifinalists of the 2024 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference battle in a single round-robin, where the top two teams will advance to the best-of-three finals. Here’s the schedule:
Near-daily volleyball is back to satisfy fans’ hunger for action as the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) releases its 2024 All-Filipino Conference schedule, starting on February 20.
The development comes after the UAAP also released its Season 86 men’s and women’s volleyball tournament schedules on a Wednesday-Saturday-Sunday rotation.
The PVL, meanwhile, stays in its usual Tuesday-Thursday-Saturday slate, kicking off Tuesday, February 20, at the PhilSports Arena with a double-header featuring newcomers Strong Group Athletics and Capital1 taking on contenders Petro Gazz and Chery Tiggo, respectively.
Capping off the conference’s first week is an appearance at the Araneta Coliseum, with reloaded Farm Fresh challenging the Creamline dynasty in the 6 pm triple-header main event.
Fans outside NCR, however, will have fewer chances to see their favorite PVL stars live unlike the past conference, as only the Ynares Center in Antipolo, Rizal and the Sta. Rosa Sports Complex in Laguna are the announced venues away from Metro Manila.
The season-starting All-Filipino Conference is scheduled to run for three months until May 14 at the maximum, unless plans change.
Other notable elimination round matches are Choco Mucho vs. Petro Gazz on February 27, Petro Gazz vs Creamline on April 6, PLDT vs Chery Tiggo featuring multiple former F2 Logistics veterans on April 16, and the Creamline-Choco Mucho finals rematch on April 18.
Here is the entire conference schedule, as of Wednesday, February 14:
– Rappler.com
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4 new al fresco dining destinations in Angeles City | Joann Manabat - CMS | 14/02/2024 12:15 | CITY GETAWAYS. Four new restarunts in Angeles City, Pampanga.
Joann Manabat/Rappler
ANGELES CITY, Philippines – New secret garden-like cafes and restaurants have emerged in Angeles City in Pampanga, perfect for couples looking for romantic dinner dates with the sunset as their backdrop.
The city’s newest outdoor dining destinations – Piña Kitchen and Cafe, Kynd Dining, Muni Phils, and Sage by Ardesia – are just 15 minutes away from Clark Freeport Zone.
Sophisticated dining Piña Kitchen and Coffee has a tropical ambience that matches its Asian cuisine centered on Philippine fusion.
Opened in December 2023, Piña has been collaborating with the nearby Aeta community to provide their produce needs and carry out a farm-to-table experience.
On Valentine’s Day, Piña arranged a special schedule and prepared a three-course menu for couples planning. Their regular menu offerings will still be available to groups dining together. You can try some their savory piña (pineapple) dishes.
Located at Purok 2, Bliss, Barangay Sapangbato, Piña Kitchen and Cafe is open daily from 11 am to 9 pm For reservations, call or send a text message to 09620716998.
Social media accounts: @pina_kitchenandcoffee on Instagram, Piña Dining and Coffee on Facebook.
Not far from Piña is Kynd Dining locaed in the highlands of Barangay Sapangbato in Angeles City.
Inspired by Ubud town in Bali, Indonesia, Kynd offers views of the lush mountain greenery and the Angeles City watershed.
Kynd opened its doors in June 2023, serving mostly Filipino fusion dishes such as Okoy, Tinapa Paté, and Crispy Pork Kare-Kare, as well as a selection of cocktails.
Enjoy a sunset dinner in a special tablescape for Valentine’s Day at their al fresco dining area.
Accepting walk-ins on a first come, first serve basis, even on Valentine’s Day, Kynd Dining is open every Tuesday to Sunday from 11 am to 9 pm. For reservations call or text 09285100628
Social media accounts: @kynd.dining on Instagram, KYND Dining on Facebook.
Casual dining restaurant Muni’s Sunset Lounge Cafe boasts of one of the best views in the whole of Pampanga: Mount Arayat as well as the city scape.
Muni offers simple pasta dishes and sandwiches perfect for casual dinner dates.
Also located in Purok 2, Bliss, Muni opened their little paradise in May 2022 as a bed and breakfast with four kubo (nipa hut) rooms each with a bathtub and a semi-outdoor shower area. Pets are also welcome.
Muni’s Sunset Lounge Cafe is open daily from 3 pm to 9 pm. For inquiries and bookings, send a message to 09938677526.
Look for them in their socials via Instagram and Facebook: @muni.phils
A reservation-only, semi-fine dining restaurant, Sage by Ardesia is perfect for special dinner dates with your equally special someone.
Opened in January 2024, Sage sources its ingredients from a local farm.
Their must-try include pizza and pasta dishes such as Margherita and Pistachio Mortadella, as well as Tagliatelli Tartufo and Tagliatelle al Nero con Frutti di Mare. Gluten-free options are also available for any of their pasta dishes, upon request.
Located at Jose P. Laurel Avenue, Barangay Margot, Sage by Ardesia is open daily from 11 am to 10 pm They also welcome intimate parties. To book your table, you may text or call 09175340111.
Look for them via Instagram, Facebook, and Tiktok: @sagebyardesia – Rappler.com
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GAME SCHEDULE: 2023-24 PBA Commissioner’s Cup finals | delfin.dioquino editor | 1/2/2024 15:28 | PBA Images
MANILA, Philippines – Magnolia and San Miguel are the top two seeds for a reason.
The Hotshots and the Beermen duke it out for the PBA Commissioner’s Cup crown as they renew their rivalry over four years since their last championship showdown.
Determined to avenge its losses to San Miguel in the 2018 and 2019 Philippine Cup finals, Magnolia gets a crack at ending a five-year title drought.
The Hotshots last won a championship in the 2018 Governors’ Cup before finding themselves on the losing end in their two previous finals appearances.
Meanwhile, San Miguel eyes a PBA record-extending 29th title and its second in four conferences after ruling the Philippine Cup last season.
Here is the schedule of the games:
GAME 1: San Miguel wins, 103-95
GAME 2: San Miguel wins, 109-85
GAME 3: Magnolia wins, 88-80
GAME 4: Magnolia wins, 96-85
GAME 5: San Miguel wins, 108-98
GAME 6: San Miguel wins, 104-102
– Rappler.com
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Why Filipino students performed poorly in global learning assessments | Bonz Magsambol | 8/2/2024 12:30 | PHILIPPINE EDUCATION. File photo of students at Corazon Aquino Elementary School in Quezon City during the opening of classes in August 2023
Jire Carreon/Rappler
MANILA, Philippines – Before the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) 2022 rankings were released in December 2023, the Department of Education (DepEd) had already said it was not expecting “good results.”
It seemed to be the agency’s way of controlling the narrative and minimizing public backlash, if not lowering public expectations. After all, the DepEd had already faced a string of controversies in only two years of Vice President Sara Duterte’s leadership. Critics hit Duterte for what they called “misplaced priorities” in the department – from red-tagging to alleged misuse of hefty confidential funds.
“To be honest, we’re not expecting good results. So right now, we’re really focused in learning recovery. And that is why we requested that if there were realignments to be made, it should be realigned to the NLRP (National Learning Recovery Program),” DepEd Undersecretary Michael Poa said in November 2023.
Poa was right. The Philippines, once again, ended up among the countries that produced the lowest proficiency for 15-year-old students in reading, mathematics, and science, as indicated by the PISA rankings. The country ranked 77th out of 81 countries globally.
The country scored Level 1a to 1b on mathematics, reading, and science. This means that students had below minimum proficiency in all three subject areas.
At level 1a for reading, students can understand only the literal meaning of sentences or short passages. At level 1b for mathematics, they can perform only simple calculations. Lastly, at level 1a for science, they can recognize only simple scientific phenomena.
The latest PISA result begs the question: why do Filipino students continue to lag behind other countries in global education assessments?
At a Senate hearing on the 2022 PISA results on Wednesday, February 7, Senator Nancy Binay asked the DepEd if the questions in PISA were taught in schools in the country. “Paano maisasagot ng mga student ang questions kung hindi siya naituturo as part of the curriculum?” (How can the students answer the questions when these are not being taught as part of the curriculum?)
In response, educational psychologist and University of the Philippines professor Lizamarie Olegario said that the learning curriculum in the country is too much focused on mere “memorization” or the low ordering thinking skill, while PISA questions require analytical thinking.
“Hindi talaga siya natuturo sa classrooms natin. ‘Yung mga questions sa PISA ay practical real-life situations. Kasi dapat ‘yung tinuturo natin ay solving real-life problems, authentic learning dapat tayo,” she explained.
(They are really not being taught in our classrooms. The questions in PISA were practical real-life situations. Because what we should be teaching them are about solving real-life problems. We should teach them about authentic learning.)
Olegario said that teachers should veer away from telling students to just memorize math formulas and read fictional books. “In reading, students are so much exposed to fiction. In math, more on memorizing formulas. But in PISA, they need to analyze problems. In science, basically the experiments only ask them to follow steps. But in PISA, they have to imagine. They have to do experiments in their minds.”
Olegario also attributed the dismal performance of students to the failed implementation of the K to 12 program. “The K to 12 is not being implemented to the fullest. The task performance is still on the lower order of thinking skills [which] should be the application side or problem solving.”
Even before K to 12 was launched in 2012, many were already clamoring against the additional two years of basic education. Despite a classroom shortage, lack of textbooks, tables and chairs, the ambitious program was implemented. Policymakers and proponents of K to 12 marketed it to the public as a curriculum preparing “graduates for tertiary education, middle-level skills development, employment, and entrepreneurship.”
But former DepEd director for curriculum and development Joyce Andaya refuted Olegario’s claim. She said that “nowhere in the review did it come out that we focused on the lower level thinking skills.”
“In fact, in the review, there were very important findings. Number 1, there were overlapping. Number 2, there were misplaced competencies that should have been in grade 4 but perhaps in grade 7, and cognitive demands. There’s also high cognitive demands, meaning the curriculum has leaned towards high level than low thinking skills,” she said.
But what Andaya failed to point out was whether the teachers were teaching the way lessons should be taught. The DepEd is the biggest employer of teachers having some 900,000 teaching personnel across the country.
“From our initial discussions, we just found out that our learners and teachers are not familiar with the type of tests that are given by PISA,” Andaya said. She said that there’s need to strengthen “formative tests” in classrooms to match the PISA questions.
In an interview with Rappler on Wednesday, Philippine Business for Education’s Justine Raagas said that there were two major factors why Filipino students lagged behind other countries in PISA. These are lack of resources and the quality of teachers the country has.
Raagas said that the Philippines is allotting only 3% to 4% of its gross domestic product for its education budget while the global standard is 6%. “We perform poor, and we spend less,” she said.
For one, Raagas pointed out the perennial problem of classroom and textbook shortage. “We’re hounded by problems. We lack classrooms. Learners now still share textbooks.”
In 2023, the DepEd was able to build only 3,600 new classrooms. DepEd Assistant Secretary Francis Bringas said that Philippine public schools lacked some 159,000 classrooms before school opened in August 2023. At this rate, the government would be able to address the classroom shortage in 40 years, and by that time, more problems in the education sector would have come up.
Ironically, on the lack of textbooks, the DepEd left some P3 billion worth of learning materials sitting in warehouses from 2021 to 2023. A Rappler investigation revealed that the learning materials were held hostage by logistics firm Transpac due to non-payment of fees, among other things. The materials were later released after Rappler published its report in December 2023.
“Teachers are the biggest inputs to classroom learning. It’s important to have high quality teachers who are knowledgeable,” Raagas said, stressing the crucial role of teachers for some 28 million basic education students.
According to a World Bank study in 2016, the knowledge of teachers and the method they use to teach a subject were “important determinants of student learning outcomes in the Philippines.” The study showed that “knowledge of subject matter among elementary and high school teachers is low in most subjects.”
For instance, the World Bank study revealed that a mathematics teacher in high school was only able to answer 31% of the questions “completely correctly,” far from even half of the questions.
“Since the tests are closely aligned with the curriculum, the results suggest that teachers face significant challenges in teaching a considerable portion of the current K to 12 curriculum,” the study said.
How can students learn to analyze math equations if their teachers themselves are having a hard time answering them?
But Raagas said teachers shouldn’t be overburdened by the problems because they are overworked with administrative tasks rather than just teaching. “They need to be supported,” she said.
To address this, the DepEd recently released an order removing administrative tasks from teachers so they could focus on teaching. Raagas, however, said that if the DepEd would hire only 5,000 administrative staff every year, it would take years for the agency to solve the problem.
“We have to remember that we have over 47,000 schools…. Do the math, if only 5,000 year-on-year, it would take years to be completed. In the next years, we would still have overworked teachers,” Raagas said. (READ: Overworked teachers among causes of high learning poverty level in PH – experts)
For years, teachers have complained that paperwork piling up hinders them from preparing lessons.
What does the DepEd need now? Raagas said the agency needs a strong leader.
“We need a strong leadership that [will say,] ‘hey all these things need to be done.’ And the fact is that many of the reforms have to be done simultaneously,” she said.
Many critics disagreed with Duterte’s appointment as education chief. She is not an educator, and some people questioned her qualifications. But the Vice President said her experience as a mother and her background in local governance are enough. Will she take the rest of her term to learn the job? – Rappler.com
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I appreciate the candidness of Philippine Business for Education’s Justine Raagas, who stated that the agency (DepEd) needs a strong leader. However, using the adjective “strong” may be less appropriate compared to plainly stating that she lacks the experience and educational qualification to lead DepEd. It is said that VP Sara Duterte defended herself by declaring that “her experience as a mother and her background in local governance are enough.” Unfortunately, such experience and background are insufficient or appropriate for such a position. Why should an official maintain her position when not qualified or experienced? The highest responsibility belongs to President Marcos Jr. He should urgently act on this and not prolong the suffering of affected students, teachers, and parents.
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For them in 2024, there’s no forgetting the EDSA revolution | Dwight de Leon | 13/02/2024 7:00 | PEOPLE POWER. Protesters gather at the EDSA People Power Monument on February 20, 2022, to commemorate the 36th anniversary of the People Power Revolution that toppled dictator Ferdinand E. Marcos.
Angie de Silva/Rappler
No holiday, no problem.
Malacañang’s decision in October 2023 to exclude the EDSA People Power Revolution anniversary from the list of holidays in 2024 prompted democracy advocates to push back harder and mount numerous commemorative events this year, according to the grandson of democracy icons Ninoy and Cory Aquino.
“A fire was lit under us when the holiday was canceled, which was questionable because other holidays that fell on a weekend like the Chinese New Year were recognized as a holiday,” Kiko Aquino Dee said.
“This year, in particular, it is clear that there is an effort to set EDSA aside, and that’s something we stand against,” he added.
So far, the Buhay ang Edsa campaign network has listed the following events later this month:
The culmination of the bloodless revolt on February 25, 1986, kicked dictator Ferdinand E. Marcos out of Malacañang after an iron-fist rule that lasted more than a decade. His family soon went on exile in Hawaii, an experience that his son Marcos Jr. described as among the darkest days of their lives.
A decades-long project to rehabilitate their family’s image ultimately led to the Marcoses returning to power, capped by Marcos Jr.’s ascent to the presidency in 2022.
For 2024, the Palace downplayed its removal of the EDSA Revolution anniversary from the list of holidays, saying there would be “minimal socio-economic impact in declaring this day as a special non-working holiday since it coincides with the rest day for most workers and laborers.”
This year, democracy advocates are also using the EDSA revolution anniversary commemoration to amplify their opposition to charter change.
“We cannot talk about EDSA without defending the Constitution that made the victories of EDSA enjoyed by the people,” Aquino Dee said.
The present Constitution was completed months after the 1986 uprising, and ratified through a nationwide plebiscite in February 1987.
It replaced the 1973 Constitution, which helped Marcos justify his prolonged stay in office.
Around 78 student council organizations across the country have banded together to reject attempts under the Marcos administration to amend or revise the present Constitution.
“It is our firm belief that charter change will not address the worsening education crisis where our learners are failing globally in reading, mathematics, and science,” said Kris Felices, a member of the alliance. “We fervently urge the government and other policy makers to concentrate their efforts in addressing pressing concerns affecting the youth.” – Rappler.com
(Quotes in Filipino were translated into English.)
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Philippine power transmission monopoly NGCP questions rate review amid calls for refund | Ailla Dela Cruz | 13/02/2024 11:27 | The Supreme Court petition filed by the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) to halt a long-delayed review of its rates could keep power costs high and delay potential refunds to consumers.
NGCP is a private monopoly that operates the country’s power transmission lines – the grid – linking power generators to distribution utilities such as Meralco and electric cooperatives nationwide. Costs incurred by the NGCP are passed on to consumers as part of their electric bills, accounting for about 10% of the total bill based on estimates.
The NGCP suffered a setback in November last year when the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), in a preliminary review of its rates from 2016 to 2022, the fourth regulatory period (RP), cut its allowable expenditures by half.
The amount included disallowances worth P3.7 billion, which were spent for public relations and advertising costs, among others, that ERC said should not be charged to consumers.
Senators have been among the most vocal in calling for the ERC to order refunds to consumers.
But the NGCP questioned before the Supreme Court new rules adopted by the ERC when it reviewed the rates of the transmission operator. It sought a temporary restraining order (TRO) on the ERC proceedings.
NGCP lawyer Jerome Versoza announced this move in December 2023, as the ERC began proceedings for the fifth RP covering the years 2023 to 2027.
A TRO, if granted, would restrain “the honorable commission from continuing further proceedings with concern to the fourth RP application and the fifth RP application,” the NGCP lawyer said.
The fourth RP, covering the years 2016 to 2022, is the subject of the November preliminary review, whose final determination is expected in the first quarter of 2024. The fifth RP covers the current period, from 2023 to 2027.
Pete Ilagan, a consumer affairs advocate and former energy official, warned that a Supreme Court intervention would “delay the reset process, definitely.”
“But the bigger issue is, the application for the fourth regulatory process is still pending, and it’s already past the period,” he said. “[It is] a clear case of regulatory failure.”
During the December 2023 hearing, ERC presiding officer, Maria Corazon Gines, took note of Versoza’s manifestation, but proceeded with the pre-trial for the fifth review as the Supreme Court had yet to act on the NGCP’s plea.
“As there is still no TRO or preliminary injunction, then we will continue with the proceedings,” she said.
NGCP’s counsels stayed in the room but did not comment during the two-hour proceedings.
The details of the NGCP petition remain under wraps. News organizations, including the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ), have repeatedly sought a copy from NGCP, but were denied.
The PCIJ has also requested a copy from the ERC, but was refused. The regulator argued that the PCIJ was “not a party to the said case.”
“The ERC is enjoined to observe the sub judice rule (which restricts comments and disclosures pertaining to judicial proceedings), consequently, [we are] constrained to deny your FOI (freedom of information) request,” it wrote in a letter to the PCIJ.
NGCP has publicly questioned ERC’s preliminary review of its rates because the ERC – hobbled by internal issues and later on, the COVID-19 pandemic – changed the rules governing the review process.
Critics have found NGCP’s transmission rates, set in 2009, to be “excessive.”
The ERC’s preliminary review of NGCP’s rates from 2016 to 2022 cut NGCP’s revenue requirement, essentially, the transmission operator’s allowable expenses, to more than half.
In its application, NGCP sought a revenue requirement worth P387.80 billion for 2016 to 2020, which meant an annual average of P129 billion. But the ERC, based on its initial review, found that allowable revenue should only be at P183 billion for the period, or about P36.67 billion a year.
The NGCP, from 2016 to 2020, operated on an interim maximum annual revenue (iMAR), approved by the ERC under a different leadership.
This iMAR, said NGCP Assistant Vice President Cynthia Alabanza, was only an estimate but was approved by the ERC as there was no regulatory review at that time.
“Just like when Congress hasn’t approved a government budget, the government would spend based on what was previously allowed. So that’s what we were doing…we were spending based on what was allowed [in the third regulatory period],” Alabanza said in Filipino in a news conference in November 2023.
But the iMAR could be subject to review and may be revised, based on ERC rules.
Majority of the ERC’s cuts in the preliminary review came from three major items:
These three items were worth P104 billion during the five-year review period.
The net efficiency adjustment is the incentive given to the NGCP for achieving “cost reductions in controllable costs,” while revenue under-recoveries are expense items not recovered during the previous regulatory period.
ERC said a decision on both items would be made in the final determination of the review due this quarter.
It is not, however, keen on granting a net performance incentive to the transmission operator.
This incentive is based on a performance incentive scheme (PIS), a set of service and operational performance criteria, which is supposedly set before the beginning of every regulatory period.
If the NGCP meets these criteria, it is rewarded with an incentive. Otherwise, penalties may be imposed.
In its application for the fourth rate reset, the NGCP adopted the PIS set during the third regulatory period. But the ERC said it was “constrained from upholding this position.”
“Considering that the PIS and its factors have not been established prior to the commencement of the fourth regulatory period, it follows that NGCP does not have the basis to enforce the incentives. Conversely, there appears to be no grounds for the imposition of penalties,” the November ERC order read.
Former ERC commissioner Alfredo Non said the ERC position was debatable because the NGCP should be recognized for meeting the criteria for incentives in the previous regulatory period.
“It is not NGCP’s fault that ERC failed to provide parameters for the fourth regulatory period,” said Non, who was ERC commissioner from 2012 to 2018.
ERC said the disallowances were intended to protect consumers. (To be concluded: NGCP told to ‘practice discipline’ to protect consumers) – Rappler.com
This story was first published by the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism. Republished with permission.
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No Eya Laure, no problem: UST Tigresses stay confident ahead of new UAAP season | jisaga0269 | 13/02/2024 20:12 | LEADER. Bernadette Pepito reacts in-game in the UAAP Season 85 women's volleyball tournament.
UAAP Season 85 Media Team
MANILA, Philippines – The UST Golden Tigresses struck fear in the hearts of all teams, contenders or otherwise, in the UAAP Season 85 women’s volleyball tournament.
Bannered by superstar spiker Eya Laure and fellow veterans Imee Hernandez and Milena Alessandrini, the España-based hitters busted lengthy winning streaks by both eventual champion La Salle and runner-up NU before booking the last Final Four ticket with a 10-4 record.
The Tigresses, however, ran out of their giant-slaying magic in the semifinals, as they bowed to top-seeded La Salle, marking the end of their star trio’s collegiate careers.
Now with UST’s Season 86 campaign kicking off on Sunday, February 18, its holdovers are more than ready to keep their contending fire alive and possibly book a return trip to the Final Four.
“We’re kind of a rebuilding team with a lot of young players, and it’s going to be difficult since Ate Eya and the other seniors were huge losses for us,” bared captain Detdet Pepito, the reigning UAAP Best Libero.
“But we saw in our previous league, the Shakey’s V-League, we were okay. We went there without expectations and we performed well without pressure. We saw that we can compete even without Ate Eya.”
Apart from Pepito, UST will lean on a plethora of rising prospects to carry bigger burdens, like Season 85 revelation Reg Jurado, young setter Cassie Carballo, and wingers Jonna Perdido, Xyza Gula, and Angeline Poyos.
Watching from afar in the PVL, Chery Tiggo’s Laure couldn’t be prouder that the young Tigresses continue to bring the same ferocity that she gave UST for the last 12 years.
“I’ve seen their progress, and those who are stepping up for the team, since I saw their games in the offseason,” Laure said during the PVL Media Day last Sunday, February 11.
“Of course, I’m very proud and confident of the UST [team], knowing they will fight for UST the way we fought for it before. They’ll fight for this. They may be little, but they have a big heart.”
When asked about who could step up for the team, Laure was particularly impressed by the Tigresses’ middle blockers like Pia Abbu and Janna Torres, after playing against them in a tune-up game last January at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.
“The MBs (middle blockers) of UST now, I really saw their improvement from last year to this year,” Laure said.
However, the 24-year-old former UST captain thinks striking a balance across all positions is what the team needs for the upcoming season.
“Being strong in some positions would not suffice. It really needs to be a team effort to win,” Laure said.
UST will figure in an uphill climb back to prominence in Season 86, as the likes of La Salle, NU, Adamson, and FEU all have strong cases as early contenders. – Rappler.com
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LIST: 10 spots in Cebu for a romantic Valentine’s Day 2024 | jsitchon0312 | 13/02/2024 19:58 | ROMANCE. A simple dinner date or a trip to the museum is guaranteed to sweep your partner right off of their feet.
Rappler
CEBU, Philippines – ‘Tis the season of hearts, flowers, and kisses once again in the romantic island of Cebu, and because of this, it’s time to take your lover on a sweet and intimate getaway.
There are plenty of options in Cebu. From visiting art museums or playing in arcades to baking cupcakes or stargazing, you definitely won’t run out of places to go.
Some of these places, especially the newly established spots, even provide special discounts for couples going out on dates on February 14.
Of course, it’s worth mentioning that dates don’t have to be expensive and that what really matters is the time and effort you put into making a memory worth keeping with the one you truly care about.
So, for our lovebirds in Cebu, we’ve listed down 10 spots that you can go to for a romantic Valentine’s Day 2024:
Museums are one of the best places to go to when trying to know more about your partner on a deeper level, especially if it’s the first date.
At the National Museum of the Philippines in Cebu, you’ll find plenty of art installations and paintings that can potentially invoke your significant other’s “inner artist.”
The museum also offers galleries that showcase Cebu’s richness in history, culture, and nature, allowing couples to engage in meaningful conversations on life and everything in between.
The best part is that admission is free. If you’d like to go there this Valentine’s Day, it’s open from 9 am to 6 pm and is located in Plaza Independencia, near Fort San Pedro.
Getting vulnerable with your partner can be difficult but if you need help with expressing your emotions, you can try going to the Museum of Emotions in Ayala Center Cebu.
This experiential museum provides quirky art displays that correspond to every feeling on the spectrum. Each of the galleries carry a dominant color and Insta-worthy booths to help couples connect with their emotions.
“The purpose of the museum is to educate its guests that everyone’s emotions matter and to create a space where their feelings are understood,” the museum’s website reads.
Tickets to the museum cost around P499 and include a 2-hour “self-care” tour. The museum is open between 12 pm to 9 pm daily and the last call to enter the museum is at 7 pm.
For Valentine’s Day, paying couples can bring a “third-wheel” to enjoy the museum for free.
Nothing quite beats the smell of romance like the loving fragrance of freshly baked cupcakes made just for you. At Bakespace PH, you’ll have plenty of resources at your disposal to make the perfect cake for the one you love.
Found in Paseo Arcenas in Banawa, Cebu City, Bakespace PH is the queen city’s first experiential DIY baking studio.
For a minimum of P439, you can book a session to bake chocolate chip cookies, brownies, and artisanal cakes. Each of the sessions last around 2 and a half hours, depending on the difficulty of the cake, and you can also take the lesson either alone or with a partner.
This Valentine’s Day, Bakespace PH is offering a Duo promo for P1,749 for a Premium Red Velvet Cake session. Check it out on their official Facebook page here.
Bakespace PH is open daily from 10 am to 9:30 pm.
Painting is a great activity to do when you just want to let loose and be creative. Doing it with the one you love, of course, makes it even better!
This Valentine’s Day, why not try painting bears (you read that right — bears)! The Bear Cave art studio provides a selection of white bear-shaped figure canvases for art lovers to design and paint over using fluid art techniques.
Instructors will be present during sessions to help you learn how to paint abstract and colorful patterns. The studio currently offers packages ranging from P350 to P15,000, depending on the size of the bear you want to paint.
For February, the studio provides special couple packages so that you and your significant other can have bears that you can paint and exchange with. Price starts at P2,300.
If you’d like to try this out, The Bear Cave is located at One Paseo in Banilad, Cebu City. They are open from Monday to Friday, 11 am to 7 pm.
If you’ve watched The Fault In Our Stars then this spot in Barangay Bonbon, Cebu City is definitely the place for you.
At the Akutsu Cebu Observatory, couples can get great views of the stars and heavenly bodies for only P599. Besides stargazing, you get access to high-grade telescopes, an educational tour, and a meal good for one serving.
The observatory is open daily from 4 pm to 10 pm. If you’d like to know more about the facility, visit their official Facebook page here.
If street food is more of your thing, then heading to Barangay Pasil in Cebu City is one of the best places to go for a unique romantic experience.
In Pasil, there are plenty of food stands that sell the famous Tuslob Buwa — an exotic dish made from pig’s brains, liver, and pork broth. Students, especially those going out on dates, flock to the neighborhood for the special meal.
The rates usually range between P100 to P200 for a set that includes the Tuslob Buwa and pieces of “puso” (hanging rice).
Love is a dance made for two and at Maya Mexican Restaurant, Salsa Night just so happens to land on Valentine’s Day!
Located at Crossroads in Cebu City, the modern Mexican restaurant offers a wide variety of delicious meals, a collection of quality liquor, and even a dance floor for passionate lovers.
Every Wednesday at 9 pm, the upper floor of the restaurant opens its ballroom where guests can vibe and move to the rhythm of their favorite salsa and reggaeton music. There are even professionals who can provide quick lessons.
The restaurant opens at 5 pm and closes at 12 midnight. If you’d like to book a table, you can contact them on their official Facebook page here.
At the end of the day, a glass of wine and a full-course dinner makes for a very intimate evening for lovers both old and new. This Valentine’s, Cur8, a must-try modern Asian restaurant, has prepared a specially-curated menu for those who are in love.
The menu starts with Cur8’s Pork Trotter & Scallop Soup and is followed by a Cold Vermicelli Salad. Guests will be given the choice of getting their specialty Beef Short Rib Curry or Smoked Chicken for the main course.
And for dessert? Caramelized Coconut Mousse and a complimentary glass of wine, accompanied by a special violin performance for that “extra sprinkle of romance.”
The entire dining experience costs P2,500 and bookings can be made on the Cur8’s social media page here. The restaurant is located in the Banilad Town Centre in Cebu City and is open daily from 11 am to 12 am.
Sometimes, a cozy night out is all you need for romance to bloom. If you want to keep it “low-key,” couples can chill at the Buhi Bar at Sheraton Cebu Mactan Resort in Punta Engaño, Lapu-Lapu City.
Besides the Instagrammable interior of the bar’s cave-like structure, couples can enjoy seasoned drinks crafted by their in-house mixologists and music by local DJ’s.
Couples can try Buhi’s signature drinks and dishes like the Buhi Mule, a mix of vodka, orange, citrus, and ginger ale. There’s also the Lardo Crostini, a combination of Italian cured pork fat with honey on toasted bread.
While it’s located inside the resort, Buhi is open for all walk-in guests. The bar is open from 2 pm to 12 am and follows a first-come-first-serve policy. – Rappler.com
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Where do ashes for Ash Wednesday come from? | Paterno Esmaquel II | 13/02/2024 21:40 | 'SILAB-SALA.' Our Lady of the Assumption parish administrator Father Hans Magdurulang leads the 'Silab-Sala' or the burning of palm fronds that will be used for Ash Wednesday, in Malate, Manila on Febuary 13, 2024.
Angie de Silva/Rappler
MANILA, Philippines – The penitential season of Lent begins on Wednesday, February 13, as Catholics have their foreheads marked with ashes to symbolize repentance from sin.
Have you ever wondered where ashes for Ash Wednesday come from?
The Roman Missal, the book of approved readings and prayers for Catholic Masses, indicates the source of ashes used on Ash Wednesday: “In the course of today’s Mass, ashes are blessed and distributed. These are made from the olive branches or branches of other trees that were blessed the previous year,” the Roman Missal states.
Father Francis Eugene Fadul explained to Rappler that “the preparation for Ash Wednesday starts on the preceding day.”
On this day called Shrove Tuesday, Fadul said that “the palms used during last year’s Palm Sunday are burned.” Then, “the ashes are collected and are prepared for the liturgical celebration the next day.”
The practice in the Philippines “is mixing the ashes with holy water,” added Fadul, an officer of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference Episcopal Commission on Clergy.
Fadul also said the marking of ashes expresses two realities: “that we are dust and to dust we shall return, and that we are invited to conversion and to believe in the Gospel.”
Father Jun Sescon, rector of the Greenbelt Chapel, said that “the palms are usually burned on the Sunday or Tuesday preceding Ash Wednesday.”
“In some churches, it is done in public with a simple rite of blessing. Usually Psalm 51 (Miserere) is prayed or sung when the palms are burned,” Sescon said in a Facebook message to Rappler.
Father Randy Stice, an official of the US bishops’ conference, explained to the Catholic News Agency why the Catholic Church uses Palm Sunday branches for Ash Wednesday.
“Those branches herald Holy Week, the suffering death and resurrection of Christ,” Stice said. He added that these branches help Catholics identify with Jesus during Lent. “It connects us with events in Christ’s own life.”
From Palm Sunday branches to Ash Wednesday ashes, it’s a full circle reminding Catholics that life on earth is not forever. – Rappler.com
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Robert Bolick-led NLEX deepens San Beda core, signs 6th ex-Red Lion Baser Amer | jisaga0269 | 13/02/2024 16:15 | CLUTCH. Baser Amer deals his former team a heartbreaker.
PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines – NLEX continues to invest in its guard depth ahead of the 2024 PBA Philippine Cup.
Three months after signing former Japan B. League import Robert Bolick to a three-year deal, the Road Warriors are pairing him up with another proud San Beda University product, ex-Blackwater star Baser Amer.
“I’m excited to join coach Frankie [Lim] and other Bedistas here with NLEX,” Amer said in Filipino in a statement. “I will do my best to help us win a championship.”
Amer, a four-time NCAA champion with the Red Lions, is the sixth San Beda signee of the reloading Red Warriors, joining Bolick, Anthony Semerad, Dave Marcelo, Jake Pascual, and Clint Doliguez. He also played under Lim during their NCAA title runs.
The three-time PBA All-Star is expected to slide into a sizable role right away as a serviceable combo guard, as NLEX is dealing with injuries to floor generals Matt Nieto and captain Kevin Alas.
Prior to parting ways with Blackwater, Amer’s role was diminished to only five games in the 2023 Commissioner’s Cup, averaging just 4.2 points as the Bossing opted to go with a younger back court of Rey Suerte, RK Ilagan, James Kwekuteye, and 2023 No. 2 rookie pick Christian David.
The 31-year-old Amer is expected to boost NLEX in the upcoming Philippine Cup after the Road Warriors lagged to just a 4-7 record in the import-laden Commissioner’s Cup. – Rappler.com
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Date night inflation: Cost of flowers and condoms this Valentine’s Day 2024 | Ralf Rivas | 14/02/2024 8:00 | UNIQUE. Vendors at the Dangwa flower market in Manila introduce their functional bouquets, a combination of flowers with elegant kitchenwares, to sell to patrons looking for unique presents for Valentine's Day, on February 9, 2024.
Rappler
MANILA, Philippines – In recent years, lovebirds have been more mindful of costs when planning their romantic outings amid inflation.
This year, however, prices have steadied, easing the once-soaring expenses. Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed that inflation has cooled.
For those going on a date on Valentine’s Day, they might be happy to learn that restaurant inflation has eased to 5.4% as of end-January, softer than the 7.7% the same month a year ago. Accommodation service eased to 2.7% from 4.5%, while salons and personal grooming cooled to 5.1% from 7.1%.
Heading to that romantic restaurant has eased as well amid somewhat stable gas prices, with overall transport inflation inching up to just 0.4% from 11.1% last year.
If you intend to cook for your special someone this Valentine's Day, it would be more cost-efficient to do so.
Meat and vegetable prices have deflated to -0.7% and -20.8%, respectively.
Meanwhile, chocolates and wine prices have remained steady for the past years.
Prices of flowers and stuffed toys remained quite varied, depending on the quality and quantity you intend to give to your loved one.
One red rose from Flowerstore.ph will cost P899, while white and pink roses cost less. Stuffed toys from Blue Magic are quite reasonable, with the cheapest at P379.
If you feel that Valentine's Day is the best time to propose, it will be quite expensive. For those planning to buy 99 red roses, the cost is P12,699, while the ultimate proposal bundle, which has various flower arrangements, costs P13,499.
If you want to give 200 red roses, that will cost you a whopping P25,499.
For those planning to go to love hotels after a date, the average cost of a standard room in Victoria Court is at P1,470. The cheapest room in Sogo is P1,195.
Victoria Court's thematic room, which features interiors resembling the Moulin Rouge, will cost you and your partner over P5,000. Sogo's executive garage suite is at P2,020.
Condom prices vary per brand. Trust remains to be the cheapest, with a pack of three condoms at P30 to P40.25, according to prices posted by Watson's.
The cheapest Durex condoms cost P45.75, while the thin and ribbed condom variant is priced at P183.25.
The most affordable condom offering of Premiere costs P94.25, while its glow in the dark condoms sells for P149.
A box of birth control pills ranges between P59 to P905, depending on the brand. Pregnancy tests cost between P48 to P175.
– Rappler.com
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QCPD replaces cops involved in violent dispersal of PUP students | Jairo Bolledo | 13/02/2024 18:59 | PROTEST. Students from PUP hold a protest in front of the House of Representatives' north gate on February 12, 2024. The violent dispersal of students occurred in the House's south gate.
Christ Burnet Ramos/ Rappler
MANILA, Philippines – The Quezon City Police District (QCPD) replaced its police personnel involved in the violent dispersal of protesting college students.
“Pansamantala ay pinalitan natin ng mga bagong CDM (Civil Disturbance Management) contingent ang mga nakatalaga sa HOR (House of Representatives) na siyang nangangalaga ng kaayusan at kapayapaan sa paligid ng House of Representatives at magpapatupad ng mga probisyon ng Batas Pambansa 880,” the police district said in a a statement on Tuesday, February 13.
Student groups from #PUP protested outside the House of Representatives today amid the ongoing hearing of three bills that seek to amend PUP's charter and elevate it to a national university status. The groups called for budget increase and making the uni free of privatization. pic.twitter.com/JvfBlVTWTo
(Temporarily, we replaced with a new CDM contingent those personnel in the HOR assigned to ensure peace and order at the perimeter of the House of Representatives and enforce Batas Pambansa No. 880.)
In response to Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte’s order, the QCPD also launched a probe into its cops to check if the personnel in the violent dispersal of Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) students violated Philippine National Police (PNP) procedures. The cops will undergo the Internal Affairs Service’s investigation.
On Monday night, February 12, Belmonte condemned the violent dispersal, saying such acts have “no space” in the city. The mayor added that Quezon City is a safe space where people can freely hold assemblies and express themselves.
Pahayag ni Quezon City Mayor Joy BelmonteMariin nating kinokondena ang dispersal ng mga pulis sa mga estudyante na nagpapahayag ng kanilang saloobin sa isang mahalagang isyu sa House of Representatives. pic.twitter.com/YKZhsanlwP
“Pinaalalahanan ko rin si QCPD chief [Brigadier] General Red Maranan na hindi natin kukunsintihin ang ganitong gawi. Agad namang inatasan ni [Briagadier] General Maranan ang Internal Affairs Service na imbestigahan kung may paglabag sa Police Operational Procedures,” Belmonte said.
(I also reminded QCPD chief Brigadier General Red Maranan that we will not condone acts like these. Brigadier Maranan immediately ordered the Internal Affairs Service to probe into any possible violations committed under the Police Operational Procedures.)
Belmonte said Maranan already met with the commander of the Batasan police station and told him to teach his subordinates how to deal with protests properly.
The QC mayor’s remarks have weight because under section 49(b) of Republic Act No. 6975 or the Department of the Interior and Local Government Act of 1990, city or town mayors can “exercise operational supervision and control over PNP units in their respective jurisdiction.”
This was not the first time Belmonte went against QC cops. On multiple occasions, Belmonte raised concerns over the actions committed by the QCPD:
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR), in a statement on Monday, also expressed concern over the incident. The constitutional commission gave reminders that civilians, like students, have a constitutional right to peaceably assemble.
“While the Commission recognizes the role of law enforcers in ensuring peace and security across the nation, it is important to take note that this comes with the responsibility of being committed to a human rights-based approach,” the CHR said.
The Makabayan bloc, consisting of various progressive groups, also slammed the violent incident. The group also called for the relief of Lieutenant Colonel Jerry Castillo, Batasan police commander, saying that “more violence can be expected if such actions remain without any measure of accountability.”
On Monday, PUP students held a protest at the Batasan to raise concerns over the National Polytechnic University (NPU) bills being deliberated by the lower chamber’s committee on higher and technical education. The bills seek to declare PUP, one of the premier state universities in the country, as a national university that will pave the way for better funding.
But the QCPD cops welcomed the protest with force – they chased the students with truncheons and riot shields, and then cornered and dispersed them brutally, the bloc said. The students were unable to hold a program, and at least seven suffered from wounds and bruises.
The protest was a way of PUP students to support the provisions mandating a higher budget for PUP, and to protest against the provisions that will allow the state university to enter into joint ventures with private entities for profit. Other concerns raised by the students were privatization and imposition of fees. The Makabayan bloc added that students were not properly consulted about the said policies before the Monday hearing.
PUP’s official student publication, The Catalyst, captured the violent dispersal, where the cops were seen pushing the students and hitting them with truncheons.
The right to assemble is a constitutionally enshrined right under the bill of rights. Article III, section 4 of the 1987 Constitution states that “no law shall be passed abridging the freedom of speech, of expression, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble and petition the government for redress of grievances.”
Holding rallies in the Philippines, however, is regulated by law. The Public Assembly Act of 1985‘s section 4 states that a written permit is necessary to organize a public assembly in a public place, but won’t be needed if the assembly will be held in a freedom park. But the same law mandates peaceful dispersal of assemblies.
“Definitely, the police went beyond, and even violated, the requirements of the Constitution and the Public Assembly Act. It was a peaceful demonstration, and regardless of whether they have a rally permit or not, they cannot be dispersed by the police,” National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers president Ephraim Cortez told Rappler.
“The Public Assembly Act (BP 880) allows dispersal when a demonstration is violent. If it is peaceful, the policy is to observe maximum tolerance,” he added.
Police officers are also mandated to observe maximum tolerance – which means that all law enforcers should observe the highest degree of restraint during public assemblies or dispersals.
The PNP operational procedures, which govern how the police should exercise their duty in protecting citizens, also mandate the police to exercise maximum tolerance. – Rappler.com
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Pasig City shuts down online gambling outlets over addiction, human trafficking | Ralf Rivas | 13/02/2024 13:46 | CLOSURE. Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto orders a shutdown of all online gambling outlets in the city.
Vico Sotto official Facebook page
MANILA, Philippines – Pasig City has shut down all forms of online gambling, with Mayor Vico Sotto noting that the social costs far outweigh the financial benefits.
Sotto ordered last Friday, February 9, the shutdown of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), as well as e-games and e-bingo.
“Wala naman silang magandang naidudulot sa lipunan. Ang dami nang nalulong, meron pang nagpakamatay at kaso ng human trafficking na kaugnay nito. Bukod pa ito sa lagayan na nangyayari sa konseho noon,” Sotto said in a Facebook (FB) post.
(They don’t really contribute anything good to society. Many have fallen into addiction, some have even committed suicide, and there are cases of human trafficking associated with it. This is aside from the corruption happening within the council before.)
“... Naging simbolo ito ng korupsyon sa amin e. Kasi open secret, in previous city councils, nilalagyan yung city council para i-approve, magbigay ng letter ng no objection,” he told Radyo5 in an interview on Tuesday.
(This became a symbol of corruption in our city. It was an open secret, in previous city councils, they would bribe the city council to approve, to issue a letter of no objection.)
Sotto said that in 2022, more than 20 online gambling establishments were told to cease operations by end-2023 when their business permits would expire, but 18 e-games and e-bingo operators did not heed Pasig City Ordinance 55 Series of 2022.
“Yung 18 na ito, ang kukulit e… walang balak sumunod sa batas natin. Hanggang February bukas sila, so pinasara na namin (These 18, they were pesky, they had no plans to follow our laws. They were open until February, so we ordered them closed),” he said.
“Last Friday, I gave the order to our BPLD [Business Permits and Licensing Department], with police assistance, to shut them down,” the mayor said in his FB post.
Sotto said state-owned Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) filed a temporary restraining order (TRO) against the Pasig City’s decision, but it was denied. The case, however, is on appeal.
He said the closures would affect Pasig City’s revenues, but Sotto said the social costs outweigh the benefits of closing down these establishments.
“To be very honest, hindi naman ako anti-gambling 100%…pero itong mga gambling establishments, wala naman silang magandang naidudulot sa ating lipunan, so ba’t di na lang natin sila paalisin sa lungsod natin,” the mayor, who is on his second term, said.
(To be very honest, I’m not 100% anti-gambling, but these gambling establishments bring no benefits to society, so why don’t we just make them leave our city.)
Sotto took over the city in 2019, defeating then-Mayor Bobby Eusebio, whose clan had ruled Pasig for decades. He was reelected in 2022.
He said that he once inspected a POGO office, where out of some 100 employees, he only saw one Filipino working there.
“Not a lot of Filipinos were affected by the closure… We don’t see any value in them being here in the city,” Sotto said.
He acknowledged that it’s impossible to completely stamp out gambling from the city, since there are now many games online.
“Hindi naman completely mawawala, lalo na ngayon, sa cellphone lang, ‘di ko naman kayang pigilan yung mga nangyayari na lahat online. Kung may financial service provider ka lang sa cellphone, ilang click lang, pero at least mabawasan,” Sotto said.
(It won’t be completely eliminated, especially now, with a cellphone, I cannot stop it since everyone is online. If you have a financial service provider on your cellphone, it just takes several clicks, but at least it will be reduced.)
He also clarified that the state-owned Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) lottery outlets are not included in the closures.
The National Economic and Development Authority earlier estimated that POGO’s contribution to the economy has declined in recent years. As of 2022, POGOs remitted P53.1 billion, which is 0.31% of the Philippines’ gross domestic product (GDP).
The figure is much lower than the P104.5 billion in 2019, during the peak of POGOs, which accounted for 0.67% of GDP.
The amount includes operational expenses, salaries, and benefits of employees, as well as office rent.
Meanwhile, total taxes collected from POGOs in 2021 reached P7.38 billion, lower than the P12.46 billion collected in 2020 or the first year of the coronavirus pandemic, and also lower than the P14.44 billion in 2019 or the peak of POGO operations.
The House games and amusements panel on Monday, February 12, approved a bill banning POGOs in the country. – Rappler.com
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People’s initiative for Cha-Cha lead PIRMA non-existent since 2004 – SEC | Bonz Magsambol | 13/02/2024 12:36 | NO LONGER EXISTS. People’s Initiative for Reform, Modernization and Action lead convenors Atty. Alex Avisado and Noel Oñate attends the senate hearing on the signature campaign for people’s initiative on January 30, 2024.
Angie de Silva/Rappler
MANILA, Philippines – The People’s Initiative for Modernization and Reform Action (PIRMA) has been non-existent since February 10, 2004, the date the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) revoked its registration for failing to submit reportorial requirements.
This was revealed during the Senate inquiry on the people’s initiative to amend the Constitution on Tuesday, February 13.
“Their certificate of registration has been revoked since February 10, 2004,” said SEC’s Katrina Jean Miranda, when asked by Senator Imee Marcos to confirm the information in relation to PIRMA’s existence.
PIRMA first registered with the SEC on March 12, 1997.
Miranda said that since 2004, PIRMA has not been submitting their documents for registration with the SEC, based on the agency’s records.
“What we only have are their articles of incorporation and by-laws which they submitted when they applied for registration,” she said.
In response, PIRMA lead counsel Alex Avisado said that they had submitted the corporation’s updated email and contact persons through the SEC portal just after the Senate held its first inquiry in early February.
“You are going to update the website of a corporation that has not been in existence in 20 years. Wala na ito. Multo na ito. Wala nang PIRMA. Bente anyos na, ano pa pagpipilitan natin dito (This is already non-existent. This is ghost. No more PIRMA. It’s been 20 years, what are we pushing for here)?” said Marcos, chairman of Senate committee on electoral reforms.
Miranda also said that the proper re-registration process for PIRMA is to apply for petition to lift the order of revocation, and not just to submit updated details online.
In response, Avisado said, “We cannot file a petition for reinstatement unless we update the portal through online submissions.” He added that their next step is to submit to the SEC the names of the new PIRMA directors.
In previous Senate inquiry, PIRMA lead convenor Noel Oñate disclosed that the corporation spent P55 million for a paid advertisement on the supposed “failures” of the 1987 Constitution to highlight the need for charter change. PIRMA has yet to disclose the list of donors for the TV ad.
Oñate had also earlier disclosed that House Speaker Martin Romualdez “helped” them in the signature campaign they initiated for the supposed people’s initiative.
Amid questions surrounding the people’s initiative, the Commission on Elections decided to stop proceedings related to charter change. – Rappler.com
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Highly noted: “The People’s Initiative for Modernization and Reform Action (PIRMA) has been non-existent since February 10, 2004.” So, is the recent People’s Initiative initiated by a “bogus” or “dead” or “ghost” organization? Is this an action that defrauds the Filipino People?
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New battle shapes up: It’s TV5 + RPN vs GMA | gdecastro0289 | 13/02/2024 9:42 | Mediaquest Holdings Group CEO Jane Basas (2nd right) and TV5 CEO Guido Zaballero (3rd left) formalize a deal with Nine Media President Benjamin Ramos (3rd right) on RPTV at the TV5 headquarters in Mandaluyong City on February 5, 2024.
MANILA, Philippines – On February 5, 2024, Manny V. Pangilinan’s Mediquest Holdings Incorporated/TV5 and the Cabangon-Chua family’s Nine Media Corporation formalized a “content distribution, sales and marketing services agreement” for the new channel RPTV.
What’s the big picture?
The deal essentially combines the broadcasting backbones of these companies to boost the content of Mediaquest/TV5 as it tries to put up a more respectable competition to an industry dominated by GMA Network Incorporated (GMA), following the exit in 2020 of ABS-CBN Corporation from broadcasting. Mediaquest is hoping to finally turn in a profit for TV5 after Pangilinan acquired it for P5 billion from ABC Development Corporation in 2009.
It’s now essentially Kapatid, with significant Kapamilya content, getting a new Kasama versus Kapuso.
RPTV allows TV5 to concentrate on entertainment programming with a bit of news. TV5 has beefed up its flagship evening news program, Frontline Pilipinas, adding former GMA News reporter Jiggy Manicad, Jervi Li, and Mikee Reyes to ex-Kapamilyas Cheryl Cosim and Julius Babao as anchors.
A post shared by TV5 (@tv5manila)
Frontline Pilipinas competes with GMA’s 24 Oras and ABS-CBN’s TV Patrol, the latter shown on A2Z on free tv and the Kapamilya Channel on cable tv.
With comedian Joey de Leon under its wing, TV5 now has comedy game show Celebrity Samurai as the pre-program to Frontline Pilipinas competing with GMA-7’s Family Feud as the pre-program to 24 Oras.
Mediaquest Holdings Incorporated president and CEO Jane Basas said last week the deal with Nine Media helps TV5’s pivot into “becoming an entertainment network, a pure entertainment network.”
The agreement with Nine Media is for the Mediaquest Group to supply content for RPTV with “sales and marketing services to be handled by TV5,” Mediaquest told Rappler in an email. It declined to specify how the advertising revenues will be divided.
TV5 benefits from the analog and digital terrestrial television or DTT backbone of Radio Philippines Network Incorporated (RPN), especially in light of reports that RPN is rolling out more DTT transmitters as it prepares for the shutdown of analog tv in the Philippines.
The now-privatized RPN, which was established in 1960, is co-owned by the Cabangon-Chuas’ Nine Media, Far East Managers Incorporated, and several other private stockholders, but the Philippine government still has a minority stake, RPN’s website says.
“This agreement brings together TV5 and MediaQuest’s vast library of programs and Nine Media’s broadcast network access and nationwide reach,” TV5 president and CEO Guido Zaballero said in a press statement on February 6.
A post shared by Radio Philippines Network (@rpnradyoronda)
“Our collaboration with Nine Media allows us to reach more Filipinos and deliver our commitment to provide the entertainment, sports, news, and public service content that they love,” added Zaballero.
A former broadcast company officer told Rappler a DTT transmitter used to cost around P100 million, so Mediaquest/TV5’s tie-up with Nine Media/Radio Philippines Network Incorporated (RPN) makes business sense. They don’t have to spend so much on putting up more transmitters.
RPTV uses both TV5’s 18.2 DTT and RPN’s 19.1 DTT. In particular, RPN has a DTT transmitter in Metro Manila which is a high definition (HD) feed.
More DTT transmitters means wider reach and better television reception for viewers using digital boxes.
Digital broadcast technology also allows having multiple channels on one frequency. Recall that ABS-CBN, via its TVPlus set-top box, delivered clearer signal for Channel 2, and allowed it to have sub-channels like ABS-CBN Sports, Jeepney TV, Cinemo, Yey, Knowledge Channel that appeal to niche markets. People just had to buy a TVPlus digibox.
With its partnership with RPN, Mediaquest/TV5 is able to create a sub-channel focused on basketball, with a bit of entertainment and news and public service programs. Whether there will be more sub-channels serving niche markets remains to be seen.
There’s still a lot of money to be made from broadcasting.
Industry leader GMA Network earned P2.4 billion in the first three quarters of 2023, down 52% from P5.1 billion in the same period in 2022, an election year.
GMA’s revenues from advertisements, mainly from its free tv channels, reached P12.6 billion in the first three quarters of 2023. Its Good TV or GTV free tv channel also contributed to GMA’s top line, with many ads placed in the weekday movie offering G! Flicks, which TV5 is now battling with Cine Cinco movies.
As a reinvigorated RPN-backed TV5 goes head-to-head with GMA-7, how will RPTV fare among the many digital channels? Will it be able to make money for Pangilinan’s Mediaquest and his RPN partners?
“RPTV is for those that looking for sports, news and public service, action and comedy movies and series. We address the content preferences of a different audience,” Mediaquest told Rappler.
From CNN PH’s whole-day news programming to six hours of Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) games, it’s clear the biggest gainers from the RPTV channel are the league’s fans who want to watch the games on free tv. PBA live games are uninterrupted, and PBA’s 3×3 league games, currently being held in Ayala Malls’ Market! Market!, are also aired.
“We saw the opportunity where we could build a new platform, build a new home for the PBA, wherein we’ll be able to feature more of the PBA games, especially all the live games,” Zaballero told TV5 last week. “Beneficial talaga ‘yan sa (It’s really beneficial to the) audience and it’s the audience that is our number one priority.
The PBA window on RPTV is from 4 pm to 10 pm on weekdays, and 3:30 pm to 10 pm on weekends. RPTV will also air Gilas Pilipinas’ games and Premier Volleyball League matches.
All RPTV needs now to make money are the other corporations with teams in the league, especially San Miguel Corporation (SMC) with three PBA teams, to support it with advertisements. Companies who sell products directed at a predominantly male audience in the lower income brackets should also take a closer look at this new channel.
SMC chief Ramon Ang used to support CNN Philippines (CNN PH) with advertisements and sponsored programs. It remains to be seen how he will be backing up RPTV, especially now that he and Pangilinan are teaming up in other ventures.
Viewers on free tv who like entertainment in Filipino, comedy in particular, are also gainers with RPTV.
Mediaquest’s comedy shows Tropa Mo Ko Unli and Balita One Nan are shown from 11 am to 12 noon prior to TVJ Productions’ E.A.T…Bulaga, from noon to 2:30 pm.
“Some [of these] are fresh shows and some are re-runs,” Mediaquest told Rappler in an email.
“Due to the breadth of content coming from the various platforms of Mediaquest, we aim to establish a program grid that is relevant to the audience while optimizing our content investment. We continue to assess our program line-up to see how we can improve and best entertain our audience,” it added.
Balita One Nan, a play on the Filipino word “tawanan” (laughter), stars comedians Alex Calleja as “Seph ‘Patola’ Balimbing,” Jervi Li as “Kaladkaren Dadilat,” and Wally Bayola as “Migs ‘Reaksyon Man Mamaril.” The show is similar to the now-defunct “news and comedy affairs” show of ABS-CBN’s Studio 23, Wazzup Wazzup, starring then-young entertainers Vhong Navarro and Toni Gonzaga reporting news live.
Those who like comedy can now watch Tropa Mo Ko Unli and Balita One Nan on free tv. They are also shown on Cignal’s BuKo channel on Cignal cable.
The biggest beneficiary from the Mediquest/TV5 tie-up with Nine Media/RPN is EAT Bulaga!, starring Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto, Joey de Leon (TVJ) and the rest of the Dabarkads.
Under the deal, EAT Bulaga! can be now be seen on the analog and digital channels of TV5 and RPN 9. There will be more people in the middle- and lower-income brackets who will get to watch TVJ Productions’ EAT Bulaga! on free tv. Recall that there were complaints from many Eat Bulaga! fans – after TVJ left TAPE Incorporated – that they would not be able to watch the show on free tv due to TV5’s weaker signals vis-a-vis GMA’s.
EAT Bulaga! competes with ABS-CBN’s noon show, It’s Showtime, shown on GMA’s GTV, and TAPE’s now-renamed Tahanang Pinakamasaya on GMA’s main free tv channel, GMA-7.
TV5 expects that this deal with Nine Media will translate to higher ratings for EAT Bulaga! and hopefully more advertising revenues.
Mediaquest now has a rich library of content that it can use to improve RPTV’s programming. Aside from TV5, Pangilinan’s other media assets include Cignal, Philippine Star, BusinessWorld, Radyo5, One Sports, Sari-Sari Channel, Epik Studios, Unitel Straightshooters, and National Broadcasting Corporation.
Similarly, for those who used to watch CNN PH on free tv, there’s been a shift from predominantly English news to RPTV’s Filipino news and public affairs programs: (as of February 1) Ted Failon and DJ Chacha (6 am to 10 am), Gud Morning Kapatid (10 am to 11 am), Raffy Tulfo’s Wanted In Action (2:30 pm to 4 pm), and Frontline Tonight (11:15 pm).
On free tv, these shows compete with GMA’s Dobol B TV (5:30 am to 9 am), Regional TV News (10 am to 10:30 am), Balitanghali (10:30 am to 11:30 am), and late-night news show Saksi (11:30 pm to midnight).
RPTV will also be airing the ex-Kapamilya and now Kapatid Gus Abelgas’ Forensics on weekends.
Veterans in the broadcast industry must be scratching their heads why it took Nine Media eight years to figure out there’s no market on free tv for an all-day predominantly English news channel. Those in the upper-income brackets get their news mainly from cable tv and now the web, not from analog or digiboxes.
Asked whether RPTV will be putting up original news shows with former CNN Philippines talents, Mediaquest told Rappler “there are no plans at the moment.”
“We continue to review our programming to see what will best serve the audience in the late night timeslot,” it said.
A coincidental beneficiary in this Mediquest/TV5 deal with Nine Media/RPN is Senator Raffy Tulfo. His show, Wanted sa Radyo on RPTV, now gets the added boost from RPN’s DTT backbone in addition to TV5’s DTT transmitters.
Running as an independent candidate, Tulfo’s radio, television, and social media presence catapulted him to 3rd place in the 2022 senatorial elections behind topnotcher Robinhood Padilla and Loren Legarda. Padilla was carried by PDP-Laban, while Legarda ran under the Nationalist People’s Coalition.
This could be important in the run up to the 2028 elections, given that Tulfo is considered by political analysts as a strong presidential candidate.
Take note that House Speaker Martin Romualdez set up a joint venture with ABS-CBN in 2023 when it put up DWPM TeleRadyo Serbisyo, using the 630 AM frequency of ABS-CBN, filling up a hole in his nationwide network of mostly FM radio stations. FM radio is an important source of political information, especially during elections, given the many news, public affairs, and commentary programs on radio.
Former Senate president Manny Villar likewise hasn’t given up his All TV network after taking over Channel 2.
All these are useful in the run up to the 2028 elections, in what some media analysts say will be competitively fought on both old and new media, with special emphasis on the latter, especially Tiktok, similar to what’s happening in Indonesia. – Rappler.com
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Next man up: UP’s Gerry Abadiano to key in on consistency as bigger role looms | delfin.dioquino editor | 12/2/2024 19:22 | VETERAN. Gerry Abadiano in action for the UP Fighting Maroons in the UAAP Season 86 men's basketball tournament.
UAAP
MANILA, Philippines – After a heartbreaking campaign punctuated by back-to-back losses in the UAAP Season 86 finals, the UP Fighting Maroons have a clear hole left on the offensive end.
With the exit of top two scorers CJ Cansino and Malick Diouf along with JD Cagulangan’s final-year decision still up in the air, the pressure is on Gerry Abadiano to make a leap towards a bigger role in Season 87.
“It’s a huge boost to be consistent,” Abadiano told Rappler on what should be the focal point of his offseason.
Abadiano averaged 6.9 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game in Season 86. He started in 12 games for the Fighting Maroons, the third most starts among UP players.
Known for his scoring prowess, the 22-year-old Abadiano had an up-and-down season, scoring double-digits only four times, including a season-high 22-point outing in the second round versus the Ateneo Blue Eagles.
Abadiano was scoreless in three games and only posted scant 3-point and 2-point nights in Games 2 and 3 of the finals, respectively, as the Maroons bowed to the La Salle Green Archers.
Falling short of the last two UAAP titles, the UP guard sees consistency along with conditioning as the key to bounce back in Season 87.
“Last season, detail by detail, it was well thought out,” Abadiano said. “But for me, conditioning is something we need to work on.”
“Whenever we are consistent, we never fold or get overwhelmed,” he added. “In a game, if we are consistent, we put ourselves in the best position to win.”
The former NU Bullpups standout vowed to put in the work to fill the offensive void left by his graduating teammates.
“I will work out, improve conditioning, and improve my skills,” said Abadiano, who will enter his fourth year with the Fighting Maroons in Season 87.
Earlier this year, the Fighting Maroons also saw one of its prized recruits, Jared Bahay, turn back on his commitment to UP as he is set to suit up for the Fighting Maroons’ Katipunan rival Ateneo.
Former San Beda high school star Chris Hubilla also de-committed from the Fighting Maroons to play for the Letran Knights in the NCAA, further hurting UP’s guard depth. – Rappler.com
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Thai journalists arrested for news coverage of anarchist graffiti on temple | Mia Gonzalez | 13/02/2024 13:47 | Nattaphol Meksobhon, a reporter from an independent online news outlet Prachatai, and freelance news photographer Nattaphon Phanphongsanon look on at the criminal court post receiving bail after their arrest for their news coverage last March of an activist spray painting an anarchist symbol and the number 112 with a strike through it on the wall of the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, located within the Grand Palace compound, in Bangkok, Thailand, February 13, 2024.
REUTERS/Chalinee Thirasupa
BANGKOK, Thailand – Two Thai journalists have been arrested for their story about an activist spray painting an anarchist symbol and a symbol critical of “lese majeste” laws on a Bangkok temple wall almost a year ago, the police and their lawyers said on Tuesday, February 13.
Nattaphol Meksobhon, a reporter from an independent online news outlet Prachatai, and freelance news photographer Nattaphon Phanphongsanon were arrested on Monday, February 12.
The two journalists were charged with being accomplices to damaging an historical site and public vandalism, said Thai Lawyers for Human Rights, which is representing the two men.
The allegations stem from their news coverage last March of an activist spray painting an anarchist symbol and the number 112 with a strike through it on the wall of the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, located within the Grand Palace compound in Bangkok.
The number 112 is a reference to the “lese majeste” law that protects the palace from criticism and carries a maximum jail sentence of up to 15 years for each perceived royal insult, a punishment widely condemned by international human rights groups as extreme.
The graffiti incident was captured on video and widely reported by the media.
Prachatai news editor Tewarit Maneechai said the two journalists went to cover the story without knowing in advance that the activist was going to graffiti the temple’s wall.
“They were covering the news as journalists,” Tewarit said.
Police Lieutenant Colonel Phawat Wattasupat, deputy superintendent of Phra Ratchawang police station, told Reuters that police had sufficient information to support their arrests.
Tewarit said his colleagues were not aware of the charges prior to their arrest even though the warrant was issued last May.
“Their arrests created fear about news coverage of sensitive issue,” he said.
Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin said on Tuesday that the government is “fair” on freedom of the press and said it is up to the police to see what is appropriate.
“Everything depends on the law, there are no harassment,” he said.
The two reporters were detained overnight and will be taken to court on Tuesday to formally hear their charges. The two are applying for bail, according to their lawyers. – Rappler.com
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No Eya Laure, no problem: UST Tigresses stay confident ahead of new UAAP season | jisaga0269 | 13/02/2024 20:12 | LEADER. Bernadette Pepito reacts in-game in the UAAP Season 85 women's volleyball tournament.
UAAP Season 85 Media Team
MANILA, Philippines – The UST Golden Tigresses struck fear in the hearts of all teams, contenders or otherwise, in the UAAP Season 85 women’s volleyball tournament.
Bannered by superstar spiker Eya Laure and fellow veterans Imee Hernandez and Milena Alessandrini, the España-based hitters busted lengthy winning streaks by both eventual champion La Salle and runner-up NU before booking the last Final Four ticket with a 10-4 record.
The Tigresses, however, ran out of their giant-slaying magic in the semifinals, as they bowed to top-seeded La Salle, marking the end of their star trio’s collegiate careers.
Now with UST’s Season 86 campaign kicking off on Sunday, February 18, its holdovers are more than ready to keep their contending fire alive and possibly book a return trip to the Final Four.
“We’re kind of a rebuilding team with a lot of young players, and it’s going to be difficult since Ate Eya and the other seniors were huge losses for us,” bared captain Detdet Pepito, the reigning UAAP Best Libero.
“But we saw in our previous league, the Shakey’s V-League, we were okay. We went there without expectations and we performed well without pressure. We saw that we can compete even without Ate Eya.”
Apart from Pepito, UST will lean on a plethora of rising prospects to carry bigger burdens, like Season 85 revelation Reg Jurado, young setter Cassie Carballo, and wingers Jonna Perdido, Xyza Gula, and Angeline Poyos.
Watching from afar in the PVL, Chery Tiggo’s Laure couldn’t be prouder that the young Tigresses continue to bring the same ferocity that she gave UST for the last 12 years.
“I’ve seen their progress, and those who are stepping up for the team, since I saw their games in the offseason,” Laure said during the PVL Media Day last Sunday, February 11.
“Of course, I’m very proud and confident of the UST [team], knowing they will fight for UST the way we fought for it before. They’ll fight for this. They may be little, but they have a big heart.”
When asked about who could step up for the team, Laure was particularly impressed by the Tigresses’ middle blockers like Pia Abbu and Janna Torres, after playing against them in a tune-up game last January at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.
“The MBs (middle blockers) of UST now, I really saw their improvement from last year to this year,” Laure said.
However, the 24-year-old former UST captain thinks striking a balance across all positions is what the team needs for the upcoming season.
“Being strong in some positions would not suffice. It really needs to be a team effort to win,” Laure said.
UST will figure in an uphill climb back to prominence in Season 86, as the likes of La Salle, NU, Adamson, and FEU all have strong cases as early contenders. – Rappler.com
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HIGHLIGHTS: San Miguel vs Magnolia – PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals Game 6 | delfin.dioquino editor | 14/02/2024 19:00 | PBA Images
San Miguel Beermen pulled off a thriller of a win to capture the PBA Commissioner’s Cup championship.
Rallying from a double-digit deficit, the Beermen stunned the Magnolia Hotshots with a huge second-half turnaround for a heart-stopping 104-102 escape in Game 6 on Wedensday, February 14, at the Araneta Coliseum.
CJ Perez led the Beermen to their 29th title in franchise history with 28 points.
Perez, the Best Player of the Conference, also captured the Finals MVP after averaging 18 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 3.2 steals in the best-of-seven series.
End or extend?
San Miguel looks to prevent the PBA Commissioner’s Cup finals from going the distance as it shoots for the clincher against Magnolia in Game 6 at the Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday, February 14.
Rediscovering their offensive form in Game 5 to earn a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series, the Beermen are a win away from a record-extending 29th championship.
Jericho Cruz will be a marked man after exploding for eight three-pointers and a playoff career-high 30 points in Game 5 as San Miguel returned to its winning ways after dropping the last two games.
The Beermen were limited to under 85 points in Games 3 and 4 but posted their second-highest scoring output in the finals with their 108-98 victory in Game 5.
But the Hotshots have proven they are capable of coming back.
Hearing talks of a potential sweep after being demolished by 24 points in Game 2, Magnolia tuned out the noise and tied the series at 2-2 by putting the shackles on San Miguel, particularly high-scoring import Bennie Boatwright.
Tyler Bey is expected to carry the fight for the Hotshots after he put up 34 points and 8 rebounds in Game 5.
Game time is 7:30 pm. – Rappler.com
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GAME SCHEDULE: UAAP Season 86 volleyball | jisaga0269 | 8/5/2024 20:35 | It’s down to the last two teams standing as the University of Santo Tomas and National University battle for the UAAP volleyball championship in both the women’s and men’s divisions!
The league’s best separate themselves from the pack as the Final Four showdown kicks off! Here’s the schedule:
UAAP Season 86 volleyball action intensifies as the second round of the men’s and women’s divisions begins on Wednesday, March 20.
The contenders will separate themselves from the pack, with each game determining which teams will make the Final Four. Here’s the schedule:
Volleyball action is back in the UAAP!
Stars from both men’s and women’s divisions are set to ply their growing skill sets once again in front of thousands of fans, beginning on Saturday, February 17 and Sunday, February 18, both at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Here are the first-round schedules for both divisions:
*The March 13 games will be played at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Notable matches include women’s champion La Salle’s debut against contending Adamson on Saturday, 4 pm, at MOA, while men’s three-time defending titlist NU rolls into an immediate finals rematch with UST on Sunday, 12 pm, also at the same venue.
La Salle and NU – finalists in the last two women’s tournaments with one title won each – will wrap up their first-round schedule on March 16, 2 pm at Araneta. – Rappler.com
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Fajardo goes against doctor’s advice to help San Miguel near PBA title | delfin.dioquino editor | 12/2/2024 20:20 | KRAKEN. June Mar Fajardo in action for the San Miguel Beermen in the 2023-24 PBA Commissioner's Cup.
PBA Images
MANILA, Philippines – June Mar Fajardo refuses to be a mere spectator while his team fights for a PBA championship.
Dealing with calf issues, Fajardo went against his doctor’s advice to rest as he helped San Miguel close in on the PBA Commissioner’s Cup crown by playing a key role in a 108-98 win over Magnolia in Game 5 on Sunday, February 11.
The seven-time PBA MVP put up an 18-point, 15-rebound double-double in powering the Beermen to a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven finals.
“We needed to win and we needed to bounce back. I wanted to play because I didn’t want to waste the opportunity that we’re already in the finals,” said Fajardo in Filipino.
“My injury isn’t that bad. I can play with it so I did.”
The tightening in his left calf limited Fajardo to a conference-low 25 minutes in Game 4 as the Hotshots tied the series at 2-2.
Although Fajardo still finished with 18 points, 13 rebounds, and 2 steals in Game 4, his absence in crucial stretches proved costly, with Magnolia taking advantage to pull level with San Miguel after dropping the first two games.
His team in danger of suffering a third straight loss, the 6-foot-10 big man knew he could not just sit idly by.
With Fajardo clogging up the paint, Jericho Cruz and Simon Enciso connived for a three-point spree as they accounted for 13 of the 16 treys the Beermen made in Game 5.
“I hardly did anything,” said Fajardo, often shying away from taking credit for the success of the team. “My teammates did most of the work. Jericho and Simon stepped up.”
As San Miguel goes for the title clincher in Game 6 at the Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday, February 14, Fajardo put a premium on giving his body a breather.
“Our goal is to win a championship. We have two days off so I’ll use them properly to rest,” he said. – Rappler.com
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WATCH: Lovebirds Bob and Cynthia | Iya Gozum | 13/02/2024 21:03 | MANILA, Philippines – Birder couple Bob and Cynthia Kaufman have been watching and photographing birds for the past 20 years, or for as long as they have been married.
Both widowed in their 50s, Bob and Cynthia were looking for someone to share the latter half of their lives with, someone who knew what grief feels like.
At first, they wrote to each other online after matching on a dating site. Bob was in Los Angeles, while Cynthia was in Manila. They married in the United States a year later.
Time went by swiftly; they are now in their 70s. Cynthia asks if 20 years together is now considered a long time.
They have traveled to different parts of the world, looking at and taking pictures of birds. When not traveling, they go out every Saturday to visit nearby parks and open spaces.
Bob’s bird list is now at around 1,300 species. Cynthia accompanies him to be his eyes and ears – his helpmate during bird-watching.
“At the very beginning, we didn’t make difficult demands,” said Cynthia.
They’ve found that love the second time around is much simpler.
Watch their story here. – Rappler.com
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QCPD replaces cops involved in violent dispersal of PUP students | Jairo Bolledo | 13/02/2024 18:59 | PROTEST. Students from PUP hold a protest in front of the House of Representatives' north gate on February 12, 2024. The violent dispersal of students occurred in the House's south gate.
Christ Burnet Ramos/ Rappler
MANILA, Philippines – The Quezon City Police District (QCPD) replaced its police personnel involved in the violent dispersal of protesting college students.
“Pansamantala ay pinalitan natin ng mga bagong CDM (Civil Disturbance Management) contingent ang mga nakatalaga sa HOR (House of Representatives) na siyang nangangalaga ng kaayusan at kapayapaan sa paligid ng House of Representatives at magpapatupad ng mga probisyon ng Batas Pambansa 880,” the police district said in a a statement on Tuesday, February 13.
Student groups from #PUP protested outside the House of Representatives today amid the ongoing hearing of three bills that seek to amend PUP's charter and elevate it to a national university status. The groups called for budget increase and making the uni free of privatization. pic.twitter.com/JvfBlVTWTo
(Temporarily, we replaced with a new CDM contingent those personnel in the HOR assigned to ensure peace and order at the perimeter of the House of Representatives and enforce Batas Pambansa No. 880.)
In response to Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte’s order, the QCPD also launched a probe into its cops to check if the personnel in the violent dispersal of Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) students violated Philippine National Police (PNP) procedures. The cops will undergo the Internal Affairs Service’s investigation.
On Monday night, February 12, Belmonte condemned the violent dispersal, saying such acts have “no space” in the city. The mayor added that Quezon City is a safe space where people can freely hold assemblies and express themselves.
Pahayag ni Quezon City Mayor Joy BelmonteMariin nating kinokondena ang dispersal ng mga pulis sa mga estudyante na nagpapahayag ng kanilang saloobin sa isang mahalagang isyu sa House of Representatives. pic.twitter.com/YKZhsanlwP
“Pinaalalahanan ko rin si QCPD chief [Brigadier] General Red Maranan na hindi natin kukunsintihin ang ganitong gawi. Agad namang inatasan ni [Briagadier] General Maranan ang Internal Affairs Service na imbestigahan kung may paglabag sa Police Operational Procedures,” Belmonte said.
(I also reminded QCPD chief Brigadier General Red Maranan that we will not condone acts like these. Brigadier Maranan immediately ordered the Internal Affairs Service to probe into any possible violations committed under the Police Operational Procedures.)
Belmonte said Maranan already met with the commander of the Batasan police station and told him to teach his subordinates how to deal with protests properly.
The QC mayor’s remarks have weight because under section 49(b) of Republic Act No. 6975 or the Department of the Interior and Local Government Act of 1990, city or town mayors can “exercise operational supervision and control over PNP units in their respective jurisdiction.”
This was not the first time Belmonte went against QC cops. On multiple occasions, Belmonte raised concerns over the actions committed by the QCPD:
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR), in a statement on Monday, also expressed concern over the incident. The constitutional commission gave reminders that civilians, like students, have a constitutional right to peaceably assemble.
“While the Commission recognizes the role of law enforcers in ensuring peace and security across the nation, it is important to take note that this comes with the responsibility of being committed to a human rights-based approach,” the CHR said.
The Makabayan bloc, consisting of various progressive groups, also slammed the violent incident. The group also called for the relief of Lieutenant Colonel Jerry Castillo, Batasan police commander, saying that “more violence can be expected if such actions remain without any measure of accountability.”
On Monday, PUP students held a protest at the Batasan to raise concerns over the National Polytechnic University (NPU) bills being deliberated by the lower chamber’s committee on higher and technical education. The bills seek to declare PUP, one of the premier state universities in the country, as a national university that will pave the way for better funding.
But the QCPD cops welcomed the protest with force – they chased the students with truncheons and riot shields, and then cornered and dispersed them brutally, the bloc said. The students were unable to hold a program, and at least seven suffered from wounds and bruises.
The protest was a way of PUP students to support the provisions mandating a higher budget for PUP, and to protest against the provisions that will allow the state university to enter into joint ventures with private entities for profit. Other concerns raised by the students were privatization and imposition of fees. The Makabayan bloc added that students were not properly consulted about the said policies before the Monday hearing.
PUP’s official student publication, The Catalyst, captured the violent dispersal, where the cops were seen pushing the students and hitting them with truncheons.
The right to assemble is a constitutionally enshrined right under the bill of rights. Article III, section 4 of the 1987 Constitution states that “no law shall be passed abridging the freedom of speech, of expression, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble and petition the government for redress of grievances.”
Holding rallies in the Philippines, however, is regulated by law. The Public Assembly Act of 1985‘s section 4 states that a written permit is necessary to organize a public assembly in a public place, but won’t be needed if the assembly will be held in a freedom park. But the same law mandates peaceful dispersal of assemblies.
“Definitely, the police went beyond, and even violated, the requirements of the Constitution and the Public Assembly Act. It was a peaceful demonstration, and regardless of whether they have a rally permit or not, they cannot be dispersed by the police,” National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers president Ephraim Cortez told Rappler.
“The Public Assembly Act (BP 880) allows dispersal when a demonstration is violent. If it is peaceful, the policy is to observe maximum tolerance,” he added.
Police officers are also mandated to observe maximum tolerance – which means that all law enforcers should observe the highest degree of restraint during public assemblies or dispersals.
The PNP operational procedures, which govern how the police should exercise their duty in protecting citizens, also mandate the police to exercise maximum tolerance. – Rappler.com
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On hero ball and wish lists: Lessons learned from Gilas past | Jasmine Payo | 11/2/2024 15:13 | FAN FAVORITE. Jordan Clarkson and Gilas Pilipinas acknowledge the crowd after a game in the 2023 FIBA World Cup,
FIBA
MANILA, Philippines – 2024 signaled a fresh start for the Gilas Pilipinas program. Although the coach and the players are not totally new, the program is, and it ushers in a new system, environment, and end objective.
In what is another reboot to Gilas Pilipinas, Tim Cone was appointed permanent national team head coach, and he subsequently named just 12 players who will form the core of the national team.
The idea is to keep the 12 together for the next four years, with the hope of qualifying and advancing deep in the 2027 FIBA World Cup.
Although Cone left a window for additions in case of injuries to the core, he also emphasized that for the most part, he will stick with the 12 in the tournaments that Gilas Pilipinas will be joining, beginning with the FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers this February.
There have been skepticism about the rationale in sticking to just 12 players and questions about why certain players were not included.
Names such as Rhenz Abando, Justine Baltazar, and Jordan Heading have been frequently mentioned. Other notable omissions are Thirdy Ravena, who has been on a tear in the Japan B. League, leading his club, the San-En NeoPhoenix, to the top of the standings, and Matthew Wright, hands down the best Filipino player in Japan the past two seasons.
Angelo Kouame has been a force for the UB Chartres Métropole in the French League Division 3 and should have been a worthy consideration for the lone naturalized player spot that has been allotted to the recently reinstated Justin Brownlee.
But it is hard to argue with the wisdom of a coach who is largely considered the best in the local shores and who has already proven he could also triumph in the international arena.
One can only hope that this latest iteration of Gilas Pilipinas will be run and supported by people who will have the patience, the thoroughness and the discipline to stick to the program and allow it to run its course as designed by Cone and his brain trust.
There were a number of circumstances in the previous versions of Gilas that should not plague Cone’s program for it to be successful.
Cone, being the astute and grizzled tactician that he is, may have probably already studied his Gilas history to know the things that worked and things that could have been done better.
An early positive sign for Tim Cone is that he seemed to have filled up his 12-man roster with the players on his wish list. This was rarely the case for previous Gilas programs.
Tab Baldwin had his hands tied behind his back when he was deputized in 2015 to helm the Gilas team that was vying to win the solitary Asian ticket to the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Baldwin was deprived of the opportunity to tap any of the players from the San Miguel teams.
Marc Pingris eventually joined the national team and once again took on the role of the defensive anchor of the team, the only one from the SMC bloc who chose country over club.
Credit goes to Baldwin who, despite the lack of materials, still steered Gilas to a runner-up finish in the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship, just a game short of earning an Olympic spot
The 2013 Gilas had its own share of limitations as Chot Reyes was only allowed to pick one player per PBA team based on the parameters set by the pro league for the national squad.
Since 2008, there have been close to 10 versions of Gilas Pilipinas that have been assembled. None of these teams stayed together for four years.
The longest a squad stayed together was Gilas 1.0, which was formed in 2008 under coach Rajko Toroman with the aim of qualifying for the London Olympics by winning the 2011 FIBA Asia Olympic qualifiers held in Wuhan, China.
But the team that was fielded in the qualifiers was not composed exclusively of those who were part of the Toroman pool.
PBA players Asi Taulava, Kelly Williams, Ranidel de Ocampo, and Jimmy Alapag were inserted months before the qualifiers, practically relegating to the sidelines the three-year preparation that was intended to make the players one cohesive unit.
Gilas 2.0 under Reyes ran from the time they won the SEABA and the Jones Cup in 2012 to the 2014 FIBA World Cup in Spain.
Baldwin’s Gilas 3.0 had an even shorter life span, lasting from 2015 to 2016.
Since then, there have been nine coaches who have been given the head coaching mantle of Gilas, with Reyes the longest tenured, handling the program two more times, from 2016-2018 and from 2022-2023.
Cone himself was appointed Gilas coach twice, the 2019 Southeast Asian Games and the 2023 Asian Games. Both instances, Gilas brought home the gold.
If Cone manages to maintain his program until 2027, he would become the longest-serving national team coach in the last 70-plus years.
The age-old dilemma of the Gilas program has been the PBA’s unwillingness to make a radical change in its calendar to allow the national team more time to prepare.
The PBA can mount press conferences all day long, mouth platitudes declaring its full commitment to the Gilas program and publicly declare plans to adjust league schedules to give the national team more time to prepare. At this point, everyone knows these are all lip service.
The Gilas team under coach Yeng Guiao was given just 10 full days of training to prepare for the 2019 FIBA World Cup.
That team lost its first two games by an average deficit of 52 points.
Cone recognizes the hand he has been dealt with.
“We are trying to minimize the amount of preparation that we need to get into each window,” Cone said. “We are going to prepare for only seven days for the first window [of the FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers], 10 days for the second, and five days for the third.”
Cone hopes that by not having a revolving-door policy in the national pool, the 12 players selected will eventually establish chemistry which will cover up for the short preparation time they will be given by the PBA.
In the closing minutes of the game between Gilas Pilipinas and the Dominican Republic during the opening playdate of the 2023 FIBA World Cup, the Dominicans scored on well-run plays while the Filipinos failed to convert from their isolations and forced attempts. The visitors escaped with a close 87-81 victory.
In Brownlee, Cone will have a clutch player who can take over a game but still play within the system.
The resident Ginebra import, in fact, has always been known for his willingness to blend with teammates. To describe him as perfect for the kind of national team Cone envisions would be stating the obvious. Brownlee has an Asian Games gold medal as proof of that.
In the past two editions of the FIBA World Cup, the Gilas teams played with an over-reliance on their go-to stars, Andray Blatche in 2019 and Jordan Clarkson in 2023.
It was similar to a boxer telegraphing his attack, and the Gilas squads wound up getting read like alphabet by opposing teams. Both squads operated within systems that were predictable and seemed out of touch with the dynamics and nuances of the international game.
Cone displayed both imagination and guile when he led the Philippines to its first Asian Games gold medal in 61 years, without totally veering away from his magic that has always worked in the PBA. He wins more than he talks and is not known to invite drama nor call attention to himself.
But Cone has not been tested in FIBA-level events and in competitions outside of the Asian region. Whether his formula for the new Gilas program will work will be known in the coming months. – Rappler.com
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LIST: 10 spots in Cebu for a romantic Valentine’s Day 2024 | jsitchon0312 | 13/02/2024 19:58 | ROMANCE. A simple dinner date or a trip to the museum is guaranteed to sweep your partner right off of their feet.
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CEBU, Philippines – ‘Tis the season of hearts, flowers, and kisses once again in the romantic island of Cebu, and because of this, it’s time to take your lover on a sweet and intimate getaway.
There are plenty of options in Cebu. From visiting art museums or playing in arcades to baking cupcakes or stargazing, you definitely won’t run out of places to go.
Some of these places, especially the newly established spots, even provide special discounts for couples going out on dates on February 14.
Of course, it’s worth mentioning that dates don’t have to be expensive and that what really matters is the time and effort you put into making a memory worth keeping with the one you truly care about.
So, for our lovebirds in Cebu, we’ve listed down 10 spots that you can go to for a romantic Valentine’s Day 2024:
Museums are one of the best places to go to when trying to know more about your partner on a deeper level, especially if it’s the first date.
At the National Museum of the Philippines in Cebu, you’ll find plenty of art installations and paintings that can potentially invoke your significant other’s “inner artist.”
The museum also offers galleries that showcase Cebu’s richness in history, culture, and nature, allowing couples to engage in meaningful conversations on life and everything in between.
The best part is that admission is free. If you’d like to go there this Valentine’s Day, it’s open from 9 am to 6 pm and is located in Plaza Independencia, near Fort San Pedro.
Getting vulnerable with your partner can be difficult but if you need help with expressing your emotions, you can try going to the Museum of Emotions in Ayala Center Cebu.
This experiential museum provides quirky art displays that correspond to every feeling on the spectrum. Each of the galleries carry a dominant color and Insta-worthy booths to help couples connect with their emotions.
“The purpose of the museum is to educate its guests that everyone’s emotions matter and to create a space where their feelings are understood,” the museum’s website reads.
Tickets to the museum cost around P499 and include a 2-hour “self-care” tour. The museum is open between 12 pm to 9 pm daily and the last call to enter the museum is at 7 pm.
For Valentine’s Day, paying couples can bring a “third-wheel” to enjoy the museum for free.
Nothing quite beats the smell of romance like the loving fragrance of freshly baked cupcakes made just for you. At Bakespace PH, you’ll have plenty of resources at your disposal to make the perfect cake for the one you love.
Found in Paseo Arcenas in Banawa, Cebu City, Bakespace PH is the queen city’s first experiential DIY baking studio.
For a minimum of P439, you can book a session to bake chocolate chip cookies, brownies, and artisanal cakes. Each of the sessions last around 2 and a half hours, depending on the difficulty of the cake, and you can also take the lesson either alone or with a partner.
This Valentine’s Day, Bakespace PH is offering a Duo promo for P1,749 for a Premium Red Velvet Cake session. Check it out on their official Facebook page here.
Bakespace PH is open daily from 10 am to 9:30 pm.
Painting is a great activity to do when you just want to let loose and be creative. Doing it with the one you love, of course, makes it even better!
This Valentine’s Day, why not try painting bears (you read that right — bears)! The Bear Cave art studio provides a selection of white bear-shaped figure canvases for art lovers to design and paint over using fluid art techniques.
Instructors will be present during sessions to help you learn how to paint abstract and colorful patterns. The studio currently offers packages ranging from P350 to P15,000, depending on the size of the bear you want to paint.
For February, the studio provides special couple packages so that you and your significant other can have bears that you can paint and exchange with. Price starts at P2,300.
If you’d like to try this out, The Bear Cave is located at One Paseo in Banilad, Cebu City. They are open from Monday to Friday, 11 am to 7 pm.
If you’ve watched The Fault In Our Stars then this spot in Barangay Bonbon, Cebu City is definitely the place for you.
At the Akutsu Cebu Observatory, couples can get great views of the stars and heavenly bodies for only P599. Besides stargazing, you get access to high-grade telescopes, an educational tour, and a meal good for one serving.
The observatory is open daily from 4 pm to 10 pm. If you’d like to know more about the facility, visit their official Facebook page here.
If street food is more of your thing, then heading to Barangay Pasil in Cebu City is one of the best places to go for a unique romantic experience.
In Pasil, there are plenty of food stands that sell the famous Tuslob Buwa — an exotic dish made from pig’s brains, liver, and pork broth. Students, especially those going out on dates, flock to the neighborhood for the special meal.
The rates usually range between P100 to P200 for a set that includes the Tuslob Buwa and pieces of “puso” (hanging rice).
Love is a dance made for two and at Maya Mexican Restaurant, Salsa Night just so happens to land on Valentine’s Day!
Located at Crossroads in Cebu City, the modern Mexican restaurant offers a wide variety of delicious meals, a collection of quality liquor, and even a dance floor for passionate lovers.
Every Wednesday at 9 pm, the upper floor of the restaurant opens its ballroom where guests can vibe and move to the rhythm of their favorite salsa and reggaeton music. There are even professionals who can provide quick lessons.
The restaurant opens at 5 pm and closes at 12 midnight. If you’d like to book a table, you can contact them on their official Facebook page here.
At the end of the day, a glass of wine and a full-course dinner makes for a very intimate evening for lovers both old and new. This Valentine’s, Cur8, a must-try modern Asian restaurant, has prepared a specially-curated menu for those who are in love.
The menu starts with Cur8’s Pork Trotter & Scallop Soup and is followed by a Cold Vermicelli Salad. Guests will be given the choice of getting their specialty Beef Short Rib Curry or Smoked Chicken for the main course.
And for dessert? Caramelized Coconut Mousse and a complimentary glass of wine, accompanied by a special violin performance for that “extra sprinkle of romance.”
The entire dining experience costs P2,500 and bookings can be made on the Cur8’s social media page here. The restaurant is located in the Banilad Town Centre in Cebu City and is open daily from 11 am to 12 am.
Sometimes, a cozy night out is all you need for romance to bloom. If you want to keep it “low-key,” couples can chill at the Buhi Bar at Sheraton Cebu Mactan Resort in Punta Engaño, Lapu-Lapu City.
Besides the Instagrammable interior of the bar’s cave-like structure, couples can enjoy seasoned drinks crafted by their in-house mixologists and music by local DJ’s.
Couples can try Buhi’s signature drinks and dishes like the Buhi Mule, a mix of vodka, orange, citrus, and ginger ale. There’s also the Lardo Crostini, a combination of Italian cured pork fat with honey on toasted bread.
While it’s located inside the resort, Buhi is open for all walk-in guests. The bar is open from 2 pm to 12 am and follows a first-come-first-serve policy. – Rappler.com
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FACT CHECK: DSWD has no program offering ‘immediate’ cash aid | Lorenz Pasion | 13/02/2024 17:30 | Claim: The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will provide P10,000 to individuals needing immediate cash aid.
Why we fact-checked this: The claim was made in a Facebook group with 27,000 members as of writing.
With the logo of the DSWD, the post included a photo of Senator Alan Peter Cayetano handing out the supposed cash gifts. It also bore the text: “Lahat ng sasali makakakuha ng P10,000.” (Everyone who will join will receive P10,000.)
The author of the post said interested applicants should send a personal message to their account to receive the money the next day.
The facts: The DSWD does not have any program that gives immediate cash assistance to the public.
In an advisory posted on February 7, the DWSD debunked the claim made in the Facebook account, saying that the post used the agency’s official logo without permission.
“Do not easily believe content that does not come from credible and reliable sources,” the advisory, written in Filipino, read.
AICS program: The social welfare department also said that it can instead assist the public in availing themselves of help through the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program, which provides individuals or families in need with various types of aid, such as medical, educational, food, or financial assistance.
According to DSWD’s Memorandum Circular No. 15 or the Revised Guidelines on the Implementation of AICS, interested applicants must undergo screening, interview, and assessment procedures.
To apply, individuals must submit required documents to the nearest DSWD office. The amount of assistance that an individual can receive will depend on the screening conducted by social workers.
Altered photo: The post used an altered photo of Cayetano handing out P10,000 to the beneficiaries of the “Sampung Libong Pag-asa” Project in Santa Rosa City, Laguna in 2021.
In 2022, the senator issued an advisory warning against social media scammers, saying that only his verified Facebook account would make an announcement about the project.
The same false graphic using the old photo of Cayetano was debunked by Agence France-Presse in December 2023.
Fact-checked: Rappler has fact-checked several claims on cash grant schemes supposedly from the DSWD.
Official accounts: The DSWD has repeatedly cautioned the public against posts from dubious accounts to avoid falling for scams. (READ: Phishing 101: How to spot and avoid phishing)
For official updates on DSWD programs and services, refer to its official website, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and YouTube accounts. – Larry Chavez/Rappler.com
Larry Chavez is a graduate of Rappler’s fact-checking mentorship program. This fact check was reviewed by a member of Rappler’s research team and a senior editor. Learn more about Rappler’s fact-checking mentorship program here.
Keep us aware of suspicious Facebook pages, groups, accounts, websites, articles, or photos in your network by contacting us at [email protected]. Let us battle disinformation one Fact Check at a time.
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QCPD replaces cops involved in violent dispersal of PUP students | Jairo Bolledo | 13/02/2024 18:59 | PROTEST. Students from PUP hold a protest in front of the House of Representatives' north gate on February 12, 2024. The violent dispersal of students occurred in the House's south gate.
Christ Burnet Ramos/ Rappler
MANILA, Philippines – The Quezon City Police District (QCPD) replaced its police personnel involved in the violent dispersal of protesting college students.
“Pansamantala ay pinalitan natin ng mga bagong CDM (Civil Disturbance Management) contingent ang mga nakatalaga sa HOR (House of Representatives) na siyang nangangalaga ng kaayusan at kapayapaan sa paligid ng House of Representatives at magpapatupad ng mga probisyon ng Batas Pambansa 880,” the police district said in a a statement on Tuesday, February 13.
Student groups from #PUP protested outside the House of Representatives today amid the ongoing hearing of three bills that seek to amend PUP's charter and elevate it to a national university status. The groups called for budget increase and making the uni free of privatization. pic.twitter.com/JvfBlVTWTo
(Temporarily, we replaced with a new CDM contingent those personnel in the HOR assigned to ensure peace and order at the perimeter of the House of Representatives and enforce Batas Pambansa No. 880.)
In response to Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte’s order, the QCPD also launched a probe into its cops to check if the personnel in the violent dispersal of Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) students violated Philippine National Police (PNP) procedures. The cops will undergo the Internal Affairs Service’s investigation.
On Monday night, February 12, Belmonte condemned the violent dispersal, saying such acts have “no space” in the city. The mayor added that Quezon City is a safe space where people can freely hold assemblies and express themselves.
Pahayag ni Quezon City Mayor Joy BelmonteMariin nating kinokondena ang dispersal ng mga pulis sa mga estudyante na nagpapahayag ng kanilang saloobin sa isang mahalagang isyu sa House of Representatives. pic.twitter.com/YKZhsanlwP
“Pinaalalahanan ko rin si QCPD chief [Brigadier] General Red Maranan na hindi natin kukunsintihin ang ganitong gawi. Agad namang inatasan ni [Briagadier] General Maranan ang Internal Affairs Service na imbestigahan kung may paglabag sa Police Operational Procedures,” Belmonte said.
(I also reminded QCPD chief Brigadier General Red Maranan that we will not condone acts like these. Brigadier Maranan immediately ordered the Internal Affairs Service to probe into any possible violations committed under the Police Operational Procedures.)
Belmonte said Maranan already met with the commander of the Batasan police station and told him to teach his subordinates how to deal with protests properly.
The QC mayor’s remarks have weight because under section 49(b) of Republic Act No. 6975 or the Department of the Interior and Local Government Act of 1990, city or town mayors can “exercise operational supervision and control over PNP units in their respective jurisdiction.”
This was not the first time Belmonte went against QC cops. On multiple occasions, Belmonte raised concerns over the actions committed by the QCPD:
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR), in a statement on Monday, also expressed concern over the incident. The constitutional commission gave reminders that civilians, like students, have a constitutional right to peaceably assemble.
“While the Commission recognizes the role of law enforcers in ensuring peace and security across the nation, it is important to take note that this comes with the responsibility of being committed to a human rights-based approach,” the CHR said.
The Makabayan bloc, consisting of various progressive groups, also slammed the violent incident. The group also called for the relief of Lieutenant Colonel Jerry Castillo, Batasan police commander, saying that “more violence can be expected if such actions remain without any measure of accountability.”
On Monday, PUP students held a protest at the Batasan to raise concerns over the National Polytechnic University (NPU) bills being deliberated by the lower chamber’s committee on higher and technical education. The bills seek to declare PUP, one of the premier state universities in the country, as a national university that will pave the way for better funding.
But the QCPD cops welcomed the protest with force – they chased the students with truncheons and riot shields, and then cornered and dispersed them brutally, the bloc said. The students were unable to hold a program, and at least seven suffered from wounds and bruises.
The protest was a way of PUP students to support the provisions mandating a higher budget for PUP, and to protest against the provisions that will allow the state university to enter into joint ventures with private entities for profit. Other concerns raised by the students were privatization and imposition of fees. The Makabayan bloc added that students were not properly consulted about the said policies before the Monday hearing.
PUP’s official student publication, The Catalyst, captured the violent dispersal, where the cops were seen pushing the students and hitting them with truncheons.
The right to assemble is a constitutionally enshrined right under the bill of rights. Article III, section 4 of the 1987 Constitution states that “no law shall be passed abridging the freedom of speech, of expression, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble and petition the government for redress of grievances.”
Holding rallies in the Philippines, however, is regulated by law. The Public Assembly Act of 1985‘s section 4 states that a written permit is necessary to organize a public assembly in a public place, but won’t be needed if the assembly will be held in a freedom park. But the same law mandates peaceful dispersal of assemblies.
“Definitely, the police went beyond, and even violated, the requirements of the Constitution and the Public Assembly Act. It was a peaceful demonstration, and regardless of whether they have a rally permit or not, they cannot be dispersed by the police,” National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers president Ephraim Cortez told Rappler.
“The Public Assembly Act (BP 880) allows dispersal when a demonstration is violent. If it is peaceful, the policy is to observe maximum tolerance,” he added.
Police officers are also mandated to observe maximum tolerance – which means that all law enforcers should observe the highest degree of restraint during public assemblies or dispersals.
The PNP operational procedures, which govern how the police should exercise their duty in protecting citizens, also mandate the police to exercise maximum tolerance. – Rappler.com
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Spread the love with these last-minute Valentine’s Day food gifts, date ideas | Steph Arnaldo | 13/02/2024 18:38 | MANILA, Philippines – Valentine’s Day only happens on one day – Wednesday, February 14 this year – but the kilig can last all day, everyday! Love knows no deadline, so if you’re still looking for last-minute sweet treats or romantic date ideas for the weekend, here are a few ideas you can spoil your other half with this season of love.
How about a unique cake for your one-of-a-kind partner? Local bakery Amberlyns Cake has a limited edition Valentine’s Cake Collection that includes an Edible Flower Bouquet Cake that’s wrapped in fairy lights – a beautiful creation that resembles a stunning bouquet, but is completely consumable, even until the vase!
If your partner’s favorite flower is the sunflower, Amberlyns’ Sunflower Cake looks just like it, complete with “graham soil” and edible petals, leaves, stem, and pot. The cake layers inside are available in chocolate, carrot, red velvet, vanilla, mocha, and strawberry flavors.
Amberlyns Cake also has an Instax Cake that resembles a polaroid camera, including cute couple polaroid snapshots that customers can have printed beforehand and a customized dedication.
Did you know that Korean skincare brand Nature Republic also has a makeup line? Decked in classy and girly packaging, Nature Republic is all about simplicity in beauty with its range of soft eyeshadow palettes, sheer tinted lipsticks, blushers, and many more products that make up that healthy, dewy, and fresh look.
Nature Republic’s handy Daily Palettes come in various kinds: Blooming Mood with soft browns and corals; Sensual Mood with burgundy and glittery shades; and Lovely Mood with cool pinks.
The Lip Studio collection is a sheer glow lipstick in different shades – these glossy lippies remind me of a heavily tinted lip balm that’s nourishing, vibrant, and non-drying. Your girl might like the deep Cherry Ripe, the bright Pink Daisy, the more muted Dawn Rose!
It’s hard not to smile at anything heart-shaped this season! Pizza Hut’s Bacon Ensaymada Heart Pan Pizza is available for a limited time only, and is made with the usual mozzarella cheese, bacon bits, parmesan, quezo de bola, and a light lather of cream cheese frosting on the crust on a heart-shaped pizza dough.
Love can come in the form of ice cream, like Dairy Queen’s Love KitKat Blizzard Cake, a 6-inch ice cream made with DQ’ soft-serve and chocolate fudge on a cake crunch base, topped with a layer of KiKat Blizzard and pink rose pipings.
Honeybon’s Pistachio Nougat Heart may also be the key to his/her heart – vanilla chiffon cake is layered with whipped cream, meringue, crushed pistachio bits for crunch.
Food and gaming, g? Enjoy the best of both worlds together with sukiyaki bar Inari Sukiyaki’s Valentine’s promo, in collaboration with Timezone, which is right next door. Both are located at Public Eatery at the fourth floor of Robinsons Magnolia.
Lovers can choose from Inari’s Valentine’s set menus, which include either of its USDA ribeye or USDA misuji sukiyaki bowls, sushi rolls, tempura, drinks, and 500 Timezone credits.
Seize the clay with your date at Tahanan Pottery Studio, building your love and your own ceramics at the same time! You can try beginner-friendly single session workshops, hand-building clay classes, or a pottery wheel class by renowned artist Rita Badilla-Gudiño.
Bond while learning a new skill, and take home your very own ceramic beauties, like cups, bowls, pitchers, jars, teapots, accessories, plates, and more! The studio is located at Scout Tobias, Quezon City.
How about a romantic staycation and a Japanese buffet? Century Park Hotel in Malate, Manila is offering special promos to diners at Century Tsukiji, the popular and premium Japanese buffet, and affordable room rates starting at P5,500 for its Superior, Deluxe or Park Tower Suites. It even comes with a free bottle of wine and a stuffed toy!
Lots of activities are in store at Marco Polo Ortigas during Valentine’s Day and the week ahead – the Vu’s Sky Bar and Lounge that overlooks the city skyline sunset will offer a generous grazing table and a glass of wine, accompanied by jazzy live entertainment.
You can also enjoy a special buffet dinner at Cucina with fresh seafood, cheese, charcuterie, paella, pasta, and Asian and Western dishes, as well as dessert and sangria. Marco Polo Ortigas’ authentic Cantonese restaurant Lung Hin is also hosting a curated 6-course lunch and dinner set for two, featuring king prawns, Australian beef tenderloin, and other dishes. You can cap off the meal with a stay at the hotel, which will include complimentary wine, a round of cocktails, and afternoon chocolates. – Rappler.com
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Rich get richer: Creamline snags Dij Rodriguez to join recruits De Leon, Lazaro-Revilla | jisaga0269 | 13/02/2024 14:19 | STAR OF THE SANDS. Philippine women's beach volleyball team spiker Dij Rodriguez poses for a photo
Dij Rodriguez Instagram page
MANILA, Philippines – After their unblemished 15-0 sweep of the 2023 PVL Second All-Filipino Conference, the Creamline Cool Smashers just got better with the acquisition of Bea de Leon, Denden Lazaro-Revilla, and Dij Rodriguez.
Rodriguez is an experienced all-around player who plied her craft on the beach volleyball court, forming half of the national women’s team tandem with Gen Eslapor.
The 5-foot-6 Rodriguez plays multiple positions but will serve as an opposite hitter, according to head coach Sherwin Meneses.
PVL | WATCH:Creamline head coach Sherwin Meneses hopes that Dij Rodriguez, a member of the Philippine women’s beach volleyball squad, could make an immediate impact as the team’s new signee. #PVL2024 pic.twitter.com/xmiF4YOgo4
Described as a heady player and great defensively, she will likely serve as backup alongside fellow beach volleyball standout Bernadeth Pons to three-time conference MVP Tots Carlos.
“She fits in our system. She’s a big addition,” Meneses said at the PVL Media Day in Mandaluyong City on Monday, February 12.
Meanwhile, De Leon and Revilla, key cogs in the Choco Mucho team that Creamline downed in the Second All-Filipino championship series, transferred to the powerhouse team last January.
With about two months’ worth of preparations heading to the season opener on February 20, the two are getting more acclimatized each day.
“Adjustments have been smooth. The team has been super helpful with us transitioning to a new system. So every day, there’s something new to learn,” De Leon said.
“And we’re really trying to get used to the system that coach Sherwin wants to see from us. So far, smooth,” she added.
PVL | WATCH:Creamline’s new additions Bea de Leon and Denden Lazaro-Revilla discuss their move to the Cool Smashers and maximizing their short time in acclimatizing themselves heading to the season-opening conference. #PVL2024 pic.twitter.com/3Qsv1flJee
De Leon, who has played with the Flying Titans since leaving Ateneo, said that the Creamline system operates at a much quicker pace.
Lazaro-Revilla, a talented libero, will be providing grit and leadership that the stacked roster needs.
The two, along with Alyssa Valdez, will be continuing a relationship that dates back to their playing days in Ateneo, as the Creamline superstar raved about it.
“It feels surreal, because it never felt that I was away from them for the longest time, because even during practives or games, we bring out the best in each other,” Valdez explained.
PVL | WATCH:COMPETITIVE. Alyssa Valdez raves about the fiery attitude of Bea de Leon and Denden Lazaro-Revilla. #PVL2024 pic.twitter.com/ARRSNVe0UT
“I’m very excited, since it’s nice to show all the learnings we’ve had these past years that we’ve not been together.” – Rappler.com
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Biting back: NU refocuses on UAAP title redemption after Season 85 setback | jisaga0269 | 13/02/2024 17:13 | STARE-OFF. NU star spiker Bella Belen stares at La Salle rookie standout Angel Canino at the UAAP Season 85 women's volleyball finals Game 1
UAAP Season 85 Media Team
MANILA, Philippines – Practice makes perfect, and with perfection, comes pressure.
That is the situation the NU Lady Bulldogs went through in their UAAP Season 85 women’s volleyball title defense right after an astounding 16-0 Season 84 sweep.
Battling internal inconsistencies alongside stronger, more confident opponents, the Sampaloc-based spikers still rose to the Final Four second seed with an 11-3 record, before eventually being dethroned in back-to-back, five-set finals games by resurgent La Salle and rookie-MVP Angel Canino.
With Season 86 set to tip off this Saturday, February 17, the Lady Bulldogs have found enough time to lick their wounds ahead of another crack at a fourth UAAP women’s volleyball title.
Vange Alinsug, NU’s lone starting six representative in the kickoff press conference last Monday, February 12, revealed as much.
“We regrouped, of course, as part of our preparations dating back to last season,” she said in Filipino.
“While the pressure may not be the same as last season, it’s still there. Right now, we already know what we really want and what to do. We’re focused on redemption because we really want to get our title back.”
UAAP | WATCH:Still on a title hunt.NU rising star Vange Alinsug bares that the Lady Bulldogs are still gunning for redemption in #UAAPSeason86 after being dethroned by La Salle the season prior. pic.twitter.com/NxARRRffDP
Still led by the likes of former rookie-MVP Bella Belen, star opposite Alyssa Solomon, setter Lams Lamina, libero Shaira Jardio, and support outside Alinsug, the Lady Bulldogs are still a definitive Final Four contender alongside champion La Salle and possibly FEU, Adamson, and UST.
Even without former Finals MVP Cess Robles and Best Libero Jen Nierva, who have both graduated and turned pro with Chery Tiggo, NU still possesses a potent offense and defense under returning head coach Norman Miguel.
“My role will be the same, but we collectively need to be more vocal as a team, so we can continue helping one another inside the court,” Alinsug continued.
“We really want that championship back. The moment we lost it after Season 85, we promised ourselves we would not stop working until we regain it in Season 86. I will contribute my 100% best and we all need to be one whole unit inside the court.” – Rappler.com
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For as low as P5,000, you can invest in retail treasury bonds. Here’s how. | Ralf Rivas | 13/02/2024 17:27 | MANILA, Philippines – If you have P5,000 and want a passive and risk-free investment, government bonds may be just for you.
Finance Secretary Ralph Recto is urging Filipinos to invest in the 30th tranche of the Bureau of the Treasury’s Retail Treasury Bonds (RTB 30) in a bid to promote cheap investment opportunities and help the government fund its priority projects.
“The RTB 30 is more than just a financial contract but a commitment to shared prosperity. It will help drive the government’s socioeconomic agenda forward and empower ordinary Filipinos to chart their path to financial freedom for a more secure future,” Recto said.
RTB 30 is a five-year tenor investment with a gross interest rate of 6.25% per annum, payable every quarter until its maturity in 2029.
The public offering for RTB 30 will begin on February 13, 2024 until February 23, 2024, and will be settled on February 28, 2024. The public can avail of the investment with a minimum amount ofP5,000, and in multiples of P5,000 thereafter, during the offer period.
RTBs can be purchased via BTr’s online ordering facility for investors who are clients of China Banking Corporation, the Development Bank of the Philippines, Land Bank of the Philippines, and the First Metro Securities.
Filipinos can also avail of the investment instrument through the Bonds.PH app.
The RTB 30 also offers an exchange program, which allows investors to reinvest their funds and mitigate reinvestment risk upon maturity of the eligible bonds. Eligible participants for the exchange are existing holders of RTB 22 and 25.
“RTBs are just a few swipes away, making investing as easy as ordering our favorite food delivery,” Recto said. – Rappler.com
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People’s initiative for Cha-Cha lead PIRMA non-existent since 2004 – SEC | Bonz Magsambol | 13/02/2024 12:36 | NO LONGER EXISTS. People’s Initiative for Reform, Modernization and Action lead convenors Atty. Alex Avisado and Noel Oñate attends the senate hearing on the signature campaign for people’s initiative on January 30, 2024.
Angie de Silva/Rappler
MANILA, Philippines – The People’s Initiative for Modernization and Reform Action (PIRMA) has been non-existent since February 10, 2004, the date the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) revoked its registration for failing to submit reportorial requirements.
This was revealed during the Senate inquiry on the people’s initiative to amend the Constitution on Tuesday, February 13.
“Their certificate of registration has been revoked since February 10, 2004,” said SEC’s Katrina Jean Miranda, when asked by Senator Imee Marcos to confirm the information in relation to PIRMA’s existence.
PIRMA first registered with the SEC on March 12, 1997.
Miranda said that since 2004, PIRMA has not been submitting their documents for registration with the SEC, based on the agency’s records.
“What we only have are their articles of incorporation and by-laws which they submitted when they applied for registration,” she said.
In response, PIRMA lead counsel Alex Avisado said that they had submitted the corporation’s updated email and contact persons through the SEC portal just after the Senate held its first inquiry in early February.
“You are going to update the website of a corporation that has not been in existence in 20 years. Wala na ito. Multo na ito. Wala nang PIRMA. Bente anyos na, ano pa pagpipilitan natin dito (This is already non-existent. This is ghost. No more PIRMA. It’s been 20 years, what are we pushing for here)?” said Marcos, chairman of Senate committee on electoral reforms.
Miranda also said that the proper re-registration process for PIRMA is to apply for petition to lift the order of revocation, and not just to submit updated details online.
In response, Avisado said, “We cannot file a petition for reinstatement unless we update the portal through online submissions.” He added that their next step is to submit to the SEC the names of the new PIRMA directors.
In previous Senate inquiry, PIRMA lead convenor Noel Oñate disclosed that the corporation spent P55 million for a paid advertisement on the supposed “failures” of the 1987 Constitution to highlight the need for charter change. PIRMA has yet to disclose the list of donors for the TV ad.
Oñate had also earlier disclosed that House Speaker Martin Romualdez “helped” them in the signature campaign they initiated for the supposed people’s initiative.
Amid questions surrounding the people’s initiative, the Commission on Elections decided to stop proceedings related to charter change. – Rappler.com
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Highly noted: “The People’s Initiative for Modernization and Reform Action (PIRMA) has been non-existent since February 10, 2004.” So, is the recent People’s Initiative initiated by a “bogus” or “dead” or “ghost” organization? Is this an action that defrauds the Filipino People?
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FACT CHECK: Doc Liza Ong doesn’t endorse unregistered anti-itch cream | Lorenz Pasion | 13/02/2024 16:35 | Claim: Dr. Liza Ramoso-Ong, the wife of cardiologist and online health personality Dr. Willie Ong, endorses Herbal Itching Cream to treat vaginal infections.
Why we fact-checked this: The Facebook video bearing the claim has 463,000 views, 3,800 reactions, and 852 comments as of writing.
At the start of the video, a clip of Ong talking about vaginal candidiasis is shown, followed by images and text that depict vaginal infections. This was spliced together with another clip talking about the product, possibly leading viewers to believe that Ong is endorsing Herbal Itching Cream as a treatment.
The facts: Ong does not endorse the product. The clip used in the misleading ad was originally from a video posted on the official Doc Willie Ong YouTube channel last July 27, 2020.
In the original video, Ong gives tips and advice on how to treat and take care of female genitals to avoid vaginal candidiasis, an infection caused by a type of fungus called candida that causes an itchy or burning sensation in the vagina, abnormal discharge, and discomfort when urinating or during sexual intercourse. Ong does not mention Herbal Itching Cream at all in the original video.
Not FDA registered: Herbal Itching Cream is not included in the approved list of drug products by the Philippine Food and Drug Administration.
Fake endorsements: The misleading Facebook post came from a page posing as the official account of the Ong couple. The fake page has 55 likes and 378 followers. The official Facebook accounts of Willie Ong and Liza Ong have 17 million followers and 3.7 million followers, respectively.
The couple has repeatedly debunked fake ads using their name, photos, and videos to imply endorsement of supposed health products and treatments. Rappler has fact-checked a number of these claims:
– Chinie Ann Jocel R. Mendoza/Rappler.comChinie Ann Jocel R. Mendoza is a graduate of Rappler’s fact-checking mentorship program. This fact check was reviewed by a member of Rappler’s research team and a senior editor. Learn more about Rappler’s fact-checking mentorship program here.
Keep us aware of suspicious Facebook pages, groups, accounts, websites, articles, or photos in your network by contacting us at [email protected]. Let us battle disinformation one Fact Check at a time.
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On hero ball and wish lists: Lessons learned from Gilas past | Jasmine Payo | 11/2/2024 15:13 | FAN FAVORITE. Jordan Clarkson and Gilas Pilipinas acknowledge the crowd after a game in the 2023 FIBA World Cup,
FIBA
MANILA, Philippines – 2024 signaled a fresh start for the Gilas Pilipinas program. Although the coach and the players are not totally new, the program is, and it ushers in a new system, environment, and end objective.
In what is another reboot to Gilas Pilipinas, Tim Cone was appointed permanent national team head coach, and he subsequently named just 12 players who will form the core of the national team.
The idea is to keep the 12 together for the next four years, with the hope of qualifying and advancing deep in the 2027 FIBA World Cup.
Although Cone left a window for additions in case of injuries to the core, he also emphasized that for the most part, he will stick with the 12 in the tournaments that Gilas Pilipinas will be joining, beginning with the FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers this February.
There have been skepticism about the rationale in sticking to just 12 players and questions about why certain players were not included.
Names such as Rhenz Abando, Justine Baltazar, and Jordan Heading have been frequently mentioned. Other notable omissions are Thirdy Ravena, who has been on a tear in the Japan B. League, leading his club, the San-En NeoPhoenix, to the top of the standings, and Matthew Wright, hands down the best Filipino player in Japan the past two seasons.
Angelo Kouame has been a force for the UB Chartres Métropole in the French League Division 3 and should have been a worthy consideration for the lone naturalized player spot that has been allotted to the recently reinstated Justin Brownlee.
But it is hard to argue with the wisdom of a coach who is largely considered the best in the local shores and who has already proven he could also triumph in the international arena.
One can only hope that this latest iteration of Gilas Pilipinas will be run and supported by people who will have the patience, the thoroughness and the discipline to stick to the program and allow it to run its course as designed by Cone and his brain trust.
There were a number of circumstances in the previous versions of Gilas that should not plague Cone’s program for it to be successful.
Cone, being the astute and grizzled tactician that he is, may have probably already studied his Gilas history to know the things that worked and things that could have been done better.
An early positive sign for Tim Cone is that he seemed to have filled up his 12-man roster with the players on his wish list. This was rarely the case for previous Gilas programs.
Tab Baldwin had his hands tied behind his back when he was deputized in 2015 to helm the Gilas team that was vying to win the solitary Asian ticket to the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Baldwin was deprived of the opportunity to tap any of the players from the San Miguel teams.
Marc Pingris eventually joined the national team and once again took on the role of the defensive anchor of the team, the only one from the SMC bloc who chose country over club.
Credit goes to Baldwin who, despite the lack of materials, still steered Gilas to a runner-up finish in the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship, just a game short of earning an Olympic spot
The 2013 Gilas had its own share of limitations as Chot Reyes was only allowed to pick one player per PBA team based on the parameters set by the pro league for the national squad.
Since 2008, there have been close to 10 versions of Gilas Pilipinas that have been assembled. None of these teams stayed together for four years.
The longest a squad stayed together was Gilas 1.0, which was formed in 2008 under coach Rajko Toroman with the aim of qualifying for the London Olympics by winning the 2011 FIBA Asia Olympic qualifiers held in Wuhan, China.
But the team that was fielded in the qualifiers was not composed exclusively of those who were part of the Toroman pool.
PBA players Asi Taulava, Kelly Williams, Ranidel de Ocampo, and Jimmy Alapag were inserted months before the qualifiers, practically relegating to the sidelines the three-year preparation that was intended to make the players one cohesive unit.
Gilas 2.0 under Reyes ran from the time they won the SEABA and the Jones Cup in 2012 to the 2014 FIBA World Cup in Spain.
Baldwin’s Gilas 3.0 had an even shorter life span, lasting from 2015 to 2016.
Since then, there have been nine coaches who have been given the head coaching mantle of Gilas, with Reyes the longest tenured, handling the program two more times, from 2016-2018 and from 2022-2023.
Cone himself was appointed Gilas coach twice, the 2019 Southeast Asian Games and the 2023 Asian Games. Both instances, Gilas brought home the gold.
If Cone manages to maintain his program until 2027, he would become the longest-serving national team coach in the last 70-plus years.
The age-old dilemma of the Gilas program has been the PBA’s unwillingness to make a radical change in its calendar to allow the national team more time to prepare.
The PBA can mount press conferences all day long, mouth platitudes declaring its full commitment to the Gilas program and publicly declare plans to adjust league schedules to give the national team more time to prepare. At this point, everyone knows these are all lip service.
The Gilas team under coach Yeng Guiao was given just 10 full days of training to prepare for the 2019 FIBA World Cup.
That team lost its first two games by an average deficit of 52 points.
Cone recognizes the hand he has been dealt with.
“We are trying to minimize the amount of preparation that we need to get into each window,” Cone said. “We are going to prepare for only seven days for the first window [of the FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers], 10 days for the second, and five days for the third.”
Cone hopes that by not having a revolving-door policy in the national pool, the 12 players selected will eventually establish chemistry which will cover up for the short preparation time they will be given by the PBA.
In the closing minutes of the game between Gilas Pilipinas and the Dominican Republic during the opening playdate of the 2023 FIBA World Cup, the Dominicans scored on well-run plays while the Filipinos failed to convert from their isolations and forced attempts. The visitors escaped with a close 87-81 victory.
In Brownlee, Cone will have a clutch player who can take over a game but still play within the system.
The resident Ginebra import, in fact, has always been known for his willingness to blend with teammates. To describe him as perfect for the kind of national team Cone envisions would be stating the obvious. Brownlee has an Asian Games gold medal as proof of that.
In the past two editions of the FIBA World Cup, the Gilas teams played with an over-reliance on their go-to stars, Andray Blatche in 2019 and Jordan Clarkson in 2023.
It was similar to a boxer telegraphing his attack, and the Gilas squads wound up getting read like alphabet by opposing teams. Both squads operated within systems that were predictable and seemed out of touch with the dynamics and nuances of the international game.
Cone displayed both imagination and guile when he led the Philippines to its first Asian Games gold medal in 61 years, without totally veering away from his magic that has always worked in the PBA. He wins more than he talks and is not known to invite drama nor call attention to himself.
But Cone has not been tested in FIBA-level events and in competitions outside of the Asian region. Whether his formula for the new Gilas program will work will be known in the coming months. – Rappler.com
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GAME SCHEDULE: 2023-24 PBA Commissioner’s Cup finals | delfin.dioquino editor | 1/2/2024 15:28 | PBA Images
MANILA, Philippines – Magnolia and San Miguel are the top two seeds for a reason.
The Hotshots and the Beermen duke it out for the PBA Commissioner’s Cup crown as they renew their rivalry over four years since their last championship showdown.
Determined to avenge its losses to San Miguel in the 2018 and 2019 Philippine Cup finals, Magnolia gets a crack at ending a five-year title drought.
The Hotshots last won a championship in the 2018 Governors’ Cup before finding themselves on the losing end in their two previous finals appearances.
Meanwhile, San Miguel eyes a PBA record-extending 29th title and its second in four conferences after ruling the Philippine Cup last season.
Here is the schedule of the games:
GAME 1: San Miguel wins, 103-95
GAME 2: San Miguel wins, 109-85
GAME 3: Magnolia wins, 88-80
GAME 4: Magnolia wins, 96-85
GAME 5: San Miguel wins, 108-98
GAME 6: San Miguel wins, 104-102
– Rappler.com
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Calls for probe, shutdown of mining firm grow after Davao de Oro landslide | Herbie G | 13/02/2024 13:13 | MOURNING. Davao de Oro provincial authorities attend to relatives of victims of the landslide in Barangay Mainit and Elizalde, Maco. The landslide happened in Zone 1, Barangay Masara on February 6, 2024.
Chendy Gonzales & PSWDO
DAVAO, Philippines – Environmentalist groups pressed the government for an investigation and demanded a halt to mining operations in Davao de Oro in the wake of the February 6 landslide at a mining village in Masara, Maco town.
A week after the landslide, the number of corpses dug at the landslide site rose to 68, but the search has continued for 51 others who were reported missing.
The group, the Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment (Kalikasan PNE), said the government should thoroughly investigate and determine the extent of accountability of the mining company, Apex Mining Corporation.
Kalikasan PNE Coordinator Jon Bonifacio told Rappler that the catastrophic Masara landslide showed how the worsening impact of climate change has been intersecting with “corporate negligence and impunity in the country.”
“Apex Mining and other mining companies in Mindanao have clearly endangered the lives of hundreds [of people],” Bonifacio said.
Another group of environmentalists, the Alyansa Tigil Mina (ATM), called for a stop to destructive mining operations in communities across the country, pointing out that the “steep costs of mining to the environment and people’s lives are not worth any of its purported benefits” especially during floods and heavy rain.
ATM also urged the government to undertake measures to prevent similar disasters as they respond to the needs of the families affected by the landslide.
The progressive group Bayan Muna said Apex should be held liable for the incident, alleging that the damage its operations did to the environment was what caused the landslide.
Bayan Muna Vice President for Mindanao Eufemia Cullamat said, “Apex Mining Co. can’t just stay quiet and cover up their big liability and responsibility to their local workers [who] became victims, especially for those who died, because of the landslide and flooding that happened in its mining site.”
Apex has asserted in a statement that the area where the landslide buried several dozen people, houses, and vehicles is not part of its mine site. Rather, it said the place served as a terminal for vehicles dispatched to move mining workers.
The mining company also said it has been closely coordinating with the local governments in the hope of finding more victims and helping their families. – Rappler.com
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Justin Brownlee ‘can’t wait’ to don Ginebra colors again | delfin.dioquino editor | 11/2/2024 17:13 | BLOCKBUSTER. Star imports collide as Justin Brownlee (left) and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson face each other in the PBA for the first time.
PBA Images
MANILA, Philippines – Justin Brownlee is synonymous with Barangay Ginebra.
And the beloved import yearns to don the Gin Kings’ colors again after his three-month suspension prevented him from suiting up in an import conference for the first time since he started his PBA career with Ginebra.
“Man, I really can’t wait for that moment. I’m older now, I’m not a young guy,” said the 35-year-old Brownlee.
“I’m at the age where you never know. Things could happen, father time could happen. So every opportunity I get, I’m going to just continue to cherish it and just try to make the best out of it.”
Brownlee helped the Gin Kings end an eight-year championship drought when he hit the title-clinching shot in Game 6 of the 2016 Governors’ Cup finals against Meralco.
He has been a Ginebra fixture since, reinforcing the franchise in 10 straight import conferences and leading it to six PBA crowns as Brownlee tied Alaska icon Sean Chambers for most championships won by an import.
Individually, Brownlee earned three Best Import honors as he matched Bolts rival Allen Durham for second-most wins in PBA history behind the late legend Bobby Parks, who holds the record with seven.
Embracing the Philippines as his home, Brownlee became a naturalized Filipino last year and delivered a pair of gold medals for the country.
He helped Gilas Pilipinas reclaim its throne in the Southeast Asian Games in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, in May then steered the Nationals to their first Asian Games crown since 1962 in Hangzhou, China, in October.
Set for another tour of duty with the Gin Kings, Brownlee got forced to sit out the 2023-2024 Commissioner’s Cup after he failed a doping test in the Asian Games.
Fortunately for Brownlee, he started a voluntary suspension last November 9 – a decision that worked to his favor as FIBA retroactively counted the time he sat out for his three-month period of ineligibility that ended on February 9.
Local sports officials had said that the banned substance found in Brownlee’s doping test may have been from a medication he took after a foot surgery.
Although it will take months before Brownlee suits up for Ginebra, with the PBA expected to stage back-to-back Philippine Cup tournaments for its next two conferences, he is just glad to be available again.
“I can’t wait to put on that Ginebra jersey again and not only represent Ginebra, but it’s like you represent the Philippines playing for Ginebra. So it’s going to be a great day when it comes,” said Brownlee.
As Brownlee waits for his next PBA stint, he is set to play for the Philippines in the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers, where they will face Hong Kong and Chinese Taipei on February 22 and 25, respectively. – Rappler.com
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NGCP told to ‘practice discipline’ to protect consumers | Ailla Dela Cruz | 13/02/2024 14:00 | ConclusionPart 1 | Philippine power transmission monopoly NGCP questions rate review amid calls for refund
In its preliminary review, the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) disallowed expenses of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) totalling P3.7 billion, which it said were “improperly documented or not recoverable for customers.”
The biggest items disallowed were for public relations, corporate social responsibility (CSR), and advertising-related expenses.
NGCP’s advertising expenses, for example, reached P130 billion from 2016 to 2020.
The NGCP argued that its advertising expenses were “not for marketing purposes” but for “information dissemination.” The ERC however demanded proof of the need to spend such an amount on ads.
“There is a test of reasonableness [in assessing these expense items]. If these were spent on full-page ads saying: “Bawal humawak ng livewire,” [we must ask]: reasonable ba ‘yung full-page ad saying that?” ERC Chairperson Monalisa Dimalanta said in a news conference in November where she announced the results of the commission’s preliminary review.
In a separate news conference in November, NGCP Assistant Vice President Cynthia Alabanza said it was “unfair” for the regulator to “retroactively” apply new rules.
“Before you join a game, you need to know the rules. And to retroactively apply rules while you’re in a game, that’s unfair,” Alabanza said in Filipino.
“I’m wondering why they released it when it is still raw. It’s like if we had 100 steps to take to the finish line, we’re still in step two,” she said in Filipino in a press conference held right after ERC’s media conference.
Dimalanta said it was necessary to release the initial findings.
“I think we owe it to the public to let them know what is happening [in the review] and to provide guidance on what is allowed and disallowed [in the expenses of the NGCP],” she said in the press conference in November.
Alfredo Non, who served as ERC commissioner from 2012 to 2018, said there should have been “clearer guidelines” on what spending items were “acceptable.”
“As far as I am concerned, the ERC has not released guidelines on how regulated entities may spend on CSR, or salaries,” he said.
The former commissioner, however, did acknowledge that, during his time, the ERC had disallowed salary increases for a government-controlled corporation.
“When the Philippine Electricity Market Corporation asked before for higher market fees because that’s how they cover their budget, for salary increases, we disallowed it. Because they refused to show documents of their payroll,” he said.
“So if NGCP shows documents, then they should be allowed,” he added.
NGCP’s reply to the ERC findings, which has not been made public as of this writing, is expected to have addressed these issues.
ERC said the disallowances were intended to protect consumers.
“It’s not that the commission is prohibiting them (regulated entities), for example, from increasing the salaries of their employees, or giving donations, or engaging in CSR [activities],” Dimalanta said in the ERC’s November news conference.
“What we’re saying is, you can’t recover that from the rates [you impose on consumers]. You recover that from your profits,” she said.
The ERC had previously ruled, in cases involving power distribution utilities, that CSR expenses should not be charged to consumers.
In its 78-page order, the ERC also highlighted that the NGCP, as a public utility, is mandated to incur only “necessary and efficient costs,” with expenses kept “at a minimum.”
Adoracion Navarro, senior research fellow at the state think-tank Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) said ERC’s moves are intended to send a clear message to NGCP and other entities regulated to practice discipline.
“If before, they (the NGCP) got away with spending on these (disallowed expenses), then the regulator is now setting more discipline,” Navarro told PCIJ. She is a former deputy director general at the National Economic and Development Authority.
“The regulator is now just enforcing that we have to stick with the principles or the rules,” Navarro said.
ERC is making sure that NGCP is “not shortchanging the industry and the Filipino people,” according to a former energy official who asked not to be named.
The official said the entire rate-setting process is supposed to determine which expenses are considered prudent, and it’s up to the NGCP to justify its revenue requirements.
“Because how the commission works is… it is wary. It just wants to make sure that NGCP is functioning at its optimum efficiency, and that it is not shortchanging the industry and the Filipino people,” the official said.
“The concession agreement is a privilege, and that comes with attendant responsibilities,” the official added.
The ERC is expected to release its final determination of the rates in the first quarter of 2024.
Will there be cash refunds? The ERC said it is possible but it’s not guaranteed.
“What we’re seeing are just telltale signs, because they are claiming this much, and we are deciding that they can only recover this much, then there could be a downward adjustment [on their allowable revenue], or a refund,” Dimalanta said in November.
Instead of cash refunds, the ERC is inclined to implement a “reduction of transmission rates,” according to Senator Sherwin Gatchalian at a Senate hearing to discuss ERC’s budget. He defended the budget of ERC during last year’s budget deliberations.
“In terms of modality, it’s easier to reduce the rates, and easier for the regulator to monitor and apply, and to supervise [that kind of] implementation,” he said during the hearing last November 13, 2023.
How much that reduction would translate into consumers’ electricity bills has yet to be determined, he said. But he assured the public that it would be “significant.”
Non said it was the release of the partial results that “created a wrong impression that there would be refunds.”
The release of ERC’s final review of NGCP’s fourth regulatory period was initially expected as early as August 2023. Instead, a preliminary review was released in November 2023, around the time that Congress was deliberating the national budget.
“It’s budget season. They (ERC) had to show to Congress and the Senate that they were doing their jobs,” the energy official who spoke with PCIJ said.
The Senate approved an P888-million budget for the ERC, higher than the P611 million originally proposed by the Department of Budget and Management.
NGCP faced scrutiny amid heavy criticisms against its performance as the country’s grid operator.
NGCP officials have been called to many House and Senate hearings since parts of Luzon were subject to rotational brownouts in the summer of 2021. It does not help that the Luzon grid suffers from yellow and red alerts every year, once the hot season comes, too.
NGCP is responsible for building more transmission lines, but many of its projects are delayed. Power producers have previously lamented delays in their connections to the grid.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. himself gave NGCP a reprimand during his second State of the Nation Address (SONA) in July 2023 over these delays.
“We are conducting a performance review of our private concessionaire, the NGCP. We look to NGCP to complete all of its deliverables, starting with the vital Mindanao-Visayas and the Cebu-Negros-Panay interconnections,” Marcos said in his 2023 SONA speech.
In January 2024, Marcos again took a swipe at the NGCP for failing to prevent a massive power outage in Panay Island, which caused its residents to suffer from total blackout for three days.
“This incident emphasized the vital role of these interconnection projects. We cannot afford to have another round of this costly interruption, not only in Panay Island but anywhere in the country,” Marcos said in an NGCP event announcing the completion of the Mindanao-Visayas interconnection.
Marcos pushed for the completion of remaining critical interconnection lines, including the Cebu-Negros-Panay backbone project during the event.
“So, we look forward to your assurances in the promised completion of the 230 kV Cebu-Negros-Panay backbone project by March of this year,” he said.
The ownership structure of NGCP has also been a subject of security concern because it is 40% owned by the State Grid Corporation of China. Lawmakers have expressed fears that Beijing could use the NGCP for sabotage in case of a conflict over the disputed waters of the West Philippine Sea.
NGCP said this is not a concern because “only Filipinos are manning the (NGCP) substations.”
On the other hand, there are concerns that cutting NGCP’s profits could affect its ability to expand the country’s transmission lines.
The NGCP needs the financial muscle to develop the country’s transmission grid and prevent massive blackouts. The NGCP also needs to modernize the grid to support renewable energy suppliers, according to experts.
In a 2023 report, the Climate Analytics think tank estimated that the country would need transmission lines to accommodate 163 gigawatts (GW) of energy, taking into account the variable nature of proposed and committed renewable energy projects.
NGCP’s Ablanza said as much. She said transmission planning would be critical to the green energy push.
“So if they (the ERC) limit our ability to recover our bonafide expenses, then it would have an impact,” she said.
Non warned of the consequences if ERC’s preliminary review is upheld. He said the NGCP’s investors could be “forced to pull out” if the effects of the review put a dent in the company’s financial ability to operate.
“If I were NGCP, I would fight it out [in court], because the basis for you to continue is a going concern. And if the effect of the review is too significant, then I may pull out [of the concession agreement,” he said.
Whatever the outcome, ERC’s final review of NGCP’s rates will inevitably have consequences on the energy industry. It will also translate to real costs that Filipino consumers will bear. – Rappler.com
This story was first published by the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism. Republished with permission.
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Majoy Baron ready to step up for PLDT as Mika Reyes sits out PVL All-Filipino | delfin.dioquino editor | 12/2/2024 21:51 | NEW PLAYER. Majoy Baron of the PLDT High Speed Hitters.
PLDT High Speed Hitters Facebook page
MANILA, Philippines – Already aware of filling up the middle blocker spot in lieu of the injured Mika Reyes, PLDT’s newest acquisition Majoy Baron is more than ready to take up the mantle.
“I’ll be filling a big role since that’s one of the reasons why I signed with PLDT because Ate Mika was about to take up surgery,” Baron told Rappler during the PVL’s media day in Mandaluyong on Monday, February 12.
“I have a bigger role to fill in and I’m ready for whatever job or task coach is given to me because I trust the system and the management,” she added.
Baron, along with former F2 Logistics teammates Kim Dy and Kim Fajardo, signed with the High Speed Hitters last January after the disbandment of the Cargo Movers.
Reyes underwent surgery in May after doctors discovered a cyst on her right shoulder.
PLDT head coach Rald Ricafort said Reyes aggravated it during the Second All-Filipino Conference last season and went under the knife again in January as she is expected to be out at least through the All-Filipino Conference this year.
The High Speed Hitters’ frontline is more than capable to augment Baron’s presence, as she will be flanked by Jessey de Leon and Rachel Austero.
“Majoy coming in was a good fit, so at least we got a capable, if not a better replacement,” said Ricafort.
Once Reyes returns, the F2 troika will be throwing it back to their La Salle Lady Spikers days of mentorship and healthy competition – as well as chemistry building.
“I’m sure [Reyes] will give her best and I’ll give mine since we are not greedy when it comes to giving pieces of advice, and ever since college, she was the one to taught me… I’m excited to play with her again,” said Baron. – Rappler.com
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LOOK: Try coffee biscocho sorbetes, lemon tart sorbetes by this local ice cream shop | Steph Arnaldo | 13/02/2024 12:19 | MANILA, Philippines – In need of Kilig, Lambing, or a Sinta this Valentine’s season? Local sorbetes shop Papa Diddi’s is serving up all three this February with its new Valentine’s 2024 ice cream collection!
The three limited-edition flavors made from carabao’s milk combine romance with nostalgic Filipino flavors, which were specifically created to “evoke the warm and fuzzy feelings of love” and “define the Filipino spirit.”
They’re all worth a try, but my biased favorite would be the Kilig, which is an asim-kilig flavor for tart-loving sweet tooths. It’s a refreshing blend of bright and citrusy lemon tart ice cream, mixed in with bits of crunchy pastry crust for texture and topped with actual lemon zest!
The Sinta flavor is also a goodie for coffee lovers – it’s got the boldness of a strong and smooth coffee-based ice cream, made with coffee beans sourced from Mt. Apo. It’s tempered by crunchy pieces of sweet biscocho, Iloilo’s famous twice-baked bread coated with butter and sugar.
Papa Diddi’s new Lambing flavor is for the chocoholics, featuring sea salted caramel ice cream layered with rich dark chocolate ice cream, and then topped with crunchy cacao nibs.
Papa Diddi’s Valentine’s-exclusive collection is available starting February until supplies last. Each flavor costs P350 per pint for delivery via website or per scoop in Papa Diddi’s branches at Maginhawa Street, Eastwood Mall, and Laza Food Plaza Makati. – Rappler.com
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New battle shapes up: It’s TV5 + RPN vs GMA | gdecastro0289 | 13/02/2024 9:42 | Mediaquest Holdings Group CEO Jane Basas (2nd right) and TV5 CEO Guido Zaballero (3rd left) formalize a deal with Nine Media President Benjamin Ramos (3rd right) on RPTV at the TV5 headquarters in Mandaluyong City on February 5, 2024.
MANILA, Philippines – On February 5, 2024, Manny V. Pangilinan’s Mediquest Holdings Incorporated/TV5 and the Cabangon-Chua family’s Nine Media Corporation formalized a “content distribution, sales and marketing services agreement” for the new channel RPTV.
What’s the big picture?
The deal essentially combines the broadcasting backbones of these companies to boost the content of Mediaquest/TV5 as it tries to put up a more respectable competition to an industry dominated by GMA Network Incorporated (GMA), following the exit in 2020 of ABS-CBN Corporation from broadcasting. Mediaquest is hoping to finally turn in a profit for TV5 after Pangilinan acquired it for P5 billion from ABC Development Corporation in 2009.
It’s now essentially Kapatid, with significant Kapamilya content, getting a new Kasama versus Kapuso.
RPTV allows TV5 to concentrate on entertainment programming with a bit of news. TV5 has beefed up its flagship evening news program, Frontline Pilipinas, adding former GMA News reporter Jiggy Manicad, Jervi Li, and Mikee Reyes to ex-Kapamilyas Cheryl Cosim and Julius Babao as anchors.
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Frontline Pilipinas competes with GMA’s 24 Oras and ABS-CBN’s TV Patrol, the latter shown on A2Z on free tv and the Kapamilya Channel on cable tv.
With comedian Joey de Leon under its wing, TV5 now has comedy game show Celebrity Samurai as the pre-program to Frontline Pilipinas competing with GMA-7’s Family Feud as the pre-program to 24 Oras.
Mediaquest Holdings Incorporated president and CEO Jane Basas said last week the deal with Nine Media helps TV5’s pivot into “becoming an entertainment network, a pure entertainment network.”
The agreement with Nine Media is for the Mediaquest Group to supply content for RPTV with “sales and marketing services to be handled by TV5,” Mediaquest told Rappler in an email. It declined to specify how the advertising revenues will be divided.
TV5 benefits from the analog and digital terrestrial television or DTT backbone of Radio Philippines Network Incorporated (RPN), especially in light of reports that RPN is rolling out more DTT transmitters as it prepares for the shutdown of analog tv in the Philippines.
The now-privatized RPN, which was established in 1960, is co-owned by the Cabangon-Chuas’ Nine Media, Far East Managers Incorporated, and several other private stockholders, but the Philippine government still has a minority stake, RPN’s website says.
“This agreement brings together TV5 and MediaQuest’s vast library of programs and Nine Media’s broadcast network access and nationwide reach,” TV5 president and CEO Guido Zaballero said in a press statement on February 6.
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“Our collaboration with Nine Media allows us to reach more Filipinos and deliver our commitment to provide the entertainment, sports, news, and public service content that they love,” added Zaballero.
A former broadcast company officer told Rappler a DTT transmitter used to cost around P100 million, so Mediaquest/TV5’s tie-up with Nine Media/Radio Philippines Network Incorporated (RPN) makes business sense. They don’t have to spend so much on putting up more transmitters.
RPTV uses both TV5’s 18.2 DTT and RPN’s 19.1 DTT. In particular, RPN has a DTT transmitter in Metro Manila which is a high definition (HD) feed.
More DTT transmitters means wider reach and better television reception for viewers using digital boxes.
Digital broadcast technology also allows having multiple channels on one frequency. Recall that ABS-CBN, via its TVPlus set-top box, delivered clearer signal for Channel 2, and allowed it to have sub-channels like ABS-CBN Sports, Jeepney TV, Cinemo, Yey, Knowledge Channel that appeal to niche markets. People just had to buy a TVPlus digibox.
With its partnership with RPN, Mediaquest/TV5 is able to create a sub-channel focused on basketball, with a bit of entertainment and news and public service programs. Whether there will be more sub-channels serving niche markets remains to be seen.
There’s still a lot of money to be made from broadcasting.
Industry leader GMA Network earned P2.4 billion in the first three quarters of 2023, down 52% from P5.1 billion in the same period in 2022, an election year.
GMA’s revenues from advertisements, mainly from its free tv channels, reached P12.6 billion in the first three quarters of 2023. Its Good TV or GTV free tv channel also contributed to GMA’s top line, with many ads placed in the weekday movie offering G! Flicks, which TV5 is now battling with Cine Cinco movies.
As a reinvigorated RPN-backed TV5 goes head-to-head with GMA-7, how will RPTV fare among the many digital channels? Will it be able to make money for Pangilinan’s Mediaquest and his RPN partners?
“RPTV is for those that looking for sports, news and public service, action and comedy movies and series. We address the content preferences of a different audience,” Mediaquest told Rappler.
From CNN PH’s whole-day news programming to six hours of Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) games, it’s clear the biggest gainers from the RPTV channel are the league’s fans who want to watch the games on free tv. PBA live games are uninterrupted, and PBA’s 3×3 league games, currently being held in Ayala Malls’ Market! Market!, are also aired.
“We saw the opportunity where we could build a new platform, build a new home for the PBA, wherein we’ll be able to feature more of the PBA games, especially all the live games,” Zaballero told TV5 last week. “Beneficial talaga ‘yan sa (It’s really beneficial to the) audience and it’s the audience that is our number one priority.
The PBA window on RPTV is from 4 pm to 10 pm on weekdays, and 3:30 pm to 10 pm on weekends. RPTV will also air Gilas Pilipinas’ games and Premier Volleyball League matches.
All RPTV needs now to make money are the other corporations with teams in the league, especially San Miguel Corporation (SMC) with three PBA teams, to support it with advertisements. Companies who sell products directed at a predominantly male audience in the lower income brackets should also take a closer look at this new channel.
SMC chief Ramon Ang used to support CNN Philippines (CNN PH) with advertisements and sponsored programs. It remains to be seen how he will be backing up RPTV, especially now that he and Pangilinan are teaming up in other ventures.
Viewers on free tv who like entertainment in Filipino, comedy in particular, are also gainers with RPTV.
Mediaquest’s comedy shows Tropa Mo Ko Unli and Balita One Nan are shown from 11 am to 12 noon prior to TVJ Productions’ E.A.T…Bulaga, from noon to 2:30 pm.
“Some [of these] are fresh shows and some are re-runs,” Mediaquest told Rappler in an email.
“Due to the breadth of content coming from the various platforms of Mediaquest, we aim to establish a program grid that is relevant to the audience while optimizing our content investment. We continue to assess our program line-up to see how we can improve and best entertain our audience,” it added.
Balita One Nan, a play on the Filipino word “tawanan” (laughter), stars comedians Alex Calleja as “Seph ‘Patola’ Balimbing,” Jervi Li as “Kaladkaren Dadilat,” and Wally Bayola as “Migs ‘Reaksyon Man Mamaril.” The show is similar to the now-defunct “news and comedy affairs” show of ABS-CBN’s Studio 23, Wazzup Wazzup, starring then-young entertainers Vhong Navarro and Toni Gonzaga reporting news live.
Those who like comedy can now watch Tropa Mo Ko Unli and Balita One Nan on free tv. They are also shown on Cignal’s BuKo channel on Cignal cable.
The biggest beneficiary from the Mediquest/TV5 tie-up with Nine Media/RPN is EAT Bulaga!, starring Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto, Joey de Leon (TVJ) and the rest of the Dabarkads.
Under the deal, EAT Bulaga! can be now be seen on the analog and digital channels of TV5 and RPN 9. There will be more people in the middle- and lower-income brackets who will get to watch TVJ Productions’ EAT Bulaga! on free tv. Recall that there were complaints from many Eat Bulaga! fans – after TVJ left TAPE Incorporated – that they would not be able to watch the show on free tv due to TV5’s weaker signals vis-a-vis GMA’s.
EAT Bulaga! competes with ABS-CBN’s noon show, It’s Showtime, shown on GMA’s GTV, and TAPE’s now-renamed Tahanang Pinakamasaya on GMA’s main free tv channel, GMA-7.
TV5 expects that this deal with Nine Media will translate to higher ratings for EAT Bulaga! and hopefully more advertising revenues.
Mediaquest now has a rich library of content that it can use to improve RPTV’s programming. Aside from TV5, Pangilinan’s other media assets include Cignal, Philippine Star, BusinessWorld, Radyo5, One Sports, Sari-Sari Channel, Epik Studios, Unitel Straightshooters, and National Broadcasting Corporation.
Similarly, for those who used to watch CNN PH on free tv, there’s been a shift from predominantly English news to RPTV’s Filipino news and public affairs programs: (as of February 1) Ted Failon and DJ Chacha (6 am to 10 am), Gud Morning Kapatid (10 am to 11 am), Raffy Tulfo’s Wanted In Action (2:30 pm to 4 pm), and Frontline Tonight (11:15 pm).
On free tv, these shows compete with GMA’s Dobol B TV (5:30 am to 9 am), Regional TV News (10 am to 10:30 am), Balitanghali (10:30 am to 11:30 am), and late-night news show Saksi (11:30 pm to midnight).
RPTV will also be airing the ex-Kapamilya and now Kapatid Gus Abelgas’ Forensics on weekends.
Veterans in the broadcast industry must be scratching their heads why it took Nine Media eight years to figure out there’s no market on free tv for an all-day predominantly English news channel. Those in the upper-income brackets get their news mainly from cable tv and now the web, not from analog or digiboxes.
Asked whether RPTV will be putting up original news shows with former CNN Philippines talents, Mediaquest told Rappler “there are no plans at the moment.”
“We continue to review our programming to see what will best serve the audience in the late night timeslot,” it said.
A coincidental beneficiary in this Mediquest/TV5 deal with Nine Media/RPN is Senator Raffy Tulfo. His show, Wanted sa Radyo on RPTV, now gets the added boost from RPN’s DTT backbone in addition to TV5’s DTT transmitters.
Running as an independent candidate, Tulfo’s radio, television, and social media presence catapulted him to 3rd place in the 2022 senatorial elections behind topnotcher Robinhood Padilla and Loren Legarda. Padilla was carried by PDP-Laban, while Legarda ran under the Nationalist People’s Coalition.
This could be important in the run up to the 2028 elections, given that Tulfo is considered by political analysts as a strong presidential candidate.
Take note that House Speaker Martin Romualdez set up a joint venture with ABS-CBN in 2023 when it put up DWPM TeleRadyo Serbisyo, using the 630 AM frequency of ABS-CBN, filling up a hole in his nationwide network of mostly FM radio stations. FM radio is an important source of political information, especially during elections, given the many news, public affairs, and commentary programs on radio.
Former Senate president Manny Villar likewise hasn’t given up his All TV network after taking over Channel 2.
All these are useful in the run up to the 2028 elections, in what some media analysts say will be competitively fought on both old and new media, with special emphasis on the latter, especially Tiktok, similar to what’s happening in Indonesia. – Rappler.com
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Philippine power transmission monopoly NGCP questions rate review amid calls for refund | Ailla Dela Cruz | 13/02/2024 11:27 | The Supreme Court petition filed by the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) to halt a long-delayed review of its rates could keep power costs high and delay potential refunds to consumers.
NGCP is a private monopoly that operates the country’s power transmission lines – the grid – linking power generators to distribution utilities such as Meralco and electric cooperatives nationwide. Costs incurred by the NGCP are passed on to consumers as part of their electric bills, accounting for about 10% of the total bill based on estimates.
The NGCP suffered a setback in November last year when the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), in a preliminary review of its rates from 2016 to 2022, the fourth regulatory period (RP), cut its allowable expenditures by half.
The amount included disallowances worth P3.7 billion, which were spent for public relations and advertising costs, among others, that ERC said should not be charged to consumers.
Senators have been among the most vocal in calling for the ERC to order refunds to consumers.
But the NGCP questioned before the Supreme Court new rules adopted by the ERC when it reviewed the rates of the transmission operator. It sought a temporary restraining order (TRO) on the ERC proceedings.
NGCP lawyer Jerome Versoza announced this move in December 2023, as the ERC began proceedings for the fifth RP covering the years 2023 to 2027.
A TRO, if granted, would restrain “the honorable commission from continuing further proceedings with concern to the fourth RP application and the fifth RP application,” the NGCP lawyer said.
The fourth RP, covering the years 2016 to 2022, is the subject of the November preliminary review, whose final determination is expected in the first quarter of 2024. The fifth RP covers the current period, from 2023 to 2027.
Pete Ilagan, a consumer affairs advocate and former energy official, warned that a Supreme Court intervention would “delay the reset process, definitely.”
“But the bigger issue is, the application for the fourth regulatory process is still pending, and it’s already past the period,” he said. “[It is] a clear case of regulatory failure.”
During the December 2023 hearing, ERC presiding officer, Maria Corazon Gines, took note of Versoza’s manifestation, but proceeded with the pre-trial for the fifth review as the Supreme Court had yet to act on the NGCP’s plea.
“As there is still no TRO or preliminary injunction, then we will continue with the proceedings,” she said.
NGCP’s counsels stayed in the room but did not comment during the two-hour proceedings.
The details of the NGCP petition remain under wraps. News organizations, including the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ), have repeatedly sought a copy from NGCP, but were denied.
The PCIJ has also requested a copy from the ERC, but was refused. The regulator argued that the PCIJ was “not a party to the said case.”
“The ERC is enjoined to observe the sub judice rule (which restricts comments and disclosures pertaining to judicial proceedings), consequently, [we are] constrained to deny your FOI (freedom of information) request,” it wrote in a letter to the PCIJ.
NGCP has publicly questioned ERC’s preliminary review of its rates because the ERC – hobbled by internal issues and later on, the COVID-19 pandemic – changed the rules governing the review process.
Critics have found NGCP’s transmission rates, set in 2009, to be “excessive.”
The ERC’s preliminary review of NGCP’s rates from 2016 to 2022 cut NGCP’s revenue requirement, essentially, the transmission operator’s allowable expenses, to more than half.
In its application, NGCP sought a revenue requirement worth P387.80 billion for 2016 to 2020, which meant an annual average of P129 billion. But the ERC, based on its initial review, found that allowable revenue should only be at P183 billion for the period, or about P36.67 billion a year.
The NGCP, from 2016 to 2020, operated on an interim maximum annual revenue (iMAR), approved by the ERC under a different leadership.
This iMAR, said NGCP Assistant Vice President Cynthia Alabanza, was only an estimate but was approved by the ERC as there was no regulatory review at that time.
“Just like when Congress hasn’t approved a government budget, the government would spend based on what was previously allowed. So that’s what we were doing…we were spending based on what was allowed [in the third regulatory period],” Alabanza said in Filipino in a news conference in November 2023.
But the iMAR could be subject to review and may be revised, based on ERC rules.
Majority of the ERC’s cuts in the preliminary review came from three major items:
These three items were worth P104 billion during the five-year review period.
The net efficiency adjustment is the incentive given to the NGCP for achieving “cost reductions in controllable costs,” while revenue under-recoveries are expense items not recovered during the previous regulatory period.
ERC said a decision on both items would be made in the final determination of the review due this quarter.
It is not, however, keen on granting a net performance incentive to the transmission operator.
This incentive is based on a performance incentive scheme (PIS), a set of service and operational performance criteria, which is supposedly set before the beginning of every regulatory period.
If the NGCP meets these criteria, it is rewarded with an incentive. Otherwise, penalties may be imposed.
In its application for the fourth rate reset, the NGCP adopted the PIS set during the third regulatory period. But the ERC said it was “constrained from upholding this position.”
“Considering that the PIS and its factors have not been established prior to the commencement of the fourth regulatory period, it follows that NGCP does not have the basis to enforce the incentives. Conversely, there appears to be no grounds for the imposition of penalties,” the November ERC order read.
Former ERC commissioner Alfredo Non said the ERC position was debatable because the NGCP should be recognized for meeting the criteria for incentives in the previous regulatory period.
“It is not NGCP’s fault that ERC failed to provide parameters for the fourth regulatory period,” said Non, who was ERC commissioner from 2012 to 2018.
ERC said the disallowances were intended to protect consumers. (To be concluded: NGCP told to ‘practice discipline’ to protect consumers) – Rappler.com
This story was first published by the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism. Republished with permission.
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People’s initiative for Cha-Cha lead PIRMA non-existent since 2004 – SEC | Bonz Magsambol | 13/02/2024 12:36 | NO LONGER EXISTS. People’s Initiative for Reform, Modernization and Action lead convenors Atty. Alex Avisado and Noel Oñate attends the senate hearing on the signature campaign for people’s initiative on January 30, 2024.
Angie de Silva/Rappler
MANILA, Philippines – The People’s Initiative for Modernization and Reform Action (PIRMA) has been non-existent since February 10, 2004, the date the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) revoked its registration for failing to submit reportorial requirements.
This was revealed during the Senate inquiry on the people’s initiative to amend the Constitution on Tuesday, February 13.
“Their certificate of registration has been revoked since February 10, 2004,” said SEC’s Katrina Jean Miranda, when asked by Senator Imee Marcos to confirm the information in relation to PIRMA’s existence.
PIRMA first registered with the SEC on March 12, 1997.
Miranda said that since 2004, PIRMA has not been submitting their documents for registration with the SEC, based on the agency’s records.
“What we only have are their articles of incorporation and by-laws which they submitted when they applied for registration,” she said.
In response, PIRMA lead counsel Alex Avisado said that they had submitted the corporation’s updated email and contact persons through the SEC portal just after the Senate held its first inquiry in early February.
“You are going to update the website of a corporation that has not been in existence in 20 years. Wala na ito. Multo na ito. Wala nang PIRMA. Bente anyos na, ano pa pagpipilitan natin dito (This is already non-existent. This is ghost. No more PIRMA. It’s been 20 years, what are we pushing for here)?” said Marcos, chairman of Senate committee on electoral reforms.
Miranda also said that the proper re-registration process for PIRMA is to apply for petition to lift the order of revocation, and not just to submit updated details online.
In response, Avisado said, “We cannot file a petition for reinstatement unless we update the portal through online submissions.” He added that their next step is to submit to the SEC the names of the new PIRMA directors.
In previous Senate inquiry, PIRMA lead convenor Noel Oñate disclosed that the corporation spent P55 million for a paid advertisement on the supposed “failures” of the 1987 Constitution to highlight the need for charter change. PIRMA has yet to disclose the list of donors for the TV ad.
Oñate had also earlier disclosed that House Speaker Martin Romualdez “helped” them in the signature campaign they initiated for the supposed people’s initiative.
Amid questions surrounding the people’s initiative, the Commission on Elections decided to stop proceedings related to charter change. – Rappler.com
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Highly noted: “The People’s Initiative for Modernization and Reform Action (PIRMA) has been non-existent since February 10, 2004.” So, is the recent People’s Initiative initiated by a “bogus” or “dead” or “ghost” organization? Is this an action that defrauds the Filipino People?
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Bacolod mayor apologizes to Ivana Alawi amid noise over Tokyo encounter | Herbie G | 13/02/2024 11:25 | Amid the flurry of speculation and whispers, the picturesque city of Bacolod found itself at the heart of a sensational tale starring Mayor Alfredo Abelardo “Albee” Benitez and the popular YouTuber turned model-actress, Ivana Alawi.
Talk ignited like wildfire following an encounter between the two, captured in a viral video and photos at a Japanese airport, sparking imaginations far and wide.
The controversy holds the potential to damage Benitez’s political standing, given his governance of a city that’s largely conservative and Catholic, placing high importance on traditional family values rooted in religion.
On Monday, February 12, Benitez publicly apologized to Alawi over speculations that they were having an affair.
“Speculations involving Ms. Ivana Alawi are untrue and only serve to put malice into what was clearly a chance encounter,” said Benitez, a former member of the House of Representatives and among the richest congressmen then.
“I apologize to Ms. Alawi and her family who have been unfairly dragged into issues concerning my private life. There is no truth to the rumors spreading, and I am setting the record straight to avoid further hurt and damage to them,” part of Benitez’s statement read.
Benitez clarified that the video footage showing him and Alawi standing close to each other in Tokyo was misinterpreted.
“The video does not accurately explain why I was in Tokyo,” he said. “I went there on a business trip as stated in my official travel order.”
He also explained that his professional interactions with various celebrities stem from his role as a film and TV program producer, which is inherent to the nature of his business.
Alawi also released a statement over the weekend, denying any romantic links with the billionaire politician to protect her mother from online backlash.
In a Facebook post, she categorically denied that Benitez was her boyfriend.
“Hindi po ako ang nasasabing girlfriend ni Mayor Albee Benitez (I am not the one being said to be the girlfriend of Mayor Albee Benitez),” she said.
Alawi said she was seeing “someone who makes me happy,” clarifying that her boyfriend is a respectable businessman and not a politician, hoping to dispel any further rumors.
Benitez appealed to the public to respect his and other people’s privacy, adding his dedication to safeguarding the interests of Bacolod and its people amid distractions.
Before being linked to Alawi, Benitez and his wife Dominique “Nikki” Lopez found themselves amid speculations about a supposed marriage annulment.
Benitez dodged questions about the alleged annulment, further fueling speculations about him and his wife in Bacolod and Negros Occidental.
However, he was quoted in an online showbiz news portal two weekends earlier as saying that there was no problem if he was going out on a date because he and his wife “have not been a couple for several years. In fact, we have gotten dissolution in court several years back.”
The report prompted Nikki to respond, asserting that she and Benitez have been living under one roof for 31 years, maintaining their family’s unity.
Their son, Victorias City Mayor Javier Miguel “Javi” Benitez, added fuel to the fire with a cryptic post on Facebook, expressing shock over his father’s pronouncement.
“We’re as shocked as everyone because this wasn’t spoken about in private, but Mom, I want you to know that I thank you and love you for all that you have done for our family. We know how much you have sacrificed for me and Bettina. I am eternally grateful,” Javi said.
Following Benitez’s and Alawi’s denials, Javi posted another cryptic message on Facebook: “Less talk, less mistake. No talk, no mistake.” – Rappler.com
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Next man up: UP’s Gerry Abadiano to key in on consistency as bigger role looms | delfin.dioquino editor | 12/2/2024 19:22 | VETERAN. Gerry Abadiano in action for the UP Fighting Maroons in the UAAP Season 86 men's basketball tournament.
UAAP
MANILA, Philippines – After a heartbreaking campaign punctuated by back-to-back losses in the UAAP Season 86 finals, the UP Fighting Maroons have a clear hole left on the offensive end.
With the exit of top two scorers CJ Cansino and Malick Diouf along with JD Cagulangan’s final-year decision still up in the air, the pressure is on Gerry Abadiano to make a leap towards a bigger role in Season 87.
“It’s a huge boost to be consistent,” Abadiano told Rappler on what should be the focal point of his offseason.
Abadiano averaged 6.9 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game in Season 86. He started in 12 games for the Fighting Maroons, the third most starts among UP players.
Known for his scoring prowess, the 22-year-old Abadiano had an up-and-down season, scoring double-digits only four times, including a season-high 22-point outing in the second round versus the Ateneo Blue Eagles.
Abadiano was scoreless in three games and only posted scant 3-point and 2-point nights in Games 2 and 3 of the finals, respectively, as the Maroons bowed to the La Salle Green Archers.
Falling short of the last two UAAP titles, the UP guard sees consistency along with conditioning as the key to bounce back in Season 87.
“Last season, detail by detail, it was well thought out,” Abadiano said. “But for me, conditioning is something we need to work on.”
“Whenever we are consistent, we never fold or get overwhelmed,” he added. “In a game, if we are consistent, we put ourselves in the best position to win.”
The former NU Bullpups standout vowed to put in the work to fill the offensive void left by his graduating teammates.
“I will work out, improve conditioning, and improve my skills,” said Abadiano, who will enter his fourth year with the Fighting Maroons in Season 87.
Earlier this year, the Fighting Maroons also saw one of its prized recruits, Jared Bahay, turn back on his commitment to UP as he is set to suit up for the Fighting Maroons’ Katipunan rival Ateneo.
Former San Beda high school star Chris Hubilla also de-committed from the Fighting Maroons to play for the Letran Knights in the NCAA, further hurting UP’s guard depth. – Rappler.com
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Kai Sotto delivers career game in Japan B. League ahead of Gilas Pilipinas stint | Jasmine Payo | 12/2/2024 15:23 | BIG GAME. Yokohama's Kai Sotto goes for a jump shot in Japan B. League action.
JAPAN B. LEAGUE
MANILA, Philippines – With the first window of the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers just around the corner, Gilas Pilipinas center Kai Sotto just delivered a strong message to the national team’s upcoming opponents.
In the final two games prior to the Japan B. League’s three-week FIBA break from February 12 to March 1, Sotto played the best basketball of his young professional career as the Yokohama B-Corsairs split their weekend series against the Chiba Jets.
On Saturday, February 10, Sotto notched his first double-double in the 2023-2024 B. League season, putting up 18 points on a near-perfect 7-of-8 shooting with 10 rebounds in Yokohama’s 89-79 loss to Chiba.
With vengeance on his mind, Sotto then erupted for a career-high 26 points and 11 rebounds to lead the B-Corsairs to a 90-85 overtime win against the same opponents on Sunday.
Sotto connected on 9 of his 13 shots and 8 of his 9 free throws to reach 26 points, surpassing his previous career-best of 21 markers, which he set last season while playing for his former B. League team Hiroshima Dragonflies.
The 7-foot-3 big man came through the clutch as he scored 6 of Yokohama’s 13 points in the extra period, including two clutch free throws with only 14 seconds left that sealed the win for the B-Corsairs.
Prior to his weekend explosion, Sotto averaged only 7.6 points and 3.8 rebounds in his first 12 games with Yokohama. His 27 minutes and 32 seconds of playing time on Sunday were also the most he has played this season after seeing limited action earlier this year.
Sotto is one of three B. League players named to Tim Cone’s 12-man national team pool, together with Dwight Ramos of the Levanga Hokkaido and injured big man AJ Edu of the Toyama Grouses.
Sotto and Ramos are expected to suit up for Gilas Pilipinas when it faces Hong Kong on February 22 and Chinese Taipei on February 25.
Meanwhile, Thirdy Ravena and the San-En NeoPhoenix saw their 16-game winning streak come to an end on Sunday after falling to the Alvark Tokyo, 94-72.
The fourth-year San-En star Thirdy had 16 points, 3 rebounds, and 4 assists in the lopsided defeat.
Prior to this setback, Thirdy exploded for a game-high 22 points on 7-of-11 clip from the field in San-En’s 93-74 demolition of Tokyo on Saturday.
Despite the loss, Thirdy and the NeoPhoenix remain at the top of the standings with a 34-5 record.
Elsewhere, Ramos had back-to-back double-digit scoring performances for Hokkaido, but those numbers weren’t enough as they suffered a weekend sweep at the hands of defending champion Ryukyu Golden Kings.
Ramos finished with 10 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists in Hokkaido’s 94-84 Saturday loss, before posting an all-around stat line of 16 markers, 3 boards, 3 dimes, 2 steals, and 2 blocks in their 80-73 Sunday defeat.
In a matchup between two Filipino imports, Ray Parks and the Nagoya Diamond Dolphins went 2-0 against Matthew Wright and the Kyoto Hannaryz over the weekend.
Parks scored 8 points, while Wright produced 10 points in Nagoya’s 88-68 thrashing of Kyoto on Saturday.
Parks then tallied 3 points and 8 rebounds, while Wright came up with 14 markers and 8 assists in the Dolphins’ 89-82 win on Sunday.
Over in Division 2, Kiefer Ravena came up huge for the Shiga Lakes as they swept the Veltex Shizuoka.
On Saturday, Kiefer delivered 15 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals to help Shiga cruise past Shizuoka, 100-82.
He followed it up with 19 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists in Shiga’s 78-75 escape win on Sunday. – Rappler.com
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Breeze teaches kids to care for the environment | Julian Cirineo | 6/2/2024 13:57 | To help kids care for the environment, they need to be allowed to form a healthy and friendly relationship with it – one full of learning, compassion, and consistency. This is why the Breeze EcoProject campaign has been visiting schools to help educate, engage, and empower kids through fun-filled activities. Now in its third year, the campaign has been bigger than ever – with more schools and students involved, and more activities to learn from.
Breeze EcoProject started with Marikina in 2021. The year after, they added schools from Taguig and Pateros (TAPAT). This year, they added Quezon City into the mix. From 17 schools and 24,384 students in 2021, they have now involved a total of 59 schools and 133,356 students in total. They also partnered with the different school division offices of Marikina, Taguig-Pateros, and Quezon City.
They also packed in more activities for the year. Breeze EcoProject added several activities this year, including teachers training or training workshops for the teachers with speakers who mentored children through their environmental journey, and lessons about collecting and recycling plastic waste and even planting and tending to a garden.
They also launched the project in Quezon City during the Brigada Eskwela Opening Program of Rosa L. Susano – Novaliches Elementary School, in collaboration with Knowledge Channel Foundation, Inc. and the Schools Division Office of Quezon City.
The campaign started with training for teachers about environmental awareness so that they could guide students even beyond the campaign’s conclusion. Then an E-collect program took place where students can bring single-use and recyclable plastic waste that was sent to different recycling facilities. The school with the heaviest accumulated plastic waste was awarded a Knowledge TV.
Students were once again taught how to make eco planters and the student with the best planter will be awarded an Android tablet.
An Eco Garden competition was also in place, so students could apply what they learned from the classroom in a realistic setting. And the group with the most transformative and creative garden was also recognized.
Just in time for the holiday season too is the Eco Christmas Corner program where grade three students were taught how to use recyclable materials to decorate their Christmas Corners.
Now in its third year of the campaign, Breeze is living up to their promise of continued environmental education for young students. Not only have they sustained the program and replicated it in more schools, but they have also expanded it to include more activities and opportunities to learn.
Want to know more about Breeze’s third EcoProject campaign? Watch the video below.
You can visit https://www.facebook.com/BreezePhilippines/ for more information. – Rappler.com
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For them in 2024, there’s no forgetting the EDSA revolution | Dwight de Leon | 13/02/2024 7:00 | PEOPLE POWER. Protesters gather at the EDSA People Power Monument on February 20, 2022, to commemorate the 36th anniversary of the People Power Revolution that toppled dictator Ferdinand E. Marcos.
Angie de Silva/Rappler
No holiday, no problem.
Malacañang’s decision in October 2023 to exclude the EDSA People Power Revolution anniversary from the list of holidays in 2024 prompted democracy advocates to push back harder and mount numerous commemorative events this year, according to the grandson of democracy icons Ninoy and Cory Aquino.
“A fire was lit under us when the holiday was canceled, which was questionable because other holidays that fell on a weekend like the Chinese New Year were recognized as a holiday,” Kiko Aquino Dee said.
“This year, in particular, it is clear that there is an effort to set EDSA aside, and that’s something we stand against,” he added.
So far, the Buhay ang Edsa campaign network has listed the following events later this month:
The culmination of the bloodless revolt on February 25, 1986, kicked dictator Ferdinand E. Marcos out of Malacañang after an iron-fist rule that lasted more than a decade. His family soon went on exile in Hawaii, an experience that his son Marcos Jr. described as among the darkest days of their lives.
A decades-long project to rehabilitate their family’s image ultimately led to the Marcoses returning to power, capped by Marcos Jr.’s ascent to the presidency in 2022.
For 2024, the Palace downplayed its removal of the EDSA Revolution anniversary from the list of holidays, saying there would be “minimal socio-economic impact in declaring this day as a special non-working holiday since it coincides with the rest day for most workers and laborers.”
This year, democracy advocates are also using the EDSA revolution anniversary commemoration to amplify their opposition to charter change.
“We cannot talk about EDSA without defending the Constitution that made the victories of EDSA enjoyed by the people,” Aquino Dee said.
The present Constitution was completed months after the 1986 uprising, and ratified through a nationwide plebiscite in February 1987.
It replaced the 1973 Constitution, which helped Marcos justify his prolonged stay in office.
Around 78 student council organizations across the country have banded together to reject attempts under the Marcos administration to amend or revise the present Constitution.
“It is our firm belief that charter change will not address the worsening education crisis where our learners are failing globally in reading, mathematics, and science,” said Kris Felices, a member of the alliance. “We fervently urge the government and other policy makers to concentrate their efforts in addressing pressing concerns affecting the youth.” – Rappler.com
(Quotes in Filipino were translated into English.)
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Death toll from Davao de Oro landslide jumps to 68 | Chito de la Vega | 12/2/2024 22:19 | Philippine Army rescuers and government responders conduct search and rescue efforts in Barangay Masara, Davao de Oro on February 10, 2024.
Philippine Army Facebook page
MANILA, Philippines – The death toll from a landslide in the southern Philippines has climbed to 68 as officials said on Monday, February 12, the window of finding more survivors is closing.
Rescuers were looking for 51 more people in the wake of the February 6 landslide, which struck outside a gold mine in Maco town in Davao de Oro province and buried homes and vehicles that were supposed to ferry employees of the mining company.
Disaster authorities plan to shift their focus from search and rescue to search and retrieval beginning on Tuesday, Maco town disaster officer Ariel Capoy said.
Torrential rains have battered Davao de Oro in recent weeks, triggering floods and landslides, forcing many families to flee their homes.
The United States, through the US Agency for International Development, was providing $1.25 million in humanitarian aid to the affected communities in the southern islands, its embassy in Manila said in a statement.
The US Defense Department also provided two C-130 cargo planes to help deliver food packs in the affected communities. – Rappler.com
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FACT CHECK: No Marcos-Duterte order for Arnold Clavio to leave the country | Lorenz Pasion | 12/2/2024 20:30 | Claim: President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte ordered journalist Arnold Clavio to leave the Philippines.
Why we fact-checked this: The claim was originally uploaded on the YouTube channel Philippines Trending News. On February 11, a YouTube channel with over 97,800 subscribers made a reaction video to it, carrying the title that reads: “Nagimbal ang Media at si Arnold Clavio sa Matinding Utos! VPSARA FPRRD PBBM Nagalit! | React”
(The media and Arnold Clavio were shocked by the firm order! [Vice President Sara Duterte, former president Rodrigo Roa Duterte, and President Bongbong Marcos] got angry! | React)
Its thumbnail shows pictures of the President and Vice President holding a supposed order that points to Clavio, accompanied by the text, “Clavio pinalayas sa Pinas” (Clavio expelled from the Philippines) and “Tanggal sa GMA! Kapapasok lang na balita” (Removed from GMA! Just in.)
As of writing, the misleading video has garnered 105,112 views, 338 comments, and 1,500 likes.
The bottom line: Neither Marcos nor Duterte issued any order expelling Clavio from the country. There is also no report or statement from GMA Network about the journalist’s removal from the network.
The claim stems from the GMA journalist’s recent criticism on his Instagram account of former president Duterte. On January 29, Clavio said Marcos has the right to defend himself against Duterte’s accusations, adding that the former president no longer has immunity from suit.
Clavio also made a post on January 30 about possible scenarios once Marcos grants the International Criminal Court (ICC), which is investigating the Duterte-era drug war killings, access to the country.
“Kapag pinayagan na ni BBM ang International Criminal Court (ICC) sa bansa, dalawa lang ang pwedeng mangyari—may iiyak, at huwag naman sana, may magtatangkang magpakamatay,” Clavio wrote.
(Once Marcos allows the ICC to have access to the country, only two things could happen—someone may cry, and hopefully not, somone may contemplate suicide.)
The misleading video that targeted Clavio did not provide proof to back up its claim, merely featuring commentary from a February 6 video uploaded on the channel Badong Aratiles Vlog.
In the original video, the narrator talked about Clavio’s past controversies and the journalist’s remarks on the recent verbal clashes between Marcos and the former president. Last January, the ex-president repeatedly called Marcos a “drug addict,” while Marcos said that Duterte’s supposed use of fentanyl was behind the foul-mouthed tirade.
Still in GMA: As of writing, Clavio can still be seen on GMA news programs like Unang Hirit and Saksi, where he is host and anchor. He also remains visible on the flagship AM radio station of GMA Network Inc., Super Radyo DZBB 594, particularly in One on One: Walang Personalan with co-host Connie Sison.
Online disinformation against journalists: Aside from Clavio, other journalists had also been subjected to false claims about their supposed expulsion from the Philippines over critical or controversial remarks.
Karen Davila was supposedly ordered to leave the country over an alleged statement in which she implied the possibility of migrating if Marcos won the presidential election. Ted Failon’s remarks on the disclosure of Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth by presidential candidates also triggered the same false claim.
Meanwhile, broadcasters Mel Tiangco and Noli de Castro supposedly received the same order for allegedly disrespecting Marcos and Vice President Sara Duterte, respectively.
Debunked: The channel that uploaded the claim has been fact-checked by Rappler multiple times for spreading misinformation on alleged orders from Marcos.
– Larry Chavez/Rappler.com
Larry Chavez is a graduate of Rappler’s fact-checking mentorship program. This fact check was reviewed by a member of Rappler’s research team and a senior editor. Learn more about Rappler’s fact-checking mentorship program here.
Keep us aware of suspicious Facebook pages, groups, accounts, websites, articles, or photos in your network by contacting us at [email protected]. Let us battle disinformation one Fact Check at a time.
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More UAAP HS history: Adamson claims first girls’ volley title, NU rules boys’ tourney | jisaga0269 | 12/2/2024 20:02 | HISTORY MADE. The Adamson Baby Falcons celebrate winning the UAAP Season 86 girls' volleyball championship against the Nazareth-NU Lady Bullpups.
UAAP Season 86 Media Team
MANILA, Philippines – Adamson continued to stamp its class in the UAAP high school level, as the Baby Falcons denied Nazareth-NU a girls’ volleyball title three-peat bid with a 25-18, 25-18, 28-26 thrashing in Game 2 on Monday, February 12, completing a dominant 14-0 Season 86 sweep.
Less than a day ago, Adamson had also claimed its first boys’ basketball title in 31 years on Sunday, February 11, also against Nazareth-NU.
Nineteen-year-old Shaina Nitura shone brightest after the two-game sweep, nabbing both season MVP and Finals MVP honors to cap off her Baby Falcons career.
Led by Nitura and two other graduating stars, Mary Grace del Moral and Felicity Sagaysay, Adamson not only completed a rare season sweep, but also lost just four sets total in its entire campaign.
Had NU won the series, it would have broken a second-place tie with UST at six girls’ titles apiece. La Salle-Zobel stays alone on top with 10.
The Bullpups, however, got their redemption over in the boys’ division, denying a three-game challenge by the UE Junior Warriors with a 20-25, 25-16, 27-25, 25-21 Game 3 finale, also on Monday at the FilOil EcoOil Centre.
The win marks the school’s fifth boys’ title overall, all in just a seven-year span.
UE, meanwhile, continues searching for an elusive return trip to the top after achieving an astounding 11-peat from 2004 to 2015. Overall, the Junior Warriors hold a league-best 14 championships in the division.
NU’s Jeffe Gallego was named Finals MVP for his efforts in the thrilling three-game series, which included a marathon 39-37 Set 1 win in Game 1 and a five-set loss in Game 2. – Rappler.com
The UAAP does not keep high school volleyball stats, only scores.
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Majoy Baron ready to step up for PLDT as Mika Reyes sits out PVL All-Filipino | delfin.dioquino editor | 12/2/2024 21:51 | NEW PLAYER. Majoy Baron of the PLDT High Speed Hitters.
PLDT High Speed Hitters Facebook page
MANILA, Philippines – Already aware of filling up the middle blocker spot in lieu of the injured Mika Reyes, PLDT’s newest acquisition Majoy Baron is more than ready to take up the mantle.
“I’ll be filling a big role since that’s one of the reasons why I signed with PLDT because Ate Mika was about to take up surgery,” Baron told Rappler during the PVL’s media day in Mandaluyong on Monday, February 12.
“I have a bigger role to fill in and I’m ready for whatever job or task coach is given to me because I trust the system and the management,” she added.
Baron, along with former F2 Logistics teammates Kim Dy and Kim Fajardo, signed with the High Speed Hitters last January after the disbandment of the Cargo Movers.
Reyes underwent surgery in May after doctors discovered a cyst on her right shoulder.
PLDT head coach Rald Ricafort said Reyes aggravated it during the Second All-Filipino Conference last season and went under the knife again in January as she is expected to be out at least through the All-Filipino Conference this year.
The High Speed Hitters’ frontline is more than capable to augment Baron’s presence, as she will be flanked by Jessey de Leon and Rachel Austero.
“Majoy coming in was a good fit, so at least we got a capable, if not a better replacement,” said Ricafort.
Once Reyes returns, the F2 troika will be throwing it back to their La Salle Lady Spikers days of mentorship and healthy competition – as well as chemistry building.
“I’m sure [Reyes] will give her best and I’ll give mine since we are not greedy when it comes to giving pieces of advice, and ever since college, she was the one to taught me… I’m excited to play with her again,” said Baron. – Rappler.com
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Next man up: UP’s Gerry Abadiano to key in on consistency as bigger role looms | delfin.dioquino editor | 12/2/2024 19:22 | VETERAN. Gerry Abadiano in action for the UP Fighting Maroons in the UAAP Season 86 men's basketball tournament.
UAAP
MANILA, Philippines – After a heartbreaking campaign punctuated by back-to-back losses in the UAAP Season 86 finals, the UP Fighting Maroons have a clear hole left on the offensive end.
With the exit of top two scorers CJ Cansino and Malick Diouf along with JD Cagulangan’s final-year decision still up in the air, the pressure is on Gerry Abadiano to make a leap towards a bigger role in Season 87.
“It’s a huge boost to be consistent,” Abadiano told Rappler on what should be the focal point of his offseason.
Abadiano averaged 6.9 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game in Season 86. He started in 12 games for the Fighting Maroons, the third most starts among UP players.
Known for his scoring prowess, the 22-year-old Abadiano had an up-and-down season, scoring double-digits only four times, including a season-high 22-point outing in the second round versus the Ateneo Blue Eagles.
Abadiano was scoreless in three games and only posted scant 3-point and 2-point nights in Games 2 and 3 of the finals, respectively, as the Maroons bowed to the La Salle Green Archers.
Falling short of the last two UAAP titles, the UP guard sees consistency along with conditioning as the key to bounce back in Season 87.
“Last season, detail by detail, it was well thought out,” Abadiano said. “But for me, conditioning is something we need to work on.”
“Whenever we are consistent, we never fold or get overwhelmed,” he added. “In a game, if we are consistent, we put ourselves in the best position to win.”
The former NU Bullpups standout vowed to put in the work to fill the offensive void left by his graduating teammates.
“I will work out, improve conditioning, and improve my skills,” said Abadiano, who will enter his fourth year with the Fighting Maroons in Season 87.
Earlier this year, the Fighting Maroons also saw one of its prized recruits, Jared Bahay, turn back on his commitment to UP as he is set to suit up for the Fighting Maroons’ Katipunan rival Ateneo.
Former San Beda high school star Chris Hubilla also de-committed from the Fighting Maroons to play for the Letran Knights in the NCAA, further hurting UP’s guard depth. – Rappler.com
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Remembering the ‘Jolo-caust’: 50 years since the burning of Jolo | Herbie G | 12/2/2024 18:16 | SURVIVING THE 'JOLO-CAUST'. Survivor Amroussi Rasul recounts his harrowing experience during the 1974 Siege of Jolo during a forum at the University of the Philippines in Quezon City on Monday, February 12.
Screeshot
CAGAYAN DE ORO, Philippines – Amroussi “Cheng” Rasul, a grandson of the late Hadji Butu, the first Muslim Filipino senator, vividly recalled the haunting scenes from 50 years ago in Jolo, Sulu province when dogs scavenging for food sniffed on bloated corpses on the streets.
Rasul recounted three near-death experiences, the first occurring when soldiers mistakenly accused him of being a rebel. His life was spared only because his female companion, a relative, intervened and vouched for him.
It was martial law, and soldiers shot and killed many young Tausug men in Jolo on mere suspicion of being rebels, Rasul recalled. Among them, he said, was his classmate, Alfred Chang.
He also recounted narrowly escaping a bullet and nearly stepping on a land mine.
Days after the fighting broke out, he found himself scavenging for food and joining looters who raided stores for sustenance.
“I was scavenging for food,” he said.
Rasul’s grim memory harked back to the government’s military crackdown on the historic town, as it sought to suppress the uprising of the Nur Misuari-led Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), then a new group that emerged to challenge the martial law imposed by the late strongman Ferdinand E. Marcos more than a year earlier and started the struggle for Moro independence.
Dorothy Lim Gokioko, a former bank executive and survivor of the siege, recalled her family’s harrowing escape from Jolo under the cover of darkness. Packed tightly aboard an overcrowded ferry, they navigated through rough waters without any light.
“It was pitch black, around midnight. We were floating on rough water, and there was no light. I was terrified. I will never forget that night,” Gokioko said.
Five decades later, the events of the February 4-11, 1974 siege in Jolo remain largely forgotten, and neither the local governments nor the National Commission for Muslim Filipinos (MCMF) has arranged commemorative activities for what has been dubbed the “Jolo-caust.”
The Battle of Jolo, also called The Burning of Jolo, was a significant but often overlooked event in the country’s history in that it was the strongest resistance against the martial regime of Marcos at that time, said retired judge Soliman Santos Jr. during the live-streamed “The Siege of Jolo 1974” forum at the University of the Philippines in Quezon City on Monday, February 12.
At the same time, the event signaled the beginning of a growing movement for Mindanao independence, according to Santos, author of the book The Moro Islamic Challenge: Constitutional Rethinking for the Mindanao Peace Process.
The intense fighting devastated Jolo, with thousands of civilian deaths and most of its residents forced to flee.
As the military fought against MNLF forces, intense battles spread throughout the city. Military ships bombarded the pier, a gas station exploded, and napalm bombs were used. After days of fighting, the military regained control, but about two-thirds of the Jolo burned to the ground and lay in ruins.
The siege forced around 40,000 people to flee, with civilian deaths estimated between 1,000 to 10,000. The government also suffered losses, including 250 soldiers, a fighter jet, and four helicopters. Diseases like cholera and acute gastroenteritis added to the crisis after the siege ended, according to the forum’s organizers quoting various sources.
Amina Rasul, lead convenor of the Philippine Center for Islam and Democracy (PCID), said it was a “devastating blow to the fabric of Tausug and Jolo society resulting in immeasurable human suffering, economic hardships, and destruction of our political structure… and represented a very painful part of our history.”
Amina said Jolo island was a relatively rich town due to its barter trade and was a promising growth center in the Sulu archipelago until the 1974 destruction.
“People in Manila think we were always poor. No, we were very well off even though we were neglected by the government,” she said.
Amina said the event derailed Jolo because of the destruction of its infrastructure, capital flight, and brain-drain, making it among the “poorest of the poor” areas in the country.
“Because of the complete destruction… the money that made Jolo relatively rich went to enrich Zamboanga, General Santos, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Manila… And because there was capital flight and the destruction of infrastructure, the best and brightest had to leave because there were no opportunities and they had to support their families,” she said.
Amroussi Rasul said, “We had everything before.”
He said Jolo, the seat of the Sultanate of Sulu, was doing well in international trade before the 1974 siege.
The Marcos administration then, concerned about possible consequences from oil-producing Muslim nations, took steps to address the humanitarian impact in the predominantly Muslim province. It established a government task force to lead Jolo’s recovery, which included actions like stopping loan repayments to banks, providing significant loans to residents, and pausing tax collection temporarily.
Days before the fighting, rumors circulated in Jolo that communist rebels were planning to take the town under siege, recalled Gokioko.
Elgin Salomon, an assistant history professor at UP-Visayas in Iloilo, said the government then initially concealed the situation in Jolo and later framed the narrative that it was fighting “Maoist rebels” in Jolo through its controlled media.
According to Salomon, the Marcos administration accused Misuari of being the right-hand man of the late Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founder Jose Maria Sison, and the rebels were also labeled as communist guerrillas, a government narrative that aligned with the reason for the declaration of martial law in 1972.
Salomon said the government even asked Kuwait and Saudi Arabia to withdraw their support for the “Maoist elements” who supposedly initiated the armed conflict in Jolo.
He said Misuari had a role in founding the communist rebellion-linked Kabataang Makabayan (KM) but eventually left the group, and then organized a secessionist movement in Mindanao.
“The MNLF [was] not a Maoist organization; it [was] a Muslim secessionist movement,” Salomon said.
The MNLF subsequently abandoned its pursuit of independence and forged a peace agreement with the Ramos administration in the 1990s. The accord led to the establishment of the now-defunct Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), the precursor to the current and expanded Bangsamoro region.
Five decades later, what lingers is a sense of nostalgia, with many survivors still longing to witness the return of Jolo’s former glory, said Agnes Shari Tan Aliman, a survivor and author of the book The Siege of Jolo, 1974. – Rappler.com
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FACT CHECK: Ayurma Healing Oil not promoted by health TV show | Lorenz Pasion | 12/2/2024 18:45 | Claim: Ayurma Healing Oil, which claims to relieve tingling, numbness, and joint pain, was promoted in the health program Pinoy MD.
Why we fact-checked this: The Facebook video bearing the claim has 660,000 views, 3,600 reactions, and 2,300 comments as of writing.
A clip from an episode of Pinoy MD was inserted at the beginning of the video to make it seem like the program was endorsing Ayurma Healing Oil.The video is bordered by text specifying the supposed benefits of the product.
The facts: The Pinoy MD TV show does not endorse Ayurma Healing Oil. The ad for the product uses spliced video from the episode on carpal tunnel syndrome, which aired on December 3, 2016.
The original clip discusses carpal tunnel syndrome, a condition that occurs due to pressure on the median nerve, causing numbness, tingling, and pain in the hand. The Pinoy MD video includes information on the symptoms of this condition and how to avoid it, but it does not mention anything about Ayurma Healing Oil. The ad merely added a short video with a voiceover promoting the product to make it seem like it was part of the Pinoy MD episode.
Not FDA registered: Ayurma Healing Oil is not included in the Philippine Food and Drug Administration list of approved food and drug products.
Rappler has fact-checked a similar claim about Ayurma Healing Oil, which uses the name and videos of popular online health personality Dr. Willie Ong. – Chinie Ann Jocel R. Mendoza/Rappler.comChinie Ann Jocel R. Mendoza is a graduate of Rappler’s fact-checking mentorship program. This fact check was reviewed by a member of Rappler’s research team and a senior editor. Learn more about Rappler’s fact-checking mentorship program here.
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Military says MSU bombing ‘mastermind’ killed in January operation | Bea Cupin | 12/2/2024 19:15 | AFP operation. Troops inspect the war material recovered at the site of the encounter against the Dawlah Islamiyah-Maute Group on January 25 to 26 in Lanao del Sur.
AFP handout
MANILA, Philippines – The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said Monday, February 12, that military personnel killed during a January 2024 operation in Lanao del Sur Khadafi Mimbesa, the alleged mastermind of a deadly blast in Marawi City.
In a statement, the AFP said Mimbesa was a “perpetrator” of the bombing at the Marawi State University (MSU) campus which killed at least four and injured scores more.
Mimbesa, as well as “local terrorists and armed members of the Dawlah Islamiyah,” was killed during an operation from January 25 to 26 in Lanao del Sur led by the 103rd Brigade of the Philippine Army.
The AFP said Mimbesa’s identity was confirmed through a “surrendered terrorist” identified as “Khatab” who had yielded to the 2nd Mechanized Brigade only on February 11. The military said Khatab’s statements “corroborated the initial information on the demise of the DI-Maute Group Amir and the mastermind behind the MSU bombing.”
It was in early December 2023 that an explosion occurred at the MSU campus in Marawi City, just as Mass was being held in its gymnasium. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said “foreign terrorists” were behind the attack.
Islamic State militants eventually claimed responsibility for the bombing. Days after the blast, military and police said a man believed to be an accomplice in the deadly blast had been arrested.
Philippine security and defense officials earlier pointed to recent government campaigns against the ISIS-inspired terrorist Dawlah Islamiyah in different parts of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao as a motive for bombing the MSU Marawi campus. – Rappler.com
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[In This Economy] Runaway rice prices are making inflation higher than it needs to be | Chay Hofilena | 12/2/2024 14:00 | GUIA ABOGADO
It’s hard to overstate how much inflation has gone down since last year.
In January 2023, inflation reached a fever pitch of 8.7%, the highest in 14 years. But by January 2024, inflation has gone down to 2.8% (Figure 1).
Sure, that doesn’t mean that prices on average are going down. But at least prices have slowed down a lot. And 2.8% inflation is well within the government’s target range of 2-4%.
Figure 1.
Figure 2 shows that, just like in previous months, food inflation in January accounted for nearly half of overall inflation. But food inflation is also the main reason for the similarly rapid decline of overall inflation. Some foodstuffs are, in fact, getting cheaper.
Figure 2.
Digging even deeper, Figure 3 shows that January 2024 is the third straight month when vegetables actually experienced deflation or declining prices.
Note, however, that there’s one component contributing more and more to food inflation: rice. What this tells us is that overall inflation, low as it already is, could in fact be even lower if only rice prices aren’t accelerating.
Figure 3.
Just how high are rice prices now?
Figure 4 shows that as of January 2024, regular-milled rice is averaging P49.65 per kilo. That’s 25.3% higher than last year, and almost 2.5times the promised rice price of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. when he was running for president.
Meanwhile, well-milled and special rice in January 2024 are at P54.91 and P63.9 per kilo, respectively. This means a 25% and 18.7% inflation, respectively, too, over the past year.
Figure 4.
Why are rice prices accelerating? To be honest, we should have seen this a mile away.
Last November 8, I wrote: “Even if inflation went down in October, it can still spike in the coming months, notably due to the El Niño season, which could hamper agricultural (especially rice) production.”
Thanks to deflating vegetable and electricity prices, overall inflation isn’t exactly spiking now. But I was right that El Niño could spell higher rice prices, and now that is precisely the culprit keeping inflation higher than it needs to be.
On February 9, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. admitted that rice prices might remain elevated until September owing to El Niño and elevated world rice prices.
Rising prices might suggest that demand may be outstripping supply. So we must naturally ask: Will there be enough rice in the Philippines in the coming months?
Secretary Tiu Laurel Jr. made assurances that we don’t have to worry, at least in the first half of 2024. Even with challenges to domestic production, we will still be able to import rice.
In fact, the US Department of Agriculture increased its forecast of rice imports in the Philippines, up to 3.8 million metric tons of rice.
Thanks are due Vietnam, which, in a show of regional solidarity, recently committed to export to the Philippines anywhere from 1.5 to 2 million metric tons of rice a year, for the next five years.
Of course, many wonder if the Philippines will ever be rice self-sufficient. The Marcos administration is currently aiming for 97.4% rice self-sufficiency by 2028. That means that nearly all of the country’s rice supply must come from local sources.
But I think this will still be a pipe dream, given our peculiar geography and other circumstances. (Interestingly, rice self-sufficiency was also promised by Ferdinand E. Marcos, during the Martial Law era, to no avail.)
As domestic rice prices continue to climb, the last thing we want is a repeat of the inept and frankly stupid rice price ceilings imposed by the Marcos administration last September. As I wrote before, that policy is a perfect illustration of why the path to hell is often paved with good intentions.
Suppose we live in a parallel universe where, holding all else equal, rice prices were better managed. This means that inflation in January 2024 could, in fact, be much lower than 2.8%, maybe 2% or even lower.
That, in itself, may pose problems, too.
Targeting inflation is like aiming for a Goldilocks zone: inflation must not be too hot nor cold. It should be just right.
If inflation is too low, that could mean that the economy is producing under capacity: given our resources, we could be producing more goods and services, but just aren’t.
Sure, the unemployment rate was just at 3.1% in December 2023, the lowest since the earliest comparable data in 2005 or almost two decades ago. Some might take it to mean that human resources are being used to the brim (technically this might be called a “tight labor market”).
But analysts caution that this may be illusory, as evidenced by the still high underemployment rate. And they would be correct. More than a tenth of all employed Filipinos are still looking to work more hours or get additional jobs just to get by.
Another interpretation is that the interest rate hikes of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), designed to slow down inflation, may be working a little too effectively. That is, too many individuals and businesses are postponing borrowing and, consequently, putting off investments and other activities that could otherwise boost the economy.
In my column last week, I showed data that in 2023, the contribution of investments to overall growth more than halved.
Believing that interest rates are indeed choking off investments, many analysts are eagerly expecting interest rates to go down again soon.
But I’m guessing that the BSP won’t let interest rates go down too much, given threats to inflation in the near term (like El Niño). If ever there will be a drop in interest rates, it will be but small – just to test the waters, so to speak.
You see, even if we made significant strides in controlling inflation in the past year, the last thing the BSP wants now is a new spike in inflation that might set off yet another episode of high inflation, in a sort of self-fulfilling prophecy.
The next BSP Monetary Board meeting is scheduled on Thursday, February 15. Let’s see how the Board makes up its mind this time around. – 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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Hopefully, this will not happen: “… even if we made significant strides in controlling inflation in the past year, the last thing the BSP wants now is a new spike in inflation that might set off yet another episode of high inflation.” Thanks to Prof. JC Punongbayan for this update.
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RESULTS: February 2024 Respiratory Therapists Licensure Examination | Vixey Marie | 12/2/2024 18:42 | The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) announces that 1,077 out of 1,383 passed the Respiratory Therapists Licensure Examination given by the Board of Respiratory Therapy in NCR, Baguio, Cebu, Davao and Zamboanga this February 2024.
The members of the Board of Respiratory Therapy who gave the licensure examination are Julita V. Toledo, Chairman; Senen O. Teope and Jesus M. Espinas, Members.
The results were released in two (2) working days after the last day of examination.
Starting March 13, 2024, registration for the issuance of Professional Identification Card (ID) and Certificate of Registration will be done on-line. Please go to www.prc.gov.ph and follow instructions for initial registration. Those who will register are required to bring the following: downloaded duly accomplished Oath Form or Panunumpa ng Propesyonal, notice of admission (for identification only), 2 pieces passport sized pictures (colored with white background and complete name tag), 2 sets of documentary stamps and 1 piece short brown envelope. Successful examinees should personally register and sign in the Roster of Registered Professionals.
The date and venue for the oathtaking ceremony of the new successful examinees in the said examination will be announced later.
The top performing schools in the February 2024 Respiratory Therapists Licensure Examination as per Commission Resolution No. 2017-1058(C) series of 2017:
The successful examinees who garnered the ten (10) highest places in the February 2024 Respiratory Therapists Licensure Examination are the following:
Check out the full list of passers here:
Check out the performance of schools here:
– Rappler.com
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Comelec eyes 5% increase in registered voters for 2025 polls | Chay Hofilena | 12/2/2024 18:06 | REGISTRATION. Commission on Elections Commissioner Aimee Ferolino led the kick-off of the resumption of voters' registration for the 2025 national and local elections at the Palacio del Gobernador in Intramuros, Manila on February 12, 2024.
Rappler
CEBU, Philippines – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) aims to achieve a 5% increase in the number of registered voters nationwide for the upcoming May 2025 local elections.
Comelec Region 7 director, lawyer Lionel Castillano, said on Monday, February 12, that one of the strategies to accomplish this goal is the implementation of the Register Anywhere Program (RAP) in highly urbanized cities in the country, including those in Cebu and capital towns and cities in other islands of the region.
“We will only conduct the RAP once a month because it is just an additional service of the Comelec. We will hold the RAP during our satellite registration, where we will have those booths,” Castillano explained in Cebuano.
Nationwide, there are 67.8 million registered voters, going by the latest Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections in October 2023. A 5% increase in registered voters nationwide translates to over 3 million new voters.
As of October 2023, Central Visayas has a total of 5,415,071 registered voters, with the majority, or 3,384,198 voters, coming from Cebu, 981,785 from Bohol, 968,874 from Negros Oriental, and 20,214 from Siquijor.
Castillano said the main purpose of the RAP is to accommodate students and workers based in highly urbanized cities and capital towns and cities who may still want to vote in their home provinces.
“Usually, these students and workers can only make time during the weekend, that’s why we’ll conduct the satellite registration on weekends at the malls,” he added.
For Cebu City, Castillano said the pilot implementation of RAP will take place at the University of San Carlos in the morning of February 28 and at the Cebu Doctors’ University in the afternoon of the same day.
He said the RAP will take place in Tagbilaran City for Bohol, Dumaguete City for Negros Oriental, and Siquijor in Siquijor.
Castillano advised the public to follow Comelec Facebook pages where they will post the schedule for satellite registration and the RAP in the coming months.
He also clarified that their daily registration will continue at the Comelec district offices, in addition to satellite registrations and RAP implementation.
Voter registration for new registrants resumed on February 12 and will end on September 30.
The Comelec initiated its satellite registration years ago to accommodate registrants in far-flung areas and those who are financially constrained. – Rappler.com
Wenilyn Sabalo, a community journalist currently affiliated with SunStar Cebu, is an Aries Rufo Journalism fellow of Rappler for 2023-2024.
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Marathon world record holder Kelvin Kiptum dies in road accident | delfin.dioquino editor | 12/2/2024 17:44 | RECORD. Kelvin Kiptum of Kenya celebrates after setting a new world record time of 2:00:35 at the 2023 Chicago Marathon.
Jamie Sabau/USA TODAY Sports/Reuters
NAIROBI, Kenya – Kenya’s marathon world record holder Kelvin Kiptum and his coach were killed in a traffic accident in the Rift Valley on Sunday, February 11 (Monday, February 12, Manila time), cutting short the career of the only man to have run the endurance classic in less than 2 hours and 1 minute.
The 24-year-old set the world record at the Chicago Marathon in October with a time of 2 hours and 35 seconds to surpass the mark of 2:01:09 run by compatriot Eliud Kipchoge in Berlin in 2022.
Kiptum, who clocked three of the seven fastest marathon times in history, had been hoping to become the first man to run the marathon in under two hours in race conditions at Rotterdam in April as well as make his Olympic debut in Paris in July.
“We are shocked and deeply saddened to learn of the devastating loss of Kelvin Kiptum and his coach, Gervais Hakizimana,” World Athletics president Sebastian Coe said in a statement.
“On behalf of all World Athletics, we send our deepest condolences to their families, friends, teammates and the Kenyan nation.”
“An incredible athlete leaving an incredible legacy, we will miss him dearly.”
According to the police report, Kiptum was driving his Rwandan coach and a woman in a car near the Rift Valley village where he was born when the accident occurred.
The athlete lost control of the vehicle and veered off the road into a ditch, travelling for about 60 metres along it before crashing into a large tree.
Kiptum and Hakizimana died at the scene but the woman, 24-year-old Sharon Chepkurui Kosgei Keiyo, survived with serious injuries and was treated at a local hospital.
Tributes poured in from senior Kenyan politicians and fellow athletes.
“His mental strength and discipline were unmatched. Kiptum was our future,” Kenya’s President William Ruto said on social media platform X.
Kipchoge, who had been expected to race Kiptum at the Paris Olympics, said he was “deeply saddened” by the death of “rising star” Kiptum.
Writing on X, the 39-year-old said Kiptum was an “athlete who had a whole life ahead of him to achieve incredible greatness.”
Kiptum, a product of the high altitude region of Kenya which has produced most of the country’s world renowned distance runners, started his international career on the half-marathon circuit in 2019.
He made an explosive entry into the full 42.195km distance by running the then-fourth fastest time on record (2.01.53) to win the 2022 Valencia Marathon on debut.
That race revealed his trademark approach to marathons, running with the pack for the first 30kms and then upping the pace and racing off alone for the remainder of the race.
He used the same tactics to win last April’s London Marathon in a course record of 2:01:25 and again in Chicago in October to take 34 seconds off Kipchoge’s world mark.
That was to be his final race before his untimely death, which came only a week after World Athletics had ratified his world record.
Hakizimana, 36, was a former distance runner who still holds Rwanda’s record for the 3,000m steeplechase. He first met Kiptum when he was training in the Rift Valley and worked with him intensively before last year’s London marathon.
“I am shocked and deeply saddened to learn the passing of Kelvin Kiptum and his coach Gervais Hakizimana,” Kenya’s twice Olympic champion and 800m world record holder David Rudisha said on X.
“This is a huge loss.” – Rappler.com
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Hunters, now hunted: La Salle ready for all comers as UAAP title defense kicks off | jisaga0269 | 12/2/2024 17:07 | SUPER ROOKIE. La Salle star rookie Angel Canino reacts after scoring a point at the UAAP Season 85 women's volleyball tournament
UAAP Season 85 Media Team
MANILA, Philippines – There was no looking back for La Salle as it romped its way to the UAAP Season 85 women’s volleyball title last year.
In Season 86, however, the Lady Spikers are now forced to glance back every now and then, rising as enemy No. 1 for the rest of the eight-school league when the new collegiate volleyball season rolls off on February 17.
For assistant coach Noel Orcullo and his players, the defending champion Lady Spikers are more than ready to take on all comers.
“That’s what coach [Ramil de Jesus] has always been reminding us that it’s more difficult this season since we’re the defending champions,” Orcullo said in Filipino in the Season 86 press conference at the Mall of Asia Arena.
“Unlike before, we were the ones chasing teams. Now, we’re the ones being chased. It’s difficult, especially since we lost a lot of players as well.”
Indeed, La Salle’s list of graduated players is a short, yet star-studded one.
Season 85 Finals MVP Mars Alba and 1st Best Outside Hitter Jolina dela Cruz turned pro in the PVL with the now-defunct F2 Logistics, while star middle blocker Fifi Sharma and star libero Justine Jazareno signed up with Akari.
Still bannering the Lady Spikers, however, are sophomore MVP Angel Canino, fast-rising opposite Shevana Laput, and veteran blocker Thea Gagate – a talented core more than enough to still catapult La Salle as the team to beat in Season 86.
“We’re very confident in getting back the championship, and we’ll definitely work hard for it together,” Gagate said.
“We just accepted that losing players are a part of the game, so now, we have to show the young players and coaches that we seniors can lead the way inside the court.”
Julia Coronel, the newly assigned starting setter and team captain after Alba’s graduation, said that it is up to her to continue what her seniors started in Season 85 and keep La Salle’s winning tradition alive ahead of a possible 13th women’s volleyball title.
“I would say we’re ready for this season because we have worked very hard in our off-season preparations,” she said. “We really want to win again and get the championship this season.”
“For me, I have to be more vocal inside the court. As a leader, I have to be the last one to give up because I have to be the team’s voice and be strong when my teammates lean on me. Whatever happens this season, we will keep fighting.” – Rappler.com
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Kai Sotto delivers career game in Japan B. League ahead of Gilas Pilipinas stint | Jasmine Payo | 12/2/2024 15:23 | BIG GAME. Yokohama's Kai Sotto goes for a jump shot in Japan B. League action.
JAPAN B. LEAGUE
MANILA, Philippines – With the first window of the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers just around the corner, Gilas Pilipinas center Kai Sotto just delivered a strong message to the national team’s upcoming opponents.
In the final two games prior to the Japan B. League’s three-week FIBA break from February 12 to March 1, Sotto played the best basketball of his young professional career as the Yokohama B-Corsairs split their weekend series against the Chiba Jets.
On Saturday, February 10, Sotto notched his first double-double in the 2023-2024 B. League season, putting up 18 points on a near-perfect 7-of-8 shooting with 10 rebounds in Yokohama’s 89-79 loss to Chiba.
With vengeance on his mind, Sotto then erupted for a career-high 26 points and 11 rebounds to lead the B-Corsairs to a 90-85 overtime win against the same opponents on Sunday.
Sotto connected on 9 of his 13 shots and 8 of his 9 free throws to reach 26 points, surpassing his previous career-best of 21 markers, which he set last season while playing for his former B. League team Hiroshima Dragonflies.
The 7-foot-3 big man came through the clutch as he scored 6 of Yokohama’s 13 points in the extra period, including two clutch free throws with only 14 seconds left that sealed the win for the B-Corsairs.
Prior to his weekend explosion, Sotto averaged only 7.6 points and 3.8 rebounds in his first 12 games with Yokohama. His 27 minutes and 32 seconds of playing time on Sunday were also the most he has played this season after seeing limited action earlier this year.
Sotto is one of three B. League players named to Tim Cone’s 12-man national team pool, together with Dwight Ramos of the Levanga Hokkaido and injured big man AJ Edu of the Toyama Grouses.
Sotto and Ramos are expected to suit up for Gilas Pilipinas when it faces Hong Kong on February 22 and Chinese Taipei on February 25.
Meanwhile, Thirdy Ravena and the San-En NeoPhoenix saw their 16-game winning streak come to an end on Sunday after falling to the Alvark Tokyo, 94-72.
The fourth-year San-En star Thirdy had 16 points, 3 rebounds, and 4 assists in the lopsided defeat.
Prior to this setback, Thirdy exploded for a game-high 22 points on 7-of-11 clip from the field in San-En’s 93-74 demolition of Tokyo on Saturday.
Despite the loss, Thirdy and the NeoPhoenix remain at the top of the standings with a 34-5 record.
Elsewhere, Ramos had back-to-back double-digit scoring performances for Hokkaido, but those numbers weren’t enough as they suffered a weekend sweep at the hands of defending champion Ryukyu Golden Kings.
Ramos finished with 10 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists in Hokkaido’s 94-84 Saturday loss, before posting an all-around stat line of 16 markers, 3 boards, 3 dimes, 2 steals, and 2 blocks in their 80-73 Sunday defeat.
In a matchup between two Filipino imports, Ray Parks and the Nagoya Diamond Dolphins went 2-0 against Matthew Wright and the Kyoto Hannaryz over the weekend.
Parks scored 8 points, while Wright produced 10 points in Nagoya’s 88-68 thrashing of Kyoto on Saturday.
Parks then tallied 3 points and 8 rebounds, while Wright came up with 14 markers and 8 assists in the Dolphins’ 89-82 win on Sunday.
Over in Division 2, Kiefer Ravena came up huge for the Shiga Lakes as they swept the Veltex Shizuoka.
On Saturday, Kiefer delivered 15 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals to help Shiga cruise past Shizuoka, 100-82.
He followed it up with 19 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists in Shiga’s 78-75 escape win on Sunday. – Rappler.com
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[EDITORIAL] Ang break-up Valentines ni Sara at Marcos | Lilibeth Frondoso | 12/2/2024 15:06 | Nico Villarete
Walang Happy Valentines sa pagitan ng dating magkatandem na si Bise Presidente Sara Duterte at Presidente Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Sa katunayan, isang mapait na break-up ang nag-a-unfold, at balot ito ng tampuhan, sumbatan, at sama ng loob. May isnaban pa ng mga ladies involved!
Walang sumipot na Duterte sa event ni President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. sa Davao maliban sa talagang obligadong pumunta – si Bise Presidente Duterte.
Kapansin-pansin na wala ang mayor ng local government na ginanapan ng apat na event. Kung sa ibang bahagi ito ng Pilipinas, magkakandarapa ang mayor mag-asikaso sa Presidente. Well, hindi pala ganoon sa Kingdom of Davao. Sabi nga source ng Rappler, imbitado raw si Davao Mayor Baste Duterte, kapatid ni Sara, sa event ng Department of Tourism, pero nag-decline si Baste at hindi nagbigay ng dahilan. Ang taray, ‘di ba?
Nauna nang nanawagan si Baste na mag-resign si Marcos, kung wala naman daw itong pagmamahal sa bayan. Ang tatay niyang si Rodrigo Duterte, sinabing minsan daw ay nasa drug list si Marcos noong panahon niya, na kinontra naman ng PDEA o Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency. Halos wala namang kumurap nang sabihin ito ni Digong dahil notoryus naman ang dating presidente sa pagna-narco-tag.
Kinabukasan, rumesbak naman si Marcos, at sinabing ang patuloy na paggamit ni Duterte ng fentanyl ang sigurong dahilan bakit kung ano-ano na lang ang sinasabi ng predecessor niya sa publiko. In other words, nasa fentanyl-induced alternative reality daw si Digong.
Marami nang senyales bago ang trip sa Davao ni Marcos na may divorce na nagaganap sa mga pinakamataas na pinuno ng bansa. Noong January 29, nagbanggaan ang rally ng dalawang pamilyang dating magsing-irog sa pulitika. Ang Bagong Pilipinas rally ni Marcos sa Maynila, may katapat na anti-charter change prayer rally sa Davao.
Bago ito, ibinasura ng Marcos-controlled Congress ang request ni Sara Duterte para sa confidential funds. Pero ang clincher, sinabi ni Marcos mismo na posibleng sumali muli ang Pilipinas sa International Criminal Court.
Saan nanggaling ang hugot ni Baste na kung walang pagmamahal sa Inang Bayan si Marcos ay mag-resign na lang? Balitang-balita kasing nakapasok sa bansa ang mga tao ng International Criminal Court na naglalayong imbestigahan ang extrajudicial killings na naging centerpiece policy ng nakaraang Duterte administration. Tahasan pa ngang nanumbat si Baste na ama niya ang nagbigay ng hero’s burial sa ama ni Marcos na si Ferdinand. O di ba, the plot thickens?
At mayroon pang isyung nakapitan ang mga Duterte na parang salbabida: ang Cha-Cha o charter change.
Biglang naging staunch defenders of the Constitution bigla ang mga Duterte, sampu ng mga kaalyado nitong tulad ni Davao Congressman Pantaleon Alvarez. (Hindi na out of the kulambo si Alvarez sa mga Duterte, take note.) Tinawag nga ito ng mga reporter ng Rappler na “desperate tactics.”
Pero sa lahat ng iringang ito, siyempre nag-overboard si Digong at nagpasabog na naman ng bagong pakulo: ang Mindanao independence.
Sa kasaysayan ng Mindanao, isa sa pinakamatingkad na yugto ang secessionist movement. Humantong ang social and cultural inequities laban sa mga Moro sa Mindanao sa pagnanais nilang magsarili ng kasarinlan. At sa katunayan, ang Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) ay bunga ng mahabang proseso ng pagtutuwid ng mga di pagkakapantay-pantay na ito.
Pero eto si Dutete, hina-hijack ang nabuong kapayapaan at otonomiya at pinapauso na naman ang secession. Pero wala namang pumatol sa obvious na obvious na personal niyang political play.
Sabi nga ni Camiguin Governor XJ Romualdo, puwedeng singilin si Duterte at Alvarez (na inatasan ni Duterte na mamuno sa “movement”) dahil may elemento na raw ito ng sedition. (Sinagot ito ni Alvarez sa isang panel dscussion sa Rappler at sinabing wala namang violence na sangkap.)
Masaya tayong nanonood sa bangayan – pero kung pag-iisipan natin, maraming trabaho ang dalawang pinuno na malamang ay nasa-sideline sa iringang ito. Hindi na nga expert sa education si Sara na may hawak ng education portfolio, madi-distract pa. Aba’y hindi biro ang learning poverty sa bansa – dahil saan tayo pupulutin kung napag-iwanan sa buong mundo ang mga Pilipinong produkto ng Philippine education? Ano ang kongkretong hakbang na ginagawa mo, Education Secretary Duterte, para baliktarin ito, maliban sa pagtanggal ng mga nakapaskil sa pader ng mga silid-aralan?
Eto namang si Marcos, maliban sa jet lagging dahil sa dami ng biyahe, kailan pa kaya siya makahahanap ng oras na upuan ang maraming problema ng bansa? Nag-improve nga ang inflation numbers pero hindi naman bumaba ang aktuwal na presyo ng mga bilihin, nag-stabilize lang.
At sa totoo lang, nasanay na lang tayo na ganito lang kakaunti ang nabibili ng kinikita natin. Mula nang naupo si Junior, malaki ang iniurong ng purchasing power ng mga Pilipino. Lagi na lang bang mamamaluktot dahil maikli ang kumot?
Masaya ang fireworks, pero kung susuriin, agawan ng kapangyarihan ito ng dalawang pinakamakapangyarihang dynasty. Iisa lang ang nasa crosshairs nila: ang pagpapalawig sa kapangyarihan.
Sabi nga ng dating adviser to the peace process na si Ging Deles, marupok talaga ang transactional political alliances.
Hindi natatapos ang ambisyon ng mga Marcos sa pagpanalo sa 2022 elections at pag-re-rehabilitate ng pangalang Marcos sa internasyonal na entablado.
Kailangan nilang tiyaking friendly govenrment ang susunod na mauupo, kaya’t mahalagang ma-i-set up ang isa pang miyembro ng clan bilang susunod na pinuno – at ayon sa mga analyst, ito raw ang pinsan ni Marcos na si House Speaker Martin Romualdez. Unfortunately, hindi charismatic at winnable si Ginoong Romualdez sa masa, lalo na laban kay Sara. Kaya kailangang mag-Cha-Cha at mag-parliamentary system of government. (BASAHIN: Marcos’ disengagement from Duterte sets stage for 2025 showdown)
Pero hindi nangangahulugang hindi duserv ni Duterte na mapanagot sa mga krimen ng drug war. Huwag nating kalimutan ang tinatantiyang 27,000 na namatay sa karumal-dumal na drug war mula 2016-2022.
Habang divorce is in the air (at dini-dribble sa Lower House ang divorce bill), grab your popcorn dahil lalong umiinit pa ang divorce teleserye in town. Pero huwag kalilimutang ‘pag nag-uupakan ang mga Titans, tayong mga ordinaryong tao ang malamang matatapakan. – Rappler.com
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Tama: “Pero huwag kalilimutang ‘pag nag-uupakan ang mga Titans, tayong mga ordinaryong tao ang malamang matatapakan.” Doon sa Africa, ito ang kanilang kasabihan: “Kapag nag-aaway ang mga elepante, ang damo ang nagdurusa.” Sana hindi malaki at matindi ang ating pagdurusa.
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FACT CHECK: Doc Willie Ong ad for niacinamide toothpaste is fake | Lorenz Pasion | 12/2/2024 16:23 | Claim: Cardiologist and online health personality Dr. Willie Ong, also known as Doc Willie, endorses Aqua Cool, a toothpaste that contains niacinamide and claims to treat yellowish teeth, bad breath, gingivitis, bleeding gums, and sensitive teeth.
Why we fact-checked this: The Facebook video bearing the claim has over 1.1 million views, 6,200 reactions, 3,100 comments, and 217 shares as of writing.
The video uses a clip of Ong spliced with visuals of the toothpaste to create the fake endorsement.
It was posted by a Facebook page posing as the account of Ong and his wife, Liza Ong.
The facts: Ong does not endorse the product. The clip of Ong used in the niacinamide toothpaste ad was originally from a video posted on January 13, 2023 on his official Facebook account.
The original video is unrelated to dental issues. Instead, Ong talks there about the potential risks of wearing tight underwear.
Ong’s name and videos have been misused in numerous advertisements promoting various health products without his endorsement or authorization. In response, Ong released a video in April 2023 debunking the fake ads. He had also told Rappler in a past email that he and his wife do not endorse any products besides Birch Tree Advance, a nutritional milk formulated for seniors.
Not FDA registered: The Aqua Cool toothpaste is not on the Philippine Food and Drug Administration’s list of approved drug products.
Under Republic Act No. 9711 or the Food and Drug Administration Act of 2009, the sale and distribution of unauthorized health products is strictly prohibited. The FDA recommends verifying a product’s registration status using the FDA Verification Portal before making any purchase.
Previous false claims: Rappler has debunked a similar ad for the Aqua Cool toothpaste as well as other products using Ong in false endorsements:
– Marie Flor Cabarrubias/Rappler.com
Marie Flor Cabarrubias is a graduate of Rappler’s fact-checking mentorship program. This fact check was reviewed by a member of Rappler’s research team and a senior editor. Learn more about Rappler’s fact-checking mentorship program here.
Keep us aware of suspicious Facebook pages, groups, accounts, websites, articles, or photos in your network by contacting us at [email protected]. Let us battle disinformation one Fact Check at a time.
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FACT CHECK: No offer of F-16 aircraft from Israel to PH | Lorenz Pasion | 12/2/2024 15:03 | Claim: Israel has offered to give two F-16 Block 40 aircraft to the Philippine Air Force (PAF).
Why we fact-checked this: The YouTube video containing the claim has 1,966 views and 53 likes as of writing. It was posted by a channel with 27,400 subscribers.
No official announcements: There are no official reports from reputable news agencies or government organizations confirming Israel’s offer of F-16 aircraft to the Philippines. The PAF has made no announcements on its official website, Facebook page, and X (formerly Twitter) page. Similarly, no such announcements have been made by the embassy of Israel in the Philippines and the defense departments of the Philippines and Israel.
The YouTube video also falsely claimed that the announcement supposedly came from Israeli defense minister Avigdor Liberman, a former minister who served from 2016 to 2018. Yoav Gallant currently occupies the position.
PH’s F-16 dreams: The Philippines has been looking to add the F-16 fighter aircraft to its arsenal. The country has been in discussions to purchase F-16 aircraft from the US since 2021, when its request to buy 10 F-16C Block 70/72 aircraft and two F-16D Block 70/72 was approved. However, it was later reported in 2023 that Manila had delayed the purchase due to financial constraints. Nikkei Asia reported that the deal was estimated to cost $2.43 billion, more than half of the Philippines’ annual defense budget.
As an alternative, the Philippines is eyeing the purchase of second-hand aircraft from a different country, such as Denmark. Sweden also offered its Saab JAS 39 “Gripen” multi-role fighter aircraft to the Philippines in 2023. Aside from the JAS-39, the US Lockheed Martin F-16V Viper is among the top contenders for the PAF’s multirole fighter acquisition project.
Israel and the Philippines: In 2023, Israel expressed interest in taking a “major” part in the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ modernization program. The Philippine and Israeli militaries have been cooperating with each other since 2010, following the signing of a memorandum of understanding on logistics and defense industry cooperation.
Legitimate updates regarding military acquisitions made by the PAF can be found on its official website, Facebook page, and X (formerly Twitter) page. – Katarina Ruflo/Rappler.com
Katarina Ruflo is a graduate of Rappler’s fact-checking mentorship program. This fact check was reviewed by a member of Rappler’s research team and a senior editor. Learn more about Rappler’s fact-checking mentorship program here.
Keep us aware of suspicious Facebook pages, groups, accounts, websites, articles, or photos in your network by contacting us at [email protected]. Let us battle disinformation one Fact Check at a time.
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Back in rotation, Simon Enciso keys San Miguel closer to PBA crown | delfin.dioquino editor | 11/2/2024 23:17 | DEADSHOT. Simon Enciso in action for the San Miguel Beermen in the 2023-24 PBA Commissioner's Cup.
PBA Images
MANILA, Philippines – Simon Enciso’s return to San Miguel’s rotation has the Beermen on the cusp of another PBA title.
Enciso milked every bit of his surprise starting role as he keyed San Miguel to a 3-2 lead in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup finals by being a prominent figure in a 108-98 win over Magnolia in Game 5 on Sunday, February 11.
Sidelined in Games 2 and 4, the veteran guard netted a conference-high 15 points after going 5-of-9 from beyond the arc in 30 minutes of action – the longest he played in this playoffs.
He joined hands with Jericho Cruz, who finished with 30 points off 8 three-pointers, as they accounted for 80% of the 16 treys the Beermen sank.
“I’ve been here before. [I’ve been] hitting the gym, staying ready when my name is called. That’s what I did. Luckily, all that hard work paid off,” said Enciso.
A starter in the first four games of the conference, Enciso missed a huge chunk of the elimination round after going under the knife to remove bone spurs from his knee.
When he got back, Enciso found it hard to reclaim his place in the rotation as San Miguel rode on a franchise-record-tying 11-game winning streak.
He saw action in just four of the eight playoff games prior to Game 5, logging only 20 minutes combined across those appearances.
But with Beermen head coach Jorge Gallent needing to change things up after losing the last two games, Enciso welcomed the challenge.
Enciso came out firing from the get-go as he drained four three-pointers in the first half, allowing the Beermen to enter the break with a 48-41 lead en route to the win that has San Miguel staring at its 29th championship.
“When you sit out and watch your guys play, the competitiveness in me just comes out. Just trying to be that competitor. I wanted to be on the floor and help my team,” said Enciso.
It helped Enciso that he wanted to make his loved one proud as his father flew in from the United States to witness him play live for the first time in a decade.
“My dad hasn’t seen me play since I was in the PBA D-League 10 years ago. So to have him out here and perform like that, it’s a dream come true,” he said.
“Hopefully, I could fly off my mom and my sister and my nephews as well. That would make my dream come true just to have all my family come out here and see me play.”
Expect Enciso to play heavy minutes again as San Miguel goes for the kill in Game 6 on Wednesday, February 14, at the Araneta Coliseum. – Rappler.com
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O Captain, my captain: Alyssa Valdez relishes reunion with fellow leader Bea de Leon | jisaga0269 | 11/2/2024 14:08 | TOGETHER AGAIN. Alyssa Valdez (left) and Bea de Leon (right) pose with Creamline and Choco Mucho players in the 2023 PVL Second All-Filipino Conference awarding ceremony
PVL Images
MANILA, Philippines – Hard-nosed leaders are always appreciated in any team of any sport, and the already loaded Creamline Cool Smashers just got one more ahead of the 2024 PVL season.
Amid the wildest and most high-profile free agent scramble in league history, the record-setting seven-time PVL champions got even better by snagging former Choco Mucho stars Denden Lazaro-Revilla and Bea de Leon, who was then the Flying Titans captain.
Alyssa Valdez, current Creamline captain, couldn’t be happier that her team is once again surging with talent and leadership shortly after the departures of former MVPs Jia de Guzman and Celine Domingo.
“Honestly, I was very excited when they announced that Bea would be a part of the Creamline Cool Smashers,” Valdez said during a recent Allianz sponsorship event joined by both Rebisco sister teams.
“There are a lot of memories and a lot of firsts during our Ateneo days. It’s just so nice to do that again in a professional league with Creamline.”
Nearly a decade ago in UAAP Season 77, the stars aligned for Valdez, already a college senior, and a rookie De Leon, both leading Ateneo to a rare 16-0 season sweep on the way to a championship.
As Valdez went on to volleyball superstardom with Creamline after Season 78, De Leon stayed with the Blue Eagles and further honed her dominance at the nets.
The 5-foot-11 middle blocker then led Ateneo to one last championship under her watch in Season 81 in 2019, alongside her future Choco Mucho teammates Maddie Madayag, Kat Tolentino, and Deanna Wong.
Once with the Flying Titans, De Leon remained a force to be reckoned with, scoring kill blocks and attacks with an animated swagger that soon became a standard Choco Mucho momentum booster, whether or not they were winning games with their young group.
Valdez hopes that with Creamline, De Leon continues to be a confident on-court figure despite losing her rotation spot amid the Flying Titans’ breakthrough finals bid last All-Filipino Conference.
“One thing I miss about Bea is her energy as well. I think we all know that Creamline has been very ‘happy, happy,’ so I think it’s a good balance also seeing how Bea would react and celebrate every point, and we’ll also support her also in that way,” Valdez continued.
“Bea will be a great part to our team and we’re just really looking forward for her to shine and get her game back.” – Rappler.com
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#PHVote Guides: How to transfer your voter registration | No author found | 12/2/2024 11:30 | MANILA, Philippines – Did you move houses between now and the last elections? Is your new address in a different barangay, municipality, city, or province?
If you say yes to any of the two questions above, you need to apply for a transfer of voter registration with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) office in your new area of residence. This is if you want to be able to cast your vote where you live now.
The process of transferring your voter registration is almost similar to applying as a first-time voter. For purposes of the 2025 Philippine elections, you can register until September 30, 2024. (TRACKER: Voter registration for the 2022 elections)
Here’s how:
Fill out an application form called the CEF-1. It can be downloaded from the Comelec website or obtained from the Office of the Election Officer (OEO) in your city or municipality.
If you are going to print the form, make sure that it is printed on 8” x 13” paper and printed back to back.
Shade the oval beside the “APPLICATION FOR TRANSFER OF REGISTRATION RECORD,” and answer whether you are transferring your registration within the same, or from another, city or municipality.
Provide your new address and the length of time you have stayed there.
A person needs to be a resident of the place where he or she plans to vote for at least six months prior to the May 2025 elections.
If you want to transfer your registration to another city or municipality, you need to complete a personal information form, which can be found on the second page of the CEF-1 form.
If you are a person with disability or a senior citizen, you also need to fill out Annex B or the “supplementary data form.”
The application form for voter registration can also be accomplished through the iRehistro website. Using the online platform, however, does not mean you are registered automatically.
Do not sign or affix your thumbmark on the application form at home. You need to sign it in front of the election officer in your local Comelec office.
Go to your local Comelec office or the OEO to submit your completed application for registration and necessary documents. (You can also get and fill out the forms at the local Comelec office.)
To find the Comelec office nearest you, check the Comelec website for details of the poll body’s Metro Manila and city/municipality offices.
Applications for registration may be filed at the OEO in your city or municipality from Monday to Friday, and at satellite registration offices every Saturday, from 8 am to 5 pm. Voter registration will run until September 30, 2024.
The poll body reminds the public to contact local Comelec offices ahead of time since OEOs are closed during disinfection days prescribed by local governments. Satellite registration schedules may vary per locality.
Bring a valid identification document to prove your identity:
Police clearance and cedulas are not accepted.
If you do not have any of the mentioned documents, the Comelec says on its website that an applicant “may be identified under oath by any registered voter of the precinct where he/she intends to be registered, or by any of his/her relatives within the fourth civil degree of consanguinity or affinity.”
A registered voter may identify only up to three applicants.
Your biometrics will then be collected using the Comelec’s voter registration machine. These include your photo, fingerprints, and signature.
You will be given an acknowledgment receipt that shows you have successfully filed your application for transfer of voter registration. Do not lose this small document.
Submitting your application to the Comelec does not mean you are already registered for the 2025 national and local elections.
The Election Registration Board needs to approve your application first. The ERB approves all qualified applicants during its quarterly meetings which happen on the third Monday of April, July, October, and January of every calendar year.
Once your application is approved, the local election officer will include your registration in the book of voters in your locality. This means you have successfully transferred your registration.
The Comelec’s voter care center says those who want to verify their voter registration status may do so in two ways:
“Maaari kang magtanong sa iyong lokal na Comelec tungkol sa status ng iyong aplikasyon 2-3 linggo pagkatapos ng ERB hearing,” the poll body told Rappler in a text message.
(You can ask your local Comelec office about the status of your application two to three weeks after an ERB hearing.)
If you have other questions regarding voter registration, visit the Comelec’s official website, or reach out to the poll body on Facebook. You may also send an email to the Comelec’s Election and Barangay Affairs Department at [email protected] or call (02) 8525-9298 or 09275595926. – Rappler.com
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31-year wait ends: Adamson rules UAAP high school hoops over NU | Jasmine Payo | 11/2/2024 22:31 | ALL OUT. Adamson's JC Bonzalida celebrates after a shot against NU in Game 3 of the UAAP juniors basketball finals.
UAAP
MANILA, Philippines – It took a lot of hard work for the Adamson Baby Falcons to return to the top.
But it turned out to be all worth it as Adamson held off an unpredictable National University-Nazareth School, 90-73, in the do-or-die Game 3 to capture the UAAP Season 86 high school boys basketball championship on Sunday, February 11, at the FilOil EcoOil Centre.
The wire-to-wire triumph gave Adamson its first high school basketball title in 31 years, the last during the Baby Falcons’ record six straight title run under coach Charlie Dy that ended in 1993.
Finals MVP Mark Esperanza fired 9 of his 13 points in the first half where the Baby Falcons built a 43-32 lead. He averaged 9.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 2 steals in the best-of-three series.
“We worked hard for this,” Esperanza said in Filipino. “We listened to our coaches and trusted each other. We didn’t give up until the final buzzer.”
Graduating player JC, Bonzalida dropped a double-double of 15 points and 10 rebounds to pace the Baby Falcons, who made sure there would be no meltdown this time after blowing a 15-point lead in their 67-64 Game 2 loss against the Bullpups. Adamson took Game 1 in another tight decision, 77-71.
Tebol Garcia, a member of the Mythical Team, also scored 15 in his final game with the Baby Falcons.
“Ang sarap ng pagkakapanalo nito (This win felt good),” said Adamson coach Mike Fermin.
Nigerian Collins Akowe, the season MVP, led the Bullpups with 18 points, 13 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 blocks while Mac-Mac Alfanta (16 points) and Klein Tagotongan (12 points) also finished in double-digits.
Adamson 90 – Bonzalida 15, Garcia 15, Esperanza 13, Perez 11, Reyes 10, Carillo 9, Medina 8, Umali 5, Sajili 4, De Jesus 0, Baluyut 0, Artango 0, Palacpac 0.
NU 73 – Akowe 18, Alfanta 16, Tagotongan 12, Solomon 8, Yusi 7, Palanca 6, Barraca 3, Cartel 2, Reroma 1, Pillado 0, Usop 0, Nepacena 0, Napa 0, Herrera 0, Figueroa 0, Alejo 0.
Quarters: 24-15, 43-32, 62-53, 90-73.
– Rappler.com
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FVR and Ming’s love garden | gdecastro0289 | 11/2/2024 13:40 | GREEN. Former First Lady Amelita Ramos' Ming's Garden in Silang, Cavite has a picturesque plant store beside its The Greenhouse events venue, in this photo taken on February 3, 2024.
Isagani de Castro, Jr./Rappler
MANILA, Philippines – Former President Fidel V. Ramos (FVR) must be smiling from heaven seeing that his wife’s garden in Silang, Cavite, where they must have spent a number of special occasions, is still doing well following his death in July 2022.
On a recent visit to Ming’s Garden, which looked poorly maintained when I last saw it ages ago, I was surprised that it’s now a much-improved tourist destination. Many local tourists stop by to eat in Mozu’s at Ming’s restaurant, and look at the plants and trees in the garden.
The best place to check if a decades-old establishment is maintained well is the comfort room. During my visit, the men’s room was clean and didn’t smell bad.
Clean toilets were important for Mr. Ramos. Former First Lady Amelita “Ming” Martinez Ramos said back in 2005 that the former chief executive “sells the restaurant by advertising our comfort room.”
A Ming’s Garden Facebook post said a new management team took over the establishment in 2017, although it’s still owned by “Ming Ramos’ family and other business partners.” One of the partners is in-house caterer Chef Enzo Chavez of Mozu restaurant. The renovated place was promoted on the new social media accounts of Ming’s Garden in the first quarter of 2018 with its president and CEO Samuel Ramos Jones, son of Angel Ramos and one of 8 grandchildren of the Ramoses, welcoming the public to the facility.
Ming’s Garden was damaged by the eruption of Taal Volcano in January 2020 but recovered quickly.
What began as a place for the private horticultural collection of Mrs. Ramos – a certified plantita – followed by a simple restaurant serving only a few dishes, is now also an events place with a courtyard and a venue for weddings, birthdays, and other social events. It’s ideal for a wedding with 300 guests.
A post shared by Ming's Garden (@mingsgardenph)
If you like flowers, plants, gardens, and Filipino food, Ming’s Garden on Sta. Rosa-Tagaytay Road going to Tagaytay City is a perfect stopover.
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One of its unique plants, currently in bloom, is the New Guinea Creeper, a dangling, red-orange plant that is also called the “flame of the forest.” There are two rows at the parking lot where these plants dangle from.
There are several other Instagrammable spots in the 3-hectare garden, such as a man-made waterfall beside the Mozu at Ming’s restaurant, and the Courtyard.
Those who want to taste cuisine from Ilocos, Mr. Ramos’ home region, would be happy to know that the restaurant offers three types of bagnet: Ilocos bagnet salad, bagnet dinuguan, and bagnet kare-kare.
And, if you’re looking for dishes famous in Tagaytay, there’s Crispy tawilis and bulalo.
Ming’s Garden also has a plant store as well as the “Things From Ming’s” Pasalubong (gift) shop, which sells Philippine delicacies.
There are three photos of the late former president with Ming at the main dining hall of Mozu at Ming’s, given that the lush garden is meant to honor the life and legacy of the couple.
A photo posted on Ming’s Garden’s Instagram shows the Ramos couple in a golf car being driven around the garden on Father’s Day in June 2019.
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(READ: Fidel Valdez Ramos: The president who guarded democracy, broke monopolies, made peace)
Mrs. Ramos said in an interview with the Inquirer in 2008 that Ming’s Garden was where she took her daughter, Carolina “Chula” Ramos-Sembrano, who was then in her late forties, every Friday following a vehicular accident in Parañaque City in 2003 that damaged her brain. Sembrano, a banker, was crossing a street when an Isuzu Elf truck’s left side mirror hit her head, threw her 3 meters away, and left her unconscious and comatose. It took years before she got well.
Sembrano’s memory was badly affected, and Mrs. Ramos hoped that the tranquility and lush greenery of her garden would help her remember.
Mrs. Ramos retired from the International School Manila (ISM) in November 2022 at the age of 95, the longest serving ISM staff. She held several jobs at the school, including secretary and physical education teacher, as well as consultant in her latter years.
Ming’s Garden, around 2 hours from the Philippine capital, is open from 8 am to 9 pm on weekdays, and 7 am to 10 pm on weekends. – Rappler.com
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Brownlee recalls ‘stressful’ time after suspension put career on hold | delfin.dioquino editor | 9/2/2024 23:58 | STAR. Justin Brownlee appears as a spectator in the 2023-24 PBA Commissioner's Cup finals.
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MANILA, Philippines – The months-long ordeal is over for Justin Brownlee.
But that challenging period proved to be a test of character for Brownlee as he worried about his future after failing a doping test following Gilas Pilipinas’ historic title romp in the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China last October.
“Mentally, it was very tough just not knowing whatever the outcome may be of the situation that was going on. Very stressful for sure,” Brownlee told reporters on Friday, February 9, as he gears up for his national team return.
“A lot of days and nights, thinking about it, feeling sorry for myself.”
Brownlee tested positive for Carboxy-THC, a prohibited substance by the World Anti-Doping Agency that is linked to cannabis use.
Local sports officials said it is possible that Brownlee may have taken medication that contained the banned substance as he recovered from surgery to remove bone spurs in his foot.
Although Brownlee and the Nationals got to keep their gold medal, his positive test prevented him from suiting up for his mother team Barangay Ginebra in the PBA.
The 2023-2024 Commissioner’s Cup marked the first time the Gin Kings played without Brownlee in an import conference since he started his career with Ginebra in the 2016 Governors’ Cup.
Brownlee saw action in 10 straight import conferences and powered the Gin Kings to six championships.
Tapping former Meralco import Tony Bishop to fill in for Brownlee, Ginebra still reached the semifinals, but it succumbed at the hands of mighty San Miguel as it got swept in a best-of-five series for the first time since 2013.
“It was very difficult. At the beginning, I felt like I let my team down. Definitely, at the beginning, it was tough. But I give a lot of credit to Tony Bishop, he came in and he played his hardest,” said Brownlee.
Knowing he will miss time away from the PBA, Brownlee opted to serve a provisional suspension that started on November 9.
That decision worked wonders for the three-time PBA Best Import as FIBA retroactively counted the time he sat out for his proposed three-month period of ineligibility.
His suspension finally ended on Friday, just in time for Brownlee to join the national team for the first window of the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers later this February.
“At the end of the day… if you get knocked down or you get set back, you just got to try to stay positive and move forward,” said Brownlee.
Now that he is back, Brownlee is itching to suit up again, both for Gilas Pilipinas and the Gin Kings.
“Right now, I feel good. I feel rested. I feel healthy,” he said. – Rappler.com
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Erections: What we learned from mice could help with sexual health in men | Marguerite de Leon | 11/2/2024 14:18 | Marian Hukom/Rappler
Have you ever wondered how penile erection works but never dared to ask? Well, imagine a dry sponge in a condom. Now pour water on the sponge (that’s the blood flowing in). There you have it.
This penis “sponge” is scientifically termed corpora cavernosa. Erections depend on the influx and trapping of blood. Smooth muscle cells regulate the blood flow into the sponge and its subsequent firmness. In a recent study, my colleague and I delved into the role of penile fibroblasts, the most abundant cells in the human penis, about which little was previously known.
We discovered that penile fibroblasts help smooth muscle cells to relax. Using a technique to render cells light-sensitive enabled us to activate fibroblasts by shining blue light from outside onto the penises of mice.
We found that light-induced activation of fibroblasts relaxed smooth muscle cells and increased blood flow. The effectiveness of this relaxation-support depends on the number of fibroblasts. More fibroblasts led to easier relaxation and increased blood flow.
We also learned that the number of fibroblasts is not static and identified the signaling molecules regulating the number of fibroblasts in the penis. By deleting or over-expressing the relevant molecules, we could increase or decrease the number of fibroblasts and in response see the corresponding changes in penile blood flow.
But we quickly learned that too many fibroblasts has negative consequences. Mice with very high numbers of penile fibroblasts showed erections that lasted for several hours. In men, this corresponds to a painful pathological condition termed priapism, which demands a visit to the hospital.
Can penile erection be trained? In humans, much of the “erectile training” occurs naturally during sleep, with men experiencing three to five erections a night, known as “nocturnal penile tumescence.”
To test the importance of training, we artificially changed the frequency of erections in mice by targeting the brain region responsible for initiating an erection. This technique allowed us to turn erections on and off by simply administrating a designer drug that specifically activated the responsible nerve cells in the mouse brain.
Surprisingly, we found that the number of penile fibroblasts changed in relation to the frequency of erections. The more frequent the erections, the more fibroblasts were present and the better the blood flow. This implies that it becomes easier to initiate and maintain an erection with increased erection frequency.
It is known that the unconscious “training” during sleep declines with increasing age. Ageing is one of the major risk factors for erectile dysfunction in men.
Studying penises of aged mice, we found that they possessed a lower number of fibroblasts compared with young mice. When reducing the number of recurrent erections in young animals for a longer time, we found a decrease in the number of fibroblasts and lower penile blood flow.
One interpretation could be that reduced training negatively affects the number of fibroblasts and consequently, it becomes less efficient to initiate an erection.
While the spontaneous occurrence of erections during sleep is certainly convenient, our study does not suggest any differences between involuntary and actively evoked erections regarding the number of penile fibroblasts. So, an age-related decline of nocturnal penile tumescence could be a potential target for future treatment of erectile dysfunction or compensated for by actively achieving an erection.
Our research unveils a mechanism for controlling penile erections, opening the door for further exploration to understand and improve sexual health. – The Conversation|Rappler.com
Christian Göritz is an Associate Professor, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet.
This piece was originally published in The Conversation.
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Cruz provides offensive jolt as San Miguel zeroes in on record-extending PBA title | delfin.dioquino editor | 11/2/2024 21:31 | WAXING HOT. Jericho Cruz in action for the San Miguel Beermen in the 2023-24 PBA Commissioner's Cup.
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MANILA, Philippines – A few tweaks here and there and San Miguel regained not just its fine offensive form but also the upper hand in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup finals.
Executing the necessary adjustments, the Beermen grabbed a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series and zeroed in on the championship after a 108-98 win over Magnolia in Game 5 at the Araneta Coliseum on Sunday, February 11.
Jericho Cruz taking a bigger offensive role and Simon Enciso stepping up as a surprise starter proved key for San Miguel as it breached the century mark after being limited to an average of 82.5 points in the last two games.
Waxing hot from outside, Cruz drained eight three-pointers and finished with a playoff career-high 30 points on top of 8 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 steals to help the Beermen move on the cusp of a record-extending 29th title.
Cruz saved the best for last, burying four treys in the fourth quarter that allowed San Miguel to build a lead big enough to hold off the pesky Hotshots.
Magnolia got within striking distance at 75-82 before Cruz – who sank just four three-pointers in the first four games combined – hit back-to-back triples for an 88-75 cushion.
And when the Hotshots threatened another comeback and cut their deficit to a single possession, 96-99, Cruz hit his final trey with under a minute left to seal the deal for the Beermen.
“I’m so happy that I played well and we also won. It feels like I’m on cloud nine,” said Cruz in a mix of Filipino and English. “But the job is not finished yet. Back to the drawing board.”
Enciso also rose to the occasion with a conference-high 15 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists, setting the tone in the win by scattering 12 points in the first half to help San Miguel mount a 48-41 lead.
Benched in Games 2 and 4 and logging just eight minutes in the finals prior to Game 5, Enciso made the most out of his 30 minutes on the court by going 5-of-9 from beyond the arc as the Beermen made 16 triples overall.
San Miguel sank just 15 three-pointers combined in Games 3 and 4.
Bennie Boatwright backstopped Cruz with 21 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists, while June Mar Fajardo put up 18 points and 15 rebounds despite dealing with calf issues.
Tyler Bey starred for Magnolia with 34 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 steals, but those went down the drain as the Hotshots stare at elimination going into Game 6 on Wednesday, February 14, at the same venue.
Jio Jalalon and Ian Sangalang had 17 and 15 points, respectively, in the losing effort.
San Miguel 108 – Cruz 30, Boatwright 21, Fajardo 18, Enciso 15, Trollano 10, Perez 8, Lassiter 2, Tautuaa 2, Ross 2, Brondial 0.
Magnolia 98 – Bey 34, Jalalon 17, Sangalang 15, Lee 12, Dionisio 6, Abueva 5, Barroca 4, Dela Rosa 3, Laput 2, Reavis 0, Tratter 0.
Quarters: 25-18, 48-41, 76-68, 108-98.
– Rappler.com
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Why ‘Heartstopper’ is Gen Z’s defining publishing phenomenon | Marguerite de Leon | 11/2/2024 14:33 | When Volume 5 of Heartstopper, Alice Oseman’s graphic novel series (turned Netflix adaptation, turned cultural juggernaut) was published in December last year, the book was declared an instant number-one bestseller. In Australia alone, it sold 12,300 copies in its first week.
To every generation a publishing phenomenon is born – and for Generation Z, it’s Heartstopper, which Oseman started writing aged 22 (she’s still just 29).
The rise of Heartstopper reads like a history of the last 10 years in publishing tools and platforms. Oseman started self-publishing the comics on microblogging site Tumblr and webtoon platform Tapas in 2016, building up a loyal following and clocking millions of views.
Crowdfunding for the first print run met the funding goal within two hours. Hachette Children’s Group picked up world rights for the series, publishing Volume One in 2019.
To date, five graphic novels, two novellas, a yearbook, and a coloring book have been published. The graphic novels have also been adapted into a successful Netflix series, with scripts written by Oseman herself.
Heartstopper follows the sweet friends-to-lovers arc of Charlie and Nick, whom we first meet in Year 10 and Year 11. It depicts the giddying highs and dizzying lows of being young, queer, and in love.
Through Charlie, Nick, and other well-drawn characters, Alice Oseman beautifully portrays the inner workings of a healthy relationship, modeling open communication, help-seeking, allyship, and active consent. The books also touch on rarely discussed topics like male eating disorders.
Queer joy is defined by Oxfam as a positive feeling we get from encountering signs of progress in gender equality and gender diversity. In the Heartstopper series, the narrative engine runs on themes of love, identity, first times, self-discovery, friendship, and allyship.
When we meet Charlie in Volume 1, he’s been out at his school as gay for a while. He mentions past bullying and there are moments of homophobia, but largely Charlie is accepted at school. Charlie’s friend Elle has transitioned their gender and has been enrolled into the girls’ school across the road. There’s never any suggestion this has been met with resistance or nastiness.
Of course, not everything comes easily to Charlie and Nick. The shadow side of the themes of love, connection and community includes mental ill-health, body dysmorphia, trauma, family conflict, and bullying.
Nick’s brother, David, takes every opportunity to shame Nick for being gay, while Nick’s father is an absent parent. Meanwhile, trauma from Charlie’s past, including bullying and his toxic, closeted ex Ben’s coercive behavior, has had some heavy impacts.
Charlie confesses to Nick that he used to self-harm, and Nick observes some worrying behavior in Charlie in terms of food avoidance and anxiety. Nick talks to his mother who tells him, “Love can’t cure a mental illness,” and gives some practical advice: listen, talk, ask him what he needs, stand by him, but don’t try to take it on by yourself.
Nick encourages Charlie to seek help. After some reluctance, Charlie talks to his parents. He is diagnosed with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and anorexia and is admitted to a residential treatment program. As assistant professor of psychology Vivienne Lewis has noted, eating disorders in boys and men are underrepresented in media and little understood in the community, so Alice Oseman is breaking important ground here.
Comics have a tumultuous history, especially for children. In 1953, in his book Seduction of the Innocent, Frederic Wertham argued comics inhibit literacy, and called them “death on reading.” But the opposite seems to be true.
Comics and graphic novels are, for some kids at least, the gateway to a passion for books. For already engaged readers, it’s a way to diversify their reading and develop their visual literacy. English teacher Matt McCabe points out that while comics can be read and understood comparatively quickly, they can be “studied multiple times from different angles,” making them suited to readers of all abilities.
Reading comics calls on a heightened awareness of the senses to make sense of the unfolding world within. Some of the magic of comics occurs in the gutter: the space between panels. The comics medium is also known for its disjuncture of word and image. These “felt gaps” prompt the reader to harness their imagination and life experience.
Because comics can show and tell two things at once, they are particularly good at representing the way identities are formed in relation to society and culture. There’s a scene in Volume 1 where Nick turns to Google to ask, “Am I gay?” Google searches like these have become a rite of passage for young Gen Zs, who are much more likely than older generations to identify as queer.
An examination of Google trends from 2004 to 2023 highlights a steep rise in queries about sexuality, with such searches surging over 1,300%. Alice Oseman uses jagged panels and fragmentation to show Nick’s worldview exploding as he comes to terms with this new information about himself, in the fractured environment of a Google search response page.
By Heartstopper Volume 5, Nick is out to family and friends and Charlie is home and in therapy, but generally well. Charlie and Nick are in an established relationship, thinking about taking things to the next level.
They are surrounded by a supportive and diverse group of friends, including a trans girl, another gay boy who is not interested in coming out, Charlie’s asexual sister, and a lesbian couple, reflecting a spectrum of LGBTQ+ experiences many kids would encounter in their own social milieu.
There is a subplot of two male teachers falling in love. One of these teachers encourages Charlie to consider running for Head Boy. (We’ll have to read Volume 6 to find out if he’s successful!)
Heartstopper Volume 5 focuses a lot on Nick who, as a final-year student, needs to make a decision about university. Initially he assumes he’ll go to the closest one, to stay near Charlie. Two friends, also facing this decision, accompany Nick on a road trip to visit campuses elsewhere, and gently encourage him to explore other options.
Alice Oseman handles with delicacy the fact that as high-school sweethearts, their paths may take them in different directions – and that only through supporting each other to grow will they both thrive.
Another important plot point involves discussions about sexual readiness, with both boys talking to each other and their friends about recognizing when you might be ready for sex. The conversations demonstrate nuances of active consent and communication, and stand in stark contrast to Ben’s entitlement and aggression in Volume 1. A conversation in class shows not all young people are ready for sex –and that’s normalized too.
In Heartstopper, the representations of mental illness, trans identities, and queer love are destigmatizing and normalizing. Charlie’s queer and quirky friendship group reminds me of the young people who trail in and out of my house on a regular basis. (My oldest daughter ran the queer club at her school, my middle child is non-binary.)
The depiction of Charlie’s OCD and anorexia as a result of past trauma is carefully optimistic, showing a fairly linear pathway from help-seeking to effective treatment. Oseman acknowledges, through Nick, that isn’t always the case:
Staying in a hospital was a big risk. It probably isn’t helpful for everyone. But it was for him. He could actually focus on his mental health without worrying about school and what everyone thought.
Oseman uses the comic form to alleviate the intensity, avoiding details about self-harm and restrictive eating, and never showing anything graphic.
The message when it comes to mental health is that it takes a village to treat mental illness (siblings, parents, friends, clinicians, teachers).
Some readers, especially those of us who grew up in earlier decades, might feel sad or angry when they compare their school experiences to what’s shown in Heartstopper. Some who experienced the bullying but not the friendships in high school may struggle to believe kids can be this kind to each other.
For me, though, this is the queer joy of reading Heartstopper. In its focus on the love and community that surrounds Charlie and Nick, the Heartstopper graphic novels create a space for the reader, who becomes an intimate confidante – another member of Charlie and Nick’s tight-knit friendship group. – Rappler.com
Penni Russon is a Senior Lecturer, School of Communication, Monash University.
This piece was originally published in The Conversation.
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On hero ball and wish lists: Lessons learned from Gilas past | Jasmine Payo | 11/2/2024 15:13 | FAN FAVORITE. Jordan Clarkson and Gilas Pilipinas acknowledge the crowd after a game in the 2023 FIBA World Cup,
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MANILA, Philippines – 2024 signaled a fresh start for the Gilas Pilipinas program. Although the coach and the players are not totally new, the program is, and it ushers in a new system, environment, and end objective.
In what is another reboot to Gilas Pilipinas, Tim Cone was appointed permanent national team head coach, and he subsequently named just 12 players who will form the core of the national team.
The idea is to keep the 12 together for the next four years, with the hope of qualifying and advancing deep in the 2027 FIBA World Cup.
Although Cone left a window for additions in case of injuries to the core, he also emphasized that for the most part, he will stick with the 12 in the tournaments that Gilas Pilipinas will be joining, beginning with the FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers this February.
There have been skepticism about the rationale in sticking to just 12 players and questions about why certain players were not included.
Names such as Rhenz Abando, Justine Baltazar, and Jordan Heading have been frequently mentioned. Other notable omissions are Thirdy Ravena, who has been on a tear in the Japan B. League, leading his club, the San-En NeoPhoenix, to the top of the standings, and Matthew Wright, hands down the best Filipino player in Japan the past two seasons.
Angelo Kouame has been a force for the UB Chartres Métropole in the French League Division 3 and should have been a worthy consideration for the lone naturalized player spot that has been allotted to the recently reinstated Justin Brownlee.
But it is hard to argue with the wisdom of a coach who is largely considered the best in the local shores and who has already proven he could also triumph in the international arena.
One can only hope that this latest iteration of Gilas Pilipinas will be run and supported by people who will have the patience, the thoroughness and the discipline to stick to the program and allow it to run its course as designed by Cone and his brain trust.
There were a number of circumstances in the previous versions of Gilas that should not plague Cone’s program for it to be successful.
Cone, being the astute and grizzled tactician that he is, may have probably already studied his Gilas history to know the things that worked and things that could have been done better.
An early positive sign for Tim Cone is that he seemed to have filled up his 12-man roster with the players on his wish list. This was rarely the case for previous Gilas programs.
Tab Baldwin had his hands tied behind his back when he was deputized in 2015 to helm the Gilas team that was vying to win the solitary Asian ticket to the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Baldwin was deprived of the opportunity to tap any of the players from the San Miguel teams.
Marc Pingris eventually joined the national team and once again took on the role of the defensive anchor of the team, the only one from the SMC bloc who chose country over club.
Credit goes to Baldwin who, despite the lack of materials, still steered Gilas to a runner-up finish in the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship, just a game short of earning an Olympic spot
The 2013 Gilas had its own share of limitations as Chot Reyes was only allowed to pick one player per PBA team based on the parameters set by the pro league for the national squad.
Since 2008, there have been close to 10 versions of Gilas Pilipinas that have been assembled. None of these teams stayed together for four years.
The longest a squad stayed together was Gilas 1.0, which was formed in 2008 under coach Rajko Toroman with the aim of qualifying for the London Olympics by winning the 2011 FIBA Asia Olympic qualifiers held in Wuhan, China.
But the team that was fielded in the qualifiers was not composed exclusively of those who were part of the Toroman pool.
PBA players Asi Taulava, Kelly Williams, Ranidel de Ocampo, and Jimmy Alapag were inserted months before the qualifiers, practically relegating to the sidelines the three-year preparation that was intended to make the players one cohesive unit.
Gilas 2.0 under Reyes ran from the time they won the SEABA and the Jones Cup in 2012 to the 2014 FIBA World Cup in Spain.
Baldwin’s Gilas 3.0 had an even shorter life span, lasting from 2015 to 2016.
Since then, there have been nine coaches who have been given the head coaching mantle of Gilas, with Reyes the longest tenured, handling the program two more times, from 2016-2018 and from 2022-2023.
Cone himself was appointed Gilas coach twice, the 2019 Southeast Asian Games and the 2023 Asian Games. Both instances, Gilas brought home the gold.
If Cone manages to maintain his program until 2027, he would become the longest-serving national team coach in the last 70-plus years.
The age-old dilemma of the Gilas program has been the PBA’s unwillingness to make a radical change in its calendar to allow the national team more time to prepare.
The PBA can mount press conferences all day long, mouth platitudes declaring its full commitment to the Gilas program and publicly declare plans to adjust league schedules to give the national team more time to prepare. At this point, everyone knows these are all lip service.
The Gilas team under coach Yeng Guiao was given just 10 full days of training to prepare for the 2019 FIBA World Cup.
That team lost its first two games by an average deficit of 52 points.
Cone recognizes the hand he has been dealt with.
“We are trying to minimize the amount of preparation that we need to get into each window,” Cone said. “We are going to prepare for only seven days for the first window [of the FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers], 10 days for the second, and five days for the third.”
Cone hopes that by not having a revolving-door policy in the national pool, the 12 players selected will eventually establish chemistry which will cover up for the short preparation time they will be given by the PBA.
In the closing minutes of the game between Gilas Pilipinas and the Dominican Republic during the opening playdate of the 2023 FIBA World Cup, the Dominicans scored on well-run plays while the Filipinos failed to convert from their isolations and forced attempts. The visitors escaped with a close 87-81 victory.
In Brownlee, Cone will have a clutch player who can take over a game but still play within the system.
The resident Ginebra import, in fact, has always been known for his willingness to blend with teammates. To describe him as perfect for the kind of national team Cone envisions would be stating the obvious. Brownlee has an Asian Games gold medal as proof of that.
In the past two editions of the FIBA World Cup, the Gilas teams played with an over-reliance on their go-to stars, Andray Blatche in 2019 and Jordan Clarkson in 2023.
It was similar to a boxer telegraphing his attack, and the Gilas squads wound up getting read like alphabet by opposing teams. Both squads operated within systems that were predictable and seemed out of touch with the dynamics and nuances of the international game.
Cone displayed both imagination and guile when he led the Philippines to its first Asian Games gold medal in 61 years, without totally veering away from his magic that has always worked in the PBA. He wins more than he talks and is not known to invite drama nor call attention to himself.
But Cone has not been tested in FIBA-level events and in competitions outside of the Asian region. Whether his formula for the new Gilas program will work will be known in the coming months. – Rappler.com
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WATCH: Exploring the famous Catholic shrine of Lourdes, France | Paterno Esmaquel II | 11/2/2024 15:10 | LOURDES, France – On February 11, 1858, the Blessed Virgin Mary was said to have appeared to a 14-year-old girl named Bernadette Soubirous at a grotto in this small, quiet French town.
Bernadette, now a Catholic saint, said Mary appeared to her 17 more times at this grotto in Lourdes, France.
The Lady, identifying herself as the Immaculate Conception, reportedly told Bernadette: “Penance, penance, penance! Pray to God for sinners.”
At the grotto in Lourdes, Mary was said to have instructed Bernadette to dig up the soil and drink water from the spring. To this day, millions of Catholics continue to visit the Lourdes grotto to draw water from this spring, which they believe to be miraculous.
In this vlog, Rappler senior multimedia reporter Paterno Esmaquel II brings us to this world-famous Catholic shrine.
Watch the video at the topmost part of this story page. – Rappler.com
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A getaway to the east: 5 under-the-radar spots in Rizal for Valentine’s Day | jreyes0314 | 11/2/2024 16:00 | I BELIEVE I CAN FLY. Visitors glide through the skies above Laguna de Bay and Sierra Madre in the Tandem Paragliding site in Binangonan.
Paragliding in Rizal
RIZAL, Philippines – Love is truly in the air as Valentine’s Day approaches.
With most restaurants and usual out-of-town destinations expected to be booked by couples, families, and friends who want to mark this special day, you might want to consider other underrated date spots that are all just an hour away from Metro Manila.
It’s a good thing there are a lot of spots to go to and activities you could do with your loved ones in the province of Rizal to make your Valentine’s date this year extra special.
You don’t need to go to South Korea to try the activity that crash-landed Yoon Se-ri on Captain Ri Jeong-hyeok’s heart.
Come fly over the hills of Binangonan with this one-of-a-kind experience courtesy of Paragliding in Rizal, located in Barangay Mahabang Parang. The flight offers a panoramic view of Sierra Madre and the majestic scenery of the Laguna de Bay on the other side, which is best seen during sunset!
Rates for this activity start at P3,000, complete with orientation, equipment, and behind-the-scene photos of your paragliding experience under the guidance of well-trained pilots. This experience lasts for a total of 15 minutes, depending on wind and weather conditions.
You can book your sessions through their Facebook page, or you can also join tours offered by travel groups on Facebook.
The lights from Metro Manila’s skyline will guide you home to this cafe within the hills of Angono. Despite the spread of overlooking places like this in the province, Kape-Hingahan insists on being direct and simple through having the cafe by the top, while placing their pallets and benches by the mountainside to let you fully enjoy the view of the Metro and Laguna de Bay from above without any distractions.
This place is best for those who want to get a quick break from the noise of the Metro without having to go to Tagaytay for the scenery and the cool breeze at night. With affordable prices for food and drinks, Kape-Hingahan gives you the most sulit experience for your Valentine’s date.
The cafe is open from 5:00 am to 1:00 am daily and is located at Villa Angelina Subdivision in Barangay San Isidro. Expect a steep road ahead and entrance fees inside for drivers, while tricycles are available within Manila East Road to those who will commute.
You can check their Facebook page here for their menu and other details.
Located in Barangay Bagumbayan, the Lyger Animal Sanctuary is the perfect spot for animal lovers who want to spend their day in the company of fascinating creatures.
From ligers – a hybrid cross between male lions and female tigers – to different species of tigers, white lions, and albino carabaos, this destination offers a unique opportunity for couples and families to connect with nature.
The zoo is open daily, from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm, with an entrance fee of P250 and no reservations needed before entering. Bringing outside food is allowed, making it a perfect place for picnics and bonding activities. You can visit their Facebook page for more details.
How about exploring a cave for the first time? Mystical Cave – said to be Rizal’s biggest cave – showcases mesmerizing rock formations and sparkling crystals inside. The beauty of these stalactites and stalagmites can be seen after climbing through almost 200 stair steps.
The cave also has a mystical history behind it. It is said that a woman from Iloilo went all the way to Antipolo to discover the cave she found in her dreams, with its entrance the size of a coin suddenly exploding following its discovery. Locals also consider the cave as a religious site since some formations are said to resemble the figures of Jesus, Mary, and other religious icons.
The Mystical Cave is located at Sitio Bubukal in Barangay San Luis, Antipolo City, and is open daily from 8 am to 6 pm. The entrance fee costs P50 per person, which already includes the company of a tour guide. Visitors are encouraged to bring their own flashlights.
Camping sites along Agos River in Barangay Daraitan present a sweet escape from the Metro on Valentine’s Day or even up to the weekend for a more fulfilling retreat into the wilderness.
Camp Irog is among different camps that offer cozy accommodations from tents and huts to nooks and lodges that are perfect for your peaceful getaway. Located within the riverside, enjoy the view of the clouds meeting the mountains by the day and relax by a warm bonfire and stargaze at night.
The rate for huts, nooks, lodges at Camp Irog starts at P3,000 per night, while tents are priced at P500 per person for one night and a day tour costs P350 per head. Common kitchen, bathrooms, and dining areas are available for guests, with outside food and drinks and pets allowed for visitors. You can book your stay and inquire for more details through their Facebook page. – 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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PH boxers taking ‘good steps’ in qualifying for Paris Olympics | delfin.dioquino editor | 10/2/2024 22:28 | PUNCH. Nesthy Petecio (left) in action for the Philippines in the 2024 Boxam Elite Tournament.
Federacion Española de Boxeo Facebook page
MANILA, Philippines – Filipino boxers’ promising results in the Boxam Elite Tournament in Spain bode well in their bid to qualify for the Paris Olympics.
Nesthy Petecio, Rogen Ladon, Aira Villegas, and Hergie Bacyadan all emerged victorious as the Philippine boxing team completed a four-gold haul in the international tourney that drew boxers from 30 countries.
The Philippines finished tied with Italy and Uzbekistan for most gold medals in the event that ran from January 29 to February 4.
“We can’t get too high on the four gold medals because this is just a lead-up tournament,” said Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines (ABAP) secretary-general Marcus Jarwin Manalo.
“But at least we can see that we are taking good steps leading to the Olympic qualifiers.”
Petecio nailed a split 4-1 win over two-time world champion Huang Hsiao-wen of Chinese Taipei in the women’s -57kg final as she eyes a return trip to the Olympics after bagging silver in the Tokyo Games.
Also a former Olympian, Rogen Ladon clinched the men’s -51kg title after winning by default against Hungary’s Istvan Szaka.
Villegas ruled the women’s -50kg division with a 3-2 victory over Kazakhstan’s Kyzaibay Nazym, while Bacyadan earned a 5-0 shutout triumph over Kazakhstan’s Yerzhan Gulsaya to lord over the women’s -75kg category.
Meanwhile, Carlo Paalam (men’s -57kg), Mark Ashley Fajardo (men’s 63.5kg), Ronald Chavez Jr. (men’s 71kg), and Riza Pasuit (women’s -60kg) all suffered exits in the preliminaries.
Despite the mixed results, Manalo said his charges have shown improvement since the Asian Games, which served as a qualifier for the Olympics.
Only Eumir Marcial qualified for Paris among the 10 Filipino boxers, including Petecio, Villegas, Paalam, Fajardo, and Pasuit, who saw action in the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, last year.
“The boxers appear to be in better form now compared to the previous qualifiers,” said Manalo. “All that we’re doing now is building up for the Olympics.”
Nearly 100 spots are still up for grabs in Paris as boxers compete in a pair of world qualification tournaments in February-March in Busto Arsizio, Italy, and in May-June in Bangkok, Thailand.
Boxing has historically delivered the most Olympic medals for the Philippines with eight, three coming from Petecio (silver), Paalam (silver), and Marcial (bronze) in the Tokyo Games in 2021. – Rappler.com
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10 anti-Valentine’s Day songs that would leave Cupid scratching his head | Marguerite de Leon | 11/2/2024 12:23 | ELY BUENDIA. The former Eraserheads frontman speaks up.
File photo by Martin San Diego/Rappler
Contrary to popular belief, love does not always conquer all, neither does it usually last. It’s a fact of life. So here, for those who are not in a romantic mood this love month, is a playlist composed of Filipino songs that go against the Valentine’s tradition. If you’ve had enough of the mushy stuff, this is for you.
Ebe Dancel wrote this bittersweet song about being in a “love motel” with an unrequited love. It closes with one of the most epic lines in Pinoy music: “Ayoko nang mag-isa / Ayoko na, na, na, na, yeah.”
From the compilation album Offshore Music Vol. 2, the song uses metaphor and symbolism to portray a romantic relationship that has clearly become uncertain and is now on the verge of ending.
Composed by Jim Paredes, this heartfelt ballad about a fading love is beautifully depicted in the lines, “Parang isang kandila na nagdadala / Ng ilaw at liwanag / Nauubos din sa magdamag.”
Whether you’re in a relationship limbo or just want to unwind after a long day, this track from Peryodiko’s self-titled album is the song for you.
Since winning the grand prize in the 1998 Metropop Song Festival, this song has become a beloved OPM classic with its witty lyrics that uses metaphor and cultural references to express the narrator’s feelings of isolation and longing for love.
Feeling tired or unhappy in your relationship? It could be time to break up. As the lyric of the song goes, “Wag na nating patagalin / ‘Di ka masaya / Pagod na ako / Tapusin na natin ito.”
Released in 2005, this post-breakup song, from Paramita’s debut album Tala, reflects on the themes of longing and letting go.
Indulge in nostalgia with this sentimental song that explores how drinking brings back memories that you’d rather forget.
There are many songs of heartbreak from the Manila Sound era, but this one is a personal favorite.
Last on the list is a quintessential anti-romantic song with social commentary that rejects the traditional wishy-washy love songs played during Valentine’s Day.
– Rappler.com
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Friends to foes: Maddie Madayag welcomes battling longtime teammate Bea de Leon | jisaga0269 | 10/2/2024 13:24 | SISTERS FOR LIFE. Choco Mucho middle blocker Bea de Leon (left) hugs teammate Maddie Madayag in the 2023 PVL Invitational Conference
PVL Images
MANILA, Philippines – For the first time in nearly a decade, Choco Mucho star Maddie Madayag will not have middle blocker partner-in-crime Bea de Leon by her side on a volleyball court.
In one of many shocking moves made in a wild PVL off-season, the Flying Titans captain jumped ship to the team that knocked off Choco Mucho in its first franchise finals appearance, the dynastic Creamline Cool Smashers.
Madayag, though, savored the idea of going face-to-face with her great friend and longtime teammate once PVL hostilities begin with the 2024 All-Filipino Conference on February 20.
“I’ve been with Bea since my first year. We’ve really been together. But we’re happy that she found a new home with Creamline,” she said in Filipino. “We know that she will learn a lot more and she will grow more as a person.”
“It’s going to be different playing against her because my whole career – both of our careers – we’ve been together in one team, so there. Let’s just see what happens in the games,” Madayag added during an Allianz sponsorship event graced by both sister teams.
From UAAP Season 77 in 2015 until Season 81 in 2019, both Madayag and De Leon imposed their height and might at the nets and honed their skills together as Ateneo Blue Eagles, winning two championships in the process and a Finals MVP for De Leon in her final year.
The fearsome duo then jumped to the club scene together with the 2019 inception of Choco Mucho as the Rebisco company’s second volleyball team, and endured all the growing pains of a fledgling squad, including multiple failed attempts at earning an elusive PVL podium finish.
Madayag and De Leon’s joint career paths eventually drifted apart at the end of the 2023 Second All-Filipino Conference following a breakthrough silver-medal finish.
Now on opposite sides of the taraflex, the two standouts will continue bringing out their winning mentality with their respective teams – both still expected to contend for championships in the near future.
This time around, only one may reach the top at a time, and it remains to be seen who will get the last laugh over the other first. – Rappler.com
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[OPINION] The BARMM must address intersecting climate and conflict risks now | Marguerite de Leon | 11/2/2024 11:06 | As humanitarian researchers exposed to different crises globally, we have seen how climate change exacerbates social, political, and environmental vulnerabilities — especially in fragile contexts already prone to conflict. This is becoming more evident in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), the region with the highest poverty incidence in the Philippines, which faces immense challenges from climate change, conflict, and environmental degradation that threaten stability and development.
BARMM communities have long struggled with armed groups, clan tensions, natural resource depletion, and poverty. Climate hazards like typhoons, flooding, and drought threaten livelihoods and contribute to resource scarcity. These overlapping stressors occur while a fragile peace process occurs in hopes of stabilizing the region.
Limited resources constrain the ability of the BARMM’s transitional government, the BTA, to respond to climate impacts. The transition period will end in 2025 with elections that could shape the region’s future stability. So, the BTA must consider climate change now.
To better understand the risks posed by both conflict and climate change in the region, humanitarian, climate, and peace experts recently convened at a workshop organized by the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative and Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology in Iligan City, Mindanao to discuss climate change impacts on conflict dynamics and how collaboration across sectors is key to solutions moving forward. Their insights offer lessons for BARMM governance and support for vulnerable communities.
One of the key issues highlighted at the workshop was the political, economic, social, cultural, and environmental differences within the BARMM that must be taken into account when addressing climate change, and environmental and conflict impacts.
For example, Maguindanao is dealing with violent land disputes over the Ligawasan Marsh, which is home to a rich biodiversity of species that supports the livelihoods of more than 300,000 people. Illegal fishing, deforestation, development of agricultural land, dumping of solid waste, and a changing climate threatens the marsh’s resources which could impact livelihoods and increase the potential for unemployed youth to join non-state armed groups.
Lanao del Sur and communities around Lake Lanao face displacement, poverty, and resource depletion from large-scale conflicts like the Marawi siege and rido or clan feuds, as well as climate change impacts. The lake, which provides key resources and livelihoods, is at risk of depletion from climate change, illegal mining, and logging. While the Ranaw Development Authority aims to protect Lake Lanao’s resources, all contextual factors must be considered regarding the simultaneous impacts of conflict, degradation, and climate change.
Although both provinces face intersecting challenges, the contexts and risks vary greatly between them, requiring different policy and practice approaches. Furthermore, a community’s individual experience of the compounding challenges must be understood to adequately address them. One-size-fits-all solutions will not work given the contextual differences of the BARMM.
Speaking of communities and contextualization, government policies and NGO programs require an understanding of local attitudes, concerns, and aspirations related to these issues. Gaining insights directly from communities across the BARMM can fill knowledge gaps and provide information on how residents perceive and experience overlapping climate and conflict risks. This local, community-level approach would ensure policies and interventions do not exacerbate vulnerabilities or tensions.
Unfortunately, climate data is limited in the BARMM, hindering informed decision-making of government and humanitarian actors. Without reliable local evidence, well-intended actions could harm communities or be ineffective.
To adequately address BARMM’s complexity, decision-makers must use community-level data to consider how climate impacts intersect with peace-building and resource sustainability. This contextualized information from impacted areas is needed for effective and equitable responses.
In addition, collaboration across sectors that is inclusive of women, indigenous peoples, people living with disabilities, and religious leaders is needed in the shaping of development policy and programming. Key stakeholders from local government, humanitarian and development agencies, climate and environmental professionals, and peace-building efforts must be sensitive to one another’s work and approaches to avoid inadvertently exacerbating local conflict dynamics. Holistic solutions are needed.
With elections looming in 2025, the BTA has a critical window to establish climate-sensitive foundations for lasting peace. But community-level, evidence-based, collaborative action is urgently needed. This is crucial especially that the communities’ safety and livelihoods depend on the support they get and their own ability to cope with intensifying and intersecting climate, conflict, and environmental risks. Thus, understanding local realities through data and inclusive dialogue should shape how the BARMM government addresses this complex challenge for a future that is stable, at the very least. – Rappler.com
Kendra Sterneck is a Graduate Research Assistant of the Program on Resilient Communities at the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative (HHI) and a Master of Public Health student at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
Vincenzo Bollettino, PhD is the Director of the Program on Resilient Communities at HHI and a Senior Research Scientist in the Department of Global Health and Population at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
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Bea Alonzo and Dominic Roque confirm breakup in light of ‘insults,’ ‘ridiculous stories’ | Marguerite de Leon | 11/2/2024 18:38 | MANILA, Philippines – It’s officially over.
In a joint Instagram post on Sunday, February 11, celebrity couple Bea Alonzo and Dominic Roque have confirmed the end of their relationship.
“After much thought, consideration, and care, we have mutually decided to amicably end our engagement,” they wrote in the post. “It was not an easy decision. We wanted to have more time to carefully deliberate and pray about it, but there have been many speculations, questions, and insults.”
A post shared by bea alonzo (@beaalonzo)
“Unfortunately, some even confirmed our breakup without our consent, and some created ridiculous stories that had no basis and were utterly false, so we felt the need to share this announcement with great sadness, for our peace of mind and our families.”
“Please understand that this is an extremely painful yet united decision, and we sincerely request for everyone to kindly spare us from more cruel and very hurtful words thrown on social media.”
“We kindly request to give us the privacy we need as we navigate our future lives with respect, kindness, compassion, and dignity.”
“Thank you for your understanding and support,” the statement ended.
On February 6, news outlets reported showbiz host Boy Abunda confirming the split.
“Ako’y nalungkot ho talaga dahil madalas, ‘pag nagkikita kami ni Bea ay nagkakakwentuhan ho kami tungkol sa buhay, tungkol sa kanila, their marriage plans, etcetera. So, I was shocked,” Abunda said.
(I’m so sad over this because when I usually see Bea, we talk about her life with Dominic, their marriage plans, etcetera.)
“As we talk today, yes, hiwalay po si Dominic at tsaka si Bea (Dominic and Bea have separated),” he concluded.
Prior to this, showbiz reporter Ogie Diaz also claimed on his YouTube channel that the two had parted ways.
Alonzo and Roque went public with their relationship in 2021 after months of speculation. Roque proposed to Alonzo in July 2023 at the Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar in Bataan.
Here is a timeline of their relationship. – Rappler.com
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20 years later, Sugarfree’s ‘Dramachine’ is still the soundtrack of young Pinoys’ lives | jreyes0314 | 10/2/2024 21:43 | MANILA, Philippines – Ebe Dancel keeps a wooden cross on him every time he sets foot on stage.
“This,” he immediately answered, taking it out of his jacket pocket when a member of the press asked him if he had any tried and tested pre-performance rituals.
Carrying it with him wherever he went was a way for him to ease whatever anxieties came his way. He even shared that when you see him standing quietly with his hand in his pocket before a show, it means that he is holding onto the cross – clearing his mind.
For a musician crossing the two-and-a-half-decade mark in the industry this year, it was comforting to see that, just like any other person, the Sugarfree frontman maintained a tight grasp on the things that would ground him throughout his career, and in his case, it was his faith.
As his performance drew nearer and nearer, it was already starting to look like he would put out a lively performance like always – and he did.
Ebe performed a total of 23 songs during the concert for the 20th anniversary of Sugarfree’s 2004 album Dramachine on February 3 at 123 Block in Mandaluyong City. Throughout the set, he was accompanied by Mitch Singson, Sugarfree’s drummer.
A post shared by Ebe Dancel (@ebedancel)
“More than being bandmates, I think we’ve managed to remain friends and keep in touch. So, when it’s time to rehearse and to perform, it’s still the same old feeling. That’s never going to go away. When you’re friends for life, that’s what it does,” Ebe said about Mitch.
Indeed, not much has changed, except for one thing.
There was a large crowd of concertgoers that night, many of them there to relive the soundtrack of their college days through Sugarfree’s music.
However, a sizable group of Gen Z attendees were also present, presumably for various reasons. They could have grown up listening to Sugarfree because of their parents or older siblings, or even discovered Dramachine and Sugarfree’s other music a decade after their release.
The entire audience, including the Gen Zs, knew every single lyric to the songs Ebe and Mitch performed, sometimes even singing louder than Ebe did.
“P’wede na ba ‘kong kumanta (Can I sing now)?“ Ebe quipped at one point, drawing laughs from the crowd when an audience member’s singing was picked up by the stage microphones.
After 20 years, the impact of Dramachine continues to grow, drawing in newer generations in the process to make for a timeless record. But Ebe actually doesn’t know why the album has struck such a chord with listeners, both new and old.
Ebe shared that Sugarfree had just really wanted to perform on stage and make music. The outpouring of love their music had gotten from Filipinos across different age groups seemed to have just come as a big bonus.
“We had ‘Hari ng Sablay,’ and then parang nag-avalanche na (it’s been like an avalanche since then). We had that album. We had ‘Makita Kang Muli.’ We had ‘Tulog Na.’ We had ‘Kwarto.’ We had ‘Prom,'” Ebe said.
“Maybe it’s because ‘yung nakikinig kasi noon sa akin, mga kaedad ko. Parang pareho kami ng pinagdadaanan (My listeners then were my age. We were going through the same things). I think they appreciated that it was written in a way na kaya rin nilang isulat (that they could also write),” he added, moments after weighing the possible reasons.
Years later, this sentiment still rings true. He had even shared that some younger performers would go up to him during gigs to enthusiastically tell him about how they listened to his music when they were in high school.
“Personally, I’ve been looking forward to the younger generation just taking over [the music scene]. I think, andun na (we’re there already). Ultimately, that’s a good thing. Kasi, kung matagal mo nang ginagawa ito, parang napakalaking pasalamat mo na ‘yung (Because if you’ve been doing this for a while, you’re thankful for the) next generations,” Ebe said.
But if there’s one thing Ebe learned after 25 years in the music industry, it’s the value of patience – which he attests does not come overnight, no matter how long you’ve been doing your craft.
“Along with that, patience teaches you humility. Siyempre (Of course), 20 years ago, I was so much younger. I made a lot of mistakes. So, ‘yung (the) value ng (of) patience, ng (of) hard work, I think, if you’re really into it, it comes with a certain sense of humility just to appreciate everything,” the 47-year-old musician said.
“Thank you” was probably the phrase of the night as Ebe would express his gratitude toward the audience throughout his entire set.
And from the familiar cheers of the audience to the nostalgia that quietly takes over as Ebe performs each song, it’s clear that Dramachine and Sugarfree’s music will continue to live on and cut across generations. – Rappler.com
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Buddha and Santo Niño: A Cebuano-Chinoy’s blend of faith and spirituality | jsitchon0312 | 10/2/2024 10:15 | TRADITION. Many Filipino-Chinese would have altars with both the Santo Nino (Child Jesus) and the Buddha to which they would light an incense stick
John Sitchon/Rappler
CEBU, Philippines – For more than seven decades, Filipino-Chinese businesswoman Bonifacia Go wakes up at around 5 in the morning to burn incense by her family’s home altar in Cebu City.
It is a humble altar, populated by four incense burners, a portrait of a loved one and statuettes of religious and spiritual figures.
These figures range from images of the Santo Niño (Child Jesus) and the Blessed Virgin Mary to Buddha and bodhisattvas (practitioners of “enlightenment”) like Guanyin.
Go, who is now 76, begins her morning ritual by lighting a stick and whispering a short prayer to the Buddha. Then, another stick and prayer for the Santo Niño, and the same for her departed ones.
In her younger days, Go would be accompanied by her 13 siblings and parents who raised them to value the ritual passed down from generation to generation.
“My father would go back to Qianmen in China every now and then, but when he comes to our home in Cebu, we make sure to pray to Buddha and Santo Niño together,” Go said.
Go’s family, of course, is not the only one to practice faith this way.
In Cebu’s downtown area, many stores owned by prominent Filipino-Chinese families, also maintain an altar composed of incense burners or food offerings and images of the Santo Niño and Buddha (sometimes substituted with the Budai or “Laughing Buddha”).
Many descendants of these clans and historians believe that this tradition is a “marker of unity” and compelling evidence of the melding of beliefs that emerged during the 16th century.
Prior to the start of the Manila Galleon Trade in 1565 and even the introduction of Christianity to the Philippines in 1521, historical documents and artifacts in the form of excavated Chinese ceramics have suggested the existence of commercial and cultural exchanges between Chinese merchants and Cebu’s ancestors.
According to Vinch Layon, a coordinator of the Sugbu Chinese Heritage Museum, the spur of Chinese immigration to Cebu can be traced back to the 1860s, a time when international trade flourished.
“When they arrived here, they sold scraps and did odd jobs. Some of them prospered and started a retail business, hardware business, shipping business…,” Layon told Rappler on Friday, February 9.
Among the many travelers who settled in Cebu was Don Pedro Singson Gotiaoco, whose descendants like Manuel Gotianuy and John Gokongwei Jr. are known for their ventures in the fields of finance, real estate, and enterprise.
“From only six recorded Chinese residents in Cebu in 1830, the number rose to thirty in 1857, 611 in 1870, 1,032 in 1885, and 1,503 in 1893,” reads an excerpt from Filipino historian Resil Mojares’ The Book of Go.
The growing population, according to Mojares, had found home in a district called the “Lutao”, consisting of small stores and lodging along Manuel Cabahug Briones Street, Magallanes Street, Carbon Market, and the Freedom Park in Cebu City.
Buddhism had been around in China since the beginning of the Han Dynasty in the first century. It was only in the late 16th century that Jesuit missionaries arrived in the country to spread Christianity.
“(Buddhism) was something that the Catholic Church did not initially understand until a Jesuit priest by the name of Matteo Ricci went to China and found that their worship of the ancestors was completely different from the worship of God,” Jaime Sy of the 1730 Jesuit House told Rappler.
Sy explained that Buddhism is a “humanistic religion” that prioritizes enlightenment over the concept of a creator or a higher being. He added that even the Buddha did not claim to be a deity or god.
However, during the Spanish colonial period, non-Christian practices like the burning of incense in veneration of ancestors closely linked to Buddhism was heavily frowned upon.
“Spanish missionaries often complained about the sincerity of Chinese converts, pointing out the numerous times when the latter continued to practice non-Christian rituals after conversion,” says an excerpt from Richard Chu and Teresita See’s Toward a History of Chinese Burial Grounds in Manila during the Spanish Colonial Period.
Despite this, Chinese converts persisted in using traditional rituals and adopted Catholic methods of worship through the years. Soon Filipino-Chinese families in Cebu began participating in the annual Fiesta Señor dedicated to the Santo Niño or the Child Jesus.
While Buddhism, specifically Han Buddhism, is the largest officially recognized religion in China, the blending of religious beliefs and traditional practices is particularly common among Chinese citizens, according to the Pew Research Center.
For Jose Mateo, a Filipino-Chinese member of the Buddha’s Light International Association-Philippines and a devout Christian in Cebu, Buddhism is not a practice to replace existing beliefs.
The Buddhist-Christian explained that the teachings of Buddha are inclusive and grounded on steps that people must follow to enhance their life.
The same steps can be found in different versions of Buddhist schools or philosophies and in Buddhist discourse like the “Karaniya Metta Sutta”:
If anything, Mateo said, basic Buddhist teachings can enhance a person’s religious experiences.
“Buddhism tends to only promote the three acts of goodness which is to think good thoughts, speak good words, and do good deeds,” Mateo told Rappler.
According to Mateo, Fo Guang Shan (Buddha’s Light Mountain) temples, like the Chu Un (Compassion and Gratitude) temple of Cebu, have opened more English-speaking chapters to accommodate fellow Christians in the path of enlightenment.
“If we emphasize what human beings can do to promote peace through the three acts of goodness then, I believe that (Buddhism) would not be in any conflict with another religion if the approach is like that,” the Buddhist-Christian concluded. – Rappler.com
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Love for God or love for jowa? When Ash Wednesday falls on Valentine’s Day | Paterno Esmaquel II | 10/2/2024 11:30 | For Valentine’s dinner, we’re having… what, fasting?
It’s a test of will for Catholics on Wednesday, February 14, as the start of the season of Lent – Ash Wednesday – falls on Valentine’s Day this year.
For Catholics, Ash Wednesday is the start of Lent, a 40-day penitential period marked by prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. On this day, they have their foreheads marked with ashes to symbolize repentance from sin, and are required to abstain from meat (for those 14 years old onwards) and to take only one full meal (for those 18 to 59 years old) as a form of sacrifice.
Valentine’s Day, the feast of the third-century martyr Saint Valentine, patron saint of lovers, is a day when romantic partners give gifts and go on dates in a celebration of love.
So what goes first for Filipino Catholics on February 14 this year: love for God or love for jowa (a colloquial Filipino term for a romantic partner)? Or does February 14 this year simply mean, uhm, payday?
We posted informal Facebook polls as early as January 5, and here’s what we found:
Hands down, for our followers (as of Saturday, February 10), “love for God” wins.
Our poll is still up, by the way, and you can still vote! Click and share the link below:
But why, in the first place, does the day of ashes fall on the day of hearts this year?
Lent is a preparation for Holy Week, which commemorates Jesus’ passion and death, which in turn leads to Easter, the celebration of Jesus’ rising from the dead.
Easter is a movable feast, and it falls “on the first Sunday following the first full moon after the spring equinox,” according to Encyclopedia Brittanica. The phases of the moon, in other words, are used to calculate the date of Easter – and this BBC article tells us about computus, a complicated method to determine this date.
It all boils down to the fact that the observances preceding Easter – including Ash Wednesday – will have to change each year and adjust accordingly.
The last time Ash Wednesday coincided with Valentine’s Day was in 2018. Citing researchers, the Catholic publication The Tablet said that before the current century, this coincidence last happened in 1923, 1934, and 1945. Ash Wednesday will fall on Valentine’s Day again in 2029, said The Tablet, “but that’s it for this century.”
Well, that only matters if one observes Ash Wednesday or Valentine’s Day.
If not, there are other things to celebrate on February 14: It’s also the birthday of Filipino stars Kris Aquino and Heart Evangelista, and Korean singer Jaehyun.
And how can we forget: Happy 100th birthday, former senator Juan Ponce Enrile! – Rappler.com
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How Chinese Religion clashed – and mixed – with Filipino Christianity | Paterno Esmaquel II | 10/2/2024 19:59 | CHINESE NEW YEAR. Filipino-Chinese families visit Seng Guan Temple along Narra Street, Manila, on the eve of Chinese New Year 2024 to remember deceased family members and hope for better days ahead.
Raffy de Guzman/Rappler
Editor’s Note: This is an updated version of a paper submitted by the author for the course “Christianity and Religious Diversity” in September 2019, as part of his masteral coursework at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. Rappler is publishing this as part of its series of articles for the Chinese New Year.
MANILA, Philippines – Years after Jesuit priest Matteo Ricci arrived in China to spread Christianity, a similar desire to evangelize the Middle Kingdom was blooming in the Philippines.
It was the late 1500s, and the Philippines was a Spanish colony. The Bishop of Manila, Domingo Salazar, wrote to King Philip II of Spain on June 24, 1590.
The Bishop of Manila told the King that he went to the Philippines precisely because it was a jumpoff point to China. The Bishop of Manila wrote: “I have long wanted to attempt the conversion of China. I came to these islands primarily for that reason knowing that they were very near China and that many Chinese lived here.”
Chinese studies scholars Aristotle Dy and Teresita Ang-See narrated these events in “Syncretism as Religious Identity,” a chapter in the book After Migration and Religious Affiliation. According to Dy and Ang-See, Salazar also told King Philip II that some Chinese traders belonged to the Christian faith, “but most were ‘pagans.’” Based on contemporary research, these “pagans” were practitioners of Chinese Religion, a syncretic system of belief that includes Buddhism, Confucianism, and Daoism.
The Bishop of Manila eventually won the trust of these Chinese merchants through his goodwill, wrote Dy and Ang-See.
A daring suggestion, however, came from the Jesuit priest Alonso Sanchez, who had arrived in Manila at the same time as Salazar in the late 1500s.
Sanchez’s proposal: to send “an armed expedition from the Philippines to China with the object of compelling the Chinese government to permit the entry of missionaries into China, and of providing the missionaries with an armed escort to ensure their safety while preaching Christianity to the Chinese,” recounted the Jesuit historian Horacio de la Costa in his book, The Jesuits in the Philippines.
Sanchez’s proposal did not prosper, but still the Jesuits in the Philippines tended to the Chinese in Manila – to prepare for missions in China. Other religious orders had the same plan.
Thus began the encounter of Catholic Christianity and Chinese Religion in the Philippines. It was a meeting of two religious traditions that has been marked by goodwill, and also by disagreements due to incompatible religious practices. One of their points of disagreement was the Chinese practice of venerating ancestors, an issue also faced by Ricci in China.
Such difficulties between the two religious traditions have persisted through the centuries. To this day, Chinese Religion poses a challenge to Catholic authorities in predominantly Catholic Philippines, mirroring the obstacles faced by Ricci when he tried to evangelize China.
We see these dynamics at play in celebrations of the Chinese New Year in the Philippines, for example, when Filipino-Chinese families that profess the Catholic faith continue their age-old practices of visiting Buddhist temples to wish for a prosperous year and to venerate their departed ancestors.
Our Rappler team witnessed this in the evening of Friday, February 9, the eve of the Chinese New Year, at the iconic Seng Guan Temple in Manila. One of the people we interviewed was Marjorie Jacob, 44, a Catholic, but who visited Seng Guan on Friday to honor her deceased mother. Shey Jasmine Tan, a 19-year-old Catholic, explained that “you can practice your culture and your faith at the same time.”
Watch our video report at Seng Guan Temple below.
In Cebu, Rappler’s Visayas reporter John Sitchon wrote about how the Filipino-Chinese keep statues of the Buddha and the Santo Niño (Child Jesus) side by side in their home altars. Descendants of these Cebu clans as well as historians “believe that this tradition is a ‘marker of unity’ and compelling evidence of the melding of beliefs that emerged during the 16th century,” Sitchon explained in his Rappler feature on Saturday, February 10.
But what, in the first place, is Chinese Religion?
Chinese Religion is a term coined by scholars for the syncretic religious tradition espoused by any Chinese. Syncretism refers to “the simultaneous practice of elements from different religious traditions,” wrote Dy and Ang-See.
Chinese Religion, therefore, refers to “the complex of Chinese religious beliefs and practices,” including Chinese Buddhism, Confucianism, Daoism, and Chinese popular religion, according to anthropology professor Tan Chee-Beng. Ang-See and Dy – who is also a Jesuit priest – explained in their book chapter that “the syncretic way of thinking is a key characteristic of Chinese Religion.”
In the Philippines, Chinese Religion and Roman Catholicism had their first interactions decades after Spain colonized the country and imposed Christianity on the natives.
Spanish colonial rule lasted for 377 years, and the Catholic Church grew into a powerful force in the country. Today, nearly 8 out of 10 Filipinos belong to the Catholic Church, and the Philippines remains the biggest predominantly Catholic country in Asia.
As it was in the 16th century, practitioners of Chinese Religion remain a small minority. There are no official government statistics on adherents of Chinese Religion. The government’s 2020 census, however, notes that there are only 39,150 Buddhists in the Philippines, or around 0.03% of the Philippines’ population of 108.67 million.
For centuries, Chinese Religion in the Philippines has interacted with Catholic Christianity from a place of weakness in the face of a powerful church.
While thousands of Chinese converted to Catholicism during the Spanish colonial rule, however, the converts never completely left Chinese Religion. The Chinese, after all, were used to a syncretic system of belief. This syncretism was, and still is, a source of disagreements between Chinese Religion and Catholic Christianity in the Philippines.
The Chinese tradition of venerating ancestors was the biggest point of disagreement between the two religious traditions. In his book Building a Bridge, Dy writes that Catholicism, during the Spanish colonial rule in the Philippines, prohibited the veneration of ancestors. “This undoubtedly caused many Chinese to stay away from a religion that asked them to forsake their parents.”
As for the thousands of Chinese who converted to Catholicism, the caveat was that they continued to practice Chinese beliefs, especially in honoring the dead. In their book about Chinese burial grounds in Manila, Ang-See and Richard Chu note that according to studies, Spanish missionaries “often complained about the sincerity of Chinese converts” because they persisted in practicing non-Christian traditions.
Ang-See and Chu point out that the Catholic Church “was troubled by the observance of Buddhist or non-Christian rituals in the cemetery.” “Hence, the Catholic Church made valiant efforts to make sure that its converts were not ‘contaminated’ by the ‘infidels’ by keeping the two separate, not only in life but also in death.”
In fact, in 1877, the Governor General of the Philippines reminded a gobernadorcillo, or the town mayor, “that Christians and ‘heathens’ should be buried separately.”
Other points of disagreement between Chinese Religion and Catholic Christianity involve icons or rituals to honor Buddhist gods and goddesses, and Catholic saints. Many adherents of Chinese Religion display and worship icons from different religions side by side. They also use the styles of Chinese ritual to worship non-Chinese deities, and they identify Chinese deities with Catholic ones.
These points of disagreement between Chinese Religion and Catholic Christianity stem from theological and practical reasons.
First, Chinese religious beliefs and Catholic doctrines are incompatible in many areas. Adherents of Chinese Religion, for example, believe in reincarnation, while Catholics believe that each soul only has one chance to live on earth. Catholics worship only one God, but those who subscribe to Chinese Religion tend to worship many gods
Second, adherents of Chinese Religion believe it is more practical to subscribe to many gods in different faiths because it is “safer to believe than not to believe.” Ang-See and Dy write that Chinese Filipinos, business-minded as they are, seek to be practical.
They explain: “The practical Chinese mind seeks to unite rather than divide, to include rather than exclude. In religion, this means believing that all religions are good because they all teach people to be good and to do good. Doctrinal differences can be overlooked in favor of the similar ethical demands made by all religions. Therefore, there is nothing wrong with embracing more than one faith.”
Richard Chu, as cited by Juliet Lee Uytanlet in The Hybrid Tsinoys, believes that the Chinese in the Philippines turned to Roman Catholicism with “their cosmological understanding that there were many gods in this world.” This means that to be prosperous, the Chinese “need to appease the new ghosts or new gods by worshiping them, burning incense, giving them gifts, and establishing relationships.”
Uytanlet agrees with Chu “that the Chinese turning to Christianity was actually adding new gods instead of replacement of their former gods since their cosmological understanding is that there are many gods or spirits.” Therefore, in the eyes of Chinese converts to Christianity, “the Christian God then is the Supreme Being yet there are also many lesser gods.”
For Uytanlet, this helps explain “why Buddhism blended well with Daoism and eventually the Christian faith.”
The disagreements between Chinese Religion and Catholic Christianity in the Philippines mirrored the issues faced by Jesuit priest Matteo Ricci when he started evangelizing in China on August 7, 1582. Both Ricci and the Philippine missions grappled with the syncretism of the Chinese and their veneration of ancestors.
Certainly, Ricci and the Catholic missionaries in the Philippines lived in different contexts. Ricci entered China with Christianity as a foreign religion interacting with dominant Chinese beliefs – Confucianism, Buddhism, and Daoism. Ricci was part of the minority. On the other hand, the Catholic missionaries in 16th-century Philippines encountered adherents of Chinese religion at a time when the Spanish ruled the Philippines. The Catholics there had the power.
Different contexts, then, led to different approaches. Ricci and his fellow Jesuits accommodated Chinese culture, to the point of dressing like Buddhist monastics, according to The Cambridge Companion to the Jesuits. They also remained open to and tolerated Chinese values, such as venerating their ancestors.
In a university lecture, Tan Loe Joo explained that the Jesuits justified the elements of ancestor veneration – “incense burning, prostrating oneself, or offering food” – “as mere civic duty than religious observances.”
Tan explained that the mendicant priests – the Augustinians, Franciscans, and Dominicans – questioned the Jesuits’ policy toward the Chinese. This is because the mendicant orders “had a more culturally-limited Eurocentric view” of the extent to which Chinese Christians can participate in non-Christian rituals. Eventually, the Vatican intervened, decreeing against Chinese rites in November 1704. This became known as the Rites Controversy.
Like the mendicant priests in the Rites Controversy, the Spanish missionaries in the Philippines employed an approach different from Ricci’s. After all, not only were the Spanish missionaries part of the colonial power. These 16th-century clergymen also came from a Eurocentric context.
Another concept that influenced their worldview was extra Ecclesiam nulla salus (“outside the Church, there is no salvation”), an exclusivist doctrine that went as far back as the 3rd century, but would radically evolve after the Second Vatican Council in the 1960s. (The Second Vatican Council, also known as Vatican II, is a historic gathering of bishops to discuss ways by which the Catholic Church can return to its roots and reform itself in a modern world.)
Thus, to evangelize adherents of Chinese Religion, the Spanish missionaries in the Philippines did not pursue accommodation or tolerance as Ricci did. On the other hand, they employed a hardline approach, as they segregated Muslims and Christians, and even forced them to abandon their “pagan” practices.
From miles away, the Spanish missionaries also viewed Ricci with contempt.
In the Philippines, the Catholic priest Fray Juan Cobo learned of Ricci’s mission in China, “but he considered his efforts to be rather fruitless,” writes Ryan Dominic Crew in his journal article, Pacific Purgatory. Cobo referred to Ricci’s style of wearing the robes of Buddhist monastics and Confucian literati to attract the Chinese. Such a method, said the friar, was getting “considerable suspicion” in Manila. The Spanish missionaries also heard rumors that Ricci’s discreet method “had only won a scant number of converts in the Chinese elite.”
The Spanish missionaries, at times, did adapt their methodologies to local culture in the Philippines, but they believed it was important to do so “from a position of undisguised power.”
The experiences of the Spanish missionaries in the Philippines and Matteo Ricci in China demonstrate two models of Christianity encountering other faiths or cultures. In the Philippines under Spanish colonial rule, the Catholic missionaries imposed their faith on the Chinese. In China, as foreign missionaries, Ricci and his fellow Jesuits adapted to Chinese culture.
Today, the model of imposing one’s faith on another is considered a vestige of colonialism. In the Catholic Church, this is seen as part of the exclusivist, pre-Vatican II worldview embodied by the concept of extra Ecclesiam nulla salus. Forcing one’s faith on another culture, as the Spanish did in the Philippines, is considered negative in the contemporary world.
Even Pope Francis condemned proselytism, “by which he means coercive or aggressive missionary techniques.” On the Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul on January 25, 2015, Francis stated that for evangelization to be effective, “we need to stop being self-enclosed, exclusive, and bent on imposing a uniformity.” He added, “Our shared commitment to proclaiming the Gospel enables us to overcome proselytism and competition in all their forms.”
Francis, the first Jesuit pope, reflects the model used by Ricci and the Jesuits in China – to a certain extent. By adapting to the culture of the Buddhists and Confucianists in China, Ricci avoided, in the words of Francis, “being self-enclosed, exclusive, and bent on imposing a uniformity.”
To be sure, Ricci was a product of his own time, and it can be argued that his approach was still exclusivist, in contrast to the inclusive bent of the Catholic Church after Vatican II. Still, Ricci’s method was marked by more openness to a foreign culture, compared to the Spanish in the Philippines.
Ricci’s method is limited, however, by his understanding of Chinese culture.
Ricci made a mistake when he tried to pit Confucianism, Buddhism, and Daoism against each other. Arnold Rowbotham, in his journal article, “The Impact of Confucianism on Seventeenth Century Europe,” said Ricci exalted Confucianism “to the position of a noble philosophical system” while labeling Buddhism and Daoism as “heathen cults.” Ricci, in a way, employed a “divide and conquer” tactic so that Christianity can emerge victorious in the end.
Ricci’s method showed a lack of understanding of the syncretic nature of Chinese Religion, which is explained by modern scholars such as Dy and Ang-See. One cannot simply “divide” the elements of Chinese Religion, because the Chinese understand the cosmos in a syncretic way. Elements of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Daoism can always mix one way or another. Ricci could have benefited from contemporary studies, but again he was a product of his own time.
In any case, the model of Matteo Ricci – to the extent that he knew best – showed the importance of respect. By adapting to Chinese culture rather than imposing, Ricci engaged in dialogue, unlike the Spanish missionaries in the Philippines.
In terms of number of converts, Ricci did not succeed like the Spanish missionaries in colonial Philippines. But Ricci succeeded in exemplifying a sensitive, inculturated way of engaging with other faiths.
Ricci teaches us that respect, which results in dialogue, is key to interreligious encounters in a pluralistic society. – Rappler.com
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My family’s huan-á-pô: Filipino, Filipino-Chinese, and the lines drawn between | lkyu0285 | 10/2/2024 17:00 | Marian Hukom/Rappler
“Lí mài chù-ì,” my father told me as I moved to help with the dishes, “Ī chí-sī huan-á-pô.”
(Don’t mind her. She’s the maid after all.)
I was young, maybe eight years old, and I was fresh from learning in Sunday school that it was good to lend a helping hand. So help I did. After dinner, I had headed straight to the kitchen, only to be met with that reprimand. And my yaya – as I’d call her, to the disapproval of my Hokkien-speaking father – simply nodded.
“Ako na bahala diyan (I’ll take care of it),” she said, taking the dishes from me.
I remember how tired her eyes looked, creased from age and labor. I remember my father’s scornful tone, lined with declarations of this household’s power dynamic. I remember my own confusion.
But it wasn’t the first time I had heard these ideas. In catered dinner parties and around decorated dining tables, cousins, aunts, uncles would gossip about how terribly inept their huan-á kang-lâng – Filipino employee – was, and oh, have you heard how so-and-so had, God forbid, married a huan-á!
It wasn’t the last time I’d hear it either. After a law exam where my friends and I did well, I wondered aloud how we’d managed to do it. One of them threw a cursory glance over my classmates and said – as if its implication were obvious – “Huan-á.” The implication, of course, being that we were not. We were lán-nâng.
“Huan-á” (番仔), the Hokkien word that most Filipino-Chinese use to refer to Filipinos, actually translates to “foreigner.” The proper, clunkier word ought to be “hui-li̍p-pin-lâng” (菲律宾人) or “Philippine people,” but perhaps due to its brevity or perhaps something else, “huan-á” has gained mainstream use. Meanwhile, “lán-nâng” (咱人), which is what Filipino-Chinese use to refer to each other, literally translates to “our people.”
But words are never just words. When you condense an entire people – thoughts and hopes and dreams and all – into two syllables, you reduce them into what they are not. Over decades, the word “huan-á” has become loaded with a derogatory taste. We are our people, the words seemed to say, and they are not, branded instead as foreigners in their own land.
And the space between us widens.
At home, the same words are spoken, with the same lurking undertones. To them, my yaya is a huan-á-pô, as if to say she is foreign, and therefore, unknowably different. An ideal huan-á-pô is a docile, unambitious servant. Someone who knows their place. After all, it’s a cardinal sin for a huan-á-pô to be ké-gâu; a know-it-all, a pakialamera. Inanimate obedience is a virtue.
While my yaya lived with us, she was accepted and accommodated only insofar as she was useful around the house. The line of absolute hospitality was never crossed. The delicate tension of surrendering part of one’s home while also not offering too much to the Other always hung in the air.
Home, sweet home: that place which proxies as the racial battleground between lán-nâng and huan-á.
In some of my earliest memories, I would linger around the kitchen, watching as my yaya worked – deft hands knifing the scales off fish that would soon be lunch. I would ask her how she knew to pick the freshest catch, or the precise points to cut and clean out the belly. And she would tell me how, in a blend of Filipino and her native Ilocano.
It got to a point where, as a child, bits of Ilocano words would color my sentences – fascinating for me, dreadful for my parents, who understood nothing of what I said. My parents went so far as limiting my conversations with the househelp, fearing I’d pick up Filipino or Ilocano as my main language and “ta̍k-pái ēng huan-á-ōe” (always use Filipino.)
It was one of my relative’s great worries that one of us would become too “localized” and lose the ability to speak lán-nâng-ōe, Hokkien. And so universal is this fear among proud, old Filipino-Chinese families that they have a word for it: “huan-á gōng,” literally a stupid foreigner, or someone who has forgotten their language, their roots.
This aversion towards the Filipino language cut deep into me growing up. I had detested learning Filipino. I feared Filipino. For a time, I had even bought in the delusional superiority that seemed so obvious to many Filipino-Chinese. I, too, had begun to view my yaya as a mere huan-á-pô.
In retrospect, I feel terrible. I could have done more to resist this pervasive racism. I could have chosen to see the common humanity in my yaya’s eyes, the same that glimmered in my mother’s, my grandmother’s. I stood passively by, listening as my relatives would attribute her faults to a supposed intrinsic inferiority of her race.
Careless around chinaware? Huan-á. Unable to set aside savings? Huan-á. The worst offenses called for the worst slurs: “Puro utang na lang ang alam? Chhàu-huan!” they would say, pulling out a word that literally means “smelly foreigner” or “barbarian.”
What I now understand are mere mistakes or even effects of a disadvantaged socio-economic position, my relatives would once tell me were the natural failings of huan-á. Sometimes, I would argue that a person can only do so much to climb out the depths of poverty when deprived of the educational and economic privileges that they take for granted. But they simply shook their heads and shut me down with one word: Huan-á.
I’ve come a long way in unburdening myself of this prejudice. But the past weighs on me.
When Alex Tizon first shone a light on the story of Lola, who he called his family’s “slave” in modern America, most of the world – in its decidedly Western ethic – declared it all monstrously unjust. To some, the story was about just another kasambahay.
But whether or not something is normalized by society, what’s wrong is wrong. To quote Tizon, “I was ashamed of it all, including my complicity.” Yet, perhaps shame isn’t the appropriate emotion. In the closed world of lán-nâng, there was no shame to be had at ordering those below you. So perhaps the more appropriate emotion is frustration.
Entitlement is a poison that sadly runs deep in Filipino-Chinese circles. The dismissive way that they treat their huan-á-pô sometimes extends to a general resentment for huan-á. It pops up in other places. Just think of the walls they build around their own children to keep would-be suitors without the right family name at bay.
When I asked the older generation what motivates this sort of prejudice, they said that they’re merely “preserving” Filipino-Chinese culture by keeping Filipino influence out. Perhaps we might understand why heritage means everything to them if we consider the unique position of the Filipino-Chinese. Dispossessed of their homeland and culture, and voluntarily exiled in a country where they are a minority, they cling to their language and their small community as the only remnants of a lost cultural identity. My own grandfather, fleeing the spread of World War II in China, fled to the Philippines in the proverbial small boat with little more than a suitcase and the clothes on his back.
Stripped of any reminders of their home, they protect what they deem is the last repository of their culture that holds the community together: Hokkien. And in the process, they shut others out.
But for all these musings, I am no closer to understanding who my yaya is beyond the role that my culture seems to dictate. I can attempt to rebuild the facts. Her name is Corazon. She comes from Ilocos Norte. She has three daughters, the youngest of whom my parents would sometimes invite to the house in a display of generosity.
But the truth is, I don’t know her. Her identity was lost in the fear that who she was might “infect” who we were.
When I think back to that moment years ago, a young boy wanting to help his yaya, I wish I hadn’t been taught to see her as a huan-á-pô. No. I wish I’d been taught to see in those tired eyes the dignity of labor, of shared humanity, of what it means to be a Filipino. – Rappler.com
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Cruz provides offensive jolt as San Miguel zeroes in on record-extending PBA title | delfin.dioquino editor | 11/2/2024 21:31 | WAXING HOT. Jericho Cruz in action for the San Miguel Beermen in the 2023-24 PBA Commissioner's Cup.
PBA Images
MANILA, Philippines – A few tweaks here and there and San Miguel regained not just its fine offensive form but also the upper hand in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup finals.
Executing the necessary adjustments, the Beermen grabbed a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series and zeroed in on the championship after a 108-98 win over Magnolia in Game 5 at the Araneta Coliseum on Sunday, February 11.
Jericho Cruz taking a bigger offensive role and Simon Enciso stepping up as a surprise starter proved key for San Miguel as it breached the century mark after being limited to an average of 82.5 points in the last two games.
Waxing hot from outside, Cruz drained eight three-pointers and finished with a playoff career-high 30 points on top of 8 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 steals to help the Beermen move on the cusp of a record-extending 29th title.
Cruz saved the best for last, burying four treys in the fourth quarter that allowed San Miguel to build a lead big enough to hold off the pesky Hotshots.
Magnolia got within striking distance at 75-82 before Cruz – who sank just four three-pointers in the first four games combined – hit back-to-back triples for an 88-75 cushion.
And when the Hotshots threatened another comeback and cut their deficit to a single possession, 96-99, Cruz hit his final trey with under a minute left to seal the deal for the Beermen.
“I’m so happy that I played well and we also won. It feels like I’m on cloud nine,” said Cruz in a mix of Filipino and English. “But the job is not finished yet. Back to the drawing board.”
Enciso also rose to the occasion with a conference-high 15 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists, setting the tone in the win by scattering 12 points in the first half to help San Miguel mount a 48-41 lead.
Benched in Games 2 and 4 and logging just eight minutes in the finals prior to Game 5, Enciso made the most out of his 30 minutes on the court by going 5-of-9 from beyond the arc as the Beermen made 16 triples overall.
San Miguel sank just 15 three-pointers combined in Games 3 and 4.
Bennie Boatwright backstopped Cruz with 21 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists, while June Mar Fajardo put up 18 points and 15 rebounds despite dealing with calf issues.
Tyler Bey starred for Magnolia with 34 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 steals, but those went down the drain as the Hotshots stare at elimination going into Game 6 on Wednesday, February 14, at the same venue.
Jio Jalalon and Ian Sangalang had 17 and 15 points, respectively, in the losing effort.
San Miguel 108 – Cruz 30, Boatwright 21, Fajardo 18, Enciso 15, Trollano 10, Perez 8, Lassiter 2, Tautuaa 2, Ross 2, Brondial 0.
Magnolia 98 – Bey 34, Jalalon 17, Sangalang 15, Lee 12, Dionisio 6, Abueva 5, Barroca 4, Dela Rosa 3, Laput 2, Reavis 0, Tratter 0.
Quarters: 25-18, 48-41, 76-68, 108-98.
– Rappler.com
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31-year wait ends: Adamson rules UAAP high school hoops over NU | Jasmine Payo | 11/2/2024 22:31 | ALL OUT. Adamson's JC Bonzalida celebrates after a shot against NU in Game 3 of the UAAP juniors basketball finals.
UAAP
MANILA, Philippines – It took a lot of hard work for the Adamson Baby Falcons to return to the top.
But it turned out to be all worth it as Adamson held off an unpredictable National University-Nazareth School, 90-73, in the do-or-die Game 3 to capture the UAAP Season 86 high school boys basketball championship on Sunday, February 11, at the FilOil EcoOil Centre.
The wire-to-wire triumph gave Adamson its first high school basketball title in 31 years, the last during the Baby Falcons’ record six straight title run under coach Charlie Dy that ended in 1993.
Finals MVP Mark Esperanza fired 9 of his 13 points in the first half where the Baby Falcons built a 43-32 lead. He averaged 9.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 2 steals in the best-of-three series.
“We worked hard for this,” Esperanza said in Filipino. “We listened to our coaches and trusted each other. We didn’t give up until the final buzzer.”
Graduating player JC, Bonzalida dropped a double-double of 15 points and 10 rebounds to pace the Baby Falcons, who made sure there would be no meltdown this time after blowing a 15-point lead in their 67-64 Game 2 loss against the Bullpups. Adamson took Game 1 in another tight decision, 77-71.
Tebol Garcia, a member of the Mythical Team, also scored 15 in his final game with the Baby Falcons.
“Ang sarap ng pagkakapanalo nito (This win felt good),” said Adamson coach Mike Fermin.
Nigerian Collins Akowe, the season MVP, led the Bullpups with 18 points, 13 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 blocks while Mac-Mac Alfanta (16 points) and Klein Tagotongan (12 points) also finished in double-digits.
Adamson 90 – Bonzalida 15, Garcia 15, Esperanza 13, Perez 11, Reyes 10, Carillo 9, Medina 8, Umali 5, Sajili 4, De Jesus 0, Baluyut 0, Artango 0, Palacpac 0.
NU 73 – Akowe 18, Alfanta 16, Tagotongan 12, Solomon 8, Yusi 7, Palanca 6, Barraca 3, Cartel 2, Reroma 1, Pillado 0, Usop 0, Nepacena 0, Napa 0, Herrera 0, Figueroa 0, Alejo 0.
Quarters: 24-15, 43-32, 62-53, 90-73.
– Rappler.com
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Back in rotation, Simon Enciso keys San Miguel closer to PBA crown | delfin.dioquino editor | 11/2/2024 23:17 | DEADSHOT. Simon Enciso in action for the San Miguel Beermen in the 2023-24 PBA Commissioner's Cup.
PBA Images
MANILA, Philippines – Simon Enciso’s return to San Miguel’s rotation has the Beermen on the cusp of another PBA title.
Enciso milked every bit of his surprise starting role as he keyed San Miguel to a 3-2 lead in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup finals by being a prominent figure in a 108-98 win over Magnolia in Game 5 on Sunday, February 11.
Sidelined in Games 2 and 4, the veteran guard netted a conference-high 15 points after going 5-of-9 from beyond the arc in 30 minutes of action – the longest he played in this playoffs.
He joined hands with Jericho Cruz, who finished with 30 points off 8 three-pointers, as they accounted for 80% of the 16 treys the Beermen sank.
“I’ve been here before. [I’ve been] hitting the gym, staying ready when my name is called. That’s what I did. Luckily, all that hard work paid off,” said Enciso.
A starter in the first four games of the conference, Enciso missed a huge chunk of the elimination round after going under the knife to remove bone spurs from his knee.
When he got back, Enciso found it hard to reclaim his place in the rotation as San Miguel rode on a franchise-record-tying 11-game winning streak.
He saw action in just four of the eight playoff games prior to Game 5, logging only 20 minutes combined across those appearances.
But with Beermen head coach Jorge Gallent needing to change things up after losing the last two games, Enciso welcomed the challenge.
Enciso came out firing from the get-go as he drained four three-pointers in the first half, allowing the Beermen to enter the break with a 48-41 lead en route to the win that has San Miguel staring at its 29th championship.
“When you sit out and watch your guys play, the competitiveness in me just comes out. Just trying to be that competitor. I wanted to be on the floor and help my team,” said Enciso.
It helped Enciso that he wanted to make his loved one proud as his father flew in from the United States to witness him play live for the first time in a decade.
“My dad hasn’t seen me play since I was in the PBA D-League 10 years ago. So to have him out here and perform like that, it’s a dream come true,” he said.
“Hopefully, I could fly off my mom and my sister and my nephews as well. That would make my dream come true just to have all my family come out here and see me play.”
Expect Enciso to play heavy minutes again as San Miguel goes for the kill in Game 6 on Wednesday, February 14, at the Araneta Coliseum. – Rappler.com
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Banawe’s best! Touring Chinatown QC’s temples and restaurants | Steph Arnaldo | 10/2/2024 19:34 | CHINESE CULTURE. The rich Chinese culture in the Philippines is also present in Banawe in Quezon City.
Steph Arnaldo/ Rappler
MANILA, Philippines – Did you know that there’s also a Chinatown district in Banawe, Quezon City? Only aware of Binondo’s, I was pleasantly surprised to discover what QC’s Filipino-Chinese cultural hotspot was proud to offer tourists and QCitizens during the QC Chinatown Heritage Tour on Friday, February 9.
A local tourism initiative organized by the Quezon City local government just in time for Lunar New Year, the QC Chinatown Heritage Tour took us on a one-day itinerary of nine “hidden gem” tourist spots – five restaurants, two temples, a museum, and a landmark – all within one of the largest Chinatowns in the world, spread out across 591.8 hectares!
The day started off with a relatively “light” but satisfying Chinese brunch at Mandarin Sky – a staple, traditional Chinese restaurant in the area that served us noodles, different kinds of dim sum (siomai, beancurd roll, chicken feet), garlic beef tenderloin, and fried but tender squid in a light, sweet-savory sauce with red onions.
The cuisine is as traditional as you could expect from an institutional dining spot – lazy susan tables and festive red decor included.
Our first cultural stop was the beautiful temple of the Tzu Chi Foundation, a humanitarian, volunteer-driven nonprofit organization founded in Taiwan 58 years ago and established in the Philippines in November 1994 – almost 30 years ago. The name “tzu chi” translates to “compassion and relief,” which is what the foundation provides people in need through various charity, medicine, education, and environmental protection programs.
We took off our shoes before entering the spacious foyer, where a floor-to-ceiling portrait of Dharma master and Buddhist nun Cheng Yen greets guests.
On the right side is Tzu Chi’s bookstore, where cookbooks, educational books, snacks, tea, ceramics, and sustainable shirts, shoes, and bags made from recycled PET bottles are sold. All proceeds go directly to the funding of Tzu Chi’s programs.
We also visited the temple’s huge basement, where all of their masses and events are held. Aside from the circular sky roof and ceiling, we were given a demonstration of how Tzu Chi’s sustainable pews – made from recycled plastic in Taiwan – are modified for different uses. Anyone is welcome to visit!
Next, we dropped by the oldest temple in the district, the Sheng Lian Temple, which was built in the 1960s. It’s headed by feng shui expert, Father Wongsengtian, who was there for a while to say hello and give his blessings.
It’s a small and colorful temple, where offerings of fruits and produce are given at the altar, and prayers and intentions are offered via incense.
The Paifang Arches are the concrete symbol of the Filipino-Chinese friendship that was officiated in 2005. The city council approved the development of Banawe Street as a special economic growth area due to many Filipino-Chinese establishments growing around the area then.
These two landmark arches located at the north-south intersection of Banawe Avenue and Quezon Avenue were constructed to mark the establishment of the street as a new Chinatown and was donated by the QC Association of Filipino-Chinese Businessmen Inc.
We also paid a visit to the Wow Toy Museum, a literal hidden gem of Quezon City – I had no idea such a tourist spot existed. It’s a small but packed home that has six small rooms, each one filled with glass displays of over 10,000 toys and collectibles since the 1950s.
Owner and collector Jimmy Madarang takes pride in his family-owned collection of toy cars, pop culture collector’s items, trinkets, dioramas, dolls, and thousands more blasts from the pasts. Since there were so many shelves on display, we unfortunately didn’t have enough time to check everything out. It is an entertaining stop for kids and the kids-at-heart, though!
Hailed by Causeway’s owner as “the spot for all Tsinoy gatherings,” Causeway Restaurant is also considered a staple Cantonese restaurant for families in (and outside) the area craving for authentic Chinese comfort food.
Shoutout to the dim sum, shrimp sesame rolls, asado siopao, and crispy tofu, which was a crowd favorite! It may look unassumingly simple, but this vegetarian dish packs a lot of salty, umami flavor in its delicately crisp and light breading, which encases a block of soft tofu that just melts in your mouth.
Located on the second floor of Z Square, Cai Hok Seafood Restaurant is known for its fresh seafood selection (there are aquariums of live fish by the entrance) and dim sum selection.
There was pork asado, dim sum (again, but who’s complaining), siopao, and a favorite of the day: Ma Lai Go! It was my first time to see and try this yellow, fluffy sponge cake pastry, which is a staple street cart treat in Southern China and Hong Kong. It’s a steamed soft cake that tastes almost like sweet pancakes, with thin layers of sweet custard in the middle.
Well-known Chinese restaurant chain David’s Tea House was one of our last stops, and the affordable siomai didn’t disappoint as usual, paired with its signature chili garlic sauce and toyomansi combo.
They also have frozen dim sum and siopao you can bring home!
Did we save the best for last? Perhaps, because the last stop on our food itinerary was Maki Haus, a small, family-owned outlet that prides itself on being “D’ Original Maki Haus Noodles.”
Known for its traditional Hokkien cuisine, Maki Haus’ specialty is the maki mi, a hearty and savory Chinese soup dish with chewy noodles, a rich gelatinous broth, and soft chunks of pork tenderloin, garnished with spring onions. The restaurant has been around for almost 70 years, still serving the same family recipes since the 1950s throughout four generations already.
It was my first time to try maki mi, and it didn’t disappoint – it tasted even better mixed with a splash of black vinegar for some acidity.
We were also served freshly fried kikiam and shanghai rolls with sweet chili sauce, plus freshly cooked, soft, and perfectly chewy buchi in various flavors – ube, peanut, lotus, and sesame. It was a very filling merienda that was the best cap off to a day of cultural sights and lots of food! – Rappler.com
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Banawe’s best! Touring Chinatown QC’s temples and restaurants | Steph Arnaldo | 10/2/2024 19:34 | CHINESE CULTURE. The rich Chinese culture in the Philippines is also present in Banawe in Quezon City.
Steph Arnaldo/ Rappler
MANILA, Philippines – Did you know that there’s also a Chinatown district in Banawe, Quezon City? Only aware of Binondo’s, I was pleasantly surprised to discover what QC’s Filipino-Chinese cultural hotspot was proud to offer tourists and QCitizens during the QC Chinatown Heritage Tour on Friday, February 9.
A local tourism initiative organized by the Quezon City local government just in time for Lunar New Year, the QC Chinatown Heritage Tour took us on a one-day itinerary of nine “hidden gem” tourist spots – five restaurants, two temples, a museum, and a landmark – all within one of the largest Chinatowns in the world, spread out across 591.8 hectares!
The day started off with a relatively “light” but satisfying Chinese brunch at Mandarin Sky – a staple, traditional Chinese restaurant in the area that served us noodles, different kinds of dim sum (siomai, beancurd roll, chicken feet), garlic beef tenderloin, and fried but tender squid in a light, sweet-savory sauce with red onions.
The cuisine is as traditional as you could expect from an institutional dining spot – lazy susan tables and festive red decor included.
Our first cultural stop was the beautiful temple of the Tzu Chi Foundation, a humanitarian, volunteer-driven nonprofit organization founded in Taiwan 58 years ago and established in the Philippines in November 1994 – almost 30 years ago. The name “tzu chi” translates to “compassion and relief,” which is what the foundation provides people in need through various charity, medicine, education, and environmental protection programs.
We took off our shoes before entering the spacious foyer, where a floor-to-ceiling portrait of Dharma master and Buddhist nun Cheng Yen greets guests.
On the right side is Tzu Chi’s bookstore, where cookbooks, educational books, snacks, tea, ceramics, and sustainable shirts, shoes, and bags made from recycled PET bottles are sold. All proceeds go directly to the funding of Tzu Chi’s programs.
We also visited the temple’s huge basement, where all of their masses and events are held. Aside from the circular sky roof and ceiling, we were given a demonstration of how Tzu Chi’s sustainable pews – made from recycled plastic in Taiwan – are modified for different uses. Anyone is welcome to visit!
Next, we dropped by the oldest temple in the district, the Sheng Lian Temple, which was built in the 1960s. It’s headed by feng shui expert, Father Wongsengtian, who was there for a while to say hello and give his blessings.
It’s a small and colorful temple, where offerings of fruits and produce are given at the altar, and prayers and intentions are offered via incense.
The Paifang Arches are the concrete symbol of the Filipino-Chinese friendship that was officiated in 2005. The city council approved the development of Banawe Street as a special economic growth area due to many Filipino-Chinese establishments growing around the area then.
These two landmark arches located at the north-south intersection of Banawe Avenue and Quezon Avenue were constructed to mark the establishment of the street as a new Chinatown and was donated by the QC Association of Filipino-Chinese Businessmen Inc.
We also paid a visit to the Wow Toy Museum, a literal hidden gem of Quezon City – I had no idea such a tourist spot existed. It’s a small but packed home that has six small rooms, each one filled with glass displays of over 10,000 toys and collectibles since the 1950s.
Owner and collector Jimmy Madarang takes pride in his family-owned collection of toy cars, pop culture collector’s items, trinkets, dioramas, dolls, and thousands more blasts from the pasts. Since there were so many shelves on display, we unfortunately didn’t have enough time to check everything out. It is an entertaining stop for kids and the kids-at-heart, though!
Hailed by Causeway’s owner as “the spot for all Tsinoy gatherings,” Causeway Restaurant is also considered a staple Cantonese restaurant for families in (and outside) the area craving for authentic Chinese comfort food.
Shoutout to the dim sum, shrimp sesame rolls, asado siopao, and crispy tofu, which was a crowd favorite! It may look unassumingly simple, but this vegetarian dish packs a lot of salty, umami flavor in its delicately crisp and light breading, which encases a block of soft tofu that just melts in your mouth.
Located on the second floor of Z Square, Cai Hok Seafood Restaurant is known for its fresh seafood selection (there are aquariums of live fish by the entrance) and dim sum selection.
There was pork asado, dim sum (again, but who’s complaining), siopao, and a favorite of the day: Ma Lai Go! It was my first time to see and try this yellow, fluffy sponge cake pastry, which is a staple street cart treat in Southern China and Hong Kong. It’s a steamed soft cake that tastes almost like sweet pancakes, with thin layers of sweet custard in the middle.
Well-known Chinese restaurant chain David’s Tea House was one of our last stops, and the affordable siomai didn’t disappoint as usual, paired with its signature chili garlic sauce and toyomansi combo.
They also have frozen dim sum and siopao you can bring home!
Did we save the best for last? Perhaps, because the last stop on our food itinerary was Maki Haus, a small, family-owned outlet that prides itself on being “D’ Original Maki Haus Noodles.”
Known for its traditional Hokkien cuisine, Maki Haus’ specialty is the maki mi, a hearty and savory Chinese soup dish with chewy noodles, a rich gelatinous broth, and soft chunks of pork tenderloin, garnished with spring onions. The restaurant has been around for almost 70 years, still serving the same family recipes since the 1950s throughout four generations already.
It was my first time to try maki mi, and it didn’t disappoint – it tasted even better mixed with a splash of black vinegar for some acidity.
We were also served freshly fried kikiam and shanghai rolls with sweet chili sauce, plus freshly cooked, soft, and perfectly chewy buchi in various flavors – ube, peanut, lotus, and sesame. It was a very filling merienda that was the best cap off to a day of cultural sights and lots of food! – Rappler.com
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Davao de Oro landslide death toll climbs to 54 | Dwight de Leon | 11/2/2024 22:20 | Rescuers carry a body bag as search and rescue operations continue in the landslide-hit village of Masara, Maco, Davao de Oro, Philippines, February 8, 2024.
Mark Navales/Reuters
MANILA, Philippines – The number of people killed by a landslide in the southern Philippines has risen to 54, the provincial government said on Sunday, February 11, as rescue workers dug more bodies from the mud.
The landslide struck on February 6 near a gold mine in Maco town in the province of Davao de Oro, burying homes and vehicles ferrying employees to the site operated by Apex Mining.
Davao de Oro’s provincial government said in a Facebook post that 54 people had died in the landslide, raising its previous death toll of 37 earlier in the day as rescue workers found more bodies.
The tally of missing people stood at 63, with the provincial government saying the number remains unverified. A total of 32 people were injured in the landslide.
Edward Macapili, an official at Davao de Oro, said over 300 people were involved in the rescue, but operations were being hampered by heavy rain, thick mud and the threat of further landslides. Rescue work resumed on Sunday morning, Macapili said.
Asked if there were still survivors, Macapili said it was already “unlikely,” but the search would continue.
“The rescue team is doing its best, even if it’s very difficult,” Macapili said by phone.
Torrential rains have battered Davao de Oro in recent weeks, triggering floods and landslides. – Rappler.com
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A getaway to the east: 5 under-the-radar spots in Rizal for Valentine’s Day | jreyes0314 | 11/2/2024 16:00 | I BELIEVE I CAN FLY. Visitors glide through the skies above Laguna de Bay and Sierra Madre in the Tandem Paragliding site in Binangonan.
Paragliding in Rizal
RIZAL, Philippines – Love is truly in the air as Valentine’s Day approaches.
With most restaurants and usual out-of-town destinations expected to be booked by couples, families, and friends who want to mark this special day, you might want to consider other underrated date spots that are all just an hour away from Metro Manila.
It’s a good thing there are a lot of spots to go to and activities you could do with your loved ones in the province of Rizal to make your Valentine’s date this year extra special.
You don’t need to go to South Korea to try the activity that crash-landed Yoon Se-ri on Captain Ri Jeong-hyeok’s heart.
Come fly over the hills of Binangonan with this one-of-a-kind experience courtesy of Paragliding in Rizal, located in Barangay Mahabang Parang. The flight offers a panoramic view of Sierra Madre and the majestic scenery of the Laguna de Bay on the other side, which is best seen during sunset!
Rates for this activity start at P3,000, complete with orientation, equipment, and behind-the-scene photos of your paragliding experience under the guidance of well-trained pilots. This experience lasts for a total of 15 minutes, depending on wind and weather conditions.
You can book your sessions through their Facebook page, or you can also join tours offered by travel groups on Facebook.
The lights from Metro Manila’s skyline will guide you home to this cafe within the hills of Angono. Despite the spread of overlooking places like this in the province, Kape-Hingahan insists on being direct and simple through having the cafe by the top, while placing their pallets and benches by the mountainside to let you fully enjoy the view of the Metro and Laguna de Bay from above without any distractions.
This place is best for those who want to get a quick break from the noise of the Metro without having to go to Tagaytay for the scenery and the cool breeze at night. With affordable prices for food and drinks, Kape-Hingahan gives you the most sulit experience for your Valentine’s date.
The cafe is open from 5:00 am to 1:00 am daily and is located at Villa Angelina Subdivision in Barangay San Isidro. Expect a steep road ahead and entrance fees inside for drivers, while tricycles are available within Manila East Road to those who will commute.
You can check their Facebook page here for their menu and other details.
Located in Barangay Bagumbayan, the Lyger Animal Sanctuary is the perfect spot for animal lovers who want to spend their day in the company of fascinating creatures.
From ligers – a hybrid cross between male lions and female tigers – to different species of tigers, white lions, and albino carabaos, this destination offers a unique opportunity for couples and families to connect with nature.
The zoo is open daily, from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm, with an entrance fee of P250 and no reservations needed before entering. Bringing outside food is allowed, making it a perfect place for picnics and bonding activities. You can visit their Facebook page for more details.
How about exploring a cave for the first time? Mystical Cave – said to be Rizal’s biggest cave – showcases mesmerizing rock formations and sparkling crystals inside. The beauty of these stalactites and stalagmites can be seen after climbing through almost 200 stair steps.
The cave also has a mystical history behind it. It is said that a woman from Iloilo went all the way to Antipolo to discover the cave she found in her dreams, with its entrance the size of a coin suddenly exploding following its discovery. Locals also consider the cave as a religious site since some formations are said to resemble the figures of Jesus, Mary, and other religious icons.
The Mystical Cave is located at Sitio Bubukal in Barangay San Luis, Antipolo City, and is open daily from 8 am to 6 pm. The entrance fee costs P50 per person, which already includes the company of a tour guide. Visitors are encouraged to bring their own flashlights.
Camping sites along Agos River in Barangay Daraitan present a sweet escape from the Metro on Valentine’s Day or even up to the weekend for a more fulfilling retreat into the wilderness.
Camp Irog is among different camps that offer cozy accommodations from tents and huts to nooks and lodges that are perfect for your peaceful getaway. Located within the riverside, enjoy the view of the clouds meeting the mountains by the day and relax by a warm bonfire and stargaze at night.
The rate for huts, nooks, lodges at Camp Irog starts at P3,000 per night, while tents are priced at P500 per person for one night and a day tour costs P350 per head. Common kitchen, bathrooms, and dining areas are available for guests, with outside food and drinks and pets allowed for visitors. You can book your stay and inquire for more details through their Facebook page. – 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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[WATCH] Dragons and delicacies at Cebu’s Red Lantern Festival | jsitchon0312 | 11/2/2024 20:11 | CEBU, Philippines – Rows of red lanterns, dancing lions and joyful cheering amongst Chinoy families filled the streets of downtown Cebu City for the Lunar New Year 2024 on Saturday, February 10.
Performers came dressed in traditional Chinese costumes, wearing “Budai” masks and carrying poles attached to miniature dragons along Magallanes Street—just right for the Year of the Wood Dragon.
The activity was part of Cebu City’s newly institutionalized Red Lantern Festival, which was first organized by the local government in January 2023.
Each of the grand performances, most especially the traditional lion and dragon dance, signifies the Chinoy community’s intention and aspiration for more goodness, success, and fortune in the world.
“These performances are not only for our entertainment but also to serve as a reminder of the shared heritage that binds us all,” Cebu City Councilor Jocelyn Pesquera, chairperson of the Committee on Tourism, said in a speech during the event.
Besides the parade and dancing, residents also got the chance to meet Cebu’s prominent Chinoy families, eat delicious “fortune snacks” like Tikoy, and witness a costume competition participated by children in cute and traditional Chinese attire.
For this year, the event’s guest of honor was Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Cebu Zhang Zhen who expressed her deepest gratitude and best wishes to the people of Cebu City for the new year.
“A great success and happiness (awaits) in the Year of the Dragon,” Zhen said.
Watch the video of the grand spectacle for the Year of the Wood Dragon here. – Rappler.com
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HIGHLIGHTS: San Miguel vs Magnolia – PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals Game 5 | delfin.dioquino editor | 11/2/2024 17:45 | PBA Images
Jericho Cruz took over as San Miguel held off Magnolia,108-98, to move within a win of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup championship on Sunday, February 11, at the Araneta Coliseum.
Cruz unleashed a playoff career-high 30 points built on 8 three-pointers as the Beermen took a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven title series.
Bennie Boatwright added 21 points and June Mar Fajardo also scored 18 for the Beermen, who pulled through late in Game 5 even as the Hotshots threatened by just a possession in the final minute.
Has Magnolia decoded San Miguel?
That question will be answered as the Hotshots shoot for a third straight win and a 3-2 lead in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup finals when they tangle with the Beermen in Game 5 at the Araneta Coliseum on Sunday, February 11.
Beaten by 32 points combined in the first two games of the best-of-seven affair, Magnolia has flipped the script, tying the series at 2-2 after limiting San Miguel to under 90 points in each of their last two encounters.
Game 3 and Game 4 marked the only times the Beermen got contained to under 90 points after averaging 106.8 points in their previous 17 games – a run capped by 11 straight wins.
The way the Hotshots turned the series around has given head coach Chito Victolero something to be proud of, but he is far from satisfied.
“We just tied the series. Nothing to celebrate. Just need to prepare hard for the next game,” said Victolero.
“I like the effort. I like the aura of my team. We’re doing well right now, offensively and defensively. We’re still the underdogs for this series.”
Magnolia aims to share the wealth anew after five players scored in double figures in Game 4, with Tyler Bey dropping 26 points to show the way for locals Mark Barroca (14), Paul Lee (14), Ian Sangalang (13), and Jio Jalalon (10).
San Miguel, meanwhile, hopes that high-scoring import Bennie Boatwright will rediscover his touch after being held to a conference-low 16 points in Game 4.
Game time is 6:15 pm. – Rappler.com
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Valentine’s 2024: Survey says more Filipinos want money over love | Dwight de Leon | 11/2/2024 18:22 | 63 couples exchange vows at the Valentine's Day mass wedding ceremonies officiated by the San Juan local goverment on February 14, 2023.
Jire Carreon/Rappler
MANILA, Philippines – Money is the top wish of Filipinos for Valentine’s Day in 2024, based on a Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey conducted in December, and published on Sunday, February 11.
Out of the 1,200 respondents who took part in the survey, 16% answered money, followed only by love (11%), flowers (10%), and apparel (9%).
More men wished for apparel, while more women wished for money.
Filipinos have been grappling with the rising prices of goods in recent years.
Only 1% of respondents wanted to have a child for Valentine’s day, while 0.3% of those surveyed wanted a wedding.
Around 58% of respondents also said they are very happy with their love life, 23% admitted they could be happier, while 19% have no love life.
SWS also noted that the percentage of people who are not in a romantic setup has gradually increased through the years, from 10% in 2002 to 19% in 2023. – Rappler.com
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It is an excellent survey. Thanks to SWS. Money may not be the wish during Valentine’s but throughout the year. If ever it can be related to politics, it creates a conducive political environment for corruption.
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HIGHLIGHTS: San Miguel vs Magnolia – PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals Game 5 | delfin.dioquino editor | 11/2/2024 17:45 | PBA Images
Jericho Cruz took over as San Miguel held off Magnolia,108-98, to move within a win of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup championship on Sunday, February 11, at the Araneta Coliseum.
Cruz unleashed a playoff career-high 30 points built on 8 three-pointers as the Beermen took a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven title series.
Bennie Boatwright added 21 points and June Mar Fajardo also scored 18 for the Beermen, who pulled through late in Game 5 even as the Hotshots threatened by just a possession in the final minute.
Has Magnolia decoded San Miguel?
That question will be answered as the Hotshots shoot for a third straight win and a 3-2 lead in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup finals when they tangle with the Beermen in Game 5 at the Araneta Coliseum on Sunday, February 11.
Beaten by 32 points combined in the first two games of the best-of-seven affair, Magnolia has flipped the script, tying the series at 2-2 after limiting San Miguel to under 90 points in each of their last two encounters.
Game 3 and Game 4 marked the only times the Beermen got contained to under 90 points after averaging 106.8 points in their previous 17 games – a run capped by 11 straight wins.
The way the Hotshots turned the series around has given head coach Chito Victolero something to be proud of, but he is far from satisfied.
“We just tied the series. Nothing to celebrate. Just need to prepare hard for the next game,” said Victolero.
“I like the effort. I like the aura of my team. We’re doing well right now, offensively and defensively. We’re still the underdogs for this series.”
Magnolia aims to share the wealth anew after five players scored in double figures in Game 4, with Tyler Bey dropping 26 points to show the way for locals Mark Barroca (14), Paul Lee (14), Ian Sangalang (13), and Jio Jalalon (10).
San Miguel, meanwhile, hopes that high-scoring import Bennie Boatwright will rediscover his touch after being held to a conference-low 16 points in Game 4.
Game time is 6:15 pm. – Rappler.com
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Bea Alonzo and Dominic Roque confirm breakup in light of ‘insults,’ ‘ridiculous stories’ | Marguerite de Leon | 11/2/2024 18:38 | MANILA, Philippines – It’s officially over.
In a joint Instagram post on Sunday, February 11, celebrity couple Bea Alonzo and Dominic Roque have confirmed the end of their relationship.
“After much thought, consideration, and care, we have mutually decided to amicably end our engagement,” they wrote in the post. “It was not an easy decision. We wanted to have more time to carefully deliberate and pray about it, but there have been many speculations, questions, and insults.”
A post shared by bea alonzo (@beaalonzo)
“Unfortunately, some even confirmed our breakup without our consent, and some created ridiculous stories that had no basis and were utterly false, so we felt the need to share this announcement with great sadness, for our peace of mind and our families.”
“Please understand that this is an extremely painful yet united decision, and we sincerely request for everyone to kindly spare us from more cruel and very hurtful words thrown on social media.”
“We kindly request to give us the privacy we need as we navigate our future lives with respect, kindness, compassion, and dignity.”
“Thank you for your understanding and support,” the statement ended.
On February 6, news outlets reported showbiz host Boy Abunda confirming the split.
“Ako’y nalungkot ho talaga dahil madalas, ‘pag nagkikita kami ni Bea ay nagkakakwentuhan ho kami tungkol sa buhay, tungkol sa kanila, their marriage plans, etcetera. So, I was shocked,” Abunda said.
(I’m so sad over this because when I usually see Bea, we talk about her life with Dominic, their marriage plans, etcetera.)
“As we talk today, yes, hiwalay po si Dominic at tsaka si Bea (Dominic and Bea have separated),” he concluded.
Prior to this, showbiz reporter Ogie Diaz also claimed on his YouTube channel that the two had parted ways.
Alonzo and Roque went public with their relationship in 2021 after months of speculation. Roque proposed to Alonzo in July 2023 at the Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar in Bataan.
Here is a timeline of their relationship. – Rappler.com
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