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‘Real’ Ateneo excites captain Roma Doromal as confidence builds in UAAP second round | jisaga0269 | 24/03/2024 19:12 | REASONS TO SMILE. The Ateneo Blue Eagles react in the UAAP Season 86 women's volleyball tournament
UAAP Season 86 Media Team
MANILA, Philippines – The Ateneo Blue Eagles continue to defy preseason expectations in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament after notching their third win in a series sweep of the UP Fighting Maroons on Sunday, March 24.
Although only holding a 3-6 record with no wins against the current top four, the underdog Eagles are nonetheless coming off a five-set scare of the undefeated UST Golden Tigresses and have always given a competitive fight in almost all their losses.
For libero captain Roma Mae Doromal, this sparked fire is all the motivation they could ask for as they start the second round of eliminations on a high note.
“I feel like [the biggest change] now is we’ve embraced our respective roles,” Doromal said after shoring up the 25-14, 25-20, 25-15 rout – Ateneo’s first sweep win of the season.
“At the same time, we’ve seen now that this is the real Ateneo. This is how we really play. This is what we’ve trained for. We’ve seen how hard it is to apply in games what we’ve learned in training, but now, this is it, this is the real Ateneo.”
Sure enough, in recent games, Ateneo has found its go-to attacking trio as Lyann de Guzman, Sobe Buena, and Zel Tsunashima stay on top of the team’s scoring leaderboard, while Doromal continues to support with her reliable floor defense.
Against UP, with De Guzman and Buena checked to single-digit outputs, it was Tsunashima who took up the scoring cudgels with a game-high 16 points on 13 attacks and 3 blocks to make up for the lost numbers.
“For me, coming to round two, our mindset is to really have fun inside the game, and show that good energy coach [Sergio Veloso] has been saying. As Ate Roms said, we’re just embracing our roles,” she said.
With five games left in the elimination round, the Eagles – once brushed aside with the cellar-dwellers – are still within striking distance of the fourth seed.
“In the next few games, hopefully, we get more aggressive and embrace coach Sergio’s system and lessons even more,” Doromal continued.
“Hopefully, we really get into the Final Four.” – Rappler.com
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How does this make you feel? | Rappler | https://www.rappler.com/sports/uaap/women-volleyball-game-results-roma-mae-doromal-ateneo-blue-eagles-up-fighting-maroons-march-24-2024/?utm_campaign=SocialFlow&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR0Gb5J5635anedKdeLD_D5lJxwkGduN_q-J7KkROpPYFFpJZAZg-uqRZzA_aem_Tf_4QFcbIIbUEcYCo-LXHw |
Tough love: La Salle captain Coronel takes De Jesus criticism in stride amid steady rise | jisaga0269 | 24/03/2024 15:21 | FOR YOUR OWN GOOD. La Salle head coach Ramil de Jesus, setter Julia Coronel (9) and blocker Amie Provido react in the UAAP Season 86 women's volleyball tournament
UAAP Season 86 Media Team
MANILA, Philippines – Being a team captain in sports is oftentimes a thankless job, much less so on feared powerhouse squads with lofty title-or-bust standards.
Such is the case for La Salle setter Julia Coronel, who is now not only tasked to lead the Lady Spikers’ title defense in UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball, but also acts as an extension of head coach Ramil de Jesus on the taraflex.
As such, she has often bore the brunt of the coaching staff’s constructive criticism, with De Jesus setting social media abuzz with entire timeouts dedicated solely to point out Coronel’s mistakes.
The fifth-year veteran, however, is keeping stone-faced under the coaches’ spotlight, bravely rising to the challenge of improving her skill set with each passing game.
“On their tough love, I think I’ve gotten used to it in a way, and I think it’s good for all of us,” Coronel said in Filipino after La Salle routed FEU, 25-19, 25-21, 25-18, on Saturday, March 23. “The more they are tough on us, the more it means that they still want to see more from us, and they want to push us more.”
“So us as players, we just absorb everything because the more the coaches talk to us, that means they want to see us improve. If they go silent, that either means you’re a hopeless case or you’re already playing well,” she continued after tallying 16 excellent sets against the Lady Tamaraws.
Assistant coach Noel Orcullo validated Coronel’s rise, praising her steady improvement as a byproduct of their constant guidance.
“Her growth is there. She has a string of good performances. Hopefully, she sustains it,” he said in Filipino. “We see it in every training, every game, she keeps on improving. Hopefully, we sustain it until the end of the tournament and she keeps on adding and elevating her great performances.”
Coronel, intent on making the most of her final playing year, is just relishing every ounce of experience she can get moving forward, even if it means her coaches grilling her more for her own benefit.
“I guess what I’m drawing strength from are my past experiences. This is my fifth playing year now and I’ve always been the second setter. My coaches tell me now, this is it, this is my opportunity. So either I grab it or let it go,” she continued.
“I’ve been waiting for this opportunity for a long time, so this is always my source of motivation every time I’m on the court, even though it means going through more difficult times.” – Rappler.com
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How does this make you feel? | Rappler | https://www.rappler.com/sports/uaap/women-volleyball-la-salle-captain-julia-coronel-takes-ramil-de-jesus-criticism-stride-steady-rise/?utm_campaign=SocialFlow&utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=Social&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR3HwoqDUjx1gM_HESgCldLyyvEYHqH7oTndD5LnrKUZfz_5VKQPIbugjig_aem_nts1bolF-r6p8BMcL6afAg |
Business Sense: Angkas CEO George Royeca’s plans and puns for transportation | Ralf Rivas | 20/03/2024 18:01 | MANILA, Philippines – Motorcycle taxi app Angkas has been a game changer for commuters in Metro Manila, helping Filipinos zip through traffic.
Soon, the Philippine startup will be expanding to four-wheel ride-hailing services called Angcars.
What transport service and pun can Angkas think of next?
In this episode of Business Sense, Angkas chief executive officer George Royeca talks about the company’s slew of upcoming services and his thoughts on transport modernization.
Royeca also gives Rappler a tour of their hip headquarters in Makati City. – Rappler.com
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[Two Pronged] I think I’m bipolar – can I handle it without medication? | Marguerite de Leon | 24/03/2024 15:30 | Nico Villarete/Rappler
Rappler’s Life and Style section runs an advice column by couple Jeremy Baer and clinical psychologist Dr. Margarita Holmes.
Jeremy has a master’s degree in law from Oxford University. A banker of 37 years who worked in three continents, he has been training with Dr. Holmes for the last 10 years as co-lecturer and, occasionally, as co-therapist, especially with clients whose financial concerns intrude into their daily lives.
Together, they have written two books: Love Triangles: Understanding the Macho-Mistress Mentality and Imported Love: Filipino-Foreign Liaisons.
Dear Dr. Holmes and Mr. Baer:
I think I am bipolar. All the YouTube videos and textbooks describe symptoms that I have had since the day I was born. Since as far back as I can remember.
I don’t think It is something I am ashamed of, but I do not want many people who know me knowing I have it. In the office, everyone knows. That’s the reason my bosses and officemates think I cannot handle the work. It hurts me. But it is true, I think. I cannot work anymore; the stress is too much.
I am overwhelmed by work. I think medication might help, but it is too expensive.
Can you really cure yourself of bipolar even if you take no medicine? Would you know of any techniques or non-medical treatment I can use?
Z
Dear Z,
Thank you for your message.
Bipolar disorder is both difficult to diagnose and difficult to treat. It can take years for medical professionals to reach the correct diagnosis and then there is the often painstaking process of finding the most effective of the many drugs available to stabilize the patient. The problem is that each person reacts uniquely and it is frequently a matter of trial and error.
Not all those with bipolar can work, so you are fortunate that you can, even if it is a burden. If your current job is too stressful, perhaps you can find another that is more aligned with your capabilities.
Lack of financial resources precludes you from following a medical solution to your problem. I cannot opine on whether your YouTube-assisted self-diagnosis is correct since you give no indication what your symptoms are.
However, if self-help is the only option available to you, then perhaps you should consult a homeopathic doctor for guidance. If all else fails, the internet is full of advice, but be aware that not all of it is necessarily correct.
I am sorry to be the bearer of ill tidings but there is no magic bullet for this most intractable disorder, as I am well aware having spent the last 23 years with a fellow sufferer. Dr. Holmes will undoubtedly have more encouraging advice.
All the best,JAF Baer
Dear Z:
Thank you very much for your letter. There are no laboratory tests to diagnose bipolar disorder (BiPD), and since its symptoms overlap with other psychiatric disorders, it can often be misdiagnosed. Kay Redfield Jamison, Professor of Psychiatry at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and author of Touched with Fire: Manic-Depressive Illness and the Artistic Temperament, says “The average length of time between a person’s first episode and getting the correct diagnosis is eight years.”
However, the longer I stay in clinical practice, the more I realize that “diagnosis, schmiagnosis.” What’s really in a name anyway? You are in deep, emotional pain, so let’s see what we can do to help (1) relieve that present pain and (2) minimize the possibility you get hurt this way again.
I do not mean to completely denigrate being diagnosed by a psychiatrist. It can help make treatment options much clearer. But scientific evidence backs up the “diagnosis schmiagnosis” theory that the line between different mental health conditions is not hard and fast. It is, in fact, rather hazy. As Dr. Plomin, a behavioral geneticist at King’s College London, says: “individuals with mental disorders often have symptoms of many different conditions either simultaneously or at different times in their lives.”
Medication can help many people diagnosed with bipolar disorder. It helps me tremendously and even if I’m not exactly jumping for joy at the thought, I will probably need to take meds the rest of my life.
I know only one person with bipolar disorder – let’s call him Al – who has been able to manage it without medication. It is not an easy journey, even now, after eight years without meds, but he is able to do it with grit, humor, determination…and a rather large degree of vanity. He will be the first to tell you that the major reason he stopped meds is he hated what they were doing to his skin. So he upped stakes, moved from NY City, where he was a Broadway actor in high demand, to a sleepy city in the Midwest, and became a drama teacher in a suburban high school. His success is so rare that his psychiatrist is writing a book on him.
The above book will be focused on a single clinical case study, Al’s. That is because, as Dr. Michalak, Professor of Psychiatry at the University of British Columbia, says: “There’s very little research evidence for people successfully managing bipolar without medication…the number of people who are able to manage the condition without medication is probably very small.… It’s extremely hard work in terms of the amount of monitoring and self-care that’s needed to manage mood and safety. It’s quite a herculean task.”
But if even one person like Al can do it, others can, and that person may well be you, Z!
You have several things going for you: First, you are healthy and secure enough to let people know you have a mental disorder – even if there are some people you wish still didn’t know. You are competent enough to have a job that, even if difficult, you have not been fired from. Can you speak to your bosses and/or colleagues and figure out how together you can work to make office life less stressful? Less seemingly overwhelming? If talagang wala (there’s really nothing you can do), then maybe resign and look for another job? Even if less well-paid but with systems in place (formally or, more likely, informally) so you can care for yourself better?
Second, you seem determined to manage your disorder, and that is always a plus. What are the things that seem to stabilize you right now? Things that lift you up when down, and calm you when overly enthusiastic/stressed? What other activities/endeavors might have the same effect? Meditation, exercise, nutrition, journaling, yoga, and cognitive behavior therapy all have evidence-based research to show they help.
I hope some of our suggestions help, dearest Z. If not, please feel free to wire us again? My very best wishes, plus a wish that you keep on searching and trying, my FMCF (fellow “mentally challenged” friend).
MG Holmes
– Rappler.com
Please send any comments, questions, or requests for advice to [email protected].
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Negros Occidental oyster festival attracts hundreds of visitors | Dwight de Leon | 24/03/2024 17:38 | OYSTER FEAST. Visitors flock to enjoy and witness the 18th edition of the Talaba Festival in Negros Occidental on March 22, 2024.
Binhi Production
NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, Philippines – The 18th edition of Negros Occidental’s version of the Talaba Festival in Ilog town on Saturday, March 23, attracted thousands of revelers.
Roy Javilla, a youth advocate and a native of the town, told Rappler that this year’s festival was a way to promote local oyster production.
“I have to say that the experience was fun. It reminded me of the vivid memories of the celebration way back in 2017. Adding to it, this celebration is a great venue to promote the talaba (oyster) production in the municipality where other nearby areas and tourists could enjoy the most,” he said.
He emphasized that the revival of the festival after the devastation caused by Super Typhoon Odette in 2021 has been instrumental in rejuvenating local oyster production.
Javilla said that the oysters prepared by the town had unique flavors, leaving no doubt that Ilog was the sole home of the Talaba Festival.
“I’ve also seen foreign visitors, and by observing their smiles, it seemed like they were enjoying even in the scorching heat of the sun,” Javilla told Rappler.
Gideon Padilla, the town’s executive assistant to the mayor, said that they offered three tons of oysters placed in 500-meter bamboo tables for the revelers to enjoy and relish for free, as part of their campaign to boost the municipality’s local tourism.
The tons of oysters, according to Padilla, were sourced from its three coastal villages covering approximately 20 hectares of oyster farm.
The festival is more than just a regular gathering with performances, but a communal lunch where people come together to feast on oysters placed on a long bamboo table, promoting camaraderie among the people, Padilla said. – Rappler.com
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How does this make you feel? | Rappler | https://www.rappler.com/philippines/visayas/oyster-feast-talaba-festival-negros-occidental-march-2024/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&utm_campaign=SocialFlow&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR1BlBlJX7ZeYy25LLhMWXiInPNSIm01fGeEjjU9qrajyYLYfDFFYJa8twY_aem_QKv7oHNuPS9no92LvjlhWg |
Bohol Circumferential Road, Urdaneta Bypass Road, Tambacan Bridge renamed | lkyu0285 | 24/03/2024 14:33 | Aerial shot of the Bohol Island Circumferential Road, now renamed as The President Carlos P. Garcia Circumferential Road."
Shutterstock
MANILA, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has signed laws renaming the Bohol Circumferential road, the Urdaneta Bypass Road, and Tambacan Bridge.
The Bohol Island Circumferential Road is now renamed to “The President Carlos P. Garcia Circumferential Road” through Republic Act No. 11987. It is renamed in honor of the country’s eighth president, Carlos P. Garcia, who comes from Talibon, Bohol. The 261-kilometer circumferential road passes through many of the coastal towns in Bohol.
Meanwhile, Marcos also approved Republic Act No. 11988, which renames the Urdaneta City Bypass Road to “Ambassador Eduardo ‘Danding’ M. Cojuanco Jr. Avenue.” The road is renamed after Danding Cojuanco, the tycoon that previously led San Miguel Corporation and also served as a close ally of Ferdinand Marcos Sr.
His son, former representative of the 5th District of Pangasinan Mark Cojuanco, initiated the construction of the Urdaneta Bypass Road. The 7.27 kilometer road cuts through the Urdaneta-Dagupan Road and Urdaneta-Manaoag Provincial Road in Urdaneta City, Pangasinan.
Meanwhile, Tambacan Bridge in Iligan City has been renamed to “Mariano Lluch Badelles Sr. Bridge” through Republic Act No. 11989. Badelles – a former Mayor of Iligan City and former representative of Lanao del Norte-Iligan – spearheaded the establishment of a two-lane bridge crossing Iligan River in Tambacan.
Marcos also signed into law Republic Act No. 11990, which named a national highway in Camarines Sur as “Speaker Arnulfo ‘Noli’ Fuentebella Highway.” The national highway passes through the Municipality of Goa through the Municipality of Tinambac all the way up to the Municipality of Siruma. It is named after Fuentebella, who served as a Camarines Sur congressman from 1992 to 2001 and as House speaker for a two-month period before being ousted in a House coup in 2001. – Rappler.com
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IN PHOTOS: Palm Sunday’s blessings on the faithful | Victor Barreiro Jr. | 24/03/2024 13:09 | PALM SUNDAY. Manila Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula leads the celebration of the holy mass and blessing of palm fronds, at the Manila Cathedral on March 24, 2024, Palm Sunday.
Rappler
In various parts of the country, the faithful are seeking to have their palm fronds blessed this Palm Sunday, March 24.
Here are photographs from scenes across various locations where the faithful have gathered to seek blessings.
Filipino Catholics wave their palm fronds for blessing during a Palm Sunday Mass at the Antipolo Cathedral on Sunday, March 24. Photos by Eloisa Lopez/ReutersEngage in meaningful discussions about #HolyWeek2024 by joining the 🛐faith chat room on #RapplerCommunities.… pic.twitter.com/PPNrwMyQZJ
– Rappler.com
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Results, team standings: UAAP Season 86 volleyball | Jasmine Payo | 5/5/2024 21:02 | ROARING. NU's Bella Belen (left) and Alyssa Solomon react in the UAAP Season 86 women's volleyball finals
UAAP Season 86 Media Team
MANILA, Philippines – The UAAP Season 86 volleyball tournaments reach a tipping point with the men’s and women’s finals!
LOOK: UAAP volleyball championship schedule
Here are the results in the men’s and women’s divisions:
MAY 15
May 11
MAY 8
MAY 5
MAY 4
MAY 8
MAY 5
MAY 4
** – Twice-to-beat* – Final Fourx – Eliminated
APRIL 27
APRIL 24
APRIL 21
APRIL 20
APRIL 17
APRIL 14
APRIL 13
APRIL 10
APRIL 9
APRIL 4
APRIL 3
MARCH 24
MARCH 23
MARCH 20
First round
MARCH 17
MARCH 16
MARCH 13
MARCH 10
MARCH 9
MARCH 6
MARCH 3
MARCH 2
FEBRUARY 28
FEBRUARY 25
FEBRUARY 24
FEBRUARY 21
FEBRUARY 18
FEBRUARY 17
** – Twice-to-beat* – Final Fourx – Eliminated
APRIL 27
APRIL 24
APRIL 21
APRIL 20
APRIL 17
APRIL 14
APRIL 13
APRIL 10
APRIL 9
APRIL 4
APRIL 3
MARCH 24
MARCH 23
MARCH 20
First round
MARCH 17
MARCH 16
MARCH 13
MARCH 10
MARCH 9
MARCH 6
MARCH 3
MARCH 2
FEBRUARY 28
FEBRUARY 25
FEBRUARY 24
FEBRUARY 21
FEBRUARY 18
FEBRUARY 17
– Rappler.com
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Kristel Fulgar undergoes surgery for rare leg tumor | Ysa Abad | 24/03/2024 13:12 | Kristel Fulgar's YouTube
MANILA, Philippines – Singer and content creator Kristel Fulgar disclosed that she recently underwent surgery due to a rare tumor found in her leg, specifically in her calf area.
In a YouTube vlog released on Friday, March 22, Fulgar opened up on how the diagnosis had taken a toll on her emotional health, as well as what pushed her to go through with the surgery.
The Goin’ Bulilit alum revealed that it was in August 2022 when she first discovered the lump in her leg.
“I have never imagined that I would be undergoing a biopsy test in my 20s. I can say that this is one of the scariest things I’ve done,” Fulgar wrote in the video.
After doing a series of medical tests, she was diagnosed with schwannoma, a rare type of tumor that forms in the nervous system.
According to the National Cancer Institute, schwannoma grows from Schwann cells, which “protect and support the nerve cells of the nervous system.” NCI noted that while such tumors are often benign, there are rare cases where they could turn cancerous.
“It was the hardest challenge I faced in my life. It really affected my mental health and triggered my anxiety. There were a lot of ‘what ifs’ and I cried every night to sleep,” Fulgar said.
The vlogger shared that she contemplated for a year before deciding to get the tumor removed since the lump was growing and had a chance to be malignant.
Fulgar added that she chose to have her surgery in South Korea in January 2024, saying that she learned that the doctors there were experts in removing tumors.
Since she didn’t have a relative there, it was her Korean suitor, Sun Hyuk, who took care of her when she was admitted to the hospital.
After she was discharged, Fulgar flew back to the Philippines so that her mother could take care of her until she fully recovers. – Rappler.com
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Negros Occidental oyster festival attracts hundreds of visitors | Dwight de Leon | 24/03/2024 17:38 | OYSTER FEAST. Visitors flock to enjoy and witness the 18th edition of the Talaba Festival in Negros Occidental on March 22, 2024.
Binhi Production
NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, Philippines – The 18th edition of Negros Occidental’s version of the Talaba Festival in Ilog town on Saturday, March 23, attracted thousands of revelers.
Roy Javilla, a youth advocate and a native of the town, told Rappler that this year’s festival was a way to promote local oyster production.
“I have to say that the experience was fun. It reminded me of the vivid memories of the celebration way back in 2017. Adding to it, this celebration is a great venue to promote the talaba (oyster) production in the municipality where other nearby areas and tourists could enjoy the most,” he said.
He emphasized that the revival of the festival after the devastation caused by Super Typhoon Odette in 2021 has been instrumental in rejuvenating local oyster production.
Javilla said that the oysters prepared by the town had unique flavors, leaving no doubt that Ilog was the sole home of the Talaba Festival.
“I’ve also seen foreign visitors, and by observing their smiles, it seemed like they were enjoying even in the scorching heat of the sun,” Javilla told Rappler.
Gideon Padilla, the town’s executive assistant to the mayor, said that they offered three tons of oysters placed in 500-meter bamboo tables for the revelers to enjoy and relish for free, as part of their campaign to boost the municipality’s local tourism.
The tons of oysters, according to Padilla, were sourced from its three coastal villages covering approximately 20 hectares of oyster farm.
The festival is more than just a regular gathering with performances, but a communal lunch where people come together to feast on oysters placed on a long bamboo table, promoting camaraderie among the people, Padilla said. – Rappler.com
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How does this make you feel? | Rappler | https://www.rappler.com/philippines/visayas/oyster-feast-talaba-festival-negros-occidental-march-2024/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&utm_campaign=SocialFlow&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR2ZqET5WEN0ex2XmcxjM5sRf-HZeln8KixMPga7odx9y0oEjgElKRuMX_Q_aem_qIkEf9cnh_9oeZpPbZ08Sg |
Bohol Circumferential Road, Urdaneta Bypass Road, Tambacan Bridge renamed | lkyu0285 | 24/03/2024 14:33 | Aerial shot of the Bohol Island Circumferential Road, now renamed as The President Carlos P. Garcia Circumferential Road."
Shutterstock
MANILA, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has signed laws renaming the Bohol Circumferential road, the Urdaneta Bypass Road, and Tambacan Bridge.
The Bohol Island Circumferential Road is now renamed to “The President Carlos P. Garcia Circumferential Road” through Republic Act No. 11987. It is renamed in honor of the country’s eighth president, Carlos P. Garcia, who comes from Talibon, Bohol. The 261-kilometer circumferential road passes through many of the coastal towns in Bohol.
Meanwhile, Marcos also approved Republic Act No. 11988, which renames the Urdaneta City Bypass Road to “Ambassador Eduardo ‘Danding’ M. Cojuanco Jr. Avenue.” The road is renamed after Danding Cojuanco, the tycoon that previously led San Miguel Corporation and also served as a close ally of Ferdinand Marcos Sr.
His son, former representative of the 5th District of Pangasinan Mark Cojuanco, initiated the construction of the Urdaneta Bypass Road. The 7.27 kilometer road cuts through the Urdaneta-Dagupan Road and Urdaneta-Manaoag Provincial Road in Urdaneta City, Pangasinan.
Meanwhile, Tambacan Bridge in Iligan City has been renamed to “Mariano Lluch Badelles Sr. Bridge” through Republic Act No. 11989. Badelles – a former Mayor of Iligan City and former representative of Lanao del Norte-Iligan – spearheaded the establishment of a two-lane bridge crossing Iligan River in Tambacan.
Marcos also signed into law Republic Act No. 11990, which named a national highway in Camarines Sur as “Speaker Arnulfo ‘Noli’ Fuentebella Highway.” The national highway passes through the Municipality of Goa through the Municipality of Tinambac all the way up to the Municipality of Siruma. It is named after Fuentebella, who served as a Camarines Sur congressman from 1992 to 2001 and as House speaker for a two-month period before being ousted in a House coup in 2001. – Rappler.com
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Results, team standings: UAAP Season 86 volleyball | Jasmine Payo | 5/5/2024 21:02 | ROARING. NU's Bella Belen (left) and Alyssa Solomon react in the UAAP Season 86 women's volleyball finals
UAAP Season 86 Media Team
MANILA, Philippines – The UAAP Season 86 volleyball tournaments reach a tipping point with the men’s and women’s finals!
LOOK: UAAP volleyball championship schedule
Here are the results in the men’s and women’s divisions:
MAY 15
May 11
MAY 8
MAY 5
MAY 4
MAY 8
MAY 5
MAY 4
** – Twice-to-beat* – Final Fourx – Eliminated
APRIL 27
APRIL 24
APRIL 21
APRIL 20
APRIL 17
APRIL 14
APRIL 13
APRIL 10
APRIL 9
APRIL 4
APRIL 3
MARCH 24
MARCH 23
MARCH 20
First round
MARCH 17
MARCH 16
MARCH 13
MARCH 10
MARCH 9
MARCH 6
MARCH 3
MARCH 2
FEBRUARY 28
FEBRUARY 25
FEBRUARY 24
FEBRUARY 21
FEBRUARY 18
FEBRUARY 17
** – Twice-to-beat* – Final Fourx – Eliminated
APRIL 27
APRIL 24
APRIL 21
APRIL 20
APRIL 17
APRIL 14
APRIL 13
APRIL 10
APRIL 9
APRIL 4
APRIL 3
MARCH 24
MARCH 23
MARCH 20
First round
MARCH 17
MARCH 16
MARCH 13
MARCH 10
MARCH 9
MARCH 6
MARCH 3
MARCH 2
FEBRUARY 28
FEBRUARY 25
FEBRUARY 24
FEBRUARY 21
FEBRUARY 18
FEBRUARY 17
– Rappler.com
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Kristel Fulgar undergoes surgery for rare leg tumor | Ysa Abad | 24/03/2024 13:12 | Kristel Fulgar's YouTube
MANILA, Philippines – Singer and content creator Kristel Fulgar disclosed that she recently underwent surgery due to a rare tumor found in her leg, specifically in her calf area.
In a YouTube vlog released on Friday, March 22, Fulgar opened up on how the diagnosis had taken a toll on her emotional health, as well as what pushed her to go through with the surgery.
The Goin’ Bulilit alum revealed that it was in August 2022 when she first discovered the lump in her leg.
“I have never imagined that I would be undergoing a biopsy test in my 20s. I can say that this is one of the scariest things I’ve done,” Fulgar wrote in the video.
After doing a series of medical tests, she was diagnosed with schwannoma, a rare type of tumor that forms in the nervous system.
According to the National Cancer Institute, schwannoma grows from Schwann cells, which “protect and support the nerve cells of the nervous system.” NCI noted that while such tumors are often benign, there are rare cases where they could turn cancerous.
“It was the hardest challenge I faced in my life. It really affected my mental health and triggered my anxiety. There were a lot of ‘what ifs’ and I cried every night to sleep,” Fulgar said.
The vlogger shared that she contemplated for a year before deciding to get the tumor removed since the lump was growing and had a chance to be malignant.
Fulgar added that she chose to have her surgery in South Korea in January 2024, saying that she learned that the doctors there were experts in removing tumors.
Since she didn’t have a relative there, it was her Korean suitor, Sun Hyuk, who took care of her when she was admitted to the hospital.
After she was discharged, Fulgar flew back to the Philippines so that her mother could take care of her until she fully recovers. – Rappler.com
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Tough love: La Salle captain Coronel takes De Jesus criticism in stride amid steady rise | jisaga0269 | 24/03/2024 15:21 | FOR YOUR OWN GOOD. La Salle head coach Ramil de Jesus, setter Julia Coronel (9) and blocker Amie Provido react in the UAAP Season 86 women's volleyball tournament
UAAP Season 86 Media Team
MANILA, Philippines – Being a team captain in sports is oftentimes a thankless job, much less so on feared powerhouse squads with lofty title-or-bust standards.
Such is the case for La Salle setter Julia Coronel, who is now not only tasked to lead the Lady Spikers’ title defense in UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball, but also acts as an extension of head coach Ramil de Jesus on the taraflex.
As such, she has often bore the brunt of the coaching staff’s constructive criticism, with De Jesus setting social media abuzz with entire timeouts dedicated solely to point out Coronel’s mistakes.
The fifth-year veteran, however, is keeping stone-faced under the coaches’ spotlight, bravely rising to the challenge of improving her skill set with each passing game.
“On their tough love, I think I’ve gotten used to it in a way, and I think it’s good for all of us,” Coronel said in Filipino after La Salle routed FEU, 25-19, 25-21, 25-18, on Saturday, March 23. “The more they are tough on us, the more it means that they still want to see more from us, and they want to push us more.”
“So us as players, we just absorb everything because the more the coaches talk to us, that means they want to see us improve. If they go silent, that either means you’re a hopeless case or you’re already playing well,” she continued after tallying 16 excellent sets against the Lady Tamaraws.
Assistant coach Noel Orcullo validated Coronel’s rise, praising her steady improvement as a byproduct of their constant guidance.
“Her growth is there. She has a string of good performances. Hopefully, she sustains it,” he said in Filipino. “We see it in every training, every game, she keeps on improving. Hopefully, we sustain it until the end of the tournament and she keeps on adding and elevating her great performances.”
Coronel, intent on making the most of her final playing year, is just relishing every ounce of experience she can get moving forward, even if it means her coaches grilling her more for her own benefit.
“I guess what I’m drawing strength from are my past experiences. This is my fifth playing year now and I’ve always been the second setter. My coaches tell me now, this is it, this is my opportunity. So either I grab it or let it go,” she continued.
“I’ve been waiting for this opportunity for a long time, so this is always my source of motivation every time I’m on the court, even though it means going through more difficult times.” – Rappler.com
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Instant impact: Brownlee stars for Pelita Jaya in Indonesia League debut | Jasmine Payo | 24/03/2024 11:38 | TAKE CHARGE. Pelita Jaya’s Justin Brownlee goes for a shot against RANS Simba’s Argus Sanyudy in the Indonesian Basketball League.
Pelita Jaya Basketball Instagram page
MANILA, Philippines – Gilas Pilipinas superstar Justin Brownlee wasted no time making an impact in the Indonesian Basketball League.
In only his first game with Pelita Jaya, Brownlee immediately showcased his wares and powered the Jakarta-based ball club to a dominant 85-67 win over RANS Simba Bogor on Saturday, March 23.
Brownlee posted a double-double of 14 points on an efficient 7-of-10 shooting, 11 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals in nearly 28 minutes of play as a starter for Pelita Jaya, which notched its eighth win in nine matches.
Thanks to Brownlee’s hot hands in the second quarter, Pelita Jaya managed to build a decisive 45-36 halftime edge over RANS Simba after trailing by two points at the end of the opening period.
The Barangay Ginebra resident import pumped in 8 of his 14 points on a perfect 4-of-4 field goal clip in the pivotal second frame, where Pelita Jaya outscored RANS Simba, 24-13.
Brownlee formed a deadly trio with former PBA reinforcements Thomas Robinson and KJ McDaniels as the two big men also produced double-doubles in the dominant win.
Robinson, who suited up for the NLEX Road Warriors in the recent PBA Commissioner’s Cup, came up with a nearly identical stat line as Brownlee with 14 points, 11 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals.
Meanwhile, McDaniels, who had stops with the TNT Tropang Giga, NLEX, and the Meralco Bolts, added 13 markers and 10 boards.
Joshua Caldwell paced RANS Simba with a game-high 20 points, while Le’Bryan Nash contributed 18.
Pelita Jaya will get plenty of rest before it returns to action on April 17 versus Bima Perkasa Jogja.
Pelita Jaya 85 – Brownlee 14, Robinson 14, McDaniels 13, Fahdani Guntara 11, Dhyaksa 10, Jr 8, Jawato 6, Arighi 4, Kosasih 3, Goantara 2, Saudale 0, Rachman 0.
RANS Simba 67 – Caldwell 20, Nash 18, Oostrum 10, Satrio 5, Shihab 4, Wongso 4, Jordan 4, Sanyudy 2, Salamena 0, Nuban 0, Sanjaya 0, Kuntara 0.
Quarters: 21-23, 45-36, 63-55, 85-67.
– Rappler.com
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NCAA juniors champ, Finals MVP Manalili basks on day full of wins | Jasmine Payo | 24/03/2024 14:18 | BIG WINNER. Jonathan Manalili celebrates winning the Finals MVP and the NCAA juniors basketball title with the Letran Squires.
NCAA
MANILA, Philippines – Jonathan ‘Titing’ Manalili is a certified winner.
Few hours removed from leading the Letran Squires to their second straight NCAA juniors basketball championship, Manalili showed up at the Mall of Asia Arena on Saturday, March 23, and emerged once more a winner after his Team Hustle took down Team Heart, 114-106, in the 2024 NBTC All-Star.
“I’m so happy about today. I’m excited about the victory party with Letran,” said Manalili, who won NCAA Finals MVP earlier in the day after dropping 19 points, 5 assists, and 6 steals in the Squires’ Game 3 win versus the Perpetual Help Junior Altas.
“Even if I am tired, I still came here because I wanted to play with [La Salle Zobel’s Kieffer Alas],” Manalili said.
Alas, the NBTC’s second-ranked player and Team Hustle’s captain, picked Manalili in the All-Star game draft last week.
“I’m happy with the experience of playing with other All-Stars in the country,” Manalili added.
Letran’s Manalili played with Finals foes Amiel Acido and Jhames Daep in Team Hustle while other Perpetual guard Mark Gojo Cruz suited up for Team Heart.
“I’m thankful for them because I leveled up when playing against them,” Manalili said of the Perpetual players.
Manalili also had a fun moment in the All-Star festivities, playing against fellow Squire George Diamante, with the latter forcing a turnover in a one-on-one affair in front of the Letran coaching staff, which called the shots for Team Heart.
“It was fun playing against Diamante. I wanted to face him to know what I can do against him,” Manalili said.
Manalili finished the game with 11 points in about 11 minutes of playing time.
Manalili also played against Team Heart’s Andy Gemao, who spearheaded Letran’s championship run last year. – Rappler.com
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Q&A: Filipina author Mixkaela Villalon on writing and publishing her book ‘Interregnum’ | jreyes0314 | 23/03/2024 21:20 | Book cover by Betina Continuado
MANILA, Philippines – Mixkaela Villalon was a big reader as a kid. Like almost any individual who was a bookworm in their childhood, Villalon later grew up to become a writer, masterfully stringing words together for TV, film, and even theater.
But it was only in 2021 when she had finally published her short story collection, Interregnum, under the women-led publishing house Gantala Press. Interregnum – a sci-fi, fantasy, and satirical pocketbook that features a varied yet cohesive set of short stories – charts the Filipino experience across different time periods and settings.
In celebration of National Women’s Month, Rappler spoke with Villalon to know more about the work that went into publishing Interregnum, why she highlights the Filipino social conditions in her work, and how she unlearned viewing the male experience as universal when reading different texts growing up.
I am 37 turning 38 this year. I’ve been more or less a freelancer my entire life, and it’s all different variations of writing. I’ve written for TV, film, and theater. When COVID hit, I worked in advertising, and then now, I’m doing digital content for foreign businesses.
What do I do outside of writing? I like to watch live music acts, play video games, hang out with friends, and play games.
I was the kid who didn’t play well with other kids. I wasn’t sporty, so I usually spent a lot of time just reading stuff. You read stuff, you write stuff. And then, one of my grade school teachers said that I write well, which I think is a curse because the moment you tell a kid that they’re good at something, it will be ingrained in their mind that, “Oh, I should be doing this for the rest of my life.” So, I feel like that kind of ruined my life. Someone said that I was good at writing, so I thought that I should keep pursuing it.
I took up Malikhaing Pagsulat (Creative Writing) in college, and eventually, you run into people or mentors who write for a living. I think it was the third year of Virgin Labfest that I watched, and then I wanted to do that too, so I went into it. Same with TV and film, I ran into these circles and [asked], “Oh, what do you do?” “I write for TV.” “Should I try that, too?” That sort of thing.
There isn’t a united thread throughout the story, but what I really was going for is that each story was distinctly Filipino or captured the experiences of being Filipino. But also, it isn’t strictly social realist. It varies. There’s a story that takes place in the alternate universe of the Philippines, there’s a story on a community of informal settlers, there’s a story on a chance encounter of getting lost in the city then the guardians are the Badjao kids who would hang on to a jeep. I can’t tell you what they’re about just because the stories vary.
I’ve been writing these stories since, I think, as early as 2011. I’m very slow when I write for myself as opposed to the things I have to do for a living. One of my Creative Writing professors said that you should write about your experiences [and] your time. And so, some of these stories are reflective of the time that they were written. All of the stories in the book have also been published in different anthologies, but I hadn’t released them yet as a collection.
The idea to bring them all together happened during the pandemic. I think I was about 15 or 16 when 9/11 happened, so the significance of that moment wasn’t clear yet. Although, in retrospect, yeah, the world changed, but the pandemic was clearer to me because it was what really made me go like, “Holy shit! The world really did change!” And so, the realization came to me that I need to publish these short stories as a collection because it’s just a matter of time when the readers would no longer understand the context of what was happening when I wrote some of those stories.
That’s why Interregnum is the title of the collection, because the moment that it was published, it was a period of weirdness. Like, the old world has died, but we don’t know what the new world is gonna look like. I guess I just put a stamp on this weird time that we were going through. Let’s put these stories out, because the next batch of stories I’ll ever write is going to be completely different just because the time has completely changed.
I actually didn’t create the cover! It was drawn by the really, really great Betina Continuado. The way I understood she conceptualized it was she read the whole book, and even if there was no narrative thread across all the stories, she took bits and pieces of the elements of the stories and then created that scene. I’m happy with it. The strangers in the doorway is a nod to Gitnang Araw, which is a story [in Interregnum], the crab-shaped UFOs are a nod to Pangulong Paquito. There’s even a tower there in the background and that’s a nod to Ang Torre, which is also a story. It’s bits and pieces of the stories in the book.
Definitely. Gantala Press has always been in my radar because they’re a woman-run indie publisher. I’ve come across them several times at mobilizations and activist events. They’re always there. So, they became friends of mine. They’ve published a lot of books that I’ve bought and read and they’re good. Given their roster and their track record, I thought I’d like to approach them with Interregnum.
Because I went into Experimental Speculative Fiction, science fiction, fantasy, magical realism, I already knew that it would be difficult to publish this book. So I went up to Gantala with the idea that, number one, I’m a woman, you’re women, so you get it. Number two, these are not traditional stories that big publishing houses would usually publish, but because you are an indie press, I would bet that you could publish this. Gantala said okay, they read the manuscript, and they liked it.
Being a writer, especially in the Philippines, is a very weird – and, in my perspective – a pretty privileged position as an artist. Just because we’re quite hidden. If you’re a theater actor, you’re going to get recognized because your face is out there, but if you’re a writer, it’s mostly just your name. Sometimes, not even your name would get recognized, and that’s fine by me. Unlike, say, live music or theater, where the artist performs right in front of the audience and you get the feedback, writing doesn’t have that. I don’t personally know how many people have read the book. Some of my friends, they’d tell me, “Hey, I read your book. Congrats.” [I’d reply], “Okay, thank you.” The strangers, I don’t know, and that’s completely fine by me.
I personally don’t have an accurate idea of how it is received, but I have a clear memory, and it’s one of my favorite memories. I was at a gig. My boyfriend performed, other musicians performed, then, when the event finished, we were just hanging out at Mow’s. My boyfriend joked around, then he called me by my whole name. He said, “You’re too much, Mixkaela Villalon!” And then, someone in our group, a young dude, stops in his tracks and goes, “Wait. You’re Mixkaela Villalon?” And he pulls out a copy of my book from his back pocket, and he goes, “Is this you?” I say, “Yeah, that’s me.” And he says, “Yo, I’ve been reading this during my bus commutes!” And I didn’t even know, and he didn’t even know me! That’s what I’m saying about how you’re not gonna see how you’re received, but that moment was my favorite because it’s like, “Aww, people read my stuff!”
It’s important and, also, I think I have no choice. Not in a bad way, but if you are an artist in the Philippines [at] this time, what else are you going to talk about? I cannot write about the experiences of someone who does not live here because that’s not my lived experience. And also, what a disservice to be an artist in the Philippines and write about something else. Our experiences, these social conditions that we are living through, it’s both our privilege and curse. It’s a privilege because no one else is going to talk about this if not us. We are artists of this time. Filipino artists in previous decades and generations have also talked about their own thing. You’re an artist of this particular time in history. It is your privilege to talk about this time in history, even if, at the same time, we are cursed.
I wouldn’t say I’ve encountered challenges of being a female writer. However, I grew up reading works by Filipino authors. And we can’t do anything about it, majority of Filipino authors are male. It’s not just Filipino authors, even works in English. I unfortunately grew up with my mindset molded into thinking that the male experience is universal. And even when I play a video game, I’m placed in the point of view of a character who is male just because there are more of them.
The way my mind was molded, I was led to think that the male experience is more universal. In my first few short stories, you would notice that too. Even if I don’t put a gender on my main character, in my brain, it’s a man. It’s weird, because it’s not my experience! It took a while for me to unlearn that, like, “Why did I assume they’re men when I’m writing this?”
And then, eventually, when I started reading stories and works written by women, it turned out that the jump between the male and female experience isn’t that big, so there should not be a universal male point of view. It’s just a universal human point of view. In that sense, it was a process of unlearning, and I’m willing to bet that even young female writers to this day are going to face that, whether or not they’re aware, just because the artwork that we are consuming frames the male experience as more universal.
Put your work out there. Pitch it to publishing houses, and if no one wants to publish you, publish a zine. It doesn’t matter how you approach getting published. There are a lot of calls for anthologies, so join that. Rejection is part of the thing. It’s fine. Just because you’re rejected, doesn’t mean your work is bad. Maybe it just means it’s not the right audience or it’s not the right publishing house. And even if no one wants to bet on your work, bet on yourself.
If you want to publish it online, that’s fine, too. A lot of Wattpad writers are getting a lot of success these days. For me, just get it out there. Don’t let it stay in your hard drive or in your trunk because life is too short. Get yourself out there. And also, no one reads so the risk isn’t that big. Just put it out. There’s nothing wrong with that. Gambling on yourself is part of your progress as a person and as an artist. – Rappler.com
Editor’s Note: All quotes have been translated into English.
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NCAA juniors champ, Finals MVP Manalili basks on day full of wins | Jasmine Payo | 24/03/2024 14:18 | BIG WINNER. Jonathan Manalili celebrates winning the Finals MVP and the NCAA juniors basketball title with the Letran Squires.
NCAA
MANILA, Philippines – Jonathan ‘Titing’ Manalili is a certified winner.
Few hours removed from leading the Letran Squires to their second straight NCAA juniors basketball championship, Manalili showed up at the Mall of Asia Arena on Saturday, March 23, and emerged once more a winner after his Team Hustle took down Team Heart, 114-106, in the 2024 NBTC All-Star.
“I’m so happy about today. I’m excited about the victory party with Letran,” said Manalili, who won NCAA Finals MVP earlier in the day after dropping 19 points, 5 assists, and 6 steals in the Squires’ Game 3 win versus the Perpetual Help Junior Altas.
“Even if I am tired, I still came here because I wanted to play with [La Salle Zobel’s Kieffer Alas],” Manalili said.
Alas, the NBTC’s second-ranked player and Team Hustle’s captain, picked Manalili in the All-Star game draft last week.
“I’m happy with the experience of playing with other All-Stars in the country,” Manalili added.
Letran’s Manalili played with Finals foes Amiel Acido and Jhames Daep in Team Hustle while other Perpetual guard Mark Gojo Cruz suited up for Team Heart.
“I’m thankful for them because I leveled up when playing against them,” Manalili said of the Perpetual players.
Manalili also had a fun moment in the All-Star festivities, playing against fellow Squire George Diamante, with the latter forcing a turnover in a one-on-one affair in front of the Letran coaching staff, which called the shots for Team Heart.
“It was fun playing against Diamante. I wanted to face him to know what I can do against him,” Manalili said.
Manalili finished the game with 11 points in about 11 minutes of playing time.
Manalili also played against Team Heart’s Andy Gemao, who spearheaded Letran’s championship run last year. – Rappler.com
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Barangay Guinhalinan created in Barobo, Surigao del Sur | lkyu0285 | 24/03/2024 13:19 | Guia Abogado/Rappler
MANILA, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has signed into law Republic Act No. 11986, which creates Barangay Guinhalinan in the municipality of Barobo, Surigao del Sur.
The newly created barangay will have an area of 16,820,101 square meters and will be bordered by Barangay Javier, Barangay Batunan, and the municipality of San Francisco.
The Commission on Elections, or COMELEC, will hold a plebiscite in Barangay Guinhalinan within 90 days from the effectivity of the law creating the barangay, with the municipality of Barobo paying for the cost.
In the meantime, Barangay Guinhalinan will have a punong barangay, seven Sanguniang Barangay members, a Sangguniang Kabataan chairman, and seven Sangguniang Kabataan members appointed by the mayor of Barobo. The interim barangay officials will serve until their successors have been duly elected and qualified.
The public infrastructure and facilities already existing in the area at the time of the barangay’s creation are also transferred without cost or compensation to Barangay Guinhalinan.
Republic Act No. 11986 was approved by Marcos on March 21, 2024. It was first passed by the House of Representatives on September 26, 2022, and further amended by the Senate on December 11, 2023. – Rappler.com
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Emotional Alyssa Valdez wishes good health to old coach Roger Gorayeb after PVL reunion | jisaga0269 | 21/03/2024 22:56 | INSEPARABLE. Creamline spiker Alyssa Valdez and Capital1 coach Roger Gorayeb in the 2024 PVL All-Filipino Conference
PVL Images
MANILA, Philippines – Volleyball phenom Alyssa Valdez has been under many coaches in her illustrious career, but one in particular will always have a special place in her heart: the legendary Roger Gorayeb.
Valdez’s mentor in her formative career years with the champion Ateneo Lady Eagles, the multi-titled Gorayeb has scaled stiff personal mountains in the last few years regarding his health, but has since recovered and is back in the PVL with the upstart Capital1 Solar Spikers.
After three years away from each other, Valdez and Gorayeb finally crossed paths again on the taraflex as Creamline swept Capital1, 25-18, 25-14, 25-15, on Thursday, March 21, at the Araneta Coliseum.
Asked about their interaction after the Cool Smashers’ bounce-back win, Valdez went through a wave of emotions, first cracking a wide smile before her voice cracked and gave away a heavier feeling beneath.
“It’s always nice to go up against your former coaches because you want to show them how you improved,” she said in Filipino. “For me, being able to go up against coach Roger in today’s game, it’s overwhelming because I know what he has gone through to get back here.”
“I’m very, very excited to see where else his team can go and how far coach Roger can still go in the volleyball community as one of the longest tenured coaches we have. Coach, stay strong and stay healthy.”
Ever the heated competitor, Gorayeb needed a moment to cool down from the Solar Spikers’ fifth loss before indulging an interview and returning her star ward’s kind words.
“I’m happy even though I don’t really want to keep thinking about my old players. I’m happy for them that they are hustling still in their careers,” he said in Filipino.
“I greeted my old players (Valdez, Ella de Jesus) before the game. They told me, ‘Coach, don’t be stressed, that’s bad for you.’ So I told them, ‘Don’t play then!'” Gorayeb joked. “But I’m happy that’s all. We keep moving on.”
Safe to say, the Philippine volleyball community is united in hoping Gorayeb continues to fire up more generations of players for years to come.
Without a Roger Gorayeb, there would be no Alyssa Valdez to usher the game’s golden age in the country, plain and simple. – Rappler.com
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How BGC’s Steak & Frice is redefining the steakhouse experience | Steph Arnaldo | 23/03/2024 12:00 | MANILA, Philippines – “See you next week.”
This is what Steak & Frice’s staff will tell you as you exit the doors of the BGC steakhouse – a reminder that a satisfying steak dish need not be reserved for special occasions, but can be enjoyed as a weekly or monthly treat with friends, family, or by yourself.
Redefining the typically snazzy and stuffy steakhouse experience is Steak & Frice (S&F), founded by Amado Forés of a mano fame. The modern yet cozy restaurant is “not your grandad’s steakhouse” – gone are the velvet booth seatings, dark wood walls, red tablecloth, dim lighting, fancy decor, and upscale (and many times uptight) ambiance.
Steak & Frice provides a homey and approachable atmosphere, still featuring a refined menu, sophisticated interiors, and elegant ambiance, but within a chill, casual, and no-frills space.
The idea for Steak & Frice originated from one of Amado’s recent trips to New York – he found himself sneaking in a container of steamed white rice into the famous Peter Luger steakhouse!
To him, it wasn’t enough to indulge in a quality steak with just mashed potatoes, fries, and other side dishes. Rice is life, and Pinoys totally get it.
Returning to his home country, Amado recreated the steak-and-rice experience in his latest restaurant venture, with a witty name to match. Steak & “Frice” is a a play on “fried rice,” and also “rice and fries,” which are the two refillable side components of S&F’s three steak mains.
He worked with Hong Kong-based designer Sean Dix to veer away from the cookie-cutter steakhouse concept of dim interiors and a dated design. The space gives a little bit of Parisian bistro, NY steakhouse, and London’s charm all in one, with a mosaic of unglazed French tiles representing Ifugao weaving.
“We serve steakhouse classics combined with our love for rice, as well as Asian flavors, French dishes, and the Filipino hospitality and service,” S&F said, describing the dining experience in a nutshell.
S&F’s steak menu is simple in concept and thankfully not overwhelming to choose from. It’s streamlined into three different cuts of high-quality beef, cooked according to your chosen doneness. Each steak cut is served with thin, crispy, and salted French fries and S&F’s seasoned steak rice, alongside your choice of sauce. The steak and fries can be refilled once, free of charge.
If you’re an indecisive diner like myself, I recommend getting the Sauce Sampler (P290), which allows you to try all options – including peppercorn, béarnaise, chimichurri, S&F steak sauce, and mushroom gravy – all of which I enjoyed, especially the fresh and herby chimichurri, the tangy steak sauce, and the peppercorn with a kick.
The steaks available are the US Ribeye (Entrecôte) 400g/14oz (P3,250), S&F Striploin 350g/12oz (P3,150), and Chateaubriand P250g/9oz (P3,150), described as the lean and succulent center cut of tenderloin.
The steak is seasoned simply and perfectly with just the right amount of salt, and expertly grilled until moist and juicy, then cut into easy-to-cut-through hefty strips. The US Ribeye is the “rich and buttery cut with lots of marbling,” resulting in a softer and juicier cut that oozes more of those fatty and flavorful juices. The S&F Striploin is described as a “flavorful, tender, an evenly marbled cut,” which results in a leaner steak with more substantial chew, with still some fatty bits on its sides.
Some say a plate is good to share between two, while some hungrier diners say that they could finish a plate on their own, with still enough appetite to spare.
If you can spare some space for S&F’s other appetizers, sides, and mains, please do so! You don’t just have to come for the steak – head chef Harold Flores’ menu is inclusive enough to offer pasta, starters, vegetables, chicken, fish, side dishes, desserts, cocktails, milkshakes, and non-alcoholic drinks.
The best-selling Cheese Pimiento Puffs (P380) are a must-try; light and airy gougeres (choux pastry cheese puffs) are stuffed with a homemade cheese pimiento that bursts with flavor in your mouth instantly. It’s a savory and cheesy cream puff that’s easy to finish and is light on the tummy as well.
S&F’s Blooming Onion Flower and Dad’s Basketball Sauce (P390) is a fun and novel starter to snack on with your fingers; a well-seasoned blooming onion is breaded and fried with spices until crispy on the outside and slightly soft on the inside. It’s dipped in a tangy, creamy, and addictive sauce that complements the natural sweetness of the white onion. This is good for two or three.
The Truffle Creamed Spinach (P390) is a good side dish if you’re a fan of strong truffle-infused veggies and creamed dishes.
I also liked the Grilled Asparagus with Cured Egg Yolks (P390); the egg bits provided even more umami to the salt-forward veggie dish.
There’s always room for dessert! It may sound heavy and decadent, but S&F’s Triple Chocolate Cake & Marshmallow Fluff (P390) actually isn’t – it’s a chocolatey ice cream cake with chocolate and cream mousses, topped with an airy torched marshmallow fluff.
If you’re into lighter and fruitier desserts like I am, S&F’s Vanilla & Strawberry Millefeuille (P350) is a lovely French pastry that features delicately crisp and thin puff pastry layers with a light vanilla cream in between, with fresh strawberries on top.
Steak & Frice is set to make the high-grade steak experience more accessible and warm, encouraging the notion that steak doesn’t have to be exclusive to rare (or medium-rare) celebrations. As long as your budget permits (the prices are still on the higher side, but not as exorbitant as many other steakhouses), S&F is a special spot for weeknight dinners with a friend or a date on the weekend.
Steak & Frice is open daily from 11 am to 10 pm. It is located at LG Central Square, 30th Street corner 5th Avenue, Bonifacio High Street Central, Taguig City. – Rappler.com
For more information, you can check out Steak & Frice on Instagram.
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Holy Week starts off with lots of palms – but Palm Sunday’s donkey is just as important to the story | Chito de la Vega | 24/03/2024 10:59 | Despite the scorching heat, hundreds of Catholic faithfuls have their palm fronds or palaspas blessed during the Palm Sunday Mass at the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño de Cebu on April 2, 2023.
Jacqueline Hernandez/Rappler
For the Catholic Church and many other Christian denominations, the Sunday before Easter marks the beginning of the most important week of the year – “Holy Week,” when Christians reflect on central mysteries of their faith: Christ’s Last Supper, crucifixion and resurrection from the dead.
Palm Sunday commemorates the story of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem shortly before the Jewish holiday of Passover. According to the Christian Gospels, people lined the streets to greet him, waving palm branches and shouting words of praise.
As a specialist in Catholic liturgy and ritual, I think it’s clear that the deeper meaning of this Sunday is rooted in humility, rather than worldly veneration.
Humble service to others is a theme that runs through the New Testament. As the apostle Paul stressed, Christians believe that Jesus, the son of a carpenter, was also the son of God, who “emptied himself” of his divinity to become fully human. Jesus’ teachings in the Gospels praise “the meek, for they will inherit the earth,” and he proclaims that “whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant.”
Modern Catholic teachings describe humility as grounded in an understanding of one’s true relationship with God, one’s own gifts, and an openness to appreciating the talents of others.
Each of the four Gospels, the biblical books about Jesus’ life, describe him entering Jerusalem to prepare to celebrate Passover days before being betrayed, arrested, tried and sentenced to a criminal’s death by crucifixion. Each one explicitly says that he rode into the city on a donkey or a colt. Throughout the Bible, however, the word meaning “colt” is used almost exclusively for young donkeys, not horses.
This image brings to mind a line from the Book of Zechariah in the Jewish scriptures: The prophet describes a victorious king who enters Jerusalem “lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”
In Judaism, this passage from Zechariah is taken to refer to the Messiah, a spiritual king who would peacefully redeem Israel. The donkey itself is also interpreted as a sign of humility.
In Christianity, this animal becomes almost a symbol of Christ himself, given how it patiently suffers and bears others’ burdens. Horses, on the other hand, tend to be associated with royalty, power and war.
On the other hand, the palm branch had been associated with triumph and victory for hundreds of years before Christ. Winners of athletic contests, victorious generals and triumphant kings would be awarded or welcomed with waving palm branches, a sign of jubilation.
These Gospel narratives left Christians throughout the centuries with two important images for Palm Sunday, the procession with palm branches and the donkey: one associated with triumphant victory, and the other with quiet humility.
The earliest evidence for a Palm Sunday procession comes from a late fourth-century religious woman named Egeria, who recorded her experiences on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land for her community in Spain.
While in Jerusalem, she describes assembly for prayer on the Mount of Olives in the early afternoon of Palm Sunday. This is a significant location just outside the city, where Christians believe that Jesus taught disciples, prayed in the garden of Gethsemane at its base, and ascended into heaven.
Afterward, the group processed down to the Anastasis, the church in Jerusalem marking the place believed to be Jesus’ tomb, for evening prayer. Among the crowd were children waving palms and olive branches.
Medieval Christian worship books from the 10th and 11th centuries show that a ritual procession outside churches became a standard feature of Palm Sunday celebrations in Western Christianity. In many parts of Europe, other spring flowers or budding branches might be used alongside palm or olive branches, and the Sunday could also be referred to as Flower or Willow Sunday.
Christ could be represented in the procession in numerous ways, such as the presence of the bishop or saints’ relics. In some areas, a carved figure of Christ seated on a donkey, called a Palmesel or “palm donkey,” could be pulled in front of the crowd.
During the mass after the procession, clergy would read a Gospel account of Christ’s crucifixion and death, traditionally from the Book of Matthew; today, Catholics use versions from other gospels as well. The reading would usually be chanted, with different voices taking the parts of the narrator, Christ, and other speakers, especially the crowd of people described as witnessing his trial, with the congregation still holding their palm branches.
Even today, in the contemporary Catholic calendar, the full title of this first Sunday of Holy Week is Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion.
Centuries of theological and artistic reflection have shaped today’s Catholic approach to Holy Week specifically, and to the concept of holiness in general.
The image of the quiet, patient, and unassuming donkey has communicated humility in art and in practice. No animals are mentioned in the descriptions of the birth of Jesus in the canonical gospels officially included in the Bible. However, other early Christian texts refer to a donkey at the manger or Mary seated on a donkey as she travels with Joseph. Medieval artists also depicted the nativity scene with both an ox and an ass in attendance, and Mary riding on a donkey.
The palm also came to be a wider symbol. Early saints who had died as martyrs – that is, who died rather than renounce their Christian faith – came to be pictured standing by a palm tree. More commonly, they were shown holding a palm branch, signifying their victory over death: Having given up their earthly lives to follow Christ, they were now united with him in Paradise. Martyrs are also frequently depicted with the instruments of their torture, helping worshippers to identify and venerate them. –image sa side–
All of these images are rooted in the narrative of Palm Sunday, with its image of Jesus, the carpenter’s son, riding on an ordinary donkey, yet acclaimed for a moment as though he were a worldly king. A similar paradox is at the heart of Christian teachings: that although Jesus Christ willingly died on a criminal’s cross, doing so was a victory over sin and death. – The Conversation/Rappler.com
Joanne Pierce is a professor emerita in the Department of Religious Studies, of the College of the Holy Cross.
This article was originally published by The Conversation.
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Better late than never: Hodge proud to crack PBA All-Star Game for 1st time | delfin.dioquino editor | 23/03/2024 15:51 | LAYUP. Cliff Hodge in action for the Meralco Bolts in the 2024 PBA Philippine Cup.
PBA Images
BACOLOD, Philippines – They say good things come when you least expect them.
That proved to be true for Meralco veteran Cliff Hodge as he got named PBA All-Star for the first time in his 12-year professional career.
Earning the nod from the media and coaches, the 36-year-old forward bolsters Team Mark in its bid to deny Team Japeth a second straight win in the All-Star Game at the University of St. La Salle gym on Sunday, March 24.
“I really thought after a certain point that I would never make an All-Star team,” said Hodge.
“Because as you get older, you don’t expect it. I was just so used to not making it that finally making it in my 12th year is crazy and a testament to the hard work that I put in.”
“I’m proud of myself for finally making it. It’s one thing I can mark off my resume.”
Hodge has been one of the most reliable big men in the PBA since he entered the league in 2012, claiming a pair of All-Defensive Team inclusions in 2021 and 2023 on top of a Mythical Second Team selection in 2017.
It is no secret, though, that fans gravitate towards players who are either offensive-oriented or those who come from the more popular teams.
Offense is not particularly his cup of tea.
Fact is, Hodge breached double digits in scoring average only twice over the past 10 conferences, instead making his presence felt for the Bolts in rebounds and in intangibles like hustle and defensive tenacity.
“When I was younger, I wanted to be part of it. But then as I got older, I didn’t really mind. I was really focused in getting a championship and not individual accolades. If they come, they come. If they don’t, they don’t,” said Hodge.
“I think the times that you don’t make it actually build character and make you a better person. By not making the All-Star Game has forced me to keep pushing and pushing and getting better.”
As he makes his maiden All-Star appearance, Hodge wants to show something new.
“I’m just going to do what I usually do, play hard, try to get some stops. I might shoot a little bit. It should be fun,” he said.
“I’ll shoot a few,” Hodge added when asked if he plans to take three-pointers. “I don’t know if I’ll make them, but I’ll try to shoot.” – Rappler.com
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Holy Week starts off with lots of palms – but Palm Sunday’s donkey is just as important to the story | Chito de la Vega | 24/03/2024 10:59 | Despite the scorching heat, hundreds of Catholic faithfuls have their palm fronds or palaspas blessed during the Palm Sunday Mass at the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño de Cebu on April 2, 2023.
Jacqueline Hernandez/Rappler
For the Catholic Church and many other Christian denominations, the Sunday before Easter marks the beginning of the most important week of the year – “Holy Week,” when Christians reflect on central mysteries of their faith: Christ’s Last Supper, crucifixion and resurrection from the dead.
Palm Sunday commemorates the story of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem shortly before the Jewish holiday of Passover. According to the Christian Gospels, people lined the streets to greet him, waving palm branches and shouting words of praise.
As a specialist in Catholic liturgy and ritual, I think it’s clear that the deeper meaning of this Sunday is rooted in humility, rather than worldly veneration.
Humble service to others is a theme that runs through the New Testament. As the apostle Paul stressed, Christians believe that Jesus, the son of a carpenter, was also the son of God, who “emptied himself” of his divinity to become fully human. Jesus’ teachings in the Gospels praise “the meek, for they will inherit the earth,” and he proclaims that “whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant.”
Modern Catholic teachings describe humility as grounded in an understanding of one’s true relationship with God, one’s own gifts, and an openness to appreciating the talents of others.
Each of the four Gospels, the biblical books about Jesus’ life, describe him entering Jerusalem to prepare to celebrate Passover days before being betrayed, arrested, tried and sentenced to a criminal’s death by crucifixion. Each one explicitly says that he rode into the city on a donkey or a colt. Throughout the Bible, however, the word meaning “colt” is used almost exclusively for young donkeys, not horses.
This image brings to mind a line from the Book of Zechariah in the Jewish scriptures: The prophet describes a victorious king who enters Jerusalem “lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”
In Judaism, this passage from Zechariah is taken to refer to the Messiah, a spiritual king who would peacefully redeem Israel. The donkey itself is also interpreted as a sign of humility.
In Christianity, this animal becomes almost a symbol of Christ himself, given how it patiently suffers and bears others’ burdens. Horses, on the other hand, tend to be associated with royalty, power and war.
On the other hand, the palm branch had been associated with triumph and victory for hundreds of years before Christ. Winners of athletic contests, victorious generals and triumphant kings would be awarded or welcomed with waving palm branches, a sign of jubilation.
These Gospel narratives left Christians throughout the centuries with two important images for Palm Sunday, the procession with palm branches and the donkey: one associated with triumphant victory, and the other with quiet humility.
The earliest evidence for a Palm Sunday procession comes from a late fourth-century religious woman named Egeria, who recorded her experiences on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land for her community in Spain.
While in Jerusalem, she describes assembly for prayer on the Mount of Olives in the early afternoon of Palm Sunday. This is a significant location just outside the city, where Christians believe that Jesus taught disciples, prayed in the garden of Gethsemane at its base, and ascended into heaven.
Afterward, the group processed down to the Anastasis, the church in Jerusalem marking the place believed to be Jesus’ tomb, for evening prayer. Among the crowd were children waving palms and olive branches.
Medieval Christian worship books from the 10th and 11th centuries show that a ritual procession outside churches became a standard feature of Palm Sunday celebrations in Western Christianity. In many parts of Europe, other spring flowers or budding branches might be used alongside palm or olive branches, and the Sunday could also be referred to as Flower or Willow Sunday.
Christ could be represented in the procession in numerous ways, such as the presence of the bishop or saints’ relics. In some areas, a carved figure of Christ seated on a donkey, called a Palmesel or “palm donkey,” could be pulled in front of the crowd.
During the mass after the procession, clergy would read a Gospel account of Christ’s crucifixion and death, traditionally from the Book of Matthew; today, Catholics use versions from other gospels as well. The reading would usually be chanted, with different voices taking the parts of the narrator, Christ, and other speakers, especially the crowd of people described as witnessing his trial, with the congregation still holding their palm branches.
Even today, in the contemporary Catholic calendar, the full title of this first Sunday of Holy Week is Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion.
Centuries of theological and artistic reflection have shaped today’s Catholic approach to Holy Week specifically, and to the concept of holiness in general.
The image of the quiet, patient, and unassuming donkey has communicated humility in art and in practice. No animals are mentioned in the descriptions of the birth of Jesus in the canonical gospels officially included in the Bible. However, other early Christian texts refer to a donkey at the manger or Mary seated on a donkey as she travels with Joseph. Medieval artists also depicted the nativity scene with both an ox and an ass in attendance, and Mary riding on a donkey.
The palm also came to be a wider symbol. Early saints who had died as martyrs – that is, who died rather than renounce their Christian faith – came to be pictured standing by a palm tree. More commonly, they were shown holding a palm branch, signifying their victory over death: Having given up their earthly lives to follow Christ, they were now united with him in Paradise. Martyrs are also frequently depicted with the instruments of their torture, helping worshippers to identify and venerate them. –image sa side–
All of these images are rooted in the narrative of Palm Sunday, with its image of Jesus, the carpenter’s son, riding on an ordinary donkey, yet acclaimed for a moment as though he were a worldly king. A similar paradox is at the heart of Christian teachings: that although Jesus Christ willingly died on a criminal’s cross, doing so was a victory over sin and death. – The Conversation/Rappler.com
Joanne Pierce is a professor emerita in the Department of Religious Studies, of the College of the Holy Cross.
This article was originally published by The Conversation.
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Ralph Recto’s 4Ms: How to survive the Cabinet – and the role of media | gdecastro0289 | 24/03/2024 12:00 | CONFIRMED. Finance Secretary and former Senator Ralph Recto listens during the Commission on Appointments’ plenary session on March 13, 2024.
Bibo Nueva España/Senate Handout
In the olden days when the Philippines was less democratic than it is today, the formula to winning elections was the 3Gs: guns, goons, and gold.
Those who were supported by warlords, especially outside the capital, and backed by either the Nacionalista Party (NP) or the Liberal Party (LP), had the best chances of winning in national elections.
Finance Secretary Ralph Gonzalez Recto’s grandfather, the nationalist lawyer Claro M. Recto, must have learned this painful lesson when he lost badly in the 1957 presidential elections.
Recto, running under the Nationalist Citizens’ Party wth Lorenzo Tañada as running mate, garnered only 8.5% of the votes, placing a poor fourth behind the NP’s Carlos Garcia, the LP’s Jose Yulo, and the Progressive Party of the Philippines’ Manuel Manahan.
The old man Recto, an Ateneo Blue Eagle who graduated law from the University of Sto. Tomas, won in his home provinces of Quezon and Batangas only.
When the multi-party system took effect post-1986 and mass media became more influential, the formula for winning in the polls was the 3Ms: money, media, and the masa (masses) – a lot of moolah, popularity gained through television and radio (and now social media), and support from the masses who make up around 90% of voters.
With the political party system weakened, the field became more open to non-politicians, especially well-known celebrities, more so if the celebrity had a political background. Joseph Estrada would go on to win the 1998 presidential elections, and celebrities such as Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, Ramon Revilla Sr. and also Jr., Noli de Castro, Robert “Bobby” Jaworski, Robinhood Padilla became senators.
The current finance chief surely knows the key role of the mass media. With “Star for All Seasons” actress Vilma Santos as wife, Ralph Recto has won all the elections he has joined, save for one.
A post shared by Vilma Santos Recto (@rosavilmasantosrecto)
But winning an election is certainly not the same as serving in the executive branch. Being a Cabinet member and surviving the whole term of an incumbent president requires a different set of skills, knowledge, and relationships.
Sharing wise pieces of advice he got before taking on the finance portfolio in January this year, Recto told members of the Economic Journalists Association of the Philippines (EJAP) the four Ms on how to survive being a member of the President’s Cabinet.
“I was told that as SOF [Secretary of Finance], I have three constituencies to serve. Malacañang, a constituency of one. The market, which I should not rattle. The masses, which should never be incited to anger,” Recto said on March 21, Thursday.
The first 3Ms: Malacañang, market, masses.
The first is probably the hardest for a Cabinet official because it relies on having good personal relations with the chief executive, and making sure not to be the one responsible for his or her decline in public satisfaction ratings. Committing big mistakes has led to many officials getting axed.
The second is easier to do since Recto just has to stick to being a technocrat.
The third should be close to Recto’s heart. He lost in his reelection bid in 2007 when voters rejected him as senator after he led the push for the Expanded-Value Added (E-VAT) Tax bill that was signed into law by then-president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in May 2005.
It’s no surprise that Recto has not spoken about imposing new taxes after accepting the finance portfolio. As he said back in January: “I think the best way to raise revenues is to grow the economy and to expand the tax base.”
What then is the fourth M? Let’s hear it from the Senate’s former “numbers cruncher”:
“Pagkatapos ng isang buwan, napansin ko may kulang, may pang-apat na M pala – media. (After a month [in office], I noticed there was something lacking, that there was a fourth M – media.)
“As I preach the gospel of a brighter Philippine economy and how we intend to turn this optimism into a daily reality for every Filipino, I realized that I cannot do it without you [economic journalists].
“Fact is, the SOF [Secretary of Finance], the highest-paid casual in the DOF, relies on the DOF [Department of Finance] press corps, private individuals, in conveying messages to the people.
“You are the guardians of context and perspective. You shape how our people understand the world around them.
“And if in the process, you will write something that does not fit into our message, then you will hear no qualms from me because ‘a public official who complains about the press is like a ship captain who complains about the sea’.”
Call us out if we are wrong, and on times we have done something good, write about our wins – just the facts, no add-on praises needed. Because if you do your work, you help us with ours, as the feedback your reports trigger is crucial in improving policy.”
Recto expounded on this in the first part of his speech:
“…ask any politician what his ideal press coverage is, and he will answer that it is the kind that sings nothing but hosannas to him. In short, a hallelujah squad.
“But I am a Recto, and from my grandfather to my father, we believe that public interest is better served by a press that is fair and free and fights, than one that fawns upon and flatters.
“However, please do not take it as a signal for you to grab your pitchforks and start skewering me.
“Fairness is all I ask, nothing more, nothing less.
“Call us out if we are wrong, and on times we have done something good, write about our wins – just the facts, no add-on praises needed.
“Because if you do your work, you help us with ours, as the feedback your reports trigger is crucial in improving policy.
“I am a believer in the power and utility of critiques – the ones based on facts and not on fiction – because they can polish the rough edges that may hurt the many stakeholders who are impacted by what we do…. in a nation that must be constantly assured of its economic health, in a world that continuously monitors it, I know that I cannot be a hermit SOF.
“So guys, girls, like it or not, you have to bear with my presence. We’re all in this together.
“While an SOF is a dealer of hope, he must be a teller of truth. He owes the country not only his hard work, but more importantly, his honesty.
“Besides, there is no wiggle room here for spin, as numbers do not lie, and if they’re bad, you cannot browbeat it so it can take another shape. You can only promise to do better.
“So one of these days, when you report that a glass is two-thirds empty, I will vigorously, factually insist that it is one-third full.”
Wise words from a 60-year-old senior politician who is now on his second round in the executive branch after serving as National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) director-general or economic planning secretary in 2008 under the Arroyo administration.
Indeed, these are sound pieces of advice that public officials, not just in the executive branch, should heed. – Rappler.com
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At Manila Golden Mosque, fasting in Ramadan means feeding hundreds, too | Paterno Esmaquel II | 24/03/2024 9:41 | IFTAR. Manila Golden Mosque in Quiapo, Manila, hosts a communal iftar sponsored by donors for less fortunate Muslims, March 20, 2024.
Angie de Silva/Rappler
MANILA, Philippines – One by one, people trickled in shortly before sunset.
They sat down, facing each other, in front of food containers and water bottles lining the two sides of a long multicolored mat. Their leader, holding a megaphone, reminded them to settle down and keep themselves in order.
Then, the clock struck 6:07 pm. Slowly, they opened the containers to take their first meal – and to placate their grumbling stomachs – after abstaining from food and water for one whole day, from sunrise to sunset.
Many others – including one child, who held two food containers – brought their meals back home.
Shortly after eating, a call to prayer was chanted. The Muslims entered their mosque, faced in the direction of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, and performed their sunset prayer called maghrib.
A mix of relief after a long day of fasting, and reverence in another moment of prayer, filled the air at the Manila Golden Mosque in Quiapo, Manila, when Rappler visited this iconic place of worship on Wednesday, March 20.
It’s the same scene every day at the Manila Golden Mosque for 29 or 30 days beginning March 12, as Muslims observe the fasting month of Ramadan. During this month, Muslims are obliged to fast from food and water from sunrise to sunset to discipline their senses and to unite themselves with the poor in their suffering.
What happens after sunset during Ramadan is called iftar, the breaking of the fast. (Watch the Rappler vlog below.)
At the Manila Golden Mosque, iftar is extra special because it is more than filling one’s stomach after a long day of fasting. With the help of donors, iftar at the Manila Golden Mosque also feeds at least 300 less fortunate Muslims for each of the 29 or 30 days of Ramadan.
It’s a quiet source of fulfillment for the mosque – said to be the largest in Luzon – which was commissioned by then-first lady Imelda Marcos in 1976 for a Manila trip by the late Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi, which ended up being canceled.
The administrator of the Manila Golden Mosque, Sultan Abdusalam “Gerry” Magarang, and its grand imam, Jalal Jamil, spearheaded this Ramadan Free Iftar program to encourage well-to-do Muslims to sponsor the iftar of those in need.
Jamil said their budget is P65 ($1.15) per meal for each of the 300 recipients of the free iftar. This means spending around P19,500 ($346) per night for the whole month of Ramadan.
“This is to make our brothers and sisters feel that they have fellow Muslims who help in feeding the poor from the bottom of their hearts,” Jamil told Rappler in Filipino.
It is also a way to make Muslims understand the value of giving. “Sharing the iftar is very important because, aside from having helped others, you also gain a reward, like the reward of one who fasts,” said Jamil.
According to the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad, a Muslim will gain twice the rewards of fasting if he or she feeds a fellow Muslim who is fasting as well. “Now, if you feed 100 people, it means that the rewards of your fasting are multiplied by 100 times,” the grand imam of Manila Golden Mosque said.
Jamil explained why Ramadan goes beyond avoiding food and drink.
“Many people think that Ramadan fasting is just a prohibition on eating or drinking. That is not the main theme of Ramadan,” he said.
“Instead, Ramadan is like the coming of a doctor who heals what is wrong or what we do that goes against the teachings of Islam. Or Ramadan is like the coming of a teacher who teaches us to perform works of charity so that we can feel what is felt by our brothers and sisters who are struggling in life,” Jamil continued.
Magarang told Rappler that Ramadan is “a month of peace, a month of tranquility, a month of celebration of being a Muslim.”
Like Jamil, Magarang said in Filipino, “This is a month of giving because fasting is teaching oneself – for example, if one is rich – to feel what poor people feel.” – Rappler.com
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Meet Rex Villanueva, Batang Tiaong’s pint-sized star | Jasmine Payo | 23/03/2024 21:48 | STANDOUT. Batang Tiaong guard Rex Villanueva in action in the NBTC tournament.
Batang Tiaong Basketball/Steve Marion Photography
MANILA, Philippines – Size does matter in basketball, but for those who were never blessed with natural gifts, size measures in their hearts.
The same can be said for Batang Tiaong’s Rex Villanueva, who left lasting impressions in the 2024 NBTC National Finals.
Still growing at 5-foot-6, Villanueva was one of Batang Tiaong’s key pieces in the NBTC tournament that saw them rule South Luzon in the regional finals, upset the Jared Bahay-led Sacred Heart-Ateneo de Cebu, and put up a gallant fight against the top high school stars of the Fil-Am Nation Select.
“[We] always leave it all in the court. We have no regrets after everything,” said Villanueva, who hit 4 three-pointers for 12 points in their narrow 81-72 semifinal loss against the Fil-Ams on Friday, March 22.
Villanueva guarded the likes of Andy Gemao, Jacob Bayla, and Caelum Harris throughout the game, soaring past expectations for a guard his size to lead Batang Tiaong to a breakthrough Final Four finish this year.
Undersized in comparison to his matchups, the pride of Quezon proved he was as dangerous as anyone. He used his quick feet to shut off drives, his active arms to deflect passes, and his fiery touch to challenge the defense with his shooting threat to play more than 27 minutes in the loss.
With his prolific touch from long range, Villanueva even drilled two treys in the fourth quarter as Batang Tiaong mounted a last-minute stand against the Fil-Ams that eventually fell short.
“I want to prove that we can compete against anyone,” the pint-sized guard said. “They are just names. We’re both humans. We can play offense and defense too.”
Villanueva, a Grade 11 student, averaged 11.3 points and 2.3 rebounds on an impressive 31.8% shooting from beyond the arc. His best game came against PPG Tarlac, where he notched 25 markers on 8 three-pointers.
“It was not surprising to see him play like that, Maybe for others it was surprising, but not for us,” said Batang Tiaong head coach and founder Rexember Baldeo, who turned Tiaong, Quezon’s grassroots basketball program into one of the most successful in the country.
“His shooting is exceptional. I’ve seen him work on it everyday in Quezon, and people in our towns respected him for that,” he added.
Villanueva was a household name in Quezon’s local leagues, dominating across age groups with his shooting craft. He turned heads in 2020 as he joined Batang Tiaong’s program, which was then only starting to get off the ground.
With his lack of size, the biggest knock on him may have been his defense, but for coach Baldeo, what matters is his vigor on that end.
“They say he was a liability on defense, but I see his willingness and heart to play against bigger opponents. For me, that’s the most important thing,” Baldeo said.
Barring assumptions from his physical tools, Villanueva aims to continue to prove doubters wrong and perhaps even land a spot in some of the top universities for his college career.
“This NBTC [stint] really means a lot to me. It was a great experience to play against some of the best [high school] players,” he said.
“I just need to keep working hard and continue to earn the trust of the coaches.” – Rappler.com
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‘A new chapter’: Franki Russell to represent New Zealand in Miss Universe 2024 | Ysa Abad | 24/03/2024 11:47 | Franki Russell's Instagram
MANILA, Philippines – Filipino-Kiwi actress and model Franki Russell said that her appointment as Miss Universe New Zealand 2024 “feels like a 10-year journey in the making.”
Russell was officially announced as the representative of New Zealand on Friday, March 22, during the launch of XPedition Magazine. It is owned by Dubai-based Filipino businessman Josh Yugen, who owns multiple franchises of the Miss Universe pageant, including New Zealand, Egypt, and Bahrain.
According to XPedition Magazine, the 29-year-old model will be New Zealand’s first candidate in the Miss Universe competition in more than four years. New Zealand’s last delegate for the pageant was Diamond Langi during Miss Universe 2019.
They also noted that Russell will banner efforts against cyberbullying in her pageant stint, added that it’s a “prevalent concern among youth in New Zealand.”
Following the announcement, Russell took to social media to share her excitement for her pageant journey. She recalled that she first applied for Miss Universe New Zealand in 2014 when she was still 19 years old.
“Now that I am 29, 10 years older and with far more life experience, I realized that life definitely works in mysterious ways,” she said.
Russell also told the press that she’ll take a break from acting as she’ll be focusing on training for the Miss Universe 2024 competition.
Russell rose to fame after joining the reality show Pinoy Big Brother: Otso. She also appeared in several television projects and films, including Ang Probinsyano, Laruan, Pabuya, and Martyr or Murderer.
In 2021, Russell made it to the top 30 finalists of the Miss Universe United Arab Emirates pageant.
Meanwhile, the Miss Universe 2024 coronation night is set to take place in September in Mexico. Nicaragua’s Sheynnis Palacios will crown her successor.
As of writing, the Philippines has yet to crown a representative for the pageant. – Rappler.com
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Heads up, Citi customers: How the UnionBank account migration affects you | lkyu0285 | 24/03/2024 11:22 | UnionBank from Facebook page; Citi from Shutterstock
MANILA, Philippines – After acquiring Citi’s consumer business in 2022, UnionBank is now migrating Citi-branded accounts to its systems.
To allow the migration activities, UnionBank’s systems will be down from Saturday, March 23, at 4 pm until Monday, March 25, at 9 am. The UnionBank app and website, UnionBank ATM and cash acceptance machines, and ATM and debit card transactions, including schedules funds transfers and bills payments, will be unavailable during this period. UnionBank credit card transactions, meanwhile, will remain available.
Here’s what Citi customers need to know as their accounts are migrated to UnionBank.
Once the full systems integration is completed towards the end of the first quarter of 2024, the Citibank online website and Citi mobile app will be deactivated. You will need to create a profile on UnionBank Online.
As announced in October 2023, UnionBank intends for its acquired Citi credit card customer base to gradually shift to UnionBank-branded credit cards. There is no deadline yet for Citi customers to switch cards, but UnionBank president and chief executive officer Edwin Bautista said back in 2023 that the “absolute drop date” might be the end of the first quarter of 2024.
In the meantime, you can continue using your Citi credit card even after the account migration is complete. You will be notified through email and SMS once your replacement UnionBank credit card is ready for delivery.
Holders of Citi debit cards will also receive new UnionBank debit cards after the systems migration is complete, which may be delivered two to four weeks after accounts are migrated. Both your deposit account number and debit card number will have changes.
After the migration is completed, you may redeem your points, miles, and rebates through the UnionBank Online app.
Starting March 22, there will also be a change to the biller name to be used for Citi credit card and Citi personal loan payments.
You may continue to use your Citi-branded credit and debit card until they are replaced with UnionBank cards after the systems migration.
All your Citi account and credit card details will remain the same once they’re migrated to UnionBank. Your card number, expiration date, and security code or CVV will be unchanged.
Your Citi account’s unused points, miles, and rebates will also be transferred as is to UnionBank’s system and will also never expire.
Like Citi, UnionBank will also continue to waive annual fees. Other credit card fees and charges will also remain the same.
Read the full FAQs here. – Rappler.com
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Locked in: UE star rookie Casiey Dongallo dispels transfer rumors after 6-game skid | jisaga0269 | 23/03/2024 19:50 | HUSTLING. UE spiker Casiey Dongallo (right) and Shamel Fernandez chase the ball in the UAAP Season 86 women's volleyball tournament
UAAP Season 86 Media Team
MANILA, Philippines – UAAP super rookie Casiey Dongallo may not be headed far in Season 86 after UE once again lagged to the bottom of the standings, but she is surely not heading anywhere else but with the Lady Warriors regardless of where their once-promising campaign goes.
Pulled aside by reporters after UE’s four-set win against Adamson, 26-24, 23-25, 25-18, 25-20, on Saturday, March 23, the league’s top scorer set the record straight on fast-swirling rumors that she is about to leave the Lady Warriors at season’s end for more established programs.
“To answer that question, I really don’t have a plan on leaving UE, because we started here, and we’re seeing UE’s progress. So why should I leave that?” Dongallo said in Filipino after powering down 28 points – two short of her UAAP rookie record mark – against the Lady Falcons.
Interim head coach Dr. Obet Vital, who has since taken over for the suspended Jerry Yee, cleared up the situation as well, saying that the UE rookie group from Antipolo’s California Academy are locked in with the Strong Group Athletics (SGA)-backed Lady Warriors in the near future.
“I know there’s lots of posts of her ready in a UST uniform, and talks with management with La Salle, and rumors about SGA and her. I just wanna clarify, SGA [and] Frank Lao are committed to UE and the girls for three years. That’s his commitment,” he said after his team snapped a six-game losing streak.
“All the UE girls are not going anywhere as a matter of fact there are more coming next year, okay? So I just want to press on that, that we’re clear. There are a lot of people who love to make news. They want to make news, that’s okay, but these are the facts.”
Along with Dongallo, the California Academy group makes up a big chunk of the current UE player and coaching core, including Shamel Fernandez, captain Kizzie Madriaga, injured star spiker Jelai Gajero, Dr. Vital, and fellow assistant coach Stephanie Cholico.
With them around, the Lady Warriors are obviously in a better place than they were in years past, and they intend on seeing this process through until the end, for better or worse.
“They expect high scoring from me, so I just use that as motivation. Even at 18 years old, I already have a lot of high expectations set on me, but I’m not letting myself get pressured,” Dongallo continued. “At least Kizzie is there and my seniors to always help me out.” – Rappler.com
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Eumir Marcial knocks out Thai rival in 4th round | Jasmine Payo | 23/03/2024 22:57 | POWER. Eumir Marcial unleashes his power punch against Thoedsak Sinam.
WENDELL ALINEA/MP PROMOTIONS
MANILA, Philippines – It took some time, but when Eumir Marcial landed the killer blow, there was no way for Thai Thoedsak Sinam to go but down.
The end came at the 1-minute and 33-second mark of the fourth round, when Marcial sneaked in a left uppercut that took out the Thai even before hitting the canvas Saturday night, March 23, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Malate, Manila.
Marcial, pride of Zamboanga City, thus posted his fifth straight win as a pro, including three knockouts, that provided a glimpse of his preparations for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The 28-year-old Marcial spent the first round finding the distance and feeling out the power of Sinam, who fell to 23-14 with 19 knockouts.
Marcial started unleashing lead rights and left straights and hooks that rocked the Thai in the second and third rounds.
Sinam was ripe for the picking in the fourth as Marcial stepped up his assault.
It took a few minutes before the Thai, who was attended to by medical personnel, got back to his senses and was able to sit on a stool.
The aborted eight-rounder will be Marcial’s last pro fight before pursing his quest for an Olympic gold. He bagged the bronze in the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 as a middleweight, but will be climbing to light heavyweight in Paris.
According to local boxing officials, Marcial will join the Philippine team that will hold training camp in Colorado Springs, USA.
Earlier, Arnold Cordoba and Mikko Camingawan fought to an action-packed four-round draw and were given $500 each by MP (Manny Pacquiao) Promotions president Sean Gibbons as bonus.
World Boxing Council (WBC) president Mauricio Sulaiman was likewise impressed and congratulated the two fighters.
Also present were POC president and Tagaytay City Mayor Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, Philippine Sports Commission chairman Richard Bachmann, Senator Francis Tolentino, and GAB chairman Atty. Richard Clarin.
The open to the public 10-fight card was presented by MP Promotions and Viva Promotions headed by Brendan Gibbons in cooperation with Sanman Boxing led by JC Manangquil and Elorde Promotions. It was supported by the PSC, the POC, Chooks-to-Go, and Arena Plus. Junnie Navarro, a fellow Zamboangueno and ardent supporter of Marcial was also around. – Rappler.com
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After Ayungin harassment, China tells PH: Prepare ‘to bear all potential consequences’ | Jairo Bolledo | 23/03/2024 21:17 | INCIDENT. Chinese ships encircle a Philippine Coast Guard ship on March 23, 2024.
Philippine Coast Guard
MANILA, Philippines – Beijing on Saturday, March 23, warned Manila that it “should be prepared to bear all potential consequences” if it “insists on going its own way,” just hours after China Coast Guard (CCG) ships blocked, harassed, and used water cannons against Philippine vessels trying to bring personnel and supplies to the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal.
The Sierra Madre, a World War II ship purposefully run aground in 1999, serves as a military outpost in Ayungin Shoal, also known as Second Thomas Shoal. It is located some 120 nautical miles off the coast of Palawan, which means it is well within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, referred to as the West Philippine Sea.
China claims practically all of the South China Sea, including the West Philippine Sea, in defiance of a 2016 arbitral ruling that deemed its claim invalid.
China’s foreign ministry spokesperson said the Philippines “[intruded] into the adjacent waters of Ren’ai Jiao of China’s Nansha Qundao” – their names for Ayungin Shoal and the Spratlys.
“China Coast Guard took necessary measures at sea to safeguard our rights, firmly obstructed the Philippines’ vessels, and foiled the Philippines’ attempt,” the ministry spokesperson said in a statement for media.
By “firmly obstructed,” Beijing was referring to the use of dangerous maneuvers at sea, including at least one instance where a CCG ship sailed in reverse in an attempt to block the Unaizah May 4, a civilian ship that the Navy uses to bring supplies and troops to the BRP Sierra Madre. CCG vessels also used water cannons against the Unaizah May 4, the same wooden vessel it damaged during a resupply mission earlier in March.
The Philippines’ National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) said China’s use of water cannons caused “severe damage to the vessel and injuries to Filipinos onboard.”
China, however, did not exactly “foil” the Philippine mission. Although the resupply ship was damaged, troops and essential supplies still made it to the BRP Sierra Madre after rigid-hulled inflatable boats were deployed by the grounded Navy ship.
“Nansha Qundao and its adjacent waters, including Ren’ai Jiao, have always been China’s territory. This is established in the long course of history, and complies with international law,” said the Chinese foreign ministry.
“The Philippines should immediately stop its infringement and provocation and refrain from undermining peace and stability in the South China Sea. If the Philippines insists on going its own way, China will continue to adopt resolute measures to safeguard its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests. The Philippines should be prepared to bear all potential consequences,” it added.
In an earlier statement, the CCG’s spokesperson Gan Yu also warned the Philippines against “playing with fire.”
“We warn the Philippines that playing with fire is an invitation of disgrace, and the China Coast Guard is ready at all times to defend the country’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests,” the CCG’s spokesperson had said.
Several countries and blocs – including Manila’s treaty ally United States, as well as Japan, the European Union, the United Kingdom, and Australia, among others – expressed concern over what was only the latest harassment of Philippine ships at the hands of the Chinese.
In a statement issued after the mission had wrapped up, the NTF-WPS slammed China for its “latest acts of unprovoked aggression, coercion, and dangerous maneuvers against a legitimate and routine Philippine RORE (rotation and resupply) mission to Ayungin Shoal.”
“The systematic and consistent manner in which the PRC continues to carry out these illegal and irresponsible actions belies its hollow claims to peace, dialogue, and adherence to international law,” the task force added.
The NTF-WPS said National Security Adviser Eduardo Año wants to convene a meeting with Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin and the National Security Cluster “for purposes of making recommendations to the President.”
“The actions of the agents of the PRC today in the waters of the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) show to the Filipino people, the region, and the world that the PRC recognizes no reasonable or legal restraint nor limitation upon its actions under international law. The Philippines shall continue to act peacefully and responsibly, consistent with international law, particularly UNCLOS and the legally binding 2016 Arbitral Award,” the task force, composed of representatives from different Philippine government agencies, said.
“The Philippines will not be deterred – by veiled threats or hostility – from exercising our legal rights over our maritime zones, including Ayungin Shoal, which forms part of our EEZ and continental shelf. We demand that China demonstrate in deeds and not in words that it is a responsible and trustworthy member of the international community,” it added.
In a statement on Monday, March 25, DFA spokesperson Teresita Daza said the department “remains committed to take all appropriate diplomatic actions to protest the violation of the Philippine sovereign rights and jurisdiction and violations of international law, particularly UNCLOS.” – Rappler.com
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Shaira’s ‘Selos’ taken down from online streaming platforms amid copyright claims | jreyes0314 | 20/03/2024 18:12 | Shairaa Moro Singer's Facebook page
MANILA, Philippines – “Bangsamoro pop” singer Shaira’s hit song “Selos” was taken down from all online streaming platforms on the evening of Tuesday, March 19, following copyright claims from Australian singer-songwriter Lenka.
On Wednesday, March 20, Shaira’s agency AHS Productions released an official statement mentioning that they voluntarily removed “Selos” from all online streaming platforms as they are currently in the process of clarifying “the legality of the publication of the song.”
AHS Productions acknowledged that “Selos,” which had gone viral on TikTok and other social media platforms, uses the melody of Lenka’s 2008 song “Trouble Is A Friend.”
“As most of you may know, the melody that we have used is originally from a song entitled ‘Trouble is a Friend’ by Lenka and as of the moment, we are already in contact with her team for us to make “Selos” an official cover,” AHS Productions wrote.
AHS Productions also expressed its gratitude toward Shaira’s listeners, and said that it did not expect Shaira to eventually be dubbed the “Queen of Bangsamoro Pop.” It also stated that when “Selos” is made available to stream on online platforms again, it hopes that listeners will “show [Shaira] the same love and acceptance.”
In a comment under its post, AHS Productions promised Shaira’s listeners that the singer would return with original music soon.
Meanwhile, Shaira reassured her Facebook followers in a post on Wednesday, March 20, that she was doing okay amid the deletion of “Selos.”
“Sa mga totoong kaibigan at [concerned] po [sa akin], Alhamdulillah okay na okay po ako. Basta more Sab’r lang sa mga taong ayaw sa’yo at [gusto] kang masira. Maging [masaya] lang po tayo sa mga [buhay] natin, [Ramadan] Mubarak,” she captioned her post.
(To my true friends and all those concerned about me, Alhamdulillah I am okay. More sab’r to those who don’t like you and want to destroy you. Let’s all just be happy with our lives, [Ramadan] Mubarak.)
Lenka herself also said in an Instagram comment that her team is currently working on resolving the copyright issues after a social media user alerted her of Shaira’s song.
As of writing, Shaira has 556,000 monthly listeners on Spotify. Nine of her other songs are still available to stream on Spotify, including “Ikaw Lamang (BabyCakes Ko),” “Forever Single (Walang Jowa),” and “Datu Manis,” among others. – Rappler.com
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Refill hubs ‘win-win’ solution for sari-sari store owners, buyers | Iya Gozum | 22/03/2024 17:02 | Store owner, Robylin Torrelino, demonstrates how to use the refilling station in front of her small store as part of the Kuha Sa Tingi project at Barangay Salapan, San Juan.
Basilio Sepe/Greenpeace
MANILA, Philippines – Installing refill systems in small stores are a win-win solution for both owners and consumers, said a recent report from environmental organization Greenpeace Philippines.
The report, launched on Friday, March 22, gathered data from selected sari-sari stores in San Juan and Quezon City that implemented the refill system.
This system included refillables with dishwashing liquid, laundry detergent, fabric conditioner, shower gel, and multipurpose cleaner, either with a pump or faucet design.
The report said store owners can expect 15% profit increase when selling these household necessities with a refill system, while consumers can expect up to 201% increase in savings.
“This is a business model that is a win-win solution for everybody,” said Quezon City (QC) Mayor Joy Belmonte in Filipino during the report launch on Friday. “Retailers profit more, consumers can save up. But most importantly, conducting business this way does not harm the environment.”
In Quezon City, 30 sari-sari stores adopted the refill system in July 2023. After six months, 24 of the stores have been found to still continue the initiative. The Quezon City government has already expanded the campaign to 1,000 stores.
Belmonte said they are aiming to expand from 5,000 up to 6,000 stores within the year if the initial 1,000 prove successful.
>>> According to Belmonte, they are gunning for expansion from 5,000 up to 6,000 stores within the year if the initial 1,000 prove successful.
The QC mayor said the data from the initial implementation in two Metro Manila cities are proof that people are willing to adopt environment-friendly alternatives if these are affordable and convenient. Belmonte added that local government leaders are in a crucial position to jump-start the implementation of these kinds of environment-friendly initiatives at the local level.
The campaign was first launched in San Juan back in November 2022, where 10 stores, including an employee’s cooperative, implemented the refilling system.
“Hindi Filipino culture ang sachet,” said Lea Guerrero, country director of Greenpeace Philippines, on Friday. Instead, the culture is tingi or piecemeal. (Sachets are not part of the Filipino culture.)
Beside competitive prices that benefit both sellers and buyers, the refilling system can help cut down plastic packaging at least at the local levels.
According to the report, more than 50,000 sachets were displaced because of the refilling systems in San Juan and Quezon City.
More than 460 million tons of plastic are produced worldwide, according to Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). The OECD said plastic production doubled in the last two decades. Plastic is used in most industries and account for 3.4% of global greenhouse gas emissions.
Because it takes thousands of years before they’re disposed, they get stuck in the environment, and even make its way to humans’ guts through seafood that have ingested micro plastics.
The refill system is one way to change lifestyle and consumption behaviors of people. It is a solution that proves “we don’t have to live with plastic pollution,” said Guerrero.
They are hopeful that the pilot cities could pave way to bigger scale. Quezon City’s rollout of the refill system to 1,000 stores could avoid 1,066,666 sachets monthly, or 12,799,992 sachets annually, according to the report.
Meanwhile, with this scenario, Quezon City retailers are set to profit at least P1,800 a month and consumers can save P400 a month.
Completely eliminating the use of plastics depends heavily on producers. The refill system only addresses a part of the chain that involves small business owners and consumers.
The Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) lapsed into law in 2022, amending the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000. It aims to hold large product producers, accountable for the plastic waste they put out. (READ: Everything you need to know about the Philippines’ Extended Producer Responsibility law)
However, the EPR falls short of this objective, advocates said, as it focuses on collection of waste rather than reduction.
“With unregulated mass production of disposable plastics, the systematic dismantling of existing reuse models, and the glaring lack of new reuse and refill systems, the current status quo perpetrated by plastic producers has led to adverse impacts on ecosystems and health,” the report read.
Beside reuse and refill systems, environmental advocates say the government must invest in more solutions that cut the problem from the source. This includes a total ban of single-use plastics, phase down in plastic production.
“Corporations must change the way they do business and enact widespread systemic changes on what materials they rely on, as well as their product delivery systems,” the report said. – Rappler.com
(Editor’s note: An earlier version of this story suggested store owners could expect a 200% profit margin and consumers could save 150-200% with a refill system. The corrected version accurately reflects that store owners can anticipate a 15% profit increase, while consumers can save up to 201% on their usual expenses.)
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On a treadmill or in her office, Migs Nograles will help make sense of the law | Kaycee | 23/03/2024 12:00 | PAANO BA, ATTORNEY? During a 'Young Guns Tuesdays' press conference at the House of Representatives, PBA Representative Margarita Nograles says a P100 minimum wage hike is not enough and there will also be a need to further study its impact on businesses.
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While doing her home workout with dumbbells and going on a stationary bike, PBA Representative Margarita “Migs” Nograles instructs her audience how to report their absentee partners and make them accountable under the law.
If partners have caused emotional distress, she says they can be reported to officials. “Tumakbo na kayo sa nearest barangay ‘nyo (Run to your nearest barangay hall),” she says in a sing-song voice while running on a treadmill.
All her other TikTok videos follow the same theme. You’ll see in her an elected public official, who, in her own words, is “makulit (playful).”
“My real personality is, when I’m in the barangays, you will see that I’m really playful. That’s how I talk to people, that’s how I talk to my close friends,” the 33-year-old Migs said in a recent Rappler Talk episode.
“There would be some comments, telling me, ‘You’re a congresswoman…. Why are you acting a bit over-the-top?’ But I always believe you have to be yourself in anything that you do…if you’re comfortable with it.”
She said that it helps trying to be entertaining when doing explainer videos.
Her online character is, however, not the same Migs Nograles the public sees at the House of Representatives and in media interviews. But whether she is the “OA” Attorney Migs on TikTok or the composed Congresswoman Nograles, followers agree that she is more relatable.
Many public officials are active on social media. Some have used it to update their constituents on what they are doing and the projects they are implementing, while others have chosen to hop on online trends in a bid to be more popular among netizens.
The neophyte legislator and law professor said she chose to use her platform to help ordinary people understand the law. It’s one of her advocacies after all.
“I don’t think it’s more about people wanting to understand the law because those who wish to understand it want to become lawyers,” Migs said.
“I think it’s more of people wanting to know their options, if their rights get [trampled on], if they get hurt, if their personal rights are violated, and whatnot,” she added.
Migs is the daughter of former House Speaker Prospero “Boy” Nograles and the younger sister of Civil Service Commission chairperson Karlo Nograles. She’s made a name for herself though – quite literally – as her over 400,000 TikTok followers and over 10,000 YouTube subscribers know her better as “Attorney Migs.”
She interacts with her audience directly, responding to those who ask questions through the comments, or answering those who send their queries by email.
The videos are straightforward explainers in Filipino. There’s usually no studio involved – sometimes she’s seen discussing legal concepts at home, other times, she’s in her office at the Batasang Pambansa.
She’s not the only one who uses her profession as a way of creating content. Doctors and those working in the finance industry, among others, are taking their specializations online too. There’s a category for lawyers on TikTok, with videos tagged under #Lawyertok. These professionals-slash-content creators create videos on anything about their work and lifestyle.
Researchers from the University of New South Wales call them the “knowledge influencers” or, in this case, the “lawfluencers.” Anthony Song and Justine Rogers said that these new breed of influencers rely on both personality and expertise to build their audiences and find a way to relate to them.
Migs said it all started in law school when she and her classmates were studying legal terms and were attempting to explain them to each other. “You find out you understand the law when you are able to simplify these terms,” she said.
After getting past the Bar, she started offering free legal aid with her law firm where, she figured, it helps to explain concepts by using real life examples when talking to the greater public.
Then she decided to do explainer videos on social media, where most of her content are uploaded on YouTube and TikTok. It started as Ask Attorney Migs, which she even created an official jingle for in September 2021 – a month before the deadline for the filing of certificates of candidacy for the 2022 national polls.
It was then rebranded into Paano Ba, Attorney? (What do we do, Attorney?) – which has the same initials as the partylist she represents, Puwersa ng Bayaning Atleta (PBA).
Her content is based on the trends of questions that she gets, while other videos are based on the current social media chatter.
“It really would depend on what the public wants to know about and I’ll do the script to simplify these growing concerns,” the lawmaker said.
Despite the workload at the House of Representatives and at her law firm, where she remains active in giving legal aid services, the neophyte congresswoman said she wants to continue creating videos as it exposes her to people from all walks of life. “You get to educate, but people really educate you, too.”
“When I talk to people who are actually going through the problems, it makes me realize that some of these bills will be hard to implement. So you have to adjust,” she said.
In a September 2023 video where she shared her “law journey,” Migs described herself as a “medyo (slightly) overachieving Pinay.” She’s armed with multiple education degrees – a bachelor’s degree from Ateneo de Manila University on top of which is a dual degree in Political Science and Economics from Fordham University. She juggled working at Fordham’s law school library and volunteering at a nonprofit organization while she worked on her double degree.
Migs also graduated with a Juris-Doctor and Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the De La Salle University and Far Eastern University Consortium, but she took her law and business electives in Europe. She said her weekdays then were spent studying for, and attending her, law classes, while Saturday mornings were devoted to her MBA classes.
“On weekends, after my morning classes, I would do the family business work, or sometimes I would volunteer to teach kids in Makati,” she said. A year before she had to take her Bar, the aspiring lawyer back then volunteered at a review center on weekends – her way of trying to review in advance.
Despite her loaded schedule, Migs graduated at the top of her law class. She recalled her classmates doubting her achievement. “Their logical explanation for this whole thing? They claimed I bought the school, wow ha!” an irked Migs said in the video.
“She studied a lot, she was very studious. She had all the resources needed to study law pero (but) if you compare her to the rest of the batch, she’s average,” a source familiar with her law school days claimed.
Students were said to be surprised after she was named valedictorian since she was said to have ranked number 5 or 6. Being named valedictorian apparently became such an issue that her classmates even asked the school to recompute the grades of honor students in their batch, but the numbers were not released, with school authorities citing the Data Privacy Act.
“She’s okay as a person, really nice,” the source said. “It’s just that one thing that she did na parang natapakan niya ‘yung batch (that it felt like she trampled on the whole batch).”
Migs said she kept information about her grades and official class standing to herself. “Hindi mo naman kasi kailangan magyabang kung feeling mo deserve mo talaga ‘di ba?” (You don’t need to brag about it if you know that you really deserve it.)
She was described as competitive, but her classmates knew, too, that she was pressured to do well, considering her pedigree. The lawmaker said, referring to the former late speaker, “My Atenean dad told me, ‘The only time I will ever step foot in La Salle is if I go up the stage and pin your valedictory medal.’“
Her office at the Batasang Pambansa is adorned with photos of the Nograles family, including photos with her dad.
Before Migs took the Bar, she and her family went on a pilgrimage to the Shrine of Fatima in Portugal. Devotees knelt and circled the chapel while praying and she did, too, but not her dad, Boy Nograles, because of his age.
The former speaker just held her hand as she prayed she would graduate valedictorian. “I think he prayed that I will really do well in the Bar exam. Secretly, I included in my prayer that I would top my class, kasi nga (because), duh! I really wanted him to be there on my graduation sa (at) La Salle,” she said in the video.
She got what she prayed for, but things didn’t turn out as smoothly as she might have wished. When Migs was delivering her valedictory speech, one of her peers walked out “in behalf of the whole batch.”
“Siyempre, during that time, sobrang sakit and gusto kong umiyak noon (Of course, during that time, I was really hurt and I wanted to cry),” Migs recalled. “But then, it dawned on me that the only person I really wanted to be there was there – my dad, of course.”
Her 2018 graduation was apparently the last time the former House chief got to walk as he was hospitalized after. She reviewed for the Bar while keeping her dad company at the hospital and when results were released, her father greeted her with an enthusiastic, “Attorney!” when she entered his hospital room.
But what should have been a time for celebration quickly turned into a nightmare: a day after Migs passed the Bar, her dad passed away.
In commemorating her dad’s death anniversary in 2023, the lawmaker wrote that she still asks for her dad’s guidance. “In everything I do, and in every single decision I make for PBA, lagi kong iniisip na lang na ang meaning din ng PBA ay ito: Pusong ‘Boy Nogie’ Ako (I always think that PBA also stands for: ‘Boy Nogie’ At Heart),” she said.
While her law school peers don’t seem to be too pleased with her, colleagues at the lower chamber look up to Migs and her work ethic.
“She wants to get things done the soonest,” Lanao del Sur 1st District Representative Zia Alonto Adiong said when asked to describe Migs. “Her schedule is so terrible that I doubt if she ever gets time to relax.”
Another colleague said she’s a good communicator and is active in House matters.
“She makes it a point to study and I think that’s reflective of one’s conscientiousness, about the seriousness of the work we do here. Siyempre hindi puwedeng fun, fun lang – Migs is not like that, she’s really may substance,” TINGOG Representative Jude Acidre told Rappler. (Of course, it can’t always just be fun, fun – Migs is not like that, she really has substance.)
Despite growing up in a family of politicians, Migs said she “was not always sure” of joining the political fray. “But I saw the heart of public service at a young age and it has always been a part of me.”
Her first attempt to enter politics was in 2019, the same year she passed the Bar. She sought a congressional seat under her partylist in 2019 but lost.
At the 19th Congress, she’s vice chairperson of a couple of committees, namely: agrarian reform; civil service and professional regulation; justice, peace, reconciliation and unity; and youth and sports development. These are reflective of her advocacies, which include supporting agriculture, Filipino youth athletes, human rights, justice, and mental health.
Among the bills she was the principal author of are those on amending the country’s anti-agricultural smuggling act and mandating and strengthening state colleges and universities’ mental health services by ensuring that professionals serve their students’ needs.
In 2022, Migs sought to amend the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act (Anti-VAWC) law by including the term “partner” to have the legislation cover men and those in LGBTQ+ relationships.
Gabriela Women’s Partylist did not take this lightly, saying that the inclusion of men in the Anti-VAWC law would “trivialize” the abuse that women experience.
“I do respect it,” Migs told Rappler. “It took a long time before VAWC or women’s rights were recognized and we didn’t want to undermine those efforts, so we’re filing another bill that I’m really just going to consider calling it anti-domestic abuse.”
While there’s constructive criticism from her colleagues, it’s a different story for the hits she’s getting on social media.
Since her involvement in the House probe into Swara Sug Media Corporation – the company operating the fake news channel, SMNI – and after she filed a bill calling on the National Telecommunications Commission to suspend SMNI, fake news against Migs sprouted online. Spliced videos and disinformation against the young lawmaker appeared on the very platforms that made her popular.
Criticisms grew further after Davao 1st District Representative Paolo Duterte linked her and her partylist to the people’s initiative for charter change, a public petition marred by allegations of bribery.
“Even before the Senate probe, there were personalities that have connected me to [the People’s Initiative]. If I really did something and you can prove it, then file a case,” Migs said.
SMNI lawyers would later claim that she went after the network because of local competition between her family and the Dutertes, which she denied. “It’s scary that they are making these implications that do not have any basis,” she told reporters in February.
Members of the Duterte and Nograles families had a rivalry that spanned over three decades and which started when the patriarchs slugged it out for Davao City mayor in 1992. The two would compete against each other again in 2001 for a seat at the House of Representatives. Rodrigo won both times, but he also pointed fingers at the elder Nograles for linking him to the infamous Davao Death Squad.
They have since buried the hatchet – in 2015, the elder Nograles and his son Karlo backed Duterte when he ran for the presidency in 2016. Karlo also served as Duterte’s Cabinet secretary from 2018 to 2022 and was acting presidential spokesman in 2021. In 2022, Karlo was appointed by Duterte chair of the Civil Service Commission, a post he got confirmation for when he was also chosen by Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Looking back at her early years as a public official, Migs Nograles said she “does not regret anything” despite some of the negative and painful experiences in public office. The young lawmaker declared: “At least I can sleep well at night, right?”
Asked during her Rappler Talk interview about what’s next – especially since her term ends in 2025 – she said: “In terms of what is next, gosh, I can’t even think of what to do next week…. But, hopefully, with my show, with PBA, we get to continue serving the people doing what we do and help more people, educate more people the best way that I can and know how.” – Rappler.com
Some statements have been translated to English and shortened for brevity.
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House of Rep young guns Atty Migs and Atty Gutierrez are my idols in the Lower House. They have substance. I hope they team up with Vico Sotto and run for Senator come 2025/2028.
A very talented lady, indeed, has great potential to become a Senator in the 2025 midterm election. But she could also be a formidable adversary against those who will advocate for the passage of an enabling law on the anti-political dynasty provision of the 1987 Philippine Constitution.
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EXPLAINER: What happens to Arnie Teves after arrest in Timor-Leste? | Jairo Bolledo | 23/03/2024 10:07 | MAN OF THE HOUR. Then-congressman Arnie Teves presides over a plenary session as House deputy speaker in March 2021.
House Press and Public Affairs Bureau
The Southeast Asian country Timor Leste has no extradition treaty with the Philippines, so it makes sense for a Philippine fugitive like former lawmaker Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr. to go into hiding there, as authorities here cannot easily request the country to extradite him.
But Teves, who is evading Philippine court warrants for murder charges over the killing of former Negros Oriental governor Roel Degamo, was finally arrested after months of hiding in Dili, Timor-Leste on Thursday, March 21.
Teves was living the good life, playing golf at the Top Golf Driving Range and Bar, when he was arrested by the Timor Leste police. How did it happen?
The former lawmaker was arrested through collaboration between the International Police’s (Interpol) National Central Bureau (NCB) in Dili and the Timorese police.
Teves was on the Interpol’s red notice alert.
An Interpol red notice alert does not serve as an international arrest warrant. However, Interpol’s international mechanism requires members to cooperate with its processes.
It is up to each member-state to assess the value of a red notice and how its officers will enforce arrests, the Interpol said.
Because both the Philippines and Timor-Leste are members of Interpol, Timor Leste was expected to act as a member would: arrest and provisionally detain Teves, who was on the red notice alert, while waiting for extradition, surrender, or any other legal action.
But without an extradition treaty, and a possible refusal by Teves to surrender, what happens next?
Department of Justice spokesperson Assistant Secretary Mico Clavano said an extradition can still be possible through the United Nations Convention on Transnational Organized Crime or UNTOC, a treaty signed by both the Philippines and Timor Leste, and which provides for new frameworks for extradition.
“Pero mas mahaba nga siyang process. Mas mahaba siya (But it’s a longer process, it’s longer),” Clavano explained.
“Kung sa extradition po kasi, magiging international obligation ‘yon, which means that it will take some time dahil may mga document,” he added. (In extradition, it will become an international obligation, which means that it will take some time because there would be documents needed.)
“Kung deportation naman, mas mabalis na proseso ‘yun dahil wala naman po siyang passport. Wala na siyang valid passport. Although the timing will have to be dependent on the Timor-Leste government (Deportation would be a much faster process because Teves no longer has a passport. He doesn’t have a valid passport anymore),” Clavano said.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has confirmed that Teves’ passport is now canceled, and without a passport, it would be hard for him as a foreigner in Timor Leste to remain there. Teves tried to apply for political asylum in Timor Leste, but he was denied.
Clavano said that a meeting has already been held by the Timorese government and Philippine delegation to discuss the “most feasible, fastest, and safest way” to bring Teves back to the Philippines.
Ferdinand Topacio, Teves’ lawyer, said his client’s detention was extended for a maximum of 15 days “or for the possible duration of the trial.”
“Visitors allowed are his lawyers and close Filipino friend pre-screened by the [Timor-Leste] authorities, and others, upon the consent of Mr. Teves,” Topacio said on Saturday, March 23.
The Teves controversy is an interesting case for how international mechanisms can work to arrest a person if the case transcends jurisdiction.
What Teves’ case shows is that Timor Leste cooperated with the Interpol in enforcing his arrest. The biggest flaw in international law is the lack of cooperation of countries.
The United States is a member of the Interpol, so in the event that Apollo Quiboloy, who is wanted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, is put on the red alert notice, it bears watching whether the Philippines or any other member country will arrest him to aid the US. Washington and Manila also have an extradition treaty.
Quiboloy’s close friend, and now new owner of his properties, former president Rodrigo Duterte, may be the subject of an International Criminal Court (ICC) probe into the killings of the so-called Davao Death Squad during Duterte’s time as Davao City mayor, and war-on-drugs killings during his term as president.
If the ICC issues an arrest warrant against Duterte – which he is already speculating it would – the big question is how the Philippines can enforce such a warrant when the country is no longer a member of the ICC.
But the ICC has an agreement with the Interpol. The Court can also request the subjects of its warrant to be put on the red notice alert. If that happens for Duterte, the Interpol can now request its 196 member-countries to cooperate, and possibly arrest and detain the subject on their behalf.
China, although not a member of the ICC, is an Interpol member. The goal of these different international mechanisms is to make the world smaller for fugitives and criminals. – Rappler.com
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After Ayungin harassment, China tells PH: Prepare ‘to bear all potential consequences’ | Jairo Bolledo | 23/03/2024 21:17 | INCIDENT. Chinese ships encircle a Philippine Coast Guard ship on March 23, 2024.
Philippine Coast Guard
MANILA, Philippines – Beijing on Saturday, March 23, warned Manila that it “should be prepared to bear all potential consequences” if it “insists on going its own way,” just hours after China Coast Guard (CCG) ships blocked, harassed, and used water cannons against Philippine vessels trying to bring personnel and supplies to the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal.
The Sierra Madre, a World War II ship purposefully run aground in 1999, serves as a military outpost in Ayungin Shoal, also known as Second Thomas Shoal. It is located some 120 nautical miles off the coast of Palawan, which means it is well within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, referred to as the West Philippine Sea.
China claims practically all of the South China Sea, including the West Philippine Sea, in defiance of a 2016 arbitral ruling that deemed its claim invalid.
China’s foreign ministry spokesperson said the Philippines “[intruded] into the adjacent waters of Ren’ai Jiao of China’s Nansha Qundao” – their names for Ayungin Shoal and the Spratlys.
“China Coast Guard took necessary measures at sea to safeguard our rights, firmly obstructed the Philippines’ vessels, and foiled the Philippines’ attempt,” the ministry spokesperson said in a statement for media.
By “firmly obstructed,” Beijing was referring to the use of dangerous maneuvers at sea, including at least one instance where a CCG ship sailed in reverse in an attempt to block the Unaizah May 4, a civilian ship that the Navy uses to bring supplies and troops to the BRP Sierra Madre. CCG vessels also used water cannons against the Unaizah May 4, the same wooden vessel it damaged during a resupply mission earlier in March.
The Philippines’ National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) said China’s use of water cannons caused “severe damage to the vessel and injuries to Filipinos onboard.”
China, however, did not exactly “foil” the Philippine mission. Although the resupply ship was damaged, troops and essential supplies still made it to the BRP Sierra Madre after rigid-hulled inflatable boats were deployed by the grounded Navy ship.
“Nansha Qundao and its adjacent waters, including Ren’ai Jiao, have always been China’s territory. This is established in the long course of history, and complies with international law,” said the Chinese foreign ministry.
“The Philippines should immediately stop its infringement and provocation and refrain from undermining peace and stability in the South China Sea. If the Philippines insists on going its own way, China will continue to adopt resolute measures to safeguard its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests. The Philippines should be prepared to bear all potential consequences,” it added.
In an earlier statement, the CCG’s spokesperson Gan Yu also warned the Philippines against “playing with fire.”
“We warn the Philippines that playing with fire is an invitation of disgrace, and the China Coast Guard is ready at all times to defend the country’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests,” the CCG’s spokesperson had said.
Several countries and blocs – including Manila’s treaty ally United States, as well as Japan, the European Union, the United Kingdom, and Australia, among others – expressed concern over what was only the latest harassment of Philippine ships at the hands of the Chinese.
In a statement issued after the mission had wrapped up, the NTF-WPS slammed China for its “latest acts of unprovoked aggression, coercion, and dangerous maneuvers against a legitimate and routine Philippine RORE (rotation and resupply) mission to Ayungin Shoal.”
“The systematic and consistent manner in which the PRC continues to carry out these illegal and irresponsible actions belies its hollow claims to peace, dialogue, and adherence to international law,” the task force added.
The NTF-WPS said National Security Adviser Eduardo Año wants to convene a meeting with Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin and the National Security Cluster “for purposes of making recommendations to the President.”
“The actions of the agents of the PRC today in the waters of the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) show to the Filipino people, the region, and the world that the PRC recognizes no reasonable or legal restraint nor limitation upon its actions under international law. The Philippines shall continue to act peacefully and responsibly, consistent with international law, particularly UNCLOS and the legally binding 2016 Arbitral Award,” the task force, composed of representatives from different Philippine government agencies, said.
“The Philippines will not be deterred – by veiled threats or hostility – from exercising our legal rights over our maritime zones, including Ayungin Shoal, which forms part of our EEZ and continental shelf. We demand that China demonstrate in deeds and not in words that it is a responsible and trustworthy member of the international community,” it added.
In a statement on Monday, March 25, DFA spokesperson Teresita Daza said the department “remains committed to take all appropriate diplomatic actions to protest the violation of the Philippine sovereign rights and jurisdiction and violations of international law, particularly UNCLOS.” – Rappler.com
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With help from Paul Lee, Raymond Almazan rules inaugural 3-Point Shootout for bigs | delfin.dioquino editor | 23/03/2024 20:40 | CHAMPION. Raymond Almazan in action in the Big Men Three-Point Shootout during the 2024 PBA All-Star Weekend.
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BACOLOD, Philippines – Raymond Almazan ruled the first-ever Big Men Three-Point Shootout with a little help from his friend.
Almazan credited former teammate Paul Lee for some valuable tips as he bested 11 other participants in the contest that spiced up the PBA All-Star Weekend at the University of St. La Salle gym here on Saturday, March 23.
Lee, who played with Almazan in Rain or Shine and Gilas Pilipinas, is no stranger to the Three-Point Shootout, handily winning the title last year in Passi City, Iloilo, and finishing runner-up to Calvin Oftana this year.
“I want to thank Paul. Because of him, I know the strategy for the Three-Point Shootout that you cannot rush it. You need to get your rhythm and you need to get a good start,” said the Meralco center in a mix of Filipino and English.
Almazan topped the four-man final that also featured NLEX’s Dave Marcelo, Blackwater’s Christian David, and Terrafirma’s Isaac Go with 19 points after hitting his stride in the first three racks.
Missing his first three shots, Almazan sank 9 of the next 10 balls – including 5 money balls – as he turned the tables on his foes after barely making the championship round.
Go and David shared the lead in the elimination round with 20 points, while Almazan wound up in a tie with Marcelo with 17 points.
David and Go, though, fizzled out in the final as they finished third and fourth with 15 and 13 points, respectively, with Marcelo netting 16 points for second place.
“I did not expect the result because there are plenty of bigs who are shooters,” said Almazan.
Winning the contest and bagging the P30,000 prize made the trip to Bacolod worth it for Almazan, who needed to postpone his family vacation after being called up to replace his Bolts teammate Brandon Bates.
Almazan still managed to spend time with his family as his wife and son followed him to Bacolod and he won in front of them in the process.
“I’m so happy that I’m the first winner of this Three-Point Shootout. – Rappler.com
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Room to improve: Oftana still wants to be better after 3-Point Shootout reign | delfin.dioquino editor | 23/03/2024 22:35 | SHOOTER. Calvin Oftana in action in the Three-Point Shootout during the 2024 PBA All-Star Weekend.
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BACOLOD, Philippines – Calvin Oftana has already accomplished so much since he turned professional three years ago.
A champion with TNT, a PBA Mythical Team member, a Gilas Pilipinas cornerstone, and now a PBA All-Star, Oftana continues to enjoy immense success in his career.
It is probably because of his commitment to push his game to another level.
Oftana underscored the need to be better immediately after he dethroned Paul Lee for the Guards/Wings Three-Point Shootout crown during the PBA All-Star Weekend at the University of St. La Salle gym here on Saturday, March 23.
Firing 25 points in the finale, the Tropang Giga forward denied Lee a second straight title as the Magnolia ace settled for a runner-up finish with 20 points.
“It is a blessing and a privilege to win the Three-Point Shootout. But there is room to improve. I missed a lot of shots so I need to improve,” said Oftana in a mix of Filipino and English.
Oftana bucked a shaky start in the final that saw him hit the side of the backboard on his first shot before he found his groove.
He swept his second rack, sank three out of five balls in his money ball rack, and drained one of the two four-point balls on his way to title.
Meanwhile, Lee lost his touch in the final the same way Meralco’s Chris Newsome did after posting 26 points in the elimination round.
Newsome surprisingly topped the elimination round with 28 points but he mustered just 15 points in the final.
The last to shoot in the elimination round, Oftana narrowly made the next stage with 22 points, just edging Phoenix’s Kenneth Tuffin (20 points) for the last final spot.
Home bet James Yap, who hails from Escalante and played in Bacolod and Iloilo before making the jump to the bigger leagues, missed out on a third Three-Point Shootout title after netting just 17 points.
San Miguel’s Marcio Lassiter also ended up unsuccessful in his crack at the crown after eight tries as he missed the cut with 17 points.
Terrafirma’s Javi Gomez de Liaño (19 points), NorthPort’s Arvin Tolentino (19), Barangay Ginebra’s Maverick Ahanmisi (18), Converge’s Alec Stockton (18), Rain or Shine’s Andrei Caracut (17) also competed. – Rappler.com
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All-Star next? Justin Arana shines in RSJ Game as clear-cut MVP | delfin.dioquino editor | 23/03/2024 23:53 | MVP. Justin Arana in action for Team Greats in the RSJ Game during the 2024 PBA All-Star Weekend.
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BACOLOD, Philippines – It will no longer be a surprise if gifted big man Justin Arana makes the PBA All-Star Game next year.
Arana said he aims to play in the main event of the PBA All-Star Weekend after earning MVP honors in the Rookies-Sophomores-Juniors (RSJ) Game by powering Team Greats to a 142-133 win over Team Stalwarts at the University of St. La Salle gym here on Saturday, March 23.
“I do not think about it, but of course, I want to play in the All-Star,” said Arana in Filipino. “If I get lucky, that is a huge opportunity.”
Arana showed he is ready for the bigger stage as he shone the brightest in the clash that featured the finest first-to-third-year players in the league, dropping a game-high 36 points on top of 8 rebounds.
He erupted for 24 points in the first half that allowed Team Greats to mount a 78-73 lead then scattered 10 points in the fourth quarter to help his side fend off Team Stalwarts’ fightback.
The Rookie of the Year last season, Arana said the RSJ MVP award will serve as additional motivation for him to hammer away as his mother team Converge continues to struggle this season.
Although Arana is putting up notable numbers of 19.6 points, 6.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 1 block in the ongoing Philippine Cup, the FiberXers have yet to win, dropping all of their five games by an average of 16.2 points.
“I consider this as a confidence-booster,” said Arana.
TNT’s Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser backstopped Arana with 23 points, including the three-point dunk inside the final minute that kept Team Stalwarts at bay and determined the final tally.
Just like the All-Star Weekend last year, the PBA incorporated a four-point line in the All-Star and RSJ Games and rewarded dunks with 3 points.
Magnolia’s Jerrick Ahanmisi added 21 points for Team Greats.
TNT’s Kim Aurin showed the way for Team Stalwarts with 23 points, NorthPort’s JM Calma and Joshua Munzon put up 21 and 16 points, respectively, while Blackwater’s Christian David tallied 15 points.
NorthPort’s Fran Yu and Rain or Shine’s Santi Santillan added 12 points apiece in the loss.
Team Greats 142 – Arana 36, Ganuelas-Rosser 23, Ahanmisi 21, Stockton 9, Tuffin 8, Ildefonso 8, Laput 8, Caracut 8, Ilagan 8, Mamuyac 6, Cu 5, Gomez de Liano 2.
Team Stalwarts 133 – Aurin 23, Calma 22, Munzon 16, David 15, Yu 12, Santillan 12, Asistio 8, Zaldivar 7, Holt 7, Nocum 6, Amores 5.
Quarters: 39-45, 78-73, 109-106, 142-133.
– Rappler.com
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Choco Mucho bounces back, takes share of PVL top spot with PLDT after Antipolo sweeps | jisaga0269 | 23/03/2024 23:29 | STANDING TALL. Choco Mucho middle blocker Maddie Madayag (left) and PLDT spiker Savi Davison in action in the 2024 PVL All-Filipino Conference
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MANILA, Philippines – Fans at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City got a taste of quick PVL action as Choco Mucho, PLDT, and Galeries Tower all swept their respective assignments in the continuation of the 2024 All-Filipino Conference on Saturday, March 23.
Reigning MVP Sisi Rondina led the Flying Titans’ 25-17, 25-22, 25-21 bounce-back effort to rise to a 5-1 record with 13 points in limited time, while star blocker Maddie Madayag and fill-in starting opposite Royse Tubino each scored 11 in the main event rout of the Akari Chargers.
“We just talked over what happened in our last loss [against PLDT]. I told them we had something to gain there even though we lost,” said Choco Mucho head coach Dante Alinsunurin in Filipino. “We all learned from that kind of situation.”
In the second game of the triple-header, PLDT enjoyed a 21-point eruption from Fil-Canadian star Savie Davison as the High Speed Hitters also joined the 5-1 standings logjam alongside defending champion Creamline after blasting the 2-4 Farm Fresh Foxies, 25-9, 25-13, 25-21.
“I think we just needed to show up today and just not be complacent. We’re just doing our jobs, making it simple, and just controlling our side of the court. I’m very happy with the outcome, especially in the third set,” said Davison, who got support from Majoy Baron (11 points) and Kim Fajardo (13 excellent sets).
Meanwhile, Galeries clinched its first franchise winning streak up a 2-4 slate in the curtain-raiser after sending the winless Strong Group Athletics to its sixth straight loss, 25-17, 25-14, 25-12, thanks to a 16-point effort from resurgent spiker Graze Bombita.
“Although there’s a long way to go, this is still a milestone for us,” said Highrisers head coach Lerma Giron in Filipino. “Two wins for this conference already when before, we were already very happy to win one set.”
“I guess the players just have to keep on making the most of our training and adapt the system we’re trying to teach them all.”
Faith Nisperos led Akari’s losing effort down to a 2-4 record with 12 points, 10 excellent digs, and 12 excellent receptions, while Caitlin Viray scored 11 in Farm Fresh’s descent to a similar 2-4 slate.
Lastly, Sheeka Espinosa towed SGA in another forgettable setback with 7 points, as captain Dolly Versoza added 6. – Rappler.com
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EXPLAINER: What happens to Arnie Teves after arrest in Timor-Leste? | Jairo Bolledo | 23/03/2024 10:07 | MAN OF THE HOUR. Then-congressman Arnie Teves presides over a plenary session as House deputy speaker in March 2021.
House Press and Public Affairs Bureau
The Southeast Asian country Timor Leste has no extradition treaty with the Philippines, so it makes sense for a Philippine fugitive like former lawmaker Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr. to go into hiding there, as authorities here cannot easily request the country to extradite him.
But Teves, who is evading Philippine court warrants for murder charges over the killing of former Negros Oriental governor Roel Degamo, was finally arrested after months of hiding in Dili, Timor-Leste on Thursday, March 21.
Teves was living the good life, playing golf at the Top Golf Driving Range and Bar, when he was arrested by the Timor Leste police. How did it happen?
The former lawmaker was arrested through collaboration between the International Police’s (Interpol) National Central Bureau (NCB) in Dili and the Timorese police.
Teves was on the Interpol’s red notice alert.
An Interpol red notice alert does not serve as an international arrest warrant. However, Interpol’s international mechanism requires members to cooperate with its processes.
It is up to each member-state to assess the value of a red notice and how its officers will enforce arrests, the Interpol said.
Because both the Philippines and Timor-Leste are members of Interpol, Timor Leste was expected to act as a member would: arrest and provisionally detain Teves, who was on the red notice alert, while waiting for extradition, surrender, or any other legal action.
But without an extradition treaty, and a possible refusal by Teves to surrender, what happens next?
Department of Justice spokesperson Assistant Secretary Mico Clavano said an extradition can still be possible through the United Nations Convention on Transnational Organized Crime or UNTOC, a treaty signed by both the Philippines and Timor Leste, and which provides for new frameworks for extradition.
“Pero mas mahaba nga siyang process. Mas mahaba siya (But it’s a longer process, it’s longer),” Clavano explained.
“Kung sa extradition po kasi, magiging international obligation ‘yon, which means that it will take some time dahil may mga document,” he added. (In extradition, it will become an international obligation, which means that it will take some time because there would be documents needed.)
“Kung deportation naman, mas mabalis na proseso ‘yun dahil wala naman po siyang passport. Wala na siyang valid passport. Although the timing will have to be dependent on the Timor-Leste government (Deportation would be a much faster process because Teves no longer has a passport. He doesn’t have a valid passport anymore),” Clavano said.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has confirmed that Teves’ passport is now canceled, and without a passport, it would be hard for him as a foreigner in Timor Leste to remain there. Teves tried to apply for political asylum in Timor Leste, but he was denied.
Clavano said that a meeting has already been held by the Timorese government and Philippine delegation to discuss the “most feasible, fastest, and safest way” to bring Teves back to the Philippines.
Ferdinand Topacio, Teves’ lawyer, said his client’s detention was extended for a maximum of 15 days “or for the possible duration of the trial.”
“Visitors allowed are his lawyers and close Filipino friend pre-screened by the [Timor-Leste] authorities, and others, upon the consent of Mr. Teves,” Topacio said on Saturday, March 23.
The Teves controversy is an interesting case for how international mechanisms can work to arrest a person if the case transcends jurisdiction.
What Teves’ case shows is that Timor Leste cooperated with the Interpol in enforcing his arrest. The biggest flaw in international law is the lack of cooperation of countries.
The United States is a member of the Interpol, so in the event that Apollo Quiboloy, who is wanted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, is put on the red alert notice, it bears watching whether the Philippines or any other member country will arrest him to aid the US. Washington and Manila also have an extradition treaty.
Quiboloy’s close friend, and now new owner of his properties, former president Rodrigo Duterte, may be the subject of an International Criminal Court (ICC) probe into the killings of the so-called Davao Death Squad during Duterte’s time as Davao City mayor, and war-on-drugs killings during his term as president.
If the ICC issues an arrest warrant against Duterte – which he is already speculating it would – the big question is how the Philippines can enforce such a warrant when the country is no longer a member of the ICC.
But the ICC has an agreement with the Interpol. The Court can also request the subjects of its warrant to be put on the red notice alert. If that happens for Duterte, the Interpol can now request its 196 member-countries to cooperate, and possibly arrest and detain the subject on their behalf.
China, although not a member of the ICC, is an Interpol member. The goal of these different international mechanisms is to make the world smaller for fugitives and criminals. – Rappler.com
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After Ayungin harassment, China tells PH: Prepare ‘to bear all potential consequences’ | Jairo Bolledo | 23/03/2024 21:17 | INCIDENT. Chinese ships encircle a Philippine Coast Guard ship on March 23, 2024.
Philippine Coast Guard
MANILA, Philippines – Beijing on Saturday, March 23, warned Manila that it “should be prepared to bear all potential consequences” if it “insists on going its own way,” just hours after China Coast Guard (CCG) ships blocked, harassed, and used water cannons against Philippine vessels trying to bring personnel and supplies to the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal.
The Sierra Madre, a World War II ship purposefully run aground in 1999, serves as a military outpost in Ayungin Shoal, also known as Second Thomas Shoal. It is located some 120 nautical miles off the coast of Palawan, which means it is well within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, referred to as the West Philippine Sea.
China claims practically all of the South China Sea, including the West Philippine Sea, in defiance of a 2016 arbitral ruling that deemed its claim invalid.
China’s foreign ministry spokesperson said the Philippines “[intruded] into the adjacent waters of Ren’ai Jiao of China’s Nansha Qundao” – their names for Ayungin Shoal and the Spratlys.
“China Coast Guard took necessary measures at sea to safeguard our rights, firmly obstructed the Philippines’ vessels, and foiled the Philippines’ attempt,” the ministry spokesperson said in a statement for media.
By “firmly obstructed,” Beijing was referring to the use of dangerous maneuvers at sea, including at least one instance where a CCG ship sailed in reverse in an attempt to block the Unaizah May 4, a civilian ship that the Navy uses to bring supplies and troops to the BRP Sierra Madre. CCG vessels also used water cannons against the Unaizah May 4, the same wooden vessel it damaged during a resupply mission earlier in March.
The Philippines’ National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) said China’s use of water cannons caused “severe damage to the vessel and injuries to Filipinos onboard.”
China, however, did not exactly “foil” the Philippine mission. Although the resupply ship was damaged, troops and essential supplies still made it to the BRP Sierra Madre after rigid-hulled inflatable boats were deployed by the grounded Navy ship.
“Nansha Qundao and its adjacent waters, including Ren’ai Jiao, have always been China’s territory. This is established in the long course of history, and complies with international law,” said the Chinese foreign ministry.
“The Philippines should immediately stop its infringement and provocation and refrain from undermining peace and stability in the South China Sea. If the Philippines insists on going its own way, China will continue to adopt resolute measures to safeguard its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests. The Philippines should be prepared to bear all potential consequences,” it added.
In an earlier statement, the CCG’s spokesperson Gan Yu also warned the Philippines against “playing with fire.”
“We warn the Philippines that playing with fire is an invitation of disgrace, and the China Coast Guard is ready at all times to defend the country’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests,” the CCG’s spokesperson had said.
Several countries and blocs – including Manila’s treaty ally United States, as well as Japan, the European Union, the United Kingdom, and Australia, among others – expressed concern over what was only the latest harassment of Philippine ships at the hands of the Chinese.
In a statement issued after the mission had wrapped up, the NTF-WPS slammed China for its “latest acts of unprovoked aggression, coercion, and dangerous maneuvers against a legitimate and routine Philippine RORE (rotation and resupply) mission to Ayungin Shoal.”
“The systematic and consistent manner in which the PRC continues to carry out these illegal and irresponsible actions belies its hollow claims to peace, dialogue, and adherence to international law,” the task force added.
The NTF-WPS said National Security Adviser Eduardo Año wants to convene a meeting with Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin and the National Security Cluster “for purposes of making recommendations to the President.”
“The actions of the agents of the PRC today in the waters of the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) show to the Filipino people, the region, and the world that the PRC recognizes no reasonable or legal restraint nor limitation upon its actions under international law. The Philippines shall continue to act peacefully and responsibly, consistent with international law, particularly UNCLOS and the legally binding 2016 Arbitral Award,” the task force, composed of representatives from different Philippine government agencies, said.
“The Philippines will not be deterred – by veiled threats or hostility – from exercising our legal rights over our maritime zones, including Ayungin Shoal, which forms part of our EEZ and continental shelf. We demand that China demonstrate in deeds and not in words that it is a responsible and trustworthy member of the international community,” it added.
In a statement on Monday, March 25, DFA spokesperson Teresita Daza said the department “remains committed to take all appropriate diplomatic actions to protest the violation of the Philippine sovereign rights and jurisdiction and violations of international law, particularly UNCLOS.” – Rappler.com
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After Ayungin harassment, China tells PH: Prepare ‘to bear all potential consequences’ | Jairo Bolledo | 23/03/2024 21:17 | INCIDENT. Chinese ships encircle a Philippine Coast Guard ship on March 23, 2024.
Philippine Coast Guard
MANILA, Philippines – Beijing on Saturday, March 23, warned Manila that it “should be prepared to bear all potential consequences” if it “insists on going its own way,” just hours after China Coast Guard (CCG) ships blocked, harassed, and used water cannons against Philippine vessels trying to bring personnel and supplies to the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal.
The Sierra Madre, a World War II ship purposefully run aground in 1999, serves as a military outpost in Ayungin Shoal, also known as Second Thomas Shoal. It is located some 120 nautical miles off the coast of Palawan, which means it is well within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, referred to as the West Philippine Sea.
China claims practically all of the South China Sea, including the West Philippine Sea, in defiance of a 2016 arbitral ruling that deemed its claim invalid.
China’s foreign ministry spokesperson said the Philippines “[intruded] into the adjacent waters of Ren’ai Jiao of China’s Nansha Qundao” – their names for Ayungin Shoal and the Spratlys.
“China Coast Guard took necessary measures at sea to safeguard our rights, firmly obstructed the Philippines’ vessels, and foiled the Philippines’ attempt,” the ministry spokesperson said in a statement for media.
By “firmly obstructed,” Beijing was referring to the use of dangerous maneuvers at sea, including at least one instance where a CCG ship sailed in reverse in an attempt to block the Unaizah May 4, a civilian ship that the Navy uses to bring supplies and troops to the BRP Sierra Madre. CCG vessels also used water cannons against the Unaizah May 4, the same wooden vessel it damaged during a resupply mission earlier in March.
The Philippines’ National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) said China’s use of water cannons caused “severe damage to the vessel and injuries to Filipinos onboard.”
China, however, did not exactly “foil” the Philippine mission. Although the resupply ship was damaged, troops and essential supplies still made it to the BRP Sierra Madre after rigid-hulled inflatable boats were deployed by the grounded Navy ship.
“Nansha Qundao and its adjacent waters, including Ren’ai Jiao, have always been China’s territory. This is established in the long course of history, and complies with international law,” said the Chinese foreign ministry.
“The Philippines should immediately stop its infringement and provocation and refrain from undermining peace and stability in the South China Sea. If the Philippines insists on going its own way, China will continue to adopt resolute measures to safeguard its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests. The Philippines should be prepared to bear all potential consequences,” it added.
In an earlier statement, the CCG’s spokesperson Gan Yu also warned the Philippines against “playing with fire.”
“We warn the Philippines that playing with fire is an invitation of disgrace, and the China Coast Guard is ready at all times to defend the country’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests,” the CCG’s spokesperson had said.
Several countries and blocs – including Manila’s treaty ally United States, as well as Japan, the European Union, the United Kingdom, and Australia, among others – expressed concern over what was only the latest harassment of Philippine ships at the hands of the Chinese.
In a statement issued after the mission had wrapped up, the NTF-WPS slammed China for its “latest acts of unprovoked aggression, coercion, and dangerous maneuvers against a legitimate and routine Philippine RORE (rotation and resupply) mission to Ayungin Shoal.”
“The systematic and consistent manner in which the PRC continues to carry out these illegal and irresponsible actions belies its hollow claims to peace, dialogue, and adherence to international law,” the task force added.
The NTF-WPS said National Security Adviser Eduardo Año wants to convene a meeting with Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin and the National Security Cluster “for purposes of making recommendations to the President.”
“The actions of the agents of the PRC today in the waters of the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) show to the Filipino people, the region, and the world that the PRC recognizes no reasonable or legal restraint nor limitation upon its actions under international law. The Philippines shall continue to act peacefully and responsibly, consistent with international law, particularly UNCLOS and the legally binding 2016 Arbitral Award,” the task force, composed of representatives from different Philippine government agencies, said.
“The Philippines will not be deterred – by veiled threats or hostility – from exercising our legal rights over our maritime zones, including Ayungin Shoal, which forms part of our EEZ and continental shelf. We demand that China demonstrate in deeds and not in words that it is a responsible and trustworthy member of the international community,” it added.
In a statement on Monday, March 25, DFA spokesperson Teresita Daza said the department “remains committed to take all appropriate diplomatic actions to protest the violation of the Philippine sovereign rights and jurisdiction and violations of international law, particularly UNCLOS.” – Rappler.com
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[Vantage Point] POGOs, the quintessential milking cow | Jairo Bolledo | 23/03/2024 19:00 | Alejandro Edoria/Rappler
Questions over the legitimacy of the raid conducted by elements of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) on the headquarters of Zun Yuan Technology Incorporated at A1 Commercial Bldg. in Bamban, Tarlac, on March 13 are now being raised, and for a slew of reasons.
There is no point denying it. Zun Yuan Technology is engaged in online gambling. The company and others like it were previously known as POGOs (Philippine offshore gaming operators), an acronym that gained an unsavory reputation, which is why the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) has adopted the innocuous-sounding internet gaming licensees (IGLs) as replacement.
It was then-president Rodrigo Duterte who turned the country into an internet gambling mecca in defiance of his overlord, President Xi Jinping, who wanted to stop the flow of capital from mainland China to the Philippines and other countries in Southeast Asia.
Despite backlash against the operations of offshore gambling firms in the Philippines, the government has given POGOs the legal legs to freely operate in several areas in the county in exchange for outright revenues through taxation. Because of their successful money-making operations, these online gambling operators have become the favorite whipping boy of corrupt law enforcers, with many POGO personnel often the target of extortion. Stricter regulation, increased taxation, and even outright bans on POGO activities due to their perceived negative impact on society have all been swept under the rug.
The rapid expansion of POGOs in the country comes at a price. It has put a strain on local infrastructure, including transportation, utilities, and housing. The adverse effects include displacement of local residents due to rising property prices, increased crime rates in areas with high concentrations of POGO establishments, and the negative impact on local businesses.
But since POGOs have been given the legal cover to exist, those against these offshore gambling operators couldn’t do anything but suffer the consequences. It is against this backdrop that corrupt law enforcers are able to pick on POGO operations for instant cash.
Operational lapses committed during the Tarlac raid of Zun Yuan – intentional or otherwise – have opened the law enforcement agents involved in the raid to charges of attempting to shake down the company, which is admittedly a money-making machine.
Consider the facts.
Until the operation was well underway, the Bamban Police was kept in the dark, as was the barangay chairman in the area. Neither was the raid coordinated with the regional PNP command in San Fernando, Pampanga, which has jurisdiction over all police districts in Tarlac and all the provinces in Central Luzon.
Most troubling of all, the company said, the CCTV system was disabled and the footage of the raid destroyed.
The raid was carried out on the strength of two search warrants, issued by the executive judge of the Bulacan Regional Trial Court, for human trafficking and illegal detention – accusations the company claims were ridiculous and baseless.
Company spokesman Jonathan Mendoza said the PNP operation came as a complete surprise, adding that Zun Yuan Technology has always maintained an open communication line with the government, especially law enforcement agencies, at the local, provincial, and national levels.
“In fact,” Mendoza pointed out, “the company had even hosted the PNP, particularly the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group and the PAOCC, on March 5, or a little more than a week before the raid.”
For several hours during the visit, Mendoza said, the agents got to interact with company officials and watched employees demonstrate online betting.
“If someone was being trafficked and illegally detained, the operatives would have discovered the crimes,” he noted. “They had been given a run of the place.”
According to Mendoza, Zun Yuan had already answered the allegation made by two company employees, a Vietnamese and a Malaysian, that they had escaped from detention in the facility. “The employees did not escape. They were kicked out of the premises and their services terminated when they refused to settle their debts from establishments operating in and around the compound and from their fellow employees.”
Following the raid, company officials were denied entry into the building. They were prevented from conducting an inventory of computers and other high-value equipment, including a vault in which the company kept important documents and cash amounting to tens of millions of pesos.
The PNP and PAOCC made a big deal about the firearms confiscated during the raid, although no assault rifles or high-caliber guns were reported in the mix. All were shotguns that belonged to the security agency employed by Zun Yuan, and not owned by the company itself.
Mendoza said Zun Yuan Technology’s operation is aboveboard. It does business under a provisional internet gaming license issued by the Pagcor in October 2023.
He said the crimes that the inter-agency task force was supposed to stop were nonexistent. All Filipino citizens and foreign nationals, mostly Chinese and Vietnamese, employed by the company were free to move around. Until the agents swooped down on them, these employees came and went as they pleased.
Mendoza maintained that there was no legal justification for the raid. He said what the raid accomplished was to deprive people of their livelihood. Of those who lost their jobs as a result of the raid were 700 Filipinos working as administrative staff, customer service representatives, security guards, and housekeepers, who were given salaries ranging from P20,000 to P35,000 a month.
Also adversely affected were owners of small restaurants, fruit stands, laundromats, and sari-sari stores in the immediate vicinity. Most of these establishments have since closed down for lack of customers.
The government stands to lose a substantial amount of revenue as well, Mendoza claimed. Zun Yuan Technology’s finance department, he said was poised to remit to the government P15 million, representing corporate taxes from October 2023, when it was granted a provisional license to operate, to April 2024, when payment becomes due. Now, the amount would have to be adjusted downward.
He added the company was also committed to donate one fire truck to the Bamban municipal government and two school buses for Aeta children once it obtained a regular license. A monthly donation of rice to poor communities was also in the works.
And this is the crux of the problem. POGOs have the legal leg to stand on, given the various licenses to operate that they easily obtain from the government. Never mind one’s moral viewpoint about gambling – the fact remains that an IGL or POGO brings in money to the national coffers.
China is like a giant sponge that soaks up capital from the Philippines by persuading corrupt government officials to undertake vanity projects, which it finances with loans of high-interest rates. On the other hand, online gaming directs the flow in the opposite direction, from China to the Philippines.
Online gaming targets wealthy Chinese in the mainland, draining the country’s resources, which is why Xi Jinping wants internet gambling shut down. – Rappler.com
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First: “It was then-president Rodrigo Duterte who turned the country into an internet gambling mecca in defiance of his overlord, President Xi Jinping.” So, former President Digong is not 100% subservient to President Xi Jinping when monetary consideration is given greater priority. Or part of the POGO income under FPRRD was returned to China, not through its government but in the pocket of President Xi Jinping. Secondly, the lack of coordination between the Philippine National Police (PNP)-CIDG, the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC), and the Bamban PNP and Regional PNP Command is reminiscent of the Mamasapano incident. This points to a lack of trust among these groups, just like in the incident. This resulted in a group or number of groups that would like to get the upper hand or resolve an inequitable distribution of amassed wealth coveted by corruption.
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Exploring the culinary heritage of Pampanga | Joann Manabat - CMS | 23/03/2024 19:36 | KAPAMPANGAN FOOD CONFERENCE. The First International Conference on Kapampangan Cuisine and Food Tourism was held at the Holy Angel University in Angeles City last March 21 and 22.
Rappler
ANGELES CITY, Philippines – From simple home-cooked meals to the specialties of local eateries and restaurants, Pampanga has through the years established itself as both the culinary capital and the culinary heartland of the Philippines.
The Center for Kapampangan Studies (CKS) spearheaded the First International Conference on Kapampangan Cuisine and Food Tourism on March 21 and 22 at Holy Angel University.
CKS director Robert Tantingco said the conference was a modest celebration of the goodness and originality of the Kapampangan cuisine. Pampanga is home to a myriad of delicious and iconic Filipino food, from adobo, sisig, bulanglang, and kalderetang kambing to exotic foods like betute and kamaru.
Tantingco noted that the titles “Culinary Capital of the Philippines” and “Culinary Heartland of the Philippines” did not come from the Kapampangans.
“These titles were from popular acclaim and an article by the global media company, Conde Nast, when it wrote about Pampanga,” Tantingco said.
“For the longest time, we have called our cuisine the best and we have considered ourselves as the best cooks, but we should go beyond that already. We need to study its past, present, and future so that we can unlock lessons to be learned from it and maybe learn more about ourselves,” he added.
The conference featured 35 parallel sessions and 10 plenary sessions on Pampanga’s culinary history, culture, food, and traditions.
It brought together people from different walks of life to discuss how to improve the conditions that contribute to Pampanga’s food tourism and safeguard the heritage of the Kapampangan cuisine.
The chefs, researchers, and historians of the Kapampangan culinary industry also brought to the table new perspectives, new insights, and deeper conversations on the evolution of the cuisine
It goes all the way back to the 1600s, when Pampanga became the “food basket,” according to chef Claude Tayag. He said back then, the Spaniards depended on the food supply coming from Pampanga for the survival of their colony in Manila.
“The fertility of the land and the industry of the people, plus, they live in the waterways. There were barters and payment of taxes were in kind. That’s how it started,” Tayag shared.
“There was no official declaration by the government. But over the centuries, the access – with the water as transportation – and the exposure of the foreigners, even after the Spaniards left all, contributed to what is now our culinary heritage,” he added.
Tayag said over the years, Kapampangans learned to distinguish and appreciate different flavors, as evident in Pampanga’s fermented food such as burong isda, burong hipon, burong talangka, and burong mangga.
Philippine Culinary Heritage Movement founder, Kapampangan chef Jam Melchor, said Kapampangan cuisine has the potential to motivate other regional food cultures in the country as it stands as a beacon of culinary excellence, cultural conservation, and community involvement.
“The future of Kapampangan food is bright, driven by a balance of innovation, preservation initiatives, global influence, culinary tourism, and a commitment to sustainability and health,” Melchor said.
“Our cuisine will undoubtedly remain a cherished part of the Philippines’ landscape – as its culinary heartland.” – Rappler.com
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With help from Paul Lee, Raymond Almazan rules inaugural 3-Point Shootout for bigs | delfin.dioquino editor | 23/03/2024 20:40 | CHAMPION. Raymond Almazan in action in the Big Men Three-Point Shootout during the 2024 PBA All-Star Weekend.
PBA Images
BACOLOD, Philippines – Raymond Almazan ruled the first-ever Big Men Three-Point Shootout with a little help from his friend.
Almazan credited former teammate Paul Lee for some valuable tips as he bested 11 other participants in the contest that spiced up the PBA All-Star Weekend at the University of St. La Salle gym here on Saturday, March 23.
Lee, who played with Almazan in Rain or Shine and Gilas Pilipinas, is no stranger to the Three-Point Shootout, handily winning the title last year in Passi City, Iloilo, and finishing runner-up to Calvin Oftana this year.
“I want to thank Paul. Because of him, I know the strategy for the Three-Point Shootout that you cannot rush it. You need to get your rhythm and you need to get a good start,” said the Meralco center in a mix of Filipino and English.
Almazan topped the four-man final that also featured NLEX’s Dave Marcelo, Blackwater’s Christian David, and Terrafirma’s Isaac Go with 19 points after hitting his stride in the first three racks.
Missing his first three shots, Almazan sank 9 of the next 10 balls – including 5 money balls – as he turned the tables on his foes after barely making the championship round.
Go and David shared the lead in the elimination round with 20 points, while Almazan wound up in a tie with Marcelo with 17 points.
David and Go, though, fizzled out in the final as they finished third and fourth with 15 and 13 points, respectively, with Marcelo netting 16 points for second place.
“I did not expect the result because there are plenty of bigs who are shooters,” said Almazan.
Winning the contest and bagging the P30,000 prize made the trip to Bacolod worth it for Almazan, who needed to postpone his family vacation after being called up to replace his Bolts teammate Brandon Bates.
Almazan still managed to spend time with his family as his wife and son followed him to Bacolod and he won in front of them in the process.
“I’m so happy that I’m the first winner of this Three-Point Shootout. – Rappler.com
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Results, team standings: UAAP Season 86 volleyball | Jasmine Payo | 5/5/2024 21:02 | ROARING. NU's Bella Belen (left) and Alyssa Solomon react in the UAAP Season 86 women's volleyball finals
UAAP Season 86 Media Team
MANILA, Philippines – The UAAP Season 86 volleyball tournaments reach a tipping point with the men’s and women’s finals!
LOOK: UAAP volleyball championship schedule
Here are the results in the men’s and women’s divisions:
MAY 15
May 11
MAY 8
MAY 5
MAY 4
MAY 8
MAY 5
MAY 4
** – Twice-to-beat* – Final Fourx – Eliminated
APRIL 27
APRIL 24
APRIL 21
APRIL 20
APRIL 17
APRIL 14
APRIL 13
APRIL 10
APRIL 9
APRIL 4
APRIL 3
MARCH 24
MARCH 23
MARCH 20
First round
MARCH 17
MARCH 16
MARCH 13
MARCH 10
MARCH 9
MARCH 6
MARCH 3
MARCH 2
FEBRUARY 28
FEBRUARY 25
FEBRUARY 24
FEBRUARY 21
FEBRUARY 18
FEBRUARY 17
** – Twice-to-beat* – Final Fourx – Eliminated
APRIL 27
APRIL 24
APRIL 21
APRIL 20
APRIL 17
APRIL 14
APRIL 13
APRIL 10
APRIL 9
APRIL 4
APRIL 3
MARCH 24
MARCH 23
MARCH 20
First round
MARCH 17
MARCH 16
MARCH 13
MARCH 10
MARCH 9
MARCH 6
MARCH 3
MARCH 2
FEBRUARY 28
FEBRUARY 25
FEBRUARY 24
FEBRUARY 21
FEBRUARY 18
FEBRUARY 17
– Rappler.com
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Sweet repeat: Letran bags back-to-back NCAA juniors basketball crowns | Jasmine Payo | 23/03/2024 15:06 | TAKE CHARGE. NCAA Finals MVP and Letran team captain Jonathan Manalili soars for a shot against the Perpetual defense.
NCAA/GMA SPORTS
MANILA, Philippines – After ending a 22-year championship drought last season, the Letran Squires made it two in a row this time.
Dominant in the decider, Letran rolled past Perpetual Help, 93-76, in the do-or-die Game 3 to complete its title defense in the NCAA Season 99 juniors basketball tournament on Saturday, March 23, at the FilOil EcoOil Arena.
Syrex Silorio delivered a performance to remember with 27 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists to power the Squires – more than making up for a nightmarish Game 2 where he missed a pair of free throws in the dying seconds, allowing the Junior Altas to escape, 91-90.
Jonathan Manalili also bounced back from a subpar Game 2 outing with 19 points on top of 5 assists and 6 steals.
Manalili, the Cebuano guard who erupted for 35 points in Letran’s 97-80 Game 1 triumph, captured the Finals MVP.
“This is so sweet for us because not many expected that we would reach the Final Four and go to the championship,” said Letran coach Allen Ricardo, who lost key players from last year’s champion team.
“I just told the players to work hard so we’ll have no regrets.”
Last season, Letran bagged the crown for the first time since 2001 after sweeping La Salle Green Hills in the finals.
With their latest title romp, the Squires captured their 14th overall title, the third most in the league behind San Beda’s 23 and Mapua’s 20.
Daniel Padilla added 17 points for Letran, and Mythical Team member George Diamante also had an all-around game of 9 points, 11 boards, and 8 assists.
But Silorio, a standout big man from Marbel, delivered the key blows to help the Squires pull away in twin digits early.
Jan Pagulayan, Amiel Acido, and Icee Callangan scored 16 each to pace the Altas, who finished one win short of claiming a breakthrough high school basketball championship.
Letran 93 – Silorio 27, Manalili 19, Padilla 17, Diamante 9, Baliling 7, Navarro 5, Hugo 5, Cruz 3, Villanueva 1, Gazzingan 0, Alforque 0
Perpetual 76 – Callangan 16, Pagulayan 16, Acido 16, Gojo Cruz 9, Roluna 5, Daep 4, Borja 3, Asuncion 3, Valencia 2, Diaz 2, Salvo 0, Baldoria 0
Quarters: 24-18, 49-38, 69-58, 93-76.
– Rappler.com
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WATCH: Bontoc Ili community performs rain ritual amid drought, forest fires | Mia Gonzalez | 23/03/2024 12:25 | MANERWEP. The community of Bontoc Ili, led by Ato Sipa-at and Ato Lao-ingan from Chakalan, turned to their ancient traditions for solace and intervention by performing the 'Manerwap' ritual, a revered practice among the Bontok people to invoke rain during times of drought.
Screengrab from Municipality of Bontoc video
MOUNTAIN PROVINCE, Philippines – Amid the severe drought and a string of forest fires, the community of Bontoc Ili, led by Ato Sipa-at and Ato Lao-ingan from Chakalan, turned to their ancient traditions for solace and intervention by performing the “Manerwap” ritual, a revered practice among the Bontok people to invoke rain during times of drought.
This decision came in the wake of devastating forest fires, with the Bontoc Municipality Fire Station reporting 29 incidents since January, prompting community leaders to seek both traditional and modern solutions to the escalating environmental crisis.
Bontoc Mayor Jerome “Chagsen” Tudlong Jr., along with elders and barangay officials, convened on March 19 to deliberate on the traditional ritual’s conduct and further actions.
“The Manerwap ritual is not just about seeking rain. It’s a testament to our deep connection with nature and our ancestors’ wisdom. We stand united in our efforts to safeguard our community and our lands,” Tudlong said.
Highlighting the ritual’s significance, the elders embarked on a ceremonial journey to sacred mountains, offering prayers to Lumawig (God), and presenting wine and tobacco to honor the ancestors, accompanied by the unified sound of gongs – a symbol of unity and spiritual connection.
In a proactive response to the recent calamities, the barangay declared “Tengaw” or cultural lockdown on March 20, facilitating an emergency meeting to address the forest fire menace. This declaration underscores the community’s commitment to a harmonious blend of cultural traditions and modern strategies in combating environmental threats.
Tudlong also took the initiative to convene officials, community members, and representatives from concerned offices at the Bontoc Ili Barangay Hall. The discussion focused on comprehensive strategies, including the recruitment of “Bantay Gubat” personnel to strengthen the municipality’s firefighting efforts and the strict enforcement of ordinances penalizing fire hazards.
The mayor further announced additional funding for installing fire hydrants in the barangay, enhancing local firefighting capabilities. “It’s imperative that we combine our ancestral practices with modern measures to effectively address these challenges,” Tudlong added.
Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer Johanna Padaen highlighted the gravity of the situation with a report of nearly 30 forest fires since the start of the year.
Bontoc Ili Punong Barangay Eva Mila Fana-ang shared that penalties were imposed on two individuals under the Barangay Ordinance for contributing to fire hazards, reflecting the community’s determination to enforce regulations strictly.
Echoing the mayor’s call for community cooperation, Sangguniang Bayan Members Timothy Pongad Jr. and Viola Okko urged public vigilance and participation in preventing further forest fires.
“Every member of our community has a role to play in safeguarding our environment. Together, we can overcome these adversities,” they said. – Rappler.com
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China causes ‘heavy damage’ on Philippine resupply ship in Ayungin Shoal – AFP | Bea Cupin | 23/03/2024 10:44 | WATER CANNON. A China Coast Guard ship uses a water cannon against the Unaizah May 4, a wooden boat contracted by the Philippine military to bring supplies to the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal, on March 23, 2024.
Screengrab from Armed Forces of the Philippines video
MANILA, Philippines – The China Coast Guard (CCG) on Saturday, March 23, used water cannons against a Philippine resupply boat that was en route to the BRP Sierra Madre, a makeshift Philippine military outpost in Ayungin Shoal, the Philippine military said.
The boat, the wooden Unaizah May 4, “sustained heavy damages at around 08:52 due to the continued blasting of water cannons from the CCG vessels,” the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said in a press statement on Saturday.
Videos from the AFP suggest China used water cannons against the much-smaller Unaizah May 4 beginning 7:59 am, during a routine rotation and resupply (RORE) mission to the Sierra Madre, a World War II ship purposefully run aground in 1999 in Ayungin Shoal.
Ayungin Shoal or Second Thomas Shoal is a feature in the South China Sea that is within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ), an area Manila calls the West Philippine Sea.
Before the China Coast Guard started using water cannons on the Unaizah May 4, the PCG’s BRP Cabra, a vessel assigned to escort the supply vessel, was “impeded and encircled” by a China Coast Guard vessel and two Chinese Maritime Militia (CMM) ships, the AFP said.
The CMM is a fishing fleet that China uses in the West Philippine Sea to augment its coast guard forces.
The AFP said that early as 6:08 am, a China Coast Guard ship had already performed a “dangerous maneuver” by crossing the bow of the Unaizah May 4.
An hour later, at around 7:09 am, video from the AFP shows a China Coast Guard ship sailing in reverse in an attempt to block the Unaizah May 4. The AFP said this caused a “near collision.”
While the Unaizah May 4 was unable to continue its mission because of “severe damage” from the direct blast of water cannons, the Philippines was still able to bring personnel and essential cargo to the Sierra Madre.
The AFP said six Navy personnel and cargo were transferred from the Unaizah May 4 and the BRP Cabra to a rigid-hulled inflatable boat deployed by the BRP Sierra Madre.
“They arrived and moored at the starboard side of LS57 at 11:59 am,” said the AFP.
The military also noted that a Chinese Maritime Militia boat, with the help of Chinese rigid-hulled inflatable boat, “deployed and installed floating barriers to prevent further entry of any vessels in the shoal.”
National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) said in a statement that some personnel were injured and were given medical attention once moved to the Philippine Coast Guard vessel.
“The People’s Republic of China’s (PRC’s) latest acts of unprovoked aggression, coercion, and dangerous maneuvers against a legitimate and routine Philippine RoRe mission to Ayungin Shoal, have once again placed at risk, caused severe damage to property, and caused physical harm to Filipinos on board UM4,” the NTF-WPS said.
The NTF-WPS said that “the systematic and consistent manner in which the PRC continues to carry out these illegal and irresponsible actions belies its hollow claims to peace, dialogue, and adherence to international law.”
The NTF-WPS said that National Security Adviser Eduardo Año has requested a meeting on Monday, March 25, with Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin and the National Security Cluster “for purposes of making recommendations to the President” in relation to the latest incident.
“The actions of the agents of the PRC today in the waters of the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) show to the Filipino people, the region, and the world that the PRC recognizes no reasonable or legal restraint nor limitation upon its actions under international law,” the task force said.
“The Philippines will not be deterred – by veiled threats or hostility – from exercising our legal rights over our maritime zones, including Ayungin Shoal which forms part of our EEZ and continental shelf. We demand that China demonstrate in deeds and not in words that it is a responsible and trustworthy member of the international community,” it added.
The NTF-WPS said that the Philippines “shall continue to act peacefully and responsibly, consistent with international law, particularly UNCLOS and the legally binding 2016 Arbitral Award.”
“Peace and stability cannot be achieved without due regard for the legitimate, well-established, and legally settled rights of others,” it added.
Gan Yu, a spokesperson for China’s coast guard, said the Philippines broke a promise to remove the grounded vessel and sent two coast guard ships and a supply ship into the Second Thomas Shoal waters, 18 days after the last round of supplies.
China has not said who promised the removal or when that promise was made. The Philippines’ defense ministry, foreign ministry and military leaders have repeatedly said there was no such promise.
On Saturday, Gan said, the Philippines infringed and provoked trouble, and deliberately undermined the peace and stability of the South China Sea.
The Philippine vessels ignored China’s repeated warnings and route controls and forced their way in, he said. The China coast guard implements regulations in accordance with laws, and handles matters in a reasonable, legal, and professional manner, Gan said.
In August 2023, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. refuted China’s claim that the Philippine government had agreed to remove the BRP Sierra Madre from Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea, and if any had been made, he was rescinding it.
National Security Council Assistant Director-General Jonathan Malaya had earlier called China’s assertion a “figment of their imagination.”
The Philippines has sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea – meaning it has the exclusive right to exploit and take care of resources in those areas. But China claims practically all of the South China Sea, including the West Philippine Sea, ignoring a 2016 Arbitral Ruling that deemed that claim invalid.
For the first time since launching its “transparency initiative” in the West Philippine Sea – an effort to expose Chinese activities in the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone – both the Philippine Coast Guard and the AFP released to the media near real-time updates and video of the mission.
Past midnight on March 23, the AFP announced that the Unaizah May 4 was again tapped to “complete its mission to sustain Philippine troops stationed at BRP Sierra Madre.” The boat, a civilian ship that the Navy contracts to bring supplies and troops to the Sierra Madre, was subject to the water cannons of two China Coast Guard ships during a mission earlier in March.
The impact from the water cannons shattered the wind shield of the Unaizah May 4, injuring four Navy personnel.
The AFP also announced that two Philippine Navy ships, on top of the usual Philippine Coast Guard vessel, would escort the Unaizah May 4.
“The Armed Forces of the Philippines emphasizes that the mission is a routine operation aimed at sustaining and rotating military personnel at Ayungin Shoal. This particular mission was set up to ensure a full troop complement on board BRP Sierra Madre after one personnel needing serious medical attention was recently evacuated. Personnel are being rotated in to ensure that BRP Sierra Madre’s mission posture remains uncompromised,” said the AFP in its statement ahead of the mission.
Foreign governments expressed concern about China’s latest actions in the West Philippine Sea, and reiterated their solidarity with the Philippines. – With a report from Reuters/Rappler.com
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Dialog is useless when China’s story is the exact opposite as to what we see on video. That type of blatant lying cannot be negotiated with.
What will the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) recommend to President Marcos Jr. after the March 23, 2024 incident? Another dialog? Until when will dialogs end? Until the CCG water cannon will kill a Philippine Navy personnel?
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WATCH: Bontoc Ili community performs rain ritual amid drought, forest fires | Mia Gonzalez | 23/03/2024 12:25 | MANERWEP. The community of Bontoc Ili, led by Ato Sipa-at and Ato Lao-ingan from Chakalan, turned to their ancient traditions for solace and intervention by performing the 'Manerwap' ritual, a revered practice among the Bontok people to invoke rain during times of drought.
Screengrab from Municipality of Bontoc video
MOUNTAIN PROVINCE, Philippines – Amid the severe drought and a string of forest fires, the community of Bontoc Ili, led by Ato Sipa-at and Ato Lao-ingan from Chakalan, turned to their ancient traditions for solace and intervention by performing the “Manerwap” ritual, a revered practice among the Bontok people to invoke rain during times of drought.
This decision came in the wake of devastating forest fires, with the Bontoc Municipality Fire Station reporting 29 incidents since January, prompting community leaders to seek both traditional and modern solutions to the escalating environmental crisis.
Bontoc Mayor Jerome “Chagsen” Tudlong Jr., along with elders and barangay officials, convened on March 19 to deliberate on the traditional ritual’s conduct and further actions.
“The Manerwap ritual is not just about seeking rain. It’s a testament to our deep connection with nature and our ancestors’ wisdom. We stand united in our efforts to safeguard our community and our lands,” Tudlong said.
Highlighting the ritual’s significance, the elders embarked on a ceremonial journey to sacred mountains, offering prayers to Lumawig (God), and presenting wine and tobacco to honor the ancestors, accompanied by the unified sound of gongs – a symbol of unity and spiritual connection.
In a proactive response to the recent calamities, the barangay declared “Tengaw” or cultural lockdown on March 20, facilitating an emergency meeting to address the forest fire menace. This declaration underscores the community’s commitment to a harmonious blend of cultural traditions and modern strategies in combating environmental threats.
Tudlong also took the initiative to convene officials, community members, and representatives from concerned offices at the Bontoc Ili Barangay Hall. The discussion focused on comprehensive strategies, including the recruitment of “Bantay Gubat” personnel to strengthen the municipality’s firefighting efforts and the strict enforcement of ordinances penalizing fire hazards.
The mayor further announced additional funding for installing fire hydrants in the barangay, enhancing local firefighting capabilities. “It’s imperative that we combine our ancestral practices with modern measures to effectively address these challenges,” Tudlong added.
Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer Johanna Padaen highlighted the gravity of the situation with a report of nearly 30 forest fires since the start of the year.
Bontoc Ili Punong Barangay Eva Mila Fana-ang shared that penalties were imposed on two individuals under the Barangay Ordinance for contributing to fire hazards, reflecting the community’s determination to enforce regulations strictly.
Echoing the mayor’s call for community cooperation, Sangguniang Bayan Members Timothy Pongad Jr. and Viola Okko urged public vigilance and participation in preventing further forest fires.
“Every member of our community has a role to play in safeguarding our environment. Together, we can overcome these adversities,” they said. – Rappler.com
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On a treadmill or in her office, Migs Nograles will help make sense of the law | Kaycee | 23/03/2024 12:00 | PAANO BA, ATTORNEY? During a 'Young Guns Tuesdays' press conference at the House of Representatives, PBA Representative Margarita Nograles says a P100 minimum wage hike is not enough and there will also be a need to further study its impact on businesses.
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While doing her home workout with dumbbells and going on a stationary bike, PBA Representative Margarita “Migs” Nograles instructs her audience how to report their absentee partners and make them accountable under the law.
If partners have caused emotional distress, she says they can be reported to officials. “Tumakbo na kayo sa nearest barangay ‘nyo (Run to your nearest barangay hall),” she says in a sing-song voice while running on a treadmill.
All her other TikTok videos follow the same theme. You’ll see in her an elected public official, who, in her own words, is “makulit (playful).”
“My real personality is, when I’m in the barangays, you will see that I’m really playful. That’s how I talk to people, that’s how I talk to my close friends,” the 33-year-old Migs said in a recent Rappler Talk episode.
“There would be some comments, telling me, ‘You’re a congresswoman…. Why are you acting a bit over-the-top?’ But I always believe you have to be yourself in anything that you do…if you’re comfortable with it.”
She said that it helps trying to be entertaining when doing explainer videos.
Her online character is, however, not the same Migs Nograles the public sees at the House of Representatives and in media interviews. But whether she is the “OA” Attorney Migs on TikTok or the composed Congresswoman Nograles, followers agree that she is more relatable.
Many public officials are active on social media. Some have used it to update their constituents on what they are doing and the projects they are implementing, while others have chosen to hop on online trends in a bid to be more popular among netizens.
The neophyte legislator and law professor said she chose to use her platform to help ordinary people understand the law. It’s one of her advocacies after all.
“I don’t think it’s more about people wanting to understand the law because those who wish to understand it want to become lawyers,” Migs said.
“I think it’s more of people wanting to know their options, if their rights get [trampled on], if they get hurt, if their personal rights are violated, and whatnot,” she added.
Migs is the daughter of former House Speaker Prospero “Boy” Nograles and the younger sister of Civil Service Commission chairperson Karlo Nograles. She’s made a name for herself though – quite literally – as her over 400,000 TikTok followers and over 10,000 YouTube subscribers know her better as “Attorney Migs.”
She interacts with her audience directly, responding to those who ask questions through the comments, or answering those who send their queries by email.
The videos are straightforward explainers in Filipino. There’s usually no studio involved – sometimes she’s seen discussing legal concepts at home, other times, she’s in her office at the Batasang Pambansa.
She’s not the only one who uses her profession as a way of creating content. Doctors and those working in the finance industry, among others, are taking their specializations online too. There’s a category for lawyers on TikTok, with videos tagged under #Lawyertok. These professionals-slash-content creators create videos on anything about their work and lifestyle.
Researchers from the University of New South Wales call them the “knowledge influencers” or, in this case, the “lawfluencers.” Anthony Song and Justine Rogers said that these new breed of influencers rely on both personality and expertise to build their audiences and find a way to relate to them.
Migs said it all started in law school when she and her classmates were studying legal terms and were attempting to explain them to each other. “You find out you understand the law when you are able to simplify these terms,” she said.
After getting past the Bar, she started offering free legal aid with her law firm where, she figured, it helps to explain concepts by using real life examples when talking to the greater public.
Then she decided to do explainer videos on social media, where most of her content are uploaded on YouTube and TikTok. It started as Ask Attorney Migs, which she even created an official jingle for in September 2021 – a month before the deadline for the filing of certificates of candidacy for the 2022 national polls.
It was then rebranded into Paano Ba, Attorney? (What do we do, Attorney?) – which has the same initials as the partylist she represents, Puwersa ng Bayaning Atleta (PBA).
Her content is based on the trends of questions that she gets, while other videos are based on the current social media chatter.
“It really would depend on what the public wants to know about and I’ll do the script to simplify these growing concerns,” the lawmaker said.
Despite the workload at the House of Representatives and at her law firm, where she remains active in giving legal aid services, the neophyte congresswoman said she wants to continue creating videos as it exposes her to people from all walks of life. “You get to educate, but people really educate you, too.”
“When I talk to people who are actually going through the problems, it makes me realize that some of these bills will be hard to implement. So you have to adjust,” she said.
In a September 2023 video where she shared her “law journey,” Migs described herself as a “medyo (slightly) overachieving Pinay.” She’s armed with multiple education degrees – a bachelor’s degree from Ateneo de Manila University on top of which is a dual degree in Political Science and Economics from Fordham University. She juggled working at Fordham’s law school library and volunteering at a nonprofit organization while she worked on her double degree.
Migs also graduated with a Juris-Doctor and Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the De La Salle University and Far Eastern University Consortium, but she took her law and business electives in Europe. She said her weekdays then were spent studying for, and attending her, law classes, while Saturday mornings were devoted to her MBA classes.
“On weekends, after my morning classes, I would do the family business work, or sometimes I would volunteer to teach kids in Makati,” she said. A year before she had to take her Bar, the aspiring lawyer back then volunteered at a review center on weekends – her way of trying to review in advance.
Despite her loaded schedule, Migs graduated at the top of her law class. She recalled her classmates doubting her achievement. “Their logical explanation for this whole thing? They claimed I bought the school, wow ha!” an irked Migs said in the video.
“She studied a lot, she was very studious. She had all the resources needed to study law pero (but) if you compare her to the rest of the batch, she’s average,” a source familiar with her law school days claimed.
Students were said to be surprised after she was named valedictorian since she was said to have ranked number 5 or 6. Being named valedictorian apparently became such an issue that her classmates even asked the school to recompute the grades of honor students in their batch, but the numbers were not released, with school authorities citing the Data Privacy Act.
“She’s okay as a person, really nice,” the source said. “It’s just that one thing that she did na parang natapakan niya ‘yung batch (that it felt like she trampled on the whole batch).”
Migs said she kept information about her grades and official class standing to herself. “Hindi mo naman kasi kailangan magyabang kung feeling mo deserve mo talaga ‘di ba?” (You don’t need to brag about it if you know that you really deserve it.)
She was described as competitive, but her classmates knew, too, that she was pressured to do well, considering her pedigree. The lawmaker said, referring to the former late speaker, “My Atenean dad told me, ‘The only time I will ever step foot in La Salle is if I go up the stage and pin your valedictory medal.’“
Her office at the Batasang Pambansa is adorned with photos of the Nograles family, including photos with her dad.
Before Migs took the Bar, she and her family went on a pilgrimage to the Shrine of Fatima in Portugal. Devotees knelt and circled the chapel while praying and she did, too, but not her dad, Boy Nograles, because of his age.
The former speaker just held her hand as she prayed she would graduate valedictorian. “I think he prayed that I will really do well in the Bar exam. Secretly, I included in my prayer that I would top my class, kasi nga (because), duh! I really wanted him to be there on my graduation sa (at) La Salle,” she said in the video.
She got what she prayed for, but things didn’t turn out as smoothly as she might have wished. When Migs was delivering her valedictory speech, one of her peers walked out “in behalf of the whole batch.”
“Siyempre, during that time, sobrang sakit and gusto kong umiyak noon (Of course, during that time, I was really hurt and I wanted to cry),” Migs recalled. “But then, it dawned on me that the only person I really wanted to be there was there – my dad, of course.”
Her 2018 graduation was apparently the last time the former House chief got to walk as he was hospitalized after. She reviewed for the Bar while keeping her dad company at the hospital and when results were released, her father greeted her with an enthusiastic, “Attorney!” when she entered his hospital room.
But what should have been a time for celebration quickly turned into a nightmare: a day after Migs passed the Bar, her dad passed away.
In commemorating her dad’s death anniversary in 2023, the lawmaker wrote that she still asks for her dad’s guidance. “In everything I do, and in every single decision I make for PBA, lagi kong iniisip na lang na ang meaning din ng PBA ay ito: Pusong ‘Boy Nogie’ Ako (I always think that PBA also stands for: ‘Boy Nogie’ At Heart),” she said.
While her law school peers don’t seem to be too pleased with her, colleagues at the lower chamber look up to Migs and her work ethic.
“She wants to get things done the soonest,” Lanao del Sur 1st District Representative Zia Alonto Adiong said when asked to describe Migs. “Her schedule is so terrible that I doubt if she ever gets time to relax.”
Another colleague said she’s a good communicator and is active in House matters.
“She makes it a point to study and I think that’s reflective of one’s conscientiousness, about the seriousness of the work we do here. Siyempre hindi puwedeng fun, fun lang – Migs is not like that, she’s really may substance,” TINGOG Representative Jude Acidre told Rappler. (Of course, it can’t always just be fun, fun – Migs is not like that, she really has substance.)
Despite growing up in a family of politicians, Migs said she “was not always sure” of joining the political fray. “But I saw the heart of public service at a young age and it has always been a part of me.”
Her first attempt to enter politics was in 2019, the same year she passed the Bar. She sought a congressional seat under her partylist in 2019 but lost.
At the 19th Congress, she’s vice chairperson of a couple of committees, namely: agrarian reform; civil service and professional regulation; justice, peace, reconciliation and unity; and youth and sports development. These are reflective of her advocacies, which include supporting agriculture, Filipino youth athletes, human rights, justice, and mental health.
Among the bills she was the principal author of are those on amending the country’s anti-agricultural smuggling act and mandating and strengthening state colleges and universities’ mental health services by ensuring that professionals serve their students’ needs.
In 2022, Migs sought to amend the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act (Anti-VAWC) law by including the term “partner” to have the legislation cover men and those in LGBTQ+ relationships.
Gabriela Women’s Partylist did not take this lightly, saying that the inclusion of men in the Anti-VAWC law would “trivialize” the abuse that women experience.
“I do respect it,” Migs told Rappler. “It took a long time before VAWC or women’s rights were recognized and we didn’t want to undermine those efforts, so we’re filing another bill that I’m really just going to consider calling it anti-domestic abuse.”
While there’s constructive criticism from her colleagues, it’s a different story for the hits she’s getting on social media.
Since her involvement in the House probe into Swara Sug Media Corporation – the company operating the fake news channel, SMNI – and after she filed a bill calling on the National Telecommunications Commission to suspend SMNI, fake news against Migs sprouted online. Spliced videos and disinformation against the young lawmaker appeared on the very platforms that made her popular.
Criticisms grew further after Davao 1st District Representative Paolo Duterte linked her and her partylist to the people’s initiative for charter change, a public petition marred by allegations of bribery.
“Even before the Senate probe, there were personalities that have connected me to [the People’s Initiative]. If I really did something and you can prove it, then file a case,” Migs said.
SMNI lawyers would later claim that she went after the network because of local competition between her family and the Dutertes, which she denied. “It’s scary that they are making these implications that do not have any basis,” she told reporters in February.
Members of the Duterte and Nograles families had a rivalry that spanned over three decades and which started when the patriarchs slugged it out for Davao City mayor in 1992. The two would compete against each other again in 2001 for a seat at the House of Representatives. Rodrigo won both times, but he also pointed fingers at the elder Nograles for linking him to the infamous Davao Death Squad.
They have since buried the hatchet – in 2015, the elder Nograles and his son Karlo backed Duterte when he ran for the presidency in 2016. Karlo also served as Duterte’s Cabinet secretary from 2018 to 2022 and was acting presidential spokesman in 2021. In 2022, Karlo was appointed by Duterte chair of the Civil Service Commission, a post he got confirmation for when he was also chosen by Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Looking back at her early years as a public official, Migs Nograles said she “does not regret anything” despite some of the negative and painful experiences in public office. The young lawmaker declared: “At least I can sleep well at night, right?”
Asked during her Rappler Talk interview about what’s next – especially since her term ends in 2025 – she said: “In terms of what is next, gosh, I can’t even think of what to do next week…. But, hopefully, with my show, with PBA, we get to continue serving the people doing what we do and help more people, educate more people the best way that I can and know how.” – Rappler.com
Some statements have been translated to English and shortened for brevity.
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House of Rep young guns Atty Migs and Atty Gutierrez are my idols in the Lower House. They have substance. I hope they team up with Vico Sotto and run for Senator come 2025/2028.
A very talented lady, indeed, has great potential to become a Senator in the 2025 midterm election. But she could also be a formidable adversary against those who will advocate for the passage of an enabling law on the anti-political dynasty provision of the 1987 Philippine Constitution.
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Leading ladies: Women shaping environmental conservation | Mia Gonzalez | 23/03/2024 9:00 | Women’s Month highlights the vital role of women and is celebrated every March through Philippine Presidential Proclamation Number 227.
There were an estimated 7.95 billion people on Earth in 2022, with four billion men and 3.95 billion women. With the fairer sex comprising nearly half the world’s population, disempowering women curtails global productivity.
For the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the United Nations Development Programme’s Biodiversity Finance Initiative (UNDP-BIOFIN), gender equality, women’s empowerment and inclusive leadership are central tenets to truly sustainable development.
“Women’s empowerment and gender equality are vital to achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which envisions a world of universal respect for human rights and individual dignity,” said UNDP Resident Representative Dr. Selva Ramachandran.
To celebrate Women’s Month 2024, DENR-UNDP BIOFIN sat down with three leading ladies working to conserve Philippine biodiversity.
At 71 years young, Mary Paduganao has become one of the “Lola Rangers” of the Sibalom Natural Park, one of Antique’s rapidly-rising ecotourism destinations.
“In 1978, I was the captain of Barangay Imparayan. We set up the very first batch of ‘Bantay Gubat’ or Forest Wardens for the park. Today, after 46 years, we’ve grown to almost 80 wardens – both women and men – who regularly patrol the park to thwart logging, wildlife poaching and the occasional brushfire,” she recalled.
Through the years, Lola Ranger has worked with various environmental groups such as the Haribon Foundation and DENR-UNDP BIOFIN. “These groups empowered us with the skills and knowledge to become effective forest wardens, environmental educators and tour guides, especially now that more visitors are coming,” she said.
Working with Lola Ranger is the Cabladan Bantay Gubat Association (CBGA), representing one of four barangays ringing the protected area. In Barangay Cabladan, female forest wardens serve as chief educators on the importance of protecting the park, becoming conservation advocates to their fellow residents.
“We share everything we learn from BIOFIN’s ecotourism workshops and training sessions,” said CBGA board member Mergie Elloran. “We share them whenever we attend Barangay Cabladan’s assemblies.”
The CBGA’s female forest wardens also provide additional ecotourism services to park visitors through tour guiding and catering.
Together with allied people’s organizations like the CBGA, Lola Ranger and the other Bantay Gubat are working to help protect the Sibalom Natural Park, home of the Philippines’ multi-hued Rainbow River and endangered wildlife like wild pigs, deer, and Rafflesia, the largest flower on Earth.
Here and in other protected areas across the Philippines, both women and men work in harmony to protect the country’s natural resources.
Wildlife biologist Lisa Paguntalan is no stranger to the outdoors, having studied endangered Philippine wildlife since 1996.
“My drive for conservation began in college. We were studying bats in the Balinsasayao Twin Lakes when I realized that three of the four bats we collected were endemic or found nowhere else but the Philippines. However, I also noticed that many of our local forests are receding, meaning some of our endemic species might become extinct. Unless of course we do something about it,” she said.
Today, Lisa leads the Philippines Biodiversity Conservation Foundation Incorporated (PhilBio), which addresses the long-term conservation of native and threatened Philippine species by working closely with local stakeholders. “Part of the work we do is engaging local governments and agencies to invest in conserving less-popular threatened or endangered species and their habitats.”
Lisa encourages more ladies to enter the field of conservation. “Women are at the heart of the conservation arena in the Philippines. We need more boots on the ground to save our natural treasures.”
As a scholar of the 1980s-era Bureau of Forest Development (BFD), Armida “Neneng” Andres immediately jumped into government work after graduating from the University of the Philippines Los Baños in 1985.
“While most staff were men, I can remember no distinction between tasks. Both women and men were expected to conduct thorough resource inventories, site assessments, project monitoring and evaluations of our country’s national parks and wildlife sanctuaries,” Neneng said.
Neneng shared one of her many field adventures. “We were assessing the expansion of the Mts. Iglit-Baco National Park in Mindoro when the 1986 EDSA Revolution broke out. We were stuck for over a week in the mountains surviving on whatever plants we could harvest around us. We ate bananas, taro leaves, even tubers! I had to study for my forestry licensure examination under a kerosene lamp. Fortunately I passed, topping the board in July of 1986.”
Neneng recalled that in the 1990s, there were already more women than men in the Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau (PAWB), now called the Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB). “It was a privilege to have worked with strong-willed lady leaders like Dr. Cora Sinha, Dr. Mundita Lim and many others.”
Today, Neneng is the OIC Assistant Director of BMB, helping develop policies for biodiversity conservation, networking and advocating for mainstream biodiversity conservation, plus much-needed finance solutions across all sectors. “I’m also part of the team which conceptualized the recognition of women in biodiversity through a publication entitled Igniting Passion, Finding Fulfilment, Inspiring Stories of Women in Biodiversity. It contains moving narratives of women taking part in biodiversity conservation and management.”
Neneng expressed hope that women leaders continue to multiply in number and be empowered at all levels of governance. “Behind every woman in government is a story full of struggles, fulfillment and contributions to make our country a better place.”
Lola Mary, Lisa, and Neneng are just some of the many women and men DENR-UNDP BIOFIN works with.
Launched in 2012, BIOFIN is a global initiative supporting the development and implementation of national Biodiversity Finance Plans to transform how biodiversity finance is mobilized and allocated.
This includes the mobilization of $200 billion in annual domestic and international biodiversity-related funding from public and private-sector sources, plus raising international financial flows from developed to developing countries by at least $30 billion yearly.
Celebrating its 10th year in the Philippines, BIOFIN has so far raised over $10 million for 107 Legislated Protected Areas by pushing for increased congressional financing, while over USD300,000 was raised for terrestrial reforestation through the Mynt and GCash GForest Programme.
“There’s still a lot of work to be done for Women’s Rights. There are 800 million women in the Asia-Pacific region who are looking for jobs. Including them in our workforce can add trillions of dollars to our region’s GDP,” said DENR-UNDP BIOFIN National Project Manager Anabelle Plantilla, who heads the all-women team of BIOFIN in the Philippines.
“Through Gender Equality, we can maximize the chances of a better life for all families living in our region.” – Rappler.com
BIOFIN was launched in 2012 and seeks to address the biodiversity finance challenge in a comprehensive manner – building a sound business case for increased investments in the management of ecosystems and biodiversity, with a particular focus on the needs and transformational opportunities at the national level. For more information: www.biofin.org.
UNDP partners with people at all levels of society to help build nations that can withstand crisis, and drive and sustain the kind of growth that improves the quality of life for everyone. On the ground in 177 countries and territories, we offer global perspective and local insight to help empower lives and build resilient nations.
In the Philippines, UNDP fosters human development for peace and prosperity. Working with central and local governments as well as civil society, and building on global best practices, UNDP strengthens capacities of women, men and institutions to empower them to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and the objectives of the Philippine Development Plan. Through advocacy and development projects, with a special focus on vulnerable groups, UNDP works to ensure a better life for the Filipino people. Learn more at ph.undp.org or follow at @UNDPPH.
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China causes ‘heavy damage’ on Philippine resupply ship in Ayungin Shoal – AFP | Bea Cupin | 23/03/2024 10:44 | WATER CANNON. A China Coast Guard ship uses a water cannon against the Unaizah May 4, a wooden boat contracted by the Philippine military to bring supplies to the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal, on March 23, 2024.
Screengrab from Armed Forces of the Philippines video
MANILA, Philippines – The China Coast Guard (CCG) on Saturday, March 23, used water cannons against a Philippine resupply boat that was en route to the BRP Sierra Madre, a makeshift Philippine military outpost in Ayungin Shoal, the Philippine military said.
The boat, the wooden Unaizah May 4, “sustained heavy damages at around 08:52 due to the continued blasting of water cannons from the CCG vessels,” the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said in a press statement on Saturday.
Videos from the AFP suggest China used water cannons against the much-smaller Unaizah May 4 beginning 7:59 am, during a routine rotation and resupply (RORE) mission to the Sierra Madre, a World War II ship purposefully run aground in 1999 in Ayungin Shoal.
Ayungin Shoal or Second Thomas Shoal is a feature in the South China Sea that is within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ), an area Manila calls the West Philippine Sea.
Before the China Coast Guard started using water cannons on the Unaizah May 4, the PCG’s BRP Cabra, a vessel assigned to escort the supply vessel, was “impeded and encircled” by a China Coast Guard vessel and two Chinese Maritime Militia (CMM) ships, the AFP said.
The CMM is a fishing fleet that China uses in the West Philippine Sea to augment its coast guard forces.
The AFP said that early as 6:08 am, a China Coast Guard ship had already performed a “dangerous maneuver” by crossing the bow of the Unaizah May 4.
An hour later, at around 7:09 am, video from the AFP shows a China Coast Guard ship sailing in reverse in an attempt to block the Unaizah May 4. The AFP said this caused a “near collision.”
While the Unaizah May 4 was unable to continue its mission because of “severe damage” from the direct blast of water cannons, the Philippines was still able to bring personnel and essential cargo to the Sierra Madre.
The AFP said six Navy personnel and cargo were transferred from the Unaizah May 4 and the BRP Cabra to a rigid-hulled inflatable boat deployed by the BRP Sierra Madre.
“They arrived and moored at the starboard side of LS57 at 11:59 am,” said the AFP.
The military also noted that a Chinese Maritime Militia boat, with the help of Chinese rigid-hulled inflatable boat, “deployed and installed floating barriers to prevent further entry of any vessels in the shoal.”
National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) said in a statement that some personnel were injured and were given medical attention once moved to the Philippine Coast Guard vessel.
“The People’s Republic of China’s (PRC’s) latest acts of unprovoked aggression, coercion, and dangerous maneuvers against a legitimate and routine Philippine RoRe mission to Ayungin Shoal, have once again placed at risk, caused severe damage to property, and caused physical harm to Filipinos on board UM4,” the NTF-WPS said.
The NTF-WPS said that “the systematic and consistent manner in which the PRC continues to carry out these illegal and irresponsible actions belies its hollow claims to peace, dialogue, and adherence to international law.”
The NTF-WPS said that National Security Adviser Eduardo Año has requested a meeting on Monday, March 25, with Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin and the National Security Cluster “for purposes of making recommendations to the President” in relation to the latest incident.
“The actions of the agents of the PRC today in the waters of the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) show to the Filipino people, the region, and the world that the PRC recognizes no reasonable or legal restraint nor limitation upon its actions under international law,” the task force said.
“The Philippines will not be deterred – by veiled threats or hostility – from exercising our legal rights over our maritime zones, including Ayungin Shoal which forms part of our EEZ and continental shelf. We demand that China demonstrate in deeds and not in words that it is a responsible and trustworthy member of the international community,” it added.
The NTF-WPS said that the Philippines “shall continue to act peacefully and responsibly, consistent with international law, particularly UNCLOS and the legally binding 2016 Arbitral Award.”
“Peace and stability cannot be achieved without due regard for the legitimate, well-established, and legally settled rights of others,” it added.
Gan Yu, a spokesperson for China’s coast guard, said the Philippines broke a promise to remove the grounded vessel and sent two coast guard ships and a supply ship into the Second Thomas Shoal waters, 18 days after the last round of supplies.
China has not said who promised the removal or when that promise was made. The Philippines’ defense ministry, foreign ministry and military leaders have repeatedly said there was no such promise.
On Saturday, Gan said, the Philippines infringed and provoked trouble, and deliberately undermined the peace and stability of the South China Sea.
The Philippine vessels ignored China’s repeated warnings and route controls and forced their way in, he said. The China coast guard implements regulations in accordance with laws, and handles matters in a reasonable, legal, and professional manner, Gan said.
In August 2023, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. refuted China’s claim that the Philippine government had agreed to remove the BRP Sierra Madre from Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea, and if any had been made, he was rescinding it.
National Security Council Assistant Director-General Jonathan Malaya had earlier called China’s assertion a “figment of their imagination.”
The Philippines has sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea – meaning it has the exclusive right to exploit and take care of resources in those areas. But China claims practically all of the South China Sea, including the West Philippine Sea, ignoring a 2016 Arbitral Ruling that deemed that claim invalid.
For the first time since launching its “transparency initiative” in the West Philippine Sea – an effort to expose Chinese activities in the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone – both the Philippine Coast Guard and the AFP released to the media near real-time updates and video of the mission.
Past midnight on March 23, the AFP announced that the Unaizah May 4 was again tapped to “complete its mission to sustain Philippine troops stationed at BRP Sierra Madre.” The boat, a civilian ship that the Navy contracts to bring supplies and troops to the Sierra Madre, was subject to the water cannons of two China Coast Guard ships during a mission earlier in March.
The impact from the water cannons shattered the wind shield of the Unaizah May 4, injuring four Navy personnel.
The AFP also announced that two Philippine Navy ships, on top of the usual Philippine Coast Guard vessel, would escort the Unaizah May 4.
“The Armed Forces of the Philippines emphasizes that the mission is a routine operation aimed at sustaining and rotating military personnel at Ayungin Shoal. This particular mission was set up to ensure a full troop complement on board BRP Sierra Madre after one personnel needing serious medical attention was recently evacuated. Personnel are being rotated in to ensure that BRP Sierra Madre’s mission posture remains uncompromised,” said the AFP in its statement ahead of the mission.
Foreign governments expressed concern about China’s latest actions in the West Philippine Sea, and reiterated their solidarity with the Philippines. – With a report from Reuters/Rappler.com
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Dialog is useless when China’s story is the exact opposite as to what we see on video. That type of blatant lying cannot be negotiated with.
What will the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) recommend to President Marcos Jr. after the March 23, 2024 incident? Another dialog? Until when will dialogs end? Until the CCG water cannon will kill a Philippine Navy personnel?
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Eumir Marcial tests Olympic readiness against Thai rival | Jasmine Payo | 22/03/2024 19:16 | READY. Filipino fighter Eumir Marcial (left) and Thai Thoedsak Sinam at the weigh-in.
WENDELL ALINEA/MP PROMOTIONS
MANILA, Philippines – Eumir Marcial tests his readiness for the 2024 Paris Olympics when he battles Thai Thoedsak Sinam in a super middleweight bout on Saturday night, March 23, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Malate, Manila.
Although Marcial is only punching for his fifth straight win as a pro, the 28-year-old Zamboangueno southpaw is picked over the Thai, who is of the same age but has compiled a 23-13 record laced with 19 knockouts.
At 5-foot-11, Marcial enjoys a 3-inch height and reach advantage over Sinam, who flew in from Bangkok on Monday, March 18.
Marcial, on the other hand, arrived in the country from Las Vegas on March 13 and spent the last week completing his preparations in Tagaytay City.
Trim and fit, Marcial checked in at 165 pounds during the official weigh-in on Friday, March 22, three pounds lighter than Sinam.
According to Marcial, he isn’t taking Sinam lightly owing to the Thai’s vast pro experience and punching power but is confident of emerging the victor in what would be his last pro fight before concentrating on his pursuit of the light heavyweight boxing gold in the Paris Olympics set July 26 to August 11 – three years after winning a bronze in the Tokyo Olympics.
Sean Gibbons, president of MP (Manny Pacquiao) Promotions, is charting Marcial’s career in both the Olympics and the pro ranks.
Marcial will be accompanied at ringside by assistant trainer DJ Zamora as his regular trainer in the United States, Kay Korona, couldn’t make it due to a schedule mix-up. – Rappler.com
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Physician and mental health advocate Gia Sison dies | Russell Ku | 21/03/2024 18:24 | MANILA, Philippines – Physician and mental health advocate Gia Sison died on Thursday, March 21. Her death was first confirmed by the Asociación de Alumnas de Poveda. She was 53.
Her husband Rogin and daughter Angela also confirmed the news through online tributes.
“No words can express the sorrow but I am happy you are peaceful now, no pain, no sufferings. I love you so much my soulmate, my Henny Hen,” Rogin said.
Gia recently shared in a X post that she had suffered a “sudden cardiac death” on February 25. She added that she had gone through an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator procedure.
“I died for six seconds, stuck in a black hole then suddenly scooped back in with the prominent voice of my husband repeatedly asking me to ‘come back’ after which I heard him apologize for defibrillating me and the rest just happened so fast,” she said.
Gia was Makati Medical Center’s head of wellness. She also served as a consultant for the World Health Organization Western Pacific Regional Office on Health Lifestyle in the Workplace and national advisor for the Youth for Mental Health Coalition.
She is most known for her battle with breast cancer, which forced her to undergo a mastectomy on her left breast.
“I had never been confined in a hospital, not from the time I was a fetus until I was 44 years old. And suddenly I had cancer,” she told Rappler in 2015. (READ: Battle Scar)
Gia was also known for hosting podcast episodes for shows such as The Linya-Linya Show and Walwal Sesh.
Walwal Sesh co-host Vino Orajay paid tribute to the late doctor, thanking her for being his “second mom.”
Thanks for being a great friend, mentor, co-host, and for being my second mom. You have always been so supportive and caring. Please say hi to my dad for me in heaven. I love you so much. Rest in paradise, ma @giasison pic.twitter.com/ysVyr5Oufm
Comedian Red Ollero, who worked with Gia for a World Mental Health Day campaign, said in a Facebook post that she “left a great legacy of raising awareness about mental health.”
Meanwhile, Senator Risa Hontiveros said in an X post that she was “stunned” by the news of Gia’s death, adding that she was “always so warm, always so generous with her light.”
The Department of Health expressed its condolences to the family of Sison in a statement on Saturday, March 23.
“The Department of Health condoles with the family, loved ones, and friends of the late Dr. Gia Baquiran Sison. It is with gratitude for her life and work that we remember her strong support for Mental Health. Her calm and friendly voice was a voice that spoke for many others, a messenger that brought about positive change in mental health awareness and policy,” the DOH said in a statement.
Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa also paid tribute to Sison. “Maraming salamat, Dr. Gia, sa pagkilos tungo sa ginhawa ng isip at damdamin (Thank you, Dr. Gia, for your efforts toward mental wellness). A grateful health sector will continue the work to ensure that mental health services will be available for all Filipinos,” he said. – With a report from Kaycee Valmonte/Rappler.com
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CHR warns Bacolod vs QR code proposal for entertainers | Herbie G | 23/03/2024 9:30 | BACOLOD, Philippines – The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has cautioned the city government of Bacolod against a proposal to place quick response (QR) codes on the health cards of those working in entertainment establishments as a measure to curb the spread of sexually transmitted diseases.
Bacolod City’s health office subjects workers of local entertainment establishments to regular health examinations. It then issues workers who complied with the mandatory health checks with “pink cards,” requirements for the annual registration and renewal of business licenses.
The city government has lumped commercial sex workers in the entertainers category and uses the pink cards to identify those engaged in the local sex trade.
CHR-Negros Director Vincent Parra said the proposal, pushed by City Legal Officer Romeo Carlos Ting on Friday, March 22, was a slippery slope and could violate laws on data privacy and AIDS prevention and control.
Ting has proposed that the pink cards bear QR codes, which would allow easy access to information on whether the workers are submitting to the mandatory health check-ups or not.
He said this would ensure that workers of entertainment establishments, particularly those who are engaging in the commercial sex trade, are free from STDs and receive medical attention in case they are infected.
Ting’s proposal has a gray area concerning CSWs who aren’t employed anywhere, as they are under the radar and have no pink cards.
Data from the Department of Health (DOH) and Philippine National AIDS Council (PNAC) showed that Negros Occidental, including Bacolod City, ranked third in Western Visayas in terms of cases of Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) infections.
As of 2022 alone, over 4,000 people were documented to have contracted the virus in Western Visayas.
Carls Libo-on, manager of the nongovernmental organization Bagani Community Center By Love Yourself (BCCBLY), said they see Ting’s proposal as vital in their HIV/AIDS awareness campaign in Bacolod City and Negros Occidental.
BCCBLY has established a center in Bacolod that currently takes care of more than 200 HIV/AIDS-positive individuals.
“Personally, I can say it’s a positive idea in this age of digitalization as this would allow commercial sex workers in Bacolod to have easy access to government services fit for them,” Libo-on said.
He said there was nothing wrong with it as long as checks and balances in handling CSWs in Bacolod are in place so that private data is not leaked.
Parra, however, advised the local government to be cautious, pointing out that there are stiff penalties against those who violate the country’s privacy laws.
Parra said all those behind the implementation of such a measure run the risk of being charged with violation of the Data Privacy Act of 2012, AIDS Prevention and Control Act of 1998, and Comprehensive Policy on HIV/AIDS Prevention, Treatment, Care and Support Act of 2018. – Rappler.com
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How sure is the City Government of Bacolod that such data will be kept private? If leaked, who will be responsible, how will such responsible persons be penalized, and how will the affected individuals be compensated? If the City Government of Bacolod does not have the answers or is not sure of its answers, then it is better to avoid adopting such a proposal.
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Refill hubs ‘win-win’ solution for sari-sari store owners, buyers | Iya Gozum | 22/03/2024 17:02 | Store owner, Robylin Torrelino, demonstrates how to use the refilling station in front of her small store as part of the Kuha Sa Tingi project at Barangay Salapan, San Juan.
Basilio Sepe/Greenpeace
MANILA, Philippines – Installing refill systems in small stores are a win-win solution for both owners and consumers, said a recent report from environmental organization Greenpeace Philippines.
The report, launched on Friday, March 22, gathered data from selected sari-sari stores in San Juan and Quezon City that implemented the refill system.
This system included refillables with dishwashing liquid, laundry detergent, fabric conditioner, shower gel, and multipurpose cleaner, either with a pump or faucet design.
The report said store owners can expect 15% profit increase when selling these household necessities with a refill system, while consumers can expect up to 201% increase in savings.
“This is a business model that is a win-win solution for everybody,” said Quezon City (QC) Mayor Joy Belmonte in Filipino during the report launch on Friday. “Retailers profit more, consumers can save up. But most importantly, conducting business this way does not harm the environment.”
In Quezon City, 30 sari-sari stores adopted the refill system in July 2023. After six months, 24 of the stores have been found to still continue the initiative. The Quezon City government has already expanded the campaign to 1,000 stores.
Belmonte said they are aiming to expand from 5,000 up to 6,000 stores within the year if the initial 1,000 prove successful.
>>> According to Belmonte, they are gunning for expansion from 5,000 up to 6,000 stores within the year if the initial 1,000 prove successful.
The QC mayor said the data from the initial implementation in two Metro Manila cities are proof that people are willing to adopt environment-friendly alternatives if these are affordable and convenient. Belmonte added that local government leaders are in a crucial position to jump-start the implementation of these kinds of environment-friendly initiatives at the local level.
The campaign was first launched in San Juan back in November 2022, where 10 stores, including an employee’s cooperative, implemented the refilling system.
“Hindi Filipino culture ang sachet,” said Lea Guerrero, country director of Greenpeace Philippines, on Friday. Instead, the culture is tingi or piecemeal. (Sachets are not part of the Filipino culture.)
Beside competitive prices that benefit both sellers and buyers, the refilling system can help cut down plastic packaging at least at the local levels.
According to the report, more than 50,000 sachets were displaced because of the refilling systems in San Juan and Quezon City.
More than 460 million tons of plastic are produced worldwide, according to Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). The OECD said plastic production doubled in the last two decades. Plastic is used in most industries and account for 3.4% of global greenhouse gas emissions.
Because it takes thousands of years before they’re disposed, they get stuck in the environment, and even make its way to humans’ guts through seafood that have ingested micro plastics.
The refill system is one way to change lifestyle and consumption behaviors of people. It is a solution that proves “we don’t have to live with plastic pollution,” said Guerrero.
They are hopeful that the pilot cities could pave way to bigger scale. Quezon City’s rollout of the refill system to 1,000 stores could avoid 1,066,666 sachets monthly, or 12,799,992 sachets annually, according to the report.
Meanwhile, with this scenario, Quezon City retailers are set to profit at least P1,800 a month and consumers can save P400 a month.
Completely eliminating the use of plastics depends heavily on producers. The refill system only addresses a part of the chain that involves small business owners and consumers.
The Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) lapsed into law in 2022, amending the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000. It aims to hold large product producers, accountable for the plastic waste they put out. (READ: Everything you need to know about the Philippines’ Extended Producer Responsibility law)
However, the EPR falls short of this objective, advocates said, as it focuses on collection of waste rather than reduction.
“With unregulated mass production of disposable plastics, the systematic dismantling of existing reuse models, and the glaring lack of new reuse and refill systems, the current status quo perpetrated by plastic producers has led to adverse impacts on ecosystems and health,” the report read.
Beside reuse and refill systems, environmental advocates say the government must invest in more solutions that cut the problem from the source. This includes a total ban of single-use plastics, phase down in plastic production.
“Corporations must change the way they do business and enact widespread systemic changes on what materials they rely on, as well as their product delivery systems,” the report said. – Rappler.com
(Editor’s note: An earlier version of this story suggested store owners could expect a 200% profit margin and consumers could save 150-200% with a refill system. The corrected version accurately reflects that store owners can anticipate a 15% profit increase, while consumers can save up to 201% on their usual expenses.)
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Philippines’ warm and dry season starts at tail end of El Niño | Acor Arceo | 22/03/2024 12:45 | Shutterstock
MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines’ warm and dry season for 2024 is underway, with hotter days ahead alongside the continued effects of the El Niño phenomenon.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) announced in a briefing on Friday, March 22, that the warm and dry season has begun.
Filipinos often call this season “summer,” but the country only has two major seasons: rainy and dry. The dry season is further divided into two: cool and warm.
The start of the warm and dry season means the cool and dry season, which is characterized by the northeast monsoon or amihan, has ended. The northeast monsoon affected parts of the country from October 2023 to March 2024.
“The retreat of the high pressure area over Siberia indicates an apparent weakening of amihan. Furthermore, the strengthening of the North Pacific High has led to a gradual shift in the wind pattern from northeasterly to easterly and an increase in the air temperature over most parts of the country. These signify the end of the northeast monsoon…and the beginning of the warm and dry season,” PAGASA explained in a statement on Friday.
The warm and dry season usually lasts until May. Temperatures are expected to rise during this period, with PAGASA issuing daily heat index figures.
“In the coming months, the number of dry and warm days across the country will continue to increase, although isolated thunderstorms are also likely to occur, usually in the afternoon or evening,” the weather bureau said.
PAGASA Administrator Nathaniel Servando advised people to take extra precautions to prevent illnesses such as heat stress and heat stroke.
“Sa mga susunod na mga araw ay tataas ang temperatura. Kung kasabay ang mataas na alinsangan o relative humidity, mataas ang heat index, at may kaakibat ito na hazard o panganib sa ating health. Maiiwasan lamang ito kung sundin natin ‘yung mga suggested interventions. Palaging mag-inom ng tubig, magdala ng payong, magsuot ng manipis na damit,” he said.
(In the coming days, temperatures will rise. Combined with high relative humidity, that will result in a high heat index, which comes with hazards to our health. We can avoid these hazards by practicing suggested interventions. Always drink water, bring an umbrella, wear thin clothing.)
The onset of the warm and dry season comes as the Philippines still faces the impact of El Niño, which began in the tropical Pacific in June 2023 and gradually progressed from weak to strong.
PAGASA said on March 7 that El Niño has started to weaken and neutral conditions may return in April-May-June 2024. Although the phenomenon is weakening, the weather bureau expects its effects to linger until May.
In the Philippines, El Niño has triggered drought in at least 37 areas, a dry spell in 22 areas, and dry conditions in 12 areas as of Sunday, March 17.
“With the ongoing El Niño, significant reduction from the normal rainfall or drier-than-usual conditions will likely continue, which may bring negative impacts…in most areas of the country,” PAGASA said on Friday.
“The different climate-sensitive sectors such as water resources, agriculture, energy, health, public safety, and other key sectors in the country may continue to be adversely affected.”
The Department of Agriculture estimated that the cost of damage to agriculture in eight regions has reached P1.75 billion as of March 14.
At least 29,437 farmers are affected by El Niño. – Rappler.com
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Arnie Teves arrested in Timor-Leste | Dwight de Leon | 21/03/2024 23:42 | LAWMAKER. Negros Oriental 3rd District Representative Arnolfo Teves Jr. in 2021.
House of Representatives
MANILA, Philippines – Authorities in Timor-Leste have arrested former congressman Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr., the alleged mastermind in the killing of Negros Oriental governor Roel Degamo last year.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) said Teves was nabbed in Timor-Leste’s capital Dili at 4 pm on Thursday, March 21, while playing golf.
Since late February, Teves has been the subject of an Interpol Red Notice, which is a request to law enforcement worldwide to locate and arrest a person pending extradition or surrender.
A press release from the Presidential Communications Office said his extradition to the Philippines is being worked out.
“The capture of Teves only proves that through concerted efforts and determination, terrorism can be thwarted and peace preserved,” said DOJ Secretary Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla.
A day after the arrest, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said the government would “take all necessary actions” to bring Teves back to the Philippines, where he could face charges filed against him.
“I assure the Filipino people that we will spare no effort in ensuring that justice will prevail in this case,” the President said in a statement on Friday, March 22.
Teves has been in hiding since allegations emerged that he is behind the broad-daylight killing of Degamo on March 4, 2023. He is facing multiple murder charges in relation to that assassination.
Teves left the country after getting a travel clearance for medical reasons from the House of Representatives on February 28, 2023.
When his clearance expired, he refused to return to the Philippines, despite repeated pleas from House Speaker Martin Romualdez and even President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
He was twice suspended by the House for disorderly behavior, until he was finally expelled from the chamber in August, a historic first for Congress.
The Philippine government also declared him a terrorist in August 2023.
Teves has repeatedly insisted that all allegations against him are false. He said he cannot come home because his life would be in danger.
He denied orchestrating the killing of Degamo, and denied leading a terrorist group in the island of Negros. – Rappler.com
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I appreciate the effort of the Department of Justice through its Secretary Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla. If Pastor Quiboloy is already in Timor-Leste, he better plan where to go next or at least not play golf (with his golden equipment) to avoid detection.
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Authorities arrest Arnie Teves in Timor-Leste | The wRap | Jaira Roxas | 22/03/2024 22:30 | Today on Rappler – the latest news in the Philippines and around the world:
Authorities in Timor-Leste arrest former congressman Arnolfo ‘Arnie’ Teves Jr, the alleged mastermind in the killing of Negros Oriental governor Roel Degamo in 2023. He’s nabbed in Dili Thursday, March 21, while playing golf.
Ramon Ang, the tycoon who will be rehabilitating the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, urges the public and the media to not expose the main gateway’s flaws. He says negative media coverage undermines the dignity of Filipino families and the nation.
Senior citizens and persons with disabilities or PWDs will enjoy higher discounts for basic necessities and prime commodities starting March 25, 2024. There will be an additional 5% special discount for them.
A 62-year old-man in Massachusetts with end-stage renal disease becomes the first human to receive a new kidney from a genetically modified pig. The four-hour surgery was performed March 16 at the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.
Philippine weather bureau PAGASA announces Friday, March 22, the warm and dry season or ‘tag-init’ has begun. Filipinos often call this season ‘summer.’ – Rappler.com
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Here’s what you need to know about pertussis or whooping cough | Kaycee | 22/03/2024 17:22 | Following reports of high cases of Pertussis or whooping cough in Metro Manila, particularly in Quezon City, as a preventive measure, teachers at the Rafael Palma Elementary School in Manila distributed face masks to students during class, on March 22, 2024.
Rappler
MANILA, Philippines – Several local government units have declared localized outbreaks of pertussis or whooping cough. In Filipino, it’s called “tuspirina” or “ubong-dalahit.”
The disease is characterized by the high-pitched sound made at the end of the cough.
Health Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo said that because it is a vaccine-preventable disease, the spread of rise of pertussis was often checked.
“Pero dahil sa COVID-19 lockdown… ‘Yung ating pagbabakuna kailangan ngayon mag-catch up,” Domingo said in an interview with 92.3 FM on Friday, March 22.
(But because of the COVID-19 lockdown, our vaccinations now have to catch up.)
Pertussis, or whooping cough, is described by the Department of Health (DOH) as a “highly contagious bacterial respiratory infection.” This means it can easily spread among people by airborne droplets either through coughs or sneezes.
Health authorities clarified, however, that the country will not go on lockdown the way it did when the COVID-19 pandemic broke.
DOH Spokesman Eric Tayag told Super Radyo DzBB on Thursday, March 21, that the DOH was hopeful Filipinos will apply the same measures they had taken to protect themselves from catching COVID.
It’s a global trend as whooping cough cases are likewise rising in other parts of the world, such as in the United Kingdom and Canada. Health experts overseas also pointed to low vaccination rates – especially among children who are most vulnerable to pertussis.
According to the DOH, symptoms for pertussis include:
The department said it takes around 10 days from direct contact for symptoms to start manifesting.
While it can be mistaken as an asthma attack, health authorities put an emphasis on how the cough sound. Described as “hacking coughs,” pertussis can be treated with antibiotics to help control the disease and “make the infection less serious” as long as it is taken early.
Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa encouraged the public, especially those with children 6 months old to 10 years old, to get vaccinated. On top of whooping cough, the health department has also noted a rise in measles cases in the Philippines.
The following vaccines should be among those available for free at local health centers:
Domingo said the DOH is currently trying to distribute vaccines among regions in the Philippines, depending on the area’s number of pertussis cases.
Data from the DOH show there have already been 453 cases reported in the first 10 weeks on 2024 alone. This is much higher that the numbers reported in previous years: 23 cases reported in 2023, 2 for 2022, 7 in 2021, 27 in 2020, and 52 cases in 2019.
Tayag said Metro Manila has the most number of cases reported, followed by Calabarzon and then Central Visayas.
QC Mayor Joy Belmonte declared a pertussis outbreak on Thursday, March 21. It has so far logged 23 cases in 2024, including the death of four infants aged 22 to 60 days old.
“The increasing number of pertussis cases is alarming and we are taking the necessary steps to prevent further transmission of the disease,” Belmonte said.
On top of a communication drive to help its citizens understand the disease, the city also planned to administer prophylaxis to suspected cases and will do targeted testing of individuals.
Iloilo City’s health office has recommended to declare a localized outbreak in Molo and Jaro after five cases of whooping cough were reported from the districts. All of the patients are children. – Rappler.com
(Editor’s note: An earlier version of this article said pertussis can be “cured” with antibiotics. This has since been corrected, as antibiotics can only help manage the disease when taken or prescribed early.)
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UP scientists locate evidence of gas hydrates in Manila Trench | Jee Geronimo | 22/03/2024 18:34 | LOCATED. Bathymetric map of Luzon, including the Manila Trench, the North Luzon Trough (NLT), West Luzon Trough (WLT), Stewart Bank (SB), and Philippine Mobile Belt (PMB).
Photo courtesy of Maglalang et. al. 2023
MANILA, Philippines – Evidence of frozen natural gas or gas hydrates in the Manila Trench increases the possibility of tapping other alternative energy sources in the Philippines but can potentially harm people and the environment.
Elisha Jane Maglalang, Leo Armada, Madeleine Santos, Karla May Sayen, and Carla Dimalanta of the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman College of Science National Institute of Geological Sciences, Shu-Kun Hsu of the National Central University’s Department of Earth Sciences in Taiwan, and Graciano Yumul Jr. of the UP Los Baños School of Environmental Science and Management (UPLB-SESAM) published their article on the prospective occurrence of gas hydrates in the Manila Trench forearc on the Marine and Petroleum Geology journal and shared their discovery to the public.
“During our study, we identified certain indicators, also known as bottom-simulating reflectors (BSRs), that suggest the possible presence of gas hydrates…. Based on this feature, we determined the size of the area where the gas hydrates may be located. However, it is important to note that our data does not provide us with [the] volume or amount of gas hydrates that may be present in the area,” Dimalanta, Armada, and Magalang jointly answered Rappler’s questions on behalf of their coauthors.
These BSRs encompass a total area of 15,400 square kilometers or more than the size of Palawan, specifically found on the frontal wedge of the North Luzon trough (NLT) and in the West Luzon Trough (WLT) basin fill. The Manila Trench forearc means an area in the subduction zone, which is in between an oceanic trench and a volcanic arc.
Gas hydrates are formed into ice-like structures when a low-density gas, like carbon dioxide or methane, combines with water due to pressure and low temperature. This trapped gas, which is commonly methane, undergoes a thermogenic process similar to how petroleum is generated. As these are similar to traditional fossil fuels, they are finite and will take millions of years to replenish once extracted.
With the Department of Energy’s statement that the Malampaya gas field is projected to be depleted by 2024, the interviewed researchers highlighted their research as a vital step to finding alternative energy sources for the country, including gas hydrates.
Further exploration and mining of gas hydrates, on the other hand, can be a geologic and environmental disaster. Confirming the presence of gas hydrates requires drilling as a viable option for extraction. The researchers mentioned that “studies in other countries have shown that there may be a potential risk of accidental release of methane from gas hydrates during drilling.”
With methane being responsible for about 30% of the global temperature rise, further release of methane from gas hydrates could intensify global warming or cause submarine landslides that could trigger tsunamis.
Since gas hydrates are unstable solids, they can disconnect and melt when certain conditions in which they crystallized suddenly change, such as during earthquakes and climate warming. Unfortunately, the Manila Trench is an active zone responsible for several earthquakes in Western Luzon.
“Given the depths of the deposits inferred in the study (deeper than 2,000 meters below mean sea level), the effects of the warming oceans on gas hydrate stability beneath seafloor are expected to be negligible,” the researchers said. These assumptions, as they clarified, require more detailed investigations due to the different complex factors affecting gas hydrate stability.
While its use as a potential energy source (as opposed to risks) is still heavily debated, five countries, including the United States, South Korea, Japan, Canada, and China already have gas hydrate production. Understanding this resource could lead the country to better decisions.
“However, gas hydrate research in the Philippines is still in its early stages,” the researchers mentioned. Aside from confirming the presence of possible gas hydrates east of the Manila Trench and conducting an inventory throughout the country through further research, they clarified the critical part of using and developing the right technologies “for the safe and environmentally friendly extraction of gas from hydrate deposits.”
The researchers mentioned that the Philippines has limited studies about its surrounding waters, specifically about geological and geophysical explorations of its exclusive economic zone, as compared to other archipelagic countries. These limitations further restrict the country from maximizing and protecting its indigenous resources.
“We hope that the government will provide substantial funding support for studies similar to the initial work that we conducted…. The government must invest in developing the research infrastructure and a critical mass of scientists, specifically marine geologists and geophysicists, with technical expertise to conduct these studies,” the interviewed scientists said, recommending advancing this pioneering research in the country.
They clarified that while they are raising awareness of the scientific studies being conducted to identify offshore resources in the Philippines, it is still in the earliest phase of gas hydrate research and far from commercial production. The Malampaya gas field, for instance, was discovered in 1989 and only started commercial production in 2002.
“Only when the technology for the safe extraction of gas hydrates is developed can we rely on it as an alternative energy source,” the interviewed researchers noted.
Currently, the scientists are conducting explorations of the country’s offshore places to expand its geophysical dataset. – Rappler.com
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How big is the Philippines’ creative economy – and are you part of it? | gdecastro0289 | 22/03/2024 12:50 | Composite from official sites/Rappler files
MANILA, Philippines – As millions of Filipinos binge on South Korea’s K-dramas, marvel over Oscar-winning movies like Parasite, follow K-pop stars and other aspects of their Asian neighbor’s creative economy, there is now an official assessment of the Philippines’ own creative industries.
In the Philippine Statistics Authority’s (PSA) first compilation of Philippine Creative Economy Satellite Accounts (PCESA) released on Thursday, March 21, the central statistics authority said the Philippines’ creative economy amounted to P1.72 trillion in 2023, contributing 7.1% to the gross domestic product (GDP).
“Creativity plays an important role in improving the economic performance of a country as it can attract potential investments and promote competitive advantage,” the PSA said.
The Philippines’ creative economy was valued at P1.3 trillion in 2018, which went up to P1.47 trillion in 2019. Due to the pandemic, it declined to P1.34 trillion in 2019, but recovered from 2021 to 2023.
From a value of P1.34 trillion in 2020 and negative 9% growth, the Philippines’ creative economy grew 7.1% in 2021, 12.2% in 2022, and 6.9% in 2023.
In terms of employment, there were 6.9 million people in creative industries in 2018, which fell to 5.5 million in 2020. However, employment recovered in 2021 to 6.3 million in 2021, 6.9 million in 2022, and 7.2 million in 2023.
But who exactly are part of the Philippines’ creative industries?
The PSA developed its creative economy accounts by taking off from Republic Act 11904 or the Philippine Creative Industries Development Act, which lapsed into law on July 2022.
This law mandates the State to “promote and support the development of Philippine creative industries by protecting and strengthening the rights and capacities of creative firms, artists, artisans, creators, workers, indigenous cultural communities, content providers, and stakeholders in the creative industries….”
It defines creative industries as “trades involving persons, whether natural or juridical, that produce cultural, artistic, and innovative goods and services originating in human creativity, skill, and talent and having a potential to create wealth and livelihood through the generation and utilization of intellectual property.”
From this, the PSA developed an “operational definition” of creative economy, which is: “economic activities primarily responsible for the creation, production, commercialization, distribution, and consumption of goods and services that use creativity and intellectual capital as primary inputs.”
The PSA says creative goods and services should meet the following criteria:
You are part of the Philippines’ creative industries if you are engaged in the following:
From this definition, the PSA said the biggest contributors to employment are those engaged in “traditional cultural expression activities” with the highest share of 35.5% in 2023.
“This was followed by symbols and images and other related activities and advertising, research and development, and other artistic service activities with 30.3 percent and 17.8 percent, respectively,” it said.
Among the biggest companies involved in this broad definition would be GMA Network, ABS-CBN Corporation, and Manny Pangilinan's MediaQuest Holdings; celebrities such as Coco Martin, Vice Ganda, Anne Curtis, and Sarah Geronimo; digital content creators and influencers on YouTube, Facebook/Instagram, and TikTok; indigenous artists such as Whang-Od; advertising companies engaged in promoting Philippine food and beverage companies such as Jollibee and San Miguel Beer, among others.
Among the world-renowned Filipino designers are Kenneth Cobonpue, Budji Layug in furniture; Michael Cinco, Monique Lhuillier, Rajo Laurel, Francis Libiran in fashion.
Famous Filipinos in arts include BenCab, Ronald Ventura, Ramon Orlina, Michael Cacnio, Julie Lluch, Toym Imao.
Other Filipino entertainment icons are Lea Salonga, Arnel Pineda, and Gary V.
The PSA said it started this “pilot initiative” to assess the scope and coverage of the Philippines’ creative economy in 2022.
It then drafted an interim methodology for the compilation of the Philippine Creative Economy Satellite Accounts.
“With the growing supply and demand for innovative and creative goods and services, it is important to capture the economic contribution of the creative sector in the country,” the PSA said.
The PSA said its methodology is still “preliminary” and is “currently being refined.”
According to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), South Korea’s creative sectors employed over 600,000 people in 2021. Its creative economy generated $12.4 billion in export revenues the same year, growing at 4% to 5% annually. Revenues from South Korea’s creative sectors were more than twice its consumer electronics exports (e.g. mobile phones, smart TVs) of $4.7 billion.
Former economic planning secretary Cielito Habito, in a 2023 column, said it was time the Philippines makes a big push for its “creative economy.”
“Think of how much more prosperous our economy could be if we could do what the Koreans did to create so much wealth (and jobs) from their ‘cultural economy.’ Given the Filipinos’ widely acknowledged artistic and creative talent, often described to be the richest and most versatile in Asia, this need not be a pipe dream beyond our reach. Now is the time for us to deliberately plan and work on ‘doing a Korea,’ and cash in much more than we have so far been able to, on our creative economy,” he said. – Rappler.com
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23 fishermen rescued as fishing vessel sinks after mysterious fire | Herbie G | 22/03/2024 11:54 | FIRE. A fishing vessel, Quadro Alas, catches fire off the coast of Basay town in Negros Oriental Thursday, March 21. Authorities say 23 of its fishing crew, including the vessel’s captain, were rescued.
PNP-Negros Oriental
BACOLOD, Philippines – Disaster responders rescued 23 crew members of a fishing vessel that caught fire off the coast of Basay town in Negros Oriental on Thursday, March 21.
Authorities, however, faced a blank wall regarding the cause of the fire because the fishing vessel’s crew, including their captain, were uncooperative, according to Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office (NORPPO) spokesman, Lieutenant Stephen Polinar.
Polinar said investigators could not inspect and gather clues from the ill-fated fishing vessel because it sank after catching fire near Sitio Lintub, Barangay Nagbo-Alao in Basay town.
The vessel, Quadro Alas, was registered under the name of Delfen Calogbang Jr.
He said the survivors were rushed to the Rural Health Unit (RHU) of Basay, where they were all in a state of shock.
Negros Oriental police director Colonel Ronan Claravall said the Basay Municipal Police Office chief, Captain Alfred Vicente Silvosa, was instructed to dig deeper in collaboration with the Philippine National Police-Maritime Command and the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) in the province. – Rappler.com
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IN PHOTOS: Philippine scientists assess coral reef near Pag-asa Island | Bea Cupin | 22/03/2024 20:49 | PAG-ASA. Filipino scientists, accompanied by personnel from the BFAR and PCG, conduct an assessment at cays close to Pag-asa in the West Philippine Sea on March 21, 2024.
Philippine Coast Guard
MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said on Friday, March 22, that Filipino scientists have successfully conducted four hours of “extensive coral reef and fishery resources assessment” at Pag-asa Cays 1 and 2, despite “intimidation tactics” by China.
Commodore Jay Tarriela, spokesperson of the PCG for the West Philippine Sea, reported that a Chinese coast guard ship “came as close as 100 meters” to the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) vessel during the visit.
A Chinese military helicopter was also monitored hovering above the Philippine ships.
A Philippine contingent – of scientists and PCG personnel – checked on the cays close to Pag-asa. Among those who joined the mission were experts from the University of the Philippines Institute of Biology, the BFAR, and the Department of Agriculture’s National Fisheries Research and Development Institute.
The BFAR noted that they found “no diversity” in the coral reef close to the cay.
See the photos from the PCG below.
China’s coast guard has insisted that the Filipino scientists ignored its warnings, illegally landed on the cays, and violated China’s sovereignty.
Tarriela fired back at Beijing on Friday.
“The BFAR and the PCG strongly refute the false narrative presented by the China Coast Guard (CCG) regarding the marine scientific resource assessment conducted by a Filipino marine scientist at Pag-asa Cays 1 and 2,” he said.
“The presence of the CCG and Chinese Maritime Militia vessels in the area is a clear infringement of the Philippines’ territorial sovereignty,” added Tarriela. – with reports from Reuters/Rappler.com
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Cebu City mayor files complaint vs Gwen Garcia over BRT stoppage | jsitchon0312 | 22/03/2024 17:26 | CLASH: “The governor is supposed to make friends or make it clear that they’re making enemies. (Are you) friend or foe,” Cebu City Mayor Mike Rama said on the city's teleradio channel on Thursday, February 29.
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CEBU, Philippines – Cebu City Mayor Mike Rama has filed an administrative complaint before the Office of the President against Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia for alleged abuse of authority in halting civil works at the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit (CBRT) project site.
“If the CBRT is stopped, its objective to decongest traffic, reduce GHG emissions from which the public would benefit from would never be realized. This is on top of the public funds already spent but would only be laid to waste if CBRT remains unfinished,” Rama said in the 14-page complaint dated Wednesday, March 20.
Rama urged President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to hold Garcia liable for abuse of authority, oppression, and grave misconduct.
He alleged that Garcia violated the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act under Administrative Order No. 23, s. 1992.
“Governor Garcia should be reminded that the local Government Code only grants her administrative powers with respect to local affairs. She cannot dictate the thrust of national infrastructure projects, much less impose a requirement for her to approve them prior to implementation,” the mayor said in the complaint.
Rama has also asked Marcos to initiate an investigation and to issue a preventive suspension order against Garcia.
“Frustrated with the social disturbance, economic loss, political turmoil brought about by Governor Garcia, I respectfully invoke the President’s power and duty to discipline and suspend Governor Garcia,” Rama said in his complaint.
Garcia declined to comment on the complaint filed by Rama, when reporters asked her about the development on Friday afternoon, March 22.
On February 27, Garcia issued Memorandum No. 16-2024 ordering the project developer, Hunan Road and Bridge Construction Group Company Limited, to cease and desist construction activities on what the provincial government claimed was “provinced-owned” lots along Osmeña Boulevard.
Cebu Provincial Legal Officer Donato Villa said in a press conference on on February 29 that the project developer would be violating the National Heritage Act of 2009 for putting up parts of a CBRT bus station in an area that would block the view of the Cebu Provincial Capitol building.
To recall, the Department of Transportation (Philippines) (DOTr) manages the P16-billion CBRT that was initially planned to open in the fourth quarter of 2023. Marcos led the groundbreaking ceremony for the project at the Fuente Osmeña Circle in Cebu City on February 27, 2023. – Rappler.com
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On-court connection: Tebol Garcia, Vince Reyes lead Adamson closer to NBTC title | Jasmine Payo | 22/03/2024 22:34 | YOUNG GUNS. Adamson’s Tebol Garcia (left) and Vince Reyes stay on top of their game in NBTC action.
NBTC
MANILA, Philippines – As their college careers fast approach, Adamson Baby Falcons’ Tebol Garcia and Vince Reyes try to make the most of their final days in the high school ranks.
Garcia, ranked fifth in this year’s NBTC rankings, and Reyes, listed seventh, continue to bank on their on-court connection in a bid to bring Adamson another hardware before going to college.
“We are blessed to have ranked that high. But all we want here is the championship,” said Garcia about his and Reyes’ goals in the tournament.
That objective is now within reach as the Baby Falcons moved on the cusp of the NBTC title, dispatching Mapua High School, 70-65, in the semifinals on Friday, March 22, at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Garcia dropped 14 points and 3 assists to continue his stellar run in the NBTC tournament, while Reyes also chipped in 14 markers and 8 rebounds, lifting Adamson to the championship game, just a month after also leading Adamson to the UAAP juniors basketball crown.
“I’m so happy we both were ranked in the top 10. We help each other, we try to lift each other in the court, we hold each other accountable,” Reyes said of his on-court connection with Garcia.
“We always try to strengthen our connection. Sometimes, we even reach a point where we’re not aware of what we’re doing anymore because it has been very natural to us,” he added.
The duo has been at the forefront of Adamson’s resurgence in the UAAP juniors scene as they led the Baby Falcons to their first UAAP boys basketball title in 31 years last Febraury.
This time, they have a chance to add a new title to their already decorated high school career — the NBTC championship.
For Garcia, however, Adamson’s recent success in the UAAP and its run in the NBTC are more than their individual talents. Instead, it was a product of the balanced effort of the squad.
“Since the UAAP, this is not about our individual talent. We, as a team, really worked hard for this,” said the 19-year-old point guard. “Perhaps our rankings were just a bonus of our hard work.”
“We all just do our part to win. We want to win every game by maximizing our strengths,” Reyes added.
Adamson will face their toughest test in the NBTC championship game against Fil-Am Nation Select on Sunday, March 24, at the same venue.
Like the Baby Falcons, the Fil-Ams dominated the competition en route to the tournament finals, beating the likes of seven-year champion NU Bullpups on Wednesday, and the Batang Tiaong of Quezon in the day’s main game, 81-72.
Matching up to the caliber of Adamson’s Garcia and Reyes will be Gilas Pilipinas Youth players Andy Gemao, Jacob Bayla, and Caelum Harris, along with spitfire scorer Terrence Hill.
Coincidentally, the two finalists have not won the NBTC title since the tournament’s inception, with the Fil-Am Select team only claiming its best finish as a runner-up last year. – Rappler.com
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No-surrender Lassiter gives 3-Point Shootout another shot with eye on breakthrough crown | delfin.dioquino editor | 22/03/2024 20:33 | LET IT FLY. Marcio Lassiter in action for the San Miguel Beermen in the 2023-24 PBA Commissioner's Cup.
PBA Images
BACOLOD, Philippines – San Miguel guard Marcio Lassiter needs nothing more to prove his status as one of deadliest marksmen to grace the PBA, but a Three-Point Shootout crown would be a welcome addition to his trophy collection.
Lassiter eyes a breakthrough win in the PBA All-Star Weekend side event as he gives the Three-Point Shootout another shot on Saturday, March 23, at the University of St. La Salle gym here.
“You always want to get one as a shooter,” said the 36-year-old Lassiter, the second-oldest participant among the 12 entries after two-time champion James Yap.
“If I get one, I think I’ll be done. I’ll let the next guy get the next one. I’m definitely going to be shooting for it like I always do every year.”
Lassiter continues to climb the all-time three-pointers list, rising to the fifth spot in February behind No. 1 Jimmy Alapag, No. 2 Allan Caidic, No. 3 LA Tenorio, and No. 4 Yap.
Yet somehow, the Three-Point Shootout title has eluded Lassiter, who joins the contest for the fifth consecutive edition and eighth overall after unsuccessful attempts in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2023.
Last year, Lassiter almost got the job done only to finish as runner-up to defending champion Paul Lee.
“Maybe I just need a defender to guard me, honestly. Maybe that is the key – for someone to get close to me and guard me,” Lassiter quipped.
“Last year was one of my closest ones. I hope I could just build off of that. Just come out and put another good showing. It is obviously for the fans. Fans I guess love to see me keep coming back.”
Momentum is on the side of Lassiter as he enjoys one of his best shooting seasons.
Knocking down 9 of his 11 three-point attempts through two games in the Philippine Cup, Lassiter averages a scintillating 49.5% from long range this season.
But capturing that elusive Three-Point Shootout plum is expected to be a tall order for Lassiter, with Lee of Magnolia bent on defending his throne and Yap of Blackwater determined to capture his third title before his fellow Negrenses.
Also in contention are deadshots Arvin Tolentino (NorthPort), Calvin Oftana (TNT), Kenneth Tuffin (Phoenix), and Robbie Herndon (NLEX), among others.
Lassiter, though, knows he is his own biggest enemy.
“Every year you got good shooters. These are guys who are just like me who are catch and shoot. Some are rhythm shooters. Just depends on how the ball bounces sometimes,” he said.
“Mainly just got to focus on myself. I know all of us can win it. Any given night. So I’m just going to focus on myself, make sure I get good quality shots and just let the ball do its thing.”
The PBA is staging two versions of the Three-Point Shootout this year: one for guards and one for bigs. – Rappler.com
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CBCP plans to ‘revisit,’ not reopen, Lipa apparition case | Paterno Esmaquel II | 22/03/2024 19:55 | EDSA ANNIVERSARY. Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines president Bishop Pablo Virgilio David presides over the Mass commemorating the 38th anniversary of the 1986 People Power revolt at EDSA Shrine on February 25, 2024.
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MANILA, Philippines – The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) plans to “revisit,” not reopen, the case of the alleged 1948 apparition of the Virgin Mary in Lipa City, Batangas, which the Vatican rejected as not supernatural.
The decision stemmed from “lapses in communication” when the 1951 Vatican decree on the Lipa apparition was supposed to be transmitted to Filipino Catholics seven decades ago.
It was Cardinal Gerhard Müller, then-prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (now the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith or DDF), who pointed out such communication errors in his 2015 decree that reiterated the 1951 decision.
“The CBCP has deemed it necessary to ‘revisit the case’ (not reopen investigation) because, as admitted by the 2015 letter sent by Cardinal Müller, some lapses in the communication of Rome’s decision had been committed in the process,” CBCP president Bishop Pablo Virgilio David told Rappler.
The CBCP has consistently upheld the 1951 Vatican decree on the Lipa apparition, with David emphasizing on May 27, 2023, that “Rome has spoken.”
In a separate letter to CBCP members on February 19 this year, David reiterated an advisory by the Vatican that it should now be the CBCP that “discerns what is necessary for the good of the faithful” regarding the Lipa apparition. This is because, according to the Vatican, “the non-supernatural nature of the aforementioned events has been clearly established.”
The Lipa apparition made headlines this week after the Archdiocese of Lipa announced on Tuesday, March 19, that the Vatican has finally published its 1951 decree on the Lipa apparition, ending decades of speculation by devotees on whether the document existed.
The decree’s supposed nonexistence was also the basis of a perjury complaint filed by Harriet Demetriou, a Marian devotee and a retired justice of the anti-graft court Sandiganbayan, against Dominican exorcist priest Father Winston Cabading.
Demetriou claimed that Cabading lied under oath, or committed perjury, when he claimed in a separate case that the 1951 decree existed. This perjury complaint was junked by a Makati City prosecutor on January 23, but Demetriou is appealing the case.
The other case, the one that brought about the perjury complaint, was an alleged violation of a 1930s law against “offending religious feelings.” Demetriou had sued Cabading in December 2022 for being a rabid critic of the Lipa apparition – a case that resulted in Cabading’s arrest and detention for one weekend in mid-May 2023.
The Lipa apparition has long been a source of tension between devotees and the Catholic hierarchy in the Philippines.
In this alleged apparition, the Virgin Mary reportedly appeared to a 21-year-old Carmelite postulant named Sister Teresita Castillo in Lipa City for 15 days beginning on September 12, 1948. The visions were reportedly accompanied by a rain of rose petals, which many devotees attest to have witnessed themselves.
The Virgin Mary under the title of Mediatrix of All Grace, who allegedly appeared to Castillo, is still honored by devotees to this day. The Mediatrix of All Grace is also known as Our Lady of Lipa.
The Vatican, however, in a decree approved by Pope Pius XII on March 29, 1951, said that the alleged Lipa apparition, “after serious examination, turns out not to have a supernatural origin and character.” The Vatican based its decree on an admission of Castillo’s superior, Mother Mary Cecilia of Jesus, that she deceived Catholics about the supposed miracle in Lipa.
The 1951 decree stated that “the apostolic delegate is to authorize the apostolic administrator to issue a document from the Curia,” or the Vatican bureaucracy, communicating this decision.
An apostolic delegate is a Vatican representative who acts like a nuncio but without diplomatic status. An apostolic administrator is a caretaker of a Catholic diocese in the absence of a full-time bishop.
David said the apostolic delegate to the Philippines at that time, Archbishop Egidio Vagnozzi, did not “authorize the apostolic administrator to issue a document from the Curia” as the 1951 decree instructed.
Instead, Vagnozzi formed a six-member panel to issue a document stating the decision of Rome. The commission included Bishop Rufino Santos, then the apostolic administrator of Lipa.
“The lapse was, the committee issued a statement owning the decision and making no mention that that was actually the decision of the Sacred Office in Rome (now called DDF),” said David.
The six-member commission, in particular, “issued its own decree signed by the members, dated April 11, 1951, bearing the basic content of the document from Rome, but without mentioning that the decision had come from Rome, that it had been approved by the Pope, and that it was final and definitive.”
Santos himself issued his own decree on April 12, 1951, said David. In this decree, Santos banned devotion to Our Lady of Lipa, but concluded with the phrase “until a final decision on the matter will come from the Holy See.” According to David, this means “he was not made aware that the decision had come from Rome.”
“It was on account of these lapses in communication that the CBCP thought it wise to revisit and reconstruct the turn of events, starting with obtaining an authenticated photocopy of the decision made by the Sacred Office in 1951, which we did not have in our CBCP files,” said David.
Rappler sought David for clarification on the purpose of correcting these communication lapses if the Vatican has released a copy of the 1951 decree, which the Archdiocese of Lipa recently communicated to the Catholic faithful, and which is considered final and definitive.
David has not responded to this query as of posting time.
The current archbishop of Lipa, Gilbert Garcera, said in a January 31 meeting on the Lipa apparition that the CBCP discussed the issue in its plenary assembly earlier that month.
One of the resolutions during the plenary assembly was “that the CBCP will request the Dicastery [for the Doctrine of the Faith] the possibility of ‘revisiting’ the case,” according to minutes of the January 31 meeting convened by Garcera.
“It is to be noted that this should not be construed as reopening the case,” the minutes said.
In a separate letter to David dated October 6, 2023, current DDF prefect Cardinal Victor Fernandez noted that dissemination of the image of Mary related to the Lipa apparition “can easily confuse the faithful around them.” Therefore, “propagation is discouraged unless there are other pastoral considerations” that the CBCP would “deem necessary to evaluate.”
“On the other hand, the Holy Spirit can work in the faithful and do good even through phenomena that are not authentically supernatural. Therefore, it is good that, along with the pronouncement by the bishops, those who may have approached Christ and the Church through devotion to that Marian image are also encouraged to grow in their Christian experience through other mediations,” said Fernandez in this letter originally in Italian.
“Finally, since the non-supernatural nature of the aforementioned events is now clearly established, it seems appropriate for the future, unless further interventions by this Dicastery are deemed necessary, that your episcopal conference discerns what is necessary for the well-being of the faithful regarding the aforementioned events,” the cardinal said. – Rappler.com
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Never too late for love: Celebrity couples who married ‘later’ in life | Steph Arnaldo | 22/03/2024 15:21 | MANILA, Philippines – Do you believe that age is just a number? Many celebrity couples do!
In a society where the pressure to marry young often feels like an unspoken rule, many celebrities defy the norm and find happiness on their own terms and age ranges. While the Philippine Statistics Authority may suggest that the average age for marriage falls between 28 and 30 years old, many have challenged this notion, citing reasons beyond mere age.
These stars have flipped the script on when to say “I do,” from prioritizing financial stability to embracing emotional maturity.
Here are some of the famous lovebirds who are rewriting the rules and reveling in the joys of married life, regardless of societal expectations.
Renowned dermatologist Vicky Belo met Hayden Kho, a celebrity doctor, in 2005, when he was a medical student and she was an established figure in the beauty industry.
Despite a significant 24-year age gap, they began dating and faced public scrutiny shortly afterwards. They got engaged in Houston, Texas, in 2010, and tied the knot in a lavish Paris ceremony in 2017, when Belo was 61 and Hayden was 37.
Their journey as a married couple includes the birth of their daughter, Scarlet Snow Belo, in 2015.
It’s Showtime host Vhong Navarro and She-Wolf: The Last Sentinel series writer Tanya Bautista started dating in 2014. At the time, Navarro was busy with his showbiz career, and Bautista was focused on writing and entrepreneurship.
They got married in November 2019 after several years together when Navarro was 42 and Bautista was 37.
Today, they support each other in their individual pursuits, demonstrating that love and career can definitely co-exist.
From just crossing paths in the industry, Your Face Sounds Familiar television host Luis Manzano and Ang Probinsyano actress Jessy Mendiola first became friends before publicly dating in 2017.
The couple tied the knot in a private ceremony in February 2021, with Luis being 40 years old and Jessy being 28. In 2022, the pair became a family of three after welcoming their first daughter named Rosie, whom many fondly call “Baby Peanut.”
Their love story took another beautiful turn in February 2024, when the pair said “I do” for the second time in an intimate Coron wedding, surrounded by family members.
TV5 news anchor Korina Sanchez and former senator Mar Roxas met in the late 1990s and began dating in 2003, when Sanchez was a TV Patrol reporter and Roxas was a congressman.
The couple got married in 2009; Sanchez was 45 and Roxas was 52.
Over the years, they have supported each other through various personal and professional challenges. Their decades of commitment blossomed into the birth of their twins Pepe and Pilar via surrogacy in February 2019.
Singer-songwriter Ogie Alcasid and Asia’s songbird Regine Velasquez met in the music industry in the late 1980s. They began dating years later in their 40s, and wed in a garden ceremony in December 2010, with Ogie aged 43 and Regine aged 40.
The two icons of Philippine music welcomed a son, Nate, in 2011.
Kimmy Dora actress Eugene Domingo and Italian film critic Danilo Bottoni met through a film festival in Udine, Italy, where Domingo’s movie Barber’s Tales was featured.
In 2016, they tied the knot in an intimate ceremony in Italy, when Domingo was 45 and Bottoni was 57. Although they come from different religious backgrounds, the couple holds mutual respect for each other’s beliefs.
These couples prove that there is no set age for life’s grand milestones, whether you decide to settle down in your 30s, 40s, 50s, or beyond! Sit back and take a deep breath – you are exactly where you’re meant to be. – Rappler.com
Patty Bufi is a Rappler intern. This article was vetted by a staff reporter and editor.
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[Edgewise] Quo vadis, Quiboloy? | Glenda Gloria | 22/03/2024 15:00 | Senator Imee Marcos’ touching defense of Pastor Apollo Quiboloy brought me to tears. “Let’s not oppress him,” she pleaded to her fellow senators, hitting me right here in the coronary.
People, beware of the Pharisees in the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), our Senate, the Department of Justice, even the House. They’re mercilessly flogging the Appointed Son of God with charges of dollar smuggling and laundering, violating US immigration laws, trafficking and sexually abusing women and children, financially scamming his Kingdom of Jesus followers, so on and so forth.
They don’t understand that the Appointed Son’s believers have given themselves wholly – their earnings, unpaid labor, everything including their bodies, not to mention nightly foot massages – to him who sayeth, “Love gives, love is generous, God has started His perfect plan already from the beginning. But if you do not have love, it profiteth you nothing.”
Worried for the Owner of the Universe, I once again sought the best legal mind in town, Attorney Manny Obra, at the dimly lighted Obra, Cadabra Law Office (“We Make the Charges Disappear)” on Nueva Street near Escolta. A former paralegal for Perry Mason and L.A. Law in the U.S., he’s the best-kept secret in Philippine jurisprudence. His rates are economical, too.
Attorney, I asked, how can we shield the Appointed Son of God from the Fruits of the Serpent Seed, especially Senator Risa Hontiveros’ Committee on Women and Children? She wants to legislate protections against sexual abuse and financial exploitation in secretive religious groups like Pastor Quiboloy’s Kingdom of Jesus Christ.
“The Appointed Son is in a very, very tight spot, really tight!” Attorney Manny blurted, waving away flies from his lunch of pan de sal and sardines.
“First, the Appointed Son’s lawyers must hurdle the doctrine of attractive nuisance. As the attractive nuisance in this case he’s liable for injuries likely caused by what attracts people to him. It’s tough because Filipino and Ukrainian ex-followers gave damning testimonies on the damage inflicted by his attractiveness.”
An incisive diagnosis right off the bat, I gushed.
“Also, the Appointed Son’s lawyers made a HUGE, HUGE mistake in demanding 17 conditions before he’d agree to appear at Senator Risa’s hearing,” he exclaimed, spewing flecks of tomato sauce.
“What were those lightweights thinking demanding the conditions themselves?It’s an in propria persona blunder voiding in terrorem capacity to frighten the hell out of the other side. They should have issued a 17-point writ of mandamus from a Burning Bush instead. Senator Risa, you know, is God-fearing.”
Tsk, tsk, what a statutory boo-boo. Attorney Manny further warned that the FBI’s criminal charges and those pending from the DOJ bode ”heavier punitive outcomes” than the Senate and House subpoenas.
I guess that’s why the Appointed Son is secreting himself somewhere in his vast Garden of GetSomeMoney.
“That’s okay for now because his Four Hoarsemen in the Senate couldn’t protect him. But he can’t avoid Sen. Risa’s warrant for good, ditto the DOJ and the FBI. He needs a sound legal strategy. Although I must admit, this is the toughest case of separation of church and estate I’ve encountered.”
Uh, it’s Church and State, I corrected him.
“I’m referring to his separation from his church and its estate. He could be ex parted from his mansions here and abroad, his private jet, helicopter, SMNI media franchise, luxury cars, guns, various other properties, etc.
Does the Appointed Son have any other recourse at all besides hiding from the authorities?
“Well, before any trial, he can start manifesting de facto exculpatory behavior, like ceasing and desisting from habitually asking attractive followers, ‘Can I habeas corpus tonight?’”
Sigh. If only he’d be facing a simple Court TV trial by “Judge Judy” – she’s fair although irritable.
“That’s res judicata. A long shot, sorry. Ultimately, the only realistic way out for the Appointed Son is to render the cases against him moot.”
Moot?
“Yes, make the law ‘lose its practical significance by resolving the issues in one way or another.’ One way is to sua sponte come out of hiding and face his prosecution.”
But how would that moot the charges? He’ll just be extradited by the FBI and sent to a US prison filled with gangbangers and whatnot.
“Listen. When Peter was fleeing from persecution in Rome, he met the Risen Jesus on the road and asked Him, ‘Quo vadis, Lord?’ Jesus said he was going to Rome to be crucified again. Chastened, Peter cast aside his cowardice and turned back to embrace his martyrdom. The Appointed Son can also embrace his.”
What?! Prisoners in the US hate fellow convicts they suspect of being “cho-mos” – child molesters. The Appointed Son is also accused of sexually abusing minors. He might end up with a shiv in his back!
“Which is precisely the point. By living up to his appointment as the Appointed Son of God, he should rise bodily to Heaven mooting the charges against him beyond reasonable doubt! Want some pan de sal and sardinas?”
Amazing! As usual, Attorney Manny Obra hit the nail on the head. Thanking him profusely, I asked how much I owed for his spiritually comforting counsel.
“Nothing. Pro bono. It’s just plain common sense. Next time bring me a tougher nut to crack.” – Rappler.com
Rene Ciria Cruz is an editor at PositivelyFilipino.com. He edited the book A Time to Rise: Collective Memoirs of the Union of Democratic Filipinos (KDP), (UP Press), and was Inquirer.net’s US Bureau Chief 2013-2023. He has written for the San Francisco Examiner, San Francisco Chronicle, Pacific News Service, and California Lawyer Magazine
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I appreciate this amusing RENE CIRIA CRUZ article—the story of Atty. Manny Obra, at the dimly lighted Obra, Cadabra Law Office (“We Make the Charges Disappear),” and the latter’s legal opinions on the Quiboloy case. Perhaps another story would be about an Atty. Magaling Magmadyik of the Homo Evanescet Law Office (“We Make People Disappear”). Thank you, writer RC Cruz.
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Cebu City mayor files complaint vs Gwen Garcia over BRT stoppage | jsitchon0312 | 22/03/2024 17:26 | CLASH: “The governor is supposed to make friends or make it clear that they’re making enemies. (Are you) friend or foe,” Cebu City Mayor Mike Rama said on the city's teleradio channel on Thursday, February 29.
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CEBU, Philippines – Cebu City Mayor Mike Rama has filed an administrative complaint before the Office of the President against Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia for alleged abuse of authority in halting civil works at the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit (CBRT) project site.
“If the CBRT is stopped, its objective to decongest traffic, reduce GHG emissions from which the public would benefit from would never be realized. This is on top of the public funds already spent but would only be laid to waste if CBRT remains unfinished,” Rama said in the 14-page complaint dated Wednesday, March 20.
Rama urged President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to hold Garcia liable for abuse of authority, oppression, and grave misconduct.
He alleged that Garcia violated the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act under Administrative Order No. 23, s. 1992.
“Governor Garcia should be reminded that the local Government Code only grants her administrative powers with respect to local affairs. She cannot dictate the thrust of national infrastructure projects, much less impose a requirement for her to approve them prior to implementation,” the mayor said in the complaint.
Rama has also asked Marcos to initiate an investigation and to issue a preventive suspension order against Garcia.
“Frustrated with the social disturbance, economic loss, political turmoil brought about by Governor Garcia, I respectfully invoke the President’s power and duty to discipline and suspend Governor Garcia,” Rama said in his complaint.
Garcia declined to comment on the complaint filed by Rama, when reporters asked her about the development on Friday afternoon, March 22.
On February 27, Garcia issued Memorandum No. 16-2024 ordering the project developer, Hunan Road and Bridge Construction Group Company Limited, to cease and desist construction activities on what the provincial government claimed was “provinced-owned” lots along Osmeña Boulevard.
Cebu Provincial Legal Officer Donato Villa said in a press conference on on February 29 that the project developer would be violating the National Heritage Act of 2009 for putting up parts of a CBRT bus station in an area that would block the view of the Cebu Provincial Capitol building.
To recall, the Department of Transportation (Philippines) (DOTr) manages the P16-billion CBRT that was initially planned to open in the fourth quarter of 2023. Marcos led the groundbreaking ceremony for the project at the Fuente Osmeña Circle in Cebu City on February 27, 2023. – Rappler.com
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UST student council candidates quit amid university censorship issues | pfkahanap0307 | 20/03/2024 23:04 | Paolo Cootauco/MovePH
MANILA, Philippines – Seven student leaders in the University of Santo Tomas withdrew their candidacies for the upcoming central student council (CSC) elections, as the campus administration continues to draw flak for supposed suppression of academic freedom.
In a statement released on Wednesday, March 20, six of the seven CSC candidates said that they felt compelled to “take a principled stand against participating in a system resistant to reform.”
“We call on our fellow students and student leaders to no longer compromise their principles, and to no longer give up their dreams and vision of a better student experience by refusing to participate in a dysfunctional and oppressive system,” they said.
BREAKING: SIX UST CSC CANDIDATES WITHDRAW CANDIDACYSix candidates in the upcoming Central Student Council (CSC) Executive Board elections have withdrawn their candidacies, the Central Commission on Elections (Comelec) has announced.In an unprecedented move, candidates Timothy… pic.twitter.com/3VvgjJPuW9
The remaining candidate withdrew his candidacy on Friday, March 22, saying that he echoed the call for students to “unite, stand up against repressive policies, speak up on university issues, and continue to work with integrity whilst never sacrificing their principles.”
pic.twitter.com/famXQG73OO
The move is the latest blow against campus officials of Asia’s oldest existing university, which is grappling with allegations of student censorship, reignited by the Office for Student Affairs’ (OSA) forced takedown of a photo uploaded by student-led media organization TomasinoWeb in February.
OSA wanted a photo of some students entering a convenience store inside the campus deleted for supposedly causing the university “public ridicule.”
In that same week, philosophy student Raven Racelis received a show-cause notice from university officials, asking her to explain why she should not be disciplined for being the chairperson of Panday Sining UST, a national democratic mass organization that is not recognized by the university.
The former CSC candidates urged the university to “address these issues with utmost urgency” by initiating discussions with student representatives, with hopes of creating “genuine reform where the values of the University are truly upheld.”
During an open conversation with students and media on Wednesday, Racelis said that while she respects the student leaders’ decision to withdraw their candidacy, such an action could mean a lack of student representation inside the campus.
“It will be easier for the administration to interfere with our council and oppress us. Let us be clear though that our number one target shouldn’t be the candidates who withdrew their candidacy, but the administration who caused fear and anger to every student in our university,” Racelis said in Filipino.
On March 14, UST said a technical group led by OSA will review its student-related policies with the help of recognized student organizations.
It also designated UST senior high school (SHS) assistant principal Jaezamie Ong as the officer-in-charge of OSA, after director Maria Cecilia Tio Cuison, who received criticism over the TomasinoWeb photo takedown, availed of medical leave.
Discussions on UST’s supposed student repression have spread beyond campus grounds and reached Congress, with Kabataan Representative Raoul Manuel filing a resolution seeking a House probe into “violations of students’ rights” in the university. – with reports from Paolo Cootauco/MovePH
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For the fans: Gallent wants competitive show in PBA All-Star Game | delfin.dioquino editor | 22/03/2024 18:31 | CONTEST. Robert Bolick and Calvin Oftana in action in the 2023 PBA All-Star Game.
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BACOLOD, Philippines – The PBA All-Star Game is first and foremost for the fans, so Team Mark head coach Jorge Gallent aims to do them justice by putting on a competitive show.
Gallent looks to avoid a repeat of the lackluster play that plagued the last NBA All-Star Game as his side battles Team Japeth in the main event of the mid-season spectacle at the University of St. La Salle gym here on Sunday, March 24.
The previous NBA All-Star Game drew critical reactions from fans due to its lack of excitement, with the East All-Stars crushing the West All-Stars in a record-setting 211-186 rout.
“We really don’t want a game like that. We want the fans to enjoy by being competitive. We just can’t make easy baskets and all of that,” said Gallent, who got voted All-Star head coach for the first time.
“The fans, they spend on tickets to watch not a blowout game but a competitive game.”
If the past is any indication, the PBA All-Star Game promises to be compelling one.
Last year in Passi City, Iloilo, Team Japeth hacked out a 140-136 win over Team Scottie in a match that remained in the balance until the dying seconds thanks to the league introducing a couple of gimmicks, including a four-point line.
Also, the last time Bacolod City hosted the annual festivities in 2008 marked the only time the PBA All-Star Game reached overtime, with former league commissioner Sonny Barrios heeding fans’ requests for an extra period.
The result: the South All-Stars powered by Peter June Simon – who earned MVP honors – nailed a 163-158 victory over the North All-Stars.
“If it comes down to a winning basket, I’m sure they’re going to love it,” said Gallent.
Due to the success of the PBA All-Star Game last year, the league will once again employ a four-point line and reward three points for dunks. – Rappler.com
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Military, police probe into alleged MNLF recruitment in Negros Occidental | Herbie G | 22/03/2024 10:51 | CAMP. A camp set up allegedly by the Moro National Liberation Front in Barangay Tinampaan, Cadiz City, is causing alarm in Negros Occidental.
courtesy of K5 News FM-Cadiz
NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, Philippines – Military and police authorities on Thursday, March 21, began looking into the recruitment of members allegedly by the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) in a city in Negros Occidental.
The recruitment, reported in the village of Tinampaan, Cadiz City, in the northern part of Negros Occidental, has left many people in the city and province feeling uneasy.
Cadiz Mayor Salvador Escalante said he was leaving the investigation to the state forces.
“I entrust everything to our local authorities – the police and the Army – to handle the validation regarding the accuracy of the information. As of now, there is no cause for panic as the city remains very peaceful,” he said.
Escalante assured the public that the city government would provide full support for whatever actions the authorities decide to take regarding the alleged presence of the MNLF.
In neighboring Bacolod, the capital of Negros Occidental, police were closely monitoring the situation in Cadiz in anticipation of similar recruitment activities there, according to Colonel Ronnie Brillo, spokesman of the Bacolod City Police Office.
Nadia Laud, who introduced herself as a member of the MNLF, confirmed to local broadcaster K5 News FM-Cadiz the ongoing recruitment, but assured the public that they mean well and don’t pose a threat to Cadiz and the province.
Laud said the MNLF also set up a camp within a two-hectare property that they acquired through a donation. She did not identify the donor.
Founded in 1969 by Nur Misuari, the MNLF fought for self-determination until reaching a political settlement with the government in 1996, during the Ramos administration. Misuari subsequently became the third governor of the now-defunct Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), precursor of the present-day Bangsamoro region.
However, in September 2013, the MNLF carried out an armed incursion into Zamboanga City, seeking to raise their flag at Zamboanga City Hall in a bid to declare independence for the Muslim-majority areas in Mindanao. The conflict resulted in a siege lasting weeks, causing significant casualties, displacement of residents, and destruction of property before government forces regained control of the city.
The spokesperson of the Negros Occidental police office, Lieutenant Abigael Donasco, said an intelligence monitoring team was tasked to look into the alleged MNLF recruitment operations given that these have caused people to worry.
“With this case, we still need ample time to conduct an investigation and validation along with our Philippine National Police in Cadiz since it is their area of operation,” she said.
Lieutenant Colonel J-Jay Javines, spokesperson of the Army’s 3rd Infantry Division, said the military started to receive pieces of information about the alleged MNLF activities in Negros Occidental, and they were checking if those behind the recruitment were really members of the MNLF. – Rappler.com
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23 fishermen rescued as fishing vessel sinks after mysterious fire | Herbie G | 22/03/2024 11:54 | FIRE. A fishing vessel, Quadro Alas, catches fire off the coast of Basay town in Negros Oriental Thursday, March 21. Authorities say 23 of its fishing crew, including the vessel’s captain, were rescued.
PNP-Negros Oriental
BACOLOD, Philippines – Disaster responders rescued 23 crew members of a fishing vessel that caught fire off the coast of Basay town in Negros Oriental on Thursday, March 21.
Authorities, however, faced a blank wall regarding the cause of the fire because the fishing vessel’s crew, including their captain, were uncooperative, according to Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office (NORPPO) spokesman, Lieutenant Stephen Polinar.
Polinar said investigators could not inspect and gather clues from the ill-fated fishing vessel because it sank after catching fire near Sitio Lintub, Barangay Nagbo-Alao in Basay town.
The vessel, Quadro Alas, was registered under the name of Delfen Calogbang Jr.
He said the survivors were rushed to the Rural Health Unit (RHU) of Basay, where they were all in a state of shock.
Negros Oriental police director Colonel Ronan Claravall said the Basay Municipal Police Office chief, Captain Alfred Vicente Silvosa, was instructed to dig deeper in collaboration with the Philippine National Police-Maritime Command and the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) in the province. – Rappler.com
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How big is the Philippines’ creative economy – and are you part of it? | gdecastro0289 | 22/03/2024 12:50 | Composite from official sites/Rappler files
MANILA, Philippines – As millions of Filipinos binge on South Korea’s K-dramas, marvel over Oscar-winning movies like Parasite, follow K-pop stars and other aspects of their Asian neighbor’s creative economy, there is now an official assessment of the Philippines’ own creative industries.
In the Philippine Statistics Authority’s (PSA) first compilation of Philippine Creative Economy Satellite Accounts (PCESA) released on Thursday, March 21, the central statistics authority said the Philippines’ creative economy amounted to P1.72 trillion in 2023, contributing 7.1% to the gross domestic product (GDP).
“Creativity plays an important role in improving the economic performance of a country as it can attract potential investments and promote competitive advantage,” the PSA said.
The Philippines’ creative economy was valued at P1.3 trillion in 2018, which went up to P1.47 trillion in 2019. Due to the pandemic, it declined to P1.34 trillion in 2019, but recovered from 2021 to 2023.
From a value of P1.34 trillion in 2020 and negative 9% growth, the Philippines’ creative economy grew 7.1% in 2021, 12.2% in 2022, and 6.9% in 2023.
In terms of employment, there were 6.9 million people in creative industries in 2018, which fell to 5.5 million in 2020. However, employment recovered in 2021 to 6.3 million in 2021, 6.9 million in 2022, and 7.2 million in 2023.
But who exactly are part of the Philippines’ creative industries?
The PSA developed its creative economy accounts by taking off from Republic Act 11904 or the Philippine Creative Industries Development Act, which lapsed into law on July 2022.
This law mandates the State to “promote and support the development of Philippine creative industries by protecting and strengthening the rights and capacities of creative firms, artists, artisans, creators, workers, indigenous cultural communities, content providers, and stakeholders in the creative industries….”
It defines creative industries as “trades involving persons, whether natural or juridical, that produce cultural, artistic, and innovative goods and services originating in human creativity, skill, and talent and having a potential to create wealth and livelihood through the generation and utilization of intellectual property.”
From this, the PSA developed an “operational definition” of creative economy, which is: “economic activities primarily responsible for the creation, production, commercialization, distribution, and consumption of goods and services that use creativity and intellectual capital as primary inputs.”
The PSA says creative goods and services should meet the following criteria:
You are part of the Philippines’ creative industries if you are engaged in the following:
From this definition, the PSA said the biggest contributors to employment are those engaged in “traditional cultural expression activities” with the highest share of 35.5% in 2023.
“This was followed by symbols and images and other related activities and advertising, research and development, and other artistic service activities with 30.3 percent and 17.8 percent, respectively,” it said.
Among the biggest companies involved in this broad definition would be GMA Network, ABS-CBN Corporation, and Manny Pangilinan's MediaQuest Holdings; celebrities such as Coco Martin, Vice Ganda, Anne Curtis, and Sarah Geronimo; digital content creators and influencers on YouTube, Facebook/Instagram, and TikTok; indigenous artists such as Whang-Od; advertising companies engaged in promoting Philippine food and beverage companies such as Jollibee and San Miguel Beer, among others.
Among the world-renowned Filipino designers are Kenneth Cobonpue, Budji Layug in furniture; Michael Cinco, Monique Lhuillier, Rajo Laurel, Francis Libiran in fashion.
Famous Filipinos in arts include BenCab, Ronald Ventura, Ramon Orlina, Michael Cacnio, Julie Lluch, Toym Imao.
Other Filipino entertainment icons are Lea Salonga, Arnel Pineda, and Gary V.
The PSA said it started this “pilot initiative” to assess the scope and coverage of the Philippines’ creative economy in 2022.
It then drafted an interim methodology for the compilation of the Philippine Creative Economy Satellite Accounts.
“With the growing supply and demand for innovative and creative goods and services, it is important to capture the economic contribution of the creative sector in the country,” the PSA said.
The PSA said its methodology is still “preliminary” and is “currently being refined.”
According to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), South Korea’s creative sectors employed over 600,000 people in 2021. Its creative economy generated $12.4 billion in export revenues the same year, growing at 4% to 5% annually. Revenues from South Korea’s creative sectors were more than twice its consumer electronics exports (e.g. mobile phones, smart TVs) of $4.7 billion.
Former economic planning secretary Cielito Habito, in a 2023 column, said it was time the Philippines makes a big push for its “creative economy.”
“Think of how much more prosperous our economy could be if we could do what the Koreans did to create so much wealth (and jobs) from their ‘cultural economy.’ Given the Filipinos’ widely acknowledged artistic and creative talent, often described to be the richest and most versatile in Asia, this need not be a pipe dream beyond our reach. Now is the time for us to deliberately plan and work on ‘doing a Korea,’ and cash in much more than we have so far been able to, on our creative economy,” he said. – Rappler.com
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[In This Economy] Marcosian ‘delulunomics’ | Chay Hofilena | 22/03/2024 10:35 | DR CASTUCIANO
It almost goes without saying that it’s crucial for our country’s leaders to have a firm grasp of economic issues. But what happens when the president himself doesn’t have this knowledge?
That’s exactly what I asked myself when I watched a recent Bloomberg interview of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The first half focused on West Philippine Sea issues, the second touched on the economy.
The interviewer, Haslinda Amin, asked Marcos whether the growth of the Philippine economy is sustainable. Amin noted that Marcos is “sitting on one of the fastest-growing countries in Asia.”
In reply, Marcos said, “I think so. Much of the policies that we have taken on are really to spur growth. That’s the most important part because it is only growth that will pull us out of the morass that was left after the pandemic.”
Contrary to this, however, growth seems to be sputtering of late. In 2023, growth dipped to 5.6% from 7.6% in 2022. That’s a huge drop.
I already wrote before that for us to go back to the pre-pandemic trajectory by 2028, we need growth to be as high as 10.3% yearly until 2028. If we settle at 5.6% from now on, we will never ever get back to the pre-pandemic trajectory.
Clearly, we’re lacking in terms of the growth-spurring policies Marcos was talking about.
This brings me to the next question of Amin. She asked Marcos whether it’s possible at all to reach 8% growth within Marcos’ term.
After a few seconds, Marcos replied confidently, “Sure! Why not? We always plan for the ideal. We don’t plan for a mediocre result. We plan for a very good result. And as I said we just need to adjust along the way as we continue to transform the economy. But I think it is doable.”
I’m sorry but this made me laugh out loud. At the rate growth dipped from 2022 to 2023, 8% is a moonshot. As an economist friend remarked on Twitter/X, “6% nga hirap na, 8% pa kaya. 😂” (Already having a tough time at 6%, how much more for 8%.) This is peak delulu.
But we must ask: why is growth slowing down anyway?
For one, consumption spending has faltered, largely because of the runaway inflation from 2022 to 2023 – inflation that Marcos failed to rein in. And Marcos, as concurrent agriculture secretary, was in an ideal situation because nearly half of inflation then was due to food prices.
Because of high inflation, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas was forced to hike interest rates – a move that further slowed down some sectors of the economy, especially when it came to investments.
If Marcos had controlled inflation, the Bangko Sentral wouldn’t have had any reason to hike its policy interest too high and for too long. Consequently, the economy need not have suffered too much.
Put another way, if there’s one person to blame for anemic economic growth, Marcos need only bring out a mirror.
Curiously, in the interview, Marcos said in response to a question about whether interest rates might soon come down, “We’re still battling inflation. Inflation is still our biggest problem. When you separate core inflation to inflation that involves agri products for example, you can see that the core inflation, we’re doing rather well in terms of controlling it. But again it’s the shocks that keep coming in.”
This contrasts with reality, because as of February 2024, inflation has in fact come down to just 3.4%. That’s already well within the government target of 2-4%.
Sure, 3.4% inflation is still quite high, and it could be a lot lower if not for rice inflation which, at 24% is at its highest in 15 years. But overall inflation is much less of a problem now, at least compared to January 2023 when it reached a 14-year high. I wonder why Marcos left out this positive development.
The core inflation that he mentioned is also not quite right; core inflation refers to inflation sans food and energy prices. And I wonder why he had to distinguish it from overall (“headline”) inflation, when the graph below shows that both are almost at the same level anyway.
More importantly, Marcos’ statement can be translated into this: inflation is going down a lot if not for food and energy prices. But when you break down the data, rice is the one causing a real uptick in inflation.
Again, what did Marcos do, if any, to abate rice prices and prevent excessive rice inflation due to El Niño? I hope the next journalists interviewing Marcos get to ask ask about how Marcos sat on El Niño, which is currently stoking rice prices. I hope they can get the chance as well to follow up on the infamous campaign promise of P20 per kilo of rice – another impossible dream.
When asked if it’s time for the Bangko Sentral to finally lower interest rates, Marcos puffed up his cheeks, exhaled sharply through his mouth, and said, “We look at it almost every week to see if it’s time to bring down the rates, we’re not yet there.”
If by “it” he was referring to inflation, it would be weird because inflation is published monthly, and there’s no new inflation data every week. At any rate, it’s the Bangko Sentral, particularly its highest policymaking body (called the Monetary Board), that should be deciding whether or not to change interest rates.
Finally, Marcos was asked whether he’s “comfortable” about the peso reaching a three-month high against the US dollar.
Reflexively, Marcos said, “Yes, because it is an indication of the strength of the economy.” He said he takes it as an “affirmation that the economy has grown stronger,” and that it has “gained strength.”
But basic economics tells us that’s untrue.
For one thing, if the peso is strong, that might hurt our export industry, reducing the competitiveness of Philippine export products in the international markets.
Second, the peso might be strong for now not because the peso is strong but because the dollar is weak. He might want to take a cue from his son Sandro, who once controversially said in 2022, “The peso is not weak because the peso is weak. The peso is weak because the dollar is strong.”
And why is the dollar weak? With the US Federal Reserve (their central bank) saying recently that they are eyeing three interest rate cuts this year, US assets are not too hot these days, and investors will want to invest elsewhere. This will temper demand for US dollars, weakening its value vis-à-vis other currencies, including the Philippine peso.
Marcos further said (weirdly) that because the exchange rate is a “relative measure…the dollar has not depreciated. So if the value of the peso is increasing, then that is a good indication that, again, the economy has gained strength.”
But if the peso appreciated (or strengthened) against the US dollar, then the dollar necessarily depreciated against the peso! They’re two sides of the same coin. This is basic economics.
Of course, Marcos had a hard time with economics when he was much younger. At Oxford, he initially failed Politics and Economics. He passed Economics only after he was tutored by the esteemed economist Winnie Monsod. Alas, having failed Politics again, he never graduated from Oxford and was only given a “special diploma.”
Marcos will do more interviews with foreign journalists, and I hope (for his sake) that the economic advisers do a better job of briefing him on economic issues and concepts.
More importantly, I hope that Filipinos see through Marcos’ calm and confident delivery the fact that, until now, he doesn’t have a firm grasp of economics. This reminds me of the aphorism, “Fake it till you make it.” In the future, let’s demand more from our leaders.
Watch the full interview here. – Rappler.com
JC Punongbayan, PhD is an assistant professor at the UP School of Economics and the author of False Nostalgia: The Marcos “Golden Age” Myths and How to Debunk Them. JC’s views are independent of his affiliations. Follow him on Twitter (@jcpunongbayan) and Usapang Econ Podcast.
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I appreciate Prof. JC Punongbayan’s insight when he said, “I hope that Filipinos see through Marcos’ calm and confident delivery the fact that, until now, he doesn’t have a firm grasp of economics.” That is true, but how many Filipinos can see it? Given President Marcos Jr.’s mastery of disinformation and the disinformation machinery of the Marcos-Romualdez political dynasty, that kind of Filipino will always be a few. Secondly, I like the aphorism: “Fake it till you make it.” How about: “Fake it more if you do not make it, but you want to deceive the people that you make it.”
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Youngest of the stars: Win or lose, UST’s Joaquin Ludovice keeps grinding | Jasmine Payo | 21/03/2024 21:13 | BIG POTENTIAL. Joaquin Ludovice in action in the 2023 FIBA Under-16 Asian Championship.
FIBA
MANILA, Philippines –Already one of the main guns in the University of Santo Tomas Tiger Cubs, Joaquin Ludovice’s name has been making the rounds throughout the NBTC Wildcard Tournament to the National Finals.
Born in 2007, Ludovice is one of the top high school players in the country, occupying the 20th spot in this year’s NBTC rankings.
For Ludovice, one of the key players in the Gilas Youth team’s campaign in last year’s FIBA Under-16 Asian Championship, the nod reflects the hard work and dedication he has put into his young career so far.
“For me, it was the fruit of my hard work while I’m still young,” said the 17-year-old guard. “I’m not thinking of my age whenever I play. I’m just here to compete for my team.”
“It was surprising, to be honest, because I’m one of the youngest on my team and even in the UAAP,” he added.
Ludovice has been lifting the Tiger Cubs to all-important wins in the NBTC tournament, finishing second in the wildcard rounds through hard-nosed victories against the La Salle Zobel Junior Archers led by second-ranked Kieffer Alas and the Fil-Am Nation Select 2 team.
“I want to show them that, despite my age, I’m deserving of my ranking,” said Ludovice, a Grade 9 student.
Since the end of UAAP Season 86 juniors basketball last February, the Tiger Cubs have been playing without fourth-ranked player and team top scorer Doy Dungo, who transferred to La Salle for his college career.
Without Dungo, Ludovice picked up the slack as he averaged 7 points and tallied double digits in three of the six games in the wildcard round.
In the National Finals, Ludovice normed 11 points in the first two games of the Tiger Cubs, who beat Triple-Threat New Zealand and Crossover Canada in consecutive days.
“I’m really proud of our performances. It shows that we really want this and we’re putting effort to achieve it,” Ludovice said.
Although the Tiger Cubs’ campaign ended in the Fantastic Eight against the Mapua Junior Cardinals, 71-63, on Thursday, March 21, Ludovice will still see action in the NBTC All-Star Game on Saturday, March 23, with Alas’ Team Hustle versus No. 1 player Jared Bahay’s Team Heart. – Rappler.com
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Philippines’ warm and dry season starts at tail end of El Niño | Acor Arceo | 22/03/2024 12:45 | Shutterstock
MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines’ warm and dry season for 2024 is underway, with hotter days ahead alongside the continued effects of the El Niño phenomenon.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) announced in a briefing on Friday, March 22, that the warm and dry season has begun.
Filipinos often call this season “summer,” but the country only has two major seasons: rainy and dry. The dry season is further divided into two: cool and warm.
The start of the warm and dry season means the cool and dry season, which is characterized by the northeast monsoon or amihan, has ended. The northeast monsoon affected parts of the country from October 2023 to March 2024.
“The retreat of the high pressure area over Siberia indicates an apparent weakening of amihan. Furthermore, the strengthening of the North Pacific High has led to a gradual shift in the wind pattern from northeasterly to easterly and an increase in the air temperature over most parts of the country. These signify the end of the northeast monsoon…and the beginning of the warm and dry season,” PAGASA explained in a statement on Friday.
The warm and dry season usually lasts until May. Temperatures are expected to rise during this period, with PAGASA issuing daily heat index figures.
“In the coming months, the number of dry and warm days across the country will continue to increase, although isolated thunderstorms are also likely to occur, usually in the afternoon or evening,” the weather bureau said.
PAGASA Administrator Nathaniel Servando advised people to take extra precautions to prevent illnesses such as heat stress and heat stroke.
“Sa mga susunod na mga araw ay tataas ang temperatura. Kung kasabay ang mataas na alinsangan o relative humidity, mataas ang heat index, at may kaakibat ito na hazard o panganib sa ating health. Maiiwasan lamang ito kung sundin natin ‘yung mga suggested interventions. Palaging mag-inom ng tubig, magdala ng payong, magsuot ng manipis na damit,” he said.
(In the coming days, temperatures will rise. Combined with high relative humidity, that will result in a high heat index, which comes with hazards to our health. We can avoid these hazards by practicing suggested interventions. Always drink water, bring an umbrella, wear thin clothing.)
The onset of the warm and dry season comes as the Philippines still faces the impact of El Niño, which began in the tropical Pacific in June 2023 and gradually progressed from weak to strong.
PAGASA said on March 7 that El Niño has started to weaken and neutral conditions may return in April-May-June 2024. Although the phenomenon is weakening, the weather bureau expects its effects to linger until May.
In the Philippines, El Niño has triggered drought in at least 37 areas, a dry spell in 22 areas, and dry conditions in 12 areas as of Sunday, March 17.
“With the ongoing El Niño, significant reduction from the normal rainfall or drier-than-usual conditions will likely continue, which may bring negative impacts…in most areas of the country,” PAGASA said on Friday.
“The different climate-sensitive sectors such as water resources, agriculture, energy, health, public safety, and other key sectors in the country may continue to be adversely affected.”
The Department of Agriculture estimated that the cost of damage to agriculture in eight regions has reached P1.75 billion as of March 14.
At least 29,437 farmers are affected by El Niño. – Rappler.com
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Be The Good: PAREX and reimagining Pasig River | Pia Ranada | 22/03/2024 19:01 | MANILA, Philippines – Environmentalists, active transport advocates, and heritage conservationists celebrated the apparent cancellation of the Pasig River Expressway (PAREX) as a win for communities threatened by the project.
But what’s next after San Miguel Corporation president Ramon Ang’s announcement? What other government projects could affect Pasig River, Metro Manila’s most iconic waterway?
Rappler community lead Pia Ranada talks to two advocates who fought PAREX alongside communities: Joven Jacolbia of Ilog Pasiglahin, and Rigel Magcale, an urban planner.
Ilog Pasiglahin is a group pushing for the sustainable revitalization of Pasig River. Learn more about their advocacy and how they think rivers in Philippine cities should be developed.
Catch the conversation at 7 pm on Friday, March 22, on this page and Rappler’s YouTube and social media pages.
This is the first episode of a special series of Be The Good called Let’s Talk Liveability that will focus on efforts to improve the quality of life in Philippine cities in the aspects of transportation and mobility, green and open spaces, access to basic services, heritage conservation, disaster resilience, and local economy.
The series is part of Make Manila Liveable, a collaboration between Rappler and civil society groups pushing for liveability in cities. Learn more about the movement here. – Rappler.com
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Ramon Ang wants you to stop talking about NAIA’s bedbugs and rats | Ralf Rivas | 22/03/2024 7:21 | TYCOON. San Miguel Corporation president and CEO Ramon Ang.
Ralf Rivas/Rappler
Ramon Ang, the tycoon who will be rehabilitating the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), urged the public and the media to not expose the main gateway’s flaws.
From bed bugs, to rats, and dilapidated interiors, NAIA’s dismal state has been a subject of viral videos and news reports for years.
But Ang stressed that negative media coverage, such as highlighting pest infestations, undermines the dignity of Filipino families and the nation.
“I advise all the media, huwag ‘nyo i-headline ‘yung mga surot at daga na iyan. Nakakasira sa bayan natin ‘yan,” Ang stressed in a recent press briefing. (I advise all the media, don’t headline those pests and rodents. It damages our nation.)
“Sometimes you people think it’s funny, but it’s not. Sinisiraan ‘nyo ‘yung pamilya ‘nyo. Ife-feature ‘nyo ba ‘yung bahay mo na maraming daga? Di ba pangit ‘yun? Hindi natin dapat pag-usapan sa public media ‘yung mga ganyan.”
(You’re destroying your own families. Would you feature your house infested with rats? Isn’t that ugly? We shouldn’t discuss those things in public.)
He, however, assured the public that under his leadership, NAIA would undergo a thorough rehabilitation process to ensure cleanliness and efficiency. Ang pledged to deploy dedicated personnel to maintain round-the-clock vigilance and cleanliness at the airport.
In the same press conference, Ang stressed that he canceled his grand plan to build the P95-billion Pasig River expressway amid public outcry that it would adversely impact the environment and heritage cites. He did so despite already pouring millions of pesos to clean up the river while preparing to build over it.
“Alam mo, ako ‘yung businessman na kapag nakita ko, ayaw ng kababayan natin ‘yung project, hindi ko itutuloy,” Ang said. (You know, I’m the type of businessman who won’t push through with a project when I see that our countrymen don’t like it.)
Given this, it seems that Ang does listen to what media reports say.
While he might find it difficult to embrace media scrutiny, he could liken it to turbulence before a smooth flight. It’s no different from an aircraft undergoing rigorous checks before takeoff – much like how a nation’s progress is aided by effective check and balance by the media.
It’s not about sweeping the bed bugs and rats under the rug, but rather shining a light on them to ensure our collective journey remains pest-free and on track. Perhaps it’s time for Ang to appreciate that in the grand terminal of public opinion, transparency is the ultimate ticket to a first-class reputation. – Rappler.com
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Woes mount for Team Japeth as Christian Standhardinger to miss PBA All-Star Game | delfin.dioquino editor | 21/03/2024 17:27 | RISE. Christian Standhardinger in action for Barangay Ginebra in the 2023 PBA Governors' Cup.
PBA Images
BACOLOD, Philippines – Personnel woes continue to hound Team Japeth days before the PBA All-Star Game here at the University of St. La Salle gym on Sunday, March 24.
Already missing Scottie Thompson and Tyler Tio due to injuries, Team Japeth battles Team Mark without Christian Standhardinger in the main event of the All-Star Weekend that returns to Bacolod for the first time since 2008.
Standhardinger fell sick and did not fly with the PBA delegation that arrived in the City of Smiles on Thursday, March 21.
Losing Standhardinger deals Team Japeth a major blow considering team captain Japeth Aguilar picked his Barangay Ginebra teammate first in the All-Star Draft.
Also, the absence of Standhardinger – a two-time Best Player of the Conference – leaves a gaping hole in the middle for Team Japeth, which has Aguilar as its only other legitimate big man.
Without Standhardinger, Team Japeth has its hands full against a Team Mark side featuring a stacked front court that includes June Mar Fajardo, Ian Sangalang, Cliff Hodge, and Calvin Abueva.
Expected to fill the void left by Standhardinger are Jamie Malonzo, Calvin Oftana, and Arvin Tolentino.
Team Japeth seeks to rule the All-Star Game for the second straight year after holding off Team Scottie, 140-136, last season. – Rappler.com
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Ramon Ang wants you to stop talking about NAIA’s bedbugs and rats | Ralf Rivas | 22/03/2024 7:21 | TYCOON. San Miguel Corporation president and CEO Ramon Ang.
Ralf Rivas/Rappler
Ramon Ang, the tycoon who will be rehabilitating the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), urged the public and the media to not expose the main gateway’s flaws.
From bed bugs, to rats, and dilapidated interiors, NAIA’s dismal state has been a subject of viral videos and news reports for years.
But Ang stressed that negative media coverage, such as highlighting pest infestations, undermines the dignity of Filipino families and the nation.
“I advise all the media, huwag ‘nyo i-headline ‘yung mga surot at daga na iyan. Nakakasira sa bayan natin ‘yan,” Ang stressed in a recent press briefing. (I advise all the media, don’t headline those pests and rodents. It damages our nation.)
“Sometimes you people think it’s funny, but it’s not. Sinisiraan ‘nyo ‘yung pamilya ‘nyo. Ife-feature ‘nyo ba ‘yung bahay mo na maraming daga? Di ba pangit ‘yun? Hindi natin dapat pag-usapan sa public media ‘yung mga ganyan.”
(You’re destroying your own families. Would you feature your house infested with rats? Isn’t that ugly? We shouldn’t discuss those things in public.)
He, however, assured the public that under his leadership, NAIA would undergo a thorough rehabilitation process to ensure cleanliness and efficiency. Ang pledged to deploy dedicated personnel to maintain round-the-clock vigilance and cleanliness at the airport.
In the same press conference, Ang stressed that he canceled his grand plan to build the P95-billion Pasig River expressway amid public outcry that it would adversely impact the environment and heritage cites. He did so despite already pouring millions of pesos to clean up the river while preparing to build over it.
“Alam mo, ako ‘yung businessman na kapag nakita ko, ayaw ng kababayan natin ‘yung project, hindi ko itutuloy,” Ang said. (You know, I’m the type of businessman who won’t push through with a project when I see that our countrymen don’t like it.)
Given this, it seems that Ang does listen to what media reports say.
While he might find it difficult to embrace media scrutiny, he could liken it to turbulence before a smooth flight. It’s no different from an aircraft undergoing rigorous checks before takeoff – much like how a nation’s progress is aided by effective check and balance by the media.
It’s not about sweeping the bed bugs and rats under the rug, but rather shining a light on them to ensure our collective journey remains pest-free and on track. Perhaps it’s time for Ang to appreciate that in the grand terminal of public opinion, transparency is the ultimate ticket to a first-class reputation. – Rappler.com
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Senior citizens, PWDs get higher special discounts on basic goods | Ralf Rivas | 21/03/2024 23:04 | ESSENTIALS. Department of Trade and Industry officials inspect prices of canned goods and other food items as they conduct Special Price and Supply Monitoring of Basic Neccessities and Prome Commodities at a supermarket in Quezon City on September 8, 2021. Rappler
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MANILA, Philippines – Senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs) will enjoy higher discounts for basic necessities and prime commodities.
In a news release on Thursday, March 21, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said it signed a joint administrative order with the Department of Agriculture and Department of Energy, which revised the rules on granting a 5% special discount to senior citizens and PWDs.
The issuance increases the special discount on certain purchases from P65 to P125 per week, subject to review every five years.
The DTI said this translates to a new purchase cap of P2,500, compared to the previous limit of P1,300 per week, set in 2010.
The order said the agencies deemed the increase necessary due to inflation.
Covered goods are defined by the Price Act which are essential for consumers’ sustenance, especially during calamities or emergencies.
Some of these goods include rice, corn, cooking oil, marine products, eggs, pork, beef, and poultry, fresh milk, vegetables, root crops, and select fresh fruits. It also covers canned fish, processed milk, coffee, bread, salt, and locally-manufactured instant noodles.
The joint order also reiterates the right of senior citizens and PWDs to purchase goods through a representative, provided that they give an authorization letter.
It also extends the discounts to online purchases.
According to the DTI, the discounts under the joint order are separate from the 20% statutory discount granted under Republic Act No. 9994 or the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010 and Republic Act No. 10754 or An Act Expanding the Benefits and Privileges of PWDs.
The draft order can be viewed here and will take effect on March 25.
“Our collaboration with the DA and DOE, alongside the active participation of our valued national government agencies, retailers, consumer organizations, and consumers during the public consultations, have been instrumental in achieving this remarkable milestone,” Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual said. – Rappler.com
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Sara Duterte on viral video of irate teacher: She’s just human, no penalties for her | Bonz Magsambol | 21/03/2024 19:08 | SARA DUTERTE. Vice President Sara Duterte resigned as education secretary on June 19, 2024.
Inday Sara Duterte Facebook page
MANILA, Philippines – Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte, who once punched a court sheriff in a fit of rage when she was mayor of Davao City, advised teachers on Thursday, March 21, to pause when they are about to lose their cool while conducting their classes.
The Vice President made the statement when asked about her reaction to a viral video of a teacher berating her students live on TikTok.
“Ang una kong naging reaksiyon ay tao lang ‘yung teacher. Lahat tayo umaabot sa punto na nagagalit tayo lalo kapag na fru-frustrate tayo,” Duterte told reporters in an ambush interview in Cambodia.
(My first reaction was – the teacher is just a human. We all reach a point where we get angry especially when we’e frustrated.)
She said no penalties were imposed on the teacher, but added that she would be reprimanded by her regional director.
“I saw her explanation. And then, I instructed the regional office that there will be no penalties for the teacher. Just to remind the teacher, if she’s angry, she has to pause. Pause the class. If she’s not angry anymore, she can resume the class. There’s a need to pause, if the teacher is angry,” Duterte said in a mix of English and Filipino.
Duterte’s Zen-like advice was a stark contrast to her throwing a tantrum and punching a Davao Regional Trial Court sheriff during a demolition of houses over a decade ago in Davao City when she was mayor.
The Department of Education (DepEd) said on Monday, March 18, it issued a show cause order to the erring teacher.
According to DepEd order No. 40 series of 2012, child abuse in schools includes an “act by deeds or words which debases, degrades or demeans the intrinsic worth and dignity of a child as a human being.”
The Vice President said that teachers are trained for psychosocial support. Students who felt anxious and stressed about the incident will undergo debriefing sessions.
The DepEd has identified bullying as one of the reasons for the prevailing learning crisis and one of the factors why the Philippines performed poorly in global education assessment. – Rappler.com
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Cafe Via Mare’s Greenbelt 1 branch to close down due to building demolition | Steph Arnaldo | 21/03/2024 14:35 | Cafe Via Mare's Facebook
MANILA, Philippines – Another institutional favorite is bidding its iconic Greenbelt spot goodbye.
Cafe Via Mare announced “with a mixture of emotions” that it will be closing its Greenbelt 1 branch on March 31.
“This closure is not of our choosing, but rather a consequence of the impending demolition of the iconic Greenbelt 1 building,” the restaurant said as they shared the “bittersweet news.”
The Greenbelt 1 location holds a “special place” in the brand’s heart as the birthplace of the first Cafe Via Mare in the 1980s.
“It has been a beacon of Filipino culinary excellence, pioneering the concept of a truly Filipino café and offering beloved dishes like Bibingka, Puto-Bumbong, Pancit Luglog, and Dinuguan,” it wrote.
“Saying farewell to this chapter fills us with profound sadness. Its walls bear witness to laughter, conversations, and shared moments of thousands who have dined within,” Cafe Via Mare added.
The team acknowledged, however, that as this chapter closes, another one begins – the restaurant will be eagerly welcoming patrons to “create new memories together” at its new home in Greenbelt 5 soon.
“Before we close our doors in just a couple of weeks, we invite you to join us for one last meal in our original Cafe Via Mare, where our journey began. Let’s indulge in a final taste of nostalgia before bidding adieu to this beloved chapter in our lives,” Via Mare said, thanking their Greenbelt 1 diners for their unwavering love and support.
“Here’s to honoring the past, embracing the present, and looking forward to the future of Via Mare.”
Cafe Via Mare joins Mary Grace, which also had to close down its famed Greenbelt 2 branch on January 2 after 12 years, to make way for a Greenbelt 5 relocation. That particular branch was also close to the brand owners’ hearts.
Greenbelt 1, located on the corner of Paseo de Roxas and Legazpi streets in Makati’s central business district, was constructed and opened in 1982.
In July 2023, Ayala Land filed a petition with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) to remove the presumption of the Greenbelt 1 building in Makati as an Important Cultural Property (ICP). It is considered an ICP because it was designed by National Artist for Architecture Leandro V. Locsin.
Ayala Land said in their petition that while the building was designed by a National Artist, it does not have exceptional cultural, artistic, or historical significance to the country. They argued that Ayala Land is being obligated to maintain the building but is not receiving government support.
The Inquirer reported on July 12 that Greenbelt 1 will be torn down by the first half of 2024 to redevelop the space into a complex that includes shops, a large park, office spaces, a hotel, and bigger cinemas, as well as a more refreshed and redeveloped look. – Rappler.com
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Global fertility rates to decline, shifting population burden to low-income countries | Mia Gonzalez | 21/03/2024 7:39 | Fertility rates in nearly all countries will be too low to sustain population levels by the end of the century, and most of the world’s live births will be occurring in poorer countries, according to a study published on Wednesday, March 20.
The trend will lead to a “baby boom” and “baby bust” divide across the world, with the boom concentrated in low-income countries that are more susceptible to economic and political instability, senior researcher Stein Emil Vollset from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) at the University of Washington in Seattle said in a statement.
The study reported in The Lancet projects 155 of 204 countries and territories worldwide, or 76%, will have fertility rates below population replacement levels by 2050. By 2100, that is expected to rise to 198, or 97%, researchers estimated.
The forecasts are based on surveys, censuses, and other sources of data collected from 1950 through 2021 as part of the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study.
Over three-quarters of live births will occur in low- and lower-middle-income countries by the end of the century, with more than half taking place in sub-Saharan Africa, researchers said.
The global fertility rate – the average number of births per woman – has fallen from around 5 children in 1950 to 2.2 in 2021, data show.
By 2021, 110 countries and territories (54%) had rates below the population replacement level of 2.1 children per woman.
The study highlights a particularly worrying trend for countries like South Korea and Serbia, where the fertility rate is less than 1.1 child per female, exposing them to challenges of a dwindling workforce.
Many of the most resource-limited countries “will be grappling with how to support the youngest, fastest-growing population on the planet in some of the most politically and economically unstable, heat-stressed, and health system-strained places on earth,” Vollset said.
While tumbling fertility rates in high-income countries reflect more opportunities for education and employment for women, researchers said the trend signals an urgent need for improvement in access to modern contraception and female education in other regions.
In addition, “once nearly every country’s population is shrinking, reliance on open immigration will become necessary to sustain economic growth,” IHME’s Natalia Bhattacharjee, a coauthor of the report, said in a statement.
The authors noted that predictions were limited by quantity and quality of past data, especially for the 2020 to 2021 COVID-19 pandemic period.
– Rappler.com
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Economic charter change proposal breezes through the House. What’s next? | Kaycee | 21/03/2024 18:09 | BUSY DAY. On the last day of the 19th Congress' 2nd regular session, lawmakers approve the measure seeking to revoke SMNI's franchise and Resolution of Both Houses No. 7 - the proposed economic charter amendments.
Kaycee Valmonte/Rappler
MANILA, Philippines – On the last day of regular session before its Holy Week break, the House of Representatives approved the Resolution of Both Houses No. 7 (RBH7), which proposes to open up to foreign investors the public utilities, education, and advertising sectors.
Voting 288-8-2, House lawmakers on Wednesday, March 20, approved on third and final reading RBH7, a measure filed by the House majority just a month ago.
“As far as the House is concerned, we’ve already fulfilled our mandate, we have passed RBH, we have passed the resolution and we have forwarded it to the Senate,” House Deputy Majority Leader Jude Acidre said in a press conference on Thursday, March 21.
“We’re looking at our friends in the upper house of what they will do because as they insist, Congress is a bicameral body and the actions of the House has to be reciprocated by the Senate and… I have full trust in [the RBH6’s authors] capacity to convince their peers knowing that the RBH7 that this is something that will be good for the country.”
The resolution inserts the phrase “unless otherwise provided by law” in provisions limiting foreign ownership, which House Speaker Martin Romualdez on Wednesday touted as “a clear testament to our readiness to adapt to the dynamic global economy.” (READ: Why 4 lawmakers voted against RBH7, the economic charter change proposal)
The measure hurdled six marathon hearings in the span of two weeks at the House Committee of the whole. It was approved on second reading just last week.
On Wednesday evening, congressmen immediately sent RBH7 to senators after it was approved.
The chances of the proposed charter amendments passing at the Senate remains slim despite RBH7 being a mere “clone” of the charter change resolution first filed at the upper chamber, RBH6. As of last week, Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri said that it would be a “big challenge,” citing the rift between lawmakers from the two Houses of Congress as one of the factors.
However, Acidre said the clock was ticking for both chambers.
“As many of us actually know, the elections are coming and we already cited that the most favorable time for this to be passed is before Congress adjourns sine die,” the TINGOG representative said, referring to when the 19th Congress adjourns its second session on May 24.
“That’s the time frame that makes it logical and makes it possible, feasible to have the plebiscite done either before or however it goes in the 2025 elections.”
RBH6, however, is still being deliberated at the committee-level, which has had four public hearings on the charter amendments so far. The resolution would have to hurdle the Senate Committee on Constitutional Amendments and Revision of Codes before it reaches plenary.
While Congress is currently on its Holy Week break, congressmen hope to meet with their counterparts at the upper house to iron out issues between the chambers.
“Ang mas magandang paraan para sa ating lahat ay i-maximize natin itong Holy Week break na makapag-usap ‘yung leadership ng House at ‘yung leadership ng Senate and to reconcile on a definitive path kung paano natin i-a-approach at ihahakbang ang RBH6 at RBH7 papunta sa Comelec (Commission on Elections) para makarating sa plebescite,” Deputy Speaker David Suarez said on Wednesday.
(What would benefit all of us is if we maximize this Holy Week break so that the leaderships of the House and the Senate can talk and reconcile on a definitive path on how we will approach and bring RBH6 and RBH7 to the Comelec for it to reach a plebiscite.)
Ako Bicol Representative Raul Angelo “Jil” Bongalon said that lawmakers showed a “united stand” as they do expect constitutional challenges to the proposed charter amendments. – Rappler.com
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Arrest order vs Quiboloy en route to Davao, says Hontiveros | Herbie G | 21/03/2024 16:37 | ANTICIPATION. Senator Risa Hontiveros tells a news conference in Cebu on Thursday afternoon, March 21, that the Senate’s arrest order for embattled preacher Apollo Quiboloy will be served by the Office of the Sergeant-At-Arms at ‘any given moment.’
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CEBU, Philippines – The arrest order for Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) founder Apollo Quiboloy is on its way to Davao City through the Senate Office of the Sergeant-At-Arms (OSAA), Senator Risa Hontiveros told reporters in Cebu City on Thursday, March 21.
Hontiveros said this as police authorities in Davao said that they have been awaiting coordination with a Senate representative since Wednesday, March 20 and that no copy of the arrest order has been sent to them.
“Kung wala pang kopya ang Davao-PNP, any moment now makakarating sa kanila dahil isineserve na ng OSAA kay Quiboloy doon sa known Davao address niya,” she said.
(If the Davao-PNP still does not yet have a copy of the arrest order, it will arrive to them at any moment because the OSAA is serving it to Quiboloy at his known Davao address.)
Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri approved the arrest order against Quiboloy on Tuesday, March 19, following his repeated refusal to appear before the Senate committee on women, children, family relations and gender equality to answer allegations of sex offenses, human trafficking, and exploitation by the preacher’s former followers.
The police in Davao City announced that they were on standby mode, awaiting instructions to execute the arrest order against the embattled leader of the KOJC.
Hontiveros said she has noted that the regional office of the PNP in Southern Mindanao expressed their commitment to assist OSAA when needed.
Major Catherine Dela Rey, spokesperson for the PNP in Southern Mindanao, said they were ready to assist the Senate sergeant-at-arms in arresting the Davao-based preacher and bringing him to face the committee probing the allegations against him and his group.
“We are prepared to execute orders from the Senate or any court-issued warrant,” Dela Rey told Rappler.
While Dela Rey affirmed the PNP-Davao’s commitment to help in the arrest, she acknowledged that they were still uncertain about Quiboloy’s whereabouts, and added that they cannot disclose operational details due to security concerns.
Despite Quiboloy’s social status, Dela Rey assured that Davao police would remain impartial, and upon arrest, the preacher would be flown straight to Manila.
The controversial preacher is known for his political connections, and his closeness to former president Rodrigo Duterte, who was recently named as the KOJC’s property administrator. He served as a presidential spiritual adviser during the Duterte administration.
Hontiveros said her committee still has one more batch of alleged victims who will take the stand as witnesses against Quiboloy and his organization.
“Sa security ng mga witnesses o yung mga pamilya nila kase hinihingi nila yon, lageng isang option yung witness protection program ng Department of Justice… kailangan namin gawin ng security arrangements,” she said.
(On the security of our witnesses or their families, because they asked for it, one option is the witness protection program of the Department of Justice… we need to make the security arrangements.)
In Davao, Mae Fe Templa, a former undersecretary for the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), expressed optimism about the momentum gained in pursuing allegations against Quiboloy.
Templa emphasized the importance of investigating other alleged human rights violations and scrutinizing the financial activities of Quiboloy’s group through its foundations, noting the potential for additional alleged victims to strengthen cases against the controversial preacher.
Quiboloy has been charged with qualified human trafficking in Pasig and sexual abuse and maltreatment of children in Davao. Although the Pasig case is non-bailable, no arrest warrant has been issued against him by any Philippine court as of now.
Quiboloy is wanted in the United States, where he and his associates were indicted by a federal grand jury in California for similar offenses. There is no extradition request from the US government to the Philippines yet.
“Ongoing ang Senate investigation kahit talagang inoobstruct ni Quiboloy (The Senate investigation is ongoing even if Quiboloy is obstructing it),” Hontiveros said. – Rappler.com
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Pastor Quiboloy will likely imitate former Rep. Teves. If Rep. Teves can do it, why can’t he? In terms of psychological warfare, being out of reach of both Philippine and US laws will bolster his image as the “appointed son of God.” Secondly. has Senator Risa Hontiveros checked who appointed those police officers in the Southern Mindanao Regional PNP and the Davao City PNP? If they were Duterte appointees and former subordinates of Senator Bato De La Rosa, then a different end may result.
Good point regarding Davao City PNP. I have no doubt a former president is trying his best to ‘handle’ the situation.
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Physician and mental health advocate Gia Sison dies | Russell Ku | 21/03/2024 18:24 | MANILA, Philippines – Physician and mental health advocate Gia Sison died on Thursday, March 21. Her death was first confirmed by the Asociación de Alumnas de Poveda. She was 53.
Her husband Rogin and daughter Angela also confirmed the news through online tributes.
“No words can express the sorrow but I am happy you are peaceful now, no pain, no sufferings. I love you so much my soulmate, my Henny Hen,” Rogin said.
Gia recently shared in a X post that she had suffered a “sudden cardiac death” on February 25. She added that she had gone through an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator procedure.
“I died for six seconds, stuck in a black hole then suddenly scooped back in with the prominent voice of my husband repeatedly asking me to ‘come back’ after which I heard him apologize for defibrillating me and the rest just happened so fast,” she said.
Gia was Makati Medical Center’s head of wellness. She also served as a consultant for the World Health Organization Western Pacific Regional Office on Health Lifestyle in the Workplace and national advisor for the Youth for Mental Health Coalition.
She is most known for her battle with breast cancer, which forced her to undergo a mastectomy on her left breast.
“I had never been confined in a hospital, not from the time I was a fetus until I was 44 years old. And suddenly I had cancer,” she told Rappler in 2015. (READ: Battle Scar)
Gia was also known for hosting podcast episodes for shows such as The Linya-Linya Show and Walwal Sesh.
Walwal Sesh co-host Vino Orajay paid tribute to the late doctor, thanking her for being his “second mom.”
Thanks for being a great friend, mentor, co-host, and for being my second mom. You have always been so supportive and caring. Please say hi to my dad for me in heaven. I love you so much. Rest in paradise, ma @giasison pic.twitter.com/ysVyr5Oufm
Comedian Red Ollero, who worked with Gia for a World Mental Health Day campaign, said in a Facebook post that she “left a great legacy of raising awareness about mental health.”
Meanwhile, Senator Risa Hontiveros said in an X post that she was “stunned” by the news of Gia’s death, adding that she was “always so warm, always so generous with her light.”
The Department of Health expressed its condolences to the family of Sison in a statement on Saturday, March 23.
“The Department of Health condoles with the family, loved ones, and friends of the late Dr. Gia Baquiran Sison. It is with gratitude for her life and work that we remember her strong support for Mental Health. Her calm and friendly voice was a voice that spoke for many others, a messenger that brought about positive change in mental health awareness and policy,” the DOH said in a statement.
Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa also paid tribute to Sison. “Maraming salamat, Dr. Gia, sa pagkilos tungo sa ginhawa ng isip at damdamin (Thank you, Dr. Gia, for your efforts toward mental wellness). A grateful health sector will continue the work to ensure that mental health services will be available for all Filipinos,” he said. – With a report from Kaycee Valmonte/Rappler.com
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Ramon Ang wants you to stop talking about NAIA’s bedbugs and rats | Ralf Rivas | 22/03/2024 7:21 | TYCOON. San Miguel Corporation president and CEO Ramon Ang.
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Ramon Ang, the tycoon who will be rehabilitating the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), urged the public and the media to not expose the main gateway’s flaws.
From bed bugs, to rats, and dilapidated interiors, NAIA’s dismal state has been a subject of viral videos and news reports for years.
But Ang stressed that negative media coverage, such as highlighting pest infestations, undermines the dignity of Filipino families and the nation.
“I advise all the media, huwag ‘nyo i-headline ‘yung mga surot at daga na iyan. Nakakasira sa bayan natin ‘yan,” Ang stressed in a recent press briefing. (I advise all the media, don’t headline those pests and rodents. It damages our nation.)
“Sometimes you people think it’s funny, but it’s not. Sinisiraan ‘nyo ‘yung pamilya ‘nyo. Ife-feature ‘nyo ba ‘yung bahay mo na maraming daga? Di ba pangit ‘yun? Hindi natin dapat pag-usapan sa public media ‘yung mga ganyan.”
(You’re destroying your own families. Would you feature your house infested with rats? Isn’t that ugly? We shouldn’t discuss those things in public.)
He, however, assured the public that under his leadership, NAIA would undergo a thorough rehabilitation process to ensure cleanliness and efficiency. Ang pledged to deploy dedicated personnel to maintain round-the-clock vigilance and cleanliness at the airport.
In the same press conference, Ang stressed that he canceled his grand plan to build the P95-billion Pasig River expressway amid public outcry that it would adversely impact the environment and heritage cites. He did so despite already pouring millions of pesos to clean up the river while preparing to build over it.
“Alam mo, ako ‘yung businessman na kapag nakita ko, ayaw ng kababayan natin ‘yung project, hindi ko itutuloy,” Ang said. (You know, I’m the type of businessman who won’t push through with a project when I see that our countrymen don’t like it.)
Given this, it seems that Ang does listen to what media reports say.
While he might find it difficult to embrace media scrutiny, he could liken it to turbulence before a smooth flight. It’s no different from an aircraft undergoing rigorous checks before takeoff – much like how a nation’s progress is aided by effective check and balance by the media.
It’s not about sweeping the bed bugs and rats under the rug, but rather shining a light on them to ensure our collective journey remains pest-free and on track. Perhaps it’s time for Ang to appreciate that in the grand terminal of public opinion, transparency is the ultimate ticket to a first-class reputation. – Rappler.com
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Astrologer Zenaida Seva dies | Marguerite de Leon | 21/03/2024 15:35 | Screenshot from TV Patrol
MANILA, Philippines – Renowned astrologer Zenaida Seva has died, as confirmed on Instagram by her friend, writer Jessica Zafra, on Thursday, March 21.
“Zenaida was my wise friend and movie buddy in the ’90s and early ’00s,” Zafra wrote. “We would watch the last full show then have a meal to discuss it. She was a true eccentric and never apologized for it.”
“She said there are many charlatans out there, and a true astrologer only need your exact birth details (day, time, place), pencil and paper, and an ephemeris (a book with tables of astronomical objects, positions, and trajectories) to tell you the story of your life.”
Seva was a mainstay on ABS-CBN’s morning show Umagang Kay Ganda, sharing the astrological forecast for each day. She would also guest on the network’s evening news show TV Patrol at the start of each year to share her predictions for the months ahead.
She was known for her quote, “Hindi hawak ng bituin ang ating kapalaran. Gabay lamang sila. Mayroon tayong free will; gamitin natin ito (The stars don’t hold our fate; they are merely guides. We have free will; we should use it).”
According to Zafra’s post, Seva’s wake and urn viewing will be at Chapel C in the Mortuary Chapels of Christ the King Parish on Greenmeadows Avenue, Quezon City. The viewing begins Friday, March 22 at 12 pm and ends on Sunday, March 24 at 10:30 pm. – Rappler.com
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‘Everybody wins’: Veloso urges PH to make most of historic FIVB World Championship hosting | jisaga0269 | 21/03/2024 18:19 | SKYROCKETING. Filipino spiker Marck Espejo attempts an attack over the Taiwan defense in the 2023 AVC Challenge Cup
Asian Volleyball Confederation
MANILA, Philippines – Philippine volleyball will be placed under the biggest international spotlight it will ever get in 2025 as the nation won a historic bid to host the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship.
Essentially the equivalent of the FIBA World Cup in basketball, the Volleyball World Championship will feature 32 of the world’s best in the men’s game, including the likes of world No. 1 Poland, No. 2 USA, and No. 4 Japan.
Philippine men’s team head coach Sergio Veloso is cautiously ecstatic about the opportunity, as it puts the hosts on a global pedestal unlike anything it has seen before, albeit with massive added responsibilities for the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) and other organizers.
“Everybody wins in this situation. We get more sponsors, we get more fans. I think this is the most important for now. The World Championship is a very, very good opportunity to do this,” he said.
“I don’t know if we can go for the second round. We’ll play with the best of the best national teams in the world. But as I said here and the guys know that, no matter who plays in the other side, we’ll do our best. If you want to win, you need to play.”
Although still more than a year away, Veloso is already thinking about the best team he can assemble for the world championships, but the Brazilian mentor insists that there will be no shoo-ins, and that everyone needs to fight for his spot.
“For me, no matter, if you’re senior or a beginner, you need to show me your best,” he continued.
“Who’s famous? (Bryan) Bagunas, (Marck) Espejo, but in the last season (Jau) Umandal showed me that he can play and after that when Bagunas and Espejo returned, they need to fight with Umandal for the position. It’s good because this is a good fight.”
Veloso likewise insisted that in the buildup to the World Championships, the FIVB needs to fix its organizational structure and calendars to match the rest of the world, which, to the federation’s credit, it’s already doing.
“I think it’s a very, very good opportunity for Philippine volleyball. When I started my work with the national team, I saw a lot of little, bad situations, like ‘Oh we have a SEA Games last year’ and in the same date of the SEA Games, we have a UAAP finals. In the [other] national teams, they got the best players.”
“Everybody must understand [it’s] not only the coach, not only the manager, but everybody who works in the volleyball [programs] are the most important. If we have a strong national team, what will happen? We can split this for the college [players], for the other groups and everybody can work together.” – Rappler.com
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Physician and mental health advocate Gia Sison dies | Russell Ku | 21/03/2024 18:24 | MANILA, Philippines – Physician and mental health advocate Gia Sison died on Thursday, March 21. Her death was first confirmed by the Asociación de Alumnas de Poveda. She was 53.
Her husband Rogin and daughter Angela also confirmed the news through online tributes.
“No words can express the sorrow but I am happy you are peaceful now, no pain, no sufferings. I love you so much my soulmate, my Henny Hen,” Rogin said.
Gia recently shared in a X post that she had suffered a “sudden cardiac death” on February 25. She added that she had gone through an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator procedure.
“I died for six seconds, stuck in a black hole then suddenly scooped back in with the prominent voice of my husband repeatedly asking me to ‘come back’ after which I heard him apologize for defibrillating me and the rest just happened so fast,” she said.
Gia was Makati Medical Center’s head of wellness. She also served as a consultant for the World Health Organization Western Pacific Regional Office on Health Lifestyle in the Workplace and national advisor for the Youth for Mental Health Coalition.
She is most known for her battle with breast cancer, which forced her to undergo a mastectomy on her left breast.
“I had never been confined in a hospital, not from the time I was a fetus until I was 44 years old. And suddenly I had cancer,” she told Rappler in 2015. (READ: Battle Scar)
Gia was also known for hosting podcast episodes for shows such as The Linya-Linya Show and Walwal Sesh.
Walwal Sesh co-host Vino Orajay paid tribute to the late doctor, thanking her for being his “second mom.”
Thanks for being a great friend, mentor, co-host, and for being my second mom. You have always been so supportive and caring. Please say hi to my dad for me in heaven. I love you so much. Rest in paradise, ma @giasison pic.twitter.com/ysVyr5Oufm
Comedian Red Ollero, who worked with Gia for a World Mental Health Day campaign, said in a Facebook post that she “left a great legacy of raising awareness about mental health.”
Meanwhile, Senator Risa Hontiveros said in an X post that she was “stunned” by the news of Gia’s death, adding that she was “always so warm, always so generous with her light.”
The Department of Health expressed its condolences to the family of Sison in a statement on Saturday, March 23.
“The Department of Health condoles with the family, loved ones, and friends of the late Dr. Gia Baquiran Sison. It is with gratitude for her life and work that we remember her strong support for Mental Health. Her calm and friendly voice was a voice that spoke for many others, a messenger that brought about positive change in mental health awareness and policy,” the DOH said in a statement.
Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa also paid tribute to Sison. “Maraming salamat, Dr. Gia, sa pagkilos tungo sa ginhawa ng isip at damdamin (Thank you, Dr. Gia, for your efforts toward mental wellness). A grateful health sector will continue the work to ensure that mental health services will be available for all Filipinos,” he said. – With a report from Kaycee Valmonte/Rappler.com
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Love coffee a latte? BGC’s Coffee Festival returns on March 23 to 24 | Steph Arnaldo | 21/03/2024 12:17 | Rachel Tabac via Bonifacio Global City
MANILA, Philippines – Attention all coffee-holics! Got any weekend plans? The third edition of Bonifacio Global City’s Coffee Festival is happening on Saturday, March 23, to Sunday, March 24, from 8 am to 9:30 pm on 5th Avenue!
This year’s festival is packed with all sorts of hobby-centric activities that aren’t limited to just coffee – there will be an extensive line-up of local merchants, artists, pop-up shops, and hands-on workshops, all catered to the love of coffee, art, biking, and more.
You can try your hand at pottery, finally get inked for the first time, or witness a coffee-brewing competition! You’ll find Crimson River’s tattoo pop-up, Wabi Sabi Studio’s mug pottery workshop, Posh Nails’ nail art pop-up, Paint It Fun’s paint pouring workshop, and The Archive Booth’s photo booth.
BGC’s thriving cycling community is very welcome – there will be special events like San Ride Bukas’ Women Empowerment Through Cycling panel and community rides hosted by San Ride Bukas and Wideye Coffee. Cycling gear will also be available to purchase, from R.O.X., Adidas, Specialized Philippines, The Breakaway + Passe, Life Cycle, 2Wheel Nation Cycling, Papsy’s Bikes and Brews, and San Ride Bukas.
Of course, no Coffee Fest is complete without coffee! Both local and international roasters are taking the spotlight, such as Single Origin, Tiger Sugar, Pocofino, Elephant Grounds, harlan + holden Coffee, Coffee Laboratory, Supersam, and Malongo Atelier Barista.
Other food and beverage brands to expect are Paik’s Coffee and Bakery, Figaro, Muji, Ten-Four Coffee, Wideye Coffee, KombiBrew, 1C Coffee, Fireplace, De’ja Brew, Sweets & Grinds, Seattle’s Best Coffee, and Kaulayaw, as well as Twenty Four Bakeshop, Baristart, Cooper’s Coffee Haus, Baker J, Seven Coffee, Randy’s Donuts, Krispy Kreme, Jamba Juice, Kiji Bakehouse, Sspace Coffee, Auro Chocolate Cafe, Nespresso, and Arabica.
You can also elevate your coffee knowledge with live demos and competitions hosted by industry experts, and enjoy performances and live beats by OPM artists like Tolo Marvelous, Norris King, Masta-T, T-Cash, Red-I, and DMaps (Diego Mapa) on March 23 and an all-women set consisting of Poli Poli, Seoulsteppa, and DJ Honey on March 24.
BGC welcomed the second iteration of its Coffee Festival in March 2023, and had its debut launch back in September 2022. Entrance is free of charge. – Rappler.com
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‘Madlang Kapuso’: Two heads are better than one | gdecastro0289 | 21/03/2024 13:30 | GMA Network Inc. Facebook/Michael Paunlagi
So, what kind of agreement did GMA Network and ABS-CBN Corporation sign on Wednesday, March 20?
Unlike GMA’s blocktime agreement with Jalosjos family-led Television and Production Exponents Incorporated (TAPE), which had the noon time slot on GMA’s flagship Channel 7 until end of December 2024, this new deal between GMA and ABS-CBN is a co-production agreement.
It’s Showtime is a noon show produced entirely by ABS-CBN with a 17-member cast composed of Kapamilya talents. But in this new deal where It’s Showtime replaces TAPE’s short-lived noon show Tahanang Pinakamasaya (Home of the Happiest) starting April 6, it will be a co-production between the two formerly fierce competitors.
Under TAPE’s long-time blocktime deal with GMA, it was the TAPE group that had control of almost everything that went into the production of Eat Bulaga! and Tahanang Pinakamasaya. TAPE was GMA’s noon time blocktimer for nearly three decades until it waved the white flag on March 7.
TAPE paid GMA over P900 million in airtime fees in 2021, or roughly P75 million a month or P3 million per show day, according to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) seen by Rappler. In an apparent discount given to TAPE, the Jalosjos family paid over P600 million to GMA, or P50 million a month or around P2 million per show day in 2022.
Under a blocktime arrangement, the blocktimer pays a flat fee to the network. The blocktimer is the one who talks with companies to advertise on the show, and gets to collect all revenues from commercials.
Under a co-production deal, there is also an airtime fee, but there is sharing in the revenues, Jose Bartolome, a former GMA consultant who now teaches in the UP College of Mass Communications, told Rappler. From commercials, for instance, it can be 50/50, 60/40, or 70/30.
In this deal between GMA and ABS-CBN, it will be a combination of the minds, skills and talents, and financial resources of the two companies. Expect to see GMA Sparkle Artists on It’s Showtime starting April 6, for instance, and other “Madlang Kapuso” executions.
During the press conference on Wednesday, GMA chair Felipe Gozon also talked of “mutually beneficial collaborations” that will “benefit the viewing public.”
Likewise, Annette Gozon Valdes, GMA’s senior vice president for programming, talent management and support group, told GMA News: “Let’s expect more and more collaborations between GMA and ABS-CBN…ipakita natin sa buong mundo ‘yung galing ng Pilipino (let’s show to the world the talents of Filipinos).”
Ironically, a combination of these minds and talents in future collaborations could involve long-time Kapamilyas who have turned Kapusos. The most notable is Johnny Manahan, former head of ABS-CBN’s talent arm Star Magic.
Manahan, also known as Mr. M, is now a consultant of GMA’s talent arm Sparkle GMA Artist. Manahan is recognized for mentoring the biggest Kapamilya stars such as Piolo Pascual, John Lloyd Cruz, Bea Alonzo, and Maja Salvador. Manahan turned Kapuso in July 2021, more than a year after ABS-CBN was forced to close its broadcast business.
It's official! Meet our newest Kapuso, Mr. Johnny Manahan. 🎉❤ #WelcomeToGMAMrM pic.twitter.com/4dShe9G6ku
Another is talent manager and talk-show host Boy Abunda, who returned to GMA in December 2022 after over two decades with ABS-CBN. His Fast Talk interviews with celebrities can be seen and heard on GMA’s television, radio, and digital platforms.
A good example of a co-production deal between GMA and ABS-CBN is the television drama Unbreak My Heart, which was co-produced and aired on Channel 7 and sister channel GTV in 2023. It can now be seen on streaming platform Viu.
This was dubbed the “biggest collaboration television series” between GMA and ABS-CBN. It combined the acting skills of Kapamilyas Jodi Sta. Maria and Joshua Garcia, and Kapuso stars Gabbi Garcia and Richard Yap (a former Kapamilya).
Unbreak My Heart was produced by GMA and ABS-CBN’s Dreamscape Entertainment, the Kapamilya unit behind many teleseryes.
With this new development in the noon show war, television and broadcast industry observers await what the number 2 network, Manny V. Pangilinan’s (MVP) TV5, as well as what comedians Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto, Joey de Leon (TVJ) and the Legit Dabarkads behind the country’s longest running noon show E.A.T. Bulaga! will do next.
Your move, MVP and TVJ. – Rappler.com
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Marcos says PH rebuffing Beijing’s claims in South China Sea not ‘poking the bear’ | Dwight de Leon | 20/03/2024 19:38 | PRESIDENTS. China's President Xi Jinping walks with Philippines' President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. during a welcoming ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, January 4, 2023.
Office of the Press Secretary/Handout via Reuters
MANILA, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. believes in doing more to assert Manila’s claim in the West Philippine Sea but insists his government’s approach is not equivalent to provoking world superpower China.
In an exclusive interview with Bloomberg on Tuesday, March 19, Marcos said the Philippines is exerting maximum effort to avoid a war with China.
“This is not poking the bear, as it were. We are trying to do quite the opposite. We are trying to keep things at a manageable level,” he said.
“The threat has grown, and since the threat has grown, we must do more to defend our territory. And so, maybe perhaps what people are seeing is a more robust defense of our territorial rights as recognized by the international community, through international law,” he added. “We have not instigated any kind of conflict, we have not instigated any kind of confrontation.”
Tensions between Manila and Beijing in the vast waterway have escalated since Marcos became president in 2022, marked by instances of China’s continued intimidation and harassment of Philippine vessels.
China has refused to recognize a 2016 arbitral ruling won by the Philippines, which essentially invalidated Beijing’s all-encompassing claim in the vast waterway.
The Philippines’ foreign affairs department previously confirmed that Beijing had been sending Manila proposals to “normalize” the situation in the disputed waters, but Marcos said these suggestions ran contrary to Filipinos’ interests.
Marcos has time and again insisted that his government will not give up an inch of its territory while he’s president.
Unlike former president Rodrigo Duterte, who antagonized the United States and cozied up to China during his term, Marcos welcomed Washington with open arms.
But while Marcos values the United States’ support, he is insistent on not being fully reliant on Washington.
“It is dangerous for one to think in terms of when something goes wrong, we’ll run to ‘big brother.’ That’s not the way we treat it at all. We do this for ourselves. We do this because we feel that we have to do it. And it’s not at the behest of the United States,” he said.
Since becoming president, Marcos has visited the US thrice. In his visit in 2023 to Washington, President Joe Biden welcomed him to the White House and gave him full military honors.
He is set to fly back to Washington next month for a trilateral summit between the Philippines, the US, and Japan. – Rappler.com
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