THE Philippine Economic Zone Authority (Peza) is optimistic that the value of investment approvals in the second half will rise on the expected increase in developer and bigticket locator projects.
‘New capital rules will allow local insurance firms to sustain growth’
By Reine Juvierre Alberto
Peza issued the statement after the value of investment approvals in January to July declined even as the number of projects it greenlit during the period surpassed the previous year’s approvals.
Figures from Peza indicated that the number of projects that received its go signal rose to 144 in January to July from last year’s 117. However, the value of this year’s approvals at P54.72 billion
was lower by nearly 44 percent compared with the P97.163 billion recorded in 2023.
“This means that we are registering more locator projects than developer projects,” Peza Director General Tereso O. Panga told the BusinessMirror via Viber on Friday.
Panga said the locator projects cover mostly export manufacturing and IT services, with Continued on A2
Medalla said.
“To me, that was my main goal—to make sure that the Central Bank will not be part of the sovereign wealth fund,” he added.
GCash eyes digital bank license in lending push
GCash owner Mynt eyes digital bank license after $800-M deal, Philippines’ largest fintech transaction
THE company behind the Philippines’ top mobile wallet GCash may seek a digital banking license as it boosts its lending business after Japan’s biggest bank invested in the fintech firm.
Applying for a digital banking license “is being discussed, although nothing is definite as of the moment,” Globe Fintech Innovations Inc. CEO Martha Sazon said in an interview with Bloomberg Television’s Shery Ahn and Haidi
Stroud-Watts on Friday. The Philippine central bank on Thursday said it approved the lifting of a moratorium on the grant of new digital banking licenses starting January next year, opening the door for four new slots on top of six
existing licensees.
Globe Fintech, or Mynt, is the parent of GCash, the Philippines’ leading mobile payments service provider.
The possibility of securing a digital bank license comes as Mynt is moving to scale up its lending business following its latest investment round. Japan’s Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Inc. took an 8-percent stake and Ayala Corp. raised its ownership to 13 percent in transactions collectively worth around $800 million, which Sazon said is the biggest fintech deal in the Philippines.
That more than doubled Mynt’s valuation to $5 billion. The company is not actively consider-
ing new investors as it does not need additional funds at the moment, the CEO said, adding that an initial public offering may happen when market conditions “are right.”
“For the IPO, that’s always on the table, but our priority right now is really to sustainably grow the business,” she said.
Both Ayala and MUFG are expected to strengthen Mynt’s diversification from its core payment business. MUFG can help with “cheap cost of funds when it comes to lending,” Sazon said.
Mynt has disbursed P155 billion ($2.7 billion) in loans as of end-June, up 73 percent from a year ago, according to Globe Telecom Inc., which holds around 33 percent stake in Mynt. The number
of its unique borrowers jumped 71 percent to 5.4 million during the same period. Mynt’s lending business is focused on “small loans” and the company doesn’t compete with banks, Sazon said. “Who we compete with would be the loan sharks,” she added.
The company, which is present in 17 countries, also plans to expand its overseas business to cater to more Filipinos abroad, Sazon said.
GCash is still keen on going public after its latest investment round pushed the fintech company’s valuation to $5 billion.
“We recognize that the new round of investments further strengthens Mynt’s ability and position coming into an IPO,” Sazon said Wednesday. An IPO by Mynt “could attract interest from all types of investors wherever stock exchange we list it. However, our view on the timing of the IPO remains the same. That is, it’s subject to improvements in market condition,” she told a media briefing on Globe Telecom Inc.’s second-quarter results. Mynt may go public in the Philippines next year while keeping the door open for new investors and an overseas listing in the US, Globe Telecom CEO Ernest Cu said in an interview in May. Globe Telecom has been building its lending business through GCash, whose payments business is also growing, with 6 million merchants, Sazon said. Bloomberg News
Investment approvals...
smaller capital investment in the first half compared to the same period last year.
“We expect bigger investment approvals in the second semester as we await the filing of more developer and big-ticket locator projects,” he said. “This will also be contingent on the early passage of CREATE More. Overall, many economists are projecting that the economy will fare better in the second half of the year.”
“Our best bets are electronics, steel, EV [electric vehicle], agri, data centers, ecozone development for the big-ticket projects,” Panga added.
Last August, the Peza Board approved 24 new and expansion projects, which will bring in P9.24 billion in investments, $264.78 million in exports, and 4,265 jobs.
While there was a “substantial” 60-percent increase in new
and expansion projects compared to the 15 projects it approved in July 2023, the value of investment approvals was 44.27 percent lower than last year’s P16.58 billion.
Peza said a “diverse” combination of industries constitutes the 24 approved new and expansion projects.
The approved locator company projects consist of 14 involved in export manufacturing, 4 in ITBPM, 2 in facilities development, 1 in the domestic market, and 3 in ecozone development.
Peza said Calabarzon continued to dominate as it accounted for 18 projects, followed by Region 7 with 4 projects and Central Luzon with 2. During the August 7 board meeting, Peza said two “notable” new and expansion projects were approved from both 100-percent Filipino ecozone developers worth a combined P4.68 billion.
“The continuous rise in the
New capital rules...
Continued from A1
A high net worth would ensure the stability of local insurance companies and help them maintain their good financial position. This, in turn, would give assurance to insureds that the companies have the capacity to settle claims.
Under Republic Act 10607 or the Amended Insurance Code, existing insurance companies are required to have a net worth of at least P550 million by December 2016, P900 million by December 2019 and at least P1.3 billion by December 2022.
Data from the Insurance Commission (IC) showed that the net income of the insurance industry grew 44.98 percent to P14.287 bil-
lion in the first quarter from last year’s P9.855 billion. Insurance density, or the amount of premium or average spending of an individual on insurance, rose by 10.66 percent to P965.56 as of endMarch from P872.56 in the same period a year ago.
Despite this, insurance penetration, or the share of the sector to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP), remained low at 1.78 percent in the first quarter.
Jacinto attributes the low insurance penetration to the affordability of the insurance products.
“Ideally, we should insure all properties, but being able to afford it is still an issue,” she added.
IIAP, the center of learning for
number of new and expansion projects signifies the international arena’s confidence in the Philippines’ business environment and economic potential,” said Panga.
“Our proactive efforts in establishing the country’s place as the go-to investment hub in the region plays a vital role in the ceaseless cycle of employment generation for our fellow Filipinos,” he added. Peza had set a target of P250 billion in investment approvals for this year. Panga maintained his optimism that the said target will still be hit this year.
“With continuous strategic planning and unshakeable government backing, it is certain that Peza is right on track in achieving its long-term objectives. The country’s inevitable adherence to economic growth and development is a clear manifestation of the agency’s invaluable service to the nation,” he added.
executives and employees of life and non-life insurance industries, aims to fill in the gap by reaching out and equipping potential buyers of insurance.
Jacinto said apart from training insurers to effectively and genuinely sell insurance products, the IIAP also makes the public understand the importance of taking out insurance policies.
“We’re trying to teach other people, especially the younger ones, to appreciate insurance and help us propagate,” Jacinto added.
Data from the IC showed total lives insured reached 83.678 million in 2023, higher by 9.50 percent than the 76.419
Continued from A1
The former central banker said the BSP’s equity was too low and it kept on borrowing at that time. “We have P1.5 trillion in paper money liabilities. Do we ever reduce the money supply? No, we kept issuing more.”
Despite his earlier opposition, the passage of Republic Act 11954 creating the MIF in 2023 mandates the BSP to contribute to the initial P50-billion capitalization of the MIF, including the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. and government financial institutions.
The BSP will have to remit 100 percent of its dividends for the first and second fiscal years since the enactment of MIF in 2023.
Medalla initially expressed reservations about the MIF, even after it was already signed into law, saying that all funds poured into the
MIF would lead the government to more debt (See: https://businessmirror.com.ph/2023/08/22/no-easytaxes-m-i-f-to-pad-debt-medalla/)
He also said the BSP, supposed to contribute its dividends to the national government, would have to invest in the MIF and leave public coffers scouring for new loans to finance its programs and projects.
The former central banker also admitted that he was opposed to the creation of the sovereign wealth fund from the start and had the impression that even President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. “was not convinced by the idea.”
The MIC is set to make its first investment in initiatives that aim to ensure energy security, particularly transmission grids of small power utilities groups, before the end of the year, according to MIC President and Chief Executive Officer Rafael J. Consing Jr.
Consing said the MIC aims to raise about $1 billion in investments from the energy sector alone.
The government said MIC’s investments will generate “optimal returns while contributing to the overall goal of reinvigorating job creation. It will also accelerate poverty reduction by sustaining the economy’s high growth trajectory while ensuring sustainable development.”
The MIC should have an authorized capital stock of P500 billion, of which the P125-billion seed capital will come from state-run lenders Land Bank of the Philippines and the Development Bank of the Philippines. The P75 billion collectively remitted by the
www.businessmirror.com.ph
Senators who signed anti-PUVMP resolution still have chance to grill execs over budget bill–Sen. Koko
TBy Butch Fernandez
HE Senate Resolution seeking to suspend the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP) may have been set aside by Malacañang Palace, which gave full speed-ahead approval to implement it, but the 22 senators who signed the resolution can still grill the relevant officials when they defend the 2025 budget of the Department of Transportation (DOTr).
Senate Minority Leader Koko Pimentel pointed this out on Friday, when asked whether the resolution, submitted last week, was for naught, after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. decided against the senators’ advice to hold implementation of PUVMP over serious questions about the loss of livelihood to thousands and the sustainability of funding, among others.
The “Senate resolution is an expression of the sentiments of senators,” so it was merely recommendatory, Pimentel conceded in a radio interview.
However, he noted, that when a resolution is signed by 22 senators or practically the entire chamber, it signals a serious concern.
First, said Pimentel, “the PUVMP is heavily dependent on subsidies,” which are to be derived from the national budget. “The DOTr will be defending their budget before senators soon, and they will have to answer our questions,” he added, and the most important of these is whether this is sustainable “without national government subsidies” being provided for an unreasonably long time.
“They will be asking for multiyear funding,” Pimentel noted, so lawmakers would want to be assured that this is really viable, given the financial burden it puts both on taxpayers, via the budget, and the drivers forced to comply by consolidating.
He said senators have serious doubts about the business model, considering that those forced to consolidate as cooperatives instantly have the burden of repaying loans used to acquire the mini-buses that will replace the traditional jeepneys.
“This is a haphazard, ill-conceived, program, done without consulting the jeepney drivers,” Pimentel warned, speaking in Filipino. He noted that “this looks like something discussed in an airconditioned room without
asking the stakeholders,” as he also voiced concern “the assumptions are unrealistic.” He said “a typical mini-bus under the PUVMP costs P2.8 million, and the cooperative that buys it only gets a subsidy of about P200-280,000.”
“What happens to the cash flow of drivers who won’t be driving daily, since there are fewer units available to drive, given that they are co-op members rotating their use of the units?” he asked.
Besides not being assured of a daily cash flow, the drivers must share in the collective burden of repaying the loan used to buy the minibus, the senator pointed out. He reminded policymakers that the sustainability of the model is threatened as well by the fact that fares must remain static, and cannot be increased as often as the transport operators may need.
He chided those who prepared the blueprint for applying “corporate principles” that are unrealistic to the transport situation, such as the assurance of “profit sharing through dividends” at the end of the year.
“They [drivers] are daily workers,” and the promise of a dividend—made nebulous by uncertain business assumptions—will not be enough to assuage their serious fears about the program’s sustainability, the senator added.
Even as he signaled that the senators could use the budget scrutiny to demand more accountable responses from implementing officials, Pimentel rejected the notion that Marcos. Jr’s go-ahead for the PUVMP, despite the Senate resolution, drives a wedge between the two branches. “No naman. This isn’t a matter of political philosophy or ideology... or differences [of opinion] in the national direction,” Pimentel said in mixed Filipino and English.
However, he said, they would have wished the Executive paid heed to the senators’ suggestion for a pilot two-track strategy: suspending the program in the sense of not imposing the ban on the noncompliant to ply their routes; but allowing those who complied and consolidated into co-ops to continue running, and then see the results after a certain period. This, he explained, would mitigate the damage if the worst outcomes of the “ill-conceived” program indeed happen.
Higher operational expenses dent PAL profit
LEGACY carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) on Friday reported a comprehensive net income of P9.48 billion for the first half of 2024, marking a 30-percent decline from the same period last year.
According to a disclosure to the stock exchange, the decrease is attributed to increased operational expenses linked to the airline’s expanding fleet and services, even as the market begins to stabilize following the surge in revenge travel in 2023. Despite the dip in net income, PAL experienced a 4-percent increase in total consolidated revenues, amounting to P90.92 billion, driven by a higher volume of passengers, cargo, and ancillary services.
“Philippine Airlines remains on track in its transformative growth strategy as we deliver a more efficient airline offering quality service, to fulfill our mandate as the Philippines’s flag carrier and only full-service airline with the largest network,” said PAL Holdings President and COO Lucio K. Tan III.
In the first half of 2024, PAL expanded its flights by 11 percent, transporting nearly 8 million passengers across its international and domestic network, a 13 percent increase compared to the 7 million passengers carried during the same period in 2023.
“As the industry adjusts to a re-balancing between demand and capacity, and continues to face cost challenges, we are implementing a disciplined investment plan to upgrade our fleet and continue our digital transformation so that we can serve our passengers better,” added Captain Stanley K. Ng, PAL President and Chief Operating Officer.
Transport groups ask govt to expand CTPL coverage
By Lorenz S. Marasigan
THE “Magnificent Seven,” an alliance of seven major transport groups, is calling on the Insurance Commission (IC) to increase the coverage of Compulsory Third Party Liability (CTPL) insurance.
Pasang Masda President Obet Martin said the group wants to increase the CTPL benefit from P200,000 to P400,000, as it will provide better protection for motorists.
Additionally, the alliance seeks to raise the benefit for permanent disability from P50,000 to P100,000 and property damage coverage up to P100,000.
“We want to enhance these benefits despite the increase in premium. It is for the protection of operators and even private car owners,” Martin emphasized, acknowledging that the proposed changes would result in a slight premium hike, estimated at
Marcos approves tax exemption for Palawan, Mindanao travelers bound for BIMP-Eaga
TO help boost economic development and tourism in Palawan and Mindanao, President Ferdinand Marcos has signed Memorandum Order (MO) No. 29 granting a four-year tax exemption to travelers from both areas, who are bound to visit the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-MalaysiaPhilippines East Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Growth Area (BIMP-Eaga).
Passenger revenues saw a modest increase of 2.05 percent to P79.84 billion, spurred by higher passenger volumes despite a decrease in the average fare per passenger.
Cargo revenues also rose to P4.12 billion, a slight uptick from the P3.81 billion recorded last year, owing to increased cargo volume.
Ancillary revenues experienced a notable 28.56 percent growth to P6.90 billion, primarily driven by higher ticket rebooking and seat upgrade volumes.
However, the airline’s expenses also surged during the first half of 2024. Flying operations expenses increased by 13.09 percent to P42.91 billion, mainly due to a 7.10 percent rise in fuel consumption, which was linked to the increased number of flights.
Maintenance expenses grew by 16.08 percent, reaching P9.98 billion, driven by higher aircraft utilization and additional engine maintenance needs. Additionally, aircraft and traffic servicing expenses rose by 18.44 percent due to increased ground handling charges and landing and take-off fees.
The escalating costs resulted in an operating income of P10.6 billion, consistent with expectations amid a normalizing market environment compared to the heightened travel demand in 2023. Capital expenditures also increased to $157 million, primarily for aircraft purchases, maintenance, and cabin upgrades.
The airline continues to operate the largest network of nonstop flights between the Philippines and the United States, serving key destinations such as Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, Honolulu, and Guam Lorenz S. Marasigan
President Ferdinand Marcos signed the new MO last Tuesday to support national interest and upon the recommendation of the House of Representatives.
He said it is “consistent with the strategies identified under the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028, particularly relative to the promotion of tourism and reduction of barriers to trade and investment.”
The new tax exemption, which took effect last Friday after its publication in a national broadsheet, will last until 30 June 2028 or unless sooner revoked.
It will cover all travelers who depart from international airports and seaports in Mindanao and Palawan and travel to the BIMP-Eaga area.
The exemption will also cover passengers with confirmed connecting flights from Mindanao and Palawan to BIMP-Eaga within 24 hours on the same day and there are no direct flights from passenger’s point of origin in Mindanao and Palawan, who are bound in Mindanao and Palawan to any of the passenger’s point of destination in BIMP-Eaga.
The travel tax exemption certificate may be secured from the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (Tieza).
On its website, Tieza defined travel tax as a levy imposed by the Philippine government on individuals who are leaving the country irrespective of the place where the air ticket is issued and the form or place of payment, as provided for by Presidential Decree (PD) 1183, as amended.
The collected revenue from the tax is used for tourism-related educational programs or used to fund National Commission for Culture and Arts. Samuel P. Medenilla
around P500 to P600 annually.
The Magnificent 7 consists of Pasang Masda, the Alliance of Transport Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines, the Alliance of Concerned Transport Organizations, the Federation of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines, the Stop and Go Transport Coalition, and the Liga ng Transportasyon at Operators sa Pilipinas.
The proposal comes in response to the increasing frequency and severity of road accidents, which the group believes current CTPL benefits do not adequately address.
According to data from the Philip-
(PSA),
submit
PHOTO BY NONOY LACZA
Panel looking into bid-rigging, bribery allegations–Comelec
By Samuel P. Medenilla
HE Commission on Elec-
Ttions (Comelec) is investigating the bribery allegation against Smartmatic during the 2016 elections after three officials of the voting machine company were recently indicted in the United States.
In a Viber message last Friday, Comelec Chairman George M. Garcia disclosed that an 11-man investigating panel is already looking into the matter.
“[We will] check if there is rigging in the bidding and who are the people involved,” he said.
The result of the probe, the poll chief said, will be initially submitted to the Comelec en banc.
The Comelec en banc will then decide if it will be included in their appeal to the Supreme Court (SC) decision, which reversed the poll body’s decision to disqualify Smartmatic TIM Corporation and Smartmatic Philippines Inc. in its
bidding for the 2025 polls.
“We will officially manifest these developments to our pending cases in the SC,” Garcia said. US cases
LAST April, the High Court declared that Comelec based its decision to disqualify Smartmatic on discretionary pre-qualification regime.
Comelec appealed the said ruling citing a US federal grand jury’s indictment of former Comelec Chairman Juan Andres D. Bautista for allegedly taking $1 million in bribes from Smartmatic and for money laundering in relation to the preparations for the 2016 elections.
Aside from Bautista, three other officials of Smartmatic were also charged due to their involvement in the case.
Last Thursday, a federal grand jury in Florida finally indicted Bautista together with those from Smartmatic, namely, Roger Alejandro Martinez, Jorge Miguel
Vasquez, and Ellie Moreno for violating the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), conspiracy to commit money laundering, and international laundering of monetary instruments.
When asked about the development, Garcia said those involved in the said case should still be presumed innocent until proven guilty.
However, he noted that the filing of the case is also a “vindication of sorts” for Comelec. “We were right all along when we disqualified Smartmatic.”
‘No voter fraud’
IN a social media post, Bautista said the contract with Smartmatic was aboveboard and the charges against him were “politically influenced by key Philippine officials.”
He said he is ready to defend himself in court.
“I will fight for my exoneration in court and show that I have not
committed any crime against the US government or the American people nor have I taken advantage or prejudiced them in any way,” Bautista said.
For its part, Smartmatic said it has ordered two of its employees, who were charged to go on leave. It also said that Vasquez already left Smartmatic several years ago.
The firm also stressed that the case involving its officials are not related to the election service it provides.
“No voter fraud has been alleged and Smartmatic is not indicted. Voters worldwide must be assured that the elections they participate in are conducted with the utmost integrity and transparency. These are the values that Smartmatic lives,” it added.
Last Thursday, Garcia accused Smartmatic of being behind the black propaganda that he has offshore accounts for bribe money.
NBI fails to find Quiboloy in school compound
By Manuel T. Cayon
DAVAO City—Operatives from the National Bureau of Investigation on Friday failed to arrest Pastor Apollo Quiboloy even after they scoured the buildings and open spaces of a school compound near the airport.
On Friday afternoon, about 10 NBI operatives entered the compound occupied by the Jose Maria College, which is owned and managed by Quiboloy’s religious organization Kingdom of Jesus Christ, The Name Above Every Name (KOJC).
A video recording posted on social media YouTube by the KOJC
showed the agents going around the 75,000-seater sports dome and quarters of workers. There was no commotion reported when the NBI entered the compound in Barangay Buhangin, which is beside the airport. There were no more tents and Quiboloy supporters outside the compound when the NBI came.
The KOJC said the compound administrators and the legal counsel did not impose restrictions as to where the NBI wanted to go.
The administrators and legal counsel met them outside and guided them as to where the NBI wanted to search for Quiboloy.
NBI Davao Director, lawyer
Archie Albao, told reporters later that they entered the compound to serve the arrest warrants issued by the Regional Trial Court (RTC) 157 of Pasig City, RTC 106 and RTC 112 of Davao City and the contempt warrant of the Senate.
He said they searched the three-story King Dome, the compound’s sports dome, including the underground space below the stage that has not been completed yet, and the quarters of KOJC personnel. He said they found no trace of the pastor and five other suspects.
“And I would like to emphasize that it was done in a peaceful and orderly manner,” he said.
Quiboloy’s Davao spokesman, lawyer Israelito P. Torreon corroborated Albao’s statement and advised the police “that a search may not need to be done by men in battle gear, high-powered firearms and helicopter.”
He confirmed that the legal counsel already filed a court case against the policemen who were part of the previous raids of the compounds of KOJC.
Meanwhile, Torreon said during a television interview that Quiboloy’s legal team has questioned the legality of the Court of Appeals decision to freeze the asset of the pastor and that they will file a motion against it.
Marcos approves merger of LLFC and ULFC
By Samuel P. Medenilla
THE Land Bank of the Philippines Leasing and Finance Corporation (LLFC) will soon absorb the United Coconut Planters Bank Leasing and Finance Corporation (ULFC) under a new issuance of President Ferdinand Marcos.
In his three-page Executive Order (EO) No. 65 signed by Executive Secretary Lucas P. Bersamin on 6 August 2024, Marcos authorized the merger of the two government-owned and -controlled corporations (GOCC).
“The merger of the LLFC and the
ULFC, with LLFC as the surviving entity is hereby approved, subject to relevant laws, rules, and regulations,” the chief executive said.
“LLFC and ULFC shall, in consultation with the Governance Commission for GOCC (GCG), determine the mode of the merger and implement the same with the approval of relevant regulatory agencies. All assets and liabilities of ULFCC shall be transferred to LLFC,” he added.
The decision comes after the GCG determined that ULFC is no longer achieving its expected objective and purpose.
The GCG en banc noted the merger will eliminate the unnecessary overlap in the mandates and functions of the LLFC and ULFC.
The LLFC and the ULFC are both
finance and leasing corporations under the Department of Finance (DOF), which extend credit to businesses for the acquisition of equipment and other assets.
To facilitate the merger, Marcos has ordered both affected entities to create an integration plan in line with existing laws as well as auditing standards, rules and policies.
He also tasked LLFC to submit a reorganization plan for the merger-affected officers and employers covering their retirement and separation benefits within one year from the effectivity of EO 65.
The reorganization plan will also have a provision for the LLFC to absorb ULFC officials and personnel whenever applicable.
MMCA in WPS ends with no untoward incident
By Rex Anthony Naval
THE Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Friday said the objectives of the “multilateral maritime activity” (MMCA) with Australia, Canada and the United States in the West Philippine Sea have been achieved and without any untoward incident.
“The exercise proceeded without any significant incidents, and all objectives were met as planned, further solidifying the operational readiness and cooperation among the participating forces,” AFP public affairs office chief Col. Xerxes Trinidad said in a statement.
He added the August 7 and 8 exercise closed at around 6 p.m. Thursday and featured a comprehensive array of naval and air assets from the participating nations.
The MMCA took place in Puerto Princesa, Palawan-based Western Command’s area of jurisdiction that includes the WPS.
The Philippine Navy deployed the BRP Jose Rizal (FF-150) with its embarked AW-159 anti-submarine helicopter and the BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PS-16).
Australia deployed a P-8A “Poseidon” maritime patrol aircraft while Canada deployed HMCS Montreal (FFH336) with a Sikorsky CH-148 “Cyclone” helicopter.
The United States was represented by the USS Lake Erie (CG-70) and a Sikorsky MH-60R “Seahawk” helicopter.
The MMCA included a series of meticulously planned events aimed at enhancing interoperability and cooperation among the participating forces.
These activities encompassed communication exercises, division tactics/officer of the watch maneuvers, a photographic exercise, cross-deck landing operations, anti-submarine warfare exercises, and contact reporting/maritime domain awareness.
Meanwhile, AFP chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. said the success of this MMCA underscores the commitment of the Philippines and its allies to upholding international maritime security and promoting a free and open IndoPacific.
This is aside from its vital role in strengthening regional security and fostering deeper cooperation among allied nations.
“This multilateral exercise met our objectives of enhancing tactical capabilities and interoperability. The seamless coordination and execution of the planned activities highlight the strong defense relationships we share and our collective commitment to ensuring a stable and secure Indo-Pacific Region,” Brawner said.
Bong Go lauds groundbreaking of Cavite Municipal Hospital
DETERMINED to continue improving access to quality healthcare services at the community-level, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of Cavite Municipal Hospital in Maragondon, Cavite, on Thursday, August 8.
“It is big honor to witness the building of a new hospital in Maragondon. Thank you to all of those behind the initiative to fulfill the dream of a hospital for Maragondon residents, especially local officials of Cavite,” Go said, partly in Filipino, in his speech.
Go supports the project as vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance and Chairperson of the Senate Health Commitee. He commended the collaborative efforts of the local and national government for the said hospital, which he said is in line with his advocacy to provide accessible and quality health care in all regions of the country.
“Every Filipino has the right to have effective and decent healthcare service so they can live well and healthy,” Go explained.
Aside from being an adopted son of Calabarzon region with familial roots in Batangas—being part of the Tesoro clan—Go was recognized during his visit as an adopted son of the Municipality of Maragondon through Resolution No. 548-24, passed by the Sangguniang Bayan for this continued support and service for the Filipino people.
The senator thanked the local government of Maragondon for their trust and unwavering dedication to making government services beneficial for all, especially Mayor Lawrence Arca, Vice Mayor Bernie Ilagan, and the local councilors of Maragondon. He also thanked Congresswoman Aniela Tolentino, Governor Jonvic Remulla, Vice Governor Athena Tolentino, and Magallanes Mayor Jasmine Maligaya among others.
Additionally, Go mentioned the Malasakit Center Act of 2019, institutionalized under Republic Act No. 11463, which he principally authored and sponsored. This is a one-stop shop where the DOH, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the Philippines Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) are housed under one roof to provide convenient access to medical assistance programs for all Filipinos, especially indigent patients.
In Cavite, Malasakit Centers are located at General Emilio Aguinaldo Memorial Hospital in Trece Martires City and Southern Tagalog Regional Hospital in Bacoor City. Additionally, Go advocated establishing Super Health Centers nationwide to bring primary care, consultations, and early disease detection closer to communities.
Routines as occasions for enrichment and transformation
WE are not only creatures of habit, but of routines.
Many moons ago, as a salaried employee my day had a very predictable pattern.
Home to office to home. It was a life, plain and ordinary, no more, no less.
When friends and co-workers would ask me to join them after work for beer at a girlie joint, would predictably turn them down. They used to call me “Mr. Lagaring Hapon” likening me to a Japanese buzz saw.
Now that I’m retired, I still follow a set of routine at home. I eat breakfast with my wife at 6:30 a.m. Then I take my medicines, bring the grandkids to school, come back and watch streaming videos or do some reading. My other regular tasks include sweeping the floor, cleaning the toilet bowl, scrubbing the bathroom floors and walls, taking out the organic garbage for composting, and then sitting down in front of my computer to write. Occasionally, I drive my wife to the mall and supermarket to buy our medicines and weekly stock of groceries.
Alfred Hitchcock, the famous film director of “Psycho” and “Vertigo,” once said that movies are “life with the dull bits cut out.”
Unfortunately, life is not a movie. We cannot cut out the dull, humdrum and repetitive chores such as doing dishes, washing clothes, taking the garbage out, or changing the cat litter.
But believe it or not, I am not bored at all doing my daily routine! In fact, the moment I wake up, look forward to my daily schedule, which is the same as yesterday and the day before that.
A Zen Master points out that the word “routine” originally meant “a route or course of travel for trading” or “a religious pilgrimage” and has only recently come to mean “ordinary” or “of no special quality.” He urges us to reclaim that original meaning so we can realize that the routines of our everyday lives can be a path or passage to something more meaningful or elevating.
And I agree.
When the soup or dish that is served to us tastes flat, what do we do? We add a dash of salt or condiment.
That’s what you can do also with your routines. Instead of salt, try to infuse a dash of mindfulness into the daily rhythm of your life. Mindfulness simply means being more present in the moment. The other meaning is “paying attention.”
It is like putting on a pair of eyeglasses. You see things in a fresh clearer way. You notice things you overlooked before. You get a second closer look at things you took for granted. By practicing mindfulness or being attentive and reflective, daily routines present opportunities to be more aware and to intensify our feelings about the world around us, including the normal tasks we do at home. It helps bring us back to our senses, to our selves. It locates us.
Focusing on things overlooked before can be stimulating for the mind. For instance, I am now more aware of the fruit and vegetable peelings that go to our waste can. Being more eco-conscious as a new convert to “zero-waste” living, I have wondered about the possibility of recycling or upcycling these waste peelings into edible snack chips. I then reflect more on the delicate balance that sustains our lives and our planet.
As I sweep the floor, I chance upon misplaced pins, nuts and bolts and nails. I don’t throw them away. I collect them in a plastic egg tray, which I have salvaged from the waste can. Out of these finds, I envision creating a metal sculpture collage. I see art in ordinary lost objects.
By giving more attention to the coffee prepared by my wife every morning, my taste for coffee, dulled by years of unmindful automatic drinking, has become more acute. I can now tell whether the brewed coffee I sip is fresh or stale. I can pinpoint the differences among powdered, roasted, or drip coffee. I have even acquired a taste for “macha” coffee, which I dismissed before.
Paying more attention or just taking a closer look at what is around us can heighten or deepen our feelings for our loved ones, develop patience and compassion, discover trust, and awaken our sense of wonder in the midst of everyday life.
When my wife “disturbs” me from my daily routine of reading or watching documentaries to take laundered clothes to dry under the sun in our backyard, or help her look for her tablet or cellphone misplaced somewhere, or take out rotting garbage that smells bad, and so on, I am no longer irritated. I take them as opportunities not only to reinforce my patience, but also to realize how much we need each other, and to show my love for her.
I don’t say anything. I don’t bring in words. I simply look at her and ride through the feeling. In those moments, I am transformed into what someone described as a “being of gratitude.”
Routines can also open a path to our inner spirit. I am reminded of what a spiritual master says: “It is in the repetitive and the mundane that I begin to learn to love, to listen, to pay attention to God and to those around.”
In fact, if you are the religious type, routines can be your nonverbal prayers. Eating your meal, brushing your teeth, taking a shower, checking your e-mail, sitting in a bus or commuter train, sleeping, and so on can be transformed into sanctifying rituals. Every time you are able to do them is a small blessing of existence.
As Gunilla Norris, a poet and author of books on the spirituality of the everyday, asks in one poem: “Could we linger with ordinary objects and discover the prayer in them?”
In my case, some routines provide “mini epiphanies” or little revelations. When read newspapers, which is part of my routine, I sometimes find myself reading a deeper message beyond the words of the headline. All of a sudden, a match is struck and my mind is brightly kindled by a phrase or sentence.
One time I looked at my coffee mug and I saw that it was old and chipped. But being old and chipped was what inspired me to compose a little poem about beauty in imperfection.
As Zen master Shunryu Suzuki tells us: “Everyday life itself is enlightenment.”
So my fellow retirees, let us live our remaining years in a mindful way. As our grade school teacher kept admonishing us time and again: “Class, pay attention!” By doing so, we open ourselves to all the graces and blessings of our daily round, day after day, including all the challenges, opportunities, and the gift of life.
NCSC and PhilHealth to enhance care programs for senior citizens
By Ma. Teresa Montemayor
MANILA—The National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC)
and the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) are in talks about the expansion of healthcare coverage and support for senior citizens.
In a news release on Thursday, the NCSC said Commissioner Mary Jean Loreche proposed an expansion of PhilHealth’s current laboratory packages for the elderly.
Loreche said prostate-specific antigen tests for males, breast ultrasound and mammogram for women, and comprehensive screening for various diseases and geriatric syndromes must be included in the current packages.
Citing that some elderly patients prefer less invasive and more
comfortable options to dialysis, Loreche proposed the creation of conservative kidney management programs.
Seniors fighting depression, anxiety, and cognitive decline would also benefit from expanded mental health programs, she said.
Other benefit packages that the NCSC deemed important to the elderly are home-based healthcare services, and transition and convalescent care to support senior
citizens recovering from illnesses and surgeries.
The NCSC pushed for the accreditation of the Senior Citizens Community Care Center for the Konsulta Package to ensure its coverage and sustainability, providing a robust support system for elderly care.
It also pushed for discussions on the status of the National Geriatric Center in Metro Manila—
transforming it into a model hospital nationwide similar to the Bicol General Hospital and Geriatric Center.
As of 2020, the Philippine Statistics Authority recorded 9,242,121 senior citizens or those above 60 years old nationwide. Earlier, the NCSC said about 4,419,153 senior citizens have registered to its nationwide database as of March 1, 2024. PNA
Marikina doubles birthday cash gift for senior citizens
By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan
MARIKINA City Mayor Marcelino Teodoro signed on July 31, 2024 an ordinance that doubles the birthday cash gift for senior citizens starting this August.
Ordinance No. 40 Series of 2024 increases the elderly birthday cash benefit from P1,000 to P2,000.
“This simple gift is not only a financial benefit. This is a recognition of your role in the city’s development,” Teodoro said in a video message on Wednesday.
The city has around 96,000 elderly citizens, according to the latest data of its Office of Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA).
Teodoro said the measure will not only benefit senior citizens but also their loved ones.
Vice Mayor Marion Andres, a senior citizen himself, thanked Teodoro for signing the ordinance.
“The gesture of granting a birthday cash gift is a tangible expression of the city’s gratitude
and appreciation for the elderly, fostering a sense of belonging and respect within the community,” the measure stated. It also noted that the increasing cost of living necessitates additional financial support for senior citizens, many of whom rely on fixed incomes that may not sufficiently cover their needs.
“Increasing this amount by an additional P1,000, for a total of P2,000, will provide greater financial assistance to senior citizens, helping to address their unique needs and improve their quality of life, thereby promoting their well-being and dignity,” it said. In 2016, the local government passed Ordinance No. 60, which grants a P1,000 birthday cash gift to senior citizens in Marikina City. PNA
Lower your risk of falling as you get older with these simple steps
By Devi Shastri Ap Health Writer
ONE in four older adults in the US will fall each year, putting them at risk of injury, broken bones and even death.
Falls are a growing public health concern as the country’s population sees record numbers of people turn 65—now and in the future. But common as falls may be, they are not inevitable.
“The more work we do, the more we realize that healthy aging doesn’t have to include falling,” said Cara McDermott, who researches falls at Duke University School of Medicine.
Here are some recommendations on how to reduce your risk of falling.
Fall-proof your home
START with how your house is set up:
Consider removing small area rugs, change out dim lighting and don’t put pots and pans in hard-to-reach places.
Then, aim for providing extra stability in places where it’s easier to lose your balance. Install railings on both sides of the stairs, a grab bar in the bathroom and no-slip strips on wood or tile floors.
It’s also important to keep your home clean: Don’t leave items on the floor, and clean up spills before they dry up and become harder to deal with.
Consider using a walker or cane to keep you stable, but make sure it’s right for your height and that you know how to
use it properly.
The National Institute on Aging has a full guide on its website with tips on how to fall-proof your home, room by room.
Exercise to build strength and balance
GO back to the basics with Newton’s first law: A body in motion stays in motion. That is, staying active can help prevent future issues—even if you’ve fallen before and are worried that it might happen again.
There are many exercises that can help prevent falls, even if you have limited mobility, like chair yoga, tai chi and walking.
“It doesn’t mean that you have to go out and start running marathons or anything
like that, but simply (do) functional exercises,” McDermott, said.
Make exercising fun and social by doing it with others in a group setting or playing with grandchildren.
The key: Know your limits and do what your doctor says is right for you.
Medications may increase your risk
MANY medications can have side effects like light-headedness, sleepiness or other things that impair your balance.
McDermott said older adults should talk to their primary care doctor about all of the medications they are on—and how they may work in combination. A primary
care doctor or pharmacist can see the whole picture and help find alternative medications that won’t throw you off balance.
But, she added, “I would never, ever recommend that somebody discontinue a medication without talking to their prescriber first.”
Stay on top of screenings
CHANGES in hearing, vision and other senses are common as you age and can contribute to falls. Make sure to have your hearing and vision tested regularly.
Bone health matters, too.
The Mayo Clinic estimates 10 million Americans have osteoporosis, which weakens the bones and makes it more likely to break something when you fall.
Taking Vitamin D and calcium can help improve bone health, and if needed, your doctor can test your bone density and recommend treatment.
Falls aren’t usually caused by one thing
KNOWING that falls might be a combination of causes, do some of the previous suggestions to lower your risk. And, if you do fall, let your doctor know—even if it seems minor. A fall can have wide-reaching implications and you’ll want to address the root cause to keep it from becoming a pattern.
“Maybe it is a one-time thing, but get it checked out anyway,” McDermott said.
A SOCIAL welfare personnel hands over cash stipend to an elderly from Cebu in this undated photo. The National Commission of Senior Citizens and the Philippine Health Insurance
MARIKINA City Mayor Marcy Teodoro on July 31, 2024 signs Ordinance No. 40 Series of 2024 at the City Hall. The measure increases the birthday cash gift of elderly residents from P1,000 to P2,000. PHOTO COURTESY OF MARIKINA PIO
Biz groups, civil society to boost reading proficiencies with 1M+ literacy advocates
IN a bid to end the country’s learning poverty, various groups have intensified their call for multisectoral aid and effective literacy programs via the Brigada Pagbasa Partners Network (BPPN).
The stakeholders are led by the Department of Education (DepEd), World Vision Development Foundation, Angat Buhay Foundation, Philippine Business for Education (PBEd), and Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP), together with top business leaders, education advocates and civil society organizations (CSOs) that have renewed their commitment to the network’s goal of mobilizing
over a million literacy advocates by 2040. Their aim: To assist at least 10 million Filipino learners in reading at their appropriate levels.
“It is critical that we prioritize literacy, as it is the gateway for learning and success,” PBEd chair Ramon Del Rosario said during their event last July 31. “If we do not address this fundamental issue, we risk having future generations of Filipinos
facing illiteracy and incompetence, which would have farreaching and detrimental effects to our nation’s progress.”
The initiative originated from the “Brigada Pagbasa” program launched in 2019 as an after-school reading intervention by World Vision in partnership with DepEd. This year, it has evolved into a comprehensive network composed of private
Sen. ‘Win’ Gatchalian nominates Rep. Benitez for Tesda’s top post
AFTER the resignation of Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) director-general Suharto Mangudadatu, Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian has endorsed Rep. Francisco Benitez from Negros Occidental’s Third District as the agency’s next chief.
According to Gatchalian, Benitez’s long experience as an educator and his stint as a legislator make him the perfect candidate to take over Tesda’s leadership. The senator believes that, with the congressman at Tesda’s helm, the agency can make leaps in addressing challenges in the technical and vocational educational and training (TVET) sector, plus the perennial issue of jobs-skills mismatch.
Benitez is one of the commissioners of the Second Congressional Commission on Education or EDCOM 2, where he also serves as co-chairperson of the Standing Committee on Early Childhood Care and Development and Basic Education. He was the president of the Philippine Women’s University from 2010 to 2019, and also taught at top institutions such as the University of WashingtonSeattle, University of Asia and the Pacific, University of Wisconsin-Madison, and Cornell University.
“As a lifelong educator, a top-performing legislator, and one of the most hardworking commissioners of the EDCOM 2, Congressman ‘Kiko’ Benitez will give Tesda the needed leadership to foster innovation, push for needed reforms, and produce job-ready TVET graduates,” said Gatchalian, who is the commission’s co-chairperson and chairperson of the Senate Committee on Basic Education.
Should Benitez be appointed as Tesda chief, Gatchalian vowed to support his fellow lawmaker in improving the quality of TVET education in the country. The senator also thanked Mangudadatu for his service to the agency.
Tesda to vitalize tech-voc PRIOR to his resignation, Man-
gudadatu said that the agency has made significant strides in elevating Filipinos’ lives via skills training and livelihood programs.
“Moving forward, we are committed to expanding Tesda’s reach, ensuring that more Filipinos, especially in rural areas, have access to quality technical education and skills training,” the agency’s former head said. In his third State of the Nation Address, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. underscored the importance of TVET in maintaining the national employment rate by equipping Filipinos with job-ready skills and industry-demand-based training.
“Statistics do not lie: Eight out of 10 graduates of TVET ultimately land decent jobs,” Marcos Jr. stated. “With its high employability rate, TVET will definitely be instrumental in capacitating our people, and in maintaining our employment rate at consistently high levels.”
The Chief Executive shared that Tesda, the Department of Education, Department of Labor and Employment, and Commission on Higher Education have partnered to embed TVET into all senior-high school tracks to equip the youth with industryrelevant skills and knowledge that will improve their labor force readiness and employability.
For his part, the former Tesda chief noted the agency’s success in uplifting the lives of Filipinos, having registered 1,633,393 enrollees, of which 1,428,728 have
graduated in various courses in 2023.
Further, it also recorded a high certification rate of 93.29 percent, wherein 973,563 out of 1,043,601 were classified as skilled workers.
Recently, the “Tesda Sa Barangay” program was launched to bring skills training programs closer to Filipinos. With this initiative, the agency encourages and supports local government units to offer lower-level techvoc training programs, specifically those with National Certificate levels I and II.
Hence, Tesda focuses on offering more diploma programs and higher-level TVET qualifications. Also, it will deliver capacity-building projects to barangay workers through community-based training sessions.
To ensure that the tech-voc sector is aligned with the industry requirements and remains at par with international standards, Tesda continues to partner with local and international TVET stakeholders through collaborations and agreements.
In August 2023, it launched the National Technical Education and Skills Development Plan 2023-2028, which serves as the national blueprint of the TVET sector for the next five years.
“By investing in our people’s skills and capabilities, we are building a stronger, more resilient Philippines ready to face challenges of the future,” Mangudadatu said. With a report from Roderick L. Abad
sector and CSOs with the goal of providing long-term remediation efforts.
“Five years ago, ‘Brigada Pagbasa’ was founded from our commitment to ensuring that every Filipino child can read. We believe that a child who can read has the freedom to dream,” World Vision Philippines chair Simoun Ung said. “Conversely, a child who cannot read will miss out on opportunities, such as securities and jobs, escaping poverty, supporting their families, and positively contributing to their community.”
“The problem of reading requires rigor [and] requires persistence,” said PBSP executive director Elvin Ivan Uy, then added in Filipino that “Brigada…” will combine efforts of the government, private sector, every Filipino and community members for the next 15 years.
In 2022, the World Bank reported that nine out of 10 Filipino children aged 10 struggle to read simple texts. Further, data from the Program for International Student Assessment revealed that 15-yearold Filipino students are among the lowest performers globally in Reading, Math, Science and Creative Thinking.
With these alarming trends, the BPPN aims to coordinate resources, identify areas of convergence, train volunteers, and implement more data-driven, impactful, and sustainable literacy initiatives.
“We have to build on what was done before us: We’ll continue pushing the envelope,” DepEd chief Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara said. “We’re talking about 47,000 public schools, 60,000 schools in total; over 200 school divisions, and about 17 regions all over the country. There are a
lot of doors and if we open those, you’re free to walk in and to help our 20 millionplus learners.”
Angara emphasized: “These are the things that we have to deal with on the ground. But with you, again, there is hope amid misery—there is so much hope, so much action, and pretty soon there will be results.”
The network called on individuals and organizations with current literacy projects aiming to start or aid such projects to participate and join the organization. Members can contribute to a long-term cause, connect with funders and partners, and receive training and support to help learners achieve reading proficiency. A nationwide caravan and launching of BPPN hubs will also be conducted to engage more partners, share best practices, and inspire local leaders and organizations to be involved in the advocacy.
Angat Buhay chairperson Atty. Leni Robredo pointed out that BPPN embodies the saying: “It takes a village to raise a child,” then said in Filipino that children’s education is not just the responsibility of schools, but of the community.
Ways AI will revolutionize learning, job opportunities in the Philippines
By Raghav Gupta Managing Director (Asia-Pacific), Coursera
WHERE will artificial Intelligence (AI) make a big difference to our lives in the future?
One of the areas Asians believe it will have a significant positive impact is in education and training, according to a survey by Google and Ipsos. For one, Generative AI’s (GenAI) revolutionary capabilities are unlocking new ways in democratizing access to quality education and future jobs, at the scale the Philippines needs.
Here are four areas where AI can level the playing field for learning and work to shape an inclusive future:
1. Access to learn with the world ADVANCES in machine learning (ML) have greatly reduced the cost and time needed to translate course material. From thousands of dollars and months to translate a course, it now costs less than $30, and can be done in a few days with ML.
Language barriers have previously held back learners looking to develop new skills and enter new fields. With AI-translated content, even a student or worker not completely proficient in English can accessibly build skills online for digital jobs.
Learners in Asia Pacific are already using this to their advantage. Of the 4,400 courses translated to Thai, Bahasa Indonesia, and Chinese on Coursera, enrollments are the highest for digital courses like “AI for Everyone,” “Foundations: Data, Data, Everywhere” and “Foundations of User Experience Design.”
According to the “Digital 2024” Report, the Philippines has nearly 87 million Internet users, with a penetration rate of 73.6 percent; 99 percent of the 115 million population owns a smartphone, and 61 percent of Internet users go online for learning purposes. As the digital divide narrows, AI can catalyze new opportunities to scale high-quality, relevant learning for all Filipinos.
2. Next frontier of personalized, interactive learning SOON, every Filipino student can have their own GenAI personal coach. Just like a real-life tutor, an AI coach offers customized study tips, explains a concept the evening before an exam, and even teaches a module in a student’s native language. GenAI can also make personalized coaching accessible and economical at scale without time or location constraints. Such individualized learning would help improve learning outcomes for learners in different contexts: From
helping those falling behind academically, to supporting learners in backward regions.
Despite efforts to improve the teacher-to-student ratio, many schools in the Philippines—especially in urban areas— continue to struggle with large class sizes which negatively impacts the quality of education. According to the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), regional state universities and colleges had an average faculty-student ratio of 1:30 for Academic Year 2022-2023. Private higher education institutions reported a similar ratio of 1:27.
GenAI can complement classroom setup through one-on-one, personalized supplemental learning. Its conversational abilities can be utilized for a range of applications: for example, as a debate opponent who generates counter arguments while a student fine-tunes their own point of view.
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization or Unesco stated that GenAI can be beneficially used to facilitate inquiry or projectbased learning, playing a role similar to a research advisor who guides a student.
3. Classroom aid
EARLY this year, education advocates urged the Department of Education (DepEd) to address shortage of faculty in response to the education ministry’s prior order to relieve teachers of administrative tasks, which negatively impact instructional time. AI can support and free-up teachers, especially when they are short-staffed to save time, while steering effective student outcomes.
GenAI can be used to scale practice assessments tailored to each learner’s needs, or generate multiple questionpaper variants for robust testing that deters cheating. AI-Assisted grading could streamline grading by suggesting scores and feedback, while leaving the final decision to the teacher.
With GenAI, faculty can auto-generate an entire course, going from structure to assignments, in just a few hours. Instructors would be able to easily produce a privately authored course that blends
high-quality content from experts externally, with their own internal content. For multilingual classes, GenAI can craft personalized, step-by-step lessons for every student—a capability that can be useful to bridge linguistic barriers.
4. Future-ready work force
THE Philippines has seen a surge in GenAI course enrollments, reflecting a keen interest in AI skills. Driven by the growing demand for the technology’s expertise, enrollments have soared by 642 percent year-over-year, with significant increases in courses such as “Prompt Engineering for ChatGPT” by Vanderbilt University, “Google AI Essentials,” and “Generative AI for Everyone” by DeepLearning.AI.
Business leaders in the Philippines are also exhibiting strong interest in and preference for AI-skilled labor force. A study by Microsoft and LinkedIn found that 70 percent of Filipino business leaders will only hire candidates with AI skills. The same study revealed that 68 percent would prefer hiring less experienced job seekers with AI skills over a more experienced candidate.
GenAI will not take over jobs. But workers who are not using AI might be replaced by those who do. In line with the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028, the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) and the Department of Trade and Industry have launched the “AI Strategy Roadmap 2.0.” This promotes adopting advanced technologies to drive the country’s socioeconomic progress, highlighting the potential of emerging technologies like GenAI for job creation. High GenAI enrollments from Filipino enterprise learners also signal that even those employed are upskilling to remain relevant in their jobs and the market at large. Every graduating student will need to know how to use GenAI as a thoughtpartner, and to augment their work to become employable and productive in their very first job.
Online learning can be a powerful tool for promoting equal access to in-demand AI skills, with public and private institutions playing a key role in powering mass AI skilling and reskilling programs. By fostering technological innovation and investing in multidisciplinary research and development, Neda is confident that the newly launched AI roadmap will help establish the Philippines as a leader in various AI application areas. The AI revolution can create more equal opportunities for all Filipinos. Harnessing its potential in education, especially in narrowing the opportunity gap, will ensure equitable outcomes in an AI-enabled world.
A6 Editor: Mike Policarpio
STAKEHOLDERS, with Education Secretary Juan Edgardo Angara (fifth from left)
SEN. SHERWIN GATCHALIAN (right) is endorsing the congressman from the Third District of Negros Occidental (left) as the next Tesda head. MARK CAYABYAB/OS WIN GATCHALIAN
GUPTA
Tourism Editor: Edwin P. Sallan
ADVENTURE IN LANDMANNALAUGAR
Exploring the stunning region of Iceland’s highlands
Story & photos by Joshua Berida
AS I planned my trip to Iceland, I came across pictures of Landmannalaugar. Its multicolored mountains, rugged terrain, and volcanic rock formations instantly grabbed my attention. I discovered this park wasn’t open the whole year. I only had the summer months from the middle of June until mid-September. I planned my trip around these dates and decided to go to the Land of Fire and Ice.
The Adventure Begins
THE long drive to Landmannalaugar
took us through Iceland’s harsh and barren, but beautiful landscapes characterized by rolling, snowcapped hills and dormant volcanoes.
Our first stop was Haifoss, a stunning waterfall with a drop of more than 100m. The gorge and cliffs, and rock formations were all part of the appealing landscape.
Our journey continued after a brief stop at Haifoss. It took a few more hours until we reached the makeshift camp of Landmannalaugar. There were shops, cabins, and a campsite where people could buy stocks, sleep, and use the showers and toilets. Located in the country’s Southern Highlands, the park’s main characteristics are its wind-carved and colorful rhyolite mountains, geothermal pools, and a massive lava field. Our guide and driver briefed us about how much
time it would take to finish the loop hiking trail and discussed the history of the park.
The start of the hike already provided spectacular views (a recurring theme throughout the trip). We walked through a lava field that was centuries old with views of the vivid rhyolite mountains in the distance. The black, dried lava contrasted with the vivid colors of the mountains. The hues of brown, hints of orange and yellow, and smears of red make up the palette of the surrounding landscapes. I couldn’t help but take several photos of the same view but from a different angle.
The trail was straightforward and is doable and enjoyable even for beginners. The gradual inclines are easy to navigate. The only steep part is the short hike up to one of the summits. Like the other places I visited in Iceland, Landmannalaugar had strong winds that made
the temperature colder. As I got higher up, the winds blew stronger. However, the views from above the hills were magnificent. It was summer but some parts of the mountains still had ice covering them. As I reached the summit of one of the hills, I felt the whipping of the wind (strong but nothing to worry about). I took a 360-degrees view of the surroundings, just to soak it all in. The rolling, windswept hills with white patches of snow, the multicolored mountains in the distance, and the lava field below were views I just passed through on my way up but seeing them from above was still a sight to behold. Who would’ve thought that something as devastating as a volcanic eruption could create something so beautiful?
Mindful of the time, I made my way down and back to the makeshift parking lot. I took the route our guide told us to take. I was alone as our group broke into smaller groups. It took around another hour to reach the camp of Landmannalaugar. I was lucky with the weather because I heard from another traveler that it rained during his trip. There was no shade in most of the trail. I couldn’t imagine how cold (and wet) I would be if that happened. After resting and eating, our small group drove back to Reykjavik. It’s possible to take the bus to and from Landmannalaugar. However, I saw that tours cost slightly more than taking the bus plus a tour package included a guide, fees, transportation, and a few additional stops. Renting a car was also an option, but too expensive for solo travelers. I booked a tour with BusTravel Iceland. You can visit their website here: https://bustravel.is/.
RIZAL PARK HOTEL A blend of modern comfort and cultural heritage
COMBINING old world charm with modern amenities, the historic Rizal Park Hotel is a reflection of Manila’s rich heritage even as it now appeals to contemporary travelers looking for a unique guest experience—something I can personally now attest to during a recent stay.
Originally built in 1911 as the building that housed the Manila Army Navy Club, a social club that catered initially, to American military personnel and civilians, and later Filipinos, it was considered a symbol of Manila’s social life for decades.
Since it underwent re-development in recent years and re-opened as Rizal Park Hotel in 2017, the magnificent structure has maintained much of its dignified architecture as characterized by the numerous arches that exudes a classic elegance. Upon entering its doors, guests are immediately transported to a bygone era by its intricate details. Instagram-worthy is an understatement to describe the awe-inspiring feel of being in its lobby alone.
Rizal Park Hotel’s location near Rizal Park makes it an ideal starting point for both local and foreign tourists who wish to explore the most sought-after historic spots in the nation’s capital. Iconic churches like the San Agustin Church, the Manila Cathedral, the Malate Church, the Binondo Church and the
Quiapo Church are all accessible from here. Other tourist destinations like Intramuros, the Fort Santiago, the Cultural Center of the Philippines, the Metropolitan Theater, the National Museums (of Natural History, Fine Arts and Anthropology), the Manila Ocean Park and the Manila Yacht Club are also all within reach.
Samantha Paz, Managing Director of Rizal Park Hotel acknowledged that proximity to these places is a big reason why guests can look forward to an “exceptional staycation experience.”
“The hotel’s prime location offers stunning views of Manila Bay, the Manila skyline, and Rizal Park itself, making every stay even more memorable. Whether relaxing in the beautifully appointed rooms or enjoying the breathtaking surroundings, guests can look forward to a luxurious and comfortable stay, complemented by outstanding service and top-notch amenities,” Paz pointed out. As amenities go, what Rizal Park Hotel offers is nothing short of impressive. Guests can take daily dips at the infinity poll overlooking Manila Bay. The spacious rooms, like the Deluxe Room where I stayed, is equipped with contemporary conveniences like flat-screen TV, and wi-fi connection, integrate seamlessly with the hotel’s classic look.
“For dining options, Café Rizal
ONE out of many dormant or active volcanoes in Iceland.
HIKING in Landmannalaugar.
PATCHES of snow still cover the mountains in Landmannalaugar even in the summer.
NOTHING but spectacular views in Landmannalaugar.
SHADES of black, gray, red, orange, yellow, and brown characterize Landmannalaugar’s landscape.
MAGNIFICENT waterfalls
BusinessMirror
Community storelibrary unveiled
THE Philippines has a 91 percent learning poverty rate, said Lynn Pinugu, co-founder and e ecutive director of Mano Amiga Philippines. This means that children of late primary age today are not pro icient in reading. To put it simply, 9 out of 10 Filipino children cannot read a simple te t at age 10.
“Reading is a gateway skill. If you are unable to read, how is it possible for you to deepen your knowledge or tackle more di icult subjects. At the same time, you know that reading is what makes people fall in love with learning, right?” said Pinugu during the opening of Starbucks Philippines second community store in Maysilo Circle, Mandaluyong City.
Starbucks Community Stores create environments that aim to help upli t communities in locally relevant ways. The irst community store in the Philippines is in Abad Santos Tondo.
“We are very proud and honored to work with Mano Amiga. It’s very important to us to work with people with trust. It’s good that we’ve known Lynn [Pinugu] for quite a while. She’s known a lot of people
in our organization—people with integrity and people who really proved that they can make a di ference,” said Noey Tantoco Lopez, president of ustan Co fee Corp., e clusive licensee of Starbucks in the Philippines.
A portion of the proceeds from the Maysilo Circle Community Store will support Mano Amiga Philippines, which helps to enhance education for children from low-income communities.
Established in Me ico in 19 and active in the Philippines since 2008, Mano Amiga has steadily grown, providing more scholarships each year to deserving students.
Starting in October, Starbucks Philippines, in partnership with Mano Amiga, will launch the Raising Readers and Raising Leaders programs, two initiatives that will bene it underprivileged youth at Nayon ng Kabataan in the Welfareville community, Mandaluyong City. Raising Readers promotes literacy through storytelling, arts and cra ts, and nutritious meals while Raising Leaders o fers leadership training, life skills workshops, scholarships, and school placement support.
The two-story Maysilo Community Store also features Starbucks’ irst Community Library, which will feature a diverse collection of books, including works by Filipino writers and illustrators that showcase Filipino values and e periences. Also in the library is a selection of international books.
“I believe we are the only one with a community library within a Community Store so this is quite unique to the Philippines,” said Jamie Aquino Silva, Starbucks’ senior manager for marketing, digital customer service, and loyalty.
For the Maysilo Community Store, Starbucks
Philippines has co-created a custom mural with Manila-based artist Tara Soriano and the result is “Of Books and Beans,” which depicts co fee and books coming together.
“She has been doing a lot of our artwork since 2018. She’s done over 50 [I think we lost count already]. She’s been an integral part of our success,” said Quito Lopez, Starbucks Philippines’ store development manager.
The mural runs from ground loor of the Maysilo Community Store up to the second loor.
“I used certain elements from the store. The inspiration for my art is to empower young minds. I chose very vibrant colors and added notebooks, pencils and other school supplies to symbolize learning, youth, school, and education,” said Soriano.
Starting October, select Starbucks stores in Mandaluyong will donate rescuable food directly to the Welfareville community. Since the launch of Starbucks FoodShare in 2022, in partnership with Grab and the Philippine FoodBank Foundation, Starbucks has donated over 1. million food items nationwide, helping to relieve hunger in the community.
Additionally, Starbucks Philippines will collaborate with Gawad Kalinga to bring Kusina ng Kalinga+ to Welfareville. This initiative empowers local parent volunteers to prepare nutritious meals for children in public schools. In partnership with The Starbucks Foundation, Starbucks has provided over 2 ,000 meals across the country since 2022, and starting this October they will be supporting 200 children in this community through this initiative.
The Starbucks Maysilo Circle Community Store is now open from Monday to Sunday, 0 am to 12 00 mn, via dine-in and take-out.
Through
ARENAPLUS joins the rest of the nation by celebrating the momentous double gold medal victory of Carlos “Golden Boy” Yulo in the 2024 Olympic Games.
To honor Yulo’s historic achievement, ArenaPlus is awarding the Olympian an “Astig Hero Bonus” of P5,000,000 in cash. This gesture underscores ArenaPlus’ pride and gratitude to Yulo for representing the country in the most prestigious sporting event in the world.
DigiPlus, the parent company of sports betting platform ArenaPlus, has been proudly championing Carlos Yulo since the start of the Olympic Games. As one of ArenaPlus’ o icial brand ambassadors, Yulo has had the company’s full support throughout the entirety of his Olympic campaign. n a pre Olympics send o f with representatives
from ArenaPlus, Yulo even spoke on the value of his partnership with the company. The athlete’s hard work and dedication resulted in the historic win of two gold medals in men’s artistic gymnastics in the men’s loor and men’s vault e ercises. The victory makes him only the second-ever Filipino Olympic gold medalist, and the most awarded one in the country’s history.
DigiPlus chairman Eusebio H. Tanco spoke on the hopes for Yulo’s future a ter these Olympic games.
“Carlos Yulo truly embodies the ‘astig’ Pinoy spirit,” said Tanco.
“We coudn’t be prouder of how he has represented both our country and DigiPlus. Our warmest congratulations to him.”
Yulo’s success in the Olympics also aligns with ArenaPlus’ vision of a thriving and diverse interest
in sports here in the Philippines. With the money provided by ArenaPlus, Yulo now has the means and funding to further hone his skills and improve his training conditions. This will only aid him in his athletic career moving forward, setting him up for greater success down the line.
DigiPlus is the fastest-growing digital entertainment company in the country. It operates the country’s leading digital platforms BingoPlus, ArenaPlus, PeryaGame, Tongits+, and BingoPlus Poker, with more to come.
ArenaPlus is the leading sports betting app that provides various sports live streaming in the Philippines, serving as the leading sports entertainment gateway of Filipinos. More information is available at www.digiplus.com. ph or www.arenaplus.ph.
TikTok agrees to withdraw rewards feature after EU raised concerns about potential online
The
The
A8 Saturday, August 10, 2024 • Editor: Gerard S. Ramos
BusinessMirror
mWell and the fellowship of the (fitness) ring
DURING the peak of the pandemic, prevaccine, the only thing scarier than getting the Covid-19 virus was not being able to book a doctor’s appointment. Hospitals, understandably, had to enforced very strict protocols making it di icult to ind a doctor or specialist other than your primary care physician. You either needed to do e tensive research to ind one or rely on referrals.
As they say, “necessity is the mother of invention,” and the pandemic also accelerated the adoption of virtual consultations leading to the birth of the mWell app, an integrated health and wellness app developed by Metro Paci ic Health Tech Corp. MPHTC , a subsidiary of Metro Paci ic Investments Corp. MPIC Launched in July 2021, mWell is the pioneer in HealthTech and the Philippines’ irst fully integrated, all-in-one health and wellness mega app. It was meticulously designed to provide a comprehensive digital healthcare solution for Filipinos, bridging the gap in healthcare accessibility by o fering telemedicine, health and wellness programs, e-commerce, among others, in an integrated, techbased healthcare digital ecosystem.
The app’s development involved strategic collaborations with leading names in healthcare, wellness and technology. mWell also collaborated with itness and wellness e perts to o fer personalized itness, nutrition and parenting solutions while Maya facilitated secure and hasslefree transactions within the app, enhancing the overall user experience. Upon its launch, mWell introduced a suite of features designed to empower users to manage their health digitally. Key features included 24/7 doctor consultations, allowing users to consult with licensed doctors from various specializations via online video calls. mWell’s commitment to improving healthcare access extended to underserved areas through initiatives like the mWell OnTheGo program, which brought portable mobile clinics to remote communities. Additionally, mWell organized events such as the mWell Fitfest Tour, promoting physical activity and wellness through nationwide Zumba challenges.
MPIC chairman Manny V. Pangilinan emphasized the critical role of technology in overcoming
geographical limitations and making healthcare accessible to all Filipinos, including Overseas Filipino Workers OFWs . mWell is also the only PH Health & Wellness Mega App available globally since it isn’t geo locked. This means that OFWs or even Filipinos traveling abroad can still access the app and consult with a Filipino doctor whenever and wherever they are in the world in case of emergencies or even for their routine check-ups.
The platform boasts a robust user base of 2.7 million, supported by over 2,000 partner doctors across 38 specializations.
IN SICKNESS AND IN MWELL
TO help constantly monitor the user’s wellness score, mWell has released several proprietary itness bands, smartwatches and perhaps its most anticipated wearable—the mWell ring.
Fitness rings have recently garnered signi icant attention, making the launch of the mWell Ring particularly timely and relevant. The mWell Ring o fers powerful smart ring capabilities at an ultralight price of P8,999, making it a highly a fordable option compared to other alternatives. Unlike other itness rings, the mWell Ring does not require any subscription fee to access an app and is compatible with both Android and Apple devices.
Stylish and built to last, the mWell Ring’s external surface is made of titanium, while the inner surface is non-allergenic, non-metallic, and made of seamless, medical-grade, BPA-free material. It is waterproof up to 50 meters for up to 12 hours and boasts a battery life of up to 7 days. The ring is available in sizes -13 and comes in three colors: Black, Bronze, and Silver.
Among its standout features include advanced sleep tracking capabilities. It monitors total sleep, including light, deep, and Rapid Eye Movement REM sleep stages, providing unparalleled sleep insights. Additionally, it tracks a range of health metrics such as 24/7 heart rate, heart rate variability H V , and blood oxygen saturation using medical-grade sensors. All these data are then analyzed and added to your mWellness Score. You can view your health metrics in the “Health Metrics” section of the app, which o fers a comprehensive view of the latest measurements, historical data, and key facts.
I’ve been using the mWell Ring for the past week, and the trickiest part was actually deciding on the right ring size. Due to its sensors, the ring is slightly thicker than typical rings. If you’re not used to wearing a ring 24/7, it might take some time to get accustomed to it, especially while sleeping. You can order the ring online, but it’s best to try it out irst to ind the perfect it, as they recommend wearing it on your index inger for optimal results.
Speaking of results, just like any itness regimen, the key here is consistency and I think you have to wear the ring all the time to get the best results. On my irst night wearing it, I was pleasantly surprised
by the detailed and accurate results, which recorded a total of 8 hours of sleep and a step count that matched my smartwatch. However, I forgot to wear it the next day, and when I put it back on the following night, it only registered 30 minutes of sleep time and provided incomplete data. I also doubt that I was sedentary for 18 hours. This highlights the importance of wearing the ring consistently to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the health metrics it tracks.
PRESTIGE AND POWER
IF you are not keen on getting a itness ring, mWell also o fers the more traditional smart watches. The mWell Prestige and mWell Power are smart watches that o fer advanced health and itness tracking features tailored to di ferent user preferences, each priced a fordably. Both integrate seamlessly with the mWell app, allowing users to sync their health data and receive personalized insights and recommendations. The mWell Prestige Smartwatch, priced at P2,999, features a 1.43-inch high-de inition AMOLED display, providing vibrant and sharp visuals. Its 330mAh battery ensures up to 7 days of usage on a single charge. On the other hand, the mWell Power Smart Watch, priced at P2,499, boasts a larger 2.01-inch crisp IPS display for clear and easy-toread visuals. It is powered by a 2 0mAh battery, also o fering up to 7 days of battery life.
Both watches have almost the same set of features so it’s really just a matter of preference. They also have a couple of interesting apps like calculator and stock market and the Power even has a built-in spaceship game. Interestingly, both are also capable of blood pressure monitoring. But this isn’t something I would recommend as the results are very di ferent compared with a real BP monitor. mWell announced they are also releasing several other smart watches that are tailored for more senior users as well as younger kids.
Maximizing connectivity with OPPO smartphone
IN today’s fast-paced environment, strong, stable connectivity is crucial for productivity and uninterrupted communication. This makes smartphones’ connectivity and reliable network performance more essential than ever.
The OPPO Reno12 Series 5G carries the groundbreaking AI LinkBoost technology along with BeaconLink designed to address these connectivity concerns. The newest addition to OPPO’s renowned Reno Series guarantees to maximize your connection, making sure you are always on anytime and anywhere.
The AI LinkBoost making its way to the OPPO Reno12 Series 5G is a next-gen proprietary communication technology developed by OPPO. It features a 3 0 Surround Antenna and Intelligent Network Selection that can provide robust connection, even in the most challenging scenarios with signal interference.
With the AI LinkBoost powering the OPPO Reno12 Series 5G, users will enjoy hassle-free connection whether you are in basement parkings, elevators, or crowded areas.
The AI LinkBoost has proven its capability to boost connectivity that enables users to make calls, send emails and quickly recover connection even when in areas where usual interferences can happen. It also has the ability to ensure smooth transition from public or private WiFi to your own mobile data. Additionally, you can transfer iles without having to worry of any transmission failures even in heavily crowded areas such as concerts or sporting events.
The AI LinkBoost has made the OPPO Reno12 5G and the OPPO Reno12 Pro 5G become the irst smartphones to receive the High Network Performance Certi ication from T V Rheinland.
Another communication innovation also present in the OPPO Reno12 Series 5G is BeaconLink. It improves Bluetooth uplink performance by 300%, allowing you to make voice calls on supported devices over Bluetooth from up to 200 meters away, even without any network connection.
This innovation is particularly useful in situations where there is complete disconnection like when in transit on an airplane, crowded areas or remote locations. BeaconLink ensures users can still stay connected with friends nearby as it creates a temporary network via Bluetooth, enabling seamless communication regardless of typical network limitations.
More information is available about the OPPO Reno12 Series 5G and AI LinkBoost at www.oppo.com/ph
1.09 a day.
The commission opened an investigation in April due to concerns that TikTok has not done a diligent assessment required under the act of the feature’s potential “addictive e fect,” especially for children, “given suspected absence of e fective age veri ication mechanisms on TikTok.” The resolution of the TikTok Lite investigation does not a fect an earlier probe launched against TikTok focusing on concerns about protection of minors, advertising transparency, data access for researchers, and mitigating risks of “behavioral addiction” and harmful content. AP
Work starts now for LA28 –Tolentino
By Jun Lomibao
PARIS—Hidilyn DiazNaranjo’s weightlifting gold medal in Tokyo and Carlos Yulo’s two gymnastics titles in Paris are tough tasks to follow that, according to Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, preparations for the Los Angeles Olympics must start in earnest.
“That’s why work for Los Angeles in 2028 starts now,” said Tolentino on Thursday when he brought together for the first time the country’s Olympic gold medalists over lunch along the banks of the Seine River with the iconic Eiffel Tower witnessing Philippine sports history in the background.
Tolentino said that gymnastics, weightlifting and boxing will remain as the traditional sources of Olympic gold medals but in the next Olympic cycle, other sports could be given elite treatment.
“The template applied in weightlifting, gymnastics and boxing has been tested and proven again in Paris,” said Tolentino on the formula for success in sports—a squad of coaches, strength and conditioning experts, physiotherapists, nutritionists, among others. “The POC will be encouraging national sports associations to apply a similar template.”
There are 32 sports being played at the Paris Olympics that are bound to be on the LA28 program and Tolentino said that there are more than a dozen of them where Filipino athletes could win medals.
“Shooting, archery and taekwondo, to name a few,” said Tolentino, who’s also confident cycling, which he also heads, could be coming out of the horizon.
An International Cycling Union-standard 250-meter indoor velodrome is expected to be completed in mid-2025 in Tagaytay City, where Tolentino is mayor.
“Twelve gold medals, six men
and six women, are staked in track cycling here in Paris, that’s a lot of opportunities,” Tolentino said.
Philippine Sports Commission chairman Richard “Dickie” Bachmann shared the same page about how Olympic success could be achieved.
“The non-stop support from everyone has led us to achieve our goals,” Bachmann said. “And the formula is to engage, involve and implement a multi-thronged approach in training athletes.”
Former POC president Ricky Vargas, who also chairs the boxing association, went further back 2016 in the Rio de Janeiro when DiazNaranjo clinched a silver medal.
“Counting the silver in Rio [of Hidilyn Diaz], the four medals in Tokyo and the four now here in Paris, it’s nine medals after going without a medal in the Olympics for 20 years,” Vargas said. “Four medals [in Paris] from a 22-strong team with meager funding, that’s excellence.”
In the iconic meeting between two Olympic champions, Diaz-Naranjo expressed how proud she is for Yulo’s success in Paris.
“I’m so proud of you, congratulations,” Diaz-Naranjo told Yulo.
With two golds and two bronzes, the Philippines remained the best performing Southeast Asian country in Paris so far at No. 26 on the tally board alongside Hong Kong-China.
Indonesia won its second gold medal in weightlifting after sport climbing and with one bronze, trailed the Philippines at No. 28 in the medals race that saw the United States breaking the 100 medals mark at 103 on 30 gold, 38 silver and 35 bronze medals, only a gold more than China and 12 over No. 3 Australia.
Host France with 14 golds and Great Britain with 13 complete the top five medal winners.
Thailand was at 32nd place on one gold, three silver and two bronze medals.
PARIS—It’s so easy to spot Richard “Dickie” Bachmann waving the country’s colors from the Olympic Family seating area at the Paris Olympics.
He’s 6-foot-5, a former national basketball team athlete and his dominant physique is as large as his support and appreciation on the Filipino athletes performance here.
“The non-stop support from everyone has led us to achieve our goals,” Bachmann told members of the Philippine Olympic Committee Media Team on Friday. “With Aira Villegas and Nesthy Petecio securing bronze medals, we have solidified these new milestones achieved for our country’s name.” Bachmann arrived for the games four days ahead of the July 26 opening ceremony to make sure the delegation’s needs are well-covered by the PSC.
He’ll be on the same chartered
ARIS—Letsile Tebogo is from Botswana in southern Africa, a continent with a rich history of producing world-class runners.
Just not like the kind Tebogo does for a living. He’s hoping 20 seconds of greatness—check 19.46 seconds of greatness—might change that.
The 21-year-old pulled off a stunner (sort of) in the men’s 200 meters at the Paris Olympics on Thursday night, producing the first-ever Olympic gold by an African runner in the distance.
American Kenneth Bednarek got out to an early lead, but Tebosgo said he was confident that he had more than enough to track him down.
By the middle of the stretch, Tebogo was in front and waited for a challenge from American star Noah Lyles that never came—perhaps in part because Lyles is dealing with Covid-19—to win going away.
“When I saw Kenny fade I knew Noah was far, far, far away behind us,” Tebogo said. “So that means I’m the Olympic champion.”
One who is also a three-time world champion.
Lost amid the chaos of Lyles collapsing briefly on the track
PARIS—Elreen Ann Ando has no regrets winding up sixth in women’s 59 kgs of weightlifting at the Paris Olympics on Thursday night here. She’s one rank better from her seventh-place finish in Tokyo 2020 where she competed in the same 55-kg class in the shadow of Hidilyn DiazNaranjo, the country’s first Olympic gold medalist.
“Sixth place? No regrets,”
“Although
Bachmann: Successful in Paris
flight from Charles de Gaulle to Dubai and finally at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport on Tuesday afternoon (in Manila) where President Ferdinand R. Marcos and First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos will be waiting to welcome the successful delegation.
“While this year’s Olympics edged the number of medals in Tokyo 2020, what stands out is the continued success of the Philippines in the Olympics,” Bachmann said. “A new history has been written, and our success still grows as we prepare to seek even more victories.”
The Olympic accomplishments, he said, inspires millions of Filipinos and demonstrated how sports can elevate dreams and unite the country.
“We can confidently say that the overall performance of the country reflects everybody’s determination and passion to inspire more Filipinos to
ARIS—Trailing and with its streak of four consecutive Olympic gold medals in danger, the US team was trying desperately to mount a semifinal comeback.
There was only one problem—Serbia kept making threepointers.
And making them. And making them.
The semifinal showdown between the four-time defending gold medal-winning US team and Serbia turned into a threepoint shooting contest.
Serbia nearly prevailed. And, in doing so, came within a late flurry of stunning the title favorites before losing 95-91, almost denying one of the most star-laden teams since the 1992 Dream Team a chance of another gold.
“I still believe that we could have won this game, a couple of possessions, a call goes our way, a couple of shots,” Serbia’s Bogdan Bogdanovic said. “But that is basketball. You should be proud even if you lose a game like this.” Serbia made 15 of 39 shots from beyond the arc, compared
ebogo makes case for Africans with thrilling 200m win
in the aftermath and his revelation that he tested positive for Covid-19 on Tuesday was this: Tebogo’s time was the fastest by anyone in the world this year.
Lyles included.
Heady territory for an athlete who gets himself amped up before a race by playing traditional songs he learned growing up in Kanye, Botswana, not far from the landlocked nation’s border with South Africa.
The ritual allows Tebogo to relax, drawing a stark contrast between him and the relentlessly amped Lyles. While Lyles roared onto the purple track at Stade de France preening, Tebogo was one lane to Lyles’ right mentally preparing for the race of his life.
And when Tebogo ran it, he draped the blue, white and black flag of his country over his shoulders, hung his orange cleats around his neck presented his right shoe to a nearby camera to reveal a tribute to his mother, Elizabeth Seratiwa, who died in May.
“She always dreamed of making it to here,” Tebogo said.
So did his younger sister, who was somewhere in the sea of seats that roared during the race, a roar that grew louder when it became obvious Lyles wasn’t going to track Tebogo down the way he had to just about everyone since Tokyo in his signature event. AP
Serbia’s 3-point flurry not enough vs Curry, USA
with 16 of 32 by the Americans. It almost nullified nine 3-point makes by Stephen Curry—the National Basketball Association’s (NBA) all-time leader in three-point makes— who finished with 36 points.
It contributed to Serbia’s big leads during the game, which stretched to as much as 17 points.
“They came out and hit some amazingly tough shots in the first half,” Curry said. “You have to credit to them, they’re a really good team...but to come back the way we did, like, I’ve seen a lot of Team USA basketball and that was a special one.” It left the Serbian players stunned as they shook hands after the game. Bogdanovic, who had 20 points including three 3-pointers, was in tears. At one point he pulled his jersey over his head and crouched to the ground as teammates consoled him. Curry’s efforts left his teammates in awe of what they’ve seen so many nights on NBA floors, travel to the international level.
“Steph? Man, that was a godlike performance,” Kevin Durant said. “That was tough. It felt like he was struggling throughout the whole tournament. We always said: Each
somebody
Editor: Angel R. Calso
US, Egypt, and Qatar demand resumption of Israel-Hamas cease-fire talks next week
By Ellen Knickmeyer The Associated Press
WASHINGTON—Leaders of the United States, Egypt and Qatar jointly demanded Israel and Hamas return to stalled talks on the war in Gaza next week, saying Thursday that “only the details” of carrying out a cease-fire and hostage release remain to be negotiated. “There is no further time to waste, nor excuses from any party for further delay,” they said in a joint statement.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said Thursday, “Pursuant to the proposal by the US and the mediators, Israel will—on 15 August—send the negotiations team to a place to be determined in order to finalize the details of the implementation of the framework agreement.”
President Joe Biden, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and Qatari Emir Tamim al-Thani, mediators in indirect negotiations to end 10
by Hamas, as an example. Egypt, the US and Qatar said they have a proposal ready to present at next week’s talks to resolve the remaining issues.
months of devastating war in Gaza, set the talks for August 15, to take place in either Doha, Qatar, or Cairo.
A senior US official, speaking to reporters on condition of anonymity to discuss the push by mediators, said only four or five areas of disagreement over implementation remained to be resolved between the two opponents. The official cited the timing of a planned swap of Palestinian detainees held by Israel, and hostages held
Critics of Netanyahu accuse him of slow-rolling talks to end the war in Gaza, which began October 7 when Hamas-led militants killed about 1,200 people in Israel. Israel’s offensive in Gaza since then has killed nearly 40,000 people.
There was no immediate response to the offer by Hamas. Last week’s killing of its top political leader in Tehran raised tensions across the region, an escalation widely seen as a blow to
cease-fire talks. The killing was widely ascribed to Israel, although Israel has not commented.
US officials have said they believe Hamas can resume negotiations despite the July 31 assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, who had been presiding over the talks for Hamas.
Hamas military chief Yahya Sinwar, who is believed to be sheltering from Israeli attack in underground bunkers beneath Gaza, took over as the group’s political leader. Hamas had other representatives besides Haniyeh attending the talks that can step in for the slain official, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said.
Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus takes reins as head of Bangladesh’s interim government
By Julhas Alam The Associated Press
DHAKA, Bangladesh—Nobel
laureate Muhammad Yunus
took the oath of office as head of Bangladesh’s interim government Thursday after protests forced out former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina this week.
The key tasks for Yunus now are restoring peace in Bangladesh and preparing for new elections following the ouster of Hasina, who fled to India after weeks of student protests over job quotas grew into an uprising against her increasingly autocratic 15-year rule.
The figurehead President Mohammed Shahabuddin administered the oath to Yunus for his role as chief adviser, which is the equivalent to a prime minister, in the presence of diplomats, civil society members, top businessmen and members of the former opposition party at the presidential palace in Dhaka. No representatives of Hasina’s party were present. The 16 other members of the interim Cabinet were drawn mainly from civil society and include two of the student protest leaders. The Cabinet members were chosen in discussions this week among student leaders, civil society representatives and the military.
The protests began in July against a quota system for government jobs that critics said favored people with connections to Hasina’s party. But she resigned and fled to India on Monday after the protests coalesced into a movement against her government and more than 300 people including students and police officers were killed in the spiraling violence.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi sent his best wishes to Yunus in a statement on social media platform
X, and alluded to reports that Hindus in Muslim-majority Bangladesh had been targeted during the violence.
“We hope for an early return to normalcy, ensuring the safety and
protection of Hindus and all other minority communities,” Modi said.
“India remains committed to working with Bangladesh to fulfill the shared aspirations of both our peoples for peace, security and development.”
Yunus, who was awarded the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize for his work developing microcredit markets, was in Paris for the Olympics when he was chosen for the interim role. He called for calm and an end to partisan violence before he returned home earlier Thursday.
In his first comments after his arrival, he told a news briefing that his priority would be to restore order.
“Bangladesh is a family. We have to unite it,” Yunus said, flanked by student leaders. “It has immense possibility.”
Yunus has been a longtime opponent of Hasina, who had called him a “bloodsucker” allegedly for using force to extract loan repayments from rural poor, mainly women. Yunus has denied the allegations.
On Wednesday, a tribunal in Dhaka acquitted Yunus in a labor law violation case involving a telecommuni-
cation company he founded, in which he was convicted and sentenced to six months in jail. He had been released on bail in the case.
The president had dissolved Parliament on Tuesday, clearing the path for the interim administration.
The quick move to select Yunus came when Hasina’s resignation created a vacuum and left the future unclear for Bangladesh, which has a history of military rule and myriad crises.
Hasina’s son Sajeeb Wazed Joy, who acts as an adviser to his mother, has vowed that his family and the Awami League party would remain engaged in Bangladesh’s politics despite what he said have been attacks on the Awami League party over the past week. Many observers see Joy as Hasina’s successor in a dynastic political culture that dominates the South Asian nation’s politics.
“If we want to build a new Bangladesh, it is not possible without the Awami League,” he said. “The Awami League is the oldest, democratic, and largest party in Bangladesh.”
Hasina, 76, was elected to a fourth
consecutive term in January, but the vote was boycotted by her main opponents, thousands of opposition members were jailed beforehand, and the US and UK denounced the result as not credible. Hasina’s critics say her administration increasingly was marked by human rights abuses and corruption.
The chaos on Bangladesh’s streets continued after her resignation on Monday. Dozens of police officers were killed, prompting police to stop working across the country. They threatened not to return unless their safety is ensured.
Overnight into Thursday, residents across Dhaka carried sticks, iron rods and sharp weapons to guard their neighborhoods amid reports of robberies. Communities used loudspeakers in mosques to alert people that robberies were occurring, and police remained off duty. The military shared hotline numbers for people seeking help.
Many have feared Hasina’s departure could trigger even more instability in the nation of some 170 million people, already dealing with high unemployment, corruption and a complex strategic relationship with India, China and the United States. China and the United States have both welcomed the new government.
“We think the interim government will play a vital role in establishing long-term peace and political stability in Bangladesh,” State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller told reporters. He also reiterated that the government’s decisions “should respect democratic principles, rule of law, and the will of the Bangladeshi people.”
China said it stood ready to work with Bangladesh to promote bilateral cooperation and advance their strategic partnership. “We respect Bangladesh’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity and the development path independently chosen by the Bangladeshi people,” the Foreign Ministry statement said.
Russia says troops are battling to push Ukrainian forces back after cross-border incursion in Kursk
KYIV, Ukraine—Russian troops are battling to push back Ukrainian forces from the Kursk region on the third day of one of the largest cross-border incursions of the war, the Russian Defense Ministry said Thursday.
A ministry statement said the Russian military and border guards have blocked Ukrainian forces from pushing deeper into the region in southwestern Russia. It added that the army is attacking Ukrainian fighters trying to advance into the area from Ukraine’s Sumy region.
“Attempts by individual units to break through deep into the territory in the Kursk direction are being suppressed,” the ministry said.
Ukrainian troops had advanced as much as 15 kilometers (9 miles) into Russian territory, according to the Institute for the Study of War, a Washington-based think tank. The data hasn’t been officially confirmed.
Kyiv has not commented on the incursion. In a video address to the nation late Thursday, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy did not mention the fighting in the Kursk region but emphasized that “Russia brought the war to our land, and it should feel what it has done.”
“Ukrainians know how to achieve their goals,” Zelenskyy said, adding that he received three “productive reports, exactly the kind our country needs now” on Thursday from the commander of Ukraine’s armed forces, Oleksandr Syrskyi.
Russia says the military has stemmed Ukrainian advances in the border area about 500 kilometers (about 320 miles) southwest of Moscow, but military bloggers and open source data indicate Ukrainian troops have made gains in several areas in Kursk.
The Kursk region’s acting governor, Alexei Smirnov, briefed Russian President Vladimir Putin on conditions there by video link Thursday. Smirnov said the region plans to equip gas stations with electronic warfare units and to provide them with unspecified armored defense.
Kursk regional authorities reported Wednesday that at least five civilians, including two ambulance workers, were killed. Russia’s Health Ministry said 66 civilians, including nine children, have been wounded in the Kursk region in the three days of fighting.
Putin, who described the incursion as a “large-scale provocation” that involved “indiscriminate shelling of civilian buildings, residential houses and ambulances” was briefed on the situation by his top military
and security officials on Wednesday. Gen. Valery Gerasimov, the chief of the Russian military’s General Staff, told Putin via video link that about 100 Ukrainian soldiers had been killed in the battle and more than 200 others were wounded. It wasn’t possible to independently verify the Russian claims. During the war, now in its third year, disinformation and propaganda have played a central role. John Kirby, the White House’s national security spokesman, declined to comment on the operation and said the Biden administration has reached out to the Ukrainians to better understand the situation.
The cross-border foray would be among Ukraine’s largest since Russia launched its full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022.
Kyiv’s aim could be to draw Russian reserves to the area, potentially weakening Moscow’s offensive operations in several parts of Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region, where Russian forces have increased attacks and are advancing gradually toward operationally significant gains.
But it could risk stretching outmanned Ukrainian troops further along the front line, which is more than 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) long.
Even if Russia were to commit reserves to stabilize the new front, given its vast manpower and the relatively small number of Ukrainian forces engaged in the operation, it would likely have little long-term impact. Pulling units from the front line to stabilize the Kursk region would also be time consuming.
However, the operation could boost Ukrainian morale at a time when Kyiv’s forces are facing relentless Russian attacks, with more expected in the coming weeks.
Myhailo Podolyak, a top adviser to Zelenskyy, said Thursday that border region attacks will cause Russia to “start to realize that the war is slowly creeping inside of Russian territory.” He also suggested such an operation would improve Kyiv’s hand in the event of negotiations with Moscow.
“When will it be possible to conduct a negotiation process in the way that we can push them or get something from them? Only when the war is not going on according to their scenarios,” he said.
Several Ukrainian brigades stationed along the border region would not comment, along with Ukraine’s Defense Ministry and General Staff.
Russian forces have swiftly repelled previous cross-border incursions, but not before they caused damage and embarrassed authorities. AP
PALESTINIANS
B AN G LADESH’S figurehead President Mohammed Sh ahabuddin administers the oath of office to Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, right, as the head of B angladesh’s interim government, in Dhaka, B angladesh on Thursday, August 8, 2024. AP/RAJIB DHAR
13.
14. PAN, ZHENGHONG Financial Consultant
Brief Job Description: Assess company’s financial status and analyze investment plans.
CANTIER SYSTEMS, INC. 7/f Unit 705 Asian Star Bldg., Asean Dr., Singapura Lane, Filinvest City, Alabang, City Of Muntinlupa
15. PACHIANNAN, DEEPAK Senior Product Manager
Brief Job Description: Lead the comprehensive enhancement of the Cantier Product X.0, overseeing architectural upgrades, microservices migration modules, IIoT Hub & No Code Modules.
CBS TOTAL CONSULTANCY CORP.
3f Ech Bldg., 100 Jupiter St., Cor. Makati Ave., Bel-air, City Of Makati
16. MOON, HEETAE Software Consultant
Brief Job Description: Work with a team of IT consultants in creating database for Korean owned companies here in the Philippines.
implementing its vision, mission and long-term goals.
Basic
50.
Brief
51. LI, WEIKANG Bilingual Human Resources Supervisor
Brief
52. HAN, FANGYONG Bilingual Quality Inspector
Brief Job Description: The Bilingual Quality Inspector will be a strategist and a leader able to steer the company to the most profitable direction while also implementing its vision, mission and long-term goals.
Salary
Basic Qualification: Proven experience as Bilingual Dredging Pump Mechanic Specialist, familiarity knowledge and awareness on machinery and heavy equipment used by the company, and demonstrable experience in developing strategic business plan.
Salary Range: Php 30,000 -
Proven experience as Bilingual Human Resources Supervisor, familiarity, knowledge and awareness on machinery and heavy equipment used by the company, and demonstrable experience in developing strategic business plan.
Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999
53.
SU, XINGHONG Bilingual Quality Inspector
Brief Job Description: The Bilingual Quality Inspector will be a strategist and a leader able to steer the company to the most profitable direction while also implementing its vision, mission and long-term goals.
54. WANG, BAOJUN Bilingual Quality Inspector
Brief Job Description: The Bilingual Quality Inspector will be a strategist and a leader able to steer the company to the most profitable direction while also implementing its vision, mission and long-term goals.
55. ZHOU, YIFAN Bilingual Quality Inspector
Brief Job Description: The Bilingual Quality Inspector will be a strategist and a leader able to steer the company to the most profitable direction while also implementing its vision, mission and long-term goals.
Basic Qualification: Proven experience as Bilingual Quality Inspector, familiarity, knowledge and awareness on machinery and heavy equipment used by the company, and demonstrable experience in developing strategic business plan.
Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999
Basic Qualification: Proven experience as Bilingual Quality Inspector, familiarity, knowledge and awareness on machinery and heavy equipment used by the company, and demonstrable experience in developing strategic business plan.
Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999
Basic Qualification: Proven experience as Bilingual Quality Inspector, familiarity, knowledge and awareness on machinery and heavy equipment used by the company, and demonstrable experience in developing strategic business plan.
Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999
Basic Qualification: Proven experience as Bilingual Quality Inspector, familiarity, knowledge and awareness on machinery and heavy equipment used by the company, and demonstrable experience in developing strategic business plan.
Salary Range:
and RTA. Salary Range: Php 90,000 - Php 149,999
HOSHIZAKI PHILIPPINES CORPORATION Unit Gb-2 Agustin Bldg., F. Ortigas Jr. Road, Ortigas Center, San Antonio, City Of Pasig
Basic Qualification: JLPT N1 passer.
87. KOBAYASHI, YOSHIHARU Service General Manager
Brief Job Description: Initiate and formulate business strategy to hit sales target, achieve growth, expand company’s customer base and ensure its strong presence.
IBM BUSINESS SERVICES, INC. Ground & 3rd Floors Building “e” Of Up-ayalaland Technohub, Commonwealth Ave, U.p. Campus, Quezon City
88. NAKANISHI, TAKUMI Recruitment Professional – Japanese Bilingual
Brief Job Description: Serve an integral role as the main point of contact for both candidates and hiring managers, guiding them through the
Brief
Brief
Brief Job Description:
INTERGENERATION PRIME HOLDING INC. 11/f Tower 1 The Enterprise Center, 6766 Ayala Ave. Cor, Paseo De Roxas, San Lorenzo, City Of Makati
90. WAN, ZHENGXI Financial Planning Consultant
Brief Job Description: Identify and understand business challenges, propose and create solutions. Basic Qualification: College graduate of any course.
91. LIU, XUHONG Investment Consultant
Brief Job Description: Analyzing various markets and conducting research.
Basic Qualification: College graduate of any course. At least 1-3 years of experience in the similar field.
Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999
ISLA PETROLEUM & GAS CORPORATION 28/f Zuellig Bldg., Makati Ave. Cor, Paseo De Roxas, Urdaneta, City Of Makati
92. HIRAMI, KOJI General Manager - Business Development
Brief Job Description: Responsible for improving the LPG business by growing the supply sales and optimizing the utilization of assets and to promote sales and business expansion with respect to Japanese accounts/clients.
JANGHO CURTAINWALL PHILIPPINES INC. Level 40 Pbcom Tower, 6795
PHILIPPINES, INC.
46th/f The Podium West Tower 12, Adb Ortigas Avenue, Wack-wack Greenhills, City Of Mandaluyong
122. WU, YUE Strategy And PMO
Brief Job Description: Streamline and synthesize strategy for company.
SMARTMATIC PHILIPPINES, INC.
Unit 1002, 10th Floor One World Place, 32nd Street, City Center
City, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig
123. MACHADO MALAVE, ARQUIMEDES JOSE Field Services Deployment Manager
Brief Job Description: Responsible for continuously evaluate the professionalization plan of the supervised personnel, including, among others, the aspirations of the personnel and the needs of the organization.
SUPER SHOPPING MARKET, INC. Sm Retail Headquarters Bldg., J.w.
