HE country received its highest level of foreign direct investments in five months, according to the latest data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).
The data showed FDI net inflows in July 2024 increased by 5.5 percent to $820 million from the $778-million net inflows recorded in July 2023. FDIs more than doubled compared to the $394 million posted
in June 2024.
The July FDI figure was the highest since the $1.366 billion recorded in February 2024.
“The improvement in FDI was driven by higher net inflows across all components. In particular, nonresidents’ net investments in debt instruments,” BSP said.
In the January to July period, BSP data showed FDIs grew 7.5 percent to $5.256 billion from $4.888 billion last year. This was the highest since the $9.116 billion recorded at the end of 2023.
In July 2024, the BSP noted that
nonresidents’ net investments in debt instruments rose by 2.7 percent to $610 million from $594 million in July 2023.
Nonresidents’ net investments in debt instruments in July was the highest since the $831 million posted in January 2024. Compared to June 2024, nonresidents’ net investments in debt instruments nearly tripled from the $213 million. BSP also said nonresidents’ reinvestment of earnings increased by 12.8 percent to $135 million from $120 million in July 2023.
This is also the highest since the $240 million posted in August 2023. Compared to June, nonresidents’ reinvestment of earnings grew 26.17 percent from $107 million.
“Net investments in debt instruments consist mainly of intercompany borrowing/lending between foreign direct investors and their subsidiaries/affiliates in the Philippines,” BSP said.
“The remaining portion of net investments in debt instruments
See “FDI,” A2
DOF PREPS LGU FISCAL REFORMS POST-RPVARA
By Reine Juvierre Alberto @reine_alberto
WITH revenue collections of local government units (LGUs) increasing to P331.410 billion in 2023, the Bureau of Local Government Finance (BLGF) will roll out reforms to further improve local fiscal management and digitalize the valuation and appraisal of properties.
The Department of Finance (DOF) said on Thursday the BLGF will launch the Local Governance Reform Project (LGRP) to harmonize policy direction and support the Real Property Valuation and Assessment Reform Act (RPVARA). Recently enacted this June 2024, RPVARA is seen to create a "just, equitable and efficient" real property valuation system in the Philippines as well as attract more investments and boost local revenues.
IBy Ma. Stella F. Arnaldo @akosistellaBM
Special to the
BusinessMirror
SLANDS in the Philippines were again recognized among Asia’s best by readers of an influential international travel publication.
In its 2024 Readers’ Choice Awards, Condé Nast Traveler listed Boracay Island, Palawan, Cebu and the Visayan Islands, and Siargao among Asia’s Top 10 Islands. Boracay placed third with a readers’ score of 91.94, after Koh Samui in Thailand, which topped the
list with a score of 93.54, and Langkawi, Malaysia with a score of 92.14. Palawan placed sixth with a readers’ score of 90.68, followed by Cebu and the Visayan Islands in eighth place (90.29), and Siargao rounding up the Top 10 list in 10th place (89.2). In a news statement, Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco noted that the continued visits by international travelers have lifted the Philippines to a premier position among key tourism destinations
By Samuel P. Medenilla sam_medenilla
VIENTIANE, Laos—With South Korea’s newly launched comprehensive partnership with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), President Ferdinand Marcos is hopeful it will help achieve technological “parity” in the regional bloc.
Marcos said ongoing efforts to review and upgrade the Asean-Korea Free Trade Agreement (AKFTA) will help improve technology access, including the internet, to more Asean countries.
“The proposed upgraded AKFTA
should not only facilitate greater market access, but also foster a more inclusive and dynamic economic partnership that will be to the benefit of all parties involved, including our micro, small, and medium enterprises, unlocking new opportunities for our businesses and our people,” the President said.
In a 2020 report, Asean reported that only 53 percent of rural children and adolescents in the regional bloc have an internet connection at home, which is below the 72 percent of urban kids.
bDO PrESIDEnt
nestor V. tan (center), president and cEO of bDO Unibank, is seen along with P t joselito “lito” h. Sibayan and rotary club of Manila (rc M)
President jujut Enriquez, after he served as guest speaker at the 12th Weekly joint Membership Meeting of the rotary club of Manila, jointly with the rotary club of Makati West, held at the Manila Polo club in Makati city on thursday, October 10, 2024. NONOY LACZA
are investments made by nonresident subsidiaries/associates in their resident direct investors, i.e., reverse investment,” it added.
In terms of net investments in equity capital—other than reinvestment of earnings—the BSP said it posted a 16.8-percent increase to $76 million from $65 million in July 2023.
The July 2024 figure is the highest since May 2024 when net investments in equity capital reached $161 million. The July figure also grew 2.7 percent from $74 million posted in June 2024.
“The bulk of the equity capital placements in July 2024 came from Japan, the United States, and Singapore. These investments were channeled mainly to the manufacturing and real estate industries,” the BSP said.
The data showed that in July, Japan accounted for 73 percent of FDIs, followed by the United States with 13 percent and Singapore at 8 percent.
In the January to July period, the United Kingdom accounted for 48 percent of all FDIs followed by Japan with 34 percent and the United States at 7 percent.
In terms of industries in July 2024, manufacturing accounted for 71 percent while real estate accounted for 17 percent and other industries, 12 percent.
In the seven-month period, the BSP data showed manufacturing accounted for 76 percent followed by other industries with a share of 13 percent and real estate with 10 percent.
NGCP: Transmission charge in Oct consumer bills decline
By Lenie Lectura @llectura
THE National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) reported on Thursday that overall transmission charges to be reflected in the October electricity bills of consumers should go down this month.
Transmission charges are mainly composed of ancillary service (AS) charges and transmission wheeling rates.
AS charges pertains to the cost for AS sourced from the AS reserve market and those for AS providers with bilateral contracts with NGCP. The AS is mainly utilized to balance and stabilize the grid during power supply-demand imbalance. It can be recalled that the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) or -
dered in May the partial lifting of the suspension on settlement amounts in the AS reserve market and authorized a 30-percent cost recovery for the March billing period. The NGCP contracts 50 percent of its AS requirement from firm agreements and 50 percent from the AS reserve market.
Transmission wheeling rates, on the other hand, are what NGCP charges for its primary service of delivering power.
During a news conference,
in the world. “We are immensely grateful to the global travelers who have chosen the Philippines and continue to explore
NGCP officials said transmission wheeling rates slightly increased by 3.68 percent to P0.4936 per kilowatt hour (kWh) for the September billing period from P0.4761 per kWh in August. However, AS rates went down by 7.3 percent to P0.5680 per kWh for the September billing period from P0.6127/kWh in August. NGCP said it does not earn from AS and did not benefit from the increase in prices. The AS cost is a pass-through cost, and generating companies benefitted from this increase.
“Of the overall transmission charge, only 49 centavos is charged by NGCP for the delivery of its services to power consum -
the natural beauty and vibrant culture of our islands. Your support fuels our growing reputation as a leading destination in Asia,” she said.
“These accolades,” she added, “reflect not only the unparalleled beauty of our islands, but also the rich, diverse experiences they offer, from our confluence of cultural influences to our world-class culinary heritage.”
Frasco noted that, “The Philippines is the only country in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to have the most number of islands in Top 10” list of Asia’s best.
Over 575K votes received A CCORDING to CN Traveler, they received a “staggering 575,048 votes” in its 37th annual Readers’ Choice Awards survey.
According to data from the Department of Tourism (DOT), there were 4.53 million international travelers who arrived in the Philippines as of October 7, of whom, 4.17 million were foreign nationals, while the rest, at 363,011 were overseas Filipinos, or Philippine passport holders permanently residing abroad.
The top source markets for tourists for the Philippines were South Korea at 1.23 million; followed by the United States at 802,451; Japan 339,964; China 268,367; and Australia 209,987.
The last five spots were taken by Canada at 195,449 tourists; followed by Taiwan at 175,804; Singapore 144,485; the United Kingdom 132,375; and Malaysia 77,744. Meanwhile, Frasco also encouraged tourists to be responsible when traveling to destinations in the Philippines to preserve their beauty and protect their environment.
ers. This month's transmission charge is comprised mainly of AS charges remitted directly to power generators providing ancillary services to the grid,” said NGCP.
The NGCP did not provide an exact figure for transmission rates that will be reflected in the consumers’ power bills this month because the distribution utilities will be the ones that will bill the consumers.
“So, the averages that we're announcing may or may not be the ones exactly felt by the consumers because the amount will still have to be translated by the distribution utility to kilowatt per hour,” said NGCP spokesperson Atty. Cynthia Alabanza.
Based on estimates, she said overall transmission rates may go down by P0.03 per kWh for the September billing period from P1.22 per kWh in August. The lower transmission rates will be reflected in the October bills of consumers that will come from the distribution utility.
Sustainable tourism practices
“ W E invite all travelers to join us in safeguarding these islands through responsible tourism practices, from reducing waste to respecting our ecosystems. By doing so, we can ensure that these pristine destinations remain protected for future generations to enjoy,” she said. She added that the DOT, through its regional office offices, has been working with local government units and tourism stakeholders to further promote sustainable tourism initiatives that elevate the visitor experience, while preserving the unique characteristics of each destination.
“We are honored by the global recognition and are committed to preserving the natural and cultural treasures of our islands. Together, we can continue to inspire, enrich, and uplift travelers and our communities, securing a sustainable future for Philippine tourism,” said the DOT chief.
The Philippines won 13 awards in this year’s World Travel Awards for Asia and Oceania, which was held in the country for the first time. It was awarded Asia’s Leading Island Destination, Asia’s Leading Luxury Island Destination (Boracay), and Asia’s Leading Wedding Destination (Cebu).
The Philippines was likewise recognized as Leading Beach Destination for the seventh year and Asia’s Leading Dive Destination for the sixth consecutive year, while Intramuros is Asia’s leading Tourist Attraction for the fourth time. (See, “PHL tourism takes home 13 honors at World Travel Awards Asia edition,” in the BusinessMirror, September 6, 2024.)
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A Real Property Information System and other digitalization systems under the LGRP will also be developed after a Data Sharing Agreement between government offices and LGUs is signed.
The agreement will enhance the ease of doing business, improve tax administration through strengthened data-sharing with the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), and foster collaboration to build a comprehensive database system.
The BLGF also launched the LGRP Manuals, Electronic Official Receipt and e-Ledger for the BLGF and LGUs’ treasury and assessment operations, the turnover of LGRP IT equipment for the appraisal and assessment operations of pilot LGUs and the enhanced academic curriculum in real estate management. Speaking at the BLGF's 37th anniversary, Finance Secretary Ralph G. Recto assured the LGUs that the BLGF will fast-track the implementation of the projects to improve transparency in governance, transform LGUs into digitally powered institutions and create competent local government treasurers and assessors.
“Asahan po ninyo ang mabilis na pagpapatupad sa mga programang ito para gawing mas klaro, mas simple, at mas moderno ang pamamalakad ng ating gobyerno [Expect that these programs will be expedited to create a clearer, simpler and more modern governance],” Recto said.
Data from the BLGF showed revenues by LGUs went up by 17.57 percent year-on-year to P331.410 billion in 2023 from P281.876 billion.
Tax revenues reached P242.295 billion in 2023, higher by 17 percent yearon-year from P207.094 billion. Collections of tax on business and real property amounted to P132.326 billion and P95.231 billion, respectively in 2023. Meanwhile, non-tax revenues rose by 19.17 percent to P89.115 billion in 2023 from P74.782 billion last year.
Regulatory fees, such as permits and licenses, amounted to P20.614 billion while P36.046 billion came from service/user charges. Revenues from receipts from economic enterprises and other receipts are worth P25.313 billion and P7.141 billion, respectively.
It also noted that in Cambodia, the Lao PDR, and Myanmar, only a small portion of homes have access to broadband internet.
“By enhancing cooperation in critical areas such as technology transfer, capacity building, and innovation, Korea can help Asean Member States bridge the technological gap and accelerate their industrial development,” the chief executive said during his intervention at the 25th Asean-Republic of Korea (ROK) in Lao People'’ Democratic Republic (PDR) last Thursday. Digital transformation, the President said, will help improve access to health through digital
health innovations. He also recognized South Korea’s efforts to enhance the capabilities of workers in Asean through the Asean-ROK (Republic of Korea) Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) for Asean Mobility (TEAM) Project.
“I am certain that we will improve the quality of our TVET systems, as well as enhance its resilience and adaptability to technological advancements, digitalization, health emergencies, climate change, and other possible disruptions in the future,” Marcos said.
We also appreciate the ROK’s contribution to the expansion of scholarship programmes through the Asean-ROK “Higher Education for Asean Talents” (HEAT) scholarship.
“This is a powerful testament to the improving governance, expanding financial capacity, and growing fiscal independence of our LGUs nationwide,” Recto said. The Finance chief said the government’s goal is to lift every region, city, community and Filipino family out of poverty.
“This is how we will break the cycle of poverty—by empowering every LGU to strengthen their local funds and drive their own growth in the most effective way possible,” Recto added.
The BLGF is an attached agency of the DOF mandated to provide sound, innovative and up-to-date local fiscal policies to safeguard local financial viability, enhance revenue and resource mobilization, and foster good governance and fiscal transparency of LGUs.
It is also the oversight agency of the DOF on local treasury and assessment.
DICT told: Address cyber security threats
By Butch Fernandez @butchfBM
THE country’s cyber secu -
rity should be treated as a national security concern because the cyber-attacks on major infrastructure like power transmission lines, water, and telecommunications can cause serious disruptions to the economy.
Thus said Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, as he urged the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to tackle and address pressing cyber security threats, given the huge damage such attacks have caused both to state and private businesses around the world.
“My suggestion is to think of cyber security as a national security concern in the absence of a law. There should be a sense of urgency because the more that the world is connected, the more that we are prone to cyberattacks. We should be wary of this type of vulnerability in our country,” Gatchalian told DICT officials at a recent Senate hearing on the agency’s proposed 2025 budget.
He said the government needs to ensure the cybersecurity capability of critical infrastructure such as the country’s electric transmission lines, certain airports, and water distribution
systems, among others, are properly audited.
“Because these infrastructures are privately managed, the government does not have the power to audit their capability in so far as cybersecurity is concerned. Nakakatakot iyon,” he said.
In the case of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), for instance, there has been a running conversation relating to vulnerability to cyberattacks of the country’s transmission backbone, he said.
Gatchalian emphasized the government needs to ensure that critical information infrastructures are sufficiently protected in terms of cybersecurity. “For as long as we don’t have a cybersecurity audit in place, the country may be vulnerable and we cannot assure our people that the government is doing its share in protecting critical infrastructure, especially in times of geo-political uncertainties. We need to assure the public that we are on top of the situation,” he added. It can be recalled that Gatchalian filed the Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Act of 2022 to establish a more secure cyberspace and a data protection regime compliant with international standards and ensure the free flow of information.
Athena Tolentino youngest, first female governor of Cavite
THENA BRYANA TOLEN -
ATINO was sworn in on Tuesday as the 39th governor of Cavite not only becoming the youngest at 26, but also the first woman to hold the highest seat in the province’s Executive branch.
Tolentino was elected vice governor to Juanito Victor “Jonvic” Remulla, who was appointed by President Marcos to replace Benhur Abalos Jr. as Secretary of the Interior and Local Government.
Abalos relinquished his Cabinet post to run for senator in next year’s elections.
From sports to governing one of the country’s most progressive—and history-rich—provinces, Tolentino vowed to accomplish the programs Remulla has vacated and at the same time injecting vigor as a young public servant to Caviteños.
“We will continue all the programs and projects of Governor Jonvic,” Tolentino said. “It’s a great opportunity to serve the people of Cavite in this capacity as governor with the guidance of God. I am very grateful and
Judge who acquitted de Lima named Sandiganbayan justice
JUDGE
inspired.”
She was sworn into office by Cavite Regional Trial Court Judge Raquel Aspiras Sanchez at the Provincial Capitol in Trece Martires and was accompanied by his father, Tagaytay City Mayor and Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, mother Dr. Agnes Tolentino, sister Aniela Bianca who is seeking reelection as representative of the Eighth District of Cavite, and brother Brent.
Besides her commitment as vice governor, Tolentino, a Tagaytay City councilor from 2019 to 2022, has taken the path to sports and is currently the vice president of the National Chess Federation of the Philippines.
“As the youngest and first female governor of the province, we are confident in her leadership and heart for service,” Abraham Tolentino said. “With her dedication, wisdom and unwavering commitment to progress, we know she will do great things for Cavite.”
She will serve the remainder of Remulla’s term until June 30 next year.
By Joel R. San Juan @jrsanjuan1573
Gener Gito, the Regional Trial Court in Muntinlupa judge who acquitted former Sen. Leila de Lima, has been appointed as associate justice of the anti-graft court Sandiganbayan by Malacañang.
Gito’s promotion in the judiciary came four months after he acquitted former de Lima in the third and last drug case filed by the Duterte administration against her for her alleged involvement in the illegal drug operations at the New Bilibid Prisons (NBP) during her term as justice secretary.
Gito’s appointment was conveyed by the Office of the President to the Supreme Court in a letter
dated October 8. “Pursuant to the provisions of existing laws, you are hereby appointed Associate Justice, Sandiganbayan, vice Oscar Herrera Jr.,” Malacañang’s transmittal letter read.
Herrera retired in May this year.
Gito graduated from the San Beda University Law School in 1995 and was admitted to the Philippine Bar in 1998.
He earned his Master of Laws
degress at the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM) and graduated Doctor of Civil Law from the University of Santo Tomas (Summa Cum Laude).
Prior to his stint at the RTC in Muntinlupa, Gito served as judge at the RTC in Balanga City, Bataan.
He also served as the chief of the Senate’s Legal and Legislative Service from 2008 to 2014.
He was a private legal practitioner from 1999-2004 and 2005-2009.
In 2019, Gito received the Chief Justice Cayetano Award for Judicial Excellence-Most Outstanding Judge of the Philippines.
Last year, Gito was among the 27 nominees submitted by the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) to Malacañang for three vacant positions in the Court of Appeals (CA), where his wife Emily Gaspar Gito serves as an Associate Justice.
Aside from Gito, also appointed as Sandiganbayan associate justice was Judge J. Ermin Ernest Louie Ramirez Miguel of the RTC in Mandaluyong City. Miguel replaced associate Justice Efren dela Cruz, known as “Mr. Ethics” among his colleagues, who retired last June.
Miguel graduated from the Ateneo de Manila Law School in 1996 and was admitted to the Philippine Bar in 1997. In 2012, he was awarded as the Outstanding First Level Court Judge of Manila.
Aside from handling and eventually acquitting de Lima in her last drug case, Gito also handled the case against former Bureau of Corrections chief Gerald Bantag in connection to the killing of Bilibid inmate Jun Villamor, the alleged middleman in the 2023 killing of radio broadcaster Percival “Percy Lapid” Mabasa. In acquitting de Lima, Gito said the prosecution failed to present evidence that would prove beyond reasonable doubt that there is a conspiracy to commit illegal drug trading.
WPP ‘factions’ clash over Quiboloy’s senatorial bid
By Justine Xyrah Garcia
AN internal conflict has erupted at the Workers’ and Peasants’ Party (WPP) with two warring factions at odds over the senatorial candidacy of detained religious leader Apollo Quiboloy—who claims to run under the party’s banner.
In a statement released on Wednesday, WPP President Sonny Matula denied any official endorsement for Quiboloy. He said no authorized representative of the party signed the fugitive doomsday preacher’s certificate of candidacy (COC).
“We want to categorically state that Quiboloy has no official endorsement from the leadership of the WPP and is not a member of the party,” Matula said. Matula added that only three officials of the group were authorized to sign a COC. This includes him as the president, lawyer Ariel Arias as the chairman, and lawyer Allan Montano as the secretary general.
However, documents submitted before the Comelec revealed that two other individuals claimed to be the authorized signatories of WPP.
These are lawyer Mark Tolentino, the legal representative of Quiboloy and claims to be the chairman of WPP; and Roberto Pascual, who is the alleged secretary general of the party.
Despite these tensions, Matula denied the existence of any factions within the party, asserting, “If this document originated from another group, we reject any unauthorized factions that attempt to use our name for their own purposes.”
Matula also told the BusinessMirror that he is not aware that Pascual is part of WPP because he was campaigning for a different party-list group in the 2022 elections.
“I was told that Tolentino was active for the first time in 2022 but laid low after the election,” he added.
Several Facebook posts from
2022 showed that the two “other members” of WPP were campaigning for different political parties—Tolentino for the AASENSO Party-list group and Pascual for the Labor Party Philippines. The Matula-led WPP said it will pursue legal actions to nullify Quiboloy’s COC and hold accountable those individuals who have “usurped authority” to endorse the latter.
Comelec to step in CURRENTLY, all candidates endorsed by WPP for the same positions are considered independent until the legitimate faction within the party is clearly identified.
Once the rightful wing is determined, any unauthorized candidates will permanently be classified as independent.
This means that if the Tolentino wing is deemed lacking proper authorization, Quiboloy would be considered independent—leaving him without formal party backing.
Implementation of UHC law on track
SBy Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco @claudethmc3
INCE the enactment of the Universal Health Care (UHC) Act in 2019, the country has made significant strides, including the rollout of Philippine Health Insurance System’s (PhilHealth) outpatient package, the Konsultasyong Sulit at Tama (Konsulta) program.
Yet, much work remains on the road to fully achieving UHC—there is a need to expand the network of accredited Konsulta service providers and enhance communication efforts
to ensure that providers and beneficiaries are fully informed about these vital services.
To take the lead in addressing these gaps and support PhilHealth in expanding the implementation of Konsulta, the Unilab Center for Health Policy (UCHP) of the Unied Laboratories Foundation convened over 70 stakeholders from PhilHealth, Metro Manila city health officers, private providers, and patient groups in a roundtable discussion titled “Working Towards UHC’s Comprehensive Outpatient Benefit Package.”
Through this collaborative platform, UCHP introduced the Konsulta Manual of Operations
(MOP), a guidebook for healthcare providers and local governments to streamline the implementation of PhilHealth’s Konsulta.
“We all have a unique opportunity to address the challenges of primary health care, which has been characterized as fragmented, uncoordinated, and isolated,” said Unilab Foundation Executive Director Jose Maria Ochave of the roundtable discussion held on September 13.
In the said roundtable discussion, Ochave said, small steps can be taken, “ yet deliberate and steady steps that will advance the ‘health for all’ promise of Universal Health Care.”
Go provides additional support to Manila residents
The party’s by-laws and constitutional provisions will play a critical role in determining which wing holds legitimate power and whether Quiboloy’s candidacy has any legal standing under WPP’s banner. Commission on Elections Chairman George Garcia said the issue may arise from two main reasons: a lack of clarity regarding authorized signatories or the presence of nuisance candidates seeking to align themselves with a legitimate party for their own advantage.
“May mga nuisance candidates talaga na para lang makatakbo ay naghahanap ng isang political party na i-a -attach sa COC para hindi lang m a-declare as nuisance,” he explained.
[There are indeed nuisance candidates who simply find a political party to affiliate with on their COC just to avoid being disqualified as a nuisance candidate.]
As of this writing, the poll body has yet to give a timeline for resolving this matter.
Paving the way
PHILHEALTH’s Konsulta, launched in 2020, is shifting this mindset by promoting the importance of proactive healthcare through its comprehensive outpatient benefits program. Konsulta aims to ensure equitable access to quality and affordable healthcare for all Filipinos while protecting them against financial risks. Through Konsulta, Filipinos can register with over 2,600 accredited providers to access a range of services including consultations, health risk screenings, 15 laboratory tests, and 21 essential medicines. In its commitment to further improvement,
See “UHC,” A4
ATHENA BRYANA TOLENTINO is sworn in by Cavite Regional Trial Court Judge Raquel Aspiras Sanchez at the Cavite Provincial Capitol in Trece Martires City on Tuesday. With the governor are her family (from left) Cavite Eighth District Rep. Aniela Bianca, Tagaytay City Mayor Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, Dr. Agnes Tolentino and Brent Tolentino.
Marcos push for digital transformation to benefit ordinary Pinoy–Romualdez
By Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz @joveemarie
THE government is moving to improve digital connectivity and digitalization because these are key drivers of economic growth in the countries belonging to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez said on Thursday.
At the plenary session of the 44th Asean Summit in Laos, Romualdez said President Marcos underscored the transformative potential of digitalization, highlighting it as a “significant catalyst for connectivity in Asean,” and a critical tool for advancing innovation, growth, and opportunities.
Romualdez stressed that the President’s participation in the Asean Summit and his push for digital transformation directly benefit ordinary
Filipinos by creating more jobs and business opportunities.
“This is not just about diplomacy and high-level discussions. The President’s push for stronger digital connectivity in the Asean region translates to real, tangible benefits for the Filipino people,” said Romualdez.
“By fostering innovation and increasing access to digital markets, we are unlocking opportunities for local businesses, especially MSMEs
[micro-, small-, medium-enterprises] and creating new jobs for our workforce,” he added.
Romualdez also pointed out that enhancing digital connectivity in the region will offer more opportunities for Philippine businesses and entrepreneurs, potentially creating a significant number of jobs for Filipinos.
“The President’s vision of a digitally connected Asean where innovation thrives and opportunities abound is fully aligned with our own national efforts,” Romualdez added.
“In the Philippines, we have already taken significant steps to accelerate digitalization through key initiatives such as the E-Government Act, the Public Service Act amendments, and various infrastructure programs aimed at expanding broadband access to remote areas,” he added.
The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) earlier reported that the country’s digital economy in 2023 amounted to about $35.4 billion, contributing 8.4 percent to the country’s gross domestic product. This resulted in a 7.7 percent growth from the $33.6 billion gross value added of the digital economy in 2022.
In his intervention at the plenary session of the 44th ASEAN Summit, Romualdez said Marcos emphasized the need to create a “safe and trusted digital environment” to propel the region into becoming the fourth-largest economy in the world.
This, he noted, will be greatly aided by the Asean Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA), which aims
to elevate the Asean digital economy to US$2 trillion by 2030.
The President outlined the importance of investing in robust cybersecurity, equipping people with digital skills, and establishing vital digital infrastructure to secure Asean’s economic trajectory.
Moreover, Romualdez said the House of Representatives stands in full support of these initiatives, recognizing their importance in empowering the 70 million MSMEs in Asean region, which comprise 99 percent of all businesses in the region.
“MSMEs are the backbone of our economies, and ensuring they have access to digital platforms, financing, and training will be essential to their success,” Romualdez said, echoing the President’s sentiments on closing financing gaps and supporting digital transformation for MSMEs.
“We in the House of Representatives will continue to work hand-inhand with the Executive Branch to allocate resources and pass measures that will ensure the Philippines plays a key role in making Asean a global economic powerhouse.”
Romualdez said digitalization not only strengthens economic ties among Asean member states but also fosters inclusivity by bridging the digital divide, particularly in underserved communities.
“We are committed to seeing the fruits of these efforts translate into a more vibrant, resilient, and inclusive economy for all Filipinos and our neighbors in the Asean region,” Romualdez added.
Owwa to give ₧75k cash assistance each to returning Pinoy workers from Lebanon
THE government, through the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (Owwa), will spend P150,000 for every Filipino worker who returns from war-torn Lebanon, a leader at the House of Representatives announced on Thursday.
House Deputy Majority Leader Erwin Tulfo made the announcement after the Lower Chamber’s recent meeting with Owwa officials.
Tulfo said he consulted with Owwa Administrator Arnel Ignacio to brief Congress leadership, led by House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, on the repatriation efforts for Filipinos affected by the conflict in Lebanon.
“According to Administrator Ignacio’s briefing, there are still around 11,000 Filipinos in Lebanon,” Tulfo noted. The lawmaker added that Owwa and the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) are fully prepared to assist in the repatriation of
UHC.
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PhilHealth engaged in an open discussion with public and private Konsulta providers, local governments, and patient groups, which revealed the challenges encountered in the implementation of Konsulta.
Among these are difficulties with navigating finances, facility accreditation and patient registration, patients’ unfamiliarity with the importance of the program, and the need for clearer processes and better information dissemination.
“The Unilab Center for Health Policy believes in PhilHealth’s Konsulta, which is why, when it was launched, one of UCHP’s first priority projects was to develop the Manual of Operations for the Konsulta package,” said UCHP Program Director Ruben Basa.
The Manual of Operations, authored by
Filipino workers in Lebanon, with sufficient funding already allocated to bring them home safely.
For his part, Ignacio said, “We encourage them to return home, even if only temporarily, for their own safety while the situation in Lebanon remains volatile.” Ignacio also mentioned that, in addition to airfare, the DMW and Owwa will provide each worker with P75,000, thus releasing a total of P150,000 for each worker who arrives in the Philippines.
Tulfo, meanwhile, assured that the Congress is closely monitoring the events not only in Lebanon but also in Israel and Iran.
Tulfo said: “Speaker [Ferdinand Martin] Romualdez has instructed the Appropriations committee to prepare additional budget allocations if the DMW and Owwa require more funds—not only for Lebanon repatriation but also for other conflict-affected areas in the Middle East.”
physician-leaders Maeda Gonda and Shirley Domingo, is a comprehensive guidebook that aims to address implementation challenges by providing a clear, step-by-step guide on key aspects such as membership registration, provider accreditation, and social mobilization, including benefits availment, provider billing, payment processes, and information systems, to foster a more structured and efficient approach.
“Our top priority is the convenience of our providers, our end users, and our administrators. They need to understand how to go about Konsulta—from the requirements to the actual implementation of the program,” Gonda said. Dr. Israel Pargas, senior vice president and spokesman for PhilHealth, also shared plans for the future of Konsulta.
“Starting new things is always hard because it’s a change. And that’s what PhilHealth and the DOH are doing through Konsulta,” said Dr. Maria Eufemia Yap, a member of the UCHP Advisory Council.
DOE execs tell senators GEA 3 to happen this year
By
W‘No public land should be leased or rented to POGOs’
SENATE Minority Leaderr Aquilino
Lenie Lectura @llectura
ITH only two more months left before the year ends, the Department of Energy (DOE) assured lawmakers that it is pushing for the conduct of the third green energy auction (GEA) within the year.
During a budget hearing, DOE Undersecretary Rowena Guevara told Senate Committee on Energy chairperson Pia Cayetano on Wednesday that “our target for the Green Energy Auction 3 is to finish it before the end of the year such that the pump-storage hydro, about 3,000 megawatts (MW), will be able to come in about five years from now.”
DOE Secretary Raphael Lotilla, who attended the hearing, nodded in agreement.
The GEA-3 will specifically cater to Non-Feed-In-Tariff (NonFIT) Eligible RE technologies such as geothermal, impounding hydro and pumped-storage hydro under Department Circular No. DC202310-0029 which provides specific auction policy and guidelines for these non-FIT (feed-in-tariff) RE technologies in the GEA program. The GEA-3 will also include runof-river (ROR) Hydro, which is a FIT-eligible RE technology. The estimated capacities for non-FIT Eligible RE technologies are: 699 MW from impounding hydro; 3,120 MW from pumpedstorage hydro; and 380 MW from geothermal. The target delivery commencement period (DCP)
for both impounding hydro and pumped-storage hydro shall be from 2028 to 2030; while for geothermal, the DCP shall be from 2024 to 2030.
An estimated 200 MW of RE capacity from ROR hydro is expected to be auctioned, with a target DCP beginning 2026 to 2028.
Cayetano said many investors are waiting for the next rounds of GEA to happen. The DOE was earlier targeting GEA 3 and 4 this year and launch GEA 5 by midnext year.
GEA 4 is designed to cover Integrated Renewable Energy and Energy Storage System (IRESS) while GEA5 covers offshore wind. IRESS is a comprehensive energy solution that combines RE technology with energy storage systems (ESS). It involves the integration of RE sources with energy storage technologies like batteries, flywheel or pumped storage hydropower systems. This integration allows RE plants to optimize their operations by storing excess energy generated during peak production periods and utilizing it when needed, thereby reducing the required capacity from the grid. By combining renewable energy and ESS, IRESS enhances the stability and reliability of the energy system,
enabling a more consistent and efficient supply of power.
Currently, the DOE, in collaboration with development partners, is studying the design and economic viability of IRESS.
“I understand we have investors that are ready to get it done and we need it because this will address Senator Risa (Hontiveros) and my concern, and all the other renewable energy advocates’ concerns because we’ll have the storage, which we keep on saying that is the problem why we cannot fully embrace renewables as fast as we want to,” Cayetano said.
The GEA program was designed to trigger the expansion of the country’s RE capacity to support the government’s target of 35 percent RE share in the energy mix by 2030 and 50 percent by 2040.
In the last two years, the DOE has conducted two rounds of auction which generated a total of 5,306 MW RE capacities committed to deliver power in 2024 to 2026.
These developments, along with the outcomes of the auctions, demonstrate that the GEA program can provide a mechanism in promoting the increased use of RE resources, contributing to the ultimate goal of achieving energy security and reliability.
DOJ vows full probe of surrogate-mom ops in Cambodia
T“Koko” Pimentel III on Thursday urged the government to conduct a thorough inventory of its properties following reports that a recently raided illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hub in Pasay was situated on land owned by a government entity.
“We need to ensure that government is not unwittingly and indirectly becoming a partner of POGO operations,” Pimentel, a vocal critic of POGOs, said in a statement.
“If there’s even a single POGO hub that is operating on government land, it would send the wrong signal and weaken the government’s campaign against POGOs,” Pimentel said.
Philippine authorities raided last week a POGO hub in Pasay City for its alleged involvement in “love scam” activities.
Reports reveal that the raided illegal POGO in Pasay City is operating on land owned by the Philippine National Construction Corporation.
Pimentel has been one of the most vocal critics of POGOs, citing their link to criminal activities such as human trafficking, illegal recruitment, and money laundering.
“We cannot allow government property to be used by POGOs that the Marcos administration seeks to kick out,” says Sen. Pimentel At the same time, Sen. Pimentel proposed that an inventory of government assets be done as soon as possible.
“We should be mindful of where these POGO operators are operating. We must ensure that no government land is leased or rented to POGOs,” he stressed. In his third State of the Nation Address in July, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. declared a ban on all POGO operations by end of December, and ordered the state gaming regulator to help the
Marcos Jr seeks ‘concerted, urgent’ effort vs China aggression in WPS
Continued from A14
According to reports, he supposedly called on Asean, “not to turn a blind eye to the aggressive,coercive, and illegal actions of an external power” against one of the regional bloc’s members. “It is improper for me to disclose anything that was mentioned in closed session. We leave it to the chairman and the staff on what should be publicized,” Marcos said.
Economic interests
exay Siphandone said in his speech for the 27th Asean-China Summit last Thursday. Marcos said he continues to support the initiatives of Asean to enhance its business partnerships.
But, he noted, it should take the “leading role” in shaping the regional global economy.
The President said the Asean Plus Supply Chain Connectivity, which is being pushed by Lao-PDR, will help in the said measure.
“This initiative aligns perfectly with our vision for a more connected and prosperous Asean,” Marcos said.
By Joel R. San Juan @jrsanjuan1573
HE Department of Justice
(DOJ) on Thursday promised a full-blown investigation to determine other individuals responsible for the trafficking of 20 Filipino women to Cambodia to become surrogate mothers.
DOJ spokesman Jose Dominic Clavano told reporters that the investigation will commence once the victims are repatriated to the country from Cambodia, where they were rescued by local authorities. “We want to make sure that they would be repatriated immediately so they can be interviewed and execute their affidavits and we can proceed with the case buildup,” Clavano said.
The DOJ spokesman said the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (Iacat) will take the lead in gathering evidence and filing cases against individuals in the Philippines who helped human trafficking syndicates.
The Iacat is the body mandated by law to coordinate and monitor the implementation of Republic Act No. 9208 or the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003, with the DOJ as the lead agency.
“We all know that there are individuals in the Philippines conspiring with these syndicates and we want to make sure that they are arrested and charged before the court,” he stressed. Clavano branded the case as “meticulous and elaborate,” but noted that this kind of trafficking scheme has been on the radar of authorities since October 2023 when a couple was offloaded on suspicion that they were victims of human trafficking.
During interrogation, Clavano noted that the woman admitted that she was going to be a surrogate mother.
As a result, Clavano said seven individuals involved in the attempted trafficking were charged with violation of the ATIP Act of 2003 as well as kidnapping and serious illegal detention.
Clavano added this could be the reason trafficking syndicates changed their style of recruiting surrogate mothers.
“Now they do not mention anymore to the women being recruited that they would become surrogate mothers. That is why they are probably being offered other jobs from the get-go but once they arrive at their destina -
tion, they would be surprised as they would be turned into surrogate mothers whose babies are to be sold,” Clavano said.
The Philippine Embassy in Cambodia reported that 13 of the Filipinas rescued are already pregnant in various stages and sheltered in a local hospital.
They have reportedly been indicted by the Kandal Provincial
Court for violation of Cambodia’s human trafficking law.
The remaining seven trafficked Filipino women await repatriation.
The 20 Filipino women and four other foreigners, according to the Cambodian National Police (CNP), were arrested in Kandal Province on September 23.
The embassy, however, described the operations as “rescue.”
ASEAN is currently seeking to upgrade its FTA with China, the regional bloc’s largest trading partner for three consecutive years since 2020 and third largest source of foreign direct investment.
“And now, the Asean-China negotiation working group has reached substantial conclusion on the Asean-China Free Trade Area 3.0 with the final agreement expected by 2025,” Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR) Prime Minister and Asean chair Son -
Part of the focus of the measure is to enhance existing Asean FTAs such as that with China and South Korea.
“By enhancing cooperation in critical areas such as technology transfer, capacity building, and innovation, Korea can help Asean Member States bridge the technological gap and accelerate their industrial development,” Marcos said regarding the review and upgrade of the Asean-Korea Free Trade Agreement (AKFTA).
AB LEISURE EXPONENT, INC. 5/f Sm Megamall Bldg. D, J Vargas, Wack-wack Greenhills, City Of Mandaluyong
9. ZHENG, QINGRONG Mandarin Fronted Developer
Brief Job Description: Utilize version control systems like Git for code management and collaboration.
Brief Job Description: Collaborate with various departments to facilitate seamless operations.
12. SHAO, SHUOSHEN Mandarin Operations Specialist
Brief Job Description: Collaborate with various departments to facilitate seamless operations.
13. LI, JING Mandarin Operations Team Leader
Brief Job Description: Oversee daily operations. Ensuring processes are efficient and aligned with company objectives.
14. CAO, ZHAODI Mandarin Platform Operation
product launches.
5. WU, JIEHE Marketing Specialist
Brief Job Description: Responsible for coordinating with other marketing and sales professionals to implement innovative campaigns for branding or product launches.
Basic Qualification: Ability to work under pressure and motivation to succeed in a competitive environment. Should have a bachelor’s degree in journalism, marketing, communications or a related field. With good communication and interpersonal skills.
Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999
Basic Qualification: Ability to work under pressure and motivation to succeed in a competitive environment. Should have a bachelor’s degree in journalism, marketing, communications or a related field. With good communication and interpersonal skills.
Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999
6. WU, MINGFENG Project Coordinator
Brief Job Description: Plan, organize, and direct the activities of a construction project, under the direction of a general manager. Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s degree in business or related field of study. Competent in Microsoft applications including Word, Excel, and Outlook. Knowledge of file management, transcription, and other administrative procedures. or a related field. With good communication and interpersonal skills.
Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999
7. ZHANG, JIAYONG Project Coordinator
Brief Job Description: Plan, organize, and direct the activities of a construction project, under the direction of a general manager.
Brief Job Description: Oversee daily operations of the platform. Ensuring high availability and performance.
15. WANG, BO Mandarin Sem Specialist
Brief Job Description: Monitor and analyze campaign performance, adjusting strategies to improve ROI.
Brief Job Description: Develop and execute product strategies that align with business objectives and market trends.
17. WU, FENG Mandarin Senior Site Reliability Engineer
Brief Job Description: Monitor system performance and uptime, addressing incidents and outages promptly. Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading, and writing in foreign language. Salary Range: Php 90,000 - Php
18. DU, LONGNIAN Mandarin Test Engineer
Brief Job Description: Suggest enhancements to testing processes to improve efficiency and effectiveness.
19. FENG, WEI Mandarin Test Engineer
Brief Job Description: Develop and execute comprehensive test plans, test cases, and test scripts based on project requirements.
Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s degree in business or related field of study. Competency in Microsoft applications including Word, Excel, and Outlook. Knowledge of file management, transcription, and other administrative procedures. or a related field. With good communication and interpersonal skills.
Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999
ZHANG, YONGMENG
Brief
8.
transcription, and other administrative procedures. or a related field. Good communication and interpersonal skills.
Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999
46.
Brief
Brief
48. SARBJEET SINGH Quantity Surveyor
Brief
49. SUKHDEEP KAUR Quantity Surveyor
Brief Job Description: To review construction plans and prepare quantity requirements.
50. VIJAY KUMAR Quantity Surveyor
Brief
51. ZHANG, WEISHAN Quantity Surveyor
Brief
52.
DC WIDEWEB CONSULTANCY INC. Room 203, Webjet Building, Tatalon, Quezon City
53. CHEN, WENHUA Customer Service Representative
54. DUAN,
Mandarin
BusinessMirror
91.
Marketing And Sales Agent
Brief
Brief
Brief
MARKETING INC. Unit 101 G/f Santillan Bldg., 7441 Santillan Street, Pio
98. CHEN, CHAO-JUNG a.k.a. RALPH LOUIE LAO
Brief
with restaurants service management team and team members for the success of all restaurant operations.
S-W TRADING CORP.
132.
133. YU, PEIFENG Mandarin Account Supervisor
Brief Job Description: Ensures that financial reports comply with generally accepted accounting principles while assisting in external auditing and provides required statements.
134. CAO, YAN Mandarin Document Controller
135. GOU, YUYE Mandarin Document Controller
Brief Job Description: Perform regular audit on corporate documents in order
The World
Hurricane Milton slams Florida, leaving 3 million without power
By Terry Spencer & Kate Payne The Associated Press
TAMPA, Fla.—Hurricane Milton plowed into Florida as a Category 3 storm, bringing misery to a coast still ravaged by Helene, pounding cities with winds of over 100 mph (160 kph) after producing a barrage of tornadoes, but sparing Tampa a direct hit.
The storm tracked to the south in the final hours and made landfall Wednesday night in Siesta Key near Sarasota, about 70 miles (112 kilometers) south of Tampa. The situation in the Tampa area was still a major emergency as St. Petersburg recorded over 16 inches (41 centimeters) of rain, prompting the National Weather Service to warn of flash flooding there as well as other parts of western and central Florida.
Tropicana Field, the home of the Tampa Bay Rays baseball team in St. Petersburg, appeared badly damaged. The fabric that serves as the domed stadium’s roof was ripped to shreds by the fierce winds. It was not immediately clear if there was damage inside. Multiple cranes were also toppled in the storm, the weather service said.
St. Petersburg residents also could no longer get water from their household taps because a water main break led the city to shut down service.
The storm knocked out power across a large section of Florida, with more than 3 million homes and businesses without power as of early Thursday, according to poweroutage.us, which tracks utility reports.
Before Milton even made landfall, tornadoes were touching down across the state. The Spanish Lakes Country Club near Fort Pierce, on Florida’s Atlantic Coast, was hit particularly hard, with homes destroyed and some residents killed.
“We have lost some life,” St. Lucie County Sheriff Keith Pearson told WPBF News, though he wouldn’t say how many people were killed.
About 125 homes were destroyed before the hurricane came ashore, many of them mobile homes in communities for senior citizens, said Kevin Guthrie, the director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management.
About 90 minutes after making landfall, Milton was downgraded
to a Category 2 storm. By early Thursday, the hurricane was a Category 1 storm with maximum sustained winds of about 85 mph (135 kph) as it moved offshore and was about 35 miles (55 kilometers) east of Orlando.
Heavy rains were also likely to cause flooding inland along rivers and lakes as Milton traverses the Florida Peninsula as a hurricane, eventually to emerge in the Atlantic Ocean on Thursday. It is expected to impact the heavily populated Orlando area.
The storm slammed into a region still reeling two weeks after Hurricane Helene flooded streets and homes in western Florida and left at least 230 people dead across the South. In many places along the coast, municipalities raced to collect and dispose of debris before Milton’s winds and storm surge could toss it around and compound any damage.
Officials had issued dire warnings to flee or face grim odds of survival.
“This is it, folks,” said Cathie Perkins, emergency management director in Pinellas County, which sits on the peninsula that forms Tampa Bay. “Those of you who were punched during Hurricane Helene, this is going to be a knockout. You need to get out, and you need to get out now.”
By late afternoon, some officials said the time had passed for such efforts, suggesting that people who stayed behind hunker down instead. By the evening, some counties announced they had suspended emergency services.
Jackie Curnick said she wrestled with her decision to stay at home in Sarasota, just north of where the storm made landfall. But with a 2-year-old son and a baby girl due October 29, Curnick and her husband thought it was for the best.
Curnick said they started packing Monday to evacuate, but they couldn’t find any available hotel rooms, and the few they came by
were too expensive.
She said there were too many unanswered questions if they got in the car and left: Where to sleep, if they’d be able to fill up their gas tank, and if they could even find a safe route out of the state.
“The thing is it’s so difficult to evacuate in a peninsula,” she said. “In most other states, you can go in any direction to get out. In Florida there are only so many roads that take you north or south.”
At a news conference in Tallahassee, Gov. Ron DeSantis described deployment of a wide range of resources, including 9,000 National Guard members from Florida and other states; over 50,000 utility workers from as far as California; and highway patrol cars with sirens to escort gasoline tankers to replenish supplies so people could fill up their tanks before evacuating.
“Unfortunately, there will be fatalities. I don’t think there’s any way around that,” DeSantis said.
Heavy rain and tornadoes lashed parts of southern Florida starting Wednesday morning, with conditions deteriorating throughout the day. Six to 12 inches (15 to 31 centimeters) of rain, with up to 18 inches (46 centimeters) in some places, was expected well inland, bringing the risk of catastrophic flooding.
One twister touched down Wednesday morning in the lightly populated Everglades and crossed Interstate 75. Another apparent tornado touched down in Fort Myers, snapping tree limbs and tearing a gas station’s canopy to shreds.
Authorities issued mandatory evacuation orders across 15 Florida counties with a total population of about 7.2 million people. Officials warned that anyone staying behind must fend for themselves, because first responders were not expected to risk their lives attempting rescues at the height of the storm.
St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch told residents to expect long power
outages and the possible shutdown of the sewer system.
In Charlotte Harbor, about 100 miles (160 kilometers) south of Tampa, clouds swirled and winds gusted as Josh Parks packed his Kia sedan with clothes and other belongings. Two weeks ago, Helene’s surge brought about 5 feet (1.5 meters) of water to the neighborhood, and its streets remain filled with waterlogged furniture, torn-out drywall and other debris.
Parks, an auto technician, planned to flee to his daughter’s home inland and said his roommate already left.
“I told her to pack like you aren’t coming back,” he said.
By early afternoon, airlines had canceled about 1,900 flights. SeaWorld was closed all day Wednesday, and Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando shut down in the afternoon.
More than 60 percent of gas stations in Tampa and St. Petersburg were out of gas Wednesday afternoon, according to GasBuddy. DeSantis said the state’s overall supply was fine, and highway patrol officers were escorting tanker trucks to replenish the supply.
In the Tampa Bay area’s Gulfport, Christian Burke and his mother stayed put in their threestory concrete home overlooking the bay. Burke said his father designed this home with a Category 5 in mind—and now they’re going to test it.
As a passing police vehicle blared encouragement to evacuate, Burke acknowledged staying isn’t a good idea and said he’s “not laughing at this storm one bit.”
Contributing to this report were Associated Press journalists Holly Ramer in New Hampshire; Joseph Frederick in West Bradenton, Florida; Curt Anderson in Tampa; Freida Frisaro in Fort Lauderdale; Brenden Farrington in Tallahassee; Michael Goldberg in Minneapolis; Patrick Whittle in Portland, Maine; Jeff Martin in Atlanta and Christopher L. Keller in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Zelenskyy will present Ukraine’s ‘victory plan’ to Western leaders; Biden meeting postponed
DUBROVNIK, Croatia—Ukraine’s president on Wednesday said he intends to present his “victory plan” to Western leaders this week, but a weekend meeting to discuss it has been postponed as US President Joe Biden said he had to stay home to respond to Hurricane Milton’ s landfall in Florida.
Speaking at a summit in Croatia with leaders of southeastern European states, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he hopes his meeting with Biden at the US Ramstein Air Base in Germany, originally scheduled for Saturday, will be rescheduled soon. That meeting was meant to include about 20 Western leaders and defense ministers.
“We will present our victory plan in detail there, the same as we presented it in the
White House,” Zelenskyy said. He added that he now planned to meet with the leaders of Britain, France, Italy and Germany this week to present the plan.
Zelenskyy said the plan is about strengthening Ukraine “both geopolitically and on the battlefield” before any kind of dialogue with Russia.
“Weakness of any of our allies will inspire
(Russian President Vladimir) Putin,” he said.
“That’s why we’re asking them to strengthen us, in terms of security guarantees, in terms of weapons, in terms of our future after this war. In my view, he (Putin) only understands force.”
The specifics of Zelenskyy’s blueprint have been kept quiet but contours of the plan have emerged, including the need for fast action on decisions Western allies have
been mulling since the full-scale invasion began in 2022.
Kyiv is still awaiting word from Western partners on its repeated requests to use the long-range weapons they provide to hit targets on Russian soil.
Some Balkan states have been providing Ukraine with short-range weapons. At a previous summit with southeast European countries in February, Zelenskyy pleaded for more to repel Russian advances.
On Wednesday, Zelenskyy signed an agreement with Croatia on further cooperation, particularly regarding humanitarian aid, demining and war crimes prosecution experience that Croatia has from its own 1991-95 war.
Besides Croatia, the summit was being attended by premiers, presidents or foreign
Israeli defense minister warns an attack on Iran would be ‘lethal’ and ‘surprising’
By Tia Goldenberg, Samy Magdy & Wafaa Shurafa The Associated Press
JERUSALEM—Israel’s defense minister warned on Wednesday that his country’s retaliation for a recent Iranian missile attack will be “lethal” and “surprising,” while the Israeli military pushed ahead with a large-scale operation in northern Gaza and a ground offensive in Lebanon against Hezbollah militants.
On the diplomatic front, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Joe Biden held their first call in seven weeks, with a White House press secretary saying the call included discussions on Israel’s deliberations over how it will respond to Iran’s attack.
The continuing cycle of destruction and death in Gaza, unleashed by Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel, comes as Israel expands a weeklong ground offensive against Hezbollah in Lebanon and considers a major retaliatory strike on Iran following Iran’s October 1 missile barrage.
“Our strike will be lethal, precise and above all, surprising. They won’t understand what happened and how. They will see the results,” Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said during a speech to troops. “Whoever strikes us will be harmed and pay a price.”
Iran fired dozens of missiles at Israel on October 1, which the United States helped fend off. Biden has said he would not support a retaliatory strike on sites related to Tehran’s nuclear program.
On Wednesday, Hezbollah claimed a rocket attack that killed two people in the northern Israeli town of Kiryat Shmona. The town’s acting mayor, Ofir Yehezkeli, said the two killed were a couple walking their dogs.
Dozens killed in Gaza and survivors fear displacement
In northern Gaza, there was heavy fighting in Jabaliya, an urban refugee camp dating back to the 1948 war surrounding Israel’s creation, where Israeli forces have carried out several major operations over the course of the war and then returned as militants regroup. The entire north, including Gaza City, has suffered heavy destruction and has been largely isolated by Israeli forces since late last year.
In Gaza, Jabaliya residents said thousands of people have been trapped in their homes since the operation began Sunday, as Israeli jets and drones buzz overhead and troops battle militants in the streets.
“It’s like hell. We can’t get out,” said Mohamed Awda, who lives with his parents and six siblings. He said there were three bodies in the street outside his home that could not be retrieved because of the fighting.
“The quadcopters are everywhere, and they fire at anyone. You can’t even open the window,” he told The Associated Press by phone, speaking over the sound of explosions. Gaza’s Health Ministry said it recovered 40 bodies from Jabaliya from Sunday until Tuesday, and another 14 from communities farther north. There are likely more bodies under rubble and in areas that can’t be accessed, it said.
Jabaliya residents fear Israel aims to depopulate the north and turn it into a closed military zone or a Jewish settlement. Israel has blocked all roads except for the main highway leading south from Jabaliya, according to residents.
“People here say clearly that they will die here in northern Gaza and won’t go to southern Gaza,” Ahmed Qamar, who lives in Jabaliya with his wife, children and parents, said in a text message.
Hospitals are under threat
FADEL NAEEM , the director of Al-Ahly Hospital in Gaza City, said it had received dozens of wounded people and bodies from the north. “We declared a state of emergency, suspended scheduled surgeries, and discharged patients whose conditions are stable,” he told AP in a text message.
Israel’s offensive has gutted Gaza’s health sector, forcing most hospitals to shut down and leaving the rest only partially functioning.
Naeem said three hospitals farther north—Kamal Adwan, Awda and the Indonesian Hospital - have become almost inaccessible because of the fighting. The Gaza Health Ministry says the Israeli army has ordered all three to evacuate staff and patients. Meanwhile, no humanitarian aid has entered the north since October 1, according to UN data.
Israel’s authority coordinating humanitarian affairs in Palestinian territories said Israel “has not halted the entry or coordination of humanitarian aid entering from its territory into the northern Gaza Strip.”
Israel says it only targets militants and blames civilian deaths on Hamas because it fights in residential areas.
Israel ordered the wholesale evacuation of northern Gaza, including Gaza City, in the opening weeks of the war, but hundreds of thousands of people are believed to have remained there. Israel reiterated those instructions over the weekend, telling people to flee south to a humanitarian zone where hundreds of thousands are already crammed into squalid tent camps.
The war began just over a year ago, when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting around 250. They still hold around 100 hostages, a third of whom are believed to be dead.
Israel’s offensive has killed over 42,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which does not say how many were fighters. It has said women and children make up over half of the dead. The offensive has also caused staggering destruction across the territory and displaced around 90 percent of the population of 2.3 million people, often multiple times.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to keep fighting until “total victory” over Hamas and the return of all hostages.
Israel warns Lebanon it could end up like Gaza
On Tuesday, Netanyahu said Lebanon would meet the same fate as Gaza if its people did not rise up against Hezbollah.
In recent weeks Israel has waged a heavy air campaign across large parts of Lebanon, targeting what it says are Hezbollah rocket launchers and other militant sites. A series of strikes had killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and most of his top commanders.
ministers from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Greece, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia and Turkey.
Serbia’s President Aleksandar Vucic’s government is the only one in Europe that has not imposed sanctions on Russia over its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, although Vucic has repeatedly said that Serbia respects Ukraine’s “territorial integrity.”
Summit participants passed a declaration condemning Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and supporting Zelenskyy’s peace efforts, Ukraine’s membership in NATO and its reconstruction after the war.
“There can be no free, peaceful and prosperous Europe without a free, peaceful and prosperous Ukraine,” the joint declaration said. AP
An Israeli airstrike on Wednesday hit a Lebanese Civil Defense center in the town of Dardghaya in southern Lebanon, killing five members who were stationed there, civil defense spokesperson Elie Khairallah told The Associated Press. Among the victims was Abdullah Al-Moussawi, head of the Tyre Regional Center in the Lebanese Civil Defense, Khairallah said.
Just last week, Al-Moussawi spoke with the Associated Press, saying the Israeli airstrikes had made his team increasingly nervous, but that they were hopeful that the international protection guaranteed to medics will extend to them as well. There was no immediate statement from the Israeli military. As of last Thursday, the Lebanese Health Ministry reported that over 100 paramedics had been killed by Israeli airstrikes.
Another strike on Wednesday killed four people and wounded another 10 at a hotel sheltering displaced people in the southern Lebanese town of Wardaniyeh, Lebanon’s Health Ministry said.
THE roof of Tropicana Field, the home of the Tampa Bay Rays, appeared to be badly damaged as Hurricane Milton passes Thursday, October 10, 2024, in St. Petersburg, Fla. CHRIS URSO/TAMPA BAY TIMES VIA AP
October 11, 2024
NOTICE OF FILING OF APPLICATION FOR ALIEN EMPLOYMENT PERMIT (AEP/S)
Notice is hereby given that the following employers have filed with this Regional Office application/s for Alien Employment Permit/s.
1 AICHI FORGE PHILIPPINES, INC.
Toyota-SEZ, Tagaytay Road, Pulong Santa Cruz, City of Santa Rosa, Laguna
2 ARTNATURE PHILIPPINES INC.
Warehouse No. 3, Km. 32 National Highway, Nueva, City of San Pedro, Laguna
3 CELERAISE ELECTRONIC CORPORATION
Maguyam Road, Carillo Drive
Beside Hong Chang Compound, Bancal, Carmona, Cavite
4 CELERAISE ELECTRONIC CORPORATION
Maguyam Road, Carillo Drive
Beside Hong Chang Compound, Bancal, Carmona, Cavite
5 CROWN WORLDWIDE MOVERS, INC.
Blk 1 Lot 5 Phase 7-A, Technopark, Mamplasan, City of Biñan, Laguna
HASHIMOTO, TAKAYUKI
EVP & Plant Manager
Brief Job Description:
Strategic management if buildings, facilities, equipment, and manpower for timely production of quality products of the company
Basic Qualification: At least 10 years’ experience in forged auto parts manufacturing; focusing on manufacturing and engineering
Salary
OTAKI, SYUNICHI
Senior Manager for Production Planning Control
Brief Job Description: To oversee operations in production planning control
CHUNG, SHUN-FU
Accounting Assistant Manager
Brief Job Description:
Oversee all the financial activities within organization
CHANG, CHIH-MIN
Engineering Manager
Brief Job Description:
Oversee all the Engineering activities within organization
BAILEY, MARK DANIEL
RMS Division Manager
Brief Job Description:
To further develop our local business by improving and growing core services whilst leading diversification of the business into new areas
6 EPSON PRECISION (PHILIPPINES), INC.
Special Export Processing Zone, Lima Technology Center, Bugtong na Pulo, City of Lipa, Batangas AOKI, KAZUAKI
IJP Parts Engineering Department Manager
Brief Job Description:
An authority on matters related to IJP parts
7 FASTOCK WAREHOUSING INC.
2nd Floor, UMPI Main Bldg., Nissan Technopark, Pulong Santa Cruz, City of Santa Rosa, Laguna PENG, YAJUAN Mandarin Operations Supervisor
8 J-CASH MACHINE GLOBAL MANUFACTURING (PHILIPPINES) INC.
117 Technology Avenue, Laguna Technopark, Malamig, City of Biñan, Laguna TAKAHASHI, TOMOHITO Director Brief Job Description: Monitors the compliance with the
9 NIBER PHILIPPINES CORP.
Unit 1, Lot 9, Blk. 7, First Cavite Industrial Estate, Langkaan I, City of Dasmariñas, Cavite
10 O.M. MANUFACTURING PHILIPPINES, INC.
Basic Qualification: At least College graduate and able to speak and read Japanese language
Salary Range: Php 90,000 - Php 149,999
Basic Qualification:
Must be able to speak and read Chinese language and accounting experience
Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999
Basic Qualification:
Must be able to speak and read Chinese language and engineering experience
Salary Range:
Php 30,000 - Php 59,999
Basic Qualification:
At least 10 years of management experience, with at least 3 years managing multiple functions/teams.
Salary Range:
Php 150,000 - Php 499,999
Basic Qualification:
Must be fluent in Japanese language, at least N1 passer, can read and write Katakana, Hiragana and Kanji
Salary Range: Php 90,000 - Php 149,999
Brief Job Description: Assist warehouse manager in organizing and managing day to day activities for warehouse operations Basic Qualification:
Salary
HYUKJIN, KWON
Production Manager
SHIRASAKI, TAKASHI
Corporate Strategy Officer
Block 15-A, Lot 1, Phase III, Cavite Export Processing Zone, Tejeros Convention, Rosario, Cavite
11 TENAGA PACK SOLUTION INC.
Bldg. 4, CCMC Compound 2, Light Industry & Science Park III, San Rafael, City of Sto. Tomas, Batangas
12 TIDESOLAR PHILIPPINES CORPORATION
Block 9, Lot 12, Phase 2, Campo Verde, Santiago, Malvar, Batangas
LAI KAR LOONG
General Manager
Brief Job Description: Directs
13 TOYOTA TSUSHO PHILIPPINES CORPORATION
Blk. 4 Lot 2, Main Road 3, Calamba Premiere International Park, Batino, City of Calamba, Laguna
WANG, ZHIFENG
General Manager
Brief Job Description: Oversee day to day operation, assign weekly performance
NISHIKAWA, SHUSAKU
Sales Manager
Brief Job Description: Create strategies, new local and foreign business sales to achieve company goals
Any person in the Philippines who is competent, able and willing to perform the services for which the foreign national is desired may file an objection at DOLE Regional Office IV-A located at 3rd and 4th Floors, Andenson Building II, Parian, Calamba City, Laguna, within 30 days after this publication.
Please inform DOLE Regional Office IV-A if you have any information on criminal offense committed by the foreign nationals.
MARION
Breaking barriers: Women’s growing participation in the PHL labor market
IN a significant development for the Philippine labor market, August 2024 saw over a million women enter the workforce, a surge that reflects both empowerment and a pressing need for economic participation. The Philippine Statistics Authority reported that 49.15 million Filipinos were employed during this period, marking a notable increase of 1.08 million from the previous year. Among these, 1.03 million women found employment, signaling a positive shift toward gender equity in the workplace. (Read the BusinessMirror story: “Women with jobs help cut August unemployment,” October 9, 2024).
This increase is more than just a numerical milestone; it represents a broader societal change. As economist Maria Ella Oplas highlights, the ability for women to choose to work—and even exceed the standard 40-hour workweek—provides them with greater financial independence. Such progress is commendable, yet it raises critical concerns about overemployment, with over a million women clocking in more than 40 hours weekly. While the surge in female labor participation is indeed a victory, it also begs the question: at what cost?
Oplas cautions that this trend may be temporary, driven by seasonal factors such as holiday-related economic activity. The need for additional income during Christmas can lead to unsustainable work patterns, particularly for women juggling multiple roles at home and in the workplace. As the data suggests, many women are not only finding jobs but are also forced into overemployment—sometimes even working two or three jobs just to make ends meet.
The reality is that while many women are stepping into the labor market, the quality of the jobs available remains a concern. With a significant number of women engaged in non-regular labor arrangements, the risk of instability and inadequate compensation looms large. Economist Leonardo Lanzona points out that these “invisible underemployed” individuals, despite working full-time, still seek more hours to augment their income, reflecting an underlying issue of economic insecurity.
Moreover, the advent of digital work platforms has transformed the employment landscape, offering flexibility that allows women to balance work and family responsibilities. However, this shift also highlights the growing income inequality in the Philippines, as many of these jobs require access to technology that not all can afford. The World Bank’s warnings about the vulnerability of simple jobs to automation further exacerbate the situation, prompting calls for upskilling to secure a more stable future.
Despite the encouraging statistics, former Neda chief Dante Canlas urges caution. The varying impacts of external factors, such as geopolitical tensions affecting overseas Filipino workers, remind us that economic stability is complex and multifaceted. As we approach the holiday season, the hope is for a truly vibrant economy that supports sustainable employment for all, not just a temporary spike in numbers.
As we celebrate the strides made in female labor participation, it is crucial to recognize the challenges that accompany them. The narrative of women entering the workforce must also incorporate discussions about job quality, economic security, and the need for systemic changes to ensure that this progress is not just a fleeting moment but a foundation for lasting equality and empowerment. The path forward requires a collective effort to foster an environment where employment opportunities are not only abundant but also equitable and sustainable.
BusinessMirror
T. Anthony C. Cabangon
Lourdes M. Fernandez
Jennifer A. Ng Vittorio V. Vitug
Six wins and one loss for UP in Round One of UAAP 87 Men’s Basketball
TKUWENTONG PEYUPS
He Fighting Maroons of the University of the Philippines (UP) secured six victories and suffered only one defeat during Round One of the Men’s Basketball tournament in Season 87 of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP).
For the first round, UP and De La Salle University (DLSU) have six wins and one loss each, followed by University of the East (UE) with 5 wins and 2 losses; University of Santo Tomas (UST) with 4 wins and 2 losses; Adamson University (AdU) with 3 wins and 4 losses; National University (NU) 2 wins and 5 losses; Far Eastern University (FEU) and Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) with 1 win and 6 losses each.
The differential scores of the winning games of UP: NU with 27 points (62/89) followed by Ateneo with 16 points (77/61); Adamson with 12 points (69/57); UST with 11 points (81/70); FEU with 11
points (69/58) and UE with 10 points (81/71). UP lost to DLSU by 12 points (68/56).
The Fighting Maroons scored a total of 522 points in the first seven games where Harold Alarcon made 73 points, followed by Francis Lopez (71); JD Cagulangan (67); Quentin Millora-Brown (60); Terrence Fortea (47); Mark Belmonte (34); Gerry Abadiano (33); Kingsley Ududo (30); Jacob Bayla (28); Ernest Felicilda (27); Reyland Torres (17); Sean Torculas (14); Chicco Briones (9); Sean Alter (8); Gani Stevens (2) and Denzil Walker (2).
For the free throws, 93 shots were successful out of 152 attempts
or 61 percent, with Lopez making the highest with 18 points, followed by Millora-Brown (17), Alarcon (12), Ududo (10), Fortea (9), Cagulangan (8), Bayla (7), Torres (5), Abadiano (4), and 1 each for Belmonte, Felicilda, and Torculas.
The 123 points were due to the 41 three-point shots, wherein Fortea made 8 shots, followed by Cagulangan (7), 5 each from Abadiano, Alarcon and Bayla, Felicilda (4), Belmonte (3), and 1 each from Briones, Lopez, and Torculas.
For the 323 rebounds, 94 were for offense while 229 were for defense.
In terms of playing time, MilloraBrown has 158:52 minutes, followed by Alarcon (136:20), Abadiano (134:03), Lopez (132:52), Cagulangan (120:28), Fortea (96:57), Belmonte (88:01), Felicilda (90:56), Torres (79:10), Ududo (65:26), Briones (50:33), Stevens (43:31), Torculas (41:50) Alter (27:51) and Walker (18:23).
Cagulangan missed the last two games due to illness. Round 2 schedules: UST on October 13, 6 p.m. at Araneta; NU on October 20, 4 p.m. at UST Quadricentennial Pavilion; UE on October 23, 6 p.m. at MOA; Adamson on October 27, 4 p.m. at MOA; Ateneo, October
Google faces painful reckoning as antitrust crackdown revs up
30, 6 p.m. at MOA; DLSU on November 10 6 p.m. at Araneta; and FEU on November 16, 2 p.m. at FilOil. For the women’s basketball division, the UP Fighting Maroons has 3 wins and 4 losses, while NU has 7 wins with no loss, UST has 6 wins and 1 loss, Adamson has 5 wins and 2 losses, Ateneo has 4 wins and 3 losses, UE has 1 win and 6 losses; DLSU and FEU have 1 win and 6 losses each. The UP Fighting Maroons had their first loss of the season with the 56-68 victory of DLSU Green Archers before 16,106 fans at the SM Mall of Asia Arena on Sunday, October 6.
The 56 points by the Fighting Maroons during last Sunday’s game against DLSU came from Alarcon (19), Millora-Brown (10), Lopez (8), Torres (6), Fortea (5), Belmonte (5), Abadiano (2), and Bayla (1).
The points per quarter: 19-13, 38-25, 51-46, 68-56. Tempers flared at the 2:54 mark of the third quarter when both teams’ coaching staff confronted each other at center court after Fighting Maroons guard Torres was allegedly spat on by someone from the Green Archers bench, particularly coach
See “Gorecho,” A13
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Ruben M. Cruz Jr.
Eduardo A. Davad
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Rolando M. Manangan
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By Leah Nylen, Malathi Nayak & Julia Love
OOGLe’S antitrust problems are coming home to roost. While the company has beat back european antitrust interventions by paying 6.5 billion euros ($7.1 billion), US enforcers are now flexing their muscles—and the most painful part for the Alphabet Inc. unit won’t be monetary fines, but blows to core businesses that bring in big revenue.
In a span of three days, a federal judge ordered the company to open up its lucrative app store to rivals and the Justice Department said it may seek to force the tech giant to spin off some of its services to remedy its monopolization of online search.
While a breakup may be a hard sell to the Washington judge overseeing the Justice Department’s search case, Google is undoubtedly looking at changes to the way it has long operated, antitrust experts said.
The Justice Department is trying to come up with “remedies that will not only reintroduce competition in search but make sure that as the market changes, Google doesn’t re-entrench itself,” Abiel Garcia, antitrust lawyer and partner at Kesselman Brantly Stockinger LLP. The remedies might cause Google “to rethink and reevaluate business strategy to some extent, but it’s not
like we’re not going to have a Google anymore.” Google criticized the Justice Department’s initial proposal as “radical,” saying it would have “significant unintended consequences for consumers, businesses, and American competitiveness.”
The company’s shares have declined more than 15 percent since reaching an all-time record of $191.18 on July 10.
“There is a clear overhang when it comes to the antitrust side of things and the scrutiny that Alphabet gets,” Bloomberg Intelligence senior tech industry analyst Mandeep Singh said on Bloomberg TV.
Dhaval Moogimane, a senior partner at consulting firm West Monroe, said forcing Google to share its index could aid not just search rivals, but AI companies seeking to enter the space. Sharing the search data “certainly
opens up competition, which is the intent here,” he said. “It is the secret sauce from a Google perspective.”
Vanderbilt Law School professor Rebecca Allensworth, who has closely followed the suit, says she thinks it is “very unlikely” that US District Judge Amit Mehta would go for a breakup. Much of the Justice Department’s case focused on Google’s $20 billion deal with Apple Inc. to be the search default on the iPhone, she said, not on Chrome or Android—the Google products that DOJ identified to be potentially spun off.
Mehta has very closely hewed to the Microsoft Corp. case, she said, where the Justice Department successfully sued the Windows maker in 1998 for monopolizing computer operating systems. The judge in that case initially decided Microsoft should be broken up before being overturned on appeal.
“There is no way that judge is going to break up Google on this case,” Allensworth said of Mehta.
John Kwoka, an economist at Northeastern University who has extensively researched antitrust remedies, said the breakup “ought to be on the table” at least as a “signal” to Google and other companies with monopolization cases pending that antitrust enforcers won’t accept a wimpy resolution. With a conduct remedy, the company has the incentive to evade, and even mandatory data access can be tricky because of questions about who gets the data and how much, he said. “The track record on structural remedies is pretty good,” Kwoka said, noting the AT&T breakup occurred after years of unsuccessfully trying to fix the problems with conduct remedies. “There can be a lot of collateral damage if enforcers wait to bite the bullet.” Bill Kovacic, an antitrust professor at George Washington University Law School, said the Justice Department’s filing was a “conscious effort at framing” the issue for the judge, “giving him a menu from milder to spicy hot.” Notwithstanding Google’s labeling of a breakup as a “radical” solution, Kovacic noted businesses today have “a lot of experience putting companies together and taking them apart.” And some of the Justice Department’s proposals—such as the requirement to share some of the company’s search data—are already in place in Europe as part of a rollout of new digital gatekeeper rules, he said. bloomberg
L. Cabangon Chua Founder Since 2005
Dennis Gorecho
How climate change contributes to hurricanes’ dangerous paths
By Todd Woody
HurrIcAne Milton is barreling down an unusual eastern path as it nears a potentially catastrophic landfall in Florida, but such unpredictable impacts may become more common as the ocean rapidly warms, according to scientists.
Meanwhile, Hurricane Kirk, which formed in the North Atlantic, is taking a turn to the northeast and is expected to hit France on Wednesday as a rare post-tropical cyclone bringing heavy rain and wind.
Rosimar Rios-Berrios, a scientist at the National Center for Atmospheric Research, said Milton’s westto-east track over central Florida is unexpected. Hurricanes usually form near Africa and move west before taking a turn to the north. Milton formed over Central America and is only the 18th hurricane since 1851 recorded as moving west to east through the Gulf of Mexico.
Andra Garner, who researches climate change impacts on tropical cyclones at Rowan University, said hurricanes veering toward Europe are slightly more common but they usually lose most of their strength before reaching the continent.
“As we warm the planet, it opens the possibility that we start seeing regions like Western Europe that might start experiencing more tropical cyclone impacts than we would’ve expected in the past,” said Garner, an associate professor of environmental science.
Scientists have linked high ocean temperatures to the rapid intensification of hurricanes—Milton’s wind speed increased 95 miles per hour in a single day—but Garner and RiosBerrios said more research is needed to connect changes in the storms’ tracks to specific climate change impacts.
“There’s a lot of work being done on how climate change can impact tropical cyclones, but to my knowledge there is no evidence that climate change is changing the way that hurricanes move,” said Rios-Berrios.
A low pressure system in the upper atmosphere is pushing Milton through the Gulf of Mexico from the southwest to the northeast. “We expect these larger atmospheric steer -
Topex Robinson.
“Pangit kasi yung may mga ibang bagay na ginagawa sa loob na walang kaugnayan sa laro eh,” UP head coach Goldwin Monteverde said. Atty. Gaby Concepcion noted on her Facebook post: “Spitting is universally considered as the ultimate insult: it reduces the victim to an object—not worthy of respect. And the disgust factor of it all is simply unthinkable. It’s like someone urinating on you to add ignominy to the humiliation. I can’t even imagine spitting on the floor—much less on another human.”
UP is this year’s host for UAAP Season 87 with the theme “Stronger, Better, Together.”
In the case of North Atlantic hurricanes, high ocean temperatures may not necessarily change their trajectories but allow them to retain their strength as they approach Europe. That increases the risk of loss of life and property damage in regions unaccustomed to preparing for or responding to devastating storms.
ing patterns to drive hurricanes, and this setup is really driving Milton to the east,” said Garner. “We do know that as we warm the planet, we’re potentially seeing changes to things like some of our large-scale steering patterns like the jet stream.”
In the case of North Atlantic hurricanes, high ocean temperatures may not necessarily change their trajectories but allow them to retain their strength as they approach Europe. That increases the risk of loss of life and property damage in regions unaccustomed to preparing for or responding to devastating storms.
“We may see more of these very strong hurricanes and the unfortunate consequence is that the stronger they get, the harder it is for them to weaken,” said Rios-Berrios.
In August 2023, Hurricane Hilary, which originated in the Pacific Ocean, managed to reach California as a tropical storm and caused widespread flooding. The fact that Hilary was the first tropical storm to strike California in 84 years likely was more a result of its strength than its trajectory, according to Rios-Berrios.
“Some of these unusual tracks that we’re seeing combined with the fact that we do know that hurricanes are becoming potentially more dangerous means that we need to be thinking about how to prepare for hurricanes in places we usually don’t see them,” said Garner. Bloomberg
UP hosted the UAAP 12 times, for seasons 12 (1949–50),16 (1953–54), 20 (1957–58), 26 (1963–64), 31 (1968–69), 36 (1973–74), 42 (1979–80), 46 (1983–84), 54 (1991–92), 62 (1999–2000), 71 (2008–09) and 78 (2015–16).
UP had three championship titles in Men’s Basketball with their first title all the way back in 1939 (Season 2), then followed it up 47 years later in 1986 (Season 49), and again 36 years later in 2022 (Season 84).
UP lost to DLSU during Season 86 with best-of-three championship scores: 97/67 for Game 1 in favor of UP; 60/82 for Game 2 in favor of DLSU; and 69/73 for Game 3 where DLSU won the championship.
“Because this is not about you or me. It’s not about whether we win by one point or lose by 26 points. It’s about getting the UP community finally together and getting them to support and cheer on, simply because we just darn love our school,” UPMBT sponsor Robina Pe said on her Facebook post.
Peyups is the moniker of the University of the Philippines. Atty. Dennis R. Gorecho heads the Seafarers’ Division of the Sapalo Velez Bundang Bulilan Law Offices. For comments, e-mail info@ sapalovelez.com , or call 0917-5025808 or 09088665786.
Taming this animal called Heritage
ATito Genova Valiente annoTaTions
n old short reel has resurfaced online. It shows a priest on the altar delivering what appears to be a passionate sermon. Then suddenly from the left, a figure comes rushing in. A stocky woman pushes off the priest, described as a celebrity, off the stage. We never see what happens to him because the reel is one of those that keeps on playing, allowing us to savor the scene, to enjoy the event. I thought that scandalous act looked familiar. I must have seen it before. As with any reel, the caption makes a huge difference.
The first time I witnessed that act, I remember the accompanying explanation, which was that the woman was deranged and she was visibly affected by the speech of the priest. This time though there is a different explanation, and that is the woman is responding to the utterance of the priest who said something like, obese people will never make it to heaven. The woman who rushes up the altar feels she is being alluded to although, upon first inspection, she is not really fat, more so obese. Besides, would you really go to the extent of throwing to the ground a priest who is simply doing his business—the delivery of fire-and-brimstone speech?
In another development, a rococo/baroque/definitely maximalist altar of a Roman Catholic church was the background of this female singer, wearing a gown with a slit that went up to eternity, gyrating and producing movements that we could interpret as showmanship. The young woman’s choice of a song: “Dancing Queen” by Abba, a band that is not active anymore but whose songs and melodies have become part of the anthem of several generations for its failed ambitions, heartaches, or plain nostalgia for the time they all felt like queens.
It did not take long before netizens began to criticize that performance and bash the singer, who seemed not to know anything better. The way she was belting the songs, one sensed this exuberance and, like the meditations of Nietzsche, exculpated her from being accused of any wrongdoing. She was, after all, merely being jubilant about life. Let’s examine the lyrics of the song, and look at the first stanza: “Ooh, you can dance, you can jive/ Having the time of your life/ Ooh, see that girl, watch that scene/ Digging the dancing queen.” Still secular. Then it continues: Friday night and the lights are low/ Looking out for a place to go/ Mmm, where they play the right music/ Getting in the swing/ You come to look for a king.” If we only ignore the social history and popularity of the singing group, we are almost tempted to think of it as a spiritual. But I am being fatuous. There’s no way we can be saved dur-
ing the Second Coming by singing any of the songs of Abba. No way at all. Not even if it’s the song “The Winner Takes It All.” No. No way.
The fact is the story of the priest being pushed off the altar by a heathen (allow me to call her that) and a singer sashaying while icons of suffering and piety look down upon her are tropes about heritage.
But what is heritage? My source says Karl Marx describes heritage by way of its function: “A people without a heritage are easily persuaded.”
Is that really a Marxist quote? I am not sure but it sure makes a point if we can place the short tales here by way of a Marxist aphorism. The gravitas helps us to drive home the point.
And think of the sweet irony—
from Dancing Queen to Marxism is a journey worth any Oprah meditation.
So, what is heritage? It is that force we ignore until it is pushed off a platform that does not mean anything until someone ruins it, or desecrates it. Heritage is a source of languages we do not care about until a madwoman erases it before us.
Suddenly, an outsider has intruded and we do not like it. Heritage is that lovely irrelevant thing. We do not mind it until it asserts itself without it knowing it has transgressed boundaries. We are always doing something with an inanimate object or phenomenon and imbuing it with an artificial mobility, or attributing to it meaning. This is very much like a small town, so poor that some elite members respond to poverty by putting up a museum. The people do not really like the museum because it does not provide them with any food while those who built the museum like it because they do not need any food. They are after all enjoying surpluses, even throwing away the excesses instead of giving them to the poor. And why not? You have already given the poor museums. And that is enough. The case of Julie Ann San Jose seems to have been resolved. A statement was released by her agency called Sparkle GMA Artist Center: “Sparkle GMA Artist Center takes full responsibility for Julie Ann San Jose’s attendance at this event. It is our job to coordinate and clear details with the organizers and relay the instructions to the artists.” This statement appeared online. It goes on further: “Julie Ann only fulfilled her duties and commitment as a true professional. She is a devout Catholic and had no intention of disrespecting the Church and its members.”
Let us put heritage to rest.
E-mail: titovaliente@yahoo.com
Looming Israeli strike on Iran offers fresh test of US sway
By Courtney McBride & Alberto Nardelli
PresIdenT Joe Biden has warned Israel against attacking Iran’s nuclear sites, and us officials worry a strike on its energy infrastructure could roil energy markets. But with Israeli retaliation against Iran expected at any time, the us is finding it has few assurances against further escalation.
Biden’s team is pressing Israel to limit its retaliation against Iran for a strike last week to military targets such as air bases and missile sites.
Rather than Israel knocking out economic targets, the US is proposing alternatives such as a fresh round of economic sanctions, according to people familiar with the matter who asked not to be identified discussing private deliberations.
The US thinking is based on giving Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu an off-ramp that would allow him to resist calls from hardliners in his coalition who call for far more severe retribution. Whether he takes it is another matter, especially given that the Biden administration has so far declined to enforce its opinions by cutting off weapons sales to Israel.
There are political concerns too: Vice President Kamala Harris’s campaign is anxious to keep the conflict from draining support in battleground states, especially Michigan, with its substantial population of Arab and Muslim Americans. Netanyahu, who has openly touted his
close relationship with Republican candidate Donald Trump, has shown little interest in doing anything to help her.
Netanyahu knows Biden won’t be able to put a lot of pressure on him in the weeks before the US election, said Ali Vaez, Iran Project Director at the International Crisis Group. “Escalation in the region helps Trump, which is also good for Bibi because it means not just four more weeks of unrestrained behavior, but four years of no American pressure,” he said, using Netanyahu’s nickname.
The discussion about how hard to hit Iran comes when ties between the US and Israel have rarely been more strained. Netanyahu has disregarded US advice time and again in charting Israel’s response to the October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas that killed some 1,200 Israelis.
And he has stepped up an aggressive military campaign against another Iranian proxy, Hezbollah in Lebanon, despite US warnings.
Biden and Netanyahu spoke on Wednesday for the first time in more
than a month—a stunning period of silence given how much has happened since then. Israel launched its massive campaign to target Hezbollah in Lebanon, killing most of its senior leadership including Hassan Nasrallah as well as at least 1,500 people in air strikes. A White House readout of the call didn’t mention a likely Israeli strike. Instead it said Biden “affirmed his ironclad commitment to Israel’s security” and “condemned unequivocally Iran’s ballistic missile attack against Israel on October 1st.”
Israeli officials have suggested the attack will be more severe this time around. While Israel, with US and UK help, knocked down almost all incoming missiles and drones in an attack in April, this time many of Iran’s ballistic missiles hit close to their targets.
“Iran’s attacks on Israel were aggressive, but failed because they were not precise,” Gallant said in a speech Wednesday. “Our attack on Iran will be deadly, precise and above all surprising. They will not understand what happened and how it happened. They will see the results.”
CIA Director William Burns, who has led the US effort to secure a cease-fire in Gaza and the return of hostages held by Hamas, said he thinks Israeli leaders take into account the concerns expressed by Biden and senior US policymakers. There’s a “very real danger of a fur-
Taiwan’s president signals he’ll stand up to China challenge
Tther regional escalation of conflict,” Burns told the Cipher Brief Threat Conference in Sea Island, Georgia, on Monday.
For now, the European Union is expected to finalize in the coming days a package of sanctions on Iran for supplying Russia with missiles, including measures targeting engineering, metals and aviation firms. Other allies are waiting to see Israel’s response before committing to new restrictions, some of the people said.
One thing working in the US’s favor is that for all Netanyahu’s disregard of the US, he did heed American warnings after Iran’s April attack. Netanyahu retaliated with a single strike against an air-defense facility in Isfahan, Iran, rather than a wider strike, after Biden urged him to “take the win.”
“They’ll probably go against the military-industrial complex in Iran, probably not against the nuclear power complex, and probably not against energy,” retired US Navy Admiral James Stavridis, who is now a Bloomberg opinion columnist, told Bloomberg Radio on Wednesday. “I think there’s about a one-in-four chance of a broader war in the Middle East that drags the US in. That’s uncomfortably high, but I’d still bet against a big sweeping war in the Middle East.” With assistance from Daniel Flatley, Katrina Manson, Dan Williams, Jenny Leonard and Iain Marlow /Bloomberg
By Yian Lee
AIWAN President Lai Ching-
te indicated in a speech that he would stand up to the challenges posed by China, comments likely to elicit a sharp response from Beijing.
While delivering his first National Day address on an overcast Thursday in Taipei, Lai said he’d “uphold the commitment to resist annexation or encroachment upon our sovereignty,” and added that China had no right to represent Taiwan. He reiterated that that neither side of the strait separating the two sides was “subordinate to each other.”
Lai used that line in his inaugural address in May, a speech Beijing criticized for sending “a dangerous signal of seeking independence.”
Lai’s latest comments are a sign that Taipei’s relationship with Beijing will very likely continue to be fraught with tensions. They also mean that the Taiwan issue will remain a key point of contention between China and the US, which backs Taipei militarily, economically and politically.
China has shown it deeply distrusts Lai because it worries he may
formalize Taiwan’s independence and has taken an array of measures to show its displeasure with him.
Shortly after Lai took office in May, it held major military drills around the main island, and last month it removed tariff exemptions on some farm products from Taiwan.
China has also stepped pressure on the offshore outposts that Taipei controls, and handed a nine-year prison
sentence to a Taiwanese political activist convicted of “separatism.” Beijing views Taiwan as part of its territory that must be brought under its control. It has said it prefers to do that peacefully but indicated that force will be used if necessary.
In his speech Thursday, Lai also said he was committed to “the status quo of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait”—comments likely aimed at easing any US concern the situation could spiral out of control on his watch.He also said he hoped to work with China on a range of issues, including climate change and combating infectious diseases. Lai also pledged to rein in the property market, saying he’s “deeply aware that what everyone cares about the most is the pressure of high housing prices.” Bloomberg
E-Tr ACC should exempt all exports, not just semiconductors–DTI
By Cai U. Ordinario @caiordinario
THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said exempting all exports, not just semiconductors, from the Electronic Tracking of Containerized Cargo (E-TRACC) would be beneficial.
The Philippines, which has been aiming to become an export powerhouse by 2028, saw a 2.3-percent increase in the value of its shipments in the January to August period.
DTI Export Marketing Bureau Director Bianca Pearl R. Sykimte recently told reporters that based on the records of the Bureau of Customs (BOC), there were no deviations in the tracking of the country’s exports, indicating that the E-TRACC was not necessary.
“So [I said] that actually builds a strong case [that] in our export sector, hindi siya kailangan [it is not needed]. [It could be] more restrictive than necessary to achieve the public policy objective. But we totally understand the concerns (why) we need to track,” Sykimte said.
“[Further, our] shipments are covered by contractual obligations to their buyers. So, we support Seipi [Semicon -
ductor and Electronics Industries in the Philippines Foundation Inc.], but we want it for the entire sector,” she also said.
Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed that the yearto-date annual total value of exports amounted to $49.41 billion.
This represented an annual increase of 2.3 percent from the year-to-date annual total export value of $48.31 billion in January to August 2023. In August 2024, export earnings growth was flat at 0.3 percent. Total sales of Philippine products shipped abroad reached $6.75 billion from the $6.73 billion posted in August last year.
In July 2024 and August 2023, the total export sales registered annual increases of 0.1 percent and 4.1 percent, respectively.
“The commodity group with the highest annual increment in the value of ex -
ports in August 2024 was other manufactured goods with $191.75 million,” the PSA said.
“This was followed by copper concentrates with an annual increase of $122.05 million; and machinery and transport equipment with an annual increment of $59.96 million,” it added.
The country's top export markets in August 2024 were led by the United States of America (USA) which amounted to $1.22 billion or a share of 18.1 percent to the country’s total exports in August 2024.
Completing the top five major export trading partners for this month with their export values and percent shares to the total exports were Hong Kong, which accounted for $942.56 million or 14 percent of the total; and Japan with $935.33 million or 13.9 percent of the total.
The list includes the People’s Republic of China which accounted for $849.38 million or 12.6 percent of the country’s export earnings; and the Republic of Korea worth $332.64 million or 4.9 percent of the total.
Earlier, Seipi sought the exemption of electronics exporters from the implementation of Electronic Tracking of Containerized Cargo (ETRACC) as this is expected to add around P1 million to P2 million a month to logistics cost, which could reduce competitiveness.
E-TRACC is a measure that enables the Bureau of Customs (BOC) to “generate real-time and accurate information and to monitor the movement and location of containers using tracking devices and linking it in real time with the electronic documentation system.”
According to Customs Memorandum Order (CMO) No. 04-2020, this shall cover the “inland movements of containerized goods using an Information and Communications Technology (ICT)-enabled system to protect the revenue due the government.”
Seipi President Danilo C. Lachica said this policy will entail additional cost to electronics exporters. (See: https:// businessmirror.com.ph/2024/08/05/ seipi-pushes-exemption-from-bocsict-system/).
TBy Ada Pelonia @adapelonia
HE Department of Agriculture (DA)
lowered the price of well-milled rice sold at Kadiwa ng Pangulo sites to P43 per kilo on the back of decreasing local retail prices.
In August, the DA launched the Rice-forAll program, which allowed local consumers to purchase cheaper well-milled rice at P45 per kilo in selected Kadiwa sites.
“Starting tomorrow, we will be selling P43 [well-milled rice] in our Rice-for-All program [...] This was lowered because the retail price of rice has started to decline,”
Agriculture Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa told reporters partly in Filipino during a press briefing on Thursday.
The prevailing price of imported wellmilled rice in selected Metro Manila markets was P48.5 per kilo, based on DA’s latest price monitoring report. The prevailing price of its local counterpart stood at P52 per kilo.
“The vision is to lower the price of this staple food under the Rice-for-All program to the most affordable level possible,” Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said in a statement.
“Rice sold under this program will be accessible to more consumers, thanks to our planned expansion of the Kadiwa network,” he added.
Meanwhile, De Mesa shared that 20 new Kadiwa ng Pangulo sites would open this
weekend across Metro Manila and Laguna.
“Our target is to have additional 169 sites [selling P29 and the Rice-for-All program] by yearend,” he said.
The expansion of Kadiwa ng Pangulo sites was bolstered by the recent tieup of the Agribusiness Marketing Assistance Service (AMAS) with several farmer and fisherfolk cooperatives.
AMAS is the DA’s marketing arm and the division in-charge of the Kadiwa ng Pangulo program
However, unlike existing Kadiwa stores that operate only two to three days a week, the DA said these new outlets will be open seven days a week.
DA Assistant Secretary Genevieve Velicaria-Guevarra said the department decided to launch the cooperative-led Kadiwa ng Pangulo stores to quickly spread the program's benefits to the most number of Filipinos.
“We also want our farmers and fisherfolk to get more value for their products, securing for them more income that will incentivize them to produce more,” she said.
“This partnership demonstrates the Filipino ‘bayanihan ’ spirit where the government and private sector collaborate, a tie-up that is crucial in the implementation of government programs.”
According to Guevarra, the agriculture chief’s instruction was to open Kadiwa ng Pangulo centers “in every town and city of the country” to relieve ordinary Filipino consumers of their financial burden.
Marcos Jr seeks ‘concerted, urgent’ effort vs China aggression in WPS
By Samuel P. Medenilla @sam_medenilla
VIENTIANE, Laos—President Ferdinand Marcos called for a “concerted and urgent effort” against China's escalating aggression in the West Philippine Sea during the ongoing Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Summit as the regional bloc seeks to upgrade its Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with one of its top trading partners. In his intervention during the 27th Asean-China Summit in Laos last Wednesday, the chief executive said “harassment and intimidation” suffered by Philippines ships from Chinese ships need a united response from Asean. “Such behavior is not unno -
ticed by our respective publics and the international community as well. That they will require a concerted and urgent effort to adopt measures to prevent their recurrence,” Marcos said.
COC passage H E reiterated his call for the swift resolution of the AseanChina Code of Conduct (COC), which remains pending since 2017. The document provides guidelines to prevent disputes in the South China Sea and promote maritime cooperation. The most recent of such harassment happened earlier this month when the Chinese Coast Guard fired its water cannons on ships of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).
“Parties must be earnestly
open to seriously managing the differences and to reduce tensions,” Marcos said. He also raised similar concerns during the 27th AseanJapan Summit in Laos. "The common problems in our region are increasingly transnational in nature. Unilateral actions in the East and in the South China Sea continue to undermine peace and stability in the region,” the President said. When sought for comment about his reported strongly worded statement during the 45th Asean Summit (Retreat) against an illegal action committed against a member of the regional bloc, Marcos declined to comment.
Editor: Jennifer A. Ng
Aboitiz, Yuchengco units to develop property in Tarlac
By VG Cabuag @villygc
Aboitiz infraCapital, the infrastructure arm of Aboitiz Equity Ventures inc. (AEV), and House of investments (Hi), the non-bank holding company of the Yuchengco Group of Companies, are teaming up for the possible joint development of an expanded economic estate in tarlac.
The company said this will be conducted through Tarlac Terra Ventures Inc.
Subject to finalization of the definitive agreement and corporate and regulatory approvals, this collaboration will expand AIC’s TARI Estate by incorporating the Yuchengco’s 184-hectare adjacent property into the estate’s ongoing development. This will add mixed-use components that will complement its industrial and business offerings.
Real estate company Tarlac Terra, owner of the 184-hectare property, is 100 percent owned by HI. Under the terms of the agreement,
SPNEC
By Lenie Lectura @llectura
SHI will hold a 51-percent stake, while AIC will maintain a 49-percent stake in the joint venture. Together, the two companies plan to develop and market the land for various mixed-use purposes, enhancing the overall ecosystem within the expanded TARI Estate. The project is aligned with AIC’s long-term vision of creating a smart and sustainable community hub in Central Luzon. Through this partnership, AIC and HI are set to boost the regional economy by creating jobs and attracting local and foreign investments, ultimately driving sustainable progress in the locality.
“This will be our first major venture into economic estates. We anticipate with pleasure the partnership with AIC, one of the leading industrial estate developers in the country. This joint venture will be an expansion of HI’s business interests into land development, diversifying our property portfolio. We aim to provide long term value through flexible, sustainable, and forward-thinking real estate solutions,” said Lorenzo Tan, HI president.
AIC’s TARI Estate, which broke ground last May, is poised to become a key economic driver in the region, with its initial 200-hectare development expected to generate 60,000 jobs. The integration of HI’s 184-hectare mixed-use property will complement TARI Estate’s industrial core, offering a broader range of opportunities for industrial, commercial and business activities within the property.
Last April, AEV said it is confident of posting growth this year following the integration of its past acquisitions.
The conglomerate said it is on track to raising the contribution of its non-power business to 50 percent of earnings before interest tax depre-
invests ₧6B in Terra Solar
P New Energy Corp. (SPNEC)
said Thursday its board has approved an additional subscription to Terra Solar Philippines Inc. (TSPI) shares for P6.033 billion.
“The additional subscription of SPNEC in TSPI is to support its application to the SEC [Securities and Exchange Commission] for the increase in authorized capital stock in preparation for the incoming investor and the future funding needed for the Terra Solar project, which include payments for engineering, procurement, and construction [EPC] contractors,” SPNEC President Emmanuel Rubio told reporters in an interview.
SPNEC is currently developing the “world’s largest solar project” valued at around P200 billion. The project will consist of 3,500-megawatt peak (MWp) of solar power plant and a 4,000-MW hour (MWh) battery energy storage system (BESS). It is expected to generate more than 5 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity per year. The first phase of the project is scheduled to be delivered by 2026, while Phase 2 is targeted for 2027.
Also, the board approved additional subscription to Terra Nueva Inc. (TNI) shares in the amount of P2,902,000,000. “Meanwhile the additional subscription in TNI is set aside for land and right-of-way acquisition, land conversion cost, among others,” added Rubio.
ciation and amortization (EBITDA) as it integrates the consumer loans business of lender Citibank to Union Bank of the Philippines, the operation of the Mactan International Airport and the Coca-Cola Bottlers Philippines Inc. (CCBPI).
The group acquired Citibank’s credit card business for P55 billion. It also bought Megawide Construction Corp. out of the Mactan-Cebu International Airport operation for P25 billion.
FLAG carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) announced Thursday the launch of a new domestic route—Cauayan, Isabela—starting January 15, 2025.
“We will welcome 2025 with our new Manila-Cauayan-Manila service, commencing on January 15th, 2025,” said PAL Express President Rabbi Vincent Ang in a statement.
The new PAL service will offer daily flights, utilizing 86-seater De Havilland Dash 8-400 Next Generation aircraft, with early afternoon departures from Manila’s NAIA Terminal 2 at 01:25 PM, and departures from Cauayan Airport at 3:25 PM.
“Philippine Airlines looks forward to serving the people of Isabela province with our daily flights as our latest investment in build -
ing connectivity between key cities in Luzon for the benefit of local tourism and economic growth,” added Ang.
The Cauayan-Manila flights seamlessly connect to a wider range of domestic and international destinations served by PAL from Manila. Last August, PAL 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. Lenie Lectura
Moreover, the board of directors of SPNEC were informed that for the 3,500 MWp and 4,500 MWh BESS project of Terra Solar, the project site will be owned by TNI, and TSPI and TNI will enter into a lease agreement covering the same. SPNEC is now controlled by MGreen, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Meralco Powergen Corp. (MGen), which in turn is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Meralco, whose largest shareholder is the Metro Pacific Investments Corp.
London-based investment house Actis signed last month an investment deal with SPNEC, which owns 60 percent of TSPI.
Actis has been chosen to be TSPI’s strategic partner, injecting $600 million into the partnership, representing a 40-percent equity in TSPI.
VCT: Mobile harbor cranes to boost operations
VISAYAS Container Terminal (VCT), the business unit of International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) in Iloilo, has put into service two new mobile harbor cranes (MHC) to enhance port operations.
“These new cranes, the largest and most modern in Panay Island, represent our commitment to pursue a culture of efficiency and advancement. The flexibility offered by these MHCs will allow us to deliver an immense improvement in service to our clients,” said ICTSI Executive Vice President Christian R. Gonzalez.
The Razon-led firm said each of the MHC has a reach of 46 meters and a lifting capacity of 100 tons. They will boost VCT’s ability to handle the increasing volume of containerized, bulk, general, and project cargo in the region. The new technology is also expected to streamline operations, leading to faster turnaround times for vessels and trucks, improved safety, and greater port efficiency.
The new MHCs are part of ICT-
SI’s ongoing modernization plan for VCT. Alongside the cranes, VCT has acquired new reach stackers, trailers, prime movers, and empty container handlers. The terminal is also expanding its bulk operations with additional bagging machines, clamshells, and mobile equipment. Additionally, VCT is building reefer stacks to meet the growing demand for refrigerated cargo.
ICTSI provided training for VCT personnel on crane operation and maintenance at its flagship Manila International Container Terminal (MICT) and at South Pacific International Container Terminal in Lae, Papua New Guinea. VCT is ICTSI’s first operation in Central Philippines. Last January, the Philippine Ports Authority granted ICTSI a 25-year concession to operate and develop the Iloilo port into a modern and efficient trade gateway. Last August, ICTSI reported that its profits surged by 34 percent to $420.55 million in the first half from $313.80 million the year prior due to
the robust performance of its portfolio of terminals globally.
The company’s revenue from port operations also recorded an increase of 13 percent to $1.32 billion, driven by higher ancillary services, favorable tariff adjustments, and a more favorable container mix at certain terminals.
ICTSI handled a consolidated volume of 6.31 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in January to June, marginally higher than the last year’s 6.28 million TEUs.
“We’ve delivered a strong first half performance, yet again demonstrating the strength of ICTSI’s diversified international portfolio and continued delivery of our strategic initiatives,” Enrique K. Razon Jr., ICTSI chairman and president, said.
The company’s capital expenditures for the first half of the year reached $185.72 million, primarily directed toward ongoing expansions in Mexico, Brazil, the Philippines, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Lenie Lectura
Banking&Finance
BIR raid reveals P8B tax liability in tobacco trade
By Reine Juvierre Alberto @reine_alberto
HE Bureau of Internal Rev -
Tenue (BIR) discovered 60 million pieces of illicit cigarettes with a total tax liability of P8.061 billion in a recent raid in Clark, Pampanga.
In a televised program on Thursday, Internal Revenue Commissioner Romeo D. Lumagui Jr. said the BIR conducted a raid on four manufacturers who claimed they were exporting and manufacturing cigarettes.
Aside from the cigarettes, Lumagui said BIR personnel also found around 65 unregistered machines used for cigarette manufacturing.
“Isa ito sa malalaking nahuli natin sa recent raids na ginawa natin [This is one of the biggest seizures we’ve had in our recent raids],” the BIR chief added. Lumagui said companies who intend to manufacture cigarettes must first register their machines and the cigarette brands they will produce. If the cigarettes will be sold locally, excise taxes must also be paid to the government, he added.
According to the BIR, the manufacturers violated Sections 263, 265-B and 260 of the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC), which all specify legitimate acts in the
manufacture and sale of cigarettes.
The manufacturers allegedly also violated Sections 145, 236, 255 and 254 of the NIRC, which all refer to registration and tax payment for cigars and cigarettes.
Lumagui said the manufacturers face fines that can reach up to P50 million and imprisonment of up to 20 years for just one offense. This is in addition to the P8-billion tax liability manufacturers must pay.
The BIR chief said the raids agency personnel undertake protects tobacco farmers against the illicit tobacco trade, enhance generation of government revenues and support vital healthcare services.
Excise tax collections from tobacco products will be allocated to universal healthcare and farmers producing burley and native and Virginia tobacco, Lumagui explained.
The government is short in its collection of excise taxes, generating only P167.480 billion out of the P194.839 billion target for the January to July 2024 period.
“Aside from collecting taxes, this is a big help to our people, which is why we are closely monitoring these raids to ensure that legitimate businesses are protected, and that everyone involved is paying the correct taxes,” Lumagui added in Filipino.
Remote work, e-commerce imperil banks, Amro says
By Cai U. Ordinario @caiordinario
THE shift to remote work and electronic commerce has placed banks at risk, particularly those who have a lot of exposure to corporate real estate loans, according to the Asean-Plus Three Macroeconomic Research Office (Amro).
In a virtual briefing on Thursday, Amro Group Head and Lead Economist Kevin C. Cheng said the work from home arrangements that have continued post-lockdowns has created a structural shift in the real estate market.
“This poses risk for banks with large exposure to CRE (corporate real estate), particularly regional banks. Indeed, over the past few months, some banks have reported losses on their CRE exposures, adding to concerns of financial distress,” Cheng said.
He also noted that property companies in the region have seen a
Why foresight matters to associations
HOW often are you able to devote time to thinking about the long-term future of your association? Have you considered how your association’s situation could change as society changes, the economy adapts, and technological advances provide organizations with new ways of doing business?
These questions were in the August 2017 research brief of the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) Foundation titled “Why Associations Need Foresight.”
Authored by Marsha Rhea, CAE, the research was part of the ASAE ForesightWorks initiative launched in 2016 with guidance from the ASAE Foundation’s Research Committee.
I have been following this research on foresight and had the opportunity to meet Jeff De Cagna, executive advisor for Foresight First LLC based in Reston, Virginia, USA. Jeff is a leading voice in the association sector, known for his advocacy on foresight as a critical discipline for modern leadership. In 2019, he was named the 32nd recipient of ASAE’s Academy of Leaders Award,
MASTERCARD Inc. and Citigroup Inc. are collaborating to facilitate aroundthe-clock, cross-border payments with debit cards, giving consumers and companies another way to conduct business worldwide.
Citigroup is the first global bank to use the service, known as “Mastercard Move,” which will allow users to make transactions such as insurance payouts, airline refunds and e-commerce payments, the companies said Thurs -
the association’s highest individual honor given to consultants or industry partners in recognition of their support to ASAE and the association community.
Jeff discussed foresight at length in the Philippine Council of Associations and Association Executives’ (PCAAE) recent live webinar, “Building a Consistent Practice of Foresight.” Below are the highlights: 1. Association boards have a duty of foresight. They face increasing pressure, not only to manage the present, but also prepare their organizations for the future. This responsibility, known as the “duty of foresight,” is emerging as a critical component of effective governance. Traditionally, boards focus on fiduciary and strategic duties, ensuring the organization’s financial health
day in a statement. The partnership will “enable our clients to make cross-border payments as though there are no borders, no currencies, no constraints,” Debopama Sen, head of payments for Citi’s Treasury & Trade Solutions business, said in the statement.
Facilitating such transactions is a significant growth opportunity for both Mastercard and larger rival Visa Inc. as commerce continues to become increasingly global. Mastercard
and overseeing its current strategy. The duty of foresight expands this role, requiring boards to anticipate future trends, disruptions, and opportunities that could impact their associations.
2. Foresight is an intentional process of learning with the future. The “duty” of foresight requires association boards to stand up for their successors’ futures through intentional learning, short-term sacrifice, and long-term action. The “work” of foresight is the actual learning with the future in the form of environmental scanning, scenario planning, and trend analysis, among others. The “practice” of foresight is created through repeated work to build performance and deepen impact.
3. Navigating the “BANI” world. Association boards are human systems responsible for stewarding human systems into the future in today’s BANI (Brittle, Anxious, Non-linear and Incomprehensible) world. Association boards will face more upheavals and risks and will have to make more tough
decline in traditional metrics such as profitability, debt servicing, and others. This has been observed in the US market as well as in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) region.
“The big picture is that financial conditions based on the metrics of profitability, liquidity, debt servicing, ratio, capacity, refinancing risk and leverage have significantly worsened in the past few years in the region compared with the prepandemic levels,” Cheng said. He also noted that while nonperforming or bad loans across the region have remained low, the qual-
ity of these loans are deteriorating, particularly with regard to loans for the property sector.
The Amro said the deteriorating loan quality alongside rising inflation raise additional concerns as weakened demand and tighter financial conditions in several economies have severely impacted the financial health of property developers.
“It’s important to ensure that financially stable property companies do not default due to credit shortages caused by adverse market reaction. This can be achieved by improving access for credit for some firms, providing guaranteed viable projects, and easing debt burdens to still measures such as extending poor maturities,”
Cheng said.
According to the Amro, AseanPlus Three economies should remain vigilant in the near term against the risks of a resurgence of inflation, escalating geopolitical tensions and a global growth slowdown.
Critical measures include strengthening cross-border surveillance and data sharing, conducting regional stress testing, enhancing home-host supervision, and strengthening the regional financial safety net.
Measures to stabilize the property sector should be implemented to prevent fundamentally sound companies from defaulting due to tight credit conditions driven by a worsening market, while enhancing the soundness of financial institutions with significant exposure, especially smaller banks and nonbank financial intermediaries.
To strengthen resilience against external shocks in a dollar-dependent environment, Amro said the Asean-Plus Three economies should reinforce their economic and financial fundamentals, enhance surveillance frameworks for monitoring US dollar liquidity, fortify macroprudential measures for banks and unsupervised and unlicensed financial institutions, and provide financing support to member economies experiencing US-dollar liquidity stresses.
Further, Amro said reducing structural reliance on the US dollar in the medium- to long-term by promoting the use of local currencies and developing cross-currency payment systems should be a key priority. The Asean-Plus Three consists of ten Asean Member-States, China, Japan and the Republic of Korea.
from experiences, entertainment to transportation, and more,” the company’s October 10 statement read.
“Our first ten years have focused
also has a relationship with China’s Alipay that it expanded earlier this year, giving consumers the option of receiving money in their digital wallets. Visa also has a partnership with Western Union Co. where customers can send money to eligible Visa cards and bank accounts in more than 40 countries.
Citigroup, too, has recognized this shift, similarly enabling crossborder payments to digital wallets and other endpoints. This debit card offering will be available to Citigroup
on building a global platform that not only enables unforgettable experiences but also supports the local communities we work with,” Klook CEO and Co-Founder Ethan Lin was quoted in the statement as saying.
“With over 80 percent of our partners being small and medium businesses, we are committed to creating real economic opportunities for these communities, which are the backbone of local tourism, to ensure a more resilient and sustainable fu-
decisions over the rest of this decade and beyond.
4. Next practices to consider. Association boards need to: (a) craft its governing intent to choose the duty of foresight and focus on its stewardship work; (b) develop guiding principles of action to provide a common decision-making frame for the board and executive staff; (c) focus attention on the foresight horizon, i.e., the always shifting 84 months beyond strategy; (d) organize and orchestrate foresight networks that include a variety of contributors from inside and outside the organization; and, (e) conduct foresight fidelity deep-dive sessions that focus board and staff’s attention on critical long-term issues and questions.
Octavio Peralta is founder and volunteer CEO of the Philippine Council of Associations and Association Executives (PCAAE), the “association of associations.” The PCAAE and SustainablePH will hold a joint summit on sustainability at the PICC on November 27, 2024. The views he expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of the BusinessMirror E-mail: bobby@pcaae.org.
customers in 65 countries to originate the payments, according to the statement.
What makes this method of money movement ideal for some transactions is the nearly real-time nature of it, ranging from seconds to minutes, Alan Marquard, Mastercard’s head of transfer solutions, said in an interview.
“They want on-demand payments that can be received quickly and then easily re-spent,” he said. Bloomberg News
ture for tourism in Asia.”
Responsible travel ACCORDING to Klook, it is leveraging its scale to make a lasting positive impact on the environment and local communities, including those in the Philippines. As a newly inducted member of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council, Klook will be promoting sustainable practices across the experience sector, the company added.
By Claudeth S. Mocon-Ciriaco @claudethmc3
MAKATI City Mar-len Abigail
“Abby” S. Binay cited the honors received by the local government unit (LGU) from a unit of the Department of Finance (DOF) is credited to the support by businesses operating in the country’s top-class financial hub.
“For the past eight years, Makati’s sustainable and strong local economy has made it possible for the city government to undertake game-changing innovations that have made our services and programs better and more conveniently accessible to residents and other stakeholders,” Binay said after receiving seven awards from the DOF’s Bureau of Local Government Finance (DOFBLGF) last Wednesday.
The DOF-BLGF recognized Makati City as topping seven categories after recording the highest ratio of local source revenues to total current operating income for fiscal years 2022 and 2023.
The Makati LGU also posted the highest total current operating expenditure per capita among cities for two straight years. It was also awarded as Top 2 among cities for local source revenues for the two-year period and Top 2 among highly-urbanized cities for yearon-year growth in local source revenues for fiscal year 2023.
BLGF reports show that the ratio of local source revenues to total current operating income of Makati City reached 86.84 percent in 2022 and 90.60 percent in 2023. The high ratio indicates the city’s high level of independence from external sources, such as the national tax allotment and shares from Philippine Economic Zone Authority and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.
Makati City has also recorded the highest total current operating expen-
“As we celebrate 10 years, our commitment to making travel a force for good is stronger than ever,” Klook President and Co-Founder Eric Gnock Fah was quoted in the statement as saying. “We are introducing new initiatives that can shape a more inclusive, responsible, and sustainable future for tourism. Looking ahead, our focus is on fostering deeper connections between travelers and local communities, preserving cultural heritage, and empowering
diture per capita among all cities, with P24,050 in 2022 and P23,995 in 2023. In the latest report of City Treasurer Jesusa E. Cuneta, the LGU has surpassed its revenue target for the year as of end-August. Total revenue collection reached P18.8 billion, or 102 percent, of the P18.4-billion target, Cuneta’s report shows.
The report also shows business tax as the highest revenue source with P10.22 billion followed by real property tax with P6.19 billion. From other local sources, the city collected P748.82 million from fees and charges, P310.12 million from economic enterprises and P411.75 million from interest income. The remainder of the total collection includes P670.76 million from national tax allotment, P248.13 million from share from PEZA, and P4.22 million from share from PCSO. As of end-September, the city government has approved the registration of 3,900 new businesses this year, which have a combined capital investment worth P31.87 billion. A total of 34,771 business establishments have renewed their permits during the same period, registering gross sales of P1.87 trillion.
“We gratefully acknowledge the unwavering support of the city’s business community, residents and other stakeholders. Your trust and cooperation have been indispensable to the sustained robust economic growth of the city, paving the way to better services and benefits for all stakeholders,” Binay said. She added that the accolades the LGU received “are testaments to the persistent efforts of the city government to expand our revenue base through reforms and smart innovations that promote efficiency and transparency in our revenue collection and processing of business permits and licenses.”
the many people whose livelihoods depend on tourism.” According to the company, these new initiatives include adopting a new standard for eco-friendly travel by partnering with businesses that prioritize sustainable practices, a program to improve animal welfare at elephant sanctuaries, and thousands of complimentary local tours led by experts to spotlight cultural heritage and support small businesses in the tourism ecosystem.
Octavio Peralta
Association World
LOW-COST carrier Cebu Pacific celebrated its recently signed US$24-billion (P1.4 trillion) agreement with European aircraft manufacturer Airbus to purchase 152 newgeneration, fuel-efficient aircraft, in a gala last week at the sparkling Marriott Hotel Grand Ballroom.
The event, titled Future Skies for Every Juan, was attended by tons of VIPs led by First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos along with cabinet secretaries, business leaders and members of the diplomatic corps, as well as, a host of government and private sector executives involved in aviation—many of them dressed in the required formal Filipiniana outfits.
In his speech, CEB chairman Lance Gokongwei noted that what started as a dream of his father, JG Summit Holdings founder John Gokongwei Jr., became a “journey filled with countless lessons, years of study, invaluable experiences, and a few stumbles along the way. I must admit, I never imagined we would achieve what we have today.... It takes a dedicated team all moving together towards a singular purpose, and here we stand as the largest Philippine air carrier, having made the largest aircraft purchase in Philippine history.”
He then led the First Lady and other special guests to the stage to help “power up” CEB’s fleet expansion. It was a clever trick, where each person pressed a huge yellow button, that corresponded to each stage of “building” an onscreen plane. For the final step, they pressed their respective buttons at the same time, which made the “completed” taxi, then fly off to the blue sky.
Among the button pressers were Transportation Secretary Jaime Jimmy” J. Bautista, Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco, CEB CEO Michael Szucks; Rick Duerloo, president of commercial engines at Pratt & Whitney (P&W), which will be supplying its GTF engines for the CEB order; and Airbus executive vice president for sales of commercial aircraft business Benoit de SaintExupéry. (If that last name sounds familiar, then, yes, he is the “last remaining relative” of The Little Prince author Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. Of course, Carmina Romero, CEB director for corporate communications, made sure she got Saint-Exupéry to sign her book!)
After the formalities, I found Sec. Jimmy and
jokingly asked if he was misty-eyed over the CEB move since it was just two decades ago that he, as president of Philippine Airlines, had announced a similar historic feat. (In 1997, PAL made the largest plane order in the country’s history, buying 33 new planes for $3 billion.) To which Sec. Jimmy laughed, confirming the deja vu moment (“Oo nga. Kami ’yun dati.”). But he was clearly pleased with CEB, congratulating it for the “milestone” which elevated it to the “league of major carriers” in the world.
I later bumped into New Naia Infrastructure Corp. (NNIC) general manager Angelito Alvarez, aka the scourge of overnight parkers at Naia. Two weeks ago, NNIC raised the overnight parking rate to P1,200, which sparked an outcry on social media since the old rate was just P300. (Seriously, who would be stupid enough to park at Naia for 3 to 5 days while away on travel, when they can just leave their car safely at home, and just take a taxi or Grab going to and coming home from the airport?)
Well, GM Lito told me that the overnight parkers were not even passengers traveling through Naia but “people playing at the [nearby] casinos.” Hay naku! It was a great move, by the way. The impact was immediate. One Aldryan dela Vega posted on social media his photo of empty parking spaces, saying in Filipino: “We parked at Naia Terminal 3 on September 29. We went around and around for 10 minutes to find a parking space. When we returned on October 2, this is now the scenario. You’ll get bored choosing a parking slot.” Others have shared similar experiences online. (The new Naia parking rates can be found at tinyurl.com/3rpy4kk8 ) I was especially glad to see former Manila International Airport Authority GM Cesar Chiong, who is now consulting for the San Miguel-led NNIC which took over Naia management on September 14. The Naia syndicates may have successfully “assassinated” him out of a job last year through the Ombudsman, but the latter’s order for dismissal was
reversed by the Court of Appeals in March. So, guess who’s baaaack?!
I almost didn’t recognize PAGSS’ Jeffrey Cheng, who I met more than 10 years ago, when he was in business with Fraport AG in a consortium that built the Naia 3. I teased that he was looking much “wealthier” but reminded him that when we last spoke, he swore off joining another government project. Back then, the Macapagal-Arroyo administration was forcibly taking over the terminal. He laughed and said that he was sticking to it and was “just supporting the Boss,” then looking to Sec. Jimmy who was listening in on our conversation. (In fact, Cheng did submit a bid for the Naia privatization, and PAGSS is currently part of the consortium operating Clark International Airport.)
Four days after the gala, CEB announced it was buying the Ayala Group’s AirSWIFT for P1.75 billion. Wow! The purchase boosts CEB’s turboprop fleet and improves its hold on local tourist destinations. Last time I flew AirSWIFT, I went to Sicogon Island, a breathtaking refuge from the chaos of Manila, in good old Iloilo. CEB said it will continue to fly AirSWIFT’s routes from Manila and Clark to El Nido, and on to Cebu, Boracay, Coron and Bohol.
As CEB President Alexander Yao said during their gala, “We must prioritize the growth of our tourism sector. It’s not just about the well-known attractions; we want to inspire exploration beyond the ordinary. Imagine travelers uncovering hidden treasures across our stunning islands, immersing themselves in diverse cultures, and supporting local businesses. By encouraging people to venture out and explore, we can weave a vibrant tapestry of experiences that highlight the best of our nation....”
In short, CEB is not just moving people to their business and vacation destinations but is also helping spread economic development in the country. And that’s a very good thing. Congratulations, CEB, for this back-to-back coup. ■
don’t channel your energy into something to ensure progress. Don’t leave yourself open for criticism; focus on what you want, and don’t stop until you are satisfied with the results. Get your facts straight. ★★★★
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Put
GEMINI
unexpected change with optimism. A positive attitude will eliminate unnecessary conflict with someone who doesn’t share your concerns. Be ready to articulate your intentions, including facts and figures, and you’ll gain acceptance. ★★★★★
CANCER (June 21-July 22): Concentrate on satisfying physical or creative jobs. The busier you are, the less time you’ll have to let the little things bother you. Don’t address issues with someone who doesn’t share your opinion or values. Put your time and effort where it counts, and you’ll dodge an argument. ★★★
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Question everything and everyone. Getting the facts first will help you avoid a misunderstanding. Refrain from letting a change someone makes point you in the wrong direction. Concentrate on home, family and opportunities directly linked to your goals and objectives. ★★★
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Reconnect with a long-lost friend, visit a hangout, see who’s there and close doors that have run their course. Reminiscing will satisfy the soul and help you revisit dreams you grudgingly abandoned. The time is ripe to expand your repertoire and to invest time in yourself and your long-term goals. ★★★★★
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Do your best to sidestep disagreements and set boundaries regarding domestic issues and associations with people you deal with daily. Concentrate on what’s possible and implement opportunities that allow you to put your unique spin on whatever project you pursue. ★★
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): A day trip, getting together with people who share your interests or delving into something you are thirsty to learn will be satisfying and encourage you to spend more time doing things that make you happy. Personal gain is favored. Romance will prompt a positive lifestyle change. ★★★★
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Avoid broadcasting your every move. Keeping your whereabouts and intentions a secret will make it easier to achieve your goals, and you’ll have a much more significant influence on others when you are ready to share what you accomplish. A financial or personal gain is heading your way. ★★★
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Put more time and effort into investments, how you earn and handle your cash, and taking care of unfinished business. Actions will take precedence over words. Refrain from making empty promises or partnering with untrustworthy or unreliable people.
FROM left: France’s Economic Chancellor Alain Fontanel, Airbus EVP Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, France’s Ambassador to Manila Marie Fontanel, CEB chairman Lance Y. Gokongwei, and Marina Pfaffernoschke with Germany’s Ambassador to Manila Dr. Andreas Michael Pfaffernoschke. PHOTOS FROM CEBU PACIFIC
FROM left: Airbus EVP Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, DOTr Sec. Jaime J. Bautista, DOT Sec. Christina G. Frasco, First Lady Louise AranetaMarcos, CEB chairman Lance Y. Gokongwei, CEB CEO Michael Szucs, and Pratt & Whitney president Rick Deurloo.
Show
Alfonso Cuarón and Cate Blanchett made a television series. ‘Disclaimer’ is already a triumph
WRONG GIRL
THE character actress has been in showbiz for quite a while and while she is not household name, she is quite popular and gets a steady stream of jobs. She was recently spotted in one frame with an actor who’s separated from his wife and everyone concluded that she must have cause their split. What she could not say publicly was that she isn’t single and fancy-free. The character actress has kids, which she has never admitted publicly. There is no reason why she’d be involved with a married man. She and the actor are not even friends. They just live in the same village.
BAD TASTE IN MEN
THE influencer is notorious not just for her past misdeeds but for her taste in men. Her boyfriend is someone who is allegedly involved with selling drugs to celebrities and famous people. On paper, the influencer’s boyfriend is a businessman but in real life, his real business is selling drugs online. He has also been involved in many unsavory business deals. The influencer knows this but she is enjoying his money too much to even care. Besides there are rumors that she also uses drugs recreationally.
OLD BUT DEADLY
THE actor may be old but he certainly is very attractive. He is also married but that hasn’t stopped him from being with other women. He is rumored to have had affairs with the country’s most beautiful starlets. One of them is a lovely girl who is now married and has a child. Yet another rumored fling was with a starlet who recently split from her politician boyfriend. Another former fling was a very young starlet whose career has since picked up. If there is one thing they all have in common, it’s that they are quite young.
STREET SMART ACTRESS
HOW true is the rumor that this beautiful actress has been spotted kissing that other man and this most probably confirms the rumor that she and her longtime are no longer together. There are reportedly pictures of her kissing the guy, who pulled some strings to not have them published. The actress is known to be someone who uses her looks to get ahead. She isn’t very talented nor intelligent but she is street smart and she knows how to get what she wants.
‘JULIE X STELL: ANG ATING TINIG’ AIRS ON GMA NETWORK ON OCT. 11
MULTI-HYPHENATE GMA star Julie Anne San Jose and P-pop exponent Stell of SB19 are ready to take music lovers on an ultimate sound trip on national television as their two-day sold-out concert, dubbed Julie X Stell: Ang Ating Tinig, airs on GMA Network tonight, at 9:30 pm. Held on July 27 and 28 at the New Frontier Theater, Julie X Stell: Ang Ating Tinig showcased the talents of two of this generation’s popular artists, drawing thousands of fans and OPM lovers to a jam-packed venue.
As their concert airs on television, Julie and Stell invite viewers to join them in their journey—from their childhood crushes and first heartbreaks, to the highs and lows of life— all while celebrating OPM. In addition is a solo performance of the multi-talented artist, SB19’s Pablo.
“As always, we hear your clamor. Those who missed the concert and those who still cannot get over it will be able to watch Julie X Stell: Ang Ating Tinig on TV. This collab concert, made possible by GMA Synergy, GMA Entertainment Group, and 1Z Entertainment, is an event that Filipinos from various parts of the country and even abroad would not want to miss,” says SVP and head of GMA Integrated News, Regional TV, and Synergy Oliver Victor B. Amoroso.
“The real success of the concert was seeing the audience go on a journey with Julie and Stell. We all traveled back in time as Julie and Stell shared pivotal moments in life and in love. We all poured our hearts out as we sang along to the OPM hits that became our theme songs,” shares consultant for GMA Entertainment Group Darling de Jesus-Bodegon.
Directed by multi-awarded concert director Paolo Valenciano
VBy Lindsey Bahr TheAssociated Press
ENICE, Italy—Disclaimer pulls the rug out from the audience before they’ve had the chance to get settled.
There’s no building of empathy for its central character, Cate Blanchett’s Catherine Ravenscroft. There’s no luxuriating in her banal every day, at work or in her plush London home with her snobbish husband (Sacha Baron Cohen) and directionless, resentful adult son (Kodi Smit-McPhee).
All we know at the beginning of the seven-part series, which begins rolling out on Apple TV+ on Friday, is that she’s an acclaimed documentary filmmaker who is being feted by Christiane Amanpour.
But almost immediately her life starts to spiral when she receives an anonymous, self-published book about a young mother on vacation in Italy with her toddler son that’s shockingly familiar. The woman in the book meets a young man who later drowns while trying to save her son. When the police question her, she denies knowing him and returns to London. It’s a memory that Catherine has long kept buried and secret but has now emerged in spectacularly embarrassing, reputation-destroying fashion along with a batch of intimate, provocative photos that the young man, Jonathan (Louis Partridge) took the night before.
Disclaimer throws you into the fire. And like everyone else in the show, from strangers reading the book to Catherine’s husband, you start making assumptions about and judging her. Not even Blanchett was immune reading the script. She wondered: Is this woman awful?
“I was shocked at the layers of judgment that I transposed on the character,” Blanchett said. “The challenge and agony of playing a character like this is that the crisis happens as soon as you meet her. We know nothing about her, only what people are saying about her.”
Told in seven chapters, the psychological thriller comes from Oscar-winning director Alfonso Cuarón who read Renée Knight’s book before he’d even made Roma The filmmaker had never dabbled in longform before, but soon realized while writing the script that it was the only way to tell it in a satisfying way. Instead of getting hung up on the ins-and-outs of making a television show, he decided he would just do it his way: Like a film, or, rather, seven films. After all, Rainer Werner Fassbinder, David Lynch and Krzysztof Kieślowski had done it too.
Cuarón had written Catherine with only Blanchett in mind, an actor he knew had the incredible range and sophistication required by the role. He teased that he was also jealous of his friends Alejandro Iñárritu and Guillermo del Toro, who had already had the privilege of directing (and raving about) her. What he didn’t expect, and was pleasantly surprised about, was her complete and total commitment as a producer, even as the shoot stretched on to nearly a year.
“I enjoy collaboration,” Blanchett said. “I’m interested in the whole thing. And I think you have to know when you are going to be useful and when you need to just sit back and be quiet.”
Sometimes, Cuarón said, he’d be on board with her suggestions. Other times he chose a different path and
usually regretted it. But they consulted on everything from the smallest details (like prop placement) to the biggest, including the script and casting Kevin Kline as Stephen Brigstocke, the father of the young man Catherine met so many years ago. He’s recently lost his wife, too, has retired from his job and has nothing but time to stew about how his happy life became so tragic. Revenge is on his mind.
The series plays with form and storytelling, with flashbacks, different perspectives, timelines and narrators dolling out information. Amanpour at the outset, in what is meant to be complimentary to Catherine, frames the whole thing aptly: “Beware of narrative and form. Their power can bring us closer to the truth, but they can also be a weapon with a great power to manipulate.”
In that spirit, Cuarón’s longtime cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki even suggested bringing in another director of photography, Bruno Delbonnel, to add a different visual element as well. Don’t worry if that sounds like you need a film degree to recognize or appreciate the distinction between a Lubezki or a Delbonnel shot.
“It’s not about noticing,” Cuarón said. “It’s about the experience and following different narratives. We try to approach each one of these narratives with a different language.”
Disclaimer debuted like a film too, at the Venice Film Festival last month. Though the festival often hosts auteur-driven series alongside the feature films, they’re not often discussed in the same breath as the competition slate of Oscar hopefuls. Disclaimer hit differently, though.
In a lineup that had all forms of ambitious cinematic fare from modern masters, some were even calling the show “the best film of the festival.”
Audiences were shown episodes one through four one day, and the final three on the next.
While Cuarón welcomes viewers to manage their own viewing schedule, whether it’s as they drop on Apple TV+ (two episodes on October 11, two on October 18, and one every Friday following) waiting to watch in two batches, divided up as they were in Venice, isn’t a bad idea either. The main thing, Blanchett and Cuarón agree, is that attention is key.
Also, it’s something you might find yourself wanting to watch again after the finale airs on November 8.
“Something we talked about was the hope that people went back and watched it again and have an entirely different perspective on things that we take for granted,” Blanchett said.
Cuarón went a step further: “A second view should give you a completely different reading than the first view.” n
Benilde Music students steal limelight in int’l competition in Singapore
THE 2024 Music Singapore International Competition, an annual championship of young artists from across the world, recognized the exceptional skills, creativity, and flair of budding musicians.
Founded in 2020 by seasoned educator Vivian Gao, the premier platform aims to uncover and develop talents by providing them with accessible avenues to showcase their interpretative aptitude and emotional resonance.
With partnerships from industry leaders Henle Verlag Music Publishing House, Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM), and Asia Music Bookstore, the host links participants with highprofile individuals in the global music scene.
For its fourth iteration, the Music Singapore International Competition 2024 expanded its reach from just violin and piano, to likewise accommodate entrants in voice, pop and jazz, ensemble, and choir categories in independent virtual and physical formats.
Filipino protégé Kyla Nicole Lim nabbed the First Prize in the first-ever Voice Solo Category for young adults aged 18 to 24.
She performed “Think of Me” from The Phantom of the Opera Musical by English composer and impresario
Andrew Lloyd Weber and “I Have Nothing” by American songwriter Linda Thompson and Canadian record producer David Foster.
The distinction earned her a well-deserved spot at the closing Gala Concert, wherein she staged her winning pieces. Other performances included the highly anticipated numbers of Csardas by Vittorio Monti by Korean violinist Barienne Moon with guest pianist Dr. Hwi Hwang, Franz Liszt-Hungarian Rhapsody No.14 by Hungarian pianist Gergely Kovacs.
Fellow Filipina Maria Jasmin Panizales secured Second Prize in the same division.
She exemplified her virtuosity in a rendition of “With You” from the musical Ghost by English musician and songwriter Dave Stewart, American lyricist Glen Ballard, and American screenwriter Bruce Joel Rubin.
She likewise showcased her artistic expression in a presentation of “Hymne a l’amour,” a classic by French songwriter and composer Marguerite Monnot and French singer Edith Piaf. Lim and Panizales, both students from the Music Production Program of the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) School of Arts, Culture, and Performance, underwent rigorous training under the guidance and encouragement of vocal music teacher
and applied music mentor Ghira Casille.
Choir conductor, organist, and Benilde Music Production Program chairman Patrick Frias extended his support as their pianist throughout the competition.
Frias stated that the competition created invaluable opportunities for the personal and professional growth of Lim and Panizales.
“This experience was instrumental in building their confidence, enhancing their creative visibility, and fostering connections with peers and mentors from various backgrounds,” he stated.
The entries, which ran for eight minutes each, were scored based on mastery of voice and skills, intonation, expressiveness, and overall performance.
The jury was comprised of Wu Jie, Singapore Yunye Music president, Singapore Musicians Association vice president, and Composers Association director; Gayane Vardanyan, who served as an artist of the chorus and soloist at the Armenian National Opera and Ballet Theatre, and illustrator vocalist at the Yerevan State Conservatory of Armenia piano department; and Susanna Saw, Malaysian Choral Eisteddfod (MCE) founder and director and University of Malaya and the Malaysian Institute of Art music lecturer and choir director.
DIRECTOR Alfonso Cuarón (left) and Cate Blanchett pose for portraits to promote the Apple TV series
Disclaimer during the 81st edition of the Venice Film Festival in Venice, Italy on August 30, 2024. AP
Jollibee Group bags 2 ESGBusiness Awards for Farmer Entrepreneurship Program
THE Farmer Entrepreneurship Program (FEP), a joint initiative by Jollibee Group and the Jollibee Group Foundation, Inc. (JGF), received two awards at the ESGBusiness Awards 2024 for its impactful contributions to the livelihoods of smallholder farmers in the Philippines.
FEP won the “Entrepreneurship Development Programme Award,” recognizing its commitment to supporting aspiring entrepreneurs and cultivating an entrepreneurial ecosystem. It also secured the “Social Welfare Award” for ensuring the well-being and basic needs of vulnerable populations, protecting them against risks and hardships, and promoting social and economic stability. This marks the first time the Jollibee Group Foundation (JGF) has been recognized by ESGBusiness, underscoring its dedication to sustainability and fostering equitable futures.
“We extend our gratitude to the ESGBusiness for recognizing our initiatives to empowering smallholder farmers in our country,” said Pepot Miñana Jr., Chief Sustainability and Public Affairs Officer at Jollibee Group. “We believe that the farming sector plays a huge role in achieving food security. Yet, they continue to face significant challenges due to various limitations such as lack of access to resources and sure markets. With FEP, our goal is to help them overcome those barriers by equipping them with skills and knowledge to become effective agro-entrepreneurs.”
The ESGBusiness Awards is an esteemed regional awards program that celebrates companies that lead sustainable development, showcasing those actively making a positive impact through social responsibility.
FEP is an agro-entrepreneurial and leadership program that aims to educate smallholder farmers on innovative
farming technologies and entrepreneurship so they can adopt sustainable farming methods, increase their productivity, and gain higher incomes.
With FEP’s support, Filipino smallholder farmers have achieved income stability, repaid loans, accessed better financial services, built their own homes, and funded their children’s tertiary education, and inspired more youth and women to pursue farming.
Jollibee Group acknowledges the farmers’ key role in having a resilient supply chain. As the most fundamental partners of the Jollibee Group in achieving its mission of providing a joyful dining experience to its customers, the local smallholder farmers clustered from 16 localities in the country directly provide white onions, green bell peppers, tomatoes, and other vegetables to Jollibee, Mang Inasal, Chowking, and Greenwich branches that ensure exceptional quality and flavor.
This year, Jollibee Group and JGF aim to increase the volume of vegetables supplied to enhance support and opportunities for FEP farmers. In 2023, FEP farmers delivered 1.37 million kilos of vegetables to the Jollibee Group, meeting 24 percent of the Group’s onion requirements.
JGF President Gisela Tiongson noted the Program’s significance: “The FEP farmers have been our longtime partners in ensuring that we fulfill our mission of
bringing the joy of eating to our customers by sourcing fresh and quality ingredients directly from them. This has been especially helpful for the company in improving supply resiliency and cost efficiency. Still, for the farmers, this means an improved and consistent income that could help uplift their livelihood, scale their business, and obtain access to better financial services.”
To date, FEP has accredited 30 farmer groups, comprising 1,400 farmers. Collectively, these farmers have supplied 11 million kilos of fresh vegetables to Jollibee, generating sales of P500 million.
In order to help more farmers learn the AECA approach, JGF and Xavier University launched in 2021 the Agro-Enterprise for Inclusive Value Chain (AEIVC) course. To date, more than 500 national and local government personnel and cooperative managers have completed the course and cascaded the concepts to the thousands of farmers they assist.
Given the Philippines’ vulnerability to natural disasters, FEP includes the Farmer Livelihood Recovery Program, which offers seedlings and fertilizers to farmers affected by typhoons and strengthens their resilience by enabling quicker recovery.
Through initiatives like FEP, Jollibee Group and JGF continue to demonstrate their commitment to supporting smallholder farmers, reinforcing both economic stability and sustainable supply chains.
AS the one-stop-shop for top watch brands in the Philippines, Watch Republic believes that timepieces reflect life and lifestyles. Their curated selection of watches embodies the #WatchRepublic vision to make timepieces affordable gateways to self-expression–offering quality watches that speak to various lifestyles and empower individuals in every moment whether working, playing, or indulging in life’s luxuries.
Watch Republic’s “Life Beyond the Clock” is a watch fair event from September 27 to 29, 2024 at OneAyala Malls, setting off the alarm for upcoming FallWinter 2024 Collections with interactive activities, raffles, free drinks, and exclusive discounts. The event is an invitation to look beyond the ticking of the clock and to make the most of every moment, a reiteration of their brand philosophy: Work. Play. Indulge.
#LifeBeyondtheClock is in partnership with Zalora, Asia’s online fashion destination, to connect with online customers, not only beyond the clock but also beyond platforms. Panco Cafe brought elevated coffee beverages to the watch fair as the event’s official coffee partner.
Featured brands included Timex, Axis, Police, Titan, Guess, and more. Watch Republic also introduced two new brands to the roster, building on the vision of speaking to every lifestyle and expanding their lineup of high-end watches with Fastrack and Daniel Wellington.
They featured their Fall Winter collections in their distinct styles, seamlessly blending the #WorkPlayIndulge areas.
Timex brought their analog roots
to Life Beyond the Clock’s Work area with an interactive maze wheel. They further embraced 170 years of the analog life with their tote bag customization station that lets you design a tote that captures the essence of timeless craftsmanship. On the other hand, Titan’s wishing wall focused on collecting different stories of resilience, strength, and passion that embody the Titan spirit–rewarding the most compelling and inspiring story with a Titan Gift Surprise.
The Play area of the event featured Axis’ photobooth as the perfect place to Make Time for Memories. They also sent a reminder to find the simple joys in life through a word search board and a vanity booth to make time for self-love and care. Police remained faithful to their daring and bold image with Audacity Land. Attendees were able to try out the upgraded features of Police’s new smartwatches while giving them a taste of the metaverse in a Virtual Reality booth experience full of fun games and prizes.
Fastrack entered the Watch Republic scene
Poetry, volunteer stories highlight mental health forum
IN its third year of promoting safe spaces for mental health discussions, nonprofit organization I am MAD (Making A Difference) Volunteers, Inc. (I am MAD) will host a forum on mental health and volunteerism at Cinema 6, SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City, on October 19, 2024. This initiative comes in light of recent findings indicating that mental health issues are among the top five reasons for dropout rates among higher education students in the Philippines.
Titled “MAD Talk Padayon,” the event coincides with World Mental Health Month and aims to highlight stories of resilience and the positive impact of volunteerism on mental well-being. The program will feature selected readings from Mga Tala at Tula, a poetry collection by renowned Filipino author Ron Canimo. His organization, the Mga Tala at Tula Community, was recognized as one of the Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations (TAYO) Awards in 2020 for its efforts to inspire love, hope, and healing through poetry and creative writing.
Dubbed the “Ultimate Hugot” event, this initiative is a collaboration with SM Cares, the social responsibility arm of SM Supermalls, and the National Youth Commission, designed to engage diverse audiences nationwide. The theme will focus on the journey of volunteers, captured in the phrase: “Nagmahal, Nasaktan, Nag-volunteer at Padayon.”
“The primary goal of the event is to create a safe space for volunteers to share their personal journeys of pain, love, healing, and growth,” said Kaye Maguddayao, Project Lead of MAD Talks Padayon. She emphasized the importance of prioritizing mental health and seeking help.
This year’s lineup of speakers features Jao Jundam, a nursing board exam topnotcher and Volunteer Lead for International Relations, known for his viral story of taking on odd jobs before becoming a nurse in Australia. Also speaking will be Jake Villanueva, Volunteer Lead for Content Creation and University
Extension Specialist from UP Diliman; Kaye Chia, Team Lead for MAD Camp Aurora and student leader from Manila Tytana Colleges; and Ymari Kristia Pascua, a mental health coach. Actor and influencer Sky Quizon will also share messages of hope and insights on volunteerism.
Tickets are available for as low as P99.00 at bit.ly/MADTalksPadayon2024, with a portion of proceeds benefiting learner-participants of the MAD Camps program for 2025. MAD Talks Padayon is supported by SM Cares, Youth Organization Registration Program (YORP) of the National Youth Commission, and The New Channel. The forum aims to inspire meaningful dialogue, providing actionable strategies to support mental health through volunteerism. It seeks to empower individuals to take charge of their mental well-being while contributing to societal good. Support the organization by donating at bit.ly/bidadonate. For updates and partnership opportunities, email iammadph@ gmail.com. Follow I am MAD on Facebook (fb. com/IamMakingADifference), Instagram/X/ TikTok (@iammad_ph), YouTube (youtube. com/@iammadvolunteers), and listen to their podcast at anchor.fm/iammad or bit.ly/ MADTalksSpotify.
as the quirkiest fashion-forward youth brand of Titan Company Limited. They emerged as a frontrunner in delivering the best smartwatches to complement your dynamic lifestyle–your gateway to a seamless fusion of style and technology.
Fastrack created a quirky and dynamic experience in the Play area with their Bike’d juice blender station, resonating with their offbeat thinking and trendy aesthetics.
Guess featured a human-sized interactive mirror booth in the Indulge area, reflecting a luxurious and rewarding lifestyle for you to Indulge in. Forty years of iconic trends, timeless style, and innovative designs rendered Guess as a true pioneer in the world of fashion timepieces.
Watch Republic welcomed Daniel Wellington to the roster with its refreshing minimalist approach. Standing out with clean and timeless designs, Daniel Wellington presented The Lounge as space for guests to enjoy free refreshments from Panco Cafe. The space blended relaxation and elegance, creating the right atmosphere to indulge in aromatic Australian coffee while exploring the curated display of watches. To complete the event, Watch Republic OneAyala shop offered 20 percent discount on regular items for the duration of the event. Zalora will also be extending this offer on their platform during their 10.10 Campaign happening on October 8 to 16. The new Fall-Winter watch collections will also be available in-store and online. Visit Watch Republic stores nationwide to catch the featured Fall-Winter watches from Watch Republic.
UPTOWN Bonifacio announced the highly anticipated opening of popular restaurant, SaladStop! The all-new branch of the first and largest health food chain in Asia opened its doors last September 27, 2024 giving health buffs and diners a new and exciting must-visit destination in Taguig.
SaladStop! Takes pride in its focus on quality, with carefully selected ingredients curated by expert nutritionists. This ensures that every dish caters to various dietary preferences, allowing customers to create meals that align with their personal health goals. SaladStop! Provides the ultimate dining experience tailored to individual needs, from gluten-free meals to vegan options.
The new branch features a diverse menu that includes beloved signature dishes such as the Hail Caesar, a creative take on the classic Caesar salad, the hearty Beef Ranger,
the zesty Wild Wild Chicken, the refreshing Tuna San, and the indulgent Oh Crab Lah! Each dish is crafted to tantalize taste buds while delivering essential nutrients, making healthy eating accessible and enjoyable. The all-new SaladStop! Is a fresh addition to the exceptional lineup of restaurants and dining destinations at Uptown Bonifacio, letting diners explore balanced dining choices amid an array of flavorful experiences in the city.
Be sure to check out SaladStop! On the 4th floor of Uptown Bonifacio, open daily from 10 am to 10 pm. For more updates on the latest happenings, visit megaworld-lifestylemalls.com or call their hotline at 8-462-8888 or follow their social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram (@MegaworldLifestyleMalls), and TikTok (@ megaworldlifestylemalls).
THE Farmer Entrepreneurship Program, a joint initiative by the Jollibee Group and the Jollibee Group Foundation, Inc. (JGF), won the ‘Entrepreneurship Development Programme Award’ and the ‘Social Welfare Award’ at the recently held ESGBusiness Awards 2024.
discounts on flights,
ISUZU HOSTS CUSTOMER CAMP-OUT, SHOWCASES NEW D-MAX’S OFF-ROADING PROWESS
THE Isuzu camp-out series has been going on for a while, and Isuzu Philippines Corporation (IPC) recently concluded
episode. This
it was an
two-day adventure with D-MAX customers and car club members nationwide. Aboard their own respective Isuzu vehicles, several members took dibs on the latest Isuzu D-MAX version to try out. Representing the motoring media, we boarded a brand-new unit fitted with camping gear. The destination was the stunning beachfront of Crystal Beach in Zambales. To make the drive more engaging, IPC injected an eco-driving contest on the way and numerous overlanding activities.
The long road to Zambales FROM Isuzu Manila dealership, participating customers did a 160-kilometer eco-drive to Petron Subic for a fuel top-up and efficiency check. But we went ahead and did real-world driving. Boarding the 2024 model D-MAX, everything inside was proof that the model has come a long way, enhancement-wise. But that unique Isuzu aura remains, of course. The 2024 model features a new digital pattern, “Miura,” design which exudes a clean and solid structure and generates emotional harmony. It also has many comfort and convenience features, like its new Wireless Charger, second-row aircon Vents, and a new seven-inch Digital MID with a more dynamic design that provides more information about the vehicle. The new 10.1-inch infotainment system is at the center and is equipped with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Connectivity. Behind the wheel, power was never an issue, of course, thanks to the reliable 4JJ3-TCX Blue Power engine delivering 187 hp and 450N-
BREAKNECK speed and endurance competitions accentuated anew the Leg 2 races last weekend of the Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) offering of the now-iconic TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Philippine Cup, formerly known as the Vios Cup that was auspiciously launched in 2014.
Held at the Clark International Speedway in Pampanga, the September 28 event gleefully celebrating its 10th year anniversary thrilled fans with heart-stopping action delivered by resolute racers no end, with many of the enthusiasts belonging to families firmly observing a tradition of family togetherness on weekends.
TMP President Masando Hashimoto was among the competitors in his continuing bid to become a full-fledged racer as he continued to compete in the Novice Class.
“I am reminded of Toyota Motor Corp. Chairman Akio Toyoda’s rallying cry of ‘We Love Cars’ and I can confidently say that motorsports is well and alive in the Philippines, and it will
and
m of maximum torque mated with an automatic transmission. On the 2H setting, acceleration was smooth yet unrelenting when pushed. We were impressed with the low engine rpm at high speed, which is a significant factor in fuel efficiency. Cabin noise was also muffled except for the wind noise from the installed camping gears on the flatbed. But the pickup was stable even at high speed, making the entire freeway run seamless. Safety-wise, there is Isuzu’s Advanced Driver Assist System (ADAS). Additionally, the 2024 D-MAX now features a new Gen4 SMART DUO Cam with enhanced field of view both horizontally and vertically, improving its ADAS accident-avoidance capabilities. The new D-MAX now has a 360-degree Around View Monitor, a new Rear Cross Traffic Brake (RCTB), and a firstin-class built-in Digital Video Recorder for safety and peace of mind. Beyond SUBIC, we took the Zambales provincial road, where
constant overtaking was necessary to catch up with time. As expected, the latest D-MAX did not disappoint. Step on it, and off the pickup went effortlessly. The excellent steering feedback also factored in. Over 200 kilometers later, we reached the destination feeling relaxed. The
The D-MAX’s playground THE following session was probably the main highlight of the event:
testing the 2024 D-MAX’s off-roading prowess on soft sandy terrain. The beach property’s long stretch with untouched portions made it the perfect setting to test the vehicle’s new Differential Lock System and Rough Terrain Mode.
But first, we positioned two units in a stunning backdrop for a photoshoot. The latest design stood out, highlighting elements such as the new three-dimensional front Grille with gunmetal and black chrome finish and the new LED headlamps with redesigned Daytime Running Lights. Moreover, the fog lamps were redesigned with an air curtain, reducing air drag and improving aerodynamics. Other elements are the new Cargo Sail bed accessory, 18inch All-Terrain Alloy Wheels with a Matte Dark Gray Metallic finish, and the new Triple-wing LED rear combination lamps.
Onto the off-roading activities, we switched to 4H and engaged the new Differential Lock System and Rough
Terrain Mode. Several meters in, the effect on the latest functions was already up for it. More so, further in the softer and untouched portions, slicing through became more manageable for the pickup. Recollecting on our previous exploits with older D-MAX versions, slicing through soft sandy paths has always been challenging. We felt the two new functions further elevated the pickup’s already capable off-roading performance. This time, it was like the driver had more assistance. We only worried about steering, counter-steering, and pushing the throttle whenever needed.
The D-MAX ‘s new Differential Lock System allows drivers to lock the rear differential, ensuring equal power distribution to both rear wheels and improving traction. Meanwhile, the Rough Terrain Mode further optimizes the D-MAX’s off-road capabilities, making it easier for drivers to turn a single dial and be game on.
Camp-out time
COURTESY of Overland Kings, the team did a great job setting up the venue and turning it into a full-scale campsite. It was full of amenities, making camping more like “glamping”
Overland Kings team, led by Joel Pedro, guided the group through an engaging Overlanding 101 session over lunch.
Sarah makes Davaoeños proud in Iloilo Challenge
OSBy Josef Ramos
LYMPIAN Kirstie Elaine
I struggled with my putting today compared to the first two rounds,” said Ababa in Filipino after securing her second victory of the year. “But I think the key to my success is perseverance and staying patient.”
Despite bogeys and some missed opportunities inside six feet, Ababa nailed crucial pars when it mattered most and
said later that her father, former Tour player Edgar Ababa, who acted as her caddie, brought some added fortune.
“Maybe it’s luck, my father caddied for me in my two victories,” Ababa said. “But I know I need to improve some more especially putting.”
Alora has since retired from competition but taekwondo remains active in her blood and the immediate result was Tachiana Mangin’s gold medal at the recent World Taekwondo Junior Championships in Chuncheon, South Korea.
“It’s time to pass what we learned to the youth or next generation,” said Alora, who coached Mangin to the women’s -49 kgs kyorugi [sparring] title for the country’s only world juniors gold medal after after Alex Borromeo in women’s -47 kgs in 1996 in Barcelona, Spain.
“We’re happy that we produced a new world champion in my third try as coach,” said Alora, a Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympian and a four-time Southeast Asian Games gold medalist.
Alora, 34, last competed at the Hangzhou 19th Asian Games last October and decided to coach the Philippine Taekwondo Association’s junior and cadet program.
She had first shot at coaching at the first Korean Open last July also in Chuncheon and Grand Slam Youth League in Wuxi, China, last August.
Mangin was bound for the world juniors gold medal after her victory at the Daegu World University Championships last July also in South Korea.
Alora said that the 16-year-old Valenzuela pride Mangin has great potential to succeed at the world level.
“Tachiana has all the potentials to succeed because she’s no ordinary athlete and she almost qualified for the Paris Olympics,” Alora added. Mangin was a victory away from a ticket to Paris but lost to Asian champion Dunya Abutaleb of Saudi Arabia, who’s 11 years older, at the World Taekwondo Asian Olympic Qualification in March in Tai’ an, China.
Alora, a product of the College of Saint Benilde, said more opportunities stand for the picking for the Grade 12 STEM student at University of Santo Tomas.
“The future is bright for her. I believe she can make it, and I believe she can win the Philippines’ first ever Olympic medal in taekwondo four years from now,” Alora said. “She is tough and very coachable. She will go far as an athlete.”
Her second victory also capped a stretch of ups and downs.
After tying for second at Palos Verdes and placing fifth at Caliraya Springs, Ababa lost her consistency and often finished outside the top 10 until a share for third place at Forest Hills last month reignited her confidence heading into this week’s event organized by Pilipinas Golf
Tournaments Inc.
Ababa’s key par saves under pressure on Thursday secured her the P130,000 winner’s purse.
Ikeda, who was fresh off a playoff loss at Lakewood, settled for second and P85,000, while Mafy Singson made a late charge with a 68, tying with Mikha Fortuna, who matched par-70, at third place with 219 totals—they split the combined P138,000 prizes.
Chanelle Avaricio finished fifth at 220 after a 73, while Daniella Uy rebounded with a 69 to secure solo sixth at 221. Kayla Nocum carded a 73 and tied with Gretchen Villacencio, who fumbled with a 76, and Princess Superal, who struggled with a 77, at seventh, all finishing with 222s.
Splendido Taal leg winner Jiwon Lee posted a 72 to finish 10th at 226.
AZanieboy Gialon surged past two-day leader Fidel Concepcion with a bogey-free 66 but faced a formidable challenger in Jhonnel Ababa in the third round of the International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) Iloilo Golf Challenge on Thursday.
Gialon capitalized on Concepcion’s early struggles and an early burst of birdies to finish the day with a solid four-under card and a 11-under 199 total, positioning himself for a longawaited title victory at the par-70 Iloilo Golf and Country Club.
But Ababa shook off a wobbly frontside one-over 37 by rattling off four birdies in the last nine holes to fire a 67 and assume the challenger’s role at 201.
“I feel like my putting is in great shape, which is why I’m confident I can make birdies,” Ababa said. He also dismissed any notion of feeling pressure heading into the final round, particularly from contenders like Ababa.
“There’s no pressure from them,” he said. “The real challenge is the course itself.”
Despite an inconsistent front nine, Ababa found his rhythm in the back nine where he sank four birdies and set the stage for an intense final round in the
P2.5 million event organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc. and presented by MORE Electric and Power Corp.
“If my driving improves, I’ll gain the confidence I need,” said Ababa, who’s targeting the title worth P450,000.
“My game wasn’t that great today, I missed many greens, but my putting saved me,” said Ababa, hoping to emulate the success of cousin Sarah Ababa, who won the 54-hole ladies’ division, and repeat their Apo feats last March.
Two-day leader Concepcion struggled as he went three-over through 16 holes and managed to salvage his round with a birdie on the 17th for a 72 and a tie with Reymon Jaraula at 203.
Concepcion, however, is still hopeful for a breakthrough win in the tournament, sponsored by ICTSI and supported by PGTI’s official apparel partner Kampfortis Golf.
“Things didn’t go as planned today. I wasn’t able to execute the shots I wanted, especially off the tee. Plus, my putter was cold,” said Concepcion. He had been strong in the first two rounds, firing 11 birdies against two bogeys, but could only manage one birdie in this pivotal round, which was marred by three bogeys.
“I couldn’t make any putts today,
which isn’t the formula for a good score.
But considering the circumstances, I’m still pleased with a 2-over,” he added.
Jaraula also kept his title hopes alive with a second consecutive 68, closing strong with back-to-back birdies.
Joining them in contention are Ira Alido and Dino Villanueva, who both fired three-under rounds to tie Tony Lascuña, who matched par 70, at 205.
Michael Bibat mounted a rally with a 68, tying Guido van der Valk, who slipped with a 71, at 206, while reigning Philippine Masters champion Angelo Que dropped to 10th at 207 after a 69.
Gialon, riding the momentum from a six-birdie front nine in his second round 64, opened his third-round assault with back-to-back birdies from No. 3. These crucial shots helped the Davaoeño erase a two-stroke deficit, further aided by Concepcion’s bogey on the first hole.
While Gialon couldn’t match his previous six-under round, his 66 was more than enough to outclass a competitive field as he seeks his first championship since the Caliraya Springs Championship in 2022, a win that ended a five-year title drought.
Despite his lead, the road to victory remains perilous for Gialon.
Machine replaces human line judges at Wimbledon
LONDON—Wimbledon is replacing line judges with electronic line-calling, the latest step into the modern age by the oldest Grand Slam tennis tournament.
The All England Club announced Wednesday that technology will be used to give the “out” and “fault” calls at the championships from 2025, eliminating the need for human officials to make them.
Wimbledon organizers said the decision to adopt live electronic line calling was made following extensive testing at the 2024 tournament and “builds on the existing ball-tracking and line-calling technology that has been in place for many years.”
“We consider the technology to be sufficiently robust and the time is right to take this important step in seeking
maximum accuracy in our officiating,” said Sally Bolton, chief executive of the All England Club. “For the players, it will offer them the same conditions they have played under at a number of other events on tour.”
The move makes the French Open the only Grand Slam tournament without some form of electronic linecalling—the Australian Open and US Open already had eliminated line judges and only have chair umpires on court. Line judges at Wimbledon were dressed in famously elegant uniforms and, for traditionalists, were part of the furniture at the All England Club. Bolton said Wimbledon had a responsibility to “balance tradition and innovation.”
“Line umpires have played a central
role in our officiating set-up at the championships for many decades,” she said, “and we recognize their valuable contribution and thank them for their commitment and service.”
Line-calling technology has long been used at Wimbledon and other tennis tournaments to call whether serves are in or out. At the US Open, there has been no line judges—and only chair umpires— since 2021, with Hawk-Eye Live electronic line-calling used for all courts.
The All England Club also said Wednesday that the women’s and men’s singles finals will be scheduled to take place at the later time of 4 p.m. local time on the second Saturday and Sunday, respectively—and after doubles finals on those days. Bolton said the moves have been
Tiafoe sent
Later,
TEN teams are seeing action in the Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference set October 16 to December 15 in three venues—Ynares Sports Arena and PhilSports Arena in Pasig City and the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City. Competing in the SundaysWednesdays-Fridays tournament are last season’s Invitational Conference runnersup and reigning Open Conference champions Cignal HD Spikers, Criss Cross King Crunchers, D’Navigators Iloilo and the PGJC Navy Sealions.
Joining them are Savouge Aesthetics Spin Doctors, VNS Griffins, Chichi DHTSI Titans (formerly Richmarc Sports 3B Elite), Martelli Meats Masters Butcher (formerly Maverick Hard Hitters), and -Far Eastern University (FEU)-DN Steel Ultras and De La Salle University-EcoOil Green Oilers. “With 10 teams competing this season, including two
COMPOSED
Pilipinas and national athletes Taoyee Tan and Marian Capadocia celebrate their historic feat as the first all-Filipina padel champions following their gold medal-conquest in the Female Pro category of the Asia Pacific Padel Tour Grand Slam in Singapore recently. Joining them are Padel
