HE growth of cash remittances sent by Filipinos working abroad slowed to 2.5 percent in June 2024, according to the latest data released by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). The tepid growth was framed by a veteran analyst of remittance data as an indication that OFWs’ host countries “still feel the pinch of higher costs of prices.”
The data showed this was the slowest growth rate in cash remittances since March when the growth was also at 2.5 percent. Prior to March, the June 2024 figure was the slowest since the 2.1 percent posted in June 2023.
In the first semester of 2024, BSP data showed cash remittances grew 2.9 percent. This was the same rate posted in the January to June 2023 period.
“The situation means that Filipinos should understand that countries still feel the pinch of higher costs of prices,” Institute for Migration and Development Issues (IMDI) Executive Director Jeremaiah M. Opiniano told the BusinessMirror
“Filipinos overseas are also trying to make their ends meet abroad while not forgetting their family-remitting duties at home,” Opiniano added.
Overseas Pinoys impacted OPINIANO noted that inflation pressures in countries like the United States affect the ability of Filipinos overseas to send remittances back to their families in the Philippines.
He noted that except for June 2024, remittances from the US in the past six months posted slowdowns. This is despite the depreciation of the Philippine peso versus the US dollar.
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BSP easing cycle seen as Gov says another rate cut possible
THE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) may have entered its easing cycle as additional rate cuts could be on the horizon after yesterday’s monetary policy action, which reduced interest rates for the first time in four years.
In an interview on Friday, BSP Governor Eli M. Remolona Jr. was asked whether the Monetary Board has entered its easing cycle, and he said another rate cut will be possible this year. Nonetheless, the monetary authorities will continue monitoring the situation. Remolona, on Thursday, told reporters that the Monetary Board will make another 25-basis-point reduction in policy rates either in its October or December meeting this year.
“The relevant policy horizon is 2025 because our monetary policy transmission mechanism has long lags. So we cut yesterday, we might cut again sometime during the year and then we hope that has a significant effect on growth,” Remolona said.
Remolona also noted that inflation has been “behaved” and remained within their expectations. He said the 4.4-percent inflation posted in July was within BSP’s expectations for the month.
The BSP Governor also said the inflation rate in July was driven mainly by base effects amounting to 0.3 percentage points. Remolona said without the base effect, the inflation would only be 4.1 percent.
Based on data from the Phil-
ippine Statistics Authority (PSA), inflation was at 4.7 percent in July 2023. The average inflation rate was 6 percent for the whole of 2023.
“Our inflation numbers have been well behaved in the sense that they’ve been consistent with our projections,” Remolona said. “We’re happy with the inflation numbers. They seem to track, our models seem to track them very well.”
In terms of risks, Remolona said, the BSP expects these to only have a minimal impact on inflation. One of these risks is oil inflation.
While it is true that the Philippines remained a net oil importer,
By Ma. Stella F. Arnaldo
language course provider Preply ranked Manila as 10th among its friendliest cities in Asia, with a rating of “3/5 for friendliness to foreigners.” The data it collected from several research firms, travel lists, and language companies websites also showed that “Manila boasts a high visitor return rate at 16 percent, a visitor acceptance of 159 out of 200, and an acceptance of diversity score at 57/100. [The city likewise] has the highest English language proficiency of all Asian cities, at 578.”
Manila’s friendly ranking follows Taipei, Singapore, Delhi, Seoul, Chennai (India), Bangkok, Hanoi, Mumbai, and Busan. A closer look at the metrics gathered by Preply showed that while Manila is almost on a par with most Asian cities in terms of visitor return rate (16 percent), visitor acceptance (159 out of 200 points), acceptance of diversity (57 out of 100), and friendliness to foreigners (3 out of 5), the city scored the very last in the safety index, with just 35.42 out of 100 points, and came in behind Delhi with a score of 41.01. Last month, Forbes Advisor ranked Manila among the most risky tourist sites in the world, with a score of 91.49 out of 100, due to its high levels of crime risk, personal security risk, health security risk, infrastructure security risk, and digital security risk. (See, “Manila listed among riskiest tourist sites,” in the BusinessMirror, July 17, 2024.)
After meeting with members of the tourism economic cluster on August 13 in Malacañang Palace, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said on his Facebook page, “In tourism, we will continue to increase direct flights, ensuring our top destinations are more accessible and our guests are welcomed with world-class healthcare and security.” In that meeting, the Department of Tourism presented strategies to revitalize the tourism sector, but no further details were released by Malacañang about it.
FEELING THE PINCH: OFW REMITTANCES SLOWING
“It seemed that the primary driver of overseas Filipinos’ remittances worldwide, the US, is feeling the crunch of inflation pressures,” Opiniano told this newspaper in an email.
“We at home should be sensitive to overseas Filipinos’ hardships post-pandemic, even if the current situation is better now,” he also said.
The data showed cash remittances coursed through banks reached $2.88 billion in June 2024, higher than the $2.81 billion posted in June 2023.
On a year-to-date basis, cash remittances amounted to $16.25 billion, higher than the $15.79 billion registered in the JanuaryJune 2023 period.
BSP said the growth in cash remittances from the United States, Saudi Arabia and Singapore contributed mainly to the increase in remittances in January-June 2024.
In terms of country sources, the US also posted the highest share of overall remittances during the period, followed by Singapore and Saudi Arabia.
Economic driver DESPITE the slowdown, BSP Governor Eli M. Remolona Jr. said remittances remained a primary driver of economic growth for the Philippines.
In a television interview on Friday, Remolona noted that remittances and business process outsourcing (BPO) revenues have been a “source of stability” for the Philippine economy and even the local currency.
Remittances and BPO revenues, the BSP Governor noted, dominated the country’s foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows. BSP, however, recently reported that FDIs contracted in May 2024.
The BSP reported that FDI inflows reached $499 million in May 2024, the lowest since the $478 million posted in January 2023. This also represented a 1-percent contraction compared to the $504-million net inflows recorded in May 2023.
However, FDIs reached $4.024 billion in January to May 2024, 15.8 percent higher than the $3.475 billion posted in the same period last year (See: https:// businessmirror.com.ph/2024/08/14/ may-2024-fdi-shrinks-to-lowest-in16-months/).
KEY POINTS
n June 2024 remittances grew by 2.5%, the slowest since March.
n First half of 2024 saw a 2.9% growth in cash remittances, matching 2023 figures.
n Inflation in the US and other host countries impacts OF1Ws’ ability to send remittances.
n US remains the top source of remittances, followed by Saudi Arabia and Singapore.
n Remittances, along with BPO revenues, are major drivers of the Philippine economy.
n Remittances and BPO revenues provide stability to the local currency despite low FDI inflows.
n Philippine GDP growth reached 6.3% in Q2 2024, influenced by steady household consumption and government spending.
BSP easing cycle...
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Remolona noted that expectations in the oil futures market indicate that even oil prices will trend downward.
As for the Federal Reserve, Remolona said he expects a rate cut of as much as 100 basis points for the rest of 2024 and a similar magnitude by 2025.
This expectation, the BSP Governor said, is based on the derivatives market. He said it was also consistent since the US numbers have been weak, but not weak enough to indicate a hard landing.
If the US Federal Reserve reduces rates by this magnitude, Remolona said this would exert some pressure on the Philippine peso. The wider interest differential
could lead to a stronger US dollar. Nonetheless, Remolona said the peso has recently been appreciating and the impact of a wider interest differential between the Central Bank and US Federal Reserve key policy rates would be minimal.
The peso closed at P56.96 to the US dollar on Tuesday, the strongest the Philippine currency has been since April 2024. On Thursday, the peso closed at P56.9 to the greenback.
“I think it might put a bit of pressure on the peso because the differential will widen if the easing is as much as we expected. But what we call the pass-through, the impact of exchange rate depreciation on Philippine inflation, is very modest. So we don’t worry too
Manila’s ‘risky’ tag…
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Least friendly cities
MEANWHILE , Preply said of its friendliest cities in Asia list, “When embarking on a journey to a new city, the warmth of a friendly welcome can make all the difference. From bustling markets to serene temples, the hospitality of locals can turn a trip into an unforgettable experience.”
The online language course provider also ranked the least friendly cities with Mandalay, the capital of Myanmar, taking the top place, despite the nearly 2.4 million tourists that visit there annually.
“Despite its astonishing architecture, monasteries, temples,
and mouth-watering street food, Mandalay is revealed to have one of the lowest friendliness-to-foreigners ratings, scoring just 2 out of 5. Its acceptance of diversity score is 22 out of 100—fairly low compared to the high-scoring cities in our ranking. Additionally, its visitor acceptance in general is the lowest of any city, scoring 11 out of 200—that’s a substantial difference compared to Taipei’s score of 164. Its visitor return rate is the lowest, with just 5 percent of all visitors saying they have returned once visiting.”
Other cities on Preply’s least friendly cities list were: Riyadh, Jakarta, Karachi, Amman (Jordan), Beijing, Phuket, Jaipur (India), Dhaka, and Shenzhen.
“Those service exports combined are about seven times our average foreign direct investment. So the service exports are a source of stability and strength for the currency,” Remolona said. Given the recent performance of the economy, Remolona said the economy may be nearer the low end of the government’s GDP target this year.
“I think this puts us in the lower part of the range for 2024. The projection by the national government is between 6 and 7 percent, I think, and we will be close to 6 percent, maybe a bit above it, for 2024,” Remolona said. Earlier, the steady pace of household consumption and faster government spending in the second quarter allowed the economy to exceed the low end of the administration’s growth target despite elevated inflation and high interest rates.
The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said the country’s GDP growth reached 6.3 percent in the April to June period this year. This is the fastest growth rate of the economy since the 6.4 percent posted in the first quarter of 2023.
The Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) aims to post a full-year GDP growth of 6 to 7 percent in 2024. The second-quarter growth was faster than the 5.8-percent GDP growth posted in the first three months of the year and 4.3 percent recorded in the second quarter last year (See: https://businessmirror.com.ph/2024/08/09/63-q2-growth-buoys-hope-for-fullyear-goal/).
much about a depreciation of the peso,” Remolona said.
On Thursday, the Monetary Board reduced key policy rates ahead of the United States Federal Reserve in the hope that lower interest rates may encourage better access to credit for Filipinos.
The BSP delivered one of at least two expected 25-basis-point rate cuts this year. The policy move brought down BSP’s Target Reverse Repurchase (RRP) Rate to 6.25 percent from 6.5 percent. The BSP also said the interest rates on the overnight deposit and lending facilities were adjusted downward to 5.75 percent and 6.75 percent, respectively (https:// businessmirror.com.ph/2024/08/16/ bsp-cuts-policy-rate-by-25-bpsahead-of-fed/).
According to Preply, for its friendliest cities in Asia list, it created a “seed list” of major cities across the region then ranked these based on data gathered by other lists makers: the visitor return rate was from Nomad List; visitor acceptance, which refers to how many passports each country accepts visa-free, with visa on arrival or with electronic tourist visas from the Passport Index; acceptance of diversity is from Equaldex’s Equality Index, “to help visualize the legal rights and public attitudes towards LGBTQ+ people in a given region”; safety score from Numbeo; English language proficiency from EF Education First; and friendliness to foreigners from Nomad List.
BAI seizes ASF-infected swine at QC checkpoint; warns other smugglers
THE Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) condemned seized pigs at Quezon City checkpoints after testing positive for African swine fever (ASF).
According to BAI, it intercepted two trucks that contained hogs after drivers of the delivery trucks presented fake documents at the livestock checkpoints. One truck had 87 pigs while the other had 14.
“Because the documents presented are fake, the exact origin of the hogs are unknown,” the BAI said in a statement.
According to the attached agency of the Department of Agriculture (DA), the hogs from the first truck tested positive for ASF while those from the other truck showed “clinical signs of ASF.”
“The blood tests showed the hogs are positive for the ASF virus, so we have no choice but to condemn them and dispose of their carcass at the central burial site we have identified,” DA Assistant Secretary for Swine and Poultry Dante Palabrica said.
“Trucks have been cleansed and disinfected to ensure they will not spread the virus,” he added.
The DA suspects unscrupulous traders selling diseased pigs are responsible for the rapid spread of the ASF virus.
According to Palabrica, a visual inspection of the pigs would immediately raise suspicion that they
are ASF-infected hogs. “The pigs are undersized and no hog raiser worth his salt would sell them at these weights,” he said.
The DA earlier set up checkpoints following the rapid spread of ASF in Batangas.
The department also wants to fast-track the emergency procurement of ASF vaccines to address the outbreak.
The region of Calabarzon, which includes Batangas, was the top hog producer in the Philippines in the first quarter, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).
As of January 1, PSA said the swine inventory in Batangas rose by 22.4 percent year-on-year to 943,180 heads. This is because commercial raisers are encouraged to increase their stocks due to no-ASF incidence, and increasing farmgate price.
The department is eyeing the rollout the ASF vaccine next week to curb the spread of the fatal hog disease that slashed the country’s pork output since it was detected in the country in 2019.
Based on BAI monitoring, 64 municipalities and 251 barangays have active ASF cases as of August 8.
GSIS maintains ISO 9001 certification
GOVERNMENT Service Insurance System (GSIS) has maintained its ISO 9001:2015 certification following a successful revalidation audit conducted by TÜV Rheinland Philippines Inc.
The pension fund started its ISO certification bid in 2015 for its loans processing system. Over the years, it has achieved and maintained certifications for various other processes, including membership administration, maturity claims, motor vehicle claims, data center management, funeral benefits, and non-life insurance campaign. It also includes the renewal of Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) surety bonds, issuance of transfer certificates of title for fully-paid housing accounts, data center facilities management and marketing for the renewal of all bidding documents.
“Digitization has also played a salient factor in enhancing our processes through the GSIS Touch Mobile Application, online Annual Pensioners Information Revalidation [APIR], the recent launch of the digital ID and enterprise architecture consulting services
project tie-up with SGV and Ernst and Young,” said GSIS President and General Manager Wick Veloso.
The ISO 9001 is the seal of approval and internationally recognized standard for quality management systems (QMS) to ensure the quality, safety and efficiency of products, services and systems.
“The GSIS continuously signifies its commitment and builds up initiatives in providing the best customer experience to our members, pensioners, internal and external stakeholders, strengthening our adherence to international standards for quality management, innovation and delivery of timely and efficient service for all government workers,” said Veloso.
In 2021, certifications for PCSO surety bonds and issuing notice to claim transfer certificates for housing accounts were added.
The GSIS expanded its certified processes to include three major branch offices in Luzon (Laguna), Visayas (Tacloban) and Mindanao (General Santos) in 2023. Visit the GSIS website, www. gsis.gov.ph and GSIS Facebook page @gsis.ph to know more about GSIS’s product offerings.
No more NPA ‘permit to campaign’ in 2025 polls, NSA chief Año vows
WITH the security threat posed by the New People’s Army (NPA) now in decline, National Security Adviser (NSA) Eduardo Año on Thursday said the “permit to campaign” scam being implemented by the insurgents will no longer be an issue in the 2025 mid-term elections. The security official made this comment after noting that the NPAs are now down to only seven weakened guerilla fronts, with two more scheduled to be announced dismantled soon.
Despite benefit payout hike, HMOs profitable in H1 2024
By Reine Juvierre S. Alberto
THE health maintenance organization (HMO) industry maintained its profitability in the first half of the year despite the increase in benefit payouts.
Data from the Insurance Commission (IC) showed the HMO industry posted a total income of P636.6 million from January to June 2024. This is a turnaround from the loss it suffered in the same period in 2023, recording a net loss of P1.186 billion.
Meanwhile, healthcare benefits paid out by HMOs to its members reached P30.33 billion in the first six months of 2024, higher by 15.65 percent than the P26.226
billion benefits it disbursed in the same period a year ago.
“The return to profitability of the HMO industry amidst the big increase in benefit payouts is brought about by higher total revenues by the industry,” the IC said.
Total revenues of the HMO industry grew to P38.754 billion from January to June 2024, a 21.93-percent year-on-year increase from P31.783 billion on the back of higher membership fees amounting to P36.56 billion.
Maxicare HealthCare Corporation posted the highest net income of P150.241 million among the 25 licensed HMO providers.
This was followed by Value Care Health System Inc. with P146.124
million; Insular Health Care, Incorporated worth P143.177 million; Asalus Corporation (Intellicare), P135.144 million; and Avega Managed Care Inc., P121.351 million.
Six HMO providers recorded net losses: Medicard Philippines Inc. with P183.975 million; Getwell Health Systems Inc., P23.429 million; Pacific Cross Health Care Inc., P21.668 million; Health Plan Phils. Inc., P3.965 million; Optimum Medical & Health Care, P1.906 million; and Forticare Health Systems International Inc., P794,750.
“For the next election in 2025, I don’t think it’s going to be an issue with the very minimal presence now of the NPA,” Año said.
Other than the NPA, Año revealed that the security sector—the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP)—and the Commission on Elections should be wary of the elections in areas covering the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
ABy Andrea E. San Juan
S the sixth largest exporter of bamboo in the world, the Philippines can tap into “significant” export potential for bamboo pellets as an “eco-friendly” replacement for wood pellets which can be a source of renewable energy, according to the Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc. (Philexport).
The umbrella organization of Philippine exporters, in a recent statement, cited several research articles unveiling the uses of bamboo pellets, particularly as source of renewable energy, among others.
Citing Vietnam-based BambooVision, a manufacturer and supplier of bamboo products, Philexport said bamboo pellets have been an “increasingly popular choice” over wood pellets primarily due to bamboo’s rapid growth and minimal environmental impact with its “superior carbon dioxide absorption.”
“In the quest for sustainable energy solutions, bamboo wood pellets have emerged as a leading contender. These eco-friendly alternatives to traditional wood pellets are making their mark in the
Gov’t renews
By Manuel T. Cayon
AVAO CITY—The
Doffice of the Presidential peace adviser held a dedicated talk with the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), the erstwhile mainstream Moro revolutionary organization, which was the first revolutionary group to enter into a comprehensive peace settlement with government in 1996.
The talks revolved on security and socioeconomic issues, the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity (Opapru), said, and disclosed that the talks were held here on Tuesday.
The Opapru described the talks as crucial and focused “on addressing both persistent and emerging security and socioeconomic challenges within MNLF communities and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao [BARMM].”
The meeting with the MNLF was likely intended to provide further support to the ongoing consolidation of the peace agree -
Moreover, the total assets of the HMO industry rose to P69.265 billion in the first half of 2024, up by 12.16 percent year-on-year from P61.756 billion. Total invested assets also expanded by 6.45 percent to P21.31 billion due to the 56.98 percent increase in cash equivalents. Consequently, total invested assets now account for 29.15 percent of the total assets of the HMO industry.
PHL, 6th largest bamboo exporter, urged to focus on bamboo pellets
renewable energy market, thanks to their environmental benefits and economic viability,” BambooVision said in a recent article.
According to Philexport, among the advantages of bamboo is its eco-friendliness due to its “quick growth and carbon-neutral status.”
Meanwhile, it cited Chinabased Anyang Best Complete Machinery Engineering Co., a manufacturer of pellet mills, which had said that bamboo pellets can be used as a “source of renewable energy,” and these pellets can save up to 50 percent of energy costs.
“There is an increasing shortage of traditional energy sources such as gas and coal and bamboo pellets can be used to produce biomass fuel. Compared to gas, oil and electric heating, these pellets can save up to 50 percent of energy costs,”
Anyang Best Complete Machinery Engineering Co. noted.
Philexport also cited Chinabased Zeno Pellet Machine, which said in a LinkedIn post that bamboo wood pellets have “high heat value as well as relatively little ash emissions.”
“A bamboo pellet study reveals that in comparison to other biomass products like woodchips and
briquettes, bamboo pellets have better properties. It could be one main reason the market for bamboo pellets has grown significantly in the United States, Europe, and Asia. According to a prediction, the global bamboo market can reach up to US$ 110.5 million by 2025 with a compound annual growth rate of 4.2 percent,” the LinkedIn post noted.
According to Philexport, bamboo pellets are also energy-dense, providing efficient heating or power.
“Technological advancements and innovations are likewise improving the efficiency and quality of bamboo pellet production. Bamboo also offers a better alternative to wood for plantation, with more species capable of adapting to various environments,” said Philexport.
As to its “wide range” of uses, Bamboo pellets can be used in cooking, heating, and operating power plants to address “insufficient” power supply. They also make excellent animal bedding and animal feed.
Moreover, the trade group said these bamboo pellets are safe and convenient for transport and storage. “The pellets are lightweight
Increased membership fee reserves and claims reserve were up by 24.23 percent and 26.49 percent, respectively, causing total liabilities of the HMO industry to
and they can be stored for a very long time,” it added. According to the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development’s website, the Philippines is the sixth largest exporter of bamboo in the world. The total area of bamboo stands in the Philippines ranges from 39,000 hectares to 53,000 hectares, mainly naturally growing sporadically or as patches in backyards and riverbanks in forest lands and some private lands and rarely in pure commercial stands, according to Philexport. While it has extensive use as raw material in many industries, the Philippines’s bamboo exports reportedly slowed from a high of 106,000 kilograms (kg) in 2011 to 35,000kg in 2015 and even further lower to 8,000kg in 2018. Exports just picked up to 66,000kg in 2020. Primary export destinations for Philippine bamboo products include the United States, Japan, United Kingdom, Germany and France, said the Philippine Bamboo Industry Development Council. As of 2022, investments in the local bamboo industry reached about P89 million and domestic sales were placed at P143 million. The sector generated 10,898 jobs, 5,012 micro, small and medium industries, and 92 community-based enterprises, according to the Council.
dialog with MNLF on security, economic issues
ment between government and the other Moro revolutionary organization, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
The MILF signed the peace settlement in 2014 and was given control over the BARMM to allow the MILF the elbow room to showcase self-rule among its constituents.
The MNLF was also incorporated into the whole organization of the BARMM.
Special Assistant to the President Antonio Lagdameo Jr. said the dialog was important to converge the ideas and opinions about issues facing the MNLF communities, “particularly those related to security and socioeconomic development.”
“In line with this, I wish to thank everyone’s contributions to this dialogue, especially those who have provided their insights on how we can best move forward. These exchanges are our primary instruments for peace, as no issue or conflict cannot be resolved if we are all willing to engage in meaningful dialogue,” Lagdameo said. He said that despite numerous
challenges, the 1996 Final Peace Agreement (FPA) between the Philippine Government and the MNLF “has yielded valuable lessons and significant progress in the peace process.”
“The forging of the FPA was a major turning point and a shining moment in the peace process between the Government of the Philippines and the MNLF,” Lagdameo added. “Since the signing of the peace agreement, the MNLF has continued to walk the path of peace, despite the many challenges that seemed to threaten the gains achieved over the years.”
Lagdameo reiterated the administration’s commitment to fulfill the government’s remaining obligations under all signed peace agreements, “as emphasized by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in his recent State of the Nation Address.”
Last month, the Opapru briefed the newly reconstituted Philippine Management Committee “focusing on political, socio-economic, and security aspects, as well as confidence-building measures and reconciliation efforts.” The office also engaged with the MNLF Peace Coordinating Committee, represented by Ms. Nur Ainee Tan Lim, to discuss strengthening local coordination on security concerns in MNLF communities and identifying priority areas for socio-economic development.
In a separate meeting, Opapru engaged with BARMM’s Minister of Labor and Employment and MNLF Chairperson Muslimin Sema, “who expressed strong support for the President’s unity agenda. Security issues involving the MNLF and other concerns were also thoroughly discussed.” Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) Secretary Leo Tereso A. Magno also said that “the convergence is not merely a gathering of representatives from the MNLF and government agencies, but a unified effort with a shared vision for a brighter, more progressive, and peaceful future for Mindanao.”
House quad-comm on Pogo, EJK, drugs issues show-cause orders
By Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz
THE House of Representa -
tives’ quad-committee issued show-cause orders on Friday to several individuals, including Alberto Rodulfo “AR” Dela Serna, the executive assistant of former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, during a hearing in Bacolor, Pampanga.
Dela Serna was among those who failed to appear at the crucial hearing, part of an ongoing investigation into the connections between Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (Pogos), the illegal drug trade, and the extrajudicial killings (EJKs) linked to the Duterte administration’s war on drugs.
Roque, a key figure in the Pogo controversy, was absent from the hearing, citing a scheduled appearance at the Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) as the reason for his non-attendance.
The quad-committee subsequently directed the secretariat to verify his claim by coordinating with the RTC. If Roque was not present at the court hearing, a show-cause order will also be issued against him.
Abang Lingkod Rep. Joseph Stephen Paduano, chair of the House Committee on Public Accounts, initiated the motion for the issuance of the show-cause orders. The motion was approved by Surigao del Norte 2nd District Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, who chairs the Committee on Dangerous Drugs and serves as the lead chairman of the quad-committee.
When Roque’s name became entangled in the government’s crackdown on Pogo hubs operated by Chinese high-rollers, Dela Serna— a former male pageant contestant who represented the Philippines in the 2016 Mister Supranational competition in Poland—also came under public scrutiny.
The absence of key figures, including Dela Serna, alarmed committee members, leading to the issuance of show-cause orders to compel their attendance and cooperation in the ongoing investigation.
The individuals who were ordered to explain their absence include several prominent figures.
Acting Mayor Eraño Timbang and various department heads from Bamban, Tarlac, as well as officials from Hongsheng Gaming Technology Inc., such as Thelma B. Laranan and Yu Zheng Can, were among those summoned.
The incorporators of Baofu Land Corporation, including the dismissed Bamban Alice Leal Guo and Bernard Chua, were also named in the show-cause orders.
Key figures from Lucky South 99 Outsourcing Inc. and Lucky South 99 Corp., including president Julian M. Linsangan III, along with incorporators of Whirlwind Corp., such as Josefina B. Mascarenas and Duanren Wu, were also required to explain their absence.
Also, the incorporators of Biancham Holdings and Trading Inc., including Roque and his associates, were called to account.
Lawyer Gerald Y. Medina of the Medina, Flores Ofrin Law Office and Ruperto Cruz, the owner of the controversial property in Bamban, were also issued show-cause orders. Danny C. Corral, president and CEO of First Bataan Mariveles Holdings Corp., was included in the list.
Dela Serna’s connection to Roque was exposed when the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime
Commission (PAOCC) raided the Lucky South 99 compound in Porac, a known Pogo hub.
During the raid, Dela Serna’s appointment papers as Executive Assistant III under Roque’s office, dated October 5, 2021, were found, along with an affidavit from Roque taking full responsibility for Dela Serna’s financial needs during a trip to Poland, Ukraine, and Italy in October 2023.
These discoveries have raised questions about the nature of their relationship and the legitimacy of their travels.
The hearing in Pampanga, which aimed to examine the links between Pogos, the illegal drug trade, and EJKs, highlighted the roles of individuals and corporations allegedly involved in these activities.
The quad-committee, composed of the Committees on Dangerous Drugs, Public Order and Safety, Human Rights, and Public Accounts, has been tasked with getting to the bottom of the complex and deeply entrenched criminal activities linked to Pogos, including the illegal drug trade, and the EJKs associated with the previous administration’s antidrug campaign.
Its findings could have farreaching implications, not only for the individuals directly involved but also for the broader efforts to combat corruption and crime in the country.
The quad-committee is determined to hold accountable anyone who contributed, directly or indirectly, to the criminal activities that have thrived in a climate of impunity.
MNLF. . .
Continued from A3
“Today, we face a dynamic and evolving landscape. Our communities are confronted with a range of challenges, from enduring socio-economic issues to emerging threats to our security. This pivotal moment requires our collective attention and action,” Magno said.
NPA. . .
Continued from A3
“We might be putting more troops into BARMM areas just to ensure that, because this is their first BARMM parliamentary election. May problema pa sa stability [there are still some problems about stability],” he said.
In May 2025, the Philippine electorate will be trooping to polling precincts to cast their votes for the national, regional, and local elective positions in the government.
Gibo leads tributes to ex-defense chief
De Villa; gives OAM
FORMER Department of National Defense
(DND) Secretary Renato S. De Villa was awarded the Outstanding Achievement Medal (OAM) for his accomplishments during his tenure as the country’s defense chief from 1991 to 1997.
DND Secretary Gilberto C. Teodoro Jr. presented the OAM to De Villa during ceremonies held at the DND Social Hall last August 15.
The OAM was in recognition of his extraordinary and distinguished achievements as Defense Secretary from July 20, 1991, to Sept. 15, 1997.
He first served former president Corazon Aquino and her successor Fidel V. Ramos during those years.
Teodoro thanked De Villa for his steadfast
“Additionally, our thanks go to Secretary Carlito Galvez for his crucial role in fostering this dialogue. We, in MinDA, pledge our continued support to OPAPRU and stand as your partners in driving socio-economic growth in BARMM and Mindanao,” Magno added.
Año said the NPA, the armed component of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), has already been decimated in all its politico-military spectrum capabilities.
From the 89 guerilla fronts reported in 2018, there are now only seven weakened guerilla fronts, with another two scheduled to be eliminated soon.
With this update, Ano said the government is on the verge of closing the violent and bloody chapter of the CPP-NPA in Philippine history within the year or next year. Rex Anthony Naval
commitment and exceptional service to the Department throughout his tenure.
“His brand of quiet leadership is a standard that hope all Second Lieutenants will look up to, all Generals will look up to, all Major Service Commanders will look up to, all future Secretaries of National Defense will look up to, and all Executive Secretaries will look up to,” the DND chief added. De Villa also briefly served as Executive Secretary of then president Gloria MacapagalArroyo in 2001.
During his tenure as defense chief, De Villa also chaired the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC), overseeing national-level disaster management and mitigation, relief and rescue operations, rehabilitation of calamity areas, and assistance to disaster victims.
Through these accomplishments, De Villa not only earned lasting honor for himself but also made significant contributions to the DND and the Filipino nation. Rex Anthony Naval
Iloilo City bares project to empower senior citizens with livelihood skills
By Perla Lena
LOILO CITY—The local govern -
Iment here has announced the development of a project that could empower senior citizens by giving them a sense of purpose even after they retire from the workforce.
Maria Mathilde Treñas, the special assistant to the mayor, revealed that the city administration intends to initiate a livelihood project aimed at providing senior citizens in all barangays with a potential source of income.
The project, dubbed “Project Uswag para sa mga Katigulangan,” is a community-driven initiative that focuses on empowering senior citizens by equipping them with skills in arts and crafts. The goal of this project is to enable the elderly to engage in income-generating activities that are sustainable and meaningful.
By fostering creativity and providing training in various crafts, the project not only aims to enhance the financial well-being of senior citizens but also to promote their overall well-being and sense of fulfillment. Through this initiative, the city government is working towards building a more inclusive and supportive community that values and uplifts its older members, Treñas said.
“We want them to come together when they have nothing to do. Some members of their family go to school or work so they get easily bored; they could slowly become depressed. But if we have this activity, they will look forward to productively spending time with their fellow senior citizens,” Treñas added.
The pilot implementation of the project is set in Mandurriao and Arevalo
districts, where the Technical Institute of Iloilo City will hold four-day training for one representative from each barangay that will cascade the learning back to their fellow senior citizens in their villages.
The representatives from the 18 barangays of Mandurriao will train on rug weaving and potholder making in Barangay PHHC Block 22, Mandurriao, and 13 for the box file
holders or desk organizer making out of recycled materials for Arevalo to undergo training in Barangay Sta. Filomena.
The barangays will have working kits for senior citizens to use while working in the center.
Each district will have a signature project they could display at the Office for Senior Citizen Affairs at the city hall and other trade fairs and exhibits.
“The sale of their products will provide their association with a source of income. On our part in the city government, we will provide personnel who will look after the Senior Citizens Center,” Treñas added.
The project would also allow the maximum utilization of senior citizen centers in the districts.
“Not only are they equipped with skills that could provide them with financial benefits but also help maintain their cognitive function, have some fruitful pastime, mingle with others for social and emotional support, maintain mobility with less strenuous activities, and generally have something to look forward to enhancing their overall well-being,” Treñas said.
The city government is expected to fully implement the program next month.
Seniors embrace AI education: Navigating opportunities and risks in the digital age
By Dan Merica The Associated Press
NORTHFIELD, Ill.—The students—most with gray hair, some with canes, all at least in their 60s—couldn’t believe what they were hearing.
“Oh, my God,” whispered a retired college professor.
“Does it come with viruses?” wondered a bewildered woman scribbling notes in the second row.
A 79-year-old in a black-and-white floral shirt then asked the question on many minds: “How do you know if it is fake or not?”
This is how older adults—many of whom lived through the advent of refrigeration, the transition from radio to television and the invention of the Internet—are grappling with artificial intelligence: taking a class. Sitting in a classroom in an airy senior center in a Chicago suburb, the dozen students were learning about the latest—and possibly greatest— technological leap in their lives. And they are not alone. Across the country, scores of such classes have sprung up to teach seniors about AI’s ability to transform their lives and the threats the technology poses.
“I saw ice boxes turn into refrigerators, that is how long I have been around,” said Barbara Winston, 89, who paid to attend the class put on at the North Shore Senior Center in Northfield. “And I think this is probably the greatest technical revolution that I will see in my lifetime.”
Older adults find themselves in a unique moment with technology.
Artificial intelligence offers significant benefits for seniors, from the ability to curb loneliness to making it easier for them to get to medical appointments.
“It’s tricky,” said Michael Gershbein, the instructor of the class in Northfield. “Overall, the suspicion that is there on the part of seniors is good but I don’t want them to become paralyzed from their fears and not be willing to do anything online.”
The questions in his class outside Chicago ranged from the absurd to the practical to the academic. Why are so many new shoes no longer including shoelaces? Can AI create a multiday itinerary for a visit to Charleston, South Carolina? What are the geopolitical implications of artificial intelligence?
Gershbein, who teaches classes on a range of technological topics, said interest in AI has ballooned in the last nine months. The 52-year-old teaches an AI course once or twice a week, he said, and aims to create a “safe space where [seniors] can come in and we can discuss all the issues they may be hearing bits and pieces of but we can put it all together and they can ask questions.”
We know that that’s not true,” said Dianne Stone, associate director at the National Council on Aging who ran a senior center in Connecticut for over two decades. Such courses, she said, are meant to foster a “healthy skepticism” in what the technology can do, arming older Americans with the knowledge “that not everything you hear is true, it’s good to get the information, but you have to kind of sort it out for yourself.”
Striking that balance, said Siwei Lyu, a University at Buffalo professor, can be difficult, and classes tend to either promote AI’s benefits or focus on its dangers.
“We need this kind of education for seniors, but the approach we take has to be very balanced and well-designed,” said Lyu, who has lectured to seniors and other groups.
Seniors who have taken such AI classes said they came away with a clear understanding of AI’s benefits and pitfalls.
Indecent exposure of the heart
Oa few days ago, we were treated on social as well as mainstream media to a real family feud “show” involving an Olympic champion and his mother. I use the term show because it had the juicy elements associated with TV talk entertainment that invite our voyeuristic and gossip-craving side. There was the airing of personal grievances, the revelation of deep hurts, dangling questions about the unwanted girlfriend, and other matters of the heart and money that did not deserve to be bared in public.
To be honest, was embarrassed for those involved in what is really nothing more than a normal family dispute. In my side of the family and my wife’s, we’ve had these in-family bickerings and clashes erupting now and then.
The only difference is that in this particular case, it was shown on a public platform. What was lost or overshadowed was the real drama, the triumphal achievement of a Filipino athlete on the global sports stage, the Olympics no less. Media managers and editors should have known better and should have muted the info about the gold medalist’s family quarrel. But disappointingly, that wasn’t the case. Even supposedly serious, sober and responsible journalists joined their tabloid colleagues as well as the hordes of netizens and social media habitués in feasting on the juicier scene stealer. In our native parlance, “lahat sumawsaw na” (everyone dipped into it.) “O tempora, o mores,” wailed the orator Cicero in the Roman Senate of his day. Literally translated as “Oh what times! Oh what manners!”This phrase has often been used as an exclamation of disgust and frustration at prevailing social or political trends. The better translation should be “Shame on these times!”
Our times have really changed. As L.P. Hartley observed: “The past is a foreign country, they do things differently there.” In our days, we used to be scandalized when we would learn that an unmarried daughter had given birth to a baby out of wedlock, or a son had been disowned for defying his father’s wishes, or a female teacher had ran off with a fellow married male teacher, and so on. But while we too loved gossip and scandal in those days, we mostly kept mum about them. But nowadays? It’s normal not to be ashamed anymore of disgraceful acts. People are no longer outraged or upset by behavior deemed dishonorable and disreputable in our time.
Someone does a vulgar thing and if it gains traction, then everyone else follows and soon the vulgar becomes normal and acceptable. The raunchier the affair, the more intimate salacious details bared, the better it garners attention and interest.
Social media has much to do with turning private acts into a public spectacle. In fact, the brouhaha involving the Olympic gold medalist and his mom started with social media postings, which spilled over to the traditional news media.
Let’s face it, because of social media, we are now living in glass houses where the public is welcome to peer into people’s private lives.
My wife who is active on social media receives regular postings of younger friends displaying images of themselves smooching and embracing each other and doing things together no matter how trivial to the point of being distasteful, and vulgar as to be embarrassing. These pictures come with “terms of endearments” that are so cloying that they give me goosebumps. It’s like sitting beside an uninhibited couple openly showing off their affection for each other as if they were in the privacy of their room, completely ignoring your presence.
Don’t get me wrong. feel happy for couples when they announce that they are “in a relationship” on social media. I find nothing wrong with pictures of friends with their beloved someone being posted from time to time. But to be inundated with not one or two but in the dozen images per posting is as we say in the native parlance, “nakakaumay na.”
Thank God, I have a sharp nose for detecting insincerity beneath impassioned sentimental outpourings. I tell my wife, don’t worry, this couple won’t last. True enough, they broke up after a while. Too much flaunting of passion is a sign of a hollow connection and inauthenticity. I specially dislike the performative-exhibitionist types. I’m talking about celebrities who propose marriage in front of iconic tourist destinations such as Eiffel Tower or St. Peter’s Basilica or for crying out loud even during a live TV show or a sports game! It’s all so staged for maximum exposure, maximum attention, maximum click baits and eyeballs.
If there is a law against indecent exposure of private parts, there out to be a law against what I call “indecent exposure of the heart.”
Winston left the class to start her own AI journey, even if others remained skeptical. When she got home, the retired professor downloaded books on the technology, researched the platforms she wanted to use from her kitchen table and eventually queried ChatGPT about how to treat a personal medical ailment.
“This is the beginning of my education,” she said, her floral cup of coffee nearby. “I’m not worried about protecting myself. I’m too old to worry about that.”
Classes like these aim to familiarize aging early adopters with the myriad ways the technology could better their lives but also encourage skepticism about how artificial intelligence can distort the truth.
Balanced skepticism, say experts on the technology, is critical for seniors who plan to interact with AI.
But it also has drawbacks that are uniquely threatening to this older group of Americans: A series of studies have found that senior citizens are more susceptible to both scams perpetrated using artificial intelligence and believing the types of misinformation that are being supercharged by the technology. Experts are particularly concerned about the role deepfakes and other AI-produced misinformation could play in politics.
During a 90-minute-long session on a June Thursday, Gershbein discussed deepfakes—videos that use generative AI to make it appear someone said something they did not. When he played a few deepfakes, the seniors sat agog. They could not believe how real the fakes seemed. There are widespread concerns that such videos could be used to trick voters, especially seniors.
The threats to seniors go beyond politics, however, and range from basic misinformation on social media sites to scams that use voice-cloning technology to trick them. An AARP report published last year said that Americans over 60 lose $28.3 billion annually to financial extortion schemes, some assisted by AI.
Experts from the National Council on Aging, an organization established in 1950 to advocate for seniors, said classes on AI at senior centers have increased in recent years and are at the forefront of digital literacy efforts.
“There’s a myth out there that older adults don’t use technology.
“It’s only as good as the people who program it, and the users need to understand that. You really have to question it,” said Linda Chipko, a 70-year-old who attended an AI class in June in suburban Atlanta.
Chipko said she took the class because she wanted to “understand” AI, but on her way out said, “It’s not for me.”
Others have even embraced it. Ruth Schneiderman, 77, used AI to help illustrate a children’s book she was writing, and that experience sparked her interest in taking the Northfield class to learn more about the technology.
“My mother lived until she was 90,” Schneiderman said, “and I learned from her if you want to survive in this world, you have to adjust to the change. Otherwise you are left behind.”
The Associated Press receives financial assistance from the Omidyar Network to support coverage of artificial intelligence and its impact on society. AP is solely responsible for all content.
We need to stop and guard against the unsolicited assault on our sense of decency and the uninhibited display of private emotions on the unwary public.
Is this just a cultural trait? Filipinos don’t seem to know the value of restraint. We don’t know when to stop. Our soap operas are full of characters shouting at each other, venting hatred for each other in loud torrent, to lunge at each other with obligatory slapping. We want them to cry interminably and complete with copious tears, to the point of being cringy. Even our artistic sense inclines towards the loud and gaudy. We see this in the wanton displays of hysterical festive costumes during our local parades.
In this digital age, where oversharing is just a click away, perhaps we Filipinos specially the young digital natives, need compulsory lessons on “netiquette”, which means “Internet manners.” It’s about how we should act when we’re online. Just like we observe manners at the dinner table, or when we attend social functions, netiquette is about being courteous and respectful in digital spaces.
Netiquette is the reminder or warning buzzer that makes us pause and consider: should I splash these details about my travel, my new partner, my car, my house, my latest luxury purchase, or my kid’s latest achievement all over the Internet?
It’s not complicated; it’s just simple human decency and having a sense of propriety. It’s about learning to be wary of sharing too much in public forums. It’s about respecting others’ privacy as fiercely as we’d guard our own. This is why I keep reminding my wife to refrain from posting pictures of our faces together. I want our relationship to be inconspicuous, under the radar. Our love for each other is not for public exposure.
To me, personal information about our relationship with a loved one or even our close family is like a treasure; if we have to share it, do it sparingly and wisely. Remember, not all people share your effusive expressions of endearment. Many are turned off without telling it to your face. Besides, your open display of emotions might cause you great embarrassment later on and you might need to delete it.
Most of all, never wash your family’s dirty laundry in public, specifically the Internet where it can easily go viral much to your regret in the end.
It’s wiser to practice self-restraint in everything. As someone said anonymously: “In a world where everyone is overexposed, the coolest thing you can do is maintain your mystery.”
PNA SENIOR citizens transact at the Office for Senior Citizens Affairs at the Iloilo City hall in this undated photo. The city government will introduce “Project Uswag para sa mga Katigulangan,” a livelihood
Editor: Mike Policarpio
Senators pave way for Filipino dual citizens to be faculty, administrators in public HEIs
TWO solons have jointly filed a bill that could allow Filipinos with dual citizenship to join public higher education institutions (HEIs) as faculty, researchers, or administrators.
Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian and Sen. Joel Villanueva’s Senate Bill 2733, which is an amendment of Section 5 (3) of Republic Act (RA) 9255, or the “Citizenship Retention and Re-Acquisition Act of 2003,” aims to enable individuals who retain and reacquire their Philippine citizenship to be appointed as researchers, faculty, or administrators of public higher education institutions (HEIs) without having to renounce a previous oath of allegiance to another country. Under RA 9255, those who retain or reacquire their Filipino citizenship can be appointed to public office—provided that they swear an oath of allegiance to the
Republic of the Philippines, and renounce a prior oath of allegiance to another country.
While the move opened opportunities, it still poses a restriction to those who want to serve as faculty, researchers, or administrators in the country’s HEIs, but still need to renounce the oath they took to another country.
For Gatchalian, removing this restriction will create a pool of internationally competitive faculty members, as he added that it will help address issues on the global ranking of public HEIs and declining inbound faculty.
The Times Higher Education World University Rankings and the QS World University Rank-
ings use the international faculty ratio as one of the criteria for the assessment and ranking of universities. The weightage of international faculty, which excludes visiting professors, is equivalent to 2.5 percent.
Appointing foreign faculty will help increase the enrollment of international students and improve the world rankings of public HEIs, the senator pointed out.
Gatchalian, who is a co-chair of the Second Congressional
Manila, Malabon school kids given bags of hope
By Roderick L. Abad
SOME 2,300 children from the cities of Manila and Malabon recently received new learning kits, which include notebooks, pencils, and a pack of crayons, among others, prior to the opening of classes this school year.
Commission on Education, and heads the Senate Committee on Basic Education, said in Filipino that, in the midst of the country’s continuing advancement in the education sector, it is timely to open public colleges and universities to compatriots with dual citizenship.
This, he said, will be an opportunity to augment the number of teachers who are ready to impart their knowledge and experience from other countries.
Public, private sector linkage helps boost early childhood education
By Rory Visco Contributor
THE new academic year has already started in many schools despite the havoc created by the combined effects of Supertyphoon “Carina” (international name Gaemi ) and the southwest monsoon or habagat . In preparation, many parents, as usual, braved crowded shopping centers and other establishments as soon as the weather permitted just to get hold of important school supplies, clothes, shoes, and stuff their kids needed before the opening day. But for those who are sending their toddlers to school for the first time, a lot are oblivious of what’s running through their young kids’ minds before they step inside unfamiliar— which may also turn out to be hostileterritory. We can only imagine the stress, the pressure, and most likely fear that children feel during the first day of classes, especially when interacting with other children their age. This is where the importance of early childhood education (ECE) comes in.
A transition period in the Philippine educational system, there is a period of transition where children can learn ways of adapting from the confines of their home to a four-cornered classroom.
ECE is an educational stage where young children learn certain skills that hopefully will enable them to process information, talk to other kids, read, communicate with people, and express themselves in various ways.
To provide for more services for child care, Republic Act 8980 or the “Early Childhood Care and Development Act” was enacted in 2000 by former president Joseph Estrada. The law requires that “the State shall institutionalize a national system for Early Childhood Care and Development [ECCD] that is comprehensive, integrative and sustainable; involves multisectoral and interagency collaboration at the national and local levels; among government, service providers, families and communities; and among the public and private sectors, nongovernment organizations, professional associations, and academic institutions.”
The law also mandates that “the system shall promote the inclusion of children with special needs, and advocate respect for cultural diversity.
It shall be anchored on complementary strategies for ECCD that include service delivery for children from
conception to age six [6], educating parents and caregivers, encouraging the active involvement of parents and communities in ECCD programs, raising awareness about the importance of ECCD, and promoting community development efforts that improve the quality of life for young children and families.”
However, the United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef) in the Philippines laments the fact that few children in the Philippines are able to participate in early learning, where about 78 percent of kids in the 3- to 4-year-old age bracket do not attend early learning programs. The agency also cited the Bangsamoro Region, where 90 percent of children do not have access to ECE.
The ECCD Information System— a centralized database developed by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) that has information on all children receiving services from the agency—revealed that around 3,658 barangays are still without any early learning facilities such as Child Development Centers, National CDCs, and Supervised Neighborhood Playgroups as of August 2019.
“Children have the right to quality pre-primary education, which is the foundation of a child’s journey,” Unicef’s ECD specialist Psyche Vetta Olayvar stated. “Every stage of education that follows relies on its success. If we fail to provide quality early childhood education, we limit future prospects of individual children, as
well as the country’s human capital needed to reduce inequalities and promote peaceful, prosperous societies.”
Private sector, LGU to support nation-building EXPRESSING a shared commitment to invest in the learning of young children, the local government of Pasig City, McDonald’s Philippines, and the Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) have linked up to provide additional support to ECE efforts.
A Ronald McDonald Bahay Bulilit Learning Center was recently established in Pasig that will directly benefit children of Barangay Manggahan. The centers provide a safe space for children in communities to develop essential skills—an initiative where McDonald’s and RMHC partner with local governments in identifying areas that need the facilities. They are subsequently handed over to the local DSWD for operations, each able to accommodate 90 to 100 learners annually.
Pasig City officials led by Mayor Victor Ma. Regis “Vico” Sotto, Vice Mayor Robert Jaworski Jr., plus barangay and McDonald’s Philippines officials, attended the Bahay Bulilit Center’s turnover ceremonies.
“This is the first Ronald McDonald Bahay Bulilit in Pasig City, and the 41st in the country,” said McDonald’s Philippines AVP for Corporate Relations and Impact Adi Hernandez.
“Truly, the Ronald McDonald Bahay Bulilit program demonstrates how the private and public sectors can work
together to support nation-building.” Hernandez also underscored the partnership with the local government, as he affirmed that McDonald’s has always been an ally of every community where they operate: “As we grow, so should the communities we serve—especially children and families. It is our commitment to make a difference by driving positive impact through the programs of RMHC, our charity of choice. In partnership with the local government and the DSWD, a Bahay Bulilit opens its doors to learners 2- to 4-years-old to provide them a safe place to learn and play while their parents work.”
McDonald’s and RMHC also aim to establish 100 learning centers by 2028. It said that Bahay Bulilit is not the only way that McDonald’s Philippines is helping the city’s children and families in need. For close to 8 years, the quick-serve restaurant (QSR) firm has been a part of the annual Brigada Eskwela that helps public schools get ready for the next school year.
In the future, schools and communities can again benefit from McDonald’s active participation through “ReClassified:” a program that upcycles McDonald’s decommissioned restaurant furniture into desks and tables for public schools.
There is also the “McDonald’s Day and Night Classroom,” where the QSR’s party areas are transformed into comfortable learning spaces for students and teachers, plus learn and be protected from scorching heat and heavy rains.
The learning materials were distributed by World Vision with its ambassadors and corporate donor PSBank as part of the Christian humanitarian organization’s annual “Back to School” campaign. It seeks to alleviate school supply costs on families while uplifting and empowering children with hope as they face School Year 2024-2025.
This year’s campaign was dubbed: “One Bag, One Dream,” with the goal to raise enough funds to provide new learning kits worth P1,000 each.
Present during the distribution were celebrities Jasmine CurtisSmith, Paolo Valenciano with his wife Sam and their daughter Leia, Emilienne Vigier, World Vision youth ambassador Zachi Chua, as well as PSBank representatives.
During the event, the ambassadors shared inspiring messages with the kids, as they prepare for the new academic cycle. The Valenciano family gave the kids a story-telling session, while PSBank volunteers and Chua joined a stop-dance contest.
“Education is the key to your bright future,” Curtis-Smith told the youngsters. “With the new bag and school supplies that you have received, we hope that [these] will inspire you to enjoy going back to school.”
PSBank’s department head of people communications and events John Denver Castro wished the children another year of gained knowledge and wisdom as they head back to the four corners of their classrooms:“I hope that you study hard as classes start, not only to be successful in the future, but to be able to give back.”
Nine-year-old Shienna looked forward to going back to school after receiving her learner kit: “I’m excited to go back to school, because I will get to learn new things again! I will study hard to become a doctor, so I could treat the sick.”
DIRECTORS from the University of Santo Tomas’ Research Center for Social Sciences and Education (RCSSED) recently won national and international research prizes for their doctoral projects in Australian universities.
RCSSED assistant director Pia Patricia Tenedero will receive this year’s “Virginia A. Miralao Excellence in Research Award (VAMERA)” from the Philippine Social Science Council (PSSC). She won the award for her book “Communication that Counts: Language Practice and Ideology in Globalized Accounting” from her PhD thesis at Macquarie University.
The book was published as part of the Language at Work series by Bristol, United Kingdom-based publisher Multilingual Matters. VAMERA honors former PSSC executive director Dr. Virginia Miralao.
The prize comes from a 2012 grant to the council by Professor Emerita Dr. Belinda Aquino of the University of Hawaii-Manoa in the United States.
The award, handed out to a published journal article, book chapter or book, serves as an incentive (i.e., below 45 years old) “to pursue original and meaningful research.”
Currently an honorary research fellow at Macquarie’s Department of Linguistics, Dr. Tenedero will receive a unique trophy made by noted visual artist Abdulmari “Toym” Leon Imao. Meanwhile, RCSSED director Jeremaiah Opiniano (University of Adelaide) earned the “2024 Dissertation Award” from the Mixed Methods International Research Association
(MMIRA) for his doctoral project, “Overseas Remittances and Rural Hometown Investing: Toward an Understanding of the Migration- and Local-Development Nexus.” Dr. Opiniano’s PhD project in May 2021 had already won the “John Lewis Medal of Excellence” for Outstanding Doctoral Research in Geography from the Royal Geographical Society of South Australia. The city of Adelaide belongs to the state of South Australia.
According to the association, MMIRA’s dissertation awards “recognize a beginning scholar completing original research, whose dissertation has made an outstanding contribution to the field of mixed methods research.” 2024 MMIRA dissertation award applicants must have their PhD thesis or dissertation defended/passed between December 1, 2020 and September 30, 2023. Drs. Tenedero and Opiniano belong to the Faculty of Arts and Letters, as well as English and Journalism programs, respectively. Distinguished academicians Prof. Ingrid Piller and Dr. Loy Lising acted as primary and co-supervisors, respectively, of Dr. Tenedero. Meanwhile, Drs. Yan Tan (primary) and Dianne Marie Rudd (co-supervisor) advised on Dr. Opiniano’s project. The individual citations of the two directors come as RCSSED received the “Outstanding Research Institution Award” for Social Sciences and the Humanities from the National Research Council of the Philippines last March.
SENATORS Villanueva (left) and Gatchalian
A YOUNG student gets a new learning kit from World Vision and the Valencianos.
Tourism Editor: Edwin P. Sallan
City of historic firsts prepares for tourist influx
MALOLOS, BULACAN—While the Philippines’ natural landscapes, islands, and mountains are popular among both foreign and domestic tourists, locals and officials in this city proudly showcase their vibrant and rich history as a key element of their tourism offering.
Malolos is renowned as a symbol of Filipino identity due to its significant role in the nation’s history and its connection to the struggle for independence and democracy. It was here, in 1899, that the “First Philippine Republic” was established. The Malolos Congress convened at Barasoain Church to draft and ratify the Malolos Constitution, Asia’s first republican constitution, reflecting the Filipinos’ aspiration for self-governance and independence.
The city is also noted for being a center of revolutionary activity during the Philippine Revolution against Spanish rule. Its strategic location made it an ideal base for leaders like e milio Aguinaldo, who later became the first President of the Philippines. e ven after several decades, Malolos
continues to preserve numerous historical buildings and landmarks that highlight its rich cultural heritage and the legacy of the Filipino fight for independence.
Strives for recovery B UT, recently the city was heavily impacted by Typhoon Carina and an enhanced southwest monsoon (habagat), resulting in severe flooding. According to the City Information o ffice, approximately 78,029 families and 270,213 individuals were forced to evacuate to centers, public schools, covered courts, and even churches.
According to the initial report by the City Agriculture o ffice on June 25, 2024, damages to rice crops were estimated at P47,925, while the city’s fishponds suffered
losses amounting to P4,464,069.
Despite the recent disaster, local officials in this city remain hopeful for recovery. Various city government departments are united in their efforts to help the community rebuild, and the city’s historical sites continue to stand resilient.
City prepares for tourism surge
When asked about the city government’s readiness to accommodate the influx of tourists, City Vice Mayor Miguel Alberto Bautista told the B usiness M irror , “we’re working on it.”
Bautista mentioned that they are constructing a heritage hotel designed with architecture and a concept that reflects the city’s identity.
“This administration is preparing for that,” he said.
h e expressed optimism that with the upcoming airport—currently under construction in Bulakan, Bulacan on a vast 2,500-hectare site and expected to open in 2025 under San Miguel Aerocity Inc. (SMAI), the infrastructure arm of San Miguel Corporation—the city will be wellpositioned to promote businesses, tourism, and services to a global audience.
History as tourism A M ong these “history as tourism” is the Barasoain Church, which not only car-
gBy Bernard Joseph Esposo Guerrero
R o WI ng up in the 90s, the controversial Apartheid of South Africa appeared in the news quite often. It was hard to miss it even as a kid. During that time n elson Mandela rose to international fame for having played a most central role in the abolition of the oppressive regime. I, however, have to admit that I did not fully understand the picture until only recently, after three separate visits to South Africa. So, what was the Apartheid?
The Apartheid was a system of institutionalized racial segregation and discrimination enforced by the government of South Africa from 1948 to 1994. “Apartheid” means “to separate,” and it was designed to maintain white minority rule over the non-white majority, perpetuating racial inequality. Aside from the exclusion of non-whites from political power, the Apartheid enforced harsh segregation in all aspects of life. Public facilities, including schools, hospitals, and transport were separated by race, with those designated for non-whites being immensely of inferior quality. South Africans were also forcibly evicted from their homes and relocated to designated areas under the g roup Areas Act. This was experienced in Sophiatown—the birthplace of South African jazz— and District Six.
Constitution Hill and the Constitutional Court
In Johannesburg, the infamous Constitution h ill, a former prison complex, can now be accessed by visitors. It stands as a memorial to the inequality of the social system of that period. Aside from Mandela, another important figure was also imprisoned here: Mahatma g andhi, who was then also advocating reforms in India. In fact, g andhi conceptualized his philosophy of Saytagrah or n on-violent Movement while he was in South Africa. Founded in the 19th century as a military fort, the Constitution h ill consists of the o ld Fort, the Women’s g aul and Prison n umber Four. It keeps up with its nickname “Robben Island of Joburg” and it comes out as more insightful and moving than the high security island prison. While Robben Island dealt with political detainees and high-profile individuals, the stories conjured in Constitution h ill are more inclusive as they speak more of the plight of the ordinary citizens who received exaggerated penalties for being at the wrong side of the beach or for stepping in a bus that was not meant for them. The
ries a profound historical significance but also features a classic baroque design. Its intricate details and well-preserved facade exemplify the colonial-era architecture.
In addition to its historical significance, the Barasoain Museum offers a range of exhibits across five galleries.
g allery 1, titled “Sigaw ng Kalayaan,” immerses visitors in the plight of Filipinos under Spanish colonial rule.
g allery 2, known as “Watawat ng Kalayaan,” focuses on the struggle for freedom, presenting details on the declaration of Philippine independence and the revolutionary government’s decrees.
In g allery 3, “Pagtindig ng Republika,” a seven-minute light and sound show highlights the Malolos Republic, featuring lifesized dioramas of key figures such as Aguinaldo, depicting the historical Congress held inside the Barasoain Church, right in front of its altar.
Just a few meters from Barasoain Church stands the Cathedral of o ur Lady of the Immaculate Conception, also known as the Malolos Cathedral, which is located right in front of the City Municipal h all. The large statue of o ur Lady of the Immaculate Conception is prominently visible from a distance.
The Cathedral’s Convent served as the office for Aguinaldo, and locals refer to it as the “first Malacañang” because it became
the office of the country’s first president.
Step back in time A DDITI on ALLy, within the area, you can visit various landmarks and museums, starting with the “Museo ng Kasaysayan ng Pampulitika ng Pilipinas” (Museum of Philippine Political h istory). Upon entering, you will see an old printing press machine, recognized as the first printing press from the Malolos Republic.
The museum, previously known as Casa Real, restored in 1852 and later converted into a municipal library, serves as the final repository for existing memorabilia and offers an interactive retelling of the country’s history, now houses the museum under the management of the n ational h istorical Institute.
o n the other hand, the “Don Jose Bautista h ouse” can also be explored here, where some scenes from the TV show “Maria Clara at Ibarra” were filmed.
The house’s details showcase the stylistic changes introduced through colonial contact with the West: n eoclassicism transitions into Revival Baroque and Victorian ostentation, followed by Art n ouveau elegance, and culminates in the geometricorganic combinations of Art Deco.
Like many “bahay na bato” or stone houses of that era, the Don Jose Bautista h ouse features a façade with a stone
figurines.
o n the other side of the street is the “Tahanan ni Dr. Luis Santos” is an Art Decostyle home built in 1933 by ophthalmologist Don Louis Santos, the son of Paulino Santos and Alberta Uitangcoy. Inside, you’ll notice a very smooth wooden staircase, and as you follow it upstairs, you’ll be surprised by the ceiling, which features a mural painted by Fernando Amorsolo.
As you stroll through this city, you’ll be amazed at how the community has preserved its identity despite the march of modernity. Many of the establishments have been meticulously planned and adhere to city governance standards, showcasing structures that still feature designs reminiscent of old Filipino houses. But of course, there are numerous other aspects to discover, including local delicacies and snacks like the “ e mpanada de Kaliskis,” a pastry resembling fish scales. It was formerly known as e mpanada de Malolos, named after its place of origin. Also noteworthy are “Inipit,” a Malolos treat consisting of two layers of chiffon cake with custard cream in between, and “kakainin,” a variety of rice cakes.
Story & photos by John Eiron R. Francisco
ground floor and a wooden second floor that abuts the street, marked by a narrow pedestrian path. Inside, you’ll find old items like a radio cassette player, vintage furniture, and
Is ‘Lolo and the Kid’ worth watching?
JOEL TORRE and Euwenn Mikaell co-star in the Netflix movie Lolo and the Kid, the story of a hustler and a little boy who con the middle class and the rich. It’s easy to compare this to the Thai blockbuster How To Make Millions Before Grandma Dies because, superficially, they are very similar—except they’re not.
In Lolo and the Kid, Lolo and Kid (yes, that’s the child’s name) aren’t really blood relatives but two grifters who find themselves drawn together by an inexplicable bond. In How To Make Millions Before Grandma Dies, the two main characters are the grandmother and her grandson.
Another difference is that while the Thai movie tells the story as it is, Lolo and the Kid, like many Filipino movies, milks dramatic scenes to make the audience cry. And cry I did but the scenes I liked the most are those where Lolo and Kid were just hanging around and being the carefree people they are.
If anything, Lolo and the Kid reminds me of the Karate Kid series where a troubled child is mentored by an older person except in this case, Lolo is not a wise old man. Joel Torre plays Lolo really well and as one of the country’s best actors, he portrays the character not in black or white but as humanly as possible. I used the word “humanly” because in real life, there are no main characters or villains. There are only people living their lives and making the most of the circumstances they are dealt with.
In the opening scenes, the kid and the older man sleep outside a wealthy and childless couple’s house. They take pity on the old man and the child that they decide to adopt Kid and pay off Lolo so he can live in better conditions in the province.
What happens next is almost expected: Kid escapes the house in the middle of the night with valuables and he and Lolo sell these and live on the money. This occurs regularly throughout the movie.
The plot is filled with holes. I wonder why Lolo’s victims have not, in this day and age, met each other via social media and reported his nefarious activities to the authorities. Not one of the couples (before the last one) tried to legally adopt Kid. They just took him in. I mean, if that happened to me, I would consult a lawyer for sure. Lolo loves Kid but not once did he make sure that the boy got an education or even learned how to read and write.
But the movie is not about its flaws but its heart.
Euwenn is perfect as Kid to the point that I didn’t want to see him grow up. The relationship between the two main characters is so touching and adorable. Their circumstances are not ideal but every child should have a relationship with a parent or a grandparent, just like that of Lolo and Kid. Do the two main actors save the movie from its flaws? Yes, they do. I may not be a filmmaker or a movie director, but I wish that our Filipino filmmakers would rely less on dramatics and hysteria and instead use their talent for storytelling. Lolo and the Kid is still a movie worth streaming (it is exclusive to Netflix) because it will entertain you and touch your heart.
WATSONS BRINGS TOGETHER THE BEST OF P-POP
LEADING health and beauty retailer presents the Watsons Playlist: The P-Pop Power Concert on August 18 at the MOA Arena, bringing together the best of Filipino music. About 10,000 Watsons Club members are expected to witness the interactive concert featuring today’s most sought-after P-Pop groups such as SB19, Hori7on, Alamat, Kaia, and G22.
GOOGLE-DHL COLLAB PUSHES SUSTAINABLE GLOBAL SHIPPING
BY RODERICK L. ABAD Contributor
TO help eliminate its carbon footprint in the next six years, global technology giant Google is partnering with international logistics provider DHL to use the latter’s GoGreen Plus service with Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). Such collaboration includes express shipping of Google tools in the devices and services business unit across the Americas, Asia and Europe. It also forms part of the company’s effort to encourage existing decarbonization technologies in air cargo transportation.
“Google has a goal to achieve net-zero emissions across our operations and value chain by 2030. Optimizing how we transport Google devices around the world is a key part of this journey,” said Omar Molina, director of global transportation at Google. “That’s why we’re thrilled to collaborate with partners like DHL, who share our passion for net-zero. The SAF program is a big step forward in that direction.”
“By deploying SAF across our international network, we are pleased to offer the GoGreen Plus service to our long-standing partner Google. We are confident that this agreement and Google’s meaningful investment will encourage others to take the same initiative and drive the
transition to low-emission transportation services using sustainable aviation fuel,” added DHL Express chief executive 0fficer John Pearson. The deal was discussed during the DHL Era of Sustainable Logistics Global Summit held in April 2023, which brought together key decision-makers, thought leaders, and stakeholders to talk on cleaner, greener logistics. Leveraging on the conclave’s success, Google opted to tie up with DHL Express on a pilot project last June, utilizing SAF for four months. Because the pilot was successful, Google decided to expand their partnership and adopt the GoGreen Plus service for future operations.
Launched by DHL Express in 2023, it uses SAF to allow customers to reduce carbon emissions associated with their shipments. GoGreen Plus is now supported by the largest contracts with BP, Nestle, and World Energy.
Unlike conventional carbon-intensive aviation fuels or kerosene derived from crude oil, SAF is produced from renewable feedstocks with a sustainable energy profile including used cooking oil, waste and hydrogen.
GoGreen Plus is part of the DHL Group’s target of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. With around 70 percent of its carbon footprint coming from its air network, sustainable air transport solutions are crucial for creating sustainable logistics operations.
items such as vitamins and supplements via the Watsons app.
Watsons Club Members showed up and showed out as tickets quickly sold out shortly after they were made available. Customers who were able to complete a P3,500 single checkout are entitled to an upper box ticket. These tickets were also available at Watsons SM North Edsa The Block, SM Aura Premier, SM Mall of Asia, and SM Megamall.
On the other hand, those who completed a single purchase of P5,500 are considered VIP ticket holders and they will also receive exclusive merchandise plus meet-and-greet opportunities with the concert artists.
Watsons Club Members can claim their tickets by waiting for the unique redemption code to be sent via email after checkout. This unique redemption code is to be presented to get the Watsons Playlist printed ticket at any SM Ticket branch. ■
GLOBE PREPAID ENABLES UPGRADE FROM PHYSICAL SIM TO ESIM WHILE RETAINING NUMBER
IN line with its commitment to innovation and response to evolving market needs, Globe has launched a new service allowing Globe Prepaid customers to upgrade from a physical SIM to eSIM and retain their current number.
“This new offer is part of our drive for wider adoption of eSIM. We’re not just keeping up with the digital needs of our customers, but we’re also propelling them into the future of connectivity,” says Givielle Florida, head of Globe Prepaid.
The eSIM upgrade is available for Globe Prepaid customers via the GlobeOne app, which features an eSIMcompatibility check to ensure users’ devices are ready for the upgrade. The app offers seamless download and installation once purchased. The upgrade costs just P99.
To upgrade your physical SIM to an eSIM, go to the GlobeOne app, click on SIM Hub > Change SIM > eSIM and follow the on-screen instructions on your device. Then install the eSIM by scanning the QR code from your e-mail and enjoy your new eSIM with the same mobile number.
This launch follows the successful introduction of eSIMs for Globe Prepaid subscribers earlier this year, creating an end-to-end digital experience for its customers.
More information about the Globe Prepaid eSIMs can be found at www.globe.com.ph/what-is-esim.
Mapúa taps Cisco to boost CDA
program
BY RIZAL RAOUL S. REYES
THE Yuchengco controlled-Mapúa University recently released a roadmap on how it will leverage artificial intelligence (AI)-led collaboration and connectivity tools to redefine the classroom experience for students in the upcoming academic year, beginning in August 2024.
Mapúa University partnered with top networking company Cisco as part of its Country Digital Acceleration (CDA) program in the Philippines to boost UGNAYAN 2030, the country’s first digital classrooms that will support Mapúa’s Tri-X (triple experience) teaching and learning framework which gives learners the power to choose their mode of participation for every lesson, whether that is face-toface, synchronous, or asynchronous learning.
“The future of education is here, and our learning modalities at Mapúa are breaking barriers by creating limitless opportunities for personalized, accessible learning. We are excited for this next chapter of our partnership with Cisco to enable students to achieve better learning outcomes with greater flexibility and personalized learning with our digital classrooms. This is a big step toward our vision to foster sustainable socio-economic growth through innovation, digital transformation, and lifelong education,” said Dr. Dodjie S. Maestrecampo, president and chief executive officer of Mapúa University.
CDA, a strategic partnership with government leadership, industry, and academia to accelerate countries’ national digital agendas through UGNAYAN 2030, aims to build greater digital resilience for the Philippines by addressing the gaps it is facing under the key pillars of connectivity, collaboration and cybersecurity.
“Technology is transforming the way we work, learn and live. We are excited to support Mapúa University’s transformative journey to become a leading innovation hub that utilizes cutting-edge teaching and learning methods under UGNAYAN 2030. By helping the university leverage AI and inclusive collaboration tools in the classroom, we are closing the learning divide, enhancing student access, and ensuring quality education for every student nationwide so that no one gets left behind,” said Zaza Soriano-Nicart, managing director of Cisco Philippines.
Maestrecampo said the support from ICT solutions integrator Microdata will enable Cisco’s purpose-built AI-powered collaboration tools and smart cameras to create inclusive, engaging and secure learning experiences for hybrid learning. At an exclusive media preview, Mapúa showcased the full range of these capabilities:
■ Webex Boards enable students and teachers to join video meetings and serve as a digital canvas for digital whiteboarding and annotation of shared content.
■ AI-powered features through Webex Suite deliver immersive experiences with features like background noise removal optimizing speakers’ voices, and people focus cropping the videos of remote participants automatically so they can be seen more clearly and help students feel more connected in hybrid classes. Real-time automated closed captions are available in all meetings, making them more accessible.
■ AI-generated meeting summaries that include highlights, chapters and action items in real-time and with every recorded lecture also help students catch up on what they might have missed in class.
■ Meraki cloud-managed smart cameras, configured to work seamlessly with underlying wireless connectivity, offer physical security to classrooms. The wide angle, fixed focus lens offer panoramic wide area coverage, enhancing surveillance capabilities even in low lighting. Secure by design, Webex harnesses enterprisegrade protection that is built in, not bolted on to verify every learner, protect every device and browser, and ensure that all communications are secure with encryption.
The university now boasts five digital classrooms; three are located at the Intramuros Campus, delivering courses on Engineering, Architecture, Liberal Arts, and Athletics; and two at the Makati campus, providing courses on Information Technology, Media Studies, Business, Health Sciences, and Nursing. In the new academic year in August, Mapúa University will open the digital classrooms for official use in course lectures, extra-curricular activities, and inter-campus planning sessions and meetings across its Intramuros, Makati, Laguna, and Davao campuses.
‘Camon’ over to the Tecno side
LAST year, Transsion Holdings rose to the top of the Philippine smartphone market, achieving an impressive 98.3 percent yearon-year growth in 2023 and capturing a significant 34.2 percent market share.
While Transsion may not be a household name, its brands—Tecno Mobile, Infinix, and Itel—have made significant inroads by addressing the needs of distinct consumer segments. Itel appeals to budget-conscious buyers with its straightforward, reliable devices. Infinix captures the interest of younger, gamingfocused users with its performance-driven models.
Meanwhile, Tecno Mobile, the flagship brand, distinguishes itself with a powerful combination of advanced features, premium designs, and exceptional camera technology that rivals even higher-priced smartphones.
The Camon series is the flagship line in Tecno’s smartphone portfolio that’s been designed with content creators in mind. It’s made up of the basic Camon 30 5G, the Camon 30 Pro 5G, and the most expensive Camon 30 Premier 5G. The series has been getting a lot of positive reviews since it launched a few months ago, so I knew I had to try it out for myself.
I’ve been using the Tecno Camon 30 Pro 5G for the past three weeks, and while I was quite pessimistic about some of the claims, I was quite happy to be proven wrong.
DESIGN AND BUILD
AS mentioned, the Camon series has received several awards for design including the IFA Product Technology Innovation Award, the iF Design Award, and the MUSE Design Awards. Notably, its Tech Art Leather Edition was honored with the Platinum MUSE Design Award in 2024 for its superior product design in telecommunications. You know how much I like those circular camera modules so that alone immediately made me a fan of this phone. Right away you know this is a camera phone that means business. This classic camera design is complemented by an ultra-thin, ultra-flat, and ultra-light build with the glass version measuring just 7.68mm and 194g, while the leather version measures 7.8mm and weighs a mere 187g. It is available in three colors: Alps Snowy Silver (vegan leather), Iceland Basaltic Dark (glass), and a special LOEWE Design Edition (coffee grounds). The Camon 30 Pro 5G features the industry’s first suede Tech-Art Leather back panel. The design incorporates the advanced suede material with a glossy marble texture giving the device a one-of-akind look and feel. Drawing inspiration from the lotus leaf in nature, the series is equipped with an advanced hydrophobic coating, causing water droplets to cluster together on the surface to prevent soaking and leaving no residue. Each smartphone in the series is crafted using Tecno’s Nature Flow texture technology, which ensures that every device is a unique work
of art, offering both visual appeal and a soft, tactile experience.
CAMERAS
LET’S go straight to its main selling point—the cameras. At the heart of the Tecno Camon 30 Pro 5G’s camera system is the Sony IMX890 50MP OIS main camera—the same one used in several flagship phones. The large 1/1.56” sensor size allows for more light intake, enhancing the camera’s sensitivity and enabling it to capture every scene with remarkable clarity and detail. This camera lens has been engineered to deliver stunning imagery in any lighting condition. During the day, the 50MP ultra-high-definition lens ensures that no detail is overlooked, while at night Tecno’s advanced pixel fusion technology transforms the lens into a powerful night vision tool, capable of recording the subtle nuances and vibrancy of nighttime scenes.
On the front, it is equipped with a 50MP Ultra Clear front camera with eye-tracking autofocus technology that ensures the subject remains sharp, whether close up or at a distance. The camera’s all-pixel 4-core precision focus system improves both accuracy and speed, allowing for quick and reliable focusing in various situations. Additionally, the front camera features a high-definition makeup mirror effect, which enhances natural beauty while keeping the image crisp and clear. But more than just capturing great photos, the Tecno Camon 30 Pro 5G also shines when capturing videos. It is among the more affordable phones to offer 4K 60fps video recording both for its front and back cameras. Thanks to OIS, videos are clear and stable without those jarring effects when panning.
AI-POWERED FOR CREATIVE CONTROL
KEEPING with the AI upgrades, this smartphone has several AI powered features to help creators push the boundaries of their creativity. Tecno has introduced industry-first features that open up new avenues in video gameplay and social media interaction. These include AI-powered tools that allow users to change their voice, alter video backgrounds, apply beauty functions, and even create Tmoji avatars. These tools provide users with unprecedented control over their video content, making it easier to create personalized and engaging videos for social media or streaming.
The device’s AI Erase function allows you to remove unwanted objects or people from the background of your shots with a single click, ensuring that the focus remains on your subject. This is particularly useful in crowded environments where photobombers are a common issue, giving you the ability to save otherwise perfect shots.
One fun AI feature unique to the Camon 30 series is the built-in AIGC Portrait function that lets you create personalized portraits you can use as social media avatars. There are five main options; Lifestyle, Love, Graduation, Childhood and 3D Doll. To access it, just open the camera, slide right on the operation bar to AIGC Portrait, and shoot multiple images, and the AI will give you about four options for each. The choices are a bit limited but hopefully a software upgrade will add more options in the near future.
PLAY LIKE A PRO
WHILE it’s not mainly a gaming phone, even serious gamers will appreciate the Camon 30 Pro 5G’s snappy performance. Powered by the latest
MediaTek Dimensity 8200 Ultimate 5G chip with 4nm processing, 3.1GHz octa-core peak performance, Imagiq 785 AI imaging processor, it recorded an impressive AnTuTu score of 964000+. For this reason, it was chosen by Farlight 84 Philippines Championship as its official phone.
The Camon 30 Pro 5G can support 13 hours of continuous competition and provide up to 120fps support for MLBB and Honor of Kings, and 90fps support for PUBG. The excellent hardware and software support also includes 144Hz self-adaptive refresh rate True AMOLED screen, stunning Dolby Atmos sound with stereo dual speakers, gaminggrade cooling, heavy duty battery with 15 minutes charging time from zero to 50 percent, 24GB RAM (12GB via MemFusion) + 256GB ROM, X-axis Linear Motor, and wet hand touch.
For eye protection, it has Rheinland Low Blue Light Certification that reduces blue light damage to eyes. The PWM 2160Hz high-frequency dimming solves the flickering problem of the mobile phone screen in low-brightness scenes, and effectively reduces visual fatigue after using the mobile phone for a long time in a low-brightness environment.
The AI features also extend to keeping its battery healthy. With AI smart charging, the 5000mAh battery gets an extended lifespan with support of at least 1600 charge cycles ensuring that battery health remains over 80 percent after four years of use. The 70W Ultra Charge 5000mAh battery with bypass charging function can charge the phone from 0 percent to 50 percent in about 20 minutes and a full charge in less than an hour.
FINAL WORD: With a price that starts at just P15,999 for the 12GB +256GB variant (even lower during sale events) the Tecno Camon 30 PRO 5G is a great choice for those looking for a stylish phone especially if you can get that LOEWE edition. The cameras can take really good photos for this price range and offer enough modes you can play with for content creation. Being able to capture 4K 60fps video will be particularly useful for those who like creating reels. And if you’ve never used a Tecno Mobile phone, the Camon 30 Pro 5G is a good introduction to the brand, though if you want the best in the series, you might want to add P4,000 and get the Camon 30 Premier edition instead. ■
Messaging platform unveils in-app digital payment features
A GLOBAL leader in private and secure messaging and voice-based communication, Rakuten Viber will soon launch its in-app digital payments feature Viber Pay in the Philippines. The platform will be the first messaging app in the Philippines to offer a fintech solution that allows friends, loved ones and businesses to instantly send money as easily and securely as sending a Viber message. Filipinos can secure early access to Viber Pay ahead of the full launch by updating their Rakuten Viber app to the latest version and joining the waitlist from the new “Pay” tab, which is being rolled out over the coming days. Users can advance their position in line and gain earlier access by inviting friends, family and other contacts to join the waitlist. Early access will begin in September. Once early access is granted, users can activate their digital wallet by completing a simple signup process that
usually takes less than a minute. After activation, users can instantly send money to friends and family on Rakuten Viber for free; add money to their account through mobile wallet apps GCash and Maya, bank transfers, or over-the-counter methods; and securely buy from businesses that accept InstaPay. They will also be able to enjoy a range of exciting offers exclusive to Viber Pay from leading brands. To upgrade to the full Viber Pay experience, users must verify their identity by scanning their ID and uploading a selfie. Once verified, they can request money from friends on Rakuten Viber with a QR code, withdraw funds from their wallet, and increase their monthly transaction limit from P50,000 to P100,000. Users in the Philippines will also be the first in the world to receive business wallets to keep personal and business finances separate in Viber. Business owners can open a Business wallet, in addition to
their Personal wallet, and accept secure payments from customers via a QR code. Unlocking the full benefits of the Business wallet, including a higher transaction limit of P500,000, requires a verification process similar to opening a personal Viber Pay wallet. Business wallets are expected to be available on Viber Pay shortly after the launch of Personal wallets. Viber’s commitment to security (and that of its licensed partner) was a critical factor in
FROM left: Archie Buenaventura, brand representative, Silicon Valley; Jesse Tan, vice president for marketing and sales, PC Express; John Gillooly, senior technical marketing manager, NVIDIA; Jerome Matti, consumer sales lead, NVIDIA Philippines; and Phaister, host.
PBA offers
major
discount to open Season 49 Sunday
THE Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) reduced ticket prices for the opener of the 49th season to P49 for upper box and above sections of the Smart Araneta Coliseum on a first come, first served basis.
“Being the 49th season, the PBA board members said ‘why don’t we do something special on opening day,’” said PBA board chairman Ricky Vargas in explaining the rationale behind the lowered ticket price.
“It should have been P49.99 but we decided P49 for Season 49,” Vargas said. “So we’re inviting everybody, first come, first served to avail themselves of that ‘pasasalamat’ from the PBA board and PBA community.”
The 48th Leo Awards kicks off the celebration of the new season at 4 p.m., where recepients the Most Valuable Player, Rookie of the Year, Mythical Teams, All-Defensive Team, Most Improved Player and the Samboy Lim Sportsmanship award will be announced. The formal opening ceremony follow shortly after highlighted by the traditional parade.
“On opening day, we normally have a lot of fans who come and attend,” Vargas said. “But this time, we’re going to open it to people who will remember that P49 ticket.”
Magnolia and Philippine Cup champion Meralco open the Governors’ Cup action in a lone game at 7:30 p.m. The Hotshots underwent a major facelift in the off season and will be clashing with the Bolts who are reinforced by National Basketball Association (NBA) slam dunk king Glenn Robinson III.
“He [Robinson] is slowly embracing the team’s system, he’s very coachable, very humble,” Magnolia coach Chito Victolero said. “The players and the coaches like him. We are very happy to have him in our team.”
But Victolero expects the Allen Durham-backed Bolts to flash their championship form, the same formula in beating San Miguel Beer in six games of the Philippine Cup last June.
“They are still that solid team, the confidence is there because they have the same lineup and they have a former best import, Durham,” Victolero said. Victolero said that they will treat the four-point shot as normal and won’t rely on that much.
CJ Cansino, picked at No. 11 in the draft, will debut for the Bolts of coach Luigi Trillo, whose team will parade Paris Olympic gymnast Aleah Finnegan. Josef Ramos
Thailand puts up tough defense in beating Indonesia in SEA meet
By Aldrin Quinto
THAILAND used a stifling defense to prevent Indonesia from finding its rhythm for a stunning 25-21, 25-23, 25-20 victory in the opener of the 2024 Southeast Asian Volleyball League Friday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
The Thais made known early their intentions of moving up the ladder this time after ending up with silver and a bronze in two legs last year.
Six-foot-8 middle blocker
Nilsawai Kissada was the key manning the Thai wall, coming up with four of the team’s 14 blocks.
Thungkham Chaiwat led the way for the Thais with 13 points on nine attacks, three blocks and a service ace.
two aces and a block for Indonesia, which swept the two legs in 2003, but the squad was uncharacteristically just a tad slow to react.
Kurniawan Hendra and Putrama Fahri Septian also could not get through the Thai net defense, the former scoring on six of 13 attack attempts and the latter going 6 for 14.
Hendra wound up with seven points and Fahri six in the first match of the tournament hosted by the Philippine National Volleyball Federation headed by Ramon “Tats” Suzara.
Kissada finished with 11 points, same as the output of Bhinijdee Napadet for Thailand.
Thailand looks to make it back-to-back wins when it takes on Vietnam on Saturday. Indonesia,
NATIONAL record holders
Jamesrey Ajido and Micaela
Jasmine Mojdeh dominated the second day of action in the Philippine Aquatics Inc. National Trials at the Teofilo Yldefonso Swimming Pool inside the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.
Ajido, 15 and a gold medalist in the Asian age-group championships last February, broke the Southeast Asian age group qualifying time standard (QTS) in the boys 14-15 100 meters butterfly of 57.47 after clocking 56.25 seconds. He also matched the QTS (24.64) for the 50-meter freestyle to hike his gold medal haul to four in the event that will select members of the national pool. Ajido, swimming out of the FTW Royals Swim Team, beat Rodevic Gonzalvo (59.33) and Kristian Cabana (1:00.08) in the 100-meter butterfly and edged Jet Berueda (25.68) and Elijah Ebayan (25.87) in the 50-meter freestyle. “I was surprised with my
Tolentino rekindles ‘House of POC’
By Josef Ramos
THE bar has obviously gone higher for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics but as the country continues to savor the success at the Paris Games, it’s high time that the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC), its president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino said, gets a house of its own.
“In my first Olympic term, we got gold in Tokyo courtesy of [weightlifter] Hidilyn [Diaz-Naranjo], our first since 1924 in Paris,” Tolentino said. “We got two in Paris from [gymnast] Carlos Yulo, and that makes the bar higher in LA.” LA 2028 is a long way to go, Tolentino told The Agenda media forum hosted by Siegfred Mison at the Club Filipino in San Juan on Friday, and between Paris and LA, there are many factors and elements in between.
“You have the Southeast Asian Games, Asian Games, world championships and Olympic qualifiers in this Olympic cycle,” he said. “An athlete has to make good in any or all of these games to qualify for the next Olympics.”
“But qualifying is one thing, and competing in the Olympics is the most crucial thing,” Tolentino said. “The bar, indeed, is higher—match or surpass two gold medals in LA.” Tolentino stressed in the forum that one of the most ideal ways to immortalize the historic achievements of Filipino athletes not only from those in the last two Summer Olympics is through a sports museum inside a stand-alone POC headquarters.
“We’ve participated in the Olympics for a century, but up to now, the POC still needs to have its own home,” he said. “My vision about the House of POC includes a museum where the memorabilia of our great athletes, including those of Caloy [Yulo] and Hidilyn, could be viewed by Filipinos.”
Tolentino started advocating for a House of POC after weightlifter Diaz-Naranjo won the country’s first Olympic gold medal at Tokyo 2020 (2021) where boxers Nesthy Petecio and Carlo Paalam also got silvers and Eumir Felix Marcia bagged bronze.
He sought Malacañang’s help then for the project which he recommended to be within the Cultural Center of the Philippines Complex, but his request was shelved.
“It would be ideal for the House of POC to be close to the airport for accessibility of foreign sports dignitaries who will come for official functions or for a visit,” he said.
Tolentino said he already aired his request to President Ferdinand R. Marcos during the welcome dinner for the Filipino Olympians from Paris led by double gold medalist gymnast Carlos Yulo on Tuesday night in Malacañang.
“The President was receptive to the proposal and I’m hopeful our vision would be realized this time,” he said.
The POC, for the longest time since the country started participating in the Olympics in 1924 in Paris, doesn’t have its own permanent office or headquarters.
“Call it pathetic but after a hundred years in the Olympics, we still don’t have a house of our own,” he said.
“Timor Leste, the smallest among Southeast Asian countries, in fact, has a national Olympic committee headquarters complete with all amenities…the works.” By amenities, Tolentino meant a museum, multi-purpose hall, office rooms, gym and even a laboratory.
The POC has held a small office at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex for decades before transferring to the PhilSports Complex (formerly
which is controlled by the Department of Education.
“Many don’t even know that there’s a POC office at the DepEd complex in Pasig,” Tolentino said.
Cperformance because I thought I wasn’t 100 percent today,” said Ajido, a ninthgrader at La Salle Greenhills who also ruled the 14-15 100 meters backstroke (1:01.01) and 200 meters individual medley (2:12.57) last Thursday.
Mojdeh got her name in the national training pool with victories in the girls 16-18 200 meters breaststroke with a QTS-breaking time of 2:40.27. Reiko Uy (2:47.50) and Sealtiel Daiz 92:48.45) settled for the silver and bronze medals.
“I got a lot of catching up in my training and I’m happy for the results,” said Mojdeh, dubbed “The Water Beast” who also won the 200 meters individual medley (2:26.16) on Thursday.
Fil-American Riannah Chantelle Coleman, a scholar at the National Academy of Sports in Capas, continued to wow the crowd after the 15-yearold stunner dominated the girls 14-15 200 meters breastroke in 2:43.55 for another QTS performance (2:45.54).
She beat Krystal David and Asian age group campaigner Kyla Louise Bulaga (2:50.63).
IGNAL TV—together with MVP Group companies PLDT, Smart, Meralco, Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC), mWell and Carmen’s Best—were at the forefront of galvanizing support for Filipino athletes at the recent Paris Olympics.
As Official Broadcaster of the games, Cignal TV provided unparalleled coverage of the various competitions across multiple platforms—from freeto-air TV to pay TV, OTT and social media channels.
PLDT and Smart were the Official Broadcast Partners, while MPIC and Meralco were the Official Broadcast Sponsors for the Paris Games.
“Sports is a metaphor for life. When
our athletes succeed, it shows our countrymen what is possible, and what they themselves can achieve. It inspires us, and unites us,” said PLDT, MPIC, and Mediaquest chairman, Manuel V. Pangilinan. “Through our collective efforts led by Cignal, we are doing our part to empower our athletes to aim for greater success.” In partnership with the Philippine Olympic Committee, Cignal TV provided Filipino sports fans unprecedented access to their favorite athletes. From their preparation and training, down to their daily experiences in Paris and Cignal TV showcased the Olympic athletes’ challenging journey to the Filipino audience.
One Sports was the central open platform hub for livestreaming select events, highlights, features and articles for all things Olympics. In addition, Cignal TV launched three 24/7 channels dedicated to the Olympic Games,
PHILIPPINE Olympic Committee president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino wants a permanent headquarters for the organization. ROY DOMINGO
MEMBERS of the Philippine delegation—(from left, front row) Kayla Sanchez, Cynthia Carrion, Emma Malabuyo, Samantha Catantan, Aleah Finnegan, Carlo Paalam, Nesthy Petecio, Lauren Hoffman and Hergie Bacyadan and (back) Miko Vargas, Jarryd Bello, Patrick Gregorio, Team Philippines Chef de Mission Jonvic Remulla, John Tolentino, Jarod Hatch, Terry Capistrano and Marcus Manalo—strike a pose before the opening ceremony.
THAILAND’S Chaiwat Thungkham beats the defense of Indonesia’s Putra Yuda Mardiansyah and Anggara Agil Angga. ROY DOMINGO Ajido, Mojdeh dominate trials
Saturday, August 17, 2024
medals.
Parliament elects Paetongtarn Shinawatra, daughter of ousted leader, as Thailand’s new prime minister
By Jintamas Saksornchai The Associated Press
BANGKOK—Thailand’s
Parliament elected Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the youngest daughter of the divisive former leader Thaksin Shinawatra, as the country’s new prime minister Friday.
Paetongtarn becomes Thailand’s third leader from the Shinawatra family, after her father, who was ousted by coup before returning from exile last year, and her aunt Yingluck Shinawatra, who lives in exile. Paetongtarn also became Thailand’s second female prime minister after her aunt and the country’s youngest leader at 37.
She was confirmed by 319 votes in approval, with 145 voted against her and 27 abstained. Members of Parliament spent about an hour casting their votes in public one by one.
She is the leader of the ruling
Pheu Thai party but was not an elected lawmaker, which was not required for her to be a candidate for prime minister. Paetongtarn was the sole nominee and got a majority of the votes in Parliament with the voting ongoing.
The last prime minister had been removed by the Constitutional Court two days ago over an ethics violation. Thaksin is one of Thailand’s most popular but divisive political figures and was ousted by a military coup in 2006. He is widely seen as a de facto leader of Pheu Thai, the latest in a string of par -
ties linked to him. His residual popularity and influence is a factor behind the political support for Paetongtarn.
Her public entry into politics came in 2021 when the Pheu Thai party announced she would lead an inclusion advisory committee. She was appointed as leader of Pheu Thai last year, after she was named one of its three prime ministerial candidates ahead of the polls.
When Paetongtarn was on the campaign trail for Pheu Thai, she acknowledged her family ties but insisted she was not just her father’s proxy.
“It’s not the shadow of my dad. I am my dad’s daughter, always and forever, but I have my own decisions,” she told a reporter.
However, her father’s shadow is too big to be dismissed and her work will not be easy with him continuing to call political shots for Pheu Thai, said Petra Alderman, a political research fellow at England’s University of Birmingham.
“Thaksin was a political force to reckon with, but he was also a liability,” she said. “He has a tendency to overplay his political hand, so serving in his shadow has
never been easy.”
Paetongtarn’s nomination followed the removal of Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin on Wednesday after less than a year in office. The Constitutional Court found him guilty of a serious ethical breach regarding his appointment of a Cabinet member who was jailed in connection with an alleged bribery attempt.
It was the second major ruling in a week to shake Thai politics. The same court last week dissolved the progressive Move Forward party, which won last year’s general election but was blocked from taking power. The party has already regrouped as the People’s Party.
Pheu Thai and its predecessors had won all national elections since 2001, with core populist policies pledging to solve economic problems and bridge income equality, until it lost to the reformist Move Forward in 2023. It, however, was given a chance to form a government after Move Forward was blocked from taking power by the previous Senate, a militaryappointed body.
Move Forward was excluded from the coalition by Pheu Thai,
which went on to join hands with parties affiliated with the military government that ousted it in a coup. The move drew criticism from some of its supporters but party officials say it was necessary to break the deadlock and start reconciliation after decades of deep political divisions.
Thaksin returned to Thailand last year after years in exile in what was interpreted as part of a political bargain between Pheu Thai and their longstanding rivals in the conservative establishment to stop Move Forward Party from forming a government.
The former senators were given special power to veto a prime ministerial candidate by the constitution adopted in 2017 under a military government. However, that power expired when their term ended in May. New members of the Senate, selected in a convoluted process last month, do not retain the veto. It means that a candidate needs just a majority from the lower house, or at least 247 votes.
The coalition under the leadership of Paetongtarn could strengthen their unity because Paetongtarn possesses something
that Srettha does not—a direct line to her powerful father who has the final say—said Napon Jatusripitak, a political science researcher at Singapore’s ISEASYusof Ishak Institute.
“In a strange way, it creates a clear chain of command and curbs factionalism,” he said. “Paetongtarn will be given clear jurisdictions on where she can exercise her own agency and where it is a matter between her father and the coalition members.”
With Move Forward dissolved and the party’s only prime ministerial candidate Pita Limjaroenrat banned from political activities, Napon believes it’s the time that the rest of major political parties resume a “game of musical chairs” of the premiership race that has been put on hold “with an agreement to share power, regardless of who becomes the prime minister.”
“Most importantly, the overarching goal remains the same: to keep the music playing and exclude the reformists from power,” he said.
The Associated Press writer Napat Kongsawad contributed to this report
President Widodo highlights economic progress, infrastructure advancements in farewell address
By Edna Tarigan The Associated Press J AKARTA,
Indonesia—Indonesia’s outgoing President Joko Widodo highlighted advances in the economy and infrastructure during his final State of the Nation address Friday.
Widodo said that in the 10 years he’s led the country, his administration controlled inflation, reduced rates of unemployment and extreme poverty, and built new infrastructure in parts of Indonesia that were difficult to reach and with limited resources.
“Furthermore, our resilience as a nation has been proven by our endurance in tackling the Covid-19 pandemic, in facing climate change, and in facing the escalating global geopolitics,” Widodo said.
The Southeast Asian nation plays a crucial role in the economic and political dynamics of a region where global powers have been increasingly at odds over Taiwan, human rights issues, US military presence, and Beijing’s assertive actions in contested areas like the South China Sea.
As a tropical archipelago on the equator, Indonesia has the world’s third-largest rainforest, home to diverse endangered species like orangutans and giant flowers. However, economic development has severely impacted these forests, making Indonesia one of the largest global emitters of greenhouse gases due to deforestation, fossil fuel use, and peatland fires, prompting the country’s push for a green energy transformation. Widodo said Indonesia’s developments— particularly related to smelters and processing industries for commodities such as nickel, bauxite, and copper—would open up more than 200,000 jobs and increase state revenues.
With a population of about 275 million, Indonesia is Southeast Asia’s largest economy, and has the largest reserves of nickel in the world. Aiming to dominate the world’s nickel supply, the country has gone from having two nickel smelters to 27 over the last decade, with 22 more planned, according to S&P Global Commodity Insights. In 2023, the country was
responsible for more than half the supply of nickel ore globally.
But, Widodo said, 10 years is not enough time to achieve the goals his government set out to accomplish.
Widodo, popularly known by his nickname Jokowi, began his second and final five-year term in October 2019 and is not eligible to run again. After a February election, Indonesia’s electoral commission formally declared Prabowo Subianto president-elect in April with Widodo’s son, the 36-year-old former Surakarta Mayor Gibran Rakabuming Raka, as vice president. The highest court rejected challenges to his landslide victory lodged by two losing presidential candidates.
Widodo will leave office in October, leaving behind a notable legacy that includes the ambitious $33 billion megaproject to transfer Indonesia’s overcrowded capital from Jakarta to the nation’s future capital of Nusantara, in the burgeoning frontier island of Borneo.
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