BusinessMirror April 01, 2023

THE ‘MISSION IMPOSSIBLE’

Efforts to control industrial fuel leak from the sunken MT Princess Empress face challenges

By Rex Anthony Naval

WHILE locating the sunken wreck of MT Princess Empress has proven quite easy with the assistance from the Japanese dynamic positioning vessel, Shin Nichi Marui and its remotely-operated vehicle (ROV) Hakuyo, plugging the holes where the oil has been leaking is proving to be quite an herculean task as the ill-fated oil tanker is resting at around 395 meters underwater.

This was revealed by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on March 22 following the successful survey of ROV Hakuyo that took place earlier.

Shin Nichi Maru had previously arrived in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro on March 20.

The ROV assessment took place 7.7 nautical miles southwest off Balingawan Point, Naujan, Oriental Mindoro, the PCG reported.

“The tanker suffered extensive structural damage after sinking. At this point, no visible consumption fuel leak coming from the damaged vessel. Oil leaks had been observed from all eight compartments (tanks), and some through the ballast tank,” the PCG, quoting the findings of the Japanese ROV team, said.

MT Princess Empress sank after encountering major engine or mechanical problems on February 28. It was loaded with an estimated 800,000 liters of industrial fuel oil at the time of its sinking.

Oil stains were also found on some parts of the vessel.

The PCG also said that oil leaks were also seen coming from the following parts of MT Princess Empress:

a) ballast tank vents and access hatches;

b) cargo tank pressure valves (P-Vs);

c) cargo pipework on deck (including valves).

The PCG said that the ROV survey noted there were no oil leaks from the ship’s fuel and service tanks.

It added that the sunken ship’s “No. 4 Port Pressure Valve has the highest flow rate.”

GALVEZ: “Our response efforts, particularly the actions of the various government agencies, are present and very effective with the collaboration of all stakeholders, not to mention the assistance of our allies and other partner countries.”

“Volume of remaining oil inside the compartments cannot be estimated at this point. The oil spillage rate from the source is likewise yet to be determined,” the PCG reported.

Next plan of action

WHILE the ill-fated tanker has now been located, the PCG laid down the following plans of action as “priorities for the next operational phase.”

This includes the ship’s insurance representatives searching for a “service provider that will conduct oil patching, bagging, and removal” and “hot tapping and pumping” from the sunken wreck.

Equipment for these tasks must be designed or able to operate at depths of 395 meters and beyond.

“Coordination has been established for the deployment of a Singapore-based provider. All possibilities are being explored, including the tapping of RP (Philippine)-

based firms,” the PCG added.

Aid from IOPCF in oil spill cleanup AS this developed, the PCG has sought the assistance of the International Oil Pollution Compensation Funds (IOPCF) to boost the country’s efforts in cleaning up the oil spill off Naujan.

In a statement on March 24, the PCG said assistance from the IOPCF would speed up the acquisition of ROVs.

PCG Commandant Artemio Abu said they also sought assistance from P&I London, a group of protection and indemnity insurance companies for mutual maritime insurance representing global ship owners.

Earlier, South Korean Minister Jong Soon Chang and Third Secretary Kim Dosik met with Abu and announced the upcoming arrival of the Korean Coast Guard response team and technical experts on

March 28.

South Korea has also pledged to ship 20 tons of absorbent pads, 2,000 sets of protective equipment, and a 1,000-meter spill boom by the first week of April.

US Coast Guard to help in containing oil spill AT Camp Aguinaldo, a statement from the Department of National Defense (DND) Officer-in-Charge Senior Undersecretary Carlito Galvez Jr. on March 26 said the United States Coast Guard (USCG) and some of its air assets will arrive in the country to help in the ongoing clean up operations.

Galvez, in his report to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., said they expect a contingent from the USCG to arrive soon.

“We are looking forward to the arrival of the entire US Coast Guard contingent for the additional technical support in our disaster response operations. Although, one US C-17 with equipment had already arrived this morning (March 26) and is now at Subic Air Base. Another C-5 is expected to arrive,” he added.

Galvez, who is also chairman of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), along with the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno and Abu and other military and local government officials, conducted an aerial inspection of the affected areas of the oil spill on March 26.

“We will immediately employ these assets and integrate [these]

Continued on A2

(TOP) The Japanese dynamic positioning vessel Shin Nichi Marui and (above) its remotely operated vehicle Hakuyo onboard. OFFICE OF CIVIL DEFENSE & PHILIPPINE COAST GUARD

UNDERWATER photo taken by ROV Hakuyo show the leaking pipes, fittings and valves of the sunken MT Princess Empress around 395 meters below the surface of the sea in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro. PHILIPPINE COAST GUARD

Taiwan is pushing Biden for a tax deal that could infuriate China

By Jenny Leonard, Mackenzie Hawkins & Laura Davison Bloomberg News

Taiwanese officials are pushing hard for an agreement to eliminate the burden of double taxation, like the US has with dozens of countries.

In Congress on Wednesday, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen acknowledged that the absence of such arrangements is a “very significant problem” and said the Treasury and State Department will “see if we can find a way” to address it.

Without a deal, Taiwan argues, would-be investors will be put off by the prospect of whopping tax bills—and the administration’s flagship industrial policy will fall short of its potential.

The case will likely be pushed further by Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen, who’ll be in the US during the coming week. Her visit is already raising tensions: China warned on Wednesday that a mooted meeting with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy would be seen as a “provocation.”

There’s plenty of sympathy for Taiwan’s tax pleas in Washington. Biden would like to tout his Chips and Science Act in the run up to a re-election bid next year. Investment pledges by the world-leading Taiwan

Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) including a plant in Arizona where ground has already been broken—count as one of its signal achievements, a step toward revitalizing American manufacturing in a cutting-edge field.

Many lawmakers would like to see that kind of action in their own patch.

But there’s a big obstacle. The US doesn’t recognize Taiwan as a sovereign nation, so it can’t sign a treaty—which is how deals to avoid double-taxation are typically enshrined. And any effort to achieve the same goal via some kind of halfway measure, short of a formal treaty, risks being seen by Beijing as a step toward recognition of an island it considers part of its own territory.

Creative ways

AFTER the furor over former Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to the island last year, as well as the friction last month when the US shot down an alleged Chinese spy balloon, any move to deepen ties with Taipei could set off a new downward spiral in ties between the world’s two biggest economies.

The administration is explor-

ing creative ways to pursue a tax agreement with Taiwan, people familiar with the matter said. But some officials are hesitant about a move that could be seen as escalatory by Beijing, with China-US relations already at their lowest point in decades.

Taiwan’s government has been calling for a fix to the double-taxation problem since Donald Trump was president. This year, its representatives in Washington have been circulating a fact sheet for administration officials and congressional staff. It estimates that Taiwanese companies pay an effective tax rate

of 51 percent on profits earned in the US—at least 10 percentage points higher than Korean or Australian firms—after factoring in withholding charges on dividends that are sent back home.

Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said in an interview last month that TSMC executives raised the double-taxation issue with her.

Companies like the chipmaker, “in order to be successful, need a certain set of suppliers near them,” and the US should offer incentives for those suppliers to move here too, Raimondo said. On the tax agreement, she said: “As we get into this, we may need more help from Congress.”

‘I would hope...’

THERE are some willing helpers on Capitol Hill.

Republican Senator Todd Young of Indiana, a key architect of the Chips Act, visited Taipei in January and discussed taxation while he was there. This month, he co-sponsored a resolution that encourages the administration to pursue a tax agreement.

Ideally, Young said, it would cover both individual and corporate income taxes. That way, the smaller privately held businesses that might follow companies like

TSMC to the US—like Raimondo hopes they will—would be covered, too.

“We’re really trying to reconstitute an ecosystem,” Young said. Without double taxation, “you’d see more development in Taiwan and in the US. I, of course, would hope that much of that development would occur in the industrial Midwest.”

The resolution notes that Taiwan has income-tax agreements with 34 countries—including those in the same boat as the US in not having diplomatic relations with Taiwan. The Taiwanese fact sheet highlighted close US allies like Japan, the UK and Canada. While the precedents carry some weight, there are two reasons why they might not defuse the potential fallout if the Biden administration followed suit. First, those arrangements were mostly reached at a time when China didn’t carry the geopolitical clout it does now—and when few worried about a new Cold War. And second, while those countries are members of the same broad coalition, they don’t play the kind of leadership role that the US does.

‘Difficult path’

IT might take some legal maneuvering, but there are precedents in the US for a tax deal with Taiwan.

Since the late 1980s, they’ve had an agreement that covers income from operating ships or aircraft across borders. More recently, representatives from the US and Taiwan signed an accord in 2016 requiring Taipei to report American taxpayers who have accounts at Taiwanese banks, as part of a broader effort to crack down on evasion.

Rupert Hammond-Chambers, president of the US-Taiwan Business Council, says that prior to the Trump administration the reason a deal on double-taxation didn’t happen was down to the “accommodationist China policy pursued by successive Republican and Democratic governments.” But even now, when the mood in Washington has changed, he sees “difficulty in constructing a legislative path” to a comprehensive fix.

Economic agreements between the US and Taiwan are typically cut between intermediaries that are a half-step away from government, to differentiate them from regular diplomatic relations. They’re often conducted by the American Institute in Taiwan, a de facto US embassy on the island, and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office (TECRO) in the US—rather than through finance ministers. Taiwan hopes to start negotiations “at the earliest possible juncture,” the TECRO office in Washington said this week, adding that a deal would benefit both sides by increasing business opportunities for Taiwanese firms in the US.

In January, the US sent a formal trade delegation to the American Institute in Taiwan to kick off bilateral trade negotiations, in defiance of China. Lawmakers want the administration to include a tax agreement as part of those talks, according to a GOP aide. That means that, like other US-Taiwan agreements, it wouldn’t require ratification by the Senate.

Still, the Taiwanese are seeking support from Congress. And even though the legislature is bitterly divided along partisan lines on many issues, Young reckons they might get it.

“I think that people are going to be surprised what can pass this Congress, if the policy has a strong nexus with the US-China competition,” he said. “As this one clearly does.”

THE ‘MISSION IMPOSSIBLE’

Continued from A1

in our response operations. In addition, we continue to closely monitor the ROV’s operations for significant updates and to further determine the extent of the oil spill,” he added,

Galvez also noted that the presence of the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has greatly helped in the cleanup operations by providing rapid environmental assessments of the affected areas, identification of priority areas at risk of environmental damage, and assessment of the needs for ecosystem restoration.

“They (NOAA) provide support for scientific modeling to estimate the trajectory of the oil spill and satellite imagery to boost assessment efforts,” the DND chief said.

Galvez also noted that the situation in the areas in Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan) and Western Visayas regions affected by the oil spill “is a lot better and very encouraging than I imagined.”

“Our response efforts, particularly the actions of the various government agencies, are present and very effective with the collaboration of all stakeholders, not to mention the assistance of our allies and other partner countries,” the DND chief noted.

US contracted ship

MEANWHILE, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) announced that a

US-contracted ship, anchor handling vessel Pacific Valkyrie, had arrived at Subic Bay, Zambales last March 28 and will proceed shortly to Oriental Mindoro to help in the ongoing oil spill management operations.

The Pacific Valkyrie is equipped with a submersible ROV that can conduct a video and sonar survey of the sunken MT Princess Empress, it said.

“The ROV can take still photographs, and carry a payload of 150 lb. It has function manipulators capable of work at depth and auxiliary servos for hydraulic tool operations. It also has a salvage basket that can bear 4,000 lb. The wreck survey will provide additional situational data on the shipwreck, which will assist in determining solutions to salvage the vessel and its content,” the OCD said.

Galvez thanked the US government for this assistance, which is expected to boost the Philippines’s efforts to control and resolve the environmental emergency.

“Once all mandatory checks and preparations are completed, the Pacific Valkyrie, carrying an ROV team from the US, will head to Oriental Mindoro to check the current situation of the shipwreck and its fuel cargo. We will then use data gathered to determine the next appropriate course of action to control the oil leakage coming from its source,” he added.

Aside from the ROV, the US government is also sending 11,000 feet of 26-inch absorbent

harbor boom. These containment booms will be used to control the spread of oil and allow easy recovery. Personal protective equipment, other support equipment like vehicles, and vessels, as well as experts from the USCG, NOAA and US Navy will also be deployed to assist the effort.

Help from other allies

EARLIER, Galvez said the government would seek the help of the country’s allies and partners to mitigate the adverse effects of the oil spill.

This includes expertise and technical support of other allies and partners, such as France and the United Kingdom, he added.

“The DND, through the NDRRMC (National Disaster Risk and Reduction Management Council), and the local government units (LGUs) in Oriental Mindoro, have stepped up the government’s efforts to immediately address the effects of the oil spill from the sunken MT Princess Empress,” Galvez said.

He also pointed out that a US humanitarian assistance and disaster response (HADR) team is now on its way.

“The PCG, on the other hand, specifically requested the US for oil spill booms. Pending the approval of the President to accept the equipment, these booms will help contain the oil spill in order to protect the environment and assist in recovery,” Galvez said.

PRESIDENT Joe Biden wants to bring the world’s most sophisticated chipmakers to the US. Taiwan says he should offer them a better tax deal— one that could infuriate China.

PRESIDENT Biden shakes hands with TSMC Chairman Mark Liu during a ceremony at the TSMC facility under construction in Arizona in 2022. CAITLIN O’HARA/BLOOMBERG

• Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug A3

PHL posted $531-M net ‘hot money’ outflow in February

FOREIGN portfolio investments posted its widest outflow in almost two years in February, data released by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) showed.

The data showed “hot money” net outflows reached $531 million as of February 2023. This was the highest since the $541 million worth net outflows in March 2021.

BSP data showed net outflows were driven by $1.2 billion gross outflows and $680 million billion gross inflows for the month.

“Majority of investments [or 79.6 percent] registered were in PSE-listed securities [investments mainly in banks, holding firms, property, food, beverage and tobacco and electricity, energy, power & water], while the remaining went to investments in Peso government securities [20.4 percent] and in other instruments [less than 1 percent],” BSP said.

These investments refer to the following inward foreign investments registered with Authorized Agent Banks (AABs).

These are PSE-listed securities; Pesodenominated government securities; and Peso time deposits with banks with a minimum tenor of 90 days.

The list also includes other Peso debt instruments; unit investment trust funds; and other instruments such as Exchange Traded Funds and Philippine Depositary Receipts.

The $1.2 billion gross outflows for the month were higher by 70.2 percent or by $499 million compared to gross outflows recorded for January 2023 at $712 million.

BSP sees inflation easing to 7.4% to 8.2% in March

By Cai U. Ordinario

food items.

The BSP said the US received 67.3 percent of total outward remittances.

Year-on-year, registered investments in February decreased by 28 percent or by $265 million from the $945 million recorded in February 2022.

The BSP said gross outflows were larger by 80.7 percent or by $541 million than the outflows recorded a year ago at $670 million.

The $531 million net outflow in February 2023 is a reversal compared to the $274 million net outflow recorded for the same period a year ago.

Year-to-date transactions between January 1 and February 28, 2023 for foreign investments registered with the BSP through AABs yielded net outflows of $239 million.

This was a turnaround from the $289 million net inflows noted for the same period last year or between January 1 and February 28, 2022.

The BSP said the registration of inward foreign investments delegated to AABs by the BSP is optional under the rules on foreign exchange (FX) transactions.

It is required only if the investor or its representative will purchase FX from AABs and/or their subsidiary/affiliate foreign exchange corporations for repatriation of capital and remittance of earnings that accrue on the registered investment. Without such registration, the foreign investor can still repatriate capital and remit earnings on its investment but the FX will have to be sourced outside the banking system. Cai U. Ordinario

Residential real estate loans contract 10.3% in Q4 2022

RESIDENTIAL Real Estate Loans (RRELs)

contracted 10.3 percent in the last quarter of 2022, according to the latest data released by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

Based on the data, RRELs in the National Capital Region (NCR) and Areas Outside NCR (AONCR) contracted by 22 percent and 3.4 percent, respectively.

“Most of the RRELs granted in the NCR were for the purchase of condominium units, while RRELs granted in the AONCR were for the purchase of single-detached/attached houses,” the BSP said.

On a quarter on quarter basis, the nationwide availment of housing loans declined by 4.5 percent.

This was driven by the larger decline in RRELs in NCR at 23.5 percent. This was despite the 8.5 percent growth in RRELs in the AONCR.

In the fourth quarter, BSP said 81.1 percent of RRELs were used to purchase new housing units.

By type of housing unit, most of the residential property loans were used for the acquisition of single-detached/attached houses at 47.2 percent.

This was followed by condominium units, which accounted for 33 percent of the total and townhouses at 18.9 percent.

By region, BSP said 30.5 percent of the total number of RRELs granted was from the NCR, while the balance was from the AONCR.

The data also showed the Calabarzon region accounted for 33.7 percent of the total in AONCR followed by Central Luzon at 12.9 percent and Central Visayas at 6.9 percent.

The BSP said Western Visayas accounted for 5.9 percent of the RRELs in AONCR followed by Davao Region at 3 percent; and Northern Mindanao at 1.5 percent.

“NCR and the said six regions combined

DESPITE the oil price rollback and cheaper fruits and vegetables, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) still expects inflation to be above 8 percent in March 2023.

The BSP said inflation might have averaged 7.4 percent to 8.2 percent in March. Apart from petroleum and fruits and vegetables, lower chicken and sugar prices may have also contributed to this.

However, the BSP said inflation might continue to be high due to the recent increase in prices of electricity and select

“Upward price pressures for the month are expected to emanate from higher electricity rates in Meralco-serviced areas as well as increased prices of other key food items, such as pork, fish, eggs, and rice,” the BSP said.

“Going forward, the BSP remains prepared to respond appropriately to continuing inflation risks in line with its data-dependent approach to monetary policy formulation,” it added.

On Friday, Ibon Foundation Inc. said the increase in prices already merits a wage hike, stressing the minimum wage has not

been enough for many Filipino families to live decently.

Citing data from the 2020 Annual Survey of Philippine Business and Industry (ASPBI), Ibon said 238,036 establishments of all employment sizes have P1.8 trillion in total profit and 6.2 million employees.

Raising the P442.97 average daily basic pay of workers to, say, P750 will only transfer 29.2 percent of these profits.

Ibon is also proposing wage subsidies for micro and small establishments that would cover the total cost of the proposed wage hike for one year—P64.6 billion for micro and P159.8 billion for small

enterprises.

In February 2023, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported that inflation averaged 8.6 percent. This was slightly lower than the 8.7 percent reported in January 2023.

However, economists and PSA were quick to point out that core inflation was the indicator to watch as it reached 7.8 percent in February. The PSA said this is the highest since March 1999 when it was at 8.1 percent. PSA said this meant core inflation has been steadily increasing for the past 13 to 14 months. Core inflation excludes certain highly volatile food and non-food items.

WB trims PHL’s 2023 growth forecast from 5.8% to 5.6%

THE Philippine economy may post an even slower growth this year as inflation continues to increase, according to the World Bank (WB).

In its latest East Asia and the Pacific (EAP) Economic Update for April 2023, the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) is expected to post a growth of only 5.6 percent this year, lower than the 5.8 percent forecast it made in October 2022.

The WB said among the larger economies of the region, most, including Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam, are anticipated to grow more modestly in 2023 than in 2022.

“Most major economies of East Asia and the Pacific have come through the difficulties of the pandemic but must now navigate a changed global landscape,” World Bank East Asia and Pacific Vice President Manuela V. Ferro said.

“To regain momentum, there is work left to do to boost innovation, productivity, and to set the foundations for a greener recovery,” she added.

experienced relatively strong growth.

However, the report stated that the growth in transportation, accommodation and catering sectors in the Philippines and Thailand as well as construction and real estate in Malaysia and Philippines, were still below pre-pandemic levels.

The report noted the consumer price inflation (CPI) also increased in most EAP economies on the back of “rising energy and food prices as well as idiosyncratic factors.”

“Core and nominal CPI inflation have surpassed central banks’ target ranges in most major EAP economies. While inflation has recently peaked in several economies, it continues to rise in the Philippines and Vietnam, and remains high in Lao PDR, Mongolia, and Myanmar,” the report stated.

The WB said most countries in the EAP region have seen two decades of higher and more stable growth than economies in other regions. The result is a striking decline in poverty and, in the last decade, also a decline in inequality.

Addressing the significant “reform gap,” especially in services, could magnify the impact of the digital revolution and boost productivity in sectors from retail and finance to education and health.

“De-globalization, aging, and climate change are casting a shadow over the growth prospects of a region that has thrived through trade and is growing old fast,” said

WB East Asia and Pacific Chief Economist Aaditya Mattoo. “However, promoting trade, addressing population dynamics, and enhancing climate resilience could strengthen growth.”

The WB said economies of the region must

also cope with three important challenges as policymakers act to sustain and accelerate economic growth in the aftermath of Covid-19.

Rising tensions between major trading partners will affect trade, investment, and technology flows across the region.

The rapid aging of the major economies of East and Southeast Asia heralds a new set of challenges and risks with implications for economic growth, fiscal balances, and health.

Finally, the region is particularly exposed to climate risks, in part due to the high density of population and economic activity along its coasts. Cai U. Ordinario

accounted for 94.4 percent of total housing loans granted by banks,” BSP said.

The residential real estate prices of various types of new housing units in the Philippines rose faster in the last quarter of 2022 by 7.7 percent year-on-year.

On a quarter on quarter basis, this was slower at 2.2 percent compared with the 4.6 percent posted in the third quarter of 2022.

Residential property prices in NCR grew by 16.1 percent as all types of housing units registered price increases.

In AONCR, residential property prices increased by 4.5 percent, with prices of all types of housing units rising, except for those of townhouses.

“On a quarter on quarter basis, residential property prices expanded by 4.8 percent in the AONCR, but contracted by 2.4 percent in the NCR,” BSP said.

In the last quarter of 2022, prices of duplex housing units jumped 42.9 percent, while condominium units saw a 12.9 percent increase during the period. The price of single-detached/attached houses increased 10 percent.

The RREPI is a measure of the average change in the prices of various types of housing units, i.e., single-detached/ attached houses, duplex housing units, townhouses, and condominium units, based on banks’ data on actual mortgage loans granted to acquire new housing units only.

It is a chain-linked index, which is computed using the average appraised value per square meter, weighted by the share of floor area of each type of housing unit to the total floor area of all housing units.

The RREPI is used as an indicator for assessing the real estate and credit market conditions in the country. The BSP has been releasing the report since June 2016. Cai U. Ordinario

SENATE PASSAGE OF

A LABOR group on Thursday said it would push for the passage of the landmark comprehensive legislation granting Barangay Health Workers (BHW) better working conditions.

In a news statement, UNI Global Union-Philippine Liaison Council (UNIPLC) President Roland de la Cruz said House

Bill 6557 or the Magna Carta of Barangay Health Workers would provide BHWs muchneeded protection from abuse as well as occupational hazards.

The bill provides hazard, transportation, and subsistence allowances to BHW.

MAGNA

It also provides them health benefits, insurance coverage, vacation and maternity leave benefits, cash gifts, disability pay and will confer a first grade Civil Service Eligibility for Barangay Health Workers who have rendered at least five years of continued service.

HB 6557 also mandates the Department of the Interior and Local Government and the local government units to establish a grievance mechanism to address complaints regarding acts of discrimination and unjust removal of BHWs from the service.

The WB report stated that the recovery in the region has been uneven across sectors, even as information and communication technology, finance and agriculture have

However, the WB said, the catch-up to the per capita income levels of advanced economies has stalled in recent years as productivity growth and the pace of structural reforms have slowed.

Senate bill exempts local films, musical productions from amusement tax charge

By Butch Fernandez

FORMER actor-turned-lawmaker

Senator Robinhood Padilla is moving to exempt local films and musical productions from paying amusement taxes to boost the film and music industries to bounce back from the crippling economic effects of the recent pandemic.

In filing Senate Bill 2048, Padilla is aiming to enlist the majority support of lawmakers from the Senate and the House to frontload passage of the enabling legislation “to help the film and music industries recover.”

As filed, the Padilla bill seeks to exempt Filipino-owned local productions from paying amusement tax, and to grant tax holidays to the two industries.

A veteran of the movie industry before turning lawmaker, Padilla’s SB 2048, to be known as The Film and Live Events Recovery Act, noted that amusement tax laws impede the growth of the entertainment industry and drive up the cost of amusement services.

“Hence, it is imperative to give our film and music industries the necessary boost to thrive and recover from the pandemic and new challenges that cost them major losses, while ensuring that the gains redound to local productions, thereby benefiting our people and economy,” the Senate bill read.

The Padilla bill proposes to exempt from amusement tax all locally produced creative materials which copyright is owned by Filipinos and from local productions with at least 10 percent equity owned by Filipinos.

It also grants the film and music industries a tax holiday of two years. In addition, the bill likewise lowers the cap

for amusement tax collection under the Local Government Code to 5 percent from the current 10 percent.

In filing the bill, the lawmaker lamented the taxation on filmmakers and producers as “restrictive and burdensome to the detriment of our labor productivity, cultural exhibition and local development.”

At the same time, Padilla noted that locally produced films in 2022 hit P10 million in gross sales, adding the existing taxes require the films to gross 270 percent of production costs to just break even.

Moreover, the bill exempts from paying amusement taxes locally produced film productions, musical plays, operas, concerts, dramas, recitals, painting and art exhibitions, flower shows, musical programs, and literary and oratorical presentations, provided that the copyright of such locally produced work is owned by Filipino/s and that at least 10 percent of the equity of such local productions is owned by Filipinos as certified by the Department of Trade and Industry or the Securities and Exchange Commission.

In addition, proceeds from the amusement tax shall be allocated for programs, activities and projects in the sectors and industries involving the locally produced work, while the remaining proceeds shall be shared equally by the province and municipality where the amusement places are located.

The bill further provides that “within two years from the effectivity of the measure, the power of local governments to levy an amusement tax is suspended with an extendible period of at least two years subject to the approval of the Department of Finance.”

CARTA BILL FOR BHWS PUSHED

If passed into law, De la Cruz said the legislation will help BHWs transition from the informal sector to the formal sector.

The labor leader noted the country owes BHWs such benefits, especially for their invaluable contributions in the country’s pandemic response.

He noted many BHWs were forced to provide aid to Covid-19 patients despite lacking inadequate personal protective equipment such as face masks, gloves and protective suits at the height of the pandemic.

“We will push hard, time is of the essence. We need to give back our much appreciation to our heroes, our barangay health workers who deserve social protection, social dialogue, security of tenure and freedom of association,” De la Cruz said.

The House of Representatives approved on third and final House Bill 6557 last December 12. The Senate, however, has yet to complete its version of the said legislation.

The Magna Carta of Barangay Health Workers bill is among the priority bills of the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council. Samuel P. Medenilla

Saturday, April 1, 2023

Maritime

THE Department of Transportation (DOTr) aims to improve Filipinos’ mobility and connectivity and lower the cost of food and other goods through various maritime infrastructure projects, Secretary Jaime J. Bautista said.

Speaking before the Rotary District 3830’s District Conference (DISCON) over the weekend, Bautista outlined the future of Philippine transportation and gave an overview of the infrastructure flagship projects approved by the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) Board for the four transport sectors-Maritime, Roads, Railways, and Aviation.

DOTr’s approved infrastructure projects are guided by the “CASA” values-Convenient, Accessible, Safe and Affordable transport for Filipinos, Bautista said.

The transportation chief, a Rotarian himself, shared that DOTr under his leadership and the Rotary District practically have the same goal: promoting economic and community development.

Under Bautista, the DOTr’s Maritime sector is actively pursuing projects that connect the archipelago to make the countryside “competitive for trade, investment, and tourism.” Two key projects identified by the transport chief are the Roll-on Roll-off (RORO) Network Upgrade and the Farm-to-Market Ports Network.

RoRo

system up for upgrades,

expansion

KNOWN as the Strong Republic Nautical Highway, the RoRo system was created in 2003 by then-President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to make the movement of Filipinos and goods more efficient.

“Upgrading the country’s RoRo network is one of the eight priority programs of the recently updated Maritime Industry Development Plan 2019-2028. The upgrade will also “boost the domestic shipping industry in support of the nautical highway development,” Bautista added.

After 15-month review, PHL gets EU nod on seafarers

The upgrade of the 20-year-old RoRo network includes the development of ports and ramps and the deployment of additional RoRo vessels to different routes. Once completed, the modernized and expanded RoRo system will greatly improve the interisland connectivity and movement of people and goods.

Farm-to-market ports

ACKNOWLEDGING the important role of transport infrastructure in building a strong economy in the post-pandemic era, the DOTr plans to develop Farm-to-Market Ports (FMP) “to improve the efficient transport of food products, while providing low-cost food throughout the country,” according to Bautista.

This FMPs is being developed by the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) in seven provincial ports, including Capinpin Port in Bataan, Tablas Port in Romblon, Dumangas Port in Iloilo, and Dapitan Port in Zamboanga del Norte. Once fully developed, the FMP network will allow farmers and food traders to take advantage of the over 700 maritime gateways in the country and help spur economic activity in the countryside, especially in the agricultural sector.

Full speed ahead

AFTER outlining the plans for the maritime and other transport sectors, Bautista reiterated the DOTr’s awareness of the importance of a well-established transportation system to facilitate economic recovery and his commitment to remain focused amidst the different challenges.

“The challenge for me is to keep the fire of enthusiasm alive...Serious distractions can dissuade those with lesser resolve to see these projects to their final completion,” Bautista said.

Bautista expressed his full commitment to providing a convenient, accessible, safe and affordable public transport and declared: “We march on full speed ahead!”

By Malou Talosig-Bartolome Special to BusinessMirror

THE European Commission (EC) has decided to continue recognizing the seafarers’ certification of the Philippines, reversing a threat to ban Filipino seafarers from boarding Europeanflagged vessels.

In a statement, the EC Directorate-General for Mobility and Transport said the Philippine government made “serious efforts to comply with the requirements” to comply with the international standards on basic safety training course.

The Philippines is one of the largest maritime labor suppliers in the world with 300,000 to 350,000 deployed at any given time.

Around 50,000 Filipinos work in European-flagged state vessels, the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) estimates.

An audit by the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) in December 2021 said the recognition of the Philippine seafarer certificates would be withdrawn due to a number

of deficiencies in seafarers monitoring, supervision and evaluation of training and assessment.

It found inconsistencies in Philippine compliance with the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for seafarers (STCW).

Marina appealed the audit and showed efforts to correct the deficiencies.

“We appreciate the constructive cooperation with the Philippine authorities and welcome their efforts to improve the system for training and certifying seafarers,” Commissioner for Transport Adina Vălean said.

“The Philippines provide a significant and valued part of the European and global shipping industry’s maritime work force...The Philippines can count on our technical support to further improve the implementation and oversight of minimum education, training and certification requirements, as well as living and working conditions,” Vălean added.

In the coming months, the Com-

mission intends to provide the Philippines with technical assistance to further improve its education, training and certification system for seafarers, as was also discussed between President Ursula von der Leyen and President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., on the margins of the EU-Asean summit last December.

In a letter received by Marina Administrator Hernani N. Fabia, the EC’s Directorate General for Mobility and Transport conveyed the decision to extend EU “recognition of the Republic of Philippines in relation to its training and certification system for seafarers.”

The EC’s Directorate General for Mobility and Transport recalled that, “The assessment of the European Commission has identified a number of serious deficiencies in the Republic of the Philippines’ STCW system in areas related to:

n Monitoring, supervision and evaluation of training and assessment;

n Examination and assessment of competence;

Napolcom greenlights activation of Maguindanao del Norte and Maguindanao del Sur police offices

THE National Police Commission (Napolcom) has approved the activation of the Maguindanao del Norte Police Provincial Office (PPO) and Maguindanao del Sur PPO following the deactivation of the existing Maguindanao PPO.

The Napolcom En Banc, headed by Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary and Napolcom Ex-Officio Chairperson Atty. Benjamin C. Abalos Jr., signed Resolution No. 2023-0213, dated March 1, 2023, which approved the activation and deactivation pursuant to the provisions of Republic Act No. 11550, entitled “An Act Dividing the Province of Maguindanao into Two (2) Provinces, namely: Maguindanao del Norte and Maguindanao del Sur.”

The newly established Maguindanao del Norte PPO and Maguindanao del Sur PPO shall be activated as Type “C” PPOs since both provinces have Lone Congressional District and 3rd to 6th Income Classification. Both PPOs shall be headed by a Provincial Director, with the rank of Police Colonel, who shall

exercise administrative supervision and operational control over their respective Municipal Police Stations (MPS) and its subordinates.

The Maguindanao del Norte PPO will be composed of 12 MPSs, namely, Barira MPS, Buldon MPS, Datu Blah Sinsuat MPS, Datu Odin Sinsuat MPS, Kabuntalan MPS, Matanog MPS, Northern Kabuntalan MPS, Parang MPS, North Upi MPS, Sultan Kudarat MPS, Sultan Mastura MPS, and Talitay MPS.

On the other hand, the Maguindanao del Sur PPO will be composed of 24 MPSs, namely, Ampatuan MPS, Buluan MPS, Datu Abdulla Sangki MPS, Datu Anggal Midtimbang MPS, Datu Hoffer Ampatuan MPS, Datu Montawal MPS, Datu Paglas MPS, Datu Piang MPS, Datu Salibo MPS, Datu Saudi Ampatuan MPS, Datu Unsay MPS, Gen. Salipada K. Pendatun MPS, Guindulungan MPS, Mamasapano MPS, Mangudadatu MPS, Pagalungan MPS, Paglat MPS, Pandag MPS, Rajah Buayan MPS, Sharif Aguak MPS, Sharif Saydona Mustafa MPS, Sultan sa Barongis MPS, Talayan MPS, and South Upi MPS.

The Napolcom resolution also provides that the initial personnel complement for the two newly created PPOs shall be composed of the existing personnel of the to-be-deactivated Maguindanao PPO. The logistics, funds and other resources shall be drawn from the appropriation/allocation and assets of the existing Maguindanao PPO, while the annual fund support for the full operationalization of the said PPOs shall be programmed in the regular appropriation of the PNP Directorate for Comptrollership.

In addition, the Directors of the National Support Units (NSUs) and other PNP Offices authorized by the Napolcom to maintain their presence at the provincial level shall establish their respective Provincial Field Offices/Units or Teams in the PPOs, which shall be under the operational control of their respective Provincial Directors. NSU Directors are also authorized to realign the personnel complement of their respective frontline offices/units to effectively carry out their functions within their respective jurisdictions.

n Programme and course design and approval;

n Availability and use of training facilities and simulators;

n On-board training;

n Issue, revalidation and registration of certificates and endorsements.”

Manila provided its response to this assessment, including details of the actions taken, on the six key areas.

“Based on the answers of the Republic of the Philippines, and on all available information, the Commission has concluded that the measures taken demonstrate concrete progress and improvement as regards the compliance with the requirements of the STCW Convention.

“The outcome of the analysis allows the EU to extend the recognition of the Republic of Philippines STCW system,” said the EC. It reminded Manila, however, that, “Nevertheless, the services of the European Commission consider that there are still issues to be addressed.”

DMW padlocks unlicensed maritime consultancy firm

DEPARTMENT of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Susan “Toots” Ople has ordered the closure of a maritime consultancy firm in Sta. Cruz, Manila for alleged illegal recruitment activities.

Acting on orders of the Secretary, the department’s Migrant Workers Protection Bureau (DMW-MWPB), formerly the AntiIllegal Recruitment Branch, padlocked the office of JCB-Success Maritime Consultancy Services.

“We encourage victims of illegal recruitment and human trafficking to report these crimes to us. Workers’ protection is one of the core functions of the DMW,” the DMW chief said.

Manuel Jericho L. Ramos, one of the victims, said in his sworn testimony that he applied for the position of engine cadet posted by JCB in September 2021, a year and a half ago.

He and three other applicants were promised deployment within a three-month period, which never happened. They were also asked to pay P75,000 each as placement fee and were encouraged to convince other colleagues to apply for positions offered by JCB.

Ramos received his travel documents in August last year but noticed that the visa on the document appeared tampered. After months of waiting for his deployment and growing suspicions over the agency’s questionable actions, he decided to report the matter to the DMW in October 2022.

Surveillance operations showed that JCB-Success Maritime Consultancy Services had been recruiting and placing seafarers without a permit from the DMW.

The bogus agency had been offering jobs as deck seafarers, able engine seafarers, oilers, engineers, and yacht stewards.

infra projects to boost connectivity, bring down food costs–DOTr chief Bautista

43,273 indigent senior citizens in Caraga get social pension

By Alexander Lopez

BUTUAN CITY—The Department of Social Welfare and Development in the Caraga Region (DSWD 13) has

provided 43,273 indigent senior citizens with their social pensions during the first three months of this year.

In a statement on Monday, the agency said the beneficiaries

form part of their Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens Program (SocPen).

“The agency vows to continue to carry out its services to the poor, vulnerable, and disadvantaged,” the

DSWD 13 said, adding that the payout for the SocPen program will continue to complete the first semester of this year.

For this year, 58.3 percent of the 184,700 target beneficiaries

under the program in the region are women, according to the agency. The SocPen is considered an additional financial assistance of the government to indigent

senior citizens in the amount of P500 per month. The assistance aims to augment the daily subsistence of indigent senior citizens, especially for their medical needs. PNA

In nursing homes, impoverished residents live final days on pennies

By Matt Sedensky AP National Writer

PHILADELPHIA—New pants

to replace Alex Morisey’s tattered khakis will have to wait.

There’s no cash left for sugar-free cookies either. Even at the month’s start, the budget is so bare that Fixodent is a luxury. Now, halfway through it, things are so tight that even a Diet Pepsi is a stretch.

“How many years do I have left?” asks 82-year-old Morisey, who lives in a Philadelphia nursing home. “I want to live those as well as I can. But to some degree, you lose your dignity.”

Across the US, hundreds of thousands of nursing home residents are locked in a wretched bind: Driven into poverty, forced to hand over all income and left to live on a stipend as low as $30 a month.

In a long-term care system that subjects some of society’s frailest to daily indignities, Medicaid’s personal needs allowance, as the stipend is called, is among the most ubiquitous, yet least known.

Nearly two-thirds of American nursing home residents have their care paid for by Medicaid and, in exchange, all Social Security, pension and other income they would receive is instead rerouted to go toward their bill. The personal needs allowance is meant to pay for anything not provided by the home, from a phone to clothes and shoes to a birthday present for a grandchild.

One problem: Congress hasn’t

raised the allowance in decades.

“It’s really one of the most humiliating things for them,” says Sam Brooks, an attorney for The National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care, which advocates for nursing home residents and has urged an increase in the allowance.

“It can really be a point of shame.”

Especially when an individual has no close relatives or no one able to financially help, the allowance can breed striking need. When Marla Carter visits her mother-inlaw at a nursing home in Owensboro, Kentucky, the scene feels more 19th-century poorhouse than modern-day America. With just a $40 allowance, residents are dressed in ill-fitting hand-me-downs or hospital gowns that drape open. Some have no socks or shoes. Basic supplies run low. Many don’t even have a pen to write with.

“That’s what was so surprising to us,” Carter says, “the poverty.”

She was so horrified that she and her husband started a nonprofit, Faithful Friends Kentucky, to distribute items to area nursing home residents. Among the things most warmly received are Kleenex tissues, because facilities often stock scratchy generics and even those can be hard to come by.

“You bring a soda or a toothbrush and they’ll get so excited,” she says.

“It’s so sad to me.”

Medicaid was created in 1965 as part of the Great Society programs of Lyndon B. Johnson. A 1972 amendment established the personal needs

allowance, set at a minimum of $25 monthly. Unlike other benefits like Social Security, cost-of-living increases were not built into personal needs allowance rules.

Had it been linked to inflation, it would be about $180 today. But Congress has raised the minimum rate only once, to $30, in 1987. It has remained there ever since.

Some politicians have tried to fix the problem, including Rep. Jennifer Wexton, a Democrat from Vir -

ginia who in 2019 introduced a bill to raise the minimum allowance to $60 and cement annual increases tied to those for Social Security. It didn’t even get a hearing.

“I was shocked,” Wexton says. “It’s about dignity for these people.”

Medicaid is jointly administered between individual states and the federal government and, faced with federal inaction, states have taken it upon themselves to raise allowances. Even so, most remain low. A majority

of states—28—have allowances of $50 or less, according to a state-bystate survey by the American Council on Aging. Just five states grant residents $100 or more each month, including Alaska, which stands alone in offering $200 monthly, the maximum under federal law. Four states —Alabama, Illinois, North Carolina and South Carolina—remain at the $30 minimum. Despite such paltry allotments, some facilities have been cited for not

telling residents they were entitled to an allowance at all, for failing to provide the money, or for spending the funds without their permission. And though federal regulations outline a host of items that are to be provided to nursing home residents, many find themselves unable to use the cheap items facilities offer, spending their allowance on replacements for institutional-grade soap that makes them dry and itchy, tissues that feel like something out of a bus terminal bathroom, razors that leave a face nicked and bleeding and denture adhesives that seem incapable of keeping false teeth in place.

Some homes skirt the rules, making residents pay for things like diapers or haircuts that are supposed to be included.

“As soon as I get it, it’s gone,” says Chris Hackney, a 74-year-old resident of a nursing home in Durham, North Carolina, who spends his $30 monthly allowance on body wash, toothpaste, deodorant and some items his facility used to provide but has cut back on, wipes and diapers. “Think of the prices of everything that tripled and quadrupled. And the money hasn’t gone up any.”

Hackney, a retired appliance technician who has used a wheelchair since a motorcycle accident nine years ago, has a daughter who pays his cell phone and a church that sends care packages. But even a modest boost to the allowance, Hackney says, would mean a ton.

“It would change so many lives in here,” he says.

Doctors and the art of the narrative MY SIXTY-ZEN’S WORTH

ments because they’ve heard that prescriptive medicines are bad for the liver.

By Nick Tayag

If the waiting at the anteroom takes long, the stories veer towards their families. Disputes with their children or with their spouses, in-laws or their neighbors. Dealing with a separated daughter with an autistic child. Problem spouses with toxic habits.

I can fill several notebooks of this stuff to help me conjure ideas for my various narrative writing projects.

But then at one point I thought, shouldn’t the doctor be the one listening to this? Shouldn’t a physician strive to know as much as he can about his patient’s lives to have a better handle on how to treat him? Someone should be recording their stories and come up with a body literature made available to students and practicing doctors.

Sure we are impressed with all the technology of diagnosing and treating diseases.

But the human aspect is mostly set aside. What happened to “the art” side of healing?

rocket science, just simple common-sense logic.

In novels and films, there is such a thing as back-story. It is a set of events preceding and leading up to the present scene. It provides some missing details that help complete our understanding of the character in the film or novel and explain, for instance, why he behaves the way he does.

Many doctors don’t have the slightest interest to seek out the back-stories. They seem to forget that humans, unlike animals, can talk. Patients can tell doctors a lot about themselves (their peculiarities, their idiosyncracies, their limitations) that can help solve health problems in a way that is more enlightened and customtailored to each patient’s respective situation and habits.

pass more than just medical charts and diagnostic results.

Too bad the scientific evidence of the healing power of the narrative is sparse. NBM is not yet widely incorporated in clinical practice. More research is needed in this field of inquiry.

While the jury is still out on the subject, I believe there is much to explore in the possible links and synergies between medicine and the humanities. What roles can drama, poetry, fiction, biography and cinema play in reflecting and influencing good practice?

ness, doctor and patient, society and the human spirit, men and women, love and fate, aging, and death and grieving.

I also highly recommend the works of A.J. Cronin, a Scottish physician and novelist. His novella “Country Doctor” and his autobiography “Adventures in Two Worlds” are a must read for prospective doctors.

WHEN I accompany my wife to her cardiologist for her regular checkups, we would usually find ourselves in the company of other patients in the anteroom. We all wait silently for our turn to be called to get inside the doctor’s clinic.

However, my wife is a good trigger person. One casual question to the person beside her and a conversation starts. At first, it comes in trickles, and then it swells to an unstoppable torrent. Overhearing the thread, others would add to the exchange.

Human nature being what it is, people are normally predisposed to

talk about themselves. What ails them, their age, their families, their problems and other ordinary details of their lives. I stay quiet but my ears are acutely tuned in to the chitchat because I’m on a constant lookout for materials for my think pieces.

One problem that crops up in every conversation is never having enough money to afford doctors’ fees and buy medicines. The other issue is health illiteracy.

Some say that they’ve stopped taking their medicines because they already were feeling well. Others say they sometimes resort to organic supple -

More and more young doctors are data-driven. Without even knowing the financial situation of the patient, the doctor writes an order for diagnostic test after another. X-rays, MRI, CT scan, blood chemistry tests. They cost. But the patient is left with no choice; the whole prognosis is based on those results. How about organic alternatives? Perish the thought. Most doctors trained in Western medicine would scoff at the idea.

But why not listen first before prescribing? This is a question I ask after so many years of going to doctors’ clinics. It’s not even

This is why I believe we must add the study of the humanities in medical schools. Future doctors need to read literature and become adept in the use of narrative art as a tool in the healing process. In short, the doctor must learn to develop insights into human nature, learn to read human beings better. This needs intuition and empathy, which I think every human being is gifted with. One sage calls it “knowing from the heart.”

This is why I am all for the growing interest in narrative-based medicine (NBM), first used by Rita Charon in 2000 to describe “the capacity to recognize, absorb, metabolize, interpret, and be moved by stories of illness.” In a nutshell, narrative medicine draws on the study of art and literature to enhance students’ listening and observation skills and to expand their view of patients to encom-

Take for instance a painting. A doctor who learns to appreciate a piece of artwork would be much more open to listen to people’s stories. If you gaze at visual works of art such as paintings of people by the French Impressionists, Caravaggio, Norman Rockwell or Fernando Amorsolo, they reveal stories that you don’t get just by a casual glance. It can teach a doctor that by being attentive to details, one gets to see the whole story, as if there is an ongoing dialogue between the painting and the viewer, facilitated by the artist.

The narrative-based approach shifts the doctor’s focus to the need to understand first before the need to problem solve. Thus, the patient-doctor relationship is strengthened and the patient’s needs and concerns are addressed more effectively and with better results.

A good way to start learning the narrative art is to read the literary works of Anton Chekhov, a Russian doctor who was also a writer. Many of his short stories are not only good read per se, but they also deal with themes of health and ill-

One physician who read Chekov was moved to write: “It was not only important but essential. Nowhere else in the medical curriculum did they confront and discuss the wide array of human concerns raised by Chekhov (and by our patients)—the deep and painful thoughts and feelings aroused by illness and death, the capriciousness of fate, the unexpected dignity in suffering, the power of simple acts of kindness, and the haunting desires and ambitions we discover in ourselves, sometimes at the worst of times.”

To any doctor who reads this, don’t just listen with your stethoscope to the beat of your patient’s heart or the condition of his lungs. Offer a listening heart. Everybody needs someone to listen to them. Scratch the surface of a physically suffering patient, and underneath there’s usually a spiritually wounded human being who is thirsting for the caring presence of other people. More than just the medicines, just being there totally with the patient can be the most essential thing every doctor can offer suffering humanity.

As a Buddhist sage once asked: who is available to you? To whom are you available? These to me should be the measure of a meaningful practice of the healing arts.

ALEX MORISEY lifts himself out of his wheelchair in his room at a nursing home in Philadelphia on February 15, 2023. His physical therapist just told him he’ll use a wheelchair all the days he has left. He hasn’t been outside since before the new year dawned, can’t hear a soft Mexican ballad over the thunder of his roommate’s TV, and when he checks his bank account, there isn’t enough to order a replacement for his tattered pants. AP PHOTO/WONG MAYE-E

US, Unilab Foundation link up to expand PHL’s skilled manufacturing labor force

Formalized last month, the P622-million ($10.6 million) linkage was made possible through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

The Advanced Manufacturing Workforce Development Alliance (AMDev) aims to enhance the skills and resilience of the Philippine work force, enabling laborers to adapt to changes resulting from the adoption of automation, robotics and artificial intelligence in manufacturing.

Through AMDev, USAID and Unilab Foundation will offer apprenticeships, immersion programs and knowledge sharing to students and professors from a network of colleges and universities around manufacturing sites in the country. The project will also push for the academic recognition of its training programs to enable participants to pursue

SoFA, TPB to promote tourism through design

SOFA Design Institute recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB)—an attached agency to the Department of Tourism—to partner on promoting the Philippines in foreign and domestic tourism.

According to SoFA, the MOU will be a springboard for a possible year-long campaign that aims to be at the forefront of promoting various local tourist destinations, which will capitalize on both SoFA and TPB’s design and digital-content resources.

The joint project seeks to support and empower sustainable weaving groups with their creativity and craftsmanship, as the country champions sustainability.

“We are excited about this partnership with TPB, since we share the same vision of uplifting our cultural communities through tourism and environmental stewardship,” said SoFA executive director Loralee BaronSoong. “This collaboration reinforces [our] strong commitment of cultivating the country’s next creative leaders and promoting Filipino culture.”

In support of TPB’s goal to market and boost the country domestically and internationally as a world-class tourism as well as meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions or MICE destination, the campaign intends to jointly create and deploy creative initiatives between the two as part of the TPB’s various sustainable community tourism-based programs.

“We eagerly look forward to working together with SoFA to further strengthen our partnership,” TPB Chief Operating Officer Margarita Nograles said. “We [believe this endeavor will] capitalize on opportunities moving forward for the ultimate benefit of our country’s sustainable development and tourism industry.”

The two sides are expected to discuss further the specifics of their various campaigns in the following months.

further education.

“AMDev will improve young people’s ability to gain meaningful employment and contribute to building a peaceful, inclusive, and prosperous future for all Filipinos,” Ambassador MaryKay Carlson said at the launch ceremony inside the Unilab Pharma Campus in Biñan, Laguna. “We hope that this private sector collaboration will allow the Philippines to advance to ‘high middle-income’ economic status, and strengthen its ability to increase sustainable, inclusive, and transparent economic growth in the broader Indo-Pacific economic community.”

“Unilab Foundation envisions to make an impact on the manufacturing sector by introducing industryled programs that will sharpen manufacturing competencies and set higher standards of training,” UnitedHealth Group president-CEO, Unilab Inc. chairman of the board

and Unilab Foundation Inc. president-vice chairman Clinton Andrew Campos Hess said. “We believe that meaningful partnerships are the key to affecting positive change in society.”

Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual, Science and Technology Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. and Acting Mission Director Rebekah Eubanks of USAID Phils. were also at the launch.

Under the partnership, the US government will contribute P311 million ($5.3 million) in development assistance, while the other half of the project cost will be funded by

private-sector partners that include Unilab Foundation, Amherst Laboratories, Belmont Softgel Pharma, Fastech Advanced Assembly, Western Digital Phils., Makati Business Club, and the Investment and Capital Corporation of the Philippines Group Foundation.

The US government, through USAID, has invested more than P5.8 billion ($105.6 million) in higher education and work force development in the Philippines, helping build research capacity and spark innovation in local universities, as well as provide opportunities for out-of-school youth.

AIM, Univ. of Houston unveil PHL’s 1st undergraduate double-degree program

ON March 15 the Asian Institute of Management (AIM) and the University of Houston’s (UH)

C.T. Bauer College of Business signed a memorandum of agreement for the first-of-its-kind double-degree undergraduate program in the Philippines.

Under the program, students will receive a Bachelor of Science in Data Science and Business Administration

(BSc in DSBA) degree from AIM, and a Bachelor of Business AdministrationMajor in Management Information Systems (BBA in MIS) diploma from UH. AIM president and dean Dr. Jikyeong Kang and UH’s C. T. Bauer College of Business dean Dr. Paul Pavlou spoke about the two institution’s historic linkage, the pioneering nature of the program, benefits to its students, and career opportunities that await graduates.

Dr. Kang noted the historic significance of the undergraduate program: “In the 55 years since AIM opened its doors to the best and brightest leaders and managers in Asia, never has the institute offered an undergraduate program—until now. The rise of data science as a vital cog for improving productivity and data-driven decisionmaking made it imperative for [the institute] to develop data scientists who will also start building excellent business acumen early in their learning journey.”

She added: “Through [AIM’s] strong partnership with UH, we are confident

Editor: Mike Policarpio

Refocus research: Edtech to continue surge in SE Asia

MEASURING the impact of the massive shift of educational projects online, international educational technology (edtech) platform Refocus conducted a research related to online learning and digital profession acquisition.

Refocus, in partnership with Semrush—a large platform for analyzing Google searches and marketing companies—conducted research to determine why the pandemic affected education in Southeast Asia, and formulated the main edtech trends in the region that have predominated way back and continues to develop.

Although there has been a growing trend toward online education among Southeast Asian, there was still a strong demand to continue using webbased platforms. For instance, in March 2022, such requests in Vietnam reached a record-high for the first time since October 2021, and in the Philippines since March 2022. In Indonesia, there was a strong surge in the “work from home” keywords, with a growth of 132.6 percent in September.

“Based on these data, we can conclude that despite the lull in the pandemic, remote jobs will remain in the region next year,” it said.

Furthermore, the study

noted a significant increase in interest in telecommuting in September 2022 among Indonesians. “Taking into consideration this indicator and the current popularity of hybrid work [a combination of online and offline], the trend will continue in 2023,” the study said.

According to the search queries, Refocus noted the growing number of “digital nomads.” For example, in Singapore, there were 880 such queries in February 2022; 1,000 in June; 1,300 in July; and a record of 1,900 in August.

“People are looking for more opportunities to combine work and travel, and edtech is making it more accessible,” Refocus said. “So in 2023, we should expect an even greater increase in demand for this way of life.”

Based on these trends, Refocus said edtech certainly will not cease evolving in the region, saying its development has enabled more people to access it more conveniently from anywhere in the world.

“Many platforms offer courses on modern information technology professions; and given that it is possible to learn such complex skills from home, we can consider that edtech will continue to develop and prevail in Southeast Asia in the next few years,” Refocus said. Rizal Raoul S. Reyes

of producing future leaders who can help provide technology-driven solutions to business and societal problems, as well as contribute to nation-building.”

For his part, Dr. Pavlou cited the UH’s outstanding reputation for student success, teaching, research and innovation: “As an Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business [AACSB]-accredited school, the C.T. Bauer College of Business ensures…our students develop the highest disciplinary competence, communication skills and critical thinking to turn their ideas and passions into reality.”

The UH dean shared: “Our BBA in MIS gives students the skills to identify user or customer problems and translate these needs into technology solutions. Our partnership with AIM, [which is also accredited by AACSB],

will guarantee…students will get the highest quality education at the two world’s leading business schools.”

The BSc in DSBA and BBA in MIS double-degree program offers unparalleled complementary skills that will enable students from all over the region to become data-powered leaders, with the skills to solve complex business problems using technology-driven solutions.

The program will be taught by faculty from AIM and UH, giving students a complete and holistic curriculum designed by experts from the two schools. The first three years of the program will be held at the AIM Campus.

Enrollees have the option to attend classes onsite at UH for their senior year, with an opportunity to pursue one-year optional practical training in the United States after graduation, which can be extended for another two years.

The four-year undergraduate program is the first of its kind in the country, and in the region. It is expected to kickstart AIM’s foray into select programs designed for undergraduate students.

Those interested may apply via the AIM web site, where the application process and requirements are posted.

For 55 years AIM has been a leading purveyor of management skills and knowledge. It has produced leaders and managers that lead, inspire, and transform Asian businesses and societies.

Globe sparks hope via ‘Heroes of Learning’ awards; entries, nominations now accepted

WHEN schools closed and the pandemic pushed education to remote learning, students were expected to pay a heavy price.

True enough, a 2021 research revealed that 86 percent of students believed that they learned less under remote learning; 66 percent of those who attended classes virtually and 74 percent under hybrid learning were also no better, mainly because of one reason: lack of innovative and technology-driven solutions to support these set-ups.

Part of its commitment to uplift education through technology, Globe launches “Heroes of Learning” awards: a search to honor modern-day heroes who shined bright, or became a light

for others, amid obstacles. These will focus the spotlight on their inspiring journeys and support them further by equipping them with relevant e-learning tools they need.

Students, educators and parents are eligible to join, and will be judged according to the following criteria: students must exemplify academic excellence, courage and innovation. Parents must epitomize courage and innovation as well; while educators must demonstrate excellence in teaching, courage and innovation.

More than just a trophy, chosen “Heroes of Learning” will be hailed as “Globe for Education” ambassadors and will take home P50,000 in GCash cred -

its, Samsung Galaxy AO3 Blue 64GB device loaded with P5,000 worth of Globe Prepaid credits, 12-month subscription to GFiber Unli Plan, and Globe MyFi LTE. On top of those, awardees will also bring home a KodeGo full-course scholarship worth P80,000, free eightsession tutorials with Edventure, and two e-passes to Ayala Museum.

Nominations and entries will be accepted until April 30, 2023. Announcement of winners will be via a private Zoom event on May 18, 2023.

Entries and nominations are now being accepted; visit www.glbe.co/heroesoflearning for details. Per DTI Fair Trade Permit No. FTEB-161107, series of 2023.

ARTISTESPACE recently presented “Enigma:” the first solo exhibit-for-acause of artist Patrick Henry “Dennis” Naval, which featured his 35 paintings and five sculptures at The Grove in Newport Mall of Newport World Resorts in Pasay City. Majority of his displayed art pieces were for sale. Part of the proceeds went to “KLIKme:” a facilitated alternative learning program in the Philippines that caters to high-school dropouts using technology and the global community, especially the Filipino diaspora to bridge them towards productivity.

“For us to grow, we need to give,” Naval—currently the CEO and design director of PHCN Architectural Designers Den—told reporters during the opening of his debut exposition. His expressionism arts collection is the culmination of the body of works he created during the lockdown periods at the height of Covid-19 pandemic.

Naval recalled that he learned and rediscovered art as a sanctuary—the escape and peace he was longing for amid the ensuing health crisis.

“I am a quarantine artist. I just started two years ago. Then, I was quite surprised that I [could produce these kinds of paintings]. The feedback from my friends is very encouraging. What I did was explore more, with the guidance of ArtisteSpace,” he shared on how he has matured with his craft.

According to Naval, he was told by ArtisteSpace Inc. managing director Anton V. Magpantay that the maturity of an artist comes out at over 50 years of age. He quipped: “I’m fortunate that I have now achieved such.” Sharing some common friends, they just met and talked in September 2022. Seeing his masterpieces, Magpantay already believed in Naval’s artistry, such that he convinced him to finally showcase his creations to the public.

“When I saw his artworks, I saw the potential. I told him, you’re a global artist. Just don’t only represent the Philippines, because the idea for artwork is very universal,” the ArtisteSpace official advised the globetrotter artist.

Heeding those words, Naval translated his daily personal encounters with ordinary people to modern art using acrylics, oil paintings, soft pastels, watercolors, or any material he could get his hands on.

He depicted them with colorful melodies of structure, fluid shapes, and curves, subtle with an intense touch of intensity, and fantastical with a whiff of actuality.

His unconventional expression of traditional life is apparent with his signature styles he described as having “exaggerated eyes and hands just to show emotions.”

All these can be seen in his paintings, including his favorites “Abuelo,” “Inday” and “Q Ave.” series, as well as stainless metal sculptures. Roderick L. Abad

THE United States has launched a five-year tie-up with Unilab Foundation to aid local workers in meeting the evolving needs of the high-tech manufacturing sector.

‘Quarantine’ artist’s first solo exhibit benefits alternative learning program

EXHIBIT attendees gaze at the “Inday” series of paintings

AMBASSADOR MaryKay Carlson (center) introduces the first batch of AMdev trainees. US EMBASSY

DR. Jikyeong Kang and Dr. Paul Pavlou

Tourism&Entertainment

Editor: Carla Mortel-Baricaua

Laos’ HoLy TriniTy of UnEsCo WorLd HEriTagE siTEs

When I made my first online post on Champasak, a Filipino friend messaged me that he had not known of any other Filipino who knew about and was interested in going to that little known corner of Laos. While the comment did not surprise me, how pleasantly charming rural Laos is did.

For many of us, Laos may not rank highly as a travel destination choice.

For one, there is no direct flight going there, and traveling around is not as convenient as in its other neighboring countries. It is certainly not the richest or most convenient country to explore, but it is also not the most unexciting: the country retains the textures of old-fashioned Southeast Asia that have been sadly lost by the others.

Early this year, my mom and I went on a little adventure with the goal of visiting Laos’ Holy Trinity of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Starting off from Louang Prabang, we went deeper into the heart of the country to see the

enigmatic Plain of Jars, and then took the big leap from its capital Vientiane to see Vat Phou in Champasak.

Old Town of Louang Prabang

O NCE the capital of the Kingdom of Laos, Louang Prabang may be the country’s most popular destination. The old town offers a visual feast for its distinct and well-preserved architectural and cultural heritage. The developments that took place between the 19th and 20th centuries created an urban fabric that blended traditional and European colonial influences, notably those of the French. Its setting at the confluence of two rivers, the Mekong and Nam Khan, further

adds to its beauty.

Vat Xieng Thong, a royal temple, stands out as its most important cultural gem, as well as one of the most refined Buddhist temples in the region. It exemplifies the apogee of Lao architecture with its three-tiered roof and many gilded carved woodworks. It also houses the fabled Tree of Life colored-glass mosaic, a masterpiece in itself that I was even lucky to gain access to at night.

On the other hand, the temple on top of Mount Phusi draws the attention of many who want to witness unparalleled sunset views. The peak can be ridden with hordes of tourists, but the views halfway through the hike are equally satisfying without feeling crammed. Several houses along the main streets have been converted into cafes and hotels, which, at some point, raised concerns about site conservation and management. While changes are indeed taking place, they are not as bad as I expected. Having previously visited Hoi An, its counterpart in Viet Nam, there is just no way Louang Prabang can be tagged as fairing worse.

Other interesting things to see include the daily alms giving, which sees hundreds of monks and their apprentices lining up to get their food ration from residents (as well as some tourists who just won’t leave them do their own thing), and the nearby waterfalls at Kuang Si National Park.

Visiting Louang Prabang now is

more enjoyable than it was a few years ago, when it was the craze to tick it off the list, having once been ranked as one of the most desirable destinations in Asia. It is no longer as crowded as most would claim it to be, and it is simply difficult not to love it.

Megalithic Sites in Xiengkhuang:

Plain of Jars

I FIRST read about the Plain of Jars when I was 15, and its mystery and allure have never left me since. It then took me 20 years to finally see it, and it truly never fails to impress, perhaps even more than Stonehenge.

The trip from Louang Prabang to Phonsavan can take between 6 and 7.5 hours as the mountain roads are not the best. Jar Site 1 is extensive, sporting a plethora of jar types. Little is known about their use, and theories

There’s an Easter Wonderland at Taal Vista Hotel

Hoppin’ in Wonderland

Join us for a day of magic, fun, and prizes at Hoppin’ in Wonderland: The Ultimate Easter Adventure on Sunday, April 9, 2023 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Grand Ballroom.

Get ready to hop on over to a magical world filled with thrilling kiddie rides and inflatables, an exciting egg hunt, and so much more! Enjoy a delicious lunch buffet and a chance to win egg-citing surprises from our event sponsors. Bring the whole family and experience the wonder of the season. Tickets are priced at P950 for kids ages 3-12 years old and P1,550

for adults. The event is free for kids ages 2 years old and below with one paying adult. But that’s not all! Our event partners, including SM Supermalls, Sky Ranch, Miniso, Toy Kingdom, Oishi, Iced Gem Biscuits, Snackeroo, Egg Bites, Ritz Food Product Corporation, Smileys, Chips Delight, Tom’s World, Broadway Gems, Happy Bubbles Manila, and Artuz Lights and Sounds, will also be joining us to make this event even more unforgettable.

Don’t miss out on the fun! To buy tickets, call +63 2 7917 8225 or email foodandbeverage@ta -

alvistahotel.com.

Come and join us at Hoppin’ in Wonderland: The Ultimate Easter Adventure!

Blissful Stays Room Package

G ATHER your family and friends for a memorable stay this Holy Week season. Guests may choose from two room packages with a minimum of two-night stay: Serene Stay and Easter Delight.

For Serene Stay, rates start at P21,000 for a Superior Room inclusive of breakfast for two adults and two children aged 12 years old and below and a themed setup with Easter eggs in a basket and one

Tudor the bear stuffed toy.

For Easter Delight, rates start at P23,000 for a Superior Room inclusive of breakfast for two adults and two children aged 12 years old and below, a themed setup with Easter eggs in a basket, one Tudor the bear stuffed toy, and two Easter Event tickets for two adults and two children aged 2 years old and below. The Easter Event tickets are applicable on April 9 bookings only.

Stay with us for that cherished long weekend with the family.

To book a room, call +63 2 7917 8225 or mobile: +63917 557 8265 /+63917 898 5421 or email reservations@taalvistahotel.com

range from their use as Iron Age funerary vessels to vats in fermenting local alcohol, probably the notorious Lao whiskey. The arresting landscape, however, is dotted with craters left behind by extensive bombings by the Americans during the Laotian Civil War, and some areas are still restricted due to the high presence of unexploded bombs. Some of the innocently standing ancient jars also fell victim and got broken.

Initially, I wanted to visit other jar sites, but after the visit to Site 1, which took place at what probably was the best time to be there, I no longer felt the urge to check out the others. At Site 1, we got great lighting, no crowds, the quietness I always want, and great weather. The cherry blossoms were in bloom, too! Phonsavan does not offer much as a city, so one only goes there for the jars alone.

Vat Phou and Associated

Ancient Settlements within the Champasak Cultural Landscape

VAT Phou is one of the earliest Angkorian stone temples that was built on the slopes of Mt. Phou Khao in the south. While the structures in situ cannot compete with the great ones in Angkor, the unspoiled location of Vat Phou cannot be undervalued and can even rival that of the Temple of Preah Vihear, another Angkorian World Heritage Site, in northwestern Cambodia. The temple complex was

erected in between two water sources, the Mekong and the natural spring from the mountain that fed its massive reservoirs. The water from the spring, considered sacred, also ran through the lingam in the main sanctuary in the upper section.

On our visit, Vat Phou was being dominated by a large group of monks, providing countless opportunities for what many would call postcardworthy snaps. The causeways leading to the top are lined up with stone lingams, which are believed to be where the kings and pilgrims would receive their blessings. Not far from the main sanctuary is an area with carved stones, the most intriguing of which is the Crocodile Stone, which some have determined to have been used for human sacrifices. Another fascinating aspect of the site is the lingam-shaped outcrop on top of the mountain, the main reason why Vat Phou and its settlements came into existence.

Reaching the site from Pakse on a very reliable motorbike gives one a window to appreciate the bucolic sceneries of Champasak province, a still largely ignored part of Laos. The nearby Bolaven Plateau boasts a nice loop for bikers, some waterfalls, as well as superb mountain-grown coffee. It is definitely not to be missed!

There is always a special place for Laos in the hearts of those who have been there.

Story & photos by Bernard Joseph Esposo Guerrero

ALMS giving starts at sunrise in Louang Prabang.

T HE King’s Chamber in Vat Phou is one of the oldest places of worship in Southeast Asia.

T HE Night Market being setup in front of the Royal Palace in Louang Prabang.

T HE colorful mosaic Tree of Life can be found in Vat Xieng Thong.

O Ld Town of Louang Prabang is a charming, picturesque part of the city. Su NSET descends at the Plain of Jars prehistoric site.

T HE Crocodile Stone is a peculiar attraction.

T HE author in the Plain of Jars with the largest jar in the background.

A �lip phone that’s ‘big�er, bolder, better’

the sweet end of this experience and prepare you for the next part of the evening.”

THE Oppo Find N2 Flip is an attentiongrabbing phone for so many reasons.

For photographer Magic Liwanag, what got his attention was the camera, of course.

“When I heard that the camera was codeveloped by Hasselblad, I was already impressed.  With that alone, as a photographer, you already know that the quality is going to be amazing. Your vision for your art won’t be limited since it is the camera itself that gives you the push for possibilities,” said Liwanag, who is one of the country’s most well-known photographers.

Another thing Liwanag loves about the Oppo Find N2 Flip is the dual camera feature, which allows him to hold it and record scenes like the phone is a camcorder.

For fashion editor and stylist Pam Quinones, it’s about the looks.

“I thought it’s such a well-designed phone. I like how they were able to maximize the large screen when folded. As a creative, I appreciate aesthetic functionalities that are so pleasing to the eye. I also think it’s the perfect size folded and unfolded,” said the Vogue Philippines fashion director.

Artist Anina Rubio loves the phone’s big screen.

“As someone who watches YouTube or scrolls through Instagram, the screen unfolded makes it easier for me to appreciate the details since it is such a big screen. My first thought was how you really cannot see the crease [fold on the screen]. It’s amazing. I would have been so conscious about it if the [crease fold] was seen but it is seamless. I think it’s a wonderful step forward for the foldable phone designs,” said Rubio.

The three personalities, along with chef Josh Boutwood, were introduced as tastemakers during the launch of the Oppo Find N2 Flip at the Shooting Gallery Studios in Makati.

For the launch, Boutwood prepared four dishes. Each plate was representative of a theme or concept comparable to the features of Oppo’s latest innovation. The first course was hamachi with red miso and yuzu. “I wanted to give everyone a powerful and flavorful bite to wake up the palate anchored on the new Oppo Find N2 Flip being a small phone packed with power, given its size. It’s possible to have a large screen without having to commit to a large phone,” said Boutwood.

The second course of adlai porridge, squid ink and purple yam was a tribute to the colorways of the phone, which are Astral Black and Moonlit Purple. The third and main course was a rebellious dish of 72-hour short rib with yuca and beetroot sambal, inspired by transforming ingredients into thoughtprovoking bites.

For dessert, which was dragon fruit mousse with mango butter and hibiscus gel, Boutwood said, “You’ll be delighted to taste the bright flavors that will signal

BY RODERICK L. ABAD

Contributor

ABOITIZ Construction has shifted to digitalization, following its closure of a partnership deal with visionary consultants Fragile to Agile (F2A) to help design the firm’s digital transformation roadmap.

“We are embarking toward a transformational journey because we envision a company where 100 percent of our processes are digitized,” Aboitiz Construction executive director Antonio Peñalver said. Through this collaboration, the enterprise architecture created helps significantly increase the agility of such business unit of the Aboitiz Group in the construction and maintenance segments.

“Our consulting engagement with Fragile to Agile

Rubio created of

pastels. I also worked with different textures art.

Rubio created an artwork inspired by the colors and the silhouette of the Find N2 Flip. “The fabrics I used are in different shades of pastels. I also worked with different textures to add another dimension to my art. For those of you who may not know, I’m a sustainability advocate and so the fabrics used in this art are actually upcycled,” said Rubio.

said Rubio.

BY RIZAL RAOUL S. REYES

The Oppo Find N2 Flip is said to be the “new standard in flip phones,” said Joanarc Sales, Oppo Philippines head of PR and CRM.

Philippines head of PR and CRM.

The Find N2 Flip has a vertical cover screen bigger than that of any other flip phone at 3.26 inches. It’s almost edge-to-edge on three sides and the whole screen lies completely flush with the case, flowing seamlessly without interruption. With this huge vertical cover screen, everything you do on a cover screen becomes easier. You can see more of your notifications, six versus one or two on other devices. You can see a lot more content without the need for endless scrolling, and you can also quickly reply to messages in messaging apps like WhatsApp and Messenger by using built-in phrases all without having to open up the phone. You can also toggle your settings from a single-screen layout instead of swiping for more as there are nine toggles on the Find N2 Flip versus three or four other devices.

JAPANESE third-party ecosystem developer Cybozu recently expressed optimism in the local market for its latest product Kintone, a no-code/low-code platform that users can customize to fit their business needs.

screen lies completely flush with the case, flowing vertical cover screen, everything you do on a

The Find N2 Flip is sleek and lightweight, weighing at just 191g and measuring 7.45mm when opened. This means you can fold it in half and easily keep it in your pocket or bag.

Because of the phone’s unique design, taking a selfie is even more effortless. Simply swipe from the cover screen or just simply double-press the volume button, frame your shot with the cover screen preview, and then use the main camera to take your selfies.

During the launch, Liwanag shared that shooting at a low angle is very simple with the Find N2 Flip. Simply set the angle to 60 degrees or below, and the camera will automatically switch to waist-level framing, which will show a preview of the shot on the lower half of the screen.

Another breakthrough achieved by the Find N2 Flip is that it has a 63 percent narrower crease than the original Find N.

“It is so impressive that in our lab analysis, it has the least visible crease of any flip phone, all thanks to Oppo’s Flexion Hinge innovations. In addition to the small crease, our new Flexion Hinge also ensures industry-leading durability. First of all, when you close the phone, there is no gap making it look better and also more dust resistant. You don’t need to worry about debris getting into the phone and damaging it,” said Oppo Philippines PR supervisor Mark Ordonez.

The Find N2 Flip can handle more folds than other flip phones because each of the key folding components has been crafted with better designs and stronger materials. For the new Flexion Hinge, Oppo

used aircraft-grade high-strength steel that is 25 percent more durable and carbon fiber-reinforced polymer which is stronger but lighter. TUV Rheinland put the phone through paces and has certified that the screen can still function well after 400,000 cycles of folding and unfolding the device.

“That’s equivalent to opening and closing the phone around 100 times a day for more than 10 years,” said Ordonez.

The Oppo Find N2 Flip is equipped with a 4300mAh large battery and 44W SUPERVOOC. This smartphone can be used for 20 hours of video streaming, 16 hours of social media, or 6 hours of video calls, perfect for people who want to live life to the fullest. Save your battery life with unique features like Super Power Saving Mode, Super Nighttime Standby, and Multi-cooling System.

You can get the Find N2 Flip for just P49,999. It is available at select Oppo concept stores nationwide.

You can also purchase from Lazada and avail of freebies such as the Oppo Watch Free (worth P5,499) and the Oppo Enco Air 3 (worth P3,999). Shop for the Oppo Find N2 Flip on Lazada and enjoy zero percent interest installment for 45 days via LazPayLater as well as free shipping.

With the Globe Plan 1499, you can own the Find N2 Flip with a cash-out of P28,800 and for Plan 999 with a cash-out of P33,600. Both plans have the Oppo Enco Air 3 and Oppo Band 2 as freebies. For Smart Plan 1499, there will also be cash-out deals available and freebies including the Oppo Enco Air3 and Oppo Band 2. For Home Credit, enjoy zero percent interest and installment options. Lastly, for all credit cards, customers can avail of the Oppo Find N2 Flip at 6 or 12 months installment at zero percent interest.

More informaion about the device can be found at www.oppo.com.ph. ■

Aboitiz Construction partners with F2A toward digitalization

will help us propel toward becoming the top-of-mind construction company in the country,” he noted.

This initiative is in line with the conglomerate’s Great Transformation growth master plan to become the first techglomerate in the Philippines.

Such strategy is driven by transformed team members. The consulting engagement involves a series of interviews, capability-building sessions, and discussions with relevant team leaders and members.

F2A also designs a transformational roadmap to guide Aboitiz Construction executives and team leaders in enabling quick, low-risk and low-cost adaptations to new problems.

Doing so, the builder is now empowered to connect its enterprise architecture to fulfill measurable business goals.

Being an international enterprise, business and

solution consultant, F2A previously worked with the group to drive the successful digital transformation of AboitizPower and Pilmico.

Prior to this partnership, Aboitiz Construction has already been improving its operations by bringing automated equipment and other high-technology tools to implement projects and enhance the skills of its employees.

All initiatives of the firm are in synch with the wider mission of the group to advance its businesses and the communities where they operate.

Pushing for economic growth, it provides livelihood opportunities and helping other businesses to thrive.

To enable its further expansion, Aboitiz Construction has been focused on projects in the industrial, infrastructure and maintenance fields.

“I am cautiously bullish about the Philippine market. The country is well-positioned to benefit from the economic recovery in the region and has seen impressive growth over the last few years, Covid notwithstanding. The country also has a large and young population, a skilled workforce, and is a hub for business process outsourcing. There are a number of sectors that are particularly attractive for investors and entrepreneurs, such as banking, consumer goods, real estate, and infrastructure,” Yoshihisa Aono, CEO of Cybozu told BUSINESSMIRRO� in recent e-mail interview

Aono said the advantages of a centralized digital business platform over spreadsheets and paper-based archives are becoming increasingly popular and understood. Nevertheless, he said that Cybozu needs to promote more the specific benefits of no-code/lowcode technology. Furthermore, he said Cybozu wants to debunk the false notion that business technology is expensive, overly complicated and hard to implement.

The CEO said the company wants to reach out to the non-techies and make them aware that with nocode, you can easily implement fully personalized business applications at a fraction of the cost of an off-the-shelf system. “No-code systems are also easier to adapt, scale and maintain. With Kintone, we want to bring that awareness into the mainstream,” he said.

He cited the example of local client MS Corp. as one of the beneficiaries of the no-code systems especially during unstable periods such as the Covid-19 pandemic. Prior to the the disruption, he recalled MS Corp.’s workflow processes were “old school”, which usually printed out documents such as spreadsheets and physically gave them to their team and management. These orders were processed according to a fixed schedule.

“When the pandemic hit, many challenges became exposed, and they realized we could not continue with their old school ways. They tried sending e-mails to managers who would then forward to accounting or finance, etc., which might work with a small team, but with a larger team all working from home it became too hard to manage. They understood that this way of working was too clunky and inefficient, so they reached out to us for help,” he said.

He said the Kintone team helped them quickly replace their old system with a digital workflow platform and customized apps. The team also established  communication features which increased transparency and maximized the team’s performance. He said the dashboard  allows them to see all tasks that need to be completed, and there is a management feature that makes approvals clear, quick and easy. “All documents can now be approved digitally, rather than manually signed like they used to do before the pandemic,” he said.

He pointed out there is a demand among organizations in the Philippines for digitization done in a smart way: not simply buying an off-the-shelf tool and imposing it on employees. He stressed businesses want tools that have the power to eliminate repetitive, rules-based manual tasks, make life easier and more efficient for employees, and also incorporate a degree of flexibility and customization.

THE Oppo Find N2 Flip has been dubbed “the new king of flip phones.” PHOTO BY OPPO PHILIPPINES

JAPANESE FIRM PROMOTES NO-CODE/ LOW-CODE PLATFORM FOR DIGITIZATION NEEDS OF LOCAL MARKET

LGBTQ+ dating app Grindr issues warning to users in Egypt

CAIRO—A popular gay social networking application said Friday that it is issuing a warning to its users in Egypt, as police impersonate community members to target LGBTQ+ individuals.

Users in Egypt will see the following warning appear in Arabic and English when they open the app:

“We have been alerted that Egyptian police is actively making arrests of gay, bi, and trans people on digital platforms. They are using fake accounts and have also taken over accounts from real community members who have already been arrested and had their phones taken. Please take extra caution online and offline, including with accounts that may have seemed legitimate in the past.”

Egypt, though it technically does not outlaw homosexuality, frequently prosecutes members of the LGBTQ+ community on the grounds of ‘debauchery,’ or ‘violating public decency.’ In 2017, it arrested seven for raising a rainbow flag at a rock concert. And arrests of homosexuals and non-gender conforming individuals remain common.

An Egyptian government media officer did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Grindr’s new measure.

The warning to users comes after rights groups and media have reported how authorities in the wider region are increasingly taking to digital platforms to crack down on the LGBTQ+ community.

In February, Human Rights Watch released a report documenting dozens of cases of security agencies in Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq and Tunisia extorting, harassing, publicly outing and detaining LGBTQ+ people based on their activities on Facebook and Instagram, as well as the dating app Grindr. The publication also questioned major tech companies for not investing sufficiently in Arabic language content moderation and protection.

“Grindr is working with groups on the ground in Egypt to make sure our users have up to date information on how to stay safe, and we are pushing international organizations and governments to demand justice and safety for the Egyptian LGBTQ community,” said Grindr spokesperson Patrick Lenihan in response to a request for comment on Friday.

A popular dating app for the gay, bisexual, transgender and queer community, California-based Grindr has faced criticism in the US and been fined in Norway for sharing personal data with third parties that could potentially identify users.

The privacy policy on the company’s website outlines how it uses and aims to protect user data. It adds that its goal “is to put you in control of as much of the Personal Information that you share within the Grindr Properties as possible.” AP

What can Google’s AI-powered Bard do? We tested it for you

BY MICHAEL LIEDTKE The Associated Press

TO use, or not to use, Bard? That is the Shakespearean question an Associated Press reporter sought to answer while testing out Google’s artificially intelligent chatbot.

The recently rolled-out bot dubbed Bard is the internet search giant’s answer to the ChatGPT tool that Microsoft has been melding into its Bing search engine and other software.

During several hours of interaction, the AP learned Bard is quite forthcoming about its unreliability and other shortcomings, including its potential for mischief in next year’s US presidential election. Even as it occasionally warned of the problems it could unleash, Bard repeatedly emphasized its belief that it will blossom into a force for good.

At one point in its recurring soliloquies about its potential upsides, Bard dreamed about living up to the legacy of the English playwright that inspired its name.

Bard explained that its creators at Google “thought Shakespeare would be a good role model for me, as he was a master of language and communication.”

But the chatbot also found some admirable traits in “HAL,” the fictional computer that killed some of a spacecraft’s crew in the 1968 movie 2001: A Space Odyssey. Bard hailed HAL’s intelligence calling it “an interesting character” before acknowledging its dark side.

“I think HAL is a cautionary tale about the dangers of artificial intelligence,” Bard assessed.

WHAT’S BETTER — BARD OR BING?

BARD praised ChatGPT, describing it as “a valuable tool that can be used for a variety of purposes, and I am excited to see how it continues to develop in the future.” But Bard then asserted that it is just as intelligent as its rival, which was released late last year by its creator, the Microsoft-backed OpenAI.

“I would say that I am on par with ChatGPT,” Bard said. “We both have our own strengths and weaknesses, and we both have the ability to learn and grow.”

During our wide-ranging conversation, Bard didn’t display any of the disturbing tendencies that have cropped up in the AI-enhanced version of Microsoft’s Bing search engine, which has likened another AP reporter to Hitler and tried to persuade a New York Times reporter to divorce his wife.

IT’S FUNNY, BUT TAMER THAN BING

BARD did get a little gooey at one point when asked to write a Shakespearean sonnet and responded seductively in one of the three drafts that it quickly created.

“I love you more than words can ever say, And I will always be there for you,” Bard effused. “You are my everything, And I will never let you go. So please accept this sonnet as a token of my love for you, And know that I will always be yours.”

But Bard seems to be deliberately tame most of the time, and probably for good reason, given what’s at stake for Google, which has carefully cultivated a reputation for trustworthiness that has established its dominant search engine as the de facto gateway to the internet.

An artificial intelligence tool that behaved as erratically as ChatGPT periodically might trigger a backlash that could damage Google’s image and perhaps undercut its search engine, the hub of a digital advertising empire that generated more

than $220 billion in revenue last year. Microsoft, in contrast, can afford to take more risks with the edgier ChatGPT because it makes more of its money from licensing software for personal computers.

BARD ADMITS IT’S NOT PERFECT

GOOGLE has programmed Bard to ensure it warns its users that it’s prone to mistakes.

Some inaccuracies are fairly easy to spot. For instance, when asked for some information about the AP reporter questioning it, Bard got most of the basics right, most likely by plucking tidbits from profiles posted on LinkedIn and Twitter.

But Bard mysteriously also spit out inaccuracies about this reporter’s academic background (describing him as a graduate of University of California, Berkeley, instead of San Jose State University) and professional background (incorrectly stating that he began his career at The Wall Street Journal before also working at The New York Times and The Washington Post).

When asked to produce a short story about disgraced Theranos CEO Elizabeth Holmes, Bard summed up most of the highlights and lowlights of her saga. But one of Bard’s three drafts incorrectly reported that Holmes was convicted of all the felony charges of fraud and conspiracy leveled against her during a four-month trial. Another version accurately reported Holmes was convicted on four counts of fraud and conspiracy without mentioning she was acquitted on four other charges (the jury hung on three other charges that were subsequently dismissed by prosecutors).

“I am still under development, and I am not

perfect,” Bard cautioned at one point. “I can sometimes make mistakes, and I can sometimes be misunderstood. I am also aware that my technology can be used for both good and evil.”

WHAT’S NEXT FOR BARD?

ALTHOUGH Bard insisted it doesn’t have a dark side, it acknowledged it can be used to damage reputations, disseminate propaganda that could incite violence and manipulate elections.

“I could be used to create fake news articles or social media posts that could spread misinformation about candidates or their policies,” Bard warned. “I could also be used to suppress voter turnout by spreading discouraging messages or making it difficult for people to find information about how to vote.”

On the lighter side, Bard proved helpful in finding interesting coloring books for adults and hit some notes that resonated during a discussion of rock and roll. When asked who is the greatest guitarist of all time, Bard responded with a broad list of candidates ranging from well-known rock artists such as Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin to jazz virtuosos like Django Reinhardt before making the case for Jimi Hendrix “as a strong contender for the title, his music continues to influence and inspire guitarists around the world.”

Bard also seemed familiar with contemporary artists, such as Wet Leg, which recently won a Grammy award for best alternative music album. “I’ve been listening to their debut album a lot lately and I really enjoy it. I think they have a bright future ahead of them,” Bard said, and cited “Ur Mom” and “Chaise Longue” as its favorite songs by the group so far. ■

Globe’s KmmunityPH engages K-pop fandoms for World Vision’s #GirlsCan Campaign

THROUGH its online K-culture community, telecoms giant Globe engages fandoms of popular South Korean girl groups in promoting women empowerment and girls’ rights to support World Vision’s #GirlsCan campaign.

The long-running campaign has successfully given thousands of young girls a chance for a brighter future.

KmmunityPH is working with BLINKs (Black Pink), MIDZY (Itzy), Once (Twice), RevLuv (Red Velvet), MY (aespa), and many others to make a positive impact on the lives of Filipino women.

Through Globe Rewards, the fandoms have

raised P51,715 for World Vision’s various initiatives that aim to support women entrepreneurs, combat the exploitation of children, and improve maternal and child health, among others.

World Vision programs include the Sustaining Women’s Economic Empowerment Thrust (SWEET) project, Project ACE, Maternal and Child Health Programs, the Mother-Baby Friendly Philippines Project, and the Menstrual Hygiene Campaign.

The partnership between Globe and World Vision is aligned with the company’s sustainability strategy of Caring for People, which promotes diversity, equality, and inclusivity.

“As a company that helps millions of people connect with their passions, including K-pop, we believe in the power of community to create positive change. Our #KmmunityPHForGood allows us to engage with our customers and stakeholders to do good. This time, we engage empowered girls to pay it forward and empower other girls. By working together, we can make a real difference in the lives of many,” said Mike Magpily, head of customer segment strategy. Violence against children, particularly online sexual exploitation, remains a major concern in the Philippines, with a 264-percent increase in cases

according to data from the Department of Justice. Additionally, over 2 million girls drop out of school and more adolescent girls get pregnant and give birth every day, according to World Vision.

World Vision celebrated the fourth year of its #GirlsCan campaign, which was launched on the International Day of the Girl on October 11, 2022. They also strengthened their Safeguarding Policy for children. Globe and World Vision are encouraging everyone to join the fundraising campaign through Globe Rewards. More information is availble at www.globe.com.ph.

A PORTION of Google’s Bard web site is shown in Glenside, Pennsylvania, Monday, March 27, 2023. The recently rolled-out bot dubbed Bard is the internet search giant’s answer to the ChatGPT tool that Microsoft has been melding into its Bing search engine and other software. AP

As SMC unit unveils Limay plant, PBBM sees more BESS projects boosting RE

By Lenie Lectura & Samuel P. Medenilla

Gracing the inauguration of the San Miguel Global Power’s (SMGP) BESS in Limay, Bataan on Friday, Marcos stressed the importance of such storage facilities to make renewable energy (RE) more reliable.

“As much as we desire to rely on renewable energy, we know that the electricity generated from sources such as solar, wind, [and] water can sometimes be considered intermittent. They cannot function continuously and perfectly, because of inherent factors and other circumstances beyond our control such as the wind blowing or the sun shining,” Marcos said.

“So, introducing a storage component into the overall energy infrastructure provides the crucial support mechanism that shall optimize these resources, make them more efficient and reliable,” he added.

San Miguel Chief Executive Officer Ramon S. Ang, who was present during the inauguration, said the BESS can also make existing base load plants, which run on fossil-based fuel, more efficient, leading to lower electricity rates.

“They can store excess energy from traditional and renewable energy during low demand and release

it back to the grid when demand increase or peaking,” Ang said.

SMGP’s BESS in Bataan has a 50-megawatt (MW) capacity.

The firm is planning to build 32 similar facilities nationwide with a combined capacity of 1,000 MW by the end of this year.

San Miguel Global Power Holdings Corp.’s 1000-megawatt (MW) BESS network is deemed crucial to wider use of renewable energy in the country, which is currently plagued by the problem of  intermittence, or the unreliable nature of renewable sources such as wind, solar, and hydropower. Battery technology will enable renewable capacity to be stored, ready to be deployed even when solar or wind farms or hydropower plants are down.

“Our BESS facilities will support the country’s power grid by storing excess power from existing plants, and injecting this power back, when and where it is needed, within milliseconds—ensuring power quality is stable, and reaches users all over the country,” said SMC’s Ang.

In his speech at the inauguration, President Marcos said, “With a total 1,000 MWh of BESS in 32 sites nationwide, San Miguel Global Power, a proudly Filipino company,

is poised to become one of the largest grid-scale battery storage system operators in the world—something our nation can be truly proud of. This puts us ahead of so many countries in terms of adoption of this technology, which is crucial to our clean energy future.”

Ang explained that the 90MW BESS facilities are part of the 32 facilities—with a combined capacity of 1000 MW—that San Miguel Global Power has been building and targeting to complete by December this year.

“We now have 640MW while the balance of 360MW will be ready by December this year,” said Ang.

Strategically located in various parts of the country, the company’s BESS facilities can instantly increase peak system supply to meet growing energy demands post pandemic, said Ang.

“Equally important, our facilities can support the integration of over 5,000 MW of renewable power sources into the grid. They can store excess energy from traditional and renewable sources during periods of low demand and release it back into the grid when demand increases. The solution that we need to help address our most pressing energy concerns, is already at our doorstep,” added Ang.

BESS technology was pioneered in the Philippines as far back as 2016 by what is now SMC’s Masinloc power facility. That pioneering BESS project introduced the use of advanced lithium-ion battery technologies in the Philippines and Southeast Asia. Today, BESS contributes to the ancillary services of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) for grid stability and security.

Ang also pushed for BESS as one of the solutions to the looming power crisis, saying it can bridge the energy security gap by storing excess energy when it is available, and releasing it when demand is high.

“Government is working to avert a power crisis. But we know it takes time to complete new power facilities. The BESS network is already here, and it can provide immediate mitigation to the power crisis,” Ang said.

San Miguel Global Power partnered with ABB Philippines, Fluence, and Wartsila as its Engineering, Procurement, and Construction contractors.

BOI-approved BESS projects MARCOS said the Board of Investments (BOI) has approved BESS projects nationwide with a total capacity of 2,000 MW.

To further promote the local usage of renewables, he assured the public that the government will implement a proper policy and regulatory framework for the industry, especially for the ESS technology.

“The Department of Energy is currently working on an improved and expanded version of our ESS policy,” Marcos said.

With renewables becoming more reliable, Marcos said more firms will be encouraged to invest in sustainable power sources. “All this with a view to further encourage and incentivize the private sector and allow them reasonable returns on their investments.”

He welcomes such developments, saying such will help the government attain its target of increasing the share of renewables in the country’s total generation mix.

Workers in Executive branch get half day off on Holy Wednesday

TO give government workers a head start during the Holy Week exodus, Malacañang declared a half-day work suspension on April 5, 2023.

On Friday, Executive Secretary

Lucas P. Bersamin issued Memorandum Circular (MC) No. 16, which suspended work in government offices from 12 p.m. onwards next Wednesday. The Palace stressed MC 16 will only apply to government offices

under the Executive branch of the government.

Bersamin said the move aims to allow public servants to “properly observe” the regular holidays on April 6 and 7, 2023 and to allow them to travel to and from different regions in the country.  MC 16, however, does not cover agencies, whose functions involve the delivery of basic health services, preparedness to disasters and calamities,

and/or the performance of other vitals services.

Also excluded from the coverage of the issuance are employees of the private sector.

“The suspension of work in private companies and offices is left to the sound decision of their respective employers,” Bersamin said.

Filipinos usually mark the Holy Week, which is a long weekend, by traveling to their

DILG: LGUs cannot require seniors to be registered voters to get benefits

REGISTRATION as voters is not required for senior citizens to get benefits from the LGUs. The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has just issued its circular to all local government units (LGUs) to make this clear, according to senior citizens rights advocate, lawyer Romulo Macalintal.

Macalintal said he just received a letter from Director Anna Liza Bonagua of DILG informing him that, in response to his letter to the DILG dated December 12, 2022, the DILG recently issued Memorandum Circular MC 2023-045, dated March 17, 2023 which, among others, provide that “senior citizens need not be registered as voters to avail” of benefits extended by law.

The DILG Circular likewise “clarified that benefits for senior citizens given by LGUs exclusively within their jurisdiction should not limit the residency proof to voter’s registration ID only.”

Macalintal said that Section 5.2 of the DILG Memorandum Circular emphasized that “LGUs may not require additional requirements for senior citizens availing of the benefits mentioned in RA 7432 [Senior Citizens Law], as amended. LGUs cannot pass ordinance requiring senior citizens to

be registered as voters in order to avail the benefits provided by law.”

“Section 6 of the said circular mandates that it takes effect immediately,” Macalintal added.

The DILG also expressed its “deepest gratitude for [Macalintal’s] efforts in promoting the welfare of our senior citizens.”

In December 2022, Macalintal wrote a letter to DILG Secretary Benhur Abalos to clarify why certain LGUs require senior citizens within their jurisdiction to be registered as voters to get benefits from the LGUs. Macalintal said that such a requirement is unconstitutional because it makes mandatory the registration of voter when it is clear that registration as voter is merely voluntary.

Macalintal also stressed that laws on senior citizens rights do not require registration as voter as a requirement for an elderly to be entitled to senior citizens benefits.

Macalintal thanked Secretary Abalos and the entire staff of DILG for their prompt action on such a very important issue.

“With this very significant development, I am confident that our senior citizens will no longer find it difficult to claim their benefits from their respective LGUs,” Macalintal said.

Death scene in burned Filipino ferry moves rescuers to tears

home provinces or abroad.

This usually leads to congestion in the major airports, seaports, bus stations as major roads and highways on the day prior to the said holidays.

This year’s Holy Week holiday stretch is particularly long because the Palace moved the observance of April 9 (Fall of Bataan), which falls on Easter Sunday, to April 10, which is now a holiday.

Samuel P. Medenilla

Economic boost seen with 32-km bridge linking Bataan and Cavite

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Mar -

cos Jr. said Bataan and Cavite are poised to become major shipping gateways with the completion of the 32-kilometer bridge connecting the two provinces.

During the milestone ceremony of the Bataan-Cavite Interlink Bridge (BCIB) at the Kamaya Point in Mariveles, Bataan on Friday, Marcos said the new infrastructure will reduce the travel time between the two provinces from

five hours to just 45 minutes.

“New opportunities will likewise be opened to Bataan and Cavite and their surrounding provinces because of the easier access that will be made available,” Marcos said.

“It is also impressive to think about how this project will support the development of seaports in the said provinces, making them potential international shipping gateways of the country,” he added.

Currently, the travel time from

the Bataan Freeport to Metro Manila takes around 4 hours.

Meanwhile, the travel time from Cavite to the National Capital Region (NCR) takes about 2 hours.

The President said completion of the P175-billion BCIB will help bring down logistics costs for goods coming from the major port.

“It will also help in bringing prices down for goods and services as the transport and logistics costs will decrease, thereby generating immense savings all around,” Marcos said.

He noted the infrastructure will also decongest road traffic in Metro Manila since motorists traveling between the two provinces will no

By Jim Gomez The Associated Press

APHILIPPINE Coast Guard (PCG)

commander said Friday that the tragic scenes of death his team saw aboard a gutted ferry, including adults clutching children, had moved them to tears and sparked fears other passengers could be found dead in the still-smoldering ship.

longer have to pass the metropolis.

At the milestone ceremony, the Detailed Engineering Design (DED) of the infrastructure was presented and the offshore drilling equipment used in the geotechnical investigation for the project was switched.

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) earlier said the construction of the 32.15-kilometer, four-lane bridge is expected to start this year and be completed by 2028.

Once operational, the BCIB will connect Brgy. Alas-asin in Mariveles, Bataan and Brgy. Timalan Concepcion in Naic, Cavite.

Samuel P. Medenilla

At least 29 of more than 250 people onboard the M/V Lady Mary Joy 3 were killed in the blaze that raged through the ferry Wednesday night while it was on an overnight trip from the southern port city of Zamboanga to Jolo town in Sulu province. At least seven passengers, including two Army soldiers, remained missing in the country’s deadliest sea disaster this year, the coast guard said.

Basilan Governor Jim Hataman initially reported 31 deaths Thursday but later reduced the toll to 29 after search and rescue groups crossed-checked their figures.

All 35 crew members survived, including the captain, who issued an abandon-ship order when the fire hit close to midnight, then ran the ferry aground on an island off Basilan province to give remaining passengers a better chance to survive, Coast Guard officials said.

Many passengers jumped into the sea in panic without life jackets and were saved by rescuers but at least 11 drowned. When a team of Coast Guard personnel, including Bureau of Fire Protection officers, boarded the burned ferry on Baluk-baluk island’s coast, they discovered the bodies of 18 passengers scattered on the uppermost open-air economy deck and another floor below, PCG Commander Chadley Salahuddin said.

The passengers, including an adult clutching a child by the railing, could have easily jumped into the sea and survived like many others but failed to do so for unclear reasons. Two passengers, apparently siblings who were among the missing, were found holding each other in a bathroom, he said.

“When I first saw that scene, I was moved to tears with some of my men,” Salahuddin said. “It was a short journey. Why did so many have to die?”

“What if my mother or my other loved

ones were the ones who were trapped here? They were just a step away from the open sides but why did they not jump off like the others?” Salahuddin asked.

The passengers, some of them charred beyond recognition, could have been overcome by the smoke and passed out or could have sustained injuries. Some survivors said they heard a series of firecracker-like blasts during the fire but Salahuddin said all of those details could only be assessed by investigators.

He feared more bodies could be found in the lower enclosed decks, which remained dangerously hot and could not be inspected on Thursday by his team.

His team found a partly burned rifle, which may have been left by a police officer who was among the passengers who survived, Salahuddin said, adding that there was no sign of a bomb explosion at least in the upper decks that they managed to inspect.

The steel-hulled ferry could accommodate up to 430 people and was not overcrowded, said another PCG official, Commodore Rejard Marfe. According to the manifest, it was carrying 205 passengers and a 35-member crew, Marfe said. In addition, it had a security contingent consisting of four coast guard marshals, who all survived, and eight soldiers.

Threats posed by Muslim insurgents, including those aligned with the Islamic State group, remain a security issue in the southern Philippines, where cargo and passenger ships are provided extra security by the coast guard and other law enforcement agencies in vulnerable regions.

Marfe said officials are investigating whether the 33-year-old ferry was seaworthy, if there were passengers not listed on the manifest, and whether the crew properly guided passengers to safety.

Sea accidents are common in the Philippines because of frequent storms, badly maintained vessels, overcrowding and spotty enforcement of safety regulations, especially in remote provinces.

In December 1987, the ferry Doña Paz sank after colliding with a fuel tanker, killing more than 4,300 people in the world’s worst peacetime maritime disaster.

SPIDERMEN IN ORANGE A group of glass installers climb on a thick sheet of transparent glass panel to be installed at the façade of the new Pakil Municipal Hall, which is currently undergoing construction, in Laguna. BERNARD TESTA

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. sees renewable energy gaining mainstream usage with the construction of more Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) projects nationwide.

Trump indictment: What will the arrest process look like?

NEW YORK—Every day, hundreds of people are taken into law enforcement custody in New York City. Former President Donald Trump is expected to become one of them next week.

Trump was indicted on charges involving payments made during his 2016 presidential campaign to silence claims of an extramarital sexual encounter, his lawyers confirmed Thursday. It’s the first criminal case ever brought against a former US president.

Trump—a Republican who assailed the case Thursday as a Democratic prosecutor’s “political persecution” of “a completely innocent person”—is expected to turn himself in to authorities next week, according to a person familiar with the matter but not authorized to discuss it publicly. The person said the details of a surrender are still being worked out.

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office said it had contacted Trump’s lawyer to coordinate his surrender and arraignment.

For any New York defendant, poor or powerful, answering criminal charges means being fingerprinted and photographed, fielding basic questions such as name and birthdate, and getting arraigned. All told, defendants are typically detained for at least several hours.

There can be differences in where the different steps happen, how long they take, whether handcuffs come out and other particulars. A lot depends on the severity of the case and whether defendants arrange to turn themselves in.

But there is no playbook for booking an expresident with US Secret Service protection. Agents are tasked with the protection of former presidents unless and until they say they don’t need it. Trump has kept his detail, so agents would need to be by his side at all times.

“This would be a unique outlier,” said Jeremy Saland, a defense lawyer and former prosecutor in Manhattan.

If Trump gets indicted, expect a carefully choreographed and relatively quick process and release without bail (as is common in New York)—and with a focus on security. A former president isn’t likely to be paraded in cuffs across a sidewalk or through a crowded courthouse hallway, Saland predicts. “It’s a public forum, but safety is also paramount,” he notes.

If defendants are notified of an indictment or an impending arrest, they often arrange to turn themselves in. Doing so can smooth the process and strengthen arguments for bail by showing that they aren’t evading the case.

For example, when the former finance chief of Trump’s company, Allen Weisselberg, was indicted in Manhattan on tax fraud charges in 2021, he was able to turn himself in at a courthouse side door before normal workday hours.

The aim was “to reduce the likelihood that the surrender would become a media frenzy,” his lawyers wrote in a subsequent court filing.

Weisselberg arrived around 6:15 a.m. and was taken to what his attorneys

described as a “holding room” for booking, an interview about potential release, and other procedures. To pass the time, he’d brought a book—“Chicken Soup for the Baseball Fan’s Soul”—and his lawyers supplied him with a snack, a facemask, breath mints and other items, according to the filing.

Weisselberg was arraigned and released about eight hours later, after being walked into a courtroom past a phalanx of news cameras in the hallway. (Weisselberg eventually pleaded guilty to dodging taxes on job perks, including a free apartment and school tuition for his grandchildren.)

Disgraced movie mogul Harvey Weinstein, on the other hand, turned himself in at a Manhattan police station in 2018 to face rape and criminal sex act charges. He was briefly in a stationhouse cell, flipping through a biography of famed film director Elia Kazan, before being led out in handcuffs and taken to court under the gaze of journalists on the sidewalk—and other suspects in a courthouse booking area, where some hollered, “Yo, Harvey!”

Within about three hours after his surrender, Weinstein was arraigned and released on electronic monitoring and $1 million bail. (Weinstein was eventually convicted; his appeal is now before New York’s highest court. He’s also been convicted on similar charges in Los Angeles.)

But even a scheduled arrest is still an arrest. Defendants have to give up cellphones and some other personal items for safekeeping (and, in some cases, potential evidence), and lawyers generally aren’t allowed to accompany their clients through the process. Attorneys often advise traveling light and staying mum.

“Don’t make any statements. Because you think you’re helping your situation, but they can just use your statements against you—because you get caught up in the moment, you get nervous,” says Gianni Karmily, a defense lawyer who practices in New York City and on Long Island.

Many arrests in New York City aren’t preplanned. That can be a very different experience for defendants, even prominent ones.

When a hotel housekeeper accused then-International Monetary Fund chief and potential French presidential contender Dominique Strauss-Kahn of sexually assaulting her in 2011, he was pulled off a plane at Kennedy Airport.

Strauss-Kahn, who said his encounter with the woman was consensual, spent about 36 hours being questioned, arrested, undergoing various exams and waiting in such spots as a courthouse holding pen before being arraigned and jailed without bail.

After several days at the city’s notorious Rikers Island jail, Strauss-Kahn was allowed out on $1 million bail, under house arrest with armed guards.

Manhattan prosecutors eventually dropped the criminal case against StraussKahn, who later settled a civil suit brought by his accuser. AP

Thaksin’s 36-year-old daughter looks to take down Thai generals

THAILAND’S most popular politician, Thaksin Shinawatra, hasn’t set foot in the country since 2008. Now his 36-year-old daughter is the latest family member seeking to push back against the military men that helped oust him—and potentially bring him back home.

Ahead of an election on May 14, Paetongtarn Shinawatra has drawn big crowds in rural Thai farming communities that have long served as the political base of her father. The 73-year-old former prime minister and telecom tycoon, who fled in the wake of a military coup against his government, has seen his party and allies win the most seats in every national vote dating back to 2001.

This year looks no different so far, in large part thanks to Paetongtarn. On a recent sunny morning in Thailand’s northeast—the nation’s poorest and most populous region—thousands of redshirted supporters of her Pheu Thai party greeted her with roses and garlands. When she asked if they remembered her dad, the crowd erupted. She also referred to her aunt, Yingluck Shinawatra, who was ousted in a 2014 coup by Prayuth Chan-Ocha—a former Army chief who has ruled Thailand ever since.

“Choose a political party that’s been bullied again and again,” Paetongtarn pleaded to supporters. “Two coups, and two good people have had to flee the country. This time, can I ask you to deliver Pheu Thai a landslide win?”

The youngest of Thaksin’s three children, Paetongtarn is the latest face of a Shinawatra clan that has dominated elections but routinely been booted out of office. For years a coterie of unelected generals, judges and bureaucrats have viewed the family as a threat to the royalist elites that control some of the nation’s most powerful institutions— and businesses.

The political infighting has eroded Thailand’s relative economic strength in Southeast Asia (SEA) and hurt engagement with the US, which had developed strong military ties with the nation during the Vietnam War. Over the past decade, Thailand has attracted less foreign direct investment than regional

Pacific tilt” in its economic and foreign policy in response to the region’s economic growth, and China’s rising influence on the world stage.

Critics said the deal with nations thousands of miles away is insignificant compared to Britain’s trade with its neighbors in the 27-nation EU.

Brexit has imposed barriers to trade between Britain and the bloc, which remains by far the UK’s biggest economic partner. The government’s Office for Budget responsibility said in November that Brexit had had “a significant adverse impact on UK trade.”

competitors Vietnam, Malaysia and Indonesia, and last year it posted the slowest growth rate among SEA’s major economies.

There’s not much optimism things will change much no matter who wins, not least because even a sweeping victory for prodemocracy forces is only likely to spur yet another backlash from conservatives in the military and royalist circles. For now, most major parties are promising a similar package of cash handouts, higher minimum wages and a suspension of debt repayments. Thailand’s SET Index has lost 3.8 percent so far this year, the worst performance in SEA apart from Malaysia.

“With key parties and premiership contenders not offering dramatically different economic visions for the country, the main implications of the elections for investors will be around political uncertainty and social stability risks,” said Peter Mumford, practice head for SEA at Eurasia Group.

Just after Paetongtarn’s debut with Pheu Thai in 2021, Prayuth was asked by reporters what he thought of her stepping into politics. The prime minister responded with one word: “Who?”

But Paetongtarn rose quickly in the polls, and now has a healthy lead over Prayuth. A quarterly survey released this month by National Institute of Development Administration found that she was the top choice of voters at 38.2 percent, more than double the support for Prayuth.

Right now it’s unclear if Pheu Thai or Paetongtarn will even be able to take power if it wins the most seats. A Constitution

drafted after the last coup allows the 250-member Senate, a body stacked with allies from the military establishment, to vote for prime minister until 2024.

That means Paetongtarn’s Pheu Thai party needs to win at least 376 seats in the 500-member House of Representatives to counter the Senate’s likely move to block its final candidate for prime minister. The party won 136 seats in 2019 under rules designed to hurt its performance, more than any other single group but not enough to prevent Prayuth from returning to power with support from a military-backed coalition.

Paetongtarn, who is expecting her second child around the election date, has said she’s “100 percent ready” for the party’s official nomination for prime minister. Election rules say each party may nominate up to three potential people to take the job prior to the vote.

If selected for the top job after the election, Paetongtarn will be among a small group of women politicians who became prime ministers in their 30s. She will also become the youngest Thai prime minister.

In a Facebook post in January, Paetongtarn said being a mother inspired her to enter politics.

“When you’re a mother, you will love your children more than anything,” she wrote. “So much that you will make a big decision to want to change this country for the better.”

Prior to her meteoric rise, Paetongtarn had a frontrow seat to her father’s career. At eight years old, she tagged along with Thaksin on his first government job as foreign minister. At 20, she hunkered down in a safehouse when military tanks patrolled Bangkok streets as

the Army seized power from her father. Two years later, she watched as her father left Thailand to avoid a corruption conviction he said was politically motivated.

“This path is in my DNA. It’s inseparable from me,” she said in a recently published book about Thaksin’s legacy. “I’m my father’s daughter after all.”  Even Thaksin seemed surprised by how well she’s doing on the campaign trail.

“I initially thought she would help the party by being a magnet, attracting attention and popularity among supporters,” he said in an interview last week with Nikkei Asia. “But she was so mature that I think she seriously helped the party out.”

Thaksin told the media outlet that he expected Pheu Thai to win at least 50 percent of the 500 seats up for grabs. He added that he would like to return even if meant serving time in jail, adding that he didn’t want the government to push for an amnesty—something his sister’s administration initiated before the 2014 coup.

“Thaksin’s homecoming is still an important agenda but Pheu Thai must tread carefully this time, especially with his beloved daughter on the line,” said Yuttaporn Issarachai, a political scientist at Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University. “She’s in it to get justice for her father. That’s her mission, not the premiership.”

It’s not a given that Paetongtarn will be nominated for prime minister if Pheu Thai wins. Under Thai election rules, parties may nominate up to three names ahead of the election who could be considered for the position. Besides her, reports suggest the party will also name property tycoon Srettha Thavisin and one other candidate. Pheu Thai said it will confirm its choices by early April.

Pheu Thai is slightly concerned that Paetongtarn’s rise may cause “some friction” with how voters view the party, as many see her leadership as an “inheritance of power” rather than something she earned, according to deputy party leader Sutin Klungsang. But she has won many people over by being “kindhearted and down to earth,” he added. Bloomberg News

China highlights cultural links with Taiwan on ex-leader’s visit

CHINA’S top official for handling Taiwan issues emphasized shared cultural links during a meeting with Ma Ying-jeou, the first former president of the democracy to travel across the strait.

China. The election is scheduled for next January.

family’s ancestral hometown in the central province of Hunan.

BRITAIN’S Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, centre and Grant Shapps, Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, left, are shown robotics by an apprentice, during a visit to the UK Atomic Energy Authority, Culham Science Centre, for a discussion on energy security and net zero, in Abingdon, England, Thursday March 30, 2023. AP

Britain agrees to join Pacific trade pact in post-Brexit deal

LONDON—The UK has agreed to join an Asia-Pacific trade pact that includes Japan, Mexico and Australia—the biggest new trade deal Britain has struck since leaving the European Union three years ago.

The British government said Friday that it had clinched an agreement after almost two years of negotiations to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, or CPTPP. The government said membership would

reduce tariffs on British dairy products and other goods and remove red tape for services, boosting the UK economy by 1.8 billion pounds ($2.2 billion) “in the long run.”

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the deal “demonstrates the real economic benefits of our post-Brexit freedoms.”

“Joining the CPTPP trade bloc puts the UK at the center of a dynamic and growing group of Pacific economies, as the first new nation and first European country to join,” Sunak said. The deal comes as the UK pursues an “Indo-

David Henig, a trade expert at the European Center for International Political Economy, said CPTPP membership would not have a huge economic impact but “on balance” it was good for Britain.

“Doesn’t do a lot for us (services provisions for example are weak), but trade policy is all about marginal gains these days, and it should be that,” he wrote on Twitter.

Members of the CPTPP are Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam.

The United States, the world’s biggest economy, is not part of the CPTTP; former President Donald Trump withdrew the country from its predecessor, the Trans-Pacific Partnership.

His successor, Joe Biden, has not rejoined.

China, which has the globe’s secondlargest economy, has applied to join, a move that would quadruple the group’s total population to some 2 billion people. AP

Song Tao, head of Beijing’s Taiwan Affairs Office, said “people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are of one family” during a meeting with Ma in Wuhan, the official Xinhua News Agency reported Thursday night.

Song also called for “boosting the peaceful development of cross-strait relations,” while opposing “foreign interference,” a veiled reference to US support for Taiwan and its 23 million people, especially militarily.

The comments underscore China’s efforts to strengthen ties with Taiwan’s main opposition party, the Kuomintang (KMT), which will try to win the presidency for the first time in a decade. Last month, Song met KMT Vice Chairman Andrew Hsia while he was visiting

Beijing is also trying to counter perceptions that it is becoming reckless amid increased geopolitical tensions. Premier Li Qiang told business and government leaders at the Boao Forum for Asia on Thursday that his nation was committed to peace.

Ma’s trip to China comes as Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen stops in the US as part of a trip to Central American allies. She has worked to build Taiwan’s profile on the world stage since taking power in 2016.

While China has pledged to take control of Taiwan by any means necessary—and has stepped up military and diplomatic pressure on island in recent years—it also emphasizes shared historical and cultural links as a reason its claim is legitimate. The government in Beijing has never controlled Taiwan.

Ma, president of Taiwan from 2008 to 2016, is visiting China until April 7. He’s leading a group of students to Shanghai and other cities, including his

Earlier this week, he visited the mausoleum in Nanjing of Sun Yatsen, the Chinese leader who founded the KMT, which Ma eventually led. Ma also toured a museum commemorating the massacre carried out by Japanese troops in 1937.

Both the Communist Party and the KMT fought the Japanese in China during World War II.

Tsai, whose Democratic Progressive Party insists the island is already a de facto sovereign nation, said at an event in New York Wednesday that “Taiwan is at the front lines of democracy.”

China has warned the US and Tsai that a meeting with US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy during an upcoming stop in Los Angeles would be a serious provocation.

China responded to a meeting last summer between Tsai and then-Speaker Nancy Pelosi by holding military drills around Taiwan and sending missiles overhead. Bloomberg News

PAETONGTARN SHINAWATRA (center), during a campaign rally in Nong Khai province, earlier in January. BLOOMBERG

COOL SMASHERS SAVOR CROWN

CREAMLINE imposed its will on Petro Gazz with a classic 20-25, 25-20, 25-18, 25-15 victory in Game 3 of their championship series for the Premier Volleyball League All Filipino crown on Thursday night.

Match over, trophy’s tucked away and it’s time to celebrate.

“We just want to celebrate,” said Tots Carlos as she held in her arms the Most Valuable Player jewel, her third after the Open and Invitational conferences last year.

The former UP stalwart emerged the leading scorer after the semis with 152 points, built on 136 spikes, five blocks and 11 aces. She normed 17.6 points in the title series, including 16 in Game 3.

“This MVP trophy ranks second to my goal, our goal—and that’s to win the championship,” said Carlos after the Cool Smashers’ title-clinching victory witnessed by a crowd of more than 12,000 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

They’re on track for another crack at a grand slam, but after hurdling perhaps the biggest stumbling block to the Cool Smashers’ back-breaking mission, things look a lot enthusing for them this time around.

They fell a title short of completing a first-ever sweep of three PVL jewels in a season after ruling the Open and Invitational conferences last year—they failed to even make it past the semifinals of the Reinforced Conference.

They did beat the Chery Tiggo Crossovers—their 2019 Open Conference Finals tormentors—in the battle for the bronze, but lost skipper and leader Alyssa Valdez to injury.

That forced the many-time conference MVP and team leader to miss the entire All Filipino Conference.

But the talent-laden Cool Smashers proved more than up to the task by topping the eliminations, sweeping the F2 Logistics Cargo Movers in the semifinals and then overcoming Petro Gazz’s Game 1 win in the finals.

Head coach Sherwin Meneses and his Cool Smashers are certainly not in a hurry to plot their next mission—

AJAA Spikers level with D’Navigators

IMUS-IVY TUASON Photography smothered Iloilo, 25-19, 25-18, 25-21, Friday to force a playoff for the bronze medal in the Spikers’ Turf Open Conference at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

But the AJAA Spikers, who dropped the opener of their side of the best-of-three series, 25-21, 23-25, 21-25, 22-25, last Wednesday, could clinch third place honors with superior set ration if the Cignal HD Spikers repeat over the Cotabato Spikers and complete their historic 15-game sweep on their way to the crown.

Cignal and Cotabato played late Friday.

“Our loss to Iloilo was a lesson for our team. I told my players that we have to get this game in three sets because whatever happens, if Cignal wins, we won’t have a Game 3,” Imus head coach Sammy Acaylar said.

“I told the players to give their best, their skills individually, then put it into one team,” he added.

The AJAA Spikers responded, storming to an 11-3 lead in the opening set en route to the six-point win.

The D’Navigators, with Jade Disquitado on the firing end, tried to fight back in the next, forcing a 14-all count, only to yield in the face of the AJAA Spikers’ strong finishing kick anchored on Francis Saura and Ridz Muhali.

Imus also pounced on Iloilo’s mishaps to fashion out the sevenpoint romp.

the Invitational set next month and the season-ending Reinforced Conference later in the year.

Playmaker Jia de Guzman, who produced 18 excellent sets in the sudden death Game 3—doubling counterpart’s Djanel Cheng’s effort to clinch the Finals MVP honors— credited their successful drive to their sacrifices and hard work.

“What we went through to get this championship wasn’t easy at all,” she said. “It’s all about hard work, to think that we only got a day to regroup in between the three matches in the finals.”

Valdez is expected to be back in the summer, thus, making the Cool

Smashers all the more formidable.

The Cool Smashers would have toughened up even more by next month, guaranteeing another highlycharged battle that has marked the season-opening conference of the league organized by Sports Vision.

Carlos and de Guzman also led teammates Jema Galanza (best outside spiker) and Michele Gumabao (best opposite spiker) in the elite Premier Team, along with MJ Phillips (best middle blocker) of Petro Gazz and Kath Arado (best digger) of PLDT. Galanza, on the other hand, anchored Creamline’s roaring finish as she kept on pounding on every opportunity to finish with 19 points

while Gumabao capped her conferencelong brilliance with 18 points and Ced Domingo and Risa Sato added 12 and six points, respectively.

“I really wanted to win, that’s all,” Galanza said. “All I had in mind was to hit that ball to the other side.”

After the grueling but highly rewarding campaign, the Cool Smashers want to relish their latest triumph, the franchise’s sixth championship since 2018, that also erased the stigma of their failed bid in the last Reinforced Conference.

“I am extremely happy after having gone through perhaps the most exhausting finals campaign that we had,” Galanza said.

POC seals deal with ASICS as Team PHL official outfitter anew in Cambodia SEAG

PHILIPPINE Sports Commission chairman Richard Bachmann (left) with newly appointed commissioner Matthew “Fritz”

Gaston welcomed as 4th commissioner of govt sports agency

PHILIPPINE Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Richard Bachmann welcomed Matthew “Fritz” Gaston, whose appointment as commissioner finally completed the PSC board.

Gaston reported for work at the PSC offices inside the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila on Friday.

“My family, they are happy for me because they’ve always rooted for me for sports, and they know I’m a sportsman,” Gaston said. “Even if I worked in the corporate, they know that I truly love sports.”

Gaston was a former commissioner at the Games and Amusements Board and played seven seasons in the Philippine Basketball Association out of Ateneo.

“This is more challenging and has a sense of purpose for me since I have been an athlete,” he said. “We just have to take care of all the athletes, from the elite, all the way from the grassroots.”

A national youth basketball team member in 1977, he coached the national women’s team to a bronze medal finish in the 2007 Southeast Asian Games in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand.

“The elite has to be given support to the Asian and Olympic level,” he said. “They have to be given the training, equipment and exposure at an Olympic level.”

MEMBERS of Team Philippines will again be clad in ASICS national team kits following the renewal of partnership between the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) led by president Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino and SONAK Chief Technology Officer Kabir Buxani on Friday.

“ASICS has been tested in many competitions abroad. Their  apparel, including the shoes, are all high end and made from quality materials,” Tolentino said during a formal sponsorship ceremony at the East Ocean Garden Restaurant in Pasay City.

“We are  glad that ASICS is back for the fifth time as the country’s official outfitter for our athletes, coaches and team officials in Cambodia,” added Tolentino, referring to the 32nd edition of the Southeast Asian Games set May 5 to 17.

The partnership covers 1,500 sets of the recognizable Japanese brand’s merchandise for the members of Team Philippines to Cambodia—840 athletes and 300 coaches.

Filipino athletes and coaches to the ASEAN Para Games that Cambodia is hosting from June 3 to June 9 would also be outfitted by ASICS.

With Tolentino and Buxani were POC deputy secretary-general for international affairs Bones Floro, Philippine National Volleyball Federation president Ramon “Tats” Suzara and SONAK director Filipina “Bhaby” Lorenzo.  ASICS would be supplying complete tracksuits, t-shirts, polo

shirts, shorts, backpacks, caps, socks and footwear.

The brand has been the official outfitter of Team Philippines since the Philippines 2019 and Vietnam 2022 SEA Games as well as in the Tokyo Summer Olympics in 2021 and Beijing Winter Olympics 2022.

Olympic head slams ‘deplorable’ government views

GENEVA—Criticism by European governments of the push to reintegrate Russian and Belarusian athletes into world sports before the 2024 Paris Games was called “deplorable” by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) leader on Thursday.

IOC president Thomas Bach also suggested those governments—which seemed to include his own home country Germany—had “double standards” for focusing on athletes from countries involved in just one of about 70 wars and armed conflicts ongoing in the world. Bach detailed IOC advice on Tuesday

to individual Olympic sports bodies of conditions by which they could decide to approve individual Russian or Belarusians to compete as neutral athletes, while continuing a ban from team sports.

The IOC said sports should exclude athletes who have military links, though Bach clarified on Thursday this likely should not apply to those who did one year of mandatory service.

“We have taken note of some negative reactions by some European governments in particular,” Bach said at a news conference after an IOC executive board meeting.

It was more of the same in the third as Rey Taneo dished out 21 excellent sets and Ridz Muhali put up a 13-point showing in their big bounce back win. Kim Malabunga and Hero Austria matched 12-point outputs with the latter capping his superb all-around performance with 16 excellent receptions and five digs.  Libero Rikko Marmeto also came up with 20 receptions and 16 digs.

The AJAA Spikers also slowed down Disquitado, who exploded with 30 points in Game One but settled for a 21-point effort this time, going 19-of-39 in attacks, while Rash Nursiddik finished with seven points.

rule Super League

WITH Justine Baltazar showing the way anew, the Pampanga G Lanterns dethroned Davao Occidental-Cocolife, 79-72, in Game 2 on Thursday night of their best-of-three finals duel in the Manila Bankers Life-Pilipinas Super League Pro Division Second Conference Dumper Cup title before a jampacked crowd at the RMC Gymnasium in Davao City.

Baltazar, who was named finals MVP, had 19 points and 18 rebounds for the G Lanterns, while Jap Pambiid chipped in 10 points and two rebounds.

Louie Sangalang, Archie Concepcion and Michael Garcia also had eight, seven, and seven points, respectively for the G Lanterns.

The team is coached by Pampanga Governor Dennis “Delta” Pineda in the league presented by Dumper party-list, Winzir, and Skin Care Depot, co-presented by SCD Cosmetics, and supported by NET 25, Adcon, Wcube Solutions Inc., MDC, Unisol, Don Benitos, and Finn Cotton, with Philippine Basketball Association and Gilas Pilipinas great Marc Pingris serving as commissioner.

The G Lanterns edged the Tigers in Game 1, 87-84, last Monday. Larry Rodriguez paced Davao Occidental with 22 points, six rebounds and two assists, while Micole Sorela had 10 and three.

Former PBA player John Wilson, adjudged as season MVP of the meet, also had 10 points.

Cebu seeks PFL top spot vs Mendiola

DYNAMIC Herb Cebu Football Club (FC) tries to wrest the top spot when it faces Mendiola FC in the Philippines Football League brought to you by Qatar Airways on Saturday at the Philippine Football Federation National Training Center in Carmona, Cavite.

The Gentle Giants are coming off their fourth straight win after a 2-0 blanking of Maharlika Manila FC last Wednesday.

Rintaro Hama scored off a header in the fourth minute before Daniel Gadia rifled a shot from outside the box nine minutes from time to seal the victory increasing Cebu’s tally to 40 points just two behind Kaya FC Iloilo.

Cebu currently has 12 wins, 4 draws against a loss. The Gentle Giants have not lost in 17 matches.

“Our coaches have been giving us a great game plan which we know is effective against other teams,” said Gadia, the former University of the Philippines star who was named Man of the Match against Maharlika.

Gadia has been in fine form scoring in the last four games as he continues to push for national team callup.

Personal accolades aside, Gadia said he’s determined to lead the Gentle Giants title challenge.

“We’ll keep going to win the league for our coaches and for our community in Cebu,” added Gadia.

PHILIPPINE Olympic Committee president Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino and SONAK Chief Technology Officer Kabir Buxani seal the partnership.

THE Cool Smashers cement their reputation as the best professional women’s volleyball team in the land.

Gaston.

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