BusinessMirror August 12, 2023

THE ENDURING WPS SENTINEL

PHL’s ageing naval vessel BRP Sierra Madre is again under siege

ASIDE from the unpredictable elements and relentless waves of the sea, the BRP Sierra Madre (LST-57)—the lone symbol of Philippine sovereignty and its naval sentinel in Ayungin Shoal (also known as Second Thomas Shoal) in the West Philippine Sea (WPS)—is now facing the real possibility of a Chinese blockade, which could affect the country’s capability to sustain a small number of military personnel deployed there.

W hile no conventional armed conflict has yet taken place, the August 5, 2023, incident—where China Coast Guard (CCG) and China maritime militia (CMM) vessels harassed the two smaller Filipino supply boats and their escorts until only one of the ships was able to break through and complete its replenishment mission—could be a portent of things to come as China remains adamant about claiming the above-mentioned area as her own.

In fact, China, through the spokesperson of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, justified the harassment of the Filipino supply ships and the escorting Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessels by claiming that these vessels intruded in its territory.

The spokesperson of China Coast Guard has given detailed information regarding the Philippines’ illegally sending construction materials to Ren’ai Jiao in China’s Nansha Qundao and the situation it caused at sea. The Chinese Foreign Ministry has lodged serious démarches to the Philippines,” it said.

A promise to leave?

CHINA also claimed that the Philippines “explicitly promised several times to tow away the military vessel deliberately and illegally ‘grounded’ at Ren’ai Jiao” in 1999.

But instead of removing the BRP Sierra Madre as promised, the Philippines, Beijing claimed, instead tried to “repair and reinforce it on a large scale in order to permanently occupy Ren’ai Jiao.”

C hina also said the Philippines’s action gravely violates international law and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) signed between China and Asean countries.

It added that the 2016 South China Sea Arbitration Award violates international law, including the United Nations Convention for the Law of the Sea (Unclos).

PHL disputes Chinese claims

IN response to this, Department of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Ma. Teresita Daza said Ayungin Shoal, as explicitly stated in the Award by the Permanent Court of Arbitration, is a low-tide elevation that is not subject to sovereignty claims or appropriation.

It is part of the exclusive economic zone of the Philippines over which the Philippines has sovereign rights and jurisdiction. The Philippines’ resupply missions and repair of BRP Sierra Madre are part of regular operations in line with domestic and international law, and ensures safety and well-being of our stationed personnel,” she added.

A lso, Daza said the BRP Sierra Madre is a commissioned vessel of the Philippine Navy (PN) that serves as a permanent station for Philippine military personnel deployed to protect and secure the country’s rights and interests in the West Philippine Sea, particularly in the Ayungin Shoal and its vicinity.

China seized Panganiban Reef

ACCORDING to Daza, the Philippines in 1999 decided to deploy a permanent station in Ayungin Shoal in response to China’s illegal occupation of Panganiban Reef (Mischief Reef) in 1995.

Daza said deployment of a Philippine military station in its own areas of jurisdiction is an inherent right of the country and does not violate any laws.

Moreover, the Philippine station on Ayungin Shoal was deployed in 1999, years ahead of the conclusion in 2002 of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, and is therefore not a violation of the DOC,” the DFA spokesperson stressed.

Daza added that the CCG’s action on August 5 impeded the Philippines’ legitimate and regular activities in its own exclusive economic zone and were in violation of the relevant provisions of the 1982 Unclos, the Award on the

2016 South China Sea Arbitration, the 1972 COLREGS, and the 2002 Asean-China DOC.

The 2016 Arbitral Award is based on Unclos and affirms Unclos. It is final, legal and binding. China, as a state party to Unclos, is well aware of that and we call on China to faithfully adhere to its obligations and commitments as a state party to Unclos,” she emphasized.

No idea on Chinese claim

AS this developed, National Security Council (NSC) Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya said that they have no idea on claims made by China that the Philippines had agreed to remove the BRP Sierra Madre from Ayungin Shoal. He added no such commitment and talks with the present and past administrations have so far revealed such a commitment, meeting, treaty or agreement between the two countries regarding the matter.

Malaya added that it is hard to comment on matters that have no basis.

If China believes that there is such an agreement or promise, then they should identify the ones who promised them such or show proof, the NSC official also said.

Malaya opined that the person or persons who gave China such a promise may not even be connected to the government as no administration will agree to removing BRP Sierra Madre, it being the symbol of Philippine sovereign rights and jurisdiction over Ayungin Shoal.

AFP ‘undeterred’

THE Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said that it is committed to providing the necessary supplies to the military contingent manning BRP Sierra Madre as the supplies that got through were not enough.

Th is was emphasized by AFP spokesperson Col. Medel Aguilar, who explained that the supplies that have reached military personnel aboard BRP Sierra Madre are only half the regular load since one of the resupply boats failed to deliver its load due to the harassment by the CCG and CMM vessels. A guilar declined to comment further as they are still planning further action in order to resupply the troops, and will consider recent events in the WPS.

He added that their objective is to ensure that troops deployed there have enough food, drinks, and other supplies needed to do their tasks.

A nd since the BRP Sierra Madre remains an active Philippine Navy

Continued on A2

By Rex Anthony Naval

IN this photo provided by the Philippine Coast Guard, a China Coast Guard ship, front, allegedly blocks the path of a Philippine Coast Guard ship near the Philippine-occupied Second Thomas Shoal during a resupply mission on Saturday August 5, 2023. The Philippine military condemned on Sunday

A CHINA Coast Guard ship passes by the deliberately marooned BRP Sierra Madre on Ayungin Shoal, April 23, 2023. AP/AARON FAVILA

From robots to recycled vapes, Ukraine’s war effort gets inventive

By Marc Champion and Olesia Safronova

News

Bloomberg

There are plenty of contenders. Some are adapting existing kits, others are making cheaper versions of Western equipment Ukraine can’t afford, and others again just respond to feedback from friends on the battlefield.

A maker of attack drones was diversifying to unmanned ground combat vehicles. From the Academy of Sciences came a prototype underwater robot for finding and collecting submerged land mines. One start-up was developing lowcost combat communications; another, a web-based test to find warning signs of post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD.

In the 18 months since Russia’s invasion, Ukraine’s resilience with the help of mainly NATOmember weaponry has come to define the war. Less noticed is a cottage industry of battlefield gadgetry that’s starting to bear fruit.

U kraine, like Russia, has a strong science base, a legacy of the Soviet-era focus on math and engineering. While no single device will change the course of the conflict, the government is trying to consolidate the nation’s sometimes chaotic entrepreneurial output in the belief that—taken together—it can make a difference.

Military innovation amid war

ONE such innovation, explosive

sea drones, has been under intense development in Ukraine since last year. At the weekend, the newest iterations were able to strike and cripple both a Russian warship and oil tanker in the Black Sea. That followed the success of a year-old project that helped accelerate the development and production of aerial drones.

To package everything in one place, Ukraine’s government in April started an incubator for all forms of military innovation, called Brave 1. Organizers say they’ve registered about 400 projects in four months, and Ukraine’s armed forces have so far vetted 186 as potentially useful. Sixty are in robotics, more than 25 in AI, and 70 are for unmanned aerial vehicles, or UAVs.

“Our task is to develop military technologies in Ukraine,” said Mykhailo Fedorov, Ukraine’s minister for digital transformation, who described Brave 1 as the institutionalization of his Army of Drones program. Success ultimately will be judged on how many projects get state contracts, he said.

Take Himera Tech. It set out to build affordable, jam-resistant radio handsets shortly after Russian President Vladimir Putin’s forces attacked in February 2022. It took until April this year for the first units to roll off their production line and about 600 are now in use at the front, according to co-founder Misha Rudominski. The company registered with Brave 1 in May.

The trick to building cheaper is the software the company developed to maximize performance in commercially available chips, Rudominski said. Radio sets made with military-grade chips are more secure, but also cost thousands of dollars apiece. With as many as 250,000 combat soldiers to equip, that’s a bill Ukraine can’t foot.

Modest goals, potent results

“WE wanted to build a solution that is just good enough,” Rudominski said at his stall at June’s Inscience conference in Kyiv. “This wouldn’t defeat US or Chinese electronic warfare systems, but it doesn’t need to. We’re fighting the Russians.”

Himera Tech expects to produce 2,000 to 3,000 units per month by the end of the year. It isn’t yet selling to the Ukrainian Defense Ministry, but that’s the aim and the company reckons it could then scale to 10,000 units per month. A model that can compete with military-grade kit is in development, according to Rudominski.

A nother Kyiv-based outfit, Power Kit, uses discarded electronic cigarettes to make power banks.

Ivan Volynets, who founded the nonprofit together with five other IT specialists, described how in the first days of the Russian invasion they asked friends on the front line what they needed. The answers boiled down to night vision, power banks and weapons. They made a night-vision device paired with its own power bank and took it to the defense ministry. To their surprise, it was the power bank the army wanted, because they charge all the electronics front-line soldiers rely on, including night-vision gear, drones and communications.

The first Power Kit emerged in May 2022, built in the kitchen of the hotel the team were staying at in Lviv, western Ukraine, said Volynets, 30. They’ve since made more than 2,100 at a cost of about $15 each and distribute them free of charge to soldiers.

Yevhenii Rvachov was an IT specialist working with civilian drones in the northern city of Kharkiv before the invasion. He too consulted with soldiers after

co-founding a company, Skylab UA, to make a bomb-dropping quadrocopter—a drone with four rotors— in April last year.

They told him they needed ground robots to make supplying forward positions less dangerous. So Skylab built the Sirko-S, a remote-controlled go-cart-like carrier with thermal cameras that can be used to bring up supplies or evacuate wounded. They’ll cost $8,000-$10,000 each.

The company’s $5,000 “Johnny” is a shoe-box-size version, with a view to forward surveillance, kamikaze bombing runs or to help emergency services find survivors in collapsed buildings, according to Rvachov. All three products are registered with Brave 1, with grants approved, according to the organizers. Ten quadrocopters are in action at the front.

Close to the Polish border, a company called Citius-S is converting six-wheel drive cargo trucks into armored vehicles for clearing land mines and unexploded ordinance.

The State Emergency Service of Ukraine saw the prototype in action last month and ordered 33 units, according to the company.

For underwater mines, the Institute for Problems of Artificial Intelligence at Ukraine’s Academy of Sciences is developing a submersible device to find and retrieve ordnance left behind by the Russians. A prototype of the cuboid robot just began tests of its electronic systems, according to Sergii Simchenko, a PhD candidate in physics and math at the institute, who is working on the project.

Not every innovation or adaptation is about weapons, though. The Bohun amphibious all-terrain vehicle has huge tires with fin-like tread to climb over fallen trees or cross lakes and rivers. It was designed for Ukraine’s hunters and fishermen, and since the Russian invasion a number were adapted for military use and sent to the front.

But in June, six of the newer Bohun-2 model also were converted to help evacuate victims of the flooding around the city of Kherson that followed destruction of a dam on Ukraine’s massive Dnipro River. Lights and loudhailers were added outside the cabins, as well as extra batteries, removable seats and helicopter-ready metal stretchers inside.

THE ENDURING WPS SENTINEL

Continued from A1

ship, that is the responsibility of the AFP to man and maintain it.

“ Therefore we have to make sure that BRP Sierra Madre remains to be livable and provides a safe living environment for our troops,” he emphasized.

Meanwhile, the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) said the government will not waver in its efforts to support military personnel deployed in that area, even as it condemned Chinese harassment on Filipino resupply vessels and their escorts.

It was referring to the aggressive, dangerous and unlawful actions conducted by the CCG and CMM against the PCG and Filipino supply ships who were conducting regular rotation and resupply missions in Ayungin Shoal this August 5.

“ We will never waver in our determination to resupply our troops stationed in Ayungin Shoal and other Philippine-occupied features,” Malaya vowed.

We provide food, we provide everything, provisions; irrespective of what China says, it is our right to bring whatever is necessary to maintain the station and to ensure that our troops are properly provisioned,” Malaya said.

The CCG and the CMM, he stressed, have no right to “block, or impede or otherwise control the movement” of PCG and Filipino supply vessels resupplying troops in Ayungin Shoal or any other Philippine-held features in the West

Philippine Sea.

‘A cat and mouse game’

AS China and the Philippines continue to play a “ cat and mouse” game, military observers flagged the high risk of an “unfortunate encounter” between these forces.

They did not explain in detail how this will happen, but said the constant running game might lead to a “miscalculation” on both sides.

A nd, as the August 5 incident showed, similar “dangerous maneuvers” such as those complained of by the PCG could bring tragic results.

Th is risk is high as China considers Philippine efforts to resupply its troops in Ayungin Shoal as an affront to its status as the region’s leading power. A nd while not comparable to its larger neighbor, the Philippines cannot just give way, convinced of its solid rights under international maritime law.

BRP Sierra Madre, a brief background

THE now 79-year-old BRP Sierra Madre, known as USS LST-821 and later renamed the USS Harnett County (LST-821/AGP-281) in US Navy service, was laid down on September 19, 1944, and launched on October 27 of the same year.

It was commissioned on November 22, 1944, and assigned to the Asiatic-Pacific Theater.

It earned one battle star for its services in World War II and was decommissioned shortly after the conflict and placed into reserve on

July 8, 1946. It was recommissioned on August 20, 1966, and saw service during the Vietnam War with US forces. It was later decommissioned again and transferred to the then Republic of Vietnam Navy, or RVN (also known as South Vietnam at the time) on October 12, 1970, and renamed RVNS My Tho (HQ-800).

The ship served the RVN until the fall of South Vietnam to North Vietnamese communist forces in April 1975.

The former RVNS My Tho fled the country during the fall of Saigon, carrying some 3,000 refugees and met up with other former South Vietnamese ships to rendezvous with USS Kirk (DE-1087) where they eventually made their way to Subic Bay, Zambales, where it docked for a year.

The ex-RVNS My Tho and other former RVN ships were eventually transferred to the PN in exchange for aiding and harboring South Vietnamese refugees.

Initially, the ship was named BRP Dumagat (AL-57) but was quickly renamed BRP Sierra Madre on April 5, 1976.

The ship continued to operate as a PN amphibious transport until the 1990s and was run aground in 1999 in the Ayungin Shoal to maintain Philippine territorial claim in the area.

A detachment of Philippine Marine Corps personnel has been always stationed aboard the ship and acts as the country’s military presence in the area.

THE science conference had all the hot topics you’d expect, from artificial intelligence (AI) to gene therapy. But this year’s annual gathering of brains in Kyiv had a decidedly Ukrainian twist—the innovations on exhibit were for war.

VOLUNTEERS build Power Kit power banks for the Ukrainian military using lithium batteries from used e-cigarettes in Kyiv, on July 1. PETE KIEHART/BLOOMBERG

News BusinessMirror

August 12, 2023 www.businessmirror.com.ph • Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug A3

NG amends CREATE Act’s IRR to ‘resolve’ RBE tax woes

By Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas

THE national government (NG) has amended the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the CREATE Act to “resolve” value-added tax (VAT) concerns by “transitory” registered business enterprises (RBE) in the country.

LAUNCH OF BRIGADA ESKWELA 2023 IN QC

Teachers and volunteers of the Schools Division Office in Quezon collectively launch the “Brigada Eskwela 2023” with the theme “Bayanihan Para sa Matatag na Paaralan” at the Commonwealth Elementary School on Friday, August 11. Brigada Eskwela is a nationwide volunteer and community service program which started in 2003 that engages the stakeholders and hundreds of volunteers for the cleaning, refitting, and rebuilding of classrooms prior to the beginning of the school year. NONOY LACZA

By Butch Fernandez & Malou Talosig-Bartolome

DESPITE the disappointing secondquarter economic performance that saw GDP growth slowing to 4.3 percent, the full-year target “can still be met” if all sectors pull in weight and move quickly to recover lost ground, Sen. Imee Marcos and a private economist said Friday.

The Philippines, according to John Paolo Rivera, PhD, president and chief economist of Oikonomiya Advisory & Research Inc., can still attain its 2023 growth target of 6 percent despite the lower-than-expected growth from April to June.

“Kungkayabangmaabotanggovernment target na 6 percent— hindi naman natin sinasabing imposible kasi wala namang imposible,peromaymgakailanganggawin ang pamahalaan para ito ay maabot. [On whether we can still attain the government taregt of 6 percent—we are not saying its is impossible, because nothing is impossible, but the government must do something to reach it],” said Rivera in an open forum at the launch of his book at Rex Knowledge Center.

He traced that dismal second-quarter figure to the end of the “revenge spending” manifested a year after Covid-19 health protocols eased.

“Our economic slowdown today owes to the slowing consumption as savings of households are dwindling, coming from their revenge spending,” Rivera told BusinessMirror, speaking partly in Filipino.

For her part, Senator Marcos noted, in reaction to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) report on Thursday: “The 4.3-percent Q2 GDP growth recorded as the slowest in two years, was affected mainly by: Inflation; the apparent dissipation of ‘revenge spending’ or lessening of consumer spending; and, agriculture output declining by 1.3 percent.”

All these factors, she stressed, “are important drivers of GDP growth,” and, therefore, the second-quarter data “must be seen as a challenge on what next steps should be taken so that the annual GDP target of 6-7 percent can still be met.”

So far, the senator noted: “for the entire first semester since January, GDP growth has already reached 5.3 percent.”

The work ahead LET’S work on further improving the employment situation so that disposable incomes can increase,” Marcos said, stressing that “efforts in doubling-up agriculture output are warranted.”

This being the case, Senator Marcos reminded that “we all know that climate change today has the greatest impact on agriculture output.”

“It is thus very clear that adaptation and mitigation measures have to be taken,” the senator stressed, noting that “support services that will increase agriculture output have to be in place.”

Agriculture was again the laggard in among production sectors in the secondquarter growth data.

Based on the PSA data, the Agriculture, Fishery, and Forestry (AFF) posted a growth of 0.2 percent in the second quarter and contributed a mere 0.01 percentage points to GDP growth.

E conomists both in government and the private sector earlier attributed the poor GDP data to a combination of factors: the absence of election-related spending, persistent inflation, the “lagged effects” of higher interest rates and lowerthan-expected government spending.

“The lagged effects of the uptick in interest rates last year and this year, we are feeling that now, especially in investment and even in households purchases of durable goods—those can be felt now because people postponed their spending on durable goods,” Neda chief Arsenio Balisacan told reporters on Thursday, partly in Filipino.

Meanwhile, Rivera thinks the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) is in a delicate balancing act on whether to continue to tighten interest rate to tame inflation, at the risk of further dampening growth.

“This is the tricky part for BSP. Because they raise the interest rate to control inflation. But in raising the interest rate, it also becomes the reason for a slowdown. So they must balance that,” Rivera explained, partly in Filipino.

Based on the data available to the public, the economist thinks it is better for the BSP to “pause” the interest rate.

Ex-mayor Pelayo backs plan for water impounding facility in Candaba Swamp

CITY of San Fernando, Pampanga—

Three-term former Candaba mayor and two-time Pampanga Mayors

League president Jerry Pelayo has publicly supported President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s proposal to construct a waterimpounding facility in the Candaba Swamp as a long-term solution to the perennial flooding in Pampanga and Central Luzon. In a recent interview with broadcaster Ira Panganiban, Pelayo said, “When I was a mayor, I already suggested in a regional development council meeting that a ring dike is needed to collect the rainwater. I’m with the President on this matter. This could also be beneficial for aquaculture, irrigation for farmers, and tourism as well.”

Pelayo, known for his hands-on leadership during his tenure as Candaba mayor, firmly believes that the proposed water-impounding project will not only alleviate the perennial flooding issue but also provide a boost to local industries and tourism.

The former mayor, however, expressed his disappointment over Pampanga 4th

The amendment came about two weeks after President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. announced that the state would undertake necessary amendments to the CREATE Act and its IRR to address VAT-related woes raised by certain investors.

Finance Secretary Benjamin E. Diokno and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Alfredo E. Pascual approved the amendment to the CREATE Act’s IRR.

“We welcome this amendment in support

of our RBEs and in alignment with the national government’s efforts to establish a more conducive investment climate in the country,” Diokno said on Friday.

The DOF said the amendment, specifically to Rule 18, Section 5 of the CREATE Act IRR, was made in response to the Marcos’ directive “to review and address the VAT-related issues” of both domestic market enterprises (DMEs) and registered export enterprises (REEs).

With the amendment, transitory registered DMEs inside an economic or a Freeport zone availing of the 5 percent gross income tax regime are now given the option to register as VAT taxpayers. By having such an option, VAT-registered DMEs can opt to get a refund from the Bureau of Internal Revenue for their input VAT.

“This will enable VAT-registered DMEs

covered by the transitory provisions of CREATE to either charge output VAT to domestic customers or receive a refund from the Bureau of Internal Revenue [BIR] for the input VAT directly attributable to their zerorated sales,” the DOF said in a statement.

Furthermore, the DOF said transitory REEs, whose income tax-based incentives have, will continue to enjoy VAT zero-rating on their local purchases until such a time that the electronic sales reporting system under Section 237-A of the Tax Code is fully operational or until the expiration of the 10-year transitory period, whichever comes earlier.

“Before the approval of the CREATE IRR amendment, the technical working group [TWG] on VAT led consultations with investment promotion agencies and other relevant stakeholders. The TWG is composed

of representatives from the Department of Finance, DTI, and BIR,” it said.

Last July, Marcos met with the executives of Marubeni Corp, Austal Ltd, and Tsuneishi Heavy Industries (Cebu), Inc. (THI) in Cebu City to discuss the situation of their business activities in the country.

During their dialogue, Marubeni raised the following issues: 12-percent VAT imposed on indirect exporters supplying goods and services to export-oriented enterprises; non-refund of VAT incurred by the DMEs on their local purchases; tedious documentary requirements, slow process, and unpredictability on VAT refund claims.

“We’re working on those issues and... we will be introducing the amendments for the CREATE law to take care of this,” Marcos was quoted as telling Marubeni’s executives.

BSP to boost research capability for sustainable financial sector

By Cai U. Ordinario

THE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) intends to strengthen its research capabilities in its quest to deepen capital markets to make the financial sector sustainable.

In a conversation with Nomura’s Euben Paracuelles, BSP Governor Eli Remolona Jr. said the move will be undertaken to further the central bank’s financial inclusion efforts.

Remolona said this would also complement the BSP’s efforts to “obsess” over price and financial stability, which can be done by improving the payments system and digitalization efforts.

“Because of my background, I want to strengthen the research capabilities of BSP, and look at our models more carefully. We also want to deepen capital markets to improve the policy transmission mechanism. We will be more serious about sustainability issues and their link to financial inclusion,” Remolona said.

Earlier, Remolona said the BSP is committed to contributing to the country’s efforts to achieve net zero through its 11 sustainability strategies.

One of these is to mandate banks to make climate-related disclosures. He explained that banks would be tasked to report which of their loans and assets is good, bad, or worse for the climate.

The taxonomy to be used for this disclosure system, Remolona said, is being crafted together with climate scientists. Some of the questions that will be asked include whether bank’s loans or assets slow down or accelerate climate change and promote carbon emissions or absorb carbon emissions.

Each metric, Remolona explained, will be weighted allowing the BSP to give each bank an overall rating in terms of its role in climate change.

The 11 sustainability strategies of BSP include vulnerability assessments; enhanced disclosures; climate stress testing; environmental and sustainability risk in prudential policy; and climate change in monetary policy.

The strategies also include incentives for green lending; sustainability in BSP’s portfolio and risk management; task force for inclusive green finance; sustainability in BSP’s operations; and capacity building.

In its maiden Sustainability Report,

the BSP outlined its progress in advancing the sustainability agenda in the Philippine financial system toward creating more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient societies and economies.

The BSP said demonetized and mutilated banknotes undergo a shedding process that allow these to be converted into briquettes that can be used as alternative fuel source for biomass gasification facilities.

BSP said its regional office in Greater

Manila generated a total of 1.17 million kilo grants of briquetted banknotes that were properly disposed of and re-used as an alternative fuel source.

The central bank also entered into a contract with a service provider that will use the briquetted retired banknotes, banknotes securities waste, and other non-briquetted security waste as alternative fuel for cement manufacturing, instead of using coal and other types of fuel fossils.

District Rep. Ana York Bondoc’s reaction to the proposed solution.

“I am embarrassed about Congresswoman Bondoc’s agitated behavior and she obviously did not understand the national government’s suggestion. Dredging, as the congresswoman suggested, is just a temporary solution and very costly,” Pelayo said. “Her behavior was inciting and very unbecoming of a hospitable Kapampangan,” he added.

Pelayo urged all stakeholders to consider the long-term benefits of the project over temporary and costly measures. He also called for unity and cooperation among local leaders to closely monitor each local government unit’s solid waste management in order to avoid dumping garbage along waterways, and effectively address the recurrent flooding issue in the region.

The former mayor’s endorsement of President Marcos Jr.’s plan underscores his commitment to practical and sustainable solutions to local problems, and his belief in the potential of Candaba and the larger Pampanga region.

THE Social Security System (SSS) said it issued on Friday notices of violation (NOV) to eight “delinquent” employers in the Makati Central Business District (CBD) with a P6.64 million total estimated delinquencies.

The SSS said the delinquencies consist of P4.69 million in unpaid contributions and P1.95 million in penalties, which affected the monthly contributions of about 152 employees.

The issuance of the NOVs was part of the SSS’s Run After Contribution Evaders (RACE) campaign that seeks to “ensure that employers are complying with their obligations” as stipulated in the Social Security Act of 2018.

The SSS’s Makati Chino Roces Branch was the one that issued the NOVs to the erring employers involved in various fields of business.

Based on the breakdown provided by the SSS, two employers were in the

business of management consultancy, while the others were scattered across other industries such as a specialized store of household items, wholesaler of miscellaneous consumer goods, business support service, restaurant, general merchandise, washing and dry cleaning business.

SSS said all eight employers were found out not to be remitting their share of monthly contributions for their employees.

“Among the eight delinquent employers, a management consultancy establishment incurred the highest contribution delinquency of P2.95 million, broken down into P1.46 million unpaid workers’ contributions and P1.49 million penalties,” the SSS said.

“Based on SSS records, the establishment failed to remit the social security contributions of its six employees from July 2011 to April 2023,” the SSS added. Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas

₧1.7 trillion allotted for Visayas infra flagship projects–Diokno

THE Department of Finance (DOF) said a third of the national government’s (NG) infrastructure flagship projects (IFPs) would be implemented in the Visayas with an estimated total cost of P1.7 trillion.

Finance Secretary Benjamin E. Diokno said some 65 IFPs are located in Visayas, about 33.5 percent of the state’s 194 “high-impact” IFPs nationwide.

Diokno said the IFPs in Visayas include the Cebu Public Transport Modernization Project, the Metro Cebu Expressway, the Panay-Guimaras-Negros Inter-Island Link Bridge, the Samar Pacific Coastal Road Project, and the New Dumaguete Airport Development Project.

“With its high multiplier effects, infrastructure investments will help reduce energy costs, ensure water security, and improve access to people, goods, services, and information,” Diokno said during the Philippine Economic Briefing in Cebu on Friday.

Diokno cited Cebu’s contribution to the country’s overall tourism industry, noting the province’s “potential to become a major player in the arena of sustainable tourism.”

“The award-winning Mactan-Cebu International Airport serves as the main gateway to the Southern Philippines, with a capacity of up to 11 million passengers per year,” he said.

“More impressively, it is also the country’s first solar-powered airport and bans single-use plastics among its concessionaires,” he added.

The finance chief pointed out that the opening of the largest National Museum of the Philippines in Visayas in Cebu would further boost the province’s and the region’s tourism industries.

“This landmark is an exciting new addition to the long list of reasons to visit this part of the country and experience the many wonders it has to offer,” Diokno said. Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas

Imee, economist see full-yr growth still possible, but much work must be done

SSS issues NOV vs 8 ‘delinquent’ employers in Makati City CBD

Saturday, August 12, 2023

Resupply of Ayungin Shoal detachment to push through in 2 weeks–Wescom

By Rex Anthony Naval

THE resupply of the military detachment

manning the BRP Sierra Madre (LST-57) in Ayungin Shoal will push through in two weeks, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Western Command (Wescom) head Vice Admiral Alberto Carlos said late Thursday.

“Resupply in two weeks, yun muna ang gagawin namin [that is what we will do],” he added during a media briefing in Puerto Princesa, Palawan last Thursday, August 10.

This resupply is needed as the August 5 rotation and resupply (RORE) mission was not completed after Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) and China Maritime Militia (CMM) vessels harassed the two Filipino supply boats and their escorts, forcing one of the Philippine sea craft to turn away due to the harassment.

Carlos also clarified that they will not “abandon Ayungin [Shoal] and we will not pull out [the] BRP Sierra Madre.”

The Wescom chief also said they are studying other courses of action to prolong the Philippines’ stay in the area, including

the refurbishment of the BRP Sierra Madre.

‘Swarming’ at Mischief Reef reported

And based on their latest monitoring which was last Wednesday, August 9, Carlos said they have detected around 400 foreign vessel intrusions in the WPS, with 191 of these spotted near the vicinity of Mischief Reef, which lies 134 nautical miles away from Palawan.

Also, the Wescom chief said 85 percent of these ship intrusions are “Chinese.”

Meanwhile, AFP chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., who was briefed by Carlos Thursday, said that they are looking at the possibility of deploying more ships and aircraft to protect its possessions at the WPS, and to secure the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

“We really have to establish our presence in the area,” he added.

The AFP chief also said the military is also looking at the possibility of tapping reservists for these missions.

“When we say reserve forces it’s not just land-based forces, so we are also trying to build up our reservists who will be able to operate in the sea. So parte yun. And then

of course yun nga yung gusto nga natin na yung mga fisherfolk natin ay gawin din nating reservists at tuturuan natin sila kung paano sila makakatulong sa pagdepensa ng atingbansa.[When we say reserve forces, we also mean building up our reservists who can operate in the sea. And we want fisherfolk to become reservists—we will train them to help defend our country],” he said.

Brawner said they are not just focusing on Ayungin Shoal and the BRP Sierra Madre, but at the whole picture of the WPS.

He said they would need funds to improve their facilities there.

“Kailangan talaga nating palakasin pa yungpresencenatinsaWPS and this will entail more funds kaya talagang hihingi rin kami sa Kongreso natin na madagdagan pa yung pondonatinsaWPS. [We need to strengthen our presence in the WPS and this will entail more funds. So we will really ask Congress for such funds],” Brawner said.

Resupply party

AS this developed, legal and security experts

Go tells Baliwag grads: Use education as a force for good

‘KAYOpoangkinabukasanngbayang

urged the Philippine government to do a joint patrol with like-minded allies in its next resupply mission to the BRP Sierra Madre at the Ayungin Shoal.

F ormer Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio said we could follow the examples of Malaysia and Indonesia, which continued their survey and naval drills in their EEZ in the South China Sea, together with the United States and Australia, despite warnings from the CCG.

“ We can have joint patrols with the US at the same time [in the next resupply mission to the Ayungin Shoal]. We can calibrate it. Remember, Malaysia and Indonesia were able to survey and drill despite warnings from the Chinese Coast Guard that the area falls within the nine-dash line...They sent their Navy together with the survey ship and the drilling ship, and, at the same time, the US and Australia conducted naval drills in the same area, that’s for Malaysia. For Indonesia, the US aircraft carrier Ronald Reagan happened to pass by,” Carpio explained.

Ex-mayor Atienza backs PBBM move to halt all land-reclamation projects in Manila Bay

AFORMER Manila mayor who had strongly opposed reclamation projects in Manila Bay on Friday backed the decision of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to suspend all reclamation projects straddling four southern cities and one province.

Former Buhay party-list Rep. Lito Atienza, who once also head the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), said in a statement: “Truly, he is our only hope to see the wrongfulness of approving 22 reclamation projects in the Bay. We also support the investigation into how these projects came about. What yardstick was used to allow all this in the first place?”

“No one will benefit from it but the private owners. Enough is enough! BBM should continue protecting the welfare of the people and not just a few,” added Atienza, the only

Manila mayor who served three successive terms, during which he championed a redevelopment of the districts facing Manila Bay, creating the acclaimed Baywalk area.

According to Atienza, the reclamation projects did not even pass the local government of Manila. “So, who approved this in Manila? We strongly condemn this irresponsible disregard [for] future generations,” he added.

In 1995, during his term as Vice Mayor of Manila, Atienza said they passed Ordinance No. 7777, banning all forms of reclamation in Manila Bay.

“Our commitment to protect Manila Bay has always taken precedence. We continued this during our three terms as Mayor of Manila and even developed the promenade into what became known as the Baywalk. This afforded people with an unimpeded view of

the spectacular Manila Bay sunset,” he said.

But this ordinance, Atienza said, was repealed by the succeeding administration.

“This opened the floodgates that allowed reclamation projects in the Bay. We continued our crusade for the protection of the Bay as Environment Secretary when we sided with the environmentalists who were forcing the government to clean up Manila Bay,” he said.

Atienza also said environmentalists were surprised when they sided with their position before the Supreme Court, contrary to past DENR administrations.

“Because of this, the Supreme Court in 2008 issued a writ of continuing mandamus to clean up, rehabilitate, preserve, and restore it to its pristine condition—not to put dolomite sand, but to clean the waters,” he said.

“Tamakayo[You are right], Mr. President,

nawala na ang tubig sa [the water is gone from] Manila Bay. Had BBM not intervened and stopped these 22 projects, we would have lost the Bay—the biggest jewel of the City of Manila. This Bay has benefited our generation and will benefit future ones,” Atienza added.

O n Thursday, at a briefing in Malacañang, current DENR Secretary Maria Antonia YuloLoyzaga said an order stopping all landreclamation activities would be issued shortly to enforce President Marcos’ suspension order, issued verbally. A review is also underway for all projects as part of the DENR’s mandate from the SC.

Land reclamation in an environmentally critical area as Manila Bay—a key water body and major fishing ground in Luzon—requires a rigid and thorough review, she added.

Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz

ito at edukasyon ang tanging puhunannatinsamundongito.[You are the future of this nation and education is our only investment in this world].”

With these words, Sen. Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go exhorted graduates of the Dalubhasaang Politekniko ng Lungsod ng Baliwag (DPLB) to take their studies seriously and aspire to be of service to the country.

Baliuag City Mayor Ferdinand Estrella had invited Go to serve as Guest Speaker during the 14th Commencement Ceremony of DPLB on Wednesday.

Go assured the youth he and the entire government will be with them “in your journey. Be assured of our continued support for your dreams and aspirations,” he told the graduates, speaking partly in Filipino.

Underscoring the importance of education as the foundation for a prosperous future, he conveyed his belief that education empowers individuals to transcend their circumstances, equipping them with the tools needed to contribute positively to society.

Education, he said, “is one of the most potent weapons we can use for change. In these times, it’s not enough that we have the consciousness, we also need knowledge. And with your graduation, hope springs for the future of our country,” he said in Filipino.

“I salut e you,” he said, for their hard work in securing their diplomas. “Certainly, what you have achieved is no small feat, and I congratulate you all.”

Go also shed light on his unwavering dedication to education reform and his efforts to enhance educational opportunities for all Filipinos.

“BilanginyongkuyaBongGo,natutuwa ako sa oportunidad na ibinigay sa akin ng mga Pilipino para makapagsilbi sa kanila. Masayatayonahindilangtayonagsusulong ng mga polisiya para sa ikagaganda ng kalidad ng edukasyon at health care sa Baliwag [City] at sa buong bansa, kundi nagkaroon din tayo ng parte sa pag-unlad ng inyong lungsod,” he added.

(As your Kuya Bong Go, I am happy for the opportunity to serve. I am happy to push policies to improve the quality of education and health care in Baliwag and the entire country).

T he lawmaker filed Senate Bill No. 1190, which aims to expand the purpose and application of the Special Education Fund

(SEF), envisioning a broader scope for SEF utilization, enabling local governments to allocate resources for the improvement of educational facilities, teacher training, and the procurement of necessary educational materials.

Go also filed SBN 1360 to build upon the successes of the Republic Act No. 10931 or the Universal Access To Quality Tertiary Education Act. This seeks to expand the coverage of the tertiary education subsidy, ensuring that more aspiring college students can access financial assistance for their higher education pursuits.

As co-author and co-sponsor, he also supported the passage of Republic Act 11509 or the Doktor Para Sa Bayan Act setting up a medical scholarship and return service program for deserving students.

As chair of the Senate Committee on Sports, Go authored and co-sponsored the bill that transformed into Republic Act No. 11470, laying the foundation for the establishment of the National Academy of Sports (NAS) in 2020.

In his speech, Go also ga ve recognition to the teachers and parents who were instrumental in providing quality education to the youth.

“Alam n’yo ang mga magulang natin, ako magulang na rin po ako. Kami po’y halos magpakamatay magtrabaho para lang po maibigay sa inyo ang magandang kinabukasan...Kaya bilang ganti mahalin naman natin ang ating mga magulang hanggangsakanilangpagtanda.Huwagho natin silang pabayaan dahil wala tayo sa mundong ito kung hindi po dahil sa ating mga magulang,” he shared.

A fter inspiring the graduates with his message, he also provided tokens to those who graduated with honors and offered to help those with medical concerns as chair of the Senate Committee on Health. He also reminded them that there are 158 Malasakit Centers nationwide that are operational and ready to help poor and indigent patients.

T he Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which Go principally authored and sponsored, brings together various government agencies such as DSWD, Department of Health (DOH), Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, under one roof to provide a convenient process for availing medical assistance particularly for poor and indigent patients in public hospitals.

Our

Time

Solon seeks better compliance on online discounts for PWDs and senior citizens

House bill bolsters nutrition, wellness program for elderly

By Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz

The house of Representatives approved Wednesday a bill strengthening the government’s national health program for senior citizens through a comprehensive nutrition and wellness program to prevent poor nutrition among the elderly and illnesses related to it.

By Filane Mikee Cervantes

MANILA—The House Com-

mittee on Senior Citizens

will look into the compliance levels with the mandated discounts for online purchases of senior citizens (SCs) and persons with disabilities (PWDs), its chairperson said on Thursday.

In a statement, Senior Citizen Party-list Rep. Rodolfo Ordanes Jr. said his panel would invite government agencies and firms providing e-commerce platforms and mobile applications to attend their hearings to determine the implementation status of the mandatory discounts given to senior citizens and PWDs in online transactions.

“It is necessary to find out the compliance levels for both online transactions and real-world sales, so we can find ways to plug loopholes encountered during implementation,” Ordanes said.

Ordanes noted that current compliance levels are “not where they should be” because some apps do not meet the 20 percent discount based on the purchase of the seniors.

“Some discount vouchers being given do not go up to 20 percent. Some are at P60 only. Worse, some online sellers and platforms are not giving the discounts at all,” he said.

Ordanes said there should be a verification process for mobile appli-

cations or e-commerce platforms to verify the identification card number of the senior citizen of PWD.

“For online transactions, there should be a quick way for the mobile apps or platforms to verify the PWD identification…numbers presented before delivery riders are dispatched to the location of the persons who placed orders. This is the crucial part that requires compliance with the Know Your Customer rules and interface with a database of verified PWD numbers and IDs,” Ordanes said.

Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr. has reiterated in a statement that the discounts on purchases made online by senior citizens and persons with disabilities are mandatory.

“Online platforms should recognize the mandatory discounts given to senior citizens and persons with disabilities. The BIR has issued Revenue Regulation 8-2023 to this effect,” Lumagui said in a statement.

“The signature of the SC/PWD is not needed if the purchase is made through online means. The SC/PWD Identification card number should still be provided,” he added.

Lumagui, however, stressed that the SC/PWD Identification Card number should still be provided by the SC/PWD when purchasing through online or mobile platforms. PNA

Are you a thankful eater?

The chamber has approved on third and final reading House Bill 8461 amending Republic Act (RA) 7432 or the Senior Citizens Act, as amended, with a vote of 266.

The bill will be transmitted to the Senate for its own deliberations.

“This bill is a testament to the commitment of the House of Representatives to support legislation that will improve the lives of the Filipino people, especially our elderly and senior citizens, who truly

deserve recognition and protection for their years of service to the nation,” Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez said.

Romualdez said this comprehensive program aims to promote and protect the right of senior citizens to health and instill consciousness about the need for their health and proper nutrition.

“House Bill 8461 particularly mandates the National Nutrition Council, Department of Health, and

local government units [LGUs] to prepare a comprehensive nutrition and wellness program to serve as a guide for senior citizens to nutritionally balanced meals that can prevent conditions related to poor nutrition,” Romualdez said.

The proposed legislation also requires the local government units, through the Office for Senior Citizens Affairs, to integrate the com-

prehensive nutrition and wellness program into their respective programs for senior citizens.

Reps. Rodolfo M. Ordanes, Jane T. Castro, Ruth Mariano-Hernandez, Rachel Marguerite B. Del Mar, Ma. Victoria Co-Pilar, Milagros AquinoMagsaysay, Eulogio R. Rodriguez, Jose Maria R. Zubiri Jr., Gabriel H. Bordado Jr., Salvador A. Pleto, and Romulo Peña Jr. are co-authors of the bill.

Expanded Solo Parents Welfare Act missing many beneficiaries, Bong Go files resolution for review

SENATOR Christopher “Bong”

Go filed on August 8 Senate

Resolution No. 730 seeking an inquiry into the implementation of Republic Act No. 11861 or the Expanded Solo Parents Welfare Act, amid reports that numerous solo parents are not receiving the benefits mandated by law after its enactment more than a year ago.

The Expanded Solo Parents Welfare Act was signed into law on June 4, 2022, with the aim of supporting Filipino single parents. The law provides various social services and welfare benefits, including a month-

By Nick Tayag

ly cash subsidy of P1,000 for those earning a minimum wage or below and a 10 percent discount along with VAT exemption on essential childcare products for those earning less than P250,000.

“More than a year since the enactment of the law, there are reports that several solo parents, who should be recipients of the provisions under the law, are not receiving the expected benefits,” said Go, author and cosponsor of RA 11861.

It was found out that several local government units found it difficult to secure sufficient budgets to imple-

ment the provisions of the law. Even much-larger cities do not have the resources to consistently distribute the P1,000 monthly allowance.

“This raises serious concerns and necessitates an immediate review to ensure that the support and assistance mandated by the law are being provided,” he added.

The resolution has directed the appropriate Senate committee to conduct an inquiry to examine the gaps in the provision of benefits under RA 11861.

Go also proposed to convene the Joint Congressional Oversight

Committee on Solo Parents, a body created under the law to monitor its execution, to pinpoint potential weaknesses in the law.

On the same subject matter, the House of Representatives has also introduced House Resolution No. 1176, directing various committees to urgently investigate the implementation of RA 11861. The resolution also calls attention to reports that solo parents are not receiving benefits like the P1,000 monthly allowance, VAT exemption, and a 10-percent discount on essential supplies, as provided by the law.

ONE time, as I was having a late lunch, a man quietly sat down and lingered at an empty table beside mine. I glanced at him and I saw he was avidly eyeing me, or rather what I was eating. He appeared like a normal person, not untidy at all. I could intuit what he wanted so I hurried to finish my meal. Then as soon as I pushed back my chair and stood up to go, I could sense him tense up, poised to pounce on

his intended prey: the pieces of beef and mushroom rice that I deliberately left for him. I walked off and after a beat, I looked back just as he was sliding into the chair that still had the warmth of my butt. Totally selfabsorbed, he ate with gusto, wielding the fork and spoon I’ve just used and insouciantly sprinkling sauce over the tidbits. I watched him for a while, glad that he liked what I chose from the day’s menu.

Have you ever seen a jackal or hyena, the scavenger of the African wilderness that devours carcasses of animals left over by other predators? That’s the image I had in mind when I composed a short poem about that incident.

Then there’s this story my friend Del related to me some time ago. He usually collected his family’s meal leftovers and would leave the assorted bits outside the gate of his home for the stray cats in their street. Then one evening, as usual, he put the “simi” or “tira-tira” (leftovers) on the plastic container outside their gate. Suddenly from out of nowhere, an unkempt man rushed to snatch the said leftovers, ahead of the cats. He smiled slightly at Del as if to thank him and then slinked back to his wife and kid waiting in their kariton

It was then that he discovered that there are homeless scavengers who manage to survive on pagpag

The term comes from the way scavengers shake the dirt off the morsels or pieces of meat they recover from garbage bins outside restaurants, which they then cook or heat again. What for us is leftover waste is for some a day’s meal.

In old China, and even among Chinese today, when they meet an acquaintance or neighbor in the alley, they don’t say the usual “how are you?” Instead their standard greeting is ni chi le ma translated as “have you eaten yet?” This should not necessarily be regarded as an

invitation to have a meal together.

So what does this colloquial greeting actually mean? Where did the phrase come from?

Cheuk Kwan, a documentary filmmaker, wrote a book entitled “Have you eaten yet?” According to him “because of war, famine and poverty, people in old China did not always have enough to eat. Perhaps that is how these words became an expression of concern for someone’s well-being.” No wonder in traditional Chinese culture, food is strongly regarded with the utmost importance. An old Chinese proverb says, “The common people regard food as heaven.”

Remember our old folks who used to make us eat the last morsel of food on our plate? Otherwise you wouldn’t be allowed to leave the table until you’ve consumed everything on your plate. Take only what you can finish. Their usual refrain was that people in Africa don’t even have food to eat, so be very grateful there’s food on the table.

But from what I see nowadays, the day may come when the phrase “ kumain ka na ba?” would become our customary greeting like the Chinese ni chi le ma. We could be facing a future where food will become so scarce that eating will be our main preoccupation.

Lately, more and more kids from the informal community living in makeshift homes along our creek are going out on the streets and knocking on gates, asking for a little

money to buy rice, or scraps of food and even just biscuits. It was never like this before.

Inflation continues to take a big bite on prices of food, specially frozen meat and fish and fresh vegetables.

According to a SWS survey, 10.4 percent of Filipino families have experienced hunger in the second quarter of 2023. That’s an increase from the 9 percent in the first quarter. As if this were not bad enough, breaking news are telling us the price of rice is seen going up by P40 per kilo.

In America, the reputed land of abundance, I learned that as much as 40 percent of America’s food supply gets thrown away every day. This, according to estimates, could feed the world’s nearly one billion malnourished people.

Shockingly, forests are being destroyed to make space for growing food, which will never be eaten and just discarded.

Yet we are induced to eat and eat, sometimes beyond contentment.

Eat all you can! Smorgasbord galore!

Unlimited rice! Unlimited barbecue! Day in and day out, I’ve observed people lining up in eat-all-you-can restaurants.

What I find most repulsive are the Korean produced mukbang videos that feature a person gorging on copious amounts of food while talking to the audience about it. It’s supposed to be entertaining!

Often I wonder what happens

to the excess food and other perishables that are not consumed at the end of the day? I don’t know if this is true but many supermarkets have a policy of locking up food that is just past the sell-by date and disposing of it, instead of giving it to feed the homeless.

We are all guilty one way or the other of being “takaw mata” (greedy eyes). We can change things around by buying only the food we are going to eat. Let’s be fastidious and moderate eaters and take only whatever we can finish. Let’s normalize recycling leftovers as well as reheating dishes and creatively combining leftovers to make new and unique meals.

Even if you cannot stand to eat leftovers, you can still find a way to offer the food to others and that includes the cats and dogs that are out there in our street.

We need to set up food banks in the Philippines where excess or unsold food can be deposited for distribution to the poor and the hungry.

Most of all, we need to change our attitude. Never take food for granted, because it is precious. Let’s respect the food itself because its nutrients will add life to our years and years to our life. Have an appreciative heart as each dish opens its treasures to you.

Be mindful always of what someone said: “Whenever excess food is thrown out, it is as if it were stolen from the table of the poor, from the hungry!”

my sixty-zen’s WORtH

Speaker Ferdinand Martin romualdez

Senior Citizen par ty-list rep. rodolfo ordanes Photo courtesy of house Press and Public affairs bureau

Japan welcomes new set of JET pros, JDS fellows

Recently, the “Japan Exchange and Teaching” program welcomed 65 Filipino “JETs:” 64 Assistant Language Teachers (ALTs); and one Coordinator for International Relations (CIR) as official participants for 2023.

According to the Embassy of Japan, the number of JET participants has been increasing since it started inviting Filipino applicants in 2014, as the current batch topped prepandemic numbers at 65—from the previous 54 in 2019—and now has more than 300 from the Philippines.

The first batch of selected Filipino JETs for 2023 flew to Japan on July 30, while the second is scheduled this August.

Previously, the participants engaged in a series of activities aimed at preparing them for their duties in Japan. On July 6, they visited the Manila Japanese School in Taguig City, where they observed English classes and met with Filipino English teachers. Both sides had a fruitful exchange of views on teaching techniques and Japanese classroom practices.

In addition, the Japan Information and Culture Center, in cooperation with the JET Alumni As -

sociation of the Philippines, held a virtual pre-departure orientation for the participants on July 21.

Aimed at preparing them for life in Japan, the incoming JETs received essential resource materials, as they learned more about Japanese society and culture in relation to their role as ALTs and CIR.

The orientation also coincided with a Nihongo Learning Session to equip the incoming JETs with essential Japanese Language.

The series of activities culminated on July 29, as Ambassador Kazuhiko Koshikawa hosted a send-off reception for the participants, along with Japan-Council of Local Authorities for International Relations or J-CLAIR Singapore represented by Executive Director Taisuke Sakurai.

In his message, Koshikawa congratulated the participants and shared his hopes for the program’s growth: “As one of the Japanese officials who launched the JET Programme more than 30 years ago, it is heartwarming to see its growth and impact here in the Philippines,” he stated, then added that Filipino JETs are “reliable cultural ambassadors” that bridge his country to their home nations, “paving

avenues for stronger linkages between Japan and the Philippines.”

The Japanese government launched the JET program in 1987, with hopes of deepening mutual understanding between the peoples of Japan and those of other countries through foreignlanguage exchange and cultural immersion. Since its inception, it has admitted around 5,761 participants from 57 countries.

In the next few years, the program hopes to bring in even more participants from across the globe, including the Philippines, to Japan, according to the latter’s embassy. More about the JET program is listed on http:// www.jetprogramme.org/

JDS for 2023

MEANWHILE, a send-off ceremony was held on August 4 at the Ambassador’s Residence for the 21st

batch of the “Project for Human Resource Development Scholarship” by Japanese Grant Aid (JDS) Fellows from the Philippines.

The 20 Filipino JDS fellows are set to leave for Japan to pursue Master’s degree courses in leading Japanese universities. The JDS is a scholarship project launched in 2002 by the Philippine government, with funding from its Japanese counterpart through the latter’s official development assistance. It is intended to aid national socioeconomic progress by helping boost the capacities of young Filipino professionals from the government. In his remarks, Koshikawa said that he is eager to learn about the JDS Fellows’ valuable research when they successfully complete the program, and see the fruits of their hard work as they serve their home country in years to come.

World Vision hands out learning items for students’ ‘joyful’ return to school

CHRISTIAN humanitarian organization World Vision has launched its annual “Backto-School” campaign which hopes to make the return of students to school in the next couple of weeks joyful and inspiring to finish their studies.

Themed “#OTW: A Journey for Hope,” this year’s initiative aims to help schoolers get back on track with renewed hope by providing new sets of learning kits to some 24,000 marginalized children in the Philippines.

Each kit contains a new school bag with sets of paper and notebooks, writing and coloring materials, scissors, and an eraser. Raincoats and umbrellas are also included for those in vulnerable areas.

Editor: Mike Policarpio

PRC announces July 2023 Int. Design board topnotchers

ATOTAL of 202 out of 443

examinees passed the July

2023 Interior Designer Licensure Examination by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC). It was administered by the Board of Interior Design in the National Capital Region, Cebu, and Davao.

Jena Carla De Guzman of the University of the Philippines-Diliman and Ryan Japhet Gablines of the University of San Carlos (USC) shared the top spot. They both garnered a rating of 87 percent.

Renzo Villanueva Montenegro of USC placed third with 86.05 percent, Lois Baldonado Bernardino from the La Consolacion College-Bacolod City was fourth with 85.25, and Sheryl Rose Maquiling Abalajen also from USC was fifth with 84.95.

Among the topnotchers were De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) School of Environment and Design Interior

Design alumnae Iris Andreana Bernabe (86.45-percent rating) and Rosa Isabelle Bracamonte (84.05), who placed second and sixth, respectively.

Benilde Interior Design Program chairperson IDr. Katherine Correa, MArch praised all the passers: “May this achievement be just the beginning of a rewarding and fulfilling journey in the world of design.”

Correa advised the newly licensed interior designers to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and ethical conduct in their practice: “The industry relies on talented individuals like you to shape and enhance the spaces we inhabit, making [them]not just visually appealing, but also functional and comfortable.”

She enjoined them to “embrace every opportunity, challenge the status quo, and continue to push the boundaries of creativity.”

IT’S enrollment season once again. As it was for decades, the traditional enrollment process has seen students waking up early, shuffling through various school offices to submit documents, and standing in line for extended periods just to enroll.

Changing the game of college admissions, Mapúa Malayan Digital College (MMDC) introduces its latest technology build for enrollment: MMDC EnrollMate—“Your Digital Enrollment Buddy.”

Computer device offer

“The Back-to-School campaign is all about helping children make a joyful and hopeful return to their classrooms,” said World Vision’s executive director Rommel V. Fuerte.

“New learning kits are simple yet impactful tools that may help [them to become] more excited to go back to school, while fostering a positive attitude towards learning.”

Fuerte furthered that the campaign also brings together likeminded members in communities to support children’s education:

“Together with our partners, we look forward to our children reaching their full potential.”

He explained that the lack of school supplies make learners feel insecure. With this in mind, World Vision has embarked on this mission

to provide new learning materials to learners: “This way, students will be motivated to return to school to fulfill their dreams for themselves, families, society and country.”

“As children go back to school, we have a greater chance of not just improving their knowledge but also their values and relationships with peers and friends through education,” the World Vision official said.

Studies reveal that the Philippines was among countries with the longest school closures during the pandemic. This has led to an even larger education gap, with more than 90 percent of learners unable to read and comprehend simple texts at age 10.

While public schools have for -

gone tuition fees, parents still find it difficult to keep up with miscellaneous costs like school kits. World Vision believes that the project will somehow ease their financial burden. For only P1,000, two vulnerable children will receive new sets of learning items through the “Backto-School Campaign.” Those who want to go the extra mile and do more can sign up to be a child sponsor for only P750 per month.

For more details, visit https:// www.worldvision.org.ph/back-toschool-campaign/ or https://www. worldvision.org.ph. Follow World Vision Phils.’ official social media pages: @worldvisionp h on Facebook and Twitter/X, and @worldvisionphl on Instagram. Roderick L. Abad

PLDT, Smart power-up PUP’s pioneer hackathon

PART of its aim in empowering students to produce technology-enabled and purposedriven solutions, PLDT and its wireless unit Smart Communications Inc. (Smart) recently organized the Polytechnic University of the Philippines’ (PUP) breakthrough hackathon “Uthack ang Puhunan” to help produce more digitally-savvy citizens.

“Since 2003, we have partnered with colleges and universities in bringing PLDT and Smart’s innovations closer to communities,” said Cathy Yang, first vice president and head of Group Corporate Communications at PLDT and Smart.

“Our 20-year partnership with PUP and our support for their first-ever hackathon has further enabled us to address societal gaps through technology.”

PUP is one of the group’s pioneer partners under the “Smart Wireless Engineering Education Program or SWEEP,” the Philippines’s first and longest-running industry-academe linkage.

From approximately 60 teams of young participants, five teams made it to the final round of the hackathon. They pitched their innovations to a panel of judges composed of PUP mentors, faculty members from the University of Alicante

in Spain, and tech leaders such as PLDT, Smart and Samsung Phils.

Reymalyn Jane Compendio, 23, shared how “Team Agrisphere’s” app aims to address the country’s ongoing agricultural challenges through artificial intelligence: “Our main driving force was the vegetable spoilage issue due to oversupply and low demand. We were inspired that we can do something about it, through technology.”

Reniel Bryan De Lumban, 21, a member of “Team Disletra” from PUP-Sta. Mesa, also expressed their key inspiration behind their innovation: “We want to help those with neurodevelopmental disorders—

specifically, with dyslexia—live their lives normally via our app. We hope to provide them with a tool that can ease challenges they face.”

As one of the founding members u nder the Digital Infrastructure pillar of the Private Sector Advisory Council, PLDT supports “GoDigital Pilipinas,” which looks at expanding access to digital technologies and narrowing the “digital divide” by promoting digital literacy and building a sustainable digital ecosystem.

The 2023 PUP Hackathon was co-funded by the European Union’s “Erasmus+” program, and co-sponsored by Samsung Phils. Rizal Raoul S. Reyes

The MMDC being digital-first college, this free web app enables applicants to easily complete their college-application forms and enrollment process through their computer or mobile devices. With it, the entire enrollment process can be done anytime and anywhere, even in the comforts of an applicant’s own home, in as little as one day.

Makes enrollment easy

FOLLOWING the submission of an application form for their desired MMDC degree program, applicants will get an email with their MMDC EnrollMate login credentials.

Upon activation of their MMDC EnrollMate account, in a few clicks, applicants can complete MMDC application forms and upload initial documents; take the preliminary problems, projects, and cases assessment; submit mandatory documents required by the Commission on Higher Education; enlist in subjects and choose from morning, afternoon, or evening class schedules; view enrollment fees and select payment options; upload student’s proof of payment; and receive a welcome message upon completion of enrollment

“In support of the needs of today’s learners, the MMDC EnrollMate web app is part of MMDC’s commitment to deliver studentcentric services through various technologies and digital platforms,” said Chester Catilago, MMDC Ed Tech director. “Given the challenges posed by the traditional enrollment processes, this innovation is a significant step in our shared ambition to make Mapúan academic excellence more accessible and affordable for today’s generation of learners.”

AS MMDC requires all students to have a computer to access learning materials and services, students can avail of a laptop device through a lease-to-own agreement that includes additional payment per term. With this program, students will keep their laptop devices after 30 months of payment.

As for the enrollment fee, it includes tuition, academic, and administrative fees; postpaid pocket Wi-Fi with P300 monthly data allocation; free access to all school platforms such as the “Experiential Learning System,” “Wiley-online Library,” and Google Workspace; access to globally recognized curriculum-based courses from LinkedIn Learning and Coursera; student club funding and support; as well as multichannel support for students.

Likewise, future students can discover the gateway to Mapúan academic excellence with the “MMDC Asenso Scholarship.” It is open to all students nationwide but for the first 500 enrollees, grantees can save up to P20,000 on tuition and miscellaneous fees for the entire academic year. Light load, full load, and even those working, are eligible to apply.

Deadline for scholarship application is on August 20, 2023. For more details on the MMDC Asenso Scholarship, visit https:// www.mmdc.mcl.edu.ph/asensoscholarship/. Term 1 Classes for School Year 2023-2024 will begin on August 22, 2023. To apply, visit www.mmdc.mcl.edu.ph.

MMDC continuously innovates to build modern, empowering platforms that hold true to the institution’s purpose. It said that by using its EnrollMate app, “students can enjoy better college experiences, live better lives, and receive the skills and abilities to contribute towards a better country.”

THE Japanese government will be flying about 85 Filipinos who have successfully hurdled rigors and requisites for teaching and studying in the “Land of the Rising Sun.”

Students can bid paperwork, long lines adieu with new app

MMDC’s EnrollMate

AMBASSADOR Koshikawa gestures to the new JDS fellows

&Entertainment

Tourism Editor: Edwin P. Sallan

MECCA OF ART

Why Angono, Rizal captivates as the country’s Art Capital

Story by Arabelle Jimenez

Photos by Monch Henares

It’s so easy to figure out why this rapidly-urbanizing Rizal town has been regarded as the country’s “art capital” for the longest time. Upon entering it from C-6 and the lake shore road in ta ytay, you will be welcomed by an artsy boundary arch with the painter’s easel, to emphasize what Angono is known for.

As you drive along the narrow roads around Angono, you will realize that the decades-old claim to fame is real and isn’t just sloganeering. A foray to the revered mecca of art deserves a visit, and appreciate local art and the Filipino workmanship.

t h is once obscure town takes pride in its hundreds, or perhaps thousands of artists—painters, musicians, sculptors, designers, literary and performing artists, artisans, and others who are indirectly connected with the art industry. It also boasts of having the most number of art galleries and museums in such a small area, that touring and beholding their beauty will take you an entire day.

t h e locals say that art started early in this town by the Laguna Lake more than 2,000 years ago, evident in the Angono-Binangonan Petroglyphs, an ancient stick figure art carved in the mountain-top rock formations. tu cked in the jagged cliffs of the Eastridge Golf Course, the site is maintained by the National Museum and runs an archaeological museum.

t h ese petroglyphs consists of 127 human and animal figures engraved on the rock wall. t h e Angono Petroglyphs is considered the oldest form of art in the Philippines dated probably during the late Neolithic period. t h ey are the oldest known work of art in the Philippines, and the engravings show stylized human figures, frogs and lizards, along with other designs.

t h is discovery was reported in March 1965 to the National Museum by the late National Artist of the Philippines, Carlos “Botong” V. Francisco.

Like Botong Francisco, many homegrown artists who has been acclaimed world-wide remained in Angono, passing the love of art from one generation to the next. t h ey now have opened their homes to the public as a museum.

It is a delight to know that many of the museums and artsy cafes are situated within a few blocks from each other. Because of this, a do-it-yourself walking tour of the area is possible and very pleasant. Here are the following prominent museums in town.

Botong Francisco Museum

U N C o V ERE d in the 1960s by Carlos “Botong” V. Francisco, one of the town’s pioneer artists while on scouting for a venue to paint, the Petroglyphs is an age-old proof that art has

MEALS AMONG MYTHICAL CREATURES

The Nemiranda Arthouse experience

A

Yes, it is here where one can have a meal with representations of Filipino mythical creatures while musing about Philippine art.

NGONO, RIZAL—If the life-sized sculpture of a mermaid makes you pass off on seafood, there are other choices in the Nemiranda Arthouse, one of a dozen art galleries and one of the 18 restaurants in this quaint town east of the bustling capital of Manila.restrictions to stem the spread of Covid-19. The border lockdown across the country had a negative impact on tourism.

INSIDE Botong Francisco's house.

been part of the local way of life for a long time.

Proclaimed a National Artist for Visual Arts in 1973, Botong is a revered muralist who interpreted the country’s most historic events on canvas, and are now part of prestigious government and private collections. His name is a byword in the Philippine art scene and the inspiration of all painters in Angono and neighboring towns. Its resident curator, to tong Francisco revealed that his grandfather was also LVN Pictures’ production designer.

Guests can take a glimpse of his glory days with his memorabilia and reproductions of his masterpieces at his home-museum and studio curated by his grandson Carlos “ tot ong” Francisco II who has his own impressive series of abstract paintings. t h e narrow road where it is located, d o ña Aurora s t ., has been designated by the municipal government as an “art street” and adorned it with bas-relief sculptures to honor him and Lucio s a n Pedro, a National Artist for Music.

Family Blanco Museum

F EA s t your eyes at the Blanco Family Museum where you can admire the works of the late Jose “Pitok” V. Blanco’s children—Glenn, Noel, Michael, Joy, Jan, Gay and Peter Paul, wife Loring, as well as in-laws and grandchildren. Curator, and second generation Michael Blanco happily gave us a tour of Blanco Family Museum.

HISTORIC AND MAGNIFICENT

LA s C asas Filipinas de Acuzar was recently selected for t h e

2023 to p 25 Historic Hotels Worldwide® Most Magnificent Ceilings and d o mes List, a celebration of the artistry and architecture of 25 historic hotels around the world.

t he semi-annual list is produced by Historic Hotels Worldwide, an official program of the National tr ust for Historic Preservation (United s t ates) for promoting and recognizing authentic historic hotels.

t he 2023 to p 25 Historic Hotels Worldwide® Most Magnificent Ceilings and d omes List chronicles ornate ceilings and domes including some of the world’s finest surviving examples of historic stained glass, painted frescoes, hand-painted wallpaper, elabo -

rate stucco, stenciled wood, and gold leaf. Visitors at the hotels selected for this list can experience and appreciate the creativity, craftsmanship, and extraordinary attention to detail that was painstakingly preserved or restored.

Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar is a unique and enchanting cultural gem in the small town of Bagac, Bataan. s h owcasing the Philippines’ vibrant history, this heritage hotel resort showcases s pa nish colonial-era houses carefully transported from different parts of the country and meticulously restored and reconstructed by an entrepreneur and avid antiques and art collector, Mr. Jose “Jerry” Acuzar.

t h e 400-hectare estate is home to more than 60 ancestral houses dismantled, transferred brick by brick,

T H E boundary arch of Angono, Rizal.

t h e Blanco family of painters houses a vast collection that literally passes from one generation to the next. t h eir works boast of an array of visual art depicting Angono’s rural life, fiestas and religious events. Experience the pleasing and relaxing paintings of Blanco Family Museum and be one of the witness of their great work of arts in Angono, Rizal. A museum that accommodates an anthology of paintings by the members of the family as well as some memorabilia through the years.

t h e enormous collection’s centerpiece is the section of its patriarch which depict local events with faces of actual people. A good number features rural genre with the Blanco family as the subjects, most recognizably Blanco in his white sando undershirt.

After the heady tour, catch your breath and sip hot or cold coffee at the museum’s café before moving to another gallery.

Nemiranda Art House

N E ME s I o “Nemiranda” R. Miranda Jr. is a living legend, and eminent home-grown master who owns the Nemiranda Arthouse and Atelier Galerie, its adjunct Nemiranda Art Café and Restoran Museo which serves Filipino favorites, and an accommodation facility. He also has the Artcamp and ta mbayan, a spacious riverbank gallery, studio, and camp for visiting artists. Called the Nemiranda Family Art Museum, Angono s c hool for the Arts, he has mentored a new

generation of artists. He also served as the chairman of the Angono to urism Council.

Nemiranda, is a Filipino painter and sculptor who is born and raised in Angono, Rizal. He is famous for the art form “Imaginative Figurism.”

Growing up, he was inspired by Filipino comic books illustration Francisco Coching and later by the Filipino muralist also from Angono, Botong Francisco. He has travelled around the world, staging over 50 exhibitions. He is the founder of the Angono Ateliers Association, and an advocate of Higantes Festival. Nemiranda is also known for his mermaid sculptures seen around the main streets of Angono.

Balaw-Balaw Specialty

Restaurant And Art Gallery

Co ME chow time, a hands-down c hoice is Balaw Balaw s p ecialty Restaurant, an old-time favorite which serves delectable regional cuisine and select exotic dishes. Founded by the late artist Perdigon Vocalan, the native-themed resto also has an art gallery dwelling on Pinoy myths and legends.

t h e resto also pioneered the production of the iconic giant papier maches where the municipal Higantes Festival was named after.

And if your timing is perfect, you might just chance upon an evening concert by one of the town’s symphonic brass bands. t h e perfect way to end a good day in the art capital.

And with a thousand square meters cradling sculptures and artworks, the musing; well, it could really take a while.

Proprietor and artist Nemesio “Nemi” R.

Miranda even challenged the B usiness M irror to count all the sculptures in the arthouse that bear a portmanteau of his nickname and surname.

Hindi mo mabibilang kung ang sculptures ang pag-uusapan, buong gallery ay napalilibutan ng mural a t yung mga mythical characters,” Nemi told the B usiness M irror

[You can’t even count if you talk about sculptures; the gallery is completely enclosed by murals and other mythological characters.]

He said that more than hundreds of sculptures are installed in one thousand square meter area of the arthouse and countless paintings displayed in the gallery.

B usiness M irror declined the challenge as Nemiranda himself—with five decades in this métier—lost count.

However, he needs to start counting as he told the B usiness M irror he plans to expand further the Arthouse’s space.

“I have plans to expand my gallery and workplace, kasi maliit na ito para sa akin I need a bigger space to do my sculptural works,” Miranda said.

Tourist interest

THE Nemiranda Arthouse is just one of a dozen art galleries and museum and one of 18 restaurants in Angono, Rizal.

“Art and food are two things that would really make a difference,” Nemi told the B usiness M irror adding “lalo na yung artist, is a living artist, patuloy na nag -dedevelop.”

The arthouse itself is a work of art as it is surrounded by murals on concrete walls and wooden posts with sculptures depicting local myths and legends. The latter has been Miranda’s main subjects in paintings and immortalized in his sculptures.

“The whole space is a tourist interest from the ground floor up to the fifth floor,” Miranda said. “I would say the tourists would really enjoy it.”

Prior to the pandemic, Nemi said that the arthouse hosted art tour galleries from various State Colleges and Universities in the Metro area as part of their Angono Art Adventures.

However, the government ordered travel

To tide the Nemiranda Arthouse over, Miranda said they offered food delivery services and he conducted online art workshops.

“We tried to upgrade,” Nemi said, adding that despite the pandemic, he focused solely on the area’s construction and improvement over the past three years. He estimates that it will take another year for the development to be completed, at which point there will be more space for a structure where souvenirs could be produced and a shop to sell these souvenirs.

“ Wala pang masyadong souvenir items a ng Angono,” Miranda said on the rationale for their plan to start producing souvenirs of various things associated with Angono. [Angono doesn’t yet have a lot of souvenirs available.]

Art as business

MIRANDA relies on his profession as an artist—the sale of and commissioned artworks—as his source of income, especially during the period when lockdown orders were implemented and the arthouse ceased operating 100 percent.

Aside from the arthouse, Miranda also runs the ArtCamp Art Gallery and the Giant Dwarf Art Space along Manila East Road. The latter caters to younger artists and, like the former, provides a setting for exhibits and arts experimentation. Miranda said the art gallery also offers workshop and apprenticeship programs for students.

“Art is a business,” Miranda said, citing one has to complement it with other businesses, like food.

The latter he compared it to a married couple that has to be matched to complement each other and “make your client always feel at home when they visit the Nemiranda Arthouse.”

“Tayong mga Filipino [ay] very hospitable. So I want to show them na kapag laging may bisita, hindi lang purely business kundi meron din  conversation,” Miranda told the B usiness M irror

[We Filipinos are very hospitable. So I want to show to them that whenever there is a visitor, it’s not just all about the business but also the conversation.]

At the time this article was written, admission to the Nemiranda Arthouse costs P80 (about $1.43) for adults and P60 ($1.07) for students. Miranda charges an extra P50 for an art demonstration and P20 for a lecture.

and reassembled with their original grandeur and historical significance very much intact.

Visitors can explore and wander through the cobblestone streets, quaint bridges, and charming plazas as they immerse in the bygone era and travel back in time and witness the different architectural styles from s p anish, Filipino, Chinese, and American colonial designs in providing a glimpse of the country’s rich Cultural Heritage.

Each corner of Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar is a testament to the preserved Filipino Heritage and Culture and the Philippines’ architectural legacy. Visitors are invited to embrace and appreciate the tapestry of Philippine history and relive the country’s colonial past.

“Congratulations Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar for being named to t h e 2023 to p 25 Historic Hotels Worldwide® Most Magnificent Ceilings and d o mes List,” said Lawrence P. Horwitz, executive vice president of Historic Hotels of America® and Historic Hotels Worldwide®. “ o n e of the best ways to distinguish a fine historic hotel from another older hotel is to look up at the ceilings. When travelers visit a historic hotel, we recommend they look up to discover the tremendous detail, artistry, and craftsmanship in historic ceilings.”

to k now more about Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar in Bagac, Bataan unique experience, visit its official website at www.lascasasfilipinas.com. Photos by Bernard Testa

C ARLOS “Botong” V. Francisco’s house wall with a bas-relief art.

of the Blanco Family Museum.

Story & photos

Tips on how to successfully buy K-pop concert tickets online

friends always get their desired tickets when they’re checked-in at these establishments. Also, one of these hotels allows people to access their internet as long as you’re inside the premises. You don’t need to check in but unless you’re seated in one of their restaurants, you can’t whip out your laptop and start buying tickets. A word of caution though: Sharing your private information, such as credit card details, can pose data security risks so you might need to take this into consideration.

SCORING tickets to K-pop concerts has been difficult even before the pandemic. During EXO’s last concert in the Philippines in 2019, fans camped outside the MOA Arena as early as three days before ticket selling.

Due of the pandemic, more people got into K-pop and tickets today are even more challenging to obtain.

I remember that so many colleagues were asking me how to get complimentary tickets for Seventeen’s concerts in the Philippines last year. I told them that even buying those precious tickets was hard.

Not a lot of K-pop fans camp out these days. Most of them go online to buy tickets, but believe me when I say that it’s a bloodbath out there. If your internet connection is not consistently strong, you simply don’t stand a chance.

That said, I talked to longtime K-pop fans and asked them for tips on how to buy concert tickets online without ending up exhausted, crying, or both. But, if you’re on TikTok, you know that ticket-selling days always have people bursting in tears either way, whether they get tickets or not.

To secure tickets online, K-pop diehards said that it would be helpful to have an account with the selling platform (SM Tickets or Ticketnet). Next, always remember to use credit and debit cards and e-wallet apps like GCash.

Here are the other tips to help you get those

coveted concert tickets:

■ Be sure about your desired seat but also have Plans A, B, and C ready. Most fans now want VIP standing or VIP soundcheck for obvious reasons but let me tell you that those tickets are the first to go. There are also slots allocated for sponsors and there are house seats (for the owners or management of the

venues), so there are thousands of you vying for a few slots. General Admission and Upper Box also sell out quicker than other tiers.

■ Make sure your connection is good and strong. Some of my friends check in at hotels in BGC and Alabang. I don’t want to put their names here but these hotels have really strong internet and my

Journalists seek regulations to govern fast-moving AI technology

SEVERAL news organizations, writers and photographers groups are pushing to be involved in creating standards for the use of artificial intelligence, particularly as it concerns intellectual property rights and the potential spread of misinformation.

In an open letter sent on Wednesday, they outlined priorities for setting rules on the technology, which is developing faster than regulators can keep up with.

“We...support the responsible advancement and deployment of generative AI technology, while believing that a legal framework must be developed to protect the content that powers AI applications as well as maintain public trust in the media,” the organizations said.

The letter was signed by The Associated Press; Gannett; the News Media Alliance, which represents hundreds of publishers; Getty Images;

the National Press Photographers Association; Agence France-Presse and others. The organizations want to make sure intellectual property owners maintain their rights when AI operators use material for training.

The AP last month made a deal with ChatGPT-maker OpenAI to license the news agency’s archive of news stories.

The letter also calls for artificial intelligence companies to take specific steps to eliminate bias and

Zoom wants workers back in the office part-time

NEW YORK—The company whose name became synonymous with remote work is joining the growing return-to-office trend.

Zoom, the video conferencing pioneer, is asking employees who live within a 50-mile radius of its offices to work onsite two days a week, a company spokesperson confirmed in an email. The statement said the company has decided that “a structured hybrid approach–meaning employees that live near an office need to be onsite two days a week to interact with their teams–is most effective for Zoom.”

The new policy, which will be rolled out in August and September, was first reported by the New York Times, which said Zoom CEO Eric Yuan fielded questions from employees unhappy with the new policy during a Zoom meeting last week.

Zoom, based in San Jose, California, saw explosive growth during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic as companies scrambled to shift to remote work, and even families and friends turned to the platform for virtual gatherings. But that growth has stagnated as the pandemic threat has ebbed.

Shares of Zoom Video Communications Inc. have tumbled hard since peaking early in the pandemic, from $559 apiece in October 2020, to below $70 on Tuesday. Shares have slumped more than 10 percent to start the month of August.

In February, Zoom laid off about 1,300 people, or

about 15 percent of its workforce.

Google, Salesforce and Amazon are among major companies that have also stepped up their returnto-office policies despite a backlash from some employees.

Similarly to Zoom, many companies are asking their employees to show up to the office only part-

misinformation in the material it produces. In particular, photographers are concerned about the ability of artificial intelligence to create false images.

Seven US companies that are leading AI developers agreed in July to voluntary safeguards set by President Joe Biden’s administration for building their technology, but the commitments aren’t enforceable and don’t touch on intellectual property concerns. AP

This may sound like a classist statement—it’s not intended to be such because K-pop concert tickets are luxuries and basic necessities—but your gadgets matter. The more high-powered your laptop or mobile phone are, the better for you. Make sure you have several gadgets ready before selling opens. Have several paying options ready. Because of the huge volume of people at ticket-selling websites like Ticketnet and SM Tickets, your usual payment option could sometimes fail so it’s best to have a credit card, a debit card, GCash, and PayPal ready.

Some people I know ask their friends abroad to buy tickets for them from Philippine websites. Why? Because those who are abroad have a competitive edge due to the speed of their Internet. Here’s the thing though, Philippine ticket-selling websites only accept Philippine-issued cards. You need to ask your friends to do that or give them your own card details. This tip actually works. All of my friends who have done this have succeeded in getting their desired tickets.

■ If you’re on stan Twitter, you know that there are people who offer ticketing assistance. I have never tried getting tickets through them but people I asked have. Most have been successful but a number have been scammed so if you go for this option, please be careful.

■ Make sure you’re logged in to your account before the start of ticket-selling and don’t forget to refresh the page once selling begins. ■

ZTE INCLUDED IN FTSE4GOOD INDEX SERIES FOR 8TH STRAIGHT YEAR

ZTE Corp. (www.zte.com.cn/global), a global leading provider of information and communication technology solutions, has been listed once again in the prestigious FTSE4Good Index Series, a responsible investment (RI) index of FTSE Russell, a London Stock Exchange Group company. The recognition marks ZTE’s eighth consecutive inclusion, with ZTE’s H-share and A-share previously honored in the FTSE4Good Index Series in 2015 and 2021, respectively.

Created by the global index and data provider FTSE Russell, the FTSE4Good Index Series is designed to measure the performance of companies demonstrating strong Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) practices.

As a frontrunner in the ICT industry, ZTE has been incorporating the ethos of sustainable development into its corporate governance and operational endeavors, continuously elevating its social responsibility performance.

ZTE has actively engaged in recent years in global decarbonization and economic transformation, assuming a pivotal role in promoting green development. In May, the company expressed its participation in the Science-Based Targets Initiative (SBTi), with the aim to achieve significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions in line with the 1.5°C temperature rise limitation pathway and ultimately reach net-zero emissions by 2050 at the latest.

time, as hybrid work shapes up to be a lasting legacy of the pandemic. Since January, the average weekly office occupancy rate in 10 major US cities has hovered around 50 percent, dipping below that threshold during the summer months, according to Kastle Systems, which measures occupancy through entry swipes. AP

ZTE helps to connect the world with continuous innovation for a better future. The company provides innovative technologies and integrated solutions, as its portfolio spans all series of wireless, wireline, devices and professional telecommunications services. Serving over a quarter of the global population, ZTE is dedicated to creating a digital and intelligent ecosystem, and enabling connectivity and trust everywhere. ZTE is listed on both the Hong Kong and Shenzhen Stock Exchanges.

More information about ZTE’s delivery of social, environmental and governance values is available in the company’s FY22 Sustainability Report.

Tecno Pova 5 review: New budget gaming king?

in the Pova 5 series that’s set to be released with the Pova NEO 3 and the Pova 5 Pro probably in the next few weeks.

The Pova 5 Series is a special collaboration with the popular mobile Battle Royale game Garena Free Fire, which probably explains why it’s so optimized for the game, but we’ll get to that later.

again by Kelly, this time as your wallpaper. This Free Fire partnership also gives you a set of customized live wallpaper (Hayato/Kelly/Moco/Maxim/ Wukong), app icons, and a lot of customized ringtones for incoming calls and notifications—in several languages. My favorite tone is Unstoppable, but spoken in Indonesian. I just wished they had a couple of other Free Fire themes to choose from.

CONFESSION time: I almost missed my deadline this week because I was having too much fun playing Free Fire on the Techo Pova 5. “Fun,” meaning, I was finally racking some kill streaks and placing in the top five most of the time. And for someone who sucks at first-person shooters (I always lose to my nephew Tomi in Call of Duty—and he’s five), it’s given me back some dignity, enough to keep me playing the past few days.

The Pova 5 is the latest entry-level gaming phone from Tecno Mobile, a brand that has been getting quite the attention from gamers and tech enthusiasts for its streak of great-value smartphones. It is the first

‘SARI-SARI’

ENABLER PACKWORKS WELCOMES NEW ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER

PACKWORKS, a local startup that provides a business-to-business (B2B) open platform to sari-sari stores, recently welcomed former Lazada chairman and CEO Ray Alimurung to its Board of Advisors.

Alimurung joins the ranks of former Trade secretary Ramon Lopez; Angkas founder Angeline Tham; ZQR Corp. founder and CEO Simon Paterno, who is also a former president and CEO of the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP), and former executive vice president of the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI), and Integrated Microelectronics Inc. CEO and vice chairman Arthur Tan, who is also president and chief executive office of AC Industrial at Ayala-View.

“Mr. Alimurung has been at the forefront of the e-commerce industry in the Philippines, and his addition to Packworks’ Board of Advisors brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to our pursuit of further unlocking the potential of our ‘saripreneurs’ and ‘nanaypreneurs,’” said Ibba Bernardo, cofounder and chief marketing officer of Packworks.

Alimurung is currently a general partner at early-stage investment firm Kaya Founders. Prior to this, he led Lazada’s Philippine expansion as its first Filipino CEO from 2018 to 2022. He also served as the CEO of Commerce Philippines and worked with Amazon.

“We are excited about what he will bring to the table towards our mission of enhancing the B2B open platform for sari-sari stores and driving the growth of the country’s e-commerce landscape,” Bernardo added. “We look forward to his invaluable insights as we continue to uplift MSMEs.”

Packworks started as a solution for multinational companies in the Philippines in 2018 with only a few sari-sari store partners.

After raising $2 million in seed fund last year, it launched its mobile enterprise resource planning (ERP) platform and now provides technology solutions to over 200,000 sari-sari stores across the Philippines. Through the Sari.PH Pro app, sari-sari store owners can access pricing tools, inventory management, sales and revenue tracking, and working capital loans.

Packworks will represent the Philippines at the Startup World Cup 2023 in Silicon Valley in December after winning Ignite 2022’s Startup World Cup (SWC) x Wildfire Pitch competition in October last year.

I was able to review the first couple of Pova phones a few years back, so I was quite curious how it’s improved and if it stood a chance in the very competitive budget gaming segment. Well, I’d say from the moment I got my hands on its oddly-shaped box, I was immediately impressed. The Pova 5 arrives snugly nestled within a triangular box, reminiscent of a giant Toblerone, setting it apart from the conventional brick-shaped boxes all other phones use, while also making me crave for some chocolate.

This “prism” box has an explanation behind it, as the Pova Series is committed to three performance selling points in every generation, namely, power system, processor, and high refresh rate. These selling points form the golden triangle for a smartphone, showcased by the unique product packaging design of the series. Since this is also a special edition collab with Free Fire, you get a special sleeve that features Kelly. I heard that this is just part of a bigger artwork, which will be completed once the Pova 5 Pro and NEO come out and we get to place the boxes side by side.

I also like how you can also use this prism box as a phone stand so you don’t need to lean your phone on a mug or bottle when you want to watch a video.

The box opens at the bottom. Inside, you’ll find everything you need to get you started. There’s the phone unit, paper documents, a 12+1 warranty card, a beefy 45W wall charger and USB-C cable, and some Free Fire stickers that you can use to personalize the plastic case. Techno also chucked in a Free Fire gift card, which you can redeem on the official website for some goodies. I was also surprised they included a pair of earphones, which is a rarity these days.

After the initial setup, you’ll be greeted

■ MECHA AWAKENING. As far as design goes, the Pova 5 is one of my top favorites and probably among the best-looking this year. I’m not much of a fan of its previous diamond-cut patterns, but this Turbo Mecha Design is hardcore cool. It’s available in Mecha Black, Hurricane Blue, and Amber Gold. The Black is too shiny and such a fingerprint magnet, while the blue doesn’t feel too mecha for me. The Amber Gold variant? Just fabulous. The 3D look, turbo stripes, and patterns remind me of armor plates and there are even some “screw” marks to add even more details.

I’m also a fan of how its camera module is flush with almost no camera bump.

The volume rocker and power button/fingerprint reader are on the right. On the left is a hybrid SIM tray slot, while on the bottom you’ll find the speaker grill, USB Type-C port, microphone, and headphone jack. The other speaker grill is located on the top. The Pova 5 is a big hefty device measuring 168.61×76.61×9.00 mm with a 6.78-inch Full HD display. The screen is crisp and vibrant and gives you a couple of color options to further personalize your display. This size is perfect for gaming and watching videos. It’s worth noting that you could watch HD streaming content on the Pova 5 as well. You also get a 120Hz refresh rate and a 240Hz touch sampling rate for responsive, smooth control, which is quite rare for phones at this price point. For audio, the dual speakers have both DTS and Hi-Res certification, which makes the entire viewing and gaming experience more immersive.

■ ON FIRE

PERFORMANCE: The Techo Pova 5 is powered by a MediaTek Helio G99 chipset, which allows for a smooth and fast experience. Besides Free Fire, I also tested out a range of games including, Asphalt Legends, Mobile Legends, PUBG, and Genshin Impact, as well as my favorite casual

puzzle games. It comes with 8GB of RAM that you can further expand to 16GB via extended RAM. You can choose from an 8GB +128GB or 256GB configuration and The Pova 5 had no noticeable issues with any of the games. I was impressed by how well it ran everything smoothly with almost no lag or slowdown. Keeping things cool for the Pova 5 are the 10749 mm2 ultra-large Heat Dissipation Area and 1399.65 mm2 Vapor Chamber cooling + 9349.39 mm2 Graphene heatsink. With up to 10 layers of heat dissipation, chip temperature reduces by over 5°C while reloading game scenes, delivering 2x better cooling performance than the previous generation, according to the brand.

The Pova 5 has a dedicated Gaming Center called the Panther Engine 2.0. This feature offers a lot of options to optimize your gaming experience, from blocking notifications to automatically rejecting incoming calls so you can play without distraction. With AI intelligent and real-time monitoring of frame rate, intelligent scheduling performance continues to stabilize frames, avoiding cliff drops and improving the stability of frame rate for long-time use applications, allowing you to run your games more smoothly and stably.Footfall Audio also helps a lot with those FPS games. It can be frustrating if you can’t hear the footsteps of approaching enemies. To enhance the sound effect of footsteps, the game provides improved audio effects, allowing you to clearly discern the direction of your enemies.

■ CAMERAS. While the Pova 5 isn’t made for photography, its 50MP main camera does not disappoint. You can still get excellent shots outdoors and with ideal lighting conditions. Indoor shoots can be a bit trickier. You can also get that bokeh effect on portraits, thanks to the secondary depth sensor camera. Worth noting are the 12 sky-themed filters that can help you create one-of-a-kind photos magically with just one tap and dual video that lets you shoot using both back and its 8MP selfie camera, a must for aspiring vloggers and content creators. Beauty mode also comes with all the filters and adjustment options and even an AI smart beauty effect feature to make sure you look your best. For those who like adding watermarks to their photos, the Pova 5 lets you add not only a customized text but also the brand, time, and city, and even arrange the order of your watermark.

vloggers and content creators. Beauty mode also comes with all the

MEGA BATTERY. To make sure that the Pova 5 can keep up with those marathon gaming sessions, it comes equipped with a 6000mAh battery with 45W smart charging capabilities.

You can get a 10 percent charge in 3 minutes, 50 percent in 21 minutes, and fully charge in just over an hour. It also supports 10W reverse charging so you could charge your smart watches, headphones, etc. In our tests, it was able to last us two days with light gaming and our usual social media and streaming

their photos, the Pova 5 lets you add the ■ BATTERY. gaming it smart charging capabilities. charge our gaming and our usual social media and streaming apps.

Priced at P7,999 for the 8GB+128GB variant and P8,499 for the 8GB+256GB option, the Techo Pova 5 is an easy recommendation for gamers on a budget or those looking for a secondary phone for gaming. It has a huge and clear display, a very coollooking mecha design, snappy performance, and a long-lasting battery that keeps it going long after your hands tire out from those intense shootouts. ■

End-call button on the move? What to know about Apple’s iOS 17 change

NEW YORK—Hanging up that phone call? The location of Apple’s red end-call button is set to slightly move with upcoming iOS 17 updates to the phone app, so be wary of your thumb’s muscle memory.

As iPhone users know, the “End” button currently sits prominently away from other call options, in a center position towards the bottom of the screen. But with iOS 17, which officially launches this fall, the red icon will move the right—and other features will move down to join it.

While an iOS 17 preview guide from Apple showed this new setup in June, renewed attention has increased as some explore beta versions of the software upgrade. Images from iOS 17 beta versions

shared by multiple news outlets this week show the small—but potentially frustrating—change.

Beyond the end button, there are additional changes to the placement of other call features seen on past iOS versions. The “Mute” and “Speaker” buttons, for example, have swapped—as have the “FaceTime” and “Keyboard” options. And it appears the feature allowing you to search for contacts has merged with the add call option.

The changes have already received reactions on social media, where some predict having some muscle memory errors, noting it could take some time to adjust.

It’s unclear if the call functions will change further before iOS 17 officially rolls out. The Associated Press reached out to Apple for comment on Wednesday.

As Apple notes on its website, the company’s beta program allows some Apple users to test out software before it’s released. Feedback from participants helps Apple identify issues and improve software programs before they’re commercially released.

Beyond potential tweaks to call icon locations, iOS 17 is set to bring an array of new features to Apple customers—including improved autocorrect, a new journal app and live voicemail transcription with the ability to pick up and answer as someone is leaving a message. AP

STORE

The World

Soaring rice prices stretch budgets for billions of Asia, Africa consumers

the El Niño weather pattern, which could dry up water-dependent rice crops in Asia, is exacerbating those fears.

“Rice is a more valuable commodity than before El Niño started up and Russia escalated its attacks on Ukraine’s wheat and corn exports,” said Peter Timmer, Professor Emeritus at Harvard University, who’s studied food security for decades. Prices could climb a further $100 a ton in six-to-12 months, he said.

Beijing accuses US of blocking its devt, demands technology curbs be repealed

world’s second-biggest shipper, is encouraging farmers to switch to crops that need less water, while farmers in Indonesia’s top riceproducing regions are planting corn and cabbages in anticipation of drought.

BEIJING—China accused Washington on Thursday of trying to block its development after President Joe Biden stepped up a feud over technology and security by tightening controls on US investments that might help Beijing develop its military.

other issues but have given no indication they might change trade and other policies that irk Washington and China’s Asian neighbors.

The grain is vital to the diets of billions in Asia and Africa. Rice contributes as much as 60 percent of total calorie intake for people in parts of Southeast Asia and Africa, and that rises to 70 percent in countries like Bangladesh.

The latest price jump increases stress on global food markets already roiled by extreme weather and the escalating conflict in Ukraine. Thai white rice 5 percent broken, an Asian benchmark, climbed to $648 a ton this week as dry weather threatens Thailand’s crop, and after top shipper India—which accounts for 40 percent of the world’s

trade—ramped up export curbs to protect its local market.

“Higher rice prices will contribute to food inflation, particularly for poor households in the major rice consuming nations of Asia,” according to Joseph Glauber, a senior fellow at the International Food Policy Research Institute in Washington. “Countries often follow suit when one country imposes export bans. The world’s poor are the biggest losers.”

Mounting concerns over tighter global supply are amplifying risks of a fresh wave of trade protectionism as governments look to ensure ample food reserves. The return of

“The big question is whether the price rise will be gradual, giving consumers time to adjust without panic, or whether there will be a rapid spike to $1,000 a ton or higher,” said Timmer, who worked with Asian governments on their policy response during the 2008 food crisis. That was when rice soared above those levels after export bans by major producers, notably India and Vietnam.

El Niño risk

MOST of the world’s rice is grown and consumed in Asia, where farmers are already grappling with heat waves and drought. Thailand, the

The biggest risk will be whether El Niño and climate change will disrupt agricultural production and drive overall food inflation higher, said Chua Hak Bin, a senior economist at Maybank Investment Banking Group in Singapore.

“This could trigger more protectionist policies, including export controls, which could exacerbate global food shortages and price pressures” he said. “Emerging market economies are more vulnerable to such food price shocks given the larger food weights in the consumer basket.”

Still, strict government-enforced price controls as well as food subsidies in many consuming countries could help keep a lid on inflation. The current episode looks “relatively tame” compared to then, Maybank’s Chua said.  Bloomberg News

Country Garden’s losses fan worst fears on China property market

LESS than two years after China Evergrande Group’s default sent shockwaves around the world, an even larger Chinese developer is on the brink.

C ountry Garden Holdings Co.’s bonds and shares have plunged this week after bondholders failed to receive coupon payments of two dollar notes by an initial deadline, raising concern it will be the next giant to default.

La te on Thursday, the company revealed the depth of its funding challenges by saying it expects to post a net loss of 45 billion yuan to 55 billion yuan ($7.6 billion) for the first half of 2023. That compares with earnings of 1.91 billion yuan a year earlier. On Friday, local media Yicai reported Country Garden is preparing for restructuring and has hired a financial adviser, citing unidentified people.

Country Garden’s financial struggles are confirming investors’ worst fears about the nation’s vast property market, which has resumed a downturn after a brief first-quarter rebound. Home sales tumbled the most in a year in July, making it harder for real estate firms to get cash needed to alleviate the credit crisis. Failure by Country Garden to pay its debts would pummel fragile investor sentiment just as Beijing seeks to revive the troubled property market.

Country Garden may have willingness to pay its debts, but it is too cash-strapped,” said Monica Hsiao, founder and chief investment officer of Triada Capital. “Short of a positive policy surprise, restructuring is likely only a matter of time.”

In vestors are pricing in a worst-case scenario. A Country Garden dollar bond due January has fallen 14.7 cents to 8.7 cents this week, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. In December, it was trading at 75 cents. The firm’s debt was downgraded three notches Thursday by Moody’s Investors Service to Caa1 from B1.

T he company’s shares fell as much as 14 percent Friday to HK$0.89, on course to close below HK$1 for the first time ever. It has tumbled 65 percent this year, the worst performer on Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index. The firm didn’t respond to requests for comment by Bloomberg.

Headquartered in the southern city of Foshan in Guangdong province, Country Garden was China’s largest developer by contracted sales from 2017—when it took the top spot from Evergrande—through 2022. The company dropped to sixth place this year as its sales slumped. The firm focused on building housing developments in lowertier cities, which have been harder hit by the slowdown than first-tier cities such as Beijing and Shanghai.

“Due to the recent deterioration of sales and refinancing environment, the available funds in the book of the company have been continuously reduced, resulting in a phased liquidity pressure,” Country Garden said in Thursday’s statement.

Total liabilities

COUNTRY Garden has the largest pool of outstanding dollar bonds among China’s biggest property firms, excluding defaulters, with some $9.9 billion outstanding, Bloomberg-compiled data show. Its total liabilities amounted to 1.4 trillion yuan at the end of last year. The company will join a slew of defaulters such as Evergrande if it doesn’t make its missed payments within a 30-day grace period.

“Any default would impact China’s housing market more than Evergrande’s collapse as Country Garden has four times as many projects,” Bloomberg Intelligence analyst Kristy Hung wrote in a report Wednesday. “Any debt crisis at Country Garden will have a far-reaching impact on China’s housing market sentiment and could significantly

weaken buyer confidence on solvent private developers.”

The prolonged slump in China’s property sector has brought previously sound companies to their knees, with firms such as Central China Real Estate Ltd., a state-backed developer, repeatedly using grace periods to buy time before stopping payments. In July, creditors of a unit of Dalian Wanda Group Co. and state-backed Sino-Ocean Group Holding Ltd. received coupons at the last minute.

Growing concern over Country Garden has weighed on the broader junk dollar bond market. Average prices of the nation’s highyield US currency notes fell to 66.5 cents on Thursday, the lowest since early December, according to a Bloomberg index.

Revive demand

REGULATORS across China’s government have been seeking to revive demand in the property industry, which makes up about a fifth of China’s gross domestic product. The sector is caught in a vicious cycle where failing developers put homebuyers off purchases, which then crimps cash flow of companies.

Last week, the central bank vowed to increase funding support for the private sector. That came after the Communist Party’s Politburo—its top decision-making body— in July signaled a shift toward looser policies for the property market.

“ Collapse of another major private developer wouldn’t help with restoring confidence among prospective homebuyers,” JPMorgan Chase & Co. analyst Frank Pan wrote in a report dated Wednesday. “This could cast more doubts on effectiveness of policy tools to stabilize the housing market. Ultimately, the weaker SOE-backed developers that so far have retained access to unsecured funding onshore could face drags due to the negative backdrop.”

China’s securities watchdog plans to

hold a meeting on the real estate market on Friday, underscoring growing urgency among regulators to deal with a worsening housing crisis. The China Securities Regulatory Commission will convene with some property developers and financial institutions virtually, people familiar with the matter said. Country Garden was not among those invited, one of the people said.

Country Garden is chaired by billionaire Yang Huiyan, whose fortune has shrunk by almost $29 billion since its peak in June 2021, leaving her with a net worth of $5.3 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.

In a move that spooked the market, Yang last month transferred a substantial part of her personal stake in Country Garden Services Holdings Co., which she also chairs, to a charity foundation controlled by her sister. UBS Group AG analysts said the timing was “unusual.” Days later, the property manager brought forward the payment date of its 2022 dividends and special dividends.

Yang has given “strong support” to Country Garden since its listing, the firm said in the Hong Kong exchange filing Thursday night. Together with family members this totals about HK$38.6 billion ($4.9 billion) in loans, increases in shareholding, bond purchases and scrip dividends, it said, without specifying how much of the support came recently.

Yang’s father Yeung Kwok Keung cofounded Country Garden in 1992 in the southern Chinese city of Foshan, and transferred a controlling stake to her in 2005 after she joined the company as his personal assistant to learn the ropes and eventually succeed him.

The developer grew rapidly over several decades as the nation’s housing market boomed, making a name for itself in the Guangdong province bordering Hong Kong with the slogan to “get yourself a five-star home.” Bloomberg News

The hard landing is here for trade, roiling world export champions

AS economists gauge the likelihood of recessions in major economies around the world, a slew of recent data show that a downturn is already evident when it comes to global commerce.

China, the world’s biggest exporter, this week reported the biggest contraction in overseas shipments since Covid-19 walloped the nation in February 2020. Germany, the global No. 3, saw its exports sink in the latest monthly data by the most on a year-on-year basis since early 2021.

Exports from the US, which pips Germany for the global No. 2 slot, also contracted over the year to June. But the American economy is enjoying a newfound sense of optimism thanks to an ingredient many of its rivals lack: robust domestic demand.

It’s not alone. A number of countries with resilient internal dynamics are standing out.

Indonesia, the biggest Southeast Asian economy, saw growth accelerate last quarter despite a nosedive in exports that was triggered by a sharp

decline in prices for the nation’s commodities, like crude palm oil, coal and iron. India’s expansion is projected to have strengthened last quarter amid a pickup in investment.

For providers of services in nations enjoying solid job and income growth, hardlanding fears appear overdone. But until the global manufacturing cycle works off a buildup of inventories, export-oriented economies will pose a drag on world growth.

“Both sectoral and regional divergences have opened” in the global economy in recent months, JPMorgan Chase & Co. economists Joseph Lupton and Bruce Kasman wrote in a note to clients this week. “The higher gearing of Europe and China” to the industrial cycle has been one stand-out feature, they said.

China’s export downturn has left it

The Foreign Ministry accused the Biden administration of pursuing “technology hegemony” and demanded Washington “immediately revoke its erroneous decision.” It warned that the latest restrictions in a spreading conflict over Beijing’s industrial development would hurt global supply chains.

An order signed by Biden on Wednesday targets advanced computer chips, micro electronics, quantum information technologies and artificial intelligence (AI). The order says it wants to limit US investment in industries that might help develop the ruling Communist Party’s military wing.

The order adds to restrictions that limit Chinese access to US processor chips used in smartphones, AI and other technology on security grounds.

Dozens of Chinese companies that Washington says are linked to military modernization are barred from American financial markets.

Washington’s “true purpose is to deprive China of its development rights and maintain its own hegemony,” the Foreign Ministry said.

China will “resolutely safeguard its own rights and interests,” the Ministry of Commerce said in a separate statement, but it gave no indication of possible retaliation. Beijing has made similar comments after previous US trade restrictions but usually takes no action.

At a fundraiser for his reelection campaign in Utah on Thursday, Biden mentioned the issue, saying “we have China to deal with” and calling that country “a ticking time bomb in many cases” while also making it clear he wasn’t looking for a fight.

“They’ve got some problems,” Biden said. “And that’s not good because when bad folks have problems they do bad things.”

He did not elaborate.

The Biden administration has imposed sanctions while trying to revive US-Chinese relations that are at their lowest level in decades due to disputes over security, human rights, technology, Taiwan and Beijing’s treatment of Hong Kong.

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen visited Beijing in July and said communication would increase but announced no agreements on disputes. Chinese leaders have demanded the United States change its policies on Taiwan and

Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s government has announced only small steps to retaliate for Western tech restrictions, possibly to avoid disrupting a multibillion-dollar campaign to create its own processor chip, artificial intelligence and other technology industries.

Chinese rules that took effect August 1 require exporters of gallium and germanium, two metals used in computer chips and solar cells, to obtain government licenses. The announcement rattled Japanese and South Korean electronics manufacturers.

The conflict has prompted fears of “decoupling,”or the world splitting into separate industrial markets with conflicting standards that mean electronics, auto and other products and components from one couldn’t be used in the other. That might hamper innovation and economic growth.

Yellen and other US officials say they don’t want “decoupling” but are pursuing “de-risking.”

They say that includes developing additional sources of raw materials, industrial components and consumer goods to avoid disruptions like those during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Ministry of Commerce accused Washington of “using the cover of ‘risk reduction’ to carry out ‘decoupling and chain-breaking.’”

At the same time, Xi’s government, citing strategic risks, has pressed Chinese industries to use domestic suppliers whenever possible, even when that raises costs. Xi has called for China to become a self-reliant “technology power.”

Anxiety about China’s military has increased as Beijing sends fighter planes to intimidate Taiwan, the self-governed island claimed by the Communist Party as part of its territory, and presses claims to parts of the South and East China Seas.

US officials said the new limits were tailored not to disrupt China’s economy but would complement export controls on advanced computer chips. US investors would be required to notify the government about certain transactions with China. Some would be prohibited.

Officials said the order focuses on areas such as private equity, venture capital and joint partnerships in which the investments could possibly give countries of concern such as China additional knowledge and military capabilities.

In July, the Senate approved a requirement to monitor and limit investments in countries of concern, including China. AP

NZ intelligence report accuses China of foreign interference

NEW Zealand’s Security Intelligence Service (NZIS) said China is the main exponent of foreign interference in the South Pacific nation.

Publishing its analysis of New Zealand’s security threat environment for the first time Friday in Wellington, the NZSIS said there are a small number of states who attempt foreign interference but their ability to cause harm is significant.

Most notable is the continued targeting of ethnic Chinese communities in New Zealand by groups and individuals linked to the People’s Republic of China, it said in the report.

“NZSIS is aware of ongoing activity in and against New Zealand and our home region that is linked to the PRC’s intelligence services,” it said. “This is a complex intelligence concern for New Zealand.”

Taiwan’s exports tumbled for 11 straight months.

New Zealand is wary of offending China, its largest trading partner, but it is also concerned about Beijing’s ambitions in the Pacific. The government last week announced that it will invest in the defense force and protect its interests in the Pacific as China seeks more influence in region.

The NZSIS said New Zealand’s geographic position in the Indo-Pacific and its links with other Pacific countries “will draw the attention of foreign intelligence services who want to inform foreign governments on New Zealand’s government policy and strategy in the region.”

The NZSIS said only a few states undertake espionage or interference activities against New Zealand, but “some do so persistently and with the potential to cause significant harm to our governance structures, democracy, and social cohesion.” Bloomberg News

particularly exposed, with consumer confidence at depressed levels and a propertymarket slump hampering a rebound from last year’s pandemic lockdowns.

Germany’s export weakness has seen its industrial production languish at a six-month low, making its emergence from a recession earlier this year all the tougher.

Goods cycle

THE risk is that European and Chinese weakness “could spread to the US and the rest of the world,” Lupton and Kasman wrote. In time, the duo anticipates a “turn back up in the goods-production cycle.”

But for now, there’s a welter of ugly data.

India’s merchandise exports plunged 22 percent in June from a year earlier.

Vietnam is mired in the longest slump for shipments abroad in 14 years.

Canada’s merchandise-trade balance recorded its second consecutive monthly deficit in June on falling exports.

What’s also evident in the latest figures is some reshaping in global trade flows, amid a push by Western nations led by US President Joe Biden to reduce reliance on China and Russia.

Mexico has recaptured its top spot as the No. 1 exporter to the US, pushing China to third, after Canada. And China’s data show shipments to the US plummeted 23.1 percent in July. Exports to markets including Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, the European Union and Australia all dropped by double-digit percentages. But its shipments to Russia surged 73 percent this year.

China’s share of Germany’s total exports dropped to 6 percent in the first half of this year from 8 percent in 2020, according to the Kiel Trade Indicator gauge.

One of the world’s largest shippers, A.P. Moller-Maersk A/S, said last week that global container trade will probably contract as much as 4 percent this year—even worse than a previous prediction of a 2.5 percent contraction.

“There’s a lot of moving parts right now, from rate hikes and the risk of recession,” as well as “uncertainty also about GDP growth in China and what demand is going to be in China next year,” Maersk CEO Vincent Clerc said on Bloomberg Television on August 4. Maitreyi Das, an economist at HSBC Holdings Plc, one of the world’s leading banks for trade financing, said that “higher interest rates and resilient inflation has impacted real income, especially in developed markets,” diminishing demand for goods. Bloomberg News

ASURGE in rice prices to the highest level in almost 15 years is renewing fears that food costs are going to get a lot more expensive for the world’s poorest people.

The World

Biden: China is ‘ticking time bomb’ posing danger to world

threaten to undercut the work of his administration to stabilize ties. In June, just a day after US Secretary of State Antony Blinken completed a trip to Beijing to ease tensions, Biden likened Xi to a “dictator” and questioned the Chinese leader’s control over his country and its military.

Murder, cocaine and tears: Ecuador faces a perilous narco-state descent

THE rage was palpable outside the Quito funeral parlor where Fernando Villavicencio’s lifeless body lay. Inside, even close friends were searched with antiexplosives dogs. His widow was rushing to get back from Washington for the wake.

Barely 24 hours had passed since the investigative journalist turned anti-graft crusader turned presidential candidate was gunned down less than two weeks before August 20 elections in the most savage act of political violence that Ecuador has seen since the military dictatorship ended in the 1970s. His assassina tion has thrust unwanted attention on this small Andean state, squeezed between the world’s two biggest cocaine producers. Just a few years ago it had enjoyed the reputation of being tranquil and relatively safe but now its descent toward becoming a narco-state has become evident in the eyes of the world.

Just this week, Dutch authorities seized about $660 million worth of cocaine that had been hidden in a container of bananas from Ecuador. Meanwhile, FBI agents are flying in to help with the investigation as six Colombians were arrested in connection to the killing.

If security was already the top issue in the campaign, the killing is bound to alter the tone and direction of what was already an unpredictable race, begging the question of whether voters will gravitate now more toward the toughest-on-crime candidates.

“We’re indignant with what just happened, and with the country we’re living in,” said David Tituaña, 50, a taxi driver. “This has obviously hit all Ecuadoreans in the heart, that they’ve done this to a brave man who was fighting for the ideals of our country.”

On Thursday, many mourners fought back tears.

Yet ordinary Ecuadorians have become anesthetized to the kidnappings, car bombs and contract killings among drug cartels that have transformed the country into one of the world’s most violent places.

D eath foretold

Videos showed protesters overnight waving flags, but demonstrations were relatively sedate. There was no sign of civil unrest, nor anything that foreshadows an intervention by the military. The election date remains unchanged and a debate will still take place on Sunday.

As the nation comes to terms with a

national tragedy, there is a paradox there of how people were shocked and yet not surprised.

T he ultimate fate of Villavicencio, 59, had been something of a death foretold. He had received multiple threats after putting a target on his back with a defiant public pledge to take on the cocaine cartels even if it cost him his life.

“ The people of this country need courageous and honest leadership,” he had told a TV anchor who warned him on air whether his confrontational style put his life at risk. “We survive by casting out fear.”

Three days later, he was murdered. The next steps will involve the inevitable soulsearching among the electorate and test its democratic credentials. Investors too are paying closer attention.

Mexico and Colombia

For Ecuador and the region at large, this is a moment of reckoning, inviting comparisons to what Mexicans endured with the killing of Luis Donaldo Colosio, candidate to the 1994 election, or what Colombians suffered at the peak of the drug war in late 1980s.

T his month, there are three elections taking place within a week of each other, in Ecuador, Guatemala and Argentina. And crime is a top concern.

V illavicencio follows a long line of journalists who’ve been targeted for clashing with dangerous people in Latin America and the rest of the world.

In Russia, ther e is Alexei Navalny, who survived poisoning and is now in jail. In Malta, Daphne Caruana Galizia was killed by a car bomb after exposing corruption on her small island state. There too, the US Federal Bureau of Investigation tried to help uncover the mystery of her death.

Mean while record volumes of cocaine from Colombia keep pouring across Ecuador’s porous border, much of it to be hidden in containers of fruit and vegetables leaving Pacific ports for Antwerp and Rotterdam.

That’s triggered a battle among warring gangs for control of routes and territory.

What Colombia went through in the 1980s, and what Mexico endured in the 1990s, Ecuador is suffering today,” said former vice president Otto Sonnenholzner, who is also on the ballot.

“Our country has been handed over to drug-trafficking, and these are the consequences.” Bloomberg News

In comments that included several major inaccuracies about the world’s second-largest economy, Biden said at a political fundraiser Thursday that China was in “trouble” because its growth has slowed and it had the “highest unemployment rate going.” He also blasted Xi’s signature Belt and Road Initiative as the “debt and noose,” because of the high levels of lending to developing economies associated with the global investment program.

“China was growing at 8 percent a year to maintain growth, now close to 2 percent a year,” he told donors in Park City, Utah, misstating China’s rate of expansion. “It’s in a position where the number of people who are of retirement age is larger than the number of people of working age,” he added, a statement that was not only incorrect but also off by hundreds of millions of people.

“So they got some problems,” he added. “That’s not good because when bad folks have problems, they do bad things.”

Biden’s comments are some of his most direct criticisms yet

about the US’s top geopolitical and economic rival. The President has sought to walk a fine line between using trade curbs to deter China’s high-tech military advancement, while achieving a diplomatic rapprochement with Chinese leaders that could pave the way for a potential meeting this year with Xi, who is expected to visit the US in November to attend the APEC summit.

It’s unclear yet whether that will materialize, particularly after reports the White House will bar sanctioned Hong Kong leader John Lee from the meeting of 21 AsiaPacific economies. While Biden said on Thursday that Washington isn’t looking for a fight with Beijing, a range of issues threaten to derail the relationship yet again, from new investment curbs approved by the US this week to military tensions over Taiwan, which will send Vice President Lai Ching-te — the leading presidential candidate in a January election — to stop in New York and San Francisco in the coming days.

It’s not the first time Biden has made off-the-cuff remarks that

It’s unclear how Beijing will react to Biden’s latest remarks. China largely shrugged off his reference to Xi as a dictator, welcoming US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and US climate envoy John Kerry on separate trips weeks later. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, who is slated to visit China this month, on Thursday touted an agreement by China to lift restrictions on group travel to the US as a win for engagement between the world’s two biggest economies.

Still, Biden’s swipes at China’s $18 trillion economy come at a particularly sensitive time for Xi. Although Biden misrepresented key statistics about China, the overall outlook remains grim. China’s gross domestic product grew at a slower-than-expected pace of 5.5 percent in the first half of the year, compared with a year earlier, leading to worries about ripple effects for the global economy.

China slid into deflation in July, and is battling slowing exports, high youth unemployment and a slumping property market highlighted by a debt crisis for Country Garden Holdings Co. Once the country’s largest private-sector developer by sales, the company is in danger of defaulting amid an industry cash crunch.

Xi’s government has sought to silence negative economic news, with officials warning mainland

Iran transfers five Iranian-Americans from prison to house arrest in step toward deal for full release

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates—Iran has moved five Iranian-Americans from prison to house arrest in exchange for billions of dollars frozen in South Korea, US and Iranian officials said Thursday, as part of a tentative deal that follows months of heightened tensions between the two countries.

Iranian officials at the United Nations told The Associated Press that the prisoner transfer marked “a significant initial step” in the implementation of the agreement, which is still being negotiated and could eventually lead to the full release of the Americans.

Iran acknowledged that the deal involves $6 billion to $7 billion that were frozen as

a result of sanctions. Iranian officials said the money would be transferred to Qatar before being sent on to Iran if the agreement goes through.

The final transfer of the money—and the release of the five detainees—is expected in the next month or so due to the complicated nature of the financial transactions, officials said.

“My belief is that this is the beginning of the end of their nightmare and the nightmare that their families have experienced,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken told a news conference in Washington, adding that more work would be necessary to free the five.

State Department officials spoke to the prisoners on Thursday, he said.

The deal unfolded amid a major American military buildup in the Persian Gulf, with the possibility of US troops boarding and guarding commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz, through which 20 percent of all oil shipments pass.

The agreement is bound to open US President Joe Biden to fresh criticism from Republicans and others that his administration is helping to boost the Iranian economy at a time when Iran poses a growing threat to US troops and Mideast allies.

US-based lawyer Jared Genser, who

economists to avoid the word “deflation” when referring to price pressures. Discussions of sensitive topics such as private sector reform have been scrubbed from social media platforms, and authorities this week told Internet firms to deal quickly with defamatory comments targeting companies online.

At the same time, Biden’s remarks contained factual inaccuracies and overstated some of China’s problems. While China’s population shrunk for the first time in six decades last year, the Asian giant still had 876 million people of working age versus 280 million people 60 years or older, according to official statistics.  China’s economy is on track to grow by 5.2 percent this year, according to a Bloomberg survey of economists in July, even after weak consumption and a property market slump. By comparison, the US economy is forecast to grow 1.6 percent this year, according to economists. Although China’s annual economic growth has slowed significantly from the breakneck pace of above 10 percent seen in the 2000s, authorities have said they want “high quality” development in a pivot away from an infrastructure and property-reliant growth model that fueled high debt levels. That’s weighed on short-term growth, but may mean more sustainable development.

China’s official urban jobless rate has hovered around 5.2 percent in recent months, compared with the 6.4 percent jobless rate recorded in the Euro zone in June. Youth unemployment in China, though, is at a record high of more than 20 percent. Bloomberg News

represents one of the prisoners, said the five will likely be held at a hotel under guard. There are “simply no guarantees about what happens from here,” he said.

Neda Sharghi, whose brother, Emad Sharghi, is among the prisoners, said in a statement that her family “has faith in the work that President Biden and government officials have undertaken to bring our families home.”

Adrienne Watson, a spokesperson for the White House’s National Security Council, described the negotiations for the release as “ongoing” and delicate.”

“While this is an encouraging step, these US citizens...should have never been detained in the first place,” she said in a statement.

It remains unclear how many IranianAmericans are held by Tehran, which does not recognize dual citizenship. AP

A rocket with a lunar landing craft blasts off on Russia’s 1st moon mission in nearly 50 yrs

TALLINN, Estonia—A rocket carrying a lunar landing craft blasted off Friday on Russia’s first moon mission in nearly 50 years, racing to land on Earth’s satellite ahead of an Indian spacecraft.

The launch from Russia’s Vostochny spaceport in the Far East of the Luna-25 craft to the moon is Russia’s first since 1976 when it was part of the Soviet Union.

The Russian lunar lander is expected to reach the moon on Aug. 23, about the same day as an Indian craft, which was launched on July 14. The Russian spacecraft will take about 5.5 days to travel to the moon’s vicinity, then spend three to seven days orbiting at about 100 kilometers before heading for the surface.

Only three governments have managed successful moon landings: the Soviet Union, the United

States and China. India and Russia are aiming to be the first to land at the moon’s south pole.

Roscosmos, Russia’s space agency, said it wants to show Russia “is a state capable of delivering a payload to the moon,” and “ensure Russia’s guaranteed access to the moon’s surface.”

“Study of the moon is not the goal,” said Vitaly Egorov, a popular Russian space analyst. “The goal is political competition between two superpowers — China and the USA — and a number of other countries which also want to claim the title of space superpower.”

Sanctions imposed on Russia after it invaded Ukraine make it harder for it to access Western technology, impacting its space program. The Luna-25 was initially meant to carry a small moon rover but that idea was abandoned to reduce the

weight of the craft for improved reliability, analysts say.

“Foreign electronics are lighter, domestic electronics are heavier,” Egorov said. “While scientists might have the task of studying lunar water, for Roscosmos the main task is simply to land on the moon — to recover lost Soviet expertise and learn how to perform this task in a new era.”

The Luna-25 launched flawlessly from the Vostochny Cosmodrome in Russia’s Far East, according to video feed from Roscosmos.

The spaceport is a pet project of Russian President Vladimir Putin and is key to his efforts to make Russia a space superpower and move Russian launches from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

A previous Indian attempt to land at the moon’s south pole in 2019 ended when the lander crashed into

the moon’s surface.

The lunar south pole is of particular interest to scientists, who believe the permanently shadowed polar craters may contain water. The frozen water in the rocks could be transformed by future explorers into air and rocket fuel.

“The moon is largely untouched and the whole history of the moon is written on its face,” said Ed Bloomer, an astronomer at Britain’s Royal Observatory, Greenwich. “It is pristine and like nothing you get on Earth.

It is its own laboratory.”

The Luna-25 is to take samples of moon rock and dust. The samples are crucial to understanding the moon’s environment ahead of building any base there, “otherwise we could be building things and having to shut them down six months later because everything has effectively been sand-blasted,” Bloomer said. AP

PRESIDENT Joe Biden blasted China’s economic problems as a “ticking time bomb” and referred to Communist Party leaders as “bad folks,” his latest barb against President Xi Jinping’s government, even as his administration seeks to improve overall ties with Beijing.

PRESIDENTIAL candidate Fernando Villavicencio waves an Ecuador national flag during a campaign event at a school minutes before he was shot to death outside the same school in Quito, Ecuador, Wednesday, August 9, 2023. API VIA AP

AUCKLAND, New Zealand—Sweden first knocked off the United States and then bounced Japan to snag a spot in the semifinals of the  Women’s World Cup.

The Swedes, the World Cup runners-up in 2003 and three-time third-place finishers, eliminated previously unbeaten Japan 2-1 in Friday’s quarterfinal. With Japan out of the lineup, this year’s World Cup will crown a first-time winner.

The sold-out crowd at Eden Park, where Sweden will play in the semifinals on Tuesday against Spain, danced to songs by Swedish rock band Abba as it was played throughout the stadium after the win.

A manda Ilestedt scored a first-half goal and Filippa Angeldal converted a second-half penalty to give Sweden the mild upset and send the Swedes to the semifinals for the fifth time.

I think we showed that we can play really good football,” said Ilestedt. “The teamwork we are showing, it’s unbelievable. Winning just feels amazing.”

Japan had been so prolific with 14 goals in rolling to a 4-0 tournament record, but Japan struggled for most of the game to keep up with the taller Swedish team. When Sweden went up 2-0 late in the second, Japan seemed out of the tournament.

But the Japanese finally made a late comeback and seriously pressured Sweden goalkeeper Zecira Musovic, who is fresh off a World Cup-record 11 saves in the win over the United States.

R iko Ueki’s penalty attempt for Japan in the 76th minute hit the crossbar and bounced clear of the goal, but Musovic was finally beaten in the 86th minute when substitute Honoka Hayashi cut Sweden’s lead to 2-1.

Th at was all the Japanese mustered as Sweden advanced to play Spain, which beat the Netherlands 2-1 in extra time earlier Friday. Japan had beaten Spain 4-0 in group play.

Saki Kumagai, playing in her fourth World Cup and Japan’s captain, was in tears with the rest of her teammates following the loss.

We fought so hard because we wanted it,” she said. “We want to go to the next round, of course. We will come back stronger.”

Japan’s exit means there will be a first-time winner at this World Cup. Japan won in 2011, and previous winners Germany, Norway and the United States were all eliminated earlier in the tournament.

I lestedt broke through for Sweden

in the 32nd minute off a free kick that ricocheted among the players in front of the goal before landing at her feet for the goal. It was the defender’s fourth of the World Cup. A ngeldal added the penalty kick in the 51st minute after Fuka Nagano’s handball in the box was confirmed by video review.

Japan’s run in the World Cup ended with 14 goals, more than any team left in the tournament. Hinata Miyazawa finished with five of those goals to lead the Golden Boot race, matching the team record set by Homare Sawa in

Olivarez dominates Hagedorn net open

ERIC JED OLIVAREZ  snapped a lengthy search for a major victory with a 5-7, 6-2, 6-2 win over doubles partner Charles Kinaadman to rule the Rep. Edward Hagedorn Open tennis championship at the Karawatan PPS Playground in Puerto Princesa, Palawan last Thursday.

The fifth-ranked Olivarez pulled through in a tense-filled duel of breaks in the first three games of the decider, holding serve in the fourth then breaking Kinaadman again in the next to seize a commanding 4-1 lead. They held serve in the next three with Olivarez clinching the match and the championship with a four-point run after yielding the first point in the eighth game.

The victory, worth P50,000, came on the heels of Olivarez’s stirring 6-3 6-3 reversal over top seed and Lanao Open series tormentor Johnny Arcilla in the semis and it also served as payback for his 1-6, 2-6 loss to Kinaadman in the Jubahib Cup final in Davao del Norte last year.

But the third seeded Kinaadman, who trounced Alexis Acabo, 6-3, 6-1, to reach the finals of the Group A tournament presented by Dunlop, looked headed to repeating over Olivarez when he snatched the opening set on a big windup. Trailing 3-5 after losing the seventh game while on serve, the Lapu-Lapu City ace held in the ninth then won the next three that featured fierce exchanges in the 10th and 11th games.

But Olivarez quickly recovered and broke Kinaadman at the start of the second set then took four of the next five games to all but level the match at 5-1.

Filipinas, Obiena named July’s best performers by PSA

N a month a world-caliber pole vaulter became the first Filipino to make the grade for the Paris 2024 Olympics, the eye-popping performance of the national women’s football team in the FIFA Women’s World Cup in New Zealand was the toast of Philippine sports. he Filipinas, a game and gutsy bunch of Fil-foreign footballers, made history not by just performing on the sport’s biggest stage but scoring an epic win over one of a tournament contender.

After suffering a heartbreaking 2-0 defeat at the hands of world No. 20 Switzerland in their debut at the Dunedin Stadium on July 21, the Filipinas, ranked No. 46, backed by their diehard fans from around the world, pulled off a 1-0 victory over No. 26 and tournament co-host New Zealand four days later in Wellington. e breakthrough goal—courtesy of forward California-born Sarina Bolden—came in the 24th minute off a header that Kiwi goalie Victoria Esson was unable to deflect. t was a goal heard around the world as the Philippines, not exactly a football country, finally served notice of its bold bid on the sports biggest stage. hile the celebration lasted just a few days, the Filipinas carved their name in the history books with their gallant stand in Group A following a 6-0 shutdown they suffered from former champion and world No. 12 Norway at Eden Park in Auckland.

Japan’s 2011 title run. Sweden was riding high after eliminating the two-time defending champion Americans on penalties following a scoreless draw on Sunday. The victory came by just millimeters, when goal-line technology showed that Lina Hurtig’s attempt crossed the line before it could be saved by American goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher.

Japan, No. 11 in the FIFA rankings,  earned a place in the quarterfinals with a 3-1 victory over Norway. The game was a clash of styles

from the start: third-ranked Sweden was more physical while Japan was more technical. Sweden dominated possession for much of the match and had the better chances.

Stina Blackstenius beat a defender Saki Kumagai and faced Japan goalkeeper Ayaka Yamashita one-on-one in the 25th minute but her shot went wide.

A fter Ilestedt’s goal, Kosovare Asllani nearly doubled the lead in the 42nd minute, but her blast from the top of the box was pushed away by a diving Yamashita.

A ngeldal’s penalty appeared to rattle the Japanese, who struggled against the taller and more athletic Swedes. Japan didn’t get a shot off until the 63rd minute. Japan had scored at least twice in each of its previous games, but had never come back from down two goals in World Cup play.

At the Tokyo Olympics, Sweden eliminated Japan on home soil in the quarterfinals. Sweden advanced to the gold medal game but lost to Canada.

T he Swedes have never won a title at either the World Cup or the Olympics. AP

Sotto, Clarkson warm up heels in first practice with Gilas pool

By Josef Ramos

JORDAN CLARKSON and Kai Sotto

started blending into Chot Reyes’s system on their first day of practice with the Gilas Pilipinas pool by joining noncontact 5-on-5 drills at the PhilSports Arena on Wednesday night.

They were expected to shift to more strenuous sessions on Friday—exactly two weeks before the Filipinos’ opening game International Basketball Federation World Cup. A gainst the Dominican Republic on August 25 at The Philippine Arena in Bulacan.

“ It’s non-contact 5-on-5 drills, shootaround first last Wednesday night and we’re happy to see all of them,” Jong Uichico, one of Reyes’s deputy coaches, told BusinessMirror Friday. “It’s more than adjustments, but so far we are introducing and integrating Kai [Sotto] and Jordan [Clarkson] to the system.”

The Utah Jazz star Clarkson flew in on Tuesday morning while Sotto has been in the country since two weeks ago but needed to show his MRI tests before joining training camp.

Uichico was thrifty with his thoughts about Gilas’s preparations athough he stressed that the team progressed from their training camp

in Lithuania and China. Uichico also couldn’t confirm if Sotto will have a coveted slot in Gilas’s final 12.

What’s important is he’s already attending practice,” said Uichico, adding that the coaching staff expects Clarkson to be in game shape with just two to three days of practice.

Being an NBA [National Basketball Association] player, we know he’s in pretty good shape and we will see in the next few days,” he said.

Gilas plays Angola on August 27 and Italy two days later both at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Group A. All games are set 8 p.m.

ROS needs to tame towering Taiwanese-Am in Jones Cup

RAIN or Shine aims for a winning start to its grueling Jones Cup schedule when it tangles against the host Chinese Taipei Team A which will be bannered by 6-foot-11 American-Taiwanese William Artino on Saturday.

The game is set at 7:30 p.m. with the Elasto Painters hoping to pull the rug from under the Taiwanese national team which is expected to get a lot of boost from its home crowd.

More than that, the E-Painters are looking for a victory which could set the tone for their campaign especially that they are set to play six straight games in as many days.

First, the E-Painters must neutralize Artino and veterans Liu Cheng and Ying-Chun Chen if they are to hurdle their first assignment.

R ain or Shine, headed by Alternate Governor Edison Oribiana and Redmond Yu, immediately went to work at the Taipei Heping Gymnasium upon arriving in Taipei on Friday.

It’s always good to start it with a win especially against the home team. We know the odds are stacked against us but we just have to believe that we can win. If we have a good start we usually have a good ending,” said ROS deputy Caloy Garcia who facilitated the team’s first practice.

E xpected to lead the way for ROS are imports Ange Kouame and Nick Evans, although the team will also be relying on the young core of Rey Nambatac, Shaun Ildefonso, Anton Asistio, Santi Santillan and Andrei Caracut.

Shoemaker foils Malixi in US Women’s Am

RIANNE MALIXI’S hunt for a US Golf Association (USGA) trophy ended in a Round of 32 loss to Bailey Shoemaker, who foiled the Filipina’s late fightback with a birdie on the 19th hole in the US Women’s Amateur Championship at the Bel-Air Country Club in Los Angeles Thursday.

It was a sorry setback for the recent US Girls’ Junior runner-up, who battled back from two holes down with two to play with a par on No. 17 and a clutch 18-foot birdie on the last to force the only extension in the second round of head-to-head clashes.

But back on the par-five No. 1 which Shoemaker earlier eagled to take command, the American holed out with a birdie to clinch the match as the 23rd seeded Malixi’s third shot went past the hole, leading to a bogey.

S hoemaker, who finished No. 55 after the 36-hole stroke play elims then stunned No. 10 Malia Nam from Hawaii at the start of the match play Wednesday, went 2-up as Malixi bogeyed No. 4 and restored the lead with a par on No. 8 after the International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI)-backed shotmaker

Still, the Filipinas made a lot of heads turn following their stint that they topped the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) list of achievers for July.

C oming in a close second to the Filipinas was Ernest John “EJ” Obiena, who cleared 5.82 meters in the Diamond League-Bauhaus Galan in Sweden on July 3 to secure a berth to Paris.

A bout two weeks later, Obiena would bring his act to Thailand for the Asian championships, a meet he dominated by posting a new continental mark of 5.91 meters. For Obiena, the Asian event was just a warmup.

Obiena, 27, would stamp his class anew a week later, placing second in the Monaco leg of the Diamond League in Monte Carlo.

He did 5.82 meters again, behind first-place Christopher Nilsen of the United States, who won the gold with a 5.92. Interestingly, world champion and record-holder Armand Duplantis was off as he finished fourth overall.

I n other parts of the world, Filipino athletes did as well.

The Filipino duo of Johann Chua and James Aranas defeated Joshua Filler and Moritz Neuhausen of Germany, 11-7, to win the World Cup of Pool 9-Ball Championship. The victory was a record fourth time for the country to rule one of the prestigious events in billiards.

A lso in Bangkok, the Philippine bowling team won two gold medals in the 21st Asian Youth Tenpin Bowling Championships through Art Barrientos in the boys’ masters and the boys’ team of four composed of Barrientos, Zach Sales Ramin, Stephen Luke Diwa and Marc Dylan Custodio.

The Filipinos finished as overall champions in the boys division.

Team Manila wouldn’t be left behind as it regained the Pony International World Series crown by completing an eight-game sweep of the 18-Under girls’ tournament at the McAllen Softball Complex in Texas.

closed the gap with a birdie on the sixth.

Malixi, a 5&3 winner over Ellie Koo in the first round, actually fell by as many as three holes after a bogey on No. 12 but a birdie on the par-three 13th put her back into the match. After trading pars in the next three holes, she pounced on Shoemaker’s mishap on the penultimate hole and rolled in a pressure-packed putt on the 18th that swerved to left at the finish and dropped to force an all-square match.

M eanwhile, top seed Briana Chacon also got the boot from fellow American No. 32 Catie Craig, who led all the way en route to a 4&2 romp, while No. 29 Yana Wilson hacked out a 2-up win over No. 4 Katie Cranston from Canada.

ERIC JED OLIVAREZ (right) poses with his trophy with Charles Kinaadman (left) and Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Pera Padala executive vice president Angelita Castro.

THE Swedes, the World Cup runners-up in 2003 and three-time third-place finishers, eliminate previously unbeaten Japan, 2-1, in Friday’s quarterfinal. AP

THE E-Painters, led by Alternate Governor Edison Oribiana and Redmond Yu, buckles down to work upon arriving in Taipei on Friday.

35.

mandarin quality inspector will be a strategist and a leader able to steer the company to the most profitable direction while also implementing its vision, mission and long term goals.

YU, MINGJIE Mandarin Quality Inspector Brief Job Description: The mandarin quality inspector will be a strategist and a leader able to steer the company to the most profitable direction while also implementing its vision, mission and long term goals.

Basic Qualification: Proven experience as mandarin quality inspector, excellent communication, interpersonal and presentation skills.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Proven experience as mandarin quality inspector, excellent communication, interpersonal and presentation skills.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

36.

HONG, HUA Mandarin Staff Captain Brief Job Description: The mandarin staff captain will be a strategist and a leader able to steer the company to the most profitable direction while also implementing its vision, mission and long term goals.

Basic Qualification: Proven experience as mandarin staff captain, excellent communication, interpersonal and presentation skills.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

ZHU, XUJIAN Mandarin Staff Captain Brief Job Description: The mandarin staff captain will be a strategist and a leader able Basic Qualification: Proven experience as mandarin staff captain, excellent communication, interpersonal and presentation skills. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 CHINA OCEANIS PHILIPPINES, INC. Grandstand Luneta Park, The Boardwalk Quirino, Barangay 666, Ermita, City Of Manila 38.

VAN KAM WENG Treasurer Brief Job Description: Directly reporting to President/CEO and adheres all legal accounting practices.

Basic Qualification: With 15 years of experience related to the position and fluent in English/Malaysian language. Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999 CRONYX INC. 6-12, 15-19/f Royal Peak Tower A, 485 Quirino Avenue, Tambo, City Of Parañaque 39.

GUO, HUAYONG Chinese Speaking Admin Associate Brief Job Description: Responsible for providing overall support to the team to improve the operation.

Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months of experience, and good in verbal and written communication. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 40.

HE, DAOHAI Chinese Speaking Admin Associate Brief Job Description: Responsible for providing overall administrative support to the team he/she will be assigned to.

Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months of experience, and good in verbal and written communication. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 41.

LIU, CONGBO Chinese Speaking Admin Associate Brief Job Description: Responsible for providing overall administrative support to the team he/ she will be assigned to (Chinese team).

Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months of experience, and good in verbal and written communication. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 42.

LU, ZHENHUI Chinese Speaking Admin Associate Brief Job Description: Responsible for providing overall administrative support to the team he/she will be assigned to.

Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months of experience, and good in verbal and written communication. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 43.

YANG, QING Chinese Speaking Admin Associate Brief Job Description: Responsible for providing overall administrative support to the team he/she will be assigned to.

Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months of experience, and good in verbal and written communication. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

*Date Generated: Aug 11, 2023

In the ad material of Notice of Filing of Application for Alien Employment Permits published on August 2, 2023, the position of HANIF, MUHAMMAD under the company PAK-NIPPON INTERNATIONAL CORP., should have been read as CFO AND ACCOUNTING OFFICER and not as published.

In the ad material of Notice of Filing of Application for Alien Employment Permits published on August 5, 2023, the position of ZACH, MARC-ANDRE under the company DGVR – DEUTSCHER GENOSSENSCHAFTS – UND RAIFFEISENVERBAND E.V. (DGRV PHILIPPINES), should have been read as DGRV – DEUTSCHER GENOSSENSCHAFTS – UND RAIFFEISENVERBAND E.V. (DGRV PHILIPPINES) and not as published.

In the ad material of Notice of Filing of Application for Alien Employment Permits published on August 10, 2023, the name HAFIDIZ ARIOYUDHO NUSANTO under the company ALFAMART TRADING PHILIPPINES, INC., should have been read as HAFIDZ ARIOYUDHO NUSANTO and not as published.

Any person in the Philippines who is competent, able and willing to perform the services for which the foreign national is desired may file an objection at DOLE National Capital Region located at DOLE-NCR Building, 967 Maligaya St., Malate Manila, within 30 days after this publication.

Please inform DOLE National Capital Region if you have any information on criminal offense committed by the foreign nationals.

Atty. Sarah Buena S. Mirasol Regional Director