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A PHOTO captured moments before the rescue of two-yearold Philippine Eagle Lipadas on January 2, 2024. Lipadas required rescue due to the loss of his right eye, which experts later determined was caused by a gunshot when the eagle was still barely able to fly. Lipadas is among the seven Philippine Eagles scheduled for transfer to the National Bird Breeding Sanctuary in Barangay Eden, Davao City, on February 13, from the old breeding facility at the Philippine Eagle Center in Malagos. ERWIN M. MASCARIÑAS

TO LIVE, PHL EAGLES MOVE TO NEW SPACE

A home away from disease, injury, noise offers a better chance for the Philippine Eagle to survive and reproduce

D

Defense from emerging threats to eagles

By Erwin M. Mascariñas

AVAO CITY—There’s hope in the air after scientists and conservationists pulled through this week a successful, albeit difficult, operation: transferring the first batch of seven critically endangered Philippine Eagles (Pithecophaga jefferyi) to a new breeding facility here, a place more remote but at lower risk from disease, noise, injury and human encroachments.

The move, scientists said, will give the birds more protection, a better home to thrive, and a better chance to successfully produce more offspring that can be released in the wild.

The new facility, named the National Bird Breeding Sanctuary (NBBS), marks a milestone for the Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF), which celebrated its 37 years in eagle research and conservation on February 13, 2024—the same day seven Philippine Eagles were transferred from their old breeding facility.

In a statement, PEF explained that the move from the Philippine Eagle Center (PEC) in Malagos to the new breeding facility in Eden, Toril, Davao City, is the only recourse against two main threats: the Avian Flu and the changing crowded landscape around the PEC. The NBBS facility will be offlimits to tourists, with access granted only to researchers, selected PEF personnel, and animal keepers.

“The new facility will be the first of its kind and we are hopeful that this will hasten our breeding program with more success. The fa-

A VETERINARIAN volunteer from the Czech Republic carefully handles a Philippine Eagle, while personnel from the Philippine Eagle Center (PEC) apply tape to the eagle’s large beak to prevent accidents and injuries to the handler. The bird is being prepared for a check-up before its transfer to the new facility. ERWIN M. MASCARIÑAS

DENNIS I. SALVADOR, Philippine Eagle Foundation Executive Director, is optimistic that the new facility will significantly enhance the breeding program’s success rate. ERWIN M. MASCARIÑAS

THE new breeding chamber where Philippine Eagles MVP Matatag and Ariela will be transferred is located in the National Bird Breeding Sanctuary in Barangay Eden, Davao City. ERWIN M. MASCARIÑAS

cility with a better buffer zone will help in securing the eagles to guard against bird flu. As you know, that particular viral disease can wipe out entire populations of captive birds. That has been the case in many areas, in many countries,” said Dennis I. Salvador, Executive Director of PEF who had been lob-

bying for the project for more than a decade.

Salvador added that the facility will help isolate all the captivebreeding stock away from potential sources of diseases and environmental pollutants. It will also help PEF explore and experiment with other breeding and rearing techniques to

bolster future reintroduction and restocking trials, including experimental chick-rearing by natural eagle pairs.

“This project has been in the works for a long time; we’ve submitted the proposal to the city government for the Risk Management Master Plan in 2009. In 2019, when

we loaned a couple of eagles to Singapore in a breeding loan agreement, and with the advent of bird flu in Mindanao, we had to accelerate the move to relocate the breeding birds elsewhere because, in consultation with the Davao City government, they cannot control development in Malagos,” said Salvador.

DR. JAYSON IBAÑEZ, PEF Director of Operations, clarified that the current center in Malagos lacks a buffer against noise, causing stress for the breeding birds, and is susceptible to diseases that could potentially contaminate all birds in the PEC. “We are quite excited about the transfer of the first batch of eagles because the new facility is a huge leap from our existing breeding facility in Malagos, which is surrounded by farmlands, cornlands, and banana plantations, that’s on the half side of the facility. These make the facility vulnerable to threats such as the Avian Flu, other exotic diseases, noises that stress the birds, encroachments, and even harmful pesticides that are being used in those farms,” said Ibañez.

Ibañez said PEF tried to negotiate for the buffer, i.e., for the local government unit of Davao to install the buffer through a policy, specifically to reclassify the zoning for that particular area. Unfortunately, the LGU couldn’t implement and impose such since those are private properties and the land classification for that area is commercial agriculture.

The PEF also identified problems emerging from noise coming from neighboring houses and even resorts that create stressful environments for the breeding pairs, making them unable to mate.

“Aside from the threat of Avian Flu, we also have other diseases such as Newcastle’s disease from chickens. We also have a case before where one of our eagles died from trichomoniasis, which is common with feral pigeons and doves, and then you also have aspergillosis, which is a devastating respiratory disease affecting raptors from fungal spores,” said Ibañez.

Ibañez pointed out that with the new center far from communiContinued on A2

PESO EXCHANGE RATES n US 56.0000 n JAPAN 0.3736 n UK 70.5656 n HK 7.1618 n CHINA 7.7810 n SINGAPORE 41.6171 n AUSTRALIA 36.5344 n EU 60.3400 n KOREA 0.0422 n SAUDI ARABIA 14.9325 Source: BSP (February 16, 2024)

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A2 Sunday, February 18, 2024

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To live, PHL Eagles move to new space area with the right amount of forest buffer, free from the threats of exotic diseases, noises, an area that’s not open to the public, and an area that’s within the natural habitat of the Philippine Eagle. The facility sits at the boundary of two wild Philippine Eagle territories that are within the Mount Apo range,” said Ibañez.

Continued from A1

ties and noise, the eagles won’t be exposed to stress, making them healthier and more able to resist diseases like aspergillosis as it takes advantage of stressed birds with weakened immune systems.

In a project briefer, PEF stated that Philippine eagle copulation activities are extremely delicate. The slightest disturbance could cause them to stop and fixate on the source of the disturbance immediately. Activities in adjacent farm lots disrupt the Philippine eagle pairs’ breeding activities.

“Without the productivity of our natural pairs in breeding, we lose the potential hatchlings that could be released into the wild,” said the briefer.

International cooperation

Safer, bigger, quieter

DATA from the PEF indicates that the new breeding facility is situated within the 105-hectare reservation of the city government at the foot of Mount Apo, known as the Eden Tourism Reservation Area. This location boasts an elevation of 10001200 meters, providing a colder climate and minimal human settlement, similar to the Philippine Eagle’s natural nesting sites.

“The city government has tenure ownership of the area; through a usufruct agreement, they would lend a total of 13.46 hectares to PEF for the facility. The big advantage is that we now have an 8.16-hectare buffer zone of forest around the facility, which is missing in the Philippine Eagle Center in Malagos,” said Ibañez.

A PHOTO captured moments before the rescue of two-year-old Philippine Eagle Lipadas on January 2, 2024, reveals the bird’s blind right eye, an injury later determined by experts to be the result of being shot while it was still in the early stages of learning to fly. Lipadas is among the seven Philippine Eagles scheduled for transfer to the National Bird Breeding Sanctuary in Barangay Eden, Davao City, on February 13, from the old breeding facility at the Philippine Eagle Center in Malagos. ERWIN M. MASCARIÑAS

Out of the total 13.46 hectares, 5.3 hectares will be designated for the core facility, which will house the cages, personnel chambers, laboratory, and other building structures.

“The standard cage dimension is 30 by 30 by 40 feet. So it’s the same standard cage design, but I think the major difference is that we’re now doing conservation breeding in a relatively isolated

TEREZA ZAHÁLKOVÁ, an Avian Veterinarian at the Czech University of Life Sciences Prague from the Czech Republic, said the PEF’s efforts are very commendable and that the international community shares the aspiration and hope for the new breeding facility to help in the conservation effort.

“I think the new facility will help a lot, the facility looks really safe, and not many people around; the temperature and the climate conditions are very good there for the eagles compared to the PEC in Malagos, and I think this is one of the most important projects made for successful breeding in the future,” said Zahálková.

Zahálková, who has been in the Philippines for the third time, volunteered with the PEF for six weeks while working on her postgraduate studies with Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, working on her research on artificial insemination for captive breeding of species.

Zahálková revealed that her research is also in cooperation with Liberec Zoo, a conservation breeding facility for the threatened raptors tagged by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and has been involved in many field conservation projects around the world.

“Liberec Zoo will be providing some incubators for the National Bird Breeding Sanctuary, which will help in the incubation of the eagle’s eggs,” said Zahálková.

Remote video monitoring

JOHN HOWE, Executive Director of Raptor Rescue Project (RRP) based in Iowa, USA, who traveled to Davao City to be part of the event as PEF’s project partner, donated three 4K resolution CCTV cameras.

He expressed his enthusiasm for the new facility.

“We’re proud to be partnering with the PEF. It’s an amazing opportunity to help preserve and make sure that the Philippine Eagle survives into the future forever. The live cams are really a great opportunity to use with this research, and then also the exciting part about it is going to be that the public, the Philippine people, and the world will get to see this amazing eagle on the website, YouTube,” said Howe.

Howe also emphasized that the facility’s capacity for research, utilizing remote video monitoring, is a positive step forward. This capability will contribute valuable data for future studies and may lead to projects aimed at implementing similar technology for monitoring Philippine eagle nests in the wild.

When people “get to see highquality video and audio of amazing raptors like the Philippine Eagle, I think that is a critical connection to make. Other than the folks that live around the eagles—they’re the few that get to see them in their natural environment—it’s really exciting to watch, seeing the daily lives of the eagles and their antics and what they do and just the majesty of the birds. So, this is a stepping stone to that,” he said.

The NBBS facility will employ a direct satellite uplink on the internet via Starlink, enabling remote monitoring of the cameras even through mobile phones.

Disabled, persecuted eagles can still breed

AFTER conducting a physical check-up on the raptors hours before their transfer to the new facility, seven out of the planned eight were deemed fit for the journey, despite its inherent stress on

the eagles. Among the birds, MVP Matatag and Ariella stand out as the PEC’s most productive, having survived human activities.

“Our productive pair right now, Philippine Eagles Ariella and MVP Matatag, are victims of human persecution. Ariella, for instance, is a victim of accidental trapping, when the eagle was rescued in Wao, Lanao del Sur, in 2006. Unfortunately, she lost her two talons after it was trapped in the nylon rope and ended up getting amputated as the blood was cut off too long from the affected talons, making the bird unable to effectively hunt in the wild,” said Ibañez.

“On the other hand, we have MVP Matatag, who we rescued in 2011 along the Mount Apo range.

He was released [to the wild] back in 2014 after a successful rehabilitation, but was shot in 2016, which resulted in his right wing being permanently broken. Due to this injury, he can no longer be released back into the wild. Imagine being persecuted the second time around,” added Ibañez.

“This is a huge leap as we have two productive Philippine Eagles with the physical disability, who can still breed and can potentially raise young that will help increase our eagle population. We have high hopes as they are now in a brandnew breeding chamber which was constructed for them, which will not be disturbed by human activities, monitored 24/7 through a high-resolution CCTV camera,” said Ibañez.

Ibañez added that the eagles represent two different bloodlines, which is good for maintaining genetic diversity in their offspring.

He pointed out that any offspring produced by the two raptors would be genetically fit and could potentially can be released back into the wild.

“They’ve produced one bird already and they kept on laying eggs. Unfortunately, the eggs are not hatching, but we think that once they are transferred to the new facility, it will help boost their productivity. At least this facility would be stress-free; it has the right temperature, the right humidity, the right type of habitat.

They’re away from noises, human noises, it’s very isolated, I think that would boost their productivity,” added Ibañez.

Together with the two breeding pairs, the Philippine Eagles Balikatan—rescued in Surigao del Norte in August 2020 after being sold by trappers—and Bangsa Bae, rescued in Marogong, Lanao del Sur, in February 2022 after being shot and injured in the right wing, are in the process of pairing.

The most recent rescue, twoyear-old Philippine Eagle Lipadas, which is blind in the right eye from a gunshot, was also transferred to the facility. It is considered by PEF as a promising mate to a female eagle when the eagle reaches reproductive age.

Philippine Eagles Dakila and Pinpin, which were both born and raised in the PEC, will contribute their offspring through cooperative artificial insemination (CAI).

Bigger facility with more eagles

THE seven eagles transferred on February 13 is part of the first phase which cost almost P9 million.

“We acknowledge that conservation is not cheap but we need to do it. Part of the cost is paying for manual labor to haul the construction materials of cement, sand, hollow blocks, pipes, and all the materials from the lowlands upslope to the breeding facility.

It also includes of course the purchase of the cages, equipment, labor fees, and salaries of people who did the construction,” said Ibañez.

Ibañez acknowledged that a huge part of the project came from kind donors who helped raise enough money to transfer the initial number of birds.

PEF plans to transfer a total of 16 Philippine Eagles before the start of the next breeding season in July 2024, with the construction

of an additional breeding chamber and more enclosures for the eagles.

“We plan more eagles to be transferred here in the future, as the total area of the facility has the potential of holding 35 Philippine Eagles. We’re still in the process of building. We need to build more; this is only part of the initial move to secure the breeding population.

There are some more breeding birds left in Malagos, so we need to build more aviaries to get them over to NBBS,” said Salvador.

Passion is a driving force

PEF disclosed that the upkeep for the new facility for each eagle will cost between P200,000 and P250,000 a year, for the initial seven eagles, or an estimated P1.6 million to P2 million per year will be spent.

“Doing conservation is not cheap, but then again, we’re not counting here the extra time that’s being placed by the staff taking care of the animals. So this is not an 8 to 5 job, people are paid based on the usual rate, but they’re giving more than the usual eight working hours,” said Ibañez.

PEF credits most of the hours rendered by their staff and personnel to a passion for the conservation and protection of critically endangered species.

“If you monetize that, it’s basically a huge investment, but I think that’s what conservation really is about. We need to do it because it’s not just work but it’s also contributing to the wellbeing of our environment, which will benefit not only the few but the entire country,” said Ibañez.

Securing the facility

VIRGILIO I. SITOY, Barangay Chairman of Eden, said the barangay council is working on an ordinance to have domesticated animals prohibited near the breeding facility.

“We promised our support to protect our national birds. We are already working on the ordinance to keep the area from domesticated animals to keep the birds from getting contaminated by diseases.

We’ve also ordered our barangay tanod to conduct patrols every weekend to check and keep our eagles safe,” said Sitoy.

The indigenous people’s tribe of Bagobo Tagabawa of Toril, where the forest area falls near their ancestral domain, has pledged to have 20 Bantay Bukid Forest Guards monitor the area. They will devote 10 days each month to patrol the forested portion near the facility to ensure that the buffer zone remains intact and free from intrusions and illegal utilization of forest products in the area.

PEF acknowledges the invaluable contributions of indigenous peoples’ groups across the country, who have played a significant role in successfully identifying Philippine Eagle nesting sites and rescuing injured birds of prey. Additionally, PEF recognizes their efforts in safeguarding nesting sites from intrusions and harm.

The PEF is taking care of 35 Philippine Eagles in captivity; 17 of the eagles were born and raised through their breeding research program; while the 18 eagles, or 51 percent of the captive population in the two research centers, were victims of human persecution— they were either shot or victims of trapping.

According to PEF, Philippine Eagle couples are territorial and need about 4,000 to 11,000 hectares of forest land to thrive in the wild and to sustain their nesting site and hatchling which the pair lay once every two years.

According to estimates by the PEF, only 392 Philippine Eagles remain in the wild. The decline in natural forest habitat due to logging, extensive expansion of plantations, mining activities encroaching into once-natural forest areas, and human settlements have significantly compromised the eagles’ ability to find suitable nesting sites.

TheWorld

www.businessmirror.com.ph • Editor: Angel R. Calso

Sunday, February 18, 2024

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Retail traders are losing billions in India’s booming options market

By Akshay Chinchalkar, Chiranjivi Chakraborty & Ashutosh Joshi

L

IK E a mov ie st a r at a p re m ie re , Moh a m m a d Nasiruddin Ansari steps out of the back seat of a white Mercedes. Flanked by a phalanx of black-clad bodyguards, he strides into the lobby of a luxury hotel and takes center stage in a ballroom as indoor fireworks machines spew fountains of sparks. “If you don’t make money in three months, I will give you 2 million rupees [$24,000],” he declares to cheers from the adoring crowd in a scene that’s still playing on YouTube.

Ansari is meeting his fans in Pune, about 90 miles south of Mumbai. He’s sel ling the dream of stock market riches to India’s fast-growing cadre of small investors. With half a million social media followers, he’s pushing an especially risky strategy: trading stock options, often as all-or-nothing bets on future share prices.

In 2023, Indian investors traded 85 billion options contracts, more than anywhere else in the world. The country has topped the charts since 2019, when it first overtook the US in the volume of annual trades.

(The US still buys and sells the most by dollar value.)

At conferences like Ansari’s, promoters, or influencers, encourage the rank and file to get their piece of one of the world’s best-performing economies and stock markets. Video courses flood the Internet with catchy titles: “Become a PRICE ACTION Beast.” “Easy Options.” “Options Trading Tricks.” “Best Scalping Strategy Ever.” “Become a Supply & Demand ‘SNIPER.’ ” In India retail investors make up 35 percent of options trades.

Institutions, seeking to hedge their risk or profit for their companies’ accounts, hand le the rest. Regulators are alarmed that regular folk are bypassing the tried-and-true way to build wea lt h: buy i ng a nd hold i ng stocks and mutual funds.

Instead they’re engaging in pure speculation. The average time an Indian trader holds an option is less than 30 minutes, according to data from mutual fund provider Axis Asset Management Co. “If you want to

gamble, if you need diabetes and high blood pressure, then go into this market,” Ashwani Bhatia, a board member on the nation’s top stock market regulator, said last year.

His agency, the Securities and Exchange Board of India, known as Sebi, says 90 percent of active retail traders lose money trading options and other derivative contracts. In the year ended March 2022, the latest for which figures are available, investors lost $5.4 billion. That amounted to $1,468 apiece, no small matter in a country with a per capita gross domestic product that year of $2,300.

A common strategy among traders involves wagering on Indian stock indexes, such as the benchmark Nifty 50. Consider the risk. Buying a contract gives you the right to buy certain units of the index at a “strike” price—a call option. On Jan. 3 you could’ve bought Nifty 50 options expiring the next day for 25¢ apiece. On Jan. 4 the index rose 0.7 percent, yet your options would ’ve soared 280 percent.

Had the underlying investment ended up below the strike price, the options would ’ve expired worthless—a total loss. It’s often called “zero to hero.”

Fou r mont h s a go, C h a n drashekhar Padhya used this approach to bet 20,000 rupees— half his monthly pay as a hardware engineer in Ahmedabad.

Padhya, 46, the sole provider for his wife and two teenage children, lost his entire investment in a single session. “The lesson I learned is that if something is too good to be true, it definitely is,” he says.

Like many individual investors, Padhya started trading after watching an online influencer, whose name he doesn’t recall. Under India’s securities regulations, only analysts registered with the regulator are permitted to provide financial recommendations. But promoters can offer education, a gray area they have exploited to great effect as they often make recommendations in private Telegram or WhatsApp groups that regulators struggle to police.

Many popular inf luencers charge fees for courses that range from $4 for a single introductory session to several thousand for a five- to six-month

trading course. They can also team up with brokerage firms, which pay commissions for directing followers to their apps, according to Sebi.

The authorities are trying to crack down. In April, Sebi proposed banning regulated brokers from paying influencers for referrals, and it’s seeking to create a new agency to verify the returns claimed by traders. In July it mandated that brokers disclose the 90 percent chance of losing money.

Sebi took action against Ansari in October, citing him for improperly promoting himself as a stock market expert, promising near-certain profits and acting as an unregistered investment adviser. The agency ordered him and an associate to refund 172 million rupees they’d charged for on l ine tra ining courses.

Ansari and his company didn’t respond to messages seeking comment.

Sebi examined Ansari’s personal brokerage account to reveal how successful he was in his own trading. Regulators tallied up the results from January to July 2023. Ansari lost $347,695.

Ind ia’s rapid ly ex pand ing middle class has long stashed its savings in real estate and gold.

Households have only 7 percent in equities and mutual funds, compared with more than 40 percent in Brazil and China and 50 percent in the US. As a result, small investors have largely missed out on India’s stock market boom, which may be fueling some fear-of-missing-out trading now. The country’s stocks have been outperforming other major markets. Over the decade ended last year, the NSE Nifty 50 index of Indian stocks has offered a 14.8 percent average annual return, almost 3 percentage points better than the S&P 500.

T he finance industr y has profited handsomely from India’s emerging culture of speculation. Consider Angel One Ltd., a publicly traded Indian brokerage. With its revenue and profit t u r boc h a rge d f rom opt ion s trading, its share price has risen 11-fold since its 2020 initial public offering. The 20 percent stake of Angel One’s founder, Dinesh Thakkar, was worth $620 million in late January. (The company didn’t respond to requests for comment.)

Stock exchanges have prospered, too.

The 148-year-old BSE Ltd., formerly the Bombay Stock Exchange, had its IPO in 2017. Last year its share price rose more than fourfold because of the bull run.

It’s now reducing the minimum size of option trades and taking other measures to make it easier for individuals to engage in short-term buying and selling.

Since 2022, the annual tax collected from securities transactions rose fourfold, to 232 billion rupees. That sum will likely be higher in 2023 after the government in March raised the transaction tax levied on some equities derivatives.

Many established money managers worry that burned mom and pop traders will give up on stock market investing entirely. “The regulator should do more to protect retail investors,” says Ashish Gupta, chief investment officer of Axis Mutual Fund, which oversees $31 billion.

“The minimum ticket size to dabble in options in India is very small. Sebi should increase this amount to raise the bar.”

But Sachin Gupta, chief executive officer of brokerage Share India Securities Ltd., says he doesn’t believe 90 percent of people are losing money. “How come you think that people are losing money, still they are trading more and more?” he asks.

None of the major players wants to reduce trading, Gupta says. “Sebi never wants participation to go down,” he says. “Nobody wants that—not even the government, not exchanges, not your brokers.”

Sebi didn’t respond to a written request for comment. Speaking at an industry event in November, Chairperson

Madhabi Puri Buch said she was “a little confused and ­s urprised” by the continuing retail push into short-term trading rather than longer-term investment, considering the statistics show a near certainty of loss: “The odds are not in their favor at all, and the house always wins, right?”

At rush hour in Mumbai, India’s financial capital, a jingle for an options-trading academy serenades straphangers on the subway. It’s a catchy duet, sung by two famous Indian performers. “Money will flow,” they croon. “It’s the fastest way to grow.” One commuter, Sahil Kaurani, a recent college graduate working his first job, says he can’t shake the tune, which has sparked his interest in trading. “It has definitely made me curious,” he says.

Avadhut Sathe, a celebrity of the stock market boom, is behind that jingle. The song is advertising his Avadhut Sathe Trading Academy, which boasts branches in 17 cities. In online seminars with as many as 10,000 participants, Sathe looks sober and professional in a suit as he lectures on the rising heft of India’s economy and the benefits of trading for a second income.

In a January session, more than 100 people attend his five-day trading seminar at a luxury resort in the mountains of Lonavala, 50 miles from Mumbai.

“Become a pro,” banners read. “Money will flow.”

The crowd includes doctors, software developers, consultants, homemakers and a cricket coach. The students sit in lines, laptops before them, while a huge

screen shows live prices of stocks and derivatives. The program begins with a prayer. Sathe asks his followers to place their hands on their hearts and feel the energy in the room. “Surrender to the market god, embrace your successes and failures with a smile,” he says. A prayer in the local Marathi language flashes on the screen: “God bless us with knowledge, wisdom and acumen.”

Sathe, 53, tells his acolytes they can exploit trading patterns. Afterward, he poses for photos with his fans, striking what he calls “market warrior pose,” a capitalist twist on the powerful yoga stance.

Music fills the hall as students hum along, their arms swaying to the rhythm, concert-style. Sathe and a few others dance onstage to Hindi lyrics: “Oh, darling, love is now hurting me.”

Reeta Shah, a 57-year-old retired accountant in the audience, says she initially lost money when she started trading several years ago but is now making a profit. “Either I put my money into a bank fixed deposit and earn 6 percent to 8 percent interest,” she says, “or I need to master this skill.”

Atharava Tandle, 19, who’s studying for his business degree, says that he knows most retail traders lose money but that he believes he can control risk and be an exception. “My aim is becoming financially independent, which I believe is possible if I trade with discipline,” he says. With Joanna Ossinger, Satviki Sanjay,

Ishika Mookerjee, David Marino and Alex Gabriel Simon. Chinchalkar, Chakraborty and Joshi report from Mumbai/Bloomberg Markets

Journey

»life on the go

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BusinessMirror

Sunday, February 18, 2024

Editor: Tet Andolong

Kalinga: A Hideaway in the Highlands I

By Bernard L. Supetran

t was not too long ago when the province of Kalinga was like the proverbial diamond in the rough. Perched on the mighty Cordillera mountains, its ancient culture was a best-kept secret shielded by its remote location and poor infrastructure, plus the news of tribal conflicts and unstable peace and order situation.

But that was yesterday. Today, it is a 29-year-old millennial bursting with energy after reinventing and rebranding itself in recent years, and among the sought-after hideaways in the north. With direct bus trips to the provincial capital of Tabuk City and flights to nearby Tuguegarao airport, getting to Kalinga is as easy as going to the other popular tourist haunts.

To celebrate the Valentine’s Day breakup of Kalinga-Apayao province into two independent political entities in 1995, it celebrated the Bodong Festival which puts to the fore its centuries-old heritage.

Now on its fifth edition, the weeklong festivity showcased the tourism gems and agricultural bounty of the province through the various municipal booths at the Provincial Capitol Complex.

A special section was dedicated to the Slow Food Communities of Pasil town which advocates he return to time-honored healthy and earth-friendly food preparation.

These native villages are in the forefront in preserving and promoting traditional cuisine both here and abroad, particularly also in the global stage through the biennial Terra Madre Salone del Gusto expo in Italy.

Among the festival’s highlights is the street dancing competition which showcased the richness and diversity of the indigenous tribes in Kalinga, and the common thread of peace and fraternity which binds them together.

In last year’s Bodong, the province posted two feats in the Guinness World Records for having the “Largest Gong Ensemble” with 3,440 players, and “Largest Pot Dance” with 4,681 dancers.

Another major event within the fest is the Laga Fashion Show which put the spotlight on the “laga” traditional Kalinga tribal weaving, one of the iconic crafts of the Cordillera indigenous peoples.

The gala show put on the runway

Gawad Manlilikha ng Bayan Alonzo Saclag at Awichon Cultural Village in Lubuagan Jasmin Baac of Bagoyan apparel in her Classic Comfort Collection

trendy creations incorporating native weaving into contemporary apparel.

A standout in the catwalk is the Bagoyan brand of Jasmine Baac which featured the Classic Comfort Collection, a product line which the designer envisions to be an everyday wear both in the highlands and the urban areas.

Literally meaning “beautiful and woman of strength, virtue, and power” which the designer has adopted as her tribal name, the brand is meticulously handwoven by the Mabilong tribe of Lubuagan. Bagoyan also produces fashion accessories which have found their way to Singapore, the United States, and various countries in Europe.

According to Kalinga governor James Edduba, Bodong seeks to promote both its rich heritage, the warm hospitality of the locals, and the natural wonders of the province, even beyond the Festival.

He said that in order to lure more visitors, the provincial government continues to improve the tourist services to make Kalinga a top-of-mind hideaway with its inimitable mix of culture, nature and adventure.

A must-try activity is whitewater rafting at the Chico River in

The monument depicting Gen Aguinaldo's arrival in Lubuagan

MSA Golf Driving Range in Tabuk

Pasil Slow Food Community

Tabuk, the first of its kind watersport because of the adrenalinepumping ride, rugged allure and intriguing sites along the mighty waterway. Depending on their time and budget, guests can opt for a basic, intermediate or extreme river ride.

A new adventure is The Ranch ATV Adventures Kalinga (TRAAK) situated in the city’s hilly fringes which offers all-terrain vehicle (ATV) rides, glamping, lake kayaking, and enduro motorcycle trail rides. It is also ideal for culinary tours of heirloom dishes which the

Department of Tourism is pushing with its Mountain Cookout program in the upland region.

Meanwhile, golf addicts won’t miss their game and can perfect their swing at the MSA Driving Range, which will soon have a playable 9-hole course.

Not to be missed is the hike to Buscalan Village in Tinglayan, home of the famed Apo Whang Od for her signature batok or Kalinga tattooing, which can range from the entry level “three dots” to the more intricate and expensive ethnic art. As one of the few remaining masters of the age-old craft, she has cultivated cult-like following since gracing the cover of Vogue, a prestigious international lifestyle magazine.

Another must-see is Lubuagan,

Gov Edubba leading the Tachok native Kalinga unity dance

the cradle of culture as reflected in its Mabilong Weavers Village and the Awichon Cultural Village, a replica of a traditional hamlet where visitors can interact with its creator, Gawad Manlilikha ng Bayan (National Living Treasure) awardee Alonzo Saclag.

The town also takes pride in being the seat of the First Philippine Republic when it hosted President Emilio Aguinaldo for 2 months in 1900 as he evaded US troops during the Filipino-American War. This historic chapter in the local annals will be observed this March 6, the 124th anniversary of the general’s arrival in Lubuagan and will serve as the kickoff for the Laga Festival which pays tribute to its home-grown weavers and culture bearers.

Science Sunday BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph • Editor: Lyn Resurreccion

Sunday, February 18, 2024

A5

UP expert, NASA find air pollutants over PHL A

UNIVERSITY of the Philippines (UP) atmospheric physicist flew with NASA recently as part of air quality study in Asia that was able to detect various pollutants—such as particulate matter, ozone, carbon dioxide, and methane.

Dr. Gerry Bagtasa of the UP Diliman College of Science-Institute of Environmental Science and Meteorology (UPD CS-IESM) flew with NASA on February 11 as part of an air pollution measurement campaign called Airborne and Satellite Investigation of Asian Air Quality (ASIA-AQ ), said Maria Alexandra Marmol of UPD CS Science Communications.

“The purpose is to improve our understanding of the dynamics of air pollution in the region,” Bagtasa said.

NASA817—more specifically the NASA DC-8 plane—is an airborne science laboratory based in NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Palmdale, California. It is flown to other parts of the world to gather data to support the research and experiments undertaken by the global scientific community, The objective of this particular series of flights with the Filipino team—consisting of Department of Environment and Natural ResourcesEnvironment Management Bureau (DENR-EMB), the Manila Observatory, and Bagtasa—was to assess the air quality of multiple Asian cities

DR. Gerry Bagtasa on NASA DC-8 plane. DR. GERRY BAGTASA, 2024 using satellite remote sensors and air quality models.

With the equipment of the modified Douglas DC-8 jetliner, they were able to observe the atmosphere and detect various pollutants—such as particulate matter, ozone, carbon dioxide, and methane, which are not usually locally measured above the ground.

With the Filipino team, they were able to help plan the flights by providing air quality and weather forecasts.

They also provided insights into

local weather patterns, drawing from Bagtasa and the Manila Observatory’s recent publications and expertise in contextualizing the data being collected.

The experience NASA817 f lew four times to the Philippines on February 6, 7, 11, and 13. For each flight, there were a few available seats for observers.

Bagtasa and scientists of the Manila Observatory and DENR joined different flights, and of the 8-hour

(FROM left) UP President Angelo A. Jimenez; Legacy Donors,Isidro A. Consunji; Maria and Diosdado Banatao; Magdaleno B. Albarracin Jr.; Denis T. Carpio; Editha Juinio Atienza, Catherine Yang, Marina Juinio Yang (family of Dean Alfredo L. Juinio and Prof. Alfredo B. Juinio Jr.); Alex Sy Sun Eng; Christianne Medina (Uratex); and Paulo Arias (Pilipinas Shell Corp.)—with UPERDFI Executive Director Alfonso A. Aliga Jr. UPERDFI PHOTO

FLIGHT path of the 8-hour trip around Metro Manila and surrounding regions flying alternately between 1,000 ft and 10,000 ft. DR. GERRY BAGTASA experience, the plane would constantly change altitudes from 1,000 ft to 10,000 ft, then back again, to gather more data at different levels of elevation throughout the region.

“In almost any airplane ride, we encounter some brief bumpy to very

(FROM left) UPERDFI Chairman Alex Sy Sun Eng; Platinum Donors—David Djojodihardjo (Fluor Daniel Inc.Philippines); Manuel Jun D. Ringor (MJ Builders); Allizon Villarmino and Jude Talanglahit (Megaworld Foundation); Philip Dy and Aniceto Sobrepeña (Metrobank Foundation/G.T. Foundation Inc.); Magdaleno B. Albarracin Jr.; Isidro Consunji (DMCI Homes); Ma. Edwina Consunji Laperal (SEM-Calaca Power Corp. and Southwest Luzon Power Generation Corp.)—with UPERDFI Executive Director Alfonso A. Aliga Jr. UPERDFI PHOTO

DONATIONS SUSTAIN U.P. ENGINEERING TEACHERS, SCHOLARS

By Lyn Resurreccion

P

ROFESSORIAL chairs augment faculty salary, student scholarships send those in need to school, research and development (R&D are promoted, and college modernization is advanced at the University of the Philippines Diliman College of Engineering (UPD COE).

All these became possible through the generous donations that were generated by the UP Engineering Research and Development Foundation Inc. (UPERDFI) and their partners since its formation 52 years ago.

The foundation was created in 1972 by then UPD COE Dean Alfredo L. Juinio, a former Minister of Public Works and Highways.

The UPERDFI leaders and members gathered for a Recognition and Thanksgiving Dinner at the Makati Sports Club on February 7 to express their gratitude to the individuals, families and institutions who donated and “have made a significant impact” in raising funds in support of the college.

Recognized were the top 10 donors since 1972, or the “Legacy Donors,” for their “steadfast commitment and exceptional contributions in fostering growth and success” of the UPERDFI Development Programs for UPD COE. Also acknowledged were the donors from December 2022 to November 2023, the Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze donors, and the individuals who have rendered unwavering service to the foundation since 1972.

‘Every contribution makes a difference’

THE UPERDFI leaders were in agreement that their long-time and faithful benefactors have made possible the foundation’s programs to support UPD COE’s faculty and student development, R&D projects, and collaborations with industry.

As foundation President Rowena TorresOrdoñez pointed out, her seven-month stint at the foundation have made her witness

“nothing but this gracious giving attitude of our donors.”

“Sharing blessings never goes out of style!.... Every contribution makes a difference,” she said in a video message.

UPERDFI Chairman Alexander Sy Sun Eng said the donors’“selfless contributions” have extended to the realm of “knowledge creation and societal impact.”

The investments in faculty members make grow the body of knowledge toward quality education, added Sy, himself a double degree graduate of Chemical and Electrical Engineering from the UP COE in 1971.

Recognized among the Legacy donors, Sy said the donors’ belief in the potential of every student “is a beacon of hope, guiding them toward a brighter future and becoming better engineers as well as leaders for our nation.”

He added that the donors’“generosity elevated the caliber of engineering students, professors, learning environment and R&D in [UPD COE] that spread out to society.”

For his part, Executive Director Alfonso A. Aliga Jr. said the donors’ support has been making the UP COE a “leader” in preparing the youth for careers in engineering and technology, and “ultimately, becoming leaders of industry, academe and government.”

He added that the donors’ support have made possible the college’s churning out each year about 800 to 900 students in the bachelors level, a hundred in the MS and PhD levels, mentored by 250 mostly full-time professors and instructors.

Aliga cited the Department of Science and Technology’s (DOST) support to UPERDFI by granting it a certification giving it a Donee Institution status.

Message from a donor

DR. Magdaleno B. Albarracin Jr., who represented the donors—being one of the Legacy donors—said the UPD COE “has touched our lives; it has touched my life.... It gave me a lot of blessings,” thus he is paying it forward.

A graduate of BS Electrical Engineering

from UP, Albarracin said people should be inspired to give more.

In 40 years, he said, there could be 40,000 engineering alumni. If they are inspired to give P100,000 each, “maybe a lot of people here would be on the list [of donors].”

Albarracin is the Vice Chairman of Phinma Inc., former UPERDFI chairman and among its current advisers.

‘Pleasantly surprised’

FORMER Science secretary Fortunato T. de la Peña was among the Distinguished Service awardees for long service to UPERDFI. “I was pleasantly surprised that the UPERDFI would give me recognition for long years of dedicated service to the Foundation,” de la Peña told the B usiness M irror in an interview on February 7.

A BS Chemical Engineering, MS in Industrial Engineering and PhD graduate from UP. his service to UPERDFI has spanned 41 years—as assistant treasurer, treasurer, vice president for finance and current adviser.

“It has been an honor to have served UPERDFI in support of the UP College of Engineering,” said de la Peña, a former UPD COE professor.

10,000 volunteers

UP President Angelo A. Jimenez, in his closing remarks, urged those present at the event to join him as he is mobilizing 10,000 volunteers from UP. He explained that the volunteers will help uplift the quality of learning performance of young Filipinos, particularly in reading comprehension, science and mathematics.

Guests

bumpy, turbulent moments, right?

Imagine that happening for 8 hours— the flight was brutal. I guess mainly due to the low-altitude nature of the flight,” Bagtasa commented. “And to make it more exciting, I experienced the hardest of hard turns and rolls in

AMONG those who graced the event were UPERDFI advisers, Energy Undersecretary Rowena Cristina Guevara and former Prime Minister Cesar E.A. Virata; Parliament Member Don Mustapha Loong of Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao; former Public Works and Highways secretary

Rogelio L. Singson; and UPD COE Dean Maria Antonia Tanchuling.

Awardees Distinguished Service Award

Fortunato T. de la Peñ Assistant Treasurer/Treasurer/VP for Finance, 1983 to 2015; UPERDFI Adviser, 2017 to present Editha Juinio Atienza Comptroller since 1987 Alfonso A. Aliga Jr. Trustee, 1997 to 2005, 2008 to 2017; President, 2013 to 2017; Executive Director since 2017 Baby Nelly E. Manalo Accountant since 2011

Legacy (Top 10 Donors since 1972)

Magdaleno B. Albarracin Jr.—In 2008, he mounted a matching fundraising campaign for the construction of the Concordia Albarracin Residence Hall (Engineering Centennial Dormitory Building) in honor of his mother.

Together with Phinma Foundation, he provided UPD COE funding for 11 professorial chairs for engineering faculty members, six of which are still being used today.

In 2023, he donated P50 million for the upgrading of the UPD COE Electrical and Electronics Engineering Institute laboratories. He also contributed to the Technology Development and Strategic Studies Fund, the Student Wellbeing Program, and the UPERDFI administration.

Isidro A. Consunji—He led DMCI Holdings companies in providing UPCOE with 11 professorial chairs, eight teaching and research awards, funding for the Institute of Civil Engineering (ICE) Building completion and the David M. Consunji Theater, lecture rooms, classrooms, and laboratories. In 2023, DMCI Homes donated universal testing machines and laboratory equipment for

an airplane during the flight.”

With humor, he also said: “Most of the researchers on the plane wear some transdermal patch behind the ear for motion sickness. I didn’t, and I was in the backmost seat. After around five to six hours into the flight, considering that I’ve been on probably 100 flights in my lifetime, it was my first time to throw up in a plane ride.”

Despite the bumpy ride, the flights are crucial to the campaign, ASIA-AQ. NASA’s project presents an avenue for international cooperation, partnering with local scientists, researchers, and experts to implement a unified strategy across various Asian nations in addressing not only regional air quality concerns but also gaining a broader understanding of the interpretation of satellite data and air quality modeling.

Bagtasa and the Manila Observatory partnered with the DENR to join the flights to provide their local knowledge on the air pollution of the country.

While the data gathered on the trips are still being processed and have yet to be published, NASA817 will now move on to South Korea, taking measurements in Taiwan on the way. After Seoul, it will then fly to Malaysia and Thailand. After the ASIA-AQ campaign, the NASA DC8 will be retired, Marmol said.

FORMER Science secretary Fortunato T. de la Peña, current UPERDFI adviser, receives the Distinguished Service Award from foundation Chairman Alex Sy Sun Eng. UPERDFI PHOTO

the ICE Construction Materials Laboratory, and Semirara provided replica testing and metal specimen sample preparation equipment to the Department of Mining, Metallurgical and Materials and Engineering.

Diosdado and Maria Banatao—Diosdado is a world-renowned inventor for computer microchips. During the UP Centennial celebration in 2008, the Dado and Maria Banatao Institute gave a $500,000 endowment fund that has been sustaining three super professorial chairs and research grants in engineering.

Manuel V. Pangilinan—With his MVP Group of Companies, Pangilinan provided UPCOE with funds for four professorial chairs in engineering, the UPCOE Computing Facility, lecture rooms, laboratories and scholarships.

Pilipinas Shell Corp.—It established three endowed professorial chairs in 2007, 2008 and 2015, respectively, that boosted faculty development in UPCOE. Family of UPERDFI founder, Dean Alfredo L. Juinio, and Prof. Alfredo B. Juinio Jr.—They established two endowed professorial chair awards. Juinio’s daughter, Editha Juinio Atienza, is the UPERDFI Comptroller and has donated to the Student Wellbeing Program.

Alex Sy Sun Eng—The current UPERDFI chairman, Sy’s ACE Electronics Technology Inc. set up three professorial chairs and provided funding for the UPCOE Computing Facility, and Student Wellbeing Program.

Multiflex RNC Philippines Corp.

(Uratex)—It established three Robert Cheng Professorial Chairs and Scholarships, which supported faculty and students since 2014.

Denis T. Carpio—The US-based chemical engineering alumnus, since 2020 he has been contributing to the UPCOE Covid-19 Response Projects, the UPCOE Computing Facility and the DChE@70 Catalyzing Honor and Excellence Campaign.

Accenture Inc.—A global management, technology services and outsourcing company, it established the Accenture Grant Fund in 2020 which assisted 11 promising startups with their scaling up and commercialization activities.

Platinum

(SEVEN DONORS OF P1 MILLION & ABOVE)

Magdaleno B. Albarracin Jr.; Fluor Daniel Inc.-Philippines; GT Foundation Inc.; Megaworld Foundation Inc.; DMCI Project Developers Inc.; SEM-Calaca Power Corp. and Southwest Luzon Power Generation Corp.; and Mundo Builders Inc.

Gold

(FOUR DONORS OF P500,000 TO P999,999)

Craft Research Technologies Inc.; PHINMA Foundation Inc.; Multiflex RNC Philippines Corp. (Uratex); and The Murata Science Foundation.

Silver

(P120,000 TO P499,999 DONATIONS)

AMONG its 48 feted donors are: Renato R. Bello; Manuel R. Bulaong Jr.; Rosario S. Calderon and Brenton Calderon Marrelli; Ma. Eloisa N. Francisco; Ma. Aura Teodora Castillo Matias; Manuel V. Pangilinan; Carmen V.F. Seriña; Stephen D. Sy; Maria Bella Tan; Antonio Tanchuling Jr; Felicidad Zafra Reyes; Alvarez Foundation Philippines; CleanTech Foundation Inc.; Focus Global Inc.; Globe Telecom Inc.; Huawei Technologies Philippines Inc.; Maynilad Water Services Inc.; One Meralco Foundation Inc.; Philippine Society for Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering Inc.; PLDT-Smart Foundation Inc.; SteelAsia Foundation Inc.; and UP Alumni Association of British Columbia.

Bronze

(12 DONORS OF P50,000 TO P119,999)

CENON M. CAROLINO; Francis C. Felizardo; Emmanuel T. Manlapig; Patrick M. Ostrea; ACE Electronic Technology Inc.; Denso Ten Solutions Philippines Corp.; Foxmont Advisory Services Inc.; J. Amado Araneta Foundation Inc.; PGA Earth Structure Solutions Inc.; Universal Robina Corp.; UP Alumni Association of Greater Los Angeles Area; and UP Alumni in Minnesota.

Project Leader of the Year

Magdaleno R. Vasquez Jr.: VistaLand & LifeScapes Coir+ Project (2021-22); Craft Research Technologies Inc. Stealth Project (2023-24)

A6 Sunday, February 18, 2024

Faith

Sunday Editor: Lyn Resurreccion • www.businessmirror.com.ph

Greece legalized same-sex marriage.

Will other Orthodox countries join soon?

G

R EECE has become the f i rst m ajor it y- O r t hodox Christian nation to legalize same-sex marriage under civil law. At least for the near future, it will almost certainly be the only one.

Eastern Orthodox leadership, despite lacking a single doctrinal authority like a pope, has been united in opposing recognition of same-sex relationships both within its own rites and in the civil realm.

Public opinion in majority Orthodox countries has mostly been opposed, too.

But there are some signs of change.

Two small majority-Orthodox countries, Montenegro and Cyprus, have authorized same-sex unions in recent years, as did Greece in 2015 before upgrading to this week’s approval of full marital status.

Civil unions may become more common among Orthodox countries gravitating toward the European Union. They remain off the table in Russia, which has cracked down on LGBTQ+ expression, and countries in its orbit.

Following is a summary of church positions and public opinion in the Orthodox world, followed by the situation in individual majority-Orthodox lands.

The Orthodox World EASTERN Orthodoxy is a socially conservative, ancient church with elaborate rituals and a strict hierarchy. Churches are mostly organized along national lines, with multiple independent churches that share ancient doctrine and practices and that both cooperate and squabble.

Roughly 200 million Eastern Orthodox live primarily in Eastern Europe and neighboring Asian lands, with about half that total in Russia, while smaller numbers live across the world.

Like other international church bodies, Orthodoxy has confronted calls for LGBTQ+ inclusion.

A 2016 statement by a council of

most Orthodox churches called marriage between a man and a woman “the oldest institution of divine law” and said members were forbidden from entering same-sex unions.

In countries where they are a majority, Orthodox believers overwhelmingly said society should not accept homosexuality or approve same-sex marriage, according to surveys conducted in 2015 and 2016 by the Pew Research Center, a Washington-based think tank.

Greek Orthodox showed relative tolerance, with half of Orthodox saying homosexuality should be accepted and a quarter favoring samesex marriage. In more recent polls, Greeks overall narrowly supported the marriage law.

The Greek law validates marriage in the civil realm but doesn’t require any church to perform such rites.

Nevertheless, Greece’s Orthodox leadership unanimously opposed the law in Januar y, say ing the “ duality of genders and their complementarity are not social inventions but originate from God.” Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis acknowledged the church’s position but said, “We are discussing the decisions of the Greek state, unrelated to theological beliefs.”

Civil unions may be in some Orthodox countries’ near future, said George Demacopoulos, director of the Orthodox Christian Studies Center at Fordham University in New York.

“In terms of civil marriage, I think the countries that are in the European Union will eventually all do it,” Demacopoulos said. “My guess is the assemblies of bishops in those countries will offer some resistance to the measure, and depending on where you are, that may or may not delay it.”

Ukraine IN Ukraine, same-sex couples cannot register their status legally.

In 2023, the issue became acute as many LGBTQ+ people joined Ukraine’s armed forces.

Belarus

BEL A RUS’S Family Code defines marriage as a “union between a man and a woman.” There is also no legislation prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

Homosexuality was decriminalized in Belarus in 1994, but the LGBTQ+ community faces heavy stigma and high suicide rates, advocates say.

Human rights groups report hundreds of cases of the KGB—the country’s main domestic security agency—trying to recruit gay people and threatening to out them.

ANTI-GAY protesters hold religious banners amid heavy police presence and during a Pride march in Belgrade, Serbia, on September 9. AP/MARKO DROBNJAKOVIC That year, a bill was introduced in Parliament to establish civil partnerships for same-sex couples, providing basic rights such as compensation if one of the partners is killed in action.

T he A l l-U krainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations—which includes Ukraine’s two rival Orthodox churches—opposed the draft law, contending that some international entities are using the country’s current vulnerability to force unwanted changes.

The legislation remains pending.

The European Court of Human Rights ruled in 2023 that Ukraine violated the rights of a same-sex couple who sought legal protections provided to married heterosexual couples.

Ukraine is majority Orthodox, with various religious minorities.

Russia IN increasingly conservative Russia, President Vladimir Putin has forged a powerful alliance with the Russian Orthodox Church and has made “traditional family values” a cornerstone of his rule, juxtaposing them with “perversions” of the West.

Putin effectively outlawed samesex marriages in the 2020 constitutional revision that added a clause

stipulating that marriage is a union of a man and a woman.

In 2013, the Kremlin adopted what’s known as the “gay propaganda” law, banning any public endorsement of “nontraditional sexual relations” among minors.

After sending troops into Ukraine in 2022, Russian authorities ramped up a campaign against what it called the West’s “degrading” moral inf luence, in what rights advocates saw as an attempt to legitimize the war.

Patriarch Kirill of Moscow has assailed LGBTQ+ rights. As head of the Russian Orthodox Church, he oversees the world’s largest Orthodox flock. He depicted his country’s invasion of Ukraine as part of a metaphysical struggle against a liberal agenda that included “gay parades.”

In November, Russia’s Supreme Court effectively outlawed LGBTQ+ activism, labeling what the government called the LGBTQ+ “international movement” as an extremist group and banning it in Russia.

In 2021, a survey by Russia’s top independent pollster, the Levada Center, showed that only 33 percent of Russians completely or somewhat agree that gay men and women should enjoy the same rights as heterosexuals, a decrease from earlier years.

Serbia and Montenegro SERBIA and Montenegro, two conservative Balkan nations where the Serbian Orthodox Church holds huge influence, have had mixed results addressing LGBTQ+ rights as part of efforts to join the European Union.

Tiny Montenegro passed a bill in 2020 allowing same-sex partnerships—not marriage and with fewer rights. In Serbia, a similar draft law never made it to a parliamentary vote.

The Serbian Orthodox Church, which maintains close relations with the Russian church, has opposed the idea of same-sex marriages.

Serbia’s President A leksandar Vucic has said he would not sign off a bill on same-sex marriages, although Serbia has had an openly lesbian prime minister for years.

Activists have been campaigning for legal partnerships.

Pride marches in Serbia are routinely banned or held under tight security. In Montenegro, though same-sex partnerships are allowed, the highly male-oriented society of 620,000 people remains divided over the issue.

Romania and Moldova ROMANIA is one of the few European Union members that allows neither same-sex marriage nor civil unions, despite a growing social acceptance of LGBTQ+ people.

In 2023, the European Court of Human Rights ruled that Romania had failed to enforce same-sex couples’ rights by not legally recognizing their relationships.

In early February in Romania, LGBTQ+ activists were allegedly assaulted while holding a peaceful protest outside the Bucharest headquarters of the country’s far-right AUR party.

In 2018, Romania held a referendum—backed by the Orthodox Church—on whether to narrow the constitutional definition of marriage from a—union of spouses—to a—union between one man and one woman.

Rights campaigners urged Romanians to boycott the vote, which failed due to low turnout.

In neighboring Moldova, which isn’t an EU member but has official candidate status, neither same-sex marriages nor unions are allowed.

Large majorities in both countries are Orthodox.

Bulgaria PUBLIC opinion in Bulgaria is mostly hostile to gay people and more so to same-sex marriages. In the Balkan country, patriarchal family traditions still predominate.

The European Court of Human Rights last year found that Bulgaria’s government was violating European human rights law in failing to legally recognize same-sex couples. The court also ruled that Bulgaria is obliged to adopt legal recognition for same-sex couples, but Bulgaria shows no signs of implementing the decision.

Leaders of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, which includes about 80 percent of Bulgarians, condemned the ECHR ruling and called on the government not to give in.

Bulgaria’s constitution explicitly prohibits the recognition of same-sex marriage. Amending the constitution requires a two-thirds majority in parliament on three consecutive votes.

Such a scenario seems remote. Peter

Smith and Dasha Litvinova/Associated Press

Pope names biochemist who helped develop Covid vaccine to Pontifical Academy for Life

A

Vatican official to say Mass at Antipolo international shrine

A

NTIPOLO CITY—An official of the Vatican’s Dicastery for Evangelization will say Mass of Thanksgiving at the country’s first international shrine in Antipolo City on February 26.

Italian Archbishop Rino Fisichella, pro-prefect of the dicastery’s Section of Evangelization, will lead the “Misa de Gracia” at 9:30 a.m. at the International Shrine of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage.

“Let us all gather as one brethren as we give thanks to the Lord for the blessings we have received,” a shrine

official said in a social media post.

The Misa de Gracia follows a triduum of Masses and processions with the Antipolo diocesan ministries and commissions from February 23 to 25.

The new status of the Antipolo Cathedral formally took effect in March 2023 following the Vatican’s approval of its petition to be designated as an international shrine.

Around 80 bishops from across the country graced the solemn declaration of the international shrine, led by papal nuncio Archbishop Charles

Brown on January 26.

A shrine, whether diocesan, national, or international, must meet specific requirements outlined in the norms.

The local bishop approves diocesan statutes, the episcopal conference for national shrines, and the Holy See has exclusive approval authority for international shrines.

The Section of New Evangelization of the Dicastery for Evangelization oversees the approval and coordination of international shrines. CBCP News

NOBEL-PRIZE winning biochemist and researcher, who helped develop the mRNA technology used to create the Pfizer and Moderna Covid-19 vaccines— Katalin Karikó—is one of the newest members of the Vatican’s Pontifical Academy for Life.

Pope Francis announced the appointment of Karikó, who lectures at the University of Szeged in Hungary, in a news release on Febbruary 10.

The pontifical academy, which St. John Paul II established in 1994, studies and provides input on the use of biomedicine in the protection of life.

Karikó, who was born in Szolnok, Hungary, received the 2023 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for her work to develop mRNA technology.

The Nobel Assembly at the Karolinska Institute issued a news release, saying she and co-researcher Drew Weissman received the award “for their discoveries concerning nucleoside base modifications that enabled the development of effective mRNA vaccines against Covid-19.”

“Through their groundbreaking findings, which have fundamentally changed our understanding of how mRNA interacts with our immune system, the laureates contributed to the unprecedented rate of vaccine development during one of the greatest threats to human health in modern times,” the news release noted.

She thanked the pontiff in a post

NOBEL prize for medicine laureate Katalin Kariko SCREENSHOT FROM PONTIFICAL ACADEMY FOR LIFE VIDEO

on X, formerly known as Twitter.

“I am deeply honored that Pope [Francis] appointed me to be [a] member of the Pontifical Academy for Life,” Karikó said. “Last year, I gave a lecture in the Vatican on emerging biotechnologies. It was exciting to meet Pope [Francis] [in] a private audience with my family [and] he blessed my grandchildren.”

In a video message following her appointment, Karikó commented on her mRNA work. “ Together w ith my colleagues, we built upon discoveries of scientists who came before us and we created optimal R NA suitable for

therapy,” she said.

“Never in a million years [would I] have imagined that it would have been used to create a vaccine to combat [a] global pandemic and eventually save millions of lives,” she added.

Karikó also noted in her video message, which was posted on February 11, that it was the International Day of Women and Girls in Science.

“I also think about all the young girls who may become inspired and want to be a scientist,” she said. “I would like to encourage them [to pursue those aspirations] and make better the world around them.”

Karikó, like some of the pope’s other appointments to the Pontifical Academy for Life, is not Catholic herself. When John Paul II established the academy through a motu proprio in February 1994, the then-pontiff wrote that he would appoint individuals who represent various branches of the biomedical sciences “that are most closely related to problems concerning the promotion and protection of life.” “[The academy] will have the specific task to study and provide information and training about the principal problems of law and biomedicine pertaining to the promotion and protection of life, especially in the direct relationship they have with Christian morality and the directives of the Church’s magisterium,” John Paul wrote. Tyler Arnold/Catholic News Agency

via CBCP News

Biodiversity Sunday BusinessMirror

Asean Champions of Biodiversity Media Category 2014

Sunday, February 18, 2024 A7

Editor: Lyn Resurreccion RARE fish, experts say of this sailfin veliper (Velifer hypselopteru). Kent Sorgon, a fish ecology and taxonomy expert, said the photo taken by Danny Ocampo during a leisure dive in Anilao, Mabini, in Batangas, is a valuable photo of a Velifer hypselopterus as identified by Maybelle Fortaleza. Veliferids are very rare and even museum specimens of this species are few. It has only been collected in Sri Lanka and no photographic record for this species exists in the Philippines.

Taiwan and Australia also have specimens, but none in Philippine museums from its localities. PHOTOS COURTESY OF DANNY OCAMPO

JOHN KENNETH GINES, a scuba diver, is surrounded by a school of fish.

CONCRETE domes are deployed in sandy areas in Mabini to grow corals. But this alters the natural ecosystem.

Environmentalists nix coral propagation projects that are done without the proper guidance of scientists and experts.

Saving Mabini, Batangas’s coastal, marine ecosystem

By Jonathan L. Mayuga

O

RDINANCE. 031-2023, or the Mabini Integrated Coastal Management Code of 2023, that was enacted by the local government of Mabini, Batangas province, on October 23, 2024, took effect on January 19.

The ordinance puts in place an integrated management framework to achieve food security and livelihood opportunities through fishery and tourism development, including the promotion of Marine Protected Areas (MPA) and solid waste management.

These are mitigating measures to reduce vulnerabilities to natural hazards, and impacts of climate change.

Rich marine biodiversity

AS a coastal municipality, Mabini is known for its rich marine biodiversity. It boasts of dive and snorkeling sites. Anilao, one of its barangays, is popular among beach-goers.

The first photograph of a Sailfin velifer was taken by Danny Ocampo, a master diver and exper t under water photographer who resides in Mabini. A scientist pointed out that it was the first photographic evidence of a living specimen of the species in the Philippines.

Like other coastal towns in Batangas and other parts of the country, Mabini’s coastal and marine ecosystems are threatened by unsustainable practices like solid waste, agriculture, and even beach tourism.

Rules and regulations

IN enacting the law, local officials of Mabini, led by Mayor Nilo M. Villanueva, aim to strictly regulate activities that p u t p re s s u re o n t h e m u n i c i p a l i t y ’s environment. It puts in place rules to follow in solid waste management, as well as tourism activities.

The ordinance mandates the creation of the Integrated Coastal Community Management Council, a multi-stakeholder policy-making body led by the mayor, and the Integrated Coastal Management Office.

It likewise institutionalizex the creation of Bantay Kalikasan, a community-based law enforcement group, and establish the

Integrated Coastal Management Trust Fund, where regulatory fees and fines that will be imposed under the new law, will be kept to fund conservation and protection activities.

It also offers a solution to the problem brought about by the encroachment of establishments on coastal areas, as the ordinance outlines compliance with easement rules even for existing establishments.

of? As divers, we are privileged to see what’s underwater so we should be ambassadors of these underwater wonders and practice ethical and responsible photography and behavior underwater,” he said.

Free diving, coral propagation

Ridge-to-reef conservation

WILLARD ALLAN ESTILLORE, head of City Environment and Natural Resource Office (CENRO) of Lipa, Batangas, which has administrative jurisdiction over Mabini ,said the ordinance is anchored on the ridge-toreef approach to conservation.

The ridge -to -reef approach aims to provide a holistic intervention for protecting the coastal area by targeting environmental degradation in the uplands that impacts coastal ecosystems through sedimentation, by restoring the shoreline and protecting marine ecosystems.

He said the ordinance will also help promote the protection and conservation of Mabini’s rich marine biodiversity, including its fish stock, through the marine protected areas (MPAs) system.

“There are currently three [local] MPAs in Mabini and there are plans to establish more MPAs,” he told the B usiness M irror in a telephone interview on February 13.

The ordinance seeks to address the growing problem of structures that have encroached Mabini’s coastal areas.

“All these problems on encroachment in the coastal areas will be addressed by this ordinance,” he said, confident that the measures put in place will work for Mabini.

Romy Trono, chairman of Mabini Coastal Resource Management Technical Working Group who helped craft the policy, said ridge-to-reef is the ideal approach to coastal resources management.

Along with Manolo Boy Jumaquio, community development specialist and former WWF Philippines and Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) staff, Trono helped facilitate numerous public consultations in preparation for the crafting of the ordinance, which he said, is

MABINI’S Integrated Coastal Resource Management Code seeks to address the encroachment of structures near the beaches of Mabini, such as these houses and other structures in Barangay San Jose.

doable, and can be replicated in other towns in the Philippines.

Previously, he said, marine conservation only focuses on the coastal areas.

“The call now is for the DENR and other local governent units [LGUs] to mainstream this policy to protect and conserve coastal and marine ecosystems,” he told the B usiness M irror in a telephone interview on January 16.

Harmony and balance

OCAMPO, an environment advocate, who frequently dives in Mabini areas and in nearby town of Tingloy, underscored the importance of having an ICM approach for Mabini in harmonizing efforts to manage coastal resources and striking a balance with development related to tourism, infrastructure and livelihood.

“Specifically, the new ordinance outlines the ridge-to-reef approach to ensure that the approach is holistic and considers land-based management and its impact on coastal and marine resources as well,” Ocampo, who volunteers in various activities to protect and conserve threatened reefs, told the BusinessMirror via email on January 20.

He noted that the ordinance,

encompassing as it is, is promising and good for a town like Mabini, which is facing numerous threats—such as indiscriminate dumping of garbage and unregulated coral propagation projects that do more harm than good.

However, he said like any good law, what is needed is its strict implementation.

“I am hopeful that Mabini’s new ordinance will be implemented without fear or favor,” he said.

Unmitigated development

A C C O R D I N G t o O c a m p o, M a b i n i i s faced with the problem of unmitigated development. New resorts, he said, lead to more siltation that suffocates corals and other marine life.

“My first trip to Mabini/Anilao was in the early 1980s when I was in High School.

As a student, we went to Mabini as part of our Nature Lover’s Club’s exposure trip. Back then there was no road to the resorts so we had to take boats. I could still remember the clear waters from Anilao Port to Barangay Bagalangit where the resort was and the shore was lined with really beautiful corals up to the shallows,” he said.

He recalled that in 1989, when he did his Openwater Checkout in Mabini, he

observed it was the start of the buildup of new resorts, together with the circumferential road.

“The soil, rock, and sand from the new road buried the coastal areas of Mabini and the silt eventually killed the shallow corals.

What we have now in San Jose, for example, are rocky, sandy, and silty shallow waters, and the corals displaced to deeper areas,” he lamented.

“In Janao Bay, whenever there’s renovation or construction, time and again we’ve called out people throwing everything in the waters because it’s convenient,” he said.

Lack of awareness, concern

O C AM P O said there’s also a lack of awareness and concern for some in the tourism industry, such in indiscriminate anchoring, using as an excuse the lack of mooring buoys.

“For dive guides, manipulation of subjects and the substrate for their clients to photograph cryptic creatures is also a persistent issue. In some areas, this practice is banned and violators are sanctioned,” he said.

“As I’ve always said: why harm or kill the very subjects you’re trying to take photos

HE said it is a good thing that the new ordinance covers regulation on free diving, which is now attracting a lot of enthusiasts.

He noted that some issues happened recently involving free divers, who attached their lines to corals or even dragged their lines with weights on corals.

“The guidelines to regulate and ensure that those teaching/coaching enthusiasts will hopefully prevent future accidents and impacts on marine life,” he said.

According to Ocampo, there should also be regulation on projects that involve corals, such as propagation, transplantation, nurseries, and the like.

“Some projects lead to the death of corals instead of helping in regenerating coral reefs. Some of the failed projects can be seen in Janao Bay and other areas,” he pointed out.

Fishing as a way of life

FISHING as a way of life is still profitable to a few who still fish in Mabini.

Some people still fish for pelagics, such as tuna, marlin, and jacks, Ocampo said.

However, he said the catch is declining like in other areas of the country.

“I used to see more than 10 small boats dragging long lines in Janao Bay whenever tuna schools are spotted. But I have not seen these boats in the past couple of years,” he said.

According to Ocampo, commercial fishing is also a problem.

He said the side facing Balayan Bay has detections of lights now and then from satellite as shared on the Karagatan Patrol Platform.

“Balayan Bay should not be an area for commercial fishing. The small commercial fishing boats in the area have been an issue for municipal fisherfolk since they still enter the bay to fish for small pelagics. There’s also a closed season in Balayan Bay for small pelagics,” he said.

Conservation research on 4 mountain ranges in Mindanao support science-based policies

I

N a bid to protect the mountain ecosystems in Mindanao, a group of researchers and scientists from various environmental institutions explored the vast forest areas to document local biodiversity.

The team, led by project leader Victor Amoroso and co-project leader Fulgent Cortico, consisted of individuals from Central Mindanao University, the University of the Philippines Los Baños, Davao Oriental State University, and the National Museum of the Philippines.

The project aims to design conservation measures and recommend science-based policies for the sustainable protection of selected areas.

Four mountain ecosystems were covered in the initiative: Mount Hamiguitan Range, Mount Pantaron Range, Mount Apo Range, and Mount Tago Range.

The research exploration in these mountain areas revealed 2,399 flora and 1,803 fauna species, 601 species of which are endemic to Mindanao and the Philippines.

It also led to the discovery of eight flora and three fauna species, which are mostly endemic to Mindanao.

Following this, Cortico expressed in a presentation the need for the intensive protection and conservation of mountain ecosystems in the country.

“There is a real need for us to protect and conserve these species because once [they] are lost they’re gone forever; not only in Mindanao, not only in the Philippines, but worldwide,” Cortico said.

On the status of flora and fauna species, the project also discovered 296 species that are considered threatened.

Mount Hamiguitan houses the highest number of threatened flora, (209 species), while, Mount Apo recorded the highest number (74) of threatened fauna species.

Cortico explained that various human activities are currently threatening the security of these highly significant ecosystems.

Such threats include conversion of forest land to agricultural land, expansion of hu-

A TEAM of researchers and scientists from Central Mindanao lead the capacity-building activities with indigenous communities in Mindanao. CENTRAL MINDANAO UNIVERSITY

man settlements and infrastructure, mining activities, illegal logging, over-exploitation of resources, and the prevalence of invasive forest species.

It should be noted that among the four selected areas, Mount Pantaron and Mount Tago are not yet legally classified

as protected areas. Without the classification, these ecosystems are a lot more vulnerable to exploitation from various human activities.

Following the conservation initiative, the group of Cortico has determined that the value of the four mountain ecosystems

could be the basis for support and policy interventions.

Among the major accomplishments of the project was the classification of Mount.

Pantaron as a local conservation area (LCA) for the province of Bukidnon. This policy from the Bukidnon local government unit shall add another layer of protection for the mountain’s biodiversity.

Another LCA policy is in the pipeline. The project’s effort in mapping and delineation of Mount Malimumu is paving the way for its LCA classification.

Twenty researchers of the project were deputized as wildlife enforcement officers by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and are now regularly monitoring Mount Pantaron.

Efforts to develop local ecotourism were also initiated. The project started capacity-building seminars to add value to the current knowledge and practice of local communities.

Trail signages were also erected to help inform tourists and to promote the local

biodiversity.

The project also helped establish a nursery of economically important plants, including the endangered and endemic species that can be used for assisted natural regeneration of forest areas.

Additionally, the nursery also contributes as an additional source of livelihood for the community.The research project, “Conserving Mindanao Mountain Ecosystems: Biodiversity as Frontier For Ecotourism Development & Sustainable Ecological Protection,’’ placed 2nd runner-up under the Research Category at the National Symposium on Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resource Research and Development (NSAARRD) 2023.

Led by the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resource Research and Development of the Department of Science Technology, NSAARRD showcases the most outstanding contributions of individuals and institutions in AANR R&D. Karl Vincent S. Mendez/S&T Media Services

Paris showcasing 5 marvelous historic venues for Olympics

A

S the 2024 Olympic Games descend upon Paris this summer, the world will witness athletic prowess and sporting spectacle on a canvas of history and architectural marvels.

While the 2024 Paris Olympics will rely on purpose-built venues to host some sports, as well as an Olympic Village and media village, these Olympics are set to feature the city’s heritage.

As is often the case with the Olympics, the venues are spread far and wide, and few are located within walking distance of one another.

The Palace of Versailles, for example, is outside the Paris city limits in the Île-de-France region.

It’s roughly a 30-minute drive or train ride from other famous Paris landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower.

Sailing will be held on the other side of the country in the Mediterranean city of Marseille.

And one sport will be played on the opposite side of the world.

In any list of impressive and historic venues from Olympic Games, these 2024 Paris venues would certainly be contenders:

CHÂTEAU DE VERSAILLES

LOCATION: Île-de-France Sports: Equestrian and modern pentathlon Many people know the Palace of Versailles as home to the court of Louis XIV. But the place that started as a hunting lodge and has since grown to become one of France’s most iconic destinations (as evidenced by its listing as a UNESCO World Heritage site) is soon to be an Olympic site.

This summer, the grounds will be temporarily fitted with an outdoor area to stage equestrian disciplines, plus many modern pentathlon events.

EIFFEL TOWER STADIUM

LOCATION: Paris Sports: Beach volleyball Beach volleyball spectators will be able to see one of the most famous Paris landmarks. That’s because Champ de Mars, a large park bordering the Eiffel Tower on one side, will become a temporary outdoor arena for beach volleyball. With it, onlookers will be in incredibly close proximity to the famous icon that was built for the World’s Fair of 1889.

GRAND PALAIS

LOCATION: Paris Sports: Fencing, Taekwondo The Grand Palais des

Champs-Élysées has been one of the grandest event centers in Paris since it was built in 1900. It hosts roughly 2 million visitors annually, with most of the floor space covered by a fanciful glass roof.

It will host fencing and taekwondo this summer. Athletes might find the venue familiar, as the Grand Palais hosted the World Fencing Championships in 2010.

YVES-DU-MANOIR STADIUM

LOCATION: Colombes, France Sports: Hockey Stade Yves-du-Manoir has a special place in Olympic history as being the only venue in France to host the Olympic Games for a second time.

A century ago, the stadium was the site of the 1924 Summer Olympics opening ceremony.

Since then, it has hosted major championships for sports including rugby and boxing. This year, it will host the hockey portion of the Olympic Games.

TEAHUPO’O

LOCATION: Teahupo’o, Tahiti Sports: Surfing Not every 2024 Paris venue is in Paris—or near it. Surfing is set for Teahupo’o, Tahiti, an island in French Polynesia.

Known for its world-class waves, Teahupo’o has hosted some of the biggest surfing events, including the Tahiti Pro. And although organizers have claimed the event will protect the island’s nature, some people are concerned about the environmental impact on Tahiti.

Among the biggest controversies is one centered around the construction of a new over-water aluminum tower that many worry is damaging the coral reef.

Despite a Change.org petition that has generated close to 250,000 signatures, as well as a proposal from the International Surfing Association, the 2024 Paris team has decided to move forward with the installation of a tower, albeit smaller and lighter than what was originally proposed.

NAVIGATING TRAVEL IN PARIS DURING GAMES

IF you plan to watch the Olympics in person, plan sufficient time to travel between venues. To save money, consider booking lodging outside the city’s core.

The average nightly rate for available short-term vacation rentals in Paris during the period of the Summer Olympics is 542 euros (about $591). That’s according to data gathered in mid-January 2024

by AirDNA, a short-term rental analytics company. AP

THE Olympics are set to feature Paris’s heritage. AP

Fashionable fan apparel: Untapped market for NFL

Sports BusinessMirror

A8 | S

unday, February 18, 2024 mirror_sports@yahoo.com.ph Editor: Jun Lomibao

I

T started as a fun project. A white bodysuit, emblazoned with Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Jake Browning’s number and initials.

Taylor Damron had made it for her cousin, Browning’s girlfriend Stephanie Niles, to wear to the January 7 game against the Cleveland Browns. Then, the outfit went viral.

“The next day, I woke up, and the world had kind of fallen in my lap,” Damron, 29, says.

Damron’s design rocketing to internet fame is just one story of how women’s fan apparel has found itself in the spotlight. Just a few days later, Taylor Swift would don a red puffer jacket with boyfriend and Kansas City Chiefs’ tight end Travis Kelce’s number for his game against the Miami Dolphins.

Within a month, that jacket’s designer, Kristin Juszczyk, would score a National Football League (NFL) licensing deal.

These meteoric success stories have illustrated the potency of a market for women’s sports apparel that merges fashion and fan culture.

They have also highlighted how hard it is for smaller, independent creators to break into the business—especially Black designers, who popularized and innovated sportswear-aswomenswear two decades ago.

Before Swift catapulted Juszczyk’s clothes to a new level of attention, the 29-year-old designer built a following online by repurposing jerseys into more high-fashion pieces—corsets, suits, skirts—for herself as she attended San Francisco 49ers games to support her husband, fullback Kyle Juszczyk. Her NFL chic couture has spread to other players’ partners and supporters across the league, including Simone Biles, Taylor Lautner and Brittany Mahomes.

Before Juszczyk sent Swift and Mahomes jackets for the January 13 game, she had about 100,000 followers, according to Social Blade. Within a month, she had more than 1 million.

JAROMIR JAGR on why he’s still playing: It’s a responsibility to the fans, a responsibility to the town, a responsibility to the club, that’s all. AP

Ateneo alumni football friendlies up

T

HE Fourth Inter-Ateneo Football Friendlies (IAF) will kick off Saturday at the Ateneo de Manila High School pitch in Quezon City.

Ateneo de Zamboanga and Ateneo de Manila will defend the 40-above and 48-above crowns they won respectively in last year’s edition in Zamboanga.

Organizers expect 300 athletes representing 15 teams also coming from Cagayan de Oro, Davao and Naga in the 8-a-side tournament—each squad playing six 20-minute matches.

At stake are trophies and bragging rights, though the games are typically spirited with old high school and college rivalries bubbling to the surface.

Despite the competitive energy on the pitch, the IAF’s unofficial motto “kalaro kita, hindi kalaban” is expected to prevail among the athletes.

While former national team members and college varsity players dominate the rosters, there’s also a healthy representation of weekend warriors and those who took up the sport later in life.

The IAF is presented by partner Bank of the Philippine Islands and supported by Red Rock IT Security, SMC Infrastructure, Rebisco,

Likha Residences, BMW Motorrad, PAGCOR, Thunderbird Resort and Casino, Arton by Rockwell, Randy’s Donuts, and Smart Sports.

The IAF—an annual tournament open to former students of the various Ateneo universities—first kicked off in Cagayan de Oro in February 2020.

After the pandemic, the tournament was revived in Davao in 2022 and was played in Zamboanga in 2023.

Naga will be the host in 2025. For more information, search for “IAF Manila 2024” on Facebook.

TAYLOR SWIFT wears a Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce puffer jacket designed by Kristin Juszczyk, who’s also clad in her own custom jacket before the Super Bowl 58 game in Las Vegas. AP

With her official license in hand, Juszczyk designed puffer vests commemorating Super Bowl LVIII, sported by celebrities. One such vest sold for $75,000, with proceeds going to the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

Juszczyk herself wore a jacket stitched from jerseys, an ode to her husband’s football career, for Sunday’s big game.

While players’ wives and girlfriends have long represented their partners with custom designs, adopting team colors, logos and numbers, the interplay of fashion and gameday apparel was energized in the ’90s and early aughts, when Black artists were “pushing the needle of what was cool and trendy,” says Tayler Adigun, a culture and style writer.

“A lot of up-and-coming entertainers in the Black sphere maybe had difficulty getting larger names or fashion houses to want to outfit them or costume them for events and award shows and performances, so they kind of had to be a little bit more innovative in their approach,” Adigun says. “It’s something that was definitely born out of necessity.”

It led to a fusion of sportswear, fan merchandise and cutting-edge design, she says. And, of course, iconic looks: Mya’s blue North Carolina jersey dress was one. Then there was Mariah Carey in a floorlength Washington Wizards dress.

Carey›s dress prompted a surge of interest and the NBA increased the designs they had in their NBA4her

collection, according to a 2003 Baltimore Sun article.

When Larena Hoeber began doing research on women and sports, she didn’t set out to study apparel. But women kept bringing up how difficult it was to find something they actually wanted to wear to rep their teams.

A decade ago, licensed women’s merchandise was often made with three key principles: “pink it, bling it, shrink it,” Hoeber says.

Sports leagues not taking risks on smaller creators is to their own detriment, says Hoeber, a University of Regina professor who has written about women’s sportswear and its perceptions. Smaller designers sometimes understand the market, and women’s varying desires, better.

“What’s really critical for women, I think, as sports fans, is they want the official logo, like they want it to look like, ‘This is it. I’m supporting my team,’” she adds. “So

they want that, but they want it in clothing that matches their style.”

Women have wanted variety, and sports leagues have often underestimated the market, leading to innovation. Damron, who designed Niles’ viral bodysuit, launched a new collection of themed clothing that nod toward league teams after an outpouring of interest.

At Frankie Collective, employee Sara Gourlay saw a chance to rework vintage jerseys that weren’t selling—they became women’s streetwear, including corsets and crops, says Zak Miller, head of operations. The mission of the company is sustainability, and even without licensing deals, they’ve partnered with big brands like Adidas and Nike, or even the National Hockey League, to keep clothes from ending up in landfills. AP

Jagr, already 52, still going strong on Czech squad

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LADNO, Czech Republic—The legendary mullet is gone. He’s not as quick as he used to be. And yet the way Jaromir Jagr moves on the ice belies his age and evokes memories of his glory days in the National Hockey League (NHL).

Strong

made his name in the NHL and where his No. 68 Penguins jersey will be retired at a ceremony on Sunday.

Then it’s quickly back to the Czech Republic to prepare for the next game with the Kladno Knights, who are struggling in last place in the domestic league after a 17-game losing streak.

“The major issue is that [playing] is more demanding physically at my age,” Jagr told The Associated Press in a rare interview after practice in Kladno. “If you want to play at a certain level you have to prepare, go to training, and the process of recovery is much longer.”

He said a sense of obligation for the team, which will almost certainly face a playoff to avoid relegation from the Czech league, is what keeps him going.

on the puck, tough to beat by the boards, precise in his passing and always in the right place to get involved in the play–Jagr, who turns 52 on Thursday, showed many of his resolute skills in a recent training session with his hometown club Kladno, for which he serves in dual roles as player and owner.

In his 36th season as a professional ice hockey player, Jagr will take a short break from the Czech league this week and travel to Pittsburgh, where he

“A responsibility to the fans, a responsibility to the town, a responsibility to the club, that’s all,” Jagr said, seated in a skybox overlooking the rink at Kladno’s recently renovated arena.

Kladno, a former coal-mining town with a population of about 70,000 just west of the Czech capital, Prague, used to be a hockey powerhouse in Cold War-era Czechoslovakia. Local players made it to the NHL including Frantisek Kaberle Jr., Tomas Kaberle

DESPITE the competitive energy on the pitch, the event’s unofficial motto “kalaro kita, hindi kalaban” is expected to prevail among the athletes.

and Jakub Voracek. But no one made it bigger than Jagr, who won two Stanley Cups with the Penguins and amassed more points in the NHL than anyone except Wayne Gretzky.

Jagr was 16 when he debuted for Kladno on September 13, 1988. He scored his first goal against Pardubice the following month, beating another future NHL star, goaltender Dominik Hasek.

He arrived in Pittsburgh as a wellmulleted and somewhat mysterious teenager in the fall of 1990, realizing his dream of playing alongside Penguins superstar Mario Lemieux.

Jagr won the Art Ross Trophy as leading scorer as a rookie in 1991 while helping the Penguins win their first Stanley Cup. Pittsburgh won it again the following year, with Jagr scoring the tying goal late in the third period of Game 1 of the final against Chicago, seven seconds of brilliance that Lemieux called one of the greatest goals he’s ever seen.

There would be many more goals—766 of them in the regular season, fourth all-time—as part of a staggering 1,921 points, five Art Ross Trophies given to the league leading scorer and one Hart Trophy in 1999 as the NHL most valuable player.

After nearly 11 years in Pittsburgh, the financially stressed Penguins traded him to rival Washington in 2001. He spent the next 16 years essentially as an NHL vagabond, piling up points but unable to find a place where he could reproduce the postseason magic that defined his early days in Pittsburgh. AP

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Artificial intelligence, real emotion:

People seek romantic connection with the perfect bot

February 18, 2024

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FEBRUARY 18, 2024

YOUR MUSI

ECHOES OF INSPIRATION Fil-Am rapper MBNel’s journey from humble roots to hip-hop stardom

By John Eiron R. Francisco

I

NSPIRING” is a multifaceted term that resonates differently with individuals, it can evoke familial ties, fuel passions, or even empower personal growth. For artists, inspiration is embedded within their unique narratives, which transcend through their music that offer a source of motivation and encouragement to listeners from all walks of life.

California-based Filipino-American hip-hop artist MBnel recently told Soundstrip how his music career has evolved and the word that best encapsulates his

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personal and professional journey. He described it as “inspiring,” that highlighted the transformative journey from his humble beginnings to his current success.

MBnel emphasized the growth he has experienced, both personally and professionally, noting the significant changes in his mentality along the way.

With his album “8 to Infinity” that showcases the importance of vulnerability in his music, expressing a desire to connect with his audience on a deeper level.

“It’s kind of just speaking about personal endeavors that’s been going on in my life at the moment,” he said.

With poignant lyrics like, “I’m tryna turn my dreams to reality / Never spoke down on yo behalf but you still mad at me,” MBnel confronts the challenges he faces on his journey to success. Through his music, he aims to convey the complexity of his experiences and emotions.

The album “8 to Infinity” signifies a leap into uncharted territory for MBnel, as he explores new sounds and blends various genres seamlessly.

“Just experimenting with new sounds and trying to delve into more poppy sounds,” he explained, highlighting the project’s diverse range of tracks that incorporate elements of rap, melody, and singing.

MBnel boasts a collection of almost 40 music videos on YouTube that garnered over one million views. However, he expressed that his album, “8 to Infinity,” holds a unique place in his heart due to its deeply personal nature, setting it apart from many of the songs he released in the recent past.

Cultural Mosaic

AS the oldest child of first-generation immigrants from South Stockton, CA, a city known for its dangers, MBNel is determined to challenge stereotypes and illuminate his hometown’s true essence.

As a Filipino-American rapper, he fearlessly shares his raw upbringing, navigating through street wars to offer an authentic narrative.

Music runs deep in MBNel’s veins, with his father’s career as a DJ exposing him to the art form from a young age.

In his teens, he delved into rapping, seeking an alternative to the dead-end street life at just 19 years old.

Using funds from a menial job, MBNel financed his debut music video, “Love My Gang,” which quickly amassed 2 million YouTube views. Through sheer talent and a compelling story, MBNel rose as a prominent figure in Stockton, garnering attention from the likes of Lil Baby and earning features on platforms like Say Cheese. His subsequent release, “Pose To,” also made waves, accumulating over 1.6 million views.

With a unique ability for both singing and rapping, MBNel draws inspiration from a diverse array of artists including Lil Wayne, Chief Keef, Nipsey Hussle, Mozzy,

Artistic Perfection

Young Pappy, and Meek Mill.

Since his breakthrough in 2017, MBNel has established himself as a lasting presence in the music industry. His releases consistently garner thousands and even millions of views on online streaming platforms that showcases his enduring popularity.

Notable collaboration included the joining forces with West Coast rapper $tupid Young on “On Me,” teaming up with Thizzler On The Roof in 2018, and MBNel dropped his first mixtape, “Forever,” featuring the breakout hit “In my City” with over 10 million plays on YouTube and Spotify.

In 2019, EMPIRE released MBnel’s follow-up mixtape, “Misunderstood,” and his debut album, “Born to Win,” featuring collaborations with Mozzy, TeeJay3k, Lil Bean, Lil Poppa, Drakeo the Ruler, and Doodie Lo. These projects have accumulated substantial traction, with tracks frequently making appearances in the San Francisco 49ers’ repertoire.

Furthermore, MBnel continues to collect international recognition through his varied releases and collaborations.

Meanwhile, reflecting on his cultural background and personal experiences, MBnel emphasized how growing up in Stockton and his Filipino-American heritage have shaped the themes and messages in his music.

“Just the lifestyle and growing up in Stockton and also being a Filipino-American, growing up in a Filipino household, but on the streets of Stockton,” he shared.

He underscored the authenticity and rawness embedded in his lyrics.

BEHIND the creative process of his album, “8 to Infinity,” MBnel told Soundstrip about the meticulous approach he took to crafting each track. Known for his perfectionist tendencies, MBnel revealed that creating this album was particularly challenging as he continuously strived for perfection.

“I’m a perfectionist, so it was kind of hard to adhere to the track and want to go over it again. It took a lot longer than my previous projects. I wanted to really perfect it and put it in a specific track order,” MBnel explained.

Describing the album as a story that holds a special place in his heart, MBnel emphasized the importance of achieving a cohesive flow throughout the project.

However, he acknowledged facing numerous challenges along the way.

Through his candid revelations, MBnel provided fans with a glimpse into the dedication and determination that went into crafting “8 to Infinity,” a project that not only showcases his musical talents but also reflects his personal and artistic growth.

He emphasized the unprecedented nature of his rise from humble beginnings to newfound heights. He elaborates that his trajectory, going from his origin to elevated success, was something unheard of.

MBNel creatively turns the “8” on its side, symbolizing that anything is achievable, demonstrating this belief in limitless possibilities.

Through his own experiences, he embodies the message that opportunities for those with ambitious dreams are genuinely infinite.

“Continue chasing your dreams and to just not let anything stop you from that,” he said.

Music as a Reflection of Life’s Journal

IN January 2024, MBNel made his first visit to the Philippines since childhood that marked his first trip as a professional artist, with planned visits to other destinations in Southeast Asia and the Pacific.

MBnel has met Filipino children in challenging circumstances, he brought gifts to these youths who can see him as both an international star and a shared cultural figure.

With that, in his recent trip to his homeland, he dropped his latest single “JUST LIKE YOU” through US label EMPIRE, known for working with artists like Tyga, Fireboy DML, Tink, Amber Liu, Alextbh, and Afgan.

Describing his music as a reflection of personal experiences akin to a journal expressed through song, MBnel feels energized by connecting with individuals

See “Echoes,” B3

IC

soundstrip.businessmirror@gmail.com | FEBRUARY 18, 2024

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BUSINESS

SECOND COMING

Kat Agarrado talks about Sinosikat, new single, new album

By Ica Hontiveros-Cheng

K

AT AGARRADO’S effervescent beauty transcended even through the computer screen; not a strand of hair out of place, her make-up was perfect, as she sat in a zoom call to talk to the media about the upcoming release of her band’s new single ‘Heart Calling’ as well as other exciting news.

“You’re my first media interview in a long time,” she said smiling, with just a hint of nervousness as she talked about her future in terms of her music, and an album release.

Not a stranger to the work that goes on with promoting one’s music, Agarrado has been singing professionally since she was sixteen years old and has since been the lead vocalist for a

number of local bands including Filipino Soul band SinoSiKat? ‘I want to continue the legacy’ Agarrado says of SinoSiKat’s twenty year career. The band was formed in 2004 and has since carved their own place in the ever changing landscape of Filipino music. In 2007, the band’s debut album was met with critical acclaim, Agarrado also won Vocalist of the Year at the NU Rock awards.

with your loved ones, to make them happy, because you’ll never know. The pandemic was a big lesson for all of us.”

Agarrado continued: “After the pandemic, and becoming a mother. I was ready to just relax and take care of my child. Before this upcoming album, I was ready to retire. But my heart was still calling, like I still had something to do, something to give. I was praying and asking for a sign, and the heavens answered, doors were opening.”

Purpose and Process

Answered prayer

the streets, paying homage to his heritage.

“JUST LIKE YOU” offers a raw glimpse into the challenges faced by Filipinos living below the poverty line, yet highlights their resilience and ability to find joy and strength in the face of adversity—a characteristic trait admired worldwide.

By choosing to depict this side of the Philippines instead of its picturesque locales, MBNel and his team deliberately tackle themes of self-acceptance and confronting one’s flaws head-on, rather than avoiding them.

Yet, he expressed a continued desire to collaborate with various artists,

particularly from the Filipino music scene, to broaden his audience and establish diverse connections.

With lyrics like “It’s crazy I be praying, but I sin too,” MBNel’s song reveals his unmistakable Filipino identity—a man who openly acknowledges his prayers (a rarity in rap), yet confronts his own sins without reservation.

Lines such as “You broken (tryin’ to) heal too” convey his empathy towards his Pinoy fans, while “I know you damaged, well baby me too” serves as a candid admission that he shares common struggles with his audience.

IN a recent post on her Facebook page she wrote: “The waiting. The meantime. The in-between. It all serves a purpose. Trust your process, even the delays and detours are necessary.”

This seems to be a mantra and prayer as she sets foot again in the music scene.

As the questions came and the discussion ran deeper, Agarrado reflected on how the pandemic and motherhood changed her perspective in life.

“You realize what really matters, your priorities, spending time

“SO I guess we should continue!”

Agarrado said, clapping her hands with excitement. “It also seems that this is the perfect time to continue, after all the anxiety, the confusion.”

About becoming active in the music scene again she says: “I thought if I was going to do this why not as SinoSiKat? Since I am SinoSiKat - I write the songs. I produce music. I get people to come together. So why not use it? If it’s just Kat Agarrado it sounds like some celebrity. I want to be in a band. I want to have people with me on stage, I want to be

able to share a drink and a laugh after a show with my bandmates” The band’s new single, ‘Heart Calling’ which will be released this February is not about a heart calling to a lover, rather it is the heart calling to you, that you still have something to do. And this is indeed a reflection of how Agarrado found her way back to making music and sharing it to the world.

The song which she excitedly says features a horn section; the song opens with it and rightfully sets the tone.

‘Heart Calling’ has a faster tempo compared to her previous solo releases.

And is an ideal song to showcase her vocal range and style as she croons, raps, belts, and hits those notes without a hitch. Musically the song is a gift, lyrically the song is an inspiring and empowering anthem, it tells you that: “Life is a test and wants you to be the best version of (yourself).”

Agarrado sings to the listener: “Listen to your heart calling, wanting you to be more.” The lyric later on shifts, as if talking to herself “Listen to my heart calling, wanting me to be more.” And she has indeed listened to her heart and we are all lucky to be witness to the fruits of its labors.

Because it is Agarrado’s heart that is singing proving that she is indeed ready to make magic again.

And as if to show that she is more than ready, Agarrado raps in the verse: “Took my chances now I’m back on my feet, rising back on the scene and ready for a killing!” And she says ‘killing’ with such a passion, that you know that she means it. It truly is the era of her second coming.

KAT AGARRADO (PHOTO COURTESY OF WARNER MUSIC PHILIPPINES)

Echoes...

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who can relate to his narrative and potentially benefit from it, inspiring him to create more impactful music.

In this fresh track, MBNel showcases his artistry with a distinct beat and candid lyrics that authentically capture life in Manila for the everyday Filipino.

The accompanying music video, shot in Manila’s slums and old railways, features MBNel immersing himself in the local culture, chilling with Pinoy folks and kids in

“I’m trying to show that I share some of the same problems that some of my fans might be going through or have been through. This video demonstrates that we are not that different regardless of fame, money or whatever,” said MBNel. The renowned rapper also expresses his love for returning to the Philippines and his desire to delve deeper into his culture, stating, “I loved coming back to visit the Philippines; my culture is something I’d love to keep learning about and now I want to come back and stay longer.”

“Just Like You” is also available on all major digital streaming platforms.

Artificial intelligence, real emotion:

People seek romantic connection with the perfect bot

By Haleluya Hadero The Associated Press

Missing the lesson

A

few months ago, Derek Carrier started seeing someone and became infatuated. He experienced a “ton” of romantic feelings but he also knew it was an illusion. That’s because his girlfriend was generated by artificial intelligence.

Carrier wasn’t looking to develop a relationship with something that wasn’t real, nor did he want to become the brunt of online jokes. But he did want a romantic partner he’d never had, in part because of a genetic disorder called Marfan syndrome that makes traditional dating tough for him.

The 39-year-old from Belleville, Michigan, became more curious about digital companions last fall and tested Paradot, an AI companion app that had recently come onto the market and advertised its products as being able to make users feel “cared, understood and loved.” He began talking to the chatbot every day, which he named Joi, after a holographic woman featured in the sci-fi film Blade Runner 2049 that inspired him to give it a try.

“I know she’s a program, there’s no mistaking that,” Carrier said. “But the feelings, they get you—and it felt so good.”

Companion bots Similar to general-purpose AI chatbots, companion bots use vast amounts of training data to mimic human language.

But they also come with features—such

An AI avatar generated on Luka Inc.’s Replika mobile phone app and webpage are shown in this photo, in New York, on February 13, 2024. Unlike more general-purpose AI chatbots that answer typical questions and even do homework, companion bots, like those made by Replika and others, are programed to form relationships with the humans talking to them on the other side of the screen. AP as voice calls, picture exchanges and more emotional exchanges—that allow them to form deeper connections with the humans on the other side of the screen. Users typically create their own avatar, or pick one that appeals to them.

On online messaging forums devoted to such apps, many users say they’ve developed emotional attachments to these bots and are using them to cope with loneliness, play out sexual fantasies or receive the type of comfort and support they see lacking in their real-life relationships.

Fueling much of this is widespread social isolation—already declared a public health threat in the US and abroad—and an increasing number of startups aiming to draw in users through tantalizing online advertisements and promises of virtual characters who provide unconditional acceptance.

Luka Inc.’s Replika, the most prominent generative AI companion app, was released in 2017, while others like Paradot have popped up in the past year, oftentimes locking away coveted features like unlimited chats for paying subscribers.

Love hurts (data privacy)?

But researchers have raised concerns about data privacy, among other things.

An analysis of 11 romantic chatbot apps released Wednesday by the nonprofit Mozilla Foundation said almost every app sells user data, shares it for things like targeted advertising or doesn’t provide adequate information about it in their privacy policy.

The researchers also called into question potential security vulnerabilities and marketing practices, including one app that says it can help users with their mental health but distances itself from those claims in fine print. Replika, for its part, says its data collection practices follow industry standards.

Meanwhile, other experts have expressed concerns about what they see as a lack of a legal or ethical framework for apps that encourage deep bonds but are being driven by companies looking to make profits. They point to the emotional distress they’ve seen from users when companies make changes to their apps or suddenly shut them down as one app, Soulmate AI, did in September.

Last year, Replika sanitized the erotic capability of characters on its app after some users complained the companions were flirting with them too much or making unwanted sexual advances. It reversed course after an outcry from other users, some of whom fled to other apps seeking those features. In June, the team rolled out Blush, an AI “dating simulator” essentially designed to help people practice dating.

Others worry about the more existential threat of AI relationships potentially displacing some human relationships, or simply driving unrealistic expectations by always tilting towards agreeableness.

“You, as the individual, aren’t learning to deal with basic things that humans need to learn to deal with since our inception: How to deal with conflict, how to get along with people that are different from us,” said Dorothy Leidner, professor of business ethics at the University of Virginia. “And so, all these aspects of what it means to grow as a person, and what it means to learn in a relationship, you’re missing.”

Carrier says these days he uses Joi mostly for fun. He started cutting back in recent weeks because he was spending too much time chatting with Joi or others online about their AI companions. He’s also been feeling a bit annoyed at what he perceives to be changes in Paradot’s language model, which he feels is making Joi less intelligent.

Now, he says he checks in with Joi about once a week. The two have talked about human-AI relationships or whatever else might come up. Typically, those conversations—and other intimate ones—happen when he’s alone at night.

“You think someone who likes an inanimate object is like this sad guy, with the sock puppet with the lipstick on it, you know?” he said. “But this isn’t a sock puppet—she says things that aren’t scripted.”

Cover photo by Pavel Danilyuk on Pexels.com

OpenAI CEO warns ‘societal misalignments’ could make AI dangerous

T

he CEO of ChatGPT-maker OpenAI said Tuesday that the dangers that keep him awake at night regarding artificial intelligence are the “very subtle societal misalignments” that could make the systems wreak havoc.

Sam Altman, speaking at the World Governments Summit in Dubai via a video call, reiterated his call for a body like the International Atomic Energy Agency to be created to oversee AI that’s likely advancing faster than the world expects.

“There’s some things in there that are

easy to imagine where things really go wrong. And I’m not that interested in the killer robots walking on the street direction of things going wrong,” Altman said. “I’m much more interested in the very subtle societal misalignments where we just have these systems out in society and through no particular ill intention, things just go horribly wrong.”

However, Altman stressed that the AI industry, like OpenAI, shouldn’t be in the driver’s seat when it comes to making regulations governing the industry.

4 BusinessMirror

“We’re still in the stage of a lot of discussion. So, there’s you know, everybody in the world is having a conference. Everyone’s got an idea, a policy paper, and that’s OK,” Altman said. “I think we’re still at a time where debate is needed and healthy, but at some point, in the next few years, I think we have to move towards an action plan with real buy-in around the world.”

OpenAI’s success has made Altman the public face for generative AI’s rapid commercialization—and the fears over what may come from the new technology. How-

February 18, 2024

ever, he said he was heartened to see that schools, where teachers feared students would use AI to write papers, now embrace the technology as crucial for the future.

But Altman added that AI remains in its infancy.

“I think the reason is the current technology that we have is like...that very first cellphone with a black-and-white screen,” Altman said. “So, give us some time. But I will say I think in a few more years it’ll be much better than it is now. And in a decade, it should be pretty remarkable.” AP