BusinessMirror June 03, 2023

‘AD UTRUMQUE PARATUS’

PBBM’s push may result in Navy’s confirmed sub acquisition program

By Rex Anthony Naval

Marcos’s pronouncements reignited the interest of defense enthusiasts on these stealthy submersible vessels when he said, on the sidelines of the 126th PN founding anniversary on May 26, that offers are coming from different countries regarding the Navy’s possible submarine acquisition program. There is a plan. But it’s still being developed, because the commitment to operate a submarine is not a small commitment. It is a very large commitment because of the training that is involved, the equipment that is involved and the operational requirements that are involved are quite significant,” the President said, partly in Filipino.

Acquiring submarines for the Navy, the Chief Executive added, is still part of the plan but for the moment, the military is still focusing on its anti-submarine warfare capabilities.

So, it is still part of our plan. But right now, we are in the middle of developing mostly our anti-submarine capabilities. So, we will do that first, and then hopefully when

the time comes and the conditions are agreeable, then we might be able to acquire those submarines,” he stressed.

A lso, Marcos said some of the countries making submarine offers also come with proposals to build the submersibles here in the Philippines.

Some of the countries that earlier expressed interest to participate in the PN submarine acquisition program are France, South Korea, India and Turkey.

He added that such proposals are important as such would boost the country’s defensive capabilities and create additional job opportunities.

If they are built here and we can actually build submarines here and provide those submarines to other countries, then that’s another source of jobs, and of income and increased capability for our Navy,” the President said.

Earlier, the Department of National Defense (DND) said acquiring submarines for the PN is not a priority at the moment as the department is focusing on the

implementation of modernization contracts signed by the previous administration.

These included the contracts for the two missile corvettes to be acquired from South Korea, the BrahMos missile system from India, 32 more S-70i Black Hawk combat utility helicopters from Poland, and another six offshore patrol vessels also from South Korea.

The funding for these contracts is already assured by the government.

Although submarines are on our wish list for Horizon 3, the Department is prioritizing the implementation of contracts signed during the previous administration, cognizant of the limitations in the resources available to the government,” it added.

The DND also stressed that it is recalibrating its proposed projects under the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Modernization Program, which is divided into three Horizons.

Horizon 3 is slated from 2023

to 2028; Horizon 1 started in 2013 to 2018 while Horizon 2 is from 2018 to 2022.

Anti-submarine warfare focus

AN example of the Philippine initiative to develop its anti-submarine capabilities is highlighted by the April 27 deck landing of one of its AgustaWestland (now Leonardo) AW1-59 Wildcat anti-submarine helicopter aboard the missile frigate BRP Antonio Luna (FF-151). The ship was under way off Corregidor Island at the time.

On the morning of 27 April 2023, the Philippine Navy achieved another significant milestone in its development of anti-submarine warfare capability as the PN AW159 Mk220 Wildcat helicopter, with tail number NH-441, successfully conducted its first deck landing aboard BRP Antonio Luna (FF-151), an ASW (anti-submarine warfare) guided missile frigate, while underway at vicinity 30 nautical miles southwest of Corregidor Island,” a post on the BRP Antonio

Luna Facebook page said.

Th is achievement demonstrates the growing capability and readiness of the Navy’s crews and platforms as a team for ASW operations.

“Both the JRCFs (Jose Rizal Class Frigates) and the PN Wildcats were products of the 1st Horizon Projects under the Revised AFP Modernization Program, which were delivered and commissioned into service in 2020/2021 and 2019, respectively. The JRCFs were built by Hyundai Heavy Industries of South Korea, while the PN Wildcats were built by Leonardo Helicopter Limited UK (LHUK),” the post further said.

The PN’s Wildcat aircrew is still undergoing the contracted incountry training with LHUK, while

the JRCFs are being used in the various operational areas of the country.

The AW-159s, of which the PN has two, were acquired to increase the ASW capabilities of the JRCFs.

“ The PN through the Naval Air Wing and Offshore Combat Force are taking steps to complete the integration of these game-changer assets in order to be deployed together in securing our maritime domain,” the BRP Antonio Luna said.

These initiatives are deemed a great contribution to fulfilling the Navy’s vision of becoming a modern, multicapable naval force responsive to our maritime nation’s defense and development.

WILL President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s announcement that the plan to acquire submarines for the Philippine Navy “is not off the table” provide the impetus needed to enable the Philippine Navy (PN) to once and for all acquire these highly specialized and sophisticated warships to beef up its fleet?

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. rides an FA-50PH Philippine military plane during a flight capability demonstration at the Clark Air Base, Pampanga, on March 7, 2023. MALACAÑANG PRESIDENTIAL COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE VIA AP

Top American, Chinese defense officials vie for influence in Asia-Pacific

By David Rising The Associated Press

A ustralian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, whose country is a stalwart American ally in the Pacific, is to give the keynote address Friday evening to open the dialogue at the Shangri-La Hotel hosted by the International Institute for Strategic Studies think tank.

A lbanese, whose country has angered Beijing with its agreement with Britain and the US, known as AUKUS, to obtain nuclear-powered submarines to address the perceived rising threat from China, said he would focus on Australia’s deepening engagement, as well as “shared opportunities and challenges” in the region.

“ We want a region that is stable, peaceful, resilient and prosperous,” he said when his speech was announced.

Th is year’s dialogue comes amid a wide range of issues, including the war in Ukraine and its regional implications, including China’s support for Russia, the ongoing conflict in Myanmar, and

growing tensions between China and the US and its allies over Beijing’s claim to the self-governing island of Taiwan.

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin will open the day Saturday with an address on American “leadership in the Indo-Pacific,” according to the Pentagon, while China’s new defense minister, Li Shangfu, leads off the day Sunday with a speech on his country’s new security initiatives.

Austin began his trip to the region in Japan, whose prime minister, Fumio Kishida, has been one of the most outspoken leaders in Asia against the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

K ishida has ramped up Japan’s defense spending, and cautioned others at the Shangri-La forum last year that “Ukraine today may be East Asia tomorrow.”

C hina has refused to criticize Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and has blamed the US and NATO for provoking Moscow. During a trip in April to Moscow, Li pledged to

expand military cooperation, military-technical ties and the arms trade with Russia.

We will certainly take them to a new level,” he said at the time.

On the sidelines of the conference in Singapore, Austin plans to meet with “key leaders to advance US defense partnerships across the region in support of our shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific anchored in ASsean centrality,” the Defense Department said, referring to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

Following the conference, Aus-

tin travels to New Delhi to meet with his Indian counterpart for talks on issues including expanding “operational cooperation between the US and Indian militaries.”

Like the US, many of its allies have been increasing their focus on the Indo-Pacific, and the conference brings together many other top officials, including defense ministers from Britain, Germany, Sweden, Canada, the Netherlands, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand. Ukraine’s defense minister is also expected to attend.

Austin asked Li to meet with him in Singapore, but China turned down the request, Pentagon press secretary Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder told reporters in Washington.

“ The department believes strongly in the importance of maintaining open lines of military-to-military communication between Washington and Beijing to ensure that competition does not veer into conflict,” he said.

Li, a general who was named defense minister in March, is under American sanctions that are part of a broad package of measures against Russia—but predate its invasion of Ukraine—which were imposed in 2018 over Li’s involvement in China’s purchase of combat aircraft and anti-aircraft missiles from Moscow.

The sanctions, which broadly prevent Li from doing business in the United States, do not prevent

him from holding official talks, Ryder said.

C hinese Defense Ministry spokesperson Tan Kefei said Austin’s offer of talks in Singapore was rejected because the US “disregards China’s concerns and creates artificial obstacles.”

The US side should take practical actions to show sincerity and correct mistakes, so as to create the necessary conditions and proper atmosphere for communication and exchange between the two sides,” he said, while not mentioning the sanctions or other issues directly. Even before Li’s appointment, multiple Defense Department requests for talks involving key leaders were rejected, with more than a dozen requests having gone unanswered or declined since 2021, according to a senior American defense official who spoke on condition of anonymity to provide information on private discussions.

In Japan on Thursday, Austin stressed the need for regular communications and open channels, noting a recent incident in which a Chinese fighter jet flew aggressively close to an American reconnaissance plane over the South China Sea. I’m concerned about at some point having an incident that could very, very quickly spiral out of control,” Austin said. “I would welcome any opportunity to engage with leadership.”

Despite Li’s refusal of the invitation, China might not want to be seen as the non-communicative party in regional eyes so some sort of bilateral talks could still take place over the course of the weekend, said Euan Graham, senior fellow for Indo-Pacific Defense and Strategy with IISS. “I wouldn’t rule out a US-China meeting yet,” he said.

‘AD UTRUMQUE PARATUS’

Continued from A1

Credible defense posture

DEFENSE experts earlier said that having submarines in its inventory would allow the AFP to achieve a credible defense posture aside from enhancing the PN’s maritime defense capabilities.

They added that acquiring submarines is part of the desired force mix of the PN, which consists of frigates, corvettes, offshore patrol vessels, landing docks, fast attack interdiction craft-missiles or FAIC-Ms, along with multipurpose attack craft (MPACs) and amphibious assault vehicles.

Under this plan, the PN plans to acquire six anti-air frigates, 12 anti-submarine corvettes, and three submarines along with other naval assets.

Th is force-mix will enable the AFP to achieve a credible defense posture. A lso, the acquisition and development of submarine warfare capability will better equip the Navy to fulfill its primary mandate on territorial defense, security and stability.

Submarines will enhance our maritime defense capability and can effectively carry out anti-access/area denial, maritime surveillance, maritime interdiction, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance. The submarine is the most effective ISR (intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance) platform and the best killing machine in the Navy inventory,” defense experts stressed.

A submarine capability will provide deterrence against aggressors, credibility to the PN, international consideration of the Philippines, and recognition of the AFP from other armed forces.

Submarines are undetectable and could be anywhere patrolling around the WPS (West Philippine Sea) to act firmly if necessary. Having an operational submarine at sea will be a game-changer for the PN. Contenders will have to take into consideration the probability

of facing a submarine at any time, anywhere, without any warning, hence will affect their entire assessment of the tactical situation and their behavior,” they added.

Once acquired, these submarines will be equipped with a large number of weapons.

“It can infiltrate an enemy task force to hunt aircraft carriers and landing docks, and provide decisive superiority with a single lethal hit,” defense experts pointed out.

These same defense experts also opined that the Philippines could have awarded the winning bidders to the PN submarine acquisition program in 2021 if the Covid-19 pandemic did not break out in March 2020.

The timeline for the submarine contract signing would have been in the second quarter of 2021.

However, the pandemic forced the government to devote much of the funding to the Covid-19 pandemic response, forcing a postponement of the program.

The budget for the PN’s submarine acquisition program is estimated at P70 billion to P100 billion.

Th is includes two submarines and its integrated logistics support package, along with the initial basing requirements.

The French connection

IN a symposium in September last year, the French government said it is open to dialogue with the Philippines when the country is ready to discuss its submarine acquisition program.

France is obviously committed to working more closely with the Philippines, and have a more strategic relationship with the Philippines so we are ready should the Philippines make a decision. We are ready to work on that perspective with them,” French Ambassador Michèle Boccoz said.

She also confirmed that France was among the countries that submitted a proposal and discussions had been “ongoing” with the Philippines.

“ We think it’s really important

to be ready. We can provide this collaboration in this very important domain. Our stance is also protecting sovereignty, to defend sovereignty and sovereign rights, which are very important,” the French diplomat stressed.

The Scorpene, which is being constructed by French defense manufacturer Naval Group, is said to be high on the list of preferred submarine platforms of the country and was evaluated by naval and defense officials in 2019.

PBBM’s vow of support

AS this developed, Marcos pledged to support the PN’s modernization of assets and enhancement of defense capabilities.

“Considering the changing tides of our national security, and the significant gains that we have made in terms of internal security, our Armed Forces is working to recalibrate its focus more towards external defense of our borders,” he said in his speech during the PN’s 125th founding anniversary.

“In this crucial transition, full support for the Armed Forces must be guaranteed, especially for the Philippine Navy’s priority goals of enhancing its intelligence, defense and coordinative capabilities,” Marcos said.

The President added he is looking forward to the completion of Horizon 3 of the AFP Modernization Program, which is significantly devoted to the naval aspect of the country’s military operations.

Th is, as he lauded the PN personnel for their efforts to defend the sovereignty of and maintain peace in the Philippines.

“Our Navy serves not only as valiant guardians of our seas and shores, but peaceful emissaries as well. Highly disciplined and experienced in international engagements, it adheres to the (internationally) recognized codes of conduct, such as the Unclos (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea) and the recently approved Asean Guidelines of Maritime Interaction,” the President said.

SINGAPORE—As the United States and China vie to establish new partnerships and expand influence with Asia-Pacific nations, the top defense officials from both nations are preparing to try to win support this weekend from their regional counterparts, diplomats and leaders at a security forum in Singapore.

CHINESE Defense Minister Gen. Li Shangfu, left, shakes hands with Singapore Defense Minister Ng Eng Hen in Singapore, on June 1, 2023. AP/VINCENT THIAN

www.businessmirror.com.ph • Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug A3

Ilijan natgas plant reopens, starts power delivery to the grid–DOE

By Lenie Lectura

THE 1,200-megawatt (MW) Ilijan natural gas plant has started delivering power to the grid, the Department of Energy (DOE) announced.

This after Linseed Field Corporation has successfully imported liquefied natural gas (LNG) and now supplies natural gas to the Ilijan plant.

PBBM leads launch of eGov Super App

By Samuel P. Medenilla

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Friday said the newly launched eGov PH Super App will strengthen the government’s campaign in fighting corruption and boost the economy.

In his speech af ter leading the ceremonial activation of the Super App and kick-off ceremony of the National Information Communication Technology month in Malacañang last Friday, he stressed the importance of the new initiative to make the government’s services more accessible.

T he simplified online government transactions from the app, the President said, will help prevent incidents of corruption from the existing systems.

“It simplifies the pr ocess, especially for the citizen and there is no discretion being exercised by anyone,” Marcos said.

We owe that to the people...We should not allow them to continue to suffer to this antiquated, corrupt, and inefficient system,” he added.

The Super App initiative, he said, is expected to attract

more investments in the country resulting in more business and employment opportunities.

“If w e are to look at our neighboring countries, for example, to Europe, to the United States, then we can see that you cannot compete on an even basis unless you are highly digitalized, both in the private sector and as well in the public sector,” the President added.

The Super App, which can be downloaded for free at booth Google Play and Apple App Store, will allow its users to access several government services online including the subscriber identity module (SIM) card registration, local government unit services, job application, tourism information, start-up empowerment, health-care information, and a people’s feedback mechanism.

D epartment of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Ivan E. Uy said they plan to expand the available services from the Super App in its future updates.

This will be a continuing process as we continually improve the system and bring together all the different government agencies,” Uy said in an interview with reporters after the ceremonial activation ceremony.

“With the delivery of LNG, Ilijan is now supplying power to the grid beginning yesterday, June 1, 2023 and is expected to improve its contribution to the energy supply in the Luzon grid, especially in the coming months,” said DOE in a statement issued Friday.

Since June last year, the Ilijan plant has been on extended outage. It also underwent retrofitting works following the ceasing of gas supply deliveries from the Malampaya Natural Gas field.

Aside from Linseed’s LNG project, the country awaits another LNG project to go online this year.

The LNG facility constructed by FGEN LNG Corporation (FGEN LNG) is also scheduling its first LNG cargo delivery window in the later part of this year. This will add to and secure the supply of natural gas for its power plants in Batangas.

“ The DOE welcomes the completion of two LNG facilities in the country. These facilities enable the importation of LNG into the

country to support the continuous fuel supply of the country’s gas-fired power plants,” it said.

The DOE also said it welcomes the partnership of FGEN and Prime Infrastructure Capital Inc. (Prime Infra) on the lease and operation of FGEN LNG terminal.

“All these developments are positive signals reflecting the continuous interest of the private sector in investing in critical infrastructures that will allow the country to import and utilize imported LNG and complement the available gas from the Malampaya reservoir to meet the country’s growing energy demand,” the DOE said.

Further, the entry of LNG as a new type of fuel into the energy mix increases diversity and security

of the country’s energy needs. It likewise provides the country with fuel and technology that allows flexibility in supporting the various grid demands from baseload to providing reliable mid-merit to peaking power supply.

“

This flexibility also enables our push to further develop intermittent renewable energy technologies such as solar and wind,” added the agency.

LNG is a “transition” fuel, enabling countries to move away from coal power responsibly without compromising the continuing need of people and economies for affordable and reliable baseload power, while targeting wider adoption of renewable energy over the longer term.

Palace EO seeks to boost integrated financial management system in govt

OVER a decade since the creation of the Integrated Financial Management Information System (IFMIS), President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said there is now a need to “strengthen” the implementation of the scheme.

Under Executive Order (EO) No. 29, which was released to the media last Friday, the President called on all department agencies and instrumentalities of the national government and the governmentowned or -controlled corporations

to enforce the IFMIS in their transactions.

T he Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) will help in the development and implementation of the IFMIS, Marcos said.

The President also ordered a review of key policies and processes of the Public Financial Management (PFM) “to pinpoint prevailing bottlenecks” in its implementation.

The review will be conducted by the PFM Committee (PFMC) composed of representatives from

the Department of Budget and Management, Department of Finance, Commission on Audit and the Bureau of Treasury.

T he committee will then update and “reengineer” the PFM processes for the creation of the PFM Reform Roadmap. “

The PFM Committee shall issue guidelines as to the transitional arrangement to be followed by covered agencies in the transition and full adoption of the IFMIS,” Marcos said in his EO 29.

“The transitional arrangement

shall take into account the results of the PFM policy and process review, technological infrastructure requirement, and capacity development interventions needed,” he added.

IFMIS, which was previously called the Government Integrated Financial Management Information System, was created in 2011 with the issuance of Executive Order No. 55 “to facilitate generation of vital information on any and all aspects of government financial transactions.”

Samuel P. Medenilla

Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. leads the launch of the eGov Super App at the President’s Hall of Malacañang Palace in Manila on Friday (June

2023). In his speech, the President said the online platform would eliminate corruption and make public transactions easier and more convenient.

Customs’ annualized collection rate in May grows 17.36% to ₧77 billion

By Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas

In a statement, the BOC said its revenue collections in May reached P77.793 billion, P11.505 billion higher than the P66.288 billion recorded earnings in the same month last year.

Likewise, the BOC surpassed its collection target for the fifth straight month. For the month of May, the bureau aimed to earn P72.35 billion.

With the May performance, BOC’s total revenue collections from January to May reached P359.175 billion, P38.661 billion over the P320.514 billion recorded revenues in the five-month period of 2022.

The BOC said it exceeded by P13.232 billion its P345.943 billion target for the five-month period.

The BOC attributed the increase in its revenue collections to the bureau’s anti-smuggling measures as well as to its improved digitalization efforts.

“First, the intensified anti-smuggling measures have curtailed illicit activities and resulted in the seizure of contrabands valued at over P19 billion,” it said.

“Notably, on February 17, 2023, the BOC discovered approximately P150 million worth of agricultural products in 24 warehouses in Metro Manila. [Meanwhile], on March 20, 2023, the BOC confiscated 58.93 kilograms of shabu valued at P400 million at the Pair Cargo Warehouse in Pasay City,” it added.

The BOC said its digitalization efforts now stands at 96.39 percent after it “streamlined customs procedures, enhanced trade operations, and improved processing times and accuracy in import and

118 bidders prequalify for 2nd round of Green Energy Auction program 2

By Lenie Lectura

THE Department of Energy (DOE) has pre-qualified

sited across Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao grids.

export transactions.”

“Incidentally, the World Bank Logistics Performance Index ranks the Philippines 43rd among 139 countries, highlighting advancements in trade facilitation,” the BOC added.

Furthermore, the BOC said its “proactive” collaboration with other national government agencies like the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Information and Communications Technology, led to simplification of customs procedures and facilitated secured trade.

“Fourth, active engagement with stakeholders has enhanced BOC’s services through open communication,” it said.

“Fifth, training programs and incentives have empowered BOC personnel, increasing productivity and contributing to the agency’s outstanding performance,” it added.

Senate creates committee to study restoration of fire-damaged MCPO

By Butch Fernandez

SENATORS , crossing party lines, unanimously moved to task a special panel to “study the reconstruction and rehabilitation” of Manila Central Post Office (MCPO) building.

In adopting Senate Resolution No. 70, a special committee, including Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda, Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, Senators Pia Cayetano, Nancy Binay and Sonny Angara, was created “to study, review, assess, examine, investigate and inquire into the matters relating to the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the iconic building and famous landmark in Manila.”

As principal sponsor of the enabling Resolution 70, Legarda lamented that the fire incident on Monday, May 21, 2023, “took

place during the National Heritage Month,” reminding that “this important cultural heritage holds immeasurable value, and its destruction is a profound loss for us Filipinos.”

Legarda, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Culture and the Arts, stressed, “The preservation of a historical treasure should not only be a passion, but a life-long mission, and preserving our cultural heritage is not just about the physical structure but also the intangible aspects, stories, traditions, values that are intricately woven into the fabric of this building.”

She affirmed “this restoration project is a tribute to those who have come before us, to their craftsmanship and their vision.”

“It is a commitment to future generations, a promise that will pass on this rich heritage instilling in them

a sense of pride and responsibility,” Legarda added.

As proposed, the special committee shall be tasked primarily to study the following: 1) extent of the fire’s damage to MCPO; 2) its estimated cost of reconstruction and rehabilitation; 3) actions that must be taken for the immediate rehabilitation of the building; and 4) such other matters that may be necessary for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of MCPO.

The MCPO structure, she reminded, was originally built in 1926 using neoclassical design by renowned architects Tomas Mapua, Juan Marcos Arellano, and Ralph Doane to house the headquarters of the then Bureau of Posts. After being severely damaged during the battle of Manila in 1945, the building was rebuilt in 1946, and became the center of Philippine postal services.

In 2018, the National Museum declared the MCPO as an “important cultural property” for its “exceptional cultural, artistic, and historical significance to the Philippines,” thus entitled to priority government funding for its protection, conservation and restoration under RA 10066, or the National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009. “As legislators, let us take up the mantle of stewardship so we can breathe new life into this magnificent structure. This august chamber can exhibit our unwavering commitment and collective efforts to allow this heritage to stand tall once again. We must stand firm and believe in the trust of Filipinos that our national government and concerned agencies must work hand in hand to restore and rehabilitate this significant structure,” Legarda said.

Neda Board okays ₧23.4-B TPLEX Extension Project

THE National Economic and Development Authority

(Neda) Board led by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has approved the P23.4-billion TarlacPangasinan-La Union Expressway or TPLEX Extension Project during its meeting on  Friday.

“This is the fastest unsolicited proposal approval from its submission on March 17, 2023 to the approval today, June 2, 2023,” Neda Director General Arsenio M. Balisacan said in a press conference in Malacañang.

He said they will be negotiating the terms of the project with its proponent.

It will then be subjected to a Swiss challenge--a form of public procurement, wherein other parties will be invited to match or better the initial unsolicited

bid for the project—before it is eventually implemented.

“The TPLEX Extension Project will be implemented through a Public-Private Partnership or PPP under the Department of Public Works and Highways,” the Neda chief said.

Infrastructure benefits

BALISACAN said the project will cover a 59.4-kilometer four-lane expressway highway, connecting the Ilocos Region to Central Luzon and Metro Manila.

Once completed, the TPLEX extension is expected to “simulate economic activity, alleviate road congestion, provide better and safer road access and promote the development of new growth centers” in Northern Luzon.

Balisacan noted that out of the

194 infrastructure flagship projects of the Marcos administration, which have a total estimated cost of P8.3 trillion, 68 are currently ongoing; 25 have been approved for implementation.

Another nine are waiting government approval and the remaining projects are either in the process of project preparation or pre-project preparation.

“These high-impact infrastructure projects are designed to address the nation’s infrastructure deficit to revive driving sustainable economic growth across priority sectors of our economy,” Balisacan said.

New guidelines and agri-related projects ASIDE from updates on the infrastructure projects, the NEDA

118 bidders for the second round of the Green Energy Auction (GEA-2) program.

A total of 339 out of 378 submissions of registration for different renewable energy (RE) technologies from 118 companies were found compliant to participate further in the bidding process for the 11,600 megawatts (MW) offered RE capacities.

The agency has scheduled a prebid conference on June 6 and the auction on June 19.

According to the DOE, the auction will have three stages corresponding to the annual installation targets—2024, 2025, and 2026. The installations will be

Qualified bidders will be given a 45-minute period to place and enter their bids for each RE technology for target year installation.

The winning bidders, which will be announced on June 28, will be awarded with 20-year Power Supply Agreements (PSAs) as provided in the Terms of Reference (TOR) of the GEA-2 program.

The GEA-2 is expected to encourage more investments in power generation as well  as to promote the growth of RE as one of the country’s primary sources of energy by  facilitating transparent and competitive selection of RE facilities to help realize the government’s target of 35 percent RE in the energy mix by 2030 and 50 percent by 2040.

DTI launches import surge monitoring system as RCEP takes effect in PHL

ON the same day the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) took effect, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) announced that it has launched the Import Surge Monitoring System, which aims to monitor the influx of imported commodities.

RCEP, a mega trade deal among 15 member countries, took effect for the Philippines on June 2.

Trade Assistant Secretary for International Trade Policy and Trade Negotiation Allan B. Gepty said the DTI through the Bureau of Import Services (BIS) launched the Import Surge Monitoring System last May 31.

The system, he said, is “a dashboard intended to monitor surge in the volume of locally produced industrial commodities being imported in the country.”  Specifically, he noted, this will cover industrial products that are “sensitive and may be subject to trade remedy investigation.”

The system will serve as a “guide by businesses in formulating strategies, business plans, forecasting, projecting market demand to increase their competitiveness,” as the dashboard will generate statistical data and trends, the official said.

Gepty said the program will “empower” all industries and stakeholders in the Philippines to monitor the

competing products. He also cited challenges being experienced by these stakeholders.

“[For] some companies here in the Philippines, one of the challenges that accounts for their availment or utilization of trade remedies is the lack of information. How many items are coming in? Let’s say wiring harness or maybe paper or maybe ballpen. They have no data, no access to data on importation,” Gepty said.

The Trade official explained that in keeping track of the influx of a particular product, the increase in importation shall be monitored.

The analysis entails processing if the increase in the entry of a particular product “is sudden and sharp,” he explained further.

According to Gepty, the technical experts in the Bureau of Import Services can assist the stakeholders. Depending on the outcome of the investigation, a petition can be filed before the DTI.

“Through this import surge monitoring system,” stakeholders, he said, may enrol, monitor the BIS, and then see the analytics. Then if there is an unwarranted, sharp increase in imports, “it is possible that they can initiate trade remedies like safeguard measures. So that’s the value of this system,” Gepty emphasized.

Andrea E. San Juan

Board also confirmed the Investment Coordination Committee (ICC) guidelines for local government unit (LGU) PPP projects.

“This initiative aims to empower LGUs and enable them to effectively engage in PPPs that will promote local development and attract investments,” Balisacan said.

Also discussed at the Board meeting was the confirmation and referendum of the ICC approval of the Department of Agriculture’s P45-billion Philippine Rural Development Projects Scale-up or PRDP Scale-up.

“Its goal is to further enhance agricultural productivity, increase income opportunities and improve the living conditions of rural communities throughout the country,” Balisacan said.

Samuel P. Medenilla

Newsman Dennis Fetalino writes 30

VETERAN newsman and former director of the National Press Club Dennis Fetalino died on Thursday (June 1). He was 62.

Until his death, Fetalino was associate editor of People’s Journal and wrote a regular column.

Fetalino had been a journalist since his student days at the University of the East, where served as editor of the Dawn, which until the mid-1980s was the biggest student newspaper in the country.

He became a reporter for Malaya at the height of the protests against martial law that culminated in the 1986 People Power Revolution.

Post-EDSA, he joined a number

of newly founded newspapers, including the Herald Tribune, Philippine Star and Business Star before finding his niche with the Journal Group of Publications where he rose to become associate editor of People’s Journal.

He was elected director of the National Press Club for nine terms and was among the founders of the Economic Journalists Association of the Philippines.

Fetalino is survived by his wife Juliet, children Mario Jordan and Regine, brother Mario, sister Jena, nephews and nieces and other relatives.

His remains lie in state at Chapel 10, Heritage Park in Taguig. Interment is on June 5.

THE Bureau of Customs (BOC) on Friday said its tariff collections in May rose by an annualized rate of 17.36 percent to over P77 billion on the back of its “intensified” anti-smuggling efforts.

Early voting is access ramp to democracy for millions of disenfranchised PWDs

The house-approved bill allowing persons with disabilities to vote early during elections is “the assistive device” that removes an “institutional barrier” that prevents PWDs from exercising their right to vote, Deputy Speaker Ralph Recto said.

But more than that, it is “an access ramp to democracy” that could give millions of PWDs the political muscle to elect more of their kind to public office, Recto said.

Despite numbering in the millions—their share of population ranging from 1.7 percent to 12 percent per official estimates—PWD leaders, despite their sterling qualities, have not broken “the political glass ceiling,” Recto added.

“No sector is grossly unrepresented. The truly marginalized remain unseen and unheard of in policymaking bodies, from local councils to Congress,” he said.

In the house of Representatives, the last PWD who served was the late journalist Art Borjal, a sectoral representative appointed by President Corazon Aquino. he was in office until June 1992.

After a 30-year drought, the P3PWD Party List, with former Comelec Commissioner Rowena Guanzon as first nominee, garnered almost 400,000 votes, more than enough for one seat, until her assumption of duties was halted by a Supreme Court temporary restraining order.

“But my point is, they should have more seats. Sa dami ng party lists, ’yung pinaka -marginalized ang wala. And they are not just a sector. They are a nation. And if this bill will result in their issues getting discussed and more of them getting elected, then its impact would be felt beyond voting day.”

Passed by a 295-0 vote early this month, house Bill 7576 grants early voting rights to PWDs, qualified senior citizens, health workers, and lawyers on election day duty.

For PWDs, the bill complements Republic Act 10366, which authorizes the Commission on elections to establish accessible precincts assigned exclusively for PWDs and senior citizens.

“There is a law that assigns the place. What is lacking is a law that provides more time for them to vote,” he said.

In his speech explaining his vote, Recto said “voting in the Philippines is not only a test of one’s political will but also of physical strength. The lines are never short and the hours always long. Other risks pose danger to one’s health like precincts being shot at.”

These provide insurmountable barriers to PWDs, Recto said, “a case of disenfranchisement by disability.”

The 2010 national census pegged at 1.57 percent the share of PWDs to total population, “which if applied today would translate to about 1.773 million PWDs,” Recto explained. The results of the 2016 National Disability Prevalence Survey, however, showed a higher “disability prevalence rate of around 12 percent, which would translate to about 13.5 million PWDs today,” Recto said.

hindrances to voting result in the low number of PWDs registered to vote, 318,747 in 2016, with 4 in 5 managing to cast their vote.

The Senate must pass the bill and the President must sign it, Recto said. “The merits of the bill are so evident that we cannot be blind to it.”

Our

Time

Former barangay captain gets ₧100,000 centenarian cash gift

By Alexander Lopez

“Clementino Alico was the first barangay captain of Malixi and a proud Tagbinahon who contributed to the progress of his village, and witnessed the developments of Malixi and the town of Tagbina through the years,” the DSWD-13 said in a statement.

Alico received the cash gift on May 11, the day he marked his 100th birthday, from Tagbina Mayor Glaiza Jane Lanete and other representatives from DSWD-13.

“The amount he received is a recognition and honor for his century’s worthy contribution to the community in Baran-

gay Malixi,” DSWD-13 said.

The release of the cash gift is mandated by Republic Act 10868 or the Centenarians Act of 2016.

In April, two other centenarians from the same province—Lydia Comedoy of Carmen town and Dominga Tejero of Tandag City—were individually given P100,000 cash gift by DSWD and local officials.

Meanwhile, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Regional District Office No. 104 (RDO-104) in the Caraga Region conferred Tuesday a recognition to Trento town in Agusan del Sur province

for its P20 million worth of withholding tax remittances for 2022.

In a ceremony, Trento Mayor William Calvez received the “Tulong-tulong sa Pagbangon, Kapit Kamay sa Pag-ahon, Buwis na Wasto, Alay Para sa Pilipino” Award from RDO-104 Revenue District Officer Marco Antonio Calo at

the town hall.

Last year, the municipality managed to remit P20.43 million worth of withholding taxes to the RDO-104.

“The withholding tax remittances of the local government unit of Trento contributed to the collection goal of RDO-104 last year,” the LGU said in a statement. PNA

Kissinger marks 100th birthday; envoy still active in global affairs

By Brian P. D. Hannon The Associated Press

FORMeR diplomat and presidential adviser henr y Kissinger marked his 100th birthday on Saturday, outlasting many of his political contemporaries who guided the United States through one of its most tumultuous periods including the presidency of Richard Nixon and the Vietnam War.

Born in Germany on May 27, 1923, Kissinger remains known for his key role in American foreign policy of the 1960s and 1970s including eventual attempts to pull the US out of Vietnam, but not before he became inextricably linked to many of the conflict’s most disputed actions.

David Kissinger, writing in The Wash-

A prisoner of time no more

By Nick Tayag

ington Post on Thursday, said his father’s centenary “might have an air of inevitability for anyone familiar with his force of character and love of historical symbolism. Not only has he outlived most of his peers, eminent detractors and students, but he has also remained indefatigably active throughout his 90s.”

The elder Kissinger celebrated the week with visits to New York, London and his hometown of Fürth, Germany.

In recent years Kissinger has continued to hold sway over Washington’s power brokers as an elder statesman. he has provided advice to Republican and Democratic presidents, including the White house during the Trump administration, while maintaining an international consulting business through which he delivers speeches in the Ger-

of existence counted since the day of birth.

Today, we are befuddled by various concepts of time. There’s physical time, absolute time, real time, virtual time, universal time, local time, eastern standard time, synchronized time, delayed time, cinematic time, and so on. Not to mention “Filipino time.”

The funny thing is we can’t see Time and we can’t touch it. So, how do we know that it’s really there?

Many scientists and philosophers argue that time is not a fixed and objective reality, but rather a subjective and artificial construct of the human mind. No less than Albert einstein said: “People like us who believe in physics know that the distinction between past, present, and future is only a stubbornly persistent illusion.”

Illusion or not, Time is in the perception of the beholder. Just like color. Scientific tests affirm that it is perceived differently by each person. Time can seem to speed up or slow down. For example, activities that take place in unfamiliar surroundings often seemingly take longer. What is considered as “late arrival” by one social group may be seen as “just the proper time” by another social group.

even the ancient Greeks already recognized there is such a thing as subjective time (kairos) that differs from so-called chronological or physical time (chronos). Where I grew up, I remember

man accent he has not lost since fleeing the Nazi regime with his family when he was a teenager.

As recently as this month, Kissinger opined that the war in Ukraine is reaching a turning point with China entering negotiations. he told CBS News that he expects negotiations to come to a head “by the end of the year.” he has called for peace through negotiation to end the conflict.

Kissinger also co-authored a book about artificial intelligence in 2021 called “The Age of AI: And Our human Future.” he has warned that governments should prepare for the potential risks associated with the technology.

During eight years as a national security adviser and secretary of state, Kissinger was involved in major foreign policy events including the first example of

that people did not have watches. My late auntie Consa could tell you the time of the day by just looking at the position of the sun or the length of your shadow. Not the exact time in hours and minutes but her over-all sense of the moment.

“Kalagitnaan ng umaga. Tanghali na. Magdadapit hapon na.” When you asked the estimated time you would be able to reach the barrio you want to go to, rural folks would say, “tatlong sigarilyo lang nandoon ka na” instead of “tatlumpung minuto.” That’s the Filipino way of perceiving time: not linear but pictorial. We don’t say “pintig ng oras.” We say “daloy ng panahon.” Our idea of time is not precise but experiential. “Di ko naramdaman ang daloy ng oras.”

In our college boardinghouse, we were oblivious to clock time. An hour would be measured by the number of songs played on the radio. Conversations ticked by at the pace of a cigarette or few bottles of beer. For me, the math class went on like forever while literature class was too short. Time was not exact, fixed or rigid, but malleable.

The change began when we became corporate cogs after college. We were habituated into thinking that life must be lived in terms of only one time: clock time. We built external routines and mental habits by following clocks and watches. We became creatures of what scientists call “neural adaptation.”

The alarm would go off in the morning. We commuted and had to be at the office by 8. We took a lunch break. Then back to work at

1. Went home at 5. Spent an hour or so commuting back home. Would have supper around 7. Went to sleep at 9. Then repeat.

As an ad copywriter I was once tasked by a dimwit brand manager to write the objective for every 3-second frame of a 30-second commercial! It was the most pointless time-oriented thing I did in my entire life as a creative person.

A life of time-based routines was so embedded in our biological system; even now some friends in post-retirement would always check if their watches are on their wrists when they go out, even if they already have their smartphones. One senior colleague once kept vexing us about the time because he left his watch at home. It is as if “at my back I always hear / Time’s wingèd chariot hurrying near” to borrow the poet Andrew Marvell’s lines, which for me best express the “carpe diem” thinking of modern times.

I got news for retired clock punchers! You’re free! Free to live a new life outside the clock prison. You are no longer owned by Time. Instead, you own Time.

Remember the cliché “quality time” as opposed to “quantity time”? Now you can focus on giving more value and more meaning to the time spent with your beloved, starting with your inner self.

What is important is you derive joy and meaning from the moment, to echo what Rabindranath Tagore, the Indian poet, said: “The butterfly counts not months but moments and has time enough.” To paraphrase Albert Camus: “Beauty offers

“shuttle diplomacy” seeking Middle east peace, secret negotiations with China to defrost relations between the burgeoning superpowers and the instigation of the Paris peace talks seeking an end to the Vietnam conflict and the US military’s presence there.

Kissinger, along with Nixon, also bore the brunt of criticism from American allies when North Vietnamese communist forces took Saigon in 1975 as the remaining US personnel fled what is now known as ho Chi Minh City.

Kissinger additionally was accused of orchestrating the expansion of the conflict into Laos and Cambodia, enabling the rise of the genocidal Khmer Rouge regime that killed an estimated 2 million Cambodians. Associated Press writer Patrick Whittle contributed to this report.

a glimpse of eternity in a moment.”

This sentiment is echoed by Francis Bacon, the english philosopher, when he wrote: “We have only this moment, sparkling like a star in our hand, and melting like a snowflake.”

So how do you get the most juice out of each moment, so to speak?

Intensify the feeling of the moment. Instead of being conscious of the ticking of the time, pay attention to what one poet calls “the influxes of feelings and sensations.”

Call me a slow eater. But when I eat, I like to eat with a sense of “mono no aware,” savoring each morsel, relishing the delectable taste and scent of each dish, listening to the crunch of the vegetable stem when I bite it. This is why I prefer not to have a loud and lively conversation while eating. I want to converse with my senses instead.

When I sleep, I fall into a deep restful sleep. I don’t have an alarm clock to alert and prompt me up and disturb my body’s equilibrium so early in the morning.

Don’t listen to voices that say you’re wasting your time by not doing anything productive. Novelist Marthe Troly-Curtin has this to say: “Time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time.” The amount of time spent on an activity doesn’t matter. So long as you fully and truly enjoy it.

Next time I meet my friend who is still living in clock time, I’ll tell him the advice of Kathryn Budig, a celebrated author and yoga teacher. Slow down. Take your time, pards. At our age, there’s no more rush to be good, moneyed or renowned.

BUTUAN CITY—A former barangay captain in Surigao del Sur town of Tagbina who turned 100 years old on May 11, 2023 was awarded P100,000 cash gift by the Department of Social Welfare and Development in the Caraga Region (DSWD-13).

Clementino AliCo of Brgy. malixi, tagbina, Surigao del Sur, receives the P100,000 cash gift from tagbina mayor Glaiza Jane lanete on the day he turned 100 years old on may 11, 2023. Alico served as malixi’s first village chief. Photo courtesy of DsWD-13

my sixty-zen’s WORtH

DepEd, UN promote forest conservation with Fil. kids

Editor: Mike Policarpio

Sen. Gatchalian on mother-tongue policy review: Listen to teachers

SENATOR Win Gatchalian is urging the Department of Education (DepEd) to listen to teachers amid ongoing efforts to review the implementation of the Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual Education (MTB-MLE).

“Listen to our teachers, our supervisors, superintendents, and principals. They’re our soldiers on the ground. [Let’s listen to them],” Gatchalian exhorted.

The lawmaker cited his observations from the ground, which were generated from consultations with teachers in Pangasinan, Davao, Cebu and Metro Manila.

Dubbed as “Forests for a Sustainable Future: Educating Children,” Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte said the program would “create opportunities” for her department and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to work with FAO on sustainable forest management.

“In the Department of Education

[DepEd], we have…many [underutilized agricultural and fishery high schools] with regard to the properties that they own,” she said during the visit of Dr. Lionel Dabbadie, UN’s FAO country representative.

She mentioned visiting a school in Leyte with around 6 hectares of land

area; however, it only has 1 to 3 hectares planted with vegetables due to fund constraints. With the project, the Education chief added that students may learn about sustainable management of forests, food production and food security, among others.

“Through interactive learning approaches and the development of strategic education modules, the project will equip younger generations with the necessary skills and knowledge to address current food production, distribution and nutrition challenges,” Duterte said.

Stephanie Sevillano/PNA

Palawan students win Shell NXplorers tilt for agri project

By Roderick L. Abad

PALAWAN National School won

SENATOR Alan Peter Cayetano has called on the government to address the lack of local educational assets and inadequate school infrastructure as it revisits the K-12 Education Program.

In a recent Facebook livestream, Cayetano pointed out the lack of time in studying the K-12 curriculum and resources, including classrooms and facilities, as one of the nation’s biggest problems. He hopes to revive discussions about such.

The lawmaker, who was at the Senator Renato Compañero Cayetano Memorial Science and Technology High School in Taguig City during his live digital broadcast, was one of only two senators who opposed the program during its discussion in 2012.

The senator has since expressed dismay over the program’s failure to deliver on its promises.

He cited that what was promised for a school during K-12, it already has a “sports track, oval, gym, equipment, coaches, [and swimming pool. A technical-vocational facility has a garage, testing equipment, motor and the right] professors.”

In his livestream, Cayetano emphasized that quality and accessible education is key to a better life for Filipinos.

“We owe it to future generations… [and should give our children the best possible opportunities…we can do that by giving them quality education that’s] accessible to all,” he said.

Cayetano commended the Second Congressional Commission on Education or EDCOM II—a body that was established last year to reassess the country’s education system after the pandemic—for “trying to find solutions” to the problems.

This sentiment echoes the deeprooted belief of his late father: former senator Rene Cayetano, in the transformative power of education, as seen in the collaborative efforts between father and son in establishing the high school named after his father.

Cayetano mentioned that during his father’s youth, the latter was always told that one can also go far despite being poor, or doesn’t have the finances or a business.

the coveted grand prize in the recently concluded “Shell NXplorers: The Bright Ideas Challenge (TBIC)” with a breakthrough project that aims to address the three agricultural problems: surplus, shortage, and supply of produce.

“Team FarmHer Innovators’” leader Anna Leonora Rodriguez said that when they performed ocular surveys around Kadiwa Farms in their province, they found that the challenge of Bayanihan Agri Clusters is that they have the crops, but lacked the means to mobilize as their farms are about 50 kilometers away from the city.

“That’s why we came up with the solution, which is the ‘Mark-It System,’” she told the BusinessMirror on the sidelines of the finals and awarding ceremonies.

Their entry consisted of the “Veggie Crate Tracker” that measures the weight and freshness of produce. For P2,500, the group came up with a mini-model which can accommodate 10 kilos of crops per transaction at the moment.

Palawan’s agricultural produce initially tested with their invention are tomatoes, potatoes, eggplants, cucumber and Baguio beans.

Data from the tracker will be transferred to the cloud-based “Mark-It App” that notifies market vendors about the description of the harvests, while tracking the surplus and shortage in each cluster. Consumers, in turn, can choose which farm to buy from and compare the prices based on the different crops that they offer.

The team developed the app and created its interface with the help of their advisors: the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and Palawan International Technology Business Incubator (PITBI).

With the Mark-It System, Rodriguez said the layers of middlemen between the farmer and consumer are reduced. From the usual days to weeks of transactions between the producers and the buyers that affect the quality and price of crops, she noted that the purchase to delivery process now only takes hours, making the produce fresher and cheaper.

“It’s nice that Shell is not only a business; it’s a corporation, and they’re giving back to the community with this competition,” she noted.

“Shell is giving us the chance to express the idea with their funds or with their support. So it gives us the fire, or it feeds our passion to do our best, which also benefits our community,” added team member Jane Abijah Escote.

For team adviser John Lemuel Noche, their project could be incomegenerating for their school’s students association: “We think that it’s feasible…We will make it a reality so that in the near future, it will be [our school’s] legacy…that’s useful for the community. I am thankful for the Shell NXplorers that provide us an avenue to present our work.”

The Mark-It System is not only an idea, but it’s being mobilized with the support of the Department of Agriculture, City Government of Puerto Princesa, Kadiwa, DOST and PITBI.

Winning the championship title, Team FarmHer Innovators brought home P100,000, while the school received P50,000 for the improvement of the institution’s program on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). The five all-female group, which also includes Aleen Leigh Pe, Carmiegh Eunice Bautista and Mary Julianne Ramos, shared that they intend to use the money as a start-up fund and further improve their project.

As part of their plan, Rodriguez revealed that they want to come up with a bigger Veggie Crate Tracker that can hold up to 50 kilos of crops per transaction. What’s more, they are considering adding sensors for further accuracy, global-positioning systems or GPS, and a messaging feature for farmer-toconsumer and farmer-to-farmer chats.

“Per the system itself, we want to add another factor, which is the storage facility, so we won’t stop with the detection of the quality, but also prolonging it,” she continued. “We do plan to expand it since we have many partners. Since we can give it to our school, the next batch can improve it, if they want to, because it’s flexible. Even other provinces can use it also.”

Positive change SHELL NXplorers 2023, a platform for young talents to be positive agents of change, gathered 10 teams identified as finalists out of the 30 teams that sent their proposals. Each team focused on solving food, water, and energy problems through innovative projects that are made sustainably. “We’re trying to meet these human

needs. Unfortunately, the way we’ve met those needs in the past have come as a consequence of a negative impact on nature. It means the depletion of resources. And it’s happening now. If you’re now aware, we are seeing a reduction in biodiversity, climate change, and deforestation,” said Paulo Gavino, sustainability manager for Shell Pilipinas Corp.

“The key to sustainability and the dilemma that we have now is, how [does one continue to meet human needs: food, water and energy—while reducing, minimizing and, hopefully, even reversing the negative impact human activity] has on nature. And that’s the challenge that we all have. Based on what we’ve seen now, it gives me a lot of hope and confidence that you will be able to solve this dilemma,” Gavino added.

The other Top 4 student-teams who proposed the most innovative projects that can help solve the country’s issues were “Team Maomag” from Tagbilaran City Science High School in Bohol which won P70,000 with their school also receiving P35,000 as first runner-up for “Project Sawod-Lawod.”

“Team Portabio” of Gusa Regional Science High School in Cagayan de Oro received P50,000, and their school also got P25,000, as second runner-up for “PortaBio.”

The other two with the Merit Award were “Team Intellihenyo” from Philippine Science High School-Cagayan Valley Campus in Nueva Vizcaya for their “IntelliOutlet” device, and “Team Thinkerbells” from Puerto Princesa City National Science High School for “Seament: Seashells as Cement Powder.” Each won P20,000.

“To our participants: You are this country’s next generation of scientists and engineers. Equipping yourselves with strength in these subjects is tantamount to possessing the power to change the world,” said Serge Bernal, vice president for corporate relations of Shell Pilipinas Corp. “I look to you to use that strength to become changemakers [who] help the Philippines and the world move forward.”

Since its inception in 2019, Shell NXplorers has trained 1,839 high school students and 269 teachers from 75 schools. This year’s winning teams will present and be part of the Shell NXplorers Student Carnival—the international platform where Filipino STEM students can stand side-by-side with their global counterparts.

According to the chair of the Senate Committee on Basic Education, the diversity of languages in many communities is posing complications in the implementation of mother tongue-based education.

While the MTB-MLE recognizes 19 languages as medium of instruction, the 2020 Philippine Statistics Authority’s Census of Population records as many as 245 languages used nationwide.

The lawmaker observed that some teachers who are not fluent in the mother tongue are asked to use it as the medium of instruction. He also cited teachers’ reports that Grade-4 learners have difficulty when they start learning Math and Science using English as the medium of instruction, four years after learning those subjects in their mother tongue.

Gatchalian added that in multilingual school settings, the MTB-MLE policy may discriminate against learners who do not speak the regional language chosen as the medium of instruction.

A 2019 study by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies on the MTB-MLE earlier pointed out that schools tend to use regional languages that are not necessarily the same ones that learners use at home.

The study added that surveyed schools assumed that learners have only one first language when learners, in fact, have several first languages.

The state think tank also cited that among the 16,827 schools it surveyed, less than 10 percent are doing the four activities needed to implement the MTB-MLE: writing big books on language, literature, and culture; documentation of the orthography of the language; documentation of grammar; and documentation of a language’s dictionary.

“We have implemented the MTB-MLE since 2013—it’s about time that we come up with an assessment whether it’s effective or not, and how it affects learner outcomes,” Gatchalian concluded.

T.I.P. lands in WURI

Top 50 for promoting ethical values, F.I.Re.

THE Technological Institute of the Philippines (T.I.P.) made it to Top 50 on its maiden participation in the 2023 World University Rankings for Innovation (WURI), after its two projects were commended for their ethical value and relevance to the Fourth Industrial Revolution, or F.I.Re.

T.I.P. ranked 41st in the WURI ethical value category for its “Project Ilawa: Clean Energy That Cleans,” while its “A Virtual Tour to Cultural and Heritage Space of Corregidor Island in GPS-Based Augmented Reality” ranked 44th in the F.I.Re. set.

“It is an honor for T.I.P. to be recognized for the impact of its activities and programs that promote ethical values, as well as its innovative endeavors along the Fourth Industrial Revolution,” said T.I.P. president Dr. Elizabeth Quirino-Lahoz.

The entries went through a blind peer-review process and were ranked based on their “innovativeness, implem entability, and impact.” Overall, T.I.P. found itself in the WURI Global Top 200 Innovative Universities.

WURI evaluates the participating universities’ real contributions to society by highlighting their creative and innovative approaches to research and education, focusing on the following key issues: Industrial Application, Entrepreneurial Spirit, Ethical Value, Student Mobility and Openness, Crisis Management, and Fourth Industrial Revolution.

The 2023 WURI rankings were announced during the Hanseatic League of Universities (HLU)’s third annual conference hosted by the Florida Gulf Coast University in Fort Myers, Florida in the United States last May 17.

The WURI Conference 2023 was organized by the Institute for Policy and Strategy on National Competitiveness and cosponsored by four global institutions: the HLU with the Institute for International Policy Studies of South Korea, The Taylor Institute at Franklin University Switzerland, and the United Nations Institute for Training and Research.

FILIPINO children will soon learn the vital link between a healthy forest cover and steady food supply through the United Nations’ (UN) Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

GATCHALIAN

Sen. Cayetano reiterates call to tackle lack of K-12 resources

VICE President and Secretary of Education Sara Duterte welcomes FAO representative Dr. Lionel Dabbadie. OFFICIAL FACEBOOK PAGE OF INDAY SARAH DUTERTE

MECCA OF AGRICULTURE AND ADVENTURE Kaamulan Festival and other must-see attractions in Bukidnon

Magbibo tang tanan! The annual gathering of the seven bukidnon hill tribes is a monthlong celebration of ethnic heritage. in april this year, thousands of locals and tourists returned to bukidnon with a vengeance, after a 3-year Covid hiatus.

Enthusiastically flocking to Malaybalay City, the capital of Bukidnon, the annual Kaamulan Festival is known to be the only authentic ethnic festival in the Philippines. The seven hill tribes are, namely, Talaandig. Tigwahanun, h ig aonon, Bukidnon, Manobo, Matigsalug and u m ayamnun. Kaamulan is from the binukid word “amul” which means “to gather.” At its core, Kaamulan is an indigenous peoples gathering for a purpose. These gatherings or events vary, but mainly is a celebration of a d a tuship ritual, a wedding ceremony, a thanksgiving during harvest time, or a peace pact.

Ethnic music with a distinct drum beat, colorful costumes, and most of all, authentic indigenous peoples with their symbolic tools literally came down from the hills

to the streets of Malaybalay. This in itself is a gesture of peace and unity among them.

The Piniliyapan h u , which happened on the eve of the final day of celebration was a showdown of dance, music, songs, and creativity that makes it one of the highlights that visitors must experience during the last Kaamulan Festival weekend. After the showdown, performers invited audiences to dance with them to the beat of their catchy drumbeats. n e edless to say, the Piniliyapan h u i s one big ethnic party for visitors to enjoy.

Like any other festivals, the Local Government u n its of Bukidnon held contests to motivate the locals, and at the same time, accentuate the colorful ethnic heritage of Bukidnon. h e re is the list of winners at the Kaamulan Festival 2023.

FLOAT CATEGORY

Champion-Valencia City

First Runner-up-Malaybalay City

Second Runner-up- Kalilangan

STREET DANCING CATEGORY

Champion-Malaybalay City

First Runner-up-Valencia City

Second Runner-up- Kalilangan

GROUND PRESENTATION CATEGORY

Champion- Kalilangan

First Runner-up-Malaybalay City

Second Runner-up-Valencia City

Pineapple Plantation

Bu K i dnon is dubbed the pineapple country and it is rightly so. d r iving through thousands of hectares of pineapple plantation with the Mt. Kitanglad as a majestic background, the pineapple plantation in Bukidnon is one of the largest in the world, and the biggest in the Far East. no rthern Mindanao stands out in the world as a mecca of pineapples, which can be harvested all-year round. it ’s a thriving industry for importing and exporting of pineapples worldwide.

Aside from being awestruck by the endless plantation as far as your eyes could see, locals and visitors can actually buy and taste these sweet pineapples from street vendors along the national highway in Bukidnon. Stop to rest and admire the view while enjoying this tropical fruit.

Fern University

Th E F ern u n iversity lies within the campus of the 3,000-hectare Central Mindanao u n iversity (CM u ) i n Maramag, Bukidnon. it is a research state university which was founded in 1910, and is one of the oldest premier universities in the southern Philippines. CM u is recognized by the Commission on h i gher Education as the Center of Excellence in the field of Agriculture, Forestry, Veterinary Medicine and Biology; and Center of d e velopment in Mathematics, Environmental Science and Teacher Education.

Be mesmerized by the thousands of fern species recorded by the academics and researchers from the Philippines and abroad. The very educational “fern walk” is a paradise for plant lovers and conservationists. Marvel at the rare species that can only be found at the Fern u n iversity, where these protected areas are housed.

Lake Apo

Th E b reathtaking Lake Apo is a crater lake found in the city of Valencia. Amidst a backdrop of hills and plains, the area is located about 640 meters in elevation, and about 11 kilometers from the city. i n t he 1990’s, Lake Apo was awarded the cleanest inland body of water in n o rthern Mindanao Region.

d e rived from the bisaya term apo, meaning elder or grandparent, leg -

SIKLESA, KALESA’S NEXT EVOLUTION Wonder vehicle aims for a better tourism experience

By Patrick V. Miguel

Interview by Edwin P. Sallan

Photos by Bernard Testa

En T REPRE n E u R L orenzo

Vega attributes the original concept of the “Siklesa” to his late grandmother Carmencita o n gsiako Reyes.

o n e Sunday, while on a trip to Binondo, Carmencita told Lorenzo an idea she had in mind: a “Kalesa style” where a motorcycle replaced the horse. She originally intended to use it for a parade but could not find the right people to make it for her.

Lorenzo described the moment as a “light bulb moment.” h e a dded, “ it ’s one of those things that we feel and i felt right away that it was something that is very special.”

h e s aw his grandmother’s idea promising. he s aid, “ i thought this is going to be amazing, it ’s something

that is really spectacular.”

Lorenzo did not wait longer.

There, at that moment, he asked his grandmother if he could work on it.

h e r answer: “Sure hijo, no problem.”

For the next 3 years, Lorenzo worked on the Siklesa—with a help this time with partner Ar. Jaime Recto.

Lorenzo and Jaime launched Siklesa in the 2018 Manila FAME.

d e spite passing away in 2019, Carmencita was still able to see Siklesa.

Reflecting on their innovation, Lorenzo deems Siklesa as “an evolution of transportation.”

he c laims that it has been a while now since anyone invented something for the transportation sector, and it is high time, with Siklesa, to emerge as a part of the sector.

Lorenzo shared that their very

first client was Manila hotel. “Back in FAME, Manila hotel was there and they approached us and they wanted to purchase units,” he recalled.

Manila h o tel keeps a display model for guests to appreciate Siklesa, according to Lorenzo. But more than that, Siklesa is being utilized for its true purpose: transportation.

“They use it as an actual transportation module throughout the Manila area and beyond,” he said.

That was only the beginning of Siklesa’s journey, as now, Siklesa is also being used by other hotels and institutions such as the d e partment of Tourism and Ayala Corporation. Further developments, new improvements

But innovation doesn’t stop there.

Siklesa originally started being run through gas. But Lorenzo realized the environmental footprints

end has it that there was a man living in the mountains who assaulted his granddaughter. he w as punished by the mountain deities for his sins by flooding the area forming the lake.

Scientifically, Lake Apo is a basin formed on an old volcanic cone that was later filled with water.

Abbey of the Transfiguration

Known as the Bukidnon Monastery, the Abbey of the Transfiguration in the outskirts of Malaybalay City is one of the most visited religious communities in the Philippines. Amidst a well-manicured lawn stands the pyramid structure of the church, which was made by the esteemed Leandro Locsin, n at ional Artist for Architecture.

Bukidnon’s Benedictine Monks runs the abbey and it is where they live and pray for the souls of each person in the world. Visitors to the monastery can enjoy a magnificent view Bukidnon’s mountain ranges, including the famous Mount Kitanglad.

Sip your coffee at the Abbey Café while taking in the view of a vast rice field, as well as local flowers and trees, perhaps. i t i s important to note that the Monk’s Blend is coffee made from beans produced, grown, and processed by the Benedictine Monks themselves.

Tagolwanen Women’s Weavers

Bu K i dnon’ S w omen artisans

come together to create world-class home and leisure items made of “banig”. Bright and colorful hats, mats, baskets, blankets and other quality items are much-coveted in modern homes. Buying locally gives livelihood to these women and their artistry is recognized around the world. The colors of n o rthern Mindanao is well-represented by these products.

The intricate designs and its practice of weaving is a cultural heritage innate of the Tagolwanen tribe. Living by the river near Malabalay City, the weavers uphold their traditions and continue the art of weaving from one generation to the next.

Dahilayan Adventure Park

B E t ransported to country side Europe or immerse yourself in adventure only d a hilyan Adventure Park could offer in n o rthern Mindanao. Experience your wildest rides and take in the mountain’s fresh air. Located at d a hilayan Forest Park in the outskirts of Malaybalay City, the adventure park boasts of various ziplines that is considered to be one of the longest in Asia. Exciting rides are available for both kids and adults. An amusement theme park that is one with nature as it is literally located in the middle of a lush forest in the mountainside.

The mecca of agriculture and adventure, Bukidnon should truly be in your travel bucket list.

of gas, and decided to switch the engine being electrically run. we h ave to make that shift to electric vehicles to be environment friendly, zero carbon emission,” he said.

it ’s not just about making money. o f c ourse, making money is very important because money allows you to do more things ‘di ba? But how can you create things that have

integrity?” he reflected.

Siklesa is not about replacing jeepneys, Lorenzo said. h e s aid it’s for bigger things, like more ways of transportation and a better tourism experience. “ it ’s being greeted by an amazing and new innovation that represents the Philippines,” he added.

it ’s a beautiful thing and it’s not just that, it rides fantastic,” he said.

Tourism Editor: Edwin P. Sallan

Story & Photos by Arabelle Jimenez

T R IbAL performers at the Kaamulan Festival’s Street Dance LAKE Apo

TAGOLWANEN Women’s Weavers banig products

DAh ILAYAN Adventure Park

PINEAPPLES for sale on the highway

Abb EY Cafe

ENTREPRENEUR Lorenzo Vega and his Siklesa

• Editor: Gerard S. Ramos

Fact-checking is easy because ‘Google is free’

Google Philippines Head of Communications and Public Affairs

Mervin Wenke details the many ways Google and YouTube combat misinformation.

This includes the $13.2 million grant to the International Fact-Checking Network.

MY late friend and editor Gianna

Maniego used to say, “A tweet is not news.” Call me old school or just simply old, but every piece of news or information I put on here needs to be verified.

I used to be a banking reporter and my beats included the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, Department of Finance, National Economic and Development Authority, government financial institutions, and private banks. I had a big shoebox filled with alphabetized clippings pasted on index cards with facts about the people and institutions I regularly covered.

This was the time when we had no access to the internet, so fact-checking was challenging. As journalists, we are held to the highest standards when it comes to truth and accuracy. To this day, whether I am writing about a new shade of lipstick for my beauty column or a new CEO for a fintech, you can be assured that every piece of information on there (except for my opinions) has been factchecked. Even my opinions are informed ones.

These days, a tweet, a Facebook post, or an Instagram Story can be the basis for a news story. I cannot write without fact-checking and I honestly don’t think anybody should either. I can’t even do a product review without checking its full name on the packaging. That’s the journalistic training I have received and if people think that’s archaic, then it’s sad. As they say, “Google is free” and it’s so easy to check facts before saying or writing anything.

According to Google Trends, the Philippines is the top country in the world searching for terms “fake news” and “misinformation” in 2023. The Philippines is also in the top 10 in the world searching for “disinformation” and “fact-checking” as topics.

This is good news because it means that more Filipinos are becoming more discerning. Google and YouTube are spearheading efforts to help educate people on the importance of factchecking.

“Access to trusted information and content is so important. Our goal is to empower media, creators and fact-checkers around the world with the tools, opportunities and capacity to help people online make informed opinions,” said Mervin Wenke, head of Communications and Public Affairs at GLOBE is leveling up its stake in the gaming world through its partnership with AcadArena, home of Southeast Asia’s campus gaming. Together, the partners are building a community of gamers aspiring to be leaders in esports, games technology and pop culture.

To kick this off, Globe is all set to empower gamers of all kinds at CONQuest 2023, the biggest gaming and pop culture convention in the Philippines set to unfold at the SMX Convention Center at the Mall of Asia Complex from June 2-4, 2023. CONQuest promises to be a thrilling spectacle featuring top streamers, influencers, shoutcasters, cosplayers, esports athletes, voice actors and musical acts. International sensations Valkyrae, Pokimane, Lilypichu, Michael Reeves, and Tuonto are poised to share the stage with Korean indie rock band The Rose. Matching them step for step are Filipino powerhouses VeeWise, RikuPH and a host of other local figures.

Google Philippines.

The Google Search “About This Result” feature, which is available in Filipino, shows you more information about a particular entry on the results page. To access this information, you can click the three dots beside a result’s URL and additional context for that entry to help people understand where the information is coming from and see how Google’s systems determined it would be helpful for their query.

YouTube has also introduced Breaking News, a shelf that appears on YouTube’s homepage when a major breaking news event happens.

When you search a topic or watch videos on YouTube that are prone to misinformation, you will see an an information panel linked to third-party sources at the top of the search results or under a video you’re watching.

We always see the words “Community Guidelines” on the internet. These are the rules for how to behave on YouTube and apply to all types of content on the

platform, including unlisted and private content, comments, links, community posts, and thumbnails. Creators receive a strike for every Community Guideline violation and three strikes within 90 days means permanent removal from the YouTube platform. YouTube said 94 percent of videos removed on the platform were first flagged by machines then reviewed by humans. Over 6 million YouTube channels were terminated globally for violating Community Guidelines.

T he Philippines ranked 15th in the number of channels removed for violating Community Guidelines.

Google also regularly holds capacity-building workshops around the world to help media assess information online. Over the past several years, Google has trained more than 177,500 journalists in 17 countries across Asia Pacific, including the Philippines.

Further, Google and YouTube provide grants to organizations to help strengthen fact-checking

efforts. Google and YouTube announced in November 2022 a $13.2 million to the International FactChecking Network (IFCN) at the Poynter Institute to launch a new Global Fact-Check Fund, Google and YouTube’s single largest grant in fact-checking. The fund were open to applications from IFCN’s network of 135 fact-checking organizations from 65 countries, including the Philippines, covering over 80 languages. Applications were open until May 15 for grants from the fund’s first phase, called BUILD.

Google is also committed to helping media and creators succeed on platforms like YouTube Shorts so that quality content and journalism thrive even on new popular formats.

Shorts on YouTube, which are fast gaining popularity among creators and viewers, are shortform videos not exceeding one minute.

“We believe the media and creators do play an important role in ensuring that more Filipinos online can connect to trusted information even on new formats like short videos,” said Wenke.

Shell, Brainsparks strengthen digital marketing, AI edge of start-ups

like no other, especially for Globe customers. Through the partnership with AcadArena, subscribers can get exclusive perks such as 10% discounts on tickets and chances to win tickets from different tiers, from day passes to coveted Premium passes, using their Globe Rewards points on GlobeOne.

Globe users can also enjoy express lane entry simply by showing their proof of SIM registration. They also get the privileged opportunity to lay claim to special CONQuest 2023 merchandise.

The telco giant plans to ignite the venue of the much-anticipated event with an immersive, experiential booth that will reward gamers for their life’s wins. From getting freebies when they donate their Rewards points for a cause, to indulging in free arcade plays and memorable meet-ups with their favorite streamers, the Globe gaming community is in for an action-packed, unforgettable weekend!

We in Globe are very much thrilled to once again present and enable AcadArena’s CONQuest, especially as it becomes a space for all types of gamers, with the event going beyond just games and esports, and expanding into music and pop culture. It’s a perfect match as we aim to strengthen the Philippines’ gaming community and provide festival-goers with the most reliable mobile network in the Philippines,” said Ralph Aligada, Head of Globe Games and Esports. More information about the event is available via the GlobeOne app.

By Roderick L. Abad Contributor

PUSHING for entrepreneurship and strengthening local economies, Shell Pilipinas Corp. (SPC), through its flagship enterprise development program Shell LiveWIRE, has tied up with Brainsparks Community Meetup to boost the competitiveness of start-ups via digital marketing and artificial intelligence (AI).

Shell LiveWIRE supports MSMEs [micro, small and medium enterprises] producing innovative products and services. The second form of support is for the tech start-ups where we run accelerator programs,” said Crisille Villaluna, program officer of Pilipinas Shell Foundation Inc (PSFI), social arm of Shell Pilipinas Corp. (SPC). “We were able to reach 800 start-ups and among the 32 that went into the acceleration program, there were 12 who were integrated into the value chain of Shell and Pilipinas Shell Foundation Inc.”

The Community Meetup, likewise, invited start-ups and innovators to join the initiative for mentorship and inclusion to the Shell Value Chain.

Eight Media CEO Gerald Castillo gave updates on the current trends in digital marketing, and the platforms that start-ups can tap to grow their business and accelerate their engagement with customers. He also delved on solving a problem through marketing for start-ups. His tip: still keep the basics.

Lead Andrew Manliquez discussed how machine intelligence like ChatGPT can help in everyday tasks, specifically for content. According to him, they can use this channel to reduce their tasks for a day and focus more on other activities.

Dali Innovative Solutions CEO Louie Villalon shared his journey with the program and how their global energy product, wind turbine Vortex, evolved and progressed.

“When we joined Shell LiveWIRE, we did not have this design and this certain ambition that we are trying to target now,” said the program’s alumnus.

“With the help from Shell LiveWIRE, we’ve already been able to do several community visits and reached four communities with the help of Shell. They led us to these communities to talk to them and validate our market. We’ve been able to be part of three potential projects; we are now part of one project in Mindoro.”

For those who want to become future innovators, the Acceleration Program 2023 is open until June 5. To register, visit https://tinyurl. com/27tnn9jc

Eleven teams will be chosen for this year, of which three are tech start-ups, six community enterprises, and two Shell Sponsor’s A-list that will get access to mentorship from industry experts to scale their company. Tech start-ups will get financial support through product development and monthly allowances, plus a chance to win P1 million. All founders of community enterprises will receive a P100,000 grant after the program.

Globe cements partnership with AcadArena, kicks it off with CONQuest 2023

Marshall arts: Retro looks, modern sound

THROUGHOUT history, certain things have defied the passage of time and maintained their allure, transcending ever-changing trends. Just like the classic little black dress, denim jeans, leather jackets, and Wayfarer sunglasses, Marshall speakers embody an enduring charm that has made them timeless pieces in the music industry.

With a legacy dating back to 1962 and a reputation celebrated by legendary bands and musicians, Marshall has become synonymous with quality, power and passion.

When I got the Marshall Acton II a few years ago, it ended my search of finding the best home speaker. It was just the right size for our room, it sounded amazing and remains one of my favorite showpieces next only to my toy collection.

This year Marshall released its Home Line Series III and I got the chance to review the new Acton III.

What’s new and what makes it different? Does it sound better and, more importantly, is it worth the premium price tag?

W hile most of the recent Bluetooth speakers I tested were portable and rugged, the Marshall Acton III is meant to find more permanent spot in your home.

The Acton III is the smallest among the trio measuring roughly 10.3 x 6.7 x 5.9 inches and weighs 6.3lbs. It does look identical to its larger siblings the Stanmore III and Woburn III, and all of them resemble the company’s iconic guitar amps.

It is still portable as long as you are taking it to a place where you can plug it in as it doesn’t have a rechargeable battery. Marshall does have a separate line for portable speakers if you are looking for something you can charge and bring anywhere.

While staying true to the iconic design that speaks to the brand’s heritage, the Acton III has a PVC-free build that comprises 70% recycled plastic and only vegan materials. The detailing of the speaker cabinet is excellent and if you like retro amp aesthetics you’ll definitely fall in love with the design.

The script Marshall logo adorns the front grille and the only noticeable change from its predecessor is the slimmer brass strip on the front. The Acton III is available in three colors—black, brown and cream—so you should easily find the right color that suits your home’s interiors.

Complementing the faux leather finish are the brass analog controls on the top. There are control knobs for switching between Bluetooth and aux sound source, infinite knobs for controlling the volume, bass and treble levels, a combination buttonswitch for track navigation; and a large power switch toggle that reminded me of those old-school switches which you flick on and off.

The controls look and feel excellent; press to play or pause, or push to the left or right to switch songs. The knobs have markings but no clicks, and glide smoothly from 0 to 10. Red LEDs light up the notches as you twist them giving you visual cues of the levels. It’s convenient, if for example, you left your smartphone to charge in another room and way better than pushing buttons.

While it looks almost the same externally,

and placement of drivers to achieve a wider stereo imaging. Marshall says that the reason it made a third Acton speaker is to accommodate a total reengineering of its soundstage.

Behind the grille, it houses a 30W Class D amplifier for the woofer, and dual 15W Class D amps for the tweeters. These new tweeters are better angled to throw out sound upwards and outwards, while a new Dynamic Loudness system adjusts the tonal balance of the sound to ensure your music sounds brilliant at every volume.

This combination delivers stereo audio with a frequency range of 45Hz to 20KHz. Acton III is ready for the future of Bluetooth technology and has been built to deliver next-generation Bluetooth features the moment they are available.

Over the Air (OTA) updates via the app ensure that the speaker will always be up-to-date with the latest software and features. This future-proof technology will deliver higher audio quality, while increasing streaming range and improving audio sync. It’s compatible with Bluetooth 5.2 but unlike the Acton II, however, this doesn’t have voice assistant access and since there is no mic you won’t be able to use it as a speakerphone either.

There’s a Marshall App available for both Android and iOS but it is kind of a mixed bag and is still a bit light on features compared to other speaker apps. I do like the adjustable EQ with bass and treble controls that also adjust the LED levels on the speaker. You can also access a manual, subscribe to a newsletter, and install over-the-air firmware updates. There’s a Marshall Explore section that will direct you to a store and more information about other Marshall gear.

A cool new addition to the app is “placement compensation,” a feature that helps you find the right spot for your speaker and adjusts the sound according to where the speaker is placed, for example next to a wall or near an edge.

So how does the new Acton III sound?

It may give off a retro vibe but it actually sounds more modern than it looks. The Acton III has something elegant, silky, and sounds more precise and clearer than its predecessor. The new

mids and treble, as well as a wider soundstage that make it a great home speaker. Whatever the music genre you love listening to, it will all sound amazing on the Acton III.

Is it worth the premium price tag?

The Marshal Acton III brings on a lot of improvement when it comes to sound quality, but may be a bit “bare-bones” compared to other speakers. There’s nothing fancy here like, Apple AirPlay 2, Google Cast or even voice assist.

What you get, however, is a superbly built speaker that feels like the ideal size for most of people’s homes and would look amazing on top of any book shelf or side table. Even when it’s turned off, the retro design will definitely attract attention and once you turn it on, it will be pumping out great sound that will fill your room with good vibes. Those who prefer things to be simple will find it incredibly easy to operate, with on-speaker controls that are tactile and satisfying.

The only reason not to get this is if you already have an Acton II and probably want to level up to something larger like the Stanmore III (P25,990) or Woburn III (P39,990).

The Stanmore III boasts of an even broader soundstage and delivers the expansive and signature Marshall sound in a sleek home audio frame that can be displayed with pride in any area of your home.

The new and improved Woburn III, meanwhile, boasts a robust bass and a three-way driver setup that improves sound quality for both home theater and TV speakers. It has one 90W Class D amplifier for the woofer, two 15W Class D amplifiers for the mids, and two 15W Class D amplifiers for the tweeters. You can connect the speaker directly from your device using Bluetooth, RCA or 3.5 mm. Woburn III also has an HDMI input, which allows you to connect Woburn III to your TV for a uniquely Marshall viewing experience.

The Acton III is priced at P18,990 and are available at Digital Walker retail stores nationwide, its official website at https://digitalwalker.ph/, and online stores at Lazada, Shopee, and TikTok Shop. You can use the code MARSHALLBA to get ₱500 off the Marshall Home Line III.

LONDON—Twitter has dropped out of a voluntary European Union agreement to combat online disinformation, a top EU official said Friday.

European Commissioner Thierry Breton tweeted that Twitter had pulled out of the EU’s disinformation “code of practice” that other major social media platforms have pledged to support. But he added that Twitter’s “obligation” remained, referring to the EU’s tough new digital rules taking effect in August.

You can run but you can’t hide,” Breton said.

San Francisco-based Twitter responded with an automated reply, as it does to most press inquiries, and did not comment.

The decision to abandon the commitment to fighting false information appears to be the latest move by billionaire owner Elon Musk to loosen the reins on the social media company after he bought it last year. He has rolled back previous antimisinformation rules, and has thrown its verification system and content-moderation policies into chaos as he pursues his goal of turning Twitter into a digital town square.

Google, TikTok, Microsoft and Facebook and Instagram parent Meta are among those that have signed up to the EU code, which requires companies to measure their work on combating disinformation and issue regular reports on their progress.

There were already signs Twitter wasn’t prepared to live up to its commitments. The European Commission, the 27-nation bloc’s executive arm, blasted Twitter earlier this year for failing to provide a full first report under the code, saying it provided little specific information and no targeted data.

Breton said that under the new digital rules that incorporate the code of practice, fighting disinformation will become a “legal obligation.”

Our teams will be ready for enforcement,” he said. AP

ZTE reaffirms commitment to sustainability

A GLOBAL leading provider of information and communication technology solutions, ZTE Corp. has reaffirmed its ESG commitment during the annual FTTH Conference in Madrid, Spain. In his presentation with the theme “Building Green FTTH Networks for Sustainable Development,” ZTE Senior Director of the ZTE CTO Group Hans Neff highlighted the company’s latest technologies, perspectives and experiences with green FTTH network.

Advocating green development, ZTE has taken the lead in exploring a series of environmental protection measures. These cover various fields such as product architecture, device packaging materials, key components, and operations and maintenance, to promote the sustainable development of the industry. In his presentation, Neff emphasized that building sustainable green FTTH networks is a key direction for network development that benefits the whole society. Neff said that the “green” requirements should be integrated into the full lifecycle of FTTH networks.

ZTE’s products follow the green design concept of smooth evolution, high integration, miniaturization, and easy

deployment in its product architecture. For example, ZTE’s AnyPON multi-mode solution, the first of its kind in the industry, can meet the requirements of diverse scenarios through flexible configuration, and effectively reduce the number and types of cards. ZTE’s compact OLTs also effectively save space and energy in equipment rooms.

ZTE’s fixed network CPEs use 100% recyclable plastic enclosures, and packaging boxes use 100% green plant-based ink that is non-toxic and harmless for device packaging materials. ZTE likewise enhances the functions and lowers the power consumption of its key components. The company adopts intelligent management methods for operations and maintenance. For instance, smart fiber detection provides visualization and manageability, preventive maintenance, and accurate fault location functions, which help reduce the consumption of resources.

More information about ZTE innovations and devices in the Philippines is available at the company’s official social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram and Tiktok.

EU official says Twitter abandons bloc’s voluntary pact against disinformation

UN warns of new threat to global food security after Russia limits Ukraine grain shipments

center in Istanbul coordinating the arrivals, departures and inspections of ships involved in the Black Sea Grain Initiative “of its decision to limit registrations in the port of Yuzhny as long as ammonia is not exported, and currently it’s not.”

Ammonia is a key ingredient for fertilizer and Moscow wants Ukraine to open a pipeline from the Russian city of Togliatti to the Ukrainian port of Odesa that it used before the war to ship ammonia to its global customers.

work to overcome obstacles to Russian food and fertilizer shipments, which UN trade chief Rebeca Grynspan has been trying to do for months but Moscow has criticized the lack of results.

Dujarric warned that “global hunger hotspots are increasing and the specter of food inflation and market volatility lurks in all countries.”

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr

He said that since May 24 the number of teams inspecting ships has been reduced from three to two. This, along with the slowdown in registering ships, is creating a serious situation.

UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric expressed serious concern that only 33 ships departed from Ukrainian ports in May, half the number compared to April, and ex-

ports of grain and other foodstuffs totaled just 1.3 million metric tons (MT) last month, less than half the amount of the previous month.

He said Russia informed the

Turkey and the UN brokered the breakthrough initiative with Russia and Ukraine last July, opening a path for Ukrainian grain exports from three of its key Black Sea ports: Odesa, Chernomorsk and Yuzhny.

In a separate memorandum, the United Nations said it would

To reinforce the failure to export its fertilizer, Russia in March unilaterally decided to renew the grain deal for 60 days instead of the 120 days outlined in the agreement. And just before its expiration, in another example of Moscow’s brinkmanship, it agreed on May 17 to another two-month extension until July 17.

Following Russia’s Feb. 24, 2022 invasion of Ukraine, one of the world’s major breadbaskets, global food prices skyrocketed, hitting poorer, developing countries especially hard.

After the July agreements, food prices started to drop but

Fear of US-China conflict looms over Singapore defense forum

ASIAN leaders accustomed to straddling the US-China divide are increasingly nervous that tensions between the world’s two superpowers could spiral toward conflict, with a series of decisions on both sides making it harder for Beijing and Washington to find common ground.

A defense conference in Singapore this week that could have served as a bridge between the two sides looks instead like it will further highlight the rift over issues, including Taiwan, restrictions on high-end chips and China’s claims to a large swath of the South China Sea (SCS).

“A lot of us in Southeast Asia are very nervous about Taiwan, seriously,” said Saifuddin Abdullah, a former Malaysian foreign minister whose remarks were echoed by other regional leaders. “We’re very nervous.”

The heightened geopolitical tensions are hanging over business ties between the world’s biggest economies, which are trading goods with each other at record levels, even as Presidents Joe Biden and Xi Jinping move to become more self-reliant in key areas.

China has rolled out the red carpet in recent days for global business leaders, including Tesla Inc.’s Elon Musk and Jamie Dimon, the chief executive officer of JPMorgan Chase & Co., in an effort to allay fears the nation is becoming more hostile to foreign capital.

But hopes that the ShangriLa Dialogue kicking off Friday would showcase improvement in US-China ties were dashed when Beijing rebuffed a US request for Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and his counterpart Li Shangfu to meet. The US has sought talks

for months, but Beijing wants sanctions the US put on Li in 2018 removed, a step the Biden administration considered before ruling out.

So while the military chiefs of the world’s biggest economies will be at the same hotel this weekend, and possibly in the same conference room, they aren’t scheduled to talk. That adds to months of broken communication following a promising meeting between Biden and Xi in Bali last November, when the two leaders tried to get the relationship back on track.

It hasn’t happened.

After some tentative outreach, the relationship resumed its downward trajectory when an alleged Chinese spy balloon floated through American airspace in February and the Biden administration ramped up restrictions on technology exports to China.

The US and its allies say they want to “de-risk,” not “decouple,” from China, citing the need to balance trade ties with national security threats from Beijing.

Xi’s government rejects that depiction, instead seeing a US-led plot to undercut its growth and encircle it by ramping up defense cooperation with Taiwan, Japan, the Philippines, Australia and other partners.

“Some of the strategic and ideological differences between the two countries appear insurmountable, and may well be irreconcilable,” Singapore Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said during a conference in Tokyo last month.

Much of Asia—including America’s allies—feel stuck in the middle. And they warily eye the war of attrition unfolding in Ukraine as a stark warning of what could happen

if the two rivals don’t stabilize ties.

Ong Keng Yong, the former secretary general of the Asean, said Washington and Beijing are keenly aware of the parallels.

“Both sides are aware that they cannot afford to make a mistake by going unwittingly into a military conflict,” Ong said in an interview.

“The US and China are mindful of the horrible situation that will emerge if there is military confrontation in Taiwan Strait.”

Yet an accidental conflict is always a risk. A Chinese fighter jet last week swerved in front of a US reconnaissance aircraft over the South China Sea in an “unnecessarily aggressive maneuver,” the Pentagon said, part of what a senior American official described as a pattern of confrontational behavior in the region.

Surveying the tensions in the region, Laotian President Thongloun Sisoulith bemoaned the formidable challenges that, left unattended, “could potentially lead to devastating consequences for the world.”

With little sign of a detente, the US and China are digging in. China has continued a years-long effort to militarize contested islands and outcroppings it claims as its own and regularly sends warplanes and ships into traditionally Taiwanese waters. And it has stayed silent as North Korea ramps up its ballistic missile and nuclear program.

Xi this week called for greater efforts to modernize national security defenses and tackle rising risks amid a broader crackdown on overseas access to data and socalled expert networks accused of encouraging the leaking of state secrets.

The US, meanwhile, has sought to strengthen regional

alliances. It won promises of more cooperation between Japan and South Korea and opened new embassies in some Pacific Island nations. After years of strained ties with the Philippines, it worked with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to gain access to more military facilities and in April kicked off the largest joint military exercise with Manila in 30 years.

Other nations are acting too. Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida wants to deepen defense ties with Canada and other Group of Seven countries in Tokyo’s biggest overhaul of security policy since World War II. He’s also overseen an expanded defense pact with Australia, to include intelligence sharing and more sophisticated joint military exercises.

Even without a US-China meeting in Singapore, both sides will be looking to solidify a claim to leadership. The Pentagon said Austin “will meet with key leaders to advance US defense partnerships across the region.”

Austin addresses the Singapore conference on Saturday morning. Li does the same on Sunday.

Among the 600 military officials and delegates from 40 nations attending the conference, there are some who still hope the US and Chinese delegations will find a way to break the ice, even informally on the sidelines.

But it would take much more than one meeting to shift the direction of ties at this point, said Diana Choyleva, chief economist at Enodo Economics, a London-based research firm focused on China.

“Make no mistake, any improvement is at best a minor pause in the intensifying all-out confrontation between the existing and the aspiring hegemon,” she said.

Bloomberg News

Senators strike new deal for swift passage of bill to avert US default

SENATORS reached a deal to expedite passage late Thursday of a debt-ceiling agreement forged by President Joe Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy as a June 5 deadline for a destabilizing US default approaches.

T he agreement allows senators to offer 11 amendments to the bill, all of which are expected to fail but nonetheless force brief debate and a vote. It also includes a statement from Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer that the Senate could bypass the budget caps via emergency spending for both defense and domestic

Zelenskyy tweeted Wednesday that the port of Yuzhny is blocked and more than 1.5 million tons of agricultural products are waiting there for shipment to at least 10 countries including Turkey, China, Egypt and Bangladesh.

He urged everyone to pressure Russia to unblock food supplies saying, “Obviously the less food is supplied to these countries, to these regions, the higher the food prices are, the more people in these countries lose from their family budgets.”

Dujarric noted that in May only three ships departed from the port of Yuzhny.

The UN has put forward practical suggestions “at the strategic and operational level” and will continue to engage with Russia and Ukraine, Dujarric said.

“In particular, we are looking for commitments on unconditional access of vessels to all three ports under the initiative, increased number of successful inspections completed per day and predictable registrations to avoid undue delay of vessels, exports of fertilizers, including ammonia, and the resumption of the Togliatti-Odesa ammonia pipeline,” Dujarric said. AP

Biden says he got ‘sandbagged’ after he tripped, fell onstage at Air Force Academy graduation

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado—

President Joe Biden quipped that he got “sandbagged” Thursday after he tripped and fell—but was uninjured— while onstage at the US Air Force Academy graduation.

Biden had been greeting the graduates in Colorado Springs, Colorado, at the front of the stage with salutes and handshakes, and turned to jog back toward his seat when he fell. He was helped up by an Air Force officer as well as two members of his US Secret Service detail.

Onlookers, including some members of the official delegation onstage, watched in concern before Biden, who at age 80 is the oldest President in US history, returned to his seat to view the end of the ceremony.

“I got sandbagged,” the president told reporters with a smile when he arrived back at the White House on Thursday evening before pretending to jog into the residence. Two small black sandbags had been onstage supporting the teleprompter used by Biden and other speakers at the graduation.

“He’s fine,” White House communications director Ben LaBolt tweeted after the incident. “There was a sandbag on stage while he was shaking hands.”

gait, which O’Connor said was the result of spinal arthritis, a previously broken foot and neuropathy in the Biden’s feet.

Biden is far from the first national political figure to stumble in public.

President Gerald Ford fell down while walking off Air Force One in 1975. GOP Sen. Bob Dole of Kansas, the GOP presidential nominee at the time, fell off the stage at a campaign rally in 1996. President Barack Obama tripped walking up the stairs to a stage at a 2012 event. “I was so fired up, I missed a stair” he told the crowd.

President Donald Trump’s gingerly walk down a ramp at the 2020 West Point commencement also sparked concerns about his health. Trump, 76, was campaigning in Iowa when he heard about Biden’s stumble and alluded to his own episode.

“He actually fell down? Well I hope he wasn’t hurt,” Trump said after an audience member told him about what had happened to Biden. “The whole thing is crazy. You gotta be careful about that...‘cause you don’t want that, even if you have to tiptoe down a ramp.”

priorities, though the House would have to agree to do so.

“A strong bipartisan majority of senators stands ready to receive and process emergency funding requests from this administration,” he said on the Senate floor.

Schumer mentioned potential targets for emergency spending including Ukraine, competing with China, assorted defense priorities to deal with China, Russia, Iran and other adversaries, as well as any urgent national matter, including issues like the spread of fentanyl or natural disasters. Bloomberg News

Biden has been dogged by questions about his age and his fitness to serve, and his missteps have become fodder for political rivals as he campaigns for a second term in 2024.

He has stumbled before going up the stairs and onto Air Force One and he once got caught up in his bike pedals while stopping to talk to reporters near his home in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware.

Biden’s personal doctor said after the President’s most recent physical exam in February that Biden “remains a healthy, vigorous 80-year-old male, who is fit to successfully execute the duties of the Presidency.” Dr. Kevin O’Connor also documented the President’s stiffened

The audience laughed as Trump recounted slowly inching his way down what he said had been a slippery ramp at the US Military Academy graduation.

“If he fell, it’s too bad,” the former president said. “We gotta just get this thing back on track. That’s a bad place to fall when you’re making, I think it was the Air Force Academy, right? That’s not inspiring.”

Meanwhile, GOP presidential candidate and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis used the opportunity to take a political shot at Biden while at a campaign event in New Hampshire.

“We hope and wish Joe Biden a swift recovery from any injuries he may have sustained,” he said, “but we also wish the United States of America a swift recovery from the injuries it has sustained because of Joe Biden and his policies.” AP

UNITED NATIONS—Warning of a new threat to global food security, the United Nations said Thursday that Russia is limiting the number of ships allowed to pick up Ukrainian grain at Black Sea ports in its campaign to get Kyiv to open a pipeline for a key ingredient of fertilizer to get to world markets.

PRESIDENT Joe Biden falls on stage during the 2023 United States Air Force Academy Graduation Ceremony at Falcon Stadium, Thursday, June 1, 2023, at the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado. AP

JOKIC, NUGGETS IN GAME 1 Sports

DENVER—Nikola

Jokic and the Denver Nuggets were facing some questions going into their first National Basketball Association (NBA) Finals, and their answers came in resounding fashion.

No, a week and a half off didn’t hurt them.

A nd no, the NBA’s biggest stage isn’t too big, either.

Jokic got a triple-double in his finals debut, Jamal Murray scored 26 points and the Nuggets had little trouble with the cold-shooting Miami Heat on the way to a 104-93 win in Game 1 on Thursday night.

I think that’s what the beauty of this team is,” Murray said. “We have so many different weapons and so many different looks. You’ve got to guard everybody.... Free-flowing, and it’s a lot of fun.”

T he Heat had been 3-0 in openers so far in these playoffs, all on the road, but Denver is still unbeaten at home. Game 1 winners in the finals go on to win the title nearly 70 percent of the time.

Labadan bags ticket to world championships

By Josef Ramos

BREANNA LABADAN earned a ticket to the world championships after salvaging ninth place in the individual all-around finals of the 14th Rhythmic Gymnastics Asian Championships at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

The 16-year-old Labadan offset a shaky performance in hoops in scoring 110.40 points in the event organized by the Gymnastics Association of the Philippines and supported by the Philippine Sports Commission.

The 5-foot-2 gymnast scored 26.10 in the hoops but had a high 29.40 in the ball that went along with 28.30 and 26.45 in the clubs and ribbon, respectively.

S he finished four places better than in the 2022 edition in Pattaya, Thailand.

Although I could have done better, I am nevertheless happy with the outcome of my performance so I can return to the worlds,” Labadan said.

U zbekistan’s Takhmina Ikro -

mova retained the individual allaround crown with 132.20 points followed by Kazakhstan’s Eizhana Taniyeva (128.350) and China’s Wang Zilu (121.80).

This is her [Labadan’s] best result in the Asian championships and the best result for your country so I am very happy about her performance because last year she was 13th,” said Labadan’s Hungarian coach, Dora Vass.

“ Breanna beat two South Koreans, a Taiwanese and a Malaysian which shows you how great her performance was,” Vass added.

She said that even as early as Thursday,  Labadan already clinched a spot to the Rhythmic Gymnastics World Championships set August 23 to 27 in Sofia, Bulgaria.

“ My athlete was within the cut in three events—ball, clubs and ribbon—during the qualifiers that earned her another trip to the worlds,” the former Hungarian national athlete said.

A dvantage, Nuggets. That was one of my last messages to the group before our game,” Nuggets coach Michael Malone said. “I reminded our group, if they didn’t know, that Miami went into Milwaukee and won Game 1. They went into the Garden in New York City and won Game 1. They won Game 1 up in Boston. So, we did not want them coming in here taking control of the series on our court.” Jokic was the one in control.

The two-time NBA MVP finished with 27 points, 14 assists and 10 rebounds for the Nuggets, who waited 47 years to make the finals and didn’t disappoint.

The most important thing is to win a game,” Jokic said after his ninth triple-double of this year’s playoffs—his sixth in his last seven games. “I’m trying to win a game in any possible way.”

A aron Gordon added 16

points and Michael Porter Jr. scored 14 for Denver, which trailed for all of 34 seconds and eventually led by as many as 24.

B am Adebayo finished with 26 points and 13 rebounds for Miami, which shot 41% for the game—33% from three-point range.

Gabe Vincent scored 19, Haywood Highsmith had 18 and Jimmy Butler added 13 for the Heat.

M iami was 2 for 2 from the foul line—a night like none other in NBA playoff history.

It tied the fewest free throws ever made in a playoff game, broke the record for fewest attempts from the line in a playoff game—the previous record was three—and set NBA Finals records for fewest free throws made and attempted. The Los Angeles Lakers had the previous marks there, going 3 for 5 from the line against Philadelphia on May 26, 1983.

“ We’ve got to attack the rim a lot more, myself included,” Butler said.

A dded Adebayo, tongue firmly in cheek: “We made history.”

G ame 2 is in Denver on Sunday night.

M iami opened the fourth quarter on an 11-0 run, cutting an 84-63 deficit to start the final period down to 84-74. The Heat actually got within nine on a three-pointer by Highsmith with 2:34 left, but no closer and there wasn’t any doubt, either.

It’s a long series,” Vincent said.

“First to four wins. Adjustments will be made. And we will learn from this loss.”

Malone gave his team a pop quiz in shootaround Thursday morning, peppering them with questions about the game plan and what had to be done in the most important game to date in franchise history.

They had all the answers then. Had them all at game time, too. They were the team with minimal NBA Finals experience, only two players having been to the title round before, and yet they looked right at home before the home crowd in Game 1.

“We were ready,” Denver guard Bruce Brown said.

Jokic became the second player in the last 25 years—LeBron James was the other, in 2017—to have 10 assists by halftime of a finals game. He had 10 points and 10 assists by the break, and Denver was up 59-42 after the first two quarters—with Jokic taking only three shots. AP

PHL 3x3 basketball team in rousing start

THE Philippines overpowered Indonesia, 11-5, Friday in men’s wheelchair 3x3 basketball to jumpstart its campaign in the 12th ASEAN Para Games at the Elephant Hall A of the Morodok Techo National Stadium in Phnom Penh.

L abadan said that she’s inspired for a podium finish in the ball finals set at 10 a.m. Saturday.

I also had my best outing in the ball today so hopefully we can perform better tomorrow and finally win a medal for our country,” she said.  “ We would like to congratulate Breanna for her top 10 finish in the individual all-around finals, and hopefully she will be able to do better in the ball finals tomorrow,” said GAP president Cynthia Carrion.

Constantino targets record run in Valley

HARMIE CONSTANTINO— coming off a playoff victory at Luisita and a come-frombehind win at Villamor—chases a third straight championship in the International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) Valley Golf Challenge which unwraps Tuesday in Antipolo City.

A lthough Epson Tour campaigner Pauline del Rosario had won four championships in a dominant Ladies Philippine Golf Tour (LPGT) rookie season in 2017 which she spiked with a stirring victory in the Ladies Professional Golf Association Tour of Taiwan, no player has racked up three straight victories in the country’s premier ladies circuit put up by ICTSI.

HARMIE CONSTANTINO is coming off two victories she booked in similar fashion.

A fter two failed bids, del Rosario

Subic ready for Ironman races

ARACING experience like no other awaits a merry mix of bidders from at least 33 countries building up for the ultimate test of strength and staying power in the Century Tuna full Ironman and 70.3 races, which get under way June 11 in Subic Bay.

K ept in top condition all yearlong, the Subic course has been modified to provide a better racing experience for the elite cast clashing for top honors in both the 3.8-km swim, 180-km bike and 42-km run race (full Ironman) and the 1.9-km swim, 90-km bike and 21-km run (70.3) battle.

We have retained much of the race course from last year but we also made some improvements in managing the race to provide the

triathletes an even better racing experience,” race director Neville Manaois said.

Manaois also advised all the participants to hydrate in anticipation of the stifling conditions in the country’s premier triathlon hub which offers a balance of challenge and tests.

We expect a hot weather so don’t forget to hydrate and plan your race well,” said Manaois, adding the organizing The Manaois Group/Sunrise Events Inc. has guaranteed enough resources to provide the triathletes with enough support to ensure the smooth conduct of the races.

Meanwhile, registration is ongoing through visit www.ironman. com/ironmanphilippines or www. ironman.com/im703-subicbay.

won back-to-back at Orchard and Baguio, triumphed again at Pradera Verde after yielding the crown to Abby Arevalo at Riviera and reigned again at Splendido Taal after placing third at Forest Hills.

I’ll just stick to my game plan—hit the fairways and greens and make the most of my birdie chances,” said Constantino after completing her triumphant rally at Villamor last week.

But the rolling Valley South poses a far more daunting challenge for the LPGT field from each tee mound all the way to the green with terrors lurking from every corner of a course which requires accuracy and sound decision-making.

Constantino, in fact, posted a 16over 231 total when she tied for third

Two weeks into the blue-ribbon race—backed by title partner Century Tuna, global premier paretners Vinfast, Active, Gatorade, Hoka, Roka, Breitling Co., Fulgaz, Hyperice, Qatar Airways, Red Bull, Santini and Wahoo—the full Ironman has drawn over 500 bets, including 89 in the 45-49 age group division. Other age categories (male and female) are 18-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74 and 75-and-above.

A banner field is also expected in the Subic IRONMAN 70.3 race with the premier 40-44 age bracket luring over a hundred entries. Other age-category titles to be disputed in both the male and female divisions are 18-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 5054, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74 and 75-and-above.

Spicing up the event is the IM 70.3 relay race, which has so far attracted over 50 teams.

in last year’s Valley Ladies Challenge topped by top amateur Rianne Malixi, who outgunned the pro field and beat Chihiro Ikeda by 13 strokes.

But with the talented Constantino in great shape and exuding confidence, the former national champion, who also marked her debut in 2021 with two victories, both at Eagle Ridge-Aoki, is all ready for a crack at a record run in the P750,000 championship.

I keda, however, will be riding on her runner-up finish at Villamor to spark a title campaign while Sarah Ababa, Gretchen Villacencio, Florence Bisera and Daniella Uy are all keen on mounting their respective bids in the 54-hole championship organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc. and held side-by-side with the 72-hole men’s championship.

Completing the cast are Sheryl Villacensio, Lovelynn Guioguio, Lucy Landicho, Eva Miñoza, Apple Fudolin, Korean Juyoung Yang, the comebacking Martina Miñoza and Lesley Icoy, and young guns Rev Alcantara and Monica Mandario.

Sweet-shooting Kenneth Tapia and bull strong Alfie Cabanos led a decisive run that shattered a 5-5 deadlock to carve out the win for the Vernon Perea-coached team out to finally strike gold after a silvermedal effort last year in Surakarta, Indonesia.

“ So far, so good,” said Perea, whose other players were Clifford Trocino, JR Escalante and Rene Macabenguil. T he Filipinos played host

Cambodia, Thailand and Malaysia later Friday.

The chess team, headed by Surakarta Para Games quadruple gold winner Sander Severino, wades into battle starting at 9 a.m. Saturday at the Royal University in rapid chess.

The Filipino chess players accounted for 10 of the 28 gold medals snared last year and coach James Infiesto is optimistic of their chances in improving, if not matching, that output.

“ We’re hoping to improve from last time,” Infiesto said.

A c eremonial flag ceremony was held Friday morning that was attended by heads of the National Paralympic Committees, chiefs of mission and some athletes from the 11 participating nations including Philippine Paralympic Committee president Mike Barredo and Philippine Sports Commission commissioner and ched de mission Walter Torres, meanwhile, led Team Philippines in Friday morning’s flag-raising ceremony at the Sports Village.

The opening ceremony is set Saturday with 50 Filipino athletes and officials marching behind flagbearer Ariel Aligarbes of swimming.

A ction intensifies Sunday with most of the 12 sports—including medal-rich athletics and swimming— unfurling mostly at the national stadium and two other venues in the Cambodian capital.

A total of 24 gold medals will be staked in Day 1 of athletics with 23 Filipinos seeing action. We’re ready,” national track and field coach Joel Deriada said.

A ligarbes, who won three golds last year, heads the 12-member swimming team that won 12 golds in Indonesia.

B attle-scarred Gary Bejino and Ernie Gawilan plunge into action in the 400-meter freestyle for S6 and S7 classes, respectively, starting at 9 a.m. Saturday.

“Our goal is to make the country proud,” said national swimming coach Tony Ong.

BREANNA LABADAN is returning to the world championships. PHOTO BY BERNARD TESTA

FILIPINO wheelchair players Kenneth Christopher Tapia (6) and Kasep Ayatulloh Ma show size doesn’t

as members of Team Philippines are welcomed at the Sports Village during the flag-raising ceremony on Friday.

MIAMI’S Jimmy Butler (left) and Bam Adebayo (right) double team on Denver’s Nikola Jokic. AP