BusinessMirror June 17, 2023

What’s the fuss about bringing Afghans to the Philippines?

By Malou TalosigBartolome

In filing Senate Resolution 651, the sister of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. wanted to know the “real intention” behind the US request to accommodate the “Afghan refugees in a temporary housing program.” Although still in recess, the Senate foreign relations committee summoned officials from various agencies from the Executive Department and held a committee hearing Friday.

Based on the discussions during the Senate committee hearing and interviews from sources of the BusinessMirror, here are the highlights of the US request:

1. First, the US has sent feelers, asking the Philippines if the latter can temporarily accommodate Afghans who worked for them in Afghanistan and wanted to resettle permanently in the US together with their families. They are not “refugees,” as strictly defined under the US laws and international convention.

2. The historical context:

· The US waged war in Afghanistan in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks. During the 20 years of war, the US employed thousands of Afghans in the US Embassy in Kabul, as well as interpreters and guides for their military personnel.

· Two years before the US pulled out of Afghanistan, US Congress passed a law allowing eligible Afghans to apply for permanent residency under the so-called Special Immigration Visa (SIV) program.

· To qualify for the SIV, Afghans must be employed by or on

behalf of the US government in Afghanistan, provided “faithful and valuable service” to the US government, and experienced or experiencing an ongoing serious threat following their association with the Americans. Most of the first batch of approved SIV applicants fled to the US on their own.

· W hen the US government decided to pull out of Afghanistan in 2021, it brought with them 36,821 Afghan SIV applicants.

Unfortunately, thousands of SIV applicants remained in Afghanistan. According to human-rights groups, these former US employees have become targets of the new Taliban regime. Many of these applicants are women, or have women and children as dependents.

· Since the US Embassy in Kabul has suspended operations, the US State Department had to process SIV applications through other US embassies in other countries like Pakistan or Qatar.

· According to the US State Department, a total of 8,950 SIV applicants were relocated from Afghanistan for continued Afghan SIV processing from September 2021 to February 2023.

· A s of March 2023, there are still 152,301 Afghan SIV holders and applicants in Afghanistan.

3. US request to the Philippines Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo said US President Joe Biden mentioned briefly the request to accommodate the Afghan

SIV applicants during the visit of President Marcos Jr. in May.

· Manalo said the US State Department submitted a concept note which the DFA has submitted to various security and relevant agencies for comment. He read some parts of the concept note during the hearing:

* A ll Afghans will be traveling with valid passports, and would “have already undergone rigorous security briefings and background checks” by the US chief of mission.

* A ll costs will be shouldered by the US government.

* US and the Philippine governments will determine the suitable site to house the Afghans including children.

* The Philippines will impose mobility restrictions

SENATOR Imee Marcos, chairperson of the Committee on Foreign Relations, seeks clarification from Department of Foreign Affairs officials, led by Secretary Enrique Manalo, as to why the United States has chosen the Philippines as one of the countries to temporarily house Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) applicants from Afghanistan. Presiding at a committee inquiry Friday, June 16, 2023, Marcos pointed out that if the US is unable or unwilling to temporarily accommodate the SIV applicants, “why don’t they consider US territories such as Guam, Puerto Rico, and Guantanamo?”

In response, Manalo said that aside from being a partner and a treaty ally, the Philippines’s long tradition of providing humanitarian assistance was also considered by the US. SENATE PRIB to comment on their requests when pressed by reporters. “We do not comment on ongoing diplomatic discussions,” he said. · “ The Biden administration remains committed to the thousands of brave Afghans who stood sideby-side with the US over the course of the past two decades,” Dove said in a message sent to reporters.

* The US committed no one would be left behind in the Philippines, including those who will be denied visas

· The US has not provided the number of Afghans it is requesting the Philippine government to host. Philippine Ambassador to Washington DC Jose “Babe” Romualdez said the numbers may go up to 50,000 including children, although the US State Department said the number may be negotiated.

· Manalo said there was a suggestion among DFA officials to accommodate a small number, “probably a thousand applicants for a pilot program.”

· US law requires that SIV applicants be extended the same benefits as refugees—transportation and resettlement assistance, entitlement programs, and others.

· US Embassy in Manila acting spokesman Stephen Dove refused

4. Why the Philippines?

· R anking diplomatic sources said the US Embassy in Manila is the second largest US consular mission in the world. Given the consular capacity in Manila, the US thought of transporting the SIV Afghan applicants to the Philippines for processing of their visa application. During the Senate hearing, Manalo said that aside from being a defense treaty ally of the Americans, the Philippines has a long-

Continued on

LASTweek, Senate Foreign Relations Committee chair

Imee Marcos filed a resolution calling for a Senate inquiry into the supposedly secret “negotiations” between the Philippines and the United States to “house” thousands of Afghan “refugees” in the Philippines.

IN this August 22, 2021, file photo, a family walks toward a US Air Force Boeing C-17 Globemaster III during an evacuation at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan. SGT. SAMUEL RUIZ/US MARINE CORPS VIA AP

Latest hurdle for Thai election winner centers on media shares

By Patpicha Tanakasempipat Bloomberg News

A s the leader of the Move Forward party tries to rally support for his coalition, a saga around his alleged ownership of media shares has gripped the nation, stoking speculation about whether the 42-year-old Harvard graduate will be disqualified for breaching election rules. The dispute comes on top of Pita’s struggle to get members of the military-appointed Senate to support his premiership, with his alliance still short of the 376 votes needed from both houses of parliament to choose the next leader. At the same time, Pita has stuck to a campaign vow to try to amend Article 112 of Thailand’s criminal code, which punishes criticism of the king and other top royals by up to 15 years in prison. That stance has riled the royalist military and political establishment. Here’s what you need to know about this saga:

What’s it all about?

JUST days before Thailand’s elec-

tion, political activist Ruangkrai Leekitwattana lodged a complaint with the Election Commission, seeking a Constitutional Court ruling on whether Pita had violated a provision of the Thai charter that forbids anyone who holds shares in or owns a media company from seeking to take part in an election to parliament.

Ruangkrai alleged that Pita held 42,000 shares in long-defunct broadcaster ITV Pcl and argued that such ownership was grounds for disqualification.

In response, Pita downplayed the issue, calling the complaint a politically motivated effort to hinder Move Forward’s rise. He said he was legally prepared to clarify the issue if summoned by the Election Commission. Pita also said he didn’t own the shares but only managed them as part of an estate left behind by his father, who passed away in 2006.

How has Pita reacted recently?

AFTER Pita’s party beat pre-elec-

tion expectations and won the most seats in the May 14 vote, Ruangkrai didn’t stop. He kept filing what he claimed to be more evidence that showed Pita violated the charter. Meanwhile, the Election Commission remained largely silent on whether it would accept or dismiss the complaints.

L ast week saw a shift in Pita’s tone when he announced he had transferred the ITV shares to another family member. That move, he said, wasn’t an admission of

guilt but meant to pre-empt what he called efforts to “revive” ITV to be an active media company in order to disqualify him.

Pita also insisted ITV couldn’t be considered a media company since it hasn’t operated since 2007, when its government contract was ended and it lost access to its radio frequency.

Is ITV a media company?

DEBATE is still raging over this question. ITV started its television operation in 1995 under a 30-year government contract but went into a legal battle with the Prime Minister’s Office in 2002, causing its contract to be terminated in 2007.

A separate legal battle over the termination of the contract has continued to this day. In its 2022 annual report, ITV said it “used to” operate a television station and “had to cease” that operation in 2007. The company was de-listed from the Stock Exchange of Thailand in 2014.

Most legal experts have said ITV’s annual reports and financial documents showed the company is not in operation and not deriving revenue from media operations, and therefore can’t still be considered a media business. But Pita’s rivals say that as long as the company hasn’t formally closed, then it is still a media venture.

What are the latest developments?

IN the latest twist, local television show 3 Miti News had broadcast a

report showing discrepancies between what was said at ITV’s annual general meeting in April and what was written in the subsequent meeting minutes. According to the publicly available meeting report, one shareholder asked if ITV was operating in the media space and Kim Siritaweechai, the president at parent company Intouch Holdings who chaired the meeting, said yes.

However, parts of the video recording of the meeting, which the local outlet said it obtained from a shareholder, showed Kim also saying no and citing the ongoing legal battle as a reason. Intouch Holdings has since told the stock exchange it will “investigate the facts of these issues.”

L ater on Monday, Move Forward’s secretary-general claimed foul play, alleging an intricate plot to thwart Pita that began before the election and involving what he called a falsification of the ITV meeting report. He pointed to “irregularities” in ITV’s 2022 financial statement that differed from submissions in previous years by stating its business as media and its product as advertising—a move made on the same day as Ruangkrai’s original complaint.

What has the Election Commission said?

LAST week, local media reported that the six-member Election Commission threw out Ruangkrai’s media shares complaint alongside two

others and instead said it would pursue its own probe to determine whether Pita had applied to take part in the May 14 election despite knowing he was not eligible. If found guilty, Pita could face a penalty of as much as 10 years in prison and a ban from politics for 20 years.

What does this mean for Pita and his coalition?

IT’S not clear if the Election Commission will formalize a case against Pita after its investigation. Cases under Article 151 of Thailand’s election law are tried in criminal courts, not the Constitutional Court. Those procedures can take months or years, and the case could be dismissed at a number of different stages before it even reaches the judges.

Th at means that Pita could be certified as a member of parliament by next month and still be nominated by his coalition to serve as prime minister.

For now, Pita’s potential disqualification can’t be ruled out. Another article in the constitution allows the Election Commission or a group consisting of 10 percent of lawmakers in either chamber to ask the nation’s top court to determine whether a particular legislator is ineligible to hold office and to order his or her tenure terminated.

Th at’s a low bar in the 500-member lower house, where the conservative parties now hold 188 seats. Such a petition can be submitted as soon as a new house speaker is chosen and before the selection of prime minister.

Pita’s troubles are growing. He has yet to muster enough support to become prime minister while he faces potential legal challenges that could keep him from ever rising to or holding on to power.

It doesn’t help that Thailand has a history of disqualifying lawmakers and disbanding pro-democracy parties. Move Forward’s predecessor, Future Forward, was disbanded after the 2019 election. Its leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, then prime-minister candidate of the opposition bloc, was disqualified after the Constitutional Court found him guilty of holding media shares on the date he registered his candidacy.

Pita reiterated on Tuesday that Move Forward has anticipated every scenario to block his path to power and is prepared to fight any challenges. “ We have prepared evidence and legal arguments and we’re ready to fight when we really have to enter the process,” said Pita.

What’s the fuss about bringing Afghans to the Philippines?

Continued from A1 standing tradition of providing humanitarian assistance to people who are being persecuted.

The Philippines had hosted refugees fleeing war such as the 30,000 European Jews during World War II, South Vietnamese during the Vietnam War, 30,000 Kuomintang members during the Chinese Civil War, and “White Russians” during the Socialist Revolution in 1917.

What’s the fuss?

TWO major considerations were raised during the interagency meetings and Senate hearings:

1. Security issue

Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte, the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (Nica), the National Bureau of Investigation and the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos “vehemently opposed” the proposal for Afghans to be temporarily housed in the Philippines. The NBI and Nica think there may be “sleeper terrorist cells” among the Afghan communities and may be activated while here in the Philippines. The NCMF, meanwhile, thinks

chances of “sleeper cells” among the SIV applicants are little. But they fret that sympathizers among the Muslim rebel groups in the Philippines may feel that their Afghan Muslim brothers and sisters would be discriminated against by restricting their movements.

“We are not particularly concerned about sleepers, but more of being targets of an attack,” Atty.

Manggay Guro Jr., NCMF chief of staff, said. “As much as we like to welcome the Afghans, because they are brothers and sisters in faith, but with the discussions ongoing, we are not sure about their protection.”

2. Sovereignty and visa policy

Vice President Duterte thinks allowing the US to solely vet the integrity of the Afghan applicants may impinge on the sovereignty of the Philippines.

“It seems that the vetting process may be done by the US. We think it is interference to our exclusive determination of who can enter into our country,” Michael Wesley Poa, DepEd Undersecretary and chief of staff, told senators, quoting the position paper signed by Vice President Duterte.

Foreign Affairs Undersecretary

Ma. Teresa Lazaro said the initial US proposal is for the Afghan refugees

to be flown directly from Kabul to the Philippines. But this setup may be another major logistical concern for the Philippine government because of its visa policy.

Cu rrently, the Afghans are considered Category A or restricted nationals. This means they must be interviewed face-to-face by the Philippine consul.

Since there is no Philippine Embassy in Afghanistan, they would need to be flown to the Embassy that has jurisdiction over Afghanistan—in Islamabad, which has a very limited number of consular staff.

Manalo stressed that the US and the Philippines have not entered into a negotiation yet. These issues, among other things, are still subject to interagency approval.

Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro said at the Senate hearing that while he was still new in office, he felt that the issue might put the Philippines in a very precarious damned-if-you-do-damned-if-youdon’t situation.

There are ways to make things legally permissible, but we have to anticipate the what-ifs,” Teodoro said. “We have to bring on the other side [US] and be certain that they are ready, willing and able to execute their undertakings.”

ONE month after Thailand’s prodemocracy parties won the election that ended nearly a decade of military-backed rule, hurdles are mounting for the winning coalition and its prime minister candidate Pita Limjaroenrat to take power.

PITA LIMJAROENRAT, leader of the Move Forward Party, during a meeting of coalition parties in Bangkok, Thailand, on Monday, May 22, 2023. VALERIA MONGELLI/BLOOMBERG

• Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug

By Samuel P. Medenilla

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said the country is expected to produce better farm outputs this year with the distribution of 20,000 metric tons of urea fertilizer donated by China.

T he government received the 400,000 bags of fertilizers in a turnover ceremony attended by Marcos and Chinese ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian at the National Food Authority warehouse in Valenzuela City last Friday.

T he fertilizer will be distributed to 160,000 rice and corn farmers in Regions 1, 2, 3, 4A, and in Bicol via vouchers to be issued by local government units (LGU).

“It will tremendously aid our efforts to boost agricultural production, our nation’s pursuit of food security,” Marcos said in his speech during the event.

Value of relationship

HE said the donation was part of the commitment of Chinese President Xi Jinping during their meeting in Beijing in January amid rising fertilizer prices worldwide.

T he President thanked China for the fertilizers as well as its recent P4 million worth of donated rice for relief goods for evacuees in the Mayon Volcano area.

China sent the donations with the commemoration of the 48th anniversary of the formal Philippines-China diplomatic relations.

“These generous acts symbolize the value of the relationship between our two countries. We must continue to nurture. We must continue to care for that, through acts of mutual assistance and of constant and amicable dialogue,” Marcos said.

Structural changes

THE President said he hopes to maintain agricultural partnerships with China as he implements structural changes in the Department of Agriculture (DA).

Mar cos, the concurrent DA secretary, assured he will put in place measures that can guarantee supply and affordable prices of food and help farmers make more profit before he considers a new head for the department.

Some of the structural changes, he said, were already put in place, which helped the country’s “food supply crisis” earlier this year.

Due to the pending reforms, he said, none of the current senior DA officials have volunteered to become the new agriculture secretary.

“So until we can complete [those structural changes], I suppose you will have to put up with me as DA Secretary,” Marcos told reporters in an interview last Friday.

Weaker global growth prospects slash BOP projections; only $9-B FDI seen

By Cai U. Ordinario

On Friday, the Monetary Board approved the new set of BOP projections for 2023 and 2024. The BSP said these projections take into consideration the latest economic developments.

“While some upside risks have been identified, particularly that of China’s economic reopening, the unwinding of supply-side disruptions, and decelerating inflation, downside risks continue to dominate the global and trade outlook particularly in the near term,” the BSP said.

for 2023 was reduced to $15.1 billion from the initial estimate of $17.1 billion.

This adjustment stemmed from the lower projections made for merchandise goods exports and imports, which are now expected to grow by 1 percent and 2 percent, respectively. Initially, goods exports and imports were projected to grow by 3 percent and 4 percent, respectively.

FDI projected lower, at $9B

DATA Lake Inc., a Philippine-based data company, announced its groundbreaking achievements since entering into an official reseller agreement with Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX) and Starlink Internet Services Inc. in October 2022.

Data Lake Inc. has successfully deployed over 200 Starlink Enterprise units across the Philippines, enabling reliable and highspeed internet connectivity for various industries, including banking, maritime, mining, hospitality, education, and remote field offices.

By harnessing the cutting-edge satellite technology provided by Starlink’s Low Earth Orbit Constellation, Data Lake Inc. has bridged the digital divide in geographically and communication isolated areas throughout the country.

Starlink’s revolutionary system offers unparalleled internet speed and low latency, overcoming the challenges faced by traditional infrastructure in reaching remote regions of the Philippines.

Moreover, with its small power and physical footprint, Starlink ensures seamless connectivity with minimal disruption to the user’s operations.

Data Lake Inc. and SpaceX have forged a powerful partnership with a shared vision of connecting all 7,000 plus islands of the Philippines to the global digital network, thereby eliminating the digital divide.

Since their collaboration began in 2022, both companies have actively worked towards this goal, striving to empower communities and enhance opportunities for education, farming, and healthcare in the region.

Exciting new partnerships with implementing partners focused on addressing the digital divide in education, agriculture, and health care are on the horizon. These forthcoming collaborations will further bolster Data Lake Inc.’s commitment to bridging the gap and propelling the Philippines into a digitally inclusive future.

As the first authorized reseller of Starlink in the Philippines, Data Lake Inc. said it is proud to be at the forefront of this transformative technological advancement.

To verify our official status as a Starlink reseller, please visit the official Starlink web site at https://starlink.com/faq and search for “reseller.”

Data Lake added it remains steadfast in its mission to revolutionize internet connectivity in the Philippines by providing unparalleled access to the most advanced satellite technology available.

Through its partnership with SpaceX and Starlink, Data Lake Inc. is driving positive change and shaping the future of connectivity in the country. For more information and media inquiries, please contact administrator@datalake.ph.

“Weak external demand is likely to continue as uncertainties have been amplified by overseas financial system woes in recent months. These developments continue to weigh on the trade and investment prospects in emerging market economies, including the Philippines,” it added.

The BOP deficit is now expected to reach $1.2 billion as of the end of the second quarter of 2023, from the initial estimate of $1.6 billion in the first quarter of 2023.

The current account projection

BIR

By Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas

THE Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) conducted back-to-back raids in a warehouse and major supermarkets as it chases a sweetened beverage manufacturer that has at least P800 million in excise tax deficiencies.

T he BIR disclosed that Vermirich Foods Corp. (Vermirich) incurred P800 million in estimated tax deficiencies that include interests, surcharges, fines, and the 12 percent value added tax (VAT) on sweetened beverages it manufactured from 2018 to date.

T he BIR explained that Vermirich “failed to file excise tax returns and pay the excise taxes due on the sweetened beverages they manufactured” during the reference period.

THE country’s net Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) this year is now projected to only reach $9 billion from the initial estimate of $11 billion.

“Emerging market economies are more susceptible to FDI relocation as most rely heavily on capital investment from distant countries. Furthermore, emerging financial market vulnerabilities combined with the after-effects of monetary policy adjustments in advanced economies, such as the US, cast a shadow on the country’s external sec -

tor prospects for the year,” the B SP said.

Meanwhile, BSP data showed that the BOP deficit expected for 2024 was unchanged. However, the projection for the current account was reduced to $15.4 billion from the initial estimate of $16.8 billion.

Net FDI next year is now projected to only reach $11 billion from the initial estimate of $12 billion.

Q1 BOP surplus

THE country’s BOP position registered a surplus of $3.5 billion in the first quarter of 2023, higher than the $495-million surplus recorded in the first quarter of 2022.

The BOP surplus increased due to higher net inflows (or net borrowing by residents from the rest of the world) in the financial account amounting to $5.7 billion in the first quarter of 2023 from the $4.7- billion net inflows in the first quarter of 2022.

The current account registered a deficit of $4.3 billion (equivalent to -4.3 percent of the country’s GDP) in the first quarter of 2023, from the $4 billion deficit (equivalent to -4.2 percent of the country’s GDP) in Q1 2022.

“This was due mainly to the widening trade in goods deficit and lower net receipts in the primary income account. This was partly muted by the increase in net receipts in the trade in services account,” BSP said.

The data also showed that the capital account recorded net receipts amounting to $21 million

in the first quarter of 2023, a reversal from the $19 million net payments recorded in the same quarter in the previous year.

This was due mainly to the decline in gross acquisitions of non-produced non-financial assets (e.g., patents, trademarks, and copyrights) to $2 million in the first quarter of 2023 from the $42 million comparable figure recorded in the first quarter of 2022.

The financial account recorded net inflows (or net borrowing by residents from the rest of the world) amounting to $5.7 billion in the first quarter of 2023 from net inflows of $4.7 billion in the same period a year ago.

“This was largely on account of the increase in net inflows in the other investment account coupled with the reversal of the portfolio investment account to net inflows. However, this was slightly tempered by the decline in net inflows recorded in the direct investment account,” BSP said.

With this, the country’s gross international reserves (GIR) settled at $101.5 billion as of endMarch 2023, lower than the $107.3 billion level registered as of endMarch 2022.

The peso appreciated against the US dollar by 4.6 percent to average P54.86 to the dollar in the first quarter of 2023, from an average of P57.39 to the greenback in the last quarter of 2022. Meanwhile, the peso depreciated year-on-year by 6.1 percent from an average of P51.53 to the dollar in the first quarter of 2022.

juice beverages manufactured by Vermirich, were in possession of these untaxed goods, which were seized by the Bureau during the raid,” it said.

“Sinc e both enterprises possessed the said goods, they failed to exercise due diligence in ascertaining whether the appropriate taxes had been paid by Vermirich on the sweetened beverages in question,” it added.

ABOITIZ Power Corporation has partnered with UnionBank of the Philippines affiliate UBX Philippines Corporation (UBX) to develop a digital mobile application meant to improve the services of the power firm’s distribution subsidiaries.

“Our subscribers can do everything from getting updates about our services, to checking their billing information, to bill payment, thanks to MobileAP and UBX,” said AboitizPower Distribution Utilities Assistant Vice President and Bills-to-Cash Head Arnold Villanueva. “Aside from improving their convenience, we build upon our customers’ trust by providing them with timely and transparent information.”

With BUx, online bank payments and bank transfers can be done in MobileAP. At the same time, transactions are kept track via real-time updates and notifications of credited funds courtesy of MobileAP’s merchant dashboard.  Through the app, customers

can immediately view and monitor their account for the past 12 months, including their respective power consumption, costs, and payment history. They can also download a pdf copy of their records with their respective AboitizPower distribution subsidiary and even register and manage multiple accounts in a single app.

Customers of the Visayan Electric Company, Davao Light and Power Company, Cotabato Light and Power Company, and the Subic and Lima EnerZones are the distribution utilities of AboitizPower.

AboitizPower is one of the largest electricity providers in the country with a balanced mix portfolio of power generation, distribution, and retail electricity services.

Meanwhile, UBX is the country’s leading open finance platform. Open finance is a system that allows for the secure sharing, accessing, and reusing of financial data for the purpose of seamlessly providing a wide range of financial services. Lenie Lectura

In doing so, Vermirich violated Sections 130, 150-B, 254, and 263 of the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC) of 1997, as amended, which pertains to the filing and payment of Excise Taxes, according to the BIR. Vermirich also failed to secure the appropriate permit to operate as a manufacturer of sweetened beverage products subject to excise taxes, in violation of Section 154 of the same Code,” it said on Friday.

T he BIR raided Vermirich’s warehouse in Cavite Light Industrial Park on June 14 morning.

F urthermore, the BIR raided three supermarkets—S&R Membership Shopping in Bonifacio Global City, Supervalue Inc. and Super Shopping Market Inc., both in Quezon City—in two days (June 14 and 15) as they were involved in the distribution of untaxed

Vermirich-manufactured products.

The BIR emphasized that the supermarkets could be held liable for selling untaxed sweetened beverages.

T he BIR explained that S&R’s lemon tea and raspberry tea powdered juices, which were manufactured by Vermirich, were “untaxed” leading to the seizure of the products. The S&R supermarket was located at 32nd Street and 5th Avenue, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.

“BIR records also show that S&R had been duly advised by the Bureau in a letter dated 6 July 2021 to comply with the regulatory requirements,” the BIR said.

As the distributor of Vermirich’s products, S&R failed to exercise due diligence in ascertaining whether the appropriate taxes had been paid by Vermirich on the sweetened beverages in question,” the BIR added.

The BIR said the S&R “can be held liable for violations of Section 4, Revenue Regulations

No. 20-2018, and Sections 130, 150-B, and 263 of the NIRC [National Internal Revenue Code].”

Supervalue, Super Shopping

MEANWHILE , the BIR said the raids on Supervalue and Super Shopping stemmed from the discovery of numerous boxes of SM Bonus Apple Juice Drink and SM Bonus Orange Juice Drink in the warehouse of Vermirich during the June 14 raid.

“S upervalue and Super Shopping Market, as distributors of SM Bonus Apple Juice Drink and SM Bonus Orange Juice Drink, both of which are ready-to-drink

L ike S&R, the Supervalue and Super Shopping Market could be held liable for violating the country’s tax rules and regulations, according to the BIR. “ The Bureau will continue to look into other manufacturers of sweetened beverages to determine whether they have secured the appropriate permits to produce such goods and paid the correct excise taxes thereon,” it said.

“Every effort is being made to emphasize the impact of tax evasion and illicit trade on the Bureau’s revenue collections, and on the national economy,” it added.

The BIR pointed out that it conducted the enforcement operations to “emphasize” the gravity of the “offenses” committed by Vermirich, S&R and Supervalue.

The objective is to highlight the impact of tax evasion and illicit trade on the Bureau’s revenue collections, and on the national economy,” the BIR said.

raids warehouse, major supermarkets in renewed drive vs tax evasion, illicit trade

PBBM thanks China as PHL gets fertilizers; says he stays on at DA

Data Lake deploys over 200 Starlink enterprise units in major boost to PHL internet connectivity

taps UnionBank’s UBX for digital mobile payments

WEAKER global growth prospects are expected to lower the country’s Balance of Payments (BOP) deficit this year, according to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

BIR representatives embark on a back-to-back raids on a warehouse and supermarkets as part of the government’s drive against tax evasion and illicit trace. PHOTO COURTESY OF BIR

ERC sets final ceiling price for green energy auction

By Lenie Lectura

THE Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has issued the final Green Energy Auction Reserve (GEAR) prices for the second round of the Green Energy Auction (GEA2).

“After thorough and due deliberation, and after careful consideration of the various views  and comments submitted by stakeholders, and guided by the policy objectives in the EPIRA and the Renewable Energy Act of 2008, the Commission, on

June 14, 2023, approved the Final Green Energy Auction Reserve [GEAR] Prices for the second round of Green Energy Auction,” the agency said in a statement released Thursday night.

For rooftop solar, the ERC has set the price at P4.8738 per kilo -

watt (kWh) hour; P4.4043 per kWh for ground-mounted solar; P5.3948 per kWh for floating solar; P5.8481 per kWh for onshore wind; P5.4024 per kWh for biomass; and P6.2683 per kWh for biomass waste-to-energy.

The ERC adjusted the rates following various concerns raised by renewable energy developers. For instance, the Philippine Solar and Storage Energy Alliance (PSSEA) said the GEAR price for floating solar must be significantly higher than ground-mounted.

It asked the ERC to consider its proposed P7.3661 per kWh for solar PV on water.

Compared to ground-mounted solar, PSSEA said floating solar incurs at least 20 percent higher project cost. It urged the ERC to set a floating solar GEAR price that is reflective of the cost incurred in

the entire value chain. The previous GEAR prices for GEA2 released by the ERC last month are as follows: For rooftop solar, it’s P4.7156 per kWh; P4.2395 per KWh for ground-mounted solar; P4.7565 per kWh for floating solar; P5.9823 per kWh for wind; P5.1475 per kWh for biomass; and P6.4698 per kWh for waste-to-energy.  Under the terms of reference (TOR) for the second round of the GEA, the total auction capacity requirement for 2024 is targeted at 3,600 megawatt (MW). Of which, 2,400MW is allotted for Luzon auction, 870MW for Visayas, and 330MW for Mindanao. In terms of technology, ground-mounted solar is capped at 2,025MW; 235MW for rooftop solar; 1,200MW for offshore wind, and 140MW for biomass.

The auction for GEA2 was supposed to happen on June 19. However, the Department of Energy (DOE) has rescheduled “to give bidders more time to deliberate,” according to energy Undersecretary Felix William Fuentebella.

At the time when the DOE announced the postponement of the auction, the ERC has yet to release

the final GEAR prices. “Consequently, the auction proper including its preparatory [i.e., submission of proof of posting of bid bond] and subsequent activities under GEA-2 shall only be conducted upon the release of the Green Energy Auction Reserve Prices by the Energy Regulatory Commission,” the DOE advisory read.

Sen. Tolentino says 10 doctors needed for every 10K Filipinos

By Butch Fernandez

SENATOR Francis Tolentino raised the alarm Friday over the growing gap between the country’s requirement for health workers and what it actually has.

Speaking before the 93rd National Assembly of the League of Vice Governors of the Philippines in Baguio City, Tolentino reminded concerned authorities that the country “needs 10 doctors for every 10,000 Filipinos.”

T he senator stressed the urgent need for the country to have a more accessible health program, ruing that doctor shortage remains one of the main concerns in the Philippines.

As days go by, the population of local physicians continues to shrink as many among their ranks seek greener pastures overseas,” Tolentino said.

The current medical situation in the Philippines right now is below the threshold… mas marami pa pong sinisilang kaysa sa ating mga pediatricians,” notes Tolentino, adding that the country only has around 169,000 physicians for the population of more than 101 million.

O f the said figures, the senator added that only about 49 percent are currently active in the local medical profession.

A s of now, Tolentino was told there are only four doctors for every 10,000 Filipinos, adding, “Wala po tayong (halos) surgeons. 0.2 percent lang ang surgeons natin,” he stressed. A ccording to Tolentino, the country needs at least “10 doctors for every 10,000 Filipinos” to have an accessible medical health care in the country.

To address this critical challenge, Tolentino urged the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) and members of Congress “to open their minds” by allowing the amendment of Republic Act No. 8981 or the PRC Modernization Act of 2000 to authorize foreign licensed doctors to practice locally in various parts of the country for a longer period.

Tolentino stressed that foreign doctors “can strategically be placed in the underserved areas, providing the muchneeded medical services” along the countryside, especially in long-neglected communities.

“ Through this approach, it will ensure that every Filipino regardless of geographical locations will have access to competent health-care professionals. ‘ Yun po ang kulang natin,” the senator explained.

H e added that even if the government continues to construct additional health facilities, the dream of having an accessible health-care program couldn’t be achieved if the shortage of doctors won’t be addressed immediately.

Alsons lists ₧1.38B of ₧3-B CP program with PDEx

ALSONS Consolidated Resources Inc. (ACR) has listed with the Philippine Dealing and Exchange Corporation (PDEx) the second tranche of P1.38 billion of its P3-billion commercial paper  (CP) program. The first tranche of P620 million was listed in December of 2022. Proceeds from the issuance will be used primarily for general working capital purposes.

The Alcantara-led group is now focused on building up its renewable energy capacity in the next few years, with around several hydroelectric and solar power facilities in the company’s pipeline.  The first of these renewable energy plants is the 14.5 megawatt (MW) Siguil Hydro power plant currently under construction in Maasim, Sarangani Province, which is targeting to begin operations before the end of 2023.

“Consistent with our concern for the environment, we are deliberately moving into renewable energy for our capacity expansion. Our next major projects will use run of river hydro, and solar power… Although we continue to rely on our fossil fuel fired baseload plants for reliability and cost

considerations, in time we expect to increase the contribution of renewable sources to at least 50 percent of our energy mix to lead to a reduction of our carbon footprint,” said ACR Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer Tirso G. Santillan.

ACR earlier this year, sustained its issuer credit rating of PRS Aa minus (corp.) with a Stable Outlook from the Philippine Rating Services Corporation (PhilRatings).  The rating was made in relation to ACR’s issuance of up to P3.0 billion in CP.

According to PhilRatings, a company with a PRS Aa rating “has a strong capacity to meet its financial commitments relative to other Philippine corporates.”  The rating agency assigns a Stable Outlook when a rating is likely to be maintained or to remain unchanged in the next twelve months.

ACR is Mindanao’s first private sector power generator providing electricity to over 8 million people in 14 cities and 11 provinces in the country’s second largest island. The company currently has a portfolio of four power plants in Mindanao with a total capacity of 468 MW.  Lenie

Our

Time

Tolentino wants DOH chief to name focal person for elderly concerns

By Butch Fernandez @butchfBM

Tolentino

SeNATOR Francis N.

prodded newly named Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa to designate a focal person within the Department of Health (DOH) to focus on handling the welfare of the country’s senior citizens.

Mayroon ba po talagang [incharge] para sa senior citizens? Ito ’yung tao na focal person natin para sa ating mga senior citizens?” Tolentino asked Herbosa during the senator’s weekly radio program.

Tolentino filed in February Senate

Bill 1799 to be known as “Comprehensive Senior Citizen Welfare Act” once enacted into law.

As provided in the Tolentino bill, the DOH in coordination with local government units, non-government organizations and people’s organiza-

tions for senior citizens “shall institute a national health program and shall provide an integrated health service for the elderly.”

Tolentino said there should be a designated official-in-charge within the DOH hierarchy that will solely focus on the health and welfare of Filipinos aged 60 years old and above to “ensure their well-being, considering various morbidity/comorbidity that could occur in that life period.”

Secretary Herbosa, for his part, admitted there is “currently no one in charge when it comes to handling senior citizen concerns” based on the DOH’s organizational chart, but the former National Task Force adviser concurred to Tolentino’s suggestion there should be a focal person on the matter.

Hiningi ko ’yung organizational

functional chart nila ngayon. Wala eh. Alam ko kasi mayroon iyan. In fact, ako ’yon eh [dati], ako ’yung in-charge undersecretary for seniors and mga persons with disability, kaya ako ’yung pinupuntahan ng mga organizations at tinututukan yan. Hindi ko ngayon mahanap yan eh,” said Herbosa.

According to Herbosa, one of his priority reforms to be implemented is the suggestion raised by Tolentino, considering that “senior citizens are the ones with higher morbidity.”

Ilalagay ko na yan at priority ko po yan kasi ako po ay isang senior citizen at kailangan nila ng tulong…sila yung mas maraming iniinom na gamot, sila yung mas kailangan madalas bantayan, sila yung nagkaka-stroke, nagkakaheart attack, at ’yon ’yung mga top diseases, causes of death natin, eh. So, I think it’s very important,” the cabinet official stressed.

Taking daily multivitamin appears to boost brains of adults over 60

By Jonel Aleccia | AP Health Writer

MILLIONS of American adults take daily multivitamins, even though the pills have not been shown to prevent ailments like heart disease or cancer and experts say it’s better to get nutrients from food.

The latest research looks at whether taking a daily vitamin can have an effect on memory. The study found multivitamins may boost memory function in some people, by the equivalent of three years of normal, age-related memory loss.

While the study isn’t comprehensive enough to warrant broad recommendations to take vitamins, it provides important information about their use, said Adam Brickman, the Columbia University professor of neuropsychology who led the study.

“Well-designed research studies are showing that there might indeed be some benefits” to taking multivitamins, he said. Further study is needed to determine exactly which nutrients might make a difference.

Here’s what to know about the new research published Wednesday in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

About the study

ReSe A RCHeR S at New York’s Columbia University and Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston tracked more than 3,500 people over age 60 for three years.

The participants were randomly as-

signed to take a daily multivitamin or a dummy pill. They were evaluated annually for three years with Internet-based exams that measure memory function.

One test gave participants a list of 20 words, one at a time, for 3 seconds each, then asked them to type all of the words they remembered immediately and after 15 minutes. The exam measured the function of the hippocampus, an area in the brain that controls learning and memory, Brickman said.

After one year, participants who took daily vitamins had better memory function, moving from correctly recalling 7.10 words at the start to 7.81 words. Participants who got dummy pills went from recalling 7.21 words to 7.65 words. The researchers calculated that the difference amounted to an improvement in memory equal to about three years of normal, age-related change. That improvement was maintained for at least the remaining two years of the study and was more pronounced in people with heart disease, the study found.

The multivitamins may work by providing micronutrients that enhance function of the hippocampus, Brickman said. This is the second large study conducted by the researchers to show that memory improved in older adults who took daily multivitamins.

The study was funded by the National Institutes of Health and also by Mars edge, a division of Mars, which makes candy, pet food and other products; and

Agusan Norte seniors receive cash assistance

By Alexander Lopez

BUTUAN CITY—The Department of Social Welfare and Development in the Caraga Region (DSWD-13) released on Monday over P5.3 million worth of cash assistance to senior citizens in Buenavista town, Agusan del Norte.

In a statement on Tuesday, DSWD13 said at least 1,494 senior citizens received their cash cards during the distribution activity.

“ e a ch of the cards contained P3,600 cash under the agency’s Unconditional Cash Transfer [UCT] program,” the DSWD-13 said.

the country. Agusan del Norte will have four of these centers, including in Butuan City,” the senator said. He added that his office is also pushing for more Malasakit Centers, which currently has 157 facilities in the country.

In Agusan del Norte, super health centers will also be established in Santiago town, Cabadbaran City, and Barangay Ambago in Butuan City. Rosales said the establishment of a super health center has been the dream of the residents here.

“The construction of this health

Pfizer and Haleon, both makers of multivitamins.

About multivitamin use

A BOUT 60 percent of US adults and about 35 percent of children take daily vitamins, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The pills are part of nearly $56 billion Americans spend each year on dietary supplements.

US dietary guidelines recommend that Americans should get their nutrients from food, unless they have specific needs or are advised to take vitamins by a health care provider. Vitamins can provide missing nutrients in the diet, but taking high amounts can result in side effects ranging from stomach upset to serious heart and liver problems. The US Preventive Services Task Force, a national advisory group, said last year that current evidence is “insufficient” to assess the risks and benefits of multivitamin supplements to prevent heart disease and cancer. The group recommended against betacarotene and vitamin e for that purpose.

What it means

THe new study shows that vitamin pills may provide missing micronutrients, especially in the diets of older adults, said Robert Hackman, a research nutritionist with the University of California, Davis, who was not involved in the research. About a third of adults older than 60 fail to get adequate vitamins, minerals and fiber from food alone.

A team from the Land Bank of the Philippines helped in the activity to ensure the smooth distribution of cash cards.

“Most of the senior citizens served were those who have not yet received their automated teller machine [ATM] cards for their benefits through the UCT social pension,” DSWD-13 said.

The UCT program was implemented by the DSWD from 2018 to 2020 to provide cash assistance to senior citizens in the country. Although the program has ended, the DSWD-13 clarified that the distribution continues to beneficiaries who have not yet received their UCT benefits.

Meanwhile, indigenous people (IP) communities in Las Nieves, Agusan del Norte will soon be able to access the nearest health facility and services of the government with the establishment of a super health center.

On Tuesday, Senator Christopher Lawrence Go, together with Agusan del Norte Governor Maria Angelica Rosedell Amante, and Mayor Karen Rosales led the groundbreaking ceremony of a super health center in Barangay Mat-i, Las Nieves.

“This health facility will serve at least 10 barangays in Las Nieves mostly populated by the Manobo and Higaonon tribes,” said Hawudon Armando Una, the IP Mandatory

The band that bested the Beatles in my mind

both the music and the lyrics.

By Nick Tayag

my sixty-zen’s WORtH

Admittedly, Creedence Clearwater Revival was never as popular as other rock bands. Yet from early 1969 to the summer of ’71 as reported by Billboard, the band had 10 consecutive Top 10 singles and five consecutive Top 10 albums in just two and a half years, at some point even outselling the Beatles! They recorded and released some of the most influential blues-rock songs of all time. Sadly, CCR enjoyed just a few short years in the spotlight before the band imploded on itself.

Their music was categorized as “swamp rock,” whatever that means. But it was my personal kind of rock music mainly because of the intelligent and mature lyrics. As a rock lyricist, John Fogerty is to me one of the G.O.A.T., along with Paul Simon, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen and Neil Young.

They are like a precious possession that needs to be treasured. It’s a source of pride for me to be one of the few in the Philippines who are familiar with Fogarty and the CCR.

“Proud Mary” was not the song that first endeared them to me. It was “Who’ll Stop The Rain?” Instinctively, I felt it referred to the looming nuclear threat and the anxiety brought on by the Cold War between America and USSR.

But I liked “Have You ever Seen The Rain?” even better. It had an emotional resonance I couldn’t explain when I heard the words:

Someone told me long ago

There’s a calm before the storm

I know, it’s been coming for some time

When it’s over, so they say

It’ll rain a sunny day

I know, shining down like water

At least 1,494 senior citizens in Buenavista, Agusan del Norte, receive cash cards containing P3,600 social pension through the Unconditional Cash transfer Program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development on Monday (June 12, 2023). Over P5.3 million worth of social pensions were released to the beneficiaries during the distribution activity. Photo courtesy of DsWD-13

Representative of Las Nieves, in an interview at the sideline of the groundbreaking ceremony.

Una thanked Sen. Go and the leaders of the town and province for addressing the health needs of the IP communities through the establishment of a super health center.

In a separate interview, Dr. Rosemarie Dolores Ruela, municipal health officer, said wider health services will be provided by the super health center in the locality.

“The super health center will offer diagnostics and advanced facilities to include x-ray, ultrasound, and pediatric services,” Ruela said, adding that the center will also offer minor surgeries, dental services, and serve as a birthing facility.

Go said the establishment of super health centers in the country is among his priorities as the chair of the Senate Committee on Health.

“We target to put up 322 super health centers for this year across

were exempt from being drafted into the military because of their status.

Ironically, it was used in the political rallies of Donald Trump, who used his privilege as a rich man’s son to avoid being drafted.

Perhaps because of the dire tone of their songs, CCR were said to be singers of doom. One music critic even likened John Fogerty to an Old Testament prophet like Jeremiah.

That’s not altogether true. Many songs in their repertoire are danceable, feel-good rock and roll tunes. There are plenty of sunny, sing-along choruses.

facility will commence and soon will provide adequate health services for our people, especially those coming from the geographically isolated and conflict-affected areas,” she said. AICS assistance GO also led the distribution of the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) payout on Tuesday afternoon in Barangay Mat-i.

Some 1,500 residents of Las Nieves received P3,000 each in financial assistance through the AICS for a total of P4.5 million.

Among those who received the assistance was Buenvenido Bedida Jr., 56, a farmer from Barangay Durian.

“The recent calamities, especially the flooding, affected my farm and brought some difficulties to my family,” Bedida said.

Maria Luz Benocilla, 51, a mother of seven also got her AICS assistance on Tuesday and was thankful to the government for always being with the people in times of difficulties. PNA

50 years ago, Fogerty even warned us about the threat of climate-change cataclysm in “Bad Moon Rising.”

But is today’s digital generation interested? They’re more tuned in to pretty boy bands gyrating to danceable songs with inane and undecipherable lyrics. KPop. P-Pop. Tiktok covers.

This is the music frenzy of the times.

in the songwriter behind the song and the band that performed it first—John Fogerty and his band Creedence Clearwater Revival. John Fogerty who? You’ll probably say.

In the late 1960s and early ’70s, while most Pinoy baby boomers in their teens were into Beatlemania, I

was an outlier. My taste in pop music then was maturing, and because my writer’s mind was developing at that time, my focus was more on words or lyrics, not just the melody. Then and now I cringe at rock songs with inane and hackneyed lyrics such as “She loves me yeah, yeah, yeah” or “Love me do,” Please please me” or “How do you do what you to me.”

This is why the songs of CCR caught my ears. They were something else,

I think I was the only one who liked the CCR among my college mates. They loved “Proud Mary” and “Fortunate Son” but were completely ignorant about John Fogerty and CCR. Was it because they didn’t do drugs, nor lived scandalously? They were certainly not notorious. Their songs did not project “freakiness, sex, violence, satanism” unlike other rock bands. Not surprisingly, in the US, they were pejoratively labeled as “The Boy Scouts of Rock and Roll.” Their name even sounds like a Christian evangelical group. But that is precisely why I like them.

Beautiful! It so aptly describes the feeling of being down and out, and then picking you up with a hopeful promise that things will get better.

Those two songs, in particular, captured the socially and politically volatile atmosphere of the times. Furthermore, the repeated use of rain as metaphor stirred my budding poetic imagination.

Then, of course, there was “Fortunate Son,” a Vietnam War-era protest song. It’s about the everyday, common man forced to fight in the war when their number was called and takes a jab at the rich and privileged who

Take “Proud Mary.” That’s a jubilant song. Do you know that it is actually the name of a steamboat? The words describe leaving the bustle of city life in favor of a more simple and happier way of life rolling on an unnamed river. As I listened more to it, I thought this song is an upbeat take on the “Old Man River” song from the musical “Oklahoma.” Instead of the former’s heavy tone of someone resigned to his life “body all aching and wracked with pain,” Fogerty’s version sounds like an ode to joy.

It’s good to listen to their songs once again. This time, pay close attention to the words. With the recent pandemic and the continuing war in Ukraine and rise of populism and our current flirtation with authoritarianism and fascism, I find CCR’s songs as timely signifiers of our dangerous times. Some

I long to see the day when our local songwriters would have the courage and the intelligence to write songs like “Fortunate Son” and rail against privileged sons and daughters enjoying political “silver spoons” handed to them by their fathers and grandfathers. It stings just knowing they never have to work for anything in life.

Among our local songwriters, only Yano, with such songs like “Santong Kabayo,” “Walang Perpekto” or “Di Kontento,” has the metaphoric imagination, sardonic mind and acerbic tongue to come up with such compositions.

Where are the rest of our songwriter/Jeremiahs? We need them to disturb the powers that be and assail the unstoppable social contagions of our time such as corruption, abuse, tyranny and destruction, inequality and prejudice?

Now more than ever, we need voices that will point out the “bad moon a-rising” in our country’s dark night. Or do we just stay acquiescent and in Fogerty’s words: “And I wonder, still I wonder, who’ll stop the rain?”

Last May, in the wake of her passing, video clips of the great Tina Turner performing “Proud Mary” went viral, and hearing it rekindled my lifelong interest

Books, memorabilia of journalist-teacher Nestor R. Mata donated to UST library

Gatchalian pitches for back-to-school scheme to hike BARMM enrollment

SEN. Sherwin T. Gatchalian wants to enhance the Bangsamoro Region’s backto-school program as a way of addressing enrollment woes in the said area.

Gatchalian lamented the low cohort survival rate in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). Based on data from the Department of Education (DepEd) and analysis from the senator’s office, only 17 out of every 100 students who attended Grade 1 in School Year (SY) 2010-2011 completed Grade 12 in SY 2021-2022. This is by far lower than the national cohort-survival rate, where 51 out of 100 learners who attended Grade 1 in SY 20102011 completed Grade 12 in SY 2021-2022.

City Savings Bank bats for recycling in public schools

CITY SAVINGS BANK (CitySavings) recently launched its “Turning Plastic into School Chairs” campaign to help public schools to become more sustainable.

Led by the bank’s branch operations head Hannah Contreras, the goal was to collect as much plastic waste from the employees in a month. The recycling drive gathered almost 2,000 kilograms of waste plastic from CitySavings branches and corporate offices nationwide. These were then turned over to Envirotech Waste Recycling Inc.—a company based in Davao City which produced the school chairs, each made out of 30 kgs. of plastic waste, at a discounted rate.

“We are proud of our CitySavings Bankers for their all-out support as sustainability stewards,” Contreras remarked in a press statement. “The success of this initiative clearly showed how the spirit of ‘ubuntu’ moved us to connect and partner with our stakeholders and communities in minimizing our environmental impact for a better and more sustainable future. This is employee engagement and sustainability in action.”

She said the recycling drive produced a total of 50 chairs, which were donated to Kapitan Tomas Monteverde Sr. Central Elementary School in Davao City, and Tunasan National High School (TNHS) in Muntinlupa City, aiding the Education Department’s “MATATAG” agenda aimed at augmenting basic education facilities and services.

During the turn-over ceremony, TNHS principal Dr. Ador Querubin mentioned: “Our school population has grown from 6,000 to 9,000 students in the past few years. [As such, there is a need to increase the number of facilities being used by our learners...The sustainably-produced chairs donated by CitySavings will not just help our] 25 students, but generations of students to come.”

Dr. Querubin also shared sustainable practices that can make the learning environment more conducive and comfortable for pupils.

Rizal Raoul S. Reyes

-

vor of the plane crash that killed former president Ramon Mag -

saysay in 1957. The university named the former an outstanding alumnus some years ago.

The turnover from the Mata family to the Royal and Pontifical University was formalized on Wednesday, June 14, as the prefect of UST Libraries Fr. Angel A. Aparicio OP received the donation at the UST Miguel de Benavides Library lobby.

There, Fr. Aparicio met Mata’s son Jan and his siblings in a formal signing ceremony for the

donations.

UST officials revealed the plan to name a portion or section of the library’s fifth-floor level as the “Nestor Mata Reading Room.”

In past decades Mata served as a professorial lecturer on foreign affairs at the university’s Faculty of Arts and Letters, upon the invitation and insistence of former rector magnificus Rev. Fr. Frederik Fermin OP who was one of the most admired and beloved UST officials.

US allocates P20M in grants to aid PHL’s unschooled youth

THE United States govern -

ment, through the US Agency for International Development (USAID), announced new grants worth more than P20 million ($370,000) for Philippine higher education institutions (HEIs) working on innovative programs to improve the lives of Filipino out-of-school youth.

Administered through the “USAID Opportunity 2.0” program, the announcement on May 30 includes two types of grants: the “O2 GAIN Grants” which will address local development priorities for out-of-school youth, and the “O2-ASPIRE Grants,” which will support partnerships between Philippine and US HEIs on out-ofschool youth advancement. Said grants will help fund academic research, develop technological solutions, and enhance the quality of services for out-of-school youth.

USAID Mission Director Ryan Washburn announced the new grants during Opportunity 2.0’s “Higher Education Learning Summit” in Quezon City that brought together more than 200 USAID partners from across the country. The conference highlighted the pivotal role of higher education partners in building a better future for out-of-school youth, then gave stakeholders a space for further collaboration.

“Working together, we have been able to make progress and open doors for thousands of outof-school youth to better education, employment, and entrepre -

neurship opportunities,” said Washburn.

To date Opportunity 2.0 has supported around 35,000 Filipino youth by helping them gain employment, start their own businesses, or go back to school.

“I am confident that this learning summit will facilitate meaningful exchanges, foster collaboration, inspire innovative approaches, and find common ground to address the complex needs of out-of-school youth,” said Commission on Higher Education chairperson J. Prospero De Vera. “I therefore express my gratitude to the USAID Opportunity 2.0 program and all the organizers for their vision and dedication [in] making this sum -

mit a reality.”

“Education is the cornerstone of all progress, and HEIs play a pivotal role in order to accomplish this, as they serve as homes for training the minds of the youth and preparing them for the challenges of the ever-evolving world,” said Quezon City vice mayor Gian Sotto. “We view our [HEIs as our beacons] of hope. We are confident that, with your help and support, we can make out-of-school Filipinos return to studying, and get the quality education that they deserve.”

Interested grant applicants may contact GrantsPH@edc.org , or follow USAID Opportunity 2.0 on Facebook and LinkedIn for updates and additional information.

JPEPA candidates for care work, nursing pass Jap. language training

ON June 1 the 15th batch of Filipino candidates for nurses and certified care workers bound for Japan under the Economic Partnership Agreement between Japan and the Philippines (JPEPA) marked the completion of their Preparatory Japanese Language Training (PJLT) with an online ceremony.

First Secretary and Labor Attaché Chihiro Kanno from the Embassy of Japan and Undersecretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac

from the Department of Migrant Workers delivered their inspiring words for the candidates.

Japan Foundation-Manila’s Ben Suzuki, Nihongo Center Foundation Inc.’s Philip B. Sanvictores, Japan International Corporation of Welfare Services’ Yoshikazu Kataoka, and Karen Melody Gonesto Kumazawa who represented the candidates shared their messages through a compiled video presentation. The Japan Foundation-Ma -

The senator was also disappointed that almost half a million youth in BARMM remain unenrolled. Numbers from the DepEd, as well as estimates from both the senator’s office and the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), reveal that while enrollment in the said locality is at 991,243, 32 percent or 463,963 youth are nonmatriculated.

Figures from the DepEd further revealed that only 6 percent, or 28,832 out-of-school youth, are enlisted under the alternative learning system (ALS).

Based on the PSA’s 2019 Functional Literacy, Education and Mass Media Survey, the top reasons for non-attendance in schools among those aged 6 to 20 are lack of personal interest (34 percent) and the insufficiency of family income to send children to school

(25.6 percent).

As chair of the Senate Committee on Basic Education, Gatchalian sees the need to encourage parents and youth in BARMM to head back to and stay in school. In Filipino, he urged a house-to-house approach in ensuring that fellow Filipinos will not be denied their right to education.

For the back-to-school campaign implementation, the solon called for a collaboration with the BARMM’s Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education. He also pressed the need to visit every household—a move that he says should involve mayors, barangay captains, and other community leaders.

Gatchalian sought the development and implementation of projects that will keep children, especially Grades 1 to 6 learners, in school—including the school feeding program.

The senator also sought the strengthened implementation of the ALS program to enhance the skills and abilities of the current working population and out-ofschool children and youth.

Top 10 tips in tackling the tough Bar exams

By Atty. Vhalerie S. Buluran-Reyes

ARE you currently studying or reviewing for the Bar exams?

As someone who recently hurdled the dreaded tests, allow me to share some tips that are probably cliché, but nonetheless will give you that needed push to power through this review season.

Tip 1: Read the codal and follow the “Bar” syllabus. Many “Bar” reviewees make the mistake of forgetting to read the codal and prioritize topics that are not in the Bar syllabus. When you are not familiar with a question, but know the law by heart, there is always something that you can write as a justification to your answer. As to the Bar syllabus, believe that it was made to guide you, and not trick you.

Tip 2: Prepare the materials you need and stick to them. Not everyone will like a “Q&A” type of reviewer, or those with long narratives. A “better” one will always come out, but remember to save your precious time and stick to one or two materials.

Tip 3: Set realistic goals and give yourself a break. Plan your study schedule in days or weeks, and group topics together. When you have extra time, do rest. Forgive yourself on the days you are not at your best. Rest so you can move forward. Burnout during review season is more common than you think.

nila and the Nihongo Center Foundation Inc. held the training online, and onsite for a select few toward the training’s latter part.

All 231 candidates received daily living and Internet-connectivity allowances, as well as tablets that were provided on loan.

Upon their arrival in Japan, they will have 6 more months of Japanese-language training prior to their work term in local hospitals and care-giving facilities.

Tip 4: Whatever your study method was during law school, adopt the same in reviewing for the “Bar.” Be it the “pomodoro” method or time blocking, you have survived four years of law school. There must be something about that study habit that makes you efficient.

Tip 5: Allow yourself to be a beginner. Take one step at a time. When studying for the “Bar,” think of yourself as a beginner, someone who will take up a topic for the first time. You will be amazed by how much knowledge you will gain.

Tip 6: Write and make your own reviewer. We already know that writing by hand helps with memory

BULURAN-REYES

retention. What’s also good is that you have your own notes of what you think will need reinforcement to remember.

Tip 7: Twice daily, answer a “Bar” question. It will help you gather thoughts, practice ALAC (Answer, Legal Basis, Analysis and Conclusion), as well as your use of grammar and punctuation marks.

Tip 8: Read the “Bar” Q&A from the past 10 years. It helps with building comprehension and spotting the issue in a question.

Tip 9: Give time for reading the “Last Minute Tips,” more so during the “Bar” week. Calendar it. I didn’t realize it took me 2 hours to read a 15-page LMT.

Tip 10: Pray, manifest, and believe in your capabilities. You didn’t make it this far just to not make it. You are more than ready!

All the best to our Bar exam reviewees!

Atty. Vhalerie S. Buluran-Reyes, who passed the 2020 to 2021 Bar exam with exemplary performance, is a senior associate in Isla Lipana & Co—the Philippine member-firm of the PwC Network. Her practice is in Corporate and Tax Law. A proud mother of two, she completed her Bachelor of Science in Hotel, Restaurant, and Institution ManagementHospitality Management track at the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, and her Master of Marketing Communications and juris doctorate at the De La Salle University.

Story & photos by Bernard testa

THEfamily of the late journalist Nestor Reyes Mata has donated his collection of books and other historical memorabilia to the main library of the University of Santo Tomas.

A LIBRARIAN (second from right) restoring old books and maps inside the UST Miguel de Benavides Library’s Heritage Section displays a 1950s hand-painted Philippine map depicting the maritime routes taken by Christopher Columbus and Ferdinand Magellan.

Mata’s name is etched in Phil

ippine history as the lone survi -

MISSION director Ryan Washburn (third from left), CHED chairperson J. Prospero de Vera and Quezon City vice mayor Gian Sotto join youth leaders onstage.

FR. ANGEL A. APARICIO OP (second from left) checks one of the 846 books that were formally turned over by the family of journalist-writer-columnist Nestor Reyes Mata, with the latter’s son Jan (second from right).

Tourism Editor: Edwin P. Sallan

BEYOND THE WALLS

ExpLOriNg

Story & photos by Marky Ramone Go

iNTr AmurOS LikE NEvEr BEfOrE

Once, I biked to Papakape, an artisan coffee shop inside Fort Santiago, Another time, I indulged in the flavors of several spirits and whiskey at the Destileria Limtuaco Museum, while the other times, it was on a date to Museo de Intramuros and attending a friend’s wedding at San Agustin Church. I’ve never really explored the whole Intramuros like a curious tourist before.

That’s why I’m glad I went to the launch of Klook’s “Intramuros Pass”— a tour designed to let tourists customize their Intramuros experience with options to choose where to go and how to explore it: by foot, by a Bambike (bamboo bike) or by an Electric Chariot (segway ride).

Klook and the Intramuros Administration gave us a tour of Manila’s walled city in the afternoon so that we could experience what it’s like to rediscover Intramuros. These are some of the attractions we visited.

Museo de Intramuros

R EL Ig IO u S a rt played a major role in the evangelization of most of the Philippines during the Spanish colonization period. To aid in their catechizing efforts, Spanish friars

commissioned local artists to create paintings, sculptures, engravings, and metalworks depicting biblical scenes and holy figures.

The Museo de Intramuros, which is presently located on the original site of San Ignacio Church (18991945), has collected, preserved, and displayed some of these religious art pieces discovered throughout the country. u n fortunately, most of the artists who created these magnificent artifacts from the late 17th and early 18th centuries remain unknown. A visit here will not only illuminate the importance of religious art in our Christianization but will also provide insight into the talents of nameless and faceless Filipino artists from bygone generations.

Casa Manila Museum

C A SA Manila Museum is a replica of the 1850s San Nicolas Mansion that originally stood along Calle Jaboneros in Binondo, Manila. Designed by ar -

chitect J. Ramon L. Faustmann, Casa Manila was constructed in 1980 on one of Intramuros’ founding villages, Barrio San Luis, directly across from San Agustin Church.

Depicting a typical Filipino “ilustrado” home, the house showcases a series of living quarters including a library, kitchen, music and study room, oratorio (prayer room), and even a banquet hall, decorated with antique furniture pieces and ornaments made in China and Europe and by local artisans.

Blending perfectly with the foreign objects are indigenous elements like the Capiz windows, antique treasure chests, and other symbols of Filipino artistry and carpentry works. Each room comes with a different ceiling design that stood out thanks to its intricate metalwork influenced by the plasterwork seen in old houses in Europe.

Casa Manila clearly shows how the affluent families from the 19th and

The legendary ziggurats of Iran

By Bernard Joseph Esposo Guerrero

IRAN i s easily one of the most underrated countries around the world. For some reasons, many find it unsettling and unsecure. Not only are the locals some of the friendliest and most courteous people I have encountered during my travels, but the rather mysterious and introverted country is also a cultural destination of the highest order. I could only wish that others can discover the joys that it can offer, too.

If Egypt takes pride in its enormous pyramids, there are other similar ancient structures built almost at the same time—if not earlier—in regions formerly called Mesopotamia and Persia. Ziggurats are stepped pyramidal religious monuments made of mud and bricks. The most famous ziggurat might be the one at u r i n present-day Iraq, but the most wellpreserved, the oldest, and the most historical ones are all in Iran.

When I traveled across Iran in 2017 for a month, I managed to see four of the five fabled ziggurats, missing only the one at Jiroft.

Tepe Sialk. Standing in the suburbs of the city of Kashan in Isfahan province, which lies along the former busy silk trade route, is the oldest known ziggurat in the world. The area where Tepe Sialk is located has been occupied since 6,000 B.C., and it contains the remains of two

monumental temple towers that were built around 3,000 B.C. The ziggurats look nothing more than mounds of earth nowadays, and even in their heydays, the architecture may have rather been very rudimentary. However, they are rich sources of artifacts from the Sayandeh River Culture, a civilization believed to have thrived 8,000 years ago. There is a necropolis beside one of the mounds where some skeletal remains have been exposed for visitors to see. The historic settlement in the desert was and made possible due to the presence of the Solomon Spring that still also feeds fresh water to the nearby Fin g a rden, the oldest fully functioning Persian garden.

Ziggurat of Susa. The cultural landscape of Sush, as it the town is now called, covers a history spanning from 5,000 B.C. up to when the Macedonian Alexander the g r eat sacked and burned the great city of Susa down. At the hands of the Achaemenid kings, most especially Darius the g r eat, Susa became legendary for its unparalleled beauty and might. The once marvelous city marked the point of convergence of two great cultures: the Mesopotamian and the Iranian Plateau civilizations.

The nearly 7-meter-thick rammed earth ziggurat of Susa was used as the foundation of the Apadana Palace of the Persians. Though only

the walls remain from the original stepped temple, objects recovered provide significant resources in understanding better the early stages of the Elamites, not only culturally but also in the realm of urban planning.

Susa is mentioned in the Bible, and it houses what is generally accepted as the Tomb of prophet Daniel. It is inscribed as a u N ESCO World Heritage Site.

Great Ziggurat of Chogha Zanbil.

Considered as one of the largest and best-preserved ziggurats in the world, the mammoth one at Chogha Zanbil measures nearly 106 meters on each side, and it rises to a maximum height of 53 meters—quite high for the time. Today, the structure only stands 25 meters tall. Still, its state of preservation is second to none.

Chogha Zanbil was once a holy Elamite City founded in 1250 B.C. Similar to the fate of Susa, it was destroyed by Neo Assyrian King Ashurbanipal even before it was completed.

It was enclosed with three concentric walls, displaying a well-planned city with a royal quarter, one for commoners, and the g r eat Ziggurat right at the center. An interesting aspect of the ziggurat are the baked bricks containing cuneiform characters found all over the structure. They deliver a curse wherein anyone who would dismantle the building would suffer the wrath of the gods.

Chogha Zanbil became Iran’s first

early 20th century build and style their mansions, drawing inspirations from the Spanish-inspired balconies to the quirky color amalgamations of the “sawn and carved” look of Victorian-style, to the classic components of a Filipino colonial house.

Fort Santiago

F OR T S antiago, perched on the banks of the Pasig River, is a mute testament to Manila’s turbulent past. The crumbling fortresses of Spanish imperial power now reverberate with the voices of the past.

A former citadel constructed in 1571 by Miguel Lopez de Legazpi, Fort Santiago witnessed some of Manila’s bloodiest episodes during the Spanish colonial era and up until World War II. Our national hero Jose Rizal was imprisoned here shortly before his execution in 1896. From the Rizal Shrine housed inside the fort walls that showcase many of his personal belongings, one can also follow the

bronze footprints engraved on the ground tracing his final trek to the then Bagumbayan.

Baluarte de San Diego

O R I g I NALLy constructed between 1591-1594 to serve as a projection platform for artillery defense against invaders coming from Manila Bay, this mediaeval structure is highlighted by its thick three-tier circular walls made of large blocks of stones and a curtain of walls. The San Diego complex, which actually houses another structure: the ruins of Torre de Nuestra Señora de g u ia (Our Lady of g u idance), was designed by Antonio Sedeño, a Jesuit priest and architect.

After a large part of the bastion was excavated from 1979 to 1982, a circular outer structure revealed its whole form. Today, the bastion is surrounded by manicured lawns leading to San Diego g a rden and dotted with gazebos and pergolas. The guard told us that sometimes, a wedding recep -

tion is even held there.

San Agustin Church

O NE o f the Baroque Churches of the Philippines designated as a World Heritage site by u N ESCO, the San Agustin Church is another important landmark inside Intramuros. Also known as the Church of Saint Augustine, it is the oldest stone church in the country, being built in 1607. Patterned after the magnificent temples built by the Augustinians in Mexico, the Church gives a medieval vibe adorned by giant chandeliers, a baroque pulpit, a grand altar, a crucifix from the 16th century and a plethora of elaborate artworks and sculptures. Also, don’t miss the San Agustin Museum which is housed in the former Augustinian monastery next to San Agustin Church. Inside, one can find a collection of religious artwork and relics on display, all illuminating the long and storied history of Catholicism in the Philippines.

u N ESCO World Heritage site in 1979.

Haft Tepe. Close to the Iraqi border, Haft Tepe, another eroded ziggurat, corresponds to the remains of Kabnak, an Elamite city established by King Tepti-Ahar around 1,500 B.C when he moved his short-lived capital from Susa. Aside from the ziggurat, which was once adorned with bronze decorations and paintings, the site houses one of the most exciting archaeological discoveries made in Iran, the underground funer -

ary chambers with the “Royal Tomb” being the most important.

Haft Tepe is conveniently located in between Susa and Chogha Zanbil. so,making a quick stopover is out of the question. I was fortunate enough to have surveyed the complex and even climb up the highest mound (the supposed top of the ziggurat) on my own and at my own pace. The experience enabled me to imagine and absorb how the city may have looked like before.

It is not every day that one can climb such structures. There is also an ad -

jacent museum which displays invaluable antiquarian finds from the area. If those things do not excite much, the cool airconditioned hall provides a rewarding respite from the heat outside.

Haft Tepe, Susa, and Chogha Zanbil are lies within ancient Susiana, a region contiguous to or may even be a part of Mesopotamia. Ziggurats have timeless appeals, so much so that their legacies extended to the Art Deco period, becoming one of the most sought-after motifs of the 1920s and beyond.

Although

I’ve visited Intramuros multiple times— excluding the time I was baptized at the Manila Cathedral—I’ve never gone on a thorough loop exploring its every nook and cranny.

WAll S of the Great Ziggurat of Chogah Zanbil

C A SA Manila Museum Courtyard

n Agustin Church

AluAr T e de San Diego in Intramuros, Manila

T H e author standing at the portal to the underground funerary chambers of Haft Tepe

T H e northern Mound of Tepe Sialk, the remains of the oldest ziggurat in the world

AS e of columns of the Persian Apadana in Susa

Why the S23 Ultra is the best phone for K-pop fans

THE Galaxy S23 Ultra is Samsung’s flagship phone and is said to be it’s best ever. I am a longtime fan of Samsung’s Note line, so I have no doubt that Samsung makes excellent mobile phones. Disclaimer: I am an iPhone user who appreciates Android phones, especially ones with excellent features.

I have been using a Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra for around two months now and the phone has been with me for two or three concerts and a trip to Tokyo so I feel I can now share my thoughts about it.

First of all, the phone is huge and quite heavy. To me, this is not a big deal because once upon a time, I used a Samsung Note for a number of years. The Galaxy S23 Ultra comes at 3.07 x 6.43 x 0.35in and weighs 234g. It could be a dealbreaker for some people but in my experience, a phone that is powerful and offers a lot of features is usually big and heavy and that runs across both iOs and Android. Back in the day, the S23 Ultra would have been called a phablet.

This phone, by the way, will be supported over five years with four major OS updates so that’s not a bad deal at all.

The design is similar to the Galaxy S22 Ultra model but with some changes that improve its in-hand feel. Note: I have not held the S23 Ultra in my hand except in stores. Samsung also uses Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the front and back of the phone. Overall, I love how premium the phone looks and feels. I have been asked by strangers what my phone is so I think that’s an indication that the Galaxy S23 Ultra looks good.

The phone comes with a stylus. I was never a stylus user and still am not one. I can imagine though that someone who constantly takes notes would find a lot of use from the stylus. The Galaxy S23 Ultra comes with the S Pen that fits perfectly into its silo on the phone.

The Galaxy S23 Ultra has a bright and gorgeous

6.8” 1440p 120Hz panel capable of hitting a peak brightness of 1,750 nits. This is, without a doubt, the best I have seen on a smartphone. Watching videos and streaming on it is such a joy, really.

The phone comes in either 12GB + 1TB, 12 + 512GB, or 12 + 256GB. I am using the 12 + 256GB one and I have already filled it with thousands of images and videos. I have not experienced any lag or related problems. But because there is no option for a micro SD card, you should pick the right storage for your lifestyle. To be honest, I would get the 12GB + 1TB if I would buy my own S23 Ultra. I am okay with the 12 + 246GB for now because it’s just a review unit.

The Galaxy S23 Ultra ships with Android 13 and One UI 5.1 out of the box. The additions include Expert RAW, which gives access directly from the camera app once it’s installed. It also gives you the ability to change where your screenshots are saved on the phone. There are also new actions in Modes and Routines, EXIF data available in the Gallery which you can access by scrolling down. There’s also object

4 MILLION TVET LEARNERS TO BENEFIT FROM TRIPARTITE PARTNERSHIP ON FINANCIAL, DIGITAL LITERACY

BY RODERICK L. ABAD Contributor

MORE than 4 million technical-vocational (techvoc) learners will get to strengthen their economic status through the Financial Literacy Course (FLC) to be offered for free by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda).

“The 21st-century workplace demands workers to demonstrate self-management and develop practices and attitudes toward lifelong learning and career development. In this regard, Tesda, together with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas [BSP] and the BDO Foundation [BDOF], aims that, once launched, this course will help our learners develop self-management strategies and reflective practices as they handle their personal finances,” outgoing Tesda director general Danilo P. Cruz said of their partnership deal signed last March 2023. “It will also enable them to make sound financial decisions toward the attainment of their life and career goals.”

The general public and tech-voc education and training (TVET) learners can avail of the FLC via the Tesda Online Program (TOP) accessible at www.e-Tesda.gov.ph. The course is now being developed and will be launched under the platform’s Lifelong Learning Skills courses next year.

Topics covered in the FLC include financial planning, saving and budgeting, debt and investment management, digital financial literacy, and consumer protection.

recognition for separating specific elements of your photos into new content.

Inside the phone is the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 customized for Samsung. The Galaxy S23 Ultra is the first phone to use Snapdragon’s Cognitive ISP to enhance images in real-time. Samsung also included some impressively fast memory and storage.

It uses the LPDDR5X spec for both the 8GB and 12GB RAM options and UFS 4.0 internal storage. Universal Flash Storage (UFS) is a standard designed and incremented by Joint Electron Device Engineering Council (JEDEC), a global organization that designs open standards for different electronic systems. UFS can do both at the same time, which allows for read and write operations in parallel. Samsung also increased the size of the vapor chamber for the cooling system so the phone never overheated, even when I was taking videos and photos during a concert and posting them in real time.

And now let’s talk about the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra’s most celebrated option, its camera. Yes, it is as amazing as they said it is. The improved camera system is highlighted by a new 200MP sensor so it’s incredible.

The 200MP sensor uses a new Adapt Pixel Sensor, which brings many improvements to the photography experience. By default, the camera will automatically choose whether to take a full 200MP image or to bring it down to a 50 or 12MP image. The phone has two 10MP sensors with a 10x and 3x optical zoom, and a 12MP ultrawide sensor to round out the rear camera system on the Galaxy S23 Ultra. So, yes, this is the perfect phone for K-pop fans because it can take high resolution images and videos. For the front camera, Samsung went from a 16MP selfie camera

Game-changer in Philippine health care

A PIONEERING health tech initiative aimed at enhancing health-care accessibility, the KonsultaMD SuperApp was recently unveiled at the #IWantToBeHere ColorFest Run, promising to redefine the country’s health-care landscape.

Available for download on the Google Play Store and Apple App Store, the app is the next-generation iteration of KonsultaMD, a telehealth platform established by the Globe Group in 2015 that has since been instrumental in digitizing health-care services in the Philippines.

The newly launched app is a one-stop shop that brings together several medical services from top medical apps KonsultaMD, HealthNow and AIDE,

making bookings and purchases fast, seamless and easy. The app offers Konsulta Plus, an annual subscription for unlimited chat consultations, 24/7 mental health support, same-day medicine delivery via the KonsultaMD Pharmacy, and at-home diagnostics, lab testing, and wellness services. The platform also offers physical therapy, newborn and elderly nursing care services, and a concierge service for hassle-free bookings and reservations.

The KonsultaMD SuperApp also integrates over 1,000 medical professionals across 40+ specializations into a cohesive health-care platform. Users can enjoy 24/7 on-demand video or chat teleconsultations or schedule appointments at their

to a 12MP. Samsung also included Super HDR for photos and video for the front camera so the phone can take excellent photos in both bright and dim environments.

The different modes include video, portrait, night, Pro, Pro Video, Food, Portrait Video, and more. I normally take videos using the Pro Video mode but be warned that it takes up a lot of memory. If you’re in a concert shooting videos, being on Pro Video means you need a very stable Internet connection if you’re posting them in real time. There are also a lot of fun nighttime camera pictures that let you take cool videos that would be great for Instagram Reels or TikTok videos.

Thanks to Super HDR, Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is now capable of taking HDR10+ content, 8K video in 24 or 30 FPS, and 4K in 30 or 60 FPS.

The camera has many downloadable options, including the Camera Assistant app, and these options and features are all worth exploring. This is what I love about Android phones—the customization options.

As for the battery life, you get about 36 hours of use on average between charges, with around 4-6 hours of screen time. The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra offers the same 45W charging speeds as the S22 Ultra but as an iPhone user, I find that pretty fast.

All in all, the retail price of around P80,000 is not bad for a Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, especially if you like taking pictures and videos. It is a fun phone that you can use for work if, like me, your job entails taking pictures and shooting videos. If you watch a lot of concerts and you can afford the S23 Ultra, get it. If you want the most complete, top-of-the-line package from an Android phone, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is the one to have. ■

convenience, with a choice of over 16 languages and dialects.

“We’re constantly innovating to meet the evolving needs of our customers. The KonsultaMD SuperApp is another significant milestone in our journey. With more services than ever, we’re providing a tailored, intuitive experience that puts a full suite of medical services at our users’ fingertips,” said Cholo Tagaysay, KonsultaMD CEO.

Since its introduction, the KonsultaMD SuperApp has seen an increase in user registrations and app downloads, outperforming legacy metrics in browsing engagement, conversion, and payment. More information is available at use.konsulta.md/app

BSP Governor Felipe Medalla underscored the contributions of TVET learners to the economy and the significance of strategic alliances in upskilling vulnerable sectors. According to him, the BSP recognizes their pivotal role being the “linchpin of the Philippine economy,” whether they seek job or entrepreneurship here or abroad.

“Through the FLC, we empower them to take charge of their own personal and financial growth. This ownership in turn leads them to unlock better outcomes and opportunities for themselves, their families, and for our economy. To expand the reach of BSP’s financial inclusion efforts, sustainable public-private partnerships are instrumental in developing more financial education [fin-ed] programs that are free, effective, accessible, interactive and scalable,” Medalla said.

“This forms part of our continuing contribution to the BSP’s National Strategy for Financial Inclusion. We look forward to working closely with Tesda and the BSP’s Economic and Financial Learning Office on the development of the FLC. Through this partnership project, we hope to help enhance the economic well-being of the participants of Tesda’s training programs,” BDOF President Deriquito said while expressing his gratitude to BSP and Tesda for their team-up.

The tripartite partnership for TVET learners aligns with the goals and priority initiatives of the National Strategy for Financial Inclusion (NSFI) 2022-2028, which aims to beef up financial education and consumer protection by prioritizing the financial and digital literacy of financially underserved sectors.

The TOP was launched in 2012 and was strengthened amid the Covid-19 pandemic. At present, it has 151 online courses across various sectors and about 4.4 million registered users.

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Lenovo Yoga Book 9i: A new chapter in device versatility

HOW EUROPE IS LEADING THE WORLD IN THE PUSH TO REGULATE AI

BY KELVIN CHAN

The Associated Press

LONDON—Lawmakers in Europe signed off on Wednesday on the world’s first set of comprehensive rules for artificial intelligence, clearing a key hurdle as authorities across the globe race to rein in AI.

The European Parliament vote is one of the last steps before the rules become law, which could act as a model for other places working on similar regulations.

A yearslong effort by Brussels to draw up guardrails for AI has taken on more urgency as rapid advances in chatbots like ChatGPT show the benefits the emerging technology can bring—and the new perils it poses.

Here’s a look at the EU’s Artificial Intelligence Act: HOW DO THE RULES WORK?

THE measure, first proposed in 2021, will govern any product or service that uses an artificial intelligence system. The act will classify AI systems according to four levels of risk, from minimal to unacceptable.

Riskier applications, such as for hiring or tech targeted to children, will face tougher requirements, including being more transparent and using accurate data. It will be up to the EU’s 27 member states to enforce the rules. Regulators could force companies to withdraw their apps from the market.

In extreme cases, violations could draw fines of up to €40 million ($43 million) or 7 percent of a company’s annual global revenue, which in the case of tech companies like Google and Microsoft could amount to billions.

WHAT ARE THE RISKS?

ONE of the EU’s main goals is to guard against any AI threats to health and safety, and protect fundamental rights and values. That means some AI uses are an absolute no-no, such as “social scoring” systems that judge people based on their behavior.

Also forbidden is AI that exploits vulnerable people, including children, or uses subliminal manipulation that can result in harm, for example, an interactive talking toy that encourages dangerous behavior. Predictive policing tools, which crunch data to forecast who will commit crimes, is also out.

Lawmakers beefed up the original proposal from the European Commission, the EU’s executive branch, by widening the ban on real-time remote facial recognition and biometric identification in public. The technology scans passers-by and uses AI to match their faces or other physical traits to a database.

A contentious amendment to allow law enforcement exceptions such as finding missing children or preventing terrorist threats did not pass. AI systems used in categories like employment and education, which would affect the course of a person’s life, face tough requirements such as being transparent with users and taking steps to assess and reduce risks of bias from algorithms.

Most AI systems, such as video games or spam filters, fall into the low- or no-risk category, the commission says.

WHAT ABOUT CHATGPT?

THE original measure barely mentioned chatbots, mainly by requiring them to be labeled so users know they’re interacting with a machine. Negotiators later added provisions to cover general purpose AI like ChatGPT after it exploded in popularity, subjecting that technology to some of the same requirements as high-risk systems.

One key addition is a requirement to thoroughly document any copyright material used to teach AI systems how to generate text, images, video and music that resemble human work.

That would let content creators know if their blog posts, digital books, scientific articles or songs have been used to train algorithms that power systems like ChatGPT. Then they could decide whether their work has been copied and seek redress.

GLOBAL tech brand Lenovo looks to shake up the consumer market once again as it introduced its newest devices at the recently held Lenovo Innovate 2023 event. The latest offerings include refreshed models in the Yoga, Legion, and IdeaPad portfolios, as well as an exciting new gaming subbrand called Lenovo LOQ.

But of all the devices it introduced, the one that easily stole the show was the Yoga Book 9i.

device versatility with unique software

Lenovo says it is the “world’s first dual OLEDscreen” laptop that opens a new chapter in device versatility with unique software experiences for working, learning, streaming, gaming and more.

The Yoga Book 9i features two 13.3-inch 2.8K OLED PureSight displays with 100 percent DCI-P3 color accuracy and Dolby Vision HDR, offering ultra-vivid colors, sharper contrast, and richer detail of the visuals. Equipped with a 360-degree hinge, it can be used as a traditional clamshell, tent, presentation, or tablet device, with the additional screen serving as a virtual keyboard or touchpad. Using the detachable keyboard allows both screens to be used as displays, eliminating the need for a separate portable monitor. The folio stand supports dual-screen operation in both portrait and landscape modes, providing users with enhanced flexibility. There’s also pen support, enabling users to take notes or draw directly on one screen while simultaneously viewing a presentation or other content on the other screen.

Vision HDR, offering ultra-vivid colors,

When it’s time to sit back and relax, users can watch a movie on one screen while researching interesting background facts about the movie on the second screen. Making the experience even more immersive are four Bowers & Wilkins speakers with Dolby Atmos.

Under the hood, the Yoga Book 9i is powered by the latest generation of Intel Core processors, (13th Gen Intel Core i7-1355U; Intel Iris Xe GPU, 16GB LPDDR5x RAM + 1TB SSD M.2 2242), enabling users to take advantage of a full laptop experience along with the flexibility and multi-tasking potential of dual screens. These thin and light laptops, built on the Intel Evo platform, are designed and engineered to provide seamless communication experiences across a wide range of apps while minimizing the impact on responsiveness, battery life, and connectivity.

The YogaBook 9i is priced at P149,995 and is available for pre-order until June 30, 2023. Customers who pre-order will receive a complimentary Peripage Mini Printer and a Premium Giftbox worth P11,000.

UNLEASH YOUR CREATIVITY

WITH its latest lineup of devices, Lenovo aims to revolutionize the tech industry by providing powerful upgrades that cater to the evolving needs of consumers. Whether you’re a content creator, a passionate gamer, or a productivity enthusiast, Lenovo has a device that empowers you to achieve your goals while embracing sustainability and cutting-edge technology.

These 8th generation Lenovo devices also represent a significant leap forward, surpassing their Gen 7 predecessors in terms of performance, versatility and sustainability, and these cuttingedge devices are designed to provide an enhanced user experience, incorporating AI-powered enhancements.

Lenovo’s new Yoga laptops effortlessly blend style and performance, catering to the needs of creative individuals. The Pro series is a powerhouse, equipped to tackle even the most ambitious creative endeavors. Meanwhile, the ultra-portable Slim series ensures that you’re always on the go without compromising productivity.

Designed to empower the new generation of

content creators the Lenovo Yoga Pro 9i features an enhanced PureSight Pro display, innovative Yoga keyboard, and the cutting-edge Lenovo AI Engine+. This laptop delivers blazing-fast performance and anticipates users’ power and battery needs based on their activities. Additionally, the Yoga Pro laptops introduce Lenovo X Power, a unique combination of hardware and software features that optimize performance, minimizing wait times and maximizing productivity.

Boasting a custom-designed 13th Gen Intel processor, studio-validated NVIDIA GeForce RTX 40 Series graphics, and the brand-new Premium Suite, the Yoga Pro 9i is the ultimate choice for demanding creative professionals who seek top-of-the-line hardware.

STEP UP YOUR GAMING EXPERIENCE

FOR gamers seeking the ultimate gaming experience, Lenovo’s Legion devices are bound to impress.

These devices feature the world’s first dedicated AI hardware chips in gaming laptops, which power the Lenovo AI Engine+. The result is an optimized gaming experience with unparalleled customization and control.

Enter the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i and Lenovo Legion Slim 7i, the epitome of Lenovo Legion’s promise of “Stylish Outside. Savage Inside.” These laptops effortlessly handle AAA titles while excelling in streaming, content creation, and productivity tasks.

The Legion Pro 7i is a true powerhouse, with fullypowered 13th Gen Intel Core Processors and 40 Series NVIDIA GeForce RTX Graphics, delivering unbeatable processing power. The new Lenovo Legion Coldfront 5.0 cooling system ensures optimal performance even during intense gaming sessions. On the other hand, the Legion Slim 7i caters to gamers who require a portable yet powerful device. With its AI chip-powered Lenovo AI Engine+, TrueStrike full-sized keyboard, and impressive 99.99Whr battery life, this laptop is built for both battles and creative pursuits. All of these features are packed into a sleek, all-metal chassis that weighs under 2kg (4.4lbs) and measures a mere 17.99mm at its thinnest point.

EMPOWERING NEW GAMERS

LENOVO recognizes the burgeoning interest in gaming among new enthusiasts, leading to the introduction of the Lenovo LOQ series. Drawing inspiration from Lenovo’s premium Legion-branded gaming lineup, the Lenovo LOQ devices are designed

to provide a powerful and affordable gaming experience.

The Lenovo LOQ laptops inherit the DNA of Lenovo Legion, offering up to 135W TDP, 85-blade fans with up to 4 exhausts, an MUX Switch, and militarygrade durability. These devices cater to individual preferences by providing a choice of screen sizes and processors, ensuring that gamers can find the perfect fit for their needs.

For desktop gaming, the Lenovo LOQ Tower offers an exceptional out-of-the-box experience. Its future-proof expandability combined with practical aesthetics make it a great choice for new gamers. Featuring increased ventilation, up to 13th Gen Intel Core i7-13700 CPU, and the latest NVIDIA 40-Series desktop graphics, the Lenovo LOQ Tower creates an unforgettable gaming experience.

ELEVATE YOUR WORK AND ENTERTAINMENT

MEANWHILE, the latest generation of IdeaPad devices enhances productivity and delivers an immersive entertainment experience on-the-go. The devices incorporate a Smart Power feature that leverages machine learning algorithms to predict workload needs, instantly adapting power output for optimized performance and battery life. Furthermore, these devices sport larger displays with up to 90 percent active viewing area, along with userfacing speakers, providing users with exceptional entertainment quality.

Among the impressive lineup, the IdeaPad Slim 5i stands out as a device that excels in both performance and portability. Its sleek design, measuring just 16.9mm in thickness, conceals military-grade reliability.

Capable of withstanding the rigors of travel, this device empowers multitasking with its larger 16:10 display, up to 42W TDP dual fan cooling system, and the latest 13th Gen Intel Core processors enhanced by the adaptive performance of Smart Power. Lenovo goes the extra mile to ensure customer satisfaction by offering unmatched after-sales support. All Lenovo X80 devices, including Yoga, IdeaPad, and LOQ devices, come with up to three years of Premium Care, while Legion devices are backed by three years of Legion Ultimate Support. With 24/7 chat support, on-site assistance, and comprehensive diagnostic tests, the company ensures that users’ devices remain in top condition. Additionally, Yoga and Legion devices come with three years of Accidental Damage Protection, providing coverage even for the most accident-prone users. ■

The World

Mysterious 1,000 percent stock gains baffle traders in Indonesia

UNEXPLAINED gains in Indonesian stocks are fueling calls for tighter regulation in Southeast Asia’s biggest equity market.

Tornado devastates Texas

Panhandle town, killing three and injuring dozens

PERRYTON, Texas—A tornado ripped through the Texas Panhandle town of Perryton on Thursday, killing three people, injuring dozens more and causing widespread damage as another in a series of fierce storms carved its way through Southern states.

The National Weather Service in Amarillo confirmed that a tornado hit the area Thursday afternoon. But there was no immediate word on its size or wind speeds, meteorologist Luigi Meccariello said.

Perryton Fire Chief Paul Dutcher told reporters that three people were killed in the storm.

He said at least one person was killed in a mobile home park that took a “direct hit” from a tornado. Dutcher said at least 30 trailers were damaged or destroyed. At 6 p.m., firefighters were rescuing people from the rubble.

First responders from surrounding areas and from Oklahoma descended on the town, which is home to more than 8,000 people and about 185 kilometers northeast of Amarillo, just south of the Oklahoma line.

Storm chaser Brian Emfinger told Fox Weather that he watched the twister move through a mobile home park, mangling trailers and uprooting trees.

“I had seen the tornado do some pretty serious destruction to the industrial part of town,” he said.

Nearly 50,000 customers were without electricity in Texas and Oklahoma, according to the poweroutage.us website.

Ochiltree General Hospital in Perryton on Facebook said “Walking/wounded please go to the clinic. All others to the hospital ER.”

The hospital also said an American Red Cross shelter had been set up at the Ochiltree County Expo Center.

“We got slammed” by patients, said Kelly Judice, the hospital’s interim CEO.

“We have seen somewhere between 50 and 100 patients,” Judice said, including about 10 in critical condition who were transferred to other hospitals.

Patients had minor to major trauma, ranging from “head injuries to collapsed lungs, lacerations, broken bones,” she said.

Chris Samples of local radio station KXDJ-FM said the station was running on auxiliary power.

“The whole city is out of power,” he said.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said Thursday he had directed the state Division of Emergency Management to help with everything from traffic control to restoring water and other utilities, if needed. By evening, the weather front was moving southeast across Oklahoma. The weather service said a second round of storms would continue to move through that state and parts of Texas through the evening while the risk of severe weather, including tornados, remained for the metropolitan Oklahoma City area.

Elsewhere in Texas and other Southern states stretching to Florida, heat advisories were in effect Thursday and were forecast into the Juneteenth holiday weekend with temperatures reaching toward 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius). It was expected to feel as hot as 110 degrees Fahrenheit (43 degrees Celsius).

The storm system also brought hail and possible tornados to northwestern Ohio.

A barn was smashed and trees toppled in Sandusky County, Ohio, and power lines were downed in northern Toledo, leaving thousands without power. The weather service reported “a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado” over Bellevue and storms showing “signs of rotation” in other areas.

It was the second day in a row that powerful storms struck the US. On Wednesday, strong winds toppled trees, damaged buildings and blew cars off a highway from the eastern part of Texas to Georgia. AP

Known as “deep fried” shares among local traders, they often have concentrated ownership, low trading volume, scant analyst coverage and elevated valuations relative to peers. In the past three years, at least 83 Indonesian companies have swung by 1,000 percent or more from peak to trough, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. That’s about 10 percent of total stocks listed, a higher proportion than in neighboring Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam and the Philippines.

While wild stock swings for illiquid shares are nothing new in emerging markets, the moves have become so extreme in Indonesia that regulators on Monday introduced a new watchlist board to quickly spot what they perceive as troubled companies as a way to protect investors. The list will include firms with no revenue growth, low share prices, thin liquidity and undergoing debt re -

structuring, among other factors. Some traders are pushing for authorities to do even more, while President Joko Widodo has urged regulators to boost supervision of possible market manipulation.

At stake is investor confidence in a nearly $640 billion stock market that’s become so illiquid it’s forced some companies to resort to higher-cost bank loans as a way to raise capital. The International Monetary Fund said in a report last year that Indonesia’s “shallow” financial markets are a longstanding challenge for growth. The ratio of the nation’s stock market cap to GDP is also the lowest among Southeast Asian peers.

“We need the regulators to step in,” said Jerry Goh, an investment manager covering Asian equities at abrdn Asia Ltd.

Not all shares that are volatile are considered deep fried stocks, though traders have expressed confusion over the growing levels

of big swings. The results of the gains have minted or propelled the wealth of a handful of ultra wealthy tycoons. Low Tuck Kwong, a billionaire who controls PT Bayan Resources, became one of Asia’s richest men after shares shot up more than 220 percent over six weeks at the end of 2022. A nearly 14,000 percent surge in shares of DCI Indonesia in the five months after debuting in early 2021 put majority owners Otto Toto Sugiri and Marina Budiman into billionaire status.

When shares of coal miner Bayan Resources surged to a record high at the end of December, shareholder Low Tuck Kwong purchased more of the stock, according to an exchange filing. Prior to the surge, Kwong’s net worth was $5 billion, about one-fifth of his total today. Bayan is trading at 16 times priceto-earnings, higher than all of its regional peers. Its free float sits at 2.5 percent, lower than the exchange’s threshold of 7.5 percent.

The puzzling share price moves are weighing on analysts trying to avoid covering companies that could gain notoriety for being out of sync with reality. “We cannot cover stocks if there’s not enough information and fundamentals to support our research,” said Andrey

Wijaya, head of research at RHB Sekuritas Indonesia, in relation to a number of wild price swings. PT Petrindo Jaya Kreasi, which is involved in coal and gold mining, gained nearly 370 percent in the first seven weeks after its debut in early March. That was a windfall for its main shareholder and business magnate Prajogo Pangestu. A week after the company debuted, the stock exchange flagged unusual activity in trading of its shares. The company has no analyst coverage, according to Bloomberg data, and its price-to-book ratio based on the latest quarterly results is at 6.6 times, more than three fold of the benchmark JCI Index. A company representative did not respond to a request for comment while Pangestu declined to comment.

Indonesia’s bourse has worked to increase transparency of its markets, including creating special lists to monitor unusual activity. It also actively talks to companies about significant swings and tries to investigate anomalies. Still, progress appears to be slow and results minimal, according to John Rachmat, senior advisor at Singapore-based Pinnacle Investment. “After so many decades, it’s still a dead end,” he said of regulators’ efforts to curb volatility. Bloomberg News

World’s rice glut will be put to test with El Niño’s return

THE world is awash in rice with global stockpiles at close to record levels. El Niño’s arrival will put those reserves to the test.

The weather pattern usually brings hotter and drier conditions to Asia, which produces and consumes 90 percent of the global rice supply. Thailand, the world’s secondbiggest exporter, has already asked farmers to reduce their planting because of lower rainfall.

Historically, rice yields have been lower during El Niño years, and in some cases, much less. Last week, the US announced the official arrival of the weather phenomenon, with a high chance of it exceeding moderate strength. The stronger the

current cycle is, the more likely rice supplies will be affected.

“What we feel will happen this year is that the market will become a seller’s market,” said Chookiat Ophaswongse, honorary president of the Thai Rice Exporter’s Association, in an interview. “Not to the extent where there’s a shortage, but supply will definitely go down.”

The world’s stockpiles of rice are forecast to drop 5 percent to 173.5 million tons this season, according to the US Department of Agriculture.

Importers are starting to become wary, ramping up purchases in recent months. Vietnam, the world’s third-largest exporter, shipped 40 percent more rice to

the Philippines in the first four months of 2023 compared with a year ago. Exports to China surged more than 70 percent, and to Indonesia by almost 2,500 percent, according to Vietnam’s C Numbers from Thailand paint a similar picture with rice exports increasing over 18 percent, according to the Thai Commerce Ministry.

The outlook for the rice crop in India, the world’s top exporter, is highly dependent on the southwest monsoon. Rainfall is forecast to be normal this year, which will likely support production. However, El Niño has historically led to deficient rainfall in India, adversely affecting agricultural output and driving up food prices.

Even with the onset of El Niño, overall rice harvests this year are forecast to remain steady, at 512.5 million metric tons. according to the USDA. Rising demand is responsible for the expected drop in stocks.

“There is no rice shortage today,” said Jeremy Zwinger, founder and chief executive officer of agricultural research firm The Rice Trader. “If anything, there is a massive rice surplus and fears that the crops, which look good, may face some issue from weather.”

It’s important for countries to maintain healthy strategic stocks, Zwinger said. “Vietnam must be careful as they are exporting rather aggressively as well, and stocks are a bit tight.” Bloomberg News

June temperatures briefly passed key climate threshold; more spikes seen

BERLIN—Worldwide temperatures briefly exceeded a key warming threshold earlier this month, a hint of heat and its harms to come, scientists worry.

The mercury has since dipped again, but experts say the short surge marked a new global heat record for June and indicates more extremes ahead as the planet enters an El Niño phase that could last years.

Researchers at the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service said Thursday that the start of June saw global surface air temperatures rise 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 Fahrenheit) above preindustrial levels for the first time. That is the threshold governments said they would try to stay within

at a 2015 summit in Paris.

“Just because we’ve temporarily gone over 1.5 degrees doesn’t mean we’ve breached the Paris Agreement limit,” cautioned Samantha Burgess, deputy director of the Copernicus program. For that to happen the globe needs to exceed that threshold for a much longer time period, such as a couple of decades instead of a couple of weeks.

Still, the 11 days spent at the 1.5-degree threshold shows how important it is for scientists to keep a close watch on the planet’s health, not least because previous spikes above 1.5 have all happened during winter or spring in the northern hemisphere, she said. “It’s really critical to moni -

tor the situation, to understand what implications this has for the summer to come.”

“As a climate scientist I feel like I am watching a global train wreck in slow motion. It’s quite frustrating,” said University of Victoria’s Andrew Weaver, who wasn’t part of the measurements.

That’s because a three-year La Niña phase—which tends to dampen the effects of global warming—has given way to the opposite, an El Niño period, which could add another half-degree or more to average temperatures.

“The expectation is that 2024 will be even warmer than 2023 as this El Niño continues to develop,” said Burgess.

“We know as well the warmer

the global climate is, the more likely we are to have extreme events and the more severe those extreme events may be,” she said.

“So there’s a direct correlation between the degree of global warming and the frequency and intensity of extreme events.”

Stefan Rahmstorf of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research said the Copernicus data “are a reminder of how close we are to the 1.5 C global warming limit, beyond which there are major risks for humanity in terms of climate instability and ecosystem system losses.”

Rob Jackson, a Stanford University climate scientist who like Rahmstorf wasn’t involved in collecting the Copernicus data, said its significance is still unclear.

Xi tells Gates China willing to engage in tech cooperation

PRESIDENT Xi Jinping said China is willing to work with the world on technology innovation and global challenges, including pandemic prevention during a meeting with American billionaire Bill Gates.

“You are the first American friend I’ve met in Beijing this year,” Xi told

the Microsoft Corp. co-founder on Friday, according to state broadcaster China Central Television.

“I’ve always said that the foundation of China-US ties lies among the people,” the Chinese leader added. “We always pin our hopes on American people and hope the two peoples can continue to be friendly.”

China’s top diplomat Wang Yi and Foreign Secretary Qin Gang attended the meeting. Xi’s sit down with Gates raises expectations for the Chinese leader to meet with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken who is set to visit Beijing on a two-day trip from Sunday. That rescheduled visit aims

to reset ties between the world’s largest economies, after a spat over an alleged Chinese spy balloon derailed high-level exchanges earlier this year.

Earlier, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Beijing city government agreed to donate $50 million each to fight infec -

tious diseases such as malaria. The money will go to the Global Health Drug Discovery Institute, according to a statement from the Gates Foundation. The institute is a nonprofit established in 2016 by the Gates Foundation, the Beijing municipal government and Tsinghua University. Bloomberg News

BUILDINGS and vehicles show damage after a tornado struck Perryton, Texas, Thursday, June 15, 2023. AP

Cyber attack hits natl lab, nuclear waste site

ACONTRACTOR at a US national lab and a radioactive waste storage site managed by the Department of Energy (DOE) were among the victims of wide-ranging cyber attack that saw several federal agencies hacked, according to a person familiar with the matter.

A department spokesperson confirmed Thursday that records from two of the agency’s “entities were compromised,” though further details on the extent of the breach couldn’t immediately be determined. Multiple US agencies were compromised by a hacking campaign in which attackers exploited flaws in a popular software tool to gather information from a range of victims.

“DOE took immediate steps to prevent further exposure to the vulnerability and notified the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency [CISA],” an agency spokesperson said. “The department has notified Congress and is working with law enforcement, CISA, and the affected entities to investigate the incident and mitigate impacts from the breach.”

A contractor for the department’s Office of Science and national laboratories, including Tennessee’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory that produces uranium for nuclear bombs and conducts nuclear energy research, was

among the victims. The Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education is overseen by the Oak Ridge National Laboratory Site Office, but spokesperson Pam Bonnee said the breached materials had nothing to do with the national lab.

The energy department’s Waste Isolation Pilot Plant in Carlsbad, New Mexico, which stores nuclear waste from the country’s weapons thousands of feet underground, was also affected by the attack. As of Thursday afternoon, the facility’s website was offline. A spokesperson at the facility declined to comment.

The World JAPANESE

Japan Premier Kishida cools speculation for early election

“He’s likely judged overall that holding an election now would not be advantageous,” said political analysts Shigenobu Tamura.

“He’ll look for another time for a dissolution including the possibility of autumn.”

Asahi TV and Jiji Press also indicated approval had sagged in the past month.

With stocks hovering around three-decade highs and the economy growing faster than initially thought in the first quarter, Kishida has some factors in his favor.

The US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, a unit of the Department of Homeland Security, confirmed several agencies were affected. Russianspeaking hackers known as Clop have carried out a spate of recent attacks that exploited a vulnerability in MOVEit, a popular file-transfer product, according to the agency.

CISA Director Jen Easterly said the agency is providing support to several federal agencies affected by the MOVEit attack. Easterly said “as far as we know” the hackers are only stealing information stored on the MOVEit file transfer service, and that the intrusions are not being leveraged to gain further access to other parts of networks.

Bloomberg News

Security firm: Chinese spies breached hundreds of public, private networks

SUSPECTED state-backed Chinese hackers used a security hole in a popular email security appliance to break into the networks of hundreds of public and private sector organizations globally, nearly a third of them government agencies including foreign ministries, the cybersecurity firm Mandiant said Thursday.

“This is the broadest cyber espionage campaign known to be conducted by a China-nexus threat actor since the mass exploitation of Microsoft Exchange in early 2021,” Charles Carmakal, Mandiant’s chief technical officer, said in a emailed statement. That hack compromised tens of thousands of computers globally.

In a blog post Thursday, Googleowned Mandiant expressed “high confidence” that the group exploiting a software vulnerability in Barracuda Networks’ Email Security Gateway was engaged in “espionage activity in support of the People’s Republic of China.”

It said the activity began as early as October.

The hackers sent emails containing malicious file attachments to gain access to targeted organizations’ devices and data, Mandiant said. Of those organizations, 55 percent were from the Americas, 22 percent from Asia Pacific and 24

percent from Europe, the Middle East and Africa and they included foreign ministries in Southeast Asia, foreign trade offices and academic organizations in Taiwan and Hong Kong, the company said.

Mandiant said the majority impact in the Americas may partially reflect the geography of Barracuda’s customer base.

Barracuda announced on June 6 that some of its its email security appliances had been hacked as early as October, giving the intruders a backdoor into compromised networks. The hack was so severe the California company recommended fully replacing the appliances.

After discovering it in mid-May, Barracuda released containment and remediation patches but the hacking group, which Mandiant identifies as UNC4841, altered their malware to try to maintain access, Mandiant said. The group then “countered with high frequency operations targeting a number of victims located in at least 16 different countries.”

Word of the breach arrived with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken departing for China this weekend as part of the Biden administration’s push to repair deteriorating ties between Washington and Beijing. AP

“I am not thinking of dissolving the current session of the lower house of parliament,” Kishida told reporters Thursday. Dissolving parliament would be a procedural step needed for calling an election.

Kishida said he wanted to focus on the challenges ahead. Opposition members are expected to submit a no-confidence motion on Friday against Kishida’s government, which will likely be easily defeated given the large majority of seats held by the coalition led by the premier’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party.  But such a motion could be used by Kishida to call for a snap

election. Given the relatively weak support for opposition parties, Kishida’s ruling LDP would likely remain in power if there was a vote, as it has been almost continuously since 1955. It could, however, lose some seats to an upstart opposition party.

While he need not hold a vote until 2025, calling an early vote would have left the opposition with less time to prepare for a campaign that could eat into the ruling coalition’s majority. Renewing his mandate would also help Kishida retain his position as party leader in an LDP vote next year.

The premier has been widely expected to hold the election by the end of the year, before the government reveals how it will fund plans to hike defense spending pledges and policies to counter the falling birthrate. Polls show a majority of the public is unwilling to countenance tax hikes, as inflation continues to hurt household budgets.

An election could come in the autumn, following a cabinet reshuffle and changes in some top LDP leadership positions, Jiji Press reported, citing political sources it did not name.

Support for Kishida’s cabinet has slipped in three recent media surveys. A poll by public broadcaster NHK conducted June 9-11 found a fall of 3 percentage points to 43 percent, while surveys by

On the downside, he has failed to bring about the pay hikes he promised, with real wages falling for a 13th straight month in April as food and fuel prices surge.

He’s also facing unease over mess-ups in the introduction of a national ID card.

Tamura said trouble over the ID card, the fall in poll ratings and scandals involving his son and a close aide likely contributed to Kishida’s thinking.

Kishida’s comments also come amid a rift between the LDP and its Buddhist-backed coalition partner Komeito amid a redrawing of constituency lines to reflect the ongoing drift of the population from his party’s rural strongholds to urban areas.

US nuclear sub returns to South Korea as Pyongyang fires missiles

THE US sent a nuclearpowered, guided-missile submarine to South Korea for the first time in six years in a show of force meant to deter North Korea from military strikes.

The USS Michigan docked at a naval base in the southern city of Busan, South Korea’s Defense Ministry said Friday. It is there for joint training between the allies meant to “respond to the advancing North Korean threat,” it said in a statement.

The visit comes after South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol won assurances during a summit with President Joe Biden in April to strengthen extended deterrence measures, including more regular deployments of nuclear-armed submarines.

The displays of US military might are meant to serve as a reminder of a warning Biden issued

to leader Kim Jong Un during a meeting with the South Korean

president that a nuclear strike by North Korea would be suicidal.

The North Korean leader has been defiant, firing off two short-range ballistic missiles on Thursday night as his regime protested massive live fire-exercises between the US and South Korea that ended this week just south of the border that divides the two Koreas.

The USS Michigan, launched in 1980, is built to carry Trident submarine-launched ballistic missiles, the US Navy said. South Korea said it is one of the largest submarines in the world and can be armed with over 150 Tomahawk cruise missiles.

The US sent the submarine to South Korea in 2017 is a show of force when tensions were on the rise with North Korea. Bloomberg News

Putin to hold talks with UAE leader at St. Petersburg Forum

RUSSIAN President Vladimir Putin will hold talks with the leader of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) at a flagship business forum on Friday, bolstering the Kremlin’s efforts to ease its international isolation over the war in Ukraine.

Putin will meet with Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan as part of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, according to

a Kremlin statement. The UAE is taking part in the event as a special guest country.

The UAE president last met with Putin in St. Petersburg in October, where the Russian leader said the Gulf state could play a “significant” role in efforts to end the war. The latest talks are taking place the day before Putin is due to meet a delegation of African leaders who are on a peace initiative that also includes a visit to Ukraine on Friday.

The US has pressed unsuccessfully for the oil-rich UAE to curb ties with Russia, which is a member of the OPEC+ group of crude producers.

Dubai, the UAE’s commercial capital, has seen an influx of Russians and their capital since the February 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

The annual St. Petersburg economic forum attracted major US and European politicians and investors before Putin began his

invasion. Many now shun the event following unprecedented sanctions against Russia by the US and its allies, with this year’s forum mainly drawing lowerlevel officials from countries that have largely avoided taking sides over the war.

Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, whose country is a major buyer of Russian weapons and a member of OPEC+, is also taking part in the forum in Putin’s hometown. Bloomberg News

UNICEF calls for better protection for Sudan’s children trapped in ‘unrelenting nightmare’

CAIRO—The conflict in Sudan has killed over 330 children and left 13 million more in dire need of humanitarian assistance, UNICEF said Friday, calling on the country’s warring factions to better protect vulnerable young people.

For two months, Sudan’s military, led by Gen. Abdel Fattah Burhan, and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), commanded by Gen. Mohamed Hamden Dagalo, have been locked in a deadly power struggle. The fighting has killed more than 958 civilians, according to Sudan’s Doctors’ Syndicate, which only tracks civil -

ian casualties. The true death toll is likely much higher.

“Children are trapped in an unrelenting nightmare, bearing the heaviest burden of a violent crisis they had no hand in creating— caught in the crossfire, injured, abused, displaced and subjected to disease and malnutrition,” said Mandeep O’Brien, UNICEF’s Representative in Sudan, in a report issued Friday.

According to the United Nations’ latest figures, the eight weeks of fighting have displaced more than 2 million people across the country, with lawlessness and ethnic violence intensifying

across the Darfur region.

It wasn’t immediately clear how UNICEF accounted for the 13 million children. There are roughly 21 million children in Sudan, which had a population of over 45 million before the conflict broke out.

Last week, the International Committee of the Red Cross rescued 297 children from an orphanage in Khartoum. The operation came after 71 children had died from hunger and illness in the facility since mid-April.

In West Darfur province, “at least 14,836 children under five are expected to be severely malnourished,” UNICEF said. For weeks, the restive province has

been under a near-complete communications blackout.

Khamis Abdalla Abkar, the governor of West Darfur, was abducted and killed on Wednesday hours after he accused the RSF and allied Arab militias of attacking local communities across the province’s capital, Genena. Abkar made the accusation during a telephone interview with the Saudi-owned television station, Al-Hadath.

Later Wednesday, video footage circulating on social media showed a group of armed men, some wearing RSF uniforms, detaining Abkar. Shortly after, new footage—too graphic to broad -

cast—purportedly showed Abkar laying on the ground motionless with wounds in his neck and face.

On Thursday, Sudan’s Military and United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission, or UNITAMS, blamed the RSF and affiliated Arab militias for the killing.

“Compelling eyewitness accounts attribute this act to Arab militias and the Rapid Support Forces,” UNITAMS said in a short statement.

The RSF denied any involvement in the murder, instead blaming “outlaws” for killing Abkar. The paramilitary accused the military and its intelligence

service of fueling tribal conflict, in a post on its social media page on Thursday.

In the early 2000s, African tribes in Darfur that had long complained of discrimination rebelled against Khartoum’s Islamist government, which responded with a military campaign that the International Criminal Court later said amounted to genocide. The state-backed Arab militias, known as the Janjaweed, were accused of widespread killings, rapes and other atrocities. The Janjaweed later folded into the RSF. UNICEF said it needed $838 million to address the crisis. AP

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said he’s not thinking of dissolving parliament during the current session, cooling speculation he could call an early election as soon as next month.

THE nuclear-powered submarine USS Michigan approaches a naval base in Busan, South Korea, Friday, June 16, 2023. The United States deployed the nuclear-powered submarine capable of carrying about 150 Tomahawk missiles to South Korea on Friday, a day after North Korea resumed missile tests in protest of the US-South Korean live-fire drills. AP

EJ makes podium for 3rd consecutive time in Euro stint

ERNEST JOHN “EJ” OBIENA settled for a bronze medal this time at the Oslo Bislett Games on Friday in Oslo to go 3-of-3 so far in podium finishes in his European outdoor campaign.

Fresh from breaking 6 meters in Bruggen also in Norway last Saturday, Obiena cleared 5.81 meters at the Bislett Stadion to finish third in the meet dominated by Olympic and world champion and world record holder Armand Duplantis of Sweden.

D uplantis cleared 6.01 meters— off his world record 6.22 he set at the world championships in Oregon last year—to bag the gold medal.

A merican Christopher Nilsen grabbed silver with 5.91 meters.

Obiena started his European outdoor campaign with a bronze medal at 5.72 meters in the Irena Szewinska Memorial in Bydgoszcz, Poland, last June 8.

O biena’s long-time adviser Jim Lafferty said the world No. 3 and Asia’s No. 1 Obiena remains a work in progress.

EJ was cruising through 5.81m in a tie for first place and no misses so far,” Lafferty said. “At 5.91, he missed two attempts and then after passing 6.01, he missed his third attempt.”

He again made a gutsy call to go for the win as he did last week—as it goes with risk-taking, it never pays off 100% of the time,” he added.

L afferty said Obiena’s undergoing an adjustment period which is focused on his medal prospect at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

“ I talked to EJ and he’s still adjusting to the longer approach.  His

Young Rianne bows to Irish rival in Kent

RIANNE MALIXI lost grip of what appeared to be a big 3-up frontside lead as she lost her rhythm and allowed Irish Sara Byrne to snare a 1-up victory in the first round of Match Play in The Women’s Amateur at the Prince’s Golf Club in Sandwich, Kent in southeast England Thursday.

It was a sorry turn of events for the Filipina shotmaker, who had looked in control of the match after winning holes 1, 3 and 8. But she hit the wall of the fairway bunker on the ninth, leading to a bogey and Byrne cashed in on that break to mount her rally and fashion out the big comefrom-behind win.

A fter both traded missed birdie putts on Nos. 10 and 11, Byrne birdied the 12th which Malixi failed to match from 10 feet. Another Byrne birdie on the next coupled with Malixi’s muffed putt from eight feet forced an all-square match with the former wresting the lead as the latter missed the 14th green and a parsaving putt from five feet.

T he International Container Terminal Services Inc.-backed Malixi chipped past the hole on the par-five 15th and failed to convert a birdie and when she did drill one on the next, Byrne also made hers to stay ahead and the two matched pars on the par-three 17th.

Ne eding a birdie on the closing par-4 hole to extend the match, Malixi banged in a 10-footer but Byrne also holed out with a birdie of her own to advance to the Last 32 phase and frustrate her 16-yearold rival, who sparked hopes of a big campaign in one of the world’s premier amateur events when she battled back from the brink with a gallant second round 69 to make the grade in the 36-hole stroke play qualifying.

W hile it was another heartbreaker of a stint for Malixi, the world No. 93 still relished the chance to compete with some of the world’s best and on such a demanding links course, the exposure and the learnings she gained seen to further toughen her up as she heads to her next campaign, the Western Women’s Amateur in Illinois from July 18 to 23.

SILVER IN SINGAPORE, BRONZE IN NORWAY

Yulo claims silver in Asian meet, bags all-around ticket to worlds

By Josef Ramos

CARLOS YULO clinched a silver medal in men’s individual all-around at the Asian Artistic Gymnastics Championships and got what he wanted—entry to the event in the world championships.

vault and parallel bars but hopes to add the rings and horizontal bars when he competes in the aparratus final on Saturday.  Yulo ran 16th in pommel horse and could play in the finals as a reserve if one of the finalists decides to pull out.

steps were off at 5.91 and 6.01 and it’s still a work in progress,” Lafferty said. “It will come. It’s still early in the season.” Obiena will return to his base in Formia, Italy, to rest for 12 days before joining three more competitions ahead of the Asian championships in Pattaya, Thailand, set from July 12 to 16.

Josef Ramos

Alido in spotlight as title hunt in Forest Hills Classic heats up

ALL but one of the six winners of this year’s Philippine Golf Tour (PGT) go flat out in the quest of a second championship on an unfamiliar terrain in the International Container Terminal Services Inc. Forest Hills Classic which unwraps Tuesday at the Nicklaus course in Antipolo City. For one, Ira Alido, who came out of nowhere to stun Tony Lascuña by one and set off the chase for the Order of Merit honors in Bacolod last March, expects to figure conspicuously in the upcoming P2 million event despite a wobbly finish the last time out.

The former amateur hotshot, who secured his maiden PGT win in big fashion at Riviera in 2020, set the pace in Valley two weeks ago, stayed in the hunt in the middle rounds but faltered when it mattered most, closing out with a 76 and winding up joint sixth.

“I wouldn’t call it a loss of rhythm but more of a learning experience and that only makes me want to play even better [in the next event],” said Alido.

“Like I said the last time, I’m exactly where I want to be right now and I whole-heartedly believe I can compete to win week-in and week-out.”

Just like everybody else, including Valley leg champion Reymon Jaraula, Villamor Philippine Masters titlist Jhonnel Ababa, Iloilo leg runaway winner Rupert Zaragosa and Lascuña, who reigned at Caliraya Springs.

Th row in Lloyd Go and Clyde Mondilla, who tied for second at Valley, and former leg winners Angelo Que, Zanieboy Gialon, Jay Bayron and Guido van der Valk, also the reigning back-to-back The Country Club Invitational champion, a mad, wild chase for the top P360,000 prize could be in the works in the 72-hole champion-

ship organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc.

Title-hungry Marvin Dumandan, Gerald Rosales, Keanu Jahns, Albin Engino, Enrico Gallardo and Fidel Concepcion are also keen on muddling up the title race, along with young guns Gabriel Manotoc, Sean Ramos, Josh Jorge, Kristoffer Arevalo, Ivan Monsalve, Japanese Ueda Atsushi and Korean Hyun Ho Rho while Russell Bautista and Elee Bautista are also due to producing solid results on a hilly 36-hole championship course that favors no one.

Otico stuns big guns, captures Malita Open men’s singles crown

title romps, outdueling and outlasting the top-ranked veteran Davis Cupper in long rallies on his way to a 6-2, 6-4 reversal in the semifinals.

T he two-time world champion Yulo peaked in subdivision 1 to lead the field at the OCBC Arena late Thursday, but slipped to No. 2 in the next two subdivisions for 8.5930 points and finish behind Japan’s Shinnosuke Oka,

who scored 86.065 points.

Another Japanese, Takeru Kitazono, clinched the bronze medal with 85.431 to join Oka, Yulo and five other gymnasts in the world championships in scheduled September 30 to October 8 in Antwerp, Belgium.

T he Tokyo Olympian Yulo already qualified in floor exercise,

B esana was 28th  in the men’s individual all-around with 73.531 points.

Yulo,  John Ivan Cruz and Besana, Justin Ace de Leon and Jann Gwynn Timbang—gold medalists in the Cambodia 32nd Southeast Asian Games— however, placed seventh overall and missed a world championships berth.

T he Philippines got 237.193 points in the team event dominated by China (256.762), Japan (256.694) and Kazakhstan (246.828). Vietnam SEA Games gold medalist Aleah Finnegan, Ancilla Lucia Mari Manzano, Kylee Ann Kvamme, Lucia Gutierrez and debuting Emma Malabuyo competed in the women’s artistic team event late Friday.

T he Filipino-American Malabuyo was an alternate for Team USA in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Gilas Pilipinas vs Dominican Republic: Classic battle 45 years in the making

FOR the first time in 45 years, the Philippines will be the setting for the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) Basketball World Cup.

M anila will play host—alongside Okinawa (Japan) and Jakarta (Indonesia)—to the best of the best players in the meet scheduled from August 25 to September 10.

A ngola, China, Dominican Republic, Egypt, Greece, Italy, Jordan, Lithuania, Mexico, Montenegro, New Zealand, Puerto Rico, Serbia, South Sudan and the United States will all be first up front and center for Filipinos to watch in the group phase. The last time the Philippines served as venue was in 1978 when the tournament was still called the FIBA World Championship.

It was the first time the showcase was held in an Asian country with the Araneta Coliseum and Rizal Memorial Coliseum as stages.

Now, the Big Dome in Quezon City will again welcome global basketball with arms wide open, this time alongside Pasay City’s SM Mall of Asia Arena and for the opening day the Philippine Arena.

The Bulacan venue is expected to be at full capacity when world No. 10 Italy faces scrappy Angola in the opener at 4 p.m. and home team

Gilas Pilipinas battles the Dominican Republic at 8 p.m. on August 25.

A record-breaking number of fans is expected to cheer Gilas in its quest for its first win in the world championship on home soil.

The highly-anticipated opening day matchups will be surrounded by other attractions as celebrities will be in attendance and tournament organizers are preparing a show featuring top local musical acts, booths for local and global event partners and other gimmicks that will give fans a truly world-class experience.

T icket holders for the opening day games at the Philippine Arena can avail themselves of free shuttle services from major transportation hubs with 400 buses deployed for this purpose.

Fans can enjoy all of the above for as low as P999 for two games per single day pass.

T ickets are already on sale at https://philippines-ticketing. worldcup.basketball/, with several packages and day passes from which to choose.

Filipino fans are hoping for an improvement on Gilas’s unsatisfactory performance in the previous World Cup in China, while the No. 23 Dominicans are eyeing to better their 2-3 record from 2019.

in the Malita Open in Davao Occidental Friday. The 24-year-old Otico earlier ended Johnny Arcilla’s string of Open

He then shattered Pague with a key break in the ninth game of the fiercely-fought first set of the finals then sustained his assault with two breaks in the next frame for a 5-1 count at the Malita Tennis Club. Pague did hold serve in the seventh then broke Otico in the next but the

Maramag, Bukidnon find, playing out of Loyola Marymount U in Los Angeles, broke back in the ninth to wrap up the victory worth P80,000.

No. 5 Alexei Santos of University of Santo Tomas capped the day of the lesser lights as she produced her own stunner in women’s singles, beating top seed Tennielle Madis, 6-3, 6-2, to pocket the top prize of P30,000 in the 10-day event also held as part of the country’s longest talent-search put up by Palawan Pawnshop president and CEO Bobby Castro.

O tico, a finalist in the recent Manila Open, worked his way into contention with a 6-2, 6-2 victory over Eric Tangub following a walkover win in the opening round of the event hosted by Mayor Bradly Bautista.

CARLOS YULO gets what he wants in Singapore while Ernest John “EJ” Obiena’s blazing a train in Europe. COURTESY OF SINGAPORE GYMNASTICS AND BISLETT GAMES

VICTORY PARADE! Nikola Jokic jokes with guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope during the Denver Nuggets victory rally and parade to mark the team’s first National Basketball Association basketball championship on Thursday in Denver. AP

IRA ALIDO expects to figure conspicuously in the P2-million event.

UNRANKED John Bryan Otico pulled off one of the most stirring triumphs in Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Pera Padala (PPS-PEPP) Open Championships by toppling the top two seeds—including No. 2 Jose Maria Pague, 6-4, 6-3 in the final—to clinch the men’s singles crown

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