BusinessMirror March 25, 2023

ARMY’S MAJOR LEAP TO MODERNIZATION

PA trains, gears up for contemporary warfare with ‘Salaknib’ exercises

By Rex Anthony Naval

WHILE the government puts the finishing touches on the projected end of the more than 50-year campaign against the communistled insurgency, the Philippine Army (PA) started to focus more on its territorial defense mission as it celebrated its 126th founding anniversary on March 22, 2023.

This shift has taken a keener focus now considering the ongoing slugfest between Ukraine and Russia, which saw both sides for the past year fielding massive fleet of tanks, mobile infantry and artillery, jet fighters and bombers and even the fast and deadly cruise missiles in a bid to get a decisive and bloody edge on the battlefield.

In the Philippine setting, the PA’s shift to the modern modes of warfare involving the use of modern anti-tank missiles, guided artillery and rocket systems and helicopter operations was aided by American support, with the United States Army in the Pacific (USARPAC) playing a huge role in this initiative.

Incidentally, the PA and USARPAC are now conducting their annual “Salaknib” exercises, which run from March 13 to April 4.

Salaknib (shield in Ilocano)

BRAWNER: “Indeed, there is much more we can learn from each other, and much more that we can do together, in the interest of Indo-Pacific security and wider security regional connectivity.”

is an annual Army-to-Army exercise geared at strengthening the interoperability of Filipino and American soldiers.

Earlier, PA chief Lt. Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. said Salaknib will help the force in its shift from internal to territorial defense.

“Indeed, there is much more we can learn from each other, and much more that we can do together, in the interest of Indo-Pacific security and wider security regional connectivity,” he said. The drills formally opened at

Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija, which is home to the PA’s Army Artillery Regiment, Army Aviation Regiment, Special Forces Regiment, and the 7th Infantry. Brawner and US Army I Corps commander Lt. Gen. Xavier

PERSONNEL from the Multi-Launch Rocket System Battery of the Army Artillery Regiment (AAR) and the US Multi-Domain Task Force conduct a subject matter expert exchange at AAR Headquarters, Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija, on March 16, 2023. PHILIPPINE ARMY

A US Army Pacific soldier demonstrates use of the Counter-Small Unmanned Aerial System (C-sUAS) to Army Artillery Regiment (AAR) personnel during the subject matter expert exchange at the AAR Multi-Purpose Facility, Fort Ramon Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija. PHILIPPINE ARMY

A FILIPINO soldier tests the Javelin Anti-Tank Weapon during the subject matter expert exchange (SMEE) activity held at Special Forces Regiment (Airborne) headquarters at Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija, on March 15, 2022. PHILIPPINE ARMY

FILIPINO soldiers stand during rites at the 126th founding anniversary of the Philippine Army at Fort Bonifacio in Taguig on Wednesday, March 22, 2023. AP/AARON FAVILA

US fears a war-weary world may embrace China’s Ukraine peace bid

By Iain Marlow | Bloomberg News

US officials have publicly expressed deep skepticism about the Chinese idea, saying its call for a cease-fire would reward Moscow’s invasion by cementing its territorial gains. Privately, though, the meetings and the proposal have provoked a sense of unease within the administration, leading in turn to questions about the broader US approach to the two countries.

Uncomfortable realities

ACCORDING to one administration official, who asked not to be identified discussing internal deliberations, the US is worried about being backed into a corner over the Chinese proposal. Regardless of the US reservations, dismissing it outright could let China argue to other nations that are weary of the war—and of the economic damage it’s wreaking—that Washington isn’t interested in peace.

If the US spurns the agreement, “China will likely ramp up messaging that the US is opposed to a cease-fire, that the US is opposed to the end of the war,” said Bonny Lin, a fellow at the Center for Strategic and International

Studies who once served at the Pentagon. “There will be lots of ways in which China will try to spin whatever comes from the China-Russia meeting in a way that seeks to portray the US in negative light.”

The debate over China’s version of a peace plan highlights just one of the many uncomfortable realities that were brought home by Xi’s three-day visit this week to Moscow, which saw the Chinese leader greeted warmly by Putin. The two countries pledged to deepen their partnership even further.

The Biden administration has tried to keep China on the sidelines since the start of the Ukraine invasion, but the opposite appears to have happened. Even as Xi and Putin grow closer, China is finding a receptive audience for its broader diplomatic push around the globe.

At a Senate hearing on Wednesday, Senator Jeff Merkley asked Secretary of State Antony Blinken to respond to what the Oregon Democrat called a “three-day bro-fest with Putin and Xi celebrating authoritarian power.” Blinken acknowledged it was a continuation of the two nations’ pledge

right before the war of a “partnership with no limits.”

“This is no surprise—both countries have very different worldviews than our own,” Blinken said. “They may find common cause in opposing the worldview that we and so many other countries around the world seek to defend and advance.”

‘Fence sitters’ BLINKEN didn’t mention all the countries that have refused to take sides despite US urging.

China has shrugged off US sanctions over its companies’ part-

nership with Russia, bought oil from Iran’s regime in defiance of western demands and helped orchestrate a diplomatic detente between Saudi Arabia and Iran.

Major global economies such as India and Brazil are refusing to choose between China and the West, arguing they don’t want a new Cold War.

And a week ago, Honduras began the process of giving up its diplomatic ties with Taiwan in favor of economic links with China.

The move was “a sign of my determination to fulfill the government plan and expand frontiers

freely in harmony with the nations of the world,” President Xiomara Castro said in a tweet.

Worsening ties

IT’S all taking place as US ties to China, which began to fray with former President Donald Trump’s trade war, keep getting worse. That was underscored by the furor over the alleged Chinese spy balloon that provoked a national outcry in the US and angry recriminations between Washington and Beijing.

That episode eroded an attempt to stabilize the relationship late last year with an in-person

summit between President Joe Biden and Xi in Indonesia. It led to a tense meeting between Secretary of State Antony Blinken and top Chinese diplomat Wang Yi in Munich, and Xi later warned of “comprehensive containment and suppression by Western countries led by the US.” US officials argue that their sharp words for Beijing are having an impact. They say US public warnings that China might provide lethal assistance to Russia led Xi’s government to think twice about the idea. The US also continues to supply Ukraine with weapons—it announced $325 million in new munitions this week—in concert with European nations that are coming up with new supply plans of their own.

The Biden administration has tried to make China confront the Ukraine crisis on the US’s terms, but “Xi is now getting in on his terms,” said Christopher K. Johnson, president of China Strategies Group, a political risk consultancy. “And that, I think, is probably causing some consternation within the administration.”

With Washington constantly taking a hawkish hard line on China, some analysts believe that China may have effectively given up on a better relationship with the US anytime soon.

The less China sees an opportunity to work with the US, “the more likely they are to pursue those other avenues and options,” said Melanie Sisson, a foreign policy fellow at the Brookings Institution. “And in many ways and places, that will mean trying to fray US relationships with other countries.”

Army’s major leap to modernization

Continued from A1

T. Brunson were both present at the event.

“In the next few weeks, some 3,000 troops will take on a range of activities that reflect on presentday scenarios and future possibilities,” the PA chief said.

“In learning together, we enhance the capabilities and capacities to work together within the ever-changing dynamics of global developments and Indo-Pacific concerns,” he added.

Some 3,000 troops from the USARPAC’s 25th Infantry Division and PA’s 5th Infantry Division, 7th Infantry Division and 1st Brigade Combat Team will be training side by side in a spectrum of military operations in the coming weeks.

Meanwhile, Brunson said Salaknib is meant to improve human interoperability of both forces and strengthen the defense partnership of the two nations.

The American Army official added he is looking forward to the exercise in improving the “alreadystrong human interoperability between our armies.”

Dual phase

“THE training audience will conduct bilateral exercises at Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija, and other venues in Central Luzon and Northern Luzon. Salaknib’s first phase will precede Exercise “Balikatan” slated for April 2023, while its second phase is scheduled for the third quarter of 2023,” PA spokesperson Col. Xerxes Trinidad bared.

Salaknib began on 2016 and it’s now on its eighth iteration.

Defense engagements between the PA and its American counterpart have been greatly enhanced despite the Covid-19 pandemic, which broke out in March 2020.

“The CGPA [Commanding General PA Brawner] also acknowledged the intensified engagements between the two countries focusing on interoperability in the areas of territorial defense, counter-terrorism, humanitarian assistance and disaster response, warfighting functions, and military professionalism despite the constraints on face-to-face engagements brought

on by the Covid-19 pandemic,” Trinidad explained.

Extended-range mortar, anti-tank missile training

AS this developed, USARPAC personnel in the ongoing Salaknib exercises have taught their Filipino counterparts lessons on extendedrange mortar and anti-tank missile operations during the subject matter expert exchanges (SMEE) segment on March 15.

Filipino troops who participated in the “Javelin” lectures are from the PA’s 1st Brigade Combat Team, Special Forces Regiment (Airborne), First Scout Ranger Regiment, Light Reaction Regiment, 5th Infantry Division, 7th Infantry Division, Armor Division and the PA Anti-Armor Capability Technical Working Group from the Training and Doctrine Command.

They were taught by personnel of the 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, USARPAC.

“Experts on extended-range mortar and Javelin, an anti-tank weapon extensively used in the Ukraine crisis, conducted lessons for Filipino soldiers at the SFS [Special Forces School],” Trinidad said.

The FGM-148 “Javelin” missile has proven effective in neutralizing tanks, armored personnel carriers and armored infantry fighting vehicles in the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia.

Trinidad said training audience from both PA and USARPAC are also scheduled to conduct Javelin live-fire exercises on March 31.

He added that the Javelin SMEE greatly enhances the PA’s modernization and capability development thrusts as it gradually shifts from internal security to territorial defense operations.

Rocket system live-fire scheduled on April 1

MEANWHILE, Filipino and American troops will also get a chance to conduct rocket system live-fire exercise this April 1 also in Fort Magsaysay.

“Army Artillery Regiment’s (AAR) Multi-Launch Rocket System (MLRS) Battery personnel and their US counterparts are set to

conduct a rocket system live-fire exercise on April 1, 2023, at the regiment’s long-range precision firing exercise area in Fort Magsaysay,” Trinidad said.

On March 16, personnel from the AAR’s MLRS Battery together with the US Multi-Domain Task Force commenced the rocket system SMEE at AAR headquarters in Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija.

Trinidad said the rocket system SMEE is geared at training participants on the procedures governing the employment and deployment of rocket weapon systems and their integration with other fire support assets.

‘Shoot-and-scoot’ live-fire exercises

MEANWHILE, the AAR and the USARPAC’s 25th Infantry Division Artillery conducted daytime and nighttime “shoot-and-scoot” livefire exercises utilizing US-made M119A3 105mm towed howitzers at different firing points within the Fort Magsaysay Military Reservation in Nueva Ecija on March 17.

This live-fire exercise was geared at testing and evaluating the capabilities of the PA and USARPAC artillery units in performing shoot-and-scoot tactics as countermeasure in responding to an enemy battery fire.

“Participating field artillery personnel responded to various scenarios to deliver massive fires to the targets and to periodically move locations to avoid enemy counter-battery fires during the exercise,” Trinidad said.

Anti-drone training

AROUND 150 AAR personnel and those from the USARPAC’s 25th Infantry Division participated in the three-day counter-small unmanned aerial system (C-sUAS) SMEE also in Fort Magsaysay, from March 13 to 15.

SMEEs from both Armies conducted a series of lectures on how to counter the rapidly proliferating, low-cost and potentially lethal and damaging commercial-off-the-shelf small UASs, which cannot be easily detected by air defense systems in the first two days of the activity.

Live-flight and counter system measures were demonstrated in the last day of training.

XI JINPING’S meetings in Moscow with Vladimir Putin put the Biden administration in an uncomfortable position: on the sidelines as two adversaries discuss a Ukraine peace proposal that the US has deemed unacceptable.

CHINESE President Xi Jinping, center left, and Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, walk after their dinner at The Palace of the Facets in the Moscow Kremlin, Russia, Tuesday, March 21, 2023. GRIGORY SYSOYEV, SPUTNIK, KREMLIN POOL PHOTO VIA AP

PBBM welcomes new envoys, sees closer ties with Chile, Qatar, Brunei and Malaysia

By Samuel P. Medenilla

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said the country is eyeing to boost its disaster response, energy security, and revenue generation with its “enhanced” partnership with Chile and Qatar.

The President added he expects to secure more assistance from Malaysia and Brunei for the development in Mindanao through stronger diplomatic relations with both countries.

Marcos made the pronouncements during the presentation of credentials of the new ambassadors from Chile, Qatar, Malaysia and Brunei in Malacañang on Thursday.

Better energy, revenue source

DURING the event, Chilean Ambassador Alvaro Domingo Jara Bucarey shared how they are modifying their energy production from fossil fuels towards renewable sources using new technologies, which drew the interest of the President.

“With solar energy we have been able to modify the energy production in Chile. And we would like to see the north of Chile... there is a lot of presence, tourism mostly but they have an immense potential for energy generation,” Bucarey said.

Marcos said he is now pushing for more government-to-government collaboration and public private partnerships (PPPs)

with Chile.

While talking with Qatar Ambassador Ahmed Saad Nasser Abdullah Al-Hamidi, the President said he wanted to learn more about how the Qatari government “moved away from the traditional sources of revenue to new income sources.”

“It will be a great advantage to the Philippines if it can learn the best practices from Qatar, especially in the area of revenue and income generation,” Marcos said.

Development efforts

MARCOS also received the credentials of Brunei Ambassador Megawati Dato Paduka Haji Manan and Malaysian Ambassador Dato Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino Bin Anthony. The President credited Malaysia and Brunei for the ongoing peace in Mindanao through economic development.

He noted the increase in economic activity has discouraged inhabitants in the region from further engaging in secessionist activities.

Manan has committed to increase the level of their economic support in the country’s southern region.

“We hope that we will branch out, you know, expand the existing cooperation to give some—a little bit more opportunities for the south side,” Manan said.

Anthony also gave a similar commitment in helping sustain progress in Mindanao.

Too many flunkers: Rep. Daza pushes ‘revamp’ of licensure exam policies

WITH a low passing rate in 36 professions, a senior deputy minority leader urged Congress and concerned departments, specifically the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), to review its policies on licensure exams and procedures.

In a recent privilege speech, Senior Deputy Minority Leader Paul Daza of Northern Samar called for a “revamp” of policies on professional licensure.

Daza explained that there is a need to consider implementing alternative “licensing routes” wherein a professional may acquire a license without taking the exams.

“While it does not stop those who want, and have the privilege, to take such exams, it also provides accessibility to professionals who are hampered from taking exams due to personal, practical, or economic reasons,” he said.

Daza revealed data from PRC showing that the average passing rate in 36 professions from 2017 to 2022 is only 40.81 percent.

He particularly lamented how Certified Public Accountants (CPA), fishery technologists, and agriculturists only have “staggeringly low” 24.36 percent, 33.18 percent and 36.92 percent passing rates, respectively.

Accordingly, he clarified that students themselves are not to be blamed.

“These board exams are anti-student, anti-poor, and arbitrary. That’s not the fault of the students,” Daza said.

“That’s the fault of CHED (Commission of Higher Education), PRC, or maybe our society in general. And we need to find solutions,”

Inflation may fall within govt’s target range by October–BSP chief Medalla

By Cai U. Ordinario

In his speech at the Genera Membership Meeting of the Chamber of Thrift Banks (CTB) on Friday, BSP Governor Felipe M. Medalla said this is based on the recent forecast of the BSP that inflation expectations would be slower this year and next year.

On Thursday, the Monetary Board raised interest rates by 25 basis points to 6.25 percent. This

By Raadee S. Sausa

SUGAR Regulatory Administration (SRA) Administrator

is the lowest increase in key policy rates since May last year, and is underpinned by expectations that inflation would average 6 percent this year and 2.9 percent next year.

“If you look at this chart closely, we will have below core inflation, if our forecast is correct, by October and then back to normal inflation in the rest of the year. Of course, it

the move of the DA and SRA to allow the arrival of the 440,000 MT of imported sugar, noting that All Asian Countertrade, Edison Lee

is very hard to forecast especially the future,” Medalla said in the event in Makati City.

However, Medalla said while private sector economists and analysts’ inflation expectations are near BSP’s own figures, there are still a number of concerns, which may need the country’s attention.

Medalla noted that the shock being experienced by the economy would likely last for 19 to 20 months. This is longer than what was initially expected and worse than the longest shock experienced by the economy at around 15 months.

Given this, non-food items are already beginning to see higher prices, similar to that of food items. Out of over 300 commodities, Medalla said 206 were above 4 percent and 109 items have seen within or below target inflation rates.

“Forecasts are forecasts. And the question is what is the risk to the forecast? Right now our assessment is there’s greater probability on the high side and its still wrong on the low side. Okay, I don’t have time to discuss in detail why but there are many elements in the forecast that are more likely it doesn’t happen, the higher side is more likely to happen than the lower side,” Medalla explained. Medalla said analysts expect inflation could average 6.1 percent this year; 3.7 percent next year; and 3.6 percent 2025.

The non-monetary interventions being made by the government, Medalla said, is where he is most confident. He said the President and the Cabinet are bent on making food cheaper through importation.

The BSP chief said these kinds of interventions would be crucial in bringing down inflation.

he added.

The lawmaker also urged his fellow legislators and regulators to recognize the need for such alternatives due to the current living situation of the average Filipino.

“Graduating from elementary and high school is already difficult, as well as entering college—plus this the board exam comes— kahit magkanda-baon-baon sa utang ang pamilya para lang may pang pang-review center—ay kailangan pang lumusot sa isa pang butas ng karayom ang ating mga graduates?” Daza asked.

“Many of these graduates are from poor and disadvantaged groups and it is truly disheartening that they could not pursue their much-sought profession because they could not pass the board exams,” he added.

One of the alternative licensure paths the lawmaker suggested is through an apprenticeship program.

“Aspiring professionals in a field may instead be allowed to practice their profession under a licensed professional for a significant period, and then be qualified to be licensed pending performance requirements and related training certificates,” Daza said.

Daza hopes that the issue merits attention. “To quote an esteemed American educator, there is indeed great injustice in telling our youth that education is the key, while the supposed educators continue to change the lock,” he said.

“It is my sincere hope that this privilege speech would be but the first step in unlocking a more enlightened and inclusive path for our graduates and professionals,” Daza added.

Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz

Govt preserves Filipino cuisines

THE Department of Agriculture (DA) spearheaded this year’s Filipino Food Month (FFM) to preserve, enrich and promote cuisines that are part of the nation’s cultural heritage, history and identity.

“Aside from highlighting our rich culinary tradition, may this event provide a platform to acknowledge the role of our local communities especially our farmers, fisherfolk, and other sector involved in food production, the culinary industry, and national food security,” President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said during the Buwan ng Kalutong Pilipino on Tuesday, March 21.

This year, with the theme, “Pagkaing Sariling Atin, Mahalin at Pagyamanin,” the FFM kicked off at the Manila Metropolitan Theater.

For its part, the Philippine Culinary Heritage Movement (PCHM) said that Filipino food is often referred to as one of the world’s earliest fusion cuisines,

having its ancestral cooking influenced mostly by the surrounding environment of people’s settlements and early foreign visitors, such as the Mexicans from the galleon trade period and the Muslims from neighboring countries.

“Filipino cuisine has complex and distinct flavors—mostly a combination of salty, sour, sweet and bitter, although spicy dishes are also highly concentrated in Bicol and in the Muslim areas of Mindanao,” the PCHM added.

Moreover, majority of the movement’s dishes are also best served as viands with rice—the country’s major food staple— and dipping sauces and condiments such as buro (fermented rice and fish), bagoong (fermented salted fish or shrimp), and suka (vinegar).

Dishes vary from one region to another, province to province depending on the local ingredients available in the area, the PCHM said. Raadee S. Sausa

David John Thaddeus Alba has resigned amid the controversial importation of

440,000 metric tons (MT) of sugar.

SRA Board Member and Planters’ Representative Pablo Luis Azcona said in an interview that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. had accepted the courtesy resignation of Alba, but denied that the SRA chief was a “sacrificial lamb” in the new sugar mess.

Azcona said, “He (Alba) was not the sacrificial lamb. Administrator Alba decided to resign based on his health. He cannot control his blood pressure. To this day, Administrator Alba has not been mentioned or implicated in any of the accusations thrown about in the media.”

For his part, National Federation of Sugarcane Planters (NFSP) President Enrique Rojas said, “We praise his (Alba’s) decision to resign, if he reasonably feels that he is simply being manipulated to commit acts or omissions, which are disadvantageous and grossly damaging to the sugar industry.”

Alba was appointed in August 2022 following the resignation of then SRA administrator Hermenegildo Serafica, who stepped down from his position in the wake of the issuance of Sugar Order (SO) 4 authorizing the importation of 300,000 MT of sugar.

Moreover, the sugar chief had approved the issuance of clearances on the 440,000 MT sugar imports following a memorandum from Department of Agriculture Senior Undersecretary Domingo Panganiban directing him to certify the legality of the outsourced sweetener.

In a memorandum dated February 27, Panganiban tasked AIba to issue the necessary documentation to three importers—All Asian Countertrade Inc. (240,000 MT), Edison Lee Marketing (100,000 MT) and S&D SUCDEN Philippines Inc. (100,000 MT).

On March 22, Senator Risa Hontiveros said Marcos should order the immediate seizure of the illegally imported sweeteners and blacklist the erring importers.

Earlier, the senator urged the Senate Blue Ribbon panel to investigate what she described as “government-sponsored” sugar smuggling.

Furthermore, Azcona defended

Marketing and Sucden Philippines were able to comply with the requirements set by the SRA.

“Undersecretary Panganiban

also submitted all the sugar to the control and classification of the SRA. They also paid all the proper SRA fees,” he said.

SRA chief quits for ‘health reasons’ as latest sugar imports controversy takes new twist

DESPITE inflation spreading to non-food commodities, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) remains confident that inflation will fall within the government’s target range by October this year.

Saturday, March 25, 2023

Biz groups press Senate to ditch Cha-cha, say ₧14-B tag on Con-con ‘better spent’ for people

By Andrea E. San Juan

LOCAL business groups are asking the Senate to consider, among others, the cost to be allocated for a Constitutionalconvention (Con-con) to amend the Charter, noting at least P14 billion of such allocation could be “better spent” on pro-people programs, such as on agriculture.

The Makati Business Club (MBC), Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines (Finex), Justice Reform Initiative, Filipina CEO Circle, Philippine Women’s Economic Network Inc., and Women Business Council Philippines issued a joint statement on Friday wherein they listed the points that they think the Senate should consider as it deliberates on whether to support current House-led moves to amend the Constitution.

The “most significant” of these moves, they noted, is the passage of House Bill (HB) No. 7352 calling for a Constitutional Convention to amend the 1987 Constitution.

The business groups emphasized the estimated financial cost could reach as high as P28 billion. With this, they said funds could be better spent on “pro-people programs.”

“The Neda (National Economic and

Development Authority) estimates a Constitutional Convention would cost P14 billion to P28 billion,” the statement of the groups read.

They also noted that HB 7352, the bill calling for a Con-con, proposes 300 delegates who would get P10,000 per day, or a total of P3 million per day, or more than P400 million for the seven-month project.

“We believe these funds can be better used on agriculture to address the high inflation, transportation to enable Filipinos to get to work and home in much less time, and needed social services like health, education, and social security,” the groups stressed.

For the low-end estimated cost of P14 billion, they said the government could instead double the spending on farm-tomarket roads; increase by half the spending on irrigation or the national rice program; double the spending on school buildings; or almost double the spending on hospitals and health centers.

Moreover, while the groups said they have long supported proposals to amend economic provisions of the Constitution that “impede” trade, investment, innovation, competition,

and economic and job growth, they believe recently enacted reforms have addressed many of these “impediments.”

These economic reforms are the amendments to the Public Service Act, Retail Trade Liberalization Act, the Foreign Investment Act, the passage of the Rice Trade Liberalization Act, and the most recent one, the Department of Energy (DOE) circular allowing 100-percent foreign ownership in the renewable energy sector.

“We believe that these reforms, combined with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s efforts to revive local and foreign investment, can accelerate recovery and job growth at a time when the Philippines and the world face serious economic headwinds,” the business groups added.

The groups also noted that investors look for “stability” when making investment decisions.

As such, they said, “the possibly lengthy and fractious process of amending the Constitution may make investors take a wait and see attitude for an extended period of time and therefore derail the impact of the reforms.”

The business groups said the Senate

Sacrilege?: Ateneo HS student pockets sacred Host at communion, takes photos, ‘reviews’ it on Twitter

By BusinessMirror

Reparation and Atonement for the recent act of sacrilege (profanation of the Holy Eucharist) by a member of the ASHS.”

should also consider that Congress has yet to pass at least two more tax reform bills and other measures such as the “highly commendable/meritorious” Ease of Paying Taxes bill.

They added these can “greatly enhance” government revenue and job creation at this critical time.

“We respectfully urge the Senate—and the House, if and when the deliberations progress—to consider these and other points raised by our colleagues in various sectors as you decide on this potentially disruptive proposal at a time when the country may be poised to regain its economic momentum,” the business groups noted.

With supermajority votes of 301, the House of Representatives on March 14 endorsed for Senate approval the proposed Constitutional Convention Act, the accompanying bill of the Resolution of Both Houses 6 calling for a Con-con.

Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez repeatedly assured the public that the House constitutional reform initiative only aims to rewrite the “restrictive” economic provisions of the Constitution to enable the country to attract more foreign investments.

Tamaraw rangers to confirm existence of Mindoro dwarf buffalo at Mt. Halcon

By Jonathan L. Mayuga

THE hunt is on.

Protectors of the tamaraw will soon be launching a search for what is believed to be a small population of the iconic wild buffalo at Mt. Halcon.

Towering 2,616 meters above sea level, Mt. Halcon is the highest peak on Mindoro Island. It is the 23rd-highest peak in the country.

Mt. Halcon’s steep slopes have earned it the reputation of being one of the most difficult and technically, the most challenging mountain to climb in the Philippines.

Home to the critically endangered Mindoro bleeding heart, an endemic species on the island, Mt. Halcon is an ideal habitat for the Tamaraw.

Neil Anthony del Mundo, Assistant Protected Area Superintendent of the Mts. Iglit-Baco National Park (MIBNP) and the coordinator of the Tamaraw Conservation Program (TCP) believes they may have a good lead about Tamaraws in Mt. Halcon.

On Wednesday, he said a key informant interview team of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Tamaraw Conservation Program asked indigenous people residents of Barangay

Lantuyang at the foot of Mt. Halcon about tamaraws.

“According to Tatay Garciano, a 76 years old resident and respondent, he had seen tamaraws in Mt. Halcon in his younger years. The porters and guides of mountaineers ascending Mt. Halcon summit had earlier confirmed recent sightings of footmarks (or animal tracks) similar to carabaos, only smaller,” he said.

He said the TCP would be conducting verification surveys by June with the hope of finding tamaraw populations in Mt. Halcon.

The distance from Mount Halcon to Mounts Iglit-Baco National Park, known as the last stronghold of the remaining tamaraw population on the island, is about 60 kilometers.

Mts. Iglit-Baco National Park is predominantly situated on the side of Occidental Mindoro.

According to Del Mundo, the tamaraw population on the island is now fragmented. There are reported sightings in different locations and some are sighted near indigenous people (IP) communities or areas outside their known habitats.

Nevertheless, it will be exciting to learn that a tamaraw population now inhabits Mt.

Halcon, he said.

“This is significant if it is true since tamaraws were first discovered in Oriental Mindoro in 1888,” said Del Mundo.

In the last few decades, the tamaraw population in Oriental Mindoro was believed extinct, he said.

It was in 2018 when a viable population of tamaraws in Mt. Gimparay was reported.

“We verified that there were more than 100 tamaraws there,” del Mundo recalled.

Having a viable population in a range for wild animals such as the Mindoro dwarf buffalo is a welcome development, he added.

A fragmented population, on the other hand, is not good news as inbreeding may occur, eventually resulting in genetic defects in offspring.

According to Del Mundo, the occurrence of a tamaraw population at Mt. Halcon only means the tamaraw are now being forced to go to higher elevations, away from the human population, possibly because of development or worse, hunting activities.

Del Mundo had earlier bared that the highly territorial tamaraw may have been fighting for the shrinking territory at MIBNP, as evidenced by six carcasses of young male

tamaraws discovered around the MIBNP in 2021 and 2022.

This, he said, is also the reason why the TCP is now seriously considering the relocation of a viable population of the animals in other areas on the island.

Mts. Calavite and the Tamaraw Gene Pool, where the famous tamaraw Kalibasib was born and died more than 20 later are being eyed as possible relocation sites, also as part of an ex-situ or offsite conservation captive breeding program.

Last week, the TMC visited a mountainous area in Puerto Galera town to look into the potential relocation of the tamaraws.

However, Del Mundo said the possibility is not happening in the near future. “It’s a very very long process. It is part of the feasibility study for ex-situ and translocation (we are conducting),” he said.

According to Del Mundo, the existence of a wild tamaraw population in any area outside the MIBNP has a drawback as they pose a danger to surrounding communities.

Unlike their bigger cousins, the carabao or the beast of burden, the shy and elusive tamaraws are very aggressive when cornered or threatened by humans, especially when they are with their young.

THE Ateneo University has been rocked by controversy, just days before Holy Week.

In a wild stunt that shocked the Jesuitled community, a senior high school student pocketed the sacred Host during communion at a Mass he attended in school last March 17, brought it home, and did a “review” of the Host as if it were like some ordinary dish. He then posted his “review” with close-up photos of the Host, on Twitter, bragging about his act.

The deed has spurred fresh concern over how an obsession with social media stunts has led people, especially youth, to do “over the top” stunts that hurt sensitivities and set back educators’ efforts to impart in learners a deep and healthy respect for people’s beliefs and faith.

“No masses in all chapels/churches in Ateneo, including Gesu,” said the Ateneo’s community billboard, after the ASHS (Ateneo Senior High School) officials decided to suspend masses starting March 21, “as part of the

Activities “in line with the Reperation and Atonement” will follow, added the ASHS Community Announcement.

The post summed up the act: a senior high school student pocketed and took a picture of the Host and posted on Twitter a “review” of the “design, crispiness and wow factor.”

On the design, the student said on Twitter, “I like the vibe, but if it was centered I think it’d be a lot better.” For crispiness, he gave an 8/10 score, because, he said, the Host was “not soggy” with a “satisfying crunch.” He likened the taste to “cornflakes.”

He then gave the Host an overall rating of 7.1/10. According to a B usiness M irror source, sacrilegious acts like this merit, under Canon Law, automatic ex-communication.

It was not known at press time what sanctions the school or the Jesuits of Ateneo will take, if ever, against the student.

A mother’s journey to save her son through cannabidiol therapy

NEW YORK—Mighty Flower: How

Cannabis Saved My Son by Dr. Annabelle Manalo-Morgan, Ph.D. is now available. The book is published with Forbes Books, the exclusive business book publishing imprint of Forbes, and is available on Amazon today.

Part heartfelt memoir, part exploration of a watershed time and place for medicinal cannabis, Mighty Flower outlines the circumstances that have shaped Dr. Annabelle’s life and helped her grow her practice.

In 2016, Dr. Annabelle gave birth to her son, Macario. At just two days old, Macario began suffering from severe seizures that required neurosurgery, which ultimately resected 38 percent of his brain. Doctors predicted a future of limited speech, movement, and uncertainty for Macario, and the medications required for his recovery left him in a permanent haze.

Determined to find solutions to save her son, Dr. Annabelle worked to develop the purest and most consistent form of cannabidiol, or CBD oil, with no other cannabinoids or fillers. Three years later, in 2019, Macario had caught up to his other preschool classmates. Today, he can walk, run, play, and speak as well as his peers.

“After seeing how this plant saved my son, I felt a strong need to lend my voice to set the record straight, once and for all,” she said. Determined to remove the drug’s historical stigma, Dr. Annabelle’s work is fixated on the future, and what she believes

to be an emerging cannabis revolution within medicine. “My work doesn’t look back,” she said. “It looks forward, toward the potential of precision medicine of cannabis medicine, of translational biology and an increasing dialogue between holistic care and modern treatment.” Forbes

About Dr. Annabelle Manalo-Morgan

DR . Annabelle Manalo-Morgan is Founder and Chief Scientific Officer of Masaya Medical, a brand dedicated to producing the highest-quality CBD and educating the world on its medical applications. Dr. Annabelle received her bachelor’s in Biology from Eastern Kentucky University. She began her graduate studies in Neuroscience at Georgetown University, ultimately earning a Ph.D. in Cell and Developmental Biology from Vanderbilt University.

About Forbes Books LAUNCHED in 2016 in partnership with Advantage Media Group, Forbes Books is the exclusive business book publishing imprint of Forbes. Forbes Books offers business and thought leaders an innovative, speed-to-market, fee-based publishing model and a suite of services designed to strategically and tactically support authors and promote their expertise. For more information, visit books.forbes.com.

JINGGOY DEFENDS BILL UPGRADING DISABLED

VETERANS’ PENSION

BARMM solon seeks creation of Senior Citizen Commission

By Edwin Fernandez

COTABATO CITY—A lawmak-

er in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) has filed a bill in the regional legislative body seeking the establishment of an office recognizing the rights of senior citizens.

“This bill seeks to establish a mechanism for our beloved senior citizens since all of us will also turn 60 years old one day,” Dr. Kadil Sinolinding Jr., regional parliament member and bill author, said in a statement Tuesday.

SENATE Committee on National Defense and Security Chairperson

Sen. Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada answers questions from colleagues as he defends in the plenary Senate Bill No. (SBN) 1480, which seeks to rationalize the disability pension of veterans, amending for the purpose Republic Act No. 6948 or an Act

Standardizing and Upgrading the Benefits for Military Veterans and their Beneficiaries. The measure, sponsored by Estrada, seeks to provide veterans with a minimum of P4,500 monthly disability pension and a maximum of P10,000, and P1,000 for the spouse and each unmarried minor child. BIBO

NUEVA ESPAÑA/SENATE PRIB

Sinolinding filed Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) Bill 121, also known as the Bangsamoro Commission for Senior Citizen Act of 2023, before the BTA plenary on Monday.

An ophthalmologist known for his pro bono work with senior citizens, Sinolinding said the bill seeks to create an office that will help ensure that the rights and privileges of senior citizens are respected and fully implemented in the region. Republic Act 9994 or the Ex-

panded Senior Citizens Act of 2010 defines a senior citizen as someone who resides in the Philippines and is at least 60 years old.

Sinolinding said his bill also seeks to provide full support for their overall well-being and full participation

in society.

“Let us make life easy and gratifying for our senior citizens as time will also come that we will also become like them,” he said.

Once enacted into regional law, he said the measure would not only

make seniors think of the benefits they get from the government but it “will also motivate and encourage them to contribute to nation-building.”

The measure will also encourage their families and the communities where they live to reaffirm the valued Filipino tradition of caring for senior citizens and provide a comprehensive health care and rehabilitation system for disabled elders, he added.

Under the proposed measure, the core programs of the commission include social pensions, centenarian benefits, and social safety nets.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development currently provides a P100,000 cash gift to anyone who reaches 100 years old. In the case of BARMM, it is being distributed by the Ministry of Social Services and Development.

Sinolinding said the commission for senior citizens will also provide social security assistance that will help cushion the effects of economic shocks, disasters, and calamities. These include food, medicine, and financial assistance for home repairs. PNA

Retrial ordered for 87-year-old former boxer on Japan death row

By Mari Yamaguchi

The Associated Press

TOKYO—Tokyo’s high court on Monday ordered a retrial for an 87-yearold former boxer who has been on death row for more than five decades after his murder conviction that his lawyers said was based on forced confession and fabricated evidence.

The Tokyo High Court said Iwao Hakamada deserves a retrial because of a possibility that a key evidence that led to his conviction could have been fabricated by investigators, according to a statement from

the Japan Bar Association.

Amnesty International says Hakamada is the world’s longestserving death row prisoner.

He has been temporarily released since 2014, but still not cleared of charges, when the Shizuoka District Court in central Japan suspended his execution and ordered a retrial. That ruling was overturned by the Tokyo High Court until the Supreme Court in 2020 ordered the lower court to reconsider.

His defense lawyers rushed out of the courtroom and flashed banners saying “Retrial.”

“We won his retrial. I’m so glad, and that’s all I can say,” said his

90-year-old sister Hideko, who has devoted her life to prove her brother’s innocence.

Hakamada was convicted of murder in the 1966 killing of a company manager and three of his family members, and setting fire to their central Japan home, where he was a live-in employee. He was sentenced to death two years later. He initially denied the accusations then confessed, which he later said he was forced to because of violent interrogation by police.

Hakamada was not executed because of lengthy appeals and the retrial process. It took 27 years for the Supreme Court to

deny his first appeal for a retrial. He filed a second appeal in 2008, and the court finally ruled in his favor on Thursday.

The point of contention was five pieces of blood-stained clothing that investigators said Hakamada allegedly wore during the crime and hid in a tank of fermented soybean paste, or miso, found more than a year after his arrest.

The Tokyo High Court decision on Monday acknowledged scientific experiments that clothing soaked in miso for more than a year turns too dark for blood stains to be spotted, saying there is a possibility of fabrication, most likely by investigators.

Defense lawyers and earlier retrial decisions said the blood samples did not match Hakamada’s DNA, and trousers that prosecutors submitted as evidence were too small for Hakamada and did not fit when he tried them on.

Hakamada has been serving his sentence at home since his release in 2014 because his frail health and age made him a low risk for escape.

Japan and the United States are the only two countries in the Group of Seven advanced nations that retain capital punishment.

A survey by the Japanese government showed an

overwhelming majority of the public support executions. Executions are carried out in secrecy in Japan and prisoners are not informed of their fate until the morning they are hanged. Since 2007, Japan has begun disclosing the names of those executed and some details of their crimes, but disclosures are still limited. Supporters say Hakamada’s mental health has suffered because of his nearly half-century detention, mostly in solitary confinement, in fear of execution. He spent a total of 48 years in prison, more than 45 of them on death row.

By Nick Tayag

rid of ectoparasites and other harmful organisms that live on the skin or shell of their host. The crab fully exits its old shell and leaves behind some parts of itself in the old shell. Now in its new shell, it must regrow the parts it has abandoned such as legs, or esophagus and so on.

make sense of the season, even if only for the sake of lapsed Catholics or even the agnostics who would reflexively tune out when they see or hear Lent, as in our title.

Molting is a good analogy for something one should consider doing, whether it’s Lent or not. In the same way that many do intermittent fasting, detoxification, ex-foliation.

Just like the process of molting, my outlier’s approach to Lent involves shedding off things that are unwanted or unnecessary too but on a more personal, psychological, inner level.

self” will emerge again. Or at least close to it.

enrich my spirit.

ONE day in the month of April some time ago, the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife got numerous phone calls and e-mails from concerned residents. They were all reporting an alarming sight along the beach: thousands of crabs washed up on the sand. When department officials went out to investigate, they discovered not dead crabs, but their empty shells. No need to get alarmed, they announced. It was just a natural process called “molting.”

Molting is a way by which many animals shed their outer layer so they can grow bigger or prepare for their next life stage. It’s part of the life cycle of an organism. It also allows them to get

Some creatures don’t molt, they revert to being young again. There is a jellyfish scientifically named “Turritopsis dohrnii” that has the amazing ability to re-assemble its decayed cells to emerge as the same jellyfish in its juvenile larval form to begin a new life, over and over again. They call it the immortal jellyfish.

Why am I talking about molting and age reverting?

IT has something to do with the season of Lent. Essentially as a Catholic, I share the overall Christian message about Lent as a time for spiritual cleansing and shedding off toxic habits and behaviors. However, I prefer to use a natural process like molting as a better handle to

I call it the process of “un-adulterating” myself, as in getting rid of my adulterated parts or pieces of my authentic self.

We call ourselves adults. But do we really understand the original meaning of the word? Because if you do, you might hesitate to label yourself an adult.

It is from the word adulterate whose Latin root word means “to falsify or to corrupt, stain.” The English dictionary defines adulterate as “to make something weaker or worse or inferior in quality by adding another substance.”

That’s how I see myself now.

With all the connotations, implications, associations that the dictionary meaning of the

word “adult.”

Shedding my adulterated parts: A different take on Lent MY SIXTY-ZEN’S WORTH

When I was still a child, my identity was simple, and my mind was very open and fluid. I hadn’t formed a complex sense of the self and the world yet.

However, as I grew up, the fluid, open mind I had as a child started to get “filled up” continuously with increasingly complex concepts, ideas, and beliefs about myself and the world. Without realizing it, I began to have layers and layers over my original self, formed through the years through added knowledge, diverse experiences and relationships that then hardened like a shell.

If as they say the child is father to the man, then I would like to go back to my father.

I now ask the question: do I need all this mass of layers? Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated, said Confucius. Why not just live simply from now on? Or simply live, which is even better.

So this Lenten season is a good time to start unloading what I now consider as unnecessary deadweight as in “weight of an inert body,” or “a heavy or oppressive burden.”

Similar to the molting of crabs, I want to shed off my old crusted shell. By doing so, hopefully my original “unadulterated

The truth is I have started this process of un-adulteration during the pandemic. Gradually I’m beginning to feel a sense of lightness in my being. I am now freeing myself of some dogmatic beliefs, which have stifled me.

I hope to become more flexible and fluid again, as I look at the familiar and the commonplace in a different light.

Call it my second childhood, I want to re-cover the empty cup of a child’s mind that is primed and receptive for awakening. Buddhists call it “a beginner’s mind” which enables one to deeply look into life without any preconceptions. Don’t judge, observe.

Part of my shedding and molting is turning down invites, letting go of toxic and superficial relationships and avoiding small talk. I am shying away more and more from social media. I rarely watch the news. I would rather spend time finding my purpose and working at it, to rediscover the authentic core of my being.

Many pieces of me need to be sorted out. I am putting every part of my life in their proper place and context. I am setting boundaries to separate the substantive over the superficial and learning to say “no” more often.

I am categorizing the people, ideas, books and films by their influence on me so I will know who and which ones serve to

This is why I am breaking out of the closed and orthodox concept of Lent. Notwithstanding my Catholic upbringing, I believe that Lent should not be about feeling good and “holy” after faithfully observing those traditional rituals of fasting and abstinence, visiting 8 churches on Holy Thursday, going through the stations of the cross, going to confession and receiving communion and so on.

The whole point of Lent should not just be about rituals and ceremonies. It is not even about suffering even if that is part of it. The essential message is about resurrection from our “dead” selves and emerging renewed; a decayed life that is made new and alive again like the immortal jellyfish.

So if a non-religious, different but more meaningful way can help you renew your inner self, then by all means let that be your personal approach to a more meaningful Lent.

But if you don’t buy my “molting” analogy on Lent, I just have one question:

Are you truly happy with your present adulterated self?

Keep in mind what Jesus said:

“Unless you change and become like little children (unadulterated), you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”

DR. Kadil Sinolinding Jr., a member of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, filed a regional bill on Monday, March 20, 2023, seeking the creation of the Senior Citizen Commission office in the region. Sinolinding said the establishment of the office will ensure that the rights and privileges of senior citizens are respected and fully implemented. PHOTO COURTESY OF BTA-BARMM

Saturday, March 25, 2023

Tesda on-track to meet 1.8M grads target with timely scholarship budget release

By Roderick L. Abad

Through Tesda’s director general Danilo P. Cruz, the agency welcomed the Department of Budget and Management’s (DBM) recent approval for the release of a P3.410-billion allotment for the former’s Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act (UAQTEA). Said appropriation is higher

than the P2.910 billion earmarked for last year.

“The budget allocation to Tesda for the implementation of UAQTEA, which is higher this 2023 compared to the previous years, is crucial in providing tech-voc [technical vocational] training to Filipinos, specifically to those who cannot afford to go

to college,” Cruz said. The Tesda chief likewise clarified that the agency is still requesting for an additional budget to cover the cost of training for new entrants to the program. Meanwhile, Tesda’s deputy director general Aniceto D. Bertiz III said that higher-level tech-voc education and training (TVET), or three-year diploma programs, are being financed under the UAQTEA.

Bertiz, as the agency’s spokesperson, added that scholars under the act are privileged with free tuition and miscellaneous fees, as well as trainee support such as costs for national competency assessment, learning materials, year-round accident insurance, and a training support fund.

The diploma programs also of -

fer workers and tech-voc graduates more ways to level up their qualifications, or further their studies in college. They will eventually become technologists, technicians, and supervisors—all needed to help revitalize the local economy, according to Tesda.

Data from the agency revealed that there are more than 500 diploma programs being implemented by public and private institutions.

The agency has a total of 4,526 graduates of three-year diploma courses in 2022, including those in electrical-engineering technology, mechanical-engineering technology, automotive technology, agricultural technology, hotel- and restaurant-management technology, as well as information technology, among others.

UST-FMS looks back at 150 years of Thomasian medical education with commemorative book

THE University of Santo Tomas-Faculty of Medicine and Surgery (UST-FMS) recently published the commemorative book “Honora Medicum,” which pays tribute to the 150 years of service to the nation of more than 40,000 graduates from the country’s oldest medical school.

The ceremonial launch was held at the Dr. Robert Sy Grand Ballroom of the Bl. Buenaventura

G. Paredes OP Building.

The book title, meaning “Honor the Physician” comes from Sirach 38:1-4 . Fittingly, its four chapters celebrate the “mother of all medical schools” in the country, and pay tribute to Thomasian doctors’ extraordinary impact on society.

Revering generations of doctor-teachers from the first one in 1871, Honora Medicum discusses among many others the UST medical curriculum’s evolution, provides excerpts from Thomasian alumni and FMS deans, presents UST medical missions and community engagement, highlights breakthroughs during the pandemic, as well as medical research through the years.

The book chapters—conceptualized and titled according to key phrases in the Latin motto

PROUDLY Filipino conglomerate PHINMA, through its foundation, recently recognized one of its scholar-graduates for embodying qualities that the company values the most: academic and leadership excellence, integrity, social responsibility, and for living up to the company’s mission of making lives better.

Its “Making Lives Better” Award is given to a graduate of the “PHINMA National Scholarship (PNS)” program who has demonstrated exceptional academic performance, leadership skills, and commitment to PHINMA’s core values.

This year’s awardee John Paulo Aniceto graduated magna cum laude from the Philippine Normal University in 2022. In his senior year he was chairperson of the PNU Red Cross Youth Council. Also active in Red Cross activities outside school, he served as a youth peer educator since 2014, and internal vice president from 2018 to 2021 in the institution’s Rizal chapter.

Currently, Aniceto teaches Filipino in the grade-school department of Colegio San Agustin in Makati City.

“If I keep doubting myself because of the shortcomings and depressing

Editor: Mike Policarpio

US sends learning tablets, automated weather station to Bangsamoro Region

By Manuel T. Cayon

DAVAO CITY—The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has provided tablets for basic education in selected areas in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), as well as an automated weather station

to its capital Cotabato City.

USAID’s deputy mission director Rebekah Eubanks on March 14 joined officials of the Bangsomoro government in Cotabato City, led by Cabinet Secretary Mohd Asnin Pendatun and Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education (MBHTE) deputy minister Haron Meling to launch a P15-million ($273,000) technology-based education program in pilot areas in the region.

Eubanks launched the program and distributed learning tablets to deliver reading instruction to students in Kindergarten through Grade 3. The gadgets contain early-grade reading materials, which include video-based beginning reading instructional modules in Hiligaynon, Central Bikol, and Magindanawn.

USAID for their support to the whole… region. We will continue to serve with pure hearts and sincere intention to give Bangsamoro children a brighter future,” Pendatun said.

Eubanks also launched the “Education Sector Mechanism” with Mayor Mohammad Ali de la Cruz Matabalao of Cotabato City. This mechanism will allow education stakeholders in the government and private sector to identify challenges and areas of collaboration to improve the city’s quality of education, according to the Bangsamoro Information Office. Through its “ABC+” project, USAID provides early-grade reading materials for students and aids teacher development to improve basic education outcomes in literacy, as well as social and emotional learning for all Bangsamoro children.

At the launch of “Beginning Reading,” the USAID official once sat down in a storytelling session with Grade 3 students of Notre Dame Village Elementary School in Cotabato City.

memorialized on the façade of the St. Martin de Porres building where FMS is housed—are

(1) Honor the Physician, (2) His works are necessary, (3) But God is the One, (4) Who has power over Life and Death.

The book aims to move and inspire a new generation of Thomasian students, as it stakes UST’s claim to the next 150 years of quality Catholic medical education.

Very Rev. Fr. Richard G. Ang OP, PhD, who is UST’s rector, shared that “this commemorative book is a fitting tribute to all Thomasian medical alumni, luminaries, innovators and future leaders in the field that

this institution has religiously nurtured and sustained through the years.”

Rev. Fr. Angel A. Aparicio OP, who is the FMS regent and also Honora Medicum’s chief editor, acknowledged those at the launch: “I view your presence in this event as a tribute to an institution that has contributed enormously to the Philippines not only in the field of health, but in other areas. This is our history…We are part of it, having produced about 40,000 Filipino doctors, which gives us a feeling of collective accomplishment, and a reason to believe that we have not been wasting our lives.”

The Department of Health’s

reaching for their dream of a comfortable life.

Addressing other parents at the commencement rites, Nila urged them to let their children become active participants in society.

In his closing remarks, Dr. Bert Tuga, who is PNU’s president, talked about the power of dreams, which provide a clear vision and sense of purpose and direction in life. He applauded the awardee and scholars present who “have forged their own paths to achieve remarkable success and make a positive impact on the world around them,” while thanking PHINMA Foundation for its “unwavering support in our mission to provide quality education to Filipinos.”

realities we have seen, this award will mean nothing to me. We are now left with no choice but to stand up and build our communities up to their full potential, where our children are the dream-makers, each with a special capacity for nurturing ideals and aspirations,” he said, while receiving the award last February 28.

Aniceto’s mother Nila is especially proud of him, as she witnessed his perseverance through their family’s challenges. She also thanked PHINMA for being their partner in

“Your generous contributions have made a significant impact on our efforts, and we are honored to have their partnership in this important endeavor. Your contributions continue to help enhance the quality of education and create opportunities for Filipinos to access education, and make their lives better regardless of their socioeconomic background,” Tuga said. “Because of you, we are able to actualize our core values of truth, excellence, and ser -

(DOH) officer-in-charge Dr. Maria Rosario Vergeire also congratulated the UST-FMS for its 150th anniversary: “In the course of time, you have proven to be a force of nature by producing numerous competent and efficient physicians under your belt. These great achievements have greatly contributed to the making of a more progressive health-care sector in the country. The DOH is grateful to each and every one of you, as you continue to make your mark in the country through the development of medical and health-care education, which aims to reach all Filipinos wherever they may be in the world. We look forward to more Thomasians healing and taking care of our ‘Juan and Juanas’ through the knowledge and fervor they shall nurture under Thomasian educators, physicians and surgeons.”

Dr. Vergeire went on to say: “May Honora Medicum be a tangible evocation of the countless contributions of the UST-FMS in the health sector throughout the years. Know that the DOH is one with UST in reaffirming its commitment to foster men and women in the medical field.” For inquiries and orders, visit https://form.jotform.com/dcpe/ ust-fms-honora-medicum.

vice. Thank you for your continuous support and trust.”

The luncheon not only recognized Aniceto as an exemplary scholargraduate, but also to lauded PNU, which has been PHINMA Foundation’s partner for 17 years in its scholarship program.

“PNU was identified from the start as our preferred partner, and will continue to be key to the program’s success, especially as we expand to include scholars from the other PNU campuses…” said PHINMA Foundation vice president Peter Perfecto.

PHINMA and PNU have been partners in providing scholarships to deserving students with great leadership potential. Out of the 253 PNS graduates since 2006, 189 were from the university. Sixty-five PHINMA scholars are also enrolled there.

The two institutions said are united in molding future leaders like Aniceto, who dreams of someday serving in the Department of Education as a school division superintendent. Apart from him, eight PHINMA scholars who graduated from PNU have been recognized for their contributions in making lives better.

“USAID works with national- and local-government partners to introduce innovations that will ensure learning continuity and improve literacy, including reading proficiency of early-grade learners,” Eubanks said. “As a friend, partner and ally, the US will continue to support BARMM in providing learners with quality education and competencies [enabling] them to thrive and have successful futures.”

Meling said the agency’s intervention serves as “a valuable tool to improve the learning of the Bangsamoro children.”

“We welcome the ‘Beginning Reading’ program, as it will ensure the learning of children through portable video devices that can work even without the Internet,” the deputy minister stated. “We will work together to ensure that no Bangsamoro child will be left behind by providing inclusive and sustainable education.”

“We want to express gratitude to

She also handed over automated weather station (AWS) tools to Matabalao “for the city government to collect weather and climate data, and provide real-time weather monitoring and assessment.” The equipment, she said, would boost the city’s disaster management and mapping capabilities to contribute to the region’s climate resilience.

“Building a resilient city requires sharing of experiences within and among our communities,” Matabalao said. “I look forward to more joint cooperation and positive progress in mainstreaming climate adaptation, mitigation and disaster-risk reduction actions in our respective local land use plans, local development plans, and zoning ordinances.”

Through its “Climate Resilient Cities” project, USAID is improving the resilience of six Philippine cities: Batangas, Borongan, Cotabato, Iloilo, Legazpi and Zamboanga, so that they are capable to adapt to, mitigate, and manage the impacts of climate change and other disasters.

THE National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) recently recognized 22-year-old visual artist Mariah Karla Zamora with its prestigious “Ani ng Dangal.”

Zamora, who is currently pursuing a Multimedia Arts degree at the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde School of New Media Arts, earned the reputable distinction after emerging as “National Award Winner for the Philippines” at the 2022 Sony World Photography Awards in London. It is the leading competition for established and emerging photographers around the world. Her winning piece “Anom Asil” was a school requirement on “Rembrandt Lighting”—a popular technique that utilizes one light and one reflector or two separate lights to capture a dramatic yet natural image.

Inspired by the Renaissance masterpiece Mona Lisa , the portrait pictures Zamora’s older brother Juan Carlo in a painting-like photograph.

“Mona Lisa was depicted to be the perfect and most beautiful woman, and I wanted to create a reversed version, hence the [title of the photo],” she stated.

“Photography is a trial-and-error process, especially working with lighting, and that’s one of my struggles,” she detailed. “My brother was irritated because I was taking so long that his face finally captured what I was going for. When I won, we always joked about how hasty he was when I took it.”

Zamora, who is the daughter of award-winning Filipino photographer Carlo Zamora, has been immersed into the visual arts scene since she was eight.

“However, as time passed, school [became] my priority, and I couldn’t get back to it since,” she shared. “That’s why I was so excited about the Photography class at Benilde. I certainly had the opportunity to rekindle one of my favorite hobbies.”

The budding artist also profusely thanked Viktor Peñas, her Photography

professor in Benilde: “Thank you for teaching me well during our class.”

The deliverable particularly caught the attention of the elder Zamora, who encouraged his child to submit it to the competition in United Kingdom: “My dad is my inspiration. He pushes me to trust myself.”

Currently Zamora works as a graphic designer and social-media manager for a local skin-care company. She hopes to graduate this year, and is planning to explore street photography.

“It’s one of the most difficult [yet] fun styles out there,” she elaborated. “I hope in the future I’ll be able to make a name for myself.”

The highlight and concluding rite of the National Arts Month last February, the NCCA’s “Ani ng Dangal” or “Harvest of Honors” pays tribute to Filipino artists whose talents have earned international accolades from established award-giving bodies and brought pride to the country.

Categories include Architecture, Cinema, Dance, Drama, Literature, Music, Arts, and Broadcast Arts.

Zamora, together with over 30 Filipino artists, were recognized during the 15th “Ani ng Dangal” Awards conducted at the Ceremonial Hall of Malacañan Palace. Each received the remarkable stylized sarimanok trophy sculpted by National Artist for Visual Arts Abdulmari Imao.

THE Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) will field 1.8 million graduates for 2023 with fresh funding for existing learners.

Fil. student’s photo wins big in UK tilt, earns NCCA’s ‘Ani ng Dangal’

Tourism&Entertainment

Editor: Carla Mortel-Baricaua

EscapE thE ordinary: a visitor’s Boracay diary

The thought of traveling to a desired destination excites and delights. Blue and calm waters await at the beach, while cocktails and good food parade like a slideshow in the mind. Planning and our expectations enliven the experience from start to finish.

But first, we have to get to the end of our journey, which starts with a commercial flight from Manila. This means a couple of hours or more of anxiety as you get to the packed domestic airport. Long lines and queues at the busy airport, gate changes, and delayed flights are just some of the things a traveler has to endure to make their dream vacation a possibility.

It is just wonderful to know that there is another option to get to your destination faster while avoiding crowded airports and long waiting times. However, the budget will need to be stretched out a little bit.

With all this, the warm waters and the extraordinary meals offered by Boracay are close at hand.

A water landing in paradise

W E had a chance to travel in style

as we planned a trip to Boracay, which started with our flight selection. Airtrav Philippines provides premiere seaplane chartered service straight to the shores of Boracay, Coron, El Nido, and Puerto Galera. Our ride is on a Cessna Grand Caravan Ex Amphibian, which is the largest single—engine airplane produced by Cessna and accommodates eight passengers comfortably.

The flight starts at AirTrav’s hangar near NAIA’s Terminal 3. After we arrived, we were caravaned to the hangar in our cars for a short safety briefing. We were then led to a red carpet that brought us up the stairs to board the airplane.

The flight took about an hour.

The descent to the crystal-blue waters of Boracay is panoramic and exhilarating. This is certainly another way of arriving

directly on the island. No airport, no wait times—just a water landing near the beach. It was wonderful and a once-in-a-lifetime treat. We were then picked up by speedboats that took us to our respective hotels.

Back in Paradise

A FTER the flight and check in at our hotel, food is the next thing on our list. It is a given that the sparkling blue waters and the white sands of Boracay are great, but now that we are here, we just have to take our hats off to the delectable food and drinks being served on the island.

The food everywhere you go is wonderful, and I just wanted to share the sights, the flavors, and the vibe, through pictures and this story.

People do visit Boracay for the

beautiful white beaches and the delectable food. If you are a seafood lover, this is the perfect vacation for you.

It is just timely to talk about some popular restaurants on the island. The food, along with the sounds and views of the ocean, is the perfect treat.

Our friends, the husband-andwife team of s hria and Patrick Florencio, used to work in singapore before settling down as business owners in Boracay. We met up with them to explore the good eats on the island.

Here’s our epicurean journey by the beach.

Little Taj Jus T a few steps away from Boracay’s white beach and located at D’Mall at station 2, this restaurant serves popular street food found

DOT holds Dapitan-Dipolog heritage tour

As part of its recovery program, the Department of Tourism (DOT) recently rolled out its new program, Lakbay-Lahi, Philippine Experience: Heritage, Culture and Arts Caravan across the archipelago’s different regions.

In Zamboanga Peninsula, the DOT regional office held “Laag Na! Dali sa Dipolog, Dapit sa Dapitan” (L4D), a localized version of the national program to instill “pride of place” among residents of Dipolog and Dapitan cities in Zamboanga del Norte.

Thirty representatives from tourism organizations, tour operators, online, print, and broadcast media, airline companies, and DOT officials and personnel participated in the activity and experienced the tour’s five elements, namely: food tourism; wellness; culture, people, and heritage; arts and music; and entertainment and

adventure.

Hall,

s hrine where the national hero Dr. Jose Rizal was exiled from 1892-96, the public plaza which contains the relief map of Mindanao designed

by Rizal, the st. James the Greater Church, and the Punto del Desembarco, a larger-than-life bronze tableau depicting Rizal’s landing to start his exile. A new must-see is Balay Hamoy Museum which the Great Malayan frequented to meet his friend Don

in India. Just take the alleyway beside Epic and Aria.

This visit did not disappoint!

I loved their papdi chaat (street food), Hyderabadi Lamb Biryani, stuffed paratha with chicken and Goan Fish Curry with crispy paratha. The parathas are my personal favorite. Everything goes well with your preferred cocktail.

Happy hour is from 3-7 pm daily with 50-percent off on their classic cocktails. Enjoy the time with a live Dj as well.

Little Taj is a great place for family and friends. Just perfect for the islands!

Muchos

L OCATED on the ground floor of the Zuzuni Hotel in station 1 and just in front of the beach, Muchos offers Latin American dishes. All orders are made from scratch with

both local and authentic ingredients. This place is also veganfriendly.

Highly recommended are their Beef and Queso Birria Taco (Mexico), Pao de Quiejo (Brazil), Tostones (Caribbean/Latin American), and for dessert, Paleta (mango with chilli) and Watermelon with chilli (Mexico). Just thinking about the menu choices makes me want to come back.

Taco Tuesdays offer chicken and beef tacos all day. It’s definitely a great way to relax with a cold brew in hand.

I can say that the ease of travel by means of a chartered flight makes the trip seem longer and more enjoyable.

Eat, sleep, swim, and repeat! Yes, that’s the plan for as long as I am in the islands. Bon appetit and have a safe flight to the islands!

Mariano Hamoy and spend bonding moments with his family.

In Dipolog City, the itinerary included the Dipolog s chool of Fisheries, Demo Farm, the Cathedral of the Holy Rosary, and the Dipolog City Hall and Museum.

There was also a one-stop product presentation with Rondalla makers, Pamansalan weavers of

Nito handicrafts, bottled s panish sardines makers, and local tour operators at the Dipolog Boulevard Complex. The four-day activity is supported by the provincial government of Zamboanga del Norte, the city governments of Dapitan and Dipolog, and RomGarJal Development Corp.

Story & photos by Ardee P. de los Angeles

BALAy Hamoy Museum DiP o Log City Hall

ViLLA Angelina Luxury Suites in Dakak

A Ce SS n A grand Caravan e x Amphibian makes a water landing like no other.

Air T r AV Philippines provides premiere seaplane chartered service.

SH ri A and Patrick Florencio of Muchos serve Latin American dishes.

Li TTLe Taj offers popular indian street food to travelers.

g e TT ing ready for a water landing. Li TTLe Taj is just a stone’s throw from white beach.

New security feature for users of e-wallet app

E-WALLET use grew significantly during the pandemic and this is perhaps the reason why many SMEs survived and even thrived in 2020-2022, at the height of the pandemic. Before the pandemic, 7 out of 10 online transactions were settled in cash, either through cash on delivery and over-the-counter (via Palawan Pawnshop, Lhuillier, and others). Today, only 5 out of 10 (perhaps even more) are settled in cash. Sadly, this progress came at a steep price. With more and more people using e-wallet apps, scammers have become more creative and they have multiplied.

E-wallet app GCash is helping to protect its users from account takeovers with a new security feature called DoubleSafe. This is a good move because there are so many users whose accounts have been invaded by fraudsters. Young people on social media are particularly vulnerable to scams because most of them only have GCash.

DoubleSafe helps prevents unauthorized account access. Before DoubleSafe, GCash already required two levels of authentication or two-factor authentication. The first level of security is the OTP (one-time PIN), a unique number combination sent only to the user’s mobile number. The second level of authentication is the MPIN (mobile PIN) which is a four-digit passcode that only the customer or GCash owner should know.

Starting March 2023, GCash will require all users to activate DoubleSafe for an additional layer of security to their account.  DoubleSafe will be activated for every first login to a new mobile phone with the feature making use of facial recognition, which means that even if a user mistakenly shares their MPIN and OTP to fraudsters, the account cannot be accessed from another device without scanning the owner’s face. So unless it’s your identical twin trying to gain access to your account, DoubleSafe should be foolproof. GCash is also working with the Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group to go after those who commit fraud and scam GCash users.

GCash is also intensifying its GSafeTayo campaign through a series of awareness and education materials that will help customers identify and avoid fake sellers, suspicious links, as well as other common online scams.

The GSafe campaign also has some reminders for the public:

■ Don’t open unfamiliar links, whether it is in an e-mail or a text message. GCash has stopped sending links via SMS, email, and other messaging apps.

■ Never share personal information with people you don't know. GCash only reaches out to its users through official channels and the company's

Zalora marks 11th year with new milestones, treats for customers

BY RODERICK L. ABAD Contributor

CELEBRATING its 11th year in the Philippines, Zalora said that it has achieved new milestones set to revolutionize the digital ecosystem which augur well for its business growth.

In an interview during their anniversary celebration held recently at their world-class fulfillment facility in Muntinlupa, Zalora Philippines CEO Aashish Midha told reporters that the company is well-placed in the fashion e-commerce in the Philippines, which has a total value of $1.6 billion, per industry sources.

“Overall, out of like 110 million population and, then, if we take like the buying population, still the penetration levels are not so high. In terms of the market, it’s young. So that’s where we are positioned as a brand. I think, there is a lot of leg room [for expansion in the country],” he said.

Leading the online fashion trade, the marketplace offers the best curated assortment of trendy items, ranging from footwear, apparel, beauty, kids, sports and luxury categories, courtesy of over 8,000 local and international brand partners.

representatives will never ask for MPINs and OTPs.

■ Double-check everything before buying anything online. Deals that are too good to be true often are. Make sure e-commerce websites on social media platforms are legitimate. Even the biggest platforms are being duplicated by scammers.

To report scams and other suspicious activities, users can go to the the GCash Help Center via the GCash app or at help.gcash.com, Chat with Gigi, and choose “I want to report a scam.”

A NEW KOREAN DRAMA ON DISNEY+

WHEN the going gets tough, there is no better pick-me-up than an over-the-top Korean drama. An example of such a drama would be The Penthouse: War in Life, which was so explosive that everything seemed unrealistic—and I mean that in the best way possible.

Some people got tired of The Penthouse after a while because one of the characters would seem to die in the most violent manner but would seem to be resurrected in the next episode as if nothing happened. Everyone was a schemer and had an ulterior motive. Things were so dramatic to the point that the drama became campy. I actually enjoyed the episodes because it got to a point that I had to suspend my disbelief and just took things as they came.

Another similar Korean drama, Pandora: Beneath the Paradise, started streaming recently on Disney+ and it stars Lee Ji-ah, who was also in The Penthouse. In Pandora, Lee Ji-ah plays Hong Tae-ra, a woman who seems to have the perfect life but has no memory of her past. Pyo Jae-hyun (Lee Sang-yoon) is Hong Tae-ra’s husband. He is a rich and successful developer whose company Hatch developed new technology in the neural smart patch field. He is so admired that in the first episode, we see a political party urging him to run for president.

In the drama, Hong Tae-ra struggles as she tries to make sense of her past and take revenge on those

responsible for what happened to her.

The other stars of Pandora are Jang Hee-jin (Flower of Evil, The Red Sleeve) as Go Hae-soo, the YBC’s top anchor and Hong Tae-ra’s friend; Park Ki-woong (Secretly Greatly, Bridal Mask) as Jang Do-jin, the second son of the Kumjo group; and Bong Tae-gyu (The Penthouse: War in Life, Return) as Koo Sung-chan, the director of Hatch’s research center.

Not surprisingly Pandora: Beneath the Paradise is created by Kim Sun-ok, the screenwriter behind The Penthouse: War in Life and Return, and is directed by Choi Yonghoon (One the Woman, Good Casting). The treatment of The Penthouse and Pandora are very different in that the former is campier while the latter is more serious.

Produced by CJ ENM’s production powerhouse Studio Dragon, Pandora: Beneath the Paradise is on Disney+ with new episodes released every Saturday and Sunday. At presstime, there are four episodes already and two more will be released this weekend. That’s a decent number of episodes to start catching up. Episode 4 starts with Go Hae-soo’s past where her mother committed suicide after her father’s death and she too wanted to give up on life. It was Hong Tae-ra who encouraged her and gave her hope. For context, Go Hae-soo’s father was killed by an unknown assasin.

Back to the present: Go Hae-soo finds it difficult to believe that Hong Tae-ra is the assassin known as No. 50. But when she sees her friend with Kim Seondeok (played by Shim So-young), she has no choice but to believe this. Kim Seon-deok tells Hong Tae-ra that Jang Geum-mo (played by Ahn Nae-sang) is the one behind the assassination of Go Hae-soo’s father. Logically, Hang Geum-mo should also be the one behind Hong Tae-ra’s changed identity.

Is the series worth watching? It’s still on Episode 4 and I am waiting for more dramatic and exciting moments but so far, I am liking Pandora ■

Tech innovation enables Agile Solutions to thrive during pandemic

BY RIZAL RAOUL S. REYES

IN the digital age, technology is a great equalizer.

This was proven by technopreneur Jason Gaguan when he co founded Agile Solutions during the height of the pandemic. Gaguan told BUSINESSMIRRO� in an e-mail interview that although their business idea was novel, it was not without competition in the market research industry.

He also pointed out that there are several better capital backed competition in the market, both from local companies and international ones.

“But there is something we had that they don’t: we had a solid base of paying clients, they do not,” he said.

“This made us more confident on our track, knowing that because of our [the founders] varied leadership backgrounds, we understood our clients better, giving the best product that is relevant to them,” he added.

With a solid base of clients from Fortune 500

companies and local conglomerates armed with a modest war chest, Gaguan said Agile Solutions was poised for a technology-led hyper-growth that would be beneficial to their clients.

Gaguan said the game changer for the company was when it introduced its new data gathering platform app Hustle PH (Version 2) “targeting a million hustlers by the second half of 2023, which will generate millions of data points and thousands of micro segments for better data insighting. We are also looking at expanding to Thailand by the third quarter of 2023 at the request of our multinational clients.”

He also stressed the complacency shown by their competitors manifested by their failure to innovate gave the company an opportunity to show that they could lower the cost by 70 percent and increase turnaround time three times alongside giving accurate, more targeted data

“Our competition faced with no competition did not innovate and was still running methods they have

been doing for the past decades. Like many unready businesses, they faltered during the pandemic,” he said “Their traditional methods collapsed during the lockdowns, resulting to opening a small crack for us,” he added.

At the end of the day, Gaguan emphasized that Agile Solutions’ services did the talking notwithstanding that marketing their services is not their core competency. He said that every company that tried to use their service continued to renew their contract with Agile Solutions. Manufacturing giant Unilever, Globe Telecom, GCash, QBO and Coins.ph are some of their clients.

Despite getting a big opportunity during the pandemic, Gaguan said it still a long way to go for the company. “The battle to be won is still very long, but day by day we are gaining ground,” he stressed.

“There is no way to go for us but up because there is more to learn, and there is more to innovate,” he added.

In fact, since opening the Zalora MCX E-Commerce Center in Muntinlupa three years ago, this headquarters-cum-warehouse has quadrupled its fulfillment capabilities, storing 1.3 million items, of which 45,000 are inbound and 47,000 outbound daily, per the top executive.

He attributed this to the hub’s complete automated structure with a chain of conveyor networks and a system-assisted consolidation, sorting and packing operation areas.

Beyond the improved productivity, Midha’s new leadership brought in new milestones, such as capitalizing on the Fulfilled by Zalora (FBZ) and One Stock Solution (1SS) marketplace models.

Through the FBZ, brands can avail of Zalora’s enhanced end-to-end e-commerce solution for a simplified operating process, and rely on its network of logistics experts and established infrastructure while still having control over campaigns and marketing decisions.

1SS allows select brands to benefit from its warehousing and logistics infrastructure not only for their stores within the platform but also for external online channels. Orders of brand partners from external marketplaces and brand websites are warehoused and fulfilled by Zalora.

Amid today’s challenges, the CEO still expects a sustained business growth for 2023. He said: “All these things—pandemic, recession, inflation—they are headwinds to any business largely. So this year is not very different from last year.”

Midha cited, for instance, that Covid-19 has taught their organization to be “resilient and navigate these challenges with foresight and strength.” He boasted that over the past decade they haven’t had any layoffs, as they now grow with around 550 employees.

Constant inspirations, mutual loyalty, quality products and services are in store for customers as Zalora Philippines enters the second decade of its operations. He said: “Our mission is that whatever is the best brand available, we should be able to give and actually fulfill it for our customers everywhere in the Philippines. So we are doing a lot of interesting and exciting things.”

Ongoing until March 26, Zalora’s 11th anniversary treats include up to 90 percent off on fashion, sports, beauty, home and luxury brands; daily flash sales, 100 percent cashback deals, and birthday markdowns from Nike, Adidas, Birkenstock, H&M, Mango, and more. Mastercard, BPI, and Zalora Credit Card holders will get up to 50 percent off on top of sitewide discounts.

Mobile pop-up concept store Z-Train will make its second stop at Greenbelt 3 Fashion Square in Makati. Until April 18, from 11 aa to 9 pm, customers can avail of products, discounts and exclusive activities with Adidas and Visa.

IN Pandora: Beneath the Paradise, Lee Ji-ah plays Hong Tae-ra, a woman who seems to live the perfect life.

When it looks/sounds too good to be true

It comes in three colorways: Cyan Lake, Titanium Silver, and Midnight Black.

Equally eye-catching as its color finish and ginormous camera module on the back, is the phone’s

6.7-inch Honor FullView Display. With ultra-slim bezels as thin as 1.1mm, the Honor X8a has an impressive screen-to-body ratio of 93.6 percent, guaranteeing an immersive viewing experience for both work and play. It may only have an IPS panel but the colors are generally good thanks to its Display

handle casual titles well but for those graphically intensive ones like Genshin Impact game, you might want to consider a higher model.

Finally, it has a 4500mAh battery and supports 22.5W supercharge that translates to a better battery life than its predecessor, and it easily lasted us a day of moderate use.

The Honor X8a is worth considering if you are looking for a nice-looking phone with a good set of cameras, a big screen and good battery life.

THERE’S a saying, “If something looks too good to be true, it probably is—but in the case of Khalil Ramos, it was just Lightroom.

The actor and photography enthusiast found himself in a bit of controversy after being accused of bringing a professional camera to the recent concert of Harry Styles.

Ramos posted “Free Wallpapers” of Styles on Twitter and one commenter took note of the quality of the pictures and called out the actor’s attention, saying professional cameras were not allowed at concerts.

Several others netizens joined in, before Ramos girlfriend, actress Gabbi Garcia, came to his defense saying the photos were taken using just his phone, and were just enhanced using the Lightroom app.

Another concert-goer further corroborated this by posting a photo with the celebrity couple with Ramos noticeably holding a smartphone with a camera lens attachment.

So, the next question obviously was: “What phone did Ramos use?”

A quick look at the actor’s Instagram account showed him holding the Honor X8a and posting a video of a recent photowalk using the smartphone’s high-res mode a few days before the concert.

Though I’m quite certain that it wasn’t the phone he used during Styles’s concert, the other images he posted were really quite good, and Honor once again found itself a hot topic just in time for the launch of its latest smartphone.

I’ve also been using the Honor X8a for the past couple of weeks as well and while the 100MP feature is a bit exaggerated, it certainly can take great photos—“with a bit of basic editing, composition and understanding of exposure,” as Ramos suggested.

Following up its battery powerhouse X7a, Honor further expands its budget mid-range lineup with the release of the Honor X8a.

With a price tag of P10,990, it’s the numerical successor to last year’s X8 model, and comes with a few upgrades to its design, battery and that hard to ignore 100-megapixel main camera.

The Honor X8a features a flat-edge design with smooth rounded corners. Yes, it looks like another derivative of the iPhone design, but this isn’t a bad thing. The sharp, clean lines not only add a touch of attitude to the design, but also give the device a comfortable and secure grip, demonstrating a subtle balance between form and function.

Color Calibration technology developed by the brand itself. By calibrating the color temperature of the screen frame by frame, the Honor X8a achieves a Just Noticeable Color Difference (JNCD) value of less than one, meaning users can barely notice the color difference between the screen and real life. It also supports a 90hz refresh rate and that punch-hole selfie camera makes it look more premium than its price rivals.

For audio, it only has a single bottom-firing speaker and the absence of the headphone jack means that you’ll have to use USB-C or wireless earphones to enjoy better audio quality.

Now, for that 100MP triple camera system which Honor says is the highest megapixel count ever achieved on the X Series.

As I mentioned earlier, it can deliver an exceptional photography experience provided you have ideal lighting as well as the patience to compose your shot. The 100MP main camera has a f/1.9 aperture, and is further assisted by a host of AI imaging algorithms. It supports noise reduction to deliver better night photos, while producing captivating portraits with natural beautifying effects. It also offers a high dynamic range (HDR) photo-shooting mode that fuses multiple frames to generate an image with the optimal exposure level and through the power of Super Resolution technology, it can take clearer photos with greater ease.

You know I’m a fan of wide-angle lens so I’m happy that Honor has included a 5MP Wide and Depth Camera, which does a decent job of capturing colorful landscapes, skyline and for fitting in lots of people in a single shot. Completing the triple camera setup is a Macro lens.

For selfies, the 16MP Front Camera with a f/2.45 aperture is one of the better ones in its price segment.

What I did like is the new Story mode which makes creating Reels and short videos a lot easier as it supports both landscape and Portrait mode.

There are five built-in Micro-Movie templates for video recording and hopefully they could add more downloadable templates soon.

Performance is handled by a Mediatek Helio G88 processor coupled with a Mali-G52 MC2 GPU, 8GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage. Testing it out for a few days of moderate usage, it handled everything quite well including calls and messages, email, browsing, social media uploading, blog posting and light editing.

Just be wary of having too many apps open as it can cause noticeable slowdown. For games, it can

ONEPLUS BUDS PRO 2

NOW here’s something that sounds too good but it’s actually true.

After more than a year and a half, OnePlus has finally released the OnePlus Buds Pro 2, which shares the same stemmed design and clamshell charging case of its predecessor, and it is also IP55-rated to resist dust and water, while the case retains the same IPX4 rating. But while it may look the same, a lot has actually changed inside those earbuds.

Imagine being able to completely immerse yourself in the sound of your favorite movie or song. The OnePlus Buds Pro 2 make this possible with spatial audio technology, which duplicates the surroundsound experience of a movie theater.

The Buds Pro 2 is the company’s first earbuds to support Spatial Audio on Android 13 but to separate it from other earbuds that offer similar technology, OnePlus teamed up with Hans Zimmer— yes, the legendary multi-awarded film music composer man behind the unforgettable soundtrack of Dune, The Lion King, Top Gun: Maverick, and The Dark Knight trilogy.

Zimmer is known for pushing the boundaries of sound so that music helps move the film narrative forward in extraordinary, sometimes unconventional, ways. Together, they created an exclusive EQ profile meant to elevate the Spatial Audio experience. The customized equalizer, called Soundscape, enables audiophiles to enjoy the full symphonic sound of a classical symphony or the multilayered reverberations of an action picture. Additionally, the earbuds feature one Dynaudio default EQ and three customized EQs, including Bold, Serenade, and Bass, ensuring that users can hear each music in its original, unaltered form. The earbuds also have MelodyBoost Dual Drivers, which were co-developed with Danish loudspeaker maker Dynaudio. The 11mm+6mm twin driver technology delivers low frequencies for a deeper, richer and more powerful bass, as well as crystal clear vocals.

For the two weeks that I’ve been using the OnePlus Buds Pro 2, I’d say it’s one of the best earbuds available for Android users. For its price tag of P9,990 it delivers fantastic audio quality, intelligent features, and a sleek and comfortable design. It is a great choice for anyone who wants to experience immersive and high-quality audio. Furthermore, the earbuds are lightweight, water-resistant, and have a long battery life, making them ideal for everyday use, workouts, or outdoor activities. ■

10MW carrier-neutral data center opens in Biñan

BY PAULINE JOY M. GUTIERREZ

DATA centers serve as the backbone of the modern digital age, powering the essential technology businesses, governments and individuals use.

In Biñan, Laguna, a 10-megawatt (MW) facility opens its doors to hyperscalers, providing edge computing and storage services at an enterprise scale.

NARRA1, the joint venture project between Singaporean player Digital Edge Holdings Pte. Ltd. and local technology and real estate company Threadborne Group, is the largest carrier-neutral and regional data center in the Philippines.

“We see significant growth potential in the Philippines, and we are the first regional data center player to open for business in the market,” said Digital Edge country manager for the Philippines Victor Barrios.

He noted that NARRA1 is designed to plug the huge unmet demand for data

center capacity in the country, where the domestic colocation market is expected to grow at a compound annual rate of 25 percent between 2022 and 2027. The center aims to compete with

similar facilities in Singapore, Hong Kong, and the US, with 2,200 cabinets and 5,200 square meters of colocation space.

It has a power and cooling density of 5 kilovolt-amps (kVa) per cabinet and a

network of power generators, each with a capacity of 35MW that can run the facility during extended power outages of up to three days.

The center is equipped with resilient and redundant systems, such as fireproofing, waterproofing and winddeflective architecture that can withstand 300-kph hurricanes. Additionally, the walls were resin-coated to stabilize temperatures.

After being constructed from a repurposed warehouse, the facility’s interiors were built using all-steel girders. When the roof and framing underwent replacement, the used roofing materials were donated to select local communities.

Along with smart engineering design, NARRA1 utilizes Nortek’s patented StatePoint technology, which uses a liquid desiccant to remove moisture from the air, to achieve an expected annualized Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) of 1.193 and Water Usage Effectiveness (WUE) of

1.355, at optimal operating temperature.

“Our companies share a common commitment to robust environmental, social and corporate governance goals, and we are excited by the innovative design of this facility which will enable us to support the growth of the digital economy without compromising on our environmental responsibilities,” said Raymond Rufino, Principal for Investments and Real Estate of the Threadborne Group.

Regarding expansion plans, Digital Edge chief product officer Jonathan Chou said they are currently looking to build a bigger data center in the next five years.

“We are still internally debating that because, with location, you have a lot of options. We are evaluating multiple sites,” he said, adding, “We have a firm conviction on the size and the potential of the market in the Philippines. So, we will continue to invest as long as the growth is there.”

The World

China threatens consequences over US warship’s actions in SCS

“The act of the US military seriously violated China’s sovereignty and security, severely breached international laws, and is more ironclad evidence of the US pursuing navigation hegemony and militarizing the South China Sea,” ministry spokesman Tan Kefei said. “We solemnly request that the US immediately stop such actions of provocation, otherwise it will bear the serious consequences of unexpected incidents caused by this.”

US ready for additional deposit actions if needed, Yellen assures

TREASURY Secretary Janet Yellen told

US lawmakers that regulators would be prepared for further steps to protect the banking system if warranted, a day after her remarks on nationwide deposit insurance rattled markets.

to fly, sail, and operate wherever international law allows, as Milius did today.”

The US has no SCS claims itself, but has deployed Naval and Air Force assets for decades to patrol the strategic waterway, through which around $5 trillion in global trade transits each year and which holds highly valuable fish stocks and undersea mineral resources.

the readiness of regulators to backstop bank deposits after sudden outflows contributed to the collapse of multiple US regional lenders this month.

The warning comes amid growing tensions between China and the United States in the region, as Washington pushes back at Beijing’s growingly assertive posture in the SCS, a strategic waterway it claims virtually in its entirety.

On Thursday, after the US sailed the USS Milius guided-missile destroyer near the Paracel Islands, China said its navy and air force had forced the American vessel away, a claim the US military denied.

The US on Friday sailed the ship again in the vicinity of the islands, which are occupied by China but also claimed by Taiwan and Vietnam, as part of what it called a “freedom of navigation operation” challenging requirements from all three nations requiring either advance noti -

fication or permission before a military vessel sails by.

“Unlawful and sweeping maritime claims in the South China Sea pose a serious threat to the freedom of the seas, including the freedoms of navigation and overflight, free trade and unimpeded commerce, and freedom of economic opportunity for South China Sea littoral nations,” said US 7th Fleet spokesman Lt. j.g. Luka Bakic in an emailed statement.

“The United States challenges excessive maritime claims around the world regardless of the identity of the claimant,” Bakic added.

China’s Ministry of National Defense responded by accusing the US of “undermining the peace and stability of the South China Sea” with its actions.

He said China would take “all necessary measures” to ensure its security but did not elaborate.

Like its statement on the Thursday incident, China again said it drove the American ship away from the islands, which are in the SCS a few hundred kilometers off the coast of Vietnam and the Chinese province of Hainan.

Both sides said their actions were justified under international law.

Bakic told The Associated Press that the ship “was not driven away” and “continued on to conduct routine maritime security operations in international waters” after concluding its mission near the Paracel Islands.

“The operation reflects our commitment to uphold freedom of navigation and lawful uses of the sea for all nations,” he said. “The United States will continue

A United Nations-backed arbitration tribunal ruled in 2016 that the historical claim from China on the waters had no legal basis under the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Seas, and Washington maintains that freedom of navigation and overflight of the waterway are in the American national interest.

US forces currently operate in the SCS daily, and have been present for more than a century. China regularly responds angrily, accusing the US of meddling in Asian affairs and impinging upon its sovereignty.

China’s claims have frequently brought it into conflict with other nations in the region as well, and Filipino diplomats were expected to unleash a slew of protests on Friday over China’s recent targeting of a Philippine Coast guard ship with a powerful military laser and other aggressive behavior. AP

Biden’s Canada agenda stacked: NORAD, migration deals likely

OTTAWA, Ontario—President

Joe Biden arrived in Canada on Thursday for talks with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on several of the world’s most difficult challenges: the war in Ukraine, climate change, trade, mass migration and an increasingly assertive China.

Two important agreements appeared to be in hand before Biden even departed Washington. Canada will escalate its timeline for military upgrades to the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and the two nations have reached an agreement to update rules for migrants seeking asylum, according to US and Canadian officials. The officials were not authorized to comment publicly and requested anonymity.

The migration deal eliminates a loophole under existing rules that will allow both countries to turn away asylum seekers at the countries’ borders. The loophole resulted in thousands of migrants annually crossing into Canada from the US at a non-official checkpoint, enabling them to stay in the country as they seek asylum instead of letting the process play out while staying in the US.

As part of the agreement, Canada is expected to announce that 15,000 migrants from the Western Hemisphere will be given slots to apply to enter the country, according to a Canadian official.

The new policy applies to people without US or Canadian citizenship who are caught within 14 days of crossing

the border between the two countries. The White House declined to comment on the agreement, which is expected to be formally announced Friday. The visit comes as the Biden administration has made strengthening its relationship with Canada a priority over the past two years. Both sides see the meetings in the capital of Ottawa as an opportunity to set plans for the future.

National security and air defenses are top of mind after a Chinese spy balloon last month traversed North America. Canada plans to update its radar systems and has agreed to an accelerated timeline for spending billions more on military upgrades for NORAD, which monitors the skies above the continent, according to the senior Canadian government official.

Canada announced last year it is investing $3.8 billion (Canadian $4.9 billion) over the next six years to modernize NORAD radar systems and billions more years later, but David Cohen, the US ambassador to Canada, has said the current threat climate calls for quicker investment.

The loophole in the US-Canada migration rules allowed thousands of migrants to cross into Canada from the US at a non-official checkpoint, enabling them to stay in the country as they seek asylum instead of letting the process play out while staying in the US.

A quirk in a 2002 agreement

between the US and Canada says people seeking asylum must apply in the first country they arrive in. Migrants who go to an official crossing are returned to the US and told to apply there. But those who arrive in Canada at a location other than a port of entry are allowed to stay and request protection, as has been happening on Roxham Road between Champlain, New York, and Quebec.

More than 39,000 claims were filed in 2022 by people who were intercepted by Canadian police, the vast majority of them in Quebec and at Roxham Road.

The broadened focus of Biden’s visit represents an evolution of a friendship between the two countries that exceeds 150 years. The emphasis had more frequently been on issues like trade that had defined relations between the two countries, which share a 5,525-mile border.

“This visit is about taking stock of what we’ve done, where we are and what we need to prioritize for for the future,” said John Kirby, a spokesman for the White House National Security Council. “We’re going to talk about our two democracies stepping up to meet the challenges of our time.”

There will still be an emphasis on trade, yet Canada and the US see the partnership as crucial in supporting Ukraine against Russia’s invasion, reducing their dependence on Chinese goods and shifting toward cleaner energy sources amid the planetary damage caused by burning fossil fuels.

The leaders are also expected to discuss tapping critical minerals that will enable the production of electric vehicles, and military and economic commitments at a moment that observers say is the most dangerous since World War II.

Chinese President Xi Jinping this week visited Russian President Vladimir Putin, pledging to deepen their economic ties in ways that could help fund Putin’s ongoing war to take Ukraine.

“The United States is coming with big strategic issues on their mind,” said Vincent Rigby, a former national security adviser to Trudeau. “It’s a world where they’re looking to allies to help.”

Trade between the US and Canada totaled an estimated record of $950 billion (Canadian $1.3 trillion) in 2022.

Each day, about 400,000 people cross the world’s longest international border, and about 800,000 Canadian citizens live in the United States. There is close cooperation on

defense, border security and law enforcement, and a vast overlap in culture, traditions and pastimes.

Biden will address Parliament and Trudeau will host him for a state dinner Friday evening. It is Biden’s first visit to Canada since he became president, but Trudeau also gave Biden a state dinner when he was vice president in December 2016 just before Donald Trump took office.

“It didn’t need to have happened. It was an incredibly well timed and wise investment on the prime minister’s part to do that and I think it’s paid dividends,” said Bruce Heyman, who was US ambassador to Canada at the time.

Last year, Canada was exempted from the subsidy restrictions for electric vehicles in Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act. Heyman called it a huge win for Canada.

The NORAD partnership was in the spotlight recently when NORAD tracked a suspected Chinese spy balloon that passed over the two countries before being shot down over the coast of South Carolina. A US fighter jet later shot down an unidentified flying object in Canadian airspace.

The British, Australians and Japanese are all investing more in defense given the threats posed by Beijing and Moscow, and the US expects its northern neighbor to do its part.

Canada has long faced calls to increase its defense spending to 2 percent of its gross domestic product, the agreed-upon target by Nato members. Ottawa spends about 1.2 percent now.

Canada announced in January it will purchase 88 F-35 fighter jets but at the time of the announcement said the first four won’t arrive for another three years.

The US is also pushing Canada to lead an international force in Haiti but Canada’s top military official has suggested the country doesn’t have the capacity. AP

Her reassurance came at the top of a hearing Thursday, before a subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee, when she read prepared remarks that were almost identical to what she delivered a day before in the Senate, but added: “Certainly, we would be prepared to take additional actions if warranted.”

That appeared aimed at avoiding a repeat of the market volatility when she said Wednesday that Treasury officials had neither considered nor examined the possibility of expanding federal insurance temporarily to all US bank deposits without congressional approval.

Yellen’s fresh comments come amid close scrutiny of how regulators have responded to series of bank failures and rising concerns about the stability of financial system. She and Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell have said since the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank earlier this month that regulations need to be strengthened, while stressing the banking system is sound.

While policymakers are still on watch for signs of banking instability, the issue didn’t appear to be a top agenda item for the House subcommittee members on Thursday, who only briefly touched on the topic while spending most of the hearing asking Yellen, and White House Budget Director Shalanda Young, about the deficit and debt ceiling.

Investors had been looking for clarity on

The KBW Bank Index on Thursday ended down 1.7 percent after fluctuating when Yellen’s prepared remarks were released. Seeking clarity

THE day before, Yellen had said that to guarantee all deposits nationwide would require legislation, although regulators were prepared to repeat—on a case-by-case basis—depositor rescues if an individual bank failure threatened to provoke a wider contagion of bank runs.

According to Andy Laperriere—head of US policy for investment bank Piper Sandler & Co. and a former adviser to ex-House Republican leader Dick Armey—only Congress can alter the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.’s current $250,000 cap on deposit insurance.

On Tuesday, speaking to the American Bankers Association, Yellen had said regulators stood ready to repeat the steps they took earlier this month when California’s SVB and New York’s Signature Bank shut their doors in the face of overwhelming depositor runs. In those cases, to prevent contagion, the FDIC invoked the so-called systemicrisk exception to guarantee all deposits at those banks.

Treasury officials have been reviewing whether regulators could expand federal insurance temporarily to all US bank deposits, Bloomberg News reported earlier this week. That had encouraged some observers to think the government may make it a sweeping shift in policy. Bloomberg News

California faces billions in storm damage to crops, homes, roads

THE costs of California’s relentless winter storms keep rising. And outside of the human toll—with at least 28 people killed since January—the price will be measured in billions.

The “bomb cyclone” that lashed San Francisco on Tuesday was the latest in an epic series of extreme weather events to hit California since New Year’s Eve. It blew out windows from skyscrapers, flung barges into a historic bridge, sent trees tumbling across roads, knocked down power lines, and threatened a major freeway as the waterlogged hillside beneath it started to collapse.

Just to the south, in the Santa Cruz area, the river that flooded the town of Pajaro a week ago rose again, while nearby strawberry fields that were already submerged received a fresh round of rain. And on Wednesday, the National Weather Service confirmed that a rare tornado hit an industrial area of Montebello, east of downtown Los Angeles, injuring one person and damaging several buildings.

The price tag for all this mayhem—road repairs, damaged homes, lost crops—won’t become clear for months. But the early estimates are sobering. In the Salinas Valley region known as America’s Salad Bowl—a key growing hub for the US’s supply of lettuce, spinach, broccoli, cauliflower and artichokes— crop damages could climb as high as $500 million and the broader economic impact to the region could reach $1.2 billion, said Christopher Valadez, president of the GrowerShipper Association of Central California, a trade group that represents farmers, processors and exporters in the region.

Officials in hard-hit Santa Cruz County, which has seen roads washed out and a popular ocean pier destroyed, estimate $88 million in public infrastructure damage and $49.5 million in crop damage from the storms so far.

Tuesday’s damage comes in addition to the destruction California sustained in January, when three weeks of intense rainfall triggered floods and mudslides across the state, closing roads and homes. Moody’s RMS, a risk-modeling service, estimated the statewide cost from floods and infrastructure damage in January to be $5 billion to $7 billion. AccuWeather Inc. put its own estimate far higher at $30 billion.

Reversal of fortune

IT’S a dramatic reversal of fortune. After three years of punishing drought, California since late December has endured 12 “atmospheric rivers,” weather systems that channel intense plumes of moisture from hundreds of miles across the ocean and can carry as much water as the Mississippi River at its mouth.

Tuesday’s storm added to the river a “bomb cyclone,” a rapidly intensifying lowpressure system that fired up winds and produced a hurricane-like eye that rolled directly over San Francisco. Across the Bay in Oakland, tropical storm-force wind gusts of 39 to 73 miles per hour (63 to 117 kilometers per hour) were reported for seven consecutive hours, according to AccuWeather.

“The impacts from the event resembled that of a landfalling strong tropical storm—

likely the closest San Francisco residents will ever come to experiencing that weather phenomenon,” said AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Jonathan Porter. Downtown San Francisco has received 30.69 inches (78 centimeters) of rain since October 1, which is 11.35 inches above normal, according to the National Weather Service. Los Angeles has received 25.74 inches in the same period, 13.27 inches above normal. On Tuesday, the city got 1.43 inches, a record for the date.

In San Francisco, the city closed off part of busy Mission Street downtown after window glass fell from a nearby tower. Near the city’s baseball park, an historic bridge was closed to vehicle traffic after barges blown by the wind crashed into and damaged it.

Meanwhile, workers blocked off lanes of one of the main freeway arteries connecting the city to the Central Valley—Interstate 580 in the Altamont Pass—after the ground beneath it started sliding.

“We’ve gone from extremes, this weather whiplash—the most dry and arid years that we’ve experienced in our lifetimes to some of the wettest years we’ve experienced in our lifetimes,” California Governor Gavin Newsom said on Monday, as the latest system approached.

Cost of destruction escalates

THE storms have triggered so much destruction across so much terrain that Newsom has declared a state of emergency in 43 of California’s 58 counties. In each, the damage and the repairs needed are unique. Brian Ferguson, a spokesman for the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, said costs from the latest round of storms will likely go up for weeks as officials assess damages. That comes on top of the more than $1 billion in damage to homes and public infrastructure from a series of deadly storms in January.

In the Sierra Nevada foothills, roads have been closed by landslides that can’t be quickly removed. The California Department of Transportation on Monday posted footage of State Route 70 in Plumas County buried under a collapsed hillside and warned there’s no estimate for when it can reopen.

For some of the state’s industries, the extreme weather has been an inconvenience, but little more. FilmLA, which administers permits to shoot movies and TV shows in the Los Angeles region, said it experienced many cancellations and requests to reschedule projects in the first wave of storms earlier this year. Now applications are being submitted with rain dates included as many producers try to plan their shoots around weather reports. Operations at California’s busy ports have occasionally been slowed by the storms. Alan McCorkle, CEO of Yusen Terminals LLC in the Port of Los Angeles, said the wind had twice stopped containers from being unloaded.

“We also had a situation a few weeks ago where the wind knocked over several empty containers in the yard, which happened to several terminals at the same time, requiring all terminals to shut down for the rest of the shift,” McCorkle said. But such events are rare, even this year, he said. Bloomberg News

BANGKOK—China threatened

“serious consequences” Friday after the US Navy sailed a destroyer around the disputed Paracel Islands in the South China Sea (SCS) for the second day in a row, in a move Beijing claimed was a violation of its sovereignty and security.

www.businessmirror.com.ph

33RD BIENNIAL CONVENTION OF FFCCCII

FFCCCII

FEDERATION OF FILIPINO CHINESE CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY, INC.

A BusinessMirror Special Feature

Saturday, March 25, 2023 A11

6,074 PUBLIC SCHOOL BUILDINGS DONATED, CALAMITY RELIEF TO FILIPINO CHINESE VOLUNTEER FIRE BRIGADES: FFCCCII PROJECTS FOR PHL PROGRESS

By Rose Servidad, Clarissa Mediavillo & Lanie Gornez

THIS is an interview of Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (FFCCCII) outgoing President Dr. Henry Lim Bon Liong during the on-going 33rd Biennial National Convention from March 23 to 26, 2023. The industrialist and philanthropist Dr. Lim is CEO of Sterling Paper Group, founder of hybrid rice pioneer SL Agritech, graduate of University of the Philippines (U.P.) and Harvard Business School. He speaks fluent English, Filipino, Hokkien and Mandarin.

BusinessMirror: When you say unity in your FFCCCII convention theme, what exactly do you mean? Who are you uniting with?

FFCCCII is calling upon the whole Philippine society to unite for socio-economic development and prosperity, because there is strength in national unity and there can only be robust economic growth if there is strong national stability and unity.

We also encourage unity and stronger team spirit among the 170 Filipino Chinese chambers of commerce and diverse business organizations under the FFCCCII, so that we can pool resources, ideas and energies to contribute to development through socio-civic philanthropic projects and economic advocacies.

Another unique dimension of our unity is that the majority of FFCCCII entrepreneurs are Filipino citizens born and raised in the Philippines, some for several generations already, while there are also exemplary entrepreneurs who are relative newcomers, new immigrants and foreign passport holders. We at FFCCCII are

inclusive and welcome all ethnic Chinese entrepreneurs to unite in supporting Philippine development and progress.

How does FFCCCII advance the cause of development and progress?

Through the leaders, our various working committees and 170 Filipino Chinese chambers of commerce, FFCCCII encourages dynamic investments and reinvestments in our economy nationwide from Aparri to Tawi Tawi. We also encourage innovations, global competitiveness and other positive practices to uplift businesses, generate more job opportunities and economic development throughout the Philippines.

Importantly, although FFCCCII is essentially a business federation, we also champion and undertake diverse philanthropic endeavors such as the “Operation: Barrio Schools” of constructing and donating public school buildings to disadvantaged rural “barrios” or communities;

support for various Filipino Chinese volunteer fire brigades which assist fire and calamity victims regardless of ethnic or social status; calamity relief donations and emergency assistance during crises such as the global pandemic, typhoons, the Taal Volcano crisis and many other calamities.

When there was a mishap between a Filipino fishing boat from Mindoro and a Chinese fishing boat, causing damage to the Filipino boat and a raging controversy hurting Philippine-China diplomatic ties, we at FFCCCII responded to a request of our then Philippine Ambassador to Beijing the late Chito Sta. Romana who suggested that we intercede to give humanitarian help to the Mindoro fishermen. We quickly helped the Mindoro fishermen with our own private donations for boat repair, free rice sacks and free public schools, and the controversy quieted down.

What have you done, are doing and will do

to support development and progress?

FFCCCII advocates and supports progressive reforms, policies and initiatives to improve the Philippine economy for sustainable and inclusive economic growth. We advocate endeavors which shall improve incomes, quality of life, employment opportunities for the people nationwide, because we believe we couldn’t have good businesses if our customers, the general public and the consumers are not taken cared of.

Our Filipino Chinese entrepreneurs in the FFCCCII are actively engaged in economic advocacies, entrepreneurial business ventures and many civic undertakings to support Philippine development and progress.

What is the federation doing in Metro Manila and the big cities? What are the chapters doing in their respective areas?

How are they promoting progress and development outside big cities?

FFCCCII has many economic, civic and even cultural projects in Metro Manila, big cities and towns nationwide, like our regular FFCCCII free medical, dental and optical missions for the urban poor communities and even for rural localities. We also encourage more business investments in rural countryside regions.

There are many other different projects and causes. We Filipino Chinese entrepreneurs believe not only in economic development, but also in the importance of social and cultural progress for the whole country.

Human resource is very important in achieving progress and development.

What projects or initiatives has the federation undertaken to educate/ train people to be able to make a more

meaningful contribution to these goals?

For the FFCCCII, we believe the greatest resource of any nation is its people, that is why one of our decades-old flagship philanthropic or civic projects is the “Operation: Barrio Schools” of Filipino Chinese entrepreneurs and chambers constructing and donating thousands of public school buildings to benefit disadvantaged “barrios” or rural villages throughout our Philippine archipelago. Every day, there are a couple of million or more Filipino children who study in FFCCCII-donated public school buildings nationwide. In the ancient Chinese Confucian moral teachings, philanthropy and support for education are very important duties of all individuals whether entrepreneurs or professionals. We Filipino Chinese entrepreneurs also believe that democratic access to good education is one great way to truly alleviate poverty and promote social progress in the Philippines.

FFCCCII President Dr. Henry Lim Bon Liong with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

The Cebu Filipino Chinese Volunteer Fire Brigade in action, one of the many heroic Filipino Chinese volunteer brigades nationwide helping victims of fire and other calamities regardless of race or social status.

Mandaue Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce of FFCCCII donates a three-story school building to Tingub Elementary School

RIANNE MALIXI put up a flawless closeout and pounced on Daniella Uy’s flawed finish as the country’s top amateur nailed another pro victory in the International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) Iloilo Golf Challenge presented by MORE Power with a solid 66 to beat Chihiro Ikeda by four strokes on Friday.

It took Malixi just nine holes to overcome Uy’s overnight six-stroke lead at the Iloilo Golf and Country Club as Malixi rattled off three birdies inside six feet for a 33 and Uy crumbled with an uncharacteristic 41 marred by a disastrous triple-bogey on the first hole. That set the tone for the rout as Malixi, 16, stayed focused and kept her poise in the last nine holes, birdying the 16th for good measure to complete a four-under card and a 209 total after 70 and 73 in the first two rounds of the P875,000 championship.

The victory snapped Malixi’s run of fruitless campaigns here and abroad that saw her miss a podium finish in the recent Queen Sirikit Cup at Manila Southwoods after yielding the

Cebu vs Mendiola in Carmona turf

DYNAMIC Herb Cebu FC looks to close the gap on leader Kaya FC-Iloilo when it faces Mendiola FC on Saturday in the lone match of the Philippines Football League (PFL) brought to you by Qatar Airways at the Philippine Football Federation National Training Center in Carmona, Cavite.

Eight points behind Kaya with two matches at hand, the Gentle Giants are seeking a third win of the season against Mendiola, which is coming off a 0-1 defeat to Maharlika Manila two weeks ago.

The Gentle Giants showed grit in coming from behind to beat Maharlika Manila FC, 2-1, last Sunday on goals from Daniel Gadia and Cebu native Ivan Ouano.

“The win over Maharlika was a team effort, as I witnessed the determination of my team to win the game,” match winner Ouano said. “It was also an honor to score and play for my hometown.”

Cebu won the first two meetings by a combined score of 13-3, making the Gentle Giants the heavy picks to pick up another victory. Mendiola is in sixth spot with six points from 12 matches.

Youngsters draw spotlight in Davao

THE future of local triathlon takes center stage ahead of the cream of endurance racing crop as they clash for top honors in four individual categories set over new distances in the Ironkids Philippines Saturday at the Azuela Cove in Davao.

Titles to be disputed in a competitive but fun racing are the 6 to 8 years old (100- meter swim and 1-km run), 9-10 (150m swim and 1.5km run), 11-12 (200m and 1.5km run) and the 13-15 (250m and 2km run).

Also up for grabs in the event ushering in the much-awaited Alveo Ironman 70.3 Davao on Sunday are the mixed team relay trophies in the 6-10 (100m swim and 1km run) and 11-15 (200m swim and 1.5km run) categories.

The novel swim-run event drew a huge cast of participants after the organizing The Yeng Tupaz, Group/ Sunrise Events Inc. introduced new distances and added an extra year in the premier side to enable the 15-year-old campaigners to still join the event as part of their preparations for bigger competitions ahead.

The Yeng Tupaz, has provided the steady flow of triathlon talents while contributing to the growth of the sport. It has also helped develop values like discipline, sportsmanship and respect for others and at the same

IT’S MALIXI AT THE END OF THE DAY

bronze to Korean Hyunjo Yoo in the countback, and ending up tied at 13th in the Women’s Amateur Asia Pacific Championship in Singapore.

She also struggled in the first of the Ladies Philippine Golf Tour’s (LPGT) two-leg Visayan swing where she wound up a distant joint third at Marapara and appeared headed for another unsuccessful stint this week after trailing Uy by six with 18 holes left to play in the P875,000 championship. But after watching Uy fumble with a

triple-bogey mishap on the first hole, she knew she had a chance.

“I wasn’t really thinking about what the others were doing but heading to the last round, I knew I had a chance,” Malixi said. “I just had to play my shot the best way I know how and I think that was the key.”

Ikeda also waged her own battle from 12 strokes down in an earlier flight, producing a tournament-best 64, also in bogey-free fashion, but the reigning LPGT Order of Merit champion could only finish second at 213.

But Ikeda’s final round rally

UPERT ZARAGOSA shook

off a couple of frontside putting woes with a blistering backside charge for a new courserecord seven-under 63 to all but leave behind a stunned field with a whopping eight-stroke lead and wrap up a first championship in the International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) Iloilo Golf Challenge presented by MORE Power on Friday.

While Zaragosa remained one round away from ending a four-year search for a pro win, second-running and recent The Country Club Invitational winner Guido van der Valk had hinted at the improbability of overhauling such a huge deficit in the last 18 holes of the P2.25 million championship at the Iloilo Golf and “I don’t know if I have to shoot 8- or 9-under tomorrow to have a chance,” said Zaragosa, the hottest player on the Philippine Golf Tour (PGT) who also notched two victories last year.

“Even then, the way Rupert is playing, it might not be enough,” he said. “So I’ll just try to hit every shot as solid as I can and hope to hole some putts and see what happens.”

Zaragosa made things happen when things seemed

netted her the top P105,000 prize as Malixi, who swept all her three events in last year’s LPGT, took home the championship trophy.

“This win is huge because my mom is here, so then my coach-caddie [Rick Gibson], who was with me the past two weeks,” Malixi said “But the key was being consistent and trying to be patient all the way through.”

Sarah Ababa also fought back with a 69 to snare third place at 217 and pocketed P74,375 for the second straight week, while Pamela Mariano also closed out with a one-under card to tie Uy at 218. They split the

combined P114,625 prize.

Uy never recovered from a fiveover frontside and made another triple bogey on No. 11 then yielded three more strokes in the last four holes for a birdie-less 81. She tumbled to joint fourth.

Chanelle Avaricio and amateur

Mafy Singson matched 72s as they tied Harmie Constantino, who floundered with a 77, at sixth at 221 while Florence Bisera (77) and Sunshine Baraquiel (75) finished ninth and 10th with 222 and 223, respectively.

Malixi’s victory practically

mirrored Avaricio’s stirring fightback from eight shots down to edge Ababa by one in last week’s ICTSI Negros Occidental Classic at Marapara. But while it took Avaricio a closing evenpar round to pound out the comefrom-behind win, Malixi needed to gut it out and produce a string of birdies to overhaul a six-stroke deficit and re-set her title drive in motion.

A solid frontside assault that featured birdies on Nos. 4 and 7 and 8 for a 33, coupled with Uy’s faulty start and bogeys on Nos. 6 and 7, netted Malixi a huge eight-shot swing and the current toast of amateur golf took charge by two at the turn.

She remained in control despite a run of pars at the back as Ikeda, who sustained her four-birdie binge at the front with another birdie on the 10th, slowed down with seven straight pars before holing out with her sixth birdie.

“I didn’t feel any pressure at the back,” said Malixi, whose local and overseas campaign is backed by ICTSI, Sky Flakes, TaylorMade, adidas and Lola Nena’s. “I was just minding my own game and I was able to hit shots and place them on the right spots.”

Next stop for Malixi is a stint in Japan and the Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia in May.

Zaragosa books record 63, pulls away by 8 shots

to fall apart in moving day. Up by two over rookie Elee Bisera halfway through, he dropped shots after every birdie feat at the front for a 35, enabling at least seven rivals to stay in the hunt in hot conditions.

“I was shaky with my putting at first … I three-putted Nos. 3 and 5,” said Zaragosa, who birdied all the even-numbered holes but bogeyed three of the five odd-numbered ones. “But I recoved in the back nine.”

His backside run actually proved to be more than good as he birdied the first three holes then hit three more in the last five holes to spike a six-under 28 windup for a seven-under card and a 54-hole total of 14-under 196.

“The course isn’t easy at all, I was just fortunate that I got into excellent positions, especially on the greens,” said Zaragosa in downplaying his brilliant backside finish. But he does look forward to a completing a wire-to-wire triumphant campaign in the last of the two-leg Visayan swing of the circuit put up by ICTSI and organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments inc.

“I thought that being a four-year pro, I have sacrificed and worked hard a lot. I hope I get it tomorrow [Saturday],” said the former national champion, who lost in a five-man playoff in PGT Asia Pradera Verde leg won by Clyde Mondilla in 2020.

Van der Valk actually tied Zaragosa at the turn with a solid four-under 32, but while the latter sizzled in the last nine holes, the Manila-based Dutchman floundered, falling behind again with double bogeys on Nos. 11 and 13.

He birdied the last two holes to save a 36 but his 68 and a 204 kept him way off the runaway leader, whose 63 shattered the previous two-best 64s, including Angelo Que’s six-under feat in 2012. With a big lead and closer to a princely P405,000 purse, Zaragosa said he would still go for conservative play.

“I won’t think about the title, I’ll just have to make those cautious shots,” he said.

“The course is pretty much perfect for Rupert,” said van der Valk, who added he could’ve pulled within striking distance if not for his two bad shots that led to double bogeys.

“Those were just terrible (golf) shots. They cost me strokes but I played really good otherwise,” said van der Valk. “I’ll make some commitments to myself in some situations and try to stop every mistake I’ve been making this week. Other than that, I’ve got no

expectations for tomorrow. I’m so far behind, I’ll just try to hit some quality shots and make many birdies as I can.”

Tony Lascuña shot a 67 to move to solo third at 206, 10 strokes off Zaragosa, while Paul Echavez faltered with a 71 and slipped to fourth at 207, and Jay Bayron fired a 68 to tie Zanieboy Gialon, who also fumbled with a 71, at fifth at 208.

Michael Bibat likewise moved into contention with an eagle-spiked 32 at the front but stumbled with a triple-bogey on No. 11 and ended up with a 69 to drop to seventh at 209 while Bisera failed to recover from an error-filled frontside 42 and limped with a 76 to tumble to joint eighth with eight others at 211.

The other one-over par overall scorers were Elmer Salvador and Richard Sinfuego, who matched 68s, Dino Villanueva, Albin Engino, who put in a 69, Sean Ramos, who carded a 72, and Dino Villanueva, who hobbled with a 73.

Ira Alido, who rallied from eight shots down and nipped Lascuna by

time preventing gadget addiction among them and encouraging the children to live an active lifestyle.

Peter del Rosario and Celinda

Raagas led the roster of winners when the event marked its return at Vermosa Sports Hub in Cavite last October after the pandemic.

After the 5:50 a.m. briefing, the 13-15 bidders fight it out in the swim leg to be followed by relay 11-15 at

6:05 a.m., 11-12 swim and relay 11-15 at 6:15 a.m., 9-10 swim at 6:30 a.m., relay 6-10 at 6:35 a.m., 6-8 swim and relay 6-10 at 6:45 a.m. Meanwhile, the 18 pros, including 11 in the men’s side, are all primed for a grueling battle in the 1.9-kmswim, 90-km bike and 21-km run race powered by Petron, marking the return of the pro category in the Ironman series after the pandemic.

C-STAN PLAYS BIG FOR GINEBRA

By

Josef

Ramos

CHRISTIAN STANDHARDING -

ER again played big as expected in Barangay Ginebra

San Miguel’s 121-112 victory over San Miguel Beer in Game 1 of their Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup semifinals on Friday at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo City.

Standhardinger almost had the shaded lane all to himself and finished with 33 points with 10 rebounds and five assists.

But Standhardinger downplayed his explosive performance that again certified his front-running position in the race for the Best Player of the Conference award.

“It’s just building the connection I have with my teammates—Scottie

[Thompson] and Justin [Brownlee],”

Standhardinger said. “We just have to keep pushing and playing the best defense all the time.”

Without six-time Season Most Valuable Player June Mar Fajardo who’s nursing a bad knee, Standhardinger feasted on the Beermen’s weakened inside defense.

He scored nine points in each of the first three quarters and six points in the closing period for a 13 of 19 shooting—7-of-10 from the foul line—performance.

Jamie Malonzo scattered 27 points with three steals while Justin Brownlee erupted with 24 points, grabbed 12 rebounds, six assists, two steals and two blocks for the Gin Kings.

Reigning Most Valuable Player Scottie Thompson had 15 points,

seven rebounds and seven assists and rookie Jeremiah Grey added 12 points.  Ginebra was in control at the half, 62-47, and widened the gap to 21 points, 90-69, late in the third quarter.

The Gin Kings weren’t threatened the rest of the way.

The Gin Kings played inspired ball with point guard  LA Tenorio—diagnosed with Stage 3 colon cancer— cheering the team from the bench.

“It is a great honor that LA is with us and doing things he wants to do while he’s doing the things he needs to do,” Ginebra head coach Tim Cone said. “So I feel honored that he is spending this time with us.”

“He is so valuable and he’s been our leader,” Cone added. Cameron Clark scored 26 points and nine rebounds for San Miguel Beer.

RIANNE MALIXI sizzles in the heat and reigns in Iloilo with a closing round 66. ROY DOMINGO

OFFICIALS of the

organizing

The IRONMAN Group/Sunrise

Events Inc. (SEI)

and

the sponsoring Alveo Land Corp. pose during Friday’s medal presentation. They are (second from left) SEI president and general manager Princess Galura, Alveo Land general manager for Estates Wilfredo Teodoro, vice president of Ayala Land and Senior Estate Development head Yeng Tupaz, renowned Davao artist and medal designer Kublai Millan and Ironman managing director for Asia Jeff Edwards.

CHRISTIAN STANDHARDINGER continues to play a gigantic role for Ginebra.

RUPERT ZARAGOSA is one round away from ending a four-year search for a pro victory. ROY DOMINGO