STARRY... FROM

12

M. Padillo

SM... FROM 8

insurance packages, gadgets, and a 4K smart TV were given away to winners.

The event was capped off with a dance number to Ronnie Lee’s song “Natatanging Nilalang” performed by children with Down Syndrome. Composed with a fondness for those who have the condition (he himself has a nephew who has Down Syndrome), Lee’s song highlights all the characteristics that make these individuals special, and is one of empowerment not only for them, but also for their loved ones.

Happy Walk for Down Syndrome is a yearly event that gathers persons with Down Syndrome and their loved ones into a day-long family-oriented event filled with fun activities and entertainment. Held every February as part of the celebration of National Down Syndrome Consciousness Month, it aims to promote awareness and better understanding of those living with the condition.

“This SM Cares Program on Disability Affairs is something that is etched already in our business. We don’t just do programs for short-term. If we may mention, this is our 16th year of partnership with DSAPI,” Mateo said. “We are not doing this just for fun. We are

FROM 3 doing this because we believe this is the right thing to do.”

“This does not come as a surprise anymore — a tactic is taken from a playbook familiar to many Filipinos. PISTON is an organization with leaders and some members poisoned by the ideologies of the bankrupt Communist Party of the Philippines, the National Democratic Front of the Philippines, and the New People’s Army. And happily cavorting with PISTON and other militant organizations is ACT, a group that is diametrically nowhere near in the service of the interest of the learners and the education sector,” she said.

Duterte also reacted to ACT’s challenge that she should quit hiding behind red-tagging.

“This is not red-tagging. This is a statement of fact. Meanwhile, the progress and future of our learners cannot be left to the whims of organizations acting on bare selfish motives. Magkaroon man ng tigil pasada, walang tigil sa pag-aaral ang mga kabataan,” she said.

Meanwhile, the regional office of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB 11) announced that transport groups in Davao Region manifested that they will not participate in the one week scheduled nationwide transport strike.

In a Facebook post, LTFRB 11 stated that all transport cooperatives and corporations in Davao Region expressed their strong support for the implementation of the PUVMP.

“In a signed, unified statement, the transport entities pronounced their appreciation of PUVMP, soundly recognizing its goals and objectives to transform the nation’s public land transportation landscape for the better,” the statement said.

On the other hand, Anakbayan Southern Mindanao Region (SMR) held a protest in Davao City in solidarity with the national transport strike on Monday.

Anakbayan SMR organized a picket in Davao City alongside other progressive groups to protest the government’s efforts to push through the Omnibus Franchising Guidelines (OFG), also known as the DOTR Department Order 2017011, and its other related LTFRB Memorandum Circulars, which hinder drivers and operators from combining their franchises with investors to privatize public utilities and services.

Happy Walk is just one of the many ways SM Cares is supporting the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, particularly “SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities.”

Other PWD-friendly initiatives from SM Cares include the annual Angels Walk in partnership with Autism Society Philippines, held every January in celebration of National Autism Consciousness Week; the annual Sensitivity Training for Customers with Different Needs, which educates mall staff and security personnel on how to care for PWDs; and the annual Emergency Preparedness Forum which educates PWDs and senior citizens on what to do during emergencies.

SM Cares is the Corporate Social Responsibility arm of SM Supermalls, with programs that support communities, promote social inclusion, and care for the environment. Aside from the program on PWDs, its advocacies include Programs for the Environment, Women & Breastfeeding Mothers, Children & Youth, Senior Citizens, and the SM Bike-friendly initiative.

To learn more, visit www.smsupermalls.com/smcares.

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READING BELOW ↓

PHOTO BY: AP

Green, the second overall pick in the 2021 draft, needed just three quarters to notch his 11th game this season with at least 30 points. He watched the fourth quarter from the bench with the game well in hand.

Kevin Porter Jr. added 19 points with a season-high 13 assists for the Rockets in his third game back after missing 20 with a bruised toe.

Everyone in Houston’s starting lineup scored at least 10 points.

“We have an unselfish group,” Silas said. “We have a group that wants to do the right things. We’re just young, which gets in our way sometimes.”

Houston was up by 10 with about nine minutes left in the third quarter before using an 8-2 run, with dunks by Kenyon Martin Jr. and Green, to make it 87-71. Johnson had turnovers on consecutive possessions in that stretch to power the run.

Devonte’ Graham had all of San Antonio’s points in a 5-2 spurt after that. But the Rockets scored the next 10 points, capped by two 3-pointers from Green, to push the advantage to 99-76 with four minutes left in the third.

FUJIFILM... FROM 8

photography the company has introduced mirrorless cameras in the Philippine market through Fujifilm X series camera. Mirrorless has the same creativity and image quality of a DSLR but are smaller and has a lighter body that’s easier to use. It is great for travel, blogging, vlogging, and capturing everyday memories. It also offers interchangeable lenses.

The company launched in November 2022, Fujifilm X-T5, the latest mirrorless camera in its award-winning X-series. Fujifilm X-T5 offers a unique shooting experience with its latest sensor, fast processor, and advanced autofocus system. It has a lightweight body and analog dials that provide a unique and authentic shooting experience.

“Our goal is to be able to let more people try our cameras and lenses. We want people to think that the Fujifilm GFX/X-Series is a compact yet advanced and reliable system that allows them to create beautiful images and videos. We also want them to think that the GFX/X-Series is an extension of their creativity – a tool that realizes their creative vision,” said Uehara.

Fujifilm instax continues to be one of the leaders in the instant camera industry around the globe due to its popularity especially with Millennials and Gen Z. instax is easy to use, making it perfect for capturing life’s special moments. It also offers creative ways for users to customize their prints and share them with friends and family. With just a press of a button instax can instantly capture a moment in seconds with high quality prints.

DAVAO’S... FROM 3

According to the briefer released by KMU, the present Constitution restricts foreign ownership of businesses, including public utilities and natural resources, to 40% and the 60% must be owned by the Filipinos.

It said amendments would also allow foreigners to lease more than 1,000 hectares for 25 to 50 years. Under the current charter, the group said it only allows foreigners to lease not more than 1,000 hectares for the same period.

In a press release, Beverly Gofredo, spokesperson for Anakbayan-Southern Mindanao Region, said charter change is “just a way for the Marcos-Duterte regime to intensify their corruption and dictatorship, as they continue being a slave of the imperialist countries and bureaucratic capitalism.” (Antonio L. Colina IV / MindaNews) nosa and Nonito Donaire Jr. (boxing), Paeng Nepomuceno and Bong Coo (bowling), the late Lydia De Vega (athletics) and Efren “Bata” Reyes (billiards) were also named Athlete of the Year three or more times.

De Vega was inducted into the PSA Hall of Fame in recognition of her astounding achievements in and out of the country.

De Vega’s bosom buddy, Elma Muros-Posadas, the undisputed long jump queen of Philippine athletics, received the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Tennis player Alex Eala was bestowed the PSA President’s Award while presented with the Major Awards are Carlos Yulo (gymnastics); EJ Obiena (athletics); Philippine women’s football team; Carlo Paalam (boxing); Meggie Ochoa and Kimberly Anne Custodio (jiu-jitsu); Junna Tsukii (karate); Rubilen Amit, Carlo Biado, and Johann Chua (pool); Vanessa Sarno (weightlifting); Jovelyn Gonzaga and Sisi Rondina (volleyball); Esports organization Blacklist International; and jockey Jessie Guce and champion horse Boss Emong.

Aside from the Tony Siddayao Awards, PSA Special Awards and the Lifetime Award in sports journalism, the PSA also gave citations to the gold medal winners in the 31st Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Vietnam.

Other individuals cited outside of the SEA Games gold medalists are Chezka Centeno, Marie Antoinette San Diego, Efren Bagamasbad, Ronald Lomotos, Philippine Navy Standard Insurance, Philippine pencak silat team, Letran Knights basketball team, Joyce Reboton, Dottie Ardina, Rianne Malixi, Kaizen dela Serna, Andrico Mahilum, Mark Julius Rodelas, and Sandi Abahan.

Entities with the same award are the Philippine National Volleyball Federation, and the Bases Conversion and Development Authority.

Receiving the Special Awards are Tolentino (Executive of the Year), Samahang Weightlifting ng Pilipinas (National Sports Association of the Year), Scottie Thompson (Mr. Basketball), Sarina Bolden (Ms. Football), and Diaz (Milo Champion of Grit and Glory).

The Lifetime Award in Sports Journalism were given to former editors Recah Trinidad, Ding Marcelo, Jun Engracia, Al. S Mendoza, Eddie Alinea and Percy Della, while late sports editors Joe S. Antonio and Ernesto Gonzales were honored with the PSA Special award.

Della and Alinea were the first sportswriters of the Philippine News Agency (PNA) in 1973, along with Ding Micua of PNA Dagupan.

PINOYS... FROM 5

human rights, good governance, and the environment, the Office of the Press Secretary said in October.

Pascual said he has met with EU Commission officials to discuss the renewal of the GSP+

The ICC recently reopened a probe into the previous administration’s war on drugs.

Pascual said he would “leave matter to the Department of Justice” and “focus on the [DTI] mandate.”

“I went to Brussels to meet with 2 committees, I met the EVP of the European Commission and discussed the Philippines with respect with the 27 conventions to go with our GSP+ preferential treatment. We had a very pleasant discussion,” he said.

“During the recent visit of our European Parliament, I told them these things, in any case with or without GSP+, good governance, moving towards e-government. We rely on our courts to dispense justice in the Philippines, we handle our labor relations quite well,” he added.