Fines and imprisonment for three to six months await violators of the city’s Anti-Bullying Ordinance which got the nod of the Davao City Council on the third and final reading on Thursday.
Seventeen members of the Sangguniang Panglungsod voted for the ordinance, with two against and one abstention.
Proposed by Third District Councilor Lorenzo Benjamin “Enzo” Villafuerte, chair of the Committee on Civil, Political, and Human Rights for the 20th City Council, the ordinance covers the
punishment of offenders or those who bully in public areas, workplaces, and those who engage in cyberbullying.
The ordinance mandates minor offenders to undergo intervention and diversion program and those who are of legal age and who violate the ordinance will be penalized with P3,000 to P5,000
The City Government of Davao, through the City Information Office (CIO), on Thursday launched the Davao City Contact Center (DCCC).
pesos of fine and will be imprisoned for three to six months.
Under the said ordinance is the creation of a City Anti-Bullying Desk and Anti-Bullying Hotline to receive reports of bullying.
In July last year, in a privileged speech, Villafuerte said “the fact that bullying exists not just in the traditional school setting but has extended itself in the workplace and even in cyberspace suggests that there is nothing normal about it.”
FBULLIES, P10Bai Mariam Mangudadatu has objected to the appointment made by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., naming her as officer-in-charge of Maguindanao del Sur.
In a video, Mangudadatu said she had opposed the designation as she was already elected governor of the said province, adding that she assumed office and per-
formed functions in accordance with Republic Act 1550.
“With due respect Mr. President, I strongly object and oppose the aforesaid alleged oathtaking because I am the duly elected governor of the said province of Maguindanao,” Mangudadatu said.
“And that I have already assumed the office and performed
the functions as assumed governor of Maguindanao del Sur according to Republic Act 11550,” she added.
Mangudadatu said Vice Governor Bai Ainee Sinsuat also assumed the post as governor of Maguindanao del Norte, noting that Sinsuat’s assumption of office was proper and in accor-
Serving as the local government’s central hotline for inquiries and concerns, the contact center is in line with the city government’s “ongoing efforts to promote the active participation of citizens in the growth and development of the city.”
Thursday’s inauguration was attended by Mayor Sebastian Duterte, Vice Mayor J Melchor Quitain Jr., city councilors, department heads, DCCC staff, and other public officials.
Duterte, in his speech, said the contact center will be the perfect platform from which the government can listen to the voices of the citizenry and gauge the pulse of the people.
Duterte also told public officials in the local government to give weight to the issues and concerns of citizens.
CIO Officer-In-Charge Harvey Lanticse described the contact center as “an information gateway that will address general inquiries with regards to the services, programs, and policies of the City Government and its offices.”
“The DCCC shall become a platform of every Dabawenyo to report concerns and issues from their respective communities that require the attention of the government and other agencies,” Lanticse said.
The Davao City Contact Center currently has 36 team members and can be reached 24/7 by dialing 235-9999.
The DCCC can also be reached through the following mobile numbers:
0918-901-9991
0918-902-9991
0918-903-9991
0918-904-9991
0918-905-9991
0918-906-9991
0918-907-9991
0918-908-9991
Atotal of 3,992 out of 9,183 examinees passed the 2022 Bar Examinations, the Supreme Court announced on Friday.
In a press conference, Associate Justice Alfredo Benjamin Caguioa, the 2022 Bar chair, said this translates to a 43.47% pass-
ing rate.
Caguioa also announced the names of the examinees who obtained the 30 highest ratings. Caguioa said oath-taking for the successful examinees will be on May 2, 2023 at the Philippine International Convention Center.
The Davao City Health Of-
fice has announced that it will open a clinic dedicated to children under five years at the Sta. Ana Health Center on April 18, 2023.
CHO acting head Dr. Marjorie Culas, during the I-Speak Media Forum on Thursday, said that the clinic services include daily consultation from Monday-Friday, and immunization for children from Monday-Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday.
“It will be a new facility for Davao City and we will soon be making available our psychosocial counseling and weighing for our malnutrition program,” Culas said.
She added that the clinic is a centralized clinic and it is built as an additional option for parents to avail of health services for children under five years old. It can be noted that programs for under 5, especially immunization are already rolled out in every health center.
The putting up of this facility also helps in the immunization of children for various infections and diseases.
Culas said that children, especially in the hot summer season, are at risk of measles-rubella, which if not prevented could result in death as the worst-case scenario. Linked diseases with measles include diarrhea and pneumonia, and other infections. It may also aggravate tuberculosis, causes a weak immune system, and low vitamin A levels that can result in night blindness.
In a move to expand the protection of children from measles -rubella and polio, CHO will conduct next month a city-wide Measles Rubella and Oral Poliovirus Vaccine Supplemental Immunization activities to cover children who were not vaccinated during the height of the pandemic and also to provide supplemental vaccination to those who were already vaccinated.
The immunization activity is for children 0-59 months old for polio and 9-59 months for measles and rubella. A total of 160,000 children are targeted to receive the measles-rubella and polio vaccines. CIO
HolcimPhilippines is poised to partner with municipalities for its waste management services called co-processing.
Co-processing is the use of waste as a raw material or energy source or both, to replace natural resources such as coal, oil, and gas in industrial processes including cement, lime, steel, and glass.
In 2021, Holcim Philippines’ Geocycle waste management unit co-processed nearly 200,000 tons of biomass and industrial and municipal waste into alternative fuels and raw materials for cement production, a significant
increase over the previous year.
Riyann Moster, commercial manager of Geocycle, said they need to partner with the municipalities to segregate waste because not all wastes can be co-processed.
“We need partners that were about the segregation because there are materials that we could not co-process. If we have partners na mga municipalities that would do the proper segregation
that is the time that we could also ask them to support and partner with Holcim,” Moster said during Wednesdays at Habi at Kape media forum.
He said the partnership aims to increase awareness among municipalities on sustainable waste management.
“Before it (waste) goes to the landfill that’s where we entered yung tinatawag namin na co-processing technology. We want to expound na dapat makita muna natin na kung hindi na puwede ma-recycle or ma-reuse, the op-
The Philippine Red CrossDavao City Chapter announced on Wednesday that it has sufficient blood supply.
It can be recalled that the PNRC-Davao experienced a shortage due to the two-year Covid-19 pandemic.
“We are all aware that at the peak of the pandemic nawalan tayo ng supply. Sa ngayon we are good and we have lots of sup-
ply ngayon maraming supply ng blood sa Philippine Red CrossDavao City Chapter na blood center. Any blood products are readily available,” said Rizh Abellano, blood recruitment officer of the Philippine Red Cross-Davao City Chapter during Wednesdays Habi at Kape media forum at Abreeza Mall.
Abellano said this is due to the organizers who returned the
blood donation activities this year. He said some organizers have pre-scheduled up to the end of this year.
He is hopeful that it will continue for PRC-Davao to achieve the target number of 12,438 blood units to be collected for this year.
“We are catering patients not only here in Davao City but even
FRED, P10
Speaking at the Philippine economic briefing in Washington D.C. on Wednesday evening (Manila time), Balisacan said the Marcos administration is focusing on infrastructure development leveraging on the resources of the private sector through public-private partnership (PPP).
“The Marcos administration has aggressively pursued several
initiatives aimed at encouraging greater local and foreign investment and private sector participation in infrastructure development,” he said.
Balisacan said the government’s medium-term infrastructure program targets to spend 5 to 8 percent of gross domestic product (GDP).
In the Philippine Develop-
ment Plan 2023-2028, the administration identified 3,770 infrastructure priority programs and projects with estimated investment requirement of USD317.49 billion.
“To complement its resources, the Philippine government looks to the private sector and its development partners to finance its infrastructure drive,” he added.
The chief economist encouraged US firms to consider placing their investments in the 194 infrastructure flagship projects
FUS, P10Cebu Landmasters Inc. (CLI)
on Thursday said it could take up to three years before it joins the real estate investment trust (REIT) market, as it first tries to establish a track record for its hospitality business.
An executive of Ayala-led Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) discounts an increase in bad loans following the hikes in the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) key policy rates.
BPI president and chief executive officer (CEO) Jose Teodoro Limcaoco said there is no significant rise in non-performing loans (NPLs) as some borrowers just requested for longer payment terms for housing and automo-
tive loans, thus “affordability is still there.”
“We’re not seeing any rise in NPLs. People are very judicious about the use of credit, which is good,” he said in a press briefing Wednesday.
The BSP’s key rates have been increased by a total of 425 basis points since May 2022 to help address the elevated inflation rate and ensure healthy interest rate differential with the United
States.
Meanwhile, the bank has launched its upgraded banking app that will allow users to easily navigate, provides updated online processes, and will provide financial advice through artificial intelligence (AI) in the near term.
BPI platforms business head Fitz Chee said around 50,000 downloads have been recorded for the new app since February
FBANK, P10
CLI chief finance officer Beauregard Grant Cheng said the REIT could come by 2025 or 2026, as he said laws require an ideal track record of three years covering occupancy rates, average daily rates, and revenues.
“Once we’re able to develop those track records across several more properties, then that will prime us or give us, again, the foundational assets by which we can put them in REIT,” he told reporters.
Cheng issued a similar statement in August 2021, saying the company’s hospitality segment would first have to gain traction before entering the REIT market, providing diversification from those with assets mainly in the National Capital Region and in Luzon.
National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Secretary Arsenio Balisacan has urged American businesses to explore huge opportunities in the country’s infrastructure projects. F
The company is currently
building hospitality projects in Mactan, Cebu, Davao, and Bacolod, which are set to have the records needed to go into a REIT in the next three years.
“They would have had at least one to two years worth of track record, some a little bit more, so that already gives us the right momentum to maybe launch or announce, ‘Okay, now we’re doing it and we’re going to start doing the corporate maneuvers to transfer assets into a REIT vehicle,” Cheng said.
CLI opened its first development in September 2019, the Citadines Cebu City, a 180-room condotel operated and managed by Ascott International Management Pte. Ltd.
The company’s product portfolio also includes residential, office, and estate properties covering the high-end, middle, economic, and socialized housing segments, with the hospitality and mixed-use assets to be included in the REIT.
“Maganda ‘yung REIT, walang
The high-level meeting in Washington of Philippine and US foreign affairs and defense officials has also opened new channels for stronger bilateral trade and investment relations, Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo said Thursday.
Manalo thus remarked after he and Defense officer in charge Carlito Galvez met US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to boost the countries’ political and military engagement.
“The 2+2 meeting, which was the first to be held in seven years, opened new channels for improving the scale and depth of the bilateral partnership in trade and investments,” Manalo said in a statement.
He said the meeting gave due importance to the priority of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. “to modernize infrastructure, achieve food security and promote energy security while transitioning to clean energy.”
Manalo said the countries agreed to reinforce their partnership “with a new focus on a strong long-term economic partnership that has dividends for the Philippines’ upward economic trajectory as a middle-in-
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday assured the public that there would be no rice shortage in the country in the coming months.
come economy”.
“This refocusing takes into account the stakes of communities in the relationship, as well as our responsibilities with respect to climate change and environment,” Manalo said.
A joint statement was issued by the Philippines and the US following the meeting where they voiced their strong objections to the unlawful maritime claims, militarization of reclaimed features, and threatening and provocative activities in the SCS, including the recent attempts of the People’s Republic of China to disrupt the Philippines’ lawful operations at and around Second Thomas Shoal and the repeated massing of PRC maritime militia vessels at several sites within the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone.
China for its part, expressed “serious concern” and “strong dissatisfaction” over heir statements, saying it “distorts and smears China’s legitimate maritime law enforcement actions” in the disputed waters.
Apart from peace and security, other issues discussed in the meeting are climate-smart technologies and policies, climate
Marcos gave the assurance following his meeting with officials of the Department of Agriculture (DA) and National Food Authority (NFA) at Malacañan Palace.
He said the country’s rice supply situation is in “good shape”, as he noted that the government is implementing measures to control the price of rice.
“Hindi tayo magkukulang sa
bigas. At tinitingnan natin lahat ng paraan upang ang presyo ay ma-controlnatin at hindi naman masyadong tataas (We won’t have rice shortage. And we are looking at different ways to control the price so that it wouldn’t increase that much),” Marcos said in a video interview.
Under the DA 2023 supply outlook, the country’s total supply is at 16.98 million metric tons
(MMT), which is sufficient to cover this year’s demand estimated at 15.29 MMT.
Based on this data, the DA said the country would have an ending balance of 1.69 MMT, which is equivalent to 45 days of buffer stock, instead of the 90-day ideal buffer stock to stabilize the price of rice.
Marcos, however, pointed out that the NFA should build up its buffer stocks sourced from local farmers for now.
He also noted that while the
The International Monetary Fund’s upgrade on the Philippines’ growth outlook for 2023 proves that the country is in good shape, despite the projected slower growth globally, Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno said on Friday.
The IMF said the Philippines’ gross domestic product (GDP) could grow by 6 percent in 2023 from the previous 5 percent estimate. On the other hand, it downgraded the global growth outlook for the year to 2.8 percent from 2.9 percent.
“The IMF downgraded the global growth this year and
they are anticipating a slower growth for the next 5 years. But surprisingly they’ve upgraded the Philippines by 1 percentage point. We’re in pretty good shape compared to the rest of the world,” Diokno told ANC.
He said the Philippines should continue implementing measures to fight inflation. So far, inflation has eased for 2 straight months.
Diokno said global crude oil price seems unlikely to hit $90 per barrel again in the near term. Food remains as source inflation in the country, he added.
In terms of the effect of the global recession to the country, Diokno said the government is closely monitoring the actions of the US Federal Reserve.
Maintaining its current 125 basis points interest rate differential or at least 100 bps is crucial, he said.
“In our point of view, what matters is what will be the action of the Fed. Observe first and see whether the adjustments they have done are enough. We’re monitoring that because we want to maintain the interest rate differential between the US and the Philippines,” he said.
On Senate Bill No. 1183, otherwise known as the “Media and Entertainment Workers’ Welfare Act”, which if enacted into law, seeks to provide enhanced protection, security and incentives for media workers through additional health insurance package, overtime and night differential pay, and other benefits:
V. BACSAL General Manager / VP Operations JOCELYN S. PANES Director of Sales D. MARATAS Finance
Editorial Consultant
BILLACURA Sports Editor
PADILLO Senior Reporter
GREGORIO GARAY DELIGERO
“They provide news, entertainment, and other essential content we need to keep us posted on all the current events happening around us. In recognition of their invaluable contribution in society and the hazardous circumstances they are exposed to during crises, it is right and proper to recognize their hard work with just emoluments and added labor protection under the proposed measure.”
SEN. CHRISTOPHER
“BONG” GO
*******
Filipinos are a lot smarter than we ordinarily think, aren’t they?
We have an abundance of laws, edicts, statutes, EOs, IRRs, rules and regulations, etc. but some “creative” people find a way to spot loopholes and exploit these to their material advantage.
Over the years and decades, Pinoys have nurtured a culture of corruption in our bureaucracy such that they are able to skirt and go around the strictest rules and regulations in order to make a quick buck.
One of the most prominent easy money schemes that will not be forgotten in the annals of Philippine criminal history was the “Tanim Bala” plot at the NAIA.
Ironic that during that period so many people arriving and leaving at the NAIA were
victimized by the syndicate that fleeced them of thousands of pesos because they were at the mercy of the authorities who pounced on the unsuspecting and the ignorant, foreign travelers included.
Ironic still that the then chief of NAIA (general manager) was a retired general who failed to solve the exasperating problem until probes in the Senate and the House of Representatives pressured higher authorities to step in.
Paradoxical that very good and sound idea legislated into law for the benefit of the people - particularly the marginalized and the needy millions of poor Pinoys - is being punctured by clever and smart, corrupt and criminally-minded evil men and women who are tolerated by their superiors to do their thing as long as “everybody is happy.”
Take the “ayuda” subsidy plan. It was noble and great because it was primarily intended to assist the poor victims of the pandemic and COVID 19.
However, - and this is where
it goes awry - “geniuses” among those in the DSWD, PhilHealth, the LGUs and other agencies that want to dip their hands into the cookie jar, were able to discover a “route” by which they are able to partake a portion of the moolah.
And so, they went to the bank singing “Allelulia”!
A barangay kagawad was exposed and caught in the media but his case was not made prominently visible and we still do not know today if he was convicted and jailed.
So were the authors of the “Tanim Bala,”
This petty corruption and thievery makes every honest Pinoy puke.
They cannot believe that decades of leadership changes and kilometric promises of good government have not (or have failed) resulted into anything monumental in terms of transformation and nation-building.
Every administration has had its share of “ugly incidents” and the polarizing effects of a divisive form of government con-
Whenever the dry season months of March, April and May is around, I am thinking about a part of my life over 50 years ago when I was still an assistant correspondent of the former Philippine News Service (PNS) covering the two parts of Novaliches belonging to Quezon City and Caloocan City.
During that time, the La Mesa Dam and Reservoir in Novaliches, like the Ipo and Angat Dams in Norzagaray town of nearby Bulacan province, was often in the national newspapers and broadcast news because of its perennially receding water level due to the almost lack of rains during the so-called summer season.
PNS, by the way, was the predecessor of the present government-run Philippine News Agency (PNA) which was organized on March 1, 1973 and celebrated its golden anniversary this year.
Also at that time, Novaliches, despite being the site of the La Mesa Dam that stores and supplies water to the people of the then Greater Manila Area, was not being served by the National Waterworks and
tinue to bewitched this country that prides itself of the legacies of great heroes like Jose Rizal Andres Bonifacio, Gen. Antonio Luna, Apolinario Mabini, etc.
Are we missing anything?
The Philippines is much favored by God, the Almighty if you ask me.
We have unquantifiable natural resources from marine to mining, from the benefits of the sun and rain that enable our farmers to gather a rich harvest from their arable farm outputs.
This aplenty should make many of our neighbors in Asia and elsewhere envy us because they lack what we richly have.
But our country remains stagnant - poor even - compared to nearby countries like Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea and Taiwan which have made great leaps forward.
What gives?
I’d like to think that we are a race of intelligent and ingenious, honest and hardworking industrious people.
I believe we are all in agreement, aren’t we?
So, where is the problem?
What are the problems?
Who are the problems?
Is it political will? Is it leadership? Is it the system, the culture or racial identity and behaviour?
There seems to be a litany of reasons.
But Pinoys are torn apart by their fears.
For instance, they are scared of reforming the outdated 1987 constitution because the framers have been instilling in our minds that ruling political clans will only preserve their political dynasty and secured future by devising selfish schemes and insert them in a newly-crafted fundamental law.
Pinoys don’t seem to look at the positive side of things. Whatever one does, there is always a consequent reaction. But the better idea, the better concept always emerges successful in the end.
Do we Pinoys believe this? (Email feedback to fredlumba@ yahoo.com.) GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES!
Sewerage Authority (NWSA), precursor of the present-day Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System or MWSS.
As early as that time, whenever the dam’s water level dipped to as low as 65 meters, way below the normal level of 80 meters, the national government would order officials of the former Weather Bureau, Department of Agriculture and the Philippine Air Force to conduct cloud-seeding operations over the Novaliches watershed to produce rains that would boost the water level of La Mesa Dam.
Whenever it rained for at least 30 minutes over Novaliches, I would be rushing to La Mesa Dam, about eight kilometers from my residence, to check on whether there was any change or improvement in the dam’s water level.
Oftentimes, I would be dismayed by the information from the dam’s water level meter reader that there was no change in the inland lake’s water level. This was because there was no assurance that the rains produced by the rainmaking team would fall on the lake itself.
Sometimes, the rains would instead drench the communities surrounding the vast La Mesa watershed, including the former Novaliches town proper.
Nevertheless, I would have to write and submit a story about such development to the PNS editorial offices at the National Press Club (NPC) Bldg. in Intramuros, Manila, either personally or through telephone.
I was then under strict instruction that rainmaking operations done before sunset must be reported before 10 p.m. to be used by the morning papers and radio and television broadcasters the following day.
This instruction came not only from my editors then, but also from the two regular PNS correspondents for Quezon City and Caloocan City to whom I was attached as understudy for six months.
Conversely, a story on rainmaking operations conducted between midnight and dawn must be submitted not later than 10 a.m. of the same day for use by the afternoon papers, like the Daily Mirror of the old Manila Times, Evening News and the then Bagong Buhay and
Taliba.
Fortunately, with dedication and hard work, I managed to do the tasks assigned to me. In less than six months, I was made a regular staff member and later assigned as deskman at the editorial desk, where I stayed until the PNS was forced to cease operations due to the imposition of martial law nationwide by then President Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr. on Sept. 21, 1972.
After being jobless for three months, I was called by a group of former Manila newspaper editors for a series of meetings in January 1973 to discuss the possible formation of a new newswire outfit to replace PNS. Such meetings culminated in the negotiations for the acquisition of the idled PNS equipment to be used by the planned PNA.
The negotiations became successful and after approval by then Department of Public Information (DPI) Secretary Francisco S. Tatad, PNA finally began operating with an initial staff of 11, including this writer as national and provincial editor. I was chosen as such because of my experience as a former wire service agency staff
member.
Back to the La Mesa Dam, the people of Novaliches started enjoying the benefits of potable water service by the MWSS only in 1982, after they complained to President Marcos about the unreliable water supply system called deep wells in their community.
They made their complaint during a visit of Marcos to Novaliches in connection with the campaign for his Kilusang Bagong Lipunan (KBL) candidates in Metro Manila in the April 1978 Interim Batasang Pambansa (IBP) elections.
Meanwhile, the MWSS website said that the La Mesa Dam is an earth dam whose reservoir can hold up to 50.5 million cubic meters of water and occupies an area of 27 square kilometers in the northeastern section of Quezon City. It was built in 1929 under the supervision of the construction firm Pedro Siochi and Company.
It is part of the Angat-IpoLa Mesa water system, which provides most of the water supplies of Metro Manila and nearby provinces like Rizal and Cavite and a part of Bulacan.
“OBSTACLES
Five-star hotels are enclaves for people get the extra comforts you do not get from regular hotels. It is where guests are treated with lavish services and luxury accommodations.
Last month, media and influencers from Davao, Cebu and Manila including myself were lucky to be invited to travel to Cebu City and experience a 5-star accommodation at Fili Hotel, touted as the country’s first authentic Filipino brand 5-star hotel.
Located in Kawit Island, Fili Hotel is Robinsons Hotels and Resorts’ new brand of homegrown hotels flagship property at NUSTAR Resort and Casino.
Fili’s deluxe rooms boast a spacious and lush layout that is meant to provide relaxation and ultimate comfort that is perfect for both business and leisure travelers. Each room has a smart TV, high-speed internet access for multiple devices, 24-hour in-room dining service, a Nespresso coffee machine, minibar, an in-room safety deposit box, IDD telephone, and voicemail, and premium bath amenities which includes a detached bathtub for a relaxing experience.
But the best things for me were the incredibly comfy bed and the front-row picturesque view of the sea, mountain, and city skyline.
The lobby, hallways, and all 379 guest rooms and suites of Fili Hotel showcase local craftsmanship and celebrate artful pursuits through contemporary décor and Filipino accent pieces. Upon entering the reception lobby, guests will be greeted with the voluminous chandelier inspired by the sardine run.
I realized that luxury hotels often have a scent that is unique to their brand. From the moment we entered the lobby, we were greeted by the ambrosial scent of osmanthus (sweet fragrant flower) which wafts through the whole property.
Luxurious though but Fili also serves up exquisite Filipino cuisine representing the specialties of each
region in the country. We indulged in the Fili Breakfast, a uniquely Cebuano way to start the day with danggit (dried rabbitfish) and the well-loved chorizo de Cebu.
Guests can also feast on an extensive and scrumptious selection of local and international cuisines at Fili Café, or have a cup of coffee or a cocktail with their light bites of choice at the Fili Lobby Lounge.
Completing the luxe life is valet parking, limousine, and car rental services and guests can get around the city and neighboring destinations with the hotel’s chauffeurs in the comfort and safety of its luxury sedans and limousines.
This is what staycation is like when staying at a luxurious hotel. You will be provided with the highest level of comfort and service, from plush beds to gourmet meals.
My short but sweet stay in Fili was like experiencing a destination instead of just an accommodation. Staying in such opulence kept me smiling.
Fili is the first of three hotel towers to rise in NUSTAR, the pioneering integrated resort in Cebu and the rest of the southern Philippines. It will be home to exceptional hotel towers: NUSTAR Hotel, the only ultra-luxury hotel outside Metro Manila, and Fili, a 5-star hotel that boasts genuine Filipino hospitality.
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Your baby might be the next superstar that Pampers Philippines is looking for!
BREAKING NEWS: PAMPERS BABY IS MISSING?
“Are you willing to help us?” said Pampers Philippines in its official statement after its beloved baby suddenly vanished from the diaper brand’s social media posts.
Buzzing with excitement, intrigued moms instantly flooded Pampers Philippines’ comments section, sharing possible leads about #WhereIsPampersBaby.
A MASSIVE NATIONWIDE SEARCH: PAMPERS NEXT SUPERSTAR
In response to the “disappearance” of its beloved baby, the diaper brand has decided to launch a massive nationwide search -- that is, a talent search.
Dubbed “Pampers Next Superstar: The Search for the Philippines’s Coolest Baby,” the TikTok-led talent search is on a mission to discover the coolest baby who will star in Pampers Philippines’ next campaign.
The coolest baby is described as aged 6 months to 5 years old, exudes irresistible superstar charm, and was last seen wearing Pampers Aircon Pants.
Moms whose babies match
the above description are highly encouraged to join the auditions IMMEDIATELY. Here’s how:
1. Create your baby’s audition video using the official Pampers Next Superstar Audition TikTok Audio.
2. Make sure your baby
follows the directions and prompts of the casting director as heard in the TikTok audio.
3. At the end of the video, showcase your baby’s hidden unique talent.
4. Most important of all, make sure your baby is clearly
seen wearing Pampers Aircon Pants.
For the full mechanics, check out Pampers’s official social media pages.
THE COOLEST STAR FACTOR: PAMPERS AIRCON PANTS
Interested Moms will be happy to know that Mommy Viy Cortez has shared an important audition pro-tip. In a recent post, she has reminded her fellow mom followers to have their babies wear the diaper that will give the coolest star factor – Pampers Aircon Pants.
With 10 million breathable microholes, a 3-way fit for leakage prevention, and the ability to absorb up to 4 loads of water, Pampers Aircon Pants help babies feel up to five degrees cooler (vs. other diapers), keeping them feeling aircon-presko while staying active even amidst the country’s tropical weather.
So, make sure your baby is wearing Pampers Aircon Pants in your TikTok audition. For only babies with Pampers Aircon Pants can stay super cool during the auditions.
POWER PARENTS JOIN
THE NATIONWIDE TALENT SEARCH
The ongoing search for the coolest baby intensifies with an outpouring of support from the entire Pampers fans com-
munity. In TikTok and beyond, Power Parents have been sharing the call for audition submissions and encouraging their fellow parents to join.
Days only after the announcement, the talent search has already garnered an overwhelming number of entries. Proud moms were quick to join the auditions, brimming with confidence and certainty that their baby is the one Pampers has been looking for to star in its next campaign.
The future Superstar will also receive a year’s supply of Pampers diapers and a PHP50,000 cash prize. Meanwhile, runners-up will receive PHP 5,000 worth of ecomm vouchers.
So now, only one question remains:
COULD YOUR BABY BE THE ONE WE’VE BEEN LOOKING FOR?
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Villafuerte thanked his colleagues in the council as well as Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte and Vice Mayor J. Melchor Quitain, Jr. in their support of the ordinance.
dance with the law.
To recall, Marcos named Abdulraof A. Macacua and Mangudadatu as OICs of Maguindanao del Norte and Maguindanao del Sur , respectively.
It was former President Rodrigo Duterte who signed into law a bill seeking to divide Maguindanao into two provinces.
RA 11550 divided the province of Maguindanao into two distinct and independent provinces known as Maguindanao del Norte and Maguindanao del Sur.
Both provinces will have corporate powers and general powers that include having a common seal and having the power to create its sources of revenue and to levy taxes, fees, and charges among others.
Mangudadatu appealed to the President to read the law that created the new Maguindanao provinces.
“Umaapela ako sa iyo, mahal na Presidente. Maiksi lamang po, Republic Act 11550, Section 9... Actually, two pages lamang po iyan, mahal na Presidente, para hindi po kayo ma-mislead ng inyong mga tauhan,” Mangudadatu said. Mangudadatu said there was no vacancy “as to require the appointment of any person for the said position.”
“Instead, the President may only appoint new additional member of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Maguindanao del Norte and Maguindanao del Sur provided that it must be recommended by the governor and the congressman based by Republic Act 11550,” she said.
VisMin player na may REIT. Of course, Robinsons has, Filinvest, Ayala, but their properties are national,” chief operating officer Jose Franco Soberano said.
“I mean like ‘yun, walang hotel REIT, so baka ‘yun, maging REIT ‘yun. We’re exploring,” he added.
(REIT is nice, since there is no VisMin player with a REIT. Of course, Robinsons has Filinvest and Ayala, but their properties are national. I mean, there is no hotel REIT, so that might be a REIT. We’re exploring.)
CLI is set to open three hospitality projects this year — The Pad, lyf Cebu City at the Base Line Center, and Citadines Bacolod City. It also targets an additional 4,000 square meters of gross leasable area (GLA) mainly from its Davao Global Township retail pads and convention center.
The company currently has a pipeline of P29.75-billion worth of projects expected to drive reservation sales this year, with three hospitality projects to be opened in 2022 — The Pad, lyf Cebu at Base Line Center, and Citadines Bacolod City.
It already has existing projects in Bohol, Cebu, Davao, Misamis Oriental, Negros Oriental, and Negros Occidental.
Shares in CLI closed Thursday at P2.49 apiece, down P0.14 from Wednesday’s finish of P2.63 per share.
tion first is for Holcim to co-process or the Geocycle to do the co-processing. Ito yung residual wastes coming from the municipalities and from the industrial,” Moster said.
Holcim Philippines is a pioneer in using qualified wastes such as non-recyclable plastics and biomass as alternative fuels in cement manufacturing through co-processing technology since 2003. Qualified waste materials are pre-processed for conversion into alternative fuel and raw materials suitable for co-processing in cement kiln.
During co-processing, the mineral value inherent in the waste is recycled, while the energy value is recovered.
The technology is recognized worldwide and has been approved by the Philippine authorities for its proven environmental benefits and safety features.
nearby provinces and other regions. We are also sending blood units to Visayas and Luzon. Kaya nanawagan tayo sa ibang chapters na we are sending the blood units kung may nangangailangan doon sa kanila,” Abellano said.
Meanwhile, PRC is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year. In times of crises and disasters including typhoons, earthquakes, armed conflict, and disease outbreaks, the PRC has established itself as the most recognizable and trustworthy aid agency. It also helped in the reconstruction of homes and shelters that had been damaged or destroyed.
“In celebration 75th, PRC has been for the past 75 years on the forefront of serving the Filipinos who are in need,” said Derrick Tan, chairman of the board of PRC.
On April 15, 2023, PRC-Davao will be holding a Red Cross Day that will be highlighted with activities that include a mini bazaar and a demonstration on Hands-Only cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
FROM 5 government would still have to consider importation, the volume of rice allowed to enter the country has dropped significantly.
“Magpa-plano kami kung kailangan mag-import, kung kailangan magpahaba, magparami ng buffer stock sa NFA dahil masyado ng mababa. ‘Yun lang ang nakita naming problema, mababa ‘yung buffer stock ng NFA. (We are planning when to import, and when to buffer the stocks of NFA because it is very low. That’s the only problem that we see, the low NFA buffer stock),” he said.
He said the government will try to prevent the rise in rice prices if they try to increase the country’s rice stockpile.
“Kaya’t ‘yun ang hinahanapan namin ng paraan para i-adjust. Siguro ang magagawa natin ay ang pagbili ay hindi bigla. Hindi malaki. ‘Yun lamang. (We’re trying to find a way to adjust this. What we could probably do is to buy rice gradually. Not in bulk. That’s it). Also, you have to remember. This is agriculture, cyclical ito, by season ito,” he said.
The NFA is proposing the importation of 330,000 MT of rice to cover an expected deficit in the country’s buffer stock for the relief operations of various agencies in the event of calamities this year.
Agriculture officials said the proposed buffer stock of rice is equivalent to nine days of nation-
(IFPs) approved by the NEDA Board last month.
The IFPs require a total of USD165 billion in investments, which the private sector could participate.
“Most of these flagship infrastructure projects are in physical connectivity and water resources, as we are serious about creating a more competitive investment environment,” he said.
Balisacan further said the administration has made recent policy reforms that will encourage more investments in infrastructure sector, including the amendments to the implementing rules and regulations of the Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) law and the Public Service Act.
“Pursuing PPPs will allow the government to harness the private sector’s significant technological and management capabilities and financial resources,” he added. (PNA)
2022 after it was made available through the Google Play Store and the iOS App Store.
He encouraged the nearly 6 million clients who are enrolled in the digital banking app to download the upgraded app and expect these to be onboard by end-December this year.
He said BPI clients who are enrolled on the digital platform accounts for around 60 percent of their about 9 million clients, which shows that most of their clients have really shifted towards digital transactions.
Chee said some clients, both individual and corporate located both in Metro Manila and outside the National Capital Region (NCR), still prefer going to the branches to have physical transactions due to several factors, such as demographics and acceptance of technology.
“In BPI, we do a phygital (physical and digital) approach because we understand that there are some clients who may not be fully digital… they want to transact with a person, talk to somebody instead of doing it online,” he added. (PNA)
finance, green metals, clean energy transition and de-carbonization strategies, critical infrastructure, and new technologies for ecosystem management and biodiversity conservation.
Established in 2012, the 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue is a policy-level dialogue for advancing alliance-related priorities. It is co-chaired by the Secretaries of the Philippine Departments of Foreign Affairs and National Defense and the U.S. Departments of State and Defense.
The 2+2 was first convened on April 30, 2012. It was followed on January 12, 2016.
Dinner, awarding and raffle of prizes will follow at the Rancho Palos Verdes Clubhouse after the tournament.
For inquiries and other details, contact Wilson Obongen 09176550143 or Karl Moises 09173121887.
al consumption from July 2023 onwards and will ensure sufficient volume for calamity and relief requirements from July to December this year.
ing both of his two attempts before he was subbed out for good.
In the first game of Thursday action, Sanzar Pharmaceuticals scored its first win in the AsiaBasket event by taking down the MFT Fruitmasters, 75-73.
Sanzar survived an endgame slide as MFT, despite keeping it close this time after back-to-back blowout losses, still fell short.
Sanzar started the game on a good note and took a 23-16 lead at the end of the first quarter.
MFT would keep in step in the next two quarters, but Sanzar threatened to pull away after opening a 10-point margin, 74-64, with 4:34 left in the fourth.
MFT then went on a 9-0 run to trim the lead down to just one, 7473, with 12.5 seconds remaining.
Ronnie Zagala still kept the door open for MFT as he only made a from the line to up the lead to two with 8.2 seconds to go.
Andrei Montserrat opted to go for the win, but he missed a corner three just before time expired.
Shaq Alanes’ herculean efforts finally paid off as his 27 points alongside three rebounds, two assists, one steal, and one block were enough to lead Sanzar to the win after back-to-back losses to begin the team’s campaign.
Jeremiah Taladua added 15 points, two rebounds, two assists, three steals, and one block, while Arthuro Dimas came up with 13 points, nine rebounds, two assists, and one steal.
Hamadou Laminou had a quiet two points, three rebounds, two assists, one block, and two steals in his AsiaBasket debut, but his presence could be of good help as Sanzar needs to beat Harimau Malaysia soundly on Saturday to keep its playoff hopes alive especially if a three-way tie between them and Shawarma Shack for second place at 2-2 ensues at the end of the group stages.
Montserrat put up 17 points, one rebound, two assists, and two steals, although he too had seven turnovers as MFT was officially eliminated from playoff contention after falling to 0-3.
Edzel Mag-isa added a double-double of 13 points and 11 rebounds alongside three assists, but he was error-prone too with five turnovers.
On the other hand, MBC Kirin bounced back from a tough defeat against San Beda-Machateam with a 112-95 rout against the BGC Builders.
In the high-scoring battle that even saw both teams scoring more than 30 points at the end of the first quarter, MBC surged ahead in the third quarter after outscoring BGC, 32-20, to open a 93-74 lead entering the fourth.
MBC stretched its lead to as high as 22 points, 107-85, with 2:43 left before settling for the 17-point winning margin.
William
Vedder Freeman fin-ished with a triple-double of 23 points, 13 rebounds, and 10 assists to lead MBC, which finished its elimination round campaign at 3-1.
Lai Kok Weng also tallied 23 markers behind 9-for-15 field goals including 5-of-8 on threes along with one rebound, two assists, and one steal.
Patrick Cabahug put up 22 points, five rebounds, one steal, and one block, Tosh Sessay added 21 points, 11 rebounds, and three assists, and Martin Gozum contributed 20 points, eight rebounds, three assists, and one steal for BGC, which fell to 1-2.
MBC now begins a waiting game on whether it will make the semis especially when the Kuala Lumpur Aseel returned to action with a huge win against the erstwhile unbeaten San Beda Red Lions.
KL survived a double-overtime thriller to beat San Beda-Machateam, 108-106, in the main game.
The Aseel appeared to have won it in regulation after Joshua Gan and Louie Sangalang hit back-to-back triples to go up, 8784, with 15.4 seconds left in the fourth quarter.
However, Red Lion Jacob Cortez forced an 87-all deadlock with a three-pointer of his own with 9.8 seconds even as Jalen Robinson missed two layups on the other end that could have preserved the victory for the Aseel before the final buzzer.
In the first overtime, Cortez once again willed San Beda-Machateam as he went on a personal 7-2 run to force the second extension at 96-all even as Gan could not win it outright anew for KL at the final horn.
The Red Lions were on track of winning it after taking a 106103 advantage with 1:08 to play, but Robinson caught fire with five straight points including the go-ahead layup with 6.5 seconds left.
Robinson could have stretched the Aseel’s lead further only that he couldn’t finish the three-point play, but they eventually escaped as Cortez missed the potential game-winning three for the Red Lions in the final play.
Robinson finished with a rare 50-20 double-double of 55 points and 24 rebounds with four assists and one steal for KL, which moved up to 1-1 in Group B play.
Sangalang added 16 points, seven rebounds, two assists, two blocks, and three steals, while Gan chipped in 13 points, two rebounds, and three assists. Cortez ended up with 33 points, four rebounds, one assist, and one block, while Damie Cuntapay chipped in 22 points, seven rebounds, two assists, and one steal, and Yutien Andrada had 13 points, 10 rebounds, two assists, and three steals for San Beda-Machateam, which dropped to 2-1.
Aferocious Barangay Ginebra side went on a hot shooting night in Game 3 of the 2023 PBA Governors’ Cup finals turning back TNT, 117103, on Friday at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
It was a different Barangay Ginebra squad this time from the team who went on an anemic shooting in the loss in Game 2.
Justin Brownlee, Jamie Malonzo, and Stanley Pringle led a critical 14-2 run that turned Game Three into a rout in the final period as the Gins grabbed a 2-1 advantage in the best-of-seven finals series.
Brownlee recovered from
his worst shooting performance of his PBA career by finishing with 29 points on 11-of19 shooting from the field. He capped that run with a three, his third of the game, to enable Ginebra to take a 105-94 lead after going 0-of-5 from the out-
side in Game Two.
Malonzo added 27 points including 6-of-9 from threes, while Pringle had 22 points on a perfect 6-of-6 shooting from the perimeter in the victory.
In total, Ginebra nailed 18 threes in Game Three.
KUALA LUMPUR — A semifinal spot in the Sportsclick AsiaBasket International Championship was formally clinched on Thursday night after the College of Saint Benilde (CSB) Blazers beat Shawarma Shack Pilipinas at the MABA Stadium here to stay unbeaten in Group A action.
CSB continued its mastery so far in the tournament with a 7968 win against Shawarma Shack in the third of four games that took place during the day. CSB dominated Shawarma Shack in the first quarter and entered the second period ahead, 23-13.
Shawarma Shack slowed CSB a bit in the second quarter and entered halftime just down seven, 28-35.
CSB then pulled away for good in the second half, erupting for 29 points in the third quarter to enter the fourth with a 64-48 before extending it to as high as 21, 73-52, midway through the final frame.
Shawarma Shack finished the game strong but only to cut the winning margin to a more respectable one.
Miggy Corteza continued to make a case for the AsiaBasket Most Valuable Player award as he led CSB, now 3-0 in the standings, with 18 points on 8-for-13 shooting, seven rebounds, and two assists.
Migs Oczon added 13 points, four rebounds, five assists, and five steals, while Zenric Jarque and Robi Nayve each had nine markers off the bench.
CSB is to play Harimau Malaysia on Friday night for a chance to sweep Group A play.
Mike Harry Nzeusseu towed Shawarma Shack, which dropped to 1-2, with 23 points, 23 rebounds, two assists, two blocks, and one steal.
Ken Bono, who has been Shawarma Shack’s consistent player offensively, was held scoreless in the first 3:27 of the game, miss-
BY CHITO MALABANAN
As the summer heat is getting more intense in the fairways, a different kind of tournament is cooking at the Rancho Palos Verdes Golf and Country Club -- a competition that puts premium on friendship where teamwork will be tested and patience measured to its threshold.
Presenting, the Rancho Palos Verdes Best Ball Scramble golf team competition set April 29,2023 at the scenic Cabantian layout known for its rolling terrain, treacherous ditches and island green.
Each team shall play the front nine using the Best Ball format and the back nine shall be played using the alternate shot or One ball twosome. A team can be composed of all men, all ladies and mixed men and ladies.
“We will be using the Molave scoring system (pick up after double bogey) format with Shotgun start at 7am . Men’s will be using the White Tees while the Ladies will tee off at the Red Tees. Teams shall be classified into three divisions namely, Division A (0-9 handicap), B(10-15) and C (16 and above),” said tournament director Tommy Inigo during his guesting at the DSA Sports Forum in SM Annex Ecoland.
“Please be advised further
that individual handicap will be based on April 1, 2023 WHS record but will be pegged at 27 for the maximum. Three fourth of each golfer’s WHS handicap will be the basis in the computation for team handicap,” Inigo added.
“We are expecting about 100 team participants to vie for the prizes to be awarded to the Team Champion, Team 1st runner up and Team 2nd runner up for each Division, aside from the Overall Team Champions” said Inigo who is also the RPV golf course manager.
There will be Hole in One prizes on all Par 3’s. Prizes are to be announced later.
Registration fee is peg at 4,000 for each team inclusive of the Green Fee ,fairway snacks, dinner buffet and raffle ticket .An additional amount will be collected later for the mulligan, one each for (front and back) during the tournament .