By Charles Dantes, Maricel Cruz, Rex Espiritu and Rosas Olarte
PRESIDENT Marcos suspended classes and government work across the capital for a second day today (Tuesday) as Typhoon “Enteng,” which hit parts of Luzon and Metro Manila yesterday, and the enhanced southwest monsoon or “habagat” are expected to dump more rains within the next three days.
“We're closely monitoring the weather and the flooding, but the main concern right now is the strong winds,” President Marcos said, noting that the storm is expected to strengthen as it crosses Cagayan province and moves north.
Memorandum Circular No. 63, which was signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, confirmed today’s class and government work suspension in Metro Manila and Calabarzon.
"The suspension of work for private companies and offices is left
By Charles Dantes, Rex Espiritu, Vince Lopez, Joel Zurbano and Rio Araja
FLOODS and landslides killed 11 people after a fierce tropical storm and the enhanced southwest monsoon dumped heavy rain in parts of Luzon and Visayas for a second day, officials said Monday.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development said the two weather disturbances so far affected at least 6,052 families or 24,043 individuals across 76 barangays in Bicol, Central Visayas and Eastern Visayas.
Tropical storm “Enteng” brushed past the Bicol region overnight Sunday before making landfall in Casiguran, Aurora yesterday.
The state weather bureau PAGASA warned intense rainfall may persist as
By Rachelle Tonelada and Rex Espiritu
11 dead as ‘Enteng’ lashes Luzon, Visayas
but suggested that taking a tougher military stance is no longer out of the question.
The Philippine government may again seek international adjudication for dealing with China’s unabated aggression in the West Philippine Sea
Irregularity
By Charles Dantes
On one hand, Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Enrique Manalo said his office may soon file another arbitral case against Beijing after a Chinese Coast
(WPS)
Guard (CCG) vessel intentionally rammed the Philippine Coast Guard’s (PCG) BRP Teresa Magbanua at Escoda Shoal on Saturday.
“We have made the necessary approaches to China in terms of contacting
eyed in P8b bidding of DepEd laptops
By Vince Lopez and Macon Ramos-Araneta
AS the hunt for
By Maricel V. Cruz
HOUSE Assistant Majority Leader and Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Jil Bongalon on Monday exposed what he described as a “conspiracy” behind the bidding of P8 billion worth of laptops and other related equipment for public schools during the time of Vice President Sara Duterte as Department of Education (DepEd) secretary. Bongalon made the revelation in the course of the House Committee on Appropriations hearing on the P793.18-billion proposed budget of the DepEd for next year.
At the start, Bongalon, a vice chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations, told new DepEd Secretary Juan Edgardo Angara that he may not be able to answer his questions as
Marcos calls for peaceful, credible Bangsamoro elections in 2025
By Charles Dantes
PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos on Monday called on all parties in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) to work towards peaceful, orderly, and credible first Bangsamoro elections next year.
“The forthcoming election is an important reminder not only of the democracy that empowers us to mold our destinies, but also of the visionaries who paved the way for the free-
11 dead...
From A1
the storm moves toward the West Philippine Sea by Thursday.
PAGASA data showed Daet, Camarines Norte received 258.9 mm amount of rainfall from 8 a.m. of Sept. 1 to 8 a.m. of Sept. 2, or equivalent to 30 days of rainfall.
“Enteng” dumped at least 210.5 mm of rainfall in Alabat, Quezon for the same period, equivalent to 24 days of rainfall; while Infanta, Quezon received 216.0 mm of rainfall in a day, or equivalent to 27 days of rain. Tanay, Rizal got 167.3 mm of rainfall in just a day, equivalent to 12 days of rain.
PAGASA said the “habagat” could bring “strong to gale-force gusts” over Ilocos Region, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, Zambales, Bataan, Aurora, Bulacan, Metro Manila, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol Region, Western Visayas, Negros Island Region, Northern Samar.
Marcos...
From A1
to the discretion of their respective heads," the memorandum read.
The President likewise reminded LGUs they can decide on school and work suspensions, depending on their local conditions as he urged concerned agencies to post bulletins and advisories much earlier.
"We'll try to release the bulletin as early as possible regarding work and school. My instruction to them is to inform us, if possible, before we go to bed, so people can know if there's work or school and adjust according-
PH... From A1
them through various means to express our complaint and displeasure at what happened. And not only that, our concern about rising tensions over what was basically just innocent movement by Philippines vessel,” Manalo disclosed.
On the other hand, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) announced on Monday that its air and naval presence at Escoda Shoal will increase in response to the growing number of Chinese ships in the coveted water feature.
In an interview, Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, the Philippine Navy Spokesperson for the WPS, said this move is intended to support law enforcement operations of BRP Teresa Magbanua, which has been stationed at the shoal since April.
"That Filipino ship is standing guard alone there because there are reports of crushed corals being piled there. We are making sure that this event is not a manmade one so that's why we are maintaining a presence. So far, our Coast Guard is there. The Navy and the Air Force have increased their patrols, by sea and air," he added.
Trinidad, however, noted that there is currently no need to deploy additional assets to Escoda Shoal.
As of Sunday, Trinidad reported that there are three CCG vessels, two People's Liberation Army-Navy ships, one Chinese hospital ship, one research vessel, and 47 maritime militia boats positioned around BRP Teresa Magbanua.
China’s apparent attempt to run the Philippines out of its own Exclusive Economic Zone came after Manila and Beijing agreed to de-escalate tensions in the disputed waters.
As this developed, the Group of Seven (G7) countries and other allied states have expressed support for the Philippines amid China’s belligerent posturing in the WPS.
In a statement, US State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller recounted multiple incidents throughout August
dom that we [all] relish today,” the President said during ceremonies marking the 28th anniversary of the 1996 Final Peace Agreement with the Moro National Liberation Front
“A minimal to moderate risk of storm surge may occur in the next 48 hours in the low-lying or exposed coastal localities of Batanes, Cagayan, Isabela, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, and Aurora,” PAGASA said.
PAGASA likewise warned another tropical cyclone is likely to develop and enter the Philippine area of responsibility next week.
A tropical cyclone-like vortex (TCLV) may develop over the eastern portion of its monitoring domain with a “high likelihood” of developing into a tropical cyclone.
On Monday, three people, including a pregnant woman, were killed in a landslide in Antipolo, city information officer Relly Bonifacio said.
He said the bodies of four other people, all drowning victims, were recovered Monday in three other areas of the hilly community, hours after creeks overflowed overnight.
Naga City in Bicol was also hardhit, with a man electrocuted as floodwaters rose and a baby girl drowned,
ly," Mr. Marcos said. Mr. Marcos also called on national agencies, local government units, and the public to remain vigilant.
As this developed, Social Welfare Assistant Secretary for Disaster Response Management Group Irene Dumlao said the agency is continuously producing family food packs to ensure immediate replenishment and availability of food and non-food items for the affected residents.
The DSWD initially provided P410,000 worth of aid for their ongoing relief operations.
“Other DSWD FOs (field offices) are on standby for possible augmen-
2024, where the People’s Republic of China (PRC) aggressively interfered with lawful Philippine aerial and maritime operations in the South China Sea, particularly around Sabina Shoal.
“The PRC’s unlawful claims of “territorial sovereignty” over ocean areas where no land territory exists, and its increasingly aggressive actions to enforce them, threaten the freedoms of navigation and overflight of all nations,” Miller recounted.
He reiterated the United States’ unwavering commitment to the Philippines, reaffirming that Article IV of the 1951 United States-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty “covers armed attacks on Philippine armed forces, public vessels, or aircraft—including those of its Coast Guard—anywhere in the South China Sea.”
The European Union (EU) also released a statement supporting the Philippines, denouncing the incident as an “endangerment to the safety of life at sea” and a violation of the right to freedom of navigation and overflight, rights that all nations are entitled to under international law.
“The EU condemns all unlawful, escalatory and coercive actions that undermine these principles of international law and threaten peace and stability in the region. The European Union calls for de-escalation of tensions, and remains committed to supporting its partners seeking to exercise their legitimate rights, in the region and beyond,” EU emphasized.
Japan, South Korea, France, Australia, and New Zealand jointly called for respect for international law, including the UNCLOS, and adherence to the 2016 Arbitral Award.
“Another unacceptable development around Sabina Shoal. Any harassment & actions which increase tensions or obstruct freedom of navigation are not tolerated,” the Japanese Embassy in the Philippines said in an X post.
“This latest incident, with a CCG vessel ramming a Philippine vessel, is profoundly troubling and fits a recent pattern of dangerous and destabilizing actions in the region,” New Zealand declared.
(MNLF) and the National Peace Consciousness Month.
Mr. Marcos, moreover, vowed to implement all signed peace agreements with rebel groups across the country, emphasizing the administration's commitment to lasting peace and development.
“Rest assured that you can depend on this Administration to implement all signed peace agreements for the security, [the] inclusive progress, and stability not only in Mindanao but throughout [our] country,” he said.
rescuers said.
"The floods were above head height in some areas," Joshua Tuazon of the city's public safety office told AFP, adding that hundreds of residents have been rescued.
Two landslides killed two people and damaged five houses in the central city of Cebu on Sunday, the local disaster office there told AFP.
The Philippine Coast Guard said more than 2,400 people were stranded across different ports in the Southern Tagalog, Bicol, and Eastern Visayas regions.
Ferry services in affected areas were suspended and 29 domestic flights cancelled due to the weather.
Water elevation of the country’s eight major dams remained stable with still no threat of overflow as of Monday afternoon, the state weather bureau said.
Earlier in the day, PAGASA warned the La Mesa Dam in Quezon City could overflow if the torrential rains continue, threatening to affect low-lying areas in
tation. We ensure that all our offices are ready to provide assistance as the need arises,” Dumlao said.
At present, there are more than 1.74 million boxes of family food packs and P1.21 billion worth of nonfood items available in the DSWD’s National Resource Operations Center (NROC) in Pasay City, the Visayas Disaster Resource Center (VDRC) in Cebu City, and several FOs.
In Bicol, the local Office of Civil Defense said the storm forced some 1,379 families to leave their homes as the typhoon swept through the region over the weekend.
The Philippine Coast Guard-Bicol also reported at least 978 passengers
Quiboloy...
From A1
declined to provide details, citing the need to protect the integrity of their operation.
Meanwhile,Vice President Sara Duterte expressed support for members of KOCJ, which celebrated its 39th anniversary on Sept. 1.
Duterte, who is in Davao City, also said Quiboloy was no longer in the KOJC compound but in “heaven.”
Dela Rey also denied reports that police were planting evidence or bringing explosives into the KOJC compound without undergoing proper scanning procedures.
“With or without scanners, we will not bring in anything to plant evidence. Any materials brought inside are used solely to aid in the search for Quiboloy,” she said.
“Rest assured, we will uphold human rights and exercise maximum police tolerance. There are no explosives being brought inside.”
She also advised KOJC members that protests outside the compound are not the appropriate means to prove
Palace...
From A1
administration and the Communist Party of the Philippines-New Peoples’ Army (CPP-NPA) have agreed to work towards a peaceful resolution to the over 50-year-old armed conflict.
In November 2023, Special Assistant to the President Antonio Ernesto Lagdameo and National Democratic Front (NDF) member Luis Jalandoni signed a joint communique to kick-start formal discussions.
Julieta de Lima-Sison, widow of CPP founder Jose Maria Sison, is reportedly the counterpart negotiator of the NDF. They agreed to explore ways to address the root causes of the conflict,
He cited the ongoing peace processes with groups like the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and KAPATIRAN, and urged stakeholders to ensure the peace during the first Bangsamoro election next year.
The 1996 Final Peace Agreement, which follows the 1976 Tripoli Agreement, integrates MNLF members into the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police, while also supporting communitylevel interventions to deliver peace dividends.
parts of Metro Manila. As of 2 p.m. yesterday, the water elevation of Angat Dam was at 185.59 meters against its normal high water level (NHWL) of 210 meters; Ipo Dam at 101.08 meters vs. the 101 NHWL; La Mesa Dam at 80.92 meters vs. the 80.15-meter NHWL; Ambuklao Dam at 749.02 meters vs. the 752-meter NHWL; Binga Dam at 571.83 meters vs. the 575-meter NHWL; San Roque Dam at 252.83 meters vs. the 280-meter NHWL; and Pantabangan Dam’s 190.36 meters vs. 216-meter NHWL.
“Enteng” was moving north northwestward at 20 km/h with maximum sustained winds of 85 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 105 km/h. Tropical cyclone wind signal no. 2 was raised over Ilocos Norte, Apayao, the eastern portion of Kalinga (Rizal, Pinukpuk, City of Tabuk), Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, Isabela, Quirino, and the northern portion of Aurora (Casiguran, Dilasag, Dinalungan, Dipaculao, Baler).
were stranded in 15 ports across the region, while 275 rolling cargoes, 31 buses, and 15 sea vessels have taken shelter at the ports.
The Philippine Army deployed some 400 soldiers to the Bicol region to reinforce its personnel for disaster response operations amid the onslaught of the tropical storm.
The Army’s 9th Infantry “Spear” Division deployed its humanitarian assistance and disaster response (HADR) teams, along with 77 vehicles and one rubber boat.
Philippine Army spokesperson Colonel Louie Dema-ala told Manila Standard the troops were composed of 42 teams with 399 personnel.
Quiboloy's innocence.
“Our mandate is to arrest him and bring him to court. I hope the members and the community understand that we are just doing our job,” Dela Rey said.
She added that despite the ongoing operation, Davao City and the region remain peaceful.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) meanwhile said it is ready to assist and reinforce the PNP in the manhunt Quiboloy.
In an interview, AFP Spokesperson Colonel Margareth Padilla said, the AFP is in a “supporting role” to the PNP in serving the warrant for the controversial religious leader.
Padilla said the AFP did not deploy any additional military forces outside Davao City but was to assist the PNP “in any manner in the performance of their duty.”
Padilla also explained that all the law enforcement agencies and the military are hand in hand when it comes to its enforcement activities like what NBI and other agencies are doing.
The officer also emphasized that the AFP is ready to augment the PNP as well as other reinforcement agencies.
including socio-economic and political issues.
Galvez mentioned that the exploratory talks are still in progress.
He explained that both sides are working on a framework to guide them towards the final peace agreement.
"So, at the moment, our constituency building is ongoing, and our exploratory talks are still ongoing," Galvez said.
The process involves crafting a comprehensive peace and transformation framework supported by international partners, including the Royal Norwegian Government, which has played a role in facilitating discussions. It can be recalled that the Duterte administration terminated all peace negotiations with communist insurgents in November 2017.
By Alena Mae S. Flores
pump prices would go up by as much as P0.70 per liter effective 6am Tuesday, September 3, 2024, to reflect the movement of prices in the world oil market. The oil firms hiked the price of kerosene by P0.70 per liter, gasoline by P0.50 per liter and diesel by P0.30 per liter amid the escalating geopolitical tensions and a sudden halt in Libyan oil production/exports, which sent shockwaves through global markets and pushed up prices.
Seaoil Philippines, PetroGazz, Jetti Petroleum and Caltex issued advisories of the latest oil price hike. This developed as the oil firms raised the price of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) or cooking gas by P0.55 per kilo or P6 per 11-kilo tank and auto LPG by P0.25 per liter effective September 1 to reflect the higher contract price of LPG in the world market.
LPG prices are adjusted every first day of the month while petroleum prices are adjusted every Tuesday.
Department of Energy (DOE) director Rodela Romero said the global oil market also reacted positively to the US Federal Reserve rate cut cycle in September, “which has lifted the outlook for global economic activity and crude demands.”
“But the economic worries in the US and China overshadow supply risks that made prices bearish,” Romero said.
On August 27, the oil companies implemented a big-time price rollback of P1.15 per liter for gasoline, P1.90 per liter for diesel and P1.85 per liter for kerosene.
Based on DOE computation, total adjustment of gasoline and diesel year to date stands at a net increase of P6.90 per liter and P4.05 per liter, respectively while kerosene has a total net decrease of P4 per liter. Alena Mae Flores
Irregularity...
From A1
he would be raising concerns about the procurement of laptops and other equipment for public schools in 2022 and 2023.
The burden of answering these questions fell on Undersecretary for Procurement Gerard Chan, who has taken over from former Undersecretaries Michael Poa and Gloria Mercado.
On the matter of the Vice President’s children’s book, Secretary Angara clarified that the illustrators are employees of the Department but there is no record of them being paid.
"There is no payment made to them for whatever they did. So it's either they made it gratis or for free or they were paid on the side," Angara told the Committee.
Poa has joined Duterte in the Office of the Vice President as her spokesperson, while Mercado has availed herself of early retirement. Another DedEd official Bongalon dragged in the procurement mess, former Assistant Secretary Francis Bringas, has resigned.
“There is a conspiracy that happened here in this procurement. There was first bidding and rebidding, but the participants were the same bidders. Those involved in the conspiracy are those sitting in the BAC [bidding and awards committee] and the procurement officials supervising them,” Bongalon said.
Bongalon said that based on the bids submitted during the first bidding, there was a (price) variance of 24 percent, meaning the government stood to save at least P1.6 billion.
Upon Bongalon’s prodding, Chan explained that the first bidding failed because the bidders submitted incomplete documents. As for the price variants, Chan said the bidding participants “maybe corrected their documents and prices might have changed.”
Chan promised to submit all documents pertaining to the procurement of the P8-billion worth of laptops.
During the hearing, the DepEd was also found to have failed to deliver almost P9 billion worth of laptops and other e-learning equipment in 2023. The department’s director for Information and Communications Technology Service (ICTS) confirmed the Commission on Audit (COA) 2023 report which observed for that year, DepEd only spent over P2.18 billion of its P11.36 billion budget for computers, laptops, smart television sets, and other e-learning equipment.
DOH warns vs. leptospirosis as flooding, rains continue
By Ralph Harvey Rirao
THE Department of Health (DOH) has issued a public health advisory against leptospirosis with the heavy rains and expected flooding brought about by Tropical Storm Enteng.
DOH Secretary Teodoro J. Herbosa. advised the public to stay away from flooded areas as much as possible.
The health chief said flood waters are dirty and that the public should avoid areas with flood waters. He also advised washing with clean water and soap, if a person is exposed to flood waters. Herbosa added that individuals who waded into flood waters can visit a health center, even without symptoms of the disease.
“Madumi ang tubig baha. Iwasan hanggat kaya. Hugasan ang katawan ng tubig at sabon pagkaahon. Anuman ang dahilan, basta napalusong, kahit walang sugat o nararamdaman, kumonsulta agad sa doktor o health center sa loob ng 1-2 araw,” Herbosa warned.
Leptospirosis cases are increasing, following the floods by Typhoon Carina and the enhanced monsoon rain according to the latest epidemiologic data.
As of August 17, 2024, a total of 3,785 cases have been recorded nationwide, which is 5% higher than the 3,605 cases reported in the same period last year.
The DOH is also continuously warning the public against Leptospirosis brought by rain and floods.
From July 7-20, only 251 cases were recorded. This went up almost five times to 1,184 from July 21 to August 3 at the height of Typhoon Carina and enhanced monsoon floods.
While the count has since gone down to 699 cases from August 4 to 17, DOH epidemiologists anticipate that, without proper precautions like prophylaxis, the number of cases will most likely go up again due to floods brought about by Typhoon Enteng.
IN BRIEF
Cops arrest two in shabu bust in Sulu
THE Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO-BAR) and other law enforcement agencies intercepted P13.6 million worth of shabu and apprehended two suspected drug peddlers at a fish port in Barangay Tandu Bato, Luuk, Sulu. This operation was made possible by the partnership and commitment of Luuk Municipal Police Station; Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Sulu BARMM; Sulu Police Provincial Office’s PIU, 1st PMFC, and 2nd PMFC; 2nd RMFC of RMFB14B; PNP RIU IX; CIDG IX; NICA 9; PCG Eastern Sulu; and the Philippine Army’s 112th Military Intelligence Company and 101st Infantry Brigade’s ‘A’ Company.
According to reports, Luuk MPS received a tip about the imminent transport of a significant amount of shabu out of the province. Authorities swiftly executed an operation at the fish port, apprehending two suspected drug peddlers who were planning to board a Jungkung, a motorized boat commonly used in the area. Vince Lopez
Caloocan readies mpox countermeasures
THE City Government of Caloocan has prepared its countermeasures against monkeypox (mpox), a highly contagious viral illness, as the number of active cases in the country rises.
Both the City and Hospital Epidemiology Surveillance Units (CESU and HESU), with hotline number +63 929 709 5709, have been activated to initiate mpox countermeasures, in addition to organizing an Mpox response team composed of infectious disease and pathology experts.
The city government is also set to conduct online lecture sessions to further disseminate information regarding the illness.
City Mayor Dale Gonzalo Malapitan assured his constituents that the city government has been proactive in implementing initiatives to prevent possible infections in the city, but added that his administration is prepared for any eventualities just in case. Jun David Navotas initiates PuroKalusugan plan
THE Department of Health (DOH) officially launched its latest primary care initiative, the PuroKalusugan Program, in Navotas City on Friday. Designed to bring essential healthcare services directly to communities, PuroKalusugan aims to establish health service access points in every “purok” across the country.
Mayor John Rey Tiangco expressed his strong support for the PuroKalusugan Program, emphasizing its role in fostering a healthier community.
“This program is a testament to our shared vision of making healthcare accessible to every Navoteño. By bringing these services directly to our barangays, we are not only addressing immediate health needs but also empowering our residents to take charge of their well-being,” he said.
PCG:
THE Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Monday reported that over 1.2 million liters of oil waste were collected from the sunken MT Terranova in Bataan by its contracted salvor, Harbor Star.
The PCG said that in its first operation in September, the salvor collected 222,332 liters of waste from the said tanker. This was the
second-highest collection following the August 28 operation that collected 232,187 liters of oil.
The salvor said it deployed addi-
tional pumps from the site and the oil waste flow rate from the last operation was 22,315 liters per hour.
The Oil Spill Response Team (OSRT) monitored the transfer of oil waste at Orion Dockyard and no leaks were observed during the operation.
“As of yesterday, 698,000 liters of oil waste were loaded to trucks at Orion Shipyard for transport to a waste management facility in Marilao, Bulacan for proper disposal,” the PCG said. BRP Malamawi (FPB-2403) on the other hand utilized a portable fire pump to agitate oil sheen at ground zero. Coast Guard divers conducted underwater operations to monitor the siphoning activity. Rex Espiritu
By Vito Barcelo
THE P8.2 billion Commission on Elections (Comelec) building will soon rise in Pasay City, poll chairman George Garcia said, defending the construction as a necessity and not a luxury.
During the groundbreaking ceremony, Garcia said the 9-story building will allow the Comelec to house under one roof not only its offices but also its warehouses, training facilities, event venues, and even dormitories for employees. He said that they have been waiting for 84 years to own a building. “The construction will immediately start and we will strive to finish it in just 3 to 4 years,” the poll chief added. Currently, the Comelec rents several various buildings, including some floors at the Palacio del Gobernador in Intramuros, Manila, and warehouses in Santa Rosa, Laguna.
POGO raid suspects set to undergo legal inquests
By Charles Dantes
THE foreign nationals arrested during a raid on a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hub in Lapu-Lapu City are set to undergo criminal and immigration inquests, according to the Presidential AntiOrganized Crime Commission (PAOCC).
During a public briefing on Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon, PAOCC spokesperson Winston Casio said 169 foreigners were apprehended, with 163 arrested on suspicion of involvement in a scam operation and six rescued.
“They went through two legal processes today. The first one is what we call a criminal e-inquest. The inquest is happening now to determine who will face criminal charges. We already have some individuals identified to be charged criminally,” Casio said.
The detainees include 91 Chinese, 69 Indonesians, six Burmese, two Taiwanese, and one Malaysian. Four Filipinos were also arrested, authorities said.
Casio said the Lapu-Lapu City compound had been in operation since 2019 and was reserved for foreign nationals working in the scam farm.
Authorities are seeking to confiscate the two-hectare compound, which had been reserved for foreign workers since 2019. Casio revealed that they are looking for the possible connection of the apprehended foreigners to the other raided POGO hubs in Tarlac and Pampanga. Casio urged local governments to step up efforts against illegal POGO operations.
DEFENSE MEETING. Chief of Sta , Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) Gen. Yasunori Morishita and Philippine Army
Commanding General Lt. Gen. Roy M Galido meet at the Philippine Army Headquarters at Fort Bonifacio,
PBBM hails PAW’s spotless track record
IN BRIEF
American gets cuffed for cannabis possession
AUTHORITIES at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport have intercepted a 52-year-old American national who was caught in possession of three vapes containing liquid cannabis.
The foreigner was about to board an AirSwift flight bound for El Nido, Palawan when she was apprehended by officers from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the Police - Aviation Security Group (Avsegroup).
The arrest was made after Security Screening Officers (SSOs) discovered the vapes at the baggage of the suspect during a routine security screening.
The item, initially believed to be a pair of scissors, was noticed on the x-ray monitor, prompting a manual inspection of the bag’s contents.
During the inspection, the SSOs discovered a small tube containing a suspicious liquid. This led to the involvement of the Avsegroup and the PDEA for investigation.
PDEA personnel conducted an inquiry on the passenger and a chemical analysis of the substance, confirming it to be a mixture of ‘HU-210 Cannabidol’. Joel E. Zurbano
Army’s reality show premieres in Taguig
THE Philippine Army’s trailblazing reality series has premiered with standing room only attendance at a Bonifacio Global City facility in Taguig City.
Initial showing of the audio-visual, titled “Life in the OCS” featuring the training of seven Army officers, was held at the University of Makati Auditorium in West Rembo, Taguig on Sept.1, 2024.
The show, produced by the Army Personnel Management Center, presented the training journey of the seven Army officer-applicants from oath-taking to commissioning as second lieutenants. Episodes 1 to 3 were screened onsite and streamed online during the premier day, while episodes 4 to 7 will be posted online through the ‘Join the Army’ and the ‘Philippine Army’ Facebook pages and YouTube channels.
Over 10k took PMA entrance examinations
MORE than 10,000 examinees took the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) tests conducted on Monday.
PMA Office of the Cadet Recruitment and Admissions (OCRA) director Lt. Col. Jose Lauro Antonio Ello said the Visayas and Mindanao episodes of the tests saw an increase in walk-in takers compared to last year.
“We have yet to determine the count per region. We will release this data once all information are finalized,” Ello said. The National Capital Region (NCR), Region 4A, and Region 4B examinations will run this weekend.
Among the test sites in NCR were the Philippine Air Force Gymnasium in Pasay City and Camp Aguinaldo High School in Quezon City. Rex Espiritu
Libanan backs extra P1b for Marawi fund
By Maricel V. Cruz
THE minority bloc in the House of Representatives backs Malacañang’s plan to provide additional P1 billion for the Marawi Siege Victims Compensation Fund.
“No expense should be spared to enable the residents of Marawi City to rebuild and renew their lives,” Libanan, a 4Ps party-list nominee in Congress, said.
“We must stress that adequate victim compensation is absolutely imperative for survivors to fully heal and recover,” he said.
Libanan, a lawyer by profession and one-time chairperson of the House Committee on Justice, was referring to the proposed 2025 national budget with
‘Penalize
tollway operators with faulty RFID sets’
A CONGRESS leader on Monday urged the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) to penalize tollway operators for their defective readers of radio frequency identification (RFID) stickers which cause traffic congestions.
Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte issued the proposal in light of a Department of Transportation (DOTr) decision to lift the imposition of penalties on expressway motorists whose vehicles have no RFID tags or with RFID devices that have zero or insufficient funds when passing through the highways.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr seeking an additional P1 billion for the Marawi Siege Victims Compensation Fund. Congress initially approved P1 billion for the fund in 2023, and another P1 billion this year, without counting unprogrammed appropriations, according to Libanan.
The Marawi Siege Victims Compensation Law of 2022 mandates reparation benefits for lawful owners of property destroyed or damaged, either totally or partially, during the five-month armed conflict between government security forces and terrorist groups.
The law also repays owners of property demolished pursuant to the Marawi Recovery, Rehabilitation, and Recon-
struction Program, as well as the heirs of those who lost their lives, or are legally presumed dead on account of the siege.
The 2017 Marawi siege, also known as the Battle of Marawi or the Marawi crisis, left the city in ruins, and dislocated over 200,000 residents.
More than 95 percent of structures within the city’s main areas of 24 barangays were either heavily damaged or totally destroyed principally due to heavy aerial and artillery bombardment by government forces.
The Marawi Compensation Board (MCB) concluded on July 3, 2024 the application period for claims related to the siege.
By Charles Dantes
PRESIDENT
Marcos on Monday lauded the 250th Presidential Airlift Wing (PAW) for impeccable track record of more than 8,000 flying hours without any untoward incident under his command.
Speaking at the unit’s 56th founding anniversary in Villamor Air Base in Pasay City, the President underscored the crucial role the 250th PAW plays in transporting the Chief Executive and his family, along with visiting heads of state, and other high-profile personalities..
Mr. Marcos praised the PAW for its accomplishments, including 445 flights under his administration and 8,416 accident-free flying hours.
“Rest assured that this administration is resolute in ensuring your health, well-being, and wellness so that you can continue to carry out your duties efficiently,” he said.
The President encouraged the wing’s personnel to reflect on their past achievements while focusing on the future. He urged them to strive for continuous improvement and not rest on past successes.
“We must look inward, examine our strengths and weaknesses, and commit [ourselves] to continuous improvement,” he said.
“Let us be reminded that it is not just our work that defines us, but also the depth of our commitment, the strength of our character, and the nobility of our cause,” Marcos added.
The 250th PAW, which originated as the 7001st Detachment in 1968, has a long history of providing air transport for the country’s leaders and has supported numerous humanitarian and disaster response missions.
Mr. Marcos called on the unit to continue building on its legacy with pride and purpose.
“Let us continue to rise higher, reach further, dream bigger; let us ensure that the legacy you have built is not just remembered, but carried forward with pride and with purpose,” the President said.
Villafuerte said that in lieu of just a month-long postponement of the new rules on RFID violations as ordered by DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista, “the DOTr would do better to keep the planned fines in the freezer until such time that the tollway operators are able to fix their electronic toll collection (ETC) systems to put an end to defective or unreadable RFID stickers that inconvenience travelers and lead to long vehicle queues at expressway toll plazas.” Maricel Cruz Labor group cites DOLE, CHR for
red-tagging intervention
By Maricel V. Cruz
A LABOR organization has lauded the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) for their swift action on an alleged “red-tagging” incident involving one of its leaders. The Philippine Trade and General Workers Organization (PTGWO) was referring to the red-tagging incident that involved its local union president whose residence was visited by barangay officials to inform him that he was listed as a member of the communist rebels’ New People’s Army (NPA). “Our local union president feared for his life and that of his family when barangay officials went to his house and informed him that he is listed as among the members of the
GWO national president, said in a statement. Red-tagging is defined as the “labeling of individuals or organizations as communists, subversives, or terrorists.”
“It is only through the immediate responses of the DOLE and the CHR that the redtagging stopped,” said Dolendo. The PTGWO, Dolendo said, sought the assistance of the government officials who facilitated information about the good track record of the PTGWO in
PAW MARKS 56TH YEAR. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. graces the 56th anniversary celebration of the 250TH Presidential Airlift Wing at the Philippine Air Force Multi-Purpose Gym in Nichols Air Base, Pasay City, with Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, special assistant to the President Antonio Lagdameo Jr., and PAW commander Brig. Gen. Loreto Pasamonte
AMERICAN MISADVENTURE. A projected exciting vacation at the iconic EL Nido in Palawan is shattered as this American tourist gets handcuffed by authorities at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport for alleged possession of vapes containing the banned marijuana cannabis.
NOW SHOWING. The Philippine Army’s pioneering reality show gets off to a rousing premiere showing at the University of Makati Auditorium in Taguig City.
The film titl3ed Life at the OCS features the training of seven Army troopers vying for promotion to higher ranks.
OPINION
The American Dream no more
SOME balikbayan relatives and friends who have become Fil-Ams have told me the United States has ceased to become “the land of milk and honey,” which was the dream in the past of most Filipinos to live in. When I asked them why, they all say have become so expensive. Certainly when they came back home, compared to the American dollar, and at the rate of P56 and over to a dollar, the Philippines is worth coming back to, Santa Banana!
They tell me you can no longer have a meal at McDonalds for less than $10. My gulay, here in the Philippines at the current rate of exchange, their dollars can go a long way!
While the balikbayans complain of the high cost of gasoline and oil, as we do here in the Philippines, the United States is also beset with the increasing number of joblessness.
As a result, the syndrome of “Hate Asians” prevails.
My gulay, while the newspapers don’t emphasize so much on this malady, my balikbayan relatives and friends avoid getting into trouble with the Americans and Black Americans over this issue, but hate crimes against Asians continue!
What they notice is in some big cities in the US, like New York, Chicago, San Francisco , Los Angeles and Philadelphia there is a growing number of homeless Americans, that they often occupy sidewalks where they put up their tents and even shelters made of boxes and cardboard.
And, Santa Banana, the worst thing about this is that most of the homeless are drug addicts! Why the police cannot stop them from occupying the sidewalk is also a problem.
This phenomenon gives a black eye on the Americans.
I’m also told by my balikbayan relatives and friends that nowadays Americans have become so short-tempered,that in long lines at fast food places, for example, Americans shout and curse at the smallest inconvenience.
This also becomes prevalent during traffic jams,when motorists often curse and shout. America is no longer “the land of milk and honey/”
Some of my balikbayan relatives and friends who have become dual citizens with both American and Philippine passports want to come back to the Philippines ,but their problem is that many members of their families have jobs they cannot leave and they have mortgages to pay.
Understandably, they have their roots in the United States.
My source in the American Embassy in Manila told me the long lines for im-
migrant visas have thinned out. Yes, there are still Filipinos who want to go to the United States, but only as tourists or to visit their relatives.
I, too, had my “American Dream.” I recall when the Sorianos took over the Philippines Herald in the 80s, our publisher was Ken Macker, an American who was the promoter of soccer football in the United States.
Understandably, he had some connections with American mainstream media, and he told me if I would like to work in the US, he would do his best to help me.
Our problems can be solved if we elect national leaders who have a vision for progress
A few years later, when he had to go back to the US, he wrote to me if I wanted to work in the US, he would recommend me to the San Francisco Chronicle.
Since that would mean leaving my family , it would be a great sacrifice on my part. So I declined my American Dream . For some Filipinos in pursuit of the American Dream, they were willing to run the risk of becoming TNTs (Tago ng Tago) in the United States until they got deported as having violated their non-immigrant visas.
There are often big scams in the USA of fake marriages, all in pursuit of the American Dream.
I know many Filipinos had to resort to fake marriages.
But, my gulay, with America no longer “the land of milk and honey,” the American Dream is no longer worth it.
In other words, the Philippines has become a paradise to balikbayans.
Yes, the Philippines is now paradise for the balikbayans in many ways.
No wonder some members of my family who are now Fil-Ams consider their former country, the Philippines, a paradise.
Yes, we have many problems here in the Philippines.
But, our problems can be solved if we elect national leaders who have a vision for progress.
Every country has problems, but they are resolvable if we elect the right leaders.
Our midterm elections are coming next year. So, we have that opportunity to elect good leaders once again.
Black sororities could be key advantage for Harris campaign
WASHINGTON, DC – As Kamala Harris heads into the November presidential race against Donald Trump, a social club she joined in college four decades ago might just pay its biggest dividends yet.
“Whatever it is that she needs our coalitions to do, we’re going to be there to help push it out and get it done,” said Tanya Baham, a member of Harris’s college sorority, in attendance at the recent Democratic National Convention. Sororities and fraternities abound across US college campuses -- with their Greek-letter names, exclusive memberships, and promise of community, usually along same-sex lines.
But Harris’s membership in Alpha Kappa Alpha, a historically Black sorority, provides her campaign a direct line to a network of 360,000 women across the country, many of whom are excited to see one of their own in the White House.
And the Democratic Party, which counts women and Black voters as key constituencies in their electoral base, is paying attention.
While the sorority itself is non-partisan, many, like Baham, are ready to individually tap their networks for fundraising and voter registration in an election that could come down to the wire.
“We’re... going to make certain that our kiddos, the young folks, the old folks, get a chance to register and then get to the polls,” said Baham, a social worker in Louisiana.
Built-in network
Harris joined AKA at Howard University, a historically Black school in Washington where the sorority was founded in 1908 -- the first such organization for Black undergraduate women in the United States.
Over the next few decades, more Black sororities and fraternities emerged, pro-
viding African American students refuge amid the scourge of American racism and also serving as bases for civil rights organizing.
AKA has chapters for both undergraduate students and college graduates, making it far more than just a collegelevel organization. As vice president, Harris has hosted Black sorority and fraternity leaders at the White House, and ahead of rising to the top of the Democratic ticket she headlined AKA’s convention in Texas, in July.
But while AKA and other Black sororities provide a network for Harris to tap into, it is hard to gauge how much that will translate into actual votes come November
Later that month, within days of President Joe Biden ending his reelection bid, she was at a convention for another Black sorority, Zeta Phi Beta, in Indiana.
AKA members were among those on a “Win With Black Women” Zoom call which raised $1.5 million, and Glenda Glover, the sorority’s former president, is leading outreach for Harris at the country’s historically Black colleges.
In a historic first, AKA has alo formed a political action committee, used for fundraising for political candidates.
“We’re just all ready to work and do this,” Donna Miller, a county official in
Caution, contact tracing necessary
ALARMING is just the proper term for the reported confirmation the Philippines now has eight recorded cases of mpox this year, after three more were reported Sunday.
The Department of Health said three more cases of the milder Clade II were detected and confirmed, with DOH spokesperson Albert Domingo saying one of the new cases is a 29-year-old man who reported body rashes, sore throat, body pains and a fever on Aug. 21.
The patient, who tested positive for mpox Clade II, had sexual contact but had not traveled 21 days before the start of symptoms. The other case is a 34-year-old man from Metro Manila who reported similar symptoms on Aug. 27.
Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, is a disease caused by infection with a virus, known as monkeypox virus, part of the same family as the virus that causes smallpox.
People with mpox, not related to chickenpox, often get a rash, along with other symptoms, the rash going through several stages, including scabs, before healing.
—“—
This raises the urgency for contact tracing, the process of quickly identifying, assessing and managing people who have been exposed or confirmed to have probable case to prevent additional transmission
While some mpox cases have also tested positive for the human immunodeficiency virus, infectious disease expert Dr. Rontgene Solante clarified there is no actual connection between the two viruses.
But he said those who engage in such sexual behaviors are at “high
PICTURE a teacher, standing before a sea of eager faces, their passion for education burning bright. But behind that passion, there’s a growing sense of frustration, a gnawing feeling of being undervalued and underpaid. This is the reality for many public school teachers in the Philippines, who struggle with low wages, overcrowded classrooms, and inadequate resources. Despite shouldering the immense responsibility of shaping future generations, they remain committed to their vocation, but the heavy toll it takes on their well-being and morale raises serious questions about the state of education in the Philippines.
House Bill 10270, also known as the “Career Progression System for Public School Teachers Act,” is a testament to the dedication and vision of Tingog party-list Rep. Yedda Marie Romualdez, who authored this crucial legislation. Recognizing the immense challenges faced by our public school teachers, Rep. Romualdez has crafted a bill that aims to provide a much-needed lifeline to these beleaguered educators. By establishing a clear and merit-based promotion system, the bill promises to recognize the competence and dedication of teachers, potentially transforming the landscape of public education in the country. Rep. Romualdez’s commitment to uplifting the teaching profession and improving the quality of education in the Philippines is evident in this landmark legislation. Can this bill truly deliver on its promise?
HB 10270: A Blueprint for the Future
At the heart of the debate lies the potential long-term benefits of HB 10270, not just for teachers, but for the nation as a whole. The bill’s proponents, led by Rep. Yedda Marie Romualdez, argue that by incentivizing excellence and professional growth, the quality of education will inevitably improve, leading
Illinois who was on the Zoom call, told the Chicago Sun-Times. “It invigorated so many people from young and old, across generations, across ethnicity.”
Tight-lipped
But while AKA and other Black sororities provide a network for Harris to tap into, it is hard to gauge how much that will translate into actual votes come November.
The sorority and its members have generally been tight-lipped -- multiple members declined to speak with AFP about the election.
Some referred AFP to the sorority’s headquarters, which did not respond to
risk” of getting mpox, as the virus can be transferred via close and intimate, skin-to-skin contact.
Dr. Benjamin Co, another infectious disease expert, earlier called on the public to be cautious in engaging in “reckless” sexual behaviors due to the threat of mpox which is “more sexually transmitted.”
The DOH cautioned that anyone can get mpox, and the virus can be transmitted to humans through close and intimate contact with someone who is infectious, through contaminated materials like used clothes or utensils, or through infected animals.
With the eight confirmed this year, the total mpox caseload in the Philippines now stands at 17 since July 2022. Cases 15 and 16 had anonymous sexual encounters with more than one partner, while case 17 had close, skinto-skin sexual contact with another person who had skin symptoms. This raises the urgency for caution and contact tracing, the process of quickly identifying, assessing and managing people who have been exposed or confirmed to have probable case of an infectious disease, like mpox, to prevent additional transmission.
(First of 2 parts)
to a more competitive workforce and a stronger economy.
1. Economic Growth through Education
One of the most compelling arguments in favor of HB 10270 is the link between education and economic development. Studies have consistently shown that nations with well-educated populations tend to experience higher levels of economic growth. For instance, a report by the World Bank found that a one-year increase in the average education level of a country’s workforce could increase GDP per capita by up to 10%. By motivating teachers to strive for excellence, HB 10270 could improve student outcomes, thereby enhancing the nation’s human capital and driving long-term economic growth.
—“—
One of the most compelling arguments in favor of HB 10270 is the link between education and economic development
2. Social Justice and Equity
The bill also addresses issues of social justice and equity. Public school teachers in the Philippines have long been underpaid and undervalued, contributing to a cycle of poverty and inequality. HB 10270, by offering clear pathways for career advancement and higher salaries based on merit, seeks to correct these injustices. This aligns with the principles enshrined in the Philippine Constitution, which mandates the State
multiple requests for comment. A half dozen individual chapters also did not respond to requests for comment.
“Mobilization through sororities can’t hurt,” said Daniel Hopkins, a political scientist at the University of Pennsylvania. But Hopkins cautioned that “there are only so many voters in the US in general who attend four-year colleges, who are members of these organizations.”
And while African Americans are overwhelmingly Democratic voters, they have been peeling off from the party in recent years -- a decline that has mostly come from younger and infrequent voters, according to his research.
to ensure that “teaching will attract and retain its rightful share of the best available talents through adequate remuneration and other means of job satisfaction and fulfillment” (Article XIV, Section 5). Moreover, Supreme Court precedents have repeatedly underscored the need to uphold the dignity of public servants, including teachers.
3. National Competitiveness In a globalized world, the quality of a nation’s education system is a key determinant of its competitiveness. Countries like Finland and Singapore, which have invested heavily in teacher development and career progression, consistently rank among the top in global education assessments. The experiences of these countries highlight the importance of a well-supported teaching workforce in achieving educational excellence. HB 10270, by fostering a culture of meritocracy and continuous improvement among teachers, could position the Philippines to compete more effectively on the global stage.
Challenges Ahead: Financial Strain and Implementation Issues
Despite its potential benefits, HB 10270 is not without its detractors. Critics raise concerns about the financial and administrative challenges that could undermine the bill’s effectiveness.
1. Budgetary Constraints
One of the strongest arguments against HB 10270 is the significant financial burden it could place on the government. Creating new positions and adjusting salary grades will require substantial funding, which could strain an already tight budget. With pressing needs in other sectors, some argue that the resources allocated to this bill might be better spent elsewhere. However, proponents counter that investing in education is a long-term commitment that will yield returns in the form of a more prosperous and equitable society.
At the same time, Amanda Wilkerson, an assistant professor of higher education at the University of Central Florida who has studied Black voters, said organizations like Black sororities and fraternities are “hidden apparatuses,” often ignored by polling or the media even as they’ve organized for previous elections, both nationally and locally. Their members and alumni are wellversed in campaigning, she said, and the 2024 election isn’t their first go-around. Harris “is the first candidate of her kind to be able to leverage those networks of support,” Wilkerson said. “But it’s not altogether new.” AFP
IN BRIEF
South Korea opens Telegram porn probe
SEOUL—South Korean police said Monday they had launched an investigation into encrypted messaging platform Telegram for allegedly “abetting” the distribution of so-called deepfake porn, including explicit AI generated images of teenagers.
Deepfake porn includes explicit content where the faces of individuals are digitally superimposed onto other pornographic images or videos using artificial intelligence technology.
A South Korean broadcaster reported last month that university students were running an illegal Telegram chatroom, sharing deepfake pornographic material of female classmates, one of a slew of high-profile cases that have stoked public anger.
“In light of these (deepfake) crimes, the Seoul National Police Agency launched their probe last week... for abetting the crimes,” said Woo Jong-soo, head of the investigation bureau at the National Police Agency, according to a transcript of a press briefing. AFP
Ex-Taipei mayor freed after graft inquiry
TAIPEI—A Taiwanese court on Monday ordered the release of a former Taipei mayor and presidential candidate arrested over the weekend as part of a graft probe, citing insufficient evidence to justify his detention.
Ko Wen-je, leader of the Taiwan People’s Party, ran as a third-party candidate in January’s presidential election, winning about a quarter of the vote.
But he was arrested Saturday over his alleged role in a property development scandal that occurred when he was mayor of Taipei from 2014 to 2022.
The Taipei district court ruled Monday that prosecutors did not have enough evidence to continue detaining Ko, saying “there is still room for other reasonable explanations for the evidence presented by prosecutors.”
“The level of a ‘high possibility of committing the crime’ is not reached,” the court said in a statement after Ko was released. AFP
1 dead as storms hit Australia’s southeast
MELBOURNE— One woman has died, schools have been shuttered and tens of thousands of people were without power Monday, as wild storms lashed Australia.
Police said a 63-year-old woman died after a tree fell on a cabin in the country’s southeast.
“Destructive” winds of more than 110 kilometers per hour are lashing the region, leaving about 150,000 people without power.
Victorian state premier Jacinta Allan warned power outages could take up to three days to fix.
“There are some areas where the conditions remain too dangerous to make repairs,” she said.
Meanwhile, coastal areas have been hit by high tides -- in some cases swallowing up sand dunes.
People have been warned to avoid unnecessary travel, while some schools have closed.
Authorities in New South Wales were concerned the damaging winds would increase fire danger on Monday, with many areas on high alert. AFP
Israel set for general strike after Gaza Strip hostages found dead
JERUSALEM—A nationwide strike aimed at ramping up pressure on Israel’s government to secure the release of the remaining hostages in Gaza was set to begin Monday.
The call by Israel’s largest union to paralyze the economy follows a night of massive demonstrations, with tens of thousands of protesters taking to the streets in an outpouring of grief and fury over six hostages killed in the Gaza Strip.
Israeli soldiers recovered the bodies of the six “from an underground tunnel in the Rafah area” of southern Gaza on Saturday, the military said.
Relatives and demonstrators accused
the government of not doing enough to bring them back alive, and called for an immediate ceasefire to rescue the dozens still captive.
“We must stop the abandonment of the hostages... I have come to the conclusion that only our intervention can shake those who need to be shaken,” said Histadrut union chair Arnon BarDavid.
“Starting tomorrow (Monday) at six in the morning, the entire Israeli econo-
my will go on complete strike.”
Of the 251 hostages seized during Hamas’s October 7 attack on Israel, 97 remain captive in Gaza, including 33 the army says are dead.
Scores were released during a oneweek truce in November, with campaigners and family members believing another deal is the best option to ensure the rest return.
Meanwhile, President Joe Biden will sit down on Monday with US negotiators pushing for a hostage-release deal in the Israel-Hamas war, the White House said, after the deaths of six captives in Gaza, including an American citizen.
Biden’s official schedule was revised to make time for the White House
meeting, which will also be attended by Vice President Kamala Harris, who is running to succeed him in November’s presidential election.
A statement announcing Biden’s updated schedule said he and Harris would meet Monday “with the U.S. hostage deal negotiating team following the murder of American citizen Hersh Goldberg-Polin and five other hostages by Hamas on Saturday, and discuss efforts to drive towards a deal that secures the release of the remaining hostages.”
The United States, along with fellow mediators Egypt and Qatar, has spent months pushing for a hostage-prisoner exchange and ceasefire in the war in Gaza.
KYIV—Ukraine said Monday it had downed 22 Russian missiles headed towards Kyiv and two other regions overnight during an attack in which two people were wounded.
In the northeastern city of Sumy, a social welfare center for children and an orphanage suffered damage after a missile strike on Sunday evening, injuring 13 people including four children, the mayor Oleksandr Lysenko said on Telegram.
“On Sept. 2 overnight, the Russian occupiers carried out a missile attack on Kyiv, Sumy and Kharkiv regions using ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and anti-aircraft guided missiles, and attacked with Shahed-type UAVs from the south,” the Ukranian air force said.
It said Ukrainian defence forces had shot down nine ballistic missiles, 13 cruise missiles and 20 attack drones.
Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko said two adults were injured and four cars caught fire from falling debris. Vyacheslav Gladkov, the governor of Russia’s Belgorod region which borders Ukraine, said an overnight aerial attack by Ukrainian forces wounded one person and damaged a shop and an infrastructure facility in the eponymous capital Belgorod. Last week, NATO countries condemned “indiscriminate” heavy Russian strikes across war-battered Ukraine, the Western military alliance said, after a meeting of the NATOUkraine Council in Brussels. AFP
MEXICO CITY—Mexico’s President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador on Sunday (Monday Manila time) presented the final report of his government, defending his legacy a month before turning power over to his successor—along with a congressional supermajority and a highly controversial judicial reform plan.
In the Zocalo, Mexico City’s sprawling central square, Lopez Obrador bade farewell to thousands of enthusiastic followers, buoyed by what polls say is a lofty 73 percent approval rating as his six-year term winds down.
“We are living in a true democracy, building a new homeland” and “laying the foundations to begin a new stage,” he said in a speech that lasted nearly two hours.
A party-like atmosphere pervaded the square, which was filled with supporters -- and animated by musical groups and folk dancers -- two hours before the speech began.
Some attendees ate snacks under umbrellas, seeking relief from a hot sun, as they waited for Lopez Obrador, widely known by his initials AMLO. AFP
Castigaor clinches 2 tennis titles at PPS Iloilo
ANTHONY Castigador showcased his dominance, clinching two division titles, while Ave Maria Policarpio secured a win and a runner-up finish as they emerged as top performers in the PPS-PEPP Iloilo City Charter Day National Juniors Tennis Championship yesterday (Monday).
Top-seeded Castigador engaged in a thrilling, grueling battle with No. 4 seed and doubles partner Rizzjun Labindao from Aklan, eventually prevailing, 6-3, 4-6, 15-13, in the boys’ 14-and-under finals. The homegrown talent faced another tough challenge in the 16-and-under championship but managed to outlast Jan Iann Iturriaga from Sara, Iloilo, carving out a 1-6, 6-3, 10-5 victory on the ICSA hard courts. Testing his limits, Castigador also competed in the premier 18-and-under category but fell short, as Labindao exacted revenge with a dramatic 7-5, 7-6(11) victory.
On the girls’ side, top-seeded Policarpio held off unranked Jannah Justalero, 6-4, 6-4, to claim the girls’ 14-and-under crown in the Group 2 tournament, hosted and sponsored by Mayor Jerry Trenas and presented by Dunlop. However, the rising star from Muntinlupa missed out on matching Castigador’s two-title achievement, as she fell to Maria Alexandra Onte, 4-6, 6-1, 10-8, in the 16-and-under finals. Other notable winners in the weeklong tournament, part of the nationwide junior circuit initiated by Palawan Pawnshop president Bobby Castro, included local talents Aleeva Suace, Diana Alcarde, and Prince John Crisosto, along with Bogo, Cebu’s Everett Niere. Third-ranked Suace defeated No. 4 Princess Tana, 6-3, 6-4, to capture the girls’ 18-and-under trophy. Unranked Alcarde stunned top seed Etha Seno in the first round and continued her impressive run by toppling No. 2 Stella Policarpio in the girls’ 12-and-under finals.
Crisosto shocked No. 2 seed Mikaela Chavez, 4-2, 5-4(1), to claim the 10-and-under unisex title, while topranked Niere edged out De Juan, 6-3, 2-6, 11-9, in the boys’ 12-and-under championship, held in conjunction with the host city’s 87th Charter Day celebrations.
Gauff joins exit of US Open stars after NY horror show
NEW YORK — Coco Gauff joined Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz on the US Open scrap-heap Sunday as the defending champion crashed out to Emma Navarro in a blizzard of mistakes.
As Gauff exited, US hopes were then rekindled when Frances Tiafoe and Taylor Fritz reached the men’s last-eight, igniting hopes of a first homegrown male Grand Slam champion since Andy Roddick’s win in New York in 2003.
Third-ranked Gauff slumped to a 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 fourth round defeat to her American teammate on the back of 19 double faults and 60 unforced errors.
The 20-year-old’s exit means Serena Williams remains the last woman to successfully defend the US Open title back in 2014.
“I lost in the first round the last two years and now to be making the quarterfinals is pretty insane,” said Navarro, who will face Spain’s Paula Badosa for a
place in the semi-finals.
Gauff’s loss was another body blow to the season’s final Grand Slam.
Djokovic, the defending men’s champion, was knocked out in the third round to suffer his earliest exit in 18 years.
Fellow crowd-pleaser Alcaraz, the 2022 winner in New York and reigning French Open and Wimbledon champion, was stunned in the second round.
“I gave it my all,” said Gauff. “Obviously there were things execution-wise, where I was like, I wish I could serve better. I think if I did that, it would have been a different story.”
Navarro had defeated Gauff at Wimbledon in July and was dominant again on Sunday from the outset.
The 23-year-old broke for 4-2 in the first set and sealed the opener in the ninth game where one rally stretched to 27 shots. Gauff recovered from a break down in the second set to level the tie, but it was a brief respite as she served up three more double faults in the third game of the decider to slip a crucial break down again.
- ‘I want to be part of it’Tiafoe joined former champions Andre Agassi, Roddick and Pete Sampras as the only American men to reach at least three US Open quarter-finals since 2000.
The 20th-ranked Tiafoe notched a 6-4, 7-6 (7/3), 2-6, 6-3 victory over Alexei Popyrin, who shocked Djokovic in the last round.
Tiafoe will face Bulgarian veteran Grigor Dimitrov for a place in the semifinals.
The 26-year-old is the second American man in the quarter-finals after Fritz defeated Casper Ruud earlier in the day. Tommy Paul can make it three, but he has to get past world number one Jannik Sinner on Monday. “I used to hit the ball off a wall dreaming about playing on Arthur Ashe Stadium where the Williams sisters won and where (Roger) Federer won like a million times,” said Tiafoe. “I want to be part of that. This court brings out the best in
Scheffler crowns dominant season with FedEx Cup plum
Lone Filipino rider defies odds at UCI World MTB
By Randy Caluag
JOHN Andre Aguja, a promising young talent from the Go For Gold cycling team, faced an uphill battle as he took on the world’s elite at the UCI World Mountain Bike Championships in Pal Arinsal, Andorra, Spain. The 18-year-old two-time national Philippine champion was expected to be overwhelmed by the competition due to his limited experience on the global stage. Still, he earned respect and admiration, even without bringing home a medal. He finished 76th out of an elite 84man field, riding alongside some of the most seasoned off-road cyclists in the world.
Competing without the support of a team, Aguja’s bravery and determina-
tion stood out. Despite lacking teammates in the race, he managed to stay close to the main pack and his efforts paid off as the Philippines earned 9 UCI points and improved his world ranking to 49th place with a total of 182 points. Completing the race was commendable for someone competing solo in a tough competition that needs perfect teamwork among club riders.
Denmark’s Albert Philipsen claimed the MTB Junior Championship title with the best time of 1 hour, 1 minute, and 59 seconds, averaging 19.360 minutes over four loops. Spain’s Hugo Franco Gallego secured second place (+1:55), while Denmark’s Nikolaj Hougs finished third (+1:56).
After the race, Aguja’s key benefactor, Jeremy Go of Go For Gold, expressed pride in the young cyclist’s performance.
WASHINGTON (AFP) -- World num-
ber one Scottie Scheffler crowned his remarkable season by winning the PGA Tour’s season-ending Tour Championship and with it the $25 million FedEx Cup title with a four-stroke win at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta on Sunday.
Scheffler began the final round with a five-stroke lead over Collin Morikawa but saw that advantage cut to just two after back-to-back bogeys on the 7th and 8th but he recovered to secure his seventh win on the PGA Tour this season.
He is the first player to win seven PGA Tour events in a year since Tiger Woods in 2007 and his remarkable season has also included a Masters win and an Olympic gold.
For the past two years, Scheffler had entered the Tour Championship as number one in the rankings but had failed to close out and clinch the FedEx Cup and having led the standings for most of this year he was delighted to get his reward.
“I try not to think too much about the past or think too much about the future,” he said.
“But I think two years ago was pretty tough, having a good lead going into the last round and not playing my best and then losing. And then last year I just had a pretty off week so was fairly disappointing.
“So to come in with a lead for the third time and be able to finish it off is definitely pretty sweet,” he added.
Scheffler began the week on 10 underpar under the staggered scoring system used for the season finale and he ended the week on 30 under after closing with a 67.
Morikawa would have beaten Scheffler by two strokes in a regular format and for a moment he put his rival under real pressure. Scheffler shanked a bunker shot on the eighth making his second straight bogey as Morikawa made a birdie to reduce the gap to two. But as so often Scheffler did not let the setbacks turn into a real momentum shift as he proceeded to make three straight birdies from the ninth and then his eagle on the par-5 15th put Morikawa out of sight. AFP
MADRID — Kylian Mbappe answered his critics in style as he netted his first La Liga goals to give Real Madrid a 2-0 win over Real Betis at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday which sends them second in the table.
Since scoring in the UEFA Super Cup against Atalanta, new signing Mbappe had failed to find the back of the net in Madrid’s opening three games in La Liga, prompting criticism in the Spanish press.
Mbappe was made to wait for his goals as he squandered a series of chances, finally finding the back of the net in the 67th minute, sweeping the ball past the Betis goalkeeper with his left foot after a welltimed back-heel from Fede Valverde. Eight minutes later the France captain added a second from the penalty spot and was cheered off the field when he was replaced by Luka Modric in the 84th minute.
“It’s a great moment,” Mbappe told Spanish television after the match.
“I was really hoping to score at the Bernabeu, in this mythical stadium, the best in the world. But the most important thing was to win.
“After the match against Las Palmas, we knew we had to win. And that’s what we did today, in a difficult match. But we’re Real, and in the end we win, and with style.”
The smile on Mbappe’s face was in contrast to the concern that had been shown since scoring his first goal and winning his first trophy in Warsaw on August 14. On Saturday, coach Carlo Ancelotti had hit back at the criticism, insisting that his star recruit was settling in well and he reasserted at the press conference after the match that “we never put Mbappe under pressure to score goals”.
“He was very effective in the box, he had many opportunities. I think it is important for him to score, but we appreciate more the work for the team,” added Ancelotti, who confirmed that Vinicius let the French striker take the penalty.
‘Desire, motivation’
Ancelotti also spread his praise across the entire team which has taken a while to gel this season.
“Anxiety, frustration, we don’t have them,” said Ancelotti.
“We have desire, motivation to try to do better. Today we did better. I think we deserved to win. It was a good game, much more supportive among all, and we arrive at the (international) break feeling good.”
Madrid’s win takes them second in the table with eight points, four behind early leaders Barcelona who eviscerated Real Valladolid 7-0 on Saturday to make it four wins from four in La Liga under new coach Hansi Flick. Atletico Madrid are third after a late victory in Bilbao on Saturday while
Coco Gauff looks dejected during
women’s singles round of 16 tennis match against
Emma Navarro on Day ‘ of the US Open tennis tournament at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York City. AFP
Scottie Scheffler of the United States celebrates with his son Bennett after winning the FedExCup and the TOUR Championship at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta, Georgia. AFP
Ajuha in action
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2024
RIERA U. MALLARI, Editor
RANDY M. CALUAG, Asst. Editor
EDGARD HILARIO, Asst. Editor
PVL Finals rescheduled to Sept. 4 at Philsports
THE highly anticipated Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference championship showdown between the unbeaten Akari Chargers and the multi-titled Creamline Cool Smashers has been postponed due to severe weather conditions.
Originally set for Monday, Sept. 2, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, the match has been rescheduled to Sept. 4 (Wednesday) at the Philsports Arena in Pasig, as announced by the organizing Sports Vision.
“Due to severe weather conditions caused by Tropical Storm ‘Enteng,’ the one-game finale between Akari and Creamline has been moved to Sept. 4,” Sports Vision stated. “Our top priority is the safety of our players and fans.”
Typhoon “Enteng” has caused widespread flooding throughout Metro Manila, including the roads leading to the Cubao venue, making travel hazardous for both participants and spectators.
Meanwhile, the PVL has upheld the first referee’s decision regarding the non-call on a net touch during PLDT’s heated semifinal match against Akari last Thursday. The league cited FIVB Rule 11.3.2, which allows players to touch the net as long as it doesn’t interfere with the play.
Akari went on to claim the victory, positioning the overachieving Chargers just one win away from completing a Cinderella-like run to the championship via sweep.
The PLDT management has reluctantly accepted the PVL’s ruling late Sunday. In a statement, the team expressed gratitude to its fans for their unwavering support and reiterated its commitment to upholding the integrity of the sport.
As the rescheduled finals approach, fans eagerly anticipate the conclusion of what has been one of the most thrilling and unpredictable PVL Reinforced Conference editions in recent years.
Weightlifting, gymnastics mulled for NCAA inclusion
By Peter Atencio
SPORTS disciplines like weightlifting and gymnastics could be included in future seasons of the National Collegiate Athletics Association.
Discussions on their inclusion came into light following the success of the Philippines in the last two stagings of the Olympic Games.
Gymnastics saw Carlos Yulo winning two gold medals in the floor exercise and vault events at the Paris Games.
In the Tokyo Olympics three years ago, lifter Hidilyn Diaz
earned for the country its first-ever gold medal.
NCAA Season 100 management committee chairman Hercules Callanta of host Lyceum Philippines University said members of the board have opened up talks on having weightlifting and gymnastics in the league’s calendar of events. For now, the calendar has men’s basketball, men’s and women’s vol-
leyball, athletics, men’s football, beach volleyball, tennis, taekwondo, and cheerleading.
Meanwhile, recognition will be given to the league’s 10 Greatest Players when the NCAA celebrates 100 years of excellence in sports. The awards will be handed out on the opening day (September 7) at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The league will celebrate its historic centennial season this 2024 with a brand new logo and theme, “Siglo Uno: Inspiring Legacies,” and a series of activities to honor the league’s “10 Greatest Players,” during the two-hour opening ceremony scheduled to begin at noon.
WGM Frayna, Canino get confidence boost
New
Archers try to make
By Peter Atencio
new faces will try to make an impression when the La Salle Green Archers embark on a titleretention bid in the 87th season of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines men’s basketball tournament. The new recruits are expected to step and help the Green Archers keep the crown for another year. And coach Topex Robinson is set to reveal his final choices of players who will come aboard and join the Green Archers when the season finally starts this Saturday. Among those whom Robinson is keen on including are rookie Green Archer Andre Dungo and one-anddone Fil-Am guard Lian Ramiro. The 6’3” Dungo, who is from Pampanga, averages 14.86 points, 8.07 rebounds, 4.36 assists, and 2.79 steals when he first played for University of Sto. Tomas. Ramiro is a 6’0” guard from
OLYMPIAD-BOUND Janelle Mae
Frayna and Ruelle Canino made a good account of themselves in the just concluded XXV Open Internacional de Sants-Ciudad de Barcelona in Spain.
Frayna, the country’s first and only Woman Grandmaster thus far, finished with an unbeaten record of 6.5 points out of 10 rounds, while Canino, 16, ended up with six points that earned them not just rating points but also confidence as they compete in the Budapest Olympiad set Sept. 10 to 22.
Frayna had three wins, including a shock win over GM Gabor Papp of Hungary in the third round, and seven draws to make a huge 52-point rating gain and improve to 2268 from 2162.
Canino, for her part, earned a whopping g 160.8 rating points that saw her to 2164.8 from 1908 before flying to Europe.
“The real star in this tournament is 16-year-old, WFM (Woman FIDE Mas-
an
ter) Ruelle Canino. She almost achieved her first WIM (Woman International Master) norm,” said an impressed Frayna of Canino.
“With this current form and performance, soon enough, she can reach 2300 before the year ends, or who knows, maybe even after the Olympiad,” she added.
Frayna and Canino, whose trip is backed by the Philippine Sports Commission and National Chess Federation of the Philippines, are expected to return today before flying to Budapest next week.
There, the two will team up with Jan Jodilyn Fronda, Shania Mae Mendoza and Bernadette Galas with GM Jayson Gonzales as its coach.
GMs Inno Sadorra and John Paul Gomez, GM-candidate Daniel Quizon and IMs Jem Garcia and Paolo Bersamina, for their part, will banner the men’s squad with GM Eugene Torre as their coach.
impression in coming UAAP
season
Greenhills standout Luis Pablo, who changed his mind, after first seeking a spot with the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons’ roster. The 6’7” Pablo averaged 1.5 points and 1.75 rebounds in just 9:09 minutes across 16 games played during his time with LSGH. So far, Robinson also wants to bring back Gilas Pilipinas player Kevin Quiambao, who was with the squad when they went to Tokyo, Japan, from August 10 to 12 to represent the country in the World University Basketball Series.
Following the ceremony, the defending champion San Beda Red Lions will confront host Lyceum at 2 p.m., with Mapua going up against the College of St. Benilde Blazers at 5 p.m. On Sunday, the Letran Knights will start their bid against the San Sebastian Stags at 12 noon, followed by the match-up between the Arellano Chiefs and the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals at 2:30 p.m.
Coach Olsen Racela will make his debut with the University of Perpetual Help Altas against the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers on Tuesday at 11:00 a.m.
PSA Forum features Rock ‘n Roll running series
WEATHER permitting, the global running phenomenon Rock ‘n Roll Running Series in Manila will be featured in the Tuesday session (Sept. 3) of the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum at the conference hall of the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.
Princess Galura, president and general manager of Sunrise Events Inc. – a part of the IRONMAN Group – along with race director Julian Valencia, are on hand to discuss the special event that combines running, music, and community.
Also appearing with them in the 10:30 a.m. session are Charlie Dungo, department head Department of Tourism, Cultural and Arts Manila, and Rina Reganit, marketing manager of Alveo Land Inc.
The Forum is presented by San Miguel Corporation, Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, MILO, Smart/PLDT, and the country’s 24/7 sports app ArenaPlus. The session is livestreamed via the PSA Facebook page fb.com/ PhilippineSportswritersAssociation and also aired on a delayed basis over Radyo Pilipinas 2 and shared on
DOMINANT. Three-time Best Import awardee Allen Durham of Meralco defies the defense of two NorthPort defenders as he scores inside the lane in the PBA Governors’ Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Sunday. Durham scored 36 points to lift the Bolts past Batang Pier, 109-99.
Coach Topex Robinson
Janelle Mae Frayna
PH manufacturing showed steady gains on increased orders in August
TPhilippines PMI in August 2024
HE Philippine manufacturing sector continued its expansion in August 2024, driven by increased new orders, according to the latest purchasing managers’ index (PMI) from S&P Global Market.
the neutral 50.0 mark. S&P Global noted that the sector has strengthened for a year, albeit with a modest improvement in the latest data.
Philippines PMI in July 2024
The headline S&P Global Philippines Manufacturing PMI, a composite indicator of manufacturing performance, remained unchanged at 51.2 in August. An index above the neutral 50.0 suggests ongoing growth in the sector.
By Jenniffer B. Austria
CS CAPITAL Investment Pte. Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hong Kong-listed CSC Holdings Limited (CSC), is acquiring a 26.80-percent stake in Citystate Savings Bank (CSB), a thrift bank owned by Cabangon family for P736 million.
CSB said in a disclosure to the stock exchange Monday it received a notice that certain stockholders of the company signed a share purchase agreement with CS Capital. Under the deal, CS Capital will acquire CSB shares at P16.97 apiece, subject to any applicable adjustments provided that the total purchase price would not exceed P750 million.
The acquisition price represents a 185-percent premium over the stock’s closing price of P5.96 Friday. As a result, the share price of CSB hit the ceiling, rising by 50 percent to P8.94 Monday.
“The entry of CSC establishes a strategic partnership between the controlling shareholders and of the bank and CSC, whereby the bank will benefit from the global experience, market reach and technological resources of CSC, in line with the mandate of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas [BSP] and the bank’s own direction towards digitalization,” CSB said The deal is subject to certain closing conditions, including the approval by the Monetary Board and the BSP.
CSC said the purchase price was arrived at after considering the bank’s net asset value of P1.4 billion as of end-December 2023. The bank operates 34 branches, most of which are located in Metro Manila.
CSC said in a disclosure to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange it has been actively looking for investment opportunities to broaden the scope of investments.
“The acquisition is a strategic investment of the company and represents the company’s first step to implement financial business investment strategy,” CS Capital said.
Filipino manufacturers expressed optimism about future expansion, with the respective index well above
“The Filipino manufacturing sector showed sustained and modest gains midway through the third quarter. Growth in output and new orders accelerated on the month, thereby highlighting improving demand trends. However, employment fell, and buying activity cooled, suggesting that manufacturers remain cautious about growth prospects,” said S&P Global Market economist Maryam Baluch.
“Confidence levels also waned in the latest survey period and hit a four-month low, further confirming that expectations surrounding the production outlook have softened,” she said.
Confidence levels among manufacturers declined in the latest
survey period, reaching a four-month low. This indicates that expectations for future production may have softened. Overall, new orders increased, despite a fall in international sales. Companies raised their production levels, with the rate of increase nearly matching the long-run average.
Underlying data signaled improved demand trends, with Filipino goods producers recording the strongest uptick in new orders in three months. However, demand from foreign customers faltered in August, with new export sales falling for the first time since the start of the year.
Domestic demand drove overall growth in new orders, supporting a stronger uptick in output. The rate of growth quickened from July’s fourmonth low and was broadly in line with the historical series average.
By Darwin G. Amojelar
THE Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) are working together to combat tax evasion and money laundering. BIR Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr. on Aug. 29, 2024 met with AMLC executive director Matthew David to discuss enhancing interagency cooperation and coordination between the two agencies to strengthen enforcement against tax evasion and money laundering.
Philippines PMI in August 2023 10,000
“Tax evaders are now using sophisticated ways of evading taxes and storing their illegal wealth. This interagency cooperation between the BIR and the AMLC will pave the way for future investigations on tax evasion and money laundering,” Lumagui said.
to streamline priority projects under Luzon Economic Corridor plan
THE government plans to streamline the priority projects under the Luzon Economic Corridor (LEC) from 43 to just five or six, as the steering committee prepares for its third meeting in November 2024.
Secretary Frederick Go, the Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs (OSAPIEA), said various government agencies presented a total of 43 projects for consideration.
“We presented about 28 projects for them to consider during the first meeting and an additional 15 during the second meeting last week,” Go said at the sidelines of the International Franchise Conference 2024 hosted by the Philippine Franchise Association (FPA) Monday.
“When you have narrow choices, then you can really focus and really move faster,” he said.
Go said while the final decision on priority projects rests with the steering committee, he said infrastructure projects are likely to be at the top of the list.
“That’s why the rail is an infra project. If you consider ports, it would be an infra project as well. I would say maybe energy might be the second top priority,” he said.
Go said the committee had publicly declared railway as a priority project.
The next steering committee meeting is scheduled in November when the final priority projects are expected to be announced.
Othel V. Campos
“The law is clear, all sources of income, whether from legal or illegal means, are taxable,” he said.
The BIR said an example of a sophisticated tax evasion scheme is the use of ghost receipts. Buyers of these receipts use it to lower their tax liabilities illegally because the sellers or issuers of such receipts do not have legitimate business activities. The seller or issuers are merely companies that were created so their receipts could be used to pad the expenses of buyers, thereby creating a scheme that directly endangers the integrity of our financial system, the agency said.
SEC offers incentives to encourage firms to comply with requirements
By Jenniffer B. Austria
THE Securities and Exchange
Commission (SEC)
is offering incentives to encourage delinquent corporations to comply with reportorial requirements.
The SEC said Monday it issued the Enhanced Compliance Incentive Plan (ECIP) that will allow non-compliant corporations, including those placed under “delinquent” status, to settle their unassessed or unpaid fines and penalties for as low as P20,000. The ECIP follows the SEC’s amnesty program it implemented last year.
“As a regulator, the SEC is com-
PLDT Enterprise, DILG sign deal to improve 911 hotline
By Darwin G. Amojelar
PLDT Enterprise, the B2B arm of PLDT Inc. signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to improve the 911 emergency response system.
The collaboration aims to ensure that the system meets international standards, as outlined in the Next Generation 911 (NG911) framework.
“Through our partnership with NGA 911, we are bringing our digital expertise and global best practices to the Philippines, ensuring that our 911 services are equipped with the latest technology to handle emergencies more effectively and ultimately, save more lives,” Mitch Locsin, first vice president and head of enterprise and international core business at PLDT and Smart said.
“This initiative aligns with our broader mission to build a safer, more resilient, and disaster-ready nation,” he said, Bringing in the NG911 from America to the Emergency 911 National Office in the Philippines, 911 is promised to be the universal number to call for emergency help nationwide as a proven, lifesaving service to the public.
The solution emphasized that delays in recognition and treatment of time-sensitive conditions like heartattacks, strokes, and cardiac arrest can be the difference between life and death.
NG911’s next generation technology promises to protect lives with its dynamic call routing, multimedia capabilities, infrastructure security, incident management, system migration, collaboration portal, geographic information system, call center management, call handling and training.
“We recognize that our role at PLDT is more than just providing telecommunications. We must also empower the communities that make our success possible,” said Manuel Pangilinan, chairman and chief executive of PLDT and Smart.
mitted to ensuring that entities under its supervision are compliant with all the laws, rules and regulations applicable to them,” SEC chairman Emilio Aquino said.
“After the SEC amnesty program, the Commission has strictly imposed higher revised fines and penalties to encourage strict and habitual compliance with reportorial obligations and
good corporate housekeeping. With the launch of ECIP, we are affording corporations under our supervision another opportunity to remedy their violations, at lower fees, and restore their good standing,” he said.
Suspended and revoked corporations, including those with pending petitions for the lifting of the suspension or revocation order issued against them, may also settle only 50 percent of their assessed fines and pay the petition fee of P3,060.
The significantly lower rates apply to fines and penalties imposed on corporations for various violations including non and late filing of reportorial requirements such as general information
PH stocks advance amid expectations of slower inflation
sheet and financial statements. Applications of non-compliant, suspended and revoked corporations for ECIP may be submitted starting Sept. 2, 2024 until Nov. 30, 2024. The SEC said aside from payment of the ECIP, it would also require availing delinquent corporations to submit their latest reportorial requirements before restoring their good standing status. It said that for corporations whose certificates of incorporation were suspended or revoked, they should submit a petition to lift order of suspension/revocation of certificate of registration, along with supporting documents.
PLDT Inc. and Smart Communications first vice president and head of enterprise and international core business Mitch Locsin addresses participants at the Emergency 911 National Summit, underscoring the company’s commitment to disaster resilience through technological
GLOBE Telecom said Monday its network and core services remain operational amid heavy rains brought by Tropical Storm Enteng, with a few sites impacted due to commercial power outages.
Globe call, text and data services were operational in most of the country as of Monday morning, with pockets of outages logged in parts of Bicol and Southern Luzon where the storm caused power failure.
Globe said network outages affected 3 percent of total sites in the provinces of Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Sorsogon, Marinduque, Cavite, Laguna and Quezon.
The company said field operations teams were on standby to begin restoration work as soon as weather conditions permit. It is also readying its Libreng Tawag and Libreng Charging stations in storm-hit areas as soon as it is safe to do so.
IN ITS desire to be accepted by the international community as an economically stable country with steady finances, the Philippines has for a long time sought to attain two international financial categorizations. Both categorizations will enable this country to access international financial resources on comparatively more favorable terms. The categorization that is of near-term significance is an upgrade in the foreign credit rating of the Philippines. Moody’s Rating Services, one of the three leading foreign credit rating institutions – the others being Standard & Poor’s and Fitch Rating – gave this country a credit rating of Baa2 (with stable outlook), which is an investment-grade rating in 2014. It has not changed that rating since then. A Baa2 rating means that the Philippines poses a moderate credit risk for investors. An A rating signifies a low credit risk – more specifically, the risk of default – for investors.
Obviously, because of the higher risk involved, a Baa2-rated country will have to pay investors more interest than an A-rated issuer of bonds and other securities. And the greater the borrowing that a moderate-risk, high-risk
“Our network continues to operate in areas hit by the typhoon. Only a few sites were affected by outages due to loss of commercial power. Our network teams have been prepositioned and ready for restoration work once the situation on the ground improves,” said Yoly Crisanto, Globe chief sustainability and corporate communications officer.
Tropical Storm Enteng enhanced the Southwest Monsoon and brought moderate to heavy rains across parts of Luzon and Visayas. It is forecast to intensify and peak into a typhoon by Thursday or Friday.
Globe advised the public to stay updated and get verified weather reports through official platforms such as the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) website, where Globe customers get free data access. Darwin G. Amojelar
private and public institutions suspending work due to typhoon Enteng. Holding firms rose the most among the sub-indices, rising by 1.27 percent. This was followed by services which climbed 0.89 percent and financials by 0.56 percent.
Mining and oil declined by 2.28 percent, while property and industry slipped by 0.98 percent and 0.39 percent, respectively.
Meanwhile, Asian and European markets were mixed Monday, with optimism over an expected US interest rate cut offset by worries over the Chinese economy following the release of more disappointing data. Figures on Friday showed the Federal Reserve’s favored gauge of inflation -- personal consumption expenditures index -- fell in line with forecasts in July, setting the bank up to ease monetary policy this month. Focus is now on the release of the closely watched non-farm payrolls report, which will provide the latest snapshot of the world’s top economy.
Jenniffer B. Austria with AFP
The Philippines’ principal economic goals
country does from the world financial market, the greater the debt-service burden on the national budget.
Successive administrations have strived to obtain a credit rating upgrade for the Philippines from Moody’s and the other Big 3 rating agencies. So far, they have been unsuccessful. The secretary of Budget and Management, a member of the current administration’s economic management team, expressed confidence that the Philippines could obtain on upgrade to an A rating within the term of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said that the upgrade would happen “as long as we stay on track with our agenda for prosperity and with our whole-of-government approach.”
And what does Moody’s think? “The passage of reforms over the past several years to liberalize the Philippine economy will support medium-term growth potential by supporting a business-friendly environment and by attracting foreign investments,” Moody said in an Aug. 23, 2024 report.
The second categorization that this country has long sought to achieve is that of becoming an upper-middle-income country (UMIC). The
In any discussion of this country’s UMIC aspiration, population clearly cannot be left out of the picture.
World Bank categorizes its member countries as high-income, upper-middle-income, lowermiddle-income and low-income, according to their gross national income (GNI) per capita. To be considered a UMIC country by World bank standards, a country must have a per capita GNI of $4,500.
The Philippines continues to be ranked as a lower-middle-income country because its per capita GNI is still below $4,500. In 2023 it was close to $4,200. When is the $4,500 threshold likely to be reached? “With current data, estimates suggest that the Philippines is poised to achieve UMIC status by 2025,” the directorgeneral of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) said recently. But he added a condition: “provided the economy sustains a robust growth rate in 2024 and 2025.”
To push the attainment growth rate in 2025 the Marcos administration has sent to Congress a national budget of P6.352 trillion, a figure that represents approximately 22 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP). The problem with trying to move upward in the World Bank country-category ladder is that $4,500 and companion numbers are per capita figures and to arrive at them, GNI has to be divided by the number of capita.
National income may be growing rapidly, but if it is divided by a population figure that is growing equally or more rapidly, a number like $4,500 is going to remain difficult to reach. China and India would have been categorized as high-income countries long ago if their huge populations did not exert downward pressure on their World Bank categorizations. In any discussion of this country’s UMIC aspiration, population clearly cannot be left out of the picture. Will the Philippines achieve UMIC status, finally next year? The secretary of Finance thinks that it can. “We will soon witness and experience the results of every effort, every policy decision and every investment commitment,” Secretary Ralph Recto said recently. (llagasjessa@yahoo.com).
innovation. Locsin said PLDT is committed to building a safer, more resilient and disaster-ready Philippines. He highlighted the company’s dedication to leveraging its technological expertise and expansive infrastructure to support the government’s disaster preparedness efforts.
TOILET FACILITIES. Manila Water Foundation, the social development arm of east zone concessionaire Manila Water Company, together with Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) and the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office of Bulacan, hands over 11 family toilets in Sitio Sapang Munti of Barangay San Mateo in Norzagaray, Bulacan. The Sitio Sapang Munti community is within the Ipo Watershed, a critical water source for millions in Metro Manila. The partner families expressed gratitude to Manila Water Foundation during the handover ceremony, recalling the struggles they endured when they did not have their own toilet facilities.
BUSINESS
ICTSI denies reports BSP filed cases against Razon
By Darwin G. Amojelar
INTERNATIONAL Container Ter-
minal Services Inc. (ICTSI) issued a statement denying a false report that its chairman is being sued by the “Central Bank of the Philippines”.
“We have been alerted to a fabricated news story circulating on Facebook that falsely claims Enrique K. Razon Jr., chairman of International Container Terminal Services Inc., Bloomberry Resorts Corporation and Prime Infrastructure Capital Inc., is being sued by the Central Bank of the Philippines following a ‘recent interview’,” the company said.
“This fake news item has been designed to resemble the interface of Inquirer.net’s website and features a misleading lead photo of Mr. Razon. It has been further promoted through sponsored posts on Facebook and Instagram,” it said.
ICTSI informed the public that Razon has no pending civil or criminal cases before any Philippine court or government agency.
“We urge everyone to exercise caution and critical thinking when encountering such information online. Please rely on official ICTSI information and verified sources for accurate and reliable news,” the company said.
Cybercrimes remain rampant despite SIM law enactment —group
A GROUP of computer professionals said cybercrimes remain rampant despite the implementation of the SIM Card Registration Law nearly two years ago.
The Computer Professionals’ Union said the government was unprepared to enforce Republic Act No. 11934, citing issues such as a lack of valid IDs among some users and confusion over the registration process.
The group also alleged that some individuals charged fees for registering SIM cards, violating the law’s requirement for a free service.
“The government did not study the implications of this law,” said Maded Batara, a spokesperson for the union. “They didn’t even study SIM registration, even though other countries have shown it’s ineffective against scams and other crimes.”
Batara said the public was misled into believing that the law would end scams. “Instead of decreasing, cybercrimes have actually increased, according to the Philippine National Police [PNP],” Batara said.
PNP data showed a 21.8-percent increase in cybercrimes in the first quarter of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023.
Senate President Chiz Escudero and Senator Grace Poe questioned the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) about its failure to stop text scams. The senators urged the NTC to take action instead of making excuses.
The NTC acknowledged the concerns raised by lawmakers, but maintained that the SIM Registration Act is not a “silver bullet” against messaging scams.
BPI revokes LVM Grains license over lack of import clearances
By Othel V. Campos
AN ATTACHED agency of the Department of Agriculture said Monday it revoked the import license of Manila-based LVM Grains Enterprises following an unauthorized importation of agricultural products from Vietnam.
Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) director Gerald Glenn Panganiban said in a statement he issued an order canceling LVM’s license and all associated sanitary and phytosanitary import clearances.
BPI is the main agency responsible for serving and supporting the Philippine plant industry sector. Among its tasks are plant quarantine and management of crop pests and diseases.
Panganiban said he issued the order following LVM’s failure to provide a credible explanation for the shipment of milled rice, coffee and cashew nuts
BCDA posted 53% decline in 2023 income to P3.29b
THE Bases Conversion and Development Authority
(BCDA) reported a 53.7-percent drop in comprehensive income to P3.29 billion in 2023 from P7.11 billion in 2022.
The agency, in its latest financial report, linked the decrease to the P4.347-billion contribution to the AFP Modernization Program and other agencies, and a P602million payment for financial assistance and road rightof-way in New Clark City.
BCDA’s gross revenues increased 13.7 percent in 2023, reaching P7.404 billion despite the drop in comprehensive income.
Contributing to robust gross revenues were the sale of gross floor area and dividends from Fort Bonifacio of P285 million and P675 million, respectively, and higher interest income of 768 million.
Toll revenues from the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) also surged by 19 percent, reaching P1.946 billion, on in-
from Vietnam.
The shipment was aboard MV Royal 89 sans the necessary import clearance, according to the BPI. The agency also noted LVM’s history of non-compliance.
Panganiban said all plant and plant product imports require an import clearance and phytosanitary certificate from the origin country.
“This is to ensure shipments meet our phytosanitary requirements and are free from quarantine or exotic plant pests,” he said.
creased traffic volume, while revenues from the operation and maintenance of Clark International Airport saw a 116-percent increase, contributing P270 million in 2023.
Meanwhile, BCDA announced a record P141 billion in total gross proceeds from the disposition of Metro Manila camps covered by Republic Act No. 7227 as of December 2023, covering the period May 1993 to December 2023.
This represents a 5-percent increase from the previous year and highlights the BCDA’s effective management of former military bases.
Key contributors to the disposition proceeds were from the joint venture with SM Prime Holdings Inc. for the Bonifacio South Pointe property of P3 billion; proceeds from the minimum annual secured revenue share in the Joint US Military Assistance Group (JUSMAG), P873 million; and dividends from the Fort Bonifacio Development Corp., P675 million. Othel V. Campos
SMC tollway unit hikes budget for SLEX expansion
By Darwin G. Amojelar
SMC SLEX Inc. raised its capital expenditures (capex) this year to finance the expansion of South Luzon Expressway (SLEX).
The company said its board approved a supplemental capex budget of P3.27 billion this year to fund more projects for SLEX.
This brings the total capex to P11.33 billion from the earlier estimate of P8.06 billion to partially finance the expansion of the expressway network and construction of a new toll road.
SMC SLEX said a significant portion of the capex would go towards the TR4 project—66.74-kilometer stretch that will connect Sto. Tomas,
Meralco restoring power in areas affected by ‘Enteng’
By Alena Mae S. Flores
POWER retailer Manila Electric Com-
pany (Meralco) said Monday it is working to restore power in areas affected by Tropical Storm Enteng involving 28,000 customers as of 12 noon.
Meralco said this represented than 1 percent of its total customers, which were affected by service interruptions. They are mostly in Metro Manila and Cavite. The rest are in parts of Laguna, Rizal, Bulacan, Batangas and Quezon provinces.
“Our crews are working to restore power service to affected areas as soon as possible. We continue to monitor the situation and urge our customers to practice electrical safety,” Meralco vice president and corporate communications head Joe Zaldarriaga said. Meralco said its personnel were ready to respond to electricity service concerns that may arise due to Tropical Storm Enteng and is monitoring the weather situation and has crews on standby 24/7 to attend to possible customer concerns as a result of the tropical storm.
“As a 24–hour service company, we are ready to respond to any trouble that may affect our facilities,” Zaldarriaga said.
Zaldarriaga also advised the public to observe safety measures when using electrical devices and appliances in case of flooding such as ensuring that the main electrical power switch or circuit breaker is off and unplugging appliances from wall sockets.
Zaldarriaga asked the public to keep all communication channels open and ready and to charge mobile phones, laptops, radios and other communication devices. Customers should tune in to public service radio stations in case of power interruptions, he said.
Batangas to Lucena City, Quezon. Upon completion in 2026, the P50billion project aims to reduce travel time between the two points from 3 hours to just 45 minutes.
The toll road will be divided into six sections including Sto Tomas, Batangas to Makban in Laguna (11.32 km.); Makban to San Pablo City (12.75 km); San Pablo to Tiaong in Quezon (7.5 km); Tiaong to Candelaria (15 km); Candelaria to Tayabas (10.21 km); and Tayabas to Lucena (9.96 km).
The funds will also be used for the widening of the existing South Luzon Expressway (SLEX). This project aims to improve overall traffic flow and capacity on the vital expressway
SMC SLEX earlier reported a net income of P2.37 billion from January to June this year, up 18 percent from P2 billion in the same period last year.
The company’s toll revenue reached P3.96 billion, a 16-percent increase from P3.41 billion a year ago. The average transaction mode for the period was 94 percent for RFID and 6 percent for cash.
SLEX achieved an average daily traffic (ADT) of 357,548, a 2 percent increase from 351,024 in 2023.
SLEX spans 36.1 km. from Alabang, Muntinlupa City to Sto. Tomas, Batangas. It is one of the three major expressways that link Metro Manila to the provinces of Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon (Calabarzon).
Subic Bay plans P41-b projects to sustain growth
By Othel V. Campos
The
“Subic Bay is on the cusp of a transformation. With our strategic investments in cruise tourism, port infrastructure, and airport modernization, we are not only creating a world-class destination but also laying the foundation for sustained economic growth and prosperity for the
and the nation,” said SBMA chairman and administrator Eduardo Jose Aliño.
The agency plans to pursue publicprivate partnerships (PPP) and official development assistance (ODA) to fund the projects.
First in the pipeline is a P10.16-billion port project to be undertaken in two phases. It involves the construction of a P1.2-billion double-berth 380-meter pier and a P8.96-billion 20-hectare reclamation for the cruise passenger terminal.
The SBMA expects international and local cruise operations to boost local and national economies through increased employment, revenue and
LandBank offers enhanced loans, support for emergencies
LAND Bank of the Philippines said it expanded its available loan packages for businesses and individuals affected by calamities and natural disasters to help facilitate and fast-track rebuilding efforts.
Under the enhanced LandBank CARES+ (Community Assistance and REintegration Support Plus) lending program, affected farmers and fishers, cooperatives, micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), corporations and electric distribution utilities may access loans to finance their recovery and restore regular business operations.
Eligible borrowers may use the funds for working capital, capital expenditures, and the construction, repair or acquisition of disaster-damaged equipment, facilities and struc-
A HIGH-PROFILE Australian trade and investment mission to the Philippines is set to take place this week, led by Shemara Wikramanayake, managing director and chief executive of Macquarie Group, a global financial services group which has been active in the Philippines for 20 years. As Australia’s business champion for the Philippines, Wikramanayake will lead a delegation of 14 Australian businesses to explore opportunities presented by the Philippines’ robust economy. The landmark business mission underscores Australia’s commitment to strengthening economic ties with Southeast Asia, particularly the Phil-
tourism spending.
It said to address the anticipated surge in cargo traffic, the SBMA is also positioning the P13-billion Multipurpose Port Terminal (MPT) at Lower Mau to add a 570-meter wharf and a 17.2-hectare back-up area, increasing bulk cargo capacity by 2.5 million metric tons. The P11-billion MPT at Redondo Peninsula will feature a 600-meter wharf and a 30-hectare back-up area, further expanding port capacity by 3 million metric tons.
Recognizing the importance of air connectivity, the SBMA allocated P7.02 billion to modernize and upgrade the Subic Bay International Airport (SBIA). This includes improvements to existing buildings, new facilities and a potential expansion to accommodate up to 6 million passengers annually.
A P4.3 billion investment is also planned for a new hotel and parking facilities within the airport complex. This aims to enhance the visitor experience, promote the use of the SBIA and stimulate tourism in the Subic Bay Freeport.
IN BRIEF
ippines.
As one of the fastest growing economies in Southeast Asia and with recent economic liberalization measures, the Philippines offers substantial prospects for increased two-way trade and investment. “Australia is continuing to seek opportunities to partner with the Philippines to help it reach its ambition to be an uppermiddle-income economy soon,” said Australian Ambassador to the Philippines HK Yu.
“This business mission is our strategic partnership in action. The Philippines’ need for high-quality investment in capital, expertise, and technology aligns perfectly with Australia’s strengths,” Yu said.
tures. Electric distribution utilities can also use the loan as short-term working capital for the incremental increase in generation and distribution expenses.
“We want to boost the ability of our clients and partners to recover quickly from calamities and disasters. We have expanded our accessible financial support interventions to help build resilience and expedite response and rehabilitation efforts,” said LandBank president and chief executive Lynette Ortiz.
For employees of government agencies and companies with LandBank payrolls, the state-run bank is also offering Electronic Salary Loan (eSL) that provides convenient and quick access to funds.
Eligible borrowers can apply for the eSL online via the LandBank website, iAccess or mobile banking app (MBA), with loan proceeds directly credited to their accounts. Existing eSL borrowers who have maintained good payment standing for at least three months can also quickly renew their loans.
The bank said it would also soon introduce its new “EasyCash for Emergencies” feature for LandBank credit cardholders, which allows clients to convert their available credit limits into emergency cash with flexible repayment options of up to 36 months. Eligible cardholders will receive an SMS and email from LandBank confirming their eligibility for the credit limit conversion, and the funds will be credited to their deposit account.
ENVIRONMENT & SUSTAINABILITY
UN’s Guterres warns against swelling seas
NUKU’ALOFA, Tonga—United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres sent out a global climate
“SOS” at a Pacific islands summit last week, unveiling research that shows the region’s seas rising much more swiftly than global averages.
“I am in Tonga to issue a global
SOS—Save Our Seas—on rising sea levels. A worldwide catastrophe is putting this Pacific paradise in peril” he said.
Sparsely populated and with few heavy industries, the Pacific islands collectively pump out less than 0.02 percent of global emissions every year.
But this vast arc of volcanic islands and low-lying coral atolls also inhabits a tropical corridor that is rapidly threatened by encroaching oceans.
The World Meteorological Organization has been monitoring tide gauges installed on the Pacific’s famed beaches since the early 1990s.
A new report released by the top UN climate monitoring body showed seas had risen by around 15 centimeters in some parts of the Pacific in the last 30 years. The global average was 9.4 centimeters, according to the report.
“It is increasingly evident that we are fast running out of time to turn the tide,” said the forecasting agency’s top official, Celeste Saulo.
Some sites, particularly in Kiribati and Cook Islands, measured a rise that matched or was just under the global average.
But other sites, such as the capital cities of Samoa and Fiji, were rising almost three times higher.
In low-lying Pacific nation Tuvalu, land is already so scarce that throngs of children use the tarmac at the international airport as their own makeshift playground.
Scientists have warned that, even under some moderate scenarios, Tuvalu could be almost entirely wiped off the map within the next 30 years.
“It’s disaster after disaster, and we are losing the capacity to rebuild, to withstand another cyclone or another flood,” Tuvalu Climate Minister Maina Talia told AFP last week on the summit’s sidelines.
“For low-lying island states, it’s a matter of survival for us.”
The plight of Pacific islands has been easily overlooked in the past, given their relative isolation and lack of economic might.
But the region is increasingly seen by scientists as a climate canary in the coal mine, hinting at the troubles potentially facing other parts of the planet. AFP
ecoloop partner Pilotage sorts residual plastic waste for shredding to prepare it for use as alternative fuel in Republic Cement’s manufacturing process.
DA pushes sustainable coconut farming in PH
THE Department of Agriculture and the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) vowed to improve the lives of Filipino coconut farmers and transform the industry toward sustainability.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr., in a message read by Agriculture Undersecretary Roger V. Navarro during the celebration of the 38th National Coconut Week, said the event highlights the role of coconut farmers in building a prosperous, better and sustainable coconut industry.
access and farmer empowerment— we need to work more sustainably,” he added.
Aboitiz Group teams up with Cebu gov’t on reforestation
THE Aboitiz Group is teaming up with the provincial government of Cebu for a large-scale, multiyear reforestation and watershed recovery project that will start with the greening of the ManangaLusaran River Project.
CarbonPH Project is the first proposed large-scale multipartite reforestation and watershed recovery partnership initiative between the Aboitiz Group and Cebu province.
Aboitiz Group president and chief executive officer and Aboitiz Foundation chairman Sabin Aboitiz last week signed a memorandum of understanding for CarbonPH, along with Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia, acting Cebu City Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia and Talisay City Mayor Gerald Anthony Gullas Jr., represented by Vice Mayor Richard Francis Aznar, during the Cebu Investments and Tourism Forum held at the Bai Hotel Cebu in Mandaue City. As a symbol of the long-term partnership and the Aboitiz Group’s deep commitment to the province, Garcia received an acacia sapling from Aboitiz during the signing ceremony. The acacia tree is known for its resilience, strength and ability to thrive in challenging environments.
“The coconut is more than just a symbol of our rich agricultural heritage. It is a powerhouse of Philippine agriculture. At present, we export more than 50 percent products and earned more than one billion or a billion dollars annually from crude coconut oil alone,” Tiu Laurel said.
The agriculture chief also stressed the need to maximize opportunities to uplift the lives of coconut farmers, drive economic growth, and achieve the goal of a prosperous and progressive nation.
“Today, we highlight the collaboration and partnership among the public and private sector of the coconut industry. We are committed to work together to strengthen every facet of the coconut value chain—from research and development to market
The United Nations, through the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), has provided alternative coconut-based farming livelihoods in targeted communities in the Philippines, especially after Typhoon Yolanda caused destruction in November 2013.
An estimated 44 million trees were damaged or destroyed by the typhoon, affecting around 1 million coconut farmers. FAO News, DA
“More than planting trees, we are planting the seeds of a future where Cebu’s environment can thrive with its people. This partnership with Gov. Gwen and the province of Cebu is a long-term investment in the wellbeing of our communities. We’re turning our shared vision of sustainability into a living, breathing reality,” said Aboitiz, whose family traces its roots to Cebu.
Urban farming option cultivates climate resilience and food security
AS THE impacts of climate change continue to challenge global food security, innovative solutions are emerging.
Among them is urban farming, a practice that has gained significance as cities become more populated and space for traditional agriculture dwindles.
With climate change altering weather patterns and reducing arable land, urban farming offers a resilient alternative, helping to reduce the risk of supply chain disruptions.
A notable example of this is the City Ordinance No. SP-2972, passed by the local government of Quezon City in 2020.
The ordinance encourages property owners to transform idle lands into productive urban farms.
Rather than leave their lands unused while still paying taxes, many property owners have embraced urban agriculture and food production.
To qualify for the idle land tax exemption, the entire land must be devoted to urban agriculture
TAGUIG CITY―ecoloop, the resource recovery group of Republic Cement, said it successfully diverted 21.4 billion plastic sachets in 2023, equivalent to 110,000 metric tons of residual waste used as alternative fuel in the company’s co-processing operations for cement manufacturing.
“This achievement represents a significant amount of waste diverted from landfills and bodies of water, like oceans and urban waterways, and further underscores Republic Cement’s commitment to environmental stewardship and circular economy principles,” said ecoloop director Angela EdralinValencia.
The Philippines is the third largest plastic polluter of the Pacific Ocean, contributing significantly to marine plastic waste. According to a 2021
World Bank report, the Philippines generates an estimated 61,000 metric tons of waste daily, with 12 to 24 percent of this being plastic waste.
For the year 2023, Republic Cement saidt it has utilized over 670,000 tons of residual waste in its overall cement manufacturing process, including other alternative fuels such as biomass and refuse-derived fuel. This is the largest amount of residual waste that the company has diverted in a single year since pioneering the use of alternative fuels in the Philippines in the early 2000s. Republic Cement’s use of alternative fuels in manufacturing has effectively led to a 30-percent reduction in CO2 emissions per ton of cement, compared to using traditional fuels such as coal.
for a minimum of three years and must yield agricultural produce for either personal or public consumption.
As a result, these farms now supply fresh vegetables to the community, reduce the need for long-distance transportation and cut down on greenhouse gas emissions.
As of December 31, 2023, there are 1,026 urban farms in Quezon City. Beyond providing food, the program has created livelihoods for around 25,650 urban farmers, who are now engaged in green jobs.
One of the most efficient techniques in urban farming is hydroponics, which involves growing plants in a nutrient-rich water solution instead of soil.
This method uses up to 90 percent less water than traditional farming and can be implemented in compact spaces such as rooftops, balconies, and even indoors. CCC news
Half the world’s countries have degraded freshwater resources, UN findings reveal
First of 2 parts
IN HALF the world’s countries one or more types of freshwater ecosystems are degraded, including rivers, lakes and aquifers. River flow has significantly decreased, surface water bodies are shrinking or being lost, ambient water is growing more polluted, and water management is off-track.
These are some of the findings of three reports tracking progress on freshwater, published last week by UN-Water and the UN Environment Program (UNEP).
The triennial series of reports is focused on progress towards achieving the goal of “clean water and sanitation for all” through protecting and restoring freshwater sources.
Based on greater data sets than
ever before, the reports reiterate the call to scale up support for member states in tackling challenges through the UN System-wide strategy for water and sanitation and the accompanying upcoming Collaborative Implementation Plan.
“Our blue planet is being rapidly deprived of healthy freshwater bodies and resources, with dire prospects for food security, climate change and biodiversity,” said Dianna Kopansky, head of the Freshwater and Wetlands Unit, Ecosystems Division at UNEP.
“At this critical point, global political commitments for sustainable water management have never been higher, including through the passing of a water resolution at the last UN Environment Assembly in February, but they are not being matched by required finance or
action,” she said.
“Protection and restoration policies, tailored for different regions, are halting further loss and show that reversing degradation is within reach. We absolutely need more of them.”
A reported 90 countries, most in Africa, Central- and Southeast Asia, are experiencing the degradation of one or more freshwater ecosystems. Other regions, such as Oceania, mark improvements. Pollution, dams, land conversion, overabstraction and climate change contribute to degradation of freshwater ecosystems.
Influenced by climate change and land use, river flow has decreased in 402 basins worldwide―a fivefold increase since 2000. A much smaller number is gaining in river flow.
Loss of mangroves due to human activities (e.g., aquaculture and agriculture) poses a risk to coastal communities, freshwater resources, biodiversity, and climate due to their water filtration and carbon sequestering properties.
Significant decreases of mangroves were reported in Southeast Asia, though the overall net rate of deforestation has leveled off in the last decade.
(To be continued) UNEP News
A social enterprise that runs the BGC Community farm aims to inspire the youth to engage in agriculture.
Photo from Urbanfarmersph
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres speaks during the opening of the 53rd Pacific Islands Forum in Nuku’alofa on August 26, 2024. (Photo by Katalina Siasau / AFP)
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2024
lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com
NICKIE WANG, Editor
ANGELICA VILLANUEVA, Writer
ABIGAIL ADRIATICO, Writer
The Kid LAROI announces Manila debut concert
AUSTRALIAN pop star The Kid LAROI will make his debut in Manila with a show on Nov. 5 at The New Frontier Theater. The performance is part of his 2024 tour across Australia, New Zealand, and Asia, promoting his debut studio album THE FIRST TIME, and his latest single, “Girls.”
This will be LAROI’s fi rst appearance in Manila and is expected to feature popular tracks like “Stay,” his 2021 collaboration with Justin Bieber , and “Without You.”
LAROI’s 2024 tour follows his 2022 headline tour, which added extra dates due to high demand. His new album, THE FIRST TIME , includes 20 tracks blending hip-hop, pop, alternative, and indie
genres. The album has garnered over 1.2 billion global streams, debuted at #3 on the ARIA Album Chart, and features collaborations with artists like Jungkook and Future.
LAROI, known for his rapid rise to fame, was nominated for Grammy Awards in 2022 and has achieved significant streaming success.
The Manila show promises to be a major event as LAROI continues to draw global attention with his dynamic performances.
Tickets for the concert became available on Aug. 30 via www.ticketnet.com.ph An exclusive 24-hour presale also started a day earlier through the TOP.PH app.
SHOWBIZ
How pageantry paved the way for Cambodian actors in ‘Z-Mom’
By Abigail Adriatico
IF there is anything that the glitz and glamor of pageantry has in common with the eerie and frightening horror films is that both can be unnerving for the uninitiated.
From pulling off a flawless catwalk to ensuring that a scene is convincing to viewers, both pageant kings and queens as well as horror actors have the responsibility of delivering a good performance to their audiences.
For Cambodian actors Rern Nat and Leav Veng Hour, this was especially true. Being the Miss Universe Cambodia 2018 and Mister Friendship International 2023, respectively, the two of them know fully well how important it is to carry themselves confidently and convincingly on the pageantry stage and the film set. Their latest performance on the big screen is for Cambodian director Kou Darachan’s Z-Mom, which revolves around the story of a mother and her efforts to protect her family amid a zombie outbreak during their visit to a private
However, both Hour and Nat shared how they managed to pull through by drawing from their pageantry experience.
For Nat, what she had learned from pageantry which had served her well throughout the film’s production was the importance of teamwork.
“[Because I learned] the importance of working in collaboration with other people, the work that we did [for the film] went smoothly. I was able to work with new photographers, videographers, teammates, and many more” said the actress during the media conference for the film. Meanwhile, Hour shared how his perseverance throughout his time in pageants has played a part in how he managed to deliver a good performance in the film.
New series aims to boost teen mental health awareness
THE National Council for Children’s Television (NCCT) has awarded GMA Network a grant to produce a new program aimed at raising awareness about Filipino culture, social issues, and youth development.
GMA-7 is the only broadcast company among four grantees selected for the National Endowment Fund for Children’s Television (NEFCTV) 2022 Grants Program.
The NEFCTV has chosen mental health as the central theme for the funded content, targeting audiences aged 13 to 17. GMA Network will produce a three-episode miniseries titled OK AKO, which addresses topics such as loss, anger, anxiety, bulimia, and depression through engaging and supportive stories. The series is airing on Sept. 8, 15, and 22 on GMA-7.
GMA Senior Vice President for Entertainment Group Lilybeth G. Rasonable highlights the common goal of the Network and NCCT, “We are grateful to the NCCT for choosing GMA Network
“If you have a bad first day when you go to compete, it doesn’t mean that your second day is going to be bad. It doesn’t determine your third day, your final, your prelim. It’s the same on set. If you have a bad scene, it doesn’t mean that your next scene is going to be the same. You try not to let it affect your next day,” said Hour.
With Z-Mom having its premiere in the Philippines, Sastra Films founder and CEO and Z-Mom executive producer Bun Channimol shared her excitement of having to share the film with Filipino audiences as both Cambodia and the Philippines have a shared cultural aspect of being family-oriented, which is a theme that the film explores.
Z-Mom is part of SM Cinema’s AuGhost Exclusives, a film festival that runs until today, Sept. 3, and features four Southeast Asian horror films released for the first time in the Philippines. The other films featured are Haunted Universities 3 and The Cursed Land from Thailand, and Mystery Writers from Taiwan.
express themselves through drawings,” Tanghalang Pilipino Foundation, Inc. Company Manager Carmela MilladoManuel added.
ia Mance Atienza, on the other hand, acknowledges the influence and credibility of the grantees, “We are certain that this memorandum of agreement will further our advocacy for child-friendlier television. We understand the role of engaging our families, content creators, and citizens in building a community of child-friendly media advocates.”
Meanwhile, the other grantees also briefly explained their creative concepts such as Tropa Peeps Lakbay Isip, and Friendship Puzzles
“Ito ang una naming proyekto na magpo-produce kami ng isang childsensitive television program. We aim to educate the children about their rights to be protected against sexual abuse and exploitation,” Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Child Sexual Abuse (CPTCSA) Executive Director Zeny Rosales mentioned.
“We want to create a safe space for our audience. At the end of our episodes, may interactive activities wherein they can write their own diary and they can
Friendship Puzzles is a light drama that tackles the phenomenon of children becoming more fragile due to social media. Naniniwala kami na ang mental health ay isang usapin na kailangang laging ilatag sa policy making and media programming,” The Lovelife Project for Health and Environment Creative Executive Producer Crisaldo Pablo stated.
NEFCTV is created under the NCCT, an attached agency of the Department of Education. It is mandated to encourage the creation and broadcast of programs for Filipino youth.
To be eligible for the grant, organizations must have a proven track record, expertise in video production and broadcast of children’s television programs, and must possess a firm commitment to the advancement of children’s causes. Hence, this upcoming project solidifies GMA Network’s unwavering responsibility to produce world-class and meaningful entertainment programs with values and purpose.
From left: Mister Friendship International 2023 Leav Veng Hour, Sastra Films founder and CEO and Z-Mom executive producer Bun Channimol, and Miss Universe Cambodia 2018 Rern Nat
island. In the film, they take on the roles of the couple who went to the private island upon the invitation of a friend.
With Z-Mom being the first horror film of their careers, there were some challenges that they had to face during its production as they took on their roles in a genre that they had yet to try.
‘Z-Mom’ stars Leav Veng Hour (left) and Rern Nat engage with media in Manila to talk about their lm and o er a glimpse into their challenging roles
‘Z-Mom’ is a Cambodian lm about a mother trying to protect her family while a zombie outbreak occurs on a private island
The Kid LAROI’s debut studio album features tracks which blend the genres of hip-hop, pop, alternative, and indie music
LIFE & SHOWBIZ
The fast lane to luxe lenses
By Nickie Wang
PORSCHE Design Eyewear has officially launched in the Philippines, now available at Vision Express, Eye Society, and SM Store Group outlets.
The new collection is a nod to the design principles of Ferdinand Alexander Porsche , the founder of the Porsche Design Studio. Crafted in Germany, the eyewear collection emphasizes precision and durability, combining classic elegance with modern functionality. The frames are made using advanced technology and high-quality materials, ensuring a blend of style and performance.
The collection features several distinct series:
Iconics: This series includes standout models like the P’8478, created in collaboration with Rodenstock. These limited editions represent the height of Porsche Design’s craftsmanship and innovation.
Performance: Combining modern aesthetics with advanced technology, this line offers eyewear designed for both style and functionality. Notable features include high-quality spring hinges and fl exible temples for enhanced comfort.
Purism: The Purism collection focuses on minimalist design, offering lightweight frames with clean lines. This series reflects a philosophy of “less is more,” integrating simplicity with high-quality design.
Reading Tools: This series is designed for everyday use, featuring frames with anti-reflective, scratch-resistant lenses and practical, fl at-folding designs.
Porsche Design Eyewear brings a touch of innovation and classic design to the Philippine market, continuing the brand’s tradition of merging functionality with iconic style.
‘Deadpool’ tops the tills anew, boosts August totals above pre-pandemic levels
DEADPOOL & Wolverine led the North American box office again this weekend, taking in an estimated $15.2 million and helping boost domestic August totals well above pre-pandemic levels for a strong summer finish, analysts said Sunday.
The superhero comedy from Disney and Marvel has led domestic ticket sales nearly every weekend since its release six weeks ago, partly on the draw of popular stars (and pals) Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman
Its domestic total now stands at $603.8 million – making it only the 16th film to surpass the $600 million mark, 11 of them produced by Walt Disney Studios, industry watcher Exhibitor Relations reported. Set decades after the original Alien the franchise’s latest entry stars Cailee Spaeny and David Jonsson as space colonists who have their own encounter with deadly xenomorphs.
Sony’s It Ends With Us, a romance drama based on the popular Colleen Hoover novel of the same name, had $7.4 million in ticket sales to place third over the traditionally quiet US Labor Day weekend. Blake Lively stars and co-produced the film. Reagan, a biopic about the 40th US president from ShowBiz Direct and MJM Entertainment, took in $7.4 million, a “good domestic opening for a political biography,” said analyst David A. Gross, as approving audiences
ignored tepid reviews.
Arriving by design as the race to be the 47th president rapidly heats up, the film – based on Paul Kengor’s book
The Crusader – stars Dennis Quaid in a sympathetic treatment that traces Reagan’s arc from childhood to the Oval Office.
And in fifth place, Twisters –Universal’s follow-up to 1996’s popular Twister – garnered an estimated $7.2 million in ticket sales. Glen Powell plays a charming down-home storm chaser intrigued by a mysteriously prescient rival (Daisy Edgar-Jones) as they are battered by an astonishing series of tornadoes.
The North American box office, hit first by COVID and then by strikes, started the summer slowly.
But strong showings by Deadpool Alien, Inside Out 2, and Twisters have helped produce a dramatic reversal, and Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is expected to provide a further boost next weekend.
Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is anticipated to further boost numbers in the coming weekend.
The top 10 films also included Blink Twice, which earned $4.7 million, The Forge with $4.6 million, and Despicable Me 4, which brought in $4.1 million. Additionally, AfrAId collected $3.7 million, and the 15th-anniversary re-release of Coraline earned $3.2 million. AFP
Shticks
Joseph Peter Gonzales
ACTOR Tony Labrusca is proud to star in What You Did, a film that will be shown at the 2024 Sinag Maynila Film Festival from Sept. 4 to 8. The movie, produced by The Jumpcat Experiment Productions, was filmed three years ago, and Tony feels that now is the right time for its release.
“We filmed this three years ago, and I guess its participation in this year’s Sinag Maynila Film Festival is perfect timing for it to be shown commercially. I’m proud to say that our director, Joan Flores-Lopez, is the first-ever female full-length filmmaker for the festival,” he shared.
The film is a psychological thriller-drama that explores the devastating effects of trauma, the relentless pursuit of validation, and the harsh reality of dreams being shattered by a global crisis.
Tony Labrusca takes pride in lead role for ‘What You Did’ at Sinag Maynila
“The story is set during the COVID-19 pandemic. We shot it for 20 days in Tagaytay. I’m sure many can relate to the story, which touches on mental health,” he said.
In the story, Labrusca plays dual characters, Arvin and Ace. “Oh, yes. But I’m glad that our director helped me a lot in developing my two characters. Working on set was so much fun, even if it was hard. It’s good that I had this emotional connection with our director. And it helped that we filmed this during the pandemic. We truly felt the situation. We were focused and didn’t have any distractions.”
Considering the complexity of his roles, does he expect to win awards or receive nominations for his work?
“Honestly, I have no expectations. That would be a bonus if it happens. I’m just happy that Direk is pleased with my performance. What’s more important to me is that people get to watch it. Truly, I fell in love with my characters, Ace and Arvin. I can say that ‘What You Did’ is my best acting piece so far in my career,” Tony said.
* * *
In a recent interview, Bea Alonzo shared that she is single and content, focusing on personal goals and enjoying life. She mentioned that while she occasionally receives messages and meets people, she is not seeing anyone exclusively.
“For the record, I’m single, and I’m okay with it. I still have a lot of things to do for myself, and I’m enjoying it right now,” she said.
Bea is busy filming for Widows’ War on GMA, which involves a hectic schedule but is rewarding due to high ratings and positive feedback. In her free time, she engages in sports activities like paddleboarding and takes care of herself with salon and dermatologist visits, aiming for a balanced life.
“We tape four times a week in Bataan, so it’s pretty hectic, but it’s all worth it because of our high ratings and positive feedback from viewers.”
Reflecting on her breakup with former boyfriend Dominic Roque, Bea feels she is in a better place, viewing herself as a work in progress focused on personal and professional growth. She acknowledged that life’s ups and downs are temporary and emphasized taking things one day at a time.
“I guess so! I would say I’m a work in progress. I always strive to have peace of mind and to become a better person, a better daughter, and a better friend. I also strive to become better in my profession.”
Bea acknowledged the transient nature of life, stating that everything, including happiness and challenges, will pass. She emphasized the importance of embracing life’s ups and downs and taking things one day at a time.
“Life is fleeting, so just take things one day at a time,” she concluded.
The new collection pays homage to Porsche Design Studio founder Ferdinand Alexander Porsche’s design principles
Porsche Design Eyewear’s new collection features the Iconics, Performance, Purism, and Reading Tools series
The eyewear collection offers frames made using advanced technology and high-quality materials
A scene from ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ starring Hugh Jackman (left) and Ryan Reynolds
Actor Tony Labrusca takes on the role of Arvin and Ace in the psychological thriller-drama by Joan Flores-Lopez
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2024
lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com
NICKIE WANG, Editor
ANGELICA VILLANUEVA, Writer
ABIGAIL ADRIATICO, Writer
By Angelica Villanueva
MARIKINA, renowned as the shoe capital of the Philippines, boasts a rich tradition in shoemaking, producing highquality footwear for many years. One notable brand from this heritage is Figlia, a popular Filipino footwear label that has become a favorite among people from various backgrounds.
Founded by Joey Enriquez, a dedicated shoemaker with a strong passion for his craft and an eye for style, Figlia emerged from his desire to start his own business.
In an exclusive interview, Enriquez shared with Manila Standard Lifestyle the journey of Figlia from a modest family business to a major player in the Philippine footwear industry.
“Actually, my father started his own business manufacturing shoes in 1955 using the brand Meg’s Shoes. So, that was how we started and how I became interested in shoemaking,” Enriquez said.
His journey in the industry started in 1986, marked by both the excitement of starting his own business and challenges from economic crises and changing consumer preferences.
“Before, our business went up and down due to politics and the Asian financial crisis. So, I also had financial problems because I was expanding,” he continued.
When asked what he learned from these experiences, Enriquez emphasized, “You have to always be prepared.”
But just like in every storm, there comes a rainbow for Enriquez’s Figlia as it became the
Figlia’s designs take inspiration from evolving trends as well as its collaborations with local designers
Henry Sy-owned SM’s first shoe concessionaire inside its department store.
“I was the first shoe concessionaire inside SM when SM Makati opened. I was with fashion designers like Lily Laurel, Michael LaRosa, Efren Ocampo, and Lulu TanGan ,” Enriquez added.
Eventually, Figlia became a beloved homegrown brand. From one brand, it grew to six brands with each targeting its own market: Figlia, Figliarina, Shubizz, Sorores, Uomo, and Figlia Bags— catering to the diverse needs of the Filipino market. From then on, Figlia has become synonymous with comfort, style, and quality footwear, delivering high-quality shoes to every generation.
While the company’s roots are firmly planted in traditional shoemaking, it has embraced modern design elements and sought inspiration from global fashion trends.
Bringing comfort and style together for decades
“Before, it was a bit conservative. Now, with the dawn of the internet, the world has become very small. Whatever is in trend in Europe, you can see it right away. So, you really need to be ahead of the trend. It’s instantaneous,” Enriquez explained.
He added that Figlia has consistently adapted to the evolving tastes and preferences of Filipino consumers. By closely monitoring trends and collaborating with local designers, the brand has managed to stay relevant in a highly competitive market.
“Of course, the prices of branded items are different. For common Filipinos, maybe we cannot truly afford those price points. For the mass market, we get inspiration from them— silhouettes, Mary Janes,” he added.
Enriquez also noted the importance of collaborating with celebrities and influencers to reach a wider audience and connect with the younger generation.
As Figlia continues to grow, the brand has set its sights on the global market. Enriquez discussed the challenges of exporting footwear and the importance of finding the right partners.
Despite these challenges, Figlia remains optimistic about its future.
At the heart of the shoe brand’s success is its commitment to providing comfortable and stylish footwear. Enriquez believes that a good shoe should not only look good but also make you feel good.
GAP’S Fall 2024 denim collection highlights loosefit styles and celebrates self-expression through dance. The new campaign, launched recently, features Grammy-nominated pop star Troye Sivan and the dance group CDK Company, directed and choreographed by Sergio Reis
Troye Sivan gets loose with Gap
To accentuate movement and personal style, the campaign’s film, set to Thundercat’s “Funny Thing” and shot by Dan Martensen, features Sivan and the dancers in a range of loose-fit denim styles.
Mark Breitbard, President and CEO of Gap,
noted that the collection reflects Gap’s long history in denim while focusing on the current trend towards loose, comfortable fits.
“We are celebrating Gap’s 55-year heritage in denim with a collection of loose styles that allow for self-expression,” said Breitbard. “Our new campaign featuring Troye Sivan perfectly captures the spirit of this moment with an attitude that showcases the movement of our denim and delivers fashion as entertainment.”
Troye Sivan, known for his electro-pop music, expressed his enthusiasm for the project.
“Dance and Gap’s denim feel like a perfect fit for me,” he said. “I’m excited to be part of a campaign that celebrates effortless style and self-expression.”
The Fall 2024 collection features a range of styles, including women’s Baggy and Horseshoe Jeans and Men’s ’90s Loose Jean and Denim Cargos. The collection is available in stores and online.
In addition to the campaign, Gap will work with Sivan on an in-store playlist, which will also be available on Spotify. For more information, follow @gapphilippines.
The collection can be found at Ayala Malls Manila Bay, Glorietta 4, Shangri-La Plaza Mall, SM Mall of Asia, SM Megamall, Trinoma, Alabang Town Center, Abreeza Davao, or online at gap.com.ph.
Figlia o ers high-quality footwear with a wide variety of designs
Figlia was the rst shoe concessionaire in SM when SM Makati was opened
Figlia founder Joey Enriquez says a good pair of shoes makes its wearer look and feel good
Troye Sivan with the Norwegian-based dance group CDK Company
