Manila Standard - 2024 November 18 - Monday

‘Pepito’ makes second landfall

Super typhoon spares Metro from full effect, may exit PAR today

By Rio N. Araja and Vince Lopez

SUPER Typhoon “Pepito” made its second landfall in the vicinity of Dipaculao, Aurora, and was headed in the direction of Quirino province, which it is expected to reach by Monday afternoon.

The powerful typhoon, however, spared Metro Manila from its full brunt.

The metropolis, with its almost 15 million population, was only under Tropical cyclone wind signal no. 2 as of 5 p.m. on Sunday.

The center of the eye of “Pepi-

By Rio N. Araja

Tits investigation into the 2020 murder of Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) board secretary Wesley Barayuga.

to” was estimated in the vicinity of Nagtipunan, Quirino, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said in its last bulletin on Sunday.

On Sunday, PNP Chief Police General Rommel Francisco Marbil said he ordered the reopening of the cold case after whistleblower Police Lt. Col. Santie Mendoza told the House Quad Committee that he helped carry out the killing at the behest of ex-PCSO general manager Royina Garma. Mendoza narrated before congressmen how Garma allegedly facilitated the PCSO official’s roadside assassination on July 30, 2020 by providing the necessary information about his schedule, details about his vehicle and the funding necessary to carry it out.

By Rio N. Araja, Rex Espiritu and Ralph Rirao

EVEN as Super Typhoon “Pepito” continued to wreak havoc in parts of the country, Congress already dispatched 24 large trucks to deliver much-needed relief goods to displaced families in the Bicol region, badly battered by consecutive storms.

The whistleblower also implicated incumbent National Police Commissioner Edilberto Leonardo in the planning of the murder.

The convoy of 22-wheeler trucks departed from the Batasang Pambansa Complex on Sunday, bringing with them food, hygiene kits, clothing and other essentials.

Yang's lawyer mocks probers amid heated inquiry

TRAIL OF DESTRUCTION. Super Typhoon ‘Pepito’ lived up to its billing, laying waste to homes and buildings along its path. Initial government reports indicate, however, that early warning and forced evacuation of vulnerable communities saved lives. Top

a

President Marcos, in close coordination with Speaker Martin Romualdez,

Barayuga was a retired police general and lawyer who supposedly threatened to expose corruption within the PCSO shortly before he was shot dead in Mandaluyong City.

Garma, herself an ex-police Lt. Colonel, allegedly gained the top spot at the PCSO because of her in-

center of Bagamanoc, Catanduanes. Residents clean up their shattered house in Caramoran, Catanduanes,

remains of his home in Barangay Puraran, Baras, Catanduanes. At bottom right, a 24-truck relief caravan

for hard-hit provinces of Bicol. BoLGUBagamanoc-PIO (sourced from Joshua Caballero Villegas), Erns

THE legal counsel of Chinese businessman Tony Yang sought to disparage lawmakers’ conclusions about his client’s supposedly sketchy past and his alleged ties with Philippine Overseas Gaming Operators (POGOs) and even Lawyer Raymond Fortun questioned the House Quad Committee’s impartiality and its ability to pin Chinese national Yang down for ay wrongdoing in a real

“I am very interested in how they [Quad Comm members] can prove this criminal network in court. In Congress, lawmakers act as both prosecutor and judge,” he said. Yang, who already admitted having a fake Philippine birth certificate, is the brother of Michael Yang, a presidential economic

By Darwin Amojelar

Bautista said in a Viber message, referring to the website that published the said story. “Bilyonaryo is inconsistent,” he added. Bilyonaryo reported online that “Bautista and his long-time protege in Philippine Airlines, Undersecretary for Aviation and Airports Bobby Lim, are at the center of the storm after it was

adviser of former President Rodrigo Duterte.

Fortun, a lawyer who often finds himself at the center high-profile cases, apparently sought to mock congressmen, calling their probe “unacceptable.”

By Rio Araja

However, House members argued they did not come by their suspicions about Yang recklessly.

BATANGAS Rep. Gerville Luistro

of illegal drugs and illegal activities associated with POGOs,” Suarez said in a mixture of Filipino and English.

The solons explained how the matrix details Yang’s connections to other individuals involved in illicit activities, including the operations of illegal POGOs.

ternational humanitarian law and potential murder.

has urged the House Quad Committee to recommend the filing of criminal charges against ex-President Rodrigo Duterte for supposed violations of in-

On Friday, Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio Gonzales Jr. of Pampanga and Deputy Speaker David Suarez of Quezon presented a matrix showing Yang’s first appearance and his subsequent activities at the Quad Comm hearing.

SCTEX

“We saw a pattern, and we tracked it to the top of these corporations... we stripped it of its layers , to get to the top and through it all, we have discovered and identified at least two main actors or players in the issue

By Darwin G. Amojelar

Navy spokes debunks China claim of military exercises in Scarborough shoal

By Rex Espiritu

By Angelica Villanueva

THE Philippine Navy debunked on Sunday the recent announcement by China that it conducted military exercises off Bajo de Masinloc, also known as Scarborough Shoal, in the West Philippine Sea (WPS). China reportedly made the announcement coinciding with the fourth Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity between the Philippines, Australia, Japan, New Zealand, and the United States within Manila’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the regional waters over the weekend. Philippine Navy Spokesperson for WPS Rear Admiral Roy Vin -

cent Trinidad told reporters that Manila troops did not monitor any such activity, adding that Beijing’s statement was meant only for its internal audience.

THE Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) has approved a second round of toll increases for the Subic Clark Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX), effective November 19, 2024.

An additional P 0.64 per km for Class 1 vehicles, P1.29 per km for Class 2, and P1.93 per km for Class 3 vehicles will be collected effective November 19, 2024, the TRB said.

“Our troops did not observe any exercise, we have to understand that sometimes, China is doing this for their internal audience, right? For them not to look weak and embarrassed,” Trinidad said.

The additional rates, which followed strict compliance with regulatory procedures and underwent thorough review, were part of the approved periodic adjustments of SCTEX due in 2021 and 2023.

Two Chinese warships were monitored at a distance ranging from eight to 14 nautical miles. One of these went up to 1,000 yards at the MMCA site but eventually went away. “It was not threatening, just normal,” accord -

The increase was deferred and divided into three tranches that will be collected over three years to help curb the inflationary strains and ease the impact on the users of the expressway.

Among the companies implicated are Brickhartz Technology Inc. and Xionwei Technology Co. Ltd., which are being linked to alleged kidnapping.

During the Nov. 13 Quad Comm hearing, she presented grim statistics on casualties from Duterte’s war on drugs, questioning the legality of the manner employed under his administration.

The two firms supposedly have connections with the Baofu Compound in Bamban, Tarlac, which, in turn, can be directly traced to disgraced ex-mayor Alice Guo.

During Friday’s Quad Comm hearing, lawmakers cited Tony Yang in contempt for “lying” to about his businesses and business partners.

By Rio N. Araja

Citing data from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and various rights groups, she noted 6,252 deaths in police anti-drug operations as of May 2022, even while some human rights groups contend that some

right photo shows damage wrought by ‘Pepito’ in the town

bottom left photo, while

man, center photo looks at the

organized by the House of Representatives prepares to leave

Tatualla, Allan Pamplona, Ver Noveno

PAGASA

House leaders Aurelio Gonzales and David Suarez presented this matrix during the last QUAD Comm hearing which shows the operations of a criminal syndicate allegedly led by fugitive Michael Yang, then economic adviser of former President Rodrigo Duterte, that controlled the illegal activities of the POGOs and was involved in the drug

‘Pepito’...

From A1

It was moving northwestward at 25 km/h with maximum sustained winds of 185 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 305 km/h.

It is expected to remain a super typhoon as it crosses Luzon the state weather bureau warned of a "potentially dangerous" situation in Aurora province.

‘Pepito,’ known internationally as ‘Man-Yi,’ uprooted trees, brought down power lines and smashed flimsy houses to pieces as it swept across the storm-weary Philippines on Sunday, following an unusual streak of violent weather.

The cyclone was still packing maximum sustained winds of 185 kilometers per hour (115 miles per hour) and gusts of up to 230 kph, after making landfall on lightly populated Catanduanes island late Saturday.

More than 1.2 million people fled their homes ahead of ‘Pepito’ as the national weather service warned of a "life-threatening" impact from the storm.

No deaths have so far been reported, but there was "extensive" damage to structures on Catanduanes, civil defense chief Ariel Nepomuceno said.

Severe flooding and landslides were expected as ‘Pepito’ dumped "intense

Solons...

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“There is nothing wrong with an affidavit. But the problem here is her ‘budol’ style. She was saying she was not invited but now she is given the chance to clear issues she does not want to face (us). If she is not hiding anything, why can’t she answer face-to-face the queries of Congress and the public?” Khonghun asked.

Ortega echoed Khonghun’s sentiment, calling the affidavit submission a clear tactic to avoid scrutiny.

“This is a way to fool us around in the guise of VP Sara’s answer using an affidavit to elude appearing at the hearing,” Ortega said. The House Blue Ribbon Committee or the Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability is investigating the alleged misuse of P500 million in confidential funds under the Office of the Vice President and P112.5 million under the Department of Education (DepEd) when Duterte was then the secretary.

Duterte attended the first hearing on Sept. 18 but refused to take an oath as a resource person, declined to answer lawmakers’ questions, and left early after delivering a brief statement criticiz-

SCTEX...

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The TRB authorized the implementation of the first tranche of the approved toll adjustments last October 17, 2023.

Once implemented, motorists with Class 1 vehicles (cars/SUVs) traveling from Mabalacat City (Mabiga Interchange) to Tarlac will pay an ad-

to torrential" rain over provinces in its path, with more than 200 millimeters (nearly eight inches) forecast in the next 24 hours, the weather service said. Panganiban municipality in the northeast of Catanduanes took a direct hit from ‘Pepito.

Photos and a drone video shared on the Facebook page of Mayor Cesar Robles showed fallen power lines, damaged and destroyed buildings, and trees and corrugated iron sheets strewn on the roads.

"Pepito was so strong, I have never experienced a typhoon this strong. It is still a bit unsafe, there are still bursts of wind and there are many debris."," Robles said in a post.

‘Pepito’ is the sixth storm in the past month to batter the archipelago nation.

At least 163 people died in the previous storms, that also left thousands homeless and wiped out crops and livestock.

Climate change is increasing the intensity of storms, leading to heavier rains, flash floods and stronger gusts.

About 20 big storms and typhoons hit the Philippines or its surrounding waters each year, killing scores of people, but it is rare for multiple such weather events to take place in a small window, as even the United States’ National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) noted.

Around 2,000 people were in emergency evacuation shelters in Dipaculao

ing the probe. She then skipped subsequent hearings, citing constitutional concerns and questioning the investigation’s necessity.

During a recent House Quad Comm hearing, attended by her father, exPresident Rodrigo Duterte, the Vice President was personally handed an invitation to the Nov. 20 hearing of the Blue Ribbon Committee, which lawmakers emphasized as a crucial opportunity to address the allegations.

Khonghun and Ortega stressed that submitting an affidavit instead of appearing in person undermines the principles of transparency and accountability.

“The House Blue Ribbon committee has given the Vice President every opportunity to clarify the use of public funds under her office. The question of the people is, what is her clear explanation?” Khonghun said.

Ortega warned that Duterte’s continued absence would only fuel public doubt.

Khonghun urged Duterte to reconsider, reminding her of the importance of public trust.

“As public servants, our duty is to the people. Vice President Duterte owes it to the Filipino people to provide answers — not just on paper, but in person,” he pointed out.

ditional P25. Those using Class 2 vehicles (buses and small commercial trucks) on the same route will pay an additional P50 and Class 3 vehicles (large trucks/trailers) will incur an additional charge of P75. Meanwhile, motorists traveling between Mabalacat City and Tipo, Hermosa, Bataan (near Subic Freeport) will be charged an additional P41, P81, and P121 for Class 1, 2, and

municipality in Aurora province.

BELENISMO AT TARLAC. Diplomats applaud at the end of the cultural program held during the Belenismo sa Tarlac -The Art of Making Belen event organized yearly by the Tarlac Heritage Foundation led by Isa Cojuangco -Suntay, founder of Belenismo sa Tarlac, and Dona Maria Isabel Cojuangco. Almost Sixty-two giant nativity scenes or belens were showcased at the 17th Belenismo in Tarlac, the Belen Capital of the Philippines. Colorful and creative nativity scenes featuring Joseph, Mary and Jesus were created from recycled and indigenous materials , This year's Belenismo carries the theme 'Offering Basket in the Altar‘ which emphasizes the true spirit of Christmas. Lino Santos

Others have stayed home to protect their property and livestock, or because they were skeptical of the warnings, said Geofry Parrocha, communications officer of Dipaculao disaster agency.

"Some of our countrymen are really hard-headed. They do not believe us until the typhoon arrives," Parrocha told Agence France Presse (AFP).

Meanwhile, the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Bicol flagged Catanduanes as a primary concern in its ongoing response to super typhoon, citing significant communication issues and infrastructure damage across the province.

On Sunday, PNP-Bicol Director General Andre Dizon said communication lines with nine municipalities in Catanduanes remain severed, hampering the flow of critical updates.

In a video conference with the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), Dizon said only Virac and San Andres can be contacted at the moment.

Dizon also reported major structural damage to several police stations in Catanduanes, hampering rescue as well as law enforcement operations.

The PNP is closely coordinating with the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) and the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (RDRRMO) to address various challenges, including the transport of relief goods to storm-hit communities.

Ms....

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Dee as Miss Universe Philippines, was among the Top 30 semifinalists in the global pageant.

She was chosen as one of the Four Continental Queens of Miss Universe 2024, with Miss Finland for Europe & Middle East, Miss Peru for the Americas, and Miss Nigeria for Africa and Oceania.

In a video in the Ms Universe Philippine Facebook page, the beauty queen expressed her gratitude and pride in making history for the Philippines.

“Hello! Maraming salamat, mabuhay ang Pilipinas. We are making history as Miss Universe Asia,” said Manalo.

During the Top 5 question and answer portion, the 23-year old Theilvig was asked, “Miss Universe has inspired generations of women. What do you want to say to those watching you now?”

Theilvig bested 124 delegates with her winning answer, "My message to all the world watching is: no matter where you come from, no matter your past, you can always choose to turn it into your strength.

3 vehicles, respectively.

In recent years, impactful projects have been undertaken to enhance the safety and convenience of all SCTEX users. From 2020 to 2023, the company undertook numerous infrastructure and enhancement projects as part of its commitment to improve motorists’ safety and convenience while traversing the expressway. These efforts include the installa-

House...

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the House of Representatives, and the Department of Social Welfare and Development rolled out nearly P750 million to implement the “Tabang Bikol, Tindog Oragon” initiative.

Aside from the initial delivery of relief goods, the relief effort also provides financial assistance to over 150,000 beneficiaries across the region.

The program, with Romualdez as the main proponent, aims to support communities in Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur and Albay as they recover from the devastation caused by typhoons “Kristine,” “Carina” and “Pepito.”

He said the logistics effort reflects a shared commitment by the government and private donors to deliver tangible relief to affected areas.

“‘Tabang Bikol’ is not only all about financial aid but also a symbol of concern and unity with the entire Filipino people,” he said.

He explained that the relief effort includes three major activities — financial assistance payouts, a miniBagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair and the distribution of relief goods.

The distribution of financial aid under the DSWD’s Assistance for Individuals in Crisis Situations program will begin on Nov. 18.

Likewise, the mini-BPSF, scheduled for Nov. 21, will offer residents access to vital government services, including housing, healthcare and livelihood programs.

Plans are underway to manage the influx of relief goods through the Tabaco Port in Albay, with the Highway Patrol Group organizing vehicles for shipment to Catanduanes, similar to measures implemented during Severe Tropical Storm ‘Kristine,’ Dizon said. Tropical cyclone wind signal no. 5 was raised over the central portion of Aurora (Dipaculao, Baler, Dinalungan, Maria Aurora, Casiguran, San Luis), the southern portion of Quirino (Nagtipunan), and the southern portion of Nueva Vizcaya (Alfonso Castañeda, Dupax del Norte, Dupax del Sur, Kasibu, Aritao, Bambang). Signal no. 4 was hoisted over the rest of Aurora, the rest of Nueva Vizcaya, the rest of Quirino, the southern portion of Ifugao (Kiangan, Lamut, Tinoc, Asipulo, Lagawe), Benguet, the southern portion of Ilocos Sur (Alilem, Sugpon, Suyo, Santa Cruz, Tagudin), La Union, the eastern portion of Pangasinan (Sison, Tayug, Binalonan, San Manuel, Asingan, San Quintin, Santa Maria, Natividad, San Nicolas, Balungao, Pozorrubio, Laoac, San Jacinto, San Fabian, Manaoag, City of Urdaneta, Rosales, Umingan, Mangaldan, Mapandan, Villasis, Santo Tomas), and the northern portion of Nueva Ecija (Gabaldon, Laur, Bongabon, Pantabangan, Rizal, General Mamerto Natividad, Lupao, San Jose City, Llanera, Carranglan, Science City of Muñoz, Talugtug, Cuyapo). With AFP

It will never define who you are. You just have to keep fighting. I stand here today because I want to change, make history. And that's what I'm doing tonight. So never give up, always believe in yourself and your dreams. And that is exactly what you should do.”

Reports also said that the Four Continental Queens will be traveling with Theilvig as part of the promotional campaign of the Miss Universe Organization. First runner-up honors was awarded to Miss Nigeria, while Miss Mexico earned the second runner-up spot. Rounding out the Top 5 were Miss Thailand and Miss Venezuela, named third and fourth runners-up, respectively. It was the fifth time Mexico has hosted the contest, which has been criticized for promoting outmoded ideas of femininity.

The pageant has sought to evolve and rebrand itself after being acquired by JKN Global Group, headed by Thai media mogul and transgender rights campaigner Anne Jakapong Jakrajutatip.

In January, the Mexico-based Legacy Holding acquired a 50 percent stake in Miss Universe. With AFP

tion and upgrading of roadway lights and signage, maintenance, and toll plaza improvement work, pavement replacement and crack sealing, guardrail and fence repairs, RFID system enhancements, toll systems upgrades, the Dinalupihan road raising project, the Porac Gumain, San Matias and Pasig Potrero bridges repairs and the construction of rainwater collection systems in Floridablanca and Dinalupihan rest bays.

Romualdez said the effort reflects lessons learned about disaster relief in the aftermath of Super Typhoon “Yolanda” which flattened Eastern Visayas in 2013.

In a separate effort, the House is also ready to release funds to congressional districts affected by “Pepito,” the Speaker said.

“We are just waiting for the report of our members and the extent of the damage in their respective areas so we can release funds for the victims of the typhoon,” he noted.

“Of course, the funds to be released are intended for repairs of damaged houses and for basic necessities of people who lost their livelihoods because of the typhoon,” Romualdez further explained.

He said lawmakers whose districts were affected by “Pepito” will likely start submitting their requests for financial assistance on behalf of their constituents today.

As this developed, The Department of Health (DOH) Bicol Center for Health Development (CHD) is giving advance medical services to storm-hit residents of Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Sorsogon, Albay and Masbate.

According to the health agency, DOH Bicol CHD is currently a Code White alert status, which means public hospitals are on alert and ready to aid patients affected by the typhoon.

27,000 to 30,000 were killed in extrajudicial killings. Luistro pointed out that 427 activists, human rights defenders, and grassroots organizers as of December 2021; 166 land and environmental defenders as of December 2020; 23 journalists and media workers as of April 2022; 66 members of the judiciary and legal profession as of December 2021; and 28 mayors and vice mayors were killed as of December 2021.

She directly confronted Duterte during the hearing, asking “Mr. President, my question is, when you implemented the war on drugs, did you strictly comply with the requirement of due process?” Duterte's reply to the direct question was, “Yes.”

“Contrary to the answer of the former President, I humbly believe that the former President and his war on drugs never complied with the requirements of due process,” Luistro said.

“If indeed, they followed the requirement of due process, no one should have died that much, and there would be many cases filed in courts,” she added.

“The statistics show, Mr. Chair, this is almost or around 31,000 victims of the war on drugs,” she told Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, the committee chairperson.

“By Mr. President’s own admission of his accountability, both to legal and illegal actions of the police, it is the humble submission of this representation, Mr. Chair, that the Quad Comm is ready to make a recommendation for the filing of the necessary action in court — that is a violation of the law, RA 9851, Act Defining and Penalizing Crimes Against International Humanitarian Law, or at the very least, the murder cases, as defined under the Revised Penal Code,” she said.

PREPARATIONS, PRE-EMPTIVE ACTIONS.

Super Typhoon Pepito (international name: Man-yi) continues to batter the Philippines, bringing heavy rainfall, strong winds, and storm surges.

The typhoon made landfall in Catanduanes on Saturday night and is expected to make a second landfall in Aurora or Quezon. Authorities are urging residents in affected areas to evacuate and take necessary precautions.

(Photos 1 to 3 from the right) Meanwhile, the Philippine National Police (PNP) extends assistance in disaster preparedness in Catanduanes. PNP personnel led evacuation efforts of residents from high-risk areas in San Andres, prioritizing vulnerable groups and ensuring their safety. Officers also assisted in food packing operations for relief goods, preparing essential supplies for distribution to affected families.

In Brgy. Lourdes, Tiwi, Albay, the PNP and the local government and disaster agencies conduct evacuations from coastal and lowlying areas.

(Photos 4 and 5) In Balayan, Balete, Lipa, and Calaca towns in Batangas province, Bureau of Fire Protection personnel and the local government conduct pre-emptive actions, such as convincing residents to evacuate from coastal areas.

(Photo 7) In Binondo, a senior resident and a child sought shelter in an evacuation area.

Authorities said around 200 families from Barangay 275, Parola, Binondo have taken refuge at the Delpan Evacuation Center in Manila on Sunday. The local government of Manila conducted a preemptive evacuation at 6 AM after PAGASA raised Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2 in Metro Manila.

(Photos 6, 8, and 9) The devastation of the super typhoon is seen in the town of Caramoran, Catanduanes this Sunday. Authorities are also conducting evacuations and providing relief assistance in the said area.

(Photos 10 and 11) Evacuees on Sunday take shelter in a church used as a temporary shelter at Barangay Osmeña, Jose Panganiban in Camarines Norte to avoid the wrath of Typhoon Pepito. Photos from PNP, DOH, Erns Tatualla, and Norman Cruz

Swiss embassy marks ‘Day of the Future’

Navy acquires 7th fast attack/interdiction seacraft

By Rex Espiritu

Bataan gov’t, 11 LGUs bag SGLG awards

THE Bataan provincial government, along with the local governments of Balanga City, the towns of Dinalupihan, Morong, Bagac, Mariveles, Samal, Abucay, Orani, Orion, Hermosa, and Pilar have been awarded the prestigious Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

Bataan Gov. Joet Garcia said the award was a “testament to the continuous efforts of local government units in the province in striving for good governance and progress in their communities.

The recognition highlighted the recipients’ exceptional governance in such aspects as transparency, accountability, and efficient service delivery. Butch Gunio

PA calls for collective resilience in ASEAN

THE Philippine Army (PA) has called for collective resilience in the ASEAN region during a dinner meeting of the deputy chief of Army held at Clark Freeport Zone in Mabalacat, Pampanga.

The banquet follows the opening ceremony of AARM 2024 which showcases the camaraderie of ASEAN’s finest marksmen, symbolizing their collective commitment to peace and cooperation in the region.

Philippine Army vice commander Maj. Gen. Leodevic Guinid, who served as the guest of honor and speaker, emphasized that the annual rifle meet has solidified the ASEAN armies’ “shared commitment to unity and mutual respect.”

“The Philippine Army is honored to host this year’s meet. Together, we foster not only individual excellence but also a collective resilience that supports the defense and security of our region,” Guinid said. Rex Espiritu

Barbers urges China: Respect PH sovereignty

SURIGAO del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers emphasized on Sunday the importance of upholding Philippine sovereignty and urged China to respect the country’s maritime rights as defined by international law.

Barbers, overall chairperson of the House of Representatives’ Quad Committee, issued the call after China summoned the Philippine ambassador to explain two recently enacted laws, Republic Acts 12064 and 12065, aimed at reinforcing the Philippines’ governance over its maritime territories.

He noted the contrast between China’s calls for respect for its expansive claims in the regional waters, which the 2016 arbitral ruling under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) declared as baseless and its disregard for the Philippines’ legal maritime rights.

“China wanted the Philippines to respect its unfounded claims in the West Philippine Sea, but they manifestly disrespect our position on this issue and the decision of the UNCLOS on the matter,” Barbers stressed. Rio N. Araja

THE Philippine Navy (PN) has commissioned and christened its 7th Acero-class Fast Attack Interdiction Craft-Missile (FAICM) named as BRP Tomas Campo (PG-908).

The new equipment was named in honor of Sgt. Tomas Campo, a Medal of Valor recipient from the Philippine Marine Corps’ Marine Battalion Landing Team 10

who saved 11 Marines before succumbing to enemy gunfire during a clash with armed enemies in April 2000.

Like its six predecessors, BRP Tomas Campo is meant to strengthen the Philippine Navy’s capacity to secure the country’s territorial waters with speed, agility, and precision, allowing rapid deployment and improved maritime interdiction capabilities.

The commissioning and bless -

ing rites are a naval tradition that signifies breathing life into the BRP Tomas Campo, which represents a vital addition to the PN fleet and a lasting tribute to Sgt. Tomas Campo’s heroic legacy

The PN leadership thanked the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Department of National Defense, as well as the shipbuilder for the delivery of BRP Tomas Campo.

PDEA raid in Las Piñas yields 1 suspect, P34m worth of shabu

THE Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) has arrested a suspected drug dealer and seized P34 million worth of shabu valued at P34 million during a raid in Las Piñas City. The PDEA- National Capital Region office staged the raid on Saturday based on a warrant issued by Las Piñas City Regional Trial Court Judge Mildred Jacinto last Nov. 16. The PDEA operatives swooped down on the sus-

pect’s place at Unit 407 One Premier, Alabang Zapote Road, Las Piñas. They nabbed Kenneth Bandong, who yielded some five kilos of shabu estimated at P34 million.

The key of the condominium unit, a money counter, a vehicle and an identification card were also seized during the operation.

Charges of violation of the anti-drugs law are being readied against Bandong. Rio N. Araja

By Ralph Harvey Rirao

THE embassy of Switzerland in Manila on Thursday marked the second year of “Day of the Future” whereby Filipino students were able to explore various career paths and interact with industry leaders.

The event is a Swiss tradition for students to experience hands-on exposure to various career opportunities, immersing them in real-world professional environments.

The embassy, in collaboration with the Department of Education, hosted more than 300 young Filipino learners from across the country at Swiss companies in the Philippines.

This year’s affair provided elementary and high school students unique access to workplace settings, giving them an opportunity to engage in on-the-job activities with emphasis to inclusivity and sustainability in the workplace. Education Secretary, Juan Edgardo Angara highlighted the importance of international collaboration in enhancing educational systems and workforce readiness for the youth.

Angara cited the Swiss embassy’s dedication to expanding career awareness among Filipino students.

“I would like to thank the Swiss embassy for hosting such an affair. It’s a very intriguing and promising event for us in the Philippines,” Angara said. “A visit is quite different from committing to an apprenticeship or a job. But I think it dovetails with a lot of initiatives that the department is promoting,” he added. Among those who took part in the event were the Swiss Cultural Fund represented by Neva Santos, office head of partners group; Samuel Manlosa Jr., chief sustainability officer of Holcim Philippines; Dr. Diana Edralin, general manager of Roche Philippines; Cresenciano Maramot, managing director of SGS Philippines; lawyer Denya-Gracia Uy-Anastacio, head of Government and Industry Affairs of Nestlé Philippines; Christine Fajardo, head of communications and patent advocacy of Novartis; and Frank Konstanzer, country manager of Endress+Hauser.

DSWD launches animal-assisted therapy program

By Rio N. Araja

THE Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has launched a pilot implementation of its new program dubbed Angel Pets, in partnership with the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS).

Angel Pets focuses on animal-assisted therapy.

During the Nov. 16 launch, a team of volunteer dogs or the so-called Dr. Dogs from PAWS visited young girls at the Marillac Hills National Training School for Girls (NSTG) in Mandaluyong City. DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian on his Facebook page said the event represented an innovative step to enhance the agency’s services for clients in its centers and residential care facilities.

“This program will bring the Doctor Dogs (emotional support dogs) of PAWS into our residential care facilities as another mode of emotional therapy for our clients who are victim-survivors of abuse, exploitation, and neglect,” he said. The Angel Pets program aimed to facilitate the rehabilitation and reintegration of vulnerable groups through the incorporation of positive and enjoyable interactions with animals into therapeutic and supportive processes.

NAVY’S NEWEST ARMED SPEED BOAT. The Philippine Navy acquires its 7th fast attack-interdiction seacraft named BRP Tomas Campo in honor of the Marine soldier who was awarded a Medal of Valor for having saved 11 comrades-in-arms before getting killed by enemy gunfire in April 2000.

BATAAN FREEPORT LIGHTS UP CHRISTMAS TREE. Hessein Pangandaman, administrator and chief executive of the Authority of the Freeport Area of Bataan switches on the lights of a huge Christmas tree, joined by other AFAB officials and executive of the Freeport locators. Butch Gunio

BANDS PARADE. The streets of Cavite City reverberate with the rhythmic sounds of various bands competing with one another in celebration of the city’s feast of its patron saint, Nuestra Señora dela Soledad de Porta Vaga. Dennis Abrina

OPINION

What more do they want?

LAST Wednesday, I was switching between a Netflix series and the Quad Comm hearings which featured former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte as its main resource speaker. After hearing the opening statements of the chairpersons, I switched to Netflix, occasionally returning only when a friend would text some “interesting” portions of the marathon hearing.

What immediately caught my attention was that unlike in the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing where Duterte was separated from former Senator Leila de Lima by the former head of PDEA, in the Quad Comm hearing, they were seated side by side. Purposely, as if the secretariat or the chairpersons themselves wanted to play a trick on one or both.

Chairman Bienvenido Abante had an interesting revelation. He recounted a meeting at the Fairmont Hotel in Makati between the island-hopping Davao City mayor in 2015, when the latter had yet to declare his candidacy for president.

I was the one who arranged that short encounter. A common friend told me that the religious group headed by the Abante brothers had a sizable number of followers who might be won over by Duterte. And so I requested then closest aide Bong Go to insert the meeting when the mayor would be in Manila.

But that is mere trivia which the Manila congressman used to premise his “fairness” with the former president that his other colleagues grilled. Nothing in last Wednesday’s hearing achieved anything that the Senate hearing had already elicited, despite what critics described as their being extra nice to the former president.

Duterte merely re-stated that he was ready to face whatever charges this government and the victims’ kin wished to prosecute in the courts of law.

All those repetitive questions propounded by the legal “luminaries,” licensed or not by the Supreme Court as officers of the law, served no purpose than to highlight the conclusions they wanted to project and has become the beall and end-all of all those interminable hearings. The hearing were so cut-andpasted that switching to Netflix was a more enjoyable pasttime.

Every member of the committees merely wanted to have their precious ten minutes of “fame” before the live telecast. I wonder what their constituents would say about their imagined perspicacity, or from this writer’s viewpoint, some of their idiotic “kakulitan”.

All for show and all in pursuit of the demolition of the Duterte political brand at the altar of other familial ambitions in this dynasty-ridden system we call our

democracy.

What more do they want?

The former president has time and again repeated his declaration that he is accepting legal and even moral responsibility for the effects of his drug war policy.

He has further stated that cases could be filed against him in the courts of law, or even, a new twist in the Quad Comm’s Wednesday soiree, asking the ICC to come over and do their thing, the moving timeline predicted by the pinklawans not yet materializing.

Why shower honoraria for mere attendance, and more for grandstanding inquisitors?

In short, bring it all on, and hurry up! So why waste taxpayer money on these hearings? Why shower honoraria for mere attendance, and more for grandstanding inquisitors?

As postscript, the inquisitors wanted to terminate the hearing earlier, while their resource person declared that he could stay till the wee hours. Feigning pity for an old man pestered by their repetitive questions, our honorables really just wanted to attend the birthday party of their leader.

***

Today would have marked the 96th birthday of former Vice-President Salvador Hidalgo Laurel, the statesman who painstakingly forged a coalition among major political parties and groupings under the umbrella of the United Nationalist Democratic Organization (UNIDO), and who in his stint at the Senate which was cut short by martial law, passed the Justice for the Poor laws that institutionalized free legal assistance to poor citizens of the republic who face charges in our courts of law.

In a rare act of nobility which has become increasingly obsolete in this age of insatiable greed and dynastic entitlements, Laurel’s sacrifice of personal and party interests for the sake of a united front that eventually triumphed over the authoritarian regime, will be forever enshrined in the annals of our political history.

Details of Laurel’s sacrifice and the betrayal of terms of agreement, of “palabra de honor” as his older brother, the late Speaker Jose Bayani Laurel Jr. liked to say, are part of a book the first draft of which I have already submitted to my editor, hopefully to be published at a future date.

Blocking piracy, saving an industry, protecting consumers

AS ADVOCATES for consumer protection, we at CitizenWatch Philippines are deeply concerned that rising online piracy is not only stripping our creative industries of their livelihoods but also putting millions of consumers interacting on the internet at risk.

Piracy is far from harmless—it causes severe economic damage, threatens jobs, and exposes users to cyber risks. The Asia Video Industry Association’s survey found that 70% of Filipinos access pirated content, a number that continues to rise. The result? A once-thriving industry now faces crippling losses and fights for survival. Take the case of the local film sector. In 2019, MMFF recorded nearly a billion pesos in earnings. But by 2020, as piracy surged during the pandemic, revenues plummeted to just 30 million pesos and has not recovered. As actor and former chairman of the Optical Media Board Edu Manzano recalled, the golden era of producing over 250 films annually has dwindled to fewer than 30. This has led to widespread job losses, with some 9,000 industry professionals—from directors to lighting crews—falling into dire straits. The economic impact of piracy is not

just about money. Honorary Professor Paul Watters from Macquarie University highlightsed that there is a dark side to piracy that goes beyond the entertainment sector.

The site blocking bill is also about shielding Filipino consumers from the hidden dangers of online piracy.

Consumers who access pirated content are exposing themselves to significant cybersecurity risks. Research shows that the likelihood of encountering malware on these piracy sites is 33 times higher than on legal platforms. For Filipino users with only superficial digital literacy, this is a crisis waiting to happen as cybercriminals will surely target them for identity theft, financial fraud, and other costly consequences. Other countries have embraced site

WFlood control

HAT has been the impact of climate change on our country? We now experience increased frequency and severity of natural disasters, sea level rise, extreme rainfall, resource shortages, and environmental degradation.

The Philippine archipelago, in fact, is situated along the Pacific Ocean’s typhoon belt, leaving us vulnerable to around 20 typhoons each year, a quarter of which are destructive. They cause floods leading to damage to agricultural crops and public infrastructure, apart from displacement of families from their homes. Climate change is expected to continue doing devastating damage to the economy and to the lives of Filipinos in the years ahead.

The national government is therefore on the right track in conducting an honest-to-goodness scrutiny of flood-control projects in the country following the massive flooding in many areas, particularly in Luzon, due to the se-

ries of destructive typhoons that hit the country in recent weeks and months.

President Marcos Jr. mentioned in this last State of the Nation Address that more than 5,000 flood-control projects had been completed in the last 12 months. But a strong typhoon again lashed the country’s eastern flank not long afterwards, causing widespread flooding, with critics blaming the government for having funded many flood control projects that turned out to be useless in preventing loss of lives and property.

We need an honestto-goodness scrutiny of flood-control projects in the country.

While acknowledging that corruption in the implementation of public works projects is part of the problem, the Chief Executive emphasized that climate change is also responsible for the widespread flooding we have seen recently. Reacting to the latest tropical cyclone to hit the country, the

IS JUSTICE pursued, delayed, or dodged? This is the uneasy question swirling around Rodrigo Duterte, the former president of the Philippines, whose proposal for a special court trial—rather than facing the International Criminal Court (ICC)—has triggered a storm of debate. Is this a bold assertion of sovereignty, a clever political strategy, or a desperate stalling tactic? Beneath this controversy lies a fundamental test: can justice endure in the face of political maneuvering?

Duterte’s “war on drugs” began in 2016 with a fiery promise to rid the Philippines of crime. But behind the tough rhetoric came a grim tally: thousands of lives lost in what critics called a campaign of extrajudicial killings and human rights abuses. Official figures count the deaths in the thousands; human rights organizations believe the true number is far higher. By 2018, the ICC had begun investigating Duterte for potential crimes against humanity, scrutinizing the years when the Philippines was a signatory to the Rome Statute.

In 2019, Duterte withdrew the Philippines from the ICC, a move aimed at shielding himself from international oversight. Yet his past actions remain under the court’s jurisdiction, and recent statements from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s administration suggest cooperation with the ICC, signaling the legal walls closing in around Duterte.

Once unassailable, Duterte now appears to be a man grasping for control. The political terrain has shifted. Public approval of him—and of his daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte—has plummeted, a stark contrast to their earlier sky-high ratings. His political alliances are fraying; members of his once-loyal PDP-Laban party are drifting toward the Marcos camp. Even his grassroots mo-

blocking as a vital tool in combating piracy. Daniel Lye, Content Protection Counsel of the Motion Picture Association stated in his presentation that It has been proven effective in more than 50 nations, where site blocking laws are implemented.

A good example is India’s implemented site-blocking measures that resulted in a significant jump of 5% to 8% in visits to legitimate streaming platforms. A similar trend was observed in Brazil and Indonesia where site blocking shifted consumers towards legal alternatives while starving pirates of their illegal revenue streams. The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) has already taken steps, such as the voluntary administrative site blocking rules. In close coordination with internet service providers and telcos. They’ve blocked hightraffic piracy platforms like YTS, which racked up over 50 million visits a year. Recent actions have also blocked other

Chief Executive pointed out: “They are two sides to this. Our flood control was overwhelmed; we have flood control, but this couldn’t handle it because in the entire history of the Philippines, nothing like this has happened. We’re only facing this now.” It is true that Filipinos are now feeling first-hand the effects of climate change through more destructive weather patterns. But the effects of climate change are felt not only in the Philippines but in other parts of the world.

Billions of pesos have been poured into various flood control projects over the years. But obviously, as the country lies along the typhoon belt, we have to funnel more resources into flood prevention and mitigation measures. It is correct for the government to now look toward modifying the design of public infrastructure such as bridges, flood control and slope protection projects to make them withstand the more destructive storms hitting the country.

We understand that the Senate will soon conduct a “spirited debate” on flood control projects during its plenary meetings on the proposed 2025 budget of P6.352 trillion. It’s a step in the right direction, as we need an annual general appropriations act that is climate-resilient and climate-adaptive at the same time.

Duterte’s special court gambit

bilizations, once his political lifeblood, have drawn disappointing turnouts. The special court proposal seems to be his latest effort to regain the initiative, but does it reveal strength or weakness?

Duterte’s gambit is couched in the language of nationalism. He claims that Filipino courts, not international bodies, should judge his actions. This appeal to sovereignty resonates with a section of the population, aligning with constitutional provisions that vest judicial power in domestic courts. Duterte’s team may argue that the ICC’s complementarity principle—that international intervention is warranted only when local systems fail—justifies the creation of a special court. Congress, after all, has the constitutional authority to establish such courts, lending a veneer of legitimacy to

Is this sovereignty, a strategy, or a stalling tactic?

the plan. But critics see through the veneer. A court designed specifically for Duterte could be perceived as a mockery of impartiality, an affront to both domestic and international legal norms. Skeptics warn that this could be a tactic to shield Duterte from accountability, undermining trust in Philippine institutions. The ICC, meanwhile, remains unlikely to be deterred; its jurisdiction over crimes committed before the Philippines’ withdrawal is firmly established.

Politically, the special court proposal seems as much a chess move as a legal argument. By framing himself as a nationalist warrior resisting foreign interference, Duterte seeks to rally his waning

notorious sites like Sflix and MyFlixer, which were siphoning off millions in potential revenues from legitimate content creators. These have had an impact, but without a comprehensive, legislative framework, the process remains slow and inefficient. Passing the Site Blocking Bill would streamline this process, allowing rights holders to obtain blocking orders swiftly and at scale. This is critical, especially when it comes to newly released content that is most vulnerable to piracy. Films, live sports events, and other real-time broadcasts lose their value rapidly if pirated copies flood the internet shortly after release. An institutionalized site-blocking mechanism would empower authorities to act quickly and decisively. Public education and awareness are equally important. As Professor Watters suggests, we need trusted voices—celebrities, educators, and influencers—to spread the message that piracy is not just

base. Yet this strategy forces the Marcos administration into a corner. Will they back Duterte in the name of sovereignty or risk alienating segments of their shared constituency by remaining neutral?

For Duterte, the stakes are personal and profound. A misstep could expose him to international prosecution, a humiliation for a leader who once ruled with swagger. For Marcos, the dilemma is equally fraught: align too closely with Duterte, and risk being seen as complicit; distance too far, and provoke the ire of Duterte’s still-significant support base.

But what of justice? A special court for Duterte risks setting a dangerous precedent. Will it enhance accountability, or will it erode the credibility of the judicial system itself? The international community watches, wary of yet another leader using nationalist rhetoric as a smokescreen for evading scrutiny.

For the ICC, the challenge is clear: proceed transparently, bolstered by unimpeachable evidence. For the Marcos administration, the task is even trickier: maintaining neutrality while strengthening the nation’s legal institutions to meet international standards. And for the Filipino people, this is a moment of reckoning. The demand for justice must be loud and unwavering, whether it emerges from domestic courts or international ones.

In the end, Duterte’s gambit is not just a test of his political survival—it is a test of the Philippine judiciary, of its resilience under the glare of both domestic and global attention. The outcome will ripple far beyond Duterte’s fate, shaping the country’s standing on the world stage and the integrity of its institutions. As this drama unfolds, one truth is unavoidable: the rule of law is more than a mechanism for accountability. It is the measure of a nation’s soul.

illegal, but dangerous. Users might think they’re saving money by accessing free content, but the consequential costs are far higher. By downloading from illegal sources, they risk financial loss, data breaches, and even identity theft. The passage of the Site Blocking Bill is not just about safeguarding rights holders’ incomes; it’s about protecting jobs, and ensuring a sustainable future for the Philippine creative industry. It’s about defending the livelihoods of thousands of workers who bring joy, stories, and entertainment to our screens. And it’s about shielding Filipino consumers from the hidden dangers of online piracy. As it is us consumers who are the prime targets of cybercrime tactics embedded in piracy websites, we join the IPOPHL and the stakeholders of the creative industry in calling for the immediate passage of the Site Blocking Bill. We need the Site Blocking Bill to safeguard both our creative industry and all of us consumers of online content.

NOVEMBER 18, 2024

India hails hypersonic missile flight

NEW DELHI — Nuclear-armed India has tested its first hypersonic missile, the defence minister said Sunday, publicising the super-fast high-tech weapon days after rival China showcased its latest military aviation powers.

Hypersonics are the new frontier in missile technology, because they fly lower and are harder to detect than ballistic missiles, can reach targets more quickly, and can be ordered to change target in midflight.

The United States, Russia, China and North Korea have all tested hypersonic missiles, and several others are developing the technology.

“India has achieved a major milestone by successfully conducting flight trial of long range hypersonic missile,” Minister of Defence Rajnath Singh said in a statement.

The test flight comes days after rival and neighbour China showcased its expanding aviation capabilities at an airshow, with the J-35A stealth fighter jet and attack drones displayed. AFP

Xi to Biden: Support for Taiwan a ‘red line’

IN BRIEF

AN Israeli strike hit south Beirut on Sunday where the military said it targeted Hezbollah, hours after the Iran-backed group said it fired on Israeli bases around the city of Haifa. A column of smoke rose over the capital’s southern suburbs, AFPTV footage showed, following a warning from the Israeli military for residents to evacuate three areas.

Further south, overnight Israeli airstrikes and artillery shelling hit the flashpoint southern town of Khiam, some six kilometres (four miles) from the border, Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency reported early Sunday. The bombardment came after Israel’s military reported a “heavy rocket barrage” on Haifa late Saturday and said a synagogue was hit, wounding two civilians.

Israel has escalated its bombing of Lebanon since September 23 and has since sent in ground troops, following almost a year of limited, cross-border exchanges of fire begun by Iran-backed Hezbollah militants in support of Hamas in Gaza. AFP

Israel bombs south Beirut after Haifa strike Russian exiled opposition to stage anti-war protest

THE Russian opposition, forced into exile and weakened by internal conflicts, will organise its first major demonstration against Moscow’s Ukraine invasion in Berlin on Sunday, testing its political credibility in the third year of the war.

The Kremlin has in recent years eradicated any political competition at home and waged a massive crackdown on dissent, with hundreds -- possibly thousands -- of Russians in prison for their political views.

With Vladimir Putin in power for almost 25 years, all of his political opponents are now dead, in prison or in exile.

The Russian opposition lost its main figurehead in February, when Putin’s rival Alexei Navalny died in an Arctic prison in mysterious circumstances. Yulia Navalnaya, his widow who took the helm of the movement, is one of the main organisers of the march. AFP

HK political freedoms come under spotlight

THE erosion of political freedoms in Hong Kong will come under the spotlight this week with key developments in two high-profile national security trials.

On Wednesday, jailed tycoon and pro-democracy activist Jimmy Lai will testify in his collusion trial, breaking the silence he has kept over five previous trials and

LIMA — Chinese President Xi Jinping warned the United States on Saturday not to cross a “red line” in support for Taiwan, but told his counterpart Joe Biden that Beijing was willing to work with the incoming administration of Donald Trump.

Biden and Xi met on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Peru, two months before Trump takes office and amid concerns of new trade wars and diplomatic upheaval.

China claims Taiwan as its own territory and has refused to rule out using force to seize it, while the United States is the self-ruled island’s main security backer even though it does not recognise Taipei diplomatically.

Xi told Biden that the “Taiwan issue, democracy and human rights, pathways and systems, and development interests are China’s four red lines that must not be challenged”, according to Chinese state broadcaster CCTV.

“These are the most important guardrails and safety net for China-US relations,” CCTV reported Xi as saying.

“The separatist actions of ‘Taiwan independence’ are incompatible with peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait,” he added.

MORE than 20,000 people have been displaced across Haiti’s capital Portau-Prince in four days, a UN agency said Saturday, as residents flee gang violence that has crippled the troubled Caribbean nation.

“The isolation of Port-au-Prince is amplifying an already dire humanitarian situation,” said Gregoire Goodstein, Haiti chief for the International Organization for Migration.

“Our ability to deliver aid is stretched to its limits. Without immediate international support, the suffering will worsen exponentially,” Goodstein added in a statement.

Raging

The IOM said that around 17,000 of the roughly 20,000 people recently forced to relocate were already in temporary housing, with many having been displaced multiple times.

“Such a scale of displacement has not been observed since August 2023,” the migration agency said in a news release.

Haiti saw Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aime sworn in on Monday, replacing outgoing premier Garry Conille, who was appointed in May but became embroiled in a power struggle with the country’s unelected transitional council.

bushfires destroy home and livestock in Australia

SYDNEY — Dozens of bushfires were burning across Australia’s Victoria state Sunday, authorities said, forcing the evacuation of residents and destroying at least one home.

Strong winds and high temperatures sparked 80 fires on Saturday, which hundreds of firefighters are battling.

Two fires in the state’s western and southern regions are the most “challenging”, fire authorities said Sunday, and would likely burn for “quite some time”.

Victorian emergency management commissioner Rick Nugent added the two fires had burnt more than 1,900 hectares and were not

yet under control.

“There are stock and agricultural losses in those areas and our teams will continue to make assessments of the impact throughout the day.”

At least one home has been destroyed in the western part of the state, but there are fears more homes were lost.

Among the hundreds of residents evacuated were 10 hikers from a national park, fire authorities said Sunday.

There were no reported deaths Sunday.

Authorities have urged evacuated residents to avoid returning home until they are told it is safe. AFP

Violent crime in Port-au-Prince remains high, with well-armed gangs that control some 80 percent of the city routinely targeting civilians, even though a Kenyan-led international force has been deployed to help the outgunned Haitian police restore order.

Gang-related violence has caused nearly 4,000 deaths this year, according to the UN human rights office.

Haiti lost major links to the rest of the world this past week when the United States banned all civilian flights to the country for a month, after three jetliners approaching or departing Port-auPrince were hit by gunfire. AFP

Taiwan’s foreign ministry said Sunday that “China’s ongoing military provocations near Taiwan are the root cause of destroying regional peace and stability and the major threat to global economic prosperity”.

Xi also told Biden that Washington “should not intervene in bilateral disputes... and not condone or support provocative impulses” in the South China Sea, according to CCTV.

Beijing has this year pressed its sweeping claims in the contested waterway with greater assertiveness, despite increased frictions with regional neighbours and a longstanding international ruling that its claims have no legal basis.

CHURCH AS WITNESS.

RIGHT TO VOTE. A man picks up a ballot at a polling station in Dakar on November 17 during Senegal’s parliamentary elections. AFP

MOON RISES. A waning Gibbous moon rises behind the landmark Burj Khalifa in Dubai on November 16. AFP

SPORTS

4

Quezon faces Rizal; Bacoor fights Binan in MPVA semis

TOP seeds Quezon Tangerines and Bacoor Strikers seek to arrange a quick titular showdown against Rizal St. Gerrard Charity Foundation and Biñan Tatak Gel 1-Pacman Partylist, respectively, in the 2024 Maharlika Pilipinas Volleyball Association (MPVA) semifinals on Monday at the Bacoor Strike Gym in Cavite.

Game time is at 2 p.m. between the top-ranked Tangerines and No. 4 Rizal followed by the main game featuring the second-running Strikers at home and the No.3 Volley Angels at 4 p.m.

Quezon and Bacoor sport twice-tobeat incentives after topping the tworound eliminations and they’re out to maximize the advantage in order to set a best-of-three finale date right away for the crown of the MPVA founded by former Senator and also MPBL chairman Manny Pacquiao.

Quezon is an expansion squad in the upstart league but already showed its worth by losing only two games in 16 games against Biñan and Negros in non-bearing match late in the tournament.

That should be more than enough to make the Tangerines the heavy favorite against the No. 4 seed Rizal (11-5), especially with the core of three-peat NCAA champion St. Benilde in Cristy Ondangan, Mary Grace Borromeo, Rhea Mae Densing and Francis Mycah Go leading the way.

Quezon also boasts a 2-0 head-tohead edge over Rizal, which despite being a massive underdog is out to give the No. 1 squad a run for its own money to force a deciding Game 2. The Tangerines yielded only one set to Rizal in two encounters, 25-21, 25-20, 2523 and 25-14, 27-29, 25-19, 25-14.

It’s the same story in the other semis pairing with Bacoor (12-4) sweeping their two meetings against Biñan (11-5) with hopes of doing it one more time to advance in the finals of MPVA backed Extreme OneStop Shop Appliances, ASICS, Mikasa and Gerflor with MPTV and Outcomm as broadcast partners.

Suzara: Participants will ‘feel at home’ in PH hosting of world men’s tourney

EVERY single athlete, coach, delegate and fan will “feel at home” when the Philippines solo hosts for the first time the FIVB Men’s World Championship (MWCH) 2025 in September next year.

And the world of volleyball will get to find out that the sport is well-loved by Filipinos.

“We can’t get enough of volleyball,” Ramon “Tats” Suzara told the 39th FIVB World Congress during its main session in Porto, Portugal, over the weekend. “The Philippines is a country that loves volleyball.”

Suzara was elected in September as president of the Asian Volleyball Confederation only three years into his term as head of the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF).

And before more than 200 members of the sport’s world body—including newly-elected FIVB president Fabio Azevedo and former president Ary Graça, both of Brazil, and secretarygeneral Hugh McCutcheon, of New Zealand, Suzara showed a glimpse of what to expect in the MWCH the country is hosting from September 12 to

28 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena and Smart Araneta Coliseum.

“The rest of the world do not know that yet … that we love volleyball and that Filipino volleyball fans set the standard,” he said, mentioning unprecedented response by Filipinos to the Volleyball Nations League, or VNL, that the country hosted for three years in a row.

“We scream and cheer louder than anyone else,” added Suzara, noting that fan attendance was pegged at an average of 8,000 in those hosting with 19,000 recorded at one time last June.

“We bring our love for the game in the arenas, online and wherever we go,” he said. “We warmly welcome anyone who play the game, that even foreign players and fans feel right at home because as long as you love volleyball, the Philippines will feel like you’re home.”

Suzara also proudly announced to the congress delegates that from a low 117th in the world, the Philippine men’s team jumped to No. 64 in under three years in the post-pandemic.

PUP hosts 1st PH University Archery League on Nov. 23 to 24

By Graham C. Lim

THE Federation of School Sports Association of the Philippines (FESSAP) will organize the first Philippine University Archery League (PUAL) at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) oval field, in Sta. Mesa, Manila on November 23 and 24.

FESSAP’s hosting comes on the heels of the Philippines’ successful participation in the 2nd Asian University Archery Championship recently held in the Taipei City Gymnasium, Taipei City, Taiwan.

PUP president, Dr. Manuel M. Muhi has approved FESSAP’s request to host the 1st PUAL, formerly known as the National Students Archery Championship, held several times in Baguio City

Alvin Tai Lian.

vice president

secretary-general

and director

congress.

and Manila alternately.

“We would like to congratulate Dr. Muhi, who will be serving his second term as university president of PUP,” said FESSAP president Edwin C. Fabro.

Christian D. Tan, FESSAP honor-

ary vice president, leads the organizing committee as PUAL chairman.

The FESSAP Executive Committee approved PUAL’s chairmanship through the confirmation of Fabro, together with the Chairman of the Board,

PUAL working committee members are Robert Milton Calo, Cecille Sarmiento, Loren Balaoing, Allan Soria, Albert Andaya Jr., Romulo Raytos, Xyrille Kate Delima, and John Fred Dela Torre.

Combat Sports Championship set in February 2025

Championship in Greece. The celebration was attended by prominent figures in the martial arts

1st nominee of Ang Bumbero ng Pilipinas (ABP) Party List, coach Ste-

phen Kamphuis, head coach of the Jiu-Jitsu National Team and proprietor of KMA Gym, coach Estie Gay D. Liwanen of Kurash Philippines, Jiu-Jitsu Federation of the Philippines, and judo coach, Gen. Joel Joseph Cabides, president of the Veterans Judo Club and former Commanding General of the AFP Reservist Command. The leadership of the PCSA extended their gratitude to Vic Pinlac, judo and wrestling practitioner and former Secretary General of PAJA, and Gil Montilla.

The PCSA, under the leadership of Dr. Goitia and Capt. McMurray, announced the coming 1st President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. Combat Sports Championship scheduled in February 2025. The event will feature many martial arts disciplines from around the world, including Jiu-Jitsu, wushu, kurash, judo, muay thai, and taekwondo.

“Join us this February 2025 at ULTRA in Pasig City as we embark on a new era in combat sports, dedicated to producing future champions,” PCSA said.

By Peter Atencio

THE Philippines was held into a 2-all draw with Myanmar in its opening game in the 2024 ASEAN Women’s Futsal Championship. The newly-formed squad lived up to the high hopes of new coach Vic Hermans.

“What I also found out now, and I hope the players understand, is the physicality of the game. But I’m satisfied with the draw. I cannot say anything else,” said Hermans. Isabella Bandoja, a prized find from Muntinlupa, knocked in the Filipina side’s first goal just 12 minutes into the contest.

After that, Myanmar replied with two goals, first from Lwin Lwin Thet, who equalized in the 25th minute. The second came from Yoon Mie Mie Lwin in the 32nd minute. Substitute Agot Danton then went on the attack in the 33rd minute, for a 2-all deadlock. Danton tied the match after she swept in in

PNVF

Ricky Palou,

Donaldo Caringal

Tonyboy Liao joined Suzara in the

Christian Tan (PUP) president Dr. Manuel M. Muhi

FESSAP president Edwin C. Fabro with Robert Milton Calo

LAKERS EDGE PELICANS. LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers scrambles for a loose ball with Yves Missi of the New

AVC and PNVF president Ramon “Tats” Suzara speaks before the39th FIVB World Congress in Porto, Portugal. Zeus Babanto (left), winner in the World Youth Jujitsu

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2024

RIERA U. MALLARI, Editor

RANDY M. CALUAG, Asst. Editor

EDGARD HILARIO, Asst. Editor

Cone hopes Kouame can push Fajardo in Gilas PH scrimmages

National junior cycling team slots for Asian tilt staked in Batang Pinoy

THE podium finishers in the 16-17 years old category of the road cycling competitions of the 2024 Batang Pinoy that starts this weekend in Puerto Princesa City will get priority slots on the national junior team to the 31st Asian Junior Road Cycling Championships in Thailand in February.

Philippine Olympic Committee

Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, head of the national federation for cycling PhilCycling, also announced on Sunday that the 2025 National Championships for Road are set February 24 to 28 in Tagaytay City and provinces in Cavite Province’s Eighth District primarily Ternate and Maragondon.

Thailand is hosting from February 7 1o 16 next year’s Asian championships—organized annually by the Asian Cycling Confederation—that also includes the 44th championships for elite and under-23 and the 13th staging of the para championships.

The PhilCycling again intends to send a full contingent to the Thailand championships just like in this year’s edition in Kazakhstan last June.

At least one slot each in the national junior team for boys and girls in individual time trial (ITT) and individual road race (IRR or massed start) to the Asian championships will be up for grabs in the Batang Pinoy.

The ITT events are set on November 26 and the IRR on November 27 with both events featuring both the start and finish lines inside the Iwahig Penal Colony—known worldwide as the “Prison Without Walls.” Parents or guardians of participants in Batang Pinoy cycling are advised to secure passports for their athletes for the smooth processing of their registration—upon the approval of an Evaluation Committee created

By Peter Atencio

BIG man Angelo Kouame won’t be playing for the Gilas Pilipinas national men’s basketball team in the coming second window of the FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers this Friday.

But Gilas coach Tim Cone still included him the roster anyway, saying that the presence of 6’11” naturalized play from Cote d’Ivoire is important to the development of the squad in the future.

The 60-year-old Cone talked about his plans for Kouame, just as the New Zealand side revealed an experienced

lineup, days ahead of their showdown at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The 26-year-old Kuoame will be big help to 6’10” Junemar Fajardo during practice in preparing him on his oneon-one plays against players as tall or taller than him.

“He can throw a

body at Junemar and get him ready for bigger players. And that’s an important role,” said Cone.

For now, Kouame is reserved as Justin Brownlee’s backup, in case the latter is not available in Gilas’ scheduled games with New Zealand and Hong Kong.

Cone added that they’re waiting for the naturalization process of Benny Boatwright to run its course. Kouame will also fill in Boatwright’s absence.

Meanwhile, Tall Blacks’ coach Judd Flavell unveiled a 13-man roster, which will play against Gilas in the Philippines on November 21, and at home in Christchurch against Chinese Taipei on Monday (November 25). Chi

Master Butchers snap skid, crush Titans in 3 sets in Spikers’ Turf

MARTELI Meats finally snapped its six-game losing streak with an emphatic 25-19, 25-20, 25-19 win over Chichi DHTSI in the Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference at the Ynares Sports Center in Pasig on Sunday.

In a clash of winless teams, the Master Butchers came out with renewed vigor, showcasing a cohesive game plan with sharp offense and strong defensive patterns that had been missing in their previous outings. Their well-rounded performance left no room for the Titans to mount a serious challenge.

“Masaya kami, after ilang games na naghihirap kami, nakuha din namin ang panalo,” said Renz Cruz, who led the charge with 10 points, including six attacks, two blocks and two aces, earning him Player of the Game recognition. He credited the team’s defense as what anchored their straight-set romp, saying: Cruz emphasized the pivotal role of their defense in securing the win, saying: “Importante yung depensa kasi ‘pag yung mga reception namin ay mahina, bumabawi kami sa blocking.”

This defensive discipline proved instrumental, as Martelli Meats consistently thwarted Chichi DHTSI’s attempts to gain momentum. The Titans showed some resistance late in the match, saving two match points before Martelli’s middle blocker Lorenz Calayag delivered the winning kill to seal the victory.

4 chess teams shoot for 3 semifinal seats

FOUR teams, headed by Lyceum of the Philippines University and Jose Rizal University, battle for the last three Final Four slots when NCAA Season 100 Chess resumes today at the Ayala Malls Manila Bay in Parañaque.

Apart from the Pirates and the Bombers, who are currently in second and third with 21.5 and 20 points, respectively, the University of Perpetual Help Altas and College of St. Benilde, both with 19.5 points, are also battling for those last three tickets to the playoff round.

LPU clashes with Mapua, JRU with Arellano U, UHSD with San Sebastian and CSB with San Beda, which was the first to make it to the semis after scoring 25.5 points after eight rounds.

The final elimination round was supposed to be played yesterday but was rescheduled due to Typhoon Pepito.

“Hoping for the best, makuha namin ine-expect na score,” said JRU coach and FIDE Master Nelson Mariano III.

The top two teams will earn the twice-to-beat edge in the Final Four set tomorrow (Tuesday).

An extra semis game, if necessary, is slated Wednesday. If not, the one-game finals will be played that day.

concludes Super League campaign at 5th

ATENEO de Manila University sealed a dominating classification round campaign with a 2624, 25-16, 21-25, 25-23, win over College of Saint Benilde for a fifth place finish in the 2024 Shakey’s Super League Collegiate Pre-season Championship Saturday night at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

Lyann De Guzman displayed her scoring prowess with a game-high 20 points but Geezel Tsunashima played the hero’s role in the closing stretch of the fourth set after scoring the Blue Eagles’ last two points to bag the victory.

Ateneo replicated its best finish in the league’s centerpiece tournament backed by Shakey’s Pizza Parlor, GCash, Chery Tiggo, F2 Logistics, Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken, Potato Corner, R and B Milk

Tea, Grab Philippines, and Summit Water. The Blue Eagles, who swept University of the East in the first phase of the classification round, finished fifth in the inaugural edition two years ago. De Guzman, who scored seven in the fourth frame, smashed 19 attack points and an ace while middle blocker AC Miner added 13 markers for Ateneo, which outgunned the reigning NCAA champions Lady Blazers in spikes, 64-48. Tsunashima got all her nine points from kills including the match-clinching back-to-back hits. “Sabi ko sa kanila ‘wag masyadong relax kasi nakikita ko na hindi ito ‘yung laro namin kapag nagti-training kami. Sabi

BEST PLAYER. Picking up from where she left off,

Lacsina has

Akari Chargers to a strong start with wins over Galeries Tower and ZUS Coffee and earn the first

Press Corps Player of the Week award presented by Pilipinas Live for the period November 9 to 16.

La Salle’s Jian Chuatico scores against Benilde’s Sophia Badion. Romad Prospero

Tim Cone

BSP, 16 banks set to launch new interest rate swap market today

By Darwin G. Amojelar

THE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) announced the launch of a new interest rate swap market Monday, marking a significant step toward boosting trading and liquidity in the domestic bond market.

“For the central bank, this will make it easier for the BSP to transmit monetary policy, maintain price stability, and promote sustainable growth and job creation,” BSP Governor Eli Remolona Jr. said.

“This means interest rates will be more transparent, making it easier for SMEs and consumers who are shopping for a loan to expand their

50 million 35 million 50%

Targeted NAIA passenger capacity

Existing

passenger capacity Passenger experience improvement

NAIA operator to complete Terminal 5 in three years

THE New NAIA Infrastructure Corp.

said it expects to complete a new passenger terminal at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) within the next three to four years to increase capacity.

NNIC general manager Angelito Alvarez expressed optimism the demolition of the Philippine Village Hotel would commence next year to pave the way for the construction of NAIA Terminal 2’s extension, or Terminal 5.

“We are coordinating with the local government of Pasay, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Manila International Airport Authority to convince the LGU to issue a demolition permit,” Alvarez said.

He said the construction of the new passage terminal would expand NAIA’s capacity to 50.2 million passengers from the current 35 million.

NNIC president Ramon Ang said the construction of Terminal 5 would be completed within the next three to four years. “We hope the government can get rid of that building,” he said. Ang said Terminal 2 and the new passenger terminal would be designated for domestic passengers, while NAIA Terminals 1 and 3 would accommodate international passengers. He promised a 50-percent improvement in passenger experience this holiday season as it implements various upgrades at the 76-year-old international gateway.

Two months after taking over management of NAIA, the company implemented a series of improvements already made or underway at the international gateway. These improvements, which include airside enhancements, landside developments and infrastructure upgrades, are part of the initial phase of NNIC’s larger, multi-year rehabilitation and modernization plan for NAIA. Darwin G. Amojelar

business or make an important investment or purchase,” he said.

A deeper capital market is expected to enhance savings and investment in the Philippines. As a side benefit, it will also strengthen the transmission of monetary policy, the BSP said.

The Bankers Association of the Philippines (BAP) said the enhanced

PESO interest rate swap market

(PESO IRS) market is now live, following last week’s announcement by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association (ISDA) recognizing BAP’s Philippine Overnight Reference Rate (ORR), on which the swaps will be anchored at the short end.

“Now that the enhanced PESO IRS market has gone live, it is time to work together and ensure that the reforms we have pursued will fulfill their goals,” said BAP president Jose Teodoro Limcaoco.

“The launch of the enhanced PESO IRS market, together with the creation of a repo market for government securities, are valuable steps towards growing our Philippine

capital market,” he said.

“The enhanced PESO IRS market aims to promote development of yield curves to further support the pricing requirements of short-term credit instruments, such as loans, in the market,” said Paul Favila, chairman of the BAP Open Market Committee.

Crucially and for the first time, 16 banks committed to be market makers for the ORR-based IRS. They will ensure there will be prices for swaps of various maturities, from one-month to 10-year, providing a new way to hedge or take positions.

The ORR, in turn, is based on the variable overnight reverse repurchase rate (RRP), to which the BSP shifted last year.

By Jimmy Montejo

ALFREDO Yao values education deeply, especially because he didn’t complete college. The “juice king of the Philippines” enrolled at Mapua Institute of Technology but dropped out due to financial constraints.

Now 80 and worth an estimated $385 million, Yao is one of the country’s 50 wealthiest. His journey began humbly.

Born Nov. 23, 1943, into a poor family, he became the family’s breadwinner at 12 after his father, Chun Yao, died.

He wasn’t ashamed of his humble beginnings, which included selling goods on the street and napping on cardboard boxes. At 17, he started a small printing business, Solemar, with a P3,000 loan from Rizal Financing Institution, forerunner of state-run Development Bank of the Philippines. He named it Solemar in honor of his mother Soledad.

He was able to raise a number of businesses through the years—from juice drinks in tetrapacks to banking to budget airlines.

Over the years, Yao built a diverse business empire, from juice drinks to banking and airlines. With just $50 seed money, he raised Zesto Corp. that sells fruit juices, root beer and noodles across the globe.

In 1979, while on a business tour of Europe, he came across a new way of packaging called Doypack, a sealed bag made of plastic and aluminum that’s designed to stand upright. That was the ancestor of what we now call tetrapack.

Perceiving the material’s marketing potentials, he tried to sell it to Philippine manufacturers, but there were no takers.

He wouldn’t let a good idea simply go to waste, so he did it himself, and the result was an astounding success. He cornered a large slice of the industry pie.

Meanwhile, Zest-O’s performance was remarkable, prompting Yao to explore diversification. In 2008, he launched Zest Airways and sought to compete with other low-cost carriers of the country.

Somehow, competition was really stiff, so Zest Airways opted to be the first local carrier to fly tourists from China and Korea straight to Philippine destinations, skipping altogether the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

The airline eventually merged with AirAsia and was renamed AirAsia Zest.

“Times have changed because of technology. The speed of technology has changed things in the business but we have to adapt, and change, too,” Yao said in an interview.

A quick run-through of his achievements would show that Yao is

CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING. Officials of the Authority of the Freeport Area of Bataan (AFAB) led Administrator and chief executive Hussein Pangandaman (center) and deputy administrator Malou Herrera (second from right) switch on the lighting for the

on

chairman of Macay Holdings which includes ARC Refreshments Corp. that markets RC Cola in the country. In 2020, Macay acquired Artemisplus Express, also known as Kitchen City, a domestic food-service provider, for P2 billion.

Yao also founded Philippine Business Bank that serves small and medium enterprises.

He has interests as well in hospitality and real estate, including Summit Hotel and Resorts Specialists, Asiawide Refreshments Corp. and SMI Development Inc. that showcase his business interests across multiple sectors.

Some of the companies under the wings of the Yao Group of Companies are Solmac Marketing Inc., Harman Foods (Phils.) Inc., Amchem Marketing Inc., Uni-Ipel Industries Inc., SMI Development Inc. and Summit Hotel and Resort Specialist Inc. His advice to aspiring entrepreneurs: “Just work hard and never lose hope.”

Alfredo M. Yao, Zest-O Corp.’s president and chief executive officer

Trademark Regulations, the certification, good for the next ten years, guarantees the authenticity and quality of products manufactured within Clark Freeport. Devanadera said the certification coincided with Clark’s robust export performance, which

the previous year’s.

PH stocks seen trading sideways this week

By Jenniffer B. Austria

PHILIPPINE stocks are expected to trade sideways this week on possible bargain-hunting, analysts said over the weekend.

The main composite index traded downwards over the past four trading weeks, following the election of US President Donald Trump and weak third-quarter gross domestic product (GDP) report.

“The market’s four-week fall has brought it to even more attractive levels, opening the possibility of bargain-hunting in next week’s trading,” Philstocks Financial Inc. research head Japhet Tantiangco said.

Tantiangco said if the current headwinds, including the weakness of the local currency persist, the rise of long-term local and US yields and concerns over the prospects of protectionist policies in the US could still present challenges. The risk of another decline is still high, he said.

Chartwise, the market’s support is seen at 6,400, and resistance at the 6,700 to 6,800 range.

Among the catalysts that could boost the market higher are the sound third-quarter earnings report of listed firms and prospects for a possible rate cut by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas in its policy meeting next month.

The Philippine Stock Exchange index closed at 6,676.55 last week, down 4.31 percent, after the market traded in the red in four of five trading days. The all-shares index also declined by 2.86 percent to 3,772.80. Foreign investors were net sellers last week, with net outflows reaching P5.96 billion. Average value turnover amounted to P6.1 billion.

PAL offers promo rates for direct Clark-Siargao route

PHILIPPINE Airlines (PAL) said it is offering promotional fares for its Clark-Siargao route that will run until Nov. 21, 2024.

The Lucio Tan-led airline said travel period is from Dec. 3, 2024 onwards, with a one-way base fare starting at P1,299.

Clark-Siargao will operate three times weekly (every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday) via PR 2875 (Clark-Siargao) beginning Dec. 3, departing Clark International Airport at 11 a.m. and arriving in Siargao at 1:05 p.m.

The Siargao-Clark return service will operate via PR 2876 on the same days, leaving Siargao at 1:35 p.m. and arriving in Clark at 3:40 p.m. PAL’s Clark-Siargao-Clark direct service will provide ease and convenience for residents of Central and Northern Luzon, as there is no need to travel to Manila by land to connect to Siargao.

The flag carrier also serves direct flights from Clark to the country’s top leisure destinations such as Basco (Batanes), Caticlan (Boracay) and Busuanga (Coron).

Darwin G. Amojelar

MPTC set to appoint new president, CEO

By Darwin G. Amojelar

METRO Pacific Tollways Corp. will appoint a new president and chief executive before the end of November 2024.

“Well, we’re looking at within this month to finish the transition, once we complete all the orientation period,” said MPTC senior executive and incoming president Arrey Perez. He will succeed Rogelio Singson, the current president and CEO of MPTC, who will transition to a role within MPTC’s water business. Perez, the former president of Clark International Airport Corp., said he

would prioritize the company’s mandate to provide a safer and more convenient tollways service.

“So, we’ll focus on 5-star customer service. I call that 5-star customer service,” Perez said. “That’s our priority. Of course, it’s all about expanding our business.”

MPTC holds concession rights for North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), NLEX Connector Road, Subic-Clark

Expressway (SCTEX), Manila Cavite Expressway, Cavite Laguna Expressway and Cebu Cordova Link Expressway.

MPTC handled an average of 700,000 vehicles a day during the pandemic and close to a million vehicles a day before the pandemic. MPTC also has investments in Indonesia via PT Nusantara whose operations comprise of toll roads, ports, water and energy generation and distribution; and in Vietnam’s CII Bridges & Roads Investment Joint Stock Company that is primarily engaged in the construction, development and operations of urban infrastructure.

Land earned P9b in 9 months

escapes Inc. booked a net income of P9.1 billion in the first nine months of 2024, up 10 percent year-on-year on sustained strong sales of residential projects outside Metro Manila. Vista Land said its nine-month consolidated revenues reached P29.1 billion, a 7-percent increase from the previous period. Real estate revenue accounted for P13.6 billion on 12-percent growth, while rental income reached P12.4 billion.

Vista Land launched projects nationwide with a total sales value of P32.6 billion from January to September this year.

“Our performance so far reflects our commitment to our set strategy of asset maximization and optimization as we capitalized on the strong demand from residential projects specifically outside Metro Manila where we have the widest coverage,” Vista Land chairman Manuel Villar Jr. said. Villar said the company’s presence in 147 cities and municipalities across the country helped ease the impact of slowdown in the demand for residential in Metro Manila due to the effect of the POGO (Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators) ban.

“We are now reaping the fruits of our various Vista Estate projects across the country, which is one of the factors in the sustained growth in our reservation sales which amounted to P58.4 billion as the end of period. We remain optimistic with the industry especially in the provincial areas where demand continue to rise,” Villar said.

Vista Land president Manuel Paolo Villar said the company also managed its liabilities by refinancing its $350-million maturity with the issuance of new dollar notes due 2029. Jenniffer B. Austria

Singson to help drivers transition under modernization program

By Roy Tomandao

FORMER Ilocos Norte Governor Chavit Singson, who is running for senator in the upcoming 2025 midterm elections, will focus on supporting jeepney drivers amid the modernization program that threatens the iconic Filipino jeepney.

Singson, a former councilor, mayor and governor in Ilocos Norte, vowed to help jeepney drivers transition to the modernization program, which

aims to replace traditional jeepneys with more environment-friendly and efficient e-jeeps.

“The looming disappearance of the Filipino icon jeepney and the recent closure of Sarao Motors, a wellknown jeepney manufacturer, have raised concerns among drivers and operators,” Singson told The Manila Standard.

In his campaign platform, Singson emphasized the importance of providing financial assistance and support to jeepney drivers to help them adapt

LANCE Gokongwei, president and chief executive of JG Summit Holdings, is this year’s recipient of the EYBank of Singapore Asean Entrepreneurial Excellence award.

The prestigious award acknowledges Gokongwei’s leadership and significant contributions to the Southeast Asian business landscape. He is set to receive the award on Nov. 18 in Singapore.

The EY Asean Entrepreneurial Excellence (AEE) award, established in 2015, is a celebration of business leaders who inspire excellence across industries.

It is presented by professional services organization EY, and Bank of Singapore is the presenting title sponsor. It recognizes successful Southeast

to the changing landscape of public transportation in the country.

“I believe that the modernization program should not leave behind the hardworking drivers who have relied on jeepneys as their livelihood for generations,” the senatorial candidate said.

Singson’s experience in local governance in Ilocos Norte prepared him to tackle the challenges facing the transportation sector at the national level. His track record of implementing

Asian entrepreneurs who drive not only economic growth but also create positive societal change for the region.

Gokongwei’s leadership at JG Summit, one of the region’s most diversified and impactful conglomerates, exemplifies these values. His focus on innovation, inclusive growth, and sustainability has helped position the company as a key driver of economic progress across Southeast Asia.

Reflecting on his guiding principles, Gokongwei said, “I want to make a positive and lasting difference in everything I can do and pay it forward.”

This belief has been the cornerstone of his leadership, where profitability is balanced with a commitment to creating value for stakeholders, employees, and the communities his companies

successful projects and programs in his home province earned him the trust and support of many constituents.

As Singson gears up for his senatorial bid, he is expected to continue advocating for the welfare of jeepney drivers and other marginalized sectors in society.

The 2025 midterm elections will be a crucial moment for Singson and his supporters as they seek to bring about positive change and progress for the country.

serve.

Through its subsidiaries, Universal Robina Corp. (URC) and Cebu Pacific (CEB), JG Summit has successfully broadened its presence throughout ASEAN.

URC has established operations in major markets including Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Myanmar and Vietnam, providing products that cater to the diverse needs of consumers across the region. Cebu Pacific, one of the Philippines’ leading airlines, contributed to regional connectivity, with flights spanning Southeast Asia, driving tourism, trade, and mobility. At the heart of Gokongwei’s leadership is a commitment to innovation, as seen in his digital initiatives.

MSME DAY. More than 120 micro, small and medium-sized enterprises

(MSMEs) participate in the MSME Day in Pampanga, showcasing testimonials from select customers on how digital tools fueled their business growth, inspiring fellow entrepreneurs to scale their own ventures with the power of technology. PLDT Enterprise, in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), held the MSME Day to provide entrepreneurs with valuable insights from industry experts.

Former Ilocos Norte Governor Chavit Singson pledges his support to jeepney drivers amid the modernization program that threatens the existence of the iconic Filipino jeepney.

BUSINESS

TECHNOPRENEURSHIP.

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the Wadhwani Operating Foundation sign a memorandum of agreement (MOA) to launch the Ignite Technopreneurship Program—a pioneering initiative designed to provide DOST personnel with essential entrepreneurial skills aimed at driving innovation and boosting economic growth across the Philippines.

DTI releases Noche Buena price guides to help families

By Othel V. Campos

THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) released the 2024 Noche Buena price guide, emphasizing price reductions on key holiday staples to help Filipino families manage their budgets during the festive season.

The DTI said 13 SKUs or stock keeping units saw price cuts compared to 2023, offering relief to consumers amid rising costs in other sectors.

Acting DTI Secretary Cristina Roque underscored the importance of these price reductions in promoting

TPB achieves 378% increase in sales leads in Singapore

THE country’s Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) achieved P721.64 million in sales leads at ITB Asia 2024 from Oct. 23 to 25, 2024 at the Sands Expo Convention Centre in Singapore.

This represented a 378-percent increase from last year.

TPB chief operating officer Maria Margarita Montemayor Nograles said the increasing sales speak of the growing demand for Philippine tourism.

“Achieving over P721 million in sales leads highlights the immense potential for Philippine tourism. ITB Asia provides a key platform for turning this interest into lasting partnerships and sustained growth,” she said. About 29 exhibitors represented the best of Philippine tourism, showcasing a diverse array of offerings from world-class hotels and resorts like Solaire Resort Entertainment City, Dusit Thani Manila, and Fili Hotel - Nustar Resort Cebu, to unique travel experiences from companies such as GI Philippines Corporation (Biyaheko) and Boracay Adventures Travel N Tours.

Industry leaders including Philippine Airlines, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, and the Philippine Retirement Authority also joined, strengthening the country’s appeal for both leisure and business tourism.

Nograles said the record-breaking sales leads reflect the Philippines’ growing prominence as a top destination for both leisure and business travel. Othel V. Campos

consumer welfare and easing the financial strain of holiday preparations.

“This year’s Noche Buena Price Guide reflects our commitment to helping Filipino families celebrate the holidays without overspending. The reductions offer practical options for households to enjoy quality products

while staying within their budgets,” she said.

The guide includes prices for 236 SKUs from 22 manufacturers across 12 product categories, with significant reductions observed in select items.

The reduced prices include select brands of mayonnaise, pasta, elbow macaroni, salad macaroni and all-purpose cream, which are essential components of many traditional Noche Buena dishes.

The price guide shows that mayonnaise is now priced between P20.40 and P245.85, pasta and spaghetti noodles between P32.00 and P114.00, elbow macaroni between P30.50 and

THE Philippines secured approval to export Hass avocados to Japan’s very finicky yet lucrative fresh fruits market.

“This achievement highlights the Philippines’ commitment to expanding agricultural exports and showcases the excellence of our farm products. We are confident that this access to Japan’s market will open doors to other international opportunities for locally-grown Hass avocados,” said Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel, Jr.

He cited the collaborative efforts of the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI), the Office of the Agriculture Attaché in Tokyo and Dole Stanfilco in achieving this trade breakthrough.

P126.25, salad macaroni between P36.50 and P126.25, and all-purpose cream between P36.50 and P72.00.

To help consumers easily identify these savings, the DTI has included a Christmas tree symbol in the guide to mark products with reduced prices. Roque encouraged consumers to review the guide and make informed choices to maximize their savings.

The prices listed in the guide will remain effective until Dec. 31, 2024, ensuring stable costs through Media Noche celebrations.

The agency said many other holiday staples, including ham, queso de bola, fruit cocktail and cheese maintained their 2023 prices.

Crafting hope for Filipino families (Part 1)

GREEN LIGHT

Crislet Anne Bantegui

MY LOVE language includes words of affirmation, acts of service, and gift-giving. I find joy in writing heartfelt letters, crafting delicate origami roses, and creating charming pop-up birthday cards.

Personalized, handcrafted gifts are significant to me, reflecting the giver’s heartfelt sincerity. When Ms. Pia Manalastas introduced our MBA class to the Aim2Flourish project, which empowers us to share untold business stories and offers a platform for business leaders to exhibit their passion, analyze their enterprises with an appreciative perspective, and highlight innovations that can transform the world, this particular brand came to mind immediately.

Their steadfast commitment to environmental conservation through recycling, the celebration of Philippine culture evident in their designs, and their foundation as a Godcentered, family-oriented business resonate deeply with my core values.

It’s a business whose story I am proud to share and with which I long to be associated. Driven by this desire, I contacted them across various platforms, capturing their attention and securing an interview. My friends know my love for thoughtful gifts and personal touches well—traits that Papemelroti exemplifies.

Papemelroti is a heritage brand choice for gift shopping in the Philippines. It offers various handcrafted and eco-friendly products. The brand is celebrated for its innovative use of recycled materials, its dedication to showcasing Philippine cultural heritage through its designs, and its commitment to creating sustainable livelihoods for local artisans and families. With over 20 branches in Metro Manila, Pampanga, and Cavite, Papemelroti continues to impact the environment and the community significantly.

Papemelroti’s journey began in 1967 when Benny and Corit Alejandro opened a modest boutique on Tomas Morato Ave in Manila. Contrary to common belief, the term “papemelroti” is not derived from “paper” but from the names of their five children in order of age: Patsy, Peggy, Meldy, Robert, and Tina. Over the years, Papemelroti has evolved into a pioneer of eco-friendly practices. The business was among the first to use unbleached brown kraft paper, significantly lessening the environmental impact by avoiding harmful bleaching agents. Unlike conventional white paper, which involves toxic chemical processes, their brown kraft paper is eco-conscious and sustainable. Papemelroti’s commitment to sustainability extends beyond paper. They specialize in upcycling and creatively reusing waste materials. The store repurposes newspapers and old paper into items such as albums, calendars, and gift wrapping. Plastic bottles are transformed into piggy banks, and paper rolls and Yakult bottles are crafted into doll figures. They also utilize reclaimed wood for various products, including furniture, shelving, and wall art, often sourced from crates

They credit the success of their business venture to God and believe that they will be able to overcome any challenges that come their way.

that once transported bulky items like elevators or car parts.

Papemelroti collaborated with optical retailers to recycle discarded eyeglass lenses into unique magnets and necklaces.

For years, the company has encouraged customers to bring in recyclable materials for repurposing, further reducing their environmental footprint. Items accepted include, but are not limited to, used domino tiles, computer keyboards, bubble wrap, and old watches, which can be dropped off at any of their branches. They ensure all aspects of their production, including packaging, are made from 100% recycled materials.

The Alejandro siblings attribute Papemelroti’s success to their mother’s talent, Corit, for creating something valuable out of things that people would throw away. She liked to call herself an ordinary housewife but was always a woman with a mission. Their mother instilled in them the value of viewing waste from a different perspective, encouraging creativity, and seeing it as an opportunity to create something beautiful.

Another remarkable aspect of this family is their strong faith. They credit the success of their business venture to God and believe that they will be able to overcome any challenges that come their way. “God is the one who sustains our business. We started in 1967, so ang tagal na di ba? I believe that God is also the source of our creativity.” This strong faith in God is a central part of Papemelroti’s journey and is something that we can all be inspired by and connect with.

(To be continued)

The author is an MBA student at the Ramon V. Del Rosario College of Business of De La Salle University. She wrote this reflection paper for her class on Trends and Issues in Business and Management: CEO Series. She can be reached at crislet_ bantegui@dlsu.edu.ph.

The views expressed above are the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official position of DLSU, its faculty, and its administrators.

BPI director Glenn Panganiban said adding Hass avocados to the list of Philippine exports to Japan, which include bananas and pineapples, is another win for the Philippines following over a decade of work since initial access requests began in 2011.

“Securing entry to Japan’s competitive market for Hass avocados is a crucial step in enhancing trade relations with Japan,” he said, noting the rising agricultural exports to Japan. The Philippines exported $1.1 billion worth of agri-fisheries products to Japan in 2023, achieving a trade surplus of $990 million. The inclusion of Hass avocados is expected to bolster the Philippines’ reputation as a key supplier of premium fruits to the discerning Japanese consumers.

Hass avocados, prized for their smaller size and pebbly skin that darkens to purplish-black when ripe, conform to Japanese preferences.

Othel V. Campos

TPB chief operating officer Maria Margarita Montemayor Nograles

Meralco, France studying bigger nuclear power plants

By Alena Mae S. Flores

POWER retailer Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) said it is in talks with the French government to conduct a feasibility study on the installation of conventional nuclear power plants, including site selection, in the Philippines.

“We might be entering into a feasibility study with the French government. But this is for not the smaller ones, but the bigger ones like conventional…Feasibility study especially on site selection,” Meralco executive vice president and chief operating officer Ronnie Aperocho said.

Aperocho said the study would focus on conventional or large

ERC issues regulatory reset order for Meralco

THE Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has issued a regulatory reset order, declaring that Manila Electric Co. (Meralco)’s fifth regulatory period will span 2025 to 2028, instead of the originally planned 2022 to 2026. The ERC, in a decision promulgated Oct. 30, 2024 and signed by Commissioners Alexis Lumbatan, Catherine Maceda, Floresinda BaldoDigal and Romeo Fuentes, classified the period July 1, 2022, to Dec. 31, 2024, as a “lapsed period.”

The commission ordered Meralco to refile its fifth regulatory period application in accordance with new rules to be adopted by the ERC.

The agency will initiate a rulemaking process, subject to public consultation, to amend Resolution No. 10, Series of 2021, or the Rules for Setting the Distribution Wheeling Rates.

The ERC said it chose the “most reasonable and achievable procedure” to complete Meralco’s new regulatory reset.

Under the draft amended rules, the ERC will evaluate the regulated entity’s actual expenditures for the lapsed period, examining their “necessity and efficiency” to determine the annual revenue requirement. The review will consider data previously and newly submitted by the regulated entity, as well as relevant study results. Alena Mae S. Flores

nuclear plants with a capacity of 600 megawatts and above and not the small modular reactors (SMR).

“We’ll really depend on the legislation…the creation of regulatory body. So, in parallel, we’re just preparing the groundwork already, all the studies. So, when there’s a law already, we can begin immediately because to build a nuclear power plant, it takes

so many years,” he said.

He said the terms of reference for the feasibility study is expected to be finalized in the next two to three months.

Aperocho said they were not dropping plans to develop SMRs, but were scanning all the available technologies which are crucial to nuclear development.

He said they would take their cue from the government whether to go conventional or SMRs, which have a capacity of 300 MW and below. Aperocho said this is an offshoot from recent meetings with EDF France, which is owned by the French government.

Meralco along with Meralco Power Academy (MPA) recently visited Université Paris-Saclay (UPS) and

top nuclear institutions in France to discuss possible collaborations on capacity building and knowledge sharing in a bid to advance its nuclear energy strategic transition (NEST) initiative.

Aperocho said France’s technology is very mature, having started building nuclear power plants since 1948, and almost 75 percent of their energy mix is nuclear.

He said they are looking at conventional plants to help meet the Department of Energy’s 1,200-MW nuclear installation target by 2032.

“We’re not building new coalfired power plants. So, the option is we’re looking at nuclear. We’re just waiting for the legislation, policy and creation of the regulatory body,” he said.

IN BRIEF

NGCP plans to build towers that can withstand 300 kph winds

NATIONAL Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) said it plans to build overhead transmission lines (OHTLs) that can withstand winds of up to 300 kilometers per hour.

The plan is a part of its heightened grid resiliency program under the proposed Transmission Development Plan Report for 2024 to 2050 to improve the ability of the power system to withstand the adverse effects of environmental conditions, natural or man- made power interruptions and

other disturbances.

“A high degree of power system reliability is equivalent to the high availability of the electricity supply service, while excellent system security gives robustness to the power system to withstand unexpected events that have severe impact and consequences,” NGCP said in a statement.

“It will take a diversified approach to do this. This entails making investments in upgraded infrastructure to withstand severe weather,

Food exporters asked to follow global product trends

By Othel V. Campos

THE Department of Trade and Industry-Export Marketing Bureau (DTIEMB) encouraged food exporters to align with emerging global product trends to stay competitive and cater to the changing preferences of international consumers.

EMB trade and development specialist Carl Francis Nichole Garing said the global food market is undergoing a transformation, driven by demand for diverse flavors, healthier options and convenient meal solutions.

Citing insights from Innova Market

Insights and Mintel, Garing highlighted two key trends shaping the global food industry for 2025: longevity staples and “newstalgia.”

“Ready-to-eat meals with long shelf lives, such as dehydrated soups and stews, are becoming increasingly popular as people prepare for emergencies,” Garing said.

He said longevity staples now include high-quality canned goods like gourmet sardines and truffle-infused mushrooms, which are evolving into everyday pantry essentials.

The concept of “newstalgia” blends modern twists with classic favorites, Garing said, offering examples such

DIGITALIZATION

as mac and cheese made with gourmet cheeses and truffle oil, or plantbased meatloaf.

Fruit-based chips made from jackfruit, dragon fruit and durian are also gaining traction as unique and healthier snack alternatives.

Garing said sustainable and regenerative agriculture, plant-based innovations and functional beverages have been at the forefront of global food trends in 2024, significantly shaping consumer choices.

The plant-based movement, he said, is expanding with increasingly innovative and flavorful products catering to both vegans and flexitarians.

PUSH. Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) continues to bring customerfocused solutions as part of its digitalization push. The bank launched new wealth management platform, BPI Wealth Online, to provide BPI Gold clients with a holistic view of their financial assets to allow them to better manage their funds – anytime, anywhere. The new digital platform, combined with its team of relationship managers and investment specialists, strengthens the bank’s leadership in providing phygital banking solutions.

putting in place cutting-edge monitoring and control systems to quickly identify and address disruptions, and adding redundancy and backup measures to lessen the effects of malfunctioning equipment or cyberattacks,” it said.

NGCP said it understands the need to strengthen the overhead transmission line support structures considering the increasing number of super typhoons that have devastated different parts of the country in the last 10 years. The transmission operator said the maximum wind speed design (WSD) of its structures is currently based on three wind zones: Zone 1 (270 kilometers per hour), Zone 2 (240

S. Flores

AI

Department of Trade

launches Fiesta

Bai 2024, a month-long celebration honoring Filipino creativity, innovation and the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in the creative industries in the Central Visayas region on Nov. 8, 2024. Joining the launch in

City are

DTI 7 assistant regional director Esperanza Melgar with local creatives David

for Dwende Creative Sprints, Ruel Antipuesto for Yabo Film Lab, Max Limpag for Writers Forum, DTI 7 regional director Maria Elena Arbon, Trevor Sederiosa for Cebu Music Business Expo and DTI 7 SME Development chief Marilyn Tancinco.

SKYRO, one of the fastest-growing financial technology (fintech) companies in the Philippines, said it disbursed P5.2 billion in consumer loans from its launch in August 2022 until September 2024. The amount reflects the company’s stance to push for financial inclusion among Filipinos in remote areas of the country and to become a leading fintech industry player in the Philippines, it said in a statement. Skyro said it achieved a significant growth in loan disbursements, reflecting nearly 190 percent growth in over two years. The expansion underscores the company’s commitment to financial inclusion, allowing it to reach more communities, foster economic growth and extend essential financial services across the country.

Skyro quickly earned a reputation for its innovative digital financial services to enable financial inclusion in the country. It is now present in over 4,500 partner merchants stores nationwide with more than 270,000 active product loan customers. The P5.2-billion payout is also indicative of the company’s thrust to broaden its reach in many parts of the country, specifically in provincial areas. “We are steadily expanding our reach to meet the diverse financial needs of Filipinos across the country,” said Skyro co-founder and co-chief executive Nasim Aliev.

Skyro’s highest share of customers is in the Calabarzon region, but it continues to increase with the platform gaining a steady following in Mindanao.

BLOOD DONATION. Sun Life Grepa Financial Inc., one of the country’s leading insurers, holds a blood donation drive at its Makati City head office in Makati in support of Life Insurance Consciousness Week.  Teaming up with the Philippine Red Cross and the Philippine Life Insurance Association, Sun Life Grepa employees participated in the drive to contribute to a safe and quality blood supply for Filipinos.

WAVE. The

and Industry (DTI)

Haraya

Cebu

(from left)

Chan

REAL ESTATE

SM PRIME Holdings Inc.,

one of Southeast Asia’s largest integrated property developers, is marking its 30th anniversary with a bold new strategy to reshape its residential offerings and cater to evolving market dynamics.

As demand for affordable and middle-income housing shows signs of continued slowdown, SM Prime is shifting its focus to premium and integrated developments that promise to drive long-term growth and diversify its portfolio.

The company’s decision to realign its residential business comes at a time when the Philippine property market is grappling with a slowdown in demand for affordable and middleincome homes due to prevailing high interestrate environment.

Luxury market

Real estate expert David Leechiu expects SM Residences, which will hold all residential brands of the

group, to become a major player in the high-end residential market.

“The brisk take-up and record prices of The Estate has proven that SM can deliver in the premium segment. I expect them to be a dominant force in the segment that only three to four players participate in,”Leechiu said.

While SM Group’s residential unit SM Development Corp. has been known for residential development catering to middleincome market, Leechiu said SM also developed several high-end malls and hotels like SM Aura and Podium as well as Conrad Hotel and City of Dreams.

“They have proven they can do high-end projects. They can compete and rival existing high-end horizontal developers,” Leechiu said. Joint venture

Colliers Philippines research director Joey Bondoc said SM Group’s move to expand its residential offering is a step in the right direction because the luxury market has been a bright spot in the residential sector.

He noted that of the total unsold ready for occupancy units in the market, only 5 percent is coming from the luxury and upscale market, while 57 percent is from the mid-income market.

To lure the meticulous ultra-rich market, one strategy that SM Residences

can adopt, said Bondoc, is to forge joint

venture partnerships with known high-end developers.

The strategy was also adopted by other developers like Robinsons Land Corp., which teamed up with Shang Properties and Hongkong Land and Federal Land Inc. which worked with Japanese property developer Nomura Real Estate Development Co. for their high-end projects.

Bondoc also said SM Residences could also incorporate various in-demand features in their high-end horizontal developments like golf course to attract their target market.

Premium offering

SM Residences’ premium offering is poised to make a strong debut in early 2025. For its initial salvo, it plans to launch a 200-hectare development with additional projects in the

Cebu Landmasters to launch two more projects

CEBU Landmasters Inc. (CLI) is gearing up for more launches before the end of the year as demand for affordable residential units in Visayas and Mindanao remains strong.

CLI chairman and chief executive officer Jose Soberano III said the market is quick to absorb its newly launched developments with several projects selling out almost immediately upon market introduction.

“This strong demand underscores that we’re offering well-priced, thoughtfully designed developments that truly meet the needs of our target markets,” Soberano said.

The two new projects slated for launch before end 2024 are the North Grove at Pristina Town, a two-tower upper mid-market project in Cebu with over 1,000 units, and the first three towers in Manresa Town in Cagayan de Oro, which is CLI’s second township. In the last nine months, CLI launched P8.2 billion worth of projects with 1,664 residential units, a balanced mix of 57 percent targeted for the mid-market segment while 32 percent is for the economic segment.

New project launches are already 89 percent sold-out indicating high demand for the company’s products.

CLI’s mid-market Garden Series has the highest share at 57 percent of total sales. In terms of location, around 56 percent of sales originated from Mindanao, while Cebu accounts for 23 percent of reservation sales.

This shift in sales take-up to key areas in the region is aligned with the company’s strategy to strengthen foothold beyond CLI’s core market in Cebu.

As a result CLI;s net income reached P2.3 billion in the first nine months of t by 7 percent in the first nine months of the year, reaching P2.3 billion, compared to P2.2 billion in the same period last year, supported by growth in both core business and recurring income streams.

Consolidated revenues of P14.1 billion for the first nine months of 2024, reflecting a 9.2 percent year-onyear increase from P12.9 billion.

CLI’s hospitality revenues climbed 52 percent year-on-year to P149 million, driven by the opening of three new properties—Citadines Bacolod City, lyf Cebu City, and The Pad Co-Living—which added 617 rooms to CLI’s hospitality portfolio.

This expansion supports CLI’s diversification and meets the increasing demand for quality accommodations in Visayas and Mindanao.

SM Prime set to enter luxury residential market

“We

ARTHALAND to build more multi-certified sustainable condominiums following the successful listing of P2.5 billion worth of preferred shares

Arthaland, the country’s foremost green developer, successfully raised P2.5 billion to fund its expansion program with an initial dividend rate of 7.326 percent per annum. A substantial portion of the proceeds from the offer will fund the necessary investment of Arthaland into its upcoming two-tower, multicertified sustainable residential project catering to the broader mid-market segment. This will supplement Arthaland’s larger, multi-phased projects, which will provide a steady pipeline of sustainable, master-planned projects that will be launched over the next 10 years and beyond.

“We share the success of this offer with the investors who believe in Arthaland’s vision of building world-class and sustainable developments that will provide a wealth of life at home, at work, in the community, and in our country. We are very excited about our new project following the overwhelming market response

Each project is unique, best-inclass and adheres to the highest standards of sustainability. From the Bonifacio Global City, it has expanded its presence into the high-growth areas of Metro Cebu and Metro Laguna with Cebu Exchange, Lucima, and Sevina Park. It has also expanded its presence into more established central business districts of Makati and Taguig with Eluria and Savya Financial Center.

BDO Capital and Investments Corp. was the sole issue manager, lead underwriter, and book runner for the transaction.

to Una Apartments in Sevina Park, representing our first foray into the broader mid-market segment. Tower 1 of Una Apartments was completely sold out within 10 months, and we have begun selling Tower 2, which is also experiencing very strong demand, ”said Jaime C. González, vice chairman and president of Arthaland. It is the fourth time for Arthaland to list its preferred shares with the Philippine Stock Exchange, and since its maiden offering, the company has worked to acquire properties, launch new projects and complete them on time. It has assembled a portfolio with a total gross floor area of 456,000 sqm, reflecting an almost fivefold growth during the past 5 years.

Jeffrey C. Lim, executive director and president

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2024

NICKIE WANG, Editor

ANGELICA VILLANUEVA, Writer

ABIGAIL ADRIATICO, Writer

Very Wang Nickie Wang

AS the holiday season approaches, GMA Network continues its tradition of bringing hope and joy with its 2024 Christmas Station ID, “Ganito Ang Paskong Pinoy: Puno ng Pasasalamat.”

The four-minute film, released on Nov. 11, brings together the network’s leaders, employees, and celebrities in a celebration of Filipino customs while highlighting thankfulness and the spirit of giving.

The GMA Kapuso Foundation’s “Give A Gift: Alay sa Batang Pinoy” initiative, which asks contributors to give Noche Buena food boxes to underprivileged kids and families, is the centerpiece of this campaign. The project highlights the station’s goal of encouraging Filipinos to spread the blessings of the season by focusing on giving back. The Station ID also marks GMA’s preparation for its 75th anniversary, celebrating decades of support from its loyal audience. Kapuso celebrities like Dingdong Dantes, Marian Rivera, Alden Richards,

GMA’s Christmas ID unwraps the gift of giving this holiday season

employees and members of the Kapuso Brigade.

Other artists taking part in the celebration include Khalil Ramos, Christian Bautista, Mark Bautista, Richard Yap, Michelle Dee, Rhian Ramos, Glaiza de Castro, Rabiya Mateo, Elle Villanueva, Derrick Monasterio, Megan Young, Mikael Daez,

Allen

and

among many more. Helping to spread the spirit of gratitude further are other network officers and employees, plus members of the Kapuso Brigade.

Chairman Felipe L. Gozon and President and CEO Gilberto R. Duavit Jr., in this touching video to capture the

The

by

‘Hello, Love, Again’

personalities, from seasoned journalists Jessica Soho and Mel Tiangco to stars such as Bea Alonzo, Carla Abellana, Rayver Cruz , Sanya Lopez , and David

ABS-CBN’s Star Cinema and GMA

Pictures’ first film collaboration, Hello, Love, Again, has broken local box-office records once again, raking in P245 million in just three days since its release.

Starring Kathryn Bernardo and Alden Richards, the film grossed over P90 million on its third day (Nov. 15), setting a new record for the highest single-day box-office gross for a Philippine film.

Initially screened in 500 cinemas on its opening day, the film is now showing in 726 cinemas nationwide – the largest local film release in Philippine history.

The sequel to Hello, Love, Goodbye is also screening internationally in Australia, New Zealand, the U.S., Canada, Guam, and Saipan, with plans to start screenings in London on Nov. 16.

Additional international releases are scheduled for Singapore, Malaysia, the Middle East, Cambodia, and Hong Kong later this month.

Hello, Love, Again earned P85 million on its opening day (Nov. 13), marking the highest fi rstday gross for any local fi lm, and P70 million on its second day. The fi lm is directed by Cathy Garcia-Sampana

. Emerging talents and fan favorites, including SB19 ’s Pablo and Stell , Gabbi Garcia , and Billy Crawford , also lend their presence, alongside Kapuso

, with music composed and arranged by Correos, Cruz, and Figueroa. The 2024 Christmas Station ID and its lyric video are available on GMA Network’s official YouTube channel, Facebook page, and website.

Donations to GMA Kapuso Foundation’s “Give A Gift: Alay sa Batang Pinoy” project, which spreads joy through Noche Buena packs for children and families, can be made at www.gmanetwork. com/donate

A COVERED court in Rockville Subdivision, Barangay San Bartolome, Novaliches, became a busy and joyful place as residents from Brgy.

support to local families. Singson, who is running for senator, created this program to help communities in need. Quezon City Councilor and actress Aiko Melendez attended the event and thanked

Singson for his initiative. “I am happy that Manong Chavit Singson started this Mobile Kitchen. Everyone is happy and full. The kind and hardworking people of Barangay San Bartolome in Quezon City are lucky,” Melendez said. Singson, smiling and chatting with the residents, shared his excitement. “The Manong Chavit Mobile Kitchen will go to many more places,” he said. “I’m happy that the people liked the food we served.” He also thanked Melendez for supporting the event and for joining the effort to bring food and happiness to the community.

Showbiz couple Dingdong Dantes (second from left) and Marian Rivera (rightmost) with GMA Network President and CEO Gilberto R. Duavit Jr. (leftmost), and Chairman Felipe L. Gozon (second from right)

Michael V., Dennis Trillo, and Jennylyn Mercado join forces with executives, led by

Sofia Pablo,

Ansay, Rocco Nacino, Katrina Halili,

Kim Atienza,

“Ganito Ang Paskong Pinoy: Puno ng Pasasalamat” is brought to life by Julie Anne San Jose alongside a stellar lineup of Kapuso singers, including

Aicelle Santos, Rita Daniela, Jessica Villarubin, Hannah Precillas, Mariane Osabel, Garrett Bolden, Anthony Rosaldo, Thea Astley, John Rex, and Cloud 7 The lyrics were crafted by Christine Autor, Natasha L. Correos, Joe-Edrei Cruz, Ann Margaret Figueroa, Lorraine Intes, and Samantha Toloza

Renowned comedian Michael V

Dennis Trillo (left) and Jennylyn Mercado warmth of Filipino family reunions through heartfelt moments of togetherness.

campaign’s festive atmosphere extends to appearances

a wide array of Kapuso

Numerous GMA singers perform the 2024 Christmas Station ID ‘Ganito Ang Paskong Pinoy: Puno ng Pasasalamat’

Actor Alden Richards

Licauco

‘Hello, Love, Again’ stars Kathryn Bernardo (left) and Alden Richards (right) with director Cathy Garcia-Sampana (center)

Former governor Chavit Singson (left) with Quezon City Councilor and actress Aiko Melendez (right)

‘Burlesk Dancer’ brings bold drama to big screen

left:

By Angelica Villanueva

SENIOR director Mac Alejandre has teamed up once again with National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts Ricky Lee to create a fi lm that is expected to be both moving and thought-provoking.

Under Viva Films, the period drama Celestina: Burlesk Dancer explores themes of survival, love, and dignity amid the chaos of war. Set during the Japanese occupation of the Philippines in the 1940s, the film follows the story of Celestina, or Tinay (Yen Durano), a mother and burlesque dancer who struggles to provide for her family. Her challenges are compounded by a crumbling marriage to Cornelio ( Lucero), a former haciendero who has fallen into gambling and infidelity.

At a recent media conference, Alejandre spoke about the film’s relevance, noting how its universal themes of resilience and empowerment resonate today.

“Through these stories, we not only remember what happened in the past, but they also prepare us for what might happen tomorrow,” he said. He continued, “Why is this story important? Because we can see that the desires and aspirations of women then, today, and possibly in the future, are the same. They all want the same things. All women, or all people for that matter, want to be happy and loved sincerely.”

Celestina: Burlesk Dancer also marks Alejandre’s return to the big screen after a series of projects for Vivamax. He described the transition as both exciting and challenging.

we

“When Boss Vic [del Rosario] said, ‘Let’s make this for cinema release but let’s keep it daring,’ I was thrilled. It took a while to develop because we wanted something unique—a period film that would do justice to its setting and characters,” he said.

Inspired by Celso Ad Castillo’s Burlesk Queen, a classic film starring Vilma Santos Alejandre, and Lee sought to create a fresh yet equally bold narrative.

“We loved Burlesk Queen. It’s a masterpiece. But we didn’t want Celestina to be just a reflection of that. After months of brainstorming, Ricky came up with a story that felt fresh yet carried a similar depth and boldness,” he explained.

offer

The film’s research and creative process ensured that Celestina: Burlesk Dancer would stand out as a distinct work, even while nodding to Castillo’s artistry. Alejandre also explained the decision to set the story during the Japanese occupation, a period marked by fear and resilience. “Period films come with their own set of challenges, from research to authenticity in costumes and settings. But they also offer a richness that can elevate the storytelling,” he said.

For the movie’s lead actress, stepping into the role of Tinay required both emotional and physical commitment.

“The character of a burlesque dancer is very empowering, especially during ancient times when society was more conservative. To have that as a profession is very strong and says a lot because not everyone can do that,” said Yen. Also part of the cast are Ahron Villaflor and Christine Bermas Celestina: Burlesk Dancer premieres in cinemas nationwide on Dec. 4.

K-pop fiesta wraps up world tour in Manila

D’FESTA, the ultimate K-pop experience, will conclude its world tour in the Philippines after successful runs in Tokyo, Seoul, Jakarta, and Los Angeles. Marking its 10th year, the immersive exhibit, organized by Korean media outlet Dispatch, will celebrate K-pop with fans worldwide.

The exhibit features exclusive performances, photographs, and videos from top K-pop groups like BTS, Twice, Seventeen, NCT 127, NCT Dream, Enhypen, Tomorrow x Together, and Stray Kids. The event is divided into three main sections: The Exhibition, The Movie, and The Experience.

The Exhibition includes three areas: colorful portraits with handwritten messages, black-and-white artist portraits, and group and individual photos. All images are exclusive to Dispatch. The Movie section will showcase never-beforeseen performances filmed with advanced XR technology.

The Experience offers a 3D LED stage fi lmed by K-pop stars, with a mirror wall for photo opportunities and a photo booth to pose with K-pop idols. Fans can also purchase limited-edition merchandise, including

The giveaway gives fans of the beloved toy a chance to win one of 12 Labubu gure

Labubu toys up for grabs in exclusive giveaway

EVER Bilena has teamed up with Shopee for an exciting giveaway featuring the highly coveted Labubu art toy. A limited-edition collectible created by artist Kasing Lung, Labubu has become a social media sensation, known for its mischievous grin and playful design.

The giveaway offers fans the chance to win one of 12 Labubu fi gures, which have gained widespread popularity after being spotted with K-pop stars Lisa and Rosé of Blackpink . Their posts sparked a surge in demand for the toy, with local celebrities like Heart Evangelista, Marian Rivera, Kathryn Bernardo, Julia Barretto, Janine Gutierrez Stell of SB19 BINI Maloi and Bretman Rock also showcasing their own Labubu collections.

Labubu is one of many limited-edition releases from Pop Mart, but its growing popularity has made it an exclusive collector’s item. Fans often collect different character variants and even dress their Labubu figures in unique outfits, adding a personal touch that has fueled the craze.

To enter the Ever Bilena–Shopee giveaway, customers must use the voucher code EVERLABU when purchasing at least P299 worth of products from Ever Bilena’s flagship Shopee store. The voucher also offers an additional P40 off. The promo runs until Nov. 23 with 12 lucky winners to be announced one week after the contest ends.

For more details please check out Ever Bilena’s social media pages:

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ everbilenacosmetics

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ everbilenaofficial/?hl=en

Actress Yen Durano stars as mother and burlesque dancer Celestina: Burlesk Dancer‘ The Exhibition features colorful portraits

D’Festa’s

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2024

C4 LIFE

NICKIE WANG, Editor

ANGELICA VILLANUEVA,

Writer

Writer

ABIGAIL ADRIATICO,

By Nickie Wang

WHEN you think of the Philippines, images of pristine white sand beaches and crystal-clear waters immediately come to mind. With 7,641 islands, this tropical paradise has earned the title of “Asia’s Leading Beach Destination,” a recognition from the World Travel Awards (WTA) during its September gala at City of Dreams Manila.

But while places like Boracay and Palawan are world-famous, the country holds a treasure trove of lesser-known beach destinations waiting to be discovered.

As Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco shared, “Our islands, with their pristine beaches, vibrant marine life, and clear waters, captivate travelers from all over the world.

Being named ‘Asia’s Leading Beach Destination’ motivates us to continue enhancing the experiences of those who visit our shores. We hope the ‘Philippine experience’ always brings joy and love.”

Beyond accolades, the Philippines’ allure extends to the country’s growing ability to host prestigious events. This year marked a milestone with the Philippines hosting the WTA for the first time, a testament to the country’s global standing.

In her address during the Philippine MICE Conference 2024, Sec. Frasco highlighted the country’s readiness to welcome large-scale events and international delegates, underscoring the importance of tourism in the nation’s growth.

Secret beaches

While celebrated destinations like Boracay and Palawan draw millions of visitors each year, the Department of Tourism (DOT) encourages travelers to explore the emerging gems of the Philippines’ lesserknown islands. There is something magical about stepping off the beaten path and discovering hidden beaches that offer peace and tranquility away from the crowds.

Take Malalison Island in Antique, for instance. This untouched haven boasts soft white sands and vibrant marine life, making it perfect for a

quiet day of snorkeling or lounging by the sea. Similarly, Sambawan Island in Biliran, known for its stunning rock formations and clear waters, offers nature lovers a breathtaking escape. For those looking for a more secluded escape, Nacpan Beach in El Nido presents a tranquil alternative to its more famous neighbors. The beach is a haven for those who want to bask in golden sands and turquoise waters while enjoying the scenic hills that surround it. Another hidden gem, the Calaguas Islands in Camarines Norte, is home to Mahabang Buhangin Beach, where the powdery white sand

A journey

the beaten path

stretches across the shore, offering a perfect place to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

Suyac Island in Negros Occidental remains one of the Philippines’ bestkept secrets. Surrounded by lush greenery, it offers a serene atmosphere for swimming, snorkeling, and simply relaxing. Meanwhile, Patar Beach in Bolinao, Pangasinan, stands out with its golden sands and striking rock formations, providing an idyllic setting for beach lovers looking to escape the crowds.

Sustainability

The Philippines’ tourism industry

THE Diwali, also known as Dipawali, is India’s biggest and most important festival. It got its name from the row (vali) of clay lamps (deepa) that Hindus light outside their homes to portray the inner light that emanates from a person’s spiritual darkness. This colorful festival is celebrated by them just like we celebrate Christmas. Also known as the Festival of Lights, it is closely associated with the Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity, and wife of Vishnu, the Preserver. This is the time of the year when the entire country, wherever you go in India, is filled with bright, colorful lights and fireworks lighting up the evening sky. The streets are adorned with bright lanterns, clay lamps are placed outside homes, and building facades are decked with incandescent lamps, highlighting the victory of light over darkness.

This important Hindu festival is celebrated over five days. On the first day, Hindus clean their homes and shop for gold or silver, said to bring good fortune. The second day is spent decorating homes with clay lamps. Some even make colorful

is not only about showcasing natural beauty but also ensuring these hidden paradises are preserved for future generations. Initiatives like the “Love Inspired: Philippines a Canvas of Biodiversity” program encourage sustainable tourism practices to safeguard the country’s natural treasures.

The DOT’s Philippine Experience Program further aims to highlight the country’s diverse cultural heritage, unique products, and, of course, its stunning beaches. While popular destinations continue to captivate

designs on their floors using sand or powder. The main day of the festival is the third day, when families gather to pray to Goddess Lakshmi, followed by a culinary feast. The fourth day is considered the first day of the new year, when friends visit with gifts, wishing each other the best for the season. The last, or fifth, day is spent with relatives, further strengthening family bonds.

I have always been curious about how the local Indian community celebrates Diwali, so when an invitation came recently for such an event, I made it a point to be there. The Activity Area of the Mall of Asia in Pasay City was the venue, and it was filled to the rafters. The local Indian community came in full force, especially because there was a bazaar selling all kinds of Indian culinary specialties and attractive merchandise. I was tempted to try on some beautiful Indian-designed dress shirts, but unfortunately, they did not have my size.

visitors, the Philippines’ secret beaches offer an equally enchanting experience—one that combines nature, serenity, and an unforgettable escape into paradise.

Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned traveler, consider exploring these hidden gems the next time you find yourself booking a trip to the Philippines.

The country’s secret beaches promise a refreshing adventure away from the crowds and an opportunity to experience nature’s finest wonders up close.

my good friend, PHILTOA President Arjun Shroff, a long-time resident of the Philippines and owner of Shroff Travel. There were very colorful dance presentations made by members of the Indian community, dressed to the hilt in their attractive costumes. In fact, I saw some of them before the program started, and they looked stunning in alluring variations of the sari. I couldn’t resist asking them to join me for a photo opportunity. I have to admit that I don’t often crave Indian cuisine, although I do seek it out occasionally for a

The evening’s program started with the entire congregation praying to the image of Goddess Lakshmi displayed beside the stage. This was followed by speeches from the officers of the Indian Cultural Association Philippines, including

The Boracay Beach in Aklan is known for its powdery white sand and crystal-clear waters which boast a breathtaking view

Bolinao’s Patar Beach features gorgeous rock formations and golden sands which o er a serene experience

The Malalison Island o the coast of Antique is an untouched oasis brimming with vibrant marine life

From left: Pasay City Mayor’s Chief of Sta Peter Pardo, Egypt Ambassador Ahmed Shehabeldin Ibrahim, India Ambassador Harsh Kumar Jain, the author and PHILTOA President Arjun Shro

The Diwali is the biggest and most important festival in India which is also known as the Festival of Lights

performance while wearing colorful saris