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TNT, Uratex to represent PH in world streetball finals in New York
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Jasmine Payo
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28/04/2024 20:47
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CHAMPS. TNT Tropang Giga and Uratex Dream celebrate their title romps in the 3x3 national finals of the Red Bull Half Court tourney.
MANILA PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE
MANILA, Philippines – Not even the scorching hot weather in Manila could derail the TNT Tropang Giga’s 3×3 basketball mastery.
Bannered by Almond Vosotros, Lervin Flores, Matt Salem, and Chester Saldua, the TNT Tropang Giga escaped the Davao-based Blancas Golden Knights, 15-13, in the national finals to earn a ticket to the Red Bull Half Court World Finals in New York in October.
“Everyone of us here worked hard for this. Actually, this is our first time to experience this, playing under the sun. No excuses, despite the heat, we kept it all together,” said Vosotros after the grueling streetball finals that rolled off from 10 am until 8 pm in an outdoor halfcourt at the Bonifacio Shrine.
Entering the tournament as a wildcard, TNT ruled all its pool games, before running through a gauntlet of teams from Cebu, Davao, and Manila to repeat as Red Bull 3×3 champs after winning last year’s edition.
“As soon as we found out that we would play on an open court, we decided to set up our training under hot conditions,” said Vosotros.
“We trained from late mornings to afternoons to get ourselves ready because we know we will play good teams that want to beat us.”
The Blancas, who won the tournament’s Davao leg, almost spoiled TNT’s quest, draining three consecutive contested jumpers, giving the multi-time PBA 3×3 champions a huge scare.
Tied at 13, Flores completed a two-point play with under 5 seconds left to salvage the win.
“I told myself that we really needed to win. We played through the heat in the afternoons, we are the pros here, and we played for Gilas Pilipinas too. We protected our pride,” Flores said.
For TNT’s longtime 3×3 coach Mau Belen, the tournament was a litmus test unlike anything they have experienced.
“With these types of tournaments, especially now that it was played on an open court, we got tested on how solid we are as a team,” said Belen, who called the shots for Gilas 3×3 in last month’s FIBA Asia Cup.
“We did not know who we would face in the quarterfinals or the semifinals, or for the championship, so that is where the fun begins for us. As we grow through battles like these, I see my players grow too for the team,” she added.
Meanwhile, WPBA champion Uratex Dream will once again carry the Philippine flag in the Red Bull World Finals after ruling the women’s side.
Uratex entered the quarterfinals of the World Tournament last year, becoming the only Philippine team then to get past the eliminations. – Rappler.com
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Heat index in Zambales’ Iba town soars to 53°C on April 28
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Acor Arceo
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28/04/2024 19:40
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IBA. A beach in Iba, Zambales.
Adobe Stock
MANILA, Philippines – The heat index in Iba, Zambales, reached a scorching 53°C on Sunday, April 28, the highest that the country’s weather bureau has recorded so far for 2024.
The heat index, also called the feels-like temperature since it is the temperature perceived by the body, is measured using air temperature and relative humidity.
Here are the highest figures released by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on Sunday:
At the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Pasay City and the PAGASA Science Garden in Quezon City, the heat index hit 43°C on Sunday.
PAGASA provides heat index figures daily. It classifies the figures based on potential effects on people’s health:
PAGASA Administrator Nathaniel Servando previously said on April 12 that “efforts are being made to improve the heat index monitoring and early warning system for the country.”
Classes have been suspended in various parts of the Philippines in recent weeks due to high heat index levels.
The excessive heat, along with a planned transport strike, also prompted the Department of Education to suspend face-to-face classes in all public schools from Monday to Tuesday, April 29 to 30.
Workers, like students, are affected by the heat too. The Department of Labor and Employment has urged employers to implement flexible work arrangements whenever possible.
In Cavite, the provincial government is shifting to a four-day work week starting Monday until July 31. – Rappler.com
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IN PHOTOS: BINI in Zamboanga City
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Angelo Gonzales
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28/04/2024 18:04
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Filipino girl group BINI member Mikha Lim performs at KCC Mall de Zamboanga on April 26, 2024. Photo by Dante Diosina Jr / Rappler
DANTE DIOSINA JR
ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – P-pop girl group BINI, who rose through the music charts with the success of the viral hit “Pantropiko,” performed at the KCC Convention Center at the KCC Mall de Zamboanga in Zamboanga City, Friday, April 26.
The show drew a crowd of 6,600, according to a post by the group, taking place as BINI’s surge continues on music platforms.
The eight-member group reached 3 million monthly listeners on April 19. But as of Sunday, April 28, that figure officially stands at 3,862,263 – increasing at a rate that may see them break through the 4-million mark. The previous high set by a P-pop group was by SB-19 at 2,823,832 in August 2023.
In a previous article, we said that Taylor Swift “brutally cut short” the reign of “Pantropiko” at the top of Spotify’s “Daily Top Songs Philippines” – a list of the country’s top 200 songs in terms of daily streams – to just a day. Swift released her new album just as BINI’s hit made it to the top.
But as the jokey phrase goes – “how the turns have tabled.” BINI’s song regained the top spot on April 21 – two days after the Swift album release – where it has stayed for six days. (As of writing, figures for April 27 are not available on Spotify Charts yet.)
The success of “Pantropiko” has also been a boon for BINI’s discography as well, with new fans discovering their older songs all the way from 2021. “Karera” (like “Pantropiko,” it was first released in 2023 but is also a part of the 2024 Talaarawan EP), “Lagi” (2022), “Huwag Muna Tayo Umuwi” (2022), “Na Na Na” (2021) all broke into the list just this April 2024.
Two other Talaarawan songs, hit single “Salamin, Salamin” and “Na Na Nandito Lang” are also charting, giving the group seven songs on the Spotify list, currently.
And online, there’s sentiment from newer fans jokingly lamenting how they let the group’s older songs go under their radar, expressing how they’re glad to be discovering these songs now, and appreciation for the members’ vocal talents, and skills such as harmonization, and synchronization when dancing.
By these numbers, BINI and their team’s efforts in building up their discography in the past few years is seeing some payoff now. Because of this body of work, there’s something that casual listeners drawn in by “Pantropiko” can immediately listen to, potentially turning them into more committed fans – rather than “Pantropiko” being a one-off for listeners.
Another highlight for the group this week is their appearance on the Chinese TV show Show It All, where they performed “Karera” and “Feel Good”. The group is also slated for another international performance in May at the Music Matters Festival in Singapore.
In Show it All, Laurenti Dyogi, head of Star Magic and head of ABS-CBN TV Production, credited part of the group’s success to their “kind” and “wholesome” image.
And in Zamboanga City, those streaming numbers once again translated to a roaring mass of fans, where the group sang “Lagi,” their opener, followed by “Na Na Na.” The group got closer to fans during “Huwag Muna Tayong Umuwi” proceeding to a second stage at the center, and interacting with fans by the barricade, before closing with “Salamin, Salamin” and “Pantropiko.”
Here’s a fancam of BINI member Gwen as the group performs their latest single “Salamin, Salamin” at the KCC Convention Center in Zamboanga del Sur on Friday, April 26. Shot on the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra #BINI #BINI_Gwen #SalaminSalamin #ppop #musicph #tiktokph #fyp #rappler
Here are more photos from the event:
Locally, BINI’s upcoming appearances include the Dagupan Bangus Festival on April 30. They will also appear in an online Samsung event via Facebook on May 3, as the group is part of the phone brand’s “Team Galaxy for Galaxy A Series” and is one of the endorsers at the recent launch of the Galaxy A35 5G and A55 5G phones together with fellow music artist Adie, and actors Donny Pangilinan and Belle Mariano. – Rappler.com
Disclosure: Samsung is a coverage partner of Rappler at BINI’s Zamboanga event, providing flight and accommodation.
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Almazan redeems self for Meralco after EDSA bus lane violation
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delfin.dioquino editor
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28/04/2024 19:12
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POSSESSION. Raymond Almazan in action for the Meralco Bolts in the 2024 PBA Philippine Cup.
PBA Images
MANILA, Philippines – Raymond Almazan redeemed himself after he found himself in hot water for a traffic violation that also led to a suspension.
The veteran big man produced 12 points and 11 rebounds for his first double-double in the PBA Philippine Cup as he keyed Meralco to an all-important 74-51 win over Magnolia at the PhilSports Arena on Sunday, April 28.
His performance came two weeks after he got apprehended for illegal use of the EDSA bus lane – an infraction made worse by allegations that Almazan tried to bribe his way out of a penalty.
The PBA caught wind of the incident and suspended Almazan for one game.
Playing in his second game since his suspension, Almazan rose to the occasion as the Bolts delivered a defensive masterclass, limiting the Hotshots to their lowest scoring output in franchise history on the way to a 5-5 record.
“I’m not a perfect person. All of us makes mistakes. I said sorry already,” said Almazan in a mix of Filipino and English. “I got affected by it because I’m thinking about the team since I’m one of the veterans and I’m a co-captain.”
“So I needed to lead by example. I wanted to show it today.”
Meralco held Magnolia scoreless in the final 6:50 minutes of the first half to build a 35-21 advantage then pulled away for good in the third quarter behind Almazan and Chris Newsome as their lead ballooned to 56-34.
Almazan and Newsome scored 6 points each in the third frame, nearly matching the Hotshots’ measly 13 points in the period.
Newsome finished with a near triple-double of 12 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists, and 2 steals, while Chris Banchero chimed in 11 points.
Rookie big man Brandon Bates added 10 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 steals for the Bolts, who climbed to seventh place going into their final game of the elimination round.
While four players scored in double figures for Meralco, no Magnolia player reached twin digits, with the entire team shooting 25% (18-of-71) from the field, including a horrendous 5% (1-of-19) from beyond the arc.
Also, the Hotshots recorded twice as many turnovers (18) as assists (9) as they eclipsed their previous all-time lowest scoring output in a game of 53 points recorded against Sta. Lucia in the 2005 Fiesta Conference.
Ian Sangalang paced Magnolia with 8 points and 10 rebounds.
Missing key cogs Jio Jalalon and Calvin Abueva due to knee issues, the Hotshots absorbed their second straight loss and fell to 5-4.
Meralco 74 – Newsome 12, Almazan 12, Banchero 11, Bates 10, Caram 9, Quinto 6, Maliksi 4, Black 3, Dario 3, Hodge 2, Pascual 2, Torres 0, Pasaol 0.
Magnolia 51 – Sangalang 8, Laput 6, Dionisio 6, Lee 6, Dela Rosa 5, Barroca 5, Tratter 4, Balanza 4, Escoto 2, Corpuz 2, Eriobu 2, Mendoza 1, Reavis 0.
Quarters: 21-14, 35-21, 56-34, 74-51.
– Rappler.com
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In prison, mother and baby share P85 a day for food, medicine
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Michelle Abad
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30/03/2024 9:16
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MOTHER'S WARD. Persons deprived of liberty tending to their babies at the Correctional Institution for Women's mothers' ward on March 14, 2024.
Michelle Abad/Rappler
First of 2 parts
Editor’s Note: This story is based on an original submission by Ateneo de Manila students Angeline Braganza, Allison Co, and Iana Padilla for their investigative journalism class.
In October 2020, activist Reina Mae Nasino, surrounded by cops, wrapped up in full protective gear, and wearing handcuffs, attended her baby’s funeral.
Nasino and her baby River became icons of injustice, not just of the crackdown on dissent during the Duterte administration, but of the conditions of detained mothers who simply want to care for their newborn babies. Baby River was separated from Nasino at birth, and died when she was only three months old.
“I would randomly wake up, tears welling in my eyes. And then, I would find myself embracing the last shirt my baby wore,” Nasino said in a recent interview. In 2023, she was acquitted of charges pertaining to illegal possession of firearms and explosives.
Nasino, who spent most of her pregnancy in the Manila City Jail, is just one of the countless mothers in the Philippines who enter prison with a baby in their wombs. Over in Mandaluyong, there is a 21-square-meter room in the Correctional Institution for Women (CIW) called the mothers’ ward.
Here stay persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) who are pregnant, or had just given birth. The mothers’ ward consists of six beds, a shared bathroom with curtains serving as a door, a meager pantry, faded stickers of cartoon characters on the walls, and a shelf of dusty toys.
Maria*, 34, was once among the expectant mothers – she entered CIW eight months pregnant in September 2023. The following month, she gave birth to a baby boy. While she felt delighted to welcome this little drop of joy into her life, she couldn’t cope with the storm of financial demands that assaulted her. Maria had to borrow money from a fellow PDL to cover her ultrasound sessions, check-ups, and laboratory fees.
The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) has a measly P15-medicine budget per PDL, per day. According to lone resident doctor and Corrections Technical Chief Superintendent Maria Lourdes Razon, this already accounts for everything medical – from medicines to medical supplies like cotton balls and alcohol, and even period products. There’s no separate budget for a PDL who is pregnant or ill.
In CIW, according to Razon, PDLs who have prescription medicines have to deposit in the pharmacy whatever money is provided by their families. The pharmacy then deducts from the fund whatever medicines PDLs avail of.
When needed, and especially for births, CIW’s pregnant PDLs are referred to the Mandaluyong City Medical Center (MCMC), a stone’s throw from the prison. Razon claimed that the PDLs who need procedures need not shell out any money, as it is a public hospital. But such does not seem to be the case – if Maria’s experience is any indication.
Maria was lucky that her fellow PDL had an extra P3,000 she could spare from the money deposited in the pharmacy.
A shortage of resources and medical staff compromises the quality and accessibility of healthcare services, particularly in terms of prenatal and postnatal care. This situation forces pregnant PDLs to bear the financial burden of medical expenses, as Maria herself experienced.
As of March 2024, the CIW has a population of around 3,100, but, according to Dr. Razon, the facility is meant to house only 1,000.
Besides Razon, there are only 13 nurses to tend to the over 3,000 PDLs in CIW, translating to one nurse for every 231 women, with no obstetricians, gynecologists (OB-GYN), nor midwives.
The CIW shares a line item with the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in the BuCor’s budget. From the P5.2 billion budget the NBP and CIW shared in 2023, their budget was cut down to P4.72 billion in 2024. But NBP likely takes a significant share. The notoriously overcrowded men’s prison housed around 30,000 by end-November 2023 – 10 times as many as the population in CIW.
If one were to assume that CIW takes 10% of the budget, that leaves just P472 million for the CIW in 2024. This already accounts for administrative and operational costs.
The National Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), which oversees local city and municipal jails that exclude the BuCor-supervised CIW, recorded more than 1,600 pregnant detainees and 485 births in the past two years.
On the rare times that specialists who are part of medical missions organized by non-government organizations are able to visit, pregnant PDLs get to be examined. But more often than not, they have to make do with the little that’s available.
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) said that only 37 out of 84 women’s dormitories are equipped with a breastfeeding room, again indicating very limited access to maternal health services.
According to Dr. Jonelle Baloloy, chief resident of the MCMC OB-GYN ward, PDLs who come to the hospital for maternal services are treated no differently from other patients, but when they need services that don’t require admission, they are prioritized in the queue since they only have limited time outside prison.
After securing permits to leave the facility, PDLs from CIW are accompanied by an escort and a nurse. There have been reported issues, however, according to Baloloy, of PDLs “having difficulties in securing permits to leave the facility.”
For example, for OB patients, she said, “their follow-up appointments are fixed, so those are easy. But since the hospital or local government unit pays for laboratory fees, the PDLs still have to go through the LGU for those appointments.”
Both CIW and MCMC assert that PDLs don’t have to shell out any money for their procedures, and if ever they do, fees are minimal, or the hospital finds a way to get the local social welfare office to pay for them. Yet women PDLs still say that what they need help the most with is still financial support.
It doesn’t help that the P15-medical budget covers the mothers only. Babies, who have their own needs like diapers, clothes, and hygiene products, are not PDLs and are excluded from the budget. While there is a separate P70-food allocation per day, or just P23.33 for a meal, pregnant PDLs and breastfeeding mothers need more because they also require special nutrition, like increased fluid intake.
“Most of the time, our food doesn’t have soup. We need more food, because we have increased appetites. Every time our children breastfeed, we go hungry,” said Maria.
The infirmary may not always be prepared to handle swift births as well.
“As much as possible, we really refer [births] to the nearest government hospital, MCMC. We are not equipped to deliver babies. Although there was one who went into labor quickly, and we weren’t able to bring her to the hospital on time. We were able to guide her through her labor. But we worry sometimes [about sudden births] since I’m not here 24/7, or if there’s a problem with the baby. We’re not equipped, because we are just an infirmary,” said Razon.
For Imelda Duras of the CHR Prevention Cluster Visitorial Division, prison medical staff should be equipped with multidisciplinary, and not just custodial, skills. Some of these skills include being able to provide psychological and social support for PDLs.
“So there should be health [personnel] – nurses and doctors – and we should have mental health professionals such as psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers,” said Duras.
Karen Bantang from the CHR Gender Division also cited the alarming concern about postpartum depression among mother PDLs. A study conducted by the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development found that 15.6% of Filipino women experience depression during pregnancy and 19.8% after childbirth. The pregnant PDLs of CIW aren’t any different.
With resources already at the bare minimum for women in the mothers’ ward, they also deal with the mental anguish of possibly not being able to live out the duties of motherhood. (To be concluded) – with reports from Angeline Braganza, Allison Co, and Iana Padilla/Rappler.com
*Names have been changed.
All quotes have been translated into English.
NEXT: Part 2 | Behind bars, giving a mother’s touch isn’t easy
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China confronts Japanese politicians in disputed East China Sea area
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Mia Gonzalez
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28/04/2024 18:44
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SENKAKU ISLANDS INCIDENT. A China Coast Guard vessel No.2502 sails near a Japan Coast Guard vessel Motobu off Uotsuri Island, one of a group of disputed islands called Senkaku Islands in Japan, also known in China as Diaoyu Islands, in the East China Sea April 27, 2024, in this photo released by Kyodo.
Kyodo/via REUTERS
China’s coast guard confronted Japanese lawmakers in waters claimed by both countries in the East China Sea, China’s embassy in Tokyo and Japanese media said on Sunday, April 28, the latest in a series of maritime disputes involving China and its neighbors.
Chinese vessels took unspecified law enforcement measures, the embassy said in a statement, adding that it had lodged solemn representations for what it called “infringement and provocation” by Japan near tiny, uninhabited islands that Beijing calls the Diaoyu and Tokyo calls the Senkaku.
The Japanese group, including former defense Minister Tomomi Inada, was on an inspection mission organized by the city of Ishigaki in Okinawa prefecture, according to the Chinese embassy and Japanese public broadcaster NHK.
Japan and China have repeatedly faced off around the Japan-administered islands. China also has escalating run-ins with the Philippine navy in disputed areas of the South China Sea, where Beijing’s expansive maritime claims conflict with those of a number of Southeast Asia nations.
Inada’s group spent three hours near the islands on Saturday, using drones to observe the area, and the Japanese coast guard vessel sought to fend off the Chinese coast guard, NHK said.
“The government and the public are aware of the severe security situation,” said Inada, a senior official of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, according to NHK. “The Senkaku are our sovereign territory and we need to go ashore for research.”
It was the first such inspection trip to the area involving a member of Japan’s parliament since 2013, NHK reported.
Officials of Japan’s foreign ministry were not immediately available for comment outside of working hours.
China strongly urged Japan to abide by what it called a consensus reached between the two countries, stop political provocations, on-site incidents and hyping up public opinion, the embassy said.
It asked Japan to “return to the right track of properly managing contradictions and differences through dialogue and consultation, so as to avoid further escalation of the situation.” – Rappler.com
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‘Unauthorized’ China research vessel spotted near Catanduanes – AFP
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Jodesz Gavilan
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28/04/2024 18:53
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UNAUTHORIZED. Chinese-flagged research vessel is seen loitering in the vicinity northeast of Viga, Catanduanes.
TOWSOL
MANILA, Philippines – The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said on Sunday, April 28, that it is monitoring an “unauthorized” Chinese-flagged research vessel spotted northeast of Viga, Catanduanes.
According to the latest reports issued by the Tactical Operations Wing, Southern Luzon (TOWSOL), the vessel named “Shen Kuo” was “lying-to in the area and had no personnel on the main deck.”
The AFP said the ship was first monitored on April 25, 60.9 nautical miles east of Rapu-Rapu Island in Albay, and that there have been several failed attempts to communicate using regular radio channels, “indicating a lack of responsiveness or willingness to engage.”
“The AFP remains vigilant, monitoring any unauthorized research vessel in our maritime domain,” it said. “We have already tasked nearby vessels for enhanced surveillance and reporting.”
“The AFP is coordinating with relevant agencies to address the unauthorized presence and investigate any illegal activities within our EEZ, ensuring the security and protection of our waters,” it added.
.@TeamAFP, in release to media, confirms it is “monitoring the unauthorized presence of a Chinese-flagged research vessel, "SHEN KUO," in the vicinity northeast of Viga, Catanduanes.” Vessel first sighted on April 25, just 60.9 nautical miles east off Rapu-Rapu Island.📷:AFP pic.twitter.com/HNuxGPMH8G
The unauthorized presence of the Chinese-flagged research vessel comes as tensions between China and the Philippines continue to rise in recent months. The Philippines also recently just kicked off 2024 Exercise Balikatan, or the yearly war games with the United States. – Rappler.com
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The unauthorized Chinese-flagged research vessel showed “a lack of responsiveness or willingness to engage.” This has increased the already high tension between China and the Philippines. China’s action is provocative to our Navy. It is worth watching what the Philippine Navy will do in the future.
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Supreme Court affirms disqualification of 4 telco players from 3G frequency bid
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Jodesz Gavilan
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28/04/2024 17:29
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CELL TOWERS.
Shutterstock photo
MANILA, Philippines – Three telecommunication companies are disqualified from applying for third-generation mobile communications technology (3G) radio frequency after the Supreme Court affirmed two orders from the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC).
In a 44-page decision, the High Court’s Second Division denied the petitions filed by Next Mobile Incorporated (NOW Telecom), Bayan Telecommunications (BayanTel), Multi-Media Telephony Incorporated (MTI), and AZ Communications Incorporated against orders issued by NTC in December 2005 and August 2008.
The NTC handles the allocation process of frequencies to ensure quality. Republic Act No. 7925 tags radio frequency spectrum as a “scarce public resource,” and that the government should allocate frequencies to providers “who will use it efficiently and effectively to meet public demand.”
The SC, in the decision penned by Senior Associate Justice Marvic Leonen, said that the NTC “has full discretion to assess and evaluate applicants to these frequency spectrums.”
“In view of its expertise in technical matters, and institutional experience, its factual findings are entitled to great weight before this Court and will not be reversed ‘saved upon a very clear showing of serious violation of law or of fraud, personal malice or wanton oppression,” the Court said.
The case stems from the NTC orders that disqualified several companies, including Next Mobile over unpaid supervision and regulation fees (SRFs), and spectrum use fees (SUFs) worth P135.6 million. AZ, meanwhile, failed to pass the first stage of qualifications.
The High Court pointed out that Next Mobile “did not pay these fees even under protest,” and said it found no merit in the company’s argument that the commission should not have considered additional paid-in capital in the assessment of its SRFs.
“It is erroneous for Next Mobile to argue that this could not be considered as part of the capital stock since no payment was received when the liabilities were converted into equity,” the SC said.
The companies filed the petition before the Court of Appeals following NTC’s decision to award Smart, Globe, Digitel, and Connectivity Unlimited Resources Enterprise four out of the five 3G frequency slots.
The CA affirmed the NTC’s orders, but said that Bayantel was qualified for the fifth slot. The SC, however, said that the appellate court erred in allowing BayanTel to get the last slot since NTC gave the company zero points for not meeting obligations as service provider. It added that failing to comply affects the quality of service and compromises public interest. – Rappler.com
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SM’s plans for 2024: Instagram-worthy malls, esports venues
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Ralf Rivas
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28/04/2024 15:56
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MANILA, Philippines – Mall and property developer SM Group is banking on Instagram-worthy installations and the growing popularity of e-sports to drive its growth this 2024.
During the group’s recently held annual stockholders meeting, SM Investments Corporation president and chief executive officer Frederic DyBuncio said they will be opening four new malls in 2024, one in Metro Manila, and three in provincial areas.
SM Prime, the group’s mall development arm, is set to build “larger-than-life installations and Instagrammable spots in various malls,” as well as having concert series in the cinemas and holding esports tournaments.
Here are some artist renders of the new SM malls, namely SM City Caloocan, SM City J Mall in Cebu, SM City Laoag, and SM City La Union:
The group will also unveil this year the SM Game Park at the Mall of Asia, which will house indoor sports activities.
“We have a young, dynamic, higher-earning population who will help support and drive economic activity,” DyBuncio said.
The SM group also unveiled some of its plans for its other companies.
Its residential property development arm, SM Development Corporation, is rolling out up to 10,000 residential units in the northern part of the Philippines and across Visayas and Mindanao.
SM Hotels is set to officially launch the first Lanson Place property at the Mall of Asia Complex in Pasay City.
In retail, Alfamart is set to expand its stores by at least 400 in 2024.
For its banking business, BDO will continue to expand its bank branches by up to 120 this year.
SM is also set to invest in renewable energy, following its acquisition of the Philippine Geothermal Production Company. It is set to explore new steam fields in northern and southern Luzon, with the aim to double the company’s current steam production of 300 megawatts in the medium-term.
“We expect our core businesses to continue its growth trajectory. Additionally, we anticipate that our portfolio investments will contribute significantly to our overall performance in the medium-term as these are well-positioned to capture opportunities in high growth sectors,” DyBuncio said. – Rappler.com
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‘Uncommon maturity, poise’: Thunder near sweep of Pelicans
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Jasmine Payo
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28/04/2024 16:23
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FACE-OFF. Pelicans guard Trey Murphy III (left) handles the ball against Thunder guard Luguentz Dort in Game 3.
Matt Bush/USA TODAY Sports/Reuters
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 24 points and the visiting Oklahoma City Thunder took a 3-0 series lead by routing the New Orleans Pelicans, 106-85, on Saturday, April 27 (Sunday, April 28, Manila time).
Josh Giddey and Jalen Williams added 21 points each and Luguentz Dort had 12 for the No. 1 seed Thunder, who will try to complete a sweep of the Western Conference first-round series Monday night, April 29, in New Orleans.
“We just try to clear the hurdle that’s in front of us. We’ve been that way all along, not just this season,” Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said.
“I think [the Thunder players] have uncommon maturity, poise, competitiveness and togetherness – and that gives you confidence when you’re under stress and when you’re on the road.”
Oklahoma City, which won Game 2 by 32 points after a two-point win in the opener, took the lead for good in the first quarter against the cold-shooting eighth-seeded Pelicans.
Brandon Ingram scored 19 points, CJ McCollum had 16, Herb Jones added 15, and Trey Murphy III chipped in 10 for the Pelicans.
New Orleans’ offense continued to struggle in the absence of injured leading scorer Zion Williamson. The Pelicans fell short of the 92 points they scored in each of the first two losses, shooting just 38.1% from the floor and 28.1% on three-pointers.
“We hang our hats on that end of the floor (defense). We’ve got great defenders on this team that execute,” Giddey said. “Eight-five points in a playoff game is a very winnable score.”
Ingram made a jumper and McCollum followed with a three-pointer to start the third-quarter scoring and pull the Pelicans within 9 points.
But Chet Holmgrem, Dort and Giddey each made a three-pointer to push the lead to 69-53. McCollum twice made a basket to trim the lead to 10 points, but the Thunder made three triples to extend the lead to 85-69 at the end of the third quarter.
Oklahoma City scored the first 7 points of the fourth quarter to push the lead to 23 as New Orleans didn’t score until nearly four minutes had elapsed.
“Right now our mindset has to be that we’re willing to take a chance and try some things we haven’t tried before and see if that can spark us,” Pelicans coach Willie Green said.
“The turnovers and lack of confidence in our shot, even with open looks, hurt. It’s been difficult for us to score points. We’ve got to understand that the weight of the world isn’t on our shots.
“They’re a good defensive team for a reason. To beat them we have to be really sound offensively.”
Early on, Jaylin Williams scored 5 points during a 10-3 run that gave Oklahoma City a 21-14 lead. McCollum made a floater for his only field goal in eight first-quarter attempts as New Orleans closed within 23-19 to start the second quarter.
Naji Marshall, Jones and Murphy each made a three-pointer to help the Pelicans creep within 40-39.
Gilgeous-Alexander made one three-pointer and Dort made three straight during a 14-0 run that expanded the Thunder lead to 15 points. McCollum scored New Orleans’ last 5 points, but Oklahoma City held a 60-46 halftime lead. – Rappler.com
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Anyone’s game: NU, UST gain Final Four edge as champ La Salle nears ouster
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jisaga0269
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28/04/2024 17:28
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MANILA, Philippines – The UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament is nearing its most critical moments with the Final Four all set in stone ahead of a much-needed one-week break for all its competing athletes.
Season 84 champion and Season 85 finalist NU is back on top as the first seed after a 7-0 second-round elimination sweep.
Giant-slaying UST booked the other twice-to-beat berth as the No. 2 squad with yet another statement win against defending champion La Salle to end the elims, while underdog FEU rounded out its impressive turnaround from a 1-13 record just two years ago as the fourth seed with a 9-5 slate.
There are a lot of storylines to go through with just a handful of games left, with each tale being more intriguing than the next. (SCHEDULE: UAAP volleyball Final Four)
Heavy is the head that wears the crown, and the La Salle Lady Spikers are certainly feeling the pressure with each passing game heading to the Final Four.
Already bogged by injuries to key players Baby Jyne Soreño and MVP Angel Canino up until the latter’s much-needed return, the defending champions now face the unenviable task of going back-to-back against UST – a team that already beat them twice – just to book a finals comeback.
Six years removed from their last title defense – a three-peat completion, no less – La Salle is aiming to kick off another championship winning streak, but the path to get there will be as rocky as it can get.
Dubbed “Mini Miss UST” for their undersized roster before the season’s start, the Golden Tigresses are now standing tall after their historic 8-0 start evolved to a 12-2 finish and their first twice-to-beat berth in 13 years.
Incidentally, it has been 14 years since UST last hoisted a UAAP women’s volleyball trophy, and since the Tigresses’ last dominant stretch, it has been an up-and-down road with a handful of bumpy patches where they missed the Final Four altogether.
Today, however, with a cohesive crew led by possible rookie MVP candidate Angge Poyos, top libero Detdet Pepito, and star setter Cassie Carballo, no heights are too high for this small UST crew to reach, even with towering La Salle once again standing in their way of a finals return.
In the last three seasons of pandemic-era UAAP volleyball, the NU Lady Bulldogs, alongside La Salle, have been the shining beacons of excellence with three Final Four berths, two finals appearances, and one championship to show for it so far.
Led by all-around star Bella Belen and offensive juggernaut Alyssa Solomon, the perennial contenders are likely favorites to atone for their Season 85 finals shortcomings and once again rise to the top of the heap, with underdog FEU as their first challenge.
While Belen and Solomon continue to resist temptations of greener pastures outside the UAAP, the national team-caliber Lady Bulldogs will always be one of the top teams to beat in the foreseeable future.
Practically buried under the mountain of hype created by the three teams before them, the FEU Lady Tamaraws are in some ways in a world of their own, solely focused on raising back the bar of their legendary program and taking everything else as a welcome bonus.
Ending a five-year Final Four drought with a strong finish to the elimination round, the gutsy Lady Tamaraws are still raring to add more slain titans in their growing Season 86 catalog, and mighty NU is dead and center in their crosshairs.
Back-to-back wins against an on-fire Lady Bulldogs side are a tough ask, especially for this batch of FEU stalwarts just starting to regain their footing in the realm of UAAP contenders.
But if the likes of Gerzel Petallo, Chen Tagaod, and Faida Bakanke have any say on the matter, it’s that no team is untouchable to those who dare to be brave. – Rappler.com
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IN PHOTOS: BINI in Zamboanga City
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Angelo Gonzales
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28/04/2024 18:04
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Filipino girl group BINI member Mikha Lim performs at KCC Mall de Zamboanga on April 26, 2024. Photo by Dante Diosina Jr / Rappler
DANTE DIOSINA JR
ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – P-pop girl group BINI, who rose through the music charts with the success of the viral hit “Pantropiko,” performed at the KCC Convention Center at the KCC Mall de Zamboanga in Zamboanga City, Friday, April 26.
The show drew a crowd of 6,600, according to a post by the group, taking place as BINI’s surge continues on music platforms.
The eight-member group reached 3 million monthly listeners on April 19. But as of Sunday, April 28, that figure officially stands at 3,862,263 – increasing at a rate that may see them break through the 4-million mark. The previous high set by a P-pop group was by SB-19 at 2,823,832 in August 2023.
In a previous article, we said that Taylor Swift “brutally cut short” the reign of “Pantropiko” at the top of Spotify’s “Daily Top Songs Philippines” – a list of the country’s top 200 songs in terms of daily streams – to just a day. Swift released her new album just as BINI’s hit made it to the top.
But as the jokey phrase goes – “how the turns have tabled.” BINI’s song regained the top spot on April 21 – two days after the Swift album release – where it has stayed for six days. (As of writing, figures for April 27 are not available on Spotify Charts yet.)
The success of “Pantropiko” has also been a boon for BINI’s discography as well, with new fans discovering their older songs all the way from 2021. “Karera” (like “Pantropiko,” it was first released in 2023 but is also a part of the 2024 Talaarawan EP), “Lagi” (2022), “Huwag Muna Tayo Umuwi” (2022), “Na Na Na” (2021) all broke into the list just this April 2024.
Two other Talaarawan songs, hit single “Salamin, Salamin” and “Na Na Nandito Lang” are also charting, giving the group seven songs on the Spotify list, currently.
And online, there’s sentiment from newer fans jokingly lamenting how they let the group’s older songs go under their radar, expressing how they’re glad to be discovering these songs now, and appreciation for the members’ vocal talents, and skills such as harmonization, and synchronization when dancing.
By these numbers, BINI and their team’s efforts in building up their discography in the past few years is seeing some payoff now. Because of this body of work, there’s something that casual listeners drawn in by “Pantropiko” can immediately listen to, potentially turning them into more committed fans – rather than “Pantropiko” being a one-off for listeners.
Another highlight for the group this week is their appearance on the Chinese TV show Show It All, where they performed “Karera” and “Feel Good”. The group is also slated for another international performance in May at the Music Matters Festival in Singapore.
In Show it All, Laurenti Dyogi, head of Star Magic and head of ABS-CBN TV Production, credited part of the group’s success to their “kind” and “wholesome” image.
And in Zamboanga City, those streaming numbers once again translated to a roaring mass of fans, where the group sang “Lagi,” their opener, followed by “Na Na Na.” The group got closer to fans during “Huwag Muna Tayong Umuwi” proceeding to a second stage at the center, and interacting with fans by the barricade, before closing with “Salamin, Salamin” and “Pantropiko.”
Here’s a fancam of BINI member Gwen as the group performs their latest single “Salamin, Salamin” at the KCC Convention Center in Zamboanga del Sur on Friday, April 26. Shot on the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra #BINI #BINI_Gwen #SalaminSalamin #ppop #musicph #tiktokph #fyp #rappler
Here are more photos from the event:
Locally, BINI’s upcoming appearances include the Dagupan Bangus Festival on April 30. They will also appear in an online Samsung event via Facebook on May 3, as the group is part of the phone brand’s “Team Galaxy for Galaxy A Series” and is one of the endorsers at the recent launch of the Galaxy A35 5G and A55 5G phones together with fellow music artist Adie, and actors Donny Pangilinan and Belle Mariano. – Rappler.com
Disclosure: Samsung is a coverage partner of Rappler at BINI’s Zamboanga event, providing flight and accommodation.
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LOOK: Heart and Lung Care Center opens in Western Visayas
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Mia Gonzalez
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28/04/2024 16:32
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NEW REGIONAL HEALTH FACILITY. Inside the Western Visayas Medical Center Heart and Lung Care Center.
USWAG ILONGGO Partylist
BACOLOD, Philippines – Ilonggos and Negrenses who have heart and lung ailments no longer have to travel far to get treatment, with the inauguration of the government-run Western Visayas Medical Center’s (WVMC) Heart and Lung Care Center (HLCC) in Mandurriao District in Iloilo City on Friday, April 26.
The six-story HLCC, built at a cost of P449 million, has state-of-the-art facilities and equipment.
The HLCC is the result of Republic Act No. 11496 signed in November 2020. Iloilo City Representative Julienne “Jam-Jam” Baronda and Senator JV Ejercito are the main authors of the law in their respective chambers.
“The sad state of our health sector, made me embrace health as one of my core advocacies under the GUGMA (Good Urban Governance and Meaningful Advocacies) when I was elected into office by the Ilonggo people,” Baronda said in an interview with Rappler.
The construction took four years due to challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.
RA 11496 provides for the expansion of WVMC, including staff augmentation and procurement of state-of-the-art medical equipment and facilities.
Department of Health Western Visayas chief Adriano Suba-an hailed the HLCC as a “game changer” in the delivery of premium health services to Ilonggos and Negrenses, especially those with heart and lung illnesses.
The facility has operating theaters to facilitate better turnaround times of surgical procedures and decrease backlogs.
VWMC chief Dr. Joseph Nicolo, chief of VWMC said in a news briefing that pursuant to RA No. 11959, or the establishment of the Regional Specialty Centers outside of Metro Manila which is one of the thrusts of the Marcos administration, they are committed to establish 13 specialty centers within the WVMC compound, including the newly-inaugurated HLCC. – Rappler.com
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‘Six Filipino Women for Justice’ book celebrates courage amid injustice
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Michelle Abad
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28/04/2024 17:15
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BOOK LAUNCH. Former Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales, former senator Leila de Lima, and activist nun Sister Mary John Mananzan join book authors and publishers of the 'Six Filipino Women for Justice' book in Makati on April 26, 2024.
Michelle Abad/Rappler
MANILA, Philippines – Amid a culture of machismo and oppression, six Filipino women became champions of working towards justice in their country.
San Anselmo Press on Friday, April 26, launched Six Filipino Women for Justice, an anthology of profiles highlighting the lives and works of former vice president Leni Robredo, former senator Leila de Lima, Senator Risa Hontiveros, former Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales, Rappler CEO and Nobel laureate Maria Ressa, and activist nun Sister Mary John Mananzan.
The book’s editor, Asuncion David Maramba, wrote in the prefatory essay that three of the women were highlighted as targets of injustice, while the other three have been defenders and fighters for justice. De Lima, Robredo, and Ressa comprised the former, and Hontiveros, Morales, and Mananzan were featured as the latter.
“Their stories are not just narratives of personal triumphs, but are also powerful catalysts for change and inspiration, encouraging each of us to reflect on our own roles in fostering justice and equality in Philippine society,” said San Anselmo executive publisher Marvin Aceron during the Friday launch in Makati.
Three of the subjects of the book were physically present at the launch on Fridya, among them, De Lima, who is still enjoying the first months of freedom after her almost seven-year detention that began during the Duterte regime.
De Lima became one of former president Rodrigo Duterte’s staunchest critics when both began terms in national office in 2016. As chair of the Senate committee on justice and human rights, De Lima launched a probe into extra-judicial killings under Duterte’s watch.
In 2017, the Department of Justice, which she once led as secretary, filed charges against her for her alleged involvement in the drug trade in the New Bilibid Prison, a claim she and her camp has always denied. As of posting, two of three of those charges have been dropped.
Even during her incarceration, she continued to perform her senatorial responsibilities as much as she could. For one, she filed a resolution seeking an investigation into the reported killing of children by police or vigilantes.
“Mr. Duterte was also unable to kill the messenger, literally and figuratively. I survived his persecution, I survived his men, I survived his jail. That in itself is a testament to the strength of the feminine spirit moved by conviction,” De Lima said at the launch.
De Lima said that her battle was the battle of the minority who resisted the Duterte administration. De Lima said of the book, “It is all about us women who fought at a time most of the men fell silent.”
“The misogyny and male chauvinist hubris of the Duterte regime was a war against women. That is why it had to be fought mainly by women. And we did not disappoint. We fought like hell, and because we fought like hell, we are now standing here watching Duterte in his dying breed of chauvinists as their world gets smaller,” she said.
Former Ombudsman and Supreme Court associate justice Conchita Carpio Morales was also present at the Makati launch. Morales, with at least 47 years of government experience, transcended political lines and was an appointee of five presidents.
She proceeded to work on ill-gotten wealth cases in the SC, handled the plunder charges against former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, and indicted Arroyo’s successor Benigno Aquino III for usurpation of legislative powers, among many other cases that sought the truth when power was seen to be abused.
“We have had our share of leaders who have risen and fallen because of their abuse of power, and therefore met what they [call] poetic justice,” said Morales.
“I urge you to please continue making our leaders accountable for their official acts, and be a witness to the rectification of the imbalance, injustice, and in the rule of law,” she added.
Robredo, Hontiveros, and Ressa gave virtual messages as they had other engagements during the book launch.
Robredo led the opposition when she was vice president during the Duterte administration. Her relationship with Duterte quickly turned sour, and Robredo became the target of disinformation despite continuing to exercise transparency and public service, even with a limited budget.
The disinformation and attacks continued, and were emphasized when she decided to run for president in 2022. Her closest rival was dictator’s son Ferdinand Marcos Jr. who won the post by a landslide.
Speaking fondly of the five other women, Robredo said,: “Our collective experience is one defined by struggles, rooting from deeply ingrained societal biases, double standards, and discrimination. It is difficult to be a woman, even more so to be a woman leader, especially in the face of consequential points in our nation’s history.”
Robredo, who now leads nongovernment organization Angat Buhay, emphasized the prevalence of social inequality.
“The world now revolves at a rapid pace, thanks to technological advances. Yet, millions of our fellow Filipinos are still steeped in poverty, bereft of education and opportunities to catch up with the demands of our times. Modern technology and social media have been weaponized by the powerful few, tearing our social fabric apart for their own self-centered agenda,” she said.
The former vice president said she hopes the book will inspire conversations about each Filipino’s role in making justice attainable for all, especially with the public “losing trust” in the law and justice system.
Robredo’s ally and now de-facto opposition leader Senator Risa Hontiveros spent most of her speech praising the other women who were honored in the book alongside her.
“Fighting alongside all of you has been one of the greatest honors of my life so far. Fighting for justice is essential for our democracy, for nation-building, for peace,” she said.
Hontiveros, the highest elected opposition member in the current administration, has sought justice for human rights violations against women and children in Senate probes. She has also been a critical voice against China’s aggression in the West Philippine Sea.
Nobel Peace Prize laureate Ressa, taking a selfie video of herself for her speech while walking the streets of New York, said that more work was to be done as disinformation remained rampant, especially with the emergence of generative artificial intelligence.
“We’re working. There’s so much work to do, but these times are pivotal. And as we in the Philippines prepare for our elections in 2025, 2024 will be a critical year that will determine whether or not democracy as we know it survives,” she said.
Mananzan kept her message short and sweet, saying she was humbled to be in the company of the five other women, most of whom have held high government positions. “My goodness, senator, vice president, I am in a clausura. What did I do to be among them?”
Her years of activism and credentials speak for themselves – the Benedictine nun has worked as a political and feminist activist for decades. She was a founding member of FILIPINA in the 1970s, one of the first women’s organizations in the country. Mananzan was elected GABRIELA chair in 1986, a militant organization of Filipinas fighting for women’s rights. She has been red-tagged, or linked to communist rebels for her activism.
As dean in St. Scholastica’s College, she developed a syllabus for the Philippines’ first Women’s Studies program, leading to the establishment of the Institute of Women’s Studies in 1985. She has spoken publicly against human trafficking, violence against women, and the commodification of women.
Even as the Catholic Church fought against the enactment of the Reproductive Health Law in the early 2010s, Mananzan believed in it. She is also for the enactment of the SOGIE equality bill, which seeks to penalize discrimination against Filipinos related to their sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression (SOGIE), despite religious actors also pressing against it.
Asked by Rappler how her faith influences her activism, Mananzan said that she takes after Jesus Christ.
“I am a nun, therefore I am a follower of Christ. And if Christ had an option for the poor, then I should have an option for the poor. And if the poor are discriminated against and are oppressed, I have to be with them, not only in words, but with them in picket lines, in rallies. In other words, I have to be an activist for them and with them,” she said.
She told the live audience, “I promise to be an activist forever.”
The following were the authors of the profiles: Rosario Garcellano for De Lima, Ed Garcia for Robredo, Dulce Festin-Baybay for Ressa, Rafael Ongpin for Hontiveros, Maria Olivia Tripon for Morales, and Neni Sta. Romana Cruz for Mananzan.
A copy of Six Filipino Women for Justice can be ordered from San Anselmo Publications, Inc. – Rappler.com
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DepEd suspends in-person classes on April 29-30 due to extreme heat
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Bonz Magsambol
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28/04/2024 13:40
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File photo of a student carrying books
Alecs Ongcal/Rappler
MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Education (DepEd) has suspended in-person classes in all public schools in the country on April 29 to 30 due to extreme heat and a planned nationwide transportation strike.
“In view of the latest heat index forecast of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) and the announcement of a nationwide transport strike, all public schools nationwide shall implement asynchronous classes/distance learning on April 29 and 30, 2024,” the DepEd said in its advisory on Sunday, April 28.
The DepEd also said that all teaching and non-teaching staff are not required to report physically to their stations.
“However, activities organized by Regional and Schools Division Offices, such as Regional Athletic Association Meets and other division or school level programs, to be conducted on the aforementioned dates may push through as scheduled, provided that measures for the safety of all participants have been carefully considered,” the DepEd added.
Private schools have the option to implement the same, the department said.
In response to extreme heat, the DepEd earlier approved a gradual return to the old academic calendar, where students would have a break from April to May, although opponents of the proposal view this as a stopgap measure.
Critics say the problem is not really the academic calendar, but the classrooms, which are not built to withstand extreme heat in the Philippines, a tropical country.
The school opening in the Philippines was moved to October, instead of June, in 2020 during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, and remote learning was implemented. In the succeeding years, it was moved to August.
The return to the old academic calendar was triggered by public clamor because the summer months of April and May are not conducive to learning. – Rappler.com
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Senate eyes passage of mandatory ROTC, other ‘priority bills’ by end-May
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Bonz Magsambol
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28/04/2024 13:36
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TRAINING. Students of a school in Manila starts training for the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) amid proposasl to make ROTC mandatory in senior high schools, on January 28, 2023.
Rappler
MANILA, Philippines – A day before the Senate regular session resumes on Monday, April 29, Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri said the upper chamber was eyeing to pass at least 20 “priority bills” of the Marcos administration, including the controversial mandatory Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) bill.
The Senate aims to pass the bills before the end of the second regular session of the 19th Congress on May 24 for Sine Die Adjournment.
“We are right on track when it comes to the approval of priority measures of the President both in the LEDAC (Legislative Executive Development Advisory Council) and in his SONA. We are confident that the Senate can pass 20 of these measures before the 2nd Regular Session end, and the rest of our commitment before this year ends,” Zubiri said in a message to reporters on Sunday, April 28.
The Senate President assured the public that all the measures to be passed at the Senate will be “carefully considered and thoroughly deliberated upon so that the resulting law is as near-perfect as humanly possible.”
The mandatory ROTC bill has been sitting in the Senate for one and half a years now. In December 2022, the House of Representatives passed its counterpart measure, a bill seeking to compel college students to undergo a two-year mandatory National Citizens Service Training (NCST), instead of ROTC. It consolidated 28 bills from various authors.
“The ROTC bill is somehow controversial, but my promise to Senator Bato dela Rosa is that we will deliberate on it, on plenary. And once and for all, before the we go on break for sine die, of course, we will talk about it, vote on it. At least, lets’s put it to vote because what’s important is we tackle this,” Zubiri said in a mix of English and Filipino in a separate interview on Sunday.
Dela Rosa is a staunch advocate of mandatory ROTC, pushing for the consolidated bill that would create the program. He has said that instead of students spending so much time on TikTok, it would be better to put them through military training.
In his push for mandatory ROTC, Dela Rosa said that those willing to kill and die for the country are more patriotic than those who are just watching at the sidelines.
“‘Yung Pilipino na willing pumatay ng mga invaders at magpakamatay (Filipinos who are willing to kill invaders and willing to die) in the name of Filipino flag, Filipino people, are more patriotic than those sitting on the sides waiting for what will happen and benefit for the fruits that we harvest after the war,” Dela Rosa said in August 2023.
The push for mandatory ROTC isn’t new. Former president Rodrigo Duterte also made a bid to make ROTC mandatory for all college students early in his presidency, but this plan fizzled out.
The murder of Mark Welson Chua, a student from the University of Santo Tomas, led to the abolition of the mandatory ROTC program in 2002. It became optional through Republic Act No. 9163 or the National Service Training Program Act of 2001.
Chua exposed the corruption in their ROTC unit back then in a write up published on their campus publication, The Varsitarian.
Aside from the mandatory ROTC bill, Zubiri said other measures, such as Waste-to-Energy Act, Blue Economy Act, and reformed pension system for military and uniformed personnel are currently pending approval on second reading.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Ecosystem and Natural Capital Accounting System (PENCAS) Act, a framework that accounts for the country’s natural capital and its economic impact, is already up for the President’s signature. Zubiri added that two priority measures – the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act and the Self Reliant Defense Posture Act (SRDP) – are both awaiting bicameral conference committee approval, while the Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning (ARAL) Program Act is already approved on final reading and was transmitted to the House of Representatives for action. – Rappler.com
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Amid rising temperatures, DOLE urges flexible work arrangements when possible
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Michelle Abad
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27/04/2024 10:35
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HEAT. Pedestrians cover their heads as they experience a 40 degress celsius heat index in Manila, on April 2, 2024.
Rappler
MANILA, Philippines – Amid excessive heat caused by the El Niño phenomenon, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) called on employers to implement flexible working arrangements when possible.
“Ang DOLE po ay advocate ng, una, flexible work arrangement, tapos ‘yung tinatawag na work-from-home arrangement (The DOLE is an advocate of flexible work and work-from-home arrangements),” Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma said in a press briefing on Friday, April 26.
Laguesma was responding to Camarines Sur 2nd District Representative LRay Villafuerte, who had called for the return to the work-from-home setup to protect both public and private sector employees from the heat.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), tagged dangerous temperatures in some areas in the country, reaching as high as over 40 degrees celsius, which may result in heat stroke.
In elaborating on the DOLE’s position, Laguesma said that flexible working arrangements help with three things: work-life balance, “enhancement” of an employee’s satisfaction, and productivity.
But the labor secretary recognized that not all jobs could be easily done in a flexible or work-from-home arrangement.
“Siguro doon sa mga may pangangailangan sa physical presence, higit naming pag-iibayuhin ‘yung assistance ng DOLE – paano ba magkaroon ng working hours, working conditions…. Sana epektibo at saka efficient ang ventilation, insulation, at saka ‘yung personal protective equipment,” he said.
(For jobs that require physical presence, the DOLE will enhance its assistance – how to have working hours, [ensure] working conditions…. They should be effective and efficient ventilation and insulation, and also personal protective equipment.)
The DOLE issued Labor Advisory No. 8 in 2023, which provides for safety and health measures to prevent and control heat stress in workplaces. These include recommendations to adjust working hours, implement breaks for heat-related rest and recovery, and provide free potable water.
Labor Undersecretary Benjo Santos Benavidez said that some workers have “lost their jobs” due to the effects of El Niño. (READ: Extreme heat is hurting the economy)
He said that as of April, the DOLE assisted more than 35,000 workers through its emergency employment program, Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) in the Cordillera Administrative Region, Ilocos Region, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Western Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, and Northern Mindanao. – Rappler.com
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La Niña may happen in 2024. Here are the flood-risk areas in Metro Manila.
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Chay Hofilena
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22/04/2024 13:36
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MARIKINA FLOODING. In this file photo, Marikina Disaster Response team members and residents monitor the water level marker at the Marikina Riverbanks, after it rose to second alarm due to the continuous monsoon rains as Typhoon Egay exits the country, on July 27, 2023.
Jire Carreon/Rappler
The Philippines can expect more storms in the latter half of this year due to La Niña, according to state weather forecasters. For several areas in Metro Manila, a heavy downpour means there will be floods.
In the Philippines’ densest region, analysis of government data showed that barely one in 100 evacuation facilities are permanent shelters. At least 60 in every 100 of Metro Manila’s “evacuation centers” are schools and basketball courts.
Rappler mapped the evacuation centers in the capital region and looked at the facilities’ and people’s exposure to floods. In our months-long investigation, we found that one-fifth of Metro Manila’s land area are high-risk flood zones. Several evacuation centers are built in these areas and there is not enough space for the surrounding community.
According to a disaster resilience expert, the Philippines has made significant strides since strong typhoons battered the country in recent decades. But Metro Manila still has a long way to go.
In the past three decades, nearly 107,000 Filipinos in Metro Manila have been affected by typhoons each year. Among cities in the metro, Marikina City has always been the hardest hit, where nine in 100,000 Metro Manila residents have died from typhoons since 2003.
Flooding is a fact of life in Marikina City. Essentially a catch basin, it lies in the Marikina Valley, bound by the Sierra Madre mountain range to the east and the hills of Quezon City to the west. The Marikina River cuts through the western portion of the city.
The Torres family lived near the Marikina River for as long as they can remember. Arlene, 33, and Reizan, 31, grew up in houses apart from each other when they were young. When they got married, Reizan moved into his wife’s house.
Just like the Torreses, their home has endured tough times. Repeated flooding has stained the wall and left a musty smell inside. From blue and green walls, they have since repainted them to white.
Of all the typhoons she has lived through, Arlene said Typhoon Ondoy (Ketsana) in 2009 and Typhoon Ulysses (Vamco) in 2020 were the ones she could not forget.
“I remember it very well. It was on September 26, [2009],” she said. Within six hours from landfall, Ondoy brought a deluge of rain equivalent to a month’s volume in the country.
Arlene, a high school student at the time, was left stranded at her school due to Ondoy’s downpour. She said the students were asked to go home because the flood had been rising, but they were unable to leave the premises.
“It was my older sister who rushed home. The water was already so high that she had to use a boat to reach our parents. They made a hole in the roof on the second floor of our house to avoid the flood,” Arlene recalled.
“We laid our father on a table to prevent him from getting wet again,” she said. But because of runoffs from the mountains and the trash that blocked access to roads, we could not get anyone to bring him [to the hospital]. He was cold and was coughing up blood. Days later, when we finally arrived at the hospital, he was declared ‘dead on arrival.’”
Ondoy was the deadliest typhoon that Metro Manila had faced in recent decades, Office of Civil Defense (OCD) data showed. At least 464 people were killed due to the onslaught of the typhoon, and more than half of them were from Metro Manila.
For many Filipinos, Ondoy was a turning point. It exposed Metro Manila’s vulnerabilities and lack of preparedness. A year later, lawmakers passed Republic Act No. 10121 or the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010.
The Torreses are among millions of Filipinos who face the risk of having their homes flooded during typhoons or heavy downpours. According to government data, at least eight in 10 Manileños live in flood zones.
More than a decade since Ondoy, Arlene and Reizan still live in the same house where the latter survived the deadly typhoon.
Having lived through strong storms, the Torreses knew what they had to do when Ulysses made landfall – get all the essential items and documents, prepare for evacuation when the Marikina River reaches 15 meters above sea level, and move their appliances and furniture to the second floor.
Living near the river, Reizan had to regularly monitor the updates on the city government’s social media feeds during Ulysses. He knew that once the river’s water level rose to 15 to 16 meters, his wife and children had to evacuate to his in-laws.
So they did. Arlene and the children went to her sister’s house but Reizan was left at home to guard their belongings. Then, the flood reached the second floor. Reizan said he was fortunate that rescuers went to their area.
“When the water reached the second floor, the refrigerator was knocked over. I lost the will to guard our things. There was no use in staying. I just left,” he recalled.
Ulysses made landfall in the middle of the pandemic, in November 2020, packing maximum sustained winds of 150 kilometer per hour (kph) and gustiness of up to 205 kph as it crossed Central Luzon.
During Ulysses, the Marikina River’s water level rose to 22 meters, breaching Ondoy’s record of 21.5 meters. While Ondoy brought more rain than Ulysses, PAGASA noted that it was possible that Sierra Madre was unable to absorb them – three storms had hit the country within three weeks before Ulysses – resulting in a runoff.
According to UN OCHA [United Nations for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs],, over 40,000 houses in Marikina were partially and fully submerged under flood water. All evacuation centers were packed, leaving residents to seek temporary shelter in the homes of their families and friends.
Evacuation centers are supposed to provide refuge from disasters. However, not all evacuation centers in Metro Manila are located in safe areas. They are not enough for everyone.
Analysis of the data from government hazard portal HazardHunterPH showed that one-fifth of Metro Manila’s land area is at high or very high risk of floods.
Among cities in Metro Manila, Navotas will be the most affected when flooding hits. About two-thirds of Navotas’ land area will be submerged by floods, while half of Malabon, Marikina, and Pasig will be swamped with water.
Latest shelter data from OCD and the Department of the Interior and Local Government showed that over 1,300 evacuation centers were listed as evacuation centers in the capital region. Rappler mapped these facilities to see which of them are in high- and very high-risk flood zones.
Areas with a high risk of flooding may be under one to two meters of water for over three days, according to the environment department’s Mines and Geosciences Bureau, one of the government offices involved in the creation of HazardHunterPH. For an average Filipino, this depth is already waist- to chest-deep.
Those with a very high flood risk may face over two meters of flooding. This height is taller than the average Filipino.
According to our analysis, one in five evacuation centers in the metro are built in high-risk areas. Several of them are in Quezon City, Valenzuela, and Pasig.
Aside from the risk, the designated evacuation centers in the metro could not possibly cater to every resident.
Small cities San Juan and Navotas have the lowest evacuation center-to-population ratio in Metro Manila. San Juan has one evacuation center for every 2,200 residents, while Navotas has one for every 5,600 residents.
In the capital Manila, only two evacuation centers were in official government lists for a population of over 1.8 million people. According to OCD, the Delpan and Baseco evacuation centers can fit 3,700 people. (To be concluded) – Rappler.com
NEXT: La Niña: What ought to be done to be better prepared
*$1 = P56.60
All quotes were translated into English.
Vianca Jasmin Anglo is a data analyst pursuing a postgraduate degree in Human Development and Services. She was part of the public health, pandemic management, and response in the Philippines. Her years of experience in social development demonstrate her commitment to human well-being through data analysis.
Reporting for this story was supported by the Environmental Data Journalism Academy – a program of Internews’ Earth Journalism Network and Thibi.
METHODOLOGY
This data story examined the link between evacuation centers and flood risk in Metro Manila. We obtained the latest evacuation center data from the DILG – which appeared incomplete – and supplemented it with 2021 data from the OCD. Capacity information from these lists are incomplete, limiting our analysis to the evacuation center-to-population ratio.
Using spatial software and Google Sheets, spatial analysis was conducted to pinpoint the intersection between evacuation centers and their corresponding flood susceptibility category from HazardHunterPH. For the full description of our methodology, please read it here. Data cleaning and analysis can be accessed here. This story was a result of collaboration between the author, and the data and story mentors from Thibi, Thet Win Htut, and Aika Rey, respectively.
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Lebanon moves towards accepting ICC jurisdiction for war crimes on its soil
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Jairo Bolledo
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27/04/2024 22:46
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ICC. The entrance of the International Criminal Court (ICC) is seen in The Hague March 3, 2011
Jerry Lampen/Reuters
Lebanon has moved towards accepting the International Criminal Court’s jurisdiction to prosecute violations on Lebanese territory since October, in what Human Rights Watch said on Saturday, April 27, was a “landmark step” towards justice for war crimes.
Lebanon has accused Israel of repeatedly violating its sovereignty and committing breaches of international law over the last six months, during which the Israeli military and Lebanese armed group Hezbollah have traded fire across Lebanon’s southern border in parallel with the Gaza War.
That cross-border shelling has killed at least 70 civilians, including children, rescue workers and journalists, among them Reuters visuals reporter Issam Abdallah, who was killed by an Israeli tank on October 13, a Reuters investigation found.
Lebanon’s caretaker cabinet voted on Friday to instruct the foreign affairs ministry to file a declaration with the ICC accepting the court’s jurisdiction to investigate and prosecute crimes committed on Lebanese territory since October 7.
The decree also instructed the foreign ministry to include in its complaints about Israel to the United Nations a report prepared by the Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research (TNO), an independent research institute.
That report looked specifically into Abdallah’s killing, and was produced by examining shrapnel, flak jackets, a camera, tripod and a large piece of metal that were gathered by Reuters from the scene, as well as video and audio material.
Neither Lebanon nor Israel are members of the ICC, which is based in The Hague. But filing a declaration to the court would grant it jurisdiction to investigate and prosecute relevant crimes in a particular period.
Ukraine has twice filed such declarations, which allowed for the court to investigate alleged Russian war crimes.
“The Lebanese government has taken a landmark step toward securing justice for war crimes in the country,” said Lama Fakih, Middle East and North Africa director at Human Rights Watch, urging the foreign minister to “swiftly” formalise the move by filing a declaration to the ICC.
“This is an important reminder to those who flout their obligations under the laws of war that they may find themselves in the dock,” Fakih said. – Rappler.com
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Pure dominance: Standhardinger’s near triple-double tows Ginebra past Converge
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Jasmine Payo
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27/04/2024 22:15
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MAIN FOCUS. Ginebra's Christian Standhardinger tries to shake off the Converge defense.
PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines – Christian Standhardinger can do it all for Barangay Ginebra.
Thanks to a near triple-double performance by the 6-foot-8 big man, Ginebra boosted its bid for a twice-to-beat playoff bonus in the PBA Philippine Cup following a 105-93 rout of the also-ran Converge FiberXers at the Aquilino Pimentel Jr. International Convention Center in Cagayan de Oro on Saturday, April 27.
Standhardinger racked up a massive stat line of 33 points on 15-of-23 shooting, 12 rebounds, 9 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks for the second-seeded Gin Kings, who picked up their fourth consecutive victory to improve to a 7-3 record.
Standhardinger went to work for Ginebra early, dropping 19 of his 33 points in just the first two quarters of play as the Gin Kings entered the break with a 48-all deadlock with the FiberXers.
In the third frame, Standhardinger continued to impose his will against the thinner Converge frontline to help the Gin Kings pull away from the FiberXers with a strong 35-21 third-quarter rally.
By the start of the fourth period, Standhardinger already had 27 markers, 10 boards, and 9 dimes across his name as Ginebra coasted the rest of the way.
Aside from Standhardinger, the four other Ginebra starters also finished in double-digit scoring, with Maverick Ahanmisi putting up 17, Ralph Cu chipping in 13, Japeth Aguilar producing 12, and Scottie Thompson contributing 10.
On the other side, Alec Stockton fired a team-high 32 points for the 1-9 FiberXers, who were sent crashing back to earth after snapping an eight-game losing skid in their previous outing.
Justin Arana helped Stockton carry Converge’s scoring load with 18 points, while Aljun Meleco added 10 off the bench.
Ginebra 105 – Standhardinger 33, Ahanmisi 17, Cu 13, J. Aguilar 12, Thompson 10, Pinto 10, Murrell 3, Pringle 3, Pessumal 3, Gumaru 1, David 0, Onwubere 0, Tenorio 0, R. Aguilar 0.
Converge 93 – Stockton 32, Arana 18, Melecio 10, Winston 9, Delos Santos 7, Maagdenberg 7, Santyos 5, Caralipio 2, Fornilos 2, Flores 1, Nieto 0.
Quarters: 24-21, 48-48, 83-69, 105-93.
– Rappler.com
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Still clutch: Arvin Tolentino, NorthPort survive Blackwater to snap skid
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Jasmine Payo
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27/04/2024 19:40
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TAKE OVER. NorthPort's Arvin Tolentino challenges the Blackwater defense.
PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines – Big-time players make big-time plays.
With their playoff hopes hanging in the balance, Arvin Tolentino saved the day for the NorthPort Batang Pier as they ended their elimination-round campaign with a thrilling 115-113 escape of the Blackwater Bossing in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Caloocan Sports Complex on Saturday, April 27.
Tolentino swished a tough, high-looping mid-range jumper over the outstretched arm of Blackwater’s Christian David with only 9 seconds left, which ultimately proved to be the game-winner as Rey Nambatac failed to connect on his potential go-ahead trey in the final play.
Thanks to Tolentino’s heroics, NorthPort finally snapped its five-game losing skid and kept its slim quarterfinal chances alive with a 5-6 record.
For the third straight contest, Tolentino breached the 20-point territory for the Batang Pier as he went off for 27 points, to go with 11 rebounds, 7 assists, and 2 blocks.
Joshua Munzon backstopped Tolentino with 16 points, while rookie Damie Cuntapay rose to the occasion and uncorked five long bombs to wind up with 15 markers.
Already leading by as many as 19 points in the early goings of the third quarter, 67-48, the Batang Pier failed to keep their foot on the gas pedal, allowing the Bossing to snatch the lead at the 4:38 mark of the fourth frame, 103-102, courtesy of a Troy Rosario layup.
An and-one play by Rosario with 1:42 remaining gave Blackwater a six-point edge over NorthPort, 113-107, before Tolentino completely took over and scattered 8 straight points, including the cold-blooded game-winning basket.
The Batang Pier spoiled the huge scoring performances of Bossing big men Rosario and David, who combined for 59 points in the heartbreaking loss.
Rosario exploded for a season-best 33 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 assists, while David, the second pick in the 2023 PBA Draft, put up career-highs of 26 markers and 15 boards.
After a red-hot start to the conference, the Bossing have now lost six games in a row for a 3-6 slate.
NorthPort 115 – Tolentino 27, Munzon 16, Cuntapay 15, Lucero 14, Yu 11, Rosales 7, Chan 7, Flores 6, Zamar 5, Navarro 5, Bulanadi 2.
Blackwater 113 – Rosario 33, David 26, Chua 11, Nambatac 10, Casio 9, Kwekuteye 7, Hill 5, Suerte 5, Guinto 4, Ilagan 3, Sena 0, Escoto 0, Jopia 0, Tungcab 0.
Quarters: 32-30, 66-48, 88-81, 115-113.
– Rappler.com
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Pure dominance: Standhardinger’s near triple-double tows Ginebra past Converge
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Jasmine Payo
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27/04/2024 22:15
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MAIN FOCUS. Ginebra's Christian Standhardinger tries to shake off the Converge defense.
PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines – Christian Standhardinger can do it all for Barangay Ginebra.
Thanks to a near triple-double performance by the 6-foot-8 big man, Ginebra boosted its bid for a twice-to-beat playoff bonus in the PBA Philippine Cup following a 105-93 rout of the also-ran Converge FiberXers at the Aquilino Pimentel Jr. International Convention Center in Cagayan de Oro on Saturday, April 27.
Standhardinger racked up a massive stat line of 33 points on 15-of-23 shooting, 12 rebounds, 9 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks for the second-seeded Gin Kings, who picked up their fourth consecutive victory to improve to a 7-3 record.
Standhardinger went to work for Ginebra early, dropping 19 of his 33 points in just the first two quarters of play as the Gin Kings entered the break with a 48-all deadlock with the FiberXers.
In the third frame, Standhardinger continued to impose his will against the thinner Converge frontline to help the Gin Kings pull away from the FiberXers with a strong 35-21 third-quarter rally.
By the start of the fourth period, Standhardinger already had 27 markers, 10 boards, and 9 dimes across his name as Ginebra coasted the rest of the way.
Aside from Standhardinger, the four other Ginebra starters also finished in double-digit scoring, with Maverick Ahanmisi putting up 17, Ralph Cu chipping in 13, Japeth Aguilar producing 12, and Scottie Thompson contributing 10.
On the other side, Alec Stockton fired a team-high 32 points for the 1-9 FiberXers, who were sent crashing back to earth after snapping an eight-game losing skid in their previous outing.
Justin Arana helped Stockton carry Converge’s scoring load with 18 points, while Aljun Meleco added 10 off the bench.
Ginebra 105 – Standhardinger 33, Ahanmisi 17, Cu 13, J. Aguilar 12, Thompson 10, Pinto 10, Murrell 3, Pringle 3, Pessumal 3, Gumaru 1, David 0, Onwubere 0, Tenorio 0, R. Aguilar 0.
Converge 93 – Stockton 32, Arana 18, Melecio 10, Winston 9, Delos Santos 7, Maagdenberg 7, Santyos 5, Caralipio 2, Fornilos 2, Flores 1, Nieto 0.
Quarters: 24-21, 48-48, 83-69, 105-93.
– Rappler.com
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Cavite lawmaker Pidi Barzaga dies at 74
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Jairo Bolledo
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27/04/2024 18:47
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IN MEMORIAM. Cavite lawmaker Elpidio "Pidi" Barzaga Jr. died at 74 years old.
Pidi Barzaga's Facebook Page
MANILA, Philippines – Cavite 4th District Representative Elpidio “Pidi” Barzaga Jr. has passed away at 74 years old.
In a statement, Barzaga’s official Facebook page announced the demise of the lawmaker on Saturday, April 27. He died in California, in the United States.
Barzaga is survived by his wife, Dasmariñas City Mayor Jenny, and their children, Kiko, Third, and Enzo.
“Throughout his life, Cong. Pidi dedicated himself to serving the people of the Province of Cavite and the City of Dasmariñas with unwavering commitment and passion. His dedication to education, healthcare, and poverty alleviation transformed lives and shaped the future of his constituents. He will be remembered for his compassion and relentless pursuit of justice,” the statement posted in Barzaga’s page said.
“As we mourn his loss, we find solace in the countless lives he touched and the enduring impact of his work. We humbly ask for your prayers and support during this difficult time,” it added.
In October 2023, Barzaga announced that he will undergo open-heart surgery in the US.
In the lower chamber, Barzaga headed the House committee on natural resources. The said panel has jurisdiction over “all matters directly and principally relating to natural resources, except energy resources, and their exploration, conservation, management and utilization; lands of the public domain; mines and minerals; forests, parks and wildlife; and marine resources.”
When the Taal Volcano erupted in 2020 and affected thousands of residents in Batangas and nearby provinces, Barzaga called for a probe to investigate how the government responded to the eruption, citing an alleged lack of warnings ahead of the calamity.
Barzaga served as president of the political party, National Unity Party (NUP), which endorsed President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. during the 2022 presidential elections. But even if he was the head, Barzaga went against his own party and threw support for former vice president Leni Robredo. Barzaga later stepped down from his position.
Amid the recent rift between Vice President Sara Duterte and House Speaker Martin Romualdez, Barzaga was among the lawmakers who defended Romualdez. – Rappler.com
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Results, team standings: UAAP Season 86 volleyball
|
Jasmine Payo
|
05/05/2024 21:02
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ROARING. NU's Bella Belen (left) and Alyssa Solomon react in the UAAP Season 86 women's volleyball finals
UAAP Season 86 Media Team
MANILA, Philippines – The UAAP Season 86 volleyball tournaments reach a tipping point with the men’s and women’s finals!
LOOK: UAAP volleyball championship schedule
Here are the results in the men’s and women’s divisions:
MAY 15
May 11
MAY 8
MAY 5
MAY 4
MAY 8
MAY 5
MAY 4
** – Twice-to-beat* – Final Fourx – Eliminated
APRIL 27
APRIL 24
APRIL 21
APRIL 20
APRIL 17
APRIL 14
APRIL 13
APRIL 10
APRIL 9
APRIL 4
APRIL 3
MARCH 24
MARCH 23
MARCH 20
First round
MARCH 17
MARCH 16
MARCH 13
MARCH 10
MARCH 9
MARCH 6
MARCH 3
MARCH 2
FEBRUARY 28
FEBRUARY 25
FEBRUARY 24
FEBRUARY 21
FEBRUARY 18
FEBRUARY 17
** – Twice-to-beat* – Final Fourx – Eliminated
APRIL 27
APRIL 24
APRIL 21
APRIL 20
APRIL 17
APRIL 14
APRIL 13
APRIL 10
APRIL 9
APRIL 4
APRIL 3
MARCH 24
MARCH 23
MARCH 20
First round
MARCH 17
MARCH 16
MARCH 13
MARCH 10
MARCH 9
MARCH 6
MARCH 3
MARCH 2
FEBRUARY 28
FEBRUARY 25
FEBRUARY 24
FEBRUARY 21
FEBRUARY 18
FEBRUARY 17
– Rappler.com
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Love longganisa? Here are the various kinds from different regions – and what they’re made of
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Steph Arnaldo
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27/04/2024 20:44
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MANILA, Philippines – We’ve already differentiated the various kinds of pancit dishes in the Philippines – so why not we do longganisa next?
Because of our country’s rich cultural heritage and diverse culinary traditions, different regions come up with their own versions of Filipino delicacies, like the longganisa. It is the base of the traditional longsilog breakfast – longganisa is served with sinangag (garlic fried rice) and fried eggs, with ensalada on the side at times.
With access to their own unique native ingredients and cooking methods (plus differences in geography, culture, and climate), every region’s longganisa comes out quite differently, using their own local spices, flavorings, and techniques. Some longganisa can be sweet, and some savory, depending on the region’s preferences. Different regions also have their own preservation methods, such as curing, smoking, or drying, which results in differences in flavor and texture.
So, which longganisa is your favorite? Let’s dig in (and don’t forget the suka)!
Hailing from Vigan, the capital of Ilocos Sur province, this bite-sized and chunky longganisa is famous for its salty, garlicky, and sour flavor. It’s made from coarsely ground pork, achuete (to give it that yellowish hue), garlic, black pepper, vinegar, salt, and other spices, stuffed into hog casings.
It is typically air-dried, so it can be stored for months without refrigeration, making it suitable for long journeys on land in the past.
Quezon Province’s Lucban longganisa is also a type of recado longganisa (the garlicky kind), known for its reddish hue from annatto (achuete) seeds. A staple in Lucban, Quezon, this sausage is made with coarse and lean pork, sugar, garlic, onions, peppercorns, coarse salt, oregano, and vinegar, which gives the savory sausage a slightly sour kick as well.
Lucban longganisa is often paired with another Quezon specialty, pancit habhab (noodles in banana leaves), for the most satisfying local meal.
Originating from Alaminos, Pangasinan, this longganisa is known for its slightly sour and garlicky flavor, made in bite-sized pieces. It’s made from ground pork, garlic, local spices like black pepper and bay leaves, and vinegar.
Alaminos longganisa is a popular pasalubong choice for those visiting Pangasinan. They are often sold pre-cooked and vacuum-sealed for easy transport.
Tuguegarao longganisa – also known as Ybanag longganisa – originates from Tuguegarao City, in Cagayan provice. A type of de recado longganisa, the savory-tangy sausage is made from coarsely ground pork, black pepper, garlic, onion, coarse salt, and cane vinegar, as is typically smoked. It is colored by achuete, too.
Tuguegarao longganisa can also be served in pinakbet, the beloved vegetable stew from the Ilocos Region.
The popular longganisa from the culinary capital of the Philippines is known for its mostly sweet flavor is often called “hamonado,” because of its similarity to sweet ham. “Hamonado” also means “ham-flavored” in Spanish.
Pampanga longganisa is made with ground pork, sugar, garlic, onions, paprika, achuete, and sometimes with pineapple juice for sweetness. This type of longganisa is usually eaten skinless, but some variants come in natural casings.
This Cavite longganisa gets its name from its Chinese influences, said to be a Filipino version of the Cantonese Lap Cheong sauasage.
It is a dried, sweet pork sausage made with pork meat, sugar, anisado wine, and spices, known for its distinctly dark red color and savory taste. They are usually found in a variety of recipes, particularly in fried rice or stir-fry recipes.
Originating from Cabanatuan in Nueva Ecija, this longganisa is usually served de recado style – garlicky, salty, and slightly sour. It is made from ground pork, garlic, vinegar, and spices, sometimes in casings or skinless. Cabanatuan locals call their longganisa, batotay, but it also goes with other nicknames.
It is celebrated yearly during Cabanatuan’s Longganisa Festival!
Also known as Chorizo de Cebu, Longganisa de Cebu is a Filipino pork sausage originating from Cebu. It is a type of hamonado longganisa, so it is disticintively sweet and sugary, and is enjoyed slighly caramelized upon cooking.
The small and spherical sausages are distinctively red in color due to the use of achuete seeds.
Also called Chorizo Pudpud or Chorizo Negrense, this Filipino smoked pork sausage from Bacolod in Negros Island can be enjoyed either hamonado or recado style, and in a casing or without (hence, pudpud).
It is usually made from ground pork, vinegar, garlic, calamansi, soy sauce, black pepper, salt, and spices, as well as sugar for the sweet version.
Did we miss out on other regional favorites? Let us know! – Rappler.com
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The article missed Longganisang Calumpit from Calumpit Bulacan. Garlicky and not sweet but usually made slightly larger than those from Lucban or Vigan
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Results, team standings: UAAP Season 86 volleyball
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Jasmine Payo
|
05/05/2024 21:02
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ROARING. NU's Bella Belen (left) and Alyssa Solomon react in the UAAP Season 86 women's volleyball finals
UAAP Season 86 Media Team
MANILA, Philippines – The UAAP Season 86 volleyball tournaments reach a tipping point with the men’s and women’s finals!
LOOK: UAAP volleyball championship schedule
Here are the results in the men’s and women’s divisions:
MAY 15
May 11
MAY 8
MAY 5
MAY 4
MAY 8
MAY 5
MAY 4
** – Twice-to-beat* – Final Fourx – Eliminated
APRIL 27
APRIL 24
APRIL 21
APRIL 20
APRIL 17
APRIL 14
APRIL 13
APRIL 10
APRIL 9
APRIL 4
APRIL 3
MARCH 24
MARCH 23
MARCH 20
First round
MARCH 17
MARCH 16
MARCH 13
MARCH 10
MARCH 9
MARCH 6
MARCH 3
MARCH 2
FEBRUARY 28
FEBRUARY 25
FEBRUARY 24
FEBRUARY 21
FEBRUARY 18
FEBRUARY 17
** – Twice-to-beat* – Final Fourx – Eliminated
APRIL 27
APRIL 24
APRIL 21
APRIL 20
APRIL 17
APRIL 14
APRIL 13
APRIL 10
APRIL 9
APRIL 4
APRIL 3
MARCH 24
MARCH 23
MARCH 20
First round
MARCH 17
MARCH 16
MARCH 13
MARCH 10
MARCH 9
MARCH 6
MARCH 3
MARCH 2
FEBRUARY 28
FEBRUARY 25
FEBRUARY 24
FEBRUARY 21
FEBRUARY 18
FEBRUARY 17
– Rappler.com
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Results, team standings: UAAP Season 86 volleyball
|
Jasmine Payo
|
05/05/2024 21:02
|
ROARING. NU's Bella Belen (left) and Alyssa Solomon react in the UAAP Season 86 women's volleyball finals
UAAP Season 86 Media Team
MANILA, Philippines – The UAAP Season 86 volleyball tournaments reach a tipping point with the men’s and women’s finals!
LOOK: UAAP volleyball championship schedule
Here are the results in the men’s and women’s divisions:
MAY 15
May 11
MAY 8
MAY 5
MAY 4
MAY 8
MAY 5
MAY 4
** – Twice-to-beat* – Final Fourx – Eliminated
APRIL 27
APRIL 24
APRIL 21
APRIL 20
APRIL 17
APRIL 14
APRIL 13
APRIL 10
APRIL 9
APRIL 4
APRIL 3
MARCH 24
MARCH 23
MARCH 20
First round
MARCH 17
MARCH 16
MARCH 13
MARCH 10
MARCH 9
MARCH 6
MARCH 3
MARCH 2
FEBRUARY 28
FEBRUARY 25
FEBRUARY 24
FEBRUARY 21
FEBRUARY 18
FEBRUARY 17
** – Twice-to-beat* – Final Fourx – Eliminated
APRIL 27
APRIL 24
APRIL 21
APRIL 20
APRIL 17
APRIL 14
APRIL 13
APRIL 10
APRIL 9
APRIL 4
APRIL 3
MARCH 24
MARCH 23
MARCH 20
First round
MARCH 17
MARCH 16
MARCH 13
MARCH 10
MARCH 9
MARCH 6
MARCH 3
MARCH 2
FEBRUARY 28
FEBRUARY 25
FEBRUARY 24
FEBRUARY 21
FEBRUARY 18
FEBRUARY 17
– Rappler.com
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Still clutch: Arvin Tolentino, NorthPort survive Blackwater to snap skid
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Jasmine Payo
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27/04/2024 19:40
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TAKE OVER. NorthPort's Arvin Tolentino challenges the Blackwater defense.
PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines – Big-time players make big-time plays.
With their playoff hopes hanging in the balance, Arvin Tolentino saved the day for the NorthPort Batang Pier as they ended their elimination-round campaign with a thrilling 115-113 escape of the Blackwater Bossing in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Caloocan Sports Complex on Saturday, April 27.
Tolentino swished a tough, high-looping mid-range jumper over the outstretched arm of Blackwater’s Christian David with only 9 seconds left, which ultimately proved to be the game-winner as Rey Nambatac failed to connect on his potential go-ahead trey in the final play.
Thanks to Tolentino’s heroics, NorthPort finally snapped its five-game losing skid and kept its slim quarterfinal chances alive with a 5-6 record.
For the third straight contest, Tolentino breached the 20-point territory for the Batang Pier as he went off for 27 points, to go with 11 rebounds, 7 assists, and 2 blocks.
Joshua Munzon backstopped Tolentino with 16 points, while rookie Damie Cuntapay rose to the occasion and uncorked five long bombs to wind up with 15 markers.
Already leading by as many as 19 points in the early goings of the third quarter, 67-48, the Batang Pier failed to keep their foot on the gas pedal, allowing the Bossing to snatch the lead at the 4:38 mark of the fourth frame, 103-102, courtesy of a Troy Rosario layup.
An and-one play by Rosario with 1:42 remaining gave Blackwater a six-point edge over NorthPort, 113-107, before Tolentino completely took over and scattered 8 straight points, including the cold-blooded game-winning basket.
The Batang Pier spoiled the huge scoring performances of Bossing big men Rosario and David, who combined for 59 points in the heartbreaking loss.
Rosario exploded for a season-best 33 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 assists, while David, the second pick in the 2023 PBA Draft, put up career-highs of 26 markers and 15 boards.
After a red-hot start to the conference, the Bossing have now lost six games in a row for a 3-6 slate.
NorthPort 115 – Tolentino 27, Munzon 16, Cuntapay 15, Lucero 14, Yu 11, Rosales 7, Chan 7, Flores 6, Zamar 5, Navarro 5, Bulanadi 2.
Blackwater 113 – Rosario 33, David 26, Chua 11, Nambatac 10, Casio 9, Kwekuteye 7, Hill 5, Suerte 5, Guinto 4, Ilagan 3, Sena 0, Escoto 0, Jopia 0, Tungcab 0.
Quarters: 32-30, 66-48, 88-81, 115-113.
– Rappler.com
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Playwright and director Floy Quintos dies at 63
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jreyes0314
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27/04/2024 15:20
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Floy Quintos' Facebook
MANILA, Philippines – Playwright and director Floy Quintos died on Saturday, April 27, due to a heart attack, his family announced in a Facebook post.
“It is with the heaviest of hearts that I, on behalf of my family, announce that Floy Quintos, esteemed playwright and director, but more importantly beloved brother, son, uncle, cousin, nephew, and friend, has returned to the arms of the Lord. He passed suddenly in the ER from a heart attack this morning,” his family member Celina Quintos wrote in a Facebook post, on behalf of the Quintos family.
The family asked for “prayers, love, and support” as they process the award-winning playwright’s death.
According to Celina’s post, his family is still making arrangements for his wake, which is set to be held at the Arlington Memorial Chapels.
“Floy Quintos was a beacon of Philippine culture and the arts, but also shone so much firelight for the people closest to him. The country, the world, and our home are much darker with this light snuffed out too soon. We hope to share our light with each other through this time,” his family added.
Numerous organizations and notable personalities paid tribute to Quintos and his contributions to Philippine film and theater.
Historian Xiao Chua shared in a Facebook post that Quintos was the first to make him cry through his play St. Louis Loves Dem Filipinos, and did not expect that he would be able to work with the playwright years later on several occasions.
Actors Pinky Amador and Cedrick Juan also shared some of their fondest memories with Quintos.
In a Facebook post, Amador recounted that Quintos had written a one-woman play for her. She also said that she will always treasure his “constant support and friendship.”
Meanwhile, Juan shared a snippets of his online conversations with Quintos, where the playwright offered him advice and words of encouragement after his performances.
Dulaang Unibersidad ng Pilipinas (DUP) also mourned the loss of Quintos, who had written several plays that the performing arts organization had staged in the past.
Ateneo Press also stated that they were “one with the community” in mourning Quintos’ passing.
Quintos was the creative mind behind several Palanca Award-winning plays, such as Fluid, Evening at the Opera, Suor Clara, and Collection, to name a few. He had also served as the screenwriter for the films Darna! Ang Pagbabalik, Waiting, and Koronang Itim.
His most recent play, titled Grace, is set to be staged from May 25 to June 16.
– Rappler.com
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Fly high in Albay! Legazpi to host Hot Air Balloon Festival in May
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Steph Arnaldo
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27/04/2024 17:17
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PIHABF
MANILA, Philippines – Who’s ready to fly? Clark, Pampanga’s iconic Hot Air Balloon Festival will be debuting in the Bicol region at Legazpi City in Albay province for “A Weekend of Everything Flies” on May 3 to 5, Friday to Sunday, at the old Legazpi airport!
With the majestic Mayon Volcano as its backdrop, the balloon festival and airshow will feature different hot air balloons, like Brazil’s Bidu and the UK’s Bella and Buster (different dogs), Party Balloon from USA, UK’s Dyno (a dinosaur), and Belgium’s Princess Nelly (an elephant), among others.
The Global Stars aerobatic team will also put on a show of thrilling aircraft stunts, accompanied by daytime smoke trails and nighttime pyrotechnics.
Ako Bicol Representative Zaldy Co said in a media statement that the international spectacle – inspired by the beauty of Cappadocia, Turkey and headlined by foreign pilots and participants – will serve as a “catalyst for revitalizing tourism throughout Albay and the wider Bicol region.”
“This event promises to attract spectators, generate tourism-related employment, bolster sales of local products, and invigorate our regional economy,” Co said.
Guests can also expect drone light shows, fireworks displays, and “Night Glow,” where hot air balloons will illuminate the evening sky to synchronized music. There will also be exhibitions featuring paramotors, kites, FPV drones, ultralight planes, and car drifters.
Bicol cuisine and artisanal products will also be available at the “Fly Market” and its food booths.
Entrance to the event is free, but advanced online booking is advised for those who want to try the hot air balloon flights, tethered rides, tandem skydiving, or tandem paragliding, as slots are limited.
The annual Hot Air Balloon Festival is organized by the Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta (PIHABF), and is typically held in Clark and New Clark City in Tarlac. For the past three decades, the event’s purpose has been to “ignite aviation interest among youth, instill discipline in aspiring pilots, and foster a spirit of community volunteerism.”
Guests can avail of the ride tickets via www.balloonfiesta.ph. – Rappler.com
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Results, team standings: UAAP Season 86 volleyball
|
Jasmine Payo
|
05/05/2024 21:02
|
ROARING. NU's Bella Belen (left) and Alyssa Solomon react in the UAAP Season 86 women's volleyball finals
UAAP Season 86 Media Team
MANILA, Philippines – The UAAP Season 86 volleyball tournaments reach a tipping point with the men’s and women’s finals!
LOOK: UAAP volleyball championship schedule
Here are the results in the men’s and women’s divisions:
MAY 15
May 11
MAY 8
MAY 5
MAY 4
MAY 8
MAY 5
MAY 4
** – Twice-to-beat* – Final Fourx – Eliminated
APRIL 27
APRIL 24
APRIL 21
APRIL 20
APRIL 17
APRIL 14
APRIL 13
APRIL 10
APRIL 9
APRIL 4
APRIL 3
MARCH 24
MARCH 23
MARCH 20
First round
MARCH 17
MARCH 16
MARCH 13
MARCH 10
MARCH 9
MARCH 6
MARCH 3
MARCH 2
FEBRUARY 28
FEBRUARY 25
FEBRUARY 24
FEBRUARY 21
FEBRUARY 18
FEBRUARY 17
** – Twice-to-beat* – Final Fourx – Eliminated
APRIL 27
APRIL 24
APRIL 21
APRIL 20
APRIL 17
APRIL 14
APRIL 13
APRIL 10
APRIL 9
APRIL 4
APRIL 3
MARCH 24
MARCH 23
MARCH 20
First round
MARCH 17
MARCH 16
MARCH 13
MARCH 10
MARCH 9
MARCH 6
MARCH 3
MARCH 2
FEBRUARY 28
FEBRUARY 25
FEBRUARY 24
FEBRUARY 21
FEBRUARY 18
FEBRUARY 17
– Rappler.com
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Belle Mariano, Kaila Estrada reflect on ‘Can’t Buy Me Love’ as hit show nears finale
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Vixey Marie
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27/04/2024 14:32
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Belle Mariano at an event by feminine care brand pH Care at Brittany Hotel, BGC, on April 24, 2024.
Rob Reyes/Rappler
Belle Mariano and Kaila Estrada who play Caroline and Bettina Tiu in the hit series Can’t Buy Me Love reflected on their emotional journey as their series comes to a close.
Belle expressed her deep appreciation for the familial bond that was formed among the cast. “Sobrang napamahal ako sa kanila na parang pamilya (I fell in love with the whole cast as if they’re my own family),” she said, recounting the overwhelming emotions felt during their last day of taping.
The two actresses were at an event for feminine care brand pH Care, Wednesday, April 24, along with two more endorsers, Gabbi Garcia and Ysabel Ortega.
The two spoke fondly of what they refer to as “Tiu’s Night” where they gather with the “Tiu” siblings to relax and bond on their free day. “Ang saya kasi lahat game (It’s fun because everyone was game for it). Everyone is just so excited to be around each other,” shared Kaila. It’s these moments that make their time on set even more special and meaningful.
Belle’s onscreen partner Donny Pangilinan, who plays Bingo in their series, shared a sentimental photo with the cast and their director Mae Cruz Alviar. He thanked Alviar for being “a mother of 10,” referring to their characters.
When asked about her “stoic acting” in her portrayal of Caroline, Belle credited the guidance of her director. She shared how she initially sought advice to embody the character effectively, and eventually found a deep connection with Caroline. “Feeling ko kahit tapos na ‘yung taping (I feel like even though taping for the show is over), there’s always gonna be Caroline in me,” she noted.
Belle emphasized how her relationship with the cast helped in enriching her portrayal of the role. “There’s so much more to acting. You develop something even more beautiful – [a sense of] family and [your] relationship with the cast.”
’ABANGAN ‘NYO!’ 👀 “Can’t Buy Me Love” star #BelleMariano hints about the upcoming final episodes of their hit series, which is set to end in May. She also reflects on how her character in the series has broadened her understanding of acting. #cantbuymelove #tvseries #phtv #entertainmentnews #entertainmentnewsph #tiktokph #fyp #rappler
Kaila’s impressive performances as Bettina in Can’t Buy Me Love and Sylvia in Linlang have garnered attention, solidifying her position as a rising talent in the industry. Kaila debuted as an actress in 2021, and in those years, she’s shown determination to carve her own path in the acting world, independent of her parents’ legacy.
On the possibility of being part of a love team, Kaila said she remains open to the idea but is content with her current career trajectory.
“Linlang” and “Can’t Buy Me Love” actress Kaila Estrada expresses openness to being part of a love team if the opportunity arises, during the pH Care “Intimate Bloom Day” event held on Wednesday, April 24. She says the evolving landscape of love teams in the Philippines can foster personal growth. #kailaestrada #cantbuymelove #entertainmentnews #entertainmentnewsph #tiktokph #fyp #rappler
She admires the success of fellow actresses Belle, and Maris Racal, both as individual artists, and in their love teams.
Racal and another series cast member Anthony Jennings – together known as “SnoRene” – have captivated audiences with their chemistry in the hit series, their scenes becoming a focal point for the show’s marketing push online.
Belle and Kaila admitted being fans of “SnoRene” themselves. “We are honestly so happy for them kasi talagang ang husay ng dalawang ‘yun (because those two are really amazing artists). It just really clicked with them – the humor, their timing… We’re really rooting for them and we hope that there will be projects coming up,” Kaila said.
The “Tiu” sisters also expressed gratitude for the support from fans. “Lahat ng platforms na nilalabasan ng Can’t Buy Me Love, talagang ramdam mo ‘yung pagmamahal nila (You can feel the audiences’ love and support in all the platforms where they can watch our show). Thank you for loving our characters. Thank you for loving the story,” Belle said.
The hit series soared to the top spot in the list for leading TV shows on Netflix immediately upon its release in October 2023 until November. The series sustained its success, securing a position in the top 10 of the same category until April 2024. Additionally, it became one of the most watched series on iWantTFC in February 2024.
What’s next for Belle and Kaila? While they hold dear the memories created on set, they also eagerly anticipate reuniting with their families once the show concludes. It’s a moment to reconnect and spend quality time with their loved ones after devoting eight months to the show.
“Everyone [who’s] part ng Tiu family and sa Binondo, I know naman na kahit wala nang taping, alam kong may family pa rin (I know that the Tiu’s and those in Binondo will remain a family even after taping has concluded),” Belle said.
As the romantic family drama comes to an end, their performances continue to resonate with audiences, cementing their status as stars on the rise.
Can’t Buy Me Love is set to conclude on May 7, with 148 episodes. – Rappler.com
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Cavite lawmaker Pidi Barzaga dies at 74
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Jairo Bolledo
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27/04/2024 18:47
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IN MEMORIAM. Cavite lawmaker Elpidio "Pidi" Barzaga Jr. died at 74 years old.
Pidi Barzaga's Facebook Page
MANILA, Philippines – Cavite 4th District Representative Elpidio “Pidi” Barzaga Jr. has passed away at 74 years old.
In a statement, Barzaga’s official Facebook page announced the demise of the lawmaker on Saturday, April 27. He died in California, in the United States.
Barzaga is survived by his wife, Dasmariñas City Mayor Jenny, and their children, Kiko, Third, and Enzo.
“Throughout his life, Cong. Pidi dedicated himself to serving the people of the Province of Cavite and the City of Dasmariñas with unwavering commitment and passion. His dedication to education, healthcare, and poverty alleviation transformed lives and shaped the future of his constituents. He will be remembered for his compassion and relentless pursuit of justice,” the statement posted in Barzaga’s page said.
“As we mourn his loss, we find solace in the countless lives he touched and the enduring impact of his work. We humbly ask for your prayers and support during this difficult time,” it added.
In October 2023, Barzaga announced that he will undergo open-heart surgery in the US.
In the lower chamber, Barzaga headed the House committee on natural resources. The said panel has jurisdiction over “all matters directly and principally relating to natural resources, except energy resources, and their exploration, conservation, management and utilization; lands of the public domain; mines and minerals; forests, parks and wildlife; and marine resources.”
When the Taal Volcano erupted in 2020 and affected thousands of residents in Batangas and nearby provinces, Barzaga called for a probe to investigate how the government responded to the eruption, citing an alleged lack of warnings ahead of the calamity.
Barzaga served as president of the political party, National Unity Party (NUP), which endorsed President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. during the 2022 presidential elections. But even if he was the head, Barzaga went against his own party and threw support for former vice president Leni Robredo. Barzaga later stepped down from his position.
Amid the recent rift between Vice President Sara Duterte and House Speaker Martin Romualdez, Barzaga was among the lawmakers who defended Romualdez. – Rappler.com
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Around 50,000 households affected by water shortage in Cebu – water district head
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jsitchon0312
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20/04/2024 16:44
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WATER. Residents of Barangay Pasil in Cebu City struggle to fill their containers as water crisis looms due to the impact of the El Niño phenomenon, on Thursday, April 18.
Jacqueline Hernandez/Rappler
CEBU, Philippines – As officials continue to quarrel over the leadership of the Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MCWD), severe water shortages have affected around 50,000 households in Cebu.
Lawyer Jose Daluz III, the embattled MCWD head, told Rappler on Thursday, April 18, that a majority of the households affected are in Cebu City.
Daluz has been up against Cebu City Mayor Mike Rama who wants him out of the water district since May 2023, due to his alleged “unsatisfactory” performance and insubordination. In March, the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) enforced a takeover of the MCWD.
Amid the water district feud, Susan Garcia, a 69-year-old resident of Sitio Mahayahay I, in Barangay Pasil, Cebu City, told Rappler that they have had little to no water flowing into their homes for more than a month.
Rappler visited Barangay Pasil and found that residents have resorted to opening the main consumer pipes found at the opposite end of MCWD’s water meters.
Garcia shared that she pays around P100 per day to get a porter to deliver 10 buckets of water, about a gallon each, to her home. On top of that, her family pays up to P1,000 a month to the MCWD for water that, she said, “never comes.”
“Di na lang mi makapalit bugas kay ibayad nalang para sa tubig kay wala nay kwarta,” Garcia said.
(We’ll just decide to not buy rice because we have to pay for water and because we don’t have enough money)
Garcia said that she needs water every day since she has no choice but to do her laundry every morning. She explained that because of the intense heat, her family has to bathe and change clothes twice a day.
Brian Marinay, the team leader of the Pasil Fire Brigade, told Rappler on Thursday that they are on “red alert” for the entire barangay.
Marinay said that they are aware of the residents’ opening the main pipes and understand that they are doing it to survive the heat.
“Based on what I got from a few residents, there would be water flowing at around 3 am but by 5 am, there would be no more water,” he said in a mix of English and Cebuano.
According to Marinay, the fire brigade has been delivering water to every sitio in Pasil but was forced to limit distributions in consideration of their fire truck’s water supply capacity and preparations for fire incidents.
“Kinahanglan og tubig, labi na sa mga bata ug tiguwang. Labi na karon nga need ang tubig kay init kaayo. Mas prone man gud sila sa heatstroke,” Marinay said.
(Water is so important, especially for the kids and the elderly. Water is needed even more because it is so hot. They are prone to heatstroke.)
Cebu City Administrator Collin Rosell told Rappler on Friday, April 19, that they are working with the city disaster response unit and other city departments in addressing the water shortage. He added that the city is exploring alternative sources of water.
“We are dispatching a lot of equipment, the water tanks, of course, there’s also the siphoning tanks that will hull and distribute water,” Rosell said.
There are four operating dams that supply water to MCWD. These include the Jaclupan Dam in Talisay City, the Buhisan Dam and Lusaran Dam in Cebu City, and the Carmen Bulk Water Supply in Carmen town.
Daluz told Rappler that each of the dams has lost almost half of its operating capacity, except for the Carmen Bulk Water Supply which still provides 30,000 cubic meters of water per day.
Based on data from MCWD, the Jaclupan Dam, now only provides 20,000 cubic meters of water per day from the usual 35,000 cubic meters of water per day.
The Buhisan Dam provides half of its original 6,000 cubic meters per day while the Lusaran Dam provides 15,000 of its normal 30,000 cubic meters per day.
“In March, the deficit reached 20,000 cubic meters. Then, the deficit became 30,000, 40,000, and now almost 50,000,” Daluz said.
According to him, one cubic meter serves one household, which means that the deficit of 50,000 cubic meters of water per day equates to 50,000 affected households.
Daluz explained that the MCWD was supposed to address the deficit through desalination plants that would provide an external source of water but were delayed due to “difficulties” in obtaining permits.
“Supposedly the delivery date for the Barangay Mambaling desalination plant was September 2023 but when the contractor filed for a permit at Cebu City it was not given. They got the permit in December so they were not able to meet their schedule,” Daluz said. – Rappler.com
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Cavite lawmaker Pidi Barzaga dies at 74
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Jairo Bolledo
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27/04/2024 18:47
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IN MEMORIAM. Cavite lawmaker Elpidio "Pidi" Barzaga Jr. died at 74 years old.
Pidi Barzaga's Facebook Page
MANILA, Philippines – Cavite 4th District Representative Elpidio “Pidi” Barzaga Jr. has passed away at 74 years old.
In a statement, Barzaga’s official Facebook page announced the demise of the lawmaker on Saturday, April 27. He died in California, in the United States.
Barzaga is survived by his wife, Dasmariñas City Mayor Jenny, and their children, Kiko, Third, and Enzo.
“Throughout his life, Cong. Pidi dedicated himself to serving the people of the Province of Cavite and the City of Dasmariñas with unwavering commitment and passion. His dedication to education, healthcare, and poverty alleviation transformed lives and shaped the future of his constituents. He will be remembered for his compassion and relentless pursuit of justice,” the statement posted in Barzaga’s page said.
“As we mourn his loss, we find solace in the countless lives he touched and the enduring impact of his work. We humbly ask for your prayers and support during this difficult time,” it added.
In October 2023, Barzaga announced that he will undergo open-heart surgery in the US.
In the lower chamber, Barzaga headed the House committee on natural resources. The said panel has jurisdiction over “all matters directly and principally relating to natural resources, except energy resources, and their exploration, conservation, management and utilization; lands of the public domain; mines and minerals; forests, parks and wildlife; and marine resources.”
When the Taal Volcano erupted in 2020 and affected thousands of residents in Batangas and nearby provinces, Barzaga called for a probe to investigate how the government responded to the eruption, citing an alleged lack of warnings ahead of the calamity.
Barzaga served as president of the political party, National Unity Party (NUP), which endorsed President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. during the 2022 presidential elections. But even if he was the head, Barzaga went against his own party and threw support for former vice president Leni Robredo. Barzaga later stepped down from his position.
Amid the recent rift between Vice President Sara Duterte and House Speaker Martin Romualdez, Barzaga was among the lawmakers who defended Romualdez. – Rappler.com
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Willie Revillame signs with MVP’s MediaQuest, teases new show
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gdecastro0289
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27/04/2024 14:22
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KAPATID. TV host Willie Revillame signs a partnership with tycoon Manny V. Pangilinan's Media Quest Group on April 26, 2024.
TV5 X
MANILA, Philippines – After a landmark ABS-CBN and GMA Network partnership for noon show It’s Showtime, TV host Willie Revillame signed with billionaire Manny V. Pangilinan’s (MVP) MediaQuest Group on Friday, April 26.
Revillame is returning to the Kapatid Channel, TV5, which was his home from 2010 to 2013. He later moved to GMA Network in 2015 until 2021. In September 2022, he signed with former senator Manny Villar’s media firm ALLTV but left months later in early 2023 after his show Wowowin failed to take off.
On behalf of his production firm WilProductions Incorporated, Revillame signed a joint venture with MediaQuest Holdings and its subsidiary, MQuest Ventures, where he will serve as “creative director.”
LOOK | Pagsasanib-pwersa ni Kuya Wil at MQuest Ventures, kinasa na! Pumirma na ng kontrata sina Willie Revillame at Media Quest sa kanilang joint venture kung saan siya ay magsisilbing creative director. pic.twitter.com/dD9GCZFdbI
The signing happened more than a month after former fierce competitors ABS-CBN and GMA signed a co-production deal on the airing of the Kapamilya noon show, It’s Showtime, on GMA’s flagship Channel 7, in addition to its sister channel, GTV. This boosted It’s Showtime’s ratings and allowed it to overtake the Philippines’ longest-running noon show, Eat Bulaga!, on TV5.
In the signing ceremony, Revillame said that his new show will complement TV5’s entertainment offerings and will be shown at night, apparently before TV5’s flagship news program, Frontline Pilipinas, which airs from 6:30 pm to 8 pm.
“’Yung icons, walang tatalo na Eat Bulaga!, tanghalian ‘yun, at ngayon, may panghapunan na kayo, abangan ‘nyo ho. Kumpleto na ang buhay ng bawat Pilipino: may [pang] umaga, tanghali, at gabi, sama-sama tayo sa ligaya, saya, at may pag-asa kayo,” he said.
(The icons, the unbeatable Eat Bulaga!, that’s lunchtime, and now, you have something for dinner, watch out. The Filipino’s life is now complete: morning, noon, night. We’re together in happiness, fun, and you have hope.)
Revillame said they are still brainstorming over his new show, including its new name, and looking for new co-hosts.
He also teased that TV5 will have a talent search for artists who want to be on Kapatid shows.
“’Yung nangangarap na maging hosts ng mga programa dito sa TV5, at ‘yung nangangarap na maging artista – pang teleserye, pang sitcom, sa lahat, abangan ‘nyo, may magandang regalo sa inyo ang MediaQuest,” he said.
(Those who are dreaming to become hosts of programs on TV5, and those dreaming to act on teleseryes and sitcoms, all of them, just wait, MediaQuest has a nice gift for you.)
MediaQuest is MVP’s company for his media assets ranging from broadcasting, cable TV, radio, film, and print. Aside from TV5, it includes Radyo5 on the FM band; digital and cable channels One News, One Sports, One PH, Buko Channel; broadsheets Philippine Star, BusinessWorld; and MQuest Ventures, among others.
MQuest Ventures, a subsidiary of MediaQuest Holdings, is described as the “content creation hub” of the group for film, TV production, talent management and live events.
In 2023, MQuest Ventures signed a joint venture with showbiz veterans Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto, and Joey de Leon’s TVJ Productions to produce Eat Bulaga! on TV5. It also co-produced the award-winning film, GomBurZa, with the Jesuits’ Jescom Films.
MediaQuest Holdings acquired TV5 in 2010, but the network has had difficulty turning in a profit due to the dominance of the country’s leading broadcasting companies, ABS-CBN and GMA Network.
However, after the Duterte administration stripped the Lopez family-led ABS-CBN of its lucrative broadcast business in 2020, TV5 has seen an uptick in its ratings and it now hopes to be able to make money. Aside from taking in Revillame, it has also signed former Kapamilya funny man Marc Logan, who now has a weekly magazine show.
ABS-CBN has since pivoted into being a content provider to its former competitors, including TV5 and GMA.
According to GMA Network’s latest annual report, while GMA Channel 7 is still the Philippines’ dominant free tv channel with a 47.5% audience share in January to December 2023, TV5 has overtaken GMA’s sister channel GTV (formerly Good TV) as the Philippines’ number two channel.
In 2023, TV5 had an audience share of 11.8% overtaking GTV’s audience share of 11.2%, based on Nielsen TV Audience Measurement (TAM).
TV5’s audience share improved by 4.5 percentage points, from 7.1% in 2022 to 11.8% 2023.
GTV’s audience share fell slightly by 1.4 percentage points, from 12.6% in 2022 to 11.2% in 2023.
TV5 has pivoted into becoming a purely entertainment and news channel after dropping the airing of PBA Games, which it passed on to RPN via RPTV.
Televangelist Eddie Villanueva’s Zoe Network’s A2Z Channel’s audience share went up marginally from 9.7% in 2022 to 10.2% in 2023. Most of its entertainment shows are produced by ABS-CBN, including the popular FPJ’s Batang Quiapo teleserye.
A2Z, a partnership with ABS-CBN, was launched in October 2020, five months after ABS-CBN lost its broadcasting business. It has since expanded its reach in the Visayas via House Speaker Martin Romualdez’s Philippine Collective Media Corporation. Some A2Z programs are now aired via Romualdez’s PRTV Channel in Tacloban, Leyte, his home province.
On Tuesday, April 23, ABS-CBN signed a partnership with Villar’s ALLTV on the airing of some of its Kapamilya entertainment shows and its flagship news program, TV Patrol, on its former free tv Channel 2. Villar took over ABS-CBN’s Channel 2 frequency in 2022. Like then-House majority leader Martin Romualdez, Villar’s daughter, Camille, was one of 70 members of a House panel who voted against a new franchise for ABS-CBN.
ABS-CBN signed a joint venture with Romualdez’s Prime Media in 2023 that revived its radio platform TeleRadyo on its former radio frequency 630 on the AM band. ABS-CBN provides the content for the station DWPM. – Rappler.com
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PISTON to hold nationwide transport strike from April 29 to May 1
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Michelle Abad
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27/04/2024 15:01
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Jeepney drivers belonging to PISTON, stage a protest in Monumento, Caloocan, to start their transport strike against the government’s public utility vehicle modernization program, on November 20, 2023.
Rappler
MANILA, Philippines – Transportation group PISTON is set to conduct a three-day nationwide strike from April 29 to May 1, coinciding with the “final” April 30 deadline for jeepneys to consolidate.
At the Pandesal Forum in Quezon City on Saturday, April 27, PISTON deputy secretary general Ruben Baylon said that the drivers and operators were holding the strike to fight for their livelihoods, with little belief that the consolidation of public utility vehicle (PUV) operators would be advantageous to the sector. PISTON has held several strikes before.
“Pinatunayan na sa kasaysayan na nagkandalugi, nabaon sa utang, at nagkandasira ‘yung mga unit…. Ang gusto nating modernization [ay] progresibo, makabayan, tunay na abot-kaya na pamasahe ng mga mamamayan,” he said in a video of the forum recorded by the forum host, the Kamuning Bakery Cafe.
(Past experiences have shown how consolidated jeepneys have gone out of business and into debt, and how the units broke down…. The modernization we want is progressive, patriotic, and with affordable fares for citizens.)
Under the PUV Modernization Program, the government requires jeepneys and UV Express units to either form or join a cooperative or corporation to continue operating. The deadline to consolidate has gone through several extensions and the “final” extension of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is until April 30.
PISTON and other groups have been protesting industry consolidation, citing fears that it may allow businesses and large entities to monopolize public transportation.
“As May 1st approaches, a time when the government should commemorate and recognize the contributions of workers to societal progress, thousands of drivers and operators are at risk of losing their livelihoods due to the worsening transportation system in the country,” Baylon said.
In the Saturday forum, former Bayan Muna representative Ferdinand Gaite said that labor groups will support the transportation workers on May 1, Labor Day.
“Makikita natin na habang ang ating mga tsuper, operator, at iba pa sa transport groups ay magsasagawa ng tigil pasada, ang tugon ng mga manggagawa ay malakihan at malawakang kilos-protesta,” said Gaite, adding that workers from the public and private sectors will mobilize in solidarity.
(While the drivers, operators, and other transport groups will strike, we will see the workers responding with wide-scale protests.)
In Metro Manila, several labor groups have already announced plans to hold rallies for workers’ rights, such as the continued lobby for higher wages.
Gaite lamented how the Marcos administration prioritized issues like charter change and the Maharlika Investment Fund – both embroiled in controversies – rather than workers’ rights.
After April 30, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has said it will revoke the franchises of individual operators who failed to consolidate, meaning that only consolidated units will be allowed to ply routes in Metro Manila.
LTFRB Chair Teofilo Guadiz III said in March that around 80% of PUVs have consolidated. – Rappler.com
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I hope that someone will write about “The modernization we want is progressive, patriotic, and with affordable fares for citizens” through Rappler. For the moment, I agree with “industry consolidation, citing fears that it may allow businesses and large entities to monopolize public transportation.” It is payback time in favor of the 2022 Presidential Election Campaign Fund donors and other entrepreneurs close to the eyes, ears, and hearts of the Marcos-Romualdez Political Dynasty.
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Fly high in Albay! Legazpi to host Hot Air Balloon Festival in May
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Steph Arnaldo
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27/04/2024 17:17
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PIHABF
MANILA, Philippines – Who’s ready to fly? Clark, Pampanga’s iconic Hot Air Balloon Festival will be debuting in the Bicol region at Legazpi City in Albay province for “A Weekend of Everything Flies” on May 3 to 5, Friday to Sunday, at the old Legazpi airport!
With the majestic Mayon Volcano as its backdrop, the balloon festival and airshow will feature different hot air balloons, like Brazil’s Bidu and the UK’s Bella and Buster (different dogs), Party Balloon from USA, UK’s Dyno (a dinosaur), and Belgium’s Princess Nelly (an elephant), among others.
The Global Stars aerobatic team will also put on a show of thrilling aircraft stunts, accompanied by daytime smoke trails and nighttime pyrotechnics.
Ako Bicol Representative Zaldy Co said in a media statement that the international spectacle – inspired by the beauty of Cappadocia, Turkey and headlined by foreign pilots and participants – will serve as a “catalyst for revitalizing tourism throughout Albay and the wider Bicol region.”
“This event promises to attract spectators, generate tourism-related employment, bolster sales of local products, and invigorate our regional economy,” Co said.
Guests can also expect drone light shows, fireworks displays, and “Night Glow,” where hot air balloons will illuminate the evening sky to synchronized music. There will also be exhibitions featuring paramotors, kites, FPV drones, ultralight planes, and car drifters.
Bicol cuisine and artisanal products will also be available at the “Fly Market” and its food booths.
Entrance to the event is free, but advanced online booking is advised for those who want to try the hot air balloon flights, tethered rides, tandem skydiving, or tandem paragliding, as slots are limited.
The annual Hot Air Balloon Festival is organized by the Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta (PIHABF), and is typically held in Clark and New Clark City in Tarlac. For the past three decades, the event’s purpose has been to “ignite aviation interest among youth, instill discipline in aspiring pilots, and foster a spirit of community volunteerism.”
Guests can avail of the ride tickets via www.balloonfiesta.ph. – Rappler.com
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Eldrew Yulo snags all-around silver in Pacific Rim Gymnastics Championships
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delfin.dioquino editor
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27/04/2024 16:59
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RAISE THE FLAG. Eldrew Yulo in action for the Philippines in the 2023 Asian Artistic Gymnastics Championships.
Emily Chan/Asian Artistic Gymnastics Championships
MANILA, Philippines – Eldrew Yulo opened his campaign in the Pacific Rim Gymnastics Championships in Cali, Colombia, in style as he snagged silver in the junior individual all-around on Saturday, April 27.
Yulo totaled 77.15 points from the six apparatuses to finish behind home bet Keynher Camilo Vera Carrascal, who struck gold with 78.35 points.
Mexico’s Juan David Hernandez Andrade bagged bronze with 75.75 points.
Yulo, the younger brother of world champion Carlos Yulo, also set himself up for more medal opportunities as he reached the finals of all the six apparatuses.
He topped the qualification in floor exercise (13.75 points), placed second in vault (13.875 points), and recorded 12.85 points in parallel bars, 12.35 points in pommel horse, 12.1 points in still rings, and 11.3 points in horizontal bar.
The apparatus finals are set on Sunday, April 28.
Also representing the country in Colombia are the men’s team of John Ivan Cruz, Juancho Miguel Besana, Jhon Santillan, Jan Gwynn Timbang, and Justin Ace de Leon.
Iza Yulo, Charlie Manzano, and Kursten Lopez make up the women’s team. – Rappler.com
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Philippines denies deal with China over disputed South China Sea shoal
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Mia Gonzalez
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27/04/2024 12:59
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AYUNGIN MISSION. Chinese ships surround a Philippine Coast Guard ship on a resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal on September 28, 2023.
Philippine Coast Guard
MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines on Saturday, April 27, denied a Chinese claim that the two countries had reached an agreement over an escalating maritime dispute in the South China Sea, calling the claim propaganda.
A spokesperson at China’s embassy in Manila said on April 18 that the two had agreed early this year to a “new model” in managing tensions at the Second Thomas Shoal (called Ayungin Shoal in Manila), without elaborating.
Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said on Saturday his department was “not aware of, nor is it a party to, any internal agreement with China” since President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. took office in 2022. Defense department officials have not spoken to any Chinese officials since last year, Teodoro said in a statement.
China’s embassy in Manila did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Teodoro’s comments outside office hours.
Beijing and Manila have repeatedly clashed in recent months at the submerged reef, which Philippines says is in its exclusive economic zone but which China also claims.
The Philippines had accused China of blocking maneuvers and firing water cannons at its vessels to disrupt supply missions to Filipino soldiers stationed in a naval ship which Manila deliberately grounded in 1999 to bolster its maritime claims.
China claims almost the entire South China Sea, a conduit for more than $3 trillion in annual ship commerce. Its claims overlap with those of the Philippines and four other nations. In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague said China’s claims had no legal basis, a decision Beijing rejects.
Teodoro called China’s claims of a bilateral agreement “part of the Chinese propaganda,” adding that the Philippines would never enter into any agreement that would compromise its claims in the waterway.
“The narrative that unnamed or unidentified Chinese officials are propagating is another crude attempt to advance a falsehood,” he said. – Rappler.com
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PISTON to hold nationwide transport strike from April 29 to May 1
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Michelle Abad
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27/04/2024 15:01
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Jeepney drivers belonging to PISTON, stage a protest in Monumento, Caloocan, to start their transport strike against the government’s public utility vehicle modernization program, on November 20, 2023.
Rappler
MANILA, Philippines – Transportation group PISTON is set to conduct a three-day nationwide strike from April 29 to May 1, coinciding with the “final” April 30 deadline for jeepneys to consolidate.
At the Pandesal Forum in Quezon City on Saturday, April 27, PISTON deputy secretary general Ruben Baylon said that the drivers and operators were holding the strike to fight for their livelihoods, with little belief that the consolidation of public utility vehicle (PUV) operators would be advantageous to the sector. PISTON has held several strikes before.
“Pinatunayan na sa kasaysayan na nagkandalugi, nabaon sa utang, at nagkandasira ‘yung mga unit…. Ang gusto nating modernization [ay] progresibo, makabayan, tunay na abot-kaya na pamasahe ng mga mamamayan,” he said in a video of the forum recorded by the forum host, the Kamuning Bakery Cafe.
(Past experiences have shown how consolidated jeepneys have gone out of business and into debt, and how the units broke down…. The modernization we want is progressive, patriotic, and with affordable fares for citizens.)
Under the PUV Modernization Program, the government requires jeepneys and UV Express units to either form or join a cooperative or corporation to continue operating. The deadline to consolidate has gone through several extensions and the “final” extension of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is until April 30.
PISTON and other groups have been protesting industry consolidation, citing fears that it may allow businesses and large entities to monopolize public transportation.
“As May 1st approaches, a time when the government should commemorate and recognize the contributions of workers to societal progress, thousands of drivers and operators are at risk of losing their livelihoods due to the worsening transportation system in the country,” Baylon said.
In the Saturday forum, former Bayan Muna representative Ferdinand Gaite said that labor groups will support the transportation workers on May 1, Labor Day.
“Makikita natin na habang ang ating mga tsuper, operator, at iba pa sa transport groups ay magsasagawa ng tigil pasada, ang tugon ng mga manggagawa ay malakihan at malawakang kilos-protesta,” said Gaite, adding that workers from the public and private sectors will mobilize in solidarity.
(While the drivers, operators, and other transport groups will strike, we will see the workers responding with wide-scale protests.)
In Metro Manila, several labor groups have already announced plans to hold rallies for workers’ rights, such as the continued lobby for higher wages.
Gaite lamented how the Marcos administration prioritized issues like charter change and the Maharlika Investment Fund – both embroiled in controversies – rather than workers’ rights.
After April 30, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has said it will revoke the franchises of individual operators who failed to consolidate, meaning that only consolidated units will be allowed to ply routes in Metro Manila.
LTFRB Chair Teofilo Guadiz III said in March that around 80% of PUVs have consolidated. – Rappler.com
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I hope that someone will write about “The modernization we want is progressive, patriotic, and with affordable fares for citizens” through Rappler. For the moment, I agree with “industry consolidation, citing fears that it may allow businesses and large entities to monopolize public transportation.” It is payback time in favor of the 2022 Presidential Election Campaign Fund donors and other entrepreneurs close to the eyes, ears, and hearts of the Marcos-Romualdez Political Dynasty.
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‘8-0 is nothing’: San Miguel on its toes as perfect run continues
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delfin.dioquino editor
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26/04/2024 23:25
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EVADE. CJ Perez in action for the San Miguel Beermen in the 2024 PBA Philippine Cup.
PBA Images
MANILA, Philippines – San Miguel looks every bit the favorite to win it all in the PBA Philippine Cup, becoming the first team in a decade to go 8-0.
But that feat also comes with imminent danger, considering the last team to win as many games without a loss – the TNT Tropang Texters in the 2014 Commissioner’s Cup – fell short of the championship.
That TNT squad actually went 13-0, sweeping all of its games from the elimination round to the semifinals before it bowed to the San Mig Super Coffee Mixers in the finals.
In fact, according to PBA chief statistician Fidel Mangonon, the last four teams which went unbeaten through their first seven games of the conference failed to win the title.
And the reality that opposing teams are hell-bent on tarnishing their spotless record is not lost on the Beermen.
“For sure, the target is on us. 8-0 is nothing. We need to sustain the things we do in practice and in games,” said San Miguel star CJ Perez after their 98-91 win over Magnolia at the Araneta Coliseum on Friday, April 26.
Perez has been showing that he is wary of complacency as he continues to deliver quality performances day in and day out, torching the Hotshots to the tune of a game-high 25 points on top of 5 assists and 2 steals.
It marked the fourth straight game Perez scored at least 25 points as he conspired with Chris Ross in the fourth quarter to help the Beermen keep Magnolia at bay.
Perez and Ross scattered 11 and 9 points, respectively, in the fourth period, with the two knocking down back-to-back three-pointers in the final 1:05 minutes that pushed a slim 92-89 lead to a commanding 98-89 cushion.
“I just want to be consistent every game. It does not matter which team we’re up against, I always want to give my best,” said Perez.
Ross finished with 15 points off a 5-of-10 clip from beyond the arc, Marcio Lassiter added 12 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 steals, while Mo Tautuaa put up 10 points and 7 rebounds.
Seven-time league MVP June Mar Fajardo chimed in 9 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists in the win that allowed San Miguel to inch closer to its goal of securing a top-two finish that merits a win-once bonus in the quarterfinals.
Beermen guard Jericho Cruz also netted 9 points with 4 rebounds in his return from a two-game absence caused by a heel injury.
Paul Lee churned out 23 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 steals, but his finest game of the conference went down the drain as the Hotshots ran out of gas in their comeback from a 20-point deficit.
Magnolia got buried 14-34 early in the second quarter before it slowly clawed its way back into the game, pulling within 89-92 off a pair of Lee free throws with 1:25 minutes remaining.
But the Hotshots’ hopes were dashed when Ross and Perez each sank a triple as they saw their four-game winning streak halted and fell to 5-3.
Aris Dionisio tallied 22 points and 10 rebounds in the losing effort.
San Miguel 98 – Perez 25, Ross 15, Lassiter 12, Tautuaa 10, Fajardo 9, Brondial 9, Cruz 9, Romeo 6, Trollano 3, Manuel 0.
Magnolia 91– Lee 23, Dionisio 22, Sangalang 17, Mendoza 8, Barroca 9, Laput 6, Tratter 5,Dela Rosa 1, Escoto 0, Balanza 0, Eriobu 0, Abueva 0.
Quarters: 24-11, 51-40, 70-64, 98-91.
– Rappler.com
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[OPINION] Of pancit, adobo and takoyaki: Colonialism, cuisine, culture
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Glenda Gloria
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27/04/2024 9:40
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After a sunny stroll, I had lunch with a group of Korean students. I asked one of them about her view on Filipino food. She said that Pinoy cuisine may be “masarap (delicious),” but collectively, it tends to be oily, fatty, and too sweet. In short, appetizing yet somewhat unhealthy.
After the short conversation, she got a spoonful of chopsuey because, according to her, vegetables are a much healthier fare.
The late Doreen Gamboa-Fernandez is known for her food criticism and teaching prowess. She is one of the pillars of Filipino food writing along with literary giants Gilda Cordero-Fernando and Clinton Palanca. Well-loved by her students in the Ateneo, the Queen of All Media Kris Aquino once sat in her writing class. Rumor has it that she is claimed to be Aquino’s favorite teacher, a hearsay I learned from a fellow teacher who eats showbiz news for breakfast.
Fernandez’s Palayok essay overviews how food symbolizes one’s cultural identity. As a melting pot, the Philippines is like a haluhalo, a sweet concoction made of shaved ice, milk, ube, random fruits, beans, and jellies. Often referred to as “halo-halo” and mistranslated by vloggers as “mix-mix,” this unofficial national dessert shares similarities in how Filipino cuisine is heavily influenced by a mixture of colonial influences adapted to the local palate.
The Chinese, despite not colonizing the Philippines, influenced Filipino cuisine. Pinoy comfort foods like lumpiang Shanghai and pancit Canton bear the names of places in China. If translated to English, they are addressed as “Filipino spring rolls” and “Filipino stir-fried noodles,” respectively. Notice how the modifiers specifying the Chinese places, when translated to English, are replaced with “Filipino.” Hence, this proves how we Filipinos made Chinese dishes as our own.
No Pinoy birthday is complete without pancit, a noodle dish that varies in ingredients based on a particular locality. Tracing its etymology to Hokkien’s “pian i sit,” which means “convenient food,” this dish is also a symbol of long life. However, such belief is challenged in most teleseryes as this pambansang pasalubong is a common prop for a trope that foreshadows one character is about to pass away.
Different places have their own spin on the much-loved pansit.
Pancit Malabon is topped with seafood because of its abundance in the city. Other equally flavorful pancit varieties one should not miss are pancit bato of Bicol (not to be confused that such dish never contained an actual rock), pancit batil patong of Cagayan, and pancit habhab of Quezon, among others.
With the influx of vloggers flocking to Binondo, colloquially known as the country’s Chinatown, numerous Chinoy foods are being reintroduced to today’s audience. This results in more Filipinos, and even foreigners, eager to try the real deal beyond the familiar pansit, siopao, or siomai.
Besides forced indoctrination Catholicism, Spanish friars brought their food, and that included the famed adobo, a dish usually consisting of meat, either pork or chicken, marinated with soy sauce and vinegar, combined with garlic, black peppercorn, and bay leaf. Some versions replace meat with seafood or vegetables.
Different from its Spanish, Puerto Rican, and Mexican counterparts, the Filipino adobo boasts other versions based on color, such as adobong pula (red), adobong puti (white), and adobong dilaw (yellow). Furthermore, each Filipino family has their own way of cooking adobo. Hence, there is no correct or prescriptive way to cook a dish based on kutob and tantiya of the recados (hunch and estimate of the amount of ingredients).
Although adobo is unofficially claimed to be the national dish, other Filipino foods like sinigang and lechon could steal its title as they are also well-loved by many. Other Fil-Hispanic foods enjoyed on every Filipino occasion, from birthdays to fiestas, are lengua, caldereta, chorizo, and of course, the succulent yet sinful roasted pig.
The Spanish are also known for their love of decadence, known as panghimagas. The variety of desserts probably caused a generation of Filipinos to develop a sweet tooth (and numerous trips to the dentist) and, of course, “jabetis.” Blame them for introducing leche flan, yema, and Brazo de Mercedes to our diet.
The so-called “friends, partners, allies” Americans not only changed the country’s educational system but also wired Filipino brains the love for all things canned and fried. Besides their agenda to push the hegemonized English language over our mother tongue as a medium of instruction, Filipinos are somewhat brainwashed that anything American is always superior to others, including one’s own. Hence, colonial mentality is long ingrained in our identity as Filipinos.
Americans introduced fast-food and child obesity, too, to the islands. Besides Jesus Christ, I assume every Filipino kid can recognize a clown and a bee as mascots of the rival joints. Jollibee (not sponsored, unfortunately) is the nation’s response to localizing American fast-food joints. If the American South enjoys fried chicken as soul food, Chicken Joy is probably the Philippine equivalent. Just replace waffles and maple syrup with rice and gravy!
If Americans take pride in their apple pies, often a Thanksgiving staple, Filipinos enjoy a whole buko pie, often bought as a pasalubong and shared with family and friends. The young coconut, an endemic fruit known for its multiple uses and benefits, is the key ingredient to the said delicacy. A known fast-food giant in the Philippines sells other versions of pies besides buko pie (the appearance is more of a sweet hot pocket than a usual slice of pie) like ube cheese pie, ube macapuno pie, and the notable peach mango pie.
In the diaspora, more and more multi-hyphenated Filipinos opened Pinoy restaurants to cater to balikbayans and locals. Ube is now enjoying the international limelight, much as how matcha from Japan is now a fixture in most coffee shops and dessert spots in the Philippines. With the attraction of Pinoy cuisine to the world stage, a Michelin star might be possible sooner or later.
Go outside and look at what most food stands sell. Siomai is Chinese. Shawarma is Middle Eastern. Takoyaki is Japanese. Tteokbokki is Korean. Despite some claims that such food sold in our streets is not authentic, this proves how Pinoys, with their entrepreneurial mindset, can suit international food to the Pinoy tongue. Likewise, more and more restaurants now offer international fare. However, Filipino food from marginalized sectors needs to be celebrated as well.
The number of content creators sharing Pinoy food as content is indeed growing. Viewership is capitalized. Notice how the humble pares by Diwata is being milked by some content creators to the point of being overhyped. As much as we want to support Pinoy food, viewers should also be media literate and mindful of online reviews.
The Philippines is more than just Chicken Joy or adobo. Start by avoiding having a myopic view of food. Take pride (or even dare to eat) balut or tamilok even once in your lifetime. Stay curious. Embrace multiculturalism. Always be hungry. – Rappler.com
Patrick Ernest Celso is a faculty member under the Department of Filipino at De La Salle University, Manila, and the Department of Literature at University of Santo Tomas. He is taking PhD in Philippine Studies-Language, Culture, and Media, at DLSU. He likes to take photos of food before eating.
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Facebook show hosts accused of stealing Cebu City gov’t page to be arraigned April 30
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jsitchon0312
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27/04/2024 11:35
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ARREST. On Wednesday, April 24, the Cebu Updates Facebook page released an official statement on the show hosts' arrest, stating their "unyielding" commitment to revealing the Cebu City government's corruption and wrongdoings.
Rappler.com
CEBU, Philippines – The Regional Trial Court Branch 11 in Cebu City has set on Tuesday, April 30, the arraignment and pre-trial conference for the Cebu Updates Facebook page programs hosts accused of stealing what used to be the Cebu City government’s social media page.
The arraignment of Cebu Updates Facebook page program hosts Erwin dela Cerna and Christian Tura comes nearly a week after they were arrested and later released from detention after posting bail of P120,000 each, on April 24, for alleged violation of the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.
On February 5, Estela Grace Rosit, then-head of the Cebu City Public Information Office (PIO), filed a complaint for illegal access and computer-related identity theft before the Office of the City Prosecutor against Cebu Updates Facebook page program hosts Erwin dela Cerna and Christian Tura.
At the time, the Cebu City government claimed that Dela Cerna and Tura used the Cebu Updates page as “a tool for propaganda.” The local government also said that the page used to belong to the city’s Public Information Office (PIO). (READ: How a former Cebu City gov’t Facebook page became a ‘propaganda’ tool)
In a resolution dated March 13, Assistant City Prosecutor Lei Maurae Babatuan said that there was enough evidence to establish that the Cebu Updates page was originally created for the Cebu City government.
“After tracing the historical chain as to how the Cebu City Public Information Office came to be known by a different name Cebu Updates, there exists probable cause to indict the Respondents for Violation of Sec. 4(a), Paragraph 1 of Republic Act 1075 for Illegal Access,” a resolution from the City Prosecutor’s Office read.
While Tura and Dela Cerna claimed in their counter-affidavits that they were not administrators of the page and only show talents, Babatuan stressed that it does not change the fact that their access to the page is “without right.”
“Who gave them the permission to do so, if they did not have direct access to it? They neither denied the fact of change done to the name of Cebu City Public Information Office to Cebu Updates,” Babatuan said.
Babatuan added that there was also probable cause to indict the show hosts for computer-related identity theft for stealing the identity of the PIO, which the Cebu Updates page was originally associated with.
After the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group Central Visayas Regional Field Unit served the arrest warrant and detained the show hosts at Camp Sotero Cabahug in Cebu City on April 24, the Cebu Updates Facebook page released a statement.
“Samtang kining legal nga mga hagit mahimong temporaryong makababag sa atong mga paningkamot sa adbokasiya, dili kini makapakunhod sa atong determinasyon sa pagbutyag sa sayop nga binuhatan sa gobyerno,” Cebu Updates said.
(While these legal challenges may temporarily impedes our efforts towards our advocacy, this will not diminish our determination to reveal the wrongdoings of the government)
“Nagpabilin kita nga lig-on sa atong tinguha sa usa ka limpyo ug matinud-anon nga pangagamhanan, atubangan sa ka walay hibangkaagan nga administrasyon ni Michael Rama,” they added.
(We remain strong in our goal towards a clean and genuine government facing against the ruthless administration of Michael Rama.)
Rappler has reached out to Tura and Dela Cerna for more information regarding the case and their arrest but has yet to receive any reply. This article will be updated once they do. – Rappler.com
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South Cotabato in state of calamity as El Niño destroys P200M in crops and livestock
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Mia Gonzalez
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27/04/2024 11:14
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DRY LAND. Prolonged dry weather in South Cotabato dried up wells and other water sources, affecting farmlands and causing damages valued at more than P200 million.
Rommel Rebollido
GENERAL SANTOS, Philippines – Provincial legislators on Friday, April 26, placed South Cotabato under a state of calamity due to the destruction caused by the prolonged dry weather conditions and declining water sources.
On the same day, the Koronadal City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC) recommended the declaration of state of calamity in South Cotabato’s capital.
Three towns in the province were earlier placed under a state of calamity – Surallah on April 15, Tboli on April 22, and Banga on April 17.
South Cotabato is the second of the four provinces in the Soccsksargen to be placed under a state of calamity. On April 15, the Sultan Kudarat provincial legislative board declared a state of calamity in the entire province as being in a state of calamity.
The South Cotabato Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) reported on Thursday, April 24, that their initial assessment has shown damages to agricultural crops, livestock and infrastructure, amounting to more than P200 million.
At least five towns were deemed hardest hit by the prolonged drought. These towns include the three that are already in a state of calamity and the towns of Tantangan and Norala, which have not been declared as under a state of calamity as of this posting, contrary to local media reports.
PDRRMO head Rolly Doane Aquino said the prolonged dry weather and intense heat induced by the El Niño phenomenon damaged at least P157 million worth of crops, mostly corn valued at least P124-million.
The report also said that rice production was affected with losses placed at P16 million, while damage to other high-value crops was at P14 million. Damage to livestock was at P6 million.
Aquino said several incidents of wildfires in the province have also incurred P38 million in losses.
The El Niño-induced dry weather the past weeks affected close to 3,000 South Cotabato farmers, said Vice Governor Arthur Pingoy, citing reports from the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist.
Pingoy said damage to corn crops affected mostly farmers in the towns of Tboli and Lake Sebu, while rice fields in Surallah town took the brunt of the harsh weather.
Agriculture officials earlier reported that irrigation dams in the province have been drying up due to the intense heat made worse by having less rainfall the past weeks.
There is a noted decline in the level of the Allah River that traverses the towns of Tboli, Surallah, Sto. Niño, and Norala towards the Sultan Kudarat towns of Isulan and Esperanza and drains to the Ligawasan Marsh.
Surallah Mayor Pedro Matinong said their town suffered losses amounting to P71.8 million.
The prolonged dry spell affected about a thousand hectares of farmlands and displaced more than a thousand farmers, the mayor said. He said nine villages in his town have earlier declared a state of calamity after farmlands sustained damages from the effects of intense heat and less rainfall.
In declaring a state of calamity in the town of Banga, Vice Mayor Gemma Lloren said the severe dry conditions in the town have caused widespread damage to crops, mainly corn and rice.
Citing reports of the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, Lloren said damage to corn farms was more than P30.6 million, affecting at least a thousand hectares. At least 144 hectares of rice fields have been affected, valued at about P5.2 million.
Banga town also incurred losses in 253 hectares of high value crops worth P75.8 million and P2.6 million in aquaculture, the official said
In the town of Tboli, the long drought caused wells and other water sources to dry up, affecting agricultural crops and livestock valued at least P63 million. – Rappler.com
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Mario Dionisio Jr. juggled security guard job and law school, now he’s a PAO lawyer
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Jairo Bolledo
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27/04/2024 8:00
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INSPIRATION. Mario Dionisio Jr. worked as a security guard to send himself to law school. Now, he is the district head of the Public Attorney's Office in Quezon City.
Rappler
Perfectly ironed sleeves, partnered with black pants and shoes. Towering height, calming but commanding voice. These things can easily be associated with Mario Dionisio Jr., a Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) lawyer.
Dionisio spends most of his time inside their office located in one of the top floors of Justice Cecilia Muñoz Palma Hall in the Quezon City hall compound. He heads the PAO Quezon City district.
As the chief, Dionisio oversees 87 lawyers under his supervision. He ensures that their PAO lawyers have the eagerness to help their indigent clients. Dionisio said they cannot let their guards down and be lax, otherwise, their case loads would pile up.
“We have to be proactive enough kung paano namin matutulungan ‘yong korte sa disposal ng mga kaso (on how we can help courts dispose of cases),” Dionisio told Rappler in an interview.
Dionisio has been with PAO, the government’s primary legal office that provides free legal assistance to indigent Filipinos, for the last 16 years. However, it took him just as long to get there, if not more.
To afford sending himself to law school, Dionisio worked as a security guard.
All by himself, he enrolled at the Manuel L. Quezon University School of Law. While studying for most of the day, Dionisio worked as a security guard for establishments during the night. Time management was key.
His day back then usually started at 11 am. After preparing for school, Dionisio would travel to Quiapo, Manila, from his rented room in Cubao, Quezon City, to study. He said he typically stayed in the library from 12 noon to 5 pm to read.
His classes would end at 9:30 pm, so he had 30 minutes to travel from school to work. While on duty, Dionisio made sure the establishment he was guarding was safe. On the side, he studied some of the required readings and cases for school.
At 6 am the next day his shift would end, giving him only around five hours to sleep before preparing again for school. Dionisio survived the first few years of law school in this set-up, but things became much harder later on.
He narrated how his class schedule, on top of varying assignments for his security guard job, took a toll on him. It was difficult for him, he said, since there was no permanent establishment he was assigned to guard. He jumped from one location to another, until the assignments became much farther.
Financial difficulty was also another challenge for Dionisio. He could not afford to buy law books, so he made sure he spent time inside the school library. While there, Dionisio said he would write in a small notebook the pertinent provisions that he needed to memorize. He also photocopied some of the books, so he had copies of the cases he needed to read.
“‘Yon lang ‘yong naging paraan ko kung paano ako makapag-aral doon sa mga cases na in-assign. You have to be ready for the recitation, eh hindi naman po puwedeng wala kang nabasa at all (That was my way to study the assigned cases for school. You have to be ready for recitation, you cannot go to school without reading anything at all),” he told Rappler.
When he was in fourth year, he quit his security guard job, tried his luck, and applied for a job in a government agency. The National Tax Research Center (NTRC), under the Department of Finance, opened its doors to him and hired him.
Although he grew up in idyllic Aklan province, Dionisio knew at a young age his life would not experience the same green pastures if he did not persevere. He was still an infant when his father died, so Dionisio said his grandparents took care of him. His mother transferred to Manila to work as a domestic helper, leaving Dionisio and his siblings in Aklan.
Due to poverty, he and his two siblings did not grow up together; a typical set-up for underprivileged families. As he remained with their grandparents, his other sibling was taken by their mother’s second cousin, while the other was taken care of by their uncle.
He studied hard and finished high school on time. The problem was, his mother told him she could not support his tertiary education because their eldest sibling was still studying at the time. “Probinsiya” (province) culture, Dionisio said, as some families in the countryside can only support one college student at a time, if none at all.
Dionisio knew he needed to do something. He inquired about schools that offered scholarships.
Fortunately, he was admitted by the Northwestern Visayan Colleges in Kalibo as a scholar. Since the condition for his scholarship was to maintain good grades, Dionisio said he studied really hard. After four years, he graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminology.
After graduating, Dionisio flew to Manila to apply as a cop in Camp Bagong Diwa. The Philippine National Police rejected him because he was not yet 21 years old at that time. He said he could not return to the province because there were less opportunities there. He decided to apply for a security guard post, and shortly after, decided to enroll in law school.
The rest was history: “Sobrang laki ng pagkakaiba ng buhay ko noon at buhay ko ngayon. Actually, ‘yong mga kakilala ko sa probinsiya, nagugulat nga sila na abogado ka na pala. Hindi nila iniisip ‘yon na magiging abogado ako kasi nga sino ba naman [kami], wala namang kakayahan ‘yung pamilya, ‘di ba?”
(There’s a big difference between my life then and now. Actually, those people I know from the province were surprised to learn that I am now a lawyer. It did not occur to them that I would be a lawyer because I came from humble beginnings, right?)
After hurdling law school, Dionisio did not immediately become a lawyer as he flunked the Bar exams on his first try.
“No’ng time na hindi ako pumasa sa Bar exams, iniyakan ko ‘yon eh. Sabi ko kay Lord, ‘Ipasa mo lang ako, Lord at magsisilbi talaga ako sa bayan at ipapangako ko sa Iyo, I want to have a covenant with you na gagawin ko yung nararapat: ang tumulong sa mga mahihirap,'” Dionisio said.
(When I did not pass the Bar Exams, I cried. I told the Lord, “Please allow me to pass, Lord, and I will serve the country, and I promise you, I want to have a covenant with you that I will do what’s right: help the poor.)
On his second try, he passed the 2006 Bar exams. The results were released in 2007. Dionisio said he was sure God was with him because his application with PAO went smoothly. Of the big bunch of applicants who sought to enter the office, he was the only one picked for the vacancy in PAO Manila.
Another thing was, when he was still applying to be a PAO lawyer, a multinational company offered him a job and he was told he could start immediately for the corporation. For Dionisio, it was a test, a temptation. He followed his heart and kept his promise; he turned down the corporate job even though he was not yet hired for PAO at that time.
He left his job at the NTRC to transfer to PAO in 2007. Public lawyering was indeed challenging, he said, because of the workload and low pay of PAO lawyers back then.
“Tapos there was a time nga na tatlong courts ang hawak ko. Lagare ako umaga-hapon, then every day mayroong hearing (And there was a time that I handled three courts. I worked from morning until afternoon, every day there was a hearing),” he said.
After years of working as a PAO lawyer, he was promoted to division head. Later on, he was also picked to become assistant district head. In 2019, he was chosen to lead PAO Manila as its district head, before he was transferred to Quezon City in late 2023.
Just like other public lawyers, Dionisio has a fair share of threats. At the height of the drug war, he held a case involving a police officer. He would travel all the way from Manila to Angeles in Pampanga to attend court proceedings and to his client’s needs.
Dionisio shared that every time he traveled, there was constant fear that he felt, especially since police were implicated in some cases. The last straw was when he received death threats, he said, so he asked the PAO to remove him from the case.
“Actually, lagi namang nando’n ‘yong panganib na ‘yon, lalo sa aming mga abogado. Kaya lang, siyempre, doon pumapasok ‘yong paniniwala ko sa Diyos. Doon pumapasok ‘yong panalangin ko na every day, pagbangon ko pa lang sa umaga, humihingi na ako ng guidance (Actually, the threat is always there, especially to us lawyers. But, of course, that’s where your faith in God comes in. I pray every day, from the moment I wake up, I already ask for guidance),” Dionisio said.
But for Dionisio, the most memorable case he has handled was one involving a child in conflict with the law (CICL). Back in the day, Dionisio said he was assigned to handle a case of a CICL accused of frustrated homicide. With Dionisio’s assistance, authorities decided to sanction the child with diversion and put him under the custody of nongovernment organization, Association Compassion Asian Youth, Inc. for reformation.
Dionisio said under a sanction of diversion, a CICL is handed a diversion contract containing all the terms and conditions he or she needs to comply with. Once the CICL has been reformed and has satisfied all the terms and conditions, the child can be discharged. The case will also be sealed permanently, Dionisio added.
The PAO lawyer said his CICL client is now an aircraft mechanic. Every time his client would be invited to share his experience as one of the models and evidence of the effectiveness of the juvenile justice system, the former CICL would always acknowledge Dionisio as the PAO lawyer who changed his life.
“Napaka-fulfilling ang trabaho ng isang PAO lawyer. At hindi mapapalitan at hindi mapapantayan ng salapi ‘yong pakiramdam na ‘yon na nakatulong ka sa mga tao, na ikaw ‘yong naging instrumento kung paano sila nakalagpas doon sa legal challenges ng mga tao, kung ano na problema ang kinasasadlakan nila. Hindi ‘yon mapapalitan ng pera,” Dionisio said.
(The job of a PAO lawyer is fulfilling. Money can’t buy that fulfillment you feel when you were able to help people, when you became the instrument for their getting past their legal challenges and whatever problem they were embroiled in. You can’t exchange those for money.)
“‘Yon ‘yong dapat na magiging driving force ng mga aplikante o nagnanais na pumasok sa PAO (This should be the driving force for wanting to be a part of PAO). You should have the heart to help. You should have the compassion to help the poor, the indigent, the marginalized.” – Rappler.com
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PBA homecoming set as San Miguel to retire Arwind Santos’ jersey
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delfin.dioquino editor
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27/04/2024 10:28
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TEAM ICON. Arwind Santos in action for the San Miguel Beermen in the 2019 PBA Governors' Cup.
PBA Images
MANILA, Philippines – One of the greatest players in San Miguel franchise history will get the recognition he deserves.
The Beermen will honor Arwind Santos and retire his jersey when San Miguel battles Blackwater in the PBA Philippine Cup on Wednesday, May 1, at the PhilSports Arena as appreciation for the success he brought to the team.
Santos wore No. 29 throughout his 12-year run with the storied franchise, which he helped lead to nine PBA championships.
“We’re going to pay tribute to Arwind for all of his contributions to the franchise. It is just a way of giving back,” said Beermen team manager Gee Abanilla on Friday, April 26.
“The management liked what he gave us in the past. Just showing some gratitude.”
Santos, 42, joined San Miguel in 2009 and became a cornerstone of a dynasty that took the league by storm.
With Santos forming the vaunted “Death Five” with June Mar Fajardo, Chris Ross, Marcio Lassiter, and Alex Cabagnot, the Beermen dominated and won at least one championship in each of the seasons from 2014 to 2019.
That run of supremacy included a record five straight Philippine Cup titles.
While playing for San Miguel, Santos won MVP in 2013, a pair of Finals MVP plums, and two Best Player of the Conference selections.
The Beermen parted ways with Santos in 2021 and traded him to NorthPort, where he spent the next two seasons before he left the league in 2023.
Abanilla said Santos, a member of the 40 Greatest PBA Players list, is pleased by the news.
“He is happy, we’re happy,” said Abanilla.
Santos last played in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League, where he won a championship with the Pampanga Lanterns. – Rappler.com
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BARMM civil society groups insist on another three-year BTA extension
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Herbie G
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26/04/2024 20:57
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TALK. Presidential Adviser on Peace Reconciliation and Unity Carlito Galvez Jr. talks to Maguindanao del Norte Governor Abdulraof Macacua and an MILF official in Camp Darapanan, Maguindanao del Norte on March 27, 2024.
Rommel Rebollido/Rappler
GENERAL SANTOS, Philippines – A coalition of civil society organizations in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) has called on the government to extend the term of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) for another three years, citing unimplemented provisions of the 2014 peace deal forged by the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
The League of Bangsamoro Organizations (LBO) proposed the extension until 2028, which means postponing the BARMM elections again for another three years beginning in 2025.
The BTA serves as the interim governing body tasked with overseeing the transition process in the BARMM until its first parliamentary elections originally set in 2022. Its term, however, was extended and the BARMM elections postponed until 2025. Its members were all appointed by the President, with 39 nominees by the government and 41 nominees from the MILF.
Mahdi Amella, LBO spokesperson, said the coalition was advocating for the extension and was preparing for a caravan-rally to bring the matter to the attention of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. during his scheduled visit to Maguindanao del Norte on Monday, April 29.
Marcos is expected to visit the MILF’s Camp Darapanan in Sultan Kudarat town and Camp Abubakar in Barira town. Now called Camp Iranun, it used to be the main camp of the MILF, and is now home to the 1st Marine Brigade.
Amella told local broadcaster Bandera News TV on Thursday, April 25, the coalition’s member organizations were mobilizing to join the rally on Monday.
Marcos Jr. has already rejected calls for another BTA term extension, according to Carlito Galvez Jr., the presidential adviser on peace, reconciliation, and unity.
Speaking during a grand iftar gathering graced by BARMM Interim Chief Minister Ahod Balawag Ebrahim and other officials, Galvez said the president was firm in having the first regional elections in the region push through next year.
“No more extension, the six years the BTA was extended is already enough,” Galvez said.
Amella and his group, however, asserted that the BTA needs three more years because several provisions in the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) have yet to be fully implemented.
The scheduled 2025 elections in BARMM will end the BTA, the interim lawmaking body that was created by the CAB in March 2014.
Galvez said Marcos made it clear that “the elections need to happen to give legitimacy and accountability to officials” who will be chosen by the people.
The elections will allow voters in the region to pick their bets for the first time to serve in the BARMM parliament. Winning parliament members will vote from among themselves who will be the region’s chief minister.
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is currently listing new voters in the BARMM for the 2025 polls.
In the same gathering, Ebrahim said Marcos himself told them in 2022, when they took their oath in Malacanang, that the extension that was granted “will be the last and there will be no more.”
Ebrahim said what the President said has always reminded them to prepare for the 2025 elections.
“In keeping with what the President said, we are trying our best to prepare for the elections,” he said.
But Ebrahim, who also sits as chairman of the MILF that forged the CAB with the government, said the civil society organizations “have a point in seeking an extension” of the BTA because “there are many CAB provisions that remain unimplemented.” –Rappler.com
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SC sides with Reina Mae Nasino, upholds voiding of their search warrants
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Jairo Bolledo
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26/04/2024 21:08
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GRIEVING. Along with her mother and aunt, Reina Mae Nasino (in black shirt) offer prayers and lights candles at the tomb of her child Baby River at the Manila North cemetery on December 23, 2022.
Rappler
MANILA, Philippines – The Supreme Court (SC) sided with activist Reina Mae Nasino and her companions, and upheld the voiding of search warrants used for their arrest in 2020.
In a resolution, the SC Third Division denied the petition for certiorari filed by Office of the Solcitor General (OSG) challenging the decision that voided the warrants against Nasino, Ram Carlo Bautista, and Alma Moran. In denying the petition, the High Court affirmed the Court of Appeals’ (CA) decision that voided the warrants earlier.
The OSG also failed to show that the appellate court committed any reversible error in voiding the warrants.
Nasino and her companions were arrested during a search operation at the office of progressive group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan on November 5, 2019. Nasino was pregnant at the time. The three were slapped with illegal possession of firearms and explosives charges, but the activists said the police planted the evidence.
Nasino’s arrest was only the start of her misery. She gave birth to her daughter, Baby River, while in jail and at the height of the pandemic. Her case put pressure on the courts to apply humanitarian considerations due to her condition.
While Nasino was in jail, Baby River died shortly after her mother filed a motion for furlough. Nasino only had six hours to say goodbye to her beloved daughter after the court revised the furlough from three days to six hours.
Two years after her arrest, Nasino and her companions were released from detention after Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 47 court granted their petition for bail. The activists’ camp had to post bail amounting to P282,000 for their provisional release.
Before that, in September 2022, the CA already voided the warrant against the activists, citing failure to meet standards. In July 2023, Manila RTC Branch 47 acquitted the three of their charges.
The SC in the ruling cited the requisites of a valid search warrant:
The SC underscored an irregularity in the implementation of the ruling by citing Diaz vs. People. In the said case, the High Court stated that search warrants must particularly describe the place to be searched and items to be seized, otherwise, “it is considered as a general warrant which is proscribed by both jurisprudence and the 1987 Constitution.”
The High Court explained the purpose of this “specificity” is to ensure that law enforcers have no discretion as to where they search and what they seize.
In the warrants used against Nasino and companions, the address was meant for Barangay 183 in Tondo, Manila, and yet the warrant was implemented in Barangay 178. The SC said it agreed with the CA that the warrants lacked specificity of place, adding that the discrepancies in the address “invite abuse of discretion on the part of the law enforcers and thereby circumventing the purpose of the specificity requirement of a search warrant.”
“Strangely, although the subject warrants are only addressed to respondent Bautista, the implementing officers also subjected respondents Moran and Nasino to the search. Hence, it is clear from the foregoing that the latter’s right against unreasonable searches and seizures was clearly violated,” the SC explained. – Rappler.com
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Theater group brings ‘Ballet for Everyone’ to Northern Mindanao
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Herbie G
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27/04/2024 8:30
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The Northern Mindanao show of the Philippine Ballet Theatre kicks off with Gener Caringal's Vinta ballet.
courtesy of Tom Udasco
CAGAYAN DE ORO, Philippines – True to its promise to bring “Ballet for Everyone,” the Philippine Ballet Theatre (PBT) fulfilled its goal to bring the art of dance to the general appreciation of Filipino audiences during its most recent four-city tour in Northern Mindanao.
Dubbed “Music in Motion” the two-hour show was presented in Iligan City on April 15, Valencia City, Bukidnon on April 18, and Malaybalay City, Bukidnon on April 20, before winding up in Cagayan de Oro City on April 22.
“We do this tour every May during Heritage Month, but this is the first time we did it in a Mindanao tour and it’s really fun here, we enjoyed so much the audiences’ enthusiastic response, and we hope to do another show here again this December,” said Marichu Nepomuceno, PBT vice president.
“In the week-long tour of Iligan, Valencia, Malaybalay, and Cagayan de Oro, we also conducted workshops, in which a total of 425 kids of all ages participated. There is the interest and the desire to be dancers and parents should support their kids,” said Noemi Estrella-Casiño, PBT treasurer and trustee who was instrumental in bringing the show to Northern Mindanao.
“The community should support them and by all means, the government should support the creative industry! We export nurses, caregivers, teachers, and performing arts talents as well, in reputable companies such as Disneyland, Disneyworld, and cruise ships. This is an honest way of earning a living, and brings economic relief to their families,” she stressed.
The Cagayan de Oro show opened with an excerpt from “Vinta,” the colorful vessel indigenous to the Mindanao seas, which served as an inspiration to the masterful choreography of Gener Caringal, founder and former artistic director of PBT.
“Imagine the lead dancer in red as the beautiful caracol who directs the course of the Vinta. The chromatic malongs are the sails, and the movements of the limbs are inspired by the Tausug Pangalay, as the oars. The short story of this ballet number is about the lady or the caracol who gets weary and wants to stop sailing, but her crew prevails upon her to press on with her voyage. And so they gather and start again. Hence, we end as we started,” noted Estrella-Casiño.
The second part of the show was a tribute to Jose Mari Chan’s 55 years as a prolific songwriter, composer, and singer whose compositions enriched Philippine pop music with romantic and sentimental songs. The songs performed were personally selected by Chan himself, and choreographed by PBT Artistic Director Ronilo Jaynario.
The rousing finale featured excerpts from “Serye At Sayaw,” a PBT original that serves as a backdrop of the highs and lows of life and loves, also choreographed by Jaynario, who also directed the show.
The tour also showcased performances by local dance groups, including the Octava Choral Society presenting choral renditions of Mindanao folk songs; the Kalimulan Cultural Dance Troupe and the Kalilang Maranaw Traditional Ensemble; and the Echoes Band, who mesmerized the audience with “Ulan: Blessing from the Skies” in Iligan City.
The future ballerinas of Upbeat Dance Studio in Valencia and Cagayan de Oro added grace to the stage, alongside the San Isidro Chorale. A heartfelt tribute was paid to Cecilia Zaldarriaga Moya Callao, hailed as the mother of ballet in Malaybalay and Bukidnon province.
The program also featured enchanting ballet numbers and captivating belly dancing by Aimee Dabuet, esteemed teacher and owner of ACD Dance Studio, accompanied by her talented students.
PBT was founded in 1986 by notable artists such as National Artist Leonor Orosa Goquinco, Felicitas Radaic, Julie Borromeo, Gener Caringal, Eddie Elejar, Vella Damian, Basilio Villaruz, and Gener Caringal.
The past decades of PBT’s existence have not been easy, but had the encouragement and support of prominent personalities such as Manolo Lopez, Alfonso Yuchengco, Jose Mari Chan, Gloria Angara, to name a few of its past chairpersons.
PBT has managed to remain true to its mission of preserving and showcasing full-length ballets, commissioning Filipino heritage masterpieces, and bringing to the forefront the extraordinary talent of Filipino artists, not only as performers but also as choreographers.
“And like a mother, proud of her progeny, the company has influenced many of the prominent companies and artists in the industry today. Having showcased with pride, our culture and Filipino talents abroad, it is only fitting and indeed, our mission to bring ballet closer to the different communities in our country, especially to our youth, to develop the appreciation of Filipino culture, artistry, and dance technique,” Estrella-Casiño said.
PBT continues to forge fresh performances through the fusion of classical genre, regional interpretation, and experimental forms designed to deliver a contemporary ballet experience, uniquely PBT. –Rappler.com
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‘Love Boracay’ drive shifts spotlight to watersports
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Herbie G
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27/04/2024 8:00
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The Boracay Sand Castle Makers Association showcases their sandcastle-making skills as part of the Love Boracay 2024 festival.
Boracay Sand Castle Makers Association
AKLAN, Philippines – Shifting the spotlight from beach parties, Malay town’s “Love Boracay” campaign is now focusing on watersports events as the local government moves to turn the world-renowned island into the country’s water sports and windsurfing capital.
Malay Mayor Frolibar Bautista announced on Wednesday, April 24, that the town is preparing for at least six international and local competitions, encompassing four watersports, until May 1.
The four sea sports events under the Love Boracay campaign are the International Dragon Boat Competition, Ultimate Beach Frisbee Tournament, Boracay International Beach Volleyball, and the Beach Tennis Open Tournament.
Two more events, sandcastle-making, and the Paraw Regatta, a traditional sailing event featuring colorful sailboats racing against each other, will also take place during this period.
The annual celebration, originally referred to as “Laboracay,” was the epicenter of parties on the resort island. However, it was suspended in 2018 after then-president Rodrigo Duterte ordered the island closed for six months for rehabilitation. The campaign then resumed under a new brand, “Love Boracay,” with the aim of promoting environmental conservation among tourists and residents.
Bautista said the town government has started work to establish Boracay as the beach sports capital of the Philippines and a major international windsurfing destination.
According to the Malay Tourism Office, there are approximately 500 windsurfing activities by tourists daily in Boracay.
Malay Councilor Datu Sumndad, chairman of the town council’s committee on sports, said they anticipate around 10,000 tourists to visit Boracay, including 2,000 participants in the international dragon boat competition alone this weekend alone.
Boracay’s annual dragon boat race, which commenced in 2006 and was suspended in 2018, is being revived this year.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has advised the local government to limit the number of tourists in Boracay to 8,452 a day, an increase from the previous 6,405 daily visitors ceiling after the 2018 shutdown, to ensure the island’s environmental sustainability. –Rappler.com
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GAME SCHEDULE: UAAP Season 86 volleyball
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jisaga0269
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08/05/2024 20:35
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It’s down to the last two teams standing as the University of Santo Tomas and National University battle for the UAAP volleyball championship in both the women’s and men’s divisions!
The league’s best separate themselves from the pack as the Final Four showdown kicks off! Here’s the schedule:
UAAP Season 86 volleyball action intensifies as the second round of the men’s and women’s divisions begins on Wednesday, March 20.
The contenders will separate themselves from the pack, with each game determining which teams will make the Final Four. Here’s the schedule:
Volleyball action is back in the UAAP!
Stars from both men’s and women’s divisions are set to ply their growing skill sets once again in front of thousands of fans, beginning on Saturday, February 17 and Sunday, February 18, both at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Here are the first-round schedules for both divisions:
*The March 13 games will be played at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Notable matches include women’s champion La Salle’s debut against contending Adamson on Saturday, 4 pm, at MOA, while men’s three-time defending titlist NU rolls into an immediate finals rematch with UST on Sunday, 12 pm, also at the same venue.
La Salle and NU – finalists in the last two women’s tournaments with one title won each – will wrap up their first-round schedule on March 16, 2 pm at Araneta. – Rappler.com
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‘Banksy Universe’ exhibit not authorized by Banksy, says Metropolitan Museum of Manila
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Steph Arnaldo
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26/04/2024 12:46
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MANILA, Philippines – After catching backlash on social media, the Metropolitan Museum of Manila (The M) confirmed that its upcoming Banksy Universe exhibit is “not authorized or endorsed” by the graffiti artist himself.
In a statement sent to Rappler, The M said that the exhibit will feature over a hundred of Banksy’s works, which are “almost impossible to see….outside of the specific locations in which they were created.”
“BANKSY UNIVERSE | MANILA 2024 is a unique opportunity to learn more about Banksy’s art and explore the universality of the many piercing social, political and domestic issues it raises,” it said.
Pest Control, the organization that handles Banksy, said in their website that they are “not involved or associated” with any international exhibition of Banksy’s works.
Bonifacio Global City earlier promoted the event in its Facebook page with a caption that said “Art is not a crime.” The post has since been taken down.
Netizens said that the exhibit, which will be held at a financial business district, defeats the essence of Banksy’s works.
Banksy, whose real identity remains undisclosed, creates art that tackles various socio-political issues, such as war, capitalism, hypocrisy, and greed. – Rappler.com
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Feeling bookish? What to expect at the Philippine Book Festival in April
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Steph Arnaldo
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04/04/2024 15:58
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Dennis Mendoza
MANILA, Philippine – So many books to read, so little time! Let the book hoarding begin again as the Philippine Book Festival returns for its second year from April 25 to 28 at the World Trade Center, Pasay City.
The festival is organized by the National Book Development Board (NBDB), a government agency tasked with advancing the country’s literary industry. They said that the four-day event is meant to “promote a culture of reading and develop the publishing industry in the Philippines.”
“It’s an engaging activation space that brings together large-scale procurers of books and learning materials and the Philippine publishing industry with Philippine creatives at the heart of it,” said NBDB Chairman Dante Francis “Klink” Ang II at a media launch held on Wednesday, April 3.
“We’re going to have more than 160 exhibitors [and] hundreds of [programs] for everyone,” said NBDB Executive Director Charisse Aquino-Tugade.
Aquino-Tugade also emphasized the importance of events like these for Filipinos. “The country needs more reading spaces that encourage conversation, creation, and collaboration.”
The event will feature a variety of talks, workshops, and events catered to people of different interests, as well other highlights bookworms can look forward to at the 2024 edition!
Fans of author and historian Ambeth Ocampo can look forward to his book signing session called Ambeth Without the Overcoat. Attendees will also have the opportunity to participate in a book signing and meet-and-greet with author Gwy Saludes in A Day with Gwy Saludes.
Trip to Quiapo will be presented by National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts Ricky Lee. You can also look forward to Dahling Nick: A Tribute to National Artist Nick Joaquin.
Festival-goers can also participate in sessions like Comics Can Change the World with Patti Ramos and Zine-making 101 with Bunny Luz.
The festival will feature the Rare Book Collection by the National Library of the Philippines, with new additions for the public to view. The Philippine Book Festival’s Book Bar, a curated collection of award-winning books, will also be available to attendees. The exhibit Guhit Pambata will display works by Filipino children’s book illustrators.
The event also offers attendees the chance to participate through Cosplay Filipiniana for fans who want to cosplay as characters from Filipino literature.
The festival will highlight works divided into their four popular realms: Kid Lit for children, Komiks to showcase our country’s komiks industry, Booktopia for lovers of fiction and non-fiction, and Aral Aklat for textbooks and educational materials.
Attendees can participate in talks, activities, and workshops based on their interests at the Creators Lab, Main Stage, and Kids-at-Play sections.
The Philippine Book Festival is intended to support not only the Philippine literary industry but Filipinos themselves. Ang emphasized the agency’s plans to “improve access for every Filipino reader, democratize distribution, and enable our publishers and authors to keep producing Philippine books.”
The Philippine Book Festival was first held in 2023 from June 2 to 4 at the World Trade Center. It was then brought to SMX Davao City from August 18 to 20.
The four-day festival will be open this year from 8 am to 8 pm, April 25 to 28. Entrance is free of charge. – Rappler.com
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[In This Economy] Is the Philippines quietly getting richer?
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Chay Hofilena
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26/04/2024 11:49
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David Castuciano/Rappler
The Economist recently ran a piece titled, “Without fanfare, the Philippines is getting richer.”
Paywalled as it is, many people only got to read the title and the social media captions. On X (formerly Twitter), the post about it got angry and bemused reactions from Filipinos, ranging from “no, it’s only the rich who are getting richer” to “meh.”
I got to read the article itself, and I agree with many of the points made, including: the Philippines “is often an afterthought for investors,” “the economy has quietly boomed under a variety of regimes (from Aquino to Duterte), “growth has been brisk since 2012 (except during the pandemic),” and “the Philippines has enormous untapped potential: warm weather, pristine beaches, coral reefs and a culture of hospitality.”
But it’s important to nuance some of the other claims made.
First, the author says that under the Marcos administration, “growth is expected to be around 6% over the next few years.” The Economist includes a graph showing the growth of Philippine GDP (gross domestic product) vis-à-vis its ASEAN neighbors. The article then echoes a World Bank projection that the Philippines “will soon be an upper-middle-income country.”
In the same graph, though, it’s quite apparent that the Philippine recession (or economic downturn) during the pandemic was ASEAN’s deepest. We’re still feeling the permanent scars wrought by the pandemic recession, and I wrote before that we will need growth to be above 10% annually if we are to get back on the pre-pandemic trajectory by 2028. Growth of about 6% just won’t cut it.
While it’s true that the Philippines is quietly getting richer, one should note that regional neighbors like Vietnam are becoming richer a lot faster.
Development is often measured by an economy’s average income, or GDP per person. If you look at the Philippine trend of GDP per person, it has been growing a lot slower in past decades compared to many of its ASEAN neighbors (see graph below). We’re growing so slowly that Vietnam (which was a lot poorer than us just a few decades past) already became richer than us in 2020.
The Philippine government likes to trumpet that we will soon become an upper-middle income country, based on the World Bank’s definition. But as I wrote recently, we were projected to achieve this status as early as 2018! Six years later, we’re still dreaming of it. Indonesia made the transition just this year, and Vietnam is on track to cross over faster than us. We must all ask: why is the Philippines taking too long to become an upper-middle income country?
The Economist piece was right to describe President Marcos as “the son of an appalling kleptocrat” who was “helped by a massive campaign of disinformation aimed at rehabilitating the family name.” But we need to provide context to some other statements, like: “Whereas Mr Duterte filled key posts with his drinking buddies from Davao…Marcos has mostly appointed technocrats” who are “widely praised.”
In case the author missed it, Duterte, too, appointed his own coterie of PhD-wielding technocrats. And while Carlos Dominguez III, the previous finance secretary, was not a technocrat per se (he was a businessman), he pursued economic policies that were very much in line with what technocrats would ordinarily pursue (including tax cuts for corporations).
The article also quotes an officer of the Ayala conglomerate who appreciated the “high level of collaboration between the government and the private sector.” He may well be referring to the Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC), a group of billionaire tycoons who advise the President on business and economic matters. However, there are talks of the PSAC serving as a “shadow Cabinet,” pursuing corporate interests and asserting its pro-business agenda as it whispers in the President’s ear.
The article also says that “Mr Marcos is nowhere near as bad as many observers feared.” He is commended for continuing to upgrade the country’s infrastructure, for aggressively wooing foreign investments, and for being not as foul-mouthed as Rodrigo Duterte.
But not everything is so rosy. First off, the benchmark for leadership was so low that Marcos now appears as a huge improvement. Second, Marcos himself pushed for questionable policies that could endanger the economy. In his first year in office, he led the creation of a pseudo-sovereign wealth fund despite the lack of government surpluses, and despite the risks posed on the financial sector. Marcos is also pushing for economic charter change, which, apart from being needless, also risks political changes to the Constitution (there are rumors of lawmakers wanting, say, term limit extensions).
The article lauds the “national digital identity system” (Philippine Identification System or PhilSys) without mentioning the numerous data leaks from various government agencies – incidents that have shaken public confidence in cybersecurity. That could well be the reason why, as the article points out, only about 70% of Filipinos are registered under PhilSys, “far behind the nearly 100% rate in India, a poorer country.”
A big obstacle to growth mentioned in the piece is: “several laws discourage foreign investment: foreigners may not own stakes of more than 40% in a wide variety of industries, from public procurement to trading.”
But the article also omits to say that many reforms have already liberalized various sectors despite the constitutional limits. Proponents of charter change are, in fact, just opening up three sectors: higher education, advertising, and public utilities. The rest of the economy already allows full or majority foreign ownership. Yet despite this, investments remain anemic. I discussed possible reasons for this in my previous pieces on economic charter change.
Finally, the article mentions the phrase “Trump-proof” even as it acknowledges that the “global environment is deeply unpredictable” and that Donald Trump, if he wins in November, could suddenly declare war on outsourcing” – a major cash cow of the Philippine economy.
Despite these global uncertainties, I would agree with the general idea that the Philippines is getting quietly richer. But we could be a lot more prosperous now if not for the myriad domestic constraints (like rampant corruption and red tape) that keep pulling us back. – Rappler.com
JC Punongbayan, PhD is an assistant professor at the UP School of Economics and the author of False Nostalgia: The Marcos “Golden Age” Myths and How to Debunk Them. He was recently named one of The Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) for 2023. JC’s views are independent of his affiliations. Follow him on Twitter/X (@jcpunongbayan) and Usapang Econ Podcast.
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It is appreciated that our country is “getting quietly richer.” But this should not be the sole focus and top priority. Instead, our government should prioritize addressing the socioeconomic problems of poverty, employment, purchasing power, equity, and government debt. But this is not so because our society intends to hide “neo-feudalism,” as discussed by Prof. Sam Vaknin.
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How this film festival is supporting the ‘#NoToJeepneyPhaseout’ campaign
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jreyes0314
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26/04/2024 18:45
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MANILA, Philippines – Like millions of Filipinos around the country, Jetri Bolintiam’s life relied heavily on public transportation – both the infrastructure and the people who make a living out of transporting others. So when the transport strike was announced, he took it as an opportunity to understand what was happening.
Volunteering for independent media and research collective Mayday Multimedia, Jetri’s short stint of documenting the transport strike in 2023 with the jeepney drivers became a deep dive into the conditions that forced them to be on the streets, sacrificing their wages to protest the inhumane conditions of the jeepney modernization program and placing the burden of “modernization” on the already financially cornered drivers.
Recording only with a phone and a tripod, Bolintiam “spent months interviewing drivers and their families; experiencing firsthand how the people behind the movement expressed themselves and educated others through their own experiences.”
Spectatorship was no longer sufficient. Something else had to be done. Bolintiam reached out to his friend, film critic and filmmaker Red Sales, and the other administrators Kinoise PH – a close-knit group of film enthusiasts and progressives who initially met in a Facebook group of the same name – to figure out possible solutions.
“After talking to Tanggol Pasada Network, they needed funds for their jeepney drivers who were going on strike. If they are on strike, they are actively choosing an activity aside from work. That act of resistance must be supplemented by the community and we’re doing our part by doing a fundraiser-centric approach for this first leg,” Bolintiam explained.
In the two to three months since their first conversation, the group was able to organize Sinepasada, a community film festival and flea market that hopes to raise funds for the No Jeepney Phaseout Campaign.
The decision to hold screenings was partly motivated by the group’s own proclivities but was rooted in a two-pronged realization: that documentation was already crucial to the survival and persistence of labor movements, but that screenings also enabled this education through film to be grounded, attracting audiences regardless of age and literacy levels.
“The image has so much power in transporting, [in making us examine] how we should feel about what’s happening in society around us. It has a certain joy but it doesn’t fall off the relevant cliff of what’s actually happening with the people on the ground,” said Sales.
Taking inspiration from advocacy and community-driven festivals such as Cine Maralita, Sinepasada, in the words of Bolintiam, was “a celebration of a labor movement, the transport strikes, on film and the people behind it; a film festival centered around a community of real people behind movements like this and how conversations open up around their films.”
The Diliman area was ideal for attracting not only the student population and the art market, but also the communities on the ground – activists who stick it out at Mendiola and rallygoers who were both the subject of the films to be screened and of the legislation slowly pushing their livelihoods to the peripheries. But when options inside UP Diliman were exhausted, Bolintiam found Maginhawa to be the next best place.
“When we were doing the ocular, there were three different PD/labor mass org events happening within one block,” said Bolintiam.
It was a sign. Both Bolintiam and Sales decided early on that it was a non-negotiable to make the event free of charge.
“We didn’t consider screening at cinematheques. It had to be something closer to the streets,” Sales added.
Beyond the financial advantage of a non-theatrical setup, the outdoor alternative film space enabled the removal of any supposed hierarchies that hinder discussions and community interactions.
“We wanted every donation to count towards the fundraiser [for the No Jeepney Phaseout Campaign],” Bolintiam declared.
The films initially programmed were more experimental and included works by Bolintiam, Sales, and other admins from Kinoise PH, partly to reduce cost. But as the program developed through conversations with community organizers and filmmakers, Bolintiam expanded the selection, in part thanks to the help of film critic and educator Epoy Deyto, who would later serve as the moderator of the festival’s forums.
“I realized that it would be a little narrow to be in that mindset,” Bolintiam admitted.
The updated program includes documentaries such as Gabo Pancho’s Tatay Elmer, James Magnaye’s Baon sa Biyahe, and Jayson Santos’ Para sa Pasada, all of which give a face, body, and weight to the movement by centering stories around older jeepney drivers who have become more involved in the labor organizing, chronicling their day-to-day resistance against the car-centric culture and legislation of the Philippines.
It parallels these with Yugantar’s 1982 proletariat masterpiece Tobacco Embers, which peers into the dehumanizing conditions in Indian tobacco factories and depicts the intersections of both leftist labor movements and women’s liberation movements. The screening was made possible by a partnership with Yugantar Film Collective and Arsenal Berlin.
Taking it a step further, Sinepasada has created opportunities for the community to not only engage with the filmmakers who created these films but also with the subjects of the camera’s gaze, in part as an acknowledgement of the limits of the screen arts as a political vehicle and concession of its existence as mere starting point of discussion.
“[The subjects of the documentaries] have a lot to say and share about their experiences beyond what can be put onto screen. But still, [filmmaking is] such an effective way to share those feelings and experiences to anyone. Because anyone can watch a short documentary and feel sympathy and empathy,” Sales said.
Most notably, the festival closes with National Artist Kidlat Tahimik’s Mababangong Bangungot (Perfumed Nightmare). Released in 1977, Mababangong Bangungot is widely considered a masterpiece in Filipino cinema, demonstrating through a combination of humor and docufiction how the jeepney, in the words of American literary critic Fredric Jameson, “crosses back and forth between the First and the Third World.”
“It was our white whale and a dream scenario for us. We wanted something that could draw an audience without betraying the event. Something ideologically and thematically aligned that could be a fun watch without making light of any of the issues. There’s not really any other film that could fit the mold,” Sales explained.
Sales had met Kidlat four years ago and had emailed but hadn’t received a response. So when he tried again, he didn’t expect a reply. Surprisingly, a notification popped up from the National Artist.
“It was such as long email,” shared Sales, who relayed that Kidlat opened the email by saying he was “kilig to the bones” (over the moon) at the request, later sharing that the first vehicle he learned to drive was a Sarao jeepney and how he documented the factory of Sarao jeepneys in Mababangong Bangungot.
“He showed a lot of passion for fighting against the jeepney phaseout and called it a ‘cultural genocide’. He really took pride in saying he was the most famous jeepney driver in the world because of Mababangong Bangungot,” Sales said.While Kidlat couldn’t go to the event, he showed solidarity with the movement by granting free use of his film.
Film festivals around the world have become elite spaces that struggle to respond to the politics of the times. Under the stranglehold of its many stakeholders of competing political and financial interests, prestigious international film festivals such as the Berlinale, Sundance, and IDFA have failed to respond to the genocide of Palestinians, buckling under the weight of expectation despite their claims to be spaces for nuanced political and artistic discussion.
How then can cinema be more than mere distraction from the atrocities happening around us? Sinepasada, in its modest scale but deep political ambition and anchorage, shows us the way by springing from the grassroots movements, creating spaces that do not have a cost to entry, and attracting an audience not only with quality films but also a clear political challenge to take on; using cinema as a means of unlocking the political imagination.
While Bolintiam and Sales are unsure about calling Sinepasada a “template” for community-driven film festivals (especially ones that can be organized by the youth), they are already in talks with other labor organizations and communities around the country for additional screenings; ones closer to the movement, conducted through makeshift cinema setups to build morale at rallies and strikes.
“Hopefully when it travels, it takes on the identity of the community that holds it. I can imagine Sinepasadas that are education-centric in communities where the jeepney phaseout coverage doesn’t quite capture the depth and breadth of the issue. Community organizers could even program films for children or those who don’t have formal education,” Bolintiam said.
“It’s a beautiful thing because I could’ve never done this without community,” shared Bolintiam who, along with Sales, is making the final preparations for Saturday.
The initial partnerships have expanded to other organizations such as SIKAD and Rural Women Advocates (RUWA), creating a more intersectional movement. “It’s the people I met along the way that helped me build a community film screening with an educational arm and a mass-centered leaning. Meeting people came first, but it’s what gave me the ambition to carry it out with their help.” – Rappler.com
Sinepasada will be held on April 27 from 8 am to 10 pm at 92 Maginhawa Street, Quezon City. Entrance is free. The film screenings will begin at 4 pm. For more details, click here. To donate through Sinepasada, click here. To donate directly to the Tanggol Pasada Network, click here for details.
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Human rights at the heart of lawyering for public attorney Noliver Barrido
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Jairo Bolledo
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26/04/2024 20:00
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PUBLIC LAWYER. PAO lawyer Noliver Barrido squeezes in time and effort at the PAO Central Office in Quezon City.
Rappler
Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) lawyer Noliver Barrido initially thought he would become a doctor.
Growing up, Barrido said he had a proclivity for pure and natural sciences. In school, he exceled in science so he took a program related to it. He obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in biology and then later decided to enter medical school. But things didn’t work out as he had planned.
Barrido said he believed his aspirations were valid and refused to think he failed – his path was only redirected. He thought hard and later realized he had been pursuing his ultimate dream all along: to help people.
Barrido first became a volunteer for nongovernment organization (NGO) Task Force Detainees of the Philippines (TFDP), which helps in promoting and advocating for human rights in the country. As a TFDP volunteer, Barrido said he went to far-flung areas to help implement projects that allowed people to understand their basic human rights.
They helped people from all walks of life (from victims of large-scale mining in mountain ranges, to the youth) to be more informed about what they deserve and are entitled to as human beings. Barrido told Rappler he also spent some holidays inside prisons to uplift the spirits of persons deprived of liberty.
“‘Yong mga exposure ko sa TFDP, ‘yon ‘yong eventually nagpapasok, nagpapa-realize sa akin na mukhang hindi ako pang-natural sciences. Mukhang dito ako sa social sciences,” Barrido told Rappler. (My exposures with TFDP eventually made me realize that I was not for natural sciences. I realized I was more for the social sciences.)
Barrido said his involvement with TFDP was the main reason why he chose to study law and become a lawyer. He said his experience helping people for TFDP before now helps him in his profession as a public lawyer. Aside from both TFDP and PAO catering to indigent clients, Barrido said his previous organization also advocated for human rights, which is very similar to PAO’s mandate to ensure the rights of those who need legal assistance.
His passion for human rights remained with him as he entered PAO, Barrido said. In PAO, he added, there should be a human rights-based approach in handling cases to better determine what rights were violated and what rights people are entitled to.
“Hindi ko tinitingnan na ito ay trabaho lang, kung hindi may malalim na adbokasiya, at ‘yong adbokasiya na ‘yon ay nanggaling pa doon sa pinanggalingan ko na NGO,” Barrido said. (I don’t regard this as just work, but something that is part of my advocacy, and that advocacy comes from my experience with the NGO I came from.)
A PAO lawyer for seven years, Barrido heads the labor section of PAO Central Office and is also part of the special and appeals case service (SACS).
Under SACS, Barrido said he handles cases that are set for appeal. So either PAO is the winning party, or the losing one. They prepare the appeal filed with the Court of Appeals, Supreme Court, or Office of the President.
His other responsibility, being their labor section’s head, demands more time and exerts more pressure.
Barrido checks the outputs of lawyers under him to ensure quality. The checking includes a review of grammar, arguments, and cited jurisprudence to make sure that their clients’ cases are well represented in court. He said they try to maintain high standards, such that they won’t file a case that isn’t properly checked.
On a daily basis, lawyers would seek him out in their small office to ask for advice or talk about concerns regarding the cases they handle. Barrido said that in a day, he would check two to three cases. He would also talk to his subordinates for around 10 to 15 instances in a single day.
At times, Barrido said his direct intervention is needed for troubleshooting.
“Pumapagitna po tayo. Kasi may mga times po na may mga abogado po tayo na may problema sa kliyente, may problema sa kaso. Kailangan din po nating gabayan o tulungan,” Barrido said. (We intervene. Because there are times when our lawyers have problems with their clients, with their cases. We need to guide or help them.)
Republic Act No. 9406, also known as the PAO law, mandates the PAO to provide legal assistance to indigent Filipinos who need it. The legal assistance covers criminal, civil, labor, and administrative cases, among others. But being a public lawyer in the Philippines is not an easy task.
In fact, there is a “high turnover of public attorneys,” said the PAO in its 2023 accomplishment report, with 36% or majority of its personnel staying for only four years or less. The usual reasons cited were the heavy workload and resignations of their lawyers to engage in private practice. Some also transferred to the judiciary, prosecution, or other government agencies and government-owned and controlled corporations.
Of the millions of Filipinos it serves, the PAO only has 2,505 lawyers. For 2023, each PAO lawyer served around 4,997 clients, while one lawyer handled an average of 333 cases within the same period. PAO chief Persida Acosta earlier said they need at least 4,000 lawyers to meet the demands of the office.
“So paano mo ma-handle ‘yon [cases]? Paano mo matututukan ‘yong isang kaso? Paano mo makakabisado ‘yong facts no’ng case, arguments, etc. kung sobrang dami? So tingin ko, ‘yon talaga ‘yong number one na problem,” Barrido told Rappler. (So how can you handle the cases? How can you focus in one case? How can you memorize the facts of the case, the arguments, etc. if you handle too many cases? So I think that’s the number one problem.)
The heavy workload could compromise not only the quality of their job, but also the health of PAO lawyers, Barrido said. The tediousness of the profession could lead to burnout, he added.
“In terms naman sa health, may iba ‘kong mga kakilala na umabot sa gano’n na kinailangang magpa-ospital, mag-undergo ng psychiatric counseling dahil umabot na sa gano’ng point ‘yong effect ng workload,” Barrido said. (In terms of health, I know a few people who had to go to a hospital or undergo psychiatric counseling because the stress from the workload already reached that level.)
Despite this string of challenges, Barrido is optimistic that things will be better for PAO lawyers like him. He believes that lawyers who belong to the younger generation of PAO lawyers can help improve the situation.
Since his generation is into technology, they can provide suggestions on how to use it to improve their work and quality of service. Barrido added that it’s important for young PAO lawyers like him to continue the mandate of helping indigent Filipinos to preserve the integrity of their office.
“Hindi puwedeng mawala ang PAO. Puwedeng mag-improve, puwedeng magdagdag ng mga lawyer, maging modernized ang approach sa mga kaso, sa mga pagse-serve sa client. Pero kailangan, andiyan pa rin ang PAO,” Barrido added. (PAO should remain. It could be improved, have additional lawyers, modernize its approach to cases, in serving clients. But PAO needs to continue to exist.)
As a PAO lawyer for almost a decade, Barrido has had a fair share of interesting and challenging experiences in handling public cases. Among the most memorable ones he handled was a drug case involving a man from northern Philippines.
This case was complicated because it was up for appeal and Barrido said the lower court’s decision was actually favorable to his client already. If they appealed, there was a chance their appeal would be dismissed and the penalty would be harsher. At worst, Barrido said his client could have faced two counts of life imprisonment. He said his conscience would not have been able to take it had it happened.
Barrido said he wanted to explain the options to his client in detail, but the client refused to go to the PAO central office, citing monetary concerns and old age. To reach out to him, Barrido traveled all the way from Manila to La Union to meet on the time they both agreed on. Despite traveling for eight hours just to meet his client, Barrido said the man bailed out on him without a word.
Later on, the client apologized to Barrido and said he thought the PAO lawyer would have him arrested. The case proceeded and to Barrido’s surprise, he and his client later won the case. Because of this experience, he realized that in their work, they need to reach out to their clients and build a connection with them to create trust and a healthy working relationship.
Aside from offering a rich experience, Barrido shared that the PAO also provides good training for lawyers since they are exposed to a variety of cases. The challenging arena also enhances their discipline in terms of time management because of the heavy case load.
Barrido said choosing PAO is also practical because it provides a competitive salary, on top of the the fulfillment that comes with being able to help others. In PAO, pay is considerably good compared to other government lawyers, with entry level public attorneys receiving P95,083 as their basic pay.
“Hindi naman nalugi ‘yong PAO o ‘yong abogado kung pipiliin niya ‘yong PAO. Kasi kung magiging practical tayo, hindi lang naman ano, hindi lang siya purely advocacy eh. Kailangan meron ka ring personal na growth as a person, as a professional,” Barrido told Rappler.
(Both lawyers and PAO win when PAO is chosen as a workplace because lawyers are also well compensated. Because if we were to be practical, it’s not all just advocacy. There should also be personal and professional growth.) To be concluded – Rappler.com
NEXT: Part 2 | Mario Dionisio Jr. juggled security guard job and law school, now he’s a PAO lawyer
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How Tsinoy and Tausug cuisines came together for one ‘Hibla’ charity dinner
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Steph Arnaldo
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26/04/2024 17:11
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MANILA, Philippines – The idea of melding Tsinoy dishes and Tausug cuisine for one meal would never have crossed my mind, until two local chefs decided to pursue this unique, multi-cultural collab in support of indigeneous communities around the Philippines.
Filipino-Chinese chef, cookbook author, and TV host Sharwin Tee and Mindanaon chef Miguel Moreno held a four-hands charity dinner called “Hibla” last April 20, with its proceeds going to the tuition of four Aeta students from Aeta Ako, Filipino Ako Inc., who are all taking up Education.
“The more Chef Miguel and I talked about our culture and cuisine, it became obvious that there was so much shared history between our cultures, and so the idea of a “common thread or fiber,” entered our minds. Hence the name Hibla,” Sharwin told Rappler.
The intimate, reservations-only dinner was held in Palm Grill, located at Gateway 2’s Palenque food court. Palm Grill is the only authentic Southern Mindanaon restaurant in Luzon, headed by Chef Miguel, a purveyor of the regional cuisine. The restaurant’s design is colorful and tropical, representing the islands of Zamboanga, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, and Basilan, Chef Miguel said. His cuisine mostly represents the southern tail of Mindanao.
“How would we be able to connect China and the Sultanate of Sulu?” both chefs asked.
As they both traded stories about their respective cuisines, they said that it “just made so much sense to celebrate two pre-colonial Filipino cuisines,” especially after Chef Miguel discovered how Chinese and Sulu traders were early partners hundreds of years ago.
“During the 13th century, there was a peaceful trading between the Ming dynasty with Sultanates of Sulu. There were harmonious intermarriages and exchanges of spices, textiles, and cultural aspects. It was a beautiful time. We kept our own religions and cultures, but we shared many other things,” Chef Miguel said.
For the dinner of seven courses, they decided to represent “Hibla” by serving guests through the “dulang”, a set of food traditionally served on a circular tray for celebrations in Sulu and neighboring islands – similar to the Chinese lauriat and the quintessential lazy susan dining table, which also represents the shared communal experience of food.
The menu consisted of three Tsinoy dishes, three Tausug delicacies, and one Tsinoy-Tausug creation.
Another similarity between both cuisines is the “use of dried fish to insert strong flavors quickly,” Sharwin said, which is present in his Salted Fish Fried Rice and Miguel’s Turmeric Chicken in Bubuk (a Tausug condiment).
“For both, it is natural to preserve fish by drying and it makes sense both cuisines rely on it for flavor,” he said.
Both cuisines also rely on the creation of flavorful pastes. The pamapa paste, made with burnt coconut (a Tausug exclusive) is meant to add deep flavors like in the Tiyula Itum (black beef soup) and the Piyanngang Manok (grilled blackened chicken).
“It reminds me so much of our XO sauce, another complicated flavoring agent made with dried scallops and shrimp used by the Chinese,” Sharwin said. This is why for their collab dish, they decided to make Piyanngang Dumplings with XO sauce – boiled dumplings like those served in Ongpin are stuffed with the flavorful shredded chicken, and then topped with an umami-forward XO sauce that has just the right amount of heat.
Chef Sharwin usually makes his XO sauce with smoked pork from Benguet, but this time, he used mushrooms for the dish to be Halal-friendly.
Looking for a bit more sauce for the chicken inside, we were happy to receive a special side of Piyanggang’s sauce to dip our dumplings in, which is what the chicken is typically served in (at first taste, it slightly reminded me of Bicol’s laing).
It was a deliciously rich, creamy, aromatic, and spice-forward stew made with burnt coconut and seven simple spices: lemongrass, turmeric, ginger, garlic, onion, salt, and pepper.
Trying Tausug cuisine for the first time, I enjoyed the deep, smoky, and spice-ful profiles of the dishes. Chef Miguel served a traditional Piassak – beef liver and beef sirloin stewed in coconut milk, spices, and burnt coconut, a key ingredient in Tausug cuisine.
Chef Miguel said that the Tausug tribe is the only people who can expertly produce the burnt coconut. A special grill on the island is used to burn the coconut for exactly 1 hour and 30 minutes until golden brown, and until a thin film in between the meat and skin can be carved out and used. It is a very precise method – if burned too quickly, it can become rancid, and if burned too long, it will become bitter.
The Grilled Turmeric Chicken with Bubok was bold in its turmeric flavor, mixed in with the bubuk which adds a grainy texture. It is a native condiment of Sulu and commonly found in the markets, made from roasted grated coconut, chili, garlic, lemongrass, and other spices.
My favorite was Tiyula Itum, the tribe’s famous black beef soup (similar to a hearty bulalo), made dark in color from the burnt coconut. It was warm, savory, rich in beefy flavor, and comforting – a soup I can find myself craving for from now on!
It was also interesting to be served black assam tea and Putli Mandi as our first course – putli mandi is a Filipino steamed rice cake originating from the Tausug and Yakan people of Sulu, made from glutinous rice dough balls stuffed with sweetened coconut. Apparently, it is a typical practice to start your meal with a drink and something sweet, as to slightly “prime your stomach” to not overeat.
Chef Sharwin’s Tsinoy dishes included a soft Lapu-Lapu in Milky Broth, his grandmother’s collagen-rich ginger soup; Smacked Cucumbers with Sichuan Oil, doused in mild chili garlic and an addictive soy-black vinegar dressing; and a tasty Salted Besugo Fried Rice I could enjoy on its own, making use of the common Filipino dried fish instead of the typical anchovy.
Chef Sharwin and Chef Miguel are hosting a second run of “Hibla” on Saturday, April 27, 6 pm, at Palenque Food Court in Gateway 2 Mall, Cubao, Quezon City. To reserve a spot and for more information, you can email littlegracepopup@gmail.com. – Rappler.com
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DOTr says it heeds clamor for ‘expanded and safer’ bike lanes, walkways
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lkyu0285
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26/04/2024 16:56
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COMMUNITY RIDE. Cyclists participate in a community bike ride against the proposed conversion of bike lanes in Ayala Avenue to 'shared' lanes, on February 15, 2023.
Rappler
MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Transportation (DOTr) affirmed that it continues to support “expanded and safer walkways and bike lanes,” just two days after news broke of proposals to remove bike lanes along EDSA.
“As DOTr seeks to solve the problem of traffic, it is designating and reclaiming road space to provide safe infrastructure for more efficient and sustainable modes of transport such as bike lanes and walkways,” the department said in a statement on Friday, April 26.
“The DOTr heeds to the long-overlooked clamor of public and active transport commuters to have better commuting experience by pushing for expanded and safer walkways and bike lanes, most especially along national roads,” it added.
Although the DOTr did not directly mention EDSA’s bike lanes, it made the statement just two days after the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said it was considering proposals to modify the bike lanes along EDSA.
The possibility of the bike lane removal quickly drew flak from active transport advocates.
“[MMDA Acting Chairman Romando] Artes is directly contradicting President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s recent policy pronouncement to prioritize active transportation as part of the comprehensive solutions to the transportation crisis. He is also hindering the fullfilment of a campaign promise of President Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte to make bike lanes permanent,” the Move as One Coalition said in a statement of Thursday, April 25.
“At this point, I’m already calling for the President to replace Acting Chairman Artes,” Manila Bike Commuter also told Rappler in a recent chat. “It goes directly against the President’s vision of more sustainable and efficient modes of transportation.”
For its part, the transportation department committed to following the President’s directive of prioritizing active transport “to promote healthier and more sustainable modes of travel.”
“The DOTr continues to promote non-motorized transport, such as cycling and walking, as well as the use of light electric vehicles, as sustainable modes of transport, in line with the National Transport Policy and the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028,” the DOTr said. – Rappler.com
Infrastructure that protects cyclists and provides people with more options for mobility is one way to #MakeManilaLiveable. Rappler has a dedicated space for stories about making Philippine cities more liveable, starting with the capital region. Check it out here.
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Marcos OKs Sara Duterte’s key programs for DepEd
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Dwight de Leon
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26/04/2024 16:05
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CIVIL. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte during the distribution of land e-titles to qualified beneficiaries in Davao City on February 7, 2024.
RTVM
MANILA, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has approved the key programs of Vice President Sara Duterte for the Department of Education (DepEd), which she concurrently heads as secretary, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said on Friday, April 26.
These programs are the proposed Basic Education Development Plan (BEDP) 2030 and the DepEd’s MATATAG agenda.
The PCO said Duterte presented the DepEd programs during Marcos’ meeting with the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board in Malacañang on Thursday, April 25.
“President Marcos did not raise any objection as he emphasized that the NEDA Board approved them ‘as a national policy and plan for basic education in the Philippines,'” the PCO press release read.
The BEDP 2030, launched in 2022 under then-DepEd chief Leonor Briones, is a strategic roadmap aimed at improving the quality of basic education.
The DepEd, meanwhile, first introduced the MATATAG Agenda in January 2023, under Duterte’s leadership. The project aims to revise the basic education curriculum, accelerate the delivery of facilities and services, prioritize the well-being of students, and provide better support for teachers.
The MATATAG curriculum already attracted controversy last year for removing the name of the President’s father and namesake, the late dictator Ferdinand E. Marcos, from the term “Diktadurang Marcos (Marcos Dictatorship)” in the Grade 6 Araling Panlipunan (AP) program.
The approval of the NEDA Board, which Marcos chairs, indicates that funding for the said projects will push through as planned, but government press releases did not make specifics on the matter.
It comes as President Marcos faces calls to remove Duterte from her Cabinet, as the rift between their families continues to spill into public view, aggravated by First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos’ revelation that she is not in good terms with the country’s second-in-command.
On Thursday, the NEDA Board also approved to increase the project cost of the public-private partnership for the University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital Cancer Center from P6.05 billion to P9.49 billion, and the new guidelines of the NEDA Board Investment Coordination Committee to expedite the review and approval of national PPP proposals. – Rappler.com
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‘8-0 is nothing’: San Miguel on its toes as perfect run continues
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delfin.dioquino editor
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26/04/2024 23:25
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EVADE. CJ Perez in action for the San Miguel Beermen in the 2024 PBA Philippine Cup.
PBA Images
MANILA, Philippines – San Miguel looks every bit the favorite to win it all in the PBA Philippine Cup, becoming the first team in a decade to go 8-0.
But that feat also comes with imminent danger, considering the last team to win as many games without a loss – the TNT Tropang Texters in the 2014 Commissioner’s Cup – fell short of the championship.
That TNT squad actually went 13-0, sweeping all of its games from the elimination round to the semifinals before it bowed to the San Mig Super Coffee Mixers in the finals.
In fact, according to PBA chief statistician Fidel Mangonon, the last four teams which went unbeaten through their first seven games of the conference failed to win the title.
And the reality that opposing teams are hell-bent on tarnishing their spotless record is not lost on the Beermen.
“For sure, the target is on us. 8-0 is nothing. We need to sustain the things we do in practice and in games,” said San Miguel star CJ Perez after their 98-91 win over Magnolia at the Araneta Coliseum on Friday, April 26.
Perez has been showing that he is wary of complacency as he continues to deliver quality performances day in and day out, torching the Hotshots to the tune of a game-high 25 points on top of 5 assists and 2 steals.
It marked the fourth straight game Perez scored at least 25 points as he conspired with Chris Ross in the fourth quarter to help the Beermen keep Magnolia at bay.
Perez and Ross scattered 11 and 9 points, respectively, in the fourth period, with the two knocking down back-to-back three-pointers in the final 1:05 minutes that pushed a slim 92-89 lead to a commanding 98-89 cushion.
“I just want to be consistent every game. It does not matter which team we’re up against, I always want to give my best,” said Perez.
Ross finished with 15 points off a 5-of-10 clip from beyond the arc, Marcio Lassiter added 12 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 steals, while Mo Tautuaa put up 10 points and 7 rebounds.
Seven-time league MVP June Mar Fajardo chimed in 9 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists in the win that allowed San Miguel to inch closer to its goal of securing a top-two finish that merits a win-once bonus in the quarterfinals.
Beermen guard Jericho Cruz also netted 9 points with 4 rebounds in his return from a two-game absence caused by a heel injury.
Paul Lee churned out 23 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 steals, but his finest game of the conference went down the drain as the Hotshots ran out of gas in their comeback from a 20-point deficit.
Magnolia got buried 14-34 early in the second quarter before it slowly clawed its way back into the game, pulling within 89-92 off a pair of Lee free throws with 1:25 minutes remaining.
But the Hotshots’ hopes were dashed when Ross and Perez each sank a triple as they saw their four-game winning streak halted and fell to 5-3.
Aris Dionisio tallied 22 points and 10 rebounds in the losing effort.
San Miguel 98 – Perez 25, Ross 15, Lassiter 12, Tautuaa 10, Fajardo 9, Brondial 9, Cruz 9, Romeo 6, Trollano 3, Manuel 0.
Magnolia 91– Lee 23, Dionisio 22, Sangalang 17, Mendoza 8, Barroca 9, Laput 6, Tratter 5,Dela Rosa 1, Escoto 0, Balanza 0, Eriobu 0, Abueva 0.
Quarters: 24-11, 51-40, 70-64, 98-91.
– Rappler.com
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Prosecutor orders filing of cyber libel cases vs Manibela head Mar Valbuena
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Jairo Bolledo
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26/04/2024 11:19
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MANIBELA. In this photo, jeepney transport group Manibela head Mar Valbuena, along with jeepney drivers, file a petition at the Office of the Ombudsman accusing the top officials of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board of violations of the anti-graft practices act in pushing for the government’s PUV Modernization Program and its push for consolidation of franchises to hasten the phaseout of the traditional jeepneys, on February 7, 2024.
Jire Carreon/Rappler
MANILA, Philippines – A Department of Justice (DOJ) prosecutor has approved the filing of cyber libel cases against Manibela head Mar Valbuena.
The cyber libel complaints were filed by Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Jaime Bautista.
In a resolution dated February 22, but was recently publicized, Assistant State Prosecutor Maria Kristhina Paat-Salumbides recommended the filing of two counts of cyber libel against Valbuena. Prosecutor General Benedicto Malcontento and Deputy State Prosecutor Olivia Laroza-Torrevillas approved the resolution.
“Besides, it must be pointed out that in the live video uploaded on Manibela’s Facebook page, the words used by respondent during his entire ‘update’ shows respondent’s intention to mock, malign, and injure the reputation, credit, and virtue of complainant, with the intention of exposing him to public hatred, discredit, contempt and ridicule; hence, malice exists,” the resolution read.
Meanwhile, the prosecution dismissed the grave threats complaint filed against Valbuena for lack of probable cause. The prosecution explained that the alleged threatening statement by the respondent was “not a threat but more of a query or challenge to the complainant.”
Bautista filed the cyber libel complaints against Valbuena for allegedly accusing him of corruption. The DOTr chief’s complaint stemmed from Valbuena’s remarks in a press conference on October 9, where the Manibela head claimed that there was a “lagayan (bribery) scheme” that stretches from the DOTr, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board up to to the Office of the President.
Manibela had also publicly demanded Bautista’s resignation.
When asked in October 2023 if his complaints would have chilling effect on his critics, Bautista said they should just wait for the result of the process that is in place.
Aside from the cyber libel charges, Valbuena and his fellow Manibela leaders were recently sued by the Quezon City Police District for their alleged “disruptive behavior” during a transport strike earlier in April. Valbuena countered the police’s claims, saying they did not violate any law and that it was QCPD personnel who blocked the road, causing Manibela members to get stuck in the traffic. – Rappler.com
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This should serve as a lesson to those wishing to fight the government’s Corruption Machinery. The government will not hesitate to use its Repression Machinery against those who do so. Anti-corruption critics should be well-prepared regarding evidence, funds, and quality legal assistance; otherwise, it will just be a futile and self-destructive battle. Let corrupt officials enjoy the fruits of their wrongdoing.
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IN PHOTOS: Filipinos find ways to cope with scorching heat
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Chito de la Vega
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26/04/2024 12:23
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FANS DAY. Vendors sell hand fans outside Quiapo Church during a hot day in Manila, Philippines, April 26, 2024.
REUTERS/Eloisa Lopez
MANILA, Philippines – The so-called Filipino resilience undergoes a stress test as scorching weather “bakes” the country with elevated heat index levels.
The concrete jungle that is Metro Manila is severely punished by the soaring heat index levels. Several schools have either shifted to or canceled outright face-to-face classes.
The heat index is measured using the air temperature and the relative humidity in a place at a given time. It is also called the feels-like temperature, and it typically soars during the Philippines’ warm and dry season from March to May.
Take a look at how Filipinos in Metro Manila are finding ways to cope with extreme heat.
– Rappler.com
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Jacob Cortez raring to be part of La Salle’s championship system
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delfin.dioquino editor
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22/04/2024 18:10
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NEW RECRUIT. Jacob Cortez in action for the La Salle Green Archers.
Jacob Cortez Instagram page
MANILA, Philippines – Jacob Cortez reached the NCAA pinnacle with the San Beda Red Lions. Now, he aims to conquer one more quest – to win the UAAP championship with the La Salle Green Archers.
The 21-year-old will be the Archers’ point guard of the future, having transferred to La Salle in January after leading the Red Lions to the NCAA Season 99 title.
Now taking classes at La Salle, Cortez has been slowly integrating himself into the Archers’ system, which has already bore fruit with the UAAP Season 86 crown.
“We know La Salle runs a championship system,” said Cortez. “I’m excited. Everyone here supports me, helps me to know the system, [and] I know it will take me a long time to know all of it. But I have a year or more here to learn before playing.”
Cortez played three seasons at San Beda, the first of which saw him relegated to the reserve list before NCAA Season 97. He then went on to carve himself a spot in the rotation, the starting lineup, and eventually became the team leader in the following two seasons.
Cortez, long courted by La Salle, has been working closely with head coach Topex Robinson since his enrollment, integrating himself as one of the Archers’ cornerstones once his eligibility starts in Season 88.
“So far, coach Topex has been very supportive to me. He teaches me a lot about the team and the culture on the court and off of it. Not only him, other coaches and my teammates as well are also there to guide me. They treat me well here,” he said.
Cortez traces his roots to the green-and-white school, playing for La Salle Green Hills in his early high school years before he transferred to UST and San Beda.
The second-generation player also drew great influence from his father, Mike Cortez, who won two titles with La Salle in 2000 and 2001.
As his surname remains synonymous with the Green Archers, the younger Cortez is steadfast in leaving his own mark on the school, not just for his team but also for his family.
“My family’s familiarity in La Salle has been a big help. My family has been really there behind me, supporting me, even when I was still in high school in La Salle (Green Hills). I know they are excited for me to hopefully finish (college) in La Salle,” Cortez said.
Cortez is on track to play alongside La Salle mainstays Mike Phillips and Season 86 MVP Kevin Quiambao, if he opts to stay with the Green Archers after Season 87.
Cortez will also share the backcourt with former National University star Kean Baclaan, who is also eligible to play in Season 88.
Unfazed by the star power the team already boasts, Cortez promised to continue the grind until he ultimately steps onto a UAAP court.
“There are a lot of great players here that I’ll get to play with. I’m trying not to be satisfied. I’m keeping my routine. I’m working to keep in shape,” said Cortez.
Packed with high expectations coming in, the “Cool Cub” is dead set of his vision – a UAAP title.
“I came here simply to win, to win a championship with La Salle. One of my dreams is to win in the UAAP,” he said.
“But yes, we’re a long way to go. Right now, it’s just about the grind.” – Rappler.com
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Quiboloy’s firearms licenses revoked | The wRap
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Jaira Roxas
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26/04/2024 22:21
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Here are today’s headlines – the latest news in the Philippines and around the world:
The Philippine National Police revokes the firearms licenses of embattled doomsday preacher Apollo Quiboloy. A Rappler investigation discovered Quiboloy has at least 19 firearms with an estimated value of about P2.3 million.
The so-called Filipino resilience undergoes a stress test as scorching weather hits the country with elevated heat index levels. It typically soars during the Philippines’ warm and dry season from March to May.
The New York Court of Appeals overturns Harvey Weinstein’s 2020 conviction for sexual assault and rape Thursday, April 25. In a 4-3 decision, the Court says the remedy for the errors is a new trial.
HYBE’s shares take a hit as the CEO of NewJeans’ label ADOR denies leading plans to go independent. Earlier this week, HYBE launched an internal probe, accusing Min of breach of trust.
The Metropolitan Museum of Manila confirms its upcoming Banksy Universe exhibit is ‘not authorized or endorsed’ by the graffiti artist himself. The museum says the exhibit will feature over a hundred of Banksy’s works. – Rappler.com
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Calling all history buffs! Mactan World Museum to rise in Cebu by 2027
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Steph Arnaldo
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26/04/2024 12:40
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MACTAN WORLD MUSEUM. Artist's rendition of the Mactan World Museum.
Megaworld
MANILA, Philippines – A P1.2-billion modern museum called the Mactan World Museum is set to rise inside the 30-hectare The Mactan Newtown township in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, developer Megaworld confirmed on Thursday, April 25.
Its estimated date of completion is in three years.
The historical museum will highlight the Philippines’ cultural exchange and friendship with Spain over the past centuries.
The museum’s extensive collection, curated by Dannie Alvarez of the Alliance of Greater Manila Museums, will visually retell the arrival of Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan and his defeat against local chief Lapulapu, as well as the Hispanic heritage of the Manila Galleon trade.
Five main galleries on the second floor will showcase artifacts, replicas, and interactive displays related to Spain’s quest for spices; the ancient Kingdom of Sugbu; Magellan’s expeditions; the Battle of Mactan; and more significant events. Adding grandeur will be life-size monuments of Lapulapu, King Philip II of Spain, and Magellan situated around the building.
Two performance halls can combine into one 270-person capacity venue for Spanish dance shows and plays. An immersive audio-visual hall will recreate historical events from the Spanish era.
The museum is also set to host several other activities rooted in Filipino-Spanish traditions and culture, such as a seasonal bazaar showcasing Cebu’s main delicacies, a guitar-making and retail area, and a self-operated Filipino-themed photo studio.
The Mactan World Museum is the fourth museum property Megaworld is building inside its townships after the Chinatown Museum in Lucky Chinatown, as well as the Iloilo Museum of Contemporary Art and the Brandy Museum in Iloilo Business Park. – Rappler.com
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Zamboanga City declared champion of ZPRAA qualifying games
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Ralf Rivas
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26/04/2024 22:55
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CHAMPIONS. The Zamboanga City Delegation at the awarding ceremony of the Zamboanga Peninsula Regional Athletic Association (ZPRAA) Games 2024.
House Majority Floor Leader Manuel Jose Dalipe Facebook page
ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – The Zamboanga City Delegation was declared the overall champion in the Zamboanga Peninsula Regional Athletic Association (ZPRAA) Games 2024 per the official medal tally report by the Department of Education (DepEd) Regional Office IX.
With 102 golds, 97 silvers, and 93 bronze medals, Zamboanga City ranks first with 292 medals.
Zamboanga Del Sur and Dipolog City come in 2nd and 3rd, respectively, with a total of 251 and 240 medals. However, Zamboanga Del Sur has 101 golds, 71 silvers, and 79 bronzes, while Dipolog City has 87 golds, 88 silvers, and 65 bronzes.
Zamboanga Sibugay ranks 4th with 110 medals, compared to Pagadian City, which is in 5th place with 119 medals. However, Sibugay has 35 gold medals, 26 silver medals, and 57 bronze medals, compared to Pagadian City, which has 28 gold medals, 34 silver medals, and 57 bronze medals.
With the competitions wrapped up this Friday afternoon, April 26, at the Joaquin Enriquez Memorial Sports Complex in Baliwasan, this city, other delegations rank as follows: Zamboanga Del Norte at 6th (15 golds, 38 silvers, and 46 bronzes), Isabela City at 7th (9 golds, 16 silvers, and 33 bronzes), and Dapitan City at 8th (1 gold, 8 silvers, and 22 bronze medals).
With the athletes and coaches battling against the heat, host Zamboanga City worked with the ZPRAA management in rescheduling outdoor games to late afternoon to evening and indoor games in air-conditioned and well-ventilated venues. The 4-day qualifying games closed on Friday evening. – Rappler.com
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FACT CHECK: Eyes Blue neither endorsed by Doc Willie Ong nor approved by FDA
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Lorenz Pasion
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26/04/2024 21:00
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Claim: Cardiologist and online health personality Dr. Willie Ong, also known as Doc Willie, endorses the product Eyes Blue, which claims to treat multiple eye conditions like blurred eyesight, conjunctivitis, cataracts, corneal ulcer, and macular degeneration.
Why we fact-checked this: The Facebook post containing the claim has over 911,000 views, 1,400 reactions, and 481 comments as of writing.
The post shows Ong’s photo edited into a video where a woman in a lab coat talks about the supposed benefits of Eyes Blue, making it seem that Ong endorses the product.
A link was also included in the post’s caption showing Ong’s photo with a superimposed quote about declining eye health after a person turns 35.
The facts: Ong does not endorse the dubious health product. The doctor told Rappler in previous correspondence that he and his wife Liza’s only official endorsement is Birch Tree Advance, a nutritional milk formulated for seniors.
Not FDA registered: Despite showing a photo of an alleged Food and Drug Administration (FDA) certificate, Eyes Blue is not among the Philippine FDA’s list of registered food and drug products.
Fact-checked before: This is also not the first time that Eyes Blue used the identity of health personalities, organizations, and even health officials to promote their products. (READ: How Facebook ads let foreign-managed health products spread, putting Filipinos at risk)
On February 23, 2024, Rappler fact-checked another ad from a different Eyes Blue Facebook page that used the health program Salamat Dok to falsely imply endorsement of the product.
An article by AFP Fact Check on February 29, 2024, also debunked a claim that Philippine FDA Director General Samuel Zacate endorses the product. – Lorenz Pasion/Rappler.com
Keep us aware of suspicious Facebook pages, groups, accounts, websites, articles, or photos in your network by contacting us at factcheck@rappler.com. You may also report dubious claims to the #FactsFirstPH tipline by messaging Rappler on Facebook or Newsbreak via Twitter direct message. You may also report through our Viber fact check chatbot. Let us battle disinformation one Fact Check at a time.
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Chery Tiggo completes PVL semis cast, PLDT drops Creamline for first time ever
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jisaga0269
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25/04/2024 23:28
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HIGH NOTE. The Chery Tiggo Crossovers (left) and PLDT's Savi Davison react in the 2024 PVL All-Filipino Conference
PVL Images
MANILA, Philippines – Red-hot Chery Tiggo, in a perfect test before the 2024 PVL All-Filipino semifinals, went through the wringer in its final assignment, downing the gutsy Galeries Tower Highrisers in five sets, 26-24, 23-25, 19-25, 25-12, 15-9, to win its seventh straight game and formalize its Final Four entry with a 9-2 record.
Super sophomore Eya Laure, despite having an inefficient spiking game, went all-out in all departments with a 20-point finish with 5 blocks, 18 excellent receptions, and 11 excellent digs.
Veterans Ara Galang and former MVP Mylene Paat backstopped with 13 and 9 points, respectively, as resurgent setter Alina Bicar rounded out the offense with 16 excellent sets and 4 points.
Head coach Kungfu Reyes was grateful of the five-set challenge given by a Galeries side with nothing to lose given their 3-8 record, as it prepares his wards for grittier challenges ahead in the single round-robin semifinals alongside champion Creamline (8-3), finalist Choco Mucho (9-2), and ever-dangerous Petro Gazz (9-2).
“Come the semis, it’s automatic that the competitiveness is higher. All teams definitely want to go to the finals,” he said in Filipino. “But it’s who’s healthiest who has the bigger chance, and I think we have a big chance, since we have no major nor minor injuries.”
Meanwhile, the PLDT High Speed Hitters, just mere hours after being eliminated due to the Chery Tiggo win, ended their conference on a high with a thrilling four-set win over Creamline, 22-25, 25-14, 25-22, 27-25, snapping an eight-game losing skid over the Cool Smashers since joining the PVL in 2021.
Savi Davison, now unfortunately eliminated from the MVP race, finished her stellar conference with a game-high 27-point outing, backstopped by 15 and 13, respectively, from Erika Santos and Fiola Ceballos.
Head coach Rald Ricafort simply looked at the bright side after the historic, yet bittersweet win, after his team went from first place to eliminated in just a three-game stretch.
“I was able to instill in them the mindset heading to this game to end it on a high note,” he said in Filipino. “Our goal in every conference is nine wins. Hopefully, next conference, we get there.”
“At least we were able to end it with a win and our preparation for next conference is a bit more positive.”
Jema Galanza paced the untimely loss heading to the round-robin semis with 16 points, followed by 12 off the bench from Tots Carlos.
It is now back to zero for the four semifinalists as the Final Four begins on Tuesday, April 30, at the PhilSports Arena.
The top two teams will earn their place in the best-of-three finals, with a playoff game tiebreaker in case the second and third-ranked teams end up with the same record. – Rappler.com
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FACT CHECK: UK not donating HMS Prince of Wales to PH
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Lorenz Pasion
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25/04/2024 23:18
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Claim: The United Kingdom’s Royal Navy is donating its aircraft carrier, HMS Prince of Wales, to the Philippines amid ongoing tensions in the South China Sea.
Why we fact-checked this: The YouTube video was posted on April 23 by a channel with 4,720 subscribers. As of writing, it has 40,166 views, 242 comments, and 1,100 likes.
The video’s narrator cited supposed reports of the UK intending to “permanently donate” the aircraft carrier, as well as alleged statements from the Philippines’ defense department.
The bottom line: The HMS Prince of Wales (R09) remains on duty under the British Royal Navy. The Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carrier returned to Portsmouth Harbor in March 2024 after leading a UK Carrier Strike Group in Exercise Steadfast Defender, the largest military exercise of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in 40 years. The HMS Prince of Wales replaced its sister ship HMS Queen Elizabeth for the exercise.
There are no statements from the British Royal Navy, the Philippine Navy, nor the defense departments of the UK and the Philippines regarding the supposed donation of the aircraft carrier to the Philippines.
PH-UK military relations: The Philippines and the UK continue to strengthen their defense partnership. In January, the two countries signed a memorandum of understanding outlining their defense engagements in the next five years across areas such as military exercises, training, and modernization efforts.
According to the UK embassy in Manila, “We can expect this engagement to focus on the maritime domain, Exclusive Economic Zone, hydrography and UK participation in future military exercises.”
In February, the HMS Spey made a port call to the Philippines in a “clear demonstration” of the two countries’ “strengthening defense relationship.”
No mention of a donation of ships, much less a Queen-Elizabeth aircraft carrier, was made.
UK support: The UK had condemned China’s “unsafe and escalatory tactics” against the Philippines in the South China Sea, and called on both countries to “adhere to the findings of the 2016 Arbitral Award proceedings, which are legally binding on both parties.”
Tensions between Manila and Beijing have risen in recent months, as China continues to ignore the arbitral ruling and asserts its claim on almost the entire disputed waterway.
Debunked: VERA Files and other fact-checking bodies have already disputed claims regarding the UK’s supposed donation of its ships to the Philippines.
Rappler has also published several fact-checks on supposed UK military actions related to the Philippines and the South China Sea issue:
– Kyle Marcelino/Rappler.com
Kyle Marcelino is a graduate of Rappler’s fact-checking mentorship program. This fact check was reviewed by a member of Rappler’s research team and a senior editor. Learn more about Rappler’s fact-checking mentorship program here.
Keep us aware of suspicious Facebook pages, groups, accounts, websites, articles, or photos in your network by contacting us at factcheck@rappler.com. You may also report dubious claims to the #FactsFirstPH tipline by messaging Rappler on Facebook or Newsbreak via Twitter direct message. You may also report through our Viber fact check chatbot. Let us battle disinformation one Fact Check at a time.
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UP Diliman vendors fear future following clearing operations in Area 2
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Waya Lao
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25/04/2024 18:10
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BUSINESS AS USUAL? A day after the sudden April 23 clearing operation, businesses resume along Area 2 in the UP Diliman campus, with the main street unobstructed except for cars.
MIKA SORIA
QUEZON CITY, Philippines — Things are not so ‘business as usual’ at the famed students’ food strip known as Area 2 in the University of the Philippines Diliman following the recent clearing operation carried out by the Quezon City Department of Public Order and Safety (DPOS) on Tuesday, April 23.
A walk along Area 2 the next day showed students dining and residents going about, with the usual ambiance of idle engines, sizzling plates, and whirring photocopiers.
But ask any resident or vendor about the clearing operation and the mood changes: some express relief that their spaces were left untouched, others were dismayed because of DPOS-confiscated tables, signages, carts—even plants and parking stands—that obstructed gutters or sections of the street.
The operations were conducted in the districts RIPADA (Ricarte, Dagohoy, and Palaris) before moving to Area 1 and 2 in the UP Diliman campus. However, students, residents, and vendors were not informed by officials and were taken by surprise.
“‘Di ko talaga alam na pupunta na rin [sila rito],” said Cheska, a FriedDays employee in Area 2 and a Pook Dagohoy resident, referring to past clearing ops in their area. “Parang biglaan [silang] pumasok. Kaya nagkaguluhan kahapon kasi oras pa ng [tanghalian] ‘yan eh. Alas dose mahigit.”
(I didn’t know they were coming here too. They came out of nowhere. That’s why there was commotion yesterday because it was lunchtime, past 12 noon.)
A video released by the Diliman chapter of the Union of Journalists of the Philippines showed the DPOS demolishing a concrete partition on the sidewalk with a sledgehammer. Netizens online, many of them UP faculty and students, condemned the act, linking the operation to the recent administration changes and policies within the campus.
*Removed* properties that have been there since I was in undergrad. Andiyan na ang mga stalls na tambayan at core social spaces namin noon. Ang nagbago lang ay dumami ang sasakyang dumadaan sa Area 2 at nagmahal ang mga kainan sa campus. Clearing operations, para kanino? https://t.co/KK1qnEkTcG
Later that afternoon, the Philippine Collegian documented a snake rally that was led by organizations and student council members of the UP community to protest the operations.
The Quezon City government apologized in a statement on April 24 for the DPOS mishandling and conduct. The operation was ordered by Barangay U.P. Campus Captain Lawrence Mappala after a request from UP Diliman’s Vice Chancellor for Community Affairs Roehl Jamon.
While vendors complied with the officials and have since resumed working hours, many remain concerned over the future of their businesses.
“Syempre, apektado ‘yung negosyo kasi mas lumiit ‘yung espasyo namin, mas kaunti ‘yung pwedeng kumain (This affects us because our spaces are more limited, fewer customers can eat).” said Cheska.
Mark, who mans the MrTakoyakis stand in Area 2, was told by the DPOS that they would revisit the area the following week. He was warned that any recurrence of obstruction violations would result in stall closures.
Deding Palayaw, a vendor at the Kalye Dos stall, was anxious over the warning. “‘Eh ‘pag masara [kami] dito, wala na kaming trabaho (If we get closed down, we won’t have jobs).”
The clearing operations come under scrutiny after increasing commercialization of spaces within the campus have led many in the UP community to question the administration’s priorities.
Deding gestured to the direction of the DiliMall’s construction site, the three-floor structure built over the burned-down UP Shopping Center. The new mall is set to open later this year, holding franchised, high-end restaurants and businesses. “Paano na kami ‘pag ando’n na [ang DiliMall?] (What will happen to us when the DiliMall opens?)”
Roehl Jamon, the Vice Chancellor for Community Affairs of UP Diliman, clarified that the clearing operations he requested were in pursuance of QC Ordinance No. SP-2068, S-2011, and not any issued directive that further commercializes UP spaces.
“There’s no connection to DiliMall, for the record. It is true that at the start of this year, we had several initial meetings with the Barangay UP Campus leadership…it should be a partnership with regards to maintaining peace and order, security, safety, health and sanitation, in UP Campus,” Jamon said.
When asked about the Area 2 operations in relation to the larger issue of commercial interests encroaching upon student and small vendor spaces in the UP community, Jamon clarified again:
“Our office has no authority over commercial spaces or commercial interests inside the campus. That’s another office altogether. For us, it’s really keeping it safe, orderly. The only authority I would probably have would be parking, that’s where I step in. When there’s a robbery, that’s where I step in. The matter you conduct your business is not mine. But if you conduct your business in the middle of the road, it becomes my business.”
However, Jamon acknowledged the “clear lack of coordination” among barangay officials, the DPOS, and his office in carrying out their mandates. “We should have been there when [the clearing operation] started to happen. But we were caught unaware, it was lunchtime. Imagine the surprise and shock of the people,” he said.
Jamon told Rappler he was in between meetings during the operation, while the overseeing barangay captain Mappala was abroad. By that afternoon his office was inundated by calls.
The next morning, representatives from both the student and vendor communities met with Jamon at his office in Quezon Hall to seek clarification and recompense.
“The policy of this office is really protection of everyone,” Jamon said. “If this happens again, they [the community] only need to call us first…If [the barangay and DPOS] have to do another clearing, they have to go through us, and we have to be there in order to protect the interest of the community. I assured them that this is the mandate I gave to all units under this office.”
Vendors are counting on Vice Chancellor Jamon’s commitment to be transparent, as well as in amending and rectifying oversights. Last August, Jamon was under fire for ordering the demolition of a guardpost camp in Quezon Hall, as reported by Pahayagang KAPP.
“Sana po nagsabi na [si Jamon] dito na bawal kayong maglagay diyan,” Cheska said. “Dapat umpisa pa lang sinabihan niya ‘yung mga nagtitinda… Sa kanya nagsisimula ‘yun eh.”
(The Vice Chancellor should have stated long beforehand what was prohibited to be placed. From the start he should have informed the vendors… The initiative starts with him.)
Vendors also appreciated the support of the students and faculty who mobilized to support them during the clearing operation itself, Deding Palayaw’s Kalye Dos stall was spared when dining students quickly cleared and set aside tables and chairs.
The vendors say they are willing to comply with future mandates provided that there are proper communication channels between community and officials, as well as public consultations and assistance. – Mika Soria/Rappler.com
Mika Soria is a Rappler volunteer from the University of the Philippines Diliman. As a soon-to-be graduate from the Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing program, he is interested in exploring writing in the field of journalism–most especially when it comes to stories centered on community and nation-building.
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‘Payday every day’ may become Shangri-La Group, BPOs’ secret to happy employees
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lkyu0285
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25/04/2024 20:51
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Makati Shangri-La's Instagram
Petsa de peligro is already a thing of the past for hundreds of employees of the Shangri-La Hotels.
That’s because the Shangri-La group, which operates several five-star luxury hotels in the country, is among the Philippines’ pioneering adopters of earned wage access (EWA).
“The whole Shangri-La group, the five hotels here in the Philippines are already part of it,” Paywatch president Rowell del Fierro said. “They were solving for a lot of problems with the employees. And they saw this as a really great fit to improve the employee benefits all around now.”
To put it simply, EWA lets you withdraw the salary that you’ve already earned in a month but haven’t yet been paid. Once a business partners with an EWA service provider like Paywatch, employees can easily access a portion of their earned wages at any time of the day for a small, flat fee. In other words, with EWA, it’s payday every day.
“If they can access their earnings, that should be the first pocket that they should access and not loans,” del Fierro told Rappler. “As far as Shangri-La is concerned, they will try anything that they feel is progressive. They don’t want to promote loans. But they want to improve the well-being of their employees.”
The Shangri-La Group is the first hotel chain in the Philippines to offer the EWA facility to its employees through Paywatch, but other businesses are quickly adopting it too. Among these are Rustan’s, Wilmar, and some Dunkin Donuts outlets.
While Paywatch only has around 30 partners here in the Philippines, the company expects that EWA could become a mainstream employee benefit in the future.
“It makes a lot of sense. While today, it’s mainly offered to large companies with large employee count, I do see that the program will evolve such that it becomes also available to [small and medium enterprises],” Del Fierro told Rappler.
And it’s not just Paywatch that’s trying to bring EWA to employees. Digital bank GoTyme just also recently began offering EWA to companies within the Gokongwei Group, of which GoTyme is also a part.
“We’re in discussions with other corporates. Our first external one will probably be in the third quarter,” GoTyme president and chief executive officer Nate Clarke told Rappler.
Paywatch is also targeting to bring EWA to the hundreds of thousands of employees in the Philippines’ business process outsourcing (BPO) sector.
Del Fierro said that they’re in talks with several large BPOs in the Philippines who believe that EWA could be a “perfect” solution to help them with their high attrition rates. In particular, BPOs note that their highest attrition rate comes during a new employee’s first 90 days.
“This is the time when the employee needs a lot of money. They’re adjusting to a new job, things like that. So they’re trying to resolve the highest risk,” the Paywatch Philippines president told Rappler.
For Del Fierro, this is especially important because EWA can help these employees – some of whom are paid around the minimum wage mark – to avoid relying on exploitative salary loans or other products from shady digital lending apps.
“If there’s a need for cash flow, this should be their first pocket and not to borrow money,” Del Fierro told Rappler, adding that some lenders charge interest as high as 10% per day.
In other countries like the United States and Malaysia, EWA has already made its mark, with big brands like McDonald’s, Subway, Walmart, and Uber being among its earliest adopters. And it’s proven to be effective, too.
One example is Tesco Lotus in Malaysia. Before adopting EWA, the average tenure of an employee at the chain was just 90 days, and their employee turnover was at 108% per year.
After making EWA available to employees, the retail chain reported that their turnover rate improved to 60% per year. Frequent EWA users also stayed in their jobs three times longer than those employees who didn’t use the facility.
In the Philippines, EWA awareness and adoption is still just starting out. Paywatch has only been in the market for around six months, which also means that there’s not enough data yet that shows similarly dramatic positive effects for local employers.
But Del Fierro noted that EWA has also shown to be sticky among early adopters in the Philippines. Paywatch Philippines reported that 70% of its users are active, with users making an average of 3.9 withdrawals per month.
“The magic happens when you are able to convince the employers to provide this employee benefit to their employees because they also see a lot of value. It translates to a lot of business value to them – whether it’s people becoming happier, or people showing up because may access na sila pang pamasahe ‘pag petsa de peligro (they now have access to commute money even before payday).” – Rappler.com
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Apollo Quiboloy still in Philippines, says DOJ
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Jairo Bolledo
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25/04/2024 20:22
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PREACHER. Kingdom of Jesus Christ leader Apollo Quiboloy in an undated photo in Davao City.
Sourced photo
MANILA, Philippines – Embattled doomsday preacher Apollo Quiboloy remains in the Philippines, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said on Thursday, April 25.
“The respondent, or the accused [Quiboloy] has to submit his person to the court for the court to be able to assert its jurisdiction and to subject him to other processes under the law,” DOJ spokesperson Assistant Secretary Mico Clavano said in a palace briefing.
“Obviously he’s still at large so the law enforcement is still on the lookout and they’ve continued the operations to be able to arrest on the basis of the warrants that have been issued by the court,” he added.
Clavano also said on Thursday that prosecutors had already filed a motion asking for the issuance of a hold departure order (HDO) against Quiboloy. At present, the doomsday preacher is already on the Bureau of Immigration’s lookout list.
In past cases, the Supreme Court said HDOs, which prevent a person from leaving the country, are issued only in criminal cases within the exclusive jurisdiction of the Regional Trial Courts. The issuance of an HDO is also standard practice for the prosecution to ensure that the accused will remain in the country to face his/ her case.
For his alleged abuses, Quiboloy faces several cases locally and abroad. The preacher faces two warrants of arrest from Philippine courts: in Davao City for alleged sexual and child abuse and the non-bailable human trafficking case pending in Pasig City.
Aside from local cases, Quiboloy is also wanted in the United States for sexual trafficking. He was indicted by a federal grand jury in a US District Court in Santa Ana, California, in 2021, and landed on the US Federal Bureau of Investigation’s most wanted list.
On top of these, the Senate has also ordered Quiboloy’s arrest after the preacher was held in contempt for snubbing the summons of the Senate committee on women, children, family relations, and gender equality, chaired by Hontiveros. The Senate inquiry focused on Quiboloy’s alleged abuses.
Recently, the Philippine National Police Firearms and Explosives Office has recommended to revoke Quiboloy’s gun license. A Rappler investigation discovered that Quiboloy has at least 19 firearms with an estimated value of about P2.3 million ($41,000).
On Thursday, Clavano said they asked the Supreme Court (SC) to allow them to transfer the case in Davao City to Metro Manila.
“Just as an update as well, we transferred the cases from Davao to Pasig City so that the same team of prosecutors may be able to prosecute both cases together,” the DOJ spokesperson said.
SC spokesperson Camille Sue Mae Ting told reporters on Thursday that Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo has yet to receive the Office of the Court Administrator (OCA) recommendation regarding the DOJ’s request. Ting said Gesmundo earlier referred Remulla’s request to the OCA “for evaluation, report, and recommendation.”
In other words, the SC has yet to decide on DOJ’s request. – Rappler.com
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View from Manila: West Philippine Sea part of ‘most ambitious, complicated’ Balikatan war games
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Bea Cupin
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22/04/2024 19:14
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Philippines Exercise Director Major General Marvin Licudine, Philippine Army Chief of Staff Romeo Brawner Jr., US Embassy representative Robert Ewing, Philippine Army Deputy Chief of Staff for Education, Training and Doctrine Major General Noel Beleran, and US Exercise Director Lieutenant General William Jurney, link arms during the opening ceremony of the annual Philippines-US joint military exercises or Balikatan, at at Camp Aguinaldo on April 22, 2024.
REUTERS
MANILA, Philippines – The navies of the Philippines, United States, and France will sail together in the West Philippine Sea by end-April, as part of the 2024 Exercise Balikatan.
It’s just one of many firsts for what US Exercise Director Lieutenant General William Jurney described on Monday, April 22, as the “most effective, most ambitious, and most complicated” version of the yearly war games. The 39th iteration of the annual drills is taking place for three weeks from April 22 to May 10 in four Luzon provinces.
The joint exercises will be hosted in four Luzon provinces that are critical to regional security in the Indo-Pacific and South China Sea.
There’s Batanes, the Philippines’ northernmost province that’s close to the Taiwan Strait.
The two other staging areas – Palawan and Zambales – are provinces that face the West Philippine Sea and are just over 100 nautical miles away from features where tensions between Manila and Beijing run the most high: Ayungin Shoal off the coast of Palawan, and Bajo de Masinloc off the coast of Zambales. The Palawan activity – of the Philippines, US, and France jointly operating drills in the South China Sea, with no less than the PCG as their security – is more than likely to ruffle feathers in Beijing.
In Ilocos Norte, joint Philippine and US forces will sink the MT Lake Caliraya, a China-made oil tanker once commissioned by the Philippine Navy. The vessel will serve as the “enemy” ship during the drill.
Formerly called the MT Lapu-Lapu, it was built in 2007 at the Zhejiang Zhongxing Shipyard in Taizhou in China, according to a 2015 GMA News Online report. It was originally owned by the Philippine National Oil Company. It was commissioned into the Navy in 2015, only to be decommissioned in December 2020 to “pave the way for the arrival of new platforms.”
Beijing’s state-run Global Times wrote in its editorial that choosing to sink the China-made Caliraya was a “ludicrous performance by Manila” that supposedly “[shows] clear provocative intent.”
But officials said the Caliraya had long been meant to be a target of the PH-US joint exercise – as far back as July 2023, before the situation in the West Philippine Sea turned sour for Manila and Beijing.
It was supposed to be the subject of a Philippine and US Marines drill in 2023, but that did not push through when it ran aground in the waters of Morong, Bataan, as it was being towed towards Subic, Zambales.
Tensions between Manila and Beijing over the South China Sea are at their worst yet. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has described bilateral ties as at a “crossroads.”
Beijing and its embassy in Manila have repeatedly warned against the Philippines heading down the “wrong path,” especially after a historical trilateral meeting in the White House between the US, Japan, and the Philippines.
The Department of Foreign Affairs, in response to Beijing’s claims that the trilateral would “drive up tensions,” said it was Chinese actions in the region – both in the South China Sea against the Philippines and the East China Sea against Japan – that were causing tensions.
There’s another exercise that’ll probably upset Beijing, too: an “island-taking” exercise for the Special Forces of the Philippines and the US in Batanes. Major General Marvin Licudine said none of the drills – especially not the war games in Batanes – were “addressed to any aggressor” but merely to show Philippine-US interoperability and adherence to the rule of law.
A little over a week after the US, Japan, and Philippines expressed “serious concern” over Chinese activities in the South China and East China Seas, the Group of Seven expressed the same in a statement from its foreign ministers on April 19.
“We are seriously concerned about the situation in the East and South China Seas and reiterate our strong opposition to any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion,” the bloc said.
It added: “We continue to oppose China’s dangerous use of coast guard and maritime militia in the South China Sea and its repeated obstruction of countries’ high seas freedom of navigation and we express serious concern about the increasing use of dangerous maneuvers and water cannons against Philippines vessels in this regard. There is no legal basis for China’s expansive maritime claims in the South China Sea, and we oppose China’s militarization, coercive and intimidation activities in the South China Sea.”
The group, whose members are among the world’s most advanced economics (Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States, and non-enumerated the European Union), emphasized the “universal and unified character of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea” and said the 2016 Arbitral Award was a “significant milestone.”
The award, the result of the Philippines bringing China to court in 2013, deemed Beijing’s sweeping claim of the South China Sea as invalid. “We reiterate that the award rendered by the Arbitral Tribunal on July 12, 2016, is a significant milestone, which is legally binding upon the parties to those proceedings and a useful basis for peacefully resolving disputes between the parties,” said the Group of Seven.
Individually, G7 members (including the EU), have previously expressed concern over Chinese actions, particularly during resupplies to the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal, whether through their embassies or their foreign ministries back home.
Back in 2023, following a summit in Hiroshima, G7 leaders said they “remain seriously concerned about the situation in the East and South China Seas.” But it would be the first time for the powerful bloc to specifically call out China for its use of water cannons against Philippine vessels in the South China Sea.
Several members of the G7 will also be present at Balikatan, albeit as observers.
All in all, fourteen countries, including those from Southeast Asia, are part of the Philippine-hosted international observer program: Brunei, Canada, France, Germany, Great Britain, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.
While their delegations will pale in comparison to the hundreds from France and Australia and the thousands from the US and the Philippines, their presence is still significant. Back in 2023, when only nine nations were observers to Balikatan, the Philippine defense department touted the expansion of the exercises. The 38th iteration of the Balikatan significantly expanded the scope of the International Observers Program as a “jump-off point for expanding the major exercises into multilateral engagements.”
Philippine and American officials were tight-lipped when asked if any other military would be joining in next year’s Balikatan. But who knows? France’s participation, after all, was prompted by its own request. – Rappler.com
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Remulla directs NBI to probe Marcos deepfake audio ordering military attack
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Jairo Bolledo
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25/04/2024 17:36
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CHIEF. Justice Secretary Boying Remulla during a House committee hearing on August 3, 2023.
House press and public affairs bureau
MANILA, Philippines – Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla has ordered the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to probe the circulating deepfake audio of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
“Hold accountable the personalities behind this deceiving act, make the investigation swift and comprehensive to ascertain the truth,” Remulla said in his order to the NBI on Thursday, April 25. “I am instructing you to file the necessary legal action, if warranted, against those behind this fake news.”
Remulla’s order stemmed from the report of the Presidential Communications Office and the Department of Information and Communications Technology about the circulating deepfake audio where Marcos supposedly ordered the Armed Forces of the Philippines to act against a certain foreign country. Authorities said the audio was manipulated and edited using artificial intelligence.
Photos of Chinese activities in the West Philippine Sea were also used alongside Marcos’ deepfake audio. Deepfakes are images or recordings that are altered or manipulated to misrepresent a person saying something he/she never said.
The deepfake issue came amid the soured relationship between the Philippines and China. Unlike his predecessor Rodrigo Duterte, Marcos and his government have been vocal against Chinese harassment and aggression in the West Philippine Sea.
In several instances, China had harassed and intimidated Filipinos in the West Philippine Sea. On March 5, at least four Filipinos were injured after two China Coast Guard ships used water cannons against a Filipino vessel during a resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal.
The issue also came in the middle of this year’s Balikatan exercises, the annual joint military drills of Philippine and American troops. – Rappler.com
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Hans Cacdac is new DMW secretary
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Mia Gonzalez
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25/04/2024 18:10
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DMW CHIEF. Then-officer-in-charge Hans Cacdac speaks in a press briefing at the Department of Migrant Workers on July 19, 2023.
Rappler
MANILA, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. appointed Hans Cacdac as the new secretary of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), succeeding the late Susan “Toots” Ople.
The Presidential Communications Office made the announcement on Thursday, April 25.
Editor’s Note: An earlier version of this story reported that Cacdac’s ad-interim appointments comes a year after his designation as OIC. This has been corrected.
His ad interim appointment, which needs to be confirmed by the Commission on Appointments, comes seven months after he was designated officer-in-charge of the agency.
In a statement on Friday, April 26, Cacdac said he was “deeply humbled” that the President entrusted to him the duty of watching over the millions of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
“As secretary, I shall further dedicate myself to safeguarding the rights and welfare of our dear OFWs who, in the words of the President, represent the very best of our beloved country. I am committed to ensuring their fair treatment, protection, and support, with due attention given to OFW families,” he said.
“We shall continue to adhere to a rights-based approach and ensure the utmost protection of our OFWs’ human and employment rights,” he added.
In his first statement as secretary, Cacdac highlighted a number of priorities under his watch, including digitizing OFW processes, regulating safe and ethical recruitment, promoting financial literacy, developing OFWs’ skills and career paths, and the pursuit of “deeper” bilateral labor relations with OFW host countries.
Cacdac also paid tribute to his predecessor Ople, whom he also described as a friend. “I look forward to further building upon the legacy she began,” he said.
Cacdac has had years of experience in government, having served in the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), before being among the inaugural undersecretaries of the DMW, formed under the Marcos administration.
Prior to his government posts, Cacdac worked with the Sentro ng Alternatibong Lingap Panligal after passing the bar in 1994. He moved on to serve in the government as director of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Bureau of Labor Relations in 2001.
After a year-long stint as the National Conciliation and Mediation Board administrator, Cacdac was deputy administrator of the POEA from 2006 to 2010, which was then under the DOLE. He became a DOLE undersecretary in 2010, POEA administrator in 2012, and OWWA administrator in 2016.
He became the first DMW undersecretary for foreign employment and welfare services in 2022, and was appointed officer-in-charge a month after Ople’s death in August.
Amid duties in his larger posts, Cacdac accomplished various technical tasks in labor and migration governance in the local and international sphere.
Some notable posts he’s held include the chairperson of the International Labor Organization (ILO) tripartite workshop on private employment agencies in 2009, and from 2009 to 2016, he was the head of the Philippine delegation in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Committee on Migrant Workers tasked to develop an instrument to implement a 2008 ASEAN declaration of protection of migrant workers’ rights.
Also in 2009, Cacdac was chair of the technical working group tasked by then-labor secretary Marianito Roque to craft the omnibus implementing rules and regulations of the 1995 migrant workers and overseas Filipinos law.
In 2011 and 2012, he assumed more leadership roles in labor migration policymaking, such as the chairman of the ILO Committee on Domestic Workers in Geneva, and lead negotiator for Philippine-Kuwait negotiations that led to the creation of a labor cooperation agreement.
Cacdac also led negotiations for Philippine labor agreements with Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Japan, Germany, and Singapore.
Lawmakers whose track record includes championing the rights of migrant workers’ welcomed Cacdac’s appointment as DMW chief.
“Over the past eight months, he has served as the sturdy anchor of the DMW and a steadfast protector of OFWs amidst ongoing geopolitical shifts around the globe,” said House overseas workers affairs panel chairperson and Kabayan Representative Ron Salo.
“As a veteran in public service and of migration policies, he knows the ins and outs of the processes and nuances of Philippine labor migration. But more than his capabilities, Secretary Cacdac also has his heart in the right place – to offer genuine service to our overseas Filipino workers and their families,” said Representative Marissa “del Mar” Magsino of party-list group OFW. – Rappler.com
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Chinese, Filipina nabbed in Angeles, P4.8-M shabu, party drugs seized
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Joann Manabat - CMS
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25/04/2024 19:13
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NABBED. Some P4.8 million worth of assorted illegal drugs have been seized by the Angeles City police personnel in a buy-bust operation on Wednesday, April 24.
Courtesy of Angeles City Police Office
ANGELES CITY, Philippines – A male Chinese national and a Filipina, were arrested in Barangay Malabanias here on Wednesday, April 24, in a buy-bust operation which yielded some P4.8 million worth of assorted illegal drugs.
The Angeles City Police Drug Enforcement Unit together with the Criminal Investigation Unit nabbed Zhe Huang, 30, and Leslie Sumabal, 19, at the ABC Hotel parking lot along Don Juico Avenue here. They are now detained at the Police Station 4 for violations of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
Seized from the two suspects were assorted ecstasy pills, including 2 kilos of blue pills, 12 packs of orange pills, 26 packs of chewable orange and yellow party drugs, 35 grams each of salt and crystal Ketamine, 87 grams of shabu, one box liquid marijuana, and a .22 caliber pistol with 8 live ammunitions. The evidence was also brought to the police station.
City police chief Colonel Amado Mendoza said the buy-bust operation stemmed from a thorough case build up they conducted. Mendoza said Huang and Sumabal worked together to close deals with other Filipinos.
“Because of this, the city police launched an operation in Barangay Balibago in the arrest of the suspects and the confiscation of a large amount of illegal drugs,” Mendoza said during a press conference on Thursday.
“The confiscation of these party drugs is a major victory in our ongoing campaign against illegal drugs in the city,” he added.
Angeles Mayor Carmelo Lazatin Jr. lauded the successful operation. He said the program against illegal drug use highlights the city’s commitment to preserving public safety and making Angeles drug-free.
The city government mandates its public officials, city hall employees, and public transport drivers to undergo a series of surprise drug tests. Those who have been tested positive for drug use had been sent for rehabilitation.
Angeles City has 33 village chiefs, 231 barangay kagawads, 33 Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) chairpersons, and 231 SK kagawads.
“One of my priorities is to make Angeles City drug-free. This is why we have subjected city hall workers, newly elected barangay and SK officials, and public transport drivers to mandatory drug testing,” said Lazatin.
“By assuring this, we will continue to conduct anti-drug efforts to reduce if not eliminate the demand for illegal drugs,” the mayor said. – Rappler.com
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Results, team standings: 2024 PVL All-Filipino Conference, Spikers’ Turf Open Conference
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jisaga0269
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02/05/2024 19:25
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CHAMPS. The Creamline Cool Smashers celebrate a winning play.
PVL IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines – Hard-hitting volleyball rolls off at the professional and semi-pro levels as the 2024 PVL All-Filipino Conference and the 2024 Spikers’ Turf Open Conference hit the homestretch!
Here are the results and team standings of both leagues:
FINALS
MAY 12
MAY 9
BATTLE FOR BRONZE
MAY 12
MAY 9
SEMIFINALS
Standings (win-loss-points)
Results
MAY 5
MAY 1
APRIL 30
ELIMINATIONS
Wins-Losses (Points | Set Ratio)
* – Semifinalsx – Eliminated
FINALS
SEMIFINALS
Standings (win-loss-points)
* – Finals
ELIMINATIONS
Wins-Losses (Points)
* – Semifinalsx – Eliminated
– Rappler.com
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FAST FACTS: Why anti-doping compliance in Philippine sports is important
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jisaga0269
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24/04/2024 7:47
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ELITE. The country's best athletes brace for a busy year.
REUTERS, FIBA, PFF
MANILA, Philippines – Last January 26, the usual ebb and flow of Philippine sports was disrupted by a particularly concerning notice from the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), saying that the country is in danger of getting banned in international competitions due to alleged noncompliance.
Less than two months since the call-out, the agency cleared the Philippines of all issues after urgent cooperation among concerned government agencies, namely the Philippine National Anti-Doping Organization (PHI-NADO), the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), and even the Office of the President.
Although the ban threat is now over and measures are already being made to maintain WADA compliance, it is still important for the public to know why adherence to its guidelines is important, why its ban threat was a major concern, and what measures are being done today to satisfy the agency.
Per its website, WADA was created in 1999 mainly through efforts of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as a response to a massive doping scandal that marred the 1998 Tour de France cycling event, earning it the dubious nickname “Tour de Farce.”
Today, with support from world governments and other public and private organizations, WADA monitors and promotes the enforcement of the World Anti-Doping Code and holds extensive powers.
In the spirit of preserving clean competition, WADA may ban individual violators or suspend entire countries’ athletes if deemed necessary, and conversely may reinstate erring entities who have cleaned up their acts. As of today, the agency has one country-wide ban (Angola) in force.
After being flagged by WADA due to a 2016 positive doping result that PHI-NADO did properly cascade down to the violating athlete, the PSC stressed the need for the local agency to have more funding that, in turn, translates to more manpower and thus, more independent enforcement capabilities.
PHI-NADO gaining more independence in its activities ensures that the Philippines is abiding by WADA Code Article 20.5.1, which states that local anti-doping organizations need “to be independent in their operational decisions and activities from sport and government.”
Additionally, the PSC and PHI-NADO ensured WADA that legislation is underway to help fast-track the implementation of better anti-doping measures, which were eventually discussed in Congress last April 16.
Also last April 16, the House Committee on Youth and Sports Development approved House Bill 7927 or the Anti-Doping in Sports Act. This is the first step in empowering PHI-NADO through lawful acknowledgement of its existence and clear definitions of its power scope, duties, and functions.
Notable sections in the 12-page bill include:
Once the bill hurdles the Senate and the Office of the President, PHI-NADO will finally have legal backing and its actions, if constantly enforced, will satisfy the WADA Code, particularly the aforementioned Article 20.5 (Roles and Responsibilities of National Anti-Doping Organizations). – Rappler.com
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Vendors struggle to work, fight for survival in General Santos’ sun-baked streets
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Herbie G
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25/04/2024 16:15
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NEED TO WORK Norberto Bores, 75, braves the searing heat of the sun, selling popsicles every day, wearing only a baseball cap and a jacket to protect his frail body.
Rommel Rebollido/Rappler
GENERAL SANTOS, Philippines – Norberto Bores pedals his bicycle in the sweltering streets of General Santos, bearing the weight of not just a box of popsicles but also the burden of survival under the scorching sun.
As he navigates through the city’s deserted lanes, the 75-year-old popsicle vendor shows the struggles faced by many residents amid rising temperatures, where livelihoods are threatened, prices soar, and hope flickers in the face of a changing climate.
“There’s not much time for me to rest. I need to earn money for my food and medicine,” Bores told Rappler on Thursday, April 25.
When the heat becomes unbearable, he just looks for shade, Bores quipped as he rode his bicycle with a large styrofoam box full of popsicles.
“Kung mahurot na tanan, naa koy P500. Kung dili mahurot, ugma na pud,” he said.
(If I sell everything in the box, I make P500. If not, I will sell again tomorrow.)
He said the situation now is no different from the post-World War II era when he was a kid. But even with the searing sun, there are more days that Bores is not able to sell all his three-for-P20 popsicles.
Like the popsicle vendor on a bicycle, many residents in this coastal city opt to stay indoors to avoid the scorching heat of the sun, a daily occurrence in this usually sunny city along Sarangani Bay.
As temperatures rise during the day, streets begin to be deserted. Most tricycle drivers see it as impractical to go out with the heat and limited chance to get passengers.
“It’s too hot to be out there, there are not many passengers and fuel prices have gone up again,” 40-year-old tricycle driver Gerry Tobias said on Thursday.
The harsh weather, he said, makes it difficult for him to earn enough for his family’s daily needs.
At night, when there is a better chance to do business without the blistering heat. But balut (duck embryo) vendors are faced with a lack of supply, mainly because of the effects of the long dry spell.
Many balut (duck embryo) vendors here bemoaned the scarce supply of balut, which pushed prices to P25 a piece from P18.
The limited supply and increased prices drove sales down, balut vendor Arnulfo Rafael said.
“Gamay na lang ang kita (I now have less income),” he said.
Rafael gets his supply of balut from Esperanza town in Sultan Kudarat, which was recently declared as being in a state of calamity due to the damage to crops, livestock, and poultry caused by the dry spell.
In the village of Baluan, the once vibrant park Balutan sa Baluan is not as lively anymore. Many balut stalls have closed shop due to lack of supply, affecting the livelihood of residents in the village, said Baluan village chief Dennis Besa.
Victor Vergado, president of the Baluan Duckers’ Association, said the dry spell being experienced has adversely affected the production of balut in their village.
“Wala nang mapangitlogan ang mga bibe dahil nasira ang mga palayan (The rice fields where the ducks lay their eggs have been destroyed),” he said, adding that they were expecting the situation to worsen.
On Tuesday, April 23, General Santos City Administrator Franklin Gacal said they do not see putting the city under a state of calamity despite the prevailing heat and dry weather conditions.
Gacal said of the city’s 11,000 hectares of agricultural land, only about 100 hectares have been affected by the dry spell.
In a social media post, Gacal said the local government has put in place El Niño mitigation and adaptation measures as early as 2023. The measures, he said, cushioned the impact of the El Niño phenomenon in General Santos that a state of calamity declaration became unnecessary.
Meanwhile, Binrio Binan, head of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) in General Santos, said the dry spell is already waning.
In a media forum on April 17, Binan said PAGASA sees an 83% chance the weather conditions would soon transition to “neutral conditions,” and rainfall can be expected. He said they were also expecting rain by May.
“No more high heat index, no more intense heat conditions, but we have to prepare for landslides and flooding,” Binan said. –Rappler.com
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Call for participants: MAD Debate Cup 2024
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Vixey Marie
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25/04/2024 15:19
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The following is a press release from MAD Philippines.
The Movement Against Disinformation (MAD), in partnership with Lyceum of the Philippines University – College of Law, proudly presents the inaugural MAD Debate Cup 2024, scheduled for May 12 and 19, 2024. This new debate competition invites law students to critically examine the pervasive issue of disinformation and its harmful effects to individuals and to our society. The central theme of the competition focuses on the spread of disinformation in emerging media landscapes, delving into cutting-edge topics such as artificial intelligence, big tech, social media, deep fakes, online fake news, and information ops.
Conceived by MAD, a diverse non-partisan coalition comprising members from academia, the legal profession, civil society organizations, international and local non-governmental organizations, and other advocacy groups, this tournament aims to combat the systematic and unregulated dissemination of disinformation on social media platforms. This phenomenon is seen as a genuine and significant threat to democracy, good governance, and human rights. In line with its ongoing commitment to raise awareness about disinformation, MAD has organized this debate cup to provide a platform for law students to engage in discussions and address emerging issues related to disinformation propagated through rapidly evolving media technologies.
Teams aspiring to participate in the tournament can still register until April 26, 2024.
Venue: LPU – College of Law, Makati and LPU ManilaCompetition Dates: May 12 (Prelims) and May 19 (Semis and Finals)Debate Format: Oxford-Oregon FormatPrizes: Php 10,000 cash prize for the top-performing team
This tournament serves as a dynamic arena where future legal practitioners can refine their debating skills, connect with peers and seasoned professionals, and potentially influence national-level public discourse. Through this event, MAD aims to cultivate a new generation of advocates equipped to uphold truth and critically engage with the multifaceted challenges posed by disinformation.
This project is made possible through partnerships with Cruz Marcelo & Tenefrancia, R.V. Domingo & Associates, Bello Valdez & Esguerra, in cooperation with Mawis Law Office, and sponsored by La Viña Zarate & Associates and Taton Law.
For questions and clarifications, please email us at madphilippines2021@gmail.com. – Rappler.com
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IN PHOTOS: What you’ll find at Nitori Philippines’ first store in BGC
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Steph Arnaldo
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25/04/2024 16:38
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MANILA, Philippines – Are you on #TeamBudget or #TeamBudol? Well… why not be on both?
At Nitori Philippines, it’s possible – here you can get innovative and high-quality Japanese products at affordable prices, where function and style seamlessly merge to cater to your everyday living (and estetik) needs.
Nitori, Japan’s largest furnishing and interior brand (in terms of number of stores and sales, according to the brand), opened its first branch in Metro Manila on April 18, at the third level of the Japanese-inspired mall Mitsukoshi in Bonifacio Global City.
Nitori carries a wide and diverse selection of big and small household items and furniture for every inch of your home, organized into its respective areas and aisles (kitchen, bedroom, etc.) for easy, leisurely shopping. Come on a weekday afternoon, when there’s not a lot of people.
Initially, my first impression of the brand was that it has the budget-friendly and functional charm of IKEA, paired with the minimalist and classy aesthetic of MUJI, but quirkier and with more personality. Not everything is plain or monochrome; many items come in different shapes, colors, and adorable styles.
Nitori is also proud of receiving a special award for product quality from the Japanese government for its priority on product safety.
If you’re planning a visit soon, here are the kinds of items you can expect – plus a sneak peek of my own haul too!
What stood out about the Nitori shopping experience was the brand’s helpful attention to detail. Each designated area was clearly labeled, and every section explained what type of products were offered there, including English translations, product descriptions, and an easy-to-understand visual guide on how to use the product or specifically utilize it for your space.
Most of Nitori’s products are simple in design and minimalist in its neutral shades and colors, which make them easy to incorporate in your home. Nothing is too bright, outlandish, or loud – but they’re cute!
To spruce up your living area, Nitori Studio offers a variety of couches, leather armchairs, reclining electric sofas, console tables, coffee tables, center tables, TV stands, side boards, shelves, and cabinets. Some of these can even be customized to your liking – just ask any of the staff.
Also spotted were throw pillow covers, blinds, full-length drape curtains in ready-made or customized designs, wall decor like picture frames and portraits, welcome mats, woven rugs, and carpets.
Students and WFH employees can also find different office chairs here with swivelable designs and adjustable headrests, as well as lumbar seat cushion pillows.
You’ll also spot office desks, writing desks, mini lamps, paper organizers, pen holders, desk organizers, wicker baskets, faux plants, wall clocks, alarm clocks, and other organizational knicks and knacks.
Nitori Studio offers everything you need for a good night’s sleep – customizable wooden bedframes, plush mattresses in 3 sizes, quilt covers, fitted sheets, mattress toppers with special cooling technology, comforters, blankets, and a wide assortment of pillows for lumbar and neck support, with memory foam, and for other specific needs and postural concerns.
There are bedroom slippers available and super cute pillows too – we spotted a dumpling, banana, orange, black cat, and more!
Nitori also has a selection of nice-smelling wax candles and mosaic dishes for your accessories.
Anything you need for your laundry area is here – clothes racks, hangers, hanger racks, laundry clips, hampers.
For your bathroom needs, look no further – absorbent, fuzzy towels in pretty colors abound, as well as shower accessories, portable makeup kits, toiletries baskets, soap dispensers, sponges, mirrors, bath mats, porcelain tooth brush stands, trash cans, accesories organizers, and more.
The beauty section of Nitori is very limited – a small corner is dedicated to electric beauty gadgets like nail trimmers, nail driers, and more.
The kitchen section was a dream – I went through all sorts of induction/gas pans, pots, tempura cookware, and kettles, cooking utensils, graters, knives, and nifty gadgets like oil splatter guards, salad spinners, butter slicers, microwable noodle makers, juicers, and more.
There are also cofffee paraphernalia, kitchen trays, non-slip wooden trays, kitchen wagons, bread boxes, measuring cups, and a kitchen organization queen’s dream – condiment bottles, jars, refrigerator organizers, and even freezable ziplock bags in cute designs.
The shelves of Japanese ceramic dishes and tableware were so tempting, too – rows of white ceramics, acacia wood bowls, ceramic mugs, glasses, and more! There are utensils to choose from too, including a whole section of chopsticks in many designs, and even tablecloths and placemats.
Nitori Philippines has over 1,000 stories in 10 countries. Until May 13, they are offering free delivery services for furniture orders above P29,990 in Metro Manila, Angono, Antipolo, Cainta, San Mateo, Taytay, Bacoor, and Imus.
The Mitsukoshi branch is open from 10 am to 10 pm on weekends and 11 am to 10 pm on weekdays. – Rappler.com
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Visit green spaces in Metro Manila to unwind this summer
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Iya Gozum
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17/04/2024 9:28
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WALKWAY. A strip of pavement inside the Greenway Park in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.
Iya Gozum/Rappler
MANILA, Philippines – The dry, hot season has made glaring the lack of trees and shaded, open areas in Metro Manila.
Being able to do simple outdoor recreational activities like walking, picnicking, jogging, or biking, is an important parameter in making a community livable. Aside from a dearth in these kinds of spaces, the stifling summer heat has made it extra tiring to go outside.
So where outside can you escape in this heat? We picked out some green spaces in the metro you can visit after work hours or during the weekends to unwind.
Academic Oval, University of the Philippines Diliman
Up on the list is the state university’s famous 2.2-kilometer Academic Oval (or acad oval), lined with huge acacia trees.
The acad oval is open to the public and caters to many activities such as jogging, biking, and picnicking. In case you get hungry while ambling or after your workout, there are several stalls and push carts around the oval that sell pancit canton, fishballs, ice cream, and sweet corn with cheese.
Arroceros Forest Park
The so-called last lungs of Manila is home to thousands of trees, ornamental plants, and to a diverse set of bird species.
The 2.71-hectare park is open daily from 8 am to 5 pm, has pathways and an exhibit area inside, and an esplanade along the Pasig River. (READ: The protectors of Manila’s last lung)
ASEAN Garden
Tucked inside the Walled City in Manila is a small garden park. It features busts of leaders and flags from Southeast Asian nations, cobblestone walkways, and stone steps covered with moss.
Its proximity to the campuses inside Intramuros makes it a prime spot for students who need to rehearse skits or practice dance numbers.
Marikina River Park
On the banks of Marikina River, people can walk, jog, bike, and eat. Food establishments have popped up around the area where visitors can eat after their leisure activities.
There are bike racks in certain areas where you can park your bike while checking out food stalls, bazaars, or whatever event is taking place at the time of your visit.
BGC Greenway Park
At the end of 26 Avenue in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, is the Greenway Park where one can walk, jog, or sit down on one of the huge rocks surrounded by trees. It features a strip of pavement surrounded by greenery. Bikes, skateboards are not allowed inside.
Burgos Circle
A stone’s throw away from Greenway Park is the Burgos Circle, the island in the middle of a roundabout of the Forbes Town Center. Benches neatly line the pavements.
It features a sculpture of three trees forming a dome – the work of sculptor Reynato Paz Contreras – completed and unveiled in November 1997. E-scooter and e-bikes are available for rent on the side of the park.
While there are a few go-to spots for a breather in the city, there’s still a need to have more open spaces especially as the public continues to feel the heat exacerbated by climate change.
“We need to have more natural, cooling spaces: our parks, streets lined up with trees. For one it’s more environmentally friendly, compared to the malls that we have,” said urban Elijah Go Tian of the Resilient Cities Network.
“Especially malls with their huge [air-conditioning] and the huge amount of space they take up, [they increase] the heat in the area and the non-permeable spaces that we have,” Tian added.
Tian said parks signal a thriving community because they are free, accessible, and conducive to fostering relationships.
“One main thing why parks are the better option, especially public parks, is because it’s free,” said Tian. “I don’t need to go to a mall and buy something to make me stay there.”
According to a 2021 paper published in the International Journal of Urban Sustainable Development, green spaces in the Metro Manila may be dwindling but what remains still serve the purpose they’re made for: places with a sense of local community, and spaces where people socialize, exercise, and work on self-improvement.
“Living in an overcrowded city, many of them welcome the opportunity to enjoy the spaciousness of the parks and to see mature trees,” the study said.
More than providing contrast to the concrete jungle, trees provide benefits to people and wildlife, said Anthony Arbias of the Philippine Native Plant Conservation Society Inc. (PNPCSI).
“By having more trees, we can have better air quality, better shade, absorb flood, and give support for urban biodiversity as it provides food, shelter and opportunities for wildlife to thrive even in an inhospitable environment,” Arbias told Rappler.
“Second is the ethno-botanical function it gives like beautification, source of food, source of leisure activity and so much more,” he added.
Since 2007, Arbias said the PNPCSI has been advocating the responsible use of native trees in urban spaces. Although the default is to “go native,” he said “careful planning, mix matching, maintenance duties and being considerate to other land owners should always be taken into account” in new township projects.
Now that you have a few ideas on where to go, how do you keep cool outside? Here are some tips.
Hydrate properly. Don’t forget to bring a bottle of water when going outside. Drink water before, during, and after exercise. Keeping yourself hydrated can help prevent muscle cramping, too.
Wear lightweight clothes. Wear light clothes to let your body breathe. Sportswear and outdoor clothing use fabrics that are moisture-wicking, which can help you keep dry and cool than the usual cotton shirt.
Go out early or at night. Make the most of the cooler periods of the day by exercising/going out in the morning before work. If you’re not an early bird, after work hours would be fine, too. Running clubs and other recreational groups often hold their sessions in open spaces at night.
Wear sunscreen. Protect your skin from harmful UV rays by wearing sunscreen. Experts recommend a minimum SPF of 30. Apply sunscreen 30 minutes before going out. Make it a point to reapply every two hours.
Don’t overexert. It’s easier to get tired in the heat, so take breaks when you need to. Listen to your body and be wary of symptoms of heat exhaustion such as dizziness, weak pulse, nausea, muscle cramps, fainting, and clammy skin. – Rappler.com
Improving active transportation facilities and policies is part of the call of various groups to #MakeManilaLiveable. On Rappler, we have created a dedicated space for stories and reports about liveability in Philippine cities. Learn more about the movement here.
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SM Prime marks 30th anniversary with record-breaking income, P100B investment for 2024
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gbarrientos0280
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24/04/2024 10:37
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SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SMPH), the leading integrated property developer in the Philippines, marks its 30th anniversary as a publicly listed company with the announcement of its highest-ever recorded income and a P100 billion investment for its partners, stakeholders, and communities they operate in. With eyes set on the future, SM Prime reaffirms its position as a catalyst for economic development and community advancement.
During the Annual Stockholders Meeting held on April 23, SM Prime announced its highest-ever recorded income, reaching P40 billion in consolidated net income, marking a 33% increase from 2022. Additionally, the company’s revenues surged by 21%, soaring to P128.1 billion, a notable growth from the previous year. The consolidated operating income also saw significant growth, rising by 24% to P61.3 billion.
The outstanding performance can be attributed to SM Prime’s mall business, driving 56% of consolidated revenues and a 30% growth to P71.9 billion in 2023. This growth was bolstered by a 24% increase in mall rental income, amounting to P61.3 billion. Moreover, the opening of four new malls in 2023 expanded SM’s retail presence to 85 malls in the Philippines and eight malls in China.
Meanwhile, SM Prime’s residential business group, led by SM Development Corporation (SMDC), recorded an 8% growth in revenues to P43.1 billion in 2023. The residential group’s gross profit rose by 15% to P25.4 billion, with reservation sales standing at P102 billion.
In addition to its mall and residential businesses, SM Prime’s other key segments comprising offices, hotels, and convention centers, contributed 10% of consolidated revenues, reported P13.1 billion in revenues in 2023, marking a remarkable 26% increase from the previous year.
At the core of SM Prime’s success is its unwavering commitment to shared prosperity in every city where they are present. With a strategic P100 billion investment capital expenditure in 2024, SM Prime aims to reinvest in its partners, stakeholders, and communities.
SM Prime aims to continuously expand and develop new places for every Filipino to enjoy. 60% will be dedicated to enhancing its malls, development of new residential properties under SMDC, and construction of new hotels and convention centers. 40% will be directed towards acquiring new properties and coastal developments to pave the way for modern, eco-friendly urbanization.
SM Prime has always been committed towards creating a sustainable future. SM Prime continues to work towards its goal of achieving Net Zero carbon emissions by 2040, aligning with the Department of Energy’s target of reaching a 35% renewable energy share by 2030. Through partnerships with renewable energy suppliers and organizations like the World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF), SM Prime endeavors to reduce its environmental footprint and advocate for sustainable practices in all areas of its operations.
SM Supermalls’ SM Cares and SMDC’s The Good Guys also remain actively engaged in various community initiatives, such as conducting community disaster preparedness programs, providing support programs for senior citizens and persons with disabilities, and promoting job generation and entrepreneurship through nationwide job fairs and MSME programs. Other initiatives include coastal clean-ups, the donation of school buildings and fire trucks, and the organization of eco-camps for youth.
“At SM Prime, we’re not just building spaces; we’re cultivating lifetimes of progress and shared growth. Our commitment lies in empowering Filipinos to thrive within their neighborhoods, whether through convenient shopping experiences at SM Supermalls, quality living in SMDC homes, or fulfilling work environments in our office properties. We believe that individual success fuels community prosperity, creating opportunities, and driving the nation’s growth for many years to come,” shared Jeffrey C. Lim, president of SM Prime Holdings.
SM Prime remains committed to its role as a catalyst for economic growth, delivering innovative and sustainable lifestyle cities, thereby enriching the quality of life of millions of people. For more information, visit www.smprime.com. – Rappler.com
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Around 50,000 households affected by water shortage in Cebu – water district head
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jsitchon0312
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20/04/2024 16:44
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WATER. Residents of Barangay Pasil in Cebu City struggle to fill their containers as water crisis looms due to the impact of the El Niño phenomenon, on Thursday, April 18.
Jacqueline Hernandez/Rappler
CEBU, Philippines – As officials continue to quarrel over the leadership of the Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MCWD), severe water shortages have affected around 50,000 households in Cebu.
Lawyer Jose Daluz III, the embattled MCWD head, told Rappler on Thursday, April 18, that a majority of the households affected are in Cebu City.
Daluz has been up against Cebu City Mayor Mike Rama who wants him out of the water district since May 2023, due to his alleged “unsatisfactory” performance and insubordination. In March, the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) enforced a takeover of the MCWD.
Amid the water district feud, Susan Garcia, a 69-year-old resident of Sitio Mahayahay I, in Barangay Pasil, Cebu City, told Rappler that they have had little to no water flowing into their homes for more than a month.
Rappler visited Barangay Pasil and found that residents have resorted to opening the main consumer pipes found at the opposite end of MCWD’s water meters.
Garcia shared that she pays around P100 per day to get a porter to deliver 10 buckets of water, about a gallon each, to her home. On top of that, her family pays up to P1,000 a month to the MCWD for water that, she said, “never comes.”
“Di na lang mi makapalit bugas kay ibayad nalang para sa tubig kay wala nay kwarta,” Garcia said.
(We’ll just decide to not buy rice because we have to pay for water and because we don’t have enough money)
Garcia said that she needs water every day since she has no choice but to do her laundry every morning. She explained that because of the intense heat, her family has to bathe and change clothes twice a day.
Brian Marinay, the team leader of the Pasil Fire Brigade, told Rappler on Thursday that they are on “red alert” for the entire barangay.
Marinay said that they are aware of the residents’ opening the main pipes and understand that they are doing it to survive the heat.
“Based on what I got from a few residents, there would be water flowing at around 3 am but by 5 am, there would be no more water,” he said in a mix of English and Cebuano.
According to Marinay, the fire brigade has been delivering water to every sitio in Pasil but was forced to limit distributions in consideration of their fire truck’s water supply capacity and preparations for fire incidents.
“Kinahanglan og tubig, labi na sa mga bata ug tiguwang. Labi na karon nga need ang tubig kay init kaayo. Mas prone man gud sila sa heatstroke,” Marinay said.
(Water is so important, especially for the kids and the elderly. Water is needed even more because it is so hot. They are prone to heatstroke.)
Cebu City Administrator Collin Rosell told Rappler on Friday, April 19, that they are working with the city disaster response unit and other city departments in addressing the water shortage. He added that the city is exploring alternative sources of water.
“We are dispatching a lot of equipment, the water tanks, of course, there’s also the siphoning tanks that will hull and distribute water,” Rosell said.
There are four operating dams that supply water to MCWD. These include the Jaclupan Dam in Talisay City, the Buhisan Dam and Lusaran Dam in Cebu City, and the Carmen Bulk Water Supply in Carmen town.
Daluz told Rappler that each of the dams has lost almost half of its operating capacity, except for the Carmen Bulk Water Supply which still provides 30,000 cubic meters of water per day.
Based on data from MCWD, the Jaclupan Dam, now only provides 20,000 cubic meters of water per day from the usual 35,000 cubic meters of water per day.
The Buhisan Dam provides half of its original 6,000 cubic meters per day while the Lusaran Dam provides 15,000 of its normal 30,000 cubic meters per day.
“In March, the deficit reached 20,000 cubic meters. Then, the deficit became 30,000, 40,000, and now almost 50,000,” Daluz said.
According to him, one cubic meter serves one household, which means that the deficit of 50,000 cubic meters of water per day equates to 50,000 affected households.
Daluz explained that the MCWD was supposed to address the deficit through desalination plants that would provide an external source of water but were delayed due to “difficulties” in obtaining permits.
“Supposedly the delivery date for the Barangay Mambaling desalination plant was September 2023 but when the contractor filed for a permit at Cebu City it was not given. They got the permit in December so they were not able to meet their schedule,” Daluz said. – Rappler.com
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AboitizPower celebrates environmental achievements and efforts for Earth Day
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Julian Cirineo
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22/04/2024 13:59
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On Earth Day, AboitizPower (AP) honors the journey towards greener pursuits and environmental protection.
Strong environmental, social, and governance standards and practices guide AP’s sustainable business operations. Over the next decade, AP expects to attain bolder targets to serve better their customers and communities.
AP is pursuing a 50:50 balance between their renewable and thermal portfolios by 2030, with plans to grow their total generation portfolio to 9,200 MW. Through this transition, we look forward to driving change for a more sustainable future for the country.
In fact, AP in 2014 launched an eight-hectare biodiversity park in the coastal area of Punta Dumalag, calling it the “Cleanergy Park.” The Park, with its lush greenery providing a safe and secure environment, now serves as a sanctuary to pawikans (sea turtles) and several rare bird species. The site has released 355 hatchlings in 2024 alone, bringing the total number of hatchlings released to 9,417 since 2014.
Meanwhile, AP subsidiary Therma South, Inc. and its partners completed its Carbon Sink Management Program by planting one million trees in Davao City, helping lower the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. The program resulted in restoring and rehabilitating over 845 hectares of the indigenous people’s ancestral domain.
AboitizPower shares that every little step we take to protect the natural world is meaningful, and surely, our collective efforts will one day bear fruit to a healthier, stronger Earth. – Rappler.com
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Dismissal of BFAR director may stall tracking of fishing vessels, advocates warn
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Iya Gozum
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25/04/2024 12:47
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NET. A fisherman in Navotas arranges his fish net among the docked boats on land. In the background are medium-sized vessels operated by some other Navotas residents.
Franz Lopez/Rappler
MANILA, Philippines – The dismissal on April 17 of Demosthenes Escoto as Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Director could create a “chilling effect” on the bureaucracy, related sectors, and affect government’s tracking of fishing vessels at sea, conservation group Oceana warned on Thursday, April 25.
Advocates fear this “may stall the full implementation of vessel monitoring measures, strict enforcement of the Philippine Fisheries Code…and the science-based and participatory fisheries management mechanism under the Fisheries Management Areas system,” Oceana said.
“While we acknowledge the Ombudsman decision, we commend the efforts of Demosthenes Escoto to achieve 100% compliance of commercial fishing vessels on vessel monitoring system,” said Gloria Estenzo Ramos, Oceana vice president.
The dismissal could also “wrongfully” associate government’s mandate to track fishing vessels to corruption, a fisherfolk advocate said.
“The dismissal of BFAR Director Escoto will wrongfully create that impression that the VMS is tainted with alleged corruption, thus it is wrong, despite VMS being an internationally recognized tool to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing,” Dennis Calvan, co-founder of Pangingisda Natin Gawing Tama Network, told Rappler.
“The illegal fishers and their influential partners are obviously the ones who will gain from this,” Calvan added.
In a 22-page decision dated February 5, 2024, the Ombudsman found Escoto guilty of “grave misconduct and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of service.”
This stemmed from a 2022 complaint citing irregularities in the procurement of transceivers for BFAR’s implementation of vessel monitoring system.
The Ombudsman said that Escoto’s actions, who was chairman of the bids and awards committee in BFAR at that time, culminated in the award of “a very favorable contract” to a British company.
The government enforces the vessel monitoring system (VMS) to track the speed, location, and activities of fishing vessels. This is standard practice worldwide to curb illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing.
Aside from making fishing sustainable, tracking vessels’ activities could also detect those who encroach on the 15-kilometer municipal water zone reserved for small fishers.
“It is a huge deterrence to illegal fishing happening in our overfished fishing grounds, which has caused fish population to dwindle,” Ramos said. “Municipal waters are reserved for our artisanal fisherfolk and their families yet they remain among the poorest of the vulnerable sectors.”
In 2015, the Philippine government amended the Fisheries Code to instate VMS. To date, three commercial fishing companies contesting government tracking have won at court, exempting them from the implementation of the VMS.
Department of Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. installed Isidro Velayo as officer-in-charge after Escoto’s dismissal.
– Rappler.com
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Marcos extends service of gov’t contractual workers to December 2025
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Dwight de Leon
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25/04/2024 13:57
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Cramped spaces at the Commission on Elections headquarters in Manila on August 30, 2022.
Rappler.com
MANILA, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. moved the expiration of the employment of contract of service (COS) and job order (JO) workers in government from December 2024 to December 2025.
The decision was made during Marcos’ meeting with concerned government agencies on Thursday, April 25, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) and state-run Radio Television Malacañang (RTVM) said on social media.
“The goal is to build a pool of government workers that can perform and qualify for government’s plantilla positions,” the PCO, quoting the President, said in a press release.
This is not the first time that government contractual workers received extensions in their employment.
After the Duterte administration issued a circular outlining the rules governing the hiring of COS and JO workers in government until December 2018, it issued subsequent memoranda extending their transitional period of engagement to December 2022, then December 2024.
The move was meant to give government agencies the opportunity to “reassess their organizational and staffing requirements,” the PCO said.
COS workers are those who are engaged by the government as consultants, learning service providers or technical experts to undertake a special project or job within a specific period.
JO workers, meanwhile, undertake emergency or intermittent jobs for a short period of time.
The PCO said 832,812 government employees are COS and JO workers, accounting for 29% of the total.
It added that agencies with the most number of COS and JO employees are the Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Health, Department of Education, Department of Social Welfare and Development, and Department of Environment and Natural Resources. – Rappler.com
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Only 1,500 cyclists on EDSA daily, says MMDA. Another bike count says it’s more like 7,000.
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Pia Ranada
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25/04/2024 13:18
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EDSA BIKE LANE. Cyclists, motorcycle riders, and cars traverse EDSA on August 22, 2023.
Patrick Cruz/Rappler
MANILA, Philippines – Acting Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairperson Romando Artes has, since March, been stating that “only 1,586 cyclists” traverse the major thoroughfare EDSA on a daily basis.
He has used this figure to justify the MMDA’s opposition to proposals to widen EDSA bike lanes, and on Wednesday, April 24, to explain why the agency is considering proposals to altogether remove or reduce the size of those bike lanes.
“There are many proposals, even to DOTr [Department of Transportation] that say the bike lanes are underutilized. In our data, only 1,500 cyclists use the EDSA bike lane everyday,” he said during the Kapihan sa Manila Bay Forum, as quoted by the Inquirer.
But another major bike count study, conducted by the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (ICSC), The Climate Reality Project Philippines, MNL Moves, 350 Pilipinas, and Pinay Bike Commuter yielded a much higher count of EDSA cyclists: over 7,000.
“Bilang Siklista was able to count more than 7,000 bikers along five key points in EDSA located in Quezon City, Mandaluyong, and San Juan, in just a span of four hours,” said Celine Tabinga of ICSC. The groups above are also behind the Mobility Awards that recognize efforts to promote active and inclusive transport.
Rappler, in a call with MMDA Traffic Engineering Center head Neomie Recio on Thursday, April 25, found that the 1,586 number was obtained by MMDA by counting cyclists from just one spot of EDSA, for one day, on July 28, 2023.
According to Recio, they did this count from 6 am to 8 pm in just one spot of EDSA, somewhere between Ortigas Avenue and Annapolis. They counted every hour during that time period, both on the north-bound and south-bound sides.
The MMDA did two other counts in that same spot on two other dates last year. During a whole-day count on July 26, they counted 1,229 cyclists. On another count on July 27, they counted 1,225 cyclists.
“We focused on that spot because the Department of Transportation is proposing elevated bike lanes in that area,” Recio told Rappler.
Recio admitted the 1,586 is just a partial figure given the limitation of their count. The problem is, MMDA chief Artes now uses this number as a total EDSA bike count.
On the dates MMDA did its bike count, Storm Signal Number 1 was declared over Metro Manila due to Typhoon Egay (Doksuri). Could this account for the much lower bike count? Why did MMDA conduct a bike count during a storm?
The 2023 Bilang Siklista bike count, meanwhile, involved five spots on EDSA and was conducted during two rush -our periods in each day of counting. They counted during the two-hour morning rush hour from 6 am to 8 am, then again from 4 pm to 6 pm.
The count found that up to 7,855 cyclists were on EDSA, and that was only for four hours in one weekday.
It involved 5 intersections of major roads with EDSA and covered both south and north directions on EDSA as well as both directions from EDSA, going into the other major road. The counting was done on June 8, June 15, and June 22 in San Juan, Quezon City, and Mandaluyong City, respectively. EDSA traverses other Metro Manila cities and so this count does not fully capture the number of EDSA cyclists.
Still, even this partial picture already provides a count that is more than MMDA’s current 1,586 cyclists figure.
The 2023 Bilang Siklista study presented a range of cyclists they had counted in those EDSA intersections (for instance, a light orange color would refer to a range of 105 to 210 cyclists counted).
Rappler added up the minimum number in those ranges that referred to counting done explicitly on EDSA. This yielded a total of 4,434, minimum, still almost thrice the MMDA’s count.
Adding up the maximum number of those ranges yields a total of 7,855, based on Rappler’s count. This is almost five times the number MMDA now claims as the total number of daily cyclists traversing EDSA.
The ICSC sent Rappler the exact EDSA count they got, based on single figures and not a range. They counted 7,807 cyclists, not far from the total of the maximum ranges.
The currrent MMDA count is also much less than the 2020 or pandemic-time bike count conducted by the MMDA itself, with ICSC and Manila Moves.
This count found that at an average of 4,060 cyclists were on EDSA daily in the month of June 2020. The counting took place in 6 points along EDSA. The lowest count of cyclists that month was 1,664, close to the 2023 MMDA tally. But the highest count that month far exceeds the MMDA claim – 6,278 cyclists on EDSA on one day.
This discrepancy begs the question: is MMDA formulating plans on policies for bikers based on only a partial count of cyclists? What is the MMDA doing to obtain a more comprehensive and accurate picture of the volume of cyclists who use EDSA daily?
Active transport advocates have long criticized the MMDA for failing to institutionalize its bike counts. Its Annual Average Daily Traffic (AADT) counts cars, buses, jeeps, taxis trucks, tricycles, utility vehicles, trailers, and motorcycles, but does not count bicycles on Metro Manila roads.
Its organizational structure shows only an ad hoc office for active transport, the Bike Lane Program Office currently led by Manuel Barredo, who also heads the Parking Management Team. MMDA has done some bike counts in recent years, with support from various inclusive transport groups. But these are not regular or institutionalized like its AADT.
This seeming lack of support, at times even clear opposition to active transport programs, contradicts the Marcos administration’s national development plan which clearly states cyclists and pedestrians are to be prioritized.
The Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2023 to 2028, formulated by the National Economic Development Authority, says this on page 281: “Active transport networks will be developed. Pedestrians and cyclists will be accorded highest priority in the hierarchy of road users.”
“Provisions for active mobility will be integrated into the transportation system. Existing thoroughfares and bridges will be redesigned and retrofitted for the protection and expansion of bikers and pedestrians,” it continues.
Public statements of Artes himself have given Metro Manila cyclists the impression that he sees expansion and improvement of active transport infrastructure as unrealistic.
“We have to live in the reality of life here in Metro Manila. We cannot insist on everything we want. And we cannot please everybody here,” he said in the March 11 meeting, to explain MMDA’s opposition to bi-directional protected bike lanes on EDSA.
Artes, in a Tuesday press conference, also claimed that what keeps more Filipinos from biking is the heat and inconvenience of it, rather than safety concerns due to the lack of protected bike lanes in the metro.
“Imaginin mo kung papasok ka sa trabaho. Hindi ka naman pwedeng pumasok na basa, amoy pawis. Sorry ah, pero ‘di ba ‘yon po ‘yung reality eh,” he said.
(Imagine you will go to work. You cannot go to work wet and smelling like sweat. Sorry, but that’s reality.)
But according to transport expert and director of University of the Philippines’ Institute of Civil Engineering Jose Regidor, safety is the primary concern of people who are considering biking as a travel mode.
“Based on what we’ve studied so far, for example, studies done by UP, safety is the number one concern. For people who you want to encourage to bike, if you want to add to people shifting to bicycles, safety is the number one concern,” he told Rappler on March 12.
Regidor is a former director of the UP National Center for Transportation Studies, a think tank that has often been tapped by government agencies for expertise in transportation management.
He also pointed out that many workers, like construction workers or other blue-collar workers, rely on cycling as an affordable mode of transportation, despite the sweat and heat they face on the road, exposed to the elements.
“You have many workers who bike even without a bike lane. They brave it out of necessity because they don’t have money for commuting. If they spend it on public transportation, it eats into their family’s meal budget,” said Regidor.
For this reason, he emphasized the need for an interconnected bike lane network. If MMDA accedes to proposals to remove EDSA bike lanes, the interconnectedness of Metro Manila’s bike lanes would be greatly reduced.
“The main culprit of heavy traffic is the increasing volume of private cars occupying more road space, which must be comprehensively addressed,” said ICSC director for urban development Maria Golda Hilario.
“Making the public transport systems and mass transit infrastructure in Metro Manila interconnected, accessible, comfortable, reliable and efficient is the best and most strategic solution to moving more people and reducing traffic congestion,” she said.
The Move As One Coalition, which advocates for inclusive transportation, called on Artes to “fully adhere to President Marcos Jr.’s policy to support active transportation,” in a Thursday statement. – Rappler.com
Infrastructure that protects cyclists and provides people with more options for mobility is one way to #MakeManilaLiveable. Rappler has a dedicated space for stories about making Philippine cities more liveable, starting with the capital region. Check it out here.
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Apollo Quiboloy and the Kingdom of Jesus Christ, from abuse to multi-million properties
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Jodesz Gavilan
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17/04/2024 20:32
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Graphics by Alejandro Edoria
Doomsday preacher Apollo Quiboloy is on the run as he faces mounting cases both here and abroad related to alleged abuse committed under his Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC).
Two courts in the Philippines – in Davao City and Pasig City – already released warrants of arrest against Quiboloy but he has yet to be arrested, even if several of his close aides had already surrendered. There is also a pending arrest order from the Senate after he failed to attend hearings probing into allegations against him and his church.
Quiboloy has also put on the US Federal Bureau of Investigation’s most-wanted list since early 2022, for sex trafficking of children and promotional money laundering, among others. An FBI poster says the preacher allegedly forced his followers to “solicit donations for a bogus charity, donations that actually were used to finance church operations and the lavish lifestyle of its leaders.”
These allegations have been the subject of investigative reports published by Rappler since 2021. In this page, you will find links to these exclusive reports that investigated the alleged abuse inside KOJC as well as Quiboloy’s multi-million-peso properties in the US and Canada.
Bookmark this page as Rappler continues to follow and investigate Quiboloy and his church. If you have tips or any other helpful information, you may share them with us via email: investigative@rappler.com.
What you need to know about Quiboloy
FAST FACTS: Who is Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, the ‘Appointed Son of God’?
Doomsday preacher Apollo Quiboloy is part of the US FBI’s most wanted list for sex trafficking of children and promotional money laundering, among others
PRIMER: Investigations, cases against Apollo Quiboloy
What are the cases, complaints, and investigations faced by the doomsday preacher?
THE CASE VS QUIBOLOY | Years of alleged abuse, fraud catch up with Davao preacher
The influential preacher refers to November 18, 2021, as the day of his ‘crucifixion.’ Federal prosecutors in the US have filed a string of criminal cases against him and his associates – allegations corroborated by traumatized ex-members who spoke with Rappler.
Quiboloy sexually abused women, minors – ex-followers, US prosecutors
Former workers and members of the Davao-based Kingdom of Jesus Christ organization are out to make the preacher account for the years of abuse and exploitation they experienced
‘Root of all evil’: Quiboloy church’s demands for money mire followers in debt
Pastor Apollo Quiboloy’s wealth is built on the heaving backs of his followers. The ‘children’ of his ‘kingdom’ are made to quit school or jobs, sell properties, and take out loans to meet quotas. They are punished when they fail to deliver, abandoned when they get sick.
Stolen lives, lost identities: Quiboloy’s ex-followers traumatized for years
Members who escape the Davao-based ‘kingdom’ suffer emotional and psychological abuse and need help to fully recover
3 survivors of Quiboloy’s ‘kingdom’ bare ordeal
They are part of a network of survivors speaking out about how they experienced abuse inside the Kingdom of Jesus Christ. Parts of their narrative mirror details in the 74-page indictment against preacher Apollo Quiboloy, who calls himself the ‘appointed son of God.’
Playing gods in Davao: Duterte’s death squad, Quiboloy’s kingdom
There’s a side to Davao that had long existed, but which the rest of the Philippines didn’t know about until the city mayor became president.
Inside Quiboloy’s lavish world: Mansions, rich-and-famous lifestyle in North America
A Rappler investigation uncovers three properties estimated to be worth P338 million traced to Pastor Apollo Quiboloy and his group. Two of these are in Canada, while one is located in an affluent part of California, near the homes of celebrities.
Quiboloy in the US: More multi-million properties in Las Vegas, Hawaii
A Rappler investigation uncovers two more properties estimated to be worth P262.52 million traced to Pastor Apollo Quiboloy. One is a lavish mansion in Las Vegas worth about P165 million.
A peek into Quiboloy’s expensive gun collection
Doomsday preacher Apollo Quiboloy owns firearms amounting to at least P2.3 million ($41,000). At least five pistols are worth over P200,000 ($3,500) each.
Newsbreak Chats: Uncovering the lavish world of Quiboloy
What’s next for the doomsday preacher who is facing a series of legal cases?
– Jodesz Gavilan/Rappler.com
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How many days has Quiboloy been hiding? Rappler may investigate the backgrounds of the NBI and PNP officials involved in this case. Hints may rise after such an investigation. PBBM should give those officials a deadline. They must be replaced if they cannot arrest Quiboloy on or before that deadline. Rappler may also reprint articles about Pharmally executives who hide in Davao City. A pattern may become visible after their reprinting.
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A peek into Apollo Quiboloy’s expensive gun collection
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Jodesz Gavilan
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03/04/2024 16:38
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Illustration by Raffy De Guzman
READ: Part 1 | Inside Apollo Quiboloy’s lavish world: Mansions, rich-and-famous lifestyle in North AmericaPart 2 | Quiboloy in the US: More multi-million properties in Las Vegas, Hawaii
Doomsday preacher Pastor Apollo Quiboloy did not only accumulate multi-million-peso properties abroad. The self-appointed “Son of God” also has an expensive arsenal of licensed firearms.
A Rappler investigation found that Quiboloy, the leader of the controversial Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC), has a collection of at least 19 firearms whose estimated worth is about P2.3 million ($41,000)*, documents obtained by Rappler showed.
This estimate is based on the current market value of each of the 13 firearms that Rappler was able to independently verify by consulting popular gun stores or directly inquiring with manufacturers. We will update this once we obtain more information about the other five.
Two documents show almost entirely different sets of firearms, save for five guns that appear on both lists. The documents also differ on the indicated date of approval for the licenses. Information in the two documents, however, are both registered with the Philippine National Police Firearms and Explosives Office (PNP-FEO).
One of the documents shows 11 guns, while the other has 13, or a total of 19 linked to Quiboloy. One license recently expired on March 5, 2024, and another one is set to expire in September 2024, records showed.
At least 13, however, have an expiry date of April 2033 – indicating that Quiboloy obtained these licenses in 2023. This means that he benefited from Republic Act No. 11766, which extended the validity of a firearm license from four to 10 years.
RA 11766 was signed into law on May 6, 2022 by known Quiboloy friend and then-president Rodrigo Duterte, just a little over a month before his term ended. Duterte himself obtained 10-year licenses for 358 of his own firearms in June 2022, a few weeks after the law was enacted.
Quiboloy is on the US Federal Bureau of Investigation’s most-wanted list for sex trafficking of children and promotional money laundering, among others. In the Philippines, the doomsday preacher was charged with human trafficking, a non-bailable offense, on top of a March 14 arrest warrant issued by a regional trial court in the Davao region for child abuse and sexual abuse.
The PNP on Friday, April 26, announced that it has revoked Quiboloy’s licenses, after the recommendation of the PNP FEO. Spokesperson Jean Fajardo earlier this month confirmed that Quiboloy has 19 firearms, as quoted by several media reports, affirming the count on documents first obtained and reported on exclusively by Rappler.
Earlier on Wednesday, April 24, the PNP FEO told Rappler that it already recommended revoking the gun licenses of Quiboloy, adding that it had submitted the resolution for approval by PNP chief Police General Rommel Francisco Marbil.
Quiboloy has a Type 5 license, as stated in the document that contains information on the firearms. The document obtained by Rappler certifies that these “information exist in FEO records.”
Individuals who have a Type 5 license can own more than 15 firearms because the law does not impose an explicit limit. This, however, is subject to a process where a prospective license holder needs to submit requirements, including results from drug and psychological tests.
All but one – or at least 18 – firearms in Quiboloy’s vault are pistols. Republic Act No. 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act of 2012 defines a pistol as “a hand-operated firearm having a chamber integral with or permanently aligned with the bore which may be self-loading.”
At least 15 pistols listed have complete details, meaning that the document states the pistol’s make, model, caliber, and serial number or “key identifiers of a firearm,” according to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. “Make” refers to the name of the firearms manufacturer. The “model” is a way to identify each firearm produced by a manufacturer.
The model of three pistols licensed under Quiboloy are not indicated in the documents.
But based on firearms with complete details, the most expensive in the doomsday preacher’s vault are the pistols manufactured by Philippine-based Metrillo Gun Corporation. Quiboloy has at least five Metrillo pistols, with a total conservative estimate of around P1.5 million ($27,000).
Rappler was able to obtain price quotations of specific pistol models – three Fastidious, one Masterpiece, and one Phenomenal – indicated in the documents.
A Masterpiece pistol can range from P285,000 ($5,000) to P420,000 ($7,400), depending on whether it is customized or not. A Fastidious, meanwhile, can go as high as P650,000 ($11,500). The cheapest Phenomenal model is P420,000 ($7,400), while the most expensive is worth P750,000 ($13,300).
Duterte also owns three Masterpiece pistols from Metrillo.
Quiboloy owns two pistols made by CZ, a Czech Republic-based manufacturer. One is a 75 TS Orange pistol, “a top of the range sport special,” that costs P195,000 ($3,466). The other, meanwhile, is a Shadow 2 pistol with a price tag of P100,000 ($1,700). It is described as “an all-steel, large-capacity SA/DA pistol that is currently the most celebrated firearm in today’s dynamic sport disciplines.”
The sole rifle licensed under the doomsday preacher’s name is a Colt that has no indicated model, but one of the cheapest goes for P61,000 ($1,080) a piece.
Gun ownership is not unusual, and that includes even religious leaders.
In the United States, for example, Pew Research in 2017 found that 41% of evangelicals own guns. Sociologist of religion Jayeel Cornelio explained that, in the US context, guns and God go hand-in-hand as a reflection of a theological worldview that Christ is “masculine, dominant, and ready to fight.”
This becomes dangerous when they start believing that people who are not like them – those who have opposing views on important issues – are “potential enemies.”
“Gun ownership reflects two possibilities in the Christian worldview: As a form of protection or in preparation for a possible war,” he told Rappler on Monday, April 1. “Either way, the working assumption is that there is an imminent threat for which gun ownership is necessary.”
Quiboloy may have only 19 firearms in his vault, but one can view this as part of a “bigger war that he is waging,” especially as he continues to face legal issues stemming from accusations of abuse by former KOJC members.
“He is after all a countercultural, counterintuitive religious leader,” Cornelio said. “He knows that many would not like what he preaches so that could be one reason why he feels threatened.”
It is important to note that this report covers only guns that are officially licensed under Quiboloy’s name. These do not include other possible firearms that are in use by his security.
In February 2018, when Quiboloy was temporarily detained, Hawaii News Now reported that authorities discovered “parts to assemble military-style rifles” and undeclared cash in the plane that he and other KOJC associates were on.
A former church member also claimed that the doomsday pastor would arrive in his vast property in Davao City with lots of firearms. He also supposedly witnessed Duterte and his daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte, leave the premises with bags of guns. The former president denied this claim, calling it “a very stupid proposition,” and even questioned where Quiboloy would get these guns.
The over P2-million gun vault of Quiboloy (about $41,000) – is the latest in a slew of discoveries about his vast wealth. Rappler previously published reports that explored multi-million-peso homes traced to Quiboloy and his controversial KOJC – four currently owned and one that has already been sold.
The four have a total estimated value of $9.07 million (P503 million), based on current market prices. If the property sold in 2018 is included, the total value would go up to $10.83 million (P601 million).
The properties found to have current links to Quiboloy and the KOJC include the following:
There is also a property in Hawaii worth $1.76 million (P97.71 million) that was the subject of a ruse sale in July 2018, months after Quiboloy was temporarily detained in 2018. The listed owners of the company it was sold to are directly linked to the pastor, while its address leads to a KOJC church.
KOJC is far from being the only church that has this much wealth and properties. According to Cornelio, having that much resources that could be claimed to come from God would be “irrefutable to a believer.”
“For any religious group, the mark of success is the accumulation of wealth,” he said. “It is much easier to say that you have God’s anointing if you can concretely identify the ‘blessings.’”
One way that Quiboloy could justify his wealth is to say that “it is a demonstration of the fulfillment of God’s calling” for him and the KOJC, Cornelio said. Obtaining properties both in the Philippines and abroad happened because God is “at work in them.”
But Quiboloy is accused of accumulating his wealth by forcing members to not just give money, but also solicit donations in various places across the Philippines and even the world. (READ: ‘Root of all evil’: Quiboloy church’s demands for money mire followers in debt)
Following the publication of Rappler’s investigation into Quiboloy’s multi-million-peso mansions, some supposed KOJC supporters defended their leader online by saying that the properties are owned by the entire church. These are aside from the intense defense they mounted against allegations of abuse.
Why are many people still defending Quiboloy? Cornelio said that the KOJC is a “high-demand, high-control religion” where so much is at stake when one joins – referring to demands and responsibilities, as well as repercussions when members stray from what is ordered. This leads to their identities being “fully intertwined with the institution itself.”
“So effectively, individuality gives way to group solidarity [and] for this reason, an attack on Quiboloy is an attack on all of them,” he said.
“But that is also where all the problem lies: not just the lack of accountability when the leader becomes corrupt, but also people’s inability to recognize that something is already wrong,” Cornelio added.
Quiboloy remains untouchable – despite having an existing arrest warrant from a local court, an arrest order from the Senate, and landing on the FBI’s most wanted list. Will he remain invincible? – Rappler.com
*$1 = P56
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[OPINION] On divorce and Filipino values
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Glenda Gloria
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25/04/2024 9:00
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“Filipino values. Family values. But what do we really value? Life, safety, and sanity through divorce? Or that superficial image of a supposedly ideal marriage?”
Em Abuton is a mother of four girls who describes herself as a “staunchly pro-divorce advocate.” In a piece for Rappler, she minces no words for the “hypocrisy” of religious leaders. She takes them to task for advising couples to stay together despite domestic violence when, in fact, the clergy themselves are unmarried. She also believes the latter is unjust for denying the abused party – often the woman – “the right to be totally free from the abuser.”
Like many other Filipinos, she’s upset that “Filipino” and “family” values have become a convenient excuse to neglect the welfare of abused women. And we have reason to believe she’s not alone.
Since 2005, public support for divorce legislation has been growing consistently. In fact, according to the latest data from SWS, 53% of Filipinos (as opposed to 32%) agree that “married couples who have already separated and cannot reconcile anymore should be allowed to divorce so they can get legally married again.” (I wrote about this trend in another piece: Is the Philippines ready for divorce?)
To this day, there’s no divorce law in the country except for Muslim Filipinos, who are covered by the Code of Muslim Personal Laws. For context, relative divorce or legal separation was allowed for Filipinos during the Spanish period. It was not until during the American occupation that the first civil divorce law, based on adultery or concubinage, was made possible.
Marital dissolution was repealed, however, when the Philippines gained its independence, and the Civil Code had to be revised in 1950. In that revised version, legal separation replaced absolute divorce. As historians of that period observed, the move was prompted by strong resistance from the Catholic Church. In 1987, legal separation was retained in the Family Code under Executive Order 209 and remains in force.
In the past three decades, renewed efforts have been made to legalize divorce in the country. A series of proposals were initiated in 1999 and then in 2001. Many others followed suit over the years, but none has been successful. In 2023, an unprecedented turn occurred when a Senate committee approved a consolidated measure.
This, however, may have raised hopes too soon. Just last month, the Philippine senators’ counterparts in the House of Representatives sent their own divorce bill back to the original committee. Its primary author, Representative Edcel Lagman, “cried foul.” In his view, the move was only meant to “derail the proceedings.”
What is also striking about Abuton’s piece is that it calls into question the repetitive claim that marriage is a Filipino value. But is it?
The claim is not new. In the 1920s, when absolute divorce became the law of the land, Jose Lopez-Vito, Jr., a prominent lawyer, criticized the Supreme Court. In a piece published by the Philippine Law Journal, he disagreed with its conclusion that marital dissolution effectively repealed legal separation. In his view, the latter should have been retained because marriage was not only a sacred vow. “The sanctity of the family,” argued Lopez-Vito, Jr. “is one of the greatest prides of our race.”
In 1960, Jorge Coquia, another prominent lawyer, castigated his women colleagues who participated in the convention of the Federacion Internacional de Abagadas (FIDA) in Manila. The women rallied behind FIDA’s resolution in favor of a standard divorce law worldwide. Published in another scholarly journal, here’s what he said: “The matter of absolute divorce has no place among the accepted mores, customs and family traditions of the Philippines…[and] is not consonance with the moral and religious convictions of Filipinos.”
Were these lawyers justified?
From the perspective of the majority, one can argue that they were. In a way, their legal gravitas reinforced the Catholic Church’s position. As I mentioned above, the Catholic Church in the mid-20th century appealed to the framers of the Civil Code in the name of the public. Writing around that time, Deogracias Reyes made the following observation: “The code reaffirms in many of its provisions the Filipino tradition of family solidarity, further strengthened by the Catholic faith of the people.”
Can the same argument be made in 2024?
According to the survey data I mentioned above, the majority of Filipinos are now in favor of a divorce law. This means the religious sector can no longer rely on the majority to rally behind it.
I think this explains why the religious resistance to marital dissolution now portrays it as a moral evil that threatens Filipino values. This is a different take altogether.
For my ongoing book project, I’m documenting how the religious rhetoric now portrays divorce as a moral evil because it destroys the Filipino family. And the family is what defines Filipinoness. This take is no longer majoritarian. Instead, what we have here is an essentialist argument. One priest has this to say: “Divorce is…anti-family, anti-marriage, and anti-children.”
It’s worth reiterating that in this worldview, the family is heteronormative. This explains why the religious community has fought tooth and nail over the SOGIE Equality Bill. From this vantage point, divorce and homosexuality are lumped together as facets of a “culture of death” that they believe threatens Philippine society.
Since divorce is a moral evil, the logical recourse is moral fortitude.
The religious discourse expresses this in different ways. Couples must fight for their marriage, rediscover their faith in God, be humble enough to admit their mistakes, forgive each other, and stick to one another for the sake of their children.
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines makes a strong statement: “If you cannot keep the promise, do not make it [at] all. Do not claim its privileges while refusing to own up to its demands.”
I get that it’s a moral concern. But portraying divorce only as a moral evil sidetracks many other issues.
Divorce, for example, is also a matter of mental health, as some scholars have rightly pointed out. One must also mention that legal separation does not allow parties to get married again. This means that their legal spouses may retaliate by charging them with adultery or concubinage if they enter into another relationship. This warning comes from no less than the Philippine Commission on Women. It also reminds the public that children born out of these new relationships are not considered legitimate.
Divorce, I have no doubt, is a moral concern. Many Filipinos, after all, are still of the view that marriage is worth fighting for.
But if this morality is tied to Filipino values (or Filipinoness), what does it ultimately make of those who suffer among us? Are they not Filipinos too?
I suppose one more question must be asked as our society debates divorce. Is it not Filipino too to “build a just and humane society”?
It must be. It’s right there in the very first sentence of the Philippine Constitution. – Rappler.com
Jayeel Cornelio, PhD is a visiting scholar at the Center for Asian Democracy at the University of Louisville. On sabbatical from the Ateneo de Manila University, where he is Professor of Development Studies, he is working on his book on religion and politics in the Philippines. Follow him on X @jayeel_cornelio.
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Thanks to Prof. Jayeel Cornelio for his educational and enlightening ideas on Divorce. Most importantly, it relates to Filipino values and building a just and humane society. I eagerly wait for his following articles expounding on this relationship. I also wish he could work on the origin of the love of family as a value and how such value becomes one of the Filipino values. Again, thank you, Prof. Cornelio.
Clarification: divorce and how it relates to building a just and humane society. Advance thanks, Prof. Cornelio.
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Hontiveros, Gatchalian urge DILG to suspend Bamban mayor
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Joann Manabat - CMS
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25/04/2024 10:16
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OCULAR. Senators Risa Hontiveros and Sherwin Gatchalian inspect the raided Baofu compound in Bamban, Tarlac on April 25, 2024.
Joann Manabat/Rappler
TARLAC, Philippines – Senators Risa Hontiveros and Sherwin Gatchalian, on Wednesday, April 24, urged the Department of the Interior Local Government (DILG) to preventively suspend Mayor Alice Guo due to her alleged links to Zun Yuan Technology Incorporated, a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) allegedly engaged in criminal activities.
The two senators inspected the POGO’s premises at the Baofu Compound in Bamban, Tarlac, which was raided last month by a team led by the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC).
Hontiveros said other public officials involved in the POGO should also be under preventive suspension as the investigation is ongoing. Documents and other pieces of evidence point to Guo and other officials’ involvement in the operation of the POGO facility which has been implicated in various criminal activities.
“Hiniling ko yun sa DILG na ilagay sa preventive suspension. Hindi lang si mayor, may ilan pang pinangalanan sa mga documents na nakita natin kanina sa public briefing. Dahil habang lumalabas yung findings ng PAOCC eh mga seryoso at mabibigat na tanong ang sasagutin nina mayor,” Hontiveros said.
(I asked the DILG to put them under preventive suspension. Not only the mayor, there are others named in the documents we saw earlier in the public briefing. As the findings of PAOCC unfold, there are serious and heavy questions they must answer.)
“The mayor, napakalaki ng impluwensiya niya sa isang lugar lalo na ngayon may ongoing investigation. Preventive suspension ang pinakamainam para hindi maimpluwensiyahan ang investigation. Maganda rin yan para sa kanya dahil hindi na siya maa-accuse of influence. Gusto natin maging maayos ang pagiimbestiga ng PAOCC,” Gatchalian added.
(The mayor has great influence in her place especially now that there is an ongoing investigation. Preventive suspension is the best way so she will not be able to influence the investigation. That would also be great for her so she won’t be accused of influence. We want PAOCC to investigate properly.)
PAOCC spokesperson Winston Casio revealed to both senators dubious coincidences when they tried to break open the vaults on the first day, such as local welders allegedly attending a seminar while all angle grinders were missing. Power and water lines were also cut.
Acetylene was used as substitute to break open all 27 vaults where over P7 million in cash were confiscated by the authorities.
Zun Yuan is by far the biggest among the four POGOs authorities have raided since May 2023. Other challenges PAOCC identified include getting records, as well as poor coordination in the area due to POGOs’ networks and connections.
Hontiveros said their ocular inspection was a continuing discovery and realization of POGOs’ links to organized crime. The two senators acknowledged possible bribery to protect POGOs’ illegal activities, and reiterated their call to ban all POGOs in the country.
“Itong mga POGOs mga negosyante. Marunong silang gumawa ng connection, maglagay, manuhol. In fact, yun ang kanilang galing para maproteksyunan ang sarili nila. Yan ang kinatatakutan ko na kung meron na silang mga tao na nasa bulsa nila, saan pa tayo tatakbo? Kahit anong sumbong natin, kahit anong raid, kung yung mga taong dapat tulungan ang PAOCC ay hawak na sa bulsa ng mga POGO, tapos na tayo,” Gatchalian said.
(These POGOs are businessmen. They know how to establish connections and bribe. In fact, they’re skilled in protecting themselves. That’s what I fear, that if they already have people in their pockets, where else can we run to? No matter the accusation, no matter the raid, if the people who are supposed to help the PAOCC are already in their pockets, we are done.)
In January 2008, then-senator Miriam Defensor Santiago introduced the Anti-Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO Law) of 2008 to penalize racketeers and criminal enterprises from infiltrating, controlling or influencing Philippine commerce. A RICO has not been passed into law in the country.
In the United States, its RICO was enacted in 1970.
Casio said recipients of bribe money are also part of organized crime as beneficiaries of illegal activities. PAOCC is currently framing a bill similar to the RICO Law to help combat organized crimes.
Rappler reached out to Guo’s staff for comment on what the two senators said, but they said she was unavailable.
Guo, in her statement sent to Rappler last April 8, denied the allegations linking her to the illegal acts of Zun Yuan.
“I welcome any investigation carried out by the proper authorities at the proper forum. I am ready to answer all accusations and show that these allegations are false and unjust, should I be given the chance to do so at the proper forum,” she said. – Rappler.com
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More jobs for people with autism sought in PH
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Samantha Bagayas
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25/04/2024 11:00
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ALL SMILES. The crowd of the Autism Society Philippines’ Angels Walk for Autism smile for the camera at SM Mall of Asia Arena on April 21.
Ian Capoquian/Rappler
MANILA, Philippines – Limited livelihood opportunities for people with autism are often exacerbated by societal misconceptions and insufficient support systems.
In the Angels Walk for Autism event organized by the Autism Society Philippines (ASP) on Sunday, April 21, some 22,000 participants, including individuals on the autism spectrum and their families, raised awareness about the need for more disability-inclusive livelihood opportunities where Filipinos with autism can thrive.
With the theme, “Kakaiba, kasali, katrabaho (Unique, included, colleague)” the event featured a talent showcase from performers on the autism spectrum, talks from advocates, and a walk, among others.
ASP national spokesperson Mona Magno-Veluz pointed out that economic empowerment for individuals on the autism spectrum comes with high stakes given the difficulties they are confronted with from job seeking to work deployment.
“We are very aware of the limited opportunities for job seekers on the spectrum – our children. Many think of autism as a condition of the young, rather than a condition that is present in adults,” Magno-Veluz said in an interview with Rappler.
One instance where this can be seen, as per Magno-Veluz, is during job interviews. “The most obvious challenge for job seekers on the spectrum is that they do not interview well. This difficulty makes our job seekers frustrated as it stops them even before they get too far.”
Acknowledging that not all people may fit in traditional work spaces, she emphasized the need for other forms of livelihoods where people on the spectrum can excel like entrepreneurship, freelancing, and artistry.
ASP national president Lorenzo Sumulong highlighted some of their ongoing livelihood projects in support of inclusive employment, such as the ASP Autism Work, a career placement initiative that offers job coaching and sensitivity training to coach its partner companies and organizations to better handle potential employees on the spectrum.
ASP Project GourmA and Project ChocolatA are also programs catering to aspiring culinary chefs on the spectrum.
Additionally, there are ASP programs that provide platforms for individuals where they can harness their skills and learn to be independent in the workforce. Among these are ASP ARTismo, a culture and arts platform where people on the spectrum can express their creativity through workshops and exhibits, and ASP AutisMALL, an online marketplace by and for individuals on the spectrum.
“These initiatives not only champion the cause of autism acceptance, but also strive to create inclusive opportunities for individuals of the autism spectrum,” Sumulong said.
With the challenges employees and job seekers on the autism spectrum face, Magno-Veluz emphasized the importance of helping families and employers to create a kinder and more genuine work environment for individuals with autism.
“We advocate with our partner employers for an equitable screening process that also tests practical skills and problem-solving skills to give them a better chance at showing off their strengths and getting hired,” she said.
For an empowered workforce on the spectrum to be emboldened, Magno-Veluz also called on everyone to be proactive supporters, specifically the public, on digital spaces.
“It is not enough to rally behind ‘autism awareness.’ We need action. We need acceptance, accommodation, and appreciation – especially in the workplace,” she said. – Adelainne Balbin/Rappler.com
Adelainne Balbin is a Rappler intern from the Lyceum of the Philippines University Manila. She is currently in her fourth year in college taking up Bachelor of Arts in Journalism.
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After pulpit panels, Boljoon moves to recover tabernacle sold at auction
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Herbie G
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25/04/2024 11:04
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LEGAL MOVES. Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia talks with Capitol lawyers about legal options to recover items that were lost from heritage churches in Cebu.
Max Limpag/Rappler
CEBU, Philippines – While awaiting the return of its controversial pulpit panels by the National Museum to the heritage church of Boljoon in southern Cebu, the town now seeks to reclaim a tabernacle auctioned in 2017.
The tabernacle was featured in Leon Gallery’s The Asian Cultural Council Philippines Art Auction 2017. The catalog indicated its origin as Boljoon. Initially priced at P400,000, it eventually sold for P1.4 million.
Leon Gallery Director Jaime Ponce de Leon told Rappler that he would assist Cebu province and the Archdiocese of Cebu in locating the item.
“We are compelled by law to help,” de Leon said, “but there has to be proof that the item was really stolen.”
De Leon said that in the past, it was common knowledge that priests would often sell items, sometimes to fund projects in the parish, such as church repairs.
A source in heritage circles said the tabernacle was offered to a member of a prominent Cebuano family who, after consultation, was advised not to buy it because it obviously originated from a church.
Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia said she intends to locate the antiques and treasures that parishes in Cebu have lost. During an interview with Rappler, she also expressed her commitment to recovering the tabernacle.
Father Brian Brigoli, chair of the Cebu Archdiocesan Commission for the Cultural Heritage of the Church, said the archdiocese will also take action to locate the item.
Boljoon Mayor Joie Genesse Derama said he will seek Garcia’s assistance in demanding its return to the Archdiocesan Shrine of Patrocinio de Maria Santisima in their town.
Municipal Councilor Eva Lowela Villanueva Moraca said she was preparing a resolution to request assistance from Leon Gallery in locating the tabernacle.
When the issue regarding the pulpit panels arose, the Archdiocese of Cebu said the items removed from churches without authorization by the archbishop are considered stolen. National Museum of the Philippines (NMP) Director General Jeremy Barns, however, said the sale of church items by priests was common in the past and continues today.
There is currently no information available regarding when the tabernacle, which was where the blessed sacraments were placed, was lost from the parish. What could complicate the issue is that the Boljoon parish inventory is missing.
The inventory was signed by the current parish priest, Monsignor Arthur Navales, when he assumed the parish in 2019. Brigoli said that during their visit to the parish last Tuesday, the inventory was still not found.
In the Leon Gallery catalog, the tabernacle was described as made of molave. “Stylistically, it is a transition piece showing Baroque details in conjunction with the Rococo Style elements that began to manifest itself in Philippine art after the 1750s. The piece was originally used to enshrine a religious statue.”
Brigoli said the catalog information was mistaken, and this was a tabernacle that contained the blessed sacraments and not an urna that enshrined a religious image.
“Originally, this urna was undoubtedly gilded with gold leaf and painted in polychrome. The paint and gilding were probably damaged by time and, when collecting such objects became fashionable in the 1970s, they were stripped away and varnished to expose the wood,”read part of the catalog.
The tabernacle has carved on its doors the logo of the Augustinian order, which is a large Habsburg or double-headed eagle with a crown.
“The bird is perched on a flowering and fruiting pomegranate tree growing on a rocky ground. The pomegranate or granada with its numerous seeds inside one fruit is the symbol of the Church having many souls in one body,” according to the catalog.
Based on the catalog, the tabernacle was formerly in the collection of David Kamansky, who used to be the executive director of the Pacific Asia Museum in Pasadena, California.
Kamansky was reported in a New York Times article on January 26, 2008 as having been entangled in a federal investigation on museum staff members accused of “visiting a storage locker maintained by a smuggler of stolen antiquities and meeting with the sellers of stolen goods.” Kamansky denied any wrongdoing.
Boljoon is awaiting the decision by the National Museum of the Philippines on the return of the four pulpit panels that were lost since the late 1980s. The NMP board is scheduled to meet in early May to discuss the issue. –Rappler.com
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JoshLia is back: Things to know about Joshua Garcia, Julia Barretto’s reunion movie ‘UN/HAPPY FOR YOU’
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Ysa Abad
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25/04/2024 10:22
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UN/HAPPY FOR YOU. Joshua Garcia and Julia Barretto are reuniting in a new movie.
Star Magic
MANILA, Philippines – Time to rejoice, JoshLia fans! After four years, former celebrity couple Joshua Garcia and Julia Barretto are set to reunite on the big screen with the film UN/HAPPY FOR YOU.
In a press conference on Wednesday, April 25, Star Cinema and VIVA Films announced that the reunion project will be directed by filmmaker Petersen Vargas, and written by Kookai Labayen, Crystal San Miguel, and Jen Chuansu.
The two, who dated in real life from 2017 to 2019, both expressed their excitement in working together again, adding that they’re both okay despite their romantic history.
Joshua shared that he agreed to the project right away since it’s been a while since he has worked with Julia. “Noong nalaman ko ‘yung project, sabi ko, ‘yes’ agad. Ang tagal na kasi ng agwat ng panahon ng huli naming project. Teenager pa kami. Ngayon, you can say na nag-mature at lumaki na kami. Ang excited na nag-kanya kanyang journey kami and magkakabalikan kami sa pelikula,” he said during the press conference.
(When I found out about the project, I said ‘yes’ right away. It’s been awhile since our last project and we were still teenagers then. Now, you can say that we’ve matured and grown. It’s exciting that we both had our own journeys but now we’re getting back together in a film.)
Meanwhile, Julia disclosed that there were several attempts for them to work together again prior to UN/HAPPY FOR YOU, but things only fell into place with this project. “When good material comes along with a great team and working with Joshua is such an exciting idea, it almost feels like maybe it’s the right time, and right material. And we’re both in a good place in our lives,” she added.
Following the announcement of the project, Star Magic also shared a look test for the movie. In the scene, the two stars appear to be having a confrontation when they first see each other again after the breakup.
“Magpa-plastikan pa ba tayo? Dahil alam kong hindi naging maganda ang breakup natin?” Joshua can be heard saying in the clip. (Are we still going to play nice with each other? Because I know that we broke up on a bad note.)
'UN/HAPPY FOR YOU' LOOK TEST | JOSHUA GARCIA, JULIA BARRETTO, PETERSEN VARGASHappy ka ba para sa ex mo? ❤️🩹Check out the LOOK TEST of ‘Un/happy For You’ starring Joshua Garcia and Julia Barretto, directed by Petersen VargasA Star Cinema and VIVA Films productionCOMING SOON… pic.twitter.com/8TQh9gNS7h
While the two shared that it’ll be easy to relate to the plot of the movie, they also admitted that they’re still trying to work on their chemistry given that they haven’t worked together in years. “This feels familiar pero parang bago rin (but it also feels new) because we are getting to re-know each other,” Julia said.
As of writing, other details such as cast members and target release date, have yet to be announced.
Known as JoshLia, Joshua and Julia have starred in the films Vince, Kath, and James, Love You To The Stars and Back, Unexpectedly, Yours, I Love You, Hater, and the television series Ngayon at Kailanman. Their last movie together was the 2020 film Block Z. In 2021, they starred in Moira dela Torre’s music video for Paubaya. – Rappler.com
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How bike-friendly is Metro Manila? We rode 120 kilometers to investigate.
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Iya Gozum
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09/03/2024 20:30
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BIKING. Environment reporter Iya Gozum cycles on the shared bus-bike lane in Bonifacio Global City during the latter half of Rappler's 120-kilometer loop in Metro Manila. These specific lanes in BGC are around 3 meters wide.
Errol Almario/Rappler
Commuting in Metro Manila is a daily struggle.
The situation was exacerbated during the pandemic, when the government imposed restrictions and prohibited cars and public utility vehicles from plying the roads.
Because of this, many people have turned to biking as an alternative mode of transport. In response, local governments across the country created pop-up bike lanes. The Department of Transportation (DOTr) even opened the 313-kilometer bike lane network in Metro Manila in 2021.
But just how friendly are Metro Manila’s roads for bike commuters?
To find out how bike-friendly Metro Manila is, Rappler rode a loop of 120 kilometers around the capital in January for a documentary. Riding 100 kilometers or more is part of the bucket list of many bikers due to its sheer distance and the challenge it poses.
The loop covered Pasig, Marikina, Quezon City, Valenzuela, Malabon, Caloocan, Manila, Pasay, Parañaque, Las Piñas, Muntinlupa, and Taguig.
The loop went through 21 major roads:
The East Service Road was split into two in the reviews, owing to the completely different conditions of the section from Muntinlupa to Bicutan beside the South Luzon Expressway, and the section from Bicutan Circle to C-5 in Taguig. In the former, there was no bike lane and the road was two-way, making it hard to overtake. The bike lane began northbound after Bicutan Circle.
This brought the total number of assessed road segments to 22.
The accumulated mileage of all roads assessed was 84 kilometers. The rest of the 120-kilometer loop involved inner and connecting roads.
To assess bike-friendliness, Rappler drew up criteria evaluating the bike lanes using four factors: lane width, road conditions, obstructions, and segregation.
These are factors that affect a biker’s safety on the road, also take into account the infrastructure the government put in place, and gauge the attitude of other motorists with respect to the lane and the bike commuter.
Only portions of the major roads covered in the loop were measured in the scorecard.
Lane width was evaluated using the Department of Public Works and Highways’ (DPWH) guidelines. Under Department Order (DO) No. 88 series of 2020, the DPWH prescribes a minimum of 1.22 meters to make way for a one-directional bike lane. The standard should measure 2.44 meters for a bidirectional bike lane.
Sections without bike lanes were graded an automatic zero.
Lane widths in Valenzuela and Malabon along Manila North Road differed slightly and were measured separately.
To assess road conditions, Rappler counted the number of manhole covers, potholes, steel plates, and drain grates.
On sections without bike lanes, manhole covers, potholes, steel plates, and drain grates placed on the rightmost side of the road, or where a bike commuter would most probably pass, were counted.
For obstructions, moving and parked vehicles, pipe laying works, and vendors encroaching on the bike lanes were also counted.
On sections without bike lanes, parked vehicles, pipe laying works, and vendors on the rightmost side of the road or where a bike commuter would most probably pass were likewise counted.
Rappler did not count moving vehicles sideswiping as there were no lanes whatsoever to count as encroachment.
We graded segregation based on infrastructure used: dashed painted lines, solid painted lines, solid painted lines with occasional barriers, and solid painted lines with barriers.
A completely segregated bikeway, as seen only along C-6, got a perfect score.
We rode the same route another time in February to measure lane widths and assess road conditions. Obstructions were counted from the footage taken by the camera installed on the bike on the day the documentary was filmed in January.
Ten out of the 22 segments rated poorly – this is 45% of the segments evaluated.
Bike-friendliness of a segment or city does not only rely on infrastructure, but also on quality, maintenance, and people’s attitudes toward active modes of transport.
C-6, which got an excellent score in segregation, failed when it came to obstructions because its wide bike lanes, at 2.95 meters, were predominantly used as parking spaces.
East Avenue in Quezon City was the only bike lane with sections of concrete barriers in the whole loop. It was 1 out of 4 segments that scored the highest under segregation, with a score of 3.
But East Avenue got an average score on obstructions for the same reason, as some of the concrete barriers were already broken – becoming another hazard that bike commuters have to be wary of.
Rizal Avenue, which traverses Caloocan and Manila, scored zero on all factors. The avenue connecting the north to the capital did not have bike lanes.
It had dismal road conditions and many obstructions, such as parked vehicles and several pipe laying works that would push the biker either toward the center or the left lane.
Roxas Boulevard, a major thoroughfare almost synonymous with Manila, got a failing mark. The Manila side of the boulevard did not have a bike lane despite being relatively wider than other roads in the city.
The bike lane along Roxas Boulevard started only from Pasay onwards. Along Parañaque, the lane was just a strip of solid white lines without a bicycle road marking.
Daang Reyna, despite not having any bike lanes at all, scored a 10 because of minimal roadblocks and obstructions. This could be attributed to the socioeconomic profile of the neighborhood, the wide space, and the less stressful environment because of the reduced volume of cars.
Bonifacio Global City (BGC) and C-6 segments scored the highest in the scorecard – but for different reasons.
BGC had better road conditions and little to no obstructions. But while C-6 had better conditions, the segment scored low on obstructions despite having the best segregation among all segments.
In a nutshell:
While this report looked at width, conditions, obstructions, and segregation, the bike lane network in Metro Manila could be assessed further by connectivity, materials used on the lanes, and general maintenance.
Nighttime commuting by bike is also a different experience that could be evaluated separately.
Aside from the bike lane network, the quality of the commuting trip of a cyclist also depends on the availability of end-of-trip facilities like bike parking and shower areas in offices and establishments.
Painted lanes with no bollards or other forms of barriers still open the bike lane to the encroachment of other vehicles. But this is the only infrastructure that a majority of bike lanes in Metro Manila can speak of.
So what should a bike lane network look like?
“If you want a network, you have to plan the bike lanes,” Jose Regin Regidor, director of the University of the Philippines Institute of Civil Engineering, told Rappler in an interview. “As if it’s a separate road.”
Regidor is one of the research fellows at the National Center for Transportation Studies who helped in formulating the Bike Lane Master Plan back in 2022. This was a joint effort between the DOTr and the United Nations Development Programme.
Even a master plan like this, said Regidor, should be reviewed regularly every three to five years.
Some of the existing popular guidelines for bike lane networks are the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), the Netherlands’ CROW Design Manual for Bicycle Traffic (CROW), and the design guide from the National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO).
In the Netherlands, more than 25% of trips are done by riding a bike, according to a 2018 briefer by the Dutch research agency National Institute for Public Health and the Environment.
“The number of bicycles in the country outnumbers the amount of people,” the briefer read. “Cycling is part of our way of life.”
This has contributed to a decrease in air and noise pollution, decongestion of roads, increased physical activity among low-income and ethnic minority adults, and economic benefits for users and establishment owners.
In 2022, at the height of the pandemic cycling boom, the DOTr allotted P2 billion for cycling infrastructure in the country. The budget has since decreased in the following years, going down to P750 million in 2023 and P500 million in 2024.
In the same year, the DOTr opened its active transport office, which started as an ad hoc team.
Without any precedent to follow, the government largely based its bike infrastructure guidelines on NACTO since the Philippines’ road configuration is similar to that of the US.
Because of the novelty of Metro Manila’s bike infrastructure, there were design gaps in implementation.
An example would be the bike lane width. Under DO 88, the minimum width is 1.22 meters, but in the middle of implementation, the government had to revise guidelines to 1.5 meters after it became apparent that a 1.22-meter lane was too small, said Eldon Dionisio, project manager at the active transport office at DOTr.
Dionisio told Rappler that many local government units measured the bike lane from the outer rim of the pavement marking when they should have been measuring by operational width or the open space between two lanes.
Another gap in design is connectivity. Right now, there’s a push to remove bike lanes on national roads like EDSA. But Dionisio said this should not be the case.
“One main principle when you’re building a bike lane network is that it should be direct because cyclists use their own energy to move,” Dionisio said in a mix of Filipino and English. “You should provide them the most direct route.”
Beyond the gaps in design and infrastructure, the bigger struggle lies in entities that do not have active transport in their priorities. Dionisio called this a “misalignment of priorities.”
“We encounter, every now and then, apprehensions from different entities – may it be an individual, a group, an office, an agency – against building active transport infrastructure.”
For the longest time, Filipinos think in terms of using cars or commuting by public transport to go from one point to another.
Other modes of transport, like bikes, are seen as a cause of congestion rather than an additional mode of transport that people can use. A common argument against bike lanes is that they only contribute to more congestion of roads. But the conversation must go beyond car users and bikers, said Regidor.
“We’re always pitting the cars and the bikes when, in fact, the problem is public transport,” he said.
The professor said that there’s a natural synergy between good public transport and a working bike lane network.
In other countries in Europe, for example, commuters can take their bike with them on the train so that their bike commute trip is augmented by public transport.
For example, Regidor said that the current state of bike lanes along Marcos Highway could use some improvement, given that the highway is wide and there’s already a rail rapid transit line in the area.
Currently, the bike lane along Marcos Highway is 1.14 meters wide. At its widest, the bike lane measured 2.2 meters. But the wide lane was painted on the sidewalk and ended abruptly because of a barrier at a right turn where vehicles turn to enter Marikina.
That Marcos Highway remains congested during rush hours means more people are still opting to use cars.
Are people really shifting from private cars to public transport? We need to determine why they don’t.
Most bike lanes sprang across Metro Manila during the pandemic, when healthcare professionals and frontliners had to use bikes or other modes of active transport to get around. The national government then came out with guidelines for the establishment of bike lanes.
As restrictions eased and people went back to normal, most local governments also neglected to maintain the bike lanes. Bollards were removed, and paint started to fade. But one local government did the opposite by continuing to establish better lanes.
Even before the DPWH released DO No. 88, Quezon City had already started augmenting its 55-kilometer bike lane network that already existed before the pandemic.
According to Alberto Kimpo, assistant city administrator for operations in Quezon City, they used the AASHTO and NACTO guidelines in establishing the city’s bike lanes during the pandemic.
They used an engineering undergraduate thesis written by a staff member, plotting the ideal routes of bike lanes within the city.
Many advocates say that with the right infrastructure, more people will turn to bike commuting to get around.
But this is a problem that local governments have to contend with. Kimpo said that they are still in the process of generating more bike users. In 2021, they counted 22,000 biking trips in a two-week period; in the following year, the number dropped to 19,000 biking trips.
Aside from generating users, there’s also the issue of making do with the limited space available.
“It is a movement, it is a utilization of space that we really need to push as of the moment and to get more users to benefit from it,” Kimpo said in a mix of Filipino and English in an interview with Rappler.
“The roadways are not designed for active mobility. There is also a constant push for road widening.”
Still, Quezon City is continuing efforts to make bike lanes amid the failure of other local governments to maintain the lanes they created during the pandemic. A master plan is on the way.
Currently, the city is endeavoring to construct a Class I bike lane along the Quezon Memorial Circle in collaboration with the DOTr. A Class I bike lane is a designated protected path separate from a motor vehicle roadway. An existing example of a Class I bike lane in the Philippines is located along the Iloilo Diversion Road.
The Quezon Memorial Circle is set to have an elevated 3-meter bike lane made of red asphalt, planting strips, and another lane for pedestrians.
The push to prioritize active mobility relies on a clear vision and political will, said Kimpo.
“Of course, it also follows that the city takes very seriously its commitments vis-à-vis climate change.”
To a certain extent, political will could prevail over funding issues.
“There’s money,” said Kimpo. “Government will always have resources for these things. It’s really just a matter of channeling it towards the right investments that need to be done.” – Rappler.com
Improving active transportation facilities and policies is part of the call of various groups to #MakeManilaLiveable. On Rappler, we have created a dedicated space for stories and reports about liveability in Philippine cities. Learn more about the movement here.
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NGCP raises alert level in Mindanao, too
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Ralf Rivas
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24/04/2024 21:21
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ENERGY. Power lines and electricity meters.
LeAnne Jazul/Rappler
CAGAYAN DE ORO, Philippines – The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) raised the alert level for a few hours in Mindanao on Wednesday, April 24, as nine power plants went on a forced outage while five others ran on derated capacities.
The Mindanao power grid was placed by the NGCP under “yellow alert” from 10 am until 3:09 pm, a situation when “the operating margin is insufficient to meet the transmission grid’s contingency requirement.”
In an advisory, the NGCP said 673.98 megawatts were unavailable for the Mindanao grid.
The NGCP said the peak demand in Mindanao on Wednesday was 2,761 MW with only available power at 2,614 MW, leaving an operating margin of only 147 MW.
“As of 3:09 pm, [the] yellow alert has been lifted by NGCP for the Mindanao grid,” read a text message sent by NGCP corporate communications officer for Western Mindanao Beth Ladaga.
The NGCP gave no explanation about how the power supply in Mindanao was stabilized. Neither did it identify the power plants affected by the forced outage and those which operated on derated capacities.
The red and yellow alerts have been raized in the Luzon and Visayas grids since last week, with the Department of Energy attributing it to extreme heat. – Rappler.com
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On-fire NU not taking twice-to-beat bonus for granted after UAAP 2nd-round sweep
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jisaga0269
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24/04/2024 20:41
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SURPRISE. NU spiker Bella Belen reacts in the UAAP Season 86 women's volleyball tournament
UAAP Season 86 Media Team
MANILA, Philippines – Peaking when it matters.
After stumbling through the first round of the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament, the NU Lady Bulldogs breezed through the second with a 7-0 sweep, capped off with a methodical 25-21, 25-19, 25-22 sweep against fellow playoff contender FEU Lady Tamaraws to claim the first semifinal bonus.
“For me, modesty aside, I think we’re having the right timing, we’re just coinciding with the rise in our performance but we must not be complacent,” NU head coach Norman Miguel said after the game.
“We must take care, until we can sustain our great condition, not only in terms of skills, but in terms of peak physical form, that’s what we need to maintain, and we hope to sustain,” he added.
NU saw four of its players score in double figures, led by Alyssa Solomon’s 13 point built on 12 attacks and a block, as well as eight excellent digs.
UAAP MVP contender Bella Belen followed it up with 12, all stemming from attacks, while libero Shaira Jardio had 11 excellent digs.
Lams Lamina distributed well with 14 excellent sets, while Vange Alinsug chipped in 11 for last year’s runners-up.
Ending the eliminations on top with a 12-2 record, the Lady Bulldogs will enjoy a Final Four twice-to-beat advantage against No. 4 FEU.
Meanwhile, the La Salle-UST match on the last day of eliminations on Saturday, April 27, will be a winner-take-all duel for the No. 2 spot that comes with the last twice-to-beat bonus as both hold an 11-2 record.
“Having a twice-to-beat advantage lightens the mood but as what coach said, we cannot be forced to use that twice-to-beat advantage,” Belen said after the game.
“We need to wrap it up in the first game, go all-out despite having that advantage and we should not go there,” she added.
Rookie Faida Bakanke led FEU with 14 markers, as the Lady Tamaraws face the possibility of facing NU once again in the Final Four.
The loss also saw FEU snap its five-game win streak , which was jumpstarted by the Lady Tamaraws’ huge upset victory against then-frontrunner UST. – Rappler.com
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Advocates urge NHCP to save Homonhon Island from mining
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jsitchon0312
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25/04/2024 9:00
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MINING. There are four mining companies currently operating in the island of Homonhon, namely Emir Minerals Resources Corp., Global Min-Met Resources Inc., King Resources Mining Corp., and Techiron Resources Inc..
Lito Amoroto/Save Homonhon Movement
CEBU, Philippines – Environmental group Save Homonhon Movement urged the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) to take a proactive role in the protection of Homonhon island in Eastern Samar from harmful mining activities.
“The alarming rise of destructive mining activities on Homonhon Island poses an imminent threat to its cultural and environmental integrity. The extraction of minerals irreversibly damages the fragile ecosystems and erodes the physical traces of our past,” the group said in a statement on Wednesday, April 24.
The environmental group said the island is an “invaluable cultural and historical treasure of the Philippines”, citing its significance in its colonial history.
Historians and records have pointed to Homonhon Island as the first landing site of Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan and his crew during their expedition to the East Indies, which led them to the Philippines in 1521.
“Given your authority and expertise in matters of historical preservation, we urge the National Historical Commission of the Philippines to take a firm stand against the continued destruction of Homonhon Island,” the Save Homonhon Movement said.
Since the 1980s, multiple large-scale mining activities have been reported in the island.
According to the Mines and Geosciences Bureau in Eastern Visayas, four mining companies are extracting nickel and chromite from the island’s mountains, namely Emir Minerals Resources Corp., Global Min-Met Resources Inc., King Resources Mining Corp., and Techiron Resources Inc..
In February 2017, Emir Mineral Resources and Techiron Resources were among the 23 mining companies that the late Department of Environment and National Resources (DENR) Secretary Gina Lopez ordered closed due to alleged violations to environmental laws.
However, the same mining groups were able to continue operations after Lopez was kicked out as environment secretary in May 2017. Many environmental groups and even the Diocese of Borongan have since called for an end to mining operations on Homonhon and the entire Samar island.
On April 23, the Homonhon Environmental Advocates and Rights Defenders (HEARD) and Homonhon Manila Residents Association (HOMRRA) staged a protest at the DENR Central Office in Quezon City, seeking to have the Environmental Compliance Certificates (ECC) granted to the mining companies revoked.
The group pleaded with the NHCP to raise awareness on the issue, work with stakeholders, and lobby for legal protection of the island as one of the country’s most significant heritage sites.
“We implore you to take helpful actions to halt the destructive mining activities on Homonhon Island and initiate a comprehensive preservation plan. Let us work together to protect this national treasure for the benefit of our people and our children’s children,” their statement read.
As of April 15, Senator Risa Hontiveros has filed a resolution calling for an investigation into the environmental impacts of mining and quarrying activities, including the ones on Homonhon island. – Rappler.com
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