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INFLATION RATE CLIMBS TO 6.1% IN JUNE, FASTEST IN 43 MONTHS

Story on A8

COMMODITY PRICE HIKE.

A woman walks past a street stall in Quiapo, Manila on July 5, 2022. The Philippine Statistics Authority said inflation quickened to 6.1 percent in June – the highest since the same reading logged in November 2018. AFP

VOL. XXXVI • NO. 141 • 2 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P18 • WEDNESDAY, JULY 6, 2022 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

BBM to cut rice, corn import Shifts policy to hiked local output, focuses on improving the economy

By Vito Barcelo and Vince Lopez

HE government would rather increase the domestic production of rice and corn than import even more to stabilize food prices, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said Tuesday, in a briefing after his first Cabinet meeting.

The move to emphasize domestic production over importation was a marked departure from the agriculture policy of the previous administration. “Importation has been used as a price stabilization measure. I don’t think that that is the primary reason for the importation that we’ll do now,” said Marcos, who is concurrently the Agriculture secretary. “We would prefer to import as little as possible so we should increase our own production of rice and corn,” Marcos said. The briefing from his economic team coincided with the release of a report from the Philippine Statistics Authority that headline inflation Next page

UKRAINE WAR RAISES HUNGER FEARS FIRST MEETING. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (inset) leads his first Cabinet meeting Tuesday, focusing on the

NEWS / A2

economy and how to bring down food prices while ensuring enough supply.

Govt orders Meralco to refund customers P21 b starting this month Full face-to-face By Alena Mae S. Flores

THE Energy Regulatory Commission has ordered Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) to refund customers P21 billion, effective this month’s billing until June 2023. ERC chairperson Agnes Devanadera said this would be equivalent to P0.86 per kilowatt-hour reduction for residen-

tial customers. “Yes, this is a true-up,” Devanadera said. “The order has been promulgated today. It is the fourth order for Meralco to refund,” the ERC official added. The refund involved ERC case No. 2020-043 RC, wherein Meralco filed an application for issuance of provisional authority for the confirmation of the

true-up calculation of the actual weighted average tariff (AWAT) vis-a-vis the ERC approved average rate implemented for the lapsed regulatory years. This was meant to determine if there are any over or under-recovery. Meralco spokesman Joe Zaldarriaga said they have yet to receive a copy of the ERC order.

“But we will comply with the directive of the commission just as we did in their previous orders,” he said. ERC spokesperson Floresinda Digal did not provide additional details but confirmed that the new refund is on top of the P0.1528 per kWh refund ordered by the agency last year. Next page

Tricycle drivers to get transport fuel subsidy By Vito Barcelo PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is expanding the government’s fuel assistance program to tricycle drivers to help them cope with the continuing rise in fuel prices. “At present, only public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers (of jeepneys and buses) benefit from the fuel subsidy under the Pantawid Pasada Program,” he said Tuesday in his first Palace press briefing, following his first Cabinet meeting since assuming the presidency. This would affect drivers of about 4.5 million registered tricycles in the country, many of which have parked their three-wheeled vehicles as of late owing to fuel prices soaring past 90 pesos a liter. Marcos did not specify how much aid trike drivers would receive, but about 377,000 jeepney and bus Next page

FREE RIDE. A mother cuddles her baby

while disembarking from a carousel bus at the Guadalupe station along EDSA on Tuesday, July 5, 2022. The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board extended its Libreng Sakay program until July 31. Danny Pata

classes resume in Nov.—Palace

THE Philippines will fully reopen all schools in November for the first time in more than two years, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said Tuesday, as experts warn of a growing education crisis sparked by the COVID-19 pandemic. The country is one of the last in the world to resume full-time in-person classes since the pandemic began, with schools shuttered in March 2020 in tandem with lengthy lockdowns. The UN children’s agency has warned that school closures have caused enormous losses in education around the world, with some governments slow to reopen classrooms even as vaccination rates increased. “We have a plan for full face-toface (schooling) by November of this year,” Marcos told his first news conference after being sworn in as the country’s leader. “Let’s get this done quickly. Of course, we’re careful but we’re always in a hurry because we have to get much done in very little time,” he said. Marcos said school reopenings will start in September and ramp up rapidly over the next two months, accompanied by a vaccination campaign. Next page

Marcos looks beyond WPS issue DOH clears booster shots for kids ages 12-17 for stronger PH-China relations By Vince Lopez, Willie Casas, and Rey E. Requejo

By Vito Barcelo PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr., said he will strengthen ties between the Philippines and China and find ways to resolve the conflicts and move beyond the West Philippine Sea issue when he meets with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi who is in the country for a two-day visit. Wang will be the first foreign minister to meet President Marcos, Malacanang said. “The main agenda would be to strengthen ties with China,” the President said in his first press briefing in Malacanang after holding a four-hour

Cabinet meeting—his first. “One of the ways that consistently suggested is not to be in one dimension, the issue on the West Philippine Sea, but let’s have cultural, educational exchanges and even military if that will be useful,” Marcos said. He also said that he would discuss with the Chinese official the role of ASEAN as they seek to iron out differences over disputed waters in the region. “Let us do other things to normalize our relationship with China,” he added. The President said the country has to continue to pursue bilateral contact and Next page

A THIRD vaccine dose or booster shot against COVID-19 will be encouraged by the new administration, particularly to ensure the safe resumption of faceto-face classes, President Ferdinand

Marcos Jr. said Tuesday. “With Omicron, you apparently need a third booster, a third dose. We will be encouraging that, especially for younger people because again, we have to be concerned about their return to school,” the President said in his government’s first Cabinet meeting at Malacanang.

“That’s the general policy. We will reinstitute again the vaccination drives so we could at least feel safer when the children go back to school,” Marcos added. The Department of Health (DOH) announced Tuesday that all children aged 12 to 17, including the non-immuNext page

DSWD to go after fathers not giving child support THE Department of Social Welfare and Development will go after fathers who refuse to give financial support to their estranged children, DSWD Secretary Erwin Tulfo said in a television interview. Tulfo told “The Mangahas Inter-

views” that he wants the DSWD to go after these men while vowing to help single mothers struggling to make ends meet amid a lack of child support from their former partners. “One of those who I want to help are

single parents who are having problems with the fathers of their children who don’t want to give financial support. The DSWD will help these women because they don’t have anyone to support Next page

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NBI files murder raps vs. 22 cops By Willie Casas and Rey E. Requejo

HE National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has recommended the filing of murder charges against 22 Metro Manila police officers for their role in the suspicious deaths of eight highprofile prisoners, which were passed off as COVID-19 casualties.

positive for the coronavirus.) 2. Immediately after the segregation and transfer to the “comfortable” isolation room, victims died. 3. Witnesses had not observed any unusual situation while the prisoners were inside the isolation area, even when their rooms were only separated either by curtains or plywood; 4. The only irregular observation they made was that their co-inmates gradually disappeared from Building 4 after they had revealed that they were to be transferred to the “comfortable” isolation room. 5. This is inconsistent with the allegations of National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) personnel who all said they administered nursing intervention and were all on-alert when the prisoners were in an “emergency.”

6. A significant amount of time elapsed before the victims were brought to the nearest hospital. 7. All the inmates were declared dead on arrival, the cause of death either by cardiac or pulmonary arrest. However, a close examination of the medical profile of the deceased high-profile inmates generally revealed that days before they died, they exhibited neither chronic symptoms of COVID-19 nor any weakness. 8. The subjects of the investigation took advantage of the fact that the victims were confined in an NCRPOmanaged isolation area because of COVID-19, where cadavers should be immediately cremated. 9. The circumstances surrounding the death of Jaybee Sebastian showed that he died of natural causes.

The NBI conducted its investigation after the Department of Justice ordered it to look into the deaths of Jaybee Sebastian, Francis Go, Shuli Lim Zhang, Jimmy Ang, Eugene Chua, Benjamin Marcelo, Sherwin Sanchez, Amin Boratong, and Willy Yang, all inmates at the New Bilibid Prison. The NBI said careful examination of sworn statements of witnesses and the records of the NBP revealed the following: 1. The room assignment of the high-

profile inmates at Building 4, Site Harry, where they were confined during their alleged infection with COVID-19, was according to the nature of their criminal conviction. All of them were involved in illegal drugs. (Site Harry is a quarantine facility set up with the assistance of the Department of Health and the International Committee of the Red Cross inside the national penitentiary to serve as an isolation site for inmates and jail personnel who tested

Gov’t... From A1

Rename NAIA to Ferdinand E. Marcos Int’l Airport—solon

Digal said the refund order was based on verification of data, among others. ERC earlier directed Meralco to refund a total of P13.885 billion or equivalent to an average refund of P0.1528 per kWh over 24 months or until the amount is fully refunded. In its previous order, the ERC emphasized that it limits such provisional authority only to the refund of the amount as applied by Meralco. C also directed Meralco to reflect the refund as a separate line item in its customers’ bills. Moreover, ERC said the rebate is without prejudice to the outcome of the final evaluation of the application after completion of both technical and legal proceedings. Meralco is the country’s biggest power distributor with seven million customers in its franchise area.

Full... From A1 About 64 percent of the country’s population of 110 million are fully vaccinated. Alliance of Concerned Teachers secretary-general Raymond Basilio welcomed the new government’s announcement. “Our teachers have seen a terrible loss of learning since 2020 that is exacerbating poverty,” he said. Basilio said some teachers in the association had complained that a number of elementary and even high school students still could not read or write. He told Agence France-Presse the government’s “blended” learning program – involving online classes, printed materials, and lessons broadcast on television and social media -- was “problematic.” Modules were poorly vetted and young Filipinos had limited internet access, he said. Marcos made the announcement after the first Cabinet meeting under his administration. “There are some things immediately accessible we can start doing something about it already,” the President said in a news briefing after the Cabinet meeting. “The first thing that is an example of that is Inday Sara’s announcement that we have a plan for full face-to-face by November of this year,” he added, referring to Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio, the concurrent Education Secretary. Marcos said vaccination against COVID-19 and other issues would be raised ahead of the planned face-to-face classes in all elementary and high schools. Former President Rodrigo Duterte – Sara’s father -- allowed children to return to classrooms in just 100 schools out of more than 61,000 in November last year but ruled out a full resumption before his term ended last month, citing health concerns. AFP with Vince Lopez

Marcos... From A1 communication with China. Wang last visited the Philippines in January 2021 for an official trip upon the invitation of then Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. The scheduled visit of China’s top diplomat to the Philippines comes amid ongoing maritime disputes between the two countries. Meanwhile, European Council President Charles Michel has invited President Marcos to visit Brussels. Michel, who was not able to attend Marcos’s inauguration, extended the invitation in a letter.

By Maricel V. Cruz A BILL has been filed at the House of Representatives proposing to rename the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) to Ferdinand E. Marcos International Airport. House Bill 610 of Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo Teves cited the need to name NAIA after “the person who has

BBM... From A1 rate in June was at 6.1 percent, a threeyear high since the 6.1 percent recorded in November 2018. Marcos, however, disagreed with the figure even as the PSA stood by its report. “6.1? I think I will have to disagree with that number. We are not that high,” Marcos said, even as he acknowledged the inflation rate may breach the government target. “Our target was less -- four percent or less. Unfortunately, it looks like we may cross that threshold,” the President said. Marcos said the country needed to increase corn production to ensure a sufficient supply of feed for broiler production. “It’s not really an import-substitution measure. It is a strategic food supply measure,” the President said. Pork imports, however, were likely to continue because local production has been affected by AfricanSwine Fever (ASF), he added. Chicken imports, on the other hand, would continue due to the lack of feeds. “We cannot have a strong economy unless you have a foundation of a robust agricultural sector which assures food supply even in emergencies,” Marcos said. “And that’s what we’re working towards.” The economy was item one in Presi-

Tricycle... From A1 drivers are getting P6,500 each from a P5-billion fund under the government’s current fuel aid push. Tricycle drivers have also faced stiffer competition from electric tricycles or e-trikes, e-jeepneys, and other vehicles that don’t use gasoline or diesel fuel. In the Cabinet meeting, Marcos also approved the extension of the government’s free rides program for the EDSA Carousel buses in Metro Manila, following a meeting with Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista and Executive Secretary Vic Rodriguez last Friday at Malacanang. The President also said the “Libreng Sakay” program for students on the Metro Rail Transit-3 (MRT-3), Light Rail Transit-2 (LRT-2), and Philippine National Railways (PNR) lines would continue, as schools are scheduled to return to in-person classes in September. “We just discussed that we are going to “We have much to discuss, from our bilateral relations, EU-ASEAN ties, and wider foreign policy issues, to our support for the rules-based international order,” he said. Earlier, US President Joe Biden had invited Marcos to visit Washington, Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel Romualdez said. No date has been set for the visit yet, he said. The invitation was handed to Marcos by the husband of US Vice President Kamala Harris, Douglas Emhoff, when he headed the US delegation to attend the Philippine President’s inauguration. “It is really an open invitation for President Marcos to come to the White House,” Romualdez added.

Ukraine conflict raises recession and hunger fears RUSSIA’S invasion of agricultural power Ukraine has severely disrupted the global wheat market, prompting warnings that the conflict could lead to hunger in some countries.

Why is wheat irreplaceable?

Wheat is milled into flour to make a huge range of foods, from bread to pasta to desserts. “Everyone eats wheat, but not everyone is capable of producing it,” says Bruno Parmentier, an economist and author of the book “Feeding Humanity.” Only around a dozen countries produce enough wheat to be able to export it, too. China is the world’s top producer but is also a major importer of the commodity to feed its 1.4 billion people. Russia, the United States, Australia, Canada and Ukraine are the world’s top exporters. Egypt, Indonesia, Nigeria and Turkey are among the top importers.

contributed to the idea and execution of the said noble project” – referring to the late president Marcos. “This project was done during the time of the presidency of Ferdinand Marcos Sr.,” he said. The administration of the late President Cory Aquino renamed the Manila International Airport (MIA) to NAIA through Republic Act 6639 in 1987,

after her late husband, Ninoy Aquino, who was assassinated at the airport. “It is more appropriate that it would bear the name of the person who has contributed and left a legacy that makes the Philippines a center of international and domestic air travel, who has instituted and built or conceptualized the project making it the pride of our country,” Teves said in his bill.

dent Marcos’s first Cabinet meeting Tuesday, which started with a briefing from the economic team led by Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno. “We can all understand that the most important area that we will have to deal with will have to be the economy,” Marcos told his Cabinet. “The central policy that everybody else would be following will be that set out by our economic managers. So I asked the economic team to give us a briefing,” he said. The President focused on several pressing issues, including controlling inflation, ensuring food security, supporting the transportation sector, and re-opening face-to-face classes, Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra, who was at the meeting, said. Also during the meeting, the President rejected a proposal for government agencies to reduce their manpower to cut costs. “We don’t want anyone out of a job at this point,” Marcos said. Marcos’ pronouncement comes a week after Executive Secretary Victor Rodriguez signed Memorandum Circular No. 1, which ordered all presidential appointees whose appointments are classified as “co-terminous” be deemed separated from service effective immediately. Marcos said he wanted to have two Cabinet meetings a week until the new officials have a better picture of what he plans.

“We did not finish simply because there was so much to talk about,” Marcos said in a press briefing at the Heroes Hall in Malacañan. “I am planning perhaps, for the next two or three weeks to accelerate the number of Cabinet meetings, maybe two a week first until it is very clear that the entire Cabinet understands what it is we’re trying to do, how we’re going to do it, what the timetable is and how it all fits together,” Marcos added. Marcos’ Cabinet remains incomplete, as he has yet to appoint secretaries in some departments, including the Department of Health. Marcos is already in the final stage of evaluating the candidates for vacant posts in his Cabinet, Cruz-Angeles said in a Palace press briefing on Monday. Marcos earlier issued a flurry of orders to officials of the Department of Agriculture, with focus on policies to address a looming food crisis which he said could hit the country “in the next two quarters.” Marcos, who personally heads the DA portfolio, met with the agency’s officials Monday. “We have to attend to the impending food crisis. It seems that it’ll be visiting us in the next two quarters. When we look around the world, everyone is preparing for it. We are already at a disadvantageous position in terms of food supply,” he said during the closed-door meeting.

try not only to continue the fuel subsidies for the transport sector but to expand it to include the tricycles, which up to now have not been included,” Marcos said. “We talked about it in the Cabinet meeting. We talked about the funding, where it can come from, and how we are going to manage the funding for the additional fuel subsidies,” he said. “We have enough budget I think to last for most of this year and a little bit beyond. But we still have to find that money if we are going to continue,” the President added. On the free train rides on LRT-2, which goes through Manila’s University Belt, Marcos said: “Libreng Sakay continues as is. That continues, but what we are going to do is we are going to do a program for the students because if they come in we will fully subsidize first their pamasahe (fare).” The Department of Transportation (DOTr) earlier said free EDSA Carousel bus rides would be extended until December 2022, while the free train rides

for students on Metro Manila’s trains would be from August 22 until November 4, 2022. The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) earlier said the rollout of the second tranche of the P5-billion fuel subsidy program for PUV drivers and operators is set for late this month or early July. The beneficiaries include LTFRBsupervised PUV drivers and operators, tricycle drivers and operators under the Department of the Interior and Local Government, and delivery riders under the Department of Trade and Industry. The fuel subsidy program had served as a stopgap measure instead of a sought-for minimum fare hike increase amid soaring oil prices, according to the LTFRB. Citing a portion of the DOTr memorandum which Marcos approved, the department said it considered the availability of the budget for Service Contracting under the 2022 General Appropriations Act for the extension of the free bus rides.

them,” the former broadcaster said. “I will encourage them to come to the DSWD, we will help them out. We will write letters. If not, we will file cases against the father of the children to give child support because it is under the law now,” Tulfo said. “Many probably don’t know this, (but) men think that just because they’re not married, they’re now free (from providing child support). As long as their names are on the birth certificate, they are not free from their obligation. They have to pay for child support even if they are not married or they just impregnated the woman,” he added. Republic Act 9262 or the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004 criminalizes “depriving or threatening to deprive the woman or her children of financial support legally due to her or her family, or deliberately providing the woman’s children insufficient financial support.” If found liable, persons violating the law may be sanctioned with jail time of at least six months and one day to six years.

DOH... From A1

least 50% to 75% from July 5 to July 8. Acting on behalf of Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo, the Office of the Court Administrator issued a circular on Tuesday, which was prompted by the continued increase of COVID-19 cases and to address a possible surge. “The skeleton workforce that a branch or judicial office will maintain for the above period will be subject to the discretion or determination of the concerned executive judge, presiding judge, and/or acting/ assisting judge,” the circular said. The court also said that judges are also allowed to conduct fully-remote videoconferencing hearings from July 4 to July 8, regardless of their location, with notice to the Office of the Court Administrator.

“Unless otherwise subsequently directed, the required workforce and inperson or face-to-face hearings… will again be observed and complied with on 11 July 2022 until further orders of the Court,” it said. Amid the rising COVID-19 cases, Marcos on Tuesday likened the more transmissible Omicron variant to the flu, saying that it does not hit as hard as compared to other variants. The President was asked if he had an immediate directive after the DOH on Monday reported a total of 7,398 new COVID-19 cases from June 27 to July 3, 2022. He then pointed out that the country still has the capacity to manage the new COVID-19 infections, which now average at least 1,057 cases per day.

nocompromised, can now receive their first booster shot against COVID-19 in their respective local government units. “Yes! Children ages 12 to 17 can now get their additional/ booster doses,” the DOH said in an advisory posted on Facebook and Twitter. Last week, the government postponed the administration of the first COVID-19 booster dose for non-immunocompromised children due to some “glitches.” In another development, the Supreme Court has ordered that all courts under Alert Level 1 and Alert Level 2 are required to maintain a workforce of at

Why are wheat prices high?

Grain prices were already high before Russia began its invasion of Ukraine in February. There were several factors behind the increases: Energy prices soared as economies bounced back from COVID lockdowns, sending costs for nitrogen-based fertilisers higher. The end of COVID restrictions also led to major disruptions to global supply chains as demand surged for all sorts of products. In addition, a heatwave in Canada led to a dismal harvest in the country last year.

Why did the war worsen things?

Wheat prices surged even higher after Russian troops stormed Ukraine, exceeding 400 euros ($418) per tonne in May on the European market, double its level last summer. The higher costs are dramatic for developing countries. More than 30 nations depend on Russia and Ukraine for 30 percent of their wheat import needs, according to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization. The two countries, considered the breadbaskets of Europe, accounted for 30 percent of global grain exports before the war. Their production has increased in recent years, with Russia becoming the top exporter and Ukraine closing in on third place. AFP

DSWD... From A1

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Think tank: Assert PH claim to WPS

THINK tank organization urges the Philippine government to adopt a stronger stance on the South China Sea territorial debate by asserting the 2016 Permanent Court of Arbitration Ruling that dismissed Beijing’s so-called nine-dash line” as baseless.

“We must not allow China’s blatant disregard of the UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea). The Filipino people deserve a government that prioritizes the security and welfare of its citizens before others,” said Professor Victor Andres Manhit, president of the think tank Stratbase ADR Institute. “We must unceasingly uphold the legacy of the 2016 arbitral ruling and our leaders should step up in unified action to defend the West Philippine Sea,” Manhit stressed. Meanwhile, Stratbase is organizing a forum dubbed “Redefining Maritime Cooperation in the Indo Pacific in an

Age of Uncertainty” to mark the sixth anniversary of the 2016 ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration, a United Nations body based in The Hague, the Netherlands. To be held starting 9 a.m. on Tuesday, July 12, and live streamed online, the event will be attended by foreign policy, international law, and maritime security experts. The discussions aim to explore avenues for the Philippines to develop capabilities to secure its maritime jurisdiction and achieve stability in the IndoPaciﬁc region Philippine Ambassador to the United States, Jose Manuel “Babe” Romualdez will deliver the keynote

address at the forum. The list of speakers includes international geopolitical experts Lisa Curtis, director of the Indo-Pacific Security Program and senior fellow for the Center for a New American Security (Revitalizing the Alliance through Strategic Autonomy and Rules-Based System); Murray Hiebert, senior associate at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (Aligning IndoPacific Strategies for the China Challenge); Dr. Renato de Castro, Stratbase ADRI trustee and program convenor (A Roadmap of Philippine Foreign Policy: Prospects for further Indo-Pacific Presence); and RADM. Rommel Jude Ong, executive director, Security Reform Initiative (Contextualizing the Philippines’ Defense Posture today in the IndoPacific Region). H.E. Jana Sediva, Ambassador of the Czech Republic (Developing the EU Defense Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific for Maritime Capacity Building), and Alistair White, Deputy Head of Mission of the British Embassy in the Philippines

(Building on the UK Security Strategy in the Indo-Pacific towards Maritime Cooperation) are panelist from the diplomatic community. From the academe are: Yusuke Takagi, Associate Professor of the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (Japanese Maritime Diplomacy: Maintaining the Freedom of the Indo-Pacific Waters), John Blaxland, Professor of International Security & Intelligence Studies Australia National University (Elevating Australia’s Maritime Security Relations in line with Current and Emerging Threats), The presence of speakers from different regions shows the need for the support of allies and like- minded countries in pursuing a just order in the Indo-Pacific, Stratbase noted. It is not only the national government that could uphold sovereignty and territorial integrity, Manhit said. “We should foster multi-lateral, inclusive cooperation through alliances and strategic partnerships.”

Public Works seals contract on $60-m Davao bridge project WORK on the construction of the $60-million China-funded Davao River Bridge project is expected to start early next year. This after the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) sealed the contract with a Chinese consulting ﬁrm for the bridge’s detailed engineering design and construction supervision. “After signing the contract, the consultant will carry out geotechnical investigation, geodesic surveys and data collection, and further complete the detailed engineering design The survey and design are scheduled to be completed within six months, and the construction supervision duration of the project is planned to be 24 months,” Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian said on Tuesday. “Looking forward to seeing the Davao

River Bridge serve the local economic development and people’s livelihood at an early date,” he added. The Davao River Bridge is located in the Bucana District, spanning over the east and west banks of the Davao River and connecting the coastal roads. This two-way four-lane bridge will be 477 meters long with a total route length of 1,340 meters and will adopt a localized implementation mode, which means the Philippine side will be in charge of technical works and project management during the entire process. Once completed, the bridge will accommodate more than 15,000 vehicles per day and signiﬁcantly ease the trafﬁc congestion in Davao City. Huang said the project is also expected to employ about 300 to 500 local workers during the peak construction period.

ANTI-DENGUE FUMIGATION. With the onset of the rainy season, health authorities have trained their sight on dengue-carrying mosquitoes. A workers of Manila Disaster Risk Reduction Management and Office undertakes fumigation operation at a barangay in Tondo, Manila. Norman Cruz

Unused COVID funds remitted back to national treasury—DILG By Rio N. Araja THE Department of the Interior and Local (DILG) on Tuesday said unused funds for the hiring of contact tracers and other pandemic programs of the government have been returned to the national treasury. “Aside from the contact tracers being given by the DILG out of our appropriations, local government units (LGUs) also have their own contact tracers and augmenting the DILG contact tracers, hence savings and other unexpended balances,’’ DILG Assistant Secretary for Finance and Comptrollership Ester Aldana told reporters. Aldana said the DILG has excess COVID-19 funds after some LGUs hired their own contact tracers and provided transportation services for the personnel assigned at the height of the pandemic. Aldana noted that out of the unobligated amount of P577 million, funds amounting to P140 million for the hiring of contact tracers remained valid for obligation until the end of this year. “So we really have to return that money to the BTr (Bureau of the Treasury). These unexpended balances for this COVID, or for contact tracers are due to the allocated funds for health protocols like face masks, alcohol, PPE (personal protective equipment) items, and the cost price for that is lesser compared to 2020,” she added. The Commission on Audit earlier ﬂagged the DILG’s failure to fully use its P4.038 billion COVID-19 funds for 2021. DILG Secretary Benhur Abalos vowed an investigation into the unused funds even if it happened during the watch of his predecessor. “The fund was not utilized since DILG-CO did not hire additional administrative staff. Instead, the Department utilized the current personnel complement to assist in its day to day operations,” the COA report read.

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Comelec says brgy, SK elections will push through in December IN BRIEF T By Vito Barcelo

NTF commends BoC on COVID-19 efforts

THE National Task Force (NTF) Against COVID-19 has recognized the Bureau of Customs and its collection district at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport for their relentless efforts in helping the government in its pandemic response. The NTF commended Customs Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero and NAIA district collector Carmelita Talusan during the 32nd National Task Force Vaccine Cluster meeting held at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City on June 29. NTF chief implementer Sec. Carlito Galvez Jr. recognized Commissioner Guerrero for his “tireless commitment and outstanding leadership as the commissioner of the bureau paved the way for the expeditious clearance and entry of vaccine and medical equipment shipments which was instrumental to the success of the nation’s vaccination program and COVID-19 response.” Collector Talusan was also given special recognition for her “tireless commitment and relentless efforts as head of the Port of NAIA.” “Her (Talusan) commendable leadership ensured the efficient processing and release of vaccines and Personal Protective Equipment which was instrumental to the success of the nation’s vaccination program and COVID-19 response.” Joel E. Zurbano

HE barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections will push through in December unless a new law postponing it is passed, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said Tuesday.

Comelec acting spokesperson Rex Laudiangco made the statement after the poll regulator resumed the registration for the barangay and SK elections scheduled on December 5 this year. The Comelec said the Office of the Election Officer (OEO) in the respective districts, cities, and municipalities started accepting applications for regis-

tration last July 2 until to July 23. They will be open during office hours from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Mondays to Saturdays. The poll body reminded that application for registration as voters has to be filed personally. “Comelec will continue with its preparations until such time there is a republic act promulgated, issued and signed stating that the barangay elections are postponed or reset or rescheduled,” Laudiangco said. “We will also start looking for equipment that will be used, especially in ballot printing. Let us remember, our barangay elections are conducted manually,” he said. The poll regulator is also is expecting an additional 300,000 to 400,000 new voters with the resumption of its voter registration. “We expect around 300,000 to

400,000 more will be added to the 65 million plus. So our regular voters for the barangay will be around 66 million,” Laudiangco said. He also said that two ballots will be used in the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Elections scheduled on December 5 this year. He explained that those aged 15 to 17 will receive one SK ballot, those 18 to 30 years old will receive both the SK and regular barangay ballot, while those aged 31 and above will receive only the barangay ballot. Unlike in the last May 9 national and local elections which were automated, he said the BSKE will be manual. “The difference between NLE and BSKE is the manner. Practically, the personnel involved and equipment are just the same. The difference is the machine and ballot. This is manual,” Laudiangco said.

GREEN RIVER. The Pasig River turns into a turquoise green color which might be due to pollutants in the river or the presence of algae. Danny Pata

Cops arrest eight in Taguig City buy-bust POLICE have seized shabu and arrested eight individuals, including a high-value target, in a buy-bust operation early Tuesday morning in Taguig City. The operation conducted by the Southern Police District – Drug Enforcement Unit and District Intelligence Unit also resulted in the dismantling of another drug den, this time situated at Purok 9 PNR Site, FTI Compound in Barangay Western Bicutan. One of the suspects identified as Alfatha Tangurak Sumandal, alias Toto, 21, a mechanic and the maintainer of the said establishment, was the main target of the police operation. Also arrested were Norhadz Osmeña Ali, 21; Arnold Abarasa Milgaril, 40; Fernan Torzar Rodriguez, 27; Richard Manansala, 25; Paul John Torzar Rodriguez, 22, and Ernesto Garcia Pascual, 39, all drug dependents; and Tony Uda Watamama, 50, a billiard hall worker. Seized from the suspects were 11 plastic sachets containing 51 grams of shabu worth P346,800 and the money used in the police operation. The suspects were brought to the SPDDEU custodial facility for documentation and disposition. Charges of violation of Sections 5, 6 and 11 under Art II of Republic Act 9165 (Dangerous Drugs Law) will be filed against them. Joel E. Zurbano

PC shops tapped for QC biz program THE Quezon City government has tapped several computer shop operators in the reopening of the application process for the Pangkabuhayang QC program that shall offer a financial grant and livelihood training for aspiring microentrepreneurs. Led by the Small Business and Cooperatives Development and Promotion Office, the program has earmarked P10,000 to P20,000 additional capital for displaced/resigned employees, micro entrepreneurs/vendors, laid-off overseas Filipino workers, unemployed solo parents, persons with disabilities, and indigent residents. “The capital assistance that we are providing can help our QCitizens start small businesses such as a sari-sari store, small eatery, or even an online retail shop. Its goal is to give them a sustainable source of income through entrepreneurship,” Mayor Joy Belmonte said. As an improvement to the onsite application during phase 1 of the program, the Pangkabuhayang QC application is now integrated in the QC-Eservices Website (www. qceservices.QuezonCity.gov.ph) to provide applicants with a schedule for interview where their supporting documents would be reviewed. To complement this new application format, SBCDPO has tapped barangay offices and computer shops to help QCitizens apply for the program. Several computer shop owners in District 2 have beenb oriented and trained on how they could guide applicants through the online portal. Rio N. Araja

Cops nab former Batangas vice governor Ricky Recto THE Philippine National Police-Anti Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG) arrested a former vice governor of the province of Batangas on charges of violence against women and children (VAWC) and illegal possession of firearms. In a statement on Monday evening, ACG officer-in-charge, Brig. Gen. Bowen Joey Masauding, said Ricky Recto was arrested on July 3 by members of the ACG during the implementation of a warrant to search, seize, and examine com-

puter data (WSSECD) arising from an assault complaint filed by the suspect’s former fiancée. Based on the report, certain digital devices such as mobile phones, laptops, and desktop computers were taken from Recto’s house. The arresting team also saw five unregistered firearms which include a 12-gauge shotgun and four pistols -- two 9mm, one .25 caliber, and one .40 caliber The suspect will also face another as-

sault charge after he deliberately attacked one of the members of the operating team, Masauding said. No exact location of the arrest was given, except that it was in the area of the Eastern Police District (EPD) which has jurisdiction over the cities of Marikina, Mandaluyong, Pasig, and San Juan. The suspect was brought to ACG headquarters in Camp Crame for booking and safekeeping pending the conduct of inquest proceedings.

Bill urges govt depts to utilize digital tools to improve services By Maricel V. Cruz A BILL mandating government agencies to shift to digital or internet platforms for more efficient and transparent services has been filed in the House of Representatives. Representatives Martin G. Romualdez of Leyte, Ferdinand Alexander Marcos of Ilocos Norte, and Yedda Marie Romualdez and Jude Acidre, both of party-list group Tingog, are the authors of the proposed E-Governance Act of 2022, embodied in House Bill (HB) No. 3. “The shift to digital platforms has been long time coming. The COVID-19 pandemic only expedited the need for its execution. The policies in the ‘new normal’ must be responsive to the needs of the populace and allow them to truly feel a sense of normalcy, rather than burden them with inevitable but avoidable restrictions,” stated the bill’s explanatory note. It said digitalization of services “is evidently the most efficient solution to the gap in the delivery of government services.” “It is high time to enact a law that would require all government agencies to transition to digital platforms,” it said. The proposed E-Governance Act seeks to establish an integrated, interconnected, and interoperable information, resource sharing and communications network, which shall include internal records, management information system, information database, and digital portals spanning the entirety of the national and local government for the delivery of public services. “The proposal will promote the use of the internet, intranet, and emerging technologies within and across government agencies and be able to provide citizen-centric government information and services. It likewise pushes for the digitization of paperbased and other traditional modes of workflows for a more efficient and transparent public service,” according to the explanatory note. It seeks to encourage government cooperation with the private sector in providing resources, assets, and services, and transforms agency operations by utilizing best practices from public and private sector organizations, both local and international. It would provide easier access to government information and services in a manner consistent with laws regarding protection of personal privacy, national security, records retention, access for persons with disability, and other relevant laws, they said.

Kalayaan College to close shop after 22 years due to financial difficulties

LINING UP TO REGISTER. A crowd of people lines up at the Commission on Election office in Quezon City to register for the incoming barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan election in December. Manny Palmero

KALAYAAN College said it will be ending its operations after 22 years due to financial losses. A letter signed by President Maria Oliva Z. Domingo which was posted on the school’s Facebook page said the school’s board of directors had “heartfelt feelings and [are] left with no other options” but to end operations “due to continuing financial losses brought about by declining student population and exacerbated by challenges caused by the ongoing pandemic.” “With deepest regrets, KC shall be signing off after 22 years of providing quality education to the public,” the statement, quoted by a GMA News report, said. The college said it has also informed the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) of this decision and will comply with the needed processes, GMA News reported

All classes held online will begin on August 15. Registration will start in the second week of August. The college said it will offer limited general education and major courses to allow senior students to complete their degree programs. However, seniors with courses not offered by the college are allowed to crossenroll in other schools. The school further said non-senior students will be allowed to enroll in the limited course offerings. However, Kalayaan College will not “guarantee” completion of their degree programs. “The Board apologizes for this short notice and extends its gratitude to all students and parents who put their trust in Kalayaan College. “We take this opportunity to thank our faculty and staff for their dedicated service,” Kalayaan College said.

Official says parts for PAF attack aircraft now being manufactured THE parts and components needed for the repairs of the damaged Embraer A29B “Super Tucano” attack aircraft are now being manufactured and will be shipped to the country to expedite its repair, the Philippine Air Force (PAF) said on Tuesday. “They are being manufactured as we speak, but all these are close to delivery, this is the commitment of the manufacturer of the ‘Super Tucano’,” Air Force spokesperson Col. Maynard Mariano said in a message to the Philippine News Agency when asked on updates on the repair of the aircraft. He added that the costs of the delivery of the spare parts are covered by the manufacturer’s warranty.

“What was not anticipated was the delivery of the parts and components coming from different manufacturers. This is covered by the manufacturer’s warranty, the government and the PAF will not be paying anything for this repair,” he added. Earlier, the PAF said the A-29B, which was damaged on a “routine maintenance check f light” last year, is repairable and will be returned immediately to service once the needed parts and technicians arrive from Brazil. Based on the assessment made by the aircraft manufacturer, the structural integrity of the aircraft is “very much intact and by replacing the component parts that were damaged, it will be put

back to operational status.” Four of the A-29B close-support attack aircraft arrived on Sept. 19, 2020, while the remaining two arrived on October 1 of the same year. The A-29Bs were earlier scheduled to be delivered by the end of July 2020 but the coronavirus pandemic and subsequent travel bans skewed the delivery timetables. The “Super Tucano” is a turboprop aircraft designed for light attack, counter-insurgency, close air support, aerial reconnaissance missions in low-threat environments, as well as providing pilot training. The contract for the six Super Tucano aircraft is worth PHP4.97 billion and was issued in late 2017.

WATER RATIONING. A resident of the Fourth Estate Subdivision in Paranaque City scoops water. Residents have to wait for water rations due to water service interruptions in the said subdivision. Norman Cruz

Opinion Customs chief refutes ‘baseless allegations’

BEFORE the Marcos administration assumed office on June 30, then Senate President Vicente Sotto III dropped a bombshell by revealing to media a supposed list of 22 people allegedly involved in the smuggling of agricultural goods into the country. While Sotto could have focused on the lawmaking accomplishments of the Senate, he devoted much time discussing the results of Senate Committee Report 649. This was the product of a 6-month investigation -- in aid of legislation, as the Constitution says -- on the issue of agricultural smuggling that the chamber conducted between December 2021 and April this year. The report named individuals from the Bureau of Customs and the Department of Agriculture as “protectors” of the alleged smugglers. Among those in the BOC named in the report was no less than Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero. Guerrero was appointed to the top Customs post by Rodrigo Duterte based on his performance as Armed Forces chief of staff. During his military career, Guerrero was a highly respected and bemedalled officer who rose from the ranks to hold the highest military position. Guerrero has vehemently denied any shenanigans in the agency that he heads. In the first place, he said, he also has access to other law enforcement agencies. Based on his inquiries, the AFP, the Philippine National Police and even the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency had already denied providing the list to the Senate. NICA director Edsel Batalla, who represented the agency during the hearings, also contradicted Sotto’s claim that it was the agency that gave him the list. “Yes,” Batalla told media last June 28, 2022, the NICA has a record of suspected smugglers and their protectors but, he emphasized, it was “different” from the list released by Sotto. The question thus arises: Why would these agencies, apart from the National Bureau of Investigation and the Philippine Coast Guard, be interested in putting the BOC and Guerrero in a bad light considering that all of them are directly involved in all of the BOC’s anti-smuggling campaigns since Guerrero assumed office in 2018? People are therefore beginning to wonder whether the Senate’s ‘smugglers list’ can really stand close scrutiny. Did the people who drew up the list have an axe to grind against the BOC for one reason or another? Guerrero insists that the BOC has been transparent in conducting the campaign against all forms of smuggling up to now. In effect, Guerrero’s stout defense of his performance in the agency casts doubt on the accuracy of the list released by Sotto considering that all the agencies named in the Senate report are direct partners and participants in the government’s all-out war against smuggling. In fact, SCR 649 merely noted that last May 17, 2022, the Senate received a “validated report” of suspected smugglers and their protec-

tors but failed to disclose who actually provided the list and who validated it. It is also worth noting that more than a week before Sotto disclosed the contents of the Senate report, the BOC had just weathered a barrage of negative news reports and opinion pieces accusing agency officials, including Guerrero, of involvement in corrupt activities. But these news reports and commentaries lacked ample proof, and the demolition job against the BOC soon fizzled out. The supposed ‘smugglers list’ has thus raised suspicion that the Senate may simply be an unwitting tool used by unseen hands with ulterior motives.

Guerrero’s stout defense of his performance in the agency casts doubt on the accuracy of the list released by Sotto considering that all the agencies named in the Senate report are direct partners and participants in the government’s all-out war against smuggling It should also be pointed out that when the Senate held its first hearing on December 14, 2021, Guerrero had already challenged the senators and critics of the BOC’s handling of the anti-smuggling drive to “name names” so he can have them investigated and removed if warranted by concrete evidence. Guerrero says that he has not received any “validated report” on who among his subordinates are involved in smuggling activities. Both President Duterte and Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez, up to their remaining days in office, apparently had not received any documented complaint against Guerrero for participation in wrongdoing in the agency. Since he believes that his name has been tainted by unjust and unfair allegations, Guerrero is taking the right step in challenging Sotto and others to haul him and his subordinates before a court of law where they can have the chance to face their accusers and defend themselves. At a time when fake news, disinformation and misinformation abound in both mainstream and social media and manage to drown out the facts and the truth, public officials like Guerrero pilloried in public for supposed monkey business while in office can and should demand that allegations of wrongdoing should be supported by incontrovertible evidence. Otherwise, the purveyors of plain rumors, half-truths and outright falsehoods will simply rule the roost, reduce our justice system to irrelevance and even bring it down to its knees. (Email: ernhil@yahoo.com)

Nonoy Marcelo’s ‘Tadhana’now screening at National Gallery Singapore

FAMED cartoonist Nonoy Marcelo’s film ‘Tadhana,’ the Philippines’ first full-length animated film, is being screened at the National Gallery Singapore’s ‘Painting with Light,’ an annual festival of international films on art. Award-winning Filipino cartoonist Dengcoy Miel is among those discussing Marcelo’s art at the festival. This is the fifth edition of the festival, now being held from July 1 to 24. This year’s theme is “Interventions in Space,” showcasing the diverse ways artists address realities to explore different perspectives about social issues, creating interactions between social commentary and art. According to the museum’s media release, which was sent to me by lawyer and historian Saul Hofileña Jr., the festival highlights also include the world premiere of a 4K restoration of one of the earliest experimental films from the Philippines -- ‘Conversation in Space’ by artist and historian Rod Paras-Perez. This important film leads a line-up of experimental animation films from Southeast Asia from the 1960s to 1980s, a fascinating look at a cross-over between art and film. The films of a few other Filipino artists will be shown as well. I find the festival interesting as it showcases films by Filipino artists alongside those of others from Southeast Asia and Australia, placing them in the context of geographic location and in the cinematic history of the region. ‘Painting With Light’ presents over 50 films by artists who explore concepts of class relations, indigeneity, and other indicators of social structure and systems. Among the other topics of the films are the ecological impact of urban devel-

opment in Cambodia, civic action in Myanmar, and the loss and reclamation of indigenous culture in Australia. The director of the National Gallery Singapore is Dr. Eugene Tan, who has led unforgettable and hugely successful exhibitions and has enabled the National Gallery to establish meaningful relations with the Centre Pompidou and Tate.

I find the festival interesting as it showcases films by Filipino artists alongside those of others from Southeast Asia and Australia, placing them in the context of geographic location and in the cinematic history of the region Suenne Megan Tan, senior director of Museum Planning and Engagement of the National Gallery Singapore, welcomes visitors to the festival and implores the audience to establish a deeper connection to art through the medium of film. A great delight to Filipinos is the Filipina writer and curator Clarissa Chikiamco, who co-curated ‘Between Worlds,’ an exhibit of paintings by Juan Luna and Indonesian artist Raden Saleh at the National Gallery Singapore in 2017-2018. Together with Roger Nelson and Cheng Jia Yun, Chikiamco programmed the ‘Painting With Light’ festival. The artistic

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WEDNESDAY, JULY 6, 2022

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EDITORIAL

President BBM’s agriculture focus

E JOIN peasant groups in welcoming the declaration of President Bongbong Marcos to quickly address problems confronting the agriculture sector, seen as neglected and misdirected.

In his inaugural address last week, the 64-year-old President had noted that the country’s agriculture sector “cries for urgent attention that its neglect and misdirection now demands, adding “food self-sufficiency has been the key promise of every administration (although none but one delivered.” Quick like some thunderbolt, the national farmers group Kilusan Para sa Tunay na Repormang Agraryo at Katarungang Panlipunan, told media, “Hearing the highest elected public official of the land accept the reality that the sector has been neglected and misdirected is a good starting point.” The President earlier on announced he was taking over the Cabinet portfolio of the Department of Agriculture in a concurrent capacity, obviously aware of reports that smuggling and other anomalies are a challenge in the department. Danny Carranza, secretary general of the Kilusan, added, “For ordinary farmers, the end of neglect is the start of giving small farmers and the agriculture sector the needed attention and priority, while the end of misdirection means giving local food producers priority over an importation policy that results in farmers’ losses.” We heard Carranza blame the prede-

cessor Duterte administration for most of the farmers’ woes, while noting that liberalization of agricultural trade policies that allowed entry of foreign agricultural products into the country increased during the past six years from 2016.

We hold high our hope and faith the President has the will to lead the country to a ‘future of sufficiency’ At the same time, Carranza urged BBM to quickly review the Rice Tariffication Law and aggressively implement the agrarian reform program. The program is aimed at liberating the farmers from the bondage of the soil and check the rampant conversion of agricultural lands into non-agricultural uses. in the West Philippine Sea. Like the Kilusan we will wait and monitor the realization of the President’s goal, particularly in relation to the liberalization of agricultural trade.

Of course we are also aware of fishers’ groups lament that BBM, in their view, failed to mention in his inaugural speech their right to fish in the West Philippine Sea. According to Bobby Roldan, vice chair of Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas, or Pamalakaya, in Luzon, while BBM laid out some of the pressings issues besetting the country, he failed to touch on what the groups call the real and present threat to Philippine sovereignty. In a statement, Roldan said, “Even in Passing, the foreign occupation in the West Philippine Sea and its direct impact on the livelihood of Filipino fishers and domestic fishing production were not brought up in hius 25-minutes speech.” Most of the fishermen in Zambales, lapped by the waters of the West Philippine Sea, have stopped meanwhile their fishing journeys and sought other jobs they believe could be more sustainable than fishing, given their inability to afford the rising petrol prices. On the unabated rise in crude oil prices on the world market, BBM said the Philippines “can find a way” around its energy supply problems and hinted on exploring for oil and gas, pointing to the Malampaya project in Palawan which has tapped the country’s only gas reserves, expected to be depleted in a few years. We hold high our hope and faith the President has the will to lead the country to a “future of sufficiency.”

A competent Marcos Cabinet Although a politician, I think Secretary Remulla is a lawyer’s lawyer and will be good for the rule of law. His choice of a deputy, Undersecretary Raul Vasquez, a fellow professor at the University of the Philippines College of Law, reflects that,

ONE of the first acts of an incoming president before he assumes his post is to form his Cabinet. The choice of who will compose the Cabinet is a critical step in every administration. The Supreme Court, in the case of Philippine Institute for Development Studies v. Commission on Audit, explains the necessity of the Cabinet and the role its members play in government. Thus, “The doctrine of qualified political agency acknowledges the multifarious executive responsibilities that demand a president’s attention, such that the delegation of control power to his or her Cabinet becomes a necessity.” The delegated authority of the members of the Cabinet is further explained in Joson v. Torres, where the Court said that it has been established that “[t]he [p]resident shall have control of all the executive departments, bureaus, and offices” under the idea of the “establishment of a single executive[.]” Since the president cannot do and exercise his or her power of control alone, he or she has to delegate some of his or her powers to the Cabinet members. Marcos will be his own agriculture secretary. This is reassuring since achieving food self-sufficiency and security in the face of the current food crisis requires the president’s undivided attention. Another sector facing severe crisis as a result of the pandemic is education as the country continues to reel from the impact of school closures because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Vice-President Sara Duterte’s local governance experience should help her in the role. But she will have to give up the idea of a mandatory military service as that is a big distraction and is divisive. Benhur Abalos served as Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chair of the Duterte administration, before being appointed secretary of Interior and Local Government. I have worked with Abalos when he was Mandaluyong Mayor, and I can vouch for his competence and ability to do things. Although Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla won as representative of Cavite’s 7th district in the last elections, he will serve as justice secretary.

director is Tamares Goh and the festival lead is Pauline Soh. Cineastes will be thrilled to know that the Myanmar classic ‘The Daughter of Japan’ (1935), one of the earliest surviving featurelength talkies from Myanmar, will be screened for the first time in Singapore at the event. All the films in ‘Painting With Light’ are screened onsite, with a selection of films available online for Singapore viewers at the festival microsite (nationalgallery.sg/paintingwithlight ). There are also meet-and-greets with filmmakers and Gallery curators for select films, in-gallery screenings, and artist talks. Beside the Centre Pompidou and Tate Britain, the Gallery also works with Musée d’ Orsay, the National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo, and National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea.

Former Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno Anita F. Grefal Baldwin R. Felipe Edgar M. Valmorida

Since the president cannot do and exercise his or her power of control alone, he or she has to delegate some of his or her powers to the Cabinet members The Executive Secretary, often referred to as the “Little President” is Vic Rodriguez, a lawyer and the spokesperson for the Marcos campaign. Based on his performance in the elections, Rodriguez is the perfect alter ego of President Marcos. Antonio Lagdameo Jr., Special Assistant to and a close friend of the President, should complement him. Secretary Trixie Angeles will run the communications operations of Malacañang. She knows social media well and will be able to help communicate the Marcos presidency directly to the people. One hopes she will develop a healthy and non-antagonistic relationship with traditional media as that would be good for the country. The new National Economic and Development Authority chief is Arsenio Balisacan, who served as former Philippine Socioeconomic Planning Secretary under the administration of President Benigno S. Aquino III and in other capacities with previous presidents. He just finished a stint as the first Chair of the Philippine Competition Commission. Balisacan is one of the few policy makers I know who understands poverty and inequality and what is needed to address these structural evils of our society. Balisacan will be joined by other Marcos economic managers like Benjamin Diokno

••• Speaking of Nonoy Marcelo, I last wrote about him two years ago, when he was nominated for the National Artist honor. He passed away on Oct. 22, 2002, “leaving behind a substantial and unforgettable body of work that resonates in the memories of his contemporaries and sparks the imaginations of those discovering him for the first time,” I wrote. Severino “Nonoy” Santos Marcelo was born in Malabon on Jan. 22, 1939, to David Marcelo and Rita Santos, academics at the Far Eastern University. Marcelo himself obtained an AB English degree at the same university, where he was cartoonist for the school paper. It was there that he created his unforgettable characters, the beatnik Ptyk and Blidit the frog, that he used for his social commentaries.

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as Finance secretary, ex-UP President Alfredo Pascual as Trade and Industry chief, Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, and Felipe Medalla as Central Bank Governor. They all have solid reputations. The same can be said of the incoming Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista, Public Works and Highways Secretary Jaime Bautista, and my UP Law contemporary Department of Information and Communications Technology Secretary Ivan Uy. Incoming Labor and Employment chief Bienvenido Laguesma had worked for Corazon Aquino, Fidel V. Ramos, and Joseph Estrada. He will partner with Susan “Toots” Ople who will head the Department of Migrant Workers. A long-time migrant rights advocate, Ople is the best choice for this new agency. Marcos appointed career diplomat Enrique Manalo to the foreign affairs portfolio. His diplomatic experience is invaluable if we are to navigate today’s complex world. On the social welfare front, it would be interesting to see how Secretary Erwin Tulfo will perform. With the pandemic, he should work in tandem with the health secretary who is still to be named. The heads of the energy and environment departments as well as the chairs and members of the Commission on Human Rights are also not yet announced. These are crucial positions. Former military chief Jose Faustino as defense chief is one of the few appointees of Marcos with a military background. That is one of the best characteristics of the Marcos Jr Cabinet, making it the least militarized Cabinet in recent years and especially in comparison to the Duterte Cabinet. I have nothing against military officials, but they should not be appointed to civilian positions where they are not qualified. In this context, one of the best appointments of Marcos is Professor Clarita Carlos. Brilliant, visionary, and independent minded, she will be a very different National Security Adviser from her predecessor who wrongly and foolishly reduced national security to anti-insurgency and a distorted understanding of terrorism. Website: tonylavina.com Facebook page: deantonylavs Twitter: tonylavs

Gen-Xers know Marcelo best for his character Ikabod Bubwit, a savvy rodent who navigated the complexities of Philippine society by dint of diskarte and street smarts. Ikabod is so iconic that the Philippine Postal Corporation immortalized him on a postage stamp in 2019. Marcelo’s other characters that I recall reading about are the street sweeper Alik Otik, her grandson Kinse, and his cat Myawok, part of the cast of his comic strip ‘Tisoy.’ I also wrote about National Artists not too long ago, that the award should be given while the recipients are still alive so that they can enjoy its benefits. In Marcelo’s case, the award should still be given posthumously – he more than deserved it. *** FB and Twitter: @DrJennyO

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Ukrainians seek to heal war trauma at mental health clinic AFTER the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Yuriy Makeyev found himself homeless and jobless: a combination of circumstances that brought him to the brink of a nervous breakdown. Now the 48-year-old, who has fled his home in the war-torn east, believes he can return to normal life thanks to a special course of psychological rehabilitation he is undergoing at a Kyiv clinic. At least 5,000 civilians have been killed and as many wounded since Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered his troops into Ukraine on February 24, according to the latest United Nations figures. But many more have survived devastating shelling across the country, causing mental scars and psychological trauma. Psychologists say that weeks spent in bomb shelters as well as losing employment and being forced from home can lead to stress and frustration that may become impossible to cope with on one’s own.

“After the war erupted, I was left without housing and without work simultaneously,” said Makeyev, who worked as an editor at a Kyiv-based magazine. His ordeal began back in 2014, when he was forced to leave his home city of Donetsk in eastern Ukraine after it was seized by Russian-backed separatists. “What is happening in Kyiv and around, I have already seen in Donetsk. I did not want to experience it again, but I did,” he said. A Russian missile strike on a residential building in Kyiv last month left one person dead. After Russia invaded Ukraine, Makeyev’s news outlet shut down and he lost his job. The hostel where he was living also closed, and financial difficulties meant he could not afford to rent elsewhere. “Several factors developed into one continuous stress and something urgently needed to be done to address it,” he said. AFP

FSB exec heads Moscow-seized Kherson region AN OFFICIAL from Russia’s powerful FSB security services took over the government of the Moscow-occupied Kherson region in southern Ukraine, Kremlin-installed authorities said Tuesday. Sergei Yeliseyev, until now the deputy head of government in the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad, “became head of the government in the Kherson region,” said Vladimir Saldo, who heads the Russian occupational administration. His government takes office on Tuesday, he added. A graduate of the FSB Academy, 51-year-old Yeliseyev served in the security services in unspecified functions, according to the Kaliningrad region website. Alexei Kovalev, a former Ukrainian lawmaker who has switched to Russia’s side in the conflict and survived an assassination attempt in June, was appointed as Yeliseyev’s deputy. “Ukraine is forever in the past for the Kherson region. Russia is here forever,” the Moscow-installed authorities said on Telegram. Kherson city, which lies close to Moscow-annexed Crimea, was the first major city to fall to Russian forces since the Kremlin sent troops to Ukraine in February. Moscow has since launched a campaign of so-called Russification, trying to introduce the ruble, giving out Russian passports and opening a first Russian bank at the end of June. Critical voices have been largely suppressed. When Russian President Vladimir Putin launched his Ukraine campaign in late February, he said Moscow did not intend to occupy Ukraine. But since then, the Kremlin has said that people in those areas should choose their own future, implying that it may organise an annexation, as was the case with the Crimea peninsula in 2014. There have been several attacks on representatives of Moscow’s occupational forces in Kherson in recent weeks. Bolstered with new weapons from the West, Kyiv’s army has regained some settlements in southern Ukraine from Russian forces. AFP

POLLUTED FOAM. A man paddles his raft while collecting recyclable materials in the waters of river Yamuna coated with polluted foam in New Delhi on July 5, 2022. AFP

US, China hold ‘candid’ talks on ‘severe’ economic threats

OP officials from the United States and China held a “candid” video call on Tuesday to discuss global economic challenges, especially regarding supply chains.

The exchange between Chinese Vice Premier Liu He and US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen came as President Joe Biden considered lifting some tariffs on imports from China to try and ease soaring inflation. The world’s two biggest economies are also grappling with COVID-snarled sup-

ply chains and rising global energy prices. “The two sides agree that as the world economy is facing severe challenges, it is of great significance to strengthen macro-policy communication and coordination between China and the United States,” China’s official Xinhua news agency reported. “And jointly maintaining the stability of the global industrial and supply chains is in the interests of both countries and the whole world.” The Xinhua report said the video call took place at the request of the United States, and described the conversation as “constructive.” Yellen and Liu “discussed macroeconomic and financial developments in

the United States and China, the global economic outlook amid rising commodity prices and food security challenges,” the US Treasury Department said in a readout. “Secretary Yellen frankly raised issues of concern including the impact of Russia’s war against Ukraine on the global economy and unfair, non-market (Chinese) economic practices.” China has repeatedly refused to condemn the Russian invasion, and has been accused of providing diplomatic cover for Moscow by blasting Western sanctions and arms sales to Ukraine. With inflation in the United States at 40-year highs, authorities there are rushing to try and find ways to ease

FOR THE FALLEN. A

lighted candle is placed next to the border fence during a vigil for migrants who died while migrating to the United States at the US-Mexico border in playas de Tijuana, Baja California state. On June 27, 2022, 53 migrants from Mexico, Guatemala and Honduras were found dead, abandoned in a suffocatingly hot tractor-trailer truck in the US state of Texas. AFP

France repatriates 51 women, kids from Syria camps FRANCE has repatriated 35 children and 16 mothers from camps in Syria holding family members of suspected jihadists since the Islamic State group was ousted in 2019, the foreign ministry said. “France has today undertaken the return to the country of 35 French minors who were in camps in northeast Syria. This operation also includes the return of 16 mothers from these same camps,” a statement from the foreign ministry said.

It added that the minors were handed over to child protection services while the mothers would face judicial proceedings. Rights groups have long urged the French government to bring home some 200 children in detention who were either brought to IS territory by their parents or born there during the years of fighting. They are being held in Kurdish-run camps in northeast Syria where malnutrition and disease is rife.

One of the biggest and most overcrowded is Al-Hol where two children die every week on average, according to a report by the Save the Children campaign group last September. France has argued that its security concerns are paramount, having suffered a series of attacks from IS jihadists, including the November 2015 assaults on the Bataclan concert hall and other targets around Paris that left 130 people dead. AFP

Police arrest suspect after killing 6 at US Independence Day rites

NIGHTTIME DISPLAY. Fireworks

explode over the Manhattan skyline during Independence Day celebrations in New York City on July 4, 2022. AFP

POLICE arrested a suspect Monday after a mass shooting left six dead at a US Independence Day parade in a wealthy Chicago suburb, casting a dark shadow over the country’s most patriotic holiday. Robert Crimo, 22, was identified as a “person of interest” and became the target of a massive manhunt across the town of Highland Park in Illinois, where a rooftop gunman with a high-powered rifle turned a family-focused July 4 parade celebration into a scene of death and trauma. Firing into the holiday crowd, the shooter caused scenes of chaos as panicked onlookers ran for their lives, leaving behind a parade route strewn with chairs, abandoned balloons and personal belongings. Emergency officials said around

two dozen people, including children, were treated for gunshot injuries, with some in critical condition. After a brief car chase, Crimo was taken into custody “without incident,” Highland Park police chief Lou Jogmen told reporters. Earlier, police had warned that he was armed and “very dangerous.” Crimo bills himself as a musician, and goes by the online moniker “Awake the Rapper.” The shooting is part of a wave of gun violence plaguing the United States, where approximately 40,000 deaths a year are caused by firearms, according to the Gun Violence Archive website. And it cast a pall over America’s Independence Day, in which towns and cities across the country hold

similar parades and people – many dressed in variations on the US flag – hold barbecues, attend sports events and gather for firework displays. In another July 4 shooting, two police officers were wounded when they came under fire during a fireworks display in Philadelphia, local officials said. CBS News aired a video taken from a high-rise building showing crowds fleeing in panic as fireworks burst in the sky. Philadelphia police commissioner Danielle Outlaw said both officers had been released from hospital after receiving treatment, and that authorities were still investigating the exact circumstances of the incident. In Highland Park, Emily Prazak, who marched in the parade, described the mayhem. AFP

price pressures. Among the options is lifting some of the trade tariffs imposed on China by Biden’s predecessor Donald Trump. Any decision is likely to come soon as some of the Trump duties are set to expire from July 6 unless renewed. The penalties were aimed at punishing what the United States says are China’s unfair trade practices. In the call with Yellen Tuesday, China “expressed its concern about issues including the lifting of additional tariffs on China and sanctions by the US side,” according to Xinhua. Contact is expected in the coming weeks between Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping. AFP

Mecca: Hajj boom ending COVID slump “BUSINESS is back,” exclaims Abdullah Mekhlafi at the shop where he sells prayer mats in Islam’s holiest city, which is preparing for the biggest influx of hajj pilgrims since the coronavirus pandemic began. Two years of drastic restrictions on the number of pilgrims who could perform the hajj emptied shops and hotels across the Saudi Arabian city of Mecca. But business owners are hoping for a quick recovery as hundreds of thousands of worshippers flock to the region this week. “We had few customers (during the last two hajj seasons), but today business is back, thanks to God. It’s the same as before, and even better,” 30-year-old Mekhlafi told AFP. One million people, including 850,000 from abroad, will be allowed at this year’s hajj, one of five pillars of Islam which all able-bodied Muslims with the means are required to perform at least once in their lives. In 2019, about 2.5 million people took part in the rituals, which include circling the Kaaba at the Grand Mosque in Mecca, gathering at Mount Arafat and “stoning the devil” in Mina. The following year, after the pandemic took hold, foreigners were barred and the total number of worshippers was capped at 10,000 to stop the hajj from turning into a global super-spreader. That figure rose to 60,000 fully vaccinated Saudi citizens and residents in 2021. The hajj, which costs at least $5,000 per person, and umrah pilgrimages that occur at other times of year are usually a significant revenue earner for Saudi Arabia, especially its tourism sector. In normal times, they generate about $12 billion (11.5 billion euros) annually, keeping the economy humming in Mecca. The city has seen a construction boom in recent years that has brought new shopping malls, apartment buildings and luxury hotels – some offering spectacular views of the sacred Kaaba, the large black cubic structure at the centre of the Grand Mosque towards which all Muslims pray. AFP

Business

WEDNESDAY, JULY 6, 2022 || extrastory2000@gmail.com

China plans to tap pork reserves to rein in costs

PSEi July 5, 2022

TOP GAINERS

1 LFM 2 MWIDE 3 FEU

LAST PRICE CHANGE 21.95 4.95 5.1 0.57 588.5 58

% CHANGE 29.12% 12.58% 10.93%

4 5 6 7 8 9 10

0.93 2.9 9.72 10.94 51.25 0.32 1.3

9.41% 8.61% 7.88% 7.68% 6.77% 6.67% 6.56%

TUGS TECH KPH ACEX JGS ALLDY MM

0.08 0.23 0.71 0.78 3.25 0.02 0.08

TOP LOSERS 1 LSC 2 SFI 3 ACE

LAST PRICE CHANGE 0.53 -0.2 0.088 -0.008 1.37 -0.1

% CHANGE -27.40% -8.33% -6.80%

4 5 6 7

COAL ION CNVRG ZHI

0.208 0.56 20.9 0.16

-0.012 -0.03 -1.1 -0.008

-5.45% -5.08% -5.00% -4.76%

8 9

PRMX ALCPC

2.02 100.8

-0.09 -4.2

-4.27% -4.00%

ABS

9.5

-0.38

-3.85%

MOST ACTIVE

VOLUME

VALUE (PHP)

1 2

ALI SCC

15,665,900 9,373,100

413,938,820 349,347,455

3 4 5

CNVRG URC BDO

12,626,300 1,965,620 1,630,450

269,365,825 224,121,140 191,583,746

ACEN

21,682,400

178,745,821

7 8 9

SMPH SM MONDE

4,766,300 171,190 9,637,600

177,110,855 135,562,375 133,009,506

ICT

665,270

124,180,182

Scandinavian airline SAS files for bankruptcy STOCKHOLM, Sweden—Scandinavian airline SAS said Tuesday it has filed for so-called Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings in the United States, as a part of a restructuring plan, a day after pilots walked out on strike. In order “to proceed with the implementation of key elements of (its business transformation plan), SAS and certain of its subsidiaries have voluntarily filed for Chapter 11” in the US, the troubled carrier said in a statement. In the US, chapter 11 is a mechanism allowing a company to restructure its debts under court supervision. SAS said its “operations and flight schedule are unaffected by the Chapter 11 filing, and SAS will continue to serve its customers as normal,” while noting that the strike launched on Monday by Scandinavian pilot unions would continue to impact operations. “The ongoing strike has made an already challenging situation even tougher. The Chapter 11 process gives us legal tools to accelerate our transformation, while being able to continue to operate the business as usual,” chief executive Anko van der Werff said in a statement. Pilots walked out on Monday after negotiations between the unions and the company broke down. The pilots are protesting against salary cuts demanded by management as part of a restructuring plan aimed at ensuring the survival of the company, which has suffered a string of losses since the start of the coronavirus pandemic in early 2020. On Monday, SAS said that the strike “is estimated to lead to the cancellation of approximately 50 percent of all scheduled SAS flights,” impacting around 30,000 passengers a day. SAS management announced in February the savings plan, dubbed “SAS Forward,” which was supplemented in June by a plan to increase capital by nearly one billion euros ($1.04 billion). AFP

LOOMING RATE HIKE. People shop for fruit and vegetables at Melbourne’s Victoria Market on July 5, 2022, with Australia’s Reserve Bank expected to announce a 0.5 percentage point increase in interest rates. AFP

Market rallies; AC Energy, Monde Nissin lead gainers S TOCKS surged Tuesday along with the rest of Asia on growing speculation US President Joe Biden is about to roll back some of the Trump-era tariffs on Chinese goods as he looks for ways to rein in inflation, though sentiment remains at a premium owing to fears of a recession.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index jumped 126.37 points, or 2 percent, to 6,309.99 on a value turnover of nearly P4 billion. Gainers beat losers, 119 to 71, with 46 issues unchanged. Noodles maker Monde Nissin Corp. advanced 5.3 percent to P13.90, while AC Energy Corp. of the Ayala Group climbed 4.1 percent to P8.40. SM Prime Holdings Inc. of the Sy Group rose 4 percent to P37.50, while Universal Robina Corp. of the Gokongwei Group increased 3.2 percent to P114. Most Asin markets also rose Tuesday. The mood on trading floors has become

increasingly gloomy in recent months as observers warn that sharp interest rate hikes aimed at curbing price rises could cause a contraction, compounding uncertainty caused by Russia’s war in Ukraine. Still, equities were on the up Tuesday on talk that the White House is about to remove duties on some of the hundreds of billions of dollars worth of imports from China, with reports saying an announcement could come this week. With some of the tariffs due to expire soon, officials in Washington have been discussing the measures with an eye on inflation, which is sitting at four-decade highs. And in a sign that something could be on the cards, China’s state-run Xinhua news agency said Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and Vice Premier Lui He had held discussions. “The two sides agree that as the world economy is facing severe challenges, it is of great significance to strengthen macro-policy communication and coordination between China and the United States,” it said. “And jointly maintaining the stability of the global industrial and supply chains is in the interests of both countries and the whole world.”

Reports also said that Biden was considering launching new probes into industrial subsidies—allowing for more targeted measures in strategic areas—to appease China hawks. Hong Kong, Tokyo, Sydney, Seoul, Taipei, Mumbai, Wellington and Jakarta were all in positive territory. However, Shanghai gave up early gains and ended marginally down, while Singapore was also off. US markets were closed Monday for a holiday. “Given that inflation remains the White House public enemy number one, (investors are) leaning toward a gradual rollback of some China tariffs as it would reduce end costs to US consumers,” said SPI Asset Management’s Stephen Innes. However, some commentators said that while the removal of some tariffs would be widely welcomed by traders, they were unlikely to have a long-lasting effect on inflation. “Markets are likely to react positively on a knee-jerk because at this point we are hungry for any signs of positive news,” Charu Chanana, of Saxo Capital Markets, said. “But we don’t see the move impacting the global growth Manilaand inflation dyStandard namics in a significant way.” With AFP TODAY

A picture taken on June 20, 2022 above BourgSaint-Pierre shows the ruins of a building, that once housed a restaurant, a ski-rental shop and the gondola lift departure station at the Super Saint-Bernard ski resort above BourgSaint-Pierre. AFP

NOTICE OF ANNUAL STOCKHOLDERS’ MEETING To All Stockholders:

Dismantling shut ski resorts an uphill battle By Nicolas Camut BOURG-SAINT-PIERRE, Switzerland—In a remote, secluded valley in the Swiss Alps, a line of rusty ski lift masts scar the grassy hillside where cows lazily graze. The lifts at the once bustling Super Saint Bernard ski resort in Switzerland’s southern Wallis canton, near the Italian border, stopped running in 2010. Since the local company that ran the small station folded, the infrastructure and facilities have been left as a disintegrating blemish on the Alpine landscape. “Frankly, I would like to see them destroy it, raze it,” former resort director Claude Lattion acknowledged to AFP. “You arrive from Italy over the Great Saint Bernard Pass and see this,” he said, nodding towards the graffiti-covered ruins and piles of broken glass that once housed the restaurant and ski lift departure station. With its spectacular mountain landscapes and pristine slopes, Switzerland draws winter sports fans and tourists from around the world. But in recent years, shortages of snow and especially of money have seen many of its smaller, local stations struggle to keep their ski lifts running. At least 14 out of 2,433 are currently out of order, according to the Federal Office of Transport. ‘Eyesore’ Swiss law requires resort owners to pay for the cost of dismantling abandoned ski lifts. But the situation is more complicated when resorts file for bankruptcy, as Super Saint

BEIJING, China—Chinese authorities could dip into strategic pork reserves in a bid to rein in prices of the staple meat, Beijing’s top economic planner said Tuesday. Pork prices in the world’s second-biggest economy spiked late last month, with the meat selling for 32 percent more than in June 2021 as market supplies dropped, state media Xinhua News Agency reported. The spike came on the back of “irrational behaviors such as blindly holding supplies and reluctance to sell in the live pig market,” the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) said in a notice on social media. The NDRC said that reluctance was aimed at boosting profits and ordered major suppliers to slaughter pigs at a “regular pace,” warning them against hoarding, Xinhua said. On Tuesday, the commission added that it was “looking into a release of central pork reserves.” It has also instructed local governments to release supplies “in a timely manner” to guard against sharp price hikes. China has largely been spared the impact of a global surge in food prices caused by Russia’s war in Ukraine. But pork prices were hit hard after the country’s herds were devastated by African swine fever in recent years, causing consumer inflation to spike. In 2019, authorities said they would free up land to restore pork production to pre-swine fever levels, and officials have since released supplies from reserves to rein in rising costs. “As the prices of hogs continue to rise, pig farmers are turning losses into profits... farmers are now profiting about 60 yuan (about $9) per head,” Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs hog expert Wang Zuli told state broadcaster CCTV in an interview in June. “We can say the darkest days for pig farmers are over,” Wang said, adding that pork supplies were expected to grow. AFP

Bernard has done. Discussions about whether a buyer can be found, or if regional or local authorities should foot the bill, can drag on for years. In the small neighboring village of BourgSaint-Pierre, mayor Gilbert Tornare said several solutions have been examined “to get rid of this eyesore.” But the cost is too steep for the community of just 200 people, he said. In all, up to two million Swiss francs ($2.1 million) will be needed to dismantle the station, removing the ski lift masts and decontaminating a site that stretches up to an altitude of 2,800 meters (9,200 feet). Wallis canton, meanwhile, has suggested using army conscripts for the job to limit the cost. The case illustrates the chronic difficulties facing smaller ski stations across Switzerland. For resorts with fewer than 100,000 skiers a year, it is “difficult to turn a profit,” Swiss tourism expert Laurent Vanat told AFP. Super Saint Bernard, which only had around 20 kilometers (12.4 miles) of slopes and was hampered by its remote location, far from the nearest village, was drawing only about 20,000 skiers per season before it closed. New use? While the high-altitude station typically sees plenty of snow, other small resorts are being hit by the impact of climate change, which has left the white gold in short supply. Watching his two dogs sniff around the wreckage of the business he once ran, Lattion said he would have liked to see Super Saint Bernard “put to new use.” AFP

Please be advised that the annual meeting of stockholders of MARCVENTURES HOLDINGS, INC. (the “Corporation”) will be held virtually on July 28, 2022 (Thursday) at 2 p.m. As a precautionary and safety measure in view of the ongoing threat of the Corona Virus Disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic and to further safeguard the health and safety of the stockholders, there will be no physical venue for the meeting. The meeting will be held via remote communication or in absentia and may be accessed through this link (https://conveneagm.com/ph/mhi), with the Chairman of the meeting presiding from Makati City. The Agenda of the meeting is as follows: Call to Order Proof of Notice and Certification of Quorum Approval of the Minutes of the Previous Annual Stockholders’ Meeting held on 03 September 2021 4. Approval of the Management Report and Audited Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2021 5. Ratification of All Acts of the Board of Directors and Management 6. Amendments to By-laws 7. Election of Directors 8. Appointment of the External Auditor 9. Other Matters 10. Adjournment 1. 2. 3.

For purposes of the meeting, stockholders of record as of June 28, 2022 are entitled to receive notice of and to vote at the said meeting. Stockholders intending to participate by remote communication should preregister at https://conveneagm.com/ph/mhi on or before July 18, 2022. The password to attend the meeting shall be provided by the Corporation to all stockholders of record or their proxies who have successfully registered to attend the meeting. Please refer to the Requirements and Procedure for Participation and Voting at the 2022 Annual Stockholders’ Meeting (attached to the Definitive Information Statement) for detailed information on participation by remote communication and voting in absentia (electronic voting) or by proxy. The deadline for submission of proxies is on July 18, 2022. Validation of proxies will take place on July 23, 2022. Pursuant to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC’s) Notice dated February 16, 2022, availability of an electronic copy of the Information Statement and Management Report and SEC Form 17A and other pertinent documents, as may be necessary related to the meeting may be accessed through the Corporation’s website https://www. marcventuresholdings.com/ and Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) Edge. For any question about the conduct of the virtual meeting, you may send an email to inquiries@marcventures.com.ph or maila.decastro@ marcventures.com.ph. Makati City, 04 July 2022. MAILA LOURDES G. DE CASTRO Co-Asst. Corporate Secretary *All proxies which have been previously submitted shall remain valid unless revoked.

(MS-JUL. 5 & 6, 2022)

Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com

WEDNESDAY, JULY 6, 2022

IN BRIEF Peso slumps to 55.23 a dollar

THE peso on Tuesday slumped to a 17-year low against the US dollar which sustained its strength against global currencies. The peso shed P0.15 or 0.3 percent to close at 55.23 a dollar, down from 55.08 on Monday. It was the local currency’s weakest finish in nearly 17 years or since it settled at 55.26 to the dollar on Oct. 25, 2005. Total volume traded reached $710 million Tuesday, down from $976.26 million Monday. Michael Ricafort, chief economist of Rizal Commercial Banking Corp., attributed the peso’s depreciation to the “latest headline inflation data at a new 3.5-year high of 6.1 percent and after the higher US dollar vs. major global currencies.” “The latest movement in the local currency market was also partly brought about [by] some slight upward correction/pickup in the US Treasury yields [but still among one-month lows] and in global crude oil prices [but still among one-month lows],” Ricafort said. Julito G. Rada

PetroGreen gets nod to build solar projects PETROGREEN Energy Corp., the renewable holding unit of publicly-listed PetroEnergy Resources Corp., said Tuesday it secured regulatory approvals for two new utility-scale solar power projects. These projects are the 25-megawatt Bugallon solar project in Pangasinan and the 27-MW Dagohoy solar project in Bohol. “We have secured the solar energy operating contracts from the Department of Energy and the corresponding environmental compliance certificate from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources for these two new ventures,” PERC assistant vice president Maria Victoria Olivar said. “Resolutions of support for the projects have also been granted by the local governments of Pangasinan and Bohol, for which we are grateful. Our final investment decision now awaits the closing of ongoing discussions with selected contractors and project lender,” Olivar said. PERC president Milagros Reyes said the two new solar projects are part of the company’s calibrated expansion of renewable energy assets.” Alena Mae S. Flores

Business Inflation rate in June climbed to 6.1%—fastest in 43 months By Julito G. Rada

NFLATION rate in June accelerated to a 43-month high of 6.1 percent from 5.4 percent in May, driven by higher prices of food, non-alcoholic beverages and transport fares, the Philippine Statistics Authority said Tuesday.

The June inflation increased from 3.7 percent a year ago and was the fastest since the 6.1 percent registered in November 2018. The figure brought the average inflation in the first half of 2022 to 4.4 percent, above the target range of 2 percent to 4 percent set by the government for the year.

vices and financial services retained their previous month’s inflation rates. Food inflation rose to 6.4 percent in June from 5.2 percent in May, led by higher annual growth in the meat and other parts of slaughtered land animals index and the price uptrend in fruits and nuts. Michael Ricafort, chief economist of Rizal Commercial Banking Corp., said the sources of second-round inflation effects included higher wages, higher transport fares, series of fuel pump prices increases that led to higher transport costs, elevated global commodity prices and weaker peso exchange rate that increased import costs. “Some regional wage boards already approved minimum wage rate hikes [at least +6 percent for Metro Manila] effective as early as June 2022 and minimum transport/jeepney fares raised by +P2 or +22.2 percent to P11, already led to some price increases in some products and services to reflect the pass-on effects during the month,” Ricafort said.

NEW BSP GOVERNOR. Former Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor and now Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno (left) hands over the leadership of the BSP to Governor Felipe Medalla during a ceremony at the BSP head office in Manila. A Monetary Board member since 2011, Medalla is a seasoned economist and professor whose career in public service spans more than four decades and the administrations of four presidents. He is the sixth Governor of the BSP and will serve the unexpired term of former Governor Diokno.

PNB names Casuela as officer-in-charge PHILIPPINE National Bank, one of the largest lenders led by tobacco and airline tycoon Lucio Tan, on Tuesday named director Florido Casuela as officer-in-charge after president and chief executive Arnulfo “Wick” Veloso joined Government Service Insurance System as general manager. PNB said in a disclosure to the stock exchange Casuela would serve as officer-incharge while the bank is searching for a new chief executive. “PNB is poised to start a new chapter in our history, and it is a very opportune time as the Philippines is also starting a new journey as a nation under a new administration,” said PNB chairman Federico Pascual. “Over the recent years, PNB has been preparing itself for long-term, sustainable growth and this includes getting ready to do our part in nation-building,” said Pascual. Casuela joined PNB in 2006 as director. He is chairman of PNB Securities Inc. and Casuela Equity Ventures Inc. He is also a director of PNB International Investments Corp.; PNB RCI Holdings Co. Ltd.; and Surigao Micro Credit Corp. Prior to PNB, he served as president of the Land Bank of the Philippines and Maybank Philippines Inc. Julito G. Rada

“The uptrend of inflation for June 2022 was primarily brought about by the higher annual growth rate in the index for food and non-alcoholic beverages at 6.0 percent, from 4.9 percent in the previous month,” the PSA said in a statement. This was followed by transport whose index grew by 17.1 percent annually, from 14.6 percent in May 2022. Relative to the annual rates in the previous month, annual increases were faster in the indices of alcoholic beverages and tobacco at 7.8 percent; clothing and footwear, 2.2 percent; housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels, 6.6 percent; furnishings, household equipment and routine household maintenance, 2.9 percent; health, 2.6 percent; recreation, sport and culture, 1.9 percent; and personal care, and miscellaneous goods and services, 2.6 percent. The annual mark-up in the information and communication index decelerated to 0.5 percent. The indices of education services, restaurants and accommodation ser-

Think tank expects PH to post fastest growth in ASEAN this year SINGAPORE-BASED ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic Research Office on Tuesday raised its 2022 growth forecast for the Philippines to 6.9 percent, the fastest in the region, from the previous estimate of 6.5 percent, as the bloc is expected to sustain its expansion despite threats from the Ukraine war and tighter financial conditions. The new projection is contained in the latest quarterly update of the ASEAN+3 Regional Economic Outlook, which revised the April forecast. AMRO said the Philippines would post the fastest growth this year, surpassing 6.3 percent for Vietnam, which was lowered from 6.5 percent previously. It would also be faster than 6 percent for Malaysia, 5.1 percent for Indonesia,

4.9 percent for Cambodia, 3.9 percent for Singapore, 3.5 percent for Laos, 3.2 percent for Thailand, 3 percent for Brunei Darussalam and 1.5 percent for Myanmar. AMRO retained its 2023 growth projection of 6.5 percent for the Philippines and Vietnam. It was followed by 5.8 percent for Cambodia, 5.4 percent for Indonesia, 5 percent for Malaysia, 4.9 percent for Thailand and Laos, 3.9 percent for Brunei and 2.4 percent for Singapore. The 6.9-percent GDP growth forecast for the Philippines this year is a shade lower than the 7 percent to 8 percent target set by the interagency Development Budget Coordinating Committee. AMRO reduced its 2022 growth fore-

cast for the ASEAN+3 region to 4.3 percent from 4.7 percent, reflecting the impact of the recent COVID-19 outbreak in China and stronger headwinds arising from the war in Ukraine and tighter global financial conditions. AMRO expects a faster 4.9 percent GDP growth for the block next year. Meanwhile, the think tank raised its 2022 inflation forecast for the region to 5.2 percent, up by 1.7 percentage points from April. “Just as the ASEAN+3 region is starting to emerge from the COVID-19 health crisis, the protracted war in Ukraine and persistent inflation in the United States have ushered in a new set of challenges for policymakers,” AMRO chief economist Hoe Ee Khor said.Julito G. Rada

PSE INDEX CLOSING Tuesday, July 5, 2022

126.37 PTS. 6,309.99

TOTAL VOLUME

509,217,306

TOTAL TRADES TOTAL VALUE (IN PHP)

63,305 3,983,540,722.20

ADVANCES DECLINES UNCHANGED

119 71 46

F oreign E xchange R ate Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas • TUESDAY, JULY 5, 2022

Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

55.0900

Japan

Yen

0.007367

0.4058

Pound

1.210500

66.6864

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.127462

7.0219

Switzerland

Franc

1.040366

57.3138

Canada

Dollar

0.777605

42.8383

Singapore

Dollar

0.716589

39.4769

Australia

Dollar

0.686400

37.8138

Bahrain

Dinar

2.652590

146.1312

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266475

14.6801

Brunei

Dollar

0.714031

39.3360

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000067

0.0037

Thailand

Baht

0.028035

1.5444

UAE

Dirham

0.272279

14.9999

Euro

1.042300

57.4203

Korea

Won

0.000772

0.0425

China

Yuan

0.149280

8.2238

India

Rupee

0.012673

0.6982

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.226706

12.4892

New Zealand

Dollar

0.620800

34.1999

Taiwan

Dollar

0.033692

1.8561 Source: BSP

Megawide bags contract to build houses in Cavite By Jenniffer B. Austria MEGAWIDE Construction Corp. said Tuesday it bagged a supply contract for 1,664 housing units in General Trias, Cavite. Megawide said in a disclosure to the stock exchange it would build the housing units as part of eight supply contracts with PHirst Park Homes Inc., a joint venture between Century Properties Group Inc. and Mitsubishi Corp. The company said the deal would further expand its precast order book and strengthen its presence in the horizontal housing segment. Megawide said it would build an onsite precast molding and concrete batching plant to manufacture precast housing components for the project for more efficiency and faster turnover. “With our precast technology, backed by a fully-integrated logistics system, we can turn over more units and help clients realize higher revenue in a shorter time compared with conventional methods,” Megawide executive vice president Markus Hennig said. “We are also encouraging more developers, whether on the affordable or upscale side, to adopt this technology as the standard. With faster turnaround times and excellent engineering value, we can help address the immense housing backlog faster and ensure quality construction for Filipino homes,” Hennig said. Megawide, citing data from the Urban Development Coordinating Council, said the country’s housing backlog reached 5.7 million for 2011 to 2016. Addressing the backlog would require the construction of 2,600 homes a day in the next six years. “Our continued presence in this segment is part of our commitment to help address the perennial housing problem in the country. Apart from seeing strong long-term prospects in this segment, it also gives us an opportunity to improve the quality of affordable horizontal housing through our value-engineering capabilities and innovative techniques,” said Megawide chairman and chief executive Edgar Saavedra.

Clark says Bautista’s appointment as DOTR chief positive for aviation

CSU AWARD.

Cagayan State University Food Innovation Center, with product prototype Chichamatis: Tomato Crisps, wins the Industry Choice Award in the Industrial Technology Development Institute-Department of Science and Technology project. Representatives of FIC receive the award at the UP-Town Center Phase 2 Activity Center, with DOST Undersecretary for regional operations Sancho Mabborang and Undersecretary for research and development Dr. Rowena Christina Guevara attending the ceremony.

By Darwin G. Amojelar CLARK International Airport Corp. said Tuesday it expects the aviation sector to improve to global standards with the appointment of a former president of Philippine Airlines as the new Department of Transportation secretary. CIAC expressed hope that Secretary Jaime Bautista’s expertise and accomplishments at PAL would steer the transport sector, specifically the aviation industry, toward full recovery and modernization to world-class standards. The Department of Transportation is the agency which exercises policy and operational supervision over CIAC. CIAC is a government firm tasked to develop the Clark Civil Aviation Complex, home to the privately-run Clark International Airport and the mixed-use

business district of Clark Global City and several locators in cargo and aviation-related businesses. The agency said in a statement it looks forward to working under Bautista’s leadership to develop Clark as a premiere aerotropolis and hub for aviation and international logistics in the Asia-Pacific region. Bautista replaced Secretary Arthur Tugade who steered DOTR for the past six years with exceptional leadership and unprecedented achievements, it said. The DOTR, under Tugade’s leadership, completed 250 airport projects, including Clark International Airport’s new Terminal 2, improved the country’s satellite communications system and introduced the night-rating of airports.

Garcia-Frasco seeks to hike tourism contribution to the economy by consolidating stakeholders’ inputs By Othel V. Campos NEWLY-APPOINTED Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco is pushing for a more collaborative and consultative approach to make the tourism industry “one of the major economic pillars for the Philippines”. “We must not only continue to do the work that we have been doing,

but we must exert extra effort to give everything that we can within what is humanly possible, to ensure that our department becomes one of the major economic contributors in the Marcos administration,” GarciaFrasco said. “I have full trust in the workforce of the Department of Tourism because you have been forged in the fire of the pan-

demic. We’ve been through it, we have survived, and we have thrived. There is no other challenge that we could not possibly surmount,” she said during the flag-raising ceremony at the head office of DOT in Makati City. She said she would travel across major tourism centers and destinations to hear the voice of stakeholders and move forward on a shared tourism gover-

nance approach towards tourism industry recovery. “This week, I will be starting my listening tour as the secretary of the Department of Tourism to see for myself and to hear the challenges faced by our regional offices and tourism stakeholders across Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. The objective being to be at the front and cen-

ter of the prevailing issues that need to be addressed and to craft solutions that will ensure the full rehabilitation and recovery of the tourism industry,” she said. She said she is fully aware of the service and the sacrifice of the frontliners not only in health sector but also in local government units, national government and the tourism industries.

Sports Juvic Pagunsan and Angelo Que in a light moment going into hole 3. Manny Marcelo

Filipinas face Singapore in AFF tourney, seek 2nd straight win

HE Philippines tries to build on its stunning 1-0 win over fancied Australia last Monday night against lightly-regarded Singapore as Group A play resumes in the 12th Asean Football Federation Women’s Championship at the Rizal Memorial Stadium and two other venues. Hoping to draw a much bigger hometown crowd, the Filipinas eye their second straight win against the Singaporeans at the fabled Rizal Memorial pitch at 7 p.m. to fortify their share of top spot in the group of the tournament organized by the Philippine Football Federation. Still reeling from the reversal at the hands of the hosts two days ago, the Aussies try to regain lost ground when they face co-leader Thailand, which routed Indonesia 4-0 last Monday, in a pivotal clash between the two squads at 7 p.m. at the Imus Stadium in Cavite.

Over at the Binan Stadium in Laguna, Malaysia guns for its first victory at the expense of Indonesia at 4 p.m. after settling for a scoreless draw with Singapore. Ranked at an all-time high of No. 53 in the FIFA women’s world rankings, the charges of Aussie coach Alen Stajcic are facing a Singaporean side 79 rungs lower than them at No. 132, and which they have beaten 3-0 and 4-0, respectively, in the last two editions of the competition. But don’t expect the Filipinas to cut their rivals any slack in their drive to surpass their previous best of fourth-place

GAMES TODAY (Binan Stadium) 4 p.m. – Indonesia vs. Malaysia (Imus Stadium) 7 p.m. – Thailand vs. Australia (Rizal Memorial Stadium) 7 p.m. – Singapore vs. Philippines

in the AFF Women’s Championship in Chonburi, Thailand three years ago as part of their continuing build-up to the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2023. “Obviously it (the win against Australia) was an amazing result against a team that has been ranked in the top 10 for the last 10 years. The performance of our players was first class,” noted Stajcic at the post-match press conference. “We really enjoyed the win, but tomorrow it’s back to business,” he added. Veteran Sarina Bolden, who scored the match-winning header in the second

More crowd support for PH women’s football team pushed By Peter Atencio PLAYING on home soil meant so much for Sarina Bolden. On a rainy Monday night at the Rizal Memorial Stadium, the 29-yearold Fil-American from Sta. Clara, California found a chance to score for Philippine National Women’s Football Team. “Last time I scored was in the 2022 Southeast Asian Games. And we got third place. Now, it’s very special, with the match held here,” said Bolden right after the Filipinas shocked the Australian Under-23 squad, 1-0. This allowed the Philippines to start

its campaign in the 2022 ASEAN Football Federation Women’s Championship on a bright note. What made it even more meaningful to Bolden and his teammates was the turnout of fans, who showed up, numbering 1,400 or more. And they cheered so loud that the players were energized all evening, even though light rain came and drenched them from time to time. “With the World Cup coming, we want to go as far as we can,” added Bolden, who scored the game’s lone goal off a header in the 60th minute. “The fans were so loud. The noise

half, shared the sentiments of her coach, saying: “This win is pretty special and shows how far the team has come. The last time I was here (in the 2019 30th Southeast Asian Games) was heart-breaking but now we started the tournament winning so it means so much. “We just have to develop better because we have the World Cup coming up. We need to go as far as we can in this AFF tournament and continue to better ourselves.” Both encouraged more Filipino fans to come out and show their support for the Filipinas, just like the close to 2,000 spectators who braved the rainy weather last Monday and animatedly rooted for them. “This team really deserves a sell-out crowd and we have four more games in the group, plus the semis and finals if we make it there,” Stajcic said. “We need to fill the stadium and give the players the love they deserve.”

Sarina Bolden

Ular 1st rookie to be named Cignal Best Player this season

Renato Ular scores on a putback.

90-89 win over contender Meralco. The notable performance earned the 6’4” forward from Tarlac the Cignal Play-PBA Press Corps Player of the Week for the period June 29 to July 2. Ranged against the veteran frontline of Raymond Almazan and Cliff Hodge, Ular did not shy away from the challenge and finished with 19 points and 15 rebounds – both conference high – while shooting 7-of13 from the field. Ular also delivered in the crunch for the Bossing, hitting the gametying basket in the last 48 seconds, before setting a solid screen for teammate Baser Amer, who drained the game-winner at the buzzer to beat his former team. The Blackwater player thus became the first rookie to win Player of the Week citation this season, and the first freshman to do so since Northport’s Jamie

WEDNESDAY, JULY 6, 2022

Hot start propels Que to top spot with 2 others GEN. TRIAS, Cavite—In his Philippine Golf Tour return, Angelo Que didn’t disappoint, so did Zanieboy Gialon and Jhonnel Ababa as the troika forged ahead in a crowded leaderboard with identical 67s for a onestroke lead over Tony Lascuña at the start of the ICTSI Eagle Ridge at Aoki Invitational here yesterday. Michael Bibat cleared the par-4 No. 5 off the mound and banged in a 10foot putt for eagle and went on to fire a 69 for joint fifth with Anthony Fernando, Lloyd Go and Gerald Rosales, while Reymon Jaraula, Mars Pucay and Orlan Sumcad matched 70s under the lift, clean and place setup in this P2 million championship serving as the fourth leg of this year’s circuit put up by ICTSI. Ira Alido, Eric Gallardo, Frankie Miñoza, Juvic Pagunsan, Sean Ramos, Guido Van der Valk and Dino Villanueva carded identical 71s while Jerson Balasabas, Rico Depilo, Marvin Dumandan and Rupert Zaragosa matched par 72s to all but set the stage for a spirited chase in the next three days. Back on the rain-softened course where he tied for 11th in his last PGT stint last year, Que outgunned Pagunsan and Van der Valk in the featured flight with a scorching start of four birdies in the first six holes. He failed to return a six-footer for par on the par-3 No. 7 but snapped a run of pars with birdies on Nos. 14 and 16 to turn in the day’s last five-under card in overcast skies. “Drove it really well but still missed few putts as the greens were pretty tricky,” said Que, who actually muffed a four-footer for birdie on the first hole after Pagunsan rolled in his own bid from 40 feet out to open their highly anticipated duel. But the three-time Asian Tour champion took the challenge to heart, birdying the second, again from close range, and picked up three straight strokes from No. 4 to seize command at four-under with Ababa in a flight ahead. Pagunsan likewise delivered a near-impeccable performance in his first PGT foray since dominating the circuit with a four-leg romp in 2019. Unlike Que, however, he failed to complete a fiery comeback, blowing a four-under card with a triple-bogey 7 on No. 13 on a wayward drive and a three-putt mishap and ending up with a 71 to fall to joint 12th.

PLDT High Speed Hitters ready for PVL Invitational tilt

that came through after the final whistle was amazing,” said Philippines’ head coach Alen Stajcic on the jubilant crowd support that the Filipinas got. Stajcic is hopeful, though, that more fans will come in their next four games. “We got four games left in the group, then semis and finals and if we make it that far, this team really deserves a sellout,” added Stajcic. The Philippines will next clash with Singapore on Wednesday at 7 p.m., while Australia U23 goes up against Thailand at the same time at the Imus City Grandstand in Cavite.

AFTER going through a season of futility, Blackwater embraced the challenged, stepped up to the plate and turned things around behind an exhilarating start in the PBA Philippine Cup. The Bossing unleashed a stunning resurgence and raced to a fast 4-1 slate for solo third place behind powerhouse teams San Miguel Beer (6-1) and Barangay Ginebra (5-1) and a possible inside track to the playoffs midway through the elimination round. And while the team had a bevy of heroes to thank for the impressive showing, a freshman by the name of Renato ‘Ato’ Ular rose to the occasion and made the biggest difference for the franchise so far. The hardworking Ular, a secondround draftee from NCAA champion Letran, made heads turn in his first five games, highlighted by a huge double-double in a dramatic

Riera U. Mallari, Editor; Randy M. Caluag, Assistant Editor

Malonzo achieved the feat in the last Governors’ Cup. The 13th pick in the last draft, Ular is also the first Bossing to be hailed as POTW since Ray Parks earned the honor in the first week of the 2019 Commissioner’s Cup as he makes an early case for the Rookie of the Year plum. “Lagi kong pinagha-handaan kapag may game. Sobrang aga ko lagi sa court, nagsho-shooting at nag gi-gym. Pinagha-handaan ko lagi. Kung pinagha-handaan man ako, mas pinagha-handaan ko sila,” said the determined neophyte. Ular, who’s the second leading scorer for Blackwater (14.4 points) behind seasoned guard JVee Casio (15.4), bested TNT’s Mikey Williams, SMB’s CJ Perez and other candidates for the weekly honor being handed out by the men and women regularly covering the PBA beat.

THE PLDT High Speed Hitters, the professional volleyball team of PLDT, are gearing up for the upcoming Premier Volleyball League Invitational Conference which opens on July 9. “We are excited to see our team back on the court in the upcoming conference. We will continue to support our team and help them achieve their goals to improve with every game,” said Jude Turcuato, Head of Sports at PLDT and Smart. “This is an opportunity for us to move at least one step forward and display our players’ skills once again,” said Head Coach George Pascua. The PLDT High Speed Hitters will return to the hardcourt with Creamline, Petro Gazz, Chery Tiggo, Cignal, Choco Mucho, and Army Black Mamba. Two international teams will also join the action during the semifinals, Kobe Shinwa Women’s University of Japan and Taipei King Whales, the top team in the Taiwan Volleyball League. “It is only our second conference as a team, and we are expecting to apply what we have learned from the first and in our training the past few months. Any team would wish for a championship, but I would rather expect a good result first, one game at a time,” said veteran middle blocker Mika Reyes. “We’ve been practicing regularly and building our team chemistry. We are still a work in progress, but our outlook is promising,” she added.

Sports

WEDNESDAY, JULY 6, 2022

Griner asks for freedom in letter to Biden WASHINGTON—American basketball star Brittney Griner asked US President Joe Biden to free her from a Russian prison in a handwritten letter Monday, portions of which were made public by her family. Two-time Olympic champion2 Griner, detained in Russia since February on drug smuggling charges, told Biden she fears she might never be freed. “As I sit here in a Russian prison, alone with my thoughts and without the protection of my wife, family, friends, Olympic jersey, or any accomplishments, I’m terrified I might be here forever,” Griner wrote. Griner’s trial began Friday on charges she tried to smuggle vape cartridges with hashish oil into Russia. She faces up to 10 years in prison. The next hearing in her case is set for Thursday. US officials have said Griner is being wrongfully Brittney Griner detained by Russia, where she has played in the Women’s NBA off-season in previous years. Griner, arrested only days before Russian troops invaded Ukraine, won a 2014 WNBA crown with the Phoenix Mercury. She’s a two-time league scoring champion and eight-time All-Star center. The 31-year-old told Biden in her letter she understands there are many matters he is handling but implored him not to forget her and other Americans being held in Russia. “I realize you are dealing with so much, but please don’t forget about me and the other American Detainees,” Griner wrote. “Please do all you can to bring us home. “I voted for the first time in 2020 and I voted for you. I believe in you. I still have so much good to do with my freedom that you can help restore. I miss my wife! I miss my family! I miss my teammates! It kills me to know they are suffering so much right now. I am grateful for whatever you can do at this moment to get me home.” Griner’s letter was presented to the White House on the US Independence Day holiday, which Griner says has an all-new meaning for her this year. “On the 4th of July, our family normally honors the service of those who fought for our freedom, including my father who is a Vietnam War Veteran,” Griner said. “It hurts thinking about how I usually celebrate this day because freedom means something completely different to me this year.” AFP

Ronaldo’s power play puts pressure on Ten Hag

PBA PARTNER. Haier Electrical Appliance Philippines, Inc. renewed its partnership with the PBA, highlighting its 10th year anniversary celebration. HPI has forged a partnership with the PBA since the 44 season as the league’s “Official Home Solution Brand Partner of the PBA”. Present at the contract signing held recently were (from left to right) HPI marketing director Lyn Villafuerte, HQ marketing manager Wang Qun, HPI president and CEO Yan Xuhong; PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial, national sales executive director JB Bandol and PBA Properties Inc. head Jo Francisco.

Nadal into Wimbledon quarters; Kyrgios lurks L ONDON—Rafael Nadal swept into the Wimbledon quarter-ﬁnals on Monday, staying on course for a crunch meeting with Nick Kyrgios, who was on his best behaviour in a battling ﬁve-set win. In the women’s competition, 2019 champion Simona Halep demolished Spanish fourth seed Paula Badosa in just 60 minutes to set up a meeting with Amanda Anisimova. Nadal, chasing a rare calendar Grand Slam, started his campaign at the All England Club slowly but is now in the groove as he hunts a third Wimbledon crown. He showed no mercy to Dutch 21st seed Botic van de Zandschulp in their evening clash on Centre Court, overcoming a late wobble to seal a 6-4, 6-2, 7-6 (8/6) win. “I think I continued in a positive way until the end where I played a bad game,” said the Spanish second seed. “In a personal way, for me to be able to be in quarter-finals after three years (away from Wimbledon) it’s amazing for me so very, very happy.” Nadal broke his opponent five times in the match, capitalising on his fourth match point to reach the Wimbledon quarters for the eighth time. If the 22-time Grand Slam champion beats 11th seed Taylor Fritz and Kyrgios gets past Chile’s Cristian Garin, they will meet in a mouthwatering semi-final on Friday. Kyrgios earlier shrugged off a shoulder injury to beat US player Brandon Na-

Spain’s Rafael Nadal celebrates after beating Netherlands’ Botic Van De Zandschulp. AFP

kashima 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7/2), 3-6, 6-2. The maverick Australian was a changed man just two days after his stormy thirdround victory against Greek fourth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas. Kyrgios looked to be in trouble when Nakashima broke for 4-3 in the fourth and

took the set courtesy of a lazy Kyrgios service game. But he rallied in the decider, passing the 100-ace mark for the tournament and breaking twice to secure the win. Kyrgios, who needed regular physio treatment, hammered 79 winners, including 35 aces. The last time the 40th-ranked player reached the last eight at a major was at the Australian Open in 2015, a year after he reached the same stage on his debut at the All England Club. But he is seen as a major threat to Nadal, whom he beat on his way to the quarter-finals in 2014. The Australian, 27, said he was trying to stay “in the moment”. “I’m not thinking about lifting a trophy or making semi-finals or making the final,” he said. “I’m just thinking about my habits every day, just trying to put in a good performance on the court, then put in a good practice session, try to stay positive, try to really separate. “You know, once I’m off the court, enjoy time with my team, my girlfriend, and just really enjoy that, then get into the game mode.” The unseeded Garin pulled off an astonishing comeback against Australia’s Alex de Minaur, whom he had not beaten before. The Chilean recovered from two sets down and saved two match points in the fifth set to beat the 19th seed in a gruelling contest lasting four hours and 34

LONDON—Cristiano Ronaldo’s shock demand to leave Manchester United has thrown Erik ten Hag’s plans into disarray as he scrambles to contain the fall-out from the Portugal star’s power play. Just one year after returning to United in a blockbuster move from Juventus, Ronaldo has already grown so disenchanted that he is trying to force his way out of Old Trafford. The 37-year-old is reported to have told United he wants to be sold, with his agent Jorge Mendes said to have held talks with Bayern Munich, Chelsea and Napoli as he seeks a club capable of satisfying Ronaldo’s ambitions. Ronaldo’s frustration mounted throughout a turbulent campaign that saw United go through three managers as they finished a disappointing sixth in the Premier League. Although Ronaldo was United’s top scorer with 24 goals in all competitions, his side ended the season trophyless and failed to qualify for the Champions League. The prospect of playing in the Europa League is hardly appealing to a five-time Ballon d’Or winner who has lifted the Champions League trophy five times. Ronaldo has one year remaining on his contract and United insist the former Real Madrid forward is not for sale. Ten Hag had expressed excitement at the prospect of working Ronaldo, but might have to plan a future without his most decorated player. If Ten Hag had hoped to persuade Ronaldo to drop his transfer demand, the former Ajax boss won’t have been encouraged by the star’s absence when the rest of United’s internationals arrived for the start of their pre-season training programme on Monday. United are due to fly to Thailand on Friday for their tour of Asia and Australia. If Ronaldo misses the trip, it would seem almost certain his second spell at United is destined for an abrupt end. Gloomy presence Chelsea’s new co-owner Todd Boehly is believed to be intrigued by the idea of starting a new era at Stamford Bridge with the marquee signing of Ronaldo. It remains to be seen whether Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel would be quite so amenable to the move after Ronaldo’s checkered first season back in Manchester. AFP

PBA D-League returns after 2-year break By Aeron Allec Bautista THE Philippine Basketball Association D-League returns this week after a twoyear hiatus due to COVID-19. PBA deputy commissioner Eric Castro made the announcement in the virtual session of the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum on Tuesday, adding that eight teams have enlisted for the Aspirants Cup, which begins on July 7 at the Smart Amanita Coliseum. “After two years, we are back. Nagpapasalamat po kami sa walong teams,” said Castro, referring to Wangs BasketballLetran Knights, Adalem ConstructionSt. Clare, CEU Scorpions, AMA Online, Builders Warehouse-UST, Eco Oil-DLSU Green Archers, Marinerong Pilipino and Apex Fuel-San Sebastian College. “Na-notice ko rin po na ang D-League is the only amateur league right now. Because of the pandemic, a lot of amateur leagues

applied to become pro sa GAB [Games and Amusements Board]. So ngayon po, naiwan po tayo, the only premier (amateur) league in the country right now that will prepare the players and the coaches sa kanilang pangarap na makapag-PBA.” Also attending the forum were head coaches Jino Manansala of St. Claire and Edgar Macaraya of San Sebastian College, together with Gian Nazario, assistant coach of La Salle. “This is a very good exposure para sa lahat ng mga players na nag a-aspire na pumasok sa PBA,” said Macaraya. Preparation was limited, according to Manansala, but exposing his players to an actual competition is still very valuable. “Very short po ang preparation, pero nagkaroon na po kami ng dalawang liga at ito po ang pangatlo namin. At least na-expose na ang mga bata. Tulad kong coach, pangarap ko na makapaglaro sa PBA tulad ng daddy ko, pero hindi ako

pinalad ngayon,” said Manansala, whose father Jimmy played for 12 seasons in the PBA and was a Rookie of the Year awardee in 1978 with Tanduay. “As a coach naman, at least narito ako sa D-League para maipakita sa kanila kung ano ang mayroon sa D-League dahil matagal na rin ako dito, na makita nila kung gaano kaganda ang liga natin,” added Manansala. Nazario, on the other hand, welcomes the return of the D-League, which he says signals the return to “normalcy.” “We are very excited, kasi we are one of the teams na nag-participate nu’ng last (tournament) bago mag-pandemic. At the same time, nafi-feel namin kahit papano nagno-normalize na ‘yung condition, especially when it comes to basketball. We are very happy na at least nandito ang PBA D-League to serve as an amateur league for aspiring players na maka-paglaro sa PBA,” Nazario said.

PSA Forum guests and moderators

Prerequisite to PBA Castro also announced during the forum that he is proposing for the D-League to again be a prerequisite for players, who wish to be drafted into the PBA. “Everytime we have a PBA draft, it is a prerequisite na dapat dumaan ng D-League. Pero

sa absence ng D-League for two years, nawala po ‘yung requirement na iyon,” he said. “Ngayon po na mayroon tayong PBA D-League coming, we will (try) to bring back that requirement,” added Castro, who will seek the approval of commissioner Willie Marcial and the board.

Constantino, Ikeda fight back to tie Ababa

Sarah Ababa

GEN. TRIAS, Cavite – Harmie Constantino and Chihiro Ikeda holed out with birdies on opposite nines as they saved one-under par 71s and forced a three-way tie for the lead with Sarah Ababa after 18 holes of the ICTSI Eagle Ridge at Aoki Invitational here yesterday. As fancied Chanelle Avaricio floundered with a wobbly backside start, Constantino bounced back from back-to-back bogeys from No. 14 with two birdies in the last three holes for a 35-36 while Ikeda, playing in a separate flight, birdied the ninth on her way home to turn in her own version of a 35-36 round marked by an eagle on the par-5 No. 16. Ababa, who snapped a string of mediocre finishes on the Ladies Philippine Golf Tour after scoring a breakthrough at Sherwood Hills in 2016 with a joint runner-up effort with Ikeda at Splendido Taal last month, appeared headed to wrest-

ing solo control with a three-birdie, one-bogey card after 15 holes from the back. But the shotmaker from a clan of top golfers in the south missed the eighth green and failed to return a six-footer for par, leading to a 36-35 and enabling Constantino and Ikeda to make it a three-way fight in the early going of the 54-hole championship which doubled its prize fund to P1.5 million. They opened a two-stroke lead over amateur Mikha Fortuna, who bogeyed the 18th to fall two strokes behind at 73 and in a tie with Apple Fudolin, while Korean Juyoung Yang blew a one-under card after six holes with four bogeys in the last 10 as she limped with a 75. Pamela Mariano, Lovelynn Guioguio and Marvi Monsalve hobbled with 76s while Avaricio failed to recover from a four-bogey skid from No. 11 and wound up with a 77 to tumble to joint 10th with Martina Miñoza in a disappointing start for a player

who won three of the last five legs of the country’s premier ladies circuit. “I played good but I hope to play more consistent in the next two rounds,” said Ababa. “I had many (birdie) chances but my speed and allowance just wouldn’t match.” Teeing off at the back, Ikeda, who ended a long title spell with a three-stroke triumph over Avaricio at Mt. Malarayat last May, struck back from a missed green bogey on No. 13 and a three-putt mishap on the 15th with an eagle on No. 16. The Manila Southwoods and AsiaGlobal Technologies-backed ace then mixed two birdies with two bogeys in the first four holes at the front before drilling in a birdie on the last to get a shared view of the top. “I hope to play better tomorrow (today), especially on the birdie holes,” said Ikeda, referring to a couple of par-5s of the Aoki layout.

Entertainment

Nickie Wang,, Editor Patricia Taculao, Editorial Assistant E-mail: lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com WEDNESDAY, JULY 6, 2022

Geek out at ToyCon 2022 SMART Signature, the postpaid brand of mobile services provider Smart Communications, Inc., is powering the much-anticipated return of ToyCon at the SM Megatrade Halls from July 8 to 10, with exclusive perks for subscribers. Known as the biggest gathering of toy collectors and aficionados in the country, ToyCon 2022 is a mega celebration of pop culture with a grand showcase of toys, games, movies, cosplay, anime, and collectibles, graced by top toy creators, artists, designers, studios, and celebrities.

As one of the highlights of the ToyCon 2022, Smart Signature ambassador and world-renowned Filipino artist and toy designer QUICCS is set to launch a new line of his trademark TEQ-63 toys in the beloved Voltes V style, done in partnership with TOEI Co. Ltd. New Smart Signature subscribers can get the muchcoveted chance to win one VoltesTEQ, or win one of five limited edition Shotaro TEQ5G toys, when they enter the raffle upon successfully subscribing to a Smart Signature Plan+ at the Smart TOYCON booth or the

Smart Store at SM Megamall. For subscribers who want to dip their toes into the Nonfungible Tokens (NFT) universe, Smart Signature is hosting an NFT Talk with Chairman, CEO and CTO of BYC Inc. (Bayanichain) and Founder of Hacktiv Colab Inc. Paul Soliman to talk about the basics of NFT and the fast-growing NFT Community. He will also be joined by QUICCS, who will dish out insider scoop on his NFT game BulletPunk BitWars. NFT artworks proudly made by Filipinos will also be featured in a digital exhibit at the Smart

Signature booth at TOYCON. Aside from joining Smart Signature’s TOYCON 2022 activities, participants can expect to have a blast at the Creator’s Alley, the Artist Alley, Cosplay Competition, Pinoy Pop Culture Icon Awards, Collector’s Gallery, Toy Art and Toy Customizing competition, and the ToyClick and CosClick photography contest, among others. Know more about the Smart Signature Plans+ that suits your lifestyle at https://smart.com.ph/ Postpaid/signature.

ToyCon 2022 is a mega celebration of pop culture with a grand showcase of toys, games, movies, cosplay, anime, and collectibles

A teen actor’s dream come true S Beaver considers his acting debut as a product of his commitment to pursuing his goal

HOWBIZ neophyte Beaver Magtalas was quick to defend his looks in the scifi action-fantasy Genius Teens, which was shot in 2019 or before the entire world was brought to an abrupt halt due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Beaver, now 16 years old and has a matinee idol bearing, was around 13 when he was cast in the multichapter film, which was originally planned to be a six-episode miniseries. “I would have to warn you, you might not recognize me in the film because I was too young when we shot it,” Beaver, who flashes his sweet smiles while talking, told Manila Standard Entertainment in an interview. “But it is still me,” Beaver, who lists Belle Mariano as his celebrity crush and Donny Pangilinan, Kathryn Bernardo, and Daniel Padilla as his showbiz idols, quickly added. Beaver considers entering show business a dream come true for him. Coming from a

political family, the teen actor said that his were around 100 young talents who acting debut was a product of his commitment to auditioned and only 20 of us were cast. pursuing his goal to make a name for himself in We started shooting in 2019, before the pandemic. Filming was halted when the entertainment industry. The ABS-CBN Star Hunt artist plays the guitar the virus made it impossible for us to and the piano. He writes songs and hopes to shoot since most of the cast members are teenagers,” he recalled and added that release an album one day. “I have a few unreleased songs which I want they were able to resume production to share with the audience. I do a lot of covers only this year. “Doing this film was very but having your own songs gives people an idea of how you think as a person or how you exciting for me. I didn’t expect express your emotions through the lyric of the that it will be this good. It really song that you wrote,” the aspiring artist, who is exceeded my expectations,” also a Kumu streamer and a YouTube vlogger, Beaver proudly said. Directed by Paolo shared. Born on November 11, 2005, Beaver, Bertola, an Italian VFX whose real name is Ernest Jejomar, is the designer and owner of Your eldest son of Alvin and Filipina Mercado- Post Production, the film Magtalas. His dad is the newly-elected tackles how humans protect councilor of Palayan City, Nueva Ecija, the earth that we call home. It also showcases what exactly where Beaver’s family hails from. Beaver’s parents had no idea that he wanted means to be human and how to enter showbusiness. When he was young, each character becomes a there were offers for him from some talent hero by discovering their agencies but since Nueva Ecija was four hours ability and power. The movie is written away from Manila, his parents rejected the and produced by Mario offers. who has His parents were convinced to give their full Alaman, support when he auditioned for Star Hund the published in several second time. He failed to advance to the third magazines. level of auditions during his first attempt. “Entering showbiz was my own decision. And I’m very fortunate that my parents are just so supportive. They let me do the things that make me happy,” he said. In Genius Teens, Beaver plays one of the leads Hopper, a teenager who is capable of teleportation. The film had its premiere at SM Megamall on June 25 and will be streamed on KTX starting July 15. “I’m very thankful that I was one of the talents The 16-year-old Beaver Magtalas who was taken in. There has a matinee idol bearing

GMA Network delivers most-watched coverage of Pres. Bongbong Marcos’ inauguration

President Bongbong Marcos Jr. (second from left) with the first family during the inauguration

BASED on Nielsen Philippines’ overnight TAM data for June 30, Ang Inagurasyon: The GMA News and Public Affairs Special Coverage, which aired on both GMA and GTV, posted a combined people net reach of 18.7 percent in Total Philippines, reaching more than 15.2 million viewers nationwide. It was clearly ahead of its counterparts’ net reach with TV5’s 6.1 percent and A2Z/Kapamilya Channel’s 4.2 percent. Ang Inagurasyon: The GMA News and Public Affairs Special Coverage also ruled in National Urban TV Audience Measurement (NUTAM) with a combined people net reach of 21.3 percent. Online, GMA News’ livestream of the inauguration was ahead of competition,

earning 1 million views on its Facebook page and 1.5 million views on GMA News’ YouTube channel. For inauguration day, GMA News accounts were the most viewed Philippine news pages, with 10.7 million video views on Facebook and 4.8 million video views on YouTube, according to data from Tubular Labs. ABS-CBN News had 6.2 million views on Facebook and 1.9 million views on YouTube. Ang Inagurasyon: The GMA News and Public Affairs Special Coverage was anchored by award-winning broadcast journalists Pia Arcangel and Atom Araullo. Providing up-to-theminute reportage on television, radio, and online were GMA News and Public Affairs personnel, as well as the various

news teams from GMA Regional TV and Super Radyo DZBB 594. Earlier that day, GMA News gave updates starting from Unang Hirit’s Unang Balita in the morning. Following the inauguration rites of President Marcos, GMA’s primetime newscast 24 Oras and late-night news program Saksi continued to provide highlights of the event as well as the biggest news in and out of the National Museum. On GMA’s second free-to-air channel, GTV, Filipinos were likewise informed through its various news programs. Dobol B TV extended its airtime to give viewers the latest updates leading to the inauguration rites. Balitanghali, Dapat Alam Mo! and State of the Nation continued giving a run-down of what took place earlier that day. Radio listeners were also able to get the latest updates with GMA Network’s flagship AM radio station Super Radyo DZBB 594khz and its Super Radyo stations nationwide delivering the biggest news related to the President’s inauguration beginning at 5:30 a.m. Meanwhile, the network’s regional arm, GMA Regional TV (RTV), kept Kapuso in the regions well-informed and updated via Ang Inagurasyon: The GMA Regional TV Special Coverage. GMA RTV aired the special coverage on its award-winning local newscasts: GMA Regional TV Balitang Amianan, GMA Regional TV Balitang Bicolandia, GMA Regional TV Balitang Southern Tagalog, GMA Regional TV Balitang Bisdak, GMA Regional TV One Western Visayas, GMA Regional TV One Mindanao, and its national newscast GMA Regional TV News. The inauguration was also seen via livestream on GMA Regional TV’s website www.gmaregionaltv.com and social media accounts.

The ABS-CBN Star Hunt artist also hopes to release an album someday

Bar 360’s concert series back this July THE summer heat may be over as we cruise on to the second half of the year, but the Bar 360 stage is starting to heat up once again with its July concert series. This month, This Band, Orange and Lemons, Gino Padilla, and Top Suzara top bill the star-studded line-up of performers. This Band opens the weekly concert series on July 9. The indie pop-rock band first rose to popularity when the music video for their sleeper hit, “Kahit Ayaw Mo Na” reached a whopping 22 million views in 2019. Since then, the six-piece band has been mainstays on the airways with their hits. All-Filipino pop-rock band Orange and Lemons returns to the Bar 360 stage on July 16. Fresh off the release of their latest album – La Bulaqueña, Orange and Lemons takes on the iconic stage to play the band’s popular hits like “Hanggang Kailan,” “Pinoy Ako,” and t h e i r

rendition of OPM classic, “Yakap sa Dilim.” On July 23, ‘80s heartthrob Gino Padilla will take the center stage and probably a few patron’s hearts. A quintessential crooner, Padilla, famously popularized Louie Ocampo’s “Closer, You & I” and even once sang a duet with Tina Turner. Closing out the concert series is OPM darling Top Suzara on July 30. Once a member of one of the country’s banner OPM acts, Suzara now commands the stage as a solo artist. A full night’s performance from Suzara is filled with countless hits he often has penned himself as an accomplished singer-songwriter. Adding shine to Bar 360’s nightly live entertainment schedule, the concert series returns to make Saturday nights extraordinary at the legendary stage. Shows start at 10:45 p.m. and are open to patrons 21 years old and above for a minimum cover charge of P1,000 consumable on food and drinks. Schedules are subject to change without prior notice. You know you want to watch your favorite acts live at Newport City. For more information on the latest thrills, Newport City has to offer, visit www.rwmanila.com. This Band is a poprock band that rose to popularity when the music video for “Kahit Ayaw Mo Na” hit 22 million views in 2019

Nickie Wang, Editor Patricia Taculao, Editorial Assistant E-mail: lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com

WEDNESDAY, JULY 6, 2022

Life

Films tackling nation’s cultural history take center stage in Heritage Month WITH this year’s theme “Pamanang Lokal: Binhi ng Kulturang Pilipino,” the recent National Heritage Month celebrations highlighted our film tradition at SM Cinemas in SM City North EDSA, SM Mall of Asia, SM City Bacolod, and SM City Cagayan de Oro. In partnership with Filipino Heritage Festival Inc., SM showcased classic films – Manila by Night, Genghis Khan, and Sonata as well as a special screening of 2020 MMFF Film Magikland and concert series Alagad : Silang Bumuhay Sa Teatro (A Tribute To The National Artists For The Theater).

The iconic Genghis Khan presented by FDCP Film Archives and Society of Filipino Archivist for Film (SOFIA) took center stage at SM City Cagayan de Oro. This classic film directed by Manuel Conde is based on the life of the legendary Mongol ruler and emperor and was the earliest film to depict Genghis Khan’s life. It holds the distinction of being the first Filipino acclaimed in an international film festival with a technical achievement citation upon its debut at the 1952 Venice Film Festival, and was also shown at the 1952 Edinburgh Film Festival. At SM City North EDSA, Manila by Night

Jubal Gallaga (fourth from right), son of Director Peque Gallaga, with Cong. Kiko Benitez & Mayor Elect Albee Benitez’ team during the screening at SM City Bacolod

took moviegoers on a trip down memory lane with its depiction of Manila in the ‘80s. This restored version presented by FDCP Film Archives and Society of Filipino The iconic ‘Genghis Khan’ by Manuel Conde Archivist for Film (SOFIA), is based on the life of the Mongol ruler and showcases the hidden nightlife of emperor ordinary people living in Manila. This landmark film by Ishmael Bernal depicts the darkness of city life so vividly that it was once prohibited to use the word “Manila” in its title. SM City Bacolod proudly showcased the works of two homegrown filmmakers Peque Gallaga’s Sonata through Pelikula

William Martinez portrays Alex in the 1980s film ‘Manila by Night’, a promising musician who descends into a downwards spiral of sex and drugs

Filipino diaspora in a musical ANY Filipinos look for greener pastures, even if that means leaving their family behind. Most overseas Filipino workers left the country with one goal – to provide a better future for their children and give a better life for their families. They juggle different jobs to earn more. Some work as nurses, factory workers, caretakers, cleaners, nannies, and any other jobs.

Based on a Philippine Statistics Authority report, there were about 1.77 million OFWs in 2020. “Total remittance sent in 2020 reached 134.77 billion pesos, that means an average of P86,810 remittance per OFW.” But high earnings come at a high cost. Most often, they have estranged relationships with their families and often miss out on their children’s lives. Some suffer from homesickness, even depression. Their marriages fall apart because of the distance. These stories of sacrifices were the inspiration behind Bayan Bayanan, a classic stage play by playwright Bienvenido Noriega, Jr. Set in the 1970s, the play narrated the stories of a group of expatriate Filipinos in Switzerland. The characters share their heartwarming, sometimes heartbreaking backstories, as well as their fears and their aspirations as they try to carve a better life for themselves abroad. This year, theater and film director Anton Juan brings a fresh take on this classic play and turns it into a musical. Bayan Bayanan: Letters from Home will be staged on July 15 to 17, at the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theater). “I have directed this play many times before in Europe, and each time there is always something new. It grows like a pearl, and takes shape in the memory and hearts of those who perform it and those who watch it. Why? Because it is real. It is grounded on real characters we can identify with, in all their beauty and vulnerability, in all their strengths and their weaknesses,” said director Anton Juan. The musical was part of the celebrations of the 75th anniversary of the Philippines-France diplomatic relations. In 1947, the Philippines and France signed a Treaty of Amity which established diplomatic relations between the two countries. The French government had also conferred honors on Bayan Bayanan director Anton Juan. To honor his

Boy Noriega’s ‘Bayan Bayanan’ is now a musical

Playwright Bienvenido Noriega, Jr.

contributions to the arts, the French Republique knighted Juan Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et Lettres and Chevalier de l’Ordre National de Merit. The play is brought to life by amazing actors, namely: theater actress-singer Banaue Miclat-Janssen who portrays the central character Manang; actress Ava Olivia Santos who plays a Filipino nurse struggling to carve a better life for herself abroad and seeking a fairy tale love; theater actor and classically trained singer Carlo Mañalac as Dino, a character based on Noriega’s life story, a scholar sent to study abroad on an international scholarship. Soprano Roxy Aldiosa and tenor Carlo Angelo Falcis play the comically annoying couple who believe that any life abroad, even hardship posts, are better than life in the Philippines. Jacinta Remulla has been cast as Connie, the couple’s sultry and flirtatious niece. Richard Macaroyo plays the illegal migrant Pol, while Greg de Leon is the perennially homesick Ginoong Luz, whose loneliness can only be lifted by the melodious singing of his wife Ginang Luz, portrayed by opera singer Jane Wee. Completing the cast are Christine Angelica Evangelista, Carlo Mañalac, Timothy Carlo Racho, Kendrick Tamayo, Abigail Sulit, Jane Florence Wee, Matteo Teehankee, Karina Macaspac, and Adrian de Ubago. The Embassy of France in the Philippines

has sponsored the participation of French actress Uno Zigelbaum for a special role in this musical. “I dedicate my direction of this play to all the migrant workers and migrant friends who ‘homed’ me, ‘nationed’ me in my times of study and work abroad, who ‘cradled’ me as they cradled each other in times of crisis and personal rollercoaster times of highs and lows; to the entire cast and the production for taking special time to share their talent and their esteemed careers, countless dearest friends who helped, and our audiences who are all part of the play because this play is about them, us, a nation outside their country,” concluded the director. ••• Celebrate the National Heritage and the Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice) with special free screenings on July 8 (Friday), 2:00 p.m., at the Tanghalang Manuel Conde (CCP Audio-Visual Room). The CCP Arthouse Cinema presents National Artist Fernando Poe, Jr.’s Alupihang Dagat (1976), a film about a man’s search for truth about the disappearances of seafaring youngsters in their fishing village. Eventually, he stumbles upon the island hideout of a band of modern-day pirates who, under the leadership of a female captain named Odessa, are responsible for kidnapping and enslaving many of Gomer’s friends and neighbors. Read full column story on manilastandard.net

‘Alupihang Dagat’ is a film about a man’s search for truth about the disappearances of seafaring youngsters in their fishing village

‘Sonata’ by Peque Gallaga and Lore Reyes highlights the beauty of Negros and is a heartwarming story of failure and redemption

Ishmael Bernal’s ‘Manila by Night’ takes moviegoers on a trip down memory lane with its depiction of Manila in the 1980s

Natin; and Christian Acuna’s Magikland produced by Brightlight Productions, and Gallaga Reyes Films, Sonata, which highlights the Beauty of Negros, is a heartwarming story of failure and redemption as the characters discover the healing power of love. Magikland, a Filipino fantasy adventure film and an official entry to the 2020 Metro Manila Film Festival, revolves around four kids who were transported to Magikland, a fantasy world in a mobile game. At the SM Mall of Asia, Alagad: Silang Bumuhay Sa Teatro (A Tribute To The National Artists For The Theater) directed by Floy Quintos paid tribute to National Artists in concert/performance series. It featured contemporary artists performing, re-interpreting, and re-imaging the work of a National Artist in Music, Dance, and Literature. The National Heritage Month celebration takes pride in creating among the Filipino people a consciousness, respect, and love for the legacies of the nation’s cultural history. It is one of the many exciting cultural events at SM and SM Cinema nationwide.

Manila’s homegrown pizza chain launches all-day breakfast selections By Alena Mae S. Flores

have a midnight snack, these new products of Angel’s Pizza will surely hit the spot. Chorizo Rice Bakes. Angel’s Pizza’s rendition of a baked chorizo meal marries the best of both worlds between meatlovers pizza and a baked rice recipe. This dish is a flavorful blend of fried rice, Spanish chorizo, tomatoes, onion, green and red bell peppers, parsley, and generously topped with mouth-watering

ANGEL’S Pizza isn’t only expanding its branches nationwide but also expanding its delicious menu ensuring that the food offerings are adaptable across meal times. The company recently launched the all-day breakfast selections with three new products: Chorizo Rice Bakes, Rise n Shine, Angel’s Pizza’s all-day breakfast and the Mexican Beef Wrap. meals provide a sumptuous The launch of these selection to consumers new selections is in line with Angel’s Pizza’s direction of providing melted cheese. Mexican Beef Wrap. The Mexican Beef affordable quality products to its customers. “In formulating these products, we sought Wrap is Angel’s version of a highly flavorful to create comfort breakfast meals that are and filling beef taco wrap. Made with delicious, affordable, familiar, and made of Mexican fried rice mixed with diced beef, quality ingredients. We also always make sure mushrooms, and spices wrapped in a tortilla, to provide good value and not short-change the this will be the favorite for people on the go customer in terms of quality and portion, while looking for a filling and delicious meal. Rise n Shine. Who doesn’t love the all-time offering these at value-for-money prices,” Angel’s Product Development officer Chef Filipino homegrown favorite breakfast combo of garlic rice, corned beef, and eggs? Rise n Loren Lazar said. With most of their stores in Metro Manila Shine is Angel’s version of this homey classic. operating 24/7, these All-Day Breakfast It is made with high-quality corned beef and offerings will also be well-enjoyed by night generous portions of garlic rice and egg. Visit Angel’s Pizza website at https:// owls anytime of the day or in the wee hours www.angelspizza.com.ph, or follow them on of the morning. Whether someone is just looking to start Facebook @angelspizzaph and Instagram their day with an affordable, filling meal or @angelspizzaph for their latest updates.

Araneta City opens Bb. Pilipinas 2022 National Costume photo exhibit

The first 10 Bb. Pilipinas candidates

THE Binibining Pilipinas fever continues as the much-awaited national costumes of this year’s candidates were revealed through a photo exhibit at the Farmers Plaza. The exhibit showcases the unique and creative national costumes of the 40 Binibining Pilipinas candidates in 7-feet-tall The Binibining Pilipinas National installations. The photos were shot Costume Exhibit at Araneta City by Raymond Saldaña and Owen open the AR camera on the app, and scan Reyes at Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar in Quezon City, with the girls styled the QR code in any of the panels to see by Patrick Henry Mergano and Macky the Binibinis in motion as they rock their national costumes. Combe. Araneta City first introduced AR A ceremonial ribbon-cutting was held on Monday, July 4 to officially open the exhibit technology in Binibining Pilipinas during to the public. Present in the ceremony were the national costume exhibit in 2021. This BPCI Head Gines Enriquez, Araneta City innovation, along with other digital offerings AVP for Marketing Marjorie Go, Saldaña, of the previous Binibini edition, won the Araneta Group its first Anvil Award for PR and Reyes. Just like in the glam shot photo exhibit, executions. The Binibining Pilipinas National Araneta City will soon power each national costume photo with augmented reality (AR) Costume Exhibit is on display at Farmers technology to bring the portraits to life. Plaza until July 15, and will be at Gateway Exhibit viewers simply need to download Mall from July 16 until the grand coronation the UniteAR app on their smartphones, night on July 31.