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Super health center brings healthcare services closer to far-flung barangays of Nueva Valencia
Super health center brings healthcare services closer to far-flung barangays of Nueva Valencia.....»»
CitySavings Brings Banking Services Closer Through Bank-on-Wheels
Advocating for financial inclusion, City Savings Bank (CitySavings), the thrift bank subsidiary of Aboitiz-led Union Bank of the Philippines (UnionBank), debuts its groundbreaking Bank-on-Wheels (BOW) mobile kiosk. The BOW services underserved regions in the Visayas and Mindanao and designated areas in Metro Manila. The Bank-on-Wheels mobile kiosk in collaboration with UnionBank, features services such as […].....»»
The Pros and Cons of Games of Chance and Sportsbooks
In recent years, the rise of online gambling platforms has transformed the gaming and betting industry. With the convenience of technology, online casinos and sportsbooks have become increasingly popular among enthusiasts worldwide. However, this trend brings forth a spectrum of advantages and disadvantages that warrant a closer examination. This article, created by OKBet online casino […] The post The Pros and Cons of Games of Chance and Sportsbooks appeared first on Kagay An......»»
Philracom stages expo at Sta. Lucia East
The Philippine Racing Commission brings the horseracing industry closer to the public with the holding of the second Philippine Horseracing and Breeding Expo from Nov. 14 to 16 at the Sta. Lucia East Grand Mall in Cainta......»»
Phl, Thailand vow closer collaboration on environmental conservation
Department of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo Loyzaga on Thursday said her department is reinforcing diplomatic ties with Thailand in advancing maritime and ecological management and protection. Loyzaga said she met with Tull Traisorat, Ambassador of Thailand to the Philippines, to explore areas of cooperation, capacity-building, and knowledge-sharing with regard to sustainability, greening highly urbanized areas, and natural resources conservation. The DENR chief and the Thai envoy both agreed to push forward with the Strategic Action Programme for the South China Sea and the Gulf of Thailand, a $15-million project of the United Nations Environment Programme that aims to reduce coastal and marine environmental degradation in the region. Aside from Thailand and the Philippines, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, and Vietnam are also part of the ongoing program. It is the only agreed common vision among the participating countries on targets and actions for reversing environmental degradation trends in the South China Sea. Other points discussed covered regional environmental projects in the pipeline that address the management of marine protected areas, nature-based solutions to improve local community livelihoods and climate change adaptation, and the promotion of resource efficiency and circularity to reduce plastic pollution. On top of closer bilateral cooperation on sustainability and environmental conservation, the two Southeast Asians have committed to bolstering trade and investment as well as military ties. The post Phl, Thailand vow closer collaboration on environmental conservation appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Message of PM Anwar Ibrahim
Crisis brings out the best and the worst in man. It reveals his true persona behind the façade of photo-shopped and public relations-created images. Amidst the Israel-Hamas war, former president Rodrigo Duterte outrageously advised Israel President Benjamin Netanyahu to make “Gaza the world’s biggest cemetery.” And just recently, our ambassador to the United Kingdom twitted on social media (taken down later) that “Palestinian children should be killed . . .” These comments went viral among Moro netizens who unleashed a barrage of angry libelous words against the source. Now, juxtapose this with the public statements by regional leaders about the crisis. And from the gallery of regional statesmen, I pick Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’Seri Anwar Ibrahim whose poignant messages earned the praise of not a few, including non-Muslims. The reaction of these leaders betrays the dichotomy of opinions along religious lines. The Muslim countries, true to their affiliation with the Muslim Palestinians, as members of the World Brotherhood of Muslims or “Ummah Islamiyyah” stood should-to-shoulder with the Palestinians. On the flip side are the non-Muslims led by the United States which condemned the 7 October surprise attack by Hamas on Israel. The world is now on edge because of the strong words of revenge of rightist President Benjamin Netanyahu using the world media stage for his threats of annihilation and cutting off of basic supplies of food, medicines, water, electricity, and fuel to the Palestinians of the Muslim City of Gaza. According to jurists, these are crimes against International Humanitarian Law and other UN covenants and Geneva Conventions. And they claim that while Israel has the right to defend itself, that is not a license to commit genocide. Prime Minister Ibrahim stood tall among Muslim leaders in expressing the sentiment of his government. He had been vocal at every turn of the crisis. He must have had a premonition of the impending catastrophe. His eloquent speech before the United Nations General Assembly on 22 September, which in my book is in the same league as the “What it means to be a Muslim” speech of King Abdullah of Jordan, has earned praise from many observers. He said, “In the Middle East, the politics of dispossession continues with a vengeance with more illegal settlements being built, stripping Palestinians of land that rightfully belongs to them. This constitutes a gross violation of international law. It also poses an insurmountable obstacle to a two-state solution, not to mention the continued killings. There is also flagrant hypocrisy in dealing with the issue of Palestine. The international community must speak up against the atrocities committed towards the Palestinians even as they so vehemently speak out against human rights violations, injustice, and abusive regimes.” When the war broke out on 7 October, one of the countries that reacted immediately was Malaysia. PM Ibrahim issued a statement expressing his country’s solidarity with the struggles of the Palestinians and reiterated his indictment of the international community for its “one-sided actions regarding . . . cruelty and oppression against the Palestinians. The confiscation of land and property belonging to the Palestinian people . . . done relentlessly by the Zionists.” After the bombing of the Al-Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza, which killed more than 500 innocent civilians, PM Ibrahim described it as being “on an insane and inhumane level. What is most regrettable is that Western countries, which speak about human rights, seem to differentiate between peoples, with some considered first-class and others as subordinates.” PM Ibrahim knows how geopolitics works. There will be consequences for standing up against the position of the world powers, the US and Europe, which had expressed total support for Israel. There might be a price to pay. Economic, trade, and political relationships might be put in jeopardy. But the Islam in him outweighed other interests. And for that, Muslims salute him. We are proud to belong to the Malay race. amb_mac_lanto@yahoo.com The post Message of PM Anwar Ibrahim appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
‘The Eras Tour’ serves up Taylor Swift, larger than life
That Taylor Swift is a great songwriter is no longer in question. What’s up for debate is whether she’s a great concert artist as well. By artist we don’t mean a gifted vocalist. The era of the pop concert as a singing showcase and a straightforward live onstage performance of recorded music ended in 1990 with Madonna’s third concert tour. Called Blond Ambition, the highly theatrical show combined music, spectacle and, most crucially, storytelling with a several-act structure based on themes or narrative arcs, deconstructed songs and elaborate sets to redefine the pop concert as performance art. It has since been the template and gold standard by which all concerts, especially those by female superstars, have been measured. Yes, even Madonna’s own subsequent tours have been assessed through the Ambition lens and, arguably, none of them has quite equaled the one that gave the world the cone bra as an icon of female sexuality and woman power. [caption id="attachment_201371" align="aligncenter" width="1987"] LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 11: Taylor Swift attends "Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour" Concert Movie World Premiere at AMC The Grove 14 on October 11, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)[/caption] Feast for the eyes Swift’s The Eras Tour, as seen in the filmed concert currently showing in cinemas worldwide, certainly serves up a feast for the eyes. Most of it is courtesy of the massive stage consisting of a backdrop that stands several stories high, a huge main platform and a long runway that juts well into the audience floor and features its own diamond-shaped mini-stage with a “hyperactive” central hydraulic platform consisting of several mobile blocks that rise to various heights throughout the almost three-hour show. It’s not only one of the biggest stages ever built for a pop concert, but is also probably the biggest LED installation ever assembled in and outside the music world. And it’s never not in use, lighting up the cavernous 70,000-seat SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles (where the movie was filmed over three shows) with eye-popping digital images, pre-recorded videos and live footage from the concert itself. The set is so massive that it makes Swift and her troupe of dancers look like ants. But thanks to the big screens, she literally looks larger than life to the live audience at different points in the show. The film does the opposite, and is the better for it: It brings Swift into the intimate space of the cinema and, thus, closer to the audience. Eras further highlights and celebrates the main thing that has helped the 33-year-old singer-songwriter conquer the pop world, the core attribute that makes Taylor Swift Taylor Swift: relatability. [gallery columns="2" size="full" ids="201372,201370"] It’s all over her music: a repertoire of mostly slow and mid-tempo ballads that tell about the blush, excitement, joy, ecstasy, frustrations, confusion, sadness, heartbreak, anger and regrets of modern-day romantic relationships, in creative confessional journal prose that listeners of all ages, colors and persuasions find no difficulty accessing and plugging into. It’s all over her wholesome, winsome, non-threatening all-American girl-next-door public persona. This is on fuller display in her performance in Eras than even in her 2020 documentary movie, Miss Americana & The Heartbreak Prince, which chronicled mostly the period between her Reputation Tour in 2018 and the release in 2019 of her seventh studio album, Lover. Between the many floral, even pastoral, and fluid graphic images onscreen and the tasteful, immaculate set pieces, between the squarely schematic album-era sectioning and the billowy ball gowns and sparkly and sexy but modest bodysuits, between the Cheshire-Cat grin Swift wears through most of the show, even during moments in some heartbreak songs, and her dorky cheerleader energy, The Eras Tour plays like Little Miss Sunshine & The Hearty Princess. It’s all what anyone would expect from the reigning America’s Sweetheart. Thoroughly entertaining It’s a great Taylor Swift show, for sure — thoroughly entertaining and one that sends stans to Swift heaven. But it stops at being a Taylor Swift show with a faithful rendition of her songs when, for something called Eras, it should be giving audiences, both fans and casuals alike, more to chew on than what they already know and are familiar with — a recast, a reinterpretation, a recontextualization of her music and impact. [caption id="attachment_201373" align="aligncenter" width="2560"] US singer-songwriter Taylor Swift performs onstage on the first night of her "Eras Tour" at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on March 31, 2023. (Photo by SUZANNE CORDEIRO / AFP)[/caption] The show is content to be a pop concert about Taylor Swift. Coming almost 20 years into her career, it should’ve reached for the world outside of Taylor Swift, or even just a small part of it: What do Taylor and her songs, for instance, say about the times we are living in? The Eras Tour could have aspired to life and art, or at least something approaching it, and thereby become a truly era-defining experience. The post ‘The Eras Tour’ serves up Taylor Swift, larger than life appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Principled peace
Self-defense is essential for a nation’s survival, which was what the United States veto of the United Nations resolution calling for “humanitarian pauses” in Israel’s campaign against Hamas was all about. Based on a formula that Brazil and Russia drafted, the resolution was meant to allow aid delivery to the war zone, mainly in northern Gaza. Under United Nations rules, a “no” vote by any of the five permanent members of the Security Council stops action on any proposal. The body’s permanent members are China, France, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom and the United States. Russia had proposed two amendments to the UN resolution seeking a ceasefire that the SC rejected. Russian Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia’s proposal came with its warning that anyone who did not support Russia’s draft resolution “bears responsibility for what happens.” Coming from Russia, the call for moral responsibility in Israel’s war against terror was somewhat off, considering its ongoing campaign to occupy Ukraine. In delivering the veto, US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield said the “resolution did not mention Israel’s right of self-defense.” “Israel has the inherent right of self-defense as reflected in Article 51 of the UN Charter,” she said. Thomas-Greenfield noted that the Security Council had reaffirmed the right in previous resolutions on terrorist attacks. “This resolution should have done the same,” she said. UK Ambassador Barbara Woodward said her country abstained from voting on the resolution as the text needed to clarify Israel’s inherent right to self-defense. She pointed out that the resolution also ignored that extremist group Hamas, which controls Gaza, uses Palestinian civilians as human shields. “They (Hamas) have embedded themselves in civilian communities and made the Palestinian people their victims too,” she said. She reiterated the UK’s support for Israel’s right to defend itself against Hamas, to rescue hostages, and to strengthen its security in the long term while calling on Israel “to take all feasible precautions” to avoid harming Palestinian civilians. The argument of the UK is the source of the dilemma in the current conflict — saving civilians but with the responsibility falling solely on the shoulders of Israel. Hamas, a terrorist organization, is not bound by, therefore is not expected to follow, UN resolutions. Directing Israel to implement a ceasefire, even momentarily, puts it at a disadvantage since Hamas and its terror allies will continue to fire their rockets while consolidating their forces. War indeed brings horrors that should not happen in a civilized world. Human frailty is brought to the fore by the greed and ambition of the terror organization, stripped of religious embellishment. Hamas wants to drive out the Israelis and establish a kingdom to rule over the Palestinians. A spokesperson of the Israeli Defense Forces said resolute action is necessary against Hamas to end its reign of terror and prevent the recurrence of its recent attack on civilians. The surprise assault on 7 October resulted in the slaughter of 1,400 mostly civilian Israelis. Israel then declared war on Hamas, which rules the Palestinian government, vowing to hold it accountable for the massacre. Hamas uses treachery and guile, digging bunkers and underground communities in civilian areas to evade the Israeli forces. The terror group uses the propaganda mill to elicit tacit support from countries with anti-Israel sentiments. It uses the Israeli airstrikes on its facilities that cause civilian casualties as leverage to get the Israeli operations to stop. The UN, as the organization relied on to keep the peace in the region, has failed to provide a fair and rational solution to the conflict. The post Principled peace appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Bourse unwraps shorting rules
Bourse operator Philippine Stock Exchange Inc., or PSE, issues its approval yesterday for the immediate implementation of the Guidelines for Short Selling Transactions. PSE said critical components of securities borrowing and lending, or SBL provisions were also approved. Short selling can only function with an SBL program in place. PSE announces effectivity of short selling guidelines, other relevant SBL developments. Weak market buffer PSE announced SEC’s approval of offshore collateral for SBL in May 2023 while the Bureau of Internal Revenue accepted the filing and registration of the Global Master Securities Lending Agreement, or GMSLA, in September 2023. Short selling happens when a trader borrows shares and sells them in the hope that the price will fall after, so they can buy them back cheaper. The process can help traders profit from downturns in stocks and protect themselves from losses. “We are grateful to the SEC and BIR for their approvals on important regulatory aspects of SBL and short selling. This development brings us a step closer to the full adoption and implementation of these much-awaited programs,” PSE president and CEO Ramon Monzon said. The PSE also updated the eligible securities in its short selling guidelines to include members of the PSE midcap and PSE dividend yield indices. Initially, only securities comprising the PSE index and exchange traded funds, or ETFs, were considered eligible securities for short selling. The post Bourse unwraps shorting rules appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Global governance is stuck in time
We confront a host of existential threats — from the climate crisis to disruptive technologies — and we do so at a time of chaotic transition. For much of the Cold War, international relations were largely seen through the prism of two superpowers. Then came a short period of unipolarity. Now we are rapidly moving toward a multipolar world. This is, in many ways, positive. It brings new opportunities for justice and balance in international relations. But multipolarity alone cannot guarantee peace. At the beginning of the 20th century, Europe had numerous powers. It was truly multipolar. But it lacked robust multilateral institutions and the result was World War I. A multipolar world needs strong and effective multilateral institutions. Yet global governance is stuck in time. Look no further than the United Nations Security Council and the Bretton Woods system. They reflect the political and economic realities of 1945, when many countries were still under colonial domination. The world has changed. Our institutions have not. We cannot effectively address problems as they are if institutions do not reflect the world as it is. Instead of solving problems, they risk becoming part of the problem. And, indeed, divides are deepening. Divides among economic and military powers. Divides between North and South, East and West. We are inching ever closer to a Great Fracture in economic and financial systems and trade relations; one that threatens a single, open Internet; with diverging strategies on technology and artificial intelligence; and potentially clashing security frameworks. It is high time to renew multilateral institutions based on 21st century economic and political realities — rooted in equity, solidarity and universality and anchored in the principles of the United Nations Charter and international law. That means reforming the Security Council in line with the world of today. It means redesigning the international financial architecture so that it becomes truly universal and serves as a global safety net for developing countries in trouble. At the same time, divides are also widening within countries. Democracy is under threat. Authoritarianism is on the march. Inequalities are growing. And hate speech is on the rise. In the face of all these challenges and more, compromise has become a dirty word. We have just survived the hottest days, the hottest months, and the hottest summer on the books. Behind every broken record are broken economies, broken lives and whole nations at the breaking point. Actions are falling abysmally short. There is still time to keep rising temperatures within the 1.5-degree limits of the Paris [Climate] Agreement. But that requires drastic steps now — to cut greenhouse gas emissions, and to ensure climate justice for those who did least to cause the crisis but are paying the highest price. The fossil fuel age has failed. If fossil fuel companies want to be part of the solution, they must lead the transition to renewable energy. No more dirty production. No more fake solutions. No more bankrolling climate denial. Climate chaos is breaking new records, but we cannot afford the same old broken record of scapegoating and waiting for others to move first. And to all those working, marching and championing real climate action, I want you to know that you are on the right side of history and that I am with you. I won’t give up this fight of our lives. *** Excerpts from the UN Secretary-General’s address to the General Assembly, 19 September 2023. The post Global governance is stuck in time appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Super Health Center in Tanauan, Leyte breaks ground
Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, is hopeful that more Filipinos, particularly those in far-flung areas, will be able to access basic health services through the establishment of more Super Health Centers nationwide. In a video message during the groundbreaking of a Super Health Center in Tanauan, Leyte on Thursday, 28 September, Go, who is an adopted son of the province, commended the Department of Health and the local government for the successful groundbreaking of the town's Super Health Center in Barangay Malaguicay. Super Health Centers are designed to focus on primary care, medical consultation, and early detection of diseases, further strengthening the healthcare sector in the country, especially in rural communities. He also stressed his commitment to bringing healthcare closer to the people, alleviating the burden of traveling long distances to receive basic health services. The groundbreaking was led by Leyte Governor Jericho "Icot" Petilla and Tanauan Mayor Gina Merilo, among others. “Ipagpatuloy natin na ilapit ang serbisyong medikal sa ating mga kababayang mahihirap na walang matakbuhan kung hindi ang mga gobyerno. Para sa mga mahihirap nating kababayan, napakaimportante po nito dahil iyan po ang kanilang lalapitan po talaga, itong mga government health facilities natin. The more we should support it, the more na mag-invest po tayo sa ating healthcare system,” Go said. “Ilapit po natin ang serbisyong nararapat para sa kanila. Huwag po natin silang pahirapan. Marami po sa mga kababayan natin sa iba’t ibang sulok ng Pilipinas na wala silang sariling health center. Kaya importante na mailapit natin ang serbisyong medikal mula gobyerno sa mga taong nangangailangan nito,” he stressed. Super Health Centers offer basic health services, including database management, out-patient, birthing, isolation, diagnostic (laboratory: x-ray, ultrasound), pharmacy, and ambulatory surgical unit. Other available services in Super Health Centers are eye, ear, nose, and throat (EENT) service; oncology centers; physical therapy and rehabilitation centers; and telemedicine. Meanwhile, he also mentioned that there will be Super Health Centers to be established in Hilongos and Baybay City. Through the collaborative efforts of fellow lawmakers, sufficient funds were allocated for 307 Super Health Centers in 2022 and 322 in 2023. The Department of Health (DOH), the lead implementing agency, is tasked with identifying strategic areas for construction. The senator likewise encouraged those with health concerns to seek the assistance of any of the 159 Malasakit Centers nationwide, five of which are established in the province. The Malasakit Center brings all relevant agencies under one roof, such as the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), DOH, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, to ensure poor and indigent patients can conveniently access medical assistance programs to cover their hospital-related expenses. Malasakit Centers have been opened at the New Western Leyte Provincial Hospital in Baybay City, Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center (EVRMC) in Tacloban City, Ormoc District Hospital in Ormoc City, and Leyte Provincial Hospital and Governor Benjamin T. Romualdez General Hospital and Schistosomiasis Center (GBTRGHSC) in Palo. The program was institutionalized under Republic Act No. 11463, or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which Go principally authored and sponsored. Since the first Malasakit Center was established in 2018, more than seven million Filipinos have benefitted, according to DOH. Go also highlighted Republic Act 11959, also known as the Regional Specialty Centers Act, which he principally sponsored and is one of the authors in the Senate. The Regional Specialty Centers Act plays a pivotal role in the healthcare legislative agenda of the Marcos administration, as detailed in the Philippine Development Plan 2023 to 2028. The said law mandates the establishment of Regional Specialty Centers within existing DOH regional hospitals. As part of his commitment to improving healthcare services in the province, Go sponsored the passage of RA 11567. This legislation increased the bed capacity of EVRMC. Additionally, Go also pushed for the passage of RA 11566, which transformed the Schistosomiasis Control and Research Hospital into the GBTRGHSC. Go, vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, likewise supported the construction of multipurpose buildings in Alangalang, Babatngon, Carigara, Dagami, Isabel, Jaro, La Paz, Leyte, and Tolosa; construction of the Merida Community Hospital; construction of flood control structures in Alangalang, Javier, Tanauan and Tolosa; and acquisition of dump trucks for the local governments of Isabel and Villaba, among others. The post Super Health Center in Tanauan, Leyte breaks ground appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Bong Go sends assistance to Cebu fire victims
The office of Senator Christopher “Bong” Go spearheaded a relief operation for fire victims in Barangays Kasambagan, Duljo Fatima, and Inayawan in Cebu City on Thursday, 21 September, as part of the senator’s efforts to ensure that the communities fully recover from the incident. The relief operation was held at Brgy. Kasambagan Hall. The senator’s team, together with Brgy. Kasambagan Captain Franklyn Ong, distributed snacks, shirts, and balls for basketball and volleyball to 102 fire victims. They also gave away shoes, watches, and mobile phones to select recipients. Meanwhile, the National Housing Authority (NHA) provided housing assistance to each qualified family. “Isinulong din natin na mabigyan sila ng National Housing Authority ng ayuda pambili ng housing materials tulad ng pako, yero at iba pa upang maisaayos muli ang kanilang mga tirahan,” Go said in a video message. “Isinulong ko ito noon at patuloy na sinusuportahan ang programa ng NHA ngayon upang mas marami pang mga biktima ng sakuna ang makapagpatayo ng maayos na bahay at makabangon muli mula sa trahedya,” he added. Go also highlighted Republic Act No. 11589 or the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Modernization Act of 2021. This legislation, principally authored and co-sponsored by Go, is designed to bolster BFP’s capacity through a decade-long modernization initiative. This program encompasses the enlistment of additional firefighters, procurement of more firefighting equipment, and the provision of specialized training. “Alam ko pong mahirap ang masunugan pero magtiwala lang po kayo sa gobyerno at tayo po ay makakaahon muli. Ang importante ay walang nasaktan. Ang pera ay kikitain naman po natin yan pero ang buhay ay hindi nabibili ng pera. A lost life is a lost life forever kaya mag-ingat tayo,” said Go. As chair of the Senate Committee on Health, Go also encouraged residents to take advantage of the services offered by the Malasakit Centers nationwide, including the centers located at Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC), Cebu City Medical Center, and St. Anthony Mother & Child Hospital, all in Cebu City. The Malasakit Center is a convenient one-stop shop that brings together relevant agencies to provide medical aid to indigent Filipinos. Go is the principal author and sponsor of the Malasakit Centers Act, which has successfully assisted over seven million Filipinos through the 159 operational centers nationwide. “Ako po ay nasunugan at tinulungan po ako ng mahal na mayor at mahal na Senator Bong Go... Ako rin po ay nanganak at tinulungan ng Malasakit Center sa aking bill. Kaya naman nagpapasalamat ako kay Senator Bong Go sa programa niya dahil ako ay natulungan ng Malasakit Center,” Manilyn Sarmiento, one of the beneficiaries, expressed. Other Malasakit Centers in the province are available at Cebu Provincial Hospital in Carcar City, Lapu-Lapu City District Hospital, Eversley Childs Sanitarium and General Hospital in Mandaue City, and Talisay District Hospital in Talisay City. Go also expressed his support for the construction of Super Health Centers in strategic locations as identified by DOH nationwide. Through the collective efforts of Go, DOH, LGUs, and fellow lawmakers, sufficient funds had been allocated for 307 Super Health Centers in 2022 and 322 in 2023. Go emphasized the critical role that Super Health Centers play in decongesting hospitals, facilitating early disease detection, and providing essential healthcare services such as primary care and medical consultations directly to the community. These centers are designed to offer a wide range of basic health services, database management, out-patient, birthing, isolation, diagnostic (laboratory: x-ray, ultrasound), pharmacy, and ambulatory surgical unit. Other available services are eye, ear, nose, and throat (EENT) service; oncology centers; physical therapy and rehabilitation centers; and telemedicine, which makes remote diagnosis and treatment of patients possible. Moreover, echoing President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr.’s priority of bringing specialized medical services closer to other parts of the country, Go highlighted that he has principally sponsored and is one of the authors of the Regional Specialty Centers Act which was recently enacted into law. The law mandates the establishment of regional specialty centers within existing DOH regional hospitals. It stands as a testament to the commitment of the government to uplift the nation's health infrastructure and bring actual medical services closer to the Filipino people. Go, vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, likewise supported the funding of various projects in the province, including the construction of multipurpose buildings in Barili, Cordova, Ginatilan, Pilar, Tabogon, and Talisay City; improvement of existing roads in Alcantara, Alcoy, Alegria, Asturias, Balamban, Boljoon, Borbon, Carmen, Madrilejos, Malabuyoc, Minglanilla, Moalboal, Pinamungajan, Sibonga, Sogod, Tabogon, Tabuelan, Carcar City and Naga City; improvement of flood mitigation structures in Catmon and Tuburan; installation of street lights in Asturias, Compostela and Daanbantayan; and acquisition of ambulance units for Madridejos and Naga City. The post Bong Go sends assistance to Cebu fire victims appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
The inanities and shenanigans of Vice Ganda
The mere mention of his showbiz moniker Vice Ganda immediately brings to mind this persona of a blabbermouth — a cross-dressing, larger-than-life gay man that is the creation of Jose Marie Viceral. As Vice Ganda, he has had his lion’s share of box-office hit movies and sold-out concerts, as well as becoming one of the pillars of the noontime program It’s Showtime and an inspiration to the descamisados, madlang pipol and maricons aspiring for and coveting what he possesses and represents. Vice is famous, affluent, social media and traditional media-savvy, with an Ion Perez as a lover that completes his fairy-tale existence. His sense of humor and the kind of comedy that his adoring public consumes polarize viewers. His movies are no way near the guffaw-inducing antics and commitment of a Roderick Paulate. The comedic elements are almost similar but not quite with the political incorrectness and craziness that are staples in the movies of Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto and Joey de Leon. Definitely, the humor in Ganda’s offerings are not as funny and pale in comparison with the intelligently written sketches and characters of Michael V. The junk food masquerading as laugh-out-loud fare is inferior to the charisma, magic and legend of the one and only Philippine Comedy King Dolphy. It is a given that Vice Ganda is an easy target of the nakakainis na nagmamalinis demographics. Proof of this: An aging politician hogged the headline lately when he lambasted the comedian: “Sarili mo lang ang iniisip mo, akala mo maganda iyang ginagawa mo. Super bastos ka, bastos kang tao (You only think about yourself, you think what you are doing is good. You’re super rude, you’re a rude person).” This outburst and judgment from a political dinosaur is lamentable. But with this tirade, the stock value of the reigning fairy this side of Hollywood actually gets a reboot and a fresh dose of relevance. Prior to this high and mighty summation of who Ganda is and what he represents, public perception was ripe that the hold, popularity and reign of Vice was going downhill. Whatever he was holding on to was all confined, controlled and milked in the afternoon program and early primetime weekend singing competition that he hosted. When Vice became the replacement brand ambassador of an online shopping app, the decision puzzled some, given the lackluster sales of the makeup brand that Ganda carries. Add the fact that even during the height of Jose Marie’s reign and popularity, there were only a handful of brands that gave their trust to him. It has been so many days since the app’s sale date and still, there is no official statement on how massive the increase in purchases has been with Vice as the figure employed to seduce the public to spend their hard-earned pesos online. Likewise, the box-office powers and premium of Ganda are no longer stellar and superior. Well- chronicled and documented are his “may pera sa basura” kind of movies. But for two years now in succession, his movies have been clobbered by family dramas that put an exclamation point to his producers laughing their way to bank supremacy. Indeed, it was an astute decision not to participate in this year’s December festival, because his movie not grabbing the number one spot is almost inevitable, and it will be further proof of the old saying that bad luck comes in threes. But now, I cannot help but wonder: With a political dinosaur’s statements about his crudeness and salacious behavior, and a “criminal case” filed by a “kapisanan” latching on to the MTRCB brouhaha, will everything turn rosy and robust once more for the career and romance of the Unkabogable Vice Ganda? Time, being the best storyteller, will provide us the answer. The post The inanities and shenanigans of Vice Ganda appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Go brings health services closer to Bukidnon residents
Sen. Bong Go launched another Super Health Center in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon on Saturday to bring health services closer to Filipinos, especially in disadvantaged areas......»»
Rewards, innovations, sustainability
Globe, the mobile leader and top digital solutions provider in the Philippines, is redefining customer appreciation with its annual G Day celebration, which brings together life-enabling tools and rewards in line with its mission to uplift the lives of Filipinos. Stretching beyond the date of 17 September (09/17) or 0917, which represents Globe’s mobile number prefix, this month-long celebration offers Globe customers digital innovations and next-gen tech experiences. Globe is also committed to using the G Day platform to reiterate its message of environmental sustainability. Throughout its G Day events and activities, Globe is championing sustainability by encouraging customers to observe eco-friendly and socially-conscious practices through small acts, from proper waste disposal and avoidance of single-use plastics to using sustainable transport through the use of Globe’s electric vehicle shuttles to and from event venues, or via carpooling. Customers are also encouraged to support advocacies such as the Hapag Movement, the Globe-led initia-tive that aims to address involuntary hunger through supplemental feeding and livelihood training. G Chance The Raffle. Globe customers can use their Rewards points to redeem raffle entries via the GlobeOne App. G Chance The Raffle can also kick-start online businesses and equip aspiring vloggers, giving them a chance to learn the ropes from industry leaders such as YouTube, Meta and TikTok. Winners will get access to premium subscriptions such as the RUSH Spark Lite e-Store Platform and Canva Pro, along with the tools they would need in their creator or business owner journey. Techies can win the latest intelligent gadgets, and for shopaholics, Globe is giving away a shopping spree at Puregold, plus GCash prizes and more. Customers can redeem entries until 30 September 2023. G Music Fest. G Music Fest, now on its fourth year, is making an even bigger comeback as a music and creator Festival. With a focus on celebrating local talent, this year will feature an all-Pinoy lineup: Urbandub, December Avenue, Lola Amour, Dilaw, PLAYERTWO, Paul Pablo, Sugarcane, The Itchyworms, Mayonnaise, Ace Ban-zuelo, Nobita, Munimuni and Syd Hartha at Circuit Grounds in Makati on 16 September. Beyond inspiration through music, the festival’s Creator Hub will encourage self-expression, learning and creativity through various art and community building activities such as live murals and painting with Drip Splash and Paint It Fun. G Creator Con. On 17 September, G Creator Con aims to unlock the creative potential of each Filipino in the music, content design and technology space. The event, to be held simultaneously at The Globe Tower, BGC Amphitheater and Globe Creator House, transforms BGC into an art and tech city powered by Globe and serves as a springboard for Globe’s Creator Culture, a long-term program combining thought-leadership, creative tech experiences and rewarding opportunities through creator project grants. Creator Talks will feature speakers from Meta, YouTube, DTI Design Center, Myx, Social Media Marketing PH, Bitskwela, and creative thought-leaders Nadine Lustre, Mela Habijan, Pat Tinguy, Eva Le Queen, Pio Dumayas of Lola Amour as panelists. G Fair. To be held on 23 to 24 September the following weekend also at the BGC Amphitheater, the art and tech pop-up market G Fair will showcase Filipino entrepreneurs and artists. With curated micro, small and medium-size enterprises and artists from MoCAF (Modern and Contemporary Art Festival), the bazaar will offer a blend of homegrown businesses and art. G Battle Zone: G Legends Cup and REV Major. Gaming enthusiasts can participate in an online nationwide Mobile Legends tournament, the G Legends Cup, on 23 to 30 September. Winners will receive cash prizes and a chance to meet, greet and even scrim with Globe’s main gaming ambassador Blacklist International. Gamers may also join the Philippines’ largest fighting game tournament, REV Major 2023, to be held at the SMX Convention Center on 30 September and 1 October. Here, the best of Pinoy gamers will play against international fighting game esports athletes. Attendees will also enjoy exclusive giveaways from Globe’s partners such as GrabCar, Move It and Foodpanda. For more information on the G Day events, download and explore the GlobeOne app or visit glbe.co/GDayEveryday. The post Rewards, innovations, sustainability appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Biden boosts U.S. influence on G20, Vietnam
United States President Joe Biden arrives in India Friday for the Group of 20 summit and proceeds to Vietnam Sunday, both aimed at boosting US influence amid division caused by the war in Ukraine and territorial dispute in the South China Sea. Biden is hoping to seize on the absence of Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin at the G20 summit. The US president said on X, formerly known as Twitter, that he was showing his country’s commitment to the G20 as a forum that can deliver. White House officials said Biden would in particular stress a plan to increase World Bank and International Monetary Fund lending power for emerging nations by some $200 billion as a better alternative to Beijing’s “coercive” Belt and Road Initiative. But the absence of Xi and Putin underscores the divisions in the G20 and could hamper Biden’s bid to keep the bloc as the leading forum of global economic cooperation. In Hanoi, Biden and ruling Vietnamese Communist party chief Nguyen Phu Trong are expected to sign a major upgrade in ties between the two countries, who have overcome the painful legacy of the Vietnam War to grow close. They are expected to sign off on a “comprehensive strategic partnership,” Hanoi’s highest level of diplomatic ties. Currently, Vietnam only has ties at the same level with Russia, India, South Korea and China. Biden is betting that Vietnam won’t mind being closer to Washington at a time when China’s sweeping maritime claims in the South China Sea have fueled tensions with its Southeast Asian neighbors. However, Vietnam won’t be keen to play a role in balancing Washington and Beijing, Nguyen Quoc Cuong, the Vietnamese ambassador to US from 2011 to 2014, said. WITH AFP The post Biden boosts U.S. influence on G20, Vietnam appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Bong Go helps recovering fire victims rebuild in Valenzuela City
The Office of Senator Christopher “Bong” Go led a relief operation for fire victims in Valenzuela City on Tuesday, September 5, as part of the senator’s efforts to help disaster-affected households rebuild and recover. The distribution was held at Arkong Bato National High School in coordination with Mayor Weslie “Wes” Gatchalian. The senator’s team provided grocery packs, masks, shirts, vitamins, snacks, and balls for basketball and volleyball to 225 recovering fire victims. They also gave away shoes and mobile phones to select individuals. Meanwhile, the National Housing Authority (NHA) provided housing assistance to each affected family through the Emergency Housing Assistance Program (EHAP). “Isinulong din natin na mabigyan sila ng National Housing Authority ng ayuda pambili ng housing materials tulad ng pako, yero at iba pa upang maisaayos muli ang kanilang mga tirahan,” Go highlighted. “Itong EHAP program, isinulong ko ito noon at patuloy na sinusuportahang mapondohan ang programa ngayon upang mas marami pang mga biktima ng sakuna ang makapagpatayo ng maayos na bahay at makabangon muli mula sa trahedya,” he added. The relief activity was attended by several officials, including NHA Assistant General Manager Alvin Feliciano, who expressed his appreciation for the senator, saying, “Senator Bong Go, ang buong barangay po ng Arkong Bato ay nagpapasalamat sa inyong biyaya. Napakalaking tulong po nito sa amin. Lalo na para makaahon sila sa buhay. Mr. Malasakit, saludo po kami sa inyo.” Meanwhile, Go highlighted Republic Act No. 11589, also known as the Bureau of Fire Protection Modernization Act of 2021. The law, which was authored and co-sponsored by Go, aims to enhance the capabilities of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) through a ten-year modernization program, which includes the recruitment of more firefighters, acquisition of new fire equipment, and specialized training. “Alam ko pong mahirap ang masunugan pero magtiwala lang po kayo sa gobyerno at tayo po ay makakaahon muli. Ang importante ay walang nasaktan. Ang pera ay kikitain naman po natin yan pero ang buhay ay hindi nabibili ng pera. A lost life is a lost life forever kaya mag-ingat tayo,” said Go. The lawmaker likewise continues to push for the enactment of Senate Bill No. 192, which seeks to institutionalize the Rental Housing Subsidy Program. Under the proposed measure, a housing and social protection program will be developed to provide disaster victims better and more affordable access to the formal housing market through the provision of rental subsidies provided by the government. Meanwhile, Go filed SBN 193, or the proposed Mandatory Evacuation Center Act, which aims to ensure that disaster victims will have temporary shelters that will guarantee their safety and welfare while they recover and rebuild their lives. The senator also encouraged residents to take advantage of the services offered in Malasakit Centers nationwide, including those established in Valenzuela Medical Center and Valenzuela City Emergency Hospital, which are both located in the city. The Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop that brings together relevant agencies to provide medical aid to poor and indigent Filipinos. Go is the principal author and sponsor of the Malasakit Centers Act, which has successfully assisted over seven million Filipinos through its 158 operational centers nationwide. “Ako po ay nasunugan at tinulangan po ako ng mahal na mayor at mahal na Senator Bong Go sa kahirapan. Ako rin po ay nanganak at tinulungan ng Malasakit Center sa aking bill. Kaya naman nagpapasalamat ako kay Senator Bong Go sa programa niya dahil ako ay natulungan ng Malasakit Center,” Manilyn Sarmiento, one of the beneficiaries, expressed. Go also expressed his support for the construction of 28 Super Health Centers in strategic locations across Metro Manila, in collaboration with the Department of Health. These centers are designed to offer a wide range of basic health services, database management, out-patient, birthing, isolation, diagnostic (laboratory: x-ray, ultrasound), pharmacy, and ambulatory surgical unit. Other available services are eye, ear, nose, and throat (EENT) service; oncology centers; physical therapy and rehabilitation center; and telemedicine, which makes remote diagnosis and treatment of patients possible. Moreover, echoing President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr.’s priority of bringing specialized medical services closer to other parts of the country, Go has successfully sponsored in the Senate the Regional Specialty Centers Act which he also filed as one of its authors. As vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go has been a staunch supporter of various initiatives in the city. These include the construction of the Valenzuela Center for Academic Excellence, acquisition of ambulance units for the city government, and the construction of a multipurpose building in Brgy. Canumay West. The post Bong Go helps recovering fire victims rebuild in Valenzuela City appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
This writers’ workshop loves Filipino literature
The Palihang Rogelio Sicat discussion on 21 June held in UP Diliman looked and sounded like an art class session. Manolo Sicat, the well-known artist and sculptor, was delivering a demo-lecture on printmaking. He said figures and words can go together in a work of art. [gallery columns="2" size="full" ids="175634,175632"] He had a PowerPoint presentation of print images. A pair of prints of a couple of dancers were passed around. One was in black and white, the other in color. Texture and motion were their immediate charm. “But what has printmaking to do with us?,” said Christian Balagoza, a boyish writer. “We’ll know when we get the printmaking session,” said sir Reuel Aguila, director PRS 16 (2023). Art collab This is the latest PRS innovation. When the session was held a few days later, Sicat conducted an honest-to-goodness printmaking workshop at the UP College of Fine Arts. A colleague, Prof. Ambie Abano, welcomed the group and opened her atelier to show mural-sized prints made from wooden originals. It is the artist’s impressive collection of prints featuring landscapes of lush trees in dark, brooding background. Fellows from the previous online batch joined the art activity. During the three-hour session, everyone polished her rubber board, chiseled images and texts, and finally print the works on paper. They were amazed to pick up the skill fast and admire the results in no time. Thumbs and nails got smudged with sticky ink yet everyone was smiling at the wet and black artworks clipped on wires that crossed the studio. 16 years of PRS This is one of the activities that make PRS unique. Thanks to its founders -- dramatist Reuel Aguila, retired professor now a lecturer at the UP, and fictionist Jimmuel Naval, dean of the UP College of Arts and Letters. The partner is always on the lookout for ingenious ways to improve the workshop, all for the good of young writers. PRS began as an informal workshop of a number of young writers held in the mansion of Ligaya Tiamson Rubin in Angono, Rizal, in 2008. Today, fellows accepted in the workshop are pegged at 15. Fellows like the idea that they are the main commentators of the manuscripts. During workshops, they get to be the lead discussant. “They learn to be critical and not rely too much on the opinion of the panelists,” said Aguila. The PRS is the only writers’ workshop that aspires to be mobile, going around the country to make its appellation ‘national’ true. It literally brings the creative writing life closer to practitioners. PRS collaborates with local governments, and with their support the workshop had been to Palayan City, Nueva Ecija (2009); Baler, Aurora (2010); Alfonso, Cavite (2011); Sta. Cruz, Marinduque (2012); Angeles City, Pampanga (2014); and Makati City (2015). It also cooperates with the academe as in UP Visayas-Tacloban (2017), UP Baguio (2018) and UP Los Baños (2019). There were times PRS stayed at its home base UP Diliman like during the 50th anniversary of the UP Department of Filipino and Philippine Literature (UP-DFPL) in 2017. It went online as Zoom conference twice during the pandemic. With the renowned writer Rogelio Sicat as PRS idol, the workshop chooses Filipino language as its medium of writing literature. It also accepts works from the region’s translated into Filipino. Institutional support PRS is the official outreach program of the UP-DFPL whose incumbent chair Schedar DT Jocson said that from the beginning, it has supported PRS and its objectives. Many of its panelists are from the department, including alumna Dr. Lulu Torres-Reyes, the PRS 16 guest of honor. Other PRS supporters include the UP Sentro ng Wikang Filipino (UP-SWF). “We are honored to be part of a movement that brings Philippine literature closer to the common people. PRS writers enrich the catalog of our website,” said director Jayson Petras. Friends and business people also support PRS, like Palawan Pawnshop / Palawan Express Padala company. Lively discussion about literature An hour of PRS discussion on a story or poem does not exhaust its reading or interpretation. To address the gap, sessions are set beyond the allotted time and well into almost midnight. Fellows do not seem to mind as they are very eager to huddle with seniors who are just as willing to forego of an early bedtime. PRS goes one more step. In 2022, it created post-workshop online sessions. Here, senior and beginning writers discuss new works. Everyone is excited to have these disquisitions that aim to improve writing skills. Dedication is demanded from both sides. The recent PRS workshop had the Sicat siblings Luna and Manolo beaming with pride. They were quite surprised to know that almost 300 young writers had already experienced the workshop. PRS is also proud that esteemed writers served as its panelists, including Bienvenido Lumbera, Edgardo Reyes, Ricardo Lee, Rogelio Ordoñez, Lualhati Bautista, Rosario Lucero, Elmer Ordoñez, Jose Dalisay, Marne Kilates, Jess Santiago, Fidel Rillo, Edgardo Maranan, Lilia Quindoza Santiago, Delfin Tolentino, Bonifacio Ilagan, Frank Cimatu, Joi Barrios-Le Blanc, Chris Millado, Jerry Gracio, Richard Gappi, Eros Atalia, Joselito delos Reyes, Choi Pangilinan and Junley Lorenzana Lazaga. PRS connects the lives of senior and beginning writers. Rogelio Sicat would be proud of this long -running project named after him. The post This writers’ workshop loves Filipino literature appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Marcos seeks expanded military drills with Australia
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday said military drills between the Philippines and Australia should be expanded to strengthen the two countries’ security and defense cooperation. In an interview with the reporters in Zambales, Marcos said he would discuss this possibility with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese when the Australian head of state visits the country next month. “We would be discussing for sure, also the continuation of this kind of joint exercise to increase the capabilities again of our... You know that when coordination is excellent, especially in the military context, it has a significant multiplier effect, and that’s why it is important that we continue that,” Marcos said. He said he is confident that the two countries will come up with new strategies and agreements on security cooperation during Albanese’s visit. “I’m sure that we will come up with some new strategies and some new ideas, agreements and in terms of partnerships between our two countries,” he said. The President said the Philippines and Australia share many common concerns in the region, such as the South China Sea dispute. “We have many common concerns with Australia in terms of the region and, of course, we also have very many Filipino nationals in Australia,” he said. He said that he was grateful to Australia for welcoming Filipino nationals and providing them with opportunities to work and live in that country. “And I was reminding the ambassador, not only do we have a large contingent of Filipinos in Australia, we have a large happy contingent living in Australia, Filipinos who have chosen to live and work in Australia, and they have been welcomed as part of the society, welcomed into the workforce and for that we have to be grateful to our Australian friends,” he said. Albanese is scheduled to visit the Philippines from 7 to 8 September. Before the media interview, Marcos witnessed the first amphibious drills between the Philippines and Australia held in Zambales. “This is our continuing effort to strengthen our capabilities and to have a closer working relationship with the militaries of our neighbors around the region and I think it is an important aspect of how we prepare for any eventuality and considering that there have been so many events that attest to the volatility of the region,” Marcos said. “This kind of exercise, this kind of close strategic cooperation between countries around the region is extremely important and I think that we have demonstrated that today and to see how well our troops work together now and this is a very large exercise, with so many elements involved, but they got it right and we are able to see that things went according to plan and again the working relationship between our two militaries and, of course, the United States, has been demonstrated and is something that we will continue to strengthen,” Marcos added. He also thanked the Australian Defence Force for their participation and cooperation and support “for all that we are doing and congratulations to all who are involved for a very well-run exercise.” The Philippines-Australia Exercise Alon 2023 involves numerous ships, planes, and more than 2,000 personnel, including about 700 from the Philippine Marine Corps, 1,200 from the Australian Defense Force, and 150 from the United States Marine Corps. The amphibious landing practice is an element of this exercise. Romeo Brawner Jr., chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. were present at the event. They were joined by their Australian counterparts, Richard Marles, the Deputy Prime Minister of Australia and Minister of Defense, and Lt. Gen. Greg Bilton, the ADF’s Commander of Joint Operations. The post Marcos seeks expanded military drills with Australia appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
PBBM bats for expanded Phl-Australia military drills
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday said that the military drills between the Philippines and Australia should be expanded to strengthen the countries' security and defense cooperation. In an interview with the reporters in Zambales, Marcos said he would discuss this possibility with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese when the Australian head of state visits the country next month. "We would be discussing for sure, also the continuation of this kind of joint exercise to increase the capabilities again of our... You know that when coordination is excellent, especially in the military context, it has a significant multiplier effect, and that’s why it is important that we continue that," Marcos said. Marcos said he is confident that the two countries will come up with new strategies and agreements on security cooperation during Albanese's visit. "I’m sure that we will come up with some new strategies and some new ideas, agreements, and in terms of partnerships between our two countries," he said. Marcos also said that the Philippines and Australia share many common concerns in the region, such as the South China Sea dispute. "We have many common concerns with Australia in terms of the region and of course, we also have very many Filipino nationals in Australia," he said. Marcos said that he is grateful to Australia for welcoming Filipino nationals and providing them with opportunities to work and live in the country. "And I was reminding the Ambassador, not only do we have a large contingent of Filipinos in Australia, we have a large happy contingent --- living in Australia, Filipinos who have chosen to live and work in Australia and they have been welcomed as part of the society, welcomed into the workforce and for that, we have to be grateful to our Australian friends," he said. Albanese is scheduled to visit the Philippines from 7 to 8 September. Before the media interview, Marcos witnessed the first amphibious drills between the Philippines and Australia held in this province prior to the media interview. "This is our continuing effort to strengthen our capabilities and to have a closer working relationship with the militaries of our neighbors around the region and I think it is an important aspect of how we prepare for any eventuality and considering that there have been so many events that attest to the volatility of the region," Marcos said. "This kind of exercise, this kind of close strategic cooperation between countries around the region is extremely important and I think that we have demonstrated that today and to see how well our troops work together now and this is a very large exercise, with so many elements involved, but they got it right and we are able to see that things went according to plan and again the working relationship between our two militaries and of course the United States as well, is again, has been demonstrated and is something that we will continue to strengthen," Marcos added. Marcos also thanked the Australian Defence Force for their participation, cooperation, and support "for all that we were doing and congratulations to all who are involved for a very well-run exercise." The Philippines-Australia Exercise Alon 2023 includes numerous ships, planes, and more than 2,000 personnel, including about 700 from the Philippine Marine Corps, 1,200 from the Australian Defense Force (ADF), and 150 from the United States Marine Corps (USMC). The amphibious landing practice is an element of this exercise. The post PBBM bats for expanded Phl-Australia military drills appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»