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Gozon passes baton to Duavit as new GMA CEO
During the celebration of his 84th birthday at the Isla Ballroom of Edsa Shangri-La Hotel, GMA Network chairman and CEO Felipe Gozon announced his retirement as the chief executive officer of the country’s leading multimedia conglomerate......»»
Survey drop, disinformation, or portent?
The political whirlwind that swept the Marcos-Duterte tandem to a smashing victory in the May elections of 2016 and the air of euphoria following it appears to have gradually dissipated one year and three months following their assumption to office as President and Vice President, respectively. There has been almost a whispery voice of discontent among those in the populating bearing the brunt of the escalating prices of basic commodities and a crescendo of pessimism felt by those who have been used to responsive and aggressive governance. What could have produced the huge fall in the approval and trust ratings of the redeeming and resurrected Marcos scion and the redoubtable charming yet feisty daughter of the controversial but beloved former President? Could it be the systematic and relentless barrage of negative propaganda against the current administration unleashed by the vociferous left inside and outside Congress helped, unsurprisingly, by the ominous silence of the political allies of the two, who obviously are following the baton of the one who wields and disburses the funds and largesse they need for their districts and their own evolution? The conductor’s body language speaks volumes of the obsession to be the heir apparent of the leader of the present dispensation. The fall in the trust and approval ratings of PBBM is not his own doing. The spiraling of prices of almost all commodities, including oil and gasoline, is global. The Russia-Ukraine war, the China-Taiwan friction, the US-Russia cold war, the China-US increasing bilateral tension, and other conflicts involving other countries have affected the trade and commerce of the world, putting a monkey wrench on the best-laid plans and programs of those who run the business of the world. They contribute to the present dislocation in the world’s economy. While PBBM has envisioned a program of government that — as he puts it in his first State of the Nation Address — would bring to fruition the dream of the Filipino people to live comfortable lives under a regime of peace and orderly society, he cannot, however, do this alone. He needs competent, dynamic, creative, selfless, and honest co-government workers who will implement the plans he has laid down. Unfortunately, while there are members of his Cabinet and allies in Congress who are doing well in their respective domains quietly and efficiently, there are, however, not a few of them who either have lackluster performance or are dead woods whose incompetence and grandstanding derail his visions and frustrate the expectations of the people. PBBM has been dragged down by these dead weights, triggering this fall in the surveys. Vice President and Secretary of Education Inday Sara Duterte’s fall on the surveys presents a different dimension. Her competent handling of her department has brought dramatic changes in the public educational system. Not only has she quelled the irregular, inefficient, and corrupt practices in the education sector, but she has even initiated and launched activities protecting the safety and health of the students and public school teachers, even as she improves the quality of education. Her enormous popularity, however, has become a magnet for orchestrated and systematic false disinformation and untruthful narratives about her and her office. This early — those eyeing the presidency five years from now have sent demolition forces to tarnish her popular image and taint her unblemished reputation. Those who are gullible among those respondents in the surveys apparently have been misled or hoodwinked into believing the falsities thrown at her. On the other side of the coin, could this abrupt and sizable decrease in the approval and trust survey be a portent? Could it be a foreshadow of an oncoming political upheaval? Could it be a handwriting on the wall? Could it be a wake-up call? The post Survey drop, disinformation, or portent? appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Budgetary leverage
By passing a financing bill at the last minute, the United States Congress avoided a federal government shutdown this week. However, the Biden administration’s top priorities, including defense financing for Ukraine, were left out of the final package. For countries like the Philippines, which has cozied up anew to Uncle Sam, this is cause for concern because America has practically left Ukraine high and dry without the full backing it needs to defend itself against Russia. Okay, so Biden said they “will not walk out of Ukraine.” Still, without funding, that’s just lip service. Having perfected the art of emotional suasion at one end of the pole and brinkmanship on the other, we would not be surprised if Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky would tell Biden: “Show us the money.” Sacrificing Ukraine casts doubt on America’s dependability as a coalition partner and ally, even as it stakes a claim to a long tradition of backing democracies in their fight for independence. The Philippines should take note. In the US, it’s clear that whatever the executive branch pledges, the US Congress can always override or, as made apparent again now, starve of funding. That’s the power of holding the purse string that could certainly affect America the mighty’s projection of power. From propping up South Vietnam with billions of dollars in war materiel only to leave Saigon in a huff — with choppers flying off the rooftop of the US Embassy in a hasty, humiliating retreat in 1975 — to giving substantial aid to Israel and Middle Eastern countries, the US has not stopped its posturing as the “policeman of the world.” As in Vietnam and Afghanistan, where in the latter it also abruptly pulled out its forces, thereby allowing the Taliban to retake the country in 2021, the US, for all its fire-and-brimstone statements at the start of the Ukraine-Russia war, may have turned its back on its legal and moral responsibility to aid Kyiv. As an adversarial state under madman Vladimir Putin, Russia has been destabilizing international norms, and Ukraine, by fighting back, has been sending the strong message that autocratic governments cannot make the globe their playground. By not including money for Ukraine’s defense in the 2024 spending bill, the US has lost the chance to demonstrate its dedication to the defense of democracy. But such are the vagaries of the budgeting process in the United States and, of course, the Philippines, with the latter’s form of government and jurisprudence loosely patterned after America’s. In the US, government shutdowns have happened before and will happen again when the legislature and the executive branches are unable to reach an agreement on priorities and lawmakers do not enact a budget in a timely manner. The budget can also be wielded as a political baton with which to make the executive branch more malleable. An example would be the 2013 shutdown in an attempt to defund the Affordable Care Act. Frequent disagreements on spending priorities between the two parties in the US Congress have led to stalemates, with neither side willing to pass the budget unless their demands were met. Budget delays had caused negative effects on the economy and public services. Some may argue that past shutdowns of the US federal government would show the Philippines has a more mature budgetary system in place, as a failure to pass the budget for a new fiscal year only results in a reenacted budget. But the problems associated with a reenacted budget abound. There’s the delayed implementation of new programs and projects. This, as a reenacted budget only allows for the funding of existing programs and projects. A reenacted budget also limits government flexibility to respond to changing needs. For example, if the economy experiences a downturn, the government may need to increase spending on social programs or infrastructure projects. However, this is not possible under a reenacted budget. But probably the biggest risk associated with a reenacted budget would be corruption, as it can give the executive branch more leeway or elbow room to fund projects while reallocating “savings” from projects that had been funded previously. In the shadow of budgetary bludgeoning and political brinkmanship, the recent passage of the US funding bill left Ukraine’s defense hanging by a thread, a stark reminder of the capriciousness of budgeting processes in both the United States and the Philippines, where legislative complexities often take precedence over strategic imperatives. The budget’s power to shape policy and dictate priorities, as seen in the Philippines with past reenacted budgets, illustrates the pitfalls of wielding fiscal levers as political weapons. In both nations, the budgeting process, while designed to reflect the will of the people, is susceptible to political posturing, causing disruptions and imperiling the very ideals of democracy it should be upholding. The post Budgetary leverage appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Helmut Lang and Ralph Lauren kick off New York Fashion Week
Amid sweltering heat and jitters over the Hollywood strike, New York kicked off its Spring-Summer 2024 Fashion Week on Friday, with heavyweights Ralph Lauren and Helmut Lang returning to the industry's flagship event with fresh ideas. American luxury brand Coach unveiled its collection of sensual translucent dresses at the New York Public Library in Manhattan on Thursday, but the event was briefly disrupted by animal rights activists. As Vogue editor Anna Wintour and Jennifer Lopez watched the show, two female protesters from the animal rights group PETA -- one covered in body paint that mimicked animal flaying and another holding a poster that read "Coach: Leather Kills" -- joined the models on the runway before security led them away. At another unofficial kick-off event on Wednesday, featuring Naomi Campbell, Doja Cat, Naomi Osaka and Gigi Hadid, the iconic lingerie label Victoria's Secret teased a film meant to showcase the brand's new and more inclusive identity after it was criticized for designing garments that objectify women. The film, entitled "The Victoria's Secret World Tour," to be released on Amazon Prime at the end of September, highlights the work of creators and artists from Lagos, London, Bogota, and Tokyo. Yellow taxi This year, New York Fashion Week will feature young talents and emerging brands, along with heavyweights such as Ralph Lauren, Michael Kors, 3.1 Phillip Lim, Altuzarra, Gabriela Hearst, Carolina Herrera, Tory Burch, and Luar. The city will then pass the baton to London, Milan, and Paris. "New York has always been a cornerstone of Fashion Week," said Steven Kolb, CEO of the Council of Fashion Designers of America. "It really underscores how strong it is, in terms of presenting creative thinking." Under the humid heat of the New York summer, the six-day marathon kicked off Friday afternoon in Manhattan's Lower East Side with a show by Helmut Lang, who rose to fame in the 1990s and 2000s, thanks to the minimalist aesthetic of the Austrian artist. Helmut Lang, the designer, left fashion in 2005 but Helmut Lang, the brand, lives on, bought by Prada and then by the Japanese group Fast Retailing, which owns Uniqlo. The brand now returns to the runways of the Big Apple with a collection concocted by its new artistic director, Peter Do, widely considered a fashion prodigy. The show had nostalgic undertones, a bow to the 1990s when it became the first fashion brand to advertise on New York yellow taxi signs. Fewer red carpets Another brand to make its return on Friday, albeit in Brooklyn where many of the fashion shows have migrated, was Ralph Lauren, the legendary brand that defined American elegance and embodied preppy US style with an annual turnover of more than $6 billion. The brand, whose founder was born in the Bronx, has not held a show in New York since 2019. This fashion season is marked by the double strike of Hollywood screenwriters and actors seeking better compensation, which has reduced the number of red carpet previews to a minimum, thus depriving brands of a chance to dress stars and promote themselves in the process. "Certainly, the red carpet is a way to speak to the audience," said Kolb, adding that fashion shows were no less important. The "content that they create for social channels will contribute to a very loud, very visible Fashion Week," he added. The post Helmut Lang and Ralph Lauren kick off New York Fashion Week appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Grand night of classical music with an electric audience
Three youthful musicians, Mark Kenedy Rocas, Adrian Nicolas Ong and Aidan Ezra Baracol, recently wowed — make that brought the house down — an appreciative, mostly Gen Z audience at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater at Circuit Makati. The hyped evening featured the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra — under the baton of Maestro Herminigildo Ranera — the country’s leading orchestra, presenting the Young People’s Concert. An educational guide with a friendly and amiable approach, he gainfully conducted an educational tour in an informal and candid manner before the actual concert. He gleefully introduced the PPO according to the four sections: percussion, strings, woodwind and brass, as each team stood up and outdid each other with little catchy tunes. [gallery columns="2" size="large" ids="159369,159370"] This is in keeping with the Cultural Center of the Philippines Arts Education Program-focused event — more aimed for the younger generation. Ranera is a product of the University of Santo Tomas Conservatory of Music with a Bachelor of Music degree major in Trombone and Theory. He likewise possesses a Master of Music degree in Conducting from the renowned University of Northern Colorado and Doctor of Philosophy major in Educational Management from the Cagayan State University. The arrangements of the three-time winner of the National Music Competitions for Young Artists or NAMCYA have been featured in the albums of lauded conductor Redentor Romero, together with the Moscow Symphony Orchestra and the Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra. Through the years, we have been blessed to have witnessed the greatest and the best performers. Thus, we were absolutely baffled with these three young gentlemen with exceptional talent and technical ability. And to think they already have a stellar resume this early on into their musical forays! Rocas performed “Orpheus in the Underworld by German-born French composer Jacques Offenbach” (1819-1880). The piece’s rousing initial fanfare was followed by a gentle love song and an infernal passage. The finale was the ever-popular and all-too-familiar Can-Can of Moulin Rouge fame. He further showed his skills by a rendition of the Flute Concerto No.2 in D Major and K. 314 first and second movements by Austrian composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791). His love affair with the flute began at nine years old. He became a member of the Philippine Youth Symphonic Band from 2005 to 2012. A graduate from the University of the Philippines College of Music, he enrolled in several masterclasses under renowned international artists and mentors. Currently, he is an assistant principal flute of the UP Symphony Orchestra. [gallery columns="2" size="large" ids="159371,159372"] Ong’s prowess on the violin was exhibited with the Tzigane by French composer, pianist and conductor Maurice Ravel (1875-1937). The 10-minute obra is a continuation of the Romantic tradition of show pieces for violin virtuosi in a wholehearted gypsy style. He made his professional debut at 17 with the PPO. A scholar of the Interlochen Arts Academy by the Interlochen Center for the Arts in Michigan, he graduated with honors and served as the concertmaster. He recently completed with one of the highest distinctions from the Mannes School of Music in New York City. Notably, he has debuted at the holy grail for performers, the prestigious Carnegie Hall of New York, in May 2023. He is now slated for international concerts with the Asian Youth Orchestra. Baracol revealed mastery of the keys through the Piano Concerto No. 2 OP .18, C Minor by Russian composer, pianist and conductor Sergei Rachmaninoff (1873-1943). This masterwork established his name in the annals of history and is an enduring piece that breathes air into his childhood experiences. This was eloquently and passionately interpreted by Baracol. [caption id="attachment_159373" align="aligncenter" width="525"] (L-R) CCP Vice President and Artistic Director Dennis Marasigan, CCP Consultant Alex Cortes, CCP Board of Trustees Vice Chairman Michelle Nikki Junia, CCP President Maria Margarita Moran-Floirendo, violinist Adrian Nicolas Ong, flutist Mark Kenedy Rocas, pianist Aidan Ezra Baracol, De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde Consultant Edu Jarque and Niña Romualdez Estela | Photos courtesy of the Cultural Center of the Philippines[/caption] His first brush with the piano was at age 10 and had his first solo piano recital at the SEARCA Auditorium of the University of the Philippines in 2017. During the pandemic, he continually joined international competitions, earning top placements. This coming September 2023, he has been awarded entrance scholarships and admissions at the Royal Academy of Music, the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and the Royal College of Music, all in London, plus the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music at the National University of Singapore. Amid cheers, applauses and bravos, the three promising young men took bow after bow after bow. I could only imagine that the future holds international acclaim, with recital after recital after recital in front of discerning audiences around the world. The post Grand night of classical music with an electric audience appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Canada wildfires have burned over 10 mn hectares this year
Canadian wildfires have burned more than 10 million hectares (24.7 million acres) this year, a record-breaking figure that has surpassed scientists' most pessimistic predictions, government data showed Saturday. The prior all-time high occurred in 1989 when 7.3 million hectares were burned over the course of an entire year, according to national figures from the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre. The area burned this year, in just six and a half months, is roughly equivalent to the size of Portugal or Iceland. In total, 4,088 fires have occurred since January, including many blazes that have scorched hundreds of thousands of hectares. More than 150,000 people have been displaced, and a 19-year-old firefighter died Thursday. "We're dealing with immense areas," Colonel Philippe Sansa, who heads a detachment of French firefighters deployed in hard-hit northern Quebec, told AFP. "The fire we're managing is 65 kilometers (40 miles) long, which poses enormous organizational challenges." Sansa said his team, in France, would be able to deploy far more firefighters and helicopters on a blaze 100 times smaller. The majority of fires have occurred far from inhabited areas -- but they still have serious consequences for the environment. "We find ourselves this year with figures that are worse than our most pessimistic scenarios," Yan Boulanger, a researcher at Canada's natural resources ministry, told AFP. "What has been completely crazy is that there has been no respite since the beginning of May," he said. As of Saturday, there were 906 active fires in the country, including 570 deemed out of control -- with no province spared. The dire situation has shifted across the country in recent months: In May, at the beginning of the wildfire season, Alberta in the west was the center of attention, with unprecedented blazes. Several weeks later, Nova Scotia, an Atlantic province with a mild climate, took up the baton, followed by Quebec, where huge fires created plumes of smoke that even blanketed parts of the United States. Since the beginning of July, the situation has taken a dramatic turn in British Columbia, with more than 250 fires starting in just three days last week, mostly triggered by lightning. Much of Canada is suffering from severe drought, with months of below-average rainfall and warm temperatures. The country is warming faster than the rest of the planet because of its geography, and has been confronted with extreme weather events whose intensity and frequency have increased due to climate change, scientists say. The vast green ring of forests in the planet's northern regions -- including Canada -- is vital to the Earth's health. And given the density of underbrush, wildfires in the north can liberate far more carbon per area burned than some other ecosystems -- thereby further contributing to the planet's warming, in a vicious circle. The post Canada wildfires have burned over 10 mn hectares this year appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Bea on becoming ‘laos’: ‘Lahat tayo darating dun’
In the course of Bea Alonzo's recent guesting on Boy Abunda's "Fast Talk" show on GMA7, the two mentioned Regine Velasquez's recent statement where the legendary singer said "It's no longer my time" and that she's just happy now mentoring the younger generation of singers. Alonzo said she disagreed with the statement, considering Regine's iconic status in the Philippine music business. Abunda took that as an opportunity to ask the 35-year-old A-list actress her own thoughts about becoming a has-been, as it were, in the fickle world of show business. "Natatakot ka bang malaos?", asked Abunda. Alonzo's quick answer evinced careful thought, maturity and even wisdom. "Hindi, because I believe lahat tayo darating dun. You have to be gracious about it. You have to be able to pass the baton to another with grace, because you've had your time, you were able to do the things that you wanted to do, and it's about time to give the chance to others," she said. "I'm just so happy that my body of work, until now they're being appreciated," she added. The post Bea on becoming ‘laos’: ‘Lahat tayo darating dun’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Making MIF work
There has been no let-up in the criticism that has been hurled against the government’s push to legislate into reality the Maharlika Investment Fund. Amid the constant brickbats coming from business groups, from some of our country’s esteemed economists led by UP School of Economics professors, and of course the political opposition, our legislators have finally dutifully passed the bill creating the MIF and have handed the baton to the President for the final coup de grace. Of all the articles opposing the MIF, I think the 28-page position paper of the UP professors has succinctly and clinically dissected the bill and come up with convincing arguments for why BBM should seriously reconsider the passage of the MIF at this time. But let’s face it, this is unlikely to happen. The reality is that the MIF is here to stay. So, given such a scenario, the next best thing the critics can hope for is that the MIF’s board and management will consider the various issues raised by the economists and react accordingly. What are the critical points that need to be reviewed and addressed? The first is the supposed lack of clarity of the fund’s objectives which is violative of the Santiago Principles, MIF’s avowed governance benchmark, and which could result in a confused operating model. This should be fairly easy to remedy when the MIF board convenes and tackles its first task, which is to articulate the MIF’s mission and vision statement that will be the basis for the goals and objectives of the fund. In this regard, I have to say that having a developmental purpose combined with a desire to generate the most optimal returns is not an unrealistic aspiration. It is perfectly feasible to create several sub-funds with different and distinct underlying assets which in turn would become the basis for the investment strategies of the respective sub-funds. This is no different from several unit trust funds available in the market. For instance, some funds focus only on equity, some solely local, while some others, the US equities. Funds that focus on fixed income, some only on Philippine government and corporate debt issuances, while others, purely US Treasuries. Then some funds combine both equity and fixed income. Bottomline, investors will essentially have a menu to choose from depending on their investment objective and appetite for risk. I believe there is nothing in the MIF law that prevents the creation of sub-funds with different investment strategies and risk-reward mix. It can have a sub-fund focusing solely on infrastructure projects that in turn could attract long-term oriented institutional developmental investors such as multilateral funds, e.g., IFC or ADB. Or MIF could create a joint venture with a strategic investor interested in a particular infrastructure project. It is perfectly feasible to create several sub-funds with different and distinct underlying assets which in turn would become the basis for the investment strategies of the respective sub-funds. Another criticism is that the MIF could upend the budgetary processes of the government. All I can say in this regard is that with the kind of politically motivated horse-trading and haggling that is a common occurrence during budget hearings, having an alternative funding process that expedites and cuts back on all that nuisance trumps anytime in my book the traditional long drawn-out congressional budget approval process. Another adverse commentary is that the MIF proponents have not yet proven its “additionality” or, in other words, it will be redundant with the investment and developmental functions of other government agencies such as the NDC, DPWH, or LandBank. My comment on this: I think it’s of public record that neither NDC nor DPWH has had a sterling record insofar as investments and public work projects are concerned. And LandBank has been similarly pilloried by our legislators for not doing enough insofar as its mandate is concerned. If the government agencies have been performing below expectations, perhaps a new entity like MIF with (hopefully) significant private equity participation and private-led management could make a difference and be more effective and efficient in the delivery of its mandate. (To be continued) Until next week… OBF! For comments, email bing_matoto@yahoo.com. The post Making MIF work appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Asian markets struggle to match Wall Street as inflation data looms
Markets were mixed in Asia on Tuesday, with investors awaiting the release of key US inflation data later in the day that could play a big role in the Federal Reserve's keenly anticipated interest rate decision. Expectations are for the US central bank to hold fire at the end of its meeting Wednesday -- after 10 straight hikes -- as data suggested the economy remained healthy but was showing signs that the tightening measures are kicking in. Analysts said bets are on a pause for another increase next month, though they warned that a forecast-busting reading on the consumer price index could force officials to keep lifting. Optimism that borrowing costs will be held -- traders have priced in a 20 percent chance of a hike -- has helped push stocks higher this month, with the S&P 500 now in a bull market, having risen 20 percent from its October lows. "The committee is expected to skip the June meeting but still pair that with hawkish communications to counter any sense that a June pause trumpets the end of their hiking campaign," said SPI Asset Management's Stephen Innes. "However, a big upside surprise in today's CPI could move the rate hike needle for June up to and above 50-50." After a strong performance on Wall Street, Asia struggled to pick up the baton. Tokyo, Seoul, Wellington and Taipei rose but Hong Kong, Shanghai, Sydney, Singapore, Manila and Jakarta were in negative territory. The Fed decision comes as central banks around the world continue to struggle in their battle against inflation, which remains well above their two percent targets. The European Central Bank is expected to unveil another increase Thursday despite the eurozone dipping into recession, while the Bank of Japan is tipped to stand pat when it meets Friday. Canada and Australia announced increases last week. But China on Tuesday announced a small cut in its short-term lending rates as authorities try to kickstart a recovery in the economy, which has run out of steam after an initial burst seen after the lifting of zero-Covid restrictions. The move comes after figures showed inflation remained subdued and saw the yuan drop against the dollar. China's ongoing problems remained a weight on the crude market as investors fret over the impact on demand, even after Saudi Arabia's surprise decision to slash output by a million barrels a day next month. WTI is down about 15 percent this year Brent has lost around 13 percent. Both contracts edged up Tuesday but made little headway into the four percent losses suffered the day before as Goldman Sachs slashed its price forecast for the third time in six months. - Key figures around 0230 GMT - Tokyo - Nikkei 225: UP 1.6 percent at 32,946.49 (break) Hong Kong - Hang Seng Index: DOWN 0.6 percent at 19,296.53 Shanghai - Composite: DOWN 0.4 percent at 3,217.54 Euro/dollar: UP at $1.0772 from $1.0762 on Monday Pound/dollar: UP at $1.2522 from $1.2510 Dollar/yen: DOWN at 139.49 yen from 139.56 yen Euro/pound: UP at 86.04 percent from 86.00 pence West Texas Intermediate: UP 0.2 percent at $67.26 per barrel Brent North Sea crude: UP 0.4 percent at $72.11 per barrel New York - Dow: UP 0.6 percent at 34,066.33 (close) London - FTSE 100: UP 0.1 percent at 7,570.69 (close) dan/dva © Agence France-Presse The post Asian markets struggle to match Wall Street as inflation data looms appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Zeinab Harake plays majorette leader at Bacoor town fiesta
Social media personality Zeinab Harake joined a parade playing majorette in Bacoor, Cavite last Sunday. She led the El Gobernador Band in their march on the street. A large crowd was cheering and applauding while she and her fellow majorettes showcased their baton-twirling skills. Zeinab used to be a majorette in her teens. "(M)ajorette ulit ang ina nyong lahat whahaha. (M)y mother's day entry aratna," Zeinab said in her social media post yesterday. "(S)ure matutuwa at mabilib kayo sa buhay banda," she added. Known for its Marching Band Festival, Bacoor City holds its town fiesta every second Sunday of May, in honor of its patron saint, St. Michael the Archangel. The date also coincides with Mother's Day celebration. See more photos here: The post Zeinab Harake plays majorette leader at Bacoor town fiesta appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Sarah G shows she’s OPM queen at 20th anniversary concert
At her 20th Anniversary Concert, Sarah Geronimo went all out as a performer, proving to all and sundry she’s now the Original Pilipino Music industry’s “queen.” It was declared no less by her idol Regine Velasquez in a portion of the Big Dome show on Friday night, which strangely felt like an official passing of the baton......»»
Bakasyon nina James Reid at Issa Pressman sa Palawan umani ng iba’t ibang reaksyon mula sa netizens, damay na naman si Nadine
HATI ang reaksyon ng netizens sa relasyong James Reid at Issa Pressman na nakitang magkasama kahapon, Easter Sunday sa Elsas’ Beach Resort Port Baton, Palawan. May mga nagkagusto at meron ding hindi lalo’t alam naman daw ang back story na noon pa ay type na ni Issa si James kahit sila pa ng ex-girlfriend niyang […] The post Bakasyon nina James Reid at Issa Pressman sa Palawan umani ng iba’t ibang reaksyon mula sa netizens, damay na naman si Nadine appeared first on Bandera......»»
Passing the baton
Recently we have been attending meetings with regional associations, particularly women entrepreneur groups and coffee sector groups. These are federations formed in ASEAN to better represent the special sectors, namely women entrepreneurs and coffee actors......»»
DOLE eyes promotion of decent work, stronger workforce in 27th ASEAN labor meeting
Delegates of the 18th Senior Labor Officials’ Meeting (SLOM) have started to tackle various regional labor and employment programs as a prelude to the upcoming 27th ASEAN Labor Ministers’ Meeting on Saturday, Oct. 29. DIOLE Undersecretary Benedicto Ernesto R. Bitonio, Jr. said art of the labor ministers meeting is to strengthen the promotion of decent work and ensure a better environment for the workforce. “We meet today high in expectation, commitment, and resolve to continue strengthening the socio-cultural pillar of regional cooperation through innovative, technology-driven, and sustainable measures that will enable workers and businesses to grow and prosper in line with the goal of decent work and inclusive growth for all,” Bitonio told ASEAN senior labor officials on Tuesday, Oct. 25. The senior labor officials are meeting physically after two years of virtual meetings due to COVID-19. Indonesian Ministry of Manpower Secretary General Dr. Anwar Sanusi, as outgoing chair, expressed confidence that the working group can continue to serve as a platform to foster cooperation and contribute to the region’s post-pandemic recovery efforts under the Philippine leadership. “We passed the SLOM chairmanship baton to the Philippines. I believe under [its leadership], we can accelerate our efforts to realize our ambition of an inclusive, sustainable, resilient, and dynamic ASEAN community,” said Sanusi. The 18th SLOM also highlighted the promotion of technical and vocational education and training (TVET). According to Technical Education and Skills Development Authority Deputy Director-General Rosanna Urdaneta, the Philippines’ commitment to the ASEAN in terms of TVET include strengthening the labor market orientation of TVET, enhancing the capacity of TVET human resource, and increasing demand for TVET-related jobs, among others. The Philippines is also the inaugural chair of the ASEAN TVET Council (ATC), established to promote competitive human resources, market-responsive skills, better employment opportunities, and higher productivity in the digital economy through technical and vocational education and training......»»
Tokyo hands Olympic baton to Beijing but virus, boycott calls weigh
The focus immediately shifts to Beijing as the curtain falls on the Tokyo Olympics, with a growing coronavirus outbreak in China and boycott calls looming large just six months from the start of the Winter Games......»»
20,800 more Sinovac vaccines arrive in Metro Cebu
AFP STOCK PHOTO CEBU CITY, Philippines — The Department of Health in Central Visayas (DOH-7) has received 20,800 more doses of the Sinovac vaccine on Wednesday, June 23, 2021, from the national government. DOH-7 said in a text message to the media that the vaccines will be distributed in Metro Cebu alone. Doctor Van Baton, […] The post 20,800 more Sinovac vaccines arrive in Metro Cebu appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
Manny Pangilinan to retire as PLDT president, CEO in June
“I will retire as president and CEO (of) PLDT and pass the baton over to Al Panlilio,” PLDT's Manuel V. Pangilinan said......»»
Knott, Cray deliver season-best clockings
Southeast Asian Games double-gold medalist Kristina Knott continued to progress in her quest to meet the Tokyo Olympics cut in both the 100 and 200 meters after a strong effort in the LSU Alumni Gold meet in Baton Rogue, Louisiana yesterday......»»
UAAP 2nd sem athletes celebrated as UST claims general title anew
For the fourth year in a row, there is no movement at the mountaintop of the UAAP. University of Sto. Tomas has been hailed as General Champion for the Srs. Tournaments once more as it ran away with the crown with 209 total points. The Growling Tigers were officially recognized as such in the Season 82 closing ceremony held online Saturday. They built their overall win on gold medals in men's and women's beach volleyball, men's and women's table tennis, and men's judo. All that was more than enough to grant them a more than 30-point lead over runner-up De La Salle University. And all that was more than enough to notch the 44th mark in Srs. General Championships for the black and gold. UST's high school was not going to be outdone as well as it rode its 159 total points all the way to the mountaintop of the Jrs. Tournaments. On the back of wins in boys' and girls' swimming, boys' baseball, boys' judo, and boys' taekwondo, the Tiger Cubs got the better of second-placer La Salle Zobel for their sixth straight Jrs. General Championship. Meanwhile, student-athletes whose campaigns were cut short by the continuing COVID-19 crisis were recognized in the event shown on ABS-CBN Sports' online platforms. Those include competitors in athletics, baseball, football, indoor volleyball, lawn tennis softball, and track and field which were all set to go, or even already underway, before the pandemic forced all second semester sports to end earlier than expected. That was exactly why the UAAP went out of its way to still give these student-athletes their shine. Even better for so-called super seniors from those second semester sports, the league has already reportedly discussed and deliberated the proposed one-year extension of their eligibility. According to outgoing president Em Fernandez, the proposal is just awaiting the approval of the league's Board of Trustees. That means that student-athletes such as Arlyn Bautista from Adamson University softball, Jho Maraguinot and Kat Tolentino from Ateneo de Manila University women's volleyball, Diego Lozano from De La Salle University men's baseball, Ricky Marcos from National University men's volleyball, and Miggy Clarino from the University of the Philippines' men's football have an option to play out their last year of eligibility next season instead. Next season will see De La Salle University taking over hosting duties from Ateneo. The formal passing of the hosting of baton officially wrapped up UAAP Season 83. --- Follow this writer on Twitter, @riegogogo......»»
Altamirano, staff bare importance of analytics in NU s UAAP Season 77 title run
Six years ago, the National University Bulldogs under the baton of head coach Eric Altamirano, made good use of it en route to the school’s first UAAP championship in 60 years......»»