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Gabriela story had misleading headline, lead
It has come to our attention that Manila Standard Today published in its website on December 5, 2020 a news story with the following misleading headline: “Comelec affirms bid to disqualify Gabriela for ‘supporting terror’”. The story’s lead also insinuated that the poll body had already decided in favor of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict’s (NTF-ELCAC) petition to cancel the party-list registration of Gabriela Women’s Party (GWP). The news story was written by Rio N. Araja and Macon Ramos-Araneta......»»
Manila Bay& rsquo;s & lsquo;white beach& rsquo;
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ (DENR) insistence that it is correct in putting dolomite “white sand” along a part of Manila Bay, is puzzling to say the least......»»
& lsquo;UP has no right to criticize Bay& rsquo;
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) on Wednesday said experts from the University of the Philippines-Diliman have “no right” to criticize the use of synthetic white sand for a beautification project at the Manila Bay......»»
& lsquo;Fish kill not linked to Bay rehab& rsquo;
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources on Friday denied allegations that the fishkill near Baseco compound was caused by the crushed dolomite used in the Manila Bay beach ‘nourishment’ project......»»
Eduard Folayang: When an underdog finally became a world champion
In the five years that I was with the ABS-CBN Sports website, I was fortunate enough to have covered quite a number of memorable sports moments, so when I was asked to write about which was the most memorable for me, it was tough to narrow it down to just one single coverage. I could have written about Letran’s momentous upset of a dynasty-seeking San Beda in the NCAA Season 91 Finals, or I could have written about the Philippine Azkals making history by clinching a spot in the 2019 AFC Asian Cup. Being an MMA fan, I could have written about getting to be Octagon-side for the UFC’s first and only trip to Manila, which was indeed a dream come true for me. When I think about it however, the coverage that sticks with me to this day, even four years later, was being cage-side, just inches away from Eduard “Landslide” Folayang as he pummeled Shinya Aoki to become the ONE Lightweight World Champion in Singapore back in 2016. I tell people about that night all the time, and I believe I’ll continue to do so for the rest of my life. A Fan First As I mentioned earlier, I’m an MMA fan. In fact, being a fan was actually how I eventually got into sports writing. During my first year or so with ABS-CBN, I got wind of a show on Balls Channel entitled “The Takedown” which was, you guessed it, about the UFC. Immediately, I knew that I wanted to be a part of that show, in any capacity. I even offered to research or write for free, LOL. While I never did get to work on the show (because unfortunately, it lasted only a few episodes), I did get to make some connections (shoutout to Sir Lori, Ms. Jo, and Ms. Anna!) which eventually landed me a gig as a UFC writer for the Balls Channel Website. During that time, I got to meet and interview stars like BJ Penn, Alexander Gustafsson, Urijah Faber, Cung Le, and even Arianny Celeste. For an MMA fan like me, it was like working a dream job. It was a pretty sweet gig. Eventually, that job with the Balls Channel Website would lead me to a spot on the ABS-CBN Sports Website which was launched in 2015. By 2016, I had started covering Asia-based MMA promotion ONE Championship quite a bit because ABS-CBN had signed a broadcast deal with them, and because ONE had a ton of homegrown Pinoy fighters on their roster, most notably Folayang and the Team Lakay guys. Folayang, whose contract with ONE expired in March of 2016, re-signed with the promotion and returned to action in August, defeating Adrian Pang by Unanimous Decision in Macau. That win over Pang earned Folayang the biggest bout of his career at that point: a title shot against reigning champion Aoki. When I learned of that title fight, I was very excited for Folayang, but had little expectations for his chances, being that Aoki was a legend in the sport. Best Seat in the House Eduard Folayang finally getting to fight for a world championship was a huge deal for Filipino MMA fans, especially those that had followed the Baguio-based star’s career since his days in the URCC. The Pinoy star was on ONE’s first ever event, but could never seem to gain enough momentum to compete for a world title, until that point. That November night in Singapore, all the years of work sacrifice that Folayang had put in during his nine-year MMA career would finally pay off. This was only my second time to cover a ONE event overseas, so apart from having to write stories, I also had to take pictures. Learning from my past mistakes, I asked if I could have a spot cage-side so that I could take some at least decent photos. Thankfully, the ONE people agreed and gave me a spot just beside one of the judges’ tables. I had the best seat in the house. Now, as I said, I had tapered my expectations for the fight. I had seen what Aoki could do in the cage. I’ve seen the guy break peoples’ bones before, so honestly, I was just hoping that he wouldn’t injure Folayang. Our guy was the underdog heading into this fight, no doubt about it. Of course, as a Filipino and as a fan I was hoping for a massive upset. The beautiful thing about MMA is anything can happen. Shock The World This was legitimately the first time that I felt nervous covering a fight. It’s like that feeling you have when your favorite basketball team is in a close game with just seconds left. That first round was a frigging whirlwind of emotions if you’re a Pinoy MMA fan. It looked like Aoki was within moments of being able to submit Folayang on multiple occasions. The second round was a little bit more relaxed for Folayang, especially since he had been able to survive Aoki’s opening round grappling blitz. It looked like he was a bit more confident and he started to throw some of his trademark spinning kicks and elbows. A miscalculated flying knee attempt led to another Aoki takedown, but this time around, Folayang appeared a little more calm and relaxed under the pressure. Late in the round, Folayang began to attack Aoki’s torso with punches and kicks, and it looked like it had the Japanese legend a bit winded. The tide had shifted. Heading into the third round, there was a different feeling in the air. It felt like Aoki was done, and it felt like Folayang knew it. In the opening seconds of that fateful third frame, Folayang knew exactly what Aoki was going to do and had an answer for it. Aoki shot in for a takedown, and Folayang countered it with a jumping knee to the jaw. For a brief second, Folayang was on his behind, but managed to outmuscle Aoki and deliver another vicious knee. “Oh sh*t!” I yelled internally while scrambling to take photos of the ensuing beatdown. Folayang turned Aoki over and began to connect with punch after unanswered punch. Without taking my eye away from my camera’s viewfinder, I started yelling for Folayang to finish it. Folayang continued to punish Aoki with piston-like punches as the Singapore Indoor Stadium began to erupt. For what felt like an eternity, referee Yuji Shimada watched as Folayang unloaded nine years worth of heartbreak and frustration into a ground-and-pound sequence. And then, it was over. There was a new lightweight king. AND NEW! EDUARD FOLAYANG STOPS SHINYA AOKI IN ROUND 3! — Santino Honasan???? (@honasantino) November 11, 2016 The Landslide Reigns As much as I would have wanted to keep it cool, I started to freak out. I looked to my right and saw my fellow Pinoy journalists doing the same, one was even standing on the table, cheering the new world champion on. At that point, I had watched UAAP championships, NCAA championships, even some boxing world championships, but this one was different. I knew what Folayang had gone through. I knew that the odds were stacked against him. As the confetti began to rain down and the celebration inside the ring continued, I recomposed myself and started to take pictures again. I wanted to be able to capture this moment. After the official decision and the post-fight interview, I remember calling out to Folayang so that I could take a photo of him with his shiny new toy. I’ve gotten to witness other members of Team Lakay become champions since then. I’ve been blessed enough to see Geje Eustaquio, Kevin Belingon and Joshua Pacio all become titleholders within a single year. While getting to see Team Lakay draped in gold to end 2018 was definitely a sight to behold, being there cage side as ‘Manong Ed’ realized a life-long dream was definitely an experience that I won’t soon forget. Folayang's title win wasn't Team Lakay's first world champmionship, and it isn't the last. For me however, I think it's the most important, because it showed that no matter how many times you fall, you can still find your way to the top. Everyone loves a good underdog story. -- Santino Honasan has served as a sub-section editor for ABS-CBN Sports' website since 2015. He is among thousands of ABS-CBN employees who will be retrenched on August 31, 2020. .....»»
Wong feels responsible for Ateneo s failure to advance to the UAAP S80 Finals
Deanna Wong felt that Ateneo de Manila University's failure to advance to the UAAP Season 80 women’s volleyball Finals was on her. Given the huge responsibility to lead the Lady Eagles as starting setter after veteran Jia Morado decided to forego her final year, Wong admitted that she faced heavy pressure and self-doubt. “I think it was me thinking of kung kaya ko ba ‘to?” shared Wong on Volleyball DNA. Ateneo was coming off six straight championship appearances, including winning back-to-back titles, heading into Season 80. Expectations were high for the Lady Eagles that year despite Morado calling it quits after Ateneo’s runner-up finish the season before. The Lady Eagles had veterans Maddie Madayag, Bea De Leon, Kat Tolentino and Jho Maraguinot under coach Tai Bundit. Ateneo was one of the favorites to advance to the Finals. Fulfilling the role left by Ateneo ace setters before her, according to the Cebuana playmaker, was too big of a responsibility especially for a third year player who saw limited action the year before. It didn’t help that during her sophomore year, Wong played as a reliever in both libero and setter positions. “Sina Ate Jem (Ferrer), sina Ate Jia they are really great setters and for me it’s just, I came from the province I don’t know anything. Ganito, ganyan. Hindi ako medyo ginagamit ni Coach Tai dati. Pressured? Yeah, I think it was a little pressure,” said Wong. Ateneo had a disappointing start, losing their first two games, and the Lady Eagles were obviously still adjusting to a different setter going through the elimination round. That was when Wong felt the pressure the most. “Pero sa isip ko lang kung kaya ko bang dalhin ang team? Kung kaya ko bang gawin ang ginawa nina Ate Jia na umabot sa Finals? I think that was the point na kaya di kami umabot ng Finals kasi ganoon ang inisip ko,” said Wong. Ateneo managed to advance to the Final Four, but for the first time in three years, the Lady Eagles were at a disadvantage after landing in third spot for a collision course with twice-to-beat Far Eastern University. The Katipunan-based squad ended its season early. “Disappointed din sa self ko kasi I wasn’t able to lead the team as I should have kasi ang dami kong iniisip eh,” said Wong, who won tghe Best Setter honors that season. “Iniisip ko kung ano ang sinasabi ng mga tao, ng alumni, ng mga fans.” A good talk with Morado, according to Wong, made her realize that she needed not to compare herself to other Ateneo setters. She had to play her game. “As what ate Jia keep on telling me talaga iba kami eh. We’re different people. Like don’t compare myself to her daw. Kasi iba ang kakayanan ko and iba ang kaya kong gawin. Just be myself daw most especially talaga be confident. Kasi I really lack confidence on myself,” she said. Wong redeemed herself the following season. “Nu’ng fourth year it was more of the team na pino-focus ko. I just did what I was supposed to do lang nu’ng fourth year. So di ko na masyado pinapansin ang mga sinasasabi ng ibang tao,” said Wong. Playing with confidence, Wong steered Ateneo back into the Finals and eventually back into throne as the Lady Eagles defeated University of Sto. Tomas in three games to claim the Season 81 title and the team’s third overall championship. Wong skipped the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic-cancelled Season 82. She remains undecided for a last tour of duty for Ateneo next year. But if ever Wong decides to return, the Lady Eagles could be looking at a bright future ahead. --- Follow this writer on Twitter, @fromtheriles.....»»
FIBA: Mighty Jimmy and the shot that introduced Gilas to the World
This story was originally published on Feb. 24, 2019 It’s Saturday night at Mall of Asia and the arena is absolutely rocking. Eternal basketball rivals in the Philippines and South Korea are delivering another classic. Gilas Pilipinas is down to the final minute of regulation against its longtime tormentor in the second of two semifinal games. The national team is up by two, 81-79. The Philippines is hosting the 2013 FIBA-Asia Championships where three tickets to the 2014 World Cup are at stake and the winner of this particular game gets one of those tickets. Given the rich history of both teams and what it would mean to the winner, this pivotal game has gone down the wire as everyone pretty much expected. Also knowing the history of both teams in international play, Gilas’ precarious two-point lead was not safe at all. A ghost was lurking in the background and a dreaded curse felt almost inevitable. Down to the final minute of the crucial grudge match between the Philippines and South Korea, guard Jimmy Alapag has the ball and a two-point lead. What he will do will help define not only his career but the legacy of the Gilas name as a national team. WAKE-UP CALL Even before the Philippines-Korea game, Gilas Pilipinas already had to go through one emotional game early in its homestand for the Asian Championships. In a preliminary round showdown against Chinese Taipei, the Filipinos collapsed in the fourth quarter, allowing the Taiwanese to steal a morale-boosting 84-79 win. In 2013, the relationship between the two countries hit a rough patch over the death of one Taiwanese fisherman. In an updated May 17 report by CNN’s Jethro Mullen, “Taiwan has reacted angrily after one of its fishermen was killed by a Philippine coast guard vessel.” Taiwan had frozen applications from OFWs seeking jobs in its territory and the government of then President Ma Ying-jeou demanded an apology, among other things, from the Philippines. While the national basketball teams of both countries never really had any prior animosity with each other, tension was naturally present as both teams squared off in Group A action. Gilas Pilipinas and Chinese-Taipei both entered the showdown with identical 2-0 records and the winner would take control of solo Group A lead heading into round 2. Taking a good lead into the fourth quarter, the Philippines was outscored by 18 in the last 10 minutes and the national team took its worst home loss in quite some time. “At the time, it was a huge game for us. We understood what was happening in Taipei during that particular time. We really wanted to win for what our kababayans were going through at that time,” guard Jimmy Alapag said on that first home loss in the 2013 Asian Championships. “We didn’t get the job done, and it was tough especially to lose a game like that, it was a very emotional and it was a game that we knew we needed,” he added. The crushing loss meant that the Philippines had little room for error in round 2. While Gilas didn’t have any world beaters lined up in the second round, anything less than a perfect run would have meant an early clash with Asia’s established powerhouse teams in the knockout stages. On the other side of the bracket, defending champion China, Iran, and South Korea were battling for position and were expected to finish in the top-3. That means if Gilas Pilipinas failed to finish no. 1 in its group, the national team would have faced one of those teams in the quarterfinals. Gilas picked up a crucial win over Qatar in the 6th of August and the day after, the Philippines got some help from those same Qataris as they beat Taipei in a close decision. At the end of round 2, all teams finished with identical win-loss records but Gilas Pilipinas would take over first place after all tiebreaks were considered, barely edging out Taipei. The Philippines ended up avoiding defending champion China, Iran, and South Korea and instead got Kazakhstan in the quarterfinals. No. 2 Taipei drew China and the third-running Qataris were matched up with the South Koreans. “I think that was the moment we grew up and grew closer. I think that was the lowest of the lows, just because of the atmosphere and what was going on between both countries. It kind of felt that we let our end of the bargain down, you know what I mean? We’re on our home soil and we didn’t take care of business. I think that was one of those moments where we had to really check ourselves and find a way to make it right,” forward Gabe Norwood said of the Taipei loss. “But it turned out to be a blessing in disguise. In tournaments like FIBA-Asia it’s important that you have short-term memory whether it was a win or a loss. We needed to let go of that game and continue to stay the course, keep our focus in the tournament,” Alapag added. On August 7, four days after Gilas lost to Taipei, the rift between the Philippines and Taiwan would reach a resolution and the latter country lifted its freeze hiring and other sanctions on the former. The Philippines also did issue on official apology over the death of the Taiwanese fisherman a couple of months prior and the National Bureau of Investigation in Manila recommended the pressing of homicide charges to erring members of the Philippine Coast Guard. DARK HISTORY If the word “rival” is to be defined as a, “person or group that tries to defeat or be more successful than another person or group” then sure, the Philippines and South Korea are rivals. Both countries are rivals in the Asian basketball scene and they have been going at it for a very long time. But if the word rival can also mean “equal” or “peer,” is the Philippines really a worthy basketball rival to South Korea? The Philippines’ history with South Korea in terms of basketball is dark. Very dark. Consider the most high-profile matches between the two countries and you’ll see that the Philippine national team is just not at the level of South Korea. Or at the very least, Koreans always seem to reach 120 percent of their potential when they play Filipinos and we barely bring out 80 percent of our abilities when matched up against our East Asian neighbors. The 1998 PBA Centennial team, arguably the greatest Philippine team ever assembled, was demolished by South Korea in the Asian Games. A national team set up for gold only settled for bronze. Speaking of a bronze medal game, the original Gilas Pilipinas team lost a podium finish to South Korea in the 2011 FIBA-Asia Championships. That team squandered a double-digit lead and collapsed late. Of course, who can forget the semifinals of the 2002 Asian Games in Busan when Olsen Racela had the chance to put the Philippines up four but missed two free throws. South Korea would win with a booming triple at the buzzer off a broken play and would later take down China to capture the gold medal. South Korea is the Philippines’ basketball nemesis for all intents and purposes. A worthy adversary that always seem to emerge victorious at our expense. Still, all that previous disappointment didn’t seem to bother Gilas Pilipinas six years ago. The team was not scared and instead, they were excited even. One factor to greatly consider was that fact that the game was in Manila. It makes all the difference to play at home. “We understood the bad history that we had with Korea. We haven’t been very successful with them in quite some time but we knew from Day 1 that if ever we got an opportunity to play them at home, then we have a great chance,” Alapag said. “Man, pre-game, it was just the focus. Everybody was up for the challenge, I don’t think anybody was really nervous, I think it was just the anxiety... we wanted to get out there and do it already,” Norwood added. Playing at home had its perks for sure, but it also had its drawbacks. For all the painful losses the Philippines suffered at the hands of South Korea, it would have been devastating if Gilas actually took a beating in Manila. Stakes were extra high in this particular chapter of this long, ongoing saga. “There was always pressure, it was something that we acknowledged early. Playing at home, it’s great having that support but at the same time, there is some added pressure because you wanna make sure that you make our home crowd proud of the team that they watch and ultimately, win games,” Alapag said, making sure to note that the national team knew of the disadvantages of playing at home even before the Korea game. “It was there but it was something that we acknowledged and we wanted to make sure that we took advantage of the opportunity playing at home,” he added. ALL FILIPINO, ALL HEART Once it was go time, the Philippines-South Korea game went about pretty normal, as you would expect any game from these two national teams. But even before halftime, an injury to Gilas center Marcus Douthit changed the complexion of the semifinals showdown. All of a sudden, the Philippines was without its anchor, without its best player. Sure, there were players on the Gilas bench that can come in and replace Douthit’s size but there was simply no one on the Gilas bench that can come in and replace his talent, production, and just overall presence. June Mar Fajardo was in that Gilas bench but it 2013, the would-be five-time PBA Most Valuable Player was just not at that level yet. It would have been easy for Gilas Pilipinas to fold like cheap furniture and succumb to the overwhelming pressure of trying to overcome South Korea to reach a stage very few Filipinos have reached before. Gilas didn’t fold and instead, the Douthit injury rallied the team even further. “Alam mo sa totoo lang, puso na lang yun eh. Nung nawala si Marcus talaga, sabi ni coach kailangan doble kayod tayo. Dahil sobrang dehado tayo kumbaga, wala na tayong import, wala tayong malaki,” forward Marc Pingris said. With Douthit gone, Ping ate up all of his minutes and worked by committee with guys like Ranidel De Ocampo and Japeth Aguilar to fill in the gaps. “As a player naman, kami nagusap-usap kami na kahit anong mangyari, lalaban kami. Yung time na yun, talagang patay kung patay,” Ping added. Despite losing its best player to an untimely injury, Gilas Pilipinas’ confidence in winning never wavered. With their collective backs against the wall, the Philippine national team played even better. Unlike the later iterations of Gilas Pilipinas, the 2013 team, aptly called Gilas 2.0, had the luxury of having actual preparation before the FIBA-Asia Championships. The amount of work that came before the tournament and the Korea game, the bond built over countless hours of training, all of that helped the national team avoid a monumental meltdown in front of a rabid Manila crowd. “We were such a close-knit team in terms of our chemistry, in terms of the talent that we had, so we felt confident even when Marcus went down early in the game. If you looked at our huddle, you had 11 more very confident guys, not just in themselves but more importantly, in each other,” Alapag said. “That just boiled down to the chemistry that we had. I don’t think any of us panicked, we were all confident in each other. We’ve all been into that situation with our PBA teams, having the ball in our hands and making a play. Knowing that we had five weapons on the floor that could make the winning play, I think it made us very confident and we were able to sustain our composure,” the former Gilas captain added. THE GHOST AND ITS CURSE Shin Dong Pa, Hur Jae, Lee Sang-min, Oh Se-Keun, TJ Moon, and Cho Sung-min are just some players from the South Korean national team that inflicted incredible damage to the Philippines over the course of decades. The dreaded Ghost of South Korea takes form in these players and its curse is to give Filipinos the most heart-crushing loss possible. In 2013, the Ghost was Kim Min-goo and his curse was to beat Gilas Pilipinas in Manila. Despite losing Marcus Douthit and trailing by three points at the break, the Philippines started to turn the tables in the second half. Gilas Pilipinas unleashed Jayson Castro and the Blur led a blazing offense in the third quarter, finding a way to take a 10-point lead over South Korea, the Philippines’ largest of the night. But as the dust settled and Gilas holding a 65-56 lead entering the final period, an ominous figure would make his presence felt. The Korean Ghost has arrived and his name was Kim Min-goo. His curse? Beat Gilas Pilipinas in Manila. Kim was 22 and a senior in college when he made the South Korean national basketball team as a backup shooter in 2013. In nine games in Manila, Kim would play well enough to make the tournament’s All-Star team, averaging 12.7 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 2.7 assists. He led Asian Championships with 25 three-point field goals, 10 came in the last two games and five came against Gilas Pilipinas. Kim drilled back-to-back triples to open the fourth quarter against the Philippines. Later, his fifth triple — a four-point play at that — pushed the Koreans to within a point, 72-73. South Korea would take over soon after as Lee Seung-jun dunked the basketball on a fastbreak. The Ghost has arrived and his curse is in effect. “Ako pumasok sa isip ko yun nung lumamang Korea, na putek ito na naman,” Pingris said. “Pero ang sabi ko, sayang yung opportunity, kaya naman eh. So sabi ni Jimmy samin, no matter what happens wag kami gi-give up. Pinaghirapan natin to at may goal tayo, this year aalis tayo,” he added, noting the team’s goal to get into Spain and compete with the world’s best national teams. Faced with the possibility of dealing with a devastating defeat, Gilas had enough mental fortitude to keep things going. Trust your system, trust your preparation, trust your crowd, trust your teammates, and more importantly, trust yourselves. “You’re never out of the game if you’re playing at home,” Norwood said as they stared a deficit late against their destined rivals. “I think that was our mindset, keep it close and just find a way,” he added. Jimmy Alapag found a way. BORN READY Down 73-75, Jimmy Alapag was under heavy duress when he let go of a three-pointer from the left wing just in front of his bench. It was good to go. The Philippines was back on top by one as Alapag somehow managed to get his team to snap out of an initial shock following Korea’s strong fourth-quarter rally. The stage is now set for a wild finish and Jimmy will star in the final act of what has been an incredible show by Gilas and South Korea. “In situations like that, as an athlete and as a pro, that’s the situations that you dream about,” Alapag said. “Those are shots that you practice when you were a kid. When the shot clock is winding down, to have an opportunity to knock down a shot. It’s a shot that I practiced thousands of times,” he added. After the Philippines and South Korea traded baskets for the lead, Alapag made perhaps the most underrated play in this crazy and emotional encounter between two basketball rivals. Tasked with inbounding the ball just near underneath his own basket, Alapag found his Talk ‘N Text teammate Ranidel De Ocampo for an open look at three. Swish. Gilas leads, 81-77, with 91 seconds to go. “Ranidel was my favorite target for a very, very long time in my career,” Alapag said on the play that most people probably don’t even remember. “Once I saw that he got open, I wanted to make sure that I gave him as great a pass as possible and Ranidel has been known for a long time to take care of the rest,” he added. THE EXORCIST “Yeah, I was right under the basket,” Gabe Norwood says with a laugh when asked if he remembers the shot that changed the course of Gilas Pilipinas as a national team. Late in the fourth quarter of what was essentially a heavyweight bout, the Philippines just landed two strong haymakers but South Korea would refuse to go down without a fight, beating the count of 10 each time. Down to the final minute of a crucial grudge match with a World Cup berth on the line, Jimmy Alapag had his hands on the basketball as Gilas would go to its halfcourt set. Jimmy will never let go of said basketball. Up two, Jimmy did what Olsen wished he could 11 years prior. Up two against South Korea in a pivotal semifinal game, Alapag received a screen from Marc Pingris, which was enough to momentarily shake off Kim Tae-sul. With some room, Alapag drifted to his left and let a three-point shot fly. Boom. Gilas leads, 84-79, with 54 seconds to go. The shot would later be remembered as the one that ended the Korean Curse, the one that finally exorcised the Ghost. “The first thought that came to my mind was don’t miss,” Jimmy said of the clutch jumper. “That last one, Ping sets a good screen and I got a clean look. It’s a shot that myself, and Jayson [Castro], and Larry [Fonacier], and Gary [David], and Jeff [Chan], all of us, we practice that shot time and time again after practice. So you know, it was a shot that I was confident in but in that moment, all you’re thinking about was don’t miss,” he added. It’s one thing to be confident in yourself and to be confidednt in your preparation. It’s a different thing to actually perform under such pressure. As soon as Alapag managed to shoot his shot, Gabe Norwood did what any other good teammate would do and got in position to get the offensive rebound. You know, just in case. Gabe got the ball alright, but he got it after it swished through the rim. “When he put the shot up, I tried to crash for the rebound but I basically knew that it was going in,” he said. “I had probably the best view, I was right under the basket. I think caught it after it went through too,” Norwood added. Alapag checked out moments later as the Philippines went to its defensive lineup in order to stop another Korean comeback. South Korea turned to its most effective shooter in Kim and as he rose up to try and answer Alapag’s triple, Norwood met him at the apex for the game’s most dramatic stop. Gabe blocked Kim and Gilas would finish things off with a final Marc Pingris basket on the other end. A historic 86-79 win was complete. “I still get chills thinking about it, to look up and see grown men just breaking down. My wife was trying to hold my kids and she was holding back tears. It was just an awesome moment, the bond that we had on that team, the stuff that we did to get prepare, I think we poured it all out in that game,” Norwood said on the monumental victory. “I think it probably didn’t hit me until the final buzzer sounded. Not just for me but for the entire team, when that final buzzer sounded, it was such a special group of guys and the fact that we could share that moment with not just with each other but the entire country, it’s something I’ll remember for the rest of my life,” Alapag added, savoring the moment of a Philippine win over Korea 28 years in the making. THE INTRODUCTION Gilas Pilipinas would lose to Iran the next day in the Finals of the 2013 FIBA-Asia Championships. The Philippines put up a fight but Hamed Haddadi would prove to be too powerful to stop. It would take another two years for Gilas to beat Iran but that didn’t really matter in the moment. The Philippines is headed to the World Championships for the first time in three decades. The Philippines has beaten South Korea and one singular shot has allowed the Gilas name to be known around the world. Jimmy wouldn’t say that though. At least not directly in that way. “For me, that shot was the biggest for my career. But really, it was our entire team. We’ve gone through so much and that was just one particular play that really culminated the entire game and all the contributions from other guys from Gabe’s defense, to Ping’s rebounding, to Japeth’s rim protecting, to Jayson and LA doing a lot of the legwork,” Alapag said. “Everybody had their part in contribution to the game. After the shot, after the buzzer sounded, it was just a very special moment for us as a team and for Philippine basketball to show that all of the sacrifices, all of the hard work, now it’s given an opportunity to re-introduce ourselves to the world,” he added. Jimmy wouldn’t say it, but his teammates would. That shot of his that beat South Korea in the 2013 FIBA-Asia Championships introduced the Gilas name to the world. It announced that the Philippines has finally arrived. Gilas’ breakthrough overtime win a year later in Spain against Senegal — a game Jimmy pretty much decided late as well — made it known that Filipinos are here to stay on the World stage. “I would say so, it got us to where we wanted to be in the World Cup. I think we shocked some people there as well. But just the work that went in, I think it showed the country that we can get back to where we want to be as long as you work together,” Norwood said. “Yung puso ni Jimmy, grabe naman. Makikita mo maliit pero gusto lang niya talaga manalo. Ang liit pero parang lion pag nagalit eh, nandoon yung tiwala namin sa kanya. Ano pa ba masasabi mo, Jimmy is Jimmy Alapag,” Pingris would add. [NOTES: At the time of original publishing, Gilas Pilipinas was fighting to make a return trip to the FIBA World Cup, this time in China in 2019. To secure its slot, the the Philippine national team needed to beat Kazakhstan in Astana plus a loss from Japan, Jordan, and/or Lebanon. One of the teams that can help Gilas is South Korea... ironically. Jimmy Alapag retired from national team play in 2014 and retired playing for good in 2016. He has since made himself a champion basketball coach in the ABL. Marc Pingris suffered an ACL injury in 2018 and is in the process of returning for his PBA team in the current 2019 season. Gabe Norwood is still in Gilas. He’s still an effective two-way weapon. He can still dunk and will stop your best player too.] [Updated Notes: The Philippines beat Kazakhstan to make the 2019 FIBA World Cup in China. Gilas got help from... South Korea. The Koreans beat Lebanon on the road, allowing Gilas to advance to the World Championships outright with a victory over Kazakhstan.] — Follow this writer on Twitter, @paullintag8.....»»
Kat Tolentino: How she ended up as a Lady Eagle
Suffering an injury is a dreadful experience for any athlete. What more if it’s a career-threatening one? Kat Tolentino went through three harrowing knee injuries in a span of three years – two of those she suffered while in Canada. But those misfortunes played a big role in convincing Tolentino to fly to the Philippines and eventually become one of the most recognized names in collegiate volleyball. The Ateneo de Manila University volleyball star in an interview on So She Did podcast shared how she ended up in the Lady Eagles' nest. “It was actually a long story but basically, when I was in Grade 11, my brother was out there in the Philippines already, he was playing basketball for Ateneo and I was just visiting him for vacation,” said Kat, sister of former Blue Eagle Vince. The Ateneo volleyball management that time already knew who the 6-foot-2 spiker was and she was invited to train with the then Roger Gorayeb-mentored Lady Eagles. “I actually don’t even have the shoes at that time or any like knee pads,” she recalled. “So I have to borrow from my cousin and then I borrowed knee pads from the men’s team.” She played with the team but it didn’t convince her to follow the footsteps of her brother, living alone in a tropical country that is thousand of miles away from home. “For me I was in Grade 11 at that time and I didn’t really think like, ‘Oh I want to go to the Philippines’. In fact, I was kind of confused why my brother moved there,” said Tolentino, who is currently back in Canada after the cancellation of the UAAP Season 82 due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. “I think, it’s just crazy because at that time, I was getting mad at my mom because I was like, ‘Why are you making me move to the Philippines?’ I was only like Grade 11,” she added. Tolentino that time wasn’t ready to get out of her comfort zone. Naturally, she chose to stay in the Great White North. Tolentino was in University of Canada when she suffered her second left anterior cruciate ligament injury in 2014, a year after her first. “I went to University in Canada for one year and I don’t know if you know that I had three ACL injuries. So the second ACL injury, I was in University in Canada but I just decided after I got the second one in Canada, I needed change and I wanted to experience something different,” she said. Tolentino thought a new environment might change her fortune. Luckily, the Lady Eagles’ door remained open. “Ateneo contacted me when they heard I got injured again,” she said. “They said that they’re still willing to help me and wanted to help me with my rehab and therapy and they had a very good surgeon. So yeah, they just called up and I ended up there.” The hype was high for the Fil-Canadian when she finally got the chance to don the blue and white when the then two-time UAAP champion Ateneo joined the now defunct Shakey’s V-League Collegiate Conference in July 2015. But the injury bug followed her to the Philippines and once again bit Tolentino hard. The hitter suffered a right ACL injury while warming up and had to undergo another operation and months of rehabilitation. She was forced to miss UAAP Season 78 and watched helplessly from the sidelines as archrival De La Salle University dethroned the Lady Eagles. After months of therapy, Tolentino finally made her official debut in the UAAP in Season 79 in 2017 – a victorious welcome over University of Sto. Tomas. Ateneo fell short in the Finals that year. The following season, the Lady Eagles missed the championship entirely for the first time in six years. In Season 81, Tolentino helped Ateneo capture its third title. She announced after winning the crown that she’s leaving the team but decided to make a return for a swan song this year. Unfortunately, the league cancelled the tournament after just four playdates. Asked if she’ll be back for another tour of duty if given the chance, Tolentino admitted that she’s still thinking about it. “I think for me it’s not something I can decide now,” she said. “I would be thankful if they would allow me to go back but I can’t say anything right now.” Looking back, Tolentino would like to think that her second ACL injury brought her to Ateneo. It wasn’t the best of situation to be in to make a life-changing decision but it in the end it turned out just fine. --- Follow this writer on Twitter, @fromtheriles.....»»
It didn t take much for Coach Topex to bring CJ Perez over to LPU
CJ Perez did not take that long to decide on his next step after the door to Ateneo de Manila University closed. On the very same day the 6-foot-2 guard learned that he would not meet the Blue Eagles' academic requirements, he called his once-and-future coach. That was Topex Robinson, then just having wrapped up his first year as head coach of Lyceum of the Philippines University, who then wasted no time personally fetching Perez from Katipunan Avenue. And apparently, the two talked about their future together over some good food. "Sabi ko sa kanya, 'Anong gagawin ko?' Sabi niya, 'Tara, kain tayo,'" the now-Terrafirma Dyip lead guard narrated in The Prospects Pod last Friday. He then continued, "Pinakain muna ako bago kinuha sa Lyceum e. Pinakain muna ako nang madami e pagtapos nun, 'Sige, coach, sayo ako lalaro.'" Right then and there, Coach Topex told Perez the Pirates were here for him. "When CJ left Ateneo, I gave him an opportunity with us, pero ang sabi ko, ‘You can go to any team.’ He said he wanted to play for me," the former shared in a previous interview. He then continued, "I said, ‘Are you sure? Because all of the collegiate teams are gonna get you and gonna offer you anything you want.’ But he committed to us and I appreciate the trust he gave me." Of course, the fact that Robinson had long been a father figure - as the two were formerly the faces of San Sebastian College-Recoletos for two years - to the talented transferee worked wonders for him. Indeed, that is exactly why it was a no-brainer for Perez to have taken his talents to LPU. "Nung nawala ako sa Ateneo, pumunta ako sa Lyceum agad. Maraming tumatawag sa akin, pero siyempre, coach Topex yun e," he said. Once in maroon and grey, the Pangasinan native only took a bigger leap all the way to the Season 93 MVP - and he did it while leading his time to the first-ever 18-0 sweep of the elimination round. Ultimately, Perez missed out on an NCAA championship, but the skills he showcased in two years in Intramuros still proved to be more than enough to catapult him to the top overall pick of the 2018 PBA Draft. Through it all, it was Coach Topex who had his back. "Iba rin yung relationship namin ni coach Topex. Since Day 1, talagang natuto ako sa kanya sa basketball at sa buhay," he said, full of gratitude. --- Follow this writer on Twitter, @riegogogo......»»
Possible PBA green light brings hope for other sports events
The possibility of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) getting the green light from the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) to resume training and eventually its tournament could serve as a ray of hope for other sports leagues. Speaking in the online session of the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum on Tuesday, PBA commissioner Willie Marcial expressed confidence that the IATF will give a positive response to their request to allow team training under strict health and safety protocols during the general community quarantine in Metro Manila. “Informally, mukhang positive. Ang inaano lang natin kung kailan (papayagan),” said Marcial, who was joined by deputy commissioner Eric Castro in the session. “Tingnan natin kung i-lift na susunod ‘yung quarantine. Mukhang maganda naman pero habang wala pa… kasi baka lumala eh di wala na tayo.” “Kapag gumaganda ang sitwasyon ng Pilipinas, gumaganda na rin ang sitwasyon ng PBA,” he added. According to the protocol submitted by the PBA, practices will be strictly for conditioning purposes only. Coaches will be barred from attending while teams will be holding practices by batches of four players, with one trainer and one health officer. Tune-up games and scrimmages are not allowed. If ever the IATF allows team trainings to resume, Marcial hopes that it would eventually lead to a restart of the Philippine Cup. Being on top of the hierarchy of organized sports events in the country, a positive feedback on PBA’s request will start a domino effect on other sports leagues affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. In a separate proposal to the task force, national sports association leaders from athletics, basketball, volleyball, football, rugby, gymnastics and karate crafted a one-month trial program for athletes to resume training as well as a draft of their health and safety protocols. “Sa pagkakatingin ko rin na kapag pinayagan ang PBA, hindi lang basketball baka lahat na nang sports dahan-dahan nang papayagan yan,” said Marcial. “Malaking bagay talaga itong ginawa ng PBA na sana payagan.” “Kapag pinayagan tayo hindi lang basketball kundi pati ibang sports matutulungan natin,” he added. Volleyball leagues like the Premier Volleyball League and Philippine Superliga, the MPBL, NCAA, UAAP and Philippine Football League just like the PBA are all waiting for the decision of the IATF. “The PBA will be a gauge for most of the sports natin,” according to Castro. “We can set as a model for other events. I hope ma-consider ng IATF ‘yung request natin.” “It will be a step-by-step (process). Again, practice then later on kung mag-MGCQ nga tayo we can proceed on our games.” --- Follow this writer on Twitter, @fromtheriles.....»»
Phl joins anew the global effort to protect oceans
Thousands of volunteers in over 150 countries, joined the International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) Day, a global initiative dedicated to addressing ocean pollution through beach and waterway cleanups held every third Saturday of September. Now in its 37th year, the Philippines has been participating in the ICC since 1994. In 2003, Proclamation No. 470 officially designated the third Saturday in September as ICC Day, instilling a sense of vigilance among Filipinos in their support of the ongoing global fight against marine litter. The theme "Clean Seas for Healthy Fisheries" is carried out by this year’s ICC which aligns closely with the objectives of the United Nations (UN) Ocean Decade Challenge 3 which is to “Sustainably Feed the Global Population”. This challenge recognizes the need to ensure sustainable food production from the ocean to feed the growing global population while safeguarding the health and productivity of marine ecosystems. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources in partnership with numerous organizations, took the lead in coordinating cleanups in various water bodies across the country. An estimated 35,000 volunteers armed with sacks, rakes, and gloves joined forces for the cleanup effort across the country. Participants included individuals and groups from the DENR workforce, national and local government agencies, academia, the private sector, youth organizations, civic groups, and civil society. Concurrent coastal cleanups led by various DENR offices and bureaus were held nationwide including key areas such as the Las Piñas-Parañaque Wetland Park; the Tullahan River along Barangay San Bartolome in Novaliches, Quezon City; Baseco Beach in Manila; the Balanga Wetland and Nature Park in Bataan; Barangay Butong Taal in Batangas; the Mactan Channel in Lapu-Lapu, Cebu; the Abatan River and Panglao in Bohol; Banica River in Dumaguete; Bais City, Negros Oriental; and along the shore of Pagadian Bay in Zamboanga Del Sur. The DENR regional and field offices also partnered with SM Supermalls, through its corporate social responsibility arm, SM Cares, together with SM Prime Holdings, Inc., in organizing clean-up drives in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Fifteen SM Malls were designated as a base that enabled volunteers, including SM employees, to actively participate in the cleanup drive. Likewise, regional offices of the Department have collaborated with UNTV offices across the country under the latter’s advocacy campaign Ocean Care Initiative. Beyond waste retrieval, ICC volunteers documented the volume of waste collected which will be submitted to Ocean Conservancy and UN Ocean Decade to contribute to global efforts to combat plastic pollution. During the 2022 ICC, findings of the Global Ocean Trash Index conducted by Washington, D.C.-based environmentalist advocacy group Ocean Conservancy showed that the Philippines collected 249.382 metric tons of waste. The collected waste encompassed a spectrum of items, including cigarette butts, beverage bottles, food wrappers, bottle caps, grocery bags, food containers, cups and plates, straws, and stirrers. DENR Secretary Antonia Loyzaga said her department's unwavering commitment to enacting effective solid waste management practices, supports a circular economy wherein all plastics are reused, recycled, repurposed, and responsibly managed. The DENR, she added, in collaboration with organizations, implements a range of programs to address solid waste in cities and municipalities nationwide. This is in support of reinforcing the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Act of 2022 or Republic Act 11898 which mandates enterprises to establish EPR programs for plastic waste reduction, recovery, and diversion. The post Phl joins anew the global effort to protect oceans appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Pasig River rehab plan gets FL Liza’s nod
In five words, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos declared her support to the plan to fully rehabilitate Pasig River. “Para sa Pasig River natin!” thus, posted the First Lady on her Instagram after the Inter-Agency Council for the Pasig River Urban Development (IAC-PRUD) presented its master plan for the massive rehabilitation of Pasig River in Malacanang on Wednesday. Revitalizing the Pasig River into a commercial, lifestyle tourism and culture hub, like Thames and Seine, is among the advocacies of the First Lady as reported by Tatler Asia magazine this month. Dubbed as “Pasig Bigyan Buhay Muli” (PBBM) Project, the massive urban development undertaking was crafted by member-agencies of the IAC-PRUD which was created by virtue of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s Executive Order 35 signed last July 25. The PBBM Project is a holistic approach composed of development plans for mixed-use commercial areas, including tourist spots, and open public parks along the 25-kilometer stretch of the Pasig River from the Manila Bay all the way to the Laguna de Bay. Initially, the IAC-PRUD identified eight key areas where the people-centric improvements could be made like jogging paths and bike lanes from the city of Manila up to Rizal province - traversing major cities in the metropolis. Informal settler families living along the river banks will be prioritized under the flagship Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino Program. “Talagang ang Pangulong Bongbong Marcos po at si First Lady ang aktibong nagsusulong nito - hindi lamang para linisin kundi pagandahin at buhayin ang Ilog Pasig,” Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar said. “At bilin din po nila na tulungan ang mga kababayan nating naninirahan sa danger zones along the river. Kaya may plano na rin po kami para sa mga informal settler families diyan,” he added. By virtue of EO 35, the IAC-PRUD was created with DHSUD as chair and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) as vice chair. Members of the IAC-PRUD include the secretaries of DPWH, DENR, DILG, DOT, DoTr, DOF, DBM; the chairpersons of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines and the NCCA, the general manager of the PPA, commandant of the Philippine Coast Guard, the general manager of the Laguna Lake Development Authority and the chief executive officer of the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority. The National Housing Authority will serve as the secretariat. # The post Pasig River rehab plan gets FL Liza’s nod appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Pasig River rehab, priority advocacy of FL
The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar on Sunday said the rehabilitation of Pasig River, by virtue of Executive Order (EO) 35, has the backing of First Lady Louise “Liza” Araneta-Marcos. In its August 2023 issue which features the First Lady, Tatler Asia magazine cited the Pasig River rehabilitation as among her three priority-advocacies, the other two being education and improved access to quality health care. Tatler Asia stated that the First Lady envisions Pasig River to become a lifestyle and commercial hub, and a major tourist attraction when fully rehabilitated. “As for the river initiative, she (First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos) hopes that revitalizing the Pasig will make it an attraction in its own right, in the same way, that the Thames or Seine or Bangkok’s Chao Phraya are: arteries of commerce, lifestyle, tourism and culture, drawing visitors from home and overseas,” Tatler Asia wrote. Acuzar welcomed the support of the First Couple as a huge boost to the efforts of IAC-PRUD for the massive rehabilitation of the Pasig River, which also covers the relocation of thousands of informal settler families. Amelita "Ming" Ramos is perhaps the most well-known former first lady, who made the rehabilitation of the Pasig River synonymous with her name with the alliterative "Piso Para Pasig" campaign during the Ramos administration. Under EO 35, which created the Inter-Agency Council for the Pasig River Urban Development (IAC-PRUD) was created with the DHSUD as lead, the MMDA will serve as vice chair and the secretaries of DPWH, DENR, DILG, DOT, DoTr, DOF, DBM; the chairpersons of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines and the NCCA, the general manager of the PPA, commandant of the Philippine Coast Guard, the general manager of the Laguna Lake Development Authority and the chief executive officer of the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority were tapped as members. The National Housing Authority will serve as the secretariat. The IAC-PRUD was primarily tasked to “facilitate and ensure the full rehabilitation of the banks along the Pasig River water system and nearby water systems in order to provide alternative transportation, propel economic opportunities, and boost tourism activities.” The post Pasig River rehab, priority advocacy of FL appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Reclamation projects contradict Manila Bay rehab – DENR
Reclamation projects in Manila Bay are contradicting efforts to rehabilitate the area, according to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources......»»
Fishers skeptical over Manila Bay rehab funding
“Over the years, the DENR has been complicit with big corporations involved in reclamation and other forms of conversion in Manila Bay, putting the livelihood and other socio-economic rights of fishers at stake." The post Fishers skeptical over Manila Bay rehab funding appeared first on Bulatlat......»»
DHSUD hits ground running on Pasig River rehab
The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development has hit the ground running after being tapped as head of the Inter-Agency Council for the Pasig River Urban Development by virtue of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s Executive Order 35. DHSUD Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar, along with key DHSUD officials, has started inspecting key areas along the Pasig River and laid out plans on how to implement the President’s order. Initially, Acuzar checked on the portions of the historical river in Manila, particularly at the back of the Central Post Office, which is being eyed as pilot area for mixed-use development and tourism spot, and Parola Compound for the affected informal settler families. “We already have plans, and we will soon present it to the Office of the President and before the council for approval,” Acuzar said. The DHSUD chief has already met with MMDA Chairman Romando Artes, vice chair of the IAC-PRUD, to discuss the council’s initial steps to put the order’s provisions into actionable strategies for the member-agencies. Under EO35, the secretaries of DPWH, DENR, DILG, DOT, DoTr, DOF, DBM; the chairperson of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, general manager of the Philippine Ports Authority, commandant of the Philippine Coast Guard, the general manager of the Laguna Lake Development Authority and the chief executive officer of the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority were named as council members. The National Housing Authority will serve as the secretariat. The IAC-PRUD was tasked primarily to “facilitate and ensure the full rehabilitation of the banks along the Pasig River water system and nearby water systems in order to provide alternative transportation, propel economic opportunities, and boost tourism activities.” The council was directed to formulate a Pasig River Urban Development Plan which shall serve as the blueprint for the full rehabilitation of the river to realize its full potential for mixed-use development, transportation, recreation, tourism and sustainable human settlement, taking into consideration its historic and cultural value. It was also ordered to “study, prepare and implement a comprehensive shelter plan for massive relocation of informal settler families and other unauthorized or unlawful occupants along the Pasig River banks, including identification of suitable relocation sites; strategies for economic and social integration for ISFs, and long-term solutions to address ongoing migration into the Pasig River banks." The EO also authorizes the IAC-PRUD to “accept grants, contributions, donations, endowments, bequests or gifts in cash or in kind from local and foreign sources in support of the formulation and implementation of the Pasig River Urban Development Plan, subject to existing laws, rules and regulations. To monitor the progress of the rehabilitation, EO35 tasked the IAC-PRUD to submit to the Office of the President, through the Office of the Executive Secretary, a quarterly status report. The post DHSUD hits ground running on Pasig River rehab appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
DENR supports ‘million trees’ program of DepEd
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources on Sunday said it has committed to fully supporting the tree-planting component of the recently launched “PagbaBAGo: A Million Learners and Trees” program of the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Department of Education (DedEd). The five-year program aims to provide students with one million bags containing school supplies and dental kits, planting one million trees for environmental sustainability, and promoting family planning among parents. Vice President Sara Duterte kicked off the program at the Mandaue City Sports Complex on May 27. Simultaneous tree-planting activities were also held across 11 regions in the country in support of the program’s aim to plant one million trees by 2028. A total of 7,800 trees were planted during the program launch, with the DENR providing most of the seedlings used for the nationwide activity. Almost 7,500 of the planted trees were planted in the Zamboanga Peninsula, with 5,000 of which are mangroves. In the other regions, seedlings were turned over in ceremonial activities marking the launch of the program, as the actual tree planting was scheduled at a later date due to El Niño occurrence. Along with the turnover and distribution of seedlings from the DENR, bags with school supplies and dental kits for students were distributed by the DepEd to elementary students. The DENR’s participation in the program is covered by a memorandum of agreement (MOA) it entered into with the OVP and DepEd, with the OVP taking the lead in monitoring its implementation. It is also the OVP’s form of participation in the government’s National Greening Program (NGP). Under the MOA, the OVP will provide logistical support and resources including procurement of seedlings necessary for the planting, maintenance and protection of the trees. The DepEd, on the other hand, will identify potential planting sites within school premises, provide the warm bodies during planting, and promote national awareness among students on the importance of NGP. Meanwhile, the DENR—through its regional and field offices—will assist in the identification of suitable sites and appropriate species for planting activities. It may also engage the service or participation of people’s organizations or the community to aid in the production of seedlings and other planting materials, as well as in protecting seedlings planted outside school premises. The MOA will remain in effect until June 30, 2028, or until the program’s objectives have been met. Aside from Cebu and Zamboanga provinces, kickoff activities were also held in the cities of Manila, Dagupan, Lipa, Legazpi, Bacolod, Tacloban and Davao; Santo Tomas town in Isabela province; and the Caraga region. The post DENR supports ‘million trees’ program of DepEd appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
DENR urges young Filipinos: Be active on climate change
Environment Secretary Antonia Loyzaga called on young Filipinos last Monday to take an active role in crafting solutions to the ongoing climate crisis. In a statement, Loyzaga said she also issued the call during an event held at the DENR Central Office in Quezon City last week, as part of the agency’s Earth Day celebration with the theme “Invest in our Planet, Invest in our Youth.” Over 150 high school and college students as well as teachers from Metro Manila attended the event organized by the department. “We are in the middle of an emergency, and that is the climate crisis. What we need to do with you, the youth, is to become part of the solution,” Loyzaga told the participants. “Every fraction of every degree counts and we all need to work together to prevent even that fraction of a degree of increase, in terms of our temperatures,” she added. The activity was aimed at raising awareness, understanding, commitment and action on environmental stewardship among the youth. Loyzaga underscored the importance of participation, “as we all have the ability to make a difference and influence our country’s fight against the impacts of climate change and the degradation of our environment.” DENR Chief of Staff and Supervising Undersecretary for Strategic Communications Marilou Erni said the event served as an avenue to gather insights from young people in terms of the environmental issues and challenges they face in their communities. The participating schools and organizations included the Association of Science and Mathematics Educators of Philippine Private Schools, Oscar M. Alcaraz Community Scout, Brighton Ventures, Marikina Polytechnic University, St. Clare College of Caloocan, National College of Business and Arts, STI College, University of the Philippines — Diliman, Polytechnic University of the Philipines, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, Universidad de Manila, Cagayan State University, New Era University, Quirino High School, Bagong Silang High School, West Fairview High School, North Fairview High School, Mother of Perpetual Help School, Immaculate Concepcion Academy, Ramon Magsaysay High School, South East Asia Institute of Trade and Technology, and Krus na Ligas High School. Over 150 high school and college students as well as teachers from Metro Manila attended the event organized by the department. During the event, the DENR held a visual communication workshop where participants showcased their vision of a livable environment and the significant ways to achieve that vision through a poster-making contest. Teachers were also given a platform to share their hopes for DENR, so that the agency could further improve its current environmental programs and initiatives. The participants listened to young leaders from the DENR as they shared the agency’s priority programs such as Clean Water, Clean Air, National Greening Program, Biodiversity Conservation, Coastal Marine Ecosystem and Solid Waste Management. The speakers encouraged the participants to consider a career in the sciences and be part of government service in the future. Erni said the DENR plans to continue holding youth-centered programs, including collaborating with the Department of Education and the Commission on Higher Education, for more strategic partnerships that will go beyond awareness and lead to translating this understanding and commitment into action. Earth Day is celebrated in the Philippines every 22 April in accordance with Proclamation No. 1481 signed in 2008 by then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Earth Day was first celebrated in 1970 in the United States and was globally recognized in 1990. The post DENR urges young Filipinos: Be active on climate change appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
& lsquo;Hospitals near full capacity& rsquo;
All areas in Metro Manila are now classified as either high-risk or critical risk for COVID-19, the Department of Health said Friday as the disease continued to spread and hospital beds filled up, and the country hit a four-month high in both the number of new infections and active cases......»»
& lsquo;Highest alert& rsquo; spreads to 41 areas& mdash;DOH
Forty-one areas---including nine cities and a municipality in Metro Manila---have been put under the highest COVID-19 alert classification as new infections hit a four-month high at 12,021 Wednesday......»»