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DPWH continues construction of Sta. Margarita Diversion road
Samar First DEO now continues the construction of Sta. Margarita Diversion road under the General Appropriations Act (GAA) for FY 2023......»»
Davao City Council moves hearing on traffic-causing road construction works
DAVAO CITY (MindaNews – 26 March) – The Davao City Council rescheduled to Tuesday, April 2, the second hearing on the suspended road construction works in the locality after key officials from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) – Davao region failed to show up Friday. The DPWH-Davao key officials are reportedly in […].....»»
Lester Pimentel Ong: The ‘Iron Heart’ director is also a restaurateur
When action films came to a screeching halt around year 2000 because of piracy, then stuntman Lester Pimentel Ong bravely ventured into the food business. For him, it was like wading into untested waters. “Nagsimula ako sa (I started in) Rice-In-A box 23 years ago. I started in the film industry as a stuntman. Nakatrabaho ko si Victor Neri, sa mga films ni direk Toto Natividad. Nawala ‘yung raket namin sa stunts kasi nauso ‘yung piracy sa film. Humina ‘yung action film so wala kaming raket. (I worked with Victor Neri, in the films of director Toto Natividad. We lost our stunt jobs because film piracy became prevalent. Action films slowed down, so we didn’t have a job). With his P80,000 savings, he started his rice-in-a-box business at Masagana City Mall, in Pasay, recalled Ong during the opening of the ninth branch of Wangfu, his Chinese-Singaporean restaurant that’s been up for 11 years now. That small rice-in-a-box business now has more than 100 stores consisting of food carts and food stalls. “That business financed all of our other businesses, all our other restaurants,” said Ong proudly. A foodie, Ong was exposed to street food when he was a wushu athlete who represented the country in many competitions abroad. He reveled in the street foods of China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore and Thailand. “I would go around to different places and tuwing may break kami, we would explore the street food market ng different countries. I fell in love with different kind of food, Asian food,” he said. Wangfu came about because, after shoots, “kapag late night, wala kaming makakainan. Nasa food business naman ako, so nagtayo kami ng restaurant sa Tomas Morato. Iyon ang first branch (of Wangfu),” he said. He was joined in the venture by business partner Ace Wang. Wangfu serves Singaporean cuisine like laksa, Hainanese chicken and salted egg fried chicken. From Sir Chief to Sir Chef Actor Richard Yap is also one of Ong’s partners in Wangfu. Yap disclosed that when he was young, he “used to cook at home because my mom cooks very well.” It was his love for food that drove him to study culinary arts. But he discovered along the way that cooking was not for him. “When I took up a culinary course, I found out na hindi pala para sa akin ang pagluluto (that cooking is not for me). Ang hirap ng preparations. It takes a long time. Kung ako ang magluluto (If I will do the cooking), it will take three to four hours if you do it by yourself,” he said. In college, Yap took up a pre-Med course, Medical Technology, for two years, and then stopped because his father asked him to take up Business Management instead. When he applied for Med studies at UST, he was told that he had to go back to first year again. “I said never mind. I’ll just finish my Business Management course at La Salle,” he recalled. Getting into showbiz 12 years ago was something that Yap didn’t see coming. “When I started out with “My Binondo Girl”, after that nagdadalawang isip ako (I had second thoughts). So, I had to ask around. One of my directors, direk Jeffrey Jeturian, said, ‘You know, you have to make a choice kasi it’s either you go full-time sa showbiz or not.’” Yap’s apprehensions were not without basis, since not a lot of people would make it at his age then, around 40. “Ako, sabi ko, late na ako (I’m late), wala pa akong experience. It would take me a lot of time to catch up with veteran actors and actresses,” he said. Fortunately, those around him told him he had a future in showbiz for as long as he persevered. And that he did — and now he’s Richard Yap, a popular actor and household name, forever remembered by many as Sir Chief of the blockbuster TV series Be Careful With My Heart. The post Lester Pimentel Ong: The ‘Iron Heart’ director is also a restaurateur appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Two dead in Bangkok mall shooting, 14-year-old boy arrested
A 14-year-old boy was arrested Tuesday after a shooting at a packed Bangkok mall that left two people dead and five wounded, and sent hundreds of panicked shoppers running in terror into the streets. Witnesses told AFP of chaotic scenes as shots rang out at the upmarket Siam Paragon mall in the heart of the Thai capital around 4:30 pm (0930 GMT). The shooting comes just days before the first anniversary of the deadliest massacre in modern Thai history, when an ex-policeman armed with a gun and knife attacked a nursery in the country's north, murdering 24 children and 12 adults. National Police Chief Torsak Sukwimol told reporters that two women -- one Chinese, one from Myanmar -- were killed in the mall shooting, and five other people wounded. He said the 14-year-old suspect was in custody but was too confused to undergo questioning. "He is a mental patient at Rajavithi hospital and he has not been taking his medication," Torsak said. "He said it felt like someone told him to 'go shoot people'. It's like there's another him. This is what we got from the initial talk with him." Video footage showed a long-haired boy wearing a black shirt, glasses and a cap with a US flag motif being taken into custody by police. Yuthana Srettanan, director of the Erawan Emergency Centre, told reporters that all but one of those who were shot were women. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin visited the scene of the shooting as well as calling on the wounded in hospital. Srettha posted on X, formerly Twitter, that he had spoken to the Chinese ambassador and offered condolences. "From now on, the Thai government will implement the highest safety measures for the safety of all tourists," Srettha wrote. Thailand is keen to attract more Chinese visitors as it rebuilds its tourism industry after the pandemic, but numbers are lower than hoped, partly because of safety fears. A private school called The Essence, just metres from Siam Paragon, confirmed the suspect was one of their students and offered condolences to the victims' families. "We will collaborate with the authorities and investigators for the benefit of those involved," Wiwat Catithammanit, director of the $4,000-a-term school said in a statement. 'Multiple gunshots' Witnesses described scenes of panic as the attack unfolded at Siam Paragon, one of Bangkok's top shopping destinations, hugely popular with tourists and Thais alike. "At around 4:30 pm, I heard loud gun noises, continuously, about 10 times," Thanpawasit Singthongkham, 31, who works at a Japanese restaurant in the mall, told AFP. "Then the department store announced that there was a shooting. The emergency sign was turned on and everyone ran to get out." In footage shared with AFP, he recorded a scrum of terrified shoppers scrabbling under metal security gates blocking shop entrances, before they fled down emergency stairwells as sirens blared. In another video, shared on Facebook and verified by AFP, scores of people can be seen in the mall's basement car park being directed by loudspeakers. Dozens of police vehicles and a number of ambulances could be seen outside one of the shopping centre's main entrances in the wake of the shooting. "I heard multiple gunshots -- about three times -- and saw people running around towards the exits," Nattanon Dungsunenarn, who was shopping in a branch of Boots pharmacy, told AFP. "It was very chaotic and seemed like many people didn't know what exactly was going on." 'Terrified' "We didn't know what was happening, then staff from a shop asked us to go inside and said there was a shooter," Chinese tourist Xiong Ying, 41, told AFP. "Everyone was trying to find a place to hide. So many people were terrified, just like a scene in the zombie movies. "I now feel quite scared. It happened just like two minutes after we left by crossing the bridge. We even took photos there." Almost a year on from the October 6 nursery massacre, the mall shooting will raise fresh questions about gun control in Thailand, which has one of the highest rates of firearm ownership in the region. In 2020, a former army officer went on a rampage in a shopping mall in Korat, murdering 29 people and wounding scores more. The post Two dead in Bangkok mall shooting, 14-year-old boy arrested appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Biggest-ever Asian Games ready for liftoff in China after Covid delay
The biggest Asian Games in history, boasting about 12,000 competitors -- more than the Olympics -- will open on Saturday in the Chinese city of Hangzhou after a year's delay because of Covid. Athletes including world and Olympic champions will fight for medals in 40 sports from athletics, swimming and football to eSports and bridge. Nine sports, among them boxing, break dancing and tennis, will serve as qualifiers for next year's Paris Olympics. The Games were supposed to take place last September but were postponed because of China's strict zero-Covid rules, before China's ruling Communist Party abruptly abandoned the policy. The 19th edition of the Games, which were first held in New Delhi in 1951, throws together competitors from 45 countries and territories across Asia and the Middle East. For China, which hosted the 2022 Winter Olympics in a Covid-secure "bubble" in Beijing, it is a chance to show off its organizational, sporting and technological prowess after the pandemic years cut the country off from the sporting world. "We have overcome a lot of challenges but we are now fully conditioned to hold a successful Games," Chen Weiqiang, chief spokesperson for the Games, said on Wednesday. Sport meets politics The Games will be staged at 54 venues -- 14 newly constructed -- mostly in Hangzhou but also extending to cities as far afield as Wenzhou, 300 kilometres (180 miles) south. The centerpiece is the "Big Lotus" Olympic stadium with a capacity of up to 80,000 where athletics and the opening and closing ceremonies will be staged. President Xi Jinping will attend the opening ceremony and meet Syrian counterpart Bashar al-Assad there, along with other visiting leaders, Chinese state media says. Assad is making his first visit to ally China since the war erupted in Syria in 2011. Russian President Vladimir Putin likewise attended the opening ceremony of the Beijing Winter Olympics, along with Xi, and weeks later launched the invasion of Ukraine. Hangzhou, a city of 12 million people an hour's bullet train from Shanghai, is famed in China for its ancient temples, gardens and its beloved West Lake. It is also the unofficial home of China's tech industry, notably the birth place of Jack Ma's Alibaba. The Games will showcase some of the latest tech to come out of the city, including driverless buses, robot dogs and facial recognition. China medal dash Hosts China have topped the medals table at every Asian Games since 1982 and are expected to do so again by the time the curtain comes down on October 8. They should reign in swimming, with Qin Haiyang fresh from his heroics at the world championships, where he announced himself as the new undisputed breaststroke king. The 24-year-old swept all three men's events and set a new world record in the 200m. In athletics, another of the most closely watched sports, India's Olympic and world champion Neeraj Chopra will defend his Asian Games javelin crown. His nearest competitor should be world silver medalist Arshad Nadeem from arch-rivals Pakistan and the countries are also on a collision course in cricket and hockey. ESports, in what is seen as a step toward Olympic inclusion one day, will make its full Asian Games debut having been a demonstration sport five years ago. Lee Sang-hyeok, better known as "Faker", has god-like status in League of Legends and will lead the South Korean charge at the futuristic-looking China Hangzhou Esports Centre. There is an added incentive which has caused controversy in South Korea -- winning gold will exempt them from having to do military service. A feature of the Asian Games is that it includes sports that are a little more quirky than the Olympics. Xiangqi -- also known as "Chinese chess" -- the card game bridge and the ancient wrestling discipline of kurash are all on the menu. Although the Games officially open on Saturday, the sporting action began on Tuesday, when North Korea returned to major international competition for the first time since the pandemic with a 2-0 win over Taiwan in men's football. The post Biggest-ever Asian Games ready for liftoff in China after Covid delay appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Nina Lim-Yuson — A lifetime of girl scouting
The president of the Girl Scouts of the Philippines, Nina Lim-Yuson, grew up in a family and home of Girl Scouts. Her grandmother, Pilar Hidalgo-Lim, was one of the co-founders of the GSP. “It was actually my Lola Pilar who suggested to Josefa Llanes Escoda, the GSP founder, to go to America to learn about girl scouting.” This tidbit of history, Nina shared in an online interview with the DAILY TRIBUNE. Pilar Hidalgo-Lim became GSP president, and so did Nina’s mother, Estefania Aldaba-Lim, who served as secretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development. Nina’s sister too, the eminent broadcast journalist, Cheche Lazaro, was a Girl Scout. Coming from a lineage of women achievers, Nina could not have chosen a different path. It was scouting that formally introduced the family to social responsibility, skills development and citizenship. Her brothers were also Boy Scouts. “I started when I was six years old and it was my Lola Pilar who inducted me as a Brownie. It used to be called Brownie because we were still using the American pattern,” she related. She belonged to Troop Number One, the first to be organized by the GSP national headquarters. In high school at the Jose Abad Santos Memorial School of the Philippine Women’s University, she became a junior and later a senior Girl Scout. College would briefly end her Girl Scouting as she focused on her studies. Along the way, she also danced with the Bayanihan Folk Dance Company. It was not unexpected that she would return to scouting, her first love, and her first extra-curricular activity. For the last 36 years, she has been active in various organizations and volunteer work. She founded the Museong Pambata. She is a recipient of The Outstanding Women in the Nation’s Service and is active in its various social development efforts. What Nina brings to her post is the legacy of leadership that had been passed on to her through generations of women leaders in the family. “My Lola Pilar was my idol. She was such a nice person and I never knew her totally as a president. I knew her more as a loving lola from all the stories she related when we rode up to Baguio. “My mother, on the other hand, was the opposite. She was very career-minded. I learned naman from her a lot of things, like being thrifty and having a list of things to do. In terms of organization, she was like that. Because she was in government. And, you know, when we started Museo, while it was actually my concept, I learned a lot from her. She would call me up at 5 o’clock in the morning and she would rattle off what needed to be done, like ‘number one, number two and so on.’ That was her. And I’m glad that I worked with her for six years in Museo. She was the president and I was the executive director for six years. I took over in 2000 as president and chief executive officer. And then, I stepped down in 2017.” Girl Scouts who read and tell stories Nina was elected president of the Girl Scouts of the Philippines for the term 2021-2024 during its 2021 national convention. From day one, she shared, “My purpose was to reach out to the community-based troops because we have always been school-based. Many young women now have social problems so we need to reach out to the communities through our community-based troops.” Also on top of her priorities is literacy development, a cause that she addressed even in the Museo Pambata. She explained, “My advocacy has always been education. So, I was very concerned because the Asian Development Bank reported in 2022 that the World Bank found out that our Filipino children at ages 9 and 10 cannot read. So, I felt that because girl scouting is all over the country, with 96 local councils, the organization could serve as a vehicle for improving literacy in our country. “We started the Girl Scout Storyteller project because storytelling affects the heart first before the mind. When young people start with storytelling, they will love the stories and then the written word. They would then want to read. “We now have storytelling in economically challenged communities and we have partners. We sent out 2,500 books throughout the country with the help of our partner couriers.” Initially, she sought the help of her family foundation “to give a donation. I also sought the help of Ging Montinola, who is into literacy development. Together, we founded the literacy program. We are building this fund to cover the cost of buying children’s books. We will have a storytelling contest next year.” Raising funds for Camp Escoda Nina then shifted the conversation to another major endeavor that she is spearheading as GSP president — fundraising for the 27-hectare Camp Josefa Llanes Escoda in Palayan City, Nueva Ecija, which was donated by the provincial government during the term of Governor Amado Aleta, the father of consul and civic leader Fortune Ledesma. “Palayan is beautiful because it has rolling hills, but it doesn’t have electrical and water facilities and roadworks. It doesn’t have a swimming pool, and it’s so hot in Nueva Ecija. It also does not have a conference hall. This is a big one-time fundraising project because it’s for the future of the girls who are going to the camp. Because as of now, if you go camping there, you have to walk up the hills to get your drinking water. You have to make buhos to take a bath.” She recalled, “In my time as a young Girl Scout, which was of another era, we had to walk in the dark to fetch water to fill up two drums. I was so scared because there were tuko in Los Baños. That taught me to be courageous. Camps really build up your lifetime skills and attitude. Camping is very integral in girl scouting and boy scouting. So, this camp will serve a purpose. It just needs various basic facilities to make it world-class and convenient with the proper amenities, but the girls will continue to learn all those survival techniques and appreciate nature right on the camp.” She praised architect Pippo Carunungan, “who is an environmental planner. He surveyed the site and drew up everything. It will be a beautiful camp, he said, because it’s a gift of nature.” First Lady as Chief Girl Scout Nina recently led the Girl Scouts in a fundraising ball attended by the “First Lady, Liza Araneta-Marcos, who is our Chief Girl Scout. It’s mandated in the GSP constitution that whoever is the female president of the country or the First Lady is the Chief Girl Scout. In the past, we had Imelda Marcos, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. All the first ladies were all Chief Girl Scouts. “Mrs. Liza Marcos spoke before us and she promised to help. She said, ‘We will make it the best campsite.’ Everyone was excited to see her and she obliged everyone who asked to have selfie with her. She is very friendly. She is really a Girl Scout.” Nina shared, “A generous couple is sponsoring the swimming pool at P6 million, while a gentleman entrepreneur is sponsoring the perimeter fence at P1.5 million. Many other businessmen and leaders have pledged to help build this dream GSP project. “We really need to raise about 50 million to have a very good camp. But when the First Lady heard about it, she said, ‘It has to be P250 million.’ But, really, when we have the funds, we can have deep toilets that have running water instead of tabo-tabo. Since we have a little Pampanga river that runs across the camp, we can build a bridge that crosses it and then the girls can have white-water rafting there in the Pampanga river. “Camp Escoda will be a very important and significant venue for our Girl Scouts to gather, bond, learn new skills and develop as morally upright citizens of the country and the world. It is especially so because camping is integral in any Girl Scout’s life. If you don’t have camping, it’s like half of your scouting life is missing. Every Girl Scout remembers that time of her youth. And being the national camp, it will welcome Girl Scouts representing the 96 councils from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao who will participate in various events and trainings.” Girl Scouts of all ages As GSP president, Nina travels to various parts of the country. “We have regional conferences aside from the meeting of the Central Board when regional heads and executives come to Manila. “I had just come from Baguio where I stayed for two-and-a-half days. I met our young Girl Scout representatives from ages 14 to 18. I enjoyed listening to them and exchanging ideas with them. I am so happy that we have a wealth of intelligent girls who want to serve the country. They are the ones who are going to take over. “It’s amazing that GSP is no longer limited to old people on the board. We finally have young ones on the board. Our Escoda committee is headed by Jade Delgado from Iloilo. Then we have Justine Bautista. She’s a psychometrician. She heads the Program Committee, which is a big committee because when we were in Baguio, we had 86 girls from all the councils throughout the country. Many of them are running for SK. “So, in my 70s now, which I don’t feel at all, I don’t take any medicines or something like that. Being with young people is what inspires me. Because at 15, 16 or 17, they already know that they have some kind of a mission.” Nina proudly shared that the venue of the Baguio conference, 'Ating Tahanan' on the South Drive was bought during the tenure of my Lola Pilar. We have four buildings there, including the houses of Senator and actor Rogelio de la Rosa and Carlos Valdes, the accountant. Lola Pilar, according to Carlos Valdes, twisted his arm to get a low price. I’m so thankful for all those who preceded me because they bought these places. It’s on South Drive which is so valuable. We even have a reserved forest behind us.” As she looks forward to the next camping and gets even busier raising funds for Camp Escoda, Nina feels elated that “every one of us in the Girl Scouts has been together in our various undertakings. The nice thing is we are now intergenerational because we try to bring in the old with experience, institutional memory and their wisdom born of their long life, and the young who are full of enthusiasm, energy and new ideas.” A star scout for a granddaughter While Nina does her part for the bright future of girl scouting in the country, her personal family too has not stopped contributing to the roster of members to this worldwide organization. Today, a granddaughter of hers, seven-year-old Rocio Yuson de Guzman, is a Star Scout. She is the daughter of Nina’s daughter, Nicky. No grandmother could have been prouder. Nina said, “Rufio loves being a star scout. When I arrived from the recent world conference in Cyprus, I came back with some badges and I gave some to Rufio who is very proud of the little badges that I got for her.” For sure, Nina will pass on not just the badges to Rufio. More importantly, she will give her granddaughter the once-in-one’s-childhood experience of being a Girl Scout and learning “the values that are identified in the Girl Scout Promise and Laws. I think that while there is so much to enjoy and learn, it is the inculcation of these values that would mold her into a well-rounded human being. As we all know, a Girl Scout’s honor is to be trusted. A Girl Scout is loyal, thrifty, courteous… and so on. It’s like a mantra -- the values that one lives by. “I have reached that point when it is not about success or what one accumulates in life, whether awards or accomplishments or material things. It is more about what I can share and scouting gives me that honor and privilege — to do my part in helping mold our young girls and making them aware even at an early age that they have a mission and worthy purpose in life. It is not just about being good and outstanding on your own but it is also about helping others to become better in what they’re doing and live better lives. “And I need not look far. As a grandmother, I dote on my Star Scout granddaughter, Rufio. There’s a world out there for her to discover and in which she has a role to play and use the skills and values she will learn from scouting.” The post Nina Lim-Yuson — A lifetime of girl scouting appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
ERRAMON Aboitiz: Renaissance man
The Aboitiz family is a big player in Philippine business for over a century. With businesses covering a wide range of industries, including power, banking, food, and infrastructure, the clan’s Aboitiz Group has been creating jobs and opportunities for Filipinos. Founded by Paulino Aboitiz, son of a Spanish farmer who migrated to the Philippines in the late 1800s, Aboitiz Equity Ventures Inc., or AEV, has grown from being an abaca-trading and general-merchandise business to a conglomerate with interests in power, banking, food, property, biofuel and construction. The group is undergoing its Great Transformation to establish itself as the Philippines’ pioneering techglomerate. This innovative growth strategy, powered by technology and a renewed entrepreneurial mindset, empowers the entire group to advance businesses and uplift communities. Among the driving forces propelling the Group’s business revolution is Erramon “Montxu” Aboitiz. Montxu previously served as the president and chief executive at Aboitiz Equity Ventures for 10 years from 2009 to 2019. He also briefly held the role of CEO at Aboitiz Power Corp. in 2018. Presently, he serves as a director at AEV and Endeavor Philippines and as chairman of the Board of Directors at Union Bank of the Philippines. Likewise, he serves as a board observer of the Aboitiz & Company. The Asian Institute of Management named Montxu as the new chairman of its Board of Trustees, effective from 1 September 2023. Montxu joined a respected group of successful business leaders who are dedicated to advancing the progress and welfare of Asia and its inhabitants. He was the 7th chairman of AIM, taking over from Peter Garrucho who held the position since 2017. Montxu graduated from Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington, USA with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, majoring in Accounting and Finance. In 2011, he was awarded the Management Man of the Year by the Management Association of the Philippines and recognized as the Entrepreneur of the Year by Ernst & Young. Seven years after that, AIM awarded Montxu with an honorary doctorate in management. Social responsibility runs in Aboitiz blood The Aboitiz Foundation, the social responsibility arm of the Aboitiz Group, donated $10 million to AIM in 2019 — known as the Aboitiz 100th Anniversary Commitment Fund. The fund aims to bridge the local and regional gap in data science and innovation. As a result of this generous donation, AIM’s Aboitiz School of Innovation, Technology, and Entrepreneurship is now able to provide top-notch education and research opportunities in data science, with a focus on practical applications. This is made possible by collaborating with data science professionals and leaders from around the world. Recently, Montxu was elected chairperson of the AIM board of trustees. He is widely recognized for his strong commitment to social responsibility and philanthropy. Regarding the endowment to AIM, Montxu said it targeted assisting AIM in its efforts “to expand its curriculum and facilities towards the direction of a bold future, and the skills and education it will require.” Through his leadership in the Aboitiz Group and the Aboitiz Foundation, he has spearheaded numerous projects that have made a positive impact on local communities. As chairman of the Aboitiz Foundation, Montxu has played a key role in shaping its initiatives. The foundation focuses on three key areas which are education, enterprise development, and environmental conservation. “As businessmen, there is no doubt we seek profits and a return on our capital. But as Filipinos, we are equally guided by a sense of purpose to find meaningful ways of contributing to our communities across the country. This symbiotic relationship of profit and contributing to society is our secret sauce to true sustainability, allowing the Aboitiz Group to drive change for a better world by advancing business and communities,” Montxu added. The foundation implemented various programs and scholarships to improve access to quality education, foster entrepreneurship and livelihood opportunities, and promote sustainability. Aboitiz Foundation has been heavily involved in rehabilitating and improving schools in underprivileged areas. They have renovated classrooms, libraries and other facilities, providing students with better learning environments. The foundation has also donated learning materials and equipment to enhance the educational experience of students. Aboitiz Foundation supports community-based programs that aim to uplift marginalized communities. These programs focus on various aspects such as health, nutrition, livelihood, and disaster resilience. The foundation works closely with local organizations and stakeholders to implement sustainable solutions and empower communities to become self-sufficient. Aboitiz Foundation places significant emphasis on environmental conservation and sustainability. They have initiated projects to protect and restore ecosystems, promote renewable energy, and reduce carbon footprint. The foundation actively supports reforestation efforts, marine conservation, and waste management initiatives. The foundation also has a strong focus on disaster response and preparedness. They have been at the forefront of providing immediate relief and support during natural disasters, such as typhoons, earthquakes and floods. The foundation also works towards building resilient communities by conducting disaster risk reduction and management training programs. Montxu Aboitiz encourages and supports employee volunteerism within the Aboitiz Group. The company promotes a culture of giving back by providing employees with opportunities to engage in community service and volunteer activities. This not only benefits the communities they serve but also fosters a sense of social responsibility among the employees. It also collaborates with various non-governmental organizations, government agencies, and other stakeholders to maximize the impact of their social responsibility initiatives. They work together to address complex social issues and implement sustainable solutions that create lasting change. Aligned with the United Nations Global Compact, AEV drives policies, advocacies, and initiatives to make a lasting impact. The post ERRAMON Aboitiz: Renaissance man appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Painting life with data for a better tomorrow
We live in the age of data where life is very much influenced by information. Our society is powered and inspired by data sets that propel economies, explore possibilities and change lives. And all of this happens both onscreen and off-screen. Data is king, and it brings new and contemporary delights and advancements with it. Most significant of its gifts is helping bridge the knowledge of ages ago to enrich our modern lives. Literally painting life powered by data with the brushstrokes of masters past. [caption id="attachment_179677" align="aligncenter" width="2560"] ‘The Wisdom of Da Vinci: An Immersive AI Experience’ exhibit at One Bonifacio High Street. | photographs courtesy of eastwest[/caption] Art by the numbers “The Wisdom of Da Vinci: An Immersive AI Experience” is one such gift brought to life by information. The immersive art experience merges the power of data processing and the masterworks of Leonardo Da Vinci and other iconic artists into an audio-visual display. The result is an enthralling and singular experience, where the attendees become canvasses themselves as they step into the projections of data-painted art. The exhibit can be visited at One Bonifacio High Street until October. This convergence of hard data and art is what drew the attention of EastWest Ageas. The exhibit’s imagery was sourced from paintings, books, traditional CSV files and even statistics to create art that evokes the deepest of emotions and imagination. Heart and data “We decided to sponsor this exhibition because our business is about data and emotions,” shares Sjoerd Smeets, president and chief executive officer of EastWest Ageas. The business of ensuring the people’s future and assets has a bedrock built on data and information. This makes sure that all the decisions regarding the customers are founded on fact and rational thinking. “But in the end, we are here to serve our customers at difficult moments,” Sjoerd says. “Our business has a clear purpose: protect families during their most vulnerable moments and bring them comfort and security.” And this requires emotional intelligence, a feat that no data set can muster. EastWest Ageas believes that it is the union of the human capacity to empathize and the clear sightedness of data that can elevate the industry into the next level of service. Joub Miradora, EastWest Ageas’ chief customer officer succinctly summarizes this: “For true service, we want to provide a customer-centric service that gives clear solutions fueled by data and delivered with a human heart.” Data-powered and people-focused Much like how the curators behind the “Wisdom of Da Vinci” selected the AI art pieces for the exhibit, EastWest Ageas believes in the power of data to become more people focused. By leveraging data, EastWest Ageas aims to paint the lives of their customers and more Filipinos with a suite of solutions tailored for their unique needs. At the forefront of this is their customer experience strategy. “As we know that only around three percent of the Filipino population has life insurance,” Sjoerd shares. “There is still a long way to go.” With its data-powered customer experience strategy, EastWest Ageas hopes to change that number and help more Filipinos paint their tomorrows better for them and their loved ones. The post Painting life with data for a better tomorrow appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Phl-U.S. bilateral sail eyes stronger maritime cooperation
The Philippines and the United States are currently conducting a “bilateral sail” in waters off the western Palawan within the South, the Armed Forces of the Philippines said on Monday. AFP Public Affairs chief Lt.Col. Enrico Gil Ileto narrated that the activity is part of the Mutual Defense Board-Security Engagement Board framework that aims to develop operational interoperability between the navies of the two countries. He added that the event also highlights the “robust maritime cooperation” between the US and the Philippines. During the bilateral sail, the AFP deployed the Navy’s guided-missile frigate, BRP Jose Rizal (FF-150) while the US Navy deployed the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, the USS Ralph Johnson (DDG-114). Meanwhile, the AFP Western Command’s Naval Task Force 41 and the US 7th Fleet will also carry out “division tactics” using the BRP Jose Rizal and the US Navy’s USS Ralph Johnson to improve their cooperation capabilities, which involves practicing ship maneuvering near other vessels to boost bridge team confidence in handling challenging sailing conditions. “This event aims to provide an opportunity for the Philippine Navy and the US Indo-Pacific Navy to test and refine existing maritime doctrine and demonstrate their defense capabilities in line with the shared commitment of upholding peace and security in the Indo-Pacific Region,” Ileto said. He added that the AFP will continue to be involved in “bilateral and multilateral activities” that will contribute to further developing its capability to perform its mission to the country’s national sovereignty and national territory. “The AFP continues to engage in joint training and exercises with other nations, using existing agreements to further improve its defense and maritime capabilities,” Ileto said. The post Phl-U.S. bilateral sail eyes stronger maritime cooperation appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Phl-US ‘bilateral sail’ to boost maritime cooperation
The Philippines and the United States are currently conducting a “bilateral sail” in waters off the western Palawan within the South China Sea, the Armed Forces of the Philippines said on Monday. AFP Public Affairs chief Lt.Col. Enrico Gil Ileto said the activity is part of the Mutual Defense Board-Security Engagement Board framework that aims to develop operational interoperability between the navies of the two countries. Ileto added that the event also highlights the "robust maritime cooperation" between the US and the Philippines. During the bilateral sail, the AFP deployed the Navy's guided-missile frigate, BRP Jose Rizal (FF-150) while the US Navy deployed the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, the USS Ralph Johnson (DDG-114). Meanwhile, the AFP Western Command's Naval Task Force 41 and the US 7th Fleet will also carry out "division tactics" using the BRP Jose Rizal and the US Navy's USS Ralph Johnson to improve their cooperation capabilities, which involves practicing ship maneuvering near other vessels to boost bridge team confidence in handling challenging sailing conditions. "In particular, this event aims to provide an opportunity for the Philippine Navy and the US Indo-Pacific Navy to test and refine existing maritime doctrine and demonstrate their defense capabilities in line with the shared commitment of upholding peace and security in the Indo-Pacific Region," Ileto said. The AFP, he added, will continue to be involved in "bilateral and multilateral activities" that will contribute to further developing its capability to perform its mission to the country's national sovereignty and national territory. "The AFP continues to engage in joint training and exercises with other nations, using existing agreements to further improve its defense and maritime capabilities," Ileto further stressed. *CAPTION: BRP Jose Rizal (FF150) and USS Ralph Johnson (DDG 114) conducted bilateral sail on September 4 to enhance interoperability. Philippine Navy’s BRP Jose Rizal (FF150) and US Navy’s USS Ralph Johnson sail through Philippine waters to carry out Division Tactics rehearsal. (Photo courtesy of AFP-Western Command)* The post Phl-US ‘bilateral sail’ to boost maritime cooperation appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
PAGASA: ‘Goring’ now a super typhoon
State weather bureau Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration on Sunday revealed that tropical storm “Goring” has already reached super typhoon category and was spotted based on all available data, including those from Baler and Daet Weather Radars, at 95 km east northeast of Casiguran, Aurora. PAGASA said that Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 3 is up over the eastern portion of Isabela which include Divilacan, Palanan, Dinapigue, Ilagan City and San Mariano while TCWS No. 2 is hoisted over the eastern portion of mainland Cagayan, the northern and central portion of Isabela, the extreme northern portion of Aurora and the eastern portion of Quirino. It added that “Goring” is forecast to begin its loop over the Philippine Sea east of Cagayan-Isabela area Sunday and the super typhoon will then turn northeastward and northward tomorrow before shifting northwestward on Tuesday. On the track forecast, it will make landfall over the southern portion of Taiwan on Wednesday evening or on Thursday early morning. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. over the weekend assured that the government will exert all efforts to ensure that aid will be swiftly given to those who will be affected by “Goring.” Meantime, the Cagayan Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council also on Sunday reported that around 448 families took refuge because of the effects of “Goring.” The PDRRMO listed the 448 families with 1,473 are from the six municipalities of Gonzaga, Lal-lo, Sta. Ana, Gattaran, Baggao and Sta. Teresita while 141 families with 388 individuals were brought to the evacuation centers while the rest took shelter in the houses of their relatives. Also, some roads in the province were deemed impassable because of the flood caused by the rains poured by “Goring” — the Abariongan Ruar-Abariongan Uneg road, Tammuco-Balagan-Abaruangan Ruar road and Tamban Bridge in the municipality of Sto. Niño. The flooding was also enhanced by the swelling of the river. In other developments, Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. has urged local chief executives in the Cagayan Valley Region and in other affected regions to be on their toes and carry out the necessary critical preparedness actions in accordance with the agency’s “Operation Listo” disaster preparedness manual. The DILG chief has also already directed their office in Region 2 to activate the Emergency Operations Center and Disaster Online Reporting and Monitoring System to ensure the adherence of local government units within their jurisdiction to Operation LISTO Disaster protocols. Amid the looming onslaught of “Goring,” the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines has also taken preventative measures, said that airports that may be potentially affected include Tuguegarao Airport, Basco Airport, Itbayat Airport, Cauayan Airport and Palanan Airport. The post PAGASA: ‘Goring’ now a super typhoon appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
2 hold uppers, 2 carnappers busted in police ops
Two carnappers and two hold-up men were arrested by the Manila Police District in separate operations on the same Saturday, one in Lawton and the other in Paco, Manila. In Lawton, police arrested two cousins engaged in hold-up activity who victimized three passengers at McArthur Bridge on Saturday morning. Police identified the suspects as Andy Ayuso y Bassig, 35, and June Braga y Ayuso, 29, both residents of 1652 Saturno St., Paco, Manila (Zobel Roxas, Barangay 783, San Andres). According to the complainants, Mark John Olito, 26, a restaurant server; Jerwin Riños, 21, a working student; and Maxine Opalic,18, they were inside a passenger jeepney going to Monumento. Upon reaching McArthur Bridge, the two suspects suddenly declared "hold up" and took their mobile phones. After the incident, the victims went to Lawton PCP where the police immediately conducted a follow-up operation that resulted in the arrest of two cousins who robbed them of their belongings. The victims positively identified the two suspects whom they said held them up. Seized from the possession of the two suspects were two units of caliber .38 revolver and two cellular phones Charges for violation of Article 294 of the Revised Penal Code and Republic Act No. 10591 were filed against the suspects at the Manila City Prosecutors Office, Meanwhile, operatives of the Manila Police District - Anti-Carnapping Unit arrested two suspected motorcycle nappers Saturday night on Quirino Highway corner Anak Bayan Street in Paco, Manila. P/Maj. Alfredo Padilla, chief of the MPD Anti-Carnapping Unit identified the two suspects as Mac Is Acebes, alias Dagul, 27, resident of 1225 Trece De Agosto, Paco; and Richard Hizon, alias Putol, 52, residing at 1696 Angel Linao Street, Paco, Manila. Based on the complainant Miguel Joseph Darjuan, 22, store owner of 1268 Interior at 18 Burgos St., Paco, Manila, he parked his motorcycle Yamaha Mio with plate number 959 PSQ in front of his store at Afacible Street corner Paz Street, in Barangay 677, Paco, Manila. At 3:58 early dawn, he discovered that his vehicle had been missing so he went directly to MPD ACT to report the incident. Operatives of the MPD ACU immediately responded and conducted a follow-up operation that resulted in the arrest of the suspects and recovery of the stolen vehicle. Carnapping charges will be filed against the two at the office of the Manila prosecutors. The post 2 hold uppers, 2 carnappers busted in police ops appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Disney streaming service sees subscribers fall again
Disney on Wednesday reported a loss for the most recent quarter, with the number of subscribers to its streaming service shrinking again, but a pledge to crack down on password sharing sent shares higher in after-market trades. The falling Disney+ subscriber numbers -- for the third consecutive quarter -- came as a crippling writers and actors strike hits the US entertainment industry, threatening the company's ability to produce content key to the streaming service's appeal. "It is my fervent hope that we quickly find solutions to the issues that have kept us apart these past few months," chief executive Bob Iger, whose contract has been extended through 2026, said of negotiations with striking actors and writers. "I am personally committed to working to achieve this result." Hollywood television and movie writers went on their first strike in 15 years in May, only to be joined in mid-July by actors. The last time Hollywood writers laid down their pens and keyboards, in 2007, the strike lasted 100 days and cost Los Angeles's entertainment economy around $2 billion. This time, the two sides are clashing as writers demand higher pay, minimum guarantees of stable employment and a greater share of profits from the boom in streaming, while studios say they must cut costs due to economic pressures. The current double whammy of actors and writers is the first since the 1960s. At issue for both labor groups in the age of streaming is better pay and residuals, and the role of artificial intelligence, which they fear the studios would like to use to replace them. As things stand, neither the unions nor the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), the body that represents the studios, seems prepared to give ground. Password sharing a 'priority' Disney+ finished the quarter with 146.1 million subscribers, compared with just shy of 158 million in the first three months of this year, the group said. All but a sliver of the loss in Disney+ subscribers took place in India, where the entertainment titan early this year lost rights to stream popular Premier League cricket matches. Rival Netflix recently reported that its subscriptions climbed by nearly six million in the wake of its crackdown on password sharing. Iger told financial analysts that Disney+ password sharing is "significant" and that the company plans to start tackling the situation. "We already have the technical capability to monitor much of this," Iger said. "We're going to get at this issue; we certainly have established this as a real priority." Disney announced it will raise its streaming service subscription price in the United States to $14 monthly starting October 12, an increase of $3. The company also expanded availability of an ad-supported Disney+ tier to Canada and parts of Europe. Third Bridge analyst Jamie Lumley believes Disney+ has "a long road ahead" to becoming profitable. "Our experts expect that 2025 is a more realistic timeline to achieve profitability than next year," Lumley said. "Especially considering factors like the dual strike in Hollywood and relatively weak reception of Disney's content by audiences." Disney shares were up more than 2 percent to $90 in after market trades despite the drop in streaming service subscriber numbers and a posted loss of $460 million in the quarter. The unusual quarterly loss for the company was due to charges related to ending licensing agreements and yanking content from its streaming platforms. Disney reported that its theme parks and cruise business continued to rebound from the pandemic, even while its traditional television offerings face a trend of ad dollars shifting to online viewing alternatives. Iger said in the earnings call that streaming, film studios and theme parks will drive its growth in the coming five years. "On the traditional TV side, losses continue to mount as CEO Bob Iger looks to offload what he now considers non-core assets, including the ABC Network," said Insider Intelligence principal analyst Paul Verna. "These adverse trends are compounded by economic uncertainty, a soft ad market, increased competition in streaming media, labor disputes with screenwriters and actors, and lackluster box office numbers for Disney's films." The post Disney streaming service sees subscribers fall again appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Manhattan of Pasay City (2)
Pasay City aspires to be the first eco-sustainable city or “eco-city” of the Philippines, taking utmost consideration of its environment for the sake of its people. Pasay City is a super-active global metropolis, a host for every foreign visitor coming to or leaving the Philippines. Its mayor is the Honorable Imelda “Emi” Calixto-Rubiano. She is that notable lady you will often see among government officials at the airport every time President Bongbong Marcos leaves or arrives from abroad. For every great stride that the national government takes, be it for the economy and infrastructure, the city government complements that with its own. The city government of Pasay always prefers to move along with the national government. When the Duterte administration launched its “Build, Build, Build” program to achieve the golden age of infrastructure in the Philippines, to enhance mobility and connectivity, the city government of Pasay swung along the same spirit by enlarging its limited space by reclaiming a total of 625 hectares, with a blueprint for building two islands and establish connectivity with a bridge between them. And wonder of all wonders, that only the intrepid can do, the city will even erect an iconic Manhattan in Manila Bay! Believe it or not, it’s true. It’s ongoing. And with the advent of digitalization during the administration of President Bongbong Marcos, the pace of construction could go faster. Soon the office of the city auditor of Pasay will be advocating an automated audit system for e-collection and e-payment, and the use of artificial intelligence to process big data to determine patterns and detect fraud. The Office of the City Auditor has been trying its best to make it easy for the Office of the Chief Accountant to cleanse the accounts and eliminate discrepancies and reconcile the accounts with their subsidiaries to reduce to an easy and manageable level the difference between the accounting records and the general service office reports. The Office of the Chief Accountant should start studying how to imbibe the development by CoA of an easy-to-implement and technology-driven government accounting system compliant with the international standard to ensure that all revenues and expenditures are recorded accurately and promptly and enhance auditing guidelines for engagements to cover contracts entered into via social media. Digitalization will enhance transparency, prevent corruption and expedite economic activity. President Bongbong Marcos has launched a continuation of President Duterte’s program of building more, providing sustainable economic activities, and more bridges to establish linkages among islands and our people in the farmlands. Proper utilization and management of resources for the greatest benefit of its constituents are the takeoff point for development planning strategies of the city of Pasay. Since it aspires to be the very first eco-sustainable city or “eco-city” in the Philippines, Pasay City is taking utmost consideration of its environment and the people. The City of Pasay is strictly cognizant of its mission statement: “To serve its constituents and stakeholders with enthusiasm, efficiency, and a firm commitment to adhering to the principles of good governance; and to provide services and infrastructure essential to making the City a progressive, healthy and peaceful place worthy of respect and emulation.” This serves to guide the City in its decision-making and formulating strategies for development. The focus of its mission is ensuring that development ultimately benefits every Pasayeño and the kind of service rendered is one that is characterized by willingness to serve, transparent and responsive to the needs of its constituents. The post Manhattan of Pasay City (2) appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Power restored in Binondo area affected by collapsed Meralco post
The local government of Manila reported the return of the power supply to the affected areas in Binondo, Manila on Friday at 8:45 a.m. This was disclosed by city electrician officer Engr. Randy Sadac, wherein the Meralco engineering team responding to the incident of a collapsed electrical post had worked around the clock the since Thursday to replace the fallen post with a new one. In a phone interview with Sadac, he said that 15 big establishments were heavily affected by brownouts which lasted for almost 18 hours while power was restored at 8:45 am this Friday. Sadac said that aside from the inspection on the repair job, their teams have also restored street lights that are connected to the collapsed post. He also notified Telco firms to transfer or modify their line connections that were attached to the post. "Kinausap na rin namin ang mga telcos na sumasabit sa mga meralco post. Minsan sa tagal na rin, yung mga lumang linya na hindi na gumagana naka kabit pa rin “ Sadac said in a Daily Tribune interview. Further, the city electrician office, together with Meralco, conducts regular inspections of all electrical posts as part of their regular operations together with the bundling of wires and retirement of wooden and leaning posts, The city electrician office also recently conducted an inventory of all electrical posts in the city. Also during the incident, three individuals suffered minor injuries and are being treated at home while 11 vehicles including one bicycle had been damaged which caused heavy traffic in the area. Meanwhile . the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) instructed BFP Chief Louie Puracan to immediately probe the incident that happened in Binondo, where several electric posts collapsed hurting three individuals and damaging eight parked vehicles. The BFP has also been instructed to coordinate with the private electric company that owns the electric posts to provide assistance to the affected individuals and help in clearing out the area. In the same breath, all local government units (LGUs) are enjoined to inspect electric posts, construction sites, billboards, and other similar installations that may collapse during heavy rains. A memorandum circular will be issued regarding the matter to ensure compliance and prompt action. The post Power restored in Binondo area affected by collapsed Meralco post appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Wanted ‘rapist’ collared
Operatives from the Manila Police District-Special Mayors Reaction Team arrested a wanted person for raping a 10-year-old girl in Binondo, Manila. Initial reports from MPD-SMaRT chief Police Major Edward Samonte disclosed that the suspect — identified as Ermer Torres — allegedly raped the daughter of his live-in partner. The suspect was arrested on the strength of warrant of arrest issued by Regional Trial Court Branch 11 Judge Marissa Pajulas Estabaya in Bacoor City dated 26 July 2023, for the crime of qualified rape. Investigations showed that the suspect allegedly raped the daughter of his lived-in partner identified only as “Eva” while they were living together since 20 November 2021 inside their residence in Bacoor. Police said that the suspect is listed in the MPD most wanted person. The suspect is detained at the MPD-SMaRT while waiting for the commitment order to be issued by the court. The post Wanted ‘rapist’ collared appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
NMP Cebu seen luring in tourists
The newly-inaugurated National Museum of the Philippines in Cebu City is expected to draw additional tourists and tourism development to the province and to the Visayas region, as well as open the doors to a temple of history and culture, said Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco. “With the newly-inaugurated National Museum of the Philippines in Cebu, the cradle of Christianity in the Philippines, we open the doors to a temple of history and culture, inviting tourists — local and international alike to witness the archaeological and natural wonders and rich culture and artistry of this side of the country. The NMP-Cebu is not just a museum but a bridge to our past and a window into our future, highlighting the commonalities and strengths of our identity as Cebuanos and as Filipinos,” said Frasco during the museum’s opening last Friday. No less than President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and First Lady Liza-Marcos inaugurated the NMP-Cebu together with Frasco, NMP Chairperson Andoni Aboitiz, NMP director general Jeremy Barnes, Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia and Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama. “The opening of the largest National Museum of the Philippines in Visayas will not only provide tourism gains in the province of Cebu but in the entire region. Needless to say, the museum will be a substantial addition to the plethora of offerings of Cebu providing a new reason to love and visit Cebu, and Central Visayas,” added the tourism chief. The DoT, through its infrastructure arm, the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority backed the restoration and conversion efforts of the NMP-Cebu in the four-year journey it took to its present state. Meanwhile, in his speech, President Marcos emphasized that the conversion of the landmark into an NMP-managed property is in line with the national government’s agenda to promote tourism and nurture the Philippines’ national identity. “I am delighted to be with you today at the inauguration of the National Museum of the Philippines in Cebu City. It is a milestone not only for the Queen City of the South and the whole province of Cebu but for the entire country as the opening of this museum brings to the fore our rich, natural cultural, and artistic treasures,” the President said in an address. Situated at the heart of Cebu City’s shipping capital, the building of the now NMP-Cebu was once the Cebu Customs House built in 1910 which was part of the grand design for Cebu created by American architect William Edward Parsons, to facilitate trade between the island and other neighboring communities. The landmark has withstood the test of time for 94 years, including the destructive Second World War. It was during the time of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo that it was converted into “Malacañang sa Sugbo” in 2004, which served as the official residence of a Philippine president in Cebu. The move was also a testament to the province’s contribution to the country as a frontier of national progress. But the cultural treasure was not spared from the deadly 15 October 2013 earthquake when it was one of the 25 public and private structures in Cebu City that sustained extensive damage prompting authorities to close it for safety. The post NMP Cebu seen luring in tourists appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Acorda: BBM’s second SoNA ‘peaceful’
About 5,000 protesters were allowed by the police to express their grievances along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City Monday as President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. delivered his second State of the Nation Address at the Batasang Pambansa before a joint session of the Senate and the House of Representatives. Philippine National Police chief Benjamin Acorda Jr. said he had ordered maximum tolerance to be employed by the cops in dealing with the protesters, who also held activities near Mendiola Bridge in Manila, within sight of Malacañang Palace, the seat of government power. Acorda said as he inspected police lines near the SoNA venue that, “we are professionals and we exercise [restraint] in all our dealings [with the people] while providing the proper security for the President.” “We talked with our personnel and we emphasized the observance of human rights and maximum tolerance,” he added, explaining that the police made sure that pro-administration and anti-Marcos groups did not get close to one another. He said they were allowed to hold their respective programs far from each other so as to prevent untowards incidents arising from misunderstanding and the taunting that attended encounters of rival groups in the past. The Quezon City government designated places where the groups could hold their respective programs. “Regardless of affiliation, whether pro or anti and whatever, our guidelines included maximum tolerance, and we appealed to them to stay in their designated areas,” the PNP chief said. The PNP deployed more than 20,000 policemen, who were augmented by personnel from various government agencies that included the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, the military, the Bureau of Fire Protection and local government units. The anti-SoNA rally was staged along Commonwealth Avenue while pro-Marcos supporters held their own program near the Commission on Audit compound. Acorda said the SoNA was delivered by the President in relative peace, with no untoward incident reported. Earlier, Metro Manila chief P/Brig. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. warned protesters that as much as the police do not want to use unnecessary force, they would arrest anyone who would cause trouble. “When you are struck, you’ll be in pain so don’t strike anyone. The police are ready and we have the necessary protective gear. Our cops know what to do and they will affect arrests as needed,” Nartatez said. He had vowed to enforce the Clean Air Act should protesters burn effigies. No arrests were reported, however, when a “two-faced” effigy of the President was burned. Still, Nartatez said they were documenting everything and violators “will face penalties.” Progressive groups started their protest march near the Philippine Coconut Authority and ended it along Tandang Sora near the Commission on Human Rights, where they held a program. The NCRPO earlier deployed two Skydio drones, along with a mobile command center bus, for a wide aerial view coverage. These drones, the NCRPO said, were used to effectively monitor the movement of people and vehicles and prevent untoward incidents. A gun ban was also imposed over Metro Manila, Calabarzon and Central Luzon, starting 12:01 a.m. on 24 July until midnight the next day. Small groups of militants staged their rally at Claro. M. Recto Avenue in Manila. The post Acorda: BBM’s second SoNA ‘peaceful’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
25 dead after bus catches fire in India
At least 25 people were killed and eight others injured after a bus caught fire overnight on an expressway in western India on Saturday, police said. The bus was traveling to the city of Pune when it hit a pole and overturned after midnight, causing its diesel tank to catch fire, senior police officer Baburao Mahamuni told AFP. "There were about 30-35 people in the bus. Twenty-five people have died and eight others are injured," he said. The injured, including the bus driver, have been admitted to a hospital near the site of the crash in Maharashtra state, about 400 kilometers (250 miles) east of India's financial capital Mumbai. Police said they had launched an inquiry into the crash. "The priority at this moment is to identify the bodies and hand them over to their family members," local media quoted police superintendent Sunil Kadasane as saying. Images showed the bus engulfed in flames and later the charred remains of the vehicle overturned on the highway. Three children were among the dead, a police officer told reporters. "Deeply saddened by the devastating bus mishap in Buldhana," Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Twitter. "My thoughts and prayers are with the families of those who lost their lives. May the injured recover soon." Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said he felt "deep grief" over the accident and pledged compensation of 500,000 rupees ($6,100) to the families of those killed. Accidents are common on India's vast network of roads, which are poorly maintained and notoriously dangerous. The main causes are excessive speed, not wearing helmets -- sales of two-wheelers far outstrip those of cars -- and not using seatbelts. India accounts for 11 percent of the global road death toll despite having just one percent of the world's vehicles, according to a World Bank report released in 2021. The same report estimated 150,000 car crash fatalities in India annually, or one person every four minutes. It added that road crashes cost the Indian economy around $75 billion each year, with medical expenses and loss of income driving many accident survivors into poverty. In May, at least 21 people died when a bus veered off a bridge in India, reportedly after the driver fell asleep at the wheel. And last October, at least 31 people were killed after a bus carrying wedding guests veered off the road and fell into a deep gorge in northern India. The post 25 dead after bus catches fire in India appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Key events in the war in Ukraine
From the Russian invasion of Ukraine on 24 February last year to the armed rebellion Saturday of the pro-Kremlin Wagner paramilitary group, here is a timeline of the main events. The biggest attack on a European country since World War II has killed or wounded over 150,000 people, according to Western estimates. February 2022: invasion Russian President Vladimir Putin announces a "special military operation" in Ukraine on 24 February, saying he wants to demilitarise and "de-Nazify" the country as well as protect the predominantly Russian-speaking east from "genocide". A full-scale invasion starts, with missile strikes on several Ukrainian cities that sparks a refugee crisis. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stays in the capital Kyiv to lead the resistance. The West imposes unprecedented sanctions on Russia and the European Union and United States send Ukraine weapons and aid. March: Russian advances Russian forces make gains in the south, seizing the city of Kherson, close to the Moscow-annexed Crimea peninsula. Russian forces also attempt to surround Kyiv and take Ukraine's second city of Kharkiv in the northeast but meet fierce resistance. A month into the fighting, Russia withdraws from the north to focus on the eastern industrial Donbas region, partly held by Moscow-backed separatists, along with the south. April: war crimes revealed In early April, AFP discovers the bodies of at least 20 civilians lying on a single street in the Kyiv suburb of Bucha -- the first of several grisly discoveries in towns that Russian forces had occupied which spark an international outcry and war crimes investigations. May: Mariupol falls On 21 May, Russia announces the fall of the southeastern port city of Mariupol, which had been relentlessly bombed, after the last Ukrainian troops holding out at a steelworks surrender. Sweden and Finland request membership of NATO, fearing they could be future targets of Russian aggression. June: Donbas battle rages In June, Russia takes the Donbas city of Severodonetsk after one of the bloodiest battles of the war, followed soon after by the neighbouring city of Lysychansk. July: gas supplies cut On 22 July, Kyiv and Moscow sign a deal to resume grain exports from Ukraine, in a bid to relieve a food crisis aggravated by Russia's blockade of the country's ports. Russian gas giant Gazprom slashes its supply to Europe through the Nord Stream pipeline, fuelling fears of gas shortages in Europe. August: battle for Bakhmut Kyiv launches a major offensive to retake Kherson as a bitter battle begins for the eastern town of Bakhmut, spearheaded on the Russian side by the Wagner mercenary group. Wagner claims to have wrested total control of Bakhmut in May. September: annexation Ukraine retakes hundreds of towns and villages in a lightning counter-offensive around Kharkiv. Putin launches a partial draft of 300,000 reservists, sparking an exodus of young Russian men of military age. On 30 September, he formally annexes the Ukrainian regions of Lugansk, Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia. October: power supply hit On 8 October, an explosion causes major damage to a bridge linking Crimea to the Russian mainland -- a symbol of Moscow's annexation of the peninsula. Putin blames Ukrainian secret services for the attack. Russian forces retaliate with a barrage of strikes on energy infrastructure in Kyiv and other cities, leaving millions without power in what becomes its new modus operandi throughout the winter. November: retreat from Kherson On 9 November, Moscow orders its troops to retreat from Kherson in the face of advancing Ukrainian forces, marking a stunning defeat in one of the regions it annexed. Jubilant residents hail Ukrainian forces as liberators. December: Zelensky goes to Washington On 22 December, Zelensky visits Washington on his first overseas trip since the war began. He meets President Joe Biden and addresses Congress. January 2023: tanks on the way Russia suffers its biggest single loss of life since the invasion in a Ukrainian attack on a temporary base in the eastern town of Makiivka on 1 January. Moscow says 89 soldiers were killed in the hit. On 25 January, Germany finally agrees to send Ukraine some of its powerful Leopard tanks. The United States follows, announcing that it will provide 31 Abrams tanks. On 19 May, Biden authorises the delivery of F-16 fighter jets to Kyiv. In April, Ukraine also receives anti-missile Patriot defence systems from Washington. 6 June: dam destroyed A blast at the Kakhovka dam in Russian-annexed Crimea inundates vast areas of the Kherson region, forcing thousands to flee and sparking fears of an environmental disaster. Kyiv accuses Moscow of blowing up the dam on the Dnipro River, while Russia blames Ukraine. June: Ukraine counter-offensive A long-awaited Ukrainian counter-offensive begins, aided by the supply of Western arms, according to analysts. Russia brands it a failure but Kyiv says it has retaken several areas. 24 June: Wagner rebellion Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin, leading a mutiny to bring down Moscow's top brass, says his fighters have captured the army HQ in Russia's Rostov-on-Don "without firing a single shot" and claims to have the support of locals. Putin warns that treason against his rule threatens Russia with civil war and accuses the Wagner boss of a "stab in the back". The post Key events in the war in Ukraine appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»