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A positive difference
“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others,” Mahatma Gandhi once said. Marian Wright Edelman states, “Service is the rent we pay for being. It is the very purpose of life, and not something you do in your spare time.” Two memorable statements capture the essence of Attorney Kelvin Lester Lee, hailed by Dean Antonio La Viña of Ateneo School of Government as “one of the finest and most visionary individuals to have emerged from Ateneo Law School.” It’s no surprise that Atty. Lee became a Commissioner at the Securities and Exchange Commission in 2019. While his position may be formidable, those who have met him in person can attest to his kind-hearted nature and willingness to devote his time generously. When expressing his views, he displays a remarkable level of candor, always taking the time to carefully consider his words before speaking. Aside from his sense of humor, Lee possesses a remarkable ability to engage in meaningful conversations. When he speaks, he has a way of looking directly into your eyes, underscoring the significance of his words. Even in intense situations, he maintains a calm demeanor and is known to offer a comforting smile, lightening the atmosphere. In his role as Commissioner at the SEC, Atty. Lee assumes the responsibility of overseeing various crucial departments and divisions. These include the markets and securities regulation department, the information and communications technology department, the PhiliFintech innovation office dedicated to Philippine financial technology, and the international affairs and protocol division. Moreover, he holds authority over capital markets, sustainable finance, Fintech and information technology, and international affairs, ensuring their effective management and implementation. While the enormity of those tasks might induce vertigo in most individuals, Atty. Lee remains unfazed. “It is perhaps the best job I have ever had,” he admitted. “I enjoy making a positive change in the sector I am handling. I enjoy pushing innovations and encouraging improvements in the financial sector and capital markets.” With great responsibility, Lee adopts a heightened level of caution. Recognizing the potential impact of his words, he expressed the need to exercise carefulness in his public statements, as any statement he makes can influence the stock market. This awareness underscores his commitment to acting with prudence and considering the far-reaching implications of his words. Let’s delve into the life of Lee, who began his journey in the humble city of Davao, his birthplace. He embarked on his educational path at the Ateneo de Davao University for his grade school education, followed by his enrollment at Davao Central High School, then called Davao Chinese High School. After completing his schooling in Davao, he ventured to Beijing, China, where he pursued studies in the Chinese language and gained work experience with a foreign company. However, after two years, he returned to the Philippines and enrolled in Ateneo de Manila University to pursue a law degree. This journey showcases his diverse experiences and the foundation of his educational and cultural background. “The Ateneo de Manila entrance exam was the only one I could take that year when I came back from China,” he said, adding that he never dreamed of becoming a lawyer. “I just wanted to give it a try. And found I was a surprisingly good fit for it.” As a lawyer, he has five ideal lawyers. Only one is a foreigner: Sir Thomas Moore, an English lawyer, social philosopher, author, and statesman whom Roman Catholics venerated as Saint Thomas More. “He stood by his faith and principles,” he said. Fresh from hurdling the Bar exam, he worked at the Siguion-Reyna Montecillo and Ongsiako law firm, where he learned the importance of being enterprising and putting in a diligent effort to succeed. However, despite his professional growth, he decided to quit and return to his hometown of Davao, placing the deeply rooted value on family and prioritizing personal and familial responsibilities above career pursuits. As a father to two daughters, Atty. Lee expressed that fatherhood has had a profound impact on him, bringing about significant changes. He considers it one of the greatest blessings he could ever receive. According to him, the love that his children show him is genuine and unmatched. He believes that the love of young children is unparalleled. Experiencing this level of love is indescribable, knowing someone loves you unconditionally. This extraordinary bond makes fatherhood one of the most precious and fulfilling aspects of his life. “The love your kids show you is real,” he said. “You will never be as loved as you are by your young children. There is no feeling quite like it to know that someone loves you as much as that. That’s what makes it one of the best things.” Working in government “It is an honor to serve. Very few people get an opportunity to help the country and serve the president and the people,” said Lee, who is a former assistant secretary at the Office of the Executive Secretary in Malacañang, where he was also designated to sit on the Board of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority. Atty. Lee’s dedication to public service earned him well-deserved recognition in his field. In March this year, he received two international accolades for his role in driving the advancement of financial technology in the Philippine business sector, highlighting his visionary thinking and influential impact solidifying his reputation as a trailblazer in the field. In the 10th annual Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards, Lee was bestowed the Gold Stevie award for his outstanding contributions as a Thought Leader of the Year. These awards celebrate workplace innovation across all 29 countries in the Asia-Pacific region. From a vast pool of over 800 regional nominations, winners were selected in various categories, including the Award for Excellence in Innovation in Products & Services, the Award for Innovative Management, and the Award for Innovation in Corporate Websites, among others. “It feels great. It’s always wonderful to be recognized for all the hard work and changes you pursue at a government agency. And I was quite surprised to get the Gold Stevie Award, the highest level of the award for thought leadership. I feel so honored!” In the next decade, Atty. Lee, now 44, envisions continuing his career in law, possibly incorporating elements of technology, and hopes to stay actively involved in government work and make a significant impact by fostering meaningful transformation. “Working in government can be quite fulfilling. I encourage young lawyers and professionals to enter the arena and work in government to try and make a positive difference.” The post A positive difference appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Liza Araneta- Marcos: A refreshing perspective on the First Lady’s role
When Liza Araneta-Marcos’ husband, Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, was elected President of the Philippines, many wondered how the incoming First Lady would play her role, given that the first Mrs. Marcos, First Lady from 31 December 1965 to 25 February 1986, had, for ages, loomed large on the Filipino consciousness. Imelda had been described as Ferdinand Marcos’ secret weapon whose popularity contributed immensely to his winning the presidential election. Whether true or not, Imelda Marcos went on to capture the hearts and imagination of the Filipino people as she wowed them with her numerous projects, including the mammoth Cultural Center of the Philippines, even as it also served as fodder for the critics of her husband’s administration. Fast forward to the presidential election of 2022 — what people saw was a Bongbong who chose to fight his detractors by ignoring them. He focused instead on rebuilding a nation that needed to be united if it must overcome the challenges brought by the recent pandemic, not yet totally eradicated despite the wonders of immunization at the time he was about to take his oath of office. It was the right campaign strategy, for it promised renewal and, more importantly, a break from the past. That Ferdinand Marcos Jr. won the presidency, despite losing in his bid for the vice presidency in the previous national elections, confirms that a large segment of the voting population saw in him the answer to the many ills of our nation. Beautiful and fragrant First Lady On the day of the inauguration, Imelda Marcos sat quietly, almost stoically, on the stage, her face showing hints of a smile, and obviously preferring to be a low-key mother, and not as the fabulous Imeldific that had been her trademark because, as she claimed in her heyday as a Human Settlements Minister, “The Filipinos want their First Lady to be beautiful,” which also meant fragrant and, well, bejeweled and dressed to the nines. [caption id="attachment_161345" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] MELDA Marcos, the quietly proud mother at her son Bongbong’s presidential inauguration. With them is First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos. | ted aljibe/agence france-presse[/caption] Her detractors would say there was so much hunger and poverty, and here she was as though oblivious to the realities of Filipino life. Imelda Marcos was a voice culture student and an education graduate, the president of the student council of her college, the Rose of Tacloban and a Miss Manila wannabe who, when she came crying to the swashbuckling mayor, was given the title of Muse of Manila. Imelda Marcos, from day one, was a great beauty and was fated to live her life in an aquarium for neighbors and the public to ogle. Interestingly, amidst the simplicity and humility of circumstances that she experienced in her childhood, she lived close to Malacañang, the stately presidential home which, she did not know then, would become her home for 20 years. In the meantime, her father, distraught by the loss of his second wife, Imelda’s mother, and financially strapped, brought his family home to Tacloban. Here, the young Meldy would blossom into such an attractive lass, one rich Chinese businessman wanted to marry the young girl who he thought was old enough to be his wife. Imelda, early on, could sing like a nightingale and, as she herself related, impressed General Douglas MacArthur with her voice. And because of her, Irving Berlin composed the song, “Heaven Watch the Philippines,” after he heard her sing “God Bless the Philippines” to the tune of his composition, “God Bless America.” Feisty and no-nonsense lawyer Now comes a feisty, no-nonsense lawyer, who is related to the very rich Aranetas, owners of the vast Cubao commercial center. The daughter of a handsome “crush ng bayan” basketball player known in his heyday as “twinkle toes” because he pranced around the court like a good dancer, she grew up sheltered, in a manner of speaking. She attended the Ateneo de Manila for both her undergraduate and law studies. Since she preferred to be low-key, she was not as well-known as her Araneta cousins, including the more famous Mar Roxas and Gaita Fores. Her mother being a Cacho makes her “royal” on both sides of her family and somehow related to the Cojuangcos, her mother’s sister, Sari, having married Pedro, the eldest brother of Corazon Cojuangco Aquino. How exactly does one regard Liza Marcos-Araneta? And how does she differ from Mrs. Marcos who impressed me while she was on the dance floor tripping the light fantastic and oh so gracefully and astoundingly, doing the tango and chacha with an equally magnificent Pepe Oledan, who later became our ambassador to Spain? [caption id="attachment_161347" align="aligncenter" width="1520"] ‘Liza knows how to put a group, a team together, find good people, put them in the right place, motivate them properly, and she’s always been good at that.’ | PHOTOGRAPH COURTESYOF FB.COM/LIZA MARCOS[/caption] Like an old friend The first time I met Imelda Marcos face to face, I had been sent to her Pacific Plaza home by my boss, socialite and future legislator Baby Arenas. As soon as I was ushered into Mrs. Marcos’ living room, she stood up and said, “Oh, Jojo, it’s nice of you to come.” It was all that she needed to say to make me glow and feel important. It was said that Imelda remembered names, but meeting her for the first time up close and here she was speaking like she had missed an old friend, wow, I felt like I was on top of the world. When I was a teenager, in 1973, Renata Tebaldi and Franco Correli, opera singers of world-renowned, had flown into the country to perform. I attended their concert at the Araneta Coliseum which shook to the rafters when their voices reached their highest crescendo. I was mesmerized by this electrifying performance when, all of a sudden, as I was seated in the back row of the orchestra, flashbulbs popped at my back, making everyone turn around, and lo, there was Imelda Marcos, radiant, beautiful and glowing, smiling charmingly and looking straight at the stage. She had the whole world at that moment to herself. How, tell me, could I forget my first sighting of the iron butterfly? [caption id="attachment_161344" align="aligncenter" width="2560"] THE First Family at the World Economic Forum in Switzerland held in January this year. | PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF FB.COM/LIZA MARCOS[/caption] Voice of reason Fast forward to 2022, Bongbong Marcos took to the hustings and easily won over his opponent by an overwhelming majority of 58.77 percent or more than 31.6 million votes, and in the election that brought in the fastest result in all of the nation’s political history. How exactly did Liza contribute to her husband’s win, the victor himself shared, “Liza knows how to put a group, a team together, find good people, put them in the right place, motivate them properly, and she’s always been good at that.” Not surprisingly, given her credentials or qualifications, if that may be said of the First Lady of the land. A lawyer who took her post graduate studies in Criminal Procedure at New York University, a professor at the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, St. Louis University and Mariano Marcos State University, media described her as “a significant voice of reason in the campaign.” If Ferdinand Marcos Sr. had a “secret weapon who sang and wept before crowds” in Imelda Romualdez Marcos, President BBM had an “expert lawyer with extraordinary skills in organization and logistics management” in Liza Araneta-Marcos. (More on Wednesday, 26 July) The post Liza Araneta- Marcos: A refreshing perspective on the First Lady’s role appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Great Brown Hope
The entire nation erupted in celebration when Kai Sotto finally made his debut in the National Basketball Association Summer League. It was such a memorable performance. The 7-foot-3 Filipino posted six points, four rebounds, three blocks, and an assist in the Orlando Magic’s 88-71 defeat to the Portland Trail Blazers. Aside from washing away the bitterness from being benched in their first three matches against the Detroit Pistons, Indiana Pacers, and New York Knicks, Sotto’s breakout performance could pave the way for him to land a two-way contract in the NBA. We, however, have to manage our expectations. The Filipinos’ road to the NBA is littered with tears, frustrations, and a lot of heartbreaks. Unlike the Chinese, Japanese, Iranians, and Koreans, no full-blooded Filipino has ever penetrated the NBA since its founding in 1946. Johnny Abarrientos came very close when he caught the attention of the Charlotte Hornets following Alaska’s grand slam season in 1996. In fact, the Hornets sent its international scout, Joe Bettancourt, to the country to watch the 5-foot-7 Abarrientos live and in action. Bettancourt was on the sidelines when Alaska battled Purefoods, hoping to give Abarrientos a 10-day contract that would have him replacing the injured Muggsy Bogues, the 5-foot-3 court general who ran the offense for Hornets coach Dave Cowens. Abarrientos, Bettancourt, and Alaska coach Tim Cone even had a “secret meeting” at the Manila Peninsula in 1997 to discuss the terms of Abarrientos’ contract and the possibility of him becoming the first Asian to play in the NBA. But it never happened. Cowens eventually pulled the plug on Bogues and sent him to the Golden State Warriors in exchange for BJ Armstrong, a 6-foot-2 playmaker who was part of the great Chicago Bulls squad that won three straight NBA titles. With Bogues gone, Abarrientos’s chance of making it to the NBA also vanished. Japeth Aguilar tried to revive the Filipinos’ NBA dream a decade later. After seeing action for Ateneo de Manila University in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines league, Aguilar moved to the United States to enroll at Western Kentucky University, a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I program that produced NBA players like Courtney Lee, Mitchell Robinson, and Jeremy Evans. But the 6-foot-9 Aguilar failed to adjust to the speed and physicality of American basketball that had him struggling in his two years with the Hilltoppers. Aguilar was invited to a two-day workout with the New Orleans Hornets but their scout, Don Sellers, said that he remained a “work in progress” and was not yet ready for the NBA. Then, he was drafted in the seventh round by the Santa Cruz Warriors in the NBA D-League but his run also didn’t last long as he was eventually relegated to being a practice player until he was waived. Aguilar’s Gilas Pilipinas teammates — Ray Parks and Kiefer Ravena — also tried their luck with the NBA but their journeys only brought them as far as the NBA D-League. Veteran international campaigner Jojo Lastimosa was spot on with his observation: In this time and age, making it to the NBA is harder than it used to be. It’s no longer height that matters, but the mentality, work ethic, international exposure, and overall skill set that are the most important. For Sotto to make it to the NBA, he has to develop a reliable outside shot and quicker feet that will make him deadly in pick-and-roll attacks and enable him to switch to smaller, faster players at the defensive end. He also has to spend a lot of time getting exposed to American basketball, where giants like Joel Embiid, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Nikola Jokic are shooting, running, attacking, and dribbling like skilled playmakers. Sotto is a generational talent. He is our only hope to break the solid walls of the NBA, where only 450 roster spots are available. If he doesn’t make it, maybe — just maybe — it’s time for us to abandon our NBA dream. The post Great Brown Hope appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Laogan is new BI deputy commissioner
The Bureau of Immigration welcomed Daniel Y. Laogan as its new deputy commissioner. A lawyer by profession, Laogan holds a business degree from the University of Santo Tomas. He also enrolled in a Master of Science in Commerce program at the same college. In 1982, he was admitted to the Philippine Bar after receiving his law degree from Ateneo de Manila University. Apart from his experience in both the public and private sectors, Laogan also worked in the academy, having served as the Regent of the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila and professor of law in taxation at the college of law at Adamson University. He previously worked as the director of the Philippine Savings Bank, the National Food Authority, and the Development Bank of the Philippines. He was a senior adviser for investment, promotions, and investor relations at the Manila Economic and Cultural Center. Prior to his appointment as deputy commissioner, he was the Director of the Philtrust Bank and a Senior Adviser of the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc. He also served as President Emeritus of the Chinese Filipino Business Club Inc., chairman and President of the Addmore Group of Companies, and a managing partner of the Daniel Y. Laogan Law Offices. The latest appointment completes the BI’s three-member board of commissioners, composed of a commissioner and two deputy commissioners. The post Laogan is new BI deputy commissioner appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
DID YOU KNOW… Maddie Madayag started off as a wushu artist
Maddie Madayag is poetry in motion when it comes to her blocking. Her defense at the net is an art form. But before the Davaoena flexed her muscles into becoming one of this generation’s notable middle blockers, she excelled in a different art - martial arts that is. Madayag already donned the tricolors performing on the mat as a wushu artist long before the former Ateneo de Manila University hammered her way into winning two UAAP titles and landing a spot in the national women’s volleyball team. Before pounding the volleyball or putting up a great wall at the net to stop an opponent’s attack, Madayag wowed judges with her routines with weapons especially with the long spear or quiang. However, her love affair with the Chinese martial arts started with a little nudge from her mother, Donna. “I actually tried taekwondo and ballet but then it didn’t work for me. Nag-wushu ako noong elementary but then only because my mom forced me. Para lang matuto ako mag-self defense,” said Madayag during her appearance in Volleyball DNA. “I don’t know. I was kind of lazy siguro back then. I wanted to watch TV, cartoons, I just wanted to chill. But then my mom wanted me to learn other things din naman. She didn’t want me to stay at home,” added Madayag. It didn’t take long for Madayag to appreciate the sport. “After nu’ng summer I learned to love the sport so I told my mom I wanted to continue,” she said. Showing talent, athleticism and being naturally competitive, Madayag landed a spot in the junior team. She even competed in the 2009 Asian Junior Wushu Championship in Macau where she won a medal. Her wushu stint, however, ended when she entered high school. Madayag cited conflict of schedule as the reason for leaving the sport. Then came her interest in volleyball. “My friends (in Davao Christian High School) told me na, ‘Tara Madz tryout tayo sa volleyball’. After ng tryout na yun ako lang na-recruit because I was the tall one,” said Madayag, who added that she was around 5-foot-8 that time. It was volleyball that opened an opportunity for the Southern lass to fly to the Big City and eventually land on the Lady Eagles’ nest in Katipunan. Madayag accomplished great things after fully embracing the team sport. But what if Madayag pursued her first love? For sure with her talent she’ll get a spot in the national team alongside wushu star Agatha Wong. --- Follow this writer on Twitter, @fromtheriles.....»»
Sylvia, Art nagdiriwang ng anniversary, game na game nang magkaapo
IBINANDERA ng batikang aktres na si Sylvia Sanchez ang kanyang pagmamahal para sa mister na si Art Atayde ngayong ipinagdiriwang nila ang kanilang wedding anniversary. Sa Instagram, makikita ang ilang throwback pictures and videos nilang mag-asawa, pati ng kanilang pamilya kasama ang mga anak na sina Arjo, Ria, Gela at Xavi. “Happy Anniversary Husband [flying.....»»
China urges ROK to stay prudent on South China Sea issue: Chinese FM
BEIJING, March 28 (Xinhua) -- China urges the Republic of Korea (ROK) to stay prudent when it comes to the South China Sea issue, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on Thursday. Lin made the remarks at a regular press briefing when responding to a media query about ROK Foreign Ministry Spokesperson's biased and unfactual comments on the South China Sea issue over the past few days. "China.....»»
Chinese Diplomat Liu Jianchao Meets With Singapore s Leaders
singapore - Liu Jianchao, the senior diplomat widely expected to become China's next foreign minister, said "the world needs connectivity, not decoupling," during a four-day visit to Singapore.Liu, who heads the international department of the Communist Party, was in the city-state to meet with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and the country's incoming leader, Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.During a s.....»»
PH media slam Chinese foreign ministry’s claims of manipulating WPS reports
Philippine media groups criticized the Chinese foreign ministry for suggesting that recent reports on Chinese harassment of Filipino vessels in the West Philippine Sea involved video manipulation and sensationalism to portray the Philippines as a victim. The Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (Focap) and National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) expressed offense.....»»
NBA: James triple-double pulls Lakers past Grizzlies
LeBron James returned from a one-game absence to post a 23-point triple-double on Wednesday and lead the Los Angeles Lakers to a 136-124 NBA victory over the Memphis Grizzlies. James sat out the Lakers’ come-from-behind double-overtime victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday with a sore left ankle. READ: NBA: Giannis tows Bucks over Thunder .....»»
China: PH is ‘straying down a dangerous path’
MANILA, Philippines — China continued to blame the Philippines and its ally, the United States, for the continued tensions in the disputed West Philippine Sea. In a statement on Thursday, Chinese Ministry of National Defense spokesperson Wu Qian warned that the Philippines is going down a dangerous path. READ: No letup in Chinese water cannon attacks.....»»
PH media organizations slam Chinese Foreign Ministry
PH media organizations slam Chinese Foreign Ministry.....»»
Leren proud kay Ricci: From your Nanay, Tita and Ate all in one
SUPER proud ang beauty queen-politician na si Leren Mae Bautista sa panibagong achievement na nakamit ng kanyang dyowang si Ricci Rivero. Nitong Martes, March 26, ibinandera ng Laguna councilor ang kanilang larawan pati na rin ang video ni Ricci habang naglalaro ito sa kanyang kauna-unahang PBA All-Star Game bilang rookie. Sa kabila ng sobrang pagka-proud.....»»
Rebelasyon ni Elizabeth Oropesa best kisser si FPJ: Basta napakasarap!
SHOOKT ang publiko sa naging rebelasyon ng premyadong aktres na si Elizabeth Oropesa tungkol sa namayapang Action King na si Fernando Poe, Jr.. Nag-guest si La Oro (tawag kay Elizabeth sa showbiz) sa “Fast Talk with Boy Abunda” nitong nagdaang March 26, kung saan game na game niyang sinagot ang maiintrigang tanong sa kanyang career.....»»
Mega Millions Jackpot Winner of $1.13 Billio
A lucky individual in Monmouth County, New Jersey struck gold this week by winning the $1 billion Mega Millions jackpot. The winning ticket was sold.....»»
FOCAP condemns Chinese embassy’s claims on ‘manipulated’ West Philippine Sea videos
The Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines strongly rejected and condemned yesterday China’s “false and baseless” claims that journalists manipulate videosthey recorded in the South China Sea to present the Philippines as a victim......»»
Opinion - South China Sea- Philippines must softly manage disputes or miss out economically
Manilas assertive transparency strategy is touted as a model for managing maritime disputes but it diminishes key economic opportunities. As Chinese investment pours into other Southeast Asian countries, the Philippines must reduce geopolitical risks without acquiescing to Beijing......»»
GForest named 2023 national winner of Energy Globe Award in the Philippines
GCash, the Philippines' leading finance app, through its GForest feature, is the 2023 National Winner of the Energy Globe Award in the Philippines......»»
How BYD Transformed from Battery Maker to Electric Vehicle Leader, Surpassing Tesla
Chinese automaker BYD, backed by Warren Buffett, has overtaken Tesla to become the world’s top electric vehicle (EV) maker in the fourth quarter of 2023,.....»»
Philippine scientists harassed by China helicopter
Another case of harassment at sea by the Chinese has been reported – this time near Pag-Asa Island last Saturday – involving a helicopter, which hovered dangerously close to a group of Filipino scientists doing research work on a sand bar called Sandy Cay, causing minor injuries......»»