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ICTSI Match Play: Tabuena, Que on collision course; Lascuña, Ababa win
Miguel Tabuena and Angelo Que chalked up victories in commanding fashions to arrange an eagerly anticipated quarterfinal showdown in the ICTSI The Country Club Match Play Invitational......»»
Ababa pulls off five-shot triumph
Jhonnel Ababa came out on top of a gut-wrenching battle of wits and nerves, fashioning out a five-stroke triumph on a late but decisive three-shot swing on No. 16 that stymied Michael Bibat’s stab at ICTSI Mimosa Plus Championship glory here yesterday......»»
Quiban storms ahead with 67
Justin Quiban shrugged off a brief rain delay with a second straight 67 and stormed past Reymon Jaraula and Jhonnel Ababa for a one-stroke lead halfway through the ICTSI Del Monte Championship here yesterday......»»
Pinay from Africa held with P18.3-M cocaine
A passenger flying in from Africa was arrested for allegedly trying to slip in illegal drugs worth P18.3 million at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, the Philippine National Police Drug Enforcement Group said on Friday. In a statement, PDEG chief, Col. Dionisio Bartolome Jr., identified the suspect as Zenaida Esperanza Losloso, 49, a Filipina of Lucena City who had flown in from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Losloso was arrested by operatives of the PDEG, PDEA, NAIA Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group, Bureau of Customs-Port of NAIA at Terminal 3 at 9:45 p.m. on Thursday. Seized from her were 3,454 grams of suspected cocaine in a plastic sachet with an estimated value of P18,306,200. The suspect and evidence were brought to the PDEA office for documentation and disposition. She is facing charges of violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Drug Act of 2002 and RA 10863 or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act. The BoC-NAIA said the illegal drugs were discovered after the suspect’s baggage went through the initial X-ray inspection. The X-ray screener marked it with an “X” to signal that the bag showed a suspicious image and needed to undergo a physical inspection. A physical examination revealed the suspected cocaine in the lining of the suitcase. The post Pinay from Africa held with P18.3-M cocaine appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
BOC seized P18.3-M cocaine at NAIA 3
The Bureau of Customs Port of NAIA (BOC-NAIA), with the help of NAIA PDEA-IADITG personnel, caught a passenger carrying 3.5 kilograms of cocaine at NAIA Terminal 3 in Pasay City. The arrested passenger was identified as Zenaida Losloso y Esperanza, a 49-year-old Filipino woman who resides in Ilayang Iyam Lucena City's Venus St., Jael Subdivision. Gerald Javier, the head of NAIA PDEA-IADITG, said that the suspect entered the country on Thursday night by Ethiopian Airlines flight ET644 from Addis Ababa, South Africa, which arrived at NAIA terminal 3. BOC-NAIA said that the port discovered the illegal drugs after the baggage of the suspect passed through the initial X-ray inspection. The alerted X-ray screener tagged it with an "X" mark as a sign that the baggage had suspicious images and needed to undergo a physical inspection. Upon conducting a 100 percent physical examination of the said baggage, the authorities found out that it contained a total of 3,454 grams of cocaine concealed in its lining, with an estimated value of P18,306,200. The suspect and all evidence were surrendered to the PDEA for use in cases related to violating Republic Act No. 9165, also known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drug Act of 2002. The post BOC seized P18.3-M cocaine at NAIA 3 appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
‘Vigilance is key’: Al Shabaab threat rising in Kenya’s northeast
In Kenya's rural northeast, roadside bombs and beheadings that killed two dozen people last month appear to be part of a troubling escalation of violence by Al-Qaeda-linked Islamists, analysts say. A regional economic powerhouse and a popular tourist draw, Kenya has not suffered a high-profile jihadist attack since 2019, when 21 people lost their lives at a hotel and surrounding offices in Nairobi. The recent attacks have been small-scale and focused on minor targets, but have raised fears that Al-Shabaab jihadists, who have been blamed for the assaults, are turning their attention to Kenya as they suffer losses in their native Somalia. Estimated to have between 7,000 and 12,000 fighters, Al-Shabaab has in recent months faced a multi-pronged counterterrorism offensive by the Somali National Army and US-trained "lightning" commandos supported by clan militias known as "macawisley". The militants, who have waged war against the fragile government in Mogadishu for over 15 years, have recently carried out several attacks along Kenya's long and porous frontier with Somalia. Twenty-four people, including 15 security officers, were killed in six separate attacks last month alone. In one of the most grisly assaults claimed by the group, about 30 militants descended on two sparsely-populated villages in Kenya's coastal Lamu county on June 24 and killed five civilians, beheading some of them. One resident, Hassan Abdul, said that "women were locked in the houses and the men ordered out, where they were tied with ropes and butchered". The remote forested mainland is not normally a stopover for tourists visiting the nearby popular Indian Ocean island of Lamu, but the gruesome killings are a signal to Kenya, analysts say. The attacks are a way for "Al-Shabaab to say that despite being under pressure, they still have the firepower and are a force to be reckoned with," said Nicolas Delaunay, International Crisis Group director for East and Southern Africa. "It could also be a way of warning Kenya who has pledged to participate in the Somali government's offensive against the Al-Shabaab," he told AFP. Risk of regional spillover Kenya is no stranger to the long-running Islamist insurgency in Somalia and has been repeatedly targeted by Al-Shabaab since it sent troops into the country in 2011 as part of an African Union force. The militants appear to have been emboldened by the changes in Kenya's security leadership following the election of President William Ruto last August, said Roland Marchal, an Africa specialist at Sciences Po university in Paris. "There is relative disorganisation at the border," Marchal said, adding that Al-Shabaab was seizing the chance to take "revenge" against Kenya for deploying troops in rural central and southern Somalia where the militants remain entrenched. The violence has also threatened to spill into Ethiopia, as the militants try to make their presence felt in Africa's second most populous country. Addis Ababa said last month that it had foiled an attack by the jihadists in the border town of Dollo. Al-Shabaab fighters were chased out of Mogadishu in 2011 by an African Union mission which has been in Somalia since 2007. The militants have also lost some ground in the countryside after Somalia's President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud last year launched an "all-out war" against the group, describing the jihadists as "bedbugs". But while the gains of the Somali offensive have been significant, the "situation still remains very fragile," African Union Commission chair Moussa Faki Mahamat warned last weekend. Hassan Khannenje, director of The Horn International Institute for Strategic Studies in Nairobi, told AFP that Al-Shabaab was "on the back foot in Somalia". "There is a desire on their part to demonstrate continued relevance and resilience." 'Manifestation of desperation' A US official last month told AFP the recent cross-border attacks by Al-Shabaab were a "manifestation of desperation". But Kenya is taking no chances. A string of major attacks on the Westgate shopping centre in 2013, Garissa University two years later, and the Dusit hotel complex in 2019 left hundreds of Kenyans and foreigners dead. The East African nation earlier this month said it was delaying the planned reopening of its long-closed border with Somalia over the deadly attacks. The phased reopening would not go ahead as announced "until we conclusively deal with the recent spate of terror attacks and cross-border crime," Interior Minister Kithure Kindiki said. Analyst Khannenje said the wave of attacks "should serve as a warning" to Kenya. The post ‘Vigilance is key’: Al Shabaab threat rising in Kenya’s northeast appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Ababa zooms to lead with career-best 66 in ICTSI Forest Hills Classic
Sarah Ababa dished out a career-low round of five-under 66 and took full command after 18 holes of the ICTSI Forest Hills Classic — four strokes clear of Daniella Uy and Mikha Fortuna......»»
Mondilla shatters F. Hills mark; Ababa fires career low
Clyde Mondilla sizzled with an 11-under 60 for a huge five-stroke lead over Albin Engino at the start of the ICTSI Forest Hills Classic at the Nicklaus layout here yesterday......»»
MIAA ensures smooth transitions
As Gulf Air, Thai Airways, Jeju Air, and Ethiopian Airlines seamlessly relocated to their new home at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 last Thursday, the Manila International Airport Authority reported on Friday that the airport authority continues to make significant progress with its Schedule and Terminal Assignment Rationalization program. Gulf Air flights GF155/GF154 (Manila-Bahrain-Manila), Thai Airways’ Manila-Bangkok-Manila flights TG621/TG620 and TG625/TG624, Jeju Air flights 7C2306/7C2305 (Manila-Incheon-Manila), as well as Ethiopian Airlines’ flights ET644/Et645 (Addis Ababa-Manila-Addis Ababa via Hong Kong) will now operate in NAIA Terminal 3 to and from Manila. MIAA OIC Bryan Co said that the transition of these carriers was seamless, just as it had been in previous phases of their STAR program. This is a result of their continuous coordination with airlines and ground handlers, their massive information drives to minimize instances of misrouted passengers, and the proactive measures they have already put in place to ensure that no passenger will be left behind. Co added that they will continue to provide free shuttles for a period of two months to ferry those passengers who may inadvertently head to the old terminal assignments of these flights. They also made certain that airline ground handlers are present at the departure gates to direct passengers to the shuttle vehicles that will transport them to NAIA Terminal 3. The STAR program is currently in its final stages, with the transfer of all international flights of Philippine Airlines to NAIA Terminal 1 scheduled for June 16 and the subsequent transfer of all domestic flights of Philippine Airlines, AirAsia, and Royal Air Philippines to NAIA Terminal 2, along with Sunlight Air’s relocation to NAIA Terminal 4, scheduled for 1 July. Upon completion of the STAR program, NAIA Terminal 2 will be home to all domestic operations of PAL, Philippine AirAsia, and Royal Air Philippines. Meanwhile, Cebu Pacific’s domestic operations will continue to operate to and from NAIA Terminals 3 and 4, while MIAA works on further expanding the capacity of NAIA Terminal 2. With the initial step in December last year, when Philippine Airlines flights to and from the United States, Canada, the Middle East, and Bali were moved to Terminal 1, the MIAA was afforded the opportunity to improve the efficiency of runway use and, at the same time, rationalize utilization of terminal spaces so it could offer more amenities to its increasing passenger traffic. Co also said that it is indeed a daunting task to put into action a major decision like this considering the magnitude of operational challenges before us. They also thank all their stakeholders for joining hands with then to bring this STAR program to fruition. The post MIAA ensures smooth transitions appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Ababa hailed as king of Philippine Masters
Jhonnel Ababa charged back with late birdies then bucked a slip on No. 17 for a 71 to edge Guido Van der Valk and Joenard Rates by one and clinch the ICTSI Villamor Philippine Masters crown at the Villamor Golf Club yesterday......»»
Preserving heritage: Ethiopian quest to recreate ancient manuscripts
Armed with a bamboo ink pen and a steady hand, Ethiopian Orthodox priest Zelalem Mola carefully copies text in the ancient Ge'ez language from a religious book onto a goatskin parchment. This painstaking task is preserving an ancient tradition, all the while bringing him closer to God, says the 42-year-old. At the Hamere Berhan Institute in Addis Ababa, priests and lay worshippers work by hand to replicate sometimes centuries-old religious manuscripts and sacred artwork. The parchments, pens, and inks are all prepared at the institute, which lies in the Piasa district in the historic heart of the Ethiopian capital. Yeshiemebet Sisay, 29, who is in charge of communications at Hamere Berhan, says the work began four years ago. "Ancient parchment manuscripts are disappearing from our culture, which motivated us to start this project," she says. The precious works are kept mainly in monasteries, where prayers or religious chants are conducted using only parchment rather than paper manuscripts. "However, this custom is rapidly fading... We thought if we could learn skills from our priests, we could work on it ourselves, so that is how we began," adds Yeshiemebet. 'It's hard work' In the institute's courtyard, workers stretch the goatskins tightly over metal frames to dry under a weak sun that barely pierces the milky sky. "After the goatskin is immersed in the water for three to four days, we make holes on the edge of the skin and tie it to the metal so that it can stretch," says Tinsaye Chere Ayele. "After that, we remove the extra layer of fat on the skin's inside to make it clean." Alongside two other colleagues, the 20-year-old carries out his task using a makeshift scraper, seemingly oblivious to the stench emanating from the animal hide. Once clean and dry, the skins are stripped of the goat hair and then cut to the desired size for use as pages of a book or for painting. Yeshiemebet says most of the manuscripts are commissioned by individuals who then donate them to churches or monasteries. Some customers order for themselves small collections of prayers or paintings to have "reproductions of ancient Ethiopian works", she adds. "Small books can take one or two months. If it is a collective work, large books can take one to two years. "If it's an individual task, it can take even longer," she says, leafing through books clad in red leather, their texts adorned with brightly colored illuminations and religious images. Sitting in one of the institute's rooms, with parchment pages placed on his knees, Zelalem patiently copies a book entitled "Zena Selassie" ("History of the Trinity"). "It is going to take a lot of time. It's hard work, starting with the preparation of the parchment and the inks. This one could take up to six months to complete," the priest says. "We make a stylus from bamboo, sharpening the tip with a razor blade." The scribes use different pens for each color used in the text -- black or red -- and either a fine or broad tip, with the inks made from various local plants. 'Talking to saints and God' Like most other religious works, "Zena Selassie" is written in Ge'ez. This dead language remains the liturgical language of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church and its alpha syllabic system -- where the characters represent syllables -- is still used to write Ethiopia's national language Amharic as well as Tigrinya, which is spoken in Tigray and neighboring Eritrea. "We copy from paper to parchment to preserve (the writings) as the paper book can be easily damaged, while this one will last a long time if we protect it from water and fire," says Zelalem. Replicating the manuscripts "needs patience and focus. It begins with a prayer in the morning, at lunchtime, and ends with prayer." "It is difficult for an individual to write and finish a book, just to sit the whole day, but thanks to our devotion, a light shines brightly within us," Zelalem adds. "It takes so much effort that it makes us worthy in the eyes of God." This spiritual dimension also guides Lidetu Tasew, who is in charge of education and training at the institute, where he teaches painting and illuminations. "Spending time here painting saints is like talking to saints and to God," says the 26-year-old, who was brought up in a church. "We have been taught that wherever we paint saints, there is the spirit of God." The post Preserving heritage: Ethiopian quest to recreate ancient manuscripts appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Rates, Uy show way in Philippine Masters
Joenard Rates produced a rare two-eagle feat for a fiery seven-under 65 and a four-stroke lead over Jhonnel Ababa and young Korean Rho Hyun Ho at the start of the ICTSI Villamor Philippine Masters at the Villamor Golf Club yesterday......»»
P19-M illegal drugs intercepted at NAIA
The Bureau of Customs Port of NAIA reported the interceptions of an abandoned luggage containing illegal drugs with an estimated value of P19 million. Customs district collector Atty. Yasmin Mapa disclosed on Wednesday that an abandoned bag from PAL flight PR737 from Bangkok originating from Addis Ababa was found to contain at least 2.8 kilos of suspected shabu. Mapa said that the illegal drugs were found during inventory of abandoned baggage conducted at NAIA Terminal 1. BoC X-ray Intelligence Group chief Atty. Lourdes Mangauang said that based on the baggage tag, the owner of luggage was owned by a certain Sara Tabitya, identified as a Ugandan national upon verification with the Bureau of Immigration. Mangauang added that during the inspection of the said luggage, BoC-NAIA duty X-ray operator Norman Peñaflor discovered a suspicious image when it was passed through the X-ray machine. They immediately conducted a 100 percent physical examination of the luggage that yielded a white plastic containing 2.8 kilos of white crystalline substance suspected shabu. Upon sending a sample of the said substance it turned positive for methamphetamine. The BoC turned over the illegal drugs to the NAIA-PDEA for further investigation. The post P19-M illegal drugs intercepted at NAIA appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Ababa fires 71, ties Uy on top
Sarah Ababa ran off a wave of backside pars after a birdie-birdie finish at the front, coming through with a 71 and forcing a tie with Daniella Uy after two rounds of the ICTSI Luisita Championship at the Luisita Golf and Country Club here yesterday......»»
Ababa grabs share of lead in ICTSI Luisita Championship golf tilt
Sarah Ababa ran off a wave of backside pars after a birdie-birdie finish at the front, coming through with a 71 and forcing a tie with Daniella Uy after two rounds......»»
Alido, Zaragosa lead chase
After splitting the Visayan leg titles last month, Ira Alido and Rupert Zaragosa track the same route in pursuit of a second crown as action on the Philippine Golf Tour swings to Cavinti, Laguna on Tuesday for the ICTSI Caliraya Springs Championship at the Caliraya Springs Golf Club in Cavinti, Laguna. They both agree accent would be on iron and wedge game. “For sure, emphasis will be on the approach shots since putting would be a bit tricky on Caliraya greens. If I can manage to hit it closer than I did in the previous events, I would be up there for sure and would have a really good chance of winning,” said Alido, who battled back from five shots down to edge multi-titled Tony Lascuña by one in the ICTSI Negros Occidental Classic at Marapara. Zaragosa, who dominated the field in scoring a breakthrough in the Iloilo Golf Challenge, is also putting premium on ball control. “Para sa akin, importante yung course management at driving para maka-pwesto sa second shot kasi unpredictable yung greens ng Caliraya,” he said. The P2.5 million event, put up by ICTSI, has drawn 64 players, including defending champion Zanieboy Gialon. Gialon broke away with a third round 68 to lead by five then cruised to a four-stroke victory over former Philippine Open champion Clyde Mondilla to snap a five-year title spell in the circuit organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc. ‘It’s really important for my game because I know that I can really compete in this sport.’ Other notable players in the field are Guido van der Valk, Tony Lascuña, Michael Bibat, Jhonnel Ababa, Joenard Rates, Frankie Miñoza, Albin Engino and Mars Pucay. “It’s really important for my game because I know that I can really compete in this sport,” said Alido, referring to his improbable victory at Marapara. “It’s also a statement that my first win (at Riviera in 2020) wasn’t purely luck and I know that I have what it takes to be successful in my career.” As part of their buildup, Alido and Zaragosa worked on their irons and short game during the break. “It’s more about focusing on my weakness in my game right now which is my iron shots, knowing that is the key for me to stay up there on the leaderboard,” Alido said. “I’m obviously aiming for a win knowing I can play well at Caliraya.” Zaragosa, however, has opted to tone down expectations. “Wala naman akong expectations. Basta ang goal ko lang ay sundin yung game plan,” Zaragosa said. “Nagbabad ako sa short game at nag-practice ng mga clubs na magagamit ko sa Caliraya.” The post Alido, Zaragosa lead chase appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Avaricio wins crown from 8 strokes down
Chanelle Avaricio pulled off one of the most stirring comebacks in the Ladies Philippine Golf Tour history, rallying from eight strokes down and edging Sarah Ababa by one to snatch the ICTSI Negros Occidental Golf Classic crown at the Marapara course here yesterday......»»
Avaricio rules Negros Occidental Golf Classic with 70
Chanelle Avaricio pulled off one of the most stirring comebacks in the Ladies Philippine Golf Tour history, rallying from eight strokes down and edging Sarah Ababa by one to snatch the crown......»»
Ababa on cusp of crown
Sarah Ababa took a step closer to ending a tedious pursuit of a second career win on the Ladies Philippine Golf Tour as she padded her overnight four-stroke lead to six over Pamela Mariano despite a four-over 74 at the Marapara course here yesterday......»»
Ababa increases lead to 6, zooms in on 2nd LPGT win
Sarah Ababa took a step closer to ending a tedious pursuit of a second career win on the Ladies Philippine Golf Tour as she padded her overnight four-stroke lead to six......»»