We are sorry, the requested page does not exist
NCAA Season 96 opening depends on health crisis situation
The NCAA remains hopeful that it will be able to hold the shortened Season 96 in the early months of next year. However, Management Committee chairman Fr. Vic Calvo, OP of season host Letran said that everything is still dependent on the situation of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The NCAA is hoping to open the season in March 2021 assuming that the government will allow athletes to resume training by November. “It’s actually 12 to 14 weeks bago mo makuha ang kondisyon mo eh. We’re assuming as early as November based on available data or December. Kaya ang proposed po namin ay March (ang opening),” said Calvo on Tuesday during the online session of the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum where he was joined by former ManComm chairman Peter Cayco of Arellano. “Ang assumption namin dyan kapag in-allow ang practice you count three months saka tayo mag-game. Ayaw naman naming i-sacrifice ang quality ng games,” Calvo added in the session presented by San Miguel Corporation, Go For Gold, Amelie Hotel Manila, Braska Restaurant, and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), and powered by Smart. The NCAA announced earlier that only mandatory sports basketball, volleyball, swimming and track and field are the only events to be held in the coming season. But the league is not closing its doors to adding other sports including online chess and E-sports depending on the health situation in the coming months. Calvo also mentioned that health and safety protocols will be observed once the season opens. The league is also considering holding closed-door games while the gyms from member schools will serve as game venues. The ManComm head added that they have different options regarding their plans and programs for the season but their main concern right now is to when they will be able to push through with the opening. “Hopeful naman tayo based dun sa mga reports na naririnig natin na the vaccine is coming on the way. Baka pagdating ng November, for example, pwede na mag-practice, by February pwede na tayo mag-NCAA,” said Calvo. “Depende pa rin naman sa decision ng ManCom then i-suggest naming sa Policy Board. Kasi yung safety issues importante rin yun.” Last March, the NCAA cancelled Season 95 affecting second semester sports volleyball, football, beach volleyball, athletics, lawn and soft tennis and cheerleading. And with the country still trying to cope with the health crisis, the NCAA just like other leagues and sports events could only just hope for the situation to get better. “Mahirap kasi kung tatanungin kami nu’ng definite answer (kung kailan ang opening) hindi kami makakapag-bigay ng ganoon,” said Calvo. --- Follow this writer on Twitter, @fromtheriles.....»»
Cebu City secures 5th place in Batang Pinoy and PNG medal tally
CEBU CITY, Philippines—- The Cebu City Niños secured the fifth position in the overall medal tally during the recently concluded Batang Pinoy National Championships and Philippine National Games (PNG) held in Manila. The dual multi-sport meet took place from December 17 to 22, 2023, across various sports venues in Manila. The final medal count was.....»»
SM celebrates 65th anniversary with Super Fun Run
In celebration of SM’s 65th anniversary, employees from the SM Group of Companies, including SM Investments Corporation, SM Retail, Inc. and its affiliates, SM Store, SM Markets, SM Prime Holdings, SM Development Corporation and SM Supermalls, joined the Super Fun Run held last 22 October. SM employees joined the company’s Super Fun Run event held at the Mall of Asia complex last 22 October to celebrate SM’s 65th anniversary. (PHOTOS COURTESY OF SM) Over 13,000 employees consisting of around 6,895 employees from Metro Manila and 6,369 employees from the provinces simultaneously ran the 3K and the 6.5K distances at the Mall of Asia grounds and in 32 different venues nationwide, including Pampanga, Bacolod, Cebu, and Davao, to name a few. “Along with our employees, this SM Super Fun Run is a commemorative event to celebrate the 65th anniversary of the company. This event also brought the SM employees closer together,” shared Regina Naguit, senior assistant vice president for SM Retail and lead organizer of the Super Fun Run. The event, conducted in partnership with Runrio Events, Inc., also aimed to promote a fun and healthy lifestyle among SM employees and their families. The post SM celebrates 65th anniversary with Super Fun Run appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Brownlee formula
The issue surrounding Justin Brownlee is a major blackeye to Philippine basketball. It is yet another heartbreaker for Filipinos, who were hoping and praying to see the national team reassert its dominance in the international arena. For the longest time, the Filipinos had struggled internationally. In the Asian Games, for instance, the Philippines emerged victorious in its first four editions — 1951 in New Delhi, 1954 in Manila, 1958 in Tokyo, and 1962 in Jakarta before suffering a string of frustrating finishes. The closest we got to the gold medal was in 1990 when the Basketball Association of the Philippines tasked the Philippine Basketball Association with assembling a team that would reclaim our Asian glory. It was a tall order at the time as the Philippines was coming off a bitter setback at the hands of Malaysia in the 1989 Southeast Asian Games in Kuala Lumpur. The BAP knew that only an Asian crown would soothe the pain of a nation craving revenge. But it didn’t happen. Coached by Robert “Sonny” Jaworski, the team bannered by Allan Caidic, Benjie Paras, Ramon Fernandez, Samboy Lim, and Chito Loyzaga surrendered to powerhouse China featuring Shan Tao and Ma Jian in the gold medal match. Eight years later, Tim Cone was given the marching orders to assemble another star-studded squad to represent the country in the Bangkok Asian Games in 1998. But like Jaworski, his bitter coaching nemesis at the time, Cone was also unsuccessful as his Centennial Team had to settle for bronze behind China and South Korea. In the next edition in Busan in 2002, hopes were high. Despite a sudden coaching change after American mentor Ron Jacobs suffered a stroke in the final stretch of preparations, Jong Uichico was still able to form a solid team that had a mix of Filipino-foreign stars like Asi Taulava, Eric Menk, and Rudy Hatfield, as well as homegrown stars like Olsen Racela, Kenneth Duremdes, and Danny Ildefonso. But fate wrote a cruel script. The Philippines was ahead, 68-66, in the final 23.9 seconds of the semifinal clash against South Korea. A victory would have sent the Filipinos to the gold medal match against China, while a setback would relegate them to a battle for bronze against Kazakhstan. Racela was at the charity stripe for a chance to ice the game and seal the victory. But he missed both free shots. In a shocking — and heartbreaking — turn of events, Korean gunner Lee Sang Min buried a long three-pointer off a broken play at the buzzer that sent the host country to the finals. The players were crushed while a river of tears flowed through the streets of Manila as the entire country couldn’t believe how merciless the basketball gods could be. Since then, Philippine basketball has been reduced to a mere footnote in Asian basketball. We bombed out of the medal podium in Doha in 2006 and Guangzhou in 2010. We even suffered international embarrassment when head coach Chot Reyes instructed naturalized player Marcus Douthit to shoot at our own basket in Incheon in 2014. In 2018, a legitimate National Basketball Association campaigner, Jordan Clarkson, came along and was billed as the hero who would save Philippine basketball. But he was unsuccessful. The Filipinos’ string of misfortunes continued as Gilas Pilipinas settled for fifth place. Then here came Brownlee, tapped to see action as a naturalized player in the Hangzhou Asian Games. The 35-year-old American was tasked to power a team already familiar to him — guys he had been playing with for more than five years. The coach — Cone — had been his mentor since he arrived in Manila in 2016 and led Barangay Ginebra San Miguel to six PBA titles while winning three Best Import honors. There was no honeymoon period to speak of. He hit the ground running. The result was impressive as Brownlee dropped 36 points to lead Gilas Pilipinas to a razor-thin 84-83 win over Iran in the quarterfinals, before dropping back-to-back three-point bombs in their miraculous 77-76 victory over host China in the semifinals. The Filipinos won their first gold medal in 61 years following a 70-60 victory over Jordan in the final, but an asterisk was attached to the victory after Brownlee tested positive for Carboxy-THC, a banned substance linked to the use of cannabis. At this point, it is unknown whether Brownlee will contest the findings or how long his possible suspension will be. What is clear is that Brownlee made a tremendous impact on Philippine basketball as he proved that the best way to win an international title is to field a naturalized player who is very familiar with the Filipinos’ style of play. Brownlee may not be as exciting and flashy as Clarkson or as tall as Douthit and Blatche, but he knows Philippine basketball like the back of his hand. It’s time for the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas to create more Justin Brownlees by recruiting young foreign players who are willing to stay in the country for a longer period — not just to earn and play as imports in the PBA — but to win the hearts and minds of these basketball-crazy Filipinos. Brownlee’s professional career is in great peril, and we may not see him don the Gilas or Ginebra jerseys again. But we should always remember his most significant contribution to Philippine basketball. Nope, it wasn’t the incredible play he delivered against China or how he stood his ground against Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and the powerful Jordanians that led to the country’s first Asian Games title in 61 years. His most important contribution was the idea that to gain international success, the federation must recruit a naturalized player not based on skills, height, or popularity but on his love, respect, and dedication to the country he wishes to represent. The post Brownlee formula 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......»»
‘FIBA fever’ doubles tourist arrivals
The successful staging of the FIBA World Cup 2023 in Manila has filled various hotels near the venues of the basketball games, as well as tripled the tourist arrivals from participating countries, according to the Department of Tourism recently. Data from the DoT-National Capital Region Office said all nine FIBA official hotels in Metro Manila — where most of the FIBA official venues were located — logged a higher average hotel occupancy from 25 August to 12 September 2023. The report said Conrad Manila near the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City reported a 100 percent average hotel occupancy from those said dates. Other hotels in Pasay also saw a higher average hotel occupancy, including Hotel101-Manila and Microtel MoA, which both posted 92 percent occupancy; Hilton Manila with 91.8 percent, and TRYP MoA with 91 percent occupancy. On the other hand, the Grand Hyatt Manila in Taguig also reported an impressive 96 percent hotel occupancy rate during the same period. The post ‘FIBA fever’ doubles tourist arrivals appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
A resounding FIBA World Cup hosting success
In 2007, sports patron and prominent business executive Manny V. Pangilinan flew to Geneva to mend the country’s scarred relationship with FIBA when the Philippines was suspended due to a struggle between the Basketball Association of the Philippines and the Philippine Olympic Committee. Over the years, MVP, along with the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas or SBP, were able to make amends and formed a strong bond with FIBA. And as they say, the rest was history. MVP’s vision to host the FIBA World Cup in a tri-nation bid was approved. The country, together with Japan and Indonesia, was granted to host the 2023 FIBA World Cup, with 32 teams competing for the coveted Naismith trophy for the 2023 Last Sunday, the World Cup curtain finally closed, with several records written, erased, and etched in FIBA history. First, the expanded World Cup adopted by the organizers successfully achieved a more competitive playing field. Nine of the 32 that came to this World Cup did not play in the previous World Cup. After two weeks of grueling competition, six of the eight countries that previously entered the quarterfinals in the 2019 World Cup failed to advance to the next round. Argentina, France, Spain, Poland, Australia, and the Czech Republic were eliminated earlier in the group stages, with only the US and Serbia moving to the semi-final round. Second, for the first time since it participated in the tournament, Germany won the World Cup championship, beating all its opponents in the elimination rounds for an immaculate 7-0 and completing an 8-0 game sweep by beating Serbia in the final, 83-77. FIBA secretary general Andreas Zagklis was quoted by AP saying the expanded qualification field “has changed global basketball on the men’s side.” Third, the three host countries had record-breaking attendance, a rousing success for the tri-nation hosting of the world’s biggest basketball show. Across 92 games in 15 days in five different venues (three in Manila, one each in Okinawa and Jakarta), Zagklis said the World Cup drew a total of 700,000 fans pending the final numbers from the bronze-medal match between USA and Canada and Serbia-Germany finale. In the opener on 25 August, the Philippines tallied a World Cup record featuring 38,115 fans who witnessed the thrilling battle between home team Gilas Pilipinas and the Dominican Republic at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan. The milestone highlighted the Philippines’ hosting and smashed the previous record of 32,616 spectators who watched the gold medal match between the USA and Russia in the 1994 games in Toronto, Canada. Zaglis was all praises for the three countries, especially the Philippines, whom he described as an excellent host. “I don’t think it’s easy to find anywhere in the world that has this kind of service to the visitors. Always with a smile and kindness and with a solution-oriented approach. I can only express how grateful FIBA is to the Philippines,” Zaglis said. SBP president Al S. Panlilio had mixed emotions as the FIBA World Cup ended. “We have proven that our country can host a global basketball event as huge as the FIBA World Cup. Everyone involved — the local organizing committee, various private and public stakeholders, volunteers, peace and order personnel, traffic enforcers, the LGUs, and basketball-loving Pinoys who bravely trooped to the venues to watch the games — must be congratulated for making the event a whopping success.” “But there’s also a feeling of extreme bittersweetness as it comes to an end, yet overshadowed by extreme hopefulness for the 2027 World Cup in Qatar,” he added. Panlilio spearheaded the country’s bid for the multiple-nation hosting of the World Cup along with MVP, SBP chairman emeritus, in 2017. He acknowledged what MVP did to bring the FIBA World Cup to the Philippines with his creative vision of bidding for multi-nation hosting. “It was a privilege to help realize that creative vision by collaboratively working with various groups and stakeholders and successfully hosting the World Cup. We are proud of the effort everyone contributed to make this huge undertaking a monumental and amazing feat,” Panlilio said. The post A resounding FIBA World Cup hosting success appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
What’s next for Kumu?
Kumu, a livestreaming platform that has become a popular destination for Filipinos around the world, has been celebrating its fifth anniversary with a series of new shows and programs. The company also scheduled a Diamond Gala last 26 August at the Shangri-La Fort in Manila, where users would have had the chance to meet and greet their favorite streamers. “The Diamond Gala is our way of commemorating Kumu’s journey and sharing our gratitude for the years of support for our platform and initiatives,” said Roland Ros, Kumu’s CEO and co-founder. “This event embodies our commitment to building a safe platform that prioritizes the voice of the Filipino people at home and around the world.” Kumu has partnered with some of the biggest names in Philippine entertainment to produce a wide variety of games and talent competitions, as well as talk shows. Kumu has strived to be a force for good in the community. During the pandemic, the platform launched the “Healthcareoke” fundraiser, which raised money for frontline healthcare workers. Kumu has also hosted events for Filipino seafarers and aspiring female performers. It is also planning to expand its reach to new audiences around the world. The company has partnered with ABS-CBN Global to bring its shows to viewers in the United States, Canada and other countries. The post What’s next for Kumu? appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
MMDA ready to handle traffic for FIBA World Cup 2023
An official of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority yesterday said the agency has prepared for the possible heavy traffic for the opening of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 in Bulacan. This was disclosed by MMDA Traffic Discipline Office - Enforcement head Vic Nuñez in response to the expected traffic build-up due to the event. He said all the delegates, VIPs, and FIBA officials that will be going to the venues, especially to the Philippine Arena in Bulacan have been considered and they have prepared a traffic plan for it. Nunez said that some of the delegates, VIPs, and FIBA officials will use a VIP lane going to the venue as they deployed around 1,300 MMDA personnel for FIBA 2023. Earlier, the MMDA announced that it would implement a stop-and-go traffic scheme and truck ban in some concerned areas as part of its traffic management. Also, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said that the security measures for the event are already “locked in” after a conference with concerned government agencies and stakeholders. The PNP said 2,589 personnel from the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) and 363 officers from Police Regional Office 3 (PRO-3) will be deployed. A total of 2,904 personnel from other government agencies and force multipliers will also help secure the basketball event. The police said they expect 3,000 participants in the event, including FIBA members, World Congress attendees, local organizers, government officials, media, and foreign embassy representatives. Around 2,000 guests are also expected to arrive from other countries for the event, the PNP said. The event will be held from 25 August to 10 September wherein three Asian countries will host FIBA 2023: the Philippines, Japan, and Indonesia. Accordingly, the Philippines will host participants from Africa, the Americas, Asia-Pacific, and Europe, with an expected total of 3,253 FIBA customer groups participating. Games will be played in different venues, including the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City and the Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City. The post MMDA ready to handle traffic for FIBA World Cup 2023 appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Kai’s last chance
Up to now, Kai Sotto’s stint in the FIBA Basketball World Cup remains unclear. Sure, he has been in the country for over two weeks and has been attending some Gilas Pilipinas events, but the fact that he has yet to actually train with his teammates is making Chot Reyes anxious. Sotto is tipped to play a crucial role in the Gilas squad. His 7-foot-3 frame, athleticism and feathery shooting touch from the perimeter will be needed when the Filipinos battle the best players in the world in the prestigious basketball spectacle from 25 August to 10 September. But it will be impossible for Reyes to involve Sotto in his game plan if he has yet to actually see him banging bodies with his fellow big men like World Cup veterans June Mar Fajardo and Japeth Aguilar, as well as rising star AJ Edu. It is no secret that Sotto’s dream is to make it to the National Basketball Association. He was still a gangly kid when he started joining the Junior NBA program before moving to Ateneo de Manila University and eventually donning the national colors in various age-group events — the biggest and most prestigious was the 2019 FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup in Greece. A lot of offers came his way, including a chance to play for prestigious European clubs like Alba Berlin, Real Madrid, Barcelona and Baskonia, but Sotto, then 17, decided to bring his talent to the United States — not to enter play at the collegiate level — but to make a daring leap straight into the NBA. After training at The Skill Factory, he joined Team Ignite, a developmental team in the NBA G League that aims to prepare athletes for the NBA. At Team Ignite, Sotto showed some promise as he played for former Los Angeles Lakers coach Brian Shaw together with future NBA players Jalen Green, Jonathan Kuminga, Daishen Nix, and Isiah Todd. But when Team Ignite was about to start its season and enter the G League bubble in Orlando, Sotto shockingly flew home and joined Gilas in the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers. Ignite eventually dropped Sotto, prompting him to look for other ways to realize his dream of becoming the first full-blooded Filipino to make it to the NBA. He found one in Australia. He played for the Adelaide 36ers in the National Basketball League and had some measure of success. In fact, he was able to gauge his prowess when the 36ers played against Chris Paul, Devin Booker, DeAndre Ayton and the Phoenix Suns in an NBA preseason match. After a couple of seasons in Australia, he moved to Japan to play for the Hiroshima Dragonflies in the B League. He had some impressive games, but it wasn’t enough to earn the attention of NBA coaches, scouts, and talent evaluators. Still, he joined the NBA Summer League. Playing against veteran free agents, journeymen, and incoming rookies looking to earn spots on the opening-day rosters of NBA teams, Sotto rode the Orlando Magic bench in their first three games before making his debut against the Portland Trail Blazers, recording six points, four rebounds and three blocks in their 71-88 loss. Sotto tried to play in his fifth game, but he was slowed down by a back injury. His return to Manila was surrounded by controversy as he failed to join the Gilas squad that was set to go to China for the final leg of its preparations for the World Cup. He opted to stay home to “rest and recover” from his back injury. Until when? It’s something that only Sotto and his American handlers know. But Sotto should realize that the doors of the NBA are slowly closing on him. He already made a bad decision by snubbing the invitations of top European clubs as well as prestigious American collegiate programs like Kentucky, Georgia Tech and Auburn that could have helped him develop his game and gain confidence while playing against kids his age. Instead of staying patient and working on his game away from the prying eyes of NBA scouts, he rushed the process by signing up with Team Ignite before committing another massive blunder of flying back to Manila just before the G League season tipped off. Now he has only one chance — the FIBA Basketball World Cup. A lot of Filipinos ranging from Johnny Abarrientos to Aguilar, Kiefer Ravena and Ray Parks all tried — and failed — to make it to the NBA. On the contrary, Sotto is being presented with a rare opportunity to display his talent and carry the torch in a world-class event. Sadly, despite repeatedly saying that he is ready, his body language suggests that he is reluctant to step up to serve as the hero of this basketball-crazy nation. The clock is ticking for Sotto. The doors of the NBA are slowly closing right before his very eyes. He has to lace his sneakers, grab that Gilas jersey, and play his heart out for the country in the FIBA Basketball World Cup before he becomes another “what if” in the history of Philippine basketball. The post Kai’s last chance appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
DepEd: ‘Beautiful opening’ for Palaro, no plans for extension
The Department of Education has no plan to extend the 2023 Palarong Pambansa despite bad weather hampering the annual sports meet. "We give full credit to the City of Marikina for hosting of this year's Palarong Pambansa, particularly the very fabulous opening program," DepEd Assistant Secretary for Operations and Palarong Pambansa 2023 Secretary General Fancis Cesar Bringas told reporters in an interview. "Despite the rain, we were able to get through this. The Marikina City and the Department of Education has delivered its promise for a beautiful opening program today," Bringas added. He, however, stressed that there will be some adjustments in the schedules of the different games depending on how long the rain is going to be. "For the indoor sports, I don't think there's going to be some any extension in the number of days. But for the outdoor events, we will be looking at adjustments in schedules based on the rules of these specific games. There are going to be alternative schedules for that. We will not be extending that long because an extension of more than one day would be costly for the city as well as the delegations," Bringas said. He also said that the city government has stationed medical teams in the billeting quarters and playing venues to ensure the health and safety of the delegations. "The city has stationed a medical team and even the delegations themselves brought their own medical teams," Bringas said. The DepEd official also said that the city government will shoulder the hospitalization of delegates in case of injuries and accidents during the Palaro. "If there are going to be hospitalizations, the city has covered hospitalization fees in 10 private and public hospitals in the City of Markina," Bringas said. According to him, around 7,200 athletes, coaches, assistant coaches and trainers from various regions are now in Marikina City to compete in the sporting event. "In total, our delegations are a little over 11,000 and that includes all the committees of the different delegations," he said. Bringas also thanked President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for supporting the programs of the Department of Education. "You know it's very important that we get always the affirmation of the President when it comes to the different programs of the Department of Education," he said. "This has got to show that it takes a Vice President and a President to lead the direction for the Department of Education, not only for the academic skills of learners but also their holistic development -- and that includes sports," the DepEd official added. President Marcos and Vice President Duterte led the formal opening of this year's Palarong Pambansa at the Marikina Sports Center. The post DepEd: ‘Beautiful opening’ for Palaro, no plans for extension appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Sara, Teodoro to inspect Palaro site
by Neil Alcober Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte, together with Marikina City Mayor Marcelino Teodoro, will conduct an ocular inspection next week, 21 July, to determine the city’s readiness in hosting this year’s Palarong Pambansa. “We’re working doubly hard to prepare all the facilities based on the specifications and standards required by the technical working group of the Palarong Pambansa and, at the same time, to simply validate all the preparations are in place,” Teodoro told this reporter in an interview on Thursday. “We’re also hoping by that period the oval track of the city is already finished and complete,” the Marikina mayor added. Teodoro also said that they hired a Malaysian consultant to inspect all the facilities and to provide specifications requirement. “We’re almost 100 percent ready for the Palarong Pambansa 2023. But, of course, there are adjustments. It’s a working progress in terms of the number of delegates that will be coming because clusters 1 and 2 are still ongoing — there are still pre-qualifying games being done for Central Luzon, and we’re waiting for that,” the mayor added. Teodoro also assured that the minimum public health standards will be strictly implemented during the conduct of the said sporting event. “We’re establishing medical stations as well as treatment medical facilities,” he said. Teodoro also said that the city government has set aside funding for the athletes who sustained injuries during the games and for their hospitalization in case they get infected with Covid-19. “This is the first undertaking in the Palarong Pambansa that the local government will be providing fund in the amount of P5 million for injuries and medical contingency of the athletes,” he said, adding that they signed an agreement with various hospitals in the city. Teodoro also said that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will be attending the opening ceremony. The Eastern Police District, headed by P/Brig. Gen. Wilson Asueta, has already set up security measures to ensure public safety and peace and order during the conduct of this year’s sporting event. “We have already coordinated with the Philippine National Police. EPD Director General Asueta was with us in the meeting for the final security arrangement,” Teodoro said. “They will also augment our security personnel in the city as well as for the traffic management. They will be assigning some PNP personnel to manage traffic during the conduct of the Palarong Pambansa,” the mayor added. The PNP, according to Teodoro, has also tightened its VIPs security arrangements. “They did a threat assessment and found no major problem ensuring that no untoward incident will happen,” he said. There will be side events like dragon boat competition and e-games such as mobile legend during the conduct of the Palarong Pambansa, Teodoro said. The mayor added that there will be a closing concert to be held at the Marikina Sports Complex, solidarity meeting for all the regions, and a three-night mayors’ night. This year’s Palarong Pambansa 2023 will kick off on 31 July 2023 at the Marikina Sports Center. This will be followed by actual games (games proper) on 1-5 August at the assigned playing venues until its closing ceremonies on 5 August. This year, the Palarong Pambansa will feature a total of 37 sports including athletics, swimming, basketball, volleyball, football and taekwondo. The games are expected to draw over 10,000 athletes from all over the Philippines. The post Sara, Teodoro to inspect Palaro site appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Pride takes off
Cebu Pacific, the Philippines’ leading airline, kicked off its Pride Month celebration with the launch of its very first Pride flight on 5 June, highlighting the airline’s unwavering commitment to diversity, inclusivity, and equity for every Juan. CEB Flight 5J 905, which flew from Manila to Boracay, was operated by LGBTQIA+ members and allies. The team includes Captain Bensie Tan, Captain Bettina Mercado, First Officer Lorenz Montinola, First Officer Chezka Carandang, Christopher Ian Mau, Kevin Jason Baetiong, Kimberly Naval, Niña Marudo and Mikee Vitug. Passengers on board were treated to Pride-themed giveaways, fun games, and an exclusive chance to win a free roundtrip domestic flight ticket, among others. “We take great pride in the diversity and inclusivity that define Cebu Pacific’s culture. Throughout the years, we have created a safe space for every Juan and have consistently progressed towards celebrating individuality. This year, we are thrilled to pay tribute to our moment makers from the Pride community by featuring them on a special flight — a truly remarkable way to kick off the celebration of Pride Month,” said Candice Iyog, CEB chief marketing and customer experience officer. The Pride flight is only the first installment of CEB’s lineup of events dedicated to Pride Month. Throughout June, CEB will host various training and online courses, all aimed at fostering equity and advocating for gender sensitivity in the workplace. To further support the cause, several fundraisers have been planned to help the non-profit organization Golden Gays. The funds raised from these activities will be dedicated to extending assistance to the elderly members of the Golden Gays. In 2019, CEB played a pivotal role in shaping Philippine aviation by employing the first transwomen cabin crew, Jess Labares and Mikee Vitug. The milestone serves as a testament to the airline’s steadfast commitment to fostering an inclusive workplace environment. The post Pride takes off appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Lost gem
The Philippines has lost yet another gem after fencing sensation Maxine Esteban underwent naturalization to be eligible to see action for Ivory Coast in major international tournaments. Esteban’s departure is a huge slap in the faces of Filipino sports officials. Aside from being a four-time University Athletic Association of the Philippines champion for Ateneo de Manila University, Esteban is also an eight-time national titleholder and emerged as No. 16 in the world junior ranking. Her stock soared even higher when she hired legendary Italian mentor, Andrea Magro, who helped her become the No. 62 fencer in the world — the highest ranking ever reached by a Filipino. The way she was performing, the Paris Olympics seemed within reach. But things didn’t go according to plan. Esteban tore her anterior cruciate ligament while representing the country in the World Fencing Championship in July last year. Although it wasn’t really bad, Esteban still spent her own resources to go to Australia for surgery and worked double time to recover, hoping to see action in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia last month. Eventually, Esteban was given the green light to compete by noted sports surgeon Dr. Edgar Eufemio in December, towing away the massive roadblock for her return to the national team. But for some reason, the Philippine Fencing Association didn’t reinstate her. She was dropped from the national roster. Without a team, Esteban trained and immersed herself in the Ivory Coast — a West African country that is known more for its lovely beaches and world-class cocoa beans than for being a global sports powerhouse. The Ivorians welcomed Esteban with open arms as she spent a lot of time there holding fencing clinics for young children and other outreach projects for the less fortunate. With that, officials of the Ivory Coast fencing federation immediately processed her naturalization papers in a bid to make her their entry to the next Summer Games, after Gbahi-Gwladys Sakoa who competed in the women’s epee event at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics in 2016. The PFA and the Philippine Olympic Committee released Esteban to Ivory Coast without any resistance, even requesting the International Fencing Federation to waive the three-year waiting period for Esteban so she could immediately compete for her new country in international events that offer ranking points for the Paris Olympics. In a letter to Nathalie Rodriguez, chief executive officer of the world governing body in fencing, PFA president Richard Gomez said they supported Esteban’s decision to join Ivory Coast as they believed in the Olympic spirit that “sports has no nationality.” POC president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, for his part, said he supported Esteban’s goal of sharing her talent with a country like Ivory Coast. And just like that, Esteban — the country’s former top fencer — is gone. The Philippines’ loss is Ivory Coast’s gain. Esteban’s case is another heartbreaking story of “what could have been” in Philippine sports. We’d seen it before when chess wizard Wesley Go pledged allegiance to the United States after failing to collect his incentives for winning the gold medal in the 2013 Summer Universiade and when golf sensation Yuka Saso opted to carry the colors of Japan for better opportunities. Esteban could have been a national treasure, an elite athlete like Manny Pacquiao or Hidilyn Diaz, given the opportunity to compete in major international events. She is smart, pretty, hard-working, and very talented. She also comes from a well-off family and didn’t mind spending a fortune to get the best training from the world’s best coaches so she could bring honor to the country. But the country failed her. Instead of being repaid for her love and sacrifices for the past 10 years, she was sacked from the national team after suffering an injury while representing the country in a world-class tournament. Is this how we treat our national athletes? Esteban is a gem of an athlete. She will surely shine wherever she goes — even in the vast deserts of Africa. The post Lost gem appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Gilas Pilipinas’ SEAG win fuels excitement for 2023 FIBA World Cup
Less than a hundred days before the opening tip of the 2023 FIBA World Cup, Filipino basketball fans are growing excited as they await the final list of local and international basketball superstars who will be playing in the Philippine leg of the said basketball championship. Following Gilas Pilipinas’ euphoric win against an import-laden Cambodian team in the recent 32nd Southeast Asian Games, and with the team’s grit and sound coaching strategies, basketball enthusiasts are optimistic about the team’s chances in this year’s FIBA World Cup. With Gilas Pilipinas facing familiar foes — Italy, Dominican Republic and Angola — in the FIBA World Cup’s group stage, the victory over Cambodia could inspire the players as they compete with these teams. Playing in front of the home crowd will boost the team’s morale as Gilas Pilipinas sets their sights on winning in the 2023 FIBA World Cup and qualifying to represent the flag in the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France. The Philippines last played in the 1972 Olympics and winning the FIBA World Cup could end the drought. In an interview, Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas President Alfredo S. Panlilio shared his wishes that Gilas Pilipinas could win at least two (games) and move to the next round. Since the 2014 FIBA World Cup, Gilas Pilipinas had only won once in 10 matches. Thus, there is enormous pressure to perform at an all-time high, considering that the Philippines is one of the co-hosts of this year’s tournament. Panlilio added, “If we do that (win at least two games and advance to the knockout stage), possibly, because the highest ranking Asian team after every tournament gets a slot in the Olympics. It’s a reward if we’re the highest Asian team. In the meantime, what remains crucial for Gilas Pilipinas’ coaching staff is its selection of players that would participate in the FIBA World Cup. The players’ selection also excites Filipinos as they all wait to see if Filipino-American and Utah Jazz Guard Jordan Clarkson would don the country’s colors. News reports quoted Gilas Pilipinas Head Coach Chot Reyes saying, “The selection would be based on various factors such as schedules, players’ plans, and even economics. To be very honest about it, to be very frank, economics will also be an issue.” “There are a lot of things that are going to be involved in making the final determination. We plan to have a 16- or 18-man pool, and it might be more, to go on an extended training period that will include foreign camps and tune-up games against quality competition,” Reyes said. The Philippines, Japan, and Indonesia will host this year’s FIBA World Cup from August 25 to September 10, 2023. The games will be played simultaneously at the Araneta Coliseum for Groups A and B, Mall of Asia Arena for Groups C and D, Okinawa Arena in Japan for Groups E and F, and at the Indonesia Arena in Jakarta for Groups G and H. The qualifying teams will head to Manila as the Playoffs and Finals Games will be held at the Mall of Asia Arena. As the country prepares to host the most prestigious FIBA World Cup, Panlilio also called on all basketball stakeholders to unite to support Gilas Pilipinas as it competes in the international arena. With the Philippines’ passionate fans, rich basketball culture, and world-class venues, the stage is all set for the 2023 FIBA World Cup, which is certain to leave a mark on the global basketball landscape. The post Gilas Pilipinas’ SEAG win fuels excitement for 2023 FIBA World Cup appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Clark Freeport Zone ready for business
With big-scale events in full swing once, Clark Freeport Zone in Pampanga is ready to host various MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) events with essential infrastructures, from transportation to recreational facilities, already in place to accommodate local and international guests. Supporting Clark Freeport Zone’s business tourism initiatives is Filinvest Mimosa+ Leisure City, the only leisure township in Central Luzon well-equipped with top-notch amenities to ensure personal and business travelers’ stay is as convenient and relaxing as possible. Strategically located at the heart of Clark Freeport Zone, Filinvest Mimosa+ Leisure City is a two-hour drive from Manila via NLEX, SCTEX and TPLEX and a short eight-minute drive from Clark International Airport. Access by sea is possible through the Subic Freeport Zone, while public transportation is available through Mabalacat Regional Bus Terminal. Meanwhile, guests from major cities such as Singapore, Tokyo, Hong Kong, and Seoul can have three- to five-hour direct flights. Additionally, the new state-of-the-art Clark International Airport can accommodate eight million passengers annually and is equipped with the latest technologies to make travel easier. The North-South Commuter Railway, once completed, will also help reduce travel time from Clark to Metro Manila to less than an hour. Award-winning amenities Filinvest Mimosa+ is a leading MICE destination in Central Luzon, providing award-winning amenities catering to various business events. At the heart of the property is Quest Plus Conference Center Clark, which received the 2021 Sports Tourism Awards Hotel of the Year for hosting the PBA & Asian Cup Qualifiers’ bubble in 2020 and 2021. It offers the Magellan Ballroom, a 2022 ASEAN MICE Venues Tourism Awardee that can accommodate up to 550 guests. Aside from the renowned venue, Quest Plus Conference Center Clark also offers 304 rooms and luxurious grand villas, four multiple meeting rooms, and two Hilltop Convention Rooms. Mimosa+ also offers a diverse range of dining and entertainment options for guests. Food enthusiasts can relish the culinary delights of Mequeni Live, Mequeni Lounge and Charley’s Bar. Additionally, they can explore the breathtaking 128-hectare Mimosa Plus Golf Course, recently awarded Best Golf Course in the Philippines at the World Golf Awards 2022. This golf course now boasts two 18-hole courses — the Mountainview, known for its challenging terrain, and the Acacia Lakeview, renowned for its stunning scenery. The newly-furbished Mimosa Plus Golf Course Clubhouse has also added amenities such as the Mimosa Plus Golf simulators to help golfers practice their swing. Afterward, they can proceed to the recently opened Baker J Café, the new go-to café for French cuisine. The ideal destination for large-scale events The outstanding features found within Filinvest Mimosa+ allow guests to enjoy many fitness and recreational activities. They can utilize the property’s vast open spaces by running quickly or biking around Acacia Park, which features tree-lined biking and jogging lanes, a pavilion and seating areas. The enormous green landscapes of Acacia Open Grounds are available for recreational activities, perfect for families and friends. It houses fun and creative installations where some of the biggest cycling and leisure events were held. This includes the Philippine Cycling Festival Fun Ride, the Tri-Factor Duathlon, Titan 77.7 Philippines, and the Clark City Marathon. It also recently hosted The Bull Runner Dream Marathon and the two-day Philippine Cycling Festival 2023, an annual cycling event with more than 3000 participants. Soon, the Mimosa Basketball Court will be transformed into a multi-purpose court that can cater to sports such as Basketball, Volleyball, and Badminton. [caption id="attachment_134421" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Without a doubt, Filinvest Mimosa+ is a vibrant live-work-play township.[/caption] Thriving live-work-play township Complementing this well-balanced nature landscape, Filinvest Mimosa+ offers other developments worth visiting for investment and retail opportunities. The state-of-the-art WorkPlus, which already has four completed buildings and one more underway, offers business spaces conducive to growth and work-life balance. The Crib, a co-living residential area for the contemporary, has two available buildings for leasing and is set to launch two more buildings. There is also the Mimosa+ Retail Strip, a lifestyle and recreational strip that will soon open with various high-end retail and dining options, open for leisure and sports facilities partnerships. For residents looking to relocate to Clark, the Golf Ridge Private Estate, now available for pre-selling, offers an exquisite country-club lifestyle with a picturesque view of the neighboring golf course. Lastly, with the construction in full swing, the Mimosa+ Lifestyle Mall will be the new regional shopping and dining center destination. Moreover, investors and end-users looking to relocate or set up their business in the area can already find foreign investors, including the USA, Japan, Australia and South Korea, as Clark Development Center offers business-friendly terms and incentives. Processing of permits, license registration, and application are made more efficient, with approvals in less than three weeks. Without a doubt, as a vibrant live-work-play township with a host of award-winning amenities, Filinvest Mimosa+ is the destination in Clark Freeport Zone that’s ideal and capable of business tourism and leisure travel with family and friends. The post Clark Freeport Zone ready for business appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Bong Go visits Cambodia, supports Filipino athletes participating in SEA Games
Senator Bong Go, Chair of the Senate Committee on Sports, visited Cambodia and showed his support for the Filipino athletes competing in the Southeast Asian Games, together with his colleagues Senate President Miguel “Migz” Zubiri and Senator Francis “Tol” Tolentino, among other officials, this weekend. A known advocate for Philippine sports, Go remarked that the visit to Cambodia was aimed at boosting the morale of Filipino athletes and showing them that they have the full support of the Philippine government. Go also took the opportunity to encourage the athletes to give their best in the competition and to bring home medals for the Philippines. He reminded them that they are not only representing themselves but also the entire nation and that their performance will inspire young Filipinos to pursue their dreams in sports. “Andito po kami ni SP Migz (at) Senator Tolentino, full force po ang Senado to support our athletes. As Chair po ng Committee on Sports, full support po ako palagi sa lahat ng sports. We’re here to support our athletes,” highlighted Go in an ambush interview on Friday, 12 May. “Sana po ay humabol tayo. Kilala naman po ang Pilipino na lumalaban. Pusong Pinoy po yan. Go Philippines! Go, go, go for gold!” encouraged Go. The SEA Games is a multi-sport event that takes place every two years, with athletes from 11 Southeast Asian countries participating in various sports competitions. The SEA Games opened last 5 May and it will run until 17 May. During their visit, the senators met with Filipino athletes and coaches and emphasized the importance of sports in promoting unity and understanding among nations. As of 13 May, 11:00 pm, the Philippines has bagged 37 gold, 64 silver, and 77 bronze medals. “Hopefully, makahabol pa rin tayo sa target na gold medals natin. I'm here to support our athletes as Chairman po ng (Senate) Committee on Sports and to boost their morale. Laban lang tayo. Importante (may) pusong Pinoy tayo – talagang lumalaban hanggang dulo. Pakita natin ang kakayahan natin,” expressed Go in an ambush interview during the events on Saturday, 13 May. “Mga atleta, kayo ang inspirasyon ng mga kabataan. Laban lang tayo. Sa mga athletes, goodluck sa inyo (lalo na) yung may mga laban pa sa finals. Goodluck po sa inyong lahat... Dalhin natin ang malaking karangalan para sa ating mga kababayan,” he encouraged. Go then reassured that he will continue working with sports officials and concerned government agencies to strengthen the development of sports in the country and also provide more resources to ensure that Filipino athletes can compete at the highest level. Go added that sports can play a crucial role in promoting health and wellness, fostering unity and camaraderie, and contributing to the economic growth of the nation. He also cited the role of sports in honing the youth and instilling values such as discipline in order to be productive members of society and keeping them away from vices like illegal drugs. For this reason, he sponsored and defended additional funding for the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) during its 2023 budget deliberation, particularly for grassroots sports development and in support of athletes joining international competitions. “Gaya po noon, full support po ako sa ating mga atleta. In fact, ang na-aprubahan po na proposed budget sa PSC noon ay more or less PhP200 million lang. Ako po ang nagsulong na madagdagan po ng PhP1 billion ang (2023) budget po ng PSC para po sa grassroots program at para po suporta sa ating mga atleta nagko-compete po sa SEA Games, Asian Games and even sa Olympics,” Go cited in an ambush interview after his visit to Tondo, Manila on May 10. “Napakaimportante po itong tulong sa ating mga atleta. Kailangan po ng tulong ng gobyerno sa mga atleta at tulong rin po ng pribadong sektor. Kapag nagsama po ‘yang gobyerno at pribadong sektor, malayo po ang ating mararating tulad noong 2019, number 1 po tayo. Nagtulungan po tayo dito, nag-host po tayo dito sa Pilipinas. Number 1 po tayo sa ranking sa SEA Games,” he added. The senator likewise underscored the importance of investing in sports infrastructure and providing more resources for the development of local athletes. He maintained that with proper support, Filipino athletes can compete at the highest level and bring honor to the country. Go earlier authored and co-sponsored Republic Act No. 11470, establishing the National Academy of Sports in 2020 as part of his vision to ensure promising young athletes can further hone their talents while getting a quality education. The NAS is a government-run academy aimed at developing the country’s future athletes by offering quality secondary education with a special curriculum on sports for gifted young Filipinos who want to enhance their physical and mental capabilities in sports. The senator also filed Senate Bill No. 423, or the proposed Philippine National Games Act of 2022, to provide a structure for a more comprehensive national sports program, linking grassroots sports promotion to national sports development. The post Bong Go visits Cambodia, supports Filipino athletes participating in SEA Games appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
‘Women in Blockchain’ empowers women in tech
Binance recently held a "Women in Blockchain" event in Manila, in collaboration with blockchain play-to-earn games Yield Guild Games, to celebrate gender equality and empower more women to pursue careers in Web3. Female representatives in the Philippines' Web3 space, such as Prayer Trairatvorakul, Marketing director, APAC at Binance, and Mary Rose E. Magsaysay, assistant secretary of Cybercrime Investigation Coordinating Center, convened with other female community members at this event to share insights, network and discuss the opportunities that Web3 offers women globally. As an industry leader, Binance aims to increase the freedom of money globally. A crucial part of this is bringing more diversity to the crypto ecosystem to ensure blockchain lives up to its full potential. Binance seeks to empower all crypto-curious women to become crypto-fluent through various ongoing initiatives and events. This "Women in Blockchain" event is the first in the Philippines. At the event, Kenneth Stern, general manager of Binance in the Philippines, emphasized the importance of supporting the increasing number of women entering the Web3 space. He added, "As a company, representing women is our priority, and we have a female workforce higher than the industry average." Prayer Trairatvorakul, Binance's Marketing Director, APAC, delivered an insightful keynote at the event and touched on how more women can enter the Web3 industry if companies encourage inclusivity, leverage existing networks to open doors and create products specifically for women. She revealed how shaping careers without gender preconceptions has succeeded for Binance, "A lot of people that I work with started as interns and are now leading global teams. An advantage of working in the Web 3 sector is that there is lower bureaucracy, which allows people, regardless of gender, to progress in their career." Creating their place Other female speakers at the "Women in Blockchain" event also shared their experience working in Web3 and how they have been building their careers in this male-dominated space. Mary Rose E. Magsaysay, CICC assistant secretary, highlighted the effectiveness of women in leadership roles: "When we talk about the government, some of the best managers are women since about 70 percent of managerial jobs are handled by women." Myrtle Anne Ramos, serial entrepreneur and angel investor, encouraged women to find other women in the tech space and collaborate with them to make a difference. She said people should "create the world you want to see. What we need to do is build that inclusive world that we're creating. Make a safe space for everyone and look for mentors." Kimberly Rocha-Delgado, director of Galeria Paloma, advised women to seek out companies that value their strengths and make them allies in making space for others to shine. "By raising awareness about these issues, we can work towards greater representation and equality," she said. Een Mercado, gaming content creator, and YGG ambassador, advised women to carve out their own space and pursue their paths in the highly competitive gaming industry. "While it may be difficult to create content that hasn't been done before, it's important to keep trying and find a unique way to stand out. Ultimately, success in the gaming world comes from having fun, enjoying the competition, and being persistent in pursuing one's own goals," Mercado said. As part of Binance's commitment to increasing female representation in Web3 and reducing the gender gap, the exchange has created its first formal internship and graduate programs, offering more access to crypto careers for diverse talent, including women. Binance also provides guidance and career advice to women through Binance Academy's educational courses, female mentorship programs, and talent workshops to teach more women how to break into a career in Web3. The post ‘Women in Blockchain’ empowers women in tech appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Philippines rescues over 1,000 trafficking victims
Philippine authorities have rescued over a thousand people from several Asian nations who were trafficked into the country, held captive, and forced to run online scams, an official said Saturday. International alarm has grown in recent months over internet scams in the region often staffed by trafficking victims tricked or coerced into promoting bogus crypto investments. Michelle Sabino, a spokeswoman for the Philippine national police force's anti-cybercrime group, said officers raided a cluster of buildings Thursday in Mabalacat City, about 90 kilometers north of Manila. A total of 1,090 people were rescued who had been recruited to run online scams. Sabino said the victims were forced to target unsuspecting people in the United States, Europe, and Canada. Their passports were confiscated and they were made to work up to 18 hours a day, with salary deductions for interacting with colleagues or taking extended breaks. "You're like a prisoner without a cell. You're not even allowed to talk to your roommates," Sabino told AFP. "They're not allowed to leave outside the bounds of the gate. After 18 hours of work, they're brought to their dormitory." The victims were mostly Chinese nationals, Vietnamese, Filipinos, and Indonesians, police said in a separate statement. Authorities also rescued people from Malaysia, Thailand, Taiwan, Myanmar, Hong Kong, and Nepal. Sabino said the workers were trained to entice strangers into buying cryptocurrency or depositing money into bogus bank accounts after establishing fake romantic relationships. "They will build up a promise of a good future together. Let's buy a house, buy a car, let's invest money, or let's do business together," she said. At least 12 suspected ringleaders of the scheme have been arrested and are set to be charged with human trafficking. They include seven Chinese nationals, four Indonesians and a Malaysian, Sabino said. Sabino also said the police operation was the result of a plea by the Indonesian ambassador in Manila for help locating distressed nationals. A Philippine immigration official also warned on Saturday against trafficking risks while international events are underway. "In the past, we have recorded victims who claimed they were set to join beauty pageants, and shows, only to find out that they were being trafficked abroad," immigration commissioner Norman Tansingco said in a statement. The warning comes as Cambodia hosts the Southeast Asian Games, which began on Friday and runs until 17 May. The immigration bureau said Philippine sports officials were asked to warn Filipino athletes of the "risks of trafficking" in the country. An AFP report last year found people from around Asia have been pulled into cryptocurrency scams in Cambodia, some trafficked and beaten by scam operators. Last month, Philippine senator Risa Hontiveros warned that "scam call centers" were operating in the Philippines and employing foreigners trafficked into the country. The post Philippines rescues over 1,000 trafficking victims appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Vigan City launches tourist passport as it celebrates its arts festival
[caption id="attachment_129307" align="aligncenter" width="525"] PHOTOGRAPHS BY ROEL HOANG MANIPON FOR THE DAILY TRIBUNE | Vigan City mayor Jose ‘Bonito’ Singson Jr., city and province officials and special guest, former senator Nikki Coseteng, led the launch of the Vigan City Tourist Passporton Calle Crisologo.[/caption] Vigan City is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Ilocos Region, and its main draw is the handsome heritage houses, the Filipino bahay na bato, that date back to the Spanish colonial era. These old houses cluster around Calle Crisologo, the heritage center of the capital of the province of Ilocos Sur in northwestern Luzon Island, and the area, declared a UNESCO World Heritage site, has highest concentration of heritage structures in the Philippines. The city also has several museums, extraordinary for regions outside of Metro Manila, and traditional crafts such as pottery and textile weaving still survive and had become tourist attractions. It also affords visitors a taste of the food of the Ilocano people, the dominant ethnic group in the region, such as pinakbet, poque-poque, tinubong, their version of the empanada and bagnet. [caption id="attachment_129306" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Iconic bagnet was one of the Ilocano dishes served during the passport launch.[/caption] The local government has been concocting touristic events and products to entice more visitors, especially now that tourism in the area is recovering from the lockdowns because of the coronavirus pandemic and the July 2022 northern Luzon earthquake, which damaged several old structures in the area including the 19th-century Metropolitan Cathedral of the Conversion of Saint Paul the Apostle and the Saint Augustine of Hippo Church of neighboring town of Bantay, which remain closed until today. One of the city’s touristic efforts is its own tourist passport. Using a tourist passport has recently become a fun activity for tourists in several areas around the world. In Taiwan, for example, tourists earn cute stamps on their passports on every destination and landmark they visit. In the Philippines, the Department of Tourism issued Jose Rizal passports in 2011 in celebration of the 150th birth anniversary of the Filipino writer and hero. Tourists earned stamps in sites associated with Rizal all over the Philippines such as his birthplace in Calamba, Laguna, and his place of exile in Dapitan, Zamboange del Norte. Tourists who completed their stamps earned prizes. [caption id="attachment_129308" align="aligncenter" width="525"] The tourist passport is said to have a rewards system, aimed at boosting local businesses, and holders earn stamps by patronizing stores, restaurants and other establishments.[/caption] In Vigan City, the passport is a way to boost local businesses, according to its mayor, Jose “Bonito” Singson, Jr., who is from the province’s most dominant political clan and who spearheaded the venture. The Ciudad de Vigan Pasaporte de Turista is said to have a rewards system, and holders earn stamps by patronizing stores, restaurants and other establishments in the city. The launch of the tourist passport on 28 April served as the opening event of the Viva Vigan Binatbatan Festival of the Arts, which ran until 5 May. The Binatbatan is one of three main festivals of the city, strategically scheduled throughout the year. The Longganisa Festival in the early part of the year is inspired by the city’s popular version of the Filipino pork sausage, while the Raniag: The Vigan Twilight Festival in October features the celebration of Halloween and the traditional local undas, which honors the departed. Binatbatan is in the middle of the hot, dry season, and highlights heritage, creativity and culture. The launch was held on charming Calle Crisologo led by Singson, a whole day affair starting with a motorcade in the morning and an al-fresco program with dinner in the evening. The event was attended by provincial and city government officials and employees, visitors and special guests such as former senator Anna Dominique “Nikki” Marquez-Lim Coseteng. [caption id="attachment_129303" align="aligncenter" width="525"] A beautiful setup for the launch of the Vigan City Tourist Passport on Calle Crisologo, famous for its heritage houses.[/caption] The tourist passports were readily made available to purchase through booths placed on the main street, at the city hall and online at www.vigancity.gov.ph. Singson hinted at more tourism projects to come. The Binatbatan Festival started rolling. A mural, a collaboration among local artists, has just been unveiled at the Plaza Burgos, where Art in the Park was held on 29 April, including an art exhibit and a painting contest. At night, several groups performed at the Vigan Dance Festival 7. The Food and Trade Fair, at the Boardwalk on Govantes Dike, by the banks of Mestizo River, and the Abel Product Expo were opened on that day. [caption id="attachment_129305" align="aligncenter" width="525"] An on-the-spot art contest at Plaza Burgos.[/caption] On 30 April, the Capture the Vigan Experience: On the Spot Photography Competition was held with the theme “Time Travel” for the Professional Category and “Ilocano Heritage Hospitality” for the Amateur Category, as well as the Television and Music Video Competition. While the Black and White Photography Exhibit was mounted on Calle Crisologo, the Abel and Recycled Costume Ramparade featured designs using recycled materials and the local hand-woven textile at the Vigan City Hall. Other festival events and activities included the Abel Iloco Fashion Show and Competition, the Damili Jar Painting Competition, Reynas ti Mayo, Kalesa Parade and Competition, Carabao Painting and Pasagad Dressing, Ramada Traditional Games, a skateboarding competition, and the Binatbatan Tattto and Band Festival. The festival concluded with the street-dancing and showdown competition, a regular fixture in recently created Philippines festivals. Contingents of young performers danced on the streets in colorful costumes carrying batbats or bamboo sticks, and mimicking the movements of the batbatin, the traditional process of taking the seeds out of the dried fiber of the kapok, or kapas in Ilokano, by beating the cotton-like material with sticks, which the festival memorializes and from which it derived its name. The post Vigan City launches tourist passport as it celebrates its arts festival appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»