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CARD Inc. Medical Services opens in Tanauan, Leyte
CARD, Inc. - CARD MRI’s Microfinance and Health Protection (MaHP) opens a clinic and laboratory facility that offers medical services in Tanauan, Leyte on October 5, 2023......»»
Agusan mayor offers P100k bounty for arrest of suspects who killed 2 farm workers
SAN FRANCISCO, Agusan del Sur (MindaNews / 8 March) – San Francisco Mayor Grace Carmel Paredes-Bravo has offered a P100,000 cash reward for residents who can provide information leading to the apprehension of the suspects behind the fatal shooting of two oil palm workers and the injury of another during an ambush on February 29 […].....»»
Transform Your Home into a Tropical Christmas Haven for Your Staycation
In the archipelago of the Philippines, where sun-kissed shores meet vibrant cultural celebrations, the holiday season is a unique blend of tradition and tropical charm. As you embark on a festive staycation this Christmas, why not sprinkle some local flair into your home décor for an experience that’s both merry and uniquely Filipino? Nature’s Bounty […].....»»
Cainta chief increases cellphone thief’s bounty
Cainta, Rizal municipal administrator Keith Nieto has increased the bounty from P100,000 to P150,000 for the arrest of a thief who stole the iPhone of a basketball player at One Cainta Arena over the weekend. “You even used a telegram app to contact the owner of the iPhone. You thought your sin would be lightened if you returned it to the owner?” Nieto said. “I told you, I’m not interested in getting back what you stole. You are the one I want to meet,” he added. Nieto said he was watching an inter-department basketball league at One Cainta Arena on Thursday when someone asked him to have a picture with him and the suspect has volunteered to take the picture. “Someone wanted to have a picture with me and vice mayor Ace Servillon, but suddenly you volunteered to take a picture of us. You bent down in front of the players’ bench and you were seen picking up the player’s iPhone then you asked for the phone of the person who wanted to have a picture with us, so it was not obvious, but the phone you stole was already at your hand,” Nieto said. “You get out immediately. After the game, the player discovered that his phone was missing. That’s when the three people who saw you spoke,” he added. The post Cainta chief increases cellphone thief’s bounty appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
SM Hypermarket Street Food Festival 2023
Brace yourself for an unforgettable food party at the most delicious street food event of the year, the SM Hypermarket Street Food Festival 2023. This year, it’s all about celebrating delicious street food, featuring street food vendors, event-exclusive promos, live cooking demos from its guest celebrity chef, and exciting activities in the bustling SM Hypermarket Fairview. [caption id="attachment_190800" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Chef Boy Logro dancing with SM Markets mascots[/caption] Celebrity Chef Boy Logro Takes Center Stage! [caption id="attachment_190799" align="aligncenter" width="854"] Chef Boy Logro showing how to prepare SM Bonus Pork BBQ[/caption] Prepare to be amazed as the one and only Kusina Master, Chef Boy Logro, headlines the festival with his exceptional and creative cooking skills. Known for his culinary mastery and captivating cooking shows, Chef Boy Logro will grace the event with live cooking demonstrations that will surely make you crave. Watch in amazement as he showcases SM's finest pre-blanched meats, including the mouthwatering sisig and tender beef tendon, into classic street food creations. But the excitement doesn't stop there! Chef Boy Logro will also introduce the newest SM Bonus Marinated Pork Barbecue on stick – a premium taste sensation that’s delicious, tender, and ready to cook. A Street Food Party Like No Other [caption id="attachment_190801" align="aligncenter" width="854"] Chef Boy Logro cooking sisig using SM’s blanched sisig[/caption] The SM Hypermarket Street Food Festival 2023 is your passport to a world of street food delights, made possible by its partners Nestle Magic Sarap, Nestle All Purpose Cream, Knorr Seasoning, Knorr Cubes, Knorr Soup, Purefoods Hotdog, Purefoods Heat & Eat, Lucky Me, Alaska Crema All Purpose Cream, Joy Dishwashing Liquid, 555 Sardines, 555 Tuna, CDO Hotdog, CDO Tocino, CDO Chicken Franks, Bounty Fresh Chicken & Farm Fresh Liempo. [caption id="attachment_190802" align="aligncenter" width="854"] SM Markets mascots and Customer Assistants at the Street Food Festival[/caption] [caption id="attachment_190803" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Guests and shoppers watching Chef Boy Logro’s live cooking demo[/caption] Explore a diverse range of street food stalls offering an irresistible array of snacks, treats, and bites that capture the essence of street cuisine from around the world. From sizzling skewers to crispy empanadas, it's a street food paradise you won't want to miss. In addition to the delectable street food offerings and Chef Boy Logro's culinary expertise, shoppers can enjoy special discounts, freebies, and fun activities such as our Hook-A-Duck game, plus snap some cool shots with the trending SM Turon and Five Star coffee pillows at the Photo Alley. [caption id="attachment_190804" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Chef Boy Logro with media guests[/caption] Shop to your heart's content and take advantage of unbeatable deals and discounts available only at the festival. Enjoy freebies for every purchase of Street Food Festival bundles, as well as big savings when you buy participating items with your SM Advantage or Prestige card. You can even get free SM Bonus Pork BBQ sticks with a minimum purchase of P1,000 worth of participating items. [caption id="attachment_190805" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Chef Boy Logro at the Street Food Festival photo alley[/caption] [caption id="attachment_190806" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Shopper enjoying the Street Food Festival’s Hook-A-Duck game[/caption] That’s not all. Shoppers may still get the Street Food Festival experience within the comforts of home through the online promos. They can get free SM Bonus lobster balls for a minimum of P1,500 worth of groceries inclusive of Street Food Festival participating items if they use the code FREEILOBYOU at smmarkets.ph. Don't miss the SM Hypermarket Street Food Festival 2023! It's going to be the best street food party. Join us in SM Hypermarket stores from September to October for mouthwatering street food, and exclusive deals. The post SM Hypermarket Street Food Festival 2023 appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Famed environmental warrior graces RC Manila assembly
The Rotary Club of Manila had a brilliant, unique guest speaker at its last weekly members’ meeting at the Manila Polo Club — the famed, internationally acclaimed author, lawyer, environmental activist, and recipient, in 2009, of what is regarded as the Nobel Prize of Asia, the Ramon Magsaysay Award (non-category), Antonio Oposa Jr. For about an hour and a half last Thursday, 21 September 2023, RC Manila members, officers and guests at the MPC’s Turf Room alternately stood up to sing along and listen to Oposa’s telling of “good stories,” his way, he said, of promoting and creating awareness for his advocacies and his passion for the environment. Oposa earned a law degree from the University of the Philippines College of Law. For a short time, he worked in a law firm, until he realized that his heart was not in the practice of law but rather with nature and the environment. He traveled to Norway and enrolled in a course on energy and the environment at the University of Oslo’s summer program and afterwards, to Boston, where he pursued and later obtained his LLM at the Harvard Law School in 1997. [caption id="attachment_188497" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Valiant environmental warrior Antonio Oposa: ‘My biggest achievement is that I have turned some of my adversaries into co-advocates. And what could be more inspiring now than to see their own children out there, protecting the sea?’[/caption] In 1993, Oposa made global headlines for the landmark case, Minors Oposa v Factoran where the Supreme Court ruled that the 43 children counseled by Oposa, who filed legal action against the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, seeking cancellation by the agency of existing timber license agreements and stopping the issuance of new ones, ruled in favor of the plaintiffs. “The case was brought to court amid the government’s then granting over 90 logging companies permits to cut down nearly four million hectares of old-growth forest when only 850,000 hectares remained. And forests were being logged at a rate of some 200,000 hectares per year! I told the Court how my son, only three at that time, would no longer see these forests by the time he was 10. I couldn’t help thinking, that if this wasn’t stopped not a single old-growth forest would remain for him and future generations to enjoy,” Oposa said. The case had initially been dismissed in trial court on the ground that there was no legal personality to sue. Oposa elevated the case to the Supreme Court, and in a much-hailed case of intergenerational responsibility, the Supreme Court upheld the legal standing and right of the children to initiate action on their behalf and on behalf of generations yet unborn. What was so remarkable about the case is that Oposa sued on behalf of generations yet unborn and today that milestone case is known in Philippine and global jurisprudence as the “Oposa Doctrine.” For its part, the Philippine Supreme Court, too, carved a permanent niche for itself in environmental law with its promulgation of Oposa v Factoran. It secured its place in history, earning praises from the international environmental community and a reputation as a champion of the right to a healthy environment. Oposa also recounted at this talk at the RC Manila meeting last Thursday another epic landmark case involving the legal tussle he waged against 11 government agencies for the cleaning up of severely polluted Manila Bay. In December 2008, a decade after he filed that case, the Supreme Court issued a decision in his favor. In a continuing mandamus ruling, the Supreme Court ordered all defendant agencies to implement a time-bound action plan that would clean up Manila Bay and to give the Court a progress report on the matter every three months. Oposa talked about the Island Sea Camp he organized in 2001 in Bantayan Island where he gave children lessons on coral reefs, snorkeling and sustainable practices. In 2003, 2004, while holding weekend training camps for children in the Sea Camp “we noticed the rampant illegal fishing going on. Dynamite fishing and commercial fishing intrusions into prohibited coastal zones went unchecked. Something had to be done,” related Oposa. Thus, was born the Visayan Sea Squadron. “I organized a strike team with crack enforcers from the National Bureau of Investigation, Navy, fishermen, sea watch volunteers, lawyers, law students and even a few foreigners. The target was not small fishermen but crime syndicates and operators behind the sale of blasting caps and dynamite powder. Seizures and raids followed,” he said. Operations were so effective that word went out that his friend Jojo de la Victoria, the fearless Cebu City Bantay Dagat (Sea Watch) chief, and Oposa were targets of assassination. A local newspaper interviewed De la Victoria, revealing an intelligence report about illegal fishing operators putting up a P1-million bounty for him and Oposa. In 12 April 2006, 48 hours after he was interviewed, De la Victoria was felled by a hired gunman outside his house in Cebu City. “Jojo’s life was not in vain. After his funeral, a core team met for dinner to regroup. The tide of illegal fishing started to turn. Exploits of the Visayan Sea Squadron — and the courage and synergy of the men and women who made it happen — became known far and wide,” Oposa said. He continued, “Four years after Jojo died, Visayan Sea Squadron co-founder Alfredo Marañon was elected governor of Negros Occidental province. He gathered the other governors in the region to begin a restorative plan for the Visayan Sea which encompasses an area of over a million hectares. The governors passed a landmark joint resolution declaring the entire Visayan Sea a marine reserve.” For his valiant work as an environmental warrior, Oposa has been the recipient of many award in recognition of his valiant work as an environmental warrior. Aside from receiving the Ramon Magsaysay Award in 2009, he was given the equally prestigious Center for International Environmental Law Award in 2008. Earlier, in 1997, he was conferred the United Nations Environment Programme Global 500 Roll of Honor, the highest UN honor in the field of the environment. Asked if there was anything about his attainments that gives him the most satisfaction, Oposa said, “My biggest achievement is not that I caught this violator and that violator when we were busy with our Visayan Sea Squadron operations; it is that I have turned my adversaries into co-advocates. Some of those who had opposed me are now supporting me in my advocacies. And what could be more inspiring than to see their own children helping us out there, protecting the sea?” The post Famed environmental warrior graces RC Manila assembly appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Shin Min Ah, Ryu Seung Ryong films screening for free at Korean Film Festival 2023
Compelling stories with nature's bounty make picturesque films such as those starring "Moving" star Ryu Seung-ryong and "My Girlfriend is A Gumiho" actress Shin Min-ah at the upcoming Korean Film Festival from September 22 to 26. .....»»
Mexico extradites son of cartel kingpin ‘El Chapo’ to US
Mexico on Friday extradited the son of Sinaloa Cartel kingpin Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman to the United States to face narcotics charges, US Attorney General Merrick Garland said. Ovidio Guzman Lopez, also known as "El Raton" or "The Mouse," was indicted earlier this year on drug trafficking charges linked to the fentanyl crisis plaguing the United States. His father was convicted in 2019 of running what was believed to be the world's biggest narcotics syndicate and is serving life in a supermax prison in the state of Colorado. Garland hailed the extradition as "the most recent step in the Justice Department's effort to attack every aspect of the cartel's operations." "The Justice Department will continue to hold accountable those responsible for fueling the opioid epidemic that has devastated too many communities across the country." After Guzman's conviction, several of his sons, collectively known as "the Little Chapos," inherited control of the Sinaloa Cartel, US authorities said. Security agents captured the younger Guzman in the Sinaloa city of Culiacan on 5 January. Following his arrest, cartel members set vehicles on fire and created mayhem, an echo of the massive shootouts in 2019 when the younger Guzman was briefly detained but then freed to avoid bloodshed. At the time, US authorities had a $5 million bounty for his arrest, accusing him and his brother, Joaquin Guzman Lopez, of overseeing methamphetamine labs in Sinaloa state producing an estimated 3,000 to 5,000 pounds of meth per month. "Other information indicates that Ovidio Guzman Lopez has ordered the murders of informants, a drug trafficker, and a popular Mexican singer who had refused to sing at his wedding," according to a website of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Ovidio Guzman, 33, will spend his first nights in a US prison just as his father's wife, Emma Coronel, walks free. Coronel, who is not Guzman's mother, was released from a California halfway house this week after completing a sentence for collaborating with Chapo Guzman in his narcotics activities. Coronel is a dual US-Mexican citizen. tjj/qan © Agence France-Presse The post Mexico extradites son of cartel kingpin ‘El Chapo’ to US appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Menchu Katigbak: The splendid life of a society swan
Hers is a story anyone would love to tell and retell, or hear and hear again. Chances are, as in the book of Menchu, so many things are left unsaid because if these were all said, a single book would not be enough. Carmencita “Menchu” Katigbak’s story is one of love, passion, hurts and disappointments, social triumphs and power in its subtle workings, but mostly the good life and the people who live it and make it happen. She is a woman of the world in the sense of one who has lived in, explored and enjoyed New York, Bangkok, Lausanne, Paris and, her current love, Singapore. Of course, her turf is in Manila with a Capital S and Capital P (as in Power), and Lipa the hometown of her roots. [caption id="attachment_180060" align="aligncenter" width="958"] MENCHU with best friend Susie and her daughter Marivic.[/caption] At a time when the term “socialite” can come cheap, trite or even undeserved, Menchu gives the appellation dignity, respect and the awe it once inspired. Her social credentials are, of course, impeccable. For starters, she attended the Chateau Mont-Choisi, a Swiss finishing school for debutantes and pre-debs belonging to royalty and the world’s upper crust. A socialite today, in loose modern parlance, is perceived as being frivolous, one who attends parties because these men and women are party animals, or party people, as one columnist has named her weekly jottings about the social events of the day. The enjoyment of life is what defines this breed and set, and yet, while Menchu, too, knows how to enjoy, and enjoy life with gusto, there is more to her and that differentiates her from the herd. No, she does not top her charmed life with an icing of well-publicized good deeds and philanthropic beneficence, even if she actually shares her bounty with those in need. Menchu is of a different mold. She is a society swan in the manner of Truman Capote’s chums — Babe Paley, Gloria Guinness, Lee Radziwill. In our part of the world, think Chona, think Minnie, think Chito. She may well be cast in the same crème de la creme mold, glamorous denizens of the inner circles of society, at the same time, ladies who have transcended the vagaries of time. Just recently, Menchu was referred to by a diplomat friend as a global influencer, a 21st-century appellation that only a few are accorded. This one is applied to one who was once a señorita, colegiala and, yes, society girl, again in the tradition of Chona, Baby, Nelly, Chito and Ising. ‘The Katigbaks talk only to the Kalaws’ They don’t need family names, each as important as the other and of the same significance in society. Still, it’s one thing to say that she is Baby Fores, and another if she is Baby Arenas. There were two Vickys, one of national import and memory being the lovely teenager who stood as her father’s First Lady in the early 1950s, and there was the Madrigal matron, Vicky nee Abad Santos, who was low-key and the daughter of the World War II patriot, Jose Abad Santos, who refused to pledge allegiance to the flag of the enemies. Menchu shares first name distinction with Menchu delas Alas Concepcion, also of Batangueña parentage, being the daughter of banker and finance guy and public servant Don Antonio de las Alas. Both aristocrats from Batangas, the two Menchus share many distinctions beauty for one, pedigree, for the other—but that’s as far as I would say, the aforementioned traits being obvious. But to drive his point, Joe Guevarra, the humorous and well-placed columnist known for his tongue-in-cheek pronouncements, once said of the olden times, when the genealogical boundaries were well-defined, “In Lipa, the Katigbaks talk only to the Kalaws, and the Kalaws talk only to the Katigbaks.” [caption id="attachment_180057" align="aligncenter" width="998"] DINNER in Pili with Fernando and Zobel, Tessie Sy-Coson, Guilly Luchangco, Federico ‘Piki’ Lopez | photograph courtesy of MENCHU KATIGBAK[/caption] This self-confessed social climber, as his 8-to-5-and-beyond job would require him to be, admits to not having met (okay, having been introduced to…) the ebullient society hostess, traveler, culinary maven and friend-to-the-powerful Menchu Katigbak. Everything that I am writing here, I learned from the lady’s biography, Menchu, authored by lifestyle journalism icon Thelma Sioson San Juan, the two being decades-old friends. Menchu, one finds out toward the end of the book, is the inspiration for her granddaughter Isabelle’s first tome, Abu, the Sad Princess. I look back on the pages I have read, the memories of Menchu’s lifetime so far, in all its seven glorious and electrifying decades, and I dare say, the description is most apt and is true as well in real life as Menchu today is “living happily ever after” having come to terms with the many issues that confronted her at various times, but more importantly, she is today a fulfilled mother and grandmother and a believer in Jesus Christ. But that is getting ahead of the story. ‘White Matter’ by Lao Lianben Jaime Ponce de Leon, dear Jaime, the man of the hour of Philippine arts for as long as Juan Luna’s missing masterpiece, remains ensconced at the Ayala Museum – gaining for the discoverer more than a foothold in our cultural history – asked me if I was interested in writing about the socially formidable Menchu Katigbak, and I readily said yes, having seen her photographs in the select and more discriminating society pages and columns. I thought to myself it would be an opportunity to meet the lady face to face and add her to my glossary of so-called newfound friends, but that was not meant to be. I was, oh, I was treated to the next best thing – a copy of Menchu which, to someone who aspires to be a bibliophile, is all that matters in the world, except that I am first a social climber. And since I have not been allowed an audience, I take solace in the book and, as my honeyed revenge, will tell you what I feel about the lady who, I understand, could be frank and outspoken. Abrasive is too strong a word, and unfair for I am not sure if I will ever meet her in my lifetime, but I am told the lady will never mince words, that’s probably why she has legions of true friends who probably can give as much as take, or so I am imagining. [caption id="attachment_180055" align="aligncenter" width="1475"] Lunch in the kitchen in Pili with Patty Araneta (left) and Monet Recio-Schem.[/caption] A painting that Menchu has kept all these years, “White Matter” by Lao Lianben, signed and dated 1997, has been featured as one of the rare pieces to be auctioned in Leon Gallery’s forthcoming magnificent September auction, with the starting bid of P2,600,000. So, there, if you’re wondering what Jaime, who moves around the best circles, has got to do with this enigmatic swan. ‘We are not rich’ But let’s stick to what the book says. While she intersperses in her narrative personal encounters with her subject, TSJ, for the most part, devotes the pages of this book to Menchu alone, and with our cosmopolitan lady, the many friends in the upper echelons whose lives she has touched and who have touched hers in turn. Menchu, once she was ready to be told, heard it straight from her mother, “Tandaan mo, baka akala mo mayaman tayo. Hindi tayo mayaman. Kung napadala ka namin sa Switzerland at si Tita at si Tony napadala naming sa America, kasi nagpawis ako ng dugo (Remember, you may think we are rich, we are not rich. If we sent you to Switzerland and Tita and Tony to America, it was because I sweated blood). If you think you’re going to inherit something from us, banish the thought. So if you don’t study well, bahala ka sa sarili mo (you’re on your own).” The perfect words for the Asuncionista (Assumptionista) who much preferred to bake food for the gods, brownies and upside-down cakes and do naughty things like hiding the bell used to signal the start and end of class periods. Her mother, the former Charing Roxas Dimayuga, who attended Assumption Convent, dealt in buying, developing and selling homes in the gated Makati villages. She also developed horizontal and vertical commercial spaces as well as imported retazos from abroad. [caption id="attachment_180056" align="aligncenter" width="696"] Wearing the Van Cleef earrings purchased before their public launch.[/caption] Her father, Enrique Luz Katigbak, on the other hand, was a top certified public accountant, an alumnus of the Northwestern University and a director on the boards of Monte de Piedad and Philtrust banks. Of his connections, none is more eminent than his friendship with His Eminence, Rufino Cardinal Santos, archbishop of Manila and the first Filipino Cardinal of the Catholic Church. It was not a happenstance that Menchu received the sacrament of confirmation from the Cardinal himself right in the Katigbak home, the first ever that was held in a private home if any other followed at all. Like most children, Menchu recalls in the book how she detested being “slapped” by the pious prelate. If she was any pleased about her family’s closeness to the holy man, it was that the Assumption sisters did not expel her for her not-too-infrequent infractions because they went to her father if they needed something from the Cardinal. Dona Aurora Recto for a ‘guardian’ Hers was a lonely childhood since her older siblings were away. They were the triple seven, which alluded to their being born seven years apart, with Menchu as the youngest. On certain days, her parents, both busy, would deposit her in the home of the statesman Claro M. Recto where she would play with his favorite granddaughter, Techie, who had all these toys, Menchu could not help realizing her parents did not buy her a toy. She played with her jackstones while Techie had a closetful of toys, including a toy “cash register.” Techie was so generous she was giving this fancy plaything to her, but Menchu refused knowing her mother would not approve. What she remembers best of that time was the sight of Dona Aurora, the first beautiful woman she beheld in her young mind and eyes, and from her, she learned her first lessons in etiquette, because the family ate with a full complement of silverware and flatware. (To be continued) The post Menchu Katigbak: The splendid life of a society swan appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
GenSan kicks off 25th Tunafest
General Santos City — The local government here has launched the 25th Tuna Festival 2023 — an annual event dedicated to honor the tuna industry of the city that will once again showcase the bounty of the seas and give vast opportunities in the fishing sector of the city. This year’s theme, Adapting Strategies Responsive to Global Change,” will focus more on gathering innovative ideas, generate tangible solutions that will have a lasting positive impact on the future of tuna fishing. The SOCCSKSARGEN Federation of Fishing and Allied Industries Inc. — which organized the event — aimed to address the dwindling situation of the fishing industry particularly the tuna production of the city being dubbed as the “Tuna Capital of the Philippines.” SAFFII will also hold the Tuna Congress 2023 together with different stakeholders to obtain possible long-term solution to the fishing sector. To recall, former Sarangani province Governor Miguel Rene Dominguez even disclosed to the Sangguniang Panlungsod that the fishing in the city is already a sunset industry. This year’s festival has earmarked at least P9 million as funds for the duration of the activities that will culminate on 5 September 2023. General Santos City Mayor Lorelie Pacquiao said that the city will be fully supporting the tuna industry especially the small fisherfolks that are greatly affected with the problems haunting the sector. “We will give utmost importance to the small fishermen who are greatly affected. Our city shall never cease to find solution for the betterment of the industry,” Pacquiao said. Activities are already prepared and will be mostly happening at the General Santos City Fishport Complex. The Fish Fest and the heaviest catch tuna will be among the highlights of the activities. The volume of caught tuna suffered when Indonesia no longer continued the bilateral agreement with the Philippines. The post GenSan kicks off 25th Tunafest appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Kadayawan sa Dabaw now on its 38th year
Today, 20 August, is the culmination of Kadayawan sa Dabaw, touted to be the festival of all festivals in Mindanao. Now on its 38th year, the official festivity of Davao’s most colorful and bonggacious celebration started last 10 August. [caption id="attachment_173332" align="aligncenter" width="784"] street dancing at the festival. | Photographs By Henrylito Tacio For The Daily Tribune[/caption] [caption id="attachment_173333" align="aligncenter" width="763"] Floralfloat.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_173334" align="aligncenter" width="898"] The streets of the city were on fire as dancers stomped their feet, swayed their hips and cheered in their loudest voices.[/caption] A week later, 17 August, Kristine Claire Tar of the Bagobo-Klata was crowned as this year’s Hiyas ng Kadayawan. “Hiyas sa Kadayawan is a great avenue for us to show not only for our strength as a tribe but to show as a woman that we are powerful, we have a voice and that we are talented,” she answered when asked the question: “How does Hiyas sa Kadayawan empower the women of Davao City?” “The Hiyas sa Kadayawan,” she further explained, “is a showcase of different diversity, the unique beauties of the 11 ethnolinguistic tribes of the city. It is a way for us to showcase our uniqueness and our diversity, and I am an example for that.” Tar then concluded her reply, “I, as a Hiyas, have experienced the great opportunity to show and share my voice, in sharing my advocacy and my plans as a tribal youth president, and as a woman.” First runner-up Juhana Sultan of the Maranao ethnic group was chosen as Hiyas sa Panaghiusa while Althea Asnawi of Taosug tribe settled for second runner-up as Hiyas sa Kalambuan. Sultan also got the following special awards: Eastern Smile of the Night, The Spectrum, Pau-Pau Choice, Hiyas of Mr. D.I.Y and Best in Cultural Presentation. Street dances On the 19th, the streets were filled again with contingents from the city itself and even those from other provinces of Davao and even other regions with the execution of Indak-Indak sa Kadalanan. Some streets of the city were literally on fire as street dances stomped their feet, swayed their hips and shouted with their loudest voice ever during the event. Moving colors — mostly red, yellow, orange and green — flooded the streets. For the Davao City School-Based Category, there were six contingents: Apo Duwaling Dance Company of the Mabini National High School; Tribung Lacson Performing Arts and Ensemble of Lacon Integrated School; Sining Sayon Dawet Cultural Ensemble of Davao City National High School; Hinugyaw Dance Performing Arts of Don Enrique Bustamante National High School; Sining Mananayaw Ensemble of Catalunan Pequeno National High School; and the Performing Arts Company of Lapu-Lapu Elementary School. There were 13 entries in the Open Category or those contingents outside of Davao City. Davao Oriental was represented with four entries: Caraga Matimawa of Caraga National High School (from Caraga), Tribu Maganahay Matiao National High School (from Mati City), Banayan Performing Arts (from Banaybanay) and Rise and Shine Caraga of San Luis National High School. (also from Caraga). Davao del Norte had two entries: Madyaw Samalikha Cultural Dance Troupe (from Island Garden City of Samal) and Asuncion National High School Performing Arts Guild (from Asuncion). There was a lone entry from Davao de Oro: Indak Elizalde Performing Arts Guild of Elizalde National High School (from Maco). Entries outside of Davao Region were as follows: Tribung Balovebagueño (from Balabagan, Lanao del Sur), Agusan del Sur Artists’ Guild (from Agusan del Sur), Landan National High School Performing Arts Group (from Polomolok, South Cotabato), Kalingawan Dance Troupe (from Sto. Niño, South Cotabato), Gagandilan Akbar Performing Arts Guild (from Akbar, Basilan) and Sindac Anib Performing Arts Guild (from Bislig, Surigao del Sur). “The Indak-Indak sa Kadalanan is wildly popular because of the distinctively Mindanaoan beat and costumes,” one pundit commented. “Several tourists come to Davao to watch hundreds of people dancing with vigor in the streets, clad in their native attire and carrying extravagant props that would give Hollywood studios a serious run for their money.” Unlike in the past, the street dancing was moved to the afternoon instead of the usual morning. When asked why, Second District Council Al Ryan Alejandre, the festival spokesperson, told Davao media: “So, it will not be too hot for the children, and we have a good vantage view since it will be in the afternoon and the evening.” (Editor’s note: By the time this feature came out, the winners were already announced.) ‘Pamulak sa Kadayawan’ Also today, August 20, the Pamulak sa Kadayawan will be held. It is a sight to behold as it is patterned after the Pasadena Parade of Roses in the United States — where flowers and fruits are set in colorful floats by business establishments, community assemblies and peoples’ organizations as they promenade on the streets symbolizing all the bounty sustainably enjoyed by the city’s residents. This year, the Daku Category has nine entries: Ipi Kadayawan Float, Kadayawan Kaleidoscope: A multicultural Float Gala, The Fruits of Love and Caring the Nature, Kahayas sa Kalipay (XVI Global Holdings B.V.), IQOR Nurturing Hands, Nurturing Hearts, Harmony in Motion: Vista Estates and Vista Mall Tribute, Fly with the Champions — Philippines Air Asia, Inc., The Davaoeño Spirit (Aeon Blue), and National Food Authority Region XII. The Gamay Category has 13 entries: Guardians Anti-Crime Phil, International Inc., Barangay Councilors League of the Philippines First District, Teleperformance, Kababaihan Group, Duterte Squad Solid Supporters Group, Hudyaka sa Sutherland, Black Hawk Extreme Riders of Davao, Inc., Eng Seng Products, Tahawrog Tribe, Own Your Future — Alorica Teleservices, Inc., The Cause and Effect — A and L Marketing Solutions Hub, Inc., and Balangay — Philippine Retirement Authority. The Non-Competing Category has 14 entries. Perhaps not too many know that the festivity actually started in the 1970s when then Mayor Elias B. Lopez initiated tribal festivals featuring the lumad (native) and the Muslim tribes of Davao City where they showcase their dances and rituals of thanksgiving. It was then called “Apo Duwaling,” in honor of the three royalties for which Davao is famous for — Mount Apo, durian and waling-waling. In 1988, Mayor Rodrigo Duterte renamed “Apo Duwaling” to “Kadayawan sa Dabaw.” Kadayawan is derived from the friendly greeting “Madayaw,” a term taken from a Dabawenyo word dayaw which means “good,” “valuable,” “superior” or “something that brings good fortune.” “As the longest-running community festival in Mindanao, Kadayawan sa Davao has metamorphosed into a grand celebration that honors Davao’s rich cultural heritage and the many blessings bestowed on the city,” the Davao Tourism Office said. “Kadayawan’s sights and sounds remain unparalleled.” The post Kadayawan sa Dabaw now on its 38th year appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Wave of violent Indonesia muggings sparks ‘shoot-to-kill’ calls
A spate of violent muggings by machete-wielding thieves in Indonesia has drawn coded calls from prominent politicians for them to be killed-on-sight by police, in comments condemned by rights groups as condoning extrajudicial murders. Last month, police in the northern Sumatran city of Medan shot dead a "begal" -- a term used to describe a type of street thief known for their brutality -- as part of what the force said was a bid to "eradicate" them. Bobby Nasution, Medan mayor and President Joko Widodo's son-in-law, lauded the officers involved, saying such criminals should be shot dead on the spot. "I appreciate this because begal and criminals have no place in Medan," he wrote in an Instagram post on July 9, sharing footage of the suspect's dead body. President Widodo has not commented on Nasution's statements. Other leaders, including the governor of North Sumatra province, have supported the comments. Rights groups want an investigation into the killing, and have condemned the rhetoric as giving officers and citizens the right to take the law into their own hands. "It is inappropriate for public officials to declare support for such extrajudicial actions," Amnesty International Indonesia director Usman Hamid told AFP. "The shooting not only violates human rights principles –- such as the right to life, the right to a fair trial -- but also the regulations." Indonesian police rules state that firearms should only be used as an officer's last resort. Indonesia's Institute for Criminal Justice Reform called Nasution's words "irresponsible". Some public sentiment, however, is on the mayor's side. Under viral videos of the begal attacks, social media users call for the thieves to be shot dead or to face the death penalty. And in a village east of Jakarta, local leaders have issued a 10 million rupiah ($662) bounty for the capture of begals. 'Begal' terror Begals have savagely attacked their victims with sickles, airguns and rocks, terrorising Indonesians in the capital Jakarta, Medan and other urban centres. They approach their victims on scooters, usually in carefully chosen areas that have few security cameras, so that they can rapidly escape after the robbery. "They have to do it quickly and cruelly to make the victim surrender," said Adrianus Meliala, a criminologist at the University of Indonesia. "Begal run away using the city labyrinth they have mastered." Medan, Indonesia's fifth-largest city, has been hit by 45 begal attacks since January, police say, and one brutal case two months ago caused an uproar. Student Insanul Anshori Hasibuan was riding a scooter home when a man hacked him in the head with a machete, stealing his wallet. Hasibuan, 22, died in hospital after the attacker and several accomplices escaped with the contents of the wallet: just 70,000 rupiah ($4.60). Four suspects were later arrested, and face up to 15 years in jail if convicted. Such brutal attacks have been splashed across Indonesian media, raising public fear and allowing Nasution to cast himself as a champion for law and order. According to official data, the rate of robberies has risen in 2023, but experts say Indonesian criminal data is often incomplete due to underreporting. Indonesia's national police force did not respond to an AFP request for comment. The issue is a complex culmination of factors, including rising poverty in one of the world's most unequal countries, the difficulty of countering such quick and violent attacks, weak rule of law and crumbling public trust in the police. "The begal phenomenon cannot be separated from the social economic order of society," said Ida Ruwaida of the University of Indonesia. Rights groups say they are concerned that calls by prominent politicians such as Nasution to kill suspects on sight could lead to chaos on the country's streets. "We are concerned that the statement by the mayor of Medan can serve as legitimacy for more extrajudicial killings," said Hamid. "This is very dangerous." The post Wave of violent Indonesia muggings sparks ‘shoot-to-kill’ calls appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
DTI R2 brings Cagayan Valley’s Padday na Lima trade fair back to the metro
Consistent in its pursuit to be a major supplier of minimally processed food and institutionally packed goods, the Padday na Lima Regional Trade Fair of the Department of Trade and Industry Region 2 successfully returned to Metro Manila on 7 August 2023, opening in Alabang, Muntinlupa City, after being held locally in Tuguegarao City, Cagayan, for three consecutive years due to the pandemic. DTI Undersecretary for Regional Operations Group Blesila A. Lantayona underlined the agency's efforts to intensify its programs and services and upgrade and upskill MSMEs, and expressed his support and excitement at seeing Cagayan Valley’s offerings back to the metropolis. Mayor Rufino B. Biazon, represented byVice Mayor Artemio Simundac, welcomed guests and participants on behalf of Muntinlupa City, and emphasized the city’s support and appreciation for this regional endeavor, especially Cagayan Valley's choice of their city as the venue for the fair. Dubbed the biggest marketing platform in Cagayan Valley, the weeklong fair brings together top institutional buyers, over 100 local MSMEs and farmers, media industry professionals and NCR-based consumers. Under the theme “Bringing the Flavors and Colors of Cagayan Valley Back to the Metro” and led by DTI Region 2 Regional Director Leah Pulido Ocampo, Padday na Lima showcases the region’s craftsmanship, culture and tastes. This year's edition highlights tourism exhibitions, investment opportunities, new product innovations, business-to-business matching and media experience tours. Mayani co-founder and CEO JT Solis, DeliverE co-founder Pierre Curay, Batanes Governor Marilou Cayco, Nueva Vizcaya Vice Governor Eufemia Dacayo and Quirino Provincial Administrator Carmelita B. Jimenez graced the launch. Artisanal handcrafted products displayed in the fair are also available online through the Padday na Lima webshop at paddaynalima.com, where NCR-based consumers can conveniently place their orders in the comfort of their homes. DTI invites all the mall goers, buyers, resellers, institutional buyers and manufacturers to take advantage of the bounty of Cagayan Valley and support local MSMEs by visiting the fair at Carousel Court, Upper Ground Floor, West Wing, Festival Mall, Alabang, Muntinlupa City until 13 August 2023. The post DTI R2 brings Cagayan Valley’s Padday na Lima trade fair back to the metro appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Lights, camera, action!
Making plans for August? Whether you’re a drama enthusiast, a thrill-seeker, or simply a lover of cinematic brilliance, Lionsgate Play has got you covered. With an impressive roster of exclusive blockbusters and engaging series at your fingertips, you’re set to experience a rollercoaster of emotions right from your living room. So, gear up and get ready to immerse yourself in a world of incredible entertainment! High Heat — Release Date: 11th August 2023 In this action — packed crime thriller, Ana (Olga Kurylenko), an ex-KGB operative turned chef, is targeted by the local mafia, who are hell-bent on collecting on her husband’s (Don Johnson) debt by targeting her new restaurant. Now, Ana must rely on her lethal skills as she embarks on a deadly rampage to eliminate the entire crime syndicate one by one to save her restaurant and survive the night. Two Sinners and a Mule — Release Date: 25th August 2023 After being kicked out of their small town due to their sinful behavior, Alice (Chantelle Albers) and Nora (Hannah James) journey to Virginia City to make their dreams come true and open a restaurant. Along the way, they stumble upon an injured bounty hunter named Elden (Cam Gigandet). Seizing an opportunity for a share of the reward, they nurse Elden back to health and join forces to track down their target, Grimes (Cord Newman). However, things get complicated when both Nora and Alice develop romantic feelings for Elden. And unbeknownst to them, Grimes is hot on their trail, turning the hunters into the hunted. Will they be able to survive this dangerous pursuit and fulfill their dreams? Find out in this thrilling tale of love, adventure, and survival in the Wild West. Run the World Season 2 — Release Date: 4th August 2023 A vibrant series set in Harlem, Run the World follows the lives of a group of ambitious and dynamic lifelong best friends with Southern roots. In Season 2, Whitney (Amber Stevens West), Renee (Bresha Webb), and Sondi (Corbin Reid) continue navigating their careers, relationships, and personal growth while striving for world domination. With wardrobes ready for any occasion, these women epitomize the perfect blend of aspirational glamour, relatable authenticity, and the power of thriving together. Gray — Release Date: 18th August 2023 In the thrilling espionage film Gray, CIA spy Cornelia Gray (Patricia Clarkson) emerges from two decades of hiding, evading government agents who believed she was a traitor. Returning to her former life, Gray discovers that there is now a new mole within her old spy network. As she navigates the dangerous world of espionage, Gray must uncover the mole’s identity and protect her own life in a high-stakes game of trust and betrayal. Manhattan (Seasons 1 & 2) — Release Date: 4th August 2023 Step into the secretive world of World War II’s Manhattan Project and experience the emotional journey of the scientists and their families as they navigate love, loyalty, and the weight of their groundbreaking work. Starring Rachel Brosnahan, Michael Chernus, and Christopher Denham, Manhattan offers a unique blend of historical inspiration and fictional storytelling, providing a gripping and thought-provoking exploration of this pivotal historical moment. Ash vs. Evil Dead — Release Date: 11th August 2023 In this thrilling film, Bruce Campbell reprises his iconic role as Ash Williams, the chainsaw-handed monster fighter from the Evil Dead films. After three decades of avoiding responsibility and evil forces, Ash faces a new deadite threat. When Ash’s careless actions unleash a deadly plague of supernatural creatures, he must again battle against the forces of darkness to save humanity. Accompanied by his loyal sidekick Pablo (Ray Santiago), enigmatic Ruby (Lucy Lawless), and moody wild child Kelly (Dana DeLorenzo), Ash embarks on an epic quest to stop the impending destruction. With humor, horror, and non — stop action, Ash vs. Evil Dead delivers a thrilling and nostalgic continuation of the beloved franchise. The post Lights, camera, action! appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Remulla repeats Bantag surrender call
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla yesterday renewed his call for former Bureau of Corrections Director General Gerald Q. Bantag to surrender and face murder charges. Bantag had been charged before the regional trial courts of Las Piñas City and Muntinlupa City for the killing of radio commentator Percival “Percy Lapid” Mabasa and Cristito Villamor Palana, an inmate tagged as the middleman of the crime. Despite the issuance of warrants of arrest by the RTCs, Bantag remains at large. “He (Bantag) will have a fair trial, just surrender,” Remulla said. The secretary said he has received reports that Bantag has been spotted in Luzon. “There were also reports that he went down to Manila for a while. I think he is back in the north now,” according to Remulla. A P2 million bounty was offered by the Department of Justice to anyone who would be able to provide information that will lead to the arrest of Bantag, though Remulla said he prefers his surrender. “I hope he changes his mind about being a fugitive from justice because it will not do him any good and it is not doing our society any good. We do not want to romanticize people who want to defy the law. | We want people to follow the rule of law because it is the hallmark of a stable society,” Remulla said. “We will not be inventing out of the blue. We will present the evidence that we have, the legal theory that we have developed and then, if the justice system finds him innocent, then he can have his liberty. But if he is found guilty then he has to suffer for it. It’s just that he has to undergo through the process of trial,” he added. The post Remulla repeats Bantag surrender call appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Remulla urges Bantag anew to surrender
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin “Boying” C. Remulla yesterday renewed his call for former Bureau of Corrections Director General Gerald Bantag to surrender to face his cases in court. Murder charges have been filed against Bantag before the regional trial courts of Las Pinas City and Muntinlupa City for the slaying of radio commentator Percival “Percy Lapid” Mabasa and Cristito Villamor Palana, a person deprived of liberty and the alleged “middleman’ in the killing of the broadcaster. Despite the warrants of arrest issued by the two RTCs, Bantag has not surrendered or has been arrested. “He (Bantag) will have a fair trial, just surrender,” Remulla said, adding that he has received reports that Bantag has been spotted in Luzon. “But there were also reports that he went down to Manila for a while. I think he is back in the north now,” he said. A P2 million bounty has been offered by the DOJ to anyone who would be able to provide information leading to the arrest of Bantag, though Remulla said he prefers the surrender of Bantag. “I hope he changes his mind about being a fugitive from justice, because it will not do him any good and it is not doing our society any good. We do not want to romanticize people who want to defy the law. We want people to follow the rule of law because it is the hallmark of a stable society,” Remulla said. Remulla issued the assurance that “We will not be inventing out of the blue. We will present the evidence that we have, the legal theory that we have developed and then, if the justice system finds him innocent, then he can have his liberty. But if he is found guilty, then he has to suffer for it. It’s just that he has to undergo through the process of trial.” The post Remulla urges Bantag anew to surrender appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Fortman Cline declared Best M& A Advisory Team in SE Asia
Fortman Cline Capital Markets was recently named the Best Mergers and Acquisitions Advisory Team in Southeast Asia for 2023 by Capital Finance International, a premier London-based print journal and online resource for business, economics and finance. In recognition of FCCM’s work as a corporate finance advisory and consulting firm, CFI wrote that the firm has “demonstrated a track record on assisting entrepreneurs and family businesses achieve transformational growth via joint ventures, external fund-raising placements, and inorganic acquisitions.” “In addition, it has assisted a number of entrepreneurs monetize their businesses via strategic transactions with responsible partners that could transform businesses towards a larger scale. The team has also developed specialized practices in healthcare, consumer businesses, infrastructure, and logistics. It has complemented its workforce with industry professionals,” CFI further said. The CFI award program aims to demonstrate “the many ways in which the economies of the world are converging” and the awards are given to individuals and organizations “that truly add value.” This is the second time that CFI has bestowed the recognition to FCCM. The first time was in 2019. That same year, FCCM was also given the Most Innovative Solutions Provider Award from International Finance, Inc. FCCM has been ranked as one of the top M&A firms in the Philippines by Bloomberg and in Southeast Asia by Thomson Reuters. “Having meaningful dialogues with our clients over a company’s lifecycle is very important. This develops customer loyalty, and annuity like revenue streams vis-à-vis a transaction-oriented approach to business,” said FCCM president and co-founder Daniel D. Ibasco. FCCM acted as one of the two financial advisers of Professional Services Inc., the company that owns The Medical City, as it recently sealed the deal with Luxembourg-based CVC Capital Partners. The deal will involve a control entry by CVC over the hospital’s Philippine assets and operations through a combination of convertible notes and secondary share purchases via an ongoing tender offer. FCCM has also assisted PSI in refinancing $146 million worth of guaranteed obligations of its subsidiary in Guam with non-recourse long-term debt from a syndicate of South Korean lenders. FCCM has assisted TMC grow into one of the largest healthcare networks in the Philippines through a series of multiple transactions performed for TMC over the last 10 years. In November 2022, FCCM advised TMC on the issuance of up to P12.7 billion of convertible notes to Universal Healthcare Services, Pte., Ltd., which is managed by CVC. The move is part of the hospital’s recapitalization program. “The current industry environment is ripe with opportunity driven by a demand for quality healthcare services, an increase in healthcare spending, and a growing middle class population,” Ibasco said. Prior to the CVC-TMC deal, FCCM advised Mang Inasal Philippines Inc. on its sale of a 70-percent stake to Jollibee Foods Corporation, and All First Equity Holdings on its acquisition of a 60-percent equity stake in Philippine Geothermal Production Company, Inc. from Chevron Geothermal Philippines Holdings, LLC (USA). The firm was also the financial advisor of San Miguel Corporation’s acquisition of Citra Tollways’ interest in the Southern Luzon Expressway, the sale of Air 21 Group to AC Logistics Holdings Corporation, the sale of 51% of The Generics Pharmacy to Robinson Retail Holdings, Inc., Bounty Fresh Food Inc.’s $300 million acquisition of Tegel Foods Ltd. in New Zealand, Fernwood Holdings, Inc.’s acquisition of a 100-percent stake in Liquigaz Philippine Corporation, and more. Before founding FCCM along with Gary P. Cheng in 2007, Ibasco headed Asian Capital Markets and Southeast Asian Investment Banking for Bear Stearns and Co. in Singapore and Hong Kong. He has over 30 years of experience in investment banking, debt and equity capital markets, private and venture equity and special situations, specializing in emerging markets and Southeast Asia. Cheng, on the other hand, is currently the Managing Director of FCCM. He was the president and CEO of Amalgamated Investment Bancorporation and has worked with J.P. Morgan in New York, Hong Kong, and London. Ibasco and Cheng are joined in the top executive positions by Clarisse T. Tan and Michael C. Tiutan, Executive Directors for the Investment Banking Group. Earlier in the year, FCCM established a management consulting arm under the leadership of Francis S. Del Val, who has more than three decades of global executive experience. The post Fortman Cline declared Best M&A Advisory Team in SE Asia appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Mindoro student’s slay bounty now P450,000
The reward money offered for any information leading to the arrest of the killer of an achitecture student in Occidental Mindoro has been increased from P100,000 to P450,000......»»
Authorities offer P50k bounty for info on journalist’s shooter
The Presidential Task Force on Media Security is offering a P50,000 reward for anyone who could give details on the suspect......»»
Zero hunger is possible
As grade school students back in the day, one of the more important lessons drilled in our young minds was to know the basic needs of man. In the relatively simple and peaceful universe we lived in then, we were told these were food (and water), clothing, and shelter. Years later, a more sophisticated, technologically advanced, and complex environment exposed men to new challenges and corresponding changes. To that simple three-item list were added — apart from the basic physical needs — emotional, mental, and spiritual necessities, and a host of others, including, and most especially now, communication facilities or an Internet connection. Within the Philippine setting, Undersecretary Dennis Mapa, our National Statistician and economist, appended health, education, and personal care as essentials. High on the list is food, and rightly so, for the nutrients we get from it make our bodies strong and healthy as these replace cells worn out from wear and tear. Yet a United Nations Sustainable Development Report released last year revealed alarming news: between 720 million and 811 million persons were suffering from hunger, roughly 161 million more than in 2021. And in the same year, a staggering 2.4 billion people, or above 30 percent of the world’s population, were moderately or severely food insecure, lacking regular access to adequate food. On the home front, despite our vaunted natural resources and seemingly inexhaustible bounty from the land and seas around us, a survey has shown that one out of 10 households in the Philippines suffer from “food insecurity.” The survey also cited the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Region VIII (the six provinces and seven cities in Eastern Visayas), and Region XII (the Mindanao provinces of Cotabato, Sarangani, South Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat) as the three most “food insecure” regions of the country. It may not be a coincidence that these three areas are among the country’s poorest regions. Admitting this is a national concern, the government has said it considers food security a top priority. Late last year, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said they were watching out for surges in the prices of goods and services due primarily to recent typhoons that hit the country, affecting workers who complained their wages were barely enough to buy or pay for their basic needs, especially food. He added that the administration was bent on ensuring consumers an adequate and affordable food supply. Food security has been defined as “when all people, at all times, have physical and economic access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life,” according to the 1996 World Food Summit. At the same time, food should be readily available, easily accessible, prepared and eaten the right way (nutrition-wise), and procured regularly, the world body added. In the Philippines, the most common food security problems are poor or inadequate agricultural harvests attributed to practices or methods that have either been discarded or have not been adopted or kept pace with the times. Suggestions have been floated as possible solutions to food security like introducing more diversified crops, improving infrastructure, building new road networks linking farms to markets, enhancing or restructuring current trade practices and policies, working on programs and advocacies to combat the adverse effects of climate change and maintain sustainable green economies. Boosting agricultural production would mean “more investments in the food value chain and research and development to enhance farm productivity and improve the efficiency of post-harvest processes,” Balisacan said. “Getting the government to facilitate private investments in marketing infrastructure including storage, transport, and logistics, and continuing to provide cash transfers and fuel discounts are crucial to achieving durable food security.” Is zero hunger attainable? The optimist (and farmer) in me believe it is possible, but only when we aggressively push for renewable agricultural practices and work hard at growing more crops on every piece of land available. Then, we can say that we will never be hungry again. The post Zero hunger is possible appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»