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POUND-FOR-POUND — Good guy Gibbons gives Filipino boxers the chance to shine
If you’re a talented fighter nursing dreams of becoming a world champion, there is one guy you need to get in touch with. If you’re a promoter who has got a bevy of promising fighters but with no strong connections to the guys who matter in the world of big-time boxing, you have to meet the fellow who makes things happen. That dude is no other than Sean Gibbons, who heads MP Promotions and a sprinkling of other influential outfits in the United States that gives boxers from all over the opportunity they deserve. Having trouble with your boxer’s stagnant world rating? Call Sean Gibbons. Can’t seem to get the big breaks? Call Sean Gibbons. Being given the run-around by a scammer, give Sean Gibbons a call. You see, Gibbons is a do-it-all boxing man who is a big daddy to just about any major Filipino fighter. He has got a deep knowledge of the fight game since he used to fight during his heyday. But before you start conjuring up images of Gibbons battling it out with boxing’s marquee names, pinch yourself first. Gibbons never achieved greatness as a boxer. He was more of a pretender than a contender, having racked up a 14-7-3 win-loss-draw record with seven knockouts before finally calling it a day in 1996. He never even fought in Las Vegas and instead showcased his wares in obscurity, hopping into one small town and city after another. After spending his first five pro bouts in Oklahoma City, Gibbons brought his act elsewhere and in places he never knew existed: Hugo, Purcell, Waubeek. A year before he retired in 1995, Gibbons, now 56, even traveled to Germany and fought and lost by knockout to local boy Ruediger May. Two more bouts on American soil — the first in Des Moines, Iowa, and the second in Miles City, Montana — paved the way for one final stop in Denmark against Peter Madsen. Gibbons would lose that by stoppage again and decided that enough was enough. Pretty soon, Gibbons got himself doing odd jobs in boxing through a relative — uncle Pat O’ Grady — father to former world lightweight champion Sean O’Grady. “I got the boxing bug from him. I would set up the ring, help sell tickets and train fighters… I started from the bottom,” Gibbons, born in Long Beach, California, said, noting that the first fighter he trained was heavyweight Wimpy Halstead. Oftentimes, Gibbons “would jump in as one of the fighters in the card and I was able to travel the world.” He also got aligned with Top Rank and credits Hall of Fame Bruce Trampler and fight coordinator Pete Susens as his mentors and takes great pride in his close association with eight-division legend Manny Pacquiao. Gibbons actually came to the Pacquiao show rather late. But his seven-year stint working for Pacquiao was the most memorable, saying it doesn’t compare with the 35 other years of involvement with boxing. “Seven years I spent with him were better than the other 35 years,” Gibbons, who graduated from Simi Valley High, said. Gibbons revealed that after Australian banger Jeff Horn elbowed and butted and wrestled his way in carving out a controversial points win in Brisbane in July 2018, “Pacquiao had pretty much been left for dead by some people.” It was right at this time when Gibbons entered the scene as Pacquiao’s go-to-guy for meaningful fights while also providing other Filipino boxers the break they need to become successful. Gibbons didn’t disappoint and was instrumental in striking a deal for fights involving Adrien Broner and Keith Thurman that resulted in a “tremendous run.” The victory over Thurman would go down as an epic as it made Pacquiao the oldest to win a world welterweight crown in July 2019 in Las Vegas. Now that Pacquiao has sailed into the sunset, Gibbons is dedicating his time and effort to the betterment of the other talents under MP Promotions, the Pacquiao-owned company that has majority of the country’s top ring talent under contract. And this is where Gibbons wields his expertise and proof of his savvy can be seen on Jerwin Ancajas, Pedro Taduran, Rene Cuarto, Mark Magsayo and current two-belt world super-bantamweight titleholder Marlon Tapales. Also under Gibbons’ care are Jonas Sultan, Vincent Astrolabio, Jade Bornea and Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist and Asian Games silver medalist Eumir Marcial. Though not every one of them managed to win a world title, Gibbons draws utmost satisfaction from the helping hand that he had extended to them. “The most satisfying thing is to change lives of the fighters and take fighters who wouldn’t normally get these opportunities.” Also, Gibbons points to Pacquiao as a reason why he was able to pull it off. “I had the name Manny Pacquiao promotions and Manny Pacquiao was behind me but the biggest, biggest key was Al Haymon and he took my word for guys like Jerwin Ancajas, Mark Magsayo, Jonas Sultan and many, many others.” And there is no stopping Gibbons from doing the same thing especially when his clients’ welfare is on the line. A few months ago, Gibbons earned the ire of a state commission and got slapped with a ban. Still, Gibbons swears it is his way of showing that he always got his clients’ back. So how does he want people to remember him? “I would like to be remembered as someone who gave his all, no regrets. Just you know, when I work with someone, I put all my heart and soul into it. I got suspended for five for screaming at referees but I would like to be remembered for a guy who always had his client, fighters and boxers’ back and that when we went at it, we gave it our all.” If you end up going to war, you’d certainly want somebody like Sean Gibbons right by your side. The post POUND-FOR-POUND — Good guy Gibbons gives Filipino boxers the chance to shine appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Amazon launches test satellites in challenge to Musk’s Starlink
Amazon launched two satellites on Friday as part of its plan to deliver the internet from space and compete with Elon Musk's Starlink service. The Atlas V rocket carrying the satellites lifted off from Cape Canaveral in Florida at 2:06 pm local time (6:06 pm GMT). The launch was carried out by the United Launch Alliance (ULA) industrial group, a joint venture between Boeing and Lockheed Martin. Once up and running, the company founded by Jeff Bezos says its Project Kuiper will provide "fast, affordable broadband to unserved and underserved communities around the world," with a constellation of more than 3,200 satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO). "We've done extensive testing here in our lab and have a high degree of confidence in our satellite design, but there's no substitute for on-orbit testing," said Rajeev Badyal, Project Kuiper's vice president of technology. The company has said it would invest $10 billion in the project and has booked 77 heavy-lift launches with commercial providers Arianespace, ULA, and Bezos-owned Blue Origin. The first operational satellites of the Kuiper project are due to be launched in early 2024, according to Amazon, which hopes for initial tests with customers at the end of next year. The test on Friday attempted to establish contact between the probes and Earth, deploy their solar panels, and confirm that all instruments are operating correctly and at the desired temperatures. The two prototypes will then be removed from orbit and disintegrated in the Earth's atmosphere at the end of the test mission. These services are designed to provide internet access to even the most remote and underserved areas around the world, including war zones or disaster-struck areas. Musk's SpaceX launched the first batch of its more than 3,700 operational Starlink satellites in 2019 and is by far the biggest player. Musk's ownership of Starlink caused uproar in Ukraine last month when it was revealed that he refused to turn on the service for a planned attack by Kyiv forces on Russia's Black Sea navy fleet last year. London-headquartered OneWeb is another early entrant in the emerging sector. Given the technology's strategic importance, governments are also keen to join the rush into the sector. China plans to launch 13,000 satellites as part of its GuoWang constellation, while Canada's Telesat will add 300 and German start-up Rivada is eyeing 600. That will be in addition to the European Union's Iris project -- 170 satellites -- and the 300-500 satellites planned to be launched by the US military's Space Development Agency. The post Amazon launches test satellites in challenge to Musk’s Starlink appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Super Health Center in Tanauan, Leyte breaks ground
Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, is hopeful that more Filipinos, particularly those in far-flung areas, will be able to access basic health services through the establishment of more Super Health Centers nationwide. In a video message during the groundbreaking of a Super Health Center in Tanauan, Leyte on Thursday, 28 September, Go, who is an adopted son of the province, commended the Department of Health and the local government for the successful groundbreaking of the town's Super Health Center in Barangay Malaguicay. Super Health Centers are designed to focus on primary care, medical consultation, and early detection of diseases, further strengthening the healthcare sector in the country, especially in rural communities. He also stressed his commitment to bringing healthcare closer to the people, alleviating the burden of traveling long distances to receive basic health services. The groundbreaking was led by Leyte Governor Jericho "Icot" Petilla and Tanauan Mayor Gina Merilo, among others. “Ipagpatuloy natin na ilapit ang serbisyong medikal sa ating mga kababayang mahihirap na walang matakbuhan kung hindi ang mga gobyerno. Para sa mga mahihirap nating kababayan, napakaimportante po nito dahil iyan po ang kanilang lalapitan po talaga, itong mga government health facilities natin. The more we should support it, the more na mag-invest po tayo sa ating healthcare system,” Go said. “Ilapit po natin ang serbisyong nararapat para sa kanila. Huwag po natin silang pahirapan. Marami po sa mga kababayan natin sa iba’t ibang sulok ng Pilipinas na wala silang sariling health center. Kaya importante na mailapit natin ang serbisyong medikal mula gobyerno sa mga taong nangangailangan nito,” he stressed. Super Health Centers offer basic health services, including database management, out-patient, birthing, isolation, diagnostic (laboratory: x-ray, ultrasound), pharmacy, and ambulatory surgical unit. Other available services in Super Health Centers are eye, ear, nose, and throat (EENT) service; oncology centers; physical therapy and rehabilitation centers; and telemedicine. Meanwhile, he also mentioned that there will be Super Health Centers to be established in Hilongos and Baybay City. Through the collaborative efforts of fellow lawmakers, sufficient funds were allocated for 307 Super Health Centers in 2022 and 322 in 2023. The Department of Health (DOH), the lead implementing agency, is tasked with identifying strategic areas for construction. The senator likewise encouraged those with health concerns to seek the assistance of any of the 159 Malasakit Centers nationwide, five of which are established in the province. The Malasakit Center brings all relevant agencies under one roof, such as the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), DOH, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, to ensure poor and indigent patients can conveniently access medical assistance programs to cover their hospital-related expenses. Malasakit Centers have been opened at the New Western Leyte Provincial Hospital in Baybay City, Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center (EVRMC) in Tacloban City, Ormoc District Hospital in Ormoc City, and Leyte Provincial Hospital and Governor Benjamin T. Romualdez General Hospital and Schistosomiasis Center (GBTRGHSC) in Palo. The program was institutionalized under Republic Act No. 11463, or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which Go principally authored and sponsored. Since the first Malasakit Center was established in 2018, more than seven million Filipinos have benefitted, according to DOH. Go also highlighted Republic Act 11959, also known as the Regional Specialty Centers Act, which he principally sponsored and is one of the authors in the Senate. The Regional Specialty Centers Act plays a pivotal role in the healthcare legislative agenda of the Marcos administration, as detailed in the Philippine Development Plan 2023 to 2028. The said law mandates the establishment of Regional Specialty Centers within existing DOH regional hospitals. As part of his commitment to improving healthcare services in the province, Go sponsored the passage of RA 11567. This legislation increased the bed capacity of EVRMC. Additionally, Go also pushed for the passage of RA 11566, which transformed the Schistosomiasis Control and Research Hospital into the GBTRGHSC. Go, vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, likewise supported the construction of multipurpose buildings in Alangalang, Babatngon, Carigara, Dagami, Isabel, Jaro, La Paz, Leyte, and Tolosa; construction of the Merida Community Hospital; construction of flood control structures in Alangalang, Javier, Tanauan and Tolosa; and acquisition of dump trucks for the local governments of Isabel and Villaba, among others. The post Super Health Center in Tanauan, Leyte breaks ground appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Super Health Center breaks ground in Lian; Bong Go lauds DOH, local gov’t
Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, commended the Department of Health and the local government of Lian, Batangas for the groundbreaking of its Super Health Center on Thursday, 31 August. The groundbreaking was also supported by local officials, including Gov. Hermilando Mandanas, Vice Governor Mark Leviste, Mayor Joseph Peji, and Vice Mayor Ronin Leviste. In a video message, Go said the groundbreaking marked a significant step towards bringing quality government medical services closer to Filipinos and strengthening the nation's healthcare system. “Ito po ay isang makabuluhang pagkakataon upang ipahayag ang aking lubos na pagpupugay sa inyong lokal na pamahalaan sa pag-usbong ng Super Health Center dito sa inyong bayan,” said Go. “Ito ay isang malaking hakbang para mapalapit ang gobyerno sa mga Pilipino, lalo na sa mga nangangailangan ng serbisyong medikal. Sa pamamagitan ng Super Health Center, magiging accessible sa inyong komunidad ang primary care, free consultation at early detection ng sakit para maiwasang lumubha pa ito,” he continued. Go, an adopted son of CALABARZON with familial roots in Batangas and Davao, also continues to support the construction of more Super Health Centers in the province. Under the 2022 national budget, Super Health Centers in the province were funded in San Pascual, Agoncillo, Calatagan, Lipa City, Malvar, and Taysan, aside from the one in Ibaan. In 2023, more centers were identified to be established in the towns of San Juan, Tingloy, Lian, and San Jose. In addition, two more Super Health Centers were funded in Lipa City. These centers will offer database management, out-patient, birthing, isolation, diagnostic (laboratory: x-ray, ultrasound), pharmacy, and ambulatory surgical unit. Other available services are eye, ear, nose, and throat (EENT) service; oncology centers; physical therapy and rehabilitation centers; and telemedicine, which makes remote diagnosis and treatment of patients possible. Through the collective efforts of fellow lawmakers, enough funds have been allocated to build 307 Super Health Centers in 2022 and 322 in 2023. DOH, which is the lead agency in implementing the program, identifies the strategic locations for the construction of these centers. Go also emphasized the importance of strengthening the nation's healthcare system, highlighting the lessons learned from the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. "Napagtanto natin sa mga pagsubok na dala ng pandemyang COVID-19 ang kahalagahan ng malakas at handang healthcare system. Kailangan nating ituloy ang paglalagay ng pondo sa ating healthcare infrastructure upang masiguro na may access ang bawat Pilipino sa dekalidad na serbisyong pangkalusugan." he asserted. The Super Health Center in Lian, Batangas, is just one of many initiatives spearheaded by Go to improve healthcare accessibility in the country as he also remains supportive of the continued operations of Malasakit Centers and the establishment of regional specialty centers nationwide. Go also offered to help those with medical concerns. The senator encouraged the public to visit Batangas Provincial Hospital in Lemery and Batangas Medical Center in Batangas City where there are Malasakit Centers ready to assist with their medical-related expenses. The Malasakit Centers Act of 2019 was institutionalized under Republic Act No. 11463, which Go principally authored and sponsored in the Senate. The Act aims to provide convenient assistance to indigent patients and help them with their hospital bills and other health-related expenses. To date, there are 158 Malasakit Centers nationwide. Go also proudly cited the enactment of RA 11959, also known as the Regional Specialty Centers Act. He played a pivotal role in principally sponsoring and authoring this legislation in the Senate, which was recently signed into law by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on 24 August. The Regional Specialty Centers Act mandates the establishment of specialized healthcare centers within the existing DOH regional hospitals. On the same day, the Super Health Center in Calatagan was inaugurated. The post Super Health Center breaks ground in Lian; Bong Go lauds DOH, local gov’t appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Designer Jie -jie Aisa on muse Nikki de Moura
So far, the city of Cagayan de Oro in Mindanao has produced two beauties of international caliber: Miss Universe 2015 Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach and Miss InterContinental 2021 Cinderella Faye Elle “Cindy” Obeñita. Hoping to make it a Beauty Queen Trinity is Nikki Advincula de Moura, the newly crowned Miss Grand Philippines who will compete for the global title in Vietnam come October. [caption id="attachment_173643" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Miss Grand Philippines 2023 Nikki de Moura, wearing a terno by Jie-jie Aisa, in front of the Saint Augustine Metropolitan Cathedral in Cagayan de Oro. | Photograph Courtesy of James Paculba.[/caption] There are great expectations that De Moura, who is of exquisite mix of Brazilian and Filipino blood, will finally snatch the elusive Miss Grand International crown. Helping her to achieve this feat is her glam team from Cebu and her beauty camp in her native CDO. At the national finals, De Moura wore a creation by Eclectic Image Fashion Studio by Jie-jie Aisa for the national costume competition. It was called “Oportunidad de Oro” or “Golden Opportunities,” inspired by the city’s mythical golden fish which is believed to be its protector. It was one of the top five in the category. For her homecoming after her victory, De Moura once again wore a Jie-jie Aisa creation. “The gown beautifully blends two symbolic colors — green, representing unity and #KaubanTaUY, and gold, paying homage to CDO’s renowned title as the City of Golden Friendship,” the designer noted. “A true embodiment of grace and local pride, Nikki shines bright during her homecoming motorcade, capturing hearts of Kagay-anons and embodying the essence of this remarkable city. Thank you to LGU-CDO headed by Mayor Rolando ‘Klarex’ Uy for making this possible.” Incidentally, the bustling city is in the midst of celebrating its Higalaay Festival, a major highlight of which is the Mindanao Fashion Summit from 23 to 25 August at the Ayala Centrio Mall. As the president of the Designer’s Assembly, Jie-jie will lead his group’s presentation on the second day, 24 August. “As the president, my key duties and responsibilities encompass leading and guiding the organization’s strategic direction, fostering a collaborative environment among budding designers, overseeing project initiatives, coordinating events and workshops and representing the interests of our members within the design community,” the genial designer said. “I am dedicated to ensuring the growth and success of our group by nurturing creativity, facilitating skill development and promoting meaningful engagement within the design industry.” On the eve of the 12th Mindanao Fashion Summit, the designer, who considers Gil Macaiba III, the late Benjie S. Manuel and Cary Santiago as influences, recounts his collaborative relationship with his muse, De Moura. Origins “My acquaintance with Nikki de Moura developed through mutual connections within the fashion and pageant industry. Our paths crossed after a local beauty camp in Cebu City introduced her to our camp in Cagayan de Oro City, the #TeamAmega. Since I am the official designer of our beauty camp, I had the opportunity to design her creative national costume as well as her outfits during her homecoming. “The idea of a creative collaboration for her gowns/outfits emerged organically from recognizing the synergy between our camp’s visions, we jointly initiated the collaboration, fueled by a shared passion for crafting unique and captivating ensembles that would resonate with her style and my design expertise.” Muse “Nikki exemplifies the essence of a stunning Jie-jie Aisa muse through her remarkable blend of grace, confidence and distinctive style. Her ability to effortlessly carry both traditional and contemporary ensembles reflects the dynamic spirit of the Jie-jie Aisa brand. Nikki’s poise and fashion-forward sensibilities resonate with the brand’s commitment to celebrating cultural heritage while embracing modern aesthetics. As a local fashion designer, collaborating with such a muse has been an inspiring journey, elevating my creations to new heights of elegance and sophistication.” Collaborations “Throughout the collaboration between myself as a local fashion designer and Nikki, we found common ground in our enthusiasm for integrating indigenous design elements into the collection. However, there were nuanced differences in our visions, particularly concerning the color palette’s vibrancy and the extent of embellishments. By fostering open dialogue and embracing a spirit of mutual respect, we arrived at a compromise that elegantly balanced the client’s preference for a more subdued palette with my inclination for bolder accents. This harmonious negotiation resulted in a collection that seamlessly reflects both Nikki’s refined taste and my artistic perspective.” Pride “I am immensely proud of Nikki’s accomplishments, both as Miss Teen Philippines 2019 and more recently as Miss Grand Philippines 2023. These achievements reflect not only her individual dedication and perseverance but also the embodiment of our nation’s beauty, talent and grace on esteemed platforms. Nikki’s success brings honor not just to herself but also to the Philippines, and it is a privilege to have contributed to my journey as a local fashion designer. Her victories inspire me to continue creating designs that complement and enhance the remarkable qualities of individuals like Nikki.” Preparations “From our perspective, the entire #TeamAmega is wholeheartedly committed to providing unwavering support to Nikki during her time in Vietnam. As for her national costume, we are awaiting confirmation from the Miss Grand Philippines Organization regarding my potential involvement in designing her ensemble. Rest assured we are eagerly prepared to contribute our expertise to ensure her representation is nothing short of exceptional.” Challenges “As a designer, crafting pageant gowns presents a unique set of challenges that require a delicate balance between artistic expression and meeting specific criteria. Ensuring that the gown captures the contestant’s individuality while aligning with the pageant’s theme and standards demands meticulous attention to detail. “Additionally, incorporating elements that reflect cultural authenticity and modern aesthetics requires thoughtful navigation. The challenge lies in harmonizing these diverse aspects to create a gown that not only enhances the contestant’s beauty and confidence but also makes a lasting impression on the judges and audience.” “Working with beauty queens brings its own distinct dynamic compared to designing for everyday women. Beauty queens possess a heightened sense of stage presence and a requirement for gowns that accentuate their elegance under the spotlight. The meticulous attention to fit, silhouette and materials is magnified.” The post Designer Jie -jie Aisa on muse Nikki de Moura appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Group urges return of NFA inspection power
The Federation of Free Farmers urged the government to re-implement the inspection power of the National Food Authority over warehouses of rice traders to prevent price manipulation by illegal hoarders. Leonardo Montemayor, FFF board chairman and former agriculture chief, last Friday told the DAILY TRIBUNE the inspectorate and enforcement division of the Department of Agriculture headed by assistant secretary James Layug has insufficient manpower to inspect the warehouses. “That office is too small for the job. Warehouse inspections are important because prices have gone up and we must ensure that there is no hoarding of rice. Besides, I believe NFA only has stocks good for a few days,” Montemayor said. Hoarding creates an artificial insufficient supply of rice that forces market vendors to hike prices to fill consumer demand. Prices of regular milled rice have risen to over P50 per kilo, above the recommended price of just P32 to P36 per kilo, following the end of the harvest season in mid-year. Agriculture officials said the next season will begin next month or in October. On the other hand, Montemayor said the government must automatically and strictly implement the 35-percent minimum tax requirement on imported rice under the Rice, Tariffication Law or RTL to ensure local farmers are not deprived of decent incomes. “This will help prevent imported rice from flooding the local market as they are often cheaper, forcing vendors of local rice to bring down their prices to compete with the imports. I’m not sure if the government is imposing the tariff because local production remains low,” he said. Signed into law in 2019, the RTL requires proceeds from the 35-percent tariff on exporting countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to be used in purchasing machinery and other farm inputs for local farmers to increase their production. NFA stocks fell 27.1 percent to 99,030 metric tons in April, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority. However, the total volume of local rice increased by 3 percent to 9 million metric tons from January to June. This is much lower than those of its neighboring countries, such as Vietnam’s 43.4 million tons and Thailand’s 28.3 million tons. President and Agriculture Secretary Ferdinand Marcos Jr. vowed to make the country food self-sufficient in the next two years by consolidating farms and innovating the agriculture industry, among others. Agriculture spokesperson Rex Estoperez said the government is open for a review of the RTL, which Montemayor said is a step forward toward real agricultural development. These statements came after Agriculture senior undersecretary Domingo Panganiban said the government discussed with India and Vietnam their importation of rice to augment stocks for any possible shortage due to El Nino and other weather disturbances. “The FFF welcomes the incumbent administration’s long-overdue recognition of the serious infirmities in the RTL. Essentially, it has left food security and farmers’ and consumers’ welfare to the vagaries of the so-called free market and the humanitarian graces of rice-exporting countries,” Montemayor said. The post Group urges return of NFA inspection power appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Bong Go lauds para athletes for 16th IDBF World Dragon Boat Racing Championships win
Senator Christopher "Bong" Go expressed his heartfelt admiration and support to the Philippine Accessible Disability Services (Pads) Paradragon Elite Team for their incredible achievement at the 16th International Dragon Boat Federation (IDBF) World Dragon Boat Racing Championships held in Rayong-Pattaya, Thailand from August 7 to 13. The Cebu-based dragon boat team took home an astounding six gold medals, outshining their previous record of four gold medals in 2019. “I am immensely proud of our Paradragon Elite Team for representing our country with honor and courage," said Go. "Despite the challenges, you show the world the true strength of the Filipino spirit. Proud po kaming lahat sa inyong tagumpay!” he added. Go, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Sports, has been a fervent advocate of sports development, particularly for differently-abled athletes. The senator's unwavering commitment is embodied in his key legislative initiatives, including Senate Bill No. (SBN) 2116, which aims to amend the "National Athletes and Coaches Benefits and Incentives Act" to provide increased incentives for para-athletes. In a Senate public hearing on August 14, Go stressed the necessity of upgrading incentives for para athletes to help improve their capabilities in international competitions. "Through the years, we have witnessed how the Filipino athletes stand out in various international sports competitions, such as the Southeast Asian Games, the Asian Games, para games, world championships, and Olympics," he said. "We can excel in sports with hard work, perseverance, and determination,” Go continued, focusing on the inspirational stories of Filipino athletes, particularly the differently-abled, who have demonstrated immense resilience and determination in their respective sports. SBN 2116 seeks to upgrade the incentives for para athletes to be at par with other international competitions of the same caliber. This bill intends to provide equal opportunities and recognition to all athletes, thereby promoting inclusivity and diversity in sports The senator also acknowledged the essential support extended by former president Rodrigo Duterte in securing prosthesis for the athletes. "The former president and I are glad to have been able to provide the much-needed support. Maliit na bagay ito kumpara sa malaking katapangan at tiyaga na pinapakita ng mga atleta,” he said. Go then highlighted the broader meaning of Pads’ victory, saying, “Hindi lang kayo nanalo ng isang kompetisyon. You've won hearts, inspired minds, at gave pride to our country. Your win is our win, and your triumph is the nation's triumph,” he concluded. Meanwhile, Go is also pushing for SBN 423, known as the Philippine National Games Act, aiming to provide a platform for athletes across the nation, particularly young individuals, to showcase their skills and compete at the national level. The post Bong Go lauds para athletes for 16th IDBF World Dragon Boat Racing Championships win appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Farmers encouraged to register with DFA program
Department of Agriculture Undersecretary Leo Sebastian, head of the Rice Industry Development, urges farmers to take advantage of registering with the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture as part of the minimum requirement to obtain certified seeds through the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF). Sebastian said the call was made through a midterm evaluation report conducted by the International Rice Research Institute, which noted that farmers should be encouraged to register to take advantage of the RCEF. The RCEF budget allocation was evaluated based on the results from the quantitative and qualitative assessments using four criteria: quantitative impact on yield, inclusivity of the component, budget utilization, and efficiency in achieving stated targets. "The seeds component has high marks on all four criteria, which suggests the program is meeting its goals and relevance for the individual farmers. However, many farmers who could be recipients of CS are not yet registered in the RSBSA during the period covered in the evaluation," Sebastian explained. He added that despite the 95 to 97 percent utilization rate of certified seeds that farmers receive from the RCEF seed component, the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) confirmed that 3 to 5 percent of farmers had experienced late delivery of certified seeds based on surveys that were echoed by focused group discussions and key informant interviews. The midterm evaluation, which was up to July 2023, also brought up the need to establish a mechanism to identify locations where delivery is late, followed by synchronization of the timing of seed delivery with the cropping calendar in areas where late seed delivery was experienced. RCEF was designed to improve the competitiveness of rice production in the Philippines to increase the income of farmers, according to Sebastian. "Central to current efforts in promoting the competitiveness of rice farming is the creation of the RCEF made through the passage of the Rice Tariffication Law in March 2019," the DA official said. "Section 13b. of Republic Act 11203 creating RCEF provides that PhilRice use 30% of the RCEF (P3 billion) to implement the development, propagation and promotion of certified inbred rice seeds to rice farmers and the organization of rice farmers into seed grower associations/cooperatives engaged in seed production and trade," he farther explained. Specifically, the seed component aims to: 1. Increase utilization of certified inbred rice seeds in provinces with a high potential of improving competitiveness; 2. Improve quality, availability of, and access to certified inbred rice seeds; and 3. Increase the number of organized farmers engaged in seed production and trade. Since the RCEF implementation in 2019, rice supply has become more stable with record production of 19.96 million tons (palay terms) in 2021. Rice production slightly declined in 2022 with 19.76 million tons, but this level is still much higher than rice output in the first two years of the RCEF program. The midterm evaluation said rice yield also increased from 4.04 tons/ha in 2019 to 4.11 tons/ha in 2022. Domestic rice production is also complemented by imports with an average volume of 3 million tons (milled terms) over the period 2019-2022. Aside from improvements in national rice output, prices of milled rice decreased much more rapidly following the RTL. This enabled the country to compete with prices in its rice-producing neighbors like Thailand and Vietnam. "The evaluation noted that rice inflation declined with RCEF leading to stabilized prices of milled rice. Likewise, there was a pronounced decline in farmgate prices of palay between 2019 and 2021 but prices were relatively stable since 2022, enabling farmers to enjoy stable rice prices because they are shielded from periods of abnormally low prices and this enhances efficiency in the farm sector," Sebastian said. RCEF was designed to improve the competitiveness of rice production in the Philippines to increase the income of farmers. Central to current efforts in promoting the competitiveness of rice farming is the creation of the RCEF made through the passage of the Rice Tariffication Law in March 2019. The four component programs of RCEF – seed, mechanization, extension, and credit aim to help attain the goal of improving the competitiveness of Filipino rice farmers, increasing their income, and sustaining the resilience and responsiveness of the industry. To this end, the four programs collectively target to contribute to increasing yield up to 5t/ha in medium-yielding provinces and 6t/ha in high-yielding provinces. They also strive to contribute to reducing production costs by 30 percent, reduce postharvest losses to 12 percent and trim down marketing costs by P1/kg. The post Farmers encouraged to register with DFA program appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Support workplace breastfeeding
In commemoration of World Breastfeeding Week from 1 to 7 August, the UN agencies for children and labor rights, Unicef and the International Labor Organization called on employers in the Philippines to do more to support breastfeeding women. In the Philippines, a 2019 study by the National Economic and Development Authority found that marriage and childbearing are associated with a significant decline in the female labor force participation. The Covid pandemic also worsened the uneven share of housework and family care between women and men, with over 2 million moms around the globe leaving the labor force in 2020. Breastfeeding is one of the most accessible care policies that can be applied at the workplace. It is a clear measure to help women transition back to work after giving birth. “The benefits of breastfeeding for children, mothers, and society are widespread. Breastfeeding protects infants against life-threatening infections, supports healthy brain development in children, and prevents chronic childhood and maternal illness, reducing health care costs,” said Unicef Philippines Deputy Representative Behzad Noubary. In the Philippines, the law mandates all establishments, public or private, whether operating for profit or not, to support breastfeeding in the workplace. Recognizing the importance of this gender equality and health promoting practice for working women, paid nursing breaks, flexible arrangements and workplace nursing facilities still remain untapped resources for the large majority of women. The post Support workplace breastfeeding appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
SWU in return to Cesafi: ‘We just want to be able to compete’
MANDAUE CITY, Cebu—While everyone’s excited to see the Southwestern University (SWU)-Phinma Cobras return to the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi) men’s basketball competition, coach Mike Reyes wants to temper expectations. The Cobras, the 2019 men’s champions, will be returning from a leave of absence but Reyes says there’s not much to expect from the […] The post SWU in return to Cesafi: ‘We just want to be able to compete’ appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
Free divers find love and death in Netflix’s ‘Deepest Breath’
Early in "The Deepest Breath," an underwater drone follows free diver Alessia Zecchini as she plunges 100 meters down into the ocean's dark depths, and back up, all on a single breath. The heart-pounding, claustrophobic three-and-a-half-minute sequence is as difficult to watch as it is mesmerizing. As she ascends to the shallows, Zecchini's body begins to twitch. Rescue divers seize her and drag her up to the surface, her unconscious eyes rolling grotesquely backward as she is resuscitated. It may seem shocking, but "blacking out" from lack of oxygen is a common occurrence in free diving, an extreme sport in which athletes compete to go as deep as they can without any breathing apparatus. "You can watch all the videos in the world. It doesn't really prepare you for seeing a human being just pass out like that," said director Laura McGann, director of the Netflix documentary, out Wednesday. "It's scary to see." Through archive footage, interviews and a handful of re-enactments, McGann's film explores what drives these men and women to repeatedly risk their lives and push the limits of human endurance in pursuit of new competitive records. "Seeing a human being behave more like a seal or a dolphin in the water, with no tanks, was kind of like learning that there was a group of people in part of the world that knew how to fly," she told AFP. 'In the moment' Specifically, the film focuses on the relationship between record-breaking diver Zecchini and Stephen Keenan, a nomadic young Irishman who becomes one of the sport's top safety experts. Free divers, if not actively courting death, do not appear to fear it. Indeed, Zecchini airily claims in the movie's opening scene that she does not even think about death. Yet it quickly becomes apparent that some sort of tragedy has occurred. Neither Zecchini nor Keenan appear among the film's present-day interviews, leaving the question of their fates hanging for much of the movie -- at least, for those able to resist a quick Google search. That structure was criticized as being somewhat manipulative in early reviews at January's Sundance Film Festival, where the movie premiered, having already been acquired by Netflix days earlier. But McGann decided "really early" that her film would remain "in the moment" with its characters throughout their journeys. Death "was always going to be towards the end of the film," she said. Love and death "The Deepest Breath" is the latest documentary to explore dangerous obsessions through the lens of a love story. Last year's Oscar-nominated "Fire of Love" followed a husband-and-wife scientist couple as they risked their lives to explore the craters of erupting volcanoes. In 2019, "Free Solo" profiled death-defying climber Alex Honnold, as he juggled his obsession with climbing a notorious rockface without ropes, and his relationship with his understandably terrified girlfriend. For McGann, the relationship between Zecchini and Keenan was "a yin and a yang," like "they were each other's missing piece," even before they connected as celebrities in the small free diving community. It emphasizes that free diving is as much a mental sport as it is a physical one, requiring very specific personality types that not only stay calm, but actively enjoy being 100 meters under water, beyond rescue. "What the free diver is feeling is definitely close to the complete opposite to what we the audience are feeling," explained McGann. While viewers might struggle for breath just watching, divers speak of a "serene, quiet, peaceful silence," as they quieten their minds and reduce their heart rates to "that of a Tibetan monk." "You're almost in a meditative state," said McGann. "But you need to keep a little bit of your subconscious aware of what you're doing -- so that you remember that you have to come back up." The post Free divers find love and death in Netflix’s ‘Deepest Breath’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
NHA ground breaks housing for Cotabato quake victims
National Housing Authority General Manager Joeben Tai led the groundbreaking and capsule-laying ceremonies at a project site for earthquake victims in Makilala, Cotabato last Thursday, 13 July. Tai said the project is under the NHA’s Housing Assistance Program for Calamity Victims which is aimed to respond to the housing needs of families affected by calamities like earthquakes, floods, fires, landslides, and typhoons. A total of 1,329 families whose homes were destroyed by a series of 6.1 to 6.9-magnitude earthquakes in Cotabato in the last quarter of 2019 benefitted from the project. The family beneficiaries come from nine barangays of Makilala, namely, Bato, Buenavida, Buhay, Cabilao, Indangan, Luayon, Malabuan, Malasila, and Sto. Niño. Tai shared his sentiments on how devastating it is to be a victim of disasters as it leads to loss of homes, property, communities, and even loved ones. Assuring that the structures built by the NHA are of quality and can withstand up to 7-magnitude earthquakes, Tai further added that under his leadership, “the NHA will continue to partner with other government agencies and the private sector to fulfill the agency’s mandate to provide quality homes and progressive communities for low-income and marginalized Filipino families.” Joining Tai in the ceremonies were NHA Region XII Manager Engr. Zenaida M. Cabiles, Cotabato 2nd District Representative Rudy S. Caoagdan, Cotabato Governor Emmylou “Lala” Taliño-Mendoza, Makilala Mayor Armando M. Quibod and Vice Mayor Ryan D. Tabanay; Office of Civil Defense Region XII Director Raylindo S. Aniñon, Opusland Inc. President Ramon “Shintaro” Valdez, and Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development Region XII Officer-in-Charge Engr. Gifaril Martinez-Cabalquinto. The post NHA ground breaks housing for Cotabato quake victims appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
NHA ground breaks housing for Cotabato quake victims
National Housing Authority General Manager Joeben Tai led the groundbreaking and capsule-laying ceremonies at a project site for earthquake victims in Makilala, Cotabato on 13 July 2023. Tai said the project is under the NHA's Housing Assistance Program for Calamity Victims, which is aimed to respond to the housing needs of families affected by calamities like earthquakes, floods, fires, landslides, and typhoons. A total of 1,329 families whose homes were destroyed by a series of 6.1- to 6.9-magnitude earthquakes in Cotabato in the last quarter of 2019 benefitted from the project. The family beneficiaries come from nine barangays of Makilala, namely, Bato, Buenavida, Buhay, Cabilao, Indangan, Luayon, Malabuan, Malasila, and Sto. Niño. Tai shared his sentiments on how devastating it is to be a victim of disasters as it leads to the loss of homes, property, communities, and even loved ones. Assuring that the structures built by the NHA are of quality and can withstand up to 7-magnitude earthquakes, Tai said that under his leadership, “the NHA will continue to partner with other government agencies and the private sector to fulfill the agency’s mandate to provide quality homes and progressive communities for low-income and marginalized Filipino families.” Joining Tai in the ceremonies were NHA Region XII Manager Engr. Zenaida M. Cabiles, Cotabato 2nd District Representative Rudy S. Caoagdan, Cotabato Governor Emmylou “Lala” Taliño-Mendoza, Makilala Mayor Armando M. Quibod, and Vice Mayor Ryan D. Tabanay; Office of Civil Defense Region XII Director Raylindo S. Aniñon, Opusland Inc. President Ramon "Shintaro" Valdez, and Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development Region XII officer-in-charge Engr. Gifaril Martinez-Cabalquinto. The post NHA ground breaks housing for Cotabato quake victims appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
DILG to recognize innovative, distinctive LGU legislative practices
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) is set to recognize outstanding city and municipal sanggunians that demonstrated innovation and exemplary practices in local legislation through the 2023 Local Legislative Award (LLA) in a conferment ceremony later this year. “Innovative local legislation is a conduit to excellent public service. Through the 2023 LLA, we hope to recognize the exemplary contribution of our city and municipal legislative bodies and the enormous role they play in local governance and ultimately, in public service,” DILG Secretary Benhur Abalos said. He said the 2023 LLA aims to fete the exemplary performance of Sangguniang Panlungsod and Bayan for legislating measures that help build impactful local administration and development from 1 July 2019 to 30 June 2022. Through DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2023-092, Abalos said Sanggunians will be evaluated using the following criteria: responsiveness of the legislative agenda; availability of legislative documents; effectiveness and efficiency of performance of the Sanggunian; legislative citations and awards; and capacity development of legislators and staff. “With the LLA, we can inspire local legislators to keep making sound and effective policies that do not only address the needs of their localities but also contribute to realizing the country’s collective long-term vision,” he added. The LLA is categorized into provincial, regional, and national levels. In the provincial evaluation, city and municipal sanggunians must satisfy the 80 percent or higher overall performance rating to compete at the regional level. Meanwhile, at the regional level, sanggunians with a total score of 85 percent and above are qualified to compete at the national level. Provincial winners will receive a trophy and cash from the Philippine Councilors League (PCL) and Vice Mayors League of the Philippines (VMLP) provincial chapters; a trophy and cash from PCL and VMLP regional councils, and a plaque of commendation from PCL and VMLP national offices for the regional winners; and a trophy and cash from PCL and VMLP national office and League’s Partners for the national winners. The awards committee will be chaired by the DILG and vice-chaired by PCL and VMLP, with members from the Department of Agriculture, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Budget and Management, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The post DILG to recognize innovative, distinctive LGU legislative practices appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Dengue health reminders
The dengue virus, also known as DENV, is a viral infection transmitted to humans through the bite of infected mosquitoes. Due to the frequent rainy seasons, the virus is commonly present in tropical and subtropical countries like ours. To protect our communities from dengue, Watsons wants to raise the alarm on the severity of this infection and educate the public on the preventive measures against it. The Philippines has an average of 185,008 cases of dengue over a five-year period of 2012 to 2016, and an average death count of 732. As of 25 April, a total of 39,947 dengue cases were recorded in 2023. Compared to the same period in 2022, this number is 43-percent higher. Children between ages five and nine years old made up almost half of the fatalities in the 2019 Philippine dengue virus outbreak. Although there is no cure for dengue, the disease can be managed early and there are many ways to prevent getting infected by it. Watsons recommends using products that will keep you and your family safe from mosquito bites. Since the virus originates from the bite of a dengue-carrying mosquito, it is also advisable to take preventive measures to keep mosquitoes away from your home. To keep you protected against dengue, here are some easy tips from Watsons that you can follow: Remove standing water around your house where mosquitoes could lay eggs. Cover and change the water in any storage containers. Make sure to repair any cracks or gaps in pipes or septic tanks. Use an insect spray made to kill mosquitoes in areas where they rest. Mosquitoes rest in dark, humid areas like under patio furniture, carports or garages. Prevent mosquitoes from entering your home by installing or repairing window and door screens. Do not leave doors propped open. The first line of defense against the dengue virus is boosting our immune system. Multivitamins such as Watsons Vitamin C + Zinc can help strengthen body’s defense and heal wounds faster by protecting and keeping cells healthy, and also maintaining healthy skin, blood vessels and bones and cartilage. Zinc also helps grow cells, build proteins and heal damaged tissues. To also protect yourself from other potential disease-carrying insects, insect repellent lotions and patches provide a safe and skin-friendly repellant that you can have on your person. These work great for traveling or when you’re outside frequently. Putting small drops of citronella essential oil around your home is a stylish and a more organic way to keep your home safe from disease-carrying insects. It’s also safe to apply on your skin. After being exposed to harsh weather changes or when we work ourselves beyond what our body can handle, getting sick can’t be avoided. If you start getting headaches or body pains, or you’re starting to feel a fever setting in, Watsons Paracetamol is always available. The rainy season brings various illnesses so make sure you stock up on Watsons Ambroxol and some lozenges as well to combat colds and coughs. Ambroxol clears congestion in respiratory diseases because it thins down and breaks up phlegm. Meanwhile, lozenges relieve sore throat, throat irritation and also help with cough relief. The post Dengue health reminders appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
2023 FIBA World Cup full support urged
In three months, the Philippines will be hosting the 2023 FIBA World Cup, the biggest and most prestigious basketball tournament in the world. The joint bid of the Philippines, Indonesia and Japan bested other European countries and won hosting rights, with a promise to deliver a “world-class” tournament. This marks the second time for the country to host the World Cup — the first was in 1978. According to FIBA Archive, the PH line-up included Ramon Cruz, Bernardo Carpio, Alexander Clarino, Steve Watson, Edward Merced, Federico Israel, Federico Lauchengco, Nathaniel Castillo, Gregorio Gozum, Leopoldo Herrera, Cesar Yabut and Cesar Teodoro. The team was coached by Nicanor Jorge. During the assembly meeting, FIBA Secretary General Andreas Zagklis highlighted the crucial role that the Philippines will play in hosting the World Cup. “We play this year our biggest event, the FIBA Basketball World Cup in 3 Asian countries — and this will be the first time in three countries combining together almost 500 million people. It will be an unprecedented event in terms of quality for the players and the fans,” he said. For this year, our very own Gilas Pilipinas is set to compete with 31 other teams. As the lead host, the Philippines will organize all the quarter-finals, semi-finals, and final games featuring the top 8 teams, while Japan and Indonesia will co-host the competition of eight teams each. Preparations are in full swing, according to Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president Alfredo Panlilio, who also was recently elected as the Second Vice President in the FIBA Asia board for 2023-2027. Commenting on his election, Panlilio was quoted as saying: “It is an honor to be elected in the board of members of FIBA Asia to help the federation continue promoting the game of basketball and camaraderie in the region and the world,” acknowledging the huge responsibility to push for the development of new projects in Asia that would elevate the level of basketball competitions in the region. In recent years, FIBA has embraced a comprehensive approach to basketball development, encompassing various formats such as 5x5, 3x3, women’s tournaments, and youth competitions. This progressive strategy aims to nurture talent at all levels, providing opportunities for players of diverse backgrounds and promoting inclusivity within the sport. By embracing these multifaceted endeavors, FIBA is actively shaping the future of basketball, ensuring its continuous growth and global appeal. As a passionate basketball enthusiast, I am filled with immense excitement for this opportunity to host the prestigious FIBA World Cup. This historic event not only signifies our nation’s love for the sport but also holds the promise of remarkable growth and advancement in basketball programs under the visionary leadership of Panlilio and other esteemed members of the FIBA board. The future of basketball in our country looks brighter than ever before. Moreover, the Philippines stands poised not just to relish the rewards of the World Cup in the realm of sports, but to make an indelible mark on the country’s revenue generation through travel and tourism. The tournament’s influx of visitors from around the globe will serve as a significant catalyst, bolstering the local economy and showcasing the Philippines as a premier destination for international travelers. Case in point – a FIBA study showed that when the World Cup was hosted by Spain in 2019 before the emergence of Covid-19, it raked in $396 million or P22.6 billion in revenues while only setting an operational budget of $38.6 million or P2.2 billion. The upcoming international sports competition holds tremendous promise for uplifting the Philippines on multiple fronts – as a host, in the realm of basketball, and within the tourism industry, which has been significantly impacted by the pandemic. Regardless of our personal fanhood, I urge everyone to stand united in wholeheartedly supporting our team – Gilas Pilipinas. Our unwavering backing will serve as a powerful catalyst in boosting their confidence, enabling them to represent our country with pride and strive for victory. Together, we can make a resounding impact and proudly wave our flag on the global stage while bringing forward the kind of relationship we Filipinos have with the sport, profoundly anchored on one word – PUSO. The post 2023 FIBA World Cup full support urged appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Capiz holds Pride March during Capiztahan
The province of Capiz, in the eastern part of Panay Island, held a Pride event on 22 April, as part of its annual festival, Capiztahan, which happened from 14 April to 1 May this year. Ki-ày: The Capiz Pride March was organized by the provincial government of Capiz together with several LGBTQI+ groups. It is considered as the first Pride event to be supported by the local government. Before this, however, the LGBTQ+ community of the province mounted the Capiz Pride March and Festival on 1 December 2019 in observance of World AIDS Day, which some consider as the first Pride march in the Western Visayan province. The 22 April affair was highlighted by Duag Balangaw: A Parade of Rainbow, which started on Immaculate Heart of Mary Avenue and ended at the Pueblo de Panay Technopark in Lawa-an, Roxas City. [caption id="attachment_132277" align="aligncenter" width="525"] The contingent from the town of Sapian brandishing rainbow flags.[/caption] Last year, Roxas City passed an anti-gender discrimination ordinance providing protection for the LGBTQ+ community. LGBTQ+ groups from 13 municipalities and the capital, Roxas City, participated in the parade with their own colorful floats and street-dancing contingents in vibrant costumes. Contingents from Sapian, Panay and President Roxas were judged as having the best performances. [caption id="attachment_132273" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Float Carrying a Group of Queens.[/caption] That night, drag queens took the stage for “Drag On!” considered by many as the first drag show in the province. Headlining the event at the Pueblo de Panay Technopark was Maxie Andreison, who is the first Filipino drag queen to compete in the second season of the television series Queen of the Universe. She was joined by drag performers from Roxas Drag Royale, WVSU Drag Community and Bacolod Drag Queens, including Keana Nenita Evangua, Precious Kendra, Mhamoo Queen of all Mercy, Simplicity Glow, Holy Bang, St. Arie Blaire, Viper, Naptune Verosika, Blache E’Nana, ABCDEF Beatrice, Kelly Spirit and Jaundi Lierre. Actor Kit Thompson served as special guest performer. The drag show was followed by an after party with DJ Mike Lavet of Cove and Nectar Manila, Marxx and Nico Bialen. [caption id="attachment_132274" align="aligncenter" width="525"] PARTICIPANT from the town of Dao.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_132275" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Group from the town of Pilar.[/caption] Capiz’s Pride event was a celebration of diversity and promotion of inclusivity and equality. The provincial government promised support to the province’s LGBTQ+ community. Last year, Roxas City passed an anti-gender discrimination ordinance providing protection for the LGBTQ+ community. In October 2022, Capiz State University developed a technical working group to ensure that uniform policies respect human rights, particularly the right to self-expression of LGBTQ+ students, the first state university to do so. However, a provincial anti-discrimination ordinance is yet to be passed. The post Capiz holds Pride March during Capiztahan 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......»»
`Compete with all your heart,’ Go tells SEA Games-bound athletes
On Monday, 24 April, Senator Christopher "Bong" Go expressed his full support for Filipino athletes competing in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia as he attended their send-off ceremony at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City. The event was led by President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. who encouraged the Filipino athletes to go for the gold and bring back the Philippines' number one spot in the Games. In an interview during the event, Go, as chair of the Senate Committee on Sports and a sports enthusiast himself, said he understands the value of sports in the lives of young Filipinos. "Nandirito po ako to support. Being a sports enthusiast, noon pa talagang mahilig na po ako sa sports," said Go. "And that’s one way of encouraging the youth to get into sports and stay away from drugs. Isa po ito sa pamamaraan na ilayo po natin ang ating mga kabataan sa iligal na droga. Get into sports, stay away from drugs, and keep them healthy and fit," he added. To help in this cause, Go shared that he sponsored and defended additional funding for the Philippine Sports Commission during its 2023 budget deliberation, particularly for grassroots sports development and in support of athletes joining international competitions. "Gaya noon, full support po ako sa ating mga atleta. Not only sa SEA Games, Asian Games, Olympics, full support po ako," he said. Go continued, "In fact, during the budget deliberation, ang budget po ng PSC less than P200 million. Ako po ‘yung nag-defend at nag-suggest ng dagdag sa pondo nila." "Nagdagdag po tayo ng P1 billion sa budget ng PSC including budget na po para sa Southeast Asian Games, sa iba pang mga grassroots program, not only sa international competition, pati sa local," he added. Particularly, the increase in the PSC's 2023 budget reflected in the General Appropriations Act is intended to support Filipino athletes in the 2022 Asian Games, 2023 Southeast Asian Games, and 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. Furthermore, athletes competing in the ASEAN Para Games, Asian Indoor Martial Arts Games, World Combat Games, World Beach Games, Asian Beach Games, and World Beach Games will receive similar support. Portions of the funds were allotted for the country's hosting of the FIBA World Cup in 2023 as well as for several sports programs, such as Batang Pinoy, the Philippine National Games, and the grassroots program under the Sports Development Council. There are also funds allocated for the development of sports infrastructure across the country, as well as for advanced research and development in sports sciences and sports technology. When asked about his message to the athletes, Go echoed Marcos' words of encouragement, "Sinabi na rin po ni Pangulong Bongbong Marcos kanina, 'Go, go, go for the gold.' Ibig sabihin sana magtsa-champion po tayo. Ibalik natin ‘yung pagiging No.1 natin." Go reminded the athletes that the important thing is to fight and compete with all their hearts, as Filipinos are known for their passion and perseverance. Around 860 Filipino athletes, 76 reserved players, and 347 sports officials, medical personnel, and support staff will travel to Cambodia to compete in 608 events across 38 sports categories from 5-17 May. With the impressive performance of Filipino athletes in the 2021 SEA Games in Vietnam, where they brought home 227 medals, including 52 gold, 70 silver, and 105 bronze, the Philippines is poised to once again make a strong showing in the upcoming games. In the 2019 SEA Games, the Philippines hosted the event and emerged as the overall champion with 149 gold medals, 117 silver medals, and 121 bronze medals. The National Athletes and Coaches Benefits and Incentives Act, or Republic Act No. 10699, entitles SEA Games gold medalists to a P300,000 incentive, silver medalists to P150,000, and bronze medalists to P60,000. During the Duterte administration, Go advocated for additional benefits to medalists. An advocate for grassroots sports development, Go earlier authored and co-sponsored RA 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 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 `Compete with all your heart,’ Go tells SEA Games-bound athletes appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
These 19 fresh Kapuso teens are ready to sparkle
The “betting” must be on now. Who among the 19 Sparkle Teens of Kapuso network will make it as the biggest star in, say, two to five years? Would having a foreign surname with mestiza or meztizo looks help? After all, our two Miss Universe title holders — Pia Wurtzbach and Catriona Gray — have them. On film and TV, Anne Curtis is it. And Gerald Anderson, as well as Alden Richards. Maybe if James Reid didn’t quit Viva management, he would be “it,” too! Or if Sam Milby mastered Filipino/Tagalog and turned on a more vibrant personality. How do you relate to the Caucasian names Waynona Collings, Charlie Fleming (yes, this Charlie is a girl, like Kapamilya’s Charlie Dizon), Selina Griffin, James Graham and Josh Ford? Do check out their pics on the GMA 7 website. There’s a young man among the Sparkle Teens who go by the name of John Clifford, but it’s a coined name for the guy whose social media pics are under the name Clifford Gawchua, though he has also begun posting pics as John Clifford. The Chinese “chua” in his surname manifests in his handsome Asian looks. A girl in the stunning bundle of lookers goes by the name of Gaea Mischa. Her first name refers to the Greek goddess of Earth. Google says Mischa is a name of Russian and Hebrew origins that means “honey” and “whom God loves.” A Google search also reveals that she’s Gaea Mischa S. Salipot, a student of the International British Academy in Cavite (which also offers home schooling) who became a 2018 Champion of the World Division Winner in California, USA. Gaea Mischa was also a finalist under Team Lea of The Voice Kids PH Season 4 in 2019. She is quite morena and inarguably pretty. [caption id="attachment_122358" align="aligncenter" width="712"] GMA Network’s Sparkle Teens of 2023.[/caption] There’s a young man by the name of Lee Victor, and Internet data about him says he is “half-Welsh and half-Filipino.” And there’s a girl by the name of Naomi Park who introduced herself at the media launch at Novotel in Cubao, QC, last Tuesday afternoon, 18 April, as “ang K-pop girl ng Sparkle Teens.” With very fair complexion, Naomi does look Korean. The other members of Sparkle Teens are Zyren dela Cruz, Brice Eusebio, Aya Domingo, Liana Mae, Marco Masa, Princess Aliyah, Ashley Sarmiento, Keisha Serna, Aidan Veneracion and Antonio Vinson. Handpicked They are 10 young women and nine young men. Their number by gender should have been equal, but Andrei Sison died in a car accident a few days ago and Sparkle management decided not to replace him. There’s inside talk at the Kapuso network that Mr. M (Johnny Manahan, formerly of ABS-CBN and founder of Star Magic, the disenfranchised network’s much-admired talent discovery and management division) handpicked all 20 of them. It was Mr. M who saw to it that all 20 undergo a long stretch of training in acting, dancing, singing, public speaking and other disciplines meant to develop their personalities for public exposure. At their launch, acting was the only thing the 19 Sparkles did not showcase. They were all impressive. No one was a laggard. Some talked very engagingly during the group interviews. Three females may be said to have been given a special showcase by belting out a rousing song, joined by the others later. They were Princess Aliyah, Selina Griffin and Gaea Mischa. Princess Aliyah is dubbed “ang Biritera ng Sparkle Teens.” Gaea Mischa is billed as “ang Stunning Diva ng Sparkle Teens.” Griffin is presented as “ang ballerina at classical singer” of the group. Stardom According to GMA 7 assistant vice president Joy Marcelo, all 19 will perform regularly on the network’s weekly musical variety show All-Out Sundays. Some have also been cast in forthcoming drama shows. “They can’t be cast all at the same time,” said Marcelo, even as their original managers surely hope the casting will happen in 2023. The original managers, who are usually the discoverers of these 19, are now considered co-managers since all 19 are on a management contact with the network’s talent development and management center known as Sparkle, a name believed to have been coined by Mr. M who is acknowledged to have come up with “Star Magic” for ABS-CBN. “Executable” or “demonstratable” talent is just one element of big-time stardom. There are others, such as perseverance, a sense of professionalism, congeniality with the biggies of management, and the so-called X factor or “mystique” of stardom, which Mr. M is acknowledged to be very good at recognizing. Showbiz names may contribute to one’s X factor — being the son or daughter, grandson or granddaughter, niece or nephew of a well-loved established star. Antonio Vinzon, for instance, is character actor Roi Vinzon’s son. Some girls are taller than the others. Same is true among the boys. The degree of beauty or handsomeness depends on the looker. And so does the intensity of one’s appeal, smile or swagger. Ultimately, the multitude is the endower of big-time stardom. Sparkle members somehow have to compete among themselves since they may be asked to audition for the same roles in separate “readings” of specific scenes with the show director, or on a day assigned for “resident” stars to audition. The post These 19 fresh Kapuso teens are ready to sparkle appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»