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Meralco reminds public of electrical safety tips this Holy Week
Electric concessionaire Meralco said that its personnel will attend to the needs of its customers during Holy Week despite its offices being closed from Maundy Thursday to Black Saturday......»»
Prevent Pollen From Ruining Your Spring with These Tips
Allergy season has arrived early in the US, affecting more than 80 million Americans, as reported by The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. Pollen.....»»
With help from Paul Lee, Raymond Almazan rules inaugural 3-Point Shootout for bigs
Raymond Almazan credits former teammate Paul Lee for some valuable tips as he tops the first-ever Big Men Three-Point Shootout during the PBA All-Star Weekend.....»»
Substantiate your opinion : Students join NCCA workshop on film reading
Students in Zamboanga, however, learned a few tips on how to appreciate or read a film better in a workshop facilitated by the National Commission on Culture and the Arts when the national agency visited the southern city last March 8 in celebration of the National Arts Month every February......»»
Beat the Heat: Tips for Staying Cool at Work
Summer is just around the corner, and you know how hot the days get, especially with a looming El Niño — days would get hotter and hotter. Sometimes we can’t avoid going outside, especially during work. Whether you are going to meet a client somewhere around the city or just commuting to work, the heat […].....»»
The need for reputation experts in corporate boards
In modern corporate governance, the composition of a company’s board of directors plays a pivotal role in determining its strategic direction, ethical standards, and ultimately, its success or failure in the market......»»
Tito Villamor, New President of the Liga ng mga Barangay Provincial Chapter in Catanduanes
The new composition of the Liga ng mga Barangay in the province of Catanduanes has been formally elected. The election took place at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan Session hall this morning, January 12, 2024, where the new leadership of the Liga was elected under the leadership of Panganiban Liga President Tito “Tiay” Villamor. Villamor replaced Liga […] The post Tito Villamor, New President of the Liga ng mga Barangay Provincial Chapter in Catanduanes appeared first on Bicol Peryodiko......»»
BALMING TIGER DROPS FRESH SINGLE ‘KAMEHAMEHA’
Seoul-based collective Balming Tiger has released its new single “Kamehameha” and announced its debut album January Never Dies, scheduled for release on 19 October. A diverse music collective taking its name from the famous Asian ointment Tiger Balm, Balming Tiger describes itself as a “multinational alternative K-pop band” with a desire to create an impact globally and carve a uniquely captivating lane for K-pop. The main creative vision of Balming Tiger is to reflect and represent the younger generation of today’s society, aiming to further popularize hyper-expressive Asian youth culture throughout the world while drawing inspiration from a wider spectrum of global influences. Bouncy and playful, “Kamehameha’s” experimental soundscape pays homage to the Korean drinking game of the same name, simulating the light-headed, overconfident experience of being heavily intoxicated. The track is produced by bj wjwn and features vocals and melodies by sogumm. The track’s stripped-back composition varies from previous singles, providing another stylishly diverse addition to the collective’s expansive discography. The AI-inspired single artwork and surreal, cinematic music video were created by Balming Tiger’s visual artist Chanhee Hong. This is the fourth single to be unveiled from its forthcoming album, following the widescreen “SOS” in April, the radiant “Trust Yourself” in January and “SEXY NUKIM” in September of 2022 featuring RM of legendary K-pop band BTS, which achieved record-breaking results including reaching #1 on Billboard’s ‘World Digital Song Sales’ chart. The music video for “SEXY NUKIM (feat. RM of BTS)” has surpassed 16 million views. Balming Tiger consists of performers Omega Sapien, sogumm, bj wnjn and Mudd the student (who recently appeared on South Korea’s most popular music TV show SMTM, garnering millions of views), producers San Yawn and Unsinkable, video directors Jan’ Qui and Leesuho, DJ Abyss, visual artist Chanhee Hong and writer Henson Hwang. Each artist in this ensemble expresses a different artistic identity and energy, as well as a wide range of versatility in crafting the group’s distinct visual world. This year, Balming Tiger will cap off its world tour in Bangkok, Thailand, at the Maho Rasop Festival on 2 December. The post BALMING TIGER DROPS FRESH SINGLE ‘KAMEHAMEHA’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Major asteroid sample brought to Earth in NASA first
A seven-year space voyage came to its climactic end Sunday when a NASA capsule landed in the desert in the US state of Utah, carrying to Earth the largest asteroid samples ever collected. Scientists have high hopes for the sample, saying it will provide a better understanding of the formation of our solar system and how Earth became habitable. When they learned that the capsule's main parachute had deployed, "I literally broke into tears," the Osiris-Rex mission's principal investigator Dante Lauretta told a press conference. "That was the moment I knew we made it home... For me, the real science is just beginning." The 3.86-billion-mile (6.21-billion-kilometer) journey marked the United States' first sample return mission of its kind, the US space agency said in a post on X, formerly Twitter. NASA chief Bill Nelson hailed the mission and said the asteroid dust "will give scientists an extraordinary glimpse into the beginnings of our solar system." The Osiris-Rex probe's final, fiery descent through Earth's atmosphere was perilous, but NASA managed to engineer a soft landing at 8:52 am local time (1452 GMT), in the military's Utah Test and Training Range. Four years after its 2016 launch, the probe landed on the asteroid Bennu and collected what NASA estimated is roughly nine ounces (250 grams) of dust from its rocky surface. Even that small amount, NASA says, should "help us better understand the types of asteroids that could threaten Earth." The sample return "is really historic," NASA scientist Amy Simon told AFP. "This is going to be the biggest sample we've brought back since the Apollo moon rocks" were returned to Earth. Osiris-Rex released its capsule early Sunday from an altitude of more than 67,000 miles. The fiery passage through the atmosphere came only in the last 13 minutes, as the capsule hurtled downward at a speed of more than 27,000 miles per hour, with temperatures of up to 5,000 degrees Fahrenheit (2,760 degrees Celsius). NASA images showed the tire-sized capsule on the ground in a desert wash, with scientists approaching the device and taking readings. Eventually, they concluded the capsule was not breached, meaning its all-important air-tight seal remained intact, avoiding any contamination of the sample with desert sands. The team then lifted the capsule by helicopter to a nearby "clean room." Meanwhile, the probe that made the space journey fired its engines and shifted course away from Earth, NASA said, "on its way" for a date with another asteroid. Japanese samples On Monday, the sample heads to the Johnson Space Center in Houston for additional study, and NASA plans to announce its first results at a news conference 11 October. Roughly one-fourth of the sample will be immediately used in experiments, and a small amount will be sent to mission partners Japan and Canada. But most of it will be saved for future generations -- a "treasure for scientific analysis for years and years and years to come, to our kids and grandkids and people that haven't even been born yet," Lori Glaze, director of NASA's Planetary Sciences division, said. Japan had earlier given NASA a few grains from asteroid Ryugu, after bringing 0.2 ounces of dust to Earth in 2020 during the Hayabusa-2 mission. Ten years before, it had brought back a microscopic quantity from another asteroid. But the sample from Bennu is much larger, allowing for significantly more testing, Simon said. Earth's origin story Asteroids are composed of the original materials of the solar system, dating back some 4.5 billion years, and have remained relatively intact. They "can give us clues about how the solar system formed and evolved," said Osiris-Rex program executive Melissa Morris. "It's our own origin story." By striking Earth's surface, "we do believe asteroids and comets delivered organic material, potentially water, that helped life flourish here on Earth," Simon said. Scientists believe Bennu, about 500 meters (1,640 feet) in diameter, is rich in carbon -- a building block of life on Earth -- and contains water molecules locked in minerals. Bennu surprised scientists in 2020 when the probe, during its brief contact with the asteroid's surface, sank into the soil, revealing an unexpectedly low density, like a children's pool filled with plastic balls. Understanding its composition could come in handy, for there is a slight -- but non-zero -- chance (one in 2,700) that Bennu could collide catastrophically with Earth, though not until 2182. NASA last year successfully deviated the course of an asteroid by crashing a probe into it in a test, and it might at some point need to repeat that exercise -- but with much higher stakes. The post Major asteroid sample brought to Earth in NASA first appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Big fuss over .02%
The Philippine Stock Exchange index is considered the gauge of the activity in the equities market and, by extension, of the economy since the direction of the line graph indicates the country’s financial health. The index tracks the price movements of a basket of select companies listed on the bourse, representing various sectors of the economy. Investors and market participants use the PSE index as a reference to evaluate the performance of their investment portfolios and make informed investment decisions. The daily movement of the index influences investor confidence and sentiment. Increased investor confidence can stimulate trading activity, attract foreign investments, and encourage local companies to raise capital through initial public offerings or secondary floats. A strong and stable PSE Index can enhance the stock market’s perception as an attractive investment destination. This could attract foreign capital inflows, increase liquidity, and contribute to developing the local capital market. Thus, the impending exit of Metro Pacific Investments Corp., or MPIC, and Aboitiz Power Corp., or APC, from the Philippine Stock Exchange index seems a bit off as both companies are major players in the country’s growth story. Replacing APC and MPIC in the exclusive blue chips club are tycoon Enrique Razon Jr.’s Bloomberry Resorts and the Po family’s Century Pacific Food. The revamp takes effect on Tuesday, 26 September. MPIC is stepping out of the index after its public float dropped to 2.78 percent as part of its program to delist by October. APC’s exclusion from the benchmark was decided on, however, after it missed by a few decimal points of the 20 percent float rule for stocks to be retained in the PSEi. The company purchased 11.4 million shares as part of its buyback program that brought the public float level to below 20 percent, the level required to stay in the PSEi. Based on APC’s report to the market, stocks owned by the public are 19.98 percent of the total listed shares of 7.35 billion. Listed companies are required to have a 10-percent public float, but the elite index members are given a more arduous 20-percent public ownership condition. APC is off by .02 percent. APC’s buyback activities increased non-public scrips to 5.886 billion, bringing the total number of publicly owned shares to 1.47 billion. “Aboitiz Power’s current public ownership levels far exceed the 10-percent minimum public ownership level required for it to remain listed in the Philippine Stock Exchange,” an APC statement to the PSE said. “Even with this stock buyback program, there is no intention to delist from the PSE, but merely to reward our existing shareholders with a larger share of a brighter future,” APC added. The PSEi must accurately reflect the stock market’s overall performance and, in the bigger picture, the economy’s strength. Its composition should go beyond the mere technical criteria to allow a more representative indicator of the daily activity of the market. APC accounts for one out of every five megawatts, or MW, of installed capacity in the country and has some 1,000 MW of renewable energy capacity in the pipeline. In the first half of the year, the company reported a P17.8-billion net income, 79 percent higher than the P10 billion recorded in the same period a year ago. In the second quarter, the company’s net income reached P10.3 billion, 46 percent higher than the P7 billion profit a year ago. The decision to remove a key bourse participant, which also has among the most active shares, is like benching your star player because he forgot to bring a matching pair of socks. The post Big fuss over .02% appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Ex-shooting chief Chavit alarmed over Asiad-bound team s composition
Former Ilocos Sur Luis “Chavit” Singson is furious with the current state of Philippine shooting — a sport very close to his heart......»»
Quo Vadis Gilas?
Over the past week, basketball crazy FIBA co-host Philippines has been the mecca for world basketball. Hordes of foreign basketball fans eager to support their teams have trooped to our country, and along with thousands of local fans, including yours truly, have endured the hardships of hours long traffic, bewildering weather of humidity, heat and massive rainfall melding intermittently all within the day enroute to the venues, just to witness live the World Cup’s top hoopsters. Despite what I felt were atrociously expensive tickets for the lower box sections, being an incorrigible basketball fanatic, I just felt that I could not pass up the chance to be part of the once in a lifetime World Cup experience, particularly since I would be in the company of family friends, businessman basketball-sportscaster Dominic Uy who shared his insightful off-court commentaries and who was responsible for getting us some great seats, my erstwhile golfing partner Cookie la’O who had partnered with me decades back to bag the prestigious Mango Tee Tournament championship in Alabang, and my son-in-law, noted New Balance shoe designer Gabe la’O, who flew all the way from New Hampshire to watch some top-notch games. Never mind that they are all as La Salle Green as can be but their youthful energies in cheering their hearts out for every basket, block, steal and mad breakaway was infectious. I watched the US-Greece and Gilas-Italy games live and the experience did not disappoint. The highlights of those games in consonance with the tremendous roars of the fans will be replayed in my memory bank over and over again for a long time to come. But, of course, like all true-blue basketball aficionados, recounting and analyzing the wows of a won game and the what-ifs of a heartbreaker and the future of Gilas is par for the course. So here goes. Despite the four heartbreaking defeats to the Dominican Republic, Angola, Italy and South Sudan, the last game of Gilas winning against the undisputed Asian champion, China, has given us a slight glimmer of hope, again, to have a chance to make it to Paris next year. Although the win was masterfully achieved as a team effort, undoubtedly it was Jordan Clarkson who practically carried Gilas on his shoulders with his hot 3-point shooting in the third quarter. Even China’s coach Sasha Dordevic and NBA star Li Kaier of the Minneapolis Timberwolves pointed to Clarkson as the main reason for their never-before lopsided loss to Gilas. Because of this win, Gilas is ranked 24th out of the 32 participating countries, enough to allow us to participate in the Olympic Qualifying Tournament and so the buzz over Gilas’ chances continues. What changes are needed? As far as the team composition is concerned, unless there are injuries, I believe the current line-up is as good as it can get. All are unquestionably standouts. On the other hand, as far as the coaching leadership is concerned, Chot Reyes already declared immediately after the win over China that he is stepping down because the incessant social media abuse from his critics has been “brutal” for him and his family. Kudos to Chot for his service to the country and for making this move rightly expected of any leader who has not delivered on the goals. The options, however, are limited. And worse, there is an extremely short timeline to make the choice because the Asian Games starts on 23 September. Tab Baldwin of course is the popular clamor, but the UAAP season begins as well this September and I don’t think he will leave the Blue Eagles coachless. Also it seems that there could be some pushback from certain SBA and PBA quarters who might not be too keen on Tab’s up front in your face style. Tim Cone is my own bet because not only is he an equally great coach but also for continuity since he is already in the Gilas coaching staff. Regardless of the choice, however, the problem of conflicting schedules of the players with their home teams will continue to be an obstacle to building a Gilas team that needs to be properly honed with significant playing time together. PBA and SBP will have to somehow firmly reach an understanding, otherwise Gilas fans will have to face up to the reality of more heartbreaks. Quo Vadis Gilas? Until next week… OBF! For comments, email bing_matoto@yahoo.com The post Quo Vadis Gilas? appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Jaime Gubaton diverts from usual style to relay urgent message
In this era of constant waste and ruin, “Foiled” serves as a reminder of the dangers of mindless consumerism and its deadly consequences on the environment. Presented by Arte Bettina, the solo exhibition of Filipino visual artist Jaime Gubaton is on view from 30 August to 12 September at the ArtistSpace, located at the ground level of Ayala Museum Annex, Makati Avenue corner Dela Rosa Street, Greenbelt Park, Makati City. Gubaton, a veteran artist with the burning enthusiasm of a student, considers artmaking a continuous process — a cycle of retaining, changing and revisiting. Born in 1981, he is an artist who mainly works with oil painting and contemporary figures and portraits juxtaposed with various elements, some linear and graphic representations, with the use of appropriated materials that are borrowed from a day-to-day context. Gubaton considers making art a craft that is executed using clear formal rules and that always refers to social reality. His works are notable for their perfect finish and tactile nature. This is of great importance and bears witness to great craftsmanship. The style and the corresponding vision of the artist naturally evolve and mature, but there is something in the initial creative impulse that continues to be sustained through their works, whether it is a preferential treatment of color, a recurring image or a conspicuously revisited subject matter. In the case of Gubaton, now considered one of the most sought-after artists working today, an emphasis on certain qualities of the Filipino identity can be discerned, even if he has fully ventured into photorealistic depictions of portraits. His formal arts education began at the University of the East in Caloocan, where he majored in advertising. He was already winning major art competitions while still in college. In 2002, he won the grand prize for both the PLDT-DPC Directory Cover National Competition and Art Petron, which influenced him to pursue a career as a painter. Art competitions served as his early training ground for painting until he was invited to participate in several art exhibits by various galleries both locally and internationally. [gallery columns="2" size="full" ids="179672,179671"] [gallery size="full" columns="2" ids="179670,179669"] “My artistic journey is a learning process that enables me to improve my skills and techniques. It opens opportunities for me to better appreciate the history and culture of the world. Allow yourself to grow at your own pace. Don’t rush the process,” Gubaton said. Despite being a firm believer in the foundational skills of art, he centers his practice on experimentation and polishes his skills by regularly stepping away from routine — a feat many shy away from due to human nature’s fear of the uncertain. “Foiled” showcases this as he deviates from human portraiture and instead breathes nature and its pollutants onto a dark canvas. As much as “Foiled” has prevention at its core, Gubaton weaves the multiplicity of his concept into the composition of his works. His paintings take inspiration from a foiling technique seen in jewelry making and mimics its principle of using foil to further emphasize its symbolism, spotlighting his subjects onto an almost black base. There is no mistaking the message of his show, and that is intentional. He is blunt in his execution and his intentions could easily be received at a glance. Nature is in danger, and its stewards have become its executioners. Gubaton takes this opportunity to champion what he has always implemented in his act of creation, a willingness to change. ArtistSpace, an art gallery established in 2004, is dedicated to the promotion of contemporary visual arts featuring a wide range of styles and media from local and foreign artists in two-week exhibitions. The gallery is open daily from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Admission is free. For queries on the exhibition, contact Arte Bettina at 905-2696095, 27004-3209 or artebettinagallery@gmail.com. For more information on ArtistSpace, contact Jane Salvador at 917-8264425 or hello@artistspace.org.ph. The post Jaime Gubaton diverts from usual style to relay urgent message appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
China’s 10-dash line flaunts ‘arbitrariness’, expert says
China is flaunting anew an “arbitrariness” by releasing its 2023 version of the map, which features a new 10-dash line that defines its purported boundaries in the South China Sea, according to Maritime law expert Professor Jay Batongbacal. “This is already the second time because the first time was in 2013. Based on some reports, it seems that they are introducing a new drawing. It may be small but other countries are already reacting like India and this time, Malaysia has already reacted,” Batongbacal said in a chance interview Thursday evening. China's Ministry of Natural Resources on 28 August issued the map, which covers a large part of the South China Sea, including the country’s exclusive economic zone in the West Philippine Sea. “Una pinapakita nito yung arbitrariness nung kanilang claim kasi nga nagbabago. Pangalawa, pinapakita rin nito na talagang walang basehan ‘yung kanilang dinodrawing na iyan. Talagang yung mga ibang bansa talagang hindi yan tatanggapin (First, it shows the arbitrariness of their claim because it changes. Second, it also shows that what they are claiming is really baseless. The other countries really can’t accept that.)" Malaysia, Taiwan, and the Philippines have earlier rejected China’s claims under the new version of its SCS map, showing that Taiwan as well as India's northeastern state of Arunachal Pradesh and Aksai Chin region are part of Beijing's domain. Batongbacal said there’s a lot of misinterpretation and manipulation of information regarding China’s claims in the SCS, which overlaps the claims of its neighboring countries. “The Chinese government keeps pushing these narratives that are not really true. The problem is that this information is being reported as if it's true,” he said. Thus, Batongbacal pressed the need for the media outlets, particularly those assigned in the Philippines, to better understand the issues on SCS/WPS. “It is also very important to us because we are a democratic nation and the media plays a very important role in the molding and expression of the public opinion so the media needs to be well-informed, especially in our advocacy in the WPS. This is about our nation,” he said. China’s uncertainties, lack of stability Batongbacal said the Philippines keeps insisting that China should follow the rules-based international order and an international law referred to as “The Law of the Sea Convention.” “China should follow the rules that when we all negotiated—the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea—and China itself supposedly ratified that agreement. It shows that even though China signed treaties, conventions, and agreements. yet anytime if it finds it inconvenient in its interest, it can ignore it,” he added. Batongbacal said such action from China shows a “lack of stability and uncertainties.” “And for countries like us, smaller, less powerful and can’t match—let’s say—large countries like China, if that’s our system in the world, then we will not have our independence or sovereignty—if like that. We will just fall into whatever other countries want of us whenever they want, right?,” he said. In the case of the WPS, Batongbacal further explained that China seems pushing for its own “wants and composition” despite signing agreements and international laws. “It keeps ignoring it and insists itself with the other countries. We really need to push back on it and we should stand international law. We should insist that China should follow the agreement and the international law,” he said. He, meanwhile, noted that the legal position of the Philippines was put on record through a series of diplomatic protests. “With it, no one can tell that we are accepting China's claims. It is very clear that we always oppose China that their activities are wrong and it will never be that such behavior would be acceptable in the international law,” he said. Batongbacal underscored the Philippines' need to stand up for legal rights and entitlement in the international community. Senator Risa Hontiveros earlier described China as “delusional and desperate” after issuing the new 2023 version of its 10-dash line map, claiming part of the WPS as theirs. “China is delusional. Wala na sa huwisyo itong Tsina. Kung ano-ano nalang ang ginagawa para mang-angkin ng mga teritoryong hindi naman sa kanya (China is our of its mind. It keeps on inventing to grab what is not theirs) This map is Beijing’s desperate attempt to assert its lies and propaganda,” she said. Hontiveros added that the Department of Foreign Affairs should also coordinate with the National Resource and Mapping Authority) to update a map that clearly shows the country’s exclusive economic zone, continental shelves, and territorial seas in the WPS. The post China’s 10-dash line flaunts ‘arbitrariness’, expert says appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Japan’s ‘Moon Sniper’ mission looks to match Indian success
Hot on the heels of India's historic lunar landing, Japan's space program is hoping to rebound from a string of setbacks next week with the launch of its own mission — "Moon Sniper". The rocket will carry a lander expected to reach the Moon's surface in four to six months as well as an x-ray imaging satellite designed to investigate the evolution of the universe. The launch is scheduled to take place Monday after bad weather pushed it back by a day, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) said Friday. Japan's space program is one of the world's largest, but its first attempt to put a lander on the Moon failed in November 2022, and a new type of rocket exploded during a test last month. JAXA's hopes are now centered on the "Smart Lander for Investigating Moon". As its acronym suggests, SLIM is small and light, standing 2.4 meters (7.9 feet) high, 2.7 meters wide, and 1.7 meters long, and weighing around 700 kilograms (1,545 pounds). Dubbed the "Moon Sniper" for its precision, JAXA is aiming to land it within 100 meters of a specific target on the Moon, far less than the usual range of several kilometers. Using a palm-sized mini rover that can change shape, the probe -- developed with a toy company -- aims to investigate how the Moon was formed by examining exposed pieces of the lunar mantle. "Lunar landing remains a very difficult technology," Shinichiro Sakai from the SLIM project team told reporters on Thursday while paying homage to India's success. "To follow suit, we will do our best in our own operations," Sakai said. India success On Wednesday, India landed a craft near the Moon's south pole, a historic triumph for the world's most populous nation and its low-cost space program. Previously, only the United States, Russia, and China had managed to put a spacecraft on the lunar surface, and none on the south pole. India's success came days after a Russian probe crashed in the same region and four years after the previous Indian attempt failed at the last moment. Japan has also tried before, attempting last year to land a lunar probe named Omotenashi, carried on NASA's Artemis 1, but the mission went wrong and communications were lost. And in April, Japanese start-up ispace failed in an ambitious attempt to become the first private company to land on the Moon, losing communication after what the firm called a "hard landing". Japan has also had problems with launch rockets, with failures after liftoff of the next-generation H3 model in March and the normally reliable solid-fuel Epsilon the previous October. Last month, the test of an Epsilon S rocket, an improved version of the Epsilon, ended in an explosion 50 seconds after ignition. Plasma wind The workhorse H2-A rocket launching from Tanegashima in southern Japan on Monday will also carry the X-Ray Imaging and Spectroscopy Mission (XRISM) developed by JAXA, NASA, and the European Space Agency. The satellite's high-resolution X-ray spectroscopic observations of the hot gas plasma wind that blows through the universe will help study the flows of mass and energy as well as the composition and evolution of celestial objects. "There is a theory that dark matter is preventing galaxies from expanding," explained XRISM project manager Hironori Maejima. "The question of why dark matter does not converge, and what are the forces that spread it, is expected to be clarified by measuring plasma with XRISM." The post Japan’s ‘Moon Sniper’ mission looks to match Indian success appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
PLDT bolsters alignment with global climate reporting standards
Leading integrated telecommunications company PLDT Inc. continues to strengthen its alignment with global standards for climate action as it benchmarks with the 2023 disclosure system of the CDP. Previously known as the “Carbon Disclosure Project” and recognized globally by investors, cities and corporates, CDP provides guidance on climate-focused reporting metrics and facilitates an independent scoring on progress in terms of governance, risk management, target and performance and emissions data, among others. For its 2022 CDP assessment, PLDT received a “B” or a “Management” rating, signifying that the company has measures in place to manage its business impact on the environment. This was a significant improvement from its “C” or “Awareness” rating in 2021 and 2020 consecutively. Results of the 2023 CDP assessment are expected to be released by 2024. “Climate action is integral to our strategy of embedding sustainability in the way we do business. As this discipline calls for continuous learning and collaboration, we aim to maximize opportunities to adopt and align with global best practices and reporting standards,” said PLDT first vice president, chief sustainability officer and head of investor relations Melissa Vergel de Dios. PLDT’s environmental management measures include a decarbonization roadmap that targets Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions reduction by 40 percent by 2030, from a 2019 baseline. This target is underpinned by the company’s expansion of renewable energy use, operational eco-efficiency measures and green technology adoption for its network and data center rollout. As CDP underscores the importance of assessing and identifying climate risks, PLDT earlier reported on its conduct of a comprehensive and third-party aided climate risk assessment that guides its strategies for disaster-proofing its digital infrastructure and institutionalizing business continuity measures across its organization. The company also integrated climate expertise in the composition of its board of directors, with the recent appointment of Fr. Roberto C. Yap, S.J. as a member of its advisory committee. Yap, S.J. holds a PhD in Environmental Economics from the University College London and is slated to contribute to PLDT’s thrust of strengthening its climate governance and management approach. These efforts demonstrate PLDT’s support for the goals of the Paris Agreement and contribution to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 9 on Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, and Goal 13 on Climate Action. The post PLDT bolsters alignment with global climate reporting standards appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Shift in College Footballs Power Structure: Playoff Composition, Revenue Sharing, NCAA Influence in Focus
Title: College Football Playoff Management Committee Faces Crucial Decisions Amidst Conference Realignment Date: [Date] The College Football Playoff (CFP) Management Committee, comprised of 10 FBS.....»»
CINEMALAYA REVIEW: SHORTS A
‘SOTA’ Mae Tanagon opens her short documentary Sota by bombarding you with paragraphs and paragraphs of information. Sota means horse caretaker, and Tanagon follows two sotas, Arnel Arguelles and Leonardo Yambao, who expose their working conditions in the horse gambling industry. Tanagon aims to highlight the fact that while horse racing in the Philippines is a multibillion-peso industry, its workers are horrendously underpaid. Unfortunately, the lengthy texts that clutter the screen weaken Taganon’s storytelling, making her advocacy almost lost, because if you recall Sota in the future, you’d remember how it was a hassle reading the texts rather than the plight of underpaid horse caretakers. The subject matter has a potential to be a stirring documentary, the racetracks could have been more photogenic, but this feels dry and dull, and rushed. (1 out of 5 stars) ‘HINAKDAL’ [caption id="attachment_168108" align="aligncenter" width="700"] ‘HINAKDAL’ by Arvin Belarmino.[/caption] Arvin Belarmino’s black-and-white take on social prejudice is imaginative, funny and tense. Set in a remote province, it follows an impoverished zombie mother and young son during one of their ordinary days. They are poor and rely on religious icons for their everyday salvation. But the appearance of a chicken thief suddenly disrupts their relatively peaceful life. Belarmino’s choice to portray the poor sector of the country as zombies is rather fascinating, adding a touch of surrealism and fantasy without compromising entertainment value and sharp social commentary. (3 out of 5 stars) ‘KOKURYO: THE UNTOLD STORY OF BB. UNDAS 2019’ [caption id="attachment_168104" align="aligncenter" width="1000"] ‘KOKURYO: The Untold Story of Bb. Undas 2019’ by Diokko Manuel Dionisio.[/caption] Diokko Manuel Dionisio’s Kokuryo is a comedic portrait of friendship, poverty and transgenderism. While the student film (Dionisio is a graduating film student from La Salle-Benilde) has audio problems and poor resolution, the visual composition and costumes are breathtaking. Plus, Mindy Jane Castillo has a powerful onscreen presence, managing to hook you from beginning to end. In the aftermath of a small-time trans pageant contest called Bb. Undas 2019, the winner (Castillo) finds 50 percent of her prize money missing. She and best friend (Thalia Nagaño) go on a search, which is often funny albeit the amateur performances from some of the supporting cast. It culminates in a heartbreaking ending, with a most beautiful shot for a finale. (3 out of 5 stars) ‘HM HMM MHM’ [caption id="attachment_168106" align="aligncenter" width="1000"] ‘HM HMM MHM’ by Sam Villa-Real and Kim Timan.[/caption] The title alone is pretentious and contrived. Sam Villa-Real and Kim Timan’s Hm Hm Mhm uses stop motion for a story on domestic violence. Using dolls, with the central character a little girl doll and Barbie and Ken as its parents, the filmmakers produce somewhat surreal, nightmarish imagery. The film removes dialogue and incorporates dreamy sequences, rage, slithering vines and what looks like a woman’s reproductive organ (or a womb). The vibe is sinister, with a constant feeling of trouble and unrest. While there is a hint of domestic violence going on, the chaotic visuals make the storytelling incoherent. The film ends up more like an exercise in stop-motion rather than using the animated technique for a more effective way of saying whatever it wants to say. (0 out of 5 stars) ‘SIBUYAS NI PERFECTO’ [caption id="attachment_168113" align="aligncenter" width="1000"] ‘SIBUYAS Ni Perfecto’ by January Yap.[/caption] Januar Yap’s subdued drama follows an old man, Perfecto, with his worn-out slippers, carrying on his back a heavy basket of vegetables to deliver to his “friend,” Sir Eddie (whom we never see). The fact that Perfecto calls the man “sir” and feels honored that Eddie is his “friend” who trusts him with the delivery quickly establishes how Perfecto is very simple-minded and trusting. The fact that Eddie lets Perfecto walk miles and miles and miles to deliver vegetables to his doorstep, and Perfecto’s friend says Eddie is a con man, allow us to immediately know that Perfecto is a victim of abuse of men with money and power — the Sir Eddies of the world. Yap manages to make the viewer experience Perfecto’s suffering by allowing the viewer to experience the great distance he has to travel to get to Eddie’s house. This is a painful portrait of innocence and naivete, as well as the socioeconomic hierarchy where Perfecto is at the bottom of the chain. The ending is pretty strong. (3 out of 5 stars) The post CINEMALAYA REVIEW: SHORTS A appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Coca-Cola eyes more price hikes in emerging markets
Coca-Cola lifted its full-year earnings targets Wednesday after second-quarter results topped estimates as it described plans to limit additional price hikes to emerging markets with the most intense inflation. The soda giant reported profits of $2.5 billion, up 34 percent from the year-ago period on a six percent increase in revenues to $12 billion. While volumes were flat, revenues were bolstered by a 10 percent jump in Coca-Cola's "price/mix" benchmark, reflecting retail price increases as well as the composition of sales by venue and pack mix. Inflation in developed markets like North America and Western Europe "is beginning to moderate," said James Quincey, chief executive of Coca-Cola, which has undertaken a series of price hikes over the last 18 months. In contrast, in many emerging markets "consumers are more accustomed to persistent inflation," Quincey said on a conference call, noting that five of the soda giant's top 40 markets have inflation above 20 percent. "In the developed markets, we've got through the pricing that needed to be taken in 2023," Quincey said. "In developing and emerging markets, we aim to take price with local market inflation," said Quincey, who included Turkey and Pakistan among the "hyperinflationary" countries. Coca-Cola lifted several 2023 financial targets and now sees earnings per share growth of nine to 11 percent excluding currency effects, up from the prior range of seven to nine percent growth. Shares of Coca-Cola rose 1.1 percent to $62.96 in afternoon trading. The post Coca-Cola eyes more price hikes in emerging markets appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
IMF raises 2023 economic outlook but warns of slowing global growth
The International Monetary Fund has slightly upgraded its outlook for world growth this year on the back of resilient service sector activity in the first quarter and a strong labor market, the lender said Tuesday. But despite the mildly better economic forecast, growth is expected to slow to three percent in 2023 and then stay there, held down by weak growth among the world's advanced economies, the IMF announced in a new report. "The global economy continues to gradually recover from the pandemic and Russia's invasion of Ukraine. But it is not yet out of the woods," IMF Chief Economist Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas said during a press conference. The growth forecast for this year was raised by 0.2 percentage points from the IMF's last estimate in April, putting the world economy on track for three percent growth in both 2023 and 2024. This is down from growth of 6.3 percent in 2021, and 3.5 percent last year, the IMF announced in its update to the World Economic Outlook (WEO). Earlier this year, the IMF published its lowest medium-term forecast since the 1990s, citing slowing population growth and the end of the era of economic catch-up by countries including China and South Korea. On Tuesday, the IMF said the global inflation picture has improved somewhat, with consumer prices now expected to increase by 6.8 percent this year, down 0.2 percentage points from April's forecast. This is largely on account of subdued inflation in China, Daniel Leigh, the head of the IMF's World Economic Studies division, told reporters on Tuesday. "This is one of the only countries in the world right now where inflation is below the target rate," he said, adding that the IMF has revised China's inflation forecast for the year down sharply to 1.1 percent. 'Resilient' US consumption The IMF has lifted its outlook for US growth this year to 1.8 percent, up 0.2 percentage points from April, citing "resilient consumption growth in the first quarter." The still-tight labor market in the world's largest economy "has supported gains in real income and a rebound in vehicle purchases," the IMF added in its report. The fund sees US growth slipping to 1.0 percent next year, as savings accumulated during the pandemic dry up and the economy loses momentum. As with the April forecast, much of global growth this year is expected to come from emerging markets and developing economies (EMDEs) like India and China, with activity in advanced economies, predicted to slow substantially this year and next. Advanced economies are now anticipated to grow by 1.5 percent this year, up 0.2 percentage points from April, and by 1.4 percent in 2024. Citing positive economic news from the United Kingdom, the IMF has lifted the country's growth forecast for 2023 to 0.4 percent, leaving Germany as the only G7 economy expected to contract this year. The news is much more positive among the EMDEs, which are forecast to grow by 4.0 percent this year, and by 4.1 percent next year. The IMF's 2023 growth forecast for China remained unchanged at 5.2 percent, although it notes there has been a change in composition, with underperformance of investment due to the country's troubled real estate sector. Alongside property sector weakness, the IMF said foreign demand remains tepid and warned of rising and elevated youth unemployment, which reached almost 21 percent in May. The IMF lifted India's 2023 growth prospects to 6.1 percent, up 0.2 percentage points from April, citing "momentum from stronger-than-expected growth in the fourth quarter of 2022 as a result of stronger domestic investment." The fund now expects Russia's economy to grow by 1.5 percent this year, an upward revision of 0.8 percentage points from April, due to stronger-than-expected economic data fueled by "a large fiscal stimulus." The IMF anticipates the Russian government's budget deficit will expand to 6.1 percent this year, up from 1.4 percent last year, according to a spokesperson. The post IMF raises 2023 economic outlook but warns of slowing global growth appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»