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SMC starts works on Pangasinan tollway
Food-to-infrastructure conglomerate San Miguel Corp. (SMC) has started the civil works for the Pangasinan Link Expressway (PLEX), laying the bedrock for a P34-billion project that would improve travel and tourism in Northern Luzon......»»
DOT advises public to ‘travel wisely’ this Holy Week
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Tourism (DOT) is advising the public to “travel wisely” to ensure safety during the Holy Week celebrations. “Travelers needing accommodation, tours, transportation, and other tourism-related services are strongly advised to patronize DOT-accredited tourism enterprises. Accreditation by the DOT recognizes establishments as having complied with the department’s minimum standards set.....»»
Mandaue to host 7th International Cat Show 2024
CONSOLACION, Cebu – Mandaue City is set to host the 7th International Cat Show 2024 for the second time, supported by the World Cat Federation (WCF) and the Society of Feline Enthusiasts of the Philippines (SFEPI) with the Island Rescue Organization (IRO) as the beneficiary. This two-day cat show will be held on April 13-14.....»»
US Bolstering Philippines Amid Increasing Assertiveness by China
washington - The U.S. and Philippines will for the first time venture outside Manila's territorial waters when they begin joint annual combat drills in April, a Philippines government spokesman said Thursday.Colonel Michael Logico said elements of the Balikatan 2024 drills would be conducted about 22 kilometers (more than 12 nautical miles) off the west coast of Palawan, an island in the archipelago nation that.....»»
Agoda Unveils Asia’s Top 9 Nature Destinations
To mark the launch of Eco Deals 2024, Agoda’s flagship US$1 million partnership with the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), the digital travel platform has compiled a list of some of Asia’s favored nature destinations across Asia, based on searches made on Agoda in January 2024. Enric Casals, Vice President of Southeast Asia, Agoda, […].....»»
Xinhua world economic news summary at 0900 GMT, March 17
MANILA -- The number of Chinese inbound travelers to the Philippines surged by 235 percent year-on-year in the first two months of 2024, a Philippine lawmaker said Sunday. Citing data from the Philippines' Department of Tourism, Representative Marvin Rillo, vice chairperson of the committee on tourism in the House of Representatives, said that 82,314 Chinese travelers entered the Philippines in January and Febru.....»»
Philippines to host Volleyball Men s World Championship 2025
MANILA, March 21 (Xinhua) -- The Philippines is set to host the Federation Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) Men's Volleyball Championship in 2025 after winning the bid on Wednesday night. Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco welcomed the hosting opportunity, saying the country is looking forward to the success of the global sports event. "The Philippines' hosting of this global volleyball event bo.....»»
Ace Banzuelo teams up with filmmaker JP Habac on ‘Meron Ba’ MV
Filipino singer-songwriter and producer Ace Banzuelo relives the messy and glorious days of high school romance in the music video for his new single “Meron Ba.” The MV is directed by award-winning filmmaker JP Habac, who is responsible for some of the most iconic romantic dramas in recent years, including 2017’s I’m Drunk, I Love You, 2021’s Dito At Doon and 2023’s Love You Long Time. According to Habac, the concept behind the visual narrative is all about taking risks. “For people who aren’t born into privilege and don’t have enough resources to take risks, decision-making is tough,” he said. “They don’t have a choice but to ask the universe for a sign or take a leap of faith, thinking that it would give them a sense of clarity. Taking risks is good if you have the privilege, but if not, you have to be realistic.” Banzuelo stars as the dreamy student navigating the most painful and endearing parts of adolescence while getting entangled in a relationship mishap. “I’m happy to express myself freely, not only as a musician but also as an actor in my music videos,” the prolific artist shared. “I enjoyed collaborating with direk JP as the experience gave me more ways to execute this video authentically.” Habac appreciates the Muli performer for his valuable inputs on the project. “Ace is very hands-on with the material. It’s refreshing to witness how deeply involved he is, from concept development to the post-production phase. You can tell right away how protective he is with the vision of the song and how collaborative he is as an artist.” The MV also stars young actors Pauline Quijano, Jack Burgos and Nour Hooshmand, who also played an important role in the music video of Banzuelo’s previously released single, “Tadhana.” The post Ace Banzuelo teams up with filmmaker JP Habac on ‘Meron Ba’ MV appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Horror, whodunit, action, inspiration
We are drowning in content from gazillions of platforms, and it’s hard to pick which movie is worth your time. Here’s a rundown of popular picks now playing in cinemas and on the streamers. ‘A Haunting in Venice’ (2023) If you are a fan of Agatha Christie and Christie’s fictional Belgian detective Hercule Poirot, then indulge yourself in A Haunting in Venice, the third installment in the Poirot cinematic universe and the sequel to Death on the Nile (2022). The first Poirot movie was Murder on the Orient Express (2017). Kenneth Branagh directs and reprises his role as the mustachioed detective in A Haunting in Venice, a stylish, dark, eerie whodunit mystery set in post-World War II Venice. I saw this at the luxurious Venice Ultra Cinema at the Venice Grand Canal — the perfect venue to enhance the movie’s Venice-canal mystery feels. Here, the retired Poirot is forced to solve a spooky murder by attending a séance at a haunted palazzo. When one of the guests is murdered, you’ll have fun solving the mystery with him. (Now showing in cinemas) ‘Immersion’ (2023) From Japanese filmmaker Takashi Shimizu, best known as the creator of Ju-on: The Grudge, comes another horror film, Immersion. Utilizing modern technology to incorporate into his supernatural tale, Shimizu takes viewers to a VR-reality research facility where all the horror takes place. Starring Daigo Nishihata, Noa Kawazoe Rina Ikoma and Yûta Hiraoka, Immersion uses grisly murder, rape, adultery, vengeance and redemption as themes in this modern tale of terror. (Now showing in cinemas) ‘The Equalizer 3’ (2023) [caption id="attachment_185049" align="aligncenter" width="525"] DENZEL Washington in ‘The Equalizer 3.’ | photograph courtesy of SONY PICTURES[/caption] As long as it’s Denzel Washington, the film is bound to be important. The vigilante action film directed by Antoine Fuqua is the action-packed sequel to The Equalizer 2 and the final installment in The Equalizer trilogy. Washington reprises his role as retired US Marine and DIA officer Robert McCall, who is now settled peacefully in a small town in Southern Italy. He’s made new friends, life is good, life is violence-free. But when McCall discovers that his new friends are under the control of the local mafia, then he has no choice but to unleash his government-assassin skills and wipe them all out. With action-man Fuqua directing and Washington’s star power, The Equalizer 3 makes for one hell of a finale. (Now showing in cinemas) ‘Tár’ (2022) [caption id="attachment_185046" align="aligncenter" width="525"] CATE Blanchett as Lydia Tár. | photograph courtesy of UNIVERSAL PICTURES[/caption] In Todd Field’s Oscar-nominated psychological thriller, Cate Blanchett plays Lydia Tár, a world-renowned conductor facing accusations of misconduct. The riveting, thought-provoking film delves on cancel culture and the #MeToo movement from a compelling angle. This film, one of the best from last year’s Best Picture nominations at the Academy Awards, also won Blanchett the Volpi Cup for Best Actress at the 79th Venice International Film Festival. Field’s superb film is restrained yet thick with tension. It’s for cinephiles who enjoy deep conversations and discussions on art versus artists, among other issues. (On HBO Go) ‘A Million Miles Away’ (2023) [caption id="attachment_185051" align="aligncenter" width="525"] MICHAEL Peña in ‘A Million Miles Away.’ | photograph courtesy of AMAZON PRIME[/caption] Inspired by a true story, A Million Miles Away stars Michael Peña as NASA flight engineer José Hernández. The biopic follows the life of the flight engineer from his hometown in Mexico to his life on the International Space Station. The stirring tale reveals to viewers how Hernandez started out as a farm worker before becoming an engineer, then an astronaut. If you feel that your dreams are impossible, then get your motivational shot from this movie. The post Horror, whodunit, action, inspiration appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
‘That ’70s Show’ actor Danny Masterson given 30 years for rapes
Actor Danny Masterson, a star of the sitcom "That '70s Show," was sentenced Thursday to at least 30 years in prison for raping two women at his home two decades ago. The US actor was convicted in May of drugging and then raping fellow members of the Church of Scientology between 2001 and 2003 at his house in the swanky Hollywood Hills area of Los Angeles. Imposing a sentence of 15 years-to-life on each rape conviction, to run consecutively, Judge Charlaine Olmedo said she knew Masterson continued to protest his innocence. "Mr. Masterson, you are not the victim here," she told him, adding that his actions had taken away another person's voice and choice. Masterson, who is married to actress Bijou Phillips, and who has a nine-year-old daughter, was ordered to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life upon his release from prison. One of Masterson's victims, identified as Jane Doe 2, told the actor in court: "You relish... hurting women." "You lived your life behind a mask as two people. But the real one sits here," she said, adding the world is "safer" with Masterson in jail. It was the second rape trial for 47-year-old Masterson, after previous proceedings were declared a mistrial in November when a different jury was unable to reach a unanimous decision. The jury in the retrial deadlocked on another rape charge against a third woman. That charge was dismissed. Masterson has been in custody awaiting sentencing since his conviction. The actor rose to fame with the 1998 launch of retro sitcom "That '70s Show," where he played the character of Steven Hyde alongside fellow stars Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher. He co-starred again with Kutcher on Netflix's "The Ranch," but was fired in 2017 and written off the show after Los Angeles police confirmed they were investigating multiple rape allegations against the actor. The three women at the heart of the charges against Masterson were members of the Church of Scientology at the time. Two of them said church officials had discouraged them from contacting law enforcement. Masterson's lawyers in closing arguments questioned why the court had heard "so much about Scientology," and the defense had suggested that bias against the church could have been a motivating factor. The Church of Scientology criticized the notion that it had tried to silence the complaints. "The church has no policy prohibiting or discouraging members from reporting criminal conduct of anyone, Scientologists or not, to law enforcement," a statement said. "Quite the opposite, church policy explicitly demands Scientologists abide by all laws of the land." The post ‘That ’70s Show’ actor Danny Masterson given 30 years for rapes appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
‘That ’70s Show’ actor Danny Masterson given 30 years for rapes
Actor Danny Masterson, a star of the sitcom "That '70s Show," was sentenced Thursday to at least 30 years in prison for raping two women at his home two decades ago. The US actor was convicted in May of drugging and then raping fellow members of the Church of Scientology between 2001 and 2003 at his house in the swanky Hollywood Hills area of Los Angeles. Imposing a sentence of 15 years to life on each rape conviction, to run consecutively, Judge Charlaine Olmedo said she knew Masterson continued to protest his innocence. "Mr. Masterson, you are not the victim here," she told him, adding that his actions had taken away another person's voice and choice. Masterson, who is married to actress Bijou Phillips, and who has a nine-year-old daughter, was ordered to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life upon his release from prison. One of Masterson's victims, identified as Jane Doe 2, told the actor in court: "You relish... hurting women." "You lived your life behind a mask as two people. But the real one sits here," she said, adding the world is "safer" with Masterson in jail. It was the second rape trial for 47-year-old Masterson after previous proceedings were declared a mistrial in November when a different jury was unable to reach a unanimous decision. The jury in the retrial deadlocked on another rape charge against a third woman. That charge was dismissed. Masterson has been in custody awaiting sentencing since his conviction. The actor rose to fame with the 1998 launch of the retro sitcom "That '70s Show," where he played the character of Steven Hyde alongside fellow stars Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher. He co-starred again with Kutcher on Netflix's "The Ranch," but was fired in 2017 and written off the show after Los Angeles police confirmed they were investigating multiple rape allegations against the actor. The three women at the heart of the charges against Masterson were members of the Church of Scientology at the time. Two of them said church officials had discouraged them from contacting law enforcement. Masterson's lawyers in closing arguments questioned why the court had heard "so much about Scientology," and the defense had suggested that bias against the church could have been a motivating factor. The Church of Scientology criticized the notion that it had tried to silence the complaints. "The church has no policy prohibiting or discouraging members from reporting criminal conduct of anyone, Scientologists or not, to law enforcement," a statement said. "Quite the opposite, church policy explicitly demands Scientologists abide by all laws of the land." The post ‘That ’70s Show’ actor Danny Masterson given 30 years for rapes appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
CdO, my second home
Cagayan de Oro City is fast turning out to be no different from other fast developing metropolises. Quotidian concerns like horrendous traffic, crime, political maneuverings (with the Barangay/Sangguniang Kabataan Elections barely a month away), bickering in the Sangguniang Panlungsod, and similar problems of an urban area are common. A year has passed since the new leadership of the city took over, but we don’t see the problems abating. With a full plate before them, the administrators must work double time before their terms of office expire. When the pandemic struck, we sort of evacuated to and settled in the city. It is now a second home to us after our house in Marawi was bombed and ransacked during the 2017 siege (I still have to file my claim for compensation before the Marawi Compensation Board as provided by law). We were a constant visitor to the city and are familiar with its geography. It has always been a choice weekend hideaway of Maranaws of Marawi and as a law practitioner I have cases in courts in the city. But now, I need assistance in navigating its labyrinthine traffic. Thanks to modernity and the Waze app which maps our way to our destination. Still, I feel like a stranger adjusting to life in the city. The main attraction of the city for a golfer like me are the golf courses. Good thing they have courses like Pueblo de Oro which is a championship course, a second-rate military golf course in Patag, Camp Evangelista, and the Del Monte Golf Course — a 30-minute drive from the city, home of golf legends Celestino Tugot and Frankie Minoza. These golf courses were the overpowering magnet that pulled me to settle here, in addition to the fact that many members of my immediate family already lived here. From my vantage position, here are some of the problems I have observed that need attention. Traffic is getting worse. I experience regularly Edsa-like traffic from going my place, Xavier Estates, to the golf course, which I could navigate in two minutes. Unfortunately, there are schools along the road causing monstrous traffic. But we avoid that by teeing off at early dawn to escape the snarl of vehicles. The principal stretch they call Masterson has regular bumper-to-bumper traffic in the morning and late afternoon when office workers’ vehicles fill the street. Yes, I notice uniformed traffic aides managing the flow of vehicles, but they are not enough. A daylight robbery in the heart of the commercial hub of the city has residents worried about their security and peace. Robbers got away with about P9 million. Public and commercial establishment are on their toes because of what happened. The daring robbery has exposed the weak security infrastructure of the city. Residents are asking what happened to the much-publicized installation of 50 traffic lights and 80 closed-circuit television or CCTV cameras in strategic spots at a budget of about P93.5 million over a decade ago. It has been kaput since 2012 and has not been attended to nor repaired. The winning bidder for the project was nowhere to be found after completion of the traffic and security infrastructure. Now the city government is toying with the idea of requiring public establishments to install CCTV cameras within their premises before they are issued a permit to operate. In fact, the Department of the Interior and Local Government has issued a memorandum circular directing local governments “to pass ordinances mandating all business owners to install CCTVs.” The circular allows for the meting out of “penalties for non-compliant business establishments and grants local chief executives the authority to revoke, refuse to renew or grant permits to establishments for non-compliance.” Problems of this nature come with the march of Cagayan de Oro towards progress and development, being the corridor of northern Mindanao. And this column is optimistic that its new mayor is up to the challenges of his stewardship. *** amb_mac_lanto@yahoo.com The post CdO, my second home appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Evergrande plunges as HK trading resumes
Shares in troubled Chinese property giant Evergrande plummeted nearly 80 percent in Hong Kong on Monday after the end of a 17-month trading suspension. The Philippine Stock Exchange Inc. is on holiday yesterday as the country marked National Heroes Day. The resumption of trading came after the company said in a filing on Friday that it had met guidelines set out by the bourse, including belatedly publishing its financial results and complying with other listing rules. Once China’s largest real estate firm, Evergrande defaulted in 2021 and is saddled with more than $300 billion in liabilities, becoming a symbol of the nationwide property crisis that many fear could spill over globally. 87% freefall Its shares plunged as much as 87 percent during morning trading, slashing its market value from a peak of more than $50 billion in 2017 to less than $600 million. It finished the day down 79.4 percent. The company on Sunday reported fresh losses for the first half of the year amounting to 33 billion yuan ($4.53 billion) — an improvement on the 66.4 billion yuan in losses reported in the same period last year. But its cash assets fell from $2 billion last year to $556 million, reflecting its dwindling liquidity. China’s property market “cooled down significantly” in the first six months of the year and saw new defaults in the sector, “further exacerbating the volatility in the market,” Evergrande said. “Based on the principles of respecting international restructuring practices and treating the rights and claims of all creditors in a fair and equitable manner, the Company steadily pushed forward the work related to the restructuring of its offshore debts,” the firm added. In March 2022, the Hong Kong stock exchange suspended trading in Evergrande shares after it failed to publish its 2021 financial results. Its earnings for 2021 and 2022 were published last month, showing a net loss of more than $113 billion over the two-year period. The company risked being delisted if its shares were suspended from trading for 18 months, according to Hong Kong stock exchange rules. Meetings delayed Evergrande was supposed to hold creditor meetings on Monday on its offshore debt restructuring proposal, but it announced in the afternoon the meetings were delayed — just hours before they were set to take place. The postponement of roughly one month will allow creditors to “consider, understand and evaluate” the plan, the company said in an exchange filing. The meetings will take place between 25 to 26 September, which the developer said was “in line” with the timetable creditors expected. Evergrande’s plan offers creditors a choice to swap their debt into new notes issued by the company and equities in two subsidiaries, Evergrande Property Services Group and Evergrande New Energy Vehicle Group. Earlier this month, the company filed for bankruptcy protection in the United States, a measure to safeguard its US assets during its restructuring. The post Evergrande plunges as HK trading resumes appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
What’s Bretman Rock’s beef with Vanessa Hudgens?
Internet sensation Bretman Rock seems to have a bone to pick with Hollywood actress Vanessa Hudgens. Bretman, who’s currently in the Philippines for a vacation, reminisced about his life journey while on a holiday in Palawan. “Only if that little kid who grew up in Sanchez Mira Cagayan knew he would have everything he ever dreamt of one day. It’s so hard not to feel proud of that little brown boy when I’m home,” Bretman wrote on Instagram. The Pussycat Dolls’ Nicole Scherzinger, an American singer-songwriter of Filipino descent, commented, “So proud of you! [L]ittle brown babies made something of ourselves in this world.” But what earned Bretman’s attention was when a follower said “Vanessa Hudgens is shaking [fire emojis].” To this he replied with, “B**** can’t even say Palawan.” He was alluding to a video of Hudgens learning how to correctly pronounce Palawan when the actress-singer shot a documentary last March as the country’s designated global tourism ambassador. Hudgens received the title in a conferment ceremony at Malacañang Palace on 30 March this year. Even then, many fans were already saying that Rock would have been a better choice for the position, while others suggested K-pop star Sandara Park, as both of them were said to have deeper and more appreciative connections to the Philippines than Hudgens had shown. Born to Filipino parents, Rock moved to Hawaii at the age of seven. He rose to fame as a YouTube creator of beauty videos. He has 8.86 million YouTube subscribers and 18.7 million Instagram followers. In 2017, Time magazine recognized him among the 30 Most Influential Teens. He was also included in Forbes’ 30 Under 30 Asia—Media, Marketing, and Advertising list in 2018. He became the first openly gay man to appear on the cover of Playboy magazine in October 2021 and likewise to grace the cover of Vogue Philippines. The post What’s Bretman Rock’s beef with Vanessa Hudgens? appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
China developer Evergrande plunges as Hong Kong trading resumes
Shares in troubled Chinese property giant Evergrande plummeted nearly 80 percent in Hong Kong on Monday after the end of a 17-month trading suspension. The resumption of trading came after the company said in a filing on Friday that it had met guidelines set out by the bourse, including belatedly publishing its financial results and complying with other listing rules. Once China's largest real estate firm, Evergrande defaulted in 2021 and is saddled with more than $300 billion in liabilities, becoming a symbol of the nationwide property crisis that many fear could spill over globally. Its shares plunged as much as 87 percent during morning trading, slashing its market value from a peak of more than $50 billion in 2017 to less than $600 million. It finished the day down 79.4 percent. The company on Sunday reported fresh losses for the first half of the year amounting to 33 billion yuan ($4.53 billion) -- an improvement on the 66.4 billion yuan in losses reported in the same period last year. But its cash assets fell from $2 billion last year to $556 million, reflecting its dwindling liquidity. China's property market "cooled down significantly" in the first six months of the year and saw new defaults in the sector, "further exacerbating the volatility in the market", Evergrande said. "Based on the principles of respecting international restructuring practices and treating the rights and claims of all creditors in a fair and equitable manner, the Company steadily pushed forward the work related to the restructuring of its offshore debts," the firm added. In March 2022, the Hong Kong stock exchange suspended trading in Evergrande shares after it failed to publish its 2021 financial results. Its earnings for 2021 and 2022 were published last month, showing a net loss of more than $113 billion over the two-year period. The company risked being delisted if its shares were suspended from trading for 18 months, according to Hong Kong stock exchange rules. Creditor meetings delayed Evergrande was supposed to hold creditor meetings on Monday on its offshore debt restructuring proposal, but it announced in the afternoon the meetings were delayed -- just hours before they were set to take place. The postponement of roughly one month will allow creditors to "consider, understand and evaluate" the plan, the company said in an exchange filing. The meetings will take place between 25 and 26 September, which the developer said was "in line" with the timetable creditors expected. Evergrande's plan offers creditors a choice to swap their debt into new notes issued by the company and equities in two subsidiaries, Evergrande Property Services Group and Evergrande New Energy Vehicle Group. Earlier this month, the company filed for bankruptcy protection in the United States, a measure to safeguard its US assets during its restructuring. It is also fending off winding-up petitions in Hong Kong courts, with one case adjourning its hearing to October. China's real-estate sector has proven to be a stumbling block as the world's second-largest economy tries to break out of a post-Covid slump. Fellow Chinese property developer Country Garden now risks defaulting on its bond payments next month, with the company saying there are "major uncertainties in the redemption of corporate bonds". The post China developer Evergrande plunges as Hong Kong trading resumes appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Tale of two cities
If Mayor Imelda “Emi” Calixto-Rubiano of Pasay City aspires to make her city the first “Eco-City” of the Philippines, Mayor Eric L. Olivarez of Parañaque City wants his city to be the first with the eGov Super App in the country. If Mayor Emi will have her iconic Manhattan in Pasay City, Mayor Eric has his equally iconic Fisherman’s Wharf in Parañaque City. Behind this backdrop of local initiatives, creative planning and responsible leadership are amazing changes in the economy and infrastructure of the two surging cities complementing wonderfully the overwhelming optimism of the national government to transform the Republic of the Philippines into the richest and most beautiful country in the world. Pasay aspires to be the very first eco-sustainable city or “eco-city” in the Philippines, as it continues to strive for excellence and growth while taking utmost consideration of its environment. “To serve its constituents and stakeholders with enthusiasm and efficiency, with a firm commitment to adhering to the principles of good governance, and providing services and infrastructure essential to making the city progressive, healthy and peaceful, worthy of respect and emulation” is the mission of Pasay City. The focus of its mission is ensuring that development ultimately benefits every individual in the City of Pasay, that the service is characterized by the willingness to serve, transparent and responsive to the needs of the constituents. The identified goals to be achieved included: 1) that Pasay City shall be recognized as the new international center for business, knowledge process outsourcing, meetings-incentives-conferences-exhibitions tourism and a model for governance; 2) a safe, secure, livable and inspiringly built environment; 3) efficient infrastructure; 4) carefully managed image of the city; 5) affordable housing to qualified beneficiaries. Why did Pasay City go into reclamation? Pasay City is one of the smallest cities in the National Capital Region. Much of its land is occupied and utilized by the national government. The rest is too limited for the population of the city. It has no choice but to expand its land area by reclamation. The City of Pasay was granted Environment Compliance Certificate, or ECC, No. ECC-CD-1601-003 dated 2017. The reclamation project covers 265 hectares involving two islands with areas of 210 hectares and 55 hectares, respectively. The important landmarks adjacent to the project site include the Cultural Center of the Philippines, the Coconut Palace, the Sofitel Philippine Plaza Hotel, the Philippine International Convention Center, the Government Service Insurance System, Mall of Asia, casinos Okada Manila and Solaire Resort, and Diosdado Macapagal Avenue. Reasons for the 265-hectare reclamation The increasing demand for readily developable land for urban expansion has pushed the real estate market in Metro Manila to its highest since the 1997 Asian financial crisis. Since the other urban centers of Mega Manila have no other way of expanding their existing inventory of land, the increasing requirements for areas to accommodate and satisfy the demand for rapid commercial and residential growth fall on the coastal LGUs. This, therefore, necessitates the creation of more land for economic activities through reclamation developments along the coastal areas of Manila Bay. The Pasay City reclamation project, near the SM Mall of Asia complex, can produce millions of square meters of additional buildable and developable space. This could translate to millions of square meters of building gross floor area, based on the existing buildable vis-a-vis to open space/public area ratio. The additional millions of open meters of building gross floor area can be allocated to tourism, office, residential, commercial and other non-industrial mixed uses. (To be continued) The post Tale of two cities appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Culture wars put American companies on the defensive
Boycotting a beer, attacking products celebrating the LGBTQ community, and criticizing shareholders for promoting diversity: In the face of growing criticism from conservatives, American companies are backtracking on progressive corporate initiatives. For Bud Light beer, it was a partnership with a transgender influencer that triggered the ire of right-wing consumers, and calls for a boycott. Typically, such a protest has little impact, but this time in-store sales have seen a slump, with Bud Light even losing its position as the best-selling beer in the United States to Modelo Especial in recent weeks, according to Bump Williams Consulting. Anheuser-Busch InBev, Bud Light's parent company, quickly launched a marketing counteroffensive with a more typically patriotic ad featuring American landscapes, followed on Wednesday by a campaign highlighting its employees. The Target discount retailer, for its part, chose to withdraw certain items marketed for Pride Month due to threats against employees. And at annual shareholder meetings, the number of resolutions opposing companies' inclusion of environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria -- particularly on diversity -- has more than doubled in the past three years, according to the Sustainable Investment Institute (SII). - Reaction to Trump - While such resolutions usually garner very few votes, they are nevertheless having an impact. Larry Fink, the head of asset manager BlackRock, which has promoted sustainable investments in recent years, recently told a conference in Colorado that he has stopped using the term "ESG" because it has become too politicized. This new vigilance extends to the world of sport: after some players voiced reluctance over wearing rainbow symbols, the National Hockey League decided that teams should no longer wear special jerseys supporting LGBTQ rights because they had become a "distraction." "The tension of navigating between groups of people that think very, very differently has always been there," said Alison Taylor, a specialist in corporate ethics at New York University. But the situation has changed as political life has become increasingly polarized, she added. Corporations "got involved in controversial questions in 2017-2018, when there was a lot of organized resistance to Trump -- this seemed like a really good way to attract young people and generate shareholder value," she said. While the prospect of affecting real change on issues like abortion and gun control no longer seems possible in the political arena, young people have come to believe they can bring pressure to bear via business, according to Taylor. - Lobbyists at work - Unlike their elders, for whom political involvement boils down to the ballot box or party donations, younger people "are more inclined to bring their politics into how you invest, into how you shop, even into your office," said David Webber, a specialist in investor activism at Boston University. The sharp reactions to some company initiatives have been amplified by political leaders including Florida governor and 2024 presidential candidate Ron DeSantis, who targeted Disney over some of its progressive positions. And DeSantis is not alone. "Conservative organizations," financed in part by companies in the oil and gas sector, "started a campaign to pass legislation in different states to target ESG practices," Webber said. So far, the results have been mixed. "Some companies may, at least, back away from some of the rhetoric on ESG. But we've seen very little serious reallocation of assets," he said. Driven by customers, shareholders and employees, companies have no choice "but to be involved in some political issues," Daniel Korschun, a marketing specialist at Drexel University, told AFP. However, "people really start to react negatively when they feel like they're being pushed too far," as was the case in the Bud Light controversy, he added. "There's a very delicate balance between advocating and pushing too hard," he said. In response, "many managers are pulling back for the moment until they can figure out this new terrain that they're in," he added. jum-da/nro/tjj © Agence France-Presse The post Culture wars put American companies on the defensive appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Shocker: Bye, LizQuen?
Ogie Diaz, the former manager of Liza Soberano, claimed in his most recent YouTube vlog that Soberano and Enrique Gil, her BF of eight years, have broken up. Diaz said it was Soberano’s “choice” to prioritize for now her Hollywood dreams that led to the breakup. “Ang nakarating sa atin ay si Enrique Gil ‘yung nagpu-push pa na baka posible pa ring maituloy, pwede naman niyang i-allow si Liza kung ang gusto ni Liza, na ito pa rin ang kanyang Hollywood dream pero sila pa rin (Enrique Gil was the one pushing to maintain the relationship while allowing Liza to pursue her Hollywood dream).” “’Yun ang narinig ko, na ayaw na ni Liza, si Quen gusto pa, kaya lang nga alpha girl din ‘tong si Liza. Anyway, sana hindi totoo (What I heard is Liza really wanted out even though Quen still wanted the relationship. As you know, Liza is an alpha girl. Anyway, I hope it isn’t true),” Diaz added. Soberano’s previous pronouncements and actions seemed to have given hints about the separation, said Diaz — among them the actress’ comments dismissing the importance of love teams, her failure to post a public greeting on Gil’s birthday and, not least, the LA-based Soberano’s reported visit to the Philippines recently without her boyfriend knowing about it. Was there a third party involved? Diaz said that he couldn’t confirm for now. If the breakup did happen, Diaz admitted feeling sad as he was rooting for the two. “Sayang, ilang taon din sila, eight years. Sayang din ‘yun, diba?,” he said. “Kaya lang siyempre ganoon talaga, kung totoo man na wala na sina Enrique at Liza, ang importante naman lagi sa relasyon ay nag-end up kayo as still friends, kung ‘di man friends ay mag-end up kayo na civil with each other (It’s a waste. They were together for eight years. But of course, if they aren’t together anymore, what’s important is to remain friends, if not to remain civil with each other).” Gil and Soberano, known as LizQuen, shot to popularity and became one of the country’s most adored love teams with the 2013 film She’s The One. Shortly after, they co-starred in the teleserye Forevermore (2014). They also appeared in the shows Dolce Amore (2016), Bagani (2018), Make It With You (2020) and films such as Just The Way You Are and Everyday I Love You (2015), My Ex and Whys (2017) and Alone/Together (2019). The post Shocker: Bye, LizQuen? appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Ex-solon walks free from graft raps
Former Antique lawmaker Exequiel Javier walked free from graft charges over the alleged irregular awarding of a P9.9-million rice mill project to a cooperative funded by his Priority Development Assistance Fund, or pork barrel. Javier was acquitted in the case filed before the Sandiganbayan Third Division after prosecutors failed to present evidence that he participated or was involved in the anomalous transfer of ownership of a 40-ton rice mill worth P9.9 million, to Efren Esclavilla, then-chairman of the Greater Antique Development Cooperative or Grand Coop. Javier was charged with violation of Section 3(e) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. The Ombudsman filed the case in 2017 for the reason that the rice mill was originally intended for the municipality of Patnongon. The ownership was allegedly transferred between 2007 and 2008, with no justification given for the choice of Grand Coop as grantee. Javier and Esclavilla along with former town mayor Henry Mondejar, former vice mayor Johnny Flores Bacongallo, and former councilors Gemma Cepeda, Thomas Bacaoco, Al Brian Crespo, Felix Gregorio Barrientos, Rene Philip Cayetano, Teopisto Estaris Jr., and Erika Orcasitas were accused of conspiring to transfer ownership of the rice mill to Grand Coop even without any research, study, or justification for choosing it as grantee. In acquitting Javier, the anti-graft court said the allotted PDAF was duly transferred to the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office Unit 6 for livelihood programs in the Antique. The transfer of funds to the Department of Agriculture, in effect, delegated unto the DA-RFU-VI the implementation and monitoring of the chosen project in accordance with the plans and programs of the PDAF, according to the Sandiganbayan. Meanwhile, Mondejar, Bacongallo, Bacaoco, Crespo, Barrientos, Cayetano, Estaris, Orcasitas, and Esclavilla were all found guilty and sentenced to eight years in prison, and perpetual absolute disqualification from holding public office. Cepeda was also acquitted of the same charge after proving that she had no role in authorizing Mondejar to enter into a memorandum of agreement with Grand Coop, which resulted in the transfer of ownership, operation, and management of the rice mill. The court recalled and overturned the hold departure orders against Javier and Cepeda and ordered the release of their cash bonds. The post Ex-solon walks free from graft raps appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Ben Mbala left La Salle to take back control of his career
Ben Mbala had one more year left to play for De La Salle University. He didn't do so, however. Back in 2017, the two-time MVP and one-time champion said that his decision was all about taking the next step in his young career - and that next step led him to Mexico where he was set to suit up for Fuerza Regia in the Liga Nacional de Baloncesto Profesional. "I know my choice might come as a surprise to many," he said then in his social media posts on Twitter and Instagram. "I have to admit the decision to leave was the toughest I have had to make, but I feel that his is best for the next stage in my career and development." Three years later, Mbala furthered on his difficult decision. "The three years (I spent in residency), having to go through that, I felt like I was being put in the same situation again where some other people would decide my future, of what will happen," he said in the inaugural episode of The Prospects Pod last Friday. He then continued, "So I was like, no, I'm not going to let that happen again. I would be the one to decide for my future, not other people." After his second season, the 6-foot-8 center had one more year left to play, but technically, that remained up to the league's eligibility committee. By then, he already had three years of residency and two years of eligibility, meaning a question could come up about him still seeing action in UAAP 81. For Mbala, he did not want there to be any questions at all - and so, took matters in his own hands and took his talents overseas. "People from DLSU were telling me, 'You got to wait, there's still going to be a vote' and I was like, they can just reverse the rules over and over and over. I just didn't want to be in a situation where I pass up on so many things because of being forced to wait," he said, talking about his decision to go to Mexico and then Korea and then France. Make no mistake, though, the Cameroonian is nothing but grateful to La Salle. "College was fun, it was fun. Thank you to La Salle for giving me that opportunity," he said. --- Follow this writer on Twitter, @riegogogo......»»