ADB slashes growth forecast for developing Asia to 0.1 pct in 2020
MANILA, June 18 (Xinhua) -- Developing Asia will barely grow in 2020 as containment measures to address the COVID-19 pandemic hamper economic activity and weaken external demand, according to an up.....»»
S& P: Philippines may miss growth goal this year
S&P Global Ratings sees the Philippines again missing its growth targets this year as it kept its gross domestic product growth forecast at 5.9 percent. While the projection is better compared to other economies in the region, it is again below the government’s 6.5 to 7.5 percent growth target......»»
Will Lin play against Gilas?
Nine-year NBA veteran Jeremy Lin is eligible to play for Chinese-Taipei against Gilas in the FIBA Asia Cup qualifying window game at the PhilSports Arena on Feb. 25. He could suit up as a naturalized “import,” having acquired a Taiwan passport in August 2020 or as a local if FIBA grants an exception like it did with Indonesian-American Brandon Jawato.....»»
Siomai King naghari na naman bilang Franchise Hall of Famer 2024
NOONG nakaraang Enero 7, pinarangalan sa Asia Leaders’ Awards ang “Siomai King” bilang Franchising Hall of Famer of the Year. Ito ay karagdagang pagkilala at parangal sa “Siomai King” matapos magkakasunod na taong kinilalang “Franchising Company of the Year” noong 2020, 2021 at 2022. Iginawad ni Malaysian Ambassador to the Philippines H.E. Dato Abdul Malik.....»»
Steven Tan named Winshang’s International Influential Person in Shopping Centers
SM Supermalls president Steven Tan was recognized as one of Winshang’s Golden Censer Prize winners for being “The International Influential Person of the Year 2023 in Shopping Centers” at the 2023 China (International) Shopping Center Summit in Shanghai on 24 August. The Golden Censer Prize is a large-scale professional recognition of China’s commercial real estate and famous brands initiated by Winshang, in collaboration with mainstream industrial media, based on field research, data analysis, and media surveys among others. Tan, who assumed the role of president of SM Supermalls in 2020, has been a key figure in the growth and innovation of the mall chain in the Philippines and China. Retail legacy As President, he oversees mall operations in both countries, carrying forward SM’s 65-year legacy of retail innovation and outstanding customer service. Under his leadership, SM Supermalls withstood the challenges of the pandemic and rebounded as the economy slowly opened up amid the global health crisis. With the guidance of the Sy family, Tan made sure that SM responded with an agile, innovative, and proactive approach to cater to the needs of all stakeholders, from employees and tenants to shoppers. Mall’s strategies The mall’s strategies — adapting the tenancy mix, creating novel reasons to attract visitors to malls, targeting new customer segments through innovative marketing, and developing omnichannel services — enabled them to gain the trust and loyalty of modern shoppers during the pandemic. Because of this, SM managed to recover and exceed pre-pandemic revenues and income by 2023. In line with its latest expansion program, SM continues to open new malls in China and the Philippines. This brings the total number of shopping centers, locally and internationally, under Tan’s stewardship to 93, featuring a cumulative construction area of over 10.8 million square meters and a daily foot traffic of more than 4.2 million. The latest SM malls to open are SM City Yangzhou last 28 September 2023 (left) and SM City Sto. Tomas, Batangas last 27 October 2023 (right). The latest malls to open were SM City Yangzhou last 28 September 2023 and SM City Sto. Tomas, Batangas last 27 October 2023. Numerous accolades Tan’s exceptional efforts were also honored by various international organizations over the years. He received numerous accolades including the 2021 Asia’s Most Influential by Tatler Asia, the 2022 Asia Pacific Women’s Empowerment Principles Awards Leadership Commitment by United Nations Women, and the Global Filipino Executive of the Year at the Asian Chief Executive Officer Awards just to name a few. His dedication and visionary leadership continue to shape the landscape of shopping centers and commercial real estate, not just in Asia but across the globe. The post Steven Tan named Winshang’s International Influential Person in Shopping Centers appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
SM’s Steven Tan named Winshang’s 2023 International Influential Person in Shopping Centers
SM Supermalls president Steven Tan was recognized as one of Winshang’s Golden Censer Prize winners for being "The International Influential Person of the Year 2023 in Shopping Centers" at the 2023 China (International) Shopping Center Summit in Shanghai on 24 August 2023. The Golden Censer Prize is a large-scale professional recognition of China's commercial real estate and famous brands initiated by Winshang, in collaboration with mainstream industrial media, based on field research, data analysis and media surveys, among others. Tan, who assumed the role of President of SM Supermalls in 2020, has been a key figure in the growth and innovation of the mall chain in the Philippines and China. As president, he oversees mall operations in both countries, carrying forward SM's 65-year legacy of retail innovation and outstanding customer service. SM Mall of Asia Complex Under his leadership, SM Supermalls withstood the challenges of the pandemic and rebounded as the economy slowly opened up amid the global health crisis. With the guidance of the Sy family, Tan made sure that SM responded with an agile, innovative and proactive approach to cater to the needs of all stakeholders, from employees and tenants to shoppers. SM City Yangzhou SM City Sto. Tomas The mall’s strategies -- adapting the tenancy mix, creating novel reasons to attract visitors to malls, targeting new customer segments through innovative marketing and developing omnichannel services -- enabled them to gain the trust and loyalty of modern shoppers during the pandemic. Because of this, SM managed to recover and exceed pre-pandemic revenues and income by 2023. In line with their latest expansion program, SM continues to open new malls in China and the Philippines. This brings the total number of shopping centers, locally and internationally, under Tan's stewardship to 93, featuring a cumulative construction area of over 10.8 million square meters and a daily foot traffic of more than 4.2 million. The latest malls to open were SM City Yangzhou last 28 September 2023 and SM City Sto Tomas, Batangas last 27 October 2023. Tan’s exceptional efforts were also honored by various international organizations over the years. He received numerous accolades including the 2021 Asia's Most Influential by Tatler Asia, the 2022 Asia Pacific Women's Empowerment Principles Awards Leadership Commitment by United Nations Women, and the Global Filipino Executive of the Year at the Asian Chief Executive Officer Awards, just to name a few. His dedication and visionary leadership continue to shape the landscape of shopping centers and commercial real estate, not just in Asia but also across the globe. Steven Tan receives the 2023 PeopleAsia People of the Year Award. Tan shared the Winshang Golden Censer Prize with his two co-awardees, namely Powerlong Real Estate Holding’s Co-president Chen Deli, and SCE Commercial Management Holdings' chairman of the board Huang Lun. SM Supermalls is a subsidiary of SM Prime Holdings Inc., with 85 malls in the Philippines and 8 in China. The post SM’s Steven Tan named Winshang’s 2023 International Influential Person in Shopping Centers appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Fateful encounter: Enhypen holding ‘Fate’ tour in Tarlac
Save the Date, Filipino ENGENEs! K-pop powerhouse Enhypen is coming to the Philippines once again in 2024 as part of its current “Fate” concert tour, but the twist? They will play not in Manila or Bulacan this time, but in Tarlac City. The group is slated to rock the 20,000-seater New Clark City Stadium in Tarlac on 3 February 2024 for the first time. Before their Philippine stop, Enhypen will play two-day gigs in Taipei, Singapore and Macau. Enhypen is a seven-member boy band consisting of Jungwon, Heeseung, Jay, Jake, Sunghoon, Sunoo, and Ni-ki. The group was previously in the Philippines in February this year, treating its Manila fans to a triumphant three-night concert at the Mall of Asia Arena as part of their “Manifesto” tour. In December 2022, the boys were also in town, holding their very first fan meet with Filipino ENGENEs at the Araneta Coliseum. The “Fate” tour marks Enhypen’s second world tour, which commenced in Seoul last July and has gone to Japan and the United States. Officially debuting in November 2020, the group has rapidly ascended to stardom with hit albums such as “Border: Day One,” “Dimension: Dilemma” and “Manifesto: Day 1.” Fans can expect a fresh drop in November with the extended play “Orange Blood.” The post Fateful encounter: Enhypen holding ‘Fate’ tour in Tarlac appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Russia ‘interfering’ in global election
Russia is using its spy network, state-run media and social media to undermine public trust in elections around the world, according to a United States intelligence report released Friday that was shared with around 100 countries. “Russia is focused on carrying out operations to degrade public confidence in election integrity,” the report said, citing findings from the US intelligence community. “This is a global phenomenon. Our information indicates that senior Russian government officials, including in the Kremlin, see value in this type of influence operation and perceive it to be effective.” The assessment, which was sent in a cable to the embassies of around 100 countries in Europe, Asia, Africa and North America, comes amid heightened tensions between Washington and Moscow over Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Russia engaged in a “concerted effort” between 2020 and 2022 to undermine public confidence in at least 11 elections across nine democracies, including the US, the report said. An additional 17 democracies were targeted through “less pronounced” methods involving Russian messaging and social media activity that sought to amplify domestic narratives related to election integrity, it added. Without naming the targeted countries, the report said the US government had shared with them information about the Russian operations. It alleged Russia utilizes both “covert and overt mechanisms” to influence elections. That includes influence networks managed by its security agency, the Federal Security Service or FSB, which covertly attempted to intimidate campaign workers in an unspecified European country’s 2020 election, it said. Russian state media amplified “false claims of voting fraud” in multiple elections in Asia, Europe, the Middle East and South America in 2020 and 2021, it added. Russia also exploited social media platforms and “proxy websites” to cast doubt about the integrity of elections in one South American country last year, the report said. “For Russia, the benefits of these operations are twofold: To sow instability within democratic societies, and to portray democratic elections as dysfunctional and the resulting governments as illegitimate,” the report said. The US recognizes its “own vulnerability to this threat,” the report said, reiterating that Russian actors sought to undermine public confidence in the 2020 election which President Joe Biden won against Donald Trump. In a media briefing, a US State Department official said Russia was encouraged to press ahead with election influence operations after its perceived success in spreading disinformation about the 2020 US election and the Covid-19 pandemic. “Russia is capitalizing on what it perceives as a relatively inexpensive success in 2020 in the United States to take this more broadly, globally,” the official said on condition of anonymity. WITH AFP The post Russia ‘interfering’ in global election appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Spotted lanternflies devastating crops
At first glance, the spotted lanternfly looks like an elegant butterfly, speckled with black spots on white wings with a splash of bright red. But the insect native to parts of Asia (Lycorma delicatula) is attacking plants and trees in the United States, and officials are moving quickly to try to contain its spread. “The only good spotted lanternfly is a dead one,” said Amy Korman, an entomologist at Penn State Extension, a part of the university that provides training and education in everything from farming to food safety to landscaping. The insect was first detected in the US in 2014, in Berks County, Pennsylvania. An egg mass was found in a shipment of stone from China, according to experts who have tracked its progress. The SLF — as experts call it — poses no threat to humans or animals, but it has caused hundreds of millions of dollars in damage in the US agricultural sector, even though it has only been found in 14 states. In 2020, a Penn State study indicated that in Pennsylvania alone, the insect was responsible for $554 million in annual losses, and the disappearance of nearly 5,000 jobs a year. Despite huge efforts including quarantines, state officials could not contain the insect population. “The spotted lanternfly is a very good hitchhiker,” explained Korman. Despite its spectacular wings, the bug is not known to fly long distances. “These insects are very sneaky. They spread thanks to us. We are taking them across the country, especially their eggs,” the expert added. Once the lanternfly reaches adulthood, it feeds on dozens of crops, ornamental and fruit trees, timber and plants. Once a number of insects feed from the same plant, it dies. Spotted lanternflies have a particular affinity for grape vines. Scientists have observed dozens, even hundreds of them on a single vine. Just ask Michael Fiore, who owns a winery and distillery in Maryland that was infested with SLFs last year. “We have lost 1,000 vines,” Fiore told AFP. “The energy has been sucked out — it’s like a vampire,” he explained, predicting he will lose half of his harvest this year, and rebuilding will take time. “2022 was bad, 2023 is just as bad,” he lamented. The post Spotted lanternflies devastating crops appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
‘Anak Datu’ opens a rush of truth from ripples of trauma
A year after it premiered, Anak Datu is returning to the stage, opening the 37th season of Tanghalang Pilipino, the resident theater company of the Cultural Center of the Philippines. When it debuted, it immediately became a landmark production in several ways. It was one of the first plays to be mounted with a live audience after the lockdowns and restrictions of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020 and 2021. And it was the first play to be staged at the newly opened CCP Black Box Theater or Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez. Anak Datu is one of the few plays on the Tausug and Moro people and cultures of Mindanao, portrayed with marked sensitivity and apparent diligence. It was lauded by critics and audiences, with former Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo as one of the prominent people who trooped to CCP to watch the play on 1 October 2022. The play went on to win six awards at the 13th Gawad Buhay and five at the 35th Aliw Awards. [caption id="attachment_192618" align="aligncenter" width="2560"] the tausug pangalay dance is incorporated into the play.[/caption] Fine-tuned production Despite the accolades and being one of the most important theatrical events in 2022, the play was faulted by some for what was seen as its confusing storytelling, its shifts in timeline and milieus, and the cumbersome sets. The second staging afforded the creative team the opportunity to fine-tune these and other aspects of the production. According to director Chris Millado, former CCP vice president and artistic director, they were able to make the storytelling clearer and supply an elevated platform to make the designs of the light projections more visible. For Dennis N. Marasigan, current CCP vice president and artistic director, “[o]n its rerun, Tanghalang Pilipino's Anak Datu is tighter, its storytelling and technical aspects clearer and crisper, and its staging even more affecting, effectively overlaying story, myth and history.” The restaging marks another milestone in the journey of the play, which started in 2018 from talks that artist Toym Imao, son of the late National Artist for visual arts Abdulmari Asia Imao, had with Millado and veteran actor and TP artistic director Fernando “Nanding” Josef about making a stage adaptation of the elder Imao’s short story for children, written in 1968, the year Toym was born. The team recruited award-winning playwright Rody Vera to write the script. The plan became more concrete when Josef decided to make the project TP’s first original play after the pandemic lockdowns. By then, the play has evolved into something larger than the original story. Serving as Anak Datu’s set designer, Imao recalled the anxieties they felt during the first stages of production, especially the prospect of one of them getting sick and shutting down the show. “But we were able to tell an essential story that was important, especially for a nation that was coming out of the devastating election of May 2022 for a lot of people. It is something important for us na nakapagkuwento kami (we were able to tell a story),” he said. [caption id="attachment_192619" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Ramli Abdurahim as the pirate Jikiran.[/caption] Three stories Anak Datu tells three stories — Toym’s childhood with his father (Paul Jake Paule) and mother, Grace de Leon (Toni Go-Yadao); his father’s short story; and the recent history of his father’s people, the Muslim Tausug in Sulu Archipelago and the Moro, the collective Muslim ethnic groups, of Mindanao. The Imao family portion shows Toymie (Carlos Dala) growing up with Voltes V and other preoccupations of middle-class children in Metro Manila. Then there is the story of the disputed 1968 Jabidah Massacre, told through Jibin Arula (Gie Onida), the lone survivor — how young Tausug men, mostly illiterate, were recruited by the military, transferred to Corregidor and then massacred upon the discovery of a suspicious plot. Also dramatized is the 1974 Palimbang Massacre, in which the military allegedly murdered more a thousand Moro men inside the Malisbong masjid in the province of Sultan Kudarat, while 3,000 women and children were detained and about 300 homes were burned down. These incidents were said to have sparked the conflicts and armed struggle in Mindanao that would scar the region for decades. Along with the contemporary scenes is the retelling of the short story Anak Datu, set in a pre-colonial time and rendered in mythical mode, combining both the familial and the tragic. The Tausug village of datu Karim (Hassanain Magarang) and his wife Putli Loling (Tex Ordoñez-De Leon and Lhorvie Nuevo) is attacked by pirates, led by Jikiran (Ramli Abdurahim), who kidnaps the pregnant Putli Loling. She gives birth to Karim, who grows up knowing Jikiran as his father but later learns the truth. [caption id="attachment_192620" align="aligncenter" width="2560"] Artist Toym Imao taking a picture with the cast and creative team.[/caption] Graceful movements All throughout, the play shifts among these threads of stories, each one compelling and multi-layered. Counterbalancing the oral storytelling is the dramatization through graceful movements, choregraphed by Magarang using the pangalay or Tausug traditional dance, a shared art form with the Yakan (pamansak) and Sama (igal) peoples, thus rendering the stories more visual and adding allure and distinctive cultural flavor to the play. The dances are accompanied by a live kulintangan or gong ensemble. The stark interiors of the theater come alive and burst with colors courtesy of the lighting by Katsch Catoy and projection design of GA Fallarme, who uses Abdulmari Imao’s paintings and traditional Tausug and Meranaw motifs such as the okir as inspirations. Toym’s set pieces are highly movable to keep up with the constant shifts in storytelling, and the bigger ones are like art installations, contributing to the visual richness of the production. Harnessing memory, myth and history, Anak Datu is able to weave its stories into an enthralling whole, establishing interconnectedness and consolidating the story of a person, a family and a community into the very story of a nation, like three or more streams converging into a great river. Tanghalang Pilipino’s Anak Datu runs 29 September to 15 October at Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez (CCP Black Box Theater). The post ‘Anak Datu’ opens a rush of truth from ripples of trauma appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
‘Sinag’ and ‘Lupa’: Light that guides and land that nourishes
In late September 2019, the Cultural Center of the Philippines mounted the son et lumiere titled “Sinag: Festival of Radiance,” accompanied by a video projected on the façade of its iconic Brutalist Main Building, dancing fountain, performances and installations, as part of the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of one of the Philippines’ revered cultural institutions. The light show was staged again in the following years with different themes even during the imposed lockdowns in the first years of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020 and 2021, serving as beacon of hope during one of the most challenging times for the arts and culture sector. The “Sinag” light-and-sound show continued to be mounted this year, fast becoming a tradition for CCP, as it commemorated its 54th founding anniversary and signaled the sector’s embarking on the road to recovery. It also recognized the sector’s perseverance and determination to continue creating and healing with its theme, “Tuloy Ang Palabas”(The Show Continues).” This year, the Main Building has remained dark and silent as it closed down in January for a three-year rehabilitation and renovation, but it came alive again from 28 September to 1 October for “Sinag 2023: Tuloy Ang Palabas.” A short video was projected on the façade, showing snippets of productions, projects and performances in the past nine months, all held in different venues outside the Main Building. The main part was a spectacle of colors and moving patterns, conceptualized by CCP light designers Camille Balistoy, Danilo Villanueva, Louie Alcoran and Shantie De Roca. This was accompanied by music by Soundridemusic and Makai-symphony, spliced by Jerry Tria. Capping the show was a video showing CCP’s reach in the country, through a map created by Reily Villaruz, as well as glimpses of performances and projects in the planning, accompanied by Jed Balsamo’s “Rurok.” As the CCP Main Building highlighted art’s role as light giver, the park beside it, CCP Liwasang KaLIKHAsan, is venue for an exhibit of installations depicting popular creatures of Philippine folklore. [caption id="attachment_191675" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Kapre. | PhotoGRAPHS by Roel Hoang Manipon FOR THE DAILY TRIBUNE[/caption] The kapre, aswang and tikbalang often figure in horror stories told to children, but acclaimed artist Abdulmari “Toym” de Leon Imao, son of the late National Artist for visual arts Abdulmari Asia Imao, regarded them as nature guardians, thus the title “Tanod-Lupa.” “Tanod-Lupa” was first mounted in celebration of Earth Day on 22 April, but was brought back for the anniversary celebration, and it seems fitting for the Halloween and Christmas seasons. Imao was inspired by stories about these creatures, many of which most likely can be traced from pre-colonial times, during his childhood. “My mom is Kapampangan, and they have wonderful stories of mythology such as Apo Mallari god of Mount Pinatubo. My dad came from the South. He was a Tausug. Mindanao is also rich in stories. The Sarimanok itself is a mythical creature. My appreciation comes from a fascination from childhood and growing up with these stories and narratives from my parents,” he said. “I am very fascinated with tikbalang. There are some stories that tell that it is actually a friend. The tikbalang also has a masculine appearance, very heroic,” he added. Working together with lantern makers from San Fernando City, Pampanga, headed by Arvin Bondoc Quiwa, and using materials such welded steel, fiberglass, ropes and lanterns with LED lights, Imao reimagined the creatures to be cartoonish but still retaining some scary and mysterious qualities. [caption id="attachment_191676" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Manananggal.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_191674" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Duwende.[/caption] The bright installations of kapre, duwende, manananggal, aswang, nuno sa punso and tikbalang are scattered around the park — under a balete, in between coconut trees, among overgrown weeds and unkempt bushes — and accompanied by eerie sounds designed by TJ Ramos. The most prominent among Imao’s works is his large installation in the shape of the panolong, a decorative detail of the traditional house of the Meranaw people, and the sarimanok, a popular design motif of several Moro ethnic groups, frequently used by his father in his works. [caption id="attachment_191677" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Nuno sa punso.[/caption] “Tanod-Lupa” is a work in progress, and more installations are being planned to be added to the collection. “With themes like climate change and cultural promotion, it’s perfect for us to bring these creatures from folklore and mythologies to the forefront. We are not the only inhabitants of our environment. We share it with other beings and creatures. Our ancestors remind us that we take good care of our environment lest these ‘tanod-lupa’ come out to remind us of our shortcomings,” Imao said. The post ‘Sinag’ and ‘Lupa’: Light that guides and land that nourishes appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Bong Go bats for grassroots sports dev’t, community wellness
Senator Christopher "Bong" Go, as Chair of the Senate Committee on Sports, gave his support to the closing ceremony of the Vice Mayor Jimboy Basketball Tournament in Libungan, Cotabato, on 24 September, where he emphasized the significance of grassroots sports development in promoting community values and wellness. The event was attended by Vice Mayor Jims Fullecido, barangay officials and the youth of Libungan. In his message, the senator highlighted that the tournament was more than just a competition; it symbolized the spirit of the Libungan community. "Ang event na ito ay higit pa sa isang paligsahan; ito'y simbolo ng diwa ng Libungan—ang isang komunidad na nagpapahalaga sa pagtutulungan at displina," he said. Go then praised local leaders and the residents for organizing and supporting such an important initiative. "Pinupuri ko si Vice Mayor Jims Fullecido at ang mga residente ng Libungan sa pagkakaroon ng ganitong kahalagang event," he said. "Ang inyong mga pagsisikap ay nagbigay daan hindi lamang para sa basketball competition na ito, kundi pati na rin sa pag-promote ng pagkakaisa sa inyong komunidad," added Go. Drawing parallels between basketball and life, Go noted that the sport teaches valuable lessons applicable beyond the court. "Basketball is a sport that mirrors life in many ways. It teaches us to aim high, to rebound from failures, and to pass the ball when someone else has a better shot. Ang mga leksyon na ito ay hindi lamang natin magagamit sa laro, maging sa tunay na buhay," he elaborated. Go also spoke about the role of sports in keeping Filipinos healthy and steering the youth away from vices like illegal drugs. "Bilang Chairman ng Senate Committee on Sports, naniniwala rin ako sa mahalagang papel ng sports upang manatiling malusog ang mga Pilipino at mahikayat sila na umiwas, lalo na ang mga kabataan, sa bisyo gaya ng iligal na droga," he said. “Get into sports and stay away from drugs,” he added. Go, vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, has supported various projects to promote the development of the province, including the construction of various bridges in Alamada, Arakan, Kabacan, Makilala, Pikit, and Tulunan; concreting of farm-to-market roads in Alamada, Banisilan, Libungan, Makilala, Midsayap, and President Roxas; construction of multi-purpose buildings in Kidapawan City, Arakan, Pigcawayan, and Makilala; construction of drainage canals in Kabacan and Pikit; construction of public market buildings in Arakan and Pigcawayan; construction of a slaughterhouse in Arakan; construction of Liga Office in Makilala; and construction of a perimeter fence for the City Government Complex in Kidapawan City. Additionally, he has supported road concreting in Kidapawan City, Banisilan, President Roxas, and Midsayap; rehabilitation and improvement of the Pikit Main Drainage Canal in Pikit; and construction of potable water system facilities in Tulunan. The senator is committed to supporting the country's grassroots sports development. This vision is embodied in Senate Bill No. 423, or the proposed Philippine National Games Act, an initiative filed by Go. The bill aims to provide a platform for athletes across the nation, particularly young individuals in the countryside, to showcase their skills and compete at the national level. More than just a competition, it seeks to create a more inclusive system that promotes promising Filipino athletes, giving them an equal opportunity to become future contenders in international sporting events and contribute to cementing the country's status as a “Sports Powerhouse in Asia.” Go also authored and co-sponsored the measure that became Republic Act No. 11470, establishing the National Academy of Sports (NAS) in 2020. The NAS is a significant step forward in sports education. As a government-run institution, it offers quality secondary education with a special curriculum on sports for gifted young Filipinos who wish to enhance their physical and mental capabilities in sports. The post Bong Go bats for grassroots sports dev’t, community wellness appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Each shrinking his carbon
Recently, residents in Metro Manila woke up to an overcast, foggy morning sky. Conjectures attributed it to another impending eruption of Taal Volcano, like it did in 2020. Phivolcs clarified that the smog that covered Metro Manila was not caused by the volcano; it was rather pollution trapped in the lower levels of the atmosphere. It was a surprise to many because, while traffic congestion has been worsening after the pandemic and Manila was identified as one of the most congested cities in Asia, it rarely brought to the public’s attention that the air pollution it causes is so serious. During the pandemic, people noticed that, due to the lockdown implemented in most countries, air quality improved and we were seeing clearer skies, but the situation changed rapidly as almost everything was “back to normal”. Countries are doing their bit to mitigate air pollution and slow global warming. The European Union set a goal to cut carbon emissions by at least 55 percent and source 45 percent of its energy from renewable sources by 2030. Starting today, EU’s carbon border adjustment mechanism, a carbon tariff on carbon-intensive products, will enter its trial phase. The transition phase of CBAM, from October 2023 to December 2025, will require exporters to submit emissions reports to importing partners. From January 2026, CBAM will be implemented and initially apply to imports in the emissions-intensive sectors deemed at greater risk of carbon leakage: cement, electricity, fertilizers, iron and steel, aluminum and hydrogen. From 2026, EU importers will start paying a financial adjustment by surrendering the amount of CBAM certificates that correspond to the emissions embedded in their imports. The EU Emissions Trading System’s free emission allowances are to be replaced by the CBAM gradually from 2026 to 2034. Thus, CBAM, the CO2 border tax, will be fully phased in at the start of 2034, when free carbon certificates are eliminated. In the Philippines, electric vehicle adoption was given a boost by Executive Order No. 12 issued in January, which reduced the tariffs on certain EVs to zero for five years, effectively lowering vehicle prices and encouraging people to purchase EVs. The EO covers EV segments such as cars, buses, vans, trucks, kick scooters, self-balancing cycles, bicycles and pocket motorcycles with auxiliary motors not exceeding 250 watts and with a maximum speed of 25 kilometers per hour. Nonetheless, electric motorcycles were excluded from the EO, and are still subject to a 30-percent tariff. In Taiwan, to encourage people to stop buying fuel vehicles by 2040 and achieve the target of net zero carbon emissions by 2050, people who buy new electric motorcycles enjoy a subsidy from the government varies from NT$5,100 to 7,000, equals to 8,990 to P12,340, depending on the model purchased until the end of 2026. If the battery cores, negative electrode materials, electrolyte and copper foil used in the electric motorcycles are all domestically produced, each vehicle will receive an additional subsidy of NT$3,000. Until the end of 2024, people who replace their more than 10-year-old car with an electric car will get a NT$15,000 to 18,000 subsidy in Taiwan. While Singapore and Taiwan launched their first carbon exchange platform Climate Impact X and Taiwan Carbon Solution Exchange in 2021 and August 2023, respectively, Indonesia also started its carbon trading market on 26 September. President Joko Widodo attended the launch, saying the exchange could create a new sustainable economy, estimating it has the potential to be worth at least Rp3,000 trillion ($194 billion). “This will be a new sustainable economic opportunity as the world is heading toward the green economy,” he said. The post Each shrinking his carbon appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Indonesia bans goods transactions on social media platforms
Indonesia has banned goods transactions on social media platforms in a new regulation, its trade minister said Wednesday, as Jakarta aims to rein in direct sales on major platforms it says are harming millions of small businesses. Calls had grown in recent months for a regulation governing social media and e-commerce, with offline sellers seeing their livelihoods threatened by the sale of cheaper products on TikTok Shop and other platforms. Indonesia is one of the world's biggest markets for TikTok Shop and was the first to pilot the app's e-commerce arm. "Now, e-commerce cannot become social media. It is separated," Trade Minister Zulkifli Hasan told a news conference in the capital, Jakarta, adding that the trade regulation came into force on Tuesday. Hasan said social commerce platforms would have a week to comply with the new rule. "Any government would protect local small businesses," he said, describing the regulation as a way to ensure "equality in business competition". The regulation means social commerce companies are now "prohibited to facilitate payment transactions in its electronic system", according to the regulation document seen by AFP. "Social commerce can place ads like TV, but it mustn't be transactional. (They) can't open shop, can't directly sell," Hasan said, without mentioning TikTok by name. Companies that did not comply would be warned first and would finally have their license to do business in Indonesia revoked, he said. Laws in the archipelago nation did not cover direct transactions through social media platforms such as TikTok, Facebook or Instagram before the new regulation. The new regulation is yet another setback for TikTok, which has faced intense scrutiny in the United States and other nations in recent months over users' data security and the company's alleged ties to Beijing. "Other countries are banning, we don't, we're regulating," Hasan said. Indonesia is now the first country in the region to act against the platform's growing popularity in social media commerce. The ministerial-level regulation -- an amendment to a trade regulation issued in 2020 -- did not need approval by lawmakers. TikTok Indonesia said the company was "deeply concerned" about the policy, which would impact millions of sellers and creators using TikTok Shop. "We respect local laws and regulations and will be pursuing a constructive path forward," it said in a statement. Meta -- which owns Facebook and Instagram -- did not respond to a request for comment. 'Markets are quiet' Hasan appeared to confirm the companies would have to choose between separate social media and e-commerce licences. "It's clear... there are no permits for social commerce. If (they) want social commerce, please, only for promotion and ads. If (they) want to sell, there are e-commerce (permits)." The regulation also sets a minimum price of $100 for certain foreign goods bought from Indonesian sellers on e-commerce platforms, according to the regulation document seen by AFP. Some offline sellers at the Tanah Abang market in Jakarta applauded the government's decision. "The government should... dare to innovate given the current situation, where markets are quiet like this," said Stevanie Ahua, a 60-year-old wholesale denim jeans seller. She said her revenue had dropped by 60 percent in recent months as buyers turned to online shops. Others such as 29-year-old cookie baker Panji Made Agung in Bali said he was disappointed by the ban. "For sellers like me, TikTok can be used for soft selling. We can become influencers and sellers at the same time," he said. Experts said the transaction ban would hit the coffers of social media platforms such as TikTok, which takes a commission from every sale. "They will definitely incur losses," said Tauhid Ahmad, executive director of the Jakarta-based Institute for Development of Economics and Finance. Indonesia's e-commerce market is dominated by platforms such as Tokopedia, Shopee and Lazada but TikTok Shop gained a significant market share since launching in 2021. Indonesia, with 125 million users, is TikTok's second-largest global market after the United States, according to company figures. TikTok's chief executive Shou Zi Chew visited Jakarta in June, pledging to pour billions of dollars into Southeast Asia in the years ahead. The post Indonesia bans goods transactions on social media platforms appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Indonesia bans goods transactions on social media platforms
Indonesia has banned goods transactions on social media platforms in a new regulation, its trade minister said Wednesday, as Jakarta aims to rein in direct sales on major platforms it says are harming millions of small businesses. Calls had grown in recent months for a regulation governing social media and e-commerce, with offline sellers seeing their livelihoods threatened by the sale of cheaper products on TikTok Shop and other platforms. "This trade regulation has been in force (since yesterday)," Trade Minister Zulkifli Hasan told a news conference in the capital Jakarta. He said social commerce platforms would have a week to comply with the new rule. "Any government would protect local small businesses," he said, saying the regulation was passed to ensure "equality in business competition". The regulation means social media firms will not be able to conduct direct transactions but only promote products on their platforms. "Social commerce can place ads like TV, but it mustn't be transactional. (They) can't open shop, can't directly sell," he said, without mentioning TikTok by name. Laws in the archipelago nation did not cover direct transactions through social media platforms such as TikTok, Facebook or Instagram before the new regulation. The new regulation is yet another setback for TikTok, which has faced intense scrutiny in the United States and other nations in recent months over users' data security and the company's alleged ties to Beijing. "Other countries are banning, we don't, (we're) regulating," Hasan said. Indonesia is one of the world's biggest markets for TikTok Shop and was the first to pilot the app's e-commerce arm. But Indonesia is now the first country in the region to act against the platform's growing popularity in social media commerce. The ministerial-level regulation -- an amendment to a trade regulation issued in 2020 -- did not need approval by lawmakers. Chinese technology giant and TikTok owner ByteDance and TikTok Indonesia did not respond immediately to a request for comment Wednesday. But a TikTok Indonesia spokesperson told AFP on Monday the ban would harm as many as six million local sellers who market their products on the platform. Meta -- which owns Facebook and Instagram -- did not respond to a request for comment. 'Markets are quiet' How the ban will work exactly remains unclear but experts said it could mean social media firms would have to obtain a separate approval for their e-commerce arms. "It could be that their license will be rearranged," said Tauhid Ahmad, executive director of the Jakarta-based Institute for Development of Economics and Finance. Offline sellers at Tanah Abang market in Jakarta applauded the government's decision. "The government should... dare to innovate given the current situation, where markets are quiet like this," said Stevanie Ahua, a 60-year-old wholesale denim jeans seller. She said her revenue had dropped by 60 percent in recent months as buyers turned to online shops. Others like 29-year-old cookie baker Panji Made Agung in Bali said he was disappointed by the ban. "For sellers like me, TikTok can be used for soft selling. We can become influencers and sellers at the same time," he said. Indonesia's e-commerce market is dominated by platforms such as Tokopedia, Shopee and Lazada but TikTok Shop gained a significant market share since launching in 2021. Indonesia, with 125 million users, is TikTok's second-largest global market after the United States, according to company figures. TikTok's chief executive Shou Zi Chew visited Jakarta in June, pledging to pour billions of dollars into Southeast Asia in the coming years. The post Indonesia bans goods transactions on social media platforms appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
AboitizPower utilities score tech win for use of A.I.
An artificial intelligence-enabled software developed by Aboitiz Power Corporation (AboitizPower) distribution utilities Davao Light and Power Co., Inc. and Visayan Electric Company, Inc. (Visayan Electric) with Aboitiz Data Innovation Pte. Ltd. gained recognition for helping advance technology and digital transformation in the utility industry. ADI was awarded the Philippines Technology Excellence Award for A.I. - Utilities in the Asian Technology Excellence Awards 2023 in Bangkok, Thailand for Project A.I. CU (“I see you”), a homegrown idea that began in Davao Light. The project utilizes A.I. to optically scan images of electrical installation components — like those mounted on electrical poles — and check if these align with the records of a distribution utility. After a series of pilot tests in Davao Light, the software was able to identify and tag the asset by its individual and unique compatible unit (CU) number which was manually assigned to it beforehand. Each CU represents a grouping of electrical items that a certain electrical asset is composed of. Grouping materials and categorizing assets makes it easier for distribution utilities to identify their infrastructure. Overall, verifying the accuracy of records ensures regulatory compliance, better asset management, operational efficiency, and the continued trust that a distribution utility can deliver justified and cost-effective electricity prices in its franchise area. The use of A.I. to recognize CUs can also significantly reduce the need for manpower and rendered work hours, allowing team members to dedicate time and effort to other activities. Typically, trained engineers are sent to each electrical installation and visually identify each item installed. “The inspiration for Project A.I. CU goes beyond streamlining asset verification. This initiative serves as a window into how we are leveraging artificial intelligence to transform our operations, making them more efficient and smarter,” said Davao Light Meter Shop Supervisor Mark Anthony Catalan, adding that the idea for Project A.I. CU began in 2019 and was proposed to Davao Light in 2020. Catalan was joined by fellow Davao Light innovators Eric Camerino, Jeffrey Lingatong, Raquel Caro, Russel Bolivar, and Prince Yamyamin in developing Project A.I. CU in its early stages and rejuvenating the search for other possible A.I. applications in the operations of Davao Light, particularly in the aspects of safety, audit, and maintenance. The group was able to complete an A.I. model for Project A.I. CU as a proof of concept before turning it over to ADI, the data science and A.I. arm of the Aboitiz Group. In the near future, ADI aspires to refine and scale the project for its full implementation in Visayan Electric and Davao Light. These AboitizPower subsidiaries are the second and third-largest distribution utilities in the Philippines, respectively. Once fully implemented, Project A.I. CU is estimated to save both companies millions of pesos in annual operating costs. As such, ADI will also assess its potential use in other AboitizPower distribution utilities. “This award demonstrates the data-driven innovations being applied in AboitizPower and highlights the growing synergies within the Aboitiz techglomerate, which in this case is between our distribution utilities and ADI,” said AboitizPower President and CEO Emmanuel Rubio. “It also reaffirms AboitizPower’s mission of ‘Transforming Energy for a Better World’ as it continues its digitalization and innovation initiative to ensure quality service.” In line with the Aboitiz Group’s Great Transformation, and as a partner in Philippine development via its power generation and distribution assets, AboitizPower is focusing its transformation in the realms of decarbonization, digitalization, and growing beyond its core business. The Company had already indicated its goal of growing its renewable energy portfolio to at least 4,600 megawatts or 50% of its generation mix by the next decade to aid the country’s energy transition to a cleaner power mix. The Asian Technology Excellence Awards was presented by Asian Business Review, a regional magazine serving Asia's dynamic business community. The post AboitizPower utilities score tech win for use of A.I. appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Post-pandemic scenario presents great opportunities for trade, says Swiss envoy
Europe should consider the "exciting" opportunities Asia has to offer due to exciting developments in the region, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. recently said. In a statement from Malacañang released on Thursday, Marcos made the remark last Wednesday after the new Swiss Ambassador to the Philippines, Nicolas Brühl, presented his credentials in a ceremony at Malacañan Palace in Manila. "I think it is actually wise in terms of European countries, Switzerland included, to look to ASEAN, to look to Asia. Although there are other geopolitical disturbances, shall we say, but the opportunities are quite exciting," President Marcos said in welcoming in Brühl. "ASEAN leaders have come together to really strengthen the economic systems that we have in place, the weaknesses that have shown up during the pandemic. We're all trying to learn the lessons that the pandemic brought with it," he added. The President, who accepted the credentials of the Swiss envoy, said that he thinks the post-pandemic scenario presents a great opportunity for greater collaboration with the Philippines now understanding how the world works. The world doesn't work the same way that it did in 2019 and it is faring differently, Marcos said. "And so that's why I always value partnerships and alliances and agreements between countries. And I think (with) Switzerland, that has always gone very smoothly. Let's hope that it continues in that direction," Marcos told the Swiss ambassador. The Swiss ambassador said that the Swiss Foreign Ministry's Southeast Asia strategy proves that the region is of utmost importance and vowed to partner with it in the future. Last year's 65th-year celebration of the bilateral relations between the Philippines and Switzerland is already a good start, he said. The two countries celebrated 65 years of diplomatic relations in January 2022. The Philippines and Switzerland continue to maximize the benefits of the Philippines–European Free Trade Association Free Trade Agreement (PH-EFTA-FTA). The EFTA States, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland, signed a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the Philippines in Bern, Switzerland on April 28, 2016. The EFTA-Philippines FTA entered into force on 1 June 2018, for the Philippines, Norway, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland and on 1 January 2020 for Iceland. The FTA covers trade in goods, trade in services, investment, competition, the protection of intellectual property rights, government procurement, and trade and sustainable development. The post Post-pandemic scenario presents great opportunities for trade, says Swiss envoy appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Food, meds reach Armenian enclave
Trucks carrying food and medicines entered Nagorno-Karabakh on Monday following a deal by Armenia and Azerbaijan to reopen two roads leading to the Armenian enclave. Armenian separatists and the government in Baku agreed to use the road in the Lachin corridor, the sole road linking the mountainous region with Armenia, and the Aghdam road which connects Nagorno-Karabakh with the rest of Azerbaijan. The “Simultaneous passage of the Red Cross cars was ensured” through the Lachin corridor and the Aghdam road, Hikmet Hajiyev, foreign policy advisor to Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev said on social media. The International Committee of the Red Cross said it is bringing shipments of wheat flour and essential medical items to people in need via the Lachin Corridor and the Aghdam road. Nagorno-Karabakh residents “urgently need sustained relief through regular humanitarian shipments. This consensus has allowed our teams to resume this lifesaving work,” Ariane Bauer, ICRC’s regional director for Europe and Central Asia, said. Last year, Baku blocked the sole road linking the mountainous region with Armenia, the Lachin corridor policed by Russian peacekeepers. Armenia then accused Azerbaijan of fueling a humanitarian crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh. Baku denied the accusation, saying that the separatist authorities had simply refused its proposal to simultaneously reopen both the Lachin corridor and the Aghdam road which connects Nagorno-Karabakh with the rest of Azerbaijan. The months-long crisis as well as Baku’s deployment of troops near Nagorno-Karabakh and along the border with Armenia have sparked fears of a fresh all-out conflict between the arch-foes who have fought two wars for control of the region. Six weeks of fighting ended in autumn 2020 with a Russian-brokered truce that saw Armenia cede swathes of territory it had controlled since the 1990s. The two sides have been unable to reach a lasting peace settlement despite mediation efforts by the European Union, United States and Russia. WITH AFP The post Food, meds reach Armenian enclave appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
‘Rama, Hari’ gala is a cultural feast
Rama, Hari (Rama the King) returns to live stage, becoming one of the most anticipated cultural events of the year. Produced by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, in partnership with the Cultural Center of the Philippines, the ballet and musical had its gala at the rehabilitated Manila Metropolitan Theater on 15 September. Aside from the show itself, there were a lecture and a small tiangge (bazaar), affording the audience a fuller experience and a deeper appreciation of the ballet, as well as the source material, the Sanskrit epic Ramayana. Also an initiative in line with the recently signed Philippines-Indonesia Memorandum of Understanding on Cultural Cooperation and the Philippines-India Cultural Exchange Program, the lecture, “Perspectives: Understanding Ramayana, The Great Epic of Asia,” was held in the early afternoon at the Metropolitan Theater Ballroom, tackling the impacts and different interpretations of Ramayana not only in India but also in Southeast Asia. Speakers were Agus Widjojo, ambassador of Indonesia to the Philippines; Shambu Kumaran, ambassador of India to the Philippines; and Dr. Marilyn Canta, retired professor from the University of the Philippines in Diliman. [caption id="attachment_185911" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Indian Ambassador Shambu Kumaran, Dr. Marilyn Canta, NCCA chairman Ino Manalo and Indonesian Ambassador Agus Widjojo. | Photograph by Roel Hoang Manipon[/caption] The Hindu epic, said to date back as early as the mid-eighth century BCE, is a much beloved work and has many versions in Southeast Asia. Its influence is very much evident in Indonesia, where the epic has a version written in old Javanese, called the Kakawin Ramayana. The Prambanan, the ninth-century Hindu temple compound, has bas-reliefs depicting scenes from the epic, and the Ramayana Ballet is regularly performed up to this day. In the Philippines, the Meranaw people of Mindanao has a folk story derived from Ramayana, “Maharadia Lawana,” which was adapted into an hours-long, modern theatrical showcase for the Budayaw: The BIMP-EAGA Festival of Cultures in 2017. On the other hand, the tiangge, at the Hardin ng Ekspresyon, the west courtyard of the theater, had booths offering Indian food, spices and home decors. Fashion brand Plains & Prints also set up a corner featuring their latest collection featuring heritage sites in collaboration with photographer Mark Nicdao. On the other hand, the tiangge, at the Hardin ng Ekspresyon, the west courtyard of the theater, had booths offering Indian food, spices and home decors. Fashion brand Plains & Prints also set up a corner featuring their latest collection featuring heritage sites in collaboration with photographer Mark Nicdao. Audience members started arriving at six. The first-timers to the theater explored and took photographs of the different corners. Illustrious guests were led by National Artists Virgilio S. Almario, Benedicto “BenCab” Cabrera, Ricky Lee and Agnes Locsin, as well as cultural agency heads, National Archives of the Philippines executive director and NCCA chairman Victorino Mapa Manalo, National Museum of the Philippines director Jeremy R. Barns and Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino chairman Arthur P. Casanova. Also in the audience were theater and cinema scholar Nicanor Tiongson, professor and researcher Galileo Zafra, actor and satirist Mae Paner, actor Menchu Lauchengco Yulo, talent manager Noel Ferrer, theater critic Amadis Maria Guerrero, Manila Vice Mayor Yul Servo, chef Gelo Guison and designer Barge Ramos. Aika Robredo, the eldest daughter of former Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo, also enjoyed the show. [caption id="attachment_185913" align="aligncenter" width="525"] The wedding of Rama and Sita.[/caption] Her mother graced a rehearsal on 6 September, especially invited by Rama, Hari choreographer and director, National Artist Alice Reyes and composer, National Artist Ryan Cayabyab. On 7 September, Robredo enthused on Facebook: “Yesterday, we, together with some local artists from Naga, trooped to the Metropolitan Theater in Manila to watch their first full stage rehearsal and we were stunned. They were not in costumes yet and the stage design was not even mounted yet but the entire production left us breathless and speechless!! It is the best of Philippine Dance and Music.” She encouraged everyone not to miss “the only collaboration that features the masterful works of five National Artists.” Aside from Reyes and Cayabyab, the other National Artists involved in the production are the late Bienvenido Lumbera, who wrote the lyrics and libretto; Salvador Bernal, who designed the stage and costumes; and Rolando Tinio, who translated it to English. They were not yet declared National Artists when the production by Ballet Philippines premiered on 8 February 1980 at CCP’s Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo. The original staging featured Nonoy Froilan, Basil Valdez, Kuh Ledesma, Leo Valdez and Edna Vida. Rama, Hari was not restaged until 2012, starring Christian Bautista, Karylle Tatlonghari, Richardson Yadao and Katherine Trofeo. It won 14 Philstage Gawad Buhay awards. An adaptation was mounted in 1999, called Rama, Hari, Rama at Sita, The Musical, featuring Ariel Rivera and Lani Misalucha as performers, directed by Leo Rialp and choreographed by Locsin. The music was composed by Cayabyab and Danny Tan, and the lyrics written by Roy Iglesias and Dodjie Simon, based on Lumbera’s book. Rama, Hari was planned to be the closing production of Ballet Philippines’ 50th season in March 2020, but was canceled when lockdowns were imposed because of the coronavirus pandemic. When Reyes established her own dance company in 2022, the Alice Reyes Dance Philippines, Rama, Hari became one of its cherished projects. [caption id="attachment_185909" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Energetic dancing by Alice Reyes Dance Philippines. | Photographs courtesy of Teddy Pelaez[/caption] Reyes put both dancers and singers on the same stage, interpreting scenes and emotions in both words and movements. The cast is led by Arman Ferrer as Rama with alternate Vien King and dancer versions Ronelson Yadao and Ejay Arisola. Sita is portrayed by singers Karylle Tatlonghari, Shiela Valderrama-Martinez and neophyhte Nica Tupas and dancers Monica Gana and Katrene San Miguel. [caption id="attachment_185910" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Erl Sorilla as Lakshmana and Monica Gana as Sita. | Photograph courtesy of Teddy Pelaez[/caption] Singers Poppert Bernadas, Matthew San Jose and Jonel Mojica and dancers Richardson Yadao (also dancer for King Janaka) and Tim Cabrera take on the villain role, the demon king of Lanka, Ravana. Other performers are Audie Gemora (singer, King Dasaratha), Lester Reguindin and John Ababon (dancers, King Dasaratha); Miah Canton and Raflesia Bravo (singers, Kooni and Soorpanakha); Ma. Celina Dofitas and Sarah Alejandro (dancers, Soorpanakha); Michaella Carreon and Dofitas (dancers, Kooni); Katrine Sunga and Maron Rozelle Mabana (singers, Kaikeyi and the Golden Deer); Janine Arisola and Karla Santos (dancers, Kaikeyi); Erl Sorilla and Renzen Arboleda (dancers, Lakshmana and King Sagreeva); Paw Castillo and Jon Abella (singers, Hanuman and Lakshmana); and Dan Dayo and Ricmar Bayoneta (dancers, Hanuman); Alejandro and Krislynne Buri (Golden Deer); Dayo and James Galarpe (Bharata). Aside from ARDP and CCP’s Professional Artist Support Program, other performers come from Guang Ming College Artist Residency Program, Philippine High School for the Arts, De La Salle College of Saint Benilde and the Ryan Cayabyab Singers. Music is performed by Orchestra of the Filipino Youth with Antonio Maria P. Cayabyab as conductor. After the two-night gala on 15 and 16 September at the Manila Metropolitan Theater, the production moves to the Samsung Performing Arts Theater of Circuit Makati in Makati City on 22 and 23 September. The post ‘Rama, Hari’ gala is a cultural feast appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Phl phishing attacks highest in SE Asia, linked to 2% loss in GDP
At least two percent of the global Gross Domestic Product was lost due to increasing cases of online fraud, phishing, and scams, Senator Mark Villar said Monday. Villar, presiding over the hearing by the Senate Committee on Banks, Financial and Institutions and Currencies, lamented that the proliferation of online scams threatened not only the potential of online banking but also the stability of the banking system and the hard-earned money of the Filipino people. “While digitalization and the widespread use of digital finance opened opportunities for the banking sector, it is also apparent that opportunists also devise new methods to take advantage of this emerging financial market,” Villar said. While there’s an increasing number of Filipinos using online payment platforms, Villar noted that crimes related to digital financial transactions are also growing. “A significant number of Filipinos have been targeted by digital fraud attempts and a portion of them eventually fall victim to it,” he said. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said it has received more complaints regarding online banking transactions compared to those related to using Automated Teller Machines and credit cards, among others. In fact, the Anti-Money Laundering Council reported a rise in suspicious transactions in 2020 comprising acts of phishing, skimming, and transactions related to money mules. The Security Exchange Commission likewise noted a significant rise in complaints related to online fraud committed by online lending platforms. Villar said as these scammers take advantage of their victims, they also rattle their victims' trust in the country’s banking and financial institutions. “Trust, being the currency of the banking system, must be well-earned. Given the proliferation of online fraudsters, it is imperative that we strengthen our efforts to keep scammers at bay,” he added. Among the existing laws aimed at fighting online bank fraud include Republic Act 11765 or Financial Products and Services Consumer Protection Act; the RA 11934 or Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) Registration Act; and RA 10175 or Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012. Villa said as criminal elements adapt to legislation to perpetuate fraud, hence, “there is a need to legislate new laws to keep them off track” such as the proposed Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act. “This measure will reinforce and earn back the public’s trust in our financial institutions,” he said. The number of phishing attacks in the Philippines during the first half of 2022 already surpassed the number of attacks at over 1.8 million detected compared to 1.34 million attacks during the entire year of 2021. Villar described the spiking cases of online scams as “extremely concerning.” This, as data from Kaspersky Security Network revealed that cases of financial phishing attempts in the Philippines from February to April 2022 were highest in Southeast Asia. Villar emphasized that the Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act or AFASA will evidently deal with cases of online fraud and will provide a regulatory framework that penalizes scammers as well as entails safeguard measures to protect Filipinos and their financial accounts. “Because of the lack of a regulatory framework that penalizes these scammers, there are and there will be more victims in the foreseeable future,” he added. AMLC executive director, Matthew David, said they required banks and payment operators to maintain the 'Know Your Customer document' for their system and store a system that could verify the identity of the clients, including the bank account owners. “They are required to do some verification in order to make sure the true identity of the customers,” David added. The public committee hearing was followed by an Executive Session due to the confidentiality and sensitivity of the issues and information that will be discussed. Villar said the executive session was conducted to ensure that law enforcement measures being undertaken to apprehend and prosecute scammers will not be disrupted. The post Phl phishing attacks highest in SE Asia, linked to 2% loss in GDP appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Japan helps reduce litter
Economic Affairs Minister Nihei Daisuke of the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines joined the culmination event of the Healthy Oceans and Clean Cities Initiative on 15 September. The event highlighted the achievements, experiences, and lessons learned of the partner cities and communities in localizing the Philippines NPOA-ML into City Plans of Action for Marine Litter. The activity also featured the emerging approaches explored by partner cities, such as customized integration of digitization and digital transformation in plastic waste diversion and Extended Producer Responsibility readiness of local government units. A regional initiative by UN-Habitat in the Philippines and the Government of Japan, HOCCI addresses the growing concern over marine plastic pollution that endangers the environment, marine ecosystems, and public health. While the Philippines has among the highest trash collection rates in Southeast Asia, it remains the world’s third-largest source of marine litter. With UN-Habitat Philippines’ lead, the Government of Japan funded 3 million USD for this project and the project ran for three and a half years, from April 2020 to September 2023, and was piloted in the cities of Cagayan de Oro, Calapan, Davao, Legazpi, Manila and Ormoc. The project primarily provided support for improved governance structures and capacities for the localization of the National Plan of Action for Marine Litter and the vertical integration of the marine plastic litter response. The project also assisted the cities in improving technology and systems for marine plastic litter reduction. In his speech, Minister Nihei expressed his hopes that the gains and lessons learned from the implementation of HOCCI will inspire synergies and deepen partnerships at the community, national, and international levels to work hand in hand in reducing marine litter. The post Japan helps reduce litter appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»