Cruz-Behag, Baron recall De Jesus words of wisdom
De La Salle University head coach Ramil de Jesus is the type of coach who won’t mince his words when addressing his team. If he wants to get his message across he’ll tell it straightforward. No sugarcoating. While some may take it against the mentor, his Lady Spikers understand that it is just how De Jesus wants his players to learn. It is his way of motivating them to be better. Cha Cruz-Behag and Majoy Baron shared on The Collective, how De Jesus’ ‘choice’ words fueled their desire to step up and bring honor to DLSU back in their playing days in the UAAP. Cruz-Behag recalled how she was challenged by De Jesus. “Back in Season 68 that was my rookie year. When we finally won that Game 3, nag-champion na kami, we were celebrating. Ang saya-saya. Nakaka-proud,” said Cruz-Behag, who still plays for De Jesus with F2 Logistics in the Philippine Superliga. But the mentor put Cruz-Behag in her place. “After some time we went back to training. Coach came in and he talked to us rookies and sinabi niya sa amin na kaming mga bata wala kaming karapatan to celebrate and wala kaming karapatan na umastang champion,” Cruz-Behag said. “Kasi langaw lang kami sa likod ng kalabaw.” It stuck in her head. “Para sa akin ang lalim ng dating kasi nga naman ‘di naman talaga kami ‘yung nagtrabaho to earn that championship. It was really our seniors who worked hard for it,” she said. “I took it as a challenge. Gusto ko dumating naman ang panahon na we’re gonna win out own championship. I want to feel that we earned it and we truly deserved it. So di na niya kami tatawaging langaw and magiging promoted na kami to kalabaw,” Cruz-Behag added. Unfortunately, Cruz-Behag had to wait another three years before earning her stripes as DLSU was suspended in Season 69 (2006-07) while she skipped Season 70 (2007-08). Cruz-Behag won her first title in her return in Season 71, won a silver the following year before leading DLSU to back-to-back titles in Seasons 73 and 74 where she was named Finals MVP both times. Meanwhile, Baron was the Lady Spikers’ team captain when De Jesus called their performance as ‘pambarangay’ following a humiliating loss to Adamson in Season 80. “As a captain ina-accept ko na ang pangit talaga ng laro namin that time. Sobrang unacceptable talaga ng loss na yun against Adamson,” said Baron. De Jesus’ statement became a trending topic and drew mixed reactions from volleyball fans. “Medyo na-bash din si coach nun,” recalled Baron. “But for us players we get Coach Ramil eh.” The Lady Spikers understood what De Jesus wanted them to understand. They responded by winning 11 straight wins including a sweep in the Finals to complete the Taft-based squad’s third three-peat and 11th overall crown. As for Baron, she won the Season MVP honors capping off her collegiate career on a high note. De Jesus is quick to call-out the mistakes of his wards, that’s his style. His words may sometimes be harsh. But his statements always serve their purpose......»»
From ‘90s to Gen Z: ‘Tabing Ilog the Musical’ to revisit beloved TV series
[caption id="attachment_173922" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Angela Ken | PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF IG/ Angela Ken[/caption] [caption id="attachment_173923" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Reiven Umali | PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF IG/ REIVEN Umali[/caption] Who will be the new faces of the iconic ABS-CBN ‘90s teen series Tabing Ilog? The beloved television series has been adapted into a musical titled Tabing Ilog the Musical, to be directed by Phil Noble with award-winning composer and lyricist Vince De Jesus (Himala The Musical, Care Divas) providing the show’s music. The cast search was held on 19 August at the PETA Theater Center in Quezon City, with some of the rising names under Star Magic trying their luck, including Vivoree, Sheena Belarmino, Angela Ken, Reiven Umali, Kobie Brown and more. Tabing Ilog the Musical is a collaboration between ABS-CBN and the Philippine Education Theater Association. The iconic ‘90s series will be revamped to fit the narrative of the new generation, highlighting mental health and modern relationship challenges in a fast-paced digital landscape. “The show will speak to the general public. Hindi lang kabataan makaka -relate sa characters, pati magulang mauunawaan nila,” promised Star Magic head Laurenti Dyogi. The ABS-CBN and PETA stage musical will be a different production from Teatro Kapamilya’s Tabing Ilog the Musical in 2020, which was cut short due to the Covid-19 pandemic. That show had been slated to run from 7 March to 26 April 2020. “Tabing Ilog: was a teen drama series that aired from 14 March 1999 until 19 October 2003. It followed the adventures and adolescent challenges of eight friends — Kaye Abad, Paolo Contis, John Lloyd Cruz, Desiree del Valle, Patrick Garcia, Baron Geisler, Paula Peralejo and Jodi Sta. Maria — whose now-stellar careers were jumpstarted by the series. The post From ‘90s to Gen Z: ‘Tabing Ilog the Musical’ to revisit beloved TV series appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Deaf or blind to Vietnam’s activities?
Last week I mentioned the report regarding Vietnam facilities and other structures being built within the Philippine territory. I am just wondering how come the government is quiet about the issue. I even suggested that a public forum and press conference be conducted to inform the people and make fellow Filipinos aware of it. A fellow observer even asked me why is it that the Marcos government is silent on such an issue. As I remember right, since President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. took over as the Chief Executive there have been only six diplomatic protests filed against Vietnam compared to the 97 against China. I cannot recall if the protests against Vietnam were in the news but I am afraid the public was never informed about such things. A fellow journalist confirmed that there has been no report of Hanoi’s ambassador to Manila being summoned by the Department of Foreign Affairs to explain the Vietnamese activities in our country’s exclusive economic zone in the West Philippine Sea. The Philippine government has the responsibility to make statements on this matter considering that it is our sovereignty that is at stake. As I said, Vietnam’s activities in the WPS are a threat to our national security and should be dealt with accordingly by Philippine authorities. To give you a picture of how serious this matter is, on 1 August, despite heavy rains a small group of around 50 members of Makabayan Alyansa ng Bansang Anti-War and Anti-Terrorism (Makabansa), who claimed to be concerned citizens, held a protest rally in front of Vietnam’s embassy in Malate, Manila, to show that they are against what the Vietnam government is doing. The protesters called on the Vietnam government to stop the alleged militarization at the WPS and their fishing in the Kalayaan Group of Islands. The militant group through their spokesman, Benny delos Reyes, urged the embassy to respect their demands for amicable ties between the Philippines and Vietnam. For the information of the Philippine government, its department or agency concerned, Vietnam is planning to build “a covert fortification, command fortification, firepower fortification, weapons storage fortification, traffic trench system, trench, and related tactical items” within the Philippine territory. The Vietnamese government is ready to send more people to the land features, where they will set up residence. Perhaps due to the non-reaction of the Philippine government, Vietnam thinks that building military and civilian infrastructure and sending people to live on the islands will prove that those islands, which are in a portion of the WPS, belong to them. Let our government be reminded that Vietnam first took possession of areas within our own territory in 1978. Without knowing it, Vietnam might not only be occupying Philippine territories but already controlling our society. In the Gospel today, Jesus takes some of His friends away from the business of the village and marketplace. He invites them to travel with Him as He makes His way up the mountain. This is not unusual. We know from the Gospels that Jesus often went off by Himself to the mountains to pray. While they were there praying something wild and wonderful happened. Jesus was transfigured; He was changed; His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as light. Imagine how surprised, shocked, and taken aback those with Jesus were. Once composed, Peter uttered the famous words: “Lord, it is wonderful for us to be here.’ But more important than what was said is what they heard: ‘This is My Son, the Beloved, He enjoys My favor, listen to Him.” My regards to Rev. Father Richard Diaz, CICM, the Academic Dean of Maryhill School of Theology, and to Ms. Daisy Arao-arao, MST Registrar, all the faculty, students, and staff of MST who are about to start the Academic Year 2023-2024. The post Deaf or blind to Vietnam’s activities? appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
DFA: Chinese envoy’s remarks against Taiwan OFWs part of his job
The Department of Foreign Affairs on Monday said Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian is only doing his job when he issued his alleged threat on overseas Filipino workers in Taiwan. In a chance interview, DFA Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Eduardo de Vega said that Huang being China’s representative in the country is expected to advance Beijing’s interest. "Any diplomat will say things to advance their country's interest... I don't think he meant, nobody means they are going to harm our workers,” De Vega said. He issued the statement after Senator Risa Hontiveros on Sunday called on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to ask his counterparts in Beijing to recall its representative in the country following the ambassador's “disgraceful” statement. “The Palace should tell Beijing to recall their representative in Manila as soon as possible. He has no business being a diplomat if he is unable to engage with us in a respectful and dignified manner,” she said. “He, along with his country’s ships and artificial islands in the West Philippine Sea, should pack up and leave,” she added. On Friday, Huang said the Philippines should “unequivocally oppose” Taiwan’s independence if it “genuinely cares” about 150,000 OFWs on the self-ruled island. “The Philippines is advised to unequivocally oppose ‘Taiwan independence’ rather than stoking the fire by offering the US access to the military bases near the Taiwan Strait if you care genuinely about the 150,000 OFWs,” he said. On Sunday, the Chinese Embassy in Manila defended Huang from criticisms, saying the latter was only “misquoted.” “It is appreciated that there was extensive coverage of Ambassador Huang Xilian's speech at the 8th Manila Forum,” the Embassy told Daily Tribune. “Unfortunately, some misquoted or misinterpreted Ambassador Huang's remarks or simply took part of the Ambassador's words out of context,” it added. ‘Contingency plan’ Meanwhile, De Vega allayed fears about the safety of some 150,000 OFWs in Taiwan. “We have a contingency plan which has been in place for some time,” he said. “We know where they are, we have records.” He added that the DFA will always believe in diplomacy. Last week, Beijing issued a slew of warnings against the military cooperation of the Philippines with the US, stressing that it will “eventually backfire.” “Our region’s peace and stability hinges on trust, solidarity and cooperation and requires that we, as members of this region, take our security firmly in our own hands,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said. “We would like to once again remind the relevant country in the region that pandering to forces outside the region will not bring greater security, but will cause tensions, put regional peace and stability at risk and eventually backfire,” he added. Wang particularly hit the locations of the additional Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreements between Manila and Washington, to which American forces will have access. Wang said that based on locations of the four additional Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement sites in the Philippines, which US forces will have access to, the “intention behind those sites is more than obvious.” The locations of the additional four EDCA sites are in Camilo Osias Naval Base in Sta. Ana town and Lal-lo Airport in Lal-lo town, both in Cagayan province; Camp Melchor dela Cruz in Gamu, Isabela province; and Balabac, the southernmost island in Palawan province. The post DFA: Chinese envoy’s remarks against Taiwan OFWs part of his job appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
DLSU s volleyball program continuously evolves under De Jesus
From Iris Ortega-Patrona to legendary star Manilla Santos-Ng to Aby Marano, Ara Galang, Mika Reyes, Michele Gumabao, Majoy Baron and Kim Dy to the current crop of players in Jolina Dela Cruz to Thea Gagate, much can be said about the successful women’s volleyball program of De La Salle University. But it won’t be complete without mentioning the name of head coach Ramil de Jesus, who turned a struggling team into a perennial title contender for the past two decades. Eleven championships in 18 Finals appearances since taking the post as mentor of the Lady Spikers in 1997 with an impressive winning record, De Jesus truly is the genius behind DLSU’s powerhouse status. But what really put De Jesus a cut above the rest, Santos-Ng said, is his ability to adapt, utilize the pieces he has on hand and the way his system evolves. “The evolution of DLSU volleyball lies not only from the great players, but mainly because of the way Coach Ramil adjusts and adapts on the current situation,” said Santos-Ng in an interview on Volleyball DNA. She mentioned that during her time, De Jesus focused on making DLSU a powerhitting team. When the likes of Marano and Gumabao came, the mentor concentrated on making the Lady Spikers the strongest team in terms of blocking. The batch of Dy, Kim Fajardo, Baron and libero Dawn Macandili was known for its all-around play. What brought DLSU its success is the fact that De Jesus was quick to adapt to situations. Of course, glory didn’t come overnight. It took De Jesus a lot of work to bring the Lady Spikers on top. De Jesus delivered DLSU’s first title in Season 62 in the Lady Spikers' second attempt at the crown. The Taft-based squad managed to advance to the Finals the next three seasons but fell short at the hands of Far Eastern University each time. “Nu’ng pumunta ako ng La Salle, sa pagkakaalam ko hindi pa kami malakas na team eh,” said Santos-Ng “So talagang si Coach Ramil dahan-dahan n’ya talagang winorkout ang mga players and the program,” she added. “Dun mo makikita na si Coach Ramil talaga is very dedicated and committed kapag mayroon siyang goal.” After three bridesmaid finishes, DLSU, on Santos-Ng’s second year, exacted revenge on FEU to get back to the throne. DLSU won two more times for its first of three three-peats. Santos-Ng said that De Jesus during that time made his players stay in a dorm for the first time not only to monitor their conditioning but to develop a deeper team chemistry. “‘Yung time na yun gusto nya kaming maging well-bonded. Di lang strong team but well-bonded,” said Santos-Ng. “Kasi you can easily create a strong team eh. Pagsasamahin mo mga malalakas na players from this school. But strong team plus well-bonded team makes a big difference.” The ChocoMucho hitter also added that De Jesus will always look for ways to the unleash the full potential of his players. “Si Coach Ramil hindi siya nauubusan ng idea kung paano kami palakasin. Kung ano ang nakikita niya sa player na kulang talagang magpo-focus siya dun. Di siya magdya-jump kaagad sa ibang gagawin. May pagka-perfectionist siya eh,” she said. Like all of De Jesus’ players Santos-Ng had her share of rough moments while training under his watchful eyes. “Umiiyak din ako sa kanya. Pero makikita mo at the end of the day ‘yung result ng team kung paano kami gumalaw as one sa loob ng court,” she said. De Jesus according to Santos-Ng is also very strict when it comes to discipline. “Coach Ramil is very consistent on how he manages to protect ‘yung mga players. Ayaw niyang nawawala sa focus,” said Santos-Ng. “Lagi niyang sinasabi na, Hindi ito modeling, hindi ito para magpaganda o magpa-cute. Volleyball itong pinasok nyo.’” “He always reminds us para lang talaga hindi kami mawala dun sa focus na maglaro lang talaga kami ng volleyball,” she added. More than a decade since Santos-Ng finished her tour of duty for the green and white, the Lady Spikers continue to evolve and keep up with the times yet maintain their consistency as one of the finest volleyball program in the collegiate ranks. All thanks to De Jesus. --- Follow this writer on Twitter, @fromtheriles .....»»
Maharlika’s questions linger (1)
The ink of BBM’s signature on the law creating the Maharlika Investment Corporation, or MIC, is now dry, and the Implementing Rules and Regulations have been issued. But still, the criticisms continue unabated from Pinoy kibitzers, i.e., management experts, private economic think tanks, to the top echelons of leading business organizations. Over the weekend, as the MIC’s partial start-up capital was remitted to the National Treasury, a leading periodical (not DAILY TRIBUNE) headlined the claim of the leadership of DBP, Michael de Jesus, that “gains from MIC’s trailblazing activities” will surely be forthcoming by the end of BBM’s term. Yet beneath the headline of the same broadsheet was a reference to well-regarded businessman George Barcelon, PCCI president and an esteemed fellow member of the Rotary Club of Makati, who said the MIC should have first finalized its board and management line-ups before DBP and Landbank made any contributions. Further, during the Institute of Corporate Directors-sponsored talk on the MIC of Dr. Bernardo Villegas last week, several ICD fellow members raised questions to Doc Bernie and the panel composed of yours truly and fellow governance advocate Francisco del Rosario. Not only that, several friends in my Upsilon Sigma Phi and AIM chat groups, who count among them several well-informed, leading management and business lights of our country, had concerns and comments about the MIC. Given this apparent continuing widespread interest from people whom I have great respect for and who certainly have only the best interest of the country in mind in voicing their observations, I would like to give it a shot and share what I believe are the key issues that are perennially raised and my own reactions to these comments. Do we need another GOCC when other agencies and GOCCs are in place? There is a frequent reference to NDC, a GOCC under the DTI with a long history of hits and misses. It has historically ventured into businesses that the private sector would generally not be interested in but nevertheless deemed important for the country’s economic development. However, saddled with relatively modest capital and some under- and non-performing assets on its balance sheet, NDC has never really figured in any blockbuster transactions or has high-potential assets that could catch the interest of multilateral or global venture funds. The bottom line, surely prospective foreign investors would rather partner with a GOCC that has a clean balance sheet, significant capital, is manned by leading management and investment experts, and is supported by a board composed of the highest economic agencies in the country. Mandating LandBank and DBP to invest P75 billion in the MIC will deprive other borrowers needing credit, such as farmers and MSMEs. Indeed, it will theoretically reduce their loanable funds to this extent. However, a cursory look at LandBank’s latest published financial statements will indicate that loans and receivables are only at about 30 percent of total assets, suggesting that they are underlending relative to their lending capacity. In fact, during the Senate hearings on MIC, I recall the bank officials disclosing that almost 90 percent of their liquidity is invested in government securities. Why this is so is another story. Furthermore, other than BSP regulatory constraints, these GFIs are not geared, philosophically and organizationally, to be investing in equity, particularly of long-term duration, i.e., non-allied undertakings such as infrastructure or the agriculture sector, which are expected to be the MIC’s target investee industries. MIC will bypass the budget and appropriations process, reducing the government’s resources that could otherwise have been made available for the country’s other needs. Yes, MIC will bypass the budget and appropriation process because perhaps that was the whole intention. But as noted by Dr. Villegas in his ICD talk, with our current deficit, the national budget is intended for the country’s pressing operating needs. In contrast, the long-term capital funding required for infra and the like is precisely the funding gap that MIC could fill through joint ventures with foreign investors. Until next week… OBF! *** For comments, email bing_matoto@yahoo.com. (To be continued) The post Maharlika’s questions linger (1) appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
NBI probes lawyer slay
The National Bureau of Investigation has now joined in the fray of probing the murder of Atty. Maria Saniata Liwliwa Gonzales Alzate in Bangued, Abra as it identified several persons of interest in the process. According to Department of Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, the NBI has already contacted the husband of the slain lawyer and is now leading the charge on the investigation. “They’ve combed through all available CCTV footage. They are the first responders. We have suspects,” Remulla said. “The most effective way to resolve crimes is by prosecuting the suspects, holding them accountable. We need to apprehend and prosecute the responsible parties and inform the public who is behind these actions.” To recall, the lawywer was ambushed by still unidentified gunmen last Thursday while she was inside her white Mitsubishi Mirage G4 sedan parked in front of her residence on Santiago Street, Zone 3, Bangued. The assailants, when they pulled over near her vehicle, opened fire, discharging their weapons at least eight times. The victim was rushed to Dr. Petronilo V. Seares Sr. Memorial Hospital after the attack but succumbed to her injuries at about 5:05 p.m. The post NBI probes lawyer slay appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
BBM: Our calm, kind, gentle President
The most challenging thing is to write an essay about the country’s President who is celebrating his birthday. I should probably go back to the years when he was the “crush ng bayan.” From London, he would come home for vacation and would be met at the airport by his doting parents, with his mother kissing him on the forehead. He was very fashionable, from his haircut to his clothes and, well, he was the epitome of “cuteness” as cute could be. He did not sport long hippie hair but had bangs and his lips were well-pronounced. His mom took pride in his looks. “Kamukha ko (he looks like me),” she would say. Bongbong grew into the Oxford student who would come home and occasionally appear on television. I recall in 1973, he and his friends danced the latest craze on live television. He was, by then, oozing with appeal, his shy and boyish smile adding to the enigma that comes with being the president’s son. Many years later, I saw him when he and his sister Irene graced the opening of a project in Isabela. I am trying to remember if it was for natural gas or the largest dam in Asia. But he was there on the stage set up at the Cauayan airport, looking fresh and friendly, although he was smiling at everyone and no one in particular. I stood alone, away from the other welcomers, and somehow got him to look at me. I looked at him like I was telling him I know you or we know each other, and he stared back, smiling too, looking like he was wondering if he might have seen me before somewhere. It was one of my tricks. [caption id="attachment_183135" align="aligncenter" width="525"] The President has a long way to go, but that’s no reason for him to relax and wait for things to happen. | Photograph courtesy of BBM FB[/caption] Much would be said of the young gentleman, of his not being who he was supposed to be because he had died somewhere. Also, that he had killed someone who had called his father a dictator. Bongbong Marcos, for better or worse, was the fodder for both favorable and malicious talk. He became governor of Ilocos Norte in the mid-1980s when he took over from his aunt, Elizabeth Keon. At the same time, he wore the military uniform of the officer rank bestowed on him by his father, the President. Moving fast forward, Bongbong Marcos became a congressman and a senator, ran for vice president, and lost. Sometime after he caught Covid-19. After he had lost the vice-presidential contest and was protesting its result, he appeared on Daily Tribune’s online show, Spotlight. I remember only a little, not because he or his remarks were forgettable, but I blame my old age for not remembering. But I recall a pleasant interview, for he was relaxed and calm, and while he seemed occupied by his electoral protest, he was at the same time accepting of it. It was the Marcoses’ turn to be cheated, people said. The next presidential election had him and Leni Robredo, along with others, slugging it out. And while everyone had taken to microphones to condemn and attack him and his father, martial law and the dictatorship, he remained silent. He chose not to participate in the debates, leaving it to his supporters and fans to fight back for him. One UP professor who may have been unbiased took a liking to him, like an older woman in love for the first time, gushing over the assets of a fine, young, sexy gentleman. But that was not unexpected. Bongbong Marcos, after all, was the “crush ng bayan” from the time he was a teenager. Today, he is the President of the Philippines. I was talking with one youthful matron who possesses both beauty and wisdom and whose family was best known to be in the opposition against the Marcoses. She said that when President Rodrigo Duterte began his term, she gave him a chance to prove himself because he had been elected. As her gauge for the success of a presidency had much to do with how the stock market fared, she was disappointed because stocks dived very low to the depths. She gave RRD a failing mark. When BBM became President, she also gave him a “chance.” She told me, “I have yet to see what will happen next because he has just finished his first year, and it is too early to know how well or evil he has done. The people elected him, he is now the President, so let’s give him a chance.” The woman’s statement, I believe, more or less sums up the general feeling of the Filipino people. Here is one President perceived to be good and kind, and one who is not to be feared compared to his father or even his daring and feisty elder sister. One would hear, “Matatakot kayo pag si Imee ang presidente (You would be afraid if Imee were president),” which is people’s way of saying what they feel and think about the Marcos siblings. So, we have a kind President who has had to deal with all kinds of issues and problems: Typhoons, the pandemic, and now the rice shortage. I have always been a BBM fan (after all, he was “crush ng bayan” in our youth), and even if he had not become a statesman in the tradition of many of our top legislators, one thinks of him as a pleasant guy who plays it cool and is lovable. Now comes a wife who is perceived to be running the show. All because, like it or not, she has the educational credentials; she proved herself in the Big Apple; and as her husband himself would tell one and all, she has excellent organizational abilities. She ran the campaign, many would assume, although she much preferred to keep to the sidelines. Like it or not, Liza Marcos, the First Lady, is a potent mover in this administration. Her many worthy projects in the creative industry, health care, education, and environment, along with her brand of diplomatic maneuvering using Filipiniana fashion as a vehicle for international friendship, bode well for this administration. We got two leaders for one vote, and we are better off as a nation. To the President’s credit, he recognizes the role his wife plays in his administration, and that speaks of a man secure in his position as the head of his family. Regarding cronyism, BBM has his friends in the business sector, top men and women, titans and tycoons, czars and magnates, who accompany him on his travels abroad. One of them described their roles as similar to those of club guest relations officers — entertaining guests and clients. We are told that they talk with their counterparts on the international scene, wherever the presidential itinerary takes them. Hence, the public does not see the usual kind of cronies who are there for what they could take. These friends want to help because if this administration succeeds and the economy improves, the Filipino people, including the business sector, will live better lives. The greatest challenge to BBM, everyone perceives, is the conflict with China over the West Philippine Sea. In this regard, BBM has proved to be wise, circumspect and decisive. He has the backing of the international community and his people. We hope he will pass the test, because if he passes it we are all together the victors. BBM deserves our prayers and hopes for the best of his administration. If he succeeds, and we hope he does, we will rise as a people. The President has a long way to go, but that’s no reason for him to relax and wait for things to happen. There are some things that people feel he should handle with steel gloves, akin to his father’s style, and that is up for him to decide. A kind and gentle President may be all we need to make this nation great again, and there’s Bongbong Marcos to take on the role and fulfill the promise of a happy, progressive, and peaceful country and people. BBM is not only the best-looking President, but the kindest and, of late, the most eloquent, as he is proving himself to be. He is also the coolest. The post BBM: Our calm, kind, gentle President appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Teenage tycoon
At the age of 19, Paul inherited the vast empire of his father, Felix. When Felix contracted cancer of the liver, at stage 4, he told the 30-member board of Galactica Enterprises that he was bequeathing the helm of the company to his teenage son. There were violent objections. For how could an inexperienced teenage boy, even if from the prestigious Weston School of Economics in London, run a vast, complex holding company with seven subsidiaries? But Felix got his way. At the first board meeting, Paul smiled, cool as a cucumber, in front of a hostile board. PAUL: (With unflinching authority) Meeting come to order, please. (The whispers die down to a deathly silence). RICHARD: (EVP who coveted Paul’s position). Aren’t you too young to pilot this large tanker? PAUL: Watch me, Richard. RICHARD: (With polite irreverence) Your Weston credentials won’t help you. PAUL: Sure, my wisdom is still theoretical not experiential, but not for long. You just have to live with that for now, Richard. ABE: (an old guard, VP for Finance, best friend of Felix) I strongly agree with Richard. CORA: (VP for Operations, middle-aged but still attractive) So what do you preach, Paul? PAUL: Hello, Cora. I’m glad you are one of the five female board members. This male-dominated board needs women for balance. Women are refreshing in a macho world. Women are often better in crisis management than men. I am forming a core group and you will be the crisis management expert. This company will take the paradigm shift advocated by Steve Jobs, namely, “love marketing.” Steve, who had no college degree, was booted out of Apple, which he founded, by his Harvard-trained board for his ridiculous “love marketing.” After 20 years, the board pleaded with him to rescue the firm. He launched the bombshell iPod that once again rocketed the firm to the high heavens, based on “love marketing.” What’s first on our agenda, Nicole? NICOLE: (VP for Corporate Affairs, the youngest board member, extremely attractive and an aggressive go-getter) Sir, first on the agenda is the merger of Galactica with Eastwood which your dad violently opposed. But now that he is gone, the pro-mergers are back. Charlie, can you expound on this, please? CHARLIE: (an old guard on the board) In a few words, there is strength in unity. The merger means growth for Galactica. We need Eastwood’s expertise to widen our product base. PAUL: What do you say, Abe? ABE: The issue for your dad was not growth or profit but corporate sustainability. He had the right, as founder, to keep Galactica pure. However, Galactica without a merger will go stagnant soon in my view. RICHARD: The merger will make us the largest conglomerate on the East Coast. PAUL: Size is not the issue. Let’s not over-debate. Let’s have a vote. The vote, the second, was the same as the first, an overwhelming no to the merger. Paul had known this all along. PAUL: Thank you for respecting my dad’s wishes. Next on the agenda, please, Nicole. NICOLE: Sir, the core group. PAUL: Oh yes, I am forming a seven-member core group called Hydra, the seven-headed monster. It will be my alter ego. It will be the venue for me to rapidly shift from theoretical to experiential wisdom. Hydra will have the power to decide and report to the board. The members I have selected are, one, Cora, crisis management expert; two, Nicole, secretariat and research; pro-merger advocates Richard, Abe and Charlie. Two more to go. RICHARD: You chose your enemies for your inner circle? PAUL: I see no enemies, only friends who are brave enough to speak out, which I admire. I am hosting a poker party this Sunday at my house. The entire board is obliged to attend. Nicole, I want red meat, red lobsters, and red wine. NICOLE: And red napkins. PAUL: Great. The best poker players in this group, according to my dad, are Richard, Abe, myself, and of all people, Francesca. The diminutive Francesca, VP for Public Affairs, rises and bows. CORA: Why poker, sir? PAUL: A good manager is measured by his poker skills — his ability to size up a situation, to balance risk versus safety, his knowledge of probabilities, his ability to assess opponents and bluff, all in a matter of seconds. To the best three, I will award $30,000, $20,000, and $10,000. (There is an uproar.) There will be a poker party every quarter. Unless there is an objection, this meeting is adjourned. The board members gather around Paul, congratulating him. His enemies, the pro-merger old guards, become instant friends. He exudes total charisma. He uses the quarterly poker parties to achieve corporate harmony. Galactica made millions with the measly investment of regular poker parties. Paul gained fame and was featured in The Wall Street Journal as the “Teenage Tycoon of the Century.” *** eastwindreplyctr@gmail.com The post Teenage tycoon appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
400 Iwahig PDLs gear up for food production
At least 400 persons deprived of liberty are set to cultivate tillable lands at the Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm in Palawan for the food security project of the government in line with the marching orders from the Department of Justice and Bureau of Corrections. Corrections Technical Officer Public Information Office chief and IPPF spokesperson Levi Evangelista in an interview on Tuesday said that the PDLs will be the ones to prepare the lands comprising the project. He added the initial cultivation and preparation of the 500 hectares of tillable land out of the 28,700 hectares property of IPPF has started a few days ago and this will be planted by high value crops. Evangelista also said that IPPF Supt. Gary Garcia was ordered by BuCor director general Gregorio Catapang Jr. to start the project as per the guidance of Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla. “Initially, the 400 PDLs in Iwahig has started cultivation and land preparation for the project aiming to help in the food security of the country,” Evangelista said. Also, there was a memorandum of agreement with the private sector who will be part of the project to develop the wide-range project of planting crops in the said tillable land in IPPF. Evangelista disclosed that even President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. along with Remulla and Catapang gave serious concern about the project to help in the food security of the country using the said lands in the jail facilities nationwide under BuCor. To recall, the government signed an agreement on the use of tillable lands within the BuCor prison reservations and penal farms nationwide as “agricultural camps or food production centers” to help the country achieve food security. The DA and the DoJ inked a memorandum of agreement on their joint project called “Reformation Initiative for Sustainable Environment for Food Security” or RISE, which Marcos said would help in both food production and improving rehabilitative justice practices for PDLs. The post 400 Iwahig PDLs gear up for food production appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Menchu Katigbak: The splendid life of a society swan
Hers is a story anyone would love to tell and retell, or hear and hear again. Chances are, as in the book of Menchu, so many things are left unsaid because if these were all said, a single book would not be enough. Carmencita “Menchu” Katigbak’s story is one of love, passion, hurts and disappointments, social triumphs and power in its subtle workings, but mostly the good life and the people who live it and make it happen. She is a woman of the world in the sense of one who has lived in, explored and enjoyed New York, Bangkok, Lausanne, Paris and, her current love, Singapore. Of course, her turf is in Manila with a Capital S and Capital P (as in Power), and Lipa the hometown of her roots. [caption id="attachment_180060" align="aligncenter" width="958"] MENCHU with best friend Susie and her daughter Marivic.[/caption] At a time when the term “socialite” can come cheap, trite or even undeserved, Menchu gives the appellation dignity, respect and the awe it once inspired. Her social credentials are, of course, impeccable. For starters, she attended the Chateau Mont-Choisi, a Swiss finishing school for debutantes and pre-debs belonging to royalty and the world’s upper crust. A socialite today, in loose modern parlance, is perceived as being frivolous, one who attends parties because these men and women are party animals, or party people, as one columnist has named her weekly jottings about the social events of the day. The enjoyment of life is what defines this breed and set, and yet, while Menchu, too, knows how to enjoy, and enjoy life with gusto, there is more to her and that differentiates her from the herd. No, she does not top her charmed life with an icing of well-publicized good deeds and philanthropic beneficence, even if she actually shares her bounty with those in need. Menchu is of a different mold. She is a society swan in the manner of Truman Capote’s chums — Babe Paley, Gloria Guinness, Lee Radziwill. In our part of the world, think Chona, think Minnie, think Chito. She may well be cast in the same crème de la creme mold, glamorous denizens of the inner circles of society, at the same time, ladies who have transcended the vagaries of time. Just recently, Menchu was referred to by a diplomat friend as a global influencer, a 21st-century appellation that only a few are accorded. This one is applied to one who was once a señorita, colegiala and, yes, society girl, again in the tradition of Chona, Baby, Nelly, Chito and Ising. ‘The Katigbaks talk only to the Kalaws’ They don’t need family names, each as important as the other and of the same significance in society. Still, it’s one thing to say that she is Baby Fores, and another if she is Baby Arenas. There were two Vickys, one of national import and memory being the lovely teenager who stood as her father’s First Lady in the early 1950s, and there was the Madrigal matron, Vicky nee Abad Santos, who was low-key and the daughter of the World War II patriot, Jose Abad Santos, who refused to pledge allegiance to the flag of the enemies. Menchu shares first name distinction with Menchu delas Alas Concepcion, also of Batangueña parentage, being the daughter of banker and finance guy and public servant Don Antonio de las Alas. Both aristocrats from Batangas, the two Menchus share many distinctions beauty for one, pedigree, for the other—but that’s as far as I would say, the aforementioned traits being obvious. But to drive his point, Joe Guevarra, the humorous and well-placed columnist known for his tongue-in-cheek pronouncements, once said of the olden times, when the genealogical boundaries were well-defined, “In Lipa, the Katigbaks talk only to the Kalaws, and the Kalaws talk only to the Katigbaks.” [caption id="attachment_180057" align="aligncenter" width="998"] DINNER in Pili with Fernando and Zobel, Tessie Sy-Coson, Guilly Luchangco, Federico ‘Piki’ Lopez | photograph courtesy of MENCHU KATIGBAK[/caption] This self-confessed social climber, as his 8-to-5-and-beyond job would require him to be, admits to not having met (okay, having been introduced to…) the ebullient society hostess, traveler, culinary maven and friend-to-the-powerful Menchu Katigbak. Everything that I am writing here, I learned from the lady’s biography, Menchu, authored by lifestyle journalism icon Thelma Sioson San Juan, the two being decades-old friends. Menchu, one finds out toward the end of the book, is the inspiration for her granddaughter Isabelle’s first tome, Abu, the Sad Princess. I look back on the pages I have read, the memories of Menchu’s lifetime so far, in all its seven glorious and electrifying decades, and I dare say, the description is most apt and is true as well in real life as Menchu today is “living happily ever after” having come to terms with the many issues that confronted her at various times, but more importantly, she is today a fulfilled mother and grandmother and a believer in Jesus Christ. But that is getting ahead of the story. ‘White Matter’ by Lao Lianben Jaime Ponce de Leon, dear Jaime, the man of the hour of Philippine arts for as long as Juan Luna’s missing masterpiece, remains ensconced at the Ayala Museum – gaining for the discoverer more than a foothold in our cultural history – asked me if I was interested in writing about the socially formidable Menchu Katigbak, and I readily said yes, having seen her photographs in the select and more discriminating society pages and columns. I thought to myself it would be an opportunity to meet the lady face to face and add her to my glossary of so-called newfound friends, but that was not meant to be. I was, oh, I was treated to the next best thing – a copy of Menchu which, to someone who aspires to be a bibliophile, is all that matters in the world, except that I am first a social climber. And since I have not been allowed an audience, I take solace in the book and, as my honeyed revenge, will tell you what I feel about the lady who, I understand, could be frank and outspoken. Abrasive is too strong a word, and unfair for I am not sure if I will ever meet her in my lifetime, but I am told the lady will never mince words, that’s probably why she has legions of true friends who probably can give as much as take, or so I am imagining. [caption id="attachment_180055" align="aligncenter" width="1475"] Lunch in the kitchen in Pili with Patty Araneta (left) and Monet Recio-Schem.[/caption] A painting that Menchu has kept all these years, “White Matter” by Lao Lianben, signed and dated 1997, has been featured as one of the rare pieces to be auctioned in Leon Gallery’s forthcoming magnificent September auction, with the starting bid of P2,600,000. So, there, if you’re wondering what Jaime, who moves around the best circles, has got to do with this enigmatic swan. ‘We are not rich’ But let’s stick to what the book says. While she intersperses in her narrative personal encounters with her subject, TSJ, for the most part, devotes the pages of this book to Menchu alone, and with our cosmopolitan lady, the many friends in the upper echelons whose lives she has touched and who have touched hers in turn. Menchu, once she was ready to be told, heard it straight from her mother, “Tandaan mo, baka akala mo mayaman tayo. Hindi tayo mayaman. Kung napadala ka namin sa Switzerland at si Tita at si Tony napadala naming sa America, kasi nagpawis ako ng dugo (Remember, you may think we are rich, we are not rich. If we sent you to Switzerland and Tita and Tony to America, it was because I sweated blood). If you think you’re going to inherit something from us, banish the thought. So if you don’t study well, bahala ka sa sarili mo (you’re on your own).” The perfect words for the Asuncionista (Assumptionista) who much preferred to bake food for the gods, brownies and upside-down cakes and do naughty things like hiding the bell used to signal the start and end of class periods. Her mother, the former Charing Roxas Dimayuga, who attended Assumption Convent, dealt in buying, developing and selling homes in the gated Makati villages. She also developed horizontal and vertical commercial spaces as well as imported retazos from abroad. [caption id="attachment_180056" align="aligncenter" width="696"] Wearing the Van Cleef earrings purchased before their public launch.[/caption] Her father, Enrique Luz Katigbak, on the other hand, was a top certified public accountant, an alumnus of the Northwestern University and a director on the boards of Monte de Piedad and Philtrust banks. Of his connections, none is more eminent than his friendship with His Eminence, Rufino Cardinal Santos, archbishop of Manila and the first Filipino Cardinal of the Catholic Church. It was not a happenstance that Menchu received the sacrament of confirmation from the Cardinal himself right in the Katigbak home, the first ever that was held in a private home if any other followed at all. Like most children, Menchu recalls in the book how she detested being “slapped” by the pious prelate. If she was any pleased about her family’s closeness to the holy man, it was that the Assumption sisters did not expel her for her not-too-infrequent infractions because they went to her father if they needed something from the Cardinal. Dona Aurora Recto for a ‘guardian’ Hers was a lonely childhood since her older siblings were away. They were the triple seven, which alluded to their being born seven years apart, with Menchu as the youngest. On certain days, her parents, both busy, would deposit her in the home of the statesman Claro M. Recto where she would play with his favorite granddaughter, Techie, who had all these toys, Menchu could not help realizing her parents did not buy her a toy. She played with her jackstones while Techie had a closetful of toys, including a toy “cash register.” Techie was so generous she was giving this fancy plaything to her, but Menchu refused knowing her mother would not approve. What she remembers best of that time was the sight of Dona Aurora, the first beautiful woman she beheld in her young mind and eyes, and from her, she learned her first lessons in etiquette, because the family ate with a full complement of silverware and flatware. (To be continued) The post Menchu Katigbak: The splendid life of a society swan appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Sky Garden’s Ryu, Hiro and Iwa break into music SCENE
There are now two full-blooded Japanese young men bidding for adulation from the multitude of Pinoys as members of a band signed up recently by AltG, a sub-unit of GMA Music. The boyband is known as Sky Garden. The two are Hiro and Iwa, who have been living here for more than a year now upon the invitation of the band’s founder Ryu (pronounced as Rio), who is a Pinoy-Japanese brought up in Japan, finished college there and worked for a few years at Toyota in Japan. Ryu’s mother is from Isabela. When the pandemic unsettled the world, he decided to move to the Philippines where he easily landed a work-from-home job. He also landed a scholarship for a one-year course at the Ateneo de Manila University. Ryu, Hiro and Iwa (for easier recall they use their very short nicknames as their showbiz names) are very close friends from Nagoya, Japan. They have another friend -- but he took his own life sometime after he lost his job due to the economic constraints and contractions brought by the pandemic virus. Ryu was already in the Philippines when he learned about the tragedy. As casually and as briefly as he could at the launch of Sky Garden in Quezon City, Ryu revealed that he got very worried Hiro might fall into depression, too, since the latter eventually lost his job, too, and so did Iwa. Ryu convinced Hiro and Iwa to join him in the Philippines and he would take care of them until the pandemic subsides, and new jobs and financial opportunities open in the Land of the Rising Sun. To make it easy for the two guys to come to the Philippines, Ryu told them he would buy plane tickets for them. The boyish Ryu, who seems to be a well-disciplined young man who graduated cum laude in college, soon managed to raise money for the plane fares. Happily, their parents were willing to support them for a few months in the Philippines, hoping they’ll find their financial bearings on a short stretch of time. They got here just early last year. Ryu admitted that his parents, too, we’re partially supporting him which is why he is able to rent a pad in Metro Manila where all three of them stay together. Getting ‘Filipinized’ Hiro and Iwa have college degrees, too, which equipped them with enough English vocabulary to get by in the Philippines. They also find it easy to pick up a foreign language, such as Tagalog. Warm and extroverted, they do not hesitate to break into a conversation with anyone in a mixture of Tagalog and English. Or it could be that Ryu is a very good language teacher. Hiro and Iwa have picked more than enough Tagalog words to enable them to do hilarious contents for their vlog of jokes and how-tos. The two had been vlogging individually in Japan but were easily persuaded by the voluble Ryu into forming themselves into a trio of clownish characters who can also sing and dance and act and do covers of K-pop, P-pop and Japanese pop, of course. Iwa and Hiro even ventured into the streets singing to passers-by with Hiro strumming his guitar. They once found their way in Murphy in Cubao, Quezon City, sang to some kids hanging out on the street one of whom happened to be celebrating his birthday. Iwa offered to buy a cake for the boy on condition that he would take them home to their parents, and let them eat with the family -- including partaking of food that Iwa himself would buy ingredients for and cook in the family pans and stove. “Iwa has very passable cooking skills,” blurted Ryu at the presscon. The middle-class family accepted them. They ate, danced, sang and caroused with the family, including the middle-aged father of the birthday boy. Sky Garden has amassed 17 million views in less than a year for their vlogs, one of which was a gag about “first circumcision.” They also have a series of gags comparing Japanese antics with those of the Pinoys. They are at home playing an assortment of Japanese and Pinoy characters in a variety of situations. Even their covers of hit pops are well-followed to the tune of hundred thousands of views. At the presscon, they easily broke into snippets of the Voltes 5 theme and SB19’s “Gento.” They are completely un-shy in sharing themselves to the people. They seem serious at becoming “Filipinized” Japanese. Jap-Pinoy talent on the rise Their success at entertaining themselves and people prompted Ryu to offer Sky Garden to GMA Music to become a talent group of the company. He sent them email offers since he had figures to show from the video-sharing apps. He also sent the company videos of the three of them performing rock compositions of Hiro with Tagalog lyrics mainly put together by Ryu whose mastery of Tagalog is amazing. He could really pass for a Pinoy who just happens to look like a Japanese. “I’ve been vacationing in the Philippines every school break since my childhood years.That’s how I slowly grew a tongue for Tagalog with no Japanese twang,” confided Ryu. The boys were signed up by AltG just last July, although long before that they have acted as guests in the Vic Sotto-Maine Mendoza sitcom on GMA 7, Papa’s Gurl, and on Family Feud. They’ve also found a manager, Ruby Gomez, who has been a talent supplier for the Kapuso network and for ABS-CBN for some years. Their first single, “Kokoa,” was launched in all the video-sharing apps on 1 September. The boys have vlogged that the song ranked 10th on iTunes 100 on the day it premiered. They’re praying that when the music video for Kokoa is launched on 8 September, it will do well, too. The forthcoming music video may show in fleeting seconds the well-toned upper torso of Ryu and Hiro who do gym workouts. Their chest and abs may peek from unstrapped kimonos which the boys love to wear to signal to people their being Japanese. Iwa has gone a little chubby although pics of them on their FB and Instagram accounts show that Iwa looked the handsomest of them when he had less poundage. AltG will surely find exposure for Sky Garden in their weekly musical-variety All Out Sunday and in the network’s new talent competition shows one of which is hosted by the network’s hottest star for some time now, Dingdong Dantes. We recently intoned in this corner that a wave of Jap-Pinoy talents is upon the entertainment industry. The Sky Garden is one more manifestation of that wave. Sky and garden are iconic images in classic Japanese paintings. Those are images in our subconsciousness over centuries. Ryu, Hiro and Iwa surely know how to connect to the world at large. The post Sky Garden’s Ryu, Hiro and Iwa break into music SCENE appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Malays in technicolor
Malaysia is a merry mix of Muslims, Indians, Chinese and Christians whose vibrant culture and traditions vitalize its calendar with a variety of celebrations and festivals that, in themselves, give every reason to visit the country. In every celebration, the tradition of holding an “open house” or “welcome all” provides the opportunity for the various races to visit each other to enliven the celebration. Muslim For Muslims, the two major festivals are celebrated namely Hari Raya Puasa (Aidilfitri) and Hari Raya Haji (Aidiladha). Hari Raya Puasa marks the end of Ramadan, which requires Muslims to fast for a month. Hari Raya Haji is celebrated on the 10th day of Zulhijjah (the month of Islam) when Muslims perform the Haj in Mecca and are in the final stages of their worship. In conjunction with the festival, Muslims who are capable are encouraged to perform sacrificial worship (ibadah korban) and, due to this, it is also known as Hari Raya Korban. Other than the two major festivals, Muslims also celebrate Maal Hijrah (Awal Muharam), which is a celebration of the Islamic New Year; Maulidur Rasul to commemorate the birth of Prophet Muhammad SAW, and Nuzul Quran to commemorate the day of the revelation of the al-Quran among Muslims. Chinese Chinese Malaysian communities celebrate Chinese New Year on the first day of the Chinese calendar in January or February each year. The festival starts with the whole family gathering for dinner. The celebration lasts for 15 days to the day of “Chap Goh Meh”, which is celebrated on the night of the 15th day of the festival. The festival gesture or goodwill package “angpow” is a tradition that enlivens the atmosphere of Chinese New Year, especially for the children. For the majority of Chinese who are Buddhist, the month of May every year marks the arrival of Wesak Day to commemorate three important events in Buddha’s life: the day of birth, the day of the achievement of maturity of thoughts and the day of death. During the celebration, ceremonies and parades are normally held with prayers. In addition, there are other celebrations, such as the mid-autumn lantern celebration (Tanglung), Month of the Ghost Festival and Qing Ming. Indian For Hindu devotees, Deepavali, or the Festival of Lights, during the month of “Aippasi,” according to the Tamil calendar (October to November) is a time to rejoice. It marks the victory, brightness overcoming darkness, goodness overcoming evil, and wisdom over ignorance. The festival begins with prayers, followed by visiting of relatives and friends. In the evening, the house will be decorated with lights to enliven the festive atmosphere. Hindu devotees also celebrate Thaipusam in January as a sign of respect to the God Muruga. During the festival, Batu Caves in Selangor will be the focus of Hindu devotees carrying presentations above the “kavadi” to be presented to the gods. In addition, Hindus also celebrate Ponggal, Hindu New Year, Navarathiri and Kharthigai. Other festivals On 25 December each year, Christians celebrate Christmas, which marks the birth of Jesus with prayers in churches and visits to their relatives and friends. In Sabah and Sarawak, there are also the traditional ethnic festivals. In Sabah, in the month of May every year, the Kadazans will celebrate the Harvest Festival (Tadau Kaamatan), an important event to the farmer groups. Tamu Besar or Pasar Tahunan is a carnival created to organize traditional sports events. For the Dayaks, Ibans and Bidayuh in Sarawak, 1 June every year is a day to be awaited because, on that day, they will celebrate Hari Gawai. For the Dayaks, they will have specific celebrations consisting of Gawai Batu (beginning of the paddy planting season), Gawai Burung (celebration associated with a bad sign or nightmare), Gawai Bersimpan (thanksgiving upon completion of harvesting), Gawai Antu (celebration for the souls of the dead) and Gawai Kenyalang. Apart from the different races and festivals, Malaysians also celebrate Labor Day on 1 May, National Day or Independence Day on 31 August, Birthday of His Majesty Yang Di-Pertuan Agong on the Saturday of the first week of June, Birthday of the King/Sultan at state level and Good Friday for various states. The post Malays in technicolor appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
As you read Paul’s opening words to the Romans, what phrases describe the good news to you? (1:1–7).
As you read Paul’s opening words to the Romans, what phrases describe the good news to you? (1:1–7). Why would Paul, who had once hated Jesus so much, now want everyone to believe in Him? (See Acts 26)......»»
Brawner up for deliberations
The Commission on Appointments will start deliberating on the confirmation of Lieutenant General Romeo Brawner Jr. as the 60th Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Surigao del Sur Representative Johnny Pimentel, CA’s assistant minority leader, announced on Sunday that the CA’s national defense panel, chaired by Camiguin Representative Jurdin Jesus Romualdo, will hold its confirmation hearing on Brawner’s ad interim appointment on Wednesday. “The CA has likewise scheduled a caucus and a plenary session that day,” Pimentel said. The CA — consisting of 25 members from the Senate and the House of Representatives — has the ultimate authority to approve or reject Brawner’s appointment. On the same day, 29 other newly promoted senior military officers, from colonel to major general, will also face confirmation hearings before the Romualdo panel. To recall, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. named Brawner, a Marawi siege veteran, on 19 July as the AFP’s new chief of staff, replacing General Andres Centino, who has since retired and is now Presidential Adviser on the West Philippine Sea. A native of Baguio, Brawner is the third AFP chief under the Marcos administration. Prior to his assumption, Brawner served as the 65th Commanding General of the Philippine Army from 10 December to 21 July 2023. The post Brawner up for deliberations appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Bong Go inspects Siniloan isolation facility
Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, the chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, personally inspected the isolation facility at the Siniloan Infirmary Hospital in Siniloan, Laguna on Friday, 25 August. Go, also the vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, has supported the said project during the Duterte administration. The senator, an adopted son of CALABARZON, was also joined by Vice Governor Karen Agapay, Mayor Patrick Go, Vice Mayor Carla Valderrama, and Councilors Carl Anthony Puño, Regie De Jesus, and Councilor Ronald Valeroso, among others. "Maraming salamat po Kuya Bong. Ang bayan po ng Siniloan ay taos-pusong nagpapasalamat sa inyong pagdalaw at kami po ay binibigyan niyo ng suporta. Ang sarili naming Infirmary Hospital ay parang Malasakit Center na rin dahil ang mga kapos nating kababayan na lumalapit doon ay nabibigyan natin ng direktang libreng pag-gagamot. Kaya Kuya Bong, maraming maraming salamat po. Talagang 'Go cares'," Mayor Go expressed. Go’s visit not only underscored his dedication to serving the Filipino people but also highlighted the critical need to bolster the nation's health sector, particularly in the wake of the devastating effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. During the inspection, the senator engaged in conversations with the local officials and even healthcare workers to gain firsthand insights into the challenges faced by the health sector. “Sinusuportahan naman natin ang inyong Infirmary Hospital dito po sa Siniloan at gaya ng sinabi ko kung ano po ang makakatulong sa Siniloan sa pag-unlad ng inyong bayan at makatulong po sa mga mahihirap nating kababayan dito po sa Siniloan ay handa po akong tumulong sa abot ng aking makakaya ay tutulong po ako dito po sa inyong bayan,” said Go in an interview after his visit. Go has consistently stressed the importance of continuous investments in healthcare infrastructure, personnel, and equipment especially in the community level. He pointed out that the pandemic had exposed vulnerabilities in the health sector and underscored the need for proactive measures to ensure that the country is better equipped to handle future health crises. Through a series of innovative initiatives, including Malasakit Centers, Super Health Centers (SHCs), and Regional Specialty Centers (RSCs), Go underscored his unwavering commitment to ensuring that all Filipinos have access to quality medical assistance and services. Malasakit Centers, a brainchild of Senator Go, act as one-stop shops that consolidate the available medical assistance programs of various government agencies, ensuring that poor and indigent patients can readily access the support they need. Since its inception in 2018, Malasakit Centers have provided invaluable assistance to more than seven million patients, alleviating the financial burdens that often accompany medical treatments. There are currently 158 operational centers nationwide, including those at Laguna Medical Center in Sta. Cruz and San Pablo City General Hospital in San Pablo City. Go is the principal author and sponsor of the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019. Meanwhile, Go’s vision of a more improved healthcare sector extends to the establishment of SHCs, which aim to offer comprehensive healthcare services to communities, especially in underserved areas. Such centers are set to be established in cities such as Calamba, Cabuyao, Sta. Rosa, San Pedro, San Pablo, and Biñan, as well as in the towns of Alaminos, Mabitac, Calauan, Los Baños, and Sta. Maria. The SHCs will offer a wide range of services, including database management, out-patient, birthing, isolation, diagnostic (laboratory: x-ray and ultrasound), pharmacy, and ambulatory surgical unit. Other available services are eye, ear, nose, and throat (EENT) service, oncology centers, physical therapy and rehabilitation center, and telemedicine, through which remote diagnosis and treatment of patients are made possible. Through the concerted efforts of the Department of Health (DOH) and lawmakers, adequate funding has been allocated in the national budget for the establishment of 307 SHCs in 2022 and 322 more in 2023. “Ang maganda po diyan early detection, primary care, checkup, konsulta. Diyan ho kayo magpakonsulta sa Super Health Center na itinatayo sa inyong lugar. Early detection (para) hindi lumala ang sakit. It will help decongest sa hospitals, madi-decongest po ang mga hospitals dahil diyan na po gagamutin sa mga Super Health Center,’ Go said. Recognizing the need for specialized care, Go has also championed the establishment of Regional Specialty Centers. These centers focus on specific medical fields, ensuring that patients receive expert care without the need to travel long distances to urban centers. In the Senate, Go principally sponsored and is one of the authors of Senate Bill No. 2212, also known as the Regional Specialty Centers Act, which was recently approved and signed by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. into law. “Pangatlong prayoridad ko po bilang chairman ng Committee on Health ito pong establishing regional specialty center. Maglalagay po ng mga specialty center sa mga DOH regional hospital sa buong Pilipinas. It’s a multiyear plan po. Halimbawa, (kung may problema sa) heart, kidney, lung, neonatal, mental, ito pong mga ortho sa mga may karamdaman sa buto, cancer. Ilalagay na po sa lahat ng DOH regional hospital sa buong Pilipinas para ilapit po natin ang serbisyo medikal sa ating mga kababayan,” explained Go. “Ako po ang (isa sa mga) author at (principal) sponsor niyan sa Senado at pasado na ‘yan, napirmahan na po ni Pangulong Bongbong Marcos dahil priority po ito ni Pangulong Bongbong Marcos. Establishing specialty center in every DOH regional hospital all over the country,” he added. On the same day, Go personally inspected the town’s Sports Complex and provided assistance to 500 struggling residents. The post Bong Go inspects Siniloan isolation facility appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
This writers’ workshop loves Filipino literature
The Palihang Rogelio Sicat discussion on 21 June held in UP Diliman looked and sounded like an art class session. Manolo Sicat, the well-known artist and sculptor, was delivering a demo-lecture on printmaking. He said figures and words can go together in a work of art. [gallery columns="2" size="full" ids="175634,175632"] He had a PowerPoint presentation of print images. A pair of prints of a couple of dancers were passed around. One was in black and white, the other in color. Texture and motion were their immediate charm. “But what has printmaking to do with us?,” said Christian Balagoza, a boyish writer. “We’ll know when we get the printmaking session,” said sir Reuel Aguila, director PRS 16 (2023). Art collab This is the latest PRS innovation. When the session was held a few days later, Sicat conducted an honest-to-goodness printmaking workshop at the UP College of Fine Arts. A colleague, Prof. Ambie Abano, welcomed the group and opened her atelier to show mural-sized prints made from wooden originals. It is the artist’s impressive collection of prints featuring landscapes of lush trees in dark, brooding background. Fellows from the previous online batch joined the art activity. During the three-hour session, everyone polished her rubber board, chiseled images and texts, and finally print the works on paper. They were amazed to pick up the skill fast and admire the results in no time. Thumbs and nails got smudged with sticky ink yet everyone was smiling at the wet and black artworks clipped on wires that crossed the studio. 16 years of PRS This is one of the activities that make PRS unique. Thanks to its founders -- dramatist Reuel Aguila, retired professor now a lecturer at the UP, and fictionist Jimmuel Naval, dean of the UP College of Arts and Letters. The partner is always on the lookout for ingenious ways to improve the workshop, all for the good of young writers. PRS began as an informal workshop of a number of young writers held in the mansion of Ligaya Tiamson Rubin in Angono, Rizal, in 2008. Today, fellows accepted in the workshop are pegged at 15. Fellows like the idea that they are the main commentators of the manuscripts. During workshops, they get to be the lead discussant. “They learn to be critical and not rely too much on the opinion of the panelists,” said Aguila. The PRS is the only writers’ workshop that aspires to be mobile, going around the country to make its appellation ‘national’ true. It literally brings the creative writing life closer to practitioners. PRS collaborates with local governments, and with their support the workshop had been to Palayan City, Nueva Ecija (2009); Baler, Aurora (2010); Alfonso, Cavite (2011); Sta. Cruz, Marinduque (2012); Angeles City, Pampanga (2014); and Makati City (2015). It also cooperates with the academe as in UP Visayas-Tacloban (2017), UP Baguio (2018) and UP Los Baños (2019). There were times PRS stayed at its home base UP Diliman like during the 50th anniversary of the UP Department of Filipino and Philippine Literature (UP-DFPL) in 2017. It went online as Zoom conference twice during the pandemic. With the renowned writer Rogelio Sicat as PRS idol, the workshop chooses Filipino language as its medium of writing literature. It also accepts works from the region’s translated into Filipino. Institutional support PRS is the official outreach program of the UP-DFPL whose incumbent chair Schedar DT Jocson said that from the beginning, it has supported PRS and its objectives. Many of its panelists are from the department, including alumna Dr. Lulu Torres-Reyes, the PRS 16 guest of honor. Other PRS supporters include the UP Sentro ng Wikang Filipino (UP-SWF). “We are honored to be part of a movement that brings Philippine literature closer to the common people. PRS writers enrich the catalog of our website,” said director Jayson Petras. Friends and business people also support PRS, like Palawan Pawnshop / Palawan Express Padala company. Lively discussion about literature An hour of PRS discussion on a story or poem does not exhaust its reading or interpretation. To address the gap, sessions are set beyond the allotted time and well into almost midnight. Fellows do not seem to mind as they are very eager to huddle with seniors who are just as willing to forego of an early bedtime. PRS goes one more step. In 2022, it created post-workshop online sessions. Here, senior and beginning writers discuss new works. Everyone is excited to have these disquisitions that aim to improve writing skills. Dedication is demanded from both sides. The recent PRS workshop had the Sicat siblings Luna and Manolo beaming with pride. They were quite surprised to know that almost 300 young writers had already experienced the workshop. PRS is also proud that esteemed writers served as its panelists, including Bienvenido Lumbera, Edgardo Reyes, Ricardo Lee, Rogelio Ordoñez, Lualhati Bautista, Rosario Lucero, Elmer Ordoñez, Jose Dalisay, Marne Kilates, Jess Santiago, Fidel Rillo, Edgardo Maranan, Lilia Quindoza Santiago, Delfin Tolentino, Bonifacio Ilagan, Frank Cimatu, Joi Barrios-Le Blanc, Chris Millado, Jerry Gracio, Richard Gappi, Eros Atalia, Joselito delos Reyes, Choi Pangilinan and Junley Lorenzana Lazaga. PRS connects the lives of senior and beginning writers. Rogelio Sicat would be proud of this long -running project named after him. The post This writers’ workshop loves Filipino literature appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Budget Usec Tina Canda has passed away
Former Budget Undersecretary and Officer-In-Charge Tina Canda has passed away, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) confirmed on Thursday In a statement, DBM said Canda passed away last Wednesday evening (23 August), coinciding with her 41st anniversary of service in the agency. Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said DBM is deeply saddened and in mourning over the loss of Canda, saying that the undersecretary was the agency’s "tower of strength." The DBM chief described Canda as “a gentle soul with a strong, dependable character” who spent endless hours poring over paperwork to ensure they reached the deadlines. “Her courage and relentless work ethic were most evident when, despite having been diagnosed with stage-4 cancer, she reported for work every day with her usual dogged determination and even diligently attended the Congress hearings in 2022. Despite her trials and tribulations, she bravely soldiered on,” Pangandaman said. “For an unbelievable 40 years of public service, Usec Tina gave it all in pouring out four decades of passion for service, hard work, and loyalty to DBM,” Pangandaman added. Pangandaman said Canda is the "ultimate mentor and coach" of her colleagues who become "better public servants," not just through words and concepts but because of her example. She added that Canda was a brilliant leader, leaving behind a legacy of policies, best practices, and a solid work ethic in the DBM. The secretary also extended her sincerest condolences to the family and close friends of Canda, while expressing gratitude to the departed undersecretary for her lifelong commitment to the agency. “We highly and sincerely appreciate the wisdom you have shared and will vow to build upon your legacy to provide better service for our countrymen, just as you have taught us. May your soul rest in eternal peace, Usec. We love you,” she concluded. The post Budget Usec Tina Canda has passed away appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Impertinent lawmaker
A leftist party-list representative, one among those who foist their nationalistic pretense, who has been critical of the previous administration’s war on drugs but couldn’t for once slam the communist rebels for their terroristic activities, and always engaged in either wrong or misleading narratives, has once again unleashed a thoughtless and unstudied declaration, poking her finger in the West Philippine Sea dispute vis-a-vis China’s claim that the Philippines had committed to removing the BRP Sierra Madre which has been aground for a long time at the Ayungin Shoal. This time she has targeted former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte for the latter’s alleged silence on the issue in the face of former presidents Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s, Joseph Estrada’s and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s denial of making such a commitment to China. She has cast suspicion on the former maverick President’s and the latter’s daughter’s (Vice President Sara Duterte) alleged non-issuing a denunciation statement against China’s attacking the resupply mission to BRP Sierra Madre and failing to deny having made the aforementioned pledge. In the first place, there is no need to dispute China’s claim because, for one, it has not submitted proof as to the identity of a government official who made such a commitment, and on what occasion and year it was made. For another, assuming a commitment was made by whomsoever, the same could not be undertaken given that the ship in question is in Ayungin Shoal, which is within the exclusive economic zone of the Philippines, over which place the latter has sovereign rights under international law and the United Nation Convention on the Law of the Sea or UNCLOS, and therefore it can do whatever it pleases. Moreover, the arbitral ruling handed by the Permanent Arbitration Court has affirmed the Philippines’ sovereign rights’ claim to it while it rejected China’s expansionist claim over the West Philippine Sea — hence, any contrary claim over the use of the same or invocation of whatever commitment made in regard thereto not only has become moot if not irrelevant but — and more importantly no basis in international law. There is no need for FPRRD to issue a statement to deny or dispute China’s claim simply because as aforestated, it has not validated its allegation with any semblance of proof. Moreover, it is irrelevant at this stage owing to the arbitral award. Even if it is relevant, the denial of the existence of such commitment by no less than the current head of state is more than sufficient. Unlike this impertinent lawmaker, FPRRD abhors calling attention to himself. To require the Vice-President to issue a similar denial and a denunciation against China’s assault on the Philippine Coast Guard is redundant, with PBBM having already an official statement on the matter. The lady solon nastily insinuates that FPRRD has been sleeping with the enemy citing instances that she did not particularize forgetting that even if he has developed a friendship with China’s President, his virtual speech before the United Nations, asserting our sovereignty over the West Philippine Sea and his raising the arbitral ruling in a face-to-face dialogue with President Xi Jinping on his first state visit to China spoke eloquently of his position that he is fiercely opposed to China’s unlawful incursions on Philippine waters. This member of the Lower House has also repeated the lie started by some anti-Duterte critics that the latter has described the arbitral ruling as a mere piece of paper. For her education and others. PRRD was describing how China is treating the favorable decision by not only ignoring it but committing repeated acts of aggression against the Philippines. China is demonstrating its rejection of the international arbitral court ruling by treating it as a worthless piece of paper. In other words, it is telling the world that the Philippines may have the decision (paper) but it has control over the territory it has won in the arbitration. There is wisdom in the suggestion that she zips her lips and halt her rants and focus on legislation. The post Impertinent lawmaker appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Zamboanga swimming vendors
Bienvenidos bonito, bonita! Quetal ustedes? Oh! Dispensa, my dear readers, pardon my Chavacano, I am still practicing the words I recently learned from our three-day trip to Zamboanga City. Why Zamboanga? Well, why not? Zamboanga is, for me, the most colorful province I have visited as I travel around the Philippines, contrary to the stereotype of other people relating Mindanao to terrorism and chaos. Zamboanga is a must-visit on your travel bucket list. As colorful as the vintas along the shores and as vibrant as its people, Zamboanga is really one of the best places to go to in Mindanao. Have you tried their “curacha” covered in aligue (crab fat) cooked in coconut sauce? Or their Tiyula Itum (braised beef or goat soup) which at first glance looks like dinuguan, but voila! it tastes like tinola and curry combined. Oh, I’m salivating now just thinking about it. If you haven’t tasted the food, then you’re missing a part of your life and I’m not exaggerating. Go! Book that plane or ship right now. I was not in Zamboanga for leisure, you silly! I was there to visit the newly opened “Tindahan sa Pantalan” put up by the Philippine Ports Authority, which changed the lives of the swimming vendors of Zamboanga City. Have you seen the episode of a popular Sunday TV magazine show that featured vendors jumping off a port and swimming over 500 meters to board ships to sell their products to passengers? These vendors risk their lives swimming close to a ship’s propeller, jumping off slippery spots on a ship, and risking death and drowning to make a sale and get through the day. We cannot blame them — they are just making a living. They have their own stories like they weren’t accepted for jobs requiring at least a college education. Some have children with special needs, while others lost their jobs during the pandemic, and with children in college, they decided to take the dangerous plunge to make less than P500 a day. And not all of them know how to swim so they hang on to plastic bags and float to the ships. Devastating and sad, right? That is why “Tindahan sa Pantalan” was created. It is the first-ever store at the port, initiated by PPA General Manager Jay Santiago four months ago after he saw videos of these poor vendors. A 200-square-meter area was developed into a safe commercial space with eight stalls where the vendors can sell their goods rent-free. The good news is that these vendors will no longer have to risk their lives out there in the vastness of the sea. They are starting new lives selling food, lutong ulam, and other products at the port. Life-changing and amazing. The once cat-and-mouse game between the PPA and these illegal vendors jumping off the port is now a united and organized effort to help the vendors who are thankful to the PPA they once hated. We need to listen not only to the voice from above but to the voices at the grassroots level. Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime. If the government can just provide the most needy people with the right opportunity and resources, I think there will be fewer poor families every day. We have a proposed P5.768-trillion national budget for 2024, and by the end of next year, the country’s debt is projected to climb to P15.8 trillion. We hope that ordinary people like these swimming vendors could also benefit from the trillions in the budget. Who should be taking the initiative to create opportunities for these poor vendors? Well, your guess is as good as mine. We need to act more than we talk. We need to know the problems and face them head-on because, folks, no matter how deep or shallow the water is we will both drown if simple things are not addressed properly…. because we are in the same vinta. Special thanks to Zamboanga Port Manager Arcidi Jumaani, Port Police Station commander Supt. Jef Hizolgon and the rest of Task Force Zamboanga for keeping us safe on our ride to Sta. Cruz Pink Island. To Ma’am Tash, Luz, Francisca, Mark, Abegail and others for giving us a taste of the best dishes in town and gifting us with colorful Mindanaoan fabric. The reason for this project, the vendors doing well now, should also be given a shout-out like Josephine, Darwisa and Kuya Wilfrido who gave me and my team a free bag of peanuts which they now sell in Tindahan sa Pantalan. Thank you very much for your kindness amid life’s challenges. You guys are amazing! Just keep swimming, I mean the idiom, not the old way! The post Zamboanga swimming vendors appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Phl ‘promise’ to tow away BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin, not under my Pa’s term – Ejercito
Senator Joseph Victor "JV" Ejercito on Thursday asserted that it was not his father, former President Joseph "Erap" Estrada, who allegedly promised China that the Philippines would remove the BRP Sierra Madre in the Ayungin Shoal. “It was former President Joseph Estrada who ordered that BRP Sierra Madre be placed in Ayungin Shoal in 1999 as a symbol of our sovereignty and to mark our territory,” Ejercito said in a statement. “I cannot recall such a commitment from the Philippine government to remove the Sierra Madre,” he added. Over the weekend, China claimed that the Philippines had promised to tow away the grounded BRP Sierra Madre at the Ayungin Shoal. "The Philippine side has repeatedly made clear promises to tow away the warship illegally 'stranded' on the reef," the Chinese Foreign Ministry said. Ayungin Shoal, also known as Second Thomas Shoal, is located 105 nautical miles west of Palawan and is part of the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone. In a separate statement, the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines further supports Beijing's claim that the Philippines promised to tow away the vessel several times. “For instance, in November 1999, the Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines met with Secretary of Foreign Affairs Domingo Siazon and Chief of the Presidential Management Staff Leonora de Jesus to make another round of representations. Many times the Philippines promised to tow away the vessel, but it has taken no action,” the embassy said. “In September 2003, upon the news that the Philippines was preparing to build facilities around that military vessel illegally run aground at Ren'ai Jiao, China lodged immediate representations. The Philippine Acting Secretary of Foreign Affairs Franklin Ebdalin responded that the Philippines had no intention to construct facilities on Ren'ai Jiao and that, as a signatory to the DOC, the Philippines had no desire to and would not be the first to violate the Declaration,” it added. On Wednesday, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. denied that the Philippine government made such a promise to China. “I’m not aware of any such arrangement or agreement that the Philippines will remove from its own territory its ship, in this case, the BRP Sierra Madre from the Ayungin Shoal,” Marcos said in a video message. He also asserted that he is rescinding any commitment should there be an agreement between the two countries to remove the vessel. "And let me go further, if there does exist such an agreement, I rescind that agreement now,” Marcos said. According to the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Philippines decided in 1999 to deploy the BRP Sierra Madre as a permanent station on Ayungin Shoal in response to China’s illegal occupation of Panganiban Reef in 1995. “The deployment of a Philippine military station in its own areas of jurisdiction is an inherent right of the Philippines and does not violate any laws,” it added. The agency also explained that the Philippine station on Ayungin Shoal was deployed in 1999, years ahead of the conclusion in 2002 of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea. “[It] is therefore not a violation of the DOC,” it pointed out. The DFA also reiterated that China Coast Guard’s actions on 5 August which includes the use of water cannon and dangerous maneuvers against Philippine vessels were in violation of the relevant provisions of the 1982 UNCLOS, the Award on the 2016 South China Sea Arbitration, the 1972 COLREGS, and the 2002 ASEAN-China DOC. “The 2016 Arbitral Award is based on UNCLOS and affirms UNCLOS. It is final, legal and binding,” the agency said. The post Phl ‘promise’ to tow away BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin, not under my Pa’s term – Ejercito appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»