Filipino-American chorale team-up bags silver in international choir competition
A duo between chorale groups of the Philippines and USA institutions was lauded with the Silver Award in the A Capella Category at the recently concluded Second Edition of the online international choir competition entitled INTERKULTUR Video Award 2020......»»
JFC bags highest rating for food safety, quality
Jollibee Foods Corp. received a seven-star rating for its best practices on Food Safety and Quality at the 9th International Best Practice Competition 2023, organized by the Center for Organizational Excellence Research, a global business excellence research and consultancy firm......»»
Stitched in time: Likhang Habi Market Fair returns to weave through cultures
The 13th edition of the annual Likhang HABI Market Fair, organized by HABI: The Philippine Textile Council, is set to take place from 13 to 15 October at the Glorietta and Palm Drive Activity Center. This celebration, themed “Web of Woven Wonders,” promotes the Philippines’ rich textile legacy while embracing technology. [caption id="attachment_186369" align="aligncenter" width="1418"] A MASTER weaver from the Tagolwanen Women Weavers Association Inc.[/caption] Tradition and innovation “Web of Woven Wonders” pays homage to the World Wide Web, symbolizing the interconnectedness of people, places and textiles. The community is brought together via traditional fabrics and inventive weaves, Adelaida Lim, the former president of HABI, stressed, demonstrating their diversity and expert craftsmanship. “The way textiles tie and bind us to each other,” Lim said. “The country’s traditional textiles and the innovative weaves various groups of Filipinos have come up with are truly wonderful,” she added. “The diversity and beauty of finished products, and the consummate skill it took to make them are something we can all be proud of!” Designer Len Cabili, a strong advocate for traditional textiles and the woman behind Filip+Inna, praised HABI’s efforts in “pushing weaving into the forefront of Philippine culture.” Cabili highlighted how these textiles are a profound expression of the country’s culture and a testament to the “true value of handcrafted textiles and the unique processes” of its artisans. Following the challenges posed by the pandemic, the fair will host an impressive 72 vendors, including Creative Definitions, Ditta Sandico, Gifts and Graces and Ruyag PH, who represent numerous regional and cultural groups around the Philippines. The vendors will display a wide array of hand-woven products, including textiles, ready-to-wear clothes, bags, shoes, home accessories and furniture made from materials like piña, abaca and cotton. This year’s fair will occupy a bigger area, extending from the Glorietta Activity Center to the area in front of Palm Drive, to accommodate the expanding number of attendees. The current president of HABI, Mia Villanueva, emphasized the growth in participants and the association with local government organizations to promote their goods. [gallery columns="2" size="full" ids="186371,186372"] Embracing global threads As the nation’s de facto textile council, HABI encourages cooperation not only within the Philippines but also the ASEAN neighborhood. Since ASEAN nations are seen as vital sources of inspiration and ideas rather than rivals, the exhibition encourages exhibitors from their nations. Local designers have more options to this collaborative approach, which also allows them to absorb international best practices and experiences. Likhang HABI Market Fair is the climax of the year-round work that HABI has been doing since its founding in 2009. The show, which is sponsored by Ayala Land and the Ayala Foundation, gathers the finest handcrafted textiles, generating respectable employment possibilities and boosting sales for weavers across the Philippines. The fair is more than just a place to sell things; it’s also an opportunity to learn. HABI’s efforts include making documentaries called “The Threaded Traditions Series” about textiles from Panay Island, the Cordillera’s ikat and the Bagobo Tagabawa’s inabal. They’ve also published a book called Piña Futures: Weaving Memories and Innovations by Dr. Randy M. Madrid, edited by Felice Prudente Sta. Maria, which celebrates and explains the Philippines’ rich hand-weaving tradition. Paul Jatayna, an artist, will present a textile display this year that will focus on fresh and imaginative uses of textiles in an effort to draw in a younger audience. Weaving a sustainable future For the purpose of recognizing and developing the craft of hand-weaving, the fair also holds two weaving competitions: the second Eloisa Hizon Gomez Abaca Weaving Competition and the sixth annual Lourdes Montinola Pia Weaving Competition. Such events not only honor the best weavings but also promote creativity and the return of lost styles and techniques. HABI sets its sights on sustaining and advancing heritage fabrics made of locally grown natural fibers. As the 13th Likhang HABI Market Fair draws near, it stands as a celebration of history and creativity and ensures that hand-weaving and its place in the Philippines’ cultural fabric have a bright future. The post Stitched in time: Likhang Habi Market Fair returns to weave through cultures appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Miss Universe has lifted age requirements
The reigning Miss Universe 2023, Fil-American R’Bonney Gabriel, made an important announcement during New York Fashion Week: The Miss Universe Organization is lifting age requirements. In a way, this is an issue that’s personal to Gabriel who competed when she was already 28. “A woman’s ability to compete at Miss Universe, or anything in life, shouldn’t be defined by her age. Age should just be a number,” she said in the pageant. This move aims to be more inclusive and open the pageant to a wider variety of women. In 2023, the organization lifted restrictions on those who are are married, divorced and pregnant. The owner of the Miss Universe Anne Jakkaphong Jakrajutatip is a transgender businesswoman. She is credited with allowing and introducing more inclusive measures in the pageant. The next Miss Universe competition will be held November of this year in El Salvador. The post Miss Universe has lifted age requirements appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Woody Allen says supports 'MeToo as 50th film shows at Venice
After a critical mauling for Roman Polanski, there was a warmer reception at the Venice Film Festival on Monday for another blacklisted director -- Woody Allen -- who insisted he supported the #MeToo movement "when it's beneficial". The festival also saw the dark side of Elvis Presley with Sofia Coppola's well-received biopic of the rocker's wife, "Priscilla". But there was particular adulation for Allen's 50th film, "Coup de Chance" ("Stroke of Luck"), underlining that he is now far more popular in Europe than the United States. His first movie entirely in French is a classic Allen morality tale about love, infidelity and murder. Most reviews called it his best work in a decade, following a weak run of films from the prolific director. "I thought to myself: it's my 50th film and I love Paris so much that I'll make it in French... And then I could think I'm a genuine European filmmaker," he told reporters. The 87-year-old has been shunned by Hollywood since the #MeToo movement emerged, due to allegations he molested his adopted daughter in the 1990s, which he says were fabricated by his ex-partner Mia Farrow. He told Variety that he backed #MeToo "where it does something positive. "I read instances where it's very beneficial... for women," he said, but added: "When it's silly, it's silly." Cancelled himself The festival has drawn flak for including Allen and Polanski, who has a child sex conviction and faces other unresolved assault allegations, in its out-of-competition section. Allen's film fared far better than Polanski's slapstick comedy "The Palace", which was torn to shreds by critics after its premiere on Saturday. Set in a fancy Swiss hotel at the turn of the century, and with jokes that include a dog humping a penguin, critics called "The Palace" a "laughless debacle" (Variety) and "soul-throttlingly crap" (The Telegraph). "It beggars belief, but, at the age of 90, Polanski may have actually cancelled himself with a film that will probably never see the light of day in any English-speaking countries," wrote Deadline. American myth Meanwhile, Priscilla Presley joined Coppola on the red carpet for the biopic of her life. There were strong reviews, though many said it made disturbing viewing, showing Elvis wooing a 14-year-old when he was 24 -- "an insecure narcissist fixated on a teenage girl and unwilling to allow his young wife any independence," according to The Independent. Priscilla herself told reporters "Sofia did an amazing job", but added: "It's very difficult to sit and watch a film about you, about your life and your love." She defended their relationship, saying they"never had sex" when they were first together during Elvis's military service in Germany. "He was very kind, very soft, very loving, but he also respected the fact that I was 14-years-old," she said. Coppola won the top prize Golden Lion in Venice in 2010 for "Somewhere" -- controversially awarded by her ex-boyfriend, Quentin Tarantino. Her new film stars Cailee Spaeny ("Mare of Easttown") as Priscilla, and Jacob Elordi, famous as the heartthrob in Netflix show "Euphoria", as the rock'n'roll legend. There are 23 films competing for the Golden Lion, to be announced on Saturday. Frontrunners include "Poor Things", with Emma Stone as a sexually voracious reanimated corpse, and "Maestro", in which Bradley Cooper transforms into legendary conductor and composer Leonard Bernstein. David Fincher's "The Killer", starring Michael Fassbender as a cold-blooded assassin losing control, and Michael Mann biopic "Ferrari", were also well-received by critics. Many of the stars have been unable to attend the festival due to strikes by Hollywood actors and writers, primarily over pay in the streaming era and the potential threat of AI. The post Woody Allen says supports #MeToo as 50th film shows at Venice appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
A lot of catching up to do
A disturbing trend at the close of the qualifying round of the ongoing FIBA World Cup in the host cities of Manila, Okinawa, and Jakarta saw Asian teams left to the mercy of traditional world powerhouses in basketball, having been relegated to the classification round of the 32-nation quadrennial event. The FIBA World Cup, a premier international basketball tournament, showcases the prowess of nations in the sport. In recent editions, however, a consistent trend has emerged where Asian teams, including the Philippines, found themselves relegated to the so-called consolation round, with none advancing to the second phase of the Round of 16. This phenomenon has ignited discussions about whether Asia, the world’s most populated region, is lagging behind its global counterparts in basketball. The best that the Philippines, Japan, Iran, Jordan, China and Lebanon could aspire to now is to top this round and earn a ticket to the 2024 Paris Olympics as the best-placed team from the region. While basketball has grown exponentially in Asia over the years, this historical disadvantage is not easily overcome. Skills development takes time, and it requires sustained efforts in coaching, talent identification, and grassroots programs. Nations with strong basketball traditions often boast of well-established leagues, state-of-the-art training facilities, and investment in coaching expertise. These conditions foster the growth of talent from a young age and create a competitive environment that nurtures skills development. Conversely, many Asian countries, while passionate about basketball, face challenges in terms of inadequate facilities, limited financial support, and lack of structured development pathways. This results in a smaller talent pool and limited opportunities for players to hone their skills against high-quality opposition. Without the necessary infrastructure and resources, it becomes challenging for Asian teams to compete at the same level as their global counterparts. The level of competition a team regularly faces has a profound impact on its development. Strong competition exposes players to different playing styles, strategies, and skill sets, ultimately contributing to their growth. Many Asian countries struggle to consistently engage in high-intensity international matches due to the regional distribution of basketball prowess. In contrast, European and American teams often benefit from participating in competitive leagues and tournaments, where they face off against other basketball powerhouses. This exposure enhances their ability to adapt to different game scenarios and raises the overall skill level of their players. For Asian teams, limited exposure to high-level competition hinders their ability to refine their gameplay and compete effectively on the global stage. Gilas Pilipinas, for one, was hounded by player availability issues, not to mention injuries in its build-up to the World Cup. A young team composed of the best talents outside of the Philippine Basketball Association was once formed and earned accolades even from the harshest of critics as the young guns turned the tables twice on a South Korean squad in the qualifiers. The youthful squad would have by now made an impact in the World Cup, but sadly, poaching by other Asian leagues of its members has decimated Gilas Pilipinas, leaving the coaching staff no choice but to turn to Philippine Basketball Association players to shore up its bid. While it is evident that Asian teams, including the Philippines, have struggled to advance beyond the qualification round in the FIBA World Cup, attributing this solely to a deficiency in skill, however, would be unfair and simplistic. Historical context, infrastructure, competition levels, and cultural factors all contribute to the performance disparity. Add to this size, which Asians do not have in a sport that requires a lot of it. Rather than viewing Asia as lagging behind its global counterparts, it is more constructive probably to recognize the progress that has been made and the challenges that persist. Asian countries are working tirelessly to bridge the gap, investing in grassroots programs, coaching education, and infrastructure development. As these efforts bear fruit over time, we may witness a more competitive landscape in international basketball, where Asian teams can compete on a more level playing court. The post A lot of catching up to do appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Colombia extradites celebrity designer to US over illegal leathers
Colombia has extradited to the United States a celebrity fashion designer wanted for the alleged smuggling of protected animal skin purses, police in the South American country said Wednesday. Nancy Gonzalez's purses, clutches, and wallets sell for thousands of US dollars apiece, have appeared on catwalks and TV shows, and grace the shelves of high-end shops around the globe. But the Colombian, 78, was arrested in July 2022 in the city of Cali on accusations related to more than 200 of the caiman- and python-skin products that were allegedly imported illegally and sold in the United States. Individuals were allegedly paid to bring the bags from Colombia to New York on commercial flights and coached to lie about the provenance of the goods if asked. Some of the skins were allegedly from species that were either protected or in danger of extinction, police official Jose Luis Ramirez said in a video sent to media. Gonzalez was sent to the United States along with her business partner Diego Mauricio Rodriguez, the police said, without specifying when. The pair are wanted in the Southern District of Florida. She risks a 25-year prison term. According to her website, Gonzalez's bags are handcrafted in her native Cali by a team of artisans. The site says her bags are sold at over 300 luxury retailers, including Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Harrod’s, and Tsum. Her designs were also featured in an exhibition by the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. Among Gonzalez's famous clients are Salma Hayek, Britney Spears, and Victoria Beckham. The post Colombia extradites celebrity designer to US over illegal leathers appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
A morning stroll around Tuguegarao
Tuguegarao’s market, the hub of commerce for the capital city and nearby towns in the province of Cagayan, northern Luzon, is a quintessential site in provincial commercial centers with vendors preparing their produce and products to be sold for the day. Bags of pansit and bean sprouts were being unloaded for pansiterias to cook the city’s famous noodle dish, pansit batil potun, widely known as pansit batil patong, while early marketgoers visited the local karinderyas serving dishes such as igado and dinardaraan. An ambulant street-side stall sold meryenda or even breakfast fares best served with coffee — puto, suman, cassava cake, and the made-to-order bibingka of many kinds. [caption id="attachment_176530" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Horno ruins (Photo by Edgar Allan M. Sembrano)[/caption] All activities radiated from the multi-level market which spans one block, a landmark to behold not architecturally but for the space it occupies and the important function it and its immediate areas serve to the community. After all, Tuguegarao is still “the best pueblo for commerce in the valley,” as noted in the early 20th century by Dominican priest Valentin Marin. At the city center, there are quite a number of wooden and mid-20th century bahay na bato which breaks the monotony of the modern concrete structures. Of course, Tuguegarao is known for the San Pedro Cathedral, the seat of the Archdiocese of Tuguegarao, and the much smaller Ermita de Piedra de San Jacinto, both made of bricks and built by the Dominicans during the Spanish colonial period. [caption id="attachment_176532" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Our Lady of Chartres Chapel (Photo by Edgar Allan M. Sembrano)[/caption] The Tuguegarao Cathedral was built from 1761 to 1766 by Fr. Antonio Lobato de Santo Tomas who also built the convent, belfry, a famed bridge, large lime-and-brick kilns, and the 25 parallel streets crisscrossed with the same number of streets forming a grid pattern. The same priest also contributed to the literary scene in the region with his Ibanag-Spanish dictionary, Ibanag grammar, and Ibanag devotional treatises. Cagayan is home to the Ibanag people as well as other ethnic groups such as the Itawes and the Ilocano. The San Jacinto chapel meanwhile was built in 1724, making it 'the oldest' structure in Tuguegarao. It still has its original wooden retablo and an iron fence installed in 1890 by Fr. Romulado Aguado, Tuguegarao’s parish priest that year. It is located east of the Colegio de San Jacinto, now the campus of the St. Paul University Philippines, originally the Colegio de San Pablo founded in 1907 by the Sisters of St. Paul of Chartres. [caption id="attachment_176531" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Old building at USL (Photo by Edgar Allan M. Sembrano)[/caption] It was in 1934 that the school transferred to the site of the Colegio de San Jacinto from the Cathedral’s convent following their purchase of the colegio’s property. The colegio was located west of the chapel, the area of which is now part of College Avenue and the SPUP campus. That colegio originally served as the Colegio de Santa Imelda, an all-girls school which operated from 1892 to 1898 and was later converted into the Colegio de San Jacinto, a school for boys from 1901 to 1932. The girl’s college building was erected in 1890 under the direction of Fr. Dionisio Casas, the Dominican Provincial Vicar of that time with plans drawn by a certain Fr. Bruges and funds from the Dominican Province of the Holy Rosary. The front façade measures 75 meters while the side facades of the E-shaped edifice measures 25 meters each. The building is 17 meters wide and 10 meters high. It was of the bahay na bato style where the first level was made from stone and second level of wood. The project cost P75,000. Apart from the school building, then the biggest in the province, there used to be a separate wooden house in the area for the use of the Father Vicar. Both buildings no longer exist today. At present, the SPUP with its sprawling campus is host to many buildings including the impressive Gothic —inspired Our Lady of Chartres Chapel built in the second half the 20th century. During the Spanish colonial period, Tuguegarao was noted to have a carcel (jail), casa tribunal (court house), and schools, all of excellent construction. Today, the jail and courthouse house the Cagayan Museum and Historical Research Center which is at present being renovated. In front of this complex is the Rizal Park with the Rizal Monument. Rizal’s monument replaced that of Fr. Lobato de Santo Tomas in 1918. [caption id="attachment_176529" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Fr. Theophiel Verbist monument (Photo by Edgar Allan M. Sembrano)[/caption] Fronting Rizal Park is the old government center of Tuguegarao, now the Tuguegarao East Central School with the American-era municipio reused as one of the buildings of the school. Few blocks from Tuguegarao’s plaza complex are two brick hornos separated by a covered basketball court. Tuguegarao’s other horno is located in the same village (Barangay Centro 9) at the edge of the Pinacanauan River. These kilns produced lime and bricks for the construction of the city’s Spanish colonial buildings such as the church complex and the cemetery portal, walls and chapel. [caption id="attachment_176527" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Cagayan High School (Photo by Edgar Allan M. Sembrano)[/caption] During the American period, public buildings such as schools were also built. These include the Gabaldon-style Cagayan High School Building and the Cagayan Valley College of Arts and Trades. The Cagayan High School Building still exists to this day while the campus of the Cagayan college which is located in front of the former is now the Cagayan State University after its merger with the Northern Luzon College of Agriculture in 1972 through Presidential Decree 1436. The CSU campus now houses a number of overly decorated buildings, perhaps it most unique feature. [caption id="attachment_176528" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Ermita de San Jacinto (Photo by Edgar Allan M. Sembrano)[/caption] Also during the American colonial period, Dutch Congregation of the Immaculate Heart of Mary priest Msgr. Constant Jurgens founded a school for boys named Cagayan Valley Atheneum inside the Tuguegarao Church complex. This school existed from 1938 to 1946 but it was destroyed during World War II. After the war, it was taken over by the Jesuits and renamed Ateneo de Tuguegarao which operated until 1962. In 1965, it became the Saint Louis College of Tuguegarao under the CICM priests and in 2002, University of Saint Louis Tuguegarao. The university’s campus, located on Arellano, Mabini and Lecaros streets, still has its mid-20th century, U-shaped wooden building and features a number of monuments including those of St. Louis Gonzaga, USL’s patron saint; two for Fr. Theophile Verbist, CICM founder; and the gigantic Good Shepherd at the facade of the Good Shepherd Chapel. Exiting through the schools main campus to Lecaros Street, one is greeted by the Bayani Hall Lecaros, the city’s first condominium building, adding another layer to the city’s history. These layers define what is Tuguegarao now, a bustling commercial center, showing glimpses of its storied past of its peoples. The post A morning stroll around Tuguegarao appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Conflict’s dark realm
The unseen struggle behind the seething conflict in the West Philippine Sea may be more intense than what has been playing out daily in the open, as recounted by global media. Jamestown Foundation, a Washington-based adviser to US policymakers, has identified several groups in the Philippines conducting so-called foreign influence operations, or FIOs, which it identified as groups that have direct lines to the hierarchy of the Communist Party of the People’s Republic of China, or PRC. The conservative think tank, which is often consulted on the sea conflict said an aspect of “PRC statecraft that has garnered comparatively less attention, is the use of covert, coercive and corrupting practices to distort the national Filipino debate on sovereign competition in the (West Philippine Sea, or WPS).” The report stated that the policy falls under the ambit of the Chinese government’s United Front Work Department, or UFWD, which “squares clearly with the ruling Chinese Communist Party’s, or CCP, general emphasis on achieving information dominance.” The function of the UFWD overlaps and interlinks with the intelligence community. It also works closely with the CCP International Liaison Department and the Central Propaganda Department in promoting “political influence inside and outside of the PRC.” The body is on top of an elaborate network of proxies and front organizations “to reward, intimidate, surveil and ‘positively’ influence the overseas Chinese community as well as foreign academic institutions, political parties, and other influential bodies and personalities.” According to the report, the overarching goal is to win the hearts and minds of “targeted entities and unite them in supporting the Communist Party’s goals while neutralizing critics.” It revealed that the UFWD’s battle cry, “To rally our true friends to attack our true enemies,” came directly from China’s Great Leader Mao Zedong, and President Xi Jinping has himself referred to united front work as an “important magic weapon to win the cause of revolution, construction, and reform, and also realize the greatness of the Chinese nation.” The bulk of the foreign influence operations is now focused on the Philippines amid the heightened rift in the WPS. Based on the report, China’s United Front Work has three broad goals: 1) Sow discord in domestic Philippine politics to encourage the population to focus on internal conflict and tensions rather than on China as a main threat; 2) Weaken the US-Philippine defense alliance and promote a pro-PRC government in Manila, and; 3) Shape Philippine public opinion in support of Beijing’s claims in the South China Sea. The report admitted that much remains unknown about the overall bureaucracy of the UFWD in the Philippines, but its affiliated groups are present and active in the country. The Jamestown Foundation said that UFWD proxies have a specific remit to coopt influential Filipinos and “Chinoy” or Chinese-Filipino community members into backing the PRC’s position on regional affairs. “Concerning the South China Sea, the department focuses on manipulating businessmen, civic leaders, academics, journalists, and politicians to act as pliable conduits for promoting and endorsing Beijing’s presence in this littoral area,” the report said. On the American interest in the covert operations of Beijing, it indicated that an uptick in such operations in the Philippines is of immediate concern “given its sensitivity to any Chinese endeavor that could endanger freedom of navigation in the South China Sea.” The report urged Washington to develop and prioritize proactive initiatives to help Manila identify and counter foreign interference that China is specifically using to expand and entrench its littoral presence around the archipelago’s northwestern waters. An active role by the US in the “development of a robust and resilient counter interference network in the Philippines would not only assist in stemming Chinese territorial adventurism in the WPS but in doing so would also contribute to weakening the Chinese Communist Party’s drive to recalibrate Asia’s power structure in Beijing’s favor,” the report noted. The battle for the minds would thereon be expected to be fiercer than what transpires on the disputed waters. For Filipinos, vigilance and discernment to separate lies from the truth are essential. The post Conflict’s dark realm appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Vu claims 2nd major, world top ranking; Schofill bags US Women s Am
Lilia Vu closed out the major season the way she opened it — on top of the heap — as she claimed the AIG Women’s Open championship in runaway fashion to become the first American to win two majors in a year since 1999......»»
Lotilla: Regulators easing power rates
Government regulators are thoroughly reviewing existing power supply contracts to amend provisions that would help lower electricity prices, especially in off-grid areas where consumers have been reeling from spiking power rates. “We can assure our consumers that the Energy Regulatory Commission is reviewing all the power supply contracts as well as the policies that we have to lay down to bring down the rates,” Energy Secretary Raphael Perpetuo Lotilla said in an interview on Straight Talk, the online show of Daily Tribune. He said: “We have made the policy decision not to subsidize electricity. So we cannot just tell the distributor or even our people that prices are going to drastically go down. We are still dependent on imported fuel.” The Department of Energy, he said, is carefully studying Republic Act 9136, the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001, or EPIRA, to ensure that the more than two-decades-old law can keep up with the changing energy landscape while upholding the interest of the consumers. Energy mix Lotilla said the EPIRA amendments can be related to the ERC’s powers and the penalties it may impose and the Philippine Competition Commission’s powers relative to the energy sector. “It’s important to clarify where the lines of defense lie. The first line of defense is with the electric cooperative itself and therefore as consumers and members of the electric cooperative, our consumers must take an active role in the management of the electric cooperatives,” he said. The EPIRA, passed during the time of former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, mandates ERC and PCC to promote competition, encourage market development, ensure consumer choice, and penalize abuse of market power in the restructured electricity industry. The law also promotes competition by creating a level playing field, among other things, in the competitive retail electricity market. The government has been exploring ways to lower the prices of power in the provinces, which are mostly controlled by electric cooperatives. One of the solutions that has been on the table is the development of nuclear power, particularly the potential deployment of small modular reactors or SMRs on small islands that are not yet connected to the main grid. Early this week, Manila Electric Co., or Meralco, the country’s largest power distributor, signified its plan to tap an American partner to jointly explore the country’s potential to develop nuclear energy as a viable power source. Meralco chairman and chief executive officer Manuel V. Pangilinan, in an interview with reporters, said the company recently signed a non-disclosure agreement with an American firm with expertise in nuclear development. However, Pangilinan noted that since nuclear energy requires a new technology, it would be “at least five years away from commercial production.” Last year, Meralco sought a United States Trade and Development Agency grant to generate additional funding to bankroll a feasibility study on nuclear energy. The government has been supportive of the exploration of nuclear power as an energy source in line with the global push to reduce fossil fuel use due to its hazardous carbon emissions. According to Lotilla, the government would need the support of Congress to ratify a law that would help jumpstart the integration of nuclear power into the country’s energy mix. Pending the passage of the law, the DoE and all other government agencies concerned are actively looking for possible sites where a nuclear power plant can be built, he added. The post Lotilla: Regulators easing power rates appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Global wearable firm moves to Vietnam
The government should work harder in pursuing a free trade agreement, or FTA, with the European Union, or else the wearables sector will be “collateral damage” in the tough competition against ASEAN neighbors. This is after the Confederation of Wearable Exporters of the Philippines or CONWEP executive director Maria Teresita Jocson-Agoncillo revealed that a global brand has already folded and packed things up to transfer to Vietnam. “It is because Vietnam has an FTA with the European Union. They enjoy zero tariffs because their exports are Europe bound. Here, they are paying 12 percent duties,” Jocson-Agoncillo said on the sidelines of the EU-Phl FTA press briefing on Tuesday at the Board of Investments. Asked for the name of the brand, the CONWEP executive did not divulge the brand, as she is a signatory of a non-disclosure agreement with the said brand. Aside from not having an FTA with the EU, workers in ASEAN competitors, such as Vietnam and Cambodia, have significantly low wages compared to the Philippines. Double-digit declines Further, Jocson-Agoncillo said their industry has experienced double-digit declines in 2022. “There are three reasons, the market, the global market, is slowing down. After the surge last year, I’m really getting fewer orders. We’re getting to be very uncompetitive. We just had a recent wage hike. So, there’s another one coming our way. Compared to Cambodia, and Vietnam, we’re reaching $8 minimum wage already. My competitors are at six and seven dollars a day. I have another wage hike coming,” she told reporters. On Tuesday, Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual said his department will make sure that the EU-PHL FTA will be realized under the term of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Benefits of EU-FTA Further, Jocson-Agoncillo said an increase of 300 percent in their exports is expected if the proposed free trade agreement with the EU is realized in the coming years, which can be leveled with the exports they are making to the United States. “We’re doing $200 million now for the European market. So easily, we can move forward to $600 million in the first two years. It can push on to a $800 million to $1 billion performance per year, the fourth or fifth year of implementation of the EU-FTA. I am now at $900 million for the US,” she said. Further, Jocson-Agoncillo stressed that export expansion would also result in more jobs for Filipinos in factories that produce wearables, namely clothing, footwear, textile and bags. “We can create about 120,000 to 250,000 new jobs,” she said. Aside from garments and wearables, BoI managing head Ceferino Rodolfo said other export products that would benefit are in the sector of agriculture. “Of course, there are also other sectors, in particular in the agricultural sector. If you look at the value profile of most advanced economies, the highly protected sectors would be the resource base. So, in particular agriculture, and then the garments are highly protected,” Rodolfo said. The post Global wearable firm moves to Vietnam appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Bretman Rock, Maricel Soriano, Anne Curtis, Gloria Diaz guest judge sa ‘Drag Race PH’ season 2
NI-REVEAL na ng reality competition na “Drag Race Philippines” ang guest judges para sa season 2! Kabilang na riyan ang Filipino-American internet star na si Bretman Rock, tinaguriang Diamond star na si Maricel Soriano, Kapamilya TV host-actress na si Anne Curtis at ang batikang aktres na si Gloria Diaz. Bukod sa kanila, magiging hurado rin […] The post Bretman Rock, Maricel Soriano, Anne Curtis, Gloria Diaz guest judge sa ‘Drag Race PH’ season 2 appeared first on Bandera......»»
Wonder women
It’s been a special week for Filipina athletes. The Blu Girls made a strong run in the XVII Women’s Softball World Cup while the Filipinas posted a historic triumph in the FIFA Women’s World Cup. Oft-ignored in a country that is crazy over basketball, boxing, and volleyball, the Filipina clouters opened their campaign with three straight losses to Canada, Japan and Venezuela before finally winning over New Zealand and Italy to gain a slight chance of barging into the final round. But in a battle of survival, the Blu Girls fell short. The scores were tied at 5 in the fourth inning when Italy surged again by sending Alessandra Rotondo home. The Blu Girls tried to launch a final attempt to retake the lead but Cristy Joy Roa was struck out by the airtight Italian defense. The Blu Girls missed a chance to vie in the finals next year as they ended their campaign in fourth place with a 2-4 win-loss card. Still, it was a solid performance considering the high level of competition at this prestigious event held at the Campo Comunale da Softball in Castions di Strada, Italy. Around 18,000 kilometers from Italy, the Filipinas were making the country proud in the FIFA Women’s World Cup. Sarina Bolden, a 27-year-old daughter of an American father and a Filipino mother from California, soared high to connect a header right into the heart of the Kiwi defense that served as the country’s first-ever goal in the World Cup. Then, another Filipino-American in Olivia McDaniel repeatedly extinguished numerous Kiwi attacks to preserve the victory that shook the entire football world to its very foundation. Although international media had put an asterisk on the victory for having all but one foreign-born player in the 24-woman roster, the fact remains that they wouldn’t be donning the national colors in the biggest, grandest stage of football in the world if they were not emotionally attached to their homeland. Bolden put it nicely. Being part of the Filipinas is their only way to reconnect with their roots. It is their way to pay homage to their Filipino ancestors who molded them into what they are right now. The success of the women should serve as a challenge to the men. Gilas Pilipinas is also competing in a world-class event — the FIBA Basketball World Cup. But it is facing the huge challenge of forming a solid team with barely a month before the prestigious 32-nation event kicks off on 25 August. Injuries have hampered the formation of the Gilas squad. Gilas coach Chot Reyes had yet to set up the team when Carl Tamayo withdrew, saying that he needed to rest following a grueling campaign in Japan. Then, the injury bug hounded the team with RR Pogoy, Ray Parks and Calvin Oftana all failing to join the first training camp at Inspire Sports Academy in Laguna due to various ailments. Gilas left for Europe with an incomplete roster. But before they could go home, Scottie Thompson crashed with a finger injury, raising fears that he would no longer be available for the biggest basketball showpiece in the world. Worse, Gilas’s biggest marquee players — Jordan Clarkson and Kai Sotto — have yet to see a single minute of playing time with their Gilas teammates. Clarkson was supposed to arrive six weeks before the World Cup. But his negotiations with the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas stalled until he finally agreed to show up on 6 August, barely three weeks before the competition. Sotto, for his part, has a different story. After joining the National Basketball Association Summer League, the 7-foot-3 slotman flew to Manila, not to join Gilas, but to rest and recover from the back injury that he suffered in the United States. It took a week before he finally signed with Gilas, but there’s still no clarity as to when he will formally join the training. As of Saturday, Sotto, idolized by millions of Filipinos for being their brightest hope to represent them in the NBA, has yet to see a single second on the floor with the national team. With the way things are going, it seems that the country’s hosting of the World Cup is a disaster waiting to happen. The best players in the world are all set to compete but the Filipino “superstars” appear to be finding a lot of excuses to shun the huge responsibility of representing the country. Gilas should be inspired by the feats of the Blu Girls and the Filipinas. In a nation where softball and football fans are in the minority, these wonder women overcame great adversities and made great sacrifices just to play their hearts out and bring pride and glory to the country. Never mind if they can’t speak fluent Filipino or are being bashed for being the “Team B” of the United States. The mere fact that they are playing in a world-class event with the Philippine flag on their chests without conditions, without excuses is already a testament to their patriotism and burning desire to make the country proud. Indeed, strong women will always be men’s secret weapons. The post Wonder women appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Ex-NBA All-Star Kemba Walker signs for Monaco
Former NBA All-Star guard Kemba Walker signed for next season with Monaco on Friday. A four-time All-Star between 2017 and 2020, Walker is one of the highest profile signings in the history of the French league. He was drafted by the Charlotte Hornets where he played for eight seasons before leaving in 2019, before spending two seasons at the Boston Celtics, then a season at the New York Knicks. Last season, the 33-year-old played just nine games with the Dallas Mavericks, who signed him as a free agent in November before cutting him in January. The experienced Walker played 750 NBA games during his career and is the all-time leading scorer for the Hornets. Monaco hope Walker he will line up alongside influential American guard Mike James, who joined in July 2021 and still has a season left on his contract in the Principality. Walker is the fourth signing by the reigning French champions as they attempt to improve on their third-place finish in the Euroleague -- Europe's top club competition -- last season. French internationals Terry Tarpey, Mam Jaiteh and Petr Cornelie have also been recruited. Monaco also confirmed the one-season extension of the contract of Lithuanian centre Donatas Motiejunas, 32. The post Ex-NBA All-Star Kemba Walker signs for Monaco appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Puregold bags gold award for social media campaign
Puregold’s first-ever TikTok series in the Philippines, “52 Weeks,” recently won the gold prize in the Best Social Media Campaign category of Hashtag Asia Awards, a competition that aims to recognize the outstanding work that companies and project teams have displayed in the field of online advertising......»»
Lionel Messi signs contract with Inter Miami through 2025
Argentine superstar Lionel Messi has signed a contract until 2025 with Inter Miami, the Major League Soccer team announced on Saturday. The 36-year-old striker who sparked Argentina to a World Cup title last year in Qatar, is set to be unveiled by the team in a Sunday ceremony and expected to join Inter Miami on the pitch as early as Friday. "I'm very excited to start this next step in my career with Inter Miami and in the United States," Messi, who moves from Paris Saint-Germain, said in a statement. The seven-time Ballon d'Or winner's arrival in Miami has already caused a sensation and is expected to spark greater interest in the game and MLS across the United States. It's also hoped he'll revive the fortunes of a Miami squad at the bottom of the MLS Eastern Conference at 5-13 with three drawn. "This is a fantastic opportunity and together we will continue to build this beautiful project," Messi said. "The idea is to work together to achieve the objectives we set and I'm very eager to start helping here in my new home." Messi's debut match is planned for Friday when Inter Miami will host Cruz Azul in the Leagues Cup, a revamped competition between MLS and Mexican league squads. It's the biggest boost for the North American league since English star David Beckham, now a co-owner of Inter Miami, joined the Los Angeles Galaxy in 2007. He launched the MLS Miami squad in 2020 after years of trying to find a stadium site. "Ten years ago, when I started my journey to build a new team in Miami, I said that I dreamt of bringing the greatest players in the world to this amazing city, players who shared the ambition I had when I joined LA Galaxy to help grow football in the USA and to build a legacy for the next generation in this sport that we love so much," Beckham said in a statement. "Today that dream came true. "I couldn't be prouder that a player of Leo's caliber is joining our club, but I am also delighted to welcome a good friend, an amazing person, and his beautiful family to join our Inter Miami community. "The next phase of our adventure starts here and I can't wait to see Leo take to the pitch." World's greatest Inter Miami head coach Gerardo "Tata" Martino has managed Messi in two separate prior stints –- with FC Barcelona in the 2013-14 campaign, winning the 2013 Spanish SuperCup, and from 2014-2016 with the Argentine national team. Messi captained the Albiceleste to victory at the 2021 Copa America as well as the Qatar World Cup and has 103 goals in 175 appearances for Argentina. "We're overjoyed that the greatest player in the world chose Inter Miami and Major League Soccer," MLS commissioner Don Garber said. "His decision is a testament to the momentum and energy behind our league and our sport in North America. We have no doubt that Lionel will show the world that MLS can be a league of choice for the best players in the game." Messi is set for a glitzy arrival ceremony on Sunday at "The Unveil" with 18,000 expected to watch his first public event with his new club, followed by his first news conference with Inter on Monday and first training session with the club on Tuesday. "I'm honored to welcome Leo Messi and his family to their new home," Inter Miami managing owner Jorge Mas said. "We made a promise to build an ambitious club that would attract the world's elite players... a heartfelt thank you to our fans that never stopped believing. Together we will continue to turn dreams into reality." The post Lionel Messi signs contract with Inter Miami through 2025 appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
NBA star Curry makes hole-in-one at celebrity golf event
NBA superstar Stephen Curry made a hole-in-one on Saturday in the second round of a celebrity golf tournament and ran to the green in celebration of the feat. Curry, a four-time NBA champion guard for the Golden State Warriors, is known as an avid golfer, having even played in a 2017 developmental tour event. The two-time NBA scoring champion and two-time NBA Most Valuable Player made his ace at the par-3 seventh hole at the American Century Championship at Edgewood Tahoe South Course in Stateline, Nevada. Curry's tee shot took one bounce and went into the hole, prompting a cheer from the crowd. Curry began running to the green, taking off his cap and waving a "No. 1" right finger into the air. He raised both arms, threw the glove off his left hand to the fans, and leaped into the air as he reached the green. After that, he smacked the flagstick with his left hand, ran around the entire green, and finally fell back onto the ground under the shade of a tree with a huge smile on his face. "That was 140 yards and not 94 feet," Curry said, comparing the length of the hole to that of an NBA court. "But wow. Wow. I'll be out of breath for the rest of the day -- for a good reason, though." Curry, who began golfing at age 10, had made only one prior ace. "That was my second one ever," Curry said. "I'm locked in right down, but to do it on this hole is unbelievable. Wow. Wow." The ace gave him 43 points in the three-day celebrity competition, stretching his lead over US tennis player Mardy Fish. The post NBA star Curry makes hole-in-one at celebrity golf event appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Look to Japan
Largely ignorant sniping seems to be the favored pastime of those reluctant to go along with Mr. Marcos Jr.’s re-warming of our relations with the United States. Often framed as risking a fatal nuclear apocalypse if the US-China rivalry comes to a head, the sniping is obviously meant to scare the gullible. Of the more recent sniping, notable was Mr. Rodrigo Duterte’s warning two weeks ago that the Philippines could be drawn into a “Third World War” if more Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement or EDCA sites were built in the country. Right after, Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Juan Ponce Enrile advised “pontificating” conservative critics to first do their homework before whipping up public outrage. Mr. Enrile didn’t name anyone in particular. But he was obviously disgusted with the political framing of Mr. Marcos Jr.’s notable move of making it easier for the United States to maintain a presence in the country. We, of course, do know where the “pontificating” ex-Philippine leader and his cohorts are coming from. We can ascribe their anxieties to what geopolitical analysts often tell us about smaller states aligned with more powerful hegemons — smaller states face the vexing dilemma of entrapment in conflicts they do not seek when moving too close to a larger power. Such an entrapment predicament — observed long ago by ancient Greek historian Thucydides — was what drove Mr. Duterte, under the guise of neutrality, to keep his distance from the US and experiment with embracing China. But the ex-leader’s experiment, as we all know by now, backfired badly, forcing him near the end of his term — after years of avoiding “entrapment” in US strategies containing China — to reaffirm the country’s long-standing defense alliance with the United States. This is largely because hegemonic China had openly demonstrated our country’s inability to stop its illegal incursions in the West Philippine Sea. In a sense then, Mr. Marcos Jr. is merely restating his predecessor’s belated realization that the challenge posed by China can only be blunted by reaffirming the Philippine-US alliance. Of course, Mr. Marcos Jr.’s embracing tighter security cooperation with the US means he has accepted the risk of entrapment in Asian conflicts that this entails. But to see Mr. Marcos Jr.’s renewing the Philippine-US alliance merely as reluctant hedging against China or as caving to American pressure is geopolitically naïve. In fact, the warming of the Philippine-US alliance can be said to be less about the US, but more about another regional powerhouse most concerned with China — Japan. Japan, as we know, presently has the strongest alliance with the US in the Asian region and has a strong, albeit quiet, influence on Philippine affairs. Yet, far too often, Japan is mistakenly seen as an adjunct to American geopolitical strategies when, in fact, Japan is at the forefront, more than the Americans, of confronting the challenge of China. As American Japanologist Michael J. Green put it, “At the time when the US was just beginning to debate a long-term strategy for competition with China, Japan had already defined its own.” “Japan has arguably the clearest conceptualization, consensus, and implementation of a grand strategy of any of the democracies confronting Chinese hegemonic ambitions in the Indo-Pacific,” Green said. The architect of such a grand strategy was the late Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzo, whose vision provided solutions on how best to make use of a strategic alliance with a hesitant US to outflank China. In fact, the often cited strategic framework in current geopolitical circles of a “free and open Indo-Pacific” was Abe’s catchphrase, which US President Joe Biden recently fully embraced, as well as Abe’s original idea of the Quad, the Japan-US-Australia-India partnership. In short, for our own purposes of moving forward with the renewed Philippine-US alliance, it means lessening our fixation with the US and studying more closely Japan’s unique proactive efforts vis-à-vis the US and China. *** Email: nevqjr@yahoo.com.ph The post Look to Japan appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
New ‘Indiana Jones’ tops North America box office despite tepid debut
The latest -- and likely last -- installment in the popular "Indiana Jones" franchise lassoed the competition at the North American box office, industry estimates showed Sunday, but analysts noted the weak debut for the fan favorite. "Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny," starring Harrison Ford in the role of the archeologist he first made famous more than 40 years ago, earned about $60 million, according to Exhibitor Relations. With that, Indy booted animated sequel "Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse" from the top spot, but analysts said it was a weak start for the fifth Indiana Jones movie. "Audience ratings are good, while critics' reviews are lukewarm," said David A. Gross of Franchise Entertainment Research. Gross noted the Disney film is believed to have cost a whopping $295 million to make before marketing, but added that it was likely to make up ground overseas, where it opened with $70 million in sales. "Across the Spider-Verse," the second installment in Sony's inventive animated take on the web-slinging superhero, brought in $11.5 million for second place, bringing its domestic total to nearly $340 million. Pixar's animated immigrant fable "Elemental," which was bumped from second to third place, raked in $11.3 million. Also from Sony, "No Hard Feelings" -- a throwback to the once-ubiquitous raunchy comedy genre, starring Oscar winner Jennifer Lawrence -- brought in $7.5 million for fourth place. "Transformers: Rise of the Beasts," one of the many spin-offs and sequels dominating theaters this summer, brought in $7 million for fifth place. "Ruby Gillman: Teenage Kraken" debuted this weekend in sixth place, bringing in what Gross called a "weak" $5.2 million. The animated offering from Universal's Dreamworks follows a shy teenager who discovers she is a descendant of the titular mythic sea creatures. Rounding out the top 10 were "The Little Mermaid" ($5.15 million), "The Flash" ($5 million), "Asteroid City" ($3.8 million), and "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3" ($1.8 million). The post New ‘Indiana Jones’ tops North America box office despite tepid debut appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Diamonds are for now: Botswana reach new deal with De Beers
Botswana has reached an eleventh-hour deal with diamond giant De Beers after months of tense negotiations that saw the continent's top producer threatening to cut ties with the storied company. The Botswana government and Anglo-American, the majority owner of De Beers, have reached an "agreement in principle", the two sides said in a statement issued late Friday. The agreement provides for a new 10-year agreement to sell the rough diamonds produced by Debswana -- a joint venture equally owned by the government and De Beers -- and a 25-year extension of its mining licenses. The agreement also gives Botswana an increased 30 percent of diamond production for sale via the state-owned Okavango Diamond Company, progressively increasing to 50 percent in the final year of the contract, De Beers said in a separate statement on Saturday. No value was given for the agreement. The previous 2011 sale agreement between the southern African country, one of the continent's richest, and the world's largest diamond company by value, was extended exceptionally until June 30, 2023, due to the coronavirus pandemic. Under terms negotiated by the two sides in 2011, De Beers received 90 percent of the rough diamonds mined, while Botswana had 10 percent to sell itself. In 2020, Botswana's share was hiked to 25 percent. President Mokgweetsi Masisi had threatened to cut ties with the company if the latest talks proved unfavourable for his country. "If we don't achieve a win-win situation each party will have to pack its bags and go," he said in February. The country turned up the heat the following month by announcing it would soon conclude an agreement to take a 24 percent stake in the Belgian diamond manufacturer HB Antwerp. Last year, De Beers obtained about 70 percent of its rough diamonds from Botswana. Diamond mining accounts for a third of the landlocked country's GDP. str-cld/pvh/jj © Agence France-Presse The post Diamonds are for now: Botswana reach new deal with De Beers appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»