Lakers complete season sweep of Wolves; Blazers storm back vs Pelicans
Following a seesaw battle in the three periods that saw the Wolves lead by as much as seven, the Lakers went on a run to enter the fourth quarter ahead, 102-94......»»
Blazers back on trail, edge Altas
College of St. Benilde outlasted University of Perpetual Help, 86-80, on Tuesday to register its first streak of the year and reposition itself in title-contention in NCAA Season 99 at the Filoil EcoOil Arena......»»
A place for good cocktails, great conversations
What could be better than to end a long and busy day or week with a great cocktail surrounded by people you vibe with? Panjee and Mike Singleton, the successful owners behind Banter and Jive, shared how operating a cocktail bar business can still be an enjoyable learning experience while navigating life together. “We like to drink together. That’s how we connect,” Panjee said, looking back on why they thought of setting up a cocktail bar business in the vibrant and buoyant streets of Poblacion. “We just wanted a place where we can sit down, talk to a bartender, have pretty good drinks and just hang out with each other.” Panjee decided to leave her corporate job to go full time into the business, while Mike still keeps his day job as a financial analyst. While they are relatively new to the business, it is not their first time to open a bar. In 2020, the couple ventured into the business, not knowing that the pandemic would go full-blown months later. However, it did not stop the Singletons from taking such risks: “We’ll try a second round. If it doesn’t work, then [we] will never get back to it,” Mike said, adding that they constantly reassured themselves whenever they felt bouts of hesitancy at the thought of trying again. Indeed, the second time’s the charm. As soon as the couple opened Banter & Jive, the dream was realized. [caption id="attachment_192197" align="aligncenter" width="875"] BANTER and Jive signature cocktail drinks.[/caption] Current bar scene With so many bars, pubs and nightclubs in Poblacion, one might say that the competition is fierce — but it’s the complete opposite. In retrospect, the couple agreed that the bar industry in Poblacion has been laidback despite the rise of established bars around the area.“The bar community is very strong. We’re very collaborative with each other, especially the cocktails. We don’t really treat each other as competition… It’s more of uplift[ing] the community together,” Mike said. “We all have a shared goal of increasing cocktail awareness,” he added. There is also a noticeably growing cocktail appreciation in the area. While there is nothing wrong with the classic shot of hard liquor — the oddly satisfying sensation of the burning aftertaste it delivers — new and old customers alike are becoming more adventurous and experimental with their drinks. “We keep on revamping our menu in such a way that people would really accept or like,” Panjee said, adding how they would cater to what their customers like in their menu, giving them a more profound and appreciative drinking experience. Undeniably, the country’s nightlife has always been one for the books — where a spontaneous trip to a bar with the people you cherish ends up being one of the most unforgettable moments in your life. Adding Filipinos’ innate hospitality and natural charm, the Poblacion nightlife perfectly captures the vision of being yourself while connecting with others. “As much work as we have to put into drinks, we also put in a lot of effort in making people feel welcome, especially in an intimate bar like ours. You could remember a really great drink but you will never forget the places where you really felt welcome, [where it] felt like a second home,” Panjee said. Taking a leap of faith Despite the lack of experience in operating a bar, it did not stop the couple from turning their passions into something bigger than themselves. With Banter & Jive opening early this year, the couple is onto something great as they are soft-opening a new bar next month in Poblacion. “Take the leap… It’s very scary. It’s still scary now, but take that risk. I think it’s also important for you to have a good support system when you do that — take the leap,” Panjee said, continuing that being surrounded by like-minded people who support you definitely takes the fear and hesitancy away. For aspiring entrepreneurs who want to operate their bar business, the couple agreed that now is the best time to materialize your dreams. “Not having experience isn’t a good enough reason for you not to do something. The only way to have experience is to actually experience it. There is no better time than now,” Panjee said. The post A place for good cocktails, great conversations appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
SB19, Francine Diaz, Ivana Alawi big winners at TikTok Awards Phl 2023
Phenomenal P-pop group SB19 and some of the country’s most popular actors and social media content creators were among the big winners at the “TikTok Awards Philippines 2023,” held at the Newport Performing Arts Theater in Pasay City on 30 September. SB19’s “Gento,” which topped local and foreign charts and has been covered by many K-pop groups and international dancers, won Song of the Year. [caption id="attachment_191701" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Francine Diaz | PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF IG/FRANCINE DIAZ[/caption] Dirty Linen and Fractured Actress Francine Diaz emerged as Celebrity Creator of the Year, besting nine other nominees including David Licauco, Barbie Forteza, Dennis Trillo, Yeng Constantino, Maris Racal, Jillian Ward, Yassi Pressman and Rayver Cruz. [caption id="attachment_191702" align="aligncenter" width="525"] IVANA ALAWI | PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF IG/IVANA ALAWI[/caption] Popular vlogger-turned-actress Ivana Alawi won “Shop Creator of the Year,” beating actresses Kiray Celis, Sherilyn Reyes-Tan, Iwa Moto, twins Joj and Jai Agpangan, and content creators Nicole Caluag, Akosi Dogie, Queenee Mercado, Momshie Odille and Michelle Ho of My Best Mommy Life. Meanwhile, Arshie Larga was hailed as “Tiktok Creator of the Year.” The popular pharmacist-TikToker, who is known for his informative yet entertaining content, looked back on his TikTok journey and thanked God, his family and his supporters for appreciating his work. In his acceptance speech, he urged his fellow content creators to be a force for good in society: “Let’s always use our platforms wisely and responsibly, and ‘yung clout natin gamitin sa tamang paraan, not just to entertain but to inspire.” The complete list of winners of the TikTok Awards Philippines 2023: TikTok Creator of the Year: Arshie Larga Dance Creator of the Year: Niana Guerrero Comedy Creator of the Year: Spencer Serafica Effect House Creator of the Year: Andie Rabino Popular Creator of the Year: Carlyn Ocampo Celebrity Creator of the Year: Francine Diaz Song of the Year: SB19’s “Gento” Popular TikTok Shop Creator: Ivana Alawi Popular TikTok Shop Brand Owner: Viy Cortez Rising Creator of the Year: Miss Deliciousness Livestreamer of the Year: Krizel Yuson Entertainment Creator of the Year: Jezreel Ely Breakthrough Entertainment Partner: ABS-CBN News Publisher of the Year: News5 Educator of the Year: Chinkee Tan Beauty Creator of the Year: Teree Daisuke Fashion Creator of the Year: Jeanette Ong Foodie Creator of the Year: Abi Marquez Gaming Creator of the Year: Archerperezz Sports Creator of the Year: Bianca Bustamante The post SB19, Francine Diaz, Ivana Alawi big winners at TikTok Awards Phl 2023 appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
New mission: BuCor reform
Following his tenure as chief of staff in the Armed Forces of the Philippines in 2015, retired four-star General Gregorio Pio Catapang chose to settle in Pampanga. Here, he embraced a simpler life as a farmer, relishing in the delights of native chicken, fresh produce, and the serene natural surroundings. “I am an environmentalist, so I decided to stay in Arayat, Pampanga, to be a farmer upon my retirement in October 2015, and I prayed, ‘Lord, it has been mission accomplished, so give me a new mission,’” Catapang narrated. The former military chief, the AFP’s 45th from July 2014 to 2015, is not a stranger to close encounters with mortality. Throughout his extensive service in the Philippine Army, from graduating from the Philippine Military Academy in 1981, he has endured several clashes with enemies, even more than one could count with the fingers. He held major positions in the AFP as commander of the 2nd Infantry Division — the Army’s largest unit, 7th Infantry (Kaugnay) Division, 703 Infantry Brigade, and 28th Infantry Brigade, among others. He also served as the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, J3, of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. His rise to prominence was not without hitches because he barely survived nine brushes with death. His strong faith in the Lord enabled him to be alive today. “The first incident that I encountered that almost ended my life was when I fell from the second floor of our house when I was just a kid; the second was when I was in the field where a provincial bus liner rammed the car I was in,” Catapang said. He was airlifted from Basa Airbase to V. Luna General Hospital and eventually transferred to Quezon City Medical City as he continued to bleed due to his severe injuries. “The doctor told me not to sleep because I might turn into a coma. So I fight on as the doctors continue to treat me,” he added. While still recovering, with his facial wounds still not yet fully healed, he was called by his commander to report back to work. “Nakangiwi pa ako dahil sa sugat (I was still grimacing in pain), but as a soldier, I followed the order, and that was then I realized that he was teaching me how to become chief of staff,” Catapang said, adding that as a good soldier, he had to endure the pain. He recalled that a chopper ride in the mountains of Cagayan also nearly took his life as it flew at 1,000 feet and traveled 18 knots. “The chopper is already old. I just have to make the sign of the cross as the chopper made a low-altitude flight due to poor visibility. We plunged downward, and I thought it was the end for me. But thankfully, the chopper normalized, and we safely landed,” he said. While in a restaurant in Angeles, Pampanga, Catapang said he was informed that NPA (New People’s Army) rebels would ambush him. “We ate at a chicken restaurant in Angeles and received information that I would be ambushed on returning to our camp. It was retaliation for the death of eight commanders of the NPA after movement patterns were detected based on information from barangay chairpersons,” he said. He cannot forget, too, that during the Pinatubo eruption in 1991, the roof of the building they were occupying collapsed due to the accumulated volcanic ash. Catapang, named after two generals — Gregorio del Pilar and Pio del Pilar — led his soldiers in helping the indigenous peoples in the area, giving them food, clothing, and other necessities. “The natives very loved us because of that,” he added. He said he is thankful to have emerged victorious and alive from the all-out war against Muslim secessionists in Mindanao. It almost ended his life, but he survived with solid faith in the Lord. Throughout his life, he consistently believed that prayers are always answered, particularly when reciting the rosary. Proof was when he fervently prayed to the Lord to allow him to marry his first girlfriend, and his request was granted. He married Maria Lourdes and has three children. Catapang’s early life lacked the excitement it later encompassed. He was a typical teenager. He attended high school at the Claret School of Quezon City. Shortly after graduating from PMA, he pursued graduate courses at the University of the Philippines. He is the second of four children of Gregorio Catapang Sr., a lawyer for the Securities and Exchange Commission, and Lourdes Punzalan, an accountant at the Department of Finance, from whom he learned the value of public service. As a military officer, Catapang rallied the troops to strictly adhere to the AFP’s slogan of “Kawal DISIPLINADO, bawal ABUSADO, dapat ASINTADO” — three key words that spell out the Do’s and DON’T’s to become proficient in fire and maneuver and avoid collateral damage; be respectful of human rights, adhere to international humanitarian law and the rule of law, and the rules of engagement. Catapang moved on with his career and retirement life, carrying an excellent performance standard, exemplary leadership and a keen vision. Answered post-retirement prayer After retiring from active military service spanning 34 years, he received a divine blessing through a new mission. Following seven years of working as a farmer, he experienced a life-altering moment on the evening of October 19, 2021. Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla gave him an offer to lead the Bureau of Corrections. Unaware of the challenges that awaited him within the BuCor, especially at the New Bilibid Prison, he accepted the offer. It was only later that he discovered the appalling issues of corruption among the prison staff and the dire condition of the overcrowded facilities. Under the guidance of Secretary Remulla, Catapang’s mission to reform the BuCor is yielding positive results. They are actively organizing culminating activities to release eligible individuals who have been deprived of their liberty. To alleviate the overcrowding in the jail facilities, the BuCor is actively organizing and implementing various reforms. The main goal is to transfer all persons deprived of liberty from the maximum security compound of the NBP to new facilities outside of Metro Manila. Catapang is confident plans will come to fruition, as they have already presented their long-term reform plan to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for approval. “At present, the reformation of BuCor is in full swing. I am confident we will accomplish and make things happen,” he said. The NBP, he said, is undergoing a significant transformation. The plan is to shut down the NBP in Muntinlupa and repurpose the area into a new business district similar to Bonifacio Global City in the southern part of Metro Manila. Explaining the reason behind the decision, he said high-end residential communities surround the current location of the NBP in Muntinlupa. To align with the surrounding environment, the intention is to close down the NBP and relocate all inmates to regional jail facilities nationwide. Catapang shared plans to dedicate eight hectares of land within the NBP to improve the living conditions of the settlers and provide them with opportunities for reintegration into society. “We will build condominium units for the settlers at the NBP, complete with amenities like a swimming pool, multipurpose facilities, and the like. Repair of residential houses is no longer possible, including power lines, so we decided to allocate the lands for them,” he added. The government will optimally use the land area by developing it into a business and government center, aligning with the DoJ’s plan. To support the food security initiatives of the President, he said they have already started the cultivation of approximately 10 hectares of land at the Iwahig Penal Colony. The aim is to grow rice and high-yield crops, contributing to the government’s long-term food security plans. “Hopefully, this will be done also to other penal farms of BuCor because we have ample lands for cultivation,” Catapang said. For the BuCor Director General who refused to be defined by limitations and setbacks, the relentless spirit and passion for reforms radiate triumphs against the most formidable odds. The post New mission: BuCor reform appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Use of father’s surname, the child’s decision
The misdeeds or oversights of parents cannot and should not disgrace their children. It is for this basic precept that Philippine laws have granted non-marital children (formerly called “illegitimate” children) a myriad of rights akin to — if not totally similar — those of marital children (formerly called “legitimate” children). Notably, their appellation has been changed to a more appropriate description of their parents’ civil status at the time of their birth rather than the birth’s supposed “legitimacy.” Non-marital children are now permitted to carry their father’s surname upon compliance with requirements set by law and related regulations. While Article 176 of the Family Code of the Philippines provides non-marital children’s successional rights, Republic Act 9255, which took effect in 2004, boosted these rights by allowing them to use their father’s surname if their filiation has been recognized by the latter in accordance with some preconditions. The Philippine Statistics Authority or PSA, consequently, revised the implementing rules of RA 9255 in 2016 to better effectuate the wisdom of the law, especially considering the ruling of the Supreme Court in the case of Grace M. Grande v Patricio T. Antonio (G.R. No. 206248, 18 February 2014), which states that neither the father nor the mother is granted the right to dictate the surname of their non-marital children. Instead, the law gives non-marital children the right to decide whether or not they will use their father’s surname. Just recently, PSA issued Memorandum Circular No. 2023-14, which further revised the implementing rules, providing that prevailing rules shall have retroactive effect for all births occurring within or outside the Philippines where a Filipino is concerned. The Office of the Civil Registrar General also amended the same implementing rules through Administrative Order No. 1, series of 2023, so that existing laws and regulations about the use of non-marital children of the surname of their father shall apply to those born during the effectivity of the Family Code of the Philippines or from 3 August 1988 with (a) unregistered births and (b) registered births, where non-marital children use the surname of their mother. Considering these changes, should non-marital children prefer to use the surname of their father, there must exist an express acknowledgment by the latter of the former through any of the following: (a) affidavit of admission of paternity found at the back of the child’s certificate of live birth; (b) affidavit of acknowledgment; or (c) private handwritten instrument signed by the father with his express recognition of the child as his for the rest of his life. These documents shall be filed before the local civil registry where the birth is registered or, in case of unregistered births, where the child is born. Absent the express acknowledgment from the father, the non-martial child cannot use the father’s surname. How, then, is an admission of paternity filed? The father, mother, or non-marital child of legal age may file the affidavit of admission of paternity or affidavit of acknowledgement. In the case of a private handwritten instrument, the same should be personally filed by the father. If the father is deceased, the private handwritten instrument may be filed by the non-marital child, who is of legal age, or the non-marital child’s mother. Should the local civil registry find the requirements complete and without issue after review, the non-marital child’s new surname shall be annotated on the existing certificate of live birth; it shall not be supplied on the portion intended for the last name. The above rules do not include the assignment of a middle name for a non-marital child. An additional Supplemental Report should be filed to supply the child’s middle name on the certificate of live birth. It must be remembered, however, that the non-marital children’s use of the surname of their father does not necessarily make them marital children in legal contemplation — it plainly permits them to publicly use such surname, e.g., in their identity documents like passport, school and employment records, and other documents. There is a separate process for the conversion of a child’s status from non-marital to marital called legitimation. *** For more of Dean Nilo Divina’s legal tidbits, please visit www.divinalaw.com. For comments and questions, please send an email to cabdo@divinalaw.com. The post Use of father’s surname, the child’s decision appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Talk shows coming back after Hollywood writers’ strike ends
Late-night talk shows, a mainstay of the US TV schedule, will be back on the air within a week, hosts said Wednesday, after leaders of the Writers Guild of America called off a paralyzing strike. The densely written shows -- fronted by Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel, Seth Myers and John Oliver -- have been a glaring absence since writers downed pens in May over demands for better pay and guarantees against the threat from artificial intelligence. "Flash! Their mission complete, the founding members of Strike Force 5 will return to their network television shows this Monday 10/2, and one of them to premium cable on 10/1," the @StrikeForceFive handle wrote on social media. The name refers to a podcast the five hosts have put on while they have been off the air. The bulk of film and television production across the United States has been at a standstill since scribes walked out in early May, being joined by actors in July, all seeking a better deal and assurances their jobs won't be lost to artificial intelligence. But a breakthrough was announced Sunday between the WGA and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, the umbrella body representing studios and streamers. WGA leaders voted Tuesday to accept the deal and put it to 11,500 members for ratification next week, while calling off the strike from 12.01 am Wednesday. Details of the deal released by the WGA showed a sizable pay bump for writers, as well as a bonus structure for those working on hit shows. It also limits the role of AI-generated material -- a key sticking point for both sides, who were wary of hemming themselves in, in a rapidly-evolving landscape that is upending the world of work. Writers, who got their first glimpse of the deal on Tuesday said they were pleased with the outcome. "I'm so happy about the gains that we made," Leila Cohan, who wrote on hit series "Bridgerton," told AFP. "I'm so proud that we really went for it. Things got very challenging for many members, and we won." Actors' strike still unresolved Even with the WGA strike almost in the rear-view mirror, Hollywood will remain a long way from normal service, with actors -- represented by the SAG-AFTRA union -- still refusing to work. A resolution to that stoppage is expected to take several more weeks at minimum. Some of SAG-AFTRA's demands go further than those of the WGA. And with hundreds of film and television shoots backed up, it could still then take months for Hollywood to clear the logistical logjam and get fully back to work. The post Talk shows coming back after Hollywood writers’ strike ends appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Keeping it together
It’s no longer unusual, nowadays, for a family to have one or both parents working in another country, or for grown children to relocate abroad for work or start their own family. Single parenting is also quite common, right along there with blended families and LGBTQ unions with kids. Yet even when families are together in one place — one home, compound, neighborhood or city — it takes a lot to stay “together,” literally and figuratively. Perhaps sensing the threats to what is recognized as society’s basic foundation, our government in 1992 decided to declare the last week of September as Family Week, as mandated by Proclamation 60 signed by then President Fidel V. Ramos. Ramos wanted the week to emphasize the importance of the family as “the foundation of the nation” and “as a basic autonomous social institution,” as well as recognize “the sanctity of family life,” as stated in the Constitution of the Philippines. The world may transform in many ways, but the need for family will never change. “No matter how much life changes and the concept of family evolves, it may continue to benefit human health and wellness by offering a sense of belonging and support,” it aptly states in an article on Better Help, which also enumerates the factors affecting family life as “advancements in technology, changing cultural norms, new priorities and advanced forms of communication fueled by the internet.” The sense of belonging one gains from being part of a family — whether it is in a traditional setup, adoptive or “chosen,” a new kind of family defined in these modern times — has a profound impact on one’s well-being. With government providing the impetus for today’s families to connect or reconnect during the annual Family Week, it is up to each one of us to take steps to keep ours together in these fast-paced, nomadic, dysfunctional times. In the local setting, we already see so many signs of the changing dynamics among families. We could wade through studies to figure out all the issues affecting our core foundation, but we believe one may truly gain more understanding by examining our own experiences. Here, we share the views of people in our sphere, in answer to our query: What do you consider as the biggest challenge for your family in these trying times? Gigie Arcilla, Editor-in-chief Dealing with young adult children presents the challenge of establishing boundaries as they seek independence and transition into adulthood. Striking a balance between support and autonomy, as well as providing guidance while allowing room for growth, can be difficult, especially for a single parent. [caption id="attachment_187927" align="aligncenter" width="1280"] STEPHANIE Mayo (fifth, clockwise) with her family. | PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF Stephanie Mayo[/caption] Stephanie Mayo, Film critic and writer I have senior-citizen parents, and my siblings and I are now at the age when our health naturally starts to decline. Even if someone has health insurance, no one can deny how debilitating and expensive getting sick is. Without health, quality of life is decreased. You also cannot work (no work, no pay for freelancers such as myself) if you are sick. Gratefully, none of us in the family are currently seriously ill. It’s just that given that these trying times are also marked by corruption, medical gaslighting, new diseases and viruses and climate change, health problems have become even more threatening. [caption id="attachment_187926" align="aligncenter" width="993"] PAULINE Songco (fifth from left) and dad Arnold, mom Dhen, grandmother Linda and sister Patricia. | PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF Pauline Songco[/caption] Pauline Songco, Editor and writer I would say our biggest challenge is finding time to be together. I am always never at home. If I am, I would just be there for a few hours to sleep. I would get up, then go to work again. I find myself having less and less free time than before. My sister is busy with work, and so is my father. My mom is left alone at home with my cats. But, she goes to the gym to occupy herself and to see her friends. Yet, I’m thankful for what we have right now for these are the same things that we used to pray for before. [caption id="attachment_187924" align="aligncenter" width="641"] PAULINE Pascual (first from left) and dad Roy, mom Jocelyn and sister Prizcia. | PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF Pauline Pascual[/caption] Pauline Joyce Pascual, Lifestyle writer Our family became even closer during the pandemic, and now that things are almost back to normal, it is the family bonding that we used to that we find the most challenging. My sister is studying and getting ready for her time at college while my parents are back in business and I am now working outside of our province. I miss the good old days even though we still saw each other every week. [caption id="attachment_187925" align="aligncenter" width="638"] RAPHAEL, Rachael, Joylen and Ruben Ramos. | PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF Raphael Ramos[/caption] Raphael Ramos, STEM student at De La Salle Araneta The desire to act in spite of the potential consequences for everyone else. The family members’ immaturity leads to a more serious issue and may stunt each person’s development. [caption id="attachment_187922" align="aligncenter" width="2246"] GEL, Dino, Tei and Maui Datu. | PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF Dino Datu[/caption] Dino Datu, Chef, journalist and entrepreneur The biggest challenge in families today is creating quality family time. Everyone is so busy and there are so many distractions. While working and school work are necessities, we need to create time to just sit together for regular meals and chat without our electronic devices. Even on rare occasions that everyone is together, dining out, for example, people look at their phones every few seconds. That’s what I think is a big difference between today’s families and those from a few decades back. We often see “perfect” families on social media. Sadly, it seems like that’s the only place it exists. Teresa Laurente, Business Consultant For me, it has to be family, healthcare, children’s education and social media effect on young people. Pamela Palacio, Statistician III, Provincial Government of Bataan Disrespect to God and parents. Negative effect of social media. [caption id="attachment_187920" align="aligncenter" width="1080"] YVETTE Chua-Carrion (fourth from left) beside her husband, businessman Melon. | PHOTOGRAPH COURTESYOF Yvette Chua-Carrion[/caption] Yvette Chua-Carrion, Educator and breakthrough life coach In these financially trying times — the budget for groceries, how to have savings for emergencies (which we hope won’t happen), and high gas prices. [caption id="attachment_187919" align="aligncenter" width="1600"] (FROM left) Riley, husband Noel, Tiffany and Ashley. | PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF Tiffany Cuna[/caption] Tiffany Sison Cuna, Former beauty queen turned entrepreneur Disciplining and inculcating values in our children knowing how the Internet plays a vital role in their lives — it could either influence them positively or negatively. [caption id="attachment_187923" align="aligncenter" width="1170"] JIA Bote and dad Milton. | PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF Jia Bote[/caption] Jia Bote, Student at the University of Santo Tomas With my father working away from home, the biggest challenge is having more time together as a family. When I was younger, I thought I had all the time in the world to spend time with my family. However, as I grow older, my responsibilities increase, and I have less free time than I used to. I remember spending the peak of the pandemic away from our father, and we could only talk through the phone for months. It was challenging for me not to see my father physically, especially when I go through difficult moments because I believe that we need more of our parents’ wisdom and guidance as we grow older. With the pandemic and the natural course of life, it feels like I have less time and opportunity to be with my father who is also growing old day by day. [caption id="attachment_187921" align="aligncenter" width="1242"] ALEX and Jet Capina (fourth and fifth from left) with their children. | PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY of Jet Capina[/caption] Jet Capina, retired bank vice president Our challenge is how to make the family complete on weekends. My children have their own gimmicks. Before every Sunday we were together attending church service but after the pandemic each of them esp Paolo is out of the house to be with his gf. I don’t think it’s good to write about it. Our challenge is how to make the family complete on weekends. My children are all good and well behaved but having grown up, the elder ones now and then have their own gimmicks. I am happy that my husband, who often plays golf, is with me always. The post Keeping it together appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Better welfare and support for the ‘kuya ng kalsada‘
Move It, a homegrown motorcycle taxi company powered by Grab, recently launched a comprehensive rider-partner welfare and engagement program at the “Move It Tropang Malupet“ event held at the PICC Forum, which welcomed thousands of rider-partners as well as aspiring applicants eager to join Move It’s growing communities of “kuya ng kalsada.” Dedicated to enhancing the economic well-being of local motorcycle taxi service providers, the expanded “Tropang Malupet” welfare program encompasses optimized earning opportunities, economic assistance, aid and relief initiatives and community engagement. Move It continues to find ways to improve the lives of its rider-partners and their loved ones and help them achieve upward socioeconomic mobility. With Grab's support, Move It strives toward being the safer, more reliable and most affordable motorcycle taxi that Filipinos can always depend on. [caption id="attachment_185482" align="aligncenter" width="1004"] Move It general manager Wayne Jacinto introducing the expanded ‘Tropang Malupet‘ program.[/caption] In his remarks, Move It general manager Wayne Jacinto highlighted the impact of the upgraded Move It app to the experience of passengers and the earnings potential of rider-partners. The new Back-to-Back Booking feature on the app allows rider-partners to accept a new booking even as they accomplish an ongoing one, boosting their productivity on the platform. With the BTB Booking feature, tech upgrades and growing consumer demand, the earnings potential of rider-partners has doubled versus last year. To guarantee that rider-partners are able to achieve optimum earnings on the platform, Move It offers the lowest commission rate in the industry, complemented by income-boosting initiatives. Among these is Ka-Move It Rewards, an incentive scheme designed to reward rider-partners who successfully complete missions such as achieving specific booking targets, maintaining high passenger ratings and fulfilling minimum online hour requirements. Through Move It Parcel Delivery, on the other hand, rider-partners can accept parcel-delivery orders during non-peak hours for motorcycle hailing. The company‘s dedication to its rider-partners goes beyond offering livelihood opportunities. Recognizing the challenges they encounter on the road, it has introduced the Move It Malasakit Social Welfare Program, which extends financial assistance to rider-partners in need of emergency top-ups or those who experience accidents while online, complementing the existing insurance coverage allocated for Move It rider-partners. Move It Malasakit also covers aid and relief for rider-partners during calamities and national emergencies. Powered by leading superapp Grab, Move It is now also able to extend Grab's microfinancing programs to its rider-partners, providing an essential financial lifeline for them. And rider-partners are now eligible to apply for educational support through GrabScholar, a comprehensive educational support program comprising bursary support, BPO career acceleration opportunities and even full-ride college scholarships. Move It rider-partners have also been given full access to GrabAcademy, an online learning feature embedded in the driver app. GrabAcademy contains online classes on road safety, computer basics and passenger handling. Move It consistently organizes forums and town halls with its rider-partners to facilitate discussions on upcoming features and to promptly address situations faced by the community. In addition to these activities, the company also offers supplementary programs tailored to the interests of its rider-partners. For instance, an exciting announcement made at the event was the launch of Ka-Move It Liga — an inter-community basketball league with a grand prize of P300,000 and various consolation prizes totaling more than P500,000 in value. This initiative is set to bring rider-partners together in a spirit of competition and unity. The post Better welfare and support for the ‘kuya ng kalsada‘ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Grateful Tzu Chi beneficiary: ‘It’s time to give back‘
The Tzu Chi Eye Center had an unexpected visitor recently. Romulo Manongdo dropped by to bring sweet treats for his surgeon, Dr. Bernardita Navarro, and the rest of the medical team. But the best gift he brought was the story of how his life was transformed after undergoing surgery at the eye center. Last year, Manongdo had to undergo cataract surgery in both eyes. Estranged from his children and abandoned by his live-in partner, Manongdo wandered the streets looking for hospitals willing to treat his eyes. Manongdo did not have the money for checkup or surgery. His blurry vision had cost him his job at a construction company. At night, he slept in bus terminals and sidewalks. One day, he missed a piece of rebar jutting out from a concrete road and tripped. He sustained wounds in his left toe and elbow from the incident. [caption id="attachment_185498" align="aligncenter" width="525"] He may have tripped a few times, but Romulo Manongdo has found his footing again, thanks to complete strangers who, in his darkest time, treated him like family.[/caption] When Manongdo finally found the Tzu Chi Eye Center, his wounds were infected and he hobbled. The medical team treated his wounds and found out he also had diabetes. He was given medicines, and Tzu Chi arranged for his stay at a transient house in Banawe, Quezon City, with Dr. Navarro bringing him food, medicines and hygiene kits. Throughout all this, Manongdo talked very little, looking tired and defeated. In the following days, one of the Eye Center nurses regularly visited him to check and dress his wounds and monitor his blood sugar level. One year after regaining clear eyesight, Manongdo stands tall again. He now works as a foreman for a construction company. He may have tripped a few times, but Manongdo has found his footing again thanks to complete strangers who, in his darkest time, treated him like family. Manongdo told his surgeon that he had heeded her advice: He searched for his children after he recovered and was able to receive their forgiveness. Now he is supporting his youngest daughter’s education, he proudly added. Manongdo has adopted a Tzu Chi coin bank, with a promise to return to the center to turn over his donations. “It’s time to give back,” he said. The post Grateful Tzu Chi beneficiary: ‘It’s time to give back‘ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Back to its roots: On its 65th year, SM provides shoes to Filipino schoolkids
Millions of children around the world walk barefoot, without access to decent footwear. William Blischke, an American Sociology professor at the California State University Dominguez Hills, said in a study that 14 percent of the earth’s inhabitants lack shoes or have inadequate footwear. In some developing countries, shoeless children cannot attend school because they may communicate and contract diseases from their foot sores. Hence, some international non-profit organizations say the lack of shoes is one of the most visible signs of poverty. In the Philippines, a 2023 report by the Department of Education acknowledged Filipino children’s lack of access to resources as among the most pressing issues in the basic education system. School shoes are an integral part of a student’s uniform even in public schools; the lack of shoes will leave children ill-equipped to complete their education. This is the challenge the SM Store intends to address through the Share Shoes campaign — to provide school shoes to poor Filipino students, in line with the celebration of SM’s 65th founding anniversary. With the help of its dedicated customers and partner-organizations, SM Store aims to donate more than 16,000 pairs of shoes to last-mile schools and communities in the country. With a minimum of P3,000 single-receipt-spend at any SM Store, a customer is entitled to donate a pair of shoes, originally retailing for P299, for only P65, and the customer will be considered a “Share Shoes Champion.” Dhinno S. Tiu, executive vice president of SM Store, explained the value and symbolism of shoes for both SM and its advocacy to support the community: “Shoes have been the core of our business for over 65 years. Thus, giving out thousands of shoes to Filipino children who need them the most through the generosity of our customers is a symbolic gesture of our commitment to continue to live the legacy of sharing and giving back to our partner communities.” SM Store hopes that these pairs of shoes would help children toward a better life. Through the simple act of giving shoes to underprivileged kids, they may be able to learn, play and flourish in school. By protecting their young feet, they can confidently step, walk, run and leap toward their individual goals and dreams. Customers may shop at their favorite SM Store from 1 September to 15 November 2023 to support a child in need. For only P65, help transform a life by being a “Share Shoes Champion.” The post Back to its roots: On its 65th year, SM provides shoes to Filipino schoolkids appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Gauff defeats Sabalenka to win US Open crown
American teenager Coco Gauff came from behind to win the US Open on Saturday, clinching her first Grand Slam title with a battling win over Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus. Gauff, 19, produced a gutsy performance on the Arthur Ashe Stadium court to win 2-6, 6-3, 6-2 in 2hr 6min to complete a fairytale transformation in her season's fortunes. The sixth seed from Florida had gone into the final as the underdog against the hard-hitting second seed Sabalenka, who will become world number one in next week's rankings. But with both players making a slew of mistakes throughout an error-strewn final watched by a record crowd of 28,143 it was Gauff who held her nerve when it mattered to seal a deserved victory. The win completed a remarkable turnaround for Gauff, who was left distraught after a first round exit at Wimbledon in July. However she bounced back to win titles in Washington and Cincinnati and has now landed the biggest win of her career, after a shattering loss at the French Open last year. "It means so much to me," an elated Gauff said afterwards. "I feel like I'm a little bit in shock in this moment. "That French Open loss (last year) was a heartbreak for me. That makes this moment even sweeter than I could imagine." Gauff, the third American teenager to win the US Open after Tracy Austin and Serena Williams, also used her victory speech to thank those who doubted her talent. "Honestly thank you to the people who didn't believe in me," she joked. "To those who thought they were putting water on my fire, they were putting gas on my fire and I'm burning so bright right now." - First set struggle - Gauff was in trouble in the opening game, Sabalenka breaking her straight away with a rasping backhand that drew a roar of "Come On!" from the Belarusian. She held easily to take a 2-0 lead but Gauff then took advantage of a shaky service game from Sabalenka to break at 2-2 in the fourth. The Belarusian double-faulted twice to allow Gauff to get back on level terms. But that hard-won parity was surrendered in the next game as Sabalenka broke back to go 3-2 ahead. Sabalenka then wobbled on her own serve once more as Gauff eked out two break points in the sixth game. But Sabalenka got it back to deuce with an ace and then took a 4-2 lead with an emphatic smash. Gauff's problems on serve continued and Sabalenka broke for the third time to race 5-2 ahead, and she duly wrapped up the set by holding in the next game. Yet with the match threatening to become a rout, Gauff finally clicked into gear in the second set, making fewer unforced errors and ironing out the kinks in her serve. Instead it was Sabalenka who began to show signs of brittleness as the tension mounted. She double-faulted to hand Gauff the only break of the set and a 3-1 lead. Gauff fended off a break point in the next game to hold for 4-1 and went on to hold for the remainder of the set to level the match when Sabalenka smacked a forehand long. The momentum remained firmly with Gauff in the final set and she secured another crucial break in the opening game when she put away an underhit Sabalenka lob with a smash. Gauff then held easily for a 2-0 lead as Sabalenka struggled to regain any semblance of composure. She coughed up four unforced errors to gift Gauff a break and a 3-0 lead, and the American then held with ease to go 4-0 up. Sabalenka stopped the rot by holding serve in the fifth game, before taking a medical timeout to receive treatment on her left thigh. Gauff was in no mood to let her grip on the match slip though. Although Sabalenka held and broke Gauff to cut the lead to 4-2, Gauff hit back when Sabalenka double-faulted to present a break point. Gauff cashed in to break and grab a 5-2 lead and then swept to victory in the next game, holding to love with a backhand winner. rcw/mw © Agence France-Presse The post Gauff defeats Sabalenka to win US Open crown appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Distant dream no longer
Imagine standing beneath the awe-inspiring frescoes of the Sistine Chapel, gazing up at Michelangelo’s divine masterpieces, and feeling the pulse of history, art and culture all around you. Now imagine doing all of this without ever leaving the Philippines, without spending a fortune on a trip to Rome. It’s not a dream. It’s a reality brought to life by ATIN Global Inc. in partnership with Globe. Through the magic of meticulous research and exacting reproductions, you can finally have the opportunity to experience “Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel: The Exhibition” right at Estancia Mall, Capitol Commons, Pasig City until 30 September. This globally successful multi-sensory exhibit is more than a mere display of art. It’s a tangible journey to the Renaissance era, a virtual teleportation to the Vatican City. It’s an experience that transcends mere viewing, inviting you into Michelangelo’s world without the need for a passport. The exhibition greets audiences with ambient Renaissance music, the subtle scents of patchouli, sandalwood, and frankincense and even offers a curated Caffe Michelangelo for a unique dining experience. It’s a complete sensory delight that transports you back in time. “We brought this exhibit to the Philippines to make world-class art more accessible to Filipinos. We know how close Filipinos’ hearts are to imagery related to the Catholic Church, and we hope to give them the Sistine Chapel experience right here at home,” said Sabrina Co, founder and creative director of ATIN Global Inc. The exhibition is also about giving back. A portion of the proceeds earned from every ticket sale will benefit The Hapag Movement, a Globe-led initiative that brings together partners and mobilization partners, such as Ayala Foundation, Caritas Philippines, Tzu Chi Philippines, World Vision and Scholars of Sustenance Philippines, to fight involuntary hunger. Your ticket to the Sistine Chapel is also a ticket to making a difference. The post Distant dream no longer appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Semiconductor industry having a renaissance — player
Even if unharmed by the onslaught of the Covid-19 pandemic three years ago, the semiconductor industry is fast regaining momentum, and even experiencing a renaissance as proven by a top executive of CIRTEK Electronics Corporation, an independent complete solution provider for subcontract manufacturing of semiconductor devices. In his guest appearance on the DAILY TRIBUNE’s digital show Business Sense, Brian Liu, managing director and CEO of Cirtek Electronics Corp., said the company’s full-year 2022 performance has breached its all-time high performance in 2019. “We reached an all-time high prior to the pandemic in 2019. But because of the effects of Covid-19, world economies closed. Supply chain problems occurred. So, we took a bit of a slowdown during that time frame; 2020 to 2021 was a bit of a slowdown for us,” he said. Renaissance “We do believe that the semiconductor industry is in a renaissance right now where a lot of the supply pool is shifting away from Greater Asia and making its way to Southeast Asia so this should serve as a good tailwind for the semiconductor industry,” he added. According to tradingeconomics.com, semiconductor exports from the Philippines climbed 0.8 percent year-on-year to a seven-month high of $6.70 billion in June 2023, following an upwardly revised 2.4 percent gain in the prior month. Sales grew for electronic products (12.0 percent), other manufactured goods (2.8 percent), ignition wiring sets and other wiring sets used in vehicles, aircraft, and ships (14.6 percent), machinery and transport equipment (11.2 percent), and cathodes and sections of cathodes of refined copper (38.5 percent). By destination, sales increased to China (15.0 percent), Hong Kong (15.9 percent), the US (6.9 percent), the Netherlands (59.4 percent), South Korea (4.4 percent), Malaysia (3.1 percent), and the European Union (23.0 percent). Benefiting from WFH Further, he said the work-from-home arrangements during the pandemic have even generated pent-up demand for chips that they manufacture. “So basically, it is a mix, we keep our portfolio as diversified as possible. But back in the height of the pandemic, radiofrequency and communication chip sets comprised a large volume of our production because of the demand for work-from-home hybrid spaces. This prompted a lot of demand for higher bandwidth and connectivity,” he said. “Some of these chipsets go to the laptops that we work on so as you know demand for laptops also surged during work-from-home setups, and right now we’re seeing an industrial revolution where a lot of traditionally mechanical devices are being electrified,” he added. AI’s help As contentions about artificial intelligence or AI grow in various parts of the world, Liu said AI is beneficial to his industry in terms of improving their production. “Now we are seeing a new need for a new sub-segment such as artificial intelligence to power new automation and new devices through this automated way of machines learning and doing things on their own. This has created new device families as well, especially in the processing space and the hybrid system and packages. We are talking about multi-function chip sets being consolidated into one system. Hence a new product family is being derived,” he explained. Liu maintained that the semiconductor industry will remain a very crucial part of everybody’s lives, seeing that semiconductors comprise the very impetus of technology itself. “So, any gadget, any device, or any equipment would not be able to function without the aid of semiconductors, and because of the continuous evolution of technology and new innovations being created, this catalyzes new semiconductor device families to be continuously created, and that’s why I do believe that semiconductors play a crucial role as the building block of technology itself,” according to Liu. The Cirtek Group harnesses more than 29 years of expertise in the assembly and testing segment of the semiconductor industry and has been accredited and certified by several international quality institutions for the latest quality system standards. Beginning with just three customers in 1984, the company through its subsidiaries has significantly grown its customer base to 42 at present. “We are an independent Filipino semiconductor company, located at the Heart of Laguna Techno Park. Basically, we maintain a very highly diversified portfolio, so we do semiconductors for RF and communications, industrials, aerospace, consumer, system, and packages, and automotive as well,” Liu stated. The post Semiconductor industry having a renaissance — player appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Bill gives ERC more teeth
The Senate has proposed a bill to establish an Energy Regulatory Commission, or ERC, charter to equip the power sector to become a regulator with more fangs in addressing industry problems. Senate Bill 487 or An Act Enhancing The Governance Structures Of The Energy Regulatory Commission, if enacted into law, gives more power to the ERC in fulfilling its mandate to regulate the energy sector. The birth of ERC came about because of EPIRA or the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001. “But if you read EPIRA, there is much room for improvement especially given the recent developments in the industry, so I am going to push for the creation of the ERC charter,” a senator said. Regulator function enhanced “ERC is one of the most important actors in the energy sector, so we have to make sure that it has enough power to penalize,” he added. The senator noted that both Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla and ERC chairperson Monalisa Dimalanta agreed that there is a need to revisit the powers of the ERC. Likewise, the creation of the ERC Charter also bodes well with another proposed legislation to rightsize the government bureaucracy. The ERC charter, for instance, would help the regulator properly address completion delays in projects such as transmission projects of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines. He earlier urged the ERC to penalize NGCP for its failure to complete transmission projects on time, leading to disruption in the flow of electricity. According to the ERC, the completion of about 66 transmission projects is currently delayed, excluding six projects of national significance. One is the Mindanao-Visayas interconnection project which was due for completion in 2019. The project will link together all three major Philippine islands to create one grid. “That’s one of the most critical infrastructure projects because we have surplus power in Mindanao of about 200 to 400 megawatts that can be delivered to the Visayas region,” legislator noted. The NGCP was authorized by the ERC to start building the project way back in 2017. It was initially scheduled to be completed in 2020 but it was delayed due to the pandemic. The NGCP holds a 25-year franchise to solely operate the power transmission assets of the government and secure power reserves for contingency. The post Bill gives ERC more teeth appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Sana (kub)ol
So the Bureau of Corrections is dismantling kubols in the New Bilibid Prison compound AGAIN. A kubol, for the uninitiated, is that peculiarly Filipino invention of a customized personal space in a prison that is supposed to have standardized living quarters for all prisoners. This is strange because then Justice Secretary Leila de Lima (2010-2016) made a big to-do about demolishing kubols in her time — which was also the Golden Age of Kubols. It was in 2014 when I, as a lawyer for one NBP inmate (who eventually became part of the so-called “Bilibid 19,” but more on that later) went to the prison for an initial conference with my client, who obviously couldn’t come to my office. I was shocked — shocked! — when I arrived at the compound, and not only because I was ushered in through a side door by a warden who put me in a fancy golf cart to take me to my client. En route, I saw that there were buildings(!) inside the prison premises housing — okay, be ready for this — mini-groceries, beauty salons and barber shops, spas, restaurants and, I was to learn later, a high-tech recording studio and radio-television broadcast facility. My client was waiting for me in a three-story(!) building. The first floor housed a fully-equipped office(!) and staff; the second floor was my client’s office with phones and a computer connected to the Internet, and a separate conference room for 12 people; the third floor housed his quarters (a bedroom with toilet, shower and bathtub). Responding to my quizzical look, he answered my unasked question: “Attorney, dito lahat puede basta ‘magpaangat’ ka kay secretary (Anything goes here, just ‘take it up’ with the secretary).” Anyways (to use the favorite expression of my friend Arni Teves), back to my client. Later that year, he and 18 other prisoners had a falling out with Secretary De Lima over what he claimed to be drug dealing inside Bilibid, and they were transferred incommunicado to the National Bureau of Investigation compound. To the frantic cries of their families who feared that they would be liquidated, I filed for a writ of amparo before the Court of Appeals. Their detention was ruled unconstitutional, and their families and I were allowed see them, albeit with very strict restrictions. The story that they told me of drug trafficking inside the NBP compound would later form the backbone of the indictments against De Lima once Aquino was out of power. I had cautioned them to keep things under wraps, as such disclosures then would definitely put them in grave danger. Back to the kubols. De Lima invited the press to witness their destruction, and the mediamen’s jaws dropped — as mine did years before — at the sight of luxury houses complete with airconditioning, king-size beds and Jacuzzis; a state-of-the-art recording studio; a radio and television station with equipment to rival many commercial stations; among other things. As De Lima smiled smugly for the cameras, claiming credit for “cleaning up Bilibid,” friends in media asked her the question, obliquely and sometimes directly, “How could such a thing happen under your watch and your very nose all these years?” The answer was somehow provided in the probe by the House of Representatives in 2017, when an inmate testified that in a meeting with the late J.B. Sebastian (one of the privileged inmates who was said to have done De Lima’s bidding in the Bilibid drug trade) inside his , De Lima held on to a pole (one provided for pole dancing) and, after preening, looked at Sebastian and said, “Okay ba, J.B.?” She knew, and tolerated — nay, encouraged — it. The authorities can knock down the kubols every year, and they will keep springing back up again, unless drastic reforms in the correctional system are made. In this, we sincerely wish Secretary Boying all the luck and success in the world. So when these kubols are removed, we can plausibly wish, SANA (KUB) ALL… The post Sana (kub)ol appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Lasers, drones vs China
If you may remember, the Afghans beat back the superior Russians from Afghanistan by secretly obtaining portable heat-seeking missiles from the US, which eventually changed the tide of the war. The missile device was so portable, it was smuggled by donkey to remote mountains. It was so user-friendly, even ordinary foot soldiers could use it. The missiles destroyed dozens of Russian warplanes, and eventually forced the Russians to withdraw from Afghanistan. We can use the same tactic in the West Philippine Sea against the superior Chinese warships and warplanes. If Marcos Jr. can somehow obtain lasers and drones, not necessarily from the US, not necessarily in secret, for the Philippine Coast Guard, Chinese warships may think twice before bullying us with their lasers and water cannons. China is currently harassing Filipinos in the Ayungin Shoal, triggering diplomatic protests. This aggression is virtually an act of war. Responding with legal arguments for China to respect the UNCLOS and The Hague court decision is useless. Social media exposés and campaigns cannot solve the problem. We have to face them in our territory in the West Philippine Sea. If we do not, we might as well concede. If we do, are we ready for the consequences of escalation? Has China secretly discovered oil in Ayungin, so it has to keep Filipinos away? Another strategy is to get a US firm as a partner in oil exploration in the Ayungin Shoal, escorted by US warships. Let’s get to the oil before China does. If there are competing explorations and oil rigs, this will prevent war. There is, however, a risk of a full-blown US-China naval confrontation. If we up the ante, China may back out or resort to an unpredictable escalation. Can we handle the escalation? Are we ready to go into this new stage of war, not just physically in terms of possible collateral damage, but also spiritually in terms of the political will to fight? This remains to be seen. Asymmetrics as a Game Changer “Asymmetric” weapons refer to small cheap high-tech weapons that can take out big expensive weaponry. For example, hypersonic missiles taking out aircraft carriers, killer drones neutralizing an entire naval base, super lasers shooting down satellites in outer space, silent electro-magnetic pulse bombs jamming an enemy assault. This is called the equalizer, the use of asymmetrics against far superior foes. Lasers and drones on our coast guard ships are asymmetrics. Asymmetrics are becoming popular. Ukraine is using them against Russia, and Iran against the US in the Strait of Hormuz. China is now able to jam the electronic signals of US warplanes in the WPS. These new sophisticated asymmetrics have evolved as powerful game changers in modern warfare in favor of the underdog. The Vietnam Model Vietnamese water cannons faced Chinese water cannons, forcing the latter to abandon an oil rig close to the Vietnamese shore. We can learn from the Vietnamese, adopt its warrior ways, its spiritual orientation of defiance and belligerence. But we must be cautious as there may be consequences we are not yet ready for. Vietnam has been fighting China for centuries. China respects Vietnam’s audacity while it looks down on Filipinos whose leaders can easily be offered quid-pro-quo deals (Duterte) and whose tin can coast guard vessels they can easily step on. Can we change China’s attitude through a new type of belligerence using asymmetrics? Vietnam is the epitome of David defying Goliath, two Goliaths, in fact, the French and the Americans. France surrendered its colonization of Vietnam in the battle of Dien Bien Phu. The Americans gave up Vietnam after a 20-year guerrilla war, an embarrassing blow for a superpower falling to its knees to a “lowly” Third World country. Centuries before that, at its birth, Vietnam defied and splintered from the powerful Chinese Empire. Viet means south, nam means kingdom — the kingdom south of the empire. From where does Vietnam draw its strength? Vietnam is monolithic, one solid land mass. The Philippines is granulated, a scattered archipelago. It took more than 10,000 years of slow migration (the so-called Austronesian Dispersal) for Malays in improvised boats (balanghays) to populate the Philippines. While this was happening, Vietnam was growing in strength by defying the Chinese empire. Vietnam is a single neutral gray, the Philippines a rainbow. Vietnam has one central language, the Philippines 125-odd dialects. Except for the Hmong, Vietnam has few ancient ethnic groups. We have 85 ethnic groupings. Anthropologically, Vietnam and the Philippines are complete opposites. The Vietnamese is a natural warrior, the Filipino a natural adventurer. The French and the Americans failed to colonize Vietnam. The Filipino was conquered by the Spaniards, Americans and Japanese. The Vietnamese was defiant, the Filipino subservient. The Filipino absorbed colonization and foreign culture, the Vietnamese kept its culture intact. The post Lasers, drones vs China appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Birthday Baby
A baby’s first birthday is one of the most meaningful milestones for parents, family members and friends who share a special bond with the toddler. [caption id="attachment_172947" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Raemy Marian Cortes with daughter Yzeia Raeven.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_172946" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Bianca Serafica with son Sancho, Rica Serafica Torres with her children Julia, Clara, Isabel and Julio. In the middle in black shirt is Niña Resabal and Jose Eleandre Muñoz.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_172945" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Andrea and Agustin Muñoz with sons EnricoTadeo and Jose Eleandre, and Catherine Larrazabal Tan, Bremeglida Yoo and Niña Restauro.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_172944" align="aligncenter" width="505"] Andone Tan with son Iñigo.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_172942" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Agustin and Andrea Muñoz with their two sons, Jose Eleandre and Enrico Tadeo. | Photographs courtesy of Honey jarque loop[/caption] [caption id="attachment_172940" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Jehs Banzon[/caption] Never mind if the youngster is still oblivious — it is about creating memories one can look back on in the years to come. Adorable baby Enrico Tadeo, second child of Agustin and Andrea Tan Muñoz, recently celebrated his first birthday party in Ormoc City’s finest hideaway, the laid-back beachfront Sabin Resort Hotel. His ever-talented mom, Andrea, considered one of the top event specialists in the city of the Queen Pineapple and owner and creator of Andrea’s Floral Basket, left nothing to chance and crafted a truly unique children’s party not seen before — all with imaginative creativity, pinpoint organization and discerning attention to detail. With the theme Wild One Safari, the spacious Rose Grand Ballroom was totally transformed with life-sized animal standees, plus dozens upon dozens of stuffed animals, such as giraffes, lions, tigers, monkeys and cheetahs scattered around the venue which completed the safari-inspired day. There were live animals as well, such as iguanas, Burmese pythons, baby crocodile, eagle and sulcata tortoise. And, of course, birthdays are only complete with hundreds of balloons in every imaginable color. Adhering to the motif, attendees were game and donned safari outfits. Among the special guests were Enrico’s godparents Celestino Larrazabal, Nikka Villegas, Raemy Marian Cortes and his titos and titas, Andrew, Andone and Endika Tan. Maternal grandma Catherine Larrazabal Tan, whose diverse talent is beyond question, lent a hand and took charge of the kiddie meals of chicken poppers, all-time favorite spaghetti and hotdogs, mini barbeques, chocolate crackles, popcorn and cupcakes, cotton candies and lots of soft and chewy candies. Cheers and laughter abounded as kids jumped for excitement and joy with the parlor games — they all took home coveted goodies! To top off the event, a mesmerizing magic show put the crowd in a trance, with sly tricks and sudden sleights of hand to amaze the kids into a loud applause. The post Birthday Baby appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Scottie, Kai aboard for Gilas
Gilas took a rest from practice last Saturday but was back at the PhilSports Arena for another 7:30 p.m. session the next day. This time, the cast was complete. Scottie Thompson attended and went to work, displaying no signs of the right hand fracture that kept him out of five tune-ups in Europe and the China trip. “Nothing short of a miracle,” noted Gilas team manager Butch Antonio......»»
Gov’t racing to fix ‘Egay’-hit classrooms before 29 August school opening
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte on Monday said that not all schools damaged by Typhoon "Egay" could be used for the upcoming school year. In an interview with reporters, Marcos said that the government is doing its best to repair the school damage, but the weather has been a significant obstacle. "When the typhoon hit, we asked ourselves what we could do in a month," Marcos said. "So far, we are doing what we can, along with our local government units, to repair the damage. The School Building Program should continue, but the weather is a major obstacle." Duterte, who is also the Department of Education secretary, said that the schools affected by Typhoon "Egay" are their priority for repair in this year's budget. However, she said that their schools will immediately implement their blended learning program if the 29 August opening doesn't complete their repairs. "We will continue with blended learning or in-person classes. Learning will continue even if there are problems with classrooms," Duterte added. Marcos said that the government's temporary solution is to return to the systems they developed during the lockdown if the school buildings and facilities still need to be repaired. "We'll go back to the systems we developed during the lockdown," Marcos said. "We have the technology and the resources to ensure that our students continue to learn, even if they can't attend school," he added. Last week, the Alliance of Concerned Teachers urged the government to complete the repair of school facilities that were damaged by the recent typhoon. The aim is to ensure that students and teachers can use these facilities when classes start on 29 August. Following the impact of Typhoon "Egay" and other weather disturbances from the southwest monsoon between late July and early August, 559 classrooms in 169 schools across nine regions have been reported as damaged. DepEd has estimated that the cost of reconstructing and rehabilitating these classrooms would be approximately P810 million. DepEd is presently focused on establishing its blended learning approach as a formal policy. This approach permits schools to temporarily transition to online and/or modular learning methods if the situation requires it. The post Gov’t racing to fix ‘Egay’-hit classrooms before 29 August school opening appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Kai’s last chance
Up to now, Kai Sotto’s stint in the FIBA Basketball World Cup remains unclear. Sure, he has been in the country for over two weeks and has been attending some Gilas Pilipinas events, but the fact that he has yet to actually train with his teammates is making Chot Reyes anxious. Sotto is tipped to play a crucial role in the Gilas squad. His 7-foot-3 frame, athleticism and feathery shooting touch from the perimeter will be needed when the Filipinos battle the best players in the world in the prestigious basketball spectacle from 25 August to 10 September. But it will be impossible for Reyes to involve Sotto in his game plan if he has yet to actually see him banging bodies with his fellow big men like World Cup veterans June Mar Fajardo and Japeth Aguilar, as well as rising star AJ Edu. It is no secret that Sotto’s dream is to make it to the National Basketball Association. He was still a gangly kid when he started joining the Junior NBA program before moving to Ateneo de Manila University and eventually donning the national colors in various age-group events — the biggest and most prestigious was the 2019 FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup in Greece. A lot of offers came his way, including a chance to play for prestigious European clubs like Alba Berlin, Real Madrid, Barcelona and Baskonia, but Sotto, then 17, decided to bring his talent to the United States — not to enter play at the collegiate level — but to make a daring leap straight into the NBA. After training at The Skill Factory, he joined Team Ignite, a developmental team in the NBA G League that aims to prepare athletes for the NBA. At Team Ignite, Sotto showed some promise as he played for former Los Angeles Lakers coach Brian Shaw together with future NBA players Jalen Green, Jonathan Kuminga, Daishen Nix, and Isiah Todd. But when Team Ignite was about to start its season and enter the G League bubble in Orlando, Sotto shockingly flew home and joined Gilas in the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers. Ignite eventually dropped Sotto, prompting him to look for other ways to realize his dream of becoming the first full-blooded Filipino to make it to the NBA. He found one in Australia. He played for the Adelaide 36ers in the National Basketball League and had some measure of success. In fact, he was able to gauge his prowess when the 36ers played against Chris Paul, Devin Booker, DeAndre Ayton and the Phoenix Suns in an NBA preseason match. After a couple of seasons in Australia, he moved to Japan to play for the Hiroshima Dragonflies in the B League. He had some impressive games, but it wasn’t enough to earn the attention of NBA coaches, scouts, and talent evaluators. Still, he joined the NBA Summer League. Playing against veteran free agents, journeymen, and incoming rookies looking to earn spots on the opening-day rosters of NBA teams, Sotto rode the Orlando Magic bench in their first three games before making his debut against the Portland Trail Blazers, recording six points, four rebounds and three blocks in their 71-88 loss. Sotto tried to play in his fifth game, but he was slowed down by a back injury. His return to Manila was surrounded by controversy as he failed to join the Gilas squad that was set to go to China for the final leg of its preparations for the World Cup. He opted to stay home to “rest and recover” from his back injury. Until when? It’s something that only Sotto and his American handlers know. But Sotto should realize that the doors of the NBA are slowly closing on him. He already made a bad decision by snubbing the invitations of top European clubs as well as prestigious American collegiate programs like Kentucky, Georgia Tech and Auburn that could have helped him develop his game and gain confidence while playing against kids his age. Instead of staying patient and working on his game away from the prying eyes of NBA scouts, he rushed the process by signing up with Team Ignite before committing another massive blunder of flying back to Manila just before the G League season tipped off. Now he has only one chance — the FIBA Basketball World Cup. A lot of Filipinos ranging from Johnny Abarrientos to Aguilar, Kiefer Ravena and Ray Parks all tried — and failed — to make it to the NBA. On the contrary, Sotto is being presented with a rare opportunity to display his talent and carry the torch in a world-class event. Sadly, despite repeatedly saying that he is ready, his body language suggests that he is reluctant to step up to serve as the hero of this basketball-crazy nation. The clock is ticking for Sotto. The doors of the NBA are slowly closing right before his very eyes. He has to lace his sneakers, grab that Gilas jersey, and play his heart out for the country in the FIBA Basketball World Cup before he becomes another “what if” in the history of Philippine basketball. The post Kai’s last chance appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»