NLEX sign Alas, Ravena to fresh 3-year deals
By Waylon Galvez Kiefer Ravena and Kevin Alas, the exciting and deadly NLEX Road Warriors guards, on Tuesday signed lucrative three-year contracts at the NLEX office in Balintawak. NLEX coach Yeng Guiao considered the extension contracts signed by two popular players as one big step in the “new chapter” for the franchise which is […].....»»
On the Kiefer Ravena-PBA issue: Was the process followed?
When I first heard of Kiefer Ravena’s signing with Japanese basketball team Shiga Lakestars, my thoughts were, “Oh, didn’t he just sign a contract extension with the NLEX Road Warriors in the PBA?”.....»»
NLEX signs Ighalo, Lao to contract extensions
NLEX, the PBA team, is known to be a squad built around talented guards Kiefer Ravena and Kevin Alas, but there were moments when these two players were badly missed by the Road Warriors during the team’s struggling years two years ago......»»
Hotshots sign Barroca to fresh deal
Magnolia has given veteran playmaker Mark Barroca a fresh three-year deal as he’s set to anchor the Hotshots in their quest for redemption in the next PBA Philippine Cup......»»
LA Lakers re-sign LeBron James, Anthony Davis
LOS ANGELES – LeBron James and Anthony Davis have re-signed with the NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers, the team announced on Thursday, in a move that sets the foundation for what could be the next great NBA dynasty. Terms of the deals were not released but Finals MVP James reportedly signed a two-year, $85 million […] The post LA Lakers re-sign LeBron James, Anthony Davis appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
PH eyes modest $31-M export deals at China expo participation
The Philippine delegation is targeting to attract over 1,300 buyers and generate a modest $31 million worth export deals at the upcoming China International Import Expo (CIIE), significantly lower than the $300 million the Philippines realized during last year’s China International Import Exposition (CIIE). Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon M. Lopez said the apparently lower sales target this year may mean on the spot deals only and may not include post CIIE sales attributed to said expo. “Factoring also that this year is Pandemic year. This is a hybrid show this year, where the goods are displayed but negotiations are done via the online B2B facility. The target is also based on the reduced pavilion size this year, as well as the projected decrease in the number of buyers attending CIIE this year,” said Lopez. Philippine mango and pili nuts are among the products that will be showcased under the FOODPhilippines Pavilion. Already, DTI’s Export Marketing Board and the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) facilitated initial talks with the Philippine delegation and 40 Chinese buyers in a video conferencing. These Chinese buyers are importers, distributors, and retailers. During last year’s CIIE, Philippine exhibitors booked around $300 million in sales at the second CIIE, more than double the $124 million recorded sales in 2018. This year’s third CIIE will be held on Nov. 5-10 in Shanghai. In the B2B session, Chinese buyers expressed interest in working together with Philippine companies that produce fresh fruits and vegetables, chocolates, healthy snacks, seafood, beverages, and condiments. For this hybrid participation, there will be a mix of physical product presentation in the pavilion that will be facilitated by onsite officers from the DTI trade posts in China and online B2B matching activities between our companies in Manila and the Chinese buyers who will visit the Philippine booth in Shanghai, according to CITEM Executive Director Pauline Suaco-Juan. With the theme “Healthy and Natural,” 40 Philippine companies will exhibit and sample the country’s wide range of tropical fruits and vegetables, processed fruits and nuts, healthy snacks, seafood and marine products, and other premium food selections. The FOODPhilippines pavilion will feature interactive conference pods for the first time in CIIE to enable virtual business-to-business (B2B) activities and video conferencing. In place of actual Philippine exhibitors manning the booths, Philippine Commercial Counsellors will represent the government and exhibitors, promote exhibitor brands and products onsite, and relay all business leads and contacts generated during the show. The participation in CIIE is organized in partnership with the Foreign Trade Services Corps (FTSC) through the Philippine Trade & Investment Centers (PTICs) in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Hong Kong, and the Export Marketing Bureau (EMB). Government partners are the Department of Agriculture (DA) through the Office of the Agricultural Counsellor in Beijing (DA-OAC-Beijing) and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). The Philippine mango and pili nuts are among the products that will be showcased under the FOODPhilippines Pavilion.project is likewise supported by business associations such as the Philippine Exporters Confederation, Inc. (PHILEXPORT) and the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce & Industry, Inc. (FFCCCII). Leading the FOODPhilippines’ opening in CIIE are representatives from the Philippines and China, namely the Philippine Ambassador to China Jose Santiago Sta. Romana, Philippines’ DTI Secretary Ramon M. Lopez, FFCCCII President Dr. Henry Lim Bon Liong, and Deputy Director General Yang Weiqun from the Department of Asian Affairs of China’s Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM). Under the FOODPhilippines delegation, 40 companies that will highlight tropical fruits and vegetables will be Hilas Marketing Corporation, Agrinurture, Inc., Mancoco Food Processing, Inc., Excellent Quality Goods Supply Company, Castillo Import Export Ventures Inc., Doxo International Trading, Magsasakang Progresibo Marketing Cooperative, See’s International Food Mfg, Corp., Century Pacific Agricultural Ventures, Inc., Team Asia Corporation, Eau de Coco, Inc., Eng Seng Food Products, Greenlife Coconut Products Philippines, Inc., Tongsan Industrial Development Corporation, Islandfun Inc., Limketkai Manufacturing Corporation (LMC), KLT Fruits, Inc., Zigmund Enterprise, Business Innovations Gateway, Inc., Sangkutsa Food Products, Inc., AG Grays Farm, Marigold Manufacturing Corporation, and the Federation of People’s Sustainable Development Cooperative. To show its goodwill to the Chinese market, the Philippine delegation will donate healthy products to Food Bank China as part of the launch of the Shanghai Food Bank Project with Liwayway China on November 5. The donation will include 200 packs of banana chips from Excellent Quality Goods Supply Company, 50 tuna packs of premium handline tuna from Century Pacific Food Inc., and bundles of virgin coconut oil (VCO) and various coconut products from Team Asia Corporation. The food donation to the Food Bank China serves as a way of giving back and a token of appreciation to the Chinese community for its continued support towards the Filipino representatives and communities in China, according to Commercial Vice Consul Mario Tani of the PTIC in Shanghai. Meanwhile, healthy snack varieties will be showcased by Magic Melt Foods Inc., Sandria’s Delicious Concept, Vegetari Vegetarian Products, Market Reach International Resources, SL Agritech Corporation, and the Philippine Franchise Association. Tuna and other seafood selections will be presented by Century Pacific Food Inc., Universal Canning, Inc., Fisher Farms, Incorporated, Jam Seafoods, Inc., Phil. Union Frozen Foods, Inc., and Gerabuenas Trading. Likewise, premium food selections will be offered by Global Basic Co., Ltd, Subic Superfood Incorporated, Chocoloco, Inc., Filipinas de Oro de Cacao, Inc., and Seabeth Food Processing......»»
NLEX hands TNT Tropang Giga first loss in PBA PH Cup
Kevin Alas had 24 points while Jericho Cruz added 19 as the NLEX Road Warriors put a stain on TNT Tropang Giga’s record with a 109-98 victory on Thursday night, October 29, 2020, in the PBA Philippine Cup at the AUF Sports Arena and Cultural Center in Pampanga. Kiefer Ravena chipped in 16 for the […] The post NLEX hands TNT Tropang Giga first loss in PBA PH Cup appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
After breakout NLEX game, Guiao lauds Alas toughness in recovery
The 28-year-old guard from Letran has not yet let his health deter him so far, still continuing to compete in the hard court......»»
Rebirth of Nash Racela
Nash Racela has steered Blackwater to an early success inside the bubble. (PBA Images) ANGELES CITY–Blackwater’s new coach Nash Racela seemed like he hasn’t skipped a beat despite missing the PBA sidelines for a long time. Racela steered the Elite to a 2-1 record in the Philippine Cup at the expense of the winless NLEX, 98-88, on Saturday at the Smart 5G-powered Angeles University Foundation Sports and Cultural Center. But the 48-year-old mentor bared that it wasn’t easy for him to return to the league after losing his post in TNT KaTropa two years ago. “When I got kicked out of Talk N’ Text (TNT), in a way I lost interest in the PBA. I wasn’t watching the game for at least a year,” said Racela. The former Far Eastern University tactician led TNT to a finals and five playoffs appearances in two years. But the KaTropa’s underwhelming performance early in the 2018 Commissioner’s Cup prompted the management to put him on leave and eventually replace him with current head coach Bong Ravena. Racela found his way back to the PBA after he signed a two-year deal with Blackwater in November last year. He could only thank his current Elite squad for helping him readjust to the league. “What really helped me was number one, ‘yung coaches and players that we have. They’ve been helping me a lot by giving inputs,” said Racela, whose familiarity with PBA also encouraged him to take another shot at coaching in the pros. “Number two is really the familiarity. Most of the players I know, the team tendencies and the coaches are the same,” he said. “Those are the things that really helped me to slowly be comfortable with coaching again in the PBA.” .....»»
Carl Tamayo made it a point to play with the big boys in Gilas 23 for 23
Carl Tamayo had been a stalwart of Batang Gilas. Alongside 7-foot-2, 17-year-old Kai Sotto, he was a big part of the biggest-ever Philippine national youth team. Even more, though, Tamayo is also being eyed to be a big part of the future of Gilas Pilipinas itself. In fact, the 6-foot-7 modern big man was included in the 23 for 23 - a list of youngsters who were looked at as national team mainstays once the 2023 FIBA World Cup comes around. That list was concretized on 2018, when Tamayo was just 17-years-old. Still, even then, he was already standing out. So much so that the talented teen had already wowed Gilas and NLEX guard Kiefer Ravena. "Nakasama ko si Carl nung unang practice na magkakasama yung matatanda pati yung mga bata sa 23 for 23. Nun, siyempre, wala pa namang team, wala pa namang first five," he shared in The Prospects Pod. He then continued, "Pero si Carl, laging sumasama doon sa unang lima. Sinasabayan niya lagi sila June Mar [Fajardo], sila Japeth [Aguilar], sila Jayson [Castro]. Dun niya laging gustong sumabay." Yes, apparently in the very first training session of the supposed future national team, Tamayo made it a point to play with the likes of eight-time champion six-time MVP Fajardo, one-time best point guard in Asia Castro, and fan favorite Aguilar. And in Ravena's eyes, that in itself is nothing but impressive. "Ako, nasa isip ko nun, 'Okay, matapang 'tong batang 'to ha.' Kasi wala namang sinasabi, pero nag-volunteer siya agad," he shared. He then continued, "First impression ko talaga, malayo mararating ng batang 'to kasi wala siyang paki kung bago siya. Unang practice pa lang yun, kakasalang pa lang niya sa Gilas, pero ganun na kaagad yung approach niya." That even allowed the Road Warriors' lead guard to poke fun at his good friend. "Nung nakita ko yun, sinisiko ko si Troy Rosario. Sabi ko sa kanya, 'Troy, may papalit na sayo, Troy," he said, through chuckles. Of course, Tamayo isn't Rosario's replacement. Rather, hopefully, the two will join forces in a national team frontcourt ready and raring for modern basketball. --- Follow this writer on Twitter, @riegogogo......»»
PBA: Kiefer already high on coach Yeng s player list
Coach Yeng Guiao hasn't even gotten to coach Kiefer Ravena for a full PBA season, and yet, the Phenom is already high on the champion mentor's list. Guiao is pretty sold on Kiefer, saying that his NLEX Road Warriors were lucky to draft Ravena no. 2 in the 2017 PBA Draft. Coach Yeng says that NLEX is also lucky now that Kiefer is back after the guard had to go through his 18-month FIBA suspension. "We were very lucky to have Kiefer, even if the price was not having him for a year and half," Guiao said on Coaches Unfiltered. "We've waited a long time for him and he also wants to show what he can do," he added. For Guiao, Kiefer possesses rare leadership qualities for a player. True enough, as a rookie, Ravena drove the Road Warriors all the way to the 2018 Philippine Cup semifinals. In his first full conference back from suspension, his second overall in the PBA, he had NLEX as the no. 1 seed in the 2019 Governors' Cup. "Kiefer is a natural leader," Guiao said. "Just his leadership qualities, his ability to think through a game, the way he's able to gain the respect of his teammates, those are qualities that are very rare when you combine them in one person," coach Yeng added. Of course, Kiefer is no slouch on the basketball court. He's one of the most gifted young stars in the PBA today and while his sample size of success in the pros is relatively small so far, there's no mistaking about his abilities. Ravena shining on a loaded NLEX backcourt says a lot about his abilities as well. "The good thing about Kiefer is he does not need to dominate the ball, not like when he was in college. I think one strong reason why we have a better team now is because he does not have to carry the load by himself, especially at the guard position," coach Yeng said. "I would rank him very high," Guiao added. — Follow this writer on Twitter, @paullintag8.....»»
Four of coach Frankie s NCAA First 5 comes straight from San Beda
Frankie Lim has been calling the shots for University of Perpetual Help from 2018 to present. Before this, the fiery mentor was at the helm of San Beda University from 2007 to 2011. Through all of that, he has had a hand in the discovery and the development of young talent for his teams as well as the game planning for the opposing rising stars. Among all of those, who are the best of the best for him? Here is Frankie Lim's NCAA First 5, as he told ABS-CBN Sports: ROBERT BOLICK Coach Frankie was no longer in San Beda when Robert Bolick became "Big Shot Bolick." Where he was instead was at the other end, doing his best to push Perpetual into getting the better of the 6-foot-1 playmaker. In his three games going up against Bolick, Coach Frankie and his boys fell short - and that only made the latter all the more impressed with the former. GARVO LANETE Before Bolick was doing what he was doing, Lanete set the standard on what San Beda should get from its lead guard. A fearless gunner forever willing to put the Red Lions on his back, the 6-foot-2 scorer was right up there with the likes of Kiefer Ravena and Kevin Alas as the best backcourt players in college. Lanete had an edge over those two, though, as he was a key cog in four championships for the red and white. MIKE NZEUSSEU Nzeusseu is not the foreign student-athlete we're used to watching. Yes, he could back down on opponents, but he was at his best either facing up and forcing his quickness on defenders or finishing setups from the likes of CJ Perez and the Marcelino twins. Coach Frankie knows a thing or two about paint presences, but he is also a big fan of more well-rounded big men. SUDAN DANIEL Daniel had an unenviable task of following Sam Ekwe, you know, the Nigerian who won MVP and Rookie of the Year in the same season. Without a doubt, though, "Superman" lived up to his lofty billing, making sure San Beda remained the team-to-beat even in the face of San Sebastian College-Recoletos' Pinatubo Trio as well as Alas and Raymond Almazan-led Colegio de San Juan de Letran. In an MVP campaign in 2010, Daniel stood as the pillar for the Red Lions' 18-0 romp through the tournament and wound up with something not even Ekwe had - a season sweep. OLA ADEOGUN At the peak of his powers, Adeogun was, simply put, scary. An unbelievable hybrid of Ekwe's power and Daniel's agility, the Nigerian saw to it that there was no let up for San Beda even after they had moved on from their two foreign student-athletes who won MVP. Adeogun did not win the top individual player himself and yet, he won the hearts of the San Beda faithful thanks to the attitude he brought to the Red Lions. --- Follow this writer on Twitter, @riegogogo......»»
PBA: Jericho Cruz got his Coach Yeng tirade as a rookie
Jericho Cruz has been playing under coach Yeng Guiao for most of his PBA career from his days at Rain or Shine to now at NLEX. Naturally, Cruz has experienced Coach Yeng's infamous fiery rants. In fact, it didn't take long for Cruz to be on the receiving end of one of them, taking an earful as a rookie and in the PBA Finals no less. "Nung Finals natin kalaban natin Talk 'N Text rookie year ko, pinabantay sakin si kuya Jayson [Castro] eh," Cruz said on Extra Rice with his former teammate Rain or Shine. The series in question is the 2015 PBA Commissioner's Cup Finals, which Rain or Shine unfortunately dropped after a double-overtime loss in Game 7 to the Tropang Texters. Castro balled out in the series, averaging 22.7 points per game and topping out 44 points in one outing. "Alam natin nung time na yun grabe talaga si kuya Jayson. Parang unstoppable na. Syempre as a rookie, ang dami kong mistakes," Cruz said. "Halftime, lumapit sakin [coach Yeng]. Sabi niya sakin, basta yung mga bad words, F-U ka. Akala ko matapang ka, pagdating sa Finals ang duwag mo. Pagdating ng second half, yun na yung time na nag-away kami ni kuya Jayson, pinipisikal ko na. Pero wala pa din, wala ako magawa," he added. Rain or Shine did end up winning a Commissioner's Cup championship... but in 2016. Since then, Cruz was traded to TNT to team up with Castro before finding himself back with Coach Yeng with the Road Warriors. At NLEX, Jericho got a more veteran role especially since the Road Warriors' guard rotation is now led by Kiefer Ravena. "Ako yung isa sa mga beterano na sa team eh. Yung konting experience ko, dinadala ko sa game," Cruz said. — Follow this writer on Twitter, @paullintag8.....»»
PBA: COVID-19 presents toughest test for Commissioner Marcial
When Willie Marcial was promoted to become PBA Commissioner, the league was not in a good place. The PBA Board was divided into two separate factions following a rather controversial end to the tenure of Commissioner Chito Narvasa. Nevertheless, in less than three years, Commissioner Marcial has helped bridge the divide and restore some of the PBA's lost glory. Marcial has been so good that he's been rewarded with a fresh three-year term before his current deal expired. When his extension ends, Marcial would have the third longest stint for a Commissioner in the PBA. [Related: PBA: Willie Marcial gets 3-year extension as Commissioner] Before that happens though, Marcial has to deal with his toughest challenge on the job: the COVID-19 pandemic. "Mahirap, mahirap talaga," Marcial said on the recent Philippine Sportswriters Association forum as he deals with the pandemic. "Nataon sakin tumama ito, ang hirap paano gawin, paano kausapin yung task force, paano kausapin ang players, lahat," he added. The PBA has been shut down for over four months now due to the effects of COVID-19. Before the league stopped play last March 11, the 2020 Philippine Cup only managed one match. If the PBA never returns for this year, the whole 45th season would have gone to waste. As such, a restart is in the works, with return to practice pegged this week. Still, the pressure on Marcial as Commissioner will only rise when the PBA attempts to return while the pandemic is still ongoing. "Mas mahirap pag umandar na to, kasi kakabahan na ako kasi baka may mag-positive. Baka may mag-text sakin, yun pala trade lang o may tanong. Mas kakabahan ako eh," Marcial said. "Lahat ng sisi, pero sana wag naman, sakin. Pag nag-outbreak to, wala PBA, sakin tatama eh. Minsan talaga di ka makakatulog, lalo na pag nag-umpisa na," he added. — Follow this writer on Twitter, @paullintag8.....»»
PBA: Erram trade could be 'blessing in disguise' for NLEX
Things were set up quite nicely for NLEX in the 2019 PBA Governors's Cup. The Road Warriors finally had access to all of their weapons, and after playing with two quality imports through the course of the elimination round, they entered the playoffs as the no. 1 seed. Unfortunately, NLEX didn't even get out of the first round, becoming the fifth top-ranked team to lose to a no. 8 seed in the quarterfinals. For the next PBA conference, whenever that is, the Road Warriors won't even have a chance to run things back as the team traded away star center Poy Erram after just one full season. However, while that could lead to a struggle, NLEX is looking at that blockbuster trade with a different perspective. "Of course we were sad na na-trade si Poy, parang kapatid na rin namin siya, napa-lapit na siya samin," guard Kevin Alas said on 2OT with teammate Jericho Cruz and PBA broadcasters Magoo Marjon and Carlo Pamintuan. "But at the same time, naging blessing in disguise samin, iniisip namin kasi siguro the last time na nag-semifinals kami, wala pa si Poy noon. Right now nadagdagan pa kami. Iniisip na lang namin na dati kaya natin without Poy, so ibig sabihin kaya din natin now," he added. NLEX's breakthrough semifinals came during the 2018 Philippine Cup where the Road Warriors took on the Magnolia Hotshots for six games. That was Kiefer Ravena's very first conference with the team and Poy Erram was still with the Blackwater Elite. The Road Warriors were locked in a 2-2 series with the Hotshots before Alas tore his ACL for the first time very early in Game 5. NLEX just slowly fell apart after, getting eliminated by the next game. "Yung perspective na lang namin, parang blessing in disguise," Alas said of the Erram trade, which netted NLEX Anthony Semerad, Rabeh Al-Hussaini, as well as Blackwater's 2020 first-round pick and a 2021 second-round pick. "Baka mas paghihirapan natin pagpasok sa semis this time," Alas added. — Follow this writer on Twitter, @paullintag8.....»»
Ben Mbala to Kiefer Ravena: I just might play in the PBA against you
It has been three years since Ben Mbala went pro. From 2017 to now, he has seen action in Mexico, Korea, and France. For the two-time UAAP MVP and one-time champion, however, the dream remains to be returning to the Philippines to play basketball. "I told everyone that for me, playing in the Philippines is still a path," he said in the inaugural episode of The Prospects Pod last Friday. Mbala even kidded that host Kiefer Ravena, lead guard of NLEX, will be seeing him sooner than later. As he put it, through chuckles, "I just might play in the PBA against you. I'm letting you know." Back in 2018, it was reported that Magnolia was mulling signing the 6-foot-8 center to replace then-injured import Romeo Travis. It wasn't meant to be, however. "Coach Juno Sauler, he called me because after Korea, I was just chilling here. I went to the PBA office, did all the paper work and all and it didn't go through because my situation depended on how Romeo would feel," he shared, talking about former De La Salle University coach and current Hotshots assistant Juno Sauler. He then continued, "For me, I don't mind trying to be helpful, but I just don't want to sign if I don't even know if I'm going to play or not." Apparently, Magnolia still offered him a contract, even as just a practice player, but Mbala ultimately took his talents to France instead. "They told me, 'You can still practice and get paid.' I was like it's not about the money, it's about playing," he shared. He then continued, "I can't just be on stand by and be in the Philippines not knowing what's going on. Then Romeo was feeling better and I was happy for them." Of course, the very reason the De La Salle University standout moved on from Taft Avenue was to take back control of his career. From then to now, though, Mbala has always wanted to see action in the first pay-for-play league in Asia. "For sure, I'm coming," he expressed. If and when that time comes, Ravena is out to make sure the two of them would be on the same side. "If you're going to play in the PBA, I'll make sure it's with me," he said, with a laugh. --- Follow this writer on Twitter, @riegogogo......»»
Scribes to honor collegiate stars
Ateneo’s Thirdy Ravena and Ange Kouame with Rhenz Abando of Letran will be feted as the Collegiate Basketball Players of the Year in a historic three-in-one awards night of the Collegiate Press Corps on Monday at the Hummingbird Rooftop Bar in Quezon City......»»
Fresh twists to the iconic Baguette
Marc Jacobs’ interpretation of Fendi is a collection that explores the Fendi iconic silhouettes and bags. The designer is a long-time friend and mentor to Kim Jones and this collection reflects both that personal relationship and the respect he holds for Fendi as a house and the birthplace of an iconic item of pop product: The Baguette and the Fendi icons. Rarely does a fashion item go beyond its realm to occupy a space in the wider culture — but the Baguette has done just that. The Fendi by Marc Jacobs collection is at once an interpretation and a celebration of the Baguette in its 25th anniversary year together with the city in which its place in pop culture history was sealed: New York. Taking inspiration from the object itself, a conflation of moments in time, as well as the spirit and geography of a place, the Baguette is realized in multiple ways, both in terms of clothing and accessories. [caption id="attachment_137091" align="aligncenter" width="525"] FENDI by Marc Jacobs Capsule Collection.[/caption] In this rough-cut romance between uptown and downtown, luxury and utility, excess and reality, the Baguette and the clothing and accessories it inspires are at once defined as a moment in history and part of a continuum with today. For Jacobs, grand dimensions from another time are contrasted with the humble origins of today and in so doing banish notions of costume in his collection. A reflection of the glittering and gritty New York cityscape, the casual is made formal in parachute train skirts, balloon-backed broken denim jackets, rustling cellophane opera capes and fluoro recycled fur stoles and hats. The glitter of rhinestones, silver and fluorescent yellow pervades, becoming an almost literal example of ‘local color’ inspired by the glass frontages and workman’s hi-vis vests to be found on the city’s streets. Exaggerated, platformed and oversized, the take on the Baguette itself also shares something of these silhouettes’ grand gestures — elongated and gleaming, replete with multiple mini versions of itself attached. FENDI is located at Greenbelt 4, Makati. The post Fresh twists to the iconic Baguette appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Marionette’s woe
The agenda of the detractors of the pivotal Malampaya natural gas project was for the deal, Service Contract 38, to lapse next year which places the assets in the government’s hands and then a favored private group comes in to buy the assets at a huge discount. The potential of the Malampaya--Camago is too promising, however, for the carpetbaggers to succeed since serious investors are willing to have the government partner for the project. Former Philippine National Oil Company chief Eduardo Mañalac, the designated attack dog of the detractors, said it should have been the government, through PNOC-Exploration Corp., buying out the foreign partners Shell and Chevron. PNOC-EC has a pre-emptive right as a 10 percent partner in the Malampaya consortium, giving it the option to match any offers to buy out any of the partners. The idea of the government taking over the project does not hold water. The actual cost to buy up the shares of the two foreign oil giants which own 90 percent of the Malampaya service providers would cost a hefty $1 billion. The government would need another $500 million to $600 million to explore and develop additional production wells. Coming from the pandemic era, such an amount spent on one project that has no immediate benefit to the public and obtained from borrowings would be preposterous. Pain and gains in business are best left to the private sector which has the resources to use while pursuing their profit motive. The real target of Manalac’s rant and rave, however, was to scuttle the deals and not extend SC 38 beyond its expiration next year, opening the door for wheeling and dealing in which the government assumes the Malampaya assets or if a new contract is dealt out. Mañalac can’t be trusted in his supposed role as a guardian of key state assets that he wanted to portray. During his stint as a concurrent energy undersecretary and PNOC chief, he tried to arrange the sale of five percent of PNOC-EC to a South Korean firm. The deal fell through after the National Economic and Development Authority or NEDA, under then Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Romulo Neri, junked the proposal and recommended to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo that the government keep its stake in PNOC-EC intact. At an online forum hosted by National Youth Movement for the West Philippine Sea, Mañalac gave an excuse that the aborted sale was an imposition by the Department of Energy. It was also supposedly a bid to recoup a P100-million loan spent on acquiring a 10 percent stake in the state-owned company and to top it all, Mañalac said he supported the sale “against his will.” “Of course, I was against it but you have to follow, you argue against it but at the end of the day, you tried to obey the instructions as best as you can,” Mañalac’s account which he wanted to fool the public into believing. He belatedly announcing that his actions were against his will reveals his foibles. The pursuit of the former energy official is off-tangent to the idea of maximizing benefits to the government. With the private sector as the controlling interest in the consortium, the government collects 60 percent of the net proceeds from Malampaya’s sale and it is spared of the huge amount needed for exploration and development. Pray tell how the current setup will have government missing out as Mañalac puts it. The truth is those who are pulling Mañalac’s strings wanted to obtain the energy industry jewel at a dirt-cheap price. The post Marionette’s woe appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
DA’s onion SRP flip-flop slammed
The Department of Agriculture was roundly criticized Thursday for deferring the implementation of a suggested retail price, or SRP, for onions, after it cited compliance concerns. The SRP, which was set at P150 per kilo for red onions and P140 per kilo for white onions, was supposed to take effect yesterday. However, the DA said on Wednesday it will first coordinate with other government agencies before implementing the SRP. The group Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura scored the department headed concurrently by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for taking back the SRP. SINAG president Rosendo So encouraged consumers not to patronize retailers selling onions beyond the P150 per kilo SRP. Jayson Cainglet, the group’s executive director, lambasted Undersecretary Domingo Panganiban for taking back the SRP, describing the withdrawal as “pathetic.” “We find it strange and unfortunate for the DA to postpone the SRP. Unless the real objective of those who refused to sign the SRP is to keep retail prices of onions high,” Cainglet said. The DA said it is considering the cost structure regarding the SRP, as it will also impact on onion growers or farmers. It is also coordinating with the Department of Trade and Industry to ensure compliance with the SRP, it added. Filipinos consume about 17,000 tons of onions monthly. The high prices have made onions unaffordable for many Filipinos. High prices of onions had been blamed on crop-ravaging super tycoons, soaring global inflation, inaccurate crop projections, price manipulation and hoarding. P720/kilo The DA had previously imposed SRPs on onions, but these were disregarded by retailers. In December 2022, the DA implemented a P250 per kilo SRP, but the price of onions skyrocketed to P720 per kilo amid the shortage in supply. In February this year, the department also imposed a P125 SRP on imported onions, but it failed to get compliance from traders and retailers. “The SRP did not work out, we don’t want to repeat this and there are some things that we have to address first particularly the supply,” DA spokesperson Rex Estoperez said. “Then we’ll encourage the farmers to lower the farm gate prices. It appears that didn’t happen and they didn’t do so. Nobody followed our SRP. We have lessons learned there, including our setting up of the SRP,” he explained. For an onion grower like Jimmy Vistar, the DA will have to fix an acceptable SRP as he said the price from their last harvest this year has already reached P112 per kilo. The alleged smuggling and hoarding of onions had been blamed for the high prices of onions in the Philippines. With the Bureau of Customs seizing smuggled onions valued at over a hundred million pesos a couple of months back, government officials had mulled releasing them to local markets. The onions were hidden in containers labeled as clothing, plastic buckets, dish plates, and cat litter. In one shipment, the onions were labeled as udon noodles and frozen fish. The post DA’s onion SRP flip-flop slammed appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
EastSide Band holds one-night-only show at Newport World Resorts
Internet sensation EastSide Band is returning to the metro for a special one-night only performance at Newport World Resorts. The six-piece band from Mindanao graces the pioneer entertainment destination with warm vocals and masterful instrumentals, which has captured the attention of millions of Filipinos since 2018. Experience the EastSide Band live on the grand stage at Bar 360 on 26 May, 11:15 p.m., for a minimum cover charge of P1,000 consumable on food and drinks. Through expressive cover videos recorded on their signature veranda, the EastSide Band continues to serenade their online audience of millions. The band’s growing popularity has earned them a performing stint at ABS-CBN’s Sunday Variety Show, ASAP Natin ‘To, a back-to-back concert with the band Music Travel Love featuring members of quintessential 90s pop band, The Moffatts, in Cagayan De Oro City, and a primetime two-night act at Newport World Resorts last year. Escape the ordinary at Newport World Resorts. For more information on the EastSide Band at Bar 360, visit www.newportworldresorts.com and follow @newportworldresorts on Facebook and |Instagram, and @nwresorts on Twitter. Make the most of your visit and sign up for an Epic Membership or download the Newport World Resorts Mobile App for free at the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. The post EastSide Band holds one-night-only show at Newport World Resorts appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»