Marcos discusses WPS issue with French President Macron
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and French President Emmanuel Macron discussed the security issues facing the Philippines in the West Philippine Sea earlier this week, Malacañang said on Thursday. In a statement, Marcos told Marcon in a telephone call on Wednesday that the Philippines is exerting all its efforts to maintain peace and stability in the region. “But may I thank France for all the support that you have given us in terms of our shared values, in terms of following the international law, especially (the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea) and it has been of great help the messages of support and even when you sent French vessels to come and patrol. So I have thank you, Mr. President, and France,” Marcos said. Marcos said that the Philippines and France had just celebrated the 75th anniversary of their diplomatic relationship, recalling their fruitful meeting during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Bangkok last year. Marcos said the Philippines and France are taking their discussions seriously to ensure a favorable outcome for the two countries. “This is all the product of our meetings in Bangkok, and I am very happy that … Well, we have been working assiduously trying to make sure that what we discussed we follow up and we come to a good conclusion,” Marcos said. While everything is still under discussion, President Marcos said the Philippines will make close diplomatic contact through French Ambassador to the Philippines Marie Fontanel, who presented her credentials on 20 September. Meanwhile, Marcon told Marcos that French ministers will visit the Philippines soon. President Marcos replied to Macron that they could start working during the visit of the French ministers on what had been discussed during the 10th Philippine-France Joint Economic Meeting last June. Marcos then extended the invitation to the French President to visit the Philippines whenever he made a state visit to Asia. “We can work on what was just held last June, the 10th Philippine-France Joint Economic Committee Meeting. And many of the businessmen from France were able to speak to our ministers and some of the local businessmen as well,” Marcos told President Macron. "(If) your ministers will come to visit the Philippines then that will be the next step from that beginning,” the chief executive added, as he expressed his gratitude for the long-standing bilateral ties between the Philippines and France. The post Marcos discusses WPS issue with French President Macron appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
‘Ipaglaban natin ang atin’ — Bong Go on removal of barrier in Scarborough Shoal
Senator Christopher "Bong" Go, vice chairperson of the Senate National Defense Committee, stressed in an interview on Tuesday, 26 September, the need to protect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Philippines in light of the removal of a Chinese-installed floating barrier at Scarborough Shoal. "My previous position d'yan, kung ano po ang atin ay atin. What is ours is ours. Ipaglaban po natin kung ano po ang atin," Go declared. For years, the Scarborough Shoal, located 200 kilometers away from the Philippines, has been a contentious area due to disputes over territorial claims and fishing rights. It is administered as a political subdivision of Zambales. Recently, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) carried out a special operation to dismantle the floating barrier that had been hindering Filipino fishermen. "Trabaho po 'yun ng ating mga nasa gobyerno, sa Executive Department, DFA, PCG. I'm sure alam nila ang kanilang ginagawa," Go said, expressing confidence in the government's actions. Go also addressed the issue of barriers that had been removed but were still causing concerns. "Na-clear na ba? Dapat lang. Kung ano nga po ang atin ay atin 'yun, 'wag nating hayaang nakaharang d'yan ang mga barriers. Kung agrabyado naman tayo, kung ano nga po ang atin, ipaglaban po natin. What is ours is ours," he emphasized. Eliminating the barrier has heightened tensions between the Philippines and China, with the latter asserting ownership of more than 90 percent of the commonly referred to as" South China Sea". Go also expressed support for President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.’s order to remove the barrier. Previously, Go criticized the series of reported harassments by China particularly in the disputed waters of Ayungin Shoal. He elaborated on the need for a unified stance to protect the country’s rights and rightful claims to its territories and Exclusive Economic Zone. "Dapat po ay respetuhin ang ating karapatan. Kung ano ang karapatan natin na mag-resupply tayo, atin po ‘yon, karapatan po natin ‘yun. Ipaglaban po natin ang ating karapatan," Go reiterated. On 8 September, the Philippine Coast Guard faced interference from the China Coast Guard while navigating to Ayungin Shoal, yet successfully executed their resupply mission. This episode adds to a pattern of maritime tensions, including a prior incident where a Chinese vessel deployed water cannons against a Philippine military ship and another involving the use of a military-grade laser against a Philippine Coast Guard vessel. The post ‘Ipaglaban natin ang atin’ — Bong Go on removal of barrier in Scarborough Shoal appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Rent moratorium for rice retailers imposed
The Muntinlupa City Council passed an ordinance imposing moratorium on rental payment for public stall holders selling rice as a form of assistance to the traders due to the effectivity of the price caps. Mayor Ruffy Biazon signed Ordinance 2023-120 last Tuesday, 26 September, which became “effective immediately upon its approval.” The ordinance states that the President issued E.O. 39 “with an end view to put a price cap on rice in the effort to ease off the increasing price of the staple caused by illegal price manipulation such as hoarding by opportunistic traders and collusion among industry cartels in the light of the lean season, as well as global events taking place beyond the Philippines’ control, such as the Russia-Ukraine conflict, India’s ban on rice exportation, and the unpredictability of oil prices in the world market, among other factors, have caused an alarming increase in the retail prices of rice.” In consonance with the presidential order, the city government was prompted to impose the moratorium on the collection of rental payment from stall holders engaged in the selling of rice as assistance to them due to a price cap on regular and well-milled rice. On 31 August, Marcos issued Executive Order 39 imposing a mandated price ceiling of P41 per kilo for regular milled rice and P45 per kilo for well-milled rice. The rice price cap took effect on 5 September. The Department of the Interior and Local Government issued Memorandum Circular 2023-131 for mayors to assist and ensure the effective regulation of the price of rice through “regular inspections of public and private markets, as well as rice warehouses; activation of hotlines, consumer complaints desk, and Timbangan ng Bayan; and deputation of barangay officials and non-government organizations to monitor abnormal price increases,” the ordinance added. The DILG also issued an unnumbered memorandum urging local government units “a) grant rent discounts; b) waive market fees; or c) pass a moratorium on rental payments, for public stall holders engaged in the business of selling rice for a period of two weeks to one month, subject to the discretion of the LGUs.” The post Rent moratorium for rice retailers imposed appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
‘Kalburo’
Generations and generations of fishermen call it Kalburo, a name they coined and it’s as old as time......»»
‘Hercules’ actor Kevin Sorbo thinks Timothée Chalamet is killing ‘real masculinity’
American actor and producer Kevin Sorbo, who starred as the Greek demigod Hercules in the 1990s show Hercules: The Legendary Journeys, is angry about allegedly being “canceled” by Hollywood for his conservative views and Christian beliefs. In a controversial essay titled “Make Hollywood Manly Again” published on Fox News, the actor griped about how Hollywood and the media are supposedly putting traditional male roles in a negative light. “Fathers, in particular, have become the butt of every woke Hollywood jab, the bumbling, useless idiots who contribute nothing to their families or communities, but sacrifice themselves as objects of ridicule,” Sorbo wrote. Lamenting the rise of female-centric “girl boss” films in recent years, Sorbo complained that men are now portrayed as the “impotent sitcom father” and the “brutish he-man who only abuses his strength and makes a mockery of masculinity.” [caption id="attachment_189784" align="aligncenter" width="318"] Timothée Chalamet[/caption] The right-wing actor reserved particular venom for actors Timothée Chalamet and Billy Porter for their androgynous fashion sense. “Society today seriously misunderstands masculinity. On the one hand, we love to normalize androgynous, Billy Porter-type men who sport skirts and poofy dresses,” Sorbo wrote. As for Chalamet: “Let’s just say your grandfather wouldn’t have been caught dead dressed like Chalamet.” Chalamet has been acclaimed for redefining modern men’s fashion and style. His eclectic and atypical roles in films have been reflected in his unique and bold personal style on the red carpet. [caption id="attachment_189785" align="aligncenter" width="316"] Billy Porter[/caption] The Call Me By Your Name superstar was a head-turner at the premiere of his 2018 film Beautiful Boy with a statement tuxedo by Alexander McQueen in a graphic floral motif that gave a fresher and more youthful look to the standard male formal get-up. In 2022, the Oscar-nominated actor once again dominated fashion headlines when he wore a sleeveless and backless Haider Ackermann custom red halter-neck top at his red-carpet appearance for the romantic horror film Bones and All. Porter, a Tony, Grammy and Emmy award-winning actor, is likewise regarded as a fashion icon for flaunting genderless clothing in his public appearances. Exhibit A was his appearance at the 91st Academy Awards, where he wore a velvet tuxedo jacket paired with a ball gown. The post ‘Hercules’ actor Kevin Sorbo thinks Timothée Chalamet is killing ‘real masculinity’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Go reiterates call for increased health fund
Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health, emphasized in an interview on Tuesday, 26 September, the urgent need to bolster the Department of Health’s budget as the country movestowards pandemic recovery even amid several existing and emerging public health concerns. He recalled the budget deliberations in December 2019 when there were attempts to cut the budget of the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine for year 2020. “In the 2019 budget deliberations, I defended the RITM budget which was on the brink of being slashed. We even added more funds,” he narrated. This decision turned out to be crucial then, as RITM later played a vital role in Covid-19 testing when the pandemic started in 2020. Go noted that the restoration of RITM’s budget underscored the importance of adequately funding healthcare institutions, especially in unpredictable times. Go’s recollection came at a critical time when DoH is facing a P10-billion budget cut for 2024. The proposed budget cut would bring DoH’s overall budget down to P199.45 billion from P209.62 billion under the General Appropriations Act of 2023. With this, Go argued that the healthcare system needs more, not less, financial support. He then underscored the urgency for increased investment in the public healthcare system. Meanwhile, Go continued to push for the Department of Disaster Resilience and Mandatory Evacuation Center bills. Go’s office, in coordination with Mayor Clark Ngaya, distributed grocery packs to 500 typhoon “Egay” victims at the municipal hall in Barlig, Mountain Province last Monday, 25 September. The post Go reiterates call for increased health fund appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Mooncake ice cream, anyone?
Mooncakes are a traditional Chinese delicacy that are enjoyed and given as a gift to friends, colleagues, family, relatives and clients during the Mid-Autumn Festival, which is now better known as the Mooncake Festival. The date changes every year because it follows the Lunar calendar. Highlight of the festival takes place on 29 September this year, but the celebration is actually longer than that. There are so many different kinds of mooncakes these days — from the traditional lotus paste to the more contemporary beans, nuts and custards, even meats. And the ultimate indulgence, the egg yolk, can be just one or as many as four or six. Shapes, too, shift from square to round, and sizes range from small, almost bite-sized, to big and for-sharing. [caption id="attachment_189648" align="aligncenter" width="525"] PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF KARABELLA DAIRYSalted Egg Caramel Ube Mooncake Gelato.[/caption] But there is one form of mooncake that you have probably never tried. I have also never tried it until recently, because it is an entirely new “phenomenon” mooncake in ice cream form. Mooncake gelato. With lots of chunky mooncake bits to chew on. Yes. After successful collaborations to produce cakes and alcoholic drinks in ice cream, Karabella Dairy recently joined hands with chef Nathaniel Uy of TheHungryChef to create two flavors of mooncake gelato. Chef Nathaniel is, after all, known for his homemade, artisanal mooncakes, which he produces and sells during mooncake season. He makes exquisite flavors, including black bean mooncake, ube mooncake and coffee mooncake. [caption id="attachment_189649" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Matcha Red Bean Mooncake Gelato.[/caption] “It is really a tradition to give mooncakes during the Mid-Autumn Festival, and we wanted to be able to give mooncakes that are different but still delightful this year. We collaborated with Chef Nathaniel because we find his mooncakes very different from the ones we tried, especially the crust. The fillings are also ‘sakto to panlasang Pinoy’ and very creative, too,” said Jan Buenaflor of Karabella Dairy. Karabella already had the gelato base flavor, the brand’s best-selling Salted Egg Caramel Gelato for the Salted Egg Caramel Ube Mooncake Gelato, one of the two flavors that came out of the collaboration. Then Ericjan “EJ” Buenaflor, the gelato master of Karabella, created a new matcha base for the other flavor, Matcha Red Bean Mooncake Gelato. [caption id="attachment_189647" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Photograph courtesy of Jan and EJ Buenaflojan and EJ Buenaflor, the mother-and-son team behind Karabella Dairy, with chef Nathaniel Uy of TheHungryChef.[/caption] “We considered what flavors we could make to precisely combine with Chef Nat’s mooncakes. We first ran and tried a tiny batch to see if our salted egg and matcha would complement his mooncakes. We made several batches and tests to balance all the flavors, as we didn’t want to overpower the real flavor of Chef Nat’s mooncakes and we also didn’t want to come up with a mooncake gelato that will seem as if we just topped our gelato with mooncake,” explains EJ. The results: The salted egg in the first Mooncake Gelato flavor has its saltiness balanced by the sweetness of the caramel and the ube, so that the ingredients complement each other. The matcha in the second flavor provides a distinct and refreshing green tea flavor while the red bean paste adds a unique sweetness and textural contrast to it to make a great combo. Karabella x TheHungryChef’s mooncake gelatos are now available online. They are available in a package of one-pint Salted Egg Caramel Ube Mooncake Gelato, one pint Matcha Red Bean Mooncake Gelato, and two TheHungryChef mooncakes for P1,500. You can also buy the mooncake gelatos per pint or flavor. The post Mooncake ice cream, anyone? appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
MSMEs good payers — SB Corp.
The micro, small and medium entrepreneurs are being extolled by Small Business Corporation, an attached agency of the Department of Trade and Industry, for being good payers even though some of them have already closed shop because of the global contagion three years ago. During his guest appearance at the Daily Tribune’s digital show Straight Talk on Wednesday, SB Corp. president Robert Bastillo said almost one-third of the lenders catered to by SB Corp. have closed their businesses during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. “The good thing is that these MSME lenders are still paying their debts even if their businesses were shuttered. These are indeed entrepreneurs as they want to have a good reputation and a good track record when it comes to debt. That is important for us. But still, the majority of the lenders are good payers even though some are delayed,” he said. The past-due rate of SB Corp. during the pandemic was 30 percent, considering that most funds in its portfolio were released during the pandemic. Past due rate manageable The past-due rate refers to the lenders who are delayed in their payments. Currently, the past-due rate of SB Corp. is from 20 to 25 percent, considered by Bastillo as healthy, considering that the country is just coping with the pandemic crisis. From 2019 to date, Bastillo said SB Corp.’s total direct MSME lenders are now at 55,000, while those courses through cooperatives, micro-finance institutions, and private financing companies — or what they call loan conduits — are now reaching 300,000. “SB Corp. lenders can borrow from P30,000 up to P20 million maximum. Lenders up to P5 million do not need collateral, but first-time borrowers can only borrow up to P3 million. If they are good payers, they can expand their loan after six months,” he said. No stringent requirements required In terms of process, SB Corp. does not require stringent requirements for MSMEs if they are only lending up to P100,000. “We only require other requirements, such as a Mayor’s Permit, among others if they are already asking more than P100,000. We have credit scoring in place based on the lender’s assets or annual sales. That’s a discipline in lending and a risk management procedure,” he said. SB Corp.’s fund being ushered to MSME lenders is coming from its corporate equity, being a corporation. Inadequate revolving fund “We have a capital of P10 billion, but what has been given to us for the past 28 years, was P2 billion. It’s a revolving fund that is not enough. The P10 billion was given in full in the last pandemic, but those are meant for dying MSMEs. It’s hard during that time,” according to Bastillo. He said even the salaries of their employees are coming from the revolving funds, as they are given by the government annual appropriations because they are a corporation that is supposed to earn money. “We live within what we earn. It is difficult in the sense that it is also challenging. How do you help and keep yourself afloat when everybody around you is struggling? That is our problem during the pandemic. But we are happy to say that despite that, we have a modest income, and we were able to serve MSMEs very fast,” he said. According to Bastillo, MSMEs with P100,000 to P3 million worth of assets are considered micro, MSMEs that have an asset of P3 million to P15 million are considered medium, while those with 100 million assets are considered large entrepreneurs. The country’s MSMEs dominate the entrepreneurial environment, accounting for more than 99.5 percent, 80 percent of which are micro. The SB Corp. is a government financial institution created in January 1991 under Republic Act 6977 or the Magna Carta for Small Enterprises, amended by RA 8289 in 1997 and RA 9501 in 2008. It has the primary responsibility of implementing comprehensive policies and programs to assist MSMEs in all areas, including but not limited to finance and information services, training and marketing. The post MSMEs good payers — SB Corp. appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
‘Sparkle U’ to shine a light on today’s youth
Youth-focused drama has proliferated recently, aiming to both entertain and reflect the norms and values of today’s younger population. GMA Network’s Sparkle U is the most recent addition to this wave. Shayne T. Sava, Abdul Raman, Roxie Smith, Michael Sager, Zephanie, Anjay Anson, Lauren King, Vanessa Peña, Princess Aliyah, Marco Masa and Liana Mae were recently unveiled as the stars of the upcoming youth-centric drama anthology series. Set in the imagined world of Sparkle University, the series explores the complex lives of a group of youngsters while addressing wider concerns and issues. Within the walls of Sparkle University — a school described as “conservative, parent-funded, all-inclusive,” offering educational programs ranging from elementary to undergraduate studies — each episode will examine a different aspect of teenage life, from the effects of social media usage to family conflicts. In the first series titled #Frenemies, two childhood best friends, Sava and Smith, who have drifted apart cross paths once again upon entering senior high school. This time, they discover that they have various social standings and interests. Despite the growing rivalry between them including in matters of the heart, will they regain their friendship? The second series, #Ghosted, starring Sofia Pablo and Allen Ansay, centers on a college student who is trying to help solve the riddle of ghosts haunting the campus. Starting this Sunday 1 October, only on GMA Network, follow these students on their thrilling adventures as they negotiate senior high school life. The post ‘Sparkle U’ to shine a light on today’s youth appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Spins, deceptions, barrage
Chinese propaganda was in full force yesterday as the country’s state media again referred to the Philippines’ removal of the floating barrier as done to further the interest of the Americans. The narrative that China wants the world to follow is that the actions of the Philippines are all being dictated by the United States, to which the country has a long history of subservience. Thus, the Philippines’ sovereign interests are really at stake in the challenges to China’s aggressive assertions. Beijing’s propaganda mill has been busy since the expanded Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement increased from five to nine the number of Philippine military bases US forces have access to. It initially raised the bogey of the broader military pact being the launch pad for an American defense of Taiwan if China attacked, which is farthest from the truth since it presumes that Filipinos would be stupid enough to risk their country for another’s interest. The latest volley from China was related to removing the floating barrier that cordoned off Scarborough Shoal or Bajo de Masinloc to Filipino fishermen. The Philippine Coast Guard should check the contraption to determine where it was manufactured. Recall the suspicion that the rocks and other materials used for China’s reclamation of Philippine islands had come from Zambales with the collusion of local government officials. Wang Wenbin, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, said the Philippine statement was just what it wanted to believe itself. “China’s resolve in safeguarding its sovereignty and maritime rights and interests over Huangyan Island (Scarborough Shoal) is unwavering. We call on the Philippines not to make provocations or stir up trouble,” Wang said. Moreover, China parrots the line that opening four additional military bases was a move “to win US support for its claims in the South China Sea.” The US then wants to exploit the Philippines so that “it can intervene in the Taiwan question and the South China Sea issue from a closer range.” The US is using the Philippines as a pawn in its campaign to “contain China,” according to the propaganda minions. EDCA was an offshoot of the Mutual Defense Treaty, a post-World War II pact in which the Philippines and the United States committed to come to each other’s aid in case of attack. Based on the hype generated in Beijing, the Philippines has made several “failed” attempts to deliver building materials to reinforce the “grounded warship” on China’s Ren’ai Jiao, also known as Ayungin or Second Thomas Shoal, since August. Indeed, attempts to reinforce the BRP Sierra Madre ended in a cat-and-mouse chase that succeeded, revealing that China is out of touch with reality. Also, the Sierra Madre is not a warship but a landing craft. It is an LST 542-class tank landing ship, previously known as the USS Harnett County, built for the United States Navy during World War II. The paid hacks and lapdogs of the Chinese government want to create an image that the venture between the Philippines and the US is meant to contain Beijing. The fundamental issue, however, remains the provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, or UNCLOS, that has under it the International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea, or ITLOS. The Permanent Court of Arbitration, or PCA, issued the 2016 ruling favoring the Philippines was formed under ITLOS. Thus, UNCLOS invalidated China’s historical claims and upheld the exclusive economic zone from which the Philippines can derive economic benefits. Any argument that strays from the guiding principle must be treated with a grain of salt, if not doused with cold water. The post Spins, deceptions, barrage appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
From Niño Muhlach to today’s child wonders: The kids are all right
This is not a tribute piece to my favorite Annette Bening and Julianne Moore movie. But the movie title is the most appropriate description for all the Filipino child stars that have been amazing and wonderful on the silver screen and television, and that have made a lasting impact on the Generation X demographic (that includes me, a proud Gen Xer). This also serves as a warm welcome and mabuhay to the latest set of kids who are set to spread joy and bring their own kind of magic to our entertainment scene. The most important child actor in Philippine movie history, bar none, is Niño Muhlach. The nephew of movie queen Amalia Fuentes and cousin of Aga Muhlach had the charisma, confidence, talent and star quality that was never before seen in any child actor this side of Hollywood. Adjectives such as precocious, innocent and lovable captured perfectly the child wonder like no other. His stellar reign during the mid-‘70s to to the mid-‘80s was solid and supreme, with box office hits, endorsements and epic collaborations, with, among others, the late great King of Philippine movies, Fernando Poe Jr. in Ang Leon at Ang Kuting, movie queen Vilma Santos in Darna at Ding, and the one and only Comedy King, Dolphy, in the movie that is now considered a pink motion picture classic, Ang Tatay Kong Nanay. Muhlach became the standard by which all Filipino child stars have since been measured. The after-Niño child wonders include Aiza Seguerra, Eat Bulaga’s biggest child discovery from the show’s Little Miss Philippines contest, who achieved almost the same footing and popularity as the original; Matet de Leon, Seguerra’s closest rival; the other EB boy finds Steven Claude Goyong and BJ Forbes; and last but not least, everybody’s lovable one-time Aling Maliit, Ryza Mae Dizon. Credit must be given to the parents, guardians and support system of the kids mentioned here because their popularity did not spoil them. They were never branded as juvenile delinquents, becoming responsible adults who found what made them truly happy and content. A handful of them are still in show business, now working as competent and respected artists, while others are living private and fruitful lives. Interesting kiddie show Following in the footsteps of these league of extraordinary child wonders are Sebreenika Santos, Honey Love Johnson, Cheska Maranan and Tom Leaño. These clever kids are the hosts of Kids: Toy Kingdom Show, an online program with a second season airing by end-September. What makes this kiddie show interesting, according to its resident uya Tom, is that “All of us are given the opportunity to play with different toys, whether they are the latest finds or vintage collections. I like the fact that our show, ginigising ‘yung imagination and creativity ng mga bata. We hope as they see us play with the toys, ‘yung audience namin, sila rin, they will close whatever gadgets they have and play, use their imagination and interact with other kids.” Leaño also looks forward to doing Filipino games. “From what I know, aside from playing with toys, we will also be doing and participating in Filipino games like the patintero, luksong baka, luksong lubid, piko, tumbang preso and many more. I believe that these games build character, discipline, diskarte and genuine friendships. Gusto namin na ‘yung mga bata will discover the fun in these games at hindi lang sila laging nakaharap at nakababad sa computers at gadgets nila.” The girls’ unanimous toy of choice is Barbie. They like dressing up their dolls and pretend that Barbie converses with her friends. They are also fond of toys that allows them to build, create and think, and giggle and laugh with friends. The kids in the show are appreciative of the fact that aside from all the playing and toys, their hosting talents are also being honed, and that they learn plenty from listening and observing during the tapings and being surrounded by the community of artistic and creative people that bring the show to life. We can safely say that these child actors are all right, and that in time, we will witness their own blossoming — a welcome addition to the adorable roster of Filipino showbiz child sensations through the years. The post From Niño Muhlach to today’s child wonders: The kids are all right appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Jose Mari Chan featured in Time Magazine as The Philippines face, voice of Christmas
Jose Mari Chan was featured in international publication Time Magazine, which described him the face and voice of holiday season in the Philippines. .....»»
E.A.T. apologizes over Joey de Leon lubid comment
The production of noontime show "E.A.T" apologized for the "lubid" comment of its host Joey de Leon on its recent episode that drew flak for its suggestion on the sensitive topic of suicide......»»
Invincibility shattered, NU cagebelles brace for tough UAAP Season 86 campaign
For the first time in a long time, the NU Lady Bulldogs look vulnerable as they seek their eighth straight championship in the UAAP women’s basketball tournament......»»
‘No champion of anything’: Blue Eagles head to UAAP title defense sans core
The Ateneo Blue Eagles will try to defend its UAAP men’s basketball championship in the upcoming Season 86 without their key cogs......»»
Predator or prey: Wide-open race looms in UAAP Season 86
Hunt or be hunted. That will be the mantra for all teams in an anticipated wide-open race to the throne as the hunting season begins in the UAAP Season 86......»»
Dingdong nagpaliwanag kung paano ginagawa ang survey sa Family Feud: ‘Pinagsasama-sama sa 1 kuwarto ang 100 respondents’
SA lahat ng mga nagtatanong kung paano isinasagawa ang actual survey para sa Kapuso game show na “Family Feud“, nagpaliwanag diyan ang host ng programa na si Dingdong Dantes. Nakachikahan ng BANDERA at ng ilang members ng entertainment media ang Kapuso Primetime King sa presscon para sa season 2 ng “Family Feud” na magsisimula na.....»»
Phl economy seen to grow 5.5% in 2023
The Philippine economy is expected to grow slower by 5.5 percent in 2023 from 7.6 percent in 2023 due to a global slowdown, First Metro Investment Corporation and the University of Asia and the Pacific Capital Markets Research said on Wednesday. In their September 2023 market call, the two firms said that elevated government spending in the third quarter of 2023, along with a strong rebound in employment and consumer spending starting September, should stimulate the economy. The industry sector expansion is seen to be broad-based, with manufacturing taking the lead. The services sector is also expected to see growth, driven by domestic and foreign tourism in trade, transportation, storage, and accommodations and food services starting in September. "We still see sufficient strength in the economy to get a 5.0 to 5.2 percent year-on-year third quarter GDP growth, while the acceleration of the above sectors plus consumer spending should bring back fourth-quarter growth above 6 percent," the market call said. The market call also noted that market uneasiness returned in August amid higher US Treasuries on the back of inflation woes, a hawkish Fed, and a stronger-than-expected US economy. Locally, the trepidation resulted in a decline in volume in both primary and secondary markets rather than in yields in August. Furthermore, local products initially jumped in September following the faster August inflation print at 5.3 percent. "We see the recent crude oil and rice price gains as transitory with inflation likely heading back to within target in Q4. Given the inflation outlook and pause in monetary tightening from the BSP and Fed, we expect sideways movements, with a slight northward bias, in the local 10-year yields, which should last until the end of 2023," the market call said. Equities Outlook The Philippine Stock Exchange index is seen to move sideways in September between 6,000 and 6,350, as investors scrounge for some excellent news. While price-to-earnings ratios reached lows last seen during the World Financial Crisis, local investors seem hindered by higher interest rates and margin calls. However, the market call kept a constructive outlook, especially concerning oversold issues and high dividend plays. "We believe that the market is now trading at a compelling valuation and that investors should start to nibble at oversold issues and high dividend plays. We expect the market to grind higher in the fourth quarter, with the PSEi breaching its 2022 high of 6,800 by year-end," the market call said. The post Phl economy seen to grow 5.5% in 2023 appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
‘Total lawfare’: Ukraine’s other front in the war
On 26 February 2022, while Russian tanks were barrelling towards Kyiv, Ukrainian lawyers were fighting on a different front, submitting a case against Moscow at the International Court of Justice. The gilded halls of the Peace Palace in The Hague, where the court sits, are a world away from the trenches of Donbas but Ukraine believes its legal attacks on Russia are a critical part of the fight. What cases are open in Ukraine's campaign of all-out "lawfare" against Moscow and, with little chance of Russian compliance, what's the point? Where are the legal front lines? The Hague, Strasbourg, and Hamburg. Ukraine has dragged Russia before the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which rules on disputes between nations, arguing that President Vladimir Putin abused the UN Genocide Convention when he used an alleged "genocide" in eastern Ukraine as a pretext for invasion. The final arguments in this case will be heard later Wednesday. Also in The Hague, the International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued an arrest warrant for Putin, accusing him of unlawfully deporting Ukrainian children, a war crime. Neither of these courts, however, can try Russian leaders, including Putin, for the crime of "aggression", defined as an attack on one state by another in breach of the UN charter. So a special group of prosecutors from Ukraine, the EU, the United States, and the ICC has been set up in The Hague with a view to establishing a special tribunal to bring senior Russians to trial. Ukraine also has cases open at the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) in Strasbourg over alleged Russian human rights abuses. Finally, Ukraine also brought cases to the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in The Hague and the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea in Hamburg over what it says is Russia's disregard for international maritime law. Will Russia comply? It seems unlikely that Russia would comply with any ruling from an international court -- for example, in March 2022, the ICJ ordered Moscow to immediately halt its invasion. Russia didn't even turn up to the hearings in that case. But it's far from an academic exercise, said Cecily Rose, assistant professor of public international law at Leiden University. "There are examples of cases in which Russia has complied at least partially with an adverse ruling by an international court," Rose told AFP, citing a 2015 verdict in which Moscow reportedly stumped up half the cash it was ordered to. "It shows that non-compliance cannot be cynically assumed. Most of the time, states do comply with awards and judgments rendered by international courts and tribunals." What's the point? Even if Russia doesn't comply, Kyiv and most legal experts think the international community needs to draw a line in the sand. "Some countries do not comply with the law, including Russia. However, it is still important to call them out and to bring a case against them when they do breach the law," said Melanie O'Brien, assistant professor at the University of Western Australia Law School. "The case demonstrates that other countries do not view Russia's conduct as acceptable -- but rather, as unlawful," O'Brien told AFP. A ruling from the ICJ against Russia would be a further element in isolating Moscow and confirming it broke international law, she said. "It is also an important acknowledgment for victims of human rights abuses and international crimes such as war crimes that what happened to them and their loved ones was not lawful," she added. Proving that Russia's actions were in contravention of international law could also be key in future peace negotiations, including over potential reparations, noted Rose. How long will it take? The wheels of justice grind slowly. The ICJ "genocide" case is only about whether the court even has jurisdiction. A special tribunal is politically sensitive and will take a long time to establish. But the wheels of justice also grind exceedingly fine. "Just because Putin won't comply with a ruling now, he won't be in power forever," said O'Brien. "At some point, a change of regime will occur and may lead to compliance with international law." The post ‘Total lawfare’: Ukraine’s other front in the war appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Pasay nips Iloilo, Pasig rips Negros
The Pasay Voyagers leaned on Laurenz Paul Victoria’s two free throws with six seconds left to thwart the Iloilo United Royals, 85-84, on Monday in the OKBet-MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) Fifth Season at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay......»»