Philippines News

THE Police Regional Office in Central Visayas (PRO 7) is prepared for any untoward incident when President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. delivers his second State of the Nation Address (Sona) on Monday, July 24, 2024.

Brigadier General Anthony Aberin, PRO 7, said he will not leave anything to chance even though the event will be held in Metro Manila.

He said they will intensify their monitoring and strictly enforce security in Central Visayas to prevent violence from marring the occasion.

Although they didn’t receive any threats, Aberin said he didn’t want to take any chances.

He said they will deploy members of the Civil Disturbance Management (CDM).

However, the police official assured the public that the CDM has been ordered to practice maximum tolerance and to respect the rights of cause-oriented groups whose members might demonstrate on Monday.

He said they will allow protest rallies as long as these are peaceful and don’t inconvenience the public.

Meanwhile, he encouraged everyone to listen to Marcos’ Sona.

“... as good citizens, take an active role in helping the government in our collective aspiration for a better Philippines,” Aberin said.

He called on the public to immediately report to police any suspicious activities or persons. (AYB)

THE Police Regional Office in Central Visayas (PRO 7) seized P28 million worth of illegal drugs in four days of simultaneous anti-criminality and law enforcement operations.

According to the data released by the Regional Operations Division, 4.11 kilos of white crystalline substance believed to be shabu with a standard drug price of P27,983,768 were confiscated in 171 operations from July 19 to July 22, 2023.

Police also arrested 195 drug personalities during the same period.

In their campaign against illegal gambling, police confiscated P31,200 in cash believed to be gambling proceeds and several gambling paraphernalia.

The PRO 7 continued its crackdown on loose firearms and confiscated 188 unlicensed firearms in 182 operations, and filed cases against 22 persons.

It also arrested 218 wanted persons, including 25 who were considered most wanted.

The PRO 7 is intensifying its anti-criminality drive with the approach of the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections at the end of October. (AYB)

A JEEPNEY dispatcher was killed, while a call center agent was injured during a shooting incident on Colon Street in Cebu City Saturday night, July 22, 2023.

James Paul Ramos Anos, a 43-year-old resident of Barangay Napo, Carcar City in southern Cebu, died from gunshot wounds, while 22-year-old Raymart Batan Rogero, a resident of Barangay Pahina Central, Cebu City, was hit by a stray bullet.

Based on the initial investigation of the Carbon Police Station, Anos was calling out for passengers when two men approached him asking for money. When he turned them down, an argument ensued.

One of the men went behind Anos and shot him twice before fleeing the scene. Rogero, who was standing near the victim, was hit in the arm.

Members of the Mobile Patrol Unit rushed Anos and Rogero to the Cebu City Medical Center.

Police have identified one of the suspects as Arnel Gomez, alias Ar-Ar, a resident of Sitio Taytayan, Barangay Pahina Central.

Police launched a manhunt to arrest Gomez and his companion. (AYB, PJB)

AS THE July 25 deadline nears, Globe has launched a creative campaign that emphasizes the need for consumers to comply with the SIM Registration Act to protect themselves from the dangers that lurk online.

In the “Number Mo, Identity Mo” campaign, the online identities of popular celebrities Kuya Kim Atienza and Kiray Celis were humorously "hacked" by talented stand-up comedians and improv artists impersonating them.

"Online safety is a pressing issue in today's digital age. Through this unique initiative, we hope to drive home the point that our SIMs are a crucial part of our digital identity and must be protected. We also want to remind our prepaid customers that they need to register their SIMs by the July 25 deadline. We urge all Globe customers to register their SIMs now,” said Yoly Crisanto, Chief Sustainability and Corporate Communications Officer of Globe Group.

To avoid becoming a victim of fraud, Globe reiterates its call for customers to register their SIMs. Globe Prepaid, TM and Globe At Home Prepaid WiFi customers may register via the GlobeOne app and Globe’s SIM registration microsite (https://new.globe.com.ph/simreg) 24/7.

Fully-verified GCash account holders may also utilize the GCash app. Those in need of assistance may also get help to register their SIMs in any Globe Store and EasyHub nationwide.

Globe Postpaid, Globe Business Postpaid, and Globe Platinum subscribers have already been included in the SIM registration database. For company-owned Globe Business prepaid accounts, steps to register or update details have been sent to authorized company representatives.

Celebrity accounts ‘hacked’

The imaginative take on promoting online safety started with strange teaser posts on all of Kiray and Kuya Kim's active social media accounts, culminating in a TikTok LIVE session, where the impersonators peddled entertainingly obvious scams to viewers, effectively spotlighting potential dangers lurking online.

Kiray's impostor took her followers on a journey of transformation, promising a high-end, luxe, and more beautiful version of the beloved comedienne, ending in a live selling event and a dramatic "face reveal." Simultaneously, Kuya Kim's impersonator alluded to recent developments about a television show, promising juicy behind-the-scenes secrets, lifestyle tips, and a surprise guest, all to spark interest and intrigue.

Kiray encourages the public to register their sim cards before the deadline.

But the real intent behind these entertaining acts was revealed two days after the live stream, as Kuya Kim and Kiray uploaded a video saying their accounts had been 'hacked.' This unexpected twist underscored their important message: online identity theft is real, and everyone should take measures to protect themselves, including registering their SIMs.

With this campaign, Globe underscores its dedication to promoting online safety. Since December 2022, the company has carried out various SIM registration drives. This latest effort adds a creative twist, amplifying the message that “your SIM is more than a number – it's an extension of your identity.” Through SIM registration, customers take a critical step in protecting their digital identity against potential scams.

The “Number Mo, Identity Mo” campaign reminds everyone that the battle against online scams is not a solitary fight but a collective effort.

To learn more about Globe, visit https://www.globe.com.ph/. (SPONSORED CONTENT)

Emergency services are responding to a building fire on Great South Road, Takanini, this morning.

The incident was reported to Police around 4am.

Motorists are advised a section of Great South Road, near the intersection of Taka St and Walter Strevens Drive, is currently closed in both directions while the scene is cleared.

At this stage, no injuries have been reported.

Diversions are in place,

The Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu (SHS-AdC) officially unveiled the St. John De Brebeuf Strength, Conditioning and Rehabilitation Facility for its student-athletes on Sunday, July 23, in a small blessing and opening ceremony at its campus in Mandaue City.

A handful of generous alumni, through the Sacred Heart Ateneo Alumni Basketball Athletic Association (SHAABAA), led by its chairman Afshin Ghassemi and Franco Soberano, along with fellow alumni Dave Ting, Joseph Lo, Chase Cokaliong, Edmund Gaisano Jr., Regan King and Jason Arquisola were able to raise funds to build the facility.

“It’s really our responsibility as alumni to give back to our school because we owe a lot to them, for our values and even our skills. High school has been one of the best parts of my life. I have very vivid memories of high school and I have a very soft heart for Sacred Heart. I’ve been trying to inspire others to give back and thankfully with the help of other alumni, we were able to come up with a big amount of money to be able to build this very beautiful gym,” said Ghassemi. “The alumni will always be there behind the school, will always be there to support the school and will always be there to give back.”

The alumni were able to raise the funds through their pockets from a three-point shootout in last year’s SHAABAA All-Star. They were able to raise a total of P1.5 million.

“This was really the idea of the Alumni Association, particularly the SHAABAA CEO Alumni. So there were top businessmen in Cebu who joined the All-Star game last year. After every miss during the three-point shootout, we donate a certain amount for a good cause. We missed a lot of those shots that’s why we gathered a lot. We realized we could use the money for a very good cause and give it back to our school. We found that we had a big need for a conditioning and rehab facility. Rehab conditioning is sometimes underestimated or taken for granted, so we invested this P3.5 million rehab and condition facility for our top athletes and one of the best high school basketball teams in the country. They need this,” said Soberano.

They were also able to get some donors from different companies—Cebu Landmasters, Soberano Ventures, Inc., Radius One, Graphic Star, Landlite Philippines Corporation, Vic Enterprises Mechaire Inc., Kintar Power, Daikin and Gesalem Design Centre—for a total of P3.5 million.

The St. John De Brebeuf Strength, Conditioning and Rehabilitation Facility is equipped with high-end strength and conditioning training equipment.

It also has two rooms for physical rehabilitation.

“The school is very thankful. The strength and conditioning part is sometimes overlooked. This is one of the most important aspects of any athlete. We are very thankful for that. I’m a PT by profession, specializing in sports and conditioning and this is really one of my projects. I’m happy for our athletes that we already have this really good facilty where they can train and where we can treat them (injuries) and handle them,” said SHS-AdC athletic director Jon Ynot.

REYMART Tagacanao scored the biggest win of his young promising career following a convincing unanimous decision victory over one-time world title challenger Vergilio Silvano in one of the featured fights of “Kumong Bol-anon XI” on Saturday, July 22, 2023, in Tagbilaran City, Bohol.

The 24-year-old Tacaganao and Silvano were in a very competitive first few rounds. Tacaganao caught Silvano with a right straight and dropped him to the canvass in the fourth round. The 33-year-old Silvano beat the referee’s count and survived the round. In the fifth, Tagacanao, a native of Carcar City, was aggressive and tried his best to knock Silvano out.

Silvano hung around with Tagacanao but the hard-hitting prospect landed the more telling blows.

Judges Angelito Piquero and Stefren Puerta had identical scores of 78-73, while Angelito Boaquin scored it 79-72.

Tagacanao remained undefeated and improved to 6-0 with five knockouts, while Silvano fell to 21-13-2 with 12 knockouts.

Meanwhile, Angilou Dalogdog escaped with a close split decision over Chinese Long Yi Hu to win the vacant World Boxing Foundation (WBF) Asia-Pacific flyweight belt.

Dalogdog got the nod of two of the three judges with scores of 96-93 and 95-94, while Hu won in one judge’s scorecard, 95-94.

Dalogdog is now 8-0 with two knockouts, while Hu dropped to 6-2 with two knockouts.

In the undercard, Gerwin Asilo (6-0, 2 KOs) remained unbeaten with a fourth-round technical knockout of veteran Boy Dondee Pumar (10-10-4, 4 KOs), Althea Shine Pores (1-0) had a successful pro debut with a unanimous decision win over Charimae Salvador (5-6, 2 KOs) in a women’s light flyweight fight, Sugarey Leonard Pores (1-0, 1 KO) had an impressive pro debut with a fourth round stoppage of Nathaniel Bonggo (1-3, 1 KO) and Richard Laspona (1-0, 1 KO) stopped Enecito Jagopar (0-2) in the first round. (EKA)

MANILA, July 23 (Xinhua) -- Philippine troops and suspected rebels clashed in Northern Samar province in the central Philippines on Saturday afternoon, killing two insurgents and injuring a soldier, the military said on Sunday.

The military said a 20-minute gunfight between the troops and New People's Army (NPA) rebels broke out before 1 p.m. local time on Saturday in a coastal town. The troops recovered two M16

Solidarity is taken from the personal mantra of lawyer Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo, former vice president of the country and the invited speaker for the 84th Commencement Exercises of the University of the Philippines (UP) Cebu last July 21.

Though Robredo lost to the exiled despot’s son Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in her bid for the presidency in the 2022 general election, the human rights and women’s advocacy lawyer continues to inspire many among the community witnessing the recent culmination of undergraduate and graduate studies.

Past leaden skies, a muted sun shone through and picked out in a sea of ecrus and blacks the variegated hues of pink echoed in the maroon swathes of the Sablay draping and completing the UP academic formal attire worn for commencement.

The Sablay spells out solidarity in “baybayin,” the precolonial Filipino script, from the “ukkil” that stands for the lifelong quest for knowledge to the triangles and chevrons representing indigenous cultures.

UP Cebu Communication faculty member Maurice Jitty Villaester’s Sablay is festooned with pins that celebrate, among others, Gay Pride and his passing of the Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET).

Opposite his Sablay, the UP Cebu Mass Communication alumnus pinned a crocheted pink rose pin, token of Villaester’s street-to-street, house-to-house campaign as a volunteer in Robredo’s failed presidential bid.

Unfazed, the UP Cebu instructor volunteered and was selected to introduce Robredo during the 84th Commencement Exercises. Villaester was not the only one inspired that afternoon.

Addressing the graduating class of 2023, Robredo said that she was inspired by those who shared the stakes and moved to assist the vulnerable in society.

“Taken within the context of your graduation, solidarity could mean very simply that none of us ever gets to where we want to be on our own.”

Robredo stressed the connections that enable individuals and communities to surpass challenges, connections that do not arise from elitist privilege but from the organic gathering of individuals and groups that seek in altruistic service the welfare of others.

The importance of interconnectedness was reinforced when Robredo led on the morning of July 21 the groundbreaking ceremony for the Angat Buhay Dormitory for High School Girls at UP Cebu.

The Angat Buhay Foundation was initiated by Robredo as a private citizen when she resumed development work following the 2022 general election.

The Australian Government through the Direct Aid Program of the Australian Embassy in the Philippines and the UP Cebu co-sponsored the Angat Buhay Dormitory.

Girls and women confront educational access and retention. The Philippine Commission on Women and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization underscore how girls are not just prioritized last for education in poor families. They also absorb chores at home, such as caring for younger siblings and being surrogate parents.

The day after the UP Cebu graduation, UP High School alumni had their 30th reunion. An alumnus of UP Cebu High School and its Mass Communication program, lawyer Ian Vincent Manticajon, said that his high school batch had donated more than half a million pesos to the alma mater.

Manticajon wants his fellow alumni “to be inspired to give back more” to the alma mater.

“We (UP High School alumni) don’t have deep pockets but we can tap our networks (in the) community that we’ve nurtured over the years,” said the full-time practicing lawyer who also lectures in the university and heads its public information office.

Manticajon credits the private sector for valuing UP education, pointing out how local companies supported the award-winning robotics program of the UP High School.

“Just as we are never the sole and final cause of our achievements, so should we never be its endpoint,” Robredo reminded Batch 2023 on an afternoon when the sun broke through on a sea of ecrus, blacks and pinks.

VISAYAN Electric, in partnership with Vivant Foundation Inc., has rewired and upgraded the electrical systems of 13 public schools within its franchise area as beneficiaries.

The upgrading of the electrical systems or rewiring project is one of the core corporate social responsibility (CSR) projects of Visayan Electric. It is aimed towards promoting safety and quality education.

During the turnover ceremony on July 10, 2023, the chief of Education Support Services Division of the Department of Education (DepEd) 7, Tomas Pastor, thanked Visayan Electric and Vivant Foundation Inc. for their continued support in ensuring that classrooms and school facilities are safe from accidents and conducive to learning.

The same sentiments were echoed by DepEd-Cebu Province School Division Administrative Officer 5 Jeremy Dinampo.

“This rewiring project will illuminate the path to where our learners are going — to the future,” he said.

Over its 10-year run, Visayan Electric has rewired a total of 5,275 classrooms and facilities, 5,002 with Aboitiz Foundation Inc. and 273 with Vivant Foundation Inc.

Included in this year’s beneficiaries of the project are San Roque Elementary School (Liloan), Lanipga Elementary School (Consolacion), Panoypoy Elementary School (Consolacion), Panas Elementary School (Consolacion), Tingub Elementary School (Mandaue City), Ilaya Elementary School (San Fernando), Uling Elementary School (City of Naga); Pangdan Elementary School (City of Naga), Cadulawan Integrated School (Minglanilla), Tungkil National High School (Minglanilla), Manipis Elementary School (Talisay City), Tapul Elementary School (Talisay City) and Busay National High School (Cebu City).

Cadulawan Integrated School teacher Marie Ann Sebial said that if not for Visayan Electric and Vivant Foundation, “the schools would have still experienced hazardous electrical concerns since most of us are now leaning on using televisions for educational discussions.”

Panoypoy Elementary School Principal Adele Espinosa also expressed gratitude to the benefactors.

“I think I speak not just for my school but for all the schools who benefited from this project, that we are thankful for this blessing that we have received from Visayan Electric and Vivant Foundation,” she said.

The Rewiring Project is just one of the various CSR projects of Visayan Electric aimed towards the education sector. The distribution firm said it takes pride in its vast CSR initiatives geared towards different sectors of society, including education, livelihood and the environment.

THE Philippine Air Force (PAF) celebrated its 76th founding anniversary on July 3, 2023 by displaying its air assets.

The PAF impressed its audience with live demonstrations of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities using the C208 aircraft, fast rope insertion and extraction system operations with the S7oi Black Hawk helicopters and a hoist rescue operation of a patient using a Huey 2 aircraft.

It also showcased its air-to-ground live fire demonstrations with the FA50 PH, A29B Super Tucano and T129 Atak Helicopters.

The formal program began with an impressive high-speed opener exhibition by three FA-50 PH aircraft, followed by a formation flight of T-41 aircraft, forming “76” to honor the PAF’s many years of existence and service.

A flyby demonstration featured various types of PAF air and ground assets, such as the FA-50PH, T-129, C295, C-130, PZL W-3A Sokol, s70i, unmanned aerial vehicle and Ground Based Air Defense System platforms.

In his speech, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. commended the PAF for its selfless service and dedication over the past 76 years. He recognized the rich history and growth of the PAF, from its humble beginnings during the First World War to its present role in securing the nation.

Gratitude

The President expressed his gratitude to the PAF personnel for their exemplary dedication and contributions to enhancing the country’s aerial defense capabilities.

He emphasized the values of integrity, excellence and patriotism, urging the PAF to continue upholding them in their mission to protect the nation.

The President also assured the PAF of the government’s commitment to strengthen the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), including the PAF, through the AFP Modernization Program.

Recognizing the challenges ahead, the President emphasized the importance of the PAF’s maritime air patrol missions in upholding territorial integrity and safeguarding Philippine naval zones.

He expressed his confidence in the PAF’s ability to soar to greater heights, calling for unity, indomitable spirit and unwavering dedication to protect the Republic.

Throughout its 76-year journey, the PAF said it has consistently striven for excellence in fulfilling its mission. It said that its relentless pursuit of improvement was evident in its continuous investments in cutting-edge technology, advance infrastructure and the development of its human resources, ensuring the security of the Philippines and its skies.

The PAF said these strategic endeavors have propelled its capability to new heights, resulting in a more robust fleet, state-of-the-art platforms, efficient air bases and highly trained personnel.

When I first met Cedelf Tupas for a football coverage close to two decades ago, the idea of the Philippines being in a World Cup was so laughable that if anyone had mentioned such thought to us, we’d willingly pay for his or her spot at the National Mental Health Institute.

Back in 2004, the women’s team was largely unknown and was barely a threat in the Southeast Asian Games that the thought of being in the World Cup was a crazy idea.

Yet, here we are. In the Fifa World Cup. THE WORLD CUP.

So it’s quite understandable when I saw a photo of Cedelf singing the national anthem in the World Cup and he seemed to be bawling. Getting there was a book-worthy journey, one that Cedelf knows inside out, having been reporting about Philippine football and being an insider in the past few years.

I’ve been playing the clip numerous times too. It’s unbelievable, hearing the national anthem in the World Cup.

Tanya Chica, one of the pioneers in women’s football in Cebu, posted: “Never not gonna get emotional watching this: Philippine anthem in the frickin World Cup. Just. Wow!” And I think that speaks for all followers of Philippine football.

Often times, after games that the Azkals lose or even win, when fans gather, we always agree that we will never see the Philippines in the World Cup.

But then came the women’s team. The Malditas turned Filipinas. They made the Asian Cup first. Then just last year from the jaws of defeat against Chinese Taipei, they went on to win and bag a spot in the World Cup.

There were many people involved in the journey, unsung US-based heroes like Butch Impelido and Mark Mangune who helped scout players.

But none played a bigger role than Jeff Cheng, who opened his wallet and used his connections to turn a promising team into a World Cup-caliber squad.

In the past two years, I think the women’s team played so often that they’ve practically lived in hotels and airports.

We lost the opening game, sure, and that denied goal was such a heartbreak. Perhaps it could have turned the game. Yes, we were clearly outplayed by Switzerland but you cannot deny the girls played their hearts out.

They never gave up.

They represented us well.

I don’t want to look forward to what happens to women’s football post World Cup. I’m sure a lot of fans are excited, a lot of analysts have their thoughts.

For now, let’s just savor this moment.

We are in the World Cup.

Cebu City is thrilled to announce its bid to host the Palarong Pambansa 2024, showcasing the vibrant culture, resilient spirit, and warm hospitality of the region. At the heart of Cebu’s bid is the commitment to prioritize the health, comfort and well-being of all participating athletes, coaches and officials. To this end, we are excited to introduce our innovative MaTaTaG package, a wellness and care initiative designed to support and enhance the Palarong Pambansa experience.

The MaTaTaG package, derived from MaTaTaG agenda of DepEd, is a comprehensive wellness and care package that includes a range of essentials to ensure the comfort and well-being of our guests. Each package will include bedrolls, blankets, pillows, a reusable tumbler, a custom T-shirt and an energy drink. These items are not only practical, but also reflect our commitment to sustainability, with eco-friendly materials used wherever possible.

“Cebu’s Palarong Pambansa bid is rooted in our deep respect for the athletic community and our desire to provide an exceptional experience for all participants,” said Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama. ”The MaTaTaG package symbolizes our commitment to each athlete, coach and official’s comfort and well-being. It’s our way of saying ‘welcome’ and ensuring that everyone can perform at their best.”

Our bid for the Palarong Pambansa 2024 is more than just an opportunity to showcase the athletic prowess of our young athletes. It’s also a chance to demonstrate our values of hospitality, resilience, and care for one another. We believe the MaTaTaG package embodies these values and sets a new standard for athlete care in the sporting world.

Cebu City is eagerly anticipating the opportunity to welcome athletes, coaches and officials from across the country. We believe that our bid, coupled with the MaTaTaG package, offers a unique and compelling proposition that puts the well-being of all athletic delegations at the forefront.

Areas under Signal No. 1 will experience strong winds or strong breeze to near gale strength that may result in minimal to minor impacts. 

INSTEAD of giving way to fears of an artificial intelligence (AI) takeover, Cebu’s young business leaders believe that such advancements in technology are beneficial for improving processes and not for destroying jobs.

Franco Soberano, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Cebu Landmasters Inc. (CLI), said that AI will never replace the human touch and social interactions, especially in industries like real estate.

“AI is here to improve what we do, but it cannot replace the personal interactions that we do,” he said during the Ng Khai Enterprise Summit on Friday, July 21, 2023, at the SM Seaside City Cebu.

Amid the accelerated digital transformation across all industries, Soberano urged the education sector to step up its efforts in producing individuals capable of handling complex and higher-value tasks.

“I think this is where people must step up; this is where our education should level up to make sure we are more valuable than what an AI can do,” he said.

Soberano attributed CLI’s success over the years to the company’s strong financial strength, prudent financial management, good collaboration and professional workforce.

“Part of our success, aside from having a good heart with people, is the financial discipline,” he said.

CLI, a publicly listed company headquartered in Cebu City, plans to launch P29.75 billion worth of new projects to sustain its successful growth trajectory in 2022 and beyond. The company recently announced its expansion in Luzon, while making significant investments in the Visayas and Mindanao.

New capabilities

Rissa Julene Go, chief financial officer of Prince Group, shares Soberano’s belief that AI brings new capabilities to business processes, aiding small and big businesses to succeed.

Go discussed ways and techniques to cope with changes in business using technologies and tools aided by AI. She emphasized the value of RT-PCR, which stands for Readiness, Trials, Presence, Critique, and Re-imagine.

“We need a mindset shift because technology is all about change. But the mindset is just one,” said Go on becoming ready to handle a business.

She stressed the importance of selecting the right tool or solution that can solve specific business problems, as there is no one-size-fits-all solution.

Moreover, she pointed out the essence of being present, hands-on, and clear on goals to ensure efficacy and provide convenience and better service to customers.

Through the RT-PCR approach, Go managed to expand and handle the gradual changes of technology, applying it in their business rather than seeing it as a threat.

She shared how digital transformation contributed to the growth of their retail business, especially during and after the digital shift caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. The Go family business has 69 stores all over Visayas and Mindanao.

Speeding up the future

For Paul Soliman, chief executive officer and chief technology officer of Hacktiv Collab, AI has been speeding up the future.

“The future is faster than we think. We don’t need to wait for 2045 to see AI,” he said.

He believes that AI is not just artificial intelligence but augmented intelligence that assists humans rather than replacing them.

“AI for me is not artificial intelligence but augmented intelligence. If you use AI, it augments your intelligence,” he said.

He further said that AI has been disrupting various job roles, helping manufacturing workers, customer service representatives, marketing professionals and financial analysts.

On the other hand, data entry clerks, legal professionals, drivers and transportation workers are some jobs that are more likely to be disrupted by the emergence of AI.

He also urged people and business developers to adopt the power of AI to improve the enterprise sector.

“It’s a gold rush, but businesses and people who will not adopt will be replaced,” he said.

Ng Khai summit

Ng Khai Development Corp. held a two-day summit focused on education and enterprise on July 21 and 22 in celebration of its 30th year in the information technology business.

The enterprise summit centered on the dynamic world of AI and its far-reaching impact on businesses.

Ng Khai started in 1993 as an offshore development center for Asia and the United States. Today, Ng Khai is a leading partner for major international tech brands in southern Philippines and has won numerous awards.

Various partnerships of Ng Khai Corp., such as HPI, Sangfor, Dell, Holowits, Huawei, Lenovo, Versatech, Sophos, Asus, and Westcon Comstor, presented their latest technology innovations, which are beneficial in improving and updating businesses and industries.

Among the innovations mentioned is the Huawei Idea Hub, which comes as a whiteboard with modernized features - intelligent writing, high-definition video conferencing, and wireless sharing, enabling people to conduct their work and meetings more efficiently and organized.

Apart from this, other discussions during the summit included cybersecurity, software solutions, AI adaptations, AI utilization, among other factors that drive changes in the enterprise sector. (KOC WITH CNU INTERNS CAMILLE ERIKA BUTAS, GK MARIE DEJACTO)

MANILA-BASED property developer Wee Community Developers (WeeComm) is set to make its first foray in Cebu next year, joining other national developers in expanding their footprint in the second biggest market outside Metro Manila.

The company, which builds houses for the middle-income market, already has six to eight properties up for development in Cebu through joint venture agreements, according to Carson Choa, the chief operating officer of WeeComm.

The group’s upcoming expansion is set to bring in more jobs for Cebuanos, particularly in construction, provide more housing options, and create business activities and more livelihoods in the communities they will build.

“Part of our growth strategy is to enter Cebu. It is one of our main targets for next year,” Choa said. “When we go into Cebu we will enter into two types of development, one is vertical and the other is a horizontal development.”

The planned horizontal project is a 47-hectare property in Consolacion, Cebu. Horizontal development refers to the construction and development of properties on a single level, typically on the ground.

“We are still studying the terrain because it is relatively high ground. We are checking how many percent of the 47 hectares we can develop but maybe it would be around 25 to 30 hectares that can be considered a developable area,” he said.

According to Carson, a five-hectare land development would need around P200 to 250 million in investments.

According to the property advisory firm Colliers Philippines, horizontal developments remain popular among end-users, particularly for projects located in Carcar City, Lapu-Lapu City, Balamban, and Consolacion. These areas accounted for nearly 90 percent of total house and lot take-up in Cebu in the first three months of the year.

WeeComm is also finalizing details for some vertical projects in Cebu, including the existing GT Times Square Cebu located on Fuente Osmena. Vertical development refers to the construction and development of properties that involve multiple floors or levels.

“We are exploring if we can go in and turn around that project. But we also have other projects in the pipeline,” Choa said.

Choa said WeeComm is confident of growing its brand in Cebu as the presence of more players getting into the market has evolved and improved the landscape of the metropolis. The accelerated infrastructure development has also unlocked real estate values across the province.

But Choa said they want to build inclusive communities.

“Cebu is hyper-competitive. Even if Cebu is considered a regional development, it is now close to how Metro Manila developments go because property values are equally the same or sometimes higher than in Manila. What we have to be careful about is the discrepancy between the land value versus how much condos are going,” he said.

“If we embark on a project, it should be a perfect blend of finding the right property with reasonable value so that when you put up a development it is a more inclusive development. Wee Comm has grown to be a developer that builds mid-cost projects. We want our middle-income earners to enjoy the developments that we do,” he added.

Among WeeComm’s projects are The First Baron Residences, The Baron’s Place, The Baron Gardens, and Baron Tower in San Juan, as well as Centro Residences and Centro Tower in Quezon City. The group also recently expanded its footprint in Mindanao.

In its latest market report for Cebu, Colliers Philippines said the average total contract price for a house and lot in Cebu stands at P4.2 million, while a condominium unit is at P143,800 per square meter.

“Cebu remains one of the most attractive and largest residential hubs outside of Metro Manila. National developers continue to launch in Metro Cebu as they are optimistic about the locale’s potential for growth post-Covid. In our view, the improving sentiment from businesses and individual investors and end-users will likely support the Cebu residential sector’s growth,” Colliers said.

Moreover, the launch of higher-priced condominium units outside of Cebu City also indicates national property firms’ confidence in Cebuano investors’ purchasing power and rising affluence, the firm added. (KOC)

The poll conducted from June 28 to July 1 found 45% of Filipino families rating themselves as poor, lower than the 51%—or around 14 million households—recorded in March. 

TANODS from Barangay Capitol Site, Cebu City responded to an alarm in Sitio Kintolimbo in neighboring Barangay Kamputhaw at 11 p.m. Friday, July 21, 2023, and found a woman who appeared to be “possessed” by evil spirits.

Ali Abad, one of the tanods, said the victim, a domestic helper believed to be in her 20s, was acting strangely when they arrived.

“Kalkag kaayo og buhok mo aksiyon siya ug layat murag mamaak ba. Mao nang among giatngan og plywood kay ang sa pikas ana mura man og pang-pang. Mao to nga among gidakop dayon,” Abad said.

(Her hair was in a mess and it looked like she was going to bite us. We blocked the side of the house with plywood because it was facing a cliff. That’s when we decided to take her in.)

Abad said they couldn’t understand what she was saying since the only words that came out of her mouth were gibberish.

He said they first brought her to the Cebu City Medical Center where she calmed down after inhaling some liniment. However, a few minutes later, she made a run for it after managing to untie herself, he said.

After capturing her, he said they brought her to the psychiatric ward of the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center to be examined.

Abad said they learned that the woman just arrived in Cebu City from Iligan City in Lanao del Norte.(BBT, PJB)

In the 1970s, a young boy named Cesar Cabase Castillo was awarded Best Blackboard Artist. This was during the era of scratch chalk drawings; he soon graduated from Grade 6.

Fully intending to take up Fine Arts in college, he was met with strong opposition from his parents who insisted he take up Mechanical Engineering. The obedient child that he was, he got the degree and the license.

His first job was designing for Mindanao Rattan and he was quite happy there until his parents wanted him to move to San Miguel Corp. Again, he forcibly shifted his career direction to make them happy. He had a drawer under his desk where he stored his painting materials. Back then it was paper and charcoal since he had just begun practicing his own style in black and white.

He joined a Celso Pepito workshop in 1994 even while he was working full time as he wanted to train in oil and pastel. When Jose “Kimsoy” Yap returned from the United States, he also joined his workshop to develop his watercolor painting skills.

Cesar fondly mentions that he benefited from both masters and will never forget how Celso would always remind him to try to make sure that his pieces would relay a positive message and Kimsoy would constantly encourage him to improve his technique. By this time, he was painting daily; starting with small pieces, scrimping on materials which were hard to come by back then. He never disposed of any of his work, whether he was happy with the outcome or not. His supportive wife Gina kept everything he made because she knew how important it was to him.

When Cesar was 47 years old, he made a life-changing decision that would qualify as “career suicide” for most people. He decided to quit his corporate job and focus on his art full time, to the horror of most people around him — including his foreign boss who tried to hold on to him for months before finally realizing he had to let him go.

Only one person was truly happy for him at this point, and that was Celso.

Why the need for such a drastic move, and one that’s almost beyond comprehension as the demand for art at that time was low? Cesar shared how he felt he was not free to move around while tied to his desk; he wanted to travel, to explore and to commune with fellow artists because he felt that was his true calling in life.

After many twists and turns, he felt he had truly reached his lowest point when one day, while preparing for an exhibition in one of those buildings in Cebu IT Park, he realized it was his wife’s birthday. With only P100 left in his pocket, he asked her what she wanted and she simply said it was French fries. When the exhibit opened a few hours later, someone randomly gave his wife French fries — such a happy coincidence — they now had money left to be able to go to the Sto. Niño Church and attend the novena mass.

When they returned to the exhibit, two of his paintings were purchased by foreigners — one of the Sto. Niño and another one of flowers — for P5,000 each. They went home with truly grateful hearts.

By joining the Cebu Artists Inc. (CAI) group, he began to sell more pieces as he traveled around and joined more exhibits with them. What sets Cesar apart from the other artists is his preference to have a free hand in choosing his subjects. He candidly admitted that doing commissioned work curtails his freedom of expression, and so he would always tell his buyer that it cannot be done in a rush and let them decide if they are willing to wait.

The NDRRMC said in its bulletin that the two weather disturbances have affected 7,662 individuals from Western Visayas. Of those, 1,154 people fled their homes.