Cebu Sun.Star

MOBILE China reported early June 2023, the leaked configuration information of a domestic Android flagship phone.

According to the report, the Vivo X100 Series could be the brand’s next-generation flagship model with high configuration.

Based on the rumors, Vivo X100 would be powered by the third-generation Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Generation 3, offering up to 16GB of operating memory and 1TB of onboard storage.

The phone is also expected to have a high-quality flex-curved screen with 2K resolution. At the same time, the rear imaging system will feature a powerful ultra-high-pixel, large-bottomed periscope telephoto lens.

Vivo X100 was also tipped to be equipped with an ultrasonic under-screen fingerprint unlock module and a one-inch newly coated glass-plastic hybrid primary camera.

What’s more is that it is expected to have a built-in high-capacity battery, which is supported by up to 120W wired and 50W wireless charging.

Since Vivo released the Vivo X90S in June 2023, many are expecting that the arrival of the next X Series model may take a little longer.

With the leaked news, it is clear that the highest-positioned Vivo X100 Pro+ in the brand’s X100 Series is estimated to debut in early 2024.

Meanwhile, the lower-positioned Vivo X100 Pro and Vivo X100 Standard Edition are confirmed to launch by the end of the year.

Be updated by following Vivo’s official channels on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, and TikTok. (SPONSORED CONTENT)

FOR nearly four years, the on-demand delivery platform Lalamove has been a reliable delivery partner for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and non-corporate users on the island of Cebu.With its fast, simple, and affordable delivery solutions and technologies, Lalamove has provided credible service to thousands of Cebuanos.

Kicking things up a notch in the island’s logistics scene, Lalamove brings its users the most comprehensive delivery coverage in Cebu, encompassing the entire island, for those who need reliable and affordable services for their bulk business delivery needs and shipments.

IN IT FOR THE LONG HAUL. With its fleet of trucks, Lalamove can deliver all kinds of items at a low cost, making them a reliable partner for businesses and users across the island of Cebu.

Keeping the promise of prompt and hassle-free deliveries, the island-wide coverage of truck deliveries is now serviceable to more than 20 areas in Cebu including Argao, Boljoon, Oslob, and Santander.This is in addition to Balamban, Carcar, Cebu City, Consolacion, Danao, Lapu-Lapu, Compostela, Liloan, Mandaue, Minglanilla, Naga, Pinamujangan, San Fernando, Talisay, Toledo, Cordova, Bogo, and Daanbantayan.

As several businesses continue to reach more Cebuanos, Lalamove sustains in offering a wide range of options to entrepreneurs with cost-efficient and extensive delivery services, which include motorcycle, sedan, MPV, and truck deliveries for businesses that need to transport bulk orders and large items.

Here are three reasons why Cebuano businesses should book Lalamove's 4-wheeler to 6-wheeler truck delivery services.

Island-wide delivery services

Since launching its services in Cebu in 2018, Lalamove has continuously expanded its operations across the island. It now operates and fulfills same-day deliveries in all 16 towns and cities in the province.This includes Balamban, Carcar, Cebu City, Compostela, Consolacion, Danao, Lapu-Lapu, Liloan, Mandaue, Minglanilla, Naga, Pinamungajan, San Fernando, Talisay, Toledo, and Cordova. It also accepts inter-island deliveries.

Newly launched vehicle options in Cebu to suit any business

Lalamove has various vehicle options to cater to every business’ needs, whether perishable goods, heavy equipment, or large furniture.

Their fleet of small and big haulers include 600 kilograms (kg) muticab, 800 kg, and 2,000 kg pickup trucks, 1,000 kg, 2,000 kg aluminum trucks, as well as newly-launched 800kg pick-up vehicles, 6-wheel 3,000 closed van trucks and 7,000 kg forward trucks, and a soon-to-be-launched 2,000 kg pick-up truck.

Affordable services to empower MSMEs

Lalamove offers low and unparalleled rates for its delivery services with base fares as low as P200 for pickup trucks, P280 for L300, P1,450 for 2,000kg aluminum trucks, and P1,900 to P4,800 for 6-wheel trucks. This gives businesses an edge by helping them save on costs while still fulfilling orders promptly and carefully.

“Lalamove’s commitment to supporting and elevating business services and operations never stops. Our continuous expansion and vast fleet option provisions show the on-demand delivery service platform’s dedication to progress and bringing MSMEs alongside the journey with us,” said Lalamove Philippines’ Managing Director, Djon Nacario.Move your business with Lalamove’s affordable truck delivery services.To learn more and sign up as a business partner, email [email protected] or contact 255-5252. For more information and updates visit www.lalamove.com/en-ph/, download the Lalamove app, or follow its official Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok accounts. (SPONSORED CONTENT)

MORE than 50 million subscribers stand to permanently lose access to their subscriber identity modules (SIMs) after the five-day grace period from the SIM registration deadline in relation to Republic Act (RA) 11934 or SIM Registration Law, which was on July 25, 2023.

The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) reported that as of Monday, July 24, 105,917,844 SIMs had been registered. This accounted for 63 percent of the 168,016,400 subscribers from Globe Telecom, Smart Communications and Dito Telecommunity that the NTC recorded by the end of December 2022.

The National Government had set July 25 as the final deadline for SIM registration, with a five-day grace period until July 30 for users to register their unregistered SIMs.

After July 30, unregistered SIMs will be permanently deactivated, also called “SIM dead,” and subscribers can no longer avail themselves of mobile services such as voice calls, text messaging and data surfing.

Only 50-75 percent

Smart reported that as of July 24, 49.9 million or 75 percent of its 66.3 million subscribers have already registered their SIMs.

As for Globe, 48.9 million or 56 percent of its 86.7 million subscribers have also registered theirs, as of July 25.

Out of its 14.9 million subscribers, Dito reported that 50 percent of the subscribers or 7.5 million had registered their SIMs, as of July 24.

NTC Central Visayas legal officer Alan Felix Macaraya Jr. said on Monday that the authorities were targeting to register at least 75-80 percent of the total number of subscribers, as the remaining percentage will be considered excess/inactive subscribers or mobile numbers possibly used by people involved in criminal activities.

Last extension

He said there can be no other extension, as the law specifically provided that there be only one extension granted for SIM registration.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. approved the “first and last” extension of SIM registration on April 26, which was supposed to be the deadline. Under the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of RA 11934, users of deactivated SIMs will have a grace period of five days to register their SIMs.

“Failure to register the existing SIM within the period prescribed shall result in the automatic deactivation of the SIM. The deactivated SIM may only be reactivated after registration; provided, however, that reactivation shall be made not later than five days after such automatic deactivation,” the IRR stated.

To register their SIMs, users must visit the official link provided by their telecommunication provider, and input and submit the necessary information and identification cards.

Grace period

Marylou Gocotano, Visayas relations head of PLDT and Smart Communications, and Rofil Magto, corporate communications manager of Globe for the Visayas and Mindanao, told SunStar Cebu on Wednesday, July 26, that the current number of registered SIMs might increase following the five-day grace period.

A day after July 25, telco firms disabled some mobile services, such as outgoing calls and text messaging, from unregistered SIM cards.

This means that users of unregistered SIM cards can still receive incoming calls and text messages, but they can no longer initiate outgoing voice calls or send text messages within the grace period, unless they are registered on or before July 30.

Both Gocotano and Magto said that after July 30, all unregistered SIMs will be automatically and permanently deactivated, and neither the subscribers nor the telco providers can revive or reactivate the deactivated SIMs.

All unregistered SIMs will be considered “SIM dead” or invalid.

E-wallet, prepaid load

Gocotano and Magto assured the public that even though their SIMs will be deactivated after the grace period, the funds inside their e-wallets such as GCash and Maya accounts linked to the deactivated mobile number will be left untouched.

“If their number is connected with their GCash account or e-wallet, the amount will still be there; the amount will still be intact,” Magto said.

To access these funds again, Gocotano and Magto said that it will not be inconvenient for the users of the deactivated SIM cards.

These users must purchase a new SIM card and register it under their names, after which they have to contact the e-wallet hotline to link their funds to their new SIMs.

They will be asked to submit proof of identification to validate their ownership of the e-wallet account, which Gocotano and Magto said may take time and cause inconvenience to the user.

In the case of postpaid SIM card users, both telco officials said they had already been registered since the necessary information and identification were collected prior to the application of a postpaid account.

As for prepaid load, users of deactivated SIMs can no longer enjoy their unused promos.

Reservations

Some subscribers still have reservations about the security aspect of the registration and the convenience of the registration process.

According to Faith Cabusas, a Smart SIM user, the unstable connection was a major hindrance when she tried to register her SIM.

Globe SIM user Harvie Barcelona chose not to register his SIM cards because the process was tedious. Sun SIM card user Meryle Abella said she cannot register her SIM card for unknown reasons. However, after the deadline, she could still access her mobile data.

As for Joseph Christian Lapidez, a Globe SIM user, he could still use his SIM, but he said the signal was weak.

RA 11934 was signed into law by Marcos on October 10, 2022. The law aims to curb cybercriminal activities such as “smishing” or text scams.

Smishing is the act of sending deceptive text messages to lure victims into revealing their sensitive data like their bank account information.

Franchesa Nojo, a Smart SIM user, found that the law is good for added security for her sensitive information.

“My phone number is linked to all of my social media and bank accounts. Knowing that I already registered my SIM, I am less worried about the scams that are happening since my security has gotten stronger,” she said.

After registering her SIM card, she has not received phishing phone calls and text messages as she did before.

“I used to receive suspicious texts, but it got less nowadays,” she said. (EHP, CNU INTERNS ERICA ABELLA AND HAZEL FAITH SAYMO)

CEBU City Mayor Michael Rama has vetoed an ordinance designating the downtown area as a heritage district and creating the Heritage District Council (HDC), stating that he wants to lead the HDC or have his authorized representative do so.

In a letter to the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) dated June 15, 2023, the local chief executive returned the unsigned measure as he wants an amendment to Section 7 of City Ordinance 2690, or “An Ordinance Designating the Downtown Area of the City of Cebu as a Heritage District and Creating Heritage District Council,” which was authored by Vice Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia.

Section 7 states that the HDC “shall be headed by City Mayor/City Vice Mayor. There shall be two vice-chairs: the Chair of the Committee on Tourism, Culture, and Arts of the Sanggunian, and a private-sector representative to be appointed by the City Mayor.”

Rama suggested that Section 7 “be amended and read as follows: ‘The Council shall be headed by the City Mayor or his authorized representative,’ in order to respect the prerogatives of the Chief Executive.”

Garcia said in an interview with SunStar Cebu on Wednesday, July 26, that the SP agreed with Rama’s suggestion, and they have no issue with the mayor’s veto.

“Everything is okay,” he said.

The ordinance, passed on May 24, 2023, aims to conserve and protect the cultural heritage of Cebu City’s downtown area where old buildings dating as far back as the Spanish colonial period are still standing.

Rama’s letter to the SP states that the mayor should be granted “wide latitude of choice and discretion” in appointing an authorized representative who is fit and qualified for the position.

The proposed heritage district covers the intersection of V. Rama Avenue and N. Bacalso Avenue, proceeding to P. Del Rosario Street, then to Imus Street, and to the intersection of General Maxilom Avenue and Tejero Creek until the Cebu Port Authority in Pier 6.

From Pier 6, it will continue toward the shorelines of Barangay Sto. Niño and Quezon Boulevard.

It will also cover Abellana Street and the intersections of Gen. Gines Street, R. Magsaysay Street, and JM Basa Street, before returning to the starting point of V. Rama-N. Bacalso intersection. (RJM)

A WAGE increase will be implemented in Central Visayas come September, the wage and productivity board chairperson has announced, but a labor group leader insists that it must be pushed sooner since it is already long overdue.

Lilia Estillore, chairperson of the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board in Central Visayas (RTWPB 7), made the promise in an interview after the second wage public hearing happened Wednesday, July 26, 2023 at the Department of Education EcoTech Center in Barangay Lahug, Cebu City.

“There is no doubt that there will be an increase because even the representatives from the business sector acknowledged that there should be a wage hike implemented in the region,” she said.

Estillore, also the director of the Department of Labor and Employment in the region (Dole 7), however, said the board still has to deliberate on the amount.

More hearings

The board is still on its second of five consultations set in different areas of the region to hear the grievances, opinions and suggestions of the employer and employee sectors on the amount of the wage hike.

The wage public hearing started last July 10 in Bogo City in northern Cebu, followed by the hearing in Cebu City Wednesday. Three more hearings will be conducted: City of Naga in southern Cebu, August 1; Bohol, August 10; and Dumaguete City in Negros Oriental, August 11.

The RTWPB 7 is composed of Estillore, the chairperson; regional directors Maria Elena Arbon of the Department of Trade and Industry and Jennifer Bretaña of the National Economic and Development Authority; members from the labor sector represented by Antonio Cuizon and Nora Analyn Diego; and Joseph Tanco and Dr. Philip Tan as the management representatives.

The last daily wage increase implemented in the region was the P31 for all private sector workers and P500 monthly increase for domestic workers, which took effect on June 14, 2022.

Current wage

In Central Visayas, the current daily minimum wage for non-agricultural workers in Class A towns and cities is P435, while non-agricultural employers with less than 10 workers and the employers in the agricultural industry pay employees P425.

Class A cities include Carcar, Cebu, Danao, Lapu-Lapu, Mandaue, Naga, Talisay; and Class A municipalities are Compostela, Consolacion, Cordova, Liloan, Minglanilla, San Fernando or the Expanded Metro Cebu.

For Class B, the minimum wage is P397 for non-agricultural and P392 for the other classification. In Class C areas, wage is at P387 for non-agricultural workers and P382 for agricultural and non-agricultural companies with less than 10 workers.

Class B are the other cities not covered under Class A, while Class C are municipalities not under Class A and Class B.

Two petitions

The wage public hearing will also tackle the two joint petitions for wage hike in the region filed by 20 Cebu-based labor groups and unions with the RTWPB 7 in the past months.

There is a petition for a P100 increase in the daily minimum wage led by Partido Manggagawa-Cebu (PM Cebu), and a petition filed by Cebu Labor Coalition that demands a P292.50 hike in the daily minimum wage among private workers and P1,000 hike for the monthly pay of domestic helpers or “katabang” in Cebuano.

In filing the petitions, PM Cebu was joined by 12 other labor groups: Alyansa sa mga Mamumuo sa Sugbo-Kilusang Mayo Uno (AMA Sugbo-KMU), Alyansa sa Mamumuong Kontraktwal sa Sugbo, Sentro ng Nagkakaisa at Progresibong Manggagawa, Globalwear Employees Union-Piglas, Association of Globalwear Supervisory Employees Union–Piglas, Mepz Workers Alliance, Workers Organization of Lami Food, Prince Warehouse Club Mandaue Employees Union–Law, Ilaw–Buklod ng Manggagawa-United Miners of Carmen Copper, Kepco Cebu Employees Union-Workers Solidarity Network, Ilaw at Buklod ng Manggagawa sa General Milling Corp. and Bohol Alliance of Labor Organizations.

Seven other groups signed the petition filed by Metudio Belarmino of the Cebu Labor Coalition: Alvin Pino, president of Lonbisco Employees Organization; Melchor Atupan, president of Metaphil Workers Union; Nicholou Malazarte, president of Union Bank Employees Association; Paul Alvin Fajardo, representative of CELAC; Clarisa Torino, president of United Domestic Workers of the Philippines; Bonifacio Tiongzon, president of Transasia Union; and Alan Gascon, director of the board of the Cebu City Tripartite Industrial Peace Council.

Struggles

During the public hearing, some employers said some companies are struggling to survive post-pandemic amid the looming global recession.

Catherine Son-Lauzon, a representative of a furniture manufacturer, said “we cannot afford” a P100 wage hike. She suggested a P40 or P50 wage hike instead.

She said although they can apply for an exemption from the wage hike, she is afraid that their employees will seek better-paying jobs, which she said is the tendency of Gen Z employees in the workforce.

Gen Z is the generation born between 1997 and 2012.

According to the National Wages and Productivity Commission, companies allowed to seek exemption are those engaged in retail and service businesses that employ not more than 10 workers, as well as establishments adversely affected by natural calamities or human-induced disasters.

Patrick Tolentino, a representative of a construction company, said though there are times that the operating costs in their industry are quite high, he believed that it was about time a wage hike was given to the workers in the region.

Long overdue

Jaime Paglinawan of AMA Sugbo-KMU said the wage hike must be implemented very soon or earlier than September.

Paglinawan pointed to a news article published by SunStar Cebu last April 28, which reported figures from the Philippine Statistics Authority in Central Visayas showing the steady growth of the economy in the region, as proof that businesses have the capacity to give a wage hike.

The Gross Regional Domestic Product was P1.135 trillion in 2020, growing to P1.196 trillion in 2021, then to P1.287 trillion in 2022.

The labor leader explained that in a family of five, with the minimum wage stuck at P435, each member would have only P87 per day or P29 per meal to survive on, leaving nothing for other expenses such as electricity, water, rent, transportation and deductions for social benefits.

Citing data from Ibon Foundation, Paglinawan told SunStar Cebu last June 15 that the living wage required for a family of five to live comfortably is P1,160 or a monthly wage of P25,226.

The living wage is the minimum income required for a family of five to sustain their daily needs.

Paglinawan also slammed the wage board in the region for the delay in conducting the wage public hearing, saying that recently, workers in Metro Manila had a P40 increase in their daily wage “from their already higher daily wage at P570.”

Estillore said the reason for the delay is that unlike Metro Manila, Central Visayas is an archipelagic region, meaning the four provinces are far from each other.

Other concerns

Ariel Sarsaba, chairperson of the National Union of Food Delivery Riders in Cebu, raised his concerns on his sector.

He demanded that the board implement standardized benefits and insurance for all food delivery riders, saying his job had been among the economic drivers since the Covid-19 pandemic started.

He said while some companies offer these to their employed food delivery riders, others do not.

Estillore said they still need to study the framework of the job of food delivery riders since it is still a new concept to them.

THE Commission on Audit (COA) has discovered “several deficiencies” in Lapu-Lapu City Government’s procurement of services for the disposal of its residual waste amounting to P86.9 million from a joint venture initiative with two contractors whose primary business purpose “appeared to be freight forwarding services and furniture manufacturing.”

In its 2022 Audit Report, COA identified ALS and HMME Inc. as the two contractors involved in the procurement, and said various documents and permits to determine the technical eligibility of these contractors were also not submitted or attached to the disbursement voucher.

The state auditors also questioned the computed number of tons of waste done through a manual preparation of the Material Recovery Facility (MRF) Weighing Scale Trip Ticket as well as the lack of the weigh bridge calibration certificate of the manufacturer and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) validation certificate.

The City Government entered into a contract with ALS and HMME Inc., on September 3, 2021 to November 30, 2022 for its solid waste disposal and management system worth P86,985,133.08.

The agreement covered 64,462 tons of the city’s residual waste with a unit price of P1,348 per ton, COA reported.

Primary business

However, COA found out that the primary line of business of ALS was freight forwarding while that of HMME Inc. was the manufacture and repair of furniture and fixtures of metal based on their Certificate of Registration certified by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR).

The audit team also questioned the non-submission or -attachment of seven documents to the disbursement voucher: the memorandum of agreement (MOA) between the Lapu-Lapu City Government and the joint venture contractor, ALS’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Certificate of Registration, a copy of the Certificate of Non-Coverage (CNC) or Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC), and clearance or permits from the other local government units (LGUs) that may be affected in the transport of solid waste to the sanitary landfill.

Also missing were environment-related permits such as the Permit to Operate pursuant to the Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999, Discharge Permit pursuant to the Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004, Hazardous Waste Generator ID pursuant to the Toxic Substances and Hazardous and Nuclear Wastes Control Act of 1990; and Solid Waste Management pursuant to the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000.

COA also flagged the absence of the proof of ownership or purchase of five to 10 dump trucks and proof of ownership or rent of one backhoe with ready standby unit.

With the non-attachment of these permits and documents, COA said it could not validate the qualifications of the awarded bidder.

Manual preparation

The state auditors flagged the absence of machine-generated receipts that determine the actual weight of the garbage or hauling equipment, as the Trip Summary Report was manually prepared by the City’s MRF personnel.

Without these machine-generated receipts, COA said the information and resulting billed amount in the reports was “uncertain.”

The tonnage was computed through the deduction of gross weight (before loading) of the garbage truck from its Tare weight or the weight when it was empty.

“Since the payment is based on the number of tonnages, the credibility of the cargo weights figure -- in terms of sources and calculation should be based on the most reliable and evidenced-based information; otherwise, the resulting sum shall be highly questionable,” COA reported.

The audit team recommended to the City Government the submission through the Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) of the lacking documentation and also to explain why the project was awarded to the joint venture of ALS and HMME Inc. despite the absence of the required documents “that would have entailed disqualification of the contractors to the project.”

Reply

In its reply to COA, the Lapu-Lapu City Government assured that the mentioned contractors were eligible and they they abide by the guidelines of the procurement law.

It added that it had already submitted the documentary requirements such as the MOA, Department of Trade and Industry Certificate of Registration of ALS, the Disposal Waste Agreement between ALS-hauler and AEC-owner and operator of a sanitary landfill, the ECC of AEC, and other permits.

The City Government was also not capable of generating machine-generated receipts for the weigh bridge, hence only trip tickets were issued as proof and used as bases for payment.

It vowed to submit the weigh bridge calibration certification from the manufacturer and the DOST validation certificate.

Rejoinder

COA reminded the Lapu-Lapu LGU that under Government Procurement Policy Board Non-Policy Matter Opinion 126-2016, it is the BAC’s duty to determine the eligibility of the supplier or bidder in government projects, particularly by scrutinizing the supplier’s Mayor’s Permit and BIR Certificate of Registration to see if these authorize it to engage in the business required by the procurement “such that a finding to the contrary would amount to non-compliance by the bidder and will result to its disqualification.”

“Ideally, it is the BAC that plays a crucial role in determining whether a certain supplier can participate in the procurement through the eligibility check. However, in this aspect, the BAC failed to undertake this responsibility,” COA said.

COA will subject the submitted documents to further verification, it added. (EHP)

A VEHICULAR accident on the national highway in Barangay Guiboangan, Barili town, southwest Cebu, claimed the lives of two persons.

The incident occurred past 8 a.m. on Wednesday, July 26, 2023.

The two fatalities were identified as Valencia City, Bukidnon native Lilibeth Givera Deveras, 58, and local resident Irish Omagac, 14, who was struck by the vehicle as she was about to buy cooking oil from a store nearby.

According to Police Staff Sergeant Gilbert Encabo of Barili Police Station, the Toyota Hi-Ace van driven by Francis Cortez Pagatpat, 25, of Rijett Car Rental Services based in Barangay Sabang, Danao City, northern Cebu, had seven passengers on board, including three doctors, who were on their way to Seventh Day Adventist Hospital in Bacolod City, where they will be assigned.

Encabo said that Pagatpat was overtaking another vehicle when he lost control of the steering wheel and crashed into Omagac and a tree.

At least six passengers suffered injuries.

They are Dr. Antonio Edson Natividad Enriquez, 26, Dr. Princess Dawn Sombreo Espina, 27, Dr. Kathlyn Genevere Mangasi, 28, from Valencia City, her brother Kurt Josh Gevenere Mangasi, 28, and Kurtly Herera Mangasi, 30., and Nevelle Deveras, 66, from Valencia City.

They were brought to a hospital in Cebu City for treatment.(BBT, TPT)

RMER regional champion Albert Pagara makes his ring return next month against undefeated Russia Alexey Masur in an International Boxing Federation (IBF) Asia-Pacific lightweight bout on Aug. 30, 2023 in Turkestan, Kazakhstan.

“I think I can beat him,” Pagara told SunStar Cebu. “I’ve seen his fights. I’m now working with coach Jing Jing Tepora.”

Pagara hasn’t fought for over eight months and will be fighting his first international bout since losing to Cesar Juarez in 2016 in the United States.

The 29-year-old Pagara last fought on Nov. 5, 2022, wherein he stopped prospect Allan Villanueva in four rounds in Talisay City.

Pagara, a former ALA Boy, campaigned in the super bantamweight division most of his career. After a year away from the ring, Pagara returned as a super featherweight against Virgil Puton in 2020. He totally dominated Puton and beat him by unanimous decision in Mandaue City. He fought at light welterweight against Villanueva.

Pagara was once highly ranked in the world and is a former IBF Inter-Continental and World Boxing Organization Inter-Continental super bantamweight champion.

On the other hand, the 32-year-old Masur is a experienced former amateur that has fought close to a hundred fights in the amateur ranks.

Masur, who turned pro in 2018, transitioned well in the paid ranks, winning all eight of his fights. On April 26, Masur won the biggest fight of his career with a convincing unanimous-decision victory over former world title challenger Frank Manzanilla in Russia.

Pagara is 34-1 with 24 knockouts, while Mazur is 8-0 with five knockouts. (EKA)

THE Kurashiki Ablaze try to secure the last ticket to the finals of the Premier Volleyball League Invitational Conference, as they battle the PLDT High Speed Hitters on Thursday, July 27, 2023, at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.

Gametime is at 4 p.m. with PLDT coming off back-to-back victories over F2 Logistics and Kinh Bac-Bac Ninh of Vietnam for a 2-2 card.

“Like F2 Logistics, PLDT is a tall team. But we will do our best, particularly in receiving,” said Kurashiki coach Hideo Suzuki, after leading the team past the Cargo Movers, 25-20, 25-22, 25-20, last Tuesday for a 3-0 slate.

Creamline snatched the first finals seat with a hard-fought 25-23, 25-23, 25-17 win over Kinh Bac-Bac Ninh, which remained winless in three games.

Having witnessed how the High Speed Hitters play, Akane Hiraoka, who took the game’s top honors with a nine-point effort against F2 Logistics, had this to say about their upcoming foes: “PLDT has tall players, we have to focus on defense and receive and we shouldn’t be discouraged.”

PLDT coach Rald Ricafort and the High Speed Hitters, on the other hand, said they aren’t actually after the result but the chance to play an efficient team like Kurashiki.

“We’re happy to have built momentum (after beating Kinh Bac-Bac Ninh). We prepared against the Japanese and I think we’re in the right place in terms of performing at our peak,” said Ricafort.

“But it’s more of a challenge to play a Japanese team. We don’t have control over what happens in the finals, so we’ll focus on the opportunity to play a strong, quick team like Kurashiki and gain experience. We’ll give it our best shot and we’ll see where we’ll go from there,” he added. (JNP)

THE Farm Fresh-Letran handed the Sherilin Unisol-City of Naga their second straight loss with a 101-71 rout in the 2023 Manila Bankers Life-Pilipinas Super League 18-Under Battle of the Champions on Monday, July 24, 2023, at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center in Pampanga.

Letran welcomed back their star guard Andy Gemao in style as they followed up their 93-67 thrashing of the Max Ballers Davao with another dominant showing against the team from Cebu and keep them winless so far in this stage of the competition.

The top two teams by the end of the elimination round will move on to the best-of-three finals which begins on Friday, July 28, also at the same venue.

Gemao made his much-awaited return to Farm Fresh-Letran after being with University of the Philippines for its Serbia camp. The NCAA Season 98 Juniors Basketball Finals MVP showed no signs of rust, scoring 15 points.

Arwin Alforque and Juhniel Dela Rama chipped in 12 and 10 markers, respectively, as every player fielded by Allen Ricardo scored in the contest.

Sherilin-Unisol, who fell to 0-2 in the five-team meet, was paced by Jerome Arboiz with 13 points and seven rebounds. (JNP)

THE Puresteel Manufacturing Corp.-2011 won over Crossfit-Subtero-2006, 64-52, in Division B action in the 26th Sacred Heart Ateneo Alumni Basketball Athletic Association (Shaabaa) last Sunday, July 23, 2023, at the Magis Eagles Arena in Mandaue City.

Batch 2006 was actually ahead at halftime, 30-28, but Batch 2011 — last season’s runner-up in Division B — turned the tables around with a 24-9 blast in the third that put them in front for good.

Bernard Chioson exploded for 31 points along with seven rebounds, four assists and four steals. Big man Franz Pacheco had 11 points and 10 boards, while Bradley Bacaltos filled the stat sheet up with 10 points, 12 rebounds, six assists, three steals and a blocked shot.

After a rousing win against the defending champions Batch 2003, Batch 2006 could not sustain their momentum and dropped to 1-1. Luis Yu led the way with 15 points.

In other Division B games, ‘04 The Win-2004 defeated Insular Square-2005, 60-53. Franco Te had 12 points and eight rebounds, Christopher Consunji had 10, while Ervin Lopena did it all with eight points, nine boards, seven assists, three steals and a block.

Last, the Efficascent Boost-BRC-2010 clobbered the Gateway Motors-2007, 63-36. Jasper Diaz sizzled for 22 points and nine rebounds, while speedy guard Gabe Branzuela added 15 points, seven rebounds, six assists and six steals. (JNP)

“Success is not necessarily about connections, or cutting corners, or chamba -- the three Cs of bad business. Call it trite but believe me, success can be achieved through hard work, frugality, integrity, responsiveness to change, and most of all, boldness to dream.”

— John Gokongwei Jr., JG Summit founder

A Founder’s Adversity Quotient (FAQ) refers to the resilience, adaptability, and ability to thrive in the face of mounting challenges and uncertainties that business founders typically possess. It is a measure of their capacity to overcome setbacks, take calculated risks, and persevere in pursuit of their entrepreneurial vision.

Founders often start their businesses from scratch, facing enormous financial risks, limited resources, and market uncertainties. Armed with nothing but grit, they experience firsthand the struggles and setbacks that come with creating something from nothing. This process builds their AQ as they learn to cope with failure after failure, pivot their strategies, and find innovative solutions to navigate the complexities of keeping the business afloat. The emotional attachment founders develop to their businesses further contributes to their high AQ. Having founded their businesses, they are driven by more than just financial success. Their businesses become a reflection of their identity. To quote psychologist Harry Levinson, “An entrepreneur’s business is simultaneously his ‘baby’ and his ‘mistress.’ For the founder, the business is essentially an extension of himself, a medium for his personal gratification and achievement above all.” This deep emotional investment fuels their determination to overcome challenges and turn setbacks into opportunities for growth.

As founders build their businesses, they acquire diverse skill sets, ranging from leadership and creative problem-solving to risk management and adaptability. The entrepreneurial journey exposes them to a wide range of experiences, honing their decision-making abilities and fostering a growth mindset. That is why founders have a higher AQ compared to their offspring.

Founder starting from scratch

The phrase “starting from scratch” captures the essence of a founder’s journey in establishing a business from the ground up. They are entrepreneurs who have the vision, determination, and passion to turn an idea into a thriving venture. In the early stages, they embark on a challenging and unpredictable path, encountering numerous obstacles and uncertainties that test their resolve. At the inception of a business, founders face financial constraints and limited resources. They often invest their personal savings, seek funding from family and friends, or take out loans to fund the venture. These financial risks can be daunting, as the outcome is far from certain. Moreover, they also encounter skepticism and doubt from others, adding to the pressure of proving the concept’s viability.

As the business takes shape, founders navigate a highly competitive market, requiring constant adaptation to changing industry landscapes. They deal with early failures and setbacks, learning from mistakes and using them as stepping stones for improvement. This resilience in the face of adversity is a hallmark of successful founders. The journey is a transformative process that shapes their character and leadership style. It also fosters humility as they learn to seek advice, collaborate with others, and acknowledge that they cannot do it all alone. Overall, the FAQ builds tenacity as founders persistently pursue their vision, even in the face of skepticism or rejection.

Now that the founder is nearing the twilight of his life, does the next generation members have the same level of adversity quotient?

Find out on Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023, at the Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria as fellow family business expert Dr. Josh Baron, a best-selling author and Harvard Business School senior lecturer, along with myself and next-generation leaders Alliance Global chief executive officer (CEO) Kevin Tan and JG Summit president and CEO Lance Gokongwei come together on the stage of “Family Business Continuity: Ensuring a Fail-Proof Succession Plan” to come face to face with business owners from diverse industries to dissect the dos and don’ts of ensuring business continuity while preserving the family’s legacy.

This Saturday event promises to be an engaging and enlightening session that will delve into the challenges and strategies for maintaining a successful business across generations. For additional information, please contact Marivi Estrada of ICON Executive Asia at 0977-835-5533.

LUCIO Co-led The Keepers Holdings Inc. (Keepers), the largest imported liquor distribution in the Philippines, delivered another solid performance in the first half of 2023 with a net income of P1.16 billion, growing 18 percent versus the previous year due to the strong sales volume performance from imported brandy, wines and specialty beverages.

Keepers has recorded consolidated revenue amounting to P6.5 billion, a 19 percent growth versus the previous year on the back of a 10 percent growth in volume of cases sold for the period.

This was driven principally by Alfonso, the leading imported brandy in the market, which has already surpassed its pre-pandemic levels, premiumizing market and on-premise channel rebound.

For the year 2022, Keepers declared annual cash dividends amounting to P0.054 per common share which represents a 125 percent increase versus 2021, equivalent to 50 percent dividend payout of Keepers 2021 net income.

The Keepers is the company behind global brands that include Johnnie Walker, Chivas Regal, Glenfiddich, Suntory, Jinro, Jose Cuervo, Jim Beam, Penfolds, Red Bull and many others. (PR)

KODEGO, a Filipino study-now-pay-later education technology company, has partnered with consumer finance app BillEase to provide local learners with easier access to IT education through interest-free and cardless installments.

Through BillEase, learners can choose from competitive IT courses being offered at KodeGo and pay only the minimum upfront, then split the rest in easy installments.

KodeGo offers bootcamps on different IT courses to equip beginners, upskillers and career shifters with critical and highly sought-after skills while offering company-matching support to jumpstart and progress their IT careers.

The partnership between KodeGo and BillEase aligns perfectly with both companies’ objectives of broadening access to education and addressing the skills gap in the Philippines by providing equal opportunities for all.

In 2020, the Philippine Institute for Developing Studies reported that data science analytics skills remain underdeveloped among the Philippine workforce. (PR)

BPI Direct BanKo Inc., A Savings Bank (BanKo), the microfinance arm of the Bank of the Philippine Islands, is rolling out 10 BanKo-on-the-Go (BOTG) roving vehicles that will bring banking services closer to communities where access to easy and affordable banking is limited.

This is part of BanKo’s mission to promote financial inclusion by providing access to easy, convenient and affordable products and services to self-employed micro-entrepreneurs, informal workers and salaried individuals.

BOTG recently kicked off its first run and visited public markets in Metro Manila and Rizal Province, specifically in Taytay, Malabon, Pasig, Antipolo, Commonwealth and Dagonoy.

To make banking transactions even more convenient to both vendors and marketgoers alike, BOTG will visit these six public markets every week, making it a “BanKo Day” for that community.

BOTG will soon be deployed in nine other locations across the country, visiting six different markets per location for a total of 60 areas by yearend. BOTG will also offer financial consultations and literacy sessions to address clients’ needs. (PR)

Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort and Spa introduces a succulent collection of culinary treasures in its “Find Your Shangri-La” campaign. These are not the routine everyday foodstuff but an exclusive breed of whimsical culinary creations as only Shang’s kitchen team can concoct!

Recently, the resort invited guests from around the world to embark on this innovative culinary campaign within Shangri-La’s exquisite properties. They have curated a themed menu consisting of a medley of enticing and exotic flavors for the discerning gourmand.

Standing among the esteemed properties participating in this event is Shangri-La Mactan-Cebu, where guests can indulge at renowned restaurants like the Lobby Lounge and Tea of Spring.

An absolute must-try is the “Daydreamer Cocktail,” a presentation at the Lobby Lounge, meticulously crafted by expert mixologists from Shangri-La Singapore. Its sour and sweet flavor, plus winning presentation, makes for a blissful reverie. It is available until the end of December this year.

The “Whimsical Menu” is part of the campaign featuring gastronomic delights, curated by esteemed executive Chinese chef LIiu Zhijun, whose exceptional thrust is blending local flavors with international techniques.

Be ready to satisfy your cravings with Bohol-farmed Prawns with Cebu Mangoes and Kataifi Noodles, Double-boiled Abalone and Dried Scallop served in a Coconut Shell. Here’s more: Red Lapu-Lapu-Grouper fillet with daubs of Gold Broth and Smoky A5 Wagyu Cube Roll in Merlot Black Pepper Sauce.

The “Whimsical Menu” promises an unforgettable dining experience and is available till Aug. 13 only at the Tea of Spring Restaurant.

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Following a cozy coffee afternoon, real estate lady Lucy Franco-Garcia invited us to view her latest project: A streamlined, multi-storied office and residential tower along P. Almendras St., Mabolo, Cebu City.

We were much-impressed with these facts: The ideally located structure, named LMSK building, features a spacious underground parking area and its own deep well, so no water shortage problems.

Its comfortable apartment units and well-planned office spaces are designed with maximum use in mind. For starry nights, there’s the roof deck.

Toasts, Lucy, for still another achievement!

THE Toledo City Government expressed confidence that the disposal of hazardous waste from the healthcare facilities in the city will now be safe and orderly.

This after the Preliminary Disinfection and Storage Facility (PDSF) located in Putingbato Sanitary Landfill and Ecopark was turned over by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources - Environmental Management Bureau in Central Visayas (DENR-EMB 7) to the city government.

The facility will be used to collect all hazardous and solid wastes from the city's healthcare facilities, including clinics and health centers.

Mayor Marjorie "Joie" Perales Perales vowed to take good care of the equipment so that it will last for a long time and contribute to making the city a safe place to live.

According to EMB 7 Regional Director Ma. Victoria Abrera they also delivered solid waste equipment, such as shredders and bio-composters that will assist filter the garbage.

The facility will be managed by the City Environment and Natural Resources Office.(ANV, TPT)

College is the last step of a student’s academic journey. Unless, of course, they are pursuing to take on further studies. Most, if not all, college students begin with the end goal in mind: Graduation. For a select few, they seek to be academic achievers, dreaming of the day that their institutions would confer upon them their well-deserved Latin honors.

However, reaching such goals requires a lot of effort. Is it all worth it?

University of the Philippines Cebu’s top graduate, Edsel Suhayon Codoy, shares his take on regrets in college. On July 21, 2023, UP Cebu had its annual graduation ceremony with Edsel as its second Summa Cum Laude since it became a constituent university in 2016.

In a conversation with Edsel, he shared his realizations throughout his college journey. Of all the things he shared, here’s what hits home:

“Have no regrets. By this, it does not mean leaving it all on the field to the point of losing count of valuable things. Simply, it’s about having no regrets and knowing that you did things out of bravery for your growth.”

Graduating Summa Cum Laude, it may seem like Edsel had given his all in college leaving him no room for “what-ifs.” In actuality, Edsel expresses the biggest regret he had: Chasing excellence all the time and losing what life has yet to offer him.

He regretted not doing anything aside from studying; not meeting new people outside class, not joining school organizations, and not having an immersive experience with the real world.

“I was chasing excellence all my life that I lost track of other things.”

For other college students who are merely content with surviving the academic demands of school, these words feel familiar. There’s always the fear of failing by trying things outside academics. It’s quite risky to gamble and try other things with the uncertainty of time. One will never know if risking trying new things will make him or break him.

However, Edsel emphasized the importance of taking calculated risks and having a growth mindset—something he wished he did in college. It may be a frightening experience, but doing so is important, so that at the end of the day young students will have no regrets. He added that even if people tried and fell short of their expectations, it’s fine. Being self-forgiving and not being too hard on ourselves is already enough.

In spite of his regrets, it cannot be denied that Edsel’s grit and perseverance led him to this achievement. His hard work led him to this exact moment. When asked about his message to students striving, he shared that “Hard work does not betray. It will pay off in due time.”

Edsel added that even though people fail to achieve something, at least there’s consolation from the hard work. Hard work will lead somewhere, even if it is not a destination people wanted in the first place. Perhaps, it is only through giving our all are we able to accept the results of our hard work with no regrets.

Edsel’s story is a testimony of how hard work led him to where he is standing today, in spite of “what-ifs” and “could-have-beens.”

The Commission on Audit (COA), the guardian of our public funds, has highlighted and identified as “irregular” the several transactions that Lapu-Lapu City undertook last year.

The transactions that COA deemed irregular were the absence of signatures of eight Typhoon Odette victims and 46 persons who received financial assistance twice, either receiving P5,000 or P2,000, for a total of P221,000, as this deprived the other equally deserving beneficiaries.

It also questioned the purchase of overpriced alcohol amounting to almost P181,000 and payments of P4.751 million for supplies, meals, accommodation and various maintenance and other expenses made through reimbursement instead of direct procurement from suppliers, depriving the City Government of an advantage in competitive prices. (SunStar Cebu)

State auditors also discovered that the cash aid was marked as fully liquidated in the account book of the disbursing officer and in the subsidiary ledger. Ahem, something smells fishy, Mayor Ahong Chan.

According to COA, “the absence of the signatures of the payees on the payroll creates doubt as to the actual payment made to the concerned payees. In case payees could not receive payments personally, they are allowed to authorize in writing, persons specifically allowed by law and regulations to represent them.”

I wonder who the disbursing officer will ask to sign the payroll now that the COA audit team recommended (or ordered?) the City to let beneficiaries sign the payroll as an acknowledgment receipt. Did the eight beneficiaries, who supposedly received the aid without signing for it, really receive the aid? Just asking.

Is alcohol expensive? In Lapu-Lapu City, yes, according to COA. State auditors found that the City’s procurement of alcohol worth P180,779.85 was “overpriced” based on the Department of Health circular, “Price Freeze of Essential Emergency Medicines and Medical Devices due to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Heath Event.” Maybe, Mayor Ahong’s trusted people bought the alcohol after the price freeze was lifted.

According to a SunStar report, the trusted people of Mayor Ahong failed to notice the DOH circular. The alcohol purchase violated Section 5 of COA Circular 2012-003, which defines excessive expenditures.

Let me quote the reply of Lapu-Lapu City as reported in SunStar Cebu: “The City explained that during the purchase, it had not received a copy of the said circular. The Bids and Awards Committee also made sure that the purchase of the alcohol was not ‘unreasonably high and excessive’ in accordance with the City’s expenditures.”

“From one supplier to the next, the committee remained attentive to the different prices of the medical supplies and, to the best of their discretion, chose the most inexpensive ones available. Yet, admittedly but inadvertently, they failed to recognize the applicable department issuances due to the urgency of the matter because of the pandemic,” the City said.

What is more telling in the COA report is the City’s reimbursement of purchases of supplies, meals, accommodation and various maintenance and other expenses that amounted to P4.751 million. This practice, according to COA, violates the Local Government Code on procurement that mandates public bidding.

COA has ordered Mayor Chan to stop the practice, and directed the city accountant and city treasurer to ensure that all payments are done in check paid directly to the creditor.

King Solomon, in deciding the dispute between two mothers in the Book of Genesis, looked beyond technicalities and subtleties of human laws and human reasoning. He employed wisdom, conscience and a moral compass to come up with the right, wise judgment.

Thus, the problem was solved, quickly and easily. Solomon found out who the real mother was. Sanity prevailed over “legalism” (and politics).

Television and Production Exponents (Tape) Inc. is the registered/legal owner of the trademark Eat Bulaga. But who owns Eat Bulaga apart from the trademark? And to whom should the trademark go?

Obviously, TVJ vs. Tape is a battle that goes far more than a dispute over who owns the trademark. It is about the legitimacy and ethicality of ownership of the child or of the program. If the mother is the mother by blood, what is it in the child that the mother does not own, much less if the mother has never left/abandoned the child?

Now who’s the real mother of Eat Bulaga? Is it Tape who owns it on paper? Or is it Tito, Vic and Joey (TVJ) who themselves are the very heart and soul of Eat Bulaga; they who breathe and own every bit and part of it (not just the name) as originators and pioneers of the show in every sense/aspect of its existence? Tape, for its part, can only own and keep its Intellectual Property Office (IPO) paper at best -- but just for now that the IPO hasn’t decided yet on the case.

Eat Bulaga has been around for over four decades and its name has been synonymous with TVJ from the very outset. In contrast, most television viewers have never heard of Tape but just until recently when its squabble with TVJ erupted in the media.

The longest-running noontime show was birthed, nurtured and made to grow and endure by TVJ from its infancy to its adult stage, until its 44th birthday this month of July, which would be celebrated on the 29th (sans the celebrants, oddly) by a new show that wrongly/unjustly and awkwardly uses the program’s title.

What I know about tapes is that they belong to dispensers and vice versa. The same is true with Eat Bulaga as belonging to TVJ and vice versa, regardless of Tape.

I don’t watch Eat Bulaga and the other noontime shows. My interest in writing on the issue is not in any way about fondness for Eat Bulaga or disdain for its copycat, but rather on sharing some tenable, sagacious thoughts surrounding a seemingly intricate, complex situation -- to enlighten everyone, with the hope that by doing so, I may contribute to the transformation of our justice system, should authorities or our magistrates get to read this.

The case of TVJ vs. Tape is a case wherein “justice” is pitted against “law.” And it is exactly the same case as in the numerous, countless court cases (past and present) wherein miscarriage of justice was and is being committed which resulted and would result in rendering wrong, preposterous, blind decisions.