Cebu Sun.Star

@KAREN: As a successful banker, I’ve been dating a freelance architect for over a year. However, I’ve noticed that he lacks a clear future plan. Despite being in his 40s, he’s still renting an unkempt room. While his carefree personality initially attracted me, it has become irritating, leading to frequent arguments. He complains about my organized and rigid nature, which clashes with his laid-back attitude. Considering my age and fatigue with starting over, I’m uncertain if I should continue the relationship solely because of my want to finally start a family.

DJ: The fact that it’s a relationship between two individuals, it’s impossible to do everything in exactly the same way. Variations are fun and exciting. You experience something new. But as the initial high of romantic love wanes, compromise is a permanent fixture. Remember, you both had a life even before you met. It’s just that you may be feeling that the differences are eating your faith in your connection.

How willing and able are you both to adjust or give things up for the sake of a better relationship? Working through this process doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a poor match. It’s a collaboration. If done right, the process of negotiation can only make the two of you resilient and flexible. Unfortunately, the way you tackle the differences may be the one that’s making your love lives worse. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer whether your differences are too much or workable. But how ready are you in honoring one another while at the same time, being open to each other’s influence. Are you inclusive in your attitudes and behaviors? Are you still curious to know more about each other? Remember why it was fun in the beginning. Respect must be there. At the end of the day, you can’t force change.

Are the differences too different or are they workable? When two people are misaligned on something they both consider to be fundamental, the likelihood to try to constantly prove themselves right increases. Given the differences you mentioned, your case is not even about being right or wrong. There are people who thrive at living in the now. I’m sure you’ve heard about certain teachings on mindfulness and living in the present. There’s also nothing wrong about being structured. I was in two highly successful events a few days ago. I admire the dynamics of a couple who both share the passion for excellence and innovation. Can you still do things that you value the most? Trying to shine on a project, a sales pitch or do exceedingly well at a business review for example. Is he part of the solution why you’re bringing your best self at work and in life in general? Being different is a thrill. Though when the variances have something to do with one’s core, these things are difficult to change. Heads up. They make people who they are.

How well are you at communicating? Can you discuss expectations in ways that you can support one another so that the compromise doesn’t feel like a personal attack? Do you listen? You can’t make him your clone. You also won’t be happy over time being someone else just to be in a relationship. Is it possible to create a win-win situation? Talk things through. Something’s got to give to create harmony. You’re both gaining something you want. If you’re asking him to improve on something, be ready to make some changes for yourself too. Making a change doesn’t seem as daunting if no one feels like he or she is losing out.

Starting a family is not a glue to mend what’s broken. Think how your differences can eventually translate to parenting approaches. I suggest you continue to take a step back before moving forward. See more objectively if the differences are complementary rather than being too divergent. The strongest relationships are the ones in which both people can be themselves, working together as partners so they both can bring out the best in each other.

A BRIDGE connecting Barangays Poblacion 2 and Poblacion 3 in Carcar City, southern Cebu has been named after the late Peary Aleonar, who had written opinion columns and served as judge in the Regional Trial Court (RTC).

Carcar City officials and family members of Aleonar led the unveiling of the Judge Peary Aleonar Bridge marker on Friday, July 7, 2023. The activity was one of the highlights of the city’s 16th Charter Day celebration.

Carcar City Mayor Mario Patricio Barcenas, in an interview with the media after the ceremony, said the bridge serves as a tribute to Aleonar’s contributions as an upright judge and opinion writer that brought pride to the city.

Barcenas said this is Carcar City’s third time honoring residents who have shown exceptional talent and brought pride to the city. He also mentioned that Baracca Bridge, the infrastructure’s old name, had been renamed in Aleonar’s honor because of the presence of his kin in the area.

On the same day, city officials also unveiled the city’s Hall of Fame and recognized former mayors and locals who have excelled in the fields of arts, sports and music.

Aleonar’s daughter, Dina Aleonar, said she is proud of her father’s work both as a writer and judge.

Peary Aleonar had served as a former newspaper editor and columnist, RTC judge, lawyer, teacher and engineering graduate.

He showed his artistic talents from a young age, playing the violin and piano and engaging in creative drawing.

Aleonar wrote a column for The Freeman, “The Questionnaire,” in the 1970s, featuring sentences that all ended with question marks, addressing community problems and giving readers a voice.

In addition to being a prominent figure in the media, he had also served as an engineering college dean and was a member of the Board of the Cebu City Integrated Bar of the Philippines. In 1983, he was appointed as an RTC judge. (CNU interns Angel Leduna and Camille Erica Butas)

LOCAL tourism stakeholders and industry leaders have rallied support behind the Department of Tourism’s (DOT) newest slogan “Love the Philippines” following the fiasco over the DOT’s controversial ad campaign.

The Hotel, Resort and Restaurant Association of Cebu Inc. (HRRACI), Mandaue City Chamber of Commerce of Industry (MCCI), and Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) in separate statements expressed their support and confidence in the leadership of Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco in her efforts to rebrand the country’s tourism.

Cebu Mandaue Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industries Inc. (CMFCCCI) and Cebu Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CFCCCI) also extended their support to Frasco.

More than 63 tourism officers across municipalities and cities in Cebu are backing Frasco while a handful of legislators expressed mixed reactions to the controversy that arose after the DOT launched its newest slogan on June 27, 2023 through an audio-visual presentation containing stock video of beautiful sceneries that were not taken in the country.

Support

“We stand behind Secretary Frasco in her efforts to rectify and hold accountable those who are responsible for this misstep. We trust that she and her team will be able to chart the direction of the country’s tourism industry, which is a vital sector in our nation’s economy,” MCCI president Kelie Ko said.

“Tourism should be an experience of genuine love, one that will make visitors want to return again and again. Love is a remarkable force, and it is our strongest asset when it comes to dominating the tourism industry,” HRRACI said.

“Love the Philippines is such a strong and powerful statement. Our country had (gone) through the unthinkable and we made it out unscathed. To ‘Love the Philippines’ is, but apt and timely in these very interesting times,” according to CMFCCC.

They urged the public to unite in supporting the DOT’s newest campaign as it promotes the country as a premier tourist destination.

They also urged the public to support Frasco as they believe that under her leadership, the country’s tourism will continue to grow.

Senate

Meanwhile, Senators Juan Miguel Zubiri, Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada, Pia Cayetano, Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara, Robin Padilla, Christopher “Bong” Go, Ramon “Bong” Revilla, Loren Legarda and Sherwin “Win” Gatchalian have all rallied behind Frasco.

The legislators lauded Frasco’s efforts in reviving Philippine tourism after the devastating effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“We need to support the DOT and our tourism stakeholders even more this time, as we need to infuse into our country the needed billions of dollars brought in by tourists from all over the world. And we should refrain from damaging further our image as a rising global tourist destination,” Zubiri said in a statement.

However, Senator Nancy Binay called the tourism slogan “unsalvageable” and urged the DOT to revert to the old campaign tagline “It’s more fun in the Philippines.”

“The campaign has lost its redeeming value and has become unsalvageable—I hope the DOT is level-headed enough to accept this. We expect them to be agile and move forward from failure because we don’t want the slogan to become a national embarrassment,” Binay said in a statement.

SARI-SARI store owner Norecris Pulvera often receives worn-out bills from her elderly neighbors in Barangay Ibabao-Estancia, Mandaue City.

Feeling compassion for them, she just accepts their bills in exchange for the goods they want to buy.

Pulvera, 36, said she just keeps the old, non-crisp bills and does not use them as change for other customers.

However, she said she is straightforward to her younger customers.

“Kon mga bata, akong ingnun nga ‘dili ko modawat og gisi,’” she said on Friday, July 7, 2023.

(If my customers are young, I tell them, “I don’t accept torn bills.”)

Piso Caravan

Pulvera was among the people who exchanged their torn, dirty banknotes and mutilated coins for brand-new banknotes and coins during the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) Piso Caravan held at the Mandaue City Public Market in Barangay Mantuyong on Friday. The activity will end on Saturday, July 8.

The BSP is also holding its Piso Caravan in other places in Western Visayas, Central Visayas and Eastern Visayan in the two-day period.

Pulvera exchanged 233 pieces of banknotes ranging from P20 to P100, and coins amounting to a total of P6,675.25. She intends to use the exchanged money to purchase goods for her store.

The Piso Caravan aims to encourage the public to preserve the integrity of the local currency and promote digital finance, according to Dr. Gregorio Baccay III, head of the Economic Affairs Staff of the BSP-Central Visayas.

Baccay further explained that the program also seeks to establish partnerships with currency exchange centers.

“We will remove soiled money from circulation and replace it with new, clean currency. This program promotes the establishment of partnerships with currency exchange centers, such as pawnshops, money services businesses and big malls, who will collaborate with us,” Baccay said mostly in Cebuano.

He said once partnerships are established, the public can visit these centers to exchange their mutilated or old money.

The goal is to adopt a “stakeholders approach,” which involves participation from retail establishments, particularly those that deal with a significant amount of coins such as malls, according to Baccay.

Individuals who wish to exchange their damaged money must meet three requirements set by the BSP. First, the money should retain at least 60 percent of its original surface area. Second, it should include a portion with a facsimile signature. Lastly, the security thread should not have been intentionally removed.

The mutilated money collected by the BSP will be shredded.

Financial lessons

According to the BSP, its Piso Caravan also offers financial learning sessions on topics such as the BSP Clean Note Policy and Coin Recirculation Program, the 1,000-Piso Polymer Banknote, digital payments, and cyber hygiene practices.

The BSP said it is important that clean banknotes and coins are the ones in circulation because dirty banknotes are more difficult to authenticate, which can make it easier for counterfeiters to pass off fake bills.

The BSP also wants to ensure that the security features of its banknotes are always visible, so that people can be confident that they are genuine.

It also wants to prevent the spread of disease as dirty banknotes can harbor bacteria and other germs, which can be transferred to people who handle them.

CEBU Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia has urged the Department of Social Welfare and Development in Central Visayas (DSWD 7) to adopt the Dasig Sugbo card system for the cash distribution for Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries.

Garcia proposed the initiative during a meeting with DSWD 7 Director Shalaine Marie Lucero and Assistant Regional Director Johnny Cantero at the Capitol on Thursday, July 6, 2023.

The 4Ps program provides conditional cash assistance to low-income families for child health, nutrition and education. Garcia observed, though, that these financial incentives were not used as expected, with some beneficiaries using it to buy alcoholic beverages or engage in gambling activities, reported Sugbo News, the Capitol’s online news portal.

The governor suggested to the DSWD 7 to consider replicating the Cebu Provincial Government’s Dasig Sugbo card system in which beneficiaries are issued QR-coded cards that can be used to redeem pre-approved items such as home materials and food supplies from the Capitol’s partner stores rather than distributing cash. (NWSSU intern Kyle Andrei Acuña)

AN ECONOMIST expects the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) to hike borrowing costs by at least one more time this year.

“Despite the current outlook for inflation, it might be premature to conclude that the hiking cycle is over. One or two more rate hikes are still possible for the rest of the year depending on how the foreign exchange market will react in case the Fed (the US Federal Reserve System) hikes again,” said BPI lead economist Emilio Neri Jr. in a statement Wednesday, July 5, 2023.

“So far, the differential between the US and Philippine policy rates is 100 bps (basis points). This can narrow further to 50 bps if the BSP doesn’t hike. The BSP may hike again if the foreign exchange market becomes volatile given the narrower interest rate differential,” he added.

The BSP decided to keep its key interest rate at 6.25 percent on June 22 as inflation has eased. The central bank hiked policy rates by 425 bps from May 2022 to March 2023 to tame inflation.

June inflation eased to 5.4 percent from 6.1 percent in May, settling near the lower end of the BSP’s forecast range of 5.3 to 6.1 percent for the month.

Year-to-date inflation stands at 7.2 percent, still far from the government’s average inflation rate target of two to four percent for the year.

Pause

On the other hand, the US Federal Reserve last month paused its tightening cycle after hiking rates for 10 straight meetings by a total of 500 bps to a range between five percent and 5.25 percent, trying to smother the worst inflation in decades.

On Wednesday, July 5, Fed officials said it will likely raise interest rates yet again this year to defeat inflation. Fed Chairman Jerome Powell said the central bank has “a long way to go” to bring inflation back to the Fed’s two percent goal.

US inflation in May was at four percent.

Neri added it is even more premature to expect rate cuts this year given the conditions abroad.

“With the Fed still keeping its hawkish stance, it might be difficult to cut rates while minimizing the impact on the currency,” he said.

Cebu’s business community has been hoping for interest rates to go down as it will bring about robust economic activities, higher purchasing power and increased consumption, and increased confidence for business expansions.

“Businesses will likely expand their operations and borrow from banks or raise funds from the capital market given the improving interest rate environment,” said Cebu Bankers Club president Chester Go in a previous interview.

The BSP’s new governor, Eli Remolona, said in reports that the Monetary Board will likely consider cutting the interest rates within the year should inflation further drop to four percent, the upper end of the government’s target.

Waived fees

Meanwhile, the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) announced that it has waived the collection of online bank transfer fees for small transactions.

The fee waiver would apply to InstaPay transfers of up to P1,000 and will take effect for a limited time, from July 5 to Sept. 30. This will allow clients to conveniently transfer funds to other bank accounts, split bills with friends or settle payments for just about any transaction.

BPI is one of the first banks to drop InstaPay interbank transfer fees after the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas made a proposal earlier this year to remove fees for small-value online transactions.

The initiative is also part of BPI’s customer obsession strategy and broader plan to address the financial inclusion gap in the country.

With the Philippines having slow and the second most costly Internet in Southeast Asia, as well as low Internet penetration, three major business groups have backed a multi-stakeholder petition for the Senate to fast-track approval of the Open Access bill, and for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to include it as a priority legislation in his next State of the Nation Address.

The Employers Confederation of the Philippines (Ecop), Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), and Philippine Exporters Confederation (Philexport) were among the 10 organizations to sign a joint statement declaring “full support for the immediate enactment of the proposed Open Access in Internet Services Act” or OAIS Act which, they say, will enable Internet network operators to deploy broadband infrastructure faster and at less cost, hastening the digital inclusion of more Filipinos.

The joint statement was signed on July 5, 2023 in Makati City by leaders from 10 groups coming from the industry and financial sectors and civil society.

Sen. Raffy Tulfo, author of Senate Bill 1845, said the Philippines has “the second most expensive (Internet) among Asean members despite being slow and less accessible, especially in the countryside.”

Tulfo said access to the Internets enables users to connect with friends and family, have access to information and conduct e-commerce.

Key reforms

The OAIS bill contains two key reforms that will address the legal obstacles and outdated laws that put up high barriers to entry and perpetuate a costly and inefficient way of installing broadband infrastructure.

One of these reforms seeks to lower the barriers and cost to market entry of Internet network operators by simplifying the registration and qualification process for providers.

The other aims to make broadband network deployment faster and more efficient by promoting infrastructure sharing, and streamlining the approval process for permits to install broadband infrastructure.

In Cebu, Charles Kenneth Co, president of the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said: “If open access is about having a common or universal internet line shared by various companies, this can have advantages in lessening their capital outlay, especially in far-flung areas where there may not be enough user base to justify more than one company investing in the cabling. Hopefully this bill will enable wider Internet access for all Filipinos.”

Petition

The petitioners stated that the Open Access bill “will address the legal obstacles and binding constraints which have long stifled the growth of the Philippines’ Internet industry” in a world increasingly reliant on connectivity to function and advance.

“Poor and unreliable access and unaffordable Internet services persist,” according to the statement. It warns that not addressing the major challenges in Internet access, quality and affordability will lead to digital exclusion, with steep consequences in terms of attempts to improve education, finance, e-governance, e-commerce and health in the country.

Citing the National ICT (Information and Communications Technology) Household Survey in 2019, the statement said only 47 percent of Filipinos were found using the Internet and only 18 percent of households were subscribed to the Internet when the Covid-19 pandemic struck.

At the height of mobility restrictions, an education department survey revealed that 52 percent of public schools and 83 percent of their enrollees were unable to go online for classes.

The groups also voiced alarm about the growing broadband infrastructure gap, with remote rural areas the most disadvantaged.

Mobile Internet poor

In the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), World Data Lab found that this year, the Philippines has the second highest number of “mobile Internet poor” who find mobile data unaffordable, while data from the Alliance for Affordable Internet had the Philippines recording the second lowest affordability score in the region in 2021.

Moreover, Philippine mobile broadband was about 40 percent slower than the median speed of its Asean peers, according to Ookla data for March 2023, although Philippine fixed or wired broadband was doing slightly better.

“Moving forward, the digital divide threatens to undermine our economic growth, and must be addressed for the government’s push for e-governance to truly succeed,” the statement of support initiated by Better Internet PH declared.

Digital divide

Better Internet PH lead advocate Mary Grace Mirandilla-Santos in her presentation called on the Senate’s science and technology committee to deliberate on and approve the Open Access bills and the National Economic and Development Authority to include Open Access as a priority legislation of the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council.

Sergio Ortiz-Luis, Jr., who signed the joint statement on behalf of Ecop, PCCI and Philexport, observed in his message how the widening digital divide “deprives Filipinos of equal opportunities.”

He added: “Every Filipino must be given the opportunity to participate in the digital environment.”

Joining the business groups and Better Internet PH in signing the manifesto were the Internet Society Philippines Chapter, Fintech Alliance.PH, Philippine Cable Television Association Inc., National ICT Confederation of the Philippines, Foundation for Media Alternatives, and Democracy.Net.PH.

These groups stressed that open access to the Internet is a fundamental right of all Filipinos regardless of where they live.

The Senate S&T Committee started holding public hearings on digital connectivity and cybersecurity bills, including Open Access, last month. (PHILEXPORT, CTL, KOC)

With the Philippines having slow and the second most costly Internet in Southeast Asia, as well as low Internet penetration, three major business groups have backed a multi-stakeholder petition for the Senate to fast-track approval of the Open Access bill, and for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to include it as a priority legislation in his next State of the Nation Address.

The Employers Confederation of the Philippines (Ecop), Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), and Philippine Exporters Confederation (Philexport) were among the 10 organizations to sign a joint statement declaring “full support for the immediate enactment of the proposed Open Access in Internet Services Act” or OAIS Act which, they say, will enable Internet network operators to deploy broadband infrastructure faster and at less cost, hastening the digital inclusion of more Filipinos.

The joint statement was signed on July 5, 2023 in Makati City by leaders from 10 groups coming from the industry and financial sectors and civil society.

Sen. Raffy Tulfo, author of Senate Bill 1845, said the Philippines has “the second most expensive (Internet) among Asean members despite being slow and less accessible, especially in the countryside.”

Tulfo said access to the Internets enables users to connect with friends and family, have access to information and conduct e-commerce.

Key reforms

The OAIS bill contains two key reforms that will address the legal obstacles and outdated laws that put up high barriers to entry and perpetuate a costly and inefficient way of installing broadband infrastructure.

One of these reforms seeks to lower the barriers and cost to market entry of Internet network operators by simplifying the registration and qualification process for providers.

The other aims to make broadband network deployment faster and more efficient by promoting infrastructure sharing, and streamlining the approval process for permits to install broadband infrastructure.

In Cebu, Charles Kenneth Co, president of the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said: “If open access is about having a common or universal internet line shared by various companies, this can have advantages in lessening their capital outlay, especially in far-flung areas where there may not be enough user base to justify more than one company investing in the cabling. Hopefully this bill will enable wider Internet access for all Filipinos.”

Petition

The petitioners stated that the Open Access bill “will address the legal obstacles and binding constraints which have long stifled the growth of the Philippines’ Internet industry” in a world increasingly reliant on connectivity to function and advance.

“Poor and unreliable access and unaffordable Internet services persist,” according to the statement. It warns that not addressing the major challenges in Internet access, quality and affordability will lead to digital exclusion, with steep consequences in terms of attempts to improve education, finance, e-governance, e-commerce and health in the country.

Citing the National ICT (Information and Communications Technology) Household Survey in 2019, the statement said only 47 percent of Filipinos were found using the Internet and only 18 percent of households were subscribed to the Internet when the Covid-19 pandemic struck.

At the height of mobility restrictions, an education department survey revealed that 52 percent of public schools and 83 percent of their enrollees were unable to go online for classes.

The groups also voiced alarm about the growing broadband infrastructure gap, with remote rural areas the most disadvantaged.

Mobile Internet poor

In the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), World Data Lab found that this year, the Philippines has the second highest number of “mobile Internet poor” who find mobile data unaffordable, while data from the Alliance for Affordable Internet had the Philippines recording the second lowest affordability score in the region in 2021.

Moreover, Philippine mobile broadband was about 40 percent slower than the median speed of its Asean peers, according to Ookla data for March 2023, although Philippine fixed or wired broadband was doing slightly better.

“Moving forward, the digital divide threatens to undermine our economic growth, and must be addressed for the government’s push for e-governance to truly succeed,” the statement of support initiated by Better Internet PH declared.

Digital divide

Better Internet PH lead advocate Mary Grace Mirandilla-Santos in her presentation called on the Senate’s science and technology committee to deliberate on and approve the Open Access bills and the National Economic and Development Authority to include Open Access as a priority legislation of the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council.

Sergio Ortiz-Luis, Jr., who signed the joint statement on behalf of Ecop, PCCI and Philexport, observed in his message how the widening digital divide “deprives Filipinos of equal opportunities.”

He added: “Every Filipino must be given the opportunity to participate in the digital environment.”

Joining the business groups and Better Internet PH in signing the manifesto were the Internet Society Philippines Chapter, Fintech Alliance.PH, Philippine Cable Television Association Inc., National ICT Confederation of the Philippines, Foundation for Media Alternatives, and Democracy.Net.PH.

These groups stressed that open access to the Internet is a fundamental right of all Filipinos regardless of where they live.

The Senate S&T Committee started holding public hearings on digital connectivity and cybersecurity bills, including Open Access, last month. (PHILEXPORT, CTL, KOC)

Undefeated prospect Dave Apolinario faces a stiff test in Mexican veteran Brian Mosinos on Aug. 30, 2023 at the Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan.

After an easy second-round stoppage of Indonesian Frengky Rohi last Feb. 11, the 24-year-old Apolinario will be tested against a tough and very talented opponent in Mosinos in his first fight in Japan.

“It will be a good test for Dave. Mosinos is a good and tough boxer and trains in the Nacho Beristain Gym. But I think Dave will put on a show and show everyone that he’s ready for a world title,” Sanman Promotions chief executive officer JC Manangquil told SunStar Cebu.

In preparation for this fight, Apolinario has been sparring with some elite sparring partners, the likes of former world title challengers Vince Paras and Jayson Mama.

After fighting mostly in the Philippines his whole career, Apolinario finally got a big break last year after earning a fight in South Africa against South African star Gideon Buthelezi for the vacant International Boxing Organization.

Apolinario made quick work of Buthelezi and stopped him in a single round to become a world champion. However, the title that he won was a world title from a minor organization.

Apolinario wants to become a world champion in one of the four major boxing sanctioning bodies -- World Boxing Council (WBC), World Boxing Organization (WBO), World Boxing Association (WBA) and International Boxing Federation (IBF).

Apolinario already has a target in sight, Artem Dalakian, who currently holds the WBA belt.

“We want to go for the WBA flyweight title,” said Manangquil.

Apolinario is highly rated in all four world sanctioning bodies. He’s ranked No. 2 by the WBA, No. 5 by the IBF, No. 9 by the WBO and No. 14 by the WBC.

Apolinario shouldn’t take Mosinos for granted because he’s a legitimate adversary.

The 26-year-old Mosinos fought the likes of former world champions Elwin Soto and Mario Rodriguez. He lost to Soto by a controversial split decision last May 13 in Mexico, while he defeated Rodriguez in 2019 by unanimous decision in a WBC Continental Americas flyweight title fight also in Mexico.

Apolinario is 18-0 with 13 knockouts, while Mosinos is 23-5 with six knockouts. (EKA)

Dave Sabandon was in the right place at the right time as he picked up an offensive rebound and scored the game-winning layup to lift the Newfold Wolves past the Amazon Aces, 54-52, in the Hoop Nation Inter-BPO basketball tournament last Sunday, July 2, 2023, at the City Sports Club-Cebu.

Tied at 52-all after the Aces’ Mac Galay coolly sank two free throws, the Wolves quickly inbounded the ball to Feeljo Bongo who launched a triple that missed. Fortunately, Sabandon hustled back, nabbed the rebound, faked out two defenders before rising up and making a layup before the final buzzer sounded to give Newfold the thrilling victory.

Ralph “The Lion King” Belarmino led the way for the Wolves with 22 points and 11 rebounds, as the team improved to 4-1.

Mac Galay had 20 points, five boards and four assists for Amazon, which dropped to 2-2.

In other games, Tech Mahindra routed Cognizant, 62-49, with Steve Cabanday putting up 28 points, three rebounds and two assists.

TTEC clobbered the Bankers, 43-25, as Jasper Diaz collected 10 points and five boards.

Synchrony edged Optum, 54-53, with Archel Arena tallying 19 markers and five boards.

OP360 routed Fujitsu, 78-54, thanks to Jed Girasol’s 14 points and five assists.

Dyninno also slipped past TDCX, 49-48, as John Felicilda tallied 13 points, eight rebounds and five assists. (JNP)

The Cebu Architects Basketball Club 5th Corporate Cup 2023 tips off this Sunday, July 9, 2023, with eight teams vying for hard court supremacy at the Benedicto College gym in Cebu City.

Leading the cast of contenders is the defending champions AEG Building Prints, which will be bannered by their formidable triumvirate of do-it-all forward Bong Gabison, speedy guard Zach Go and the high-leaping Dexsel Caadan.

However, they will have a huge target on their backs with last season’s runners-up, Boysen along with the likes of Cebu Home Builders, Buildrite, Landlite, Modern Windows, Kirby Building Systems and Diamondbuilt Development Corp. all looking to usurp the champions.

The teams will play a single round-robin where the top four squads will get a twice-to-beat advantage in the elimination round. The crossover semifinals will go next with the winners there advancing to the one-game championship round. (JNP)

What is a MoonSwatch, one might ask? It’s just the biggest thing in the world of watches, bridging the gap between luxury collectors and casual wrist wearers.

Launch

On March 26, 2022, Swiss luxury watch manufacturer Omega and contemporary Swiss-made watchmaker Swatch released a collaboration simply known as the MoonSwatch. The name is a play on the latter’s name and the nickname of the former’s most popular model: The Omega Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch.

History

During the Apollo 11 mission, astronaut Buzz Aldrin wore the Speedmaster on the moon making it the first-ever timepiece on the lunar surface. With prices for the Omega Speedmaster starting around $7,000 to sky-high prices for its precious metal models on retail, naturally, a $260 bioceramic version of the iconic chronograph would dominate conversations and, soon enough, the market.

In less than a year since its launch, notably in January 2023, over one million MoonSwatches were sold.

Reception

While a lot of people definitely enjoyed the journey of getting a MoonSwatch on their wrists, the release was also met with a ton of criticism generally due to three aspects: price, quality and availability. Would one consider a $260 purchase of a plastic-feeling, super fragile, almost disposable watch as a wise decision? Maybe.

And for people who wanted to overlook this, they were still subjected to long queues outside (select) Swatch stores as the MoonSwatches were not made available for online purchase, despite these watches being not limited-edition releases.

Celebrities hopped on the hype train, too. Musician and avid watch collector Ed Sheeran and no less than James Bond himself, Daniel Craig, were among the many seen wearing the bioceramic chronograph. The supply struggled as the demand rose, fueling both people’s disappointment yet strangely, also desire.

Models

While the standard Speedmaster generally comes with a black dial and stainless steel case, the regular MoonSwatches present 11 models designed after planetary bodies. The model names are as follows: Mission to the Sun, Mission to Mercury, Mission to Venus, Mission on Earth, Mission to the Moon, Mission to Mars, Mission to Saturn, Mission to Jupiter, Mission to Uranus, Mission to Neptune and Mission to Pluto.

Ranking

Here is a light-hearted ranking of the models based on their looks and overall vibe:

Mission to the Sun

Pulling off the bright yellow gold color is not the easiest thing to do.

Mission to Venus

Pretty powder pink but the oval subdials may be an issue for some.

Mission to Mars

Deep red and white; a pair of rocket hands—may not be for everyone.

Mission to Saturn

The planet on the dial might throw off those who prefer a clean look.

Mission on Earth

Green, blue, with some white and brown—a busy combo.

Mission to Mercury

Maybe a little too serious for what’s supposed to be a fun piece.

Mission to Jupiter

A beautiful beige case, plus a cool orange seconds hand.

Mission to Uranus

A powdery blue that’s easy on the eyes, both fun and elegant.

Mission to Pluto

The burgundy and grey tones make for a fun yet subdued wristwatch.

Mission to the Moon

Looks like the real deal. Don’t put it on a steel bracelet though.

Mission to Neptune

Deep blue. Clean whites. Black strap. Sporty but means business.

Do you agree with this ranking? Which MoonSwatch do you have? Are you planning to get one for yourself or for a gift? Regardless of which, wearing and enjoying a watch is a very personal experience. Wear them in good health!

While it is true that you eat with your eyes first, a carnival on a plate is not necessarily an indicator of a satisfying meal.

In this modern day and age of dining, there is that extra incentive for restaurateurs to make one’s dish stand out visually. A photo taken and shared by customers on social media equals free advertising. It’s the new-generation word-of-mouth but double or triple the impact.

However, one can take comfort that some restaurants choose to remain more subdued, continuing to serve quality dishes that are nothing short of excellent.

Not careless. Classy. Confident.

Ipar’s Restaurante Y Bar De Tapas—or commonly referred to simply as Ipar’s—prides itself on serving authentic Spanish cuisine since 2009. The restaurant is located on F. Ramos St., Cebu City, a location that has seen its fair share of wonderful, culinary startups.

The man-in-charge is chef Jose Ramon Ernesto Ouano Miranda, who has always stuck to his guns in terms of never compromising the Spanish food he’s learned to prepare from his studies and stints in Spain.

The name is a mouthful, he joked, so he simply goes by “Ipar.”

“There were many Spanish restaurants before but some of them tweaked their recipes to fit the Cebuano taste,” Chef Ipar shared. “What we do here is the basic way of cooking—the traditional way. No soy sauce. No liquid seasoning,” said the chef. “While I myself love that marination or type of cooking, we just stuck with the traditional Spanish cuisine.”

Chef Ipar shared how he’s comfortable where his restaurant’s recipes stand after 14 years by sticking with the mainstays, naming a handful of its must-try classics: the paella, gambas, callos and its homemade chorizo.

“When you try our chorizo and you’ve travelled to Spain, it’s basically the same taste. Aside from that, we produce the chorizo in small batches to really ensure the quality,” said Chef Ipar.

I enjoyed every bit of what was served, down with a glass or two of Calimocho—a cocktail consisting of equal parts red wine and cola-based soft drink. It was 1 p.m. Ah, the exclamation point to this experience would be an authentic siesta away from the eyes of HR.

Ipar’s is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for lunch and 6 to 10 p.m. for dinner, Tuesday to Sunday.

With the Department of Tourism (DOT) rolling out a new tourism campaign — also with a brand-new slogan -- we all should come together in support of the country and of our tourist destinations, which could be considered at par with other world-class attractions.

The DOT was criticized for the misleading inclusion of stock footage in the “Love the Philippines” campaign video, but let us also allow the Department to correct this misstep, reflect on what happened, and improve its campaign going forward.

The concerned ad agency has already owned up to its negligence and the DOT has already gone on record rightly taking responsibility for the controversy, and terminating the contract with the agency.

I believe that Secretary Christina Frasco and the Department had no ill intent in this mishap, but I nevertheless expect them to take this incident very seriously, and hold accountable those who have wronged the Filipino people and the tourist spots that were replaced with alien places.

The harm to our reputation as a rising global tourism power should be repaired immediately, which should go beyond producing a correct version of the controversial promotional video.

The DOT leadership’s call to stick with their new campaign slogan is duly noted, but this should not be the end-all of the corrective process.

I reiterate my call to all relevant agencies such as the Department of Public Works and Highways, the Department of Transportation, and the Health department to work closely with the DOT to improve our tourism infrastructure so that we can bring in to the country the much-needed billion tourism dollars.

The success of the “Love the Philippines” campaign will also live and die with the cooperation and collaboration of all government stakeholders so that our public transport, our connectivity, our health protocols, our logistics, and our people will be ready to deliver and accept the love our tourism deserves.

This is the meat of the daunting task that the DOT needs to focus on as it buckles down to work to address its shortcomings.

We need to support the DOT and our tourism stakeholders even more this time, as we need to infuse into our country the needed billions of dollars brought in by tourists from all over the world. And we should refrain from damaging further our image as a rising global tourist destination.

In March 2017, I attended a conference in Paris and Le Havre, France, titled “The Rise of Asia: History and Perspective. What impacts, what risks and what opportunities for the rest of the world?” The conference highlighted the global impact of the rise of the West, specifically Europe and the United States, which has led to major changes worldwide and the formation of a global order influenced by Western values.

However, there has been a recent shift in the world balance of power as a result of the emergence of Asia, particularly China and India.

Last May 2023, I received an invitation to join a media delegation for a visit to China from June 27 to July 7. The delegation, which includes journalists, professors, and bloggers will have the opportunity to travel to Beijing, Shaanxi, Hunan and Shanghai.

As of the moment I’m writing this, we’re in Zhangjiajie City. This city is situated in the hinterland of the Wuling Mountains and in the north-west of the province of Hunan.

Based on my experience with the various people I spoke to and the lessons learned during this trip, it validated the discussions we had at the conference back in 2017. Let me share some of my learnings and the significant places that we visited that led me to this conclusion.

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) celebrates its founding anniversary on July 1 each year. This date commemorates the establishment of the CCP in 1921.

It is a significant day for the party and is usually marked by various events and gatherings across China.

Last July 1, we went to Liangjiahe Village to visit the place that had a significant influence on the governance of President Xi Jinping. It is located in Liangjiahe in Shaanxi Province, and it was the place where Xi Jinping was sent to during the Cultural Revolution, from 1969 to 1975.

During his time in Liangjiahe Village, Xi Jinping lived and worked alongside the rural villagers, experiencing a humble and challenging lifestyle.

This experience had a profound impact on his life. He learned about the hardships and struggles faced by ordinary people, which helped him develop a deep empathy and understanding of the rural population.

Xi Jinping has often referred to his time in Liangjiahe as a transformative period in his life.

He attributes this experience to his values and policies, such as his emphasis on poverty reduction, rural development, and the well-being of people. He has emphasized the importance of staying connected to the grassroots and understanding the needs of the people to guide his governance.

Liangjiahe Village has become symbolic of Xi Jinping’s commitment to the “Chinese Dream,” which aims to achieve national rejuvenation, social harmony, and individual prosperity. Xi promoted the idea of achieving these goals by targeting poverty reduction, rural regeneration and improving the overall well-being of the population.

A SECURITY guard received an award from his employer, Malaking Ibong Bughaw Security Services, for helping the collector reprimand the people who picked up paper bills in various denominations worth millions of pesos that had strewn along the viaduct of the South Road Properties in Cebu City last Wednesday, July 4, 2023.

Den Cueno was awarded a Certificate of Courage and P5,000 cash for his bravery in assisting the collector.

Related story: Remittance firm collector asks public to return money that they found in SRP

On Tuesday at past 10 a.m., motorists were astounded to see peso bills of various denominations strewn along the viaduct of South Road Properties (SRP).

People hurriedly exited their cars, including delivery drivers, to collect the cash that was scattered across the road.

Tony, not his real name, brought the money worth around P4 million and placed it in his backpack.

While driving a motorcycle, his backpack's zipper broke, causing it to open, letting the money bills fly out into the air.

Tony was delivering the money from a money remittance firm in SRP mall to their office in Mandaue City when the incident occurred.

Cueno thanked the agency for the recognition.

“I thank our agency for giving me the award, I will give this money to my wife sir,” Cueno said in Cebuano.

People had previously criticized the security agency after learning that Cueno had been suspended for violating company policy after he allegedly left his post and went live on Facebook with the collector.

Rommel Cabahug, the security agency’s detachment officer, clarified that they did not suspend Cueno and that the public simply misread the suggestion for a five-day suspension.

“Mao gani nga gipareport siya sa office para sa investigation. Kung unsa man ang resulta nakasabot man ko sa side ni Cueno pero igo lang man mi nagbuhat sa among trabaho,” matod ni Cabahug.

(That's why he was told to report to the office for an investigation. Whatever the result is, I understand Cueno's side, but we're just doing our job).

Nevertheless, Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) Chief Colonel Ireneo Dalogdog praised Cueno, saying that his video will help them find the people who got the money.

The CCPO will also give the guard a certificate of commendation.

Dalogdog said Cueno's actions were courageous because he did not close his eyes but instead admonished the drivers who kept collecting the money.

“Ato gyud na sya pasidunggan kay kana sila ato man sad nang mga force multipliers motabang sad na sila nato aron pag monitor sa mga criminals sa ilang AOR (area of responsibility) unya maayo sad to iyang gibuhat kay naka tabang to siya sa atong imbestigasyon kung unsa gyud ang nahitabo sa collector, basin makatabang sad to iyang video sa pag-ila mga nanguha sa kwarta,” Dalogdog said.

(We will honor him because they are our force multipliers and they will assist us in monitoring the criminals in their AOR. He did a good job since he assisted us in our inquiry into what actually occurred to the collector; perhaps his video will help identify individuals who collected the money).(AYB, TPT)

I thought the Cebu City Government, through the Cebu City Police Office, was serious about getting the homeless off the streets.

So why does it seem like their numbers have multiplied?

Mayor Michael Rama even issued an ultimatum to remove all street dwellers by June 12, 2023.

Well, it has been almost a month, but it doesn’t look like the problem has been addressed.

Just the other day, I crossed Osmeña Blvd. using the skywalk at the Abellana National School and the Cebu Normal University.

I make the crossing often, so I know several homeless people have called the skywalk their temporary home where they sleep, eat and relieve themselves.

In fairness, the majority of them are gone. But there are still minor traces of their presence like the pervading whiff of human refuse.

I encountered two members of the Department of Public Services cleaning the skywalk earlier in the week, which would explain why the source of the stench had disappeared.

Still, it’s in the City’s best interest to keep the skywalk clean since many students use it as a hangout during their breaks.

So the other day, I was making the crossing when I saw a woman without her clothes on lying flat on her back in the middle of the skywalk.

That would explain why the students were loitering on the steps instead. Still, they went about their business as if the middle-aged woman in all her naked glory was not there.

Anyway, I heard the City Government will remove the two skywalks on Osmeña Blvd. since these are on the way of the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit project that is currently being implemented.

Well, I hope the City does it soon.

No doubt the People’s Republic of China has been flexing its muscles in the South China Sea, having woken up from two centuries of slumber in which its traditional role of dominance in this part of the world was usurped by the Imperial West.

In fact, China used to exact tribute from neighbors who acknowledged its superiority and precedence.

However, it didn’t mean it could walk over the people of East Asia and Southeast Asia. It launched several invasions against Japan, Vietnam and Myanmar that proved to be unsuccessful in the long run, which would explain why, in the end, the Chinese settled on the tributary system.

In a sinocentric world, trade became the prime objective, having already reached the limit of its expansionist goals by conquering surrounding areas that now constitute modern-day China.

Obviously, I am oversimplifying the region’s geopolitics. It’s hard to put into words more than a millennia of history.

But based on that history, there’s no reason for the people who live in the Philippine archipelago to be afraid of any imminent invasion, having never been invaded by China in all those years.

I find it ironic that the United States, which waged a brutal two-year campaign to subdue “Las Islas Filipinas” and rob some Filipinos of their independence (I say “some” because, let’s face it, not all wanted to break away from Mother Spain), would now take up the cudgels for Philippine sovereignty and rights.

And Filipinos have fallen for the American rhetoric hook, line and sinker.

By the way, I’m aware of recent incidents in which the Chinese Coast Guard or the Chinese Navy harassed local fishermen or authorities in the West Philippine Sea, which Malacañang considers part of the country’s exclusive economic zone.

Do I approve of the posturing? Heck, no.

But I have a feeling Beijing is just testing the water, and I believe we have already sent the message that it should be careful about not going too far.

There’s no need to escalate matters by getting the Americans involved in what is clearly between the Philippines and China.

I believe the Philippines, despite its meager defenses, can put up a good fight against a Chinese incursion. We’ll probably get beaten to a pulp in the process, but we have shown in the past that when push comes to shove, Filipinos shove with the best of them.

And I don’t mean to be naïve, but I sincerely believe an armed conflict is NOT foremost in China’s mind right now.

Therefore, the Philippines must, at all cost, avoid falling in the Thucydides Trap that the West, particularly the United States, thinks is inevitable. After all, it is their hegemony that is being threatened with the reemergence of an old power like China.

Filipinos must get rid of the colonial mentality and get out of the mindset that the West knows what is best for the world.

Now, wasn’t that much better than talking about the quixotic quest to become Singapore-like?

DANILO Lines Inc., a sister company of Lite Shipping Corporation, operating under the brand name Lite Ferries, "Ang Barkong Bol-anon," continually expands and brings in world-class brand-new ships to its fleet. On July 8, 2023, at 4:00 p.m., the company is set to launch its latest brand-new vessel, the M/V Lite Ferry Six.

The blessing and inauguration will be held onboard the vessel at the Port of Polambato, Bogo City, Cebu.

M/V Lite Ferry Six was built in China and completed in 2022. This 72-meter-long coast-wise Ro-Ro ferry has a GRT of 2,450 tons and can accommodate 300 passengers, 18 ten-wheeler trucks, and 10 cars. It is classed by RINA of Italy and has standard and tourist class accommodations, exceeding the standards set by the Maritime Industry Authority for passageways and bed bunk accommodations.

It operates at a service speed of 13 knots, reducing sea travel time on the Bogo City, Cebu to Matnog, Sorsogon route from 9 to 10 hours to only 7 hours.

The launch is expected to be a grand event with many attendees, led by DOTR Usec. Elmer F. Sarmiento, including representatives from the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), Cebu Port Authority (CPA), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), local LGU officials, and local media.

Lite Ferries operates one of the youngest fleets in the country, with almost half of the fleet acquired brand new and one-fourth of the fleet below 20 years of age upon acquisition. This is the result of the company's re-fleeting program for the past 10 years.

Lite Ferries is now connecting the island of Cebu to the rest of the country, operating in 32 destinations. It has been bridging the provinces of Sorsogon, Samar, Northern Samar, Leyte, Southern Leyte, Cebu, Bohol, Negros Oriental, Negros Occidental, Siquijor, Surigao del Norte, Agusan del Norte, Misamis Oriental, Misamis Occidental, and Zamboanga del Norte.

The Bogo to Matnog trip departs at 11:59 p.m. every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. It departs from Matnog to Bogo at 11:59 p.m. every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

MARINA granted the vessel pioneering status on the routes of Bogo City, Cebu/Maya, Daanbantayan, and Cebu to Matnog, Sorsogon. (SPONSORED CONTENT)

LAS VEGAS — San Antonio Spurs rookie Victor Wembanyama said Thursday, July 6, 2023, he believes Britney Spears grabbed him from behind as he was walking into a restaurant at a Las Vegas casino, and that the security detail he was with pushed the pop star away.

Wembanyama said he wasn’t told that Spears was the person who grabbed him until hours later, and that he never actually saw her.

Police report

Spears, who filed a report with Las Vegas police, said in posts on Twitter and Instagram that the run-in was “super embarrassing,” and denied grabbing Wembanyama, saying she only “tapped him on the shoulder to get his attention.”

She said she had recognized him earlier in the evening and when seeing the No. 1 pick in this year’s NBA draft — a 7-foot-3 French standout who is entering the NBA with as much acclaim as anyone since LeBron James 20 years ago — she “decided to approach him and congratulate him on his success.”

Spears said, “His security then back handed me in the face without looking back, in front of a crowd. Nearly knocking me down and causing my glasses off my face.”

Police said a report was filed on an incident at the Aria Resort & Casino, but gave no further details.

Spears’ attorney Mathew Rosengart declined comment, citing the police investigation.

Never stopped

Wembanyama said security advised him to not stop for anyone as he walked into the restaurant, mindful that pausing could cause a stir and allow a crowd to build.

“We were in the hall. There was a lot of people, so people were calling (at) me, obviously. There was one person who was calling me but we talked before with security. I couldn’t stop. That person was calling me, ‘Sir, sir,’ and that person grabbed me from behind,” Wembanyama said. “I didn’t see what happened because I was walking straight and didn’t stop. That person grabbed me from behind — not on my shoulder, she grabbed me from behind. I just know the security pushed her away. I don’t know with how much force but security pushed her away. I didn’t stop to look so I could walk in and enjoy a nice dinner.”

Spears said in her social media posts that she gets swarmed by people all the time, including that same night, but her “security team didn’t hit any of them.”

Debut

Wembanyama will make his NBA Summer League debut with the Spurs on Friday night (Saturday morning, July 8, PH time) in Las Vegas against the Charlotte Hornets. He signed some autographs for fans at the Aria on Wednesday night and did the same for a small number of onlookers as he entered a local high school for practice with the Spurs on Thursday morning. (AP)