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President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. promised in his second State of the Nation Address (SONA) to retrofit schools and facilities that can withstand strong typhoons entering the country and other climate phenomena as part of his broader agenda to build more infrastructure.

July 24, 2023 9:36 PM

North Korea, which usually comments when US nationals are detained, has remained silent about Pte King.

The 1st Inocentes Cabaron Summer Academic and Athletic Enhancement Program officially kicked off its sports program with a string of seminars last week in the small southern town of Moalboal, Cebu.

Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu (SHS-AdC) athletic director Jon Inot and Department of Education Cebu City sports coordinator Francis Ramirez spearheaded the two-day seminar, which was well received with around 70 teachers from different public and private schools in Moalboal.

Inot taught the teachers to design their own sports programs, identify the challenges and find the solutions.

“The seminar was more of an interactive discussion; a guide for the teachers on how to plan, what to do and how to do it. There is no perfect formula on coaching and winning, but what I think is the most important thing is the mindset and the attitude of how one coaches. The purpose and the commitment to coaching is what I think is the X factor that makes one a good or even, better coach,” said Inot.

Meanwhile, Ramirez gave some vital information on the second day of the seminar. He discussed the changes of Palarong Pambansa structure and also gave them advice on which sport can give them more individual medals.

On the other hand, University of Cebu (UC) and SHS-AdC coach Sai Bacalso and Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas’ Reynaldo Cañete also had seminars with local basketball coaches and referees.

Bacalso updated the barangay-based coaches with the new trend in basketball, a zone-free style of play in his two-day seminar.

Cañete, in the meantime, imparted his knowledge on the Moalboal-based referees, which will be officiating the inter-barangay league.

“I am very thankful to Mr. Bacalso and Canete for sharing their knowledge with our officials and I am confident that the two seminars will have a major impact in our local basketball community,” said Mayor Cabaron.

The 1st Inocentes Cabaron Summer Academic and Athletic Enhancement program is a summer sports and academic program that also includes sports like chess, arnis, volleyball, badminton, tennis, table tennis, sepak takraw and dancesports. (EKA)

Brian Harman won the British Open last weekend with a virtuoso putting performance for the ages. His rock solid confidence drew praises from his chief rivals, including Padraig Harrington.

“He’s a very tough, experienced character,” said Harrington, the two-time Open champion, of Harman. “He is not one to back out when he is ahead.”

“He can’t be chased with his lead of six strokes,” said John Rahm, the 2023 Masters champion. “He won’t slow down.”

And yet, before Sunday’s victory, Harman was practically a nobody. Although he’s had Top 10 finishes in 50 tournaments since he turned pro in 2009, he only has two wins before the Open—the 2014 John Deere Classic and the 2017 Wells Fargo.

Then Harman made a big bang of sorts when he finished second four shots behind multi-titled Bruce Keopka in the 2017 US Open in Erin Hills, Wisconsin, jumping from No. 26 to No. 10 in the world rankings.

But Harman would struggle again.

He missed the cut this year in the Masters and the PGA, halting the slump somewhat by finishing a modest tie for 43rd in the 2023 US Open.

Still, it delights him that his perseverance had given him $29 million in total earnings. And his purse from his six-shot win on Sunday was a whopping $3 million.

“I’ve always had a self-belief that I could do something like this,” said Harman, whose 13-under total dusted off four pursuers (Straka, Day, Kim and Rahm) who all eventually tied for second at 7-under at Royal Liverpool in Hoylake, England.

Harman, a clean-shaven, 5-foot-7 American, from Savannah, Georgia, stunned the field with birdies from miles away to keep his hottest chasers at bay, bundling his birdies in back-to-back fashion: 14 feet on 6 and 24 feet on 7.

He sank a scorching, downhill birdie from 40 feet on 15 after a blistering birdie on 14 for a massive six-shot margin that all but wrapped up the most revered major with three holes left to play.

“I’m 36 years old,” said Harman, who closed out with a steady one-under 70 and was never seriously threatened to become only the third lefty to win a Slam after Phil Mickelson and Mike Weir.

“The game is getting younger. These guys can hit it a mile. They are all ready to win.” He was ready to win, too—aided by a big heart that never skipped a beat all four days.

Brian Harman won the British Open last weekend with a virtuoso putting performance for the ages. His rock solid confidence drew praises from his chief rivals, including Padraig Harrington.

“He’s a very tough, experienced character,” said Harrington, the two-time Open champion, of Harman. “He is not one to back out when he is ahead.”

“He can’t be chased with his lead of six strokes,” said John Rahm, the 2023 Masters champion. “He won’t slow down.”

And yet, before Sunday’s victory, Harman was practically a nobody. Although he’s had Top 10 finishes in 50 tournaments since he turned pro in 2009, he only has two wins before the Open—the 2014 John Deere Classic and the 2017 Wells Fargo.

Then Harman made a big bang of sorts when he finished second four shots behind multi-titled Bruce Keopka in the 2017 US Open in Erin Hills, Wisconsin, jumping from No. 26 to No. 10 in the world rankings.

But Harman would struggle again.

He missed the cut this year in the Masters and the PGA, halting the slump somewhat by finishing a modest tie for 43rd in the 2023 US Open.

Still, it delights him that his perseverance had given him $29 million in total earnings. And his purse from his six-shot win on Sunday was a whopping $3 million.

“I’ve always had a self-belief that I could do something like this,” said Harman, whose 13-under total dusted off four pursuers (Straka, Day, Kim and Rahm) who all eventually tied for second at 7-under at Royal Liverpool in Hoylake, England.

Harman, a clean-shaven, 5-foot-7 American, from Savannah, Georgia, stunned the field with birdies from miles away to keep his hottest chasers at bay, bundling his birdies in back-to-back fashion: 14 feet on 6 and 24 feet on 7.

He sank a scorching, downhill birdie from 40 feet on 15 after a blistering birdie on 14 for a massive six-shot margin that all but wrapped up the most revered major with three holes left to play.

“I’m 36 years old,” said Harman, who closed out with a steady one-under 70 and was never seriously threatened to become only the third lefty to win a Slam after Phil Mickelson and Mike Weir.

“The game is getting younger. These guys can hit it a mile. They are all ready to win.” He was ready to win, too—aided by a big heart that never skipped a beat all four days.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in his second State of the Nation Address on Monday expressed optimism over the “great rebound” of the Philippines’ tourism sector.

HIGH-SCORING guard Uriel Avila was in his element on Sunday, July 23 as he tallied a tournament-high 55 points to help Batch 2022 best Batch 2021, 86-82, in Division C of the 26th Sacred Heart Ateneo Alumni Basketball Athletic Association (SHAABAA) at the Magis Eagles Arena in Mandaue City, Cebu.

Down by as much as 13, Avila turned it on and shredded 2021’s defense with his scoring efficiency as he went 18-of-31 from the field and sank 10 three-pointers. It wasn’t just on offense that Avila did work as he also ruled the boards, grabbing a whopping 18 rebounds.

In other Division C games, Harley Davidson-2014 crushed Batch 2015, 87-60, for its second win in a row. Lucky Ecarma registered a rare triple-double with 22 points, 20 boards and 10 assists. Jair Igna added 16 markers even as Gio Laguyo and Popoy Navarro pitched in 11 and 10 markers, respectively.

Over in Division A, the Core Pacific Money Exchange-2000 walloped the Kima Glass Supply Co. Inc.-1998, 58-29. Batch 2000 asserted its might over their foes in the third canto, where it outscored Batch 1998, 22-4, to build a 44-21 lead.

Dave Ting led 2000’s balanced attack with 11 points, two assists and two steals.

In other Division A matches, the ARQ-2001 also routed the Yangtze Cooling Ice Systems-1992, 67-44, for their second straight win. Mark Hing led the way for the winning side with 14 points and 10 boards, while Josef Reoma and Jason Arquisola put up 11 and 10 points, respectively.

Finally, the Bayfront Hotel-90/97 won over the Speed Demon Vivant/94/95/96, 51-29. Mark Sy had nine points and nine rebounds, while many-time league MVP Dave Lim tallied seven points and 17 boards for Bayfront Hotel. (JNP)

NCR champions Farm Fresh-Letran and Luzon rulers Pampanga-Pradera Theme Park opened their respective bids in the the 2023 Manila Bankers Life-Pilipinas Super League 18-Under Battle of the Champions with dominant victories on Sunday, July 23, 2023 at Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center in Pampanga.

The Letran-powered Milkers obliterated Mindanao South titlist Max Ballers-Davao, 93-67, while Pampanga crushed the Sherilin Unisol-City of Naga, 104-65.

Cebuano Daniel Padilla was at the forefront of the Milkers’ attack, as he tallied 21 points on an accurate 10-of-17 shooting from the field. Another fast-rising Cebuano hooper, Jonathan Manalili, was just as terrific with his 14 points, nine steals, six rebounds, and three assists.

Veejay Pre, meanwhile, powered Delta’s rout of Sherilin, with 18 points and 11 boards while Justine Garcia and Elijah Yusi produced 16 and 12 markers, respectively. (JNP)

THE Warriors ruled over the 15-under division of the Court General Summer League 2023 Presented by Trillis with a thrilling 56-55 win over Jax Basketball in the finals last Friday at the Roadstar Sports Gym in Pardo, Cebu City.

Brent Bihag paced Mt. Zion with 18 points.

The tournament, which was organized by renowned coach Jabby Bautista, attracted 30 teams across three divisions—13-under, 15-under, and 17-under. The goal of the competition was to develop the skills and confidence of young players in a professional setting.

Jax Basketball was also victorious in the 17-under class, as it edged the Baby Hoopsters, 83-78, in the championship match. Jances Anacta had 16 points to pace Jax Basketball.

In the 13-under division, Hype x Ceburitto clobbered Mt. Zion, 90-39, to capture the title. John Cedric Sasil led the way for Hype x Ceburitto with 14 markers. (JNP)

MT. Zion ruled over the 15-under division of the Court General Summer League 2023 Presented by Trillis with a thrilling 56-55 win over Jax Basketball in the finals last Friday at the Roadstar Sports Gym in Pardo, Cebu City.

Brent Bihag paced Mt. Zion with 18 points.

The tournament, which was organized by renowned coach Jabby Bautista, attracted 30 teams across three divisions—13-under, 15-under, and 17-under. The goal of the competition was to develop the skills and confidence of young players in a professional setting.

Mt. Zion was also victorious in the 17-under class, as it edged Jax Basketball, 83-78, in the championship match. Jances Anacta had 16 points to pace Mt. Zion.

In the 13-under division, Hype x Ceburitto clobbered Mt. Zion, 90-39, to capture the title. John Cedric Sasil led the way for Hype x Ceburitto with 14 markers. (JNP)

GLOBAL central bankers met on Monday, July 24, 2023, for the 28th Executive’s Meeting of East Asia Pacific Central Banks (Emeap) Governors’ Meeting in Yokohama, Japan.

Emeap member central banks, including the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, and monetary authorities participated in the meeting, which was chaired by Ueda Kazuo, governor of the Bank of Japan.

Governors shared their views on the recent economic and financial conditions, including the sustainability of the ongoing domestic economic recovery amid headwinds from global financial tightening and weakening external demand.

“Members also exchanged views on sustainable finance, which is vital for a smooth transition to a low carbon future in the region,” BSP said.

The discussion focused on exploring the role of central banks in supporting private sector efforts and market development on sustainable finance as well as possible areas for cooperation among Emeap member central banks.

In addition, as this year marks 20 years since the launch of the Asia Bond Fund, members assessed the developments of the local currency bond markets since its launch and shared possible approaches to further deepen the local currency markets in the Emeap region. (CSL)

IN LINE with the National Government’s digitalization drive, the Land Bank of the Philippines (Landbank) and the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) signed a data sharing agreement to provide a more efficient and seamless banking experience to GSIS members.

Under the Agreement, GSIS will share its members’ data with Landbank to enhance the delivery of banking services, which include real-time crediting of benefit claims, loans and other proceeds for over 1.5 million GSIS members who maintain accounts with the bank.

The collaboration will likewise allow members of the state pension fund to receive their Landbank Visa debit cards within the same day of card enrollment at the GSIS main office in Pasay City.

Through Landbank Cards, members will be able to conveniently receive and withdraw their claims and proceeds from GSIS.

“This agreement further builds upon the partnership of Landbank and GSIS to streamline processes and enhance operational efficiency for the benefit of GSIS members.

We fully support the digitalization journey of GSIS by attending to their banking requirements with innovative solutions,” said Landbank president and chief executive officer Lynette Ortiz in a statement. (CSL)

PROPERTY giant Megaworld Corp. will open the 1,500-room Grand Westside Hotel before the end of the year inside its 31-hectare Westside City township in the bustling Entertainment City in Parañaque City.

Once opened, the 19-story, two-tower hotel will become the biggest hotel development in the Philippines in terms of total room keys.

To be managed and operated by Megaworld Hotels & Resorts, Grand Westside Hotel will be the 19th hotel property launched by Megaworld and the second homegrown hotel brand to rise inside Westside City — the first being the 529-room Kingsford Hotel Manila.

The first tower of Grand Westside Hotel is slated for opening this year, while the second tower will welcome guests by 2024. (CSL)

FUZHOU, July 24 (Xinhua) -- East China's Fujian Province has upgraded its typhoon emergency response to Level III, the third-highest, as Typhoon Doksuri, the fifth typhoon this year, moves closer.

The provincial flood control and drought relief headquarters raised the response level at 6 p.m. Monday.

According to the central meteorological observatory, Typhoon Doksuri formed in waters east of the Philippi

NEW YORK — Elon Musk said Sunday, July 23, 2023, that he plans to change the logo of Twitter to an “X” from the famous blue bird, marking what would be the latest big change since he bought the social media platform for $44 billion last year.

In a series of posts on his Twitter account starting just after 12 a.m. ET, Twitter’s owner said that he’s looking to make the change worldwide as soon as Monday.

“And soon we shall bid adieu to the Twitter brand and, gradually, all the birds,” Musk wrote on his account.

The change isn’t surprising given Musk’s long history with the name “X,” says Allen Adamson, co-founder of marketing consultancy Metaforce. The billionaire Tesla chief executive officer tweeted last October that “buying Twitter is an accelerant to creating X, the everything app.”

Musk’s rocket company, Space Exploration Technologies Corp., is commonly known as SpaceX. And in 1999, Musk founded a startup called X.com, an online financial services company now known as PayPal.

“Not sure what subtle clues gave it way, but I like the letter X,” Musk tweeted Sunday.

Hours later on Sunday, Linda Yaccarino, the longtime NBC Universal executive Musk appointed as Twitter CEO in May, weighed in on the move.

“It’s an exceptionally rare thing -- in life or in business -- that you get a second chance to make another big impression,” she wrote on her Twitter account. “Twitter made one massive impression and changed the way we communicate. Now, X will go further, transforming the global town square.”

Yaccarino wrote on Twitter that X would be “the future state of unlimited interactivity -- centered in audio, video, messaging, payments/banking -- creating a global marketplace for ideas, goods, services and opportunities.”

But the change on Twitter was met with skepticism on the social media platform.

The change will be very confusing to a huge chunk of the Twitter’s audience, which has been already souring on the social platform given a slew of other major changes Musk has made, Adamson said.

“They won’t get it,” he said. “It’s a fitting end to a phenomenal unwinding of an iconic brand and business.”

Earlier this month, Musk put new curfews on his digital town square, a move that met with sharp criticism it could drive away more advertisers and undermine its cultural influence as a trendsetter.

The higher tweet-viewing threshold is part of an $8-per-month subscription service that Musk rolled out earlier this year in an attempt to boost Twitter revenue. Revenue has dropped sharply since Musk took over the company and laid off roughly three-fourths of the workforce to slash costs and avoid bankruptcy.

Luring advertisers is essential for Musk and Twitter after many fled in the early months after his takeover of the social media platform, fearing damage to their brands in the enveloping chaos. Advertisers have cut back on spending partly because of changes Musk has made that has allowed for more hateful content to flourish and that has offended a wider part of the platform’s audience.

Musk said in late April that advertisers had returned, but provided no specifics.

Musk’s move to change Twitter’s logo to an “X” also comes as Twitter faces new competition from Meta’s new app, Threads, launched earlier this month. It has been seen as an alternative for those who have been upset with Twitter.

Threads is being billed as a text-based version of Meta’s photo-sharing app Instagram that the company has said offers “a new, separate space for real-time updates and public conversations.”

In the first five days of its launch, 100 million people had signed up for Threads, according to a post on Threads by Instagram head Adam Mosseri. (AP)

CARMEN Copper Corp., which has mining operations in Toledo City, Cebu, recorded a gold production of 12,925 ounces in the first half of 2023.

This was up by eight percent from 11,212 ounces posted in the same period last year, based on the financial results disclosed by its parent firm, Atlas Consolidated Mining and Development Corp. (ACMDC), to the stock exchange on Monday, July 24.

Atlas Mining’s wholly owned subsidiary, Cebu-based Carmen Copper, reported higher copper production and shipments in the second half of the year compared to the same period last year due to improvements in copper head grades and recovery.

Copper metal produced in the second half increased by 17 percent from 36.58 million pounds to 42.71 million pounds.

ACMDC posted revenues of P10.1 billion, a four percent growth from last year. Net income ended at P803 million for the first half of 2023. The company said copper metal price stood at US$3.95 per pound in the second quarter of 2023, lower by 11 percent from last year of $4.45 per pound.

However, gold price had increased to US$1,937 per ounce from US$1,879 per ounce in the same period of 2022, Atlas Mining said.

Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization was P3.61 billion for the second quarter of 2023 compared to P3.88 billion in the same period of 2022. (CSL)

LEADING digital solutions platform Globe has started to prepare its network, prepositioning personnel, and supplies in anticipation of the potential impact of Typhoon Egay.

The weather system, forecast to graze the country early this week, rapidly intensified Monday morning, prompting the state weather bureau to raise storm warning signals across the country. PAGASA warned Egay could further intensify into a super typhoon, with the northernmost provinces at the highest risk of impact.

To prepare for the storm, Globe has placed technical and support personnel, as well as critical supplies, in areas where the storm may pass or else trigger enhanced monsoon rains. Globe facilities are equipped with generators and alternative power sources to ensure power supply and prevent commercial power outages from affecting the delivery of connectivity services.

Globe is also on standby for the possible deployment of Libreng Tawag, Libreng Charging, and Libreng WiFi Services in areas where the storm may cause power and service outages.

“We have prepared our network, facilities, and personnel to minimize the potential impact of Typhoon Egay and prevent service disruptions. We stand ready to support our customers who may be affected by this typhoon,” said Yoly Crisanto, Chief Sustainability and Corporate Communications Officer, at Globe Group.

Globe calls on residents in areas that may be affected by Egay to make their own preparations, including storing food, water, and medicine, readying first aid kits, emergency light sources and batteries, and charging their mobile devices.

To help customers access timely and verified weather updates, Globe provides free data access to the website of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC). Globe would also like to remind the public to get their information from legitimate and trusted news sources to make sure they get vetted weather information, and heed warnings sent by the agency via SMS alerts.

For more information on Globe’s disaster response operations, follow GlobeICON on Facebook or visit globe.com.ph for the latest #StaySafePH advisories. (SPONSORED CONTENT)

AIRASIA Philippines has announced that wearing face masks is no longer mandatory on all domestic flights. This follows the National Government’s decision to lift the state of public health emergency under Presidential Proclamation 297, supported by the Department of Transportation’s Department Order 2023-017.

Meanwhile, wearing face masks for international destinations will remain subject to the existing health protocols in the destination country. AirAsia destinations Malaysia, Thailand, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan have lifted the face mask requirement as early as the first quarter of 2023.

Despite dropping the face mask policy, the airline remains committed to adhering to the highest standards of safety among all its flights.

“There is no room for complacency in the airline business. We want our guests to feel secure when they fly with AirAsia. Although it is no longer a policy, guests, and crew may still opt to wear face masks whenever they deem necessary. However, we also want to reiterate that our aircraft are equipped with High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters which filter and block 99.97% of airborne particles including known bacteria and viruses,” AirAsia Philippines public affairs head and spokesperson Steve Dailisan said in a statement.

The company is also asking its guests for more patience as airport authorities have implemented the mandatory removal of shoes during final x-ray screening in the airport for enhanced security purposes.

“AirAsia supports activities that would enhance safety and security among all industry stakeholders. This additional layer of security screening should be viewed as a deterrent to illegal activities and other threats especially now that air travel is on its strong rebound,” Dailisan said.

Vienna (Austria), 24 July 2023 - As conflicts, climate change and economic downturns continue to dominate the world stage and influence national political agendas, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) is urging States not to lose focus of their obligations to combat human trafficking and supp

Stuck at home and can’t wait for the PBA and NBA season to start? Well, here are five sports movies you can watch to satisfy the sports fanatic in you. This list won’t include sports classics like Rocky and Coach Carter, rather, it will focus more on modern movies you might have missed but are still worth watching. Sit back, relax (or get hyped) and enjoy these fine selection of sports movies:

“Warrior” (2011)

An emotional love-hate triangle between two brothers and their father. Tommy (Tom Hardy), a former Marine, comes back home and gets trained by his alcoholic father (Nick Holte) for a mixed martial arts tournament, things take a turn when his path collides with his distant older brother (Joel Edgerton), now a family man. This is not your typical sports flick, as it focuses on love, honor, and the intricacies of family dynamics.

“42” (2013)

The first major lead role of the late Chadwick Boseman, “42” is about the true story of the legendary Jackie Robinson as he overcomes challenges to become the first African-American to play in the Major League Baseball. Boseman’s powerful portrayal of Jackie Robinson is considered by many to be his best. It’s a compelling story of the fight against racism and baseball history. A great watch regardless if you are a baseball fan or not.

“The Way Back” (2020)

Jack Cunningham (Ben Affleck), a former high school basketball phenom, gets a shot at redemption as he coaches the struggling basketball team of his alma mater, all the while facing his addiction and dealing with his broken family. The movie is a melancholic tale exploring the consequences of our actions and how we can look “way back” to inspire and redeem ourselves.

“12 Mighty Orphans” (2021)

Set in the 1930s, this underdog story follows a football team of orphans and how their devoted mentors, Doc Hall (Martin Sheen) and Rusty Russell (Luke Wilson) lead them to the state championship. It’s based on the inspiring true story of the Masonic School for Orphans in Texas. Overall, the movie is familiar and “easy to watch,” akin to the sports flicks of the ‘90s.

“Foxcatcher” (2014)

A must-see intense drama based on the true story of the US wrestling team “Foxcatcher’’ of the 1988 Olympic Games. The star-studded cast comprises Channing Tatum and Mark Ruffalo as the Olympic wrestling Schultz brothers, and Steve Carell as millionaire sports enthusiast John du Pont. Bennett Miller won as best director for this movie at the 2014 Cannes Film Festival.