Philippines News

 

 

by Lui Queano

Oras de Peligro, which prominently featured the historical narrative of the four-day peaceful EDSA revolution, was the result of a collaboration between acclaimed director Joel Lamangan ("The Flor Contemplacion Story"), 1Sambayan celebrities-turned-producers Atty. Howie Calleja and Alvi Siongco, who also played a police officer in the film. The script was written b

The regulatory body for deep sea mining is under pressure to accept mining applications, but what are the risks?

 

The clock is ticking for the International Seabed Authority, the regulatory body for deep sea mining, which w

Projects tackling food waste are getting a big boost from the Government.

"Every year, we waste enough food to feed more than the populations of Dunedin and Hamilton combined," Associate Environment Minister Rachel Brooking said in Dunedin today.

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(Beirut) - The Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) have arbitrarily arrested and summarily deported thousands of Syrians, including unaccompanied children, to Syria between April and May 2023, Human Rights Watch said today.

Deported Syrians said the LAF gave no consideration to their refugee status

Distance did not become a hindrance for members of the NUJP (National Union of Journalists of the Philippines) North America chapter to soldier on and fight for press freedom on this side of the planet, the group now reaching its first-year anniversary milestone.

On June 30, 2022 (July 1 Philippine time), twelve journalists and media workers from the United States and Canada joined the formation of NUJP-North Ame

 

The Government is ensuring our regions are prepared to maximise the opportunities and manage any negative impacts as tourists flock back to Aotearoa New Zealand, by setting up a national destination management team, Tourism Minister Peeni Henare said today. 

 

Over the ne

The Philippine Space Agency signed the Copernicus cooperation agreement on June 30 to implement a capacity-building program for the Philippines funded by the European Commission.

A senior official of the Bureau of Immigration and four other officers convicted for involvement in the pastillas scheme have been dismissed from their posts after they lost their cases before the Court of Appeals, the BI said yesterday.

The camp of Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez confirmed yesterday that he and the secretary-general of the House of Representatives have already “signed” the Maharlika Investment Fund and “transmitted” it to the Senate.

Telco giant PLDT Inc. has asked the government to map telecommunication facilities, especially cable lines, to prevent damaging them as a result of new projects and road repairs.

The country’s outstanding debt has hit another record high, breaching the P14-trillion mark as of end-May.

The United States yesterday thanked the Philippines for the continuing and growing friendship between the two nations as friends, partners and allies.

Senators are calling for a ban on the upcoming film about the iconic Mattel doll “Barbie” over a scene reportedly showing China’s nine-dash-line claim over the South China Sea, which was invalidated by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague in 2016.

President Marcos has directed concerned agencies to investigate the smuggling, hoarding and price fixing of onion and other agricultural products, acts that he described as tantamount to economic sabotage.

After denouncing the Department of Tourism and its ad agency contractor over a tourism promotion video gaffe, Albay Rep. Joey Salceda has mellowed and even promised to help beleaguered DOT Secretary Christina Frasco fix the problem.

Following the Supreme Court acquittal of five Chinese and a Filipino believed to be part of a major drug ring, the Department of Justice said yesterday it would probe the prosecutors who bungled a P1-billion drug case in 2003 and implement measures to achieve higher conviction rates.

YOUNG shuttlers will get a shot at developing their skills further with the revival of the Philippine Badminton Association (PBAD) grassroots program, which is set to be implemented in 10 provinces across the Philippines.

The revival of this endeavor means players from different age groups can expect local tournaments that will help them elevate their skills and competitiveness further.

“We are delighted to revive our grassroots program and provide aspiring young athletes with the necessary training and support to excel in badminton,” said PBAD head of development Melvin Nubla.

“Through this initiative, we aim to discover and develop the next generation of Filipino badminton champions who will proudly carry our nation’s flag on the international stage.”

The PBAD will implement a juniors ranking system that is aligned with international standards and is patterned after successful badminton programs from the likes of the sport’s powerhouses Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. The program will commence this August in Pampanga, a province renowned for its vibrant sports community and passion for badminton.

“PBAD extends its gratitude to the local government of Pampanga for their invaluable support and partnership in hosting the inaugural phase of the program,” said PBAD secretary-general Christopher Quimpo.

“Recognizing the significance of identifying and developing talent from an early age, PBAD aims to cultivate future champions who will proudly represent the Philippines on the international stage with this program,” said MVP Sports Foundation executive director Jude Turcuato.

PBAD will be sending delegates as well to the upcoming Badminton Asia Juniors Championship in Yogyakarta, Indonesia from July 7 to 16, 2023.

A CLOTHING and apparel industry player is pushing for the immediate implementation of strategies under the new export blueprint to bring down the cost of doing business in the country and boost competitiveness, as plans of reshoring or onshoring of manufacturing pose a risk of extinction of the local industry.

Robert Young, a trustee for the textile, yarn and fabric sector of the Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc., said global events such as the recent pandemic and the war between Russia and Ukraine, the dependence on Asia, and the orientation for imports and apparel production are now transforming the sector.

“(These) have resulted in a plan of reshoring or onshoring the manufacturing sites, which means bringing back business operations and processes to a neighboring site or right on the location of the importing country,” said Young, also president of the Foreign Buyers Association of the Philippines.

He said plans of reshoring or onshoring of manufacturing can result in the imminent closure of the present apparel manufacturing for the export market and its related industries in the Philippines, as well as the massive displacement of apparel workers.

“Thus, it may cause the extinction of such (an) industry,” he added. “This is a big red flag for the Philippine apparel and clothing industry.”

To deter the transfer of the manufacturing firms, Young particularly cited the need to address the basic root causes of the uncompetitiveness of Philippine apparel in international markets, such as restrictive cost of power, labor and logistics.

“The biggest challenge is the concern of a much higher labor rate component in importing economies,” he said.

Under the Philippine Export Development Plan 2023-2028, export stakeholders aim for adequate support for export firms’ infrastructure requirements, such as in power, transport and logistics, and telecommunications connectivity.

“The new digital and robotics manufacturing that will play a significant role in the reduction of labor cost is also part of the plan,” Young said.

“The government and the private sector must realize the negative impact of these reshoring scheme plans and should join hands in seriously implementing solutions urgently as per the PEDP report for the survival and competitive advantage of the Philippine clothing and apparel manufacturing, thus saving it from extinction,” he added. / PHILEXPORT NEWS AND FEATURES

FORMER Gilas guard RJ Abarrientos is moving on to play in Japan’s B.League, signing with the Shinshu Brave Warriors.

The former ace guard of the Far Eastern University Tamaraws and the Gilas Pilipinas was released from his contract with the Korean squad, Ulsan Hyundai Mobis. It didn’t take long for the crafty guard to find a new home in Japan where he will team up with another Filipino, Matthew Aquino, who plays as a local.

“I am very excited for this new journey with the Shinshu Brave Warriors and will do my best to win as many games as we can this season. I can’t wait to play in front of our fans and see you soon!” said Abarrientos.

Abarrientos had a phenomenal first season in Korea, averaging 13.29 points, 2.8 rebounds, 4.77 assists and 1.34 steals in 56 games played. He was eventually named the Rookie of the Year.

SPORTS and other outdoor activities like “scouting” are effective ways to keep young people away from illegal activities, said a grandmother who witnessed her grandson joining the Boy Scouts of the Philippines (BSP).

Rebecca Nardo was among the guests who attended the ceremony where 30 young football athletes, aged eight to 15, received their neckerchiefs and wooden carabao heads as symbols of BSP on Sunday, June 25, 2023 at Camp Zubu in Golden Heights, Sitio Ylaya, Talamban, Cebu City.

Nardo said parents should support their children in playing sports instead of allowing them to wander around without guidance from them. She believes that allowing children to engage in sports would really change their bad habits, that is, through self-discipline.

“Sports is the important thing now. If they would not avail themselves of that, most likely they would just play computer or worse, do drugs,” Nardo explained.

Nardo would like to invite all parents and grandparents to allow their children to play sports and be engaged in other outdoor activities.

“I would like to challenge all parents and grandparents not to allow their children to wander outside without their guidance. If their children would express that they like this sport, support them,” said Nardo.

Learnings

One of the new scouts, Martine Daep, a member of Junquera Football Scouts, expressed his happiness to be part of BSP in an interview with SunStar Cebu on Sunday, June 25.

Daep shared that scouting taught him the values of respect and discipline, and that he could apply these values when playing football.

James Clarck Glariada, a fellow of Junquera Football Scouts, said that just like Daep, he also acquired the values of respect and discipline from scouting.

Glariada added that he could practice these values at home by being self-disciplined and respectful to his elders.

Another member of Junquera Football Scouts, Bruce Vincent Jimenez, explained to SunStar Cebu how he would balance his studies and extracurricular activities. He said he would use time management by making a list of tasks to do.

Background

Junquera Football Club Scouts started way back in 2016 under the name Kamagayan Football Club. The club was composed of talents from Barangay Kamagayan and won several games during its humble beginnings. However, the Covid-19 pandemic forced the team to stop playing.

In 2022, the club rose from its long rest, this time bringing a brand-new name, the Junquera Football Club, when the club welcomed new members from other barangays within Junquera Street.

In 2023, the name Junquera Football Club was changed to Junquera Football Scouts, which speaks of their being members of BSP who play football.

Johann Sebastian Sandil Caparas, Boy Scouts of the Philippines-Cebu Council member and recipient of two prestigious awards, Eagle Scout and Ave Maria, was the brains behind the admission of the 30 young football athletes.

Purpose

Caparas shared that he was motivated to do scouting activities for these children because he knew what scouting could do for them, especially as someone who has gone through it personally.

He said he would not reach what he has achieved now without the values that he acquired from scouting.

“To others, scouting might seem a hobby with outdoor activities such as camping, but once you really get to be a part of it, a part of the brotherhood that it is, you will learn so much more and it will help you discover so much more about yourself. That’s how it was for me, and that’s what I want for the kids here also,” Caparas explained.

“I want them to push for even greater, greater purpose, greater sense of belongingness, greater sense for things that they may do for others,” he added.

Caparas shared that he sees great potential for the growth of these children and believes that they are the future nation-builders in the community. Therefore, it is crucial to properly guide them. Caparas wanted these children to be able to merge their lives as football players and as scouts, eventually as citizens of this country that could do better.

“I also want them to realize that they would always have a sort of home, a brotherhood, and a family to come back to, which they may build through scouting,” Caparas added.