New era in climate change

BY REY ILAGAN

Jan 17, 2025 00:01 AM

  

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EDITORS DESK

 

It’s official: In 2024, the world breached the 1.5 degree Celsius threshold for global warming, a limit established by the 2015 Paris Agreement. This alarming development was confirmed by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), drawing from analyses by scientists in the US, UK, and EU. Further validation came from the European Commission’s Copernicus Climate Service, the UK Met Office, and Japan’s weather agency.

 

Adopted by 196 parties during the UN Climate Change Conference (COP21) in Paris on Dec. 12, 2015, the Paris Agreement is a legally binding international treaty on climate change. Its overarching goal, as stated by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), is to “hold the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2 degrees Celsius pre-industrial levels and pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.”  

The recent breach underscores a grim reality: The past decade has been the hottest in recorded history, with 2024 marking the peak. This year is likely to be the first with a global mean temperature exceeding 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. Samantha Burgess of the European Commission’s Copernicus Climate Service noted, “The last 10 years are the 10 hottest on record and are likely the hottest in 125,000 years.” Adding to this, Copernicus identified July 10, 2024, as the hottest day ever recorded.

 

Burgess added: “The primary reason for these record temperatures is the accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. As greenhouse gases continue to accumulate in the atmosphere, temperatures continue to increase, including in the ocean, sea levels continue to rise, and glaciers and ice sheets continue to melt."

 

In the Philippines, extreme temperatures mirrored global trends. Metro Manila experienced its hottest day in history on April 27, 2024, with the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) recording an air temperature of 38.8 degrees Celsius at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA). The heat index soared to 45 degrees Celsius at NAIA and 42 degrees Celsius at the Quezon City Science Garden.

 

The provinces also saw all-time high records. Zambales province recorded 53 degrees Celsius on April 28, 2024. Subic Bay in Olongapo, Munoz in Nueva Ecija, and Dagupan in Pangasinan recorded 47 degrees, according to PAGASA.

 

While individual years exceeding the 1.5-degree limit don’t spell the end of the Paris Agreement’s goals, they signal an urgent need for action. “It means we need to fight even harder to get on track,” said UN Secretary-General António Guterres in a statement confirming the breach. “There’s still time to avoid the worst of climate catastrophe. But leaders must act—now.”

 

Guterres underscored that the recorded heat of 2024 demands unprecedented climate action in 2025. Governments must deliver updated national climate action plans to curb global temperature rise and prioritize support for vulnerable communities facing the brunt of climate impacts.

 

The question remains: Will leaders heed this warning and act decisively, or will the world continue its trajectory toward irreversible climate catastrophe?

 

(Rey Robes Ilagan is the editor of Manila Bulletin’s Environment and Sustainability section.)

GMA Regional TV and Synergy brings Bea Alonzo, Ruru Madrid, and Miguel Tanfelix to Cebu this weekend

Kapuso primetime shows celebrate Sinulog Festival:

BY MANILA BULLETIN ENTERTAINMENT

Jan 16, 2025 10:37 PM

  

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AT A GLANCE

• GMA Regional TV and Synergy makes the much-anticipated Sinulog Festival extra special on Sunday with its special live coverage of “Sinulog Festival 2025: The GMA Regional TV Special Coverage” beginning 1 p.m.

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Widows' War stars are celebrating Sinulog festivities with the Cebuanos through back-to-back events on Jan. 17

GMA Regional TV and Synergy kicks off the 75th anniversary celebration of GMA Network in the regions by bringing some of the biggest Kapuso stars, led by Bea Alonzo, Ruru Madrid, and Miguel Tanfelix, to Sinulog Festival this Jan. 17 to 19. 

Joining Bea this Friday (Jan. 17) are her co-actors from “Widows’ War”—Jean Garcia, Royce Cabrera, and Timmy Cruz. The cast of the high-rating mystery murder drama series is celebrating Sinulog festivities with the Cebuanos through back-to-back events, namely a Kapuso Mall Show at 3 p.m. at Parkmall Cebu and a Kapuso Fiesta at 5 p.m. at The Terraces, Ayala Center Cebu. Widows’ War is also set to air its finale on Friday. 

Meanwhile, fresh from a powerful pilot week, the newest action-packed series, “Mga Batang Riles,” treats its Cebuano fans to a fun-filled Saturday afternoon on Jan. 18. Miguel and his co-stars Kokoy de Santos, Bruce Roeland, Raheel Bhyria, and Antonio Vinzon are showcasing their charm and bringing in a dose of entertainment in the Kapuso Mall Show, 5 p.m. at Ayala Malls Central Bloc.  

Some of the cast members of Lolong Bayani ng Bayan and Binibining Marikit are spicing up the Sinulog celebration through fun performances on Jan. 19

The surprises for the Kapuso Cebuanos continue on Sunday (Jan. 19) as Ruru banners the Kapuso Mall Show, 3 p.m. at SM City Cebu. Joining him is his co-star Shaira Diaz from the highly-anticipated action-adventure drama series “Lolong: Bayani ng Bayan.” 

Spicing up the day’s celebration are the fun performances of Thea Tolentino and Tony Labrusca from the upcoming series “Binibining Marikit.” “Lolong: Bayani ng Bayan” will have its world premiere this Jan. 20, while “Binibining Marikit,” headlined by Herlene Budol, is set to intrigue viewers soon on GMA Afternoon Prime.

“GMA Regional TV and Synergy is very excited to kick off its year-round activities in Central Visayas via the highly anticipated Sinulog Festival 2025. As always, we are very grateful to the Cebuanos for their unwavering support to the Network’s initiatives and programs, and for their warm welcome every time our artists visit them. 

Fresh from powerful pilot week, the newest action-packed series, Mga Batang Riles, treats its Cebuano fans to a fun-filled Saturday afternoon on Jan. 18

As GMA Network celebrates its diamond year this 2025, we remain committed to bringing our artists and personalities closer to their fans from all over Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao,” says Senior Vice President and Head of GMA Integrated News, Regional TV, and Synergy Oliver Victor B. Amoroso.  

GMA Regional TV and Synergy makes the much-anticipated Sinulog Festival extra special on Sunday with its special live coverage of “Sinulog Festival 2025: The GMA Regional TV Special Coverage” beginning 1 p.m. Catch the livestreaming via www.gmaregionaltv.com and on the social media pages of GMA Regional TV, GMA Regional TV News and GMA Integrated News.

The feminine, fluid, otherworldly in debut fashion collections

 

BY PRESS RELEASE

JANUARY 17, 2025

Look by Micah Lao —CONTRIBUTED

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Thirty-four style innovators explore the depths of their dreams and the subconscious in “Sinulid,” the annual culminating event that showcases the knowledge, craftsmanship, and skills of the graduating Fashion Design and Merchandising students of the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde.

Entitled “Threaded Experience,” the collections find beauty in the unconventional as they present a thought-provoking celebration of creativity and individuality deeply rooted in the personal journeys of the young artists.

With over a hundred looks, this batch promises a striking balance between symbolism and transformation in various ensembles, from ready-to-wear to contemporary and avant-garde.

Mindanao's economy will grow

 The European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines-Southern Mindanao Business Council (ECCP-SMBC) has projected that at around six to seven percent in 2025, surpassing the estimated national Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth forecast of five percent.

Read more: https://www.sunstar.com.ph/.../european-chamber-sees...

All reactions:

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Ditta Sandico weaves her legacy

BY MARGE C. ENRIQUEZ

JANUARY 17, 2025

Valeria wrap, Mariposa wrap and Bella Bonita were reimagined along with a new hand-draped Banaca short dress. —ARTHUR TSELISHCHEV

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New year, better hair

Ditta Sandico, pioneer of modern Filipiniana, is celebrating 40 years in the industry. She traces her roots to the mountains of Bulalacao, Mindoro Oriental, where her passion for sustainable fashion was stirred. As a teen in the ’70s, Sandico spent summers with her father, cattle rancher Fernando Hizon-Sandico, who developed agricultural lands. These trips, filled with immersion into the natural world and encounters with the Mangyan tribe, the Hanunoos, deeply influenced her.

Sandico was mesmerized by the fastidious embroidery and weaving techniques of the Mangyan weavers, who became her first teachers. However, as an established designer returning to Mindoro at the turn of the millennium, she was disheartened to discover that these traditional crafts had nearly vanished.

Determined to revive the art of Mangyan weaving, Sandico provided the weavers with materials, introduced fashion colors, and encouraged them to experiment with new designs. Since 2018, she has been collaborating with the Mangyan community on product development for her eponymous label.

The STANDS: An INQUIRER Sports Newsletter

 

January 17, 2025

Casiey Dongallo will no longer power University of the East. (INQUIRER.NET)

Hey there sports fan, We're still in the first month of the new year and things are heating up in the sporting world.  One of the things eagerly being awaited is the return of the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) and its All-Filipino Conference. That link, by the way, will lead you to a great catchup piece that covers all you might have missed or forgotten during the long break.  Speaking of the PVL, here's a trivia question: Risa Sato, who left Creamline to join Chery Tiggo, played for what school in the UAAP? Check out the answer near the end of this email. The UAAP volleyball tournament, by the way, will kick off in February yet. But this early, a shocking transfer has already hit the tournament. Rising star Casiey Dongallo officially transferred to the University of the Philippines (UP). Her move follows her departure from the University of the East alongside Jelai Gajero. The recruitment of Dongallo, paired with the addition of Obet Vital to UP's coaching staff, has fans buzzing about the team’s prospects in the upcoming season. And if you've been following the NBA lately, you would have certainly come across this: The league delivered a jaw-dropping moment when the Los Angeles Clippers handed the Brooklyn Nets a 59-point defeat, the largest margin in franchise history. This record-setting performance underscores the Clippers' dominance and positions them as serious contenders this season. And more on the international scene: Tennis innovation took the spotlight at the Australian Open, where matches are being animated using Wii-like characters. This unique approach aims to make the sport more engaging for digital audiences, blending traditional gameplay with futuristic technology.

Like this email? Forward it to your friends and let them know that they can sign up here.

Denice Zamboanga is now a world champion. (REUTERS)

Meanwhile... We've started our exclusive content offering on Inquirer Plus with two features on noteworthy achievers. Quentin Millora-Brown has often been tagged as a one-and-done strandout for University of the Philippines. Through postgame dinners with relatives here, the 6-foot-10, high-IQ big man validated what he long knew: He was certainly more than that.  For long, Denice Zamboanga has campaigned for herself. She believed that she deserved a title shot in One Championship. But she was forced to wait a long while to fulfill her dream of becoming the promotional outfit's first Filipino female champion. https://plus.inquirer.net/sports/delayed-gratification. That wait is over.  What we're up to next: The PSA Awards night is looming and we will be bringing you features about the event, which will honor the top athletes from last year. No suspense, though, for the Athlete of the Year award as a certain gymnast with two Olympic golds has put a lock on it. We will continue covering the Commissioner's Cup and bring you the return of professional vollehyball so stay with us on all our platforms for more stories and features. Number of the Week: 50 Career triple-doubles hammered out by Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo so far.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK “Well, for starters, a lot of the players I play against these days now call me ‘Tito’ (uncle).” —Angelo Que, on how much the game has changed since he won the Philippine Open 17 years ago.

Hi , Have feedback? We're happy to hear it. Give Suggestions

National University. That's the answer to our trivia question above. If you think you can ace this week's quiz, head over to our Viber community, where you can also stay updated on sports headlines! Buy the Inquirer at newsstands, subscribe to our digital edition, Inquirer Plus, visit our online site and follow us on socials (Twitter: @inquirersports; FB: facebook.com/inquirersports) for more stories and updates—or to send us questions or suggestions of stories you'd want to read. See you next Friday! Francis Francis T. J. Ochoa is the Sports Editor of the Philippine Daily Inquirer. For comments, suggestions and questions, hit him up on Twitter (@ftjochoaINQ).