Olympic champ Hidilyn Diaz gets double treat

by Manila Bulletin Sports

Olympic gold medal winner Hidilyn Diaz gets a double treat in the March 14 staging of the San Miguel Corporation-Philippine Sportswriters Association (SMC-PSA) Annual Awards Night at the Diamond Hotel.

The 31-year-old history maker from Zamboanga City will be the first ever recipient of the MILO Champion of Grit and Glory award for winning the country’s first ever Olympic gold.

 

The trophy is apart from the prestigious Athlete of the Year award to be bestowed on the Filipina weightlifter during the two-hour affair presented by the Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, and Cignal TV.

“MILO Philippines presents the award to Hidilyn Diaz in recognition of her historic Olympic triumph, borne of her unwavering spirit, dedication, and grit that serve as a beacon of hope and inspiration for the nation,” MILO said in a statement regarding the choice of Diaz as the deserving recipient of the special award.

As part of the package, Diaz will also receive a year’s supply of MILO products.

MILO officials led by Veronica Cruz, Senior Vice President, Business Executive Officer, MILO Philippines, and Lester P. Castillo, Assistant Vice President, Head of MILO Sports, MILO Philippine, will be on hand to award the trophy to the country’s maiden Olympic gold medalist.

Diaz leads the compact list of 38 awardees to be feted by the country’s oldest media organization in the traditional gala night backed by MILO (official choco milk), 1Pacman, Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), Philracom, Rain or Shine, ICTSI, Chooks To Go, Smart, and MVP Sports Foundation.

The Filipina weightlifter will be receiving her third Athlete of the Year trophy to add to her previous award in 2016 and 2018, respectively.

Stocks jump after oil prices eased

by James A. Loyola, Manila Bulletin

The local stock market rose with its regional peers as oil prices eased.

The main index jumped 134.92 points or 1.93 percent to close at 7,124.80 as Conglomerates led the advance while the Mining and Oil dropped along with commodity prices. Volume was lower though at 3.35 billion shares worth P7.59 billion as gainers beat losers 108 to 80 with 47 unchanged.

“Philippine shares posted sharp gains on as the recently surging commodity prices, especially oil, cooled off while the war in Ukraine continues,” said Regina Capital Development Corporation Managing Director Luis Limlingan.

He noted that, “ Oil prices dropped in a sudden move on Wednesday, giving back some of the rally this month amid supply disruptions stemming from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.“

Philstocks Financial Research and Engagement Officer Claire Alviar said “the local bourse jumped as the global oil prices fell sharply overnight.”

She explained that, “At home, being one of the net importers of oil, the decline of oil prices spurs optimism as it may somehow slow down the increase of oil prices in the short run.”

Over 250 Pinoys now out of Ukraine–DFA

 

Filipinos from Ukraine to arrive in Manila on Tuesday night, March 1, 2022. (Photo courtesy of the DFA)

by Betheena Unite, Manila Bulletin

More than 250 Filipinos in Ukraine are now out of danger, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Thursday afternoon, March 10.

A total of 259 Filipinos have been taken out of Ukraine, DFA Undersecretary Sarah Lou Arriola said. Of this, 90 Filipinos were already repatriated while 169 nationals are in various safe borders near Ukraine.

Arriola said of the 169 Filipinos evacuated from the war-stricken country, 60 individuals are expected to arrive in Manila on Thursday.

 

Meanwhile, of the 90 Filipinos, who have already returned home, 55 are seafarers.

On Wednesday, March 9, a total of 29 seafarers arrived in the Philippines. They are the crew members of MV Global Aglaia, MV Joseph Schulte, and MV Star Helena.

According to DFA, they exited Ukraine to evacuate to Moldova with the assistance of the Philippine Honorary Consulate in Chisinau and the Philippine Embassy in Budapest. They then left for the Philippines from Bucharest, Romania.

The Foreign Affairs department expects more seafarers to arrive in the country in the next few days through its evacuation and repatriation programs.

Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Sarah Lou Arriola disclosed on Wednesday that they are having a hard time evacuating seafarers, particularly those stranded at the Black Sea.

“Kami, medyo, problemado tayo dito sa (We are facing problems with evacuating) sea-based (workers). POEA (Philippine Overseas Employment Administration) is closely monitoring how many Filipinos are stranded sa kanilang (in their) vessels,” Arriola said.

She added that they could not leave their vessels due to the “heavy fighting” and they can only hunker down and take cover amid the intense firing. However, she assured that the government will keep working with Philippine embassies and consulates in the embattled country and its nearby territories to get them out of danger.