VP Sara tells Filipinos to be inspired by Bonifacio, rekindle patriotism

Published November 30, 2022, 12:45 PM

by Betheena Unite

Vice President Sara Duterte expressed hopes that Filipinos would take inspiration from Andres Bonifacio to rekindle their “deep sense of patriotism.”

Vice President Sara Duterte keynotes the 48th Philippine Business Conference (PBC) and Expo organized by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce (PCCI) at the Manila Hotel on Oct. 19, 2022. (Noel B. Pabalate/MANILA BULLETIN)

Duterte, who also heads the Department of Education (DepEd) in a concurrent capacity, joined the nation in commemorating the 159th birth anniversary of Andres Bonifacio, also known as the Father of Philippine Revolution, on Wednesday, Nov. 30.

She enjoined the nation to emulate Bonifacio’s “courage and heroism” in overcoming the difficulties it faces.

“May his extraordinary love of our country continue to inspire us to be constantly united in overcoming the difficulties we face as a nation and realize our shared aspirations of a better life for all,” the Vice President said.

“And may the fire he started in the name of freedom rekindle a deep sense of patriotism among us as we usher in a future strongly forged by our unyielding solidarity and our own acts of selflessness, courage, and bravery for our country and our fellow Filipinos,” she added.

Duterte also urged the citizenry to keep loving the Philippines.

Karen Davila on media rivalry: ‘It’s such a waste of time, mind and heart’

Published November 30, 2022, 10:25 AM

by Robert Requintina

Karen Davila (Facebook)

Award-winning broadcaster Karen Davila shared some words of wisdom after she was interviewed by fellow broadcaster Korina Sanchez-Roxas for her program “Korina Interviews” on Net25 recently.

Fans believe Karen and Korina have a cold war due to rivalry at ABS-CBN, but Karen frowned at rumors that they were enemies.

“They would say in social media ang fake ninyo, ang plastic ninyo but I would like to say from the bottom of my heart, that interview with Korina (Sanchez) was really in God’s good and perfect time,” said Karen during an interview with the entertainment press following her talk at the opening of Global Care Cancer Institute Inc. in Bay, Laguna last Nov. 26. 

Karen said: “Ayoko magpaka-plastic but Korina and I were not really good friends. We didn’t have the opportunity in ABS-CBN to sit together, to talk with each other. And for whatever reason it was, we were both busy, the competition was too much. ABS-CBN was a very competitive environment. And I think everyone would know that, right?

“But when Korina came to the house, I would always see Korina in socials because we have the same set of friends, napakagaan (niyang kasama). Ba’t ganun? In God’s good time! It’s in God’s perfect time that the Lord made us meet and talk.

“The sad part is that we never really knew each other. We never socialize in the office, we never got to talk. So when she interviewed me, that if I had any regrets, it was my 22 years in ABS-CBN, it was lost time to get to know Korina,” Karen said.

Karen said that the last time she saw Korina was at the party of their former boss Jing Reyes. She described the event as bittersweet after she saw the originals of ABS-CBN once again after many years.

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“Korina is very easy. I saw her at the party of Jing Reyes, just to see the orginals of ABS-CBN – Noli De Castro, Loren Legarda, Ces Drilon, Ted Failon – it was bittersweet and nostalgic. You saw the originals of ABS-CBN when it was climbing up in 1986, to ABS-CBN today, you just realized ang buhay ay umiikot lang talaga,” she said.

Karen, who just turned 52, encouraged media friends to be friendly and let go of the competition or rivalry.

“Kaya kung may kaaway man kayo or kasamaan ng loob kayo, it is time, especially to media people. Lahat tayo at one point may competition but let me tell you it is a waste of time, mind and heart. When it is surrendered to the Lord, everything is so much lighter,” she said.

Karen said that she is set to interview Korina for her online show soon. “We will schedule that interview with Korina, kaso nga magpapasko. So I want to give the right time for that.”

Andres Bonifacio’s heroism honored in perpetuity in Filipinos’ hearts and minds

Published November 30, 2022, 12:05 AM

by Manila Bulletin

Andres Bonifacio’s heroism is honored today by the Filipino nation on his 159th birth anniversary. His preeminent stature as a national hero whose birth date is declared a non-working public holiday is anchored on his role as the Father of the Philippine Revolution.

His “Monumento” is a popular landmark located on a rotunda that marks the northern terminal of the country’s most well-known national highway, EDSA in Caloocan City, Metro Manila. While Jose Rizal died at age 35, Bonifacio’s death occurred at age 34, underlining the gallantry of the youthful leaders of the revolution that sought to end more than three centuries of Spanish colonialism.

He is hailed as the Father of the Philippine Revolution. In 1892, he joined Rizal in establishing La Liga Filipina that advocated for political reforms in Spain’s colonial government in the Philippines. This triggered Rizal’s deportation to Dapitan in Zamboanga. Together with Apolinario Mabini and others, Bonifacio revived La Liga in Rizal’s absence and was active in organizing local chapters in Manila. He also became its chief propagandist. 

It could be gleaned that Bonifacio discerned, too, the need for a gradualist approach in bringing about social change. But he and his youthful fellow reformists must have felt the severity of the Spanish response that pushed them into eventually waging an armed revolution to overthrow an unjust and well-entrenched colonial regime.

Thus, he and his colleagues decided to establish the Kataastaasan, Kagalanggalangang, Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan (KKK) or more commonly known as the Katipunan, a movement which sought the independence of the Philippines from Spanish colonial rule and started the Tagalog Revolution.

Noted historians Teodoro Agoncillo and Milagros Guerrero cite Bonifacio as having “reorganized the Katipunan into a revolutionary government, with himself as president (pangulo) of a nation-state called “Haring Bayang Katagalugan” (‘Sovereign Nation of the Tagalog People’ or ‘Sovereign Tagalog Nation,’) also “Republika ng Katagaluguan” (‘Tagalog Republic,’ Republica Tagala in Spanish), wherein “Tagalog” referred to all those born in the Philippine islands and not merely the Tagalog ethnic group. Hence, some historians have argued that he should be considered the first president of the Philippines.”

It has become well-known that, following a power struggle with the Cavite-based forces of Emilio Aguinaldo, he was killed in Maragondon, Cavite. Subsequently, Aguinaldo proclaimed Philippine independence from the balcony of his home in Kawit, Cavite. 

History and posterity have given ample recognition to Andres Bonifacio’s heroism and greatness. Apart from the observance of a non-working public holiday on his birth anniversary he has been honored extensively in other ways. The headquarters of the Philippine Army was named after him. It is now one of the leading commercial, financial and residential hubs in Metro Manila. There is a Liwasang Bonifacio near the Manila City Hall.

But it is in the hearts and minds of millions of grateful Filipinos where the heroism of Andres Bonifacio lives in perpetuity.

Korean student wins Miss Earth 2022, PH beauty finishes in top 20

Published November 30, 2022, 7:33 AM

by Robert Requintina

Miss Earth 2022 Mina Sue Choi (Facebook)

A 24-year-old South Korean student was crowned Miss Earth 2022 during a competition held at Okada Manila in Paranaque City Tuesday night, beating 85 other contestants in the environment-driven pageant.

Crowd favorite Mina Sue Choi, a communications student, is the first Korean to win Miss Earth since the beauty pageant started in 2001.

Choi promotes the reduction of carbon footprints in cities with sustainable mobility and encouraging lifestyles that will help reduce carbon emission in our daily lives. 

During the final question-and-answer, Choi and the three other contestants were asked the same question: “What is one thing that you want to correct in this world and how would you correct it?”

Choi answered: “If there’s something I would correct in this world it would be being empathetic. We often mistake kindness as being empathetic but what being empathetic is putting yourself into someone else’s shoes and when it comes to climate issues and other issues in this world one has to be empathetic. You really need to see how the other person perceives this world, you need to understand their pain by being in their shoes and that, like I feel like the first with being empathetic, kindness and empathetic can be different.”

Other winners were: Miss Australia Sheridan Mortlock, Miss Earth Air 2022; Miss Palestine Nadeen Ayoub, Miss Earth Water 2022; and Miss Colombia, Andrea Aguilera, Miss Earth Fire 2022.

Miss Philippines Jenny Ramp finished in the top 20 of the competition. Other candidates in the semis were delegates from Belgium, Netherlands, Puerto Rico, Zimbabwe, Brazil, Cuba, Nigeria, Portugal, Czech Republic, Ethiopia, Ireland, Namibia, Norway, Slovenia and Vietnam. 

Asked what makes her proud of her country, Choi said: “Korea has many wonderful things from history to current cultural wave, but I must say the one thing I am most proud of is the people of Korea. In the past and present day, Koreans have always been challengers and hard workers. We always challenge ourselves, sometimes critique ourselves, but to always better ourselves. I love that people of our country are proud to be Korean wherever we are. I am thrilled to live in the moments where everyone will recognize our people, our culture, and our country, Korea.”

From left: Sheridan Mortlock, Australia, Miss Earth Air 2022; Miss Earth 2022 Mina Sue Choi, South Korea; Nadeen Ayoub, Palestine, Miss Earth Water 2022; and Andrea Aguilera, Colombia, Miss Earth Fire 2022. (Facebook)

Choi also shared tips on how to promote ecotourism and climate change.

“In order to promote ecotourism, it is crucial that we continuously think about the objective of traveling to a new place. Personally, I love to challenge my comfort zone and attempt to live the experiences of the local life. Learning how different people live and thrive in cultures and spaces that I am not familiar with is probably the best part of traveling.

“Having that conscious understanding may just be the way to respect nature and the people of the local. Rich experiences do not require rich expenses, the experiences can be made by using our travel budgets more wisely: purchasing local goods, supporting local businesses, opting for public transportation, bikes, and more,” the Korean beauty queen said.

Choi also shared her childhood years, saying she grew up in many places.

“To most people in the world, the question “So, where are you from?” is straightforward. Depending on who is asking, they would name their home town, province, or country.  

“For me, however, this conversational item requires a bit more thought because my itinerant upbringing has allowed me to put down roots in so many different places. Although I was born in Sydney, Australia and lived in the heart of the city until I was 7 years old, I do not have a discernible Aussie accent.

“From 7 until I was 11 years old, there was a sudden shift in my life. I began to attend public Korean schools in Korea where I faced many challenges blending in with my peers as a semi-bilingual. After attending for 4 years or so, I began to adapt and was seen as any other Korean primary school student.

“Then, another great shift occurred in my life: my departure to Vancouver, Canada. From here on, my entire childhood consists of memories of me living in Canada, the United States, China, and back to Korea.

This pattern of residing in unfamiliar places, adapting, then finding yet another new place has impacted me as a person today and most likely will impact the future versions of myself as a global woman of this era,” Choi also added.

PH jumps in global ICT readiness ranking

by Bernie Cahiles-Magkilat

The Philippines is the biggest mover in the Network Readiness Index (NRI) 2022 ranking 71st from 85th last year out of the 131 economies that highlighted impact as the country’s main strength and technology as its biggest concern for improvement.

The NRI 2022 released by the Portulans Institute, a Washington DC Board think tank, is one of the leading global indices on the application and impact on information and communication technology (ICT) in economies around the world. 

Based on the NRI, which has four major pillars, the Philippines ranked 85th under the technology pillar, 82nd on governance pillar, 73rd on people, and 50th on impact.

 

When it comes to sub-pillars, the strongest showing of the Philippines relates to economy, individuals, and future technologies, among others. But it also showed that more could be done to improve the economy’s performances in the businesses, inclusion and SDG Contribution.

The report cited the Philippines as the year’s “biggest mover”, with Impact as its main strength and Technology as greatest scope for improvement. The Philippines performed considerably well on e-Commerce legislation, High Tech exports, and ICT services exports.

The report also cited the Philippines as number number five among the 36 lower middle income economies included in the report, outperforming in ten sub pillars: access, content, future technologies, individuals, governments, trust, regulation, inclusion, economy, and quality of life. 

The Philippines was ranked 5th in the group of lower-middle-income countries. In terms of pillar performance, it has a score higher than the income group average in each of the four pillars. At the sub-pillar level, the Philippines outperforms lower-middle-income countries in ten of the 12 sub-pillars: access, content, future technologies, individuals, governments, trust, regulation, inclusion, economy, and quality of life.

The country also ranked 13th within Asia and the Pacific, but lags behind its region in each of the four pillars. With regard to sub-pillars, it outperforms the average in Asia and Pacific in two of the twelve sub-pillars: individuals and economy.

In a statement, Trade Secretary Fred Pascual said the Portulans Institute for recognizing the Philippines as one of the champions of digital transformation, this is a testament to the continuing efforts of the Philippine government to transform the country into a digital economy.

“It shows that we are a country composed of digital natives, and it indeed gives us a demographic advantage. We are mindful of this advantage and recognize that the digital economy is about people and technology, so we are ramping up efforts to promote science, technology and innovation, as our main strategy,” Pascual said. 

According to Pascual, several initiatives are on the pipeline. In terms of legislation, the enactment of the proposed Internet Transactions Act (ITA) and amendments to the E-Commerce Act are also underway. Digital transformation initiatives to address upskilling and reskilling of human capital and businesses are also being scaled up. Further, E-Government or the automation of government processes are also being pursued through a whole-of-government approach.

Pascual noted that the Department is driving the formulation of the updated eCommerce Philippines Roadmap 2023-2025 which is designed to be more inclusive—including the youth, women, senior citizens and PWD sector, to help build a more robust e-commerce industry.

The DTI also serves as a key partner of the Banko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) on financial inclusion and digitizing merchant payments. Relative to this, the Department, through the E-Commerce Office launched the e-Bayad Mo! social media campaign including a pay drama series as part of the its initiatives toward acceleration of digital payments adoption in the Philippines.

Further ramping up the Campaign and in support of the BSP’s financial inclusion program, an e-Bayad Mo! Regional Caravan is set to be launched, which will provide financial literacy sessions to encourage and discuss the benefits of using digital payments.

In closing, Pascual said that “the report highlights that digital natives will build and manage the future of the world. Our country’s median age is 25 years old and about 40% of our population are digital natives (20 years and below). With our huge base of young, highly-mobile workforce and consumers, we have more than enough economic assets to inspire the government and incentivize the private sector towards Network Readiness.”