Big stars confirmed for MUPH 2023 coronation night

BY ANNALYN S. JUSAY

Apr 12, 2023 07:59 AM

  

---

AT A GLANCE

• So far, the only previous queen who has been confirmed to arrive is Miss Universe 2019 Zozibini Tunzi of South Africa, but the MUPH executives hinted that there could be more who will attend.

• For the first time, three women who are already mothers made it to the final cut after the pageant announced that it will accept applicants regardless of their marital status.

---

Miss Universe PH 2023 candidates during the press presentation in Taguig City last April 11.

Starstruck. That's how Miss Universe Philippines wants its audience to feel as it announced a celebrity-studded line-up for the Miss Universe Philippines (MUPH) 2023 Coronation Night at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on May 13.

The list includes two of the hottest local movie stars as event hosts, a couple of international performers, with the special attendance of reigning Miss Universe R'Bonney Gabriel and the new Miss Universe Organization owner, Anne Jakrajutatip of Thailand.

Miss Universe Philippines director of communications Voltaire Tayag revealed during the Press Presentation of the pageant's official 38 candidates that Kapuso stars Alden Richards and Xian Lim will be this year's hosts. Reporting on the backstage happenings will be Tim Yap and  Miss Globe 2021 Maureen Montagne.

Earlier, it was reported that K-pop star Nam Woo-Hyun will be performing during the finals. Yesterday, April 11, Tayag bared the addition of American Idol 11th season runner-up. Jessica Sanchez is one of those who will render a song number.

Pageant veterans Michelle Dee (left) of Makati and Samantha Panlilio of Cavite are in this year's batch of MUPH candidates

MUPH national director Shamcey Supsup said that Miss Universe 2022 R'Bonney will fly into town on the first week of May. "She will have a lot of activities with us prior to the coronation and she will be here to attend the coronation with us."

"Apart from her, we are also inviting other Miss Universe winners. We will have a lot of other guests coming. We always want to top what we did last year," Shamcey added.

So far, the only previous queen who has been confirmed to arrive is Miss Universe 2019 Zozibini Tunzi of South Africa, but the MUPH executives hinted that there could be more who will attend.

For the first time, three women who are already mothers made it to the final cut after the pageant announced that it will accept applicants regardless of their marital status.

The three women are Miss Benguet Joemay-an Leo, Miss Quezon City Mary Eileen Gonzales, and Miss Paranaque, Clariele Dacanay. Meanwhile, one of the contestants, Claire Inso of Lapu-Lapu, said she joined even though she is only 5 feet 4 inches because MUPH also lowered the height requirement.

MUPH National Director Shamcey Supsup-Lee

A few pageant veterans are also in this year's batch which includes last year's winners Michelle Dee ( Miss Universe Philippines Tourism 2022) and Pauline Amelinckx ( Miss Universe Philippines Charity 2022).

Shamcey said that they're not just looking for someone with a beautiful face and body. "We are looking for someone who is strong, independent, and knows that her work starts the moment she wins. Carrying the Philippines in the Miss Universe stage is such a big responsibility. It has to be someone who is already strong in mind, body, and spirit. She should have a purpose bigger than her ambition," stated the Miss Universe 2011 third runner-up.

Tickets to the 2023 Miss Universe Philippines Coronation Night are available at smtickets.com under the following prices: P12,780 (VIP), P5,270 (Lower Box), P1,490 (Upper Box), and P500 (General Admission).

This year's official candidates for Miss Universe Philippines 2023:

1. Jannarie Zarzoso, 24, Agusan Del Norte
2. Avery Marianne Sugcang, 21, Aklan
3. Kristen Mae Boccang, 23, Apayao
4. Jan Marie Bordon, 22, Bacolod
5. Alexandria Bollier, 25, Bacoor City
6. Krishnan Marie Gravidez, 22, Baguio Cityty
7. Karen Joyce M. Olfato, 25, Batangas
8. Joemay-an Leo, 27, Benguet
9. Pauline Cucharo Amelinckx, 27, Bohol
10. Princess Anne Marcos, 24, Bulacan
11. Shayne Glenmae Maquiran, 25, Capiz
12. Samantha Alexandra Panlilio, 27, Cavite
13. Dianne C. Padillo, 27, Cebu City
14. Emmanuelle Fabienne Camcam, 28, Cebu Province (aka Emmanuelle Vera)
15. Klyza Ferrando Castro, 23, Davao Oriental
16. Airissh T. Ramos, 26, Eastern Samar
17. Vanessa Tse Wing, 26, Guimaras
18. Chloei Darl Gabales, 21, Iloilo City
19. Kimberlyn Jane Madamba Acob, 24, Isabela
20. Clare Sanchez Inso, 24, Lapu-Lapu
21. Michelle Daniela Marquez Dee, 27, Makati City
22. Iman Franchesca Cristal, 24, Mandaluyong City
23. Christine Joy Salcedo, 24, Marinduque
24. Vanessa Maria Yuson Matzeit, 25, Negros Oriental
25. Layla Yousif Adriatico, 26, Northern Samar
26. Laicka Bonquin Implamado, 26, Occidental Mindoro
27. Louise Joy Gallardo, 21, Palawan
28. Mary Angelique Manto, 26, Pampanga
29. Clariele Dacanay, 24, Parañaque City
30. Kali Navea-Huff, 27, Pasig City
31. Mary Eileen Palencia Gonzales, 27, Quezon City
32. Lesly Joy Sim, 26, Quezon Province
33. Rein Hillary Carrascal, 25, Sorsogon
34. Kimberly Escartin, 25, Southern Leyte
35. Hyra Desiree Betito, 26, Surigao del Norte
36. Nikki Justine Breedveld, 26, Taguig City
37. Christiana Afia Yeboah, 25, Tiaong, Quezon
38. Christine Juliane Opiaza, 23, Zambales

Attention all passengers! No more paper-based departure cards starting May 1

The eTravel portal will soon be used for both departing and arriving passengers.

BY JOHANNES CHUA

  

---

“One less thing to worry (and carry) as you don’t need to bring a pen and fill up a paper departure card when you leave the country. Starting May 1, 2023, passengers will only need to answer an e-departure form via the online portal eTravel (https://etravel.gov.ph). 

According to a statement from the Bureau of Immigration (BI), the discontinuation of the use of paper-based departure cards is to “lessen the requirements of departing passengers.” 

“The eTravel platform will soon be used for both arriving and departing passengers,” said BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco. 

By answering online, you save a few precious minutes. However, you may only register within 72 hours (around three days) prior to your arrival or departure in the Philippines. An eTravel QR Code will be generated, which will be the one to be presented and scanned at the airport counters.

A project of different government agencies (such as the DICT, DOT, DOJ, DOH, etc.) working hand-in-hand to digitalize government processes and forms, the online portal has a “save” mechanism that allows you to retrieve your previous details. Therefore, there’s no need to fill up your birthdate, passport number, etc. again and again when you have another international trip.   

“This is a major step in streamlining documents presented by departing travelers, allowing for faster and more efficient immigration processing,” said Tansingco. The BI also reminds the public that accessing the eTravel website is absolutely free of charge. No bank details, credit card numbers, or online payment will be required from the website user. 

Landing page of the eTravel portal. Starting May 1, this will be used for both departing and arriving passengers in the Philippines.

The paperless transaction is absolutely good news from the BI. Aside from being a faster process, imagine the resources (and money) saved from tons of paper used to print these departure cards, which may or may not be useful at all. This is definitely a win for the environment! 

The digital details will also help the BI collect more accurate data, better screen passengers, and detect any anomalies or discrepancies faster. Digital tools will aid BI personnel as they implement their mandate and fulfill their role as they combat human trafficking, illegal recruitment, or unlawful border entries/ departures. 

This new development also puts our country “at par” with other countries that do not require passengers to answer in any form of paper. All transactions at the airport are done on digital platforms, using apps or websites that have tabs for easy inputting of responses. It is also safer this way, as close contact is prevented, one of the lessons we learned from the pandemic.

So, as part of your future travel, don’t forget to bookmark this website: (https://etravel.gov.ph). You save time, you help the planet, and you have a better travel experience. 

Temperatursturz nach Frühlingserwachen in Bayern: Wie lange geht das trübe Wetter noch weiter?

 Von: Christian Einfeldt

Viel Regen und Wind: Wann kommt der Wetterumschwung in München? (Symbolbild) © IMAGO / aal.photo

Das Münchner Wetter bleibt im April 2023 vorerst wechselhaft. Aktuell dominieren Regen und Wind – auch Schneefall ist möglich. Wann wird es endlich besser?

München – An Ostermontag gab es ihn, den lang ersehnten schönen Tag weiten Teilen Bayerns. Viel Sonne und dabei Temperaturen um die 18 Grad. Doch wenig später macht trübes Wetter die Erinnerung an Ostermontag wieder vergessen. Statt frühlingshaftem April-Wetter gibt es in der bayerischen Landeshauptstadt aktuell viel Wind und Regen. Doch wie wird das Wetter die nächsten Tage? Wann wird es mal wieder richtig schön in und um München? 

Weiter ungemütlich: Münchner Regenwetter setzt sich fort

Das Münchner Wetter zeigte sich am Ostermontag von seiner besten Seite: Es war frühlingshaft. Kurz danach sollte es jedoch schon bald wieder zuziehen. Der Regen brachte dann auch wieder Temperaturen von unter zehn Grad mit sich. Zeitgleich machen sich Münchner Hoffnungen, dass sich die Sonne wieder zeigt – dann jedoch länger als nur für einen Tag. 

Wetter in Bayern: Die spektakulärsten Bilder aus den vier Jahreszeiten

Fotostrecke ansehen

Die Wetteraussicht auf die kommenden Tage der Woche zwischen dem 11. und 17. April 2023 machen die Erwartungen zunichte. Die Wahrscheinlichkeit auf Regen ist hoch, wie wetteronline vorhersagt. Zudem wird eine Windstärke zwischen 8 und 26 km/h erwartet – Stärke 4 auf der Beaufort-Skala. Experten sprechen von einer „mäßigen Brise“ – alles andere als gemütlich. Die durchaus realistische Vorstellung, dass neben Regen auch Schnee auf Bayerns Landeshauptstadt fällt, machen die Prognosen für so viele nicht besser – Besserung ist erst gegen Ende des Monats in Sicht/

Frühsommer in München: Wettermodell erwartet Ende April einen Umschwung

Aktuell bleibt es in München also erst einmal windig und nass. Die Temperaturen liegen dabei zwischen 5 und 14 Grad. Mal ist es ein leichter, mal ein gemäßigter Regen – möglich auch Starkregen kombiniert mit Schneefall: Es ist wechselhaft – das soll sich laut wetter.de zunächst rund um den 20. April ändern. Laut Wettermeteorologen sei es der Beginn eines Frühsommers. In Bayern zeigt sich dieser Wetterumschwung mit Temperaturen bis zu 25 Grad.  MEIN BEREICH

Dass der April für sein wechselhaftes Wetter bekannt ist, zeigt er im Jahre 2023 eindrucksvoll. So sind die vermehrten Sonnenstunden rund um den 20. April wieder einmal nur von kurzer Dauer. Ende April deutet das Thermometer schließlich erneut nur auf Temperaturen, die gerade so zweistellig werden. Im Gegenzug ist jedoch auch dieser Zustand nur von kurzer Dauer.

Zum Monatswechsel April/Mai kommen die frühsommerlichen Temperaturen zurück. Das soll dann auch erstmal bis Mitte so bleiben, bis zum Zeitraum, der das Ende der Eisheiligen einleitet. Ausgenommen sind nur vereinzelte Tage, an denen das vorzeitige Sommerwetter mal eine Pause macht – angesichts des aktuell konstant ungemütlichen Münchner Wetters ist diese Aussicht wohl zu verkraften.

Alle Nachrichten aus ganz Bayern lesen Sie immer bei uns. News und Geschichten aus dem Freistaat sind nun auch auf unserer brandneuen Facebook-Seite Merkur Bayern zu finden. 

God is always around

 

By Fr. Roy Cimagala *

THE story of the two disciples on their way to Emmaus (cfr. Lk 24,13-35) reminds us that God is always around. We should make this truth of faith a strong and constant conviction of ours, especially in moments and situations where we find ourselves in difficulties. We should never allow ourselves to sink in some discouragement and depression because God would always be around to help.

As the story goes, these two disciples were sad after witnessing the death of Christ on the cross. They thought he was the one who would save Israel from bondage. Without knowing it, Christ approached them and engaged them in some conversation that left them astonished with what they heard from him. Finally, they recognized him at the breaking of the bread when they invited him to take supper with them.

We just have to remember that God never abandons us and is, in fact, all ready and prompt to come to our aid, albeit in ways that we may not realize, at first, just like what happened in that story of the two disciples.

We should not allow our feelings of sadness to be so dominant and pervasive that we shut off God’s many and often mysterious ways of helping us. If we do not pose a deliberate impediment to God’s ways, there is always hope. In our darkest moments, some light will always come piercing and dispelling the darkness away.

In so many ways, God will remind us, as Christ did to the two disciples, about the meaning of all human suffering, and of how our suffering can be a way to our joy, to our fulfillment as a man and as a child of God. He will explain to us why we have suffering in this life and how we can take advantage of it to derive something good from it.

And like the two disciples, let us feel reassured by these truths of our faith. “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” (Lk 24,32) they said in amazement.

We should learn to trust in the loving and all-wise providence of God, and while we have to do our part, we should also realize that we are not meant to solve all our problems in life. We just have to abandon ourselves in God’s providence. He will be the one to resolve, complete and perfect everything.

“Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?  Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?” (Mt 6,26)

With these words, Christ clearly tells us to be trusting of God’s ever-wise and merciful Providence. He will provide everything that we need, especially the one that matters most to us. We may experience some privations, some losses, etc., but if we stick with God, we know that everything will always work out for the good. (cfr. Rom 8,28)

With all the things that we have to contend with in this life, we certainly need to have a healthy sense of trust in God’s loving and wise providence, abandoning ourselves in his will and ways that often are mysterious to us and can appear to be contrary to what we would like to have.

A healthy spirit of abandonment in God’s hands is necessary even as we exhaust all possible human means to achieve our goals or simply to tackle all the challenges, trials and predicaments of our life. We should never forget this truth of our faith.

* Chaplain Center for Industrial Technology and Enterprise (CITE), Talamban, Cebu City

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com

An intoxicating love

You’re so intoxicated with each other. You tell your friends (and each other) how it’s so different with this person. They are unlike anyone you’ve ever met. They’re so special, so unique. You’re moving too fast but neither of you care. You love each other, you’re together and you don’t want anyone else. Within a couple months you’ve integrated fully into each other’s lives and you absolutely love it. You’re drunk, you’re wasted, high, intoxicated. You just know that this feeling will never end, it will last forever and you will die in a blissful, blurry euphoria of each other’s love. Until it all comes crashing down.

US musician and author Ted Gioia argues in his excellent book Music: A Subversive History (2019): “At every stage in human history, music has been a catalyst for change, challenging conventions and conveying coded messages – or, not infrequently, delivering blunt, unambiguous ones. It has given voice to individuals and groups denied access to other platforms for expression. Pop music has often been dismissed as “lightweight” given its young audience, simple snappiness and mainstream status, but those elements are really where its strength is concealed. Pop songs don’t originate themes of mental wellbeing, equality, liberty, activism – but they do transmit them to the broadest platforms possible”.

Snap the radio on, zip to any station, and what are you likely to hear? Love songs. Songs of new love, songs of disappointed love, songs of grateful love, songs of crazy love. I still remember my time as a radio host in Davao City several years ago playing the Hits of the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s. Nothing has changed. Times change, but through history the flow of love songs is a constant.

Plenty of people are surprised or even shocked to find an explicit love song in the bible – complete with erotic lyrics. But “Song of Songs” is exactly that. It shows no embarrassment about lovers. Consequently, intermittent attempts have been made  to rule “Song of Songs” out of the bible. It’s like making it “for adults only”. Imagine, my dear reader, in 16th century Spain for instance, professor Fray Luis de Leon was dragged out of his classroom and taken to jail for four years. His crime? He translated “Song of Songs” into Spanish.

If you start reading “Song of Songs”, you will find out that this book conveys a very different atmosphere from most modern love songs and pop music. Since love songs are always popular, many people approach “Song of Songs” with great expectations. However, readers often find the book much different from what they had expected. One is the poetic imagery. Second: “Song of Songs” is hard to follow. One part  doesn’t seem connected to the next.

Try to explore the “Song of Songs”. One thing is for sure. You’ll learn a lot about the love between God and His people. 

DG senior reporter accepted to media fellowship for humane drug policy

Daily Guardian senior reporter Joseph Bernard Marzan

Daily Guardian senior reporter Joseph Bernard Marzan has been accepted to the first batch of Media Fellows for Humane Drug Policy 2023.

The fellowship is a project of the Drug Policy Reform Initiative (DPRI), a network of advocates advancing humane drug policies in the country

Nineteen (19) journalists will undergo training in covering issues surrounding drugs, drug use, drug policies, and related issues with the aim of putting an end to stigma and harm for people whose lives include drugs. The media fellows, chosen from a large pool of nationwide applications, are the following:

Karlston Lapniten

Multimedia Journalist

Philippine Daily Inquirer, Cordillera Administrative Region

Liana Apostol

Freelance Journalist

Metro Manila and Pampanga

Carmela Reyes-Estrope

News Correspondent, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Bulacan

Editor-in-Chief, News Core, Bulacan

Mike Navallo

Reporter

ABS-CBN News, Metro Manila

Marc Jayson Cayabyab

Print Reporter

Philippine Star, Metro Manila

Jacob Lazaro

Reporter

Philippine Daily Inquirer, Metro Manila

Paul Icamina

Reporter

Malaya Business Insight, Metro Manila

Noel Talacay

Reporter

PTV4, Metro Manila

Faith Argosino

Multimedia Reporter

IQUIRER.net, Metro Manila

Rambo Talabong

Freelance Journalist, Metro Manila

Kaycee Valmonte

Reporter

Philstar Online, Metro Manila

Ghio Ong

Reporter

The Philippine Star, Metro Manila

Totel De Jesus

Freelance Writer/Editor, Metro Manila

Jinky Lou Tabor

News Stringer, GMA 7 Bicol Region and Basilan

Station Manager, Bicol Star Teleradyo, Catanduanes

Joseph Bernard A. Marzan

Senior Reporter

Daily Guardian, Western Visayas Region

June Joseph Perez

News Anchor

Sibya TV, Cebu

Angelica Saniel

News Editor

MyTV Cebu, Region 7

Nef Luczon

Reporter/Regional Bureau Chief

Philippine News Agency, Northern Mindanao

Misel Miral-Galve

Radio Anchor & Special Projects Head

DXDC 621 RMN Davao, Davao City

“The media plays a crucial role in shaping public opinion and policy,” said Atty. Kristine Mendoza, DPRI’s lead convener. “This fellowship is a continuing conversation with the Fourth Estate to uphold journalistic integrity and ethics in ensuring that their reporting does no harm to people whose lives include drugs and instead empowers communities by amplifying their stories,” she added.

Their training will commence on April 20. They will also undergo coaching sessions with their fellow journalists, drug policy experts, and advocates until May 2023. A seed grant will also be made available for data-gathering and publishing of their respective work.

“Putting People First – Media Fellowship for Humane Drug Policy” is open to media practitioners who wish to strengthen their skills and knowledge when covering stories on drugs using the lens of harm reduction – the belief that approach to drug use should be grounded on human rights, health, and justice; and telling stories about people who use drugs should be without stigma and discrimination.

Mendoza said that the Media Fellowship will help shape conversations surrounding drugs and drug use towards compassion and empowerment. She said that they hope to engage more journalists to end the perpetuation of harm and stigma for people and communities whose lives include drugs.

The fellowship, which runs from April to May 2023, is open to Filipino editors, reporters, photojournalists, anchors and news managers in the country who want to pursue empowering stories of communities and persons involved in drug issues.

Successful applicants will be given a seed grant that ranges from P15,000 to P30,000 for the data-gathering and publishing of work.  Media Fellows will also receive training, coaching, and feedback sessions with their peers and advocates.

The Media Fellowship is being conducted with the help of Gugma PR, a public relations group helping advocates build impact through communications.

Marcos directs gov't agencies to comply with EU standards on seafarers' certification

BY BETHEENA UNITE

Apr 11, 2023 1:00 PM

  

---

AT A GLANCE

• President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. directed government agencies to address issues on maritime education in the country

• It is a move to maintain the European Union recognition of Filipino seafarers after 10 years

• The Philippines' compliance to the European maritime standards was finally recognized by the EU after 16 years

---

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has ordered maritime and education agencies to ensure compliance with training, education and certification standards of the European Union in order to ensure the global  recognition of Filipino seafarers' certificates.

President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. (Photo courtesy of Yummie Dingding/PPA Pool)

After acknowledging the "good decision" of the European Commission to recognize the country's standards of training certification and watchkeeping (STCW) for seafarers, he directed his administration to "move forward" and address lingering maritime education issues.

"We reported to him the continuous recognition by the European Union of the Certificate for seafarers issued by MARINA (Maritime Industry Authority) and the President acknowledged the good gesture and good decision of the European Union because that would mean continuous employment for around 50,000 seafarers in Europe," Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Jaime Bautista said on Tuesday, April 11.

"We also talked how we will move forward considering that there are still some issues that we need to address," Bautista added.

Marcos led a multi-sectoral meeting in Malacañang on Tuesday.

According to MARINA Administrator Hernani Fabia, there are various issues that the government must address which were also the concerns stated by independent evaluators.

Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Chairperson J. Prospero De Vera III said the government must focus on three matters in order to address the issues on maritime education standards.

"We have an enhanced curriculum that has been put together by MARINA, CHED, and the maritime higher education institutions, we must make sure it is implemented correctly, so the enhanced curriculum satisfies compliance with standards of the STCW," he said.

De Vera further said that they must be able to monitor maritime schools, and make sure that they have the necessary equipment, competent teachers, good facilities so that the intended competencies and outcomes can be measured correctly and satisfy the standard of the European maritime safety standards.

He added that the government must make sure that all the requirements to produce a good seafarer are there including shipboard training "so that we make sure that at the end of the whole process, we produce seafarers that are up to the international standards."

"That means we have a lot of work to do in monitoring and evaluating all the maritime education institutions in the country," he said.

De Vera also bared that CHED and MARINA need more personnel in order to monitor all maritime schools around the country.

"Kailangan namin ng dagdag na tao kasi marami (We need more people because there are many schools). That's why kami ni Secretary Bautista we have to look for additional allies to help monitor compliance kasi hindi naman ganun kadami ang staff ng CHED, hindi rin ganun kadami ang staff ng MARINA (because CHED and MARINA do not have many personnel) and the schools are located all over the country," the CHED chairperson said.

The Philippines' compliance with the European maritime standards was finally recognized by the EU after 16 years.

Fabia clarified that the recognition of the Philippine government by the European Commission "is a normal recognition that means there is no condition."

"It is a regular recognition issued by EC and we have a clean slate to start with. But then the recognition is good for 10 years, subject to reassessment and monitoring by the EMSA. That's why we have also to conduct regular training and capacity building for our stakeholders and marine personnel," Fabia said.

Japan, PH, US to keep peace, stability – envoy

DAY OF HEROES President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. leads the 81st commemoration of the Araw ng Kagitingan in Mount Samat, Bataan on Monday, April 10, 2023. PHOTO BY RENE H. DILAN

By Bernadette Reyes

JAPAN, the Philippines and the United States have become "trusting partners" working closely to preserve peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region, Japanese Ambassador to Manila Koshikawa Kazuhiko said on Monday during the 81st commemoration of the Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor) at the Mount Samat National Shrine in Pilar, Bataan.

Also at the event were President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Cabinet secretaries, senators, Bataan Gov. Jose Garcia, US embassy officials, and World War 2 Filipino veterans.

Japan and the US were bitter enemies during that war, with Philippine troops fighting alongside American soldiers.

Japan has since become one of the US' closest allies in Asia.

Koshikawa voiced hope that relations between the three countries achieve "greater heights," as he noted Marcos' earlier remarks that Japan is "a most reliable partner in times of crises and of prosperity."

He also conveyed his condolences to the victims of the "fierce battle" that took place in Bataan during WW 2 and offered his respects to the war veterans who contributed to the peace and security being enjoyed by Filipinos today.

Koshikawa "expressed the deep remorse felt by the Japanese people due to the country's past actions and concurrently affirmed their best wishes for everlasting peace and determination in upholding a law-based global order," the Japanese embassy said in a statement.

He also stressed that Japan seeks to "prevent a repeat of the tragedies of war for the sake of future generations, amid the increasingly tense international security environment."

Koshikawa said Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Marcos have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen cooperation in a wide range of areas during the President's official visit to Japan in February.

Proof of that commitment is the fifth meeting of the Japan–Philippines Maritime Dialogue (JPMD) held last March 29 in Tokyo and attended by Japan's National Security Secretariat, the National Ocean Policy Secretariat, the Ministry of Defense, and the Japan Coast Guard and their Filipino counterparts.

The Japanese side was headed by Hayashi Makoto, Ministry of Foreign Affairs deputy director general of the Southeast and Southwest Asian Affairs Department.

The Philippine side was headed by Maria Angela Ponce, assistant secretary of the Maritime and Ocean Affairs of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

The two sides discussed the latest developments in the seas surrounding their countries, and ways to strengthen cooperation in the Sulu-Celebes Seas and the Luzon Strait, the embassy said.

Japan has been locked in a dispute with China over the Senkaku islands in the East China Sea.

The Philippines, meanwhile, has been protesting the incursions of Chinese naval ships in Philippine-controlled islets in the South China Sea.

The Japanese embassy said Tokyo and Manila both affirm the "importance of rules-based, free and open maritime order," and continue to work together toward the realization of a free and open Indo-Pacific, it said.

The Japan-Philippines Maritime Dialogue was formalized in light of the Japan-Philippines joint statement of June 2009, the embassy said.

The first meeting was held in Tokyo on Sept. 9, 2011, the second in Manila on Feb. 22, 2013, the third in Tokyo on June 11, 2019, and the fourth in a teleconference format on Oct. 22, 2021.

Tropical Cyclone Amang Tracker

BY ELLALYN DE VERA-RUIZ

Apr 11, 2023 08:13 AM

  

---

This image from PAGASA shows the track and intensity forecast for tropical depression Amang as of 2 a.m., Tuesday, April 11, 2023.

5 a.m., April 11

The center of the eye of Amang was estimated 475 kilometers east of Virac, Catanduanes, packing maximum sustained winds of 45 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gusts of up to 55 kph.

It was moving west-northwestward at 20 kph.

Signal number 1 has been raised over Catanduanes, the northern part of Eastern Samar, and eastern part of Northern Samar.

2 a.m., April 11

The low pressure area (LPA) east of Catanduanes developed into a tropical depression and was given a local name “Amang.” 

It is the first cyclone to form inside the country’s area of responsibility this year.