Germany sweeps way to WC crown, edges Serbia in dramatic finale

BY REYNALD I. MAGALLON

Sep 10, 2023 11:13 PM

  

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AT A GLANCE

• Dennis Schroder displayed nerves of steel and took over in crunchtime as Germany swept its way to its very first 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup crown with a nerve-wracking 83-77 victory over Serbia in the final on Sunday, Sept. 10, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

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Simply unbeatable.

Dennis Schroder displayed nerves of steel and took over in crunchtime as Germany swept its way to its very first 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup crown with a nerve-wracking 83-77 victory over Serbia in the final on Sunday, Sept. 10, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

Germany celebrates with the Naismith Trophy after ruling the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup. (Ali Vicoy)

The Mannschaft rode on a huge third quarter onslaught before holding off a brave comeback from Serbia with Schroder scoring the last five points for Germany to win the Naismith Trophy and its first podium since legend Dirk Nowitzki led the Deutschland to a bronze medal finish in the 2002 edition. 

Germany emerged undefeated in eight games in the three-week tournament, topping the group stage with a 5-0 record before taking down Latvia in the quarterfinal and stunning the fancied USA team in the semifinals.

Schroder exploded for 28 points – none bigger than the gutsy layup with 21.6 seconds left that kept Germany afloat, 81-77, against the furious rally from the Serbians spearheaded by Aleksa Avaramovic.

Embracing his role as the main man for the German squad, Schroder led by example and put on a tournament-long brilliance, enough for him to bag the tournament MVP citation much to delight of the sold-out 12,022 crowd

Franz Wagner continued his stellar performance in the final phase with 19 points and seven rebounds while Johannes Voightmann chipped in 12 points and eight rebounds. 

Germany created some separation in the third frame when it unloaded a 17-4 closeout that turned a tight 55-53 affair into a 69-57 advantage heading into the final 10 minutes of the contest.

Avramovic tried to carry the fight in the final frame, towing Serbia within three, 79-76, before Schroder delivered the killing blows towards the end.

Avramovic led the way for Serbia with 21 points while Bogdan Bogdanovic couldn’t sustain his hot start finishing with only 17 points after being saddled by foul trouble. 

Their efforts, however, went futile in the end as the Eagles couldn’t get the job done with its second bridesmaid finish in the global showpiece, repeating the same heartbreak in 2014 when they lost to Spain. 

Germany, US envoys enjoy friendly rivalry at FIBA World Cup semifinals

BY RAYMUND ANTONIO

Sep 9, 2023 02:33 PM

  

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The ambassadors of Germany and the United States enjoyed the friendly rivalry between their countries’ respective national basketball teams as they watched the Germans beat the Americans for the first time in FIBA World Cup history.

(From left) US Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson and Ambassador Andreas Pfaffernoschke of Germany shake hands after Germany defeated the US in the FIBA World Cup semifinals on Friday, Sept. 8, 2023. (Photo from Amb. Pfaffernoschke)

German Ambassador to the Philippines Andreas Pfaffernoschke celebrated his country’s victory on a post on X (formerly Twitter) after watching the game with US Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson.  

“A pleasure to meet #TeamGermany after the sensational win against Team (USA),” he captioned a photo of him with some of Germany players inside their locker room at the Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena.

“Good luck for the #FIBAWC2023  finals tomorrow!,” he added as Germany will face Serbia on a final battle on Sunday, Sept. 10.

The German envoy thanked Carlson for watching the game as well, and even posted a selfie of them.

“And thanks to my (USA) colleague for watching this thrilling and exciting match together. Compliments to @_BasketballUSA - what a team!,” Pfaffernoschke added.

The teams met on Friday, Sept. 8, at the Mall of Asia Arena where Germany booked their first time to the championship game after the thrilling 113-111 victory.

Carlson reposted the German ambassador’s tweet and congratulated Germany for the semifinal win.

“I congratulated my colleague, German Ambassador Andreas Pfaffernoschke, on his team's win in tonight’s #FIBAWC semifinal match. Great game, right down to the final buzzer! Proud of our @USABasketball team for giving their all,” she wrote on X.

Grandparents are ‘givers’ now living ‘new lives’ for others

BY JANE KINGSU-CHENG

Sep 10, 2023 00:06 AM

  

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There are millions of “givers” among us and they are doing that while living the “best new lives” for others. They are known as “grandparents,” or the lolos and lolas, who now give most of their time to their families (especially to their apos or grandchildren), community, and church.

There are approximately nine million senior citizens in the country, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA, 2020).  Of that number, 3.3 million are still working, while 5.7 million have committed themselves to non-gainful occupations, according to the National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC) qouting from a PSA report. The non-gainful occupations include taking care of apos, volunteering for church or community work, or engaging in regular leisure activities such as travel.

In the Filipino culture, all senior citizens are considered lolo or lola for the strong bond that ties families together, long after children, nephews and nieces included, become adults and have children of their own. 

In an interview with Manila Bulletin, NCSC chairman lawyer Franklin M. Quijano explained that it is “embedded in us to be caring, nurturing, and giving, which is why grandparents are known to be ‘givers’ of their precious time, knowledge, and experiences.”

In this context, “non-gainful occupation” is a stepping stone to being more involved in family day-to-day matters, one of them, caring for the little children.
“There’s a new ministry that you go into. We call that ‘apo-stolate.’ When you take care of your apos (grandchildren), you become even more valuable to the parents, and you also leave a mark on your grandchildren,” he said, noting that child care is a ”job” that most grandparents will gladly take on.

Eighty-eight-year-old Elisa Salayon, a retiree from San Juan City who has seven grandchildren (now adults), agrees that her role as a grandmother is to give what the parents cannot afford to give, which is time since most parents with young children spend most of their time working to make ends meet.
Now that all her grandchildren are capable of taking care of themselves, Salayon continues to be a doting grandmother, still sharing words of wisdom, “I give them advice about the reality of life, that success and failure are part of growing up. They have to choose how they want to live their lives.”

Sixty-six-year-old Angelita Pineda, makes sure to pray and play with her grandchildren, all 14 of them, ages two to 23 years old. “I teach them to pray, especially the Holy Rosary. These will help them have a better relationship with God, and to become good people.” 

President of the senior citizens group in her barangay, 77-year-old Leonora Nicolas Ramos, a retired grade school teacher, bonds with her grandchildren over food, especially local delicacies. “They always ask me how to make puto, kutsinta, and other kakanin. They love to eat.” She has 14 grandchildren whose ages range from five months to 28 years old. The heirloom recipes are proof that grandparents hold so many treasures, waiting to be shared with the younger ones.

“If these grandparents are able to sustain the values, skills, wisdom, experiences, and share them with the next generation, it will strengthen a culture that other people will also value,” Quijano said.

“Senior citizens should start to think of how their lives are connected with society and family governance. They have skills which they learned from their grandparents. We should challenge them to be pillars in nation building—to still be heroes by sharing their skills with the next generation,” he said.
Belinda D. Cruz, 62, enjoys taking care of her two grandchildren who are left with her while their parents work. She also serves her community as a barangay employee. She is considered by people who know her as a true “giver” who dedicates this phase in her life to both her family and the community where she resides.

Seventy-five-year-old Manolo B. Mercado dedicated 18 years of his life to working as a section head of Net Const department of PLDT. “I was the one in charge of outside plant operations, visiting almost all the provinces in the Philippines,” he said. Now at 75 years old, contributing to the community is on his mind, having been recently elected as the president of the Federation of Senior Citizens Association of the Philippines San Juan Chapter, and concurrently the senior association president of Barangay Pedro Cruz San Juan.

In his free time, Mercado enjoys looking after eight grandchildren. “I bring them out and attend worship at our church. We play together and watch movies. They enjoy being together with their lolo and lola,” he said.

To provide more opportunities for grandparents and senior citizens, NCSC continues to encourage LGUs (local government units) to create programs that the national organization can support. “The senior citizens will be more appreciative if the local government can really be on their side,” Quijano said.
He cited a project with District Six of Manila City. Quijano reveals that the senior citizens from that district have been creating during their free time beaded products for selling. “They started with beads, and are now in diamond painting. I called their attention—nasa gilid lang kayo ng Pasig River. Alam mo may dumadaan dyan na kaya niyong kunin at gamitin (You’re just beside the Pasig River. Do you know that there is something that floats by which you can use)?” 

Now, they are producing water lily items such handcrafted woven baskets, he said.

Grandparents, indeed, are living their best “new” life not only as wonderful caregivers to the next generation of citizens but still contributing to society and their respective communities – through selfless actions that will leave lasting impressions, words of wisdom, and good citizens. 

Caring for our mental health

By Fr. Roy Cimagala

Chaplain

Center for Industrial Technology and Enterprise (CITE)

Talamban, Cebu City

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com

IN the gospel, many instances are recorded where some leading Jews would make many rash judgments on Christ and his disciples. One such instance was when Christ cured a man with a withered hand. (cfr. Lk 6,6-11) 

These leading Jews were quick to observe if Christ would heal that man on a Sabbath, which to them was a no-no, according to their rigid and self-righteous laws. And when finally Christ cured the man, they were enraged and discussed among themselves about what to do with Christ.

This, to me, is an example of what we can consider, at the very least, as a mental health issue. The whole affair certainly is more serious than that, involving as it does matters of faith and spiritual life, but the mental health aspect, I would say, plays a crucial role in it.

We have to give due concern to this aspect of our life because nowadays we can observe increasing cases of mental health issues. Many people are falling into anxiety, depression, burn-out, addiction, psychosis, delirium, bipolar disorder, etc. The increasing pressures and complexities in today’s life can easily give rise to these disorders.

The ideal mental health, I imagine, is when one is at peace with everyone, first with God, and then with everybody and everything else. Despite the unavoidable differences, conflicts, difficulties and challenges in life, one manages to be at peace and confident in tackling whatever situation one may be in, certain of where he is going. He has a clear vision of the real purpose of life, and does everything to be on track.

Obviously, this ideal mental health can only be achieved when one is with God who, in Christ, offers us the “way, the truth and the life” proper to us. Thus, to develop good mental health, we really should go to Christ who makes himself available to us all the time through the many instrumentalities he himself has provided us.

The significance of our mental health lies in the fact that it is there where we can have greater control of our own selves, enabling us to direct our thoughts, desires, feelings, etc. to their proper objective.

If we make the effort to develop our mental health in Christ, we can manage to understand many things and to cope with any situation we may find ourselves in. We can avoid making rash judgments, negative thoughts, and having a critical spirit, always looking for faults in others. More than these, we would always feel driven to do good, whatever may be the circumstances.

Of course, that’s easier said than done. We have to realize that to develop a good mental health, we need to do certain things—praying, developing the virtues like humility, prudence, order, fortitude, etc. In a sense, there is a certain regimen to follow also, one that is fitted to one’s concrete conditions. 

This is where the value of piety comes in, playing a crucial role in keeping us healthy mentally, emotionally, psychologically and even physically. Piety is our relationship with God. It is nourished by God’s gifts of faith, hope and charity to which we have to correspond knowingly, freely and lovingly.

We have to realize more deeply our need to have a genuine life of piety to be truly healthy, first in the spirit and then in the body. We have to spread this Good News widely. It hardly involves money or some material things. What only is needed is an act of faith, which is something spiritual, a matter of our will and intelligence.

Why do tourists visit the Philippines?

 

Travelerszones

Travel Lovers | Luxurious Place | Reservation Information

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Hello, fellow travelers! My name is Marlon Mcleod, and I'm a passionate explorer who loves to discover new cultures, cuisines, and experiences around the world. I've been traveling for years, and I've accumulated a wealth of knowledge and insights that I'm excited to share with the Quora community.

Introduction

The Philippines, a captivating archipelago in Southeast Asia, is a land of stunning beauty, diverse culture, and warm-hearted people. Nestled in the Western Pacific Ocean, this tropical paradise lures travelers from across the globe to its shores year-round. From pristine beaches and vibrant coral reefs to lush jungles and centuries-old historical sites, the Philippines offers an unparalleled array of experiences that leave tourists enchanted and eager to return. In this article, we will explore the top reasons why tourists visit the Philippines and why this magical destination continues to captivate travelers from all walks of life.

1. Tropical Beaches and Island Hopping

The Philippines is synonymous with postcard-perfect beaches and crystal-clear waters. From the iconic White Beach in Boracay to the secluded beauty of Palawan's El Nido, each island offers a unique beach experience. Tourists are drawn to the Philippines for its excellent opportunities for island hopping, exploring hidden coves, and snorkeling in vibrant coral gardens.

2. Scuba Diving and Marine Biodiversity

As one of the world's most biodiverse marine regions, the Philippines is a mecca for scuba diving enthusiasts. The country's numerous dive sites, such as Apo Reef and Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, are teeming with colorful marine life, including majestic whale sharks and vibrant coral reefs. The Philippines' underwater wonders offer a mesmerizing experience for divers of all levels.

3. Warm Hospitality and Culture

Filipinos are renowned for their warm hospitality and genuine friendliness towards visitors. Tourists are welcomed with open arms and embraced into the vibrant local culture. Whether participating in traditional festivities, tasting local delicacies, or learning about ancient rituals, tourists find a deep connection with the heart and soul of the Filipino people.

4. Breathtaking Landscapes and Nature Escapes

The Philippines boasts an array of breathtaking landscapes, from the terraced rice fields of Banaue to the chocolate hills of Bohol. Nature lovers can explore the mystical underground river of Puerto Princesa, hike to hidden waterfalls like Kawasan Falls, or traverse the picturesque Batad Rice Terraces. These natural wonders make the Philippines an adventurer's dream come true.

5. Unique Festivals and Celebrations

The Philippines is a nation of festivals and celebrations, with each region having its own distinct traditions and festivities. Tourists flock to witness iconic festivals like the Ati-Atihan in Kalibo, Sinulog in Cebu, and the lively MassKara Festival in Bacolod. These vibrant events offer an immersive experience into the country's rich cultural heritage.

6. Historical Landmarks and Heritage Sites

Steeped in history, the Philippines is home to numerous historical landmarks and UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Tourists can explore the centuries-old Spanish-era churches in Vigan and Paoay, discover the ancient rice terraces of the Cordilleras, and learn about the country's colonial past at Intramuros in Manila.

7. Adventure Sports and Outdoor Activities

For adrenaline seekers, the Philippines offers an abundance of adventure sports and outdoor activities. From surfing the waves of Siargao and wakeboarding in CamSur to spelunking in Sagada's caves and zip-lining across lush forests, tourists can indulge in thrilling experiences amidst the country's stunning landscapes.

Conclusion

The Philippines, with its tropical charm, rich cultural heritage, and captivating natural wonders, stands as an irresistible destination for tourists seeking an unforgettable travel experience. Whether relaxing on pristine beaches, immersing in the country's warm hospitality, or exploring the diverse marine life underwater, the Philippines offers a cornucopia of experiences that cater to every traveler's desires. From breathtaking landscapes and vibrant festivals to heartwarming encounters with the locals, a journey to the Philippines promises a transformative experience that leaves tourists with lasting memories and a longing to return. Discover the beauty and magic of the Philippines, and be captivated by the allure of this tropical paradise that has enchanted travelers for generations.

Please support my work by upvoting this article, commenting below, and sharing it with your friends. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra sets next season with new conductor

 Kristofer Purnell - Philstar.com

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra (PPO) gears up for its 39th season under the leadership of a new music director and principal conductor Maestro Grzegorz Nowak.

Nowak previously worked with the PPO in the previous season in a concert held at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) Main Theater last October before the main building was closed for renovations.

In a press conference held last September 5, Novak said the musicians in the PPO responded well to his raising demands during their practices and sessions, something he found very encouraging.

"It's a big change and move, but the main thing is to build something to be recognized [globally] and we are on our way to achieve that," Nowak added.

Prior to joining the PPO, Nowak was the principal associate conductor of London's Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the music director of the Polish National Opera, and worked with other orchestras in Germany, Switzerland, the United States, and his native Poland.

For its 39th season bearing the theme "Switch," the PPO will move temporary homes from Manila's Metropolitan Theater to Makati's Samsung Performing Arts Theater while the CCP main building finishes rehabilitation.

All seven concerts will be at 7:30 p.m. with ticket prices ranging from P800 (Balcony 1) to P3,000 (Orchestra Center).

'Switch' rundown

The season begins with "Roman Carnival" on September 15 with Hecot Berlioz's overture of the same name, Edvard Grieg's "Piano Concerto, op.16, A minor," and Ottorino Respighi's "Pini di Roma (Pines of Rome)" featuring British pianist Mark Bebbington as a guest performer.

On October 13 will be "Italian Night" with Felix Mendelssohn's "Italian," Antonín Dvorák's "Cello Concerto," and selected Filipino composition, accompanied by guest Switzerland-based cellist Wen-Sinn Yang.

The third concert "Russian Masters" on November 17 is composed of Pyotr Ilich Tchaikovsky's "Eugene Onegin: Polonaise," Sergei Rachmaninoff's "Piano Concerto, no. 2, op.18, C minor," and selections of Serge Prokofiev's "Romeo & Juliet."

The PPO's holiday performance is "Ode to Joy" on December 8 with Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's "Piano Concerto no. 21, K 467, C major" and Ludwig van Beethoven's "Symphony no. 9, op.125, D minor" — the composer's famous work that adapted Friedrich Schiller's poem "Ode to Joy" — featuring the Philippines' own Raul Sunico on the piano.

The 39th season carries on into 2024 with "Fate" on January 12 consisting of Johannes Brahms' "Piano Concerto no. 1, op.15, D minor," Tchaikovsky's "Symphony no. 4, op.36, F minor," and one commissioned Filipino work, with pianist Jerome Rose as a guest soloist.

The penultimate "Piano Rapture" concert on February 9 will have Poland's Krystian Zimerman as a guest soloist to help perform Stanislaw Maniuszko's "The Fairy Tale Overture," Beethoven's "Piano Concerto no. 4, op.19, Bb major," and Rachmaninoff's "Symphony no. 2, op.27."

As a Valentine's treat, there will be special performances on February 14 and 16 where Zimmerman will be conducting, performing as a soloist, and be part of an ensemble.

Wrapping up PPO's 39th season is "Fete Francaise" with a performance of Gaetano Donizetti's "Don Pasquale." Since it will be a semi-stage opera, auditions for the stage roles will be held in January.

Philippines hailed Asia’s leading dive destination anew

Rosette Adel - Philstar.com

MANILA, Philippines — For the fifth consecutive year this 2023, the Philippines remains to be the leading dive destination in the region.

The World Travel Awards (WTA) awarded the Philippines the Asia’s Leading Dive Destination title at the preeminent WTA Asia & Oceania Gala Ceremony 2023 held at the GEM Center in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The trophy was personally received by Tourism Undersecretary Shahlimar Hofer Tamano.

The award was based on public votes and validation from the group’s panel of travel professional.

Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco said the recent victory “affirms the unparalleled beauty and megabiodiversity of our country loved by divers and tourists all over the world.”

“This is a testament to the Philippines' commitment to sustainable tourism development and our strengthened collaboration with tourism stakeholders. From our ridges to our reefs, you will never run out of reasons to Love the Philippines!” Frasco added.

The tourism chief, an advocate and diver, is promoting programs that elevate the dive industry.

Among those is the Department of Tourism’s creation of the Dive Committee that will align its dive product development and promotion thrusts with its attached agencies, the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Philippines, and the Philippine Commission for Sports Scuba Diving (PCSSD).

The tourism agency will also convene the country’s national dive stakeholders in the first-ever Philippine Dive Dialogue in Cebu next week to consolidate all the efforts of the national government, local governments and private sector partners.

It is also eying the installation of additional hyperbaric chambers that will improve scuba diving safety standards in strategic dive locations, such as Dumaguete and Daanbantayan in Cebu, by 2024. This will be led by its infrastructure arm, TIEZA.

The DOT likewise launched its own dive expo brand, the Philippine International Dive Expo (PHIDEX), the world's only dive show that combines a dive travel exchange, a business-to-business (B2B) meeting program, dive conferences and seminars, exhibition booths, and familiarization tours to key and emerging Philippine dive destinations. The fourth edition of PHIDEX is slated in February next year.

There are also regional dive-centric events hosted by the DOT which include the DOT Office of Product and Market Development - Dive Team’s Anilao Underwater Shootout in Batangas, the DIVE7 Festival series by the DOT Region VII office, the Davao Dive Expo by the DOT Region XI office, and the NorthMin Dive by the DOT Region X office —which opened on September 6, among others.

Lastly, the DOT has supported diving initiatives, assessments and expeditions, including the Cebu Travel Catalogue, the Bohol Loop Dive Expo (BHOLDEX), the 3rd MisOr Dive Festival, Samal Island Dive Seafari and Bay Deep Mati Freediving Festival, among many others.

WTA Asia & Oceania

Meanwhile, aside from bagging the leading dive destination title, Philippine private tourism stakeholders also won awards.

These stakeholders were recognized in the Asian and country category:

Okada Manila - Asia’s Leading Casino Resort

Discovery Shores Boracay - Philippines’ Leading Beach Resort 2023

Travelite Travel and Tours Co. - Philippines’ Leading Destination Management Company 2023

Seda Hotels - Philippines’ Leading Hotel Group 2023

Regional edition awardees, as well as runners-up and previous year’s winners, are qualified for the WTA’s World edition, which will have its grand awards night in Muscat, Oman in November 2023. 

WTA, established in 1993, is touted as “the ultimate hallmark of excellence" in the tourism and hospitality industries” globally.

LTO to extend driver’s licenses by one year

 

Romina Cabrera - The Philippine Star 

MANILA, Philippines — The Land Transportation Office (LTO) is set to extend the validity of driver’s licenses up to June 2024 as its plastic card supply deal faces a bump on the road.

LTO chief Vigor Mendoza said yesterday that the agency is set to release a memorandum granting an automatic one-year extension for driver’s licenses that expired in June 2023 “in anticipation of the worst-case scenario.”

The extension will be valid for one year or until lifted by the LTO once the license card situation normalizes.

The LTO is facing a legal battle over its P240-million plastic card contract after a losing bidder questioned the deal before a Quezon City court.

A Quezon City regional trial court issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) on the contract, wherein winning bidder Banner Plasticard Inc. was supposed to deliver a total of 5.2 million cards by Feb. 21 next year.

“Our supplier cannot move because of the TRO,” Mendoza said.

The TRO will expire today if the court does not issue a preliminary injunction against the deal, after which the supplier could deliver the plastic cards, he noted.

Mendoza said that that the LTO will inform law enforcers, including the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, of the extension order once it is issued.

Meanwhile, the LTO also vowed to review the enforcement of temporary operators’ permit or TOP.

He said he noted that policies regarding the TOP, which should be valid for 72 hours from apprehension, should be harmonized with Joint Administrative Order No. 2014-01, which provides for the revised schedule of fines and penalties.