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Friday, May 10, 2024
The STANDS - An INQUIRER Sports Newsletter
Filipinos make me feel very Filipina — Miss Universe 2023 Sheynnis Palacios
C. Mendez Legaspi - Philstar.com
May 10, 2024 | 8:25am
MANILA, Philippines — After her emotional motorcade at the Mall of Asia on Sunday, May 5, Miss Universe 202 Sheynnis Palacios was still feeling sentimental at the Sponsors’ Night of Mis Universe Philippines (MUPH) 2024, held in Manila Hotel on May 6.
Attended by the major organizers, sponsors and select media, the night was filled with gratitude, glamour and elegance.
In one segment, the MUPH 2024 candidates came sauntering down the Maynila Ballroom in Mags Nationwide casual wear, and in Filipiniana finery.
Reigning Miss Universe Philippines 202 Michelle Marquez Dee then joined the delegates.
Sheynnis, resplendent in a Mark Bumgarner terno, then joined the candidates to form a beautiful tableau.
As humble as she is beautiful, the first Miss Universe from her country expressed her deep appreciation for the Philippines:
“Thank you one more time. And I want to say thank you. Maraming Salamat po.
"And muchas gracias.
“It's very, very special to me. This visit is part of my Asia Tour.
"Because of you, the Philippines people, make me feel very, very Filipina. Thank you for that.
“Thank you for everything for the most beautiful welcoming and homecoming that I have received.
"It's amazing to me. Well, I cried a lot because you make me feel like my home. Thank you.
“Thank you in the name of Miss Universe Organization. Thank you in the name of the Miss Universe Philippines. And thank you in the name of the more than six million Nicaraguenses, Nicaraguan people, in my home.
“And I always say that, As your Miss Universe, it's a pleasure to me. To bring the sash, to bring the crown.
“Because it means more than brain, responsibility, love, patience, and a great job. So thank you to make this journey the most amazing job that I have.
“And the most incredible experience that I live in my life. Gracias, Philippines. I love you.
"Thank you!”
Happiness is ma’s cooking
An homage to the extraordinary women of the kitchen and our lives
With Mother’s Day just around the corner, it’s important to pause and reflect on the significance of our matriarchs who have been feeding us since the day we were born. We celebrate our mom’s role in shaping us not just through food, but through values like generosity and resilience, passed down with every meal shared.
In honoring mothers, we pay tribute to the guardians of tradition, the architects of comfort, and the unsung heroes of the kitchen. Let us raise our glasses, not just in indulgence, but in gratitude for the remarkable women who flavor our lives with boundless love and endless inspiration.
We’ve reached out to renowned chefs and celebrated food authors to uncover the dishes that hold a special place in their hearts—ones lovingly made by their mothers. These epicurean icons tell us that behind every great recipe lies a story of maternal love, tradition, and the enduring bond between parent and child.
I was raised by my maternal grandparents. My grandmother and her husband inspired us to try and cook well… or know where to order from.
Grandmother’s food was dear to me, gifting me with a litany of culinary memories.
Brigida Yulo Garcia baked bread buns, not pan de sal. Her recipe disappeared. Then one morning at breakfast before a writers’ conference in Guadalajara, Mexico, at the Holiday Inn, it was as if Lola had given me her bread again… Straight from the oven, soft, ready for pats of butter that would immediately melt and dribble down my hands and wrist. While the buns were still on the pan, I’d attempt to touch one. And then, with cautious anticipation, I’d break one open, marveling at the billowing steam as I spread the butter within. In that moment, I found childhood bliss and gratitude, knowing that someone cared for me deeply by baking me fresh bread. —Felice Prudente Sta. Maria, author, heritage advocate, and culinary historian .
An unforgettable dish my mother makes would be her roast pork marinated in pineapple and served with apple chutney, garlic mashed potatoes, and gravy. Our Sunday lunches are never complete without it and without her making me taste the marinade before popping it in the oven. It is always fun watching her make it. One of the most memorable dishes that my mom has ever cooked for me is this seafood pasta composed of a lot of local seafood. It was studded with the bounty of the sea, from scallops and seared tuna to mussels and even a perfectly shucked oyster.
To me, this is truly unforgettable as it is one of the dishes that lead me to cooking. It just feels very nostalgic now, especially since we’re so focused on seafood in the restaurant. It feels like it went full circle from learning to cook this seafood to now trying to showcase the bounty of our waters here in the Philippines. —Don Baldosano, Linamnam chef
It’s a somehow gumboish-gooey (thanks to the okra) vegetable stew tinged with guinamos, usually with squash, string beans, okra, dried and fresh shrimp (optional), tomatoes, eggplant, alugbati, and amaranth leaves.
At first glance, it didn’t look appealing to me at all, just a hodgepodge of veggies in a gooey stock! But upon tasting it, I immediately fell in love with this dish so much so that I would have it as the main event, with a side of rice and usually fried or grilled fish. —Aaron Isip, Kasa Palma chef
I come from a line of family that loves to cook and get together over good food. Sunday family lunches are our thing. Back when she still could, my mom usually prepared an array of dishes, which I have included in my cookbooks to give tribute to her. But the one item she has become quite known for not just to the family but also to friends and relatives is her leche flan.
It’s something she gets asked to bring in reunions or what my brothers would ask her to do as a gift for someone they were courting. I love it because her version incorporates dayap (Philippine native lime) rind, which cuts through the richness of the dessert. —Angelo Comsti, food journalist and author of multiple cookbooks
specialty of Betina Kahn Legarda; and mommy Betina with daughter Tina (right)
I have this very vivid memory of going home devastated after losing our football semifinals. I missed a very important penalty shot. My mom gave me a long hug by the door and proceeded to serve me her cocido.
I guess it was that moment when I gradually discovered the healing power of food. I think it is the “uncomplicatedness” of the whole meal that makes me love the bowl of boiled meat, chicken, and lots of different vegetables in this piping hot broth that you get to enjoy with condiments like eggplant puree, tomato concasse, and cups of rice!
I feel like my mom and her cocido have truly seen me at my best and worst days. It’s a meal that I grew up running to for comfort all my life. And for this I am grateful. —Tina Legarda, Bamba Bistro chef
Among my most cherished memories is cooking patola ginisa with hipon and misua (sautéed silk squash with shrimp and wheat vermicelli noodles) with my mom.
As a kid, I had a small garden where I grew my favorite veggies, including ampalaya (bitter melon), patani (lima beans), kangkong (water spinach), kamatis (tomato), and patola (silk squash).
Patola was a good crop for kids. It grew fast and bore fruits ready to harvest in just a few weeks. Nanay’s patola with misua was rich with pork broth and the juices from shrimp heads and shells extracted by pounding them in a stone mortar-and-pestle.
The sliced patola and broken misua should be added last, the pot covered, and the heat turned off.
Nobody cooks patola like my Nanay did. —Sol Vanzi, Timpla’t Tikim author
To be perfectly honest, my mom was never much of a cook. When we were kids, she was very hands-on with us, always busy running businesses with my dad, so she left the daily cooking to the kusineras—back then my Lola (her mother-in-law) made sure we always had to keep her son (my dad) well-fed.
My mom did prepare two things well—sandwiches and her famous lasagna. In fact, when I was pregnant I had pretty bad nausea and certain smells made me gag. Her lasagna, though, I could more than tolerate and so I asked her to make me a tray that I can just slice up and heat. I happily ate her lasagna—nothing else—for an entire week. Now that she’s older it’s harder to convince her to cook lasagna for us, so we just try to copy her recipe which I feel she tweaked here and there because we could never get it exactly the same. But, I also kind of like that my mom’s lasagna will always be unique to her. —Jaclyn Clemente-Kope, Tatler Dining author
Filipinas fall to North Korea in AFC Asian Cup
AT A GLANCE
Philippine women’s U17 couldn’t follow up its brilliant victory opener against Indonesia as it suffered a 6-0 loss at the hands of North Korea in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup on Thursday, May 9, at the Bali United Training Center, Gianyar.
Philippine women’s U17 couldn’t follow up its brilliant victory opener against Indonesia as it suffered a 6-0 loss at the hands of North Korea in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup on Thursday, May 9, at the Bali United Training Center, Gianyar.
The younger Filipinas side remained in the second spot of Group A, only this time with a -1 goal difference (GD) and three points off its dominant 6-1 win against tournament host Indonesia earlier this week.
Meanwhile, the top seed North Koreans surged to a +13 GD following back-to-back clean sheets in their group fixtures for six points.
With one game apiece, Indonesia and South Korea settled for the third and fourth spots as they tackle each other later in the same day at 7 p.m.
Jon Il-chong not only opened the scoring for North Korea in the 17th minute but also delivered a brace 10 minutes later to seize control early into the game. By halftime, the Philippines was not only scoreless but trailing big by four.
Still, the Filipinas couldn’t find their breakthrough in the last half, with North Korea’s Son Jo-ye closing the onslaught with a final goal in extra time to give their side complete control of the group table.
In their dominant opening win, captain Alexa Pino and forward Nat Collins posted braces each, which are now coming in handy to keep the Philippines’ chances of advancing to the second round alive.
Should the Philippines endure the tough climb, a spot to the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup berth awaits them as the ultimate reward.
Creamline overpowers Choco Mucho, inches closer to PVL AFC title
AT A GLANCE
Creamline relied on its wide championship experience as it outhustled sister team Choco Mucho, 24-26, 25-20, 25-21, 25-16, to take Game 1 of their Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference best-of-three finals series at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Thursday night, May 9.
Creamline relied on its wide championship experience as it outhustled sister team Choco Mucho, 24-26, 25-20, 25-21, 25-16, to take Game 1 of their Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference best-of-three finals series at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Thursday night, May 9.
Playing in their 11th finals appearance, the Cool Smashers displayed their composure despite trailing for a number of times in the two-hour contest to move one win away from retaining the title.
Jema Galanza torched the net by unleashing powerful spikes on all angles to finish with 20 points including 18 kills while Tots Carlos was equally unstoppable at the attack line and erupted for 17 points.
Galanza attributed to their never-say-die attitude in this game, which also served as a rematch of last conference’s finals where Creamline needed a deciding Game 3 to snare the crown.
“Ayoko lang na matapos yung game na to na hindi kami nananalo,” said Galanza, who also contributed two blocks.
“Nakikita ko kasi sa teammates ko na lumalaban sila. Sino pa ba ako para sumuko? Kaya nilaban talaga namin to,” she added.
Choco Mucho came through with strong starts in all sets but Creamline, somehow, found ways to shackle the Flying Titans resolve particularly in the pivotal fourth frame where the Cool Smashers rallied from a 12-9 deficit to 14-all. From there, Galanza and company sizzled with powerful smashes that rattled Choco Mucho’s defense as Creamline went on to unleash a 7-0 run that set the tone for the remainder of the match.
The Cool Smashers also banked on their formidable lineup with Bea De Leon coming off the bench in the second set and finishing with 11 points, and Michele Gumabao and Bernadeth Pons conspiring for 17 points.
Skipper Alyssa Valdez only played in the first three sets, but contributed with nine points.
Creamline’s all-around effort overshadowed the impressive performance of Sisi Rondina, who exploded anew with 27 points, as well as Royse Tubino, who pumped in 15 points for Choco Mucho.
The Cool Smashers, who were seeded fourth in the semifinals before earning a finals berth, try to close out the series in Game 2 on Sunday, May 12, at the same venue.
Gasoline price rollback comfortably hovering above P2/liter
AT A GLANCE
Based on the result of four-day trading in the regional market, the calculated price cut for gasoline had gone heftier at a comfortable level of P2.05 to P2.45 per liter; while diesel prices will soften by P0.55 to P0.95 per liter; and kerosene could be pared by P0.65 to P1.05 per liter.
Consumers who are filling up their vehicles with gasoline products will be the happiest in their drive to the petroleum pumps next week, as the price of this commodity is projected to have a rollback of more than P2.00 per liter.
Based on the result of four-day trading in the regional market, the calculated price cut for gasoline had gone heftier at a comfortable level of P2.05 to P2.45 per liter; while there was slight decline in anticipated price reduction for diesel and kerosene products.
For diesel, in particular, this is seen softening by P0.55 to P0.95 per liter; while kerosene could be pared by P0.65 to P1.05 per liter.
Of the three commodities, it had been diesel and kerosene that had gone more volatile as of Thursday (May 9) trading, hence, the price rollback shaping up had gone leaner by roughly P0.20 per liter.
If reckoned mainly on the Mean of Platts Singapore (MOPS) index, the calculated price adjustments as of Thursday had been P2.477 per liter for gasoline; P0.865 per liter for diesel; and P0.974 per liter for kerosene.
The actual price adjustments could still change by Friday (May 10) trading, although industry players have indicated that the rollback trajectory may no longer be reversed.
As gleaned from the monitoring report of the Department of Energy (DOE), cost movements since the start of the year still posted aggregate increases of P9.25 per liter for gasoline and P4.70 per liter for diesel; while kerosene already logged net decline of P0.80 per liter. International benchmark Brent crude was steadily tamed at $83 per barrel level in the initial trading days, but as of Thursday, it started its leap beyond $84 per barrel; then it was down again to $83 per barrel by Friday.
According to market watchers, the fresh wave of escalation in prices in the world market had been generally attributed to new reports of reduction in US crude stockpile, which is a reverse from last week’s estimated buildup.
With that latest market development, industry experts noted that the resulting cut in prices may still track slightly down by end-week trading on Friday; which will then be the basis of adjustments at the pumps next week.
For Filipino consumers, the downtrend in oil prices will temporarily alleviate worries on soaring energy bills, especially so since the reverse is seen happening with its cousin in the power sector.
Wednesday, May 8, 2024
Entalula earned the distinction of being 4th Best Beach in the World by 50 Best Beaches
Entalula earned the distinction of being 4th Best Beach in the World by 50 Best Beaches website.
3 big energy players ink ‘VIP’ pact; green group cynical
Philippine Daily Inquirer / 05:35 AM May 08, 2024
HANDS OFF THIS HOT SPOT Home to thousands of marine animal and plant species, the Verde Island Passage has been the subject of Church-backed conservation campaigns for years. PROTECT VIP
MANILA, Philippines — Three of the country’s largest conglomerates have sealed a five-year partnership with the government to protect the Verde Island Passage (VIP), considered the “center of the center” of the world’s marine shore fish biodiversity.
On Tuesday, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Department of Energy signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Ramon Ang, chair and CEO of San Miguel Corp. (SMC); Manuel Pangilinan, chair, president and CEO of Metro Pacific Investments Corp.; and Sabin Aboitiz, president and CEO of Aboitiz Equity Ventures Inc.
The nonbinding accord took effect also on Tuesday and may be extended. A technical working group will be convened within 30 days to flesh out the partnership, identify the function of each party, and secure the funding needed for its goals.
The VIP is a 1.14-million hectare marine ecosystem located off the coastlines of Batangas, Romblon, Marinduque, Occidental Mindoro and Oriental Mindoro provinces. It separates Mindoro island from Luzon.
As one of the country’s richest fishing grounds, it hosts more than 1,700 marine species, including 60 percent of the world’s shore fish species, and 300 coral species as well as seagrass and mangroves.
More than two million people from five provinces draw their livelihood from the VIP, which is also a busy shipping corridor.
Ang said “preserving our marine resources is crucial not just for today but for future generations.”
“We must make sure that — in our quest to provide clean, reliable, and affordable energy to our people — we also pay attention to safeguarding the environment and the communities we serve,” Pangilinan said.
For his part, Aboitiz said, “It has always been our goal to help safeguard our environment and uplift the welfare of the communities, in this case the people who are dependent on the Verde Island Passage for their livelihood.”
Among its objectives, the agreement hopes to see the setup of a marine science biological research station with facilities in VIP and across the five surrounding provinces, in partnership with institutions like the University of the Philippines, De La Salle University and the California Academy of Sciences.
The MOU also calls for close coordination and engagement with communities to give them a platform for their concerns.
The partnership will also help the country meet the long-term targets of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, which is the key outcome of the 15th Conference of Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity, said Environment Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga.
The MOU came at a time when the three companies had forged a $3.3-billion deal to develop the country’s “first and most expansive” integrated liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility in Batangas province.
Welcomed with cynicism
The environmental advocacy group that had long been campaigning to keep the VIP free from the adverse effects of commerce and industry welcomed Tuesday’s agreement with a tinge of cynicism.
“There is no reason not to welcome efforts seeking to preserve the Verde Island Passage, which supports millions of Filipinos with their sustenance and livelihood,” Protect VIP said in a statement on Tuesday.
But the group said it could not help but “raise questions over the sincerity of the agreement” between the DENR and the three companies who signed up, “considering their fossil gas business is one of the worst risks confronting the VIP today.”
“By building more fossil gas power plants in the VIP, it is exposing the marine corridor and adjacent communities to pollution, biodiversity and livelihood disruption, and exacerbated effects of the climate crisis,” said Gerry Arances, executive durector of sustainability think tank Center for Energy, Ecology, and Development, a coconvener of Protect VIP.
The group noted that “five of the six existing fossil gas facilities, four of the seven proposed LNG terminals, and nine of the 39 gas power plants proposed in the Philippines are located in Batangas.”Verde Island Passage
It also brought up the $3.3-billion Batangas LNG project recently unveiled by the three energy players.
“If SMC, AEV and MPIC are genuine in their joint stewardship, building a multibillion-dollar gas project that would only bring harm to the VIP shouldn’t push through in the first place,” Arances said.
Assurance from DOE
The three conglomerates, he said, “can show their sincerity in protecting the VIP by stopping their fossil gas expansion plans, prioritizing instead the development of clean energy from renewables, and helping contribute to building the resilience of marine and coastal biodiversity and communities.”
Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla sought to address concerns over the impact of the development of LNG facilities on the Verde Island Passage, saying that in contrast to an oil or coal spill, “LNG is in fact much safer because the liquefied form evaporates and does not affect the marine environment.”
In March last year, the MT Princess Empress oil tanker sank and spilled industrial fuel oil that leached into the marine ecosystems of nearby provinces, including VIP, the marine corridor separating the islands of Luzon and Mindoro.
In December 2023, environmental groups asked the Court of Appeals to compel the DENR to designate the VIP a “nonattainment area” to stop further pollution in the world’s “center of the center of marine shore fish biodiversity.”
In 2023, the VIP was named a “Hope Spot” by international marine conservation nonprofit organization Mission Blue, which said the strait was recognized globally as critical to the health of the ocean.
Cayetano bats for comprehensive anti-discrimination law
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PRESS RELEASE
May 8, 2024
Cayetano bats for comprehensive anti-discrimination law
For Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, the problem of discrimination in the country will not be solved unless the people acknowledge that it exists.
“Ang dami-daming nakakaranas ng discrimination, not necessarily just because of one reason, but because they’re different,” Cayetano said ahead of the public hearing on Wednesday, May 8, of various bills pertaining to the Comprehensive Anti-Discrimination Act.
"I think everyone in the Senate is against any form of discrimination,” he added.
The pending measures will be deliberated jointly by the Senate Committee on Committee on Social Justice, Welfare and Rural Development, the Committee on Cultural Communities with Muslim Affairs, and the Committee on Finance.
The bills seek to penalize acts of discrimination on a wide array of grounds, including age, race, religion, political affiliation, gender, relationship status, and physical appearance.
The bills also seek to provide robust protection against all manifestations of prejudice and bias.
Cayetano said aside from acknowledging the existence of discrimination, there is also a need for a good communication strategy to combat it on all fronts.
“Even if culturally we are developing, kulang tayo sa communication and sa comprehensive anti-discrimination law,” he said.
Citing a case that he and his sister, Senator Pia Cayetano, discussed on their public service show Cayetano in Action with Boy Abunda, he highlighted how the lack of law allows the pervasiveness of unjust treatment of people.
“Wala kasi tayong general law on anti-discrimination unlike kapag violence against women and children or any kind of abuse, may general law. In this case kasi per situation,” the senator said during the show, which tackled a case of a plus-size commuter who was constantly jeered at while riding public utility vehicles.
This is not the first time Cayetano has spoken about discrimination at the Senate. During the deliberations for the 2024 national budget, he called for its comprehensive discussion at the committee level.
“This deserves more discussion. We must ensure all perspectives regarding discrimination are heard,” he said during the plenary debates for the 2024 budget in November 2023.
The independent senator has also stressed the need for careful consideration and dialogue, particularly on contentious grounds such as those related to sex, gender, and religion.