German business sentiment on PH economy improves

 BY BERNIE CAHILES-MAGKILAT

May 13, 2024 05:38 PM

  

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Despite key risks, German firms operating in the country are more bullish on their outlook of the local economy in the next 12 months, with both investment and employment figures showing optimism, according the latest survey conducted by the German–Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GPCCI – AHK Philippinen).

The Spring 2024 AHK World Business Outlook Survey released Monday, May 13, by the GPCCI also identified key risks that could impact future economic growth, which include economic policy conditions, high energy prices, and challenges related to supply chain disruptions and infrastructure. 

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The Spring 2024 survey reports that half (50%) of the German-Philippine businesses are still optimistic in their business situation. The same trend is reported on company expectations, which showed positive results, with a majority (61%) of the responding firms forecasting confidence in business development for the next 12 months. Notably, the local economic projections in the next 12 months significantly increased by 17 points at 55 percent. Investments and employment also followed this trend with increased projections at 44 percent and 61 percent, respectively (from 39% and 54% in Fall 2023).

“It's encouraging to see such confidence from businesses involved in German-Philippine relations, forecasting a bullish local economy. This optimism surely points to a thriving environment in the Philippines for both investment and job creation over the next 12 months," said GPCCI President Marie Antoniette Mariano. 

The GPCCI statement attributed the optimism to the series of events in the first quarter of 2024 that have evidently bolstered bilateral relations between the Philippines and Germany. These events include German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock's visit in January, President Marcos' subsequent visit to Germany in early March, and the convening the 2nd Joint Economic Commission in mid-March. 

In terms of top risks for German businesses, the survey showed that economic policy conditions topped the list due to complex regulations, frequent policy changes, and extensive bureaucracy creating an unpredictable environment. High energy prices also pose a significant concern, impacting profit margins and operational costs, particularly for energy-intensive sectors like manufacturing. 

Additionally, challenges such as supply chain disruptions and infrastructure are tied for third, with both factors contributing to operational inefficiencies.

“To capitalize on the current economic optimism, it's imperative that the Philippine government work closely with businesses to resolve these identified challenges,” said GPCCI Board Director and Policy and Advocacy Chairperson Dr. Marian Norbert Majer.

“Addressing these issues can help create a more predictable and favorable business environment and ensure that this bullish momentum translates into substantial outcomes that will help the Philippines attain its sustained economic growth,” Majer added.

GPCCI also said that survey respondents have taken proactive steps towards enhancing the resilience of their business operations. As part of their diversification strategies, they have reported expanding their supplier networks and exploring new sales markets to mitigate the risks of future disruptions. 

Efforts at diversification are likewise facing challenges with increased legal and regulatory issues ranked as their top concern, followed by difficulties in finding suitable suppliers or business partners, and the high costs associated with expanding business operations.

Notably, more than half (55%) of respondents said they are only averagely prepared to handle international crises and geopolitical risks. GPCCI pointed to a moderate level of resilience among the survey respondents with only 34 percent consider their readiness as good. “Our network continuously assesses the resilience of German companies' supply chains at their international locations, aiming to significantly mitigate the risk of future disruptions, such as transport interruptions or the sudden loss of production facilities.” said GPCCI Executive Director Christopher Zimmer. “We see that our respondents in the Philippines are actively enhancing the resilience of their operations by expanding supplier networks and venturing into new markets.”

Almost 70 companies related to German-Philippines business relations participated in the spring edition survey coming from the services (59%), trade (14%), and the manufacturing or construction sectors (27%). 58% of the respondents have less than 100 employees, 25% have 100 to 1,000 employees, and 17% have more than 1,000 employees. In terms of company type, 48% of the respondents are local companies without a branch in Germany, 28% are subsidiary/branch/representations of a German company, 9% are international companies without a branch in Germany, 8% are international companies with a branch in Germany, and 6% are local companies with a branch in Germany.

GPCCI / AHK Philippinen belongs to the international network of German Chambers of Commerce Abroad (AHKs) which is represented by 150 offices in 93 countries.

Creamline cherishes toughest journey to eighth PVL title

BY KRISTEL SATUMBAGA-VILLAR

  

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AT A GLANCE

• But hoisting the Premier Volleyball League trophy for the eighth time before a jubilant crowd at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on a late Sunday night hit differently as far as skipper Alyssa Valdez was concerned.

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The scene was all too familiar for the Creamline Cool Smashers: shrieks and cheers erupt as they nailed that winning point, followed by a shower of confetti raining down on them to celebrate their latest conquest.

Creamline celebrates its latest title victory in the Premier Volleyball League.

But hoisting the Premier Volleyball League trophy for the eighth time before a jubilant crowd at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on a late Sunday night hit differently for skipper Alyssa Valdez.

“This was probably the most difficult and challenging conference for all of us, probably because we were really trying to figure out kung nasaan na kami at this point in our lives and our career, and kung ano pa yung kaya pa naming i-improve as a team,” said Valdez moments after they captured this year’s All-Filipino Conference crown at the expense of sister team Choco Mucho through a sweep of their best-of-three finals series. 

Statistically, it was true. Unlike in the previous conference where they cruised to a 15-0 sweep of the title, Creamline had to thread through the eye of the needle this time to get to where they are now.

They were actually on the brink of elimination before scoring important wins to clinch the fourth seeding in the semifinals. They lost to Choco Mucho in five sets at the start of the round-robin semis before crawling their way up with victories over Chery Tiggo and Petro Gazz to book a finals berth.

Then came the championship.

Faced against the very same rival they beat last conference, the Cool Smashers had to muster all their might to retain their crown -- first, with a tough 24-26, 25-20, 25-21, 25-16 victory in Game 1 before following it up with a pulsating 20-25, 25-20, 22-25, 25-22, 15-11 Game 2 triumph. 

Valdez said they’d take any kind of victory, stressing that the lessons they learned on their journey were more important.

“This win, this conference, just proved that we stick and stay together despite everything,” she said. “It showed our faith and hope, na kakapit kami hanggang dulo.”

“One thing na na-prove ng challenges namin this conference is yung pagtutulungan namin hanggang dulo. Everyone helped. Lahat hindi bumitaw,” she added.

Their teamwork and cohesion were evident in the finals, particularly in Game 2 of their series. Faced with Choco Mucho’s formidable frontline in Sisi Rondina, Maddie Madayag, Deanna Wong, Isa Molde and Royse Tubino, Creamline coach Sherwin Meneses sought reinforcements from their deep bench anchored on Bernadeth Pons, Michele Gumabao and Bea De Leon to douse the fire of their opponents.

“Ako naman ready ako anytime na gamitin ako ni coach,” said Pons, who delivered in crucial moments and went on to finish with 17 points.

“Samin kasi kapag may nawawala, may mag-ii-step-up. Yun yung sobrang ganda sa team namin. Lahat nagko-contribute, kaya nakuha namin tong panalo na to,” she added. 

Adding another trophy to their growing collection just solidified Creamline’s reign in the league, but don’t expect them to slow down.

“Dadagdagan pa namin ng nine, ten, eleven (titles), forever and ever!” Finals MVP Jema Galanza quipped.

“Pero seryoso, lahat naman kami may pinaghuhugutan sa panalong to, pero magpu-push pa kami lalo kasi ganito namin kamahal yung volleyball,” she added.

49°C heat index felt in Aparri, Cagayan on May 12

BY RHOWEN DEL ROSARIO

  

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The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on Sunday, May 12, reported that Aparri, Cagayan experienced a heat index of 49 degrees Celsius (°C).

PAGASA

This heat index exceeded the forecast of PAGASA, which expected 46°C in its report on May 11.

READ: 

https://mb.com.ph/2024/5/11/31-areas-may-have-dangerous-heat-indices-on-may-12 

Meanwhile, PAGASA said that a heat index of 47°C was felt in Roxas City, Capiz and 46°C in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte and Dagupan City, Pangasinan.

It was followed by a heat index of 45°C in Tuguegarao City, Cagayan; Iloilo City, Iloilo; and Guiuan, Eastern Samar

It also said a heat index of 44°C was recorded in Science Garden Quezon City, Metro Manila; Bacnotan, La Union; Baler (Radar), Aurora; San Jose, Occidental Mindoro; Cuyo, Palawan; Virac (Synop), Catanduanes; Catarman, Northern Samar; Zamboanga City, Zamboanga Del Sur; and Butuan City, Agusan Del Norte. 

A heat index of 43°C was felt in Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Pasay City, Metro Manila; ISU Echague, Isabela; Iba, Zambales; Ambulong, Tanauan Batangas; Puerto Princesa City, Palawan; Aborlan, Palawan; Masbate City, Masbate; Dumangas, Iloilo; Catbalogan, Samar; and Dipolog, Zamboanga Del Norte.

PAGASA

In MMSU, Batac, Ilocos Norte; Cubi Pt., Subic Bay Olongapo City; Tayabas City, Quezon; Daet, Camarines Norte; Juban, Sorsogon; CBSUA-Pili, Camarines Sur; and Siquijor, Siquijor a heat index of 42°C was felt.

PAGASA said 33 areas experienced a "dangerous" heat index.

With this heat index effect classification, there is a possibility of heat cramps and heat exhaustion likely to occur, while heat stroke becomes probable with continued exposure.

Crossovers survive Angels, keep bronze-medal bid alive

BY KRISTEL SATUMBAGA-VILLAR

May 12, 2024 07:27 PM

  

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AT A GLANCE

• Chery Tiggo crawled back from a two-set deficit as it survived a fiesty Petro Gazz side, 16-25, 11-25, 25-13, 25-22, 18-16, to keep its bronze-medal bid alive in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Sunday, May 12.

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Chery Tiggo crawled back from a two-set deficit as it survived a fiesty Petro Gazz side, 16-25, 11-25, 25-13, 25-22, 18-16, to keep its bronze-medal bid alive in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Sunday, May 12.

Eya Laure leads Chery Tiggo with 26 points.

Given up for the dead after the Angels cruised to a quick two-set lead, Crossovers coach Kungfu Reyes shuffled his lineup to challenge Petro Gazz’s frontline in the third frame that set the tone in the succeeding sets before keeping their composure in the pivotal fifth set.

Setter Jasmine Nabor surprised their rivals with back-to-back attacks to steer Chery Tiggo at match point, 16-15, before a down-the-line spike from Brooke Van Sickle kept Petro Gazz alive at 16-all. 

Refusing to give up, Eya Laure stepped up into the occasion by draining the last two kills to tie their best-of-three series at 1.

“Sobrang hungry kaming magbigay ng podium finish sa Chery Tiggo kaya hanggang sa dulo, pinagtatrabahuhan talaga namin,” said Laure, who exploded for 26 points including 24 attacks.

The Crossovers, who lost in Game 1, 22-25, 25-12, 25-18, 27-29, 15-12, also drew strength from Mylene Paat, who poured in 15 points, while Shaya Adorador started in the third set and wound up with 10 points.

While banking on their offense, Chery Tiggo also relied on its net defense particularly in the fourth set where it managed seven of the team’s 17 blocks. 

Six of those total blocks from the Crossovers came from Seth Rodriguez, who only saw action starting in the third frame.

Chery Tiggo hoped that Choco Mucho would win Game 2 of its finals series against Creamline being played at press time in order to arrange a rubber match.

A Creamline sweep of the finals, however, would give Petro Gazz the bronze medal by virtue of a superior points ratio.

We are never alone

By Fr. Roy Cimagala

Chaplain

Center for Industrial Technology and Enterprise (CITE)

Talamban, Cebu City

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com

“BEHOLD, the hour cometh, and it is now come, that you shall be scattered every man to his own, and shall leave me alone; and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.” (Jn 16,32)

These words of Christ should remind us of what to expect when we truly follow him. We can expect to be misunderstood and abandoned, and yet we should never feel alone because, as Christ said of himself which can also be said of us if we follow him, we can never be alone, because the Father will always be with us.

We just have to train our human faculties—our intelligence and will, our emotions, memory and imagination, etc.—to align ourselves to this truth of our faith. Let’s remember that we are not meant to be guided only by our natural powers. Given the way God wants us to be, we should be guided by God’s supernatural powers—the faith he shares with us, and the many graces and blessings he gives us.

When we feel alone, we have to convince ourselves that we are not with God, and thus, should correct this anomaly that once was articulated by St. Augustine—that God is always with us but our problem is that we often are not with him. Thus, we can feel alone.

But, indeed, we are never alone. Even in our most solitary moments, we have no reason to feel alone. That’s simply because God is always with us, is always intervening in our life, is always pouring out his love and graces to us. 

And if we make the necessary effort, we will also realize that not only is God with us, but that with God we also are with everybody and everything else. We are actually and objectively in a state of communion with God and with everybody else. With our intelligence and will, plus God’s grace, we are wired for this. To feel alone is actually an anomaly and a magnet for all sorts of temptations and dangers to come and hound us.

Not even death nor distance can and should separate us from others, much less, from God. We should be able to echo St. Paul’s words in this regard with conviction: “Neither death nor life, neither angels nor principalities, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord…” (Rom 8,38-39)

Let’s never forget that it is only when we are in the company of God and of everybody else, regarding them in the way that our faith teaches us, that we can manage to be on the right path to our eternal destination. Temptations and sin can come only when we dare to be and to feel alone.

This reminder is timely especially for those who travel alone and find themselves in new, unfamiliar places, and who do not know the people of the locality. On occasions like this, we should make it a point to make extra effort to realize that we are never alone. 

Otherwise, we become easy prey to temptations and falling into sin would just be a moment or some steps away. Let’s remember that it is on these occasions that the devil pulls his most devious tricks. 

He can whisper that since anyway no one knows us here, we can do anything we like. He can induce us to give in to what our wounded flesh likes to do. He can easily lead us to act out our fantasies and our dormant immoral desires.

Why paper still matters in a digital age

 

 Are you bombarded with messages that paper is a dying medium and you need to go completely digital?  Do you wonder why you should continue to invest in paper returns, reports, and portfolios?  Why would you invest in a luxury presentation folder for your clients?  Isn’t this the end of paper?

Quite emphatically, the answer is no.  If you want to make a long lasting impression in the hearts and minds of your clients, you need to do it in a tangible, physical medium that can be seen, felt and remembered.  Yes, of course you need to supply your clients with tax returns and financial reports digitally – that’s a no brainer – but multiple studies have linked printed materials to better retention of information compared to digital media.

Paper still matters, as I could learn several years from then fellow Philippine Daily Inquirer staff writer Phyllis Korkki. Yes, paper still matters. The frequent whirring of printers in offices – despite the Internet, Microsoft Word, social media (I love Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter), scanners, smart phones applications and many much more – attest to that.

I am very old fashioned in many things. I was still typing on an old manual typewriter, when my colleagues in different publishing houses already used electric units. I loved my antique typewriter. I love it till today. Yes, it’s still here in my office in Davao City. I can’t use it anymore, because no more ribbons are available in the Philippines. It’s okay. My electric typewriter is also here. Just beside the manual unit. Those were the days, my love… .

It has been sometimes at the end of the 1990’s. I worked as coordinating editor in an international publishing house in Berlin with branches in Amsterdam and New York. I still used one of those wonderful electric typewriters – and tried to avoid a personal computer. Already during that time I needed to hold paper in my hands. Paper, says the productivity expert David Allen, is “in your face”. I strongly agree with David. He said, “Its physical presence can be a goal to completing tasks, whereas computer files can easily be hidden and thus forgotten. I am also returning to paper planners for this very reason. Please, don’t smile at me, my dear readers!

David Allen, the author of “Getting Things Done”, does much of his writing on a computer. So I do meanwhile. But, there are still times when writing with a fountain pen on a notepad. It allows “us” to get “our” heads in the right place. When I tried to learn more from David Allen, I really got surprised, that we have many things in common. Old fashioned or not? I don’t care. Here are some facts:

Paper print outs serve an important function. For long texts, a print out can allow a reader to better understand relationships between sections and writings. Paper handouts are still a presence at meetings partly because they are useful for taking notes. Reading a long document on paper rather than on a computer screen helps people “better understand the geography of the argument contained within, “said Richard H.R. Harper, a principal researcher for Microsoft in Cambridge/England and co-author with Abigail J. Sellen of “The Myth of the Paperless Office,” published already in 2001.

I also strongly agree with Sellen, saying that using more than one computer screen can be helpful for all this cognitive juggling. But when workers are going back and forth between points in a longer document, it can be more efficient to read on paper. 

How about “e-reading a book”? A novel, a drama, whatever? What do you prefer, my dear reader? You wanna know my opinion? I am sure, you can imagine. Yes guys, I still need a book in my hands for my leisure reading. I need to feel the book as well as I need to smell a fresh-printed newspaper. Environment savers might start yelling at me now, though I am one of them. So, where is the edge and borderline?

Paper can be indeed a luscious and beautiful thing – the way we savor fine food and wine, as Steve Leveen, co-founder and CEO of Levenger, said. People complain that writing by hand is slow (yes, I am really!), BUT that can be good for thinking and creating! Here we are again!

So while digital media is an inherent part of doing business now, and allows businesses greater reach, printed materials are in some cases more effective at enticing prospects to take action, enhancing recall of a brand, or conveying the idea of value.

Yes, it matters still: in defense of the power of paper! What do you think, my dear readers, while holding this newspaper right now in your hands? Or you might read us online … .

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Email: doringklaus@gmail.com or follow me on Facebook, Linkedin or Twitter or visit  www.germanexpatinthephilippines.blogspot.com or www.klausdoringsclassicalmusic.blogspot.com.

AN AWESOME IDEA

This is an awesome idea! Or is it? How many times have you been there? You’ve got it down. You know exactly what you want to do. All the details are worked out and you’re ready to go.

And then, it hits!

You start to question yourself. How do you know it’s a great idea? 

The first characteristic of a great idea is that it needs to be desirable, feasible, and viable. Ideas need to spark something in the person hearing about them, namely a sense of new possibilities. Is the proposed idea something that people would want?

Carlos Mendes, Co-Founder at InnovationCast - Innovation Management Software, explained it last September 2023: 

"Ideas are a starting point in the innovation process. They are the place from which you begin an innovation journey that has the potential to create impactful opportunities that produce value. Given their role, the quality of an idea is crucial to determining whether you have a good or bad outcome in innovation. But idea development is iterative and incremental. Ideas are not born perfect, requiring sustained investment to get them in the best shape possible."

Sometimes we feel that our thoughts and ideas can't be fulfilled with life. Where the heart is willing, it will find a thousand ways; but where the heart is weak, it will find a thousand excuses. If doubts begin to take roots, we should rouse from pink-tinted idealism or wear down and annihilate nightmares and erase and wipe out such thoughts and ideas.

If our thoughts are good and have the chance to be fulfilled in action, especially if "the other side" is prepared and willing to step on to such a bridge of life, we might get support and words of encouragement.

And, if not? No action? Maybe it is God's will to keep and protect us from a careless, rash, disadvantageous and uneasy action. Every new day gives us new inexhaustible possibilities to survive, to bear trials and to start a new beginning. We overlook and fail to notice many chances to lie through our sluggishness and laziness while thinking and dreaming of unequaled and unfulfilled ideas.

Once you’ve identified areas where you don’t have a positive emotional attachment to a belief, give yourself permission to let it go. It clearly does not serve you and is not something you want to do. Learning to work with the guilt around being “selfish” is important to work on at the same time. It will feel uncomfortable at first but until you release the guilt, you’ll continue to “should”. 

The House of Collab: A content creator's 'boot camp'

BY ANNALYN S. JUSAY

May 12, 2024 10:07 AM

  

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AT A GLANCE

• THOC's sales and marketing manager, Maann Barcebal-Alejandrino,describes her wards in the house as "social media stars who are huge on TikTok, Facebook, Instagram and Youtube.

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This is the seventh season of the House of Collab, and each week, one or a few of the members are eliminated, depending on their performance. To the left (holding the microphone) is an influencer and THOC co-owner Ryan Tanada.

Somewhere in the south of Manila, there's a big house with an inviting pool, lounge chairs, a studio, and five bedrooms to "shelter" 25 of the country's fast-rising and upcoming digital media stars. The location is top-secret to keep the occupants away from snooping fans.

Welcome to The House of Collab! The Philippines' only reality show to focus on content creators and influencers is now on Season 7, where contestants with the weakest link are eliminated weekly, and the last few remaining will vie for the P1 million peso cash prize at stake for the grand winner.

Shades of Pinoy Big Brother, one may ask? THOC does not deny the similarity,  although they stress the fact that it's more patterned after the "content houses" that have sprung up in the US within the last decade. Think about Jake Paul's YouTube mansion in California (later sold), Clubhouse Beverly Hills, and Hype House, to name a few. The idea is to have one place where content creators can shoot their videos, goof around, exchange ideas, and grow their supporters. 

THOC's sales and marketing manager, Maann Barcebal-Alejandrino, describes her wards in the house as "social media stars who are huge on TikTok, Facebook, Instagram and Youtube. What they do (in the house) every day is create content, whether it's static photos, branded content, or live streaming."

Spread across the 25 "occupants" of The House of Collab, that's an average of 200 pieces of content created every day for the brands that partner with them. The creators, in turn, get compensation by way of "talent fees," aside from the fact that everything during their stay is free—from the food to the shopping trips.

"All the hard work has paid off," according to Maann. Starting with THOC's seventh season, they've become an agency partner of TikTok Philippines.

She pointed out, "We've produced 31 billion-plus views for TikTok, and that's something that we are really proud of." 

Casey Diy (left) is in charge of talent scouting, while Maann Bersalino takes care of sales and marketing for The House of Collab

The numbers are big. When THOC talks about its P1 million cash prize for the Season 7 winner at the end of three months, it's only a small share of the huge pie. Maann revealed that some big-name creators in their fold (who are not part of the show) earn close to P3 million weekly from affiliate income alone - meaning they help promote products from their social media accounts.

"It really depends on the talent. Some are strong in affiliate promotions, while others do well in actual live selling. Some get brand deals and also monetize their Facebook and YouTube channels. In TikTok,  they earn from the shops and receive virtual gifts," Maann explained.

Overall, THOC acts as the talent management outfit of the 200 or so creators under its wing. It does the dirty administrative work (for example, filing taxes) so the influencer can focus on creating content.

Season 7 cast members include Pabby Bartolome, Amber Miles, Lydsa Sabijon, Shaun De Mesa, Panty Queen, Luna Paulino, Lars Avila, Councilor JD Batino, and others. Most of them have a large following on TikTok.

"Our goal here is to build up these talents so they can create a sustainable career in terms of content creation and make a better life for themselves and their families. The House of Collab is like a boot camp for them. Here, they're able to create better content, build their audience, and establish their status as content creators," THOC's chief talent scout Casey Diy pointed out.

The proverbial question is: how does one penetrate or get into The House of Collab? Casey clarified that a few of their creators didn't start with a huge following. 

"It's not really the numbers. We had creators here who started with 100 to 200 followers on their platforms and grew to 100,000 after the 90 days in The House of Collab," Casey stated.

"It's more of what you can bring to the table, and I am referring to talent, grit. And perseverance. Being an effective influencer means you know how to represent your brand and how you present yourself in the content. We teach our creators to love their fans and supporters and build a mindset - not just to be a star, but also an entrepreneur," she closed.

Davaoeña educator wins Miss Philippines Earth 2024 crown

Miss Philippines Earth 2023 Yllana Marie Aduana crowns Irha Mel Inutan Alfeche of Davao del Sur as Miss Philippines Earth 2024 on May 11, 2024.

Earl D.C. Bracamonte - Philstar.com

May 12, 2024 | 9:22am

MANILA, Philippines — Irha Mel Inutan Alfeche, an educator from Matanao, Davao del Sur, bested all other Earth warriors to be crowned Miss Philippines Earth 2024 winner. She was crowned by outgoing queen Yllana Marie Aduana, who is currently enjoying her reign as Miss Earth Air 2023.

The members of the elemental court are Feliz Clareianne Recentes of Sindangan, Zamboanga del Norte (Air), Samantha Dana Bug-os of Baco, Oriental Mindoro (Water), Kia Labiano of Titay, Zamboanga Sibugay (Fire) and Ira Patricia Malaluan of Batangas (Eco-Tourism). Malaluan was also named Miss Hana earlier in the evening.

The five other ladies who made it to the Top 10 were Ansha Lichelle Jones (Zamboanga City), Victoria Johnson (Filipino Community of Brandon, Florida), Sam Samara (Makati City), Mary Joanne Fuentes (Maramag, Bukidnon) and Chaoncy Rich Azucena (Balungon, Bukidnon). They were all declared runners-up to the title. This year, Mindanaoan delegates made good placements throughout the competition.

The five other delegates who made it to the Top 15 were Marinell Salvador (Cabanatuan), Rin Rin Rances Raz (Lubao, Nueva Ecija), Jeyzel Ann Reyes (Filipino Community of Rome, Italy), Reyna Ruhen (Aborlan, Palawan) and Kristel Codas (Iligan City).

The coronation ceremony opened with the reigning queen and delegates dancing to a choreographed production number decked in identical Talaandig traditional dresses. The cultural performers representing the various Indigenous Peoples (IPs) of Bukidnon showcased the province's unity in diversity.

Hosted by perennial host James Deakin with Miss Earth 2008 Karla Paula Henry, the Miss Philippines Earth 2024 coronation night was streamed from Talakag, Bukidnon, through Carousel Productions' channel on YouTube.

Outgoing elemental queens Kerri Reilly (Air), Jemima Joy Zabala (Water), Sha'uri Livori (Fire) and Athena Claire Auxillo (Eco-Tourism) crowned their respective successors.

Next year, Miss Earth will be celebrating its silver year anniversary in both local and international pageants. It would be another milestone for the platform as it continues with its campaign on environmental conservation and protection, as well as with its partnership with the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals.

Judy Ann Santos to play Philippine president on 'The Bagman'

 

Kristofer Purnell - Philstar.com

May 12, 2024 | 9:42am

MANILA, Philippines — Actress Judy Ann Santos is gearing up for her teleserye comeback on the action-drama "The Bagman," alongside actor-politician Arjo Atayde and John Arcilla.

Her last teleserye appearance was on "Starla" in 2019, while also appearing in the film "Mindanao" that same year.

Since then, the actress hosted the documentary show "Paano Kita Mapasasalamatan?," was a guest host on "Magandang Buhay" and manages "Judy Ann’s Kitchen" on YouTube.

Judy Ann will portray the President of the Philippines on the eight-part "The Bagman," with the show's cast even surprising her on set with a small birthday celebration as she turned 46 years old this May.

Judy Ann recently hosted a "Gimik" reunion on "Judy Ann's Kitchen" with co-stars Jolina Magdangal, Marvin Agustin, Mylene Dizon and Dominic Ochoa.

Over three decades ago, Judy Ann made her breakthrough on the 1992 soap "Mara Clara," opposite Gladys Reyes, before appearing in other big projects in movies and films such as "Esperanza," "Isusumbong Kita Sa Tatay Ko," "Till There Was You" and "Kasal, Kasali, Kasalo."