Mindanao's economy will grow

 The European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines-Southern Mindanao Business Council (ECCP-SMBC) has projected that at around six to seven percent in 2025, surpassing the estimated national Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth forecast of five percent.

Read more: https://www.sunstar.com.ph/.../european-chamber-sees...

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Ditta Sandico weaves her legacy

BY MARGE C. ENRIQUEZ

JANUARY 17, 2025

Valeria wrap, Mariposa wrap and Bella Bonita were reimagined along with a new hand-draped Banaca short dress. —ARTHUR TSELISHCHEV

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New year, better hair

Ditta Sandico, pioneer of modern Filipiniana, is celebrating 40 years in the industry. She traces her roots to the mountains of Bulalacao, Mindoro Oriental, where her passion for sustainable fashion was stirred. As a teen in the ’70s, Sandico spent summers with her father, cattle rancher Fernando Hizon-Sandico, who developed agricultural lands. These trips, filled with immersion into the natural world and encounters with the Mangyan tribe, the Hanunoos, deeply influenced her.

Sandico was mesmerized by the fastidious embroidery and weaving techniques of the Mangyan weavers, who became her first teachers. However, as an established designer returning to Mindoro at the turn of the millennium, she was disheartened to discover that these traditional crafts had nearly vanished.

Determined to revive the art of Mangyan weaving, Sandico provided the weavers with materials, introduced fashion colors, and encouraged them to experiment with new designs. Since 2018, she has been collaborating with the Mangyan community on product development for her eponymous label.

The STANDS: An INQUIRER Sports Newsletter

 

January 17, 2025

Casiey Dongallo will no longer power University of the East. (INQUIRER.NET)

Hey there sports fan, We're still in the first month of the new year and things are heating up in the sporting world.  One of the things eagerly being awaited is the return of the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) and its All-Filipino Conference. That link, by the way, will lead you to a great catchup piece that covers all you might have missed or forgotten during the long break.  Speaking of the PVL, here's a trivia question: Risa Sato, who left Creamline to join Chery Tiggo, played for what school in the UAAP? Check out the answer near the end of this email. The UAAP volleyball tournament, by the way, will kick off in February yet. But this early, a shocking transfer has already hit the tournament. Rising star Casiey Dongallo officially transferred to the University of the Philippines (UP). Her move follows her departure from the University of the East alongside Jelai Gajero. The recruitment of Dongallo, paired with the addition of Obet Vital to UP's coaching staff, has fans buzzing about the team’s prospects in the upcoming season. And if you've been following the NBA lately, you would have certainly come across this: The league delivered a jaw-dropping moment when the Los Angeles Clippers handed the Brooklyn Nets a 59-point defeat, the largest margin in franchise history. This record-setting performance underscores the Clippers' dominance and positions them as serious contenders this season. And more on the international scene: Tennis innovation took the spotlight at the Australian Open, where matches are being animated using Wii-like characters. This unique approach aims to make the sport more engaging for digital audiences, blending traditional gameplay with futuristic technology.

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Denice Zamboanga is now a world champion. (REUTERS)

Meanwhile... We've started our exclusive content offering on Inquirer Plus with two features on noteworthy achievers. Quentin Millora-Brown has often been tagged as a one-and-done strandout for University of the Philippines. Through postgame dinners with relatives here, the 6-foot-10, high-IQ big man validated what he long knew: He was certainly more than that.  For long, Denice Zamboanga has campaigned for herself. She believed that she deserved a title shot in One Championship. But she was forced to wait a long while to fulfill her dream of becoming the promotional outfit's first Filipino female champion. https://plus.inquirer.net/sports/delayed-gratification. That wait is over.  What we're up to next: The PSA Awards night is looming and we will be bringing you features about the event, which will honor the top athletes from last year. No suspense, though, for the Athlete of the Year award as a certain gymnast with two Olympic golds has put a lock on it. We will continue covering the Commissioner's Cup and bring you the return of professional vollehyball so stay with us on all our platforms for more stories and features. Number of the Week: 50 Career triple-doubles hammered out by Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo so far.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK “Well, for starters, a lot of the players I play against these days now call me ‘Tito’ (uncle).” —Angelo Que, on how much the game has changed since he won the Philippine Open 17 years ago.

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National University. That's the answer to our trivia question above. If you think you can ace this week's quiz, head over to our Viber community, where you can also stay updated on sports headlines! Buy the Inquirer at newsstands, subscribe to our digital edition, Inquirer Plus, visit our online site and follow us on socials (Twitter: @inquirersports; FB: facebook.com/inquirersports) for more stories and updates—or to send us questions or suggestions of stories you'd want to read. See you next Friday! Francis Francis T. J. Ochoa is the Sports Editor of the Philippine Daily Inquirer. For comments, suggestions and questions, hit him up on Twitter (@ftjochoaINQ).

The need to continually refine our human laws

 

By Fr. Roy Cimagala

Chaplain

Center for Industrial Technology and Enterprise (CITE)

Talamban, Cebu City

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com

WE obviously have to be governed by the rule of law. Without the law, we can only expect disorder and chaos, and all other forms of injustice. But we need to distinguish between the letter of the law and the spirit of the law, and know how to understand and apply the law properly.

Ideally, both the letter and the spirit of a certain law should be in perfect harmony. But that is hardly the case in real life. The problem, of course, is that the articulation of the law is conditioned and limited by our human powers that cannot fully capture the richness of human life, considering its spiritual and supernatural character that will always involve the intangibles and mysteries and the like.

That is the reason why we can go beyond but not against a particular law, when such law cannot fully express the concrete conditions of a particular case. Because of this condition, there is always the need to continually update and refine our human laws to capture better the true spirit that our laws should have.

In this regard, we have to realize more deeply that it is in Christ, in following his commandment of love, that we can move toward the perfection and true fulfillment of our human laws. 

Yes, that’s what St. Paul said in his Letter to the Romans. And if we believe that St. Paul was an apostle, a special vessel Christ chose to preach to the Gentiles, then his words ought to be believed. The complete passage is as follows:

“Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. The commandments, ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ ‘You shall not murder,’ ‘You shall not steal,’ ‘You shall not covet,’ and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore, love is the fulfillment of the law.” (13,8-10)

With these words, we are made to understand that it is love or charity that summarizes and fulfills all the laws there are—those that come directly from God and those that are man-made which are supposed to reflect God’s laws.

We just have to understand what this love or charity is, because we can also have all kinds of charity that may not exactly be the charity as it should be. We all know that we are notorious for doing this. Thus, we should first find where we can have the true essence of charity.

We know that charity is the very essence of God. St. John, in his first letter, said it clearly. “God is love.” (4,8) And that charity was lived and continues to be lived, shown and taught to us by Christ, who is the fullness of the revelation of God to us. 

Christ himself summarized and perfected all the divine commandments given to us by revealing to us a new commandment—that we love one another as he himself has loved us. (cfr. Jn 13,34) The question to ask is: How has Christ loved us and continues to do so?

We know that Christ is the Son of God who became man to save us. He went all the way to assume everything human, except sin, though he was made like sin, just to adapt himself to us for the sake of our salvation. (cfr. 2 Cor 5,21)

Our human laws should try to capture this law of love that comes from God. It’s love that knows how to blend truth, justice and mercy.

Beware of online job offer scams and human trafficking

BY MANILA BULLETIN

Jan 16, 2025 00:02 AM 

In an era where social media connects people globally, it has also become a breeding ground for job scams and human trafficking operations. These fraudulent schemes have victimized countless job seekers by exploiting their aspirations for better employment opportunities. Despite their promises, these offers often lead to financial losses, exploitation, or worse, involvement in illegal activities.

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) and the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) have consistently warned against accepting job offers abroad without proper verification. According to BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado, scam syndicates use social media platforms to lure unsuspecting Filipinos with lucrative job promises. 

A recent case highlights the dangers: a 35-year-old man was intercepted at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) after inconsistencies in his responses during immigration checks revealed that he had been recruited via Facebook for a job in Cambodia. The victim’s travel documents were sent through a social media app, a clear sign of the informal and potentially illegal nature of the arrangement.

Last September, three Filipinos were denied boarding at Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Thailand due to fake visas obtained through fraudulent online offers. These incidents underscore the growing sophistication of scam syndicates, which often use fake company names, addresses, and logos to deceive applicants.

These so-called job opportunities often lead to exploitative work environments. For instance, some victims find themselves working in scam hubs, forced to participate in illegal online schemes such as phishing. These activities not only exploit workers but also put them at risk of legal consequences in foreign countries.

The DMW has also reported cases of Filipino workers recruited through “third country” schemes, where individuals travel to one country as tourists before proceeding to another for employment. Last year, a report from the Philippine Embassy in Nigeria detailed incidents of Filipinos being arrested for cybercrime and immigration violations after being recruited through such schemes. 

Social media platforms have become fertile ground for illegal recruiters. In 2024, the DMW shut down a recruitment office in Quezon City linked to a Dubai-based consultancy offering bogus jobs in Europe. Victims were scammed out of hundreds of thousands of pesos, with promises of employment in Italy and Malta. The DMW has since worked with Facebook to take down over 7,000 illegal recruitment posts, emphasizing the importance of vigilance when navigating online job advertisements.

The DMW advises job seekers to transact only with licensed recruitment agencies and verify job offers through its official website. Job seekers are warned to avoid recruiters who demand early payment of fees or fail to provide official receipts. Legitimate recruitment transactions should occur at registered business addresses, not through casual online interactions.

The consequences of falling prey to illegal recruitment extend beyond financial loss. Victims risk being stranded abroad, facing legal troubles, or becoming involved in illicit activities. Moreover, the government or private groups will find it difficult to assist those in such situations because individuals have not gone through proper channels for overseas employment.

As social media continues to evolve, so do the methods of illegal recruiters. Job seekers must remain vigilant, scrutinize job offers, and verify the legitimacy of recruiters. Reporting suspicious activities to the DMW or relevant authorities is not only a protective measure but also a step toward dismantling these exploitative networks.

Remember, the promise of easy money often comes at an unimaginable cost. By exercising caution and prioritizing due diligence, job seekers can protect themselves from the perils of illegal recruitment and ensure their safety and security when pursuing opportunities abroad.

Kylie Padilla: Never force something that has passed its expiry date

BY NEIL RAMOS

Jan 15, 2025 07:40 PM

  

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Kylie Padilla was hot topic on social media recently.

It all started with her sharing this on Threads:

“I swear I’m not naive, but I want my relationships to last forever, which is probably why I stay longer than I should. I just don’t want to accept failure. But never force something that has passed its expiry date.” 

Many believe she is alluding to being single again.

One fan even commented, “If you really are single now. I know it’s an unsolicited opinion, but I would have to say it anyway. Challenge yourself to stay single for at least 1 year. It might be impossible for the Aquarius woman like you na walang karelasyon for that long, but it’s better to focus more on your kids and career muna sa 2025 than finding or having a love life. Try to have a strong goal, like winning an acting award this year. Why not, diba? I understand your physical needs, but don’t be in a relationship because of it.”

It actually prompted a reply from the actress. 

“Exactly the goal,” Kylie retorted in the now deleted comment.

It didn’t end there.

Kylie also posted, “A lot of women are single because they elevated their standards. Can’t blame them for that.”

She followed it up with, “Cut it before any ties form. You know yourself, so be smarter.” 

Kylie is yet to confirm speculations about her being single anew.

Recall the 31-year-old admitted to being in a relationship July last year. 

She was previously married to actor Aljur Abrenica with whom she shares two sons, Alas and Axl.

Odette Quesada hits 60

BY MANILA BULLETIN ENTERTAINMENT

Jan 15, 2025 11:16 PM

  

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AT A GLANCE

• Be part of this very special milestone birthday concert starting this weekend. 

Odette Quesada

Odette Quesada is a celebrated Filipino singer, songwriter, and music producer widely recognized for her influential contributions to the Philippine music industry. 

Often called the “Queen of Philippine Pop Ballads”, she gained fame with her powerful voice and deeply emotional performances. She is known for her evocative songwriting, making her songs timeless, and she continues to be beloved by generations of fans.

Beyond her performance success, her impact extends through her role as a mentor and advocate for the local music scene. Her soothing vocal talent and unforgettable songs continue to inspire and shape the careers of future generations of Filipino artists. 

Because of this, Odette will be honored as one of the Pinoy Playlist Music Festival Ryan Cayabyab Music Excellence Awardees on Thursday, Jan. 16 at the BGC Arts Center.

And on Jan. 17, 18 and 24, Odette will be celebrating her  60th birthday at the same venue where she had her very successful homecoming concert five years ago - the BGC Arts Center, too.

Be part of this very special milestone birthday concert starting this weekend. Tickets are available at Ticketworld.