The overall residential electricity rate of Davao Light decreased by P0.2164 per kilowatt hour (kWh) this January, bringing the rate down to P8.9894/kWh from P9.2058/kWh last month. This rate applies to bills received from January 11 to February 10.
BY AMENAH F. PANGANDAMAN, DBM SEC
BEYOND BUDGET
Assalamu alaikum wa Raḥmatullahi wa Barakatuh.
Today marks a milestone in our country’s journey toward more transparent, accountable, and inclusive governance, as we hold the media launch for the Open Government Partnership Asia and the Pacific Regional Meeting (OGP APRM). To be held from Feb. 5 to 7 at Grand Hyatt, Bonifacio Global City (BGC), with side events at the University of the Philippines–BGC Campus, the OGP APRM affirms our nation’s leadership in championing open governance in the global stage.
The OGP and PH successes
The OGP is a multilateral initiative that aims to secure concrete commitments from governments worldwide to promote transparency, empower citizens, fight corruption, and harness new technologies to strengthen governance. Since its establishment in 2011, with the Philippines as one of the eight founding members, the OGP membership has grown to more than 75 countries and 150 local governments working alongside thousands of civil society organizations (CSOs) to co-create action plans to enhance transparency, accountability, and public participation in government.
Since President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. (PBBM) appointed me to lead the DBM, aligning our national fiscal policies with the principles of open government has been one of our foremost advocacies.
Our progress has been remarkable. Under PBBM’s leadership, Executive Order No. 31, s. 2023, institutionalized the PH-OGP. In fact, the OGP is a key strategy in our Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028, with our 6th National Action Plan as the first-ever medium-term plan to ensure the sustainability of our commitments. With the passage of the New Government Procurement Act, procurement is made more transparent through open contracting wherein stakeholders, including CSOs, will have access to procurement information and proceedings. It also requires bidders to disclose beneficial ownership information to prevent collusion in public procurement. These developments were showcased at the 2023 OGP Global Summit in Tallinn, Estonia, where the Philippines was praised as “a country with open government in its DNA.” This recognition highlights the strides we’ve made in fostering transparency and accountability.
In 2024, we have cemented our position as a global leader in budget transparency by ranking number one in the 2023 Open Budget Survey, not only in Southeast Asia, but the whole of Asia, and 15th worldwide.
Further, we have expanded our advocacy campaign OGPinas! nationwide, directly engaging with more than 4,000 participants in nine provinces. Inspired by this activity, four of our local government units (LGUs) were selected as new members of the OGP Local Program in April 2024 — Tagbilaran, Larena, Quezon City, and Baguio — joining South Cotabato and Borongan, which were accepted into the program in 2018 and 2020, respectively. With six LGUs as partners in open governance, I am happy to note that they hail from and complete the country’s main islands — Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. I am also proud, as the PH-OGP chairperson, to represent our country as a recently elected member of the OGP Steering Committee.
OGP APRM
This February, we at the PH-OGP are excited to host the OGP APRM, which will bring together high-level representatives of government, civil society leaders, and policy-makers from across the region, as well as global and regional partners to exchange experiences, best practices, and progress on open government initiatives and implementation on key issues.
The regional meeting will feature high-level and ministerial sessions, interactive breakout sessions, networking opportunities, and side events, to discuss progress on key open government initiatives and explore ways to tackle the region’s most important issues. Topics include anti-corruption and rule of law, civic space, climate, digital governance, inclusive public participation, mainstreaming and localization of open government, among others.
I am certain that our selection as host reflects the international community’s recognition of the Philippines’ leadership in promoting open governance. The regional meeting will serve as a platform to showcase our achievements, learn from the experiences of our neighbors, and foster collaborative solutions to challenges in governance.
2025 OGP Fun Run
To kick-start our hosting, we have partnered with the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), to organize the OGP Fun Run 2025 happening at the Quirino Grandstand on Jan. 26.
More than encouraging physical activity, the Fun Run symbolizes our collective journey toward more transparent, accountable, and participatory government. It provides an opportunity for citizens to engage with the government, learn about our initiatives, and contribute to meaningful dialogue on governance.
Proceeds from the Fun Run will support PRC’s lifesaving programs and projects, adding a humanitarian dimension to our advocacy for good governance. Participants may choose from three kilometer, five kilometer, and 10 kilometer race categories, with registration accessible through the social media pages of DBM, MMDA, and PRC. I hope you and your family will join this activity.
Beyond budget, the Philippines' active participation in the Open Government Partnership underscores our unwavering commitment to transparency, inclusivity, and participatory governance. Through initiatives such as our hosting of the 2025 OGP APRM and the Fun Run, we continue to lead by example, demonstrating that open governance is not merely an aspiration but a tangible reality in our Bagong Pilipinas.
(Amenah F. Pangandaman is the Secretary of the Department of Budget and Management.)
And why would you? A martini masterclass at Spritz
Martinis are the only American invention as perfect as a sonnet. —H. L. Mencken
Images IAN SANTOS
Does James Bond really like his martini shaken, not stirred? Maybe if he prefers his martini cloudy, aerated, and diluted. Traditionalists like their martini, a mix of gin and vermouth in its simplest, truest form, stirred for 45 seconds.
There are other myths surrounding martini, prompted maybe by its uncertain origins, often attributed to the Martinez cocktail, a mix of Old Tom gin, sweet vermouth, maraschino liqueur, and bitters, crafted in California for a miner traveling to or from Martinez in California.
Winston Churchill, for instance, who was believed to like his martini without the vermouth, drank neither martini nor gin. But well, who doesn’t love a good martini? Holly Golightly did, who held it in her gloved hand at a house party in Breakfast at Tiffany’s, so did Jackie O and Frank Sinatra. Let’s not forget Sugar Kane, the Marilyn Monroe character, who makes martinis in a hot water bottle aboard a train in Some Like It Hot, mixing comedy with cocktails.
And so when Spritz, the pregame and afterparty hotspot on Toledo corner L.P. Leviste Streets at Salcedo Village in Makati City, sent an invitation to a masterclass on martini, I signed up with enthusiasm, especially as Spritz owner and cocktail master Kyle Ley, who sneaked out of his parents’ company at the Peninsula Lobby and managed to get a cocktail out of The Bar when he was at the ripe old age of 10, was going to conduct it.
In the perfect martini, according to Kyle, simplicity reigns supreme, but it’s a craft that requires mastery, such as, he points out, “in the seamless pour—a single glistening stream, flowing gracefully from vessel to glass, reminiscent of fine wine being decanted.”
At Spritz, martini, using two distinct types of London dry gin sourced from Italy is an artful creation. “The Spritz martini stands out for its bone-dry precision, meticulously crafted with the freshest vermouth that elevates every sip,” says Kyle. “It’s uniquely aged in amphora to impart a rich complexity and finished with a house-cured olive to give it an artisanal touch.”
More than a drink, the martini is an experience, enhanced by each element, from ingredient selection to presentation. It really is the drink to toast with on any occasion, gender-neutral, simple yet complex, flexible, and easy to drink, perfect for Bette Davis and Queen Elizabeth or Ernest Hemingway and Humphrey Bogart, even the fictional character Homer Simpson, and most certainly for you.
In pop culture, its status is legendary. Its appeal is timeless, associated forever with sophistication, power, and style.
Cheers to the perfect martini!
BY IVY TEJANO
DAVAO CITY – The Davao City Police Office reported that 320,000 members of the Iglesia ni Cristo from Mindanao participated in the National Rally for Peace on Monday afternoon, Jan. 13, at the San Pedro Square here.
MORE than 300,000 members of the Iglesia ni Cristo from Mindanao participate at the National Rally for Peace on Monday afternoon, Jan. 13, at San Pedro Square in Davao City. (Ivy Tejano)
Police Capt. Hazel Tuazon, spokesperson of the DCPO, said that about 320,000 INC members, including other sectors, joined the rally as of 12 noon.
She added that the rally was expected to draw a huge number of participants.
Minister Eraño “Bong” Estudillo, regional legal officer of the INC, said the rally aimed to support President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. 's position opposing the impeachment move against Vice President Sara Duterte.
INC members from Davao region, Socsksargen region, and Bukidnon said they participated in the rally to advocate for peace and unity in the nation.
According to the religious group, criticizing each other, especially individuals in government positions, would only deepen division within the country. They emphasized that the rally is about peace and unity.
Walk for Peace
Duterte supporters organized a Walk for Peace simultaneous with the National Rally for Peace to show their support to Duterte.
Duterte supporters, who walked from Roxas Freedom Park to Rizal Park in San Pedro Square here, said the activity aims to protect Duterte from the impeachment complaint being pushed against her.
Three impeachment complaints have been lodged against Duterte at the House of Representatives, accusing her of constitutional violations, betrayal of public trust, graft and corruption, bribery, and other serious offenses related to the alleged misappropriation of confidential funds during her tenure as Vice President and Education Secretary.
Generally peaceful
"The rally was generally peacefully since the start of their gathering," Tuazon said. She added that they are closely monitoring their areas of responsibility aside from the main event here to ensure peace and order.
DCPO acting director Police Col. Hansel Marantan said the more than 1,000 police officers were deployed in strategic areas to maintain peace and order in the rally. He reminded the public to act responsibly.
Police Regional Office-11 spokesperson Police Major Catherine dela Rey said they have deployed additional personnel to strengthen security here and the region and ensure zero untoward incidents.
In line with the rally, the Davao City Council approved an ordinance last Tuesday authorizing the temporary closure of San Pedro, C.M. Recto, C. Bangoy, Iñigo, Pelayo, Bolton, and Rizal Streets from Jan. 11 to 13.
Alex Eala continues her rise after reaching a career-high ranking of 136 in the latest list of the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) released on Monday, Jan. 13.
The 19-year-old Eala improved two rungs despite an early exit in the Australian Open qualifiers after accumulating 533 points for her strong showing in the WTA Canberra tournament early this year.
She is the highest ranking Southeast Asian so far, besting her regional rival Mananchaya Sawangkaew of Thailand (532), who is lurking behind at 137th.
Belarus’ Aryna Sabalenka (9,656), Poland’s Iga Swiatek (8,120), USA’s Coco Gauff (6,888), Italy’s Jasmine Paolini (5,399) and China’s Qinwen Zheng (5,325) comprised the Top Five.
In the second week of December 2024, Eala managed to breach inside the world’s Top 150 netters as she grabbed the No. 149 spot before further moving up in the ladder.
The charming tennis star has been consistent in representing the country in top competitions, vying already in four Grand Slams where she almost made it in the main draw of US Open, Wimbledon and Roland Garros.
Eala is a five-time ITF singles and three-time doubles champion and is still gunning for her first victory in WTA.
Guinness World Records announced that BLACKPINK member Rosé set new titles with her viral song “APT.” featuring Bruno Mars.
Rosé released “APT.” on Oct. 18 last year, which went viral. The song is the main track of her first studio album “Rosie” that was released in December.
Guinness World Records said Rosé achieved the record for “the first female K-pop artist to enter the Billboard Radio Songs Top 10 after it climbed to No.10.”
Rosé (X)
Rosé and Bruno Mars (X)
“Interestingly, Rosé is the second member of the K-pop girlband to enter the Radio Songs chart. She follows in the footsteps of her bandmate Jennie, who reached No.48 with her “One of the Girls” collab with The Weeknd and Lily-Rose Depp, who starred together in TV drama The Idol,” Guinness World Records wrote.
In addition, “Rosie” debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 chart. With this, Rosé set the record for the “highest-charting female K-pop artist on the US albums chart.”
“Her album made its way into the Top 5 after racking up the equivalent of 102,000 album units,” Guinness World Records noted.
BLACKPINK and the members, on the other hand, set several Guinness World Record titles.
According to Guinness World Records, these are:
- Most subscribers for a band on YouTube – 93.8 million as of May 2024
- First K-pop group to reach No.1 on the UK albums chart (female) – with Born Pink
- First K-pop group to reach No.1 on the US albums chart (female) – with Born Pink
- Most viewed music channel on YouTube (group) - 30.151 billion views as of April 2023
- Most streamed female group on Spotify – 13.09 billion streams as of May 2024
- First winner of Best Metaverse Performance at the MTV Video Music Awards
- First solo K-pop winner at the MTV Video Music Awards – Lisa with “LALISA”
- First solo K-pop winner at the MTV Europe Music Awards – Lisa
- Most followers on Instagram for a K-pop artist – Lisa with 90.7 million as of March 2023
- Most viewed YouTube music video in 24 hours by a solo K-pop artist – Lisa with 73.6 million views for “LALISA”
- First K-pop track by a solo artist to reach 1 billion streams on Spotify – Lisa with “MONEY”
- First album by a solo K-pop artist to reach 1 billion streams on Spotify – Lisa with LALISA
- Most views of a new music video release from a solo artist in 24 hours on YouTube - Lisa with “LALISA”
- First artist to reach No.1 on a Billboard Global chart as a soloist and as part of a group – Rosé with BLACKPINK’s “Lovesick Girls” and her own “On the Ground”
- Fastest solo K-pop artist to reach 1 billion streams on Spotify (female) – Lisa
