Former rivals GMA, ABS-CBN jointly producing tv series

by James A. Loyola

GMA Network and ABS-CBN Corporation, formerly stiff rivals in the broadcasting industry, have sealed a new historic partnership for the co-production of a groundbreaking television series.

In a statement, the two multi-media giants said the romantic-drama series titled “Unbreak My Heart” will be filmed in Switzerland and will air on GMA this year.

It will also stream in 15 territories outside of the Philippines on Viu, PCCW’s leading pan-regional over-the-top video streaming service.

The partnership was made official during a contract signing held at ABS-CBN with top officials from the three companies led by GMA Senior Vice-President for Programming, Talent Management, Worldwide, and Support Groups Atty. Annette Gozon-Valdes, ABS-CBN Chief Operating Officer of Broadcast Cory Vidanes, and Viu Philippines Deputy Country Manager Vinchi Sy-Quia.

“It’s a first for Philippine TV and I’m sure it’s the audience that will be the winners in this collaboration. We’re very excited to be working with ABS-CBN on TV for the first time,” said Gozon.

Vidanes noted that, “This is a milestone in the industry. We’re thankful for this opportunity and we’re very happy to work with GMA to serve our audiences. We unite as one team. We never imagined that this was going to happen.”

“Today, we are able to proudly showcase that on our platform with premium Filipino content not just for Filipino audiences but also for global audiences to appreciate and enjoy. This is with a vision of bringing the best of the Filipino talent on-cam and off-cam to the world,” said Viu Philippines Content Partnerships Head Garlic Garcia.

Actress Jodi Sta. Maria said “This collaboration will really bring in opportunities not only to the networks, but for the people working in the network, for the people in the industry.”

“I’m really proud, honored, and excited to be part of this show which is history in the making since this is the first time that two network giants will be working with each other. Of course I’m also excited to be working with Jodi again and all the other people in the cast,” said actor Richard Yap. It will also stream in 15 territories outside of the Philippines on Viu, PCCW’s leading pan-regional over-the-top video streaming service.

The partnership was made official during a contract signing held at ABS-CBN with top officials from the three companies led by GMA Senior Vice-President for Programming, Talent Management, Worldwide, and Support Groups Atty. Annette Gozon-Valdes, ABS-CBN Chief Operating Officer of Broadcast Cory Vidanes, and Viu Philippines Deputy Country Manager Vinchi Sy-Quia.

It’s a first for Philippine TV and I’m sure it’s the audience that will be the winners in this collaboration. We’re very excited to be working with ABS-CBN on TV for the first time,” said Gozon.

Vdanes noted that, “This is a milestone in the industry. We’re thankful for this opportunity and we’re very happy to work with GMA to serve our audiences. We unite as one team. We never imagined that this was going to happen.”

“Today, we are able to proudly showcase that on our platform with premium Filipino content not just for Filipino audiences but also for global audiences to appreciate and enjoy. This is with a vision of bringing the best of the Filipino talent on-cam and off-cam to the world,” said Viu Philippines Content Partnerships Head Garlic Garcia.

Actress Jodi Sta. Maria said “This collaboration will really bring in opportunities not only to the networks, but for the people working in the network, for the people in the industry.”

“I’m really proud, honored, and excited to be part of this show which is history in the making since this is the first time that two network giants will be working with each other. Of course I’m also excited to be working with Jodi again and all the other people in the cast,” said actor Richard Yap.

Peso flat, PSEi up a bit; growth results awaited

By Ed Paolo Salting   and Eireene Jairee Gomez

THE peso was unchanged while the stock market added just a few points on Monday ahead of the release of 2022 economic growth data later this week.

The currency closed at P54.54 to a dollar, the same as Friday's finish.

The benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi), meanwhile, added 13.06 points, or 0.19 percent, to close at 7,069.68. The broader All Shares went up by a smaller 8.39 points, or 0.23 percent, to 3,691.25.

"The day's move could be attributed to investors adopting a wait-and-see mode ahead of the release of fourth-quarter 2022 GDP (gross domestic product) reports for the Philippines and the US later this week, which are both on Jan[uary] 26," Rastine Mercado, research head at China Bank Securities, said.

Claire Alviar, research associate at Philstocks Financial Inc., noted that foreigners had helped lift the market with a net inflow of P421.79 million. US market gains from Friday also provided support, she added.

Michael Ricafort, chief economist at Rizal Commercial Banking Corp., meanwhile, said sentiment was being buoyed by dovish signals regarding upcoming policy rate meetings in the United States and Manila.

Regina Capital Development Corp. Managing Director Luis Limlingan said investors would also be looking for the latest US personal consumption expenditure price index and the S&P Global Manufacturing PMI (purchasing managers' index), among others.

Peso trading opened at P54.4:$1 and ranged from P54.3 to P54.6. The total volume for the day was $1.24 billion, slightly higher than the $1.046 billion in the previous session.

Sectoral results, meanwhile, were mixed with holding firms up the most (0.63 percent) and mining and oil (-0.80 percent) leading the losers.

A total of 1.24 billion shares worth P8.35 billion changed hands.

Advancers edged out decliners, 99 to 92, while 55 remained unchanged.

LOOK: VP Duterte meets patients with cleft palate, brain aneurysm during Negros Occ trip

by Raymund Antonio, MB

Vice President Sara Duterte’s trip to Negros Occidental on Monday, Jan. 23, enabled her to help two patients, who are both suffering from serious medical conditions.

Vice President Sara Duterte visits one-year-old Adezequel Ramirez, who has a cleft palate, in Talisay City on Monday, Jan. 23, 2023. (OVP photo)

In a Facebook post, the official shared about meeting one-year-old Adezequel Ramirez, who has cleft palate, in Talisay City. 

Duterte said that she met Adezequel’s mother, Girlie, during the campaign trail in April last year.

“Noong nag-caravan sila dito sa Talisay, nanood kami sa labas, nakatayo, tapos nalampasan po niya kami. Paglingon niya sa amin nakita niya kami ni baby. Pinapunta niya kami at kinausap kami ng isa po sa mga staff niya (When they had a caravan here in Talisay, we were there outside, standing, then they passed by. When she looked back, she saw me and baby. She called us and one of her staff talked to us),” Ramirez, who was quoted by Duterte’s office, said. 

“Humihingi po kami na sana matulungan niya po kami na ma-operahan ‘yung anak ko hangang matapos po (We asked for help for my child to be operated on),” she added.

Acezequel was just three months when he and his mother met the then-vice presidential candidate.

Aside from a cleft palate, Acezequel also needs to undergo a colostomy. 

Ramirez thanked Duterte for promising to help in Acezequel’s operations.

“Maam, nagpapasalamat po ako nang sobra-sobra dahil araw-araw po akong nag-pray na sana may isang tao na tumulong sa aking problema para sa baby ko pero hindi ko inaasahan na dahil sa caravan nila, siya mismo, si (Ma’am, I am thankful because I pray every day for someone to help in my problem for my baby but I didn’t expect that because of the caravan, it’s) Vice (President) Sara Duterte, ‘yung taong ipinadala ni God para tumulong sa amin (herself who was sent by God to help us),” she Duterte.

The Vice President also visited April Dream Bangero, a supporter who reached out to her through email and asked for a chance to meet her in person.

VP Sara Duterte (left) and April Dream Bangero (right) (Photo from Inday Sara Duterte/Facebook)

In her email, the 40-year-old Bangero disclosed her medical conditions, which include a brain aneurysm.

Bangero expressed happiness for meeting Duterte.

“I am very honored that despite her busy schedule, she made sure to find the time to visit me. And my family is glad that she honored our home with her presence,” she said in a statement released by the Office of the Vice President (OVP).

As for the Vice President, she said in her Facebook post that she personally wants to see how she could be of help.

“Dinalaw natin sila upang makita ang kanilang mga kalagayan at matingnan kung anong tulong ang pwede nating maiabot para sa kanilang medikasyon (We visited them to see their conditions and to see what help we can extend for their medication),” she added.

Duterte shared photos of her with the Ramirez family, as well as with Bangero.

Meanwhile, the official also took time to visit the OVP-Bacolod Satellite Office, which was opened in August of last year .

OVP satellite office in Bacolod City (Photo from Inday Sara Duterte via Facebook)

“Naging pagkakataon ko ang pagbisitang ito upang personal na makilala ang ating mga empleyado at mapag-usapan ang estado ng ating mga programa dito sa (This visit became an opportunity to personally meet our employees and discuss the state of our programs here at the) Bacolod City Satellite Office at ang pagro-roll-out ng iba pang mga proyektong nakahilera ngayong taon (and the rollout of the different projects planned this year),” she said.

Apart from official photos with the employees standing before the OVP’s official seal, Duterte also shared photos where a supporter was seen taking a selfie with her.

PH participation at WEF in Davos poised to pay off as global economy reopens

by Manila Bulletin

Favorable positioning for the reopening of the global economy — that’s how President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. wrapped up his participation last week at the World Economic Forum (WEF), a high-profile annual gathering of state and industry leaders in Davos, Switzerland.

As the lone participating ASEAN head of state, he met with International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva who shared with him the IMF’s assessment that the Philippines has been an “exceptionally well-performing country” despite the extreme shocks brought on by the coronavirus pandemic.

The President performed his avowed task to persuade more leading global companies to invest in the country and emulate those firms that have attained considerable success in the country. Despite somber forecasts on the world’s economic outlook for 2023, he adopted an optimistic profile. He pointed out that the country’s employment rate has exceeded pre-pandemic levels, citing the rejuvenation of micro- small and medium-scale enterprises while the industrial sector demonstrated its resilience in overcoming the paralysis and inertia that slowed the country’s economic engine.

Specifically, he lauded the business process outsourcing sector that deftly shifted to work-from-home arrangements at the height of the contagion as well as the mining and semiconductor industries that bannered Philippine exports. Moreover, the continuous stream of remittances from Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) kept their families afloat as the country’s economy plunged into a deep recession.

While the IMF forecast for global economic growth in 2023 is at 2.7 percent, the Philippines is poised to grow by seven percent due to its “strong macroeconomic fundamentals, fiscal discipline, structural reforms and liberalization of key sectors instituted over the years,” the President told his audience at the WEF.

The President emphasized that attaining a higher level of foreign participation in the country’s economic growth involves a painstaking process of wooing foreign investors and ensuring that the infrastructure — including the entire raft of government regulations both at the national and local level — are congruent with ease-of-doing-business imperatives.

At least nine international companies manifested their willingness to invest or expand their businesses in the Philippines. Morgan Stanley also bared plans to open a Manila office. Dr. Klaus Schwab, WEF founder and executive chairman, also invited the Philippines to participate in the activities of a center for new technologies that serves as an incubator and launching pad for innovative projects.

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Philippine business leaders representing the largest conglomerates joined the President in Davos to reinforce his pitch for Philippine investments. The delegation included Aboitiz Group CEO and Private Sector Advisory Sector lead convenor Sabin Aboitiz, Kevin Andrew Tan of Alliance Global, Jaime Zobel de Ayala of the Ayala Group, Lance Gokongwei of JG Summit Holdings, Ramon Ang of San Miguel Corp., Teresita Sy-Coson of SM Investments, and Enrique Razon of International Container Terminal Services Inc.
This demonstration of public-private partnership for promoting the country’s economic development bodes well for a whole-of nation endeavor in achieving great strides toward sustainable, long-term growth.

MAY BAGYO NA PARATING?😱TINGNAN DITO⚠️| WEATHER UPDATE TODAY JANUARY 23,2023.

OUR CONFLICTING LIFE

Most people don’t like conflict.  Maybe that’s because our physiology makes us ill-prepared for them.  The body’s response to conflict is a “fight or flight” reaction where the body releases adrenaline in preparation for fighting back or running away.  That was all helpful when we lived in caves and had to survive in a world of angry predators.  It’s not so helpful in the workplace where such responses will most likely result in you being the subject of a disciplinary or grievance procedure.

Putting your head in the sand and hoping that conflict will pass you by is not the most effective method for problem solving. Conflict rarely resolves itself – in fact, conflict normally increases if not dealt with properly. It is not uncommon to see what might have been a non-event develop into a massive problem if not resolved early on.

Conflict arises from differences, both large and small. It occurs whenever people disagree over their values, motivations, perceptions, ideas, or desires. Sometimes these differences appear trivial, but when a conflict triggers strong feelings, a deep personal need is often at the core of the problem.

Bullying, discrimination and harassment are much more serious examples of conflict situations in the workplace. Complaints about discrimination or harassment may center around gender, age, disability, religion or national origin.

We are in conflict with ourselves many times during life. Our future gives cause for concern; the past is captured, therefore we miss the future.

The grief and sorrow asked the hope, "How are you?" The hope answered, " I am a little bit low and sad today!" The sorrow replied sarcastically, "I hope so!"

Nobody really knows what might happen after reaching the retirement age. Sure, if we can observe our neighbors and all other people in our surroundings, we really don't like to know it. If we treat ourselves with care, our real age will not be shown. I won't make any secret of celebrating my 70th birthday sometime this year. I enjoy it. I am proud to reach this age with God's help.

On our way to an honorable and respectful age we should try to fulfill some of our greatest longings in life. But if you always view conflict as negative and stressful, you'll always want to try and avoid it which is a bad idea because conflicts do not just go away. By reflecting on how to view conflict more positively, you'll find it easier to address it healthily and productively.

Speaking personally: Please allow me, once in a while, to be able to say NO. Please allow me to delete inferior and defeatist feelings. Please allow me to admit that I can't do everything during a single day. Please allow me to no longer be afraid about other people and their spiteful comments about me.  

Please allow me to accept my silence. . Please allow me to be excused even without having an intelligent reply. Please allow me to be carried by salvation and bliss.

Hopefully, we may have enough understanding people with us to accompany us during the voyage of our sometimes very conflicting life.

From beauty queen to military officer

Lyka Lagasca the soldier and the glamor girl. CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS

By Vince Jacob Visaya, Manila Times

CAMP MELCHOR DELA CRUZ, Isabela: From a beauty queen to a military officer. This is the career path of 23-year-old Lyka Chamberlaigneh Lagasca who once held the title of Eco-Angel Warrior when she joined Miss Earth Philippines 2020.A week ago, she passed the rigorous Officer Candidate Course (OCC) to earn the rank of second lieutenant in the Philippine Army. Lagasca first entered the military as a non-commissioned officer in 2021 before taking part in the one-year training school."Never in my wildest dream. I did not dream to be a soldier, but the opportunity came so I tried my luck. Everything went through as if anything was possible. We know that only a few women join the military," Lagasca said in an interview with The Manila Times.She said her perseverance and sacrifice have yielded good results.

As a youth leader under the Youth Leadership Seminar initiated by the military years back, Lagasca said her "eyes and heart were opened by the community engagement of the soldiers."So, I decided to join the Army," said the Ilocano native from Magapit, Lal-lo, Cagayan.Lagasca started joining local pageants at age 9 in their village and town where she bagged several awards and titles. She used to represent her school in pageants and later represented the province in the Miss Earth-Philippines 2020."Being a beauty pageant contestant brought me to places and opened more opportunities for me just like in the military circle," she added. A graduate of Travel Management at the University of Santo Tomas in 2019, Lagasca said she will still find time to join pageants if the military will allow her.

AUDIOJUNKIE: Pop newbies, rappers and the class of Pinoy pop 2023

Published January 23, 2023, 7:12 AM

by Punch Liwanag

Photo composite (top, from left) official single art Matt Wilson, Cean Jr., Pusakalye, Celine Laroza; (below, from left) official art J emm Dahon King Lheanard Kushin, Ace Cirera, Zach x Zeph, Krisostomo Goonbogart Jessie Dave

Local music is booming, and here’s a sampling of the latest from newbies to rappers, R&B rap-singers and popsters.

Starting with Matt Wilson who makes his debut as a Wild Dream Records music artist with the wonderful sounding new song titled “Alitaptap.” Minimalist, wistful, yet modern sounding at the same time, “Alitaptap” is the perfect jump off point for listeners into the music of alt-pop singer-songwriter Matt Wilson.

Modern-day soulster and R&B singer-songwriter Cean Jr. brings out a vibey soul original on his new song “Hirap O Sarap.” Cean Jr. puts to music his own experience of loving someone and the result is this soulful ballad about love and relationships for ‘better or worse.’ 

Alitaptap by Matt Wilson Wild Dream Records official e-card Copyright January 2023

It’s R&B and rap on a new three-way song collaboration titled “Hin.” This new and original bop features rising rappers/singers Krisostomo, Goonbogart and Jessie Dave and is veritable word flow bonanza wrapped in city pop grooves.

Celine Laroza is a sweet-sounding singer-songwriter behind the acoustic flavored “Muntik Lang.” Simplified and devoid of studio gimmickry, Celine relies on her song’s inherent catchiness to get her point across as she sings about the what-could’ve-been of a relationship. Then there’s the acoustic pop flavored “Pang-gabi” which forms part of the back-to-back singles from Laroza. This song about a love that’s undecided and the confusion it brings, wrapped in barebones acoustic flavored pop, is the aesthetic of this talented pop singer.

Pusakalye releases the fine-sounding new single titled “Baka Pwede.” Pusakalye changes its tact and stops chasing tired sounding “hugot songs” for a more energetic, go-getter of a song in this upbeat pop rocker that sounds a lot more fitting for their name, skills and if it continues, a pop rock sound they can call their own.

Sibling music act Zach x Zeph tries to branch out into dance music via their new single titled “Won’t Stop.” According to the singer-songwriters, the song is “about the adoration of someone you like and the appreciation of all the wonderful feelings that seeing that person triggers in you.” That basically describes the feeling this song conjures, with its positivity and the upbeat dance club feels it manages to bottle in this song. 

Muntik Lang by Celine Laroza Blacksheep Records Manila official e-card Copyright January 2023

Three main men from viral rap group HOOD 047 namely J emm Dahon, King Lheanard and Kushin (Richard OIamit) collaborate on a J Emm Dahon-produced track titled “Space Jam.” This bouncy, trap-beat driven number is all about rising above in life through pursuing love and passion. Written by J emm, KL and Kushin, this is a warm up for an upcoming EP that will soon drop.

Rap music artist Ace Cirera makes his Viva Records solo debut via the flowing and lyrical bop titled “Sagot Kita.” Ace Cirera is a Pinoy rap music scene vet and is associated with acts such as Because and NexxFriday. He’s also one-fourth of the rap collective Flow Minister. Ace Cirera gets some assistance from R&B singer Yzkk who gets to sing the hook chorus vocals behind Ace Cirera’s blunt rap bursts.

New Vivamax movie “Panibugho” a new original Movie featuring Angela Morena, Stephanie Raz, Mikaela Raz, Kiko Estrada, Benz Sangalang and directed by Iar Arondaing features two popular music acts in the Pinoy music scene today. Starting with Bandang Lapis’ emotional brand of pop rock with “Pagsisisi.” Then there’s Lyca Gairanod whose previously released single, the endearing ballad “Malapit Na Akong Mahulog Sa Iyo” lends some sonic color for the tryst-and-turns of this new movie.

Fund for P2-B waste-to-energy project in Davao City still available

by Antonio Colina IV

DAVAO CITY – The 5.013-billion yen or P2.052-billion donation of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in 2018 for the construction of a waste-to-energy project in Davao City is still available, First District Councilor Temujin “Tek” Ocampo said.

In an interview, Ocampo said that the local government is just waiting for the National Economic Development Authority to approve the project because it requires a counterpart fund of at least P3.486 billion from the national government.

The local government plans to build a WTE project in a 10-hectare property in Biao Escuela, Tugbok District. 

Ocampo said he is hoping that NEDA will approve the WTE project within the year.

He believed the project would push through despite the strong opposition from different environmental advocates in the city.

“I will support the completion of the project because we are already in the implementing stage. The 19th Council approved the project, and it’s now in implementing stage. We are only waiting for updates from NEDA for the budget requirements,” he said.

He said that representatives from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and Department of Energy expressed support for the proposed project when they visited this city in December. 

Ocampo said the WTE would generate a capacity of 11 megawatts. Of this total, 30 percent will be utilized to run the facility.

Various groups are wary of the establishment of WTE facility due to its potential hazards to the health of the local residents and Davao’s rich biodiversity, particularly the fragile watersheds.

Environmental advocates pointed out that the wastes generated in the city are 50 percent organic, which cannot be utilized to fuel a WTE technology.

This city generates around 600 to 700 tons of waste daily, according to the City Environment and Natural Resources Office.

Ocampo added that segregation will still be practiced even after the WTE project is established.

He also allayed fears that the project would have detrimental effects on the health of the public and the environment. 

Ocampo claimed that studies from countries utilizing the technology have shown that those facilities neither pose health risks nor threaten the environment.

“To be honest with you, the council has already approved the project, and we are now on implementing stage… We are asking the national government to allocate the budget so that we can push through the project,” he said.

Atty. Mark Peñalver, executive director of the Interfacing Development Interventions for Sustainability (IDIS), said that a WTE facility is a “dangerous way” of generating power as it is not a renewable energy source and produces more greenhouse gasses than coal.

He said the incinerator, which emits highly toxic and carcinogenic substance, will affect residents of 20 barangays here – Mintal, Santo Niño, Catalunan Grande, Langub, Waan, Callawa, Riverside, Balengaeng, Tacunan, Biao Guianga, Angalan, Los Amigos, Talandang, New Valencia, New Carmen, Matina Biao, Tagakpan, Ula, Tugbok, and Biao Escuela.

The project site of the proposed WTE facility is located 2.2 kilometers away from Biao Escuela Elementary School, and 550 meters from a relocation site of displaced families in Catalunan Grande, according to Peñalver.

Cargo ship grounded off Sorsogon

by Martin Sadongdong

A cargo ship ran aground off Barcelona, Sorsogon due to rough weather condition, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported Sunday, Jan. 22.

Photo: PCG

An incident report from the PCG said landing craft tank (LCT) Regent 101 departed from Lazi, Siquijor on Jan. 19 enroute to Lidong, Albay when it encountered bad weather on Jan. 20. 

“While navigating the vicinity waters off Barcelona, the vessel encountered strong winds and big waves, causing it to be drifted into the shallow waters,” the PCG said.

The vessel was dragged into the vicinity waters of Sitio Boracay in Barangay Luneta, the PCG said.

The Coast Guard Station Sorsogon inspected the hull integrity of the distressed vessel for possible oil spill, and the nearby seabed for marine damage.

The distressed vessel is owned and operated by a certain Southern Regent Shipping Inc.