Author: malaysiang

MANILA: Passengers departing from Clark International Airport (CRK) will soon get to check in for their flights at nearby SM City mall.

The facility will streamline the departure process at CRK, providing ease and convenience to passengers, according to a news release on Friday.

‘This off-site check-in facility, a standard in various world-class airports, brings Clark Airport a step closer to its vision of becoming a premier aviation gateway in this logistics corridor,’ Department of Transportation (DOTr) Undersecretary for Aviation and Airports Roberto Lim said at the signing ceremony for the project’s memorandum of understanding Thursday.

Luzon International Premiere Airport Development (LIPAD) Corp. president and and chief executive officer Noel Manankil said the check-in facility would enhance the appeal of the CRK as an airport of choice and showcase its ‘vibrant’ location.

‘With the added convenience of checking in before reaching the airport, this will truly enhance CRK’s appeal,’ Manankil said.

‘
The check-in facility inside a popular mall will have a positive impact because, more than just an additional service, it will add to the convenience of CRK passengers,’ Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC) president and chief executive officer Arrey Perez added.

The MOU was signed by DOTr, CIAC, Bases Conversion and Development Authority, Department of Tourism – Region III, Clark Development Corporation, LIPAD, Plaza Premium Group and Premier Central, Inc. and SM.

Source: Philippines News Agency

BAUAN: The municipality here is collaborating with local artists to add art tourism to this town’s list of attractions.

The need to diversify Bauan’s tourism offerings has taken on greater urgency in view of an ongoing heat wave which may cause a short-term decline in people visiting its beaches, town council secretary Noel Bautista said in an interview on Thursday.

He said the town will stage the 23rd Sublian Festival next month, with two art exhibits – one ongoing, one slated in May – lined up as part of the celebration to create the perfect opportunity to launch its pool of artists to the broader market.

He said the cooperation between the local government and artists here aligns with efforts to brand the town as an artists’ hub in Batangas.

‘We are encouraging everyone to see the works of our artists. We are also looking to develop the potential of our locals through the exhibits that we conduct yearly,’ Bautista told the Philippine News Agency.

He said next month’s art exhibit will feature the artwo
rks of some 40 local artists, with the theme ‘We are One upang Pagyamanin at Paunlarin ang Kinagisnang Kultura ng Bayan ng Bauan para sa Kinabukasan (We are one to enrich and develop Bauan’s culture for the future).’

Participants of the event include various art groups such as Art’e Bauan, Art’e Likha, BAtangueñong Grupo sa SIning at Kultura (Bagsik), among others.

The Sublian Festival is traditionally held every first week of May to revive the centuries-old tradition of ‘Subli,’ an indigenous Bauan dance.

Bautista said students are becoming more interested in engaging in various fields of art.

Meanwhile, Bagsik president Remo Valenton said the active role of various art groups help preserve the cultural identity of Batangas and uplift the local economy.

Bagsik, the oldest art group in the province, is holding the ongoing exhibit titled ‘Pistahang Bayan’ to feature the culture of town fiesta celebrations around the province.

Valenton said a free art workshop on charcoal portraiture and canvass making wi
ll be held in May to spark an interest among aspiring artists.

He said the rising number of members and formation of new local art groups are indications of the active role of artists across different fields.

‘I hope we can continue to give our local artists the opportunity to express their art in different places such as schools, museums, and malls. Let us pay attention to them because they give strength to the culture of every Filipino,’ he said.

Eric Punzalan, a visual art instructor, will represent Bagsik in the first Filipino art exhibit in Morocco on May 5-15 to celebrate good relations between both countries.

He said the proceeds of the exhibit will benefit the earthquake victims in Morocco.

Punzalan is hopeful this will be the best time to elevate art appreciation not only in galleries but also in public spaces.

‘When they go to exhibits, their perspective broadens. Art is part of our daily lives. Everything we see around us, there is an artist who made it, so art is included in all aspects of o
ur lives,’ he said.

He said the partnership with LGUs in art exhibits is very crucial to the success of their campaign in preserving local culture and arts.

Punzalan, who is also the founding president of Angeli Artists Guild, gives high regard to the dedication of the artists in Batangas to ensure an active role of art especially in the tourism sector.

Art tourism is a marvelous discovery of the province’s cultural heritage aside from the pristine beaches, he said.

Source: Philippines News Agency

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY: Northern Mindanao accounted for 4.7 percent of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) at 5.5 percent last year, a point less compared to the 5.6 percent in 2022, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) report on Friday.

It ranked seventh among all regions in terms of GDP contribution, which the National Capital Region topped at 31.2 percent.

In terms of growth, Northern Mindanao ranked ninth nationwide and second among the regions in Mindanao, following Davao.

Central Visayas posted the fastest growth at 7.3 percent in 2023; Western Visayas ranked second at 7.2 percent; and Ilocos Region third at 7.1 percent.

“Region 10 expanded by 5.3 percent in 2023 with a 55.8 percent share of the GDP and the highest growth of 7.8 percent,” Dr. Janith Aves, PSA Region 10 Officer-in-Charge, said in a statement Friday.

The PSA report also said the Region 10 industry sector grew by 3.8 percent in 2023 from the 6.6 percent growth in the previous year; services recorded a growth of 7
.8 percent in 2023 from 10.1 percent in the previous year; and agriculture, forestry, and fishing grew by 0.3 percent from a 0.5 percent in 2022.

Source: Philippines News Agency

MANILA: San Juan succeeded in its first home stand for the 6th Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) season, scoring a blowout 106-78 win over Iloilo at FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City on Thursday night.

Exactly a week after opening their MPBL campaign with a rout of the Marikina Shoemasters in Caloocan, the Knights did the same to the United Royals, quickly stamping their dominance from the get-go.

Orlan Wamar came close to a triple-double as he led San Juan, now 2-0, with 24 points, eight rebounds, and nine assists with four steals.

His last triple earned him his 1,000th career point in the regional basketball league.

AC Soberano added 13 points on 5-of-6 shooting, one rebound, three assists, and one steal off the bench.

CJ Cansino led Iloilo, which dropped to 1-3, with 19 points, five rebounds, four assists, and one steal.

Earlier, Pasay stretched its winning streak with a 65-64 victory over Batangas City, thanks to a game-winner of Laurenz Victoria with less than a second left.

After h
is team forced a turnover with 7.5 seconds left, Victoria went for a pull-up jumper that swished through the net with only 0.6 seconds remaining to give Pasay the lead.

Jeckster Apinan tried to steal the win for Batangas City, but his three-point attempt hit the backboard as time expired.

Patrick Sleat led the Voyagers, who dropped their season opener against the Negros Muscovados, with 15 points, three rebounds, and one steal.

Warren Bonifacio added 14 points, eight rebounds and one block.

Ced Ablaza made 18 points, 12 rebounds, two assists, two blocks, and two steals for the Rum Masters, who suffered their first loss of the season after a 3-0 start.

In the curtainraiser, Rizal banked on a blistering start to take down South Cotabato, 92-81.

The Golden Coolers outscored the Warriors, 31-11, in the first quarter and never looked back, even extending their lead to 24 before the Warriors cut the lead to a respectable one in the second half.

Rizal, which remained undefeated at 4-0, leaned on Alwyn Alday w
ho produced 22 points, six rebounds, three assists, one steal, and one block.

Kraniel Villoria flirted with a triple-double with 19 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists with one steal and one block.

Val Acuna scored 19 points, two rebounds, three assists, and five steals for South Cotabato, which fell to 2-2.

The scores:

First Game

RIZAL 92 – Alday 22, Villoria 19, Apacible 12, Balagtas 11, Agovida 9, Alonzo 8, Serrano 5, Argente 3, Casino 3, Bernardo 0, Jimenez 0, Timajo 0, Davis 0, Pingoy 0, Lao 0.

SOUTH COTABATO 81 -Acuna 19, M. Cruz 14, Wilson 12, Tolentino 10, Dionisio 7, Elorde 6, Mahaling 4, Sorela 3, Rodriguez 2, Joson 2, J. Cruz 2, Cosip 0, Dumapig 0, Lantaya 0, Apreku 0.

Quarters: 31-11, 52-31, 73-56, 92-81

Second Game

PASAY 65 – Sleat 15, Bonifacio 14, Victoria 12, Reverente 7, Caballero 6, Inigo 5, Ramirez 3, Aguirre 2, Coronel 1, Sienes 0, Salenga 0, Chan 0, Tabi 0, Hillario 0, Lustina 0.

BATANGAS CITY 64 – Ablaza 18, Hernandez 10, Dela Virgen 8, Apinan 7, Baloria 6, Cruz 5, Ramirez
4, Porter 4, Ochea 2, Isit 0, Oliva 0, Lunor 0, Arim 0, Alarcon 0, Importante 0.

Quarters: 13-17, 28-26, 34-47, 65-64

Third Game

SAN JUAN 106 – Wamar 24, Soberano 13, Huang 12, Maiquez 11, Taywan 11, Hugnatan 11, Galinato 6, Miranda 5, Malonzo 4, Soriano 4, Mojica 3, Ando 2, Gamboa 0, Panganiban 0, Ubalde 0,

ILOILO 78 – Casino 19, De La Rosa 11, Doliguez 10, Jeruta 8, Rangel 7, Imperial 6, Catapusan 6, Ongteco 6, Nonoy 3, Larupay 2, Gomez 0, Etrata 0, Madrigal 0, Beltran 0, Diaz 0.

Quarters: 28-17, 50-37, 80-60, 106-78

Source: Philippines News Agency

Dubai: The highly anticipated 10th Philippine Property and Investment Exhibition (PPIE), the Philippines’ largest international property and investment show, is set to return to Dubai on May 11-12, 2024.

This year’s annual event will take place at The Bristol Hotel, Deira, Dubai, aiming to spotlight the Philippines’ robust economic performance, positioning the country as a premier investment hub in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region.

In 2023, the Philippines achieved remarkable economic growth, surpassing key Asian economies with a 5.6 percent Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rate. Overseas remittances also hit a record high of AED136.5 billion, driving positive momentum for the real estate market.

The surge in demand for real properties in the Philippines, especially from overseas Filipinos and foreign investors, reflects the country’s attractiveness as an investment hub.

The participation of leading real estate investment firms in the Philippines like Ayala Land, Hotel 101, RLC
Residences, and Rockwell Land, as recurring major exhibitors in this year’s highly anticipated event not only meets this demand but also highlights PPIE’s enduring legacy and significance in the investment landscape.

In a statement, Alfonso Ver, Philippine Ambassador to the UAE, commended the event, stating: ‘The return of the Philippine Property and Investment Exhibition this year highlights the robust growth of the Philippines’ investment and real estate sectors, particularly in the UAE. This growth signifies the increasing confidence in the Philippine economy. I commend the NPM Group for organizing this event, which brings together leading developers from the Philippines to encourage investment from Filipino and foreign investors.’

Marford Angeles, Philippine Consul General in Dubai, underscored the exhibition’s contribution to showcasing investment opportunities and empowering Filipino professionals and entrepreneurs, stating: ‘This year, as we celebrate a decade of the largest Philippine real estate ev
ent in the UAE, with an inspiring community nearing one million strong Filipinos, we also mark half a century of fruitful relations between our two nations.The exhibition, a pivotal platform, has not only showcased the best investment opportunities to our kababayans but also played a crucial role in shifting the narrative of migrant Filipinos from one of low-skilled workers to one of empowered professionals and successful entrepreneurs.’

Karen Remo, CEO and founder of New Perspective Media Group, organizer of PPIE, expressed confidence in the Philippines as an economic powerhouse, reaffirming PPIE’s commitment to promoting it as a top investment event, stating: ‘The 6.4 percent projected growth rate this year makes the Philippines an economic powerhouse in the ASEAN region. This fills us at NPM with an even greater sense of confidence as we showcase our country as a premier investment hub and be a one-stop-shop for all savings and investments needs for Filipinos and non-Filipinos wanting to invest in the Phi
lippines.’

‘From its very inception in 2014, PPIE has served as a conduit of progress for our nation, and the return of our annual international exhibition underscores our unwavering commitment to this cause. Through our ongoing efforts to promote financial literacy among overseas Filipinos, such as through our signature event like the PPIE, we’ve fostered a culture of saving and investment that will positively impact lives for generations to come,’ she added.

Vince Ang, chief operating officer of NPM Group, said ‘PPIE was born from NPM’s desire to see every overseas Filipino thrive, even after retirement. This vision remains strong. We invite Filipinos and other UAE-based investors to join us for the 10th edition of PPIE. Together, we’ll learn how to manage finances, invest smartly, and gain new skills for the future. This free, two-day event is all about making informed choices today for a brighter tomorrow.’

PPIE will feature a diverse range of real estate, financial and business solutions and services,
along with more than 50 keynotes and forums from over 50 industry experts and corporate leaders from top property developers in the Philippines, as well as UAE-based businesses and organizations.

Aligned with this year’s theme, ‘Discover, Invest and Thrive: Revealing the Beauty of Philippine Investments,’ PPIE will promote investment opportunities including those in the growing tourism sector – showing how investing in the Philippines provides both financial benefits and promoting the country’s natural and cultural heritage.

By showcasing these aspects, the event aims to highlight the attractiveness and potential of investing in the Philippines, welcoming overseas Filipinos and foreign investors to participate in the investment event.

PPIE continues to make history in the Gulf region by attracting high-level delegations from the Philippines and the UAE, featuring the Philippine Economic and Investment Summit (PEIS), and welcoming over 2,500 quality visitors every year for the past nine editions.

Source
: Philippines News Agency

JERUSALEM: Israel has revealed a new proposed deal for a prisoner exchange with Hamas and a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, Israeli media reported Thursday.

The Israeli security cabinet convened to advance a new initiative for the release of hostages held in Gaza, according to Israel’s Channel 13.

Israeli negotiators presented Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the cabinet with a fresh plan that will be presented to Hamas by mediators, it said.

The new initiative, which has not been officially announced yet, reportedly demands that Hamas release over 20 Israeli captives.

The deal may not encompass the release of the 40 hostages Israel had sought in previous weeks, according to the channel.

It said the proposed deal would entail a several-week ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the enclave during this period.

In return, the specifics of the exchange ratio, or the so-called “key” to the deal-meaning the number of Palestinian prisoners to be released for each Israeli deta
inee in Gaza-will be determined later.

However, the channel said under the new initiative, Israel would not be bound to refrain from resuming hostilities at a later stage, and there would be no need for international guarantees in this regard.

The channel alleged that Egypt is gearing up to push for the deal, with an Egyptian envoy set to arrive in Israel on Friday to discuss the details. However, there has been no official statement from Cairo on the channel’s report as yet.

Qatar, Egypt and the US are trying to reach a hostage swap deal and ceasefire in Gaza as the first pause in fighting lasted only a week in late November last year, which resulted in limited aid entering the Gaza Strip as well as exchanges of Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners, mostly women and children detained in Israeli jails.

Hamas is estimated to be holding more than 130 Israeli hostages, while Tel Aviv is holding more than 9,100 Palestinians in its jails.

Hamas demands an end to Israel’s deadly offensive on the Gaza Str
ip and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the territory for any hostage-prisoner swap deal with Tel Aviv.

Israel has waged a brutal offensive on the Gaza Strip since a cross-border attack by the Palestinian group Hamas on Oct. 7 last year, which Tel Aviv says killed nearly 1,200 people.

More than 34,300 Palestinians have since been killed, mostly women and children, and nearly 77,300 others injured amid mass destruction and severe shortages of necessities.

More than six months into the Israeli war, vast swathes of Gaza lay in ruins, pushing 85 percent of the enclave’s population into internal displacement amid a crippling blockade of food, clean water and medicine, according to the UN.

Israel stands accused of genocide at the International Court of Justice. An interim ruling in January ordered Tel Aviv to stop genocidal acts and take measures to guarantee that humanitarian assistance is provided to civilians in Gaza.

Source: Philippines News Agency

BORONGAN CITY: The visit of Miss Philippines Earth 2024 participants in this city is a big boost not only to the local tourism industry but to increasing awareness of environmental protection, the local government here said.

Mayor Jose Ivan Dayan Agda thanked Carousel Production for bringing the national pageant to the capital city of Eastern Samar to showcase their destination and drumbeat environmental protection.

‘I hope holding the Miss Earth Beachwear competition in our city will increase awareness of how to protect our environment and natural resources,” he said Friday.

Agda also emphasized the need for youths to participate in all city programs, especially on climate adaptation.

The 29 pageant candidates arrived here on April 22 before the beachwear competition, one of the major parts of the Miss Philippines Earth, held at Baybay Beach Thursday evening.

Makati City’s Sam Samara, wearing the creation of Cathy-Mora Capistrano, bagged the gold medal, besting 28 other candidates.

Samara is one of the
crowd favorites and among the hot picks of pageant enthusiasts as the frontrunner for the 2024 edition of Miss Philippines Earth.

Miss Philippines Earth Iligan Kristel Codas bagged the silver medal, and Miss Philippine Earth Matanao, Davao Del Sur Irha Mel Inutan Alfeche won the bronze medal.

Agda thanked the Eastern Samar provincial government for assisting the city in hosting the competition.

Before the beach wear competition, the candidates engaged in various recreation and community work activities.

They visited Ando and Divinubo Island, where they interacted with the residents and engaged in diving and other water activities.

They also toured the Hebacong Sea of Clouds. The local government named the destination “sea of clouds” due to the perfect view of cloud formation from the mountaintop. Mountains seemed to float like islands, resembling a sea of clouds.

Candidates visited San Mateo village and rode a “kangga,’ a sled built out of bamboo drawn by a carabao (water buffalo).

They met students of
San Mateo Elementary School, where they had a reading and storytelling session. They learned bamboo potting from personnel from the city environment and natural resources office while in the village.

They also met with coco coir makers in San Gabriel village and learned the craft while engaging with the residents.

Source: Philippines News Agency