'We are in full solidarity': California city council backs ABS-CBN franchise renewal

A family in Mandaluyong City watches a broadcast of ABS-CBN News on May 4, 2020. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News

The city council of Daly, California urged Philippine lawmakers to grant ABS-CBN Corp. a fresh 25-year franchise that would allow it to give Filipinos abroad "connection to the homeland."

About 34 percent of the city's 100,000 people have Philippine roots, making Daly one of the largest Filipino settlements in the US, said the council in a letter dated May 27 to Palawan Rep. Franz Alvarez, chairperson of the House legislative franchises committee that started tackling the proposed license for ABS-CBN last week.

Daly has "witnessed the connection through ABS-CBN TFC (The Filipino Channel)," wrote the council.

Marginalized communities in the Philippines should have "access to information at these critical times in human history and even more so during a health pandemic," the council told Alvarez.

ABS-CBN — which regulators forced off air last May 5, a day after its franchise expired — reaches millions of Filipinos through its television, radio and internet platforms.

"Without ABS-CBN present in the Philippines, there will be a void for so many, and a feeling of losing a piece of themselves as it has been such an integral part of millions of Filipinos' daily life," said the Daly council.

It said it hoped that when lawmakers resume their hearing on Monday, they would "understand that Filipinos are watching globally and that we are in full solidarity for a 25-year franchise agreement for ABS-CBN."

LOOK: Daly City Council sent a letter to the Philippine Congress Franchise committee today urging it to renew the franchise of ABS-CBN. | via @balitangamerica pic.twitter.com/iVQAvYCV94

— ABS-CBN News (@ABSCBNNews) May 28, 2020

Under oath, the National Telecommunications Commission in March told lawmakers that it would let ABS-CBN operate provisionally beyond the expiration of its franchise while bills for its renewal languished in Congress.

But ABS-CBN, home to 11,000 workers, was forced off air by the agency after Solicitor General Jose Calida warned officials that issuing provisional authority for the network to continue airing would lead to graft charges.

The 66-year-old broadcaster has repeatedly denied in various fora said it did not violate the law.

news.abs-cbn.com is the official news website of ABS-CBN Corp.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/05/29/20/we-are-in-full-solidarity-california-city-council-backs-abs-cbn-franchise-renewal

4 Dangerous Thoughts To Throw Out

So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! 1 Corinthians 10:12

Your greatest enemy, in all probability, is within.  It’s the nagging doubt, the belief that you just don’t have what it takes to live the Christian life.  Most of the time, we can keep the voices quiet but, especially when we are tired or discouraged or afraid, they invade our minds.  Writer and speaker Elisabeth Elliott used to say, “Our enemy delights in disquieting us.  Our Savior, our Helper, delights in quieting us.”  The Bible says that our enemy “...the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8).  Maybe you don’t have to be convinced that He is the enemy of your soul, yet quite often we don’t fully understand how he often defeats us by influencing our thinking.

When the Apostle Paul wrote to the Ephesians he talked about Satan’s schemes.  He used a word from which we get the English word methods.  Simply put, Paul is striving to put us on guard, letting us know that Satan has had a lot of experience, and we are comparative beginners, lacking a lot of spiritual savvy and wisdom.

How does this happen?  Let’s get specific and consider several dangerous thoughts that he might plant in your mind to defeat you.

Dangerous thought #1: “I’m not good enough, so there is no need to try!”  If you believe that, you are seriously wounded.  The Christian life is not about your goodness, but about Christ’s!  When you believe in Him, God takes the righteousness of His Son and puts it in your spiritual bank account.  You were spiritually broke—absolutely without a dollar of redemption before you met Christ. God knew that, and that was why He sent His Son on the mission of redemption.

Dangerous Thought #2: “How can I thrive spiritually when others stronger than I couldn’t make it?  This is the idea of someone who stands looking at Mt. Everest, thinking, “If climbers who have trained and climbed for years can’t make it to the top, what makes me think I can?”  Maybe you think about the moral failures of some pretty high-profile people, and then feel that it just isn’t worth trying.  There are times when Christian leaders, even spiritual giants, do fail.  Why?  Perhaps they became confident in themselves.  Perhaps they were burned out.  Perhaps the image they projected in public wasn’t the same as that observed in private, but someone else’s failure has nothing to do with your living the kind of a life that glorifies God.

Here’s another spiritual torpedo that often causes discouragement.  Dangerous Thought #3 says God expects more than I can deliver.  What you have forgotten is the spiritual enabling that comes through the Holy Spirit in response to your cry, “Lord, help me.  Give me the strength I need today to do what You want me to do.”  Faith takes you above what you can do and connects you with His power, His enabling.

Dangerous Thought #4: This one time won’t matter.  Vast numbers of people have been brought down by this one, thinking just one time won’t matter, whether a flirtatious conversation or “just one” of any number of things.

But here is perhaps the deadliest of them all.  It’s this: It couldn’t happen to me.  The area in which you think you are most impervious to temptation is your area of greatest danger.  No one can presume on God’s mercy, His protection, or His grace.  That’s why you need to stay close to Him, communicate with Him daily, and allow His Word to penetrate your life and thoughts.  You, believer in Jesus, “are not controlled by your sinful nature.  You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you” (Romans 8:9 NLT).

https://www.guidelines.org/devotional/4-dangerous-thoughts-to-throw-out/

Cofta Ruby 1

Law dean: Marcoleta misinterpreted law on 50-year franchise term

A law dean on Thursday said House Deputy Speaker Rodante Marcoleta had misinterpreted the 50-year cap on legislative franchises that Congress may grant, among arguments he presented at the House of Representatives on Tuesday in opposing broadcast operations of ABS-CBN Corp.

“I was bit surprised, especially the position taken by the good congressman that the franchise cannot be extended for another 50 years. I don’t think that would be the right interpretation of Section 11 of Art. 12 of the Constitution,” said Soledad Mawis, dean of the Lyceum of the Philippines College of Law.

On ANC’s Headstart, Mawis said the 50-year franchise period in the Constitution is the maximum that can be granted by Congress at one time, and there is no law prohibiting a company from being granted an extension or renewal of their franchise.

“Kaya hindi ko masundan 'yung logic lalo na kunwari po is it the spirit of the Constitution to discourage a franchise holder to do better or to be the best so that when it applies for a renewal mabibigyan? Wala naman pong sinasabi doon ang Constitution na hanggang diyan lang 'yan at hindi puwedeng bigyan ng panibagong prangkisa,” she said.

(That's why I cannot follow the logic especially, for instance, is it the spirit of the Constitution to discourage a franchise holder to do better or be the best so that when it applies for a renewal, it can get one? The Constitution does not say that's the end of it and that a new franchise cannot be given.)

Mawis said Marcoleta’s interpretation becomes a disincentive for a company.

If the lawmaker's take would be followed, it means a firm that has been performing well and running operations properly could no longer be given a franchise extension after 50 years.

Several others, even Marcoleta's colleagues in the House, had said the lawmaker's understanding of the 50-year franchise limit was wrong, citing other broadcast firms operating beyond that length of time.

ABS-CBN was forced to halt its broadcast operations on May 5 after the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) went back on its commitment to allow ABS-CBN to operate beyond its lapsed franchise.

On Monday, the House committees on legislative franchises and good government and accountability started hearings on bills seeking to give ABS-CBN a fresh broadcast franchise.

The network, which has some 11,000 workers, has asked the Supreme Court to block the NTC's cease-and-desist order. The high court ordered the telecoms body and both chambers of Congress to respond to the ABS-CBN's petition.

The Kapamilya network said it "has not committed any violation" of its franchise that would merit its non-renewal or the suspension of its broadcast operations.

On Thursday's interview, Mawis also questioned claims on ABS-CBN’s alleged violation of balanced and responsible reporting.

“Is it material to the renewal of the franchise? That’s my question. Are they supposed to dictate to us, to you, for example, what to air? Is it also not part of your freedom of speech and expression to air what you think is right or not right? So if we go to the content, that’s very subjective,” she said.

Mawis also questioned the timing of ACT-CIS Rep. Eric Yap's statements raising issues against the network for its reportage on drug allegations against Deputy Speaker Paolo Duterte, the President's son.

“Why just now? Why wait for this time when your company is on the brink of closing? Why not before? It’s political in nature. I’m not saying they cannot raise it now because they can for purposes of deciding the renewal of the franchise. It’s just a question of why now after so many years,” she said, referring to the allegations that surfaced in 2017.

“If, for example, the good congressman Duterte felt that he was slighted at that time, then he could have availed of remedies under the law,” she said.

Mawis also asserted that the shutdown of ABS-CBN is a press freedom issue.

“Hindi ko makuha 'yung line of thinking na OK walang issue naman ng freedom of expression o freedom of the press kasi itong isa puwede naman niyang gawin. Hindi po natin pinag-uusapan 'yung puwedeng gawin nung isa. Ang pinag-uusapan natin bakit itong isa na ito hindi ho niya puwedeng gawin 'yung ginagawa nung iba,” she said.

(I don't get the line of thinking that OK there's no freedom of expression or freedom of the press issue here because another one can do what has been doing. We're not talking about what another one can do. We're talking about why this one can't do what the others are doing.)

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/05/28/20/law-dean-marcoleta-misinterpreted-law-on-50-year-franchise-term

Philippines to start transition to online census this September

The Philippines will partly transition to an online system for conducting national census this year as the coronavirus pandemic forced it to push back the timetable to September, the government’s main statistics agency said on Wednesday.

The census of population, held every five years, was originally set for May.

But with people ordered to hunker down at home for two and half months now – state workers included – a census that previously required having enumerators knock on each household’s door has to take a back seat.

“The online census will be done on a limited scale, meaning we already identified people, specific households,” Deputy National Statistician for Censuses Minerva Eloisa P. Esquivias told CNN Philippines in a zoom interview.

“We have the list already so we will be contacting them via email and provide them access numbers,” she said.

This initial round of online count will cover 2,000 households, mostly from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) and agencies working with it, so that they form the pilot group. The statistics agency did not have to procure a third-party systems provider as the national budget had allocated it with funds to strengthen its own IT infrastructure.

With the Philippine population projected to have bloated to 110 million this year from 100.98 million in 2015 when the last census was taken, an initial online coverage of 2,000 households may not count. But it’s a good start.

“We have to do something even in a small scale to start somewhere because we are already on a digital age,” Esquivias said.

Online censuses are becoming a trend, with Southeast Asian peers Indonesia and Malaysia going digital too for its population count this year, she added.

“Probably when we have the next census, we will explore that on a greater scale,” she said

But with most rural households still with no access to internet infrastructure nor a decent desktop at home, a full-blown online census may be distant.

A national ID system could make the transition to online census easier but the law imposes restrictions on the use of data collected via the national ID system.

“The national ID as provided in the law, is just foundational," Esquivias explained. "It provides you the identification of an individual but it cannot be used for other purposes.”

“For us PSA, it’s easier for us to do the census with the national ID database but we cannot do that because of the limitations in the law," she also said. "The privacy and the confidentiality of both the national ID and the census will have to take precedence over all other functional advantages. We cannot do anything that is not allowed by law.”

Results of the census cannot be used for targeting welfare spending or cash aid either.

Controversies hounding the distribution of an P8,000 dole-out for 18 million households affected by COVID-19 earlier prompted lawmakers to call for the quick implementation of the national ID system. The basis for identifying who gets the cash aid was a list made by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) which had a methodology that is totally separate from the PSA’s national census.

“The census data does not provide the name and the address," Esquivias said. "The census law only provides us to disseminate statistical summaries without identification of any individual.”

“The census law is BP [Batas Pambansa] 72 and our Philippine Statistical Act of 2013 so there’s provision on the confidentiality of information," she added, "so in fact, when we talk of SAP [social amelioration program], it’s the list of DSWD not the 2015 census of population.”

In gist, data collected from the census are for statistical purposes only – the results help policymakers decide how to distribute public funds to local communities and where to build new schools, hospitals and public parks.

Pen and paper plus stickers

The rest of the population not covered by the online census for this year will be visited by enumerators – some with pen and paper, others with computer tablets or will just ask for the household’s phone number for a follow-up call if they opt for a phone interview.

The PSA is hiring 120,000 people to do the job.

“One enumeration area would be about 400 households so the enumerator will have to move around covering 400 households within a span of one month,” Esquivias said.

The statistics agency is urging the public to cooperate in the census, giving assurances that the enumerators will be properly equipped with masks and other protective equipment.

With household visits still widely the norm, the census sticker is here to stay.

“We will have stickers to be posted by enumerators because the sticker is a very visible sign that will tell us supervisors in terms of coverage,” Esquivias said. “It’s part of our quality assurance.”

https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2020/5/27/PSA-hiring-nationwide-population-census.html

NOMO - A Vista Lifestyle Center

ABS-CBN franchise authors: 50-year franchise limit renewable, Constitution clear

The 50-year limit on franchises given by Congress is renewable, authors of measures granting ABS-CBN a fresh license to operate said Wednesday.

This, in dispute of Deputy Speaker Rodante Marcoleta's statement Tuesday that the country's largest broadcast network has been operating for a total of 53 years, violating the Constitution's provision on the period of franchises.

Section 11, Article 12 of the 1987 Constitution states: “No franchise, certificate, or any other form of authorization for the operation of a public utility shall be granted except to citizens of the Philippines... for a longer period than fifty years."

Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez and Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Zarate said 50 years was the maximum that can be granted by Congress in each franchise law it passes, but this does not prohibit companies from getting a renewal.

“It is not cumulative. Congress can give 50 years in one instance and it can be extended for another 50 years and so on. However, the practice is to give 25 years every instance or issuance. The Constitution is very clear," Rodriguez said.

Zarate said that if Marcoleta’s interpretation of that constitutional limit is followed, other holders of franchises who have been in operation for more than 50 years should also be stopped.

“If we follow the logic, that interpretation, kahit 'yung ibang networks na matanda na rin dapat wala na sila sa ere. I can only judge based sa kanilang station ID for example GMA-7 sinabi rin ng GMA7 na more than 50 years na in existence," he said.

"PLDT, also a public utility, was granted a franchise for 50 years in November 28, 1928 under Act No. 3436 ... and, PLDT is still around."

ABS-CBN was forced to halt its broadcast operations on May 5 after the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) went back on its commitment to allow ABS-CBN to operate beyond its lapsed franchise.

The network, which has some 11,000 workers, has asked the Supreme Court to block the NTC's cease-and-desist order.

The high court ordered the telecoms body and both chambers of Congress to respond to ABS-CBN's petition.

news.abs-cbn.com is the official news website of ABS-CBN Corp.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/05/27/20/abs-cbn-franchise-authors-50-year-franchise-limit-renewable-constitution-clear

House panel gets nearly 200 ABS-CBN petitions ahead of franchise hearing

The House legislative franchises committee has received nearly 200 petitions for and against the grant of a fresh 25-year broadcast franchise to ABS-CBN Corp.

The 181 petitions pushing for a license to operate for the country's top broadcaster cited the following points, according to a matrix of the committee:  public service in reporting; freedom of expression and of the press; labor opportunities; and fair market competition.

ABS-CBN's shutdown since May 5 due to its stalled franchise sends a chilling effect on other media outlets, petitioners argued.

The news and entertainment giant also provides relief goods to survivors of calamities and livelihood to partner organizations and cooperatives, rebuilds school buildings, and gives out scholarships, the petitions said.

ABS-CBN gives its regular employees financial assistance and other benefits which are beyond what is prescribed by law.

The network is also a partner of various universities in Manila for recruitment activities, job fairs and symposia, and on-the-job training, said the petitioners.

Eight petitions meanwhile opposed the new franchise for ABS-CBN due to its 2016 election coverage, supposed foreign ownership, labor practices, and alleged franchise violations like illegal pay-per-view.

The 65-year-old media outfit has denied these accusations in various fora.

The House franchise committee on Tuesday afternoon will start deliberations on bills for ABS-CBN's 25-year franchise, about a week after it dropped a proposed 5-month provisional license.

The National Telecommunications Office on May 5 forced ABS-CBN off air, a day after its franchise expired while bills for its renewal stalled in Congress.

The NTC's action came after Solicitor General Jose Calida warned its leaders they could face graft charges if they gave ABS-CBN a provisional permit. Regulators, under oath, earlier told lawmakers the network could operate until 2022.

Calida last week denied that he meddled with the NTC's decision. He said he would skip Tuesday's franchise hearing due to the "sub judice" rule, which restricts comments that might influence the court.

The government's chief lawyer in February asked the Supreme Court in a quo warranto petition to nullify ABS-CBN's franchise.

Report from RG Cruz, ABS-CBN News

news.abs-cbn.com is the official news website of ABS-CBN Corp.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/05/26/20/house-panel-gets-nearly-200-abs-cbn-petitions-ahead-of-franchise-hearing

Calida 'expected' to attend House hearing on ABS-CBN franchise renewal: lawmaker

Solicitor General Jose Calida is expected by congressmen to attend the House Committee on Legislative Franchises' hearing Tuesday on ABS-CBN's franchise renewal, a lawmaker said Monday.

Bulacan Rep. Jonathan Sy-Alvarado, one of the committee's five vice-chairpersons, said in a statement that Calida is among a number of resource persons the panel called "to shed light and provide a general overview of the issues."

"Just like the members of Congress, I am sure our kababayans would like to hear - and they deserve to hear - what SolGen Calida has to say, instead of just reading or watching about it in the news," Sy-Alvarado said.

Calida's expected presence in the hearing is "without prejudice to the quo warranto case he has filed before the Supreme Court" against the expired franchise of ABS-CBN.

Calida asked the high court in February to invalidate ABS-CBN's franchise, citing alleged violation by the company of the Constitutional ban on foreign ownership and purportedly operating "beyond the scope of its legislative franchise." The quo warranto petition remains unresolved.

The franchise of ABS-CBN, which insisted it did not violate the law, has since expired on May 4, without any of pending bills in Congress seeking to grant it a fresh 25-year franchise getting passed.

On May 5, the country's leading media and entertainment company halted its broadcast operations after the National Telecommunications Commission issued it a cease-and-desist order, going back to its commitment to lawmakers in March that ABS-CBN will be granted a provisional authority.

It followed the warning Calida gave to the NTC on the eve of the expiry of ABS-CBN's franchise against the issuance of a provisional authority.

Sy-Alvarado said Calida's appearance at the House is not expected to affect the case lodged before the SC, citing the Constitution and a House rule that states, "the filing or pendency of a case before any court, tribunal or quasi-judicial or administrative body shall not stop or abate any inquiry conducted to carry out a legislative purpose."

Calida did not attend hearings conducted by the Senate in February and last week that tackled issues related to ABS-CBN.

House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano has blamed Calida for "unconstitutionally meddling" with ABS-CBN's franchise renewal issue.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/05/25/20/calida-expected-to-attend-house-hearing-on-abs-cbn-franchise-renewal-lawmaker

Multiply shutdown controversy

Multiply, one of the country’s top social networking sites several years ago, announced earlier this month that it’s dumping the site’s social networking features to make way for a more e-Commerce-friendly Multiply.

Friendster, Multiply’s primary competitor in the country a couple of years back, also left the social networking category last year by targetting the social gaming market. Multiply made the announcement via its newly appointed CEO Stefan Magdalinski’s blog post entitled “We are sorry.”

“We have decided to discontinue providing and hosting these services, as we have concluded that other Internet sites who are committed to social networking services will do a better job serving you than we can.”

The announcement assured all Multiply e-Commerce users that they won’t have to do anything during the transition period which is until December of this year as the affected users are only those who are maintaining blogs, photos, music and videos since 2004.

Those who have upgraded to Multiply Premium, the exclusive subscription that gives users more unique features of the site, will be issued appropriate refunds.

“We are aiming to have the new site relaunched in time for the Christmas period,” Magdalinski said in an interview. “In the new platform, we will probably mandate certain styles of user experience, but we will also encourage shop owners to check out systems that work.”

Per statistics, Multiply has approximately 5.5 million users in the Philippines with 130,000 of them using the site as online stores.

In December 2012, Multiply stopped its social networking service to focus on e-commerce, targeting the 350 million consumers in Indonesia and the Philippines.

Whether the Multiply, can continue to operate in another form remains unknown. At issue is whether Magdalinski will withdraw his liquidation petition against the company.

Mainland investor Si Rongbin’s China Culture Media, to whom Magdalinski had sold the controlling stake in the former E-commerce and social networking site, refused to call it quits and pledged to keep Multiply’s brand name alive through archive photo and video services.

On Wednesday, Magdalinski said they had put in place Rp 8.9 billion for wages owed to former Multiply staff.

The Labour Department said earlier that around 400 former Multiply staff had applied for compensation through the Protection of Wages on Insolvency Fund, a safety net for employees affected by business closures.

Naspers Limited (later Prosus N.V.) which owns Multiply, said the website would reopen in November 2025.

The decade-long closure was necessary to allow the importation of  new features similar to Facebook Live and hashtag similar to Twitter and Instagram and retention of old features such as Traditional Blogging, Unlimited Photo Sharing, Videos, Calendar, Reviews, Recipes, Marketplace, Music, Inbox newsfeed and Groups, it added.

That seasonal workers would have to wait until the website’s reopening, adding that 18 million Multiply users would be given financial assistance.

As of present, Multiply remains off. It has been offline for over 6 years, it started since the midterm of Benigno Aquino III Administration and the whole Duterte Administration. It was expected to return not after January 20, 2017, but failed to meet the deadline. After missing the entirety of 2018 to 2020, it is expected to return in 2023, as revealed on their home page.

It announced that the company will continue its business as a archive photo and video site with their new mobile app, delivering 217 million accounts, 210 million photos and 237,000 videos from the old Multiply from it's launch in March 2004 to March 15, 2013 and 691 million photos from the old Webshots instead of social networking and E-commerce.

It had forced the company to explore either a sale were inaccurate. Magdalinski released an emailed statement claiming "our banks, partners and shareholders are fully supportive of our company and it is untrue that the company or board is exploring a sale or shutdown of the company” and that “business is continuing as usual as the company moves ahead.”

This was contradicted by Multiply president Peter Pezaris and a spokesman for company investor Goldman Sachs.

Glasser and the other two remaining members of the company's board of directors also did not joining Stefan in signing this statement either.

It announced that it will shut down its social networking and content sharing services to shift its focus to online shopping.

In an announcement posted on the website, Multiply chief executive officer Stefan Magdalinski said users will no longer be able to share photos, videos and blogs starting December 1.

Magdalinski believes that other websites “will do a better job serving you than we can.”

Facebook currently leads the pack in the social media race with over 900 million followers.

“From December 1st, we will unfortunately no longer be able to support Multiply in its current form – notably we will be removing the social networking and content sharing part of Multiply (photos, videos, blogs, social messaging, etc.). We have decided to discontinue providing and hosting these services, as we have concluded that other Internet sites who are committed to social networking services will do a better job serving you than we can.

“For our existing users of social networking features, we will be providing easy ways for you to either download your stuff (photos, blogs, content, etc.), or migrate it to other online services. We’ll announce the precise details shortly. It will be your choice whether to download, migrate or just let your content lapse (and get deleted).

Magdalinski said Multiply will now focus on improving its online shopping capability, citing its 350 million consumers in Indonesia and the Philippines.

“I suspect that many of you will not like the news, and I am sorry to have to deliver it now. I hope that you will be able to understand the reasons for our decision and thank you for being a part of the Multiply community over the past eight years,” he said.

On December 1, 2012 it completed its shift to a marketplace platform from being a social networking site storing pictures, videos, and blogs.

"Earlier this year Multiply made the big decision to transform and dedicate the site entirely to e-commerce. In the process, the company announced this month its decision to shut down the site’s social networking and content sharing functions. We recently talked to Multiply’s CEO Stefan Magdalinski and Indonesia country manager Daniel Tumiwa about the decision to take down the blog platform, and about the company’s plans for 2013.

Daniel said that they will be taking down the blogs soon, and have given its members around two months to download and migrate their content to other blogging services. They are still giving an additional one month grace period to make sure members have enough time to settle their affairs. But starting this month, users are no longer able to post anything new on their Multiply-hosted blogs, but we can still view and read the blogs for several months. Then they’ll vanish for good.

Stefan added that competition among social networking sites is unique, as there’s often a dominant entity, making it more difficult to be successful. But e-commerce is a bit different, because there are a lot of successful e-commerce businesses, even if they only get a smaller market slice.

Before this decision to cease blogging services was made, Multiply’s team frequently held sessions with its members for about a year to get feedback on the company’s plans. Daniel said that the decision was a difficult one, especially when there has been a lot of stories and memories invested in numerous Multiply blogs, including people who met their spouses via their own blog.

Reuters reported on December 3, 2012 that Multiply had entered talks with private equity firm Colony Capital for sale of its assets.

On December 10, 2012, Colony Capital pulled out of acquiring Multiply.

Other persons and companies that have expressed interest in acquiring Multiply include rapper Jay-Z, Yucaipa Companies, Viacom, Lionsgate (the current home video distributor of TWC and Miramax), Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (the former U.S theatrical distributor of TWC), A&E Networks, Administrator of the Small Business Administration Maria Contreras-Sweet, Killer Content, Shamrock Holdings, Vine Alternative Investments, Anchorage Capital Group, MSD Capital, beIN Media Group (the current owner of Miramax), Sony Pictures Television, and Versa.

Contreras-Sweet has proposed turning Multiply into a archive photo and video site that allows to download and view their old photos and videos from old Friendster, Multiply and Webshots accounts, while Killer Content would donate the website's profits.

All the interested parties had to submit their first-round bids by December 20, 2012.

On January 4, 2013 Multiply narrowed its bids down to six parties, with a sales price of below $500 million. The website's owners will not receive any cash from the sale.

Cayetano meanwhile said that the March 14's closure of Multiply social networking services would take effect on March 23. “I think, there are 120 days after [it can take effect].”

“So, ‘pag hindi pa po na-re renew ng Congress pwede sila mag-operate with temporary permit mula sa SEC (So, if Congress fails to renew, they can operate temporary permit from the SEC ),” he said in an interview.

“Kung wala pang ginagawa ang Congress (If Congress fails to act, walang approval (if there was no approval), no action taken by Congress they can still operate with temporary permit from SEC,” Go stressed.

On March 23, 2013, Multiply International ceased its social networking operations as of now.

On April 26, 2013, Multiply announced it will close Multiply Indonesia and Multiply International website as of May 6, 2013.

"After nine years, all of our offices worldwide are going out of business," the statement said.

“In 2016, wala pa ring nangyari, ‘yun na ‘yun, doon siya (If in 2016 nothing happens, that’s it. That is when it is) deemed terminated. Hintayin nila ‘yung bagong Congress, magfile ng bagong franchise (They have to wait for the new Congress to file a new franchise),” Enrile said.

Rep. Antonio “Tonypet” Albano, vice chairman of the Committee on Legislative Franchises at the House of Representatives, expressed the same view.

“Senate President Enrile and I have already explained so many times that Multiply may actually legally continue to operate as a company,” Albano said.

Eleven bills seeking to renew Multiply’s franchise are pending at the committee level. The panel has yet to set a schedule a hearing.

Albano said that the committee would tackle the franchise bills based on House processes.

“On the matter of the franchise of Multiply, we must and are proceeding steadily but cautiously given the highly-charged atmosphere among those who are against and in favor of its renewal,” the lawmaker said. “While we understand the concerns aired by various sectors, including our colleagues in the Senate, we stand by our process and refuse to be stampeded or coerced into making hasty decisions for political mileage.”

He urged the website to respond to the concerns raised by the Office of the Solicitor General in its quo warranto petition filed before the Supreme Court.

“At this time, we urge the website to just respond to the issues raised by the solicitor general Francis Jardeleza as it is highly probable that those same concerns will be tackled in our hearings. But more than this, following the advice of the Speaker for soul-searching, this might be the most opportune time for the company to try to understand why public sentiment is also against the website,” Albano said.

“As a government franchisee, the website’s continued operation relies heavily on its ability to serve the public good. As it stands now, there are serious concerns being raised against Multiply by various sectors not just by the President and the Speaker and other politicians and business people as to its business practices and its delivery of information to the public,” he added.

On May 24, 2013, Multiply's employees filed a strike notice, protesting a rumored shutdown of Multiply on May 31.

On May 30, 2013, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said that President Aquino will stand by the decision of the SEC on granting Multiply a fresh 25-year franchise.

This is a very welcome development since Multiply went close down on May 6, 2013 and ceased all business operations on May 31, 2013. Social media was flooded with messages of sympathy, support and love for the website. On the other hand, many netizens also gloated and criticized the website, rejoicing at Multiply’s plight. The website became a divisive issue that added more stress and anxiety during this closure.

There is also a chance that Multiply can go back online sooner. Several legal luminaries have expressed that what SEC did. It blatantly disregarded the power of Congress, which has the sole authority to issue franchises. Hopefully, the Supreme Court will come out with a favorable decision.

As the new investor is to launch a debt restructuring plan for Multiply, the High Court on June 17 its liquidation proceedings and removed accounting firm Deloitte from its role as the firm’s provisional liquidator.

Derek Lai, vice-chair of Deloitte China, said on Tuesday that since Star Platinum had already resolved the major debts Multiply incurred, it was unlikely the internet company would go into liquidation despite still owing smaller debts to other creditors including Facebook.

“Star Platinum needs to negotiate with the remaining creditors,” he said. “I hope they will support its restructuring with Multiply.”

He added that Multiply now had a cash flow of HK$10 million to be paid to other creditors as well as assets worth over HK$40 million.

In its latest financial report last month, Co-Prosperity said the deal with Multiply could help the group diversify its business. Apart from the online industry, the group focuses on fabric and clothing trading, money lending and securities investments.

“The directors believe that the potential intrinsic value of Multiply can be realized if the plan to rescue Multiply is successful,” the report said.

The group said it could make use of Multiply’s remaining assets and turn the website into a archive photo and video site.

“The group has been granted access and usage of certain assets of Multiply which shall enable Multiply to continue to operate and act as a archive photo and video site taking advantage of its 100,000 square-meter facility, and social networking portion that delivering 217 million accounts, 210 million photos and 237,000 videos from the old Multiply from it's launch in March 2004 to March 15, 2013,” it said.

On November 16, 2013 it allowed the controlling stake in the website to be formally sold to a foreign or mainland investor, who claimed Magdalinski had a rescue plan for the troubled firm.

High Court judge Mr Justice Jonathan Harris validated the transaction after hearing that the parties would no longer object to the share transfer and that the dues for the shares had been paid by Si.

In February 2014, Multiply announced that it planned to file for Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code. The action would allow Multiply to pay its debt obligations, and cancel its obligations to shareholders.

Private equity firm Apollo Management expected to own most of Multiply's shares after the bankruptcy.

On March 12, 2014, the Securities and Exchange Commission said it would issue a provisional authority to allow Multiply to operate until December 31, 2019, while Congress continues to deliberate on its franchise bid.

On March 13, 2014 Solicitor General Francis Jardeleza begged off comment on the SEC's plan to grant Multiply provisional authority to operate so it could continue the site and business operations pending reopening of social networking portion.

Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, Jr. on May 20, 2014 said the House of Representatives would be "ready to decide" on a new 25-year franchise for Multiply by August.

The Lower House stopped deliberations for the proposed 5-month provisional permit for the broadcaster and opted to hear bills seeking to give it a 25-year franchise.

Deliberations by the House franchises committee will continue during the Congress recess starting in June, said Belmonte.

"They will not stop until they are finished so that no one can say we’re stopping the process or dragging our feet," he told ABS-CBN News.

"I foresee that the hearings would not go beyond July, and by August, after President Aquino’s SONA (State of the Nation Address), we should be ready to decide," he added.

Lawmakers will hold 2 or 3 hearings per week to tackle "no more than 10 issues" related to the franchise. Some witnesses and resource persons would be required to physically appear before the committee, provided social distancing and other health protocols are observed, he said.

House Committee on Legislative Franchises chair Marcelino Teodoro said the franchise hearing is set on May 27, 9:30 a.m.

"The hearings must be fair, impartial, comprehensive, and thorough. All voices must be heard and all issues for and against will be discussed…this will require a lot of time - time we do not have. And so, there will be sacrifices on our part if we hope to finish this without delay," said Belmonte.

"For those who are calling for an outright approval or denial, I ask that you suspend your extreme views until all the facts have been presented, and all the testimonies have been heard," he said.

Multiply said it has been losing P30-60 million in revenues daily since it closed last May 6, 2013 and ceasing all business operations last May 31, 2013.

The 10-year-old E-commerce and social networking site promised it "would not take away any jobs for 6 months." However, it may "consider" retrenching workers by August if it fails to resume operations soon, CEO Magdalinski told senators.

The Securities and Exchange Commission told lawmakers in March that it would let the world's top E-commerce and social networking site operate provisionally, while bills for its franchise renewal stalled in Congress for years.

But days after Solicitor General Francis Jardeleza warned SEC officials that they could face graft charges if they gave Multiply a provisional permit.

On May 22, 2014, House Speaker Belmonte has confirmed the House of Representatives will finally conduct a congressional hearing on the franchise renewal of Multiply.

He said the hearing is set on Tuesday, May 27, 2014.

In an ambush interview on Thursday afternoon, Belmonte said he talked with House Committee on Legislative Franchises chairman Teodoro and "assured him he has complete autonomy with the vice-chairman and sabi niya, when he starts sa Tuesday, itutuloy-tuloy na ito”.

“I will be making the session hall available to make sure the witnesses na dapat nandoon ay may social distancing at saka there is enough space for everyone,” he added.

It may also be a joint hearing with the House Committee on Good Government.

“I think naglabas na ng notice si Chairman Marcy and I think magjo-joint din ang Good Government para yung SEC at saka yung SolGen ay makapag-participate din,” said Belmonte.

On January 25, 2016, President Benigno Aquino III, through the Governance Commission for Government-owned and -controlled corporation (GCG) approved the planned privatization of Multiply. The privatization will be undergo public bidding with an estimated floor price of 20 billion pesos. The proceeds of the bidding will be for the increase of Facebook's capital to upgrade and modernize their social networking capabilities. The Development Bank of the Philippines will be the financial adviser for the privatization. Incoming PCOO secretary Martin Andanar has already forwarded the privatization plan to President Rodrigo Duterte's executive secretary Salvador Medialdea. Andanar will also coordinate with the GCG before the start of the bidding.

Now new reports say that comeback could happen as soon as the 2020 holiday season. CBS News reported that Multiply brand are now being managed by Multiply Media LLC.

Multiply Media LLC in August 2016; they are reportedly planning to take the brand worldwide.

Franchise woes loom over ABS-CBN shares

Uncertainties over its legislative franchise slumped ABS-CBN Corp.’s shares as it resumed trading last week, shedding over 10 percent from its last price prior to the trading suspension.

ABS-CBN saw its shares close to P15.72 apiece on Friday, down 18 centavos or 1.13 percent amid the 1.17-percent shed of the benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange Index (PSEi) on the same day.

The PSE suspended trading of the shares and deposit receipts of ABS-CBN on May 6 — a day after the National Telecommunication Commission (NTC) issued a cease-and-desist order (CDO) against the local broadcast network.

The order was released after the network’s legislative franchise expired on May 4.

The trading suspension was only lifted on May 18, after the Lopez-led firm fully disclosed the impact of the order to its operations. Its shares opened down to P15 each on May 18, which also was the stock’s current 30-day low.

“The plunge in [ABS-CBN’s] share price comes as investors price in the media company’s daily forgone revenues caused by the shutdown of its franchise operations,” Philstocks research associate Japhet Tantiangco told The Manila Times.

ABS-CBN has been forced to go off-air since the night of May 5, following the release of the CDO.

“Despite Senate Resolution 40, the House of Representatives’ committee on legislative franchises’ letter, the guidance of the Department of Justice and the sworn statement of NTC Commissioner Gamaliel Cordoba, the NTC did not grant ABS-CBN a provisional authority to operate while its franchise renewal remains pending in Congress,” ABS-CBN said in a statement on May 5.

Tantiangco also attributed ABS-CBN’s poor market performance last week to uncertainties surrounding the firm’s franchise renewal.

“The company’s future remains hanging in the balance given that there’s still no decision from the government, primarily from the Congress, regarding its legislative franchise,” he said.

Diversified Securities Inc. trader AnicetoPangan told The Times that the shares of the media conglomerate would “continue to slump” until its franchise has been renewed.

“As they are losing P30 million to P35 million [everyday that they are off air], they’ll continue to slump until there is a clear direction on when they’ll be able to start again on renewed 25-year franchise,” he said.

Likewise, Tantiangco said ABS-CBN’s share price would depend on the progress of the deliberation of its franchise renewal.

“For now, we’re seeing a downward bias for the share since the opportunity losses, primarily the forgone revenues, are to continue given that the company’s radio and TV broadcasting operations remain shut,” he noted.

“Ultimately, the impetus that could drive ABS’ shares up would be an affirmative decision from the government with respect to its franchise. For now, the trading range for ABS is set from P15.00 to P16.50,” Tantiangco further said.

Pangan also said a “clear direction of a renewed 25-year franchise within the near term or a temporary restraining order from the Supreme Court” would help boost investors’ sentiments towards ABS-CBN shares.

https://www.manilatimes.net/2020/05/25/business/stock-watch/franchise-woes-loom-over-abs-cbn-shares/727062/

Online plea for ABS-CBN franchise grant gets over 1M signatures in 24 hours

A signature drive led by the head of the employees’ union of network giant ABS -CBN has garnered over a million signatures in just 24 hours.

The signature campaign, launched by ABS-CBN union head Jon Villanueva, is addressed to the House of Representatives.

In the petition, ABS-CBN employees and their families and friends called for the immediate granting of the network’s franchise.

“We, the employees of ABS-CBN, call for the immediate discussion and passing of the renewal of the ABS-CBN Franchise,” the petition said.

ABS-CBN has been off the air since May 5, when the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) issued a cease and desist order compelling the network to stop broadcasting since it has no valid franchise.

It was the first time ABS-CBN was forced by the government to shut down since it was padlocked in September 1972 when dictator Ferdinand Marcos imposed martial law.

In a text message, Villanueva said that he and other colleagues have been circulating a similar petition since February, with the intention of collecting all 11,000 plus signatures of the network’s employees.

But the community quarantine over Luzon halted their bid to gather the signatures.

“We also expected the NTC to grant us a provisional authority to remain on air. But of course as we all know now, we were surprised by the cease and desist order,” Villanueva said in Filipino.

That was when the petition was put online.

In the petition, ABS-CBN employees appealed to Congress to immediately tackle the franchise renewal, so they can go back to work.

“We want ABS-CBN to continue its operations, not only because it serves as our main source of livelihood, but because for most of us, the company’s happy working environment and the management’s fair practices have encouraged us to continue to be in the service of the Filipino,” the petition said.

Villanueva expressed gratitude and optimism that the popular support for the network will lead to the granting of its franchise.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1279912/online-plea-for-abs-cbn-franchise-grant-gets-over-1m-signatures-in-24-hours

PHILIPPINES: AN ESTIMATED FOUR MILLION ATTEND POPE'S WORLD YOUTH DAY MASS

In a climax to Pope John Paul's visit to the Philippines an estimated four million people, the largest crowds to greet the Pontiff during his 16 years in office, attended his World Youth Day Mass on Sunday (January 15), Vatican officials said.

On Saturday the Pope attended a youth rally in central Manila's Luneta Park where police estimated up to half a million people awaited him.

They beat drums, set off firecrackers, sang and chanted for 15 minutes when the Pontiff arrived at the park. The Pope playfully waved his cane at dancers greeting him during the ceremonies.

Police and Vatican officials put the crowd at Sunday's mass in Manila's Rizal Park at more than ten million.

The 74-year-old Pontiff had originally been scheduled to travel the three kilometres (two miles) from the Apostolic Nunciature to the park by road.

But he had to travel by helicopter because roads leading there were completely blocked by people.

The Pope, who has had difficulty in walking since surgery on his right leg last year, was helped from the white-painted helicopter.

A delegation from China's state-sanctioned Catholic church attended the event in one of the clearest indications of warming relations since Beijing broke with the Vatican in the 1950s.

World Youth Day is a Roman Catholic event held every year, alternatively in Rome and another city.

MANILA, PHILIPPINES (JANUARY 14-15, 1995) 

(RTV/POOL-ACCESS ALL) 

(JANUARY 14) 

1. GV NIGHT SCENES POPE JOHN PAUL MOVING THROUGH 

STREETS 0.05 

2. GV/SV CROWDS (5 SHOTS) 0.20 

3. SV POPE TWIRLING CANE 0.33 

4. GV CROWD SINGING 0.38 

5. SV/LV POPE SWAYING WITH SINGERS ON STAGE (2 SHOTS) 0.50 

6. AERIAL VIEW OF HUGE CROWD HOLDING CANDLES 0.54 

7. GV POPEMOBILE TRAVELLING THROUGH CROWDS 1.04 

8. SV AUSTRALIAN FLAG/ZOOM OUT AUSTRALIAN 

DELEGATES (2 SHOTS) 1.12 

8. GV/SV PEOPLE PRAYING /SLEEPING (4 SHOTS) 1.36 

(JANUARY 15) 

9. SV PAN CHINESE DELEGATION/FLAG 1.42 

10. SLV HELICOPTER - POPE ARRIVING 1.50 

11. GV MILLIONS CHEERING 1.53 

12. SV POPE ARRIVES AND WAVES 2.04 

13. GV CARDINALS 2.08 

14. SV POPE SAYING "YOUNG PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES AND ALL OVER THE WORLD, I AM VERY HAPPY TO BE WITH YOU" (ENGLISH) 2.20 

15. AERIAL/PAN OF CROWD (2 SHOTS) 2.33 

16. SV POPE GREETING PHILIPPINE PRESIDENT FIDEL RAMOS 2.39 

17. SV SECURITY FORCES WITH SNIPER RIFLES ON ROOF OF NEARBY BUILDING 2.43 

18. AERIAL OF CROWD 2.47 

19. GV POPE CLIMBING INTO HELICOPTER AFTER SERVICE/HELICOPTER LEAVING 2.59

‘Politics doomed ABS-CBN provisional franchise’

What prompted House members to drop a proposal to grant provisional franchise to broadcast giant ABS-CBN while Congress deliberates on its franchise renewal application?

Even Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano, who initiated the measure that could have allowed the network to return on air under a temporary franchise until Oct. 31, was surprised by the sudden turnaround in the chamber’s plenary.

“I did not expect it to happen because in my view and when we speak of fairness, we should allow ABS-CBN to go on air and cover the hearings so we can judge whether or not its coverage is really fair on the issue once arguments are presented,” he admitted in a radio interview yesterday.

Cayetano said the House is a collegial body that decides through a consensus or majority vote, wherein members can change their positions anytime.

He said that after the chamber passed his House Bill 6723 on first and second reading on May 13, political parties met with their leaders and members in the following days.

“Some political parties and congressmen, other members of the government and even private citizens had plenty of discussions... You know individual votes of congressmen can change once they meet with their political blocs or regional blocs,” he said.

Cayetano said before the chamber dropped his bill on Tuesday, they had an all-member caucus wherein even authors of franchise renewal bills stood firm in their positions but had to follow the stand of their respective parties.

He did not name which political blocs decided to reject the provisional franchise bill.

But during a virtual plenary session, representatives of major political parties led by the PDP-Laban and National Unity Party expressed support for Cayetano’s leadership, but moved to bring the issue back to the legislative franchises committee for hearings on the 25-year franchise bills.

“As I said, the well has been poisoned,” Cayetano said, citing the opinion of several lawmakers that the provisional franchise might be legally questionable.

Another House leader, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said a “majority” of legislators “do not support the franchise renewal for ABS-CBN.”

“If we will have the voting at this time, a clear majority will reject the franchise bills. But we don’t know yet what can happen during and after the hearings, that’s why we have to listen to both sides,” the source told The STAR.

Cayetano admitted that the ABS-CBN franchise issue has become a “rollercoaster ride” since the National Telecommunications Commission shut down the network on May 5.

He gave assurance that the network would be accorded due process during the hearing.

Cayetano said the hearing will start on May 26 and the committee on franchises chaired by Palawan Rep. Franz Alvarez would conduct hearings two to three times a week, even after Congress adjourns sine die on June 3.

“I do not foresee the hearings to go beyond July,” he said, adding the House decision may be ready for the state of the nation address of President Duterte.

Labor coalition Nagkaisa sought the immediate approval of the ABS-CBN franchise to prevent displacement of the network’s 11,000 employees. Mayen Jaymalin

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2020/05/22/2015695/politics-doomed-abs-cbn-provisional-franchise

House set to hear ABS-CBN franchise renewal bills on May 26

House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano has confirmed the House of Representatives will finally conduct a congressional hearing on the franchise renewal of ABS-CBN.

He said the hearing is set on Tuesday, May 26, 2020.

In an ambush interview on Thursday afternoon, Cayetano said he talked with House Committee on Legislative Franchises chairman Franz “Chikoy” Alvarez and "assured him he has complete autonomy with the vice-chairman and sabi niya, when he starts sa Tuesday, itutuloy-tuloy na ito”.

“I will be making the session hall available to make sure the witnesses na dapat nandoon ay may social distancing at saka there is enough space for everyone,” he added.

It may also be a joint hearing with the House Committee on Good Government.

“I think naglabas na ng notice si Chairman Chikoy and I think magjo-joint din ang Good Government para yung NTC [National Telecommunications Commission] at saka yung SolGen [Solicitor General] ay makapag-participate din,” said Cayetano.

The lower house last Tuesday abandoned a bill that would have reopened ABS-CBN sooner rather than later, opting instead to take the longer route of committee deliberations.

The decision, hammered out during an afternoon majority caucus, was a complete departure from Speaker Cayetano’s proposed provisional franchise, which was already passed on second reading last week.

Instead of tackling a temporary franchise bill until October this year, congressmen decided to take up the network’s long-pending application of a new 25-year operating franchise.

ABS-CBN's franchise expired on May 4.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/05/21/20/house-set-to-hear-abs-cbn-franchise-renewal-bills-on-may-26

Cayetano sees ABS-CBN back on air by August

Hearings on proposals to renew the legislative franchise of ABS-CBN will begin in the House of Representatives next week, with Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano estimating that its approval would be ready by August.

“I foresee that the hearings would not go beyond July, and by August, after President (Rodrigo) Duterte’s SONA (State of the Nation Address), we should be ready to decide,” he said Wednesday.

The President will deliver his SONA before a joint session of the House and the Senate on July 27.

“The deliberations by the committee on legislative franchises will continue during our recess. They will not stop until they are finished so that no one can say we’re stopping the process or dragging our feet,” Cayetano said on ABS-CBN’s Teleradyo channel.

The Speaker pointed out that the committee would look into “no more than 10 issues” in relation to ABS-CBN’s proposed new franchise, including the network’s alleged violations of tax and labor laws, breaches of the terms and conditions of its previous broadcast privilege, and Filipino ownership and foreign citizenship issues.

He said the committee on legislative franchises would have “full autonomy” while he and other House leaders focus on bills to fight the COVID-19 pandemic and post-lockdown measures such as economic stimulus proposals.

“We will have to multitask,” Cayetano said.

The Speaker said the committee would most likely hold two to three hearings a week.

He said some witnesses and resource persons would be required to physically appear before the committee, provided social distancing and other health protocols are observed.

Other hearings would have to be conducted via videoconference, he added.

The committee on legislative franchises, chaired by Palawan Rep. Franz Alvarez, is scheduled to meet later Thursday to agree on the details of its hearing schedule and other matters.

Cayetano reiterated that the House is committed to conducting impartial and comprehensive hearings on the proposed franchise.

Shortly before his interview, he addressed his colleagues and spelled out ground rules for the consideration of the ABS-CBN franchise and the eventual vote.

“First, we must not forget our bigger concern, which is to defeat COVID-19 and provide hope to our countrymen. We must continue to focus on measures that will ensure saving of lives and livelihood of our countrymen,” he said.

“Second, as I’ve said time and again, the hearings must be fair, impartial, comprehensive, and thorough. All voices must be heard and all issues for and against will be discussed…this will require a lot of time--time we do not have. And so, there will be sacrifices on our part if we hope to finish this without delay,” he said.

“Three, that we all vote according to our conscience and not our politics. For those who are calling for an outright approval or denial, I ask that you suspend your extreme views until all the facts have been presented, and all the testimonies have been heard,” he said.

A minority bloc in the House urged their colleagues to make a common stand on the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC)'s cease and desist order issued to shut down the operations of radio-TV network ABS-CBN.

Agusan del Norte Rep. Lawrence Fortun made the call after the Supreme Court asked the House of Representatives, Senate, along with the NTC, to comment on the petition filed by the ABS-CBN Corp. versus NTC.

"Now that the Supreme Court has opted to ask Congress to respond to the ABS-CBN petition for certiorari and prohibition against the NTC cease and desist order, I appeal to my colleagues in the minority bloc that we express to the Supreme Court our collective wisdom on the issues presented in the pending petitions concerning the ABS-CBN legislative franchise," said Fortun.

"By collective wisdom, I mean the consensus of the House minority and the commonalities in the positions of the House majority and the minority," Fortun said.

Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon said on Wednesday the fate of ABS-CBN and its 11,000 employees who face possible retrenchment in August lies with the Supreme Court with Congress adjourning sine die in six days,

The broadcast network had asked the Supreme Court for a temporary restraining order (TRO) against the cease-and-desist order issued by the NTC.

The Court has given the NTC 10 days to reply and another five days for ABS-CBN to respond accordingly.

Drilon said ABS-CBN should just hope for a speedy intervention from the Supreme Court.

He also said the ball was in the court of the House of Representatives.

“If they do not send us anything, then we cannot debate, consider and pass it," Drilon said.

"We cannot pass the franchise of ABS-CBN unless the House passes its version first. That is in the Constitution. This is a private bill and, therefore, it must originate from the House of Representatives," he said.

https://www.manilastandard.net/index.php/news/national/324192/cayetano-sees-abs-cbn-back-on-air-by-august.html

Lawmaker says ABS-CBN may remain off-air for at least 3 months

Amidst Lockdown, Philippines's Largest TV Network Goes Off Air | The Lis...

Pagdinig sa mga panukala para sa ABS-CBN franchise sisimulan sa Mayo 26

Sisimulan nang dinggin sa Kamara sa Mayo 26 ang 13 panukalang para sa renewal ng prangkisa ng ABS-CBN at ang resolusyong imbestigahan ang mga umano'y naging paglabag sa 1995 franchise ng kompanya.

Ito ay gagawin mahigit 2 buwan matapos ang inisyal na deliberasyon noong Marso 10.

Isasalang sa House Committee on Legislative Franchises ang mga isyung ikinahaharap ng dati at bagong prangkisa ng ABS-CBN.

Wala pang ibang detalye na binigay ang komite pero ayon sa agenda na inilatag ng kamara, via Zoom teleconference ang gagawing pagdinig.

Gabi ng Martes nang tiyakin ni House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano na uumpisahan na sa susunod na linggo ang pagdinig, na hindi hihinto hanggang makapagsalita ang lahat ng panig.

“I foresee that the hearings would not go beyond July, and by August, after President Duterte’s SONA (State of the Nation Address), we should be ready to decide,” ani Cayetano.

Tantiya ni Cayetano, pinakamatagal na ang Agosto bago sila makapagdesisyon para sa prangkisa ng ABS-CBN, na napaso na noong Mayo 4.

Pinapaspasan naman ni House Minority Leader Bienvenido Abante ang deliberasyon alang-alang sa mga tao na walang ibang mapanood kung hindi ang ABS-CBN at mga empleyado na nanganganib ang kabuhayan sa tigil-ere ng network.

"Doon po sa Mindanao mga kaibigan ay walang masyadong network kung hindi ABS-CBN lamang... The lives and livelihood of 11,000 of our constituents hang in the balance sana po isipin natin ang kapakanan nila," ani Abante.

Umaasa si Abante na makukumbinse ng Kamara ang Korte Suprema na pabalikin sa ere ang ABS-CBN sa bisa ng temporary restraining order kontra sa National Telecommunications Commission - na nagbaba ng cease and desist order laban sa pag-ere ng ABS-CBN isang araw matapos mapaso ang prangkisa nito.

"Ang Supreme Court ay umaasa na ang Kongreso po ay magsalita tungkol po sa pinag-uusapan ngayong ABS-CBN sana naman eh makumbinse ng ating leadership na ang SC ay kampihan ang ABS-CBN as a TRO is concerned para ito ay magpatuloy habang pinag-uusapan ang prangkisa," ani Abante.

Hinimok naman ni Agusan Del Norte Rep. Lawrence Fortun ang buong Kamara na magkaroon ng isang paninindigan matapos pagkomentuhin ng Kamara sa petisyon ng ABS-CBN kontra cease and desist order ng NTC. -- Ulat ni RG Cruz, ABS-CBN News

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/05/20/20/pagdinig-sa-mga-panukala-para-sa-abs-cbn-franchise-sisimulan-sa-mayo-26

Embattled ABS-CBN’s future shrouded in doubt, but newsroom fights on

Two weeks ago on May 5, the Philippines’ leading TV network ABS-CBN was ordered by the government’s telecommunications agency to cease operations, sparking outcry both in the country and across the world.

The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) filed an immediate ‘cease and desist’ order after the network’s 25-year franchise licence had expired, pending an ongoing renewal hearing in congress.

The broadcaster’s news channel, however, is one of the few branches of ABS-CBN allowed to continue operating and Ging Reyes, Head of Integrated News and Current Affairs, painted a picture of a newsroom that is emboldened.

“Our team is still working as hard as possible, we’re all running on adrenaline,” said Reyes. “I can see it across the team, this renewed energy and never say die spirit.”

But on May 19, two decisions further compounded the uncertainty surrounding the fate of the broadcaster.

The first came in the Supreme Court, where the judges chose to defer on a plea from ABS-CBN to resume operations immediately, in what the broadcaster said would help prevent “irreparable injury”.

The court voted unanimously to give the NTC, as well as both chambers of Congress, the chance to comment within 10 days, and another five days for ABS-CBN to give additional response, further obscuring the immediate future of the broadcaster.

There was further confusion in the House of Representatives the day before on May 18. In what had looked like a formality to pass, House Bill 6732, granting ABS-CBN a temporary franchise agreement, was unexpectedly recalled by the House on the 2nd reading approval with consitionallity issues cited.

While the bill would have had to pass the Senate before being signed off by the president, it would have allowed ABS-CBN to immediately resume operations on a temporary basis until October 31.

On May 19, the House threw another curve ball and abandoned the bill to give ABS-CBN a temporary franchise, opting instead to immediately resume hearings on granting the broadcaster a new 25-year franchise. This, however, will see ABS-CBN remain off-air while potentially lengthy deliberations take place.

Edcel Lagman, member of the House for the province of Albay, said that the bill to grant a temporary franchise had “stalled like a misdirected locomotive”, before being abandoned all together. He said that the abandonment will “gravely compound the inordinate delay in the renewal of ABS-CBN’s franchise.”

ABS-CBN’s president and CEO, Carlo Katigbak, said that it may have to start retrenchment processes, including letting workers go, by August if it is not allowed to resume normal operations soon.

In a country ruled under what many observers regard as an increasingly autocratic leader, who has repeatedly reiterated threats to block the renewal of the network’s licence, the ultimate fate of ABS-CBN’s is still shrouded in uncertainty.

However, while the highly popular free-to-air broadcasting content has been pulled, some subsidiaries of the network were not affected by the cease and desist order and continue to operate, albeit in a very different environment than before.

The network continues to produce content on its popular online and streaming platforms, while the ABS-CBN News Channel (ANC) can continue broadcasting as the NTC order does not cover cable news channels. TV Patrol, the broadcaster’s flagship news programme, has now also returned via streaming.

With some shows still running and a fight in the courts to return to the air, ABS-CBN is not leaving silently. In an interview with the Globe, Reyes said that the newsroom staff at ANC are working as hard as before, even during an unprecedented period for the network.

“You want to prove something, you want to prove that we are never going to be silent,” Reyes explained. “We are continuing the work that we do because it is an important service for our fellow Filipinos.”

Reyes, however, admitted that the network’s reach has been curtailed. Even though online and streaming platforms are significant, it requires strong broadband or enough data to access it – which isn’t always available across the vast Philippines archipelago.

“It’s just not enough, as people need strong internet access in all parts of the country to use these platforms,” Reyes admitted. “Ultimately, it’s the public who also lose out.”

While the events of May 5 came as a shock to outside observers, there was a sense of impending dread within the newsroom that being taken off air was a serious possibility. But it was still a hard moment for Reyes and her colleagues, however well they had prepared.

“We had this sense of dread – but we carried on with our work, of course,” she remembered.

On May 5, the day of the cease and desist order, Reyes said that everyone was on alert, checking with sources to see if word had escaped from the NTA. A member of the editorial team first received news from a source that the NTA was to decide unfavourably on the ABS issue.

“We still hadn’t got confirmation when another reporter got in touch and said, ‘I wish that I had better news – the cease and desist is on its way,’” she recalled.

Reyes said that the shock within the newsroom could be seen through masks, being worn in the office because of Covid-19.

“You know that feeling when you plan for something, but you still don’t believe that it will actually happen,” Reyes asked. “But when it does, you have to muster all your energy and courage and deal with it in the right way – but at the same time, you are in shock.”

Shock had to be channelled into grit as the newsroom started breaking news about their own network. “You know that journalists are averse to doing stories on themselves,” said Reyes. “But we knew that this was a huge story and had to be covered in full. Because it wasn’t just about us, it was also about our millions of viewers and listeners.” 

Two weeks since the closure, the newsroom at ABS-CBN continues to provide coverage, vital during the continuing pandemic and lockdown in the Philippines. And while their resources are now stretched, Reyes and colleagues continue working as if nothing has changed – so when Typhoon Ambo hit the country early on May 15, ANC reporters were on the scene filling stories.

“We’re very grateful for the support we’ve been getting, and I believe that good will prevail – I still have faith in our democratic systems,” said Reyes. And driven by the ethos of the organisation, The Kapamilya Way (kapamilya meaning ‘family’ in Tagalog), the newsroom is continuing to work for the people it attempts to serve.

“These are of course unprecedented times. But we are not giving up on our commitment to be of service.”

https://southeastasiaglobe.com/abs-cbn-closure-decision/

PH Lawmaker: ABS-CBN may remain off air for 3 more months while House ta...

The Pia Cayetano and Paolo Abrera fashion show affair

With her handful of Mr. & Ms. staff, the Philippine Weekly Inquirer was born. The name derived from Philadelphia Inquirer, as proposed by editor in chief Letty Jimenez-Magsanoc, who had lived for some time in Philadelphia.

On Dec. 9, 1985, the first issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer rolled off the press with its banner story— “It’s Cory-Doy”. It didn’t even have a slogan, and so atop its masthead was a kicker: ‘A slogan? Help us write one and win a prize.’ The maiden issue, all 30,000 copies, sold out at P2 each.

Twenty-three-year-old Stephen Salcedo was pronounced dead on arrival at the Philippine General Hospital in Manila around 5 p.m. of July 27, 1986. His death was caused by multiple concussions in the head and body.

ABS-CBN would reopen only on September 14, 1986 after a popular rebellion toppled Marcos and brought Corazon Aquino to power, the widow of slain opposition senator Benigno Aquino, Jr.

The Pia Cayetano and Paolo Abrera fashion show affair was started on June 15, 2003, during the presidency of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, in time for the launching of INQUIRER Lifestyle Series: "Fitness.Fashion" with Samsung project. The fashion show project was supported by various companies, such as: HSBC, The Peninsula Manila, Ayala Corporation, San Miguel Corporation, SM Investments Corporation, Metro Pacific Investments Corporation, ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation, GMA Network, Inc., People's Television (PTV) Channel 4, Associated Broadcasting Company (ABC-5), RPN-9, IBC-13, Manila Broadcasting Company-DZRH, movie outfits such as Alura Films, Crown Seven Ventures, Dianne Films, FLT Film International, GMA Films, Good Harvest, MaQ Productions, Monlee & Roxlee Productions, Regal Entertainment, Inc., Religious of the Virgin Mary, Star Cinema, Teamwork Productions, and Viva Films, fast-food chains and food companies.

List of supporters of the INQUIRER Lifestyle Series: “Fitness.Fashion” with Samsung fashion show:

KBP members

• ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation
• ABS-CBN
• Studio 23
• DZMM Radyo Patrol 630
• MOR 101.9 For Life!
• GMA Network, Inc.
• GMA 7
• QTV 11
• Super Radyo DZBB 594
• Campus Radio 97.1 WLS-FM
• Associated Broadcasting Company
• ABC 5
• The Big Mix Kool 106
• People’s Television Network, Inc.
• PTV 4
• Radio Philippines Network
• RPN 9
• Intercontinental Broadcasting Corporation
• IBC 13
• Manila Broadcasting Company
• DZRH
• 90.7 Love Radio
• 96.3 WRocK
• 101.1 YES! FM
• Radio Mindanao Network
• DZXL RMN Manila 558
• 939 KCFM 
• Rajah Broadcasting Network
• RJTV 29
• RJ 100.3 FM
• DZRJ 810 AM
• Catholic Media Network
• ZNN Radyo Veritas 846
• Trans-Radio Broadcasting Corporation
• Radyo Inquirer 990 AM
• 99.5 RT

PANA members

• Abbott Laboratories Philippines
• Abenson, Inc.
• Ace Foods, Inc
• ACS Manufacturing Corporation
• Adidas Philippines Inc.
• ADP Industries Corporation
• Agua Vida Systems, Inc.
• Airfreight 2100, Inc.
• Ajinomoto Philippines
• Alaska Milk Corporation
• Allied Domecq Philippines, Inc.
• Alternatives Beverages Company, Inc.
• AMA Group of Companies
• Amalgated Specialties Corporation
• American Express Bank Philippines
• American Standard
• Anson Emporium
• Araneta Group of Companies
• Arcon Group Holdings
• Asia Brewery, Inc.
• Asian Hospital, Inc.
• Asiatrust Bank
• Avon Cosmetics, Inc.
• Ayala Corporation
• Ayala Land, Inc.
• Bagumbuhay Industrial Corporation
• Ban Kee Trading, Inc.
• Bank of Commerce
• Bank of the Philippine Islands
• Basic Clothing International Manufacturing
• Bayan Telecommunications, Inc.
• Bayer Philippines, Inc.
• Big "E" Food Corporation
• Blue Cross Insurance, Inc.
• Boehringer - Ingelheim Philippines, Inc.
• BPI Family Bank
• Bristol-Myers Squibb Philippines, Inc.
• British American Tobacco Philippines
• Burger Machine Holdings Corporation
• Burlington Industries Philippines, Inc.
• Cable Technology Asia Corporation
• Cadbury Confectionary Philippine Branch
• California Manufacturing Corporation
• Campbell Soup of Asia
• Canon Marketing (Philippines) Inc.
• Cargill Philippines, Inc.
• Castrol Philippines
• Cathay Builders Center Inc.
• CDO Foodsphere, Inc.
• Cebu Pacific Air
• Century Canning Corporation
• Chanel Manufacturing Corporation
• China Banking Corporation
• Chowking Food Corporation
• Citbeds, Inc.
• Citibank, N.A.
• Clorox International Philippines, Inc.
• Coca-Cola Export Corporation
• Colgate Palmolive Philippines, Inc.
• College Assurance Plan
• Collins International Trading Corporation
• Columbian Autocar Corporation
• Commonwealth Foods, Inc.
• Concepcion Carrier Air-conditioning Company
• Continental Airlines
• Crossing Department Store
• Daikin - Alen Air-conditioning, Inc.
• David's Salon Inc.
• Del Monte Philippines, Inc.
• DHL Worldwide Express, Corporation
• Diageo Philippines, Inc.
• Diamond Laboratories, Inc.
• Direct Link Insurance Agency, Inc.
• Directories Philippines Corporation
• Dole Philippines, Inc.
• Dumex Philippines, Inc.
• East West Bank
• Eastern Telecoms Philippines, Inc.
• Einsco Co., Inc.
• Electro Group, Inc.
• Electrolux Philippines, Inc.
• Empire East Land Holdings, Inc.
• Enchanted Kingdom, Inc.
• Energizer Philippines, Inc.
• Energy Foods and Drinks, Inc.
• Equitable Cardnetwork, Inc.
• Equitable PCI Bank
• Ericsson Telecommunications, Inc.
• Ever Emporium, Inc.
• Evergood Unlimited Corporation
• Excellence Appliance Technologies, Inc.
• Fabriano SPA, Inc.
• Federal Land, Inc.
• Festival Supermall, Inc.
• Filcon Manufacturing Corporation
• Fil-Pacific Apparel Corporation
• Focus Global, Inc.
• Food Industries, Inc.
• Ford Motor Company Philippines, Inc.
• Fortune Tobacco Corporation
• Fujitsu Philippines, Inc.
• Gandour Philippines, Inc.
• Gardenia Bakeries (Philippines), Inc.
• General Garments Corporation
• General Milling Corporation
• General Motors Automobiles Philippines, Inc.
• Getz Bros. Philippines, Inc.
• Gift Gate, Inc.
• Gillette (Philippines), Inc
• Ginebra San Miguel, Inc.
• Glaxo Smith Kline
• Global Brands Co., Inc.
• Globe Telecom
• Godiva, Inc.
• Golden ABC, Inc.
• Golden Donuts, Inc.
• Goldilocks Bakeshops, Inc.
• Gold's Gym
• Goodyear Philippines, Inc.
• Great Pacific Life Assurance Corporation
• Greenwich Pizza Corporation
• GTVL Manufacturing Industries, Inc.
• Healthy Options
• Healthy You, Inc.
• Herbcare Corporation
• Hollywood Marketing
• Home Development and Mutual Fund
• Honda Philippines
• Hyatt Regency Manila
• IBM Philippines, Inc.
• Imgame.com
• Inbisco Philippines, Inc.
• Intel Microelectronics
• International Correspondence Schools
• International Education Specialists
• International Family Food Services, Inc.
• Island Biscuits, Inc.
• James Hardie Philippines, Inc.
• JG Summit Holdings, Inc.
• John Hancock Life Insurance Corporation
• Johnson and Johnson (Philippines), Inc.
• Jollibee Foods Corporation
• Julie's Bakeshop
• Kimberly-Clark Philippines, Inc.
• Kraft Foods Philippines, Inc.
• Land Bank of the Philippines
• Leslie Corporation
• Levi Strauss Philippines, Inc.
• Liberty Commodities Corporation
• Linea Italia Group
• LKG Investment and Finance Corporation
• Loyola Plans Consolidated, Inc.
• Lucerne Jewellers
• Lyncor, Inc.
• Lyric Piano and Organ Corporation
• Maclin Electronics, Inc.
• Magnolia, Inc.
• Mandarin Oriental Manila
• Manila Pavilion Hotel
• Manuela Corporation
• Marie-France Bodyline International
• McDonald's Philippines
• Mega Fishing Corporation
• Mercury Drug Corporation
• Metchem Industrial, Inc.
• Metrobank Card Corporation
• Metropolitan Bank and Trust Company
• MGME Marketing Corporation
• Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation
• Monde Denmark Nissin Corporation
• Monterey Foods Corporation
• Motorola Communications, Philippines, Inc.
• MSI-Digiland Philippines, Inc.
• National Bookstore Inc.
• Nestle Philippines, Inc.
• New Zealand Milk Philippines
• Newtrends International Corporation
• Nextel Communications, Inc.
• Nike Philippines, Inc.
• Nippon Life Insurance Company of the Philippines
• Nissan Motor Philippines, Inc.
• Nokia Philippines, Inc.
• Novartis Healthcare Philippines
• Nutriasia
• Odyssey Music and Video
• Ott Louie Philippines, Inc.
• Pacific Plans, Inc.
• Pascual Laboratories
• Pepsico, Inc.
• Perfetti Van Melle Philippines Inc.
• Perfumeria Espanola Corporation
• Petron Corporation
• Pfizer, Inc.
• Philam Plans, Inc.
• Philip Morris Philippines, Inc.
• Philippine Airlines, Inc.
• Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation
• Philippine AXA Life Insurance Corporation
• Philippine Long-Distance Telephone Company
• Philippine National Bank
• Philippine Pizza, Inc.
• Philippine Savings Bank
• Philippine Seven Corporation
• Philusa Corporation
• Photokina Marketing Corporation
• Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corporation
• Planters Bank
• Procter and Gamble Distributing Philippines, Inc.
• Pru Life UK
• Quaker Oats, Asia, Inc.
• Reckitt Benckiser Philippines, Inc.
• Regent Food Corp.
• Republic Biscuit Corporation
• Republic Chemical Industries, Inc.
• Richwell Trading Corporation
• Ricoh Philippines, Inc.
• Rizal Commercial Banking Corp.
• Robert Bosch, Inc.
• Rogemson Enterprises
• Rustan Marketing Corporation
• S.C. Johnson and Son, Inc.
• Salem Oceanic Industries Corporation 
• San Miguel Beer Division
• Sanofi-Synthelabo Philippines
• Sanyo Philippines, Inc.
• Sara Lee Philippines, Inc.
• SCA Hygiene Products Corporation
• Schering - Plough Corporation
• Security Bank Corporation
• Security Diners International Corporation
• Shangri-La Plaza Corporation
• Shoemakers Shop, Inc.
• Shopping Center Management Corporation
• Siam Mariwasa Toto, Inc.
• Siemens, Inc.
• Slimmers World, International
• SM, Inc.
• Smart Communications, Inc.
• Smarty Toys, Inc.
• Social Security System
• Splash Corporation
• Sta. Lucia East Grand Mall
• Standard Chartered Bank
• Sterling Paper Products Enterprises, Inc.
• Stiefel Philippines, Inc.
• Sunlife of Canada Philippines, Inc.
• Super Manufacturing Corporation
• Superferry, Inc.
• Suy Sing Commercial Corporation
• Suyen Corporation
• Swedish Match Philippines, Inc.
• System Technology Institute
• Sysu International, Inc.
• T.W. and Company, Inc.
• Taisho-Pharma Philippines, Inc.
• The Andersons Group, Inc.
• The Boots Company Philippines, Inc.
• The Heritage Hotel, Manila
• The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation
• The Insular Life Assurance Co. Ltd.
• The Landmark Corporation
• The Philippine American Life and General Insurance Company, Inc.
• The Purefoods-Hormel Company
• The Westin Philippine Plaza
• Total (Philippines) Corporation
• Toyota Motors Philippines, Inc.
• Transunion Corporation
• Tricom Dynamics, Inc.
• Tri-Union International Corporation
• Tupperware, Inc.
• TVP Dental B Corporation
• Uni-air Philippines, Inc.
• Unilab Consumer Health Group
• Unilab Nutritionals
• Unilever Philippines, Inc
• Union Bank of the Philippines
• United International Pictures, Inc.
• United Overseas Bank Philippines
• Uni-trade Merchandising
• Univet Agricultural Products, Inc.
• VBP Group of Companies
• Vibelle Manufacturing Corporation and Oriana Manufacturing Company, Inc.
• Virginia Food, Inc.
• Viva Entertainment Group
• Warren Manufacturing Corporation
• Wenphil Corporation
• Western Marketing Corporation
• Wide Wide World Express Corporation
• Wrigley Philippines, Inc.
• Wyeth Consumer Healthcare
• Wyeth Philippines, Inc.
• Yakult Philippines, Inc.
• Zenco Sales, Inc.
• Zest-O Corporation

Fashion becomes less a spectator sport when sport itself becomes the fashion.

The country’s paper of record, the Inquirer has chronicled the country’s history over the last quarter century. From the 1986 Edsa Revolution, the Inquirer was at the forefront of covering major upheavals, momentous events and powerful stories that changed the course of the nation’s history.

Former President Joseph Estrada during his impeachment trial in December 2000 but later shifted to the camp of then Vice President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo during the popular uprising that later caused Estrada's ouster.

Thousands of people gathered at the historic EDSA shrine to call for his resignation after he was accused of amassing ill-gotten wealth and fund diversion.

Sen. Renato Cayetano died of abdominal cancer at his home in Ayala Alabang subdivision in Muntinlupa City on June 24, 2003.

Estrada was convicted of plunder by the Sandiganbayan on September 12, 2007 but later granted pardoned by President Macapagal-Arroyo on October 26, 2007.

On July 31, 2008, Inquirer Lifestyle staged the rousing, filled-to-the-bleachers (despite the heavy rains and flooding) curtain-raiser to its Lifestyle Series of events with “Fitness.Fashion,” a catwalk team-up between some of the country’s top designers and best-selling activewear brands, at the Rigodon Ballroom of the Peninsula Manila in Makati City.

This year’s competition theme is “The Philippines in the New Millennium”.

The 21st Century and 3rd Millennium is an important milestone for mankind. It brings opportunities for quantum leaps in total human development. Our business, health, entertainment, fashion, legal, media, political, religious and sports personalities are challenged to give a unique visual representation of what they see in the Philippines in the New Millennium.

Co-presented with Samsung, along with Shokubutsu Hana and Systema Tooth and Gum Care, it drew guests who cut across the fields of fashion, business and commerce, arts, media and entertainment. With the support of HSBC and Peninsula, the show had 12 sought-after designers melding their creations with the latest brand collections: Kipling with Vic Barba; Fila with Lulu Tan-Gan; Nike Golf with Anthony Nocom; Speedo with Louis Claparols; Adidas with Patrice Ramos-Diaz and Rhett Eala; Marks & Spencer with Arcy Gayatin; Aigle and Oxbow with Rajo Laurel; Bench with Joey Samson; and Puma with Ivarluski Aseron and Randy Ortiz.

The young guns and millennial designers also showcased their own renditions. Present were Daryl Maat, Paolo Miguel Jaofar, Patrick Lazol, Thian Rodriguez, Michael Leyva, Joseph Bagasao, KC Pusing, Vania Romoff, Wilbur Lang, Rei Escario, Andrea Lopa, Riza Bulawan, Joel Escober, Tipay Caintic, Caroline Alaba, and Bon Hansen.

“Fitness.Fashion” also scored a coup with the runway debut of fitness enthusiast and sports advocate Sen. Pia Cayetano. Other guest models were Akiko Thompson, Amanda Carpo, Rina Go, Paolo Abrera, Phoemela Baranda, Svetlana Osmeña, Jeena Lopez, Enchong Dee, Ruby Gan, Fely Atienza, Trishan Cuazo, catwalk queens Tweetie de Leon-Gonzalez and Apples Aberin-Sadhwani, and Inquirer’s own Tessa Prieto-Valdes and Leica Carpo. Plus co-guest models are German Moreno, Sharon Cuneta, Jackie Lou Blanco, Bing Loyzaga, Lani Mercado, Zsa-Zsa Padilla, Gretchen Barretto, Dawn Zulueta, Princess Punzalan, Maricel Laxa, Mariz, Jean Garcia, Princess Revilla, Rachel Anne Wolfe, Jam Morales, Raymond Lauchengco, Richard Reynoso, Chad Borja, John Nite, The Rainmakers, Sheryl Cruz, Ike Lozada, Karina Ramos, Cristina Gonzales, That's Entertainment barkada, Kris Aquino, Ana Gonzales, Mutya Crisostomo, Alicia Mayer, Caloy Garcia, Arlene Muhlach, Ogie Alcasid, Francis Magalona, Long Meija, Chikiting Patrol Kids, APO Hiking Society, Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto, Joey de Leon, Ruffa Gutierrez, Edna Diaz, Boots Anson-Roa, Toni Rose Gayda, Charo Santos-Concio, Loren Legarda, Cherie Gil, Lorna Tolentino, Nora Aunor, Vilma Santos, Aurora Salve, Robin Padilla, Lilibeth Ranillo, Maritess Gutierrez, Sandy Andolong, Alma Moreno, Ana Gonzales, Chiqui Hollman, Dina Bonnevie, Pilita Corrales, Snooky Serna, Pops Fernandez, Maricel Soriano, Aiko Melendez, Donna Cruz, Vina Morales, Carmina Villarroel, Charlene Gonzalez, Mikee Cojuangco, Janice de Belen, Jaclyn Jose, Christine Jacob, Karla Estrada, Amy Perez, Regine Velasquez, Orly Mercado, Rico J. Puno, Randy Santiago, Willie Revillame, Lito Pimentel, Tina Revilla, Louie Heredia, Manilyn Reynes, Dennis Padilla, Ai-Ai delas Alas, Jenine Desiderio, Smokey Manaloto, Liezl Martinez, Anjanette Abayari, Joy Ortega, Giselle Sanchez, Bayani Agbayani, Willie Nepomuceno, Candy Pangilinan, Jon Santos, Ruffa Mae Quinto, Joy Viado, Klaudia Koronel, Mystica, Raffy Rodriguez, Marissa Sanchez, Selina Sevilla, Madeline Nicholas, Leo Martinez, Pekto, Ate Shawie, Ate Guy, Lorraine Baretto, Maribeth Bichara, Lara Fabregas, Jerome John Hughes, Melisa Henderson, Everly Locsin, Glydel Mercado, Cody Moreno, Dolly Anne Carvajal, Angelu de Leon, TJ Manotoc, Marissa del Mar, Presbitero Velasco, Jr., Sarah Geronimo, Rachelle Ann Go, Erik Santos, BJ Manalo, Jenny Hernandez, Empoy, Baby Bunot, Viva Hot Babes, Archie Alemania, Sheryn Regis, Jasmine Trias, Pokwang, TV Idols Ahron Villena, AJ Dee, Marc Cortez, JE Sison and Kiko Matos, Mike Chan, "Spicy" Susan Quinico, Hyubs Azarcon, Luane Dy, Angelica Jones, Dominic Ochoa, Bobby Yan, Chef Heny Sison, Susan Enriquez, Giselle Toengi, Cacai Velasquez, Amanda Page, Gabby Eigenmann, Bernadette Allyson, Mo Twister, Lalaine Edson, Jake Roxas, Angelika dela Cruz, Antoinette Taus, Jaya, Lani Misalucha, Anne Curtis, Toni Gonzaga, Jolo Revilla, Karylle, Angel Locsin, Nina, Danica and Oyo Boy Sotto, Kevin Vernal, Champagne Morales, Cogie Domingo, Roxanne Barcelo, James Blanco, Jolina Magdangal, Jay-R, 604, Malik, Richard Gutierrez, Brad Turvey, Chynna Ortaleza, Jennylyn Mercado, Mark Herras, Yasmien Kurdi, Rainier Castillo, Cristine Reyes, Maxene Magalona, Dennis Trillo, Gab Valenciano, LJ Reyes, Lovi Poe, EB Babes, Karel Marquez, Isabella Gonzalez, La Diva, You've Got Male, Sugarpop, Chris Cayzer, Martin Escudero, Heart Evangelista, Chuck Allie, Nicole Andersson, Gian Carlos, Rainier Castillo, Ryza Cenon, Jacque Esteves, Sheena Halili, Jade Lopez, Ehra Madrigal, Iwa Moto, C. J. Muere, Jackie Rice, Jana Roxas, Mike Tan, Aaron Travinio, Marina Benipayo, Patty Betita, Annette Coronel, Suyen Chi, Wilma Dassent, Nancy Castiglione, Marky Cielo, Aljur Abrenica, Kris Bernal, Stef Prescott, Rich Asuncion, Jesi Corcuera, Kiko Junio, Paulo Avelino, Sheena Halili, Jan Manual, Ailyn Luna, Kurt Perez, Sam Bumatay, Miguel Tanfelix, JM Reyes, Bea Binene, Gabriel Roxas, Shamel Leask, Paul Salas, Sandy Talag, Uno Guerta, Serge Septimo, Renz Juan, Madi Yu, Paolo Bediones, Joey Marquez, Pia Guanio, Raymond Gutierrez, John Lapus, Princess Violago, Mel Tiangco, Jay Sonza, Berwin Meily, Bong Revilla, Isabella de Leon, John Lesaca, Fides Cuyugan-Asencio, Bro. Eddie Villanueva, Kata Inocencio, Lyn Ching, Suzi Entrata, Ryan Agoncillo, Mickey Ferriols, Mon Isberto, Arnold Clavio, Miriam Quiambao, Arn-Arn, Martin Andanar, Eagle Riggs, Hans Montenegro, Lhar Santiago, Oscar Oida, Patricia Javier, Ritchie d’Horsie, Debraliz Valasote, Becca Godinez, Tessie Tomas, Coney Reyes, Jimmy Santos, Manilyn Reynes, Helen Gamboa, Dingdong Avanzado, Bessie Badilla, Aiza Seguerra, Herbert Bautista, Plinky Recto, Angela Luz, Ces Quesada, Kevin, Ruby Rodriguez, Jaime Garchitorena, Lady Lee, Eric Quizon, Samantha "Gracia" Lopez, Val Sotto, Yoyong Martirez, Jose Manalo, Michelle van Eimeren, Inday Garutay, Allan K., Onemig Bondoc, Ana Marie Craig, Bea Bueno, Robert Em, Sharmaine Suarez, Fire (Ana Rivera & Soraya Sinsuat), Jericho Rosales, Donita Rose, Valentin Simon, Juannie, Jenny Syquia, Mitoy Yonting, Lindsay Custodio, Kristine Florendo, Camille Ocampo, Mausi Wohlfarth, Mike Zerrudo, Rosanna Roces, Gladys Guevarra, Lana Asanin, Steven Claude Goyong, Dindin Llarena, Sherilyn Reyes, Gemma Fitzgerald, Wally Bayola, Jomari Yllana, Paolo Ballesteros, Dingdong Dantis the Impersonator, Eisen Bayubay, Joyce Jimenez, Derek Ramsay, Aji Estornino, Nadine Schmidt, Teri Onor, Diana Zubiri, Michael V., Keempee de Leon, Lana Jalosjos, Pauleen Luna, Alicia Mayer, Sugar Mercado, BJ Forbes, Julia Clarete, Edgar Allan Guzman, Mark Ariel Fresco, Ryan Julio, Cindy Kurleto, Ho and Ha, Daiana Menezes, Ariani Nogueira, Lougee Basabas, Vivian Velez, Gina de Venecia, Rhea Santos, Love Anover, Christian Esteban, Pia Arcangel, Atom Araullo, Drew Arellano, Tonipet Gaba, Jigs Mayuga, Avi Siwa, Ramon Bautista, Angel Rivero, Tado Jimenez, Hero Angeles, Sandara Park, Roxanne Guinoo, Joross Gamboa, Melissa Ricks, Michelle Madrigal, Joseph Bitangcol, Neri Naig, Raphael Martinez, Errol Abalayan, Kiray Celis, Katrina Legaspi, Mikylla Ramirez, Eliza Pineda, Kristel Fulgar, Sharlene San Pedro, Miles Ocampo, Angel Sy, Nikki Bagaporo, Julia Montes, Alfred Labatos, John Manalo, Iggy Boy Flores, Kobe Vidanes, EJ Jallorina, Carl Barrameda, Steven Fermo, Yong Chiu, Cory Quirino, Angel Aquino, Daphne Osena-Paez, Amanda Griffin, Iya Villania, Cheska Garcia, Iya Yotoko, Manu Sandejas, Archie Alemania, Kennevic and Kennie Asuncion, Laura Jean, Tim Yap, KC Montero, Miggy Eugenio, Rico Barrera, Chiqui Alcala, Jayson Gainza, Nene Tamayo, Jun Bob dela Cruz, Cass Ponti, JB Magsaysay, Racquel Reyes, Uma Khouny, Jenny Suico, Franzen Fajardo, Bettina Carlos, Reema Chanco, Bianca King, Inah Estrada, Alynna Asistio, Winwyn Marquez, Megan Young, Benj Punzalan, Ailyn Luna, Kat de Castro, Alex Gonzaga, Badjie Mortiz, Bangs Garcia, Joem Bascon, Charee Pineda, Timmy Boy Sta. Maria, Eda Nolan, Janelle Quintana, Mikel Campos, Blumark Roces, Jana Pablo, Kontin Roque, Kristoff Abrenica, Jamilla Obispo, Keanna Reeves, John Prats, Kim Chiu, Gerald Anderson, Yeng Constantino, Jay-R Siaboc, Ronnie Liang, Panky Trinidad, Irish Fullerton, Chad Peralta, Lucy Torres-Gomez, Grace Lee, Cheche Lazaro, Janno Gibbs, Anjo Yllana, Raymart Santiago, Oscar Orbos, Winnie Monsod, Ferds Recio, Romi Garduce, Eric Fructuoso, Susan Lozada, Assunta De Rossi, Jackie De Guzman, Wendell Ramos, Antonio Aquitania, Diego Llorico, Shirley Fuentes, Alma Concepcion, Myka Flores, Luis Alandy, Aya Medel, Ara Mina, Sharmaine Arnaiz, Wowie De Guzman, Maureen Larrazabal, Francine Prieto, Boy 2 Quizon, Paolo Contis, Moymoy Palaboy, Kim Gantioqui, Randolf Stalamakey, Betong Sumaya, Joel Villanueva, Connie Angeles, Eula Valdez, Eugene Domingo, Jodi Sta. Maria, Angel Jacob, Rosanne Prieto, Regine Tolentino, Renford Alano, Aria Cariño, Isabella Dayto, Romina de Jesus, Mikee de Vega, Caleb Gotico, Ella Guevara, Nikki Liu, Sam Turingan, Rob Pengson, Mico Aytona, Lucky Mercado, Andrea Torres, Monica Verallo, Rosebud Benitez, Mitchie Sison, Nino Logarta, Jonah Trinidad, Darlo Lopez, JL Cang, Chiqui Roa-Puno, Kat Alano, Janelle Jamer, Cheena Crab, Lolit Solis, Butch Francisco, Bobby Andrews, Michael Flores, Rica Peralejo, Ciara Sotto, Red Sternberg, Raven Villanueva, Lee Robin Salazar, Chico Ventoza, Polo Ravales, Menchu Macapagal, Karen Joanne Organo, Kim Delos Santos, Chubi del Rosario, Chantal Umali, Ardie Aquino, Idelle Martinez, Sunshine Dizon, Dino Guevarra, Jam Melendez, Kenneth Cajucom, Maui Taylor, Aiza Marquez, Maybelyn dela Cruz, Trina Zuñiga, Biboy Ramirez, Sherwin Ordoñez, Joseph Izon, Danilo Barrios, Jason Red, Erwin Aquino, AJ Eigenmann, Roanna Ruiz-Jamir, Railey Valeroso, Karen delos Reyes, Tricia Roman, Valerie Concepcion, Charina Scott, Denise Laurel, Mitzi Borromeo, JC de Vera, Lester Llansang, Crystal Moreno, Tricia Roman, Alessandra de Rossi, Brian Revilla, Karen delos Reyes, Diane Delfin, Sharah Robles, Mikel Campos, Gelai Bersaba, Rafael Kua, Warren Austria, Neil Patrick Ramos, Jad Gallanosa, Karen Trinidad, Arc Mercolesia, Dianne Kimberly Dean, Lauren Young, AJ Perez, Empress Schuck, Carla Humphries, Valeen Montenegro, Aldred Gatchalian, Mikki Arceo, Mikee Lee, Angelo Patrimonio, Chris Gutierrez, Zia Marquez, Isabel Blaesi, Krista Valle, Daphne Cortes, Jessy Mendiola, Caroline Riggs, Arno Morales, Martin del Rosario, Bryan Homecillo, Jeoff Paolo Monzon, Alfonso Martinez, Carlo Guevarra, Isabelle Abiera, Erich Gonzales, John Wayne Sace, Fred Payawan, Sam Concepcion, Kevin Lapena, Cheska Ortega, Louise delos Reyes, Czarina Suzara, Miki Hahn, Princess Ryan, Vicky Morales, Miguel Aguila, Kamae de Jesus, Dino Imperial, Bianca Manalo, Sam YG, Say Alonzo, Joaqui Mendoza, Aaron Juantas, Ejay Falcon, Robi Domingo, Nicole Uysiuseng, Beauty Gonzales, Alex Anselmuccio, Nan Clenuar, Valerie Weigmann, Rona Libby, Priscilla Navidad, Josef Elizalde, Jolas Paguia, Kevin Garcia-Flood, Linda Backlund, Jieriel Papa, Bea Lucero, Monsour del Rosario, Japoy Lizardo, Nica Calapatan, Tim Polero, Anton Asistio, Sara Castaneda, Pauline Lopez, Katrice delos Reyes, Michael Christian Martinez, Carlos Yulo, Micco Sollano, Marielle Infantado, Kyle Arrieta, Rafael Olbes, Eugene Herrera, Nash Aguas, Prince Carlos, Lukas Magallano, Princess Gaiser, Alyssa Valdez, Kiefer Ravena, Thirdy Ravena, Jeron Teng, Matteo Guidicelli, Tyson Sy, Mark Bumgarner, Javi Benitez, Enzo Pastor, Illac Diaz, Ginggay Joven-dela Merced, Paco Magsaysay, Maggie Wilson, Divine Lee, Camille Villar, Mons Romulo-Tantoco, Zanjoe Marudo, Jake Cuenca, Victor Basa, Jon Avila, Rayver Cruz, Richard Gomez, Dingdong Dantes, Diether Ocampo, John Estrada, Priscilla Meirelles, Kristine Hermosa, Chris Tiu, Johnny Litton, Anton San Diego, Tomy Florencio, JC Buendia, Jojie Lloren, Ito Curata, Anton Mendoza, Bataan Rep. Albert Garcia, Batangas Vice Governor Mark Leviste, Tony Abad, Sander Tantoco, Santi Picornell and Michelle Pantoja and featuring The Manoeuvres, Streetboys, Abztract Dancers, Kids at Work, UMD, Male AttraXion, E-Male Dancers, WEA Dancers, Addlib, Philippine Island Assassin, SexBomb Girls and Junior New System.

Because the show is dynamic and pulsating, it has also served as a “home” in the past to about 100 co-hosts of Tito, Vic and Joey. In my book, my favorite past co-hosts of TVJ include Chiqui Hollman (she and Richie D’ Horsie were the original co-hosts in 1979), Coney Reyes and the late Rio Diaz for their effortless wit and spunk. The Eat Bulaga family now has more than 40 witty and funny co-hosts, proof, indeed, as the jingle of the show says, that in Eat Bulaga “barkada’y dumarami.”

The show was supported by L’Oreal Philippines and Swatch, gold sponsors are Air21, Sun Life Financial, Globe Telecom, PLDT, Smart Communications, Sun Cellular, Meralco, Maynilad Water and Microsoft Philippines, mall partners are SM Supermalls, Robinsons Malls, Ayala Malls, Araneta Center, Star Malls and Trinoma Mall, donor sponsors Burger King, Chowking, Greenwich, Jollibee, Mang Inasal, Red Ribbon, Sportshouse, The Body Shop, Intellismart Technology, Inc., Oryspa, DBP, Duty Free, Kambal Pandesal and Landbank, event partners Blims Fine Furniture, Go Negosyo, Mindgate Systems Inc., Commerce Asia, Inc., Jimac Inc., Third Eye Visual, Ad-Man Resources, Inc., AM Cleofe Prints, Chase Technologies Corporation and PowerSpeak, Inc. and media partners are ABS-CBN, People’s Television Network (PTV-4), ABC-5, GMA-7, RPN-9, Q Channel 11, IBC-13, Studio 23, NET 25, ANC: ABS-CBN News Channel, ETC: Entertainment Central, GNN: Global News Network, Lifestyle Network, Living Asia Channel, Asian Journal, Panay News, DZBB Radyo Bisig-Bayan 594, DZMM Radyo Patrol 630, DZRH, DZRB Radyo ng Bayan 738, Campus Radio 97.1 WLS-FM, RJ 100.3 FM, 90.7 Love Radio, XFM 92.3, 939 KCFM, 96.3 WRocK, 101.1 YES! FM, MOR 101.9 For Life and Focus Media Audiovisuals.

Her Excellency, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, the guest of honor and speaker in the occasion, gave her greetings and message to the crowd. In attendance, also were watching the show are some members of the cabinet; several senators led by Senate President Manny Villar; several congressmen led by House Speaker Prospero Nograles; and friends of El Shaddai leader Bro. Mike Velarde from the business, entertainment, media, legal, and religious sector, DZRH radio anchors Joe Taruc, Andy Verde, Deo Macalma and Ruth Abao-Espinosa, Paolo Araneta; Jose Cuervo’s AA Arquiza; twinkle-eyed beauty Abby Binay; golfer Charlie Carmona; Bench’s Ben Chan; Louie Chuidian; WhereElse’s suave Marcel Crespo; Monique Banzon Daez; Illac Diaz; Joji Dingcong; Patxi Elizalde and Sofia Zobel-E.; Malou Francisco of Store Specialists Inc.; Amanda Griffin; Lisa Gokongwei; Haresh Hiranand; and super eligible Mike Huang, Bea Jacinto; Lucia Jacinto; Angel Jacob; Patricia Javier; pretty, pretty Angelu de Leon; gourmet and wine connoisseur Alex Lichaytoo; lady of different faces Margarita Locsin; brilliant columnist and that miss with the four B’s, Celine Lopez; vivacious Bing Loyzaga; Cutie del Mar; DJ Mumph; The Body who makes ladies sigh, Marc Nelson; PR genius Keren Pascual; Miguel Pastor; Dave and Berna Puyat; Jaya Ramsey; New York City boy Patrick Reyno; Miguel Rosales; Cherrie del Rosario; Robin da Roza; Carmina Sanchez; Hans and Carol Sy; Bea Zobel Jr. (she recently had café society’s jaws dropping with her witty answers in a candid interview with Karen Santos and Gina Tambunting Roxas featured in PEOPLE Asia’s fantastic March 2002 issue), Charlie Carmona; vibrant “Breakfast” Show host, Angel Jacob; the pretty faces behind Luna, Annie Cacho and Manet Dayrit; Zed’s pride, Fenee Amparo; dapper Jojo Manlongat; interior designer Miguel Rosales; well-loved designer, Pepito Albert; Richard Gomez and Lucy Torres, exclusively dating partners Anne Curtis and Erwan Heussaff, Borgy Manotoc, Maricar Reyes, Isabelle Daza with boyfriend Adrien Semblat, The Philippine STAR SUPREME’s Tim Yap; ABS-CBN executives Biboy Arboleda, Charo Santos-Concio, Cory Vidanes and Deo Endrinal; Star Magic’s Mariole Alberto; TV5 executive Perci Intalan, GMA-7 executives Wilma Galvante, Marivin Arayata, Lilybeth Rasonable, Ida Henares, Bang Arespacochaga and Joey Abacan; VIVA Films’ Vicente del Rosario III and Veronique del Rosario-Corpus, Regal Films matriarch Mother Lily Monteverde and daughter Roselle Monteverde-Teo; Solar Entertainment’s William Y. Tieng and Wilson Tieng, talent managers Girlie Rodis, Anna Ylagan, Manny Valera and Perry Lansigan; and director Joel Lamangan, TAPE Inc.'s Tony Tuviera and Malou Choa-Fagar, exuberant Tina Tinio; exotic Thelina Nuval; and Maurice Arcache, bench/ endorsers Amanda Griffin; John Prats; AJ Eigenmann; Mickey Randall, Aubrey Miles and Francis Ricafort, studly lover boy Jon Hall and E’s gorgeous playgirl Lana Asanin, former sexy star Assunta de Rossi, bench/ long-time endorsers Wendell Ramos and Jomari Yllana, Marc Nelson, Aya Medel, Diether Ocampo, Amanda Griffin plus the Antonio Aquitana open the curtain call for the 100-plus models in the BENCH during its “One Night Only underwear and denim show in July 2002, Ces Oreña-Drilon and her hubby, renowned artist Rock Drilon; Agot Isidro and Manu Sandejas; searing beauties Dina Bonnevie and Ara Mina; Hans Montenegro; directors/actors Rowell Santiago and Gina Alajar with son Ryan Eigenmann; former “Studio 23” VJ’s, Southern gent JM Rodriguez and charmante Cutie del Mar; and Fil-Am superstar Paolo Montalban.

Guest of Honor:

• President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo

Guests

• House Speaker Prospero C. Nograles
• Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile
• Supreme Court Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno
• Former President Corazon Cojuangco-Aquino
• Former President Fidel V. Ramos
• Former President Joseph Ejercito Estrada
• Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines President Angel N. Lagdameo
• Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal B. Rosales
• Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick S. Pabillo
• Manila Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus Teodoro J. Buhain, Jr.
• Antipolo Bishop Gabriel V. Reyes
• Antipolo Bishop Emeritus Protacio G. Gungon
• Antipolo Bishop Crisostomo Yalung
• Cubao Bishop Honesto F. Ongtioco
• Imus Bishop Luis Antonio G. Tagle
• Kalookan Bishop Deogracias S. Iñiguez, Jr.
• Malolos Bishop Jose F. Oliveros
• Malolos Bishop Emeritus Cirilo R. Almario, Jr.
• Novaliches Bishop Antonio R. Tobias
• Novaliches Bishop Emeritus Teodoro C. Bacani, Jr.
• Parañaque Bishop Jesse E. Mercado
• Pasig Bishop Francisco San Diego
• San Pablo Bishop Leo M. Drona
• Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim
• Antipolo City Mayor Victor R. Sumulong
• Caloocan City Mayor Recom R. Echiverri
• Las Piñas City Mayor Vergel Aguilar
• Makati City Mayor Jejomar C. Binay
• Malabon City Mayor Canuto Senen A. Oreta
• Mandaluyong City Mayor Benjamin C. Abalos, Jr.
• Marikina City Mayor Maria Lourdes Carlos-Fernando
• Meycauayan City Mayor Joan V. Alarilla
• Muntinlupa City Mayor Aldrin L. San Pedro
• Navotas City Mayor Tobias Reynald M. Tiangco
• Parañaque City Mayor Florencio M. Bernabe, Jr.
• Pasay City Mayor Wenceslao B. Trinidad
• Pasig City Mayor Robert C. Eusebio
• Quezon City Mayor Feliciano R. Belmonte, Jr.
• San Juan City Mayor Joseph Victor G. Ejercito
• Taguig City Mayor Sigfrido R. Tinga
• Valenzuela City Mayor Sherwin T. Gatchalian
• Angono Mayor Aurora A. Villamayor
• Binangonan Mayor Cecilio M. Ynares
• Cainta Mayor Ramon A. Ilagan
• Obando Mayor Orencio E. Gabriel
• Pateros Mayor Jaime Cruz Medina
• Rodriguez Mayor Pedro S. Cuerpo
• San Mateo Mayor Jose Rafael E. Diaz
• San Pedro Mayor Calixto R. Catáquiz 
• Taytay Mayor Joric Gacula
• Agrarian Reform Secretary Nasser Pangandaman
• Agriculture Secretary Bernie Fondevilla
• Budget and Management Secretary Florencio B. Abad
• Commission on Higher Education Chairman Carlito S. Puno, DPA
• Education Secretary Dr. Mona A. Valisno
• Energy Secretary Angelo Reyes
• Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Jose L. Atienza, Jr.
• Finance Secretary Cesar V. Purisima
• Foreign Affairs Secretary and Committee on Privatization Chairman Alberto G. Romulo
• Health Secretary Dr. Esperanza G. Cabral
• Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse M. Robredo
• Justice Secretary Raul M. Gonzalez
• Labor and Employment Secretary Marianito D. Roque
• National Defense Secretary Gilbert C. Teodoro, Jr.
• Public Works and Highways Secretary General Hermogenes E. Ebdane, Jr.
• Science and Technology Secretary Estrella F. Alabastro
• Social Welfare and Development Secretary Celia Capadocia Yangco
• Tourism Secretary Alberto A. Lim
• Trade and Industry Secretary Jesli A. Lapus
• Transportation and Communications Secretary Anneli Lontoc
• Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process General Hermogenes Esperon
• Presidential Adviser for Constituency Affairs and Adviser for Subic-Clark Alliance for Development Edgardo D. Pamintuan
• Presidential Adviser for Provincial Affairs Hon. Conrado A. Limcaoco
• Presidential Adviser for Jobs Generation Hon. Luis P. Lorenzo, Jr.
• Special Assistant to the President, Presidential Adviser for Special Concerns Hon. Erlinda M B. de Leon
• Presidential Adviser on Strategic Projects Hon. Gloria L. Tan Climaco
• Presidential Adviser for New Government Centers Hon. Rodolfo Del Rosario
• Undersecretary Danilo L. Encinas
• Assistant Secretary, Presidential Adviser on Cooperatives Sarah Buena S. Mirasol
• Presidential Adviser for Muslim Communities, Presidential Adviser on Culture Hon. Nur. G. Jaafar
• Presidential Adviser on Military Affairs Hon. Arturo Carrillo
• Presidential Adviser for Police Affairs Hon. Orlando A. Macaspac
• Presidential Adviser for Eastern Visayas Hon. Victor A. Domingo
• Presidential Adviser for North Luzon Hon. Renato V. Diaz
• Presidential Adviser for Southern Tagalog Hon. Cesar N. Sarino
• Presidential Adviser on Regional Development Hon. Paul G. Dominguez
• Presidential Adviser on Agricultural Modernization Hon. Angelito M. Sarmiento
• Presidential Adviser Jose A. Rufino
• Presidential Adviser on Appointment Tomasito B. Monzon
• Presidential Adviser for Muslim Royalty Concerns Hon. Sultan Jamalul D. Kiram III
• Presidential Adviser for Cagayan Valley Hon. Silvestre Bello II
• Presidential Adviser Carolina G. Hernandez
• Presidential Adviser on Military Affairs Maj. Gen. Arturo B. Carillo (Ret.)
• Presidential Adviser for Police Affairs P/Dir. Orlando A. Macaspac (Ret.)
• Presidential Adviser on Infrastructure Teodoro T. Encarnacion
• Presidential Adviser on Foreign Affairs Alfonso T. Yuchengco
• Presidential Adviser on Rural Electrication Francisco G. Silva
• Presidential Adviser for New Government Centers Rodolfo P. Del Rosario
• Presidential Adviser on Food Security & Job Creation Arthur Yap
• Presidential Adviser for Revenue Enhancement Narciso Y. Santiago, Jr.
• Presidential Adviser for Trade & Development Amb. Rodolfo C. Severino
• Office of The Presidential Adviser Benjamin G. Dy
• Special Adviser for Energy Affairs and Presidential Adviser for External Affairs Edgardo M. Del Fonso
• Presidential Adviser for Region VI Rafael L. Conscolluela
• National Economic and Development Authority Director General and Political Adviser Ralph Recto
• Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Sergio Apostol
• National Security Adviser and Director-General Norberto B. Gonzales
• Deputy National Security Adviser Pedro R. Cabuay, Jr.
• Deputy National Security Adviser Virtus Gil
• Cabinet Secretary Atty. Silvestre Bello III
• National Anti-Poverty Commission Lead Convenor Domingo F. Panganiban
• Commission on Higher Education Chairman Carlito S. Puno, DPA
• Committee on Privatization Executive Director Crisanta S. Legaspi 
• Cooperatives Development Authority Chairman Atty. Efren C. Moncupa 
• Coordinating Council for Private Participation Chairman Paul G. Dominguez 
• Coordinating Council for Private Participation Executive Director Noel Eli B. Kintanar
• Energy Regulatory Commission Chairman Rodolfo B. Albano
• Energy Regulatory Commission Members TF Raul Tan and Alejando Barin
• Film Development Council of The Philippines (FDCP) Chairman Rolando Atienza
• Cinema Evaluation Board (CEB) of the FDCP Chairperson Christine M. Dayrit
• Games and Amusements Board Chairman Dominador R. Cepeda, Jr.
• Government Corporate Monitoring and Coordinating Committee Chairman Renato S. De Villa
• Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board Commissioner & Chief Executive Officer Romulo Q. Fabul
• Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chairman Atty. Francis C. Tolentino
• Manila Broadcasting Company Chairman Fred J. Elizalde
• Philippine Long-Distance Telephone Company, Smart Communications, Inc. and TV5 Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan
• Ayala Corporation Chairman and CEO Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala
• JG Summit Holdings, Inc. Chairman Emeritus John Robinson L. Gokongwei, Jr.
• Makati Business Club President Ramon Del Rosario Jr.
• Makati Business Club Executive Director Bill Luz
• Al-Amanah Islamic Investment Bank of The Philippines Chairman/CEO Ali B. Sangki
• Baguio Economic Zone Administrator Digna D. Torres
• Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor / Chairman of the Monetary Board Armando M. Tetangco Jr. 
• Bataan Economic Zone Administrator Emilio C. Reyes
• BCDA Management and Holdings, Inc. Chairman Filadelfo S. Rojas, Jr.
• Cagayan Economic Zone Authority Administrator Rodolfo O. Reyes
• Cavite Economic Zone Zone Administrator Raymundo T. Nagrampa
• Cebu Ports Authority General Manager Jose Joaquin M. Marquez
• Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions Executive Director Assistant Secretary Felicitas R. Agoncillo-Reyes
• Clark Development Corporation President / CEO Levi Laus
• Clark International Airport Corporation Chairman Nestor Mangio 
• Clark International Airport Corporation Executive Vice-President Alexander S. Cauguiran
• Clark International Airport Corporation President Franco V. Puzon 
• Cottage Industry Technology Center Executive Director Franklin P. Bunoan
• Cultural Center of the Philippines Chairman Emily Altomonte Abrera
• Cultural Center of the Philippines President Nestor O. Jardin
• Dangerous Drugs Board of The Philippines Secretary/Chairman Vicente C. Sotto III
• Deputy Administrator for Electric Distribution Utilities Services Edita S. Bueno
• Development Academy of The Philippines President Eduardo T. Gonzalez
• Development Bank of The Philippines Chairman Vitaliano N. Nañagas II
• Development Bank of The Philippines President & CEO Reynaldo G. David
• Duty Free Philippines General Manager Michael Christian U. Kho
• Government Service Insurance System President and General Manager Atty. Winston F. Garcia 
• Guarantee Fund for Small and Medium Enterprises Managing Director Benel P. Lagua
• Home Development Mutual Fund (Pag-IBIG Fund) President / CEO Atty. Romero Federico S. Quimbo
• Home Insurance and Guaranty Corporation President Wilfredo F. Hernandez
• John Hay-Poro Point Development Corporation President Damaso E. Bangaoet, Jr.
• Laguna Lake Development Authority General Manager Casimiro A. Ynares III, MD
• Light Rail Transit Authority Administrator Melquiades A. Robles
• Local Water Utilities Administration Administrator Lorenzo H. Zamora
• Lung Center of the Philippines Executive Director Dr. Juanito A. Rubio
• Mactan Economic Zone Administrator Dante M. Quindoza
• Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority General Manager-Chief Executive Officer Danilo August Francia
• Manila International Airport Authority General Manager Alfonso G. Cusi
• Metro Transit Organization, Inc. General Manager Moises S. Tolentino, Jr.
• Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System Administrator Orlando C. Hondrade
• National Broadcasting Network Chairman and Presidential Management Staff Head Cerge Remonde
• National Commission for the Culture and Arts Chairperson Dr. Vilma Labrador
• National Dairy Authority Administrator Salvacion M. Bulatao 
• National Food Authority Administrator Gregorio Y. Tan, Jr.
• National Historical Institute Chairman Dr. Ambeth R. Ocampo
• National Home Mortgage Finance Corporation President Angelico T. Salud
• National Irrigation Administration Administrator Marcelino Tugaoen Jr. 
• National Kidney and Transplant Institute Executive Director Dr. Enrique T. Ona, M.D., FPCS, FACS 
• National Power Corporation President Cyril C. del Callar 
• National Tobacco Administration Administrator Carlitos S. Encarnacion
• Natural Resources Mining Development Corporation President Oliver Butalid 
• North Luzon Railways Corporation Chairman and Acting President Rogelio L. Singson
• Northern Foods Corporation Chairman / Administrator LIVECOR Bernardo J. B. Mitra 
• Northern Foods Corporation President Gerardo I. Ledesma, Jr.
• Occupational Safety and Health Center Executive Director Dr. Dulce P. Estrella-Gust
• Overseas Workers Welfare Administration Administrator Marianito D. Roque
• People’s Credit and Finance Corporation (PCFC) President and Chief Executive Officer Edgar V. Generoso 
• Philippine Aerospace Development Corporation President B/Gen. Reynato R. Jose (Ret.)
• Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation President Ephraim C. Genuino
• Philippine Center for Economic Development Executive Director Raul V. Fabella
• Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office Chairman Margarita Pengson-Juico
• Philippine Children's Medical Center Officer in Charge, Executive Director Dr. Zenaida L. Antonio, M.D., Mhped 
• Philippine Coconut Authority Administrator Jesus Emmanuel M. Paras
• Philippine Convention and Visitors Corporation Executive Director Daniel G. Corpuz
• Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation President Benito F. Estacio, Jr.
• Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation President and Chief Executive Officer Ricardo M. Tan
• Philippine Economic Zone Authority Director General Atty. Lilia B. De Lima
• Philippine Export-Import Credit Agency (PhilExIm) President / CEO Virgilio R. Angelo
• Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA) General Manager Petronilo B. Buendia 
• Philippine Health Insurance Corporation OIC, President Lorna O. Fajardo
• Philippine Heart Center Director Ludgerio D. Torres, M.D. 
• Philippine Institute for Development Studies President Dr. Josef T. Yap
• Philippine International Convention Center General Manager Atty. Araceli E. Villanueva
• Philippine National Oil Company-Petrochemical Development Corporation (PNOC-EDC) President Peter Anthony S. Abaya
• Philippine National Railways General Manager Mr. Jose Ma. I. Sarasola, II
• Philippine Ports Authority General Manager Oscar M. Sevilla
• Philippine Postal Corporation Postmaster General Hector Villanueva
• Philippine Reclamation Authority Acting General Manager and Chief Executive Officer Andrea Domingo
• Philippine Retirement Authority Chief Executive Officer / General Manager Vernette Umali-Paco 
• Philippine Rice Research Institute Executive Director Hon. Leocadio S. Sebastian
• Philippine Tourism Authority Chairman Senator Richard J. Gordon
• Phividec Industrial Authority Chairman Col. Emmanuel V. De Ocampo
• Public Estates Authority General Manager / CEO Teodorico C. Taguinod 
• Quedan & Rural Credit Guarantee Corporation President & CEO Dr. Nelson C. Buenaflor 
• Small Business Guarantee and Finance Corporation Undersecretary Zorayda Amelia C. Alonzo
• Social Security System President / CEO Corazon S. De La Paz
• Southern Philippines Development Authority Chairman of the Board of Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Datu Zamzamin Ampatuan
• Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority Chairman Commo. Feliciano S. Salonga PCGA
• Sugar Regulatory Administration Administrator James C. Ledesma 
• Technology and Livelihood Resource Center Director-General Antonio Y. Ortiz
• Trade and Investment Development Corporation President Victor C. Macalincag
• Zamboanga City Special Economic Zone Authority Chairman and Administrator Manuel A. Dalipe
• Philippine Olympic Committee Chairman Jose S. Cojuangco, Jr.
• Philippine Daily Inquirer Chairman Marixi Rufino-Prieto
• Philippine Daily Inquirer Founding Editor Eugenia Duran-Apostol
• Philippine Daily Inquirer President Alessandra Prieto-Romualdez
• Philippine Daily Inquirer Editor-in-Chief Letty Jimenez-Magsanoc
• Philippine Daily Inquirer Publisher Isagani M. Yambot, Sr.
• Philippine Daily Inquirer Lifestyle Editor Thelma Sioson-San Juan

The Inquirer Lifestyle Fitness.Fashion with Samsung Concert held on Friday, August 1 at 8:00 p.m. at the same venue. Guest performers during the said concert are Karylle, Tootsie Guevarra, Gino Padilla, Lana Asanin, Nancy Castiglione, Radha, Aliya Parcs, Jed Madela and the Dye Vest Band.

“Led by TechnoMarine Philippines’ chief executive officer Raffy Florencio with wife Kat, the event was a visual spectacle, bringing to life the sights and sounds of the ocean. Filled with a dazzling display of lights and colors, the room was illuminated in hues of blue while guests relaxed. Host Karen Pamintuan greeted guests and celebrities who wore their favorite TechnoMarine timepieces. Among those spotted wearing the watch brand were MTV Philippines VJ Maggie Wilson, Divine Lee, Camille Villar, Mons Romulo-Tantoco, Zanjoe Marudo, Jake Cuenca, Victor Basa, Priscilla Meirelles, Kristine Hermosa and Chris Tiu.”

On her 76th birthday, former president Corazon Aquino, who was battling late stage colon cancer, was the picture of serenity.

“I have lived a full life, I cannot complain,” she calmly told her children Ballsy Cruz, Pinky Abellada, Sen. Noynoy Aquino, Viel Dee and Kris Aquino. They heard mass in the chapel of a convent along Estrella Street in Makati and then had lunch of pan-fried goose liver salad and spinach mushroom souffle at Chef Jessie’s in Rockwell. For dessert, Cory had a special birthday treat: her favorite dessert White Chocolate Grand Marnier Mousse.

Her daughter Viel believes the spiritual backbone of their mother, who passed away seven months after her 76th birthday, was the source of her serenity. “Of all of us, I’d say that I’m the calmest. I believe I got this from Mom, maybe because I saw in her that with faith, we are able to overcome our trials,” says Viel.

This is echoed by her son who says that when faced with tough times, he just thinks of what his mother Cory and his father Ninoy underwent.

An excerption from "Stars 23: Who will stardom bless?" by Bot Glorioso and Jerry Donato of rival Philippine Star dated July 28, 2009:

"Enchong Dee — He is RP swimming team’s loss but local tinseltown’s gain. His moreno color and tip-top shape will tell everyone that he was the country’s representative to sports competitions like SEA Games and Asian Games. 

He still has the endurance, discipline and competitive stance of a swimmer. It is not surprising why Enchong remains visible on TV via My Girl, My Only Hope and Boystown. Enchong can also give Vhong Navarro a run for his money in hip-hop and contemporary dancing." 

x x x 

"Robi Domingo — He is a model to the youth as he juggles showbusiness and studies. On TV, the Pinoy Big Brother Second Placer is VJ Robi playing everyone’s favorite songs and videos and counting down the Top 10 hits. He is a pre-Med student off-cam religiously attending lectures and beating school deadlines. Boystown shed Robi’s good boy image by casting him as a spoiled, rich brat." 

x x x 

"Matteo Guidicelli — He is a champion kart racer used to driving his way on the fast lane. Racing, however, is not the only thing Matteo knows. He can sing. It must be the Cebuano in him. We see Matteo host and perform in S.O.P. To further his talent in performing, Matteo studies musical theater." 

x x x  

"Regine Angeles — After being named Be Bench female grand winner, there’s no stopping Regine from showing what she’s got in the acting department. She caught televiewers’ interest in shows like Palos with Jake Cuenca, My Girl and My Only Hope. Her short acting stint in Tayong Dalawa was as impressive as that of lead stars Kim Chiu and Alessandra de Rossi. She is currently in the cast of TV5’s Lipgloss."

On its first anniversary — held at Quirino Grandstand, Rizal Park, Manila on July 31, 2009 — their major guest stars were Bianca Araneta; Julia Clarete; Cheryl Cosim; Daphne Osena; Pia Guanio; Kenji Marquez; Derek Ramsey; JM Rodriguez; and Audrey Tan-Zubiri. But they managed to give away prizes to the live audience — mostly refrigerators. The high point of the event was when the cast members released doves — plenty of them.

To symbolize the national desire for peace and unity, thousands of doves were released by the congregation. Signed personal petitions of each attendee were tied to the birds' legs. A celebration of the Holy Mass was led by Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal B. Rosales. In his healing message, Velarde expounded about having peace that comes from the Lord-one which cannot be shaken even in times of troubles.

The country’s first woman president, died on August 1 at 3:18 a.m. at the Makati Medical Center after an 18-month battle with colon cancer. She was 76.

However, Arroyo’s fortune turned around in 2009 when the gruesome Maguindanao massacre happened.

The following year, Sen. Benigno Aquino III won the presidential elections. In a bid to reach a convenient outcome for their case, some members of the Ampatuan family opted to cooperate with the Aquino administration, which was building an electoral sabotage case against Arroyo.

Then, in June 2010, it put into power the son of democracy icons that ignited the 1986 People Power Revolution.

While the country enjoyed relative economic growth and the administration enjoyed record approval ratings, it faced lingering problems concerning corruption, a communist rebellion, insurgencies in Mindanao, and prevailing criminality. Now there are people clamoring for a return to authoritarian rule and impunity under the convoluted premise of instilling discipline in a society allegedly made corrupt by its democratic principles – as if our current problems are the result of our freedom to choose, instead of our flawed choices. With these developments, one must ask: “Have we, as a nation, really come of age?

Five years since the disaster unfolded, our collective memory of it remains fresh, thanks to blow-by-blow coverage by Japanese news networks. From our TV sets and on the Internet, we saw buildings and homes buckling and crumbling in the intense 8.9 tremor, followed by a wall of water that inundated whole towns and cities. To make matters worse, it triggered a meltdown at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant that sent radioactive material leaking into the air, ground and sea.

All in all, the triple disaster took almost 16,000 lives, injured more than 6,000 and left over 2,500 people unaccounted for. The disaster took a toll on the ailing Japanese economy at a cost of $249 billion.

But the media coverage also showed us how steadfastly disciplined and organized the Japanese remained amid the catastrophe that hit their country. There were no instances of looting, even as business establishments, government offices and individual homes were abandoned. Even sushi that was left in a food cart at Sendai Airport remained untouched.

Less than 24 hours after the disaster, emergency services and the Japan Self-Defense Forces quickly mobilized to rescue survivors and provide temporary shelter and relief. Even the Japanese crime syndicate, the Yakuza, helped in maintaining order in the aftermath of the disaster. A global relief effort quickly went into motion, sending billions in food, water, emergency shelters and supplies to the affected region.

In designated evacuation centers, floor space for affected families was partitioned equally. There were designated areas for eating, sanitation and waste management. In the few business establishments that were left standing and open, queues of people hoping to buy basic needs were orderly.

Five years later, however, more than 174,000 people remain displaced by Japan’s triple disaster, majority of which were forced to leave their homes by the nuclear disaster in Fukushima. Many still live in temporary shelters, uncertain if they will be able to ever go back to their homes. Others have decided to permanently relocate to other Japanese cities. The Japanese government estimates that the cleanup in Fukushima could take 40 years, considering the extent of the radioactive leak.

Still, despite the lingering problems, Japan’s rapid recovery from the triple disaster that rocked it was unprecedented. None of the debris left behind by the tsunami can be seen; only the empty lots indicate its existence. New roads, schools and homes have been built, while airports and seaports have reopened.

There is definitely a lot to be learned from the Japanese on how to cope with and respond to natural disasters, and most importantly, on how to prepare for such events.

In 2011, former Maguindanao provincial administrator Nonie Unas testified against Arroyo at a joint Comelec and Department of Justice probe.

On Nov. 18, the Comelec in full session favored the results of the probe and filed charges of electoral sabotage against Arroyo and her cohorts at the Pasay City regional trial court. Judge Jesus Mupas immediately issued a warrant of arrest against Arroyo, who was arrested while on her way to the airport for a medical check-up abroad.

But the biggest bone of contention that Corona’s SC threw at Aquino was its Nov. 22, 2011 decision ordering the distribution of 5,000 hectares of Hacienda Luisita, the prime sugar estate in Tarlac owned by the Cojuangco clan. According to the court, the stock distribution option implemented by Hacienda Luisita Inc. was not in line with the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP). Incensed at the apparent defiance Corona’s SC has shown, Aquino found his voice and began lashing out against the chief justice.

On Dec. 1, 2011, the President questioned the SC’s decisions at a speech delivered to the Makati Business Club. Four days later, he publicly lambasted Corona, who was present at the First Criminal Justice Summit. In an effort to appease the President’s wrath, the House of Representatives moved to impeach Corona.

On Dec. 12, 2011, 188 House members signed the eight Articles of Impeachment, based on allegations of graft and corruption, culpable violation of the Constitution and betrayal of public trust. With two-thirds of the House having signed, the Articles of Impeachment were immediately sent to the Senate.

On Jan. 16, 2012, the Corona impeachment trial began.

Of the eight Articles of Impeachment, the trial mostly centered on the second article, wherein Corona allegedly betrayed public trust and violated the Constitution by not disclosing the entirety of his wealth in his Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN) from 2002 to 2010. Among the wealth that Corona did not declare included real estate properties in Taguig, Makati and Quezon City, as well as bank accounts in Philippine Savings Bank and Bank of the Philippine Islands. It was Corona’s non-disclosure of these properties and finances that ultimately convinced 20 senators to convict and impeach him on May 29, 2012.

Since her arrest, Arroyo has remained in hospital arrest awaiting the court’s verdict. Last year, the Pasay court granted her a P1-million bail, which the Court of Appeals has affirmed. But Arroyo remains in hospital arrest for a different non-bailable case.

These scenes are in stark contrast to how Filipinos respond during disasters. In the aftermath of Super Typhoon Yolanda in 2013, widespread looting was reported in Tacloban City, the epicenter of the disaster. Survivors weren’t able to rely on local emergency services for help because the deluge devastated them as well. Hospitals were unable to cope with the huge number of injured patients because the storm surge had washed away most of their equipment and they had no backup power. Unidentified bodies lay along the side of major roads, with some burying their dead right on the spot. First responders from the government arrived only a day after the typhoon made landfall. And with the more than P1 billion in foreign aid given to the Philippines, survivors were given flimsy, wooden, temporary shelters that would not withstand the elements.

Marixi Prieto, Chair of the Board of Directors of the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Inc., announced on June 8, 2018 at the company’s annual stockholders meeting her retirement as chair effective immediately.

She said that, at 78 years old, it was time to transfer the management of the company to a new leadership. She expressed her desire to “spend more time with her family, especially with my grandchildren, and devote my energies to various advocacies, charity organizations and foundations.”

Our additions in the Manila leg of the fashion show are: Anne Curtis, Judy Ann Santos, Marian Rivera, Jodi Sta. Maria, JK Labajo, Darren Espanto, Darlene Vibares, Lyca Gairanod, Martin Nievera, Pops Fernandez, Jolo Revilla, Edu Manzano, Bianca Manalo, Ryzza Mae Dizon, Mike Enriquez, Richard Gomez, Lucy Torres, Ogie Alcasid, MJ Lastimosa, Sam Concepcion, Michael Pangilinan, Jona Viray, Dulce, Rachel Alejandro, Manilyn Reynes, Jessa Zaragoza, Dingdong Avanzado, Iya Villania, Cesar Montano, Robin Padilla, Lea Salonga, Gary Valenciano, Sharon Cuneta, John Estrada, Randy Santiago, Regine Velasquez-Alcasid, Richard Yap, Rissa Mananquil-Trillo, Dingdong Dantes, Venus Raj, Shamcey Supsup, Rayver Cruz, Daniel Matsunaga, Gretchen Ho, Robi Domingo, Diego Loyzaga, Ella Cruz, Luigi D’ Avola, Bubbles Paraiso, Robin Nievera, Amber Davis, Cheyser Pedregosa, CJ Jaravata, Tim Yap, Kean Cipriano, Boom Gonzales, Luke Landrigan, Marc Nelson, Divine Maitland-Smith, Jessica Connelly, Stefan Aliño, Sandra Seifert, Dani Barretto, Bianca Gonzalez, Kiefer Ravena, Phil Younghusband, Heart Evangelista, Boy Abunda, Carla Abellana, Allison Harvard, Solenn Heussaff, Lovi Poe, Rocco Nacino, Atom Araullo, Alden Richards, Maine Mendoza, Drew Arellano, Jason Abalos, JC Intal, Mike Tan, Matteo Guidicelli, Gabbi Garcia and Ruru Madrid, Maymay Entrata and Edward Barber, Chynna Ortaleza, Gabby Concepcion, Tony Labrusca, Derrick Monasterio, Jeric Gonzales, Gil Cuerva, Elise Joson, McCoy de Leon, Enrique Gil, Alex Gonzaga, Janine Gutierrez, Bianca Umali, Miguel Tanfelix, Kim Last, Lovely Abella, Taki Saito, Kyline Alcantara, Joyce Pring, Clint Bondad, Donita Nose, Krissy, Yuan Francisco, Angelica Ulip, Leanne Bautista, Will Ashley, Bruce Roeland, Sofia Pablo, Kelvin Miranda, Alonzo Muhlach, Ricci Rivero, Johnvic de Guzman, Kianna Dy, JC Santos, Tommy Esguerra, Donny Pangilinan, Hannah Pangilinan, Alwyn Uytingco, Vin Abrenica, Victor Silayan, John James Uy, Shaira Mae Dela Cruz, McDonald’s ambassadors Xian Lim and Jessy Mendiola, and athletic brothers Jeron Teng and Jeric Teng, Chesca Garcia-Kramer and kids Kendra and Scarlett, Dimples Romana and daughter Callie, and football players and brothers Anton and Armand del Rosario, McDonald’s commercial talents Paulo “Kuya Pao” Pingol, Kenneth Cruz and Vince Ferraren, LA Aguinaldo, “Boys Night Out’s” Slick Rick, Tony Toni and Sam YG, Marj Sia and Harry Cheng, Coleen Garcia, Tony Taus, Andi Eigenmann, Nicole Anderson, Michael Christian Martinez, Gino Quillamor, Erwan Heussaff, Kris Aquino, Georgina Wilson, Liz Uy, BJ Pascual, Charina Sarte, Dong Ronquillo, Nix Alanon, Tanner Mata, Tyler Mata, Emilio Francisco Perez, Loisa Andalio, Sofia Andres, Maria Fabiana, Ronnie Alonte, Khalil Ramos, Maris Racal, Ivan Dorschner, Lauren Reid, Kenzo Gutierrez, Alex Diaz, Ryle Santiago, Jameson Blake, Karen Reyes, Klea Pineda, Lharby Policarpio, Jak Roberto, Kelley Day, Zeus Collins, Sue Ramirez, James Reid and Nadine Lustre, JM de Guzman, Joshua Colet, Ben Isaac, Jess Wilson, G3 San Diego, Vivoree Esclito, Gretchen Fullido, Kylie Verzosa, Alice Dixon, Bianca King, Tippy Dos Santos, Christian Bautista, Nico Bolzico, Carla Humphries, Richard Juan, Chi Gibbs, Anton Cruz, Cristalle Belo-Henares with husband Justin Pitt, Karylle, Vicki Belo, Hayden Kho, Andre Drilon, Kyle Echarri, Pat Sugui, Jacob Munez, Denden Lazaro, Kaye Tinga, Rosenthal Tee, Champ Lui Pio, Mike Carandang, JP Anglo, Paolo Maranan, Sam Milby, Noel Cabangon, Chie Filomeno, Fabio Ide, Aubrey Miles, Troy Montero, Gerald Anderson, Jasmine Curtis-Smith, Dominic Roque, Rhys Miguel Eugenio, Seth Fedelin, BakClash Divas, Kisses Delavin, Broadway Boys, Erik Santos, Ian Veneracion, Jay R Siliona, Jed Madela, K Brosas, Klarisse De Guzman, Kyla, Kuh Ledesma, Moira dela Torre, Piolo Pascual, Zsa-Zsa Padilla, Zephanie Dimaranan, Verniece Enciso, Vern Enciso, TJ Monterde, Xander Angeles, Cocoy Ponce, Chris Nick Delos Reyes, Joanna Eden, Cassandra Laforteza and Kat de Jesus.

The 10th Anniversary of "Fitness.Fashion" to be held on August 1, 2018 at Quirino Grandstand, Rizal Park, Manila (for the open-air gathering) and BGC Amphiteater (for the pop concert)

No less the President Rodrigo R. Duterte, the guest of honor in the occasion, gave his greetings and message to the crowd. In attendance also were some members of the cabinet; former presidents Benigno Aquino III, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Joseph Estrada and Fidel Ramos; several senators led by Senate President Vicente Sotto III, several congressmen led by House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno and friends of El Shaddai leader Bro. Mike Velarde from the business, entertainment, media, legal, and religious sector.