PLDT to invest ‘much higher’ than PHP73 billion in 2021

By Raymond Carl Dela Cruz

To help the Philippines and its telecommunications infrastructure reach parity with neighboring countries such as Vietnam and Thailand, a PLDT executive said on Wednesday the company is investing PHP73 billion in improving its network infrastructure and coverage, with plans to invest even more next year.

In a statement, Alfredo Panlilio, PLDT chief revenue officer, said the company and its wireless subsidiary Smart will continue to rollout out fiber, LTE, and 5G, noting that PLDT and Smart’s average download and upload speeds are higher than the country’s average.

"We continue to improve our services, and we are not standing pat. We are not yet happy. If we can be at parity with countries like Vietnam and Thailand, that is the benchmark that PLDT and Smart are aiming for. We know that we can still get better for the benefit of our customers," Panlilio said.

To elevate Smart to global standards, he said the company is aiming for minimum average broadband speeds of at least 30 megabits per second (Mbps) in Metro Manila and some other key cities by 2021 through its LTE network.

By 2025, he said they are aiming for 84 percent of the population to have an average mobile data speed of 60 Mbps.

PLDT with its wired broadband service, he said, targets an average of 20 Mbps aside from its planned migration of legacy DSL copper line subscribers to fiber and “fiber-like services.”

PLDT has rolled out close to 100,000 kilometers of fiber lines for this year alone, noting that all four broadband players in the country rolled out a total of 144,727 kilometers for this year, according to the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC).

In total, PLDT said its fiber infrastructure now spans more than 422,000 kms and supports Smart’s 4G, 3G, and 2G networks.

“As of November, Smart has also increased the number of its LTE and 3G base stations to over 58,000, increasing the number of LTE base stations by 20 percent compared to end-2019. Smart has also rolled out additional 5G sites as it accelerates its 5G commercial services nationwide,” PLDT-Smart said.

To date, it said Smart’s mobile network covers 96 percent of the population and is present in 95 percent of cities and municipalities in the country.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1124268

'#BabalikDinAngABSCBN' trends as ABS-CBN rehires retrenched employees

An ABS-CBN employee revealed that some of the retrenched workers are now coming back to work with the Kapamilya network.

Jon Montesa, brand communications manager of the network, took to his Twitter account to announce his comeback with the network.

God's way of reminding me that he's more powerful than 70 congressmen. Unti-unti, #BabalikDinAngABSCBN.

How it started How it's going pic.twitter.com/2XnTyG97XO

— 𝕁𝕠𝕟 𝕄𝕠𝕟𝕥𝕖𝕤𝕒 ❤💚💙 (@iMelAljon) December 5, 2020

He posted a screenshot of his conversation with her mom when he was retrenched and is now coming back to work.

“God's way of reminding me that he's more powerful than 70 congressmen. Unti-unti, #BabalikDinAngABSCBN,” he wrote in the caption.

In another tweet, Jon asked for the support of the public in his first project with ABS-CBN, a movie starring Maymay Entrata and Edward Barber.

“Thank you so much sa suporta, mga Kapamilya! Since this is blowing up, I would like to ask you to please support my first project with ABS-CBN Films, Princess (Daya)Reese starring Maymay Entrata and Edward Barber. Streaming on OTT and Cable platforms on Jan. 1, 2021. Hugs!” he wrote.

No details yet are available on how many retrenched employees were rehired.

The House of Representative denied ABS-CBN's application for franchise renewal last July 10. About half of the network's 11,000 employees were reportedly let go after congressmen voted 70-11, with majority of the votes going for franchise denial.

The network, however, continued to operate digitally and now created a deal with A2Z network to be able to broadcast some of their programs on free TV.

https://www.philstar.com/entertainment/2020/12/09/2062577/babalikdinangabscbn-trends-abs-cbn-rehires-retrenched-employees

Samsung N5200 40" Class Full HD Smart LED TV

Samsung N5200 40" Class Full HD Smart LED TV

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Samsung T5300 43" Class HDR Full HD Smart Multisystem LED TV

Samsung TU9000 86" Class HDR 4K UHD Smart LED TV

Sakto | Teleradyo (9 December 2020)

PLANTITO - Kapet Pandasal kasama si Fr Nono Alfonso, SJ

RHTV's coverage of the 24th Southeast Asian Games in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand (Dec. 9, 2007)

 i have checked the NBN website and I saw this as their TV scherdule tommorow:

1:00 pm - 5:00 - Tennis (Dec. 8)

- Phil vs. Thai

- BEACH VOLLEYBALL ( M ) ( Dec. 8)

- Phil vs. Cambodia

- SWIMMING - FINALS ( Dec. 8 )

- BILLIARDS - FINALS ( Dec. 8)

- BASKETBALL (W)

- Philippines vs. Singapore

7:00 - 9:00 pm BASKETBALL ( M )

- Philippines vs. Indonesia

9:15 PM - 1:00AM - Boxing

- Swimming (Finals)

- Wushu

- DANCESPORT

- PENCAK SILAT

palabas ba yun men's basketball?

ano po final score ng men's basketball natin?

Hindi mahabol-habol ang Singapore.

Go, Team Philippines! Go for gold!

ano po final score ng men's basketball natin?

mahina ang update sa website eh. 46-25 pa rin.

as long as nandyan pa ang swimming at table tennis events, mahihirapan tayo. malakas din sila sa sailing events.

mukhang nag-crash ang website nila...

Mamaya pa yata 7 p.m. ang susunod na telecast ng mga games.

RP won its second straight game in men's basketball via a lopsided score.

MEN's BOXING:

Godfrey Castro is in the finals after beating a Malaysian.

still unaccounted for:

3 - fencing (men's epee, men sabre, women foil)

1 - gymnastics (women all-around)

1 - sepak takraw (men team)

1 - bowling (women's double)

2 - billiards and snooker (men's one-cushion carom, snooker double)

1 - equestrian (individual dressage)

1 - table tennis (men double)

1 - lawn tennis (women's team)

3 - wrestling (55kgs, 60kgs, 66kgs)

7 - swimming

First, let me thank NBN for bringing us at least glimpses of the 2007 SEA Games.

May we suggest the following to NBN Group covering the games:

1. due to monetary constraints we know that you guys can't show us all the action live as it happens, but this is not an excuse to not try to be as organized as possible. Pls give us a complete recap first before showing the rest of those time-consuming events, i.e last night I am waiting for the results of swimming and the program ended around 12 midnight and none came from you guys! We were able to watch the heats in the morning although, on a delayed basis, we appreciate those but having all your viewers wait 'till midnight for updates on what is happening to our team is really unacceptable. May we suggest that before showing all those time-consuming events give us first at least an update on what is happening on as many events as possible. If you guys cant show them in their entirety then you might as well just capture all the highlights then proceed with whatever you want to show in full (for example boxing, pool games..etc)

2. If you are giving a summary of what happened on a day-to-day basis, you guys might want to consider reading them--show some highlights then pooh done with your job unlike cutting all those highlights into bits and pieces, in the end, your viewers were clueless as to what sport you guys were talking about. As for the commercial, let them be we know you need them. Just a reminder to consider a simple rule that results from you guys there in Thailand are highly anticipated and not everyone has access to the net to appreciate ceedee blow-by-blow accounts.

3. May we request from you guys to at least follow some time schedule, yesterday, there was clear notice that you guys were supposed to show swimming updates at 9:45 pm after lotto but none came instead we were treated to a 2-hour pool extravaganza without any hourly update on what is happening to other sports were we are included. We understand NBN's limitation, in fact, I personally appreciate your effort to bring us the games but please make it a bit organized. We want to know what's happening even if we cant see them in its entirety and a timely update will be highly appreciated.

Thank you ceedee!! May we suggest that you give us a morning update through One Morning aired over NBN, RPN and IBC every morning?(thanks! bow kami sa yo!)

Go TEAM PHILIPPINES! WE HOPE NBN GIVES US A MORE SATISFACTORY UPDATE IF NOT A PROFESSIONAL COVERAGE PLEASE!

thank you.

Appreciate as well all the efforts of NBN bringing us the 24th Southeast Asian Games.

Suggestion: Isa or dalawa na lang ang ipadala na commentator. Bawas na kaagad sa gastos yun.

Not sure how Vietnam does it. Yung pinapalabas nila puro LIVE feeds kung saan may mga Vietnamese na lumalaban, or an interesting event that is taking place. Sana ganun na rin sa atin. Hindi na kailangan mag-edit pa para ipalabas after 24 hours.

"Magbabalik po ang special coverage ng 24th Southeast Asian Games dito rin sa RHTV. Dyan lamang po kayo" - Dennis Antenor, Jr.

VO: This special is brought to you by Eight O'Clock, Talk 'n' Text, San Miguel Beer, Milo, Enervon, PLDT MyDSL, Vaseline Shampoo, Growee, Lady's Choice Mayonnaise, Knorr, Nido Fortified, and Clear.

[COMMERCIAL BREAK]

Men's 100m Butterfly

PHI lane 5 James Walsh
PHI lane 8 Ernest Dee

Sana makakuha tayo ng gold.

REPORTER: Sen. Pia Cayetano along with Paolo Abrera, Rina Go, and Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino general manager Marco Protacio spending the whole day at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza within the duration of the 24th Southeast Asian Games in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand.

In Malolos, Bulacan, 500,000 residents of Malolos, Hagonoy, and Paombong in a two-day-long protest rally in Bulacan Capitol Park prior to the riots that erupted during the Southeast Asian Games swimming event in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand.

In Mandaluyong and Pasig, office workers, residents, and students marched in between Shaw Boulevard, San Miguel, and Ortigas Avenue.

In Alabang, Muntinlupa, while doing the live coverage of the said event at the Festival Mall Activity Center when 50,000 residents and students marched to the streets for a protest.

The World Tonight | ANC (8 December 2020)

Here Are The 3 Possible Answers To Prayer

Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.  1 John 5:14, NKJV

Yes, No, and Wait!  Those are the three possible answers to your prayers, so says conventional wisdom.  I have thought a lot about the three-compartment answer‑‑ yes, no, and wait.  At the introduction of today's Guidelines, I freely acknowledge that God does not answer all of my prayers the way I would like.  Sometimes, in fact, He flatly denies what I have asked for.  And I, for one, am quite glad that God does turn down some of my ardent requests, because as I later look back on some of the things I once asked for, I now realize that if God had given me just what I asked for I would have been most unhappy later on.

At times we have asked for things that just were not in our best interest, yet at the time we really believed that what we were seeking was exactly what we needed.  We are not alone in doing this.  Elijah, the prophet that withstood the 450 prophets of Baal, did the same thing.  After his great victory, he was physically and emotionally exhausted.  Having learned that Jezebel was out to get him, he just prayed that God would let him die.  But meeting his Maker was a request that was not on schedule as far as God's timetable was concerned.  Request was denied!  Yet God was not indifferent or silent.  He simply said, "No!"

At the same time, be very certain that God does answer prayer.  Each morning--schedules allowing--my wife and I rise an hour earlier than we normally would and spend that time in quiet prayer.  When the alarm goes off, I stagger into the kitchen to brew a pot of coffee, and then while we drink a cup, we talk about things that we want to pray about.  Believe me, I would not give up the best hour of sleep unless I was fully persuaded that God hears and answers prayer.  We have kept records, and the indication is that although coincidences happen, there is no way that they happen with the frequency we have experienced which we call answered prayer.

"Yes," God does answer some prayers, approving just what I have asked for, but at other times, He simply says, "Not just now!" It is not an out‑and‑out denial; it is merely awaiting His timetable and schedule.  But is there another alternative?  There is another side to unanswered prayer which, I believe, is telling God what we want--at least, what we think we want or need--then putting the whole matter in His hands for Him to dispose of as He sees fit, fully confident that God knows how to answer our prayers better than we do.

I have found that most of the time God chooses to answer my prayers in a slightly different way than I have in mind.  Fortunately, God sees many details which are unknown to me.  His perspective is so much better than mine; and because He has the power to change things and people that I do not have, I had better make it clear as to what I have in mind‑‑that is praying in faith‑‑but then allow God to exercise His options as to how He answers my prayer.  "Now this is the confidence that we have in Him," says the Apostle John, "that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us" (1 John 5:14, NKJV).  That is the secret!

When God answers my prayer and does so in His way, which is far better than my way, the answer may contain one or even more of these three elements: Yes, No, and Wait my timing, but in the end our needs are far better met by awaiting His timing.  George MacDonald, the man who greatly influenced C. S. Lewis, wrote, "Man finds it hard to get what he wants, because he does not want the best; God finds it hard to give, because He would give the best and man will not take it."  Remember, God has a better plan.

Resource reading: 1 John 5:1-21

https://www.guidelines.org/devotional/here-are-the-3-possible-answers-to-prayer/

ORAS NG HIMALA - DECEMBER 08, 2020

A CHRISTMAS PRAYER - CLAUDINE, PIOLO, TIN, ECHO, DIET, ETC.

WATCH: Press briefing with Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque | Decem...

𝐏𝐇𝐈𝐋𝐈𝐏𝐏𝐈𝐍𝐄 𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐕𝐈𝐍𝐂𝐄 𝐌𝐀𝐒𝐒 𝐈𝐍 𝐇𝐎𝐍𝐎𝐑 𝐎𝐅 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐈𝐌𝐌𝐀𝐂𝐔𝐋𝐀𝐓𝐄 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐂𝐄𝐏𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐎𝐅 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐁𝐋...

JC de Vera and Solenn Heussaff abs secret

Sakto | Teleradyo (8 December 2020)

Mahalin ang hindi nagmamahal sa'yo - Kape't Pandasal kasama si Cardinal ...

The comeback of ABS-CBN: Retrenched employees return to work

With a vote of 70-11, ABS-CBN went off the air last July 10 after the House Committee on Legislative Franchises denied the 25-year franchise application of the network.

Almost 11,000 people were working at the network then. As a result of its inability to go on-air, ABS-CBN had no choice but to retrench most of its employees.

However, there is light at the end of the tunnel as ABS-CBN was able to sign a blocktime deal with ZOE Broadcasting Network to be able to broadcast some of their programs. Adding to that, they also explored the digital platform. This means that the network is slowly getting back at its feet.

With this slow but sure progress of ABS-CBN, some retrenched employees have expressed their gratefulness to the network as they were called to return.

Jon Montesa, who was among those who were laid off during the period where the Kapamilya network couldn’t operate shared the news that he is now returning to ABS-CBN which he considered his ‘home’.

In his tweet using #BabalikDinAngABSCBN, he posted a screenshot with a caption saying that God reminded him that He’s more powerful than the 70 congressmen. The second screenshot was him informing his mother that he’ll be returning to ABS-CBN.

During the month of August, the network began its retrenchment program and Montesa was among those who were included. Luckily for him, through the advancement of technology, ABS-CBN decided to switch to the digital platform which in turn gave them the chance to broadcast their programs.

Adding to the good fortune that the Kapamilya network is receiving and continuing to receive, they also had a contract with ZOE Network which allowed them to broadcast some of their programs on free TV. And as a result of this fortuitous event, Montesa received the wonderful news of returning to the Kapamilya network to work.

Adding to the wonderful news that Montesa shared, he also spilled some information regarding the project that he’ll be working which is a film under the Star Cinema titled “Princess (Daya)reese” starring Maymay Entrata and Edward Barber.

https://www.msn.com/en-ph/entertainment/entertainmentnews/the-comeback-of-abs-cbn-retrenched-employees-return-to-work/

Is God Responsible For Everything That Happens?

 In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will.  Ephesians 1:11

"There is a divinity that shapes our ends, rough-hew them how we will," wrote William Shakespeare some 450 plus years ago.  The Bard of Avon was not new in his contention that God has a will in the affairs of men and women—which puts to rest the idea that things happen by chance or by fate.

Naturally, if there is no God, or if the God of creation turned His back on His work and went back and shut Himself up in Heaven, then fate or chance might have a philosophical basis, but the writers of the New Testament clearly denied the premise that some things "just happen" for the Christian.

If you contend that there is no such thing as chance or fate, does that make God responsible for everything that happens?  Does it make Him vulnerable for your flat tire (especially when your tire is as bald as an eagle's head) or responsible for the typhoon that sweeps across the South China sea?  The Bible does tell us that some things are hard in life as the result of original sin (that is, when Adam and Eve chose their way rather than God's way) and man has to earn his living by the sweat of his brow.  It also means that nature itself is hostile to us, producing typhoons, tornadoes, snow storms and all sorts of related difficulties.

In a very real sense, some of my problems in life are the result of a hereditary flaw that goes back to Adam --just like I can blame my parents for a balding pate and bifocals.  I inherited the tendency or disposition towards these, just as some of life is tough because of the curse from the fall.

At the same time, I recognize some of my problems are the result of my own failure, for which I can blame neither Adam nor my own father.  For instance, you run those tires into the cord and sooner or later (probably sooner) you are going to have a flat tire or a blow-out and probably at the very worst time, say, when you are late to an important appointment or on your way to your daughter's wedding.

For troubles like that, along with marital difficulties, personal failures and a host of other things, we have to accept responsibility.  If there is such a thing as fate, it is the product of our own failures.  However—and it is a big however—the Bible contends that God is still in control.  There is a limit, a boundary which He has drawn beyond which nothing can happen apart from His will.  The irony of the situation is that God often uses evil men as well as difficult circumstances for which He is not responsible to do His will in our lives.

Remember Joseph's brothers who sold him into slavery?  "You meant it for evil," says Joseph to them years later, "but God meant it for good" (Genesis 50:20).  Paul alleged the same thing when he wrote from a prison cell, "The things which have happened to me have resulted in the furtherance or the progress of the Gospel" (Philippians 1:12).

For the child of God there is no such thing as fate, for we belong to our heavenly Father and He has a special will for us.  God's children will walk through the fire and face the flood as well as the heat of battle and the edge of the surgeon's scalpel, but in them all he will not be burned or overcome (Isaiah 43:1- 2).  What a liberating truth!

Resource reading: Ephesians 1:1-23

https://www.guidelines.org/devotional/is-god-responsible-for-everything-that-happens/

ORAS NG HIMALA - DECEMBER 07, 2020

Viewing Guide graphic

The Viewing Guide which serves a broad audience of TV programs, will be broadcasted 12 times. In order to meet changes in the broadcast, the content will be broadcast at any time to adjust and strengthen timeliness.

TV Guide graphic (2)

TV Guide graphic (3)

TV Guide graphic (4), background music: Peace of Mind 1 by Richard Friedman

TV Guide graphic (5), background music: Peace of Mind 1 by Richard Friedman

Before the broadcast day, after all the broadcast ended, an increase of 2 to 3 minutes of beautiful melodies, well-made morning and evening songs.

Sakto | Teleradyo (7 December 2020)

Bakit mahalaga sa pag-ibig ang paghahanda? Kape't Pandasal kasama si Fr...

Duterte proclaims San Jose del Monte as a highly-urbanized city – Bulacan solon

President Rodrigo Duterte has proclaimed San Jose del Monte in Bulacan as a highly-urbanized city, San Jose del Monte Rep. Florida Robes announced on Saturday during the inauguration of the San Jose del Monte Convention Center in Barangay Sapang Palay.

“I am very honored to announce that President Rodrigo Duterte has declared our beloved city a highly-urbanized city,” Robes said.

“We have long waited for this and we will work more to make us truly deserving of this proclamation for the people of San Jose Del Monte,” she added.

According to Robes, Duterte issued Proclamation No. 1057 declaring San Jose Del Monte as a highly-urbanized city “subject to ratification in a plebiscite by qualified voters in the city.”

Robes said the President could declare a city highly-urbanized within 30 days after it had reached a population of 200,000 0r more, as certified by the Philippine Statistics Authority. It should also have an income of at least P50 million as certified by the city treasurer.

San Jose del Monte had achieved both qualifications – as “verified and attested to by the Philippine Statistics Authority and the Department of Finance – Bureau of Local Government Finance, as Duterte pointed out in his proclamation.

Duterte issued the proclamation on the request by the city government through a resolution.

“[I]t is a declared policy of the government to support the initiatives of local governments to attain their fullest development as self-reliant communities, and make them effective partners in the attainment of national goals,” the President stated in the proclamation.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1368691/duterte-proclaims-san-jose-del-monte-as-a-highly-urbanized-city-bulacan-solon

TV Patrol Weekend live streaming December 6, 2020 | Full Episode Replay

ORAS NG HIMALA - DECEMBER 06, 2020

NEWS JAM - DECEMBER 06, 2020

WATCH: PCSO 5 PM Lotto Draw, December 6, 2020

ABS-CBN, POSIBLENG MAGBALIK HIMPAPAWID NA — ATIENZA

Magbabalik na umano sa himpapawid ang TV network giant na ABS-CBN sa ilalim ng liderato ni House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco.

Ito ang kinumpirma ni House Deputy Speaker at Buhay Partylist Rep. Lito Atienza kasunod na rin ng pagpapalit ng liderato sa Kamara.

Kumpiyansa si Atienza na pagbibigyan muli ni Velasco na makabalik sa plenaryo ang usapin hinggil sa franchise renewal ng ABS-CBN.

I am really confident, justice will prevail by next year. They were maltreated, they were maltreated, they were eventually assassinated, so they should be given justice. Ako, I am just giving the new Speaker time to settle. Hindi naman natin puwedeng biglain, major battle, kauupo lamang niya. But I am not shying away from the responsibility and for the opportunity to come – that I’m working on – para maibalik natin ‘yung floor discussion. Hindi ‘yung special firing squad ang pumataysa ABS-CBN, firing squad eh”, paliwanag ni Atienza kung saan ang firing squad ay ang patukoy sa ginawang pagbasura agad sa komite level ng franchise renewal application ng giant network at hindi na ito na isa lang sa House Plenary.

Magugunitang sa botong 70 pabor, 11 tutol at isang abstain, matagumpay na naibasura ng house committe on legislative franchises ang aplikasyon ng ABS-CBN para mapalawig ang kanilang prangkisa.

Pero ayon kay House Minority Leader at Abang Lingkod Partylist Joseph Stephen Paduano, maaari na muling maghain ng aplikasyon ang ABS – CBN pagpasok ng 2021 alinsunod na rin sa rules ng Kamara.

(UPDATE) Sa isang pulong tungkol sa pagbabalik sa himpapawid ang TV network giant na ABS-CBN, ilan dito:

• Sa "sign-on" at "sign-off" sequences, ang 2013 na bersyon ng Lupang Hinirang na ipinalabas bago mawalan sa ere ang network noong Mayo 5, ipinalit ang digitally remastered and restored version ng 1998 Centennial Version ng National Anthem, kasunod

https://www.dwiz882am.com/index.php/abs-cbn-posibleng-magbalik-himpapawid-na-atienza/

Robes: SJDM proclaimed highly-urbanized city

Rep. Florida “Rida” Robes on Saturday announced the proclamation of San Jose del Monte as a highly-urbanized city by President Rodrigo Duterte,

In her State of the District Address and on the occasion of the inauguration of the City of San Jose Del Monte Convention Center in Barangay Sapang Palay, Robes said the President, through Proclamation No. 1057, declared SJDM as a highly-urbanized city subject to ratification in a plebiscite by qualified voters of the city.

Robes also led the inauguration of the convention center, the first of its kind in the city. She said the modern facility is part of President Duterte’s Build, Build, Build program.

It is expected to promote investment, tourism, culture, education and spur economic growth not just for the city but the whole of Bulacan, according to the SJDM representative.

https://tribune.net.ph/index.php/2020/12/06/robes-sjdm-proclaimed-highly-urbanized-city/

San Jose del Monte now a highly-urbanized city – Robes

President Rodrigo Duterte has proclaimed San Jose Del Monte in Bulacan as a highly-urbanized city, according to San Jose Del Monte City Rep. Florida Robes.

The congresswoman made the announcement during the inauguration of the City of San Jose Del Monte Convention Center (CSJDM) in Barangay Sapang Palay.

Robes said that the President, through Proclamation 1057, declared San Jose Del Monte as highly-urbanized city subject to ratification in a plebiscite by qualified voters in the city.

Robes, together with her husband, SJDM Mayor Arthur Robes, also led the inauguration of the CSJDM Convention Center, the first convention center in the city, which is part of Duterte’s Build, Build, Build program.

It is expected to encourage entrepreneurship and give full play to the development of more micro, small and medium enterprises in the city and at the same time attract more investments in commerce and industry to create more jobs.

“I am very honored to announce that President Rodrigo Duterte has declared our beloved city a highly-urbanized city. We have long waited for this and we will work more to make us truly deserving of this proclamation for the people of San Jose Del Monte,” Robes said during the inauguration.

She also delivered her State of the District Address (SODA) to appraise the city of the programs and plans they have been in place to help the city cope with the Covid-19 pandemic and other development projects for the city.

Robes, during her SODA, said the city is on its way to development with the implementation of inclusive, sound and sustainable programs to improve the lives of the people of San Jose Del Monte. “Our end-goal, of course, is to improve the quality of life of the people of San Jose del Monte. We have laid the groundwork for that and we are seeing the fruits of our hard work,” she said.

“We are now a city on the rise and I believe that we can push our city further forward through the help and support of our beloved San Joseno,” Robes said.

https://centralluzon.politics.com.ph/san-jose-del-monte-now-a-highly-urbanized-city-robes/

2007 Southeast Asian Games veterans

Two years after Manila hosted the Southeast Asian Games, A 591-strong Philippine contingent will try to defend the country’s overall crown in the 24th Southeast Asian Games set in three venues in Thailand in December.

Beijing Olympic qualifiers Ryan Arabejo, Miguel Molina and James Walsh of swimming and Tsomlee Go of taekwondo lead the list of Thailand-bound athletes named by the SEAG POC-PSC Task Force yesterday.

Filipino athletes will compete in 44 events in the 10-day sports spectacle opening Dec. 5 at the Nakhon Ratchasima Stadium.

Three hundred fifty-six male and 235 female athletes comprise the delegation which could have their hands full defending the championship they won at home turf in 2005.

Arabejo, Molina and Walsh spearhead the swimming team that includes Daniel Coakley, Nikita Dacera, Ernest Lorenzo Dee, Ronald Guiriba, Kendrick Uy, Denjylie Cordero, Anna Celina Gonzales, Jaclyn Pangilinan, Nicole Santiago and Erica Totten.

Go banners the taekwondo squad including Mike Alejandrino, Alexander Briones, Jeffrey Figueroa, John Paul Lizardo, Ernesto Juan Mendoza, Carlos Jose Padilla, Manuel Rivero, Kathleen Eunice Alora, Kirstie Elaine Alora, Loralie Catalan, Veronica Domingo, Mary Antoinette Rivero, Maria Criselda Roxas, Sabrina Simbulan and Esther Marie Singson.

Doha Asiad gold medalist Joan Tipon leads the 17-strong boxing team that also include Delfin Boholst, Junel Cantancio, Maraon Golez, Joegen Ladon, Wilfredo Lopez, Albert Pabila, Orlando Tacuyan Jr., Junie Tizon, Bill Vicera, Annie Albania, Alice Kate Aparri, Jouvilet Chilem, Annaliza Cruz, Josie Gabuco, Mitchelle Martinez and Renijen Sofla.

The RP Davis Cup team of Cecil Mamiit, Eric Taino, Johnny Arcilla and Patrick John Tierro seeks to sustain its romp in the games. The women’s team is composed of Czarina Mae Arevalo, Maureen Diaz, Denise Dy and Diane Matias.

Basketball, football, futsal, lawn bowls, rugby football submitted names subject to final confirmation.

Curiously, Filipino-Am Alex Crisano, barred in the PBA due to lack of documents, is in the tentative men’s basketball lineup that also includes UAAP MVP winner Jervy Cruz and NCAA recruit Pong Escobal.

The ladies team named 12 players plus two alternates. In the list is US NCAA product Victoria Brick.

Athletics has the largest delegation with 40 followed by softball with 34, futsal and traditional boat race with 28 each, basketball and fencing with 24, baseball 22, football 20, cycling 19, shooting 17, taekwondo 16 and sepak takraw 15.