Puspusan ang aaghahanda ng Baguio City Football Team para sa nalalapit na Cordillera Administrative Region Athletic Association (CARAA) Meet na gaganapin sa Benguet Sports Complex, La Triidad, Benguet sa Pebrero 23.
Van Vianen Artspace is proud to announce that 12 extraordinary artists under its wing will showcase their masterpieces at Art Capital, Grand Palais in Paris, France, from February 18 to 22, 2025. This prestigious international stage will once again witness the brilliance of Filipino artistry, following in the footsteps of Marites Van Vianen, whose groundbreaking achievements have brought immense pride to the Philippines. Each artist has been meticulously selected for their exceptional talent, innovative techniques, and unique perspectives that celebrate both individuality and cultural heritage. Their participation underscores the unparalleled creativity and passion of Filipino artists, placing them at the forefront of the global art scene. Through this significant milestone, Van Vianen Artspace continues its mission of uplifting Filipino artists, giving them the opportunity to shine on the world stage and inspire a new generation of creatives. These artists will not only showcase their remarkable works but also carry the pride of the Philippines, proving once again that Filipino artistry knows no bounds. Stay tuned as these 12 visionaries bring the heart of Filipino art to Paris!
By Zaldy Comanda BAGUIO CITY – Twenty-four cultural dancers of the Cordillera showcased their rich culture and rhythmic artistry dance dubbed Rhythm of the Highlands as one of the signature highlights of the 29th Panagbenga Festival at the Melvin Football ground, Burnham Park, Baguio City, onFebruary 15. With the theme “Blossoms Beyond Boundaries,” the sound of gongs echoed as dances of various cultures and traditions were showcased to show the public the importance of the Cordillera tradition. Rhythm of the Highlands is a traditional event of the Panagbenga Festival, which empowers the rich culture of the Cordillera. The participants include SLSPI IP Socio-Cultural Dance Troupe, Binnadang Irisan Cultural Performing Group (BICPG/CCDG), Inubuan Cultural Performing Group, Tawid and Salig Cultural Dance Group, Gannay x SLSAH Dance Troupe, Kontad, Dang Dang-ay Cultural Performing Group, Iyaman Cultural Performing Group, Uschong Cultural Ensemble, SJDS Chuwe Me Cultural Dance Group. Litagwa Cultural Performing Group, Salibi Performing Group of Easter College, Ragsak Cultural Performing Group, Yaman di Gangsa (YDG) Performing Group, Bimaak Cultural Dance Troupe, Saeng Ya Kasay Cultural Ensemble, Dragon Treasure Cultural Performing Group, Gawis Culture and Arts Ensembles Company, Sakusak Musical Ensemble, e-Baguio Indigenous Cultural and the Arts Society Performing Group (e-BICAS Performing Group), Uggayam Cultural Performing Group, Dagdagup Cultural Dance Group (DDCD JSNHS Cultural Performing Group and Gasat Cultural Dance Group). After their presentations, Baguio Flower Festival Foundation Chairman For Life Atty. Mauricio Domogan announced the champion as Bimaak Cultural Dance Troupe, which received 98% from the judges. Saeng Ya Kasay was the 1st Runner-up — 96% and 2nd Runner-up Iyaman Cultural Performance Group – 93.33%. Bimaak Cultural Dance Troupe was also awarded the Special Award for Choreography and Saeng Ya Kasay Cultural Ensemble was awarded the Special Award for Attire and Props. Awardees will receive P100,000, P70,000, and P50,000 respectively. All other groups that participated will receive P40,000 each, except for one group that did not meet the minimum number of participants. According to the Baguio Flower Festival Foundation, Inc. (BFFFI), the winner and selected cultural performance group will be included in the grand street dancing parade on February 22.
Camp Sgt. Quintin M. Merecido, Buhangin, Davao City — A decisive joint anti-illegal drugs operation was conducted at Oakwood Residence Purok 2, Barangay New Visayas, Panabo City, Davao del Norte, that resulted in the arrest of two of the region’s top high-value individuals and the confiscation of 6.537 kilograms of suspected shabu with a Standard Drug Price (SDP) of P44,451,600.00 on February 15. The arrest was made against the regional-level top 1 and regional-level top 3 drug personalities listed in the regional priority 10 High-Value Individual (HVI). Following the arrest is the confiscation of the following evidence: six zip-sealed transparent plastic bags containing white crystalline substances containing suspected shabu, eight transparent plastic sachets containing white crystalline substances containing suspected shabu, one genuine 1000-peso bill with 199 machine copies of it, 200 machine copies of a 500-peso bill, one INFINIX smartphone, one weighing scale, and one gray plastic container. The arrested persons are now under the custody of the PNP DayNor Panabo MPS, Davao Norte Police Provincial Office (DNPPO) for proper disposition. A case is currently being prepared against them for violating R.A. 9165. With this, PRO 11 Regional Director Police Brig.Gen. Leon Victor Rosete sends his message to all drug peddlers that PRO 11 will not tolerate those who destroy lives for their own gain. “We will not waver in our fight against illegal drugs. We will be relentless in our pursuit of those who threaten the safety and the future of the people in the community, especially in the Davao Region,” he said. Further, Rosete congratulates the successful anti-illegal drugs operation led by the personnel of the Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit 11, together with personnel from the Regional Intelligence Division PRO 11, City Special Operations Group/City Drug Enforcement Unit, Panabo City Police Station, 2nd Davao Norte Provincial Mobile Force Company (2nd DNPMFC), Provincial Intelligence Unit-DNPPO, and Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit in coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).
Ang mga botante ay kadalasang bumoboto hindi lamang batay sa konsensiya, ngunit naiimpluwensyahan ng mga salik tulad ng name recall, na nagpapahintulot sa parehong mga pulitiko na muling lumitaw sa halalan pagkatapos ng halalan. Sa kabila ng kanilang katandaan, marami sa mga figure na ito ay matigas ang ulo na kumapit sa kapangyarihan, maging sa pambansa o lokal na antas. Ang walang katapusang cycle ng political comebacks na ito ay nagpapalakas sa mga dynasties, nakakasagabal sa sariwang pamumuno, at sa huli ay humahadlang sa pag-unlad ng bansa, na nag-i-trap sa political landscape sa isang estado ng stagnation. Sa kabilang banda, ang bansa ay agarang nangangailangan ng isang mas bata, mas may kakayahang henerasyon ng mga pinuno upang palitan ang mga overstaying na pulitiko na ginawa ang kanilang paulit-ulit na pagbalik sa isang plano sa pagreretiro—o mas masahol pa, isang panghabambuhay na karera ng pribilehiyong pampulitika. Ang mga nakabaon na figure na ito ay kumakapit sa kapangyarihan, tinatrato ang pampublikong tungkulin bilang isang personal na karapatan sa halip na isang tungkulin na maglingkod. Kung walang bagong pamumuno, magpapatuloy ang cycle ng self-serving governance, na mag-aalis sa bansa ng lakas, pagbabago, at integridad na kailangan para sa tunay na pag-unlad. Sa Baguio lamang, umuusbong ang isang bagong henerasyon ng mga dynamic, innovative, at compassionate na mga lider—mga indibidwal na may pananaw at kakayahan na humimok ng tunay na pag-unlad. Kabataang dugo, na ipinakita ng mga promising figure tulad nina Paolo Salvosa, Van Dicang, Pam Cariño, Glenn Gaerlan, Yuri Weygan, Eric Kelly, at Ron Perez—na namumukod-tanging pagganap ay makikita ngayon sa mga kamakailang survey—ay kumakatawan sa sariwang pamumuno na apurahang kailangan ng lungsod. Samantala, patuloy na lumalakas si Gladys Vergara, isang masugid na tagapagtaguyod para sa turismo, na lalong nagpapalakas sa panawagan para sa pagbabago. Ang mga indibidwal na ito ay tumatayo bilang pinakamahusay na mga alternatibo sa nakabaon na mga pulitiko na matagal nang itinuturing ang pampublikong opisina bilang kanilang personal na domain. Ngayon na ang panahon para lumaya mula sa pagwawalang-kilos at maghatid ng mga lider na mas inuuna ang tunay na serbisyo publiko kaysa sa pampulitikang kaligtasan. Ang tradisyunal na pulitika ay hindi kailanman isang paraan ng pasulong para sa Baguio—ang tunay na pag-unlad ay nagmumula sa pagpapaunlad ng inklusibo, solusyong-driven na pamumuno na inuuna ang kinabukasan ng lungsod. Apurahang kailangan natin ang isang bagong henerasyon ng mga pinuno—driven, innovative, at hindi nabibigatan ng mga kabiguan ng nakaraan. Ito ang mga indibidwal na puno ng mga sariwang ideya, na pinalakas ng lakas at determinasyon na ang mga kabataan lamang ang maaaring mag-alok. Sa tabi nila, ang isang dinamikong pangkat ng mga kabataan ngunit may mataas na kakayahan na mga indibidwal ay karapat-dapat sa isang lugar sa konseho ng lungsod—mga pinuno hindi lamang na may kakayahan kundi may matapang na pananaw na itulak ang Baguio na sumulong. Panahon na ng pagbabago. Dapat tayong lumaya mula sa pagwawalang-kilos at ipagkatiwala ang hinaharap sa mga mamumuno nang may layunin, integridad, at isang tunay na pangako na maglingkod.
Motorists going up to Baguio City now easily negotiate the newly asphalted portion of a bypass road in Barangay Twin Peaks, Tuba, Benguet. Earlier , District Engineer Isagani Cayme, head of Benguet 1st Engineering District,DPWH-CAR leads the inspection in said area to facilitate the repair to ease traffic congestion and enhance safety together with his staff. Present are Engr. Henry Apostol ,chief of the Maintenance Section and Engineering Assistant Sean Payad. Repair works follow engineer Khadaffy Tanggol, regional director of the Department of Public Works and Highways in the Cordillera Administrative Region ( DPWH -CAR) advisory to motorists due to repairs.Photo by Primo Agatep/
Globe closed 2024 with strong financial results as it set a new record in consolidated gross service revenues of Php165 billion, reflecting a 2% year-on-year increase driven by growth across key segments. This performance was fueled by a 4% hike in mobile revenues, totaling a record Php116.7 billion, and a record Php20.4 billion in corporate data revenues, marking an 11% rise. Combined, they represent 83% of total consolidated gross service revenues, compared to 81% in 2023. Adjusting for the deconsolidation of ECPay[1] from Globe’s books in 2023, gross service revenues would have grown by 3% on a comparable basis. Mobile revenues for 2024 surpassed the Php112.4 billion achievement in 2023, supported by effective data monetization, market recovery, and continued network enhancements. As a result, mobile revenues now represent 71% of total consolidated gross service revenues, up from 69% the previous year. This was further reinforced by a significant rise in mobile data revenues, which attained an all-time high of Php97.4 billion by December 2024, a 7% increase from 2023. In 2024, mobile data made up 83% of total mobile revenues versus 81% the year before, as Filipinos increasingly relied on mobile apps for their online activities. With this, Globe’s mobile data traffic went up to 6,351 petabytes compared to 5,960 petabytes in 2023. Globe’s mobile customer base also expanded by 3.9 million subscribers in 2024, bringing the total to 60.9 million from 57.0 million a year ago. Likewise, Globe’s corporate data business performed strongly, with revenues driven by a 15% rise in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and a 9% increase in core data services. Business Applications Solutions (BAS) and cybersecurity services contributed significantly to ICT revenue performance, posting year-on-year improvements of 29% and 4%, respectively. This result highlights the company’s ongoing commitment to providing innovative digital solutions that meet the evolving needs of its business clients. Globe’s home broadband segment also showed growth, with fiber services seeing a 2% rise in revenues and a 16% increase in subscriber count, driven by the strong adoption of GFiber Prepaid (GFP). This shift also produced a 13% annual increase in fixed-wired subscribers. GFP already reached 260,000 subscribers with a 74% quarter-on-quarter growth. Its strong customer loyalty is evident in reload rates of 78% and world class Net Promoter Score (NPS), underscoring the success of Globe’s customer acquisition strategy and commitment to seamless connectivity. “Our 2024 revenues reflect the strength of our data-driven strategy and the growing demand for mobile and corporate data services. By continuing to enhance our network and expand our customer base, we are well-positioned to sustain this growth into 2025 and beyond,” said Ernest Cu, President and CEO of Globe. Globe’s strong 2024 performance underscores its commitment to delivering reliable connectivity and innovative digital solutions to both consumers and businesses. With continued investments in network infrastructure, customer experience, and strategic partnerships, Globe is poised to capitalize on the growing digital landscape and further solidify its position as a leading telecommunications provider in the Philippines.
A hawksbill sea turtle was returned to the sea after being accidentally caught by a local fisherman the previous day. Julie Taniegra, a resident of Barangay Bote, Catanduanes unintentionally captured the turtle during a fishing trip last Sunday, February 9, and immediately turned it over to authorities. The turtle, measuring 34 cm in carapace length, 31 cm in width, and weighing 3.5 kg, was released off the coast of Bote, Bato, Catanduanes. Officials from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) oversaw the release, ensuring its safe return to its natural habitat.
By Rachel Magday The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management (PDRRM) and the Provincial Employment Services Division (PESD) conducted a joint payout event in the town of Alfonso Castañeda, on February 12. This initiative was part of the ongoing effort to bring provincial government services closer to its citizens. The event facilitated the distribution of emergency shelter assistance and honorariums to Trabaho ti Umili(TrPaTu) beneficiaries from various barangays within the municipality. Governor Atty. Jose V. Gambito, Board Member Patricio F. Dumlao Jr., and former Governor Ruth R. Padilla led the distribution of PHP 5,000 each to 141 victims of Typhoon Pepito and 175 recipients of the TrPaTu program. The total amount disbursed during the event exceeded PHP 1.5 million. The emergency shelter assistance funds are part of the PHP 50 million provided by President Ferdinand R. Marcos to aid those affected by the typhoon in Nueva Vizcaya. Meanwhile, the honorariums for the TrPaTu recipients were sourced from the PHP 10 million allocated by Governor Gambito for 2,000 workers under the “Trabaho para ti Umili” program. This joint payout aimed to deliver immediate financial relief to those impacted by natural disasters and support community recovery efforts.
