Street Journal, Author at Street Journal Multimedia Services

CATARMAN, Northern Samar – Northern Samar is set to host the Ibabao Festival 2025 Sunrise Standard Triathlon Recon Race this Sunday, June 1, 2025, as part of the province’s vibrant Ibabao Festival celebrations. In celebration of the 60th founding anniversary of the Province of Northern Samar, 60 athletes will take on the challenge of the Ibabao Triathlon as a highlight of the province’s month-long anniversary celebration. This symbolic race honors both the enduring strength of the Ibabaoan spirit and the evolving future of Northern Samar. The course features a 1.5 kilometer swim in the calm eastern waters of Catarman, followed by a 40- kilometer bike ride through scenic coastal roads and festive towns, and a 10-kilometer run, showcasing the province’s natural beauty and vibrant community spirit. Participants include a lineup of some of the country’s most decorated age group athletesand triathlon community leaders: *Robert Jonah Rivera – 100+ triathlon finishes, Kona and IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship finisher *Mervin Santiago – Top age grouper and first Filipino finisher at the IRONMAN World Championship in Nice *Ronald Molit – Coach and IRONMAN World Champs Kona finisher, multiple IRONMAN 70.3 podiums *Maryfel Aumentado – Among the pioneering Filipinas to finish the IRONMAN World Championship in Nice *Junrox Roque – GoClark Duathlete of the Year 2023 *Chang Hitalia – 25-time IRONMAN 70.3 finisher, 8-time IRONMAN finisher including Kona, and Boston Marathon finisher; representing Century Tri *Joffrey Ano – Longtime leader of CamSur Tri and age group standout with consistent podium finishes in local multisport races *National Athletes Erika Nicole Burgos, Gene Heart Quiambao, Bea Marie Quiambao *Go for Gold Development Team including John Patric Ciron, Sam Corpuz, Jan Javier, James Van Ramona, and Raymund Torio. They will race alongside other members of the Philippine national triathlon team, IRONMAN World Championship finishers, and athletes representing triathlon clubs such as CamSur Tri, Fit PH, Go for Gold, Baguio Benguet Tri, Rockstar Tri, Santé Barley, and Century Tri, as well as individual racers from Northern Samar and across the country. A side event, the Ibabao Festival Sunrise Run, will also be held for invited community runners and guests, offering a non-competitive but equally memorable experience through the heart of the festival grounds. Now on its third year, the Ibabao Festival, a brainchild of Governor Edwin Ongchuan, continues to captivate visitors with its colorful heritage showcases, scenic vistas, and a community spirit that keeps guests coming back for more. “This race is more than a test of endurance. It’s an invitation to connect with the heart of Northern Samar. From the stunning race course to the cheers of the local communities, we want our athletes to feel the unique warmth and pride that make this province unforgettable. Together with the Ibabao Festival, we’re creating moments that go beyond the finish line,” added Ms. Princess Galura, President and Managing Director of Sunrise Events, the Provincial Government’s partner and chief organizer of the Ibabao Festival Sunrise Standard Triathlon Recon Race. The Ibabao Festival 2025 Sunrise Standard Triathlon Recon Race is staged in collaboration with the Provincial Government of Northern Samar, local government units, and event partners, highlighting the province’s commitment to sports tourism and cultural pride.

BCDA seeks JV partner for P2.5B New Clark City ICT project

Region 3

Region 3 / Street Journal

In a bid to future-proof New Clark City with robust and reliable internet connectivity, the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) has started the competitive bidding for the commercialization of passive information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure in the rising metropolis. The BCDA, with assistance from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), is currently in the process of selecting a joint venture (JV) partner for the commercialization and, as necessary, the expansion, repair, and maintenance of passive ICT infrastructure in New Clark City. This rigorous process is carried out in accordance with Republic Act No. 11966 or the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Code and its implementing rules and regulations. The BCDA targets to conclude the selection process this year, with the signing of the JV agreement seen by the fourth quarter of 2025. “More than providing fast and affordable internet connection to residents and businesses, this project will become pivotal in the smart urban development of New Clark City. This will also help usher the fifth industrial revolution in the country, attracting high-value investments in the digital and high-tech industries and creating demand for highly skilled Filipino workers in these sectors,” said BCDA President and Chief Executive Officer Joshua M. Bingcang. With an estimated cost of Php 2.5 billion, the project will be implemented under the “Open Access Fiber” model to form the foundation for robust fiber infrastructure and competitive market for ICT services for government agencies, enterprises, and residents in New Clark City. This model will allow multiple data transmission providers (DTPs) to utilize the same physical network and share associated costs. The DTPs will then be able to provide affordable, innovative and carrier-grade ICT services to third parties. The Open Access Fiber model will also serve as an anchor for smart city development and e-government solutions in New Clark City. Spanning 9,450 hectares, New Clark City is envisioned to be the country’s first smart, sustainable, and future-ready metropolis. Once fully developed, it is projected to have a population of 1.2 million, and a total workforce of 600,000. A pre-qualification conference will be held on 04 June 2025, 2:00 PM at the ADB Headquarters in Mandaluyong City. Interested parties may submit their bids until 04 September 2025, 12:00 PM at the BCDA Corporate Office in Taguig City. For more information, interested private sector participants may contact the BCDA PPP Bids and Awards Committee (PBAC) Secretariat at pbac_ict@bcda.gov.ph or +632 8575-1765.

DSWD, SWS, Globe partner on nationwide study shows substantial impact in hunger reduction

NCR

NCR / Street Journal

A new nationwide study reveals meaningful improvements in hunger levels among low-income households supported by the “Walang Gutom Program,” a joint initiative of Globe and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). The findings highlight how partnerships like this can play a vital role in addressing food insecurity, an issue when left unaddressed, affects not only the public but also the long-term sustainability of businesses that rely on healthy, thriving communities. To better understand the impact on families, Globe commissioned Social Weather Stations (SWS), in coordination with DSWD, to carry out a two-wave study on hunger alleviation. The first wave was conducted from October 7 to 18, 2024, and the second wave from December 1 to 10, 2024. It covered a total of 3,991 household responses—2,011 in wave 1 and 1,980 in wave 2—across 33 provinces nationwide. “This study proves that when the public and private sectors work together with purpose, we can make a real difference in people’s lives,” said Yoly Crisanto, Globe Group Chief Sustainability and Corporate Communications Officer. “We’re honored to support efforts that not only provide digital access, but also help shape better programs through data and insight.” Just months after implementation, the study shows that the program is making a real impact. Among program beneficiaries, the share of households experiencing hunger dropped by 4.1 percentage points—from 48.7% in October 2024 to 44.6% in December. In contrast, hunger among non-beneficiaries increased by 6.1 points during the same period. The 10.2 percentage point gap between beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries shows the positive effect of the intervention. Significant regional improvements were seen in areas with high vulnerability. In the BARMM-Plus region—which includes the provinces of Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Maguindanao del Norte, Maguindanao del Sur, Lanao del Sur, and Zamboanga Sibugay—hunger among beneficiaries dropped by 7.3 points, and in the Central-South cluster—Negros Oriental, Negros Occidental, Cotabato City, Zamboanga del Norte, and Surigao del Norte—the drop was at 5.7 points. A similar trend was observed in severe hunger, where beneficiary households in BARMM-Plus saw a marked decrease of 8.1 percentage points, the highest across all clusters. The improvements were especially felt in households where women or less-educated members were in charge of meal planning—those often hit hardest by hunger. At the same time, the study reminds us that many families still struggle with severe food insecurity, showing how important it is to keep strengthening programs like this. “Hunger is one of the most urgent challenges facing vulnerable Filipino families today,” said Linda Luz B. Guerrero, President at SWS. “This study provides clear, data-backed proof that when support is well-targeted, it works. Programs like ‘Walang Gutom’ help break the cycle of poverty and guide national policy toward real, measurable change.” The “Walang Gutom Program” is more than just about feeding families, it helps keep children focused on learning, and gives parents a better chance to work and provide. By reducing hunger, it builds stronger, more resilient communities. The program is set to expand to 300,000 more families in 2025;150,000 more in 2026, and reach one million households by 2027—affirming its long-term commitment to food security nationwide. Globe is also contributing to the goals of the “Walang Gutom Program” through its Hapag Movement, a flagship initiative that addresses involuntary hunger by providing both food assistance and livelihood support to vulnerable families. As of end-2024, the movement had already reached 120,455 families, surpassing its original 2025 target, with the help of ₱53 million in donations from corporate partners and Globe customers. It also enabled over 4,000 individuals to graduate from upskilling programs designed to equip them with sustainable livelihood skills. For Globe, the work doesn’t stop at connectivity. By combining innovation with compassion, the company hopes to bring meaningful innovations and programs that uplift the life of every Filipino.

Elevate, not just automate: Globe redefines work experience through AI

Lifestyle

Lifestyle / Street Journal

AI isn’t just changing how people work, it’s changing what people need to thrive at work. According to the 2024 Work Trend Index, 75% of knowledge workers around the world are already using AI on the job. More and more leaders are also looking for talent with AI skills. But here’s the catch: only 39% of those using AI at work have actually received formal training from their companies. That gap is telling, especially when 76% of people believe that knowing how to use AI is key to staying competitive in today’s job market. At Globe, that shift is already happening. AI is reshaping how teams hire, plan, solve problems, and connect. It’s helping the company move faster, make better decisions, and still stay deeply human on how it relates to employees and customers. “Today we’re using AI to speed up automation,” said Carl Cruz, Globe President and CEO. “We’re also using it to elevate and improve the quality of decisions, and make our operations more responsive. Innovation only matters if it creates real impact.” The most measurable gains are coming from various areas in the organization. One of them is the Human Resources group, which has fully integrated AI into its recruitment process through the use of HireVue, an AI-powered platform that combines video interviews with skills assessments to help evaluate candidates more objectively and effectively. Globe piloted its AI-powered video and coding assessments for digital, IT, and tech-focused groups at the start of the year. The successful pilot led to a full-scale rollout across all groups, including its portfolio companies. The shift replaced manual pre-screening and cut the overall hiring cycle from weeks to just a few days. Processing qualitative data alone, which previously took three to five days, was cut down in half, enabling faster candidate turnaround and more confident decision-making from hiring teams. Beyond efficiencies, Globe’s approach to AI-powered hiring has also gained international recognition. This April, Globe was honored with the Impact Star Award at the 2025 HireVue Customer Excellence Awards. The award celebrates organizations that have made a meaningful impact and driven innovation through skills-based, tech-enabled recruitment. Globe was also previously named a Rising Star at the 2024 awards, highlighting its continued commitment to modernizing hiring for both speed and quality. AI has also played a pivotal role in strengthening Globe’s Risk Management processes. By automating data capture, transcription, and insight generation, AI significantly reduced data processing time—delivering results within days instead of weeks. Real-time dashboards allowed teams to visualize and compare risks at both group and company levels, making data more digestible and actionable for leadership. This automation also helped in mitigating human bias in data interpretation, and enabled more accurate linkages between identified risks and corporate strategy. Moving forward, Globe is exploring AI-powered tools for proactive risk scanning and identifying emerging threats before they escalate. Meanwhile, Globe’s Network Group is leveraging AI in streamlining internal processes to enhance service quality. Teams now use AI from coding and data forecasting to anomaly detection and repair diagnostics. The company has also implemented AI-assisted power-saving solutions through the EdgeWise platform, optimizing energy consumption by temporarily shutting down low-traffic transceivers in its Radio Access Network—an initiative that supports both cost control and Globe’s broader sustainability goals. As of Q1 2025, Globe had already activated 235 new 5G sites, supporting over 9.5 million devices nationwide. AI is central to this scale, providing live operational dashboards, build prioritization, and predictive maintenance across network assets. In the area of Marketing, AI is being used to accelerate content creation, simplify workflows, and improve internal knowledge sharing. Teams rely on tools like Gemini and ChatGPT to draft memos, presentations, and reports, while design platforms like Canva Magic Studio help quickly produce high-impact visuals. Knowledge bases and technical guidelines are also being managed more efficiently using NotebookLM and custom-built AI search tools. Beyond productivity, AI enables quicker, more inclusive storytelling—from employee communications to public campaigns—allowing the Marketing team to move at the speed of the business. Across all these functions, Globe is applying AI to scale in order to serve its customers better and faster. Expanding the use of chatbots for service efficiency, adopting large language models for sentiment analysis, and enabling plain-language data queries through integrated platforms are more examples by which the company sees the value of AI that would redound to less operating costs and better customer experience. “Our ambition is clear,” Cruz concluded. “We want Globe to be among the most admired companies in the country. We use technology with empathy, insight and purpose to better serve our customers. This is how we will make Globe resilient, by enabling our people with better tools to build our business for the future.”

Huwag nating hayaan manaig ang corrupt politicians sa Baguio- Magalong

Baguio City

Baguio City / Street Journal

BAGUIO CITY – Ipinagmalaki at buong-pusong hinangaan ni Mayor Benjamin Magalong ang mga matatalinong botante bilang patunay sa paniniwala sa kanyang isinusulong na Good Governance sa siyudad ng Baguio. “Nais kong ipaalala sa inyo na ang Baguio City ay nagiging modelo ng mabuting pamamahala sa buong bansa, mga ibang local government units, ibang lokalidad, ibang mga mamamayan ng probinsya at lungsod, ay nakatingin sa lungsod ng Baguio,” ito ang naging mensahe ni Magalong sa naganap na flag raising ceremony sa City Hall. Ayon kay Magalong, hinimok nito ang mga mamamayan na huwag payagan ang mga corrupt politicians, extortionist politicians, magnanakaw na politicians, mga sinungaling na pulitiko na sirain ang reputasyon ng lungsod. “This should as a lessons to all those corrupt politicians at yong mga trapo na politicians o trapo.” Aniya, hindi kayang paglaruan ng mga pulitikong ito ang isip ng mga taga-Baguio, dahil mas marami ang matatalinong botante sa lungsod at mas marami ang hindi naniniwala, kaya naman ang katotohanan ay nanaig. “Nandito ang inyong Alkalde at ang iba pang good governance politicians na nagpapanatili sa mahusay na pamamahala para sa siyudad ng Baguio. Sinabi pa ni Magalong, na sa kauna-unahang kasaysayan ng Baguio City ay bumaha ng pera. “Are we going to allow that to happen to the city?, first time din na sobrang kasinungalingan ang ikinalat na systematic in a very systematic sustain, orchestrated and deliberate manner.” Aniya sa mga tiwaling politiko na ito para sirain ang reputasyon ng mga kandidato, ay hindi na mangyayari. Ipinagmamalaki din ni Magalong na ang Baguio City ay naiiba sa ibang lugar, na tinitingala ng mga tao, kahit na ang ibang bansa ay tumitingin sa lungsod ng Baguio at nanawagan sa mamamayan na huwag payagan na sirain ito ng mga pulitikong corrupt. (Zaldy Comanda)

Baguio is second highest in functional literacy nationwide

Baguio City

Baguio City / Street Journal

Baguio City has the second highest functional literacy rate among highly urbanized cities in the country. According to the Philippine Statistics Authority’s second report on the 2024 Functional Literacy, Education and Mass Media Survey (FLEMMS), the city posted a 89.8 percent literacy rate next to San Juan City with 94.5 percent. It was trailed by Pasig with 89.1 percent, Pateros (88.1percent), Makati (87.3 percent), City of Las Piñas (87.1 percent), City of Taguig (86.1 percent), City of Mandaluyong (84.6 percent), City of Cagayan de Oro (84.4 percent) and City of Navotas (83.3 percent). The PSA also reported that out of the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) “out of the 17 regions in the Philippines, recorded the highest functional literacy rate in 2024 at 81.2 percent. Among provinces, Benguet had the highest functional literacy rate in the country with 87.9 percent. The PSA defined functional literacy as “the ability of a person to read, write, compute and comprehend. In addition to the basic literacy skills, functional literacy includes higher level of comprehension skills, such as integrating two or more pieces of information and making inferences based on the given information.” As to the basic literacy defined as ” as the ability of a person to read and write a simple message in any language or dialect with understanding, and to compute or perform basic mathematical operations,” Apayao recorded the highest basic literacy rate among all provinces in the country at 95.2 percent. Benguet came in second at 94.9 percent. CAR posted the second highest basic literacy rate among regions in 2024 at 92.7 percent. (Aileen P. Refuerzo)

₱4.135-B multi-modal logistics, transport hub to rise in Subic Freeport

Region 3

Region 3 / Street Journal

By Ruben Veloria Subic Bay Freeport – A ₱4.135-billion multi-modal logistics and transport hub will soon rise in this premier Freeport as the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) and the Subic Bay Freeport Grain Terminal Services, Inc. (SBFGTSI) partnered for the construction of this project. Senior Deputy Administrator for Business and Investment Renato Lee III and SBFGTSI Executive Vice President Lester C. Valdes recently signed the lease contracts and amendment to the existing contracts at the SBMA Corporate Boardroom on May 28, 2025. According to Lee, the construction of the multi-modal logistics and transport hub will integrate sections of San Bernardino Road within the Subic Port District and parts of the Subic Bay International Airport (SBIA). The committed investment for the proposed development of these areas includes P660-million for Lot 4, P1.8-billion for Lot 5, P801-million for Lot 6, P20-million for Lot 7, and P854-million for Lot 8. These developments include a petroleum tank farm, grain storage, an airport logistics hub, dry storage and warehouse facilities, cold storage areas, a commercial and hospitality hub for cruise ships, and a new wharf for ultra-large cruise ships. This is also seen to generate employment for 798 workers. “This is a huge step for Subic Bay Freeport as it reaches its goal to have a more modern air and seaport which are expected to boost the port’s capacity, increase competitiveness, and generate more revenue,” Lee said.

Gov. Hamor, ipinangako ang transpormasyon sa bayan ng Matnog

Region 5

Region 5 / Street Journal

Isang makasaysayang araw ng pag-ikot ang isinagawa ni Governor Boboy Hamor sa bayan ng Matnog, katuwang si Mayor-elect Bobet Lee Rodrigueza, kung saan ipinaabot nito ang kanyang pangako ng full transformation para sa naturang bayan. Sa harap ng mga residente at lokal na opisyal, iginiit ni Governor Hamor ang kanyang buong suporta sa bagong administrasyon sa Matnog sa pamumuno ni Rodrigueza. Ayon sa gobernador, panahon na upang maisaayos ang Matnog sa ilalim ng isang pamahalaang tunay na para sa bayan. Isa sa mga pangunahing layunin ng bagong administrasyon ay ang pag-operate ng Matnog Community College, na matagal nang inaasam ng mga kabataan sa bayan. Buong suporta rin ang ipinangako ni Governor Hamor sa plano ni Mayor-elect Rodrigueza na isaayos at buhayin muli ang pampublikong palengke, na sentro ng kabuhayan para sa maraming Matnoganon. “Kapag maayos ang edukasyon at ang palengke, tiyak na mas mapapalakas natin ang kabuhayan at kinabukasan ng Matnog,” ani Governor Boboy. Bukod sa mga pangunahing proyekto, magandang balita rin ang ibinahagi ng gobernador: may nakahandang pondo na para sa pagtatayo ng proyektong pabahay sa kahabaan ng boulevard na sumasakop sa mga barangay ng Tabunan at Caloocan. Ang proyektong ito ay inaasahang magbibigay ng disenteng tirahan sa mga Matnoganon na higit na nangangailangan. Sa pagtatapos ng kanyang pagbisita, muling iginiit ni Governor Boboy ang kahalagahan ng pagkakaisa at kooperasyon ng bawat Matnoganon upang maisakatuparan ang inaasam na pagbabago. “Matagal na po nating pinapangarap ang maayos na pamahalaan para sa Matnog. Ngayon, nasa ating mga kamay na ang katuparan nito. Ang kapitolyo ay narito upang umagapay, pero ang tunay na pagbabago ay magsisimula sa ating pagkakaisa,” dagdag pa ng gobernador. (Sorsogon PIO)

“STAN para sa palay: Suporta sa Tanim at Ani Network ng Quezon”

Region 4

Region 4 / Street Journal

The Lucban Municipal Agriculture Office, headed by MA Sonia O. Catchuela, hosted an Orientation on the Palay Procurement Program at the Lucban Municipal Hall on May 28. The activity was an initiative of the Provincial Agriculture Office, under the leadership of Ana Clarissa S. Mariano, DVSM, EnP. The primary participants and beneficiaries of the program were members of the Samahan ng Magsasaka ng Palay sa Lucban, Quezon, a federation comprising rice farmers associations from 22 barangays in the municipality. The activity aimed to inform and prepare local farmers for effective participation in the National Food Authority’s (NFA) procurement programs. The orientation was facilitated by the Agri Enterprise Development and Marketing Division, led by Division Head Mr. Sherwin Deloraya and Marketing Unit Head Mr. Philip Aldwin Co. The session was conducted by Fernando Sanque, Assistant Branch Manager of NFA Lucena Quezon, along with NFA staff members and classificator. To qualify for participation in the NFA’s palay procurement program, farmer associations must meet several compliance and eligibility requirements. They are required to maintain an active bank account to facilitate all financial transactions. Additionally, these associations must be legally registered with either the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), or the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA). Furthermore, the palay to be sold must be newly harvested and properly dried, free from any pest infestation, and must comply with the 14% moisture content requirement set by the NFA. Additionally, the orientation featured a discussion on the Palay Marketing Assistance Program for Legislators and Local Government Units (PALLGU). This proposed initiative, supported by the presence of Municipal Councilor Hon. Reynante Abuyan, Chair of the Committee on Agriculture, is designed to assist local farmers through enhanced pricing and LGU-facilitated procurement strategies. The activity concluded with the partial composite sampling of palay from selected members of the federation. The remaining samples are scheduled for delivery to the NFA office on May 30, 2025.

Author name: Street Journal

Triathlon Tribute: 60 Racers to Celebrate 60 Years of Ibabao in Northern Samar