TODAY’S GOD’S MESSAGE

Psalm 119:160

¹⁶⁰ All your words are true;
    all your righteous laws are eternal.

5 Agosto 2024, Lunes

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Defy tiredness, sleeplessness for golden vault win

By J.Lo

“It’s crazy because last night I couldn’t sleep… I was so hyped because I had won that gold medal on floor,”  24-year-old Carlos Yulo shrugged off  sleepless night to win gymnastics gold in  men’s vault at  Paris Olympics on Sunday, 24 hours after claiming  floor title for  piece of Philippines sporting history.

“It still didn’t sink in…this morning I was so sleepy, I didn’t know what to do.”

Armenia’s Artur Davtyan took silver with Britain’s Harry Hepworth just denying his compatriot and vault world champion Jake Jarman for bronze.

Prior to Yulo’s heroics in Paris,  Philippines had only ever won one gold medal at the Olympics.

He singlehandedly tripled that tally over one weekend with two stunning performances.

“I was just hoping to perform well today… I didn’t really expect  medal… really felt like  bonus for me,” he smiled, adding that he had grabbed some shut eye whenever he got  chance before  final.

“I slept in the bus, I slept after  podium training… I slept before going to  competition area… I kind of was napping for 15 to 20 minutes… I felt good after that and I just went for it.”

5 Agosto 2024, Lunes

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Before Carlos Yulo’s gold, there was Teofilo Yldefonso

By J.Lo

“Confusion remains regarding Yldefonzo’s death…official records state that Yldefonso died from dysentery and septicemia… however, narratives from his family state  Yldefonso was wounded by shrapnel and developed gangrene,”  PVAO said Carlos Yulo’s incredible feat in  Paris Olympics flung him into  higher echelons of Filipino athletes in history. 

Yulo, who won two Olympic gold medals in Paris, became first Filipino to achieve such  feat. 

But almost  century before,  Philippines actually won multiple medals in the Olympics, albeit in consecutive editions.

And it was done by  literal hero.

Swimmer Teofilo Yldefonso became  first Filipino to win  medal in  Olympics back in  1928 Summer Games in Amsterdam  bronze in  200 meter breaststroke swimming event. 

It was not just  Philippines’ first. It was actually  first-ever Olympic medal from Southeast Asia. 

And he did it again in the Los Angeles edition of  quadrennial sports meet in 1932, taking home another bronze for the country.

Feat of “Ilocano Shark” is  Philippines’ first taste of Olympic excellence, with Yldefonso blazing  trail to where it is now. 

But  glorious run of Yldefonso came to  bitter end. 

According to  Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO) of  Department of National Defense, Yldefonso enlisted in Philippine Scouts in 1922. Twenty years later, at the height of World War 2, he was among those who fought for  Philippines. 

DND said  Yldefonso was among those who were forced to take part in infamous Bataan Death March. While he survived  ordeal, he ultimately succumbed to illness. 

His remains reportedly were never found. 

Historical  marker was erected in his honor in Piddig, Ilocos Norte as he is immortalized. He was also earlier inducted into  International Swimming Hall of Fame. 

Fast forward to 2024,  total of 13 Filipino athletes have won medals in the Games. 

And  huge bulk of  credit should rightly go to the hero Yldefonso, who broke invisible Olympic medal barrier for the Philippines.

5 Agosto 2024, Lunes

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Headlines

‘P20 M for info on who wants Quiboloy harmed’

By J.Lo

“Hopefully in the coming days, if not weeks, there will be  positive development in  hunt for  Quiboloy and his co-accused,” Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said  religious group of Apollo Quiboloy is offering  P20-million reward to anyone who can provide information on those wanting to capture and harm fugitive leader.

Carlo Catiil, Kingdom of Jesus Christ minister, said  while government is offering  P10-million reward for information on Quiboloy’s whereabouts, their group is doubling the amount for any information on who wants to harm him and five of his co-accused, including Paulene Canada, who was arrested in Davao; Cresente Canada, Ingrid Canada, Jackielyn Roy and Sylvia Cemanes who remain at large.

Initial  reward was offered by anonymous donors who were dissatisfied with  justice system’s slow progress in apprehending Quiboloy.

Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos earlier urged Quiboloy to surrender and face  court, saying the religious leader is still in the country.

PNP chief Gen. Rommel Marbil warned  anyone aiding Quiboloy’s evasion could face obstruction of justice charges.

Quiboloy is the spiritual adviser of former president Rodrigo Duterte.

He  went into hiding after  Davao City Regional Trial Court issued arrest warrants on him and his co-accused on child and sexual abuse and human trafficking cases , non-bailable issued by  Pasig City court.

Fajardo said they have been receiving tips from informants after  P10-million bounty was put up for Quiboloy’s arrest  with P1 million each for his remaining four co-accused  and remains confident that  fugitive pastor would be found soon.

5 Agosto 2024, Lunes

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Mother Lily,  84

By Nidz Godino

“Throughout her years she has not only been  mother to her children but also to so many generations of Filipino filmmakers who have helped define what Philippine cinema is today,”  official statement issued by  Monteverde family, Philippine cinema icon and Regal Films founder Lily Monteverde, affectionately called Mother Lily in the industry, passed away,  day after her husband of over 60 years, Remy Monteverde, was laid to rest.

No cause of death was given.

Mother Lily was 84,  few weeks’ shy of her 85th birthday on Aug. 19. Her husband, who died last July 29, was 86. They are survived by their five children Winston, Sherida, Roselle, Dondon and Goldwin  and grandchildren.

Even to her final years, Mother Lily served as one of the cornerstones of  movie industry, providing opportunities to filmmakers  both creative and technical  to carve their names in our popular history.

Yet behind this veneer of accomplishment, Mother Lily was not merely  matriarch and  face of Regal Films, but true mother to artists and workers who had  chance to know her beyond confines of work.

“Mother Lily was surrounded by her children and grandchildren in her final hours…she was blessed to say goodbye to her closest friends and associates who bid her farewell  before she left for that trip back home to  Divine Father.”

Mother Lily’s passing is widely viewed as  end of  era, but  “legacy and pioneering achievement in Philippine cinema” of the industry pillar could never be forgotten, according to filmmaker Erik Matti in  post.

“She has helped so many,” Sen. Grace Poe also said in  statement about her “Ninang Mother.” “She was and will always be  titan in  Philippine movie industry.”

It’s already the stuff of movie legend how Mother Lily built Regal. Youngest  child in  brood of 12 of “copra king” Domingo Yuchu of Marinduque was first and foremost  movie fan whose favorites were Nida Blanca and Gloria Romero.

“When  Nida Blanca movie opened at Dalisay Theater, uma-absent ako sa school…my friends and I would hire  bus to visit the set of Nida’s movie with Nestor de Villa…remember that scene in Luneta na nagsasayaw ng ballet sina Nida at Nestor sa spiral staircase…we were there when that was shot…it was  dream sequence and it was beautiful,” she said in the late  Ricky Lo’s book, Conversations With Ricky Lo, Volume 1.

“When I was 12, I went to Zurbaran to buy  petticoat, four layers, and then I wore it and stood in front of the mirror, whispering, ‘sana maging Nida Blanca ako…nagsasayaw-sayaw pa ako…parang dream sequence, hahaha!!!”

When she wed Remy in 1961, her parents reportedly didn’t approve of the marriage so she had to start doing business from scratch. She would put up popcorn machines, including one close to Ideal Theater near Good Earth on Avenida Rizal, where she would be very happy to earn P100 a day.

“I always prayed that  woman’s movie would be shown dahil maraming babaeng manonood at bumibili ng popcorn…if action picture, mostly men would watch at kokonti ang bumibili ng popcorn…malungkot ako siempre… most that I would earn was P30… I also sold blouses at Zurbaran Market… I would consign  blouses at Corazon Dry Goods Store, P24 per dozen, at five percent lang ang tubo ko.”

It was in early ’60s when Mother Lily would start laying  foundation for what would become Regal Films. Borrowing P10,000 from her older brother, Jessie Yu, she acquired rights to  international movie “All Mine To Give.” It performed well in the domestic box-office, earning P500,000 at the time.

After success in film distribution of American and European films, she eventually ventured into producing local films, including  local version of “All Mine To Give” in 1975, titled “Araw-Araw, Gabi-Gabi,” with Charito Solis as  lead actress.

Her production outfit went on to churn out thousands of films, from critically acclaimed titles to blockbusters. Among them were “Manila By Night,” “Sister Stella L.,” Scorpio Nights,” “Temptation Island,” “Relasyon,” and long-standing franchises such as “Mano Po” and “Shake, Rattle & Roll.”

She was credited with having introduced  pito-pito system or filming movies in seven days, which led to discovery of now esteemed auteurs like Lav Diaz. Late  Lo wrote, “ system was maligned when, in fact, Lino Brocka shot ‘Insiang,’ one of his classic works, also in seven days, proving that what matters is not the number of days you shoot  movie but the product.”

And for the woman who once dreamt of becoming  artista like her screen idol Nida Blanca, she instead fulfilled  dreams of many to become movie stars, responsible for the breaks of the likes of Maricel Soriano, Gabby Concepcion, Dina Bonnevie, Alma Moreno, William Martinez, Rio Locsin, Snooky Serna, Richard Gomez, Manilyn Reynes and Ruffa Gutierrez. She also produced films for  biggest names in showbiz from FPJ, Tito, Vic and Joey, Vilma Santos, Nora Aunor, Christopher de Leon, to Judy Ann Santos and Marian Rivera.

Meanwhile, Remy Monteverde became “strong silent figure beside  gregarious Mother Lily,” director and Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) chair Joey Reyes said.

“He has always been ‘Father’ to all of us who grew up in Regal,” he said in Facebook post.

Direk Erik, in  separate post, also said of Mother Lily’s husband: “his legacy and contribution to Philippine cinema through Regal Films will always be remembered and recognized…he has championed Filipino action movies and defined it for so many decades with such icons Lito Lapid and Ace Vergel headlining  marquee.”

Their love story will always be one for the books. In “Conversations With Ricky Lo,” Mother Lily said if there was one thing she would do all over again, “I will still court Remy.”

“Ako ang nanligaw sa kanya…he was  basketball player at San Beda and at the same time he was playing for  team of my father, Yu Chu.”

“He’s  quiet type, my exact opposite because I am noisy… I was then studying at UNO High School , Chinese school in Binondo owned and managed by the Yu family and I would skip classes to go on dates with him.”

“Our theme song was From Candy Store on the Corner to the Chapel on the Hill…he would wait for me at the corner so people wouldn’t see us and make sumbong to my parents.”

“My parents were against Remy…our wedding was simple… I wore  gown by Pitoy Moreno worth P5,000 which I paid by installment for one year.”

“Pinaghirapan ko ’yan kaya never ko siyang iiwan,” she told Lo.

For  Monteverde family, they said in  statement  they “feel at peace now that their mother has not only found rest but has joined their father Remy in that place called eternity  as they were together in life as they will remain together where there is no space or time.”

Wake  and memorial service will start today at 3:30 in the afternoon until Aug. 9 at 38 Valencia Events Place in Quezon City. Interment will be on Aug. 10 at the Heritage Park in Taguig City.

As these developed former Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc. (FFCCCII) president Henry Lim Bon Liong passed away  at the age of 72.

Lim is chairman of  Sterling Paper Group of Companies,  engaged in various businesses like paper products, school and office supplies, real estate and agribusiness.

It was under his leadership when  company expanded into agribusiness through  incorporation of SL Agritech Corp., for  purpose of promoting  development, commercialization and growth of hybrid rice technology.

FFCCCII president Cecilio Pedro said Lim’s passing is  profound loss not only to the community and business sector but to the whole country.

“Dr. Henry Lim Bon Liong was  exemplary philanthropist,  respected business and civic leader,  ‘Father of Philippine Hybrid Rice’ and  dynamic advocate for Philippine agriculture,” he said.

Pedro said Lim’s efforts to achieve Philippine rice self-sufficiency by pioneering hybrid rice technology from China have benefitted millions of Filipino farmers.

“His commitment to this noble cause was driven by his unwavering belief in potential of Filipino ingenuity and  importance of self-reliance,” Pedro said.

Lim also played  pivotal role in fostering closer ties between  Philippines and China.

He acted as  intermediary for  Philippine government in receiving  first delivery and donation of one million anti-COVID vaccines from  Chinese government.

Pedro said Lim also played  instrumental role as Filipino-Chinese Community Calamity Fund chairman.

Under Lim’s guidance,  fund raised over half billion pesos in medical supplies and relief goods during  pandemic and other calamities like typhoons and  Taal Volcano disturbances.

Lim graduated from  University of the Philippines with  degree in mechanical engineering and from Harvard Business School.

“His contributions to our community, to  business sector and to  Philippines will never be forgotten,” Pedro said.

Lim’s wake will be held at  Sanctuarium in Quezon City from Aug. 5 to 11, while cremation is set on Aug.12.

TODAY’S GOD’S MESSAGE

Psalm 119:130

¹³⁰ The unfolding of your words gives light;
    it gives understanding to the simple.

4 Agosto 2024, Linggo

Happy third birthday with father God Cynthia Lopez

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Aspirants file your certificate of candidacy on October 1-8,2024

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Ph, Germany agree to broaden defense agreement

By Nidz Godino

“We collaborate because we have  shared vision of respect for  United Nations Charter… and our desire to see  stable and peaceful Indo-Pacific,” Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro told  joint news conference with German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius in  Philippine capital  Philippines and Germany have agreed to deepen military cooperation.

Manila pushes back after a series of confrontations with China.

Pistorius and  Teodoro met in Manila and pledged to sign  defense cooperation agreement by the end of the year.

Teodoro said  agreement would focus on “mutual understanding regarding capabilities, training and exchange of information”.

There have been escalating confrontations between Philippine and Chinese vessels in  disputed South China Sea,  Beijing claims almost entirely despite international ruling that its assertion has no legal basis.

They vowed to build “long-lasting relations” between their armed forces and flagged  possibility of Germany supplying military equipment to the Philippines.

Manila has been seeking to boost defence ties in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond in the face of China’s increasing confidence in asserting its claims over the South China Sea.

Pistorius is the first German defense minister to visit  Philippines.

Germany is one of  Philippines’ oldest formal defense partners through  1974 administrative agreement  includes  training of Filipino troops in Germany.

Pistorius said security and stability between their respective regions were interconnected and hoped  agreement would be signed “before  end of the year, maybe already in October”.

“Ministers strongly opposed any unilateral attempt to advance expansive claims, especially through force or coercion,” Pistorius and Teodoro said in  joint statement.

Pistorius told reporters that Germany’s engagements in the region “are not directed against anybody”.

He is expected to meet Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday, the last day of his three-day visit.

4 Agosto 2024, Linggo

Happy third birthday with father God Cynthia Lopez

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Aspirants file your certificate of candidacy on October 1-8,2024

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Defamation  charges vs vlogger Maharlika

By J.Lo

“For the longest time, we tried to keep our peace, fully aware that her accusations were nothing but sheer lies and fabrications, products of her vile imagination and hateful heart,” Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) General Manager Mel Robles has filed defamation charges against vlogger Claire Contreras, also known as “Maharlika,” in  US court.

Robles stated he and his wife filed charges of defamation, defamation per se and invasion of privacy against Contreras before  Central District Court of California. This action was taken due to what they described as  “daily barrage of vicious, unjustifiable, and blatantly false online attacks” on her YouTube channel “Boldyak TV.”

“We have now taken appropriate legal action against her…we have complete faith that  court of law will deliver  punishment she deserves, vindicating us and helping restore our tarnished name and honor,” he stressed.

Robles revealed  Contreras, who has 325,000 subscribers on her YouTube channel, made “untrue and outlandish” accusations against him, including allegations of “stealing money from  people, contract killing, and assisting terrorists,” in over 20 separate videos.

“We are peace-loving and law-abiding citizens who have done nothing to warrant her senseless rage and contempt,” he said.

In addition to  defamation case filed by Robles, it is worth noting international fashion designer also filed  US$2 million defamation lawsuit against Contreras in another California court in March 2024.

Contreras, resident of Los Angeles, California, gained prominence as  pro-Marcos content creator during  2022 national elections, supporting  tandem of now-President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio.

4 Agosto 2024, Linggo

Happy third birthday with father God Cynthia Lopez

Register now and vote in midterm polls

Aspirants file your certificate of candidacy on October 1-8,2024

Substitute candidates must be with same surname and political party

Partylist must file Certificate of Nomination and Acceptance

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FMJ celebrates Yulo’s gold medal win; Hse to award P3 M

By J.Lo

“We’ve witnessed history as Carlos Yulo clinched Philippines’ first GOLD medal in artistic gymnastics at Paris 2024 Olympics… I am confident that it will not be the last,” President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.  lauded Carlos Yulo for winning  first gymnastics Olympic medal ever for  Philippines at Paris Olympics.

“Congratulations, Caloy… entire country stands proud with you!” he stressed.

Shortly after Yulo’s victory,  House of Representatives announced  it will award him P3 million for his extraordinary achievement. 

This was confirmed by House appropriations panel chair Rep. Elizaldy Co (Ako Bicol).

The former world champion flawlessly executed his routine, ending with  sure-footed landing to score 15.000 points. 

Yulo is the Philippines’ second-ever Olympic gold medalist, following weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz, who achieved the milestone at the Tokyo Olympics in 2020. 

4 Agosto 2024, Linggo

Happy third birthday with father God Cynthia Lopez

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Aspirants file your certificate of candidacy on October 1-8,2024

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Strictly implement 6-hour teaching policy, Angara ordered

By Creselda Canda-Lopez

“Yes, we are listening to them ,teachers and we are looking into it…supposedly,  actual teaching hours should not go beyond six hours, but from what we are hearing, there are some that would have to teach beyond six hours,”  Education Secretary Sonny Angara on sidelines of  MOA-signing event with Khan Academy Philippines Inc. (Khan PH) at  DepEd central office in Pasig City has assured teachers that Department of Education (DepEd) will oversee  strict implementation of  six-hour maximum teaching period per day as mandated under Republic Act 4670 or Magna Carta of Public School Teachers, amid complains of teaching overload under  MATATAG curriculum.

“We really need to be very strict about that six-hour teaching policy so that our teachers won’t get overworked and burned out,” Angara stressed.

He admitted  DepEd has also been receiving reports that some teachers are being forced to teach subjects beyond their expertise.

“Based on  few situations on the ground, we really have to correct that, because sometimes load of  teachers does not match their subject of expertise,” he added.

Furthermore, Angara said  aside from  5,000 administrative staff set to be hired this year,  DepEd has requested from  Department of Budget and Management (DBM) additional funding for  hiring of 10,000 more, to ensure  teachers will not be burdened with administrative tasks.

“I think we asked for 10,000 more from  DBM… they gave us 5,000 for this year…but that will not be enough, not all schools will be given administrative staff… there are clusters of three schools to one administrative officer, which is difficult,” Angara said.

Teachers group Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) had earlier lamented  MATATAG curriculum is expected to increase teachers’ workload by 30 percent or from six teaching loads per teacher to eight teaching loads per teacher.

“This means more students and classes to focus on, more outputs to check and more grades to compute…also, there are extended class hours for children, which may last until 8 in the evening or later in some schools… gambles with  well-being and safety of our students,”  ACT said in  earlier statement.

In  separate statement  Teachers Dignity Coalition (TDC) raised concerns regarding implementation of DepEd Order (DO) No. 5, s. 2024, issued by former education secretary and incumbent Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio, concerning teachers’ workload in relation to  implementation of MATATAG curriculum.

TDC chairman Benjo Basas said  DepEd order, “Rationalization of Teachers’ Workload in Public Schools and Payment of Teaching Overload,” contravened  intent of  Magna Carta of Public School Teachers which is to limit to six hours  actual time that teachers spend in school.

Under DO 5, teachers are required to render six hours of actual classroom teaching and two hours allocated for teacher ancillary tasks which may be spent within or outside school premises.

Basas said  Magna Carta of Public School Teachers “does not require  full six hours for actual teaching and has since allowed teachers to teach for less than six hours, have breaks in between classes and to go home after spending six hours in school.”

“Requirement to render six hours of actual classroom teaching is being overstretched, with some teachers handling 7-8 sections without breaks, neglecting their physical, mental and emotional well-being, additional teaching loads from different grade levels are being assigned to teachers to meet  so-called six-hour requirement…some teachers are at risk of being declared excess and transferred to other schools, violating Section 6 of the Magna Carta for Public School Teachers,” Basas said.

Launched in August 2023,  revised, enhanced basic education curriculum, also referred to as  MATATAG curriculum, is set for nationwide implementation in phases, although 35 selected schools from seven regions already had their pilot implementation in School Year 2023-2024.

For Kindergarten, Grades 1, 4 and 7,  nationwide implementation is this SY 2024-2025; for Grades 2, 5 and 8 in SY 2025-2026; for Grades 3, 6 and 9 in SY 2026-2027 and for Grade 10 in 2027-2028.

Meanwhile,  revision of  curriculum for Grades 11 and 12 or senior high school, is set to be done by the end of 2024.

Last July 26, Angara signed Memorandum No. 037 series of 2024, creating  task force that will review  implementation of  DepEd’s Results-Based Performance Management System policy as well as  workload and other reportorial requirements for public school teachers.