MARCOS CONGRATULATES GILAS PILIPINAS FOR FIBA WIN OVER SAUDI ARABIA

MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday congratulated Gilas Pilipinas after their overwhelming victory over Saudi Arabia on Philippine soil during the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers at the Mall of Asia Arena Monday.

In his social media pages, Marcos said he was confident that the Philippine team will continue bringing honor in representing the country in the international basketball tournament.

"Kumpiyansa tayo na gagawin nila ang lahat ng kanilang makakaya para makapagdala ng karangalan sa bansa," his message read.

Marcos personally watched the match Monday evening with a jam-packed crowd, as Gilas Pilipinas routed the visiting Saudi Arabia, 84-46.

Aside from Marcos, former President Rodrigo Duterte and Senator Bong Go, his erstwhile special assistant, were also among the more than 19,000 people in attendance.

Filipino-American NBA star Jordan Clarkson of the Utah Jazz also made his debut playing for the Philippine team in the said match.

It was a slow start for Gilas, lagging behind the visiting team during the early quarters before gaining momentum in the third quarter, outscoring Saudi Arabia.

"The one thing that we wanted to focus on before the game was to just get better. To play better than our previous game against Lebanon. That meant having better effort, and specifically, cutting down on our turnovers," Gilas coach Chot Reyes said after the match.

"I think today, we had 15 turnovers, and that's pretty acceptable. So very happy for the result, and even happier for the effort that the players put forth in this ball game," he added.

HOUSE-TO-HOUSE PAYOUT OF AID TO STUDENTS EYED

The Department of Social Welfare and Development said it is considering adopting an offsite payout system for indigent students who could not register online for the agency’s educational assistance program due to lack of access to internet or gadgets.

DSWD spokesperson Assistant Secretary Romel Lopez said the department will craft specific guidelines for the house-to-house distribution of the cash aid, possibly in coordination with the local government units.

“If we still have the funds, we’re not discounting the possibility of extending the payout periods for our kababayans,” Lopez said.

As of yesterday, the DSWD has released P387.9 million educational assistance to some 153,000 students nationwide.

The department is distributing P1,000 for elementary students, P2,000 for high school students, P3,000 for senior high school students, and P4,000 for college students or vocational courses.

With a budget of P1.5 billion, the DSWD aims to cover at least 400,000 students across the country.

Lopez said the DSWD, with the help of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), is also planning to add more payout centers in cities and municipalities to serve more students in crisis situations.

“Last Saturday when DILG Secretary Benhur Abalos visited one of our payout areas, he promised us that he will be talking to more local government units to cater and help us with our educational assistance. Our possible agenda will be to really increase the number of our payout centers to better help our kababayans,” Lopez added.

At present, the financial assistance is released through the DSWD central, regional, provincial, and other local offices every Saturday until Sept. 24, 2022.

Those who want to receive the cash assistance were advised to register online or email DSWD at ciu.co@dswd.gov.ph. The applicants can also visit the DSWD website and social media accounts for other details.

PAL: 12 HURT DURING SEVERE TURBULENCE IN LA-MANILA FLIGHT

Philippine Airlines (PAL) on Monday said it is shouldering the medical expenses of several passengers who were injured during a flight.

PAL, in a statement, said Flight PR113 travelling to Manila from Los Angeles Sunday encountered severe turbulence 2 hours before landing. This caused injuries to 9 passengers and 3 crew members.

Upon arrival in Manila, the injured passengers and crew were immediately brought to a hospital.

"As of 10 a.m. today August 29, one passenger remains confined at the hospital, while the others have been discharged after treatment," PAL said.

"We are in the process of reaching out to the affected passengers and coordinating passenger wellness. This turbulence was not detectable on the aircraft’s onboard weather radar system, hence there was no advance warning. We affirm that safety is our top priority and that Philippine Airlines is fully cooperating with the concerned airport and aviation authorities," it added.

DEPED ORDERS PROBE OF 6 TEACHERS IN CAVITE SCHOOL FOR SEXUAL OFFENSE

Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte-Carpio has ordered an investigation into allegations that six teachers in Bacoor National High School in Cavite sexually harassed students.

“The allegations of sexual harassment in Bacoor National High School is very disturbing news and we are taking this very seriously. The DepEd, under the leadership of Vice President and Secretary Sara Duterte, has zero-tolerannce for any form of abuse,” DepEd spokesman Michael Poa said in a text message.

“The investigation is being handled by our Regional Office, in coordination with the Schools Division Office. It is the DepEd regional director that has disciplinary jurisdiction over teaching staff,” he added.

Poa said the six teachers have been placed on “floating status.”

“There is no estimate yet as to how many students are involved or have complained. We are encouraging students to come forward,” the DepEd official added.

On Twitter, a thread that has since gone viral included screenshots of alleged Facebook Messenger exchanges between one of the teachers and his student, with the latter making inappropriate grooming comments with heavy sexual innuendo.

Twitter user @eexpresso_o shared the screenshots, some as old as 2014. The user said the post was originally uploaded on Facebook but got deleted.

The thread gained almost 20,000 retweets and over 30,000 reactions. One screenshot of the supposed conversation showed a student being asked if he has had experiences with a gay person, and if he would like to “try” it.

On Twitter, Bacoor City Mayor Lani Mercado-Revilla advised victims to file a formal complaint.

“This has been reported to the DepEd Regional Office and at present ongoing investigation. The teachers involved are no longer holding classes. We will be monitoring this issue. Best if the victims/ students file formal complaints to Bacoor Schools Division Superintendent,” she said in a Twitter post.

LAWMAKER SAYS GOV'T SHOULD DEVELOP, LEASE SALT FARMS

A lawmaker on Tuesday said the Philippines should reinvigorate its salt industry to increase production and boost self sufficiency.

"We have one of the longest coast lines in the world and yet, this one particular product we’re still importing. We’re supposed to be the one exporting this particular product... We really need to revitalize this industry," said Kabayan party-list Rep. Ron Salo.

Salo recently filed a bill that sought a comprehensive plan for the development of the local salt industry and the grant of incentives to salt farmers and exporters.

The measure also proposed that the government build salt farms for lease to private stakeholders, he said.

"We’re proposing that the government fix the need by developing salt farms then it will be leased to private stakeholders or private manufacturers later on," Salo said.

The Department of Industry earlier said there was no shortage of salt supply in the country. Malacañang this week also said the government is ramping up efforts to modernize and support the industry.

CHED REMOVES VACCINATION REQUIREMENT FOR STUDENTS, PERSONNEL

MANILA — The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) will no longer require that students and personnel in colleges and universities are vaccinated as higher edcuation returns to classroom learning.

The policy change comes just as full-time in-person face-to-face classes resume two years since the COVID-19 pandemic broke out.

CHED said all of the institutions that have been conducting in-person classes before the pandemic are fully reopening their classrooms to students this year.

“Students and higher education institution personnel regardless of vaccination status can now participate in face-to-face classes,” CHED Chairman Prospero “Popoy” de Vera said in a briefing on Monday afternoon.

De Vera said CHED will issue a circular that details guidelines of the policy changes this week.

HOUSE BILL EYES ARAYAT AS TOURIST DESTINATION

MANILA — Pampanga’s “mystical mountain” Mt. Arayat may soon be officially recognized as one of the country’s tourist destinations.

This developed after the House committee on tourism approved House Bill 181, which seeks to declare Mt. Arayat as a tourist destination.

The proposal was authored by Deputy Speaker and Pampanga 3rd district Rep. Aurelio Gonzales Jr.

He told the committee that Mt. Arayat continues to attract nature lovers because of its rich biodiversity.

Gonzales cited the recent discovery of a new plant species, pyrostria arayatensis.

“It is also home to Arayat National Park. Located in Barangay San Juan Baño, Mt. Arayat’s cool springs and green foliage offer a family-friendly resting place perfect for swimming and other activities,” he said.

Mountain climbers from Metro Manila prefer Mt. Arayat because of its proximity to the National Capital Region.

Gonzales said Arayat is an integral part of the culture and home of Apung Sinukuan, a local god revered for teaching the art of agriculture and metallurgy to ancient Kapampangans.

He clarified that Mt. Arayat is neither fully developed nor prepared to receive the influx of tourists.

Gonzales said unregulated developments around Arayat endanger its ecology and the people, whose livelihood depends on the mountain.

The proposal requires the Department of Tourism to coordinate with the Department of Public Works and Highways as well as the provincial government in developing Mt. Arayat.

THE REST

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PH RECORDS 19,262 COVID CASES IN PAST WEEK; 316 DEATHS TALLIED

MANILA — The Philippines recorded 19,262 additional COVID-19 cases in the past week, the Department of Health said Monday.

From Aug. 22 to 28, the country recorded a daily average of 2,752 coronavirus infections, which is 19 percent lower compared to the previous week's, according to the health department's latest bulletin.

Of the new infections, 110 were severe and critical.

A total of 807 or 10.5 percent of COVID-19 patients in hospitals were in severe and critical condition as of Sunday, said the DOH.

Up to 635 or 24.9 percent of 2,551 intensive care unit beds for COVID-19 patients were occupied.

Also during the past week, the DOH said it verified 316 more COVID-related fatalities, citing late encoding of death information.

DENGUE INFECTIONS IN CALABARZON RISING SINCE MAY; OVER 12,000 INFECTIONS REPORTED

MANILA – More than 12,000 cases of dengue have been reported in the region of Calabarzon this year, a Department of Health (DOH) official said Tuesday.

“Mula po noong unang linggo ng Mayo, ay bumubugso na ang dengue sa ating region, at sa taong ito nasa 12,807 na, na indibidwal ang naireport na may dengue,” Dr. Voltaire Guadalupe of DOH Calabarzon told TeleRadyo.

This is up by 132 percent from the 5,510 reported dengue cases in the same period in 2021, he noted.

Guadalupe noted that most of their dengue patients are children below 10 years old.

He said mosquito breeding places may be increasing in their region amid the rainy season.

“Dahil po sa tuloy-tuloy na ulan, dumadami ang mga breeding places ng ating lamok.”

The doctor said they have taken steps to help prevent the spread of dengue in their area.

“Kami po ay nagdistribute na ng insecticide-treated bed nets, para sa mga bahay, pag natutulog, pati na rin sa eskwelahan. At meron na rin po tayong mga na-train na spray man na maaari pong tumulong,” he said.

He also advised the public to see a doctor right away once they show symptoms of dengue.

“Pag tayo ay nagususpetsa ng dengue, mas maganda na maaga pa lang, ay ikonsulta na natin-kung hindi man sa ospital, sa health worker. At magpa-test.”

PHILIPPINES DENGUE DEATH TOLL TOPS 400

MANILA — The number of dengue-related deaths in the country has surpassed 400, the Department of Health said Tuesday.

Case fatality rate from the mosquito-borne illness stood at 0.3 percent, data from DOH showed.

Deaths due to dengue occurred in the following months:

January: 35

February: 31

March: 37

April: 47

May: 62

June: 74

July: 100

August: 14

In the recent 4 weeks, Central Luzon, Metro Manila, and the Cordillera Administrative Region recorded the highest number of dengue cases.

From July 17 to Aug. 13, the country logged 19,816 cases of the mosquito-borne illness, according to DOH bulletin.

Central Luzon led with most dengue cases with 3,457 or 17 percent, followed by Metro Manila with 3,131 or 16 percent and the Cordillera Administrative Region with 2,106 or 11 percent.

Since January, the Philippines has so far tallied 118,785 dengue cases, a 143 percent increase compared to the same period last year, which had 48,867.

DIESEL, KEROSENE UP BY P6.10/LITER, GAS BY P1.40/LITER

Oil companies raised pump prices by P6.10 per liter for diesel and kerosene effective 6 a.m. Tuesday, one of the most significant increases this year to reflect surging world oil prices.

The oil firms also raised the price of gasoline by P1.40 per liter.

“Phoenix Petroleum Philippines will increase the prices of diesel by P6.10 per liter and gasoline by P1.40 per liter effective 6 a.m. of 30 August 2022,” the company said.

PTT Philippines, Chevron Philippines, Seaoil Philippines, and Cleanfuel also issued separate announcements of the latest oil price hike.

Oil prices went up to as high as P9.40 per liter for kerosene, P8.65 per liter for diesel, and P3.40 per liter for gasoline on March 29 due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine and increasing global demand.

TYPHOON INTENSIFIES OUTSIDE PHILIPPINE LANDMASS

MANILA -- Typhoon Hinnamnor continues to intensify outside the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR), state weather bureau PAGASA said Tuesday.

In its 5 a.m. tropical cyclone advisory, PAGASA said Hinnamnor was last seen 1,830 km east northeast of extreme northern Luzon. It has maximum sustained winds of 165 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 205 kph.

It is moving westward at 35 kph.

Hinnamnor may enter the PAR Wednesday evening, at which point it will be named Gardo, according to the state weather bureau. It is expected to slow down as it turns more southwestward over the northern Philippine Sea.

By late Friday (September 2) or early Saturday (September 3), Hinnamnor may become almost stationary, PAGASA said.

The extent of Hinnamnor's tropical cyclone winds may continue to expand in the coming days as it moves towards the northern Philippine Sea. As such, tropical cyclone wind signals may be raised over extreme northern Luzon.

The typhoon may also bring rough seas over the northern and eastern seaboard of Luzon beginning late Thursday (September 1) or early Friday.

ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE

LIZA SOBERANO REVEALS HOLLYWOOD MOVIE ROLE, BONDS WITH HOLLYWOOD CO-STAR

MANILA — Kapamilya actress Liza Soberano is living her Hollywood dreams as she bonds with co-star Kathryn Newton.

In Kathryn's Instagram account, the Hollywood actress posted a photo of her with Liza.

"Lisa not Liza aka Kathryn and it’s Liza not Lisa aka Taffy," Kathryn wrote.

Liza posted the same photo in her Instagram story.

"Lisa & Taffy's Day off," she wrote.

Liza and Kathryn will star in the movie "Lisa Frankenstein" together with Cole Sprouse, Carla Gugino, Joe Chrest and Henry Eikenberry.

Liza will portray Taffy, the step-sister of lead star Lisa, to be played by Newton. According to Liza, she auditioned for the movie through a video recording she made while on a trip to South Korea together with her Careless Music family.

SPORTS

FIBA: CLARKSON-POWERED GILAS BUCKS SLOW START IN ROUT OF SAUDI ARABIA

MANILA -- Jordan Clarkson's first game on home soil proved to be a memorable -- and triumphant -- one.

Gilas Pilipinas recovered from a slow start, then pulled away in an explosive third quarter to overwhelm visiting Saudi Arabia, 84-46, in front of a massive crowd at the Mall of Asia Arena on a Monday night.

Clarkson, in his debut in the Philippines, led the way with 23 points, five rebounds and six assists. With him at the forefront, Gilas split its two games in the fourth window of the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers.

The Filipino-American guard kept Gilas afloat during a lethargic start, scoring nine of their 11 points in the opening period. Saudi Arabia was in control early, taking a 14-11 lead after the opening frame to put the hosts on the back foot.

But Gilas finally got its rhythm in the second quarter, before thoroughly breaking the game open in the third period where they out-scored Saudi Arabia, 24-8.

"The one thing that we wanted to focus on before the game was to just get better. To play better than our previous game against Lebanon. That meant having better effort, and specifically, cutting down on our turnovers," Gilas coach Chot Reyes said after.

"I think today, we had 15 turnovers, and that's pretty acceptable. So very happy for the result, and even happier for the effort that the players put forth in this ball game," he added.

Backing up Clarkson was Kai Sotto, who had a double-double of 16 points and 13 rebounds. Dwight Ramos finished with nine points, six rebounds and two assists, and energized the crowd with a thunderous dunk in the second quarter.

The Philippines shot 42% from the field, and had a 55-38 rebounding edge. They committed only 15 turnovers and limited Saudi Arabia to a paltry 23% clip.

Despite the slow start, Gilas managed to take a 37-28 lead at the break. But it was in the third quarter that the Filipinos truly took control of the game. They scored six unanswered points to open the frame, capped by a tomahawk dunk from Clarkson that brought the crowd to its feet and forced Saudi Arabia into an early timeout.

It was all Gilas from there, with the Filipinos pouring it on in the final quarter. The lead grew as large as 40 points thanks to a floater by Calvin Oftana with 1:10 left.

"Any win is great. We're happy that we won, and we are starting to jell as a team. We started off slow but were starting to get there," Ramos said.

The victory was witnessed by a crowd of 19,829 fans at the Pasay venue, which included former President Rodrigo Duterto and Senator Bong Go. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. arrived midway through the third quarter, to cheers from the gallery.

The Scores:

PHILIPPINES 84 -- Clarkson 23, Sotto 16, Ramos 9, Aguilar 8, K. Ravena 8, Parks 6, Oftana 6, T. Ravena 4, Thompson 2, Malonzo 2, Newsome 0, Adams 0.

SAUDI ARABIA 46 -- Abdel Gabar 9, Kadi 9, Ma. Almarwani 9, Mo. Almarwani 8, Almuwallad 4, Belal 3, Mohammed 2, Abo Jalas 2, Alsager 0, Albargawi 0.

Quarters: 14-11, 37-28, 61-36, 84-46.

INDICATORS

FOREX $1 = P 56/02

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

All sensible people are selfish, and nature is tugging at every contract to make the terms of it fair. - Ralph Waldo Emerson