Good day. Here are the top stories of The Manila Times for Monday, Aug. 21, 2023.
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READ: 3 PH allies to hold joint sea drills
THE United States, Australia and Japan will hold joint naval exercises in the South China Sea, but the Philippines will not be able to participate because of aircraft incompatibility, reports said. The Philippines had to cancel its participation in the drills because the aircraft of its three allies are too large to land on the deck of Philippine warships, a Kyodo report said, quoting sources. The exercise will involve aircraft landing and takeoff from the decks of the participating ships, the sources said. The commanders of the US, Australian and Japanese forces taking part in the exercises will meet in Manila to send a "strong message" reaffirming their commitment to uphold freedom of navigation in the South China Sea. Tensions have been running high in the waterway following increasing intrusions by Chinese coast guard and maritime vessels into the West Philippine Sea, which the Philippines claims as part of its territory. Early this month, the Chinese coast guard fired a water cannon at a boat on a supply run to Ayungin Shoal, where Philippine troops are stationed. Kyodo said the Japanese destroyer "Izumo," Australian amphibious assault ship "Canberra" and US aircraft carrier "America" will be participating in the exercises.
READ: FIBA World Cup trophy arrives in Manila
THE FIBA World Cup Championship Trophy made a stop at the SM Mall of Asia Atrium on Sunday. The Championship Trophy, also known as the Naismith Trophy, was shown to the public, with former Gilas Pilipinas players and now ambassadors Larry Fonacier and Jeff Chan gracing the event. Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray, World Cup Global ambassador, was also present. The Naismith Trophy began its country tour in Cebu last week. It was displayed at the Mactan Shrine, CCLEx, Fort San Pedro and SM Seaside. Before the Manila leg tour that saw the trophy grace the World Cup playing venues in the Philippine Arena, Smart-Araneta Coliseum and SM Mall of Asia Arena, the Championship Trophy landed in Davao as well. It was shown to the public at the People's Park, Philippine Eagle Center, Malagos Chocolate Museum and the SM Lanang Premier. It will make its final tour in Ilocos Norte with stopovers at the EDC Wind Farm, Kapurpurawan Rock Formation and Suba Sand Dunes from August 21 to 23. The Philippines opens its World Cup campaign against the Dominican Republic on August 25 at the Philippine Arena.
READ: 'Challenges hound shipping industry'
THE shipping industry faces unprecedented challenges, including the fallout from the Covid-19 pandemic, high fuel costs and global economic slowdown, the head of a shippers organization said. Interviewed at SMNI's "Business and Politics" program, Patrick Ronas, president of the Association of International Shipping Lines, said that during the pandemic, there was a sudden drop in demand for goods, disruptions in supply chains and closures of businesses that affected shipping volumes and operations. The shipping industry had hoped that cargo volume would rebound to pre-pandemic levels, Ronas told the program host, The Manila Times CEO Dante "Klink" Ang 2nd. In mid-September 2022, the industry hit its 2019 volume. And in the first half of 2023, imports were up by 1.15 percent, which Ronas sees as a good sign. The Philippines is heavily dependent on imports, not only of finished products but also of food, construction materials and raw materials. Uncertainties happening around the world, like the Russia-Ukraine war, have dampened global supply chains, he said.
READ: Bigger 'Fiesta in America' opens in New Jersey
"FIESTA in America," which for many years was the meeting magnet for thousands of Filipino Americans, especially in the Eastern seaboard, opened on August 19 (US time) more determined to strengthen commercial, cultural and personal ties between Filipinos in their homes, both old and new. The Covid-19 pandemic forced the event, which has a lively ambience of networking song and dance and colorful food displays, to lie low from 2020 to 2021. Fortunately, 2021 presented a break in the murky societal and economic horizon. CEO and president, Fernando "Nanding" Mendez, told The Manila Times that he started looking for a new venue to stage the fiesta and came across the American Dream Meadowlands Complex in East Rutherford, New Jersey, which fitted his needs. The show's tagline, "Fiesta," Mendez believes, captures the spirit of togetherness and bonhomie Filipinos share with their fellow immigrants from Latino and Caribbean countries "but it remains primarily dedicated to Fil-Ams and Filipino affairs."
READ: Race to link brains to computers heating up
Brain implants have long been trapped in the realm of science fiction, but a steady trickle of medical trials suggests the tiny devices could play a big part in humanity's future. Billions of dollars are flowing into a clutch of specialist companies hunting for treatments for some of the most debilitating ailments. And pioneering studies have already yielded results. In the decade to 2020, investors poured more than $30 billion into neurotechnology more widely, according to Unesco. And the money has continued to flood in thanks, in part, to rapid improvements in artificial intelligence (AI), used by researchers to interpret the data from the implants. Tech titan Elon Musk has refocused some energy on his Neuralink firm after it received permission in May to test its implants on humans, helping it to raise $280 million in funding.
Topping Business
READ: Diokno: GDP target can be revised
DESPITE the second-quarter gross domestic product (GDP) falling short of expectations, Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno remains committed to the country's growth target, stating that adjustments will only be considered if the target becomes unattainable. The country has posted lower-than-expected 4.3 percent growth in the second quarter, resulting in a year-to-date expansion of 5.3 percent, falling short of the 6.0 to 7.0 percent target. The outcome marked a decline from 7.5 percent the previous year and 6.4 percent in the current year's first quarter. The Finance chief told reporters during the Weekly Press Chat with SBED on Friday that the decelerated growth was a result of increased inflation caused by elevated food and fuel costs, delayed impacts of significant interest rate increases, and the global economy's weakening conditions. Diokno noted that government spending accounts for approximately 20 percent of the GDP, highlighting that substantial underspending has had a notable impact on the Philippines' growth rate.
In Sports
READ: Sotto extra motivated to play in front of home crowd
KAI Sotto said he gets an extra shot of energy and motivation whenever he plays for Gilas Pilipinas at home. This is the same for the 7-foot-3 cager in the upcoming FIBA World Cup where he is expected to help anchor the paint for the home team Gilas Pilipinas. The last time Sotto played for Gilas at home turf was in the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers against Saudi Arabia last year. Showered with the cheers of the Filipino crowd, Sotto logged 16 points, 13 rebounds, and 4 blocks in the Philippines' 84-46 drubbing of Saudi Arabia. Sotto and the rest of the Philippine national basketball team open their World Cup campaign against the Karl-Anthony Towns-led Dominican Republic on August 25 at the Philippine Arena.
READ: Sweden takes FIFA World Cup bronze
Sweden scored either side of half-time to spoil Australia's party and claim third spot at the Women's World Cup with a 2-0 win in Brisbane on Saturday. In front of a crowd of nearly 50,000, Sweden took the lead with a 30th-minute penalty by Fridolina Rolfo and doubled their advantage with a powerful strike from Kosovare Asllani just after the hour. It is the fourth time that Sweden has finished third at the tournament.
READ: Opinion/Editorial
In today's editorial, the Times says that dismantling the Bilibid kubol is a big challenge for prison officials. Read the full version on print and digital or listen to the Voice of the Times. Featured columnists on the front page are Rigoberto Tiglao, Fr. Ranhilio Aquino and Francisco Tatad. Tiglao says that former president Joseph Estrada had ordered the pullout of the second grounded vessel; Aquino on hearings, excuses and exemptions; Tatad on whether the Napoles case should be reopened.
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