Good day. Here are the top stories for The Manila Times on Saturday, April 19, 2025.
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READ: US-China trade war seen to benefit PH
THE Philippines could benefit from the escalating US-China tariff war, with a 90-day suspension of new US tariffs offering what one economics expert calls a "window of opportunity" to attract global manufacturing and investment. In an interview, Ronilo Balbieran, a professor at the University of Asia and the Pacific's School of Economics, said the pause could position the Philippines as a strategic alternative for companies seeking to relocate their supply chains amid rising tensions between the world's two largest economies. United States President Donald Trump announced the pause on the higher reciprocal tariffs on most of the country's trading partners, including the Philippines. The country stands out with a relatively low reciprocal tariff rate of 17 percent. Neighboring Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) economies like Cambodia, Vietnam and Thailand face significantly higher rates, making the Philippines more attractive — at least on paper. He described the tariff war as a heavyweight bout between the global buyer and the global seller: the United States, with 25 percent of the world's gross domestic product, and China, with 20 percent. Unlike highly trade-dependent nations such as Singapore — with a trade openness index over 300 percent — the Philippines has a more modest index of 60 percent, relying primarily on its domestic economy. This, Balbieran argued, provides the country with a layer of insulation — and a potential upside.
READ: Mom donates liver to son in key transplant operation
KING Leo Laurora, a 14-month-old, became the first patient to undergo a liver transplant through the newly established Joint Liver Transplant Program of The Medical City (TMC) and Rizal Medical Center (RMC). The procedure, performed on April 12, is considered a milestone since it was made possible through the partnership between the government and a private enterprise. Families of children suffering from end-stage liver disease have been forced to seek treatment overseas for years, where the costs are staggering. The TMC-RMC partnership aims to change that by bringing advanced transplant care within reach of more Filipino families. The mother of King Leo, Maricar, was his liver donor. In another historic first, she also became the first patient in the Philippines to undergo a fully robotic donor hepatectomy, using the Da Vinci Xi robotic surgical system. She was discharged just two days after the procedure. King Leo, on the other hand, is in a steady recovery. A team of Filipino surgeons, anesthesiologists, intensive care specialists and nurses from both TMC and RMC worked together on the operation.
READ: Black Saturday: Day of sorrow and hope
BLACK Saturday is the day when Jesus was laid in the tomb after his death. This day marks a significant moment as it symbolizes both sorrow and hope for his resurrection. For the vast majority of Catholic Filipino families, Black Saturday is a time to continue their prayers and abstinence while waiting for the celebration of Jesus' resurrection on Easter Sunday. This is also the day when traditions such as the Pabasa, the continuous reading of Christ's passion, end. Families observe silence and refrain from any festivities. Superstitions also persist, including refraining from taking a bath or traveling outside the residence. On Saturday night, the Easter Vigil Mass marks the official end of Lent and the beginning of Easter. The Paschal candle is lit, which signifies the resurrection of Christ. Manila Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula called on the Catholic faithful to take this moment to reflect.
READ: 'Boodle fight' marks Marcoses anniversary
PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and first lady Liza Araneta-Marcos celebrated their 32nd wedding anniversary in the President's home province, Ilocos Norte. The first couple was in Suba Beach on Maundy Thursday where they highlighted the celebration with a "boodle fight," a Filipino dining tradition where the food is served on a long table and the people eat with their hands. In her social media accounts, Araneta-Marcos posted a photo of their wedding anniversary celebration with their two sons — Joseph Simon and William Vincent. Ilocos Norte 1st District Rep. Sandro Marcos, the first couple's eldest son, was not in the photo. The first couple were married on April 17, 1993, at the San Francesco Convent in Fiesole, Italy.
In Business
READ: Asia market resilience could fade
ASIAN currency markets have enjoyed a brief moment of resilience, ANZ Research said, but this may be short-lived if global volatility intensifies in the wake of US President Donald Trump's tariff pronouncement. Trump earlier this month announced sweeping reciprocal tariffs, prompting substantial market sell-offs that were only temporarily soothed by a 90-day pause. But despite being among the regions most exposed to trade disruptions, Asia's foreign exchange (FX) and local currency bond markets were said to have relatively outperformed. Singapore, South Korea and Thailand have outpaced US Treasuries and Malaysian and Philippine bonds trailed closed behind, ANZ noted. While Asia's FX and bond markets may continue to attract inflows as investors seek alternatives to the US, ANZ warned against complacency. The region's relatively low yields, high trade exposure, and sensitivity to geopolitical shifts make it vulnerable in a deteriorating global environment. t highlighted that policy uncertainty could dampen both domestic and cross‑border investment while China's growing export share in the region was likely to intensify competition among currencies. The peso, which has strengthened over the past few days and closed in P56 to the dollar territory, is expected to hit new record lows of P59.50:$1 in June and P59.80 in September. ANZ warned that the currency could hit another all-time low of P60:$1 in December.
Topping Sports
READ: It's a wide-open race to the NBA title again
THERE was Toronto in 2019, the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020, Milwaukee in 2021, Golden State in 2022, Denver in 2023 and Boston in 2024. Six different seasons, six different champions. A run of parity like none other in NBA history. And now the Celtics get their turn at bucking that trend. Boston will try to win back-to-back NBA titles, something no franchise has managed since Golden State did it in 2017 and 2018. The NBA playoffs start Saturday with four Game 1s, continue Sunday with four more Game 1s and just like that a 16-team, two-month journey will be off and running. Favored to win the title, according to BetMGM Sportsbook, are the 68-win Oklahoma City Thunder, the top overall seed and No. 1 seed in the Western Conference — a team that set an NBA record this season by outscoring teams by 12.9 points per game. Their fellow No. 1 seed out of the Eastern Conference: the 64-win Cleveland Cavaliers, a group that put together the second-best regular season in franchise history. Most of the matchups are set. It's Boston vs. Orlando, New York vs. Detroit and Indiana vs. Milwaukee in the East, with Cleveland set to meet either Atlanta or Miami. In the West, it's Houston vs. Golden State, the Lakers vs. Minnesota and Denver vs. the Los Angeles Clippers, with Oklahoma City awaiting the winner of Memphis and Dallas.
READ: Opinion
The Times, in its editorial, says the Philippines must redefine its critical infrastructure. Read the full version on print digital, log on to www.manilatimes.net or listen to the Voice of the Times. Featured columnists on the front page are Antonio Contreras, Yen Makabenta and Danton Remoto. Contreras draws the line between criticism and bigotry; Makabenta says the President as chief magistrate made the decision on Duterte's case; Remoto pays tribute to beloved Superstar Nora Aunor.
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