test

Fervin Earl L. Chavez The decision to proliferate AI journalism is a step backward in journalism’s continuing evolution - which is humanized, laymanized, and tended for the people. Cartoon by Gabriel Antonio Bazan The mechanization of AI technology had shown us that impeccable and promising human-made innovations can be both a blessing, a development that will aid the human struggles and make our lives easier and more accessible in strife of technocapitalism, and a curse for the humanity - the gradual destruction of human force and labor, and the dissipation of human struggles aided by its pseudo-developmental technology. Earlier this week, the GMA News had introduced its ‘refreshing’ idea to us and the journalism community: two (2) new sportscasters, named Maia and Marco, who are not ‘human journalists,’ but are generated by AI technology. This news, instead of throwing a celebration primarily since this is a huge ‘win’ for our local sciences, drew mixed clamor from the public for the...

Nadine Fandialan When nature strikes the Philippines with typhoons, only nature itself can fend the country from the worst.  Photo Courtesy of Virma Simonette/BBC/genurrrr/X(Twitter) Spanning over 540 kilometers from the province of Cagayan in the north to the province of Quezon in the south, the Sierra Madre stands as the longest mountain range in the Philippines. It forms the eastern backbone of Luzon, the largest island of the archipelago. Bordered by the Pacific Ocean to the east, its range serves as a natural barrier against typhoons that come from the Pacific.   Sierra Madre plays a crucial role in reducing the impact of destructive strong winds and heavy rainfall that often comes along with tropical storms. Not only does its rugged terrain and thick forest serve as a natural shield; the Sierra Madre is home to many species of plants and animals, some of which are endemic to the Philippines. It serves as a habitat for a diverse range of wildlife including various sp...

Gab Ibis and Sean Michael S. Caguiwa With the recent advisories of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) on the status of Taal, questions are raised about the safety of surrounding communities. Photo Courtesy of Flickr/J. Gerard Seguia Who are you, Taal? Taal is a complex volcanic system , according to PHIVOLCS. It is prone to frequent volcanic activity, as shown in its history of 34 eruptions in a span of nearly half a millennium , with relatively recent eruptions in 1911, 1965-1977, and 2020. The volcano is a geological paradox, located in the center of the lake, bearing the same name . Meanwhile, in the province of Batangas, Taal remains a tourist attraction , attracting nearly 30,000 visitors in peak months . Despite the picturesque scene that Taal paints, the damage it wreaks in nearby localities shows a different picture after eruptions. Cities like Lipa and Tagaytay, both tourist-intensive, were declared by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Ma...

Rachel Ivy Reyes  While confidential and intelligence funds remain to be under scrutiny for unclear usage, the higher education sector clamors for what should already be a given—a well-funded education system. In the proposed National Expenditure Program, 36 state universities and colleges (SUCs) are bound to suffer a five percent decrease in appropriations in the next fiscal year.  Photo Courtesy of DepEd/Mark Demayo/ABS-CBN News A cost-cutting trend  Next year, SUCs are looking at a ₱6.15 billion budget cut or ₱100.8 billion, which is significantly lower than its current budget of ₱107 billion.  For years, this has not been news for SUCs as budget cuts seem to be a consistent trend. In 2022, the overall budget allocated for SUCs was slated at ₱71.199 billion, lower than the 2021 budget of ₱85.596 billion.  Centered around cutting the capital outlays of higher educational institutions, these cuts contribute to the lagging student services among SUCs brought abo...

Alec Marc Reguya In a display of perseverance against China’s persecution, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) dismantled the floating barriers installed by the Chinese Coast Guard within the disputed territory in the Bajo De Masinloc, also known as Scarborough Shoal, of the West Philippine Sea. Photo Courtesy of Philippine Coast Guard On September 22, PCG and the Bureau of Fisheries Aquatic Resources arranged to resupply local fishermen with food and fuel during their routine patrol in the Scarborough Shoal – when the authorities discovered the Chinese-deployed floating barrier. Measuring about 300 meters in length, such a barrier represents a clear violation of international law as it restricts Filipino fishing vessels from entering the southeastern part of the shoal. Leonardo Cuaresma, President of the New Masinloc Fishermen Association, likened themselves as thieves fishing on their own waters, as Filipino fishermen are being blocked and shooed away by Chinese vessels from the Scarbor...

Alyanna Chargaile E. Bunayog Agricultural group Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (SINAG) lauded President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s decision on September 26 to decline a proposal to reduce tariffs on imported rice, stating that it would safeguard local farmers and provide price stability.  Photo Courtesy of Rappler/GMA News/Reuters In an exclusive interview with CNN’s The Final Word, Rosendo So, the chairman and president of SINAG, expressed his satisfaction with Pres. Marcos’ decision.  “Of course, very happy tayo doon sa desisyon ng ating pangulo. Alam naman natin na kaya siya ang concurrent agriculture secretary dahil mas may laban tayo ngayon kasi dati ang nangyayari is kung ano ang sinasabi ng economic team yun ang sinusundan kaagad," So expressed. Following the decision to reject the rice tariff cut, So laid out the subsequent actions that the government should take, emphasizing the urgency of immediate planting to guarantee a stable crop supply. "Ang kailangang gawin ng...

Shan Orpiada De La Salle University International Studies Professor Renato De Castro said in an interview with ANC on September 25 that a trilateral cooperation is expected to cause discomfort to China. Photo Courtesy of Stratbase ADR Institute/Philippine Coast Guard It was after the Philippines, Japan, and the United States decided to form a collaborative front during the UN General Assembly (UNGA) High-Level Week in New York to ensure the cooperation and rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific region. However, Prof. De Castro stressed that the trio-security cooperation is supposed to create distress in another country, specifically China. "Well, of course in every security cooperation it’s supposed to create tension, it will cause discomfort to some countries. But you form this primarily because of the fact you want to deter and cause discomfort to that country," he said. Prof. De Castro also said that China applied the grey-zone operation with the Philippines by putting a 30...

Jayvee Mhar Viloria   The Department of Justice (DOJ) revealed that the six suspects involved in the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) complaint for onion hoarding and profiteering are former and current government officials. Photo Courtesy of George Calvelo/ABS-CBN News / DOJ/Facebook In an interview with CNN's The Source yesterday, Justice Secretary Boying Remulla said hearings in Congress regarding the onion price manipulation case of these officials are already ongoing. "Current and past [government officials]. I think there are six parties that are being asked to answer the complaints by the panel of prosecutors," Remulla answered when asked about the identity of the accused. The DOJ secretary, however, declined to disclose the names of the six government officials involved in the smuggling case. "I cannot name them because it is still a complaint filed, but many of them are government officials," he said. Additionally, Remulla said they are collaborat...

Angeline Ashlee Marquez and Kenan Paguirigan "I don't think I could stand to be where you don't see me" - Francis Forever, Mitski  Stories of old and wise told from many centuries ago have been reworked—reborn to say a purpose, to create wonders that can explore the imagination of others, and to practice certain mediums to share the imagery that came forth to what once was an incredible masterpiece. This leads us to explore the different plots and twists towards a story we all are too familiar with—reading another version, another point of view.  Photo Courtesy of The Bibliofile In this article, we understand that while The Song of Achilles is fiction, it is undeniably a book that many enjoy reading most, with its stories of adventure and the unkeen romance between two heroes that many cannot help but wonder about the fundamental nature of their relationship. Let us set off on this historical journey, written in the modern context, and see how it makes bookworms feel...

Sean Michael S. Caguiwa Time and time again, the country is in a state of whiplash after constant typhoons and onslaughts, thanks to its geological position. These forces of nature are no joke, to say the least, but farmers, fishermen, youth, and indigenous people continue to be the subjects of the archipelago’s safety. But in contrast to the Cagayan to Quezon protector, her own recipients leave her no mercy. Photo Courtesy of Oliver Marquez/PNA / J Kahlil Panopio/The Haribon Foundation / DOF With a vastness spreading 540 kilometers and passing through three regions, the Sierra Madre mountain range has been there for the Philippines since the beginning. But even if tensions seem to have been laid low, there are still gentle reminders to care for the green that saves us from the storm, literally. The range has garnered countless testimonies like Super Typhoon Karding's onslaught being shielded to save 17 million brood stock in Central Luzon. Even with all this under her name, histor...

Rex Neil Falogme Gilas Boys failed to clinch a podium finish at the 2023 FIBA Asia U16 Cup after suffering an 87-59 defeat against China in the battle for third in Doha, Qatar on Sunday. Photo Courtesy of FIBA Joaquin Ludovice led the offensive guns of the national youth squad with 15 points, four boards, and three assists followed by Kiefer Aas and Irus Chua's 13 and 10 points, respectively. Gilas maintained themselves in striking distance after the opening quarter, until China broke loose after dropping a 20-8 run in the last six minutes of the second period for a 44-29 half-time lead. The Chinese young squad continued their dominance in the third frame, ballooning their lead to 33 after scoring 26 while limiting Gilas to just eight quarter points, 70-37. Despite their good showing in the last frame, the young Gilas unfortunately ran out of gas and ended their U16 campaign in a 28-point loss at the hands of China. Chinese standout Boyuan Zhang carried his team by scoring 34 point...

Ignacius Carell Cruz and John Rei Salanga The Philippines will make its inaugural run in the AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup after stealing a narrow point match from home team Vietnam, 1-0, in the final do-or-die game of the qualifiers on Sunday in Vietnam Youth Football Training Center, Hanoi. Photo Courtesy of Daily Tribune Sports The young Filipinas will find themselves in yet another competitive scene next year as they face defending champions Japan, runners-up North Korea, China, South Korea, Thailand, Australia, and hosts Indonesia for the Asian Cup. With the ball being in the Philippines’ possession for most of the first half, the blue jerseys struggled to penetrate through goalkeeper Le Thi Thu’s exceptional defense as the game remained scoreless entering halftime. After 56 minutes of insufficient offense, Isabella Preston starred in the game’s climax as she capitalized on a free kick off Tea Pidding’s foul, launching the ball top-corner to finally pierce through the Vietnamese wall...

Bea Santina Maranan With the recent volcanic activity of Taal Volcano, concerns have been raised across the country. Taal’s eruption was characterized by sulfur dioxide emissions of volcanic smog. It spread through Metro Manila and neighboring provinces due to prevailing winds. Alert Level 1 has been raised in the aforementioned areas. Photo Courtesy of  The Philippine STAR In addition, on September 21 sulfur dioxide emissions from Taal's primary crater reached 4,600 tons per day. Burnt matches can smell like sulfur dioxide, a dangerous and hazardous chemical that is naturally emitted by volcanic activity. Volcanic smog or vog may be very dangerous to human health since it is made up of small droplets packed with sulfur dioxide and other volcanic gasses. Hazards that come with vog are as follows. Cause irritation to the eyes The tiny particles of vog can cause eye inflammation, puffiness and redness when in contact with the eyes.    Throat Irritation When inhaled the part...

Ignacius Carell Cruz The Filipinas U17 team barged into the win column after clamping Bangladesh, 3-1, in the second round of the AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup 2024 Qualifiers on Friday in Hanoi, Vietnam. Photo Courtesy of AFC A spirited Philippine team came out of the dugout firing with Isabella Preston giving the Filipinas an early lead, 1-nil, after capitalizing on a bad defensive clearance and goalkeeper error from Bangladesh. Despite this, the tides were reversed quickly when the girls in red equalized after Mst Sagorika delivered a high-looping shot over the outstretched arms of Samantha Hughes. The young Filipinas had a chance to regain the lead in the 31st minute when Bangladesh gave a penalty due to a handball from one of their defenders, however, Nina Mathelus who scored an outstanding brace last Wednesday was denied by the goalkeeper. This did not cripple Mathelus’ confidence as she finally catapulted the girls in blue in front, 2-1, just after a minute from a penalty denial. A ...

Lynxter Gabriel Leaño Hiniling ng National Irrigation Administration (NIA) sa Kamara na ibalik ang P90 bilyong badyet para sa kanilang ahensya matapos itong tanggalin ng Department of Budget and Management (DBM) mula sa orihinal na P132 bilyong pondo sa iminungkahing 2024 National Budget. Photo Courtesy of DA-PRDP/Voltaire F. Domingo/Senate PRIB Ayon pa kay NIA Acting Administrator Eduardo Guillen, kinakailangan ng ahensya ang sapat na badyet upang matustusan ang pangangailangan ng mga Pilipino sa food security at paghahanda sa matinding epekto ng El Niño. “We firmly believe that our original budget ceiling request aligns with these factors and would allow us to fulfill our mission better and serve the interest of the Filipino people,” giit ni Guillen sa isang liham na ipinadala sa Kamara. Pinaglaanan lamang ng P41.2 bilyong pondo ng DBM ang nasabing ahensya dahilan upang makiusap ang NIA na aprubahan ang orihinal na badyet. Sinabi ng NIA na nagkaroon ng malaking pagtaas sa ani ng mga ...