Day: April 6, 2024

MANILA: Ateneo de Manila University and two-time defending women’s champion National University both survived University of Santo Tomas to force a decider in the UAAP Season 86 tennis finals at Felicisimo Ampon Tennis Center inside the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila on Saturday.

In the men’s division, Ateneo survived defending champion UST, 3-2.

Freshman standout JD Velez saved the day for the Blue Eagles after posting a 6-4, 6-4 win over Seb Santos in the third singles match.

“The pressure was there because they’re the defending champions and they want to win this tie. Yeah, may pressure, pero it’s good na I overcame it. So, my mindset was nothing to lose kami and we just have to give it all na lang (The pressure was there because they’re the defending champions and they want to win this tie. Yeah, there was pressure, but it’s good that I overcame it. So, my mindset was, we have nothing to lose and we just have to give it our all),” the 21-year-old Velez said.

Ateneo raced to a 2-0 lead after No
y Seno defeated back-to-back Most Valuable Player (MVP) Nilo Ledama, 2-6, 6-2, 6-2; and Rookie of the Year Axl Gonzaga and Nio Tria won over Nash Agustines and Richard Bautista, 6-2, 6-1.

However, UST bounced back with EJ Tangub beating Austin Delos Santos, 6-3, 6-1, and the pair of Steven Sonsona and Symon Jaculan prevailing over JJ Llavore and Stef Gurria, 6-3, 2-6, 6-4.

NU beat UST, 3-1, in the women’s tie to likewise force a winner-take-all Game 3.

The UST Female Tennisters actually had a good start, with Rookie of the Year Kaye Emana cruising to a 6-0, 6-1 win over Angela Cabaral in the first singles.

But the Lady Bulldogs quickly recovered as reigning MVP Alyssa Mae Bornia and Alliah Ragunton downed Miles Vitaliano and Debbie Gom-os, 6-4, 6-1, in the first doubles match to level.

Elsie Abarquez made it 2-1 after pulling off a 6-3, 6-4 win over Alexei Santos in the next match.

Rovie Baulete and Danna Abad wrapped up the tie with a 6-3, 6-3 victory over Minette Bentillo and Justine Maneja in the sec
ond doubles.

“Ang mindset lang namin is gawin lang namin ‘yung best namin at laruin lang kung ano ‘yung laro namin. Pero at the back of our minds po, siyempre gusto naming bumawi (Our only mindset is that we just do our best and just play our game. But at the back of our minds, of course, we wanted to get even),” Abarquez said.

The deciding ties will be played starting at 7:30 a.m. Sunday in the same venue.

Source: Philippines News Agency

ISTANBUL: Fast food giant McDonald’s said Thursday it will buy all of its 225 restaurants in Israel after an agreement with franchise Alonyal Ltd., which has operated the business for 30 years.

The US fast-food chain faces calls for a boycott since Alonyal gave away thousands of free meals to Israeli forces following Israeli attacks, which have killed more than 33,000 people, mostly women and children, so far.

In a statement, the fast food giant said Alonyal employs 5,000 people across the country, all of whom will be retained, after the completion of the transaction in the coming months.

“Upon completion of the transaction, McDonald’s Corp. will own Alonyal Ltd.’s restaurants and operations, and employees will be retained on equivalent terms,” it said.

‘McDonald’s remains committed to the Israeli market and to ensuring a positive employee and customer experience in the market going forward,’ said Jo Sempels, president of International Developmental Licensed Markets at McDonald’s Corp.

McDonald’s franchi
ses are often owned and operated locally.

Its CEO Chris Kempczinski earlier said the conflict in Gaza was hurting its business.

Source: Philippines News Agency

BONTOC: The local government of Sagada assured Saturday that it is collaborating with various agencies to help coffee farmers affected by forest fires in February and March.

Sagada Mayor Felicito Dula said in an interview that while they do not have the actual number of trees razed, losses were pegged at PHP16 million while more than 30 coffee farmers lost livelihood.

On the sidelines of the 17th Mountain Province Lang-ay Festival here, Dula said the affected farmers were already referred to the Department of Social Welfare and Development, which gave PHP5,000 each.

“It is a small amount but we are still coordinating with the DOLE (Department of Labor and Employment) for an additional allotment for the forest fire-affected farmers,” the mayor said.

He said DOLE initially gave PHP1 million in assistance under the TUPAD (Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers) emergency employment program, but the coffee farmers were not the identified recipients yet.

He added that they also sought
the help of the Department of Agriculture for financial assistance and to help the farmers assess the coffee plants that can still be salvaged.

The mayor vowed to look for other means to help the farmers, adding that the local government would provide them planting materials to replace those that were destroyed by the fire.

Sagada coffee, specifically the Sagada Gold brand which is patented by the local government, is sold at PHP250 per 200 grams and is among the favorite “pasalubong” (giveaways) of tourists.

Source: Philippines News Agency

DARAGA: If you’re still stuck with the idea that old age means being frail, wrinkled, and confined to a walker or a weathered rocking chair, then you have to meet the trio of sprightly Bicolano travelers!

They are savvy, adventurous, and full of zest that it’s hard to imagine they are knocking on the door of their 70s.

Say hello to these wanderlusts, who are redefining old age as they cash in on their 20-percent senior citizen discounts, one trip at a time.

The adventurous explorer

Emerita Parayno has always loved traveling.

The charming grandmother, who does not look a day over 68, has no qualms about sitting in a bus or plane for hours or walking around unfamiliar terrain, all in the name of adventure.

A confessed nature lover, Parayno said she has checked off most of her travel bucket lists.

From her exhilarating zipline adventures at Lake Sebu Seven Falls in the province of South Cotabato to the stunning white sand beaches of Moalboal town in Cebu and the jaw-dropping natural beauty of the Enchante
d Cave in Bolinao, Pangasinan, no place is too far for this intrepid soul who has an insatiable passion for exploration.

“Travel widens your horizons. It also tests your mobility and endurance,” the native of Daraga town in Albay province said.

To make sure she is up for the challenges of her daring escapades, a pit stop at her doctor’s office remains on top of her to-do list.

“I usually go for my routine check-up, do laboratory tests when my doctor orders them, and bring all my maintenance medicine and other necessary medications before I go on a trip,” Parayno said.

“You have to ensure that your body is in the right condition before you travel,” she added.

Her other tip for her silver-haired squad? Choose destinations that allow for physical activity to stay healthy and energized.

The solo traveler

Evelyn Po, 68, from the city of Ligao, also in Albay, is the travel guru of solo trips.

“My husband would often tease me that I would get sick if I stayed at home for long,” she said in the vernacular.

P
o has scoured the cobbled streets of Vigan in Ilocos Sur, the scenic spots of Baguio City, the majestic waves of La Union, and the rugged terrain of Apayao province on her own, without the need for GPS.

For senior travelers wanting to embark on solitary soul-searching, her advice is simple: Plan ahead.

“Research everything. Plan your destinations and activities, book your accommodations, and work on your budget,” she said.

“But most importantly, inform your loved ones about your itinerary so they can track you throughout your trip. They need to know your whereabouts so they can help you in case of emergencies or unexpected circumstances,” she added.

As securing safety and well-being should be on top of every elderly person’s travel goals, the vibrant grandmother said staying connected with family members while on travel brings peace of mind to all.

The social sightseer

“The more, the merrier” is the adage that Jocelyn Llarena, 67, lives by.

As someone who revels in traveling with family and friends, th
e retired government employee from Pilar town in Sorsogon said group trips are the best because of memories shared.

She also candidly said that it does not hurt that group travel allows seniors like her to sit back and relax, as planning the logistics and itinerary is already taken care of by her younger companions.

She advised elderly wanderlusts to prioritize quality over quantity.

“Don’t be so obsessed with rushing from one attraction to the next that you sacrifice your physical well-being,” she cautioned in the vernacular.

For Llarena, who has toured most of the scenic spots of the three major islands of the Philippines, the best kind of senior travel is one that allows for plenty of downtime to soak in the beauty of the destination.

“Enjoy your travel while you still can. Explore new destinations before it is too late,” she added.

Source: Philippines News Agency

MANILA: University of Santo Tomas rolled to its third straight victory at the expense of De La Salle-Zobel, 25-16, 25-20, to keep the Pool A lead in the girls’ division of the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) Under-18 Championship at Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Manila on Saturday.

In Pool B, La Salle-Lipa downed Parañaque City, 25-16, 25-21, to improve to 3-1 behind unbeaten National University (3-0).

San Juan Institute of Technology-Batangas defeated Colegio de Los Baños, 25-20, 26-24, to stay in third place at 2-1.

In the boys’ division, Taytay, Rizal outplayed Colegio de Los Baños (0-2), 25-20, 25-23, to join Pool B leader Umingan, Pangasinan at 2-0.

La Salle-Lipa trounced Golden Whiskers Club, 25-16, 25-21, to take the lead in Pool A with two wins; while Philippine Christian University pulled off a 25-21,19-25, 25-11 win over Batangas Christian School for its second win in three outings.

Meanwhile, UST eyes win No. 4 against Grace Christian College on Sunday at 11:30 a.m.

Other matche
s will pit La Salle-Zobel (0-2) against Limitless Sports Center (0-3) at 10 a.m. in Pool A and Colegio de Los Baños (0-3) against Parañaque City (0-2) at 1 p.m. in Pool B.

Playing in the boys’ division are Umingan, Pangasinan against Taytay, Rizal at 4 p.m.; Hermosa, Bataan against Colegio de Los Baños at 2:30 p.m.; and Angatleta Sports Bataan against Canossa Academy-Lipa at 6 p.m.

Source: Philippines News Agency

LEGAZPI CITY: The Department of Social Welfare and Development in Bicol (DSWD-5), through its Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP), has awarded PHP 3 million seed capital funds to 201 individual beneficiaries from Irosin, Sorsogon.

In a phone interview on Saturday, Ram Joseph Zaragosa, DSWD-Bicol project development officer for SLP, said 201 program participants were granted PHP15,000 each as start-up capital.

“Para sa mga magsisimula ng negosyo, sana maayos at mapalago nila. Meron din naman na mga pandagdag puhunan (For those who are starting a business, we hope that they can sustain and grow their businesses. There are also additional investments),” Zaragosa said.

He encouraged the beneficiaries to form an association to avail of the 5-Year Livelihood Sustainability Plan, where the SLP is anchored.

“If they want to avail more aid, we really encourage them to be a group. Mas matututukan namin sila sa pagpapaunlad ng kanilang hanapbuhay (We can focus on them more on developing their livelihood),” he said.

SLP’s 5-Year Livelihood Sustainability Plan responds to the need to improve the implementation process and timeline, while strengthening the sequence of capability-building activities and interventions to ensure the capacitation of SLP participants.

It features improved cost parameters for SLP interventions, new capability-building interventions, and livelihood incentives to support livelihood and association development and management throughout the five-year cycle.

Source: Philippines News Agency