(UPDATE) IN the few times Kai Sotto was able to watch Gilas Pilipinas scrimmage twice and train, the youthful Filipino giant is very optimistic that the latest batch of players in the national team are up to the task for the 2023 FIBA World Cup. In the 2014 FIBA World Cup, Gilas, playing in Seville, Spain, gave world-class opponents Croatia, Argentina, Greece and Puerto Rico scary moments, before losing in narrow margins. In this latest Gilas iteration, the 21-year-old Sotto believes the team has a taller front court that consists of a more seasoned June Mar Fajardo and Japeth Aguilar, who are both gunning for a third straight World Cup appearance in their respective basketball careers. Throw in Utah Jazz star Jordan Clarkson, who will serve as the Philippines' naturalized player, along with additional big man from the pool like Sotto's former Gilas youth teammate big man AJ Edu and versatile forward Jamie Malonzo, the 7-foot-3 Filipino feels they have the size to contend in the 2023 FIBA World Cup. But then again, Sotto emphasized that basketball remains a five-man game and definitely, to earn a spot in the 2024 Paris Olympics, Gilas must play as one, solid unit.

File PhotoChina said on Sunday it had taken "necessary controls" against Philippines boats that had "illegally" entered its waters, after Manila accused Beijing's coast guard of firing water cannon at its vessels in the disputed South China sea. "Two repair ships and two coast guard ships from the Philippines illegally broke into the waters... in China's Nansha Islands," China Coast Guard spokesperson Gan Yu said, adding that Beijing had "implemented necessary controls in accordance with the law and stopped Philippine ships carrying illegal building materials".

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has declared October as Communications Month to recognize its importance in nation-building, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) announced on Sunday. ADVERTISEMENTIn a statement, PCO said that Marcos issued a two-page proclamation, signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on August 2. 308 highlights the essential role of communication in the media industry and public discourse and also declares October 11 as the anniversary of PCO. “The administration aims to provide true, accurate, and relevant information regarding its policies, priority programs, and projects to nurture a well-informed and enlightened citizenry through appropriate media,” said Marcos. Under the proclamation, PCO would lead its anniversary and Communications Month celebration, while other government agencies were assigned to identify initiatives, projects, and activities for the event.

Saturday's incident was the first time since November 2021 that the Chinese Coast Guard had used water cannon against a Philippine resupply mission to Second Thomas Shoal. (AFP)The Philippines condemned the China Coast Guard Sunday for allegedly firing water cannon at its vessels in the disputed South China Sea, describing the actions as "illegal" and "dangerous". "The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) strongly condemns the China Coast Guard's (CCG) dangerous manoeuvres and illegal use of water cannons against the PCG vessels," the Philippine Coast Guard said in a statement. The Armed Forces of the Philippines said the Chinese coast guard had "blocked and water cannoned" one of its chartered resupply vessels. As they neared the shoal, the two Philippine coast guard boats assigned as escorts for that navy mission were approached by two Chinese coast guard vessels.

Mochi rice cakes are traditionally eaten at celebrations and at New Year, when mochi made with that year's rice are also used as decorations. People start the new year with a stew called zoni, made from local ingredients with mochi as centerpiece. New Year mochi decorations take a unique form in Takayama City, in Gifu, with Hanamochi, a custom that's been going over 450 years. Small pieces of mochi are wrapped on branches to emulate flowers in a tradition begun by local farmers as a prayer for family and good harvests. In a culture centered on rice, mochi remains a symbol of prosperity.

(UPDATE) CARDINAL Luis Antonio Tagle told young Filipino participants in the World Youth Day (WYD) in Lisbon, Portugal to be "social media influencers with a purpose." TMT file Photo"If the one influencing you is Jesus and the Gospel, go right ahead, influence other people through this social media, which is a world in itself," Tagle added. Tagle also addressed a gathering of young Catholic influencers at the Portuguese Catholic University, according to the CBCP. The world already has many false influencers for false purposes," he said as quoted by the Vatican News. World Youth Day, created in 1986 by John Paul 2nd, is the largest Catholic gathering in the world and will feature a wide range of events, including concerts and prayer sessions.

PUBLIC health expert, Dr. Susan Pineda Mercado, has been nominated by the Philippine government for the position of World Health Organization (WHO) regional director for the Western Pacific Regional Office (WPRO). Dr. Susan Pineda Mercado. Photo from Susan Pineda Mercado Fb page Dr. Susan Pineda Mercado. Her bid is titled "Together with the Philippines for the Western Pacific: Healthy Together Today." The new regional director will take office on Feb. 1, 2024 for a five-year term and will only be eligible for a single reappointment.

Russia is not attending, though the Kremlin has said it will keep an eye on the talks. Ukrainian, Russian and international officials say there is no prospect of direct peace talks between Ukraine and Russia at present, with the war raging. SAUDI DIPLOMACYWestern officials and analysts said Saudi diplomacy had been important in securing China’s presence at the talks. Zelenskiy attended an Arab League summit in Saudi Arabia last year where MbS voiced readiness to help mediate in the war. In March, Beijing brokered a resumption of ties between Saudi Arabia and its arch regional foe Iran.

ADVERTISEMENTThe P500-million confidential fund sought by the OVP would account for 21 percent of its proposed 2024 budget of P2.374 billion, which is 1 percent higher than its budget of P2.343 billion for 2023. It is more than the P471.29 million in confidential funds that the Department of Justice is asking for next year. Last year, Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman called for a “purge” of “unnecessary and excessive” confidential and intelligence funds in the P5.268-trillion budget for 2023. Lagman singled out the OVP’s P500 million and DepEd’s P150-million confidential funds. Once approved by Congress and enacted by the President, it would be known as the General Appropriations Act, or the national budget.

How come the consul said my child ‘aged out’? Recently, the priority date became current. At the interview, the consul approved my husband’s and my visas but said my child cannot be included because he “aged out.” If he was only a baby when the petition was filed, how could he have aged out? If the petition was filed before the child’s 21st birthday, the child could benefit from the CSPA, provided they don’t get married. Instead, how old was the child when the priority date finally became current?

Rise againThough the righteous fall seven times, they rise again. While Hall has celebrated record-setting victories, he’s also known the disappointment of not being able to finish a race. One of his favorite Bible verses is an encouraging reminder from the book of Proverbs that “though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again” (24:16). However, as they continue to seek Him even in the midst of difficulty, God is faithful to give them the strength to rise again. Heavenly Father, thank You that in every trial and disappointment You’re always close, offering comfort and strength to help me rise again.

A 51-year-old man and his father were sent to hospital after he burned charcoal at their Ma On Shan home to commit suicide. The man was later arrested for attempted murder, and the father fell unconscious. Their 90-year-old father had fallen into a coma in his room, but the man, surnamed Au, remained conscious. After a preliminary investigation, police arrested Au for attempted murder. Sources also said Au decided to commit suicide together with his father because of recent financial troubles.

Kai Sotto FIBA PHOTO"I'm supposed to do 12 sessions, and I've already done six, so slowly but surely, I'm doing my rehab and then I'm also including some weights," he added. "[Playing for the Philippines is] very important, [and] for me basketball-wise, I'm happiest when I play for the national team," Sotto emphasized. "I've proven that since I was 15 when I played for the Under-16, 17, 18 and 19 for the national team. "For me, I just need more time to recover, to do more rehab on my back, and be ready physically and mentally for the World Cup," Sotto said. "I'll not worry what people say, but I'll just focus on myself since I'll be the one playing."

(AP)China has executed a South Korean national for drug trafficking, Beijing's foreign ministry said, the first time such a sentence has been carried out on a citizen of that country in almost a decade. A court in the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou "lawfully pronounced a verdict and executed the South Korean defendant... for drug trafficking" on Friday, the foreign ministry said in a statement. It is the first execution of a South Korean drug offender by China in nine years, South Korea's Yonhap news agency reported. In 2020, an Australian was sentenced to death in China for drug trafficking. And in 2019, China sentenced two Canadian nationals accused of drug trafficking to death at a time when relations with Ottawa were nosediving.

A physical and tall Senegal squad dealt Gilas Pilipinas a 72-63 beating in their 2023 Heyuan WUS International Basketball Tournament on Friday night at Jiangman En Ping Sports gymnasium. 'Gilas Pilipinas’ June Mar Fajardo FIBA PHOTOAfter a see-saw first half affair, Gilas managed to take a 45-40 lead in the early goings of the third canto. Young big man AJ Edu, then opened the final period with back-to-back baskets to give Gilas back the lead at 57-56. The Senegalese won their second straight match in the China pocket tournament after hammering Iran B, 85-75 on Wednesday evening. Gilas takes a break on Saturday and will face off with Senegal anew the following day.