Former WBO bantamweight champion John Riel Casimero (Team Casimero)By NIKOLE JAVIERJohn Riel Casimero has been awarded a knockout win for his lone bout this year. However, Casimero, who has not engaged inside the ring for 16 months prior to the bout, would be awarded a yearend victory. “The Games and Amusement Board (GAB) welcomes the decision of the Korea Boxing Member’s Commission (KBM) to change the result of the December 3, 2022 fight between John Riel Casimero and Ryo Akaho from “NO CONTEST” to “CASIMERO WIN BY KO.”The KBM has convened two deliberative committees and discussed the issue twice. After its review of the fight and the evidence presented to it, the KBM has decided to declare a Casimero WIN by KO, thereby reaffirming KBM’s commitment to sportsmanship and fair play. GAB commends KBM Chairman John Hwang and his team for their decisive action and stellar leadership,” the letter read.

The 47th Consular Ball marks the end of the ball season. Following the Covid-19 pandemic, the Consular Corps of the Philippines finally reopened their doors for the most awaited return of the annual Consular Ball, the highlight of the consular and diplomatic calendar in the Philippines. Cocoy Cordoba, Carlos Montemayor, Bo Muralla and Dr. Joni Dizon Joey and Karen de Venecia Dr. George Sarakinis, Aliki Pappas, Nini Licaros, and Singaporean Ambassador Gerard Ho Consul General Fernando Pena, Dax Carlos, with incoming Dean Consul General Javier Martin Garcia, and outgoing Consul General Sergio Ortiz-Luis, Jr. Society Becky Garcia, Evelyn Frazer, Joanne Matschuck, and Cocoy Cordoba Iceland Vice Consul Eric Uy, Elizabeth Sy, Grace and Felix Ang Vince Carlos and Consul Joseph Assad Nikki Tang Guatemala Consul Mellie Ablaza, Consul Betty Ang, and US Ambassador Mary Kay Carlson Jordan Honorary Consul Michael Ang and wife JhazminThe 47th Consular Ball, which seeks to promote acquaintanceship, fellowship and camaraderie, was held at the Grand Ballroom of the Conrad Hotel Manila in Pasay City. Get the latest newsdelivered to your inbox Sign up for The Manila Times’ daily newsletters By signing up with an email address, I acknowledge that I have read and agree to the Terms of Service and Privacy PolicyBravo Consular Corps of the Philippines!

Overall, HP Philippines employees feel a sense of pride when they look at what they accomplish, are proud to tell others where they work and would even endorse the company as a great place to work. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO Overall, HP Philippines employees feel a sense of pride when they look at what they accomplish, are proud to tell others where they work and would even endorse the company as a great place to work. CONTRIBUTED PHOTOFOR the second year in a row, HP Philippines has been certified as a Great Place to Work (GPTW). The recognition affirms HP's commitment to championing a positive workplace culture by embracing diversity, equity and inclusion as business imperatives that fuel innovation. According to the study, 94 percent of surveyed employees say that HP Philippines is a great place to work.

HONG KONG: Asian stocks fell again on Friday after forecast-beating United States data fueled expectations that the Federal Reserve (Fed) would lift interest rates well into next year. A glum warning from top chipmaker Micron and worries about China's surging coronavirus cases added to the less-than-Christmassy mood on trading floors. Investors have been on a rollercoaster ride this month with slowing inflation and an easing of monetary policy hikes offset by central bank warnings that borrowing costs would probably have to go higher than expected. "The Grinch selloff is firmly in place after Micron delivered a gloomy outlook and as better-than-expected US economic data supported the Fed's case for more ongoing rate increases," Oanda's Edward Moya said. Tokyo shed 1 percent as data showing Japanese inflation hitting a 41-year high reinforced expectations that the East Asian country's central bank would raise interest rates next year.

Hong Kong introduced an online platform for overseas talents to apply to come to the city on Friday, as officials said the platform will commence services starting next Wednesday (Dec 28) with the vetting process completed in four weeks the soonest. He continued that the talents programs will allow applicants to come to Hong Kong alongside their spouse and underage kids. Sun went on to say that Hongkongers are the root of this city and overseas talents serve as a supplement to tackle the city's brain drain. Chief Secretary Eric Chan Kwok-ki said Hong Kong is proceeding steadily on the path to normalcy and now is the best timing for the city to make the first move to compete for overseas talents. Eric Chan believed at least 35,000 global talents will come to Hong Kong yearly in the next three years and stay for at least 12 months.

The hefty budget plan, pending parliamentary approval, is the first installment of a five-year, 43-trillion-yen ($325-billion) military spending plan under the new defense buildup plan also announced last week. The new spending target follows the North Atlantic Treaty Organization standard and will eventually push Japan's annual budget to about 10 trillion yen ($73 billion), the world's third biggest after the US and China. Annual spending for 2023 on long-range ammunition alone will be tripled from this year to 828 billion yen ($6.26 billion). To address the concern, Tokyo will spend about 100 billion yen ($7.6 million) next year also to beef up cybersecurity to protect Japanese defense technology and industry. Opponents say strike capability goes beyond self-defense under Japan's pacifist post-WW2 constitution, which limits use of force strictly to defending itself.

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines has detected four cases of the Omicron subvariant BF.7, the Department of Health (DOH) said Friday. The Omicron subvariant BF.7 is a BA.5 sublineage. “As of current date, only four BF.7 cases have been detected in the country,” it added. The DOH, however, did not mention when and where the BF.7 cases were specifically discovered in the country – except for one case which was detected in Metro Manila. As of December 22, the Philippines has 16,900 active COVID-19 cases.

Kathmandu, Nepal — French serial killer Charles Sobhraj, responsible for multiple murders of young foreigners in the 1970s across Asia, was freed from a Nepali jail on Friday, an AFP reporter said. A French foreign affairs ministry spokesman told AFP on Thursday that its embassy in Nepal was monitoring the situation. “He looked harmless… It was sheer luck that I recognized him,” Nathan told AFP on Thursday. “I really didn’t do it, and I think I will be out,” he told AFP in 2007 during an interview at Kathmandu’s Central Jail. But on Thursday, he told AFP that he did not object to the release, as both he and the criminal he once pursued were now too old.

HONG KONG: Asian markets extended a Wall Street advance into Thursday as forecast-busting United States earnings and consumer confidence data tempered worries about a deep recession. That came along with better-than-expected earnings from Nike and delivery giant FedEx. All three main indexes on Wall Street ended more than 1 percent higher, while European equities also barreled along. But toward the end of the day, Shanghai dipped on worries about rising coronavirus cases, while Mumbai also dropped. The pick-up in crude has also been helped by China's economic reopening after almost three years of a "zero-Covid" policy of lockdowns and mass testing.

Man dies in hit-and-runPolice said Frederick Santos, 31, had just alighted from a passenger bus when he was run over along the northbound lane of Commonwealth Avenue in Barangay UP Campus at around 9:11 p.m.MANILA, Philippines — A man died in a hit-and-run accident in Quezon City on Wednesday night. Police said Frederick Santos, 31, had just alighted from a passenger bus when he was run over along the northbound lane of Commonwealth Avenue in Barangay UP Campus at around 9:11 p.m. Witnesses were unsure if the vehicle that hit Santos was a truck or another commuter bus. Rescuers brought Santos to the East Avenue Medical Center, but the attending physician pronounced him dead on arrival. The victim’s partner, Sundelyn Sarol, reported the incident to the Quezon City Police District’s Traffic Sector 5.

MPIC, Israeli firm launch dairy facilityMANILA, Philippines — The MVP Group has teamed up with Israeli firm LR Group Ltd. to boost Philippine dairy production with a P2-billion state-of the-art farm facility producing fresh milk and milk derivatives. The team-up presents a significant growth opportunity for MPIC and the Philippines, as the country currently imports 99 percent of its annual dairy requirements. The new farm facility will have a capacity of up to 2,000 cows. The farm facility will also have highly mechanized and automated operations to maximize fresh milk’s shelf life, which will ensure adherence to quality and safety standards. It will also be equipped with solar farms that will produce power for the dairy facility, a water treatment plant that will provide human-grade drinking water for the cattle, and a waste management facility that will allow the facility to produce fertilizer.

The Philippines' defence ministry on Thursday ordered the military to strengthen its presence in the South China Sea after monitoring "Chinese activities" in disputed waters close to a strategic Philippine-held island. The ministry did not specify what activities those were and its statement follows a report this week of Chinese construction on four uninhabited features in the disputed Spratly islands, news that Beijing has dismissed as "unfounded". The Chinese embassy in Manila reiterated that China strictly abides by a consensus reached among claimants that included not developing uninhabited reefs and islands. China claims most of the South China Sea, through which billions of dollars worth of goods pass each year. Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam also have overlapping claims to various islands and features.

Taiwan scrambled combat jets to warn away 39 Chinese aircraft that entered its southeastern air defence zone, the island's defence ministry said on Thursday. Taiwan has complained of repeated missions by the Chinese air force over the last two years, often in southern areas of its air defence identification zone, or ADIZ. Three Chinese navy ships were also detected near Taiwan, the ministry said. Taiwan sent unspecified combat aircraft to warn away the Chinese planes, while missile systems monitored their flight, the ministry said, using standard wording for its response. Taiwan's government rejects the Chinese claims and says it wants peace but will defend itself if attacked.

51% expect improved life in next 6 months – OCTAMANILA, Philippines — About half of adult Filipinos expect their quality of life to improve in the next six months, a recent survey conducted by the OCTA Research group said. Results of the Oct. 23 to 27 survey released yesterday showed that 51 percent of the respondents are optimistic when it comes to their quality of life. Six percent said they expect it to be worse than now, while 40 percent said it will be the same. It was also highest among those in socioeconomic class D (52 percent optimist, five percent pessimist), followed by those in classes E (49 percent optimist, seven percent pessimist) and ABC (45 percent optimist, seven percent pessimist). The same survey also found that 46 percent of Filipinos expect the country’s economy to improve in the next six months.

LIST: Spirits to help feel the Christmas spiritIn the spirit of giving this festive season, Monkey Shoulder got the chance to win the Monkey Mixer Van experienceMANILA, Philippines — Christmas is fast approaching and there is no better time to unwind than in the company of good friends, loving family, and delicious drinks — responsibly consumed, of course! Specifically the ones to grab hands on are the cream of the crop: The Mortlach 20, the Cardhu 18, the Talisker 25, and the rare Johnnie Walker Blue Label. Johnnie Walker highballsIf a Johnnie Walker Blue Label is too rare a find, there is nothing wrong with opening up a bottle of Johnnie Walker Black Label and come up with a creative array of cocktail mixes. Familiar mixes from Johnnie Walker's highball collection are the Johnnie & Lime, Johnnie & Ginger, and Johnnie & Grapefruit — other ideas could be Johnnie & Peach, Johnnie & Lemon, and Johnnie & Elderflower. The long-awaited festive season is here!