When a former head of state who offered his life for the service of Filipinos, 80-years old frail man, Tatay Rodrigo “Digong” Roa Duterte is supposed to be resting comfortably with his family at his own home in Davao, is instead in another country surrounded by strangers, sleeping alone. That’s the sad situation our Tatay Digong is in, a result of the political ambitions of the heartless Bong Bong Marcos.
When Tatay Digong was the President of the Philippines, he made sure good law-abiding citizens can sleep comfortably in their homes, protected against the danger of drug addicts and bad elements of the society. Armed with his strong political will, from the day one of his presidency, he made sure he fulfilled his campaign promises, specially the war on drugs.
With his war on drugs, he coordinated with the Brgy Captains across the country to identify drug users and drug pushers. He warned drug pushers to stop and surrender. He warned drug users to surrender for rehabilitation. Those who followed his warning were in good hands, rehabilitated for a second chance in life.
He instructed police authorities to do what is necessary for his drug campaign to succeed on its purpose. Those suspects who did not cooperate, resisted and put the police authorities in danger unfortunately were dealt with by force and some unfortunately perished.
As in a war, death to those involved are inevitable. Unfortunately, without Duterte’s control, there were abuses made by police who took advantage on the protection promise of Duterte. Some incidents were also orchestrated by Digong’s Critics and Drug Syndicates.
In short, there was no Extra Judicial Killings that occured during Tatay Digong’s term, on his watch. If there were Extra Judicial Killings, it was not Tatay Digong’s control and instruction. Tatay Digong saved humanity. He protected the lives of Filipinos against the evil of drugs.
DSWD relief goods or family food pack (FFP) must not be repacked by LGUs or must not be relabelled with the name of an official or politician. 1 carton or FFP must be given to each family in whole. In accordance with Administrative Order No.2, Series of 2021, nobody is allowed to remove items, add items, or change the label of DSWD’s FFPs and NFIs to portray that it comes from another office or personality.
Every year, the Philippines experiences around 20 typhoons, some of which could lead to flooding and landslides in some areas. Being situated in the Pacific Ring of Fire, the country also faces earthquakes and volcanic eruptions from time to time. In some cases, many people get displaced, losing their homes, along with most — if not all — of their belongings.
Fortunately, in times of disaster, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is always ready to help. When affected local government units (LGUs) need relief augmentation, the DSWD can help provide family food packs (FFPs) as well as necessary non-food items (NFIs) to affected areas.
Who are the Target Beneficiaries?
The target beneficiaries of FFPs and NFIs are individuals, families, and communities affected by a natural or man-made disaster. To be eligible for receiving these items, the individual or family must be: (a) affected by a disaster; and (b) registered or included in the official lists of evacuation centers.
What are the Requirements?
The basis of the DSWD for providing relief augmentation is the request made by local government units (LGUs). The LGU needs to submit: (a) a letter of request; (b) a disaster or incident report indicating the number of disaster-affected people and affected areas; and (c) a master list of affected families.
And so, before anything else, be sure to coordinate with your city or municipality LGU when you need help. They shall be able to assess you and provide you and your family’s immediate needs.
What is DSWD’s Relief Augmentation?
In times of natural or man-made disasters, city/municipal LGUs and provincial governments are tasked to give basic relief assistance to affected families immediately. However, if their resources are not enough, they can seek relief augmentation from the DSWD. This involves the provision of timely and appropriate support in the form of FFPs and NFIs.
Notably, based on the department’s “disaster response operations guidelines,” each DSWD Field Office should maintain the following at any given time: 30,000 FFPs; 1,000 Family Kits; 1,000 Hygiene Kits, and PHP 3 million worth of standby fund to replenish relief resources. This way, the office is able to provide much-needed assistance when natural calamities or man-made disasters strike.
What’s in a Family Food Pack?
Have you ever wondered what’s in a DSWD Family Food Pack (FFP)? Basically, it contains rice, canned goods, and powdered drinks. One FFP caters to a family of five (5) members, and it is good for two (2) days of consumption.
Each Family Food Pack or FFP contains the following items:
6 kilos NFA rice;
2 tins canned sardines;
4 tins canned corned beef;
4 tins canned tuna flakes;
5 sachets 3-in-1 instant coffee;
5 sachets powdered cereal drink; and
1 piece regular slotted carton.
What Non-Food Items are Provided?
In addition to FFPs, non-food items are also provided. These include kitchen kits, hygiene kits, sleeping kits, and family clothing kits. Let us take a closer look at each set of items.
1. Kitchen Kit
Kitchen kits contain cooking tools and utensils that can be used by affected families for food preparation and consumption. Each kit contains the following items:
5 pieces spoon;
5 pieces fork;
5 pieces drinking glass;
5 pieces plate;
1 piece frying pan;
1 piece cooking pan;
1 piece ladle; and
1 piece packaging material.
2. Hygiene Kit
Meanwhile, hygiene kits include personal hygiene products and toiletries for the whole family. Each kit, which is good for one (1) month, includes the following items:
5 pieces toothbrush;
2 pieces Toothpaste;
1 bottle shampoo;
4 pieces bath bar soap;
2,000 grams laundry bar soap;
4 packs sanitary napkin;
1 piece comb;
1 piece disposable shaving razor;
1 piece nail cutter;
1 piece bathroom dipper; and
1 piece 20L square plastic bucket, with deep cover and plastic handle.
3. Sleeping Kit
Sleeping kits are necessary for the comfort and protection of affected families during their displacement. Each sleeping kit comes with these items:
1 piece blanket;
1 piece plastic mat;
1 piece mosquito net;
1 piece malong (wrap cloth); and
1 piece packaging material.
4. Family Clothing Kit
The family clothing kit includes brand new clothes, towels, and underwear garments for children and adults. Here is a list of items that are included in each family clothing kit:
5 pieces bath towel;
2 pieces ladies’ panty;
3 pieces girls’ panty;
2 pieces men’s brief;
3 pieces boys’ brief;
2 pieces sando bra, adult;
3 pieces sando bra, girls;
4 pieces adults’ t-shirt;
6 pieces children’s T-shirt;
4 pieces adults’ short pants;
6 pieces children’s short;
2 pairs adults’ slippers;
3 pairs children’s slipper; and
1 piece packaging material.
Contact Information: DSWD Central Office
If you have any questions about FFPs and NFIs, you can get in touch with the DSWD’s Central Office by contacting these details. Also presented is the Google Map to the said office:
Address: Batasang Pambansa Complex, Constitution Hills, Quezon City, Philippines, 1126 Telephone: (02) 8952-0697 or (02) 8931-8101, local 513 Website: https://www.dswd.gov.ph/
Just few hours after her cryptic post, a retired St Lukes Hospital Nurse, her husband former Sagada Town Mayor James Pooten Jr and 2 other relatives die in a car crash, just a week after their arrival in Canada; adding to the more than 10 Filipinos who died involving car accidents in Canada within the last 10 years.
It is a tragic death for retired St Lukes Hospital Nurse (Quezon City) Cymbeline Joan Lumpias-Pooten, Former Sagada, Mt Province Town Mayor James Bagano Pooten Jr, who just arrived for holiday visit in Canada. Prior to the accident, Cymbeline posted a cryptic post on her Facebook account with a “days are numbered” which seem to show she had a premonition of the tragedy. Died alongside with them in the accident are their 2 other relatives, Arlene and Jacob Padalla. May God rest their souls.
In October 2023, a newly wed Filipino couple, Jonathan Lopez and April Viernes, were killed by a suspected impaired driver. In June 2018, 50-year-old Filipina Isabel Soria was also killed in by hit-and-run in Ontario. In November 2014, four Filipinos were also killed in a car accident in Alberta, Canada. The next month, December, 2014, another three Filipinos workers including also a newly married couple returning from their language class were killed in a highway crash.
In March 2012, four Filipino temporary workers also died in a car crash when their SUV were struck head-on by a Range Rover travelling on the wrong side of the road.
The Philippines sends its 22 delegates as fighting team for its participation at the 2024 Paris Olympics games. The Paris Summer Games opens early Saturday (Philippine time) and the 22 Philippine athletes from athletics, boxing, fencing, golf, gymnastics, judo, rowing, swimming, and weightlifting will give their best shut to bring home medals.
Olympic silver medalists and boxers Nesthy Petecio and Carlo Paalam will lead the Philippine delegation in the opening ceremony to be held at the Seine River.
List and Profile of Athletes
1. EJ Obiena, Athletics (pole vault
Asian Games – September 30, 2023 – Philippines’ EJ Obiena celebrates with the Philippines flag after winning the Men’s Pole Vault Final. Photo: REUTERS/Jeremy Lee
Age: 28
Place of birth: Manila
Olympic appearances: Tokyo 2020, Paris 2024
Major achievements:
Gold: 2019 Asian Athletics Championships; 2019 World University Games; 2019, 2021, 2023 SEA Games; 2022 Asian Games; 2023 Asian Athletics Championship
Silver: 2015 SEA Games; 2023 World Athletics Championships
Bronze: 2017 Asian Athletics Championships; 2022 World Championships
Personal best: 6.0 meters (national record, Asian record)
World ranking: 2
Schedule:
August 3, 4:10 p.m. – Men’s pole vault qualifying round
August 6, 1:00 a.m. – Men’s pole vault finals
2. John Cabang Tolentino, Athletics (110m hurdles)
Photo: PATAFA/Instagram
Age: 22
Major achievements:
Bronze: 2023 SEA Games (110m hurdles); 2024 Asian Indoor Championships (60m Hurdles)
Personal best: 13.37 – 110m hurdles (national record)
World ranking: 35 (110m hurdles)
Schedule:
August 4, 5:50 p.m. – Men’s 110m hurdles round 1
August 6, 4:50 p.m. – Men’s 110m hurdles repechage
August 8, 1:05 a.m. – Men’s 110m hurdles semifinals
August 9, 3:45 a.m. – Men’s 110m hurdles finals
3. Lauren Hoffman, Athletics (400m hurdles
Photo: PATAFA/Instagram
Age: 25
Place of birth: Virginia, USA
Personal best: 55.72 – 400m hurdles (national record)
World ranking: 40 (400m hurdles)
Schedule:
August 4, 6:35 p.m. – Women’s 400m hurdles round 1
August 5, 4:50 p.m. – Women’s 400m hurdles repechage
August 7, 2:07 a.m. – Women’s 400m hurdles semifinals
August 9, 3:25 a.m. – Women’s 400m hurdles finals
4. Carlos Yulo, Artistic Gymnastic
Southeast Asian Games – Artistic Gymnastics – Olympic Marquee, Phnom Penh, Cambodia – May 8, 2023 Philippines’ Carlos Edriel Poquiz Yulo celebrates after winning gold medal in individual men’s qualification REUTERS/Chalinee Thirasupa
Age: 24
Place of birth: Manila
Olympic appearances: Tokyo 2020, Paris 2024
Major achievements:
Gold: 2019 World Championships (floor); 2021 World Championships (vault); 2022 Asian Championships (floor, vault, parallel bars); 2023 Asian Championships (floor, vault, parallel bars); 2024 Asian Championships (all-around, floor, vault, parallel bars)’ 2019 SEA Games (all-around, floor)’ 2021 SEA Games (floor, still rings, all-around, vault, horizontal bars); 2023 SEA Games (all-around, parallel bars); 2024 FIG World Cup – Doha leg (parallel bars); 2023 FIG World Cup – Baku leg (vault, parallel bars); 2023 FIG World Cup – Doha leg (floor)
Silver: 2021 World Championships (parallel bars); 2022 World Championships (vault); 2022 Asian Championships (all-around); 2023 Asian Championships (all-around); 2019 SEA Games (pommel horse, still rings, vault, parallel bars, horizontal bars); 2021 SEA Games (team, parallel bars); 2023 SEA Games (team, still rings); 2024 FIG World Cup – Doha leg (vault); 2023 FIG World Cup – Doha leg (parallel bars)
Bronze: 2018 World Championships (floor); 2022 World Championships (parallel bars); 2023 Asian Championships (horizontal bar); 2024 FIG World Cup – Doha leg (floor); 2023 FIG World Cup – Doha leg (vault); 2023 FIG World Cup – Cottbus leg (parallel bars)
Schedule:
July 27, 9:30 p.m. – Men’s Qualification Subdivision 2
July 31, 11:30 p.m. – Men’s all-around finals
August 3, 9:30 p.m. – Men’s floor finals
August 3, 11:16 p.m. – Men’s pommel horse finals
August 4, 9:00 p.m. – Men’s rings finals
August 4, 10:24 p.m. – Men’s vault finals
August 5, 5:45 p.m. – Men’s parallel bars finals
August 5, 7:33 p.m. – Men’s horizontal bar finals
5. Levi Ruivivar, Artistic Gymnastics
Photo: Levi Ruivivar/Instagram
Age: 18
Place of birth: California, USA
Major achievements:
Silver: 2024 FIG World Cup – Doha leg (uneven bars)
Bronze: 2024 Asian Championships (uneven bars)
Schedule:
July 28, 8:50 p.m. – Women’s Qualification Subdivision 3
August 2, 12:15 a.m. – Women’s all-around finals
August 3, 10:20 p.m. – Women’s vault finals
August 4, 9:40 p.m. – Women’s uneven bars finals
August 5, 6:38 p.m. – Women’s balance beam finals
August 5, 8:23 p.m. – Women’s floor exercise finals
6. Aleah Finnegan, Artistic Gymnastics
May 15, 2022 Philippines’ Aleah Finnegan Cruz poses on the podium after winning the Women’s Vault Exercise with silver medallist Vietnam’s Thi Quynh Nhu Nguyen and bronze medallist Indonesia’s Rifda Irfanaluthfi. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha
Age: 21
Place of birth: Missouri, USA
Major achievements:
Gold: 2021 SEA Games (team, vault)
Silver: 2021 SEA Games (all-around, balance beam)
Bronze: 2023 Asian Championships (vault, balance beam)
Schedule:
July 28, 8:50 p.m. – Women’s Qualification Subdivision 3
August 2, 12:15 a.m. – Women’s all-around finals
August 3, 10:20 p.m. – Women’s vault finals
August 4, 9:40 p.m. – Women’s uneven bars finals
August 5, 6:38 p.m. – Women’s balance beam finals
August 5, 8:23 p.m. – Women’s floor exercise finals
7. Emma Malabuyo, Artistic Gymnastics
Photo: UCLA Gymnastics/Instagram
Age: 21
Place of birth: California, USA
Major achievements:
Gold: 2024 Asian Championships (floor)
Silver: 2023 Asian Championships (floor); 2024 FIG World Cup – Cairo leg (floor)
Bronze: 2024 Asian Championships (all-around)
Schedule:
July 28, 8:50 p.m. – Women’s Qualification Subdivision 3
August 2, 12:15 a.m. – Women’s all-around finals
August 3, 10:20 p.m. – Women’s vault finals
August 4, 9:40 p.m. – Women’s uneven bars finals
August 5, 6:38 p.m. – Women’s balance beam finals
August 5, 8:23 p.m. – Women’s floor exercise finals
8. Eumir Marcial, Boxing (80kg)
Tokyo 2020 Olympics – Boxing – Men’s Middleweight – Last 16 – Kokugikan Arena – Tokyo, Japan – July 29, 2021. Eumir Marcial of the Philippines wins the fight. REUTERS/Ueslei Marcelino
Age: 28
Place of birth: Zamboanga City
Major achievements:
Gold: 2015 SEA Games (welterweight); 2017 SEA Games (middleweight); 2019 SEA Games (middleweight); 2021 SEA Games (middleweight); 2020 Asia and Oceania OQT (middleweight)
Silver: 2015 Asian Championships (welterweight); 2019 World Championships (middleweight); 2022 Asian Games (light heavyweight)
Bronze: 2020 Olympics (middleweight); 2018 Asian Games (middleweight); 2021 Asian Championships (middleweight)
Schedule:
July 31, 3:04 a.m.- Men’s 80kg Round of 16
August 2 – Men’s 80kg quarterfinals
August 4 – Men’s 80kg semifinals
August 7 – Men’s 80kg finals
9. Nesthy Petecio, Boxing (57kg
Tokyo 2020 Olympics – Boxing – Women’s Featherweight – Final – Kokugikan Arena – Tokyo, Japan – August 3, 2021 Nesthy Petecio of the Philippines reacts. Pool via REUTERS/Luis Robayo
Age: 32
Place of birth: Davao del Sur
Olympic appearances: Tokyo 2020, Paris 2024
Major achievements:
Gold: 2019 World Championships (featherweight); 2019 SEA Games (featherweight); 2023 SEA Games (featherweight)
Silver: 2020 Olympics (featherweight); 2014 World Championships (featherweight); 2015 Asian Championships (bantamweight); 2011 SEA Games (bantamweight); 2013 SEA Games (featherweight); 2015 SEA Games (featherweight)
Bronze: 2012 Asian Championships (bantamweight); 2022 Asian Championships (featherweight); 2021 SEA Games (lightweight)
Schedule:
July 30, 11:54 p.m. – Women’s 57kg Round of 32
August 2 – Women’s 57kg Round of 16
August 4 – Women’s 57kg quarterfinals
August 7 – Women’s 57kg semifinals
August 10 – Women’s 57kg finals
10. Aira Villegas, Boxing (50kg)
Photo: 24 Oras
Age: 28
Place of birth: Tacloban City, Philippines
Major achievements:
Bronze: 2019 SEA Games (bantamweight)
Schedule:
July 29, 3:20 a.m. – Women’s 50kg Round of 32
August 1 – Women’s 50kg Round of 16
August 3 – Women’s 50kg quarterfinals
August 6 – Women’s 50kg semifinals
August 9 – Women’s 50kg semifinals
11. Carlo Paalam, Boxing (57kg
Tokyo 2020 Olympics – Boxing – Men’s Flyweight – Quarterfinal – Kokugikan Arena – Tokyo, Japan – August 3, 2021 Carlo Paalam of the Philippines reacts after winning his fight Pool via REUTERS/Luis Robayo
Age: 26
Place of birth: Bukidnon
Olympic appearances: Tokyo 2020, Paris 2024
Major achievements:
Gold: 2022 Asian Championships (bantamweight); 2019 SEA Games (flyweight); 2023 SEA Games (bantamweight)
Silver: 2020 Olympics (flyweight)
Bronze: 2018 Asian Games (flyweight)
Schedule:
July 31, 9:30 p.m. – Men’s 50kg Round of 16
August 3 – Men’s 50kg quarterfinals
August 8 – Men’s 50kg semifinals
August 10 – Men’s 50kg finals
12. Hergie Bacyadan, Boxing (75kg)
Photo: Hergie Bacyadan/Instagram
Age: 29
Place of birth: Quezon City; Hometown: Kalinga
Major achievements:
Gold: 2023 World Championships (vovinam)
Silver: 2017 World Championships (wushu); 2017 Sanda World Cup (wushu); 2023 SEA Games (vovinam)
Schedule:
July 31, 6:04 p.m. – Women’s 75kg Round of 16
August 4 – Women’s 75kg quarterfinals
August 8 – Women’s 75kg semifinals
August 10 – Women’s 75kg final
13. John Ceniza, Weightlifting (61kg)
Age: 26
Place of birth: Cebu City
Major achievements:
Silver: 2019 SEA Games (55kg); 2023 SEA Games (61kg)
Bronze: 2020 IWF World Cup (61kg)
Schedule: August 7, 9:00 p.m. – Men’s 61kg
14. Elreen Ando, Weightlifting (59kg)
Tokyo 2020 Olympics – Weightlifting – Women’s 64kg – Group A – Tokyo International Forum, Tokyo, Japan – July 27, 2021. Elreen Ann Ando of the Philippines in action. REUTERS/Edgard Garrido
Age: 25
Home town: Cebu City
Olympic appearances: Tokyo 2020, Paris 2024
Major achievements:
Gold: 2023 SEA Games (59kg)
Silver: 2020 Asian Championships (64kg); 2024 Asian Championships (59kg); 2019 SEA Games (64kg); 2021 SEA Games (64kg)
Bronze: 2022 Asian Games (64kg)
Schedule: August 8, 9:00 p.m. – Women’s 59kg
15. Vanessa Sarno, Weightlifting (71kg)
Southeast Asian Games – Weightlifting – Olympic Taekwondo Hall, Phnom Penh, Cambodia – May 15, 2023 Philippines’ Vanessa Palomar Sarno in action during the women’s – 71kg REUTERS/Cindy Liu
Age: 20
Home town: Tagbilaran, Bohol
Major achievements:
Gold: 2020 Asian Championships (71kg); 2021 SEA Games (71kg); 2023 SEA Games (71kg)
Silver: 2023 Asian Championships (71kg)
Schedule: August 10, 1:30 a.m. – Women’s 71kg
16. Sam Catantan, Fencing (women’s foil)
Photo: Sam Catantan/Instagram
Age: 22
Home town: Quezon City
Major achievements:
Gold: 2021 SEA Games (foil)
Silver: 2017 SEA Games (foil); 2021 SEA Games (team foil); 2023 SEA Games (foil)
Bronze: 2019 SEA Games (team foil); 2019 SEA Games (foil)
Schedule:
July 28, 3:30 p.m. – Women’s foil table of 64
July 28, 4:25 p.m. – Women’s foil table of 32
July 28, 8:05 p.m. – Women’s foil table of 16
July 28, 9:55 p.m. – Women’s foil table of 8
July 29, 1:00 a.m. – Women’s foil semifinals
July 29, 2:50 a.m. – Women’s bronze match
July 29, 3:45 a.m. – Women’s gold match
17. Joanie Delgaco, Rowing (women’s single sculls)
Photo: Korean Rowing Association/World Rowing, Facebook
Age: 26
Home town: Camarines Sur
Major achievements:
Gold: 2019 SEA Games (lightweight double sculls); 2023 Asian Rowing Beach Sprint Championships (double sculls – mixed rowing)
Silver: 2021 SEA Games (single sculls)
Bronze: 2021 SEA Games (quadruple sculls); 2021 SEA Games (lightweight quadruple sculls)
Schedule:
July 27, 4:24 p.m. – Women’s single sculls heats 2
July 28, 3:00 p.m. – Women’s single sculls repechage
July 29, 3:54 p.m. – Women’s single sculls semifinals
July 30, 3:30 p.m. – Women’s single sculls quarterfinals
July 31, 4:14 p.m. / August 1, 3:30 p.m. – Women’s single sculls semifinals
August 2, 3:42 p.m. / August 3, 3:30 p.m. – Women’s single sculls finals
18. Bianca Pagdanganan, Golf
Bianca Pagdanganan at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, photo: REUTERS/Toby Melville.
Age: 26
Olympic appearances: Tokyo 2020, Paris 2024
Residence: Arizona, USA
World ranking: 118
Major achievements:
Gold: 2018 Asian Games (team); 2019 SEA Games (team); 2019 SEA Games (individual)
Bronze: 2018 Asian Games (individual)
Schedule:
August 7, 3:00 p.m. – Women’s individual stroke round 1
August 8, 3:00 p.m. – Women’s individual stroke round 2
August 9, 3:00 p.m. – Women’s individual stroke round 3
August 10, 3:00 p.m. – Women’s individual stroke round 4
19. Dottie Ardina, Golf
Photo: WPGA Tour of Australasia/Facebook
Age: 30
Place of birth: Calamba, Laguna
World ranking: 267
Major achievements:
Gold: 2009 SEA Games (team)
Schedule:
August 7, 3:00 p.m. – Women’s individual stroke round 1
August 8, 3:00 p.m. – Women’s individual stroke round
August 9, 3:00 p.m. – Women’s individual stroke round
August 10, 3:00 p.m. – Women’s individual stroke round 4
20. Kiyomi Watanabe, Judo (63kg)
Photo: Kiyomi Watanabe/Instagram
Age: 27
Home town: Japan
Olympic appearances: Tokyo 2020, Paris 2024
Major achievements:
Gold: 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019 SEA Games
Schedule:
July 30, 4:00 p.m. – Women’s 63kg Preliminary Rounds
Silver: 2020 Olympics (4x100m freestyle); 2018 Commonwealth Games (4x100m freestyle, 4x200m freestyle); 2021 World Championsips SC (4x100m medley); 2022 World Championships LC (4x100m freestyle, 4x100m mixed freestyle)
Bronze: 2020 Olympics (4x100m freestyle); 2018 Pan Pacific Championships (4x100m freestyle, 4x200m freestyle); 2019 World Championships LC (4x100m freestyle, 4x200m freestyle); 2022 World Championships SC (4x200m freestyle, 4x100m medley)
Personal best: 51.45 (women’s 100m freestyle)
Schedule:
July 30, 5:00 p.m. – Women’s 100m freestyle heats
August 1, 2:30 a.m. – Women’s 100m freestyle finals
22. Jarod Hatch, Swimming (100m butterfly)
Photo: Jarod Hatch/Instagram
Age: 25
Place of birth: California, USA
Major achievements:
Silver: 2019 SEA Games (4x100m freestyle relay); 2023 SEA Games (mixed swimming: 4x100m medley relay)
Bronze: 2023 SEA Games (50m butterfly, 100m butterfly)
Personal best: 52.87 (men’s 100m butterfly)
Schedule:
August 2, 5:00 p.m. – Men’s 100m butterfly heats
August 4, 2:30 a.m. – Men’s 100m butterfly finals
Initial Game Schedule
The Philippines will open its campaign on Saturday with rower Joanie Delgaco in the women’s single sculls event, followed by gymnast Carlos Yulo in the men’s qualification of artistic gymnastics.
Here are the initial schedules of Philippine athletes per day:
Robinhood Ferdinand Cariño Padilla , aka Robin Padilla, is a Filipino actor, film director and politician. He was born on 23 November 1969 in Daet, Camarines Norte to Casimero “Roy” Padilla Sr. and Lolita Eva Cariño. Many people in Cordillera lead to believe that Padilla is a half-Ibaloi from his mother’s side; however, no evidence supports it, although Ibaloi representatives of the prominent Cariño clan of Benguet accepted Padilla as an “honorary cousin” out of goodwill and hospitality. He is known as the “Bad Boy” of Philippine cinema for portraying anti-hero gangster roles in films such as Anak ni Baby Ama (1990), Grease Gun Gang(1992), Bad Boy (1990), and Bad Boy 2 (1992). He has also been dubbed the “Prince of Action” in Philippine cinema.
Padilla was elected Senator of the Philippines after winning Senate election in 2022. In the said election, he placed first in the senatorial race, with 27 million votes, the most votes for a Senator in Philippine electoral history.
Civic Works & Other Advocacies
Padilla is an anti-malaria advocate since 2004. He became the spokesperson for the Department of Health’s “Movement Against Malaria” campaign, appearing in infomercials to promote the use of mosquito nets.
In 2007, Padilla established the Liwanag ng Kapayapaan Foundation, a pre-school for underprivileged Muslim children in Quezon City. Padilla temporarily closed the school after it failed to acquire the necessary government permits to continue operations. In September 2010, the school re-opened.
Padilla has also promoted Muay Thai in the Philippines, and donated ₱2,500,000 to the Muay Association of the Philippines where he also served as chairman.
Politics and National Service
Padilla is a supporter of former President Rodrigo Duterte’s anti-drug war, hailing the campaign as “most successful” and claiming that extrajudicial killings are a legitimate part of the government’s anti-crime strategy.
Padilla joined the military and he became a reserve officer in the Armed Forces of the Philippines with the rank of captain. He held the rank of reserve Lieutenant Colonel as of March 2024. On July 30, 2020, he was elected by the Army’s Multi-Sectoral Advisory Board as its new Strategic Communication Committee chairperson. In December 2021, Padilla and other reservists running in the 2022 elections were relieved of their posts “to ensure the organization’s non-partisanship” though the Army clarified this does not relieve them of being in the reserve force of the army.
Padilla entered politics in 1995, when he ran for Vice Governor of Nueva Ecija as an Independentcandidate. He was later endorsed by the Lakas–NUCD–UMDP and became the running-mate of its nominee for governor, Virgina Perez–Custodio. However, they both lost their bids. Padilla garnered 209,501 votes over 285,812 votes of the incumbent Vice Governor Oscar Tinio, who was running under NPC–BALANE.
On October 8, 2021, Padilla filed his certificate of candidacy for senator under PDP–Laban for the 2022 election. His platforms include pushing for anti-criminality measures, a crackdown on illegal drugs, the establishment of federalism and legislating community policing. Padilla stated that he is also against giving tax incentives for foreign investors and seeks to increase the minimum income of Filipino families to encourage Overseas Filipino Workers to go back home. He also said he would be hiring lawyers to help him draft laws if he win.
Padilla won a seat in the Senate, topping the vote count. He believes it was his platform on federalism and not solely his popularity as an actor that led to his win. Senator Win Gatchalian, who is a reelectionist and in the UniTeam Alliance coalition like Padilla, has vouched for Padilla as a representative for Muslims in the Senate. Following his win, Padilla announced that he would hire lawyer Salvador Panelo to help him fulfill his role as senator.
In the 19th Congress, he voted to elect Migz Zubiri as Senate President, thus becoming part of the majority bloc. He, however, abstained in the election of Joel Villanueva as Senate Majority Leader. Padilla is the current Chairman of the Senate Committee on Constitutional Amendments and Revision of Codes and the Senate Committee on Cultural Communities and Muslim Affairs.
Legislative output
Padilla filed in the first week of July his first 10 bills, including the Equal Use of Languages Act; Suspension of Excise Tax on certain fuel products; Medical Cannabis Compassionate Access Act; Amending the Rice Tariffication Law; Magna Carta of Barangay Health Workers; Equality and Non-discrimination Act; Civil Service Eligibility for casual, contractual govt employees who rendered at least 5 years of service; Regionalization of Bilibid Prisons; Mandatory Reserve Officers’ Training Corps Act; and Divorce Act of the Philippines.
He has also expressed interest in filing measures that will benefit the environment, after disclosing in a July 6, 2022 Facebook Live post that he is meeting with Sen. Loren Legarda on the matter.
In the second week of July, Padilla filed a second batch of priority bills and resolutions that touched on federalism, the creation of the Congress-Parliamentary Bangsamoro Forum, a resolution on the appointment of the Marawi Compensation Board, a resolution on joint exploration of the West Philippine Sea, the Local Development Fund Act, a Nursing Home for Senior Citizens Act, Civil Unions Act, the Eddie Garcia Act, inclusion of Philippine History in high school curriculum, and Unsung Heroes Day.
Padilla, who chairs the Senate committee on Cultural Communities and Muslim Affairs, pushed for an investigation into why Aetas in Central Luzon have not been able to get some ₱19 million due them from an agreement signed in 2007.
Legalizing medical cannabis
Padilla has filed a bill to legalize medical cannabis in the Philippines and has proposed Israel’s policy as its model. Padilla however clarified that he still considers cannabis or marijuana as a dangerous drug. The Medical Cannabis Party however argued that the penalties proposed in the bill makes cannabis more inaccessible and exacerbate the stigma against cannabis use.
Charter change
Padilla started holding hearings on amendments to the 1987 Constitution, in his capacity as chairman of the Senate Committee on Constitutional Amendments and Revision of Codes. He has indicated he will hold hearings in the provinces, to make sure all Filipinos understand the issue and have a say on the matter. He is focusing on changing the Charter’s economic provisions.
Fake news
Padilla sought an inter-agency effort in fighting fake news, and sought a probe into the matter. This was contained in his Senate Resolution 191, which he filed in September. He is poised to lead the probe as chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Information and Mass Media.
He also called on other institutions like the news industry and educational institutions to do their part against fake news.
Mandatory ROTC
The re-imposition of mandatory Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) training has been one of Padilla’s advocacy when he ran for Senator. Due to the ROTC bill still pending on Congress, Padilla in March 2024 launched his own Basic Citizen Military Training which will have volunteers which will serve the needs of the Senate.
Muslim rights
Padilla filed Senate Bill 1273 seeking more cemeteries for Muslims and indigenous people (IPs) to ensure that proper burial in accordance with their customs and tradition will be observed.
Rights of entertainment industry workers
Padilla filed Senate Bill 450, the proposed “Eddie Garcia Law,” which outlined safety measures and other benefits for workers in the Philippine entertainment industry to protect the welfare of actors and workers in the industry.
Same-sex civil union
Padilla filed Senate Bill 449 seeking to give same-sex couples the same rights enjoyed by married straight couples under the law, saying it is ‘high time” for the Philippines to do so. The bill includes provisions upholding the rights of such couples to a civil union. “Providing equal rights and privileges for same-sex couples will in no way diminish or trample on the rights granted to married couples,” Padilla said.
The bill has the support of celebrity couple Ice Seguerra and Liza Dino. The Marawi Grand Imam, however withdrew his support for Padilla over the bill which he views as immoral and incompatible with Islam.
Benefits for Barangay Health Workers
Padilla filed Senate Bill 232, seeking to provide additional compensation and benefits to barangay health workers. The bill, dubbed An Act Providing for the Magna Carta of Barangay Health Workers, include 20% discount on items under the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010, transportation allowance of at least ₱1,000 per month, and a one-time retirement cash incentive of ₱100,000 for accredited BHWs who have served for at least 15 years.
Funding for local government units’ projects
Padilla filed Senate Bill 447 assuring funding for priority development projects of local government units. Padilla said this measure aims to provide an equitable distribution of wealth to LGUs to foster development with the end goal of bridging the gap between the revenue expenditure mandates of the LGC and the General Appropriations Act.
The bill is similar to the Budget Reform Advocacy for Village Empowerment (BRAVE) bill of former Senator Panfilo Lacson. Padilla said he shares Lacson’s drive to promote the principle of devolution, as well as for budget reform.
Anti-sexual harassment
Padilla spoke out against sexual harassment victimizing Filipinos, including overseas Filipino workers and students.
The actor-turned-legislator pushed for heavier penalties against ambassadors and diplomatic officials involved in sexual harassment cases against Filipinos abroad, after Department of Migrant Workers secretary Susan Ople cited one such case in Brunei in 2012.
Meanwhile, Padilla called on parents and students to courageously report sexual harassment in schools, saying this will haunt the students for life.
South China Sea dispute
On May 15, 2021, Padilla went to the disputed Thitu Island (Pagasa Island) to visit the Filipino settlement and military outpost. In a statement, he praised the soldiers who keep enforcing the country’s sovereignty claims in the South China Sea during a courtesy call from members of the Joint Task Unit in Pag-asa Island.
On September 5, 2022, Padilla delivered a privilege speech stressing anew the need for joint exploration between the Philippines and China in the contested South China Sea. He said going back to the negotiating table is a must for the country’s interest.
In 2023, Padilla would raise skepticism if the United States would fulfill its obligations with its treaty ally Philippines in case that conflict escalates in the South China Sea. He has insisted that the Philippine military can manage on its own.
2024 Kingdom of Jesus Christ Senate hearings
Padilla believes that the Senate hearing on the alleged abuses by the Kingdom of Jesus Christ and its leader and founder Apollo Quiboloy is unnecessary. He disputes the hearings are conducted in aid of legislation and insists that the allegations raised in the Senate could only be dealt in the country’s legal system. He attended at least one meeting where he vouched for Quiboloy’s character and urged the victims who testified anonymously to not conceal their identities.
Padilla believes that the church leader is both a “hero” who fought against the Communist armed conflict led by the New People’s Army (NPA) while also tagging him as a victim of the rebel group.
Padilla however explicitly denied “defending” Quiboloy insisting that he is only upholding “democracy” and is moving to ensure that due process is upheld in dealing with allegations hurled against the pastor and his church.
He along with his colleagues Imee Marcos, Cynthia Villar and Bong Go made a failed bid to block the contempt order imposed on Quiboloy by the Senate panel led by Risa Hontiveros.
Personal life
Robinhood Cariño Padilla was born on November 23, 1969, in Daet, Camarines Norte to Casimero “Roy” Padilla Sr. and Lolita Eva Cariño. He has eight siblings—three brothers and five sisters. Padilla is popular believed to be half-Ibaloi from his mother’s side; however, no evidence supports it, although Ibaloi representatives of the prominent Cariño clan of Benguet accepted Padilla as an “honorary cousin” out of goodwill and hospitality.
His father, Roy, was a film director and politician who served as governor of Camarines Norte in the 1970s and assemblyman in the 1980s. His mother was an actress.
His siblings BB, Rommel, and Royette, are also actors. His half-brother Casimero succeeded in their father’s political endeavors, serving as a union leader, a congressman, and a three-term governor of Camarines Norte.
He is also the uncle of actors Bela Padilla, Daniel Padilla, and Mark Anthony Fernandez. Robin is also the great uncle of Grae Fernandez, via his father.
In 1994, Padilla was convicted for illegal possession of firearms and sentenced to a maximum of eight years in jail. In 1998, he was pardoned by President Fidel Ramos.
Formerly a Jehovah’s Witness, Padilla converted to Islam, adopted the name Abdul Aziz, and married his first wife Liezl Sicangco in a Muslim ceremony while he was still serving his prison sentence. He has four children with Sicangco, including actresses Queenie (who left showbiz) and Kylie Padilla.
In November 2009, Padilla announced that he and Sicangco had divorced in 2007. On August 19, 2010, Padilla and Mariel Rodriguez were married at the Taj Mahal in India. Padilla and Rodriguez had met during his stint as a host of Wowowee. Rodriguez gave birth to their first daughter in November 2016 in Delaware, and a second daughter in November 2019. Despite their marriage, Rodriguez remained a Roman Catholic. In 2017, Padilla became a grandfather when his daughters Queenie and Kylie gave birth.
In 2014, Padilla campaigned for presidential candidate Rodrigo Duterte and in May 2016 filed a libel case against a Twitter user for calling him an “ex-convict”. In November 2016, Padilla was granted an absolute pardon from President Rodrigo Duterte to endow him full civil and political rights.
Education
Padilla took his elementary education at Siena College of Quezon City and attended high school at Saint Louis University Boys’ High School. He discontinued his studies when he was 17 to pursue his acting career.
He finished his bachelor’s degree in Criminology at Philippine College of Criminology.
Source: All information are from Wikipedia, Credits to authors. No copyright infringement intended.
BBM presented with pride his 5500 flood control projects worth P244B during his SONA, and after 2 days, it was tried and tested by Super Typhoon Carina.The weakness were witnessed by at least 31M Filipinos, seeing the massive floods across the country.
Philippines indeed has money. Philippines is not poor. It can buy and build anything it wants. From billions of intelligence funds to useless flood control projects that cost billions and billions of pesos, Philippines wealth is undeniable.
As expected, Filipinos remain poor because they are contented to live in the hands and promises of leaders they vote. Leaders and Filipinos live in circles, just going back and forth with no commitment to progress. Filipinos continue to be happy fighting each other during elections, standing for their chosen candidate and is happy to fight to death in exchange of relief goods, tupad and other forms of small tokens for their votes. Then when calamity and disaster arrive, they all suffer while the officials they have voted and fought for are in the comfort of their mansions or palace.
We can call them bakla, bading, shokla, antey, tita and even SIR, or tomboy with respect, confidence and acceptance. There had been no problems no matter how we call the LBTQs in the Cordillera. It’s because they never demanded respect from the community, instead they feel already well-privileged to be accepted in a conservative Cordilleran environment. They gained our natural respect.
LBTQs, most especially the bakla or gay, are not a discriminated or disadvantaged fraction of the society in the Cordillera. They live normal lives and in fact a lot of them have become a valuable member of a family, organisation or a community. A lot of LBTQs have good education and have successful careers in various industries or economic sectors.
LBTQs in the Cordillera do not behave nor feel entitled because they understand how to deal with normal or straight people, same as how others treat them as a member of the community. They also recognise the fact that there are other people who they need to offer respect, those people who believe that there are only 2 genders created by God, male and female. They understand that respect goes both ways. Respect is never demanded, but gained.
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Photo credits: Jude Bacalso, Pepita and IgorotHost
Session Road, Baguio City- has become the art street of the Philippines, not because of historical artistic obras of known artists but for serving as an open medium for everyone to express their artistic minds thru visual and performing arts. Despite the traffic problems, the City Government of Baguio has opened Session Road to the public since 2019, free of Motor vehicles, to allow locals and tourists to enjoy walking around the historic downtown road free of pollution and as a venue for visual artists, musicians, performers as well as start-up businesses to try their products or services.
Every Sunday, Session Road becomes a festive venue for locals and tourists to enjoy listening to music buskers from solo and band performers, street chalk artists, living or human statues, business stalls and other interesting acts.
Although the downtown road is open to such activities, participants are currently regulated which will maintain quality of performers as well as safety, peace and order. One is by not allowing subversive performances or artworks that will stir the public such as depicting current divisive issues or criticism on the government.
This setting is a unique signature attraction of the City of Baguio as it may be impossible to replicate it elsewhere in the country due factors that are distinct to the city. These factors include the high influx of locals and tourists as spectators or artists and cool weather which very conducive and safe inspiring environment.
“Gawin mo yan sa Mindanao” is a comment we see on social media which confuses readers on what it really means. Knowing most people from Mindanao who migrated to Baguio are entrepreneurs, we could understand it as, like in this picture, “buy one, take one.” Although it is obvious that the comment has a double meaning.
Whatever it means, it is up to the reader to interpret. They might mean inviting content creators in Mindanao who’s contents they don’t like and aim to give the lessons of life or it could be a truly invitation for the person to do such thing in Mindanao.
We see this comments on contents with themes that are seem to be not acceptable to the culture of Mindanao such as sexy dancing or other contents that they consider as non-sense.
In return, fast-thinking netizens outside Mindanao will find similar content creators based in Mindanao such as that individual who died because of doing mukbang and put their comment, “nasaan yung comment na Gawin mo yan sa Mindanao?”
Any how, life is everything in social media. It is up to the readers and users to understand contents and comments.
THE CORDILLERA CONNECTION 