00:54.9
Let's begin with the Philippine government rejecting a USA Department report showing extrajudicial killings remain a serious problem in the country.
01:04.2
The Foreign Affairs Department says it does not reflect the situation on the ground, including the accomplishments of the Marcos administration on upholding human rights.
01:14.0
The agency also says the USA Department must exercise due diligence to ensure a more reliable reporting.
01:21.2
The U.S. government report said there were no significant changes.
01:24.9
The U.S. government said there were no significant changes in the human rights situation in the Philippines last year, with extrajudicial killings still being carried out by security forces.
01:33.7
It also highlighted the murder of Negros Oriental Governor Roel de Gamo and the death of 17-year-old Gemboy Baltazar at the hands of police.
01:45.0
Standing up for freedom and human rights is simply the right thing to do.
01:49.6
But defending and promoting these inalienable and universal rights is also profoundly in our nation's hands.
01:54.8
But defending and promoting these inalienable and universal rights is also profoundly in our nation's hands.
01:56.4
Countries that respect human rights are more likely to be peaceful, prosperous, stable.
02:03.8
The Philippine Justice Department, for its part, says it remains serious in efforts to safeguard human rights.
02:10.7
It adds reforms are in place to strengthen the criminal justice system.
02:16.1
Also today, Amnesty International says summary executions in the Philippines persisted in 2023.
02:22.2
The rights watchdog, citing a,
02:24.8
The local research group said 329 people died in anti-drug operations or by unidentified assailants.
02:33.7
It notes the killings continued despite President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s public declaration
02:39.3
that the government was shifting its approach to the drug problem through rehabilitation.
02:45.2
Amnesty's report also includes unaddressed issues concerning impunity, enforced disappearances, and repression of dissent.
02:55.5
Investigators of the International Criminal Court allegedly communicating with the Philippine National Police
03:00.7
about their probe into the Duterte administration's bloody drug war.
03:05.0
Former Senator Antonio Trillanes said on X, citing highly credible information,
03:10.2
over 50 active and former PNP officials have been contacted by the ICC.
03:16.9
Trillanes adds if the officials did not signify their intent to cooperate,
03:20.5
their status would be elevated to being suspects.
03:24.8
This may result to travel restrictions and arrests via Interpol.
03:29.8
The PNP maintains it will take its cue from the national government
03:32.8
when it comes to its stance on the ICC's investigation.
03:37.4
President Marcos has repeatedly reiterated the ICC has no jurisdiction over the Philippines.
03:45.2
We have a working judicial system.
03:48.2
We have courts that can listen if there are abuses and irregularities.
03:54.8
We have evidence that there are police officers who have convicted and imprisoned us.
04:02.9
So, that is what the PNP will do.
04:05.2
We will pass on the jurisdiction of the Philippines.
04:10.5
Philippine statesman and human rights defender Rene Sagisag has died.
04:16.6
The former senator was among the leading opposition figures during the martial law era
04:21.0
and was among those imprisoned at the start of the military regime.
04:25.4
Sagi Sag was presidential spokesperson of the Corazon Aquino administration
04:29.4
and subsequently served in the upper chamber from 1987 to 1992.
04:35.6
In a statement, his family says as they mourn his passing,
04:39.4
they take solace in the enduring impact of his legacy.
04:42.9
Sagi Sag's family also remembered him as a dedicated public servant
04:46.9
and a tireless human rights advocate who fought for justice, truth, and democracy.
04:54.8
Tributes pour in for the beloved human rights defender.
05:01.6
For former Senator Orly Mercado, Sagi Sag was a statesman
05:04.9
who dedicated his life working for the poor and the marginalized.
05:09.7
Another former senator, Nicky Coseteng, says Sagi Sag never lost his fervor and passion
05:14.9
for defending human rights, even after he left public office.
05:21.1
He is a true legislator.
05:24.8
He really enjoyed formulating public policy.
05:28.5
And he did it with a disciplined mind.
05:31.7
He knew what he wanted, the integrity in his practice of law
05:37.1
and what he called during that time his romance with the law.
05:40.8
Talagang wala pa akong naminit na kasing dedicated sa lawmaking.
05:46.9
Katulad ni Rene, he studied very carefully every provision and every resolution
05:54.8
He was a very sincere and true friend.
06:07.9
Rene was to me a mentor.
06:10.2
He was also a role model.
06:12.7
And he was a genuine freedom fighter and nationalist.
06:16.4
And to me, those are very hard to find these days.
06:22.2
And his passing is a gift.
06:24.8
It is a great loss to our country and our people who need more people like him in this
06:30.9
For attorney Theodore Tev of the Free Legal Assistance Group, Sagi Sag was a consistent
06:37.8
human rights defender who always chose to represent the underdog.
06:41.9
I was fortunate to have encountered Senator Sagi Sag at his prime when I was a very young
06:54.5
He had a lot of stories, talk about handling cases for his usual clients, the underdog.
07:03.4
And because of that, I learned a lot from him, not just about the law, not just about
07:09.3
trying cases, but about, I think, life and about character.
07:17.6
The Presidential Communications Office warns the public against a circulating deepfake
07:22.6
audio of President Marco.
07:24.5
The manipulated video featured the supposed audio of Marcos instructing the military to
07:31.0
act against a foreign country.
07:33.8
But the PCO says such directive does not exist, adding the agency is actively working on measures
07:39.4
to combat misinformation and disinformation.
07:43.4
The PCO also says it is closely working with relevant agencies and other stakeholders to
07:48.6
address the proliferation of malicious deepfakes.
07:51.4
There are also calls on Filipinos to be more discernible.
07:54.5
The PCO also says that the PCO is not the only one who is concerned about the content
07:58.8
Over a dozen Chinese maritime militia vessels spotted around Recto Bank during a resupply
08:04.6
and patrol mission of the Philippines on April 20 to the 22nd.
08:08.5
The Philippine Fisheries Bureau said a Chinese Coast Guard vessel also arrived in the area
08:13.9
and deployed two speedboats to check on the refueling of Filipino fishing boats.
08:20.1
Despite China's presence, the BFAR was able to provide over 24,000 liters of fuel to the
08:24.5
Filipino fishing boats in the West Philippine Sea.
08:28.8
Now, this comes as Philippine and American troops stage their annual joint Balikatan military drills.
08:36.0
Officials say this year's edition is the largest ever, with the Philippine Coast Guard joining the drills for the first time.
08:44.4
Overall, the Philippine Navy has monitored over 100 Chinese vessels swarming Philippine waters.
08:50.9
For maritime security expert Ray Powell,
08:54.5
it's not alarming at this point since most of them just sit idly.
09:02.0
China will take almost anything as a provocation.
09:05.3
And I would say it would actually be worse for the Philippines sort of not to do this, right?
09:10.7
So to look like the Philippines is backing down or being intimidated.
09:16.6
So Balikatan is a normal exercise, performing military drills.
09:23.0
It's not like they're going,
09:24.5
off of China's coast.
09:26.1
They're just going out, you know, deeper into the exclusive economic zone of the Philippines.
09:31.8
Powell adds, despite criticisms,
09:34.2
the Philippine government's transparency campaign is clearly working in its favor.
09:41.2
It sends China a message that the Philippines is not alone.
09:44.7
And that continuing to up the ante like this is not just making rug points with the Philippines,
09:51.9
not even just with the United States,
09:53.8
but now they have to,
09:54.5
think about Tokyo.
09:55.5
Now they have to think about Europe.
09:57.1
Now they have to think about Australia.
09:58.9
So they have to think about how isolated do they want to become
10:02.1
because that's what they're inviting upon themselves.
10:04.0
It is complicating their strategic calculus
10:06.9
and it is resulting in some actual material benefit for the Philippines
10:12.0
because some of these countries are making commitments now to the Philippines
10:15.5
that they probably would not have made
10:17.8
had all of this not been kind of put in front of their face by the Marcos administration.
10:24.4
A Filipino-Chinese business group slams what it calls inflammatory remarks by Philippine politicians
10:31.8
on the alleged influx of Chinese students in Kagang province.
10:35.8
The Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry says
10:39.3
the unfair statements jeopardizes the country's reputation as a tourism and investment destination.
10:46.9
It also believes the criticisms impede efforts to de-escalate tensions between Manila and Beijing.
10:54.4
Last week, Philippine lawmakers called for an investigation
10:58.2
into the alleged influx of thousands of Chinese college students in Kagang province
11:04.1
which houses a military site under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement with the U.S.
11:11.7
Other news, the National Telecommunications Commission stood firm on its cease and desist order
11:16.7
against embattled TV network SMNI.
11:19.5
Our correspondent Robert Mano joins us on the line for more.
11:24.4
Ron, representatives from Sunshine Media Network International or SMNI
11:29.4
attended the consultative meeting of the Senate Committee on Public Information and Mass Media.
11:35.1
The meeting covered the role of media in disseminating accurate information to the public.
11:40.0
According to the committee chairman, Senator Robin Hood Padilla,
11:42.9
this is not a matter concerning a specific network but rather an issue of suppressing freedom of the press.
11:50.4
The representatives of SMNI reiterated during the meeting
11:54.4
described as the unfair decision of the National Telecommunications Commission
11:58.9
to order an indefinite suspension of their broadcast.
12:03.3
Jose J. Sonsa, SMNI operations consultant, mentioned that they were surprised
12:08.0
when they were ordered to cease their operations.
12:11.3
SMNI's legal counsels, Atty. Rolex Supico and Atty. Mark Tolentino,
12:16.0
also stated that the NTC's decision was unfair to them.
12:20.0
The NTC explained that there are limitations to everything
12:23.0
including freedom of speech.
12:24.4
However, the NTC did not provide detailed information during the meeting
12:29.5
about the merits of the complaints against SMNI.
12:33.5
NTC Commissioner Atty. Ella Blanca Lopez explained
12:36.6
that the NTC holds a high regard and is and has been opposing
12:41.6
the constitutional guaranteed right of press freedom.
12:45.1
What happened to SMNI is not about attacking the press freedom
12:48.6
but is actually on the compliance of the network
12:51.8
to the terms and conditions in broadcast freedom.
12:54.4
NTC Commissioner Atty. Ella Blanca Lopez said that
12:58.0
there may be differences of opinion regarding this incident
13:02.0
but NTC did not act without a basis for their actions.
13:06.7
The Kapisana ng mga Broadcaster na Pilipinas stated
13:09.2
that the suspension of the SMNI had a chilling effect
13:13.2
but the NTC assured that they are fair when handling complaints filed with them.
13:18.6
And that's the latest from the Senate. Ron.
13:20.9
Thank you for that report, Robert Mano.
13:24.4
Philippine Senator Cynthia Villar advises First Lady Lisa Reneta Marcos
13:28.6
against starting a fight with the Vice President.
13:31.1
The President's wife earlier revealed she's not in good terms with the Vice President
13:35.4
after the latter supposedly laughed at a drug addict joke
13:39.2
aimed at the Chief Executive.
13:41.8
Both the President and the Vice President have assured
13:44.1
the feud will not affect their working relationship.
13:54.4
The Philippine Health Department says
14:10.3
six people have died of heat-related illnesses since the start of the year.
14:14.5
We have on the line Ara Perez with that story.
14:19.0
Ron, DOH spoke first on ASEC.
14:21.5
Albert Domingo says they are verifying the actual causes.
14:24.4
He explains that this may be heat-related or heat-influenced,
14:30.4
meaning a different illness was aggravated by the hot weather.
14:34.3
Domingo asks the public to be careful
14:36.1
as anyone can get heat-related illnesses,
14:39.1
the vulnerable like the young and old,
14:40.9
and even those who consider themselves physically fit.
14:44.2
The most effective measures include staying hydrated,
14:47.5
avoiding outdoor activities from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.,
14:51.1
and heavy activities like those with repetitive movements
14:54.4
that can increase heart rate.
14:56.4
If indoors, good ventilation is a must,
14:58.8
with electric fans or air-con, opened windows.
15:01.9
Resting also helps, and if you want to exercise,
15:04.5
do it early morning or evening or late in the afternoon.
15:10.5
Maraming mga nagtatanong,
15:11.9
kailangan ba may brand, yung mga sports drinks, yung mga refreshing?
15:16.2
Sabi naman namin, walang puhipigil sa ating kababayan kung type nila yun, no?
15:20.8
Pero hindi namin kailangan i-endorse
15:22.3
kasi ang pinakamahusay talaga is,
15:24.4
clean drinking water.
15:27.6
The DOH recorded the most number of heat-related illnesses
15:31.1
in recent years in 2023 at 513 cases.
15:35.8
In the meantime, Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna declares
15:38.3
the suspension of face-to-face classes for public and private schools
15:41.5
in all levels for Thursday and Friday, April 25 and 26, 2024.
15:47.0
That's after the City's Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office warned
15:51.1
the heat index in the city may reach
15:54.3
a dangerous 44 degrees Celsius.
15:57.1
Schools are told to shift to asynchronous classes.
16:01.1
Ara Perez with that story. Thank you.
16:04.6
The Philippine Government's El Nino Task Force says
16:07.1
103 cities and municipalities are now under a state of calamity
16:11.6
because of the prolonged dry spell.
16:14.4
It adds, El Nino has affected the livelihood of 2.1 million Filipino farmers and fishermen
16:20.1
who have received assistance in the form of cash or rice,
16:24.3
and fuel subsidies from government.
16:26.8
The El Nino Task Force remains hopeful.
16:28.6
Majority of the affected farmlands remains salvageable.
16:34.4
Nasa 3.94 billion na po ang danyo sa agrikultura.
16:39.0
That's equivalent to about 66,000 hectares.
16:42.1
Pero I would like to emphasize po na 78 percent,
16:45.6
nung 66,000 hectares na yun, may chance of recovery or salvageable pa.
16:51.0
Ibig sabihin, kahit po yung itsura ng tanay,
16:54.3
naman eh, tuyong-tuyo o brown na brown na siya,
16:57.8
mapapakinabangan po yung 78 percent ng pananim doon.
17:04.0
The Philippines' grid operator says there is enough power supply for the rest of the year.
17:10.0
The NGCP gave this assurance even after the country's power grids were placed on alerts in recent days
17:15.9
due to the sizzling heat that pushed energy demand.
17:19.4
It however admits more work needs to be done to improve the Philippine power.
17:27.4
We've been issuing grid status alerts over the Visayas and Luzon for the past couple of years now,
17:34.4
maybe three, four, five years consecutively.
17:37.0
Although there is no persistent power supply shortage,
17:42.5
you do feel it during the summer or shortly after summer.
17:46.6
And that's indicative that for the general portions of the year,
17:50.1
there is enough power supply.
17:51.7
It's indicative that you're...
17:54.3
Because then you're vulnerable to heat,
17:58.2
you're vulnerable to unplanned maintenance and shutdowns.
18:01.9
So I think maybe it's really an indication that we have to go back to the drawing board
18:05.8
in terms of ensuring that we have a more resilient power system.
18:12.4
The Luzon and Visayas grids were again placed under red and yellow alerts today amid the hot weather.
18:18.5
Mindanao's grid was also under yellow alert for the first time this year.
18:24.3
several Philippine senators seeking accountability for unscheduled power outages in parts of the country.
18:31.0
Senator Francis Escudero said the Energy Department and the Energy Regulatory Commission
18:36.1
must enforce stricter oversight on power generation companies to rein in unscheduled outages.
18:44.2
For Senator Sherwin-Gatzalian,
18:45.7
the DOE must immediately investigate the numerous forced outage of power plants
18:50.2
that put a strain on the country's power grids.
18:53.0
Gatzalian also says he will file a resolution to probe possible government inaction
18:58.5
in light of the red alerts of the power grids.
19:03.5
Let's now check on the weather here in the Philippines
19:05.7
with Pagasa forecaster Chanel Dominguez.
19:10.3
Good afternoon to everyone.
19:11.8
We're currently not monitoring any tropical cyclone or low-pressure area
19:15.6
inside and outside our Philippine area of responsibility.
19:21.0
intertropical convergence zone or IPC
19:23.0
will bring a cloudy sky with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms
19:27.0
over South Cotabato, Sarangani, Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi.
19:32.0
Easterlies continue to affect the rest of our country,
19:34.9
so expect here in Metro Manila and the rest of our country
19:37.6
a generally fair weather with the chances of localized thunderstorms
19:41.6
during the afternoon and the evening.
19:44.1
Expect a temperature range here in Metro Manila between 26 to 35 degrees Celsius
19:49.0
and a heat index of 44 degrees Celsius.
19:53.0
That's the latest here in Pagasa Weather Forecasting Center.
19:55.8
Chanel Dominguez and good afternoon.
19:58.0
Thanks for that, Chanel.
20:00.3
Up next, the Philippine government's infrastructure spending
20:03.1
jumped in the first two months of the year.
20:05.3
More news when we return.
20:53.0
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32:53.0
and does not tolerate any external interference.
32:56.0
The relevant bill in the U.S. Congress includes Taiwan-related content,
32:59.7
which seriously violates the One China principle
33:02.2
and sends a wrong signal to the Taiwan Independent Separatist Forces.
33:06.5
We resolutely oppose it.
33:08.4
We urge the U.S. to take concrete actions to honor its commitment
33:11.5
not to support Taiwan independence and stop arming Taiwan in any way.
33:15.4
Thank you very much.
33:45.4
U.S. government officials have accused China of using TikTok to spy on Americans,
33:50.2
an allegation ByteDance has repeatedly denied.
33:54.8
The United Nations, alarmed by the destruction and reported discovery of mass graves
33:59.8
at medical facilities in Gaza,
34:02.1
Palestinian authorities said they found bodies and mass graves
34:05.3
at a hospital in Qanunis this week after it was abandoned by Israeli troops.
34:11.1
Bodies were also reported at Al-Shifa,
34:14.6
following an Israeli attack on the U.S. government officials.
34:15.4
The U.N. Human Rights Office is now working on corroborating the claims.
34:25.3
We call for independent, effective, transparent investigations into the deaths.
34:31.4
Given the prevailing climate of impunity,
34:33.9
this should include international investigators.
34:37.8
Hospitals are entitled to very special protection
34:40.5
under international humanitarian law.
34:42.8
And let's be clear,
34:44.4
the intentional killing,
34:45.4
of civilians, detainees, and others who are hors de combat,
34:53.3
The Philippine government has prohibited Filipino seafarers
34:56.8
from working on passenger or cruise ships
34:59.3
passing through the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.
35:02.9
The Migrant Workers Department issued an order today
35:05.6
prohibiting their deployment to so-called high-risk areas and war zones.
35:11.0
Licensed manning agencies are also ordered to sign an affirmation letter
35:15.1
that guarantees Filipino crew members will not work on vessels
35:19.0
navigating the identified risk zones.
35:22.7
The move is meant to ensure the safety of Filipino seafarers
35:26.1
amid heightened tensions and continued attacks on vessels
35:29.7
passing through waters around the Arabian Peninsula.
35:35.0
The first witness in Donald Trump's criminal hush money trial
35:38.5
admits using his supermarket tabloid
35:41.2
to help Trump's 2016 presidential bid.
35:45.1
Former National Enquirer publisher David Pecker testified
35:49.0
he had a highly confidential agreement
35:52.2
to publish favorable stories about Trump
35:55.4
and keep an eye out for women selling stories
35:58.6
that might hurt him.
36:00.7
Prosecutors say Pecker's actions helped Trump deceive voters
36:04.2
by burying stories of alleged extramarital affairs.
36:09.1
Pecker's testimony came after a hearing
36:11.1
to consider the prosecutor's request
36:13.3
to fine Trump for his crimes.
36:15.9
that the prosecutor's request
36:17.1
was to fine him for violating a gag order.
36:19.7
We have a gag order,
36:20.8
which to me is totally unconstitutional.
36:23.9
I'm not allowed to talk,
36:25.1
but people are allowed to talk about me.
36:27.7
So they can talk about me,
36:29.2
they can say whatever they want,
36:31.7
but I'm not allowed to say anything.
36:33.3
I just have to sit back and look at why
36:36.8
a conflicted judge has ordered me to have a gag order.
36:40.5
I don't think anybody's ever said anything like this.
36:45.1
Meanwhile, U.S. President Joe Biden
36:48.2
continues to hit the campaign trail.
36:50.5
His latest stop, Florida,
36:52.0
where he lost to Trump in 2020.
36:54.4
Biden poked fun at Trump's Bible,
36:56.2
which a former president encouraged supporters
37:00.8
Biden also called for voters to hold him accountable
37:04.1
for getting Roe v. Wade overturned.
37:09.1
He described the Dobbs decision as a miracle.
37:12.9
Maybe it's coming from that Bible he's trying to sell.
37:20.6
I almost wanted to buy one
37:22.1
to see what the hell's in it.
37:24.0
It should be a constitutional right
37:25.7
in the federal constitution.
37:30.3
And it shouldn't matter where in America you live.
37:32.8
It's about, this isn't about states' rights,
37:34.7
it's about women's rights.
37:39.2
Look, folks, look.
37:40.8
Now he's worried the voters will hold him accountable
37:43.0
for saying he's responsible for getting Roe v. Wade overturned.
37:45.1
Donald, Trump is worried voters are going to hold him accountable
37:52.3
for the cruelty and chaos he created.
37:54.9
Folks, the bad news for Trump is
37:57.1
we are going to hold him accountable.
38:02.6
He should be held accountable.
38:07.3
Nevada's Federation of Filipino-American Associations
38:10.5
shines a spotlight on inspiring Filipino women
38:13.9
across several industries.
38:15.1
And ESPN also tells us more about that.
38:45.1
Napa, Nevada chairperson Gloria Coelho says
38:48.1
while the organization celebrates their successes,
38:51.9
it's important to acknowledge that gender bias persists
38:55.1
and that women continue to be underrepresented
38:57.9
in positions of power and influence.
39:01.0
And so the fight for women's rights continues.
39:04.2
There is a sense of motherhood in all of us.
39:08.5
And when you see someone, another woman,
39:11.2
in need of something,
39:12.6
you know, sometimes just an embrace
39:14.3
helps them get out of it.
39:14.9
It helps them get through
39:15.6
what they're going through for the day.
39:17.5
Women helping women is not just an adage,
39:21.0
but it should be a practice.
39:22.6
The remarkable women who embody the spirit of self,
39:27.0
of selflessness, resilience, and inspiration.
39:32.9
Rosita Lee, who served on former President Barack Obama's
39:36.5
Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders,
39:41.1
received a Lifetime Achievement Award.
39:43.3
For all that I can do,
39:44.9
some more for the rest of the life,
39:47.9
my life here on Earth,
39:49.2
I will continue to do civility
39:50.8
and to help people to come to know themselves
39:55.8
Our second empowerment champion is Beverly Lorente.
40:01.0
ABS-CBN News longtime Nevada correspondent
40:03.7
Bev Lorente was honored with an empowerment award.
40:07.8
DFC will persist in weaving stories
40:10.0
that resonate with Filipinos worldwide.
40:13.0
Other accomplished women in the field of women's rights,
40:15.7
applaud the contributions of Kababayans
40:17.7
in mainstream America.
40:19.8
I think that we're doing amazing things in our community
40:22.6
and making things better,
40:24.8
both in front and behind the scenes.
40:27.9
Some, like the mother of famous Filipino comedian Jokoy,
40:31.5
say they are inspired by the awardees
40:33.7
to keep achieving big things for the community.
40:41.0
Now, Fanivada calls these awardees superwomen,
40:44.2
who are not only everyday heroes,
40:47.1
but beacons of hope that light the way for others,
40:50.5
and trailblazers shaping the future for generations to come.
40:55.1
Henny Espinoza, ABS-CBN News.
40:59.0
The Filipino-Canadian basketball community
41:02.0
kicks off its spring season
41:03.7
with a semi-professional tournament in Alberta province.
41:07.4
Gian Alisanco has that story.
41:14.2
The basketball season this spring
41:16.2
has begun with a kickoff of the Canada D-League
41:20.1
a semi-pro basketball league in Calgary.
41:22.8
Various teams have joined the tournament,
41:24.5
supported by local businesses in the city.
41:27.0
Willie Miller, a two-time MVP
41:28.8
of the Philippine Basketball Association,
41:31.5
joined the tournament and played in one of the teams.
41:34.2
Also playing hoops was international student
41:36.6
and former PBA 3X3 player Alan Enriquez.
41:40.6
He shares his life revolved around basketball
41:43.4
in the Philippines,
41:44.5
but in Canada, he sees playing basketball
41:46.7
with fellow Filipinos as a way to de-stress.
41:49.7
I decided to join this kind of league
41:51.6
like every weekend there's a Filipino league like this
41:54.5
because you know I'm an international student
41:56.5
like from Monday to Friday,
41:60.0
like weekdays are so stressed,
42:01.7
like stressed on work and school.
42:03.7
So you know basketball is a kind of stress relief.
42:08.0
Realtor Alex Briones has been sponsoring
42:10.1
Filipino basketball tournaments since 2014.
42:13.2
He says he began,
42:14.2
supporting sports tournaments after being inspired
42:16.7
by the love of Filipinos for basketball.
42:19.1
This one is like a semi-pro tournament and league
42:21.9
that they're hosting and it's going to run
42:23.9
for at least four months with eight teams,
42:26.6
eight teams in totals.
42:27.7
And I just want to help the community.
42:30.2
This is the only way for me to give back
42:32.8
to the community that supports my business grow
42:36.6
and without the Filipino community in Calgary,
42:41.3
With eight teams competing at the tournament,
42:44.2
local business leaders such as Ron Ala of Team Pacific Hot
42:47.4
and Anne Reyes showed their support through being team owners.
42:51.5
Ala shares he is happy with the turnout of the tournament
42:54.0
and hopes that more Filipino Canadians
42:56.2
will support community events such as basketball tournaments.
42:60.0
I used to play this game
43:01.1
and to give support to the community,
43:06.0
so at least we can have a great event.
43:14.2
really good because I can see that there's a lot of people.
43:17.7
There's a lot of support from the community.
43:21.3
Reyes meanwhile finds fulfillment in helping boost the morale of her Kababayans,
43:25.3
especially newcomers.
43:26.8
It's actually fulfilling and being an immigrant in this country,
43:32.0
it's nice that, you know,
43:33.7
I am supporting the new immigrants here without anything in return.
43:37.0
So I love seeing them and I would like to share my blessings.
43:40.6
Jeanette Adriano for her part says she finds purpose
43:43.1
in sponsoring events,
43:44.2
events that forge strong relationship within the community.
43:47.8
We are here to support the Filipino and the Pasipol community
43:51.8
and to reach the camaraderie among Filipinos in Calgary.
43:56.8
Filipinos' passion for basketball runs deep
43:58.9
as it is woven into our culture.
44:00.8
For many of our Kababayans,
44:02.3
basketball is not just a sport.
44:03.8
It is also a language of inclusivity and belongingness.
44:08.4
Gianna Rizanko, ABS-CBN News, Calgary.
44:14.2
And before we go,
44:15.7
a Philippine business group is betting big on women.
44:19.0
It believes having more feminine energy in the labor force
44:22.2
will help boost economic growth.
44:24.5
Lady Vicencio reports.
44:28.6
It's been 16 years since Jacqueline stopped working
44:31.8
to take care of her kids.
44:33.5
But now that her youngest child is in school,
44:36.4
she's thinking of going back to work
44:38.5
to help with household expenses.
44:42.1
it wasn't like that.
44:44.2
The money is fast.
44:46.5
Especially our rice is very expensive.
44:50.0
It's getting smaller.
44:52.0
Jacqueline is just one of over 100 women
44:54.7
in Bagong Silang, Caloocan City
44:56.5
who joined the livelihood and education project
44:59.3
of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
45:01.7
They were taught to cut hair, do manicure and pedicure.
45:06.1
Livelihood kits were also distributed
45:08.0
so they can start making a living.
45:10.5
The PCCI's livelihood project
45:12.3
will also be brought to other places.
45:14.2
To help women who want to earn their keep.
45:18.6
women should have equal opportunity to livelihood.
45:22.2
In the recent labor force survey,
45:24.3
the percentage of women with jobs or businesses
45:26.6
declined compared to the same period a year ago.
45:30.3
Women are treated secondary to the men.
45:34.9
For a position with the same qualification
45:36.8
as men and women,
45:38.3
tapipili mga lalaki.
45:42.1
We'll be able to address,
45:44.2
the problem of hunger,
45:46.2
the problem of malnutrition,
45:48.2
because at least kahit papano,
45:50.2
they'll be able to help.
45:54.2
Raising up their families
45:58.2
we'll be able to guide them
46:00.2
to take care of their kids
46:02.2
and at the same time, provide for them.
46:04.2
Together with the father.
46:07.2
Women advocates say,
46:09.2
the mindset that women have the sole responsibility
46:12.2
to take care of children at home,
46:13.2
should not be a problem.
46:14.2
It could also change.
46:16.2
The economy of care,
46:18.2
which is basically taking care of our elders,
46:20.2
taking care of the children,
46:22.2
is given mainly to women.
46:26.2
And the economy of care has to be shared
46:29.2
between men and women.
46:32.2
men are already contributing three hours of their time
46:36.2
to the economy of care of the family,
46:39.2
but women are contributing seven every day.
46:42.2
That is like having a double job.
46:44.2
Still, there are some industries like manufacturing,
46:47.2
electronics and business process outsourcing
46:50.2
that prefer hiring female employees
46:53.2
because women are known to be more patient
46:55.2
when it comes to longer hours of work
46:57.2
and having good dexterity.
47:00.2
being able to help the family financially
47:03.2
will contribute to the self-development of women.
47:06.2
Lady Vicencio, ABS-CBN News.
47:11.2
And those were the top stories today.
47:14.2
You can watch highlights and recaps
47:16.2
of our shows online on ANC 24-7
47:19.2
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47:21.2
You can also subscribe to ANC Prestige on YouTube
47:24.2
to get access to our full lineup of shows.
47:26.2
Thank you for watching.
47:43.2
We'll see you next time.
