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| Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) President Abraham 'Bambol' Tolentino (Image Source: Manila Standard/Philippine Olympic Committee) |
The Philippines is fielding twenty national athletes to the ninth edition of the Asian Winter Games to be hosted by China for the third time which will be held on February 7-14, 2025 in the winter resort city of Harbin as the starting point of setting the stage for a first-ever Winter Olympics medal for the country. “We’ve already accomplished the dream in the Summer Olympics — three gold medals in consecutive games. And that dream we want to also achieve in the Winter Olympics,” said Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) President Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino last January 1, 2025. There are no available accurate records as to how many Filipino winter sports athletes competed in the first eight editions of the Asian Winter Games, but Tolentino believed the team to Harbin should be the biggest thus far. “And our athletes are competing in six of the 11 sports on the Harbin program,” said Tolentino.
Curling, now one of the most-watched winter sports discipline, will have the most number of athletes in Harbin with 10 athletes — Marc Angelo Pfister, Enrico Gabriel Pfister, Christian Patrick Haller, Alan Beat Frei, Jessica Pfister, Benjo Delarmente, Kathleen Dubberstein, Leilani Dubberstein, Sheila Mariano and Anne Marie Bonache. The Curling Winter Sports of the Philippines was established late last year to organize the discipline’s ranks with the new group joining Philippine Skating Union and Philippine Ski and Snowboarding Association in the POC roster. The other members of Team Philippines managed by chef de mission Richard Lim are Paolo Borromeo, Aleksandr Korovin, Cathryn Limketkai, Isabella Marie Gamez and Sofia Lexi Jacqueline Frank in figure skating; Francis Ceccarelli and Talullah Proulx in Alpine skiing; Laetaz Amihan Rabe in freestyle skiing; Peter Joseph Groseclose in short track speed skating and Adrian Tongco in snowboarding.
Weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz-Naranjo won the Philippines’ first Summer Olympics gold medal in Tokyo 2020 and gymnast Carlos Yulo captured two gold medals in Paris 2024, both under Tolentino’s watch at the POC. Tolentino vowed, “The Winter Olympics are as extremely tough as the Summer Olympics, but we have proven that it could be done.” Italy will host the 25th edition of the Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo on February 6-22, 2026. Sixty-four events will be contested in Harbin, which was host in 1996, the second time after Changchun 2007 where China first organized the games. Japan has been the dominant team in the games, followed by China and Kazakhstan.
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20th ICTSI The Country Club Invitational To Kick Off New PH Golf Tour Season
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| (Image Source: Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc.) |
The ICTSI The Country Club Invitational marks its 20th staging on January 28–31, 2025, bringing together the Philippines’ top golfing talents in a high-stakes battle at the challenging TCC course in Sta. Rosa, Laguna. The Php6M (six million pesos) championship promises intense rivalries, dramatic moments and surprises on every hole, setting the tone for a thrilling new season of the Philippine Golf Tour (PGT). As one of the most prestigious events in local golf, the TCC Invitational gathers an elite field of competitors including the Top 30 players from last year’s PGT Order of Merit (OOM) and past champions including international campaigners like Miguel Tabuena. The event offers not just substantial prizes but also immense prestige, with the TCC course standing as the ultimate test of skill and resilience.
Tony Lascuña, who edged out Tabuena to claim victory in last year’s edition, enters the tournament as the favorite. His dominance in the 2024 season, which saw him claim his fifth OOM title – a record feat – demonstrates his remarkable consistency and ability to thrive against younger challengers. With a career spanning decades, the Davaoeño ace continues to inspire as he seeks another milestone victory. Tabuena, one of the Philippines’ top international players, is expected to return for another shot at glory. A previous TCC Invitational champion (2017), he aims to redeem narrow losses to Micah Shin in 2018 and Lascuña. However, a potential scheduling conflict with the International Series India could sideline Tabuena, adding an intriguing twist to the competition. Even in Tabuena’s absence, the tournament remains fiercely competitive. Guido van der Valk, winner in 2020 and 2023, leads a formidable group of challengers. Angelo Que, a three-time TCC champion, is also a strong favorite after finishing second to Lascuña in the 2024 OOM race, while rising stars and seasoned players alike, including Reymon Jaraula, Keanu Jahns, Rupert Zaragosa, Clyde Mondilla, Jhonnel Ababa and new Asian Tour card holder Sean Ramos, are also in the fold, ensuring a thrilling competition and a showcase of skill and determination from the cream of the country’s pro crop.
Launched in 2003 by ICTSI (International Container Terminal Services Inc.) chairman Ricky Razon to honor his father and ICTSI founder Don Pocholo, the TCC Invitational has grown into an annual showcase of the country’s finest golfing talents. After a hiatus in 2015-16 and 2021-22, the tournament returns stronger than ever, offering a top prize of Php2M (two million pesos) and promising unforgettable moments on the country’s toughest course. Anticipation is high as the field braces for a grueling test of skill and determination with Zanieboy Gialon, Hyun Ho Rho, Lloyd Go, Michael Bibat, Aidric Chan, Ira Alido, Ryan Monsalve, Russel Bautista, Kakeru Ozeki, Randy Garalde, Nilo Salahog, Art Arbole, Jay Bayron, Daiya Suzuki, Collin Wheeler, Dino Villanueva, Albin Engino, Tae Soo Kim, Minwook Gwon, Fidel Concepcion and Francis Morilla round out the stellar lineup.
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MTRCB Sets New Benchmark In 2024
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| (Image Source: BusinessWorld Online) |
The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) greeted the new year with an announcement that they had reviewed over 267,000 materials in 2024, up from 255,220 in 2023 (a 4.65% increase) and 230,280 in 2022 (a 16% increase). In a statement, the board said that the total was made up of 264,424 television programs, 592 films, 549 movie trailers, and 1,525 publicity and optical media materials submitted by producers and networks for classification. Of the movies reviewed, 30 films were classified as G (suitable for all audiences), 298 were PG (Parental Guidance needed), 251 were R-rated films (for adults only), and 13 were given an X rating (not suitable for public viewing).
In its statement, the MTRCB said, “Despite the limitations in manpower and resources, this milestone highlights the Board’s dedication to ensuring the proper classification of media content in a rapidly growing entertainment landscape.” MTRCB Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer Diorella Maria “Lala” Sotto-Antonio quoted as saying, “The increase in the volume of materials reviewed this year reflects our commitment to meet the demands of a growing media landscape, while upholding our responsibility to ensure that content is aligned with the values and sensitivities of Filipino audiences, especially for the children and the youth.” The board also said that “all materials are rated according to age-appropriateness”, ensuring that they “respect freedom of expression while upholding viewer protection”. Some of the materials banned or given an X rating this year were the sex education show Private Convos with Doc Rica, the children’s film comedy Dear Satan, and the forced disappearances documentary Alipato at Muog — the third example being the only decision they agreed to overturn.
Sotto-Antonio also expressed gratitude to the 31 Board Members for their tireless efforts in reviewing and classifying materials. “I am deeply grateful to our dedicated Board Members who work tirelessly — rain or shine, even on weekends and holidays—to ensure all materials are reviewed and classified promptly,” she added. These comprise of lawyers Paulino Cases, Jr., Gaby Concepcion, Cesar Pareja, Ricardo Salomon, Jr., and Frances Hellene Abella; retired educator Maria Carmen Musngi; film and TV producers Josefina Annabel Bañaga, Wilma Galvante, Eloisa Matias, and Jerry Talavera; film and TV directors Antonio Reyes and Neal Del Rosario; actors Bobby Andrews, Jan Marini Alano, Mark Anthony Andaya, Luke Mejares, Johnny Revilla, Richard Reynoso, Valmar Sotto, and Almira Muhlach; film and TV editors Manet Dayrit and Katrina Angela Ebarle; advertising expert Angel Jamias; journalist Alfonso “Al” Mendoza; public servants Racquel Maria Cruz and Fernando Prieto; entrepreneurs Cherry Espion, Jose Alberto V, Glenn Patricio, and Federico Moreno; and mental health expert Lillian Ng Gui. The year also marked other significant milestones, such as various partnerships, international participation, and the launch of the “Responsableng Panonood Tungo Sa Bagong Pilipinas” campaign. As 2024 concludes, Sotto-Antonio reaffirmed the Board’s commitment to being a proactive regulatory body and an ally of the Philippine creative industry, stating, “As we look forward to 2025, we remain dedicated to promoting responsible viewing, strengthening collaboration with our stakeholders and supporting the continued growth and success of the Philippine creative industry.”
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PalawanPay Launches Send Money Abroad Service With RIA Money Transfer
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| L-R: PalawanPay President and CEO Third Librea, Palawan Group of Companies President and CEO Karlo M. Castro, RIA Money Transfer APAC Regional Director Stephen Peregrino, Palawan Group of Companies Chief Financial Officer Lilian Castro-Selda (Image Source: Manila Standard/Palawan Group Of Companies) |
Palawan Group of Companies, the leading and most trusted pawnshop and money remittance company in the Philippines, has partnered with RIA Money Transfer to provide Filipinos with a faster, more convenient, and more secure way to send money abroad. As one of the country’s fastest-growing e-wallets, PalawanPay continues to expand its financial services by offering innovative solutions for its “sukis”. PalawanPay, through its partnership with RIA Money Transfer, enables customers to support their loved ones overseas easily and securely, ensuring that their financial needs are met. RIA Money Transfer, one of the world’s largest international money transfer providers, operates in over 190 countries and territories with more than 160,000 locations. This collaboration enables PalawanPay users to send money abroad anytime, anywhere, with just a few taps on the app.
The partnership offers remittance senders a host of benefits, including reliable and timely delivery of funds to recipients worldwide and competitive fees that provide excellent value through transparent and affordable pricing.“For nearly four decades, Palawan Express Pera Padala has been a trusted partner of Filipinos, offering affordable and efficient remittance services. With PalawanPay, we bring this same reliability to our “kababayans,” enabling them to support their loved ones abroad for daily expenses, education, healthcare, and urgent needs. This partnership with RIA strengthens our mission to deliver innovative, customer-centered solutions, ”said Palawan Group of Companies President and CEO Karlo M. Castro. RIA APAC Regional Director Stephen Peregrino shared, “We are honored to collaborate with the Palawan Group of Companies. Together, we aim to help Filipinos connect with their families and businesses abroad by offering fast, secure, and efficient remittance services.”
This partnership underscores the shared commitment of PalawanPay and RIA to customer satisfaction, making global remittances more accessible, efficient, and secure. It further solidifies PalawanPay’s position as a key player in the e-wallet and international remittance industry, all while staying true to Palawan Group’s promise of delivering “mura, mabilis, at walang kuskos balungos na serbisyo” (affordable, fast, and hassle-free service).
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Newport World Resorts To Honor Vehnee Saturno With Tribute Concert
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| (Image Source: manila concert scene/Newport World Resorts) |
Newport World Resorts kicks off another year of live entertainment with a tribute concert celebrating the music of one of the Philippines' most renowned songwriters, Vehnee Saturno. The concert, titled The Music of Vehnee Saturno, will take place on January 31, 2025 at the Newport Performing Arts Theater, honoring the prolific songwriter’s over 40 years in the music industry. The event will feature performances by some of OPM’s brightest stars, including Ice Seguerra, Joey Generoso, Jessa Zaragoza, Julie Anne San Jose, and Kyla. Also gracing the stage are iconic artists Dingdong Avanzado, Noel Cabangon, Rita Daniela, Daryl Ong, Kris Lawrence, and Martin Nievera.
Saturno, often referred to as a “hitmaker”, has composed some of OPM’s most enduring classics. His notable works include “Wala Na Bang Pag-ibig?” and “Dahil Tanging Ikaw” by Jaya, “Till My Heartaches End” by Ella Mae Saison, and “Be My Lady” by Martin Nievera. Other memorable hits include “Sana Kahit Minsan” by Ariel Rivera and “How Could You Say You Love Me?” by Sarah Geronimo. With a catalog of over 800 songs, Saturno has earned numerous gold, platinum, and multi-platinum record awards. He was recently recognized as one of the top composers of 2023 by the Filipino Society of Composers. Now in his fourth decade in the music industry, Saturno continues to create music while nurturing the next generation of Filipino talent.
Tickets for The Music of Vehnee Saturno are available at all TicketWorld and Helixpay outlets, with prices ranging from Php1,800 to Php8,800. For inquiries, contact Newport World Resorts’ customer care hotline at (02) 7908 8888 or email info@fhtcentertainment.com. For more information, visit www.newportworldresorts.com.
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Start Your Year Right With WeKenRun At The Home Credit Takbo #ParaSaLife
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| (Image Source: Next Feature PH/Home Credit Philippines) |
WeKenRun, the local running group founded by renowned marathon Coach, Ken Mendola, is set to inspire more people to run for their wellness at Home Credit’s Takbo #ParaSaLife fun run happening on February 16, 2025 at Parqal in Aseana City, Parañaque. Home Credit Takbo #ParasaLife aims to empower Filipinos to a more rewarding life and improve their overall wellness — mental, physical, and emotional health. This fun run is designed to promote a healthier lifestyle not only among fitness enthusiasts but also for those seeking a lifestyle change this coming new year. Participants can expect support and guidance to foster long-term habits to help their wellness journey through running.
Join thousands of runners from all over Manila in running 1K, 3K, 5K, or 10K while enjoying the safe roads Paranaque City has to offer. Whether you aim to run your first or your fastest, WeKenRun will guide you through the most life-changing and most affordable run brought to you by Home Credit Philippines. Move, connect, and support one another on your wellness journey through Home Credit Takbo #ParaSaLife this February. Achieve your personal goals and improve your lifestyle with WeKenRun this 2025 at https://wekenrun.com/products/takboparasalife.
