GET your squads ready as Red Bull Half Court returns to the Philippines. The 3-on-3 streetball tournament is the ultimate battlefield for rising local talent to prove their skills for a chance to represent the Philippines at the Red Bull Half Court World Final, set to take place in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in November.
Red Bull Half Court brings the fastest version of 3-on-3 streetball to players across the globe. In partnership with FILA and Spalding, Red Bull Half Court will hold qualifier rounds across five continents and over 20 participating countries, including South Africa, Norway, and Kosovo as the rookies.
Unlike traditional basketball, Red Bull Half Court games only take up half the court, with teams of three players. Games follow FIBA rules and are played with a regulation time of 10 minutes and a maximum of 21 points. Winners of each match are determined by who reaches the highest score within the regulation time or who reaches the maximum number of points first.
To add a surprising twist to the game, teams who accumulate the most scoring points across all games will receive the “Own the Court” bonus that will help them advance to the next stage. Making the game faster and more intense, 3-point shots can be made from two special circles located behind the arc.
Red Bull Half Court, in partnership with 7-Eleven, ups the intensity for its 2025 season in the Philippines with a new two-day competition structure for qualifier rounds. Regional qualifiers will take place in Davao on Aug. 30 and 31, Cebu on Sept. 13 and 14, and Manila on Sept. 27 and 28. Elimination rounds are set to take place on the first day, while the qualifier showdown will happen on the second day. Winning teams from each regional qualifier will advance to the Red Bull Half Court National Final in Manila, happening on Oct. 18, where each team, along with select wildcard teams, will face off for a chance to represent the Philippines at the Red Bull Half Court World Final in UAE.
To register, simply purchase four cans of Red Bull from any 7-Eleven store and upload the receipt upon signing up through the official Red Bull Half Court website. Registered teams automatically get a set of light and dark Red Bull Half Court jerseys.
Lace up and register for the Red Bull Half Court qualifiers today! Catch the first qualifier round in Davao on Aug. 30 and 31. Don’t miss the Red Bull Half Court National Final, happening in Manila on Oct. 18.
A 3D-printed miniature model of US President Donald J. Trump and the US flag pattern with the word “tariffs” are seen in this illustration. — REUTERS/DADO RUVIC/ILLUSTRATION
THE TARIFFS US President Donald J. Trump imposed last week on scores of countries are likely to stay in place rather than be cut as part of continuing negotiations, Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said in comments aired on Sunday.
Ahead of a Friday deadline, Mr. Trump set rates including a 35% duty on many goods from Canada, 50% for Brazil, 25% for India, 20% for Taiwan and 39% for Switzerland, according to a presidential executive order.
In trade talks since Mr. Trump returned to office, the White House has lowered some rates from levels initially announced, including halving import duties set last week as part of a deal with the European Union.
In comments taped on Friday and aired by CBS’ Face the Nation on Sunday, Mr. Greer said however that this would not be the case on the most recent round of tariffs.
“A lot of these are set rates pursuant to deals. Some of these deals are announced, some are not, others depend on the level of the trade deficit or surplus we may have with the country,” he said. “These tariff rates are pretty much set.”
Mr. Greer also said recent trade talks with Beijing had been “very positive” and were focused on the supply of rare-earth magnets and minerals.
“We’re focused on making sure that the flow of magnets from China to the United States and the- and the adjacent supply chain can flow as freely as it did before… and I’d say we’re about halfway there.” — Reuters
JAPANESE PRIME MINISTER
SHIGERU ISHIBA — REUTERS FILE PHOTO
TOKYO — Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said on Monday he will not hesitate to hold talks with President Donald J. Trump to ensure an agreed cut to US automobile tariffs is implemented soon.
In a parliament session on Monday, Mr. Ishiba drew criticism from some opposition lawmakers for not having signed an official document with the US in clinching a trade deal last month.
“Creating a document could have delayed the timing of tariff cuts. That was our biggest fear,” Mr. Ishiba said, defending Japan’s decision to agree on a deal without creating an official document with the US.
“He is not a typical counterpart and could overturn rules,” Mr. Ishiba said on Mr. Trump’s negotiating style.
Mr. Ishiba said he had “absolutely no hesitation” to hold talks with Mr. Trump to have Washington execute the tariff cut soon, though he declined to comment on when such talks could take place.
“Both countries will begin executing what was agreed upon, which is harder than agreeing on a deal,” Mr. Ishiba said, signaling his intention to stay on as premier to see through the process.
Mr. Ishiba is under pressure from within his ruling Liberal Democratic Party to step down as prime minister to take responsibility for the party’s huge defeat in last month’s upper-house election.
Japan’s trade deal struck with Mr. Trump last month lowers US tariffs on imports of goods including automobiles, easing the pain for the export-reliant economy.
But there is no clarity on when US tariffs for automobiles and auto parts will be cut to 15% from the current 25%, clouding the outlook for Japan’s fragile recovery.
In the same parliament session, Japan’s top trade negotiator, Ryosei Akazawa, said it was hard to say how soon the US could actually implement automobile tariffs, though he added it took “more than a month” in the case of Britain. — Reuters
A MAN wades through floodwaters as he walks past village houses, after heavy rainfall flooded the area in Miyun district of Beijing, China, July 29. — REUTERS/FLORENCE LO
BEIJING — Beijing on Monday warned residents in all city districts to brace for a new round of heavy rainfall, telling them to avoid going out, a week after catastrophic floods killed dozens in the deadliest deluge to hit the Chinese capital since 2012.
Up to 200 millimeters (7.9 inches) of rain could hit parts of Beijing over a six-hour period from midday, weather forecasters warned. The city of 22 million people receives on average 600mm of rainfall each year.
The warning comes as authorities rush to reinforce aging flood defenses, fine-tune weather forecasts and update evacuation plans amid reports of bodies being pulled from raging flood waters across the country, including at least three at a flooded wellness camp in Hebei province.
At least 44 people died in Beijing after heavy rains from July 23 to 29. Most of the dead were people unexpectedly trapped by rapidly rising waters at a nursing home in Miyun district on the city’s northeastern outskirts. The fatalities led authorities to admit to shortcomings in their contingency plans for extreme weather.
By noon on Monday, Beijing had placed all of its 16 districts on the highest level of preparedness, in the first citywide state of readiness since July 28, shutting parts of the Great Wall and other outdoor leisure venues and halting operations of below-ground businesses.
The risk of flash floods and landslides is “extremely high,” authorities said.
In the summer of 2012, 79 people died in Beijing in the city’s deadliest flooding in living memory. Fangshan district was the worst-hit, with one resident reporting a rise in floodwaters of 1.3 meters in just 10 minutes.
Beijing’s topography has been described by some as a rain “trap,” with its mountains to the west and north capturing moist air and amplifying any ensuing rainfall as a result.
WELLNESS RETREAT As of Saturday, torrential rains that swept through “Beijing Valley,” a riverside wellness retreat in the Hebei city of Chengde adjacent to Beijing, had claimed three lives, with four still missing, China’s state news agency Xinhua reported.
Around 40 people had gathered on July 27 for an event at the site, where organizers directed them into tents pitched on low-lying land next to a river bend, Caixin Media reported.
By 2 a.m. the next morning, floodwaters had risen to knee height, forcing attendees to scramble towards the camp’s only exit.
The site bore similarities to Camp Mystic in Texas, where at least 28 children were swept to their deaths last month by floodwaters after the Guadalupe River burst its banks amid torrential rain.
In China’s southern Guangdong province over the weekend, the bodies of five people were recovered after a large-scale search operation involving more than 1,300 rescuers.
The five people, who went missing on Friday night, were “swept away by water” following heavy rainfall in recent days, Xinhua reported on Sunday. — Reuters
SINGAPORE — Property tycoon Ong Beng Seng pleaded guilty to one charge of obstructing justice on Monday in a landmark corruption case that led to the jailing of former Transport Minister S. Iswaran last year.
However, both the prosecution and defense agreed to grant Mr. Ong judicial mercy given his chronic illness, and argued for him to be fined in lieu of imprisonment. He will be sentenced on Aug. 15.
A second charge of abetting an offense was also taken into consideration.
Judicial mercy gives courts the authority to give a more lenient sentence in exceptional mitigating circumstances, such as a terminal illness or when imprisonment could pose a high risk of endangering a life.
The defense submitted that Mr. Ong suffers from multiple myeloma, an incurable cancer that affects his blood plasma cells and renders him immuno-compromised.
The case has been the subject of major intrigue in Singapore, a wealthy financial hub that offers ministers salaries of more than S$1 million ($775,000) to deter graft and prides itself on its reputation for clean governance.
Mr. Ong had informed Mr. Iswaran that his associates had been questioned and a private flight manifest with Mr. Iswaran’s name on it for a flight from Singapore to Doha had been seized by the corruption watchdog during investigations.
This led Mr. Iswaran to ask Mr. Ong to issue an invoice through Singapore GP, promoter of the Singapore F1 Grand Prix, to bill him for the trip, which prosecutors say Mr. Iswaran knew would make it less likely that he would be investigated.
Mr. Iswaran was sentenced to 12 months in prison in October 2024, the first time a former cabinet member had ever been jailed in Singapore, on charges of obstructing justice and receiving more than $300,000 worth of gifts.
In February, Mr. Iswaran was put under house arrest for the remainder of his sentence.
Mr. Ong gave Mr. Iswaran tickets to English Premier League soccer matches, the Singapore Formula 1 Grand Prix, London musicals and a ride on a private jet among other favors.
Mr. Iswaran was an adviser to the Singapore Grand Prix’s steering committee, while Mr. Ong, 78, owns the rights to the race.
The billionaire stepped down as managing director of Singapore-listed Hotel Properties in April. — Reuters
Globe now covers 96.13% of the Philippine population with its mobile network. Based on the 2020 population tally, that’s over 106 million people who can rely on mobile signals for calls, internet access, and daily communication. Despite this, around 4.2 million Filipinos still remain outside the coverage areas. These are Filipinos who live in remote towns situated in barely inhabited islands, mountainous regions, or places where terrain and lack of basic infrastructure like electricity have made it difficult to put up digital infrastructure. Reaching these people really poses a challenge.
“There is still much work to be done to bring quality connectivity to every Filipino. Globe remains fully committed to making it happen,” said Joel Agustin, SVP for Network Planning and Engineering.
With continuous builds, Globe expects to raise its population coverage because every bit of progress means more people gaining access to vital services and opportunities.
In 2024, Globe invested P56.2 billion in capital expenditures. Most of that was spent to strengthen the network, building over 1,200 new cell sites, upgrading more than 4,600 to LTE, and putting up close to 600 new 5G sites.
This helped bring mobile coverage to near-universal levels in key cities: close to full coverage in Metro Manila, and nearly 97% across major cities in Visayas and Mindanao.
Globe continues to focus on areas that are underserved, those with limited or no access. These are now being prioritized in the company’s expansion plans. The goal is not just broader reach, but deeper impact, because for many of these communities a stable mobile signal can open the door to education, livelihood, and business development.
“We remain targeted and strategic in our network builds, focused on enabling and uplifting the lives of more Filipinos, and contributing to national development,” Mr. Agustin said.
Even as the network grows, Globe is careful not to overlook quality. Over the past three years, it has consistently been recognized as the country’s most reliable mobile network, a reflection of its ongoing efforts to deliver stable and dependable service wherever possible.
To reach communities where electricity is still unreliable or unavailable, Globe also uses off-grid and solar-powered towers. On top of that, the company works closely with local governments to speed up permitting and community coordination.
The work is far from over, but every new connection brings the country a little closer to closing the digital divide.
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The private sector is pushing for taxing the seller on gross receipts, for when the goods or services have actually already been paid. The current setup is good for the government, but what about the seller, asked Ma. Lourdes P. Lim, vice chairman and tax managing partner of PwC Philippines.
There’s an input tax for sellers of merchandise, she pointed out. For sellers of service though, there is none.
“For sellers of service, the big cost is labor, and it’s not subject to VAT [Value Added Tax]. So that’s the disparity,” she said.
“It’s more of ease on the taxpayer if it’s based on cash receipts,” she told BusinessWorld. “At least may pera ka nang pambayad sa (you have the money to pay the) tax.”
Interview by Patricia Mirasol Video editing by Jayson Mariñas/ Arjale Queral
Rooted in historical, political, and religious differences, conflicts in Mindanao have long impacted the youth, especially those who are studying, a youth leader said.
“Youth are victims of the conflicts, and of these differences and tensions that have occurred,” Arizza Ann S. Nocum, co-founder of Kristiyano-Islam Peace Library (KRIS), told BusinessWorld.
Interview by Almira Martinez Video editing by Jayson Mariñas
Gonggomtua Sitanggang, Southeast Asia Director, ITDP
The Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system, which is being developed in the key cities of Cebu and Davao, holds the potential of helping address the mass transportation shortage and perennial traffic woes in Metro Manila.
In a recent forum that gathered representatives from the Department of Transportation (DoTr), the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), and advocates for better mobility in the Philippines, BRT’s benefits were discussed and it may hold the key to decongesting the streets of Metro Manila and solving the lack of mass transportation.
According to Gonggom Sitanggang of the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP), a global organization at the forefront of designing and implementing transport systems and policy solutions, while the existing EDSA Busway system provides better mobility experience, there is still room for improvement to make public commuting easier and more inclusive and accessible.
Mr. Sintanggang explained that with significantly lower capital cost and shorter construction time, BRT can carry more passengers than rail.
The BRT, he added, could carry five times more passengers versus a regular bus, which is ideal for densely populated areas like Metro Manila.
“As cities grow, BRT enables efficient, inclusive, and scalable public transport that responds to today’s challenges and tomorrow’s demand,” Mr. Sintanggang told AltMobility PH’s Philippine Mobility Series 2025, which was co-presented by the DoTr and in partnership with Grab, Makati Business Club, Inc., and the Move As One Coalition on July 25.
He shared the experience of Jakarta, which shift to the BRT system has enabled it to address the Indonesian capital’s insufficient mass transport at a low capital cost and shorter construction period.
According to Atty. Booey Bonifacio of Grab Philippines, this special session with ITDP, mobility advocates, and government transport officials is a good chance to be able to learn from Jakarta’s experience in improving its public transport services.
“Grab, as a supporter of AltMobility PH’s Philippine Mobility Series, creates opportunities for the government to have meaningful interactions with nongovernment organizations, civil society organizations, and the academe,” she said. “We aim to co-create solutions for better mobility in the Philippines through these mobility sessions.”
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The officials of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and Philippines' leading super finance app GCash ink a memorandum of understanding to support the growth of millions of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) by deploying easy-to-use digital tools at DTI regional and provincial offices and DTI Negosyo Centers. With the GCash for Business Portal, MSMEs can track all their transactions in real time from a single platform.
From left: DTI Director of Bureau of Small and Medium Enterprise Development Emma Asusano, DTI Undersecretary Blesila Lantayona, GCash for Business General Manager Jong Layug, and GCash Vice-President and Head of Public Sector Cleo Celeste Santos
In celebration of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) month, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and GCash for Business announced their partnership to support the growth of the country’s economic backbone through simple and scalable digital financial tools.
GCash for Business General Manager Jong Layug and DTI Undersecretary Blesila A. Lantayona formalized the collaboration in a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signing ceremony on July 15 during the MSME Bayanihan Caravan 2025 event.
By joining forces with DTI, the Philippines’ leading finance super app aims to make payment and business solutions, such as GCash SoundPay, more accessible through their to-be-launched GCash for Business Portal, allowing MSMEs in rural and underserved areas to process transactions seamlessly. The DTI will play a key role in assisting MSMEs through its regional and provincial offices, as well as over 1,100 DTI Negosyo Centers, helping businesses innovate their operations.
GCash for Business General Manager Jong Layug
“Through this partnership, we will introduce tailored digital business tools that meet the needs of the millions of Filipino MSMEs. Because when MSMEs progress, livelihoods improve, and the whole nation moves forward,” Layug said.
Layug said GCash for Business seeks to empower MSMEs by transforming payment tools that many consider “not for them” into accessible, easy-to-use solutions. “While there are numerous options in the market and we know our MSMEs are resourceful and ‘madiskarte,’ many existing solutions can feel intimidating, expensive, and simply don’t fit where these businesses are in their journey,” the GCash official stressed.
This initiative is also in line with DTI’s three key priorities: digitalization, inclusive growth, and global competitiveness. “This isn’t just about technology—it’s also about enabling resilience, providing livelihoods, opening doors for aspiring entrepreneurs in every corner of the country, and creating a future where more Filipino businesses can succeed in a digital economy,” said Lantayona, speaking on behalf of DTI Secretary Cristina Roque.
In addition to the MOU signing, GCash for Business shared its financial expertise at the trade caravan, offering valuable insights on digital payments and lending to guide digitalization efforts and support business expansion.
Merchants will find it easy and simple to make their first step towards digital transformation with a new and simplified self-onboarding process through the GCash for Business Portal. They can make unlimited transfers to merchant partners and banks, track transactions in real time — all for free, all from a single platform. Complementing this is a new payment solution designed to make the processing of customer payments easier and more convenient. With the SoundPay device, merchants can now hear it when a customer pays in their store, providing them with verification that the payment has been accepted in real time. Merchants can also watch out for a soon-to-launch solution that turns the merchants’ phones into a POS machine capable of accepting credit card payments anytime, anywhere.
Through the GCash for Business Portal, merchants can choose their business plan and select their payment device, giving them flexibility as they pursue this digital journey. In the portal, merchants can track transactions in real-time, with no wallet limits (for Pro plan) and no fees! Soon, with just a fully-verified GCash account (minimum 12 months), they can already register and start using GCash for Business solutions.
“This is financial inclusion in action—giving every MSME, no matter how small or remote, a real chance to participate in and benefit from the digital economy,” said Layug.
The digital toolset stands to benefit over 1.2 million MSMEs in the Philippines, with most of them engaged in retail and restaurant businesses that require a reliable digital platform for managing payments and transactions.
However, digital adoption remains low, with only 16% of Filipino MSMEs embracing these tools, according to a Boston Consulting Group study. On a more positive note, the study also reveals that 77% of MSMEs recognize the need for these digital solutions to improve efficiency. Recognizing this gap, GCash for Business is here to support MSMEs in their digital transformation in an easy and simple way. Discover solutions and sign up today at https://new.gcash.com/business/msme#inquire-now.
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Skyline view of Filinvest City, Alabang's thriving central business district
The Levels’ offer exceptional homes inside the flourishing garden business district
Once known as a quiet suburb south of Metro Manila, Alabang in Muntinlupa has become one of the premier central business districts in the country. Filinvest City, a 244-hectare fully-integrated township, is the key catalyst to Alabang’s ascent — driving its transformation into a premier business district and redefining urban living in the South. With its strategic location, green spaces, world-class developments, and thriving commercial ecosystem, Filinvest City has become a magnet that attracts both global corporations and discerning homeowners.
Now, the district is taking another leap forward. The country’s largest integrated telecommunications company, PLDT, recently announced its plans to develop a five-hectare PLDT Campus, envisioned as the future headquarters of the telecommunications group. Strategically located in Filinvest City’s Southgate District, this pioneering campus is a powerful signal of business confidence in the area as a preferred location for headquarters, tech hubs, and upscale residential properties. For investors and homebuyers alike, this becomes a rare opportunity to secure a residence in a high-growth area before the market fully catches up to its potential.
At the forefront of this opportunity, Filinvest City’s premier residential four-tower development, The Levels, offers not only what most young professionals and couples are looking for, but what Filipinos from all walks of life can appreciate: convenience, proximity to work, a well-balanced urban lifestyle, and, perhaps most importantly, long-term value appreciation.
Historically, land values in Filinvest City have increased by an astounding 570% over the last 10 years, and condominium prices are expected to follow suit. Residential property value in Filinvest City is also rising with an average of 20% growth in the last two years.
As these trends are expected to continue, purchasing early can give buyers the benefits of capital appreciation while they enjoy a high-quality living environment surrounded by top-tier amenities.
Aside from its accessibility and its potential to greatly appreciate, The Levels’ long-term value is also tied to the key developments and infrastructure that surround it — the same factors that continue to elevate Filinvest City as one of the most desirable places to live and invest in Metro Manila.
Key corporate locators from leading global fintech, BPO, and FMCG brands in Filinvest City as well as the aforementioned entry of PLDT should signal business confidence as well as generate career opportunities and sustained demand for quality residential spaces in the area.
The Levels also offers convenient proximity to a wide range of essential institutions such as business hubs, premium-grade office spaces, top educational institutions like Far Eastern University Alabang and San Beda College Alabang; world-class healthcare facilities such as Asian Hospital & Medical Center; and upscale lifestyle spots like The Palms Country Club, Westgate Center, Festival Mall, and Alabang Town Center.
Furthermore, the development emphasizes the importance of connectivity and access to the rest of Metro Manila and the south of Luzon. Major road networks like Alabang-Zapote Road, South Luzon Expressway (SLEX), Skyway, and Daang Hari Road are all just minutes away from the residential enclave.
Artist’s perspective of The Levels at Filinvest City, including the soon-to-rise Catalina tower
SMARTER, MORE ELEVATED RESIDENTIAL LIVING AT BURBANK AND CATALINA
Considering Filinvest City’s growth trajectory combined with The Levels’ increasing value, prospective buyers have the opportunity to choose from thoughtfully designed unit options that cater to modern Filipino lifestyles and investment goals.
With the development’s first building and standard setter — the Anaheim Tower — now completely sold out, the attention shifts to the project’s second and third towers, Burbank and Catalina.
Families and professionals ready to settle into a new home or start generating passive income from property investments right away are primed for an excellent move-in opportunity in the Burbank Tower. The residential space features well-designed, rightly-sized units ranging from one-bedroom flex units (36 sq.m.) perfect for professionals, to two-bedroom units (56 sq.m.) ideal for couples looking to start a family and retirees looking to downsize homes.
Artist’s perspective of One Bedroom Flex unit at the Catalina tower
For those looking to invest early and maximize returns over time, the Catalina Tower is currently available at attractive preselling rates with limited inventory for one-bedroom flex units ranging from 34-38 sq.m., two-bedrooms at 52-57 sq.m., or expansive three-bedroom residence at 75 sq.m., which means buyers can secure their unit while property values in Filinvest City are still on an upward trajectory.
One of the most notable features of Catalina tower is its expansive grand lobby, which will be the largest among all buildings in the complex. Designed with elegance and sophistication, it sets the tone for the elevated lifestyle that future residents can expect from the moment they arrive at the new tower.
In addition to a playground and outdoor lounge, the tower will introduce more open, landscaped areas including the Central Garden, a green sanctuary where residents can relax and unwind away from the city’s fast pace.
An artist’s view of the Central Garden — a soon to be developed feature at The Levels, designed to bring calm to everyday life of its residents
To support today’s sustainable urban practices, the tower will feature a dedicated electric vehicle charging station as well, highlighting the development’s commitment to sustainability and convenience.
Enhancing day-to-day living even further is the Levels’ Retail Row, a curated selection of specialty stores that brings added ease and vibrancy right to residents’ doorsteps.
A PROMISING ABODE IN THE SOUTH
The continued rise of Alabang and Filinvest City bodes well for the prospective future of The Levels. The development, in a sense, embodies what today’s homeowners and investors are truly after: access to a thriving business district, modern conveniences within walking distance, exceptional connectivity, and a future-proofed, eco-conscious lifestyle.
For prospective homeowners, the time to secure a unit in this exceptional development is now, while opportunities still await. Visit the website at thelevels.com.ph or their Facebook page @TheLevelsOfficial to learn more.
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Newly-appointed Philippine Army Commander Lt. Gen. Antonio Nafarrete presents the Western Mindanao Command symbol of appreciation to Lt. Gen. Mikee Romero, PAF Reserve Command, for his valuable efforts in the building of a covered court and assembly area in Barangay Mariki in Zamboanga City.
Lt. Gen. Antonio Nafarrete, who recently assumed command of the Philippine Army on Thursday, led the groundbreaking rites for the Barangay Mariki, Zamboanga City covered court and community assembly area, together with Lt. Col. Mikee Romero of the Philippine Air Force Reserve Command.
Among the first to congratulate Mr. Nafarrete was Mr. Romero, who hailed Mr. Nafarrete’s appointment as a major win for national security and civil-military unity.
Mr. Romero said, “Lt. Gen. Nafarrete’s service as head of the Western Mindanao Command has been marked by both bravery and compassion — qualities that will serve the Army and the nation well.”
Among Mr. Nafarrete’s final official acts as WestMinCom chief was leading the groundbreaking ceremony in Barangay Mariki, a vulnerable coastal barangay in Zamboanga City.
The project is part of WestMinCom’s 19th anniversary celebration and exemplifies the command’s continuing commitment to peacebuilding and community development.
Groundbreaking rites were recently held for the new covered assembly area and basketball court in Barangay Mariki, Zamboanga City, with Philippine Army Commander, Lt. Gen. Antonio Nafarrete, and Lt. Col. Mikee Romero, PAF Reserve Command, at the center in photo.
“This facility will stand as a symbol of unity, hope, and youth development,” Mr. Nafarrete said during the ceremony, held at a site that once bore witness to the challenges of the Marawi conflict.
He credited former congressman and reservist leader Mr. Romero for his significant support in making the project possible. Mr. Romero, also founding chairman of the Association of Reservists and Reservist Administrators of the Philippines, Inc., has long advocated for youth-centered, community-based initiatives across the country.
“This court will be more than just a sports venue,” said Mr. Romero, who is also a top businessman and sportsman.
“It will be a safe haven for our youth, a platform for community dialogue, and a symbol of solidarity and progress. We also plan to bring in more partners from Luzon to help deliver essential services and development support to Barangay Mariki.”
Zamboanga City Mayor Khymer Olaso also expressed gratitude to Mr. Romero and his delegation during a courtesy call, emphasizing the significance of the donation.
“The City Government is grateful for this meaningful gift to our community,” Mayor Olaso posted on social media. “It adds a vital dimension to our vision of a safer, stronger Zamboanga.”
Also present during the visit and ceremony were key members of the reserve force and local officials, including:Capt. Edwin T. Ello (Philippine Navy, GSC), Cmdr. Peter P. Negrido (Philippine Navy, Reserve), Lt. Col. Meliton Agpaoa (Philippine Army, Reserve), Lt. Col. Floreto Solano (Philippine Air Force, Reserve), Lt. Col. Gelacio Bongngat (Philippine Navy – Marines, Reserve), Lt. Col. Maria Josefina San Juan-Torres (Philippine Army, Reserve), Lt. Col. Anthony Villafranca (Philippine Air Force, Reserve), and Celso Lobregat, Secretary to the Mayor and Chief-of-Staff.
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