LAS VEGAS — Giannis Antetokounmpo tallied 30 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists to lead the Milwaukee Bucks to the NBA Cup final with a 110-102 win over the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday.
Damian Lillard added 25 points for the Bucks, making 8 of 21 attempts from the field and 5 of his 14 attempts from three. Trae Young led the Hawks with 35 points and 10 assists on 9-of-18 shooting. Young fell three rebounds short of a triple-double with seven, all of which came in the first half.
Milwaukee will face either the Oklahoma Thunder or Houston Rockets in Tuesday’s title game.
The Bucks outscored the Hawks 28-19 in a highly defensive fourth quarter to secure their trip to the final after losing an eight-point lead in the third. Antetokounmpo scored 10 of his 32 points in the fourth quarter to push the Bucks over the hump.
Young scored 14 points in the third quarter, helping the Hawks erase Milwaukee’s lead. Onyeka Okongwu buried a 3-pointer to tie the game at 78 and the Hawks regained an 80-78 lead on a Jalen Johnson dunk with 32.6 seconds remaining in the quarter. However, Johnson was awarded a technical foul for his response to the basket and Lillard went to the line for a free throw that trimmed Atlanta’s lead to 80-79. Johnson, who was fouled, then made his free throw.
Lillard promptly put the Bucks back ahead 82-81 on their next possession, draining a 3-pointer with 15 seconds remaining in the third. Johnson made up for his transgression and put the Hawks ahead 83-82 with a tip-in in the quarter’s closing seconds.
The Hawks led 28-26 after the first quarter, but Milwaukee outscored them by eight points in the second quarter to take a 55-49 lead to halftime. Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with 14 points in the first half, shooting 5-of-8 from the field while scoring seven points in each of the first two quarters. Young led the Hawks with 12 points in the first half and was already nearing a triple-double at halftime with seven rebounds and seven assists.
Milwaukee shot 39-of-86 (45.3%) from the field for the game, making 14 of its 45 attempts from 3-point range. They outscored the Hawks 22-15 in fast-break points and had a 47-44 outrebounding edge. Atlanta shot 42.7, making 10-of-24 attempts from beyond the arc. — Reuters
TWO teams disappointed to be in San Francisco rather than Las Vegas this weekend go head-to-head Sunday night when the Dallas Mavericks visit the Golden State Warriors.
The Mavericks and Warriors, both of whom advanced to the West final four of the NBA Cup out of the same group, suffered first-round defeats in the single-elimination portion of the event. Dallas fell to the West’s top seed, the Oklahoma City Thunder, 118-104, on the road on Tuesday, then Golden State was eliminated at Houston, 91-90, on Wednesday.
The Cup format called for the two Western losers to square off in a contest added onto the regular-season schedule, giving each an 82nd game to match the other teams in the league.
The result was a rematch of the Cup opener, which grabbed the national spotlight not because of the tournament but rather because it was Klay Thompson’s return to San Francisco after having left for Dallas in a sign-and-trade in the offseason.
Thompson successfully turned back the clock on his big night, thrilling his old fans with 22 points in his homecoming, a game the Warriors won 120-117. — Reuters
PREMIER LEAGUE leader Liverpool salvaged a 2-2 draw at home to Fulham despite trailing twice and having Andy Robertson sent off after 17 minutes on Saturday as chasing Arsenal were left to rue being held to 0-0 stalemate at home to Everton.
On what turned out to be a good day for second-placed Chelsea, who face Brentford on Sunday, Liverpool would have been far happier with their draw than title rivals Arsenal.
Diogo Jota scored an 86th minute equalizer at Anfield as Arne Slot’s side avoided a second league defeat of the season.
They have 36 points from 15 games, five more than Chelsea, while Arsenal’s failure to score at home for the first time this season left them still six points off the pace having played one game more than the two sides above them. — Reuters
For the first time this month, Trae Young finally hit half his shots. Prior to yesterday’s outing, he managed to can a mere 34 of his 95 field goal attempts in December — remarkably atrocious for a three-time All-Star. At any other time, the numbers could be explained away by the small sample size; after all, even the best of the best find themselves swooning on occasion. Not in his case, though; a third into his 2024-25 campaign, his 30.8% and 38.4% clips from three-point territory and on aggregate stand as the worst of his career. And, considering that he has invariably leaned on the wrong side of efficiency since being drafted fifth overall in 2018, that’s saying a lot.
The irony, of course, is that the Hawks are winning despite Young’s depressed stats. They may have elephant-walked the start of their season in claiming just seven of 18 games, but they somehow turned it around thereafter even as he continued to put up bricks. In part, it’s because his threat level remains respectable; he leverages his willingness to keep hoisting as opportunities to feed teammates the ball for the score. Not for nothing is he likewise norming an all-time-high 12.2 dimes per contest. In short, he’s the engine propelling the cause of the red and yellow.
Significantly, the Hawks’ defeat at the hands of the streaking Bucks counts as an irony as well. Young may have put up a monster line (35, seven, and 10) while playing decent defense, but they found themselves eight short all the same at the buzzer. And so they bowed out in the Round of Four of the National Basketball Association Cup even as he got to make nine of a judicious 18 shots. They came close to booking a spot in the final, though; they actually led the contest early in the fourth quarter, but could not quite stick the landing.
Notwithstanding the defeat, the Hawks are in a good place. They’re seventh in East standings, and can boast of having upended the league-leading Cavaliers twice along with important triumphs over the Celtics, Bucks, and Knicks. In other words, they have proven their capacity to stand toe to toe with the established elite. It’s not an inconsequential feat, and they have used their victories to further build confidence. Clearly, they were right to abandon the Dejounte Murray experiment in the offseason. But are they also justified in keeping Young, decidedly undersized at 6’1” and 165 pounds? Only time will tell. Meanwhile, he has them exceeding themselves — exactly why he’s around and leading the charge.
Anthony L. Cuaycong has been writing Courtside since BusinessWorld introduced a Sports section in 1994. He is a consultant on strategic planning, operations and human resources management, corporate communications, and business development.
ACTING South Korean President and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo delivers an address to the nation at the government complex in Seoul, South Korea, Dec. 14, 2024. — YONHAP VIA REUTERS
SEOUL — South Korea’s acting president, Han Duck-soo, moved on Sunday to reassure the country’s allies and calm financial markets a day after President Yoon Suk Yeol was impeached and suspended from his duties over a martial law attempt.
Han spoke with US President Joseph R. Biden by phone, the White House and Mr. Han’s office said.
“South Korea will carry out its foreign and security policies without disruption and strive to ensure the South Korea-US alliance is maintained and developed steadfastly,” Mr. Han said, according to a statement from his office.
In a further attempt to stabilize the country’s leadership, the main opposition party announced it would not seek to impeach Mr. Han for his involvement in Mr. Yoon’s Dec. 3 martial law decision.
“Given that the prime minister has already been confirmed as acting president and considering that excessive impeachments could lead to confusion in national governance, we have decided not to proceed with impeachment procedures,” Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung told reporters.
Mr. Han, a longtime technocrat picked by Yoon as prime minister, was elevated to acting president in accordance with the constitution while Mr. Yoon’s case moves to the Constitutional Court.
NORTH KOREAN THREAT Mr. Yoon’s surprise martial law declaration and the ensuing political crisis spooked markets and South Korea’s diplomatic partners worried over the country’s ability to deter nuclear-armed North Korea.
Biden told Han the ironclad U.S.-South Korea alliance remained unchanged and Washington would work with Seoul to further develop and strengthen the alliance as well as trilateral cooperation including neighbor Japan, Han’s office said.
The White House said in a statement that the US president “expressed his appreciation for the resiliency of democracy and the rule of law in the ROK and reaffirmed the ironclad commitment of the United States to the people of the ROK,” using the abbreviation for the country’s formal name, the Republic of Korea.
“President Biden expressed his confidence that the Alliance will remain the linchpin for peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region during Acting President Han’s tenure.”
Han convened his cabinet and National Security Council shortly after Saturday’s impeachment vote and vowed to maintain military readiness to prevent any breach of national security.
South Korea’s partners wanted to see a credible and constitutional temporary leadership put in place as soon as possible, said Philip Turner, a former New Zealand ambassador to South Korea.
“They will be pleased to see Prime Minister Han take over as acting president,” he said. “He is capable, experienced and well respected in foreign capitals.”
But even with an acting president in place, international partners face months of uncertainty before a new president can be elected and a new government established, Mr. Turner added.
The Constitutional Court has up to six months to decide whether to remove or reinstate Mr. Yoon. If he is removed or resigns, a new elections will be held within 60 days.
“During that time Korea’s highly competent professional bureaucracy can be relied on to keep the country’s foreign policy running, but they will find it hard to provide clear direction,” Mr. Turner said.
ECONOMIC FALLOUT South Korean shares rose for a fourth straight session on Friday on hopes that the political uncertainty would ease after the impeachment vote in parliament, which followed a failed vote a week earlier.
Democratic Party leader Mr. Lee said the most pressing issue is a slump in consumption caused by insufficient domestic demand and the government’s reduction of its fiscal role.
He called for a National Stability Council for Governance comprising the government and parliament to discuss finance, economy and public livelihoods.
“To address this, I believe it is necessary to promptly discuss a supplementary budget,” Mr. Lee said, adding that a supplementary budget could include funding to support small businesses and investments related to artificial intelligence and infrastructure to try to head off energy shortages.
Parliament, controlled by Mr. Lee’s party, passed a 673.3 trillion won ($470.6 billion) 2025 budget bill on Tuesday that cut the government’s 677.4 trillion won proposal, without reaching agreement with Mr. Yoon’s People Power Party and the government.
By law parliament cannot increase government budgets, and at the time the Democratic Party said a supplementary budget could be needed to address spending for people’s livelihoods.
The party said its cuts were mostly in reserve funds for the government, interest costs and funds allocated to the presidential office, prosecutors and auditors for classified operations. The government accused parliament of delaying projects for small businesses with the cuts.
Deadlock over budget issues was one of the justifications Yoon cited for imposing martial law. — Reuters
The British union flag flutters on the Victoria Tower at the Houses of Parliamen, in London, Britain Dec. 30, 2020. — REUTERS/TOBY MELVILLE
LONDON — Britain officially became the 12th member of a trans-Pacific trade pact which includes Japan, Australia and Canada on Sunday as it seeks to deepen ties in the region and build its global trade links after leaving the European Union.
Britain announced last year it would join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) in its biggest trade deal since Brexit.
The accession means Britain will be able to apply CPTPP trade rules and lower tariffs with eight of the 11 existing members from Sunday — Brunei, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, and Vietnam.
The agreement enters into force with Australia on Dec. 24, and will apply with the final two members — Canada and Mexico — 60 days after they ratify it.
The pact represents Britain’s first free trade deals with Malaysia and Brunei, but while it had agreements with the other countries, CPTPP provisions go further, especially in giving companies choices on how to use “rules of origin” provisions.
The CPTPP does not have a single market for goods or services, and so regulatory harmonization is not required, unlike the EU, whose trading orbit Britain left at the end of 2020.
Britain estimates the pact may be worth 2 billion pounds ($2.5 billion) a year in the long run — less than 0.1% of GDP.
But in a sign of the strategic, rather than purely economic, implications of the pact, Britain can now influence whether applicants China and Taiwan may join the group.
The free trade agreement has its roots in the US-backed Trans-Pacific Partnership, developed in part to counter China’s growing economic dominance.
The US pulled out in 2017 under then-President Donald J. Trump and the pact was reborn as the CPTPP.
Costa Rica is the next applicant country to go through the process of joining, while Indonesia also aims to do so. — Reuters
LONDON — Britain’s Prince Andrew was facing intense media scrutiny on Saturday after revelations that a close Chinese business associate of the scandal-hit younger brother of King Charles was thought by the British government to be a Chinese spy.
In a court ruling on Thursday, it was disclosed that the businessman, known only as H6, had been banned from Britain on national security grounds because the authorities suspected he was working clandestinely for Beijing to forge close contacts with prominent British figures.
Late on Friday, Andrew, the Duke of York, issued a statement to the BBC and other media in which he said he had “ceased all contact” with the individual, described in the court documents as a “close confidant”, once concerns were raised.
“The duke met the individual through official channels, with nothing of a sensitive nature ever discussed,” the statement said.
However, questions about the case have continued to dominate British front pages and news broadcasts.
The Daily Telegraph newspaper reported that the British intelligence agency MI5 was investigating Chinese money given to Andrew, while the Times said the prince had invited the businessman to the royal properties Buckingham Palace, St. James’ Palace and Windsor Castle.
The Mirror reported that King Charles had been briefed by MI5 and was “truly exasperated” by the situation. A royal source told Reuters that Buckingham Palace had been kept informed of the situation in the appropriate ways and at the appropriate junctures.
ESPIONAGE ACCUSATIONS While British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has sought to thaw ties with China since taking office in July, London and Beijing have repeatedly traded spying accusations, with British security services warning of Chinese attempts to infiltrate political, business and academic spheres.
The Chinese embassy in London described the H6 case as another attempt to smear China and sabotage normal working relationships.
The case also shines a light on the finances of the 64-year-old prince.
Andrew, once a dashing naval officer who served in the military during the Falklands War with Argentina in the early 1980s, has now become a royal pariah over his friendship with the late US sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
He was forced to step down from a roving UK trade ambassador role in 2011, before quitting all royal duties in 2019 and then being stripped of his military links and royal patronages in 2022 amid allegations of sexual misconduct which he has always denied.
British media have reported that Charles had cut off his allowance and wanted to oust the duke from his Royal Lodge home on the Windsor estate.
The court documents about H6, who had been authorized to act for Andrew to seek investors in China, referred to a 2021 document listing talking points for a call between him and the prince in which he wrote the duke was “in a desperate situation and will grab onto anything.” — Reuters
HUNDREDS of thousands of Rhode Island residents’ personal and bank information, including Social Security numbers, were very likely hacked by an international cybercriminal group asking for a ransom, state officials said on Saturday.
In what Rhode Island officials described as extortion, the hackers threatened to release the stolen information unless they were paid an undisclosed amount of money.
The breached data affects people who use the state’s government assistance programs and includes the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families and healthcare purchased through the state’s HealthSource RI, Governor Dan McKee announced on Friday.
Hackers gained access to RIBridges, the state’s online portal for obtaining social services earlier this month, the governor’s office said in a statement, but the breach was not confirmed by its vendor, Deloitte, until Friday.
“Deloitte confirmed that there is a high probability that a cybercriminal has obtained files with personally identifiable information from RIBridges,” the governor’s office said in a statement on Saturday.
A representative from Mr. McKee’s office was not immediately available to Reuters for comment.
Anyone who has applied for or received benefits through those programs since 2016 could be affected.
The state directed Deloitte to shut down RIBridges to remediate the threat, and for the time being, anyone applying for new benefits will have to do so on paper applications until the system is back up.
Households believed to have been affected will receive a letter from the state notifying them of the problem and explaining steps to be taken to help protect their data and bank accounts. — Reuters
Military personnel take part in a parade to mark the 90th anniversary of the founding of the Korean People’s Revolutionary Army in Pyongyang, North Korea, in this undated photo released by North Korea’s Korean Central News Agency on April 26, 2022. — KCNA VIA REUTERS
KYIV — Russia has begun using North Korean troops in significant numbers for the first time to conduct assaults on Ukrainian forces battling to hold an enclave in Russia’s Kursk region, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Saturday.
The Ukrainian leader said the more active use of the troops was a new escalation in the war and called for a global response, as Donald J. Trump’s return to the White House next month fuels speculation of a coming push for peace talks.
“Today, we already have preliminary data that the Russians have begun to use North Korean soldiers in their assaults. A significant number of them,” Mr. Zelensky told Ukrainians in his daily wartime address.
The North Koreans were being used in combined Russian units and only on the Kursk front for now, he said, adding: “We have information suggesting their use could extend to other parts of the frontline.”
Kyiv first said North Korean forces turned up in Russia’s Kursk region in October and later reported unspecified clashes and casualties. It estimates there are 11,000 North Koreans in total, adding to a force of tens of thousands of Russians.
Russia has neither confirmed nor denied the presence of North Koreans on its side.
Ukraine, nearly a fifth of which is occupied by Moscow’s troops, launched an incursion into Russia’s western Kursk region in August, carving out an enclave that it said could be used as a bargaining chip in any talks to end the war.
Ukraine has battled to hold the area, although some Western military analysts have questioned the incursion’s rationale, arguing it has extended an already-sprawling front line, exposing Ukraine’s manpower weakness as it battles a larger foe.
Kyiv said the operation sought to divert Russian forces, but it has not stopped Moscow notching up its fastest gains in the east since 2022, although Russian forces have taken heavy casualties, according to Kyiv and the West.
POTENTIAL ENDGAME Ukraine’s General Staff reported a significant increase in the number of Russian assaults on the Kursk front, along with airstrikes, glide bomb raids and more than 200 artillery attacks.
Andrii Kovalenko, an official at Ukraine’s National Security and Defence Council, said the North Koreans had taken losses, but provided no numbers.
“The Russians are counting on numbers and are trying to carry out assault operations with the help of the Koreans, when the task of the Koreans is to run under the blows of our forces and occupy certain areas,” Mr. Kovalenko wrote on Telegram.
As Mr. Trump’s return has put the focus on a potential endgame in the war, Kyiv has urged the West to put it into a stronger position and bridled at fears of escalation, a line echoed by Mr. Zelensky as he denounced North Korea’s role in the fighting.
“In essence, Moscow has dragged another state into this war, and to the fullest extent possible. And if this is not escalation, then what is the escalation that so many have been talking about?” Mr. Zelensky said.
He used his address to issue a fresh appeal to his allies to strengthen their support for Kyiv, something he said he would discuss with European powers next week.
Mr. Zelensky plans to attend a meeting with the leaders of Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, NATO, and the EU in Brussels on Wednesday. — Reuters
AlBarakah recently launched in the Philippines with an exotic Arabian Nights-themed celebration.
Like a fable come to life, AlBarakah, the new go-to name in authentic halal food in the country, was recently launched in the Philippines with an exotic Arabian Nights-themed celebration at Crowne Plaza in Ortigas Center. Dubbed “An Arabian Nights Feast,” the glitzy event had guests decked out in their finest traditional Muslim attire as they sampled AlBarakah’s stellar offerings.
The centerpiece of the culinary spread were AlBarakah’s premium shredded corned beef and minced hash corned beef, their rich flavors complemented by the company’s protein bites and flavorful coffee options such as 3-in-1 brown coffee and white coffee. Of course, every dish was certified halal, meaning “lawful” in Islamic teachings, to ensure that they would be savored by all Muslims in attendance.
Like a fable come to life, AlBarakah, the new go-to name in authentic halal food in the country, launched at Crowne Plaza in Ortigas Center.
AlBarakah CEO Ameerah Tamundong related that she knew first-hand the challenges of sourcing halal ingredients and foods in the Philippines. “My fellow Muslims and I didn’t always have the easiest time adhering to our own dietary principles,” she said. “We wanted to eradicate that problem for all our fellow Muslims by providing an easily accessible source for great tasting and healthy halal products.”
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Guests got to solve puzzles that featured design elements inspired by Muslim culture.
AlBarakah also offered a taste of their 3-in-1 brown coffee and white coffee.
Snackable protein bites were made available to sample at the event as well.
However, Tamundong envisions AlBarakah as a foremost food brand for all Filipinos. AlBarakah is thus casting a wider net in order to reach out to consumers beyond Pinoy Muslim communities.
“Good food is one of the universal languages of the Pinoy experience,” said Tamundong. “And at AlBarakah, first and foremost, we make good food. On top of ensuring the gratification of my fellow Muslims, we also hope to offer new and flavorful options to Pinoy foodies on the look-out for delicious meals.”
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AlBarakah’s protein bites came packaged with motivational reminders.
AlBarakah offered samples of their halal coffee flavors for all to enjoy.
The centerpiece of the culinary spread were AlBarakah’s premium shredded corned beef and minced hash corned beef.
This much was seemingly accomplished when AlBarakah’s products proved to be a hit at the Arabian Nights Feast. Apart from generating goodwill among guests of all creeds, AlBarakah is primed to make it easy for all Filipinos to discover—and appreciate—the taste of real halal.
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(From Left) Philippine Business Education Executive Director Justine Raagas,School of Knowledge for Industrial Labor, Leadership and Service – Primary Structures Educational Foundation president Paulette Liu, Jollibee Group Foundation president Gisela Tiongson, Jollibee Foods Corporation Philippines chief human resources officer and Jollibee Brand International HR head Ruth Angeles, Jollibee assistant vice president and HR head Anabelle Gosioco, Chowking assistant vice president and HR head Rhea Santos, and Greenwich assistant vice president and HR head Mary Ann Lim join the ceremonial signing of the memorandum of agreement and memorandum of understanding for the YouthWorks PH program last June 6.
With the world home to over 1.8 billion young people—half of them in the Asia-Pacific region—the potential of youth as leaders of tomorrow is undeniable. In the Philippines, the Jollibee Group is dedicated to unlocking this potential, focusing especially on underprivileged communities.
Jollibee Group’s youth empowerment programs are aligned with its commitment to community support as outlined in global sustainability agenda, Joy for Tomorrow.
“For years, the Jollibee Group has committed to empowering young Filipinos through sustainable, impactful programs,” said Joseph Tanbuntiong, CEO of JFC Philippines. “Together with our community partners, we continue to use our expertise to create opportunities in education, agriculture, and employment.”
Creating pathways to employment
Unemployment remains an issue to many underprivileged Filipino youth, especially during a challenging economic climate. Most of them have lost their jobs or failed to secure stable jobs due to the impacts of the pandemic. According to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), youth unemployment rate in the Philippines as of May 2023 is at 10.6%.
The Jollibee Group, through its social development arm Jollibee Group Foundation (JGF), has partnered with Philippine Business for Education (PBEd) and USAID to launch YouthWorks PH. This initiative aims to bridge the gap between education and employment, offering training to youth not in education, employment, or training (NEET). The program’s pilot, featuring 26 youth from Cebu City, will provide job-specific training, allowances, and real-world experience in the participating stores of Jollibee, Chowking and Greenwich.
“We are elated to see the pilot batch of 26 out-of-school youth in Cebu City jump-start this opportunity,” said PBEd executive director Justine Raagas. “This project is a testament to what we can achieve when we break down silos and work together. When government, businesses, educators and communities join forces, we can empower young people, unlock their potential and build a brighter future for all.”
Equipping young Filipinos
In collaboration with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), the Jollibee Group is also advancing youth employment through the Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES). This initiative will provide short-term job opportunities to 900 underprivileged youth, equipping them with essential skills for the workforce.
DOLE Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma underscored the significance of SPES in equipping young Filipinos with the skills and knowledge necessary to thrive in the workforce: “When we invest in our youth, especially those from marginalized sectors, we provide them with the tools and the support they need to reach their full potential.”
“This collaborative effort carries immense promise for both the Filipino people and the national economy. By working together, we can create a brighter future full of opportunities for our young generation, where businesses flourish alongside a capable and driven workforce. We firmly believe this partnership will empower countless young Filipinos to excel,” Secretary Laguesma added.
The Jollibee Group has been a long-time partner of DOLE for the SPES. Since 2015, over 800 youths have been previously employed in the company’s commissaries and stores of brands like Chowking, Greenwich and Red Ribbon.
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) led by Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma (seated, second from right) and the Jollibee Foods Corporation (JFC) led by Ruth Angeles (seated, second from left) have signed a Memorandum of Agreement on the Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES) that will benefit 900 underprivileged students and out-of-school youth in the Philippines.
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) led by Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma (seated, second from right) and the Jollibee Foods Corporation (JFC) led by Ruth Angeles (seated, second from left) have signed a Memorandum of Agreement on the Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES) that will benefit 900 underprivileged students and out-of-school youth in the Philippines.
Advancing education and agriculture
This is not the first time the Jollibee Group has undertaken an initiative for the marginalized youth sector. In 2005, the JGF launched the Access, Curriculum, and Employability or ACE Scholarship Program, which provides two types of educational support to underprivileged youth: college scholarships for degrees in Hotel and Restaurant Management or Business Management, and technical skills training scholarships, in partnership with Don Bosco Technical College.
In 2018, JGF partnered with the Anihan Technical School for the development of the Quick Service Restaurant Operations course, which includes both in-school and in-store training for scholars, improving not only their skills set, but also their employability in the food service industry.
Since the ACE Scholarship Program started in 2004, JGF has given scholarships to 2,397 students, which includes 1,117 students for agriculture and 139 for technical-vocational skills training.
The ACE Scholarship Program aligns with the United Nations’ transformative Sustainable Development Goals aimed at bringing peace and prosperity to the world, particularly its Quality Education (SDG4), Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG8), and Reduced Inequalities (SDG10) pillars.
Youth in agriculture
With Philippines as an agricultural country, the Jollibee Group also recognizes the power that young farmers hold to advance sustainable farming practices across regions, as it continues to capacitate youth scholars, farmers, and local farming communities nationwide through its local implementing partners like the Sacred Heart Savings Cooperative (SHSC) in Galimuyod, Ilocos Sur.
JGF’s Farmer Entrepreneurship Program (FEP) has been enabling several SHSC members and groups through scholarships and training since 2013. FEP centers on developing smallholder farmers’ leadership and technical skills by helping them become direct suppliers of high-quality vegetables to corporate buyers such as the Jollibee Group and ensure their sustainable profitability.
The SHSC farmers and scholars recently welcomed select press members for a farm tour at Galimuyod, Ilocos Sur, where they shared some of the significant impacts of the FEP program on their farming and marketing techniques, alongside the discussion of the needs of the farmers and the agricultural sector.
The SHSC farmers and scholars recently welcomed select press members for a farm tour at Galimuyod, Ilocos Sur, where they shared some of the significant impacts of the FEP program on their farming and marketing techniques, alongside the discussion of the needs of the farmers and the agricultural sector.
Positive impact
The Jollibee Group’s initiatives have had a profound impact on underprivileged youth across the Philippines. Through programs that provide education, employment opportunities, and agricultural training, thousands of young Filipinos are gaining the skills and confidence needed to build better futures.
“These programs are about more than just creating opportunities—they are about giving our youth the tools to transform their lives and their communities,” said Tanbuntiong. “By working together with our partners, we are fostering a future where every young person has the chance to thrive and make a meaningful impact on the world around them.”
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TUMI, the leading international travel, lifestyle and accessories brand, celebrates the joy of holiday reunions with inspired gift ideas for everyone on your list. Featuring the brand’s signature dynamic and innovative designs elevated with cutting-edge technology, this year’s holiday offerings include new additions to the iconic 19 Degree Aluminum collection, on-trend metallic colorways and the introduction of an eye-catching reflective TUMI logo on select Alpha X bags. The festive lineup also features a curated selection of travel essentials and transportive fragrances¹. No matter where you call home and what holiday traditions you observe, the feeling of coming together is universal. TUMI will take you there.
Premium Pieces for Life on the Move
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19 Degree Aluminum Compact Sling in Black and Silver
19 Degree Aluminum Sunglass Case and Travel Watch Case in Silver
This holiday season, TUMI introduces four new lifestyle offerings as an expansion of the durable, modern and striking 19 Degree Aluminum collection. Designed for easy crossbody carry with its rotating strap and a removable option for handheld use, the Compact Sling is a stylish and versatile option for holiday parties and more. The other new additions to the performance luxury collection include a Travel Watch Case that offers unparalleled protection for up to three timepieces and an elegant Sunglass Case for top-notch protection of your or your loved one’s TUMI sunglasses.
Dazzling Looks for Day and Night
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Asra Small Crossbody in Pewter Metallic
Voyageur Vail Medium Tote and Belden Travel Wallet in Pewter Metallic
Voyageur Celina Backpack in Silver Sky
There’s no better time than the holidays for a little sparkle and shine. This year TUMI introduces Pewter Metallic, an on-trend sparkly leather colorway to elevate any look. The Asra Small Crossbody in Pewter Metallic is perfect for a night out or holiday party, offering just the right amount of shimmer and elegance while keeping your essentials within reach. Crafted from softly textured leather, the Voyageur Vail Medium Tote in Pewter Metallic is ideal for carrying daily essentials and features a crossbody strap for added comfort and versatility. Also new this season is Silver Sky, a cool gray with a metallic sheen reminiscent of winter skies. Available in the Celina Backpack, Madeline Cosmetic and more, this modern colorway adds a bright touch to the holiday season and makes for a functional and fashionable gift.
Eye-Catching Essentials for the Modern Traveler
TUMI Alpha Collection in Reflective TUMI Jacquard
A striking new addition to the TUMI Alpha collection of high-performance business and travel pieces, Reflective TUMI Jacquard offers a unique take on festive sparkle. The eye-catching reflective print with an oversized logo placement adds a fresh and modern spin on key products such as the International Dual Access Carry-on, Brief Pack and Double Expansion Satchel. The bold design element adds a contemporary edge to our iconic logo, providing the perfect blend of style and functionality for the modern traveler.
Thoughtful Gifts for Pursuing Their Passions
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TUMI Sport Collection in Off White/Tan
TUMI Travel Accessories¹
This holiday season, TUMI also offers an array of gifts that speak to life’s passions, from sports to travel. As the official luggage partner of the PGA TOUR, PGA TOUR Champions and LPGA Tour, TUMI’s Golf collection blends flawless functionality, unmatched quality and uncompromising attention to detail in an array of bags and accessories.
For the discerning traveler in your life, TUMI’s latest Packing Cubes available in small, medium and large sizes with black and light mauve as core colorways provide maximum organization with a personal touch through custom embroidery options. With a designated place for a passport as well as cards and other documents, the Belden Zip-Around Passport Case makes it easy to keep travel essentials secure and stylishly organized. For those seeking an easy way to personalize luggage, the newest Luggage Strap comes in seasonal olive and core colorways of light mauve and black to dress up any journey.
Harnessing the transportive power of scent and the iconic design language of one of its signature collections, TUMI also recently unveiled two powerful fragrances for men. TUMI 19 Degree Extrait De Parfum¹ is a precise blend of saffron, suede, and musk, while Dusk¹ features timeless notes of bergamot, neroli, and lemon. Both bottles feature the iconic contours of 19 Degree, making them a stylish addition to any traveler’s collection.
Discover these gift ideas and more at your nearest TUMI store and TUMI.com.
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