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PHL on radar for Taiwan startups

STARTUPISLANDTAIWAN.INFO

THE Philippines and other Southeast Asian markets are being targeted by startups from Taiwan for expansion, according to the head of Taiwan’s startup branding organization.

Amanda Liu, founder and managing director of Startup Island TAIWAN, said Taiwan startups are now looking for other markets apart from the US and China.

“There is a need to have a second market… And I think Southeast Asia is likely the most (viable) option for Taiwan startups,” Ms. Liu told reporters last week.

Asked what makes the Philippines attractive, she said: “I think one of the important points is that the Philippines has a very good English base.”

“So when they bring or introduce any applications to the Philippines, it’s very easy to implement these applications because there are no language barriers. With no language barriers, it will be easy to communicate with Filipinos,” she added.

Last week, Startup Island organized the Taiwan-Philippines Tech Summit, during which it brought 15 Taiwan startups to the Philippines.

“This is our first time to explore more cooperation here. We invited many mature Taiwanese startups to come here, like FUNNOW Group, and I think they are mature enough to develop their market and have a chance to merge or explore deeper cooperation with Philippine startups,” Ms. Liu said.

She said Taiwan startups are interested in consumer experience and digital transformation ventures, noting that digital transformation will play a huge part in any market, be it in agriculture or other industries.

“I think almost all industries need to do digital transformation, and although Taiwan has a technological advantage, they need to find partners to implement this kind of solution,” she said.

“One of the hot topics is artificial intelligence (AI). But we know that AI is just an application; AI needs to be implemented with others to make something better, smoother, or more efficient,” she added.

Asked for her views on growing the startup ecosystem in the Philippines, she said that partnering with other countries and more government support will play a big part.

“I think the Philippines is booming now; it is at the starting point. And that is why we are here; since you are at the starting point, you can leverage other countries’ ability to empower your startup ecosystem,” she said.

“And based on our experience in Taiwan, startups always need funding and educational support. There is a need to encourage people to do startups and emphasize an entrepreneur mindset,” she added. — Justine Irish D. Tabile

Ajinomoto to convert Cebu plant to run on full renewable energy

AJINOMOTO Philippines Corp. is hoping to run its Cebu plant on 100% renewable energy by 2025 to achieve energy savings and reduce carbon emissions as it expands production in the Philippines.

“Our target is to transition our Cebu factory to 100% renewable energy by 2025. Now, we are negotiating with suppliers,” according to Koichi Ozaki, president of Ajinomoto Philippines.

He said that the initial target for the transition of the Cebu plant was 2024, but since negotiations are still ongoing, the target was moved to 2025.

“Once this is realized, our business operations will be at almost zero emissions. These changes in the Cebu factory are a big challenge for us, and it will have a big contribution to society,” Mr. Ozaki said.

In December, Ajinomoto Philippines announced the full transition to RE of its factory in Bulacan under a partnership with Ayala-led ACEN Renewable Energy Solutions.

Ernie S. Carlos, chief sustainability officer of Ajinomoto Philippines, said that the full transition of the Bulacan plant has led to monthly energy bill savings of P200,000.

“Recently, we transitioned to 100% renewable energy in Bulacan, and since then, we realized about P200,000 savings per month. Multiply that by 12, and that will be P2.4 million per year,” Mr. Carlos said.

“For carbon emissions, we have some targets to realize, namely, to mitigate carbon emissions by 2,000 metric tons annually,” he added.

Ajinomoto Philippines has set a goal to reduce greenhouse gas scope 1 and 2 emissions by 95% compared to 2018 levels through 2030.

Asked for the company’s prospects in the Philippines, Taro Fujie, president and chief executive officer of Ajinomoto Co., Inc., said that the group has a positive outlook due to the growing Philippine economy.

“We want to expand the Philippine business more and more, and we would like to invest in the Philippines more and more because the Philippine possibilities are huge,” he said.

Mr. Fujie said that these future investments will include diversification to include frozen foods, supplements, and others.

“As a whole group, we would like to invest in the Philippines more and more, not only in seasonings but also in gyoza (Japanese dumplings) and some other products as well,” he added.

Mr. Ozaki said there is a need for the company to look into more business opportunities in the Philippines.

“How we expand our business portfolio in the country is the next challenge, as I do believe that there is a lot of possibility in the Philippines,” he said.

Asked if it is planning to manufacture the new products in the Philippines, he said, “It depends. We have to think about whether some of the products can be produced here, but in order to speed it up, we can utilize another Ajinomoto Group asset and import from another country,” he added.

The Ajinomoto Group is expecting to register a 10% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) through 2030, banking on four growth areas: healthcare, information and communications technology, food and wellness, and green food.

“We are setting a very challenging and ambitious target for 2030 … In fiscal year 2021, the profit from food accounted for two-thirds of our profit while bio and fine chemicals accounted for one-third, but we can expand the bio and fine chemicals to be able to expand our business CAGR to over 10%,” Mr. Fujie said. — Justine Irish D. Tabile

Easing of food import process must come with lower farm production costs — analysts

PHILIPPINE STAR/MIGUEL DE GUZMAN

THE GOVERNMENT must lower production costs for farmers, who face increased competition from imports with the streamlining of the import process, analysts said.

“It is clear that our domestic prices are inflated by policy when you compare these with the production costs of Vietnamese or Thai farmers,” Monetary Board member V. Bruce J. Tolentino said via Viber.

He said the only “sustainable” way to raise farmer incomes is to improve their productivity and lower their cost of production.

“To strike a balance (between imports and local production,) we should make sure that we don’t import during harvest time, and we don’t import commodities when we have surplus production,” according to Danilo V. Fausto, president of the Philippine Chamber of Agriculture and Food, Inc., messaging via Viber.

Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (SINAG) executive director Jayson H. Cainglet also cited the need to address hurdles faced by domestic producers, including “stringent requirements” all over the supply chain.

These include streamlining the process of obtaining business permits and other certificates, and obstacles to the movement of agricultural produce due to conflicting regulations or ordinances in the national and local levels.

Mr. Cainglet also said the government must address the “arbitrary closure of farms or increasing requirements and fees for farms to continue operating,” and assist agriculture industry participants in obtaining subsidies and insurance.

Last week, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) backed the need to reduce non-tariff barriers to imports, as domestic production is inadequate for cooling inflation by expanding supply.

“In the face of shortages in local production, where supply cannot immediately meet demand at affordable prices, Administrative Order No. 20 serves as a strategic policy tool responsive to the needs of our economy,” NEDA Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan said on Thursday.

He clarified that “neither the NEDA nor the government is biased toward imports.”

The agriculture sector has been battling the impact of the El Niño dry spell. According to the DA, agricultural damage due to El Niño is now reckoned at P3.94 billion. — Beatriz Marie D. Cruz

DoF counting on easier compliance to raise tax take

PHILIPPINE STAR/KRIZ JOHN ROSALES

THE recently passed Ease of Paying Taxes (EoPT) law is expected to help the government improve its revenue performance by streamlining tax compliance, the Department of Finance (DoF) said.

“Hopefully, especially with this new law, we will be able to simplify tax compliance and therefore generate additional revenues for the government,” Finance Undersecretary Charlito Martin R. Mendoza told reporters on Monday.

“The taxpayers, we hope, will voluntarily comply with their tax obligations and therefore avoid tax evasion,” he added.

In January, President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. signed into law the measure streamlining the system for paying taxes.

The EoPT law amends sections of the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997 and introduces various reforms to improve the user experience for taxpayers.

Separately, BIR Commissioner Romeo B. Lumagui, Jr. said the bureau is working on expediting the disposition of illicit vape products.

He said that the agency is unable to dispose of these quickly because most products are retained as evidence in court cases.

“Those with court cases, we can’t move unless our motion is granted. But those without court cases, we can,” he said.

“What we can is that from raid to filing of cases to destruction, it’s complete… it sends a serious signal,” he added.

The BIR plans to implement measures to better track excise tax payments and determine whether products are illicit or not. — Luisa Maria Jacinta C. Jocson

The IRR of Ease of Paying Taxes Act

The passage of the Ease of Paying Taxes (EoPT) Act, or Republic Act No. 11976, sparked hope among taxpayers, who envisioned a smoother journey in navigating tax-related complexities. The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) deserves commendation for its receptiveness to public feedback and ongoing efforts to simplify tax processes. With the recent issuance of the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) for the EoPT Act that took effect on April 27, clarity in its provisions has emerged, marking a positive step towards enhancing tax compliance.

Considering these advancements, it is imperative for taxpayers to strategically plan for the effective implementation of the law. Businesses must proactively address various aspects outlined in the IRR. Key areas for planning include maximizing opportunities for claiming output VAT credits, devising robust systems for monitoring uncollected receivables, establishing comprehensive documentation practices to meet evidence requirements, and implementing measures to ensure ongoing compliance with regulatory mandates. By strategically planning and addressing these factors, businesses can navigate the implementation of the EoPT Act more effectively.

Taxpayers are actively engaging in the practical implementation and enforcement of the provisions outlined in the IRR of the EoPT Act. Full compliance with these regulations demands a comprehensive understanding of the requirements and proactive measures to ensure adherence.

OUTPUT VAT CREDIT ON UNCOLLECTED RECEIVABLES
The recent issuance of Revenue Regulations (RR) No. 3-2024 by the BIR introduced amendments to the pertinent provisions of the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended, particularly focusing on Value-Added Tax (VAT) and Percentage Tax. Notably, these amendments include, among others, the introduction of the output VAT credit on uncollected receivables.

Under Section 5 of the RR, sellers of goods or services may deduct the output VAT pertaining to uncollected receivables from their output VAT in the subsequent quarter, following the lapse of the agreed-upon payment period. However, to be eligible for output VAT credit, sellers must fulfill various requisites — the sale has to have taken place after the effectivity of the RR; the sale is on credit or account; VAT must have been fully paid on the transaction by the seller to the BIR; and that the VAT component of uncollected receivables has not been claimed as an allowable deduction (bad debts) for Income Tax Return (ITR) purposes, among others.

MONITORING THE OUTPUT VAT CREDIT
Given the standard practices of businesses in monitoring their receivables and their respective due dates, the implementation of the EoPT Act emphasizes the necessity for taxpayers to maintain a meticulous approach to this aspect of their operations. As businesses are accustomed to tracking their receivables, the focus now shifts to a more stringent and systematic approach due to the requirements outlined in the Act. One of the primary concerns for taxpayers is effectively monitoring the claim for output VAT credit. Taxpayers must prioritize the monitoring of due dates and recovery dates, ensuring accuracy and timeliness in their records. This heightened level of attention is crucial for complying with the provisions of the Act and optimizing the claim for output VAT credits.

Additionally, taxpayers should thoroughly evaluate whether to automate the monitoring process, considering factors such as the volume of their accounts receivable (ARs), diverse payment terms, and industries such as manufacturing, construction, and wholesale distribution, which are known for dealing with high volumes of transactions and consequently have substantial ARs to manage. Given the complexities involved, including varying payment terms across many clients and projects, automation offers the potential to streamline the monitoring process. However, the decision to automate should be made with careful consideration of the specific needs and intricacies of the taxpayer’s business operations.

Furthermore, there is a provision stipulating that the output VAT related to the recovery of uncollected receivables must be included in the taxpayer’s output VAT during the recovery period. This requirement adds another layer of complexity to the monitoring process. Both manual and automated monitoring systems must adapt to incorporate these provisions effectively, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and accurate financial reporting.

Last, effectively monitoring to ensure claimed output VAT credits are separate from those claimed as bad debt expenses on ITRs is paramount for taxpayers. Establishing mechanisms to accurately report such transactions entails diligent monitoring and reconciliation of figures to uphold compliance with tax regulations.

SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS
Taxpayers are now encouraged to specify the terms in the sales invoice to provide conclusive evidence supporting their claims for output VAT credit. This includes indicating the credit term directly in the invoice or any accompanying document detailing the agreed-upon period for receivable payment. Maintaining an AR schedule is crucial, but additional documentation practices are necessary to substantiate claims and mitigate potential audit risks. Demonstrating proof of collected receivables may indeed be straightforward, but verifying the authenticity of uncollected ones presents a distinct challenge.

EFFECT OF OUTPUT VAT CREDIT ON BIR AUDITS
During VAT audits, the use of Third-Party Information (TPI) to cross-check input and output VAT declared by taxpayers is common practice for the BIR. However, with the introduction of output VAT credit, the matching principle becomes inconsistent. While sellers can claim output VAT credit on uncollected receivables against output VAT, buyers cannot declare an input VAT credit on unpaid payables against input VAT, leading to potential discrepancies in VAT declarations. This concern warrants careful consideration and necessitates that the BIR devise strategies to ensure that their audits remain thorough and effective.

INTRODUCTION OF THE NEW BIR FORM
The provision regarding output VAT credit underscores the need for the BIR to introduce a new BIR form capable of accommodating the inclusion of new items in filing VAT returns. Anticipating the introduction of such forms adds an additional layer of complexity for taxpayers. Timely updates and guidance from tax authorities are crucial to facilitate a seamless transition and ensure compliance with reporting requirements.

TRANSITORY PROVISIONS
With the introduction of an amendatory provision by the EoPT Act regarding source documents, the BIR issued RR 7-2024 to clarify implementation. Upon the effectivity of the regulations, invoices become the primary support document for VAT purposes, while official receipts are now supplementary documents and cannot be used to support input tax claims.

UNUSED OFFICIAL RECEIPTS
Taxpayers are permitted to use unissued Official Receipts (ORs) as supplementary documents until fully consumed. However, these ORs must be stamped with “THIS DOCUMENT IS NOT VALID FOR CLAIM OF INPUT TAX” upon the regulations’ effectivity date.

MANUAL & LOOSE-LEAF OR
Taxpayers using manual or loose-leaf ORs can convert them to invoices by striking through the term “Official Receipt” and replacing it with terms like “Invoice”, “Cash Invoice”, etc. This conversion does not require BIR approval but necessitates the submission of unused OR inventory on or before May 27, 2024. Input VAT can only be claimed for renamed receipts issued between Jan. 22, 2024, and Dec. 31, 2024. Taxpayers are hereby required to obtain newly printed invoices with an Authority to Print (ATP) before fully using or consuming the converted ORs or before the end of 2024 to avoid violation due to non-compliance.

E-RECEIPTING MACHINES AND SOFTWARE
The reconfiguration of Cash Register Machines (CRM), Point-of-Sale (PoS) Machines, and/or Electronic Invoicing Software will be classified as a minor system enhancement. This reconfiguration does not require the reaccreditation of the software or  system, or the reissuance of the Permit to Use (PTU). However, it is required that the last serial number of the renamed invoice continue the last series of the previously approved OR. Additionally, taxpayers must submit a notice to the BIR in duplicate original copies, indicating the starting serial number of the converted invoice.

Taxpayers utilizing duly registered a Computerized Accounting System (CAS) or Computerized Books of Account (CBA) with accounting records must revisit their systems to ensure compliance with the provisions of the EoPT Act. The reconfiguration will directly impact the financial aspect and will be deemed a major enhancement, compelling taxpayers to update their system registration. This involves surrendering the previously issued Acknowledgement Certificate (AC) or PTU and applying for a new AC.

To allow taxpayers ample time for the system enhancement, the BIR has set a deadline of June 30, 2024. However, an extension until Oct. 27, 2024, is available upon securing approval from the concerned Regional Director or Assistant Commissioner of the Large Taxpayers Service.

FLEXIBILITY IN TAX FILING AND PAYMENT
In line with the spirit of the EoPT Act, the BIR has taken a significant step towards simplifying tax compliance. With the issuance of RR No. 4-2024, taxpayers now have greater versatility in filing tax returns and making payments. The regulations embody the essence of the EoPT Act by offering taxpayers enhanced flexibility in tax filing and payment processes.

ELECTRONIC OR MANUAL FILING AND PAYMENT
With the implementation of the EoPT Act, taxpayers are now required to file their tax returns electronically through available platforms like eFPS and eBIRForms. However, in cases where these electronic platforms are unavailable, manual filing may be allowed. For instance, if the eFPS is unavailable, they can switch to eBIRForms. If both electronic platforms are inaccessible, manual filing is permitted, provided there is advisory or convincing proof of the platforms’ unavailability.

Tax payments may be made electronically on any of the available electronic platforms, like LinkBiz, PesoNet, UPay, MyEG, etc., or manually to any Authorized Agent Bank and Revenue Collection Officer.

MONITORING OF FILING AND PAYMENT
Even with the benefits of this provision, there are still concerns that the BIR needs to address. One such concern is the consolidation and monitoring of taxpayers’ filed tax returns using various platforms. This has been a common issue where taxpayers receive notice of open cases, despite having filed their returns. This discrepancy frequently arises due to using a platform for filing that differs from the intended one. Effective monitoring and consolidation of taxpayers’ filed returns by the BIR are crucial to avoid unnecessary inclusion in the list of open cases. Implementing a dynamic monitoring system and providing clear guidelines for handling returns filed through various platforms would address this concern and promote accurate record-keeping.

KEY TAKEAWAYS
The implementation of the EoPT Act offers opportunities for taxpayers to enhance their tax planning strategies. Through proactive measures and collaboration between taxpayers and tax authorities, businesses can effectively capitalize on these opportunities. By fostering transparency and adherence to regulations, we can strategically plan and navigate the complexities of tax compliance with confidence and integrity, ensuring optimal outcomes for all parties involved.

Make sure to stay up to date on these recent developments in tax and watch out for webinars/seminars that will discuss this recent act in detail.

Let’s Talk Tax is a weekly newspaper column of P&A Grant Thornton that aims to keep the public informed of various developments in taxation. This article is not intended to be a substitute for competent professional advice.

 

Kyle Mikko C. Agustin is a senior in charge from the Tax Advisory & Compliance division of P&A Grant Thornton, the Philippine member firm of Grant Thornton International Ltd.

pagrantthornton@ph.gt.com

PLDT, Cignal TV back Philippine solo hosting of men’s volleyball tourney

PLDT Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Manny V. Pangilinan (5th from left) with Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) officers and Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) President Ramon Suzara (3rd from left) and Secretary-General Don Caringal (rightmost).

THE PHILIPPINES’ world-first solo hosting of the 2025 Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) Volleyball Men’s World Championship has gotten a boost as PLDT, Inc. and Cignal TV announced their support for the prestigious volleyball tournament taking place on Sept. 12-28, 2025.

The country’s largest telco network PLDT will be the official broadband partner of the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship. Cignal TV, the pay TV arm of the MediaQuest Group, will be the event’s official broadcaster. “This is a great opportunity to inspire a new generation of Filipino athletes and showcase our countrymen’s passion for sports,” said Manuel V Pangilinan, chairman and CEO of PLDT. “The Philippines is now taking center stage in the world of volleyball. We look forward to working with the DoT and the PNVF to provide a top-notch experience for fans all over the world.”

The Philippines is the first solo host nation of the biggest men’s volleyball tournament in the world. The event will also be the biggest FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship to date, as the tournament format expands to 32 teams. The sport has rapidly grown in popularity in the Philippines over the past few years, with a passionate fanbase supporting highly competitive leagues such as Spikers’ Turf, Premier Volleyball League (PVL), and Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) Champions League.

“It will be a huge challenge to host the highest-ranking teams and fans from all over the world. But as Filipinos, we know we can create the best environment for everyone to compete at the highest level on our home soil,” said PNVF President Ramon Suzara.

The Philippine men’s national volleyball team’s preparations will begin with a comprehensive selection process for the player pool and the unveiling of a new team name. Aside from supporting the national team, PLDT was a key partner in the recent 2023 Volleyball Nations League in Manila.

Creamline clashes with sister team Choco Mucho at PVL All-Filipino semis

CHOCO MUCHO FLYING TITANS — FACEBOOK.COM/PREMIERVOLLEYBALLLEAGUE

Games Tuesday
(PhilSports Arena)
4 p.m. — Creamline vs Choco Mucho
6 p.m. — Chery Tiggo vs Petro Gazz

FOR the first time in a long while, the Creamline Cool Smashers, the Premier Volleyball League’s (PVL) dynastic champions, will come in as the underdogs entering the All-Filipino Conference semifinals unfolding Tuesday at the PhilSports Arena.

But it will be a folly to count the seven-time league champion out.

Creamline, which is making a record 14th straight postseason appearance, should continue to rely on its vast playoff phase experience as it clashes with sister team Choco Mucho in Tuesday’s start of the single-round robin format semifinals unfurling at 4 p.m.

Forget about the proud franchise’s surprisingly forgettable performance in the elimination round where it wound up as the fourth and last-seeded team among the semis entrants — the club’s worst since winding up fifth in its maiden conference seven years ago when the league employed a quarterfinal playoff format back then.

Petro Gazz, Choco Mucho and Chery Tiggo all wound up with identical 9-2 cards with the Angels taking the top seeding and the Flying Titans and the Crossovers the second and third seeds, respectively.

Creamline, however, will get a fresh reprieve as all semifinalists will start from zero and will have an equal chance of claiming one of the two slots to the best-of-three championship round.

An interesting plot though is the possibility of Creamline playing minus its top gun in Tots Carlos as the power-hitting former league MVP could skip this one out to attend the Korean V-League Asian Quota combine for rookie applicants set April 29 to May 1.

Mylene Paat has already confirmed she would miss Chery Tiggo’s duel at 6 p.m. with Petro Gazz while MJ Philips of the Angels, the only other applicant, was given an exception since she had already played in the league last year for Gwangju Al Peppers.

That meant Creamline coach Sherwin Meneses might dig deeper to his bench for him to fill the massive void that Ms. Carlos would leave if she were indeed absent.

Meanwhile, the Angels should come in the heavy favorites to hurdle the Crossovers with the news of Ms. Philips suiting up and Ms. Paat being gone.

Ms. Philips already made a smashing comeback in Petro Gazz’s 22-25, 25-23, 25-23, 25-22 win over Nxled Sunday.

While Ms. Philips was a bit rusty, the power-hitting middle blocker is optimistic she’d be better in the coming games.

“It’s very important to me because I want to see how I would fit in with the team. It was shaky for me but with more practice, I should be better,” said Ms. Philips. — Joey Villar

Eight teams in hot pursuit of six slots at PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinals

TNT TROPANG GIGA — PBA.PH

SIX tickets to the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup quarterfinals up for grabs. Eight teams in hot pursuit.

With eyes set on the Final 8, aspirants make the final push this week to earn the rights to join early birds San Miguel Beer or SMB (9-0) and Barangay Ginebra (7-3) in post-elims play.

NLEX, TNT and Magnolia sit in a tie for third to five spots with identical 5-4 cards, each determined to claim the quarters-clinching sixth win in the coming days or even a seventh victory to potentially contend for Top 2 position and twice-to-beat incentive.

Entering the last four playdates of the elims, SMB has a lock on top seeding and win-once bonus while Ginebra has the inside track on the No. 2, which it can claim by beating NLEX in its final assignment on May 5.

Rain or Shine, resurgent Meralco and Terrafirma occupy sixth to eighth with similar 5-5 records ahead of ninth-running NorthPort, which finished the preliminaries with 5-6. Blackwater (3-6) still has hope but it needs to sweep its remaining games versus SMB on Wednesday and Phoenix (3-7) on May 4 while hoping for other results to be in its favor to possibly gain a rubbermatch for No. 8.

For those in the middle pack, there’s a side race to make the Top 6 to avoid a quarters clash with SMB and the eventual second seed. According to tournament rules, the Nos. 7 and 8 will carry a twice-to-win disadvantage against the Nos. 2 and SMB, respectively, whereas those ranked third to sixth will feature in best-of-three pairings.

The Fuel Masters and Converge (1-9), meanwhile, are already out of the playoffs contention but are bent on closing out their campaigns with a bang.

Per records, this is the first time in five conferences that there are nine teams with at least five wins in the elims.

And it will be a rumble on the way to the playoffs. — Olmin Leyba

Fil-Am Paragua tops U-12 rapid and blitz at World Cadet Chess tourney

FREEPIK

MEGAN ALTHEA PARAGUA recently received her two trophies for topping both rapid and blitz girls’ Under-12 (U-12) division of the World Cadet Chess Championships in Durres, Albania draped with the American flag.

But inside the veins running in that puny, 11-year-old New York-born kid is pure Filipino blood.

The 11-year-old Ms. Paragua finished 9.5 out of 11 points in both the rapid and blitz title conquests in a pair of glorious feats that should be shared by not just by the country she represented but also by the Philippines since both her parents, Jan and Jennifer were born Filipinos.

“We hope her (Megan) accomplishment would definitely inspire young Filipinos to follow in her footsteps,” said Megan’s proud father Jan, a chess player.

Interestingly, Ms. Paragua followed in the footsteps of his uncle, Grandmaster Mark, who was also a former world champion after topping the World Rapid U-14 in Paris, France in 1998 and a current member of the national team that played top board in the last World Chess Olympiad.

It was truly a proud moment for Ms. Paragua as she bested a field of 56 players from 43 countries that included the Philippines’ Nika Juris Nicolas, who finished 23rd in the rapid and tied for ninth in blitz. — Joey Villar

La Salle, CEU eye quick PBA D-League titular showdown

Games Tuesday
(Ynares Sports Arena, Pasig)
4:30 p.m. — Marinerong Pilipino-San Beda vs CEU
7:30 p.m. — EcoOil-La Salle vs Go Torakku-St. Clare

REIGNING champion EcoOil-De La Salle University (DLSU)and surprise contender Centro Escolar University (CEU) go for the jugular against Go Torakku-St. Clare and Marinerong Pilipino-San Beda University, respectively, in a bid to arrange a quick titular showdown in the 2024 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup Tuesday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.

The unbeaten Green Archers are heavily favored anew against the Saints at 7:30 p.m. as another fiery duel looms between the Scorpions and the Red Lions in the first game at 4:30 p.m.

De La Salle and CEU sport 1-0 leads after contrasting victories in the openers of their best-of-three semifinal series. Another win could pave the way for their championship face-off, also under a best-of-three format, starting on Thursday at the same venue.

The Green Archers, also kings of the UAAP, trounced the Saints, 85-65 win to stay unbeaten in six games and move closer to their third straight finals appearance in the PBA’s developmental ranks.

It’s here for De La Salle’s taking, despite an expected fightback from St. Clare.

“It brings us closer to where we want to but the series is not over. Again, we have to respect St. Clare as a team and it will be the same respect in Game 2,” said assistant Gian Nazario, who anticipates the return of his two veterans Jonnel Policarpio (stomach flu) and EJ Gollena (hamstring) to get the job done after missing Game 1.

In the other bracket, CEU’s dream upset over the fancied NCAA champion is shaping up closer to reality with a chance to cap it once and for all.

The Scorpions, back-to-back champions of the UCAL, seemed to have the number of the Red Lions in their two meetings so far, first a 72-63 win in the classifications to snatch the second seed and a 75-71 escape act in the series opener.

But that doesn’t mean CEU can enjoy overconfidence, especially against a formidable San Beda unit capable of coming back if given a chance.

“We just have to keep ourselves grounded. Our job’s not yet over. We still have to win one more game,” said coach Jeff Perlas.

“We just have to keep on believing that we belong here, that’s first. And at the same time, they have to bring that David inside them. We need one more inspiring win before looking ahead.” — John Bryan Ulanday

Myles Turner, Pacers earn 3-1 series lead over Bucks

MYLES TURNER scored 29 points and Tyrese Haliburton added 24 to fuel the Indiana Pacers to a 126-113 victory over the undermanned Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday in Game 4 of their Eastern Conference first-round series in Indianapolis.

Turner sank seven 3-pointers for the sixth-seeded Pacers, who shot 51.2 percent from beyond the arc and 51.7 percent overall to seize a 3-1 lead in their best-of-seven series. Game 5 is Tuesday in Milwaukee.

“We’re not done yet,” Mr. Haliburton told Bally Sports Indiana. “Series is far from over. … Just play hard, play the right way, play through everything that’s going to be thrown at us, whatever that is. Keep our composure through everything; just stay together as a group.”

Mr. Haliburton made five 3-pointers despite being added to the injury report as questionable approximately 90 minutes before tipoff due to a balky back. He avenged an abysmal 1-for-12 performance from beyond the arc in Indiana’s 121-118 overtime victory in Game 3 on Friday.

Milwaukee’s Brook Lopez recorded 27 points and nine rebounds and Khris Middleton added 25 and 10, respectively.

Malik Beasley added 20 points for the third-seeded Bucks, who were short-handed due to the early ejection of Bobby Portis in addition to the absences of injured stars Damian Lillard and two-time NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo. Mr. Lillard aggravated his Achilles late in the fourth quarter of Friday’s game, while Mr. Antetokounmpo has been sidelined since straining his left calf in a game on April 9.

Mr. Lopez’s putback trimmed Indiana’s lead to 67-66 early in the third quarter before Mr. Haliburton drained three consecutive 3-pointers to stake the Pacers to a 10-point lead. Milwaukee countered with a 10-5 run, highlighted by Mr. Lopez’s pair of 3-pointers, but Indiana scored 14 of the next 16 points.

“Beginning of the second half, we made it a better adjustment to shift our focus a little bit (from the officiating to the team’s performance),” said Indiana coach Rick Carlisle after a tight first half that closed with the Pacers leading 67-64. “Going into Game 5, it’s gotta be very much the same.”

The Bucks trailed 98-85 after three quarters but trimmed their deficit to six points. Mr. Turner answered with a long-range jumper and two 3-pointers to push Indiana’s lead to 108-94 with 7:27 remaining in the fourth quarter.

“I was able to get hot tonight,” said Mr. Turner. “Hopefully keep doing this the entire playoffs.”

The Pacers were not seriously threatened the rest of the way.

Mr. Portis was ejected after drawing two technical fouls on the same play with 5:01 remaining in the first quarter. Mr. Portis and Mr. Nembhard were whistled for technicals after exchanging shoves, but the former picked up another after slapping the latter in the head. — Reuters

‘Dangerous’ heat and transport strike reverted university students to virtual classes

PHILIPPINE STAR/ EDD GUMBAN

The Department of Education (DepEd) implementing asynchronous classes proves to be such a reprieve for students like Mitzi, 19, a grade 12 senior high school student. 

“Sobrang hassle niya kasi yung sobrang init na tipong pagkalabas pa lang ng bahay is pawis na agad ako. And then kailangan ko pa makipagsiksikan sa mga sa transportation para lang makasakay ako and hindi ma-late sa class (it is such a hassle that you come out of the house and already sweating, and then you have to squeeze through public transportation to go to school), Mitzi said as she shares with BusinessWorld the troubles of being a student during this high heat index.  

Following the latest projected heat index bulletin released by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), DepEd decided to enforce distance learning to all public schools nationwide on April 29 and 30, which was later followed by some private schools and universities in Metro Manila. 

According to the Department of Health (DOH), the extreme heat can cause fatigue, heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke. Staying indoors as much as possible, wearing lightweight and light-colored clothing, avoiding liquor consumption, and drinking plenty of water regularly are few of the recommendations of DOH to the public to avoid heat-related illnesses. 

“It helped me na mas maka-focus pa po sa mga discussion namin in classes kasi nasa bahay na lang ako and with this heat index is mas komportable na lang sakin mag stay sa bahay kesa sa bumyahe papasok” (With this heat, staying at home is more comfortable and it helped me focus more on our discussions rather than endure commuting to school), Mitzi added.

Classes in the City of Manila were advised to transition into alternative modes of learning due to the ‘dangerous’ heat index forecast and three-day nationwide transportation strike, Manila Public Information Office announced on their official Facebook page yesterday, April 28.

Some universities that announced shifting to alternative modalities of learning for April 29 and 30 were the University of the Philippines Manila (UPM), University of Santo Tomas (UST), and Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM).  

Meanwhile, the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) and De La Salle University (DLSU) declared virtual classes until May 15 with an exception for science, engineering, and computer technology labs and water sports classes for the latter. – Almira Louise S. Martinez

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