Rainwater storage urged as rainfall turns erratic

February 12, 2026 | 9:28 pm

Flood1 — MISAMIS OCCIDENTAL PROVINCIAL POLICE

STORING RAINWATER will be more necessary as rainfall becomes more variable with climate change, highlighting the importance of sustainable water management, author of the 2024 Philippine Climate Change Assessment (PhilCCA) said.

Speaking at an online forum hosted by Climate Tracker Asia on Thursday, geologist and Environment Undersecretary Carlos Primo C. David said some of the most significant climate impacts will manifest in the water supply as rainfall patterns shift.

Mr. David said that while abundant rainfall will continue, averaging about 2,400 millimeters annually, climate change is affecting how rain is distributed throughout the year.

“What our scientists are seeing is that the pattern of rain is changing, meaning that we are moving towards a scenario where the dry season becomes drier and the wet season becomes even wetter. We are seeing longer dry days during the dry season,” he said.

Mr. David said these changes increase the risks of both drought and flooding, affecting agriculture, water supply, and other critical sectors.

In the 2024 PhilCCA, published by the Oscar M. Lopez Center for Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Management Foundation, Inc. last year, researchers found that the hydrological regions of Northwest and Central Luzon face very high frequencies of flooding.

Northwest and Central Luzon, Bicol, and Samar were also identified as having high to very high flood intensity, while Cagayan, Bicol, and Samar face a high risk of intense drought.

Mr. David said these risks highlight the need to shift toward sustainable water management, particularly by capturing and storing excess rainfall instead of allowing it to flow quickly into rivers and out to sea.

“The solution to both (flooding and drought) is a single strategy — to impound water instead of trying to push that water out into the ocean as fast as possible,” he said.

Mr. David said traditional flood control approaches, such as building dikes to confine rivers, often fail during extreme weather events and can simply transfer flooding to downstream communities.

Instead, he said the Philippines should invest in infrastructure that allows water to be stored during the wet season and used during dry periods. These include small dams, reservoirs, retention basins, and man-made lakes that can hold excess water upstream during heavy rains.

Mr. David said the country should also adopt nature-based solutions, including protecting watersheds, preserving natural waterways, and ensuring land-use planning gives rivers enough space to expand during heavy rainfall.

He added that efforts to improve water storage should be accompanied by measures to expand access to water services.

“There are still areas where there is no piped water in our communities. From our estimate, around 40 million Filipinos still lack access to safe, potable piped water in their homes,” Mr. David said.

To address these gaps, Mr. David said government programs are installing filtration systems in remote island barangays, building low-cost water refilling stations, and mapping water resources nationwide to guide long-term planning.

“Climate change simply intensifies (already existing problems in the water sector),” he said. “But it is also an opportunity for us to change our strategy, not only to address climate change, but to fix (long-standing) issues,” he added. — Vonn Andrei E. Villamiel

Growth seen on track again by Q2 as sentiment recovers

February 12, 2026 | 9:23 pm

infra-road construction — WORKERS excavate a road in Quezon City. — PHILIPPINE STAR/MIGUEL DE GUZMAN

ECONOMIC GROWTH will crawl back into the government target range by the second quarter as sentiment recovers, driven by renewed infrastructure spending, University of Asia and the Pacific economist Bernardo M. Villegas told reporters.

Speaking on the sidelines of a forum on Wednesday, Mr. Villegas said: “The drivers will be a renewed emphasis on infrastructure. I think the corruption problem is not going to (run for much longer). In the first quarter, the government will demonstrate that it can actually implement infrastructure projects.”

“Infrastructure will recover. And then you see foreign direct investors not really being discouraged by the corruption.“

Mr. Villegas expects full-year gross domestic product (GDP) growth to average 5.6%, which would be within the government’s 5% to 6% target.

“In the second quarter we could already be back within the target. I think in the whole year it will be about 5% to 5.6%. Probably in the first quarter it will start at 5%…because it’s also growing from a low base.”

GDP growth slowed to 3% in the fourth quarter of 2025 from 5.3% a year prior and the revised 3.9% in the third quarter.

This brought the full-year average to 4.4%, well below the government’s 5.5%-6.5% goal. Growth in 2025 was the weakest annual expansion since the 3.9% posted in 2011, if the 9.5% contraction in 2020 due to the pandemic is excluded.

Mr. Villegas added that economic growth over recent years has put the country on track to achieving upper middle-income country (UMIC) status by September.

The Philippines has remained in the lower middle-income category since 1987, with gross national income (GNI) per capita hitting $4,470 in 2024.

This was only $26 shy of the World Bank’s adjusted GNI per capita bracket of $4,496-$13,935 for UMIC status.

The bank is scheduled to release its updated annual country status thresholds in July.

However, Mr. Villegas noted the global economic slowdown due to the US tariffs presents a potential risk to the growth outlook.

“There will be a slowdown, definitely… because of the tariffs being imposed on all the exporting countries. But we’re not really affected,” he added.

He concurred with an estimate of 6% growth potential issued by Economy Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan, noting it could be achieved by next year.

Meanwhile, Mr. Villegas said the peso will likely trade between P58 and P59 to the dollar this year as the central bank seeks to keep the peso at levels favorable to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and the business process outsourcing (BPO) industry.

“I don’t see the peso ever going beyond P60. The central bank is very, very skillful in controlling that. And our reserves are very large… There’s a psychological barrier that the central bank is very careful not to surpass.”

Mr. Villegas also expects inflation to average around 2% to 3% this year, within the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ 2-4% target band. — Aaron Michael C. Sy

BSP taps space agency for climate-risk monitoring

February 12, 2026 | 9:23 pm

THE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said it entered into a partnership with the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) to use satellite technology in identifying the economic impact of climate and environmental risks.

In a statement on Thursday, the central bank said its memorandum of agreement (MoA) with the PhilSA serves to advance financial stability, sustainability and resilience.

“The MoA reflects how we view resilience-building in the financial system: It requires good governance, strong coordination, and better data — supported by technology that helps institutions act earlier and smarter,” BSP Assistant Governor Pia Bernadette R. Tayag said.

“This innovation improves preparedness across the economy and the financial sector,” she added.

The agreement will grant the BSP access to PhilSA satellite imagery and other datasets, which will indicate areas prone to climate shocks and facilitate assessments of community and economic impact.

“These insights can inform monetary policy, financial supervision, and sustainability initiatives,” the central bank said.

In a recent report, the International Monetary Fund flagged the economic risks of climate shocks, citing the potential for supply disruptions that significantly affect agriculture.

It noted that a category-5 typhoon in the Philippines risks accelerating inflation by about 0.4% percentage points.

Earlier, the government weather service, known as PAGASA, forecast up to eight tropical cyclones entering the Philippine area of responsibility within the first half.

“Space science and banking may appear to operate in different domains, yet both are ultimately concerned with stability,” PhilSA Director General Gay Jane P. Perez said.

The BSP noted that the MoA will also facilitate the development of tools, research and training “to promote the responsible use of satellite data and geospatial analytics in support of their respective mandates.” — Katherine K. Chan

Go ‘confident’ BoC will hit P1T in revenue

February 12, 2026 | 9:23 pm

FINANCE Secretary Frederick D. Go said he is confident the Bureau of Customs (BoC) will collect P1 trillion in revenue this year, citing the impact of reforms and new leadership.

“Customs is likely to collect P1 trillion in revenue this year, for the first time,” Mr. Go said in his speech during the BoC anniversary observance on Thursday.

“I am very confident that this will be the year that we will hit the P1-trillion target,” he said.

Mr. Go’s forecast indicates that the BoC is being pressed to achieve its P1.003-trillion target this year, after falling short in 2025.

“I hope that we have put in all the reforms needed that have long been espoused. I have confidence in the new leadership of the Bureau of Customs,” he said.

The BoC generated P934.4 billion in revenue in 2025, against a goal of P958.7 billion, after the midyear freeze on rice imports dented its collections.

Assistant Commissioner Vincent Philip C. Maronilla has said that the agency was ahead of the target pace in January, buoyed by favorable foreign exchange rates and the lifting of the rice import ban.

At the same event, Customs Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno said the over P1-trillion revenue target is both a “challenge” and a “good mission.”

“Kaya naman (it can be done),” if the economic assumptions are reasonable, he said.

In addition, Mr. Nepomuceno pointed to agriculture and petroleum products as the main drivers expected to raise import volumes, in turn boosting collections.

He added that the resumption of rice imports after a three‑month suspension will provide a boost, reinforcing Customs’ confidence in hitting targets.

He also noted the importance of inter‑agency cooperation, citing the need to collaborate more closely with the Philippine National Police on monitoring the border, which will help stem revenue leakage.

Non‑traditional income sources, such as proceeds from auctioned seized vehicles, will further boost collections, he said.

Mr. Nepomuceno cautioned that there is a “sweet spot” that the peso needs to hit, warning that while a weaker peso can inflate tariff revenues, it may also dampen trading activity and import volumes.

“As long as (import) volumes are maintained,” he said, citing the inadvisability of pinning hopes on currency movements. — Aubrey Rose A. Inosante

NFA one-ton bagging system pilot concludes, due for launch soon

February 12, 2026 | 9:20 pm

THE National Food Authority (NFA) said its one-ton rice bagging system is set for nationwide launch after concluding pilot tests at three sites last year, with the new setup expected to be in place in the majority of its warehouses by June 2028.

NFA Administrator Larry R. Lacson told reporters that all branches have been instructed to designate at least one warehouse to adopt the “tonner bag” system. Each reusable jumbo bag can hold the equivalent of 12 standard 50-kilogram sacks of palay (unmilled rice).

“We piloted at three sites last year,” he said, adding that the rollout is expected to take place in 42 more sites,” he said.

The pilot sites were in Nueva Ecija, Occidental Mindoro, and Davao del Sur.

The use of larger volumes for bagging palay is expected to save up to P1.3 million per warehouse.

The NFA currently uses printed sacks for palay procured from farmers. Each sack, which can be used only once, costs around P15, in addition to the labor required to handle and stack thousands of individual bags.

The new tonner bags, at P325 apiece, can be reused up to five times, making them more cost-efficient, the NFA has said.

It said the airtight tonner bags help protect palay from moisture, heat, insects and rodents, preserving grain quality and minimizing losses.

Mr. Lacson said that based on pilot testing, the new system will improve warehouse efficiency.

“There’s savings in space, savings in time. Almost 40% of the time is saved… Then, there’s also savings in labor,” he said.

The NFA said it plans to procure gantry cranes for the three pilot sites to improve handling efficiency. Mr. Lacson said it is currently conducting a study to ensure the durability and quality of the equipment.

Mr. Lacson said the NFA cannot yet estimate the total cost of the new bagging system.

However, he said each warehouse will require around P2 million for the tonner bags, aside from additional funds for forklifts and other equipment.

The NFA said it can fund the rollout with internal funds, including proceeds from auctioning rice stocks. — Vonn Andrei E. Villamiel

Uncertified steel bars seized in Nueva Ecija

February 12, 2026 | 9:17 pm

THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said it seized P1.6 million worth of uncertified deformed steel bars in Nueva Ecija.

The DTI confiscated 12,525 steel bars from a wholesale hardware store in San Leonardo, Nueva Ecija. The bars were found to be non-compliant with standards set by the Bureau of Philippine Standards (BPS).

The DTI cited the absence of a BPS-approved logo — including the Philippine Standard Quality or Safety Mark or Import Commodity Clearance. These seals are required for products that need to undergo certification.

“The operation prompted the issuance of a notice of violation to the erring firm, requiring it to submit an expansion within 48 hours,” the DTI said.

The Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau (FTEB), which led the operation, said that the uncertified steel bars pose risks to life and property.

“There is a reason why deformed steel bars are under mandatory certification: to ensure that our homes are safe, strong, and of quality,” the FTEB said.

“We cannot allow non-compliant products to remain on the market, threatening the safety of households and benefitting businesses that fail or refuse to secure certification,” it added.

Last year, the DTI seized 98,947 deformed steel bars valued at P24 million.

Asked to comment, the Philippine Iron and Steel Institute (PISI) expressed support for the campaign against substandard steel.

“The agency’s vigilance and proactive efforts to reinforce standards give the local industry more confidence to further contribute to the national economy,” it said in a statement.

“We firmly believe that raising steel standards requires both government enforcement and industry development. With the help of the DTI, PISI aims to raise these standards to world class levels to ensure consumer safety and socioeconomic resiliency,” it added. — Justine Irish D. Tabile

Stocks retreat on profit-taking after two-day rally

February 12, 2026 | 9:00 pm

PHILIPPINE SHARES retreated on Thursday as profit-taking set in following the market’s two-day rally.

The Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) went down by 0.42% or 27.57 points to close at 6,471.25, while the broader all shares index fell by 0.34% or 12.31 points to end at 3,594.22.

“The PSEi ended lower as profit-taking persisted following a series of buying sessions across the index, marking a healthy correction as investors locked in gains, weighing on overall market sentiment and dragging key sectors lower,” Luis A. Limlingan, head of sales at Regina Capital Development Corp., said in a Viber message.

“The local market pulled back as investors took profits following a two-day rally. Negative spillovers from Wall Street also weighed on the local bourse,” Philstocks Financial, Inc. Research Manager Japhet Louis O. Tantiangco said in a Viber message.

The PSEi opened Thursday’s session at 6,517.19, re-testing the 6,500 resistance and rising from Wednesday’s close of 6,498.82, which was a seven-month high. It climbed to an intraday peak of 6,519.48 and posted a low of 6,454.43.

The Nasdaq and the Dow fell slightly on Wednesday, while the S&P 500 made no progress in either direction as a stronger-than-expected employment report eased worries about the economy but also fueled bets that the US Federal Reserve could slow its interest-rate cuts, Reuters reported.

Wall Street’s three main indexes had started the session on a strong note, with the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq hitting their highest level in more than a week after the closely watched payrolls report showed much faster than expected US job growth in January while the unemployment rate fell to 4.3%.

However, gains subsided as traders dialed back on bets for rate cuts. While traders are still banking on at least one 25-basis-point cut in June, the probability that rates would hold steady that month crept up to 41% from 24.8%, according to the latest data from CME Group’s FedWatch tool.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 66.74 points or 0.13% to 50,121.40; the S&P 500 lost 0.34 point to finish at 6,941.47; and the Nasdaq Composite lost 36.01 points or 0.16% to 23,066.47.

Back home, most sectoral indices ended lower. Property dropped by 1.82% or 40.92 points to 2,200.44; financials retreated by 1.25% or 27.36 points to 2,149.26; holding firms fell by 1.06% or 55.19 points to 5,117.53; and industrials decreased by 0.28% or 26.21 points to 9,173.46. Meanwhile, mining and oil increased by 2.48% or 451.99 points to 18,620.50, and services rose by 1.83% or 49.19 points to 2,734.89.

Decliners outnumbered advancers, 122 to 78, while 65 names closed unchanged.

Value turnover fell to P6.89 billion on Thursday with 1.46 billion shares from the P9.17 billion with 2.95 billion issues that changed hands on Wednesday.

Net foreign selling was at P96.67 million, a reversal of the P834.62 million in net buying recorded in the previous session. — Alexandria Grace C. Magno

Eala to play in WTA 1000 Dubai Tennis Championships main draw

February 12, 2026 | 7:11 pm

Dubai-Tennis-2026-Alex-Eala — ALEX EALA — DUBAIDUTYFREETENNISCHAMPIONSHIPS.COM

ALEXANDRA “ALEX” EALA will now play in the main draw of the WTA 1000 Dubai Duty Free International Tennis Championships next week.

Ms. Eala’s ticket has been upgraded from a qualifying draw to the main tournament as announced by organizers on Thursday after she barged into the Top 40 of the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) world rankings.

And that means a chance to slug it out against the sport’s titans led by world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus, No. 2 Iga Swiatek of Poland and No. 3 Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan, who just ruled the Australian Open last month.

The troika lead a stacked main draw featuring 18 of the world’s Top 20 players including No. 4 Amanda Anisimova, No. 5 Coco Gauff and No. 6 Jessica Pegula of the United States, No. 7 and reigning champion Mirra Andreeva of Russia, No. 8 Jasmine Paolini of Italy, No. 9 Elina Svitolina of Ukraine and No. 10 Ekaterina Alexandrova of Russia.

The Dubai tourney will be Ms. Eala’s second event in the United Arab Emirates after a solid run in the WTA 500 Abu Dhabi Open, where she reached the singles quarterfinals and doubles semifinals, last week.

It’s also the second WTA 1000 for the 20-year-old Filipina, WTA No. 40, this season after her early exit in the Qatar Open with a 7-6 (8-6), 6-1 defeat at the hands of Czechia’s Tereza Valentova, WTA No. 48.

And that should serve as enough fuel to drive Ms. Eala’s bid in Dubai, especially with an expected strong crowd support once again from the overseas Filipinos like what she had in Abu Dhabi and Doha.

“From Doha to Dubai,” said Ms. Eala upon landing in the rich Middle Eastern city on Thursday, having multiple days to prepare before the main draw on Monday.

The qualifiers get going on Friday with the official draw for the main event expected to be announced right after.

Overall, the prestigious Dubai tourney will be Ms. Eala’s seventh straight event after the ASB Classic in Auckland, Australian Open main draw and Kooyong Classic in Melbourne as well as the Philippine Women’s Open, her first-ever pro home tournament.

Now at No. 40 with 1244 points, Ms. Eala will be out to net a deep campaign to enter the Top 30-35 next before flying to the USA for the next stop of the WTA Tour.

Ms. Eala is slated to play in the Indian Wells Open (BNP Paribas Open) in California on March 4 to 15 before a grand return in the Miami Open on March 17 to 29.

The Miami Open served as Ms. Eala’s gateway to the Top 100 then later on Top 50 after a magical run from the qualifiers to the final four marked by wins against former Grand Slam champions and Top 25 players like Ms. Swiatek, Jelena Ostapenko and Madison Keys.

She’s hoping to replicate the feat in Dubai, in spite of a stronger cast led by Ms. Sabalenka and company. — John Bryan Ulanday

Puerto Rican Ismael Romero’s stint with Meralco Bolts in PBA depends on GAB investigation results

February 12, 2026 | 7:11 pm

ISMAEL ROMERO’S Meralco stint is not ending in the East Asia Super League (EASL).

Given no sanctions, the controversial big man will serve as the Bolts’ reinforcement for the coming PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup next month to continue his tour of duty with the local squad after a foiled playoff bid in the EASL Home and Away Season 3.

Head coach Luigi Trillo and active consultant Nenad Vucinic made the choice after being impressed by the Puerto Rican since last year despite the Bolts’ early exit in the EASL following a tough 88-79 home defeat to the top-ranked Ryukyu Golden Kings on Wednesday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

“Coach Nenad said he will play for us,” revealed Mr. Trillo as Meralco finished 3-3 in the EASL to head into elimination for the second straight season.

Expectations are huge for the 34-year-old ace, who had stints around the world including for the Puerto Rico national team, to deliver for the Bolts but not without some dilemma he should settle first.

Mr. Romero, then playing for Al Ahli Tripoli of Libya, last month came under fire after kicking former PBA player Nick Demusis of home team Zamboanga Valientes twice that hit his head and neck during an altercation in the Dubai International Basketball Championship.

Mr. Romero was ejected in that game as Tripoli ran away with a 110-103 win to eliminate Zamboanga.

The incident left a bad taste in the Philippine basketball community, including Rain or Shine mentor Yeng Guiao and Barangay Ginebra coach Tim Cone, who called on a resolution to the said incident before being considered to play in the PBA.

The Games and Amusements Board (GAB), the country’s professional sport regulating body, in fact has launched an inquiry on the said incident to decide on his professional license here.

For Mr. Trillo, Mr. Romero should hold himself accountable to the Filipino public, particularly Mr. Demusis now that he’s already part of the Meralco family in the PBA and Philippine basketball as a whole.

The 6-foot-9 veteran finished with 24 points and seven rebounds against Ryukyu as Meralco’s other reinforcements struggled to contribute big time. Undrafted in the 2013 NBA draft, he was the sixth-best scorer and No. 1 rebounder throughout the EASL season with averages of 22.3 points and 16 rebounds in six games.

The Dubai invitational tourney wasn’t sanctioned by FIBA but the PBA is and also by the GAB so Mr. Romero’s Meralco stint is in limbo pending the result of GAB’s probe even with a strong welcome from the Filipino fans in their EASL home game.

“I thought he played well today and it’s up in the air. He’ll have to face sanctions if there will be. I know that’s not a FIBA-sanctioned league. I know it happened away and it’s not with Meralco. But now that he’s part of our family, he has to carry himself better,” Mr. Trillo clarified, noting that it’s the only first incident for Mr. Romero. — John Bryan Ulanday

Frayna reclaims Philippine Women’s Chess crown

February 12, 2026 | 7:11 pm

JANELLE MAE FRAYNA’S ascension back to the top is now done for.

It was completed on Wednesday night via her magnificent conquest of the Philippine National Women’s Chess Championship in Malolos, Bulacan where she scored 11.5 points out of the possible 15.

The country’s first and only Woman Grandmaster drew with Bernadette Galas in 15 moves of a Petroff Defense in the final round to reclaim the title she last won five years back.

The 29-year-old Bicolana snared her fourth national crown with her other two coming in 2013 and 2016. She also booked one of the three seats to this September’s World Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, Uzbekistan to secure her seventh appearance in the biennial event.

Ms. Frayna, however, said she could have done better in the meet sponsored by host city Mayor Christian Natividad and the Philippine Sports Commission.

“On a personal note, my performance was not at its best but I’m still very grateful and honored to win this year,” she said.

Ruelle Canino, who dethroned Ms. Frayna in the event’s last edition two years ago, wound up second with 10.5 points after splitting the point with Marie Antoinette San Diego in 22 moves of a Queen’s Gambit Declined.

She also punched a ticket to Samarkand along with Jan Jodilyn Fronda.

Ms. Fronda ended up tied for No. 3 with Ms. Galas with 10 points apiece but won on tiebreak to snare the last Olympiad berth.

The National Chess Federation of the Philippines will nominate the last two berths of the Samarkand-bound squad soon. — Joey Villar

Jose Alvarado hits 8 3-pointers as New York Knicks crush 76ers

February 12, 2026 | 7:11 pm

JOSE ALVARADO made eight 3-pointers and scored a season-high 26 points as the visiting New York Knicks rolled to a 138-89 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday in both teams’ final game before the All-Star break.

Mikal Bridges added 22 points for New York, which led by as many as 52 in closing the first half of the season with its 10^th win in 12 games. Karl-Anthony Towns chipped in with 21 points and 11 rebounds for the Knicks.

With Joel Embiid (knee) and Paul George (suspension) sitting out, Tyrese Maxey was the lone star on the court for Philadelphia. He scored 32 points, while VJ Edgecombe added 14 and Dominick Barlow contributed 13 for the Sixers, who fell to 1-3 in their last four games.

New York shot 62.5% in the first quarter, led by Bridges’ 13 points on 6-of-8 shooting. They held a 12-point lead after Bridges’ dunk 3:20 into the game and led by double digits for most of the contest.

Towns’ 3-pointer early in the second quarter gave New York its first 20-point advantage. After a bucket by Edgecombe, the Knicks tacked on nine more points — capped by Alvarado’s 3-pointer — to go in front, 59-32.

Soon after, the Knicks finished the half on an 11-3 run to go into the locker room with a commanding 72-42 lead. Jalen Brunson’s 3-pointer in the final minute put an exclamation point on the dominant first half.

The Sixers fought back in the third quarter, cutting their deficit to 88-66 with 3:28 to play. However, Jordan Clarkson, Mitchell Robinson and Alvarado combined for all 16 of New York’s points down the stretch as the visitors carried a 104-71 lead into the fourth.

The Knicks went on a 10-0 run early in the final period to open a 114-73 margin. Alvarado was the star of that sequence with a trio of 3-pointers. His triple with 7:41 left gave the Knicks a 122-77 lead before Tyler Kolek’s 3-pointer with 5:04 remaining made it 129-77. — Reuters

One million pack Seattle streets for Seahawks’ Super Bowl LX parade

February 12, 2026 | 7:09 pm

SEATTLE — The “12s” flew in from Alaska, drove hours over the snowy mountain passes and camped overnight to take part in the celebration.

An estimated crowd of nearly one million Seahawks fans — affectionately known as the 12s — packed the streets of downtown Seattle to catch a glimpse of the Super Bowl LX championship parade on Wednesday.

The celebration began at a packed Lumen Field, where the doors opened at 8:30 a.m. PST for an event that was scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. General manager John Schneider, coach Mike Macdonald and several players addressed the sold-out stadium from a stage filled with adult beverages and beer kegs.

“This is why we do what we do. To bring people together,” Macdonald said. “That’s why football is the best sport in the world. Having a football team is just the best thing going, man. All these guys are from different backgrounds, different histories, different stories. All coming together towards a common goal.

“Shows you the power of ‘12 as one.’ I just want to say we love the 12s. You guys are the best in the world. And now we’re the best football team in the world. World champs!”

An emotional Schneider paid tribute to his father, who passed away in October, along with the fathers and family members of several players who passed during the season. He closed by looking to the sky in tribute to late Seahawks owner Paul Allen and thanking Allen’s sister, Jody, for her leadership as team chair since her brother’s death in 2018.

“We had a lot of angels this year. With those angels, we know that Paul Allen has watched over us,” Schneider said. “To Paul Allen! And Jody, Paul would be so proud of you. The way you’ve led this organization, and allowed us to be where we are. To Jody Allen… let’s go!”

Linebacker Ernest Jones IV, who has been an outspoken supporter of oft-criticized quarterback Sam Darnold, issued a version of a speech he made to reporters after a Week 11 loss to the rival Los Angeles Rams. — Reuters