Author: user user

AFTER Bicolano broadcaster Noel Samar on Tuesday succumbed to gunshot wounds inflicted by still unidentified assailants in Guinobatan, Albay on October 20, Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., acting National Police (PNP) chief, ordered operatives of the Bicol police command, to intensify the investigation and hunt for the killers.

‘The National Police extends its deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Mr. Samar. Nakikiramay po kami sa kanilang pagdadalamhati, at makakaasa silang hindi kami titigil hanggang makamit ang hustisya [We are expressing our sympathies and we are assuring them that we will not stop until they get justice],’ Nartatez said in a statement on Wednesday.

Samar is a block-timer of Aliw Broadcasting’ dwIZ.

Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) Samar, a special unit established by the PNP to hasten the investigation on the incident, the victim died around 2:20 p.m. on October 21 after his scheduled surgery at the Bicol Regional Hospital and Medical Center. He sustained four gunshot wounds in the chest and abdomen.

Nartatez said the Police Region Office 5 is treating the case as a top priority.

‘Our investigators from the Albay Provincial Police Office are already pursuing several leads. I have instructed Brig. Gen. Nestor Babagay Jr., Bicol police commander, to solve the case as soon as possible. We are expediting the process but we also want to ensure that the evidence gathered will stand in court. Hindi po natin minamadali pero hindi rin natin tinatantanan [we will not be rushing this case but we will also not be stopping our investigation],’ he added.

As part of an intensified investigation, officials from the Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS), PRO-5 Command Group, and SITG Samar held a case conference at Camp Simeon Ola in Legazpi City to discuss updates on the ongoing investigation.

Investigators have begun gathering statements from witnesses, reviewing CCTV footage, and conducting forensic and ballistic examinations.

The SITG is also set to reconstruct the crime scene to establish the sequence of events leading to the shooting.

Nartatez commended the swift action of PRO-5 and reaffirmed the PNP’s strong partnership with PTFoMS.

He further assured the media community that the PNP remains steadfast in upholding press freedom and the protection of journalists.

THE Bureau of Customs (BOC) is set to auction 13 luxury vehicles owned by government contractors Cezarah Rowena ‘Sarah’ C. Discaya and spouse Pacifico ‘Curlee’ F. Discaya II on November 15 to generate additional revenues for the government.

Customs Assistant Commissioner Vincent Philip C. Maronilla told reporters last Wednesday that the Discayas were given 15 days to submit the necessary documents.

These documents, however, were found ‘unsatisfactory’ by the BOC, Maronilla added. He said that the BOC verified the documents were incomplete and the payments were deficient.

‘In fact, incompleteness of being sure that it was actually legally imported to the Philippines is the basis why we are forfeiting these cars and scheduling them for auction,’ Maronilla said.

The BOC will be ‘fair’ in valuing the luxury cars since its obligation in setting the floor price is to ensure that the government will not be at a disadvantage, he added.

The government is looking at an additional P100 million to over P200 million in additional revenues should these cars be sold at the auction, according to Maronilla.

Since the smuggled cars were seized by the BOC due to irregularities in their importation and documentation, the Customs official assured potential buyers that the vehicles would not face legal issues later on.

‘Remember that these cars will be sold by the Bureau of Customs. So, if you buy them, you can be assured that they will not be chased,’ Maronilla said. ‘They will go through the right process since we will issue certifications to you that you bought them at the auction. So, you will be able to use them without any problem.’

The vehicles that will be up for sale are the Toyota Tundra, Toyota Sequoia, Rolls-Royce Cullinan, Mercedes-Benz AMG G63 AMG SUV, Mercedes-Benz G 500, Lincoln Navigator 2021, Bentley Bentayga, Lincoln Navigator 2024, GMC Yukon Denali, Cadillac Escalade 2021, Maserati Levante Modena, GMC Yukon XL Denali and Cadillac Escalade ESV.

The importers of these vehicles may face charges for illegal importation under the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (Republic Act 10863), Maronilla said.

If it is proven that the Discayas knew about or conspired in the smuggling, they could also face illegal importation charges.

‘If our investigations reveal that the Discayas are in cahoots with the importers, then their penalties will be the same,’ Maronilla said.

‘Our investigation is ongoing and we’re just getting testimonies and validating some of the documents,’ he added, noting that the report and the recommendations for filing of cases will be done after the auction process.

As for the 17 vehicles owned by the Discayas and now in BOC’s custody, these are subject to transaction audit by the Post-Clearance Audit Group.

WEATHER disturbances and the flood control mess will slow down economic growth in the third quarter but will likely pick up in the last quarter of the year due to lower inflation rate, more OFW remittances and ‘steady’ export gains despite the Washington-imposed tariffs.

This was according to the University of Asia and the Pacific (UA and P) in its latest Market Call report which stated that economists see a GDP slowdown to a 5.2-percent pace in the third quarter.

‘We project a GDP slowdown to a 5.2 percent pace in Q3 due to more weather disturbances and the popular uproar over the flood control corruption controversy,’ the economists noted.

However, the report noted that economists are expecting faster growth in the last quarter of the year at 5.7 percent given ‘positive signs of recovery.’

‘These include Q4 inflation rates to average at just 1.6 percent, much below BSP targets, employment recovery evident already in August, more robust OFW remittances specially in peso terms [with the peso depreciation], and steady export gains despite the Trump tariffs,’ the Market Call report stated.

As such, economists said full year GDP rate will likely settle at 5.5 percent, the lower end of the government’s projections.

In an interview with reporters last week, Department of Economy, Planning and Development (DEPDev) Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan told reporters that he sees ‘a bit of a slowdown’ in the economy in the third quarter due to supply shocks such as typhoons and work suspensions.

Balisacan noted that the slowdown in GDP growth is in relation to what the economic team was expecting six months ago.

Still, he is hoping that the economy’s growth rate in the third quarter will not be slower than the 5.4 percent posted in the second quarter.

Like what was stated in the Market Call, Balisacan is pinning his hopes on what he called ‘good developments’ such as ‘Inflation has continued to fall, interest rates have continued to slow down.’

He explained that the effects of falling interest rates in the earlier months are ‘beginning to be felt now,’ adding, ‘There are usually lag effects of interest rate changes and investment and consumption decisions.’

The growth that the country’s economic team is expecting for this year is now at 5.5 to 6.5 percent.

Balisacan said the low end of the range is ‘still very much achievable.’

However, the country’s socioeconomic planning chief said the setbacks caused by corruption allegations hounding flood control projects and other public infrastructure projects are temporary and will not derail the Philippines’s bid to achieve higher growth.

‘We believe that the setbacks are very temporary. I like that this happened because then we can do something about these issues so that the medium-term and long-term prospects of the economy will be even stronger,’ Balisacan said last week.

THE Philippines recorded over 52 million exposed credentials in just three months as cyber attacks surged 49 percent during the third quarter of 2025, with artificial intelligence (AI) and deepfake technology enabling a new generation of digital threats that are faster, more deceptive, and harder to detect than ever before.

Viettel Cyber Security documented 76 data breach incidents between July and September, up from 51 cases in the previous quarter, according to its third quarter Cyber Threat Landscape Report on the Philippines.

The breaches compromised 4.3 million accounts, a 73-percent increase from the 2.5 million affected in the second quarter.

According to the report, cybercriminals now deploy AI-generated videos, cloned voices, and fabricated executive communications to deceive employees and business partners.

Combined with AI-assisted malware that adapts to evade detection, these technologies have industrialized deception at scale.

‘Cybersecurity isn’t about fear, it’s about foresight,’ said Thomas Luu, Country Manager at Viettel Cyber Security. ‘As the Philippines accelerates towards digitalization faster than ever, the importance of security must not be overlooked.’

The quarter recorded 7,656 phishing attacks, with 31 percent targeting banking and finance. Researchers also identified 27 new vulnerabilities in commonly used workplace platforms.

The report also noted that healthcare has emerged as the top target for cybercriminals, driven by the growing value of patient data and hospitals’ reliance on digital systems. Medical facilities face ransomware attacks capable of crippling operations and exposing sensitive information.

Finance and e-commerce continue suffering from phishing schemes and credential theft, while manufacturing, energy, and public services remain exposed to ransomware and supply-chain compromises.

‘Organizations who innovate without the necessary protection in place become vulnerable to risks. Cybersecurity isn’t just a safeguard-it’s an enabler of sustainable digital growth,’ Luu said.

With data leaks, ordinary Filipinos are finding their data repurposed for fake job listings, e-commerce scams, and fraudulent loan applications, according to the report.

Those who reuse passwords across accounts face particular vulnerability, while small businesses receive phishing invoices disguised as legitimate supplier communications.

Luu recommended a ‘four-pronged’ defense strategy: regular software patching, offline data backups with disaster recovery procedures, continuous employee training, and round-the-clock threat monitoring through managed Security Operations Center (SOC) services.

‘Cybersecurity has become a marker of leadership and trust, especially in an increasingly digital economy,’ he said. ‘At Viettel Cyber Security, we partner with organizations to build resilience through managed SOC services. Our SOC empowers businesses to enhance operational efficiency and security management, helping them overcome workforce constraints while ensuring 24/7 protection against evolving cyber threats.’

Armed with a hot start, steely focus and a mission to erase the painful memory of a missed opportunity just last week, Chanelle Avaricio roared into a commanding lead at the International Container Terminal Services Inc. Apo Golf Classic.

And this time, she’s intent on finishing what she started.

Determined to atone for her late-round meltdown at Del Monte where a five-shot lead dissolved into a heartbreaking playoff loss to Sarah Ababa, Avaricio delivered a masterclass in course management and clutch execution at the demanding Apo Golf and Country Club in Davao on Wednesday.

She fired a superb four-under 68, punctuated by an eagle-2 on the very first hole, to break away from the Ladies Philippine Golf Tour field with a whopping eight-shot lead at the halfway mark.

‘My short game really carried me today, especially the putting,’ said Avaricio, whose four-under 140 total kept her safely ahead of Princess Superal, who pooled a 148 after a 73.

Despite holding a commanding lead, Avaricio isn’t taking anything for granted-especially after struggling to close out strongly at Del Monte.

‘No changes, but I’ll play my best and hope for the best,’ said Avaricio, who dominated the Forest Hills leg last June.

‘It’s the same situation as last week. I know I have a good chance, but anything can happen,’ she said. ‘All I can do is focus on playing well tomorrow.’

Avaricio wasted no time setting the tone at Apo-on the par-four opening hole, she ripped a solid drive down the fairway before pulling out her trusted 50-degree wedge from 100 yards.

She watched as the ball tracked the flag and disappeared into the cup for a spectacular eagle-2-a shot that seemed to exorcise the ghosts of last week.

‘I hit it straight, and it went in,’ she recalled.

She followed it up with a birdie on the par-three No. 4 and, despite a bogey on the next hole, stayed steady through the treacherous middle stretch of the course. She later added birdies on Nos. 14 and 17 to complete a clinical 34-34 round-one that left the rest of the field reeling.

While Avaricio surged, others struggled to keep pace as local favorite Mafy Singson, who started the day just a stroke of Avaricio, stumbled badly with a shocking 79 that dropped her 12 shots back at 152.

Superal emerged as the closest challenger after a one-over card, but her 148 aggregate still leaves her trailing by a daunting margin.

Florence Bisera (71), Rev Alcantara (74), Chihiro Ikeda (74) and Daniella Uy (75) matched 149s-already nine strokes adrift. Ababa, last week’s surprise winner, recovered with a 74 after a first-round 78 but is still 12 shots behind at 152, alongside Singson.

The Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (PhilFida) has benchmarked the daily copra price monitoring system of the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) in a bid to bridge the disparity in abaca prices.

The PCA noted that this comes amid farmers’ growing concerns over the widening gap between farmgate prices of abaca and pulp producers’ selling prices.

As such, the agency said this is a key step in ensuring fairer pricing mechanisms, improving farmer income, enhancing industry resilience, and strengthening inter-agency coordination.

PCA Administrator and CEO Dexter Buted expressed support for the initiative along with the data-driven interventions that promote transparency and market fairness.

Meanwhile, the agencies also discussed a proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to advance abaca-coconut intercropping, including the conduct of a comparative income study between abaca monocropping and abaca-coconut intercrop systems.

The funding stream for intercropping initiatives could be sourced through the Department of Agriculture’s High Value Crops Development Program (DA-HVCDP), which signals potential support for farmers adopting mixed-crop systems.

Officials also agreed to revive efforts to advance the Joint Administrative Circular (JAC) to delineate their respective mandates under the Shared Responsibilities for the Regulation of Coir and Coir Products, in support of the long-term sustainability of the Philippine coir industry.

Buted said the collaboration represents ‘a step toward a more equitable pricing environment, farmer empowerment, and integrated fiber and coconut industry growth.’

Abaca was among the commodities that the DA pitched in a recent international forum that would constitute the Philippines’s $108.88-million agrifood investment portfolio.

Other commodities offered were mango, seaweeds, and bamboo, according to the agency.

At the recent 2025 Hand-in-Hand Investment Forum held during the World Food Forum (WFF) at the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Headquarters in Rome, Italy, Assistant Agriculture Secretary Arnel de Mesa said the plan could benefit over 35,000 rural stakeholders.

He said the initiative also projects a Net Present Value (NPV) of $131.9 million with an Internal Rate of Return (IRR) of 34.39 percent, while aiming to sequester over 280,000 metric tons (MT) of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions, supporting national climate goals.

For abaca, the DA said the project responds to a global supply gap of 25,000 metric tons (MT). The Philippines currently supplies over 85 percent of the world’s abaca fiber.

As such, the investment would establish modern processing centers, rehabilitate farmland, and support 300 farmers, with a projected IRR of 28.36 percent and a 50 percent income increase for beneficiaries.

LOSING a pet is the first time many children encounter death. The experience can become an opportunity for profound emotional learning and influence how young people understand and process grief when they are adults, according to psychologists and pet bereavement specialists.

Parents and guardians therefore have important roles to play when a family pet dies. Along with helping children accept the painful permanence of death, caregivers can guide kids through a healthy and healing mourning process that provides a foundation for coping with an inevitable part of life.

‘People are so adverse to talking about death and grief, but it is the one thing that is guaranteed: We are all going to die. We need to be open to talking about that,’ said Deirdra Flavin, CEO of the National Alliance for Children’s Grief.

Here are some things to consider when talking with children about death and supporting them through pet loss.

Children respond to death in different ways. Depending on how old they are and their individual circumstances, children vary in their ability to comprehend the concept of death. The way they process grief, how long they mourn and the impact of the loss is also unique to each child, just as it is for adults. Experts say sadness, anger and other overwhelming emotions associated with grief may be more difficult for younger children to navigate, so having support is crucial.

Psychologists and bereavement counselors say some people feel the heartbreak from a pet’s death as intensely as the loss of any other loved one, reflecting the potential depths of human-animal bonds. In the case of children, their relationship with a pet, and whether the death was sudden or not, are other factors that may shape individual responses.

Colleen Rolland, president of the Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement, says parents usually know how intellectually and emotionally capable their children are of processing death.

Children as young as 4 years old might have been exposed to death through fairy tales and other stories but may struggle to understand its finality, Rolland said. Older children, who will know their loss is forever, may need more emotional support from friends and family, she said.

Using clear language and avoiding euphemisms. Experts say it’s important to be honest and use clear language when discussing death with children. Adults often are inclined to protect children with euphemisms, such as a pet went to sleep, got lost or was put down.

‘That can be alarming for children and cause a lot of confusion and fear. So, saying ‘The fish went to sleep’ might create concerns for the child when they are going to sleep,’ Flavin said.

When Leah Motz’s daughter was 2 years old, she told her their 15-year-old dog, Izzy, had a ‘good life but his body is broken and it won’t be able to fix itself.’ Motz recalled that before taking him to be euthanized near their home in Renton, Washington, she further explained they were going to ‘help Izzy die.’

Support children through deep feelings. Sometimes adults have a hard time recognizing the impact that losing a pet instead of a person might have on children. Rolland says child grief tends to be trivialized in general, and that people who are very devoted to their pets can produce as much stigma as sympathy.

‘But pet loss is a very real form of grief,’ she said.

Raquel Halfond, a licensed clinical psychologist with the American Psychological Association, says children’s behavior often indicates how they are feeling even if they are not expressing it verbally.

‘Maybe you notice your child is having more tantrums. Suddenly there’s stuff that they used to love doing, they no longer want to do,’ Halfond said.

Other signs to look for include uncharacteristic sadness, tears, anger and even silence, she said.

It’s OK for adults to grieve with children. Much like they do in other situations or developmental stages, children often learn how to handle grief by watching their caregivers. The way adults respond to loss is likely to set an example for their children.

‘Parents, or caregivers, must be confident in how they deal with pet loss,’ Rolland said, adding that parents who are unfamiliar with grief or display unhealthy behaviors might teach children to act in the same manner.

Halfond advises parents not to hide their feelings from their children.

‘If you’re feeling sad, it’s OK for the child to see you feeling sad. In fact, it could be confusing if something sad happened and they don’t see that emotion reflected in their parents,’ she said.

THE Land Bank of the Philippines (LandBank) expects that extending P5 billion in financing for water projects nationwide would boost the country’s water security.

The expectations are pinned on a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed by Landbank President and CEO Lynette V. Ortiz and Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Raphael P.M. Lotilla. The deal expects Landbank and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) would jointly promote sustainable water resource management.

According to the state-run lender, the collaboration builds on Landbank’s ‘H2OPE Lending’ program that has supported 35 borrowers nationwide as of August.

Under the MOU, the LandBank and the DENR will provide financial and technical assistance to water districts, local government units (LGUs) and other institutions engaged in water supply, sanitation and conservation projects.

The MOU also expects the LandBank to allocate funds and design financing programs for eligible projects, promote concessional lending opportunities and provide related financial services.

As a ‘Direct Access Entity’ to the Green Climate Fund (GCF), the bank will also partner with the DENR to develop and manage projects seeking GCF funding.

‘LandBank reiterates its commitment to provide accessible financing to water districts, LGUs, and other entities engaged in water supply, sanitation, and conservation projects,’ Ortiz said. ‘Together, we aim to build resilient communities, strengthen public health, and secure the country’s water future.’

The DENR, for its part, will identify priority water programs, provide technical guidance on resource management and conservation, and assist project proponents in obtaining environmental permits and approvals.

‘Integrated water management is a challenge that we need to be constantly working on. With LandBank’s support as the implementing agency for the loan facility, we can move forward with ease, without having to establish a new system and new agencies to administer the same,’ Lotilla said.

‘Through this partnership, we will also explore a responsive loan instrument for water service providers to better support their operations and improve access to safe water across communities,’ he added.

Eligible projects under the initiative include water supply system development and rehabilitation, wastewater treatment, watershed protection, and other climate-resilient programs aligned with national priorities and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6 on clean water and sanitation for all.

AS the Philippines and the European Union (EU) resume free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations in Cebu, a labor group told Filipino workers not to be swayed by what it called the EU’s ‘lofty talk’ of labor rights and sustainable development, saying such promises have repeatedly failed to protect workers in other countries.

The Sentro ng mga Nagkakaisa at Progresibong Manggagawa (SENTRO) warned that without binding protections for labor rights, an EU-Philippines FTA could mirror Vietnam’s experience, where promised reforms under a similar deal failed to materialize.

‘Without enforceable guarantees for freedom of association, living wages, and decent work, an EU-Philippines FTA will only deepen inequality and exploitation,’ SENTRO said in a statement on Wednesday.

‘We’ve seen this playbook before,’ it added, citing Vietnam and its FTA with the EU, which required the ratification of International Labour Organization (ILO) core conventions.

Despite commitments to align with international labor standards under its trade agreements, Vietnam has yet to ratify ILO Convention No. 87 on Freedom of Association, with independent unions still prohibited and several labor activists reportedly detained.

SENTRO also cited the European Union’s Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+), saying the bloc failed to review the Philippines’ trade privileges despite widespread human rights violations and the thousands of deaths linked to the Duterte administration’s ‘war on drugs.’

‘These lessons are clear: EU trade deals protect capital, not workers,’ the group said.

Since the resumption of FTA talks was announced in March 2024, the Philippines and the EU have held several negotiation rounds in October last year, and again in February and June this year.

The two sides first launched FTA discussions in 2016, followed by a second round in 2017. This was before the process was suspended due to the EU’s human rights concerns over the Duterte administration’s anti-drug campaign.

During the European-Philippine Business Dialogue on October 18, Board of Investments Promotion Services executive director Evariste Cagatan said the Philippines and the EU are working to conclude the trade talks before the expiration of the EU’s GSP+, which currently allows duty-free entry for over 6,000 Philippine products.

‘The Philippines and the EU are actively pursuing negotiations for a comprehensive FTA that is expected to strengthen economic and investment linkages between both parties,’ Cagatan said.

According to SENTRO, the EU is demanding provisions ‘more than what the Philippines has ever agreed to in any trade deal before,’ including measures that would grant European investors legal protections, open Philippine markets and resources, and limit the country’s ability to regulate its own economy.

Citing the proposed digital trade chapter, SENTRO said the EU’s agenda reflects the interests of ‘big tech’ companies such as Google, Meta, Amazon, Apple and Microsoft. The chapter reportedly includes binding rules that ban customs duties on electronic transmissions, restrict data localization, limit government access to source code and guarantee free cross-border data flows.

‘The Philippines has no industrial or digital trade policy. On what basis can our negotiators meet these demands?’ SENTRO said, noting that even the United States refrained from adopting similar provisions in the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework out of concern for regulatory freedom.

SENTRO urged Congress to exercise strict oversight on the trade talks and demand transparency and accountability from the government.

It also called on Filipino workers to ‘stay vigilant, organized, and united’ in ensuring that any trade agreement would protect their rights, jobs and future.

Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Abraham ‘Bambol’ Tolentino looks to bring more young Filipinos to the continental level as he targets the country hosting the Asian Youth Games (AYG) sooner or later.

The key, Tolentino says, is government support.

‘If the Philippine government will back me up,’ Tolentino said.

Speaking after the Olympic Council of Asia Executive Board meeting at the Art Hotel and Resort in Bahrain, Tolentino revealed the Philippines has a chance to host the AYG after it was decided the competition for top junior athletes in the continent will be held biennially and no longer after every four years.

After the Bahrain AYG 2025, which formally opened on Wednesday night here at the Exhibition World Bahrain in Manama, the games are expected to be staged in Uzbekistan in 2029.

The change from quadrennial to biennial means the AYG will be in 2031.

Tolentino, an OCA Executive Board member, is again calling for teamwork at home, saying it will provide many young Filipino athletes with a chance to reach the bigger stage.

‘Our young athletes in the Palarong Pambansa and Batang Pinoy, pure grassroots, will have a goal, the AYG,’ Tolentino said. ‘Actually, I was given the heads up not one, but two events-the AYG and the Asian Beach Games.’

‘It’s up to the government though,’ he said.

The 2025 AYG in Bahrain officially opened on Wednesday evening, marking the start of the major youth sporting spectacle featuring over 4,300 athletes competing across 253 events in 24 sports.

The Philippines has a 141-strong delegation competing in volleyball, teqball, golf, triathlon, mixed martial arts, taekwondo, muay, athletics, boxing, cycling, weightlifting, table tennis, badminton, wrestling, swimming, jiujitsu, and kurash.

Kram Airam Carpio delivered the first gold for the Philippines, winning the Pencak Silat girls’ 51-55 kg division with a 33-19 victory over Indonesia’s Qiken Dwi Tata Olifia late Monday.

Filipino boxers ready for action

BANNERED by rising star Leo Mhar Lobrido, Filipino boxers set out for their inaugural campaign starting Thursday at Hall 9 of the Exhibition World Bahrain.

The drawing of lots was set Wednesday night.

Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines executive director Marcus Jarwin Manalo said the six-member Filipino team is ready should any of them be drawn on opening day.

‘They all should do well,’ said Manalo shortly after the boxing delegation arrived for the third edition of the quadrennial showcase late Tuesday night, following a 10-hour journey from Manila.

With Lobrido (46 kgs) are Jefferson Amaya (50 kgs), John Michael Estorba (54 kgs) and Justin James Zampatti (75 kgs) in the boys’ section and Shairylle Pores (46 kgs) and Ermalie Caballero (50 kgs) in the girls’ division.

They are coached by Australian Don Abnett, Gerson Nietes, former world champion Josie Gabuco and former Asian Games gold medalist Violito Payla.

Lobrido is considered the best bet among the Filipino pugs, having ruled the Fourth Greater Area Bay Youth Boxing Challenge in Shenzhen, China last year.

He turned 16 just this month and hails from boxing hotbed Bago City, Negros Occidental.

Lobrido also stands as one of the country’s flag bearers during the Youth Games’ formal opening ceremony, alongside volleybelle Harlyn Serneche.

Manalo, however, is not discounting the chances of the two lady boxers to contend for a medal finish.

Boxing is making its debut in the Youth Games, having not been part of the 2009 (Singapore) and 2013 (Nanjing) editions.

Tambalque, Saga lead golf squad

TOP young Filipino athletes begin their bid in the golf competition on Thursday at the Royal Golf Club in Riffa.

Patrick Tambalque, a proven winner on the Junior Philippine Golf Tour, and American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) titlist Eliana Saga head the team, which features other Junior Philippine Golg Tour standouts in the 54-hole individual and team tournament.

JPGT Splendido Taal champion Charles Serdenia and Pinewoods winner Tristan Padilla also see action in the boys’ squad.

Saga, winner of the AJGA Junior at The Mission Club in Lompoc (California), lead the girls’ team alongside with Precious Zaragosa-JPGT winner at Luisita and Sherwood Hills-and South Pacific champion Crista Miñoza.

The Philippine team had two days in Bahrain ahead of the tournament-enough time, coach Ramon Brobio said, to familiarize themselves with the Colin Montgomerie-designed course, which recently hosted the DP World Tour’s Bahrain Championship.

Tapped by the National Golf Association of the Philippines only this year, Brobio said they skipped Royal Golf Club simulation sessions in favor of seeing and experiencing the actual conditions.

‘It’s different when you see the actual grass, wind conditions and temperature, we’ll see,’ said Brobio, who coached Miguel Tabuena and Princess Superal in their junior years.

‘We expect Japan, China and Korea to be strong,’ Brobio said. ‘But you know our players are capable, we’re very competitive. We’re gonna go out there and try our best and see what happens.’