Category: Philippine Star

The Subversive Reader: Essays on Critical Theory, Cultural Politics and the Philippine Insurgent Experience by E. San Juan Jr. (Vibal Foundation, 2023) is a hefty volume, a collection of challenging and politically engaged essays that asks readers to look beyond the surface of Philippine culture and history, literature and politics. That in itself is quite a tremendous undertaking and preoccupation, quite a huge task to require of a reader.

This reading seems timely, coming on the heels of the recently held and highly successful Manila International Book Fair with its theme of ‘Get Lit: Reading in a New Light.’

This volume contains 22 essays, all bearing the central concern of the relationship between culture and power. It helps us all understand ourselves and our society better, in the context of our history and political struggle.

The title’s use of the word ‘subversive’ is important to point out as it veers away from the usual associated meanings of rebellion or resistance, but subversive in terms of learning to question ideas that seem unquestionable or long entrenched as acceptable or permanent.

In inviting the reader to be more aggressive rather than passive consumers of information, San Juan wants the reader to be critical and to challenge judgments which have become acceptable because of colonialism and our continuing struggles over our national identity.

How then should a subversive reader approach this reading and similar other readings? He/she is not just an individual who disagrees with everything, but asks why certain ideas have emerged dominant.

A basic example is when Filipinos are impressed with the perception that Western culture represents modernity while local traditions represent backwardness, the subversive reader hopefully asks: Where did this assumption come from? Who defined what modernity means? Why should Filipino development be measured according to foreign standards?

The subversive reader cannot and should not just accept ideas as the following without a critical reading and investigation: when the English language is automatically associated with intelligence, when foreign products are considered better than local products or when Philippine history is interpreted primarily through the perspective of colonial powers.

One of the major strengths of The Subversive Reader is its effort to connect theories developed in Western intellectual traditions with the concrete historical experience of the Philippines.

The book ranges across critical theory, cultural studies, postcolonial theory, aesthetics, Marxism, globalization, imperialism and Philippine political experience – quite a wide sweep but all shaping our contemporary thinking.

These theories should not be used and mechanically applied to the Philippines, but evaluated in terms of how they are in the context of Philippine realities.

The subversive reader is reminded that a critical understanding begins from the Philippine historical experience rather than simply borrowing intellectual frameworks from powerful countries.

Questions which are important to ask are: Who gets to tell the story of the Philippines? Who is considered a hero?Whose suffering is remembered? Whose contribution is unheralded? Who gets to define what it means to be Filipino?

The experience of martial law provides another important context for understanding the book. During this unlamented era of dictatorship, political opposition was suppressed, thousands of Filipinos experienced imprisonment and other human-rights abuses and many individuals were killed or disappeared. The struggle against authoritarianism consequently became a major part of the political and cultural memory of the Philippines.

The discussion of language as an important part of Philippine consciousness today is highlighted because while the dominance of English in Philippine education has provided Filipinos with important international opportunities, it has unwittingly held up English as more prestigious than Filipino, our national language, and Philippine regional languages. A welcome development is the publishing industry’s deliberate initiatives to promote all Philippine languages.

The subversive reader should question the hierarchy of languages with English lording it over, mistakenly deemed as a more sophisticated vehicle of communication over Filipino, Cebuano, Ilocano, Bikol, Waray or other Philippine languages.

The book remains relevant today as we are surrounded by too much information and misinformation, propaganda, fake news, political manipulation and ideological echo chambers.

It behooves the subversive/critical reader to question: Who produced this information? What evidence supports it? Who benefits from people believing it? What perspective is missing? Is the language designed to inform or manipulate? What historical context is being ignored? Are emotions being used to prevent a full and sober understanding?

The book is said to bring to mind quotations from different thinkers that capture the spirit of critical reading. These are worth bearing in mind as one reads this thought-provoking volume.

Brazilian educator and philosopher Paulo Freire, known for his critical pedagogy: ‘Reading is not exhausted merely by decoding the written word or written language, but rather anticipates and extends into the knowledge of the world.’

And this familiar reminder from our national hero, Jose Rizal, on the importance of historical consciousness: ‘He who does not know how to look back at where he came from will never get to his destination.’

A reader can simply consume a book or become a subversive reader, asking difficult questions or questions not often dared asked.

Miguel Tabuena saved his best for last, uncorking a pair of late birdies to fire a 69, cap a roller-coaster opening round ,and put himself in position to mount a weekend charge in the Yeangder Tournament Players Championship in Chinese Taipei Thursday.

Tabuena’s finishing flourish highlighted a solid Filipino showing in the morning wave, with Carl Corpus and Justin Quiban earlier carding identical three-under cards to stay within striking distance at the Linkou International Golf and Country Club.

Tabuena, Corpus and Quiban shared 29th place. Angelo Que shot 71 for joint 72nd, while Aidric Chan struggled to a 73 and stood in danger of missing the cut.

Tabuena, tuning up with Corpus for the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan later this month, got off to a fast start with a birdie on No. 1 and an eagle on the par-5 fourth. He then endured a mid-round stumble, dropping shots on Nos. 8 and 13.

The LIV Golf campaigner, however, refused to let the slide derail his round.

Tabuena immediately answered the bogey on 13 with a birdie on the next hole, then bounced back from another dropped shot on No. 15 with birdies on Nos. 16 and 18, closing with a flourish that revived his position on the leaderboard.

His late surge gave him a 69 and left him with plenty of promise heading into the second round.

Corpus also looked poised for an even bigger number after a sizzling start. Starting on the back nine, the 25-year-old birdied three of his first nine holes before adding birdies on Nos. 1 and 3 to move into the early mix.

But the Asian Games-bound standout lost momentum coming home.

Corpus missed both the fairway and green on No. 7 and made his first bogey of the day, then struggled again from tee to green on the ninth for another dropped shot. He settled for a 36-33, good for a share of 11th.

The Asian Development Tour winner in Morocco last year thus remained within early striking distance despite the late stumble.

Quiban matched Corpus at 69 after also putting together a steady morning round. Starting on No. 1, he birdied Nos. 1 and 4, then recovered from a three-putt bogey on the fifth with birdies on Nos. 9, 10 and 13.

He gave one back on No. 14 after missing both the fairway and green but closed with a 34-35 to join Corpus and Tabuena.

Que, meanwhile, appeared headed for another strong round after overcoming an early bogey on No. 2 with four birdies on Nos. 4, 12, 14 and 16.

Coming off another Philippine Golf Tour victory at Summit Point last Friday, Que had fought his way into the same 69 territory as Corpus and Quiban before a costly finish on the 18th.

The veteran double-bogeyed the closing par-5 to fall back to 71 for joint 72nd.

At the top, Malaysia’s Ervin Chang made the most of calm morning conditions, scorching the par-72 layout with a 64 to seize early control of the $1.2-million championship, the 10th leg of this year’s Asian Tour.

Thai Pavit Tangkamolprasert joined him with a brilliance eight-under card in the afternoon wave. He eagled the par-5 first hope then rattled off six more to turn in a stirring bogey-free pair of 32s.

Local ace Hung Chien Yao missed grabbing the solo lead with a last-hole miscue on No. 9, settling for a share of lead with Chang and Tangkamolprasert at eight-under.

Hung rattled off four birdies in a backside start then eagled No. 1 and birdied Nos. 3, 4 and 5 to stom ahead with a nine-under card. But he bogeyed ninth to settle for two 32s.

Chang birdied three of his first four holes, absorbed a bogey on No. 5, then responded emphatically with a six-birdie burst over a 12-hole stretch from No. 7 that included four birdies on the closing nine.

His eight-under card moved him past Japan’s Kazuki Higa, who shot 65, while Khavish Varadan, Poosit Supupramai and amateur Daichi Hayashi shared third at 66.

With another round still to be played before the cut, the Filipinos remained in varying positions on a crowded leaderboard – but it was Tabuena’s closing burst that provided the most encouraging spark, giving him momentum to carry into the next round.

The Yeangder TPC is the first of back-to-back Asian Tour events in Chinese-Taipei. The Mercuries Taiwan Masters follows on September 24-27 at the Taiwan Golf and Country Club.

Housing developers in Central Visayas are calling for faster government approvals, stronger infrastructure planning and more predictable regulation as the region prepares for another phase of urban and economic expansion.

Ken A. Salimbangon, president of the Subdivision and Housing Developers Association (SHDA) Central Visayas, said the region has significant potential for housing and real estate investment but warned that regulatory and infrastructure bottlenecks could constrain the industry’s ability to meet future demand.

‘Regulation must be clear, predictable and efficient,’ Salimbangon said in his closing remarks at the SHDA Central Visayas summit, which carried the theme ‘Breaking Barriers, Building Forward.’

The industry is not seeking weaker regulation, he said, but a more efficient system that protects homebuyers without unnecessarily delaying legitimate projects.

Salimbangon pointed to taxation, the Real Property Valuation and Assessment Reform Act, emerging housing policies and the process of securing a License to Sell (LTS) as among the issues confronting developers.

For the property industry, delays are not merely administrative inconveniences. They have financial consequences.

‘When approvals are unnecessarily delayed, projects are delayed. Financing and carrying costs increase. Housing supply is affected. And eventually, some of these costs find their way to the homebuyer,’ he said.

The comments come as Central Visayas continues to attract investment and population, increasing pressure on the region’s housing stock and infrastructure.

Developers said future growth must be matched by investment in water, power, roads and transportation, as well as by environmental planning.

Salimbangon said the availability of land should no longer be the primary consideration in determining where new housing projects should be built.

Developers and planners must also determine whether prospective growth areas have sufficient water and electricity, whether transport networks can support additional communities and whether the environment can sustain development.

This requires government agencies, local government units, utilities and developers to plan infrastructure ahead of demand, rather than address shortages only after communities have been built.

The cost of housing

Affordability remains another major concern for the industry.

Rising prices of fuel, construction materials, labor and logistics, together with financing and regulatory costs, are putting pressure on the economics of housing development.

But Salimbangon said developers could not rely solely on higher selling prices to absorb those costs.

The industry must improve design and construction efficiency, adopt technology and find other ways to reduce the cost of delivering homes, he said.

Greater access to housing finance will also be necessary if the government and private sector are to expand homeownership among Filipino families.

The challenge is therefore broader than increasing the number of housing units.

It is about creating a housing system in which homes can be delivered at a price that households can afford while still allowing developers to earn sufficient returns to keep building.

Planning for the next growth corridor

The summit also highlighted the need for Central Visayas to anticipate where the next wave of economic growth will occur.

New infrastructure can create new development corridors, while emerging economic centers and population growth can generate fresh demand for housing.

‘The next major growth areas may not necessarily be where development is concentrated today,’ Salimbangon said.

That creates an opportunity for developers to work with government in shaping-not merely following-the region’s expansion.

The goal should be communities that are properly connected, adequately serviced, environmentally sustainable and genuinely liveable, he said.

For SHDA Central Visayas, the immediate challenge is to convert the summit’s discussions into concrete reforms and partnerships.

Salimbangon called for closer collaboration with government to identify processes that can be streamlined, infrastructure gaps that need to be addressed and policies that may have unintended consequences for housing development.

He also acknowledged that the private sector must improve where necessary.

The industry’s message is ultimately a pragmatic one-Central Visayas has the demand and investment potential to support continued property growth, but the systems surrounding housing must keep pace.

‘Because ultimately, what we are building is more than houses,’ Salimbangon said. ‘We are building communities. We are building opportunities for families. And collectively, we are helping build the future of Central Visayas.’

The Philippines is home to some of the best dive spots in the world. Unfortunately, not many people know that. The more people know it, the better it is for our country’s tourism.

The Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Philippines put together a Philippine dive delegation that would champion the cause, let people know about its enchanting dive spots and generate sales for the country’s dive sector.

TPB Philippines recently put this plan to action by joining the Malaysia International Dive Expo (MIDE), a three-day affair that took place at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC) held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The mission was a success, as the Philippine dive delegation led by TPB Philippines generated P113,273,411 in sales leads after showcasing the country’s award-winning dive destinations and offering special packages from discounted accommodation rates to guided liveaboard adventures.

The three-day expo gathered 10 Philippine dive outfits – Aldive Corporation, Buceo Anilao Beach and Dive Resort, Dauin Silver Reef Dive Resort, Garden of Eden Dive Resort, Kasai Village Dive Resort, Lalaguna Villas Luxury Dive Resort and Spa, Logon Fish Buddies Dive Center, M/Y Resolute (Liveaboards), Slam’s Garden Dive Resort – Ocean Passion, and Umali Dive Center Corporation.

The 72-square meter Philippine pavilion, which was designed with colorful underwater images shot from the country’s renowned dive locations, had dive enthusiasts, mainly from Malaysia, coming in to visit and inquire about dive packages.

The Philippine dive delegation recorded strong interest in destinations, such as Palawan, Negros Oriental, Batangas, Cebu, and Mindoro. More than just weighing in on the diving options available in the packages, visitors also expressed enthusiasm for specialized experiences, including pelagic and wreck diving.

“MIDE provides an excellent opportunity for the Philippines to promote its world-class dive destinations to the Malaysian market and beyond,’ said TPB chief operating officer Maria Margarita Montemayor Nograles.

She added: ‘This year, we came in not only showing the beauty of our underwater treasures but also strengthening our continued support for the Malaysian and Philippine dive stakeholders, as evidenced by the Longstanding Appreciation Award we received for our participation for the last 13 years. And with a strong contingent covering the various segments of the Philippine dive industry, we were able to achieve an impressive sales lead figure, solidifying the country’s position as a premier global diving destination.”

Despite the fact that MIDE is a consumer-based event, the TPB Philippines organized business-to-business (B2B) meetings through its Market Representative in Malaysia. A total of 142 meetings were scheduled, allowing Philippine dive stakeholders to establish stronger partnerships with Malaysian dive agents and further increase sales.

In addition to promoting key Philippine dive destinations, Philippine dive companies that represented the country at the expo highlighted improved accessibility through carriers including Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific, and Malaysian-based airlines, such as AirAsia and Firefly, both of which operate direct flights from Kuala Lumpur to Cebu, which is a key gateway to major dive sites.

TPB Philippines likewise organized marketing and promotional activities for the general public, including provision of free promotional items for answering market surveys and booking Philippine dive packages.

The Perpetual Help Altas are firm believers of the belief that practice makes perfect.

‘We’re thankful that the things we worked really hard to do in practice, we have done in crunch time,’ said Perpetual’s sweet-shooting guard Mark Gojo Cruz, whose squad downed Emilio Aguinaldo College, 83-72, Thursday for their first win in NCAA Season 102 at the Filoil Center.

Gojo Cruz lived up to what they preached in training and came through big when it was needed most and fired 11 of his 15 points in the fourth and final quarter that sealed the Altas their first win after a stinging opening day defeat to the Letran Knights.

‘We prepared for moments like this, fighting in close games,’ he added.

Angelo Gelsano kept UPHSD’s head above water most of the game and had a team-best 17 points, 11 of which he sprinkled in the second period when they turned a two-point first quarter edge to 42-36 at the break.

The Generals, led by EJ Castillo’s seven-point barrage, kept it closer, 58-54, entering the final canto.

EAC persistently kept pecking at UPHSD’s lead and even cut it to as close as by a hairline, 62-61, on a Jude Bagay bucket with 7.27 minutes ticking in the clock.

It was the closest the Generals could get as Gojo Cruz went on a scoring binge to preserve the win for the Las Piñas-based dribblers.

The scores:

UPHSD 83 – Gelsano 17, Casinillo 16, Gojo Cruz 15, Tulabut 15, Maglupay 11, Cristino 4, Pagulayan 3, Duremdes 2, Borja 0, Corpuz 0, Velasquez 0, Cauguiran 0, Orgo 0, Montemayor 0.

EAC 72 – Castillo 19, H. Raymundo 17, Bagay 11, Oftana 9, Nunag 6, Ochavo 5, M. Raymundo 3, Bonus 2, Shanoda 0, Sealey 0, Coronel 0, Mundas 0, Luna 0.

Quarterscores: 19-17; 42-36; 58-54; 83-72

For Rene.

The University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers are dedicating their UAAP Season 89 campaign to Rene Baterbonia, as the team met with the late cager’s parents on Wednesday.

The parents of Baterbonia, who died back in June along with fellow Ateneo Blue Eagle Divine Adili during the tragic team building in Dipaculao, Aurora, were in attendance at the Mall of Asia Arena.

They watched Ateneo’s 101-74 win against the University of the East Red Warriors and UST’s 80-75 victory over the La Salle Green Archers.

Before UST’s game, Baterbonia’s mother, Rovelyn, met with the Growling Tigers and took a photo with forward Koji Buenaflor, head coach Pido Jarencio said.

‘Touching yung nangyari kanina. Kasi yung mother [Rovelyn] punta sa amin, punta kay Koji kasi si Koji parang look-alike ni Rene. Naalala tuloy ng nanay si Koji na siya si Rene, niyakap, umiyak yung nanay,’ Jarencio told reporters after their win.

‘Ang sinabi ko lang naman sa kanya, nandito kayo, ide-dedicate namin lahat ng games namin para sa anak nyo, kay Rene. E tuwang tuwa yung nanay,’ he added.

‘Hindi kami pumapapel o nag-grandstanding. Basta pinuntahan kami. At si Koji naaalala nila na parang anak nila.’

Adili’s parents were also in attendance during Ateneo’s game against UE.

There, Elias and Ifeoma Adili said that they believe ‘Divine and Rene are there’ on the court with the Blue Eagles.

Ateneo, who had the initials DA and RB patched on their jerseys, likewise said they are dedicating their games for Baterbonia and Adili.

‘Considering what happened, I think as coaches and sa community namin, sila ang toughest players dito. Kasi siyempre, yung tragedy na nangyari, it’s like, you cannot top that as an experience,’ Ateneo assistant coach RJ Jazul said.

‘So, getting better everyday, whatever happened sa kanila, sa amin. I think everyday, nakikita namin as coaches, sobrang naging close yung mga bata. I mean, siyempre, to that accident or whatever, mas naging close sila,’ he added.

‘Siyempre, we cannot do this without the help of loved ones, families, and we also thank ang family of Divine, for going to us sa mass the last day. So, ayun, siyempre, we dedicate this to them and Rene.’

Gilas Pilipinas’ disappointing finish in the Asian Games is an opportunity for the team to look into ways to improve, former Gilas ace Jimmy Alapag said.

Gilas, champion of the last edition of the Asiad in Hangzhou, failed to reach the quarterfinal round of the Japan games this year after absorbing a 105-61 defeat against China earlier in the week.

Needing to win or at least lose by less than 37 points to reach the next round, the Philippines was obliterated by 44 points by China.

This year’s early exit is the worst-ever finish by the Philippines in the Asian Games men’s basketball tournament.

Alapag, who served as team captain of Gilas and was a mainstay of the national team during his playing years, said it is important now to focus on improvement moving forward.

‘It’s tough. Of course, I think we’re all connected to Gilas. I think we all would have loved to see them perform better, but they tried their best. And sometimes, things like that happen. But we have to just find a way to continue to improve moving forward,’ Alapag told reporters at the sidelines of the launch of Shoot 360 at Robinson’s Galleria.

‘At the end of the day, it’s still a huge honor to represent the country. And I applaud those players in the middle of the PBA season to still dedicate their time and give their best effort. But, siyempre, at the end of the day, we fell short,’ the coach of the NLEX Road Warriors in the PBA added.

‘So, it’s important now to try to find ways that we can improve. But I think those guys and the players and the staff should still be applauded for doing their best to represent the country.’

After absorbing a shock 89-85 defeat against Bahrain in the Asian Games’ opener, Gilas bounced back against Kazakhstan, 109-78, to keep themselves in the running for a quarterfinal berth.

But China, which was eliminated by Gilas in the semifinal round in Hangzhou three years ago, came back with a vengeance.

‘It’s tough. We weren’t even given an opportunity to get to the knockout stage. But again, I don’t know a lot of those players personally. But I think anytime you represent the country, those guys should still be applauded because it’s the middle of the PBA season. They took on the responsibility to represent the country,’ he said.

‘I’m sure andaming tao are disappointed with the result, which is understandable. But this is also an opportunity for us to see how can we improve the program, how can we help the players, so that this doesn’t happen again for Gilas,’ he added.

‘Kasi I know all of us, even myself. I would have loved to see the team perform better. But it’s okay. We’ll be back.’

Alapag’s player in NLEX, Robert Bolick, is part of the squad in Japan. The coach, though, bared that Bolick is dealing with an injury.

‘I felt bad because kasi nag-usap kami,and I knew he was dealing with an injury. But the difficult part is, kahit injury or wala, when you play for the national team, there are still high expectations,’ he said.

‘I’m sure he would have loved to be out there 100%. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case.’

I arrived in Manila on Aug. 13 to begin my mission as Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to the Philippines. The very next morning, I paid my respects at the Korean War Memorial at the Libingan ng mga Bayani, bowing my head to honor the people whose bravery and sacrifice helped ensure that the free, prosperous and democratic Korea I have known all my life could exist at all.

That sense of indebted gratitude is engraved into the collective memory of the Korean people. We know the story of the 7,420 Filipino soldiers who crossed the ocean to answer Korea’s urgent call during its darkest hour. Far from their families, the members of the Philippine Expeditionary Forces to Korea (PEFTOK) fought to defend a people they did not know, in a foreign land with a different language and four seasons.

That same spirit of solidarity led me to Los Baños, Laguna. On Aug. 20, I visited the University of the Philippines-Los Baños (UPLB) and the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) to inspect the Agricultural Genomics Research Center (AGRC), which is scheduled to open on Sept. 21, 2026.

At first glance, a modern agricultural research center may seem a world away from the solemn fields of war. Yet, they both tell the story of two countries whose nearly 80 years of friendship has been shaped by hardship, gratitude and a determination to build a better future.

While Korea and the Philippines today celebrate thriving bonds in trade, culture and defense cooperation, one of the most consequential chapters of our brotherhood unfolded in rice paddies in Los Baños, Laguna.

When IRRI was established in 1960, its mission was to wage war on Asian hunger. Six years later came IR8, the ‘Miracle Rice’ that helped launch the Green Revolution and dramatically raise rice yields across Asia.

Korea was among the beneficiaries, and eventually a partner in that scientific revolution. In the 1960s, Korean scientist Mun-Hue Heu worked at IRRI toward the development of the hybrid rice line that became Tong-il or ‘Reunification Rice.’ Officially deployed in Korea by 1972, this variety, mass-produced through an IRRI-Rural Development Administration collaboration, helped transform Korea from a rice importer into a self-sufficient producer by the late 1970s.

We owe our survival to Filipino valor; we owe our post-war sustenance, in no small part, to Filipino soil. This bit of history gives the AGRC a significance far beyond its location on the UPLB campus.

The project, formally titled ‘Capacity-Building for Higher Education and the Establishment of Agricultural Genomics Research Center at the University of the Philippines-Los Baños,’ was launched through a signing ceremony at UP Diliman on July 14, 2023. The project brings together the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), UPLB and IRRI to strengthen Philippine agricultural genomics research, education and partnerships.

It must be pointed out that this is not simply another infrastructure project, for the AGRC is designed to build people as much as facilities. Filipino researchers are receiving advanced training, including PhD opportunities at Korean universities, while researchers from both countries stand side by side decoding the molecular blueprint of climate-resilient crops.

The initiative aligns with President Marcos Jr.’s vision of a more modern, science-based and resilient agriculture. In his 2022 UN General Assembly address, he called for ‘concrete steps to address the global food security crisis,’ linking it to the wider challenges posed by climate change and geopolitical instability.

In his 2023 State of the Nation Address, he made the domestic direction more explicit: ‘In our quest for food security, our methods are now more guided by science and the balance of nature,’ while outlining efforts to modernize agriculture, improve productivity and strengthen the food supply chains.

That agenda now extends into regional and bilateral cooperation. As ASEAN Chair in 2026, President Marcos has called for stronger intra-ASEAN trade and food systems, noting that digital innovation can help anticipate shortages, improve agricultural productivity and support better decision-making.

His administration’s partnership with Korea is moving in the same direction. During President Lee Jae Myung’s March 2026 state visit, the two countries signed agreements covering agriculture, digital cooperation, digitalization and innovation, among other areas, which would sustain the momentum of the Philippines-ROK Strategic Partnership.

The AGRC translates these priorities by applying advanced molecular science to make crops adapt better to environmental changes, while linking the research networks of IRRI and CGIAR. With the Philippines chairing ASEAN, the center can grow beyond a bilateral project into a regional beacon of agricultural innovation, linking Filipino scientists with partners across and beyond Southeast Asia. The center’s proximity to IRRI points a more symbolic light upon them: the institution that in the past helped improve Asian rice production and contributed to Korea’s own agricultural transformation standing beside a new edifice working at the frontier of genomics for the future of food security.

The Korean-Philippine story began with survival in a season of war. It matured into nourishment in a season of hunger. Now it enters a season of shared knowledge and sovereign innovation.

When the ribbons are cut at Los Baños on Sept. 21, it will not just inaugurate a research facility. It will tell a story of what two countries can accomplish when genuine gratitude is transformed into an enduring partnership for generations to come.

Legends of Xavier School will have a grand reunion when the basketball courts at the Mighty Sports Center in Acrocity are to be inaugurated on September 27 in Guiguinto, Bulacan.

Apart from the legendary trio of Chris Tiu, Joseph Yeo and TY Tang, other former stars of the school who are expected to join the event and play in the charity event are current PBA stars Jeron Teng, Tyler Tio, Isaac Go and Ralph Cu.

They will play against the Malolos Bulacan Agilas of Mayor Christian Natividad.

Proceeds and support from this special event will benefit the Persons with Disabilities Malolos Foundation and the Xavier School Association Retired Colleagues, Incorporated.

The other beneficiaries are the Guiguiteno student-athletes who made a mark in the regional and national levels of competitions.

The basketball courts are the latest additions to the facilities of Mighty Sports after the opening of the pickleball and badminton courts.

Acrocity is a fully integrated commercial and industrial development of Czark Mak Corporation, chaired by Caesar Wongchuking.

‘It’s our own way to give back to the Guiguinto community, and of course, to our beloved school, Xavier,’ said Wongchuking. ‘We are glad that friends and former players of Mighty Sports are going to play and grace the event.’

Envisioned as a ‘Live, Work, Play’lifestyle hub, AcroCity is becoming the place to be in Guiguinto, being home to Acro Residences Hotel, restaurants like Cafe de Margaux and Mt. Fuji and event venues (Ang Hardin) and NDW Plaza – named after the Wongchuking family matriarch Nelia D. Wongchuking – and the T12 Polo Land.

Red, luscious and bursting with flavor with just enough heat to spice up your freshly cooked rice that has been smothered with its gravy. It is freshness personified as you effortlessly peel off its shell. Sometimes, the best-tasting dishes are the ones that are easiest to cook.

Take these Chili Shrimps by the mother-and-son team of Chefs Sylvia Reynoso Gala and Ernest Reynoso Gala. They easily fit into the menu of any celebration and are so easy to prepare, as this recipe proves. Just follow a few simple steps and you’ve got a great dish that you can also enjoy even for a regular lunch or dinner.

Chili Shrimps

Ingredients:

1/2 kg. shrimps or prawns, with head and shell intact

1/4 cup oil

1/4 cup onion

1 stalk lemongrass, white portion finely chopped

1 tbsp. chili powder

1 cup tomato sauce

1 tbsp. sugar

1 tsp. salt

1/4 cup dayap (lime) juice

Procedure:

1. Heat oil in a wok. Add onion and cook for 2 minutes.

2. Add lemongrass and chili powder. Stir and cook for 2 minutes.

3. Add tomato sauce, sugar, salt, and lime juice. Let boil.

4. Add shrimps or prawns. Cook for 2 minutes more.

5. Transfer to a plate complete with sauce.

6. Serve with freshly cooked rice.