The knowing is in the livingLast Friday, I spoke at the commencement ceremony of the University of the Philippine Diliman Extension Program in Pampanga and Olongapo. In your 30s you will think more seriously about companionship, maybe marriage, maybe children. In your case, the knowing will be in the living. Remember Achilles, who in the Iliad was given a choice of living a short but glorious life, as opposed to a long but boring one; he chose the former, and thereby became a legend. Some say life is predestined, which would make for bad fiction; I prefer to believe in at least the illusion of free will, of human agency, because then we and our fictional characters have moral responsibility.

Today (July 28) marks World Hepatitis Day, with an organization launching mobile testing vans to provide free tests to the public across the city. The testing van, staffed by two nurses and two medical students on rotating shifts, offers rapid blood tests for hepatitis B and C and will refer citizens to specialists for free consultation. He noted that many hepatitis patients and carriers are asymptomatic, with the disease often going undetected until it progresses to severe hepatitis, liver failure, cirrhosis, or liver cancer. The Hong Kong Liver Foundation aims to reach at least 100,000 citizens by 2030 to identify hidden hepatitis cases in the community. According to a Department of Health survey last year, about 5.6 percent of Hong Kong's population, approximately 410,000 people, have chronic hepatitis B.

MANILA, Philippines — The siphoning of the 1.4 million liters of fuel from a sunken motor tanker in Manila Bay will be rescheduled after sealing nine of the ship’s valves leaking more oil, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said on Sunday. In a press briefing, PCG spokesperson Rear Admiral Armand Balilo disclosed that divers have confirmed the presence of nine leaking valves in the sunken MT Terra Nova. ADVERTISEMENTREAD: PCG vows to drain fuel from sunken ship in Manila Bay within 1 week“Immediately, the divers worked on sealing the valves, finishing the application of the second layer of sealant at around 10:42 a.m.,” the agency said in a separate statement. Last July 25, authorities said a Philippine-flagged tanker carrying industrial fuel “capsized and eventually submerged” in waters off Bataan province. On Saturday, the PCG said the oil from the sunken Motor Tanker (MT) Terra Nova started to leak into Manila Bay, spreading about 12 to 14 kilometers across the area.

China wins first goldChina’s Huang Yuting and Sheng Lihao share the podium after winning the gold in shooting’s 10m air rifle mixed team in the Paris Games at Chateauroux Shooting Centre Saturday. MANILA, Philippines — China took the first gold of the Paris Olympics on Saturday, as the rain that dampened the opening ceremony took its toll on the first full day of sporting action. All-conquering Chinese divers Chang Yani and Chen Yiwen bagged the first Olympic gold of their careers on Saturday with a superb victory in the women’s synchronized three-meter springboard final. Chang and Chen have been unbeatable in global diving events in recent years, winning gold at three straight World Championships in 2022, 2023 and 2024. She stunned US rival Katie Ledecky in an electric Tokyo final three years ago, with the American great gunning for revenge.

SEC unveils new digital servicesThe rollout of SEC's new digital services forms part of the commission’s observance of SEC Sustainability Week 2024, in line with its thrust to pursue sustainability by going digital. MANILA, Philippines — Company registration in the country has become more efficient as the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) introduces new services that form part of its continuing digital initiatives. Ultimately, the SEC is harnessing digital technologies to champion sustainability and help accelerate the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals,” SEC chairperson Emilio Aquino said. With digital authentication, the commission said SEC ZERO and eSAP enable applicants to register their companies anytime and from anywhere, even abroad. Last year, President Marcos launched the second wave of SEC digital initiatives, which included the Electronic SEC Universal Registration Environment, Electronic SEC Education, Analysis and Research Computing Hub, SEC API Marketplace, Electronic Registry Application for Market Participants and SEC Check App 2.0.

Teachers and parents at the Bagong Silangan Elementary School in Quezon City on Sunday prepare classrooms for the first day of classes. School Year 2024-2025 will begin on July 29. DepEd said that over 1,000 schools in Metro Manila, Ilocos region, Central Luzon and Soccsksargen region postponed the opening of classes. Video By Ismael De JuanGet the latest newsdelivered to your inbox Sign up for The Manila Times newsletters By signing up with an email address, I acknowledge that I have read and agree to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Dr. Rainier Nery Mozo is an internal medicine specialist who holds a postgraduate diploma in Genomic Medicine from the University of South Wales, UK. He is a certified life coach and an associate professor at PLM College of Medicine. He is a fellow of the Philippine College of Physicians and a certified hospital administrator of the Philippine College of Hospital Administrators. He was a finalist for Asia's Leader Award for Young CEO of the Year 2022 and was awarded Topmost Healthcare for the Philippines 2023 by the World Health Congress and Asia's Exemplary Healthcare Leader by Asia's Pinnacle Award 2023. Currently, he is the CEO and President of Clearbridge Medical Philippines Inc.Get the latest newsdelivered to your inbox Sign up for The Manila Times newsletters By signing up with an email address, I acknowledge that I have read and agree to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

NEW research from Accenture finds that companies with the most mature supply chains achieve 23 percent greater profitability than the competition. These so-called leaders are six times as likely to use AI and generative AI widely across their supply chains, which allows them to generate additional business value. Conversely, low supply chain maturity among many organizations leads to limited ability to benefit from AI and generative AI. This means the old supply chain levers, such as global low-cost sourcing and specialized factories in low-cost locations, aren't sufficient anymore. The "Next stop, next-gen" research is based on a survey conducted in October 2023 among over 3,000 supply chain executives in 1,148 companies.

Oil leaking from tanker reaches Bulacan coastPhilippine Coast Guard (PCG) personnel collect oil that are part of the slick from sunken motor tanker Terra Nova in the waters near the east of Lamao Point, Limay, Bataan on Friday. CITY OF MALOLOS, Philippines — The oil slick from the tanker Terra Nova that sank off the coast of Bataan has now reached the coastline of Bulacan. Fernando said the oil slick was sighted in the coastal area of Barangay Pamarawan in Malolos City as confirmed by its barangay chairman. Environment Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga agreed that the oil spill should be contained but noted that commercial oil booms are too expensive and suggested that organic oil booms should be used because these are cheaper to make. Science and Technology Secretary Renato Solidum and Health Secretary Ted Herbosa also suggested using “oil-eating bacteria” to help contain the oil slick.

Homecoming musingsIt’s the longest time I haven’t gone home since we left for a new foreign assignment. I withheld judgment and any sense of anticipation when I left New York for my circuitous transatlantic flight to the Philippines. Connections are central to this homecoming. I read about “reminiscence therapy” from a recent inspirational feature in The New York Times. When reminiscence therapy and lessons in oral history are at play, I gratefully muse at how they make for a perfectly meaningful homecoming.

BACOLOD CITY — Negros authorities have cautioned the public against people offering to pay to take photographs of their nationally issued identification cards (IDs) or driver’s licenses. Eugenio Jose Lacson, the data taken could be used by others to assume their identities or for scams. He said the data taken from the IDs could be used for identity theft or money laundering. The governor warned Negrenses not to sell their ID information as it could be used for scams or crimes. Subscribe to our daily newsletter SIGN ME UPThese E-wallet accounts, he said, could be used for online financial scams.

Rear Adm. Armand Balilo, spokesperson for the the PCG, said there was no leak yet from the 1.4 million liters of industrial fuel that the Philippine-flagged oil tanker “MT Terra Nova” was carrying. ADVERTISEMENTHe said what the PCG started collecting was oil coming from the working fuel of the motor tanker. READ: 1 dead, oil spill feared after tanker capsized in Bataan watersHe added the Terra Nova’s shipping company has already contracted a salvor to retrieve the tanker. ADVERTISEMENTOn Thursday, he warned that if the tanker’s cargo would leak, it would become the worst oil spill in the country’s history. As of Thursday afternoon, the PCG said divers were on standby for underwater assessment as soon as the weather permitted.

PALO ALTO, Calif. , July 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Mega Matrix Corp. ("MPU" or the "Company") (NYSE American: MPU), today announced that FlexTV, its short drama streaming platform, surged into No.8. in the App Store Entertainment Apps (Free Apps, Japan ) as of July 26, 2024 . Following its 2nd place ranking inon, today FlexTV proudly ranked 8th place onApp Store Entertainment Free Apps ranking, reaffirming its excellence in the global short drama streaming industry. Forward-Looking StatementsThis press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release.

Stocks end week on high noteThe benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange index rose by 0.84 percent or 55.74 points to close at 6,726.01. MANILA, Philippines — The stock market bounced back to end the week on a high note as it drew inspiration from other markets in the region. The benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange index rose by 0.84 percent or 55.74 points to close at 6,726.01. Claire Alviar of Philstocks Financial said the local bourse rebounded along with most Asian markets following the strong sell-off on Thursday. Aside from massive flooding, the weather typhoon also paralyzed the financial markets as stock market and foreign exchange trading suspended last Wednesday.

The future scientistsI recently met a group of five high school students who belong to a local science high school. These young scientists came by bus and jeep, no frills, with their drone, laptops and cameras. I asked them how they got into science high school and they shared that one has to have an average of 85 or higher in Math, Science and English. I always am amazed at meeting young scientists and often wonder how they came to be. That is what I see in these young scientists.