President Marcos wants simplified visa application for foreignersPhilippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr delivers his speech during the State of the Nation Address (SONA) at the House of Representatives in Quezon City on July 24, 2023. MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos has directed government agencies to simplify visa application for foreign tourists and students to encourage them to come to the country. Also part of the recommendations is allowing online submission of student visa applications. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, there were five million foreign students who applied for visas, he said. As of Aug. 14, the country has welcomed 3.4 million foreign visitors, representing 71.4 percent of the 4.8 million baseline industry target for this year.

The FIBA Basketball World Cup got underway in three Asian countries on Friday, with co-hosts the Philippines losing to Dominican Republic 87-81 in a game that shattered the tournament's 29-year-old attendance record. FIBA said a record crowd of 38,115 attended the world's largest indoor arena north of the capital Manila, erasing the previous record of 32,616 fans that watched the US-Russia final at the 1994 World Cup in Toronto, Canada. The basketball-obsessed and boisterous Filipino fans went home disappointed, however, following the defeat of the 40th-ranked Philippines to 23rd-ranked Dominican Republic. "We found a way to stay disciplined tonight," Dominican Republic center Karl-Anthony Towns told reporters. Seven teams, two each from the Americas and Europe as well as one apiece from Africa, Asia and Oceania, will qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics based on their World Cup finish.

BOEING and a key supplier say that a new manufacturing flaw could delay deliveries of the 737 Max, Boeing's best-selling plane. Airline supplier Spirit AeroSystems, along with Boeing, have discovered a new issue affecting the 737 Max jetliners that could delay its deliveries to clients. Airline supplier Spirit AeroSystems, along with Boeing, have discovered a new issue affecting the 737 Max jetliners that could delay its deliveries to clients. Boeing said the issue does not affect safety of flight, and 737 Max planes already in service can keep flying. Spirit AeroSystems builds the fuselage for Boeing's 737 Max narrowbody jet and substantial sections of aircraft bodies in other Boeing models.

Bayo Group, known for Filipino brands like Bayo, Viseversa and Tela, just launched a unique multi-brand store that promotes chic, contemporary, and conscientious fashion. (From left) Leo Lagon, Bayo Group co-CEO; Alyssa Lagon, Branding and Sustainability executive and Tela founder; Louie Lagon, Business Development head; and Anna Lagon, creative director and co-CEO. The Bayo Group quickly adopted the same and created online shopping destinations www.styleshops.com.ph and www.telamnl.com. The brands under Bayo Group are committed to using eco-friendly materials and practices. Featuring Bayo, Tela and Viseversa, the multi-brand store is now open at the ground level of Glorietta 2, Makati City.

In 2011, violin maker Nakazawa Muneyuki and his musician wife Kimiko were deeply moved by TV images of the wreckage and uprooted trees left by the Great East Japan Earthquake. Nakazawa decided to make a violin using wood salvaged from the place hardest hit by the tsunami, Rikuzentakata in Iwate. For his sound post, the part that determines the violin's tone, he chose a twig from the Miracle Pine - the only tree left standing there by the tsunami. Ten years after the disaster, his violin, which he called it the "Tsunami Violin", still plays at concerts around Japan, ensuring that the experiences of that terrible day will never be forgotten. VIDEO BY MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF JAPAN

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has backed the recommendation of his Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC) for easier visa applications for foreign students and tourists in the Philippines, including allowing the online submission of student visa applications. Marcos has suggested removing medical requirements for foreign student visa applicants. In a statement, Presidential Communications Secretary Cheloy Velicaria-Garafil said among PSAC’s recommendations were the standardization of information application procedure on student visa requirements. Garafil said PSAC also recommended the accreditation of clinics for medical clearance and certificate requirements for foreign students. Garafil pointed out that student visa processing takes about two months in the Philippines, the longest processing period among its Southeast Asian neighbors.

"All my prayers and well wishes for the Gilas team," Alapag said via FB Messenger. Jimmy Alapag FIBA PHOTOAlapag would have been a welcome addition to the Nationals in their bid to secure a ticket to the 2024 Paris Olympics by becoming the highest Asian finisher in the World Cup. While Alapag achieved heights in his pro playing career that most of his peers could only dream of scaling, he could be best remembered for his role during the 2013 FIBA Asian Championship semifinal at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. Even that, though, pales to experiencing this World Cup, according to Alapag. "Nothing like playing against the best in the world at home!!"

Landmark collaboration to bring smart solutions to Philippine sports. CONTRIBUTED PHOTODigital Human technology has been developed by NTT DATA, along with NTT Ltd. and NTT DATA Business Solutions, to promote Smart Solutions for fans to experience globally. The NTT Group has introduced Smart Solutions through various sporting events such as the Tour de France, IndyCar Series, and Major League Baseball. In collaboration with Smart and PLDT, through its business-to-business arm, PLDT Enterprise, Mediaquest, Cignal, and the NTT Group have brought Smart Solutions to the Philippines just in time for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023. That's why we are quite keen on bringing Smart Solutions to Philippine sports.

Green Hour, a local environmental organization, is hosting a beach cleanup drive at Shek O Beach on September 10th, 2023, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Green Hour hopes to raise awareness about the importance of keeping our beaches clean and preserving the environment. Green Hour HK is a registered charity working to promote green living through engaging grassroots members of society. Green Hour HK has organized dozens of cleanups, over one hundred weekly Bun Runs fighting food waste, as well as school and corporate partnerships, making a positive impact in Hong Kong. The event is open to the public, and anyone interested in participating can register by contacting Green Hour at +852 9541 9217 or info@greenhourhk.com.

Over 100 mayors sign good governance pledgeMANILA, Philippines — More than 100 mayors from different parts of the country have signed a manifesto committing to “uphold the principles of good governance” and serve the best interests of their constituents. The Mayors for Good Governance was formally launched at the University of the Philippines Diliman in Quezon City on Aug. 24. Our actions and decisions will be driven by honesty and accountability, ensuring that the public’s trust in our office remains our foundation for our service,” read the manifesto. “We shall embrace a strong public service orientation, putting the welfare and needs of our citizens at the forefront of our agenda. “We will embrace innovation and modern technology to improve governance and public services.

Goring to peak this weekendThe Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said signal No. 1 has been raised over Batanes, the eastern portion of Babuyan Islands, the eastern portion of mainland Cagayan and the eastern portion of Isabela. 1 has been raised over Batanes, the eastern portion of Babuyan Islands, the eastern portion of mainland Cagayan and the eastern portion of Isabela. Local chief executives in Cagayan Valley were also told to perform their mandate in times of calamities. Food packsAlmost 10,000 family food packs (FFPs) have been prepositioned in places affected by Goring, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said yesterday.

NEW DELHI: The Wrestling Federation of India has been suspended by the sports' world body for not holding elections after its chief was charged with sexual misconduct. India's top wrestlers staged weeks of sit-in protests in the capital New Delhi earlier this year demanding the resignation of WFI president Brij Bhushan Singh. The 66-year-old, also a lawmaker for the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has since been charged with sexual harassment and stalking but is currently on bail. AFP PHOTO Wrestlers take part in a bout of traditional wrestling at the Loknath Vyayamsala wrestling club to mark the Hindu festival of Nag Panchami, in Prayagraj on August 21, 2023. Commonwealth Games gold-medal-winning wrestler Anita Sheoran, a witness in a sexual harassment case, has filed her nomination to replace Singh for the top post.

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DAVAO CITY — As part of the US government’s commitment to deepen economic ties with the country, a trade mission is due here next month to explore investment opportunities in agriculture in Mindanao. You have such a great advantage here when it comes to agriculture,” Carlson said. The trade mission, according to her, will have stops in Davao and Manila. Apart from agriculture, the technology sector may also be another bright spot that American investors may look into in Davao, Carlson said. ADVERTISEMENTAccording to the ambassador, bilateral trade between the country and the US hit a record high last year at $33 billion.

(UPDATE) PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday said the Philippines has taken the "first step" toward a federal form of government that would make the country's political structure "more stable." That derives from a very simple idea that the stability of a political structure is much more reliable when we have many power centers. If the power centers only belong here in Manila, then pabagsakin mo 'yung Manila, bagsak ang buong Pilipinas (if Manila falls, the entire Philippines would fall)," Marcos told his party mates. Federalism became a buzzword in 2016 when Rodrigo Duterte, then the mayor of Davao City, highlighted it as a campaign promise. Unlike Duterte, who was "very clear" about pushing federalism forward during his 2016 presidential campaign, Marcos was not overly enthusiastic about it, despite running under a pro-federalism party in the 2022 elections.