The SSS Kabalikat started its championship run on a positive note, taking a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three series for this year’s UNTV Cup Finals.

The SSS Kabalikat disposed of the Agriculture Food Master in their Game 1 final matchup, 90-81, clinching its first-ever finals victory in the annual UNTV basketball tournament during yesterday’s match at the NOVADECI Convention Center in Quezon City.

The SSS Kabalikat relied on the solid performance of former PBA cager Macky Escalona, who nearly posted a double-double with 19 points and eight assists while contributing four rebounds and three steals.

The Kabalikat established itself early in the game, 17-6, with 6:11 left in the first quarter after Escalona hit a three-pointer, capping an 11-0 run.

With 3:44 remaining in the second quarter, the Kabalikat posted a 23-point lead against Food Master, 50-27, after former Philippine Christian University Dolphins player Lisztian Amparado scored back-to-back jump shots. Amparado finished with 24 points and six rebounds.

Throughout the game, the Food Master tries to make a rally, but the Kabalikat always has an answer to keep them at bay.

Social Security Commissioner Robert Joseph M. De Claro, and several officials and personnel cheered for the SSS squad, which is making a historic appearance in the finals.

Game 2 of the best-of-three series will be played on Sunday, March 31, at the Philsport Arena in Pasig City. 

FORT MAGSAYSAY, Nueva Ecija – Days following the armed encounter between the soldiers of the 91st Infantry (Sinagtala) Battalion, Philippine Army and the members of the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) in Aurora, the former in collaboration with the Philippine Air Force conducted an Aerial Reconnaissance and dropped leaflets containing the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program at the mountainous vicinity of Barangay Galintuja, Maria Aurora and Barangay Lub-lub, Alfonso Castañeda, Nueva Vizcaya on March 28.
 
A total of 1,000 pieces of leaflets were dropped in the area to encourage the members of the CTG to surrender to the authorities and live a peaceful life with their loved ones.
 
Army Major Dondon Canilang, Civil-Military Operations Officer of the 703rd Infantry (Agila) Brigade, and Captain Candidato S. Paduman, Civil-Military Operations Officer of 91IB led the dropping of leaflets utilizing the Black Hawk Chopper of Tactical Operations Group 3 of Philippine Air Force.
 

The Commanding Officer of 91IB, Lieutenant Colonel Julito B. Recto Jr. reiterated their call to the remaining members of the CTG in Aurora to surrender while there is still chance.
 
“Sa mga gustong sumuko, mangyari lamang na makipag-ugnayan sa inyong lokal na opisyal sa inyong barangay. Hindi pa huli ang lahat upang mabago ang inyong buhay. Ang gobyerno ay narito upang kayo ay gabayan tungo sa isang magandang kinabukasan. Iwaksi na ninyo ang walang kwentang pakikibaka na magdudulot lamang ng karahasan at sa inyong pagkamatay,” Lt. Col. Recto Jr.said.
 
Major General Andrew D. Costelo, Commander of the 7th Infantry (Kaugnay) Division, Philippine Army lauded the continued CMO efforts of the Brigade and the Battalion to ensure that the CTG will never be successful in their recovery efforts in their former influenced areas.
 
It can be recalled that a tip-off from residents in the said communities resulted in an armed encounter with the remaining CTG members last Friday, March 22.
 
Recovered items in the area included two short magazines of M16 rifle; 24 rounds of bullets for an M203 Grenade Launcher; 143 rounds of M16 bullets; 110 rounds of bullets; for an M14 rifle; 1 pair of rifle hand-guard; a rifle dust cover of M16; alongside personal belongings, medical items, and subversive documents.

ILPS Commission 10 

March 29th is the Day of the Landless, and March 30 marks 48 years since the fascist massacre of six Palestinian activists pushing back against the colonial land-grabbing by Zionist forces. These dates mark great significance to discuss the history of Palestine’s pursuit of liberation, expose the crimes of the Zionist-Israeli project, and imperialism’s major role in the continuing genocide of the Palestinian people. 

Before the events of March 30, 1976, the Zionist Israeli occupation had set its eyes on grabbing 20,000 dunams (20 square kilometers) of agricultural land in Galilee for supposed government purposes. Around 6300 dunams (6.3 square kilometers) were owned by Arabs.

With the continuation of the onslaught and genocide of the Palestinian people, the the US-backed Israeli regime has continued to use its old methods of fascism through expulsion by force with more modern weaponry with the backing of US imperialism. Millions of Palestinian people continue to suffer the brunt of Zionism’s inhumane attacks while living and dying in the rubbles of thinning parcels of Palestinian land. The US’s role in the occupation and genocide of Palestinian people is not simply the role of an imperialist-backer, but as a primary culprit in the widespread land dispossession and massacre of Palestinian population. 

The United State’s has for many occasions masterminded colonial occupations, wars of aggression, and the installation of fascist dictatorships across the world. Such is the case with the occupation of Western Sahara by Moroccan forces with direct funding and unequivocal support from the White House, the brutal War on Terror, and suppression of anti-imperialist movements around the globe. 

The ILPS Commission 10 stands firm and resolute in its solidarity with the Palestinian people. We enjoin all anti-imperialist, freedom-loving citizens of the world in honoring the martyrs and heroes of the Palestinian struggle who have sacrificed their lives in pursuit of liberation. We likewise honor and salute the Palestinian people who valiantly continue in their just cause for national liberation from imperialism and fascist reaction. 

Today, as we continue to observe the brutal and merciless methods of Zionism and US imperialism to expel the Palestinian people from their own lands. We are seeing waves of resistance movements from within Palestine, militant offensives being launched against Zionist forces by liberation movements, and the ever growing solidarity from peoples of the world against the onslaught of imperialism. 

Antipolo City, Rizal. The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) President and General Manager Wick Veloso recently awarded land titles to five beneficiaries from various GSIS housing programs in Rizal under its Pabahay sa Bagong Bayaning Manggagawa (PBBM) program. The pension fund also awarded government agencies who supported its mandate of securing the future of government employees during a meeting with GSIS stakeholders in Antipolo.

“Our pabahay program features 12,335 foreclosed properties nationwide. It aims to help in addressing  the country’s  housing shortage, with over 2,000 applications approved as of February 2024. In Rizal alone, GSIS offers more than 1,000 residential properties across various locations,” the GSIS chief said.

Awarded land titles were beneficiaries of the Lease with Option to Buy (LWOB)  in Bagong Nayon, Antipolo City (two beneficiaries);  Amityville Subdivision, Montalban; and Modesta Village, San Mateo (two beneficiaries). LWOB is  one of the pabahay projects of GSIS. Under LWOB, GSIS rents out its housing units to interested parties who will be given the priority to purchase it any time during the lease agreement. A total of 13,000 residential properties nationwide of GSIS are available for lease at present, 1,000 of which are located in Antipolo.

During the event, the GSIS also recognized government agencies in Rizal for supporting its programs.  Among these are the Philippine Statistics Authority, Rizal and Provincial Government of Rizal for being the top two agencies in Rizal with the lowest past due rate in loan accounts. Additionally, the agency awarded the Local Water District of Teresa, Provincial Government of Rizal, DepEd Division of Rizal High School, and DepEd Division in Antipolo City High School for achieving the highest collection of compulsory premiums in the province.

On loans, GSIS cited Vicente Madrigal National High School and Angono National High School as the top agencies with the highest loan collection in Rizal. The DepEd Division of Rizal, Elementary and High School, City Government of Antipolo, University of Rizal System, Tanay Campus were recognized for having the highest number of employees granted Multi-Purpose Loan. 

The GSIS also awarded two agencies for having the highest number of active members enrolled in the GSIS ecard, the San Mateo Municipal College and Municipal Government of Tanay.

Great news for Filipino families with overseas workers! BDO Remit, the trusted remittance service of BDO Unibank, partners with SM to launch “Kabayan Day,” an exclusive year-round treat happening every first Tuesday of the month.

Kabayan Day is more than just discounts. It’s a way to say thank you to our hardworking Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and their families. Enjoy up to 10% off at participating SM affiliates nationwide, including: SM Store, SM Appliance, SM Cinema, SM Skating, SM Bowling, SM Game Park, Sports Central, Toy Kingdom, Baby Company, Watsons, Miniso, Surplus, and Ace Hardware.

This initiative reflects the commitment of both BDO Remit and SM to empower and honor Filipinos. It goes beyond remittance services, creating a dedicated day to show appreciation for the sacrifices and contributions of OFWs.

Ready to celebrate Kabayan Day? Visit your nearest SM branch on the first Tuesday of the month and don’t forget to bring your BDO Kabayan Savings ATM card, Passbook, or a validated remittance payment slip to avail the discounts.

For more details, you can visit http://www.bdo.com.ph or follow the BDO Kabayan Facebook page.

Listen up, foodies and Coca-Cola fanatics! This is NOT a drill! SM Foodcourts are serving up a promo so good, you’ll be cartwheeling (or maybe just waddling happily) to your nearest branch.

Choose green, get a reusable tote today! For every P499 single-receipt food purchase, you’ll score a FREE tote bag – just by adding a 1.5L bottle of Coca-Cola or grabbing three of those refreshing 16oz cans. Yes, you read that right. Free. Tote. Bags. Be sure to tag along your friends and family for this tote-tastic feast.

This epic collab is happening at ALL SM Foodcourt locations nationwide, including SM City Marilao and SM City Baliwag, plus select Food Hall branches. Treat yourself to your favorite food court fare – think sizzling steak, overflowing halo-halo, or that perfect plate of Bibimbop – and walk away with a stylish tote that’s #OOTD-worthy.

Here’s the Tea on This Tote-ally Awesome Promo:

• What you gotta grab: P499 single-receipt food purchase from your favorite SM Foodcourt or select Food Hall branch, PLUS a 1.5L bottle of Coca-Cola OR three (3) 16oz Coca-Cola cans.
• What you get: A FREE tote bag! #SustainableQueens #SustainableKings
• Where to find the TOTE: ALL SM Foodcourt locations and select Food Hall branches.
• When to snag this deal: Ongoing until April 28th, 2024. That’s six weeks of tote-tastic feasting!

So, grab your squad and family, and hit up your nearest SM Foodcourt. Fill your belly with delicious food, quench your thirst with refreshing Coke, and walk away with a stylish new tote. This promo is guaranteed to be a total VIBE and make you say, “Tote-ally Worth It!” See you there!

Per DTI Fair Trade Permit No. FTEB-188619, series of 2024

Check SM Foodcourt official FB page for the complete promo details.

By Billy Nuqui and Anton Luis Catindig

CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga—A known drug queen and her cohort including a 29 year old big time woman drug trader fell in the hands of the authorities in a series of buy-bust operations in Central Luzon during the week.

Region 3 Police Director PBGen Jose Hidalgo Jr. said Tarlac Provincial Police Office arrested Malikah Casalungan, 29, a native of Barangay Bangon, Marawi City, Lanao del Sur and presently residing in Dela Rosa Compound, Alabang, Muntinlupa City who is a known big time woman drug trafficker during a buy-bust operation at about 3:01 p.m. on Wednesday in Irrigation Road, Blk. 9, San Roque, Tarlac City.

Joint troops from Tarlac Provincial Police Drug Enforcement Unit, Provincial Intelligence Unit and Tarlac City Police Station seized from her more than 3 packs of 200 grams of shabu worth P1.36 million.

Tarlac Provincial Police Director Col. Miguel Guzman warned other illegal drug traders in Tarlac of similar ill fate in the hands of the law because of the full cooperation and support of the community in eradicating the drug menace in the province.  

In the City of Meycauayan in Bulacan on Sunday, March 24, police arrested Lalaine Dionisio, 30, an alleged “Drug Queen” in the province.

Bulacan Police Director Col. Relly Arnedo said Dionisio was arrested in a buy-bust operation at about 1:45 a.m. in Sitio Sampalukan, Barangay Calvario together with her cohort, identified as Cherry Pie Ibo, 28, also of City of Meycauayan.

They were caught in possession of 6 sachets of 402 grams of shabu worth more than P2.7 million.

CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga—Police Regional Pastoral Officer, Rev. Fr. Police Lt. Col. Jonathan Chy led this year’s Police Regional Office-3 (PRO3) Good Friday “Stations of the Cross” Lenten Week observance inside this Central Luzon police headquarters in San Fernando, Pampanga.

Chy who leads the 14 Stations of the Cross inside Camp Olivas for the second year now focused his offerings and prayers for the intentions and reflections for the upkeep of peace and order in the region and the health and safety of PRO3 personnel and their families.

The “Stations of the Cross” is a re-enactment of the final hours of Jesus Christ before the Crucifixion and one of the most popular devotions among Roman Catholics. From the 1st Station to the 14th Station, officers and personnel of the Regional Headquarters meditatively read and reflected the events before Christ’s Crucifixion from one station to another.

Also, on Maundy Thursday, different police units in PRO3 staged a Lenten vigil from 7:00PM to 12:00 midnight at the Our Mother of Perpetual Help Chapel in this camp.

On Holy Monday, Roman Catholic members in PRO3 also participated in a Lenten recollection inside the camp.

Agaw-pansin ang mga kalalakihang ito sa Barangay Tibig, sa Bulakan, Bulacan na punong-abala sa pag gawa ng sumang malagkit para sa kanilang Karidad kahapong Biyernes Santo.

Matagal ng tradisyon ang nasabing libreng pagpapakain ng mga residente sa mga bumabasa ng pasyon sa bisita ng Santo Rosario sa Tibig tuwing Mahal na Araw.

Ang suman ay tineternohan ng mainit na tsokolate.

Ang mga kababaihan naman ang siyang abala sa pagyayangit at pagbabalot ng suman.

Ipinagmamalaki ni Kapitana Rosana “Osang” Lava-Gamboa ang nasabing mayamang tradisyon ng Karidad ng kanilang barangay na patuloy na isinasagawa sa mahabang panahon na sa ngayon.

Mga larawan mula kay Kapitana Rosana “Osang” Lava ng Barangay Tibig.