Pinoy JRU student earns recognition at AMWUN in Malaysia

JRU student recognized at Asia World Model United Nations X in Malaysia

MARIEL CELINE SERQUIÑA

GMA Integrated News

27 February 2025

A computer engineering student from Jose Rizal University has earned the “Best Introduction Video” award at the latest Asia World Model United Nations (AWMUN) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The AWMUN is a youth international conference where delegates can converse about current global issues.

With the theme “Navigating the Future: Shaping Our Role in the 5th Industrial Revolution,” the AWMUN X ran from February 14 to 17.

JRU's Albosran Gandawali, a third-year student of computer engineering, was one of 52 Filipinos that participated in the AWMUN X, which had 238 delegates from 27 countries.

“As a student leader, I aspire to inspire others by encouraging them to pursue their dreams fearlessly,” Gandawali said in his introduction video.

Gandawali became a member of their department’s student council and is currently an editor in their school newspaper. He also plans to become a lawyer.

“I truly believe that this program will equip me with valuable experiences that I can bring back to my community and make a positive impact on my society,” he added.

'Surreal, great opportunity'

Talking to GMA News Online, Gandawali shared that he had a “great experience'' at AWMUN X.

Gandawali also said that he felt nervous during the conference since it was also his first time going out of the country alone.

“I was so nervous, and I felt all the emotions, but I really focused on things that I could gain instead of focusing on what I really felt and being nervous about it,” he said.

“And it's really a surreal and a great opportunity for me to really build myself in communication and other things,” he added.

Gandawali also participated in the discussion on “Electric Vehicles and Lithium Waste: A Double-Edged Sword,” representing Colombia on the UN Environment Programme Governing Council.

“We were given one minute to speak about our country, what they have done for mitigating the [risk of using] lithium-ion batteries, what else they can do in the future, and how they can collaborate with the United Nations to further that proposed solution for this current issue,” Gandawali said.

After their presentation, the delegates debated the draft resolutions they had come up with. To decide which resolution will be passed, it must gain the support of at least one-third of all members.

“But we got fewer votes for the draft resolution. Nonetheless, the committees and chairs will look into it so that they can be able to really find the common grounds of both draft resolutions so that they can be able to do something on it,” Gandawali said.

For those aspiring to join international conferences, Gandawali advised the youth to take courage and “dare to live your dreams.”

“So just really pursue your dreams and always be thankful,” Gandawali said. — VBL, GMA Integrated News

PH economy may grow faster in 2025

PH economy expected to grow faster in 2025

Ian Nicolas P. Cigaral, Meg Adonis

Cebu Daily News

27 February 2025

MANILA, Philippines — The country’s economy may grow faster this year than in 2024, boosted by election-related spending. However, a global trade war could slow growth below the government’s target.

Angelo Taningco, chief economist at Security Bank Corp., told reporters on Wednesday that GDP could expand by 6.1% in 2025, mainly driven by election spending.

If Taningco’s prediction comes to pass, GDP growth this year would be faster than the 5.6-percent clip in 2024, which fell short of both market consensus and the Marcos administration’s target of 6 to 6.5 percent.

At the same time, a 6.1-percent growth this year would settle within the 6 to 8 percent target band of the government for 2025 until the end of President Marcos’ term in 2028.

Apart from the usual boost from elections, lower borrowing costs could also translate to stronger consumption, a traditional growth driver.

That said, Taningco projected the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) to further cut the policy by a half-percentage point this year, which would be split into two quarter-point cuts each at the June and October meetings of the Monetary Board.

But while there are “so many upsides” to growth this year, the Security Bank economist warned that a full-blown global trade war could be damaging to the domestic economy.

“But it depends on the magnitude of the trade war,” Taningco said.

Defensive market

Meanwhile, Swiss banking giant UBS Investment Bank Global Research was not as optimistic as Taningco.

At a press briefing, Grace Lim, UBS Asean and Asia senior economist, said improving domestic demand and consumption despite aggressive tariff policies abroad will likely speed up growth this year to 5.9 percent. This suggested that the Philippine would outperform the 5-percent average growth that UBS projected for Asean-6 this year.

But if realized, GDP expansion in 2025 would miss the Philippine government’s target for the third straight year.

“Consumption should be aided by the tailwinds of solid labor income growth and gradually easing food inflation, which has already played out in the second half of 2024,” Lim said.

Lim likewise expected both investments, which account for 23 percent of Philippine GDP, and consumption, which accounts for 73 percent, to accelerate this year.

While the threat of US President Donald Trump’s latest import tariff policies looms, Lim pointed out that the Philippines was “a rather defensive market in the event of potential trade tariff escalation.”

This is especially because the Philippines was domestically oriented, she said.

Potential volatility

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, the below-target growth last year was due mainly to the onslaught of typhoons in the latter half of the year, thus muting economic activity.

Food price inflation was also among the main culprits.

Lim recognized that there was “potential volatility” in inflation, “stemming from food supply shocks.”

“In the first two months of the year, we did see potential risk from food prices, particularly vegetables,” Lim said.

“That might have weighed a bit on consumer sentiment, so that is a risk, but not one we can always predict with certainty due to weather-related factors.”

At the same time, however, she pointed out that overall inflation “has come back to target,” and this was a crucial tailwind that could push economic growth toward the target.

The services sector, along with the business process outsourcing industry, also had the potential to propel growth.

Lim likewise noted that despite the recent pause, the BSP had room to cut the benchmark rate for overnight borrowing in April and September, for a total of 50 basis points.

“The pause on rate cuts was warranted due to trade policy uncertainties and given that past easing was working its way through the economy. There was room to reassess the situation first,” she said.

Toyo Eatery wins Gin Mare Art of Hospitality Award 2025

Toyo Eatery Wins International Award, Proves Filipino Hospitality Is Next Level

Metro.Style TEam
via ABS-CBN News
Feb 25, 2025 

Toyo Eatery just made history—again! This already multi awarded restaurant just bagged the Gin Mare Art of Hospitality Award 2025 at Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants. 

Toyo Eatery | Toyo Eatery on Instagram

Toyo Eatery is no stranger to the spotlight. Since opening, it has consistently ranked in Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants, earning praise for its modern take on Filipino cuisine. In 2018, it won the Miele One to Watch Award, marking it as a rising star in the region. At the helm is Chef Jordy Navarra, a culinary visionary known for reinterpreting Filipino flavors with creativity and precision. 

Toyo Eatery celebrates local ingredients and heritage through standout dishes like its iconic Three-Cut Pork BBQ, inspired by a classic Filipino children’s poem, and its beautifully plated Bahay Kubo Salad, which features all the vegetable ingredients listed in a Filipino folk song—a tribute to the country’s rich biodiversity.

Chef Jordy Navarra | Toyo Eatery

The Gin Mare Art of Hospitality Award is a special recognition for excellence in restaurant service and dining experiences. According to the Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants website:

“From the husband-wife duo Jordy and May Navarra, Toyo presents local Filipino ingredients in modern ways, playing with fermentation and preservation techniques to create a bold palate of flavours. With the unique Kamayan menu, guests are encouraged to ditch the cutlery and use their hands to enjoy a feast on banana leaves, creating a convivial atmosphere that encourages guests to be present at the table.

“This comes with a happy byproduct, says head chef Jordy Navarra: “It makes your hands busy, this menu really brings us back to basics, where it’s no longer about what is trendy or what looks good on social media,” he explains. “We want to remind people that this is really about just having fun.”

Pinoy scientists testing volcanic materials for shield against radiation

Filipino scientists turn volcanic ash into radiation-resistant building material

While more tests are needed, the discovery can offer a practical way to manage waste from natural disasters.

Jason Gutierrez
Benar News (Indonesia)
25 February 2025

Small cement cubes made of volcanic ash are spread throughout Joel Maquiling’s lab as the Filipino scientist excitedly explains potential practical uses for the concrete material. 

A sample of cement cube made from ash from the Taal volcano is seen in this photo during an interview at the Ateneo de manila University in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Feb 19, 2025

Along with two other researchers, Maquiling is spearheading a study on tons of ash expelled by the Taal volcano south of Manila during a huge eruption five years ago that posed challenges on how to dispose of this waste. 

Instead of treating the pyroclastic material as mere waste, the scientists have been studying whether volcanic ash could be used in construction applications.

The results, so far, have been astonishing: By mixing the material with cement, the researchers have created construction blocks which, they say, can be used as a shield against harmful radiation.

This material could then be used in hospitals, industrial sites and nuclear facilities. More importantly, it could be an alternative to other more expensive construction materials such as concrete and lead, which can be less friendly to the environment.

“We’re not here just to build materials. It’s not just ‘build, build, build,’” said Maquiling, referring to a much-touted infrastructure initiative of the previous Philippine administration.

“We want it to be ‘build, build, build’ but anchored on good science and engineering,” the scientist, who heads the physics department at the Ateneo de Manila University, told BenarNews.

He and his team set out to develop “geopolymers,” or rare geomaterials from waste products of natural cataclysmic events, such as volcanic eruptions.

The January 2020 eruption of Taal volcano, located about 64 kilometers (40 miles) from Manila, provided Maquiling with a challenge of what to do with the tons of waste it had emitted.

Three men, surrounded by ash and dead trees on the Taal volcano, look for items to salvage, Jan. 14, 2020. (Jojo Riñoza/BenarNews)

In the wake of the eruption, reporters and photographers from BenarNews traveled to the disaster site. Their cameras captured apocalyptic scenes of devastation, including one picture of a slope of the volcano buried in ash. 

“One thing that we wanted to do was to create materials which have greater compressive strength, that could withstand greater pressure, greater forces,” Maquiling told BenarNews

Maquiling said his team also experimented with whether mixing the concrete with other materials would change its properties.

“For example, what if they could shield you from a natural or cataclysmic radiation meltdown, or something like a nuclear event? The next question is, what if there are other properties from that strong infrastructure material that would protect us from nuclear warfare, for example, a nuclear meltdown, or radiation exposure? And that’s what we found in this,” he said.

Dr. Joel Maquiling shows a sample of cement cube made from Taal volcanic ash during an interview with BenarNews at Ateneo de Manila University in Quezon City, Philippines, Feb. 19, 2025. (Jojo Riñoza/BenarNews)

They discovered that combining volcanic ash from Taal with other aggregates created a concrete material that is stronger and has enhanced “shielding capacity” for radiation.

Practical applications include using the material in hospitals and research institutes, Maquiling said. Or in the future, it can be used as materials for buildings or houses in a disaster-prone country such as the Philippines, he also said.

A news release earlier this month from Ateneo University also highlighted the material’s possible benefits.

“Radiation shielding is essential for hospitals, industrial sites, and nuclear facilities. These places use ionizing radiation for beneficial purposes such as in helping doctors treat sick organs and broken bones; looking for structural weaknesses in buildings; or helping sterilize food for longer shelf life,” it said.  

“Though useful, exposure to ionizing radiation can be harmful for prolonged periods – hence the need for shielding. However, currently available materials like concrete and lead can be expensive and environmentally hazardous. Construction materials made from volcanic ash offer a [potentially] sustainable and lightweight alternative,” it also said.

The Taal volcano as seen from a canoe, Jan. 14, 2020. (Jason Gutierrez/BenarNews)

While Maquiling admits that completing the research for this is still far off, the initial results of their groundbreaking study are promising, said the scientist, who also heads the geodynamics and research laboratory at the Manila Observatory hosted by Ateneo.

His laboratory is also collecting ash from other volcanoes that dot the Philippines, which sits on the so-called Pacific Rim of Fire, where volcanic eruptions and earthquakes are frequent due to shifting tectonic plates in the ocean’s basin.

There are 24 active volcanoes in the Philippines, including Taal. When Taal erupted without warning in January 2020, the eruption caught disaster experts by surprise, shutting down Manila’s airports and causing mass evacuations. 

A year later, the volcano spewed ash and debris a kilometer into the sky, darkening the skies above nearby areas such as Manila.

The 1,020-foot (311-meter) Taal, located on an island inside a lake, is also regarded as one of the most dangerous volcanoes in the world. An eruption in 1754 was said to have lasted seven months, experts said.

Melvin Ocampo washes ash from his horse, Princess, as smoke spews from the Taal volcano, in Balete town, Philippines, Jan. 13, 2020. (Jojo Riñoza/BenarNews)

Since volcanic materials are abundant in the Philippines, the discovery of Maquiling’s team can offer a practical way to manage disaster waste while also enhancing safety in critical areas, although he said further studies were still needed.

The breakthrough only shows that while cataclysmic events of biblical proportions cannot be avoided, life-saving innovations can be derived from them, Maquiling said.

“What is important is that there are many waste materials we can use in our composites, to make sturdier materials that can withstand whatever strength in space and time, and it saves us a lot of resources,” Maquiling said. “And all of these things become waste materials in our environment.”

“Why don’t we use these waste materials that were created anyway as by-products of our human activities to be able to come up with sturdier materials that can be useful in infrastructure, that can protect us from radiation and at the same time enhance our well-being.”

Early Filipinos had mastered boatbuilding and other seafaring skills thousands of years ago

Ancient Filipino seafarers mastered ocean voyages 40,000 years ago, new study reveals

Microscopic analysis of stone tools shows ancient extraction of plant fibers for ropes and nets.

Jerusalem Post Staff (Israel)

23 February 2025

A new study by Ateneo de Manila University claims that early Filipinos had already mastered boatbuilding and other seafaring skills thousands of years before renowned explorers like Ferdinand Magellan, Zheng He, and the Polynesians. Advanced boats were created around 40,000 years ago, changing the understanding of humanity's mastery of marine technologies.

Archaeological sites in the Philippines, Indonesia, and Timor-Leste yielded remains of deep ocean fish such as tuna and sharks, indicating that early Filipinos engaged in deep-sea fishing. 

Archaeologists Riczar Fuentes and Alfred Pawlik initiated the First Long-Distance Open-Sea Watercrafts (FLOW) Project in collaboration with naval architects from the University of Cebu. The project aims to test raw materials that were possibly used in the past and to design and test scaled-down models of seacraft.

Supported by a research grant from Ateneo de Manila University [https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1074507], the FLOW Project seeks to understand how prehistoric peoples achieved ocean crossings. Organic materials like wood and fiber, typically used for boats, rarely survive in the archaeological record, making this an enduring mystery. Inspired by several years of fieldwork on Ilin Island, Occidental Mindoro, Fuentes and Pawlik decided to explore this topic and test their hypothesis.

"The remains of large predatory pelagic fish in these sites indicate the capacity for advanced seafaring and knowledge of the seasonality and migration routes of those fish species," stated Fuentes and Pawlik.

In addition to fish remains, these archaeological sites have also produced fishing implements such as hooks, gorges, and net weights. The discovery of fishing implements indicated the need for strong and well-crafted cordage for ropes and fishing lines to catch the marine fauna. This suggests that ancient seafarers possessed a technological capability comparable to much later civilizations.

Microscopic analysis of stone tools excavated in these regions revealed traces of plant processing. According to Phys.org, this includes the extraction of fibers necessary for making ropes, nets, and bindings used in boatbuilding and open-sea fishing. The presence of such technology points to boat construction using organic composite materials held together with plant-based ropes.

Fuentes and Pawlik highlight that the Philippines and Island Southeast Asia have evidence of early human habitation despite never being connected to Mainland Asia. As reported by GMA Network, this lack of connection poses the question of how the inhabitants were able to cross oceans. "Prehistoric migrations across ISEA were not undertaken by mere passive sea drifters on flimsy bamboo rafts but by highly skilled navigators equipped with the knowledge and technology to travel vast distances and to remote islands over deep waters," stated the researchers.

The study conducted by Fuentes and Pawlik is scheduled to be published in the April 2025 issue of the Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports. 

Manila gearing into a global playground city

‘Manila capable of evolving into global playground city’

Catherine Talavera 
Philstar Global
23 February 2025

“Global playground cities represent a new urban paradigm, serving as quintessential destinations where the affluent and nomadic rich choose to spend their wealth on refined, luxury experiences.”

MANILA, Philippines — Manila has the potential to become a global playground city, according to a Thailand-based hospitality consultancy firm.

“We believe that Manila has all the potential to evolve into a global playground city,” C9 Hotelworks managing director Bill Barnett said.

“Manila’s regional accessibility, diverse entertainment options and rich lifestyle offerings make it a prime candidate for the growing demand in luxury residences,” Barnett said.

Global playground cities represent a new urban paradigm, serving as quintessential destinations where the affluent and nomadic rich choose to spend their wealth on refined, luxury experiences, according to C9 Hotelworks.

It added that these cities are characterized by exclusive, award-winning hospitality, hotels, real estate, entertainment and retail offerings. These cities have also evolved into global centers, attracting high-net-worth individuals for tourism as well as short-term visits and long-term living.

C9 Hotelworks said the integration of branded residences into the Philippines’ tourism and hospitality landscape is already making waves, with international hospitality groups such as The Ascott Ltd. spearheading the development of luxury residential offerings.

The Ascott, which has been a pioneer in branded residences in the Philippines for over two decades, expressed confidence that these properties will cater to an increasing demand for high-end, serviced living spaces.

“We are fully committed to the Philippines in the long-term,” The Ascott Ltd. vice president for business development Saowarin Chanprakaisi said in a recent forum organized by C9 Hotelworks and Delivering Asia.

“Our brands, including Somerset, Citadines and now Oakwood, bring international expertise and world-class services that align perfectly with the expectations of buyers looking for top-tier branded residences. As the market matures, these residences will add a unique dimension to the country’s growing tourism and hospitality sectors,” Chanprakaisi said.

With luxury real estate markets thriving in key destinations across the region, C9 Hotelworks said the Philippines stands ready to benefit from this growth.

It added that the rise of branded residences, combined with world-class hotel and resort offerings, would further elevate the Philippines’ status as a prime location for both international travelers and investors.

“As tourism continues to drive growth in the country, the fusion of branded residences and hospitality sets the stage for the Philippines to become an even more compelling choice for travelers and investors, positioning it as one of the most exciting destinations in Asia for the coming decades,” the hospitality consultancy firm said.

In its branded residences market review, C9 Hotelworks said the Philippines has a market share of 17.3 percent in the supply of branded residences in Asia, the second largest in the region.

The Philippines follows Thailand with a 23.3-percent share and South Korea with an 11.6-percent share.

“Emerging markets such as Malaysia, Vietnam and India collectively account for 24.5 percent of the total market share,” C9 Hotelworks said.

It also said the branded residences market in Asia is valued at $26.6 billion, comprising 68,001 units in total.

It added that over the past four years, the sector has experienced robust growth, expanding at a compound annual growth rate of 11 percent, with strong prospects for continued development.

“From 2025 onward, an additional 43,100 units across 180 projects are expected to be completed, nearly doubling the existing supply of branded residences in the region,” the report said.

Ph positions itself as semiconductor hub

PH as semiconductor hub? It's possible

The Manila Times 

23 February 2025

THE Philippines is set to emerge as a major player in the global semiconductor industry within five years, according to industry leaders. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has expressed strong support, calling the sector a "fertile area for development."

During a recent meeting of the Semiconductor and Electronics sub-working group (SubWG), stakeholders discussed strategies to enhance the country's semiconductor value chain. Charade Avondo, president of Xinyx Design, emphasized the "need to showcase Filipino talent in IC design and boost the industry's global standing."

A key focus is workforce development, with initiatives like Xinyx Unlocked and Campus Connect aimed at expanding the talent pipeline. Xinyx Design is also partnering with the Technological University of the Philippines to promote microelectronics courses and launching LABS by Xinyx to introduce K-12 students to IC design.

The Philippines is also preparing for international exposure at Semicon Europa in Munich, Germany, in November 2025 to strengthen its presence in the European market.

To support industry growth, the Board of Investments (BOI) is drafting an executive order to streamline project approvals. Additionally, there are efforts to introduce specialized college majors in microelectronics to meet workforce demands.

With strong government backing and coordinated efforts across sectors, the Philippines is positioning itself as a rising force in the global semiconductor industry.