NEWS
Cargo Movers repel Troopers in PVL debut
March 16, 2022 9:51 p.m.
Dragged into an extended duel, F2 Logistics launched its Premier Volleyball League debut with a kind of smashing start expected from a talent-laden, champion squad, beating Black Mamba Army, 25-15, 25-18, 21-25, 25-22, to set the tone in the Open Conference at the Paco Arena Events and Sports Center in Manila yesterday.
The Cargo Movers shook off the rust of nearly four months of inactivity, putting up a performance that proved enough to outhustle and dominate an Army side that failed to sustain its big third set fightback behind veteran Honey Royse Tubino.
“We just held on, it’s our first game so, we’re trying to feel our way around,” said Benson Bocboc, the designated head coach of F2 Logistics with former mentor Ramil de Jesus listed as the team consultant. “Everyone is still building that (team) connection.”
The Cargo Movers, who had to delay their keenly awaited PVL debut in the league’s pro inaugurals last year due to player injuries, imposed their power and will early to sweep the first two sets in emphatic fashion.
But the Lady Troopers came out of the third set an organized lot with Tubino anchoring their gutsy stand by going 9-of-20 on attacks, the last giving the Troopers a 23-21 cushion before an F2 net violation and a play miscue sent the match into a fourth set.
Army kept the game close in the ensuing frame but the Cargo Movers unleashed a strong finishing kick to frustrate their rivals and complete their one-hour, 44-minute victory in Group A play of the short, month-long tournament organized by Sports Vision.
Kim Dy fired 20 hits, including four blocks, while Ara Galang, Majoy Baron and skipper Aby Maraño backed her up with a combined 30-point output, and playmaker Iris Tonelada produced 27 of the team’s 32 excellent sets to help anchor the victory.
“We haven’t played against Army and we know they are tight in defense,” added Bocboc. “Madami din silang bagong players na naka-contribute sa attack.”
But it was veteran Tubino who stood out in their losing stand, producing the lone double-digit output of 18 hits with new recruit Mich Morente adding nine points and seasoned MJ Balse-Pabayo and Jeanette Villareal chipping in six hits apiece.
Army actually had more attacks – 48, seven more than F2, but the Cargo Movers dominated the net on defense, coming through with 10 blocks, with Dy and Maraño combining for seven, against their rivals’ one, courtesy of Villareal.
F2 also scored six aces against none by Army.
Meanwhile, defending champion Chery Tiggo, which shocked Creamline to crown itself the first PVL pro league champion in bubble setup last year, was playing Cignal HD at presstime.
Creamline and Petro Gazz, on the other hand, seek to likewise get to a strong start as they take on PLDT and BaliPure, respectively, today (Thursday) in the second of the grueling grind of the second season of the pro league, compressed to a four-week tournament to make way for the training of the national squad vying in the Southeast Asian Games in Hanoi in May.
The Cool Smashers, out to reclaim the crown with an intact roster, face the PLDT High Speed Hitters at 6 p.m. following the 3 p.m. encounter between the Angels and the Purest Water Defenders.
Choco Mucho, meanwhile, launches its campaign tomorrow (Friday) against Army at 3 p.m. while Chery Tiggo and F2 Logistics tangle at 6 p.m. in a rematch of teams that disputed the PNVF (Philippine National Volleyball Federation) Champions League crown late last year
NEWS
Atayde bats for moratorium on student loan payments during emergencies, calamities
March 17, 2023 9:00 p.m.
STUDENTS won’t have to worry paying their loans during times of calamities and emergencies, as Quezon City first district Congressman Juan Carlos “Arjo” Atayde has introduced a moratorium on the payment of student loans administered by higher educational institutions (HEIs).
The House Bill 7279, which Atayde filed last Feb. 21, headed into its first reading six days later in the Committee on Higher and Technical Education, chaired by Baguio City Rep. Mark O. Go.
He said the bill — once it turns to a law — will halt the payment of all the fees, charges, and costs relating to student loans and technical-vocational training institutions (TVIs) or by the Unified Student Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education (UNIFAST) during emergencies.
It will cover all students residing in areas declared to be under a state of calamity or emergency — those who are enrolled in state universities and colleges (SUCs), local universities and colleges (LUCs), private HEIs, and public and private TVIs.
“We have to find a way to help our students and their families, when natural or even these man-made calamities hit them hard. We just have to make everything easy for them including a moratorium on the payment of student loans,” Atayde said. “It is a burden on a student and their family especially in difficult times like aftermath of typhoon, fire and earthquakes, among other disasters.”
“In the order of spending, student loans will be their least priority since spending will go mostly to basic necessities for survival,” Atayde added.
The moratorium shall be effective for the duration of the state of calamity or emergency and for 30 days after its lifting. No penalties shall be collected on the deferred payments.
“To provide adequate relief and protection to our students in times of calamities and emergencies, this measure shall allow the deferral of student loan collections for a reasonable period during and after the onset of disasters.”
The Quezon City lawmaker cited also the availability of the moratorium, which shall not adversely affect the status of the students concerned with regard to their eligibility for re-enrollment on the succeeding semesters or terms, or their eligibility for graduation.
“The proposed legislation doesn’t prevent public and private HEIs from implementing more favorable forms of payment relief or assistance to students affected by disasters, prohibiting students from voluntarily waiving the moratorium on student loan payments, or availing subsidies and assistance from the government,” Atayde concluded.
NEWS
ShopeePay now available as a payment method for App Store, other Apple services in PH
March 16, 2023 1:59 p.m.
Beginning today, ShopeePay, Shopee’s integrated mobile wallet, is now available as a payment method for Apple services in the Philippines. Customers can use their ShopeePay account to pay for App Store, Apple Music, Apple TV app, and iTunes Store purchases, iCloud storage and more.
The addition of ShopeePay as an Apple ID payment method offers a new way to pay for Apple services without needing a credit card and still allows for easy, secure one-tap purchasing from Apple products including iPhone, iPad and Mac.
Customers can manage their Apple ID payment information in Settings on iPhone and iPad, or on their Mac or PC.
Agatha Soh, Director at ShopeePay commented, “ShopeePay is committed to meeting the needs of users who are increasingly expecting seamless payments across all platforms. We are excited to offer ShopeePay as a convenient payment option for our customers, and expand access to digital payments, benefitting more users.”
For more information on how to add ShopeePay as a payment method, please visit https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201266 or https://shopee.ph/m/ShopeePay-Apple-ID-PH.
NEWS
Be bolder, braver, more confident at SM Supermalls’ Women’s Month celebration!
March 8, 2023, 8:30 p.m.
Ladies, take center stage as SM celebrates Women Power throughout the month of March. Lots of activities both online and on-ground are in store to empower women and girls all over the country.
Join the Future of Women Global Summit
SM Supermalls will be joining UN Women in kicking off the IWD 2023 celebration through a women’s summit on March 8, at the SM Aura Premier Samsung Hall. Focusing on the future of women in ICT, the two-part event will gather young women, country leaders, policy makers, and advocates together to share perspectives and affirm their commitment to supporting digital equality for women and girls.
Photo courtesy of SM City Lucena
Photo courtesy of SM City San Jose del Monte
Support your local Womenpreneurs
Great finds for ladies are on sale at the SM Womenpreneur Market! This pop-up of small and medium businesses owned by women for women will give you everything you need from food and beauty to wellness and fashion!
Wednesdays are for women!
Shopping on Wednesdays has become even more tempting because the Women’s Wednesday Sale is back! Achieve the glow-up you deserve with special discounts, deals, and promos on fashion, beauty, and fitness exclusively for women every Wednesday of March. So don’t hold back on your shopping; you deserve all these and more!
A beautiful treat of wellness all for you
Forda glow-up and pampering sesh tayo this month because lots of self-care deals are available at the Women’s Wellness Sale. Avail of great deals from wellness salons on facials, hair and body treatments, nail care, and massage from March 1 to March 31.
And more deals online!
Special deals are up for women via the SM Malls Online app. Get the best brand offerings every Wednesday from shoes and beauty and wellness to home and hobbies. Use the code WOMEN and get an extra 10% off, capped at 250. What’s great is that there’s no minimum purchase required!
Also, a collection of brand vouchers will be sent to all women SM Malls Online shoppers valid all month. Wait for your Beauty Pass and give yourself the retail therapy you deserve with tons of discounts, GWP deals, samplers, in-store pick up bonuses, and mystery boxes!
Plus, the SM Malls Online app will be hosting self-care sessions online. Follow SM Supermalls on social media to get a dose of starter packages, Get-Ready-With-Me routines, and beauty products that your favorite beauty experts swear by.
Photo courtesy of SM City East Ortigas
Photo courtesy of SM City Manila
Celebrate Women Power on IG!
Capture the beauty and power of women at the beautiful spots and installations all over SM. Be free to express your own uniqueness and creativity in the specially-designed selfie spaces in partnership with Selfie Studio. Don’t forget to tag us on IG!
We don’t know about you but exciting days await every SM woman. So be bolder, braver, and more confident! With these activities, you can confidently step forward in fashion, beauty, wellness, and express yourselves to make a positive impact.
Stay updated on all things women this IWD 2023 by visiting www.smsupermalls.com and following @smsupermalls on social media.
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