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PHL rowers bag 6 silver, 2 bronze medals in Asian virtual indoor championships

January 18, 2022 5:10 p.m.

TOKYO Olympics veteran Chris Nievarez led a six-silver and two-bronze medal haul in the Asian Rowing Virtual Indoor Championships held over the weekend to drumbeat a potential Philippine participation in the World Indoor Championships set late next month.

Nievarez clocked six minutes and 25.90 seconds to bag silver in the men’s under-23 2,000-meter event that lured 15 participants and won by Hongkong’s Ho Yin Wong.

Showing potential besides the 21-year-old Nievarez was Kristine Paraon, only 19, who clinched silver medals in the eighth-athlete women’s under-23 500-meter and 2,000-meter events.

Also claiming silver medals for the Philippine Rowing Association (PRA) were Zuriel Sumintac in men’s lightweight 500 meters and Ateneo rowers Joachim de Jesus in men’s lightweight under-23 500 meters and Alyssa Go in women’s lightweight under-23 500 meters.

Christian Joseph Jasmin (men’s lightweight 2000 meters) and Kharl Julianne Sha (women’s lightweight under-23 500 meters) provided the bronze medals.

“We are very satisfied with the performance of our rowers that despite the Covid-19 pandemic that limits face-to-face and actual training on the water, they stayed in competitive form,” PRA president Patrick “Pato” Gregorio said.

“We are looking forward to the Southeast Asian Games in Hanoi and the Asian Games in Hangzhou later this year, and this is a good start for the team as they gear up for these major international competitions,” Gregorio added.

Nineteen rowers—12 men and seven women—took part in the virtual competition that was staged for the second straight year because of the pandemic, according to PRA treasurer Magnum Membrere.

“We are happy and proud of the results,” national team head coach Edgardo Maerina said. “These medals inspire the entire team to work harder this year.”

The Asian Rowing Virtual Indoor Championships was organized by the Asian Rowing Federation and hosted by the Hong Kong China Rowing Association. The competition is one of several sanctioned events for qualification to the World Rowing Indoor Championships originally set in Hamburg, Germany, but was decided to go virtual on February 25 and 26.

The other members of the team were  Karl Julliane Sha, Joanie Delgaco, Amelyn Pagulayan, Athens Greece Tolentino, Van Maxilom, Edgar Ilas and Ateneo’s Emmanuel Joseph Obaña, as well as coach Con Fornea. Tolentino is the son of Olympian Benjamin Tolentino.

The team competed in a bubble setup from the PRA quarters at the La Mesa Dam in Quezon City.

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101 free HONOR gadgets! No follow needed

6:13 p.m. July 24, 2026

What? HONOR Philippines is giving away 101 HONOR gadgets to its growing community with its biggest giveaway yet!

Known for continuously surprising consumers with blockbuster promotions — from giving away luxury vehicles to exclusive rewards — HONOR is once again raising the bar by putting 101 HONOR devices up for grabs in a nationwide giveaway, including the latest HONOR 600 Series. 

This celebrates the overwhelming support of HONOR fans while making the brand’s innovative technology more accessible to everyone. Joining is as easy as it gets. Participants simply need to comment on the official giveaway post: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18wfpQRyTc/ — no follow required! 

“Our fans have always been at the heart of everything we do. This giveaway is our way of thanking them for their continued trust and support while giving more Filipinos the opportunity to experience HONOR technology,” said Stephen Cheng, Vice President of HONOR Philippines. 

To stay updated on the latest news, products, and promotions from HONOR Philippines, visit the official HONOR Philippines website: www.hihonor.com, and on Facebook (Facebook.com/HonorPhilippines), Instagram (Instagram.com/honorph/) and TikTok: (Tiktok.com/@honorphilippines).

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PH salt production hits 199K MT in H1, BFAR cites sector’s robust growth

12:11 p.m. July 14, 2026

Domestic production of salt reached over 199,000 metric tons in the first half of the year, signaling robust growth in the sector following government efforts to revitalize the industry.

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) noted such boost in the production of artisanal, solar, and cooking salt after implementing interventions to strengthen the local industry and reduce import reliance under the Development of Salt Industry Project (DSIP). This initiative is designed to revitalize salt farms nationwide while creating sustainable, diversified livelihood opportunities for coastal communities.

“We are pleased with the improvement in salt output from January to June this year, reflecting gains of the DSIP. BFAR will continue to provide unwavering support to the Philippine salt industry as we work toward unlocking its full potential,” said BFAR National Director Elizer Salilig.

DSIP’s positive impact can be seen in Barangay Tawagan Sur, Pagadian City, where local fisherfolk are transforming their community into a productive salt hub. Originally organized in year 2000 for seaweed farming, a dedicated group of 19 members—mostly women—has successfully pivoted to salt production.

With BFAR’s guidance, the group employed rigorous site assessments and salinity testing to ensure their area was optimal for salt farming. To bolster their operations, the Bureau provided essential infrastructure, including solar beds, greenhouse tunnel-type salt dryers, elevated solar dryers, storage facilities, and necessary operational tools.

The transition has yielded impressive results. In 2025 alone, the group produced nearly 7 MT of high-quality salt. Today, the community operates a sophisticated network of 12 ground-level solar beds, four greenhouse dryers, 19 elevated solar dryers, and two dedicated storage facilities.

To further elevate their output, BFAR-Region IX is set to provide an iodizing machine this year, while the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) is providing technical support to foster innovation in iodization and the development of value-added salt products.

Pagadian City Agriculturist Engr. Ramon Rodrigo underscored the importance of this community-led revival. 

“Revitalizing the salt industry is essential to strengthening our local production. What we are seeing in Tawagan Sur is proof that with the right support, technical guidance, and community determination, we can produce high-quality salt and secure sustainable livelihoods,” said Rodrigo.

As national production figures continue to climb, BFAR is committed to expanding the DSIP, aiming to see transformation in more coastal communities and ensure that the Philippine salt sector remains a pillar of local economic growth and a source of national pride.

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NephroPlus Philippines strengthens nationwide presence with 50 clinics

7:09 p.m. June 27, 2026

NephroPlus Philippines announced the expansion of its nationwide network to 50 dialysis clinics, a major milestone in its mission to make quality dialysis care more accessible to Filipinos.

NephroPlus recently opened its 50th clinic in Orion, Bataan. The achievement follows the addition of eight newly acquired clinics located in Cauayan, Isabela; Laurel, Batangas; Orani, Bataan; Cagayan de Oro; Aliaga, Nueva Ecija; Kamagong, Quezon City; Bacoor, Cavite; and Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay in Mindanao. The expanded footprint strengthens the company’s ability to serve patients in high-chronic kidney disease (CKD)-prevalence areas with limited access to specialized renal healthcare services.

The expansion also aligns with the broader international growth strategy of NephroPlus, Asia’s largest dialysis provider, while contributing to the country’s pursuit of universal health coverage through infrastructure and workforce developments. The company helps create local employment opportunities for healthcare professionals, clinical staff, and admin personnel in the communities it serves.

“Reaching 50 clinics in the Philippines is a defining milestone not just for NephroPlus but for every Filipino living with kidney disease, who deserves access to world-class dialysis care closer to home. The Philippines is now our second-largest country of operations globally, a testament to the trust communities here have placed in us. Our focus remains where it has always been, on our guests, their outcomes, and their right to live normally. At NephroPlus, life can be normal even when kidneys aren’t,” said Rohit Singh, Group CEO of NephroPlus.

Altogether, NephroPlus Philippines brings a total capacity of 686, serving an estimated 2,866 patients every month.

Standardizing Quality Across a Growing Network
As NephroPlus Philippines continues its nationwide expansion, the company ensures to invest in systems and processes that enable every clinic to deliver the same standard of care to its guests everywhere.

“Consistency is crucial for a continuously expanding network like NephroPlus,” said Gowtham Arumugam, Country Head of NephroPlus Philippines. “As much as we want every Filipino to receive the world-class dialysis they deserve, we first ensure that every clinic we open meets our NephroPlus standards – care that is safe, ethical, and compassionate. This demonstrates our commitment to quality dialysis care for our guests.”

This quality is evident across the company’s operational excellence, workforce development, and digital innovation.

The company maintains a robust operational framework that includes active compliance monitoring, standardized clinical protocols, structured onboarding of newly integrated centers, regular quality audits, and continuous patient feedback mechanisms. From operations to senior leadership, direct engagement across all clinics helps strengthen accountability and ensure consistent standards of care.

Every patient at NephroPlus is referred to as a “Guest,” based on the company’s Guest Care Model, which is a commitment to safe, ethical, and patient-centered care. To support this philosophy, the company recently launched the NephroPlus Hemodialysis Training Center in Quezon City, its first-ever training facility in the country. The center develops highly skilled dialysis professionals through programs aligned with the Department of Health (DOH), Philippine Society of Nephrology, and international standards.

Complementing its investments in infrastructure and workforce development, NephroPlus is leveraging technology to enhance guest support nationwide. Earlier this year, the company launched its Guest App, a first-of-its-kind digital platform designed to support comprehensive renal care management beyond treatment sessions. Apart from appointment scheduling, guests can access a learning hub, lifestyle guidance, and a patient community network that overall support their healthcare journey.

NephroPlus Philippines’ ongoing investments in clinic expansion, professional training, and healthcare innovation are a collective effort to reinforce its global commitment: to provide every guest living with kidney disease the opportunity to live a fuller, healthier, and more meaningful life.

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