Pacquiao leads Top 25 Asian athletes of the 21st century

Ranking the top 25 Asian athletes of the 21st century

ESPN.com
25 July 2024

Who is the top Asian athlete of the 21st century? How do you define Asia? Do you limit your scope to regional or national competitions or do you include world-wide fame?

The region has produced some remarkable athletes since 2000. Trailblazers who have reached the pinnacle of their sport or who have who made history. No one list can truly capture the scope of their achievements and the order of these athletes will no doubt be debated.

1. Manny Pacquiao, boxing [Philippines]

Key accomplishments: Since Jan. 1, 2000: 35-6-2 pro record. Only boxer to hold eight world division titles, held world titles in 2000s, 2010s and 2020s

Plain and simple, "PacMan" is arguably one of the greatest boxers of all time. He won world titles in an unprecedented eight weight divisions, showcasing his versatility and dominance. Pacquiao's career spanned over three decades, during which he defeated numerous boxing legends.

Recognized as Fighter of the Year by Ring Magazine in 2006, 2008, and 2009, he was also named BWAA's Fighter of the Decade for the 2000s and won the Best Fighter ESPY Award in 2009 and 2011. Pacquiao's remarkable achievements and impact on boxing highlight his extraordinary legacy and has now stemmed into a career in politics and as an executive in various sports. -- Miguel Alfonso Caramoan.

2. Yao Ming, basketball [China]

Key accomplishments: No. 1 pick in the 2002 NBA draft, 8-time NBA All-Star, 5-time All-NBA team, 5th all-time highest scorer in Houston Rockets' history, Basketball Hall of Fame inductee

The man who effectively gave the NBA a following of a billion Chinese when he was drafted in 2002, Yao remains one of Asia's most well-recognised sportspersons. While many cynics predicted he would fail in the NBA, the 7-foot-6 center would eventually win over his doubters and earn the respect of even the fiercest of opponents such as Shaquille O'Neal.

Unfortunately, the ultimate success eluded Yao and he only tasted playoff action in four of his eight seasons with Houston while injuries would blight his later years, but he can claim to be a Basketball Hall of Fame inductee and also had his No. 11 retired by the Rockets in 2017. -- Gabriel Tan

3. Ichiro Suzuki, baseball [Japan]

Key accomplishments: 2001 AL Rookie of the Year and AL MVP, 10-time All-Star, 10-time Gold Glove Award winner, AL batting titles in 2001 and 2004

His most famous play is his "Star Wars" throw from his rookie season. His most famous record is the 262 hits he registered in 2004. He was 27 when he came to Seattle and he still finished with more than 3,000 hits -- indeed, more career hits, if you include his Japanese totals, than Pete Rose. The iconic Ichiro hit starts with the pull of the sleeve in the batter's box, the bat held high in front of him, then comes outracing the ball to first base. "No single number could ever explain a human as thrilling, as unusual, and as wonderful as Ichiro," wrote sports columnist Joe Posnanski. -- David Schoenfield

Ichiro's return to Seattle won't resolve the battle raging within him

4. Son Heung-Min, football [South Korea]

Key accomplishments: Highest Asian scorer in Premier League and UEFA Champions League history, first Asian to captain a Premier League club, first Asian to win the Premier League's golden boot, 5th all-time top scorer in Tottenham's history

While Asian footballers have regularly enjoyed success on the big stage, Son is perhaps the first to be regarded as world-class. Now captaining one of Europe's biggest clubs, he made history two years ago when he shared the Premier League golden boot with Mohamed Salah to become the first Asian top scorer of the competition.

Son is also already the highest Asian scorer in Premier League and Champions League history, and he is definitely in the debate for the continent's greatest footballer ever. -- Tan

Son's success against the world's top competition already has him in line to be Asia's greatest footballer. Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images

5. Naomi Osaka, tennis [Japan]

Key accomplishments: Four-time Grand Slam champion, former world No. 1, seven WTA Tour titles

Having won the US Open at the age of 19, Osaka has gone on to establish herself as one of the leading tennis players of her generation after another three Grand Slam titles followed. After her Australian Open triumph in 2019, Osaka would become the first Asian world No. 1 and held the ranking for a total of 25 weeks across two spells.

Still only 26, Osaka returned to competition this year after a hiatus and still has plenty of time for even more success. -- Tan

Osaka returns to tennis -- with a new joy and perspective

6. Sun Yang, swimming [China]

Key accomplishments: Three-time Olympic gold medalist, 11-time world champion, first Chinese to win an Olympic gold in men's swimming, current 1500m freestyle world record holder

Although his international reputation has been tarnished by doping allegations, which resulted in a drawn-out and heavily-disputed ban over a testing incident in 2018, Sun's accomplishments cannot be disputed.

A three-time Olympic champion, Sun's remarkable versatility saw him become the first male swimmer in history to win Olympic and World Championship gold in every freestyle distance from 200 to 1500 metres. Sun continues to hold the world record in the 1500m freestyle discipline, as well as three Asian records. -- Tan

7. Park Ji-Sung, football [South Korea]

Key accomplishments: Four-time Premier League champion, UEFA Champions League winner, fourth-place finish at the 2002 FIFA World Cup

While far from the most glamorous of footballers, Park's résumé speaks for itself as a four-time Premier League champion with Manchester United, which were preceded by two Eredisivie titles at PSV Eindhoven as well as being part of the South Korea side that memorably finished fourth at the 2002 World Cup.

Park is widely regarded as one of the most underrated players in the history of football and was always turned to for the big occasion by former manager Sir Alex Ferguson. Looking back on the 2011 Champions League final -- which United lost to Barcelona -- Ferguson even said they would have won the game had he made the decision at halftime to switch Park to a negating role on a certain Lionel Messi. -- Tan

8. Li Na, tennis [China]

Key accomplishments: Two-time Grand Slam champion, first Asian to win a tennis major, career high of world No. 2

What Yao Ming did for basketball in China, Li Na did for tennis. After a slow but steady rise early in her career, Li would break into the top ten and reach her first Grand Slam semifinal in 2010 -- which would prove a sign of things to come.

A year later, her breakthrough arrived when she won the French Open -- accounting for a host of top seeds including Victoria Azarenka, Maria Sharapova and then defending champion Francesca Schiavone in the final, a match which was viewed by 330 million worldwide. Li's second major title would come at the 2014 Australian Open when she became only the fourth woman to win the final from match point down, although injuries would see her call time on her career later that year at the age of just 32. -- Tan

9. Shohei Ohtani, baseball [Japan]

Key accomplishments: Two-time MVP, 2018 Rookie of the Year, three-time All-Star, two 40-HR seasons, 38-19 record as pitcher (3.01 career ERA), top-five Cy Young finish.

When ESPN runs the sequel to this exercise in 2050, Ohtani could easily be number one. His first seven years in MLB have been transcendent. What before him was taken as fact -- that nobody can hit and pitch at a high enough level to warrant doing both -- is now null. Ohtani arrived from Japan with a freighter of hype and only exceeded it, stretching the definition of what a baseball player can be. "Shohei," Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said, "is arguably the most talented player who's ever played this game." -- Jeff Passan

Shohei could very well become the greatest baseball player ever. Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports

Shohei Ohtani's new contract is just his latest feat to shock the world

10. Lin Dan, badminton [China]

Key accomplishments: Two-time Olympic gold medalist, five-time World champion, two-time Asian Games gold medalist, six-time All England champion

To be the best in a sport at any point in time already takes some doing, but to be regarded as the greatest of all time? That is testament to what Lin achieved in his glittering career.

By the time he was 28, he had completed the Super Grand Slam of the nine major titles he was eligible to compete in at the time, and he would eventually end his career as a two-time Olympic and five-time world champion. With 66 titles to his name, Lin also boasted a impressive record of 662 wins -- 83.5% of the total matches he played. -- Tan

11. Inbee Park, golf [South Korea]

Key accomplishments: Seven-time major champion, world No. 1 on four separate occasions, youngest player to win the U.S. Women's Open, second player to win three consecutive Women's PGA Championship, only the 7th player to win four different majors and capture a career Grand Slam

For a period of time, primarily in 2013 when she became only the fourth player on the LPGA Tour to win three consecutive majors, Inbee Park was the dominant force in women's golf.

She now has a total of seven major titles to her name, is considered to have completed the career Grand Slam, and also has an Olympic gold medal to show for her efforts. While five-time major Se Ri Pak paved the way, Park spearheaded the South Korean wave that took women's golf by storm from the mid-2000s which has now produced 20 different major champions and for a total of 36 titles. -- Tan

12. Ma Long, table tennis [China]

Key accomplishments: Five-time Olympic gold medalist, 14-time World Championships and 11-time World Cup champion, only male player to complete career Double Grand Slam, record 64 months as world No. 1

China not only can lay claim to the GOAT of badminton. In Ma Long, they also have produced an athlete widely regarded as the best to ever play table tennis.

Granted, China do dominate the sport but that only means that Ma's competition has been of the highest level in the form of compatriots and fellow champions like Zhang Jike and Fan Zhendong. When he won the men's singles at the Tokyo Games, Ma also became the first male player to successfully defend his gold medal. -- Tan

13. Kohei Uchimura, gymnastics [Japan]

Key accomplishments: Seven-time Olympic medalist, three-time Olympic gold medalist, six-time individual all-around world champion.

Over an eight-year period from 2009 to 2016, Uchimura dominated men's gymnastics, going undefeated in all-around competition, winning back-to-back Olympic titles and leading the Japanese team to gold at the Rio Games. He retired from the sport in 2022 with a reputation for pairing extreme difficulty with unmatched consistency and flawless execution and is widely considered to be the GOAT of men's gymnastics.

In one of his most memorable all-around performances, Uchimura averaged higher than a 9.0 execution score on every apparatus to take the all-around title at the 2011 world championships in Tokyo, which were held seven months after an earthquake and tsunami devastated northeast Japan. -- Alyssa Roenigk

Kohei Uchimura was the top men's gymnast for nearly a decade and is considered the GOAT of men's gymnastics. AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda, File

14. Virat Kohli, cricket

Key accomplishments: ODI World Cup champion, T20 World Cup champion, two-time T20 World Cup Player of the Tournament, 2023 ODI World Cup Player of the Tournament, two-time ICC Cricketer of the Year, most centuries in ODI history (50), second-highest scorer in T20Is, third-highest scorer in ODIs, India's most successful Test captain.

Kohli won the World Cup early in his career, but he was at risk of fading away into mediocrity in the early 2010s. A fierce fitness-driven approach -- the kind that was uncommon in cricket then -- coupled with unrelenting drive catapulted him from "talent" to titan. The fire within translates onto the field. The Indian batter is the ultimate competitor and has won games on willpower alone. The intensity of his passion sparks fear in the opposition and bedlam in the stands. Kohli wasn't born to be the best; he just willed himself to be. -- Shubi Arun

15. Taufik Hidayat, badminton [Indonesia]

Key accomplishments: 2004 Olympic gold medalist, one-time world champion, youngest world No. 1 in history

Before Lin came along to dominate badminton, it was a far more open field of leading contenders but the one that excited fans the most was arguably Hidayat -- who is also regarded as one of the greatest to ever play the sport and revolutionised the backhand smash.

He remains the youngest top-ranked player in the sport having first reached No. 1 in the world just weeks after turning 19, and he was just 23 when he reached the pinnacle of badminton by winning gold at the 2004 Athens Games. -- Tan

16. Ali Daei, football [Iran]

Key accomplishments: German Bundesliga champion with Bayern Munich, 108 goals in 148 caps for Iran, former world's top international scorer

One of the pioneers who led the way for Asian footballers in Europe, Daei is best remembered for his time in the Bundesliga with Arminia Bielefeld, Bayern Munich and Hertha Berlin. With Bayern, he won a Bundesliga title in the 1998-99 season and almost tasted continental glory if not for a dramatic comeback by Manchester United in the famous Champions League final.

It was for his country where Daei's greatest successes came though, with his record of 108 goals in 148 matches making him the most prolific international scorer until Cristiano Ronaldo surpassed the mark in June 2021. -- Tan

17. Lee Chong Wei, badminton [Malaysia]

Key accomplishments: Three-time Olympic silver medalist, two-time World Championship runner-up, five-time Commonwealth Games gold medalist, world No. 1 for 349 weeks -- including a 199-week streak between Aug. 2008 and June 2012, BWF Hall of Fame inductee

Only the sixth Malaysian to win an Olympic medal, Lee might have achieved far more than this three silvers at the Games if not for the fact that he was from the same generation as Lin. Fierce competitors on the court who became close friends off it, the Lee-Lin rivalry headlined the sport for over a decade not dissimilar to that of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal in tennis.

Lin would twice be the final hurdle that denied Lee an Olympic gold in 2008 and 2012. The Malaysian did manage to get one over his archnemesis in 2016 semifinals, only to fall to Chen Long in the decider. While he never won the one medal he coveted the most, Lee showed impressive consistency and longevity for being one of the best in his sport. -- Tan

18. Joseph Schooling, swimming [Singapore]

Key accomplishments: 2016 Olympic gold medalist, three-time Asian Games and 29-time Southeast Asian gold medalist, Singapore's first and only Olympic champion

Schooling's haul of a solitary Olympic gold medal may pale in comparison to others on this list, but it was the manner in which he achieved it that defines his greatness. From a country with a population of just 6 million, the unfancied Singaporean made the 100m butterfly final as the fastest qualifier before inspiring an entire nation when he won their maiden Olympic gold medal with a record-breaking swim of 50.39 seconds.

What made the feat all the more incredible was the fact that he saw off three hot favourites who had to settle for an equally remarkable three-way tie in second, and that one of those he beat was the great Michael Phelps -- whom Schooling had idolised growing up -- in one of the former's best events, no less. -- Tan

How tiny Singapore rocked Rio -- and shocked Phelps

19. Hidilyn Diaz, weightlifting [Philippines]

Key accomplishments: 2020 Olympic gold medalist, one-time world champion, former Olympic record holder,

Diaz made history by winning the Philippines' first-ever Olympic gold medal in weightlifting at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Her triumph in the women's 55kg category ended the country's 97-year Olympic gold drought and inspired millions.

Diaz's dedication and resilience are evident in her journey, overcoming numerous challenges to reach the pinnacle of her sport. She has also won multiple medals in the Asian Games and World Championships. Diaz's historic achievement and her role in elevating weightlifting in the Philippines are testaments to her exceptional talent and determination. -- Caramoan

TOKYO, JAPAN - JULY 26: Hidilyn Diaz of Team Philippines competes during the Weightlifting - Women's 55kg Group A on day three of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Tokyo International Forum on July 26, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. Chris Graythen/Getty Images

History! Hidilyn Diaz wins PH's first-ever Olympic gold!

20. Homare Sawa, football [Japan]

Key accomplishments: 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup-winning captain, Japan's record holder in both appearances and goals, one of only two Asian footballers with over 200 caps

Widely regarded as one of the greatest female footballers of all time, Sawa boasted a prolific tally of 83 goals from 205 matches and was prominent as captain of the Japan side that won the 2011 Women's World Cup -- the first Asian team to do so.

Having spent most of her career at home with several stints in America, Sawa would arguably be a far more prominent figure had she played in the current era given the rise of women's club football over the past decade. -- Tan

21. Liu Xiang, athletics [China]

Key accomplishments: 2004 Olympic gold medalist, former world champion, only male ever to concurrently be the 110m hurdles world record holder, world and Olympic champion

When Liu Xiang won gold in Athens in 2004, history was made as he became China's first male Olympic champion in athletics. He would continue to be a favourite in the 110m hurdles at subsequent Games but injury twice dashed his hopes in 20008 and 2012.

Liu's 2004 time of 12.91 seconds remains the Olympic record and he is also the only male to be Olympic and world champion, as well as the world record holder, at the same time. -- Tan

22. Yuna Kim, figure skating [South Korea]

Key accomplishments: 2010 Olympic gold medalist, two-time world champion, first female skater to win every major international competition

Regarded as a prodigy from the time she won the senior title at the South Korea Championships at the age of 12, Kim's crowning glory came at the 2010 Winter Games in Vancover when she won the ladies' single skating competition after setting world-best scores in each of the three components.

In doing so, Kim became the first female skater to win every major international competition, as well as the first -- female or male -- to complete the Super Slam (winning all four major senior-level and two major junior-level international competitions). -- Tan

23. Saki Kumagai, football [Japan]

Key accomplishments: 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup champion, nine-time league champion across Europe's major competitions with Lyon, Bayern Munich and Roma, five-time UEFA Women's Champions League winner, four consecutive Women's World Cup appearances from 2011 to 2023

Following the departure of Sawa from the Japan women's football national team, it was Kumagai who stepped up to fill the leadership void -- which was hardly surprising given the career she was carving out then -- and has since carved out -- for herself.

Being part of a dominant Lyon outfit saw her win five consecutive UEFA Women's Champions League titles but success has followed her everywhere she goes, with further silverware coming in subsequent stints with Bayern and Roma. On 147 caps, Kumagai is unlikely to reach Sawa's record tally but is still already Japan's third highest-capped player ever. -- Tan

24. Eileen Gu, skiing [China]

Key accomplishments: Two-time Olympic gold medalist, two-time world champion, youngest Olympic champion in freestyle skiing

Having made the decision to change her country of representation from the United States to China in 2019 -- a move that was not without controversy -- Gu became the youngest Olympic champion in freestyle skiing at the Beijing Winter Games in 2022.

Gu, also a two-time world champion from the year before in halfpipe and slopestyle, is still only 20 and could feature far more prominently in 25 years when the next edition is put together. -- Tan

25. June Mar Fajardo, basketball [Philippines]

Key accomplishments: 10-time PBA champion, 4-time PBA Finals MVP, 7-time PBA MVP, 10-time Best Player of the Conference, 9-time PBA All-Star, 8-time Mythical Five Member, 2015 PBA Defensive Player of the Year, gold medalist in the 2022 Asian Games

Known as "The Kraken," Fajardo has won seven MVP awards, the most in league history, and has led the San Miguel Beermen to 10 PBA championships. He has also suited up for the national team since the 2013 FIBA Asia Championships and has continued to be the best big man for Gilas Pilipinas -- including in the latest Olympic Qualifying Tournament. Fajardo's consistent excellence and influence on Philippine basketball underscore his significant impact on the sport that Filipinos love. -- Caramoan

PH poised for further growth - Citi exec

'Tremendous prospects' for PH – Citi exec

Niña Myka Pauline Arceo

Manila Times

24 July 2024 

THE Philippines' economic and business environment has seen significant gains and is poised for further growth with the help of foreign investments, a visiting Citi official said.

Sara Wechter, chief human resources officer of the multinational investment bank, told The Manila Times that the country was one of the "fastest-growing ... in the region and has been for a long time, so it's got tremendous prospects."

"We work closely with the Republic of the Philippines to enable economic progress, so our connection to the Philippines is extremely important to us," she added.

Citi, which sold its local retail banking operations to Unionbank in 2022, continues to operate an institutional business in the country, providing services to over 950 multinational corporations as well as leading Philippine firms.

Wechter said that Citi remained committed to the country as it had contributed to the multinational's growth.

The domestic economy expanded by a below-target 5.5 percent last year but was still among the highest in the region. It accelerated to 5.8 percent in the first quarter of 2024, below the government's 6.0- to 7.0-percent target.

Growth remained "highly stable," Wechter said, and will continue to accelerate with the help of foreign investments.

"They (investments) play a very important part in spurring that economy, so there are several opportunities," she added.

As of end-April, net foreign direct investments remained positive at $556 million but were 36.9 percent lower than April 2023's P881 million.

Wechter said that local institutions should consider looking beyond the country's borders to drive their own growth, which in turn could lead to increased interest in the country.

"I think when that growth happens outside the walls of the Philippines, then you also get the investment in because then there's more awareness of what's happening," she added.

This will not only bring in outside investors but also enable Filipino companies to expand and possibly become multinationals themselves, further attracting investments.

President Marcos SONA 2024

What Marcos said in his third SONA, from A-Z

Cristina Chi 
Philstar.com
July 23, 2024 

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s third State of the Nation Address began with a by-the-book reinforcement of his technocratic image as an economic manager, then ended with his rousing pronouncements calling to protect the West Philippine Sea and ban all Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs).

Met with swelling applause, Marcos’ third SONA was expectedly free of personal digs to his former UniTeam allies and peppered with minutiae details of the economic, education, health and social programs to come.

Here, we break down the one-hour speech into easily digestible topics from A to Z.

Agriculture 

Like last year, Marcos opened his speech with plans to galvanize the agricultural sector, starting with the provision of more seeds, fertilizers, livestock, boats and technical and financial assistance to farmers and fisherfolk.

The president said “the hard lesson” of the past year is that data showing the Philippines’ fair standing in the region “means nothing to a Filipino, who is confronted by the price of rice at P45 to 65 pesos kilo.”

The president served concurrently as Department of Agriculture secretary for 17 months before picking fishing tycoon and top campaign donor Francisco Laurel Jr. to replace him. 

Business 

Marcos noted a rise in the number of new businesses and corporate registrations, including foreign firms, driven by expedited processes for registration and approval. 

To bolster economic growth, the president said his administration is pushing for an investment-friendly environment through capital market reforms and the implementation of “green lanes,” which are streamlined processes designed to reduce bureaucratic hurdles for businesses.  

Climate change 

Known to speak in broad strokes about the climate crisis, President Marcos this time bannered the country’s proactive stance on global climate responsibility, including being the host country of the board of the Loss and Damage Fund, which seeks to help poor nations cope with costly climate disasters

The president also spoke of ongoing efforts to enhance disaster preparedness and promote renewable energy sources to mitigate the impact of climate change.

Digitalization 

Marcos also claimed the government has made leaps and bounds in digitalization, noting that the number of common towers, or shared infrastructure that allow different telecommunications providers to have co-sharing arrangements, has more than tripled due to streamlined permitting processes.

E-visa

Marcos also highlighted improvements in air transport and tourism through the e-travel system, which provides a digital single data collection platform for passengers arriving in and departing from the Philippines.

The president said e-gates (electronic gates) will become “standard fixtures” in airports, while the “e-visa” is next on his government’s digital transformation agenda.

Free Wi-Fi

Marcos mentions another statistic: nearly ten million unique user devices have reportedly benefited from the government’s free Wi-Fi program, which provides internet access in over thirteen thousand locations across the Philippines, including schools and remote areas. 

Marcos also announced the completion of phase 1 of the National Fiber Backbone, with phases 2 and 3 underway and expected to be completed by 2026, aimed at significantly boosting the country's internet bandwidth capacity.

‘Generic’ medicine 

Marcos announced that PhilHealth has significantly expanded its coverage of generic medicines for outpatient benefits, increasing the number of included generic drugs from 21 to 53. This expansion includes new medications for hypertension, nerve pain, and epileptic seizures.

Hospital decongestion 

Marcos also bannered two new specialty hospitals that aims to decongest public hospitals and galvanize the "nation's fight against cancer." These are the UP-PGH Cancer Center, the first Public Private Partnership project to be approved under Marcos, and the the Philippine Cancer Center of the Department of Health, which broke ground in March.

Inflation 

In relation to his plans for agriculture, Marcos listed several measures to reduce food prices and ultimately tame inflation, which at least 74% of Filipinos said the government is failing to manage in a Pulse Asia survey last week.

Due to “illegal price manipulations and smuggling,” Marcos said the government has temporarily set price ceilings on rice and reduced tariffs on rice, corn, and pork until the end of the year and assured the sector these were only “short-term solutions.”

Jobs 

In describing his plan to create more jobs in the country, Marcos touted the estimated 202,000 jobs expected to be created from the investment pledges he scored while on his numerous trips abroad.

Another statistic: Marcos cited the Philippines’ increased employment rate 95.9% and decreased underemployment from 11.7% in May of 2023 to 9.9%.

‘Kadiwa’ expansion 

Marcos said his pet KADIWA program was instrumental in helping people deal with high food prices. 

He announced plans to expand the KADIWA centers with local government support, aiming to make them permanent and well-distributed across the country.

Law and order 

After recently vetoing the proposed Philippine National Police Reform Act due to the absence of strong accountability standards for cops, Marcos reiterated the need for law enforcers to build public trust to maintain law and order.

“We have noted an overall decrease in crime rate and an improvement in crime-solution efficiency. But this is not enough. Our law enforcers need to earn the trust of our people,” Marcos said.

Mindanao-Visayas interconnection 

Marcos also mentioned the 450-megawatt Mindanao-Visayas Interconnection Project of the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines, which was ceremonially switched on in January, as “a defining moment not only for the power sector but for the entire country.”

With the project, the president said the government has connected the power grids of all three major island groups of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. 

National learning recovery 

Aware of the Philippines' flagging performance in international assessments, Marcos turned his focus on improving the conditions of teachers, who he described as the "core of our national learning recovery."

Marcos hailed recent moves to provide teachers with an annual chalk allowance in the “Kabalikat sa Pagtuturo” Act and the provision of a personal accident insurance for teachers through the Government Service Insurance System. 

"Our national learning recovery program must proceed without the slightest disruption, especially in basic education," Marcos said.

Overseas Filipino workers 

After expressing the usual gratitude to overseas Filipino workers for their remittances and their impact on the economy, Marcos said his government has provided "special facilities and services" for them: the OFW lounge at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport and the Seafarer's Hub in Manila.

POGO ban 

Triggering a standing ovation from administration supporters and critics alike, Marcos announced a total ban on all POGOs across the country and ordered the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) to wind down their operations by the end of the year. 

Marcos also ordered the Department of Labor and Employment to look for new jobs for Filipinos who will be affected by the ban.

In the past months, Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian and Sen. Risa Hontiveros have both uncovered a string of POGO-related crimes in the country that they say can also be traced back to the public officials who benefited from them, such as suspended Bamban Mayor Alice Guo, whose birth certificate and other claims of citizenship have been tagged as inauthentic.

Quality of life 

Marcos also hailed the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program’s success in “breaking the cycle of poverty” in the Philippines with around 420,000 families who have graduated from the program.   

The president also seeks to expand the 4Ps program to benefit pregnant women by capitalizing on the rare window for significantly improving children’s development and quality of life — from mother’s pregnancy to age 2.

‘Railway renaissance’ 

As part of his ambitious Build Better More infrastructure program, Marcos described an ongoing "railway renaissance" in the country of building more railways to improve public transportation.

He cited as an example the Metro Manila Subway Project, where tunneling works have reached depths equivalent to three to six floors. He also noted that other railway projects, including MRT-7 and the North-South Commuter Railway, are making steady progress.

Space technology 

Marcos also praised the achievements of Filipino space scientists and engineers for reaching new heights in the pioneering field. Since the nation’s foray into space technology, the country’s satellites in space have generated more than 51,000 maps, images and space-borne data, the president said.

Marcos noted that 16 Filipino space engineers are currently in the United Kingdom working on the MULA satellite, which, once completed, will be the country’s largest Earth observation satellite to date.

Tech-voc training 

Besides listing his usual expectations for the government’s biggest education agency — the Department of Education — Marcos this time expressed hopes for the much smaller Technical Education And Skills Development Authority to step up its programs to produce more employable graduates.

“Statistics do not lie. Eight out of ten graduates of TVET ultimately land decent jobs. So with its high employability rate, TVET will definitely be instrumental in capacitating our people, and in maintaining our employment rate at consistently high levels,” the president said.

University rankings 

The number of Philippine universities that make it to world rankings appears to be a continuing marker of success for the Marcos administration.

Marcos said this year, 87 higher education institutions (HEIs) have now made it into various world university rankings, 51 of which are public universities or colleges.

Vaccination

As part of the administration's recalibrated approach towards prevention, Marcos said that they would prioritize vaccinations.

The government will continue vaccination efforts, especially for infants and children, particularly in Region 6 and BARMM, where less than half have been vaccinated.

Water security

Marcos laid down his strategy for ensuring water security: by completing irrigation dams to supplement other bulk water projects, especially in underserved areas.

Marcos cited the Jalaur River Multipurpose Project in Iloilo as an example of his water security programs, which is expected to irrigate nearly 32,000 hectares and also help in flood control, electricity generation, and tourism.  

The damage wrought by El Niño to farmers has led the government to shell out over P9 billion in crop insurance payments and explore early adoption of modern low-water-use farming technologies, the president added.

X-periental tourism 

To boost the Philippines’ tourism standing in the region, Marcos is eyeing to focus on what the country can offer in terms of experiential tourism, which seeks to provide travelers with the opportunity to immerse themselves in the destination country’s culture and history.

The president’s vision for the tourism industry is in line with the Department of Tourism’s findings last year when its market survey showed that post-pandemic, travelers would rather spend their money on experiences and not on material things.

Youth creativity 

Marcos also wants the nation’s youth to not just be literate but also capable of creative and innovative thought. 

Ideally, the president said the education system must also “consciously develop them into problem-solvers, and into critical thinkers — hungry for success [and] ready for the future.”

According to the results of a new Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) global test released in June, the Philippines ranks in the bottom four among 64 economies in terms of creative thinking.

‘Zones’

The proposed Maritime Zones Act — a priority measure that a bicameral conference committee has already approved — was spotlighted as one of two pending legislations needed for Filipinos to continue their “intergenerational mandate” of defending the country’s sovereign rights West Philippine Sea. 

The measure defines the maritime zones under the country’s jurisdiction to fend off entities that seek to challenge the 2016 ruling, which dismissed China’s claim of historic rights over almost the entire South China Sea, including parts of the West Philippine Sea. 

Philippines Q2 GDP growth seen faster

Philippines Q2 GDP growth seen faster —economic managers

Story by JON VIKTOR D. CABUENAS, TED CORDERO
GMA Integrated News 
23 July 2024

Philippine economic growth likely accelerated in the second quarter due to higher household spending as inflation fell within the government’s target range, economic managers said Tuesday.

Economic managers expect the second-quarter economic growth to hit 6.0%, faster than the 5.7% in the three months prior and the 4.3% in the second quarter of 2023.

“It's probably close to at least the lower end of the target,” National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Secretary Arsenio Balisacan told reporters on the sidelines of the Post-SONA Discussions in Pasay City.

The government has set a gross domestic product (GDP) growth target of 6% to 7% for 2024.

Finance Secretary Ralph Recto said the biggest growth driver would still be consumption.

"Still, number one will be consumption because that’s the biggest part. I mean, household consumption is number one, and that’s supported by what we see on bank lending and credit cards, in spite of high interest rates,” Recto said.

The latest data available from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) showed that bank lending hit a 14-month high of P12 trillion in May, reflecting 10.1% year-on-year growth, the fastest since March 2023.

Meanwhile, the Monetary Board of the central bank in its latest policy meeting kept policy rates at 17-year highs, even as it revised its risk-adjusted inflation outlook for 2024 downward to 3.8% from 4.0% previously.

Balisacan said the latest indicators point to better GDP growth figures in the second quarter.

“The employment numbers are okay. Exports for the first half are turning out well,” the NEDA chief said.

Data from the latest Labor Force Survey as of May showed that the employment rate stood at 95.9%, equivalent to 48.87 million individuals with jobs or livelihoods during the period.

Moreover, exports from January to May amounted to $30.84 billion, up 7.8% from $28.61 billion in the same period last year, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority.

“These are pretty good indicators,” Balisacan said. “I'll wait for a few more numbers, especially the official data.” —VBL, GMA Integrated News

Alex Eala clinches rare twin feat in Spain tourney

Alex Eala clinches rare twin feat in Spain tourney

BY KRISTEL SATUMBAGA-VILLAR
Manila Bulletin
Jul 22, 2024 

Alex Eala achieved a rare twin feat over the weekend, snaring the W100 Vitoria-Gasteiz International Tennis Federation (ITF) singles title a day after clinching the doubles crown at the Peña Vitoriana Tennis Club in Spain.

The fifth-seeded Eala overcame fellow left-handed rival and seventh pick Victoria Jimenez Kasintseva of Andorra, 6-4, 6-4, to rule the $100,000 tournament for her first singles title this year.

It was also Eala’s fifth crown overall -- and biggest title to date after having won W15 and W25 events since 2021.

The victory was a fitting follow up to her doubles victory with French partner Estelle Cascino, where they pulled off a pulsating 6-3, 2-6, 10-4 win over Bulgaria’s Lia Karatancheva and Latvia’s Diana Marcinkevica.

“This win means the world to me, it even made me ugly cry,” Eala wrote in a social media post moments after her singles triumph.

“I am so proud because this represents the culmination of so much hard work. Securing my biggest titles yet in both singles and doubles is a fairytale finish, and I’m overwhelmed with emotion,” she added.

In a battle of former Grand Slam Junior champions, Eala dictated the pace in the opening frame against Kasintseva by soaring to a 5-2 lead before the Andorrian won the next two games for 5-4.

But Eala was quick to recover, winning the 10th game and the set.

The 19-year-old Filipina tennis sensation kept the momentum in the second set with a 2-0 edge, but Kasintseva, a former world No. 1 junior player, secured the next three games to grab the 3-2 upperhand.

That did not detain Eala as she broke her rival’s serve to take a 4-3 lead and kept her poise in the next games to win the match.

“This will always have a special place in my heart, and I leave here with a pocket full of great memories and the will to work harder,” Eala said.

Eala did not drop a single set throughout the tournament as she prevailed over Dutch Lian Tran, 6-4, 6-2; Spaniard Lucia Cortez Llorca, 7-5, 7-5; Ukraine’ Yullia Starodubtseva, 7-6 (5), 6-4; and Mexico’s Maria Jose Portillo Ramirez, 6-2, 6-1.

In the doubles, Eala and Cascino dumped local duo Carolina and Jimena Gomez, 6-3, 6-2; Czech Republic’s Victoria Bervid and Italy’s Laura Mair, 6-4, 6-1; and Bolivia’s Noelia Zeballos Melgar and Mexico’s Maria Ramirez, 6-2, 6-3, before surviving Karatancheva and Marcinkevica.

With the twin wins, Eala is expected to improve her Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) singles ranking of No. 155 and doubles ranking of No. 245.

PHILIPPINE tourism achieved several milestones in 2023

Tourism industry hit new peaks in 2023

Story by The Manila Times 
22 July 2024

PHILIPPINE tourism achieved several milestones in 2023, bringing it closer to being an Asian tourism powerhouse, Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco said.

Tourism accounted for 8.6 percent of the country's gross domestic product, the highest growth rate in tourism direct gross value added in 24 years.

Total inbound and domestic tourist receipts were P3.367 trillion, 75.3 percent higher than the 2022 figure. Tourism also provided livelihood for 6.21 million Filipinos.

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) announced a net trade surplus in travel services of $2.45 billion, the first in 15 years. Tourism investments also rose more than 24 percent, to P509 billion, over 2022.

The country welcomed 5.45 million international tourists in 2023, surpassing its target of 4.8 million for the year.

"Together with our partners across government agencies and the private sector, we have worked collaboratively towards the President's aspiration for the Philippines to take its rightful position in the global tourism stage," Frasco said on Saturday.

She credited her department's success to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who gave priority to the tourism industry.

"The President's leadership and clear vision for the country's tourism transcendence have guided us in the Department of Tourism to craft and implement innovative programs to elevate the quality of tourism services, expand tourism opportunities nationwide, and enhance the tourists' experience, resulting in longer stays and more spending," she said.

PH's SGA wins Jones Cup 2024

Strong Group wins Jones Cup title, escapes Chinese Taipei-A in OT

Story by Rommel Fuertes Jr. 
Inquirer.net
22 July 2024

MANILA, Philippines—Strong Group Athletics ruled the 43rd William Jones Cup but not after surviving Chinese Taipei-A, 83-79, in overtime on Sunday night at Xinzhuang Gymnasium in Taiwan.

The Philippine side reclaimed the title it last won in 2019 when it was represented by Mighty Sports.

SGA, which also overcame the absence of its main man Chris McCullough, who fouled out with still two minutes left in OT, got its first real test in the tournament after blowing past the competition in its past seven games.

Tajuan Agee led Strong Group with 21 points and nine rebounds before fouling out as well with 14.4 remaining. McCullough had his worst game of the Jones Cup as he was limited to just 12 points and five rebounds.

Taipei had a chance to force a second OT but Jian Hao Ma, who drew Agee’s last foul, split his charities before Jordan Heading made a pair of freebies that gave Strong Group an 82-79 cushion.

Strong Group was on the brink of a stunning defeat after staring at a 71-64 hole with only 1:03 to go in regulation before responding with nine unanswered points capped by a Kiefer Ravena triple off a steal for a 73-71 edge with 13.2 seconds left.

But Chinese Taipei was determined to score an upset, knotting the count at 73 on a Brandon Gilbeck basket to extend the game.

RJ Abarrientos led Strong Group locals with 14 points while Ravena added nine points.

He Bo finished with 16 points for the hosts, who absorbed their only defeat of the tournament.

Philippines wins gold at World Choir Games 2024

Philippines wins gold at World Choir Games 2024

By Sherilyn Untalan
GMA Integrated News
July 21, 2024

A choir from Quezon City has gained recognition on the international scene.

The Quezon City Performing Arts Development Foundation, Inc. Concert Chorus was hailed as the Champion of the World Choir Games Mixed Chamber Choirs Category in the Champions Competition in Auckland, New Zealand, on Friday.

They also clinched the gold medal in the sacred choral music with accompaniment category.

In the last year's edition of the competition, held in Gangneung, South Korea, the group joined the Open Competitions where they won 2 Golden Diplomas in the Mixed Youth and Musica Contemporanea Categories that qualifed them to join this year's Champions Competition.

The World Choir Games is said to be the biggest choral festival and competition in the world. Two hundred fifty choirs from 42 countries competed in the event, which took place in Auckland from July 10-20.

In an interview with GMA News Online, choir member Michael Kenneth Fabian shared his group’s reaction during the awarding ceremony.

“Nu'ng results time na, kinakabahan na kami. Nu'ng in-announce na out of the 6 choirs, kami na lang 'yung hindi pa natawag, doon nag-conclude na sila na kami 'yung matatawag. Sobrang saya na namin lahat. Naka-jacket kaming lahat kasi ang lamig. Pero nu'ng bago tawagin, sabi namin, tanggalin na 'yang mga jacket ninyo, kasi aakyat tayo sa stage, kakanta ng Lupang Hinirang,” he said.

(We felt nervous when the results were announced. When our group was the only one among the seven choirs to not be called, it was concluded that we would win. Everybody was overjoyed. We were in jackets because it was cold. However, we made the decision to remove our jackets before the winner was declared since we were going to perform Lupang Hinirang on stage.)

According to Fabian, it was the first time in more than a decade that the Lupang Hinirang, the national anthem of the Philippines, was performed at an international choral competition.

“We are so happy with what we have achieved. All the challenges and fatigue, all of those concluded with a joyous song, our national anthem. We were able to raise our flag and make our country proud,” he added.

The choir consists of 30 singing individuals, along with five board members, supporting staff, and conductor Nicanor Castro Infante.

They'd spent nearly a year preparing for the competition.

Most of the members are graduates of the children's choir program and range in age from 18 to 27. Fabian said they had difficulty sticking to rehearsal schedules because the majority are still students.

But despite the age differences, he said, “What unites us is our passion for singing and the friendship that has formed.''

Fabian hopes that since Filipinos are well-known for their love of music and have a reputation as talented singers, other local government units will also make investments in and promote the performing arts sector.

“Everywhere you go, performing arts cannot be taken away from the name of the Philippines. We sing because it is part of who we are,” he said.  — VBL/KG/BM, GMA Integrated News

SB19 wins Favorite Asian Act

P-pop’s SB19 beats K-pop, J-pop groups as Favorite Asian Act

Story by Patricia Dela Roca 
Philstar Global
21 July 2024

MANILA, Philippines — P-pop sensation SB19 has bested K-pop and J-pop groups to be named Favorite Asian Act at the Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards 2024.

The feat was recently announced on Nick Asia and SB19’s official social media pages.

Other Asian acts nominated for the category included K-pop boy band ENHYPEN, Japanese girl group NiziU, and solo artists Tiara Andini and Iman Troye.

In a short video, the group formed by its five members, Pablo, Stell, Josh, Justin, and Felip, expressed their gratitude to their fans, fondly known as A’Tin, saying: “It’s such an honor to represent the Philippines. We appreciate all your love and support!”

The recognition comes 12 years after Pinay singing sensation Charice Pempengco (now Jake Zyrus) became the first Filipino to win the award, edging out the likes of K-pop girl group Wonder Girls and singers Agnes Monica and Yuna.

Tune in for the encore telecasts today at 12 noon.

Here are the other Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards 2024 winners from different categories:

Bella Poarch

Favorite Kids TV Show is “Percy Jackson and the Olympians”; Family TV Show, “Young Sheldon”; Reality Show, “America’s Got Talent”; Cartoon, “SpongeBob SquarePants”; Female TV Star for Kids, Olivia Rodrigo (as Nini in “High School Musical: The Musical: The Series”); Male TV Star for Kids, Walker Scobell (as Percy Jackson in “Percy Jackson and the Olympians”); Female TV Star for Family, Miranda Cosgrove (as Carly in “iCarly”); and Male TV Star for Family, Iain Armitage (as Sheldon Cooper in “Young Sheldon”).

For film, favorite movie is “Barbie”; Movie Actor, Timothée Chalamet (as Willy Wonka in “Wonka”); Movie Actress, Margot Robbie (as Barbie in “Barbie”); Animated Movie, “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse”; Male Voice from an Animated Film, Adam Sandler (as Leo in “Leo”); Female Voice from an Animated Film, Anna Kendrick (as Poppy in “Trolls Band Together”); and Villain, Jack Black (as Bowser in “The Super Mario Bros. Movie”).

In music, the award Favorite Female Artist went to Taylor Swift; Male Artist, Post Malone; Music Group, Imagine Dragons; Song, What Was I Made For? by Billie Eilish; Music Collaboration, Barbie World by Nicki Minaj and Ice Spice with Aqua; Breakout Artist, Reneé Rapp; Album, “GUTS” by Olivia Rodrigo; Global Music Star, Taylor Swift; Ticket of the Year, “Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour,” and Viral Song, Espresso by Sabrina Carpenter.

Among content creators, the favorites are: Male Creator, MrBeast; Female Creator, Lexi Rivera; Gamer, Kai Cenat; Social Music Star, Bella Poarch; and Creator Family, Jordan Matter/Salish Matter.

Other winners are Simon Biles and Travis Kelce as favorite female and male sports stars, respectively.