BEAUTY, BRAINS & BRAWN;

ATHLETICS ‘WARRIOR’ IS MISS

ILOILO 2024
By
Panay News
-
Monday, January 15, 2024

Newly-crowned Miss Iloilo 2024, Alexie Mae Caimoso Brooks, pays tribute to
her grandmother, Lola Basing. Brooks, a scholar-athlete at National
University, was also awarded the special title of Miss SM City Iloilo during the
coronation night. SHERWIN BALAJADIA BACHOCO PHOTO
BY JEN BAYLON

ILOILO City – In a dazzling fusion of athleticism, intellect and elegance, track

star Alexie Mae Caimoso Brooks, a 22-year-old marvel from Leon, Iloilo,
claimed the Miss Iloilo 2024 crown, showcasing the multifaceted brilliance of
today’s Ilongga.

At the grand coronation held at the West Visayas State University Cultural
Center on Saturday night, the Filipino-American standout of the National
University athletics team bested 14 other Ilongga beauties, breaking
stereotypes and redefining the essence of a modern Filipina.
As this year’s title holder, Ilongga “warrior” Brooks – a member of the
national athletics team and Southeast Asian Games heptathlon veteran –
also holds the prestigious title of Miss SM City Iloilo.

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SM City Iloilo, the biggest corporate partner of the city government in

celebrating the annual Dinagyang Festival, is the epicenter of festivities and
at the forefront of this cultural extravaganza.

Brooks dazzled in every aspect of the competition, clinching the Best in

Designers’ Fashion Show, Best in Cultural Costume, Best in Swimsuit awards
– plus eight other special awards.
Demonstrating excellence both academically and athletically as a scholar-
athlete at National University, Brooks distinguished herself with multiple
accolades on pageant night – Best in Designer’s Fashion Show, Best in
Cultural Costume, Best in Swimsuit, and the Miss SM City Iloilo awards. MISS
ILOILO PHOTO/FACEBOOK
Her journey now takes her beyond Iloilo, as she sets out to represent the City
of Love in a major national pageant.

Joining Brooks in the winners’ circle were Pearl Angel R. Franco of Ajuy, Iloilo
as the 1st runner-up, and Shaima R. Al Yansuri of Guimbal, Iloilo as the 2nd
runner-up.
(center) Miss Iloilo 2024 Alexie Mae Caimoso Brooks, with (from left) Heartfelt
Queens Hamda A. Judicpa, Raniell Louise A. Aguila, Angel Jed Z. Latorre,
Nicklyn T. Jutay, Miss Iloilo 2024 first runner-up Pearl Angel R. Franco and
Miss Iloilo 2024 second runner-up Shaima R. Al Yansuri.

The annual beauty pageant also recognized “Ilongga heartfelt beauties”

Nicklyn T. Jutay of Tigbauan, Iloilo; Angel Jed Z. Latorre of Santa Barbara,
Iloilo; Raniella Louise A. Aguila of Cabatuan, Iloilo; and Hamda A. Judicpa of
San Miguel, Iloilo. Angel Jed Z. Latorre was recognized with the Best in
Evening Gown award for her stunning performance.

‘ABANSE BABAE!’

The newly crowned Miss Iloilo 2024 left no crumbs when she answered with
grace the final question: “As an Ilongga with heartfelt beauty, what message
would you send to the Ilonggas from the past?”
Athletics ‘warrior’ Alexie Mae Caimoso Brooks, who triumphed over 14 other
contenders, will represent Iloilo in a national pageant. MISS ILOILO
PHOTO/FACEBOOK
She said: “As an Ilongga with a heartfelt beauty, I think one thing that I’m
proud of is ever since from the past we’ve always kept the spirit of
Dinagyang, we always kept the spirit of pagpalangga, and the food that we
have, we are selected as the creative city in gastronomy. It is the reason why
this is from our past that we preserve it and we deliver it from right now. And
one thing I want to say is, I want women to move forward. Abanse babae! This
is something that comes from my heart. I want to empower women. I want to
educate and advocate for women from the past and right now. Women could
be so much more, we are capable of so much more. Abanse Babae! My name
is Alexie Mae Caimoso Brooks, and my heart will always beat in Iloilo City!”
After the announcement of the winners, Brooks paid tribute to the
empowered woman who raised her, Lola Basing, the “queen of her heart.”

Brooks’ hard work and perseverance were the traits imprinted by her
grandmother as they trudged through humble beginnings.

Miss Iloilo 2024, Alexie Mae Caimoso Brooks, pays tribute to the woman who
raised her, the true queen, Lola Basing. PHOTO POSTED VIA ALEXIE
BROOKS/FACEBOOK
PHOTO POSTED VIA ALEXIE BROOKS/FACEBOOK
ATHLETICS POWERHOUSE

In 2013, the Ilongga athletics prodigy was scouted by coach Emanuel Pacardo
during the 2nd Congressional District Sports Association Meet in Leon town.
He saw in her a “gem” in Iloilo athletics.

She then landed at Iloilo National High School to pursue her sports career
where, together with legendary Ilonggo mentor Noel Diel, she set a regional
record in high jump and eventually became a long jump “queen” in the
Palarong Pambansa.

Brooks was later recruited and became a scholar at National University in

Manila, while accepting modeling jobs as a sideline.

Miss Iloilo has again been an inspiring celebration of talent, beauty, and the
vibrant spirit of the Ilonggo community, showcasing the exceptional qualities
of its contestants and reaffirming the importance of empowering
women./PN
BACOLOD TAY TUNG REACHES
REBISCO VOLLEY LEAGUE
SEMIS
By
Adrian Stewart Co
-
Saturday, January 13, 2024

Ilongga Ana Franchessca Hermosura of Bacolod Tay Tung High School

Thunderbolts smashes the ball against the defense. PHOTO COURTESY OF
LIFE’S A SPORT FACEBOOK PAGE
MANILA – Bacolod Tay Tung High School Thunderbolts secured a seat in the
semifinals of the 2024 Rebisco Volleyball League National Finals after
sweeping their four group stage matches.

The Roberto “Biboy” Calamba-mentored Thunderbolts capped off their group

stage games with a 25-23, 25-14 win over Notre Dame of Dadiangas
University (General Santos City) on Thursday afternoon at the Ynares Sports
Arena in Pasig City.

Jothea Ramos, who is reportedly gaining interest from University of the

Philippines Fighting Maroons, anchored the offense for the Thunderbolts
along with Ilongga Ana Francessca Hermosura to easily beat the General
Santos City-based squad.

“So far, maganda ang performance na ipinapakita ng mga bata,” Calamba

told Panay News on Friday. “Since our first game here sa National Finals, the
players are slowly improving each game.”

“Sweeping the group stage is not enough, we came here to win the crown, so
hopefully the players will display the same fire and energy to complete our
mission this Saturday,” he added.

The Thunderbolts opened their campaign with a come-from-behind 23-25,

25-16, 25-15 victory over the Sto. Niño National High School (Davao del
Norte) on Monday at the Gameville Ball Park in Mandaluyong City.
The Bacolod City-based volleyball team followed this up with a 25-16, 25-14
victory over Corpus Christi School (Cagayan de Oro) on Tuesday and 25-13
25-12 beating of De La Salle Lipa (Batangas) on Wednesday.

The Thunderbolts will now head to the semifinals round this morning against
the University of San Jose Recoletos for a chance to compete in the
championship round later in the day.

“I told the players na never pa kami nakaabot sa championship ng Rebisco

tournament so it will be extra special if we can go all the way here,” said
Thunderbolts team manager Jose Montalbo.

“Just like our Palarong Pambansa win last year, it will be a historic moment
for the Thunderbolts volleyball program if we can go home to Bacolod City
with the national title,” he added./PN
JENNYLYN MERCADO SAYS
MARRIAGE MADE
RELATIONSHIP WITH DENNIS
TRILLO MORE ‘POSITIVE’
By
Panay News
-
Monday, January 15, 2024

JENNYLYN MERCADO AND DENNIS TRILLO

JENNYLYN Mercado is aware of the many changes she and Dennis Trillo went
through since tying the knot in November 2021, but she’s glad it made their
relationship stronger.

On the sidelines of the press conference for “Love. Die. Repeat,” Mercado
told reporters that she and Trillo work as a team in maintaining their
relationship while noting how it changed the latter in a more “positive” way.

“Iba na kapag mag-asawa na. Maraming adjustments. Maraming kailangang

tanggapin, kaya kailangang team at isang pamilya kayo. Lahat ng desisyon,
dapat kayong dalawa. Dapat pag-usapan niyong dalawa kung may plano,” she
said. “Positive naman [ang pagbabago ni Dennis]. Kapag mag-asawa na pala,
wala na ‘yung selos.”

When at home, Mercado shared that she and Trillo work on a “shifting”
schedule, where she takes care of the house in the morning. Her husband,
on the other hand, takes over at night.

“Dennis is very hands-on. Hindi ko in-expect na ka-level niya ang

pagiging hands-on ko. Kahit umuwi siya sa bahay galing taping nang 1
a.m., hindi na siya matutulog. Siya kasi ang night shift. Gan’un kami. Hihintayin
niya akong magising tapos ako naman,” she said.

The actress-singer also admitted that she and her husband decided to hire a
house help once Trillo returned to his day-to-day activities. She also noted
that the “Maria Clara at Ibarra” star became her “life coach” as she made
her teleserye comeback.
“Bago mag-isang taon si Dylan (their daughter), kami lang. Wala kaming yaya.
Noong bumalik si Dennis sa trabaho, kailangan nang kumuha ng yaya… Kahit
papaano, iba na ang motherhood para sa’kin kasi may katuwang ako. Meron
nang naga-alaga sa’kin,” she said. (Hannah Mallorca © Philippine Daily Inquirer)
Biden to send top-level
trade mission to PH in
March
By: Jeannette I. Andrade - Reporter / @jiandradeINQ
Philippine Daily Inquirer / 05:25 AM January 15, 2024

Gina Raimondo —AP IMAGES FOR US CENSUS

The White House announced over the weekend that the United States will
dispatch to the Philippines next month a trade and investment mission to
be headed by US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo.

In a statement on Friday, White House National Security Council

spokesperson Adrienne Watson said that the delegation would be in
Manila until from March 11 to March 12 as part of the United States’
commitments under the 123 Agreement that US President Joe Biden
signed with President Marcos in November last year.

ADVERTISEMENT

The 123 Agreement allows the transfer of information, nuclear material,

equipment and components directly between the two states to enhance
US companies’ contributions to the Philippine economy, connective
infrastructure, clean energy transition, critical minerals sector, and food
security, Watson said.

Mindanao railway project

Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez earlier said that
Washington offered assistance for the stalled Mindanao Railway project.

Albay Rep. Joey Salceda, chair of the House of Representatives’ committee

on ways and means, on Sunday welcomed the White House
announcement of the trade mission which, he said, was a “demonstration
of the United States’ commitment that it must back its promises of
friendship with real economic opportunities for the Filipino people.”

Salceda said the mission was a first-of-its-kind, high-level mission that

was the “direct result of President Marcos’ assiduous cultivation of
stronger United States-Philippines ties.”
“I am particularly encouraged by its offer of financing the Mindanao
Railway Project through the Development Finance Corporation (DFC), the
United States’ agency for supporting projects in developing countries.
Segments of the Philippine National Railways South Long Haul project to
Bicol are also potential investment areas,” Salceda pointed out.

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The lawmaker noted that the DFC as a financing source was
advantageous as it was “designed to revitalize the United States’ presence
in [official development assistance] financing—and is therefore allowed
to make deeply concessional financing in its 2018 charter. That includes
equity investments and loans in local currencies.”

“The United States’ renewed role in promoting prosperity in our region is

a vital aspect of our common security interests,” according to Salceda,
who added, “US investment and trade in areas such as aerospace and
defense, pharmaceuticals, transport, and energy, where their money
usually comes with know-how and technology, is most welcome.” INQ

Read more: https://globalnation.inquirer.net/225338/biden-to-send-top-level-trade-

mission-to-ph-in-march#ixzz8OrwDHmqV
Follow us: @inquirerdotnet on Twitter | inquirerdotnet on Facebook
NATIONAL -

The Land Transportation Office will run out of plastic cards for driver's licenses in
about 2 weeks despite a donation of 4 million cards from a private group.
LTO Assistant Secretary Vigor Mendoza II said his office is still waiting for the
final opinion from the Office of the Solicitor General to ensure the legality of the
donation.
"As far as card is concerned, wala pa tayong card. 'Yung donation of 4 million
card, were still awaiting the final OSG opinion para plantsado lang 'yung the legal
side," he said in an interview with TeleRadyo Serbisyo.
"Ang totoo po d'yan, nauubusan na tayo ng card. We have recommended to the
Secretary the agency to agency acquisition from government printing offices na
para mapabilis. Kasi wala. By the end of January, I think our inventory as of
yesterday is only good for 2 weeks."
The LTO chief said some district offices in malls have already run out of plastic
cards for driver's licenses.
The LTO earlier said an association of medical clinics is donating 4 million plastic
cards worth an estimated P160 million to the agency.
Mendoza said he had already been informed by the OSG that there is no problem
with the donation.
"Kailangan natin ng black and white and we have to coordinate with Congress with
the committee on transportation para malaman kung ano pa ang concern ng
committee," he said.
He also noted the donation must undergo a technical review, which would require
approval from the Department of Science and Technology "to see 'yung thickness,
'yung weight, 'yung quality of the material."
He said the review could last 3 weeks.
He added that the 4 million donation would still not be enough, adding that the
LTO foresees a need for 12 million cards this year. | via ABS-CBN News
7 FISHERMEN RESCUED IN SAN
JOAQUIN
By

Panay News

Monday, January 15, 2024

Local maritime security personnel responded to a distressed fishing vessel in

the waters of San Joaquin, Iloilo. Seven fishermen were rescued. PCG-6
PHOTO

BY JEN BAYLON
ILOILO – Seven fishermen aboard a distressed fishing banca were rescued in
the waters of San Joaquin town on Saturday afternoon, Jan. 13.

Coast Guard station commander Paterno Belarmino Jr. told Panay News that
the operation was initiated following a call received around 11 a.m. by the
Tigbauan substation from the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and
Management Office of San Joaquin.

The report indicated that an unnamed fishing banca had encountered engine
trouble in the vicinity waters of San Joaquin, prompting an immediate
response from the joint Deployable Response Team of Coast Guard Tigbauan
and San Joaquin substations and Guimbal clearing outpost.

Utilizing the FBCA Tropic JC 1 with six crew members, the combined team
swiftly located the distressed fishing banca approximately eight nautical
miles southeast of San Joaquin and successfully rescued all seven fishermen
on board.
Subsequently, the rescue vessel towed the unnamed fishing banca to
Barangay Cabubugan, Guimbal, Iloilo for safekeeping.

The fishermen, all residents of Barangay Nalundan, Guimbal, were in good

physical condition. They were:

* Jose Gilbao, 53

* Joper Lapi 50

* Francis Ascura, 35

* Arnil Balinas, 40

* Jeramil Gilbao, 37

* Garry Tupaz, 41

* Peter Gilbao, 39.

The distress was attributed by the authorities to the challenging conditions of

strong currents and big waves in the area.

The prompt coordination with the nearest fishing boats anchored in the
vicinity played a pivotal role in the successful execution of the rescue
mission, showcasing the effective collaboration between the Coast Guard
units and local maritime stakeholders.
Belarmino urged the fisherfolk to coordinate with the local authorities before
setting out to sail for safety measures.

“Atun ginapanawagan, especially sa atun fishing bancas, nga mag-

coordinate gid sila sa coast guard kag LGU (local government unit) bag-o
maglakat. Kay ang purpose na para mabal-an ta kay pareho na sa tyempo
subong mabalod, kay kung wala kami idea. Ang amun na ang ma-inform kami
sa Coast Guard kag LGU kung diin sila mangisda para if ever may mga
emerhensya mabal-an na dayun kung diin kami ma-rescue. Kag gina-
require namun magdala sila safety equipment, cellphone, ibilin man
ang cellphone number sa amon, life jacket kag life ring, para if
ever masamaran sila makatawag sila sa amon,” he said./PN