Latest news with #Filipino
GMA Network
an hour ago
- Health
- GMA Network
PH records 1 million new teen smokers, vapers in 2023
The Philippines recorded 1 million new smokers and vapers aged 10 to 19 years old in 2023, according to national survey — prompting youth advocates to launch a campaign calling out the tobacco industry's targeted marketing tactics. The survey, 2023 National Nutrition Survey, of the Department of Science and Technology - Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI) noted that there are about over 8 million global tobacco-related death toll annually, and over 15 million adult smokers in the Philippines. This was highlighted by the group, Positive Youth Development Network (PYDN) on Friday as it launched the "TobaccOFF NOW!" campaign, a youth-led national movement aimed at protecting Filipino adolescents from nicotine addiction. The campaign seeks to expose the tobacco industry's use of flavored products, social media marketing, influencer partnerships, and attractive packaging to hook younger consumers — tactics that have contributed to a global tobacco-related death toll. 'Nang makausap natin ang mga kabataan, aware sila sa mga tactics ng industriya tulad ng sa flavors at packaging na appealing daw sa marami sa kanila. At willing silang sumama sa ating movement para protektahan ang kanilang kinabukasan,' said Jeannie Anne Maguad, PYDN Executive Director. (When we spoke with young people, they were aware of the industry's tactics such as using flavors and packaging that appeal to them. And they're willing to join the movement to protect their future.) Held at Park Inn Hotel in Quezon City, the launch event titled 'Taking Back Our Future' gathered young leaders, health advocates, and policy stakeholders to unveil the campaign created by and for the youth. The initiative was developed through co-creation workshops held in Metro Manila, Oriental Mindoro, Iloilo, and Dinagat Islands from March to May 2025, with 126 youth participants. It was supported by an online survey involving 170 respondents nationwide. 'The TobaccOFF NOW! movement is a collective voice of the youth. This is the youth telling the tobacco industry that they are ready to take back their future,' said Vonn Vincent Tanchuan, the campaign's Communications Lead. 'It amplifies the voices of Filipino youth speaking directly to their peers, their parents and guardians, the policymakers, their schools and community, and even to businesses about the world they want to live in. This world strongly rejects the tobacco industry and its products.' The campaign plans to reach 10 million young Filipinos and mobilize 10,000 youth advocates through digital platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, as well as community-based activities and partnerships. The campaign will run until January 2026. The key policy goals include: Raising the minimum legal age for all nicotine-based products to 21 years old; Restricting distribution channels to prevent youth access; Banning all flavored nicotine products; Enforcing stricter bans on advertising, promotion, and sponsorship; Increasing taxes on nicotine products. 'Bilang tagapagtanggol ng kabataang Pilipino, nais naming ang kampanyang ito ay maging daan tungo sa mas malusog na kinabukasan,' said Maguad. (As advocates for the Filipino youth, we want this campaign to help shape a healthier future.) The organizers urge communities, schools, and local governments to support efforts to combat the growing influence of the tobacco industry on the country's youth. — BAP, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
2 hours ago
- General
- GMA Network
PH, Australian armies boost warfighting capabilities in inaugural training exercise
Philippine Army and Australian Army troops conduct field training exercise at Camp Kibaritan in Bukidnon.????? Photo from 4th Infantry Division Public Affairs Office (4DPAO) In line with deepening defense ties and enhanced interoperability, the Philippine Army and the Australian Army are conducting their inaugural joint field training exercise in Mindanao, dubbed 'Kasangga 2025-1.' The bilateral drill is set to conclude on June 24, 2025, at Camp Kibaritan in Bukidnon. The exercise—named after the Filipino word 'Kasangga,' meaning 'ally' or 'partner'—marks the first-ever Philippine Army-Australian Army Exercise (PAAAE) conducted in the southern Philippine region. It brings together three platoons from the Philippine Army's 4th and 10th Infantry Divisions, as well as the Combat Engineer Regiment, alongside their Australian Army counterparts. "This inaugural Army-to-Army exercise in Mindanao marks a significant advancement in our bilateral defense cooperation and reaffirms our shared commitment as strategic partners to ensuring regional security in the Indo-Pacific," said Philippine Army Commanding General Lt. Gen. Roy M. Galido. The training focuses on jungle and urban operations, breaching techniques, tactical combat casualty care, jungle survival skills, as well as mobility, counter-mobility, and reconnaissance operations. These exercises simulate real-world combat scenarios to sharpen the troops' operational readiness and deepen mutual understanding of each other's tactics, techniques, and procedures. The Philippine Army emphasized that Kasangga 2025-1 reinforces the growing defense relationship between the two countries, aligned with broader regional efforts to promote peace, stability, and a rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific. —VAL, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- GMA Network
National Museum of the Philippines loans Juan Luna's 'Una Bulaqueña' to Louvre Abu Dhabi
The National Museum of the Philippines (NMP) has loaned Juan Luna's 'Una Bulaqueña' to the Louvre Abu Dhabi (LAD) in the United Arab Emirates, where it will be displayed until June 2026. According to NMP's post on Facebook, the loan is the first direct collaboration between the two museums, 'signalling a major milestone in the cultural dialogue between the Philippines and the United Arab Emirates.' The unveiling ceremony was attended by His Excellency Chairman of LAD Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak; Ambassador of the Philippines in the UAE His Excellency Alfonso A. Ver; and Deputy Director-General of the NMP Jorell M. Legaspi. Al Mubarak said LAD commits to promoting universality and global cultural exchange. 'With this display of 'Una Bulaqueña,' Abu Dhabi audiences will have the opportunity to discover a great deal about its cultural and art historical context, thereby learning more about the rich and fascinating history of the Philippines,' he said. Ver added that this strengthens the relations between the Philippines and the UAE. 'This significant cultural exchange reflects our shared commitment to fostering understanding and cooperation through art.' LAD director Manuel Rabaté said they're "deeply honored to bring this treasured masterpiece to the Arab world for the first time." He described 'Una Bulaqueña' as a representation of the heritage and identity of the Filipino people. "This exceptional loan strengthens our universal narrative by placing Southeast Asia's voice at the heart of our global dialogue." "Una Bulaqueña," also called "La Bulaqueña," is Luna's painting of a Filipino woman from Bulacan dressed in traditional attire. According to the Cultural Center of the Philippines Encyclopedia of Philippine Art, the woman in the portrait is Emiliana Yriarte Trinidad, who was less than 17 years old when she posed for the painting. She is 'a comely Filipina from an elite provincial family," depicted full figure in the formal dress of the time. 'Her contemplative gaze and upright posture speak volumes about the grace and strength of a Filipina,' NMP added on Facebook. 'The artwork also reflects Luna's mastery of merging the European art traditions of his time with the distinct dynamism of Filipino identity.' The painting survived World War II and was declared a National Cultural Treasure in 2008. It was sold to the NMP in World War II for 200 in Japanese military notes, according to the CCP. —Nika Roque/JCB, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
3 hours ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
Sara Duterte bound for Australia, to join rally for dad Rodrigo
Vice President Sara Duterte addresses the media in front of the International Criminal Court in The Hague, Netherlands on March 14, 2025. Photo by: Jay-Vee Marasigan Pangan Vice President Sara Duterte will travel to Australia for another personal trip and to join a protest action calling for the release of her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte. According to an advisory Friday from the Office of the Vice President (OVP), her itinerary includes attendance in the "Free Duterte Now" rally on Sunday, June 22, in Melbourne. The elder Duterte is currently detained at the Scheveningen Prison in The Hague, Netherlands over charges of crimes against humanity for the extrajudicial killings during his administration's war on drugs. Last week, the Vice President traveled to Kuala Lumpur for a personal trip with her family. While in Malaysia, she attended a Philippine Independence Day celebration and engaged in a program consultation with overseas Filipino workers. The Vice President is facing an impeachment case for betrayal of public trust, culpable violation of the Constitution, graft and corruption, and other high crimes. She was impeached by the House of Representatives on February 5, with over 200 lawmakers endorsing the complaint against her. After the Senate voted to return her case to the House of Representatives, her impeachment trial is currently expected to begin in the 20th Congress, which will open in July. The Office of the Ombudsman on Thursday directed Sara Duterte and nine others from the OVP and the Department of Education (DepEd) to respond to the charges filed by the House of Representatives in connection with the alleged misuse of confidential funds. The order came after the House filed a complaint against Duterte and several others for plunder, technical malversation, falsification, use of falsified documents, perjury, bribery, corruption of public officers, betrayal of public trust, and culpable violation of the Constitution, a source said. The complaint stemmed from the recommendation of the House Committee on Good Governance and Public Accountability to file charges against Duterte for the alleged misuse of P500 million in confidential funds of the OVP and P112.5 million in confidential funds of DepEd from 2022 to 2024. The Vice President has denied the allegations against her. — VDV, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
3 hours ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
CHR calls for more legal protection for media workers
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Friday called on the government to provide more legal protection for media workers "to ensure press freedom, dissent, and civic participation." "CHR urges the Philippine government to act on the need to enhance the country's legal framework, including proposed legislation such as the Media Workers' Welfare Bill and Journalist Protection Bill, as well as existing mechanisms like Administrative Order No. 35 (creating an inter-agency task force on extrajudicial killings) and Executive Order No. 31, the decriminalization of libel, and a re-examination of key provisions of the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020," the CHR said in a statement. The CHR issued the statement after UN Special Rapporteur on the Promotion and Protection of the Right to Freedom of Opinion and Expression Irene Khan urged the Philippine government to ratify international human rights treaties and restore its past ratification of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. "The findings and recommendations of the Special Rapporteur align with the vision of a democratic society where every Filipino can participate in a healthy ecosystem of truthful information," added the CHR. The CHR also said there is a need to further strengthen the implementation of the Philippine Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists, as well as expand the mandate of the Presidential Task Force on Media Security. On the international level, CHR echoed Khan's call for the Philippines to ratify the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance and to reaccede to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. "Every Filipino's right to freedom of expression and opinion is inherently linked to access to diverse sources of information, protection from threats, and meaningful participation in public life. As such, CHR remains firm in its stand that while the Philippines has seen improvements in this area, there remains a clear need for fundamental reforms to ensure that the free flow of information remains central to the country's democracy," the CHR added. Likewise, the CHR echoed the Special Rapporteur's deep concern over the continued occurrences of red-tagging, persisting cases of enforced disappearances and media killings, incidents of arbitrary detention, and the vilification of human rights defenders. Meanwhile, the CHR also welcomed Khan's recommendation to strengthen the independence of the Commission through the passage of the CHR Charter Bill. CHR hopes that the recommendations set forth by the Special Rapporteur will reinforce the foundations already established toward fostering a safer environment for all Filipinos," said CHR. —VAL, GMA Integrated News
