Good morning. Anyone else on the Shogun (Disney+ show) train. It is must-see TV, as you see historical Japan and the Catholic Church’s influence in Asia in the past. Speaking of which, the Philippines is the only Asian nation that is predominantly Christian, with more than 86% identifying as Roman Catholic.

Local News

🚭 The Great Vape Registration Race

By Tobias Bautista

Teens, if you haven’t gotten caught already or if you haven’t used the “it’s just a USB” card, it looks like it just got a lot harder to sneak a vape!

Starting in June, all vape products in the Philippines must register with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) as the new Vape Law kicks in.

DTI Undersecretary Amanda Nograles announced that all vaporized nicotine products need a Philippine Standard (PS) mark and Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) sticker before being sold. So far, three companies have started the process, but others need to hustle to meet the 6-month transition deadline.

Retailers can sell existing stock, but after January 5, 2025, any vape product without the required licenses will be banned.

To add more control, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) will start placing tax stamps on vape products next week, similar to those on cigarettes and alcohol, aiming to curb smuggling and boost tax revenue.

BIR Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr. urged the public to report smuggling, citing recent finds of homes packed with illegal cigarettes worth P219 million in unpaid taxes.

In short, the new Vape Law is all about tighter controls, protecting kids, and boosting revenue.

World News

☔ Heavy Rains Devastate Papua New Guinea

By Titus Bautista

Papua New Guinea is going through it. The country has one of the wettest climates in the world (according to the World Bank). A remote hillside village in Enga province was almost wiped out when a part of Mount Mungalo collapsed early morning last Friday, burying the homes and the people sleeping inside of them. Since then, people have been using shovels and pieces of wood to dig up almost eight meters of earth just to find the bodies under the landslide. Local officials and rescuers are facing a tall task. The estimated death toll climbed to 670 already over the weekend; the struggles of local authorities continue as they figure out ways of pulling out the bodies beneath the mud and rubble “spanning almost four football fields in length”.

To make matters worse, tribal fighting - not related to the landslide- was blocking any form of humanitarian aid from the provincial capital Wabeg and the delivery of heavy machinery and diggers. This is probably the worst time to have tribal houses burning with smoke and men carrying bush knifes around the area.

Tech

☔ Toyota’s New Spin on the Old Combustion Engine

By Tobias Bautista

Toyota is onto something, that can teach us the importance of sustainability amidst the quickly expanding forms of technology.

Toyota’s got a new trick up its sleeve: giving the traditional internal combustion engine a green makeover. During a three-hour presentation in Tokyo, the automaker announced plans for lean, compact engines that run on hydrogen and bioethanol or pair with electric motors in hybrids.

While competitors are zooming towards fully electric vehicles, Toyota’s Chief Executive Koji Sato emphasized an "optimized for the electrification era" engine to help drive carbon neutrality.

Toyota's trusty Prius, a hybrid pioneer, will see its electric motor take the lead, with the new engine playing a supporting role.

Teaming up with domestic allies Subaru and Mazda, Toyota hosted a “multi-pathway workshop,” stressing that collaboration could speed up innovation. Subaru’s keeping its iconic smaller engine while working on a "Subaru-like" EV, and Mazda is adapting its classic rotary engine for electric vehicles.

The execs pointed out that energy supply and customer needs vary globally, and transitioning too quickly to electric cars could jeopardize millions of jobs in Japan’s auto industry.

Waseda University’s Takahiro Fujimoto chimed in, noting that while BEVs are crucial for reducing emissions, they have drawbacks like the hefty carbon footprint of lithium-ion batteries.

In short, the road to carbon neutrality is a marathon, not a sprint. Toyota and its pals are gearing up for the long haul, blending old-school engines with new-age tech. 

Sports

🍀 Boston Celtics advance to their 2nd NBA Finals in 3 years after sweeping the ECF

By Koby del Rosario

After almost having the series extended, the Boston Celtics ousted the Indiana Pacers in the clutch, 108-105, to be the first team to make it to the 2024 NBA Finals—sweeping the Eastern Conference Finals, 4-0. 

All-Star Jaylen Brown led his team with 29 points and six rebounds as he was awarded the ECF MVP trophy for his consistent play in the series despite his surprise. Fellow All-Star Jayson Tatum poured in a near triple-double of 26 markers, 13 rebounds, and eight assists as the C’s now await the victor of the Western Conference Finals between the Dallas Mavericks and the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Playing without their floor general in Tyrese Haliburton, the Pacers’ final game of their 2023-2024 campaign was spearheaded by Andrew Nembhard’s 24 points with 10 dimes and Pascal Siakam’s 19 markers with 10 boards. 

The 2024 NBA Playoffs continue today with Game 4 of the WCF, as the NBA Finals commence on June 6th no matter the outcome. 

🏹 That’s why he’s the MVP: KQ goes T-Mac mode to lift DLSU past UE in Filoil EcoOil Cup

By Koby del Rosario

The DLSU Green Archers magical comeback against the UE Red Warriors yesterday night was capped off by none other than their reigning MVP, Kevin Quiambao, as his late-game heroics won the elimination round game for La Salle, 77-74. 

A hotly-contested affair all throughout that saw ejections and crucial calls, the Taft-based squad was down by as much as 10 points, 74-64, with 2:35 remaining in the game. KQ would then go on a tear, scoring the Green and White’s last 13 points to come away with the victory that was supplemented by their pesky defense. 

His nine markers with only 26 seconds left were produced by a complete and-1 play and a couple of hits from downtown—including the game winner that put DLSU up with 1.3 seconds on the clock. With no more timeouts for the Red Warriors, La Salle hoisted their star player triumphant as he finished with a game-high 24 points to go along with seven rebounds and five dishes. 

For the Recto-based squad who suffered a disheartening loss, they were charged by Nico Mulingtapang’s 16 points and import Precious Momowei’s stifling inside presence with five swats.

The rest of the 17th Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup’s results for May 28th can be viewed in the tournament’s Facebook page.

Lifestyle

💍 Millie Bobby Brown Ties the Bongiovi Knot

By Titus Bautista

To those still hoping, it’s time to give up on the Millie Bobby Brown train. The Stranger Things actress “secretly” married her fiance, Jake Bongiovi, last weekend. If some of you were wondering why you weren’t invited, no need to feel hurt because it was a very very very intimate wedding. It seems that only the parents of Jake and Millie attended the low-key ceremony. Yes, famous American musician Jon Bon Jovi is the dad of Jake!

They’ve been engaged since April 2023. Rumors are spreading that the couple plans to have another grander wedding before the end of the year. Don’t lose hope, guys! Maybe you’ll be invited to that wedding. Unless of course your name is Drake. #GodsPlan

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