Good morning. We hope you’re rested up from yesterday’s holiday and ready to dive back into the week!

P.S. We got one feedback response (from the form linked below) 3 days ago but it doesn’t specify who. If this was you, please reach out to me (Tobias Bautista) on LinkedIn so we can hear your great feedback! LinkedIn is linked at the bottom of this email :).

Stocks

Local News

👷‍♂️ Presidential Salute to Filipino Workers

by Titus Bautista

Happy Labor Day to our fellow hardworking Filipinos!! In his Labor Day Speech in Malacañang Palace, President Bongbong Marcos highlighted the need to upskill and reskill of Filipinos to address underemployment issues. “I have directed DOLE (Department of Labor and Employment) to prioritize addressing underemployment by promoting training in skills that the local and international labor markets need and ensure that there is placement for those who are going to be trained”, he said. The President identified the need for Filipino workers to be “job-ready” for the technical and digital skills needed to be an effective in today’s workplace.

Last September 2023, BBM signed the Trabaho Para sa Bayan (TPB) Act which was the National master plan dedicated to resolving work-related problems in the country, such as low quality jobs, skills mismatch, and underemployment, among many issues. Hey, if we have dating apps to connect compatible partners, we think it’s just right that we match companies with job seekers! This one’s for those of you who have faced challenges in finding a job, especially after graduating… woot woot! To those who are just about to face this challenge, fear not! Cause the TPB does sound promising! The law pushes for the Filipino worker to “update” their skills and promote the use of digital technology to aid them. If your iOS needs updating every other week, I think Filipino working skills needs constant updates too… right?

🚴‍♀️ Bumpy Ride on EDSA: Bike Lanes Under Threat

by Tobias Bautista

In a twist of lane fate, the EDSA bike path is facing an uncertain future as MMDA's chairperson, Don Artes, questions its necessity, sparking a debate that's pedaling through Manila's streets like a confused commuter. What once seemed like a smooth ride for cyclists could soon resemble a pothole-laden road trip.

Artes, known for his lane-changing tendencies, suggests reducing the size or even eliminating the bike lane altogether, citing low usage compared to the roaring motorcycle traffic on EDSA. It's like squeezing a bicycle into rush hour traffic and expecting it to keep up with the roaring motorcycles.

But wait, there's a plot twist! The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is pumping the brakes on this lane change drama, advocating for more bike lanes and pedestrian-friendly paths. It's like a game of street chess, with the MMDA and DOTr playing a high-stakes match for the future of Manila's roadways.

As this two-wheeled tango unfolds, Move As One, a group advocating for pedal power, calls foul on Artes' lane removal plans, citing promises made by President Marcos Jr. and VP Sara Duterte to prioritize active transport solutions. It's a showdown between policy promises and pavement politics, and the cyclists are caught in the middle like jaywalkers at rush hour.

In a city where every inch of road is a battleground, the fate of the EDSA bike lane hangs in the balance. Will it be smooth cycling ahead, or a bumpy ride into the sunset? As the lane markers blur and the debate rages on, one thing's for sure: Manila's streets have never been more crowded with opinions.

World News

⚔️ Campus Clash Royale: Pro-Palestine vs. Pro-Israel Spar

By Tobias Bautista

Things got heated on college campuses this week.

West Coast Woes: At UCLA, a pro-Palestinian protest turned into a brawl when masked counter-protesters, stormed their encampment. Think wooden barricades vs. flying objects, complete with accusations of pepper spray and bat attacks. Ouch!

East Coast Eviction: Meanwhile, at Columbia, hundreds of police officers descended like a swarm of locusts to clear out a pro-Palestinian building occupation. The eviction came with a side of 300 arrests and a semester finale conducted virtually (thanks, internet!).

The Blame Game: Politicians are pointing fingers faster than you can say "antisemitism." Republicans are accusing universities of being soft on pro-Palestinian protests, while some protesters say they're the real victims of harassment.

The White House Weighs In: Caught in the middle, President Biden plans a speech on antisemitism next week, hoping to cool things down.

The Aftermath: With finals looming and campuses divided, it's unclear how this clash royale will end. One thing's for sure, the peace signs need a serious cleaning.

Sports

🏀 Sixers, Bucks stay alive while Cavs get a step ahead of Magic

By Koby del Rosario

Three Eastern Conference first-round series games were played yesterday, April 30th, for the 2024 NBA Playoffs. 

In the #7 versus #2 Game 5, Tyrese Maxey’s late game explosion propelled the Philadelphia 76ers to a 112-106 OT win over the New York Knicks. Maxey had an outstanding playoff career-high of 46 points to go along with nine assists, with a 7 point burst in the last 15 seconds to force OT. On the other hand, Reigning MVP Joel Embiid had a rare triple double of 19 markers, 16 rebounds, and 10 dimes.

For the orange and blue, Jalen Brunson was still impressive with 40 points and six assists as the Knicks are still up in the series, 3-2.

Going to the #4 versus #5 Game 5, the Cleveland Cavaliers edged out the Orlando Magic in a nail-biting affair, 104-103. With the game going down the wire, All-Star Donovan Mitchell had 28 points and six boards while big man Evan Mobley, who had the game-winning block, had a double-double of 14 and 13.

Orlando’s Paolo Banchero had a stellar performance, however, with a game-high 39 points with eight caroms as the Magic now face elimination on a 3-2 hole.

Concluding the game day was the #3 versus #6 Game 5 between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Indiana Pacers, where the former was able to force a Game 6 with their 115-92 lopsided victory. The Bucks, who were without their top two stars, had stalwart Bobby Portis (29 pts, 10 rebs) and forward Khris Middleton (29 pts, 12 rebs) lead the charge.

Looking to end the series in Game 6, All-Star Tyrese Haliburton still had a respectable outing of 16 points and six dimes in the loss.

An exciting double-header of Game 5’s headline NBA action later today.

News Roundup

• WNBA ticket sales on Stubhub are up 93% thanks to the likes of Caitlin Clark and the star-studded fresh draft class

• Filipino families who suffer from involuntary hunger rose to 14.2% this March, based on Social Weather Station’s (SWS) survey.

• Grassfire burned two mounds of the Chocolate Hills last Tuesday, probably due to the high heat.

Games

🎯 How well do you know the Philippines? (Answers in the bottom)

1. “Camisa Fuera” was the old Philippine Spanish name for what embroidered traditional formal shirt?

2. Which moniker was given to three priests falsely accused and executed for treason?

3. Which volcano in the Philippines is credited for the second largest eruption of the 20th century, causing the global temperature to drop by 0.9 degrees F?

4. She is the first Filipino woman to win a Tony Award.

5. How many Presidents have we had, including the current one?

Referral

Enjoying Araw Araw? Share the sunshine by sending out the link below! Rewards for referrals coming soon 👀

Feedback

Got feedback/concerns with Araw Araw? Help us make your days brighter ☀ by sending us feedback through the form below!

Feedback form here: https://forms.gle/nZ8LnDmsLiTWrp3X9

Answers

1. Barong

2. Gomburza (Gomez, Burgos, Zamora)

3. Mount Pinatubo

4. Lea Salonga

5. 17