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Filipino Times
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Filipino Times
Sofronio Vasquez honored to sing national anthem at Marcos' 4th SONA
Filipino-American singer Sofronio Vasquez said he feels deeply honored to perform the Philippine national anthem at President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA). Vasquez, the first Filipino winner of The Voice USA, described the invitation as a significant personal and professional milestone. 'Personally and professionally, it's a great honor. Nakadagdag siya ng aking self-esteem and recognition and worth as a performer and as a professional singer,' said Vasquez in an interview with RTVM. Now based in the United States, Vasquez called it a rare opportunity to give back to the country through music. He said the chance to sing Lupang Hinirang before the President and millions of Filipinos watching live affirms his journey as an artist. Vasquez will perform the anthem a cappella, acknowledging the difficulty of singing without instrumental backing. Still, he said it's a challenge worth taking 'for the Filipinos, for God, and for the country.' He also reflected on the deeper meaning of Lupang Hinirang, saying it symbolizes unity and a call for all Filipinos to come together despite differences. 'Marami tayong pagkakaiba, we just have to make sure na magkakaisa tayo,' he added. President Marcos Jr. is set to deliver his fourth SONA at 4 p.m. on July 28 at the Batasang Pambansa Complex in Quezon City.
GMA Network
20-07-2025
- Business
- GMA Network
Marcos arrives in US to meet Trump
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is welcomed upon his arrival at the Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, USA by Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel Romualdez, US Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson and another American official on Sunday, July 20, 20025 (Monday, July 21, PH time). Screenshot from RTVM videoPresident Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is welcomed upon his arrival at the Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, USA by Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel Romualdez, US Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson and another American official on Sunday, July 20, 2025 (Monday, July 21, PH time). Screenshot from RTVM video WASHINGTON, DC - President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. arrived in Washington, DC on Monday at 2:48 a.m. Manila time. The President is set to meet with US President Donald Trump at the White House. He is also scheduled to visit the Pentagon for a meeting with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez said Marcos and Trump are set to discuss defense and security. 'Essentially it's really the reaffirmation of all these agreements that we have with the United States specifically surrounding the Mutual Defense Treaty. So, it will be more on discussions on how we can continue to cooperate with the United States, our major ally.' Romualdez said. The West Philippine Sea situation is also expected to be discussed in the President's meetings here. 'At the same time, I think President Marcos would like to see how we can work with the United States and other countries that have the same mindset as far as the West Philippine Sea is concerned. So, it will be on those general subjects of discussion,' Romualdez added. Marcos will also be meeting with business leaders. 'Generally he'll be talking to semiconductor industry which is very important for us. One of our biggest industries that we're having economic ties with the United States. I think the President of the Semiconductor Association will be meeting with the President," the ambassador said. "And then we have other business leaders particularly those who have already invested in the Philippines or planning to expand their investments in the healthcare,' Romualdez said, adding that groups interested in developing the Luzon Economic Corridor will likewise attend the meeting. Marcos and Trump are also expected to tackle the 20% tariff on Philippine goods entering the US with the Philippines, hoping to arrive at a trade agreement beneficial to both countries. Romualdez also told the media covering the President's visit that the controversial immigration policy of President Trump is not on the agenda. There are currently 3,772 Filipinos identified by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement who are not detained but with 'final orders of removal.' —KG, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
30-06-2025
- Business
- GMA Network
Marcos says PH has had no agricultural policy for a long time
President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. said Monday that the Philippines lacks an agricultural policy as the sector has not been aided for quite some time. Marcos said this during his engagement with the national grand winners of the 50th Gawad Saka: Parangal sa mga Natatanging Magsasaka at Mangingisda in a forum at the Science City of Muñoz in Nueva Ecija. President Bongbong Marcos and Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. at the presentation of the 50th Gawad Saka National Awardees and Ugnayan with Farmers, June 30, 2025 at the Science City of Muñoz in Nueva Ecija. Screenshot from RTVM livestream He said this was the reason why the youth was not engaged in farming activities, adding that they do not see a good career path in the agricultural sector. ''Medyo hindi natulungan ang agrikultura nang matagal eh. Wala tayong agricultural policy, masyado nang napakatagal. Kaya't sasabihin ng mga bata, 'Ba't tayo papasok diyan, walang pupuntahan 'yan, hanggang diyan na lang 'yan.' Kaya't ngayon, babaguhin natin lahat 'yan,'' Marcos said. (It seems that no help was extend in our agricultural sector. We haven't had an agricultural policy for a long time. So, the youth will ask, 'Why will we go into agriculture, there's no future there.' So we will change that.) Marcos cited the need for modern technology to improve the agricultural sector, particularly the country's yields. This will also attract the youth to engage in farming, he said. ''Kailangan natin pumasok sa mga bagong teknolohiya dahil 'yun kailangan talaga natin para 'yung bawat ektarya natin, mas malaki ang yield. Mas malaki ang ani,'' Marcos said. (We need to use modern technology because we really need that to improve our yield from every hectare. The harvest will be greater.) Marcos said the youth would be the ones who will teach the other farmers in utilizing technology. ''Sila ang magtuturo sa atin ng mga bagong teknolohiya at 'yan palagay ko ay magiging interesting na 'yan para sa ating mga kabataan. Makikita nila na may magandang hanapbuhay naman ang magsasaka,'' he said. (They will teach us the modern technology and I think this will be interesting for the youth. They will see that there are job opportunities for farmers.) —KG, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
30-06-2025
- Business
- GMA Network
Marcos says he wants soil laboratories in every region
President Bongbong Marcos at presentation of the 50th Gawad Saka National Awardees and Ugnayan with Farmers, June 30, 2025 at the Science City of Muñoz in Nueva Ecija. RTVM screenshot President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. on Monday said his administration is targeting to establish soil laboratories in every region across the country. Marcos made the remark as he engaged with the national grand winners of the 50th Gawad Saka: Parangal sa mga Natatanging Magsasaka at Mangingisda in a forum at the Science City of Muñoz in Nueva Ecija. The President said he is optimistic that there will come a time where the Philippines will no longer depend on rice importation. ''Mayron at mayroon na tayong nasimulan. Gusto naming maglagay ng permanent na soil laboratories sa bawat regions. Ito'y unang... Phase I pa lang ika nga, Phase I pa lang ito kaya't pagpatuloy lang ang aming... pagpatuloy lang ang aming ginagawa para lahat ng tulong na maibigay natin sa ating mga mangingisda at farmer, gagawin natin,'' Marcos said. (We have already started. We want to place permanent soil laboratories in every region. This is just the Phase I so we will continue to provide help to our fisherfolk and farmers.) ''Dadaring din tayo sa araw na hindi na tayo masyadong umaasa sa importation kaya't yun ang ating habol, 'yun ang magiging sign of success natin kapag talagang nabawasan na ng husto ang ating pagbili ng imported rice,'' Marcos added. (There will come a time that we will no longer depend on importation. That's our goal, that will be the sign of our success if our dependence on importing rice will decrease.) In December of last year, Marcos launched the country's first mobile soil laboratory (MSL) in Malacañang. The MSL is a customized 10-wheeler truck possessing state of the art equipment, facility, resources, and safety features, with the capacity to conduct 44 soil chemical, physical, and microbiological parameters. This will increase the accessibility of soil laboratory services for agricultural stakeholders to guarantee the sustainable use and management of soil resources and strengthen crop productivity. The project is under the National Soil Health Program of the Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM). Meanwhile, Gawad Saka is the highest and most prestigious annual recognition of the Department of Agriculture in partnership with local government units. The award honors the exemplary performance, outstanding contributions and innovative ways of Filipino farmers, fisherfolk, institutions, scientists and researchers in coping with the evolving agricultural sector towards attaining food security, sufficiency and sustainability. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- GMA Network
Marcos, FL Liza visit PH Pavilion in World Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan
President Marcos and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos visited the Philippine Pavilion at the World Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan on June 20, 2025. (Screenshot from RTVM) President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. and First Lady Louise ''Liza'' Araneta-Marcos on Friday visited the Philippine Pavilion at the World Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan. The First Couple was given a guided walk-through inside the Philippine Pavilion, which features the largest collaboration of Filipino weavers, with more than 200 handwoven panels created by master artisans from across the country. Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco and Deputy Speaker and Cebu Representative Duke Frasco joined the First Couple during the walk-through. The woven panels formed part of a dynamic façade that opens throughout the day to showcase live performances, the Presidential Communications Office said. Meanwhile, Marcos also visited the circular structure of the Japan Pavilion that carries the theme ''Between Lives.'' Embodying the cycle of life, this features a biogas power generation using food waste from the Expo site and other cutting-edge Japanese carbon recycling technologies in order to create a cyclical loop. This aims to inspire visitors to adopt sustainable behaviors for a sustainable society.—LDF, GMA Integrated News
