Sentro ng Wika at Kultura ng KWF, Itinatag sa University of the Assumption

Itinatag ang Sentro ng Wika at Kultura (SWK) ng Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF) sa University of the Assumption (UA), ang unang SWK na itinatag sa Lalawigan ng Pampanga.

Dinaluhan nina Komisyoner Arthur P. Casanova, Tagapangulo ng Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF) at Rev. Fr. Oliver G. Yalung, DL, PhD, Pangulo ng University of the Assumption (UA) ang Lagdaan ng Memorandum ng Unawaan (MOU) sa pagtatag ng SWK na ginanap sa naturang unibersidad, ang ika-44 na SWK sa Pilipinas na magsusulong, at magtataguyod ng wika at kulturang Kapampangan.

Dumalo rin sa lagdaan sina Dr. Reggie O. Cruz, Komisyoner ng Wikang Kapampangan; Dr. Arnel T. Sicat, Pangalawang Pangulo para sa mga Gawaing Akademiko ng University of the Assumption; at iba pang opisyal at kawani ng KWF at University of the Assumption.

Ang matagumpay na pagtatatag ng SWK ay naisakatuparan sa inísyatíba ni Komisyoner Cruz na nagnanais na magkaroon ng komprehensibong pag-aaral at pananaliksik hinggil sa wikang Filipino, kultura, at wikang Kapampangan kabilang ngunit hindi limitado sa paggawa ng diksiyonaryo, pagsasalin, at pagsulat ng mga aklat hinggil sa Araling Kapampangan.

Ang Sentro ng Wika at Kultura (SWK) ang bisig ng Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF) sa mga rehiyon at lalawigan. Tulad ng ibang mga SWK, inaasahang magiging katuwang ng KWF ang SWK sa pagsasagawa ng mga programa at proyekto ng komisyon.

HKIAC Announces Free Access to HKIAC Case Digest and A New Partnership with Jus Mundi

Commitment to Transparency, Efficiency and Innovation

HKIAC is pleased to announce free access to HKIAC Case Digest from 1 July 2025 and a new partnership with Jus Mundi.  

HKIAC Case Digest is a searchable database of anonymised and summarised procedural decisions taken by HKIAC under various procedural rules. It launched in 2021 and won the GAR award for Best Innovation by an Individual or Organisation in 2022. 

The Case Digest database is a valuable tool that offers users insight into HKIAC’s procedural decision-making, including the analysis of HKIAC’s Standing Committees—the Proceedings Committee and the Appointments Committee—of different procedural issues. 

The HKIAC Proceedings Committee decides challenges to arbitrators and exercises all other powers vested in HKIAC to the extent that such powers are not exercised by the Appointments Committee or the Secretariat. In 2024, the Proceedings Committee made 67 determinations including in relation to HKIAC’s prima facie power to proceed in light of unclear clauses, against non-signatories, in single arbitrations filed under multiple contracts as well as applications for consolidation, joinder, and applicability of the expedited procedure. 

 

The HKIAC Appointments Committee decides the appointment and confirmation of arbitrators, determines the number of arbitrators and fixes the costs of the arbitration. In 2024, HKIAC made 199 arbitrator appointments, and 220 arbitrator confirmations based on party or co-arbitrator designations.

2024 was a record breaking year for HKIAC with 352 new filings from 510 contracts, representing the highest number of new arbitration filings being made in any one year to date, and a record amount in dispute of US$13.6 billion. 

New Partnership with Jus Mundi

HKIAC is delighted to announce a new partnership with Jus Mundi that facilitates the use of their Jus AI capabilities to prepare the case abstracts that will be freely accessible on both Case Digest and the Jus Mundi platform. 

As part of the cooperation, HKIAC’s procedural decisions will be summarised using Jus Mundi’s powerful and secure Jus AI technology. This approach ensures the consistent production of high-quality Case Digests. By streamlining the creation process, Jus AI enables the Case Digest to be delivered to users around the world in a timely and reliable manner.

Joanne Lau, HKIAC Secretary-General, says “Over the past 40 years, HKIAC has developed an important body of procedural decision-making, and making this information freely accessible to the market will ultimately help guide users and improve overall efficiency and transparency. Our collaboration with Jus Mundi further demonstrates HKIAC’s commitment to innovation and we are excited about the use of GenAI to enhance the efficiency of information sharing.”

Jean-Rémi de Maistre, CEO & Co-founder of Jus Mundi, says: “Our new collaboration with HKIAC showcases how GenAI can enhance access to legal knowledge. We’re proud to support HKIAC’s commitment to transparency and innovation by powering their Case Digest with our Jus-AI technology—making key procedural insights more accessible to the arbitration community and setting a new standard for how legal information is shared and understood.”

About HKIAC

In 2025, HKIAC celebrates 40 years of delivering world-class arbitration, mediation, adjudication, and domain name dispute resolution services. 

Since 1985, HKIAC has managed more than 12,000 cases and in 2024, HKIAC received 352 new arbitration cases from 510 contracts with a total amount in dispute of US$13.6 billion, breaking all previous records.  

Headquartered in Hong Kong and with offices in Seoul, Shanghai and Beijing, HKIAC is globally renowned for expertise, efficiency and innovation, when providing neutral and cost-effective dispute resolution services.

About Jus Mundi

Founded in 2019 and recognised as a mission-led company, Jus Mundi is a pioneer in the legal technology industry dedicated to powering global justice through artificial intelligence. Headquartered in Paris, with additional offices in New York, London and Singapore. Jus Mundi serves over 150,000 users from law firms, multinational corporations, governmental bodies, and academic institutions in more than 80 countries. Through its proprietary AI technology, Jus Mundi provides global legal intelligence, data-driven arbitration professional selection, and business development services.

6 Suspects Arrested After Attempted Ambush on BJMP Transport Van in Parañaque

Six suspects were arrested Monday afternoon, April 7, after they attempted to ambush a BJMP transport vehicle (BTV) carrying a Chinese national Person Deprived of Liberty (PDL) in Parañaque City. The BJMP personnel retaliated, and with the help of the PNP Parañaque, the suspects were eventually captured.

The incident occurred around 12:20 p.m. along the service road beside Cavitex while the BJMP Transport Vehicle (BTV), was transporting 37-year-old PDL Hu Yang, back to the BJMP facility in Barangay La Huerta, Parañaque City after a court hearing in Makati RTC Branch 235.

Armed men aboard a black sedan and a Mitsubishi Xpander intercepted the BJMP transport vehicle and opened fire. The jail officers returned fire, hitting one of the suspect vehicles. The black sedan fled while the Mitsubishi Xpander (plate number NKM 2122) crashed into a tree at the Las Piñas–Parañaque Wetland Park. The suspects abandoned the vehicle and escaped on foot into the nearby mangrove forest. One of the BJMP personnel, JO2 Leif Joseph Talanquines, sustained a gunshot wound to the right shoulder and was immediately rushed to Ospital ng Parañaque, while the PDL was immediately returned to the jail facility.

The assailants fled toward the Wetland Park area but were quickly apprehended in a hot pursuit operation by Parañaque PNP SWAT, led by PCPT DENNIS B VELASCO.

Arrested at the scene were James Bales Lasam, 28; Jerome Pascua Salvador, 31; Jerry Calino Ecalde, 30; and John Paul Chua, 51—all Filipino nationals. Also taken into custody were Yang Yang Shin, 25, and Wang Hongjie, 25, both Chinese nationals.

Recovered from the suspects were a replica grenade, several U.S. dollar bills, a .357 Magnum revolver containing live ammunition and one fired cartridge case, as well as suspected illegal drugs and drug-related paraphernalia.

The BJMP and PNP are conducting a thorough and coordinated investigation to determine whether the attack was an ambush or a rescue attempt.

𝐏𝐀𝐌𝐏𝐔𝐁𝐋𝐈𝐊𝐎𝐍𝐆 𝐊𝐎𝐍𝐒𝐔𝐋𝐓𝐀𝐒𝐘𝐎𝐍 𝐍𝐆 𝐎𝐑𝐓𝐎𝐆𝐑𝐀𝐏𝐈𝐘𝐀𝐍𝐆 𝐌Ä𝐍𝐔𝐕𝐔 𝐏𝐔𝐋𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐈𝐘Ä𝐍

Isinagawa noong 3 Marso 2025 ang Pampublikong Konsultasyon ng Ortograpiya ng Mänuvu Pulangiyän sa Dangcagan, Bukidnon. Dinaluhan ito mga pinuno ng Mänuvu Pulangiyän mula sa mga bayan ng Kibawe at Quezon, Bukidnon; kinatawan ng Bukidnon State University na sina Dr. Loreta Sol L. Dinlayan Direktor ng Bukidnon Studies Center at Dr. Rodello Pepito, Direktor ng Sentro ng Wika at Kultura, at mga mananaliksik ng Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino na sina G. Earvin Christian Pelagio at G. Christian Nayles. 

Sinimulan ang pagbuo ng Ortograpiya ng Mänuvu Pulangiyän noong 2024. Pinangunahan ito ni Bae Emelinda Dechos, ang Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative ng Dangcagan at ng KWF. Sa isinagawang pampublikong konsultasyon, tinalakay ang prosesong pinagdaanan ng Ortograpiya ng Mänuvu Pulangiyän, at isinapinal ang mga tuntunin at alpabeto nito. 

Napagkasunduan ding palitan ang baybay ng pangalan ng kanilang wika sang-ayon sa tuntunin ng binubuong ortograpiya.

Ang pagbuo ng ortograpiya ng mga wika ng Pilipinas ay isang patuluyang programa ng KWF sa ilalim ng Sangay ng Lingguwistika at Aplikadong Lingguwistika (SLAL). Inaasahang makatutulong ang mabubuong ortograpiya sa kanilang komunidad at magamit bilang midyum ng pagtuturo sa paaralan.

Paggunita sa Araw ni Gat Francisco Balagtas 2025

Isinagawa ang magkakahiwalay na pag-aalay ng bulaklak bilang paggunita sa Ika-237 araw ng kapanganakan ni Francisco “Balagtas” Baltazar. Kabilang ang Liwasang Pandacan, Pandacan, Maynila, Francisco Balagtas Memorial School (FBMS), Brgy. Panginay, Balagtas, Bulacan at Hardin ni Balagtas, Orion, Bataan kung saan isinagawa ang mga programa na may temang “Mga Aral ni Balagtas Tungo sa Pambansang Pagkakaisa at Kaunlaran.”

Itinatadhana ng Proklamasyon Blg. 964, s. 1997 na pangungunahan ng Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF) ang paggunita sa Araw ni Balagtas tuwing Abril 2 ng bawat taón. Gayundin, inaatasan ng Proklamasyon Blg. 968, s. 2015 ang Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF), Pambansang Lupon sa Pagpapaunlad ng Aklat (NBDB), at Pambansang Komisyon para sa Kultura at mga Sining (NCCA) na pangunahan ang paghahanda, pakikipag-ugnayan, at pagpapatupad ng mga aktibidad at gawaing may kaugnayan sa pagdiriwang ng Buwan ng Panitikan (BnP) na may temang “SIKAD PANITIKAN: Kultura at Panitikan ng Kaunlaran.”

KWF, Nakiisa sa Pagdiriwang sa Buwan ng Kababaihan

Nakiisa ang Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF) sa pagdiriwang ng Buwan ng Kababaihan na may temang “Babae sa Lahat ng Sektor, Aangat ang Bukás sa Bagong Pilipinas” sa pamamagitan ng isang makabuluhan at napapanahong lektura hinggil sa kababaihan at panitikan na ginanap noong 24 Marso 2025 sa Bulwagang Romualdez, 2/P Gusaling Watson, 1610 Kalye Jose P. Laurel, San Miguel, Lungsod Maynila. 

Ipinahayag ni Komisyoner Arthur P. Casanova, Tagapangulo ng KWF na kinikilala at pinahahalagahan ng KWF ang husay at talento ng kababaihan at itinataguyod ng ahensiya ang gampanin at karapatan ng kababaihan. 

Suportado ni Tagapangulong Casanova ang kampanya sa pagpapalakas ng kamalayan hinggil sa gender equality sa lahat ng sektor ng lipunan at patuloy siyang susuporta sa proyektong pangkasarian na may kaugnayan sa mandato ng KWF kabilang ngunit hindi limitado sa ugnayan ng kababaihan, kasarian, kultura, at wika sa konteksto ng panlipunang Pilipino.

Nagbigay ng panayam si Ma. Stephanie Joy A. Andaya, Research and Publication Officer ng UP Diliman Gender Office (UPDGO) na may paksang “Magsulat sa Tubig, Itaga sa Bató” na nagbigay ng halaga sa pagwaksi sa mapagsantabi, pagkatuto na malay sa kasariang wika tungo sa Ingklusibong opisina at komunikadad. 

Binigyang-diin niya ang iba’t ibang realidad na nangyayari sa lipunan kaugnay sa pakikitungo sa kababaihan at sa mga kasapi ng LGBTQ community sa iba’t ibang institusyon o tanggapan. Hinamon niya ang mga kalahok sa seminar na mag-ambag sa pagpapalakas ng kampanya hinggil sa pagtataguyod ng karapatan ng kababaihan at gender equality.

Nagbigay rin ng panayam si Bb. Beverly Wico Siy, Nanunungkulang Punò, Intertextual Division, Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) na may paksang “Kung Paanong Magsulat ng Maselan” na ang pokus ng talakay ay ang wikang ginamit ng kababaihang manunulat sa iba’t ibang akdang pampanitikan na nagpapakita ng detalyadong pagkukuwento ng danas kabilang ngunit hindi limitado sa emosyon at mapagtimping katangian ng kababaihan sa mga teksto na nagpapakita ng lakas ng kababaihan at pagiging makatwiran.

First Filipina President of Global Organization of Image Consultants to Host First Asian Confab in Manila this April

For the first time in its 35-year-old history, the Association of Image Consultants International (AICI), a US-based global organization of image management experts has elected an Asian president.

Olen Juarez-Lim, founder and president of the OJL Consulting Group and a recognized image management professional and industry icon in the Philippines has been elected the 22nd president of the prestigious group, the first Filipina to ever be elected to the position.

She will head the four-day global conference at the Makati Shangri La Manila Hotel from April 24 to 27. Themed “Weaving the Future: Global Collaborations for Breakthrough Innovations," it is the first time the organization is bringing its conference to Asia. Delegates from North America, South America, Europe, Australia and other parts of Asia will attend the conference.

Noted Go Negosyo mentor Paolo Tibig will talk about how to manage business as a keynote speaker. Online business authority from Australia, Amber Renae will discuss digital influence, while special guest speaker Kara Finney from Dexterity Canada will talk about relational skills in the workplace. Vogue Philippines editor in chief Bea Valdes will talk fashion to introduce the fashion show of Philippine weaves that iconic fashion designer Rajo Laurel will unveil at the event.

Forty-four different sessions on a wide variety of topics for creating and maintaining a positive, impactful and relatable image will provide the definitive guide to image consulting at the conference. Participants can gather all the necessary tools to learn about various aspects of image consulting – from visual communication to the psychology of shapes and colors to styling, marketing, business strategies, corporate image and branding.

Filipino hospitality and culture will be front and center at the conference. “The Philippines is renowned for its warm hospitality, rich cultural heritage and vibrant traditions. By choosing Manila as the conference venue, AICI aims to offer an immersive experience that highlights Filipino hospitality, cuisine and the arts. This unique backdrop provides an excellent opportunity for attendees to experience the warmth and friendliness of the Filipino people, so the conference becomes not just educational but also culturally enriching,” said Olen Lim.

She added that hosting the conference in Manila will highlight the contributions of Filipino image consultants to the global industry. “The conference will be a platform for local talents to gain international recognition, promote their work and share their insights. The event will encourage global discourse on image consulting,” she said.

“Holding AICI’s 35th Anniversary Global Conference in Manila will let us celebrate the diverse and global nature of our organization and help us create an enriching experience that fosters professional growth, cultural exchange and industry innovation,” said Rosario Diz from Argentina, vice president of the global conference.

The last global conference was held at Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic in 2023.

Delegates to this conference -- described as an event of glitz, glamour and game-changing connections -- are slated to immerse themselves in local culture and sample well-known tourist destinations during their stay.