Typhoon wreaks havoc in Manila, Taiwan braces for impact

Olympics Feature

HIDILYN DIAZ made history at the 2020 Olympics when she WON THE FIRST EVER GOLD MEDAL for the Philippines.

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Typhoon wreaks havoc in Manila, Taiwan braces for impact

The Philippines declared a state of calamity for the 13 million residents in its capital region on Wednesday due to monsoon rains intensified by Typhoon Gaemi, known locally as Typhoon Carina. The torrential rains have flooded Manila and nearby cities, leading to school, office and financial market closures, 114 flight cancellations, and have caused severe flooding, landslides and evacuations. At least 12 people have died, and over 600,000 are displaced.

Floods ravage Manila: In parts of the capital region, floodwaters surged, demolishing homes and leading to rescue requests on social media. The flood-prone city of Marikina also enforced mandatory evacuations after the local river overflowed. Metro Manila mayors will expedite the release of relief funds. The Philippines has $500 million in standby funds for relief and rehabilitation efforts, with the nation experiencing around 20 typhoons annually. 

Typhoon approaches Taiwan: Taiwan has also shut schools, offices and stock markets as Typhoon Gaemi is expected to make landfall on the island’s northeastern coast as a Category 4 super typhoon with winds of 145 mph, the most severe in eight years. As of Wednesday afternoon, the storm has already caused one death, 58 injuries, canceled nearly 500 flights and caused power outages for over 88,000 households. Gaemi is also forecasted to cross the Taiwan Strait and hit China's coast on Thursday, prompting Fujian province to elevate its emergency response, close tourist sites and suspend transportations.

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Teen stomped on head during Bay Area youth basketball game

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A police investigation is underway following a violent incident during a youth basketball game where a 13-year-old player stomped on an opponent's head, leading to a concussion. The game, held at the College of Alameda on Sunday, involved the Filipino American Tumakbo United team and Payton's Place team, both from the Bay Area. 

What happened: The now-viral video of the incident shows a scuffle over the ball, during which the Filipino boy falls to the ground before his 13-year-old opponent stomps on his head. “You could clearly see the size of his shoe on his face. My son suffered a concussion for the first time he played basketball,” said Eva Guingab, the injured boy’s parent, noting her son’s ongoing headaches and concussion protocol. The Tumakbo United coach and the Guingab family stressed the need for accountability, with Guingab saying, “If we don't say anything right now, this kid will think it's OK to do it because he's young. He thinks that walking away from this situation is OK, and it's not OK.”

Investigation: The family of the player who stomped on the opponent claimed he was defending a teammate he believed had been attacked. Payton's Place stated the boy is seeking emotional help and is temporarily off the team. Police are investigating potential subsequent altercations involving parents and officials. Once the investigation concludes, the Alameda County District Attorney will decide on further actions.

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Kansas scientist says he “lost almost everything” to Trump-era China probe

Feng “Franklin” Tao, a 52-year-old Chinese-born scientist, spoke publicly for the first time after being cleared of charges related to hiding involvement with a Chinese university. Tao was arrested in 2019 as part of the U.S. Justice Department’s “China Initiative,” aimed at combating suspected Chinese espionage. His conviction was overturned by an appeal court on July 11, after he had been fired from his position at the University of Kansas and faced significant legal fees totaling $2.3 million.

Tao’s statement: “It has been 1,786 days. Each of those days was lived with fear and desperation,” said Tao on Tuesday at a U.S. House of Representatives building, adding that he has “lost almost everything,” including his academic career. His case, initially involving espionage allegations, shifted to charges of wire fraud and false statements due to his failure to disclose a second full-time appointment at Fuzhou University. However, the appeal court found no evidence of espionage or material impact on federal funding decisions.

Ongoing initiative: The China Initiative, criticized for stifling research and bias against Asians, was ended by the Biden administration in 2022. However, efforts to revive similar initiatives continue, leading to a chilling effect on ethnic Chinese scientists. Tao's lawyer, Peter Zeidenberg, stated that he represents many like Tao who have faced multiple felony charges due to civil paperwork errors in their grant applications. A study shows a significant increase in Chinese scientists relocating or switching affiliations due to scrutiny and bias concerns. Lawmakers and advocacy groups are actively working to prevent the return of such initiatives, while a GoFundMe account has been set up to help cover Tao’s legal expenses.

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Global K-product spending may double to $143 billion

TikTok and analytics company Kantar project in their new research that global spending on Korean products may double to $143 billion by 2030, nearly twice the current estimated market of $76 billion. The growth is likely to be driven by key markets in the U.S. and Southeast Asia, where 80% of users discovered Korean culture through TikTok and more than half of users have purchased Korean products through the e-commerce platform TikTok Shop, according to the research.

What they’re saying: “If you look at the success stories of global trends in K-content, they are often triggered by secondary content from Southeast Asian creators,” Hyunho Son, general manager of global business solutions at TikTok Korea, said. “It shows that the Southeast Asian market is acting as a gateway and hub for global viral trends in K-content.”

The road ahead: Some of the driving factors behind the growth in K-content include music, food and cosmetics. According to the research, Korean music, which also encompasses concert tickets and content, is expected to grow to around $11.6 billion, while Korean beauty products and food are projected to each exceed $20 billion in 2024. This upward trend is expected to continue next year, with seven out of 10 users from the two key markets indicating that their spending on Korean products, such as food and cosmetics, may increase in 2025.

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Do Asians have a work-life balance problem?

No Asian country ranked among the top 10 in the 2024 Global Life-Work Balance Index, a new report by human resource platform Remote. The index, which ranks 60 countries based on factors like paid leave, minimum wage and happiness levels, reveals that most Asian nations are struggling to achieve a healthy work-life balance. 

• Lagging behind: Singapore leads the Asian countries, ranking 26th with a score of 49.69/100, but its neighbors lag significantly behind: Vietnam (37th, 43.94), Thailand (39th, 43.12), Indonesia (43rd, 40.12) and Malaysia (47th, 38.88). The Philippines ranks second to last at 59th with a score of 27.46, only slightly ahead the U.S. at 55th with 27.07.

• Work over personal life: The report attributes these low scores to systemic issues such as long working hours, limited paid leave and cultural norms that prioritize work over personal well-being. In contrast, the top three countries, Norway (1st, 70.85), Denmark (2nd, 67.05) and Finland (3rd, 66.53), boast robust social safety nets, generous paid leave policies and cultural values that emphasize personal time and well-being.

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Paralyzed boy makes heart-wrenching pre-surgery request to his mom

A Chinese woman was moved to tears after her paralyzed stepson comforted her before his surgery, telling her not to be sad. The woman, surnamed Wang, shared the emotional video of the boy, Hanhan, on Douyin, where she documents their life, on July 15.

A son’s love: “My mother, if I do not make it off the operating table, you shouldn’t be sad. You must have a child to look after you,” Hanhan told his stepmother right before his six-hour hip surgery at a hospital in Shanghai in mid-July, to which she replied, “That will not happen. You will definitely come out safely. I am waiting for you at the door.” Wang noted that she burst into tears after what Hanhan told her, saying, “Even in this circumstance, the person he is most worried about is me. This touched me very much. I feel the great effort I have spent on him is worthwhile.” In a follow-up video, Wang shared that Hanhan’s operation went smoothly.

About the boy: Hanhan became paralyzed from the waist down due to a botched medical test that damaged his nerves when he was only a few months old. Wang married into Hanhan’s family after his mother abandoned him when he was 3 years old. In 2023, Hanhan went viral for a heartwarming video Wang shared of her picking him up from school.

Final Bites

Philippine pro-basketball league to implement the 4-pt shot: The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), Asia's first professional basketball league, announced on Monday the introduction of the four-point shot for the upcoming Season 49. This new rule, which awards four points for successful shots from beyond a 27-foot arc, aims to increase game excitement and promote offensive play. Both the NBA and the WNBA have experimented with the four-point shot during their respective all-star seasons. PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial expressed his anticipation for the rule's impact on the game, stating, “It will help the development of our shooters, especially when it comes to those who play for the national team.”

Thailand to regulate cannabis instead of recriminalization: Thailand plans to regulate its growing cannabis industry through new legislation, potentially shelving controversial plans to reverse decriminalization. Anutin Charnvirakul of the Bhumjaithai Party, which spearheaded Thailand’s 2022 historic cannabis decriminalization, has proposed a draft bill to regulate rather than criminalize cannabis, calming tensions within the ruling coalition. The draft law will be debated in parliament, but it remains unclear if there will be a crackdown on recreational use. This move contrasts with Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s earlier push to reclassify cannabis as a narcotic. Despite ongoing opposition and public protests, the regulatory approach is seen as a compromise to address concerns about cannabis use while maintaining legal access.

USA Today readers say Jollibee’s fried chicken is tops: Jollibee has once again received national recognition, ranking as the top fast food chain for fried chicken in the U.S. USA Today editors recommended pairing Jollibee’s Chickenjoy with its “silky gravy” and ordering the sides. The Filipino chain competed against other popular chains like Popeyes, Chick-fil-A and Pollo Campero. Jollibee celebrated the accolade on Instagram, writing, “A huge thank you to all our fans!” With over 1,600 locations worldwide, Jollibee is the second-fastest growing restaurant brand in the world, with much of its growth occurring in North America.

Can China’s entertainment industry close the gap with Hollywood?: A recent PwC report projects that China's entertainment and media revenue will surge over 7% to reach $362.5 billion by 2028, fueled by the country's expanding consumer base and rising disposable income. This growth rate is nearly double that of the U.S., although the American market will still maintain a substantial lead at $808.4 billion. The report also emphasizes the rapid expansion of other Asian markets, particularly India and Indonesia, with India poised to lead the global OTT video streaming market growth.