Faces of the News: November 26, 2023

Gregorio Catapang Jr.

He was never OK with his predecessor’s plan to build a deep dive swimming pool inside the national penitentiary. For Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Director General Gregorio Catapang Jr., it is better to develop an eco-park inside New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa after its scheduled shutdown in 2028. On Nov. 22, Catapang announced that Justice Secretary Crispin Remulla wants 100 of the 367 hectares making up the NBP Reservation to be converted into an area similar to New York’s Central Park. Should this materialize, it would become Metro Manila’s biggest urban park, more spacious than Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center and Rizal Park combined. Catapang also wants 10 hectares of idle NBP land to be used for vegetable production. The original plan was for BuCor to relocate its headquarters to a 270-ha site in the Masungi Georeserve in Tanay, Rizal. After a month of discussions, Catapang stepped back, citing “further studies to be undertaken (that takes) into consideration the impact on the environment with the construction of BuCor facilities in the area.” —Dexter Cabalza

Rafael Jose Consing Jr.

President Marcos announced Rafael Jose Consing Jr.’s appointment as president and chief executive officer (PCEO) of the nascent Maharlika Investment Corp. (MIC) on Nov. 13 —a job that he got not without controversy. Before his appointment, Malacañang suspended the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the law creating Maharlika, citing a need for amendments. Critics later alleged that the tweaking was meant to accommodate Consing by relaxing the qualifications for key MIC posts. Social media chatter about Consing’s past court cases also surfaced when he was named PCEO. At a press conference on Nov. 15, Consing maintained he was qualified for the job and that all cases filed against him had already been dismissed. He also gave a glimpse of MIC’s potential investments in infrastructure, particularly in airport projects. Consing also floated the idea of raising the government stake in MIC by infusing assets, not just cash. The MIC also plans to hold roadshows abroad targeting foreign pension funds and other sovereign wealth funds to raise more capital, he said. —Ian Nicolas P. Cigaral

RM, Jimin, V and Jungkook

The seven members of South Korean boy band BTS are either serving in the military or in the process of enlisting. The group’s label Big Hit Music announced on Nov. 21 that RM, Jimin, V and Jungkook have already initiated the enlistment process. “We ask you for your continued love and support for RM, Jimin, V and Jungkook until they complete their military service and safely return. Our company will spare no effort in providing support for our artists,” the company statement read. The four have followed Jin, J-Hope and Suga who enlisted between December 2022 and September 2023. All able-bodied men in South Korea are required to serve in the military between 18 to 21 months. Jungkook sent a letter to fans—coincidentally called ARMY—informing them of his “new journey” that starts in December. “I feel heavy on one hand. But on the other hand, I’m reminded of precious memories with ARMY, so my heart warms up,” Jungkook said on the social media app Weverse. BTS is expected to reunite once all members complete their mandatory service in 2025.—Allan Policarpio

Michelle Dee

Call it an almost-Steve Harvey moment. The Miss Universe El Salvador social media team included the Philippines’ Michelle Marquez Dee in their art card for the Top 5 delegates, although she was not called among the finalists at the 2023 Miss Universe pageant. The competition was held in the El Salvadoran capital of San Salvador on Nov. 18 (Nov. 19 in Manila). The erroneous post was immediately deleted and replaced with an image showing the right Top 5 lineup. But the correction was not made fast enough for Filipino fans who already took screenshots that, just as quickly, spread online. The national pageant organization owned up to the gaffe, saying rather belatedly that it was “our mistake.” Dee, the daughter of 1979 Miss International Melanie Marquez, made it up to the Top 10 and was among the three ladies who received the “Gold Award” in the “Voice for Change” program. Dee also topped the National Costume online poll. The 2023 crown eventually went to Sheynnis Palacios, Nicaragua’s first Miss Universe winner. —Armin P. Adina

Gregg Popovich

Gregg Popovich has had enough of the boos hurled at former San Antonio Spurs star Kawhi Leonard that he decided to take matters into his own hands. The veteran Spurs coach grabbed the public address announcer’s microphone during the second quarter of his team’s home game against Leonard and the Clippers on Nov. 23 (in Manila) and pleaded with fans inside Frost Bank Center to just stop. Leonard was about to make a second free throw when Popovich told the hecklers that their conduct was hardly reflective of “who we are.” Although the jeers continued, Leonard appreciated the gesture as a sign of how classy the Spurs organization still is, five years after his last game in San Antonio. Leonard played for the Spurs from 2011 to 2018, and was Finals Most Valuable Player in 2014 when the team beat LeBron James and the Miami Heat for the title. Leonard was traded to the Toronto Raptors before the NBA 2018-2019 season amid reports of tension between him and the Spurs front office. —Jonas Terrado