TACLOBAN CITY – The ANTA Superstore at Robinsons Place Tacloban is making waves in Eastern Visayas just months after its launch in November 2024, offering a wide range of affordable and stylish sportswear and lifestyle apparel.

The superstore is the first of its kind in the region and aims to be the go-to destination for athletes and casual wearers alike. Locals have responded positively to the store’s diverse offerings—from everyday essentials to exclusive collections by basketball stars Kyrie Irving and Klay Thompson.

“We grabbed the opportunity to open a superstore in Tacloban, and the response has exceeded expectations,” said JP Paglinawan, General Manager of ANTA Philippines. “We’re proud to be meeting the daily needs of customers in the region.”

Apart from selling apparel and footwear, the store is also set to partner with schools in the region to support student-athletes.

According to Mikko Abello, ANTA PH’s head of marketing, they are already scouting for schools to work with for the next academic year.

“We’re very enthusiastic about helping Tacloban-based schools with gear and opportunities for competition,” Abello shared.

Due to the strong reception in Tacloban, ANTA Philippines is now looking into opening more superstores in other parts of the country.

Paglinawan said the performance of the Tacloban branch has even surpassed similar outlets in Southeast Asia, including Malaysia.

The ANTA Superstore is located on Level 1 of Robinsons Place Tacloban, Marasbaras, and is open daily from 10 am to 9 pm.

(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

TACLOBAN CITY – Eastern Visayas has confirmed its first case of Mpox (formerly monkeypox), with the patient identified as a 28-year-old resident of Sogod, Southern Leyte, according to local officials.

The confirmation was disclosed by Sogod Mayor Sheffered Tan during a meeting with health authorities on June 16, as shown in a video posted by Radyo Pilipinas-Sogod.

Mayor Tan said the Department of Health (DOH) Regional Office 8 informed him of the result, which was validated by the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM).

“The DOH regional office has informed us that we have one confirmed case of Mpox,” Tan said, assuring residents that a local task force has been activated to prevent any further transmission.

The patient, who had no recent travel history, began showing symptoms last month and is currently recovering. A 9-year-old household member also experienced symptoms such as skin lesions but was not tested and has since recovered.

Mayor Tan said Southern Leyte Governor Damian Mercado has been informed, and contact tracing efforts are underway.

The DOH regional office has yet to release an official statement on the confirmed case.
In a related development, a separate suspected Mpox case in Maasin City, also in Southern Leyte, tested negative, according to Maasin Mayor Nacional Mercado, who shared the result on June 12.

Mpox is a viral infection caused by the monkeypox virus, part of the same family of viruses that includes smallpox. While generally less severe, it can still cause significant symptoms such as fever, swollen lymph nodes, skin rashes, and fatigue. The disease spreads through close physical contact, respiratory droplets, and contaminated materials such as linens and clothing.

Local health authorities have urged the public to stay vigilant, observe hygiene, avoid close contact with symptomatic individuals, and seek medical consultation if symptoms appear.

(JOEY A. GABIETA)

KEELUNG CITY, Taiwan – Team Leyte Pilipinas has carved a remarkable chapter in Philippine basketball history, clinching 2nd runner-up honors in the NTOU Ocean Rise Cup International Basketball Tournament held at National Taiwan Ocean University (NTOU) from June 13 to 17, 2025.

Competing against 10 elite Taiwanese squads and a strong Malaysian team, Leyte Pilipinas finished with a commanding 6-2 win-loss record, earning global recognition and pride for the country.

Led by head coach Michael Cinabre and assistant coaches Cliff Tesocan, Anton Grabriola, and Mark Anthony Ochea, the team brought discipline, heart, and high-level play that won the admiration of international fans and scouts alike.

In a groundbreaking development, one of Leyte Pilipinas’ standout players received offers from three top Taiwanese universities, making him the first Filipino athlete to be recruited for collegiate basketball in Taiwan as a direct result of this tournament.

More than just a sporting triumph, the tournament became a platform for cultural exchange and showcased the world-class potential of Filipino basketball talent on the global stage.
Leyte Pilipinas may have arrived as underdogs—but they leave Taiwan as pioneers, opening doors for future generations of Filipino athletes to dream and compete beyond borders. (PR)