DU30's SONA 2018

Some 15,000 protesters on Commonwealth Avenue. (Photo by the author).

23 July 2018 was sunny all day. Typhoon Josie has left Metro Manila although a light rain came after President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has delivered his State of the Nation Address 2018 and after his effigy dubbed DU30-train has been burned.

The protest march came from two directions and met under the overpass before the Ever department store. The religious organizations led by priests and nuns assembled in the vicinity of St Peter's church then moved toward the merging point. The massive group comprising the familiar left-of- center organizations marched from the Quezon Memorial area preceded by the DU30-train effigy,

Labor issue. (Photo by the author)

Commonwealth Avenue was as colorful as the broad spectrum of issues, causes, advocacies and interests of some 15,000 participants from participating organizations.

It was a peaceful assembly. The police contingent near the stage was relaxed, watching the assembly and listening to short speeches of representatives of the organizations. One speaker read the message of Sen. De Lima which dwelt on the 'shortcuts' that DU30 employed in his governance.

The news went around that something was going on at the Batasan, which explained why DU30 was already late in his report to his countrymen. Former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo had toppled House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez. Apparently a compromise was agreed on; hence, it was still Alvarez who stood at the rostrum with Senate President Vicente Sotto III to open the bicameral session.

Nuns and other religious were in the march. (Photo by the author)

Of course, DU30 had been saying that he will just read his speech and promised that it would not take him long to do that. He did just that with a few adlibs. The delivery would have been totally lackluster except when he stressed some points for which he received applause.

The first jolt came shortly after greeting of the distinguished guests and his reminder of the two-year war on drugs.

"The war against illegal drugs is far from over," he said, and then explained why this will "not be sidelined."

"Instead," he fired, "it will be as relentless and chilling, if you will, as on the day it began." This has been reverberating in the print, broadcast and social media.

Spokespersons for women issues. (Photo by the author)

With regard to corruption, he thanked Congress for the 'swift passage of the Ease of Doing Business Act, which is a significant fight against corruption and improving service delivery.'

He enjoined government agencies to make their services "truly customer-friendly." "Our people deserve efficient, effective and responsive government services," he stressed, and "they deserve nothing less."

Because of the power struggle at the House that day, the Bangsamoro Organic Law was not ratified. Duterte asked to be given 48 hours to sign it once that has been done.

"I make this solemn commitment that this administration," he declared, "will never deny our Muslim brothers and sisters the basic legal tools to chart their own destiny within the Constitutional framework of our country."

Furthermore, he iterated his pledge "that the ISIS terrorists or groups or its allies will never gain foothold in our country."

DU30 caricatures. (Photo by the author)

He spoke of continuing "to assert and pursue an independent foreign policy" in out international relations.

With regard to "our improved relationship with China," he said that this "does not mean that we will waver in our commitment to defend our interests in the West Philippine Sea."  He clarified that "opening lines of communication and amicably managing differences have led to positive development that include renewed access of Filipino fishermen in the areas in dispute in the West Philippine Sea."

DU30-TRAIN effigy set to flame. (Photo by author)

There were several tasks that he implored Congress to address --

• Pass the bill establishing the Coconut Farmers' Trust Fund;
• Draft terms of reference for the entry of a new industry player "to ensure that the country's telecommunications services are reliable, inexpensive and secure;"
• Pass the free Tertiary Education Act and the increase in the salary of men in uniform, soldiers and policemen;
• As a result of the actions in Boracay, pass the National Land Use Act "to put in place a national land use policy that will address our competing land requirements for food, housing businesses, and environmental conservation;"
• Passage of a law creating the Department of Disaster Management, which is aimed at "genuinely strengthening our country's capacity for resilience to natural disasters;"
• Passage of Package 2 of the comprehensive tax reform program that will "lower corporate income taxes, especially for small businesses;" and 
• Speedy passage of the Universal Health Care Bill;"

He ended his SONA with a happy note (that he has received copy from the Consultative Committee of the draft Federal Constitution) and his favorite quotation from Abraham Lincoln.

 

World Watch: Mandela@100

Mandela on the front page of the 20 July 2018 issue of
El Espectador of Bogota, Colombia (from en.kiosko.net).

Former US president Barack Obama was in the news. I thought the stories on front pages abroad had something to do with the recent meeting of USA's Trump and Russia's Putin. 

It turned out he delivered the 16th annual Nelson Mandela lecture at Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa on 17 July, the eve of the Madiba's 100th birthday.

18th July 2018 was declared the Nelson Mandela International Day with the theme "Renewing the Mandela Legacy and Promoting Active Citizenship in a Changing World."

In celebration, the Mandela Centennial Scholarship was granted to 100 students across Africa. The recipients were announced by the Mandela Institute for Development Studies (MINDS) together with the Graca Machel Trust (GMT). 

"This scholarship is special because it celebrates Madiba’s birthday," Mandela's widow Graca Machel explained. "The best way to celebrate him is to plant seeds of ethical, vigorous, and committed leadership to our countries and the world. Today marks the successful start of a campaign to provide hundreds of young Africans with a chance to study at prestigious African universities.”

The scholars--50 men and 50 women--came from 30 countries across Africa. The scholarship covers full tuition, accommodation, and upkeep at the Africa Leadership University in Rwanda. They are envisioned as “the leaders of the next 100 years for economic and social emancipation.”

The Nelson Mandela Foundation tells us in their webpage that Madiba is the name of the clan where he belonged and South Africans used it to express their respect for Mandela as the son of a traditional chief. It's a term of endearment that creates a sense of familiarity.

He was also called Tata, which means 'father' in the language of his tribe Xhosa. It was used as a sign of affection and respect because the South Africans regard him as the father of their country.

His birth name was Rolihlahla, which means 'pulling the branch from a tree' among the Xhosas. Its colloquial meaning is 'troublemaker,' according to the Foundation.

What did Obama have to say about Mandela's legacy?

Here are quotations from Obama's lecture that were included in the post-lecture press release of the Foundation:

"Madiba's light shone so brightly ... that in the late seventies he could inspire a young college student on the other side of the world to re-examine my own priorities -- to reconsider the small role that I might play in bending the arc towards justice.

"And now an entire generation has now grown up in a world that by most measures has gotten steadily freer, healthier, wealthier, less violent and more tolerant during the course of their lifetimes. It should make us hopeful.

"Let me tell you what I believe. I believe in Nelson Mandela's vision, I believe in a vision shared by Gandhi and King. I believe in justice and in the premise that all of us are created equal."

“Around the world today, men and women are still imprisoned for their political beliefs; and are still persecuted for what they look like, how they worship and who they love. There are too many leaders who claim solidarity with Madiba’s struggle for freedom but do not tolerate dissent from their own people.”

Obama's call: "We must never abandon Madiba's struggle." 

References:

1. The Nelson Mandela Foundation at https://www.nelsonmandela.org/
2. Andersen, Nic. 2018 July 18, Mandela Centennial Scholarship: 100 students set to benefit from new program. 
    The South African. Retrieved from https://www.thesouthafrican.com/mandela-centennial-scholarship-announced/

Vive la France! Football champion of the World Cup 2018.

It was raining when Les Bleus received the World Cup at Luzhniki Stadium n Moscow.
(Picture: Getty Images@https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/awards/)

It was a good thing that in this part of the world (Philippines), Manny Pacquiao's seven-round knock-out of the Argentine Lucas Matthysse in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia came much, much ahead of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia championship match of France and Croatia at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow.

It was midnight (Manila time), when France ran away with the Cup at 4-2 against Croatia. It was deemed a "fitting end to an outstanding tournament."

It was the second World Cup for the Les Bleus. The first time was twenty years ago when they trumped Brazil 3-0 in their home ground, Stade de France in St. Denis at the World Cup 1998.

We could only watch the match highlights from FIFA.com Monday morning, and read about turning points of the game from the FIFA webpage. 

The report says: "Despite Croatia having the majority of possession in the opening stages, France took the lead in somewhat fortuitous circumstances. Antoine Griezmann's lofted free kick from the French right was nodded into his own net by Mario Mandzukic.

"Ivan Perisic levelled with a calm effort from the edge of the penalty area, but he would turn from hero to villain. A cross from the French right-hand side was handled by the Croatia No4, with a penalty awarded after a VAR review.

"After the interval, France increased their lead through Paul Pogba, whose performances in the tournament deserved a goal in its finale. After Kylian Mbappe stretched the Croatian defence, Griezmann teed up Pogba, who finished after seeing his initial effort blocked.

"After his tireless running tired the Croatian defence, it was only fitting that Mbappe himself got on the scoresheet, hitting a sweetly-struck effort from the edge of the penalty area with which Danijel Subasic stood no chance.

"Mandzukic then scored in the same net, but this time to Croatia's advantage, capitalising on some carelessness by Hugo Lloris to reduce the deficit.

"In the end, the big No17's [Mandzukic] strike was not enough to spark yet another miraculous Croatian comeback, and Les Bleus emulate their heroes of 1998 - including coach Didier Deschamps - in securing their second World Cup title."

adidas Golden Ball Awardee Luka Modric of Croatia and
FIFA Young Player Award Kylian Mbappe of France.
(Pictures: Getty images@https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/awards/

There were consolation prizes too with key players receiving "Golden", "Silver" and "Bronze" awards from adidas, as decided by the FIFA Technical Study Group.

Croatia's Luka Modric received the adidas Golden Ball Award. He is considered "supremely gifted' with his "tireless work in the midfield, where he used his incisive vision to great effect in guiding his team, setting the tempo, and exploiting gaps in opposition defences. He proved equally effective in the Final, dictating the pace as Croatia made a fast start to the match."

Thibaut Courtois of Belgium got the adidas Golden Glove Award, which means he was the tournament's best goalkeeper. He is credited for the historic third place of his team in this tournament. Described as "imperious," this "imposing keeper made the most of his large frame and outstanding reflexes to come to his side’s rescue time and again. Beaten only once by eventual champions France in the semi-finals, he turned in another commanding performance in the play-off for third place.

Thibaut Courtois, best goalkeeper, adidas Golden Glove awardee.
(Source: https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/awards/

Kylian Mbappe of France won the FIFA Young Player Award, which is presented to the player with the biggest impact at the Russia 2018. 

Described as a teenage prodigy (he's 19 years old), Russia 2018 was his first world finals. He came to the World Cup as "relatively unknown before the opening ceremony, but emerged as a household name after the event."

He was greatly admired especially when he put two goals against Argentina. That made him the youngest scorer of a knockout match, replicating Pele 60 years ago when Brazil played against Sweden in 1958. 

  

Kylian Mbappe, FIFA Young Player Awardee.
(Picure: Getty images@https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/match/300331552/#match-summary)

England's captain Harry Kane went home with the adidas Golden Boot Award. He made six goals across six games in Russia 2018. 

He was described as "one of the best finishers in the business, helping to fire England to their best finish since Italy 1990." 

England captain Harry Kane, adidas Golden Boot awardee.
(Picture from https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/awards/)

The World Cup 2018 took a little more than a month to finish. It started with the Round of 16 in the knockout phase, a series of elimination from 16 teams to the final four. 

Visually, this was how the games held in various sites in Russia went:

FIFA World Cup 2018 championship history.
(Source: https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/)

 And the top teams that went home with honors to the acclamation of their countries were: France (World Cup 2018 champion), Croatia (runner-up), Belgium (third place), and England (fourth place).

Spain exited in the Round of 16 when it lost to Russia, but they received an award during the closing ceremony. They received the FIFA Fair Play Trophy for their "superb disciplinary record," and "exemplary behaviour on the pitch, where they picked up just two yellow cards in their four matches and committed a mere 34 fouls."

World Cup championship score card through the years.
(Source: Wikipedia)

Hooyah! The Wild Boars soccer team successfully rescued.

Hooyah! indeed to the Thai Navy SEAL which anchored the rescue of twelve young boys and their coach--the Wild Boars soccer team-- from around 2.5 miles deep in the bowels of the Tham Luang cave.

'Hooyah' originated from the US Navy SEAL, its exclamatory word for a job well done or a successful operation.

The team entered the cave, some sort of initiation, with the intent of scrawling their names on the cave walls on 23 June 2018. It's the monsoon season in Thailand, and when the waters started to fill up, they could no longer get out and they had to seek higher grounds. They ended up deep inside Tham Luang.

"Operation Bring Wild Boars Home has been completed last night," the Thai Navy SEAL posted in their Facebook page on 11 July. "It's an operation the world will never forget!"

The rescue was an international effort, in many ways, and involved many characters.

The Thai Navy SEAL expressed great appreciation for "the help from all teams--divers from all over the world, medic teams, several ex-SEALs, supporting teams, Kruba Boonchum and other spiritual teams, great kitchen team, oxygen refueling team, water management team, electricity team, mountain climbing team, all generators, Mae Sai people, and people from all corners of the world."

The SEAL summed it up as "the united force of humanity at work."

This was best illustrated by the cartoon that was shared through the SEAL FB page:

Rescue operations cartoon. (Source: Thai Navy Seals FB page)

The animal figures stood for the different people who played significant roles in the rescue operations: white elephant - Governor Narongsak; wild boars - the children and coach; white horse - all heroes involved in the mission; seal - the Thai Navy SEAL; frog - all world-class divers; lion - rescuers from England; kangaroo - rescuers from Australia; panda - rescuers from China; crane - rescuers from Japan; moose - rescuers from Sweden; tiger - rescuers from Myanmar; brown elephant - rescuers from Laos; dog - K9 unit; martin - climbers from Libong Thailand; eagle - rescuers from USA; iron man - Elon Musk; birds - media; and of course, there is a crow - the nasty comments from people or some obstacles along the way.

Speaking of media attention, the operation was keenly observed by Las Ultimas Noticias (LUN) of Santiago, Chile. They had a similar rescue operation a few years ago when they rescued miners trapped inside a coal mine that collapsed.

The LUN magazine had this graphical rendition of the rescue procedure in their 09 July 2018 issue:

Rescue mission. (Source: Las Ultunas Noticias. 09 July 2018)

While there were tears of joy when the team has all been brought out of the cave, there were also 'bittersweet' tears of grief for Thailand and Dr. Richard Harris, who stayed with the boys throughout and was one of the last to get out.

Saman Gunan, former Thai Navy SEAL, who volunteered for the mission, died on duty when he was helping lay out rescue lines along the flooded cave tunnels.

Australian Dr. Richard Harris came out of the cave to learn that his father died on 01 July while he was assisting the boys inside.

The last four Thai Navy SEAL that got out.
(Source: Thai Navy SEAL Facebook page)

The Thai Navy SEALS kept the world fully informed of the operations with pictures and videos. There were no details of the procedures, 'mysterious,' someone said in the social media, but we came to see the faces of the boys when and after they were found, read their letters (in translation) to their parents, witness the ambulances and helicopters bringing the boys to the hospital, and finally, scenes of the families looking through glass walls at their sons beaming in quarantine at their hospital room.

The Wild Boars. (Source: Metro, UK from the iinternet)

CNN gave us the names of the Wild Boars team:

• Peerapat Sompeangjai, who turned 16 when they went missing;
• Ponchai Khamluang, 16, goes to Ban Pa Yang School;
• Pipat Bhodi,15, like Peerapat has his birthday on 23 June, goes to Ban San Sai School;
• Prajak Sutham,15, had his birthday inside the cave on 01 July, and is in 8th grade at Mae Sai Prasitsart School;
• Ardoon Sam-aon, 14, is in the 8th grade at Ban Wiang Phan School. 
• Akarat Wongsukchan, 14, studies at Darunratwitthaya School;
• Natthawut Takumsong, 14, is in 8th grade at Mae Sai Prasitsart school; 
• Mongkol Boonpiam, 13, is in 7th grade at Ban Pa Muat School;
• Panumas Saeng-Dee, 13, attends Mae Sai Prasitsart;
• Duangphet Promthep, 13, attends Mae Sai Prasitsart; 
• Somjai Jaiwong, 13, attends Mae Sai Prasitsart;
• Chanin Viboonrungruang, 11, is the youngest in the team and is in his last year at Anubanmaesai primary school in Mae Sai. He was the one who wrote his parents that when he gets out, he'd love to go eat fried chicken at the local KFC.
• Ekkapol Ake Chanthawong, 25, coach, is popularly called Ake, was the last of the team pulled out.

These are very interesting vignettes about the Ardoon and coach Ekkapol:

Ardoon Sam-aon was "born in neighboring Myanmar, he was taken into care by the local Mae Sai Grace Church group when he was seven years old. ... he's a good student, he earns a GPA of 3.94 out of 4.00. He's also a good athlete, his favorite sports are soccer and volley ball." 

He is a stateless person, a refugee in Thailand. He was the only one who could speak English, and thus served as interpreter for the team with the rescuers. 

Ekkapol Ake Chantawong, the boys' coach, is described by the community as being"devoted to his young charges, and often took them for long bike rides in the hills.... He loves the football team [and] wherever he goes, he always has some of the kids with him. Their parents trust him that he can take of their sons."

Opovo, a news magazine in Fortaleza, Brazil, in its 11 July 2018 cover said that the rescue operation which mobilized and sensibilized the world was a 'story with a happy ending"

UP Diliman 107th Commencement Exercises: Paglayang Minamahal

The 29 summa cum laude graduates. (Photo from UPDIO)

The rains came the night before.

That morning the sunflowers along the University Avenue shone, and 4,612 graduates beamed with sunshine on their faces as they walked on soggy ground to their seats. The MassComm graduates unfurled yellow umbrellas, and the would-be lawyers put on their wide sombreros.

Chancellor Michael Tan started the ceremonies with UP reality checks.

Alexander Michael 'Miggy' Bautista,
BS Business Administration, cum laude!

He looked at Alexander Michael 'Miggy' Bautista on his wheelchair in front of the Virata School of Business Administration contingent, and he recalled promising to Miggy the installation of an elevator at Palma Hall. The funds came but there were structural and logistical problems on the shaft. Miggy transferred to Virata. There were no elevators there too but he managed to walk through, figuratively, his course with the help of his parents, schoolmates and even security guards.

People with Disabilities (PWDs_were clearly in Tan's mind; likewise the financially-handicapped UP students who finish their courses the LULI way: lulubog lilitaw. He cited a library science student who went through that hard way and was finally graduating at the age of 34.

He went on to say too that among the graduates are some who suffer from clinical depression, and there were those who did not make it. One particular case, who dreamed of getting back to UP, got killed by the police because he supposedly held up a taxi driver,

Of course, he reminded that the free-tuition policy for undergraduates began this school year 2017-2018. No fees of any kind were collected and that meant, he said, belt tightening.

His parting shot to the graduates: "Many of you have benefited as iskolar ng bayan in the full sense of the word, and you are still exempt from return service, which will require starting this schoolyear for all who benefit from the no tuition fee policy.

"But even if you are not required to render return service, I hope you will think of coming back, and giving back. Huwag munang mag-isip na maging balikbayan, Ang kailangan, pagbabalik bayan, at least stay and work and serve our country."

The university bestowed Sen. Loren Legarda, BA Broadcasting '81, the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws.

Sen. Legarda receiving her honorary Doctor of Laws degree.

In her speech, she recalled the nerdy "student Loren", how she coped with the grind of UP life:  shuttling between classes around the oval via ikot jeepney, dealing with terror professors and the lines to get the best schedule and instructors during registration.

She acknowledged the 'resume peace negotiations' placards raised among the graduates, and said she's all for it.

She noted that there are things in UP that will never change ('hindi magbabago magpakailanman') like the graduation theme 'paglayang minamnahal: paglaya ng kaisipan, ang paglaya ng pamamahayag, ang paglaya mula sa kahirapan, sa kamangmangan, at sa kaapihan.'.

"UP would not be UP if we were to devote ourselves to anything less than service to the people in whatever form," she stressed. "UP would not be UP if it did not dare to lead, to be different, and to excel."

Yellow umbrellas for MassComm graduates.

She then called attention to the 'need to protect and to promote our environment', which pushed her to author and sponsor the passage of laws on solid waste management, clean air, clean water, renewable energy, climate change and people's survival.

The need to protect the weak, the dispossessed, and the marginalized people moved her to support significant legislation on women and children and senior citizens.

She tied these all up in her leading advocacy on culture and the arts.

"I have supported important initiatives," she said, "in the arts in their full range and variety, from our indigenous artisans to Philippine representation in the Venice Biennale."

Legarda is the co-author of the National Cultural Heritage Act, which mandates the National Commission on Culture and the Arts and the local government units to undertake the Philippine Registry of Cultural Properties.

She was forewarned of the lightning demonstration at the end of the ceremonies, which has become a commencement tradition.

She told the demonstrators, "I say welcome, and say your piece if you must ... UP will not be UP without you."

She urged them to look at 'higher forms of, and larger reasons for, protest and affirmation.'

"We need to act," she said, "in our respective spheres and communities, to protect the future. Samahan po sana ninyo ako sa adhikaing ito, at magkaisa tayo sa pagsasabuhay at pagtataguyod ng ating paglayang minamahal.'

China Marie Giuliani F. Gabriel, BA Broadcast Communication, was one of the 29 summa cum laude graduates. She was not the topnotcher, but she spoke on behalf of her fellow graduates.

China Gabriel delivering response on behalf of Class 2018.

She talked about freedom, and asked Class 2018: "... may dilag nga ba ang tula at awit sa paglayang minamahal? Tunay nga bang tayo'y malaya?"

"Insofar as our freedom is concerned," she said, with reference to the issue between China and our country, "we can be firm in our stance yet sensitive to the dynamics of global order. Whatever contention we might have can be worked out through diplomacy-hardcore, as it may need to be--but always keeping that delicate balance between an assertion and enjoyment of rights, and empathy based on a sense of global citizenship and common humanity."

She dwelt on fake news, martial law and historical revisionism.

"In this age of alternative facts and fake news, we can all agree that media plays a huge role in either advancing or combating revisionism," she asserted.

"I look at media as a means to promote positive values, to deepen our appreciation for our own Philippine culture, and most of all, to both mirror and defend truth," she added.

She recalled her mind-opening experiences in history classes and lessons learned on the streets.

Shifting the sablay to the other shoulder: a graduate at last!

"The truth is," she stressed, "we are not free from the horrors of our past. We contest the validity of our memories up to this day, and we find the same terrible chapters of our history repeating itself, with evil manifesting in a different form. For a freedom-loving people, we have allowed too many tyrants to rule our nation. Kung noon pa man hanggang ngayon sinisiil ang ating karapatan, ano nga ba ang kalayaan?"

She acknowledged that "the greatest gift that [UP] has given us is perspectives on using lenses of history, social justice, and our respective disciplines to look at national issues and to address them head-on."

"The call of the times is for us to become truth-seekers," she asserted, "but I challenge each of us to go the extra mile by becoming a guardian of hope and memory."

This was her call to Class 2018: "Magpakatatag at magpakagiting tayo para sa ikauunlad ni Inang Bayan. Let our enthusiasm to learn transform into enthusiasm to serve and to remember; together, let us create new memories for our liberated Pilipinas, stand for truth, and actualize our loving vision for the Filipino society."

Keeping track of the FIFA World Cup 2018

Messi in grief.  'The end of the Messi gneration.'

We could only view the highlights of games in the FIFA World Cup 2018 being held in various football arenas in Russia.

In the Round of 16, we saw the matches between Uruguay and Portugal, and France and Argentina, and saw the fall of the brightest stars of football: Cristiano Ronaldo (CR7) and Lionel Messi of the national teams of Portugal and Argentina, respectively. Their teams got eliminated and have gone home. The defending champion--Germany--had gone home after the first elimination round robin,

From these matches also rose the new stars: Kylian Mbappe of France and Edinson Cavani of Uruguay. Mbappe is 19 years old: is he a Pele in the making? Pele was 17 when his skills got noticed. 

We also watched Russia and Croatia clinching the berths for the Round of 8. Their games ended 1-1 against Spain and Denmark, respectively, They won by penalties at extension time. The Spanish and Danish national teams are heading for home.

Our thanks goes to www.newseum.org for providing us the window to look at the coverage of Russia 2018 by foreign (esp. South American) newspaper. Thank you also to the newspapers whose front pages of their 01 July 2018 editions are reproduced in this blog: Clarin (Buenos Aires, Argentina), El Commercio (Lima, Peru), El Heraldo (Barranquilla, Colombia), La Vanguardia (Barcelona, Spain) and O Tempo (Belo Horizonte, Brazil).

'Goodbye to the stars'

'With grief and without glory'

Kylian Mbappe

The new heroes: Edinson Cavani & Mbappe

As of this writing (02 July 2018): those who go to the Round of 8 will be Uruguay, France, Crotia and Russia.