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PH gov’t allots P75-B for Covid-19 vaccines National Policy Against Covid-19 chief implementer and vaccine czar Sec. Carlito Galvez Jr. (file photo)
PH secures 20M doses of AstraZeneca vaccine
COVID-19 VACCINE. President Rodrigo Roa Duterte presides over the 50th Cabinet Meeting at the Malacañang Palace on Jan. 11, 2021. The Department of Finance reported that PHP75 billion has been allotted for the procurement of Covid19 vaccines for 57 million Filipinos. (Presidential photo by Alberto Alcain) BY jeLLy mUsico
M
ANILA – The national government has allotted PHP75 billion for the procurement of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) vaccines for 57 million Filipinos, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said in early January. In a virtual presser, Nograles said it was the Department of Finance that announced the budget allocation for Covid-19 vaccines during the 50th Cabinet meeting in Malacañang on Monday night. He said several local government units have also allocated funds to buy Covid19 vaccines for the 13 mil-
lion residents. “When you add the 13 million Filipinos that will be covered by LGU and private sector vaccination efforts, a total of 70 million Filipinos should be able to receive the Covid-19 vaccine,” Nograles said. Nograles said the planned roll-out of Covid19 vaccines in the country
“is good news that impacts not only the health of our people but the economic well-being of our country as well.” “We are confident to be able to cover that many Filipinos and that’s enough for herd immunity,” he said. On Monday, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said the Philippines has secured 25 million doses of the Covid-19 vaccine from China’s Sinovac. Roque said the first 50,000 of the 25 million vaccine doses will arrive next month aside from 15,000 to be used for Sinovac’s cliniTurn to page 22
LONDON EDITION BENISON CHUA.............................. . AURORA REYES............................... . ROSEMARIE CHUA......................... . RAFAEL REYES................................. .
Publisher Account.Executive Marketing.Executive Circulation.Manager
BY Lade jean kABAgANi
M
ANILA – National Policy Against Covid-19 chief implementer and vaccine czar Sec. Carlito Galvez Jr. on Wednesday announced that the government will sign another tripartite agreement with the BritishSwedish pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca and the private sector on Thursday, to secure 20 million doses of Covid-19 vaccine. “Bukas nga po ay aming pipirmahan, lalagdaan po namin ang tripartite agreement na more or less 20 million doses para sa AstraZeneca (In fact, we will sign a tripartite agreement tomorTurn to page 8
Complimentary digital magazine News curated by PSC 13.Hogarth.Place, London.SW5.0QT Tel..0207.5818100 Email:.Pinaspress@aol.com
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waiting here in the Philippines. For 9 years in the business, elizabeth was able to acquire a sealing machine, stainless table, and walk-in freezer, all from the assistance of DOSt-SetuP.
Roldan Peig
These 3 remarkable OFWs showed persistence and dedication in the field of business with the help of DOST-SETUP. Screengrab from DOSTv report.
Returning OFWs boost businesses through DOST’s Enterprise Tech program BY aLySSa leYdA-Aldemo
Roldan Peig.
DOSt and encouraged others to seek assistance as well. “DOSt created a way for us to pay them back. i thank them and encourage others to get assistance from DOSt. Magdo-double, triple ang productivity ninyo.”
Benjie Inocencio
Elizabeth B. Noval
Production Manager/Owner- Journey Woodblock Enterprises Benjie was an OFW in Kuwait for 3 years before he decided to start his own wood furniture business. With the help of DOSt-SetuP, he was able to acquire an automated control machining tool or CnC machine. inocencio’s business grew through the machine assistance and was able to generate livelihood for the unskilled carpenters in their area. the furniture owner expressed his gratefulness to
Owner- Dackies Foods elizabeth was an OFW in new Zealand who later bought a farm and planted bananas in her hometown which made her decide to venture into Banana chips production and “chicharon” business. noval’s products were unappealing to customers due to its packaging but were enhanced through the assistance of DOSt, which made her food business a success. the former OFW from new Zealand said that there are still larger opportunities
R
etuRning Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) boosted their businesses with the help of the Department of Science and technology’s (DOSt) Small enterprise technology upgrading Program or SetuP. the DOSt-SetuP is a nationwide strategy that addresses technical problems and improves productivity and efficiency of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMes). the science and technology institution highlighted the journey of three remarkable Filipinos who struggled abroad and have decided to venture into business as reported on the DOStv Facebook page earlier today, September 11, 2020. the three former OFWs/ technopreneurs who shared their journey are Benjie inocencio, a furniture company owner, and food company owners elizabeth noval and
Owner/Proprietor – Diane and Roldan Food Products Roldan was a former Seaman who worked on oil and machinery. According to him, he realized the difficulties of working under such an environment which made him decide to study culinary, went home, and began their own food business. Peig narrated that he and his wife started up a small eatery or “karinderya” then shift to the meat processing business which they produce siomai, hamonado, longganisa, and roll ham. Roldan was able to acquire an upgrading machine from the DOSt including siomai machine and steamer. “DOSt plays a great part in our business,” said Roldan. Listed below are the qualifications to apply for the DOSt-SetuP: • Any company or individual firm based in the Philippines and wholly owned by Filipino citizens • Any micro, small and medium scale business firm that can be classified under the identified priority sector • Any company or individual firm willing to apply technological innovations to their existing products, services and/or operations • Any Lgu willing to apply technological innovations to the existing operations in their locality DOSt has also developed food technologies introduced to MiMAROPA MSMes and donated milk and SetuP products for pregnant women.n
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These yellow boats cross rivers to bring school modules, set up e-hubs BY aurora qUAdRA-BAliBAY
T
he Yellow Boat of hope mission to ferry school kids from remote villages to their school across rivers in the Philippines continues even under the new normal modes of schooling by instead transporting modules. The Yellow Boat of hope Foundation pools resources from all over the world to improve children’s access to education and make it easier for them to go to school by providing Yellow School Boats and other modes of transport and structures such as classrooms, bridges, dormitories. with the new modes of learning instituted in 2020 amid the coronavirus pandemic that stopped regular classroom sessions, the foundation led by Dr. Anton Mari
lim continued to aid Filipino school children by using the yellow boats to transport the school modules to kids in remote villages. Dr. lim revealed to Good News Pilipinas how the group pivoted its role to the new normal in education given that its leaders and implementers were based in the local communities and did not need to travel across the country to conduct activities or relief missions. when classes resumed in the latter half of 2020,
Yellow School Boats are now used to transport learning modules and equipment. Photos from YBHF. Yellow Boats picked up and delivered the modules on a daily basis.
Educational Hubs
Dr. lim also shared their observation after the initial days of transporting modules since the school opening – that local schools in their communities are not equipped with technology devices to assist in learning. “Marami sa aming communities walang computer or wifi or printer,” said Dr. lim. The foundation then decided to set up educational hubs in unused classrooms,
PH secures 20M doses of AstraZeneca vaccine From page 2
row for more or less 20 million doses of AstraZeneca vaccine),” he said. Galvez also emphasized that the country’s efforts on vaccine acquisition are not lacking. “Hindi po tayo nahuhuli dahil kasi mas nauna po tayo na pumirma na mayroon po tayong 30 million sa COVAX at 25 million sa Sinovac (we are not lagging, because, we are more advance in signing supply deals from 30 million Covovax vaccines and 25 million doses of Sinovac vaccines),” he said. “Puwede nating pirmahan (we can now sign the deals) any day from now,” he added.
According to Galvez, the government could secure about 148 million doses of vaccines, once the ongoing negotiations with six Covid19 vaccine developers push through. Galvez said the government has been negotiating with various pharmaceutical companies including AstraZeneca, Novavax, Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson, Sinovac, and Gamaleya Institute.
No monopoly
Galvez has clarified issues hounding the government’s supposed “monopoly” over purchase negotiations for coronavirus vaccines. Galvez said the govern-
ment has done various strategies to get access for the procurement of Covid-19 vaccines which include bilateral arrangements with vaccine manufacturers and pursuing diplomatic relations with the other countries. he added that the government has also entered into a tripartite agreement with the private sector and vaccine developers. Galvez noted that the government also allows local government units (lGUs) to acquire vaccine supplies, through a tripartite deal with vaccine makers. “I believe meron po tayong (we have some) misconceptions, binibigyan po nating ng daan ang mga
barangay halls, or other private places with willing hosts. The hubs are fitted with wifi, computers, and printers which students can use for free for 1 hour. The foundation also brought teachers or hope paddlers volunteers who can tutor kids with their lessons by appointment. Teachers who do not have laptops or wifi can also use the e-hUBS to download learning modules from Deped Commons. Support for the Yellow Boat of hope Foundation can be coursed thru their PayMaya channel. n LGUs at saka (we have been giving leeway for the lGUs and the) private sector through a tripartite agreement,” Galvez said during a virtual public briefing. Some senators have earlier lamented that the national government is monopolizing all negotiations for the procurement of the vaccines. “Dahil ang AstraZeneca ay nag-o-offer ng (since the AstraZeneca is offering a) tripartite [deal], hinayaan po namin at with our guidance na hinayaan po namin na maka-access ang ating mga private sector at ang ating mga LGUs (we are letting the lGUs and the private sector to access the procurement of the vaccines, with our guidance),” Galvez explained. n
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眀眀眀⸀昀漀爀攀砀挀愀爀最漀甀欀⸀挀漀洀
䘀漀爀 搀攀氀椀瘀攀爀礀 愀渀搀 挀漀氀氀攀挀琀椀漀渀猀 挀愀氀氀 甀猀㨀
㈀ 㠀 㠀㌀ 㜀 㘀㐀 䘀爀攀攀瀀栀漀渀攀 㠀 ㈀㠀 㠀㠀
猀愀氀攀猀䀀昀漀爀攀砀挀愀爀最漀甀欀⸀挀漀洀
䘀 漀爀 攀砀
䌀愀爀最漀 唀䬀 䌀漀⸀ 䰀琀搀⸀
匀攀渀搀 愀 䈀䤀䜀 䈀伀堀 愀渀搀 最攀琀 愀
䴀攀搀椀甀洀 䈀漀砀 昀漀爀 漀渀氀礀
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a nearby respite striking the perfect balance between modern city convenience and a natural environment. Situated within the progressive district of Makati giving you access to everything the city has to offer: commercial, recreational, and professional.
S
uStainable living is the future of real estate. in these modern times, it has become essential to calm and refresh after a long day at work.
With the long lockdown and the harsh realities brought about by the pandemic, people clamor for that sense of serenity and air. they want to bring life into their homes. Case in point is the sudden popularity of growing plants among urban dwellers. now, city dwellers need not look any farther to find that place of serenity. Mint Residences by SMDC is a nature-inspired condominium development which seamlessly blends green living with the vibrancy of city life. using its signature architecture and purposefully designed amenities, Mint Residences promises the nurturing sights and sounds of nature everywhere within the residential development. inside Mint Residences, the peace of nature and dynamism of city life are fused with the use of nature-inspired architecture. Physical activity, mindful meditation, and other healing expe-
riences are encouraged. the residential area features a minimalist yet elegant hotellike lobby with refreshing shades of green, a serene reflection room that also serves as a library, soothing water walls that blend with vertical gardens, and meticulously manicured green spaces. upon entering, one is welcomed by a series of vertical gardens, and the sound of water trickling down from the central feature. the scent of nature emanates from the flora, delicately awakening the senses. the elegantly designed lobby is decked with wood, marble, and concrete elements, to bring about an interlacing of modern design pieces with the beauty of nature. the smooth curvature of each interior, blending harmoniously with the plants, soothes and relaxes residents and visitors. Mint Residences’ amenity area on the fifth floor uses
13 London Edition
straight lines to connect different spaces for leisure. the lines run through the pool deck, which slopes down to the swimming pool. the large, lush lawn area features stepping stones set in a linear pattern and provides enough space for you and your family to relax. Specifically designed for lounging, the fifth floor has ample seating and relaxation areas for family gatherings and leisure activities. Families with children will be delighted to find ample space for their little ones to play on multicolored safety matt flooring and top-notch play equipment. Surrounding the area, are high hedges of green for residents to bask in the sun, five stories up from the ground. a sanctuary nestled in the heart of the bustling neighborhood of Chino Roces, Mint Residences is located right by key landmarks and is easily accessible via eDSa, SleX, Osmeña Highway, Skyway, and naiaX. a multitude of establishments for social, physical, and intellectual nourishment are conveniently located a stone’s throw away. now more than ever, city dwellers need green spaces to balance the demands of modern life, and to find sanctuaries in their own homes. SMDC’s Mint Residences provides that perfect balance with a wellness-centered home that serves both as a living space and an escape away from the bustling city life. For more information on Mint Residences, visit http://smdc.com/ properties/mint-residences/
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LOOK: World’s Largest Solar Rosary for Healing Shines at Luneta Park BY aurora qUAdRA-BAliBAY
T
he World’s largest solar rosary for healing was lit up while the Filipino nation prayed as part of the National Quincentennial Commemorations in the Philippines marking 500 years of Christianity in the country. dubbed the light of Faith, the 300-meter-long giant solar artwork made of
The Solar Rosary began at the Solar Cross placed at the Luneta Park’s Relief Map of the Philippines. 3,000 liter of light solar lamps begins at the cross placed on Cebu island on
The giant solar rosary spans 300 meters using 3,000 solar lights. Drone shots by Michael Paulo Sarayba, published with the permission of Liter of Light. the luneta Park’s relief Map of the Philippines and goes around the agripina Circle. Filipinos and Catholics
from around the world tuned in to the Manila Cathedral’s Facebook live Turn to page 22
Quiapo’s waste-less Feast of the Black Nazarene the most regretful trashing praised by ecology group of the Black Nazarene feast BY the good newS pilipiNAs teAm
Q
uiaPo Church’s waste-less Feast of the Black Nazarene celebration has been praised by Philippine eco group, ecoWaste Coalition. The environmental advocacy group noted the almost litter-free surroundings of the Quiapo Church and adjacent streets on January 9, 2021, was a far cry from the massive trash and filth that had tainted the observance of the grand Catholic feast in previous years. “We congratulate and thank the devotees and the organizers for this gift of a waste-less feast in honor of the Black Nazarene and of Mother earth. You all deserve a pat on the back,”
said Jove Benosa, Zero Waste Campaigner, ecoWaste Coalition. “The respect for the environment shown by most devotees prevented yet another ‘trashlacion’ from degrading the time-honored feast of faith,” he said. The group coined the term “trashlacion” many years ago not to mock the annual re-enactment of the “Traslacion,” but to draw attention to the reckless disposal of garbage that is incompatible with the revered faith celebration. “despite the absence or lack of ‘please don’t litter’ signs and garbage bins, most devotees who gathered in Quiapo yesterday chose not to leave any trash behind,” he pointed out. While admitting there were pockets of trash left in
EcoWaste Coalition noted the nearly trash-less celebration of the Feast of the Black Nazarene on January 9, 2021. Photo from EcoWaste Coalition. some places, mostly empty boxes of face shields, used face masks and food containers and wrappers, the vicinity of Quiapo Church and satellite churches was generally clean, noted the ecoWaste Coalition. “after bearing witness to
year after year, we cannot help but think of the wasteless streets as a kind of miracle,” said Benosa. “it’s a clear proof that preventing garbage even in a huge gathering that still attracted hundreds of thousands of people despite CoVid-19 risks is doable,” he said. “The devotees themselves have sent a benchmark by which the celebration of the feast of the Black Nazarene in the future may be measured. We hope that a zero-waste faith celebration will now become the new normal,” he added. “What a nice way to mark January as Zero Waste Month,” he concluded. Presidential Proclamation 760 calls for the observance of January of every year as Zero Waste Month. n
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ERE WE tell you everything you need to know about the 2017 Chinese New Year.
When is the 2017 Chinese New Year? AT E n & PR OB W IL LS TI ON n New Year beThe 2017 Chinese IM M IG RA gins on January 28. Founded in 1997, we have established The celebrations ourselves as a centre of excellence in Immigration, Family, employment will start on and Wills and Probate. January 27, What Judges New Year’s say about us: Eve, and c o n t i n u e“…ingenious argument…” designated First Tier Tribunal Judge Manuell for around two weeks “The Appellants solicitors have set out at some length and - ending with great force the arguments on Febru- and the law…and I agree with them…” ary 2. Immigration Judge Graham Campbell in the First Tier Tribunal
Which ani- “I am grateful to your solicitors [Douglass Simon] mal is 2017? for their carefully constructed This year bundle is the of documents, their focused and limited grounds, Year of the Rooster and their cogent argument. - or cockerel as we say in These features are sadly, rare, Britain. in the cases I see.” upper Tribunal Judge edwards Jacobs The Chinese zodiac moves in a on an application for Judicial Review 12-year cycle, and those born in As part of our commitment to our multinational1969, clients our dedicated speak 1945, 1957, 1981,team1993 several languages including Tagalog. and 2005 are also known as Roosters.
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What is a fire rooster? Not all Roosters are equal there are five different types, each with different characteristics. L M ON IA / M AT RI of the Fire This is theILYyear n FA M M EN T OY PL EM Rooster, which last fell in 1957. Fire Roosters are known for beRichmond - Head Office ingRoad trustworthy, punc102 Sheen Richmond TW9 1UF T: 0203 375 0555 tual and responsiTaguigble - Manila (especially 4th Floor unit C and d Commerce and Industry, Plaza Building at work). 1030 Campus Avenue McKinley Town Centre McKinley Hill, Taguig, Manila The 1634, Philippines other T: 00 63 2683 6284 types are London Office W o o d 1st Floor, 239 High Street Kensington London W8 6Sn Tel: 0207 373 4429 R o o s t ers, Earth email: info@douglass-simon.com R o o s t Website: www.douglass-simon.com ers, Gold Roosters We are proud to announce that we have moved our London office to new premises at KensingtonWater High and Street. We look forward to seeing you there. Roosters. On the whole, Roosters are active, amusing, popular, healthy, outspoken, honest, loyal, talkative and charming. They are also known to enjoy the spotlight - but can be vain and boastful. Douglass Simon Solicitors is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority SRA number: 627913
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眀眀眀⸀昀漀爀攀砀挀愀爀最漀甀欀⸀挀漀洀
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猀愀氀攀猀䀀昀漀爀攀砀挀愀爀最漀甀欀⸀挀漀洀
䘀漀爀 搀攀氀椀瘀攀爀礀 愀渀搀 挀漀氀氀攀挀琀椀漀渀猀 挀愀氀氀 甀猀㨀
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匀甀洀洀攀爀 匀愀氀攀 ᰠ䈀椀最 戀漀砀ᴠ 爀攀昀攀爀猀 琀漀 䰀愀爀最攀Ⰰ 䔀砀琀爀愀 䰀愀爀最攀Ⰰ 䨀甀洀戀漀 愀渀搀 䴀攀最愀 猀椀稀攀猀⸀ 倀爀漀洀漀 愀瀀瀀氀椀攀猀 琀漀 䜀爀攀愀琀攀爀 䰀漀渀搀漀渀 漀渀氀礀⸀ 伀甀琀猀椀搀攀 䰀漀渀搀漀渀 䄀爀攀愀 眀椀氀氀 椀渀挀甀爀 匀甀爀挀栀愀爀最攀⸀ ⨀䈀漀砀攀猀 洀甀猀琀 戀攀 挀漀氀氀攀挀琀攀搀 愀琀 琀栀攀 猀愀洀攀 琀椀洀攀 昀爀漀洀 愀搀搀爀攀猀猀⸀ ⨀⨀倀爀漀洀漀 瘀愀氀椀搀 昀爀漀洀 猀琀 䨀甀氀礀 昀漀爀 愀氀氀 挀漀氀氀攀挀琀椀漀渀猀 甀瀀 琀漀 攀渀搀 漀昀 䨀甀氀礀 ㈀ ㈀ 漀渀氀礀 ⨀⨀⨀吀栀椀猀 瀀爀漀洀漀 挀愀渀渀漀琀 戀攀 挀漀洀戀椀渀攀搀 眀椀琀栀 漀琀栀攀爀 漀昀昀攀爀猀⸀
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ravel time to aloguinsan, Cebu’s prime ecotourism spots has been reduced to 15 minutes from the previous 40 minutes with the completion of the new Barangay Malolos-BariliKantabugon road.
The new road leads to the beach of Hermit’s Cove, lunhaw Farm resort, and the world-famous 1.4-kilometer Bojo river facing the Tanon Strait, the biggest marine protected area in the Philippines. The newly-paved 1.38kilometer 2-lane road measures 6.10 meters in width with a 1.5-meter paved shoulder, drainage canal, and traffic safety devices.
JANUARY 2021
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Travel time to Aloguinsan, Cebu’s eco tourism spots reduced to 15 minutes
Bojo River in Aloguinsan, Cebu offers nature-friendly travel. Photo from Cebu Tourism Office.
The new road project that started in February 2020 is part of the collaboration project between the Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). “With the completion of this access road, the 40 minutes travel time from the national road to Hermits Cove has been reduced to only 15 minutes. This will not only serve tourists who want to explore Central Cebu, but also directly benefit locals with improved mobility and investment potential of their area,” said Secretary Mark villar in a DPWH report released on January 7, 2021. More road projects in the Philippines in anticipaTurn to page 22
The Most Popular Traditional Filipino Drinks
e
very CulTure has its own history of brewing and distilling liquor and spirits from local ingredients. When Ferdinand Magellan and the rest of the Spanish conquistadors first arrived in the Philippine islands, natives offered them local goods like fish, figs, and coconuts. They also gave them a jar of local alcohol, which historians claim was either arack, which is wine made from palm, or tuba, wine made from fermented coconut nectar.
The culture of drinking in the Philippines has continued into the present, with different bars, pubs, speakeasies, restaurants, and the
like serving a wide variety of liquor and alcoholic concoctions. If you’re looking to explore locally-made spirits Turn to page 20
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The Most Popular Traditional Filipino Drinks and wines made from native ingredients and rooted in cultural history and tradition, here’s a list of common Filipino drinks worth trying out. Image from Big Bad Wolf on Instagram.
Image from Rappler.
Lambanog
Offering a potent kick is the local spirit lambanog. Most of the coconut-based liquor is produced in Quezon province in the southern areas of the Philippines, where quite a number of coconut plantations thrive. The drink is made from fermenting and distilling sap from an unopened coconut flower, producing a strong alcohol that typically rounds out at 40% ABV. It is then commonly sweetened with raisins. The result is a clear liquor which Thrillist describes as crisp and clean, with a subtle sweet, fruity tang. Although Quezon still keeps its tradition of producing the drink, there are plenty of factoryproduced lambanog brands today that keep the same unique qualities of the spirit. Such is the case with Lakan Lambanog, a premium lambanog made from quality ingredients and years of perfecting the multi-stage distillation process.
Basi
Going up to the northern regions of the Philippines, the preference for alcohol changes from lambanog to basi, a fermented alcoholic drink made from sugarcanes. Enjoyed from the flatlands of Ilocos region to the mountainous areas of Kalinga, basi is a fermented drink made
from sugarcanes processed in earthen jars called Burnay in Ilocos. Two types of spirits are produced, basing lalaki, which is high in alcoholic content with a strong, dry finish, and basing babae, which is sweeter and less potent. Basi is frequently made by local artisans and found along roadside stands or public markets. For a modern cocktail that highlights basi, a Filipino restaurant in the BGC area called Big Bad Wolf serves the Basi Spritz. A cocktail made from premium basi wine sourced from Vigan, white wine, elderflower liquer, campari, and orange juice, it has a tangy, refreshing beverage that highlights the unique qualities of the local liquor.
make, has to be consumed in a span of one to two days before it further sours and ferments into coconut vinegar. To avoid that, the mangrove bark in Visayan tuba also acts as a preservation aid that prevents it from turning into vinegar. Just like wine, tuba also tastes better as it ages. Good, wellaged tuba is called bahalina, and tastes slightly sweeter and fruitier than its fresher counterpart. A mass-produced tuba called Vino de Coco hit the markets last 2013, making the drink commercially-available for people who want to try it. Vino de Coco offers sweet red, dry red, dry white, and sweet white varieties.
Image from Proudly Promdi on Instagram.
Tapuy
Image from Food ‘n Road on Instagram.
Tuba
A Visayan counterpart of alcohol made from coconuts is tuba, which is similar to lambanog but is made by mixing the bark of a mangrove tree with the coconut sap, resulting in a reddish color. Mangrove bark, locally called tungog or barok, is pounded and ground as it is mixed with the coconut wine, and serves as a fermenting agent. The clear or milky coconut wine found in Luzon, although easy to
Also originating from the Cordillera region, tapuy or tapuey is a fermented rice wine that has a long tradition of being used for special occasions. Made from rice, onuad roots, ginger extract, and a natural powdered fermentation agent called bubod, the end result is mildly sweet with a strong kick, with around 14% alcohol content. The drink is described as tangy, with a unique smoothness and sweet licorice-like aftertaste. Apart from being great to drink on the rocks, tapuy also makes for a great foundation for a lot of cocktail concoctions. PhilRice recently launched a
commercially-available premium and all-natural tapuy. Another small business producing bottled tapuy is Proudly Promdi, a company with a passion for indigenous liquor that partners with several Filipino fusion restaurants to produce cocktails that highlight the taste of local Filipino spirits.
Bignay wine - Image from Pepper.ph
Bignay Wine
Not a lot of locals know of the small, locallygrown berry called bignay or bugnay. With what Pepper.ph describes as a tangy and sweet taste reminiscent of blackberries, it comes as no surprise that the local Filipino berry can be fermented into an invigorating, fruity wine. Bignay are small, round berries in trees commonly found growing in the wild. They produce wine that can be mistaken for a glass of red wine, with its deep color, but the taste is slightly sweeter than red wine from grapes, with the bignay wine having an intensely heady fruity aroma. The berries give the wine unique, slightly tart notes similar to that of blackberries, as well as a good, hefty kick of alcohol. Today, there are plenty of local enterprises that produce bottles of good, mediumbodied bignay wine. Proudly Promdi also carries their own variant called Bielma, which is great on its own or mixed in with cocktails that highlight the berry’s unique tang. n Jonah De Jesus Daydreaming in Paradise Writer
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LOOK: World’s Largest Solar Rosary for Healing Shines at Luneta Park From page 16
streaming on January 6, 2021, at 9 PM, for the first regular Wednesday night Rosary for Healing amid the coronavirus pandemic. “As one nation, let us come together and pray the rosary for healing, and bring the light of faith, 500 years and beyond!” the Manila Cathedral posted on Facebook. The Liter of Light dedicated the rosary solar art to Filipino medical workers comprising about 20 percent of the global humanitarian force in the frontlines of the battle against Covid-19. “Only in the darkness can we see stars. And when there are stars there is light. And in this light we see hope. Our stars in these difficult times are among us. They are our courageous frontliners – our dedicated
The original Santo de Cebu image gifted by Ferdinand Magellan to the Queen of Cebu was carried by Augustinians across the giant solar rosary. medical workers who have worked tirelessly while risking their own lives to fulfill their duties,” said Illac Diaz, founder of the homegrown Filipino global solar-lighting movement of the Liter of Light. “Liter of Light, a grassroots movement committed to providing sustainable and affordable lighting wishes to honor the sacrifices and contribution of our modern-day heroes,” declared the Edison Awardee in a video message
Travel time to Aloguinsan, Cebu’s...
Six sacred carozzas and images from the San Augustine Museum marked the “Our Father” prayers of the rosary.
A carozza serves as the “Our Father” bead of the giant solar rosary played before the rosary prayers began. The solar lamps used to create the giant rosary were hand-built by volunteer solar engineers during the award-winning Light It Forward campaign that also honored frontliners amid the pandemic. The eco-friendly lights are to be donated to remote communities without electricity as part of the Liter of Light’s solar lighting movement.
The Light of Faith is the last of the three largest solar artworks in Asia built by the Liter of Light at the Luneta Park, following the giant solar Philippine flag on Bonifacio Day, November 30, 2020, and the Jose Rizal portrait on Rizal Day, December 30, 2020. The World’s Largest Solar Rosary for Healing is organized in partnership with the National Quincentennial Committee, the Catholic Bishop Conference of the Philippines’ “Gifted to Give” campaign, the National Parks Development Committee, and the National Museum of the Philippines. The 2021 National Quincentennial Commemorations in the Philippines celebrate the 500 years since the 1521 arrival of the Magellan-Elcano expedition in the Philippines (March 16October 28) that marked the first circumnavigation of the world and Lapu Lapu’s Victory at the Battle of Mactan (April 27). The CBCP leads the official commemoration of the First Holy Mass and Planting of Cross (March 31) and the First Baptism and Giving of the Image of the Santo Nino (April 14). n
PH gov’t allots P75-B for Covid-19 vaccines From page 2
The newly-paved 1.38-kilometer 2-lane road leads to several tourist destinations in the coastal area of Aloguinsan Town, Cebu Province, such as Hermits Cove, Bojo River, and Lunhaw Farm Resort. From page 18
tion of the reopening of travel and tourism amid the coronavirus pandemic include the Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway to
further decongest traffic from Cebu-Mactan Island and the improvement of the road access to Bataan National Park for nature and sports tourists. n
cal trials in the country. He said Sinovac will deliver additional 950,000 doses of vaccines in March, 1 million doses in April, 1 million doses in May, and 2 million doses in June until all 25 million doses are delivered by December this year. Aside from Sinovac, the government has also signed deals for vaccines developed
by the Serum Institute of India (SII) and British pharmaceutical AstraZeneca. Roque noted that some 30 million doses of the Indian-made Covovax vaccine would be delivered by the third quarter. The government has also been negotiating with other pharmaceutical companies including Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson, and Gamaleya Institute. n
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