Pilipino Express • Feb 1 2021

Volume 17 • No. 3 • February 1 -15, 2021 Publication Mailing Account #41721512

Barbie Forteza

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Not the time to be flying

It’s time to cancel your overseas vacation. Canada’s leading airlines agreed to suspend all

flights to and from Mexico and Caribbean countries until the end of April 2021 in support of the

federal government’s new rules on international travel, announced on See FLYING p4

Manitoba’s vaccination plan

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Alex Gonzaga & Councillor Mikee Morada

The province released its fourstage COVID-19 immunization plan on January 27 with estimates of vaccinating 70 per cent of adult Manitobans by the end of this year with the two currently approved vaccines, or by the end of August if additional vaccines are approved for use. The plan places priority on Manitobans who are at the greatest risk.

“We all want to get the vaccine to our most vulnerable people, and to every Manitoban who wants a vaccine, as quickly See MANITOBA p5

Dr. Joss Reimer, medical lead on the Vaccine Implementation Task Force, explains the plan, January 27, 2021

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Democracy and the rule of law “This is how democracy dies…with thunderous applause.”

In the fictional world of Star Wars, these prophetic words were spoken by Queen Amidala as Chancellor Palpatine (a.k.a. The Emperor) was granted sweeping emergency powers on his march towards total dictatorship.

Sound familiar? In today’s world, we have unfortunately seen many instances of these prophetic words coming to life. It could be argued that the chilling scene that took place in Washington D.C. on January 6, 2021 was unlike any other in world history. But was it really unique?

If you look back at world history, you will see many successful and unsuccessful attempts to overthrow a sitting government. That is called a coup d’état. There have been many such instances in Philippine history. There is also the 1928 Beer Hall Putsch in Germany led by Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party. Hitler was unsuccessful in his first attempt to overthrow the sitting German government and was tried and convicted of treason.

Although he was sentenced to five years in prison, Hitler only served nine months and was then released. Thereafter, Hitler revised his strategy and took over the German government with the use of Nazi propaganda and legal elections.

On January 6, 2021, the sitting United States President, Donald Trump incited his followers to march on the Capitol and “take back the government” because he claimed that the election was stolen from him. If you look at the facts, Trump lost the popular vote by over 7 million votes, he lost the Electoral College by a large margin, and he lost almost every single court case his team brought forward to advance his claims. At its very core, Trump led his followers in a violent

FLYING...

From page 1 January 29.

The new measures are intended to prevent the further introduction and transmission of COVID-19 and new variants of the virus into Canada.

“With the challenges we currently face with COVID-19, both here at home and abroad, we all agree that now is just not the time to be flying,” said Prime

and unsuccessful insurrection and coup d’état against his own government in a vain effort to hold on to power after losing a fair and legitimate election. Those are not the actions of a democratic president; those are the actions of a wannabe dictator.

As the attempted coup played out in real time on televisions and computer screens around the world, I sat dumbfounded in my office watching this play out.

The United States of America has always prided itself as the world’s oldest and strongest democracy.

Yet, if that were true, how could something like this happen?

At the core of any democracy is the rule of law. It is based upon the basic principles that citizens voluntarily bind themselves together in a collective entity (such as a country) and agree to be governed by a set of principles – the rule of law. When citizens break the law, they know that they will be held accountable.

If society moves away from enforcing these basic tenets, then the fabric of democracy begins to rip and in its place springs up autocratic, fascist, or even communist principles.

In the aftermath of the insurrections, Congress immediately certified the 2020 elections and proceeded to impeach Trump a historic second time. The Republican led Senate, however, chose to call a recess and did not reconvene until the day before the inauguration of the new president. Now, Republican senators are using the argument that Trump should not be convicted because he is no longer the sitting president. The basis of their argument is laughable given that it was their actions that brought about the delayed Senate trial. And to be clear, the United States constitution allows for the impeachment and removal of any elected federal official even after

they have left office.

The rule of law is not a policy that is changed with each new government or administration.

It is the bedrock upon which all democratic societies around the world are built. It is built upon the premise that no one is above the law, especially not the elected leader of that country. It is not something that is disregarded at the whim of the current occupant of the presidency.

For me, I firmly believe that the Senate must fulfill its constitutional duty to hold a fair and impartial trial following Trump’s second impeachment.

The fact that he is no longer in office makes no difference.

It is the principles that must be upheld. The Senate, as an institution, must make a very loud and clear statement that anyone who attempts to circumvent the constitution must be held accountable, regardless of whether they are still in office.

It will then be up to every single elected senator to reach deep within their souls and determine, based on the facts presented at trial, if they will vote to convict.

In a democratic society, the rule of law provides its citizens with the knowledge that they have entered into a mutual covenant with their fellow citizens. The rule of law provides its citizens with the knowledge and promise that if they break any law, they will be held accountable. For any society to ignore these principles puts that covenant into question.

When democratic norms are broken, democracy suffers.

When democracy suffers, citizens ultimately suffer.

Trump’s insurrection brought physical damage to the heart of America’s government – a very visible symbol of the country’s political divide. It sought to capture, torture, and possibly assassinate the sitting Vice President, the Speaker of the House and countless

Democratic lawmakers. It also sought to disrupt and prevent the certification of the election.

Had these plans been successful, Trump could have declared martial law. Although those plans were thwarted, the insurrection did claim the lives of at least five people and brought severe injury to yet an undetermined number of police officers. But most of all, it laid bare, for all to see, the fragility of American democracy.

The upcoming Senate trial will reveal to the world, whether the 50 Republican senators will uphold their oaths to the Constitution of the United States or continue to be beholden to a disgraced president. A man who, by his words and actions, has clearly demonstrated that his sole priority has never been the wellbeing of the people he swore to serve and protect, but to his own self-serving and personal interests.

Time will tell if these elected officials place duty above personal interest, country over party. The cynic in me is not holding my breath. But the idealist is hoping that these politicians will become true public servants and allow justice to prevail – not just for the American people but also for all democracies. The world is watching.

The content of this article is not intended as legal advice and is for information purposes only.

Should you require legal advice on a specific issue relating to the contents of this article, please seek the services of a legal professional.

Atty. Alona C. Mercado is a Partner at Mercado Trinh Law LLP. She was called to the Manitoba Bar in 1999. Her preferred areas of practice include wills and estates, real estate, business law and immigration law. She can be reached at acm@mercadotrinhlaw.com or (204) 594-3436. Website: www. mercadotrinhlaw.com.

Minister Justin Trudeau at a press conference outside his home at Rideau Cottage.

Sun destinations are not the only countries affected. Starting February 3, 2021, all international passenger, private and charter flights, including from the U.S., will land only at the Vancouver, Toronto, Calgary and Montreal airports. Cargo-only flights will remain exempt.

In the coming weeks, in addition to proof of a negative pre-departure

COVID-19 test, all air travellers arriving in Canada will have to take another test at their own cost and reserve a room in a governmentapproved hotel for three nights while they await the result – also at their own cost, which Trudeau said is expected to be more than $2,000.

For land travellers, the federal government will also require a 72-hour pre-arrival molecular test, with limited exceptions such as commercial truckers.

To enforce the quarantine

requirements, the Public Health Agency of Canada is working with security companies to make compliance checks for travellers arriving in Canada. Screening Officers will visit travellers in their quarantine locations to confirm their identity and confirm that they are staying at the place of quarantine they identified upon entry into Canada. Officers will conduct visits in 35 cities across the country, starting in Montréal and Toronto.

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Vaccine Prioritization – Low Supply Scenario This scenario estimates 70 per cent vaccine uptake among qualified Manitobans and does not include any vaccines that have not yet been approved. This timeline is dependent on vaccine supplies provided by the federal government and are based on supply projections as of Jan. 22.

MANITOBA...

From page 1 as possible,” said Health and Seniors Care Minister Heather Stefanson.

The plan sets out how Manitoba will further expand its immunization campaign to reach more Manitobans in priority groups, and then to all Manitobans, based on age.

Manitoba’s approach follows the guidance provided by the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) on priority populations for the COVID-19 vaccine, tailored to meet Manitoba’s situation.

The NACI guidance for priority populations includes: • those at high risk of severe illness and death from COVID-19; • those most likely to transmit COVID-19 to those at high risk of severe illness and death from COVID-19; and • those whose living or working conditions put them at elevated risk of infection and where infection could have disproportionate consequences including Indigenous communities.

Manitoba’s plan identifies four main groups including: • health-care workers and congregate living staff; • residents of congregate living facilities;

• residents of First Nations communities; and • Manitobans, based on age.

These groups are then also broken down into smaller groups, so those at greater risk are eligible to be immunized sooner.

The most vulnerable people within the first three groups have already started to be eligible for immunization.

The province’s plan is based on recommendations from its vaccine medical advisory table, which includes 27 physicians from a range of specialties, a pharmacist, and two nurses.

“Our priority population sequencing reflects what we know about COVID-19, including who is at greatest risk of serious illness and who is most likely to be exposed to the virus,” said Dr. Joss Reimer, medical officer of health with Manitoba Health and Seniors Care and medical lead on the Vaccine Implementation Task Force.

“The plan we’re releasing today builds on the work we’ve already done to immunize thousands of people. Now Manitobans will have a better sense of where they and their loved ones fit in the vaccine campaign as it rolls out in the weeks and months ahead.”

Minister Stefanson, Reimer and Dr. Brent Roussin, Manitoba’s chief provincial public health officer, will hold a telephone town hall on Tuesday,

Vaccine Prioritization – High Supply Scenario This scenario estimates 70 per cent vaccine uptake among qualified Manitobans with 700,000 doses of currently unapproved product in Q3. This timeline is dependent on vaccine supplies provided by the Federal Government and are based on supply projections as of January 22.

February 2 at 6:30 p.m. To register and receive a phone call to join, visit https://engagemb.ca/ restartmb-pandemic-responsesystem.

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Review of the COVID-19 pandemic experience “If the virus not only replicates but also manages to spread, human to human, among a few dozen other individuals, that’s an outbreak. If it sweeps through a community or a country, that’s an epidemic. If it encircles the world, it’s a pandemic.” – David Quammen, Spillover: Animal Infections and the Next Human Pandemic.

It has been a year of anguish and longing for optimism since COVID-19 began its global circulation. It has caused monumental damage to living and livelihoods and exacted an enormous human toll on health and life. Worldwide, the magnitude of the disease has surpassed the 100-million mark and the gravity of death has exceeded two million. Canada’s shares of the burden stand at 772,441 sickened and 19,739 deceased. These have been the grim hallmarks of this pandemic until the recent availability in Canada, USA, U.K. and the European Union of the Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna and vaccines. Optimism has never been greater.

Let us look back on the year past to share what we have learned from our experience covering the pandemic.

A year ago, today, the Canadian Filipino Net (CanFilNet) published “Novel Coronavirus Infection: Information and Guidance” about the new respiratory disease, that emerged in Wuhan City, China on December 8, 2019 as a cluster of 11 patients with pneumonia of unknown origin. When the cluster became an outbreak of 59 patients, China notified the United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) about this new disease on December 31st.

A week later on January 8, 2020, Chinese scientists identified the viral pathogen and posted online its genetic sequence. This posting helped start the early development of mRNA vaccines against COVID-19 and, thereby, saved years that would have otherwise been needed. On January 12, the WHO confirmed that a novel coronavirus was the cause of the undiagnosed pneumonia.

On January 13, the first case outside China was confirmed in Thailand on a resident who had just returned from Wuhan.

WHO declares highest public health alert On January 30, the WHO announced it as a public health emergency of international concern.

Both CanFilNet and the Pilipino Express have covered the evolution of this globe-trotting agent of acute respiratory disease and death since our February 16, 2020 issue when we noted the initial grim statistics for China: 42,670 patients sickened, 1,018 deceased, and over 60 million residents quarantined in their

homes and apartments.

Travel as the early mode of spread The first cases seen in Canada during the first and last quarters of 2020 had come, like the first case in Thailand, via international travel: from Wuhan, Qatar, Egypt, Philippines, and the USA. One of the other two first cases came from another province and one from a cruise ship. Subsequent transmissions occurred between community members.

Early in the evolution of this pandemic, Canada’s National Microbiology Lab in Winnipeg performed the diagnostic testing for the COVID virus on samples from suspected cases sent by provinces and territories, either as the sole test or as a check of an in-province test result. The lab diagnosed the first confirmed case in Canada on January 27, 2020. Since then, provinces and territories have established their own testing capacity but have occasionally sent samples to the national lab for confirmation.

We have developed a much better understanding of the virus and the disease, which now have their official names, SARSCoV-2 and COVID-19, respectively. We have a better appreciation of its impact in all its aspects – social, financial and economic.

The severity of infection varies from mild, moderate, severe to critical based on their signs and symptoms and their need for oxygen and mechanical ventilators to help in breathing.

Nearly 80 per cent of the infections are mild, including 40 per cent without signs or symptoms. The moderately severe to critical group – nearly 20 percent of the total infected – have posed a high disease burden, overwhelmed hospitals and intensive care units and health care workers, and exposed the insufficiency of protective personnel equipment supply.

It takes on average five days after exposure and almost always before the end of the 14th day to develop the signs and symptoms.

This is the incubation period and it relates to the symptomatology caused by the virus, not to its transmissibility. In fact, infected people are already able to spread the virus before symptoms appear.

Moreover, even those who never go on to develop the disease – the asymptomatic carriers – are contagious.

On March 12, the WHO officially declared the world’s sixth pandemic. It was the first time that a member-virus of the coronavirus family has caused a global epidemic. Within 100 days from its start, its geographic spread reached all regions of the UN health agency, six continents, and 114 countries, affecting over 100 thousand patients and causing over 4000 deaths. At this point,

Canada experienced a 150-fold increase in new patients during a preceding two-week period.

Canada’s whole-of-government response to the disease established the more than one billion dollar COVID-19 Response Fund to fight the effects of the virus in Canada.

All provinces declared either a public health or state of emergency, or both, for a 14-day duration at the onset of Spring. They put in place the public health tools of social distancing, enforceable bans on mass gatherings, closure of recreational facilities, withdrawal of non-essential public services, limits to travel, home quarantine, and stay-home directives. Breach of these measures incurred fine and/or jail term.

We have since learned that acquisition of SARSCoV-2 virus can result in different clinical outcomes among individuals in the same risk group: 1) respiratory failure and death; 2) severe pneumonia and recovery on oxygen therapy, with or without ventilator; 3) mild pneumonia and spontaneous recovery at home; and 4) asymptomatic carriers who may not even be aware and only detected when tested as a contact.

What we do not know is why the differences in response following exposure to the same virus.

For example, it is still impossible to predict who will end up as an asymptomatic carrier spreading the virus or who will succumb to the infection.

Knowing more about the virus Before summer ended, we came to know even more about the virulence of this virus. It could inflict damage, directly or indirectly, almost anywhere in the human body from head to toes with very serious consequences. These include: persistent pain or pressure in the chest; bluish lips or face, and stabbing headache; repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain and a state of exhaustion; loss of taste or smell and seizures; anorexia, nausea, and vomiting; disorientation, inability to arouse or stay awake, delirium and falls; red or purple rash resembling frostbite (“COVID toes”); exceedingly low blood oxygen levels without the accompanying breathlessness (silent hypoxia); and signs and symptoms of severe stroke.

Understanding these unusual symptoms provides new insights to front line workers and carries implications for patient care.

The difficulty in breathing that we normally attribute to lung damage might actually be defects in the control of breathing by the nervous system. The presence of neurological symptoms – the loss of taste or smell – could alert the attending doctor about who might go sooner into acute respiratory failure and, thereby, help in the triaging of patients.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau reassures Canadians about the COVID-19 vaccine supply after the European Union raised the possibility of imposing export controls, January 26, 2021 New and repurposed drugs There are now two medications: remdesivir for adult and pediatric patients hospitalized with severe pneumonia and requiring oxygen therapy. The second drug is dexamethasone, an existing drug in use for other clinical conditions. While it has now been recommended for hospitalized COVID-19 patients on mechanical ventilators or supplemental oxygen, note has been made that the drug may be harmful if given for less severe COVID-19 infection.

Evidently, the arrival of the two medications for a particular phase of hospitalized COVID-19 patients has prevented a number of deaths that would have otherwise occurred.

Wearing a mask At the onset of summer, we featured a photo-image of former US President Jimmy Carter – a Nobel Peace Prize recipient – and first lady Rosalynn Carter while explaining the rational use of face masks to help prevent to any degree achievable the further spread of COVID-19.

While masks are primarily intended to reduce the emission of virus-laden droplets, which is especially relevant for asymptomatic or pre-symptomatic infected wearers who feel well but may be unaware of their infectiousness to others, they also help reduce inhalation of these droplets by the wearer.

US President Joe Biden has always spoken eloquently on the importance of wearing face masks. “I view wearing this mask not so much protecting me, but as a patriotic responsibility. All the tough guys say, ‘Oh, I’m not wearing a mask, I’m not afraid.’

Well, be afraid for your husband, your wife, your son, your daughter,

your neighbour, your co-worker.

That’s who you’re protecting having this mask on, and it should be viewed as a patriotic duty, to protect those around you.”

Children in the pandemic We have also come to appreciate that children are very much in the eye of the pandemic storm.

When hospitalized, as many as 32 per cent of the patients required oxygen therapy, half of whom also need a ventilator. They can also develop serious sequelae, such as severe inflammatory syndrome, following an acute COVID-19 infection.

Schooling and college As autumn appeared, we focused on the impact of the pandemic on schooling for children and back to college for young adults. While there was a nearly universal chorus to bring children safely back to school even in the midst of COVID-19, there were also some very strong voices against mandatory in-person instruction without flexibility. I have never observed such an intensity of deeply held opposing viewpoints about school re-opening from my reading of the mainstream media, professional pediatric associations, health agencies, and scientific reports on the burden of the pandemic on children.

Why some college students break pandemic rules We were reminded that collegiate rites of passage to adulthood encourage youth to take risks to find new connections.

Restrictions to behaviour could only lead to rebellion. That’s why fraternity and sorority bid days at the start of the semester are accompanied by mass gatherings and parties – notwithstanding, the See COVID p7

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COVID...

From page 6 rules against them.

However, developmental psychologists reminded us that risky behaviour may be a function of their normal physiological and emotional development, not a conscious breach of prescribed public health rules.

COVID-19 and influenza duo As we prepared for the fall and winter seasons, we realized the arrival of the seasonal flu in the midst of the pandemic would make for a fearful duo. We offered the needed advice to get the flu vaccine at the first opportunity. It is our best protection against the fearful duo.

It was around this time that we experienced the surge of cases and wondered whether we were seeing the second wave of the pandemic.

We remembered that the historic influenza pandemic of 1918-1919, also known as the Spanish flu, came in three waves. Its highly fatal second wave accounted for most of the American deaths attributed to it. This is the reference being made when we speak of COVID’s second wave and its dreaded severity. But the Spanish flu’s greater severity was due to a mutation of the virus into a more virulent strain. Presently, the occurrence of variant strains has very much been in the news.

The wide circle of tragedy No death is ever “just a number.” Bereaved children get pushed into or near poverty and risk foster care placement after deaths of parents. Applying a “bereavement multiplier of nine for every death,” as developed by researchers at the Penn State University, we appreciate the gravity of the current toll of deaths in Canada and in the world. Long-term impacts and disabilities do exist: long-term damage to patients’ lungs, heart, immune system, and brain. As much as a third of the patients who recovered had difficulty breathing and unusual fatigue months after their diagnosis and close to 89 per cent of recovered patients have abnormal findings

PILIPINO EXPRESS on cardiovascular imaging.

Unprecedented times in vaccine development Near the end of summer, 14 vaccine candidates anticipated clinical testing. In particular, Moderna and Pfizer were working at an unprecedented speed.

Their products would eventually receive emergency use approvals in Canada, USA and Europe last December. Both are mRNA-based vaccines.

“It’s actually important to test a lot of vaccines. If we could have five vaccines that are safe and work and are potent, that would be much better. It reduces the chances for manufacturing bottlenecks.

With five vaccines, maybe we could manufacture enough for everybody on the planet,” said Gary Kobinger, director of the Infectious Disease Research Centre at the Université Laval in Quebec City.

Joyful winter with vaccines That two safe and effective vaccines, Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna – each with average efficacy of 95% – would become available for use come December was more welcome.

Drs. ER Rubin and DL Longo wrote in their editorial on the Pfizer vaccine in the December 12, 2020 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine: “What appears to be a dramatic success for vaccination holds the promise of saving uncounted lives and giving us a pathway out of what has been a global disaster. … The level of safety the vaccine has demonstrated thus far is remarkable. With this number of participants and this followup period, safety does not arouse specific concern.”

How exciting it was, indeed, to know that Canadians, together with other countries, has begun its mass immunization against COVID-19. This sets the stage for ending the acute pandemic realistic before the end of the 2021.

Vaccination update As of January 27, 77.37 per cent of the 1,122,450 vaccine doses supplied to provinces and territories have been injected –

from 30.5 per cent in the Yukon to 94.4 per cent in Quebec and even 104.1 per cent in Saskatchewan, which found extra doses in each vial. The total administered doses reflects a 2.29 per cent vaccination rate for the total Canadian population, ranging from 0.91 per cent in Nova Scotia to 21.01 per cent in the Northwest Territories.

Data from all individual provinces and territories can be found on the Public Health Agency of Canada’s website.

Vaccine supply As of January 27, 2021, vaccines are projected to come from six suppliers.

1. Pfizer/BioNTech – up to 76 million doses of the vaccine were ordered. It began rollout in Canada on December 14, 2020.

2. Moderna – 40 million doses ordered. It rolled out on December 31, 2020.

3. Oxford/AstraZeneca – 20 million doses on order.

4. Janssen – up to 38 million doses on order.

5. Novavax – up to 76 million doses on order.

6. Medicago – up to 76 million doses on order Delays in delivery No sooner have we asked ourselves to temper our optimism and news of delays in vaccine delivery has been announced. The next delivery from Pfizer will not come as originally scheduled due to the continuing manufacturing disruptions at its facility in Belgium.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau reassured Canadians that “the overall goal, to have every Canadian vaccinated by

PAGE 7 September, would be on track.”

However, the overall decrease over the next month could be as much as half as originally planned.

Major Geneeral Dany Fortin, the commander in charge of the vaccine rollout, said, “There will be a considerable impact across all provinces.”

Why it is hard to make vaccines and boost supplies?

Lauran Neergaard (AP News, Jan 28 2021) summed up the answers to this question. Many detailed steps and ingredients of supplies go into the manufacture of vaccines. Add to that the millions of doses in demand and one sees the enormous challenge faced by manufacturers. All countries are asking for their fair share of supply.

In response, pharmaceutical firms are retooling their factories and have to produce their supplies at the volumes needed. The process of producing a vial of vaccine requires meticulous care – any little refinement needed causes delay. Different vaccines require different technologies, raw materials, equipment and expertise. Creating an mRNA vaccine is an involved chemical process and not as easy to translate from small to super-large volumes.

Working with biologic ingredients faces variability. And all the steps in the production must follow strict control procedures to ensure the quality of each batch.

Knowing these particulars require of us patience rather than unnecessary belligerence.

The current situation Except in Nunavut where there is an increase, there has been a drop of new cases across Canada.

Per 100,000 population, B.C.

saw a one per cent drop –that is, nearly a plateau – while Prince Edward Island dropped 100 per cent – that is, no new cases seen.

The Canadian average drop is 18 per cent.

Total cases per 100,000 people remain high in five provinces: Quebec (2,985), Alberta (2,753), Manitoba (2,095), Saskatchewan, (1,922) Ontario (1,756), and British Columbia (1,267).

Globally, the total number of cases has reached 101,687,508 with the following 10 countries sharing the greater burden: USA (25,793,302); India and Brazil (9 to 10-million); Russia, United Kingdom and France ( threemillion range); and Spain, Italy, Turkey and Germany (two-million range).

Canada’s share of the burden comes to 772,441 cases – 22nd place among countries. The Philippines at 521,413 places it in the 32nd position.

Globally, 2,195,871 people have lost their lives to the disease, with the USA nearing half a million (433,719). Canada and the Philippines stand at 19,739 and 10,600, respectively.

Rey D. Pagtakhan, P.C., O.M., LL.D., Sc.D., M.Sc., M.D. – former cabinet minister and Parliamentary Secretary to Canada’s Prime Minister and retired lung specialist and professor – graduated from the University of the Philippines. He did postgraduate studies/training at Washington University and University of Manitoba and spent a sabbatical year as Visiting Professor at the University of Arizona. reypagtakhan@gmail. com.

PAGE 8

The government of Canada has been taking a number of positive steps in response to the threat and impact of COVID. Many are aware of the travel ban that changes in response to the threat level and infection rate. But are you aware of the positive steps that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has undertaken to ensure the country remains a favourable destination for immigrant applicants?

Unlike the former American government of Donald Trump, Canada has remained proactive in attracting and retaining the best and the brightest from countries abroad. The reality is that we need

PILIPINO EXPRESS

immigration in order to maintain a healthy economy and economic growth into the future. In 1971, there were 6.6 people of working age for each senior compared with three Canadian workers for every retired worker today. By 2035 it is projected that there will be only two workers for every retiree. This situation is dire and needs redress.

One immediate response was the government’s announcement on January 8, 2021, that it would be instituting an immediate public policy change addressing the duration of the post-graduate work permit (PGWP).

Marco Mendicino, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and

FEBRUARY 1 - 15 , 2021

Public policy change to the Post-Graduate Work Permit Citizenship, was quick to point out the positive implications of the public policy change to PGWP. “This new policy means that young students from abroad who have studied here can stay and find work, while ensuring that Canada meets the urgent needs of our economy of today and tomorrow.

Our message to international students and graduates is simple: we don’t just want you to study here, we want you to stay here.”

The change is exciting for expired and expiring PGWPs. Up until the announcement, there was

no extension on the PGWP and status of the holder ended with the work permit. It is important for all temporary residents to ensure that their status is in force and some expiring PGWP holders have applied for an alternative LMIA specific work permit; have applied to the MPNP; have applied to change their status from temporary worker to visitor; and still others are out of status, wondering what their options are. It is possible to apply for restoration of status within 90 days of the expiration date. The details of the change in public policy regarding PGWPs were recently announced and many people want to know more about the requirements.

As noted above, it is now possible for former international foreign students with expired or expiring Post-Graduate Work Permits to apply for a new work permit. The new change gives new hope for a way of proceeding to PGWP holders who have lost their jobs or seen their hours cut because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Foreign nationals in Canada affected by the pandemic with an expired or expiring PGWP are being given a unique chance to apply for another work permit. These work permits will be valid for 18 months and allow international foreign student applicants the chance to remain in Canada, continue to seek employment and apply for permanent residence directly through Express Entry (Canada Experience Class) or apply first for nomination through the Manitoba Provincial Nominee

Program.

IRCC estimates that as many as 52,000 graduates with expired or expiring PGWPs could benefit from the public policy change. Out of approximately 61,000 PGWP holders whose work permit had an expiry date between January and December 2020, only half have become permanent residents or have a permanent residence application in process. Please note the following requirements for applicants: • The applicant must have a PGWP that expired on or after January 30, 2020, or a PGWP that expires in four months or less from the date they apply • still be in Canada • have a valid temporary status, or be applying to restore their status The applications will be open from January 27, 2021 to July 27, 2021. Details on how to apply will be added to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s website on January 27, 2021.

Let us all take a collective sigh of relief and wait for the details of the public policy change to follow.

Michael Scott is a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC, R525678) who has 30 years of experience with Immigration Canada and the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program. He currently works as a licensed consultant with Immigration Connexion International Ltd. Contact him at 204-691-1166 or 204-2270292. E-mail: mscott.ici@gmail. com.

FEBRUARY 1 - 15 , 2021

PILIPINO EXPRESS

PAGE 9

PAGE 10

Magaling sa pagmamaneho ng kaniyang buhay si Alex Gonzaga. Kahit hindi na siya mag-artista ay hinding-hindi siya kakapusin.

Nagtagumpay si Alex sa naisipan niyang atake. Milyunmilyon na ang sumusubaybay sa kaniyang pagba-vlog na pinagkukunan din niya nang milyones dahil monetized nang matagal ang kaniyang vlog.

Kahit maging simpleng maybahay na lang siya ni Konsehal Mikee Morada ay kakabugin pa rin ni Alex ang mga artistang nagbababad sa harap ng mga camera.

Hindi maramot sa interbyu si Alex pero pagdating sa mahahalagang pangyayari sa kaniyang buhay ay natututo siyang humindi. Pagkakakitaan

Susan Roces then

SHOWBIZ SHOWBUZZ PILIPINO EXPRESS

kasi niya ‘yon tulad ng itinago nilang pagpapakasal ng mag-aapat na taon na niyang karelasyong konsehal ng Lipa City.

Tanong ng isang kaibigan namin, “Kaya naman pala nanahimik lang siya noong mapabalitang nagpakasal na sila ni Mikee! Wala siyang denial.

Wala rin siyang kumpirmasyon!

“Kaya naman pala, sa vlog niya kailangan malaman ng buong mundo na Mrs. Morada na siya! Umani siya ng tagumpay.

Matinding revelation nga naman ang laman ng vlog niya!

“Milyun-milyon ang tumutok sa kaniya, translated ‘yon sa milyunang halaga! Magaling talaga si Alex!” tawa nang tawang komento ng aming kausap.

Asahan nang kapag naglihi See CRISTY p11

FEBRUARY 1 - 15 , 2021

• Alex Gonzaga, ikinasal na kay Konsehal Mikee Morada • Lunch Out Loud, hindi mawawala sa ere • ASAP Natin ‘To, mapapanood na sa TV5, A2Z at Channel 22 • Mga pelikula ni The King FPJ, mapapanood na rin sa TV5 • Harry Roque at Vice Ganda, nagparinigan sa social media • Jomari Yllana, iresponsableng ama nga ba?

• Direk Johnny Manahan at Cong. Albee Benitez, nagkasira na?

• Vice Ganda, kinakain niya uli ang mga isinuka niya • Willie Revillame, lodi talaga!

• Ara Mina, masalimuot ang lovelife • Susan Roces, Reyna Ng Pelikulang Pilipino

Councillor Mike Morada & Alex Gonzaga

Spokesperson Harry Roque

Jomari Yllana & Joy Reyes

Vice Ganda

Susan Roces now

Willie Revillame

Direk Johnny Manahan

Cong. Albee Benitez

FEBRUARY 1 - 15 , 2021

SHOWBIZ SHOWBUZZ PILIPINO EXPRESS

CRISTY...

From page 10 si Alex ay hindi rin siya magkukuwento sa press. Sa vlog niya ‘yon malalaman ng publiko.

Pagkakakitaan uli ‘yon ni Alex.

Asahan na ring hanggang sa panganganak niya sa unang anak nila ni Konsehal Mikee ay magkakaroon ‘yon ng full coverage sa kaniyang matagumpay na vlog.

Di ba naman? *** Sabado nang tanghali, napakarami naming tinanggap na See CRISTY p13

Fernando Poe, Jr.

Ara Mina & Dave Almarinez

Catch Me Out Philippines Beginning February 7 viewers are in for a treat as everyday people take on the challenge of a lifetime on GMA Network’s newest reality game show Catch Me Out Philippines.

Based on the popular UK original and a first in Philippine entertainment, Catch Me Out Philippines follows two amateur contestants who will go through

weeks of intensive training to trick viewers and celebrity catchers into believing that they are professional entertainers while performing alongside actual experts. The impostor who manages to dupe the most members of the audience is hailed as winner.

Catch Me Out Philippines See CATCH p13

Kakai Bautista

Jose Manalo

Derrick Monastero

PAGE 11

SHOWBIZ SHOWBUZZ

PAGE 12

PILIPINO EXPRESS

Anak ni Waray vs. Anak ni Biday GMA Network’s TV adaptation of the hit 1984 movie Anak ni Waray vs. Anak ni Biday returns to primetime. After several months of hiatus due to the pandemic, all-new episodes are set to air starting February 8.

Anak ni Waray vs. Anak ni Biday follows the whirlwind relationship between friendsturned-mortal enemies Amy (Snooky Serna), the Waray from Leyte, and Sussie (Dina Bonnevie), the Biday from Ilocos.

Their seemingly inseparable bond is jeopardized when the dashing Joaquin (Jay Manalo) captures the hearts of both women. Several years passed, Amy’s daughter Ginalyn (Barbie Forteza) and See ANAK p13

FEBRUARY 1 - 15 , 2021

Janine Gutierrez now a Kapamilya Award-winning actress Janine Gutierrez is now officially a Kapamilya after she signed a contract with ABS-CBN on Friday, January 15.

Janine, who recently won a Gawad Urian Best Actress award, will join the musical variety show ASAP as a host, and is set to do a teleserye under Dreamscape Entertainment and a movie produced by Star Cinema.

Present with Janine at the contract signing were ABS-CBN group financial officer Rick Tan, chief operating officer of broadcast and head of Creative Programs, Inc. Cory Vidanes, president and CEO Carlo Katigbak, chairman Mark Lopez, Dreamscape Entertainment head Deo Endrinal, and her manager Leo Dominguez.

Janine Gutierrez

Quezon’s Game streams on iWantTFC Snooky Serna, Barbie Forteza, Kate Valdez & Dina Bonnevie

Mikee Quintos and Kelvin Miranda in The Lost Recipe GMA News TV presents the innovative and enticing fantasyromance series The Lost Recipe, headlined by Mikee Quintos and Kelvin Miranda.

The Lost Recipe is set in picturesque Manila. It not only highlights Filipinos’ love for food but also takes viewers on the gastronomic journey of reaching for one’s dreams.

Harvey (Kelvin), a failed chef gets the chance of a lifetime when he manages to travel back in time to steal a famous recipe and make it his own. While chasing his dream to build a culinary empire for his family, he meets Apple (Mikee), an aspiring chef who gets to work in his company.

Even before beginning the taping for the series, Mikee See RECIPE p13

Mikee Quintos

Kelvin Miranda, Mikee Quintos & Paul Salas

Thea Tolentino

After being seen by viewers abroad and collecting awards from all over the world, Filipinos finally get their turn to watch the critically acclaimed historical movie Quezon’s Game on iWantTFC. The movie, directed by Matthew Rosen, features an ensemble cast led by Raymond Bagatsing who plays the role of Pres. Manuel L. Quezon and tells the little known story of how Pres.

Quezon’s “open door” policy was able to rescue over 1,300 Jewish refugees from the Holocaust.

Quezon’s Game is now

available to standard and premium iWantTFC subscribers.

Viewers can also dive deep into the journey of the last living Manilaners or Holocaust survivors who sought refuge in the Philippines by streaming the iWantTFC original docu-series, The Last Manilaners.

Quezon’s Game became a must-watch film when it received positive reviews and earned numerous awards globally, including 12 awards at the Cinema World Fest Awards, six awards at the IndieFEST Film See QUEZON’S p13

FEBRUARY 1 - 15 , 2021

CATCH...

From page 11 is headlined by comedian Jose Manalo. Joining him are comedienne-singer Kakai Bautista and Derrick Monasterio as Celebrity Spotters, together with ten Celebrity Catchers.

“Pag-iisipin ka talaga as a viewer,” said Jose. “Ang ipinapakita rito sa show ay may mga tao pala na kayang turuan.

‘Yung parang akala nila hindi ko kaya, kaya ko naman pala, na kapag sumayaw ako parang propesyonal na. Sabi ko nga, galing na ako sa maraming auditions at kapag sinalang ko nakikita kong may mali pa rin.

Dito, halatang nanggaling sila sa napakalupit na training para gumalaw sila na kagaya noong mga kasabay nilang propesyonal.”

“I’ve been in theatre for 20 years now and in showbiz, nabigyan talaga ako ng chance,” said Kakai. I’m very grateful that people will see a different side of me, hindi lang makulit, but may say rin sa mga bagay specially sa mundo ng entertainment and that excites me every taping.”

Meanwhile, Derrick recounts how he relates to the show, “Actually, mare-relate ko ang Catch Me Out sa life ko in the sense na I was an amateur before and then I trained with one of the most prestigious choirs in the world.”

Catch Me Out Philippines directed by Rico Gutierrez starts February 7 on GMA Pinoy TV.

SHOWBIZ SHOWBUZZ PILIPINO EXPRESS

health workers na nagche-check sa’yo; awareness of wearing face masks all the time; and bringing your own alcohol. We also have our different places so no tsismisan pero masaya dahil maaga kami natatapos,” adds Jay. Anak ni Waray vs. Anak ni Biday airs on GMA Pinoy TV. For the program guide, visit www. gmapinoytv.com.

RECIPE...

From page 12 had been exploring the kitchen herself, saying that cooking has helped her during the pandemic.

“Being stuck at home because of the quarantine, ang daming time mag-explore sa kitchen and magluto. I find it therapeutic kasi nagfo-focus ka sa pagluto, wala kang ibang iniisip. So sana makatulong ang mga natutunan ko nitong pandemic sa show na ito.

The Lost Recipe will be Kelvin’s first-ever lead role in a primetime series. A certified foodie, he shares that his role as Harvey is an unexpected blessing.

“First time ko makakagawa ng ganitong klaseng project. Lahat ng naging trabaho ko seryoso so ang laking panibago sa akin na mula seryoso naging romance and comedy. Excited na ako,” he says.

Sure to add more flavour to the series are Manilyn Reynes, Gabby Eigenmann, and Kim Rodriguez.

ANAK...

From page 12

QUEZON’S...

From page 12

Sussie’s daughter Caitlyn (Kate Valdez), become good friends.

History repeats itself when the daughters fall for the charming city boy Cocoy (Migo Adecer).

Barbie reveals feeling nostalgic and excited with the return of the series. “Nede-déjà vu nga po ako dahil this time last year, nag-launch ang show namin. I feel very excited because I get to watch the show again ang reminisce about the good memories we had behind the scenes.”

Migo, in turn, is nervous yet thrilled to be back on air. “I’m nervous and excited because it’s been a while before I’d started taping again. I was scared na baka hindi pareho ‘yung acting skills ko noong nag-start kami mag-taping before the lockdown.”

Kate teases viewers on what to expect in the new episodes.

“Abangan po nila ang status ng friendship nina Caitlyn at Ginalyn. Maayos pa kaya ni Cocoy ang pagkasira ng friendship nilang dalawa? Handa na bang magpatawad si Sussie?”

Meanwhile, Snooky shares her experience working in the new normal. “Noong una, nakakapanibago at nakakakaba but in the long run, it turned out to be a good experience kasi nagkaroon ng bonding among the cast.”

“The challenge is how will you cope with the changes such as staying and working at one location; from time to time, may

Awards, and four awards at the WorldFest-Houston International Film & Video Festival, including the Remi Award for Best Foreign Picture.

Asia Tatler’s Franz Sorilla IV touched on the film’s excellent storytelling in his review. “The storytelling of the film was an incredible merging of historical facts and creative interpretation for dramatic purposes, yet it didn’t appear as inaccurate or merely a hodgepodge of various elements of the certain period in history.”

Philippine Daily Inquirer’s Rito P. Asilo, said in his review, “But when the movie finally hits its stride, it will sweep viewers off their feet and reward their patience with one of the most indelible and touching finales ever staged this film season.”

For Tribune’s Stephanie Mayo, the “inspired and earnest” movie is “mandatory viewing.”

She wrote, “It is important to see it not only because we are Filipinos that need to understand this part of our history and what a former President of this country did during a time when no one in power wanted to lift a finger to help, but we also need a reminder of the evilness of bigotry and the power of love and compassion.”

Mario Alvaro Limos of Esquire Philippines said, “And yet, without all these seemingly essential elements needed to tell a deeply moving story about the

Jewish predicament in the 1930s to 1940s, Quezon’s Game delivers the same powerful message against racism, bigotry, and discrimination.”

CRISTY...

From page 11

tawag at text. Isa lang ang tanong ng lahat. Mawawala na rin ba sa ere ang Lunch Out Loud ng Brightlight Productions?

Replay kasi ang LOL, best of ang tawag doon. Inipun-ipon nila ang magagandang episodes ng programa at ‘yon ang ipinalabas nila.

Tinawagan namin agad ang isang tagapamuno ng show.

Marami kaming itinanong. Isaisa namang nasagot nito nang maayos ang senaryo.

Unang paliwanag. Tuwing Sabado, dalawang beses sa isang buwan, ay best of ang lalamanin ng kanilang lunchtime show para makatipid ang produksiyon.

Pero habang kausap namin ang taga-LOL ay maingay ang paligid. May mga sumisigaw.

Nagte-taping sila. Ibig sabihi’y hindi mawawala ang Lunch Out Loud. Tuluy-tuloy lang ang pangtanghaling programa. Hindi ito matutulad sa SNL at dalawa pang ibang shows ng Brightlight na tinapos na.

At ang pinakapositibong mensaheng sinabi ng aming kausap, “Nandito po kanina si Cong. Albee Benitez. In-assure

niya po kami na hindi mawawala ang LOL. Tuluy-tuloy pa rin po kami. Naghahanda na po kami ngayon ng iba pang mga segments para sa show.”

Magandang balita ‘yon.

Maraming malulungkot kung mawawala ang Lunch Out Loud.

Sa sasandaling panahon ay napamahal na sa publiko ang programa.

Nakakaaliw kasi ang mga hosts ng show sa pagliliderlideran ni Billy Crawford kasama sina Alex Gonzaga, Bayani Agbayani at marami pang ibang hosts.

Panalo rin ang kanilang mga games na malaking halaga ang naiuuwi kahit ng mga natatalong kalahok. Hindi nakauumay ang LOL. *** Nakakalungkot naman ang naging resulta ng pagpapagod at pag-e-effort ng mga sikat na singers at artistang naghawakhawak-kamay para sa kanilang musical variety show na pinakamatagal na sa balat ng telebisyon. Unang sultada ‘yon ng ASAP Natin ‘To sa TV5.

Sabay rin silang napapanood sa A2Z at sa Channel 22, pero nang lumabas ang rating ay kinabog pa sila ng nananahimik na All-Out Sundays ng GMA-7.

At noong lagay na ‘yon ay parang hindi naman nag-abala ang musical variety show ng Siyete na paghandaan ang pag-iingay ng katapatan nilang programa.

Wala lang. Ang dati nang

PAGE 13 sayawan-kantahan lang nina Alden Richards, Julie Ann San Jose, Ken Chan at marami pang mga youngstars ng GMA-7 ang napanood ng publiko.

Paano pa kung kinarir ng All-Out Sundays ang pakikipagbanggaan sa ASAP Natin ‘To? ‘Di lalo na subsob sa rating ang ipinakitang performance nang sangdamakmak na singers at artista ng ABS-CBN. Ang galing-galing ng mga pambatong talents ng kabila, kina Martin Nievera, Gary Valenciano, Regine Velasquez, Zsa Zsa Padilla at iba pang mahuhusay na singers pa lang ay puntos na para sila ang tutukan ng manonood.

Pero anyare? Bakit sila kinabog ng All-Out Sundays na parang hindi naman nagabala? May kailangan na bang baguhin sa ASAP Natin ‘To sa kanilang atake? Patunay ba ‘yon na panahon na ng mga milenyal ngayon kaya hindi na uso ang magagaling man ay matatagal nang singers?

Sabi nga ni Kapatid na Ted Failon sa kaniyang programa sa Radyo Singko, “Think about it.” *** Hating-hati ang reaksiyon ng mga netizens sa social media tungkol sa nagaganap na parinigan ngayon nina Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque at Vice Ganda.

Sabong panlaba at bakuna ang pinag-ugatan ng kanilang See CRISTY p14

PAGE 14

The Chinese, or more correctly, the Lunar New Year is the annual celebration that coincides with the first New Moon of the year. For many Chinese and Asians, this is a very auspicious time – a birthday, actually, of the New Year. This birthday, when observed correctly, is believed to usher in good luck and abundance all year long.

The Chinese calendar is based on a lunar and solar calendar.

Under this system, a calendar month usually lasts 29.5 days, so over a period of years, there is a lag. Thus, the Chinese insert an extra month every few years, and which also explains why the New Year is on a different date each year, unlike the solar calendar, which is a fixed date each year.

There are many, many traditions associated with the Lunar New Year. One delightful belief is that if one of your plants blooms on New Year’s Day, you will have prosperity in the coming year. Look around your yard and garden. It’s possible you have something blooming right now.

Of course, here in the northern hemisphere, it is winter, and most of our yards are looking pretty drab.

Even if you don’t have something blooming, ensure that you have something in your home that has blossoms, such as flowering branches, bulbs, or flowers like potted mums that will last.

The Chinese New Year is symbolic The Chinese New Year is full of symbolism for ushering out the old and ushering in the new.

Among the traditions is a ban on cooking in the kitchen on the first day of the Lunar New Year. This

CRISTY...

From page 13 patambisan. Naunang sinabi ng tagapagsalita ng pangulo na huwag nang maging choosy pa sa bakuna dahil ang mahalaga ay aangkat na ang ating pamahalaan ng vaccine para sa kaligtasan ng publiko.

Sinagot naman ‘yon ni Vice Ganda na ang linya ng katwiran ay kung sa pagbili nga lang ng sabong panlaba ay pinipili na natin sa merkado ang pinakamaayos.

Sa bakuna pa kaya, ano raw ‘yon?

Basta may maisaksak lang?

Tinablan-napikon si Spokesman Harry Roque, kaya ang iginanti nito ay sa mga eksperto raw tayo maniniwala, hindi sa mga komedyante.

Pinagpistahan ang kanilang parinigan sa social media.

Maraming nakakaintindi sa tagapagsalita ng pangulo na tagapagpalaganap lang naman ng mga impormasyon. May mga kumakampi rin kay Vice Ganda

PILIPINO EXPRESS

FEBRUARY 1 - 15 , 2021

Prepare for Lunar New Year for good feng shui all year long

is because it’s considered bad luck to have sharp objects such as knives and scissors out.

Cooking – and having to cut things – could possibly cut off the good fortune for the rest of the year. So, why not give the kitchen a rest and take your family out for your meals this Lunar New Year?

However, the Lunar New Year isn’t just about the cultural aspects of the year. In feng shui, it also represents a change in the new animal year, from rat to ox, for example.

The Chinese and many Asians typically celebrate for the first 15 days of the New Year.

Although you may not have time to celebrate that long, simply preparing in advance for the New Year will help you to usher in prosperity and abundance at the time of the New Moon – a time believed by astrologers around the world to have a special power to make whatever you want to happen come true.

A fun fact is that the 15th day of the Lunar New Year, which is also a full moon, is the Chinese equivalent of the western Valentine’s Day. Because it’s always a full moon on the 15th day, it makes the day of love extra romantic.

Here are some ideas, and a schedule, to help you observe – and make the most of – the Lunar New Year.

One or two days beforehand • Do a thorough cleaning.

Sweeping and cleaning on the first day of the New Year is considered bad luck because it can sweep all the good luck out the door. The god of luck is said to avoid dirty houses. So, keep your house clean all year long! Here’s a listing of areas to focus your cleaning

efforts.

• Make New Year preparations.

Organize, buy a new outfit, clean, declutter, re-arrange and refresh your decor.

• Purchase flowers. Bulbs, such as daffodils or hyacinths, are especially auspicious. Display these bulbs or other flowers such as azalea, pussy willow, lotus, or peony.

• Set out a big bowl of oranges.

Oranges are symbols of gold and having a bowl full of mandarins or navel oranges is great feng shui and adds auspicious gold energy. Or bring in a small orange or kumquat tree to your house.

These are also considered very auspicious. Hang Chinese coins from the branches on red ribbons.

• Make annual feng shui placements. Put out remedies and enhancements. Have feng shui remedies from the past year? Put them outdoors in the sunshine to cleanse them or wash them in saltwater.

On the day of the New Year • Go out to eat for your meals.

For breakfast, have a big glass of orange juice (oranges represent gold). And if you just have to eat at home, make it finger foods.

Cutting and chopping food represent cutting your luck – and work.

• Eat dumplings, sweets, and special foods. Enjoy a fun movie, a meal out, and be sure to enjoy some dumplings, the traditional good luck food for the Lunar New Year.

• Wear new clothes today.

New clothes represent the new that you want to be bringing into your life. Put on something red for an extra boost!

• Have a good day. The Chinese believe it’s bad to start the New Year by swearing, yelling at the kids, or getting angry or upset. So, take the day off from worry and anxiety. It might not be a bad idea to avoid the newspaper or the TV news! Rent some funny movies

to invite fun and enjoyment into your house for the new year.

• Write wishes for the New Year. Write wishes on ribbons or paper and affix them to a tree to let them blow in the wind, much like a Tibetan prayer flag.

Katie has been publishing the Red Lotus Letter feng shui e-zine since 2002 every week for over 800+ issues. The Red Lotus Letter is registered serial publication with the Library of Congress. Her DIY column, Living Space, is published by Tribune Content Agency and is carried by newspapers and media outlets throughout the US. She has been writing Living Space since 2005 helping homeowners to decorate, organize and clean their homes with over 700+ weekly columns to date. Her podcast, 5 Minute Feng Shui, can be found on iTunes. *Chinese New Year – Year of the OX: February 12, 2021 to January 31, 2022.

na ayon sa mga nagkokomento ay nagpapakatotoo lang naman.

May isang netizen na nagkomento, “Ang mga baklang twoooohhhh!

Magsitigil na nga kayo! Ang una n’yong pahalagahan, e, ang kaligtasan ng mga Pinoy, hindi ang mga kuda n’yo!”

Nagmimistulang palengke ang ratratan ng mga makaVice at makagobyerno. Parang nasa talipapa lang daw kasi ang nagkokontrahang kampo nang dahil sa bakuna. Ipinaglihi raw pala sa patola si Secretary Harry Roque dahil mahilig itong pumatol sa mga kumokontra sa kanila.

Pareho lang namang may punto ang ipinaglalaban nila ni Vice Ganda. Para naman sa kapakanan ng ating bayan ang kanilang hangad, kaya sana’y magkasundo na lang sila.

Iba talaga ang panghalina ng showbiz. Naaapektuhan ng mundo ng mga artista ang mga pulitiko. At nagbibigay rin ng

reaksiyon ang mga personalidad tungkol sa nagaganap sa ating bayan.

Pare-pareho lang silang mulat sa mga nagaganap. *** Kung totoo ngang magpapatulong-magsusumbong ang dating karelasyon ni Jomari Yllana na si Joy Reyes kay Raffy Tulfo ay hindi na ‘yon bago.

Noong nakaraang taon ay isang grupo ng mga estudyante ang nagsadya sa Wanted Sa Radyo para ireklamo ang magkakapatid na Yllana. Pero ang nagpakita lang sa matapang na news anchor ay ang mga kapatid niyang sina Anjo at Ryan.

At kung sakali ngang matuloy si Joy sa pagrereklamo, ngayon pa lang ay mayroon nang pangsangga ang actor.

Sa kaniyang panayam sa mga kasamahan namin sa PEP.ph ay idiniin ni Jomari na ginagawa raw kasing motel ng dati niyang ka-live-in ang binili niyang bahay para sa mag-iina.

Tatlong aktor ang kaniyang tinukoy na madalas daw magpunta sa bahay. Kaladkad din ang pangalan ng isang barangay chairman. Kumpleto raw siya sa ebidensiya dahil may CCTV sa lugar.

At hindi lang ‘yon ang kaniyang hawak na patotoo.

Maging ang mga yaya raw ng kaniyang mga anak ay makapagsasabing totoo ang kaniyang sinasabi. Paninindigan niya ‘yon.

Nakakalungkot lang na kailangan pang umabot sa masalimuot na senaryo ang pagkaputol ng kuryente sa bahay ng kaniyang mag-iina. Madaling intindihin ang reaksiyon ni Jomari dahil kaliwa’t kanang bira ang tinatanggap niya bilang iresponsableng ama.

Mayroon pa naman siyang inaasintang posisyon sa mundo ng pulitika sa Paranaque, pero ano ang komento ng kaniyang mga nasasakupan? Paano raw nila iboboto uli si Jomari Yllana

samantalang pamilya nga niya ay hindi niya maiayos kaya ang kanilang distrito pa kaya?

Talung-talo si Jomari sa social media. Ang tanging nakakaintindi lang sa kaniya ay ang mga taong nakakakilala sa kaniya. Doon lang siya nakababawi.

Huwag na sanang magsalita pa si Aiko Melendez. Hawak ng aktres ang isang matinding edidensiya bilang ama ni Jom sa kanilang anak na si Andrei.

Kapag sina Aiko at Andrei ang nagbitiw ng mga salita tungkol sa pagiging ama ni Jomari Yllana ay tapos na ang boksing. *** Sa pagkakaalam namin ay magkaibigan at parehong Ilonggo sina Direk Johnny Manahan at Congressman Albee Benitez.

Magkakasangga rin sa pulitika ang kanilang mga pamilya.

Nakakapanghinayang na dahil sa hindi pagkakaintindihan ay mauuwi sa wala ang pagkakaibigang matagal na See CRISTY p15

FEBRUARY 1 - 15 , 2021

CRISTY...

From page 14 nilang iniingatan.

Naiintindihan namin ang magkabilang panig.

Ang kapitalistang kongresista at ang mapagmamahal sa kaniyang trabahong direktor. Pareho silang may katwiran.

Walang namumuhunan na gustong matalo. Negosyo ang pagpoprodyus.

Gaano man kabilyonaryo ang negosyante ay siguradong aaray na kapag milyunang halaga ang natatalo sa kaniya. Kailangan niyang magsarado ng libro ng kaniyang nasasayang na salapi.

Ang ipinagtataka lang namin ay bakit pinabayaang malunod si Congressman Benitez sa pinasok niyang negosyo? Naturingang may mga tao siyang kinuha para magbantay pero parang ang mga taong ‘yon pa ang nagbaon sa kaniya sa pagkalugi?

Ang pangsarili lang ba nilang kapakanan ang inintindi nila porke kumikita sila nang daandaang libo kada buwan? Hindi man lang nila pinagmalasakitan ang kapitalistang nalulubog na sa kumunoy ng pagkalugi?

Triple pala ng talent fee na tinatanggap nina Piolo Pascual at Maja Salvador sa ABS-CBN ang tinatanggap nila mula sa Brightlight Productions sa bawat episode. Sa panahon na pandemya na dapat nga ay mas maliit ang talent fee, pero tumriple pa. Ano ‘yon?

Bakit pumayag ang bantay ni Cong. Albee sa ganoon katinding pagsasayang ng pera?

Ano ang ginawa nilang tulong sa kapitalista kung ganoon ang naging kalakaran?

Saku-sako man ang perang nakaparada para pagkunan ng puhunan ni Congressman Albee, sa katagalan na wala namang sapat na bumabalik sa kaniyang puhunan ay mauubos din ‘yon, Masasaid din ang kapitalista.

Inuulit namin, negosyo ang pagpoprodyus sa pelikula man o telebisyon. Walang kapitalistang yayakapin ang daang milyong pagkalugi na parang balewala lang.

Malaking kalokohan ‘yon. *** Kung sinasabi nating maliit lang ang mundo ay di hamak na mas maliit ang mundo ng telebisyon. Sa isang iglap, lalo na sa isang panahong hindi natin inaasahan, ay may nagaganap.

Kaya hindi tayo dapat nagsusunog ng tulay. Kailangang buung-buo ang ating pakikipagrelasyon dahil baka ang winasak nating tulay pa rin na ‘yon ang ating tatawiran isang araw.

Sino ba ang makapag-aakala

SHOWBIZ SHOWBUZZ PILIPINO EXPRESS

na mapapanood sa TV5 mula sa Linggo nang tanghali ang ASAP Natin ‘To? At sa TV5 na rin mapapanood ang mga piling-piling obrang iniwanan sa sambayanan ni Da King Fernando Poe, Jr.?

Naghawak-kamay ang TV5 at ang ABS-CBN para sa kapakanan ng manonood. Kailangan ng free TV ng dalawang programa, Mega Manila lang ang sakop ng A2Z. Kailangan pa ng cable para mapanood sila sa Channel 22.

Binati ni Vice Ganda ang dalawang network na nagsasanibpuwersa. Maraming umalma sa kaniyang pagbati. Para sa mas nakararami ay kaplastikan ni Vice Ganda ang lumutang. *** Tinatawag na kabayo ng publiko si Vice Ganda.

Tanggap naman ‘yon ng sikat na komedyante. Hindi niya ikinagagalit ‘yon dahil ‘yon na ang ikinambal na tatak sa kaniya.

Pero binago ng social media ang bansag sa komedyante. Binabash siya nang todo ngayon.

Hindi na kabayo ang tawag sa kaniya ng mga bashers niya kundi pusa na.

Lahing-pusa na raw ngayon si Vice Ganda dahil kinakain niya uli ang mga isinuka niya.

Nag-ugat ‘yon sa paglabas niya sa ASAP Natin ‘To na nagsimula nang mapanood sa TV5 noong nakaraang Linggo nang tanghali.

Masayang-masaya si Vice.

Kitang-kita sa kaniyang mga galaw ang kasiyahan niya dahil bukod sa pagiging Kapamilya ay Kapatid na rin daw sila ngayon, ipinagbubunyi ‘yon ng komedyante. ‘Yon ang ibinutas sa kaniya hindi lang ng mga bashers kundi pati na ng ating mga kababayan. Kung magsalita raw kasi si Vice ay para bang wala siyang ginawang panglalait at pangmemenos sa TV5.

Sa kaniyang bibig kasi lumabas ang komentong inferior channel lang ang TV5. Siya rin ang nagsabing wala namang nanonood sa Kapatid network noong gabing panauhin niya sa GGV si Alex Gonzaga.

Komento ng aming anakanakang at kaibigang si Randy Balaguer, “Naalala pa ba niya ang panlalait niya sa TV5 noong maging guest niya si Alex Gonzaga sa GGV? “Ang sabi niya kay Alex, ‘Ang papangit ng mga damit mo doon!

Di bale, wala namang nanonood sa inyo sa TV5!’ Ngayon, nasa TV5 na uli si Alex, kinain ang isinuka niya!

“Si Vice Ganda ngayon ang squatter sa network!

Congratulations sa TV5 at ABSCBN? Mukha niya!” lumalagutok na komento ni Randy Balaguer.

Ang daming isinampal pabalik kay Vice Ganda ang mga netizens. Napakabilis daw niyang bumaligtad.

Ang istasyong minamaliit niya noon ay dakilangdakila na ngayon para sa kaniya dahil ipinalalabas na sa TV5 ang kanilang mga programa.

Sa panahon ngayon na napakarami nang paraan para muling balikan ang mga sinasabi ng mga personalidad ay walang kalusut-lusot si Vice.

Nasa YouTube ‘yon.

Puwedeng panoorin uli, at ‘yon ang mga senaryong itinalampak sa pagmumukha ng komedyante na tinatawag na pusa ngayon ng ating mga kababayan.

Sabi pa ng isang nagkomento, “Walang paninindigan ang komedyanteng ‘yon. Pera-pera lang ang importante sa kaniya.

Isinusuka niya noon ang TV5.

Minamaliit niya, pero ngayon, pinupuri-puri na niya!

“Pusa na siya ngayon, hindi na siya kabayo, dahil kinakain niya uli ang isinuka na niya!” matinding komento laban kay Vice Ganda. *** Lodi talaga si Willie Revillame! Pinakyaw niya na ang mga senador sa pagbati sa kaniyang kaarawan ay isang sorpresang video greetings pa ang ginawa para sa kaniya ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte.

Siyempre’y hindi mawawala ang pagbati sa kaniya ni Senador Manny Villar at Senadora Cynthia. Mahal na mahal ni Willie ang pamilya Villar dahil anuman ang maganap sa kaniyang karera ay nandiyan lang para sumuporta sa kaniya.

Bumati rin kay Willie si Mayor Joy Belmonte na hindi pa man ay ipinroseso na agad ang mga kailangan ng TV host bilang senior citizen. May 20 per cent discount card na siya ngayon sa lahat ng restaurant, sa lahat ng kailangan niyang bilhin.

Hindi rin siyempre pinalampas ng mga tunay niyang kaibigan ang pagkakataon. Binati siya nina Aga Muhlach, Richard Gomez, John Estrada, Phillip Salvador, Tirso Cruz III at ni Randy Santiago na dekada niyang nakasama sa Cicada Band bilang drummer.

Ang mga senador na bumati kay Willie ay natulungan niya noong nakaraang kampanya nang walang anumang kapalit.

Umakyat siya sa entablado ng mga pulitiko nang hindi siya naningil.

Hindi malilimutan ‘yon ng kaniyang mga natulungan, pati ni Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque, na noong may magpositibo sa Palasyo ay ipinahiram ni Willie ang isang

floor ng kaniyang Wil Tower para gamitin ng ating pamahalaan sa kanilang mga pag-aanunsiyo ngayong pandemya.

“Napakasarap makatanggap ng pag-alala mula sa mga taong

PAGE 15 nakatulong sa akin at natulungan ko rin sa ibang paraan. Kumpleto na ang birthday ko!” sabi ni Willie pagkatapos naming makausap pagkatapos ng Wowowin-Tutok See CRISTY p18

PAGE 16

OUR HEALTH PILIPINO EXPRESS

FEBRUARY 1 - 15 , 2021

Taking care of your skin with increased handwashing One of the best defences against the spread of SARSCoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, is handwashing. But frequent rubbing and scrubbing can take its toll, depleting the skin of its natural moisture and oils.

So, what should you do if your hands are becoming raw, dry and irritated with constant washing?

When washing your hands First, it’s ideal to use a soap that is hypoallergenic, free of irritants and perfumes, says Dr. Dawn Davis, a Mayo Clinic dermatologist. Also, soap in bar form tends to have fewer chemicals and more moisture content.

Next, Dr. Davis recommends washing in comfortably warm water — not scalding hot water.

She also offers the familiar recommendation to sing a favourite song so that you wash your hands for at least 20 seconds.

Hand sanitizers are thought to be almost as effective as soap and water, but she says soap and water are definitely preferred, especially after using the restroom and before and after eating.

Dr. Davis says to make sure you scrub between your fingers, including your thumbs, under your rings, the back of your hands and around your wrists. The same is true when rinsing.

“People forget about that and then soap residue stays between the digits or lies on the backs of the wrists and, over time, will get an irritant dermatitis from the soap residue that’s there,” says Dr. Davis.

When drying your hands Be gentle with your skin when drying your hands. Dr. Davis says it’s important to pat dry instead of rubbing or scrubbing your hands.

She also says using a paper towel can be abrasive.

“I would suggest using linen, such as a cotton towel, over a paper towel,” says Dr. Davis.

“But using either a paper or cotton towel is preferable to letting the

hands air dry. Air drying only lets the skin dry out more due to diffusion and evaporation of moisture off the skin, and then if you shake your hands dry you might contaminate surfaces if you happen to have any germs left on your skin.”

“Your skin is sort of like a kitchen sponge, and over time, with repetitive washing, it will simply dry out and look like a dry kitchen sponge,” says Dr. Davis.

She says after you wash and pat dry, some moisture comes back into the skin and you can trap it by putting on a moisturizer.

There are multiple ways to do that, according to Dr. Davis. “You can use lotion, with creams, and/ or ointments.”

Applying lotions, creams, ointments “Lotions tend to be the weakest of the three with regard to moisturizing because they have more water content and, so, lotion goes into the skin quite well,” Dr. Davis says. “It tends to be thinner, but it will evaporate faster.”

Creams are like lotion but have less water content. They tend to be thicker, and they tend to take a longer time to absorb into the skin. They stay longer and evaporate more slowly over time.

Ointments purely sit on top of the skin. “So, you can think of them like a greenhouse roof or like a lid,” adds Dr. Davis.

“They essentially prevent or slow the evaporation that naturally happens off the skin.”

Layered moisturizing Apply an allergen-free or hypo-allergenic lotion or cream to the skin, and rub it in gently, making sure to get between the digits and include the wrists.

“If you don’t feel that your hands are moist enough, simply wait 30 seconds to a minute, then reapply,” Dr. Davis says.

“You definitely get benefit from a second application. If you think your skin needs more help, you could apply a cream or a lotion

first. Then use an ointment on your second application to seal it in like a roof, allowing sort of that greenhouse effect.”

Dr. Davis says there are patients with sensitive skin who are having dermatitis flares.

And there are also those who didn’t know they had sensitive skin, until they started the extra handwashing regimen.

“So, there’s sort of a three-step process in my mind of how to go above and beyond the general moisturizing,” she says.

The first step would be put a single or double layer of lotion or cream on your hands, ideally before bed.

Cover those layers with an ointment, like petroleum jelly.

Then put a cotton sock over your hands and wrists, for the night.

The “skin burrito” Dr. Davis says if you’ve tried layered moisturizing with the cotton sock example, and that isn’t helping, she would kick it up a notch. “Something that in dermatology we call a wet dressing, and, with my patients, I’ve nicknamed the ‘medical burrito,’ or the ‘skin burrito.’”

• Before bed, wash your hands and pat them dry.

• Put on two layers of your thickest, most effective hypoallergenic lotion or cream not ointments. Ointments won’t absorb into the skin.

• Put a teaspoon of white vinegar into a glass or small bowl of warm water, and soak two clean washcloths.

• Wring them out and wrap around your hands.

• Cover your hands with socks.

“The warm water and vinegar soak adds more moisture to that greenhouse effect,” says Dr. Davis. “The vinegar helps adjust the pH, which keeps the skin clean. The heat, or the warmth, allows the pores to open up and allows the extra lotion to soak deeper into the skin more effectively.”

Photo credit: Bill Branson, National Cancer Institute, Wikipedia Skin irritation from wearing face masks Since health care workers and now the public are wearing face masks, it seems skin irritations on the face might need similar treatment.

“People are getting friction and irritation across their nasal bridge, behind their ears and perhaps under their chin,” says Dr. Davis. “That happens because of natural wear, but also because the masks are tight, which is wellintentioned but can strangulate the skin. So, this is not only causing friction and dermatitis, but some bruising.”

She says the first step for mask use and sensitive skin is after you’ve washed and patted your face dry, apply hypoallergenic moisturizer that’s made for your face. Apply the lotion or cream twice, leaving a thick layer.

“Then do the same vinegar soak with the washcloth and lay it across your face for about 15 minutes in the areas that are irritated,” says Dr. Davis.

“Repeat that two to three times a day, if possible, and you’ll find that this humidifying method is very helpful.”

Dr. Davis also recommends using zinc oxide. “The white hypoallergenic chemical that’s in unscented diaper paste,” she says. “It has very nice antiinflammatory properties and you can put a thin layer across your nasal bridge, behind your ears or under your chin — in places where the mask will rub.”

She says that serves as a nice barrier to the friction without affecting or decreasing the effectiveness of the mask.

– Dana Sparks, courtesy Mayo Clinic News Network

What to do if you have any Covid-19 symptoms Anyone who develops symptoms of Covid-19 should selfisolate and visit www.manitoba.ca/ covid19/ to use the online screening tool, or call Health Links–Info Santé at 204-788-8200 or tollfree at 1-888-315-9257 for health guidance on how to seek testing.

Symptoms may include:

• Cough • Headache • Fever/ chills • Muscle aches • Sore throat/ hoarse voice • Shortness of breath/ breathing difficulties • Loss of taste or smell • Vomiting, or diarrhea for

more than 24 hours • Poor feeding if an infant • Runny nose • Fatigue • Nausea or loss of appetite • Conjunctivitis (pink eye) • Skin rash of unknown cause While many people will develop only mild symptoms,

some groups appear to be more vulnerable to COVID-19. Those at higher risk typically develop more serious, even fatal, symptoms such as pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome and kidney failure.

High risk groups include those: • 60 years of age and older

• living with chronic health conditions (e.g. diabetes, heart, renal or chronic lung conditions) • with weakened immune systems (e.g. cancer) Symptoms of COVID-19 or other coronaviruses may take up to 14 days to appear after exposure to the virus.

FEBRUARY 1 - 15 , 2021

EH KASI, PINOY! PILIPINO EXPRESS

PAGE 17

Alipin ka ba ni Alexa?

Karaniwan na sa mga pamilya ngayon ang pagkakaroon ng bagong miyembro ng household na hindi tao, hindi hayop, walang gender, walang emosyon pero nakapagbibigay ng impormasyon at nauutusang gumawa ng mga bagay na ginagawa din ng tao.

Ang tinutukoy ko ay sila Alexa, Google at Siri. Si Alexa ay bahagi ng aming pamilya. Nauutusan ko siyang magbukas ng radio, ng ilaw, magbigay ng news updates, magpatugtog ng music, magcalculate, mag-search at kung anu-ano pa. Kumbaga, si Alexa ay naiinitindihan ang aking mga ipinag-uutos at dahil sa kaniyang artificial intelligence ay nagbibigay siya ng information base sa kung paano at kung anuano ang mga nai-programa sa kaniyang database or kaniyang “utak.”

Convenient. Walang duda na may dulot itong kaginhawahan sa fast paced nating buhay and it gives us immediate information with less or no effort on our part.

Ginawa ang mga ito para matulungan ang tao. Pero hindi dapat itong gamitin bilang natatanging source ng impormasyon or hindi dapat tayo maging sobrang dependent, or worse ay alipin ng ganitong uri ng teknolohiya.

May isa akong kaibigan

na kabisado ang pasikut-sikot sa loob at labas ng Manitoba.

Kapag siya ang nagmamaneho, hindi siya gumagamit ng GPS dahil may daan or mga shortcuts na hindi alam o hindi naka-programa sa utak ng mga devices na ito. Ang kaniyang pagmamaneho at pagkakaalam ng mga pasikut-sikot ay base sa kaniyang karanasan, kaalaman at expertise sa mga lugar.

Ang example kong ito ay nangangahulugan na hindi lahat ng sinasabi ng mga devices ay dapat nating paniwalaan.

Maraming mga bagay at kaalaman na tanging mga eksperto lamang ang makasasagot nang tama. Isa pa, ang mga devices na ito ay nagbibigay ng mga impormasyon that subconsciously promote businesses, services and products. Ibig sabihin, malaking posibilidad na ang nasa likod ng mga impormasyon na ibinibigay ng mga devices na ito ay mga companies or organizations na may vested interest para turuan tayo na gamitin ang kanilang mga products or services. Hindi natin alam at hindi halata or unknowingly ay unti-unti tayong nagiging patrons ng mga produkto kahit hindi natin napanood or narinig nang direkta ang kanilang mga advertisements.

Isa pang malaking impact na

idinudulot ng teknolohiyang ito ay ang pagkawala ng ugnayan sa tao or human interaction.

Gusto mong magluto ng calderetang baka. Sa panahon ngayon, ano ang una mong gagawin? Hindi ba’t bubuksan mo ang YouTube? Tama ba?

Ang dami mong makikitang iba’t ibang paraan ng pagluluto ng caldereta at malaya kang pipili kung ano ang gusto mong gawing istilo. Pero ano ang nawala dito?

Nakalimutan mong magtanong sa expert mong Nanay kung paano magluto nito!

Hindi mo na-iconsider man lang sa listahan ng pagtatanungan ang mismong iyong pamilya!

Umasa ka at mas naniwala ka pa sa mga impormasyong galing sa hindi mo kakilala. Tandaan mo, kapag nagturo ang Nanay mo ng pagluluto, hindi lamang ang mga sangkap at pagluluto ang natututunan mo kundi nalalaman mo rin ang mga istorya sa likod ng espesyal na caldereta na version ng iyong Nanay. Marahil ito’y handa sa kanilang kasal or may malaking bahagi sa kasaysayan ng inyong pamilya. It’s more than the recipe that you will receive when you reach out to a real human being. Minsan, hindi lamang ang sarap ng caldereta ang dapat mong pag-ukulan ng pansin, kundi kung paano mo gagamitin ang panahon ng inyong pagluluto para patatagin ang iyong relationship sa mga mahal mo sa buhay. Mas masarap maalala hindi lamang ang lasa ng caldereta kundi kung ano ang iyong naging karanasan at

kasaysayan sa likod ng masarap na ulam.

Si Alexa ay assistant hindi master. Dapat malinaw sa iyong isip before you plug in that device kung ano ang magiging role ni Alexa sa buhay mo at ng iyong pamilya. Hindi katuwiran na, it’s just a device. Sa palagay ko dapat may limitasyon ang paggamit sa mga devices na ito tulad ng lahat mga gadgets sa iyong buhay at bahay. Minsan kasi, nagiging alipin na tayo at sunud-sunuran sa mga robot na ito. Tandaan mo, kapag lagi tayong umaasa sa mga artificial intelligence ay maaaring ikapurol ito ng ating utak. In other words, kung ayaw mong mabobo, huwag ka laging aasa sa mga bagay na ginawa lang ng tao.

Probing at pagsusuri. Given ang fact na maraming naka-feed na information sa utak nila Alexa.

Pero may mga steps na lagi nating nakakalimutan. Ito yung pag-validate ng information at pagpo-probe. Totoo ba ito? Saan ba nakabase ang information na ito. Sino ba ang sponsor ng news na ito at marami pang bagay that should be considered before we use or rely on anything coming from these devices. We can always listen to information but take a step back and analyze, ask questions, probe and validate.

Sa ganitong paraan may safety measures tayong ginawa para makasiguro. Napaka-critical ng probing at validation kung nagreresearch tayo on health matters dahil ang nakataya dito ay ang ating buhay. Isang pagkakamali

ay tepok tayo at doon tayo mauuwi sa last ball sa side, sabi nga ni Jeprox Arnel Utang na loob, kung hindi rin kayo sigurado sa mga health information na nakalap n’yo lang sa social media ay huwag n’yo na rin itong ipasa sa iba.

Stop spreading fake news and information dahil ito’y maaaring makamatay. Seriously, false medical advice may lead to death.

Bago ka magtanong kay Alexa or mag-utos sa kaniya, isipin mo muna kung kaya mo namang sagutin ang itatanong mo sa kaniya o kaya mo naman palang gawin ang ipapagawa mo sa kaniya.

Lastly, bigyan mo naman ng respeto ang sarili mo. Baka kasi nagiging alipin ka na ng mga sistema sa mapang-aliping mundo ng teknolohiya!

Alexa, shut up!

Noel Lapuz ay dating OFW sa Middle East (Dubai at Qatar).

Nagtrabaho nang sampung taon sa City Hall ng Taguig bilang Human Resource Management Officer. Naging bahagi ng Bata-Batuta Productions bilang manunulat, entertainment host at stage actor. Nagtatag ng Kulturang Alyansa ng Taguig. Kasapi ng Ecumenical Movement for Justice and Peace (EMJP).

Paunawa: Ang mga paksa at salitang nakasaad sa Batang North End ay sariling opinion ng may-akda at maaaring hindi opinion ng mga taga-lathala ng Pilipino Express.

EH KASI, PINOY!

PAGE 18

PILIPINO EXPRESS

KROSWORD

NO. 362

Ni Bro. Gerry Gamurot

PAHALANG 1. Lulusubin 6. Hudyat sa taguan 7. Panghalip 8. Imbakan ng tubig 11. Taksi 14. Dukha 15. Primera 16. ’di malayo 18. Pampito 19. Sabaw ng sinaing 21. Tulong sa nangangailangan 22. Dagdag 23. Bahagi ng karera 25. Aliw 26. Philippine Airlines 27. Salok 29. Puting kakanin 30. Panghalip 32. Dala 33. Pamaypay

9. Matibay na hibla 10. Walang hadlang 11. Diyos ng pag-ibig 12. Pangalan ng babae 13. Hiyas 17. Sawata 20. Bukol 22. Hapo 24. Hangad 26. Luklukan ng pag-ibig 28. Gamit ni baby 29. Tunog ng sampal 31. Pang-abay 32. 3.1416

SAGOT SA NO. 361

PABABA 1. Hindi tapat 2. Saka 3. Bulalas ng nabigla 4. Huni ng daga 5. Nagpakandong 8. Bilang

YOUR lasting legacy

will give Canadians more time to laugh, to love and to live.

Please remember us with a gift in your Will and help plant seeds for tomorrow, today.

204.949.2032 Toll free at 1.888.473.4636

CRISTY...

From page 15 To Win. Sa halip na siya ang regaluhan ay siya ang nagbibigay. Batiin lang siya ng happy birthday ng napili niyang tawagan ay 60 thousand na agad ang ipinamamahagi niyang premyo.

Sa hirap ng buhay ngayon ay tumatawa-umiiyak sa sobrang kaligayahan ang ating mga kababayan na nakakatanggap ng kaniyang regalo.

Maligayang kaarawan uli sa aktor-TV host na wala nang mahihiling pa sa buhay.

Nasa kaniya na ang lahatlahat ng materyal na yaman sa mundo, kaya ang pagtulong na lang sa kaniyang kapuwa ang sinesentruhan niya. *** Totoong-totoo ang kasabihan na tumutulong ka na nga ay ikaw pa ang lalabas na masama sa bandang huli. Ganoon mismo ang nangyari kay Willie Revillame.

Noong mismong kaarawan niya ay may naglabas ng fake news na mamimigay siya ng biyaya sa mga magsasadya sa Wil Tower. Pinaniwalaan naman ‘yon ng mga kababayan natin.

Sa sobrang hirap nga naman ng buhay ngayon ay napakalaking halaga nang 60 thousand pesos. Napakalayo na ng mararating noon. Makararaos sila sa pagdarahop.

Mahahati sa dalawang klase ang mga nagsadya sa Wil Tower. Ang unang grupo ay mga totoong tagasuporta ni Willie na nagpagawa pa ng mga tarpaulin para bumati sa kaniya ng happy birthday.

Ang isang grupo naman ay binubuo ng mga kababayan nating mapagsamantala, ‘yong mga nanggugulo lang. Sila pa ngayon ang sumisigaw at nagrereklamo na hindi raw patas tumingin si Willie sa kaniyang mga tagahanga.

Walang anumang anunsiyong sinabi si Willie sa Wowowin-Tutok To Win na mamamahagi siya ng papremyong sisenta mil sa mga magpupunta sa Wil Tower.

Paulit-ulit pa nga niyang sinasabi na mas magandang manatili na lang sa kanilang bahay ang mga manonood. Kapag sila ang natawagan, nakabuslo na ang 60 thousand para sa kanila.

Nauunawaan ni Willie ang kalagayan ngayon ng ating bayan.

Maraming nawalan ng trabaho at laganap ang matinding kahirapan, kaya ayon sa TV host ay babawi na lang siya sa kaniyang mga tagasuporta kapag tapos na ang pandemya. *** Dahil engaged na nga ngayon sina Ara Mina at Dave Almarinez ay natural lang na mag-usbungan ang mga kuwento tungkol sa mapapangasawa ng aktres. Iba-ibang istorya ‘yon na hindi lang namin alam kung nakarating na kay Ara Mina.

Isang impormante ang nagsabi sa amin na may anak sa Canada si Dave. Pinay ang ina ng bagets. Sa tagal ng panahon ay tapos na siguro ang relasyon nila.

Pero ito ang nakakagulat na kuwento, sabi ng aming source,

“Mayroon na ring pinangakuan ng kasal si Dave. Dating kaibigan ni Ara ang girl, pero parang lumalabas na nagkaroon ng sulutan along the way.

“Mismong ang girl kasi ang nakakita sa message ng guy kay Ara. Nasa isang party sila noon, habang kumakanta si Ara, e, tumunog ang phone niya.

“Natural, napakialaman ng girl ang phone. Text ‘yon ng guy kay Ara. Sobrang sweet ng message, shocking Asia ang girlfriend ni Dave!

“Naisip niya, bakit nagte-text ang karelasyon niya kay Ara? Naisahan ba siya? Napaikutan siya ni Ara? Ayun, bigla nang hindi natuloy ang kasal. Si Ara na ang pakakasalan ngayon ni Dave!” namamanghang kuwento ng aming kausap.

Masalimuot pala ang kuwentong ito. Pero siguro naman ay alam ni Ara ang katotohanan na ang kaniyang kaibigan pala ang dapat pakasalan ng kaniyang boyfriend ngayon.

Ang istorya ng lovelife ni Ara Mina ay puwedeng gawing nobela sa sobrang salimuot, pero ang mahalaga, sa haba ng ibiniyahe ng kaniyang buhaypag-ibig ay heto na ang paggarahe ng kuwento. Pinaplano na nila ngayon ni Dave Almarinez ang kanilang kasal.

At may karapatang lumigaya si Ara Mina. *** Masalimuot na ang mga kuwento ng lovelife ni Ara Mina.

Unti-unti nang naglalabasan ang istorya ng sulutan na sinasabing naganap kaya naging magkarelasyon sila ni Dave Almarinez.

Maraming nakakaalam ng kuwento. Diumano’y kinaibigan ni Ara ang totoong karelasyon ng businessman, hanggang sa maging sila na nga.

Isang source ang nagkuwento na kapapanganak lang noon ng karelasyon ng negosyante nang maganap ang komprontasyon.

Umiiyak ang babae sa pagsita kay Ara. Walang nagawa ang aktres kundi ang umiyak lang nang umiyak sa kaniyang pagso-sorry.

May ganoon palang senaryo.

Dagdag na impormasyon pa ng source, “Kinaibigan ni Ara si ____ (pangalan ng kasalukuyang karelasyon ni Dave noong mga panahong ‘yon). Magkasama sila sa isang party noong madiskubre ng girl ang relasyon nila.

“Ikakasal na sila ni Dave noon. Kapapanganak lang ng girl. Iba ang name na ginamit ng guy noong mag-text kay Ara. Nakita lang noong girl na may nangyayaring milagro, dahil lumabas ang picture ng guy.

“Through Viber kasi nagmessage ang guy kay Ara. ‘Yon na! Sa confrontation, e, sinabi ng girl kay Ara, ‘Kapapanganak ko lang. Paano mo nagawa sa akin ito?’ Iyak lang nang iyak si Ara,” kuwento pa ng aming kausap.

Naguguluhan ang marami ngayon sa ginanap na proposal ng businessman kay Ara. Harinawang sa kasalan na nga ‘yon mauuwi. Wala na sanang maging problema, dahil sa mga istoryang naglalabasan ngayon tungkol sa maligalig na lovelife

FEBRUARY 1 - 15 , 2021 ng lalaki

*** Makabuluhan, punumpuno at mainspirasyon ang panayam nina Ted Failon at DJ Chacha sa Queen of Philippine Movies na si Ms Susan Roces.

‘Yon ang pagkakataong titigil ka muna sa ginagawa mo.

Wala kang palalampasing kahit anong bahagi ng panayam, dahil bihirang-bihirang magsalita si Manang Inday tungkol sa kaniyang nakaraang sakripisyo bilang artista hanggang sa kinambalan na siya ng titulong Reyna ng Pelikulang Pilipino.

Nang lumuwas siya sa Maynila mula sa Negros ay pinapangarap niyang makita ang kaniyang mga idolong sina Ms Gloria Romero at Ms Nida Blanca.

“Nangyari ‘yon sa parang fan’s day ng Sampaguita Pictures.

Nagbukas ang gate, isa ako sa mga tumakbo papasok. Nakita ko nga si Ms Gloria Romero! Ang saya-saya ko bilang fan!

“Tapos, napansin ako ni Doc Jose Perez, ang producer.

Tinanong niya ako kung gusto ko raw bang mag-artista? ‘Yon na ang naging simula ng career ko.

“Four years ang pinirmahan kong kontrata sa Sampaguita.

Every month, may allowance akong 50 pesos. Sa unang movie ko, ang Boksingera, ang talent fee ko, e, 500 pesos.

“Ang pinakamalaking talent fee na tinanggap ko, ten thousand pesos, pagkatapos na ‘yon ng maraming pelikulang ginawa ko sa apat na taon,” mainspirasyong kuwento ni Manang Inday.

Hanggang sa niyakap niya na ang titulong reyna ng mga reynang artista, napangasawa na niya ang Action King na si Fernando Poe, Jr. Otsenta anyos na si Manang Inday sa darating na Disyembre.

Sa kaniyang panayam ay napakaraming nagpapadala ng mga komento kina Ted Failon at DJ Chacha. Napakaganda pa rin kasi ni Manang Inday. Marespeto at mapagpahalaga sa kaniyang karera.

Sinsero ang kaniyang pasasalamat sa TV5 dahil napapanood na rin ngayon sa istasyon ang FPJ: Da King tuwing Linggo nang hapon.

“Alam n’yo ba kung bakit napakalapit ng puso ko sa TV5?

May ginawa akong pelikula noon, ang Dance O Rama, game show ‘yon sa TV5. Kaya maraming-maraming Salamat sa management ng TV5,” pag-alala pa ni Manang Inday.

Sa kaniyang mga libreng panahon ay tinututukan ni Manang Inday ang pagtatanim ng mga gulay. Hindi pa tumataas ang presyo ng mga gulay sa merkado ay naggugulayan na siya.

Sa pamamagitan ng kaniyang manager na si Tita Dolor Guevarra ay pinadadalhan niya kami ng mga inaani niyang talong, kamatis at marami pang ibang gulay.

Masarap at masustansiya ang mga gulay pero mas sumasarap ‘yon kapag alam mong nanggaling sa mapagpalang kamay ng isang Reyna ng Pelikulang Pilipino.

– CSF

FEBRUARY 1 - 15 , 2021

SHOWBIZ SHOWBUZZ PILIPINO EXPRESS

Magkaagaw Magkaagaw captivated the hearts of daytime drama viewers before it took a break from airing due to the implementation of the enhanced community quarantine.

Two of the industry’s sought after-actresses Sheryl Cruz and Sunshine Dizon reunite in the return of intriguing drama.

The show also features Klea Pineda and Jeric Gonzales in their most daring roles yet.

Cast members expressed their excitement for the audience to refresh their minds with the recap and new episodes of the program.

“Happy that they will get to watch our new episodes and marami pa silang dapat abangan lalo na kung paano mabubunyag na kabit talaga ni Gio si Veron,” said Sunshine.

Sheryl added, “Dapat din nilang tutukan ang mga nagbabagang pagtatagpo nina

VRS at Jio pati na rin ang mga nalevel up na confrontation scenes sa pagitan ng mga karakter.”

Just like the fans, Klea is looking forward to the reunion of the characters onscreen.

“Sigurado ako sabik na rin silang mapanood muli sina Clarisse at Jio. Pinaghirapan namin ito ng buong cast pati na rin ng buong production team ng Magkaagaw kaya naman hindi na ako makapaghintay sa pagbabalik ng Magkaagaw sa telebisyon,” she quipped.

Meanwhile, Jeric is thankful for the opportunity to continue taping the series amid the pandemic, “Sobrang excited na ako sa pagbabalik ng Magkaagaw kasi talagang cliffhanger kung saan natapos yung kuwento before the lockdown.

Completing the stellar cast are Polo Ravales, Dion

Ignacio, Dennis Padilla, Lovely Abella, Isay Alvarez, Patricia

Joining Kim and Lexi on Love Wars are Rodjun Cruz, Divine Aucina, Maey Bautista, and Mike Liwag.

Meanwhile, the well-loved tandem of will surely spread kilig on My Fantastic Pag-ibig’s second instalment, Exchange of Hearts features Migo Adecer and Kate Valdez as Popoy and Celine. The couple has been in a relationship for quite some time, but it seems they are on the verge of breaking up because their

the special participation of actorpolitician Alfred Vargas.

Jeric Gonzales, Sheryl Cruz, Sunshine Dizon & Klea Pineda

My Fantastic Pag-ibig My Fantastic Pag-ibig is a collection of light, funny, and feelgood love stories set in present times but infused with exciting and dynamic plots. Every story will have two episodes and will feature some of the country’s most promising love teams.

Its maiden offering, Love Wars, features Kim de Leon and Lexi Gonzales and tells the story of star-crossed lovers Pido and Lovelyn. Pido (Kim) is a modernday cupid who believes dating apps only result in broken hearts.

Tumulak, and Joanna Marie Tan. Magkaagaw also highlights

PAGE 19

personalities do not match.

Joining Migo and Kate in the episode are Maureen Larrazabal, Jordan Herrera, Kevin Sagra, and Karenina Haniel.

Aside from Love Wars and Exchange of Hearts, viewers are in for more stories that will make their Saturday nights fun and exciting.

Kapuso viewers abroad can catch My Fantastic Pag-ibig via GMA Life TV starting February 6.

For the program guide, visit www. gmapinoytv.com.

Lexy Gonzales & Kim De Leon

TV5 simulcasts Asap Natin ‘To and FPJ: Da King ASAP Natin ‘To, the Philippines’ longest running musical variety show, and FPJ: Da King, can now be seen on TV5.

Launched in 1995, ASAP Natin ‘To brings together the biggest and brightest performers to give viewers the best concert experience hosted by Martin Nievera, Zsa Zsa Padilla, Gary Valenciano, Sarah Geronimo, Erik Santos, Ogie Alcasid, and Regine Velasquez-Alcasid.

TV5 is also airing FPJ: Da King, a movie block showcasing the films of the Fernando Poe Jr. every Sunday afternoon.

“This collaboration between CIGNAL, TV5, Brightlight Productions, and ABS-CBN marks the start of greater cooperation among our various industry players and begins a new era of partnership,” said Robert P. Galang, president and CEO of Cignal and TV5. “The airing of ASAP and FPJ’s movies on TV5

showcases the desires of TV5 and ABS-CBN to serve our viewers in the best way possible.”

“The future of entertainment media is rapidly converging around a dynamic mix of traditional and digital platforms, with Cignal and TV5 launching new content and synergies that will disrupt conventional broadcast methods.

We are committed to continuously explore more initiatives to provide the best of both worlds to all our stakeholders,” he said.

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PILIPINO EXPRESS

FEBRUARY 1 - 15 , 2021