2020_WATERLINE_VXI_No.1

CENTURY OF PANDEMIC

https://twitter.com/visualcap/status/1238884908476411904

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Amidst covid-19 pandemic lakers crush heat to equal celtics for most of nba wins

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THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF TAGUM WATER DISTRICT

Ground Breaking of New TWD’s Warehouse

ABOUT THE COVER

The cover shows the timeline of the Pandemics the World faced for a century. From the 1918 Spanish Flu that took millions of lives more than the World War I, up until today with the Covid-19 Pandemic which is on the surge. The question now when will Covid-19 pandemic end? Or will we be able to get used with it like what we had done from the past? After all history repeats itself.

Editor’s Note

CULTIVATING RESILIENCY

RECHIE

Just as the film Contagion, has found a second life with news about the Coronavirus Disease outbreak, so too at this very juncture about this COVID-19 teeming up all over the world. With risks so high, it is easy to see why almost everyone finds the outbreak of disease so captivating.

We live in a most remarkable time when the world as we know it is undergoing constant changes right in front of our very eyes and the Pandemic is one key factor that brings dreadful changes. We are facing an unfamiliar or atypical situation that has become the standard known as “The New Normal”. While outbreak is still eminent, governments and individuals need to be cautious and follow Executive Orders to mitigate risk, encourage physical distancing, and meet health and safety guidance to minimize transmission. These new journey towards tactical adjustments have become parts of our daily lives and can only be properly dealt with by the combined efforts of the entire community.

As COVID case has risen to be a global concern, we see this as an opportunity to formulate and elevate health strategies and services. Tagum Water District has made and continues to give substantial efforts in strengthening Policies on Health Protocols. It is a challenge not only for TWD, but for all employees, stakeholders and concessionaires to take responsibility in utilizing and protecting our workplace. Enabling mandatory health requirements, the establishment of quarantine controls, and collaboration among different health sectors in the society have been very necessary for attaining our goal of becoming a COVID-free community.

In this instance, Waterline publication shall serve as reading material for information, discussion and sharing of valuable facts among Health experts, Governments, Businesses, and all Tagumeños.

As your lead division take charged to ensure access to general information, consistent and innovative, the Management Information Services Division, is committed to collecting and serving the public with reliable information. Let us ensure that everyone is vigilant and that standard health protocols are practiced and followed openly in offices, and even to our individual homes. By being proactive and promoting robust and responsive measures, we can guarantee that all Tagumeños will be more confident in doing their transactions and businesses with TWD, thus reaping the benefits of becoming good and law-abiding citizens.

It is always wonderful to come together to look at where we’ve been, where we are, and where we are headed as we altogether move forward towards our goal of becoming a COVID resilient nation. I wish everyone good health, prosperity, and success in all your endeavors in the days and years to come.

NORMA R. PEREYRAS VICE CHAIRPERSON CIVIC SECTOR

VINCENT A. ARRIESGADO MEMBER

BUSINESS SECTOR

BOARD OF DIRECTORS MANAGEMENT

HENRIETTO Q. CASTRENCE CHAIRPERSON EDUCATION SECTOR

ATTY. LUEL C. MENDEZ SECRETARY PROFESSIONAL SECTOR

CARMEN B. APURA MEMBER

WOMEN SECTOR

LUZ S. ARNILLA, CPA, MPA Acting General Manager A

ESTELLA D. APARECE, MM Acting Department Manager A Administrative and Human Resource

MARIE JANE A. CLAVERO, Ph.D Acting Department Manager A Commercial

ENGR. PILAR M. MULA, CE RMP Department Manager B Engineering and Operations

RECHIE J. VEROY, CPE, MIT Acting Division Manager A Management Information Services

JOCELYN S. EMOTIN, CPA Division Manager A Accounting

ENGR. KRIST D. ALMARIO, CE, RMP, ME Acting Division Manager A Customer Services

ENGR. GERARDO M. DE LEON, ME Division Manager A Water Resources

JOYLENE FAITH R. ESPORSADO, MM Acting Division Manager A Human Resource

CHRISTOPHER R. LANAJA, MM Division Manager A Customer Accounts

MARIZ VANESSA C. ALBURO, MBA Division Manager A - OIC Cash Management

ENGR. RICHARD L. EMOTIN, CE Division Manager A Planning and Design

ENGR. KEITH G. NICART, CE, RMP Division Manager A Maintenance Expansion and Rehabilitation

EDITORIAL STAFF

LUZ S. ARNILLA, CPA, MPA Adviser

RECHIE J. VEROY, CPE, MIT Editor-in-chief

GIAN CARLO D. DACUA Associate Editor

MARK ANTHONY S. NAGALIZA News Editor

JAY G. BONGGO Sports Editor

DAVEN MARK N. LAGI-LAGI Managing Editor

AILENE H. PONIO Feature Editor

CHRISTEL MAE A. BARBOSA Copy Editor

ATELANO A. LEDUNA, III Layout Artist IN V. MANCO, MPA Cartoonist

DR. MARIE JANE A. CLAVERO, PH D

ENGR. KRIST ANDREW D. -, MECE, RMP

HANNAH LYNNIE D. BARIOS

KRISTINE ALERTA PIDO, RMT, AMT NAOMI G. LIBANTE NIKKI T. PLAZA

LYRA L. YBAÑEZ Contributors

J. VEROY, CpE, MIT Editor-In-Chief

From the Manager’s Desk

CENTURY OF THE PANDEMIC

Moving forward while taking into account all the lessons learned last year, we look up that this coming Year 2021 will give a fresh start, a door of hope and a gateway to continuous progress with bravery, preparedness for the future and a broader perspective.

2020 has been a year unlike any other. It tested each one’s resilience, weighed our endurance to face challenges and even forced the world to think differently on how to thrive beyond chaos. However, the pandemic taught us basic lessons in life that empowered our values for humanity and preserved our culture of Bayanihan to rise above the trials together, leaving no one behind.

Interestingly, the outbreak took us back to a very important lesson in our elementary years and that is the significance of ‘washing our hands’ with soap and water. This single, most efficient measure to fight Covid-19 drew our inspiration to continually serve the community to our very best as a means of helping each one be protected against the virus, the greatest invisible enemy of mankind this era.

Anent to that, the sense of urgency has always been what TWD is prepared to provide and meet the water needs of Tagum City with the devotion and heart to serve the public at all times and suffice the essential demands of people in the community through water provisions , especially during crisis. Together with our partner the Tagum Water Company (TWCI), Tagum Water District does its best to assist our hospitals and healthcare facilities, business establishments, offices and households for sanitation protocols strictly promulgated by the national government.

Tagum Water District has long committed itself to let the constituents enjoy a safe water and eyes to innovate and continually level up its services. In line with this innovation effort for heightened water development, the past months of 2020 experienced several predicaments, interruptions and water shortages that disrupted some areas of the city. Despite these temporary setbacks, TWD team was able to surpass and solve the situation. And for this, we’d like to thank all the citizens of Tagum City for their understanding, continuous support and patience while TWD and its partner, Tagum Water Company (TWCI), was hurdling to resolve the technical problems. Assuredly, these investments and long-term plans harness promising results for the community and welfare of the future generation of Tagum City.

I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude and honor to the Board of Directors, to our division managers, our dear employees from all departments and our field workers who untiringly devoted themselves both at day and night, rain or shine, to act towards the great cause of providing safe and clean water for the city and find ways to comply on the IATF standards and protocols during Covid-19. I take pride on the teamwork and commend all your contributions, efforts and dedication invested for the office to keep our organization’s competitive advantage and government service above par. Truly, this marks our resilience and passion for service. Tagum Water District is ever more ready for what lies ahead. I would like to leave a legacy through words of encouragement to all employees of TWD to continue what you have started and bring it into a prosperous completion. Hard work, love and sincerity for work always pay off. Let the spirit of peace and love reign in your heart, and may the Lord cover you all with protection and good health as we wait for the perfect time that our world will be completely free from virus.

My hope and prayers that in the year 2021, a much better and stronger TWD organization will continue to be available for a pleasing and a very satisfactory public service performance.

MABUHAY KA TWD!

LUZ S. ARNILLA, CPA, MPA Acting General Manager

SUCCESS AMIDST THE PANDEMIC

The year 2020 has come to an end with different trials that our country has faced during this pandemic cause by COVID-19. Some have lost their lives, some lost their loved ones, some livelihood had been affected, businesses closed down and jobs lost.

In God’s blessings and guidance, Tagum Water District has been resilient even to the challenges that we are facing at this moment. We can sustain our operations and provided our concessionaires the water service that they deserve and most likely the very important one. We strengthen and served more areas as the Bulk Water Supply had been turn-over and now operational.

TWD even extend our helping hand by donating Hand Washing Stations to the City of Tagum and Province of Davao Del Norte for areas that often by the public. This pandemic had affected the way of learning of our students as the education sector had opted for a new normal of providing lessons. Tagum Water District thru the efforts of Water Guardians provided printable materials to schools that needed it most.

I am also grateful for the efforts and dedication of the Management and Staff of Tagum Water District for their undying support and passion in providing our concessionaires the service that they deserve. To my fellow Board of Directors for their guidance and support to aim for the success of Tagum Water District in the coming years.

As James 1:2-4 “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. “ The year 2021 will be another year, but with God’s grace, all our plans will be in place.

HENRIETTO Q. CASTRENCE Chairperson - Board of Directors

GROUND BREAKING OF NEW TWD’S WAREHOUSE

By: Gian Carlo D. Dacua

As the city is progressing despite this time of challenges, Tagum Water District didn’t stop its development and pursue its goal in which a Groundbreaking Ceremony of the New Warehouse commenced last October 28, 2020, at the TWD San Miguel property at 10:28 in the morning.

The event was well attended by the TWD’s Board of Directors headed by the Chairperson Dir. Henrietto Q. Castrence, BOD Sec. Atty. Luel C. Mendez, BOD Members Dir. Vincent A. Arriesgado, and Dir. Carmen B. Apura, the management staff led by the Acting General Manager Luz S. Arnilla, CPA, MPA and the R. Semilla Construction & Marketing Owner. Engr. Roberto S. Semilla.

Rev. Father Ian Jade Balistoy offered the blessing and consecration of the New TWD Warehouse ground as well as the capsule of time and the all the guests attended the ceremony.

Acting GM Luz S. Arnilla, CPA, MPA greeted the guests with warm welcome and enthusiasm. She provided information on how TWD acquired the land in which the Development Bank of the Philippines had offered since it was one of the foreclosed property.

The New Tagum Water District’s Warehouse was conceptualized in the Year 2015 as one of the major project considered by the Five-Year Corporate Plan along with the Tagum Bulk Water Supply Project, Motorpool with Repair Shop and Water Meter Laboratory Building.

One major goal for the consideration of the project, was the situation of our 3 Storage Areas

located in the Main TWD Compound, in NIA Stockyard and Pump Station No. 8. With this project, all these things will be held in reserve in one place keeping the stocks safe and secure. This will reduce the time that our personnel to withdraw materials and storekeepers to travel to another place to assist our men for the pull out of pipes to use for our expansions.

With the Total Floor area of 2,200 square meters with the main structure compose of steel frame, roofing and walling consist of sky lighting and pre-painted galvanized iron sheets. The building has a two level office space to house the warehouse personnel. The Project was awarded to R. Semilla Construction and Marketing on October 21, 2020.

Mayor Allan Lopez Rellon, DPA, PhD expressed his satisfaction to the leaders of the district especially to the BOD Chairperson Henrietto Q. Castrence and Acting GM Luz S. Arnilla, CPA, MPA as this is another major achievement not only for the agency but also for the City of Tagum. He gave the project a tag name “KTWD-KT” which stands as “Kwentong Tagum Water District –Kwentong Tagumpay”.

Dir. Henrietto Q. Castrence, ended the event and thanking everyone in witnessing the momentous ceremony and a successful event organized by the Acting Department Manager for Human Resource and General Services, Ms. Estella D. Aparece, MM and the staffs that made everything possible.

By: Daven Mark N. Lagi-Lagi

The Covid-19 Pandemic have greatly affected all the sectors of the country. The Private and Public sectors were exerting their best effort to control the spread of the virus and one of the best way to effectively prevent it is through washing hands.

On March 2020, Tagum City underwent into total lockdown due to Covid-19 Pandemic. After the total Lockdown has been eased within the city on May 15, 2020, it was expected that the surge of people specifically on the public places.

Tagum Water District came up with the initiative to aid in fighting the Covid-19 Pandemic by donating Ten (10) hand washing facilities to all over Tagum City. This action enabled these public establishments to sustain the continuing COVID-19 measures being implemented within the LGU. The units were installed with the plumbing fixtures that fit the hand washing stations with proper care in these following locations:

Tagum City Public Market - 5 Hand washing Stations

Provincial Engineering Office - 2 Hand washing Stations

Infectious Disease Isolation Facility - 2 Hand washing Stations

Police Station Tagum City - 1 Hand washing Station

City Health Office - 1 Hand washing Station

These hand washing stations were designed to minimize the surface contact on the faucet and soap as there is a mechanism enabled by a pedal to release soap and water thus a contact less hand washing.

TWD promoted the frequent washing of hands with these simple innovations in order to lessen the threat of spreading the Covid-19 virus in public places. These efforts even in small packages would hopefully contribute to the whole in stopping the pandemic the world is facing today.

TWD’s START DATE OF BULK WATER SUPPLY

Last May 18, 2020 was the Operation Start Date for the Bulk Water Supply. The event started with a ceremonial blow-off which was initiated by Mayor Allan Lopez Rellon, DPA, PhD together with Tagum Water District’s Board of Directors headed by the Chairperson Dir. Henrietto Q. Castrence, Dir. Vincent A. Arriesgado, Atty. Luel C. Mendez, Acting General Manager Ms. Luz S. Arnilla, CPA, MPA and TWCI’s Operations Manager Engr. Danvir Mark D. Farnazo, MS, PhD.

A Turn-Over ceremony commenced at the Tagum Water Company, Inc.’s compound in which Tagum Water District’s Final Acceptance Certificate Turn-over was presented by Dir. Henrietto Q. Castrence and Acting GM Luz S. Arnilla, CPA, MPA and was accepted by the TWCI’s Operation Manager Engr. Danvir Mark D. Farnazo, MS, PhD. Given on the 18th Day of May year 2020, Pursuant to Bulk Water Sales and Purchase Agreement (BWSPA) dated February 17, 2016, the certificate was given to TAGUM WATER COMPANY, Inc. for complying the requirements for the issuance of final acceptance as specified by the agreement in Section D.6 of BWSPA and was advised to commence operation for the Tagum Water District Bulk Water Supply Project effective 8:00 AM of May 18, 2020, as per Board

Resolution No. 045 s. 2020 dated May 14, 2020. TWCI is responsible for performing the services under the terms and conditions of the BWSPA and shall be committed to supply the treated potable water for 15 years from operation start date. The contracted volume shall be 26 million liters per day (MLD) for the 1st year to 3rd year, 32 MLD for the 4th year to 6th year and 38 MLD for 7th year to the 15th year.

The ceremony was grace with the presence of the TWD Bulk Water Project Monitoring Committee, headed by Engr. Gerardo M. De Leon, ME, Engr. Pilar M. Mula, CE, RMP, Ms. Jocelyn S. Emotin, CPA, Mr. Arjun L. Dumaan and TWCI’s Finance and Administration Manager Ms. Charity M. Legaspi.

Mayor Allan Lopez Rellon, DPA, PhD as the keynote speaker, conveyed his appreciation to the project as it will benefit the growing demand of potable water supply in the dynamically progressing Tagum and its increasing population.

The event ended with a closing message from the Acting GM, Ms. Luz S. Arnilla, CPA, MPA that TWD has already laid out its plan of action for any problem arises due to increase in pressure and to encourage everyone to report to our hotline (084) 218-0388 for any leaks and discoloration.

By: Gian Carlo D. Dacua

BY: Rechie J. Veroy, CpE, MIT

Supervisory Development Course Track 1 & 2

The Supervisory Development Course (SDC) spearheaded by Civil Service Commission (CSC), while committed to its strategic objective in developing competent and credible employees, stands by the fact that there can never be a hindrance in delivering the course despite the global pandemic. Hence, most of the agencies strive to drive employees for personnel effectiveness, management, and organization communication. A higher-level objective of ensuring the delivery of services and functions of every employee despite adverse public health conditions. The road to becoming competent and highly skilled supervisors is not all impeccable and easy. From the establishment of a well-structured organization in pursuit of excellence to building manpower capabilities and enabling technologies such as webinars and online collaboration tools to achieve the goal takes a lot of cooperation and responsibility. Collaboration and support from Management, supervisors, and employees are considered necessary in achieving the organization’s common goal. We are then very grateful that the management has allowed us to benefit from this training. The CSC’s training approach is one way for all of us to get together and see how far we’ve come and how close we are to our goal.

Pipe-Laying Works Update amid Pandemic

By: Daven Mark N. Lagi-Lagi

Despite the Covid-19 pandemic the country is facing now, Tagum Water District never ceased the Projects It had planned to work for the year 2020. The pandemic may have hampered the schedule to finish on time but the district pushed it through.

Here are some of the Pipelaying projects for the year 2020:

PROPOSED 150 MM DIA. UPVC DISTRIBUTION PIPELINE- KATIPUNAN, TAGUM CITY

To answer the demand of water in far barangays of the City, the district started distribution lines on barangay Madaum, Tagum City to Cater the concessionaires in need for water connection. This project is still on going and will be expected to be finished on the year 2021.

BYPASS LINE TRANSMISSION ON DROP-OFF POINTS

There are 9 Drop-off points in the Bulk-water supply system in the Tagum Water District. Part of the improvements of the system is to install the bypass lines. Here are the bypass lines per drop off points.

These projects are still on going and be expected to be finished on the First quarter of 2021. The Tagum Water District complied on the safety protocols during construction of these projects.

The Economic Effect of PANDEMIC

By: Christel Mae Barbosa

The world is now experiencing a lengthened phase of uncertainty caused by the Coronavirus, so-called COVID-19. The Philippines, one of the affected countries in Asia, declared as the first Coronavirus death outside China.

Just when the Philippines finding its way to escalate the economic growth, along came the Pandemic. Over five years, the Philippine economic growth fluctuates yet remains positive amidst rising global uncertainties. Thus, the Philippine economy is projected to grow 6.1%6.2% in 2020 and 2021 respectively.

However, the Coronavirus outbreak expected to send the Philippine economy into its second contraction. The last time the economy was first contracted was 22 years ago during the extreme El Niño and Asian Financial crisis in 1998.

During Mid-March, most central cities in the Philippines are under strict quarantine, travel ban including international and domestic flights are implemented, finite supply

chains and business operations are closed except those who are under essentials.

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority that the first quarter of this year, Gross Domestic Product fell on 0.2% compared to a year ago, using 2018 as the new base year.

As stated by Jim Chappelow from Investopedia, Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is the monetary or market value of all the finished goods and services produced within a country’s borders in a specific period time and measures overall domestic production, its functions as a comprehensive scorecard of the country’s economic health.

Lockdowns in key cities were the main yank on economic growth. According to Tradingeconomics. com that fixed investment contracted and net external contributed negatively to GDP as exports fell 3% while imports dropped faster, both government spending growth and private consumption eased.

Amidst of negative economic growth, the government already set the priorities. Last March 23, 2020, Congress enacted Republic Act No. 11469 “The Bayanihan to Heal as One Act” in which the law gives the President the power to reallocate and reprogram the 62% of the already approved budget for 2020.

“Containing the spread of the virus and save many thousands of lives through the imposition of the Enhanced Community Quarantine has come at great cost to the Philippine economy. Even so, our priorities are clear: to protect the lives and health of our people,” said Acting Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Karl Chua.

“The government economic team is hoping for a V-shaped recovery or an immediate bounce one lockdown restrictions ease,” Chua added. As of May 13, 2020, the Philippines have 11,350 cases of COVID-19, 751 death, and 2,106 new recoveries according to the Department of Health.

RAISE THE BAR: DITO Telecommunity purports 2021 start

By: Nikki Plaza

Approved by the House of Representatives, DITO Telecommunity acquired its franchise as the third telecommunity in the country starting the year 2021.

Lawmakers granted the renewal of Mindanao Islamic Telephone Company Inc. (Mislatel), presently known as DITO Telecommunity Corporation on House Bill 7332 which also amended by Republic Act No. 8627 known as “an act granting the Mindanao Islamic Telephone Company Inc., a franchise to construct, establish, install, maintain, and operate wire and/or wireless telecommunication system”. On July 8, 2019, Mislatel consortium now DITO Telecommunity was awarded by the President to operate as the country`s third telco player.

According to Wikipedia DITO Telecommunity is a consortium of Davao businessman Dennis Uy`s Udenna Corporation and its subsidiary Chelsea Logistics Corporation and Chinese state-owned China Telecommunication Corporation, a parent company of China Telecom. It is the only winner of government-sanctioned bidding that allows to operate as the third major telecommunication challenging the established duopoly of PLDT and Globe Telecom.

DITO sets high hopes to its consumers as they stated their capability to fund to cover requirements on providing better services as telco providers challenging PLDT and Globe Telecom. They declared their $500 million (P25.3 billion) drawing from the Bank of China which they stated as enough for its first year of the operation targeting 1600 towers to build up catering 37 percent of the population which speeds up to 27mbps.

The group has stated the delay of their technical audit caused by the corona virus pandemic but it remains on track for its commercial launch in March 2021.

DITO entering the picture will be a threat to the two established telco providers as they are also warned by the President about their unfavorable services and if not improved, will be shut. It is an advantage especially to the consumer to have plenty of options on internet providers particularly in these time of pandemic in which telecommunication is the primary source of communication in work, businesses and education. Including them to consumer`s list of option will trigger the other companies to improve their services to keep their customers.

Advice to the Citizens

By: Hannah Lynnie Barrios

Since the COVID-19 outbreak, hospitals around the globe, as end-users, are predominantly affecting the mounting demand of various medical supplies. It is likely to shoot up to 100 Billion USD from 78 Billion USD in 2019, with N-95 mask, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), disinfectant and ventilation as the leading cost driver.

In order to help the healthcare providers, who have been working through a very rigid schedule, everyone should recognize the benefits of the things and arrangements that the whole world is applying today. Studies show that nurses can only hold 4-6 hours per shift in attending COVID-19 patients while wearing a PPE. Thus, minimizing the case of COVID-19 is quite a tough job for medical front liners, they could not do it alone and everyone must participate in this deadly race. Below are the few things to remind everyone:

Until this pandemic would not cease, the global need for disinfectants will surge up to 6% every year. Alcohol-based sanitizer is more desirable to apply rather than washing hands. Sanitizers are handy, while washing hands is undoubted, necessitates running water and soap. Thus, researchers paved the way to a study which anticipates the shortage of sanitizers next year, with a whopping rate of -2.90% until 2025. Alcohol distilleries, such as Verdant, is now making hand sanitizers to meet the enormous rise demand of disinfectants.

Is it really true that alcohol-based sanitizers could kill 99.99% of Corona virus? A study has been made by Suchomel and colleagues who modified formulations of the hand sanitizers, which were recommended and tested lately by the World Health Organization and having ≥3.8 reduction factor. The tests consist of (1) 0.725% glycerol, 0.125% hydrogen peroxide, and 80% ethanol; (2) 0.725% glycerol, 0.125% hydrogen peroxide, and 75% 2-propanol.

The virus activity was then tested, 30 seconds after being exposed to the hand sanitizer, with 1 part virus, organic material and within various concentrations of 8 parts of sanitizer solution. Coronavirus lessens within the given time and killed by all of the modified hand sanitizer solutions and dilutions of 40% and up. Thus, indicating the virus reduction factor of ≥5.9.

As of today, the Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), and bovine coronavirus (BCoV) have a similar property to the novel coronavirus through their inactivation profile (Beusekom, 2020).

Suchomel and colleagues suggest that a 30-second hand rub of the tested sanitizer formulation is the most effective way to inactivate the virus. WHO is already backing up the formulation in an attempt to equip healthcare facilities and ordinary citizens.

DISINFECTANT MASK

Whether people like it or not, everyone should wear a face mask to avoid the contraction of the coronavirus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) endorses that everyone, especially when in public places, must wear a face mask. Physical distancing and proper hygiene are not a guarantee for one to never contract the virus. Hence, face mask is a must!

There are a lot of face masks but which one? (1) A homemade face mask is made from materials common to every household like fabric or even cut-outs from old clothes. It decreases the risk of people who do not have the virus from catching it, but in a study made by van der Sande in 2008, it is half as effective from not contracting the virus and 50 times less effective than an N95; (2) Surgical mask is a disposable face mask having a better bacteria filtration. Polypropylene is commonly used to manufacture it. It is way better than homemade mask since it has a metal strip which is adjustable to form the shape of a nose; (3) N95 respirator can filter up to 95% of small particles floating in the air, particularly droplets, sprays, viruses and bacteria. It is quite tight-fitting. Other N95 respirators have exhalation valve which allows an individual to breathe thoroughly and lessen heat and humidity. Although this one is good enough, it is not a one-size-fits-all. It should be tested first before being bought or used because the seal is not as effective as it is when it does not follow the shape of the face. Learning from the aforementioned items, choose what to wear wisely.

PHYSICAL DISTANCING

Physical distancing is knowing a space between a person from another. It is mostly called as “social distancing.” An individual should stay 6 feet away from other people especially those who do not belong to his household.

As a part of the New Normal, physical distancing is required. Recent studies show that there may be people who have contracted the virus but do not show the symptoms. They are called “asymptomatic patients.” They can spread the coronavirus through droplets when talking, coughing or even sneezing on surfaces and other people. Accordingly, physical distancing sets the boundaries from the communicable disease. Include physical distancing as a routine. Beforehand, know the rules from the local government for better understanding. Create an itinerary and visit only shops where the necessities are found. Travel safely by private cabs which are available through mobile applications. If not prevented, commuting through public transportation can also be risky, thus, always maintain a 6 feet distance from other passengers. Also, avoid crowded events and wear a mask. Mask will be a big help when physical distancing is tough to follow.

HAND WASHING

This is the primary step to prevent the spread of COVID-19. With just running water and soap, a person can help reduce the risk of virus dispersion. 20-second hand hygiene is a critical part of battling this taunting virus.

Everyone can adopt hand hygiene as a part of the daily routine. In fact, the WHO campaign “SAVE LIVES: Clean Your Hands” engages people across nations to observe hand hygiene in hospitals, clinics and other health care facilities to support health workers and patients who contracted not just COVID-19 but other pathogens as well.

Always wash hands after coughing or sneezing, when taking care of the sickly, after using the bowel, before eating and preparing food, and after petting the animals. If the hands are not obviously dirty, always see to it to freshen them with alcohol-based sanitizers.

This is now the New Normal, which refers to “the emerging behaviors, situations, and minimum public health standards that will be institutionalized in common routine or practices and remain even after the pandemic while the disease is not totally eradicated,” and the line goes on. Community-based transmission is already happening in a lot of countries including the Philippines. This serves as an invitation for everyone to stay vigilant in times like this.

BIOLOGICAL OR BIBLICAL

By: Gian Carlo D. Dacua

The year 2020 was thought to become a year of prosperity and good luck with flexibility and open-mind, life will be easier according to Chinese Horoscope. The Rat is the first sign of the zodiac which means renewals and new beginnings. It seems that year 2020 never really started quite well as what the horoscope predicted. The world’s excitement came to a halt when an epidemic spread in the City of Wuhan, China that a significant number of people became ill with a SARS like decease. The Chinese Government found out that the cause of this epidemic was a novel coronavirus that originated from the Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market. It was believed that it came from a bat that the locals are fond of eating exotic animals.

The novel coronavirus has spread all over the globe and that World Health Organization called it as COVID19 and characterized as pandemic. Scientist all over the world racing to develop vaccines that will combat this deadly virus. There are so many speculations and questions regarding this decease that some say it’s the way of nature to heal itself. The conspiracy theorist suggested otherwise. According to them, the virus was created from a lab in Wuhan. No evidence yet suggesting COVID-19 virus is a bioweapon. The virus over brimmed from animals to human as suggested from scientific evidence. It manifested on research that the COVID-19 virus is genetically similar to a coronavirus that was formerly associated in bats. Scientist are working to uncover immediate coronavirus matches in animals that sharpen the way to over brim to humans. COVID-19 virus could have overleaped through pangolins as two initial research specify. The transmission chain of COVID-19 virus will be understandable; as ample studies is conducted.

There are religious group that suggested it is biblical that we are living in the end of days. A commonly mentioned passage is Matthew 24:7-8.

The scripture reads: “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains.”

As our governments implemented lockdowns in effort to contain the virus, businesses closed, jobs loss, financial markets have crashed, thousands of people have died and millions have been infected. In other nation like the US, people are fighting on their difference on their beliefs that COVID19 is just a propaganda that stripped their rights to freedom. In our country, people are claiming that they experienced hunger since some of them lost their way of living.

People have been divided and become distant to one another, the compassion become less nowadays as we become more afraid of having close contact to people and that we might catch this deadly virus. In Ecuador, bodies are left in the streets and no one really cares to bury them as their government is struggling in managing this pandemic. In reality, this pandemic gave us the opportunity to think of what is only life’s basic necessity. Keeping our family closer that during this time, we have them with or us having them in our side.

Christian writer Michael Brown from The Stream said: “What is clear to me is that we should not view the coronavirus as a prophesied, end-time plague. Instead, we should view it in the same way we have viewed many other epidemics and pandemics in world history. They are tragic reminders of the broken state of our world and of the frailty of our race.”

Referrences:

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/340397434_Covid-19_Plague_a_Biological_Weapon_or_Retribution_of_Nature_Struggle_of_Mankind_ against_Invisible_Might

https://www.express.co.uk/news/weird/1262529/Coronavirus-conspiracy-theory-COVID19-bioweapon-apocalypse

https://www.express.co.uk/news/weird/1253667/Coronavirus-theories-bioweapon-Wuhan-lab-COVID19-Bible-plague-prophecy-latest-news

https://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/wet-markets-breeding-ground-for-new-coronavirus-by-peter-singer-and-paola-cavalieri-2020-03 https://www.instagram.com/Channel4News

Alleged 15 Billion Philhealth Corruption Amid Pandemic

By Daven Mark N. Lagi-Lagi

The novel corona virus that strikes the Philippines which is known in the whole world as the Covid-19 did not only disrupt the economy but the whole health system in the country as well.

It can never be denied that the word Health and Economy is directly proportional to each other as the saying goes “Health is Wealth”. That’s why we are so careful with our health it is our “puhonan” and when we get sick, our livelihood is at stake not to mention the cost of medications and procedures that comes with it. Specially in a third world country like the Philippines, healthcare is becoming a business and it comes with a hefty price tag. How about those who can’t afford the expenses when they get sick, where do they go? The Government already came up with the sector to shoulder the expenses, and it is the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation or also known as Philhealth.

Philhealth is a Government owned Health Insurance Company which provides financial support to the Filipinos when confined to a health facility may it be Private-owned or Public Hospital. The fund came from the contributions which is mandatory deductions to the working Filipinos and OFW’s are not even exempted in paying it.

On the First week of August 2020, the former employee from the Philhealth, Atty. Thorrsson Montes Keith disclosed that high ranking officials from the company have allegedly pocketed roughly P 15 billion of funds. The anti-fraud legal officer of Philhealth have discovered a widespread corruption within the agency and as he had described the fraudulent act as the “Crime of the Year”.

If this is proven true, one would think if these suspect officials have a grain of conscience to pocket the funds for personal gain which millions of Filipinos are relying on. And with the Pandemic which is on the surge to rise, Can the Philhealth Funds be able to keep up with the engrained corruption in the Agency?

This goes to show that the corruption within the Agency has become a norm rather than a shocking news. Since the agency have been discovered to practicing it for years, the officials just went with the flow. What is appalling is that the country is in the brink of the crisis and thousands of Filipinos are dying, yet in the backdrop of pandemic these officials contained the nerve to deceive the countrymen.

We must not forget that the corruption is not only an institutional and legal issue but it involves the social, economic, and political aspect as well. We should not normalize these kind of behaviors and this must be reprimanded. Millions of Filipinos are depending their life on it and if the funds are compromised, the healthcare provided will be compromised as well. It is a sad thought when everyone should be healed when sick, and because lack of money Filipinos would wait for their life to end because our State Health Insurance could not cover it. Health is a right, not a privilege.

THE MEDICAL FRONTLINE HEROES OF COVID-19

By: Hannah Lynnie Barrios

Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has been wayfaring 213 countries for the past couple of months, claiming 298,737 lives as of May 14, 2020, and with over 4.4 million confirmed cases (World Health Organization, 2020). This virus can infect anyone, including our medical front liners. The news headlines made it hard for the ordinary people to discern how troubled they must be. Globally, individuals are always in a hurry to store disinfectants, hand sanitizers, face masks and food in order to survive from the pandemic. Efforts to flatten the curve are inept up until now. Despite the determination of our health care providers to lessen the burden, it felt as if they were the ones being deprived with proper care.

Medical professions have always been tough, however noble ones. Carrying relentlessly the pride amongst uncertainty. They perform at their best to treat patients who are at their most morbid state. Oftentimes, they may bring hope to the immediate family, while in some cases, a patient may also be at the verge of his death. COVID-19 made everyone aware that medical front liners are indeed becoming at their most vulnerable. Battling the pandemic with layers of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) at exceeded normal shift hours just to ensure both not infected and infected patients are being attended properly and with utmost care – that’s a norm by now, considering themselves lucky if they could have minutes of break from the reality, emerging from the battleground unscathed. Getting a call from their loved ones could only be the best part of the day.

A 34 years old cardiologist at Maimonides Medical Center, Brooklyn New York Dr. Sarah Rosanel, a mother of three (3) children. Melissa Chan, a correspondent of Time (time.com), had an interview with her. Dr. Rosanel experienced being exposed and not protected during her shift, her family told her not to go back. She at that

point replied, “But I felt it was a moral duty. I thought it was deceptive to not go back. I love my children more than anything in this world. I love my husband. I could not have not gone back. I want to help.” Imagine the urge of a mother to keep her family ensured from the virus but she can’t just stay home knowing that the COVID-19 patients needed her more. “It’s not something we’ve ever seen before,” Ms. Chan denoted.

Dr. Romeo Gregorio Macasaet III, an anesthesiologist, succumb to COVID-19 at the age of 62. Along with his wife, Dr. Evalyn Talens, he tirelessly treated COVID-19 patients of Manila Doctors Hospital until he contracted the virus himself, leading to his death on March 22nd. His wife contracted the virus, however, she is well and did not undergo intubation. A most reliable mass test for the asymptomatic medical front liners must be carried out using the Real-time reverse Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) to safeguard themselves and the patients, though, as of today, Philippines lack test kits and a hierarchy is charted in terms of who should be tested. Sadly, medical front liners are less prioritized. COVID-19 infects more than 2,000 health workers in the Philippines. The virus has been alarming World Health Organization (WHO) about the increasing cases amongst our country’s health workers.

Government has answered this concern of WHO through purchasing more PPE’s for the medical front liners. This pandemic, which is now racing across the Philippines, is making our medical front liners under siege. Patients are saturating the hospitals and beds are running out. Local government units and DOH, with the help of private sectors and persons, are setting up more isolation facilities. The DOH released Department Memorandum No. 2020-0135 which proposes interim guidelines for emergency hiring of health personnel in selected hospitals and health facilities to correspond to the COVID-19 health emergency. It will be indeed seen as both risk and pride for the aspirants, knowing that they might put themselves and their loved ones in danger. But as long as someone has a heart to help, ready to become a fighter of this unseen enemy, then what could go wrong? This is not a battle that health workers signed up for, but it is…for now. None of this is easy but they carry on to fight another day. The heroes of this generation. Regardless of what war these medical front liners engage in, selflessness wins over self-protection.

Source:https://www.thestar.com.my/lifestyle/health/2020/04/27/covid-19-mental-health-support-for-frontliners

ON-TIME PAYMENT RAFFLE PROMO

In its effort to entice the consumers of Tagum Water District to pay their water bills on time, TWD conducts its Quarterly Raffle Draw Promo and its Grand Raffle Draw. Various prizes are awarded in these promos, ranging from appliances to grocery packages. Truly, these Raffle Draws are wonderful incentives to the consumers who pay their bills on-time.

The year 2020 brought drastic change in our lives, schools and workplaces closed down and people were force to shift to digital learning and virtual workspaces in a mere few months. With this, a lot of Tagumeños, had to acquire computers and mobile gadgets to keep up with these trying times.

Tagum Water District saw this situation and decided to give out 12 Laptop Computers as the prizes of the Tagum Water District On-Time Payment Grand Raffle Draw. The laptop computers are going to be great help to the consumers who are undertaking online studies or working online during this pandemic.

The Grand Raffle Draw was held on January 20, 2021, and was streamed online through Facebook Live.

The lucky winners of brand-new laptop computers are:

Account Name

Salmon, Marcela Yap, Rove Joseph

Ancheta, Dionisia

Labrador, Asmen Aoke, Veronica

Gabato, Helen Sioson, Rio

Displayan, Ellen Verano, Reynaldo

Raden, Janet Tumale, E./Bayabaya, C. Villarente, Lynn

Address

Prk. Pag-asa, Visayan Village

Prk. 2 Durian, Apokon

Prk. 5, San Miguel

Prk. Bulaklak, Mirafuentes

Prk. Caimito, Mankilam

Sacred Heart, Cuambogan

Prk. Rupenta 1, Brgy. East

Esmeralda, Apokon

Prk. Kahayag, Visayan Village

Prk. 3 Durian, San Miguel

Prk. 2-A, La Filipina

Prk. Pag-asa, Seminary Drive

By: ENGR. KRIST ANDREW D. ALMARIO, MECE, RMP

CALAMITIES AMIDST COVID-19 BATTLE: A CRISIS WITHIN A CRISIS

By: Lyra Ybañez

Currently recognized as a pandemic, the Corona Virus Disease 2019 or COVID-19 recorded its first case last November 2019 at Wuhan, China, and was confirmed to have a human to human transmission by January 2020. The outbreak of COVID-19 has been stopping many human activities. It became a struggle for people to work and sustain their daily needs. The whole world is in total distress. Many people are experiencing hunger due to the sudden shift in the environment. But even in the middle of fighting an unseen enemy, people are also confronted with various calamities.

Here’s a glimpse of some of the calamities that untimely emerged this year:

RAGING WILDFIRES ACROSS UNITED STATES

Wildfires are consuming a large number of sections of land in California, Oregon and other parts of the United States, annihilating towns, covering communities in thick smokes and stealing homes of many natives and animals. According to National Interagency Fire Center, as of September 25, 2020, over 7.1 million acres of land in the United States have been burned as a result of 44,174 wildfires. Out of these numbers, 74 were large fires which have burned 3.7 million acres. This is almost twice the acres burned during the previous year.

IMMENSE FLOODING IN SUDAN

Immense flooding caused by heavy seasonal rains this year has forced authorities to declare a three-month national state of emergency in Sudan, a country situated in North East Africa after it has killed almost a hundred of people and inflicted injury on 46 others. According to an article published by Anadolu Agency, the said flooding has killed 103 people and injured 50 others, 27,341 homes were destroyed while 42,210 were partially damaged. Affecting more than 650,000 people across 17 of the country’s 18 states, it was described by the UN as the worst flooding in Sudan after 30 years.

1 2 3

MASSIVE LOCUST ATTACKS IN PARTS OF AFRICA, MIDDLE EAST AND ASIA

As stated in a published article by the Worldbank, there were already 23 countries that have been affected by massive locust attacks as early as mid-April 2020. Nine of these countries are in East Africa, 11 in North Africa and Middle East and 3 in South Asia. The attack has worsened the situation of people across these affected countries as their agricultural products were devoured and damaged by these insects triggering a severe food crisis as they battle against the deadly corona virus. Accordingly, this was considered the worst infestation have seen after 25 years in Ethiopia and Somalia, after 26 in India and 70 in Kenya.

A boat motors by as the Bidwell Bar Bridge is surrounded by fire in Lake Oroville during the Bear Fire in Oroville, California, on September 9, 2020. [AP Photo/Noah Berger]

An aerial view shows buildings and roads submerged by floodwaters near the Nile river in South Khartoum, Sudan. [El Tayeb Siddig/ Reuters]

Swarms of locusts in the walled city of Jaipur, Rajasthan in India, Monday, May 25, 2020. [ PTI ]

Ambo, the main tropical storm to hit the nation this year, came as the Philippines battled with the COVID-19 pandemic which brought flooding, landslides and destructive winds. It has left at least one person dead and caused destruction to hundreds of homes and coronavirus isolation facilities, including agricultural products across five hard-hit eastern towns in the Philippines. As per National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, it has left P185.8 million worth of damages to agriculture alone in a total of ten provinces in the Bicol region, CALABARZON, and Eastern Visayas wherein Bicol Region was the hardest hit in terms of it. Due to the destruction brought about by the typhoon, Northern Samar was placed under a provincewide state of calamity.

STRONG EARTHQUAKE AND DESTRUCTIVE TROPICAL STORM IN THE PHILIPPINES

A strong magnitude 6.6 earthquake shook the province of Masbate and vicinity last August 18, 2020. The damage to the infrastructure brought by the strong earthquake was estimated to be at P23.96 million, according to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). Numerous bridges, roads and public structures were damaged. According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), the last strong tremor that happened in the area was a magnitude 6.2 earthquake that occurred last February 15, 2003.

These escalating calamities that struck the world in the middle of battling COVID-19 had left people in difficulty. These might be the result of neglecting the cries of our nature. The wounds of the world caused by the human race have bled too much that it is now giving us a bloody and fiery bath. The climate change, unseen viruses, and unresolved problems of the environment are haunting us now. What are you going to do? Perhaps, the answer is within you.

January - December 2020

Magnitude 6.6 earthquake causes the Public’s Attorney Office in Cataingan, Masbate to collapse. [Brix Mahinay]

Residents wade along a flooded village caused by Bagyong Ambo as it passed by Sorsogon province, eastern Philippines last May 15, 2020. [Melchor Hilotin]

Keeping Up with Mental Health: Strengthening Leader’s Resilience During & A�er Pandemic

By: MARIE JANE A. CLAVERO, Ph. D.

The ongoing pandemic, worsening as it is, has far more significant repercussions to all of us than we are ready to recognize and address. While science and medicine have channeled all available knowledge to fast-track the development of vaccines, there are a dozen other— but equally important— concerns besides the general medical complications of COVID which need urgent attention and remedy. And one of these is the drastic effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the individual and the general public’s mental health.

Research shows that during a pandemic, the general public’s mental health influences the spread of the disease itself, as well as the incidence of emotional stress and social disturbances during and after the outbreak. Even the proper compliance of health protocols has a lot to do with the public’s mental health and wellness. A person’s immunity from pathogens has a lot to do with his or her mental health. People who are prone to, diagnosed, or have history of psychological problems have weaker immune system and overall physical constitution, and therefore more vulnerable to viruses. Secondly, even those who initially do not have pre-existing mental health conditions are still at risk of developing symptoms of anxiety and depression, with some experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) which may be attributed to long periods of isolation, loss of loved ones, economic and financial distress, cessation of work, loss of profits, having friends and relatives infected or who are at the frontlines of the COVID battle, and even the current social and political turmoil that go with the pandemic.

Everyone’s mental health is at stake here and now.

It was found that the general public today has a lower psychological well-being than in pre-COVID time. Cases of anxiety and depression have multiplied, and psychological effects such as maladaptive behavior, emotional stress, defensive reactions, and sleep disorders have become rampant. Yet despite all of this, mental health science remains to be the less explored aspect of our COVID-19 response and strategy, understandably because, our healthcare system is prioritizing more on testing, reducing transmission, hospital care, and hopefully soon, mass vaccination. Hence, the mental health part is left to us to cultivate and strengthen, starting within our homes and immediate surroundings. Institutions

such as ours, schools, workplaces, and other corporate entities, must take part and play a proactive role in intensifying mental health awareness within our own spheres of influence, and amplify the importance of mental health in combating and eradicating COVID-19.

The effect of the pandemic on our working environment is evident— from social distancing policies, disinfection protocols, lock-downs and isolation periods. Moreover, as a public utility institution, we are in contact with the public on a daily basis. And this can very much incite anxiety, depression, PTSD or sleep disorders, among us. Hence, posing a serious hazard on our mental and physical well-being. Lack of sleep and emotional instability can cause the immune system to deteriorate and therefore making one more susceptible to pathogen infection. Today, it is always a crucial task for management to come up with a comprehensive COVID-19 response strategy, not only to veer us away from the physical complications of COVID, but also to facilitate mental health and well-being by limiting occasions for worry, anxiety, and trauma.

Currently, we have adopted strict anti-contagion measures such as “no face mask, no face shield, no QR Code, strictly no entry” rule. We have also established workplace infrastructures such as hand washing facilities and foot bath stations. Work-from-home arrangements were effected for those workers who might be inherently vulnerable on account of their old age, medical history, or pregnancy. The entire work premises also undergo regular disinfection— twice a month, and whenever necessary. Also, All Department and Division Heads participated the live webinar on Keeping Up with Mental Health: Strengthening Leaders’ Resilience During and After Pandemic conducted by Davao City Water District last October 21, 2020.

We truly believe that how we implement our health safety protocols, and how we comply with them, are crucial in providing us with some sort of relief or peace of mind as we navigate through this difficult and tumultuous time.

Workers are also encouraged to pay close attention to their own mental health. Take responsibility. Get enough sleep. Take breaks when necessary. Engage in self-care. Develop a healthy diet and

exercise. Limit exposure to social media and news coverage. And do not hesitate to ask for help— professional medical assistance, peer-support, or otherwise— when the need arises.

Management, in turn, should also cultivate a working environment of compassion and understanding, integrate individual and social perspectives, so that workers will feel secure in opening up about their work-related anxieties, and provide valuable insight or advice about such occupational concerns. It is about time that we raise the awareness that some people— nay, many people— struggle from different sorts of trauma and yet carry themselves to participate in the affairs of daily life, only because the issue of mental health is still found taboo in many environments. One can suffer heavy bouts of anxiety and depression and still be highly functional— get up in the morning, fix your coffee, hit the shower, and show up for work. This is the tricky thing about mental health issues: They are not as apparent as other physiological complications. Indeed, it takes a lot of empathy and listening to understand the struggle of mentally affected people.

Lastly, we recommend targeted psychological interventions for workers who have been actually afflicted by COVID-19. Such people may suffer shame, trauma, and excessive anxiety and may find it difficult or even refuse to assimilate themselves back into the workspace. Psychological interventions are necessary to minimize such psychological effects, or even prevent future psychiatric morbidity. Such interventions may be carried out through phone or online conferencing.

As always, extra consideration is extended to COVID high-risk groups within the work premises such as senior citizens, children, those have pre-existing respiratory conditions, pregnant women, and of course, the psychologically vulnerable. ***

INDEX OF AUTHORITIES:

Vindegaard, N., & Benros, M. E. (2020). COVID-19 pandemic and mental health consequences: Systematic review of the current evidence. Brain, behavior, and immunity, 89,531-542.

Cullen, W., Gulati, G., & Kelly, B. D. (2020). Mental health in the Covid-19 pandemic. QJM: An International Journal of Medicine, 113(5), 311-312.

A Webinar Series on Mental Health Awareness in the Workplace

QUARAN-SINE

Top 3 Filipino Family Movies of the Decade

Filipinos are undeniable a big fan of movies. It’s not that we love the drama, but I guess it became as an escape of the harsh realities of living in a developing country where opportunities are scarce. Another quality of being a Filipino is our unfathomable love for our family. It is deeply embedded in the DNA of every Filipino that the love they have for their families knows no bounds. So, what happens if this quality of a Filipino gets featured in a film? A superb work of art.

At this time of pandemic where lockdowns are in place and we seemingly have all the time in the world, we can enjoy a little movie time with our family, loved ones or even a solo movie trip if you are quarantining alone.

Here are the Top 3 Filipino Family Movies of the Decade (2010-2020), got you fam!

2013 – Four Sisters and a Wedding

The story follows the children of the Salazar family who have been pursuing separate lives in the recent years. Teddie (Toni Gon ayao) is a school teacher who lives at home; and CJ (Enchong Dee) works as an IT professional in Manila. After a few years of not being together as a whole family, they find themselves reuniting when CJ announces his plan to marry Princess, his girlfriend for three months.

Much to their shock and dismay, CJ’s sisters come together for the wedding and have agreed to dissuade him from marrying his fiancée. As they interact with each other, they also face the feelings and issues they’ve tried to hide. All siblings re-examine how they were before, who they are now and face the ultimate test of their bond. This is a drama comedy of family relationships; of siblings who have grown together, apart and what it takes to make them grow together again; of love and forgiveness; and the acknowledgment of one’s family.

2016 - Everything About Her

“Everything About Her” highlights the importance of family during hard times, and how these obstacles bring forth understanding and forgiveness. Directed by Bb. Joyce Bernal, it follows the story of a successful businesswoman named Vivian (Vilma Santos), who learned that she is suffering from stage 3 cancer. She then hires a private nurse, Jaica (Angel Locsin), to take care of her. But she’s bound to play a bigger role in Vivian’s life as she becomes the bridge between the mother and her son Albert (Xian Lim), who have felt neglected all his life. How will the three change and be changed by their circumstances?

2017 - Seven Sundays

“Seven Sundays” tells the story of the four Bonifacio siblings Allan (Aga Muhlach), Brian (Dingdong Dantes), Cha (Cristine Reyes), and Dex (Enrique Gil), who are forced to return to their childhood home when their Tatay Manuel (Ronaldo Valdez) is diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer.

The main question is, as they confront their history, will they be able to reconnect and find redemption in each other?

https://starcinema.abs-cbn.com/movies/four-sisters-and-a-wedding https://starcinema.abs-cbn.com/movies/everything-about-her-(1) https://starcinema.abs-cbn.com/movies/seven-sundays

By: Ailene H. Ponio

PLANTITOS AND PLANTITAS: PLANT NOW, LIVE FOREVER

By: NAOMI CELLA G. LIBANTE

Our planet has been molded by a massive cycle of creations over which we have no control. Our cultural diversity is extremely changing from generations to generations into which we adapt the requisite of this modern world. Science and Technology have conveyed a widespread relevance and pertinence in our way of lives. From the rising of gadgets, machineries and industrials; we are transient into what is in throughout the years. Novel Corona Virus is a disease that produced a malignant death and deterioration all over the world. It is a disease that will not presage your social status quo in life, whether you’re rich or poor, famous or ordinary; everyone is entitled to follow protocols in order to savage and protect lives. March of this year (2020), the administration declared a State of Calamity due to Covid-19. Philippines was under Enhance Community Quarantine where many provinces, cities and municipalities experienced a total lockdown. Only few business establishments and agencies are allowed to open, thus, the services are for basic necessities. Thousands of Filipinos are affected many became jobless, various establishments have been closed and all are required to stay at home to prevent the spread of Covid-19 disease.

Plantitos and Plantitas are names created during the rose of pandemic. It is a layman’s term for someone who became so attached with different varieties of plants and made planting a way of coping the tension and anxiety brought about by the pandemic. Planting is usually a normal habit of many Filipinos. Some actually love collecting different kind of plants, some use it as a form livelihood and some just plant for relaxation and create good ambiance. However, during the wrath of pandemic, plants have given special care and attention. Planting became a hast of boredom, a restraint from stress and a diversion of pressure from the surroundings. The regression of barter through social media was formed. Many are willing to trade goods for plants. Some of the common plants are varieties of aglaonema, caladium, alocasia, fortune/ lucky plant, bougainvillea, and calathea. These are some plants that we usually seen in our home, sometimes merely passing by and sometimes just an ordinary view. The giant taro or in visayan we called it “badiang” that cost a thousand to million pesos depending on the age and size has been very controversial lately, after some celebrities and influential individuals posted it in their social medias. Some locals reacted and commented it harshly since “badiang” is known for its itchiness and considered it as forest wild plant. The sap irritates the skin due to the present of calcium oxalate crystals in their stems. No wonder, if banana and touch-me-not (makahiya) plant will cause a thousand too? Ironic but somewhat true, it is possible who would know?

Planting will never be a fading habit. It is one of the best ways to divert the weight of stress we are facing right now. You’re not just helping yourself cope-up the pandemic, but you’re making a dent in the universe in a very real way. You can make all kind of plants a loyal friend, a savage for daily needs and even a comforter for the challenges we all slayed in the present and for the future. Filipinos are like plants we shine, smile and see little hope in every way no matter what, that every hope of a Filipino could really make a big difference. Filipinos will also wither just like plants, but like plants we need that urged to stand still and be resilient enough to overcome the catastrophe in life.

https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/best-plant-care-tips

January - December 2020

SMART SHAMING AT THE TIME OF PANDEMIC

By: Ailene H. Ponio

Filipinos are known for being hospitable, creative and funny. As they say, we are the perfect combination of being resilient and compassionate. However, those Cadena of positive traits always come with a negative knot. Filipinos are also known for lack of discipline, always coming late (hence, Filipino time) and our peculiar trait on smart shaming. This is especially true in this time of pandemic where twitter became the official platform for argument of every Filipino netizen.

Smart shaming is defined as an act of mocking someone who expresses his or her opinion in an intellectual way. If I have one legit question to ask anybody, it would be this. If knowledge is power, then why are people so proud of being dumb and shame those who are more intellectual than usual?

WHAT IS SMART-SHAMING?

We, the Filipinos, will not admit it but in one way or the other, we have done some smart shaming in the past. The most common example for this is saying “Nosebleed” every time someone speaks in fluent English or saying “eh di wow” in the middle of a conversation just because someone stated an accurate fact. Feeling guilty yet? Don’t worry, the feeling is mutual. While writing this article, it is very tempting to stick to the idea of being a hypocrite and point fingers on each and every one of you while keeping my hands clean of any fault. I figured, if I will admit to being a smart shamer, no one will be interested in reading this article. However, coming out clean is not the entire point of this write-up. When I started this article, my intentions were clear. Once and for all, let us all figure out why do we have this habit of smart-shaming.

Let us trace back to our roots, shall we?

As stated in our history, we are colonized for a long time by the Spaniards who treated us like dirt and thereby calling us Indios which downgrades our status in the society as those with the lowest of the low. The educational attainment of the Filipinos at that time are often limited to those what they can learn at home. Since then, there is that sense of aloofness against those who are well learned because they consider them as threat as they might trick them into something disadvantageous.

Is it possible that we acquired this somewhat negative trait from our ancestors and it just heightened over the years? Maybe we did. Maybe we didn’t. Maybe we are just simple-minded individual who thrives with the idea of antiintellectualism. Who knows?

All I know is that smart-shaming should not brand us Filipinos. Because if it will, the works of some of our great heroes like Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo which showcases their love for individualism and knowledge will just be put to waste.

Let us stand up against this habit and promote the love for learning. Only then will we be able to express and show our true qualities as Filipinos especially during these times of pandemic.

QUARANTINAPA SAVES THE DAY!

By: Mark Anthony S. Nagaliza

Even sardines packed in can need social distancing, too!

With the exponential number of confirmed cases in the country, restrictions and limited movement as one of the government protocols to prevent the deadly disease have tighten to save lives. And as we should, social distancing is necessary to protect ourselves from getting the virus.

Filipinos probably stocking-up foods for survival. However, most households depend on assistance as most of them lose their jobs due to the effect caused by this pandemic.Livelihood of many are greatly affected. People are out of work. Some business establishments are closed and others are still hinder to operate in its full capacity. It is a great help that the government provide monetary assistance to those considered as poor families and marginalized sectors that includesinformal sector,and employees who are on “no work, no pay” scheme during quarantine period. With the initiative and immediate effort by local government, they’ve distributed relief or economic packages to all households.These goods include rice, noodles, odong/misua, and canned goods.

Canned goods, especially sardines, are staple in relief packages because aside from being least pricey, it has nutritional benefits and basically ready to eat goods. Recently, a lot of memes and social media wits trend and circulated online. Netizens are making fun of all different brand names of sardines. Creating one funny statement using all its brand names. People are jokingly complaining that they have been eating sardines almost daily, to the point that they experience a stomach distress(kabuhi) with distaste for food and an urge to vomit.How bizarre! It is a positive distraction, one way to fight anxiety and somehow spreading good vibes amid the pandemic.

Nutritionists suggest that daily consumption is not recommended. However, there are nutrients that can be obtained from eating sardines, according to www.healthline.com, sardines has nutritional benefits. In fact,It has OMEGA 3 FATTY ACIDS which help prevent heart disease due to their anti-inflammatory properties, and also reduce the risk of blood clots and lower blood pressure. Sardines has also VITAMINS, an excellent source of B-12 which help your cardiovascular system and gives you energy. It also contains VITAMIN D. It also has CALCIUM, for those who are lactose intolerant, allergic to dairy, or nee more calcium in their diet. Along these benefits, it also have MINERALS that includes NIACIN, IRON, POTASSIUM, MAGNESIUM, ZINC and PHOSPHORUS. Also it has PROTEIN, which is essential for you to build healthy bones and muscles. It create antibodies that keep our immune systems strong, as well it takes nutrients and oxygen to all parts of the body.

Filipinos have innate talents, and one of it is being creative. Running out idea is not a problem. Canned sardines can be cooked in many ways. It can be prepared with some veggies from your backyard to make it more nutritious. Some suggested recipes shared online that will surely enjoy your mouth are (1) sardines with misua, patola and upo;(2) ginisang sardinas at upo; (3) lumpiang sardinas; (4) sardines fishballs; (5) Sisig Sardines; (6) TortangSardinas; and (7) Odong. Isdalicious! Canned sardines are having its moment!

**tinapa is a bisaya dialect for canned sardines

Pictures references: https://www.angsarap.net/2019/03/29/sardines-and-upo-misua/ fishball- Pepperhona TV (YT)

Sisig- seasonedwithlovve limpiang sardinas- whatalife.ph http://thenotsocreativecook.com/2019/10/04/tortang-sardinas/ https://steemit.com/food/@ellechim0816/odong-noodle-stick-ug-sardinas/

Truly, tinapa saves the day!When survival is a great challenge, these somehowalleviate the hunger to most us. Filipinos truly find a way to see the brighter side during this gloom and doom situation.

Keep healthy! Be positive but not with corona virus!

Photo courtesy of Facebook

THE TIKTOK GENERATION

TikTok. A simple word and a catchy phrase.

During the height of the pandemic and when the entire world felt like time has stopped as the lockdowns were placed in every part of the world, netizens or the citizens of the internet turned their attention to Tiktok which took the world by storm.

Tiktok, also knownin China as Douyin, is a Chinese video-sharing social networking service owned by ByteDance, a Beijing-based internet technology company. It is used to create short music, lip-sync, dance, comedy and talent videos of 13-15 seconds and short looping videos of 3 to 60 seconds. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TikTok

It was launched in 2016 but only saw a massive increase in download and usage in April of 2020 where majority of the population are locked down on their houses. It created a sense of connection especially that people are getting bored since they cannot go out of their houses and party with friends. It also became a platform for those aspiring chefs in sharing their recipes, those amateur singers showing their vocal prowess, those hidden moves of shy dancers and just basically everything under the sun. It became a form of entertainment for the people whose entire day was just composed of facing the four corners of their home.

However, there will always be two sides to a coin. As TikTok’s popularity grew, people were getting curious as to its operations. In January of 2020, a team of security researchers announced they had found several vulnerabilities in TikTok. The flaws, if left unpatched, could have let attackers gain control of TikTok accounts, change the privacy settings on TikTok videos, upload videos without permission, and obtain user data such as email addresses.

https://edition.cnn.com/2020/07/09/tech/tiktok-security-threat/index.html

TikTok’s US operations have been targeted by President Donald Trump and his administration since early July. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said at the time that Trump was considering a ban because the app could give the Chinese government access to US user data. The Trump administration then focused on forcing a sale of the app to a US company. Microsoft and Walmart pursued an acquisition but weren’t chosen by ByteDance.

https://www.cnet.com/news/the-tiktok-saga-everything-you-need-to-know/#:~:text=The%20US%20will%20ban%20TikTok%20and%20WeChat%20on%20 Sunday.&text=TikTok’s%20US%20operations%20have%20been,access%20to%20US%20user%20data

At the end of the day, while it is undeniable that TikTok has really brought online video-sharing entertainment to the next level, there is also that beaming fact that its security features are still vulnerable to attacks and identity thefts which is very rampant nowadays due to the modernization of our society.

Hence, we must, at all times be cautious in downloading and using applications available on the internet. We should not put our safety and security for the sake of entertainment.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TikTok

https://edition.cnn.com/2020/07/09/tech/tiktok-security-threat/index.html

By: Ailene H. Ponio

https://www.cnet.com/news/the-tiktok-saga-everything-you-need-to-know/#:~:text=The%20US%20will%20ban%20TikTok%20and%20WeChat%20on%20Sunday.&text=TikTok’s%20 US%20operations%20have%20been,access%20to%20US%20user%20data.

January - December 2020

BY: Rechie J. Veroy, CpE, MIT

DIGITAL WORKSPACE

Now that the world is at the peak of the 21st century, almost everyone believes that most people in every place understand digitalization as we know it. A world where manual and conventional procedures are collectively stopped in regular exercise, we call it work. Let’s consider all types of ages we have in our individual households. What do you see most in the houses of developed urban communities? You will see people with mobile phones, Ipads, desktops, laptops, Wi-Fi, internet and other gadgets. All these stuff are very important to our everyday activities which are highly motivated by innovation, amusement, profits and ease of online transaction.

Today’s workplace while the world is in the midst of pandemic, people become intently persuaded to the digital workspace. Toddlers, students and learners are captivated with knowledge through online video-sharing platform. Young people and teenagers broadcasting short-form of amateur music videos of funny, hilarious, entertaining video, but susceptible to Pedophilia shared over social media network. Merchants are conveniently posting goods and services allowing all customers to directly order their preferred meals and items online or via mobile. Trainings or other meetings for discussion are conducted on a cloud-based video conferencing service where you can meet everyone virtually. Making collaboration easy through audio, video and chats in real-time allowing you to record all sessions for review. Work from home sizzles timely in second quarter this year in which employees practically work remotely across all industries. Government agencies have done all sorts and means to manage employees, proposing flexi time, skeletal workforce and work-from-home options in order to maintain and elevate the economy with the use of Digital workspace. In this manner, everyone has become tech-savvy in its own way to adapt changes and the introduction of a new concept using any device regardless of location and proximity.

Nevertheless, the digital workspace is transcendence where every action, choice and consequences rely on how each and individual manage the capabilities of technology. An end result of a digital experience trend that has developed entirely all tech-users to real-world process transformation. Transforming all our traditional routines, norms and customs from manual-centric to software-defined infrastructure. Wireless connectivity is the port to digital environment, drawing many people intensely into digital life.

Social Distancing Helps Keep Others Safe

By: Kristine Alerta PIdo,RMT

As the spread of Covid-19 continues, communities are being asked to cut back close contact between people. This is often called social distancing, and it’s a crucial and effective way to hamper the spread of this virus. Here’s why. Social Distancing “for all families”

Because COVID-19 spreads from person to another person, reducing the ways people are available in close contact with one other is crucial. Social Distancing means staying home as much as possible and avoiding crowded, public places where close contact with others probably going. This is why staying at home ordinances are in place in many communities; cancelling of events and gatherings of more than 10 people and closing shops, restaurants and bars. It’s also why many faculties have moved to online learning. For essential trips like grocery shopping, the Department of Health recommends wearing a mask and staying at 2 meters away from others.

SELF-ISOLATION

COVID-19 can transmit from person to another even before symptoms start. So, in the event that somebody in your family begins to feel ill, rundown, tired, or aching, it’s important to remain at home and practice “self- isolation”. This suggests limiting contact with others. If symptoms develop, like a fever, cough, or shortness of breathing, call your doctor. They will let you know if COVID-19 test is required, and what the subsequent steps should be. If it is thought someone in your family has Coronavirus, self-isolation will likely be recommended.

QUARANTINE

Self-isolation and quarantine both mean you have no contact with the public. However, quarantine is the term used for those that were exposed to an individual with COVID-19 but have yet to test positive. These individuals are asked to remain off from others for 14 days or longer, to make sure they don’t spread the virus amid this “pre-illness” or incubation period.

1 - 2 METERS

WHY SOCIAL DISTANCING IS IMPORTANT

Social Distancing is a fundamental way to moderate down the spread of COVID-19. And it’s imperative merely takes after the social distancing suggestions in your community, whether you’re in one of the high-risk groups or not. With schools closed and people working from home, it may be enticing to get kids together for play dates or sleepovers or to think that social occasions of more than 10 people are secure. But social distancing works if we will participate. And abating down or preventing the spread of the virus will save lives.

REMEMBER

The spread of COVID-19 has been rapid and the Department of Health, as well as the government, are doing whatever necessary to protect all of us from getting sick. We all are responsible for protecting ourselves at higher risk. Steps like social distancing may feel like a bothersome, but it’s the best way to protect our family, friends, and neighbours, who may be vulnerable.

So, keep your distance; it helps keep others safe.

Amidst Covid-19 pandemic:

Lakers crush Heat to equal Celtics for most NBA wins

Over the surge of novel corona virus cases, local, national and world events were put to halt as places across the globe closed its doors. In most countries, citizens were in no time even put to lockdown to at least mitigate the spread of the virus. 2019-2020 NBA season, the world’s most anticipated basketball event was no exception. The same was suspended on March 11, 2020, following the testing positive for the virus of Utah Jazz center, Rudy Gobert. However, on July 2020, through the 170M-dollar investment by the NBA, the season found a restart through the bubble in ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex inside Walt Disney World, Orlando, Florida. A six-phase medical protocol was placed to ensure prevention of the spread of the fatal virus.

There were twenty-two (22) teams invited to participate in the bubble and played eight extra regular-season games to finally decide playoff seeding. A play-in game took place in the Western Conference to determine a playoff spot as Memphis Grizzlies, the ninth-seeded team finished the season with just four wins away from the eight seeded Portland Trail Blazers, a feat last happened on 1956.

After Trail Blazer’s successful defense on its seed, the first round of playoffs immediately started on August 18 and ended on September 27 for the Eastern Conference as Miami Heat claimed the title after they defeated Boston Celtics in a six-game play. On the other hand, the Conference Finals in its Western counterpart ended a day earlier as Los Angeles Lakers delivered what was expected and disappointed their opponent, the Denver Nuggets via five-game win. This was the first in NBA history that Lakers and Heat met in the finals and also the first time that both teams which were present in the finale had missed the playoffs the preceding season. Interestingly, none of the teams made the Conference Finals the year before made it in the finals this year including the Warriors which were always present in the finale for the last six seasons.

Through the superstar forward LeBron James and forward-center Anthony Davis; the Lakers were able to clinch the top seed in the Western Conference. This was the team’s first top placement since 2010. The Lakers frontrunner status continued in the playoffs as they easily secured a spot through NBA finals after they almost swept together the 8th seeded Trail Blazers, the 4th seeded Rockets and the 3rd seeded Nuggets in the first round, semi-finals and finals in the Western Conference respectively. The team needed just five games against all its contenders to win the Western crown.

Meanwhile, the Eastern Champ had a completely different story. The Heat started as underdogs being just the 5th seed and had to gradually pull itself up to the finals through the efforts led by Bam Adebayo and Jimmy Butler. In the first round of playoffs, the team swept the 4th seeded Pacers, surprisingly upset in five games the 1st seeded Bucks in the semi-finals and ultimately defeated the 3rd seeded Celtics via six games in the Eastern Finals. The Heat was the third-lowest seed and became the first 5th seeded team to ever make it to the NBA Finals. Only two other teams with a lower seed had ever reached the finals: New York Knicks in 1999 at No. 8 and Houston Rockets in 1981 and 1995 at No. 6 in both times.

hothothoops.com/2019/12/11/21011862/very-important-game-miami-heat-seek-revenge-in-rematch-versus-lebron-james-los-angeles-la-lakers

As the 2020 NBA finals progressed, the heavy favorite Lakers successfully took games 1 and 2 driven by an all-star duo of James and Davis who blew out of the water Heat’s main pieces Butler and Adebayo in a 116-98 and 124-114 matches. In the 3rd match, however, mighty Lakers lost to underdog Miami in an embarrassing 104-115. Jimmy Butler, heats main player outdid Lakers’ key players James and Davis who both lost their magic in the game. Although Kuzma, Morris and the rest of the bench stepped up to the plate in the night the Lakers’ stars including Pope and Green did not have it, in the end, it still was not enough to get it done that put away Lakers’ possible NBA Finals sweep win. Throughout game 4, Lakers did not disappoint in their 10296 win as Davis utilized his four inches advantage against Butler and the former made sure that the latter could never outwork his team again. However, in the following game, as everyone was kind of prepared to crown the Lakers with the thought that everything was aligned for them to cap off the season, Heat unexpectedly stayed alive in the finals as it won barely the game five in a 111-108 win.

After the Lakers were denied in what had been an upsetting game 5, the team made it sure to outplay and outmuscle their rival Heat in game 6. They had taken hold of the game by half-time as Heat could not make another miracle on the back of Jimmy Butler’s determined triple-double. Bam Adebayo led his team with Butler in his back but Miami simply could not counter as Los Angeles blew them away with 106-93 win and wiped out their hope for a game 7.

Superstar forward LeBron James was named Most Valuable Player of the 2020 NBA Finals as he put his team where it belongs and captured their 17th title, tying with the Celtics for the most crowns in the league’s history. It was his fourth time to receive such reward with a distinctive milestone as the first in the books to be named Finals MVP in three different franchises and the fourth NBA player to win the finals in three separate teams.

https://www.rappler.com/sports/nba/finals-updates-los-angeles-lakers-miami-heat-september-30-2020

By: Jay G. Bonggo

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