Manila Standard - 2020 July 26 - Sunday

VOL. XXXIV • NO. 152 • 2 SECTIONS 8 PAGES • P18 • SUNDAY, JULY 26, 2020 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

GOODBYE, PHYSICAL DISTANCING. Thousands of locally stranded individuals undergo rapid testing on Saturday at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila before they return to their respective provinces through the government’s ‘Hatid Tulong’ program.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government said it would deploy 120 buses and sea vessels to bring home the LSIs. Norman Cruz

Militants to defy protest ban • Rallies okay inside UP • CHR: Don’t use virus to suppress dissent

By Joel Zurbano and Maricel Cruz

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LL roads will lead to the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City on Monday for rallyists who will stage their protest action during the penultimate State of the Nation Address of President Rodrigo Duterte.

SILENT PROTEST. Health workers from the National Kidney and Transplant Institute hold a silent protest over their worsening health and working conditions. As of July 19, at least 174 NKTI health workers were infected with COVID-19. Kodao Productions

VIETNAM’S 1ST CASE IN NEARLY 100 DAYS Vietnam has detected its first locallytransmitted case of coronavirus in nearly 100 days, authorities said Saturday.

After banning rallies along Commonwealth Ave. leading to the House of Representatives where the SONA will be held, the Philippine National Police said it will allow mass action within the UP compound for as long as health protocols such as physical distancing and wearing of masks are followed.

“If they will try to mount a rally along Commonwealth Ave., then they will not be allowed to do so. But in UP, because UP has its own set up, rallies are allowed. The guidance of the PNP chief, though, is ‘don’t violate the health protocols and don’t get out of UP compound,’” National Capital Region Police Office chief Major General Debold Sinas said.

PNP spokesman Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac said while the government would prefer rallies to be held online, it will not prevent critics from holding

mass actions inside the country’s top university.

“As much as possible, please stay at home. Protest online and make your voices heard so we don’t endanger our families amid this pandemic,” Banac said.

For his part, Bagong Alyansang Makabayan secretary-general Renato Reyes Jr. welcomed the PNP’s decision to allow mobilizations inside UP even as he questioned the logic of banning rallies along Commonwealth Ave. “On July 27, all roads lead to UP Diliman for our #SONAgKAISA rally for #JunkTerrorLaw, #IbalikAngABSCBN, #TulongHindiKulong, #AtinAngPinas, and #BalikPasada. It is lawful to protest during the SONA,” Reyes said in a tweet in the vernacular.

For its part, the Commission on Human Rights on Saturday voiced concern over the government’s wish to ban mass gatherings for Duterte’s fifth SONA. “It is concerning that, after the Philippine National Police guaranteed that the COVID-19 pandemic will not be used to crack down on dissent or dis-

FROM CRAVING TO THRIVING

MANGOES ARE GOOD FOR YOUR DOGS

Facebook and Instagram have become two of the most important avenues for creative and business-minded Filipinos to make their micro-businesses work despite the lockdown restrictions.

Yes, your dog can eat a mango. But do not give the pit or seed and the skin as these parts are not safe for your fur babies.

senters, the Department of the Interior and Local Government issues a memorandum prohibiting mass gatherings days before the 2020 State of the Nation Address on Monday,” CHR spokesperson Jacqueline Ann de Guia in a statement.

“The change in messaging is stark: from PNP’s willingness to remind and assist protesters observe minimum health standards to express their opinion to a complete ban on mass gatherings,” she added.

De Guia said such decision from the government comes at a time when studies from countries such as the United States and Australia have shown that protests do not cause a spike in infections for as long as protesters equally mitigate the risks by wearing face masks, practicing physical distancing and observing other health safety protocols similarly reminded by the World Health Organization for those attending rallies.

“We stress the importance of everyone’s compliance to health protocols.

After all, we are under a national health Next page emergency,” she said.

STORIES ON PAGE 2

AS CASES SURGE, MECQ PUSHED CASES STRESS 8 IN 10 FILIPINOS

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BUSINESS / A4

LEARNING NEW SKILLS ON YOUTUBE

BOLD COLORS FOR YOUR HOUSE

There’s always something interesting or entertaining or educational on YouTube. Half Japanese, half Filipino Kimi of the Japanbased Yukimi Couple (15,500+ subscribers) shares practical guides and travel tips for those who want to visit the Land of the Rising Sun.

Architectural styles evoke different emotions in people, and a joyous palette could instantly buoy your mood.

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GIVING BEAUTY PAGEANT A 2ND TRY There are people who have beautiful names and there are some who have beautiful faces.

Thia Thomalla has both.

NIEMBRA GETS ISAFP TOP POST COURT JUNKS RESSA’S MOTION SOLON BUCKS CHA-CHA BID

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As cases surge, MECQ for NCR pushed

By Willie Casas

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HE Department of Health on Saturday reported an additional 2,019 positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the total cases to 78,412 in the Philippines.

This coincided with the recommendation by a former adviser to the government’s COVID-19 response task force to upgrade quarantine protocols for the National Capital Region to Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine, a stricter lockdown status than General Community Quarantine, to stop the spread of the deadly coronavirus.

Public health expert Dr. Tony Leachon said: “An MECQ would be the best. That’s how I see it. The cases are increasing, we have to arrest the viral transmission so that it would not result in a widespread epidemic and spread to other areas.”

More than half of the total new cases recorded Saturday came from Metro Manila.

DOH said this marked the 11th consecutive day where over 1,300 new infections were reported and the fourth time in the past week where new cases breached 2,000.

The five provinces or cities with the highest number of new cases were the National Capital Region with 1,115, Cebu with 479, Cavite with 90, Rizal with 52, Davao del Sur with 41.

There are also 50,763 active cases undergoing treatment or quarantine. Of this, 89.89 percent are mild, 9.18 percent are asymptomatic, 0.50 percent are severe, and 0.43 percent are in critical condition.

The DOH also reported an additional 20 fatalities, bringing the death toll to 1,897.

Of the 20 deaths, 13 (65 percent) in July, 4 (20 percent) in June, 2 (10 percent) in April and 1 (5 percent) in March.

Deaths were from Region 7 (10 or 50 percent), NCR (6 or 30 percent),Region 4A (2 or 10 percent),Region 3 (1 or 5 percent) and Region 9 (1 or 5 percent).

DOH likewise announced 1,278 recoveries. This brings the total number of recoveries to 25,752.

A total 51 duplicates were removed from the total case count. Of these, 25 recovered cases and two deaths have been removed after final validation.

Moreover, the DOH said they had updated the health status of three cases previously reported as recovered but after final validation were found to be deaths.

Experts from the University of the Philippines projected that the number of COVID-19 cases in the country might reach more than 85,000 by the end of July.

Should this happen, presidential spokesman Harry Roque said Metro Manila might be placed under MECQ. Meanwhile, Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Martin Andanar said at least 13 employees at the PCOO’s main office in Manila tested positive for COVID-19. He said he himself tested negative.

Militants...

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“But, even in the face of a pandemic, human rights need to be recognized.

We must equally think of the implications to public health when we don’t demand for accountability and better services from the government that has the obligation to protect its people,” she added.

De Guia said Liwasang Diokno in front of the CHR office in Quezon City remains a Freedom Park protected by Batas Pambansa Bilang 880 where protests can be held. It is also part of the UP campus covered by the UP-Department of National Defense Accord.

She said CHR shall be deploying monitoring teams to ensure balance between exercising one’s right to protest and the corresponding obligation to protect other people’s rights by not causing the spread of the virus, among others.

Meanwhile, a coalition of transportation groups and labor organizations called on Duterte to address the dire state of the transport sector in his SONA. The Koalisyon ng Transportasyon para sa Mamamayan on Saturday said the government must prioritize the development of an inclusive, safe, sustainable, and efficient transportation system as a key aspect of national recovery from the COVID-19 crisis.

The alliance, composed of at least 25 organizations, will hold a big rally under the SONAgKAISA banner.

“Thousands of drivers, conductors and operators of public vehicles have been out of work for months in observance of health protocols and are struggling amidst this pandemic,” said lawyer Luke Espiritu of the labor group Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino.

BAGONG MANILA ZOO. Manila Mayor Franciso ‘Isko’ Domagoso feeds the Sri Lankan elephant Mali during the sidelines of the ceremonial lowering of a time capsule for the renovation of the 61-year-old Manila Zoo. Norman Cruz

8 in 10 Filipinos ‘stressed’ with pandemic

By Maricel V. Cruz and Joel Zurbano A PLURALITY of Filipinos remain stressed out due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with more than half of those surveyed feeling “great stress,” according to a Social Weather Stations (SWS) poll released Saturday.

The July 3 to 6 poll found the coronavirus crisis had brought “great stress” to 51 percent and “much stress” to 35 percent of adult Filipinos.

The latest figure is 3 points lower than the 89 percent logged in a similar survey in May 2020.

Meanwhile, those who felt “little or no stress” rose by 14 percent, which is 3 percent higher from the previous poll.

In the survey, those who said they experienced great stress was at 55 percent among those who lost or never had

a job, compared to 46 percent among those who have jobs.

The SWS noted that 56 percent of those living in Metro Manila and the Visayas experienced great stress, compared to 49 percent in Balance Luzon and 46 percent in Mindanao.

The non-commissioned survey also revealed that those with much less education were more stressed out by the crisis.

The condition is also similar among men and women, which is 52 percent and 49 percent, respectively.

Meanwhile, the most affected age group were people between 25 and 54 years old, followed by those 55 and older, and the 18 to 24 range.

Contact tracers Mayor Joy Belmonte on Saturday said imprisonment and hefty fines awaited officials of private subdivisions and condominiums in Quezon City who

would hamper the campaign against COVID-19.

Belmonte’s statement came after officials of a condominium in Brgy. Sto. Cristo and a subdivision in Brgy. Matandang Balara prevented the entry of contact tracers into their premises.

“We will pursue the filing of charges against officials of subdivisions and condominiums who will refuse to cooperate with regard to the local government’s effort against COVID-19 virus,” said Belmonte.

Critical zones Two more barangays in Pasay City were declared as critical zones, bringing to 17 the number of villages in the city placed under tight watch following the surge of COVID-19 cases there.

The latest in the list were barangays 175 and 185 where more than 20 active cases of coronavirus disease patients were recorded.

Court denies Ressa’s motion for reconsideration

By Maricel V. Cruz THE Regional Trial Court Branch 46 in Manila has denied the motion for reconsideration filed by Rappler Chief Executive Officer Maria Ressa and former researcher Reynaldo Santos, Jr. in the cyber libel case they were convicted of.

In a 13-page decision, Presiding Judge Rainelda Estacio-Montesa denied their motion for partial consideration “for lack of merit.”

Ressa and Santos were sentenced to up to six years jail in June over what the court considered a “republication” of an article that was originally published before the anti-cybercrime law was enacted.

The two remain free after being granted post-conviction bail.

Businessman Wilfredo Keng filed the cyber libel complaint before the Department of Justice over a 2012 Rappler article written by Santos linking him to human

trafficking and drug smuggling.

Meanwhile, more lawmakers have joined the clamor to allow a thorough debate on and discussion of the ABS-CBN franchise renewal in a plenary session at the House of Representatives.

Reps. Lawrence Fortun of Agusan del Norte, Lito Atienza of Buhay and Joy Tambunting of Parañaque City, in an online forum Saturday, echoed the appeal of the Makabayan Bloc to have the resolution and report of the legislative franchises committee rejecting the ABS-CBN franchise renewal bills reviewed by and deliberated on by the 301-member of the chamber.

The three lawmakers also welcomed the pronouncement of Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano that the franchise issue would be brought from the House legislative franchises committee to the plenary for deliberations.

Cayetano himself said the plenary discussion on the franchise was “possible” since the plenary had the power to review resolutions of committees under the 1987 Constitution.

Fortun, Atienza and Tambunting appealed to Cayetano to allow the plenary debate and voting and heed the will of majority of the people supporting the network’s franchise renewal, citing a Social Weather Station showing that three of four or 75 percent of Filipinos favor the grant of the franchise application.

“The term ‘laid on the table’ means the committee will no longer act on it. But it doesn’t prevent the plenary to review the resolution. It can still be acted upon by the plenary,” Fortun said.

Fortun viewed the findings of the committee as “whimsical and capricious,” adding the “entire House should look at the findings.”

IN BRIEF Solon bucks Cha-cha push amid COVID-19 A CONGRESSIONAL leader on Saturday added voice to the perceived growing clamor against Charter Change amid the worsening COVID-19 pandemic.

“After more than three decades, we need to evaluate our Constitution, but today is not the right time,” Assistant Majority Leader Precious Hipolito Castelo said.

“Our people and the international community, especially our Southeast Asian neighbors who are wondering why we have not been able to contain COVID-19 despite having the longest lockdown in the world, will see us as insensitive and arrogant if we tackle Cha-cha now,” she added.

On Friday, Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano echoed the Palace’s pronouncement that Charter change was not a priority as the country was grappling with the pandemic. Maricel V. Cruz

MMDA to motorists: Brace for traffic in QC THE Metropolitan Manila Development Authority advised motorists and commuters to expect traffic adjustment along Elliptical Road in Quezon City beginning this week to give way for the ongoing Metro Railway Transit - Line 7 (MRT-7) Project road works.

“The MRT-7 Traffic Management Task Force and MMDA, in coordination with the Quezon City Local Government Unit, are advising the public of the traffic adjustments that will take place at Elliptical Road particularly at the corner of Commonwealth Avenue and corner of North Avenue next week to give way to the on-going construction of the MRT-7 Project,” the MMDA stated in its advisory Saturday.

Joel E. Zurbano

Duterte picks Niembra as new ISAFP head PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has appointed former Presidential Security Group commander Brig. Gen. Jose Eriel Niembra as the new head of the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Malacañang announced on Saturday.

Niembra replaces Brig. Gen. Oliver Artuz, who retired from the service Friday.

“We wish (Brig.) Gen. Niembra all the best in his new assignment,” Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said.

A member of the Philippine Military Academy “Sambisig” Class of 1991, Niembra served as PSG commander from May 2018 to February 2020.

Under Niembra’s leadership, the PSG provided security to Duterte during the 2019 elections, the 3rd and 4th State of the Nation Addresses, the 30th

NIEMBRA

Southeast Asian Games, and the first Presidential Silent Drill Competition.

Niembra previously served as deputy commander of the Task Force Davao from 2009 to 2012.

DOUBLE WHAMMY. A Coast Guard vehicle carrying seven personnel—all survivors of the illfated M/V Filipinas Dinagat that caught fire Thursday —crashed at concrete barriers along Brgy. Ilihan in Tabogon Friday evening. Four of the passengers incurred minor injuries and were immediately brought to the Bogo City Hospital. Benjamin Chavez

World

SUNDAY, JULY 26, 2020

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Consulate closes as US, China clash STAFF at the US consulate in the Chinese city of Chengdu were busy packing belongings and removing the American insignia from the building on Saturday, a day after Beijing ordered its closure in a tit-for-tat diplomatic battle with Washington.

US-China relations spiraled this week when the Chengdu mission was told to shut in retaliation for the forced closure of Beijing’s consulate in Houston, Texas, with both sides alleging the other had endangered national security.

The deadline for the Americans to exit Chengdu remains unclear but AFP reporters saw cleaners carting big black bags of rubbish from the consulate Saturday, one of which had split and appeared to contain shredded paper.

At least ten sacks were removed from the building in the early hours of the morning.

A worker on a small crane removed a circular US insignia from the front of the consulate, leaving just an American flag flying.

Other staff were seen moving trolleys around inside, one carrying a large empty metal bin, while some wheeled suitcases.

Beijing says closing the Chengdu consulate was a “legitimate and necessary response to the unreasonable measures by the United States,” and has alleged that staff at the diplomatic mission endangered China’s security and interests.

Washington officials meanwhile said there had been unacceptable efforts by the Chinese consulate in Houston to steal US corporate secrets and proprietary medical and scientific research.

The last Chinese diplomats left the Houston consulate on Friday as a 72-hour deadline to close the mission passed. Officials there were seen loading large sacks of documents and other items onto trucks and throwing some in bins.

Tensions have soared between the two powers on a range of fronts including trade, China’s handling of the coronavirus and a new security law for Hong Kong, with the US this week warning of a “new tyranny” from China. AFP

Australia sees ‘no legal basis’ for Beijing’s nine-dash line AUSTRALIA has rejected Beijing’s territorial and maritime claims in the South China Sea in a formal declaration to the United Nations, aligning itself more closely with Washington in the escalating row.

In a statement filed on Thursday, Australia said there was “no legal basis” to several disputed Chinese claims in the sea including those related to the construction of artificial islands on small shoals and reefs.

“Australia rejects China’s claim to ‘historic rights’ or ‘maritime rights and interests’ as established in the ‘long course of historical practice’ in the South China Sea,” the declaration read.

“There is no legal basis for China to draw straight baselines connecting the outermost points of maritime features or ‘island groups’ in the South China Sea, including around the ‘Four Sha’ or ‘continental’ or ‘outlying’ archipelagos.”

The declaration comes after US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo declared Beijing’s pursuit of territory and resources in the South China Sea as illegal, explicitly backing the territorial claims of Southeast Asian countries against China’s.

Beijing claims almost all of the South China Sea based on a socalled nine-dash line, a vague delineation from maps dating back to the 1940s.

The latest escalation comes ahead of annual talks between Australia and the United States, with ministers travelling to Washington for the first time since Australian borders were closed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The meetings come at a “critical time” and it is essential they are held face-to-face, Foreign Minister Marise Payne and Defence Minister Linda Reynolds said in a statement on Saturday.

US relations with China have markedly deteriorated in recent months, especially over trade disputes, the coronavirus pandemic and Beijing’s crackdown on dissent in Hong Kong. AFP

A worker removes the sign at the entrance to the US consulate in Chengdu in Sichuan province on July 25, 2020. Staff at the US consulate in the Chinese city were busy packing belongings and removing the American insignia from the building, a day after Beijing ordered its closure in a tit-fortat diplomatic battle with Washington. AFP

Vietnam’s first case in nearly 100 days IETNAM has detected its first locally-transmitted case of coronavirus in nearly 100 days, authorities said Saturday, in a country whose swift and full lockdown won praise for controlling the spread of the disease.

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“Patient 416” is a 57-year-old retired Vietnamese man in the southern city of Danang, and the first community transmission since April 16.

Local health officials have tested 105 people who had been in close contact with him, the Ministry of Health said on its website.

The man had taken his mother to a hospital in the days before after showing symptoms of the sickness, authorities said, but gave no confirmation of how he

was infected in a country where the virus appeared to have been stubbed out for several months.

“The patient is currently on ventilator support due to respiratory failure,” it said, adding his family believed his contacts with others were limited.

“He didn’t go out of the city and only stayed at home to look after his grandchild and interact with neighbors. He didn’t make contact with strangers,” it said.

Danang has been packed with local tourists returning to its beaches and restaurants since Vietnam lifted its lockdown.

Despite sharing a long, ungovernable border with China, Vietnam has recorded just 416 virus cases – including the latest from Danang – with no deaths.

Communist authorities were quick to lock down the country after the virus emerged in neighboring China, with a rigorous state quarantine and contact-tracing system put in place.

International flights remain strictly limited with a two-week mandatory quarantine laid out for visitors.

Some analysts say the tough response to the virus will help the economy as foreign investment and local consumer confidence bounces back. AFP

STRANGER THAN FICTION.

A man wearing a face mask to cover his genitals is seen walking along Oxford Street in London on July 24, 2020. Wearing face masks in shops and supermarkets has become compulsory in England as a measure to combat the spread of the novel coronavirus. AFP

Twitter, Facebook block accounts of Bolsonaro allies TWITTER and Facebook suspended the accounts Friday of 16 allies of Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro after a Supreme Court judge ordered them blocked as part of a probe into an alleged disinformation campaign.

Tension has been soaring between the far-right leader and the court, which is investigating allegations that members of his inner circle ran a social media campaign to discredit the court, as well as

slander and threaten its judges.

The two US social media giants are also facing increasing pressure to act more aggressively against hate speech and false information on their platforms.

Justice Alexandre de Moraes said in his court order—which enforced an earlier May ruling—the accounts must be blocked to stop “the ongoing dissemination of fake news, slander-

ous accusations, threats and crimes” against the court.

The affected accounts include highprofile figures such as conservative former lawmaker Roberto Jefferson, business magnate Luciano Hang and far-right activist Sara Winter.

Visitors to their Facebook and Twitter pages in Brazil, though not other countries, saw messages indicating they were blocked. AFP

Washington bans new foreign students for all-online classes THE United States announced Friday it will not take in any new foreign students seeking online-only study, after rescinding a hotly contested order to expel those already here and preparing for that because of the pandemic.

The policy change was announced in a statement by Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

President Donald Trump has made a

tough line on immigration a cornerstone of his message and has suspended several kinds of visas for foreigners during the coronavirus crisis.

The original policy change of revoking the visas of foreign students whose classes will move online in the autumn was taken to court by top universities including Harvard and MIT, teachers unions and at least 18 states.

And on July 14 the administration re-

versed course and rescinded the decision.

That measure had been seen as a move

by Trump to put pressure on educational institutions that are adopting a cautious approach to reopening amid the global COVID-19 pandemic.

Trump is eager for schools at all levels to reopen with in-person classes as a sign of a return to normality as he fights an uphill battle for re-election in November. AFP

Governments losing support over handling of pandemic GOVERNMENTS are fast losing support for their handling of the coronavirus outbreak from a public that widely believes death and infection figures to be higher than statistics show, a survey of six countries revealed Saturday.

Support for the federal government of the United States, the country with the most reported infections and deaths, dropped by four percentage points from mid-June, with 44 percent of respondents declaring themselves dissatisfied, said a report by the Kekst CNC communications consulting group.

In Britain, just over a third of respondents approved of their government’s actions, a three-point decline in one month, according to the report, based on an opinion poll conducted over five days in mid-July.

It also included France, Sweden, Japan and Germany.

“In most countries this month, support for national governments is falling,” the report said.

The notable exception was France, where approval rose by six percentage points, yielding a dissatisfaction rate of 41 percent.

France, which has the world’s seventh-highest COVID-19 toll, has all but emerged from lockdown but has seen infections increase in recent days, prompting the government to order face masks in all enclosed public spaces.

In Sweden, which took a controversial soft approach to lockdown and has a higher toll than its neighbors, the prime minister’s approval rating has shrunk from a positive seven percent to a neutral zero, the poll found.

People who participated in the survey—1,000 per country polled—generally believed the coronavirus to be more widespread, and more deadly, than official figures show. AFP

Mystery Russian projectile raises fears of arms race in space THE United States this week accused Russia of having tested an anti-satellite weapon in space, a charge Moscow has denied, saying the device was a “special instrument” for inspecting orbiting Russian equipment.

Whatever it was, the incident marks for Washington a rare military escalation in space.

The ability of one satellite to attack another was until now merely theoretical.

The United States, Russia, China and, since 2019, India, have been able to target satellites with Earth-launched projectiles, but these explosions create millions of pieces of debris in orbit, prompting the world powers to refrain from such tests.

This week’s incident may be seen as a message to Washington, which under President Donald Trump is building up a new “Space Force” wing of its military.

Space Force’s commander General Jay Raymond on Friday reiterated that “space is a warfighting domain just like air, land and sea.” AFP

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SUNDAY, JULY 26, 2020

Business

Ray S. Eñano, Editor / Roderick dela Cruz, Issue Editor business@manilastandard.net

From craving to thriving amid pandemic A S MOST of the country slowly transitions to a more relaxed approach on the governmentimposed quarantine protocols, Metro Manila and its nearby province Cavite are still under general community quarantine.

People went on survival mode and prioritized basic needs because of the threat of the virus and its effect on the economy and livelihood of millions of Filipino families.

Surprisingly, no one ever thought that people would become more creative in not just merely surviving but thriving amid the pandemic. Due to quarantine restrictions, people resorted to buying essentials through digital platforms. Facebook and Instagram have become two of the most important avenues that have allowed creative and hardworking business-minded Filipinos to make their micro-businesses work and thrive despite the lockdown restrictions.

Sisters-in-law, Vanessa Rue-Macalagay and Mylene Aruta-Ronquillo, are just two among millions who have tried their luck in starting their small baking business despite the lockdown in their hometown Imus, Cavite.

Vanessa had a formal training on baking through TESDA’s vocational programs while Mylene just discovered her talent in baking after being asked by Vanessa to help her try out the then famous Ube Cheese Pandesal.

Cavite-based entrepreneurs and sisters-in-law Mylene Aruta-Ronquillo and Vanessa Rue-Macalagay with their products banana bread, flavored pandesal and premium cookies.

Vanessa has been very passionate in baking long before the quarantine has started but never thought to finally be able to formalize their business with the help of their ‘quarantine product’, Ube Cheese Pandesal, which they named, Ube Keso Pan-de-Bilog.

She said: “It was when I truly craved for Ube Cheese Pandesal that I tried to order from a very good friend who lives in Metro Manila, but unfortunately, due to lockdown protocols they can’t accept my order and so I went online and looked for the best recipe, added some twist on it, and finally tried baking it by myself with the help of my sister-in-law, Mylene.”

After posting photos of their snack, Vanessa and Mylene started to receive

comments from their friends asking for the price of their Ube Cheese Pandesal which gave them an idea to start selling it on social media.

Amid overwhelming number of orders per week, Vanessa and Mylene formalized their business offerings with two flavors of pandesal as of this writing, Ube Keso Pan-de-Bilog and Tsoko Keso Pan-de-Bilog. They have also named their business, Theo’s Bakeshop, following the second name of Vanessa’s 7-month old son, Samuel Theo.

Ube Keso Pan-de-Bilog is filled with real Ube Halaya while Tsoko Keso Pande-Bilog has premium Choco Hazelnut filling in its pandesal which customers have truly loved. Other non-pandesal

products which they have just added are Quake Banana Bread Loaf and Muffin with Dark Chocolate Chips, and Hershey’s Chocolate Chip Cookies.

“Surprisingly, customers are now more engaged and collaborative. They themselves have messaged us their suggested new flavors and how we can further improve our product offerings,” Mylene said.

For Vanessa and Mylene, Theo’s Bakeshop is not just an ordinary business but a gift from God that they would want to nurture and later be a channel of blessings to their future employees and stakeholders.

Theo’s Bakeshop is on Facebook page at facebook.com/theosbakeshop and on Instagram @theosbakeshop.

Tagaytay Highlands holds up premium on leisure living

Refinitiv director for contributed content operations and Manila co-site lead Lei Buendia spearheads the launch of the Philippine chapter of the Refinitiv Ability Network. Buendia also serves as RAN-PH Chapter’s executive sponsor.

Refinitiv boosts diversity, inclusion program THERE is an opportunity for workplaces in the Philippines to be more inclusive, especially for persons with disabilities.

Based on a recent study, many PWD job seekers are still seen twice as likely to be unemployed than able-bodied applicants.

This inspired global financial provider Refinitiv to launch a local chapter of its employee program Refinitiv Ability Network, spearheaded by the Manila Operations Center. RAN seeks to build, promote and sustain an inclusive working environment, and raise awareness and acceptance of disabilities, both visible and non-visible.

“Diversity and inclusion have always been one of our key commitments at Refinitiv Philippines,” says Lei Buendia, Refinitiv director for contributed content operations and Manila co-site lead, who also serves as the executive sponsor of the RAN-PH Chapter. “This is why we continuously support programs such as RAN that advocate for a welcoming workplace where everyone is valued and has equal access to opportunities.”

RAN is one of the company’s newest movements under the #RefinitivEmployeeNetworks, which supports the cause of underrepresented groups in the corporate world. The umbrella program includes the Refinitiv Prism Network for the LGBTQ community and Refinitiv Women Network.

Refinitiv Philippines rolled out its inaugural RAN activity through a series of webinars for both employees and the public.

Led by expert disability advocates from various industries, the three-part virtual talks were meant to break down barriers that isolate PWDs from society and likewise educate the public on how they can

support and give a voice to the disabled community.

The talks featured Dr. Violeta Bautista, head of Clinical Psychology in UP Diliman; Will Jelbert, customer and success manager and bestselling author of The Happiness Animal; and Ryan Gersava, social entrepreneur and founder and president of PWD-advocate company Virtualahan Inc. Their sessions delved into inclusive topics such as mental and emotional wellbeing amid the pandemic, and the social struggles of PWDs and their rights.

“At Refinitiv, we believe that PWDs deserve equal levels of respect and opportunity as any able-bodied person,” says Jeff Dawis, director for Order Rights Management and Manila co-site lead. “Through RAN, we aim to give light on the many faces of disability to empower those living with them and increase public awareness to help remove the stigma on the community.”

Following these pilot activities, Refinitiv will roll-out webinars on mental, physical and emotional disabilities, including one to celebrate Autism Awareness Month in July.

Refinitiv is also investing in internal efforts such as disability training and exchange of best practices to further involve their employees and give disabled colleagues the confidence and opportunity to showcase their talents just like any ablebodied individual.

Refinitiv is also leading the industry toward diversity and inclusion causes. Last year, the company recognized the Top 100 global organizations in its 2019 Diversity and Inclusion Index which utilized innovative analytics to rate companies based on four main pillars: diversity, inclusion, people development and controversies.

BELLE Corp.’s mountain resort development, Tagaytay Highlands, posted modest gains in the prior year. The leisure destination of choice in the south saw earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization rise 21 percent to P364 million in 2019 from P301 million in 2018.

This performance reflected higher-margin products that include new developments, improvements in facilities and amenities and expansion of existing portfolio.

The Grove at Plantation Hills became the latest addition to Belle’s upscale farming community. The 22-hectare development promotes a healthy and holistic lifestyle suited to the discriminating tastes of its prospective homeowners.

With lot selling and land development commencing in the second half of 2019, the leisure residential and eco-farming concept-in-one will feature orchard and garden lots ideal for growing fruit trees, herbs and vegetables in one’s backyard.

Sycamore Heights, nestled at the heart of Tagaytay Midlands, has been providing breathtaking nature views and panoramic vistas in a contemporary Asian-themed community. Turnover of lots to owners and availability of prime lots continued to build property sales. Amenities such as Central Park Pavilion, Infinity Pool, Lounge Garden, Bird Watch Park and Rock Garden have been completed for the exclusive use of homeowners.

Yume, Tagaytay Highlands’ Japanese-themed community, maintained its investment viability as expansion lot purchases continued to soar. Exuding the vibe of simplicity and natural essence found in minimalist architecture, its zen living offers a stunning view of the fairways.

The One Tree at a Time planting initiative affirms Tagaytay Highlands’ commitment to environmental sustainability.

Meanwhile, Nob Hill’s residential lots have contributed to overall property revenue throughout the year. The community masterpiece boasts of picturesque vistas of mountains enjoyed from one’s home where the conveniences of modern living blend seamlessly with the beauty of nature.

Tagaytay Highlands’ strides in 2019 were made more significant with its 25th anniversary celebration. What started as an exclusive members-only club facility has evolved into a township that caters to the country’s affluent who appreciate the exclusivity and leisurely lifestyle it offers.

As the estate celebrated its two and a half decades of unparalleled development of themed residential projects, residents and members continue to enjoy an exclusive portfolio of luxury homes set against nature’s best backdrop.

The year 2019 also marked the resurgence for Tagaytay Highlands. In line with its modernization program, its drive for customer innovation resulted in the re-opening of newly reconditioned Swiss-engineered cable cars and funicular train transport system, which remain unique only to Tagaytay Highlands to this day.

It was also marked by renovations at its recreational facilities and food and beverage outlets, namely Genghis Khan and Trellis, Highlands Peak, Tagaytay Highlands Golf Club, The Country Club and The Sports Center. Enriching the Tagaytay Highlands experience were new gastronomic choices that have added to the extensive culinary list of its well-loved restaurants and dining places.

Plastic Credit Exchange launches ‘Aling Tindera’ waste-to-cash program The Plastic Credit Exchange, the country’s first homegrown global nonprofit plastic offset organization, together with the City of Manila and with the support of the PepsiCo Foundation recently introduced the Aling Tindera Waste-to-Cash program to address the mounting plastic waste crisis.

Along with their teams, PCEx founder Nanette Medved-Po and Manila Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso signed a memorandum of agreement to roll out 100 network partners over three years covering all the city’s 897 barangays.

Under the Aling Tindera program, PCEx incentivizes women-owned sarisari stores to become collection points for post-consumer plastic waste and establishes the community infrastructure for the aggregating, storing and efficient transport of the waste to partner processing facilities. Among the many benefits of the project are increased income opportunities for women micro-entrepreneurs and city residents; a more organized informal sector of waste collectors; cleaner environments and improved health.

“We couldn’t be happier to work with the Mayor and his team who have passionately demonstrated their commitment to the improvement of Manila.

We hope that our program will have a positive impact on the City’s citizens and on the environment that we all share,” Medved-Po said.

Speaking at the signing, Domagoso said he chose to team up with PCEx because the Aling Tindera Program is “applicable, doable, and sustainable” and “malaking bagay ito for the environment”. He said, “We are very grateful to [PCEx] as it will also generate some income for the community” and encourage “more sensible and responsible citizens to participate.”

PepsiCo corporate affairs head for the Philippines and Asia Anne Marie Corominas said: “PepsiCo realizes no single organization or industry can solve the plastic waste challenge on their own. That is why we’re working with PCEx and communities in Manila through the Aling Tindera program to accelerate systemic change and meaningful progress through collaborative, holistic and sustainable solutions in the Philippines.”

The initiative forms part of PCEx’s broader plastic offset mechanism inspired by the carbon offset industry.

Plastic offsetting enables businesses to take action in stopping plastic waste from polluting our waterways and ending up in nature.

Group opposes suspension of car emission tests ENVIRONMENTAL group Alagaan Natin Inang Kalikasan asked Cagayan de Oro City 2nd District Rep. Rufus Rodriguez to reconsider his bill suspending the motor vehicle emission testing until the end of 2020.

House Resolution 1007 was anchored on the persistent problem of long lines and queues by motorists especially in his area which put them and government agencies in greater risk of the COVID-19 threat as social distancing and staying apart are not being followed.

ANI-Kalikasan, one of the stronger advocates for cleaner and greener environment in consonance with the Clean Air Act as part of its continued strong partnership with the Land Transportation Office and Department of Transportation, proposed some measures to address Rep. Rodriguez’ concerns.

They said emission testing should no longer be conducted on a “first come, first served” basis as is the current practice. Instead, a scheduling system would be set up by emission testing centers in their respective general area of responsibility by means of text messaging, telephone calls or through logbook reservations.

At present, the DOTr authorizes all emission testing centers to open on Saturdays as well and increase the daily cap from only 80 to 100 vehicles per day. The DOTr has taken the pro-active initiative of increasing the daily cap once more, from 100 motor vehicles per day to 120 motor vehicles.

To lessen the pressure of rush renewal of registration, Assistant Secretary Edgar Galvante of the LTO can issue the requisite circular extending registration of motor vehicles by another 60 days from date of expiry without incurring any penalty charges to comply with the CoVid-19 work protocol/ Undersecretary Artemio Tuazon III took the initiative of extending the authorization of some PETCs and MVECTs which has expired from the period March 16, 2020 to July 15, 2020. These PETCs and MVECTS have been allowed to operate until July 30, 2020 to better serve the public. This has fully complemented the earlier action of the DOTr suspending the capping of emission test and increase from 80 to 120 vehicle to be tested per lane.

Youth & Culture B1

SUNDAY, JULY 26, 2020

Bernadet­te Lunas, Editor

manilastandardlife@gmail.com

@manilastandardlife

@MStandardLIFE

Learning on

YouTube

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HERE’S always something interesting or entertaining or educational on YouTube. The video-sharing platform allows content creators to share things they know or are interested in, from which viewers can learn more about.

For those interested in tech and games Unboxing, product reviews, and more tech and gadget videos are aplenty on YouTube.

Offering something new on the platform is Gio San Pedro of Gio Takes on Tech (155,000+ subscribers) as he uploads unboxing and product videos with a touch of ASMR. His videos are known for their straightforward presentation and smooth editing that make them pleasing to watch.

Gio San Pedro unboxes gizmo with an ASMR twist on Gio Takes on Tech.

These rising Filipino YouTube content creators, also known as “YouTubers,” tackle topics that offer viewers something to learn—depending on what interests them.

Blue Arjona of Drum Teacher Manila offers drum lessons.

Make iced coffee and milk tea with the help of Chao Coffee and Tea.

RG Enriquez shares veganized Filipino recipes on her channel RCE Studios.

For those experimenting in the kitchen

Kimi of the Yukimi Couple teaches Japanese culture and language.

Planning to start a milk tea and coffee business? Chao Coffee and Tea (8,300+ subscribers) shares easy-to-follow recipes of iced drinks. The channel also shares tips and guides for those who want to start their own milk tea and iced coffee brands.

RG Enriquez, meanwhile, offers a variety of “traditionally vegan and veganized Filipino recipes” on her YouTube channel RCE Studios (27,000+ subscribers). Recipes include lumpiang shanghai, vegan mechado, and ube milkshake, among many others.

For those wanting to learn new skills Half Japanese, half Filipino Kimi of the Japan-based Yukimi Couple (15,500+ subscribers) shares practical guides and travel tips for those who want to visit the Land of the Rising Sun. Together with Yuchan, they upload videos of their daily life in Japan and basic Japanese tutorials taught in Filipino to help viewers easily follow and understand the rules and quirks of their language.

Blue Arjona or Drum Teacher Manila (8,300+ subscribers), on the other hand, posts video tutorials on basic drum lessons as well as drum covers of popular songs to further guide and inspire his subscribers.

Dr. Winlove Mojica or Skin Sensei offers easy-to-understand skin lessons.

Ronnie Burbac shares tips on cutting men's hair on his channel.

For those transitioning to healthy lifestyle Workout videos make it easier for quarantined Filipinos to stay fit. Kat of Simply Pinay (268,000+ subscribers) is motivated to help Pinoys get fit and fab with the help of simple exercise videos, including yoga routines, cardio, and high intensity workouts, as well as healthy meal plans and tips for weight loss.

Kat Aglipay of Simply Pinay shares tips on living healthy.

One of the good guys

For those looking for beauty tips and tricks A visit to the dermatologist may not be the most convenient activity to do at the moment. But Dermatologist and teacher Dr. Winlove Mojica, also known as The Skin Sensei (83,400+ subscribers), comes to the rescue with his easy-to-understand lessons on taking care of skin.

The temporary closure of barber shops and hair salons has had us learning how to cut the hair of our loved ones or housemates. Through his channel, Ronnie Burbac (51,300+ subscribers) shares tutorials and tips on cutting men’s hair and other hair treatments. Steph Llarena

After graduation, he wanted to work overseas to earn enough money to support his family, but countries tightened their minimum employment requirements for medical workers. Rence decided to enter the BPO industry instead where he spent the years climbing the ranks across different companies.

But he kept his spirit of volunteerism alive by taking on medical and social jobs on the side.

“When I saw that post (in the elevator), I was so excited to join that I even asked my friends to come with me,” he relates. “I missed the feeling of working without expecting compensation other than the smiles and thank you’s of the people whom one has served.”

Good guys unite

Nursing graduate Rence Urian volunteers his time for a health and wellness caravan.

THE pandemic has disrupted many lives and halted many plans. One of those was Rence Urian’s.

After spending years working in an industry unrelated to his training, Rence, 29, decided it was time to go home to his passion. His plan was set.

The year 2020 was supposed to be the time he would finally answer to his calling—as a nurse. He had already done the paperwork and aced the pre-qualifying exams for a nursing job in Japan.

But the COVID-19 pandemic changed his plans.

Rence spent his time at home planning his next step. One day in late February, as he was on his way to his condo unit at Grass Residences, he saw a post in the elevator that made his eyes light up. It was an announcement under The Good Guys campaign of SM Development Corporation (SMDC). It was a call for volunteer nurses to join a health and wellness caravan to SMDC properties.

He immediately enlisted himself, thinking it was the perfect opportunity to return to the medical field after years of working in the BPO industry.

29-year-old Rence believes there is no bad time to be a good guy.

Always a good guy Rence’s heart has always been in public service. In grade school he actively led school events. In high school he engaged in a community service program to feed the malnourished, and in college he joined an organization dedicated to helping communities.

Rence was welcomed into the program. He immediately called a friend, John Sicad, also a nurse, and asked him to join the health and wellness caravan.

Like Rence, John wants to serve the community. He worked for years as a nurse volunteer in his home province of Iloilo. He was on vacation from his cruise ship nursing job when he received the invitation from Rence; he accepted without thinking twice.

The first medical mission was set for the second week of March, but it was shelved as Metro Manila was placed under an enhanced community quarantine.

In June, Rence finally got a call from SMDC. With the easing of the lockdown to general community quarantine, the health and wellness caravan was finally pushing through.

Rence and John were taken to Sea Residences in Pasay City for general consultations. Blood tests were taken, along with ECGs and X-rays. Reading glasses, vitamins, and medicines were handed out to residents for free.

Residents of the property underwent the first round of consultations, followed by the property service staff. They first saw Rence, who was assigned to take vital signs. There, he encountered many elderly residents who apparently needed a listening ear, more than anything.

“They have been locked inside their homes and have had no one to talk to about their fears and concerns regarding the pandemic,” shares Rence. “Simply listening to their sentiments, I felt like I was already helping.”

Rence says he intends to stay with the SMDC The Good Guys Health and Wellness Caravan, even if it will mean taking a leave from his job as a hospital nurse. He is proud to be a part of the project.

How you can help jeepney drivers for free EAGER to help jeepney drivers in need?

A newly launched rewards service will give LalaJeep drivers care packages once it reaches 100,000 registered members by August 15.

“We would like to celebrate our first milestone by helping LalaJeep drivers.

We hope that the public can also join us in this initiative by being part of the ZRewards family,” said Glenn Z. Estrella, chief executive officer of ZRewards.

ZRewards by Zeal, a new online marketplace for discounts and freebies, teamed up with Minimart in providing the care packages.

LalaJeep drivers are those who lost their livelihood due the pandemic but were taken in by on-demand delivery company Lalamove in agreement with the Quezon City local government. LalaJeeps deliver goods for businesses that need a more affordable means to deliver their products.

“Through this partnership, we will be able to expand our reach to users

A newly launched rewards marketplace will give LalaJeep drivers care packages once it reaches 100,000 members by August 15.

that will take part in extending additional support to the LalaJeep frontliners who have been drastically affected by this pandemic,” said Dannah Majarocon, managing director of Lalamove.

To join this initiative, sign up to ZRewards at https://zeal.ph/signup and use the referral code HELPJEEP. Once you become a member, you will have access to different offers from a wide array of merchants such as Flowerstore.ph, Minimart.ph, Goldilocks Bakeshop, JiPan, Boozy.ph, Melo’s Steakhouse, Beauty Scout, Zalora Philippines, The Naturale Market, Audio-Video Solutions Corporation, Avignon Clinic, Digits Trading Corp, Harem, Inc., AJ Wellness Corporation, Rapide Auto Service Experts, IAJ Wellness Corporation, papemelroti, Malongo Atelier Barista, The Smile Bar, Chris Sports, Trident Food Holdings, Inc., Mysterium Philippines, CM Star Management Inc., Bistronomia, and The Bistro Group.

HEY, YOUTH! SHARE your unpublished essays with the readers of Manila Standard. Chosen essays will be published in the Young Life corner that comes out every Sunday.

This space is open for young writers, aged 13-29 years old.

Send your essay (maximum of 800 words) with photo/s, if available, to manilastandardlife@gmail.com with the subject: “Young Life - (title of your essay)” along with a brief description of yourself.

B2

Home/Design

SUNDAY, JULY 26, 2020

Joel D. Lacsamana, Editor E-mail: jdlacsamana@gmail.com

TURN YOUR HOUSE INTO A COLORFUL MURAL In the time of coronavirus, a joyous palette could buoy your mood S

PECIFIC architectural styles evoke different emotions in people.

Victorian-era style architecture uses more neutral colors in order to pull off its moody look, which means that there is a possibility of a heavier and darker atmosphere within your home.

Mediterranean-style homes are made of active colors, which could cause an adrenaline, but may make it difficult for you to sleep at night.

Cohesion via architectural styles With the boom of the real estate industry in the Philippines, more and more architectural styles are popping up in the housing landscape.

In order to find the right house paint ideas for a home that would also fit into the culture of Philippine homes, one must first understand the basics of their color palettes.

Traditional-styled homes make use of a uniform color palette that may end up being too monotonous. Instead, modernstyled architecture has started to move away from the traditional materials that make a home in favor of a style that makes use of multiple materials and still keep the design cohesive. Glass, metal, wood, and stone can now be found within one home.

The color palettes these make use of are more often than not neutrals and earth tones.

The walls can primarily be made of concrete or light pieces of wood, topped off with a dark-colored tile roof. The majority of the walls can be changed in favor of wide sliding glass doors. This is ideal for the Philippine climate because it boasts modernity while allowing for good ventilation to keep the house cool.

Another type of home that can usually be seen in the Philippines is one that is designed to capitalize on the natural beauty of the scenery around it.

Color matching the environment The Philippines is a country teeming with lush flora, so if you have a property that allows for a freestanding or detached home, make use of the space to create a luxurious, natural surrounding.

Even if you have space only for a pocket garden, build a home that can work with the greenery in your property.

To further capture the natural feel, some homeowners locally source the materials they need for the build, like stones for wall cladding or to pave driveways.

Blues, greens, browns – these are the goto colors if you want to have your house merge with the surrounding landscape. But some push the envelope by choosing to paint their homes with bright colors. Some homes

near the sea choose to mimic the water by having bright blue walls. Others who live in mountain areas choose to paint their walls yellow or orange to match the sun.

Matching the colors of your house, garden Coordinate the palette of garden and house for an artful appearance and cohesive design.

One way to link a house and garden is to use paint colors that can be repeated in foliage or flowers. Choosing the rights colors can suit a home’s charm.

For example, planting of vivid bougainvillea bloom, magenta with yellow and chartreuse accents, provides the right amount of contrast for a white, or beige house.

A cool house color, such as blue, green,

or purple, works well with cool plant colors because they are harmonious.

Similarly, houses painted in warm colors of light yellow, pink, or apricot would harmonize with plantings that feature warm colors. To liven things up, combine colors that are opposite each other on a color wheel. A blue house paired with orange flowers, for example, provides maximum contrast.

Bright house colors are dramatic and should be paired with equally spectacular colors in the garden. Repeat the house colors as closely as possible and for as long as possible through the year.

Mediterranean for a refreshing vibe Mediterranean architecture can give your home the refreshing vibe of a

weekend getaway every single day. The use of this particular architectural style in beach home developments makes us equate this type of home with bright, sunny and relaxing days, which puts us in a vacation mood.

These homes are designed to mimic those found lined along the streets of the Mediterranean region of the world.

The concrete walls of Mediterranean architecture are usually painted a solid yellow color or a combination of yellow and white. This is to highlight the fresh and tropical feel of the home. The roofs are made of red tiles, in order to further complement the beachside look. White lines are found around the house in order to give it some further texture.

Boysen paints for your color palette Here are the things that can help you finalize your color palette: • Choose your furniture first before choosing your wall colors • Start designing formal areas and use those colors as accents in other places.

• The usual color story of a room: dark floors, medium to bright tones for the walls, and light ceilings.

• Choose from a variety of different paint colors from paint suppliers such as Boysen Philippines in order to find the right one for you.

MAYNILAD, DE LOS SANTOS MEDICAL CENTER HELP SHORTHANDED LABS WITH NEW TESTING FACILITY. A P15-million facility featuring

the Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) procedure, the gold standard testing method to detect the Covid-19 virus, was inaugurated this week by Maynilad Water Services, Inc. at the Quezon City grounds of the De Los Santos Medical Center (DLSMC). The facility was made possible by a Php 15-M donation by Maynilad in response to the need for more RT-PCR testing centers in the country. The Maynilad-DLSMC testing center will boost the capacity of the 30 existing RT-PCR laboratories and five GeneXpert facilities licensed to operate by the Department of Health (DOH), to speed up the processing and release of Covid-19 confirmatory test results. At the inauguration ceremonies were Metro Pacific Investments (MPIC) chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan; DLSMC president Raul C. Pagdanganan; Maynilad CEO Ramoncito S. Fernandes; and Metro Pacific Hospital Holdings, Inc. (MPHHI) chairman Augusto P. Palisoc, Jr. Maynilad is a company of infrastructure conglomerate MPIC. DLSMC is a member hospital of MPHHI, MPIC’s medical arm.

DIGITIZING THE HOME BUYING PROCESS SMC SUSTAINABLE HOUSING STAYS COVID-19 FREE. A total of 86 families relocated from high-risk coastal areas to a new, disaster-resilient and sustainable housing development built for them by San Miguel Corporation (SMC), are getting more than just a new start in life: they have also remained COVID-19 free amid the pandemic. The San Miguel-Christian Gayeta Homes, sits on a 5.4-hectare area in Sitio Curba, Bgy. Castanas in Sariaya, Quezon. Built in partnership with the local government, the community put in place strict health protocols, including the installation of handwashing stations, equipping guards with thermal scanners, and mandating the wearing of face masks. Each residence at the San Miguel-Gayeta Homes has a lot area of 54 square meters, with built homes that can fit a bedroom, toilet and bathroom, kitchen, and dining area. All houses are constructed using “Green Tough” (GT) panels. SMC is building 450 homes. The company, which is building an integrated agro-industrial zone with port facilities in the coastal area—has already completed 300 units.. “San Miguel has had a lot of experience building large housing communities which we’ve donated for disaster victims all over the country,” SMC president Ramon S. Ang told the Manila Standard. “We have used that experience to try to develop a comfortable, sustainable, and disaster-resilient village here—especially since the residents are coming from a danger

DMCI Homes is ramping up its online sales processes to address the needs of condominium buyers amid the coronavirus pandemic, from searching for the best available home to providing efficient payment facilities. The property developer has redesigned www. dmcihomes.com to include helpful features like Live Unit Availability Summary and Compare Homes capability. The former shows what units are still available for selling while the latter helps homebuyers compare prospective properties.

Website users are likewise able to select their preferred location from a map and the website suggests properties near the said area. “Even before the coronavirus pandemic, we have been harnessing IT capabilities to make homebuying a seamless process,” claimed Jan Venturanza, DMCI Homes head for IT, marketing and customer care.

Entertainment

By Nickie Wang

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HERE are people who have beautiful names and there are some who have beautiful faces. Thia Thomalla has both.

When you see her up close, you would ask yourself how could the heavens create a human being with such a beautiful face and a name that rhymes like music to our ears.

With a name that also screams beauty queen, no wonder the 25-yearold model and actress captured the hearts of many when she bested 70 other beauties from around the world to be crowned Miss Eco International in Egypt back in 2018. The annual pageant seeks to promote eco-tourism while advancing social and environmental causes.

“It was a humbling and memorable experience for me which is why I was thinking of joining another pageant to bring the advocacies I supported to a bigger stage,” Thia told Manila Standard in an online interview for How Do You Feel?: Usapang Artista.

The captivating beauty of Filipino and German descent intended to join Miss World Philippines this year but admitted that the current situation made her postpone her plans.

It’s in the same pageant where she earned the right to represent the country at Miss Eco International.

“I’m happy with the Miss Eco International crown, but there are so what ifs at the back of my head,” she explained.

Thia met Laura Lehman (Miss World Philippines 2016) when she was 18, and then Megan Young who was crowned Miss World 2013. She said they inspired her to become a beauty queen herself.

“Miss World is my mother pageant.

Given the perfect circumstances, I’d really love to join again,” she stated.

The 5-foot-7 GMA Artist talent has been an advocate for environmental protection but since the death of his brother in May last year, Thia decided to research on testicular cancer and speak with specialists on creating awareness about the disease.

“When my brother died because of cancer, that’s when I realized that I need to do something.

My brother didn't voice it out earlier. I don’t want anyone to experience the same experience that we had. I've been in contact with a doctor, a specialist in cancer treatment and prevention. We’re supposed to meet up but we had to postpone it because of the quarantine,” she said.

Sharing her honest opinion on organizations that postponed or even canceled all their pageant activities altogether, Thia believes that it’s just right to prioritize everyone’s safety.

“I think it’s just right that some of the pageants this year were canceled or moved to a different date.

We should prioritize the health of everyone first and foremost. Some pageants are not crashing the dreams of so many girls around the world by extending the age limit for the ca nd id ates,” Thia concluded.

SUNDAY, JULY 26, 2020

B3

Nickie Wang, Editor; E-mail: nickie.standard@ gmail.com

Giving beauty pageant another try

Thia Thomalla is a television actress and a United Nations Goodwill Ambassador.

She’s the first Filipino woman to be crowned Miss Eco International.

Apart from modeling and acting, Thia is passionate about promoting environmental protection and awareness.

Justin Jesso drops powerful ballad SOMETIMES it’s best to let life do its thing. Nobody knows this better than American musician Justin Jesso.

After waiting for his breakthrough for years, his contribution as co-writer and vocalist in Kygo’s multi-platinum smash hit “Stargazing” initiated the charismatic American’s position among the world’s most soug ht-af ter singers and songwriters.

The track has now

surpassed 700 million streams.

The US Grammy-nominated artist now unleashes “If You’re Meant to Come Back,” a powerful ballad, his own composition.

The moving ballad that feeds on a reduced arrangement consisting of piano and Justin’s haunting voice.

It’s a song about moving on, letting go, and never losing hope—as painful as the circumstances may seem at first because some scars heal while waiting for the happy ending.

“I’m always looking for answers and there’s one thing I’ve learned: You shouldn’t demand things from life too stubbornly”, says Justin.

“Everything happens when it’s supposed to happen.

The universe follows its own rules. The more desperate you wait or hope for something, the longer it m i g h t take. You have to be patient.

Music has always

helped me to better understand my emotions. Today, I’m glad if I’m able to support people and touch their lives with my songs.”

Growing up in Chicago, Justin was instinctively drawn to music, with early influences including Earth, Wind & Fire, Stevie Wonder, and James Brown. He learned piano and then started writing his own songs at the age of 16.

Just two years later, he was touring North America. With almost four million monthly listeners on Spotify, Justin has worked with various international greats including Backstreet Boys, Madcon, Armin Van Buuren, Nina Nesbitt, and Seeb, He was even nominated for a Latin Grammy as a co-writer for Ricky Martin’s No.1 record “Vente Pa’Ca (feat. Maluma)” in 2016.

After releasing his debut EP in late 2018, Justin began a run of topcharting radio singles in Europe, including his first single “Getting Closer,” off his debut EP, and “As Far As Feelings Go” with Alle Farben.

Last year Justin collaborated with Nina Nesbitt on “Let it Be Me,” and Seeb on “Bigger Than,” setting the stage for his powerful new single “If You’re Meant To Come Back.”

Justin Jesso is an American singer and songwriter best known for his work as co-writer and featured artist in Kygo's massive hit, ‘Stargazing.’

Teen singer Zephanie Dimaranan has released her latest single ’Sabihin Mo Na Lang Kasi.’

Zephanie showcases delicate vocals in new song IDOL Philippines grand winner Zephanie Dimaranan demonstrates her maturity as a singer through her new single “Sabihin Mo Na Lang Kasi,” released on Friday under Star Music.

The song, produced by Jonathan Manalo, is a melodramatic acoustic that centers on a person’s daring but painful appeal for her partner to be upfront and confess that their relationship has reached its end, instead of acting like nothing is wrong. It highlights the softer and more calming voice of Zephanie rather than her impressive belting.

“I love listening to heartbreaking songs, so hearing this track for the first time made me really excited to start recording it,” Zephanie recalled.

“Jonathan Manalo and I made sure that I was able to deliver the right emotions since this is very different from my previous releases,” she added.

Earlier this year, the young chanteuse released her third offering “Pangako Ko,” followed by her rendition of Gloc 9’s “Simpleng Tao,” which was used as the theme song of the Star Cinema film, James and Pat and Dave.

Zephanie’s “Sabihin Mo Na Lang Kasi” is now available on various digital streaming services. For more details, like Star Music on Facebook (www.facebook.com/starmusicph), and follow it on Twitter and Instagram (@StarMusicPH).

B4 (Last part)

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HERE are other forms of socialization that will help your pup become a well-adjusted dog.

These include introducing your pup to a range of different sights, objects, surfaces, sounds, experiences, and skills during their critical socialization period from 4 to 16 weeks of age.

This can be done even at home, while the family members are on quarantine due to covid 19.

Sights/objects/surfaces Your puppy will come across different objects and experiences, including people wearing different clothes and doing a lot of things.

“You can get your puppy used to these things just by showing them lots of objects and by playing dress ups! Remember, always pair the new sight/object with a positive reward,” RSPCA said.

You and the members of the family can dress up in gears that your puppy will associate with different kinds of people like the vet, or the neighbor, or the newspaper man. This will be a lot of fun for the family and the pup.

“You can use fancy dress costumes, masks, beards, wigs, umbrellas, helmets – anything you have on hand – to familiarise your puppy to different outfits and objects they might see. You can play act

SUNDAY, JULY 26, 2020

and simulate different situations, like a delivery person bringing a big box, packages or bags to your door; someone riding a bicycle; a person using a walking frame or walking stick; or a traveller with a big backpack or rolling a suitcase. Always give your puppy a treat and praise when they behave calmly and investigate a new object or a ‘new’ (dressed up!) person,” RSPCA said.

Your dog will come across a range of surfaces like concrete, sidewalk curbs, metal (such as a manholes), grass, leaves, tiles, pavement, wood, ramps, and many more, when you start walking him to the park, or bringing him to pet restos or fun places.

“You can create an ‘experience walk’ at home to get your puppy used to as many of these things as possible. You can make this in your backyard with a little bit of creativity, using wood blocks, concrete, tiles, ramps, stairs, grass, carpet and even expand it with other experiences like flapping flags,

Desiree Carlos, Editor

daycarlos28@yahoo.com

Pets

plastic bottles or bags waving in the wind,” RSPCA said.

Sounds At the moment, it is probably quiet in the home and neighborhood as everyone is keeping themselves safe from covid 19.

It is important though to get your puppy used to different sounds as early as now such as the sound of a car horn, or other sounds that he might hear when everything is back to “normal,” when people and vehicles pass by more often.

RSPCA suggested that you play videos or sound tracks online of everyday sounds.

It would help your puppy get used to the sound of appliances, cars, trains, whistles, barking dogs, motorbikes, a cat’s meow, birds, and many more sounds.

Keep the volume low at first so as not to startle your puppy. Reward him for his calm behavior while the sound is being played. He will associate the sound with something good.

It is important to socialize a pup with other pups starting at 4 weeks of age up to 16 weeks.

In photo are rescued pups Rafa (middle), Sunshine (left) and Nica (right ) of Save ALL.

Socializing a puppy

in the time of COVID-19 When your puppy is calm and used to hearing new noises paired with positive experiences like treats or games, you can start introducing potentially scary noises like thunder, fireworks, and vacuum cleaners to get them used to these sounds also. Do this for a short period at a time, at low volume, and also reward him with treats and praises while playing the sounds.

Experiences

Even siblings need to get used to each other. Their play and interaction will teach them to deal well with adult dogs later. In photo ar ePopoy (left) and Zinnia (right), saved from euthanasia (to be killed) in the pound five years ago by Save ALL.

1. Handling the pup to prepare for vet visit and grooming It will be helpful for the puppy and you as owner to make him/her comfortable with human touch.

Slowly, introduce him/her to regular gentle touching of the ears, feet, mouth, eye area, and tail.

This is important so that you can touch your dog to check if he is okay (no lumps, no wounds) when he is an adult. This will also allow the vet to check him and give vaccines without putting a muzzle on him.

“You can also get your puppy used to grooming and having their nails clipped which will make everyone’s life easier in the long run. These sessions should be relaxed and always paired with a reward to keep the associations positive,” RSPCA said.

2. Getting use to a car ride You do not have to go anywhere to get the puppy used to being in a car.

One day, you will have to bring the pup to the vet for his vaccines. Some dogs are afraid of car rides, and will pant too much that you will also panic.

“Teach your puppy to be comfortable getting in and out of the car, when you turn on the engine, and even do a few trips up and down your driveway to get them used to a bit of movement.

One great way to help your puppy enjoy spending time in the car is to feed them their meals there for a few times in a row,” RSPCA suggested.

3. Toys will help the pup RSPCA said “enrichment toys” will keep the pup entertained as well as keep

him mentally and physically stimulated.

Examples of these toys are treat dispensing toys or games that “encourage a puppy to explore and be rewarded for self-initiated play,” RSPCA said.

Give the toys alternately to keep the pup from getting bored.

You can also make toys that will keep your pup busy and stimulated.

Teaching life skills which a pup needs when social distancing ends The pandemic will end. Members of the family will eventually go out of the house and go to work or to school after this crisis.

It is thus important to teach your puppy to be content and happy when he is alone.

“This will help your puppy cope better when you all return to work or school and a more normal life,” RSPCA said.

“A good way to do this is to set your puppy up alone in a safe space with a delicious treat, something to chew, and an enrichment toy like a puzzle feeder.

A puppy crate is an ideal secure place where your puppy can sleep safely and be left alone. You can then leave them alone for short periods of time, starting for a very short time like a minute and slowly building up to longer periods as your puppy gets used to this, “ RSPCA said.

You can also teach your puppy to be comfortable wearing a harness, then introduce the leash slowly.

“You can also use this time to build a strong relationship with your puppy and teach them basic skills like sit, stay, down, come, leave it, tug and give, prevention of resource guarding, etc.,” RSPCA said. DC

PET TALES

BY DESIREE CARLOS YES, your dog can eat a mango. But do not give the pit or seed and the skin.

These parts of the mango are not safe for dogs.

Never give the whole mango. You can only give the flesh or laman.

If your dog is small, cut the flesh of the mango into thin, small pieces.

“Dogs can safely eat mangos in small quantities if prepared correctly.

Mangos are full of vitamins and antioxidants that can be beneficial to dogs,” said Melinda Story in “Can Dogs Eat Mango? A Complete Guide To Mango For Dogs in The Happy Puppy Site.

Too much mango though can cause an upset stomach and diarrhea.

“You should serve mango in small quantities with the pit and skin removed in order for your dog to enjoy it safely,” A dog’s diet should contain mainly quality protein and fats.

Too much carbohydrates and a diet high in sugar can have a negative effect on a dog’s health. Too much sugar can cause heart disease, diabetes, and dental problems, and can lead to unhealthy weight gain.

“A single mango has about 45 grams of sugar and that works out to 13 grams of sugar per 100 grams of fruit,” Story said.

Half a teaspoon up to a teaspoon is fine for small breed dogs, while a tablespoon is okay for large breed dogs.

It can be given once a week or a maximum of twice a week.

It should be given as a treat only as most of the nutrients a dog needs are already in his dry dog food or kibble.

"Like other food items, there is a chance that your canine companion may be allergic or intolerant, so start with just a bite and look out for signs of indigestion," Story warned.

Health benefits Mangoes contain essential vitamins and minerals, like potassium, phosphorus, folate, calcium, and vitamins A,

Mangoes for dogs Give only a small amount of the peeled mango (no seed) to your dog as mangoes have very high sugar content which is not good for dogs. Its vitamin C content however is good for dogs.

B6, C, and K. Mangos are good for the eyes because they are full of antioxidants, including zeaxanthin.

The high water content and some fiber in mangoes can aid in digestion.

The Vitamin A in mangoes can help keep a dog’s bone and vision healthy, and strengthen the immune system.

Vitamin C in mangoes can help sickly or aging dogs.

“While dogs do not need vitamin C in their diet because they produce it naturally, some research has shown that dietary vitamin C can be useful to ill and older dogs,” Story said.

The vitamin B6 in mangos prevent anemia in dogs . “This nutrient is often found in dog food, but the vitamin can degrade quickly when placed in commercial foods,” Story said.

Potassium in mangoes can help in

proper nerve, heart, and kidney function.

The vitamin K in the fruit is essential for blood clotting.

But remember, “Mango is not essential to a balanced doggie diet,” Story said.

“In fact, when it comes to mango for dogs, moderation is key. The vitamin C and the fructose in the mango can give your dog diarrhea and a high sugar diet can cause weight gain and other serious health issues in dogs,” Story added.

One or two slices a few times a week is safe for your dog.

The Mango Pit/Seed This part of the fruit – the pit/seed or buto --should never be given to a dog.

The pit or seed contains cyanide that is harmful to both humans and dogs.

“In fact, cyanide poisoning is a serious concern in animals. The com-

Mangoes are safe for dogs. Never give the skin and the seed/pit to your dog as this can lead to cyanide poisoning or blockage in the intestines.

pounds inside a mango pit convert into hydrogen cyanide once ingested. And dogs can die from ingesting cyanide,” Story said.

“Never feed or allow your dog to chew on a mango pit. If you think they may have eaten some of the pit, it is a medical emergency,” Story added.

The Mango Skin They skin is not poisonous but it is rough and made out of indigestible plan cellulose. The skin can block up the intestines and make the dog very sick.

“Since most canines do not chew their food as well as they should, this can result in large pieces of mango peel blocking up the intestines. An intestinal blockage is a serious and life-threatening condition,” Story said.

Remove the skin and the seed before feeding the mango to your dog. The se-

rious consequences are not worth the risk, Story stressed.

The Dried Mango Is it safe for dogs?

A dried fruit is just a piece of fruit without the water. But it has a high concentration of sugar which is not good for dogs.

What to do when a dog has eaten a mango seed/pit Call your vet immediately when this happens. Your dog can die.

“Not only can the pit make your canine sick from cyanide poisoning, but it can also become trapped in the intestinal tract,” Story said.

“This sort of blockage can be fatal and surgery may be needed to remove the blockage,” Story said.

If you think that your dog has eaten any kind of seed for that matter, bring your dog to the vet immediately.