Manila Standard - 2020 September 13 - Sunday

VOL. XXXIV • NO. 191 • 2 SECTIONS 8 PAGES • P18 • SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2020 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.

PARK OPENS. Residents of Tagaytay City walk up from the lower levels of the famed Tagaytay Picnic Grove—which offers a stunning view of the Taal volcano and lake (inset, file photo)—after the local government opened the park to the public on Saturday for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic broke in March. The park will be open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, with guards and local police monitoring and reminding park goers to follow health protocols. JR Josue

Rody’s intel budget ‘too much’ Lacson wants to know how President would spend P4.5b in 2021 funds

By Joel E. Zurbano and Maricel V. Cruz

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RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte’s confidential intelligence funds for year 2021, from the proposed P4.5-trillion national budget, face questioning by a member of the Senate, who wanted to know how the money would be spent.

COVID-19 PH

Under the 2021 National Expenditure Program (NEP), which Malacañang itself prepared, the allocations for intelligence and confidential funds for the Office of the President remain at P2.25 billion each, or P4.5 billion in total. “[It is] still a bit too much,” Sen. Panfilo Lacson told ANC in an interview, heard nationwide. “When you say P4.5 billion a year under one entity, which is the Office of the President—which is not a big office—how do they spend that?”

The amount makes up 55 percent of the total allocation for the President’s office for next year, which is at P8.19 billion, 2021 budget documents seen by the Standard showed.

Moreover, the P2.25 billion in intelligence funds under the Office of the President comprise 47 percent of the proposed

P4.8 billion total intelligence funds for next year.

The OP’s confidential funds also make up 64 percent of the proposed P3.5 billion total confidential funds, the documents revealed.

On top of the OP intel budget, the President also has control over the intelligence funds of “the entire bureaucracy,” including that of the defense department, the police, Customs and Internal Revenue bureaus, and the National Security Agency, said Lacson.

Duterte also has a share from the funds of state casino regulator Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) and state lottery firm Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) that run up to “billions of pesos every year,” he added.

WESTERN U.S. FIRES RUN WILD

A COUPLE’S BIZ AMID COVID-19

UNDERSTANDING YOUR DOG’S ‘LOOK’

More than 20,000 firefighters from across the United States on Friday battled sprawling deadly wildfires up and down the West Coast—a wave of infernos that have forced more than half a million people to flee their homes.

Entrepreneurial couple Jibby and Charisse Tinio took it upon themselves to create a meaningful business at a time when keeping bodies and personal effects clean draws the line between staying healthy and getting sick.

When it is your dog who is staring, you wonder what he or she is trying to say. A furparent wants to understand his pet, always.

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BUSINESS / A4

PETS / B4

HOW TO GET HIRED DURING PANDEMIC

DRAWING A BEAD ON THE FUTURE

KYLE BRANCHES OUT WITH NEW SINGLE

AT A GLANCE

(AS OF 4 PM SEPT. 12)

257,863 TOTAL NUMBER OF CASES

4,935 66,455 NEW

ACTIVE

4,292

186

187,116

659

DEATHS

RECOVERIES

NEW

NEW

Career experts say there are ways to increase chances of getting hired even if the world is on fire.

Location is everything for any business to thrive. With limited movement allowed under quarantine guidelines, it is all the more important to invest in budding communities that offer all the essentials.

LIFE / B1

Teen star Kyle Echarri takes on a much more meaningful role both in the life of the girl that he loves and in his music career with his newest single titled “I’m Serious,” released on Friday.

ENTERTAINMENT / B3

HOME/DESIGN / B2 twitter.com/ MlaStandard

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Asked about his fellow lawmakers’ possible reluctance to slash the funds of Duterte’s office, Lacson said, “Let’s see.”

“I always say what I mean, and I always mean what I say. In any budget deliberation, I really ask questions, I want things to be clarified, especially because this is our money,” he said.

Lacson also expressed concern over recent estimates that the national debt could balloon to P12 trillion due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The debt is at about P9.16 trillion, up from P7.8 trillion in January, Lacson said.

At the same time, Lacson said government officials should cut their travel budget to help tighten the national purse strings, considering the country was under lockdown protocols and restrictions owing to the coronavirus pandemic.

The increasing intelligence and confidential funds of the President’s office is not without precedence, with data on the website of the Department of Budget and Management showing that these allocations have generally increased since 2008, a GMA News report showed.

However, it was only during Duterte’s

presidency that the intelligence and confidential funds under the Office of the President have reached the billion-peso mark.

In 2016, when former President Benigno Aquino III left Malacañang, the intelligence and confidential funds under his office were only pegged at P250 million each.

Aside from the Office of the President, other government agencies have their own share of intelligence and confidential funds, GMA reported.

In the proposed P4.5-trillion national budget for 2021, the Philippine National Police under the Department of the Interior and Local Government will receive the biggest allocation for intelligence funds after the Office of the President, at P806 million.

The National Intelligence Coordinating Agency follows with P20.2 million, then the Department of National Defense - Office of the Secretary at P10 million.

When it comes to confidential funds, the Philippine Drug and Enforcement Agency ranks second to the Office of the President for having the biggest allocation, with P500 million.

Cardinal Tagle catches COVID; Palace, CBCP ask for prayers

TRUSTED BY POPE. In this file photo taken on October 5, 2015, Pope Francis (left) speaks with Filipino Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle during a synod on the family in the Vatican. Cardinal Tagle has tested positive for coronavirus in his country, the Vatican said on Friday. AFP

By Vito Barcelo FORMER Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle, who arrived in Manila from Rome on Thursday, has tested positive for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), according to the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines news website.

Communications Secretary Martin Andanar, in a statement, said Malacañang was praying for Tagle’s fast recovery.

“We extend our prayers of (sic) speedy recovery and good health to Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle following the unfortunate news that he had recently contracted COVID-19 and entreat the public to pray for the

good Cardinal as well.”

“May his recovery be immediate so that he can continue to fulfill his good works, and be an inspiration to the Catholic faithful to continue the fight against COVID-19 virus and be on our way to heal and recover as one nation,” Andanar added.

The Holy See Press Office, in a report published by the Vatican News, confirmed the announcement on Friday evening.

The report added that Tagle was asymptomatic and currently under quarantine.

It said he underwent a COVID-19 swab test in Rome on September 7, which turned out to be negative.

Tagle is the first Roman curia dicastery head to test positive for COVID-19.

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Hotel ‘staycations’ allowed in GCQ areas

By Willie Casas

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OTELS in areas under general community quarantine (GCQ) may soon accept “staycation” guests aside from ealth workers and exempted employees, Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat has confirmed.

BGC-ORTIGAS LINK. Public Works Secretary Mark Villar (center) inspects the 1.367-kilometer BGC-Ortigas Center Link, a flyover that will cut the drive between Bonifacio Global City and Ortigas business district from 1 hour to 12 minutes once it opens, on Saturday. Despite the limitations caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Villar said the DPWH aims to finish the Sta. Monica-Lawton bridge by this December. Norman Cruz

Pemberton will Bay project criticism ‘misplaced’, budget ‘just P28m’ be banned from country ‘forever’—BI

By Maricel V. Cruz

US MARINE Lance Corporal Joseph Scott Pemberton is now on the Immigration blacklist and will be forever banned in the Philippines following his deportation, the Bureau of Immigration said Saturday.

BI Spokesperson Dana Sandoval said of Pemberton, who was granted absolute pardon by President Rodrigo Duterte last week: “All deported foreigners are included in our perpetual blacklist.

They will no longer be allowed to return to the Philippines.”

It was not clear when Pemberton would exactly be deported, but official sources said the deportation papers were now being processed.

Pemberton was convicted for the killing of transgender woman Jennifer Laude, whom he met in a bar in Olongapo while on a break from military exercises in 2014. He admitted to choking Laude after finding out she had male genitals following an intimate act.

Laude’s body was found in an Olongapo City hotel, head slumped in a toilet bowl.

Duterte recently pardoned Pemberton, clearing all legal obstacles to the soldier’s release, despite him serving just over half his 10-year sentence.

Sandoval said there was no fixed timeline in the implementation of deportation. “We just need to wait for the documents.”

The Department of Justice, meanwhile, said Pemberton could appeal the BI ‘blacklist,’ but its lifting rarely happened.

On Friday, Pemberton’s custody was transferred to the BI from the Bureau of Corrections, although he remained at his detention facility inside Camp Aguinaldo.

The BI said it would complete deportation proceedings against Pemberton after his release from BuCor custody.

Pemberton was ordered deported for being an “undesirable alien” three months before his conviction in 2015.

While the DOJ has the final say whether it will grant an appeal to remove the blacklisting, Justice Undersecretary Markk Perete said in an interview on Dobol B sa News TV that most often, the department upholds the denial of the Immigration bureau.

INTERIOR Secretary Eduardo Año defended the Manila Bay beautification project anew, saying criticisms against the program were “misplaced.”

Interior Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya also said the project was only worth P28 million, contrary to the P389 million posted in earlier reports.

“Once the project is completed, we invite the public to enjoy the rehabilitated and nourished beach and see for themselves if it is harmful,” Año, vice chair of the Manila Bay Task Force, said in a statement Saturday.

The Environment chief said dolomite, which was used as artificial white sand

to beautify the Manila Bay beach, “is a common material used in beach nourishment” in resorts around the world.

Meanwhile, Malaya said: “That already covers the price of dolomite sand, transportation cost, taxes, and other fees. That’s the package of the cost including delivery from Cebu to Manila Bay. It’s not P389 million but P28 million.”

This developed as an opposition leader in the House of Representatives on Saturday thumbed down the construction of the “mini-Boracay” at the Baywalk in Manila Bay, citing health and safety concerns.

House Deputy Minority leader and

Probinsyano Ako party-list Rep. Jose Singson Jr. said he is worried over public health dangers posed by the dumping of crushed dolomite at Manila Bay. Singson said Manila Mayor Isko Domagoso “may have failed to understand the implications of the public health warnings from experts” with the dumping of crushed dolomite as part of the beautification plan to rehabilitate Manila Bay. “Yorme Isko must realize that people stopped going to Manila Bay because the stink of garbage and human waste have become unbearable. I don’t see any reason why they would start going back there if what they will get is a whiff of cancerous fumes,” the lawmaker said.

“Upon the recommendation of the Department of Tourism to explore various ways in restarting tourism activities during quarantine, the InterAgency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATFEID) approved during its Principals Meeting on 10 September 2020 to allow staycations under GCQ,” Romulo-Puyat said in a text message.

She defined staycation as a “minimum overnight stay for leisure purposes” in a DOT-accredited accommodation establishment near one’s residence.

For instance, residents of Metro Manila can check-in at a hotel within the National Capital Region subject to the requirements of the local government unit.

Romulo-Puyat said the DOT would soon issue a memorandum circular on staycations under GCQ based on comments and suggestions of the IATFEID. The memorandum circular would have specific regulations on all aspects involved in this activity, ranging from the maximum allowable number of persons in a guestroom to the use of ancillary services, such as restaurants and recreational areas.

In the IATF-EID’s Resolution 70, hotels were also allowed to accommodate guests that fall under “markets of specialized programs of the DOT. Romulo-Puyat said these programs would focus on “specific target markets that can safely contribute” to the efforts of restarting economic activities through tourism. But she declined to divulge who could be tagged as target markets pending the release of the guidelines.

COVID cases The number of COVID-19 cases in the country increased on Saturday to 257,863 after reporting 4,935 new confirmed cases of the highly contagious virus, Department of Health data showed.

IN BRIEF DILG: 89 suspended over SAP anomalies

NOT HARMFUL. Environment Undersecretary Benny Antiporda (right) and Cavite Rep. Elpidio Barzaga inspect the crushed dolomite used for the white sand project in Manila Bay on Saturday. The P389-million project, which covers a 500-meter stretch of the bay’s shorelines with artificial white sand, has received flak from the public because of its timing and health risks. Norman Cruz

Solons hail Bayanihan 2 enactment, eye more revenues

By Maricel V. Cruz and Joel E. Zurbano LAWMAKERS on Saturday welcomed President Duterte’s enactment of the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act (Bayanihan 2), which provides for a P165billion COVID-19 relief package.

Deputy Speaker and Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte, lead author in the House of both Bayanihan 1 (Bayanihan to Heal as One Act) and Bayanihan 2, said the President’s signing

of Bayanihan 2 would let Malacañang scale up its COVID-19 response while extending immediate financial aid to distressed companies—especially micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises.

He added the Bayanihan 2 was hoped to reverse the alarming trend of increasing business shutdowns and mass layoff of workers.

In the Senate, Minority Leader Franklin Drilon on Saturday said the newly signed Bayanihan to Recover as One Act would raise P17.5 billion in additional revenues from Philippine Offshore Gaming

Operators and hasten the construction of telecommunication towers in the country.

Drilon said the law redefined the taxation of POGO and tightened the regulations to raise funds to augment the government’s dwindling resources.

“The Bayanihan 2 will more than double the tax collection from POGO —from P7 billion estimated collection in 2019 to approximately P17.5 billion this year because of the reforms we have introduced in the measure,” said Drilon citing the estimates by the Department of Finance.

End Dito cell sites pact, Kiko asks DND

By Joel E. Zurbano

UNUSUAL. A Toyota AUV lays on top of an Isuzu SUV after it drove off and fell from

the second floor of the Philippine Ports Authority building in Manila. The driver of the Toyota was wounded while no one was in the Isuzu at the time of the accident. Jekki Pascual/ABS-CBN via Twitter

SENATOR Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan has asked Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana to rescind the deal allowing China-backed Dito Telecommunity Corp. to build cell sites inside Philippine military camps, saying it compromises the security of the people and the country as a whole.

“Countries more technologically advanced have actually banned or reconsidered business deals with China’s largest telco and phone manufacturer Huawei Technologies just two months ago due to possible spying. That should have been an eye-opener for us. Dapat natuto rin

tayo sa karanasan nila,” he said.

Pangilinan cited news reports which stated that the US and British foreign ministers agreed to promote the development of “additional trusted 5G solutions,” quoting the US State Department two days after Britain decided to purge Huawei equipment from its 5G network by 2027.

Another news report, this time on July 22, stated that French authorities have told telecoms operators planning to buy Huawei 5G equipment that they won’t be able to renew licenses for the gear once they expire, effectively phasing the Chinese firm out of mobile networks by 2028, the senator said.

EIGHTY-NINE barangay chairpersons have been suspended for six months owing to anomalies in the distribution of the first tranche of the Social Amelioration Program (SAP), the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said Saturday.

Most of the suspended barangay chairpersons are in Region I, National Capital Region and Region II. The Office of the Ombudsman suspended the village chiefs after the DILG filed complaints against them, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said.

Cordillera Administrative Region and Caraga have the least number of suspended punong barangays, while Region XII has no suspended barangay chairperson.

Año directed the mayors of the cities and municipalities where the barangay leaders served to implement the suspension upon receiving the order from the Ombudsman and directed DILG regional and field officers to ensure the mass suspension is implemented in an orderly manner.

PH death row convict in Kuwait gets pardon A FILIPINO who was sentenced to death in Kuwait for the murder of his Filipina partner in October 2007 has been pardoned by the nation’s Amir, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) confirmed Saturday.

After receiving clemency from Kuwait’s Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Bienvenido Espino was repatriated to Manila on August 30.

“The Philippine government, through the Embassy, had been asking the Kuwaiti government to pardon OFW Espino. No less than then-presidents Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and Benigno Aquino III personally appealed to His Highness The Amir to grant clemency to OFW Espino,” Chargé d’Affaires Mohammed Noordin Pendosina Lomondot said in a statement.

He said that even after his death sentence was reduced to life imprisonment in 2013, “the Philippine government remained persistent

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Biden returns to strong suit in NY on 9/11 NEW YORK—Joe Biden attended 9/11 events Friday where he interacted closely with victims’ relatives and engaged face-to-face with firefighters, a departure from the US presidential hopeful’s more distanced campaign style in recent months prompted by concerns over the coronavirus.

The Democratic nominee’s encounters, including snapping selfies with a child and then later handing out beers to firemen, revealed a candidate slowly edging back into his element as a politician who thrives on personal interaction and compassion for fellow Americans.

During a break in the Ground Zero ceremony Biden approached Maria Fisher, age 90 and in a wheelchair, who showed him a photograph of her son Andrew who died in the World Trade Center.

“It never goes away,” Biden told Fisher who repeated his words, as the pair, both wearing masks, discussed the pain of losing their sons.

“God bless you Joe!” someone said as the former vice president accepted a white rose from his wife Jill and presented it to Fisher.

Biden, 77, has been scarred by tragedy in his own life. His first wife and daughter were killed in a car crash in 1972, and he lost his son Beau to cancer in 2015.

The setbacks have made him an empathetic presence on the campaign trail, where he has often been seen whispering in a voter’s ear or consoling a struggling parent.

But for the past several months he has largely foregone such encounters, opting instead to deliver speeches in a controlled setting where the number of guests is strictly limited.

Despite his observation of the “solemn” Friday, Biden was more engaged than on recent campaign stops.

In Shanksville, Pennsylvania, he paid his respects at a 9/11 memorial to the 40 passengers and crew who died aboard Flight 93, talking in hushed tones to families of some of the victims.

But he also paid a visit to Shanksville Volunteer Fire Company Station 627, a garage he visited as vice president in 2012. AFP

GUTTED. A charred vehicle is seen in the parking lot of the burned Oak Park Motel after the passage of the Santiam Fire in Gates, Oregon, on September 10. California

firefighters battled the state’s largest ever inferno on Thursday, as tens of thousands of people fled blazes up and down the US West Coast and officials warned the death toll could shoot up in coming days. At least eight people have been confirmed dead in the past 24 hours across California, Oregon and Washington, but officials say some areas are still impossible to reach, meaning the number is likely to rise. AFP

16 dead, 500k evacuated as West US fires run wild F RESNO, California —More than 20,000 firefighters from across the United States on Friday battled sprawling deadly wildfires up and down the West Coast—a wave of infernos that have forced more than half a million people to flee their homes.

The true scale of destruction was hard to gauge, with 16 deaths confirmed so far this week as wide stretches of California, Oregon and Washington remain cut off by flames.

The biggest recorded blaze in Californian history—the August Complex Fire—has ripped through 746,000 acres (302,000 hectares) of dry vegetation in the state’s north, as multiple fires combined under high temperatures and strong, dry winds.

But it is just one of around 100 large

fires on the US West Coast, and other rapidly growing blazes closer to populated areas have proven more deadly.

So far, 10 people have been confirmed dead in northern California’s Butte County.

“We are at a complete loss for words right now,” Bobbie Zedaker told the San Francisco Chronicle, after DNA tests proved her missing 16-year-old nephew Josiah Williams was among those killed.

Two more people were killed near

IN BRIEF

CURTAIN HUG.

Maduro: ‘American spy’ nabbed near refineries CARACAS—President Nicolas Maduro said Friday that an “American spy” had been arrested near two Venezuelan refineries, after authorities foiled a plot to “cause an explosion” at another oil complex.

“Yesterday we captured... an American spy who was spying in Falcon state on the Amuay and Cardon refineries,” Maduro said in a televised address.

According to Maduro the individual was “a marine who was serving as a marine at CIA bases in Iraq” and who was captured with “heavy weapons” and “large amounts of cash.”

The arrest, he said, occurred after authorities on Wednesday “discovered and dismantled” a “plan to cause an explosion” at El Palito refinery -- the closest to Caracas -located in Carabobo state.

Maduro did not say, however, where the individual was being held.

Last month two former US soldiers, Luke Alexander Denman, 34, and Airan Berry, 41, were sentenced to 20 years in prison in Venezuela on charges including terrorism, after a failed bid to invade the Caribbean country last May. AFP

Around 50 feared dead in Congo mine collapse BUKAVU, DR Congo—About 50 people are feared dead after a gold mine collapsed in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo following torrential rain, local authorities said Saturday.

The accident in the makeshift mine occurred on Friday in the town of Kamituga, in South Kivu province.

Provincial governor Theo Ngwabidje Kasi deplored “the tragic deaths of 50 people, most of them young”.

However, Kamituga mayor Alexandre Bundya said “we are not yet sure of the exact number” of victims.

A local resident who was at the scene, Jean Nondo, told AFP that “according to witnesses, there are more than 50 dead. There is only one survivor.” AFP

the rural community of Happy Camp, a Cal Fire spokeswoman told AFP Friday.

In neighboring Oregon, half a million people have been evacuated.

Two massive conflagrations threatened to merge south of Portland in Clackamas County, where a 10:00 pm curfew was announced for all nonemergency workers to clear the roads for patrol and evacuation efforts.

Portland’s mayor declared a state of emergency late Thursday.

Governor Kate Brown said the area incinerated in just 72 hours was twice the state’s annual average, and at least five towns had been “substantially destroyed.”

“We have never seen this amount of uncontained fire across our state,” she told a press conference. AFP

Maria Hernandez, 38, (top) embraces her aunt through a transparent curtain at a Hogar Jardin de Los Abuelitos nursing home in San Salvador on September 11 amid the new coronavirus pandemic.

According to geriatrician Luis Bermudes, the use of a kind of curtain that allows the elderly guests to be hugged by their relatives without the risk of being infected from COVID-19 is a measure to avoid depression and anxiety. AFP

Historic talks begin between Taliban, Afghan gov’t DOHA -- US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Saturday urged the rival sides at Afghan peace talks to “seize the opportunity” to secure peace for the sake of future generations.

“We will undoubtedly counter many challenges in the talks over the coming days, weeks and months. Remember you are acting not only for this gen-

eration of Afghans but for future generations as well, your children and your grandchildren,” he said at an opening ceremony.

The historic peace talks opened between the Taliban and the Afghan government on Saturday, with the warring parties meeting face to face in Qatar even as violence continued on the

ground in Afghanistan.

Abdullah Abdullah, the former chief executive for Afghanistan who is heading the peace process for Kabul, called for an immediate ceasefire and highlighted the ongoing toll of the war, saying 12,000 civilians have been killed and another 15,000 wounded since the US and the Taliban signed a deal in February. AFP

US votes vs.

COVID reso, UN adopts it NEW YORK—The United States was supported only by Israel Friday in a vote against a UN resolution for a “comprehensive and coordinated response” to the COVID-19 pandemic, a text that included recognition of the WHO’s leadership role.

The measure, which has been negotiated since May, was adopted by an overwhelming majority of 169 countries out of 193, with Ukraine and Hungary abstaining.

The text, called an omnibus resolution because it covers multiple aspects of the pandemic, “acknowledges the key leadership role of WHO and the fundamental role of the United Nations system in catalyzing and coordinating the comprehensive global response to the Covid-19 pandemic.”

The United States withdrew from the WHO this spring, accusing the body of mismanaging the coronavirus pandemic and delaying launch of a global alert.

The text “calls for intensified international cooperation and solidarity to contain, mitigate and overcome the pandemic and its consequences.”

And it supports UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ call in March for a ceasefire between countries in order to better facilitate the fight against the pandemic -- a request that has been little followed.

The text additionally calls for “the urgent removal of unjustified obstacles,” meaning sanctions, in order to create better access to products used in combatting the virus.

It requests nations to maintain food and agricultural supply chains and encourages synching economic recovery strategies to promote sustainable development and combat climate change.

Ahead of the vote, the United States unsuccessfully attempted to remove a paragraph on protecting women in the area of sexual and reproductive health, over objections about abortion.

Libya and Iraq also voted for the paragraph’s removal. However more than 120 countries voted to keep it and 25 countries abstained.

Meanwhile, Brazil’s death toll from Covid-19 surpassed 130,000 Friday, amid cautious optimism over signs the virus is finally slowing in the hard-hit South American country.

With the second-highest death toll in the pandemic after the United States, Brazil has been devastated by the new coronavirus, which has now claimed 130,396 lives in the country, according to the health ministry. AFP

Iran: Bahrain partner to Israel ‘crimes’

COVERED UP. Relatives of 12 Hong Kong people currently detained in Guangdong

province after being arrested by mainland China’s coastguards for reportedly trying to flee to Taiwan, attend a press conference in Hong Kong on September 12. AFP

TEHRAN—Iran on Saturday angrily accused Bahrain of stirring instability after US President Donald Trump announced Manama and Israel were opening ties in a landmark deal that reinforces America’s push to redraw Middle East conflicts.

Calling it a “tr uly historic day,” Tr ump said on Friday that Israel and Bahrain were establishing full diplomatic and commercial relations.

“They will exchange embassies and ambassadors, begin direct flights between their countries and launch cooperation initiatives across a broad range of sectors, including health, business, technology, education, security and agriculture,” he said.

Bahrain said in a joint statement it had agreed to formalise the deal with Israel at a ceremony Tuesday in the White House, where the United Arab Emirates will also sign off on its own thaw with Israel announced in midAugust.

Shiite Iran, the sworn arch enemy of the United States which has especially tense ties with Bahrain, slammed its Gulf neighbour over the deal.

“The rulers of Bahrain will from now on be partners to the crimes of the Zionist regime as a constant threat to the security of the region and the world of Islam,” it said.

Turkey also condemned the deal, saying it undermined the Palestinian cause. AFP

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Amway PH goes online

By Othel V. Campos POWERED by people on the ground, Amway Philippines creates new and better opportunities for entrepreneurs, especially self-employed individuals to reset, recover and rebuild livelihood lost to the COVID-19 pandemic.

While brick-and-mortar stores will continue to be an important part of the Amway business, virtual stores will help the company and thousands of business partners called “Amway Business Owners” survive the challenge of sustaining business in the time of pandemic.

“We see a different trend for direct selling. Over the last year, we’ve seen that there’s been an increase of 10 percent in terms of growth, for the direct selling industry in 2019. And increasingly, direct sellers are actually moving on to technology to address the need to boost their sales during this period of crisis,” said Amway Philippines country manager Leni Olmedo.

She said while the pandemic inflicts grave damage to the economy, lives and livelihood of people on the global scale, is not that insurmountable and may have even brought with it a silver lining where entrepreneurs like direct sellers are given the chance the recoup lost income or augment family finances.

With over 80,000 ABOs in the Philippines, Amway expects to attract more partners by topping another 10 percent, a conservative estimate at a time when people are literally looking for ways to sustain daily means.

The strength of Amway’s portfolio attracted a new wave of Filipino entrepreneurs, giving Amway an increase of 130 percent in new ABO sign-ups from April to June 2020. The company sees this uptake as a way for newly unemployed Filipinos to augment their income during a difficult time.

“In fact the numbers keep going. And that is, of course, a direct result of people who are trying to find means to augment their income during this difficult time. We understand that the times are very challenging. And so people would try to find a way replace whatever income that was lost, and also seeing the opportunity in health and wellness and that we do offer a wide range of products that would help the business owners to reach out to customers during this period,” Olmedo said.

The company has released around 90 training modules for learning management systems and conducted almost 80 virtual trainings for ABOs

to be able to shift their businesses from offline to online.

The company realized that digital acceleration will provide the tailwind for Amway to continue the growth towards 2021 and the future.

In October, Amway will launch the Amway Exclusive Shopper, where loyal and interested Amway clients can place their order online guided by an experienced ABO. The unique strategy empowers customers to benefit from personalized service whether or not they opt to directly engage with the ABO.

Amway Philippines country manager Leni Olmedo

The launch of the Exclusive Shopper in October is expected to contribute to the company’s goal of hitting doubledigit growth in 2020.

Olmedo highlighted a Euromonitor study on the e-commerce in the Philippines that tracked 75 percent of Filipinos shopping online in 2019. This trend was only meant to go up during the pandemic as validated by Amway’s own experience, she said.

The number of ABOs purchasing Amway products online grew from 8 percent to 40 percent during the ECQ months, and surged to 70 percent with the launch of the upgraded website in August.

Amway’s online selling platform forms part of an ongoing program called Absolutely Amway that highlights not only important of health and immunity but a life with sustained goals both for the end-user and the seller.

The program promotes healthier lifestyles for customers while creating a path for ABOs to achieve their goals through investments in innovation meant to strengthen the company’s position even beyond the pandemic.

Filipinos turn to Viber for messaging RAKUTEN Viber, the mobile communication app, reported significant growth across Asia-Pacific despite the lingering presence of a virulent virus.

The company, boasting of more than 100 million registered users in the region, saw a 208-percent increase in messages sent to communities and a 129-percent jump in views in communities compared with the same period last year.

It said that in the Philippines, the series of lockdowns due to Covid-19, has contributed to the spike in Viber usage. In the first half of 2020, there was a 22-percent increase in outgoing calls; a 43-percent increase in daily activations; and an 18-percent growth in daily active users.

Community engagement experienced robust growth as well, with a2.5 times increase in community viewers and 2.7 times growth in messages sent within communities.

“The Philippine market and our Filipino users are very important to us,” said Anna Znamenskaya, chief growth officer for Rakuten Viber.

“Through the years, we’ve witnessed how Filipinos have embraced Viber as their communication platform of choice. Viber’s continued remarkable growth in the Philippines and the Asia Pacific shows that despite social distancing protocols imposed by the pandemic, people can still maintain quality connections that prioritize their privacy and ease,” she said.

“These past few months, we’ve seen how Viber empowers people to make the most out of whatever situation they’re in. With just your smartphone and the Viber app, they can still connect with family and friends, earn a living, have fun online, verify news and run errands from the safety of their homes,” Znamenskaya said.

Aiming to be consumers’ lifetime app, Viber recently added several new user-centric features. These include My Notes, enabling users to sync their to-do lists and media across all their devices; Birthday reminders, which

Entrepreneurial couple Jibby and Charisse Tinio

Couple puts up a business amid pandemic

T

he pandemic has seen a rise in self-starter entrepreneurs who are eager to turn things around.

Entrepreneurial couple Jibby and Charisse Tinio took it upon themselves to create a meaningful business at a time when keeping bodies and personal effects clean draws the line between staying healthy and getting sick.

Prevention is always better than cure. This also holds true for COVID-19. While there may be countless disinfectant brands already in the market, Jibby and Charisse saw the gap between disinfecting and taking care of personal belongings and filled it in by creating their own brand of car disinfectant called Speedster.

“My husband and I realized that while it is important to keep your items sanitized, it doesn’t mean that you have to sacrifice the interiors of cars or the surfaces of bags or shoes by using chemicals that would eventually damage them over time,” said Charisse.

“We looked around and saw that there was an opportunity for us to bridge the gap between sanitation and care.”

Homegrown and thought-out, Speedster has all the things that a disinfectant

should have along with a sprinkling of TLC to make sure that car interiors don’t have to suffer to stay clean.

Alcohol-free and water-based, it kills 99.9 percent of disease-causing germs while making sure that it doesn’t cause plastic and leather to fade or corrode.

Since starting a disinfectant for cars, the Tinios have added more distinct products under Speedster to sanitize different items with care including shoes, bags, gadgets and gear.

Specially made for sneaker heads and their beloved collection, Shoo Away is formulated to sanitize sneakers without the fear of damaging or discoloring them. Collectors can rest assured knowing it is also approved by Speedster’s shoe repair partner Repent.

Spritz & Go goes hard on viruses and easy on leather bags and shoes, as well as other materials like canvas and plastic. It ensures a non-toxic, nonbleach and non-corrosive touch to even the most expensive bag while leaving a light and fresh fragrance.

Within two months of operations, Spritz & Go has been recognized as the exclusive disinfectant brand used by several local brands, including luxury leatherware maker Fino.

High contact items like gadgets need to be frequently disinfected. Made with 70-percent ethyl alcohol and nature’s disinfectant, tea tree oil, Clean Tech sanitizes gadgets while being mindful of the surfaces it cleans.

It’s important for riders to keep their equipment clean, as cycling is now a preferred mode of transportation.

With Pro Gear, riders can safely disinfect gear like helmets, riding jackets,

gloves, and face shields, keeping both riders and their passengers safe.

To ensure the efficacy of disinfectants by Speedster, the products are powered with quaternary ammonium compound, an active virus-killing ingredient recognized by the World Health Organization to be effective against COVID-19.

With an apt tagline of “Disinfect Because You Care”, Speedster doesn’t limit itself to caring for belongings as it also extends a helping hand as a business opportunity with its reseller program. For less than P10,000, resellers can start their own businesses with timely products that are proudly 100-percent Filipino-made. The program is also open to institutional resellers like car dealerships, auto shops and convenience stores.

The Tinios are no strangers to creating and running a business. Nice Print Photo Company, one of the leading companies in the photo and video services industry, is the brainchild of the couple.

Under Nice Print, they developed The Concept Room, a creative studio room where each wall is designed with a unique concept, as the name suggests. The couple also has experience in the auto industry through a franchise of Rapide Auto Services.

“As owners of services companies in different industries, we’ve experienced first-hand how the pandemic has impacted local businesses. With that in mind, we’ve decided to share this business opportunity with partners who are determined to come back stronger from this pandemic,” said Tinio.

PayPal posts strongest growth as consumers shift to digital payments

Rakuten Viber chief growth officer Anna Znamenskaya

appear on users’ home pages reminding them which of their contacts is celebrating a birthday; Disappearing messages allowing users to set a limit to the lifespan of sensitive texts; and GIF Creator which inspires creativity by turning phone videos into GIFs. To address the Covid-19 restrictions on face-to-face interaction, Viber has increased its capacity in the group video and audio calls, raising the maximum number of participants to 20. It also allows users to react to messages in communities to help bring online communication closer to real life convos.

Viber launched a special chatbot for the World Health Organization, allowing the international agency to share verified information on COVID-19 and answer the public’s pressing questions on the coronavirus all within their messaging app. The Department of Health also created its own Viber Community and Kira Chatbot to amplify their online reach and provide crucial updates on the country’s health situation as well as debunk fake news.

TOP online payment corporation PayPal is leading the adoption of digital technology as cashless payments rapidly evolve as an essential service.

One profound change is the dramatic acceleration from physical to digital, and with the pandemic, the current environment has rapidly accelerated the movement, according to Cameron Mclean, PayPal vice president for International business.

“We are significantly investing to accelerate our presence in all forms of omni-channel commerce, from pointof-sale in-store to buy online and pick up in store, order ahead, pay at table and home delivery. We also understand the impact that the crisis has had on small and medium merchants. We value our partnerships with marketplaces as they have the ability to enable small and medium merchants to go digital, offering them a level playing field by giving them access to a global consumer base and in turn drive greater inclusion,” he said.

McLean leads PayPal’s international business across 177 markets, which include parts of Europe, the Middle East and Africa, Asia and Latin America.

At the height of the global health crisis, PayPal teamed up with the global #GivingTuesdayNow initiative to help communities, SMEs and charities who were directly impacted by COVID-19.

In just a day, the global PayPal community raised over $65 million for the cause.

As the COVID-19 outbreak greatly

PayPal vice president for International business Cameron Mclean

increased PayPal customers across the globe, hackers saw more opportunities to scam people with malware and phishing attacks, McLean said.

According to a report from Google, these shady activities have been successful. Google found that there were 149,195 active phishing websites in January, rising by 50 percent in February to 293,235 websites. In March, there were 522,495—a 350 percent increase since the beginning of the year.

McLean said the world has accelerated from physical to digital across multiple industries, including retail, “but the offers of digital shopping and payment methods is not enough. Companies need to also make these digital methods simple and intuitive; consumers want excellent user interfaces that are easy to use.”

“It’s important to PayPal that our customers are aware of the key cybersecurity issues and tactics used by hackers so both our merchants and

consumers can safeguard themselves and address vulnerabilities. We constantly monitor for suspicious account activity to thwart fraudulent transactions, compromised accounts, illegal activity, and violations of our Acceptable Use Policy,” McLean said.

PayPal said that while digital adoption is accelerating, hackers have also become more active that pushed the company to educate both merchants and consumers on possible frauds they could face besides deploying newer technologies to deal with fraud.

In the Philippines, PayPal has actively engaged with 25 banks to make it more visible, locally.

For Xoom, a PayPal service, the Philippines is one the world’s top three remittance destination markets, with 10 percent of the Philippines’ GDP coming from overseas remittance from the US, the UK, Canada and Europe.

To ensure that clients are able to access their funds instantly, PayPal has waived certain fees to increase their cash flow and increased their protections against refunds and chargebacks.

“Our focus is also to enable small and medium businesses to leverage the global opportunity by giving them access to our 300 million consumers across 200 markets. The COVID-19 crisis has been like an inflexion point for digital adoption across these markets, with some studies showing nearly 70 percent of SMEs across APAC having digitalized due to the pandemic,” McLean said. Othel V. Campos

Youth & Culture B1

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2020

Bernadet­te Lunas, Editor

manilastandardlife@gmail.com

@manilastandardlife

@MStandardLIFE

How to get hired during pandemic HIRE ME. Looking for a job in a time when fewer companies are hiring and more job-seekers are competing for a position can be challenging, but career experts say there are ways to increase chances of getting hired even if the world is on fire.

By Jess Ferrer

com, for instance, has recently enabled the #WorkNow feature in its platform that lets ready-to-work candidates inform employers that they are up for immediate hiring. This way, companies can easily identify which candidates are available for urgent employment.

To use this function, jobseekers only need to log in to their JobStreet profile, edit Additional Info, go to Other Information, type in #WorkNow, then click Save.

T

HERE’S this particular meme I saw on Facebook during the early days of the pandemic that perfectly captures what it’s like to look for a job while the world is figuratively—and sometimes literally—on fire.

It is photo of a dog on his laptop, presumably searching for a company that’s hiring, while there are flames engulfing his surroundings. And boy was it accurate.

The coronavirus pandemic has taken not only lives, but also livelihood. Here in the country, latest data from the Philippine Statistics Office reveal around 4.6 million Filipinos are currently unemployed, majority of whom are in the National Capital Region (15.8 percent).

If looking for a job is already difficult, imagine looking for a job when fewer companies are hiring and the competition is tougher.

As quarantine limits job opportunities on ground, many—maybe including that dog in the meme—are turning to the Internet for help. Job searches on Google reach 30 million as of April, and online job portal JobStreet.com reports huge increase on searches for freelance jobs (+709 percent), work from home (+514 percent), and part time jobs (+53 percent).

The pandemic may have made job-

Stay connected

After submitting application, make sure to regularly check emails and calls for any updates. “You may miss a great opportunity by not responding to calls or emails, and hirers may consider other available candidates. Make sure your notifications and sounds are on,” suggests JobStreet.

Revamp your profile and use the same words the employer uses to match a particular job posting. (Right) A meme of a dog 'applying for jobs in the middle of a pandemic.'

Aside from having a copy of your hunting a lot more difficult, but it’s not impossible. JobStreet lists down smart resume in a Word file, it’s also best to tips to help in increasing the chances of publish it on job portals to make it easier getting hired even if the world is on fire. for employers to find you.

Career expert Vicki Salemi recommends tailor-fitting your resume to Revamp your profile Now is a great opportunity to update match a particular job posting by using your resume, making sure it stands out the same words the employer uses. from the rest of the pack.

Target industries “Update your employment history, key that are hiring skills, contact details, and picture. Doing COVID-19 might have massively afso will highlight your career goals and development areas which can pique the fected businesses, particularly arts/entertainment/recreation and accommointerest of hirers,” suggests JobStreet.

dation and food service, but there are industries that are continuously hiring.

According to the online job portal, industries like BPO, online teaching, banking, and computer or information technology are hiring. “Applying for companies that are urgently hiring may help you land a job faster.”

Prepare for your virtual interview

Acing your online job interview is important to convince hirers to pick you among all the candidates. During conference calls, make sure you look presentable and have good Internet connection. Most importantly, prepare answers for questions they might ask.

Salemi advises being “overly prepared,” as in testing out your framing, Inform employers you are up audio, and background ahead of the infor job offers terview. Show your engagement and enOnline job portals commonly have the thusiasm by nodding along and smiling, option to let employers know that appli- as well looking genuinely excited about cants are accepting job offers. Jobstreet. the opportunity.

Shop for toys online

LEADING toy store chain Toy Kingdom opens its online shop to make it easier for customers to look for their coveted play sets, plush toys, board games, action figures, and more.

The e-commerce website www. toykingdom.com.ph features a wide variety of toys for babies, kids, tweens,

and kids-at-heart.

Various payment options such as credit/debit card, over-the-counter payments, online bills payment, BPI Online, UBP Online, GCash, and Grabpay are available. Guaranteed delivery services and 15 days return for online purchases also apply.

'Millenniors' (from left) John Bangit, Josephine Albarida, and Jo Mirabel turn to the Internet and social media to keep themselves busy.

Lolas on TikTok: ‘Millenniors’ stay active in lockdown Clockwise: Baby Alive Blonde Snackin’ Lily Super Snacks Doll, Nerf's N-Strike Elite Disruptor, Lego's Toy Story 4 RV Vacation Building Blocks, Play Doh's Kitchen Creations Delightful Donuts Set, Fisher Price Laugh and Learn Piano

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.

FORBIDDEN to leave their homes, tech-savvy senior citizens find ways to stay busy, active, and connected.

Jo Mirabel, 61, of Marikina City started an online business with the help of the knowledge she learned from Smart Communications, Inc.’s Millenniors Program, which teaches seniors how to use smartphone, mobile data, and social media.

“I started by watching YouTube.

I learned to make native delicacies like puto and biko. My children also learned to make pastillas,’’ she shares. They post pictures of their goodies online and take orders from their Facebook friends.

With their day-to-day needs addressed by the business, Mirabel can focus on staying healthy. She exercises every morning and eats lots of vegetables. “Af-

ter all, we are more vulnerable to illness,” she concedes, adding, she has been homebound since the start of the pandemic.

John Bangit of Sampaloc, who celebrated his 70th birthday while in quarantine, turned gardening to pass the time.

He has planted bougainvillea, eggplants, tomatoes, guavas. “I do it to fight boredom—even when I was younger, I couldn’t stand just eating and sleeping and not doing anything else,” he remarks.

Bangit says the Internet and social media have also helped him stay busy even when resting. “When I’m not gardening, I like opening Facebook and Messenger, too,” he says.

Another Marikina Millennior, Josephine Albarida, likes to stay active— publicly. She has taken to TikTok to show off her dance moves.

“I asked my grandchildren to teach me how to use TikTok, but the dancing—that’s all me,” she exclaims. “It makes me feel young and healthy.”

Her inspiration, she says, are her idols, Alden Richards and Maine Mendoza. “I encourage other seniors to try TikTok, too. It’s good for seniors to keep moving.

Our bodies will be stronger,” she adds.

Since 2017, the Smart Millenniors program has mobilized youth volunteers from barangays, schools, and NGOs to give tutorials on using smartphones, social media, and LTE. The program has reached seniors from Manila, Marikina, and Muntinlupa in Metro Manila; Laguna, Cebu City, Argao, and Bantayan in Cebu; Iligan, Lanao del Norte; Cagayan de Oro, Misamis Oriental; and General Santos, South Cotabato.

Home/Design

B2

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2020 Joel D. Lacsamana, Editor E-mail: jdlacsamana@gmail.com

Drawing a bead on the future at Ayala Land estates

L

OCATION is everything for any business to thrive.

With limited movement allowed under quarantine guidelines, it is all the more important to invest in budding communities that offer all the essentials.

One such estate is Vermosa, Ayala Land’s 725-hectare mixed-use estate in Cavite. Designed to house a one-of-akind sports complex, Vermosa seeks to promote a community with a balanced lifestyle, which has become all the more important in this pandemic.

Solid opportunities from a young, active population Locators at Vermosa benefit from the young and active population surrounding Cavite towns and nearby Alabang, not to mention about 500,000 workers the estate is expected to have once fully completed. The area is packed with commercial, industrial, and IT zones, presenting solid opportunities for anyone looking to enter that market.

“The potential for growth in this area of Cavite continues to be unmistakable despite of the impact of the pandemic to construction and development, but we are now back on track with the easing of quarantine guidelines,” said Ayala Land Estates AVP Cris Zuluaga.

Next business, lifestyle district Nuvali, Ayala Land’s 2,290-hectare eco-city development spanning the cities of Sta. Rosa, Cabuyao and Calamba in Laguna, is rising to become CALABARZON’s regional growth center. It is envisioned to become the next business and lifestyle district south of Makati.

With several business process outsourcing firms already located in Nuvali, Ayala Land continues to offer commercial lots for PEZA and nonPEZA locators in the estate. East Bloc,

BULACAN TOWN GETS NEW, SAFER HOMES. San Miguel Corporation (SMC) taipan Ramon S. Ang has taken a keen interest in settlers along a coastal area in Bulacan whose existence used to be plagued by typhoons. The conglomerate president has given former settlers of Barangay Taliptip new homes, including cash to help them move to safer areas, paving the way for the construction of the planned P734-billion Manila International Airport project.\ “What is important is that they are now living in safer areas, in stronger houses they can be proud of and pass on to their children, said Ang. “They will no longer be exposed to the elements and to risk, whenever there are typhoons.” Most of the former Taliptip residents worked as caretakers or workers at privately-owned fishponds that have gone out of business. They used to live in shanties or houses built on stilts in the coastal area. A total of 277 owners of concrete and shanty houses in Barangay Taliptip qualified for financial assistance. SMC provided owners of non-concrete houses or shanties P250,000 each, while owners of concrete houses were given the appraised value of their homes, multiplied by two, plus P100,000.“The airport project itself will be an opportunity for them because it will create a lot of jobs,” Ang pointed out. “The airport project will be the single largest investment in the Philippines by any company. It will create hundreds of thousands of jobs in the construction phase alone—jobs needed to enable Filipinos to better cope with the economic impacts of the pandemic.”

its upcoming commercial district, would be the perfect place to set up office buildings, hotels, condominiums, or other institutional facilities.

Nuvali also houses Lakeside Evozone (seen in photo), a 65-hectare commercial district which has already attracted multi-national firms like Concentrix and IBM. Retail and recreational facilities such Ayala Malls Solenad, Seda Hotel and The Monochrome Events Place are also rooted within the district.

Set up for success Another budding Ayala Land estate

is Arca South, a 74-hectare mixed-use estate that has been set up for success given its proximity to Makati and Bonifacio Global City.

Arca South’s commercial district will benefit from its accessibility to several upcoming government infrastructure projects, such as the South East Metro Manila Expressway, Taguig Integrated Terminal Exchange, and the Mega Manila Subway.

Up north is Alviera (Seen here), in partnership with Leonio Land, is the 1,800-hectare urban development in

Pampanga intertwined with the natural features and views of Porac.

Located just five minutes from the SCTEx Porac exit, 20 minutes from the Clark International Airport, 45 minutes from the Subic Freeport and 1.5-hour drive from Manila, Alviera offers a strategic location for multinational and regional businesses looking to take advantage of emerging economies in the Central and North Luzon regions.

Among Alviera’s key features is its East Commercial Center, where lot owners can utilize their property into commercial, institutionCal, multifamily residential, or accommodation uses. This commercial district is strategically surrounded by institutional facility, Holy Angel University, the 64-hectare Alviera industrial park, as well as different Ayala Land residential brands such as Alveo and Avida.

Connecting the dots Connecting the dots for all Ayala Land estates is its estate management which ensures that communities run smoothly, adapt and recover quickly from challenges.

“Soon, confidence will return,” Zuluaga predicted.

“Economic activities will increase, and so our efforts today are focused on ensuring that our developments are wellpositioned for resurgence and remain as strong platforms for growth.”

GIVING ‘PREMIER’ SERVICE

KEEPING AGILE IN THE NEW NORMAL. Real estate developer Torre Lorenzo Development Corporation (TLDC) has ramped up its digital transformation and shift to agile work arrangements to ensure continuity amid the quarantine. “Our top priority remains ensuring that our employees, as well as those who live and work in our developments, remain safe and secure during the pandemic,” explained TLDC chief executive officer Tomas P. Lorenzo. TLDC’s employees who are able to complete their tasks remotely are allowed to work from their residence. Digitization of various administrative processes that were previously done manually, have been ramped up. The company has enforced strict safety protocols across its offices and properties. Among them, social distancing through floor markers in common areas; meetings are conducted virtually in compliance with physical distancing protocols.

For clients, TLDC has kept digital channels open to respond to queries and requests. The company’s projects can now be viewed digitally through walkthrough videos from the comforts of clients’ homes. “Working as one team is key to managing operations and keeping our team safe through this critical time,” said Lorenzo.

ARTHALAND TOPS OFF CEBU GREEN OFFICE. Developer Arthaland recently topped off Cebu Exchange, one of the largest multi-certified green office towers in the Philippines with approximately 11 hectares of gross floor area. Located at the Cebu IT Park in Cebu City - which is fast emerging as one of the top IT-BPO destinations in the world - Cebu Exchange will include the latest sustainable building features, green amenities and a diverse retail mix. Some sustainable features include improved indoor air quality, building envelope optimization, and a 100% renewable energy source for power. The green open spaces in this single tower amount to over 2,600 square meters and are the result of its terrace garden, sky park, and penthouse deck areas. “In addition to our commitment to these sustainable features, we continue to deliver projects on time and with the highest standards for excellence in design and quality,” said Jaime C. González, vice chairman and president of Arthaland. The handover of Phase 1 units will commence on September 2020. “We look forward to becoming an integral part of the vibrant Cebu community, “ said Gonzalez.

“During these trying times, we hope Cebu Exchange makes a strong case for the need for more sustainable developments.”

Real estate company Ovialand, Inc. recently announced steps to face the challenges of the ongoing pandemic, using its deep well of experience to make the company more resilient, and quicker to adapt to change. “The past few months were challenging for many businesses,” acknowledged Pammy OlivaresVital, president of Ovialand, which has projects in Laguna, Batangas and Quezon provinces. . “What we initially did was anticipate the worst case scenario and work our way back from there.” One of the first adjustments that Ovialand did was to go digital in its processes and communications. The sales team converted their presentations to become online friendly, sales kits were turned to digital visual aids complete with photo galleries and videos, while Zoom sessions were set with clients instead of personal meetings.

“Due to these adjustments, we did not feel the pinch of dwindling sales because we adapted to online selling. In fact, our sellers continued to thrive with their incentives and commissions,” Pammy revealed. “As we maneuver around this new normal, we look forward to a stronger return, one that is greater than before the pandemic.”

Entertainment

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2020

B3

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

Kyle branches out as singer-songwriter T

EEN star Kyle Echarri takes on a much more meaningful role both in the life of the girl that he loves and in his music career with his newest single titled “I’m Serious,” released on Friday.

Teen star Kyle Echarri drops ‘I’m Serious,’ a record that marks his first solo music project as a singer-songwriter and music producer.

The young artist wrote the words and music of the track and produced it under the Star POP label of ABS-CBN music, marking his first solo music project as a singer-songwriter and music producer.

Label head Rox Santos served as the supervising producer of his upcoming album Sayaw Ng Mga Tala, which will include Kyle’s newest single.

“I’m Serious” is a straightforward love song in which a guy looks for a way to ease the girl’s worries by committing his faithful love only for her. It expresses deep affection for a special someone while also convincing her of his decent intentions.

Before the song’s official drop, 15 lucky fans who won Star POP’s contest on Twitter got first dibs on hearing the track via a virtual

fan meet and listening party on Sept.

9.

Kyle finished in the Top 6 of The Voice Kids season 2 in 2015. His most recent collaboration is with 16-yearold Singaporean talent Haven for the dreamy track “Imagine.”

In 2018, the Kadenang Ginto breakout star released his hit song “Pangako,” which climbed to the top spot of iTunes PH’s Top 100 Songs Chart upon its release.

“I’m Serious” is now available on various digital streaming platforms.

Korean fest to bring K-Drama superstars into Filipino homes THE Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines is putting together its most sought-after annual spectacle for the Korean cineastes. This year, in order to ensure all the K-Culture fans’ safety while still sharing joy, entertainment, and Korean culture, the Korean Film Festival will be taking on a different shape.

Instead of the usual packed, opening nights and the wholecinema experience, KFF 2020 will be more intimate these days as it will be heading to everyone’s gadgets and televisions and into their own homes through its first-ever on-

This year, KCC Philppines' 'Korean Film Festival' goes online, headlined by Korea's biggest stars Hyun Bin, Son Ye Jin, and Park Seo Jun (top photo)

line run.

For 21 days, Filipinos will be treated to the favorite films of the stars who can now be con-

sidered as household names in the Philippines following the increased streaming of their shows Crash Landing on You and Itaewon Class during the last few months of quarantine.

Aptly-themed “Celebrity Spotlight,” KFF 2020 will be headlined by no less than three of Korea’s biggest stars that have been well-loved

by Filipinos these days—Hyun Bin, Son Yejin, and Park Seo-jun.

While KFF 2020 would take place on a different platform, the same concept of free film access to the best of the best Korean films from then and now remains. Until Oct. 2, viewers may binge, enjoy, and repeat for as many times as they like, two of the best films from each star for a week.

Hyun Binopens the festival with the screening of his two films The Swindlers and Confidential Assignment from Sept. 12 to Sept. 18. Son Yejin will be following suit with the screening of her films Be With You and Last Princess from Sept. 19 to Sept. 25. Finally, to wrap up the almost month-long festival, films Midnight Runners and The Beauty Inside of Park Seo Jun will run from Sept.

26 to Oct. 2.

The first online free Korean Film Festival is exclusively available on Korean Cultural Center’s official website at http://phil.korean-culture. org/.

Organized by the Korean Cultural Center and the Embassy of the Republic of Korea, Korean Film Festival 2020 is done in partnership with Korea Tourism Organization, Viva Networks, and the Film Development Council of the Philippines.

Canadian pop singer Johnny Orlando premiered his new single ‘Everybody Wants You’ on Thursday. The song is from his forthcoming EP.

Everybody wants Johnny Orlando SINGER-SONGWRITER and rising pop superstar Johnny Orlando has delighted fans with the release of his highly anticipated new single and video, “Everybody Wants You” via Island Records.

The new record sees Orlando collaborate with New York-based songwriters/producers Kellen Pomeranz and Jesse Fink, otherwise known as Pom Pom, and singer-songwriter and label-mate Soran Dussaigne (Soran), to create a strong, ‘crank-up-the-volume’ track that will be featured on Orlando’s upcoming sophomore EP, scheduled for release this fall.

The official video, which made its global broadcast premiere on MTV Live, MTVU, and on the Viacom Times Square billboard on Sept.

10, was directed by Alex P. Smith (UMC) with art and animation by Gabe Sapienza, marks the first time Orlando has mixed animation into one of his videos, capturing and exaggerating the vibe of the music.

“‘Everybody Wants You’ is the first real taste of my upcoming EP, which I have been working on for over the last year,” says Orlando.

“This track really shows my growth as both an artist and an individual. I feel like I have finally found myself artistically in terms of the direction I want to go sonically, and what I want my music to represent. I know my fans have been eagerly anticipating new music,” he adds.

Orlando started teasing the release of the song and accompanying video on his socials last month, causing a high level of anticipation among his social following of over 25 million fans around the world. He also teased his upcoming EP with the hashtag #JOHNNY2020EP earlier this summer which immediately started trending on Twitter in the U.S., U.K., and Canada. Recently, Orlando hit a milestone by surpassing the 2 million monthly follower mark on Spotify.

Charlie Puth look-alike steals hearts (and balls) on the hardcourt

By Paolo Manuel Fule THESE days players are expected to shoot from distance, handle the ball, make the right pass, and guard multiple positions on defense. And that’s what Patrick Sleat has been doing to up his game.

The 19-year-old Charlie Puth look-alike showed his mettle inside the hardcourt as he registered his season-high doubledouble 18 points and 24 rebounds in the FEU Baby Tamaraws game against the Ateneo Blue Eaglets, 67-57 held at FilOil Flying V Arena, early this year for UAAP season 82 basketball tournament.

Sleat also registered the game best 18 points followed by Ateneo’s Francis Lopez with 16 points and teammate Jorick Bautista

with 15 points.

The FEU Baby Tamaraws are now 8-1 in the standings after the win.

Born Patrick Sleat on Aug. 5, 2001, in Puerto Galera Oriental

lege. He plays multi-position including point guard, shooting guard, and forward. He showed his basketball skills during the Palarong Pambansa 2018 in Vigan, Ilocos Sur representing MIMAROPA region.

His favorite NBA player is Damian Lillard of the Portland Trailblazers.

“I liked him as a player because he has good basketball moves and he is also an unselfish player,” said Patrick.

His career-high in points is 48 points in their intramurals game, one of his most memorable games is in their Intertown.

“Although I wasn’t at my best during that time, I learned a lot from that experience,” said the beaming cager from MIMAROPA region.

Sleat also played in the ChooksRising teen basketball star to-Go NBTC in MOA Arena in Patrick Sleat. Photos by March last year and participated in Julius Domondon the Fr. Martin’s Cup tournament as part of the FEU Baby Tamaraws.

Mindoro to Paul His ambition, of course, is to be a Sleat and Janith professional basketball player.

Sleat, the 6-footWith determination and persevertall cager fin- ance, this young athlete can achieve ished Grade 10 greater heights and carve a niche in at Glodera Col- the world of professional basketball

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I

T CAN be kind of creepy when you realize someone is staring at you. But when it is your dog who is staring, you wonder what he or she is trying to say. A furparent wants to understand his pet, always.

“It’s even weirder to realize that your own dog is staring at you while you brush your teeth, eat your breakfast, or spend time reading in bed. While being stared at by a dog might be less disconcerting than being stared at by a person, it’s still odd!” said Kayla Fratt, in “Reasons Why Your Dog Stares at You” in The Spruce Pet. Here are the many reasons your dog locks eyes with you.

1. Longing Eyes Your dog wants something when you see those longing eyes.

When your dog looks at you with longing eyes, check out the following: *Does he want his favorite toy? *Do you have food in your hand? *Does he want you to pet him? *Does he want to go out?

“Dogs quickly learn that staring at us is an okay way to ask for something. In fact, you probably have a hand in teaching your dog this behavior because you gave your dog something when she stared,” Fratt said.

It is possible that you gave him food when he stared at you.

Or you absentmindedly reached out to pet him, also after you saw him staring at you.

Or you unknowingly rewarded him when you caught him staring at you.

“As annoying as the staring can be, you’ll probably agree that staring is a better way to ask for something than barking, digging, or biting!” Fratt said.

2. Tilted Head Your dog is confused when he stares at you with his head tilted.

“Dogs that stare during training, especially with that cute tilted head, are probably a bit confused. Your dog is trying to figure out what you want—much like you’re trying to figure out what she wants! It would be so much easier if we all spoke the same language,” Fratt said.

When your dog does not follow you

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2020

Desiree Carlos, Editor

Pets

daycarlos28@yahoo.com

Understanding the look your dog gives you

A dog gives you that soft gaze when she loves you,.

Putzi's eyes sparkle with love for her owner who took her photo.

when you tell him to do something, and he just stares at you, you have to go back to how you trained him. You have to retrain your dog. That stare means he did not understand your instructions.

“Your dog isn’t being willfully disobedient. He is just confused,” Fratt said.

3. Direct Stare, Hard Eyes Your dog is tense when he stares directly at you.

Before a dog bites, he gives a “hard stare.”

“There’s an entirely different sort of dog stare out there… This stink-eye look can last just a split second or go on

A dog tilts her head when she is trying to understand a human. A smiling Louise tilted her head when she saw the camera.

for minutes. It’s one of many warnings of a dog bite. Confusingly, many dogs will also avert their gaze before they bite,” Fratt warned.

You have to immediately stop when your dog turns and stares right at you while you’re petting him or approaching his toy, food, cage, or bed, Fratt stressed.

“It can take some serious practice to tell the difference between what animal behaviorists call a ‘hard stare’ and just a longing look for liver treats, “ Fratt said.

“Give your dog space if her stare is accompanied with a stiff tail (wagging

or not), still body, closed mouth, dilated pupils (wide pupils), a lowered head, ears pinned forward or backward, and a strong body shifts forward or backward. You might not see all of these signs at once, but look out for any combinations,” Fratt added.

The best way to deal with canine aggression is to back off if you are not an expert in dog behavior.

4. Soft Eyes Your dog loves you when he gives you a soft gaze.

“An article in Science from 2015 found that dogs and humans both re-

lease oxytocin when they look into each other’s eyes,” Fratt said.

You have to put the soft gaze into context as some new owners mistake this for a hard stare.

A soft gaze is usually accompanied with a soft or sweeping tail wag, a light pant, relaxed ears, and normalsized pupils.

“Many dogs are more prone to loving gazes early in the morning when serotonin levels are highest. Your dog is unlikely to look lovingly into your eyes when she’s playing, eating, or training—so assume that she’s got a different motivation if that’s what’s going on,” Fratt said.

5. Herding and Hunting Staring can also mean your dog is on the prowl.

“Herding dogs are also prone to staring, as a way to control sheep, goats, cows, toys, and people. The famous ‘eye’ of a Border Collie comes out as the dog stalks a flock of stock, a toy, or a playmate.

Hunting dogs also often stare when they’re on the prowl,” Fratt said.

“This behavior can be playful or serious but comes out often when you’re in the middle of a game or the forest.

If you notice your dog suddenly slow down, lower her head, and stare into the distance (or at a moving object), she’s probably in hunting or herding mode!”

Fratt added.

Context is always important when you are determining why your dog is staring at you.

Please pay close attention to what’s going on around you and your pet, and observe your dog’s body language. DC

Table Manners for Dogs

CLAWS PROTECTION

BY GREG SALIDO QUIMPO AND HEIDI MARQUEZ

By Pet Food Institute

Coping with a dog during a pandemic

A MAJORITY of pet owners have had their fair share of pets begging for food at the dinner table and though pet owners are aware of the health risks that table scraps pose on their pets, many continue to give in to their pets’ adorable begging eyes. However, veterinarians encourage owners to resist the urge to give their pets these treats as it promotes an unhealthy diet and lifestyle.

As a voice for responsible pet ownership, the Pet Food Institute shares tips on how to prevent pets from begging for food at the dinner table.

WITH more than 140 dogs living with us at the AKF Rescue and Rehabilitation Center in Capas, Tarlac, we could substantially tell you about how our dogs provided us comfort and companionship during these difficult times of the pandemic.

We even have rescued cats that brighten up every room in our shelter. They would dart into our sleeping quarters, sleep beside us and we would wake up with great vibes enough to last us for the day.

Each dog has their own temperament and characters and you would certainly have a wonderful moment interacting with them each day. Add to that the genuine affection they shower you with and it really can lift you up amidst the tough times.

You really do not need any scientific studies to tell you what your pets bring to the table but to bolster what you already know, here is what the U.S. National Institutes of Health officially says about the power of our pets: - Decreases stress levels - Improves heart health - Helps kids with their emotional and social skills Funded research of the NIH regarding this subject have shown positive health effects.

Interacting with animals has been shown to decrease levels of cortisol (a stress-related hormone) and lower blood pressure. Other studies have found that animals can reduce loneliness, increase feelings of social support, and boost your mood.

“There’s not one answer about how a pet can help somebody with a specific condition,” explains Dr. Layla Esposito, who oversees NIH’s Human-Animal Interaction

Research Program. “Is your goal to increase physical activity? Then you might benefit from owning a dog. You have to walk a dog several times a day and you’re going to increase physical activity. If your goal is reducing stress, sometimes watching fish swim can result in a feeling of calmness. So, there’s no one type fits all.”

“Dogs are very present. If someone is struggling with something, they know how to sit there and be loving,” says Dr. Ann Berger, a physician and researcher at the NIH Clinical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. “Their attention is focused on the person all the time.”

Berger works with people who have cancer and terminal illnesses. She teaches them about mindfulness to help decrease stress

AKF personnel, Marty, lovingly bonds with a rescued dog as a daily routine at AKF shelter.

Foreign guests love to hangout with AKF dogs saying they couldn't get enough of them.

A visiting family at AKF shelter went home with two rescued dogs. and manage pain “The foundations of mindfulness include attention, intention, compassion, and awareness,” Berger says. “All of those things are things that animals bring to the table. People kind of have to learn it. Animals do this innately.”

Pets also bring new responsibilities.

Knowing how to care for and feed an animal is part of owning a pet.

It is never a wasted time being with an animal, the affection you get from them can definitely affect you positively, it could even save your life. AKF can only keep on reminding anyone who cares to listen that dogs, all animals in general, do not deserve the cruel treatment some humans inflict on them. Animals have that innate ability to provide genuine compassion and affection to humans which some of us, sadly, cannot seem to muster.

We count our selves lucky and blessed being surrounded by these loving dogs and if you feel you are ready to welcome one into your life you can visit our Facebook account: https://web.facebook.com/AKFanimalrescue/ and send us a message if you want to adopt a rescued dog. As much as we want to keep them all, seeing these dogs having a loving family they so rightly deserve is very important to us; they have so much to give and seeing them happy greatly inspires us to keep on with the advocacy of protecting each and every animal that some humans cruelly treat.

Stay safe, folks, stay happy and adopt a dog.

Help us protect the animals and rescue those who are victims of the dog meat trade.

Feeding one’s pets before having lunch or dinner decreases the chances that their pets will beg for more food as their pet may be preoccupied with their own meal or too full to beg and eat more food.

Turn the negative behavior upside down

Feeding their pets table scraps may be harmful for their pets because it does not contain the adequate amount of nutrients needed for pets. In the long term, feeding them with scraps may cause illnesses. Giving in to those adorable puppy or kitten eyes is one of the worst things a pet parent can do to as it promotes wrong behavior. Scolding Nip it in the bud one’s pet for begging is also discouraged by The easiest way to stop a pet from beg- experts as it gives them negative attention ging at the dinner table is by preventing this which may provoke pets to beg some more. bad habit before it even begins. An effec- Pet owners are encouraged to turn that bad tive way to achieve behavior around this is by confinby simply ignoring one’s pets in an ing their pets if area away from the they start begdinner table. Secging for table tioning off a part of scraps. one’s home may be Avoid handdone with the use ing their beloved of a baby gate to enpets table scraps sure their pets are as some of these safely away from may cause serithe dinner table. ous health isHowever, some sues. Fatty food pet owners are not such as grilled comfortable with mackerel can the idea of uscause vomiting a baby gate to ing, diarrhea, prevent their pets and other digesfrom entering the tive problems in kitchen. An alter- With that smile, it is never easy to say NO to cute dogs and cats. dogs like Lucas who will always try to get a native to this is by Chocolate, raipiece of that chicken or meat. designating an area sin, grapes, onin the house that ions, and garlic would serve as their pet’s comfort area. A are highly toxic to animals and will cause comfort area may be decorated with mats, serious health issues. Lastly, feeding pets beds, a crate and other essentials that would table scraps may lead to weight gain and provide their pets comfort and encourage obesity which leads to several health issues their pets to stay within this area during such as diabetes and kidney disease. their owner’s meal time. Training a dog or a The Pet Food Institute (PFI) is commitcat to seek and use this area may take some ted in educating pet owners about proper time and patience however this benefits pet nutrition to keep pets healthy and hapboth the pet and the owner as it prevents py. Through its local initiative, Well-Fed, begging and decreases a pet’s urge to jump Well-Nurtured campaign in partnership on people who enter the door. with the Veterinary Practitioners Association of the Philippines (VPAP), PFI seeks to advocate responsible pet ownership to the Feed them before ever-growing Filipino pet community. dinner time About the Pet Food Institute : Since 1958, No one cannot resist the scent of freshlybaked cookies or the enticing aroma of their the Pet Food Institute has been the voice of favorite meal being served. And with a dog or the U.S. pet food industry. PFI is the induscat’s heightened sense of smell, there is a big try's representative before Congress and tendency that they will gravitate towards the state legislatures, as well as state and fedsource of the scent and beg their owners for eral agencies; public education and media food. This behavior can be avoided by feeding relations resource; organizer of seminars their four-legged companions before they sit and educational programs; and liaison with other organizations. down and have their own meal.