Manila Standard - 2020 September 27 - Sunday

VOL. XXXIV • NO. 205 • 2 SECTIONS 8 PAGES • P18 • SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2020 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

WRONG LIMELIGHT. A woman tries to get out of the scene as she was part of 93 individuals who were apprehended and given tickets by officers of Quezon City Police Station 10 (inset) after they were caught partying and violating the community quarantine health protocols at a bar and restaurant along Tomas Morato Ave. in Quezon City early on Saturday.

Norman Cruz

China denies SCS ruling anew

Envoy: ‘Consensus’ reached by Xi, Duterte is to ‘put aside’ arbitral decision

C

HINA has underlined its non-recognition of the 2016 international arbitral ruling favoring the Philippines and nullifying Beijing’s nine-dash line claim over nearly all of the South China Sea, only days after President Rodrigo Duterte described this in a speech before the United Nations General Assembly as a legal victory.

In a virtual forum organized by the Association for Philippines-China Understanding Inc., Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian cited the “consensus” allegedly reached between Duterte and Chinese President Xi Jinping to shelve maritime disputes and manage the situation through dialogue and cooperation.

“China’s position on the so-called arbitral ruling has been very clear: We do not accept, and we do not recognize this so-called ruling. It has been agreed by our two presidents that we should close the old chapter and shelve differences,” said Huang.

Huang said the consensus of Duterte and Xi to “put aside” the maritime disputes and manage the situation through

COVID-19 PH AT A GLANCE

301,256 TOTAL NUMBER OF CASES

2,747 63,066 ACTIVE

5,284

88

232,906

787

DEATHS

RECOVERIES

NEW

NEW

Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian

nomic zone in the resource-rich waters, which China claims in almost its entirety.

France, Germany, and the United Kingdom recently reasserted the 2016 Hague ruling that China’s ‘historic claims’ in the South China Sea are illegal.

“The award is now part of international law, beyond compromise and beyond the

Duterte, who had pivoted towards China in the early months of his presidency in 2016, said the Philippine commitment in the disputed part of the South China Sea was in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 2016 Hague ruling.

“We must remain mindful of our obligations and commitment to the Charter of the United Nations and as amplified by the 1982 Manila Declaration on the Peaceful Settlement of International Disputes,” Duterte said in his first-ever address before the world body.

The Philippines, China and Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) members Malaysia, Vietnam and Brunei lay separate claims to parts of the South China Sea. The Philippines lays claim to the West Philippine Sea, which is in the eastern part of the South China Sea. China wants to settle the disputes bilaterally rather than through multilateral or international platforms and had refused to participate in the Hague arbitration, a process that was in accordance with the UNCLOS, and rejected the tribunal’s decision.

PH breaks 300k virus mark; experts warn against relaxing GCQ

By Willie Casas

(AS OF 4 PM SEPT. 26)

NEW

bilateral consultations should be “vigorously implemented by both sides” so that the “sound momentum of our relations as guideposts to the way forward will be preserved and enhanced.”

He said dialogue mechanisms such as the bilateral consultation mechanism is “working well to manage differences and explore practical cooperation” and that China was “committed to speed up” consultations on a code of conduct between ASEAN and China as a way of promoting peace and stability.

There was no immediate reaction from Malacanang on the latest Chinese claim.

The July 2016 decision on the arbitration case by The Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration recognized the Philippines’ sovereign rights in its exclusive eco-

reach of passing governments to dilute, diminish or abandon. We firmly reject attempts to undermine it,” Duterte said, thanking other countries supporting the ruling.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Navy reaffirmed its commitment to the adherence to international law in settling of disputes in the South China Sea. Navy Chief Vice Admiral Giovanni Carlo Bacordo made the assurance during the Virtual Key Leaders Engagement with Chiefs of Regional Navies hosted by the US Pacific Fleet late Friday.

Bacordo echoed the earlier statement of President Rodrigo Duterte during the 75th United Nations General Assembly and said: “The Commander-inChief’s guidance to the Armed Forces of the Philippines is crystal clear.”

“But in doing so, we reaffirm our commitment to the peaceful settlement of disputes and the adherence to international laws,” he added.

Bacordo added the Navy was playing a major role in helping the government contain the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

ite, 153; Laguna, 112; and Cebu, 107.

Active COVID-19 cases are at 63,066 nationwide, with 87.3 percent of cases classified as mild; asymptomatic, 8.8 percent; 1.2 percent at severe; and 2.7 percent at critical.

The DOH said three labs were not able to submit their data to the COVID-19 Data Repository System on September 25—Dr. Jorge P. Royeca Hospital, Philippine Heart Center, and Safeguard DNA Diagnostics.

Premature downgrade Reported COVID-19 cases daily are on a plunge­—for the fifth consecutive day on Saturday, in fact—but experts from the OCTA Research Team warned the national government against prematurely downgrading community quarantines,

THE Philippines breached 300,000 coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases on Saturday as the Department of Health logged an additional 2,747 new infections.

With the total infections now at 301,256, the DOH also announced 787 recoveries on Saturday, bringing the total number to 232,906.

With 88 new fatalities, the death toll now stands at 5,284.

The top regions with cases in the recent two weeks were the National Capital Region (962 or 39 percent), Region 4A (419 or 17 percent) and Region 6 (233 or 9 percent).

Top areas by newly announced cases are NCR, 1,115; Negros Occidental, 196; Cav-

particularly in Metro Manila.

In its latest report, the OCTA team said the premature downgrade of the quarantine status in the NCR might increase the risk of a surge in the number of COVID-19 infections in December.

“The national government must sustain the GCQ status in the NCR coupled with further improvements in its testing, tracing and isolation programs not just to sustain the gains of the last MECQ but to also prevent a surge, especially around Christmas time,” the report said.

The OCTA research team is made up of experts from the University of the Philippines, University of Santo Tomas, and Providence College.

The OCTA research team showed that

PACQUIAO TO FIGHT MCGREGOR IN 2021

OF DOGS AND BONES

PINOYS PREFER PODCASTS

Boxing icon and Philippine Senator Manny Pacquiao wants to fight Irish mixed martial arts star Conor McGregor in the ring next year, an aide said in a statement Saturday.

So why do dogs bury bones? There are at least four reasons, said Tabitha Kucera RVT in “Why Dogs Bury Bones and Other Objects” in thesprucepets.com.

When host and radio DJ Joyce Pring went through a quarter-life crisis, she created a podcast to talk about what she was going through and provide a venue where twentysomethings can find like-minded individuals with similar experiences.

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the number of daily cases reported decreased from 4,300 in early August to 2,988 in late September.

They added the rate of transmission, number of cases, positivity rate, and measures for hospital resource utilization are all on a downward in Metro Manila.

The UP OCTA research team also projected that the number of COVID-19 cases in the Philippines may increase to a minimum of 380,000 to a maximum of 410,000 by October 31.

“The current trajectory (as of September 25) shows between 310,000 and 315,000 cases by September 30. It is likely we will reach the lower range of the previous projections, a very positive sign that we are headed in the right direction,” it said.

UNSCRIPTED GABBI GARCIA Young actress Gabbi Garcia recently unboxed her Gold Play Button from YouTube, an award content-creators get after gaining over one million subscribers on the video-sharing platform.

ENTERTAINMENT / B3

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House to transmit budget by mid-October T

By Maricel V. Cruz

HE House of Representatives plans to transmit to the Senate the proposed P4.5-trillion national budget by mid-October or before Congress goes on a Halloween break, said ACT-CIS Rep. Eric Go-Yap, chair of the House committee on appropriations.

FISHY BUSINESS. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, workers making ‘tinapa’ (dried smoked fish) on Lacson Street in Tondo, Manila tend to their product as they continue to operate to supply the demands of their clients, while trying their best to observe plysical distancing. Lino Santos

Martires: SALN Aide says Pacquiao wants McGregor fight next year used by crooks for extortion THE Statements of Assets Liabilities and Networth in some cases are used by crooked individuals for extortion, Ombudsman Samuel Martires said on Saturday while defending his order to stop the conduct of lifestyle checks on public officials and restricting access to SALNs filed at his agency.

“The lifestyle check is a fishing expedition. We look for evidence against the person who is being subjected to our lifestyle check,” Martires told a radio interview.

In a mixture of English and Tagalog, Martires said “According to a report of one of our investigators at the Ombudsman, these (complaints) become source of extortion.”

Appearing at the budget hearing of the Office of the Ombudsman at the House last Tuesday, Martires said he had stopped lifestyle checks on public officials, saying failure in such did not prove that an official was corrupt.

Three weeks earlier, he restricted public access to the SALN of public officials filed at the Office of the Ombudsman.

Republic Act 6713 or Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials mandates disclosure of SALNs to members of the public as long as the one making the request shoulders the cost of reproduction and mailing of the SALN copies.

“There are many victims of lifestyle check and I hope they come out and complain. I do not want to mention names.

They know who I am referring to, including the media practitioner gwho used these,” he added. Maricel V. Cruz

Online applications for SSS pension loan THE Social Security System (SSS) added a new facility on its website to allow retiree-pensioners to file their Pension Loan Program (PLP) applications online.

SSS President and CEO Aurora C. Ignacio said the new facility, found under the E-Services tab of the My.SSS member portal at www.sss.gov.ph aims to provide retiree-pensioners with a safer, faster, and more convenient means of filing their pension loans.

“Through the SSS’ continuous digitalization efforts, the PLP was made available online since last September 15, 2020. Qualified retiree-pensioners can easily apply for the program without visiting our branches, which is either difficult or restricted, particularly for senior citizens, because of the COVID-19 situation,” Ignacio added.

Retiree-pensioners who may use the said online method for application are those who have met all the qualifying conditions of the PLP and have registered My.SSS web accounts, current and active mobile numbers, and disbursement accounts may be a valid SSS Unified MultiPurpose Identification card enrolled as an ATM card or an SSS-issued Union Bank of the Philippines Quick Card.

BOXING icon and Philippine Senator Manny Pacquiao wants to fight Irish mixed martial arts star Conor McGregor in the ring next year, an aide said in a statement Saturday.

“For the sake of all the Filipino COVID-19 victims, Senator Manny Pacquiao will be fighting UFC superstar Conor McGregor next year,” Pacquiao’s special assistant Jayke Joson said, adding negotiations are ongoing.

The fight could be staged in the Middle East after the coronavirus pandemic abates, the aide said, adding Pacquiao would donate a portion of his prize earnings to Filipino COVID-19 victims.

Pacquiao’s promoter Sean Gibbons earlier told AFP in Los Angeles that

the eight-division world champion was mulling a possible comeback fight with McGregor, though the two camps were a “long way” from agreement.

Earlier Friday, McGregor, 32, said on Twitter he was “boxing Manny Pacquiao next in the Middle East.”

“It will be a true honor to have faced two of the greatest boxers of the modern era,” McGregor added.

Pacquiao, 41, has not fought since claiming the WBA welterweight crown with a stunning victory over Keith Thurman in Las Vegas in July last year.

A bout against McGregor, who faced welterweight king Floyd Mayweather in a money-spinning 2017 fight, would guarantee Pacquiao another lucrative

payday as he nears the end of an illustrious boxing career.

Despite his technical knockout loss to Mayweather in his boxing debut, McGregor had shown that he was capable of challenging “the best boxers in the world”, Gibbons said.

“Our lawyers are finalizing all the confidential details, but both fighters are getting ready for this one epic last boxing fight,” Joson said.

Pacquiao has successfully combined a political career in the Philippines, where he is an elected senator, while continuing to box at the highest level.

He had turned pro in his teens 25 years ago and owns a 62-7-2 win-loss-draw record with 39 knockouts. AFP

CLOSURE ORDER. Environment Secretary Roy A. Cimatu (center with helmet, pointing finger) orders the suspension of two dolomite companies in Alcoy, Cebu, after an inspection conducted Friday, pending the results of the investigation for their alleged coral reef damage, water quality monitoring, and ambient air quality. The dolomite from Cebu is being used to whiten the so-called Manila Bay Sands. DENR Photo

ity of the government to secure safety of its citizens.

He added that its accuracy in recording incidents that take place on the road can be beneficial to motorists and pedestrians when an unfortunate event happens.

Crisologo said that with the government’s mandate of ensuring the safety of the people, “the use of mounted dashboard (video) camera is vital in improving the justice system.”

The QC solon believes that having a dashboard camera in a public as a requirement will help serve as a deterrent to po-

IN BRIEF 2 Pasig River Ferry stations opened THE Metropolitan Manila Development Authority will reopen on Monday its Pasig River Ferry Hulo and Sta. Ana stations to serve residents in the cities of Mandaluyong and Manila.

This brings to eight the total number of stations open to serve authorized persons outside residence (APOR) while Metro Manila is under the general community quarantine status due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The six other ferry stations are Pinagbuhatan and San Joaquin in Pasig City; Guadalupe and Valenzuela in Makati City; and Lawton and Escolta, also in Maynila.

MMDA chairman Danilo Lim said the Pasig River Ferry Service (PRFS) Is serving APOR, health workers and government employees who need to report for work free of charge from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. while the GCQ status is being enforced in the National Capital Region.

Joel E. Zurbano

PAL flies home 336 Pinoys from Lebanon

Solon bats for dashcams on public utility, gov’t vehicles A FIRST-TERM congressman from Quezon City on Saturday pushed for a bill that mandates the installation of dashboard video cameras in public utility and government vehicles.

House Assistant Majority Leader Anthony Peter “Onyx” D. Crisologo said he filed House Bill 3411 to ensure road safety and to help documenting vehicular accidents, pilferage, and other crimes that may occur in the streets.

Crisologo explained that the use of mounted dashboard camera has greatly helped in further strengthening the capac-

“We hope to have the money measure submitted to the Senate before we adjourn on Oct. 16,” Yap said late Friday, stressing that Oct. 14 was the target date.

The House earlier planned to finish the entire deliberations on the budget bill by the end of September.

But Yap said the chamber would be needing more time to address the concerns of lawmakers with regard to the budgetary allocations for their respective districts.

Just like the two Bayanihan measures, the 2021 budget is focused on the government’s continued response to the COVID-19 crisis and will be passed by the chamber in record time, he said.

The budget proposal is 9.9 percent higher than the P4.1 trillion 2020 national government budget.

Budget Secretary Wendel Avisado, in his speech during the budget bill submission ceremony, said the 2021 National Expenditure Program “will sustain government efforts and effectively respond to the COVID-19 pandemic by focusing on government spending on improving our healthcare systems, ensuring food security, creating more jobs by investing on labor intensive projects, enabling a digital government and economy as well as helping communities cope in these trying times.”

“Hence, the theme of the FY 2021 NEP is ‘Reset, Rebound, and Recover: Investing for Resiliency and Sustainability,’” Avisado added.

tential aggressors both within the vehicle and even those outside of it.

In addition, he said mounting dashboard cameras in government service vehicles “will improve discipline among drivers and regulate the use of the vehicles.”

“This bill will not only (help) solve crimes that may happen in the streets but will also improve discipline among government drivers. We know that there are government vehicles that are used for personal activities, that is why to instill discipline, there should be a camera on the dashboard,” Crisologo said. Maricel V. Cruz

LEGACY carrier Philippines Airlines flown home 336 Filipino overseas workers who asked to be repatriated from Lebanon following the recent explosion in Beirut last month.

PAL spokesperson Cielo Villaluna said the repatriation Beirut to Manila flight PR8681 touched down the Ninoy Aquino International Airport at 10:39 a.m. Saturday.

Chief of Presidential Protocol and Presidential Assistant on Foreign Affairs Robert Eric A. Borje led the government repatriation team to and from Beirut.

Villaluna said PAL Captain Rommel Quizon and Captain Raymund Expeditus Casambre, assisted by Second Officers Jonard Cerafica and Antonio Sy, flew the Beirut-Manila flight, with purser Jeffrey Briones leading the cabin crew team. Joel E. Zurbano

’Pass teen pregnancy prevention bill’ THE widespread incidence of teenaged pregnancy has prompted a legislator to ask the Congress for the swift passage of a bill that institutionalizes a national policy on teenage pregnancy prevention.

House of Representatives Assistant Majority Leader Fidel Nograles issued the appeal in the wake of reports that about 40 to 50 Filipino children aged 10 to 14 give birth every week.

The Commission on Population and Development (PopCom) earlier reported that an estimated 2,250 children belonging to the 10 to 14 age group gave birth in 2018. The figure is more than double the

estimated 1,000 in 2007.

A study conducted by the University of the Philippines’ Population Institute projected more than two million births in the country next year. According to the said study, around 200,000 of these births, or about 10 percent, would be from the 20 and below age group.

“The numbers are staggering, and the Congress must do its part to help address this urgent issue,” Nograles, vice chair of the House committee on justice, said.

“I appeal to my fellow legislators to have this bill debated now and passed at the soonest possible time to address this issue on teenage pregnancy.” Maricel V. Cruz

ROTARY SUPPORT. Rotarians led by District Governor Odie F. Tarriela (6th

from left) present a Pledge of Support and sign a memorandum of understanding with Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu (center) on behalf of 115 Club Presidents of Rotary District 3810. The group will develop projects with the assistance of Global Rotary clubs, engage in education work among Barangay Chairmen, actively protect the environment, and recognize unsung heroes.

World Trump to put conservative Barrett in SC WASHINGTON­—President Donald Trump intends to name Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court, US media reported Friday, who if confirmed would cement a solid conservative majority on the high court.

The president said this week he will announce his pick to replace the late Ruth Bader Ginsburg on Saturday, and various media outlets said it would be the 48-year-old conservative judge.

Citing sources close to the process, various media outlets, including The New York Times and CNN, said Trump would nominate Barrett.

If she is confirmed the court would shift to a 6-3 conservative majority.

Asked by journalists if Barrett will indeed be nominated, Trump responded: “I haven’t said that.”

But he added that he had already made a decision “in my own mind” and that Barrett is “outstanding.”

The media reports noted the mercurial Trump could still change his mind before the official announcement, expected at 5 pm (2100 GMT) Saturday.

Democratic opponents, led by presidential candidate Joe Biden, have demanded that Republicans back off on replacing liberal icon Ginsburg—who died last week­­—until after the November 3 election, after it’s determined whether Trump will get a second term.

Leaders of the Republican majority in the Senate, which is tasked with confirming Supreme Court nominees, said they have enough support to hold a vote on the nomination either before the election or at worst during the “lame duck” session between the election and the inauguration of the next president in January.

“We will certainly do that this year,” Republican Senate leader Mitch McConnell said.

Barrett, a law professor, was only appointed to the bench for the first time in 2017. A deeply conservative Catholic, she is considered hostile to abortion rights­— a key issue for many Republicans.

The left-leaning government watchdog group Accountable US was unimpressed with the reported choice.

“Barrett has proven time and again that protecting businesses—not people—is her top priority,” said group president Kyle Herrig. AFP

IN BRIEF Cadets among 22 dead in Ukraine plane crash CHUGUIV, Ukraine­—At least 22 people including military cadets were killed and two others were seriously injured on Friday when a Ukrainian air force plane crashed near Kharkiv in the east of the country, the interior ministry said.

Deputy Interior Minister Anton Gerashchenko confirmed the death toll to AFP, describing the incident as a “shock”, and saying that the cause of the crash was being investigated.

Footage of the crash released by officials on social media showed the smoldering remains of the Antonov-26 transport plane.

“Most of [the dead] were students” of the Kharkiv National Air Force University, the air force said in a statement.

There were 27 people on board, 20 cadets and seven crew, it added.

Twenty-two have been confirmed dead, two are injured and “the search for three more people continues”, the emergency services said.

The injured are in a “critical” condition, regional governor Oleksiy Kucher said on Facebook. AFP

Three dead in fire at Huawei campus BEIJING­ —Three people have been found dead after a huge fire broke out at an unfinished research facility belonging to tech giant Huawei in the southern Chinese city of Dongguan, according to local authorities.

The government said it had launched an investigation after Friday’s blaze at the building under construction in the Songshan Lake industrial development zone sent massive plumes of smoke into the sky.

The fire had started at a building where Huawei is developing a research base, the city government said, initially adding that all construction workers had been evacuated.

However, in a statement later Friday, the government said a “thorough search by firefighters afterwards found three people dead inside the building”. AFP

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ONE OF 380.

A pilot whale, one of at least 380 stranded that have died, is seen washed up in Macquarie Harbour on Tasmania’s west coast on September 24. AFP

Biden mocked for ‘staying in’ ahead of polls

WHO: 2M virus deaths without collective action G ENEVA­—Coronavirus deaths could more than double to two million without collective action against the pandemic, the World Health Organization has warned, as Australia’s prime minister urged any nation that develops a vaccine to share it with the world.

“One million is a terrible number and

The number of cases worldwide has soared past 32 million, with deaths approaching one million, the global economy devastated, and major cultural and sports events disrupted.

But despite the pandemic showing no signs of slowing, Japan’s new prime minister Yoshihide Suga struck a defiant note Friday, saying his country was determined to hold the postponed Tokyo Olympics in 2021.

we need to reflect on that before we start considering a second million,” the WHO’s emergencies director Michael Ryan told reporters on Friday when asked how high the death toll could go.

“Are we prepared collectively to do what it takes to avoid that number?

“If we don’t take those actions... yes, we will be looking at that number and sadly much higher.”

The pandemic has spurred worldwide

efforts to develop a vaccine to help defeat Covid-19, as well as efforts to try to ensure fair and widespread distribution.

“Whoever finds the vaccine must share it... This is a global responsibility and it’s a moral responsibility,” Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Friday in a message to the virtual UN General Assembly.

“Some might see short-term advantage or even profit, but I assure you... humanity will have a very long memory and be a very, very severe judge.”

Japan Olympics vow Without a vaccine or effective treatment, social distancing and lockdowns remain among the few options for governments to curb the spread of the virus, making large gatherings like spectator sports and music concerts highly risky. AFP

Malaysian PM faces big test in state elections

NAVAL SYMBOL. Taiwan

President Tsai Ingwen speaks while visiting a naval base in Kaohsiung on September 26. AFP

Man wounds 2 with cleaver outside Hebdo offices PARIS­ —A man armed with a meat cleaver wounded two in Paris Friday outside the former offices of satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo before being arrested by police, three weeks into the trial of suspected accomplices in the 2015 massacre of the newspaper’s staff.

France’s PNAT specialist anti-terror prosecution office said it has opened a

NEWPORT NEWS­ —With just 39 days until the US election, President Donald Trump ramped up his campaigning with back-toback events Friday in battleground states—a frenetic pace in contrast with the more sedate approach of Democratic rival Joe Biden.

The 74-year-old president’s grueling 12-hour, three-state schedule culminated with a nighttime rally in Newport News, Virginia. By that time US media was reporting that he was set to nominate Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court, who if confirmed would cement a solid conservative majority on the country’s highest court.

“We are going to be announcing somebody great,” he told the crowd without mentioning a name.

“Tomorrow [Saturday] I think is going to be a big day!” he added, as the crowd roared with approval.

Trump­—who trails Biden in national polling and is narrowly behind in several swing states seen as crucial to his path to re-election —is under pressure to make the most of the remaining weeks before the November 3 election.

During his whirlwind day, the president mocked his rival for a lower-energy campaign, saying Biden was “staying in again today.”

“This guy never goes out. It’s terrible huh?” he told a black economic empowerment event in Atlanta, where few people wore masks and social distancing was non-existent. AFP

probe into charges of “attempted murder related to a terrorist enterprise” as well as “conspiracy with terrorists.”

Seven people including the main suspect were being held for questioning in connection with the attack.

French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said the attack was “clearly an act of Islamist terrorism”.

“This is a new bloody attack on our country,” Darmanin told broadcaster France 2.

Charlie Hebdo has angered many Muslims around the world by publishing cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed over the years, and in a defiant gesture reprinted some of the caricatures ahead of the trial.

AFP

SEMPORNA, Malaysia­—Malaysia’s embattled leader faces state elections Saturday that are his biggest political test since taking office, with analysts saying he desperately needs a win to strengthen his tenuous hold on power.

A defeat for Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin’s allies in Sabah state on Borneo will erode support among his seven-month-old government’s coalition partners, increasing pressure for snap national polls, observers warn.

Adding to his problems, the election comes just days after opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim launched a bid to topple his administration, claiming he had mustered enough support from MPs to take over.

Malaysia has been gripped by political turmoil since the collapse in February of a reformist government, which was headed by Mahathir Mohamad and included Anwar, amid bitter infighting.

Muhyiddin seized power without an election and leads a coalition backed by a scandal-plagued party, but his administration has only a wafer-thin majority in parliament and critics say it is illegitimate.

The Sabah elections were called after a Muhyiddin ally launched a bid to take over the opposition-controlled local government. But rather than cede power, the chief minister dissolved the state assembly. AFP

UK mourns cop killed in line of duty LONDON­ —Police across Britain on Friday paid silent tribute and flags were flown at half mast after a long-serving officer became the first to be shot dead in the line of duty in more than eight years.

Sergeant Matiu Ratana, 54, was shot by a 23-year-old man at Croydon Custody Centre in south London at about 2:15 am (0115 GMT), and died in hospital.

The suspect, who had been arrested for possession of drugs with intent to supply and possession of ammunition, turned the gun on himself, and was said to be in a critical but stable condition.

Ratana’s death is being treated as murder.

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick said Ratana, who came

to Britain from New Zealand and was known as Matt, was “senselessly killed”.

Originally from Hawke’s Bay, on the east coast of New Zealand’s North Island, he joined the Met in 1991 after university and had nearly 30 years as a uniformed officer in the British capital.

He played for London Irish and the force rugby union team, before going into coaching at East Grinstead, near Croydon. He leaves a partner and an adult son from a previous relationship.

“As a colleague, he was big in stature and big-hearted, a friendly, capable police officer,” Dick said.

“A lovely man, highly respected by officers and staff, and by the public, including suspects he arrested or dealt with in custody. AFP

SITTING PROTEST. A woman reacts as she sits in front of law enforcement officers

during a rally to protest against the presidential inauguration in Minsk on September 23. Belarus leader Alexander Lukashenko held his inauguration in secret on Wednesday, after claiming victory in disputed polls that his opposition rivals have described as massively rigged. AFP

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Business

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

Doctor provides free online consultation

products related to personal hygiene, household cleaning and essential medicines.

“We are very positive that our company will reach its height in the next year or two. We expect a steady increase in the number of clients as a response to consumers’ product satisfaction,” she says.

Dr. Aporo says her parents have helped her become who she is today.

“I am a registered medical technologist and a licensed physician. My mom worked as a nurse and I guess that is where I got my love for the medical profession,” she says.

“My dad is a retired policeman and a successful businessman in the metal scrap industry. This is where I got my entrepreneurial nature, seeing him over the years change from one business to another. They are very supportive of all my endeavors which makes me all the more confident at work,” she says.

Dr. Aporo encourages other entrepreneurs to pursue their business ventures with honesty and compassion, in the face of both success and challenges.

“Be honest, have compassion and exhaust all possible resources to reach your business goals. It is expected to be difficult and challenging but that’s what will make it a sweeter success,” she says. Roderick T. dela Cruz

PHYSICIAN and entrepreneur has been providing free online medical consultation for several months now, as the coronavirus pandemic made it more challenging for poor Filipinos to go to hospitals because of the quarantine restrictions.

Dr. Jeaneth Diaz Aporo offers her services for free, supported by her pharmaceutical venture that manufactures disinfectants for household and personal care.

“I am a doctor practicing at a private clinic, but when the COVID-19 pandemic started, I decided to give my consultation services for free to everyone because I know how difficult these times can be. It is my little way of extending help,” Dr. Aporo says via e-mail.

She patiently communicates with patients via Facebook messenger to determine their health concerns before prescribing medicine or referring the patients to hospitals for further diagnosis. “I render free online medical consultation and scheduled in-clinic consultation,” she says.

On why she does this, she explains: “It is my life-long pursuit to help more people by creating a bigger free private medical consultation community.”

She is currently studying sign language to accommodate differentlyabled patients and is busy preparing for a series of donation drives.

What supports her personal advocacy is Belsi Pharmaceutical—a company she established to deliver top-quality cosmetic and medical products to Filipinos.

“I needed extra income to continue rendering my services for free, so I decided to try and unleash my inner entrepreneurial spirit by coming up with something that cannot only generate income, but also help my fellowmen,” she says.

Belsi Pharmaceutical’s flagship product is Germs Off 70% Isopropyl Alcohol—a topical hand sanitizer that can be used to easily sanitize hands especially when water is not available.

The company, located along Capulong Highway in Manila, has 10 employees. It product is registered with the Food and Drug Administration.

“During the COVID-19 pandemic,

Dr. Jeaneth Diaz Aporo

many sellers are taking advantage of the strong demand for alcohol by selling unregistered products. Our product is FDA-approved,” Dr. Aporo says.

“Germs Off 70% Isopropyl Alcohol has a mild but lasting sweet scent that everybody loves. Our commitment is to give Filipinos peace of mind by distributing legitimate, quality hand sanitizing solution,” she says.

Dr. Aporo says the product has already built a loyal customer base. “We are moving forward towards a successful business brand. We believe that even after this pandemic, our product will be considered part of the new society norm,” she says.

She says while the quarantine restrictions have brought challenges particularly in terms of logistics, the company has become more creative to reach its consumers by tapping thirdparty delivery services. “Sometimes, I deliver the products myself,” Dr. Aporo says.

Encouraged by strong demand for the product, Belsi Pharmaceutical plans to expand and launch new

Mondelez Philippines supports efforts to uplift education especially for grade schoolers together with partner Philippine Business for Social Progress.

Mondelez PH provides learning kits to 3 schools

By Othel V. Campos EDUCATION is one of the hardest hit sectors in the months-long lockdown that has forced everyone to stay at home, work from home and studyfrom-home.

While the government tried its best to contain the virus, stop the spread of the disease and dole out whatever it can give to the masses, efforts are not enough.

To augment public sector’s efforts, private companies did their part in the form of “bayanihan”. One of them is Mondelez Philippines, the company behind the Joy Schools Program which supports schools even during the suspension of face-to-face classes.

The Joy Schools is the flagship community program of Mondelez Philippines, which has been running for the past nine years. It has touched the lives of tens of thousands of students in 16 public elementary schools nationwide for various interventions on nutrition.

It aims to help improve the nutrition of students through feeding interventions as well as promoting the importance of physical activity.

This year the program has chosen three new schools—Don Galo Elementary School and 4thEstate Elementary School in Parañaque and Balara Elementary School in Quezon City—as recipients of learning kits that will benefit at least 300 students.

“The currently adopted three schools will be under the Joy Schools program for the next two years,” says Mondelez Philippines country manager for corporate affairs Toff Rada.

“After this, a new batch of schools will be adopted by the program, still focusing on the cities of Parañaque and Quezon City. Parañaque is our company’s home city, where our plant and offices have been located for the past 57 years,” he says.

“Through the Joy Schools program, we get to give back and exhibit the values of a good corporate citizen in our local community. It is our hope that we get to adopt all 26 public elementary schools in the city in the succeeding years. To date, the program has adopted 9 schools in Parañaque alone since 2011,” says Rada.

Each kit contains materials which can help students keep up with their class activities, even remotely. These basic school materials are simple yet urgently needed by public school students as they embark on their home learning journey.

The kits aims to assist students and improve their learning curve, as the country temporarily adopts the virtual learning platform. Majority of the adopted students do not have access to internet and gadgets to online education.

The company is also donating 150 laptops to the three schools. Internet access will be provided together with the laptops.

Adopted students also automatically qualify for the nine-month feeding program. Starting October when classes begin, families will receive vegetable packs good for one week’s worth of meals.

The food packs ensure the students get the right nutrition to continue learning.

Aboitiz CEO joins call for global cooperation

Young Filipino innovators

Aboitiz Group president and CEO Sabin Aboitiz

Student-innovators win grants from DOST-PCIEERD NINE student groups from different parts of the country bagged research grants up to P800,000 each under the Young Innovators’ Program of the Department of Science and TechnologyPhilippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development.

The DOST-PCIEERD, in a virtual ceremony, signed contracts with the students and their mentors for the grants which cover the laboratory expenses, testing consumables and honorarium for the teachers and students.

DOST-PCIEERD executive director Dr. Enrico Paringit expressed optimism over the future of the Philippines’ scientific community with new and budding scientists taking on the challenge of conducting research and development despite of the current pandemic.

“As leader and partner in enabling innovations, we will continue in the pursuit of fresh talents and support their endeavors to pursue research and de-

velopment in the country. We hope that this research grant will entice them to get into careers in research and development in the country,” he said.

“We express admiration for the young researchers on their determination to take on challenges to conduct research and development projects that offer solutions. They will serve as our bright spots for the future of science and technology in our country. They will serve as an inspiration for younger generations to follow. These YIPs also are the source of pride for their respective institutions,” Paringit said.

Among the winning entries is the SPHERE: An Ultra-wideband Technology-based Innovation for Search and Rescue Operations in the Philippines developed by Mapua University students Ma. Cathyrine Ravina, Denisse Joy Dayao and Janela Zambrano who were mentored by Engr. Marvin Noroa.

The project aims to utilize ultra-wide band technology to detect heart rate re-

gardless of the type of wall blocking the victim. It comes with a remote control and added features vital for the search and rescue operations like global positioning system to pin the exact location of victims, built-in lights to better see the situation underground, camera that has a night vision and a speaker for the controller to speak with the victims underneath the debris.

Polytechnic University of the Philippines-Sta. Mesa students Irah Faye Garzon, Raven Elyze Laurella and Ghimel Espinosa under the guidance of Dr. Lourdes Alvarez proposed to innovate fungal chitosan-based microbeads into heavy metal soil-based biobsorbents.

The students will collect five fungal samples to isolate and cultivate fungal samples in potato dextrose agar extract chitosan using the fungal isolates, and eventually investigate the biosorption capabilities and percentage efficiency of the extracted chitosan in copper, chromium and arsenic.

THE Aboitiz Group is one with the global business community in committing to ethical leadership and good governance in upholding the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. It urges further collaboration with the public and private sectors in the face of the coronavirus disease pandemic.

Aboitiz Group president and chief executive Sabin Aboitiz joined over 1,000 CEOs from more than 100 countries in signing the United Nations Global Compact Statement for Renewed Global Cooperation.

The UNGC is a voluntary initiative based on CEO commitments to implement universal sustainability principles and to take steps to support the UN’s goals.

“We, the business peoples, recognize that peace, justice and strong institutions are beneficial to the long-term viability of our organizations and are foundational for upholding the ten principles of the UNGC and achieving the SDGs. Now is our opportunity to learn from our collective experiences to realign behind the mission of the UN and steer our world onto a more equitable, inclusive, and sustainable path.

We are in this together — and we are united in the business of a better world,” the statement endorsed by CEOs stated.

Aboitiz and the statement signatories have committed to demonstrate ethi-

cal leadership and good governance; invest in addressing systemic inequalities and injustices; and partner with the UN, government, and civil society to strengthen access to justice, ensure accountability and transparency, provide legal certainty, promote equality and respect human rights.

“We in Aboitiz believe that thriving in the ‘new normal’ requires a deep sense of commitment to sustainability and development across the board. Guided by our purpose of advancing business and communities, we will continue to support initiatives that will ensure a united and robust response to the challenges posed by the current pandemic and other crises that the world is facing,” Aboitiz said.

The Aboitiz Group fully supports the UNGC statement as manifested in its commitment to operate its businesses with a sustainability mindset that upholds best practices in environmental management, social responsibility, and good governance while ensuring long-term financial growth and business capability.

“The statement is a resounding endorsement of inclusive multilateralism.

In no uncertain terms, it says that cooperation must cross borders, sectors and generations for us to adapt to changing circumstances,” said Sanda Ojiambo, UNGC chief executive and executive director.

Youth & Culture B1

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2020

Bernadet­te Lunas, Editor

manilastandardlife@gmail.com

Pinoys prefer podcasts Study reveals audio programs provide alternative way to be informed, entertained

NO SCREEN, JUST SOUND. A recent survey reveals more Filipinos are craving more time away from their screens. The same survey shows many turn to music or podcast for information and entertainment throughout the day.

By Bernadette Lunas

W

HEN host and radio DJ Joyce Pring went through a quarter-life crisis, she created a podcast to talk about what she’s going through and provide a venue where twentysomethings can find like-minded individuals with similar experiences.

Spotify has teamed up with local podcasters to be part of its growing Podcast Exclusives. The first nine Filipino podcasts exclusive to Spotify include Adulting with Joyce Pring, Sleeping Pill With Inka Magnaye, Wake Up With Jim and Saab, The KoolPals, Boiling Waters PH, The Eve's Drop, Ask Say, Ang Walang Kwentang Podcast, and Walwal Sesh.

“I hit a wall when I turned 25; went through a breakup, traveled. I never had someone to talk about it,” she related during a virtual press conference.

Two years later, her show, Adulting with Joyce Pring has grown into a community brought together by topics that matter to them, ranging from relationships to mental health.

Pring is one of the many Filipino storytellers who use podcast as a way to educate and entertain. Podcast is an audio program composed of episodes which the audience can listen to on demand.

The program, long available across the globe, is gaining popularity in the country as “more people crave more screen-less time,” according to an audio streaming platform executive.

The findings from a recent YouGov survey in the Philippines commissioned

by Spotify revealed majority, or 74 percent, of respondents are looking to carve more time away from their screens. The survey likewise discovered 85 percent turn to some type of music or podcast content throughout the day.

“A lot of people are coming to podcasts to be informed, entertained, and relaxed while spending more time at home,” said Carl Zuzarte, Spotify head of studios for Southeast Asia.

Spotify currently carries over 1.5 million podcast titles, 300,000 of which are exclusive to the platform.

Taking advantage of this growing interest in podcast among Filipinos, Spotify has teamed up with top local podcasters to be part of Podcast Exclusives, its growing catalog of podcasts covering various genres.

Joining Michelle Obama, Joe Rogan, and Nas Daily on Spotify are the creators of Adulting with Joyce Pring, Sleeping Pill With Inka, Wake Up With Jim and Saab, The KoolPals, Boiling Waters PH, The Eve’s Drop, Ask Say, Ang Walang Kwentang Podcast, and Walwal Sesh.

“We are thrilled to work with these top Filipino podcasters—storytellers in their own right—who deliver fresh perspectives and belong to a new generation of creators,” enthused Zuzarte.

Sleeping Pill With Inka is an ASMRfriendly show hosted by voice-over talent Inka Magnaye; Wake Up With Jim and Saab features Jim Bacarro and Saab Magalona as they talk about life as a married couple and new parents; The KoolPals is a show hosted by comedy trio GB Labrador, James Caraan, and Nonong Ballinan; while The Eve’s Drop features cool moms Delamar Arias, Francesca Tobias, and Gelli Victor.

Boiling Waters PH is a series of talks about relationships and romance; Ask Say has Say Tioco discussing topics on love, sex, career, and more; Ang Walang Kwentang Podcast is hosted by filmmaker Antoinette Jadaone and spoken word artist Juan Miguel Severo; and WalWal Sesh features conversations on love, heartbreak, mental health, equality, sex, and more.

HEY, YOUTH! SHARE your unpublished essays with the readers of Manila Send your essay (maximum of 800 words) with Standard. Chosen essays will be published in the Young photo/s, if available, to manilastandardlife@gmail.com Life corner that comes out every Sunday. with the subject: “Young Life - (title of your essay)” This space is open for young writers, aged 13-29 years old. along with a brief description of yourself.

@manilastandardlife

@MStandardLIFE

Challenge NOT accepted:

Group warns against ‘drop your daughter challenge’ on Facebook MANY netizens are joining “challenges” on Facebook.

In the past few days, several photos of girls, mostly young ones—babies, even, have flooded our Facebook news feeds as part of what the netizens call #dropyourbeautifuldaughterchallenge.

But children’s welfare group Save the Children Philippines rings the alarm over this trend which they say may put children in danger of online sexual abuse and exploitation.

“Even if the images posted are not sexual in nature and content, there is still a risk that these can be used by online predators for untoward purposes,” emphasizes chief executive officer Alberto Muyot.

In 2017, the Office of Cybercrime of the Department of Justice received 45,645 tip-offs about sexual images of Filipino children from the US-based National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

“While we are proud of our children and would love to share beautiful pictures of them, let us be more cautious in joining online challenges that may

jeopardize their welfare,” said Muyot.

“It would also help if we increase the safety and privacy setting of our social media accounts, as well as of our children’s, and build a safe digital platform for children where they can learn, have fun and socialize with real friends, neighbors, and family during the lockdown,” he added.

Wilma Banaga, child protection advisor of Save the Children Philippines, says it is important for parents and guardians to be careful about posting images of their children online because they cannot control how those will be used by others.

Save the Children Philippines is part of the consortium implementing the SaferKidsPH program together with the Asia Foundation and the United Nations Children’s Fund.

SaferKidsPH strongly advises against sharing of personal details or sending/ posting sensitive information such as photos, phone number, credit card details, home address, and location of school to anyone met online or at any social networking sites. B. Lunas Parents are urged to think twice before posting images of their children on social media.

Who Am I?

YOUNG LIFE

By Kelsy Fay C. Elefante Eyes glued to the mirror, hammer in hand I glare at the grotesque view I don’t understand The static ringing in my ears, tumultuous and numbing An unanswered question gives out a shriek and a cry It screams and shouts “who am I?” Am I the flower in the garden, so calm and still Full of color, full of innocence, grace and will Or am I the cause of their ruinations, evil, vain The villain who torments, “thrives in their pain” ‘Til now their words are whittled on my brain “T’was a mere reflex” “T’was an honest mistake” “T’was only a foolish joke” “Thy heart too easy to break” “Thy heart is rotten to the core” “Thou art twisted, contorted, wicked” “Thou art blinded by thy foolish pride” “Thee reek of vainglorious arrogance” Am I truly the guiltless, the blameless, the righteous Am I really clean from sin, free from the suffocating guilt Or am I the devious criminal, who steals and kills Deaf to the echoing of their weak and aching trills I look at my hands, bleeding from holding on Amidst my internal crisis, I began to ponder Remembering such, is it worth it? I wonder All of this toil and drudgery, have I had enough?

Someday, this would end, I am aware Happiness and joy are waiting somewhere Eventually, the harsh winters will end In every problem, there is a gift No matter how tiny or big it is Eyes glued to the mirror, hammer away from hand I glare at the grotesque view I now understand The static ringing in my ears, muffled and weakening An unanswered question coos and whispers It curiously queries “who am I?” I am but a normal human being I am perfectly imperfect I’ll remain strong and resolute Regardless of obstacles The author is a 13-year-old grade 9 student from Miriam College.

B2

Home/Design

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2020

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

Megawide eyes growth in precast business

S

AN JUAN, Metro Manila--Engineering and infrastructure company Megawide wants to build more affordable housing, following recent certification renewal from the Accreditation of Indigenous Technologies for Housing (AITECH).

RESILIENT CEBU. Amidst slips in office space demand and supply, Metro Cebu’s office sector exhibited resiliency these past months , with offshoring and outsourcing firms dominating the metro’s leasing market transactions. In its latest leadership event, real estate consultancy firm JLL Philippines shone the spotlight on Metro Cebu’s real estate market, focusing on its office sector. Participants saw the emergence of a ‘hub-and-club model’ where occupiers will maintain a head office (club) where socializations such as client meetings and town halls will be held. Expansion through satellite offices (hubs), which may be closer to where their employees reside, was likewise anticipated. At the online discussion were JLL Philippines’ head of research Janlo de los Reyes; director of commercial leasing Antonio Sabarre; and United Health Group’s research and development general manager ZaideZafra. Currently, Participants agreed that the completion of upcoming infrastructure projects will help expand developments outside the central district and create positive impact to both the office and logistics sectors in Metro Cebu. Among these are the Metro Cebu Expressway, the CebuCordova Link Expressway, expansion of the Mactan Cebu International Airport, and the New Cebu International Container Port in Consolacion area. With all these developments, Metro Cebu “will continue to be a hotspot for organizations looking to expand their operations outside Metro Manila,” they claimed.

Striving to be globally-competitive “Megawide strives to be globally competitive by seeking engineering innovations on top of adherence to world-class building standards,” Megawide chairman Edgar. B Saavedra, told the Manila Standard. “Technologies such as precast forms the foundation of

strong relationships with our partners as we mutually deliver exceptional value to our projects.”

Megawide’s precast passed the evaluation of the AITECH committee for the manufacturing of prefabricated concrete products for use in in buildings (residential, commercial, industrial), horizontal housing units, and water retaining structures.

It meets the criteria for development of government-funded housing projects such as PAGIBIG, Saavedra claimed..

Helping reduce the backlog in affordable housing This approval cements Megawide’s position as one of the major players in the affordable housing segment, with the long-term objective of alleviating the huge backlog in the country.

Precast systems offer standardization and customization, improved design, and durable structural integrity than traditional construction methods and materials, Saavedra pointed out. Components are manufactured with provisions for fixtures and pipings to achieve cost-efficiency.

The company’s main precast facility is located in Taytay, Rizal and is considered to be one of the largest and most advanced facilities of its kind in Southeast Asia.

Expansion in precast eyed Megawideis currently expanding its precast capacity to accommodate market demands through plants located in Cebu and Batangas. Two more plants are being built in Pandi, Bulacan and Calamba, Laguna.

Sta. Lucia pushes for world-class communities

NEVER has the idea of moving outside the metro been more tempting than now. With cities reporting a record number of COVID-19 cases, the lure of the suburbs and the provinces has become stronger than ever.

“Urban living has its perks but it isn’t for everybody,” said Sta. Lu-

FILINVEST ALABANG, INC. BAGS GOLD ‘STEVIE’. Filinvest

cia Land Inc. president Exequiel Robles.

“As the population continues to increase and areas become highly dense, many are now seriously considering moving outside the metro and relocating to nearby provinces. Sta. Lucia Land has built more than 250 projects

Alabang, Inc. (FAI) recently bagged a gold Stevie award in the real estate category at the 17th annual International Business Awards (IBA).

FAI is behind mixed-use development Filinvest City in Alabang, and other residential and office developments south of Metro Manila.

The IBA is one of the world’s premier business awards program. The 2020 IBAs received entries from organizations in 63 nations and territories. “The deliberate mindfulness to be future-proof is part of our thrust to incorporate practical designs in all our projects,” said Catherine Ilagan, FAI president. “We consciously integrate features that support wellness and sustainability.” This year, amid the global pandemic, FAI forged a partnership with global enterprise Mitsubishi Corporation for a P15-billion joint venture for world-class office towers to be developed in the heart of the 244-hectare Filinvest township.

across the country that includes golf courses and country clubs, lake residences, resort-themed developments, condominiums, farm lots, hotels and house and lot projects.

In Batangas, Sta. Lucia has Catalina Lake Residences Bauan, a Spanish-Mediterranean themed lakeside community that features open spaces, a lake and lush greenery.

In Cavite, the Saddle & Clubs Leisure Park is all about communing with nature while still having access to some of life’s luxuries.

“The ongoing pandemic has not only allowed us to realize the value of having your own safe space,” said Robles. “It has also encouraged us to expand into other areas where we could put up new projects that would offer the essentials of the new normal.”

MAKING THE SMART MOVE.

KEEPING CONDOS IN MINT SHAPE. Owning a condominium property in the Philippines is one the better investments for those looking to grow their passive income. But it can be a challenge to manage it if the owner is overseas, or too busy to handle all the legwork personally. Enter Century Properties Group which established Sigloto extend after-sales service Century by helping them lease out their units, handle day-to-day maintenance, and give the proper advice on what needs to be done to keep their units in excellent condition. Siglo Suites also acts as a partner of unit owners by offering effective marketing strategies for short-term, medium-term and long-term serviced stays for them. Siglo Suites currently handles over 1,500 units in Makati City (The Milano Residences, The Gramercy Residences, The Knightsbridge Residences); Mandaluyong City (Acqua Private Residences); Paranaque City (Azure Urban Resort Residences); and Quezon City (The Residences at Commonwealth).

While the pandemic brought significant shifts in consumers’real estate purchasing preferences, it has also underlined the edge of owning a townhome in Metro Manila. TransPhil Real Estate has been providing such abodes since 1975, and as reflected in The Bedford, their newest development in Mandaluyong City, the firm shows no signs of stopping. “A price point like P22,000,000-23,000,000 can only get you a studio-type condo unit in the CBD or at most, a 1 bedroomunit with limited kitchen, dining, and living areas,” explained Ramon Garcia III, TransPhil Real Estate president. “But with The Bedford, you get a 3 to 4-story townhome complete with customizable rooms, and bathrooms.” TransPhil Real Estate is a developer of boutique townhome communities in emerging neighborhoods all over Metro Manila.

They have built over 110 projects and 1,000 units for more than 1,500 families in the past 45 years.

Entertainment

By Nickie Wang

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2020

B3

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

Unscripted Gabbi Garcia

Y

OUNG actress Gabbi Garcia recently unboxed her Gold Play Button from YouTube, an award content creators get after gaining over one million subscribers on the videosharing platform.

The 21-year-old singer-actress started her channel in 2017. With the help of her boyfriend Khalil Ramos, Gabbi produces a variety of content ranging from her daily routine to fashion, to song covers and house tours.

“This channel helps me a lot especially this quarantine. I’m able to communicate with my fans, it keeps me busy, and sane at the same time, because the channel serves as my outlet. And the viewers seem to love the unscripted side of me, which they see in the videos that I upload on the channel,” Gabbi shared with Manila Standard Entertainment during an online interview.

With collaboration between celebrities and content creators becoming a fad these days, the actress lists top YouTuber Mimiyuuuh as one of the digital personalities that she wants to work with.

“Super fan ako ni Mimiyuuuh.

Pasok sa akin lahat ng jokes niya, and I’d like to have a collab with Erwan Heussaff because I have a big crush on him,” Gabbi gushed and jested that Anne Curtis’ husband would have to cook for her if they were to work on a YouTube content.

She also includes couple Slater Young and Kryz Uy on her list mainly for their impressive “skypod” since she is a big

Alden Richards hosts a special documentary that shows how food production and consumption are disrupted and transformed by this challenging time.

‘Lockdown: Food Diaries’ with Alden Richards

Singer and actress Gabbi Garcia attracts more subscribers on the popular video sharing site for her unscripted content.

fan of condo and house tour videos.

Meanwhile, Gabbi and the cast of All-Out Sundays return to the studio with exciting new segments and all-out performances beginning today.

After several months of taping AllOut Sundays: The Stay Home Party

The Kapuso star, with boyfriend Khalil Ramos, shows off her Gold Play Button award from YouTube.

remotely from their homes, Kapuso viewers’ favorite Sunday barkada is more than ready to extend the fun and excitement as they head back to the studio for the first time since quarantine.

“We are so excited to work in the studio but of course we are observing antiCOVID-19 protocols alongside other precautionary measures,” Gabbi shares.

For their opening number Gabbi will be part of an explosive prod featuring performances from Alden Richards, Miguel Tanfelix, Kyline Alcantara, Ruru Madrid, Derrick Monasterio, and Mark Bautista, followed by heartstopping production numbers from The Clash graduates - Jeremiah Tiangco, Thea Astley, Garrett Bolden, XOXO, and Golden Cañedo, the Clash Masters Julie Anne San Jose and Rayver Cruz, the Clash Journey Hosts Ken Chan and Rita Daniela, and the Clash Judges - Aiai delas Alas, Christian Bautista and Lani Misalucha.

Meanwhile, an exciting brand-new game called ”Pasa Mode” where two celebrity teams – Rayver Cruz and Kyline Alcantara versus Bianca Umali and Ruru Madrid – compete on a series of fun relay games with their Ka-Taong Bahay Home Partners - Ysabel Ortega and Ashley Ortega, respectively.

And finally, the All-Out Stage welcomes the trio Budakhel - Bugoy Drilon, Daryl Ong and Michael Pangilinan as they showcase their vocal prowess and belt out the best of Boyz II Men songs.

All-Out Sundays simulcasts on TV and online, at 12:00 noon.

Rising act iDolls drops new music THE talented trio and Idol Philippines alums Lucas Garcia, Matty Juniosa, and Enzo Almario, collectively known as iDolls, are treating fans with their respective new singles all under Star POP. Lucas is offering his own powerful and emotive take to the 2018 Himig Handog 5th Best Song “Tinatapos Ko Na,” originally interpreted by Jona.

The fresh version was arranged by Iean Inigo and transports listeners to the sad yet hopeful journey of a person going through a failing relationship.

Matty, meanwhile, explores the bliss of young and expressive love in the original song “Sayaw ng mga Tala,” written by Danielle Balagtas and produced by Star POP head Rox Santos.

The track tells the heartwarming tale of a person who has been devotedly in love with a special someone for so long, until it blooms into forever.

Finally, Enzo puts his own spin on the 2017 Himig Handog 3rd Best Song “Extensyon,” initially interpreted by Inigo Pascual featuring its composer Aikee. The song touches on the tensions surrounding ex-lovers, especially when they come across

‘Idol Philippines’ finalists Lucas Garcia, Matty Juniosa, and Enzo Almario, otherwise known as iDolls, release their individual singles under Star Pop.

each other again. Enzo’s version was arranged by Theo Martel.

Lucas, Matty, and Enzo all joined the launching season of Idol Philippines in 2019. Lucas was proclaimed as the runner-up, Matty finished in the top 12 while Enzo reached the top 20. They

have been releasing covers of songs like “Dalaga,” “Hanggang Dito na Lang,” and “Mabagal” as the group iDolls since the competition’s conclusion.

The group’s individual singles are now available on various digital streaming services.

TODAY, GMA News and Public Affairs presents Lockdown: Food Diaries, a special documentary hosted by actor and Department of Health’s AntiCOVID19 awareness campaign ambassador Alden Richards that presents how COVID-19 changed the landscape of the food industry.

The special docu shows how food production and consumption are disrupted and transformed by this challenging time. Special focus is made as well to show the situation of food producers as they carry and transfer products; the establishments that survived and thrived during this time; and the consumers who have altered the way they shop after resorting into online order or home deliveries.

The documentary also features stories of people who were laid off but found new hope and have now become food entrepreneurs as well as celebrities who have launched their own food business during quarantine.

Most importantly, Lockdown: Food Diaries offers a glimpse into the lives of various workers in the food sector and highlights their courage and determination as they put their safety on the line just to keep the supply chain running.

Based on the preliminary numbers from the Department of Labor and Employment as of August, close to 10,000 businesses have closed across all industries, displacing a total of 180,000 workers. The food services top the list with close to 2,000 establishments ceasing operations and affecting almost 20,000 workers. In terms of losses, restaurants were also hit the hardest after suffering the sharpest dip according to reports.

To those who survived, food businesses have been forced to adapt to the “new normal” to remain afloat, mainly shifting to deliveries and take out schemes. Meanwhile, ordinary consumers have changed the way they access, prepare, and eat their food.

Lockdown: Food Diaries airs this afternoon at 3:45 on GMA.

Hardcourt’s Chinito heartthrob Kenneth is more than just a campus crush, he is also an ace player, playmaker, and shooter of his team.

By Paolo Manuel C. Fule WHEN John Kenneth Zamora sidesteps from way beyond the arc and hits that lethal dagger three, the crowd goes wild. And the pandemonium doesn’t end there, the throng of young girls who wanted to take a photo op with him piles up in the athlete’s entrance.

From his Arellano University Braves days and being the number one 3-point shooter in the 2014 NCAA Juniors tournament, Kenneth, born on Dec. 6, 1997, has fully grown and taken his talents to the UST Growling Tigers for the UAAP. The 5-foot-11 cager played for the team in the Filoil Flying V pre-season tournament and UAAP season 81.

In his last four games for his NCAA season 90, he averaged 10.5 points per game including four triples in their game against San Beda Red Cubs. After the NCAA 90th season, he is the no. 1 junior athlete with the most number of three points made in the league with 68. After his first six games in last year’s NCAA, he averaged 13.16 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 2 assists per game.

In the UAAP, the young cager looks up to RR Garcia (when he was still

with the FEU Tamaraws), while in the PBA, he idolizes Peter Jun ‘The Scoring Apostle’ Simon because of his high basketball IQ. In the NBA, he likes the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors. He looks up to fourtime league MVP Lebron James for his remarkable talent as an allaround player.

Asked about his goal for this year and the preparations he is doing at the moment, Kenneth said, “I will do my best for me to win in every competition I’m in. Thank you for those who supported me in my endeavors.”

B4

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2020

Desiree Carlos, Editor

Pets

daycarlos28@yahoo.com

PET TALES

BY DESIREE CARLOS

W

E USED to give a bone to Summer, our kids’ first dog, when she was still a puppy.

Sage was caught by the pound catcher in 2015 and was kept in a small cage with very little food and water in the illness-ridden Cainta pound.

Sage is a very big dog who probably felt so cramped in that small, rusty cage where around 87 other dogs were barking and howling for food. He was severely emaciated, and sick with erlichia and distemper, when Save ALL Inc.- Save Animals of Love and Light rescued him, had him treated, and brought him to a foster home.

Today, Sage is no longer skin and bones. He also smiles a lot and runs like a greyhound in the garden.

But sometimes, just a few times, we would see him dig, and then bury an imaginary item. The imprint of hunger and not feeling safe still surfaces to this day. To reassure him, we tell him we love him everyday.

When he digs and buries a imaginary item, we redirect his attention to a ball, or to hugging to assure him all is well and he is safe now.

Who would have thought this tiny shih tzu pup would “bury” the bone under the Christmas tree? We all thought only big dogs like Scooby Doo will bury a bone, right?

But we found lots of items hidden under that Christmas tree: toys, denta sticks and other treats, and yes, even Doraemon, her favorite stuffy toy.

So why do dogs bury bones?

There are at least four reasons, said Tabitha Kucera RVT in “Why Dogs Bury Bones and Other Objects” in thesprucepets.com.

“Many dogs like to hide things in safe places and often dogs are predisposed to bury items that belong to them, and sometimes items that do not,” said Kucera.

Instinct

The dog may have inherited the strong survival instinct of a line of ancestors of wild dogs and the gray wolf.

“Food was not always the easiest to come by and to make the most of the food they had, these wild dogs would often bury the excess in the ground near their dens. The soil acts as a natural refrigerator by keeping the meal away from direct sunlight and the temperature of the earth decreases with the depth of the hole, keeping food fresher longer, so the animal can retrieve it later when nourishment is scarce,“ Kucera explained.

Some dogs may bury all items they consider as very important due to their natural instinct to keep these items safe and protected.

Of dogs and bones

Breed

There are breeds that are predisposed to digging and burying.

Kucera identified some of these breeds: Terriers, Dachshunds, Beagles Basset Hounds and Miniature Schnauzers.

The Carin Terriers, for example, were originally bred to hunt small game, and they have excellent digging skills.

“Since these breeds are bred spe-

cifically to dig, they may also have a the instinct to dig. Not all dogs though heightened desire to save their resourc- will dig all the time and bury stuff. es, and therefore are more likely to bury Boredom bones. This is a normal behavior for Dogs get bored too and may seek your them,”Kucera said.

But regardless of breed, all dogs have attention.

“Dogs need stimulation and outlets for their energy every day and when humans do not provide it for them, they will find their own ways to occupy themselves. An example may be the fun game of stealing a tv remote and burying it to get your attention (an attention seeking behavior) and to add some variety to their routines,” Kucera said.

Anxiety

Jasper loves to play ball, and hides denta sticks under the plants.

Anxious dogs may find burying things a very calming thing to do.

“Stress and anxiety can play a part in this behavior as well. Some dogs that are feeling anxious may bury items to calm themselves since digging is a selfsoothing behavior,” Kucera said.

“If a dog does not feel safe at the moment or in the area they are fed in, they may bury their food to eat in a more comfortable place or time,” Kucera added.

Burying items is observed in multidog households, or among dogs who grew up in a place with scarce resources like in a puppy mill.

The dog may stop digging and burying if he already feels safe, and knows he will get fed on a consistent schedule.

If the behavior continues despite a regular feeding schedule and a safe place, ask for advice from your vet or a dog behavior expert.

How to Stop Burying

Provide your dog scheduled walks, play time, positive training techniques, and other appropriate outlets for a dog’s energy to lessen if not eradicate the behavior.

Give your dog his fun toys to keep him busy when you are away. Puzzle toys work wonders to stimulate the mind and keep the dog busy.

Rotate the toys so the dog doesn’t get bored.

“You can also convert the whole act of burying into a fun indoor game that you play a few times during the week with your dog. This is recommended because it's your dog's natural instinct to bury, so you are providing appropriate opportunities for your dog to bury what you ask him to (rather than your tv remote controller). This game will enrich your dog with a new learning of what is okay to hide and what is not,” Kucera said.

If your dog is bored, you can call your dog’s name to get their attention in an upbeat tone, then redirect your dog to an “appropriate” digging area, or a game he likes.

“Lastly, limit your dog’s access to their toys so that they become interested in the toys that you leave out for them.

By limiting the quantity and providing variety, you may lessen your dog’s urge to take their treasures out into the yard and bury them,” Kucera said.

Basic needs of pets By the Pet Food Institute AS THE country adopts a new normal, pet owners nationwide are looking for ways on how they ensure their pet’s health and well-being amidst social distancing. Filipino pet owners must remember that an important way to ensure their pets’ health during this time is by providing cat or dog with a balanced pet food diet that meets their nutritional requirements.

Nutritional Needs

A balanced diet is an important part of pet well-being. A commercial dog or cat food will contain the nutrients that pets need to maintain body systems, support their immune system and provide energy.

A commercial pet food labeled as “Complete and Balanced” will have the vitamins and minerals, as well as appropriate amounts of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates, that are the foundation to the pet’s overall well-being.

For example, cats require a number of a vitamins and minerals in their di-

ets to help support their vision, healthy bones, and muscle development. These nutrients must be included in their diet.

Proteins and fat provide important energy to help a pet maintain their muscles and organs and support a healthy coat.

Carbohydrates can help provide quick energy, for example helping to provide energy during walks with a dog or playing with a cat.

If a person feeds their dog or cat tablescraps, their pet may not receive this important nutrition that helps maintain their health. In addition, certain human foods can even be dangerous to pets, causing stomach upset or even be lethal.

To know more about a pet’s nutritional requirements, it is best to consult their local veterinarians.

Water

Pet owners should also remember the importance of water in their pet’s nutrition. Water carries and move important nutrients like proteins throughout the body. It also helps lubricate and cushion joints to make movement easier for dogs and cats.

Owners must never forget to fill their pets’ bowls with water to cool them down and maintain a normal body temperature as the temperature rises this summer season.

Pet owners also have the responsibility to ensure that their pets receive clean drinking water hence pet bowls must be regularly cleaned and made accessible to their pets any time of the day.

About Pet Food Institute (PFI): PFI is committed to educating pet owners about responsible pet ownership to keep pets healthy and happy. Through its local initiative, Well-Fed, Well-Nurtured campaign in partnership with the Veterinary Practitioners Association of the Philippines (VPAP), PFI seeks to advocate responsible pet ownership to the ever-growing Filipino pet community.

Since 1958, the Pet Food Institute has been the voice of the U.S. pet food industry. PFI is the industry's representative before Congress and state legislatures, as well as state and federal agencies; public education and media relations resource; organizer of seminars and educational programs; and liaison with other organizations.

Owners must provide the basic needs of cats and so that they will remain healthy and to prevent a costly trip to the veterinary clinic. These basic needs are a wellbalanced diet for the right amount of protein, vitamins and minerals, and water.

Exercise (walks or a roaming area), socialization, and a clean environment are provide for the rescued cats of Save ALL Inc (in the photo) aside from quality cat food (both dry and canned/wet food) and multivitamins.