Manila Standard - 2021 February 28 - Sunday

VOL. XXXV • NO. 18 • 2 SECTIONS 8 PAGES • P18 • SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2021 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Local tourists frolick at the Promenade des Dasmariñas in Cavite which reopened to the public on Feb. 27, 2021 after being closed for almost a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The leisure park was decorated with artificial flowers illuminated with LED lights. JR Josue

NCR, 9 others still under GCQ

• No need for swab test, quarantine for travel • Surge in MM cases seen

By Vito Barcelo

M

ETRO Manila, along with nine other areas, will remain under General Community Quarantine in March even as the government is poised to start mass inoculation next week with the arrival of 600,000 doses of Sinovac vaccine from China, presidential spokesman Harry Roque said on Saturday.

President Rodrigo Duterte approved the recommendation of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases to place Metro Manila, Apayao, Baguio City, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Batangas, Tacloban City, Iligan City, Davao City and Lanao del Sur under GCQ until March 31.

The rest of the country will be under modified GCQ, the most relaxed form of community quarantine, Roque said.

The IATF also approved uniform travel protocols for all local government units that removes the mandatory swab test and

quarantine.

Roque said under IATF Resolution No. 101, the swab test and quarantine requirements will only be enforced if a traveler shows symptoms of COVID-19.

“Health assessment of passengers, supervised by medical doctors, shall be mandatory upon entry in the port/terminal and exit at point of destination,” he said.

“When it comes to documentary requirements, the travel authority issued by the Joint Task Force COVID-19 Shield, as well as health certificates, is no longer required,” Roque added.

In Metro Manila, all buses bound for provinces shall be required to use the Integrated Terminal Exchange as the central hub for transportation. No bus company or public transport shall be allowed use private terminals.

The OCTA Research group, however, said the on Saturday said the uniform travel protocols was “concerning” as some areas are still struggling to contain the COVID-19 spread.

“That is a bit concerning because some areas are doing well and some areas are not doing well,” said Dr. Guido David.

“We have to be careful about border controls because most of the time, the reason why a second wave or another increase happens is because border controls are lax.”

“Traveling is not bad, but we should be strict with out controls so we do not spread the virus across the Philippines,” he added.

The OCTA team also warned Metro Manila could post 2,500 cases daily or even more before the end of March if the spread of the virus is not curbed.

OCTA Research projected that Metro Manila could see 2,500 or more daily COVID-19 cases if the spread of the novel coronavirus was not curbed in the region.

“You can no longer attribute (the increases) to the Christmas holiday or Valentine’s or Chinese New Year or any holiday. This (increase) is a bit sustained,” David said.

“This is actually very concerning. For the past two days we’ve been getting 900 cases per day in Metro Manila. The last time we were getting 900 cases per day in Metro Manila was in October. Based on our projections a week or two ago, it could mean we will have 2,500 more cases in Metro Manila before the end of March.”

David said there was a possibility that a variant of COVID-19 was spreading in NCR. “The weight of spread was too fast. In fact it is faster than the weight of spread in July last year,” he said.

The country recorded 2,921 new COVID cases yesterday, with active infections increasing to 37,093.

PH gets 1.1m initial doses from Sinovac, AstraZeneca

By Joel E. Zurbano and Maricel V. Cruz THE Philippines will receive more than half a million doses of AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine on Monday, a day after the first batch of 600,000 Sinovac jabs arrives today (Sunday), presidential spokesman Harry Roque said.

Roque said this brings the total number of doses for the initial rollout of the mass vaccination program at over 1.1 million.

Monday’s shipment consists of 525,600 doses of the British-Swedish drugmaker’s vaccine, sourced from the World Health Organization-led Covax Facility.

The Philippines is set to receive on Monday its first doses of British-Swedish drugmaker’s AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine developed with the University of Oxford, Malacañang confirmed to Philstar.com.

The shipment consists of 525,600 doses of AstraZeneca’s shots, which are sourced from the World Health Organization-led COVAX facility.

AstraZeneca’s vaccine is, on the average, 70 percent effective.

As this developed, frontline health care workers will not lose their COVID-19 vaccination priority slots even if they would refuse to get inoculated with the Chinese-based Sinovac Biotech’s vaccines, Roque said.

He said medical frontliners had the privilege to choose the vaccine they want.

“The new protocol is health care workers who do not want Sinovac can refuse to be vaccinated, and they will not lose their priority status when the vaccine they prefer arrive in the country,” Roque said.

Roque, however, clarified that the new rule would only apply to health care workers.

“That’s just for health care workers. So

TIGER WOODS IN GOOD SPIRITS POST SURGERY

the rest must accept whatever vaccine is available. If they do not like it, they will not be forced to have it,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority is considering using a lane designated for bus along Epifanio de los Santos Avenue in transporting the Sinovac vaccines to the Health department’s medical facility in Marikina City and the Veteran’s Memorial Medical Center in Quezon City.

The six 40-foot container van shipments of vaccines are scheduled to arrive today at the Villamor Air base in Pasay City.

“We can use the bus carousel and if not, the one next to the bus carousel,” said MMDA chairman Benhur Abalos said.

Abalos said personnel from the National Capital Region Police Office and MMDA traffic constables were ready to assist in the security and managing traffic in the area.

He added towing and emergency vehi-

LADY GAGA’S DOGS SAFELY RETURNED

Tiger Woods is recovering and in “good spirits” after a second day of treatment at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center following his horrific rollover solo car smash that left him with serious leg injuries.

Lady Gaga’s two French bulldogs which were stolen at gunpoint in Hollywood have been safely returned, Los Angeles police said on Friday.

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WIN METAWIN Thai heartthrob Metawin Opasiamkajorn, otherwise known as Win Metawin, first surprised us with his excellence in acting as the ‘chic’ and ‘handsome’ Tine Teepakorn in 2gether The Series.

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cles would be on standby.

For his part, Speaker Lord Allan Velasco lauded President Duterte’s signing of the COVID-19 vaccination program act.

“This landmark legislation was designed to fast-track the procurement and administration of the life-saving vaccine against the deadly coronavirus to a greater number of Filipinos,” Velasco added.

Local government units in Metro Manila have started the pre-registration and screening process for residents willing to be vaccinated in their respective cities.

“The Parañaque City Government headed by Mayor Edwin Olivarez, thru the City Health Office, is pleased to announce that the COVID-19 vaccine pre-registration is now ongoing,” the city’s public information office stated in its advisory.

In Makati, city officials urged residents to log on line and register at SinoVac.SafeMakati.com for official screening and registration.

manilastandard.net

COVID-19 PH AT A GLANCE

(AS OF 4 PM FEB. 27)

574,247 TOTAL NUMBER OF CASES

2,921 37,093 NEW

ACTIVE

12,289

42

524,865

293

DEATHS

RECOVERIES

NEW

NEW

NBI forms team to probe PNP, PDEA shootout THE National Bureau of Investigation has formed a team to probe Wednesday’s shootout between members of the Philippine National Police and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in Quezon City that left at least four dead.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said the team will led by NBI deputy director Antonio Pagatpat.

The probe team will consist of agents from the bureau’s investigation, intelligence, and forensic divisions.

President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday night met with PNP chief Gen. Debold Sinas and PDEA DirectorGeneral Wilkins Villanueva to reiterate his order that the NBI will be the sole agency to look into the shootout.

“The President personally told PDEA chief Villanueva and PNP chief Sinas to discontinue their joint investigation of the shootout incident,” Guevarra said.

“I requested that both the PDEA and the PNP be directed to extend their full cooperation to the NBI,” he added.

Heeding the President’s directive, the House Committee on Dangerous Drugs will temporarily suspend its probe of the bloody shootout, its chairman Surigao del Norte 2nd District Rep. Robert Ace Barbers said.

In a text message to reporters, Barbers said the temporary suspension was done “as a courtesy to and in order not to hinder the ongoing investigation” by the NBI.

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WHO tells UN: Action, not talk, on vax supply

DAZZLING.

Birds are seen at Diokno Boulevard in Pasay City over the weekend, with Manila Bay’s breathtaking sunset as backdrop.

Food delivery apps told to honor senior discounts

By Maricel V. Cruz A PARTY-LIST lawmaker on Saturday chided food delivery service providers for not complying with the law that grants a 20-percent discount to senior citizens.

House Deputy Speaker and Bagong Henerasyon Rep. Bernadette Herrera said her office has been receiving a number of complaints from senior citizens who could not avail of the 20 percent discount mandated by law for food deliveries through online apps.

“We are all aware that senior citizens face increased risk for developing more serious complications from COVID-19. Therefore, it is important that we ensure they are able to stay at home but still have access to important services and commodities,” Herrera said.

She pointed out that under Republic Act No. 9944 or the “Expanded Seniors Citizen Act of 2010,” any resident citizen of the Philippines at least 60 years old is entitled to a 20-percent discount and is exempted from value-added tax on applicable goods and services for their exclusive use.

Herrera said food delivery service providers should incorporate the appropriate discounts into an account holder’s profile to allow senior citizens to avail of their benefits.

“The money saved by our seniors from their discounted food orders can be used to purchase their other needs like medicines and other food supplies,” Herrera said.

According government data, around 8.2 million of the country’s 109 million people are in the 60 and above age group.

New law creates trust fund for coco farmers

By Vito Barcelo

P

RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has signed into law a bill creating a trust fund for the country’s coconut farmers.

Duterte signed on February 26 Republic Act 11524 or the Coconut Farmer and Industry Act, which mandates the maintenance of the Trust Fund for 50 years under the Coconut Farmers in Industry Development Plan that will be formulated.

Under the law, the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan will be crafted by the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) and approved by the President.

“It is hereby declared the policy of the State to consolidate the benefits due to coconut farmers, especially the poor and marginalized, under various statutes and

to expedite the delivery thereof to attain increased incomes for coconut farmers, alleviate poverty, and achieve social equality,” the new law read.

The new law also reconstitutes and strengthens the PCA, an independent state corporation created under Presidential Decree 1468, to ensure the participation of coconut farmers in the crafting and implementation of the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan.

Under Republic Act 11524, the government will dispose of P75-billion worth of coco levy assets in the next five years to establish a trust fund for the benefit of

the coconut farmers and development of the industry. The new law, also known as the “Coconut Farmers and Industry Trust Fund Act,” is expected to benefit coconut farmers who own not more than five hectares of coconut farm.

The coconut levy funds refer to the funds generated from the taxes imposed on coconut products and collected from coconut farmers, millers, refiners, exporters, and other end-users decades ago.

The new law mandates the Bureau of Treasury to transfer P10 billion to the trust fund in the first year, P10 billion in the second year, P15 billion in the third year, P15 billion in the fourth year and P25 billion in the fifth year.

“All Coconut Levy Assets in the name of the Philippine Government shall be sold within the period of five years after the effectivity of this Act,” the law read.

Belmonte seeks contingency plan for emergencies

SAFETY MEASURE.

Members of the local disaster risk response office disinfect a courtroom in Mandaluyong City.

By Maricel V. Cruz

Drug suspect arrested in Makati buy-bust

By Joel E. Zurbano AUTHORITIES arrested a suspected drug dealer in Makati City Friday night as part of the police crackdown on drug trafficking and other criminal activities in south Metro Manila.

Police also seized shabu worth P136,000 from suspect Michael Tumaliuan, 23, a resident of Block 157 Lot 23, Magnolia Street, Barangay Rizal.

Makati City police commander Harold Depositar said his men conducted a buybust operation along Catleya Street in Barangay Rizal around 8:38 p.m.

He said one of the police operatives act-

ed as buyer and was able to purchase one plastic sachet of shabu worth P500 from Tumaliuan, resulting in his arrest.

Also recovered from suspect’s possession were four other plastic sachets containing 20 grams of shabu, a black coin pouch, and the buy-bust money used in the police operation.

“The recovered piecess of evidence were turned over to the Southern Police District - Crime Laboratory for analysis while the case was referred to Station investigation and Detective Management Section for proper disposition,” said Depositar.

The suspect is now detained at the

Makati City police detention facility and will be charged with violation of Section 5, 11 and 26 of Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002).

SPD director Brig. Gen. Eliseo Cruz commended Depositar and his men for the accomplishment. He said the SPD would be more aggressive and relentless in its Anti-Illegal Drug campaign.

Cruz had also ordered his men to fully enforce the PNP’s anti-crime campaign dubbed as SACLEO, or the simultaneous anti-criminality and law enforcement operations, aimed to ensure peace and order in the community.

Villar lauds Bataan agriculture initiatives SENATOR Cynthia Villar acknowledged the initiatives of Bataan local leaders led

by Dinalupihan Mayor Gila Garcia and Governor Abet Garcia for launching their pilot project “Sampung Magsasaka, Sampung Ektarya Tungo sa Masaganang Ani at Mataas na Kita.”

In a video message, Villar lauded the two local officials for turning Dinalupihan into a community focused on agriculture food production.

This project intends to benefit directly their farmers and indirectly the rest of the population of Bataan as well as to establish food security, Villar’s office said in a statement.

Villar, chairperson of the Senate Committee on agriculture and food, also expressed her appreciation to Agrilever Israel

for sharing their technology to the province.

“We can adopt the best practices of others and we calibrate them for our own requirements or circumstances.,” Villar said in the statement.

The senator emphasized this was the winning strategy of many leaders and businesses, “so we can do the same in developing our own agriculture.”

“We all have the natural resources, we just have to utilize them to fulfill our people’s needs and aspirations,” she said in the statement.

Villar also took pride for partially influencing the Bataan mayor in coming up with this project, which was part of their study tour in Israel together with some governors and local government officials.

Macon Ramos-Araneta

THE World Health Organization has urged the UN Security Council to back up its call for increased vaccine supply to poorer nations with concrete action to ensure production gets ramped up.

The Security Council gave unanimous approval Friday to a resolution calling for improved access to Covid-19 vaccines in conflict-hit or impoverished countries.

But Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, head of the World Health Organization, said that while their vote was all well and good, they ought to address “the elephant in the room” stymying the availability of doses for poorer nations.

“I hope we will take the right choices and in addition to the voting, we take concrete action,” Tedros told a press conference in Geneva.

He called for countries to agree to waive the intellectual property (IP) rights on vaccines so many more manufacturers can start rolling doses off their production lines.

The idea is fiercely opposed by many richer countries and the pharmaceutical industry.

“I’m glad the UN Security Council has voted in favor of vaccine equity,” said Tedros.

“At the same time, if we’re going to take practical solutions, then waiver of IP should be taken seriously. And the UN Security Council can do it -- if there is political will.”

He said the problem with vaccine sharing could be addressed effectively if production was increased, but to do that, the barriers blocking the way could not simply be ignored.

Tedros suggested technology transfers, voluntary licensing for outsourced production, and the temporary lifting of IP rights as possible solutions.

However, when the notion of IP waivers is raised, “We see lack of cooperation and even serious resistance. To be honest, I can’t understand this, because this pandemic is unprecedented. The virus has taken the whole world hostage. But there are people who don’t even want to discuss this issue.”

“If we cannot apply provisions for a difficult time like now, during unprecedented conditions, then when? This is serious.”

The World Trade Organization is due to discuss the idea of lifting IP rights at its general council meeting on Monday and Tuesday. AFP

Taguig Rep. Alan Cayetano talks to Virginia Demerin, a 65-year-old diabetic and one of the beneficiaries of the P10,000 grant from the Bangon Pamilyang Pilipino program spearheaded by the lawmaker. Cayetano led the turnover of donations to barangay health workers at the San Francisco High School in Quezon City. Norman Cruz

QUEZON City Mayor Joy Belmonte has pushed for the immediate passage of an ordinance that would institutionalize a contingency plan during emergencies to limit possible damage to property and minimize, if not eliminate, threats to the lives and safety of civilians.

Belmonte’s proposal followed the meeting on Friday of top city officials, and representatives of concerned government agencies and affected business establishments in response to the Wednesday shootout.

Belmonte stressed the need to safeguard the welfare of the public during armed encounters, fires, earthquakes and other emergencies.

“We have been conducting fire and earthquake drills regularly, but the event on Wednesday night called for a more coordinated, detailed crisis management approach in dealing with other incidents causing public disturbance and threat to public safety,” Belmonte said.

Belmonte stressed the need for law enforcement agencies like the Philippine National Police and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency to inform the city government of its operations and have an indemnification fund for innocent victims of such operations. These should be contained in the envisioned ordinance.

“Who will compensate the Grab drivers and employees trapped in the establishments? How about the damaged vehicles in the area? Economic losses and other damages brought about by operations such as what transpired last Wednesday should not be swept under the rug.

“While we understand the nature of such operations could lead to collateral damage, still we should not let unwitting businesses and civilians suffer in the end,” Belmonte added.

According to her, part of the plan must include helping regain the confidence of the public in the area affected by an event, especially when it transpired in a commercial or populated area.

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Haiti prison breakout leaves 25 dead, 200 on the run PORT-AU-PRINCE—More than 200 prisoners were on the run in Haiti on Friday, a day after they escaped from jail in a violent breakout that left 25 people dead including the prison director, officials said.

About 400 inmates fled on Thursday, with AFP photographs showing at least three dead bodies lying outside the prison and some captured prisoners under armed guard in the back of a truck.

“Twenty-five people died including six prisoners and Divisional Inspector Paul Hector Joseph who was in charge of the prison,” Secretary of Communication Frantz Exantus said of the mass escape from the jail in the suburbs of capital Port-au-Prince.

“Among those killed were some ordinary citizens who were killed by the prisoners during their escape.”

About 200 prisoners were still at large, but “the police are working hard to get them back. Some are in handcuffs, they will not be able to go far,” Exantus said.

One of the prisoners who died was gang leader Arnel Joseph, who was gunned down on Friday at a police check 120 kilometers north of the prison.

“Arnel Joseph was killed while attacking a police patrol which had stopped the motorcycle he was on. The police responded and Arnel Joseph is dead,” Exantus said.

Joseph, allegedly head of one of Haiti’s main criminal networks, was arrested in 2019 and had tried to escape from the prison last July after advertising his plan in a social media video a few days before the attempt.

While serving a sentence for murder, Joseph had already escaped twice from another prison, in Port-au-Prince, in 2010 and 2017.

Inaugurated in 2012, the high-security Croix-des-Bouquets prison was built with funding from Canada and has a maximum capacity of 872 inmates, although nearly double that number were incarcerated there before the escape. AFP

Biden, Mexican leader to meet in 2nd summit WASHINGTON—US President Joe Biden will attend his second “virtual” summit with a foreign leader early next week when he meets his Mexican counterpart Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador.

“On Monday, March 1, President Joe Biden will meet with President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador,” White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said in a statement Friday.

She added that the “virtual event” would touch on cooperation on migration, joint development efforts in Southern Mexico and Central America, COVID-19 recovery and economic cooperation.

The Mexican president’s office for its part said the two leaders “will talk about the shared vision and objectives,” including “cooperation mechanisms to address the structural causes of migration in northern Central America and southern Mexico.”

Migration has become a central issue in the relationship between Mexico and the United States, which share a 3,200-kilometer border.

Under Biden’s predecessor, Republican Donald Trump, Mexico agreed – under the threat of tariffs being imposed – to keep thousands of people who applied for asylum in the United States on its own territory while their cases were processed.

Biden’s first virtual meeting with another leader took place on Tuesday when he spoke with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Biden reaffirmed the close US ties with Canada, which had been strained under Trump, while Trudeau called the friendship between the neighbors “extraordinary.” AFP

FIRST JAB. Medical workers wait to receive the first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 coronavirus vaccine at a vaccination center in Seoul on Feb. 27, 2021. AFP

$1.9t COVID plan clears US House, heads to Senate T HE US House passed an enormous, $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package early Saturday, hailed

by Democrats as a critical step in funneling new funding toward vaccinations, overburdened local governments, and millions of families devastated by the pandemic.

Four days after the COVID-19 death toll surpassed 500,000 in the United States, the sprawling measure backed

by President Joe Biden and seen as a moral imperative by many now heads to the Senate for consideration next week.

“After 12 months of death and despair, the American recovery begins tonight,” congressman Brendan Boyle

told the House chamber shortly before lawmakers approved the package on an rare post-midnight vote of 219 to 212.

No Republican voted for the bill.

The sharply partisan result comes weeks after Biden’s January 20 inauguration, when he called for unity in the face of a once-in-a-century health crisis.

The package cleared the House despite

a major setback for Democrats, when a key Senate official ruled Thursday that the final version of the bill cannot include a minimum wage hike.

Biden had campaigned extensively on raising the national minimum wage to $15 an hour, from a rate of $7.25 that has stood since 2009.

He aimed to include it in the rescue plan, which directly provides $1,400 checks to most Americans and allots billions of dollars to boost vaccine delivery, help schools re-open and fund state and local governments.

It extends unemployment benefits, set to expire mid-March, by about six months, as well as a moratorium on evictions for millions of people struggling to pay rent. AFP

PICTURESQUE.

This picture shows a fisherman in his boat during sunset by the port of Basra, also known as alMaqal port, in Iraq’s southern city of Basra overlooking the Shatt al-Arab river. AFP

Tiger Woods in ‘good spirits’ after leg surgery LOS ANGELES—Tiger Woods is recovering and in “good spirits” after a second day of treatment at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center following his horrific rollover solo car smash that left him with serious leg injuries.

The golf superstar was transferred to Cedars-Sinai on Wednesday night after undergoing emergency surgery the day before at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center to repair compound fractures sustained in each leg in addition to a shattered ankle.“Tiger and his

Tiger Woods

family want to thank you all for the wonderful support and messages they have received over the past few days,” said a statement on Woods’ Twitter account. “We will not have any further updates at this time. Thank you for your continued privacy.”

The 15-time major champion Woods was driving alone Tuesday morning in a south Los Angeles suburb when his SUV hit the centre median, crossed into the opposing lane, struck a tree and then rolled over several times. AFP

Lady Gaga’s dogs safely returned

Lady Gaga’s dogs Gustav (left) and Koji.

LOS ANGELES—Lady Gaga’s two French bulldogs which were stolen at gunpoint in Hollywood have been safely returned, Los Angeles police said on Friday.

Koji and Gustav were seized after an employee walking them was shot and wounded Wednesday night, and the attackers escaped in a vehicle.

“Both of Lady Gaga’s dogs have been turned in to a local police station, and they have been safely reunited with Lady Gaga representatives,” Los Angeles Police Department tweeted.

A woman had found the dogs and reached out to the singer’s staff to return them.

“The woman’s identity and the location

the dogs were found will remain confidential due to the active criminal investigation and for her safety,” LAPD said.

The “Poker Face” singer had offered a $500,000 reward for the safe return of the two dogs.

“My heart is sick and I am praying my family will be whole again with an act of kindness. I will pay $500,000 for their safe return,” she wrote on Instagram.

“If you bought or found them unknowingly, the reward is the same.”

Lady Gaga’s dog walker Ryan Fischer was shot and hospitalized in the incident, which is being investigated by the Los Angeles Police Department’s robbery-homicide division. AFP

Myanmar police fire rubber bullets at rallyists YANGON—Myanmar police fired rubber bullets to disperse protesters in Yangon on Saturday, according to an AFP reporter, after the country’s ambassador to the United Nations broke ranks to make an emotional plea for action against the military junta.

The country has been shaken by a wave of pro-democracy protests since a military coup toppled civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi on February 1.

It was unclear if any live rounds were used as police chased protesters and journalists from the Myaynigone junction.

There had been an hours-long standoff on Friday at the same spot.

Hundreds of ethnic Mon protesters gathered there on Saturday to commemorate Mon National Day, joined by other ethnic minority groups to protest against the coup.

The police arrived to clear the intersection, chasing protesters and journalists who ran to hide in nearby buildings.

Three journalists were among those detained on Saturday.

“What are the police doing? They are protecting a crazy dictator,” the protesters chanted.

They scattered into smaller residential streets and started building makeshift barricades out of barbed wire and tables to stop the police.

Local reporters broadcast the chaotic scenes live on Facebook, including the moments when the shots rang out.

“We will try to find another way to protest -- of course, we are afraid of their crackdown,” said protester Moe Moe, 23, who used a pseudonym.

“We want to fight until we win.” AFP

Hollywood cuts lavish award season glamour LOS ANGELES – The weeks building up to Hollywood’s awards season are usually a whirlwind of glitzy Los Angeles parties, lavish celebrity “gifting suites” and the raucous Golden Globes themselves – but not this year.

Not even Tinseltown’s glamorous galas could avoid being turned upsidedown by the coronavirus pandemic.

“If a studio has a hot film, they will throw a lot of events, and invite people to attend to honor the filmmakers,” said Variety awards editor Tim Gray. “Those films seem to become serious contenders because there’s so much attention (given) to them. I haven’t been to any events this year, in honor of a film.”

Hopes of a return to the “normal” carousel of VIP Q&A sessions and elite soirees designed to entice voters were dashed long ago, as California was slammed by a staggering winter COVID-19 outbreak.

Tinseltown publicists—accustomed to throwing expensive celebrations at iconic landmarks from the Four Seasons to the Chateau Marmont—have had to improvise.

As with many things around the world, that has meant honing their Zoom skills, and shifting almost everything online.

While the famous Sunset Strip is adorned with its usual giant “For Your Consideration” movie billboards, voters are staying home to watch nominated films while journalists interview actors on their laptops. AFP

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Insurer’s pandemic coverage pays over P57 million PACIFIC Cross Philippines has provided more than P57 million worth of medical assistance to clients who were afflicted by COVID-19. The insurance firm has been providing coverage for COVID-19 since March 2020, superseding its standard exclusion on pandemics for medical plans.

The Plastic Flamingo founder and chief executive François Lesage (left) and Mondelez Philippines country manager for corporate and government affairs Joseph Fabul

Mondelez unveils strategy to collect 40m tons of wastes

By Othel V. Campos

M

ondelez Philippines joined hands with The Plastic Flamingo (The Plaf), a global social enterprise that seeks to reduce oceanic waste and marine pollutants, in the retrieval of plastic wastes to transform them into useful pieces that will benefit people and communities.

The collaboration involves the collection of an initial 40 million tons of plastic wastes that will be cut-up into pieces and molded to form “eco-logs” or “ecobricks”.

While the company strives to carve noteworthy innovations in making production processes responsive to the environment, it also took the tall task of co-creating a circular plastics economy, which is also the main agenda of The Plam.

“We have this new initiative with The Plastic Flamingo that started last year, where we had an agreement to collect just 1 metric ton of post-consumer plastic wastes. But we eventually decided to expand this in 2021 to 40 metric tons,” said Mondelez Philippines country man-

ager for corporate and government affairs Joseph Fabul.

“You see, the company is committed to make a substantial investment in collection, segregation and recycling of wastes. And part of that substantial investment will go to plan for this project,” said Fabul.

Under the agreement with The Plaf, all eco-logs and eco-bricks that will be produced out of the 40 tons plastic wastes would be donated to a local government unit of choice for disaster relief shelters.

“We have a responsibility that goes beyond finance. You know, we all inhabit the same planet. We can all become victims of post-consumer plastic wastes if we don’t regulate and if we don’t take care of it right now. So we’re very much aware of the impact of our company.

And we always end we, we want to be able to make a positive contribution in this regard,” Fabul said.

The Plaf chose the Philippines as the first country to pilot the project, said The Plastic Flamingo founder and chief executive François Lesage.

“This project happened because of this great partnership with Mondelez.

The Plaf is extremely happy to see that Mondelez, as a company, is willing to address this problem. They agreed to finance and help in the collection and recycling of 40 tons of plastic waste into eco-lumber this year. We will build shelters for them and with them, these shelters will be donated to an LGU,” he said.

The enterprise cited Mondelez as one of the frontrunners in adopting a system of recycling company operations, incorporating the principles of a circular economy from production to packaging and now plastics recovery and recycling.

The project forged ties with local communities to collect plastic wastes from subdivisions, villages, condominiums, hotels and residences.

In creating a circular economy, Lesage said that everyone should be involved in the solution, “not only the plastic producers, not only the consumers, not only the recyclers, not only the NGOs, everyone together.”

As it moves closer to complying with the principles of circular plastics economy, Mondelez put into motion a new packaging strategy to tackle the issue of plastics recyclability proactively along with three key interventions designed to close the gap.

The company started innovating the design of products’ packaging to be recycled by optimizing snack packs to avoid excess packaging with the goal of attaining 100-percent recyclable by 2025.

Included in the 2025 goal is to reach 5 percent in all packaging materials by investing in waste management and increasing post-consumer waste materials in plastic packaging. Another goal is to have recycling labelling on all of product packs through local and global plastics pacts and treaties to inform effective policy frameworks and printing

guidance on packs.

“The issue of plastic packaging and plastic recycling has to start from somewhere. And I think it should start from the manufacturers, as a producer of plastic packaging and, which eventually becomes waste. We’re committed to making all our packaging recyclable by 2025. We have a commitment to make 100 percent of our food packaging recycling-ready by 2025. And to date, we’re already 94 percent compliant. We also intend to reduce the environmental impact of our company and its products by 10 percent by 2025. We’re also very much aware about the issues on social sustainability,” Fabul said.

Other packaging materials like paper and carton boards and some of the rigid plastics and less flexible plastic film are already designed to be recycled, he said.

“If we don’t make our packaging material recycled-ready then the company thrust or programs to recycle won’t be any good, because the packaging material has to be recyclable to begin with,” he said.

Mondelez Philippines Inc. is the company behind Tang powdered beverages, Eden cheese, mayonnaise and sandwich spread, Cheez Whiz spread, Oreo cookies, Tiger energy biscuits, belVita breakfast biscuits, Toblerone and Cadbury Dairy Milk chocolates. The company employs about 450 people in the Philippines, with a manufacturing facility in Parañaque City.

Infra projects seen to boost housing demand outside NCR ‘Mister Donut on Wheels’ offered to franchisees

MISTER Donut has launched an innovative franchising package dubbed “Mister Donut on Wheels” that will expand the donut chain’s reach to provincial areas where it has no existing stores yet.

Cherryl Carino, franchise management head at Mister Donut, said for an investment of around P650,000, entrepreneurs in Zambales, Ilocos Sur, Aurora Quezon, Cebu, Leyte and Zamboanga may now start a “Mister Donut on Wheels” business that has been proven profitable even in the time of community quarantine.

“Before the pandemic, ‘Mister Donut on Wheels’ is just complementary to a franchisee’s physical store. On a daily basis it goes from one community to another to conduct selling activities,” Carino said.

“When quarantine protocols were implemented because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Mister Donut on Wheels became relevant as an independent business format because of its capacity to go where customers are and sell doughnuts, baked goods, coffee mixes, bottled water, and frozen meal items that are ready to cook or ‘just heat and serve meals’ in areas where people have limited mobility,” she said.

The P650,000 franchise cost includes the discounted franchise fee of P54,000, signage and murals, equipment, permits and other documentation and fabrication. The franchisee will need to procure a secondhand multicab or L300 van separately.

“Availees of the Multicab and L300 Mister Donut on Wheels franchise package can also opt to upgrade it to a fleet franchise. The franchisee can station the multicab or L300 van-type Mister Donut on Wheels in the market or other areas with high foot traffic. To widen the coverage, the franchisee has the option to set up another Mister Donut on Wheels either on a trike, e-bike, racal, or buddy trailer, which can go around the communities,” said Carino.

ONE of the vital goals that the national government deemed as priority is the completion of major infrastructures around the country.

Key government agencies such as the Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Transportation and Bases Conversion and Development Authority have been collaborating on “Build, Build, Build” projects.

Such projects seek to improve the lives of Filipinos all over the country by making travel between provinces and islands easier and faster. In terms of broader benefits. Infrastructure projects are also expected to help in swift economic recovery once the pandemic is over.

As more projects are accomplished, there will be a higher demand for residential spaces outside Metro Manila. Fortunately, Bria Homes’ strategically located communities and high-quality yet affordable house and lots means that there are multiple housing developments that are ready to meet the demand.

One housing development that is primed to welcome new home buyers is Bria Homes in Mariveles, Bataan. Mariveles will soon become a sought-after location for new residents as it is the starting point of the upcoming Bataan-Cavite Interlink Bridge that connects Mariveles to Naic, Cavite.

Another significant piece of roadwork being built is the Alaminos-San Pablo

Young Davao entrepreneur smells success amid crisis DAVAO CITY –Kevin Joven was not spared from the challenges which the pandemic has brought to many. However, instead of giving up, he gathered more courage to rise up and maximize his resources.

New infrastructure products are expected to allow Bria residents to live their best lives and get them to the heart of the action with greater ease.

City Bypass Road. The bypass road presents a faster alternative for motorists going to and from Quezon Province and the Bicol region. This makes Bria Homes in Alaminos, Laguna an idyllic residential community for people who have interests in those provinces.

The Metro Rail Transit Line 7 will also be a vital link between Metro Manila and San Jose del Monte in Bulacan. Residents of Bria San Jose del Monte will soon be able to take the MRT 7 in their daily commute to and from the metro.

Toll Road 4 on SLEX will also grant mo-

torists and other travelers faster access to Bria housing developments in Laguna and Bicol. TR4 is expected to reduce travel time from Manila to these provinces by as much as three hours, making relocation to these places more viable even for those working in the city.

Finally, the recently opened Metro Manila Skyway Stage 3, which links Buendia in Makati City to NLEX in Balintawak, Quezon City, has traffic-weary motorists and the riding public extolling the fast and smooth ride between the two points in the bustling metropolis.

Tokyo Tokyo staff to get free COVID shots JAPANESE restaurant chain Tokyo Tokyo took another step toward ensuring the safety of its employees and customers by purchasing COVID-19 vaccines for both in-store and work-from-home staff.

“We want to reassure our customers on the safety of dining at Tokyo Tokyo by ensuring that all our employees are vaccinated which is provided for by the company free of charge,” Tokyo Tokyo vice president for operations Jennifer Ravela said.

Tokyo Tokyo was one of the first restaurants that quickly reacted to the COVID situation and quarantine in early 2020.

When its outlets were closed from March 15 to April 2020, the management took the opportunity to train the employees on how to stay safe and take care of themselves amid the pandemic. Additional measures were put in place to ensure the safety of customers in-store in preparation for the

Patients can incur large expenses for getting hospitalized when availability of a treatment for a disease is uncertain. Epidemics and pandemics are normally excluded from medical insurance coverage for this reason.

“We have always thought of Pacific Cross as an instrument in aiding our clients especially in these trying times. We want to be a reliable and trusted ally for our customers.

We will continue to be here for our clients by providing support to them when and where we can,” said Pacific Cross president and chief executive Daniel Daly on why they decided to provide coverage for COVID-19.

As of January 2021, Pacific Cross Philippines assisted over 400 clients affected by COVID-19 and has paid over P57 million in medical claims.

The Department of Trade and Industry reported a 41-percent increase in business registrations in 2020.

Because a healthy team keeps operations running smoothly, it is necessary for businesses, regardless of size, to provide medical protection to their workforce.

PCPH makes this possible for micro, small, and medium-sized businesses with their BC Flexi Access Plans. On top of in-patient and outpatient benefits, the plans also provide emergency benefits, worldwide emergency assistance services, and levels of coverage for pre-existing conditions, including congenital conditions (depending on the plan).

reopening of the stores.

During the time of strict community quarantine, Tokyo Tokyo donated over 30,000 meals to frontliners in different hospitals and checkpoints nationwide in recognition of their hard work and bravery.

“Our meals were just a small way of giving back and supporting their efforts. We were hoping that even just for a day, our delicious bento meals can give them a little

more motivation to continue the good that they are doing,” Ravela said.

When Tokyo Tokyo reopened, it ensured that its team members were trained on COVID best practices and sanitation in-store so everyone that visits the branches is safe.

The company mandated staff to wear masks and face shields on and off duty. Physical distancing is being observed throughout the store, even in the kitchen. Proper hygiene is strictly implemented such as hand-washing and frequent sanitizing of highly used areas. It also ensured contactless payment solutions such as Gcash and Paymaya are available in stores to lessen the risk of transmission.

In August 2020, Tokyo Tokyo launched its #STAYSAFE campaign, which featured the steps it took to ensure that every step their customers take—from ordering, paying and enjoying their meal—is made safer.

Soapberry founder Kevin Joven Joven was running two businesses—a water refilling station and a co-working/ leisure hub—when the pandemic started.

Both of these were affected, especially the latter when the local government issued a rule to close tourism-related businesses temporarily.

He got depressed because he lost his family’s bread and butter in just a blink of an eye. But this experience didn’t stop him from finding another business opportunity, not only to help his family continuously but also to provide livelihood among friends who lost their jobs.

While having a tattoo session, a woman shared with him that his daughter knows how to formulate soaps. He then decided to invest in it, knowing that it could be the opportunity he was looking for.

In July 2020, SoapBerry, a line of cleaning materials such as hand soaps, anti-bacterial fabric conditioner, disinfectants and dishwashing liquid, was born.

To jumpstart the promotion of his newlydiscovered hope, he contacted several online sellers. He presented to them his quality products and how these can help them generate income for their respective households.

Youth & Culture B1

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2021

Bernadette Lunas, Editor

manilastandardlife@gmail.com

@manilastandardlife

@MStandardLIFE

Inside the empty halls of PICC

A Brutalist enthusiast captures Leandro Locsin’s iconic design LESS IS MORE. The minimalist construction and bare design of the Philippine International Convention Center is much more apparent with its halls emptied by the pandemic.

W

HEN the stage that holds the show has no show to hold, it becomes the main attraction, the star, the photographed.

The Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) is one of the most iconic structures in the country. The favorite graduation and concert venue is one of the best examples of the Brutalist architectural style. It was designed by National Artist for Architecture Leandro Locsin.

Inaugurated on Sept. 5, 1976 to host the World Bank-International Monetary Fund annual meeting, it has since then become one of Locsin’s most famous works and continues to be the premier meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE) venue in the country, not to mention an inspiration for budding architects and photographers.

When the pandemic has closed the doors of theaters and convention centers to public events, the empty halls of PICC became the playground of photographer and Brutalist enthusiast Patrick Kasingsing.

“It was both unnerving and refreshing to see a venue sans its usual bustling crowd and events,” he said.

Kasingsing is the figure behind the Brutalist Pilipinas Instagram page, a curated online platform spearheading the revival of Brutalist architecture in the public consciousness.

In the images he shot and uploaded to the Instagram page, Kasingsing captured PICC’s heavy use of bare concrete, symmetry, form, and defined lines sans distraction—just a pure architectural wonder.

“It’s like finally beholding a work of art without the distraction of crowds; a chance to intimately get to know a structure in all its physical facets, and how the architect probably beheld the structure before it opened to the public,” he shared.

However, Kasingsing admitted the initial high of wandering the empty halls of PICC “gave way to a bit of loneliness at the lack of people and activity.”

The collection of photos he took showcases Locsin’s magnum opus from inside to outside.

But if there is one part of this structure that fascinates Kasingsing the most, he said it was the cantilevered upper bridgeway connecting the Delegation Building to the Plenary and Reception Halls.

“This is where one can fully appreciate the structural acrobatics Locsin was able to execute with the littlest of design gestures. Sometimes less is more, and all the more memorable too!” enthused the self-proclaimed Locsin fan.

As the world slowly and carefully reopens the doors that closed, the PICC has adopted new safety and sanitation measures and upgraded its Wi-Fi and technology facilities to cater to virtual and hybrid events. The venue is now accepting bookings for meetings and events; go to its website to know more.

“We are eager to welcome our clients back to PICC. The circumstances may be different, and adjustments had to be made, but we are more than ready to help our clients and the MICE industry recover,” said Renato B. Padilla, general manager and board director of the PICC. Photos by Patrick Kasingsing

The cantilevered upper bridgeway connecting the Delegation Building to the Plenary and Reception Halls showcases the structural acrobatics Leandro Locsin executed.

Lines and symmetry seen on PICC’s vast halls, escalators, and staircases.

Vivid showcase of bare concrete inside the convention center.

Lines and details in the reception hall

SOCIAL MEDIA

How art thrives on Twitter ART, it appears, thrives anywhere. Despite being locked are able to showcase their works and interact with their down in the house and unable to meet new people, artists audience through social networking platform Twitter.

The Book Nook community library opens at SM Aura Premier.

Community library lets readers take a book for free WITH a goal to raise a community of readers and givers, a community library recently opened inside a mall in Taguig.

The Book Nook, located on the fourth level of SM Aura Premier, is open to all readers who want to discover more than 1,000 written treasures waiting on its shelves. Reading benches are available for those eager to dive into their chosen book.

Should the reader desire to take the book home, they simply need to ask if the title is available for free. A number of books can be taken home, so long as the reader “pays it forward” by donating a book of their own.

Readers are also encouraged to share their favorite stories with someone else by leaving a note in their pre-loved treasure.

To ensure safety of all, the Book Nook implements contactless systems like contact tracing via the SM Supermalls Trace Together and QR code-based registration system for logging books that are donated and taken from the library.

A UV light box is also available to sanitize all borrowed and donated books.

The Book Nook is established through the partnership of WTA Architecture & Design Studio, National Bookstore, Anvil

Connecting to fans and inspiring people

Historian Ambeth Ocampo and Anvil Publishing’s Xandra Ramos-Padilla

Paolo Pangilinan (@PaoPangs), actor As fan meetings did not happen last year, Gaya Sa Pelikula star Paolo Pangilinan went to Twitter to get in touch with his fans as well as his friends and family. It is on the platform where he is able to bring conversations closer to home despite the actual physical distance.

“I love using Twitter to connect with people who are avid fans of the show. Twitter has helped me reach out to friends, family, and supporters more easily due to the ease of communication Twitter brings and how it allows for each message to become amplified,” shared Pangilinan.

Building community and love for writing

Shereen Sy and WTA's Architect William Ti, Jr.

Publishing, UV Care, and Samsung together with SM Cares and The SM Store.

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.

Strength in the (art) community Louis Espinosa (@artbyouie), artist and painter “The art community on Twitter has been helping me heal and regain my fuel for passion especially during the five-month long burnout I went through last year,” shared Louis Espinosa.

He also goes to Twitter to learn from other equally amazing artists. “I remain inspired not by just browsing art and supporting my art moots by retweeting and liking their artworks, but also being able to sell my recent paintings at gallery shows as well.”

Fresh inspiration and connections Drew Borja (@HHFlashbacks), artist (webcomics) Drew Borja of Hunghang Flashbacks believes in making the best out of the current situation by appreciating the power of online connections.

“Being an artist online is all about showcasing your creations. Twitter has not only helped me connect with new audiences but also new artist friends, people I look up to, and even the occasional oddballs,” he said.

He continued, “On Twitter, comments and feedback aren’t easily flooded or drowned with everything else. I guess that is why it’s more comfortable to build connections there. It gives the sense of familiarity.”

Mina V. Esguerra (@minavesguerra), author As an accomplished author herself, Mina Esguerra inspires other writers to continue their craft by using the platform to reach out and show actual support for her community.

“My writing community #RomanceClass started on Twitter, when I offered a free writing class via a tweet in January 2013. Since then, at any given time there are probably 30 or so authors in the community actively using Twitter to stay in touch as they write and promote their books, even before lockdown,” she shared.

“During lockdown,” she continued, “we just...kept going. We do theme events and chats on Twitter, do reaction Tweets as we read a book, live tweet what we watch, have threads that update readers on our writing progress.”

B2

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2021

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

Home/Design

Safe staycation in the new normal

T

OURISM is not yet back to its normal state, but a lot of hospitality establishments have learned how to adapt to the “new normal.” To wit, Hotel Casiana, a newly opened establishment high up in the Tagaytay highlands.

Hotel Casiana strictly practices the health protocols mandated by the IATF and the Department of Tourism (DOT), guaranteeing its guests a safe staycation.

No shortcuts Standard health protocols are observed, such as wearing face masks and face shields, physical distancing, age restrictions, body temperature checks, and alcohol dispensers at strategic common areas such as entrances to the lobby and elevators.

Guests have to fill up a health declaration form for contact tracing upon entering. Online reservation is encouraged but

for those who want to coordinate with the front desk, a plexiglass barrier ensures safety.

Social distancing is observed at the hotel – lobby, elevators, café, and restaurant. Sticker markings are placed on the floor, seats, and tables to guide and remind the hotel guests.

Each room at Hotel Casiana has a commercial-type air purifying machine.

All corners are sanitized – from bathrooms to beddings, curtains to closets.

High-touch surfaces such as elevator buttons are also sanitized.

Guests are provided with a care kit containing alcohol, face masks, and disinfecting wipes. In addition, a trash bin specifically for face masks is available.

Once guests check out, the room is sanitized by the hotel staff who are all in full PPE gear. They also use a deep cleaning steam machine.

Safe spa Spa service is offered at the comfort —and safety—of one’s own room. Appropriate health protocols are observed— massage therapists wear proper PPE and face masks, and bring their own luggage containing sanitized towels and linens.

During the colder days at Tagaytay, hotel guests enjoy the benefit of a heated pool. Health and safety protocols are

also implemented for those who want to use the pool. Aside from physical distancing (reservation is required at the front desk to minimize interaction with other guests) and body temperature checks, sanitized towels are provided for guests.

The hotel is located along the Tagaytay–Nasugbu main highway, near the Mahogany Market and Taal Lake.

FILINVEST EYES GROWTH IN CENTRAL PLAINS. The

Filinvest group forecasts a high growth trajectory for the 201-hectare Filinvest Mimosa+ Leisure City in Clark, Pampanga. On its fifth year of land lease with Clark Development Corporation (CDC), Filinvest Mimosa+ aims to surpass its P5-billion investment commitment to develop the property into a sustainable, investment-ready township, with the completion of completion of four major projects in 2021. One of these are the four dorm-type Lodgeplus buildings intended to house employees of companies locating to the Workplus office campus. Prior to the pandemic, the development held various activities—from concerts to marathons—and hosted many multi-sport events like the Southeast Asian Games committee. In the current normal, the Philippine Basketball Association chose Quest Hotel within Filinvest Mimosa+ to host the PBA bubble. “We are very much on track with our plans for Filinvest Mimosa+,” said Don Ubaldo, Filinvest Alabang, Inc. vice president for townships.

TOOLS OF A CHAMPION. JM Yosures, Showtime’s Tawag Ng Tanghalan” (TNT) year four grand champion, was recently awarded a brand new house and lot, by Lessandra, housing brand of Vista Land. The property adds to Yosures’s pool of prizes after his journey to the top of TNT’s Grand Finals. Before securing a place for TNT’s Huling Tapatan segment, Yosures had garnered praises and from the judges of the singing contest. “You have all the tools to be a champion,” said juror Louie Ocampo on Yosures’s performance during the week-long grand finals. Lessandra offers quality and affordable house and lots with the mission of elevating Filipino’s living experience. Yosures now has a variety of locations to choose from for his new Lessandra home, as the developer is present in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

For more information, visit Vista Land’s website at https://vistaland.com.ph/.

CITIGLOBAL TURNS OVER TAGAYTAY CONDO UNITS.

Real estate and land developer Citiglobal, recently started turning over the first batch of its Cedar Tower’s condotel units to their investors. Cedar Tower is one of the several towers that comprise the Tagaytay Clifton Resort Suites (TCRS) in Alfonso, Cavite. CitiGlobal also clarified reports last month insinuating it was engaged in fraudulent activities. The company, which markets projects such as Fontaine Villas, also in Tagaytay, to overseas Filipino overseas workers, said it is open to address the concerns of clients. “Rest assured that we will deliver our promise to give our investors a rewarding investment and work toward providing them the delightful client experience they deserve,” said CitiGlobal in a statement. The company claimed to be a registered corporation before the SEC, with licenses and permits from the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB), the local government, and other regulatory bodies.

SMART LIVING, CONNECTED SOLUTIONS. Robinsons Land Corporation (RLC) recently teamed up with Lamudi to launch its new residential brand RLC Residences. As part of the developer’s plans for the next five to 10 years, they are consolidating their three divisions, the Residences, Luxuria, and Communities, into a single brand. RLC Residences’ business unit general manager Henry Yap said the initiative “is driven by our goal to craft a unified force that will take the residential division to greater heights.” Lamudi CEO Kenneth Stern expressed his support, commending RLC Residences “for introducing a new brand that suitably accommodates the needs of property seekers today.” The Residences at the Westin Manila Sonata Place, The Sapphire Bloc and Magnolia Residences are just some of the RLC Residences projects featured on the platform. These developments feature various amenities, including recreational facilities, such as swimming pools, jacuzzi, game rooms, aerobics and yoga rooms, jogging trails, and gyms. For more information about RLC Residences, visit their development page on Lamudi.

Entertainment

22 reasons to love

WIN METAWIN

By Angelica Villanueva

T

HAI heartthrob Metawin Opasiamkajorn, otherwise known as Win Metawin, first surprised us with his excellence in acting as the “chic” and “handsome” Tine Teepakorn in 2gether The Series. And he continuously endeared Boys Love fans even after the series ended.

Win has proven to his fans that he’s more than just a pretty face and that he can be more than his capabilities. He serenaded us, he cried with his fans, and he celebrated his success with the people who have supported him all throughout.

But more than that, Win keeps on surprising and proving himself every day making his legion of fans believe that he greatly deserves the love and support he’s receiving from them.

Get to know more of Win and the reasons why his “snowballpowers” love him to the moon and back.

1 Led by his fan club in China, Winmetawin_ CNFC, Win is the first Thai actor to have a space advertisement. Called “Into the Galaxy-Special Mission,” the birthday project was executed through the Ladybeetle-1 commercial satellite that carries a photo of the actor.

2 Win portrayed as Tine in the phenomenal BL drama, 2gether the Series—his debut series— alongside Bright Vachirawit who played the role of Sarawat. With the acting prowess he showed in 2gether, he is offered to give to breathe life into Kavin in the upcoming series, F4 Thailand, which is his second series.

3 The young rookie actor loves to spend time with his family whom he treasures dearly. In fact, before entering the entertainment industry, he had spent his Sundays with them and called it a family day. Win is the third child of Ole and Wanchai Opas-iamkajorn. He has two elder sisters, Ming and Mesa, and a younger brother, Mick.

4 During an interview, he mentioned that every time he posts on his Instagram account, he thinks twice before uploading it.

That’s why all his photos are Instagram-worthy and full of authenticity. His official Instagram, @winmetawin, already has over four million followers.

5 When the actor entered showbiz, he also tried his skills in singing which he can also nail off. As per writing, he has five singles including songs from 2gether and for Special Olympics Thailand entitled “Thank You To My Silent Heroes.”

6 Win is not really into animals and afraid of them until his sister adopted a chihuahua named Charlotte, then he became fond of her. He and his family considered her as a family member. This year, Charlotte will be turning six on Dec. 27—the same birthday as Bright.

7 Fan clubs around the world have projected cupsleeve events. In South Korea, they handled seven birthday cafés and two subway birthday ads. And speaking of South Korea, did you know that Win is also a fanboy of Blackpink’s Jennie Kim? 8 Just like any of us, Win was once a naughty kid. During his childhood days, he gained a scar on his right eyebrow and received eight stitches due to an accident. He hit the door while running and looking toward a friend.

9 Win loves to use and wear his fans’ gifts in events that he attends. Among his favorites are sweaters and shoes. If you’re asking what his US shoe size is, it’s 9.5.

10 More than singing and acting, Win can also be your sports guy. He loves playing sports like golf and football during his free time. His favorite football team is Barcelona and Lionel Messi, who wears jersey number 10, is his favorite player.

11 If you’re already loving Win, you’ll get to love him even more with this fact. Win is a studious person. In fact, he was awarded as an outstanding student in his primary school

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2021

B3

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

Thai heartthrob Win Metawin turns 22

days. Meanwhile, in 11th grade, Win became an exchange student in Iowa, USA before coming back to Thailand to study economics at Thammasart University.

12 In an interview, Win revealed that he spent hours recording his first solo song “Kon Nun Tong Pen Tur,” which was used as a soundtrack in Still 2gether. In just five months, the music video of the song had already garnered over 12 million views on YouTube.

13 Days before his birthday, with the cooperation of his different fan clubs, to appreciate and show his gratitude to his fans, Win graced the WINderland event, a two-day event held from Feb. 13 to 14, to celebrate his success for the last year.

14 With the success of 2gether, Bright and Win were offered to play their roles again as Sarawat and Tine, respectively, in the five special episodes collectively called Still 2gether which aired on Aug. 14. It is to treat their fans in supporting their first project together.

Win (left) with his BL love team Bright

15 When his first series ended on May 15, Win shared his sentiments on his Instagram thanking his fans for supporting him and his first acting project.

16 The Thai actor’s fan clubs are extraordinary. The official fan club, Win Metawin Official (WMO) recently conducted a number of birthday projects in partnership with fan clubs in countries such as China, the USA, Peru, Japan, and the Philippines.

WMO, established on Sept. 16, 2019, held WINderland, a birthday exhibit that showcases a memory lane of Win’s journey to stardom.

Meanwhile, in the country, led by BrightWin Philippines, #WINningLife project aims to give help to children with cancer.

17 Win really knows how to make his fans proud. To celebrate the success of their first project together, a concert (2gether Live On Stage) was held on Oct.17 for his and Bright’s fans where they and the casts showcased their talents.

Moreover, they also reenact some of the memorable scenes of 2gether The Series and Still 2gether.

18 Since the pandemic is still imposed around the world, interfans or international fans were able to witness the hard work and dedication of Win virtually on the second day of 2gether Live On Stage, held on Oct. 18, through V Live.

Nobrvnd continues to soar as solo act

Jemery G’s song about love taken for granted TEEN pop artist Jeremy G has dropped a stripped version of his Awit Award-winning song “Sa’yo” under Old School Records.

The passionate love song about a devoted one-sided love was first released in 2019 as part of KIKX Salazar’s After Dark ‘2nd Hour EP. It won “Best R&B Recording” at the 33rd Awit Awards last year, which Jeremy described as a “great recognition.”

“Thank you Kuya @kikxsalazar. I remember the time that you sent me this song, my first original, through a private DM and the first time I met you at the recording studio. I am eternally grateful,” he wrote in an Instagram post.

Meanwhile, KIKX said they decided to release a strippeddown version of the track to give it a new flavor. “Jeremy’s vocals explored a more intimate and sensitive place that can bring more emotional feels to the song.”

As of writing, “Sa’yo” has been streamed over 1 million times on Spotify, and has earned over 330,000 combined views on YouTube.

In late 2020, Jeremy released the Yuletide song “Ngayong Pasko.” The The Voice Teens PH alum is also fresh from joining the first-ever “YouTube Music Night” in Southeast Asia dubbed Love, Jona last Feb. 6 as one of the digital concert’s special guests.

Old School Records is the newest ABS-CBN Music label headed

by KIKX that seeks to highlight music bearing the ‘70s, ‘80s, or ‘90s sound with a contemporary twist. Recent releases from the label include KVN’s “Pwede Na Ba,” Chloe’s “All About You,” and RJZON’s “Itatago Na Lang.”

19 The rising actor loves striking poses. And he even used it in extending help.

His photos for the WINderland birthday project were released last February 19.

The proceeds of the bidding will go to Child Foundation/Project and Hospital.

20 When Win visited WMO’s WINderland, he said in his speech with teary eyes, how happy and surprised he was to see a lot of fans coming to his birthday celebration since last year only about 20 came. How can you not love this person?

21 At the age of 21, Win has already successfully established two businesses under his name—Velence and Souri. Velence Bangkok is a merchandise shop that sells bucket hats and T-shirts. It has released two collections so far. Meanwhile, Souri showcases different flavors of mouth-watering macarons such as Merry Merlot and Lemon Drop.

22 He turned 22 on Feb. 21, but he already experienced a lot of winning moments under his name. So, what’s stopping everyone to not love him? Why not Win Metawin?

Jeremy G’s new single ‘Sa’yo’ is a passionate love song about a devoted one-sided love.

SOLO artist Nobrvnd has released a brand new single titled “Dada” under Warner Music Philippines (WMP).

Inspired by the experience of being nagged, “Dada” is recorded with multiple recordings of Nobrvnd’s voice in different harmonies and tones to resemble a choir. The track’s record/mixing engineer and co-producer Axel Fernandez infused a female vocalist to further enhance the final output. Nobrvnd has been steadily rising as a solo artist since his departure from indie-pop band Caffeine and Taurine. He’s been growing his sonic presence across major digital platforms, getting over 2.5 million streams for his songs “Bakit”, “Langit”, and “Sinayang” while securing a record deal with WMP and Open Door Artists.

“The pandemic has affected me physically, mentally, and emotionally. The lockdown affected the topics I write about as a songwriter and Novbrvnd is able to create a song inspired by his experience encouraged me to mature of being nagged. on both an artistic and a sounds in creating his signature, unbranded style. personal level. I’m thankful for my team at Warner Music Philippines With his sound ever-evolving, Novbrvnd continues and Open Door Artists, whose help and to innovate and experiment with different styles encouragement have been key to the and distinct sounds as in the case of “Dada.”

“I could still see a different version of myself in success of my releases,” says Nobrvnd on how the pandemic affected him as an the creative industry – but I cannot imagine being as passionate as I am now as an artist and music artist.

Nobrvnd’s exposure to diverse musical producer,” says the acclaimed young rapper.

“Dada” is available on Spotify, YouTube, Apple genres provided a strong foundation that allowed him to experiment with several Music, and iTunes Store.

Pets Marshall: helping rescued dogs B4

D

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2021

Desiree Carlos, Editor

daycarlos28@yahoo.com

from the rainbow bridge

EATH will not stop Marshall from raising awareness about the plight of abused, neglected and homeless dogs. Through his Facebook page I am Marshall, his furparent Thea Ifurung continues to urge everyone to save a life by adopting a rescued dog.

Marshall is a German Shepherd who was adopted by the Ifurung family in 2011 when he was just about a year old. He was not well cared for in the place where he came from. He was so thin he was like a "bungo" or a skeleton as Thea's mom described him then. He had worms when he was checked by the vet after the adoption. With the Ifurung family, he was provided with all that a dog needs and was showered with love.

Last year, he was diagnosed with enlarged prostate. Thea went for a combination of Western and natural treatments and was thus able to spend one more year with him. A few days ago, he died after developing complications from his prostrate problem.

When he was alive, Marshall helped raise funds for his furfriends in animal shelters.

He may be gone now but Thea says Marshall will continue to help his rescued furfriends.

For one, his page which has 11,000 followers will continue to promote animal adoption.

For another, donations will be forwarded to animal welfare groups and no-kill animal shelters.

I am Marshall

Such a loving and responsive dog, Marshall is.

Marshall and Thea in Hound Haven Philippines, a sanctuary for retired K9 dogs.

Marshall was a sad, sick puppy when Thea adopted him.

Marshall chillin' with three-yearold brother Bruno who was also adopted by the Ifurungs.

Appeal to help rescues

A sponsor has agreed to give 1 PESO FOR EVERY LIKE that “I Am Marshall” gets (up to 30K likes). The said amount will then be given to Marshall’s homeless furfriends.

“In memory of Marshall, please like and share his page so that we can continue to reach thousands more people to continue to help the rescued ones,” Thea says.

Thea adds, ”You may also want to donate to his favorite animal welfare groups that save homeless and abused animals like Save Animals of Love and Light (Save ALL Inc.) and Hound Haven Philippines, the latter has a shelter for retired K9s. These are the two places we visited when he used to be alive.”

A letter to Marshall

As part of processing her grief, Thea wrote this message to Marshall: “This was my supposed eulogy for him during the wake. I did not have the strength to say this in front of everyone, so I wrote it instead. I would like to share it to all of you: I didn't know what to say when I saw you lying there. I knew in my heart that I had a million beautiful things to tell the world about you but I was left so broken that I ran out of words to say just looking at you. I thought I cried all the tears I could when you passed away but appar-

PET TALES

BY DESIREE CARLOS HE MUST be around four to five weeks old. Being just a baby, he was not aware of the danger that awaited him as he meowed and walked towards the busy street from the grassy portion of the main road in San Mateo, Rizal.

He is so tiny that motorists will not be able to see him to avoid hitting him and crushing him to death.

Fortunately, a biker named Michael Angelo Castro stopped, picked up the kitten, and brought him back to the grassy area where we believe he was abandoned.

He kept trying to go back to the street and even went up the tire of Michael Angelo's bike. There was no mama cat in the area. We did not want him to get hit by vehicles as the drivers may not see him, thus, we opted to bring him home.

We were walking towards our vehi-

ently, tears just keep coming, buddy.

You looked like you were just sleeping. Tell me, how dare I wake you from such a peaceful slumber?

From you, I learned to be patient, to be kind, to be understanding, and to love unconditionally. Oh, how I will miss all those days I spent with you.

From days when you were younger, you would jump at me when I get home and I would literally fall on the floor because you were so excited to see me. As time passed by, you could no longer jump but would come up to me and I would stoop down so that you could dig your head on my chest and I would rub your head. And in

your last years, you occasionally tried to walk to me when I arrived, but you were getting old and by this time you would just give me that face of "You're home!" from your favorite spot.

Thank you for constantly making me feel like I was the best person in the world, even when there were days I felt like I was the worst. You weren't just a good boy, you were a great one. Always so full of love.

We walked every day for almost a decade. And until the very last day, you wanted to walk. Your face lit up when you saw me. You were so excited that you were losing your breath. So much so that you went unstable as you tried to

get up for a walk! I had to say, "No, it's okay. Just rest." ...And so you did.

So sleep well, my love. It was a much a needed rest. I am so grateful that God gave me you even just for awhile. I am sure He is enjoying having you around up there.

I love you so much, Marshall. Until we meet again.”

Aquamation

Marshall’s remains were aquamated.

Thea shares: “We were fortunate to find out that Pet to Nature Philippines offers such services.

Aquamation is also known as water cremation, an eco-friendly procedure

Biker saves kitten from being crushed to death

where his ashes will be healthy enough to be used for planting. I am looking to plant a tree in a family lot I was determined to turn into a small home and farm cafe to live there with Marshall this year. I guess he will have to continue ‘living’ there with me but as a tree, this time around.”

From the bottom of my heart, thank you so much for all the love. I really did not expect thousands to be moved or people coming all the way from Dubai to visit him in his wake. All the more this moves me to continue our advocacy to promote #adoptdontshop. All in memory of my best friend, my sunshine, my Marshall. Run free.” DC

who immediately wobbled towards his sibling and somehow helped him “get down” from the grass.

We then thanked Michael Angelo for helping the kitten, and brought the two kittens home with us.

We believe the kittens had just been separated from their mama cat as they are healthy. We are certain the mama cat took good care of them—their fur are healthy and they had full bellies—which made us more sad that they were separated from their mama so soon. We wonder where the mama cat is now.

The kittens are now being fed kitten milk and wet cat food (cat food in cans). They will be dewormed after a week, and then they will be brought to the clinic for the first of three vaccines against feline illnesses after another week.

Kitten is saved from being hit by a vehicle Biker Michael Angelo put the kitten in the Another kitten is stuck between blades Thank you and bless youMichael by a human named Michael Angelo. grassy area, away from the busy street. of grass.

Angelo for stopping for the kitten and cle when we heard another kitten cry- around and saw another kitten, pre- blades of grass and struggling to free keeping him safe. You are indeed an ing in the grassy area. We searched sumably a sibling, stuck between himself. We put down the other kitten angel for a helpless kitten.