Manila Standard - 2021 May 2 - Sunday

VOL. XXXV • NO. 76 • 2 SECTIONS 8 PAGES • P18 • SUNDAY, MAY 2, 2021 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

LIFE DID NOT IMITATE ART. A man wearing his face mask below his chin walks in front of a mural in Noveleta, Cavite on May 1, 2021. The colorful wall art reminds residents of the proper way to wear a face mask to stem the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. JR Josue

China is a true friend—envoy Ambassador: Other nations trying to ‘sow discord’ using sea dispute

By Willie Casas and Maricel Cruz

C

HINESE Ambassador Huang Xilian has cautioned against countries trying to drive a wedge between Manila and Beijing using the territorial disputes in the South China Sea.

Huang said China is a true friend of the Philippines as shown by its readiness to help the Duterte administration secure vaccines while other countries were busy fanning maritime tensions in the region.

“Certain countries, while looking at Philippines’ anxiety of vaccine need with indifference, tried to sow discord by taking advantage of the differences between China and the Philippines,” the ambassador said during an online vaccine summit over the weekend.

“We should stay alert. The tougher the time is, the wider our eyes should be open. We would eventually know who

the real friends and reliable partners are,” Huang added.

The Chinese ambassador made the statement days after President Rodrigo Duterte raised doubts on the commitment of the United States to come to the Philippines’ defense if maritime tensions come to a head.

The President also directed Philippine ships in the West Philippine Sea not to leave the waterway despite the risk of damaging the country’s present relationship with China.

“This will really be a test: I read China said we (Philippine ships) should leave.

I now say (to PH vessels): Do not leave.

Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian

Period. Regardless of whether America will help us or not. Let us stop pinning our hopes on America. They will not help us. A nuclear war – you think America will intervene?” Duterte said Wednesday.

The President said he did not want to contend with China over the WPS, but reiterated the Philippines maintains its claim of sovereignty over the islands and the waters

within its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

“I am stating it for the record: We do not want war with China. China is a good friend. We owe China a debt of gratitude – including our vaccines. Let it be known that China is a good friend and we do not want trouble with China. But there are things which are not really subject to a compromise,” the President said.

Huang expressed confidence that China-Philippines friendship and cooperation “will withstand the test of time.”

“What matters is that we handle them (differences) in a mature and constructive manner. This serves the mutual benefits of our countries and meets the common aspiration of our people,” the envoy said.

For his part, National Security Adviser Secretary Hermogenes Esperon Jr. said China has continued fishing in the West Philippine Sea because the country’s exclusive economic zone remains contested by China and other neighboring countries.

Labor groups press for P100 daily wage subsidy

By Vito Barcelo, Joel Zurbano and Maricel Cruz

progressive groups -- Anakpawis, Bayan Muna, Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas, and Pamalakaya, among others – at the Welcome Rotonda in Quezon City yesterday.

President Rodrigo Duterte, for his part, vowed to uphold and protect the rights of Filipino workers, adding the pandemic gave a “new meaning” to the country’s celebration of Labor Day.

MILITANT labor groups have called for a P100 daily wage subsidy for all workers amid the COVID-19 pandemic as they marked the119th International Workers’ Day Saturday.

Aside from the daily wage subsidy, the Kilusang Mayo Uno also pressed the government to extend a one-time P10,000 cash aid to workers in vulnerable sectors and those who were displaced by the pandemic as well as a one-time P15,000 production subsidy for farmers.

KMU was joined by other

“To all Filipino workers here and abroad, let me assure you that this administration will endeavor to work as vigorously as you have in creating an environment where security of tenure, statutory labor standards, and workers’ rights are not only upheld and protected but also cherished as the foundations of a strong and thriving workforce,” he said.

“On behalf of a grateful nation, I express my deepest gratitude to our hardworking healthcare workers and essential frontliners for their unwavering commitment in ensuring the unhampered delivery of goods and services that continue to sustain our communities and industries during these difficult times,” he said.

Militant groups take part in a protest to mark Labor Day at the Welcome Rotonda area in Quezon City. Kilusang Mayo Uno pushed for a P100 daily wage subsidy for all workers and a P10,000 cash aid for workers displaced by the pandemic on May 1, 2021. A demonstrator is seen wearing a face mask and sunglasses adorned with an anti-government slogan while other rallyists hold placards. At the Palacio de Manila, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III (third from right) leads the kick-off ceremony for the symbolic inoculation of frontline workers in essential sectors. Shown in the photo is Cristina David, one of the overseas Filipinos workers belonging to the A4 priority group. Bello said the symbolic vaccination gives recognition to the sacrifices and heroism of Filipino workers in moving the nation forward amid the pandemic. AFP

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Duterte called on citizens to “rebuild a stronger and more resilient society that we can proudly leave behind to succeeding generations of Filipinos.”

“This year, we honor our Filipino workers who – fueled not just by the desire to support their families and advance their careers – have tirelessly toiled these past several months to ensure that our society will continue to function in the face of an unprecedented health crisis that crippled industries across the world,” he said.

Meanwhile, local government units in Metro Manila on Saturday vaccinated thousands of overseas Filipino workers and minimum wage earners as a Labor Day tribute to workers.

COVID-19 PH AT A GLANCE

(AS OF 4 PM MAY 1)

1,046,653 TOTAL NUMBER OF CASES

9,226 72,248 NEW

ACTIVE

17,354

120

DEATHS

NEW

957,051 10,809 NEW RECOVERIES

India’s global record: 400k cases in 24 hrs FRESH coronavirus waves showed no sign of abating Saturday as devastating surges in India and Brazil pushed daily infections and deaths to record levels.

India reported more than 400,000 cases in 24 hours on Saturday, a global record, but experts say the official infection and death figures fall far short of the true picture.

According to the health ministry, 401,993 new infections were registered taking the total caseload to 19.1 million.

There were 3,523 deaths, bringing the toll to 211,853.

More than 40 countries have committed to sending medical aid. A US military aircraft carrying more than 400 oxygen cylinders, other hospital equipment and nearly one million rapid coronavirus tests arrived in New Delhi on Friday.

But the crisis has also prompted travel warnings and flight bans with governments fearful of the outbreak spreading to their shores.

Australia on Saturday warned those breaking its India travel ban could face five years in jail.

Despite the rollout of vaccines in many countries, COVID-19 is still wreaking destruction around the world, with close to 3.2 million lives lost and known infections soaring past 150 million.

Asia has recorded the bulk of new cases, driven largely by the surge in India. The crushing outbreak, which now accounts for more than 40 percent of the world’s new infections, has overwhelmed the South Asian nation’s healthcare system and depleted critical oxygen supplies.

Authorities on Saturday opened India’s massive vaccination program to all adults, but many states do not have enough doses to meet demand despite a freeze on exports of shots produced locally. AFP

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‘Spare docs prescribing ivermectin’

By Maricel V. Cruz

UNDER THE SEA. Scuba divers and aqua sports enthusiasts now have more options for exploring the undiscovered marine world of southern Mindanao with the recent launch of the dive tourism program of Glan, Sarangani. “There are so many things that Glan can be proud of that we have kept for so long and it is but high time for us now to discover all those and show it off to the world. the most beautiful municipalities in the Soccsksargen Region,” says Glan mayor Vivien Yap.

10th FMR station opens in Butuan

By Maricel V. Cruz PHILIPPINE Collective Media Corporation (PCMC) President Sofonias Ponce Gabonada said Saturday the company was committed to establish 35 Favorite Music Radio (FMR) stations nationwide before the year ends as it successfully launched its Butuan City network, expected to rock the Caraga region’s airwaves.

Gabona said PCMC forged a partnership with local businessmen Prince Cu, Michelle Lim-Cu, and Mary Grace Villanueva to pave the way for the setting up of 10th FMR station nationwide in response to the overwhelming need of Filipinos for better sources of music, news and information.

“Listening becomes increasingly important and FMR is here to provide great and excellent selection of music, fair, balanced and truthful news and accurate and credible information that will contribute to positivity in this time of COVID pandemic,” Gabonada said as he vowed to make FMR a major force in the Philippine radio industry.

FMR Butuan City can be tuned in to 101.5 FM for official live broadcasts.

During the Butuan City launch, wellwishers led by House Majority Leader and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez, Sandro Marcos, ABS-CBN television/radio station host Karen Davila, Sen. Bong Go, Presidential Communications Operations Office Sec. Martin Andanar, Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) Director General Charito Plaza, Butuan City blogger Sheila Dy-Tiu, celebrity-chemist/ online host Pinky Tobiano and others extended their congratulatory messages to the achievement and success of FMR. From PCMC’s seven FMR stations that include Catarman in Northern Samar, Calbayog and Catbalogan Cities in Samar, Borongan City in Eastern Samar, Tacloban City, Ormoc City in Leyte, all in Region 8 and formerly known as Kaugop Radio, and the newly launched Davao de Oro branch last year, Gabonada said he and his team are committed to work harder, diligently, and untiringly to ensure that 35 FMR stations are launched before the year ends.

PH closer to final deal for Sputnik V production R

By Willie Casas, Joel E. Zurbano, and Maricel V. Cruz

USSIAN Ambassador to Manila Marat Pavlov said Moscow was in the final stage of negotiation with Filipino partners to manufacture Sputnik V vaccines in the Philippines.

“Russia signed manufacturing agreements with foreign partners in China, Egypt, the Republic of Korea, Turkey, Serbia, and Argentina, which have already launched the production of Sputnik V. With the Philippines, we are also in the final stage of negotiation and we hope to conclude it shortly,” Pavlov said during an online Vaccine Summit on Friday.

The ambassador’s announcement came a day before the arrival of the first batch of 15,000 doses of the Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine yesterday after a delay due to “logistics” problems.

The Philippines is negotiating for 20 million Sputnik V doses, which has a sen-

sitive storage requirement.

Saturday’s vaccine delivery raised the country’s total vaccine stock to over 4 million, about 1.8 million of which have been administered as of April 27.

The government has tapped medical cold chain firm Pharmaserv Express for the storage and distribution of the Sputnik V doses.

National Action Plan Against COVID-19 chief implementer and vaccine czar Sec. Carlito Galvez Jr. said the Department of Health has entered into a third-party partnership with PharmaServ Express for the storage and delivery of COVID-19 vaccines from the airport to

cold-chain facilities and to various vaccination centers in the country.

The company, Galvez said, has the capability to accept a vaccine brand like Sputnik V which must be stored at minus 18 degrees Celsius or below to maintain its stated 92 percent efficacy.

With this development, Pavlov expressed hope that local government units in the country would be actively involved in the procurement and distribution of the Russian-made jabs.

Sputnik V is the world’s first registered vaccine against COVID-19.

“The vaccine is based on human adenovirus vector technology. The technology has been widely used for more than 40 years in making drugs and vaccines, so it is absolutely safe,” Pavlov said.

COVID updates The Philippines on Saturday reported 9,226 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the total tally to 1,046,653, as four laboratories failed to submit data on time, the Department of Health reported.

Año submits lone name for next PNP chief

A priest blesses the newlylaunched FMR station in Butuan City. Among the powerhouse cast of well-wishers who attended the opening include House Majority Leader and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez, Presidential Communications Operations Office Sec. Martin Andanar, Senator Christopher ‘Bong’ Go, and television host Karen Davila, among others.

Ex-VP Binay hits ‘non-existent’ gov’t aid to workers amid pandemic

By Joel E. Zurbano FORMER Vice President Jejomar Binay on Saturday scored the government for failing to help Filipino workers amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Binay said the country marked this year’s Labor Day with millions of workers out of work and hungry.

“At a time when workers need it the most, government aid is practically nonexistent. But expect the usual platitudes and empty promises from government

officials today. ‘Yan lang yata ang hindi nagbabago kahit ilang palit na tayo ng administrasyon,” he said.

“If the national government really wants to thank the workers, they should give them cash aid enough to live during the pandemic,” he added.

Binay said despite the high unemployment rate and rising food prices, the administration is wanting in terms of extending much-needed cash assistance to workers, especially those adversely impacted by the pandemic

and the lockdowns that shuttered businesses.

“I hope one day our Labor Day will be a day of truly recognizing workers for their dignity,” the former vice president said.

A survey of the Department of Science and Technology-Food and Nutrition Research Institute released earlier this week showed six in 10 families have suffered from moderate to severe food insecurity amid the pandemic.

In its rapid nutrition assessment survey

conducted from November 3 to December 3 last year, DOST-FNRI said 62.1 percent of Filipino families have suffered from having little to nothing to eat amid the health crisis.

At least 71.8 percent of the respondents were forced to borrow money just to be able to buy food while 66.3 percent asked for food from their relatives, neighbors and friends.

Some 21.1 percent of the respondents said they had to cut their food intake to be able to feed their children.

500k tourism workers to get cash aid TOURISM Secretary Bernadette RomuloPuyat announced Saturday that 465,530 tourism workers nationwide would receive cash assistance under the DOT-DOLE Cash Assistance Program of the Bayanihan 2 amounting to P2.32 billion.

“We are hopeful that this financial assistance will provide some relief to our most affected stakeholders and tourism workers during these difficult times.

While it may help in the short term, we believe that the best way to help stakeholders in the long run is to develop a tourism industry that is stronger, more resilient, and more adaptable to change,” Puyat said.

A breakdown of qualified applicants are as follows: 39,429 from the National Capital Region (NCR); 26,908 from Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR); 45,709 from Region 1; 17,293 from Re-

gion 2; 55,974 from Region 3; 61,392 from Region 4A; 56,955 from Region 4B; 11,468 from Region 5; 45,429 from Region 6; 31,712 from Region 7; 13,327 from Region 8; 6,609 from Region 9; 13,939 from Region 10; 26,095 from Region 11; 5,661 from Region 12, and 7,630 from Region 13.

Out of the total approved beneficiaries, 450,202 workers were from 15,982 establishments, organizations, and associations nationwide. Meanwhile, individual applications received were at 15,328.

As of April 28, the payment for 325,678 workers amounting to P1,628,390,000.00 were already remitted and released to payment centers.

A total of 139,852 approved applicants with equivalent cash assistance amounting to P699,260,000 are pending for disbursement.

ANAKALUSUGAN party-list Rep. Mike Defensor on Saturday asked the Department of Health not to run after doctors who prescribed the experimental COVID-19 drug ivermectin to poor people who needed it.

“It is seldom that I ask for help and support for my advocacies and beliefs.

As a public official, I have accepted the fact that I am ‘fair game’ and people may attack me and I just have to roll with the punches and hope that my arguments will come to light,” Defensor said in a social media post.

“But our doctors do not deserve this!

They have put their names and practice on the line for the love of our people and nation. They didn’t have to do that. They could have remained quiet and toed the line. They spoke and they acted knowing that silence will lead to the death of our people. They were just being true to their Hippocratic oath!” he said.

He was referring to physicians who wrote prescriptions for ivermectin during his and Sagip Rep. Rodante Marcoleta’s “community pan-three” project in Quezon City on Thursday.

Defensoir said the poor wanted access to inexpensive therapeutic medicine to fight COVID-19 “because the drugs the DOH and the Food and Drug Administration are promoting are for the rich.”

“Remdesivir, for instance, costs from P12,000 to P48,000 per vial, and you need two vials a day. On the other hand, ivermectin costs only P35 per tablet, and only one tablet is needed daily. The DOH and FDA are allowing the use of remdesivir, while cracking down on ivermectin. Their bias is for the rich and against the poor,” he added.

Meanwhile, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III asked Quezon City residents who received ivermectin to report any adverse effects after taking the anti-parasitic drug.

Duque made the appeal in an ambush interview after the simultaneous symbolic vaccination of workers under the Priority Group A4 program in Quezon City.

SAFE INDOOR DINING. Mall visitors enjoy indoor dining service while observing strict social distancing and health protocols in Valenzuela City. The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases earlier allowed dining in but only at 10 percent capacity in areas within the NCR Plus bubble while under modified enhanced community quarantine. Boy Bautista

INTERIOR Secretary Eduardo Año has forwarded to President Rodrigo Duterte his one-name list on who would succeed Philippine National Police Chief, Gen. Debold Sinas, who retires on May 8 after reaching the mandatory retirement age of 56.

“I already submitted to the President my recommendation for the next Chief PNP after the retirement of Gen. Debold Sinas through Napolcom (National Police Commission) Resolution 2021-0469. The recommendation has only one name. But the President has the prerogative also to choose anyone with a rank of at least brigadier general in the PNP force,” Año said.

He did not name who he recommended but this police officer is likely a member of the PNP Command Group that includes Lt. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, deputy chief for administration; Lt. Gen. Joselito Vera Cruz, deputy chief for operations; and Lt. Gen. Ephraim Dickson, chief of the directorial staff.

Sinas earlier said all PNP generals were capable enough to lead the police force.

“We will just wait who the President would appoint and he will have the support of the entire PNP),” he told reporters when sought for comment after his last command conference on Tuesday.

He said he had completed his tasks and bade farewell to the troops.

“I will be preparing for the day of the turnover that Malacañang would approve. As to the (programs lined up), I leave that to the incoming (PNP chief),” he added.

Sinas, Eleazar, Vera Cruz, and Dickson belong to the Philippine Military Academy Hinirang Class of 1987.

World

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India hospital fire kills 16 COVID patients AT LEAST 16 COVID-19 patients and two nurses died Saturday in the latest in a series of hospital fires in India, officials said, as the country’s health care system buckles under a surge in cases.

There were around 50 other patients at the four-story hospital in Bharuch in the western state of Gujarat when the blaze began at 1:00 am (0730 GMT). It has since been put out.

The death toll stood at 18, local police official Rajendrasinh Chudasama told AFP, “including 16 patients and two nurses.”

“Primary investigation revealed that the fire started due to a short-circuit in the ICU of the hospital,” he said.

On April 23, a fire on the outskirts of Mumbai killed 13 COVID-19 patients, a few days after another blaze left 22 people dead at another clinic, also in Maharashtra state.

India’s health care system has long suffered from underfunding, and the new virus outbreak has seen critical shortages in oxygen, drugs and hospital beds, with patients dying outside hospitals in some areas.

On Saturday India reported over 400,000 new Covid cases in 24 hours for the first time, the first country to do so in the pandemic, official data showed.

Many experts suspect that because of insufficient testing and inaccurate recording of cause of death, the real numbers are much higher. AFP

Washington open to diplomacy talks with North Korea PRESIDENT Joe Biden is open to diplomatic negotiations with North Korea on denuclearization, the White House said Friday after completion of a review by the new administration of US policy.

“Our goal remains the complete denuclearization of the Korean peninsula,” Biden’s press secretary, Jen Psaki, told reporters.

US policy will see “a calibrated, practical approach that is open to and will explore diplomacy” with North Korea, she said.

Psaki gave little indication of what kind of diplomatic initiative this could entail, but suggested that Biden had learned from the experience of previous administrations, who have struggled for decades to deal with the dictatorship in North Korea or, in recent years, its growing nuclear arsenal.

She said Washington would not “focus on achieving a grand bargain,” apparently referring to the kind of dramatic over-arching deal that Donald Trump initially suggested was possible when he met with North Korea’s leader Kim Jong-un.

Neither would the White House follow the more standoff approach called “strategic patience,” espoused by Barack Obama, Psaki said.

In April, South Korean President Moon Jae-in, who is due to visit the White House on May 21, urged Biden to engage directly with Kim on denuclearization.

Moon told the newspaper he favored “top-down diplomacy.” AFP

LIKE EVERYTHING’S BACK TO NORMAL. Passengers prepare to board trains at Hangzhou East train station in Hangzhou, in China’s eastern Zhejiang province on April 30, 2021, ahead of yesterday’s Labor Day holiday. People visit the Great Wall during the holiday in Beijing on May 1, 2021. AFP

HK domestic workers hit compulsory vaccine plan H ONG Kong migrant worker groups on Saturday criticized plans to make coronavirus vaccines compulsory for all foreign domestic helpers, labeling the move “discriminatory and unjust.”

Health officials said they were planning to roll out mandatory inoculations for the 370,000 domestic helpers in the city, mostly poorly-paid women from the Philippines and Indonesia.

Those wanting to apply for work visas – or renew their current ones – would need to show they had been vaccinated, officials said Friday.

If the plan goes ahead, it would be the first time Hong Kong has directly tied working rights for foreigners to vaccines.

“This is clearly an act of discrimination and stigmatization against migrant domestic workers,” Dolores Balladares Pelaez, chair of United Filipinos in

Hong Kong, told reporters.

Labor groups representing domestic workers said they were angered other foreigners – and locals working in environments such as care homes – were not also required to get vaccinated.

“Again, we are being singled out and targeted,” Pelaez added.

Health officials announced the vaccination plan after two domestic helpers were found to be infected with one of the more virulent strains of the coronavirus.

All domestic workers have also been ordered to get tested over the coming days – a measure that did not extend to the families they work for.

Officials said domestic workers were

deemed “high risk” both because they enter from overseas and often gather outdoors in large numbers on Sundays – their one day off in the week.

They also tend to take care of elderly and vulnerable people.

Hong Kong labor secretary Law Chi-kwong defended linking domestic worker visas to vaccination.

“Of course, they can choose not to work in Hong Kong as they are not Hong Kong residents,” Law said.

Eni Lestari, chair of the International Migrants Alliance, described such comments as “unfair and shocking.”

“A lot of employers also do not get vaccinated because of health, personal or even political reasons, so they won’t force their workers to be vaccinated,” she told AFP. Migrant groups also pointed out that wealthier foreign migrants – such as the city’s white-collar financial workers – are not being forced to get vaccines. AFP Migrant workers register for COVID-19 testing in the Central district of Hong Kong on May 1, 2021, after the government ordered all foreign domestic workers to get tested after two domestic workers who entered the city from overseas were found to be infected with a more infectious coronavirus variant. AFP

6.8-magnitude quake rattles northeast Japan, no tsunami risk A 6.8-MAGNITUDE earthquake struck off Japan’s northeastern coast on Saturday, authorities said, but no tsunami warning was issued.

At least three people were injured by Saturday’s jolt, which produced strong shaking along parts of the eastern coast and was also felt in Tokyo.

There were no immediate reports of major damage, local media said.

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) said the mid-morning quake hit

at a depth of 47 kilometers (29 miles) in the Pacific, off Ishinomaki in Miyagi prefecture – near the epicenter of a huge 2011 quake which triggered a towering tsunami, killing more than 18,000 people.

Japan’s meteorological agency said Saturday there was no tsunami risk.

But an agency official warned strong aftershocks may hit the region in about a week, adding that expected bad weather may trigger landslides following the lat-

est ground shaking.

Two people were slightly injured after windows were broken at a station in Onagawa, Miyagi, public broadcaster NHK said.

“We are aware of the news but still collecting information,” Kazuto Takeda, an official of the prefecture’s disaster management office, told AFP. NHK also said a woman in her 80s was treated in hospital after she fell at a

supermarket in Fukushima.

Local railway firms suspended services, NHK said, while elevators stopped in some buildings in Miyagi.

Fukushima nuclear plant operator TEPCO said the facility, which melted down in the wake of the 2011 tsunami, did not show any abnormalities after the latest earthquake.

“Operations are under way as usual,” TEPCO spokesman Koichiro Shiraki told AFP. AFP

Storm kills at least 11 near Shanghai

BEAUTIFUL AND SCARY SIGHT. A person in a hammock looks on at a view of Mount Merapi, Indonesia’s most active volcano, spewing ash and smoke as seen from Kaliurang in Yogyakarta on May 1, 2021. AFP

AT LEAST 11 people were killed and over a hundred injured after a violent storm battered a town close to Shanghai, Chinese authorities announced Saturday.

Nine crew members from a fishing boat that capsized during the gale on Friday evening were still missing after two others were rescued.

Strong winds pounded Nantong, a town of 8 million on the north bank of the Yangtze River, accompanied by hailstones the size of large marbles, according to the website Toutiao.com.

Those killed were hit by falling trees and electricity poles, or had been blown into the water by the wind, local authorities said on social media platform Weibo.

They added that 102 people were injured and many homes damaged, with over 3,000 residents evacuated. AFP

Bomb blasts, flash protests in Myanmar EXPLOSIONS blasted off throughout Myanmar’s largest city Yangon on Saturday as protesters held flash marches for democracy, defying a brutal junta that has held onto power for three blood-drenched months.

The country has been in an uproar since the military ousted civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi on February 1, bringing an abrupt end to Myanmar’s short-lived experiment with democracy.

The power grab triggered a massive uprising, which authorities have tried to quell by deploying lethal force and live ammunition.

As Myanmar entered its fourth month under military rule on Saturday, protesters in commercial hub Yangon – an epicenter of unrest with a heavy security presence – staged flash demonstrations, marching rapidly through the streets to avoid confrontation with police and soldiers.

“We have the truth. Only the truth will prevail,” read a banner that protesters hoisted up as they marched quickly through a neighborhood, flashing the three-finger salute of defiance.

In Yangon’s Insein township, a bomb blast went off around 10 am near a local school, said a resident staying nearby.

“Some security forces came to check the blast area, but I only watched from a distance from my home because I was worried they would arrest me,” he told AFP, adding that he saw smoke rising.

By afternoon, another two blasts went off in Yankin, further south, according to locals living in the leafy residential township.

“I heard it from my place, I thought it was thunder,” a resident told AFP, adding that the explosions left the security forces nervous.

It remains unclear if anyone was injured by the blasts.

No one has claimed responsibility for the bombs – which are exploding with increasing frequency in Yangon.

“They (the junta) have made people live in fear and it is good to have them on edge as well,” the Yankin resident said.

He also praised the flash protesters for their ingenuity to evade arrest and crackdowns.

“Any show of defiance without getting captured or killed is great for the resistance.”

Nearly 760 civilians have been killed in the anti-coup unrest, according to a local monitoring group, though the junta has recorded a far lower death toll.

Deposed leader Suu Kyi has been under house arrest since the military detained her on February 1.

The junta has hit her with a barrage of charges, including sedition and Myanmar’s state secrets law.

Coup-maker Senior General Min Aung Hlaing has continuously justif ied the putsch as necessar y to protect democracy, alleging fraud in November’s election, which Suu Kyi’s party won in a landslide. AFP

Business A4

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SUNDAY, MAY 2, 2021

Companies begin shift to renewable energy

DOST-PCIEERD recognize PH startup incubators

By Othel V. Campos THE Department of Science and Technology- Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development and QBO Innovation Hub recently hosted the PH Startup Incubator Awards to recognize and reward topperforming technology business incubators that have demonstrated outstanding capabilities and produced impactful programs and startups during the TBI 4.0 Program.

The TBI 4.0 program, funded by the DOST-PCIEERD and led by QBO Innovation Hub, aims to develop world-class TBIs and incubator managers and increase the number of quality tech startups in the Philippines.

“The TBI 4.0 program has upgraded

Rise Against Hunger and corporate partner Japan Tobacco International Philippines, distribute rice at the height of the pandemic and in typhoon-battered areas in Isabela and Bicol regions.

Rise, corporate partners join hands to end hunger in PH

H

UNGER is a major problem in the Philippines, which worsened last year when the global pandemic hit the nation, on prolonged periods of unemployment and loss of income as a result of government lockdowns.

Rene Meily

the entire Philippine startup ecosystem through your incubators. Our hope is that the program will help spread entrepreneurship all over the country,” said QBO Innovation Hub and IdeaSpace president Rene Meily.

Initiated in 2019, the program elevated the capacity and services of the 12 DOSTsupported TBIs from all over the country, many of which were affiliated with local universities.

Under the TBI 4.0 program are four main strategies—co-incubation, internationalization, co-development of programs and levelling up—strategies that are meant to further equip incubators with capabilities to develop Filipino tech startups.

The DOST and QBO Innovation Hub introduced the PH Startup Incubator Awards to recognize and showcase the country’s TBIs and their accomplishments throughout the TBI 4.0 program, as they continue to support startup businesses through their high-quality innovative training and service offerings. The event also marks the two-year celebration and culmination of the TBI 4.0 Program and the journey of the 12 technology business incubators that participated.

“This continues to be part of our core mission and to date, we have helped launch nine spinoff companies with an additional six spinoff companies in the pipeline, on top of the other ventures that we have helped launch. During a time when it can sometimes be hard to find hope and inspiration, the first-ever Philippine Startup Incubator Awards gives us that and more,” Meily said.

The winners of the awards were announced on the Zoom and Facebook live platform on April 23, 2021. Each TBI was measured by its impact on each of the respective categories.

The list of categories and winners are Best Incubator Infrastructure -Center for Technopreneurship and Innovation of Batangas State University; Best Incubator Community Program-SIBOL Labs of University of the Philippines-Los Baños; Best Incubator Startup Program-AIM-Dado Banatao Incubator of Asian Institute of Management; Best Incubator Governance & Operations - UPSCALE Innovation Hub of the University of the PhilippinesDiliman.

Othe winners are Best Incubator Growth & Sustainability-Animo Labs of De La Salle University; Extra Mile Incubator-Animo Labs of De La Salle University; Rising Star Incubator-iDEYA of MSU Iligan Institute of Technology; People’s Choice for Best Incubator Team-iDEYA of MSU Iligan Institute of Technology; and Grand Champion- UPSCALE Innovation Hub of University of the Philippines-Diliman.

Bria Homes brings a spin on the condominium lifestyle with the launch of Astra Vertical Villages.

The number of people going hungry reached a record high during the pandemic, according to Social Weather Stations. In the last quarter of 2020, SWS findings show that 16 percent of the population, or an estimated 4 million families, experienced involuntary hunger at least once, or double the prepandemic levels of 8.8 percent in December 2019.

Nearly one-third of families—or 7.6 million households—did not have enough food to eat at least once in the previous three months, SWS September 2020 survey showed. Among them were 2.2 million families experiencing “severe hunger”—the highest ever.

It was during these times that non-government organization such as Rise Against Hunger in the Philippines stepped up to mobilize its staff and volunteers from their corporate partners to assist in packing meals and deliver food to various communities nationwide.

RAH Philippines is a member of the Global Confederation of Rise Against Hunger with headquarters in North Carolina, USA and offices in South Africa, Italy, India, Malaysia and the Philippines.

Prior to the pandemic, a large number of the population in the country already lacked enough food to feed their families.

According to a Food and Agriculture Organization report, about 59 million people were “moderately or severely food insecure” between 2017 and 2019—the highest in Southeast Asia.

End hunger by 2030 It is due to this condition that RAH Philippines executive director Jomar Fleras said that RAH’s main focus is to end hunger by 2030, which is part of the global commitment of Sustainable Development Goal #2.

Fleras, a University of the Philippines graduate and a fellow of the Harvard School of Public Health, University of

Southern California and National University of Singapore, has worked in several projects funded by the United States Agency for International Development, Australian Agency for International Development, PATH, European Union and UNFPA. He has managed projects in the Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia, Myanmar and Indonesia.

He said RAH is anchoring its efforts on four pillars: feeding program through food banking, empowering communities by helping them start community gardens, disaster relief operations during emergencies, and working with volunteers to pack fortified rice meals for hunger relief operations.

RAH meals support transformational development and disaster response programs.

A large percent these meals go to areas affected by natural disasters. The organization fosters relationships among its network of partners to mobilize the most amount of relief aid possible in the shortest amount of time.

The organization also facilitates shipments of donated products when available such as medical supplies, and provides thousands of nutritious meals and other life-saving aid to children and families in the Philippines.

Foodbanks To expedite delivery of food packs in target communities, RAH maintains the first and only foodbank in the country. It has foodbanks in Cebu, Bacolod, Tondo and Taguig, as well as ‘virtual’ foodbanks in Laguna, Isabela, Iloilo, Bukidnon and Davao.

“We are a member of the Global FoodBanking Network and founding member of the Association of Asian Food Banks,” Fleras said.

It is through these food banks or soup kitchens/pantries where RAH collect and store contributions from donors and pack the goods before they distribute them.

“We collect twice a day from different companies, and we distribute them at least three times a week in communities in Metro Manila, such as Tondo. We also distribute at least twice a month, as far as north as Isabela and down south as Davao,” Fleras said.

Partners are key RAH relies on their corporate partners, particularly in working with volunteers since they only have 15 regular staff. To effectively reach out to poor communities in the south, they also collaborate with local government units and NGOs. RAH adopted as its raison d’etre to link up with partners/donors such as San Miguel Corp., Japan Tobacco International Philippines, RFM Corp., Dole Fresh Philippines,

Century Pacific Foods, Lazada, Globe Telecom, McDonald’s Philippines, British School Manila, JPMorgan Chase and Monde Nissin for food distribution and disaster relief operations.

“For example, we partner with San Miguel Corp., which has warehouses nationwide; they alert us if they have food donation in areas like Cagayan de Oro; we then contact and coordinate with our NGO partner in Bukidnon called ‘Binhi’, for virtual food banking,” Fleras said.

“There’s no reason to collect food in CDO and bring them back to Manila, there are also people who are hungry in Bukidnon,” he explained.

Relief operations The impact of the virus on hunger has been exacerbated by a series of typhoons that have pummeled the country in recent months, destroying tens of thousands of homes.

This is where RAH was pleased to partner with JTI Philippines for its food distribution and disaster relief operations.

“We did a huge project with them last Christmas distributing rice bags and other goods to people affected by super typhoon Rolly,” he said.

Fleras considered it a milestone to organize and distribute rice in 49 different areas in less than two months.

“With JTI’s help, we were able to go out to 49 locations, distribute and turnover the goods from up north to down south despite travel restrictions; it is a record considering there is a pandemic and it was Christmas time” Fleras said.

The partnership with JTI also benefited about 1.5 million individuals who received rice and relief goods, with more than 400,000 families nationwide as recipients.

“We’re able to reach them through the assistance of JTI’s network in the country,” Fleras said.

“We had a good collaboration with JTI because it’s not a partnership that we write you a check and that’s it. JTI helped us in the distribution, procurement and there’s always an open communication between us,” Fleras said.

Fleras also praised JTI’s team bravery in meeting with them face-to-face. “Some donors that we had during the pandemic were too scared to meet with us. We’re not scared to meet face-to-face, because when we distribute foods we cannot do it virtually, we have to do it personally. JTI was one of the very few partners / donors who were brave enough to do face-to-face meetings with us,” Fleras said.

Golden Haven hosts virtual sales awards A pioneer of digital milestones within the Villar group and across the memorial industry, Golden Haven successfully held its first virtual annual nationwide sales awards.

As it has proven time and again, no challenges are insurmountable when it comes to celebrating the company’s network of dedicated brokers and sellers. Agile and always adaptive to change, Golden Haven exceeded its networks’ expectations of the event not only in attendance but in overall programming as well.

The Philippines is an archipelago of 7,117 islands with a diverse set of culture and beliefs and to showcase the beauty and magnificence of our nation, Golden Haven highlighted the vibrant festivities across the country.

With the theme Fiesta Filipinas 2021, Golden Haven sites from all across the country joined forces in the milestone event and prepared various performances to show-

case their respective areas’.

The company’s battle cry “Piliin Natin Ang Pilipinas!” speaks volumes of the traits it holds dearly; particularly the nation-building advocacy of Golden Haven through excellence in death care not only for local countrymen but for Filipinos all over the globe.

The awards of the year 2019-2020 for Top Sales Associate, Top Sales Manager and Top Sales Directors were mostly notched by sellers from the Visayas and Mindanao Region with a handful from South Luzon and Mega Manila.

Golden Haven recognizes these sellers whose passion and dedication achieved milestones in sales accomplishment and client engagement while also taking into account the Golden Haven’s drive for efficient collection.

Golden Haven Memorial Park chief operating officer Red Rosales graced the event

Golden Haven Memorial Park COO Red Rosales announces new developments and innovations for the company. not only to boost the morale of the networks, but also to proudly announce new developments and innovations for Golden Haven, and how the company is committed to keeping its title of being “The Largest Chain of the Most Beautiful Memorial Parks in the Country“.

EDC is one of the few companies to be given a Green Energy Option Program license that will soon allow 100-KW power consumers to directly source renewable energy from them.

By Alena Mae S. Flores MORE institutions and organizations are discovering how much better things can be when they use clean energy. Their increasing number is proof that, not only is it the smart choice for the climate and the environment, it is also a wise business investment.

By switching to renewable energy, businesses are also able to help the country reduce carbon emissions that contribute to global warming.

As the leading renewable energy provider in the Philippines, Energy Development Corp. is in a position to help companies make the transition to clean and renewable energy.

Beyond being a service provider, EDC enables customers to make changes that will benefit not only their business operations, but also the environment.

EDC, the largest geothermal energy source in the Philippines, says companies and power utilities that use clean, reliable, cost competitive renewable energy create a better future for all of us.

“We make the clean choice to give you a better choice. We made the decision to focus our business on low-carbon, clean, renewable energy. Today, that decision enables others to put their own business on a more sustainable path. By using clean, reliable, cost-competitive renewable energy, they can create a better future for their business and for our planet,” the company says.

For over 40 years, EDC has been pioneering sustainability with clean, renewable, reliable and affordable energy through geothermal sources, and other forms of low-carbon renewable energy solutions.

It delivers 1,476.6 megawatts of clean, renewable and reliable energy throughout the Philippines, of which bulk comes from geothermal energy.

In 2019, EDC had 92 customers, 57 of which were contestable customers, a 29.8-percent increase from 2018 which shows that more businesses and institutions are understanding the impact of their operations on the environment, and this realization prompts them to explore different options in terms of smarter energy choices.

“It’s good to know that we can contribute to carbon reduction at zero cost,” says Oddy Velarde, automation executive at Coca-Cola Beverages Philippines Inc., whose bottling facilities in Ilocos, Pangasinan, Pampanga, Bulacan and Cebu now run on clean energy sources.

Coca-Cola works constantly to remain an industry leader by practicing sustainable business operations and continuously improving upon their processes to strengthen their environment-conscious policies.

EDC also has the capability to support companies as they develop smart energy strategies. This greatly reduces the negative environmental impacts of their industrial or commercial operations, without sacrificing efficiency and productivity.

“EDC continues to give us learnings to reinforce our sustainability roadmap, and to place more focus on the aspect of our carbon footprint,” says Joseph Emmanuel Liwag, vice president and managing director of Knowles Electronics Corp., a customer and an active partner of the EDC BINHI Program in Cebu City.

The nationwide greening program promotes the reforestation of denuded areas and the propagation of threatened native tree species, both of which help sequester and absorb more carbon from the atmosphere. More EDC power customers are signing up to become BINHI partners to further lower their carbon footprint.

Astra Condominium brand launched THINK condominiums and it’s easy to conjure up images of glass and steel skyscrapers in the city’s finance districts—or sleek residential high rises in plush neighborhoods.

Throw in bustling streets and the thriving rhythm of the metropolis’ heartbeat and one gets the picture.

However, with new infrastructure connecting towns and suburban cities of late, leading real estate developer Bria Homes brings its own spin on the condominium lifestyle with the launch of Astra Vertical Villages in Calamba, Laguna and General Trias, Cavite.

Bria’s Astra Vertical Villages are contempo-

rary mid-rise condominium developments that offer three stars at its main features: affordability, accessibility and independence.

These factors make Astra the ideal domicile for young professionals, small families or anyone looking to make a new start in life.

Astra offers more than just functional living space for residents, who will come home to a well-designed, thoughtfully laid-out 24-square-meter unit with bedroom, dining and kitchen area, living room and toilet and bath. Astra homeowners will also find comfort and camaraderie in a tight-knit community with access to superior amenities

that are not ordinarily offered by affordable condo developments.

It features a communal clubhouse with a swimming pool and gym for those who want to maintain a healthy and active lifestyle.

These are on top of spacious function halls for sundry occasions, helping inspire a sense of community among Astra’s homeowners as they go through their daily lives.

To offset condo buildings’ stereotype of tedious-looking concrete blocks, Astra boasts of lush green spaces, blossoming flora and vast playgrounds for children and families to enjoy.

Youth & Culture B1

SUNDAY, MAY 2, 2021

Bernadette Lunas, Editor

manilastandardlife@gmail.com

@manilastandardlife

@MStandardLIFE

Students, startups invited to Globe's first 5G hackathon

By Bernadette Lunas

B

ELIEVING in the ability of the youth in providing innovations that improve the way we live, a telecommunications company launches its first 5G hackathon.

“Globe acknowledges the immense creativity of today’s youth,” said Issa Guevarra-Cabreira, Globe chief commercial officer.

Together with Animo Labs of De La Salle University-Manila, Globe invites students, young professionals, and startups from all over the country to pitch in their innovative solutions to modern problems using 5G technology.

“We want to show the extent of its [5G] use, from AR and VR, edge, Internet of things, as well as how it can impact industries and even our society. This is where Globe 5G Hackathon comes in,” said Guevar Guevarra-Cabreira.

She added, “We aim to enable Filipinos to learn what 5G can do and how to utilize it to its full extent.”

Participants will go through a series of workshops, slated to happen between May 21 and June 4, where they will learn from industry experts and mentors “essential learnings in developing applications” including 5G uses and building block technologies such as IoT, cloud, AI, and edge computing.

Speakers include experts from Huawei, Google Cloud, Intel, Alibaba, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, and more.

“We will also help them develop their

soft skill, focused on design thinking, prototyping, business-modeling, and a lot more,” shared Gerhard Tan, director of technology strategy at Globe.

The top 30 teams will then be able to cultivate their ideas and bring them to life through a nationwide pitch happening on June 2-25.

Categories for the competition will focus on the use of 5G technologies in different sectors of the Philippine economy and society. “We look encour at three main areas to encourage Filipinos to contribute to tech nation-building using techGue nology,” explained Guevarra-Cabreira.

Categories include 5G for Society (education, healthcare, livelihood), 5G for Industries (retail, logis manufacturing, logistics, e-commerce), and 5G for Smart Cities (disaster risk as management, sustainability, asset and resource management, transportation).

Ten teams will move on to the hackathon and demo day some time in August, and the awarding of winners is on Sept. 3. The winning teams will get exciting prizes and the opportunity to have their ideas funded by one of Globe’s partners and 917Ventures, the telco’s largest corporate venture builder.

Guevarra-Cabreira, together with Nata-

Issa Guevarra-Cabreira, Globe chief commercial officer

INNOVATION FOR NATION. Globe’s first 5G hackathon taps into the creativity of young innovators to create innovative solutions using 5G technology to address issues in different sectors of Philippine economy and society.

sha Bautista, head of marketing communications and program management of 917Ventures, invites “everyone eligible” to join the 5G hackathon and take advantage of the company’s wide network.

“Globe is the pioneer and leader in 5G technology in the Philippines, covering 84 percent of Metro Manila and with presence in Bacolod, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, Cagayan de Oro, and Bo-

racay,” said Guevarra-Cabreira. our nation’s admired. Together we can “We see a Philippines where families’ come up with #FirstWorldNetwork sodreams come true, businesses flourish, lutions for our nation’s concerns.”

#TeamGoodboy Kim Seon Ho invites everyone eligible to join the hackathon.

Shopee offers more discounted products at 5.5 sale BUILDING on its successful 10.10 Brands Festival, which sold 70 million items last year, Shopee highlights brands on the platform at the upcoming 5.5 Brands Festival.

“Shopee’s strong brand partnerships have contributed to its record-breaking growth,” said Shopee Philippines director Martin Yu. Nadine Lustre is featured on a digital billboard in New York Times Square as EQUAL Philippines' Artist of the Month. (Photo from @nadine/Instagram)

What’s in store before the day

Brand takeovers leading to the 5.5 sale started on April 22 and runs until May 4, during which they offer exciting deals and discounts. Brands offering discounts up to 90 percent include Realme on May 2, Maybelline on May 3, and Olay on May 4. OPPO had its brand day on April 29, Procter & Gamble on April 30, and Vivo on May 1.

Shoppers can claim over P1 million worth of prizes at Shopee Prizes Sale on May 3, and redeem over P5,500 worth of vouchers at Brands Vouchers Sale on May 4. Redeem 50 percent cashback at the Electronics Fair on May 2-4.

“At Shopee, it is our goal to work together with brands loved

by Filipinos to deliver the best value on their favorite products so they can maximize their financial resources,” said Yu. In addition to helping Filipino shoppers secure their needs at

Shopee Philippines director Martin Yu leads the virtual launch of the e-commerce platform’s 5.5 Brands Festival.

the best value, Yu said, “We usher in the 5.5 Brands Festival by reiterating our commitments to create a safe, convenient, and rewarding shopping experience for Filipinos, and create opportunities for brands to thrive further in the digital space.”

Come May 5, shoppers can expect up to 90 percent off, flash deals up to 50 percent off, free shipping with no minimum spend, and 50 percent cashback from crowd-favorite brands.

5.5 deals and discounts

The entire Pampers line is discounted up to 34 percent; the Enfagrow A+ range and more on discount up to 37 percent; prices of Nestle essentials are slashed up to 50 percent; Vivo takes P300 off each purchase with a minimum of P6,000 using the voucher code VIVO300; and select Colourette Cosmetics products are on discount up to 50 percent plus free shipping for a minimum spend of P999.

Other brands slashing prices up to 90 percent on select products include Tender Care, AirQueen PH, Unicare, Reckitt, GSK, Pedigree, Whiskas, IAMS, Peculiar Eyewear, Puritan’s Pride, Shigetsu, Mikana, INSPI, Organic Skin, Organic Official, Teetalk, Crown, Chef’s Classics, and XTREME Appliances.

Watch Willie or be the next endorser of Shopee

Select products from crowd-favorite brands that are discounted during the sale event.

In addition to in-app features—5 million worth of coins, gadgets, and ShopeePay credits up for grabs; giveaways from top brands; and up to P100,000 cash prize and giveaways at non-stop live stream—win big prizes by watching Wowowin’s 5.5 Brands Festival TV Special airing simultaneously on GMA 7 and Shopee Live.

Aspiring endorsers can strike a pose with a product they purchased from Shopee Mall and submit their entries through bit.ly/NextShopeeEndorser until May 5. Shopee will pick five winners with the most creative and original entries. Winners will get P10,000.

Nadine Lustre banners

Filipino music on Spotify EQUAL FOLLOWING the launch of Spotify's EQUAL hub in March, Spotify Philippines announced last week the inclusion of Nadine Lustre to the music program as the country’s first Artist of the Month.

The actress and singer is featured on the cover of Philippines’ EQUAL playlist. Lustre is also featured on a digital billboard in New York Times Square.

“I’m stoked to be part of EQUAL along with other female artists,” she enthused.

Through the EQUAL Global Music Program, Spotify aims to amplify the work of women creators by extending its resources and generating more opportunities for these artists, and by creating a global, cohesive, branded

experience. The playlist includes songs by female music artists.

As the first-ever EQUAL Artist of the Month for the Philippines, Nadine Lustre hopes to inspire women creators to continue honing their craft and using their talents to champion for equality.

“I hope that through our songs we can inspire others to never stop being creative—to constantly trust themselves when tapping into their imagination—so that they feel compelled to create and share it with the world,” she said.

Lustre joins other featured artists around the world: Saweetie (United States), DUDA BEAT (Brazil), Griff (United Kingdom), Natalia Lafourcade (Mexico), and Zoe Wees (Germany/UK).

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

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

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

B2

Home/Design

SUNDAY, MAY 2, 2021

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

UV nano technology boosts LG’s RAC lineup

L

G Electronics, recently introduced its lineup of LG dualcool air-conditioners with dual inverter compressor. The units reportedly have 70 percent lower energy consumption and 40 percent faster cooling performance.

of germs from humidity, bacteria, and viruses within the unit, was likewise introduced. The UVnano five-step total air care system in the LG dualcool air-conditioners feature PM1.0 filtration to deliver a fresh living experience for smart homes.

Helpful connectivity The air-conditioners support connectivity with the LG ThinQ app through Wi-Fi, which enables users to remotely control the airconditioner. LG is targeting an LG’s UVnano technology, said to increase in its local market up to 15 be capable of removing 99 percent percent in 2021 with the dualcool

air-conditioners.

“The pandemic fundamentally changed how people live their lives,” said Young Park, LG Philippines vice president for air conditioners and energy solutions. “In response to this change, LG developed new airconditioners that help protect family members from the spread of germs, viruses, and dust particles that might be in the air. The new machines’ removal and air purification capabilities are complemented by durability and energy-saving efficiency for longer use.”

Bringing Europe to the Metro

RIDING

THE TREND. AboitizLand recently announced a 44 percent take-up of its first quarter sales, exceeding by 61 percent its performance during the same period last year before the global health crisis started. The market’s growing preference to live away from populous cities and digital transformation initiatives that the developer has been using, reportedly contributed to the company’s

robust sales. AboitizLand has been supplying house-and-lot inventory in areas outside Metro Manila such as Batangas, Cabanatuan, Capas, Pampanga, and Cebu (Shown here, the Amoa in Compostela). AboitizLand’s contactless sales and customer engagement program are innovations that included updating the AboitizLand Vecino app, a mobile application that offers homebuyers enhanced end-to-end online servicing.

EUROPEAN homebuilder PIK recently held a media roundtable to showcase the comforts of its first project in the country, One Sierra, in Mandaluyong (Shown here).

PIK has been creating quality homes for over 27 years, and is reportedly a leader in the Russian real estate market. “Our mission has always been to provide beautiful, functional and durable homes to raise and redefine their quality of life,” said PIK head project manager for international development Gasan Guseynov.

To date, PIK claimed to have built homes for over 500,000 households and have a market capitalization of $8.6 Billion. “We are very excited to launch our first project in the region with One Sierra in Mandaluyong,” said PIK country Manager Mai Yang.

The project was designed with John Mc Aslan + Partners, a London-based architectural firm, bringing in modern aesthetics and green-building technologies.

Walkable communities in vogue DMCI Homes recently announced that it is rolling out more residential projects strategically located near rail transportation networks.

The move is a nod to the growing need for “walkable communities” with convenient mobility choices, in large part due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Among these are La Verti Residences in Pasay City; One Castilla Place and Zinnia Towers in Quezon City; Sorrel Residences and Torre De Manila in Manila; Sheridan Towers in Pasig City; Flair

Towers in Mandaluyong City; and Brio Tower in Makati City. Also included are preselling projects such as The Crestmont and Infina Towers in Quezon City; Satori Residences in Pasig City; and The Aston Place in Pasay City. Dennis Yap, DMCI Homes VP for project development, said the company launched this year the Oriana along Aurora Boulevard, Quezon City (Shown in photo).

The two-tower edifice will be close to the Light Rail Transit Line 2, and upcoming Metro Manila Subway System.

BRIDGE TOO CLOSE.

Public Works and Highways secretary Mark A. Villar recently announced that the Estrella - Pantaleon Bridge Project already entered wrapup stage with the substructure and superstructure already completed. The expanded Estrella-Pantaleon Bridge, also known as the Rockwell Bridge (shown in photo), is on track for its 2021 completion, with the concrete pouring of the bridge deck slab happening last week. The closure pour was witnessed by undersecretary Emil K. Sadain together

with DPWH-UPMO roads management cluster 1 project managers Benjamin Bautista and Melchor Kabiling. The project across Pasig River will help decongest EDSA traffic, and will accommodate around 50,000 vehicles per day. The bridge project connecting Estrella Street in Makati City and Barangka Drive in Mandaluyong City is one of the two grant bridges from the People’s Republic China being implemented by DPWH-UPMO roads management cluster 1.

Entertainment

Fil-Am musical director Troy Laureta

B3

SUNDAY, MAY 2, 2021 Nickie Wang, Editor; E-mail: nickie.standard@ gmail.com

A K-Pop star’s take on local hit classic

By Nickie Wang

A

WARD-WINNING Korean-American singer Amy Lee, otherwise known as Ailee, can no longer wait for the pandemic to be over so she could visit the Philippines and sing live before her fans.

“My fans are very supportive and I can’t wait to share with them another project that me and Troy Laureta are working on that I can’t say as well,” the South Korean singer shared in a virtual presser held Wednesday, adding that this project is still under wraps and she can’t divulge further details as yet.

“I just want to thank my fans for their love and support, and their trust in my creative process as well. Hopefully, I will be able to repay all those blessings by meeting you guys in concert soon,” she carried on.

Ailee channeled a gentle yet powerful rendition of “Kahit Isang Saglit” for musical director Troy Laureta’s KAIBIGAN: A Troy Laureta OPM Collective Vol. 1 album. And by the looks of it, there’s another collaboration in the pipeline.

“First time I heard it I knew that I wanted to sing it. This song is beautiful,” Ailee said. “The melody of the song really captured me.”

Despite the K-pop artist’s worries that she would not be able to give justice to the iconic song, she went on to record it with Troy virtually guiding her in the recording

studio. “I never thought that I would be singing in Tagalog, it’s a great opportunity to blend different worlds,” she added.

A co-production with ABS-CBN Music International, KAIBIGAN pays tribute to Original Pilipino Music (OPM) love ballads and introduces them to listeners around the world.

Troy included “Kahit Isang Saglit,” originally sung by Martin Nievera, in this OPM collection as he remembers it being a favorite karaoke anthem of his father. “’Kahit Isang Saglit’ was a staple and is still a staple in our house. My dad used to sing it all the time,” he revealed.

He envisioned that the new “Kahit Isang Saglit” version would be perfect for Ailee, whom he met at one of David Foster’s concerts.

“The song lyrically is so emotional, so gentle, and so delicate but still powerful and that for me is Ailee,” the FilipinoAmerican music producer said.

He also saw the collaboration as a fusion of K-drama official soundtracks (OST) and Filipino teleserye theme songs.

“I’m a huge fan of K-pop, and it shares so many similarities with OPM, so this song

South Korean pop star Ailee is the voice behind ‘I’ll Go To You Like The First Snow,’ an original soundtrack of the hit K-drama ‘Goblin.’

didn’t go so far from what she’s used to,” Troy said.

Aside from Ailee, the KAIBIGAN album also includes classic Filipino love songs interpreted by Cheesa, Jake Zyrus, Matt Bloyd, Nicole Scherzinger, Pia Toscano, Regine Velasquez, and Sheléa.

Korean Film Fest goes digital anew

‘Confetti’appears as the fourth track on Little Mix’s sixth studio album.

Little Mix throws ‘Confetti’ with Saweetie GLOBAL pop act Little Mix returns with it storming new single “Confetti,” a reworked and revamped version of the title track to its best-selling album of the same title.

A firm fan favorite, the single features US rapper and singer Saweetie, who has added her own unique flavor to the track.

Perrie Edwards, Jade Thirlwall, and Leigh-Anne Pinnock have established themselves as the world’s biggest girl band - they have sold over 60 million records worldwide, collected over 19 million Spotify listeners, received over 3 billion You-

Tube views, and collated 12 billion streams worldwide.

Earlier this year the band hit No.1 in the UK with their smash hit single “Sweet Melody,” their 5th UK No.1 single. Their 6th album ‘Confetti’ has so far spawned three hit singles and had track sales of over 4.5 million. Little Mix is nominated for Best British Group at this year’s BRIT Awards taking place next month.

The year 2022 will see the band finally hit the road with its highly-anticipated Confetti Tour taking in arenas across the UK and Ireland.

PINOY fans and geeks will finally get their renewed daily dose of the DC Universe with beloved DC television series on Warner TV and HBO Go. Here are exciting series available on the platform for audiences to enjoy:

Actress winner, Youn YuhIN CELEBRATION of the jung, as well as, the 2018 Family Month in Korea in drama The Soul-Mate starMay, Korean Cultural Cenring Ma Dong-seok and ter in the Philippines will be Kim Young-kwang. bringing back the crowd-faApart from showcasvorite Korean Film Festival, ing these films, KCC has running from May 7 to 27. also prepared exciting acTitled “2021 Korean Film tivities for those who are Festival: Full House, Fun for All,” is once again haplooking to win some cool pening online this whole prizes through the 2021 month of May. Constant KFF Online Film Reacand even new KFF patrons tion Essay Contest and the can enjoy seven outstanding KFF Survey. All the particifilms from a diverse set of pants need to do is either by genres for free at home. writing their own thoughts The three sub-genres per about the films or by simply week namely Action, Comanswering a few questions.

Jung Yu-mi and Gong Yoo of the drama ‘Kim Jiyoung, edy, and Family Drama Full mechanics of the conBorn in 1982 ‘ have been specially picked tests can be found on KCC’s to cater to the varying prefofficial SNS. Korean Film Festival is one of the landmark events of erences of every family member. Those who are looking for a good laugh, action-packed scenes, or heartwarming KCC’s Kolorful Adventures campaign which takes its inmovies would definitely have their own favorites among spiration from the colorful Korean culture that has been the playground of most Filipinos since the advent of the the lineup.

Under the Action genre, there’s the 2019 film Exit Hallyu Wave and has been the companion of many in starring Jo Jung-suk, Girls Generation’s Im Yoon-ah weathering the ongoing pandemic.

Organized by the Korean Cultural Center and the Emand there’s also the 2019 film Extreme Job starring Ryu Seung-ryong, Lee Hanne, Jin Seon-kyu, Lee Dong-hwi, bassy of the Republic of Korea in the Philippines, “2021 Korean Film Festival: Full House, Fun for All,” is done in and Gong Myung.

The comedy category has the 2016 film My Annoying partnership with Korea Film Council, Film Development Brother featuring Jo Jung-suk, EXO’s Do Kyung-soo Council of the Philippines, Korea Tourism Organization, and Park Shin-hye, as well as, the 2019 film Miss and Viva International Pictures, APOP, and its official telecomMrs. Cops starring Ra Mi-ran and Lee Sung-kyung. munications partner, SMART. Get your tissues ready because under the family drama Follow Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines on genre there’s the highly-acclaimed 2019 film Kim Jiyoung, Facebook https://www.facebook.com/KoreanCulturalBorn in 1982 starring Jung Yu-mi and Gong Yoo. There’s CenterPH/ and @kccphil on Instagram and Twitter for also the 2018 flick Keys to the Heart featuring Lee Byung- more updates about the Embassy and KCC’s events and hun, Park Jung-min, and 2021 Oscars’ Best Supporting activities.

Warner TV, HBO GO treat local fans with anticipated DC titles Swamp Thing (HBO GO)

DC’s Legends of Tomorrow (Warner TV)

The series, which stars Caity Lotz, Maisie Richardson-Sellers, and Tala Ashe, returns with its sixth season tomorrow at 9:00 p.m. exclusive on Warner TV, with familiar faces battling time-travelling threats while dealing with historical figures When heroes alone are not enough... the world needs legends. Setting history back on track, the Legends set out to save the world – and their legacy. This time, it’s the familiar fun of the Legends timetravelling across historical events and encountering famous figures with an added shot of magical craziness.

Arrow S1-S8 (HBO GO)

Reminisce the adventures of Oliver Queen aka the Green Arrow as he attempts to save the multiverse against The Monitor as all eight seasons of Arrow now available for streaming exclusively on HBO GO. Even as he returns to his friends in Starling City, he must decipher The Monitor’s plans and confront the reality and purpose of his existence as the Green Arrow. Stars Stephen Amell, David Ramsey, and Emily Bett Rickards.

Missing Crystal Reed, Andy Bean, Will Patton, and Virginia Madsen of Swamp Thing? Now you can stream the series exclusively on HBO GO and get to know more about the man behind the swamp.

The small town of Marais, Louisiana, is stricken by a mysterious illness, prompting a visit from CDC investigator and former Marais native, Abby Arcane. At the hospital, she encounters biologist Alec Holland who believes the bizarre illness might be connected to his scientific work in the swamp for powerful businessman Avery Sunderland. When Alec goes missing after investigating the unnatural experiments deep in the swamp, something else rises in his place, a mysterious creature born of the depths of the swamp’s mystical and terrifying secrets.

Catch Warner TV in Cignal Ch. 235 and Sky Cable Ch. 34 (SD) and Ch. 197 (HD). Now you can also download these series exclusively on HBO GO.

B4

SUNDAY, MAY 2, 2021

Desiree Carlos, Editor

daycarlos28@yahoo.com

Pets

Yes, eggshells are good for dogs and cats

B

OTH dogs and cats will benefit from a meal with ground eggshell due to its calcium content. He or she will benefit from the natural nutrients found in eggshells without the preservatives or additives in most commercial pet food.

“Most of the body's calcium is found in bones. It forms a base for your pets' bone structure, and works with phosphorous, boron, vitamin D and other nutrients to support muscle and nerve function, balance hormone levels and keep blood healthy, “ says Sarah Whitman in “How to Make Your Own Ground Eggshell Calcium Supplement for Dogs and Cats” in pets.thenest.com.

Whitman adds: “Eggshells pack a calcium punch, as they are about 94 to 97 percent calcium. This calcium is highly absorbable due to its natural form, and because other trace minerals (are) present within the shell increase absorption.”

of calcium is needed by an adult dog, and 320 mg by a pup.

2. For every kilogram, about 128 mg is needed by a cat, and 400 mg by kittens.

“To find your pet's weight in kilograms, divide his weight in pounds by 2.2. For example, a 10-pound dog weighs 4.5 kilograms and he'd need 540 mg of calcium daily (120 mg per kilogram x 4.5 kilograms = 540 mg). Your pet's needs may vary, so run your estimate past your vet,” Whitman says.

The right egg and calcium content

The shell of an average-sized egghas 750 to 800 mg of calcium, and trace elements like boron, copper, iron, magneCalcium requirements for pets sium, manganese, zinc and more. WhitCalcium requirement for dogs and man says, ”Eggshells have a total of 27 cats are based on body weight. Whit- trace elements and a composition simiman explained: lar to bones and teeth.”

1. For every kilogram, about 120 mg Also, eggshells are porous, and vulJust mix a little amount of ground eggshell in the food of your dog and cat.

nerable to contaminants such as chemicals and bacteria in the environment.

Thus, Whitman urges pet owners to buy organic eggs as much as possible when you plan to give ground egg shells to dogs or cats.

“Cooking eggshells will help destroy bacteria, but it won't remove (the) chemicals,” Whitman says.

Basic eggshell recipe

Here’s how to prepare eggshells prior to mixing in your pet’s food, according to Whitman: 1. Remove the egg from the shell.

2. Keep the thin membrane because it contains nutrients also.

3. Drop shells in boiling water for a minute or two to kill the bacteria.

4. Dry the shells, then place them in a coffee grinder. Grinding protects your pet's mouth from injury, as shells are sharp.

5. If you don't have a grinder, place them in a plastic bag, then roll a rolling pin over the plastic bag until the shells are crushed.

6. Last resort is to use your hands to crush them.

7. When they no longer hurt your hand, they're safe for your pet's mouth. DC

Both the hardboiled eggs, preferably the egg white only, and GROUND EGGSHELLS are good for dogs and cats. Eggshells contain calcium which is very good for the bones.

Please make sure the eggshells are ground well so that no sharp pieces are left that can harm your cat.

Kittens love new stuff. You can add ground eggshells once or twice a month in their food.

PET TALES

BY DESIREE CARLOS EGGS for cats? Why not! Cats can eat eggs but the eggs should be cooked.

Dr. Dalal Hares in “Can Cats Eat Eggs?” in PetMD said that eggs are very nutritious for cats.

Here are some benefits and risks of feeding eggs to your cat: 1. Eggs are excellent sources of protein and fat.

“Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning they eat a diet of mostly animal protein,” Hares said, thus, eggs are good for cats.

2. However, eggs can not be the sole source of protein for your cat. It can be eaten only as a supplement to the protein you provide through his or her main meal though. This means you have to maintain a different source of protein like ground chicken or fish as the main source of protein for your cat. Or check out the cat food you are giving your cat and ask your vet if it has sufficient protein for a cat.

3. Please also remember that egg whites contain protein without fat. Egg yolks, meanwhile, contain mostly fat with some protein.

“So take note that feeding your cat egg yolks will increase the fat content of their diet,” Hares said.

4. Eggshells contain calcium and other minerals but tend to be less tasty for cats. “Supplementing minerals in your cat’s diet should only be done under the direction of a veterinarian,” Hares stressed 5. You can scramble an egg but do not put any oil, salt or seasoning so as not to add fat. Just scramble the egg and put it in the pan to cook it. Cook it well though.

6. You can also boil the egg. Make

Eggs for a healthy cat

In general, feeding raw eggs will increase the risk of exposing you, your family, and your pets to harmful bacteria. It is much safer to feed your cat eggs that are cooked to an internal temperature of 160°F,” Hares added.

Kittens can eat eggs

Kittens need a complete, formulated diet, Hares said. Thus, give scrambled or boiled eggs in small amount to kittens.

“Eggs should not be a kitten’s sole source of food. Consult with your veterinarian prior to feeding eggs to your kitten,” Hares said.

Suggested feeding amounts

Protein is important for a kitten's growth. Meet Shorty, a kitten who was left on a vacant loot beside a busy road in Sa Mateo, Rizal. He loves wet food or cat food from the cat with some egg whites in small amounts once or twice a month. Egg white supplements only the protein in a cat's diet and is not a substitute for meat or fish.

sure it is cooked well too. Again, do not put salt or any seasoning.

7. You might be adding too much fat to your cat’s diet so ask your veterinarian first before giving egg to your cat.

“Scrambled eggs or boiled eggs that contain egg yolks have an increased fat content, which increases the calorie content, which raises your cat’s risk of obesity. In addition, fatty meals can cause gastrointestinal (GI) upset and pancreatitis,” said Hares.

It is best too give only the egg white as it is packed with protein but does not have the fat of the yolk. Cut the egg white into small pieces as cats have small teeth.

8. We give only the white of the eggs to cats once a month. We do this only to provide a treat or something different to the cats.

“Feeding only egg whites that are either boiled or scrambled will reduce these risks. Egg whites contain almost no fats, making them the better source of protein for your cat,” Hares said.

Do not feed raw eggs to cats Eggs should be well-cooked.

“According to the Centers for Disease Control, ingesting raw eggs or raw egg whites increases the risk of getting infected with a bacteria called salmonella. Salmonella can infect both pet parents and their cats. It can cause GI symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea,” Hares stressed.

“Salmonella infects 1.35 million people in the United States every year and does carry a risk of hospitalization and death in humans.

A tablespoon of boiled egg white is sufficient to supplement a cat’s protein in the diet. Small amounts are recommended, Hares said.

“However, cats tend to need less food than we thin k, and they are generally good at t ur ning ext ra calories into fat or ext ra pounds.

It is impor tant that cats are fed a completely balanced diet. Before adding eggs to your cat’s diet, consult with your veterinarian,” Hares said.

“Cats are also susceptible to developing disease secondary to nutritional deficiencies, such as cardiac disease. If you are considering feeding your cat a home-cooked diet, consult with a veterinary nutritionist who can help you formulate a balanced diet,” Hares added.

Remember: egg whites should be boiled or scrambled without salt or seasoning to an internal temperature of 160°F to avoid salmonellosis. Hardboiled egg whites are preferred.

Let the eggs cool before giving a small amount to your cat.