Manila Standard - 2021 May 16 - Sunday

‘The sun is out’: PH Miss U bet stuns in yellow RABIYA Mateo on Saturday brought the sunshine that was missing from her national costume the day earlier, as the Philippines’ bet dazzled in a bright yellow Furne Amato creation during the evening gown round at the Miss Universe preliminary competition in Hollywood, Florida.

Matching the hue of the swimsuit she wore earlier in the competition, Mateo shone on stage in the golden long dress paired with what looked like sun-inspired earrings.

Amato said the gown is a representation of the sun, which symbolizes happiness, strength, and vitality.

“Even at 93 million miles away, it warms, illuminates and energizes us, making us feel our best and our brightest,” he said on Instagram.

The masterpiece featured a cape with citrine Swarovski crystals, which “added royalty to the gown,” said the designer.

At the national costume event Friday, fans had noticed Mateo did not wear the sun headpiece made

by Manny Halasan, which would have completed her Philippine flag-inspired outfit. (See the S t a nd a r d’s fearless forecast for Miss U on Page B3).

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‘ARIBA RABIYA.’ The Philippines’ Rabiya Mateo is a showstopper in the 69th Miss Universe preliminary evening gown competition Friday in Hollywood, Florida. She earlier dazzled viewers when she strutted down the runway in a yellow two-piece bikini. The hashtag #AribaRabiya likewise topped local Twitter posts following the event.

‘Far more deadly’ virus in Year 2

WHO: Rich-poor COVID vaccine inequality leading to ‘moral catastrophe’

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COVID-19 PH

ENEVA—The World Health Organization has issued a grim warning that the second year of COVID-19 was set to be “far more deadly.”

“We’re on track for the second year of this pandemic to be far more deadly than the first,” said WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

In the Philippines, the death toll from the pandemic that entered its second year in March breached 19,000, the Department of Health reported, as the country logged on Saturday 6,739 new cases of coronavirus disease 2019, bringing the total to 1,138,187.

The DOH reported 93 new fatalities, bringing the death toll to 19,051, which is 1.67 percent of the total. The tally includes 36 cases that were previously tagged as recoveries were reclassified as deaths after final validation.

The DOH also reported 8,952 new recoveries, bringing the total recoveries to 1,062,427, which is 93.3 percent of the total.

However, the average daily new COVID-19 cases in Metro Manila decreased by 30 percent over the past week, OCTA Research reported Saturday.

From May 9 to May 14, the research group said the average number of new cases per day was 1,644.

The reproduction number or the average number of secondary infections from a single case in the National Capital Region also dropped to 0.57 while the positivity rate is down at 12 percent.

In the previous OCTA Research re-

port dated May 9, Metro Manila had a 0.67 reproduction number and 14 percent positivity rate.

The average daily attack rate (ADAR) in the entire NCR also decreased to 11.91 per 100,000.

The lowest ADAR was recorded in Navotas, Malabon, Manila, and Caloocan with below 10 per 100,000, now placing the areas under “moderate risk.”

Ghebreyesus voiced outrage that a number of rich countries were now vaccinating children and teenagers, while poorer states had barely begun vaccinating health workers and the most vulnerable groups.

Instead of offering jabs to young and healthy people, he called on countries to give their doses to the Covax global vaccine-sharing scheme and thereby ensure that those most in need in all countries receive protection.

“In January, I spoke about the potential unfolding of a moral catastrophe,” he told a press conference.

“Unfortunately, we’re now witnessing this play out. In a handful of rich countries, which bought up the majority of the supply, lower-risk groups are now being vaccinated.

“I understand why some countries want to vaccinate their children and adolescents, but right now I urge them to reconsider and to instead donate vaccines to Covax,” said Tedros, referring

AT A GLANCE

(AS OF 4 PM MAY 15)

1,138,187 TOTAL NUMBER OF CASES

6,739 56,709

THE government on Saturday urged local officials to brace for more supplies of COVID-19 vaccines and ramp up their vaccination efforts to reach four million jabs by the end of June.

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said the government aimed to vaccinate 120,000 people per day beginning next month in Metro Manila with the help of the private sector who already started simulation exercises with the private supply chain experts.

Año said the country had so far received 7,764,050 total vaccine doses from various suppliers including the COVAX facility as of May 11 and 83 percent of this has been distributed to 3,688 vaccination sites across the country.

He said that following the “center of gravity” principle, more vaccines would be allocated to the National Capital Re-

gion, Bulacan, Rizal, Laguna, Cavite, Batangas, Pampanga, Cebu, Davao, and other areas with high number of active cases to contain the spread of COVID. “Right in the beginning, the private sector is accompanying us in our vaccination efforts and helping the government to inoculate the people, most especially those in the priority list,” said Año.

The DILG secretary also dismissed speculations from Dr. Tony Leachon, a former member of the Philippines COVID-19 panel, that the government might not be able to cope with vaccination as 1.5 million AstraZeneca vaccines delivered on May 8 are set to expire by the end of June.

“The 1.5 million AstraZeneca vaccines have already been deployed to various LGUs nationwide. One million of these will be taken as the first dose while some 525,600 doses have also been reserved for the second dose,” he said.

Año said Dr. Leachon was painting a different picture to create panic and belit-

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ACTIVE

19,051

93

1,062,427

8,952

DEATHS

BIG DOME VAX HUB. Quezon City residents flock to the Smart Araneta

Coliseum in Cubao on Saturday as the mega vaccination center begins its one-week operation. About 1,000 medical frontliners, senior citizens, and persons with comorbidities received their first doses of the AstraZeneca jab. Norman Cruz

to the global vaccine-sharing scheme.

“Because in low and lower-middle income countries, Covid-19 vaccine supply has not been enough to even immunize healthcare workers, and hospitals are being inundated with people that need lifesaving care urgently.”

The WHO also said Friday that even the vaccinated should keep wearing masks in areas where the virus is spreading.

“Vaccination alone is not a guarantee against infection or against being able to transmit that infection to others,” WHO’s chief scientist Soumya Swami-

nathan said.

The mood also darkened in Japan where the coronavirus state of emergency took in another three regions just 10 weeks before the Olympics, while campaigners submitted a petition with more than 350,000 signatures calling for the Games to be cancelled.

With Tokyo and other areas already under emergency orders until the end of May, Hiroshima, Okayama, and northern Hokkaido, which will host the Olympic marathon, will now join them.

See full story on manilastandard.net.

AFP with Willie Casas

Gear up for 120,000 jabs a day, DILG orders local government

By Joel E. Zurbano and Maricel V. Cruz

NEW

tle or cast doubt on the government’s capacity to administer the doses.

“During a pandemic, what we need is hope and not speculation. With the current daily average of 60,000 to 70,000 jabs per day, walang masasayang na vaccines at makakarating ito sa mga dapat bakunahan.

We can definitely consume the 1.5 million AstraZeneca doses in 30 days as set by Vaccine Czar Carlito Galvez,” he added.

Ramped up vaccination Meanwhile, DILG undersecretary and spokesperson Jonathan Malaya said to brace for the millions of vaccines already distributed and the millions more in the pipeline, the LGUs can prepare by doing microplanning and simulations for ramped up vaccination.

LGUs must identify additional possible vaccination sites, available local coldchain storage facilities, and transportation mechanisms.

“Additional vaccination sites may also be visited by the DOH if the LGU needs

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assistance,” he said.

Possible vaccination sites to be utilized for inoculation include infirmaries (private and public), Rural Health Units, health facilities of other government agencies, private clinics, schools, barangay halls, and other open-air establishments.

He also said LGUs must ensure a sufficient vaccination workforce in their localities to support the increase in vaccination. LGUs may engage and include other professionals such as teachers, counselors, pharmacists, medical and allied health professionals and interns; and the private sector as part of the vaccination workforce.

Bigger role Following the government’s announcement of new quarantine rules starting May 15, Senator Francis Pangilinan said the private sector and the local government units should be given a bigger role in COVID-19 response especially when it came to vaccination.

RECOVERIES

NEW

NEW

SINGLIFE PH APP INSURES FILIPINOS SINGLIFE Philippines, one of the most innovative insurance providers in the country, beefs up its product portfolio within the GCash app, creating better offers that are more relevant and in tune with the times.

BUSINESS / A4

NEW GROUND IN PH CONSTRUCTION THE Mactan Cebu International Airport Terminal 2 by Megawide Construction Corporation bagged the infrastructure top plum, while the Paranaque Integrated Terminal Exchange, also by Megawide, won the decorative concrete category at the first Philippine Excellence In Concrete Construction Awards held recently by the Philippine Constructors Association (PCA).

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Esperon: Label on Red leaders ‘legit,’ can ask to be delisted

CONTACT SPORT.

A group of men play basketball at the courtyard in Barangay Sapa, Rosario, Cavite on Saturday. They played without any protection against the coronavirus, which is strictly prohibited under health rules. The government still has not allowed contact sports like basketball to be played in public under a general community quarantine.

JR Josue

‘Pass Bayanihan measure, shelve Charter change’

By Maricel V. Cruz SAN Jose del Monte City Rep. Rida Robes on Saturday appealed to the leadership of the House of Representatives to prioritize the passage of the proposed Bayanihan 3 bill when Congress resumes session on Monday, May 17.

Robes said Congress should seize the ample opportunity to help displaced workers and companies that have closed because of the pandemic, especially with the continuous contraction of the economy which has resulted in the country’s recession.

“We have yet to recover. In the meantime, unemployment is up, the economy is down. We are in recession,” Robes, chairperson of the House committee on people’s participation, said in a statement.

Meanwhile, a member of the Independent Bloc thumbed down efforts of the chamber to push for the enactment of the proposed economic Charter Change when Congress resumes session on Monday.

Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte said he was perplexed as to why the House leadership insists on “Cha-cha” when the lawmakers’ energy should be better spent on assisting the national government in defeating COVID-19 and revitalizing the economy amid a global infection surge.

Villafuerte said the House should instead work on making sure that Filipino families get P10,000 each in one payout under the proposed third Bayanihan law to let vulnerable families cope with the economic shock of COVID-19 and in turn boost household spending nationwide.

This developed as Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte deplored the unnecessary tedious process waitlisted QCitizens had to go through to claim their financial assistance under the second tranche of the Social Amelioration Program.

Oman, UAE now included in travel ban until May 31 T

By Vito Barcelo and Willie Casas

HE Bureau of Immigration will immediately implement the extended travel ban on arrivals from South Asian countries to include Oman and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) starting May 15.

BI Commissioner Jaime Morente said they received an order from Malacañang extending the ongoing temporary travel ban for travelers coming from India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka until May 31, 2021.

“Following said order, those coming from Oman and UAE will temporarily be barred as well, until the end of the month,” said Morente.

“Those who will be coming from or have a travel history within the last 14 days from the 7 countries will excluded and sent back to their port of origin,” he added.

BI Port Operations Division Chief lawyer Carlos Capulong said they are not expecting anyone coming from the two countries, as airlines were instructed not to allow the boarding of passengers prohibited from entering unless they are part of repatriation efforts of the national government.

Capulong clarified that travelers who would be merely transiting through the said regions would be allowed to enter the Philippines.

“Transiting would mean that they did not leave the airport terminal, were not cleared by immigration authorities, and

are just there for a layover,” he stated.

The flight ban was implemented to stop the entry of the new COVID-19 variant from India.

Meanwhile, three close contacts of the overseas Filipino worker (OFW) infected with the SARS-CoV-2 variant first detected in India also tested positive for the coronavirus, the Department of Health said Saturday.

The DOH previously reported that two male OFWs from Oman and the UAE caught the B.1.617 variant.

“As for case number 2, which is the 58-year-old male from UAE, we have 32 verified close contacts in the airplane and three of them are positive (for COVID-19),” DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said in the Laging Handa briefing.

The patients’ samples have been sent to the Philippine Genome Center to determine if they caught the Indian variant, Vergeire added.

OUTDOOR FUN. People are seen walking and biking along Roxas Boulevard on Saturday, as the government placed Metro

Manila and its surroundings under general community quarantine with heightened restrictions from May 15 until May 31. tourist spots within the ‘NCR Plus’ bubble can open at 30% capacity with strict adherence to minimum public health protocols. Norman Cruz

Army unwraps tweaks GCQ rules, gives malls more leeway P117-m training Pasay

By Joel E. Zurbano center in Capas

By Jess Malabanan CAPAS, Tarlac—The Philippine Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) inaugurated over the weekend a P117-million three-storey building that houses a leadership development center, constructed at the sprawling Camp O’Donnell by the Department of Public Works and Highways.

The facility is a fulfillment of the Army’s mission in the field of training and education to improve and strengthen land warfare competencies, said TRADOC Commander Maj. Gen. Cornelio Valencia Jr. during the inauguration rites.

Construction of the Army’s Leadership Development and Education Center (ALDEC) phase 1, Valencia said, is now ready for use by TRADOC. He said the facility has offices for key officials, a multipurpose hall, and is equipped with a generator set.

The ALDEC building was funded through the General Appropriations Act of 2020 and was implemented by the DPWH Regional Construction Division under Director Roseller Tolentino.

To ensure the training and education of the Army will remain uninterrupted, Tolentino said a generator set as well as a water tank were included in the project, aside from the usual civil, mechanical, electrical and sanitary/plumbing works.

THE Pasay City government has allowed shopping malls in the city to operate at 50 percent capacity while Metro Manila is under the general community quarantine status.

Mayor Imelda Rubiano signed and issued Executive Order 41 stating the new localized lockdown guidelines with heightened restrictions to be implemented in Pasay from May 15 to 31.

Under the new guidelines, malls will

be allowed to operate at 50 percent onsite capacity for non-leisure establishments, while hotels and related business establishments with valid accreditation from the Department of Tourism will be allowed to accommodate guests and clients, but only for legitimate purposes.

“The operations of such hotels and accommodation establishments, as well as ancillary establishments within their premises such as restaurants, cafes, gyms, spas, function halls and the like, shall be subject to guidelines issued by the DOT

and the IATF (Inter-Agency Task Force),” the order stated.

Non-contact sports and outdoor sports, games, scrimmages, and personal care services not requiring mask removal such as barber shops, beauty salons, nail spas, beauty clinics, and other personal care establishments, could resume their operations at 30 percent capacity.

Indoor dine-in service in restaurants, cafes and similar establishments were allowed at 20 percent venue or seating capacity.

NATIONAL Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon maintained Saturday the list he used to label some organizations as terrorists right in front of Supreme Court magistrates at recent proceedings was done with “sufficient” research and basis.

Esperon said Communist Party of the Philippines founder Jose Maria Sison and 18 other individuals could file a petition with the Anti-Terrorism Council to be delisted as “terrorists.” “[Fifteen] days they can file for delisting,” Esperon said at the Laging Handa public briefing.

This, amid calls by petitioners against the Anti-Terrorism Act to expunge or throw out his testimony in the high court oral arguments, where Esperon played two videos of CPP founder Jose Maria Sison supposedly naming allied organizations.

“We can assure you that the release of the list underwent sufficient research),” Esperon said, claiming the list was based on international listings.

Esperon said the list was based on a 2017 declaration of President Rodrigo Duterte, in which he tagged the CPP and the New People’s Army as “terrorists.”

The Anti-Terror Council, where Esperon is vice chair, had earlier filed a resolution echoing Duterte’s statement.

Esperon, during Wednesday’s Supreme Court oral arguments on petitions against the anti-terror law, played two videos of Sison allegedly naming “allied organizations” who mobilized tens of millions to support the so-called national democratic revolution.

He said provisions in the Anti-Terrorism Law allowed persons identified as “terrorists” to file for delisting.

CHR to probe ‘fake’ rebel surrenders THE Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Saturday started its investigation into reported “fake” mass rebel surrenders.

The commission directed its regional offices to promptly probe such reports and forward them to the commission’s main office, lawyer Jacqueline Anne de Guia, CHR spokeswoman, said.

The CHR had a dialogue with Bayan Muna chairman Neri Colmenares on Friday, during which he aired concerns “about the of the authenticity of the mass surrender of some 244 communist rebels with some individuals allegedly affiliated with Bayan Muna and the urban poor organization Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay).”

“Further allegations include the harassment of individuals and misuse of government assistance as part of the Enhanced-Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) as payment to individuals coerced into surrendering,” de Guia said.

“These reports have been received and shall be endorsed to the respective Regional Offices of the CHR for prompt investigation.

Pending the results of our own investigation, we strongly urge the military to conduct its own parallel probe to also ascertain the veracity of these allegations,” she added.

“CHR continues to stress its condemnation against armed struggle and other forms of terrorism. It is also our hope that there will be a significant reduction of violence on the ground, especially for conflict vulnerable and affected communities. We must put a stop to senseless violence,” de Guia said. Maricel V. Cruz

Cayetano: Discuss WPS issue in private TAGUIG-PATEROS Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano proposed Saturday that the government and its critics discuss the West Philippine Sea (WPS) dispute in private.

Cayetano warned that the blame game between the current administration and its critics was closely being observed by other claimants in the region, including Vietnam, Malaysia, and China.

“We’re wrong for discussing our strategy in public. Whenever we’re fighting in public, the other claimants are listening to us,” Cayetano told a radio interview.

Cayetano, who was Secretary of Foreign Affairs from 2017 to 2019, suggested that his successor Teodoro Locsin Jr., Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, former Foreign Secretary Albert del Ro-

sario, former Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Carpio, and former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV pursue a private conversation on the WPS. However, Trillanes on Saturday dismissed as another “jet ski scam” President Rodrigo Duterte’s latest statement towards China that he would not withdraw Philippine ships from the West Philippine Sea “even if you kill me.”

“Naku, jet ski scam na naman ‘yan.

Ewan ko lang kung magpapaloko pa mga Pilipino d’yan,” Trillanes said.

Duterte had said in a taped message aired Friday that he would not withdraw the two ships roving around Kalayaan Islands and Mischief Reef in the West Philippine Sea, as he addressed China, which has continued incursions in the area.

Maricel V. Cruz

‘EID’ IN TAGUIG. Taguig 2nd District Rep. Lani Cayetano (center) and former Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano (right) speak to Muslim residents during the turnover of 9,000 ‘boxes of love’ and family packs in celebration of Eid’l Fitr at Maharlika Elementary School in Taguig on Friday. Norman Cruz

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Russia lists US, Czech Republic as ‘unfriendly’ MOSCOW—Russia on Friday formally designated the United States and the Czech Republic as “unfriendly states” amid the biggest crisis in ties between Moscow and Washington in years.

The Russian government released a decree signed by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin that was accompanied by a list of “unfriendly states” that “have carried out unfriendly actions” against Russia, Russian nationals, or Russian entities.

The list now includes the US and the Czech Republic.

The Czech embassy will be allowed to employ no more than 19 Russian nationals and the US embassy none at all, Moscow said.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Friday that Moscow remained ready for dialogue, state news agency TASS reported, stressing the fact that Russia had now only two nations on its “unfriendly states” list.

Prague said the step would only “escalate relations” between Moscow and the Czech Republic, the EU and its allies.

“We are sorry that Russia has embarked on the confrontation road to its own detriment,” the Czech foreign ministry said in a statement.

“This measure will also indirectly affect the potential development of relations between ordinary citizens, tourism, and the development of business relations,” it added.

EU chief Charles Michel tweeted the bloc’s “full solidarity” with Prague as he insisted the move “undermines diplomatic relations”.

“Efforts to divide the EU are in vain,” Michel wrote.

- Spiraling tensions In recent months tensions have spiraled between Russia and the West over a litany of issues, including Russia’s troop build-up on Ukraine’s border, interference in US elections and other perceived hostile activities.

Russia-US relations have rapidly deteriorated after US President Joe Biden increased pressure on the Kremlin since becoming US president in January.

Washington in April announced sanctions and the expulsion of 10 Russian diplomats in retaliation for what it says is interference by the Kremlin in US elections, a massive cyber-attack and other hostile activity. AFP

IN BRIEF House GOP picks pro-Trump Stefanik WASHINGTON—US Republicans on Friday elected congresswoman Elise Stefanik, an outspoken defender of Donald Trump, as their new House conference chair, as the party scrambles to unify amid an explosive debate about its direction.

Stefanik, a 36-year-old former moderate representing upstate New York, easily overcame a late entrant to the race and won strong support from the Republican conference in a closed-door vote of 134 to 46.

“My focus is on unity, because that’s what the American people and that’s what our voters deserve,” she told reporters after vaulting into the number three House Republican position -- becoming the party’s most powerful woman in Congress.

“We are going on offense and are going to win back the majority in 2022” in the House of Representatives, said Stefanik, the party’s new top messenger.

The vote came two days after the conference ousted Liz Cheney, a conservative stalwart and daughter of former vice president Dick Cheney, from the post over her repeated criticism of Trump and her refusal to embrace his false claim that Democrats stole the 2020 election. AFP

Algerian cops stop rally, nab journos ALGIERS—Algerian police prevented a pro-democracy protest rally from taking place in the capital Algiers Friday and detained several people including journalists, among them an AFP photographer, AFP correspondents said.

Demonstrators were preparing to take part in the weekly Hirak movement protest when they were jostled and taken into custody by police in the city centre, an AFP journalist and other witnesses said.

AFP photographer Ryad Kramdi was detained in the working-class Bab El Oued neighbourhood for an identity check and was taken to a police station.

He was released in the evening after eight hours in detention.

“We were well treated but it was very stressful,” Kramdi said after his release. AFP

AIRSTRIKE BLAST. A ball of fire erupts from the Jala Tower as it is destroyed in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza City, controlled by the Palestinian Hamas movement, on May 15. Israeli air strikes pounded the Gaza Strip, killing 10 members of an extended family and demolishing a key media building, while Palestinian militants launched rockets in return amid violence in the West Bank. AFP

Israel blasts Gaza, hits media building housing AP, Jazeera

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AZA CITY—Israeli air strikes pounded the Gaza Strip Saturday, killing 10 members of an extended family and demolishing a building housing international media outlets, as Palestinian militants fired back barrages of rockets.

On the sixth day since the conflict escalated, the death toll rose and violence also swept the occupied West Bank as a US envoy prepared to hold talks with officials seeking a de-escalation.

Despite intensifying diplomatic efforts, Israel’s fighter jets struck several sites in the densely-populated Gaza Strip which it has blockaded for more than a decade, while Palestinian Islamists unleashed rockets again towards Israel, killing one.

Balls of flame reached high into the sky as Israel’s air force on Saturday afternoon flattened a 13-floor building housing Qatarbased Al Jazeera television and the Associated Press news agency in the Gaza Strip, after giving a warning to evacuate.

“Clearly there is a decision not only to sow destruction and killing, but also to silence those who broadcast it,” Walid alOmari, Al Jazeera head for Israel and the occupied territories, told AFP. Jawad Mehdi, the owner of the Jala

Tower, said an Israeli intelligence officer warned him he had just one hour to ensure the evacuation of the building.

Israel claimed that “military intelligence” of Hamas, the Gaza Strip’s Islamist rulers, were also in the building.

Earlier, an Israeli strike on a threestorey building in the Shati refugee camp killed 10 members of an extended family -- two related mothers and their four children each. Israel’s army said the building was used by “Hamas terror organisation senior officials”.

‘Striking our children’ Mohammed al-Hadidi said he had lost most of his family in an airstrike in Gaza.

“What did they do to deserve this?

We’re civilians,” said the devastated father, whose surviving five-month-old baby was wounded in the explosion. AFP

UNSETTLED.

A Palestinian boy who fled his home due to Israeli air and artillery strikes sits on a mattress outside at a school hosting refugees in Gaza city on May 14, as cross-border violence between the Israeli military and Palestinian militants continues in the Gaza Strip. AFP

YEREVAN—Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said Friday he asked Russian President Vladimir Putin for military support after accusing Azerbaijani troops of crossing the country’s southern border and trying to claim territory.

The United States urged an immediate pullback by Azerbaijan amid mounting international concern after last year’s war between the arch foes over the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh.

Speaking at an extraordinary session of Armenia’s parliament on Friday evening, Pashinyan said he had asked Putin “for the Russian Federation’s assistance, including military assistance.”

He also said that French President Emmanuel Macron “is considering the possibility of putting the issue on the agenda of the UN Security Council.”

“France is ready to provide military assistance, to support international efforts aimed at resolving the issue,” Pashinyan told lawmakers.

Armenia on Thursday accused Azerbaijan’s military of crossing the southern border in an “infiltration” to “lay siege” to a lake that is shared by the two countries. Azerbaijan rejected the claims. AFP

Macron, Ardern in new push vs. online extremism

Russia-based US pipeline hacker Darkside shut down WASHINGTON—Russia-based cyberextortionist Darkside appeared out of business Friday after unknown actors shut down the servers of the group, which had forced the closure of a large US oil pipeline in a multimillion-dollar ransomware scam.

US cyber security firm Recorded Future said that Darkside had admitted in a web post that it lost access to certain servers used for its web blog and for payments.

Recorded Future threat intelligence

Armenia calls Putin for aid on Azerbaijan

analyst Dmitry Smilyanets said he found a Russian language comment on a ransomware website ostensibly from “Darksupp”, described as the operator of Darkside.

“A few hours ago, we lost access to the public part of our infrastructure, namely: Blog. Payment server. DOS servers,” Darksupp wrote.

Accessed via TOR on the dark web, the Darkside site address showed a notice saying it could not be found.

Recorded Future reported that the Darkside operator also said cryptocurrency ransom payments had been withdrawn from its server, dealing a setback to the group which had marketed itself as a formal business for hijacking victims’ IT systems until they paid to unlock them.

Speculation focused on who could have taken down Darkside’s computers after it had spent the past half-year extorting millions of dollars from companies which fell victim to its ransomware. AFP

PARIS—French President Emmanuel Macron and New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern sought Friday to advance their two-year-old campaign to curb online extremism, after it was boosted by the United States finally joining the initiative.

Their talks marked two years since the leaders launched the Christchurch Call, an initiative named after the New Zealand city where a far-right gunman massacred 51 people at two mosques on March 15, 2019 while broadcasting his rampage live on Facebook.

The campaign, which aims to bring together governments and top tech platforms, has been boosted by the decision of the administration of new US President Joe Biden to join the initiative after his predecessor Donald Trump turned his back on the drive.

“We all have a role to play in continuing to implement the engagements of the Christchurch Call. This evening, we reaffirmed our willingness to continue down this road, together,” Macron wrote on Twitter after the talks. AFP

Two tornadoes strike China, killing at least 12 BEIJING—Two tornadoes that struck central and eastern China killed at least 12 people and injured more than 400, authorities said Saturday.

Violent winds of more than 260 kilometres per hour (160 miles per hour) blasted the central city of Wuhan on Friday night.

Eight people died and more than 280 were injured there, authorities said, adding that around 30 homes had collapsed.

Vehicles were crushed by falling objects, trees uprooted, buildings partially destroyed and electricity pylons felled, leaving more than 26,000

homes without power.

The gale damaged two construction cranes, one of which toppled onto the site below, causing significant damage.

In Suzhou, near Shanghai, another tornado with winds of more than 200 kilometres per hour wreaked havoc.

Four people were killed and one remains missing, according to local authorities.

Images shared on social media showed a black whirlwind which left a trail of destruction.

In May, a windstorm caused the deaths of 11 people in a different town also close to Shanghai. AFP

STORM-HIT. People look at damaged vehicles and structures at a construction site after a tornado hit an economic zone in Wuhan in China’s central Hubei province on May 15. AFP

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Plant workers at a petrochemical plant

Petrochem industry catches up

THE local petrochemical industry is among the biggest drivers of the local economy—yet, it is also one that is in dire need of government support.

Serving as a link to upstream, midstream and downstream sectors, its breadth and scope is wide and encompassing, as it provides much-needed raw materials for packaging, adhesives, carpeting, cosmetics, paints, rubber, among other highly in-demand consumer products.

Comprised of six players resulting in over $3 billion in state-of-the-art petrochemical plants, almost 3 million metric tons of production capacity for various resin products, annual tax payments of P2.5 billion and direct employment of over 5,000 Filipinos to date, the largest among them is JG Summit Petrochemical Corp., an industry pioneer and the largest polyethylene and polypropylene resin manufacturer in the country, with an annual production capacity of over 510,000 MT of resin products.

Playing catch-up In a report by the KPMG Global Energy Institute titled Asia Pacific’s Petrochemical Industry: A Tale of Contrasting Regions, the professional services firm notes that Asia Pacific “has been the poster child of the global petrochemical industry” and how “a combination of favorable economic and demographic trends has stimulated a growing appetite for petrochemical products.” Furthermore, it is anticipated that in the next decade, two thirds of global petrochemical demand will originate from the region.

While this report paints a rosy picture of the petrochemical industry in the region, the opposite can be said of the Philippines, which is lagging behind and has a lot of catching up to do with its ASEAN neighbors, particularly Vietnam, Indonesia and Malaysia, all of which have embarked on aggressive expansions for their respective petrochemical industries. In fact, in the latest survey done by the 2020 World Competitiveness Yearbook, the Philippines ranked the least competitive of the five Southeast Asian countries.

KPMG notes that for the Philippines, “the domestic petrochemical industry is still in its infancy compared to that of North Asia and Singapore” and that a factor affecting the viability of the industry is the subject of incentives, both fiscal and non-fiscal that are made available to future plants.

Business

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

Singlife PH uses app to insure Filipinos

By Othel V. Campos

S

Hoppler acquires ZipMatch HOPPLER Inc, one of the leading digital real estate brokerages in Metro Manila, announced the acquisition of ZipMatch, one of the top real estate property portals in the Philippines.

ZipMatch, founded in 2013, pioneered many of the real estate technology tools used in the Philippines such as a mobile-ready website, a real estate-focused customer relationship management system and virtual reality, 360 degree property tours. To date, ZipMatch has raised more than $4 million from top venture capital firms over the lifespan of its business.

Hoppler continues to lead the effort in Metro Manila in digitizing solutions for the real estate brokerage sector. Hoppler was the first real estate brokerage in the Philippines to release a mobile-app and developed real estate-focused software that led to thousands of transactions online.

“We’re beyond excited for the ZipMatch team to join our group. With ZipMatch’s extensive online presence across Metro Manila and beyond, their reach and expertise expedites our plans of bringing complete digital real estate services to more areas,” said Ramon Ballesca, chief executive at Hoppler.

“We fully understand that ZipMatch has successfully served the real estate brokerage community for a number of years now. ZipMatch’s site will continue to be shared with our fellow real estate professionals in the industry, without any conflict. For our real estate partner brokers who are within Hoppler’s network, we will utilize the site to further highlight and grow your business,” said Ballesca.

“Hoppler has built a strong, reputable brand across the high-end segment of Metro Manila real estate. We look forward to joining Hoppler’s team and enjoying opportunities of expanding the business together,” said Chow Paredes, chief executive of ZipMatch.

VILLARICA Pawnshop, one of the country’s leading pawnshops, called on Filipinos to rethink the way they see pawnshop services especially in this time of pandemic.

In the past years, especially in 2020 at the height of the lockdown and the pandemic, the purpose of the pawnshop industry has transformed in the eyes of the Filipino public.

Pawnshops have become quick access locations for cash in areas that have

MVP gives back to Jesuit community

INGLIFE Philippines, one of the most innovative insurance providers in the country, beefs up its product portfolio within the GCash app, creating better offers that are more relevant and in tune with the times.

Singlife Philippines CEO Rein Hermans said the company would continue to innovate on all fronts to give customers the protection they need at less cost.

“There’s a lot of Filipinos who are not insured yet. There’s only 6 percent of, let’s say, adult Filipinos who actually have a life insurance product. So, there’s a lot of potential here,” he said.

Herman said the company aims to complete its full suite of protection products on GCash by launching Cash for Medical Costs, which provides coverage for high medical bills due to hospitalization and critical illnesses including COVID-19, cancer, heart disease, among others, for as low as P500 a year.

Another product that will be released in the coming months is Cash for Later, which allows customers to kick off their investing journey to help build up funds for future needs like education for children and retirement.

“The completion of this line-up will offer customers a smart way of protecting themselves and their loved ones, giving them control over how they build or strengthen their financial armor without having to leave the GCash app,” Hermans said.

Singlife Philippines will look for two new digital network partners who would also benefit from the plug-and-play proposition of its microservices portal.

“The company is always on the lookout for partners that can offer our products in their digital platforms. Ideally, there should be a significant overlap between our target market and their customer base. Further, it is essential that the partner believes in what we believe in—putting customers in control of their finances through technology, offering meaningful benefits at a fair price, and delivering an exemplary customer experience every single time,” Hermans said.

The company is actively engaged in various stages of discussions with potential partners, so customers can look forward to availing protection products from other digital platforms they are already familiar with.

Singlife Philippines will also launch a direct-to-customer initiative called the Singlife Plan & Protect app. It empow-

Singlife Philippines CEO Rein Hermans

ers customers to take charge of their finances by helping them have a better understanding of their financial needs and by providing them with solutions to achieve their desired financial goals.

“We believe that finances are too important to be placed in the hands of someone else. It is only by giving control back to the customers can we truly unlock the potential of money for everyone,” Hermans said.

The insurance firm expects to sign-up at least 150,000 clients in 2021, a fivefold increase from about 32,500 who bought policies when the insurance firm debuted in 2020.

Hermans said the company would be able to generate P350 million in annual premium equivalent, if the targets were reached.

“We’re doing 10,000 policies a day for products we introduced through our partnership with GCash. We are confident we can do 20,000 to 30,000 policies a day,” he said.

The company set its sights on the rising middle class market with 18 million identified as having the capacity to subscribe to protection products and other policies that Singlife offers.

The company’s first product—Cash

for Dengue Costs—was in the works when the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Singlife was able to quickly pivot from the initial product design and offer customers protection that is more relevant to present times—Cash for Dengue Costs with a free COVID-19 cover.

This was followed by the launch of its income protection suite with a choice between Cash for Income Loss and Cash for Income Loss (Accidents) – the latter, a smart alternative for those with tighter budgets or that could not be underwritten due to age or medical status.

All offer the same fuss-free features that enable customers to not only buy, but also manage policies, file claims along with supporting documents, and secure payments in less than 5 minutes via GInsure on the GCash app.

“We want to make a very flexible product where people have a target, and we want to make sure that they hit the target. I think we have five years to really be very different, before some of the old players might start to compete with us. And for customers, it basically means you get products that offer very meaningful cover which fit your situation and actually allow you to do that for a better price,” Hermans said.

AT THE heart of the Ateneo, the Jesuits inspire many Ateneans to truly become men and women for others— whether it is through the Ateneo de Manila University’s Philosophy and Theology teachings or even the community’s culture of belongingness and kindness.

Ateneo alumnus and chairman of the PLDT group Manuel Pangilinan recognizes the impact of the teachings of the Ateneo. With Fr. Roque Ferriols SJ as his Philosophy professor, Pangilinan said that many of Ferriols’ teachings remain with him to this day.

In honor of Fr. Ferriols’ 80 years as a Jesuit in May this year, the Philippine Province of the Society of Jesus announced the Fr. Roque Ferriols SJ Suscipe Fund. Pangilinan gives back to the Ateneo community by helping build the Suscipe Fund, which aims to defray expenses relating to the care of senior and infirm Jesuits, more fondly known as the “Lolo Jesuits.” With an increasing number of them needing special and individual attention, the Philippine Province is taking active steps to ensure support for their care.

“The Ateneo has instilled in me many life-changing lessons. It would take a truly hardened heart to turn deaf to this request. It is a privilege to be able to give back to the community with a heart that is inspired to do more and be more—what we who are Jesuiteducated know as magis,” said Pangilinan.

With a grateful heart, Fr. Provincial Primitivo Viray, Jr. SJ was extremely gratified by Pangilinan’s response.

“MVP’s continued generosity will greatly help in defraying one of the Society’s biggest expense items and ensuring that our beloved Lolo Jesuits like Fr. Ferriols and Fr. Catalino Arevalo [also celebrating 80 years in the Society] continue to receive the best care,” Fr. Viray said.

The Suscipe Fund is named after the famous prayer, “Take and Receive, O Lord” of St. Ignatius of Loyola at the end of the Spiritual Exercises.

Pangilinan’s donation serves as the Suscipe Fund’s seed contribution.

With his generosity, the Ateneo community hopes to inspire other friends and benefactors to likewise contribute in prayerful gratitude for the lives and missions of our Lolo Jesuits.

MFT Group launches QLO for partner companies INVESTING in innovations that help move people forward, the MFT Group of Companies launches QLO or Quick Loans Online, a loan facility under MRACC Credit Corp. QLO gives partner companies the facility to provide employees access to quick, hassle-free salary loans.

QLO has fully automated processes accessible through its website qlo.com. ph, making it much easier for employees to track their finances. The application dashboard allows the user to see upcoming payment dues and payment history.

MFT Group is a private equity firm that invests in family legacy businesses.

Its diverse portfolio includes, among others, firms in financial services, healthcare and food sectors. In fulfilling its mission, it has taken upon itself, through QLO, to respond to the challenges faced by partner firms in providing credit to their employees.

“Motivating and sustaining energies of companies’ talent pool are vital.

Through QLO, the MFT Group extends resources to our partner companies to help them cross over challenging times

MFT Group of Companies CEO Mica Tan

and keep their focus on their respective missions,” says Mica Tan, chief executive of the MFT Group.

Mary Ruth Oquendo, vice president for QLO, says, “Majority of Filipinos do not have sufficient savings, and QLO offers employees a credit line for their urgent financial needs.”

“We understand the stress of having insufficient funds for something important, so this option to borrow during a time of need can be a saving grace that companies can offer their employees.

QLO enables companies to swiftly re-

Pawnshops redefine services amid pandemic

remained unserved by banks and traditional institutions, and some, like Villarica, were tapped by banks for more convenient financial access by Filipinos wherever they may be, even for quick capital for their business as well as local and international cash remittances from their loved ones abroad.

Fr. Roque Ferriols, SJ, celebrates his 80 years as a Jesuit in May this year.

Villarica has also become an access point for bills payment, point-of-sale withdrawal, auctioned jewelry selling and even mobile phone and internet service loading on top of the traditional services of jewelry and item pawning in exchange for convenient and honest appraisal for cash.

“We want the Filipino people to know that we are here to serve and be a partner in hard times that they can even come to us for funding, kahit na pang gamit sa maliit na negosyo, be an entrepreneur like an on-line seller,” said Lester Villarica, vice president for operations of Villarica Pawnshop. “And

spond to their people’s urgent financial needs,” says Oquendo.

“We also offer this service to companies outside Metro Manila. We want our offer to reach the people who need it and be accessible to as many Filipinos as possible,” she says.

Disbursement of loan proceeds to qualified employees takes a period of 24 hours upon endorsement of their respective human resource groups.

Employees of partner firms may also choose the payment terms that they deem fitting for their paying capacity.

Terms range from 3 to 12 months to fully settle their accounts. Loan settlement per month is automatically deducted from their monthly salary, making it hassle-free.

QLO offers companies customized facilities as additional perks that boost employee morale with the flexibility and ease of the processes.

Collaborating with Sun-Life, QLO also gives eligible borrowers personal accident insurance valid for one whole year. QLO is the only salary loan provider with this additional benefit. we can guarantee fair appraisal, in fact the highest appraisal rates in the country today.”

He said he has been exposed to stories of people losing their jobs and now find themselves in search for opportunities, and this he said is where there is a need for people to start investing on themselves, and in their dreams to start their own small business and Villarica can help them with that.

Youth & Culture B1

SUNDAY, MAY 16, 2021

Bernadette Lunas, Editor

manilastandardlife@gmail.com

@manilastandardlife

@MStandardLIFE

How children spend their

second pandemic summer

By Mikaela Kristina Acido Muega

I

T IS the second summer season that children, 17 years old and below, have to spend indoors. Not only are we not allowed to go out, we also cannot get the vaccine yet.

We understand that requiring children to stay home is for the good of all, but there are drawbacks. Some of us may feel like we have nothing better to do in our homes than sit down staring into oblivion while waiting for the pandemic to end.

We checked in with a few Grade 9 students from the Quezon City Science High School (QCSHS) to get a better grasp on how the youth are doing and feeling in their second pandemic summer.

Not enthusiastic to be indoors again

High temperature and boredom are making the second homebound summer difficult for James Gabriel Corpuz. He wishes that he could go outside and play.

While happy to have a place where she is safe and comfortable, Sehanna De Vera says she doesn’t want to spend another summer at home and would rather be out visiting islands and other countries with her family as they did pre-pandemic.

Fine to be safe inside

Same goes for Rojan Dicion, who also doesn’t mind being ordered to stay in because he doesn’t like the outdoors much.

Atasha Manaligod shares that spending summer at home isn’t new to her because she and her family spend summer mostly at home even before the pandemic. But she adds that it also feels devastating that we still can’t go out to enjoy the season.

Keeping themselves occupied

Some of us may not be too giddy to spend another summer inside the house, but there are a few things that we do to keep us occupied.

Ernest plays games, does chores, and learns how to play the piano. Rojan is usually on Twitter, reads novels and manga, and watches anime. Atasha helps her parents with their business.

James helps his mother and grandmother with housekeeping before he watches shows on Netflix and plays his guitar.

Eliza does her hobbies and spends time with her family. Sehanna spends her time lounging and talking to friends, while also immersing herself in video games and classic literature.

Eliza Karel Gruta, meanwhile, welcomes another summer spent with her family at home. Ernest Odones Sy likewise prefers the current set-up as he says Silver lining he is not fond of going outside and socialAs the pandemic drags on, Ernest is izing, and would rather do housework. optimistic that we can still enjoy the

Prohibited from going outside, a few Grade 9 students from the Quezon City Science High School share how they are making the most out of their yet another summer indoors — others bond with family, some spend time staying connected with friends online, and some pursue new hobbies.

summer as long as we do something that we like and can help distract us from the current situation.

The others agree with Ernest. Rojan says there’s room for enjoyment during the pandemic, while James believes that as long as one is productive, there is still space for fun. Atasha says there are many

things to enjoy at home and for Eliza, anyone can have fun what with so many entertainment choices available nowadays.

Sehanna agrees that there is still room for enjoyment, especially for young people who are privileged enough to have access to gadgets and Internet. She opines that young kids should try their

best to enjoy whatever is left for them to enjoy, after all, we only are kids once.

It turns out that we, young people, can still manage to find our own joys even in quarantine. Creativity helps us think of things to pursue and learn, while our energy enables us to venture into new and exciting indoor activities before the summer ends.

6 ways to safeguard kids online Microsoft rolls out new

education solutions for teachers Microsoft launches new tools and updates in Teams to help educators create a holistic learning environment in digital and hybrid classrooms.

WITH the rise of digital and hybrid classrooms, Microsoft has recently introduced new tools and updates designed to support educators in creating a holistic learning environment.

“We are grateful for the resilience and commitment educators have displayed in evolving their teaching styles over the past year, and we aim to keep supporting them to deliver quality education for their students during these challenging times,” said Larry Nelson, regional general manager of education at Microsoft Asia.

Promoting student-centered learning

To help reverse the declining rates of reading ability (30 percent lower than last year, according to a report released in March), Microsoft offers Reading Progress that lets educators create reading fluency assignments for either the entire class or for individual students to complete independently. It allows students to work at their own pace and make progress without pressure.

Teachers can also review assignments with built-in auto-detect features for English language that analyze results and jump to any part of the recording to review detected words and passages.

Encouraging student engagement

Microsoft has enhanced Teams and other tools to help educators unlock digital experiences that keep students actively engaged. Among the free offerings that will be available ahead of the next school year is Group Assign-

ments (educators can organize their students into assignment groups, and issue assignments from third-party apps directly in Teams).

New calendar integrations allow students to see when their classes are and when assignments are due in the Teams and Outlook calendars. The integration of Minecraft Education Edition with Teams and Flipgrid allows educators to embed a Flipgrid topic, Forms quiz, or assessment tool using new Resource links within a Minecraft world or lesson. Students, on the other hand, can open a Flipgrid Topic, record and share their creation, and invite others to join a world they created.

Supporting student well-being

To enable educators to understand the complexities students face and their emotional state, they can use Reflect.

A free app in Microsoft Teams, Reflect provides a way for educators to create regular check-ins with individual students or classes to share how they are feeling. Embedded tools in OneNote and Teams, such as praise badges and sticker packs, help students and educators feel more connected.

Enabling safe and secure classrooms

To ensure students’ safety in digital and physical spaces, Microsoft is launching Supervised Chat in Teams.

Available later this month, this feature allows designated educators to initiate chats with students, while preventing students from starting new chats unless an educator is present.

CHILDREN have become one of the top users of Internet today, may it be for education, entertainment, or socialization. The pandemic and the ensuing school closures have further increased kids’ screen time, making them more vulnerable to cyber attacks and inappropriate online content.

In a report by the Department of Justice—Office of Cybercrime based on the data forwarded by the US-based National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, there was a whopping 209 percent increase in the cyber tip reports for the Philippines in 2020 (1,294,750 cyber tips) compared to 2019 (418,422 cyber tips), coinciding with the period of the COVID-19 pandemic.

UNICEF leads the six-year (2019-2025) SaferKidsPH programme, supported by the Australian Government, to reduce the online sexual abuse and exploitation of children in the Philippines.

Globally, 33 percent of school-aged children (3 to 17 years old) have Internet access at home, according to UNICEF’s December 2020 report. As with most things, online safety must start from home. The UN child rights agency offers these six tips parents and guardians can do to keep children safe online.

Know the parental controls of social media sites

Many social media platforms can filter sensitive content. Read the community guidelines and FAQs of these platforms and maximize them for the child’s protection. An additional option would be using third-party security software with settings such as blocking of specific words, images, and other multimedia content.

Avail of filtering services from Internet service providers (ISPs)

While it does not exactly protect us-

UN child rights agency UNICEF encourages parents and guardians to protect children from Internet predators, cyberbullies, scammers, and other inappropriate online content.

ers from computer viruses or malware, filtering services help block access to Internet sites that have illegal or inappropriate content. Some ISPs have been oriented on child-friendly business practices and are doing measures to ensure children’s safety online.

a common room. This way, children can also seek immediate assistance from their parents if they encounter online content with which they are unfamiliar.

Set strong privacy settings

In order to protect children from being preyed on by cyberbullies or scammers, keep webcams covered when not in use.

Put password protection Check the privacy settings to minimize on devices One of the easiest ways to protect data collection. Help kids learn to keep children from malicious online content personal information private, especially is by simply setting strong passwords from strangers. on devices. Parents can password-proOpen the lines tect their accounts, smartphones, Wi-Fi of communication routers, and computers so that children The most important requirement for would have to ask for their assistance a parent is to maintain open commuwhen accessing the Internet. nication. Not only would they be able to spend time with them online and Put computers offline, they could also support their in a common area Parents can better monitor their chil- children mediate any concerns while dren’s use of the Internet and computer navigating the digital environment. Let if they stay and put all of their devices in them have fun and express themselves.

HEY, YOUTH!

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

B2

Home/Design

SUNDAY, MAY 16, 2021

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

A TALE OF TWO MOMS Sarah Lahbati and Ryza Cenon talk home improvement on SMDC’s youtube

T

Forging new ground in PH construction

HE Mactan Cebu international airport terminal 2 by Megawide construction corporation bagged the infrastructure top plum, while the Paranaque integrated terminal exchange, also by Megawide, won the decorative concrete category, at the first Philippine excellence in concrete construction awards held recently by the Philippine Constructors Association (PCA).

The competition, held together with the American Concrete Institute Philippines Chapter, dovetailed with the Philippine construction industry roadmap 2020-2030 that had adopted as its theme, “Tatag at Tapat”, or building

with integrity.

“The awards highlights and celebrates Philippine excellence as we build a better tomorrow and be global partners in building nations,” said Anthony Mariano, PCA foundation program director. “ Opening the door to excellence “We have opened the doors towards excellence” explained PCA president Wilfredo Decena during the awarding program. “The amazing details brought me to realize that we can really compete globally, no if and no buts, even the pandemic cannot hinder us to excel.”.

The winners for the different categories include the Infinity House by Carlo CaIma consultancy for low-rise building; the SM 4 ECOM Center by EEI Corporation for mid-rise building; and the ATG Towers 2 by the Makati Development Corporation for high-rise Building.

The Wilcon Builders Depot by J Vazco Inc was awarded for horizontal construction.

DMCI Project Developers received a nod for its work on the Parish of the Holy Sacrifice Chapel in the University of the

Philippines for the repair and restoration category. The company was the overall winner, as well, of the Philippine excellence in concrete construction award, for the same project.

The winners of the 2021 Philippine excellence in concrete construction awards will compete at the upcoming 2021 American Concrete Institute’s excellence in construction awards in the US next month.

Industry growth, competitiveness In 2019, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) - Construction Industry Authority of the Philippines, in partnership with the PCA, launched the 10-year roadmap as a strategic framework for the growth and development of the industry – which employs some 4.2 million workers or 10 percent of the total Filipino workforce.

While the construction industry has been growing at an average of 10 percent for the last 5 years, and was the fastest among all sectors, the industry, especially the small and medium sized construction companies and its workers, have been badly hit by the on-going pandemic.

IF YOU think there is only so much you can do with the limited amount of space you have in your condominium unit, you have another think coming.

With a little imagination and some smartly-placed storage, you can make your unit look larger than life.

The bonus: condo unit space is easy to clean — good news for neat freaks and those who struggle with allergies.

Special month for homemakers These, and so much more, are what #TheGoodHome on SMDC TV is in store for you on this special month for homemakers. Now that we are working, playing, and resting in the same space, we deserve a space that can do it all for us — a space that serves as a living space, an office, a school, a playground, a gym, and even a spa.

All of these combined make up #TheGoodHome, the newest addition to SMDC TV’s line-up of good vibes and tips.

May is for moms and expertmom tips. Premiering this month, #TheGoodHome features actress and mom Sarah Lahbati-Gutierrez on location at Shore 2 Residences along Seaside Boulevard in Pasay City.

With furnishings from Our Home, shows easy-to-follow tips on saving space and cleaning.

Invest in storage items • Maximize your vertical space • Use mirrors on walls to visually double the space • Emphasize vertical elements • Show the legs of your furniture to create openness Sarah reminds her viewers to tackle projects that can be accomplished easily and to divide the unit into zones.

Start working on shared or common spaces before going towards the more private spaces like bedrooms. The balcony and laundry can go last.

In the next episodes, she will be sharing tips on giving your condo unit a luxe interior design or makeover.

Making condo spaces safe for babies Sarah will be followed by actress and youtube influencer Ryza Cenon, mom of an infant, who will talk about making condo spaces safe for babies, among many other helpful topics for moms like her.

The Good Home is one of the many offerings of SMDC TV, which also features tips on fitness and healthy eats (The Good Fit) and serenades your homes with OPM music every Friday evening with performances from the country’s top musicians in Good Times with The Good Guys.

DON BOSCO CRESENDO IN TARLAC. Don Bosco, one of the foremost technical and vocational educational

institutes in the Philippines, plans to open its new campus in Ayala Land‘s Cresendo Estate in Tarlac City as part of its mission to expand the reach of Salesian education With a special focus on quality Technical-Vocational Education and Training (TVET), Don Bosco Tarlac aims to power the region’s growth by developing new curriculum and programs to cater to the needs of the local industries. Cresendo is a 290-hectare mixed-use development that will feature a 32-hectare Industrial Park and a 47-hectare commercial district. Don Bosco Cresendo will also be offering senior high school education in the first few years, with a target start date of 2023. In 2025, it will be offering TVET, which aims to provide manpower to in-demand industries through technical and vocational courses such as computer education, electrical installation, machining, refrigeration and air conditioning, and mechatronics.

ADVENTURE LIVING IN CEBU IN THESE times, true luxury living means breathing in healthy air and having plenty of room to roam amid nature.

Foressa Mountain Town offers such a landscape in the picturesque highland town of Cansomoroy, Balamban, Cebu, just an hour from the city along the Transcentral Highway.

The development was scanned for flora and fauna biodiversity with help from experts from the University of San Carlos and local residents to evaluate which ones are endemic, edible, and medicinal.

Over 800 species of flora and fauna were identified, and around 600,000 square meters in Foressa have been designated as protected riverside areas. AboitizLand’s Foressa Mountain Town is envisioned, planned, and crafted by US-based DPZ

Clean power from Bulacan

CoDesign.

The Philippine consultants include local master planner SC&A Architects and Planners, and landscape and trails partner Greenstrat, Inc. Visit https://aboitizland.com/ foressa-mountain-town/ for a virtual tour.

THE Department of Energy’s (DOE) plans to reduce the country’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, received a shot in the arm recently with the start of operations of the 50-megawatts (MW) solar power plant of PowerSource First Bulacan Solar, Inc. (PFBSI).

Called BulacanSol, the plant now provides renewable power to the Luzon grid. The DOE commits to a GHG reduction and avoidance target of a 2.8% from 2020-2030, and 12.3% from 2020-2050.

Located in San Miguel, Bulacan, the P4.25-billion project is a joint endeavor of MGen Renewable Energy, Inc. (MGreen) and PowerSource Energy Holdings Corporation. MGreen is the renewable energy unit of Meralco PowerGen Corporation (MGen).

“We look forward to many more investments in renewables, particularly solar, as we attempt to achieve that balance in fuel sourcing, which will ultimately be biased towards renewables,” said Meralco chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan.

Added PFBSI chairman Rogelio L. Singson: “BulacanSol will help us achieve our target of building a renewable energy portfolio with a capacity of up to 1,500MW in the next five to seven years.”

Entertainment

B3

SUNDAY, MAY 16, 2021 Nickie Wang, Editor; E-mail: nickie.standard@ gmail.com

STANDARD’S CHOICE PAGEANT CONCEPT ETON CONCEPCION

M

4. Puerto Rico – Estefanía Natalia Soto Torres Twenty-nine-year-old Estefanía is a graduate in foreign languages and has a Master’s degree in intercultural mediation. She’s showcased her superb communication skill being a host of the podcast Voces de Reinas (Queen Voices). She was recently diagnosed with Meniere’s disease, strong vertigo, and hearing loss disorder, but that didn’t stop her from aiming for the most elusive crown in the universe.

ISS Universe, the world’s most prestigious and much-anticipated “Olympics of beauty” is happening tomorrow in Hollywood, Florida. In the finals, 21 semi-finalists will be pre-selected from 74 delegates vying for the elusive crown. has revealed its traditional hot picks listing down the first 11 ladies who have the strong shot for the crown. With the WME/IMG talent agency, the current owner of the Miss Universe pageant, placing importance on girls who can speak, like Pia W u r t z bach (2015), Iris M i t t e n aere (2016), Demi-Leigh Nel PetersTebow (2017), Catriona Gray (2018), and reigning Miss Universe Zozibini Tunzi (2019), any one of these girls are capable to become an ideal spokesperson for the Miss Universe cause:

5. South Africa Natasha Joubert This well-prepared, highly competitive, and relatable beauty is a graduate in marketing management at Boston City Campus. She works as a public relations officer in a law firm. Natasha, 23, is an ambassador for Brand South Africa that encourages South Africa’s young democracy.

1. Philippines – Rabiya Mateo The Fil-Indian beauty is one of the most favored by pageant critics to win in this year’s competition. And it’s not surprising why she always lands on top of their list.

Rabiya, 24, is a physical therapy instructor and works as an ambassador for education with the Philippine Department of Education. She put up her “Feed Me and I Read You,” a feeding program and reading session project for the underprivileged children in Iloilo City.

While showing her competitiveness in all aspects of the competition, Miss Philippines is very friendly towards her rival in the competition.

2. India – Adline Castelino Twenty-two-year-old Adline was born in Kuwait. Her family escaped the war in the Arab country and moved to Mumbai. At age 15, this dusky beauty became a model.

A Business Administration graduate, she collaborates with SNEHA organization that provides affordable healthcare to women and works with Vikaas Sahyog Pratishtan that helps deprived rural communities in India.

Adline is a strong communicator whose vibrant personality can easily make everyone’s head turn.

8. Curacao Chantal Wiertz This regal beauty is a model and student in food and beverage management.

She was born in The Netherlands in 1999 but was raised in Germany. She started #celebrateyouruniqueness social media campaign after being diagnosed with autism. She owns six horses, teaches dressage training lessons, and has started Equine Therapy for kids with special needs using the horses.

9. USA - Asya Branch Miss USA, 23, attended Harvard University for summer school and is pursuing a degree in integrated marketing communication to become public relations and sports entertainment professional. She promotes her passion for criminal justice reform, which has led to the passing of legislation at the city, state, and federal levels. Very intelligent, looks relatable.

6. Mexico - Andrea Meza This model is a Software Engineering graduate. A vegan and animal lover, she is the official Tourism Brand Ambassador for Chihuahuas.

She is a pageant veteran with Miss World 2017 1st runner-up as her previous title. Andrea currently works with the Municipal Institute for Women, which goal is to end gender violence.

3. Peru – Janick Maceta Miss Peru, 26, works as an audio engineer in New York’s Manhattan Center.

She used to work in film productions and recording such as Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story and Tony Bennet/Lady Gaga’s Duet Album. A 3rd runner-up in 2019 Miss Supranational, she cofounded the Top of New York Music (TONY) movement that aims to support aspiring young musicians. She’s very regal and outstanding in the looks department. Her pasarela is very commendable, too.

7. Venezuela Mariangel Villasmil Miss Venezuela, 25, is a Psychology student and pastry chef in her Slainte Cakes shop that gives birthday cake to children’s hospitals and nursing homes under her campaign “Give a Sweet Smile.” Before her national pageant, she suffered in a complicated surgical operation that made her live without her right breast for a year and led her to support the Love Yourself movement.

Highly competitive like the others before her, Mariangel’s advantage is her height, sensational curves, and her being fluent in English.

10. Chile Daniela Nicolas Miss Chile is an actress, journalism and sign-language student and currently training in business and retail. In 2015, she suffered from autoimmune disorder and became a spokesperson to raise awareness on the condition as a volunteer in Anacroj. One of the most beautiful faces this year , this 28-year-old queen is a dead ringer of former Miss Universe Demi Leigh Neil Peters-Tebow.

iQiyi International crowned as exclusive streamer of Miss Universe in Philippines MISS Universe Organization has partnered with iQiyi International to be its exclusive video streaming platform in the Philippines for the 69th Miss Universe pageant. The competition airs live tomorrow, 8:00 a.m., Manila time.

“This development is a key milestone in our journey to bring content that our viewers love to them through our platform. As the MUO’s official partner for the 69th Miss Universe Competition, Filipinos will be able to stream the pageant live for free on May 17 exclusively on our iQiyi International app and iQ.com,” says

iQiyi Philippines Country Manager Sherwin Dela Cruz.

An exciting new aspect of the partnership is that access to Miss Universe library content will also be available exclusively on the platform. Curated pageant highlights, backstage and offstage scenes, and glam cams will be accessible through a dedicated page on the iQiyi platform (web and app) for viewers to enjoy.

“Our partnership with iQiyi in the Philippines will allow us to tap into their cutting-edge technology to expand the reach and viewership of

As the home of beloved Asian entertainment, iQiyi continues to strengthen its content offerings for Filipino viewership, building on its current Chinese, Korean, Anime portfolio.

this year’s Miss Universe competition,” says Paula M. Shugart, president of The Miss Universe Organization. “We knew that joining forces with iQiyi is the right decision to make this year’s Miss Universe Competition accessible to every Filipino with data or access to Wifi.” iQiyi’s investment in their partnership with the Miss Universe Organization is a show of the company’s commitment to Filipino viewers. The announcement comes off the back of the recent unveiling of a partnership with GHY Culture and Media to form Uni-Icon, a regional agency set up to discover Southeast Asian talents in the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam, and give them the platform to access international viewership.

Viewers can easily access iQiyi International via iQ.com or download the app for free from the Apple Store or Google Play Store.

B4

SUNDAY, MAY 16, 2021

Desiree Carlos, Editor

daycarlos28@yahoo.com

Pets

MOTHERS TO RESCUED ANIMALS:

Teresa Loyzaga and Maritoni Fernandez

By Air Urquiola

T

HEY usually play the role of a heartless, selfish wife, or stepmother, or sister in teleseryes and the movies. In real life however, actresses Teresa Loyzaga and Maritoni Fernandez have such a kind heart for animals and they go out of their way to help homeless and abused dogs.

Only recently, bestfriends Teresa and Maritoni took on a new role: that of being loving moms to rescued aspins (asong Pinoy). They believe all dogs, regardless of breed, deserve a home.

They also felt this strong desire to nurture a rescued dog. Thus, they decided to adopt rescued aspins from shelters.

The new role was easy for the two actresses. Being a mother to their human kids and the adopted dogs came naturally to them as they both came from loving families.

“I have just always been a dog lover since I was a little girl. I owned my first dog before I was two years old and I have never been without one since then,” Maritoni said.

“The first pet I rescued was a kitten.

My dad and I named her ‘Fuera’ because we found her outside our house. She was black and white and must have been a few days old. Since then, I’ve rescued quite a

few through the years,” shared Maritoni.

Teresa, a supporter of Second Chance Aspin Shelter Philippines Incorporated located in Laguna, shared that she chanced upon the organization on Facebook and she felt that she needed to help.

“I have always loved animals, dogs and horses most especially. As a child, I wanted to be a veterinarian. Well, a different calling came so I got sidetracked in terms of career but the love remains. I’m blessed to be in a position where I can do my part in helping them through this advocacy. Every time my schedule permits, I participate in activities in the shelters and rescue centers as a volunteer,” Teresa said.

Last week, Teresa and Maritoni contacted the office of Ganador Philippines thru Jojo Emata, pet food manager, and asked for donations of dog food for rescued dogs and stray dogs. Ms. Emata pledged 20 bags of 20-kilo Ganador Premium Lamb and Rice. These will be sent to various

Teresa and son Diego Loyzaga visited rescued dogs in a shelter in Laguna. The dogs took to her so well and wanted to be hugged by her. Look at those smiling faces.

PET TALES

BY DESIREE CARLOS MANY humans are going hungry after being forced to accept a cut in salary or losing their jobs. Their pets now suffer with them as less income or no income means less food or no food at all. This sad state of affairs may continue for many more months, we are told, given the increase in the number of cases of covid 19 infections and the rather slow rollout of vaccines in the country.

We are thus grateful for the community pantries that have sprouted in many parts of the metropolis and in the provinces as these community pantries have been providing food on many tables of Pinoy families.

To help pet owner continue to nourish their dogs and cats, Save Animals of Love and Light (Save ALL Inc.) teamed up with community pantry organizers Clareregala Vitug in Batasan Hills, Quezon City and Xien Baza in Barangay Gulod, Novaliches, Quezon City to make pet food accessible to pets of problematic owners.

Save ALL sends pet food at least once a week to the community pantry in Batasan Hills, Quezon City. It has has sent pet food twice to the Gulod community pantry in Novaliches since April. Ms. Baza would feed stray dogs and cats in the area when the pantry closes.

Save ALL admins wish they can send food more often but they have received only two bags of dog food, two bags of cat food, and P600 from two donors since the community pawntry campaign started in April.

To send more, the admins used their own salaries to buy more pet food to be able to feed more hungry owned dogs and cats through the two community pawnrties, and to send food for stray

shelters that Teresa and Maritoni are supporting, and will be used for feeding of stray dogs in Morong, Bataan.

“I have a home in Morong, Bataan and noticed since we started building our beach home a few years ago that there were so many stray dogs roaming around. So I would always bring dog food for them. Before we knew it, other stray dogs decided to make our home theirs. Our workers decided to give them names and I decided to adopt them permanently,” Maritoni said.

Maritoni and Teresa said they will continue to help animals in need by encouraging people to be kind to animals, and help organizations that rescue animals by disseminating information on the work of these groups.

“Naturally, as celebrities, we have the power to influence and show how to love and be loved by animals. I think that if we post on our social media accounts our moments with our beloved fur babies, people will realize they don’t have to spend so much money to have the love of a pet,” Maritoni said.

“There are so many dogs who need loving homes. Regardless of breed, all dogs or cats deserve homes,” Maritoni added.

Teresa agreed with Maritoni.

Maritoni and her children love dogs of all kinds. They believe all dogs and cats deserve a goof life.

Bestfriends Maritoni (left) and Teresa share a love for animals that knows no breed. These celebrities adopted rescued asong Pinoys or aspins recently.

“Awareness is very important.

Thanks to our followers in social media and our circle of friends, we are able to help these groups that rescue animals in need,“ Teresa said.

“This is such a huge place (social media) where the needed help comes from and our heart goes out to all who have been supporting us in this mission of giving rescued animals a better life, and educating people on the importance of our mission of helping animals,” said Teresa.

The Loyzaga-Fernandez tandem maybe familiar in the basketball court.

But this is a different arena where people can make a difference by helping and supporting the community of animal rescue and animal shelters.

“I believe dogs, cats and animals in general are angels in disguise. Maritoni and I can only do so much and we hope

These rescued dogs have been adopted by celebrity moms Maritoni and.

that other people will also help animals in need,“ Teresa said.

“We wish to thank Pet One Station, Royal Canin, Gilbert Emerson Marketing, Massdrop Marketing, Frontrow, Purina, Ganador Premium and other generous souls who wanted to be anonymous for their help,” Teresa said.

“I wish to touch the hearts of everyone.

Your love and compassion towards these innocent living souls will make a huge difference in their lives. Let us be their voices and let us all join hands in helping these beautiful souls” said Teresa.

In this month of May when we celebrate and honor our mothers, it is hoped that Teresa and Maritoni will inspire others to also be furmoms to stray animals by feeding the homeless animals and eventually adopting a rescued animal and giving the poor dog or cat a furever home.

Teresa brought donations of Ganador premium dog food to a shelter in Laguna.

Of feeding stray animals and hungry pets

The Save ALL community pawntry in Barangay Gulod, Novaliches, Quezoon City.

The Save ALL Feeding Crew goes around Meycauayan, Bulacan and feeds stray dogs and cats, rain or shine.

It is so heartwarming to see owners line up to get food for their pets. This shows us they love their pets so much. We wish all owners will be as loving as them.

Heartbreaking: This dog scavenges for food to survive.

animals in Bulacan.

Save ALL has been sending packs of pet food to Meycauayan, Bulacan where volunteers led by Sylvia P. Ongsing feed stray dogs and cats at least twice a week, depending on the amount of pet food Save ALL can send weekly.

Feeding the strays has been a project of Save ALL in Meycauayan since the pandemic started in March 2020. Pet food are sent to Meycauayan where the Save ALL Feeding Crew feeds as many hungry dogs and cats there.

During the rainy season last year, the Save ALL Feeding Crew cooked rice and vegetables, added dog food in the natural food, then gave the warming food to the strays after a heavy downpour.

Late last year, Save ALL also provided pet food to stray animals in Pasig through admin Maricel Mondejar who coordinated with volunteers in the area.

Save ALL will continue the feeding project specially during this pandemic whether by feeding the strays in Bulacan and Pasig, or providing packed pet

food in community pantries (pawntries) in Novaliches and Batasan Hills, for as long as resources will allow. Save ALL also sells items such as mugs, crystal bracelets ad plants, among others, to continue to provide for the needs of its rescued dogs and cats, and to continue the feeding project.

To help Save ALL help poor animals, please message them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/saveanimalsofloveandlightPH. Save ALL needs donations of dog food, cat food, and

Too many cats to feed, so little food left to give.

multivitamins for their rescued dogs and cats, and for their feeding projects.

You can also send help through the following: BDO Save ALL Inc. –Save Animals of Love and Light 006540103300 Gcash Niko S. 09274079152