Manila Standard - 2021 June 6 - Sunday

VOL. XXXV • NO. 111 • 2 SECTIONS 8 PAGES • P18 • SUNDAY, JUNE 6, 2021 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

SUNNY STATE.

A woman happily poses in the middle of a sunflower bed at Fiona’s View Garden in Amadeo, Cavite on June 5. The governmment said that sightseeing areas and other leisure places are allowed to entertain guests up to 30-percent capacity as long as health protocols are followed to avoid the spread of COVID-19. JR Josue

More powers for LGUs in 2022 Ano: ‘Full devolution’ from nat’l to local gov’t starts next year via EO 138

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HE Department of Interior and Local Government said Saturday the full devolution of basic services and facilities from the national government to local government units would begin in 2022, including the increased share of LGUs in all national taxes and revenues.

This, after President Rodrigo Duterte signed Executive Order 138, according to DILG Secretary Eduardo Año in a weekend media release.

“With EO 138, the long-cherished goal of LGUs to finally implement the full devolution of powers and resources mandated by the 1991 Local Government Code will happen under this administration. Under full devolution, many good things are coming our LGUs’ way and the public in general starting next year,” Año said.

He said the EO would ensure the policy of decentralization as enshrined in the Constitution and the Local Government

Code, as well as the increase in just share in national taxes for LGUs as provided for in the Mandanas-Garcia ruling of the Supreme Court, would be carried out systematically and smoothly.

“We thank President Duterte for staying true to his commitment to local autonomy and full devolution through the signing of this EO. This will start the ball rolling and ensure that LGUs will be ready for bigger responsibilities that come with more financial resources.

Because of full devolution, the LGUs would be empowered with more funds that would result in improved service to

the people,” he said.

In Mandanas et al. v. Executive Secretary et al. case, the Supreme Court held that all collections of national taxes, except those accruing to special-purpose funds and special allotments for the utilization and development of the national wealth, should be included in the computation of the base of the just share of the LGUs. In 1991, the Local Government Code mandated the devolution of basic services to LGUs. This was anchored on the premise that LGUs are in a better position to address the needs of their constituents and can therefore deliver better services. However, full devolution was never achieved because the funds necessary to implement full devolution were never fully downloaded to LGUs. The DILG chief said E0 138 is a leap towards the provision of a more responsive and accountable local government structure instituted through a system of decentralization whereby local government units shall be given more powers,

Didal books biggest challenge with Olympic ticket

By Peter Atencio SHE’S conquered the Philippines and Asia on her trusty skateboard, but Margielyn Didal’s biggest challenge yet looms next month: the Olympic Games.

Didal was assured of qualifying for the Tokyo Olympics —where skateboarding makes its debut as a medal event — scheduled in July owing to her world ranking of No. 13.

The Skateboarding Association of the Philippines (SAP) announced this Saturday despite the 22-year-old Didal not qualifying directly for the Olympics after participating in the World Street Skateboarding Championships in Rome, where she placed 17th after the semifinals.

“I didn’t make it to the finals but I’m stoked to be here and skate with the homies!” said Didal on her Instagram account. A podium finish in Italy would have given her direct entry to the quadrennial Games.

Still, the world’s top 16 skateboarders automatically qualify for the Olympiad, making Didal the 10th Filipino athlete to make it to the Tokyo Olympic—which itself is gripped by cancellation fears over the COVID-19 pandemic after it was already postponed last year.

Still, if the Games push through, the Cebu native, the daughter of a carpenter and a sidewalk vendor, has a real chance to be the first Filipino ever to bring home an Olympic gold medal.

“The official announcement of qualified skaters will only be re released after the World Championships Finals in Rome, but Skate Pilipinas would like to be the first to announce that our very own @ margielyndidal has earned a slot for the Tokyo Olympics.

Congratulations Margie! Mabuhay ka Margie!” the SAP said in an Instagram post.

Didal burst onto the sporting scene by winning gold in the 2018 Asian Games in Palembang, Indonesia, where skateboarding also made its debut. Four years later, she remains Asia’s No. 3 in the sport she picked up as a teenager at the now-shuttered Concave Park in Cebu City.

Didal also won two gold medals in the 2019 Southeast Asian OlymGames, which the Philippines hosted. But earning gold in the Olym pics—something no Filipino has done since the country first joined the Games in 1924 -- would put the Cebuana on a pedestal no local athlete has stepped on.

Qualifying for the Tokyo Games, however, is already a resounding achievement for Didal, who has lifted the profile of skateboarding in the Philippines and could give it wider acceptance in the country with a golden finish.

MARGIELYN DIDAL

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authority, responsibilities, and the corresponding financial resources.

“Provinces, cities, and 1st to 3rd class municipalities who have more capacity will enjoy more autonomy in managing their resources. The DILG will then focus and assist 4th to 6th class municipalities so they will be better equipped to carry out the additional functions and services devolved to them,” he said.

Año said a Committee on Devolution (ComDev) will also be created to oversee and monitor the implementation of administrative and fiscal decentralization goals of the EO; resolve issues and concerns that may arise in the implementation of the EO; ensure the elìmination of any regulatory or fiscal controls on the automatic release of LGU shares; and adopt mechanisms to ensure the continuous delivery of public services by the national government agencies and LGUs, among others.

The DILG secretary will serve as cochairperson of the ComDev together with

COVID-19 PH AT A GLANCE

(AS OF 4 PM JUNE 5)

1,262,273 TOTAL NUMBER OF CASES

6,955 59,543 NEW

ACTIVE

21,732

195

1,180,998

8,109

DEATHS

RECOVERIES

NEW

NEW

the Secretary of the Department of Budget and Management.

PH teenager Saso seizes US Women’s Open lead SAN FRANCISCO—Philippine teenager Yuka Saso fired six birdies in a four-under par 67 on Friday (Saturday in Manila) to seize a one-shot lead over former champion Lee Jeong-eun at the halfway stage of the US Women’s Open.

Saso, 19 and a two-time winner on the Japan LPGA tour, rolled in a long birdie putt at her final hole, the par-three eighth on the imposing Lake Course at Olympic Club, to finish 36 holes at six-under par 136.

She walked off the course with a two-shot lead, but Lee, whose only LPGA tour title is her 2019 US Open triumph, stormed home with four of her five birdies on the back nine in a four-under 67 for 137.

Saso is playing just

her third major, but she has experience to draw on and contend on the LPGA tour. She held a two-shot lead through 36 holes at the Lotte Championship in April.

“Stay patient and enjoy,” she said of the lesson she’ll take into the weekend, along with the confidence of a strong performance on the challenging par-71 layout that has hosted five men’s US Opens but had never before hosted a women’s major.

“I hit good shots from the rough today and holed a couple putts,” she said.

Saso said the key to hitting out of the dense rough at Olympic was to not try to do too much.

“First, if I go in the rough, my mindset is just to go for the fairway,” she said. “I mean, it’s really long and, like, sticky, so yeah, it’s really hard to get on (the green) from it. AFP

YUKA SASO

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1m Sinovac jabs arriving today; CHR lauds LGUs

By Joel E. Zurbano and Maricel V. Cruz

BEYOND SAVING. Onlookers watch helplessly as a bus owned

by Koronadal-based Yellow Bus Line burns on the curb in M’Lang, North Cotabato on Thursday, killing three passengers who were trapped inside (inset). Mindanao Development Authority Chairman Manny Pinol blamed it on an extortionist terrorist group operating in Central Mindanao (see story below). MinDA photos

‘House efforts on Bayanihan 3 gone to waste’

By Maricel V. Cruz EFFORTS of the leadership of the House of Representatives to pass the proposed P401-billion Bayanihan 3 law had gone to waste given the lukewarm response of the President’s economic managers and senators to the measure, a legislator said Saturday.

Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte said the “apparently crappy working relationship” between the House on one end and Malacañang and the Senate on the other explained what he described as the “Bayanihan 3 fiasco.”

Opposition Senator Leila de Lima also questioned and described as “misplaced” the insertion of the payment of police, military, and other uniformed personnel pension under the Bayanihan to Arise As One Act or the Bayanihan 3 bill.

In a statement on Saturday, De Lima said the insertion was “repulsively misplaced” in a proposed legislative measure that is supposed to help Filipinos “paddle through the waves of an ongoing pandemic.”

“It is reassuring to know that the mostneeded wage subsidies, allowance for teachers and aid for the agri-fishery sector or ayuda is coming their way,” she said.

The House leadership, Villafuerte said, should have known the sentiments of Malacañang and the Senate before pushing this measure.

‘Red hat’ event stalled over rising virus cases

By Willie Casas

T

HE rising number of coronavirus 2019 cases in Capiz has cancelled twice the ceremony where Capiz Cardinal Jose Advincula, the new Archbishop of Manila, was to receive the biretta or “red hat,” an official statement released to media this weekend said.

Advincula said: “I still have to talk about when and where the bestowal of the insignia be with the Nuncio who is now in Tarlac. I was able to inform Msgr. (Julien) Kabore about the cancelation.”

The ceremony was moved to June 24, which happens to be the same date of the prelate’s scheduled installation as the new Archbishop of Manila at the Manila Cathedral.

Meanwhile, the local government unit

of General Santos City reported that the occupancy rate of its COVID-19 referral hospitals rose to 96 percent, while the occupancy rate of intensive care unit (ICU) beds was already at 100 percent.

The LGU data was as of Friday, June 4, according to a News TV Live report on Saturday.

In the Bicol region, the Bicol Medical Center in Naga City announced on Saturday that its Intensive Care Unit and iso-

lation wards for patients infected with the coronavirus disease 2019 were now “under full capacity.”

In a statement, BMC spokesperson Mylce Mella said, for this reason, they were advising the public that effective Saturday and until it would be lifted, the hospital would limit its admission to COVID-19 patients with only severe and critical conditions.

The BMC has allocated 140 beds for COVID-19 patients, 25 of which are in the ICU and the rest in isolation wards.

The “red hat” ceremony was supposed to take place on May 28 but was moved to June 8 since the archbishop presiding over the ceremony had to undergo a 14-day quarantine after arriving from New York.

At present, the Capiz Provincial Health Office has reported over 3,000 COVID-19 cases, with 21,000 already inoculated, including Advincula.

‘Dante’ leaves 9 dead, P86.1m in crop damage

IN BRIEF AFP chief to academe, families: ‘Kill terrorism’ FAMILIES and the academe should join the effort to end the local communist armed conflict, as Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief-of-Staff General Cirilito Sobejana Jr. urged them Saturday to “kill terrorism.”

Parents and teachers have a role in ending the conflict, Sobejana said in a statement, adding that good governance should also be practiced at home and in schools.

“While your soldiers kill terrorists, you in the academe should kill terrorism. If you are effective in countering terrorism, there are no terrorists. The Armed Forces will then serve as support in the development of our country, rather than going to war,” Sobejana said, partly in Filipino.

“We do not fight because we hate those who are in front of us; we fight because we love the people behind us,” Sobejana added.

Cayetano hands out P10k to 300 OFWs A LAWMAKER has called for unity in helping the Filipino people recover from the pandemic, saying this is not the time for argument but for cooperation.

“We are living in the time of a pandemic. This is not the time to debate and fight but a time to practice bayanihan,” Taguig City Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano said during the fourth round of the “Sampung Libong PagAsa” live virtual event on June 4.

The event, which was livestreamed on social media, was part of Cayetano’s advocacy for the government to provide Filipino families with cash assistance to help them purchase their basic needs and revive their sources of income.

In all, 300 Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and 50 non-OFWs received P10,000 each as part of Cayetano’s initiative which was launched last month. Maricel V. Cruz

ANOTHER shipment of China-made COVID-19 vaccines is set to arrive in Manila today, the Manila International Airport Authority announced Saturday.

The one million doses of Sinovac vaccines were scheduled to arrive at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2 via Cebu Pacific Air (CEB) flight 5J-671 around 7:30 a.m.

The shipment consigned to the Department of Health will be immediately transported to the chain cold facility of PharmaServ Express in San Roque, Marikina City upon arrival at the airport.

Meanwhile, the Commission on Human Rights lauded Saturday efforts of several local government units, which it said proactively worked to address vaccine hesitancy and encourage individuals to be inoculated against COVID-19 through vaccination drives and information campaigns.

CHR spokesperson and lawyer Jacqueline Ann de Guia said this after a noncommissioned Social Weather Stations survey recently revealed that only 3 out of 10 adult Filipinos are willing to be vaccinated, months into the national vaccine rollout.

Also, House Deputy Speaker Rufus Rodriguez on Saturday thanked the United States for deciding to donate part of its surplus AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines to the Philippines and other countries.

The City of Bacolod also received an additional 10,000 vials of Sinovac’s CoronaVac jabs from the national government on Saturday.

The COVID-19 vaccines require refrigeration, a prerequisite that has posed a logistics challenge for many governments.

The World Health Organization earlier approved the Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use—the second Chinese jab to receive the WHO’s green light.

The UN health agency signed off on the Beijing-based firm Sinovac’s twodose vaccine CoronaVac, which is already being deployed in several countries around the world.

The Philippines has secured 25 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines developed

by China’s Sinovac Biotech. So far, 5 million doses of CoronaVac have been delivered to the Philippines.

HEROES LAUDED. Alumni of the Pamantasan

ng Lungsod ng Maynila – Philippine General Hospital Nurse Kathrina Bianca Macababbad and Dr. Rodney Dofitas, chief of PGH’s Division of Surgical Oncology (inset) -- were recognized by President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday for their heroic act in responding to a fire that erupted inside the PGH last month. PLM Photos

Pinol: Extortionists burned YBL bus in N. Cotabato MINDANAO Development Authority Chairman Manny Pinol has blamed the burning of a passenger bus in North Cotabato on a suspected terror group engaged in extortion.

“Terror rears its ugly head again after almost two years of relative peace and security in Central Mindanao,” Pinol said in a statement, as the burning killed three passengers who were trapped inside the bus.

A report submitted to the MinDA by

M’lang Vice Mayor Joselito Piñol, who responded to the scene soon after the incident, said two others were injured, including an old woman.

The bus, owned by Yellow Bus Line based in Koronadal, South Cotabato, was traveling along the national highway in Bialong, M’lang when it stopped to allow the bus inspector to alight, according to police reports quoted by Vice Mayor Piñol.

He said one of the suspects, who was

riding in tandem on a motorcycle, entered the bus and doused gasoline on it, then alighted and escaped.

The bus only had 10 passengers, but those who were killed and injured were trapped inside the burning bus, in full view of civilians who watched helplessly, MinDA chief Pinol said.

Firemen that rushed to the scene failed to save the victims, as the fire gutted the bus quickly.

TYPHOON Dante, the country’s fourth storm this year, has killed 9 and caused agricultural damage estimated to be worth P86.1 million following its rampage in parts of Visayas and Mindanao this week, the state disaster response agency said Saturday.

Based on the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council’s 8 a.m. monitoring, Dante, which left Philippine territory Saturday, claimed nine lives, injured two and left one missing in parts of Visayas and Mindanao.

Meanwhile, Dante affected 22,839 families or 93,683 individuals nationwide, mostly in Visayas and Mindanao.

Of this figure, 732 families or 2,753 people are still in evacuation centers.

The NDRRMC added 2,085 passengers, 691 rolling cargoes, and 46 vessels were stranded in different ports nationwide due to the cancellation of sea trips during Dante’s onslaught.

A total of 26 ports, meanwhile, have resumed operations.

QC urges biz to comply with Safety Seal QUEZON City Mayor Joy Belmonte on Saturday said the city government appealed to business owners to comply with the Safety Seal certification program initiated by the national government to ensure the health and safety of the public while business establishments continue to operate.

Mayor Belmonte, together with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Sec. Ramon Lopez, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Usec. Jonathan Malaya, and DTI Usec. Ireneo Vizmonte on Saturday led the launch of the QC Safety Seal Certification at SM City North EDSA. Belmonte signed Executive Order 13 s. 2021, which enjoined all establishments to apply for and display a Safety Seal as proof or manifes-

tation of their compliance with the minimum public health protocols such as the use of accredited contact tracing app KyusiPass.

“We hope our businesses will take this as an opportunity to prove that they carry out the necessary measures to ensure the safety of their customers. And in turn, we expect that this will increase customer confidence and positively affect everyone’s livelihood and our economy,” said Belmonte.

Through the executive order, the city government adopted the Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) 21-01 which mandated LGUs to create a Safety Seal Certification Committee that will inspect and verify eligibility of registered business establishments that wish to secure a Safety Seal. Maricel V. Cruz

RAPTOR RELEASED. A Philippine eagle named Tagoyaman Fernando takes flight as he heads home to the mountains of Manolo Fortich in Bukidnon on Earth Day. The story of the raptor’s rescue by the Higaonon tribe of Bukidnon, its eventual release, and the Biodiversity Management Champions from the province were featured in the Philippine Eagle Week celebration on June 4. DENR PAMBCS Region 10 Photo

World China blasts US, EU over candles for ‘Tank Man’

HONG KONG—China on Saturday berated the US and EU consulates in Hong Kong for displaying candles to commemorate the June 4 Tiananmen crackdown, slamming it as a “clumsy political show” to destabilize the city.

Candles were seen lit in the windows of the US consulate building, which is next to the residence of Hong Kong’s Beijing-appointed leader Carrie Lam, and the European Union’s office on Friday night.

The missions also posted photographs of their candlelit Tiananmen memorials on social media.

Meanwhile, searches for the famous Tiananmen Square “Tank Man” protest photo came up empty on Microsoft search engine Bing on Friday, raising censorship concerns on the anniversary of the deadly crackdown.

The award-winning photo from 1989 was not served up in image or video searches using Bing even outside China, a country known for strictly controlling what is available online.

“This is due to an accidental human error, and we are actively working to resolve this,” a Microsoft spokesman said in response to an AFP inquiry prompted

by US press reports.

Meanwhile, searches for Tank Man using Google, which has some 92 percent of the global market for online queries according to Statcounter, turned up an assortment of pictures along with the iconic one by photographer Charlie Cole and others.

Google search is not offered in China, where censors have purged Tank Man from the internet. Baidu is the dominant search engine in China.

The Tank Man photo shows a lone protester in a white shirt blocking the path of a column of tanks in Tiananmen Square in Beijing in 1989.

“Any attempt to exploit Hong Kong to carry out infiltration or sabotage activities against the mainland crosses the red line ... is absolutely intolerable,” a spokesperson for the Hong Kong office of China’s foreign ministry said. AFP

With homemade rifles, Myanmar men fight junta YANGON—At makeshift factories hidden in Myanmar’s jungle, locals who have formed self-defence groups make rifles to take the fight to the military junta, but their homemade weapons don’t always hit the mark.

Myanmar has been in chaos and its economy paralysed since the generals ousted Aung San Suu Kyi’s government in February, accusing it of fraud during 2020 elections.

Several communities across Myanmar -- especially in townships that have seen a high death toll at the hands of police -- have formed local “defence forces”.

At one workshop in Kayah state near the Thai border, an amateur gunsmith -- pieces of wood strewn around him, the sounds of saws and hammering in the background -- prepares to fit a trigger guard.

Another applies the final touches to the stock with a sander, before examining the finished product: a bolt-action rifle that would not look out of place in a WWI film.

The performance of the homemade weapons is not always up to the exacting standards required in combat.

“One night, the military... shot at us with heavy artillery,” Ko John, a self-defence force member, told AFP. Junta soldiers then closed to within 200-300 feet (60-90 metres) of the group. AFP

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BIG HOLE. Aerial view of a sinkhole that was found by farmers in a field of crops in Santa Maria Zacatepec, state of Puebla, Mexico on May 30. AFP

G7 meet hopes for ‘historic’ global corporate tax deal

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ONDON—Finance ministers from wealthy G7 nations are on Saturday expected to announce support for a minimum global level of corporate tax, aimed at getting multinationals— especially tech giants—to pay more into government coffers hit hard by the pandemic.

According to a draft communique seen

by AFP, the finance chiefs and central bankers of the world’s seven richest nations will express “strong support” and

a “high level of ambition” over the USbacked tax plans.

French economy minister Bruno Le Maire told journalists on Friday evening: “If we have an agreement tomorrow, it will be a historic step forward”.

It will also “give considerable momentum to the G20”, scheduled to hold a finance meeting in July, he said.

British finance minister Rishi Sunak on Friday chaired the first of two days of meetings, held in person after an easing of Covid-19 restrictions and attended by counterparts from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States.

The talks were preparing the ground for a broader summit of G7 leaders in Cornwall, southwest England starting on June 11.

US President Joe Biden is set to attend on his first foreign tour since taking office in January.

- ‘Difficult to accept’ Momentum is growing behind the USled plans to limit the ability of multinationals like tech giants to game the system to boost profits, especially at a time when economies around the world are reeling from the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

“Before the crisis, it was difficult to understand,” a European source told AFP. “After the crisis, it is difficult to accept.”

Corporate tax is one of two pillars in efforts for global fiscal reform, the other being a “digital tax” to allow countries to tax the profits of multinationals headquartered overseas. AFP

‘TANK MAN’ TRIBUTE. Activists carry petitions to end the CCP in front of the iconic ‘Tank Man’ photograph on display at Liberty Sculpture Park in the Mojave desert town of Yermo, California on June 4, where people gathered on the 32nd anniversary of the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre in Beijing. The park, located off the Interstate 15 freeway between Los Angeles and Las Vegas, is home to creations of Chinese-born New Zealand artist and sculptor Chen Weiming. Meanwhile, outside of the Chinese consulate in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, people hold candles as they attend a vigil commemorating the anniversary of the prodemocracy protests (inset). AFP

Mexican rescuers try to free 7 coal miners from collapse MÚZQUIZ, Mexico -- Rescuers were trying Friday to free seven mine workers trapped after an accident in a coal-producing region in northern Mexico, authorities said.

Initial investigations suggest the collapse was due to a flood at the mine in the municipality of Muzquiz, the state of Coahuila’s labor department said.

“Some people who were working were trapped inside the mine,” it said in a statement.

Police and civil protection authorities were at the scene for the rescue effort, it added.

The National Guard said on Twitter its personnel “were deployed in the area to provide security and allow the rescue of trapped workers.”

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said he had sent personnel from the security, labor and civil protection ministries to the area.

“We are watching and in coordination with municipal and state authorities,” he tweeted. “We hope that the rescue is favorable for the families and for ever yone.” AFP

Fiancée seeks safe haven for Assange

FOR BOOGIE. People gather for a vigil at the site where Winston Boogie Smith was killed on June 4, in Minneapolis, Minnesota during an altercation with law enforcement involving multiple agencies. Smith’s family is demanding clarity in the case, as authorities claim there is no video available from the incident. AFP

GENEVA—Julian Assange’s fiancee joined forces Friday with the mayor of Geneva and the UN’s torture expert to seek the WikiLeaks founder’s immediate release from a British jail and safe haven in another country.

In January, an English judge refused to allow Assange’s extradition to the United States to face charges for leaking secret documents.

The 49-year-old remains in custody in a London jail awaiting a US appeal against the decision.

Assange’s fiancee Stella Moris teamed up in Geneva with Nils Melzer, the UN special rapporteur on torture, and Geneva mayor Frederique Perler to call for his release and the scrapping of extradition proceedings.

They urged international organisations based in the Swiss city to help free Assange, and called on Switzerland and other democratic nations to offer the Australian former computer hacker a refuge from potential further prosecution moves.

“My hope is that it will end today, it’s being going on for too long, it’s an absolute aberration that Julian is in prison at all,” Moris, who has two children with Assange, told AFP. “He won his case of extradition at the lowest level in January and he is still in prison, and he is prosecuted for journalistic activities.”

The lawyer said her fiance was struggling in the “grim environment” of Belmarsh prison, the top-security jail in southeast London. AFP

Facebook slaps 2-year ban on Donald Trump SAN FRANCISCO -- Facebook on Friday banned former US president Donald Trump for two years, saying he deserved the maximum punishment for violating platform rules over a deadly attack by his supporters on the US Capitol.

The punishment will be effective from January 7, when Trump was booted off the social media giant, and comes after Facebook’s independent oversight board said the indefinite ban imposed initially should be reviewed.

“Given the gravity of the circumstances that led to Mr. Trump’s suspension, we believe his actions constituted a severe violation of our rules which merit the highest penalty available under the new enforcement protocols,” Facebook vice president of global affairs Nick Clegg said in a post.

In updating its policies, Facebook also said it will no longer give politicians blanket immunity for deceptive or abusive content based on their comments being newsworthy.

At the end of Trump’s two-year ban, Facebook will enlist experts to assess whether his activity on the platform still threatens public safety, according to Clegg.

“If we determine that there is still a serious risk to public safety, we will extend the restriction for a set period of time and continue to re-evaluate until that risk has receded,” Clegg said.

When Trump’s suspension is lifted, he will face strict sanctions that could rapidly escalate to permanent removal for rule-breaking, according to Clegg.

Last month, the independent oversight board said Facebook was justified in ousting Trump for his comments regarding the deadly January 6 rampage at the US Capitol but that the platform should not have applied an “indeterminate and standardless penalty of indefinite suspension.” AFP

Catholic Church told to own up to school abuses OTTAWA -- Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Friday urged the Catholic Church to “take responsibility” and release records on indigenous residential schools under its direction, after the discovery of remains of 215 children in unmarked graves.

And he warned that his government was prepared to take “stronger measures,” possibly including legal action, to obtain the documents demanded by victims’ families if the church fails to comply.

Canada has been convulsed by the discovery of the remains at the Kamloops Indian Residential School in British Columbia -- especially as there were only 50 deaths officially on record there.

The school was one of many boarding schools set up a century ago to forcibly assimilate the country’s indigenous peoples.

“As a Catholic, I am deeply disappointed by the position that the Catholic Church has taken now and over the past many years,” Trudeau told a news conference.

He recalled a May 2017 trip to the Vatican during which he sought a formal apology from Pope Francis for abuses of students, as well as access to church records to help account for more than 4,100 students believed to have died from disease or malnutrition. AFP

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Business

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

Shopee launches mid-year sale Acer chairman and chief executive Jason Chen

Acer switching to renewable energy

Shopee Philippines director Martin Yu

By Othel V. Campos ‘SHOPEE, the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, continues to bring great deals to millions of online shoppers as it resumes its monthly promotional deals with amazing new finds at prices made affordable through immense discounts under the 6.6 and 7.7 campaigns.

Shopee Philippines director Martin Yu said the platform has pivoted with the times to embrace innovations to bring consumers and sellers closer and bring the best online shopping experience for millions of Filipinos.

“Shopee welcomes the second half of the year with a bang as we launch the Shopee 6.6 to 7.7 Mid-Year Sale.

We’re proud of all the milestones we’ve achieved in the first half of the year, and starting with this campaign, we look forward to reaching new ones.

With our supersized 6.6 to 7.7 MidYear Sale and TV special, Shopee aims to spread joy to Filipinos, cater to their needs and remain a valued partner to our brands and sellers,” Yu said in a pre-event briefing.

Coming from an eventful 2020 where e-commerce gained momentum, he recalled that Shopee started the year with its 2.2 cashback sale. Consumers received 20-percent cashback on the best brands and amazing prizes during the 2.2 Shopee Milyonario special which reached millions of viewers in the Philippines.

In March, Shopee launched the 3.3 to 4.4 Mega Shopping Sale, the firstquarter campaign. Yu said items sold during the 4.4 campaign posted a sixfold increase across the region, compared to a regular day.

“During our recently concluded 5.5 festival, Shopee reaffirmed its position as the platform of choice by your favorite brands to promote and sell their products. As Filipinos shop for their favorite brands, Shopee saw its top selling brands achieve up to a 30-fold uplift in orders,” he said.

Shopee also launched its monthly Payday Sale, providing Filipinos a more rewarding shopping experience and enabling them to make the most out of every A-Kinse, with exciting P1 deals and much more.

Property agents tap digital technology to offer services

Buying a home presents many challenges for some Filipinos, but leading proptech company Ohmyhome provides full-agent services that can help make the process simple, efficient and enjoyable.

BUYING a home involves several important steps and decisions that can be challenging for some Filipinos—for example, choosing the property type and property location that match one’s needs and looking at available housing loans and payment schemes that fit one’s budget.

As prospective homeowners know how essential these steps are, many opt to consult with real estate agents to make sure that they are on the right track in their housing journey.

Ohmyhome, a leading proptech company in Singapore and Malaysia that launched in the Philippines last year, provides fullagent services designed to efficiently assist clients, offering services that include market research on estimated valuation, database matching of potential buyers, hosting of virtual property viewings and more.

Julian Sison, Ohmyhome marketing manager, explains why the proptech company takes pride in this. “Our team of highly professional sales and customer agents personalize services according to the customers’ needs,” he says.

“We guide them in every step of the process— with no hidden charges.”

This is affirmed by Cristy Ajero, Ohmyhome sales head, who also shares some reasons why the platform’s agent assistance is an excellent choice for Filipino clients.

“First, we don’t promote just one real estate brand for interested homeowners. Being an accredited partner of multiple real estate developers, our database includes various properties within different price and location ranges. We carefully assess our clients’ needs and give them the best property options that fit their resources and preferences,” she says.

BNPP revival seen to fix power shortage

By Alena Mae S. Flores

T

HE power outages that hit Luzon in the past few days prompted another call from nuclear power proponents to revive the 620-megawatt Bataan nuclear power plant to augment the supply in Luzon amid the rising demand despite the continuing economic crisis.

Former Pangasinan Rep. Mark Cojuangco warned that an economic upturn, once the COVID-19 pandemic is contained, could result in a more serious power shortage. Many business establishments remain closed because of the quarantine restrictions.

“Because of COVID, our power consumption is low. Imagine if COVID is over and there is an economic recovery, that upturn would be prevented by power supply deficiency,” he said.

Cojuangco is hoping the government will make a firm stand on nuclear power as the revival of the mothballed Bataan facility could help avert the power shortage.

“We are hoping this will get the attention of President Duterte as a long-term solution in our energy situation,” says Cojuangco, who is now with Alpas Pinas— an advocacy group for nuclear energy in the Philippines.

Cojuangco says there is still “a window of opportunity” to revive BNPP and provide consumers with lower-cost and stable source of electricity.

“BNPP is very well preserved. If we had started its commissioning in the first year of the Duterte administration, it would have been operational today and we would not have a problem in load generating capacity, because it would add 600 MW of reliable power,” he says.

He says nuclear power has a 92-percent capacity factor compared to coal and natural gas with only 68 percent to 85 percent.

Cojuangco says the average life of nuclear power plants is about 80 years from date of commissioning, and BNPP has not even run a single day.

He says the president should take the lead and provide a clear message on the way forward for nuclear power. “If there is a clear message from the president, it will be considered important and will be discussed by the House and the Senate,” he says, adding that a law should be put in place to ensure the continuity of the project.

“An executive order won’t have continuity because it could be stopped by the next president. If it is made into law and there is a clear message, it could not just be set aside,” he says.

Cojuangco says if the government decides to privatize BNPP, it should team up with the Korean experts to revive it first, then fetch a good price.

For Conjuangco, it would be better not to sell BNPP and instead use it to bring down the cost of electricity for the benefit of the public.

He cites for example the average cost of nuclear power fleet in the US at 2.30 cents per kilowatt-hour, or equivalent to about P1.20 per kWh, compared to the wholesale cost of electricity today at P4.80 to P5 per kWh. “If the wholesale cost of electricity is that low, other add-ons will be law, including VAT, system loss, transmission charges and distribution costs which represent a percentage of the original rate,” he says.

Cojuango says pushes for the development of nuclear power facilities in the country to halve the cost of power for Filipinos. He says his group has been going around the country to educate coastal communities in the provinces about the benefits of hosting a nuclear power plant.

“What I am telling people from the province is to invite the national government to locate a nuclear plant in their area in exchange for free electricity for the entire 80-year life of the nuclear plant,” he says.

Cojuangco says host communities will benefit from the low power rates, attract investors and trigger economic growth.

Nuclear also avoids high import costs, as coal and gas fuel costs are imported at about $600 million annually. The import cost related to operating nuclear facilities would be only about $20 million annually, he says.

He cites estimates from the National Economic and Development Authority that the country needs 13,000 megawatts

of electricity to serve the rising demand.

“If you multiply that with $600 million a year in importation cost, they are talking of $7.8 billion a year,” he says.

Cojuangco says small modular reactors with a capacity of 300 MW and below could address the needs the grid.

Meanwhile, Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi is also hoping President Duterte would endorse the results of a study of the inter-government agency on the adoption of the national position on the nuclear energy program that would pave the way for nuclear in the power mix.

Duterte signed Executive Order No. 116 on July 24 providing for the creation of the Nuclear Energy Program Inter-Agency Committee, chaired by DOE, to conduct the study. The committee is tasked to submit its recommendation on a national position on nuclear energy to the Office of the President.

Once the DOE recommendation is approved by Malacanang, the Philippines will have an official policy of including nuclear energy in the energy mix.

Cusi earlier urged the public to be open to nuclear energy to help the country attain energy security and sustainability goals.

“I continue my call on my countrymen to open themselves to the idea. Considering the potential of safely utilizing nuclear energy for the country’s power needs doesn’t mean that nuclear power plants will immediately come out of the woodwork,” Cusi says.

“I believe that the time is ripe for us to embark on a full national nuclear energy program,” he says.

Cusi says the COVID-19 onslaught found that energy systems could be interrupted especially for countries like the Philippines.

“This has further underscored the urgency of attaining our energy security and sustainability goals,” he says.

“Technology neutrality caters for all possible energy solutions, without prejudice to, or predisposition against, any particular resource,” Cusi said.

“I firmly believe that our country’s economic landscape would be much different had we tapped nuclear power back then.

Instead, our economic development was stunted, whereas our regional neighbors who had boldly ventured towards nuclear, had all been transformed into economic powerhouses,” says Cusi.

Memorial park chain highlights wide, open spaces FILIPINOS are increasingly learning the value of preparing dignified resting places for their dearly departed—tranquil spaces that meld the soothing benefits of nature with iconic landmarks.

Such is Golden Haven’s chain of lush and beautiful memorial parks that have gained prominence in the death care industry, not only as sanctuaries where memories are preserved but also for offering vast open spaces for families to bond.

The sprawling terrain is made serenely beautiful by the verdant greenery, which evokes peace and solitude, not somberness.

It inspires families to reminisce on happier times spent with those long gone.

Beyond the stunning visible attributes, a sustainably green and healthy environment is what Golden Haven seeks to advocate.

It is, in fact, the first and only memorial park developer in the Philippines that offers 100-percent open spaces in all its memorial parks. Families are encouraged to enjoy these at all times and on any occasion such as their departed loved ones’ birth and death Golden Haven’s chain of lush and beautiful memorial parks have gained prominence in the deathcare industry, not only as sanctuaries where memories are preserved but also for offering vast open spaces for families to bond.

anniversaries. They may come even in the evenings—Golden Haven has installed solar street lights to provide safety and security to all its park visitors.

While Golden Haven’s beautifully themed parks were built with visiting families in mind, it also fulfills the promise of meaningful repose in its wide array of memorial products—from memorial lot to garden niches to columbarium vaults to its esteemed family estates and mausoleums.

Solemnity and sophistication are reflected in its motifs and landmarks created by the country’s most respected architects and engineers. These characteristics are not only seen in Metro Manila, where memorial parks are abundant, but also mirrored in the regions of the Philippines.

These landmarks include the famed Christ the Redeemer Statue in Golden Haven Cagayan de Oro; the Nuestra Senora La Virgen del Pilar in Golden Haven Zamboanga; the Imperial Gardens in Golden Haven Cebu; and the Pope John II Statue in Las Pinas, among others.

THE Acer Group has embraced innovation to power communications and IT through sustainable means, devoting more of its proprietary technology to coming up and delivering more earthfriendly devices through its new platform “Earthion”.

Acer recently declared a mission to help tackle environmental challenges using “Earthion” platform—a collaboration among employees and stakeholders to address environmental challenges through innovation and introduce realistic solutions.

“In 2020, more than 60 environment and education projects were initiated by our employees in over 40 countries. This year, we aim to achieve more. In education, we want to help bridge the digital divide and cultivate talent around the world. For the environmental, we wish to help create a greener tomorrow through innovative solutions,” said Acer chairman and chief executive Jason Chen in a global virtual launch of the platform.

Acer’s new device—the Aspire Vero notebook—is its first sustainability-focused product under the Earthion platform. In coming up with a sustainability product, Acer announced that it is joining the RE100 initiative with a commitment to achieve 100-percent renewable energy use by the year 2035.

Chen said that Acer has long been committed to enhancing energy efficiency. Since 2008, it adopted the CDP’s global disclosure system to manage the environmental impacts of its supply chain, and even expanded the system to two tiers of supplier engagement.

In 2012, Acer began setting carbon reduction targets through energy management and green energy use, taking 2009 as the baseline year. Through constant efforts and drive, the Acer Group, including its global operations and subsidiaries, successfully achieved its 2020 target of reducing its carbon emissions by 60 percent worldwide.

Setting a new commitment to source renewable energy for all of its energy use by 2035, Acer has committed to crafting a sustainable business future to RE100.

RE100 is a renowned global corporate renewable energy initiative that brings together hundreds of large and ambitious businesses committed to 100-percent renewable electricity. Prior to this, green energy was tapped in various Acer operations in as early as 2013 that involved the installation of solar panels to generate power. In 2020, the Acer Group achieved 44-percent renewable energy use.

“I am delighted to welcome Acer to RE100. By committing to 100-percent renewable electricity by 2035, Acer joins over 300 of the world’s leading businesses committed to driving market change. This sends a powerful message that renewable electricity makes good business sense, and we encourage others to follow,” said head of RE100 Sam Kimmins. Othel V. Campos Efren Rapallo (second from right), owner of Jea Natural Coffee in Sinacaban, Misamis Occidental, together with his wife and DOST-Misamis Occidental officials

Innovation helps entrepreneur brew success THE willingness to comply and the flexibility to accept change are the winning gauges of Jea Natural Coffee.

A homegrown enterprise from Sinacaban, Misamis Occidental, Jea Natural Coffee has been producing roasted ground corn beverages for more than five years now. It has been manufacturing its product using improvised roasting and grinding machines.

In 2020, news came in that the Food and Drug Administration tagged their product as “Unregistered” at the FDA website.

Hence, an advisory to the public prohibiting purchase was published.

For Jea Natural Coffee, it was not a point of turning back, but a call to press on and step up. Their goal is to upgrade production equipment, establish a Good Manufacturing Practice-compliant production facility and acquire a license to operate from the FDA. In the same year, to fully realize their aspiration, Jea Natural Coffee applied for the Department of Science and Technology’s Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program. By the second quarter, the firm

received the DOST-SETUP assistance to upgrade production equipment.

The program also includes enhancement of product label design, GMP-compliant production building layout, and technical support on the online application for LTO. At the start of the year 2021, the firm’s application for LTO got approved. This time, they also started production using the upgraded equipment in an enhanced and GMP-compliant facility.

With the assistance from the DOST, Jea Natural Coffee’s production capacity increased from 40 kgs to 80 kgs per production schedule with 6-percent to 27-percent average productivity improvement.

Even with the pandemic, the firm was able to employ four production workers and additional two sale agents.

“DOST helped a lot in improving our production operations. Before, we were hesitant whenever customers visit our facility. Now we are proud to showcase our production building,” said Jill Rapallo, owner of Jea Coffee.

Youth & Culture B1

SUNDAY, JUNE 6, 2021

Bernadette Lunas, Editor

manilastandardlife@gmail.com

@manilastandardlife

@MStandardLIFE

Be careful what you wish for:

‘The Invisible Life of Addie Larue’ BOOK REVIEW

By Robespierre L. Bolivar and Rory J. Bolivar

H

UMANKIND has always been obsessed with immortality.

The concept of an afterlife—in whatever form that may take—is prevalent in many societies and provides us a consoling means of coming to terms with our finite existence.

Even modern science is not immune to the allure of death conquered. Medicine has long pursued the prolongation of the human lifespan. The concept of a technological singularity, when artificial intelligence evolves to the point where “digital ascension” (the ability to download human consciousness onto a computer) is possible, is another stab at living forever.

Ask yourself, though: If you were given the chance, would you really want to live forever? If you do, then ask yourself this: What would you be willing to give in exchange for immortality?

These are the foundations on which Victoria E. Schwab’s exquisite novel The Invisible Life of Addie Larue (Tor Books, October 2020) was built.

Born to a poor family in rural 18th-century France, Adeline “Addie” Larue dreamed of seeing the world. While her sister Isabelle followed in their conservative mother’s footsteps, Addie wanted the freedom to build a life of her own choosing.

Her fate seemed sealed when her parents arranged her marriage to a local widower. Suffocated by the prospect of ending up like Isabelle – married to a man she did not love and saddled with children – she escaped her parents’ house on her wedding day. She found herself deep in the woods, pleading with any deity who would listen to free her from the burden of a life in which she will belong to someone else.

When the darkness answered, he offered her a Faustian bargain: a life untethered, time without limit, in exchange for a pledge that Addie’s life and soul would be his when she is done with them.

Out of desperation, Addie consented, not knowing that what she will eventually receive was a perversion of what she desired.

Yes, her life was unencumbered; she was free to do as she pleased. Addie could live as long as she wanted and could dictate when she would welcome her own death.

But her life would not leave any mark.

No one would remember her. Any trace of her would vanish as quickly as the blink of an eye.

Addie Larue became the embodiment

of the age-old adage “out of sight, out of mind”. Erased from anyone’s memory by the briefest moment apart.

She was, for all intents and purposes, a ghost.

She would have to steal food and clothing to survive. She would need to charm or trick her way into strangers’ homes so she would have a place to lay her head for the night, knowing that as the morrow breaks she will have to begin again.

Even to people with whom she had intimate relations, Addie would be a fleeting glance at a faded photograph, familiar but maddeningly faint strains of music, or a dull ache from a time long forgotten.

Traces of her presence would appear in art through the centuries: the freckles on her cheeks make a constellation of stars in a post-modernist painting; random notes she played on a piano form a bittersweet cadenza in a popular ballad; an idea she sowed takes shape as the premise of a bestselling novel.

Addie Larue lived through three centuries as a phantom: unable to age or die, unable to build a life beyond a meager existence, unable to form any meaningful attachments. Her only constant companion is Luc, the Mephistopheles to her Faust, who taunts her every year on the anniversary of their dark bargain. He mocks her to take

‘‘

Perhaps we share with her that deep-seated desire to live beyond mere existence.

Follow the 300-year life of Addie Larue in Victoria Schwab's (inset) novel 'The Invisible Life of Addie Larue'. (Photos from @veschwab/Instagram)

what is seemingly the only way out of her cursed life: surrender her soul to him, complete the deal, and end her suffering.

Until one day, in present-day New York, she meets Henry Strauss, the boyish manager at a used bookstore. Their chance encounter leads to a memorable evening, and just at the point when Addie would usually resign herself to becoming a faded memory, Henry remembers her.

And for the first time in three centuries, Addie leaves an indelible mark.

Is this a cruel joke, a long con that Luc is playing on her to force her surrender? Is this a fortuitous tear in the otherwise seamless fabric of the curse?

Or is this hope, the tantalizing prospect

Addie Larue was born to a poor family in rural 18th-century France.

that, after all these years, she is able to outlast her tormentor?

The Invisible Life of Addie Larue is a bittersweet but hopeful look at the power of the human spirit. Schwab’s prose is assured, lyrical, and beautiful. The premise around which she built this narrative is intriguing; the story itself a satisfying blend of literary fiction, magical realism, and love story, wrapped in what is at times a Lonely Planet-esque guide to the five boroughs of New York City.

Schwab’s frequent transitions from 18th century France to 21st century New York (and other significant eras Addie lived through) could initially be jarring, but as the story progresses, we begin to

appreciate the way she structures the novel. Masterfully dabbing crucial plot points and planting ingenious twists and turns, she builds Addie’s narrative layer by careful layer, the way a painter adds color, texture, and perspective. Pay close attention to the dates in each chapter as these are crucial to fully appreciating the importance of the alternating time jumps.

In Addie Larue, Ms. Schwab has created a sympathetic, likable, and relatable heroine. Sure, none of us will ever get the chance to live for 300 years. And yet we feel Addie’s existential exhaustion, we suffer the pangs of heartbreaking loss every time she is erased from people’s minds, and we celebrate her victories, especially in those moments when she finds her footing and, through brazen acts of defiance, gives the darkness the proverbial middle finger.

We connect with Addie in a visceral way. Perhaps we share with her that deepseated desire to live beyond mere existence. Maybe she speaks to that part of the human experience that dares surmount seemingly unconquerable odds. Her spunk fortifies us, and her childlike enthusiasm and wonder wins us over (perhaps some would call it naïveté, but try to imagine yourself being 300 years old and still finding things that amaze you).

Walt Whitman once confronted us with that difficult question: What good is life when we face struggles daily and when, at times, our hopes are unrequited? He answered by challenging us: “That you are here – that life exists and identity / That the powerful play goes on, and you may contribute a verse.”

More than a century and a half later, The Invisible Life of Addie Larue drives home the same point. It reminds us that life is worth living, that we must not waste any moment, and that each day can be an opportunity to matter and to add a meaningful and life-affirming verse to humanity’s narrative.

About the authors: Rory J. Bolivar is a registered microbiologist. Robespierre L. Bolivar is a career diplomat and former spokesperson of the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs. Email them at ideas.conversation@gmail.com.

Addie met Henry Strauss in present-day New York.

YOUNG PINOYS ON TOP Zack Tabudlo’s ‘Binibini’ breaks record on Spotify ALTERNATIVE pop and R&B artist Zack Tabudlo’s song about the “indescribable attraction between two lovers” has broken a record on Spotify as the longest-running number 1 local track by a Filipino RADAR artist on the Philippines Top Zack 50 Chart this year.

Tabudlo “Binibini” maintained its reign at the top of the charts for six consecutive weeks, and gained global footing by topping the charts for four consecutive weeks on Global Viral.

The song is Tabudlo’s best performing track on Spotify to date, amassing more than 18.3 million streams since its release a few months ago. “‘Binibini’ holds a special place in my heart as it is inspired by a previous relationship that left a lasting mark on my life. It expresses a powerful and indescribable attraction between two lovers, who are waiting for the right moment to show their true feelings,” he shared.

Following its success on the RADAR Philippines and OPM Rising playlists,

“Binibini” made its way to OPM playlist Tatak Pinoy and subsequently scored a spot in Spotify’s flagship playlist Hot Hit Philippines. It also made it to the Viral 50 charts internationally.

“Seeing how much the song resonated with listeners not just locally but globally is a surreal and fulfilling personal milestone, and I’m thankful to have Spotify’s support throughout this time,” enthused Tabudlo.

The 19-year-old Island Records Philippines / MCA Music signed singer is part of the Spotify RADAR Philippines, a global program featuring emerging artists, spotlighting their work on the global stage and connecting them with new audiences.

“We launched our RADAR program in early 2020 with the aim of amplifying the reach of emerging local artists. Seeing what Zack Tabudlo and Island Records Philippines / MCA Music has achieved is an exciting thing for us here at Spotify,” said Kossy Ng, Spotify Asia’s head of music.

Izzy Matias’ YA novel tops Amazon new releases

'The Hush Society Presents...'

FILIPINO blogger Izzy Matias’ debut novel The Hush Society Presents... ranked number 1 New Release for a few weeks in Amazon’s Teen and Young Adult Music eBooks category.

“The Hush Society Presents…” is a contemporary young adult novel and coming-of-age story about Cameron Evans, a musician in pursuit of his dreams despite the many challenges he encounters along the way. As Cameron dives into the world of secret shows, he is recruited to join a summer tour; however, to make it big, he must face his biggest rival and self-destructive fears before they destroy his dream for good.

Matias, a finance and wealth management graduate of Enderun Colleges, started writing her novel in high school, followed Izzy Matias by a lot of rewriting and

editing during her college years.

“I ran a music blog where I would go to lots of concerts and write about them. Over the years, I ran multiple music blogs and wanted to be able to turn blogging into a career,” the author related, adding, “Later on, I decided to approach blogging with a business perspective, which led me to my focus as a blogger now.”

While working, she continued revising her novel until she finally decided to self-publish it on Amazon this year.

Sharing a piece of advice to aspiring authors and those working on their goals, Matias said, “Even if it takes a long time to achieve your aspiration, if it’s something you want, keep going.

Take a chance on your dreams and make the most of the opportunities available to you or create an opportunity for you to achieve your dreams.”

“There’s never a linear path to get to where you want to be, but I believe if you keep going, you’ll get there eventually.”

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 corner that comes out every Sunday. subject: “Young Life - (title of your essay)” along with a This space is open for young writers, aged 13-29 years old. brief description of yourself.

B2

SUNDAY, JUNE 6, 2021

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

Home/Design

ZEN ELEGANCE. A three-bedroom unit features a genkan or Japanese entryway, and will be equipped sunken slab technology, as well as a kitchen floor storage.

T

Seasons Residences bags residential high-rise plum

HE Seasons Residences recently bagged the 5-star award for best residential high-rise development in the Philippines at the International Property Awards (IPA) Asia-Pacific.

for bringing the Japanese tradition of innovation to the Philippines. The development fuses Japanese design efficiency with the Filipino sense of community to feature Japanese innovations such as the earthquake-resistant technology, sunken slab or below-floor drainage system for easy maintenance and repairs, air-washing tiles that minimize excess humidity and odor, and sophisticated toilet systems.

Inspired by the four seasons of Japan, The Seasons Residences is the country’s first residential project with a distinct Japanese concept. This signature development is setting a new global standard in the real estate industry through a premier four-tower residential development.

The four residential towers—Haru (Spring), Natsu (Summer), Aki (Autumn), and Fuyu (Winter)–will feature Japanese design elements that focus on technology, functionality, safety and harmony with the environment.

Upscale shopping at the podum Mitsukoshi brings to the country commercial spaces that showcase Japanese design elements in a casual but elegant setting. It will feature a well-curated selection of Japanese beauty brands, as well as its signature depachika, or basementlevel food hall.

THE four-tower development is a joint venture between Federal Land Inc., Nomura Real Estate Development Company Ltd., and Isetan Mitsukoshi Holdings Ltd. to form Sunshine Fort North Bonifacio Realty Development Corp.

“This recognition reflects our continuous commitment to building dynamic developments for generations to enjoy,” said Cherie Fernandez, president of Sunshine Fort North Bonifacio realty development corp.

The IPA recognizes industry projects and developers selected by an independent panel of over 80 industry experts focusing on design, quality, service, innovation, originality, and commitment to sustainability.

Bringing Japanese tradition to PH The Seasons Residences is recognized

Pandemic spurs digital mining by boomers, gen x

REAPING GLORY AT TEN MILE BUND. SM City Yangzhou, a project of Southeast Asian property developer SM Group, was recently awarded the Golden Coordinate of “Annual Highly Anticipated Commercial Real Estate Project” at the 16th China Commercial Real Estate Festival. SM City Yangzhou, located on the west side of Guangling section of Beijing Hangzhou Grand Canal, is the main shopping center of the first large-scale complex in “Ten Mile Bund”. The Golden Coordinate awards, given annually to discover popular projects in the Chinese real estate, are selected through data analysis, and on-site evaluation conducted by industry professionals, and the media. Ronald Allan Brosas, senior assistant vice president-operations of SM China, received the award on behalf of SM (Shown in photo). “Yangzhou is a famous historical city with profound cultural deposits,” Brosas said. “With more than 60 years of expertise in retail and 30 years of shopping center operation, SM group is looking forward to bringing fashion and culture to the project.”

PALAWAN GEMS. Palawan is known for the beauty of its beaches, and other natural wonders like the Underground River, Bacuit Bay Islands, Baracuda Lake, and Ugong Rock, among others. But the island has numerous unappreciated destinations that are waiting to be discovered. Cagayancillo island is where you will find the famous Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, dubbed as the center of the Coral Triangle. Port Barton is a quiet fishing village just north of Palawan’s capital and only started to gain tourist attraction because of its similar beauty to El Nido –only without the busy nightlife. Brooke’s Point is where you can check out the beauty of nature since you will find the Ecological Park and AgriWorld Farm here. Balabac island is in he southern part of Palawan, certainly paradise on Earth. Balayong Park, is expected to host sports-related activities, part of the city government’s reboot of the tourism-related infrastructure programs. The sixth emerging gem on the island is Diamond Beach Resorts (DBR) of CitiGlobal Realty and Development Inc., which offers affordable and income-generating properties (Seen in photo). To learn more about CitiGlobal, visit https://citiglobal. com.ph/ .

A YEAR past the onset of the global pandemic and economic crisis, the Philippine residential real estate market had evolved along with seeker priorities and preferences.

In the first quarter of 2021, Lamudi saw shifts in property demand trends as seeker age groups explored different properties compared to previous quarters.

The first quarter of 2020 saw college students and fresh graduates of the 18 to 24 age bracket leading in terms of pageview growth for condominiums.

Consumer preferences in the first quarter of 2021 revealed a new trend. Seekers aged between 45 to 54 commanded the highest year-on-year growth figures for pageviews for condominium listings at an impressive 106.80 percent. Seekers within the 35 to 44 age bracket also showed more interest in condominiums in 1Q2021, exhibiting the highest quarter-on-quarter pageview growth at 6.68 percent.

Although lead growth from the 25 to 34 age bracket weakened this quarter compared to the last, the age group still contributes the largest lead share for condos. Data from this quarter also revealed that while the luxury condominium units priced above 20M attracted the most pageviews at 21% out of all property types, listings priced 1.5M to 3M contributed the most leads.

As more millennials look at real estate as a viable investment option amid the pandemic, first-time buyers may be pursuing more immediately accessible price points, albeit showing preference for aspirational residential options. Sellers may add value by retrofitting units with aspirational interior designs and lifestyle-centric amenities such as sleek modern furnishings, smart appliances, and large windows.

Apartments leads the way Apartments led growth for leads by property type in the first quarter of this year. Leads for apartments increased by 16.11 percent in the first quarter of 2021 compared to the same period in 2020. The uptick in leads for apartments may be driven by consumers’ desire for extra space without compromising the experience of living large in units smaller and more affordable than the single-detached house.

Seekers aged between 25 to 34 led demand for this property type, contributing 42.76 percent of all leads for apartments. Its size is especially attractive to young professionals and couples planning to expand their family and wish to move in immediately.

Leads for apartments were most prevalent in Quezon City and Manila in the first quarter of this year, which contributed 36.74 percent and 23.74 percent of leads respectively, out of the top five apartment location markets in the country. Quezon City and Manila were followed by Pasig (18.94% of leads), Makati (12.12%) and Caloocan (9.09%).

Outside of Metro Manila, Cebu was the strongest apartment market at 34.14 percent of leads in the first quarter of 2021. In Mindanao, Davao received the most pageviews for its apartments in 1Q2021 but Cagayan de Oro received the most leads at 54.85 percent.

Residential market for retirees

Out of all age groups, property seekers over the age of 65 showed the most optimistic growth figures in the first quarter of 2021. After posting a 107.89 percent dip in annual pageview growth in the first quarter of 2020, interest from the retiree market rebounded to an uptick of 80.32 percent in the same period in 2021. The positive trend is indicative of an older population adjusting to the Internet of Things (IoT) and growing their presence on digital platforms.

The 65 and up age group demonstrated the highest growth in annual pageviews for land listings as well. After decreasing by 38.90 percent quarter-on-quarter in the second quarter of 2020, pageview growth from the age group slightly improved over the next consecutive quarters.

Antipolo, prime location Outside Metro Manila, Antipolo was the prime location of choice for house seekers and land seekers in the first quarter of this year.

Antipolo garnered 24.05 percent of all pageviews for property seekers looking for houses outside the region. The city also attained the largest share of leads for that period at 39.11 percent. For land, Antipolo attained the greatest share of pageviews outside Metro Manila at 38.58 percent, and the largest share of leads at 30.61 percent.

Ostensibly, the city’s green space and tranquility makes it an excellent option for seekers looking for a relaxed pace, without moving too far away from family in the metro.

Repossessed properties in Calabarzon Seekers looking to invest in foreclosed properties showed a preference for the Calabarzon region the first quarter of the year.

Foreclosure seekers appeared to zone in on San Pedro in Laguna, which attracted the most pageviews from the seeker market at 26.74 percent. This was followed by Bacoor in Cavite and Lucena in Quezon Province at 20.93 percent each, Quezon City at 16.28 percent, and General Trias at 15.12 percent.

Younger age brackets showed the most interest in foreclosed listings. The 25 to 34 year old consumer segment shared a notable share of pageviews for repossessed properties at 47.19 percent.

The trend reinforces millennials’ increased desire to manage their personal finances and pursue sound investments.

For trend report requests or inquiries, contact deborah.ong@ lamudi.com.ph or mark.bailey@lamudi.com.ph.

Entertainment

B3

SUNDAY, JUNE 6, 2021 Nickie Wang, Editor; E-mail: nickie.standard@ gmail.com

Charming her way to audiences’ hearts S

CREEN darling Sanya Lopez seems to go nowhere but up in her pursuit of a bright showbiz career.

With two current lead roles on GMA-7 and a stellar social media presence, she is definitely now a household name in the country.

Screen darling Sanya Lopez is humbled by her recent career feats.

Despite all these, the 24-year-old actress keeps her feet on the ground. When asked where she attributes her success, Sanya thanks the Almighty for the continued grace and the talent given to her as well as the trust from her management, “Siyempre po si God. I ask for guidance all the time and I know He makes everything happens. Also, GMA and GMA Artist Center for their trust in me.”

On screen, Sanya gives life to the colorful and very relatable character of Yaya Melody in the top-rating primetime series First Yaya.. She also stars in the weekend fantasy show Agimat ng Agila as the headstrong and compassionate Maya Lagman. Both portrayals are gaining positive feedback from Kapuso viewers and netizens.

Meanwhile, she also marked another milestone as she recently reached 10 million followers on Tiktok.

She admitted that it still came as a surprise when she learned of the tremendous increase of her subscribers to her Tiktok account (@sanya_lopez).

“I got surprised when I learned that I’ve a lot of followers on Tiktok. I didn’t expect this to happen. It started lang talaga na ine-enjoy ko lang yung paggawa ng TikTok, -enjoy sila .” so I’m happy to see na nag-e-enjoy sila.”

In addition, she wishes to use the digital space to be able to provide good vibes and inspiration to social media users, “As they say, when you enjoy doing what you do, mas maganda ang kalalabasan ng TikTok na ginawa mo. Gusto ko lang mag-enjoy att mabigyan ng saya ang mga sumusuporta sa akin at makita nila ang other side of Sanya.”

Catch Sanya in First Yaya weeknights, at 8:00 p.m., on GMA Telebabad and in Agimat ng Agila every Saturday, 7:15 p.m..

Surf Mesa teams up with Bipolar Sunshine

for new summer club track

ASTRALWERKS has released Surf Mesa’s new single, “Lose My Mind” ft. Bipolar Sunshine. On the club-ready track, Surf Mesa evokes romantic summer nights, allowing Bipolar Sunshine’s warm, yearning vocals to glide atop the infectious beat and breezy instrumentation.

An Ai-generated Surf Mesa avatar debuts in the trippy visualizer for “Lose My Mind.”

Surf Mesa explains, “‘Lose My Mind’ is a song about desire and the loss of control that follows when you have strong feelings for someone.”

Channeling the extreme highs and lows of the world, while always seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, singer-songwriter Bipolar Sunshine has earned acclaim for his two EPs, Aesthetics and Drowning Butterflies, as well as his Platinumselling DJ Snake collaboration “Middle” and his contribution as a co-writer of the Grammy-winning “Brown Skin Girl” by Beyoncé and WizKid. He is currently working on his debut album.

Surf will headline The Roxy in Los Angeles, CA on Sept.

11 and Baby’s All Right in Brooklyn, NY on Sept. 23. He will also be playing his first festival dates this year, appearing at Life Is Beautiful, Firefly, and Suwannee Hulaween.

Last summer was dominated by strains of Surf’s “ily (i love you baby)” ft. Emilee. Certified Platinum by the RIAA, “ily” has amassed over 2.5 billion combined global streams and more than 5.6 million TikTok videos have been created using the sound.

The single hit No. 1 on Billboard’s Dance/Electronic Digital Song Sales chart while at radio it reached No. 1 at the Dance format and No. 2 at Top 40. The track also earned Surf numerous nominations, including two 2021 Billboard Music Awards nods – Top Dance/Electronic Artist and Top Dance/ Electronic Song – and 2021 iHeartRadio Music Award nominations for Dance Song of the Year and Dance Artist of the Year. Surf’s follow-up hits include his collaboration with Madison Beer, “Carried Away,” and “Somewhere” ft. Gus Dapperton.

Established in 1993 in New York City, Astralwerks was the brainchild of Caroline Records staffers who saw an op-

Future hoop star

By Paolo Manuel C. Fule

portunity for a label focused on the nascent electronic and ambient scene. Now based at the historic Capitol Records Tower in Hollywood, Astralwerks has emerged as a modern, artist-first label and the #1 market share leader for dance/electronic music in the U.S..

Surf Mesa is an American electronic musician from Seattle.

AMID the pandemic, there still a whole new batch of young basketball talents that are ready to prove that Philippine basketball has a bright future.

With his height and body built, Laguna-born Samuel F. Abuhijleh is really something to look forward to in the world of hoops.

Born on Oct. 1, 1998 in Calamba City, Laguna, this 6-foot-3 forward/center for the San Beda team is one decodeco rated studentathlete.

Sam’s career-high in points is 46 durdur ing the MSSA League seversever al years ago.

His favorite shot is hook shot or floater, something he’s extremely good at.

Sam’s favorite NBA player is Detroit Pistons star Blake Griffin while in the PBA, he looks up to Marc Pingris. In the NCAA, he likes San Beda Red Lions’ Art Dela Cruz while in the UAAP, he likes Arvin Tolentino.

“I had the chance to play with Arvin when he was still with San Beda. In my rookie year, he was already my idol. I always get the chance to play with him one-on-one,” says the young cager.

In high school, he was part of San Beda Red Cubs High School Rizal that took home the 2014 Palarong Pambansa champion, representing CALABARZON Region IV-A. They were also the NCAA champions who completed a rare 6-peat title. Add to these is the PSSBC tournament where they went on to win also as champions.

Playing with a mission, Sam wants to be a professional basketball player in the PBA someday.

Laguna-born Samuel F. Abuhijleh plays center/ forward for San Beda.

Jayda covers Metro as she turns 18 Music royalty Jayda Avanzado lands on the cover of Metro.

Style as she celebrates her 18th birthday.

IT MAY be Jayda Avanzado’s first time on a Metro.Style cover, but you couldn’t tell that just by looking at the photos. Already radiating elegance and wisdom at the age of 18, this singer, songwriter, and musician is the embodiment of local music’s newest generation.

As a Star Magic talent and Star Music/ RISE artist, Jayda has over 160,000 monthly listeners on Spotify, with her songs “Happy For You” and “Perfectly Imperfect” garnering millions of plays. The music royalty and

rising superstar recently released her latest single, “M.U. (Malabong Usapan).”

In Metro’s exclusive cover feature, Jayda talks about growing up with her parents, OPM icons Jessa Zaragoza and Dingdong Avanzado, as they toured America, her decision to join show business, the intricacies of her music, her upcoming “Jayda in Concert” virtual event and, of course, turning 18.

“I know that turning 18, ang daming mga responsibilities, but honestly, I’m up for the

challenge. I know that this is the start of my adulthood. I always used to hear about people turning 18, but when you’re finally there in that position, it’s a different feeling. It’s a bittersweet feeling, almost,” she said.

For her Metro.Style 18th birthday shoot, she worked with photographer Dookie Ducay, videography team NicePrint, creative director and fashion stylist Eldzs Mejia, makeup artist Denise Go-Ochoa, and hairstylist RJ dela Cruz. The cover story is written by Sara de los Reyes.

B4

SUNDAY, MAY 23, 2021

Herbs help dogs in many ways. Fresh oregano is antibacterial, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, and can alleviate diarrhea and indigestion. The dried herbs are yellow powdered turmeric (left), rosemary (gray, near oregano leaves), thyme ( right) , and basil (black, forefront). They are all safe for dogs but given in small amounts for healing.

Desiree Carlos, Editor

daycarlos28@yahoo.com

Cassie, rescued by Save Animals of Love and Light (Save ALL Inc.), is a senior dog with demodectic mange. To lessen the symptoms, if not stop it from recurring often, a small amount of dried rosemary leaves is put in her boiled vegetables and meat.

Pets

Cole is also a Save ALL rescue who had a severe skin and oil gland problem. His boiled veggies-and-meat meal also has dried rosemary leaves to prevent itchiness and the recurrence of mange.

Herbs can prevent and treat

D

some pet illnesses

OGS need vitamins in their diet, and herbs are a great source of vitamins and antioxidants that boost a dog’s immune system and digestive system.

Herbs and spices can also be used for medical treatment of some dog’s illnesses, said Gardenuity in “Herbs For Dogs/Good and Bad Herbs For Your Furry Friend. “ Herbs are used and consumed fresh, while spices are dried plants. Basil can be put in food in its fresh form, or dried as a spice.

Uses of herbs for medical treatment

Traditional Chiese Medicine is “a practice that uses the healing power of herbs and spices in order to heal an array of health conditions.

Traditional Chinese Medicine, often referred to as TCM, is a safe way to treat your pup as long as you are careful about what herbs and spices you feed them, “ Gardenuity said.

The right herbs and spices are good for dogs, Gaerdenuity stressed.

and spices that are good for dogs: 1. Coriander is anti-parasitic, eases nausea, anti-diarrhea, and alleviates intestinal gas.

2. Oregano is antibacterial, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, alleviates diarrhea and indigestion.

3. Peppermint relieves intestinal gas, soothes an upset stomach, treats diarrhea, alleviates irritable bowel syndrome.

4. Turmeric improves gut health, boosts brain function, anti-inflammatory, and relieves arthritis.

5. Cinnamon fights against heart disease, is anti-inflammatory, regulates blood sugar, and has anti-cancer properties.

Other herbs that are safe for dogs

1. Thyme makes the digestive tract more healthy and helps with irritable bowel movement. Gardenuity said “thyme also Gardenuity shared this list of five herbs aids in ousting parasites such as hook-

Healthy herbs and spices for dogs

worm.” Just add one teaspoon of fresh or dried thyme to a pound of dog food for a large dog, said Gardenuity.

2. Basil has antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory properties that repel a number of illnesses. Gardenuity said basil can also alleviate anxiety and arthritis in dogs. But do not give too much basil to dogs, specially to small dogs, Gardenuity added. The safe amount is two to three leaves depending on the size of the dog.

3. Rosemary is very good for dogs. Garnuity said it is “high in iron and calcium, and also has antimicrobial and antioxidant properties.”

However, too much rosemary can cause upset stomach and itchy skin. Do not give more than five grams of rosemary to a dog.

4. Parsley is high in fiber and great for a dog’s digestive health. “Parsley is also a great breath freshener for your pup! For small dogs, add one teaspoon to their food and for large dogs, add one tablespoon to their food,” said Gardenuity.

5. Indian ginseng or Ashwagandha helps relieve stress, boosts the immune system and has anti-inflammatory properties, said Gardenuity. “You can give your pet 250 mg of this herb per every fifteen pounds of body weight,” Gardenuity said. DC

Herbs and spices that are bad for dogs

THESE five herbs and spices can cause illness in dogs, said Gardenuity.

1. Nutmeg can cause severe upset stomach in dogs. It can also damage a dog’s nervous system.

2. Fresh onion and onion powder can cause vomiting, upset stomach, diarrhea and severe damage to red blood cells in dogs.

3. Garlic is toxic to dogs in large amounts. Small amounts in powdered form is still okay.

4. Cocoa powder can cause kidney and heart problems, and is very harmful to a dog’s nervous system.

Though it is not a spice by definition, it is often used in cooking, thus, its inclusion here.

5. Black pepper is not poisonous in itself but it contains piperine which increases the absorption of prescription meds. “This causes a great risk of overdose for your pet, so it is best to avoid black pepper if possible,” Gardenuity said. DC

Store pet food well to prevent illness PET TALES

BY DESIREE CARLOS SOME owners do not seem to be very particular with the dog food or cat food they give their pet.

But these same owners are particular about medical expenses for their pet when the latter gets sick.

If you do not want your pet to get sick, and you want to avoid paying medical bills, you have to ensure your pet’s food is properly stored and is still safe for your pet to eat.

“Do you routinely check expiry dates on the food you buy? What about making sure you store your food properly once you bring it home from the grocery store? For most of us, this is just common sense. But have you ever thought about food safety for your furry friend?” asked Val Culpin in “Pet Food Storage and Safety” in petcurean.com.

“Correct pet food storage and safety is extremely important to keep it fresh and ensure the health and well-being of your pet. This is especially important for foods which are naturally preserved,” Culpin said.

Culpin stressed a responsible owner chooses high quality pet food that contains the best ingredients available, and checks the expiration date always.

Storing kibble

1. Kibble or dry pet food must be stored in a cool, dry place. The basement is not the best place because the temperature changes in the area can encourage growth of mold. Creepy crawlers or rodents usually stay in the basement also and they might chew on the pet food package and eat the kibble inside. Some rats are carriers of leptospirosis which dogs can transfer to humans.

2. It is best to keep the dry food inside its own

To keep a cat and dog healthy and well, please make sure their dry and wet food are stored properly. Seb, a very healthy cat, is given both dry food and wet food.

bag or package to prevent oils in the food from penetrating the plastic and going rancid. Place the bag inside a container with an airtight lid.

3. If you plan to pour the kibble into the container, make sure the container is very clean and dry.

Take note however that it will be difficult to the food to the pet store if you have removed the food from the bag which contains the date code and lot numbers which may be required by the store.

Keep canned pet food in a cool, well-ventilated place in the house, and dry dog food inside storage bins with covers to prevent growth of molds and to prevent food from going stale.

tor for three to five days. Please cover the can.

2. Canned food, or dry kibble which has had water added, should be put in the ref or discarded to would your own food in order to maintain freshprevent the growth of harmful bacteria. ness,” Culpin said.

Culpin reminded owners to regularly wash all Can kibble and canned food bowls, containers and utensils that come into conbe frozen?

1. Yes, canned food can be frozen but remove the tact with your pet’s food.

“Proper storage of pet food is as important as food from the can and put in a freezer-safe container.

2. You can freeze kibble in airtight bags and storing your own food correctly. Failure to store it Storing canned food thaw as you need it. “But common sense dictates properly will have the same unpleasant results as 1. Opened can food can be kept in the refrigera- that you should only keep frozen as long as you with people,” Culpin said.