Manila Standard - 2021 August 22 - Sunday

Paalam’s silver medal caps PACQUIAO PH’s best Olympic campaign 18 WON’T TAKE Vol. 35

n

No. 188 No.188

2 SECTIONS

AUGUST 22, 2021 8 PAGES

n By RIERA .00 U.INMALLARI M

UGAS LIGHTLY

ETR MANILAO

TOKYO – The Philippines capped its greatest Summer Olympic Games’ campaign on Saturday with a silver from flyweight boxer Carlo Paalam, an eagle-spiked six-under 65 by golfer Yuka Saso and the dawn of a new era in sporting excellence.

Already its best showing in the 97-year history of participa-

Vol. 35 n No.174

18 .00

2 SECTIONS

(Story on 1B)

AUGUST 8, 2021 8 PAGES

FOR THE CHAMP. Members of the

IN MET R MANILAO

Tenement Visual Artists group of Taguig City rush to complete an 18 by 6 feet mural of Filipino boxing champ, Senator Manny Pacquiao, ahead of his fight against Cuban boxer Yordenis Ugas today (Sunday) in Las Vegas. Norman Cruz

CONTINUED ON 2A

Carlo Paalam celebrates his silver medal for the men’s fly (48-52kg) boxing final bout during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Kokugikan Arena in Tokyo on August 7, 2021. AFP

DIAZ

Gold Medalist

Rody sets 10-day ultimatum PAALAM

Silver Medalist

MARCIAL

Deadline for DOH, DBM to release benefits of health workers

Bronze Medalist

P

RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte gave a 10-day dea line for the payment of the benefits due to health workers following threats of mass resignation of various medical unions over the delayed release of their allowances and other incentives more than a year into the COVID-19 pandemic.

DUQUE FOREVER. President Rodrigo Duterte vows to stand by his embattled Health Secretary, Francisco Duque III, even if he is alone in defending the Cabinet official. ‘I will stand for Duque even if it will bring me down,’ Duterte said.

PETECIO

“Use whatever money there is. Pay the nurses what Medalist they are asking for – both those inSilver government and those outside of government working as volunteers,” the chief executive said in his “Talk to the People” aired Saturday morning.

“If you don’t have money, spend everything you have there. I’m ordering you to use every money available there.”

“I am giving you 10 days,” Duterte said as he directed the Department of Health and the Department of Budget and Management to meet the deadline.

But for Filipino Nurses United secretary-general Jocelyn Andamo, the planned mass protest remains.

“Nothing has changed. There is still no positive action that we see until now from the Department of

New cases hit 11k, Duterte keeps Health chief, says Delta drives surge firing Duque a ‘great injustice’

Año: Ayuda release starts Wednesday

CONTINUED ON 2A

Community n By WILLIE CASAS and JOEL ZURBANO transmission n By VITO BARCELO HE country logged 11,021 new COVID-19 cases Saturday – the highof Delta 1,824,051 est daily record since April – as the Department of Health admitted confirmed that the two-week Enhanced Community Quarantine will not be COVID-19 PH

AT

A

GLANCE

n

COVIDPresident beds in 2 QC hospitals said.

Duque himself has rejected calls for fully occupied, PGH at 75% him to voluntarily resign so as to spare

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte said he will not fire Health Secretary Francisco the President from having to make a choice.

Duque III amid criticisms overn defi“I pity the guy (Duque). You want ciencies flagged Delta by the Commission on able to stop the surge, likely driven by the more transmissible me to fire Secretary Duque. Give me Audit over the department’s handling New Active n By JOEL ZURBANO a reason to dismiss him. You want variant. of P67 billion COVID-19 response to oust him? For what? What has he funds. out of 225 allocated beds, So, that is roughly ches – reported full-occuThe fresh cases – the second consecutive THE country logged its District Hospital done wrong?” the President said.

Duterte said he is standing by second highest tallyofoftheir COVID beds.

Death New mark was 75 percent occupancy,” PGH spokesman pancy day that the 10,000 breached – daily He said Duque was being “flogged” DuqueHospital – even if said this means standing COVID-19 deaths Jonas del Rosario said.

Philippine General its brought the total to 1,649,341, with 162 cases new and The over the COA report even if he “did behind occupied, his embattled Cabinet on Saturday at 16,694 newbeds are nowalone For the entire Metro Manila, DOH reportCOVID 75 percent fatalities. not hold even a peso” of the budget in official.in critical condiinfections and 398with new three fatali-minor patients Recoveries ed 59 percent of the ICU beds, 54 percent Active casesNew stood at 76,063 active cases, question.

“I am sorry. But as I said, even if Iisolation beds, 53 percent of the ward ties as the Philippine Genome of the tion. the highest since April 25.

“I would be doing a great injustice [if (As of also 4 PM, AUGUST 21) Center said community am the only one, I will stand for Duque ofWhy? the ventilators were “Based on our last census Saturday morn- beds, and 46Ipercent In Quezon City, two hospitals – the Quefire him.]

Because I appointed even if it will bring me down,” the CONTINUED ON 2A in use. ing, we have 169 confirmed COVID patients zon City General Hospital and the NovaliCONTINUED ON 2A

16,694

123,935

31,596

398

PNP apprehends almost 2,000 ECQ violators – Eleazar

1,668,520 15,805

THE government has issued the joint guidelines for the releaseand of he financial aid towell. qualihim is performing If residents in will Metro Manila, Ified dismiss him, he be scarred paving the waywould for the for life. People saydistribuhe was tion of ayuda likelyofthis coming dismissed because corruption,” Wednesday, Interior Secretary Duterte added.

Eduardo Año said.

The President recalled he even

CONTINUED ONusual 2A instructed Duque to skip the bidding process in the procurement of face masks at the onset of the

COVID-19 PHON 2A CONTINUED

AT

A

GLANCE

1,649,341 11,021

76,063

28,835

162

1,544,443

9,194

New

II N N S S II D D E E

Business ................................................... A4 Business .................................................................

4A Sports.......................................................................... ........................................................... B1 1B Entertainment......................................... ................................ B3 3B Pets................................................................................... ................................................................... B4 4B facebook.com/ ManilaStandardPH

Metro Manila mayors target 250k jabs daily under ECQ No disconnection in MECQ areas —Meralco

Rody fires NEA chief over graft allegations

NEWS | 2A

Philtwitter.com/ MlaStandard

manilastandard.net

Taal spews Dixie Fire: steam-rich plumes 3rd largest in 3,000-m high California history

NEWS | 2A NEWS | 2A

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

NEWS | 3A NEWS | 2A

Death

Recoveries

Active

New New

(AS OF 4 PM, AUGUST 7)

Missed your copy of Manila Standard? Call or text our Circulation Hotline at 0917-8848655 or email: circulation@manilastandard.net

NEWSBRIEFS

TaalVolcano spews plumes 3,000 meters high

AUGUST 22, 2021

Duterte fires NEA chief over allegations of graft n By VITO BARCELO

P

RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has fired National Electrification Administration (NEA) Administrator Edgardo Masongsong for allegedly allowing electric cooperatives to contribute funds for the campaign of a party-list organization in the 2019 elections.

Duterte said he based his decision on the recommendation of the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC).

“I dismissed him from public service.

The PACC conducted an investigation and made the recommendation for his dismissal. So, I have approved,” the President said.

“We are not bragging about it but we are

trying our best to cope up with the situation regarding graft and corruption in our government,” he added.

In May, the PACC said it had filed a case against Masongsong before the Office of the Ombudsman over his supposed inaction on the alleged use of public funds for the campaign activities of the Philippine Rural Electric Coopera-

tives Association (Philreca) party-list.

Masongsong, who has yet to receive a formal notice of his dismissal, said the allegations against him have no basis.

“These are allegations that I have addressed in the course of the PACC’s inquiry into these accusations, and the records will show that I have fully cooperated with the PACC – fully confident in the knowledge that these allegations are baseless, and that if granted due process and the opportunity to defend myself I can establish that I am innocent of any wrongdoing,” he said in a statement.

“I am ready to turn over my responsibilities to whomever is designated as NEA Officer in Charge once I am ordered to do so – to ensure that the services of NEA continue smoothly for the benefit of the electric cooperatives (ECs) and the consumers the NEA is mandated to serve,” Masongson added.

Meralco halts disconnection in MECQ areas THE Manila Electric Co. said it will suspend service disconnection activities in areas under modified enhanced community quarantine until the end of August.

Meralco on Saturday said disconnection activities will be suspended in Metro Manila and Laguna, as well as in other areas earlier placed under MECQ – particularly Bulacan, Cavite, Rizal, and Lucena City.

For customers in areas under general community quarantine, the power distribution utility said it will “continue to be very considerate during this period and vowed to assist customers with their concerns.”

“Meralco will continue vital operations such as meter reading, bill delivery, and service crews will continue work around the clock to serve its customers,” it said On Friday, the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System directed west zone Maynilad Water Services Inc. and east zone Manila Water Co. Inc. to suspend disconnection of unpaid water bills until the end of August.

Its Regulatory Office said service disconnection activities must be suspended “until such time that the MECQ has been lifted, and to ensure water supply availability within their service areas.”

“We will comply with our regulators’ directive. Maynilad will suspend service disconnections during the MECQ, but meter reading activities will continue so that the bills customers receive bear their actual consumption. All meter readers are required to follow strict health and safety protocols,” Maynilad said.

FromtheFRONTPAGE RODY...

Health. They are just saying they will release the benefits but everything still hangs. We have not cancelled our plans,” Andamo said.

On Friday, the President said the government will “do our best” to release the incentives due to health workers and protect them as the country battles record-high COVID-19 cases.

“Be assured that we in government will do our best to protect and incentivize you for your hard work. We will always be by your side, ready to help in any way we can. I thank all the Filipino frontliners for the sacrifices they have made since the beginning of this pandemic.

We are truly grateful for your selflessness in caring for the sick during these challenging times,” Duterte said.

St. Luke’s Medical Center Employees Association president Jao Clumia earlier belied the claim of Health Secretary Francisco Duque III that allowances for meals, accommodation, transportation and life insurance were already released to health workers in private hospitals.

“Wala nga po kami niyan kahit pisong duling,” Clumia told

TAAL Volcano spewed steam-rich plumes some 3,000 meters high Saturday morning, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said.

“Volcanic smog (vog) has been experienced over the Taal region this week as high levels of volcanic sulfur dioxide” Phivolcs said.

SO2 levels that peaked on Aug. 19 at an average of 12,257 tonnes/day have been continually degassed from the main crater, the state agency said.

A total of 135 volcanic earthquakes were recorded in the last 24 hours and a sulfur dioxide flux of 4,756 tonnes per day was last measured Friday.

Taal Volcano has been under Alert Level 2 since July 23. Under Alert Level 2, there could be sudden steam or gas-driven explosions and expulsions of volcanic gas.

MMDA stops truck ban in NCR THE Metropolitan Manila Development Authority on Saturday announced the suspension of the truck ban policy while the National Capital Region is under the modified enhanced community quarantine status (MECQ).

“The MMDA’s enforcement of truck ban is suspended along major thoroughfares in Metro Manila to ensure unhampered movement of essential goods during the implementation of the MECQ from August 21 to 31, 2021,” the agency said in its advisory.

The Department of Transportation, on the other hand, said vaccinated Authorized Persons Outside of Residence (APORs) will continue to enjoy free rides on LRT-2, MRT-3 and Philippine National Railways on selected hours until Aug. 31. Maricel Cruz

DFA: 40 more Pinoys exit Afghanistan ‘DRAW STRENGTH FROM NINOY.’ Airport policemen guard the marker where former senator Benigno ‘Ninoy’ Aquino Jr.

fell after being fatally shot on Aug. 21, 1983. On Aquino’s 38th death anniversary, President Rodrigo Duterte urged Filipinos to honor the late senator’s legacy by showing ‘capacity to sacrifice personal interests for the common good.’ ‘Let us all draw strength from Ninoy’s selflessness and let us take the lessons from our storied and colorful past so that we may truly value, learn, and appreciate who we are today as a nation,’ Duterte added. Norman Cruz

Another price rollback set: Gasoline down by P1/li

THE country’s oil firms are poised to implement another round of price rollback starting Tuesday (Aug. 24) – cutting the price of gasoline by as much as P1.00 per liter and diesel by as much as P0.75 per liter.

In its fuel price forecast for the Aug. 24 to 30 trading week, Unioil Petroleum Philippines said diesel may go down by P0.70 to P0.75 per liter while gasoline may decline by P0.90 to P1.00 per liter Last Tuesday (Aug. 17), oil com-

ANC’s Headstart.

Andamo on Wednesday told the Senate that health workers treating COVID-19 patients in at least 16 hospitals have yet to receive their benefits. These included Metro Manila hospitals Chinese General Hospital, Delos Santos Medical Center, Metropolitan Medical Center, the Pasig City COVID Referral Center, Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, San Lazaro Hospital, and St. Luke’s Medical Center in Quezon City and Bonifacio Global City.

Duque insisted that only health care workers with direct contact with COVID-19 patients are entitled to special risk allowances under existing laws.

But Commission on Audit chairman Michael Aguinaldo said the DOH should be liberal in paying SRAs and other benefits to hospital workers, especially since the DOH took part in drafting the guidelines, and it could have included all health care employees in the coverage.

COMMUNITY...

transmission of the Delta variant is already happening.

The country recorded its highest single-day tally of cases at 17,231 on Friday. The highest daily death toll, on the other hand, was on April 9 at 401 fatalities.

panies slashed kerosene prices by P0.40 per liter and diesel by P0.30 per liter.

This will be the third consecutive oil price rollback in domestic pump prices due to the global softening of world oil prices.

On August 10, oil firms implemented a price decrease in domestic oil products, namely P0.65 to P0.80 per liter for gasoline, P0.70 per liter for diesel and P0.75 per liter for kerosene.

These resulted in the year-to-date adjustments to stand at a total net increase of P13.25 per liter for gasoline, P10.40 per liter for diesel and P8.70 per liter for kerosene.

A report by the International Energy Agency for August revealed that growth for the second half has been downgraded more sharply due to new COVID-19 restrictions imposed in several major oil consuming countries, particularly in Asia.

PGC’s executive director Dr. Cythia Saloma said the Delta variant is likely linked to the surge in COVID-19 cases in the country.

“We at the Philippine Genome Center, while we do our analysis, and we try to link the cases, and based on the phylogenetic tree we are doing, it is really a community transmission,” Saloma said.

“I think the Delta variant is associated with the very sudden rise of cases,” she added.

This was confirmed by Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergerie, who said that it appears “the community transmission is there.”

“But as I always say, from the start, we treated it already as a community transmission and acted based on that assumption,” Vergeire said.

According to the World Health Organization, community transmission happens when connections between local infections could no longer be established through the positive test results of routine sampling.

The PGC has confirmed 807 known cases of the Delta variant, 14 of which are still active and 17 have perished.

Meanwhile, the Philippines received on Saturday another one million doses of procured Sinovac COVID-19 vaccines together with the second tranche of 260,800 Sinopharm vaccine doses donated by the

Chinese government.

A total 26.5 million doses of Sinovac vaccines have so far been delivered to the country, of which 24.6 million doses were procured by the national government.

The 260,800 doses of Sinopharm vaccines complete the one million donation committed by the Chinese government.

The Sinopharm vaccines have already received an Emergency Use Listing from the World Health Organization, as well as an Emergency Use Authorization from the Philippines’ Food and Drug Administration.

DUTERTE...

COVID-19 pandemic last year.

“I told him not to bother with the bidding process because it will take too long,” Duterte said.

Duque, however, chose to proceed with the bidding “in spite of my order” as he was “being careful.”

“This is an emergency. Until now we are in an emergency. Just to disabuse the minds of some people about corruption. It ain’t here at this time, and I suppose you are barking at the wrong person,” the President said.

In July, the President admitted that some members of his Cabinet were advising him to let go of Duque for his supposed failure to manage the COVID-19 crisis.

Against their advice, Duterte said

SOME 40 Filipinos were able to flee Afghanistan safely, the Department of Foreign Affairs reported on Saturday.

At least 30 were flown out of Kabul for Pakistan with the assistance of the Philippine Embassy in Islamabad while 10 others were able to exit for different destinations, eight of whom are currently in Dubai, and one each in Doha and Paris.

More Filipinos are reported to have been evacuated to the United Kingdom, with their status now being verified by the Philippine Embassy in London.

The five Filipinos assisted by the Indonesian government on Friday, meanwhile, are now in Jakarta waiting for their flight home that is being arranged by the Philippine Embassy.

then there was “no coherent reason” to fire Duque, whom he hailed as a “hero” of the country’s pandemic response.

Aside from the deficiencies, COA on Thursday also called the attention of the Department of Health regional offices for “irregular, unnecessary, and excessive” expenditures of more than P557 million, including P1.08 million for catering services for virtual meetings.

The catering expenses incurred by the Region 6 Center for Health Development were “not essential” to the conduct of activities, COA said, adding that those who took part in the virtual meetings were just at their workplaces while performing their usual functions.

The audit agency also flagged as an irregular expenditure the P2.11 million worth of hazard pay given to personnel of Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center in Region 7, who did not physically report to work, and some of whom were not eligible for the hazard pay due to their accumulated leaves of absence.

“The apparent disregard of existing laws and regulations affected the regularity, validity and propriety of covered transactions. Government funds and property were exposed to the risks of loss or misuse,” the audit report read.

Rolando G. Estabillo ManilaStandard

Published Monday to Sunday by Philippine Manila Standard Publishing Inc. at 6/F Universal Re Building, 106 Paseo de Roxas, corner Perea St., Legaspi Village, Makati City. Telephone numbers 832-5554, 832-5556, 832-5558 (connecting all departments), (Editorial) 832-5554, (Advertising) 832-5550. P.O. Box 2933, Manila Central Post Office, Manila. Website: www. manilastandard.net

ONLINE

can be accessed at: manilastandard.net

MEMBER Philippine Press Institute The National Association of Philippine Newspapers

Former Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno Anita F. Grefal Baldwin R. Felipe Edgar M. Valmorida

Board Member & Chief Legal Adviser Treasury Manager Head—Ad Solutions Circulation Manager

Ramonchito L. Tomeldan Chin Wong/Ray S. Eñano Joyce Pangco Pañares Jimbo Owen Gulle

Managing Editor Associate Editors News Editor City Editor

Emil P. Jurado

Publisher Honor Blanco Cabie Night Editor Lino M. Santos Chief Photographer Elmer T. Alitagtag Art Director

Chairman Emeritus, Editorial Board

WORLD

WORLDBRIEFS AUGUST 22, 2021

A superhero style ad is displayed with COVID-19 comics at the El Sol Neighborhood Education Center for arrivals to a COVID-19 superhero-themed play in San Bernardino, California. AFP

Superhero battles false COVID info I S IT a bird? Is it a plane? No, it’s Captain Empath, a superhero ready to vanquish misinformation about vaccines in a Hollywood-style twist on the fight against COVID-19.

Wearing a yellow cape, the warrior battles the evil Coronavirus with medical science as his superpower in a piece of educational theater in San Bernardino, near Los Angeles, California. The hero disarms his nemesis by convincing two young people to get immunized.

“We thought of this play as a way to educate people about the importance of vaccines, especially young people,” says director Valentina Sanabria.

“There are many people who are resisting the vaccine... because of rumors that it contains a microchip, or because... not enough

time has passed to take a good look and educate themselves,” she says.

Vaccines in the United States are free and widely available for anyone over the age of 12 who wants them, but just 51 percent of the population is fully immunized against COVID-19.

The low vaccination rate has doctors worried. They say that a recent surge in cases – driven by the infectious Delta variant – is largely affecting the unvaccinated, particularly in conservative southern states, among ethnic minorities and in poorer communities.

“Captain Empath vs. COVID-19” is a com-

munity-based effort to counter the skepticism about vaccines, with the spikey-shelled villain seen spreading lies about the effects of the jab.

“We are doing this to fight back against the misinformation,” says Natanael Chavez, who plays the hero. “Not being vaccinated puts the whole family at risk.”

With great power comes great responsibility, but, it appears, Captain Empathy is equal to the task, and has already won over at least one cast member.

“I thought that since I already had COVID, I already had antibodies and I didn’t need to get vaccinated,” says Julia Perez, 26, who plays one of the girls initially refusing the jab.

“Here they let me know that it’s important,” said Perez, who, like her character, is now ready to book her shot. AFP

This is going to hurt: Top 10 virus scams FROM the sophisticated to downright strange, the pandemic has set off a wave of scams around the world from bogus doses and fake vaccine passes to criminal cremations.

Here are 10 of the most outrageous and nefarious frauds of the last few months: 1. ‘Vaccination is optional’ Since the French government made proof of vaccination mandatory to enter cafes and other public places this month, a black market selling fake health passes for hundreds of euros has flourished. Go to the social media app Snapchat, type in “fake health pass” and hey presto.

Accounts that rarely last for more than a few days openly advertise counterfeit documents. Among the ads are “Vaccination is optional thanks to our service” or, “Say no to the vaccine and get a health pass without getting vaccinated.” Forgers making fake vaccination certificates are also thriving in Russia.

2. Bleed the rich At least 800 people were given fake vaccines in Uganda last month in a scam involving “unscrupulous” doctors and health workers who targeted people looking to pay for immunization, including corporate employees asked to pay between $25-$120 for a fake shot.

3. Just water A bigger scale scam in India’s commercial capital Mumbai in June conned 2,000 people who thought they were being vaccinated. In fact they were injected with shots of a saline solution.

4. Criminal cremation Five gang members in the Indian city of Agra donned full protective gear to cremate a man they had murdered, pretending he had died from COVID-19, in a morbid case exposed in June. “To avoid being caught... they wore PPE kit and used a body bag to pack and transport the body to the cremation ground,” police said.

5. Uncivil servant A man posing as a civil servant with a master’s degree in genetics was nabbed in Kolkata in southern India in June for allegedly running as many as eight spurious vaccination camps. At least 250 disabled and transgender people were injected at one site and nearly 500 people in total are believed to have been given counterfeit jabs. The scam came to light after an actress and politician Mimi

Chakraborty, who received a shot at one of the camps to raise awareness, became suspicious and alerted police.

6. Mean millionaires A rich Canadian couple got their comeuppance after traveling to a remote community to receive a vaccine intended for vulnerable and elderly Indigenous people. In June they were fined $1,800, but many felt they had gotten off too lightly and called for a harsher sentence.

7. Anti-vaxxer’s revenge A vaccine sceptic pharmacist at a hospital in Wisconsin was jailed for three years in June after pleading guilty to tampering with hundreds of Moderna doses in a case that affected 57 people. The pharmacist had removed vaccine vials from their refrigerator and left them outside for hours before returning them to be administered the next day.

8. Robbing prisoners Four people were arrested in Indonesia for allegedly stealing vaccines earmarked for prisoners and selling them to the public. The suspects took more than 1,000 doses of China’s Sinovac jab and offered them to buyers in the country’s capital Jakarta and in Medan, North Sumatra, for around $17 each.

9. Dirty cotton swabs Spare a thought for passengers who passed through Medan airport where health workers had been recycling cotton swabs from COVID tests by washing and repackaging them. Police said the scheme could have affected thousands of passengers.

10. Anti-wrinkle cream Fraudsters selling fake doses of Pfizer’s vaccine for as much as $2,500 a shot had earlier been nabbed in Poland and Mexico. The bogus vials were stored in beer coolers in a Mexico clinic while in Poland the confiscated doses contained a cosmetic substance thought to be anti-wrinkle cream. AFP

Paper view: Japanese diplomat posts origami on Instagram EVERY day for a year, a Japanese diplomat has posted a near-identical Instagram video of the paper crane he has folded that day.

“Today is my 365th day in Seattle,” says Hisao Inagaki, consul general in the western US city, in a video posted Friday.

“I have folded a 365th crane while praying for everyone’s health and peace.”

It was a triumphant moment for Inagaki, 60, who arrived in the United States in August last year as the country was in the depths of the COVID-19 health crisis, and person-to-person contact was tricky.

“I started recording origami cranes because of the pandemic,” he told AFP in a video interview.

“I wanted to use my social media to send a message to everyone expressing my sympathies.”

So began his Zen-like meditation, in which every identically framed video shows Inagaki delivering the same message, with only the numbers – and his shirts – changing.

Paper cranes have been created for centuries in Japan, where they symbolize longevity.

“It is thought that folding 1,000 paper cranes is a prelude to good things,” says Inagaki, adding that 1,000 is not a precise number, and stands instead for “a lot.” AFP

In this illustration photo, a person watches the instagram page of Hisao Inagaki from a smartphone in Los Angeles. Every day for a year, a Japanese diplomat has posted a near-identical Instagram video of the paper crane he has folded that day. AFP

New Malaysian PM sworn in as party reclaims leadership A NEW Malaysian leader was sworn in Saturday following the previous government’s collapse, reclaiming the premiership for his scandal-mired party without an election.

Ismail Sabri Yaakob is a stalwart of the United Malays National Organization (UMNO), the lynchpin of a long-ruling coalition that lost power in landmark elections during the multi-billion-dollar 1MDB graft scandal in 2018.

He was named as the new prime minister Friday, days after his predecessor quit following a turbulent 17 months in office.

Malaysia’s king opted to appoint a new premier based on who had majority support in parliament, rather than call an election, over concerns a vote could worsen a dire coronavirus outbreak.

In an elaborate ceremony at the national palace, Ismail Sabri, wearing a traditional Malaysian outfit, took the oath of office before the king.

The 61-year-old was deputy prime minister when UMNO was a partner in the last government, and has held several other cabinet posts during a long political career.

His predecessor Muhyiddin Yassin quit after losing his parliamentary majority, as public anger grew over his government’s handling of the pandemic.

After announcing the new leader, the king, Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah, urged bickering politicians to put aside their differences to fight the virus outbreak.

“The king hopes that with the appointment of the new prime minister, political turbulence in the country will be resolved quickly,” the palace said in a statement. AFP

Palau loses status as virus-free with first two infections THE tiny Pacific nation of Palau reported its first cases of coronavirus Saturday, losing its prized status as one of the world’s few COVID-free countries as authorities appealed for calm.

Two travelers, who tested positive after arriving from Guam, have been placed in quarantine along with their known contacts.

“We urge everyone to remain calm,” the Ministry of Health said in a statement after deciding against imposing lockdown measures.

With more than 80 percent of the 18,000 population fully vaccinated, President Surangel Whipps insisted the remote island state “has been COVID-free but is now COVID-safe.”

Until Saturday Palau was just one of fourteen countries in the world that had recorded no virus cases at all, according to the World Health Organization.

The Health Ministry would not say how many contacts were in isolation but a spokesman told AFP they did not believe there had been any community transmission.

Whipps added if anyone who has been fully vaccinated does become infected “it will be just like a flu or they won’t show symptoms at all.”

The infected travellers tested negative 72 hours before departure but were positive when they had a compulsory test five days after arrival.

Palau protocols demand that in the first five days after arriving, people wear masks and avoid crowds.

The country is not able to determine which strain of the coronavirus the new cases are and a sample has been sent to the United States for analysis.

Most of the other countries on the WHO’s virus-free list are also small island nations in the Pacific, bar North Korea and Turkmenistan – both of whose assertions of zero cases have long been doubted by analysts.

In an attempt to kickstart its tourism industry, Palau opened a quarantine-free travel bubble with Taiwan in April.

It closed a month later when Taiwan experienced a spike in virus cases and reopened last week with any unvaccinated tourists jabbed on arrival.

A COVID-19 case that was reported in Palau in May is no longer listed by the WHO because the symptoms detected were considered historical and posed no transmission risk. AFP

Taliban co-founder Baradar in Kabul for political talks THE Taliban’s co-founder Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar arrived in Kabul on Saturday for talks with fellow members of the group and other politicians on establishing a new Afghan government.

“He will be in Kabul to meet jihadi leaders and politicians for an inclusive government set-up,” a senior Taliban official told AFP. Arrested in Pakistan in 2010, Baradar was kept in custody until pressure from the United States saw him freed in 2018 and relocated to Qatar.

He was appointed head of the Taliban’s political office in Doha, where he oversaw the signing of the foreign forces’ withdrawal agreement with the Americans.

Baradar arrived in Afghanistan on Tuesday from Qatar, choosing to touch down in the country’s second biggest city Kandahar – the Taliban’s spiritual birthplace.

Within hours of his return the group announced its rule would be “different” this time. AFP

Lucio Tan’s grandson ventures into gin market Tanduay president and chief operating officer Lucio Tan III

WITH more flexible preferences and openness to new experiences in drinking, millennials are the main market who are driving the switch to the newly launched Ginto, the barrel-aged gin from Tanduay Distillers Inc. “Ginto is a product for today’s adventurous drinkers, and those who have tried it have commended its unique taste compared to other gin products that are either non-aged or simply flavored. It is also a product that is proudly Filipino, and its name speaks for the gold standard that we always aim for at Tanduay,” said Tanduay president and chief operating officer Lucio Tan III, grandson of

tycoon Lucion Tan. The young Tan, himself a millennial, introduced Ginto in the first half of the year as the company’s way of capturing a share of the country’s growing gin market.

Despite a decline in global sales, gin continues to be a top product among drinkers in the Philippines. Citing Euromonitor, Drinks International Magazine in its 2021 issue of The Millionaires Club said that gin even surpassed brandy as the country’s most popular spirit in the past year.

The change, it said, was “the result of young Filipinos who see the category as a trendy alteralter native to the traditional vinous

Startup transforms sari-sari stores G

spirit’” Drinks International is among the most prestigious publications that hands out the yearly World’s Number 1 award for different spirits categories. It collects data on 155 million-case brands from public company reports and requested results. It then calculates growth from the actual volume data supplied.

Tanduay, which has been declared the World’s Number 1 Rum by the magazine for four consecutive years now, is aiming to have a share of the country’s gin market through its new product, Ginto.

Ginto is available in Luzon,

which is a predominantly a gin market. It is also available in select areas in the Visayas and Mindanao.

Tan said that while Luzon is a very challenging region for liquor, they are hopeful that they can capture a good slice of the island’s gin business as it is known to be more open to different types of drinks.

The pandemic has made it even more challenging for businesses, and Tan is thankful to have a strong team that knows how to hurdle the obstacles that come their way.

AUGUST 22, 2021

ROWSARI, a tech-enabled B2B platform supported by global marquee investors and large venture capitalists, helps sari-sari stores double their earnings through access to better pricing, better service levels, inclusive financing and new products and services.

Founded by young and dynamic industry leaders who built their expertise from working with global corporations and consultancies P&G, Unilever, Boston Consulting Group, Uber, Globe Telecom and GCash, GrowSari helps sari-sari stores get better service level, assortment and access to new services, outfitting them with both the infrastructure and tools they need to transform themselves from simple FMCG outlets to comprehensive service hubs for the nation’s grassroots communities.

In addition to providing affordable, on-demand inventory

billion. About 84 percent of Filipinos purchase essential goods at over 1.1 million stores across the country, with 60 percent of fast-moving consumer goods spending happening in such stores.

These sari-sari stores are hyper-proximal, with 90 percent of consumers having a store less than as well as working capital loans, 100 meters away from their home. On GrowSari’s platform also generaverage, consumers transact twice a ates crucial data and insights into day from their nearest sari-sari stores. the operations of these stores for Despite the pandemic, the sari-samanufacturers and distributors ri store segment experienced more to build their strategies and camgrowth, even overtaking supermarpaigns upon. It also integrated kets in terms of shopper spending. multiple-microservices such as However, sari-sari store owners only telco load, bills pay, e-commerce, make about P1 to P2 per product as Wi-FI and other eservices, allowing they do not enjoy the margins given to store-owners to maximize their bigger wholesalers and bigger retailers. capital in one wallet and easily Moreover, these store owners are not expand their business. formally trained on how to run a retail Sari-sari stores are the backbone business, lack training on managing inof Philippine retail and are an inventory and pricing, and have no direct tegral part of the economy, with an access to working capital. estimated retail sales value of $100

Amaia Skies Cubao opens third tower

HealthNow app now has over half a million users HealthNow app

HEALTHNOW, the all-in-one health app developed by AC Health and Globe’s 917Ventures, enlisted half a million users nationwide in its first year of operations, surpassing its initial target for the period.

HealthNow simplifies patient experiences with healthcare services, which include easy access to telemedicine services, medicine deliveries and urgent care hotlines.

Within its first 12 months of operations, the healthtech company also onboarded some 600 healthcare providers and more than 60 pharmacy stores to support its operations across the country.

Through its innovations, patients can easily book consultations with general practitioners and specialists via video calls, purchase over-the-counter and prescription medication for delivery, and centralize all medical records in one easy-to-use app. Soon, users will be able to book diagnostic tests for home service and have their lab test results interpreted online.

“We are extremely grateful to have achieved this milestone within our first year of service.

GrowSari team

Although the times have been challenging, our focus remains firm and unwavered. In support of the country’s vision for universal healthcare access, we will continue to extend the medical frontlines and bring our services to more Filipinos,” said HealthNow chief executive Susana Beatriz Latay.

Latay said HealthNow users can expect more ways to experience quality health services in the coming months.

Since its launch in August 2020, HealthNow teamed up with notable names in the healthcare industry nationwide, including immediate 24/7 health hotlines such as KonsultaMD, Lifeline, Hopeline and pharmacies like Generika and diagnostics aggregator Dashlabs. ai.

Other partners are Healthway Multispecialty and Family Clinics, Qualimed Network of Hospitals, Mindanao Medical Center, Mendero Medical Center, Family Healthcare Hospital, ACES Eye Center, Centro Holistico, InfinitCare, MAGIS Creative Spaces, MindYou, Peregrine Eye and Laser Institution, ProHealth Sports & Spinal

Physiotherapy, Scelto Medico, Spine & Orthopaedics Cebu, We Care Home Healthcare, Asian Square Dental and Brightsmile Avenue.

“In line with their mission to solve the Filipino consumer’s pain points, HealthNow is able to do just that by allowing us to democratize access to basic healthcare services,” said 917Ventures managing director Vince Yamat.

“We are proud to be working alongside AC Health in this venture, and we will continue to support HealthNow in its efforts to make Filipinos nationwide live happy, healthy lives,” he said.

AC Health president and chief executive Paolo Borromeo said: “We consider our partnership with 917Ventures as a step forward into building an integrated healthcare ecosystem that is more patient-focused. Through our joint-venture in HealthNow, we see more possibilities for forging synergies across our own healthcare network and beyond, that we may continue to serve the Filipino community and give them the care they deserve.”

AMAIA Land announced the opening of Amaia Skies Cubao Tower 3, an integrated mixed-use condominium development located on the corner of EDSA and P. Tuazon in Quezon City.

It is near Araneta Center, giving residents an easy access to the best of everything: shopping and entertainment hubs, sports arena, business offices and major transport terminals.

Just a stroll from this development are prominent Cubao landmarks such as Ali Mall, Smart Araneta Coliseum, the sleek and modern Gateway Mall, the popular Farmer’s Plaza, Farmer’s Market, SM Cubao, Shopwise supermarket and the decades-old Cubao Expo, among many other commercial establishments.

Amaia Skies Cubao’s residents need not stray too far for their essential needs as it will feature an arcaded retail area on the ground floor.

The development also boasts of proximity to educational institutions such as Stella Maris College and the ABE International Business College. Reputable hospitals like St. Luke’s Medical Center and De Los Santos Medical Center are a

short drive away. For homeowners’ spiritual needs, nearby are Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish and the Cubao Cathedral.

Daily commuters will appreciate Amaia Skies Cubao’s proximity to major transport hubs such as the MRT Cubao station, the LRT-2 Cubao station and the EDSA bus stop. Whether they work at the Ortigas central business district, the Makati CBD, downtown Manila or at the fast-developing business and entertainment hubs of Quezon City, they can get around with ease from Amaia Skies Cubao.

Amaia Skies Cubao’s prime location has made it one of the most sought-after locations anywhere in the metropolis. Ninety-eight percent of Amaia Skies’ Tower 1 and 2 units have already been sold. Conceptualized to be a 35-story integrated condominium development, the latest tower offers right-sized living spaces for Filipino individuals and starting couples.

AUGUST 22, 2021

Yield Guild raises $4.6M to accelerate play-to-earn gaming

O A I U PACQ S A G U e k a t t won’

lightly

Manny Pacquiao (left), President of Manny Pacquiao Promotions Sean Gibbons (2nd from left) and WBA welterweight champion Yordenis Ugas (right) stand onstage during an official weigh-in at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Pacquiao will challenge Ugas for his title at T-Mobile on August 21 in Las Vegas. AFP

L

AS VEGAS—Manny Pacquiao and Yordenis Ugas both made weight then came face-to-face for the cameras at the weigh-in ahead of their Saturday world title welterweight showdown in Las Vegas.

Pacquiao, the heavy favorite, weighed in at 146 pounds while World Boxing Association welterweight champ Ugas tipped the scales right on the number at 147 pounds on Friday.

Ugas (24-0, 12 KOs) took the fight on just 11 days notice after Errol Spence Jr. pulled out with an eye injury.

“I’m not taking this fight lightly,” 42-yearold Pacquiao said. “Of course, I don’t want to be overconfident for this fight. I want to make sure tomorrow I get the victory.”

Pacquiao (62-7-2, 39 KOs) is returning to the ring after a two-year absence—the longest of his career—to fight for another world title in front of a big Vegas crowd and a pay-per-view audience.

The hastily rearranged bout also gives Pacquiao a chance to settle a score at the T-Mobile Arena.

Pacquiao was controversially stripped of his WBA title on grounds of “inactivity” earlier this year despite the global disruption to

boxing caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

The WBA instead handed the belt to Ugas, a fact that upset Pacquiao.

“I didn’t like that someone took my belt without challenging me in the ring,” Pacquiao said. “Both of us are champions, but we’ll see who has the belt after Saturday.”

In the opposite corner, Ugas is quietly plotting an ambush despite also having to readjust his training camp.

The 35-year-old Cuban had initially been due to face Fabian Maidana on the undercard but agreed to step in to face Pacquiao after Spence’s withdrawal.

“I have a lot of respect for him so I’m very excited,” Ugas said. “I have the belt. Whoever wins tomorrow gets the belt, but right now I’m the champion, and I’m ready.”

While Pacquiao retains enough residue of the talent that made him the most thrilling fighter in boxing at his peak, Father Time remains an ever-present threat for a boxer

into his 40s.

“I don’t know if this is going to be my last [time in the ring], we are going to see fight by fight,” said Pacquiao.

“I feel young right now. I enjoy training camp and I’m excited to sacrifice and be disciplined every day to prepare for a fight like this.”

Pacquiao’s long-time trainer, Freddie Roach, says there has been no sign of a drop-off in his protege’s ferocious work ethic at their Los Angeles training base.

Roach sees Manny KO win

Pacquiao still attacks his gruelling morning roadwork in the hills above the California metropolis, and in a recent workout at Roach’s Wild Card gym, twice floored a sparring partner.

“We’ve had a good training camp and Manny has worked really hard for this fight,” Roach said.

“Putting a sparring partner on the canvas was a motivation for all of us. We’re going to bring that into this fight.

“His work ethic today is as good as it was 20 years go ... I’m expecting this fight to end in a knockout the way he has been looking.” AFP

Arellano U’s Rendon grateful for NCAA experience ■ By JAMES EMMANUEL SANTUA AND JOHN RAPHAEL MENDOZA THE provinces of the Philippines have a fair share of budding athletic talents heading to the nation’s capital not only to compete but to be an exemplary student as well.

Carl Lewis Rendon, a Victoria, Tarlac native and captain of the Arellano University Chiefs track and field team, is a product of Central Luzon Regional Athletic Association and Palarong Pambansa during his senior high school days.

Before becoming a track athlete, Rendon grew up playing in local basketball leagues and had aspirations of pursuing it in college.

The AU Chief initially explored track and field only in senior high, when his father, who was a former track athlete for the University of the East, encouraged him to do it.

Carl Lewis Rendon in action at the CLRAA “If I select track and field, I already have a coach in my father, so what else can I look for? Even though it was a difficult decision, it seemed like track and field has a lot more to offer that will benefit me.” Rendon said in an interview with the Manila Standard.

His father, who is also a sprinter and jumper, was part of the historic “9-peat” in UAAP track and field.

Rendon’s training under his father molded him into the athlete that he is today. He said that he cherished every moment he had spent with his father in training before going to college.

NCAA Experience

Rendon, who is taking up a Bachelor of Physical Education, said that it was fate that brought him to Arellano.

“When I met coach Paulino Coloma

Jr., he told me that his only promise was to help me finish my studies. So it’s like I’m hooked on our coach, the

plan was good for me.” he said.

Rendon is also a consistent dean’s lister and is grateful that being an athlete gave him an opportunity to study in Arellano.

“Being a student athlete is a big thing for me, it’s not just about playing. It has a lifetime benefit as well, and I can use it as a ticket for my dream of becoming a coach in the future.” he added.

Rendon started his National Collegiate Athletic Association career by being a sprinter and pole vaulter. His training for CLRAA as a sprinter and middle-distance runner had helped him to catapult his way to the NCAA. However, Rendon was more inclined in doing pole vaults rather than

sprints and said that he focused more on pole vault believing he has a chance to nail gold in it.

“Unfortunately, I focused more on pole vaulting rather than sprinting because I have a chance to have a gold even in my rookie year and our coach was Emerson Obiena the father of EJ Obiena the Olympian,” he said.

In 2019 Rendon was invited to play in the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association Final Leg SEA Games qualifying event which took place in New Clark Tarlac City where he managed to take 7th place in the 400m hurdles event.

The pandemic had a big impact on Rendon’s college career as an athlete, where they had long periods without official games.

Rendon stated that even if he had to take a masters’ course for him to continue playing for Arellano, he would do it.

“If taking a masters just to play again I would do it just to settle my unfinished business in taking home a medal.”

Rendon still plans to play in national events and said that if he still has time, he will prepare for the Philippine National Games and AYALA Philippine National Athletics Championships if given the chance.

“I still plan to play at events like Philippine National Open, Philippine National Games and if I have a lot of time, why not if I was given the chance to make myself stronger again. So that’s where I see myself.”

YIELD Guild Games, a decentralized gaming guild of players and investors who generate yield from NFT-based games, announced today it has raised $4.6M investment led by venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz (a16z).

The round, which was finalised prior to the YGG token sale on July 27, was joined by Kingsway Capital, Infinity Ventures Crypto, Atelier Ventures, and gaming entrepreneur Gabriel Leydon.

The funding will be used to continue YGG’s investment in digital assets in games and virtual worlds across the play-to-earn ecosystem, while expanding its global community of over 48,000 gamers, with more than half of the members residing in the Philippines. As a provider of scholarships to the game Axie Infinity, YGG’s player base can borrow its yield-generating in-game assets under a revenue-sharing model, so they can begin earning an income from playing NFT games without having to invest any money upfront. To date, YGG has 4,700 scholars, over 2500 of whom are Filipinos, in the game Axie Infinity that have earned over 43M SLP (US $8.6M).

“The intersection of crypto and gaming is one of the most exciting areas in tech today,” said Arianna Simpson, General Partner at Andreessen Horowitz. “YGG is at the center of play-to-earn, a new model that marks a meaningful evolution in gaming economies, where more of the value is retained by the players and community, rather than the gaming platforms. Thanks to the vision and dedication of the YGG team, this paradigm shift is growing quickly—yet we think we’re just starting to glimpse what’s possible in this realm. We’re thrilled to partner with YGG to support the community and help accelerate the adoption of play-to-earn games.”

With Filipino co-founders Gabby Dizon and Beryl Li, this is the first time a16z has invested in a Filipino-led startup. Dizon brings over two decades of experience in the gaming industry, while fintech entrepreneur Li was on the founding team at Philippine crypto exchange Coins.ph, acquired by GoJek in 2018. A third co-founder, Owl of Moistness, is a smart contract developer with experience building Axie Infinity breeding algorithms and bots to integrate NFTs in Discord.

Sci-fi survival horror classic Dead Space remake out soon ■ By JOHN RAPHAEL MENDOZA THE sci-fi horror classic game “Dead Space will have a remake as confirmed by Electronic Arts, which released an official teaser for the game.

The remake will be handled by Motive Studios, along with Electronic Arts, bringing the terrifying world of Dead Space into the modern technology today. This will be the first entry in the franchise since 2013, when Dead Space 3 was released.

The Dead Space series consisted of three main games launched between 2008 and 2013, along with a pair of spinoff puzzle-action game Dead Space Ignition and rail shooter Dead Space Extraction. The main games were set in the 26th century and was starred by Isaac Clarke, who battled undead beings known as Necromorphs.

In the game, you play as Isaac, an engineer on a mission to repair a ship called the USG Ishimura.

Upon arriving in the ship the player will discover that the crew has been slaughtered and is infected with some sort of scourge. On top of that Isaac’s partner Nicole is lost somewhere in the ship.

The game has no confirmed release date yet, but it has been confirmed that the game will be available on Xbox Series X, PlayStation 5 and PC.

AUGUST 22, 2021

Pinoy music with a twist

By Virgilio A. Reyes Jr.

T

HERE is a new recipe for Pinoy music floating on the airwaves that goes like this:

“Take one Filipino-Canadian bass player, add songs he wrote on cruise ships in the Caribbean, and marinate for 19 years. Combine with one Mexican-American Grammy-winning arranger of salsa music. Then enjoy this Latin jazz album of cross-pollinated melodies, rhythms, and genres from two North American musicians with a passion for the flavors of Afro-Cuban music.”

The Filipino-Canadian bass player referred to is Chris Trinidad, whose parents left the Philippines in the ‘70s for better economic opportunities.

Trinidad grew up and studied in Vancouver before studying jazz at Capilano College in North Vancouver and becoming a musician aboard cruise ships on the Caribbean for some three years.

As a high school student, he had taken a master class with percussionist Jack Duncan, whom he met again to play with his band Shango Ashe some 10 years later.

Moving to the San Francisco Bay Area, he met Christian Tumalan from Mexico, leader of the Grammy Awardwinning Pacific Mambo Orchestra. He also worked together with celebrated musicians such as longtime Santana horn section members Bill Ortiz and

Jeff Cressman.

Among musicians he has worked with to produce this new sound are Carlos Caro on instruments such as congas, bongo, guiro, and chekere; Colin Douglas (timbale kit, clave, bells); Ortiz (trumpet); Cressman (trombone); Jamie Dubberly (trombone); Tony Peebles (tenor saxophone); Anthony Blea (violin); Tod Dick (flute); and Juan Luis Perez and Christelle Durandy for voice.

These diverse people have collaborated on an album produced by Iridium Records, entitled Con Todo, which is notable for its Caribbean and Hispanic influences. Trinidad had composed eight tunes recorded in Con Todo on board the Royal Caribbean cruise ships.

His songs have Spanish titles like “Ojos Abiertos” and “Hasta Entonces, Mi Amigo”. This harks back to pre-war Philippines when Spanish was more widely spoken than it is today. Trinidad is one of today’s youth interested in learning Spanish as part of Filipino heritage.

Turning to native Filipino music, Trinidad had learned to appreciate the kundiman and harana that his grandmother had brought to Canada in 1984.

At the same time, he explored the kulintang music that he had heard played by Maguindanao music master Danongan Kalanduyan.

For the second album Subla Neokulintang, the bass player collaborated with Kalanduyan, Fil-American Bo Razon, and Frank Holder to fuse the kulintang with the form and harmonies of Western European art music. The kulintang

is as close as the Philippines gets to the pre-Hispanic Asian tradition.

Kalanduyan has passed on, making this last recording all the more significant.

Third album Cancion Tagalog reworks traditional Tagalog songs like “Mutya ng Pasig” and “Sampaguita” to the rhythms and beats of Cuban music such as the bolero and the danzón, making it the most innovative of the three works.

In his introduction to Cancion Tagalog, Trinidad asks the question: “In what ways might Filipino composers incorporate the rich polyrhythmic musics of Cuba, which were originally a blend of Western European (Spanish, and later, French) form and harmony, and African (Yoruba and Bantu) percussion musics? What if Cubans had a chance to hear the rich rondalla traditions of the Philippines? Could there be a musical bridge between the Philippines and Cuba, given their shared Spanish colonial history?”

“This project is my artistic response to those questions,” he concludes.

In Spanish times, it was Mexico as the Latin American viceroyalty through which Spain ruled the Philippines. The Caribbean was one step removed from the Philippines, which did not have direct links to it. In neither case can Philippine music be said to have strong influences from them. It is rather directly from the Spanish that one hears the fandango, the jarana, the jota, the polka, and the zarzuela. Admittedly, there is also a habanera in Philippine dance.

It was during the American Common-

INNOVATIVE INTERPRETATIONS. Filipino-Canadian musician Chris Trinidad, together with his collaborators, fuses traditional Filipino music with the sound from the Caribbean.

wealth period that both jazz and Latin American music made their influence felt in the Philippines. Filipino jazz musicians were famous in Asia then, and President Manuel L. Quezon danced a mean tango.

Such Latin American music and rhythms such as tango, mango, mambo, cha-cha, and samba became familiar to Filipinos via movies, radio, and television.

Before the Second World War, Manila was the sole capital in Asia where people could feel at home simultaneously with local folk melodies, American jazz, Latin American tunes and rhythms, and even Balinese music.

It would not be far-fetched to say that Filipinos as a seafaring folk in touch with Latin America, North America, and Europe would also be cosmopolitan in their approach to music.

Making use of his background and

Trinidad’s albums (from left) ‘Cancion Tagalog’, ‘Con Todo’, and 'Subla Neokulintang’.

exposure as a Filipino exposed to North American and Caribbean influences, Trinidad has thus embarked on a bold experiment in Cancion Tagalog which would blend Filipino music with these different modes.

Trinidad has attempted to give such traditional classics as “O Ilaw” and “Bayan Ko” a new twist by using other instruments within them such as the saxophone or introducing elements from the Cuban danzón or the cha-cha.

It is interesting that Trinidad gives special emphasis on how music also links us to revolutionary traditions, as do “La Marseillaise” and “Bayan Ko”.

Even the pandemic in the Philippines has now resurrected “Do you hear the people sing?” in a Filipino protest song against the government. So why should Cuban rhythms not animate the kundiman as well, which was used by the Filipinos to subvert the Americans in the early time of occupation?

A historical footnote: Despite the Cold War and American pressure, the Philippines and Cuba had continued to maintain embassies in each other’s capitals and they instinctively recognized the need to keep in touch in light of shared history and colonial domination. Music is one way of uniting those common threads of culture and history.

Those who feel strongly attached to the traditional ways of interpreting our Filipino songs may not always agree with the ways in which they have been reworked by Chris Trinidad and his team. However, the 21st century may be a time to listen to new and innovative interpretations by millennials and foreigners appreciative of our traditions as well. Venceremos.

JEFRË's sculpture to rise in Jacksonville

Fil-Am artist JEFRË

FILIPINO-American artist JEFRË, born Jefre Figueras Manuel, further cements his legacy in the international scene after winning a sculpture competition that will mount his work at a park in Jacksonville, Florida.

Announced on July 22 by the Jacksonville Downtown Investment Authority (DIA), a sculpture proposed

by JEFRË is slated to become the new centerpiece of the four-acre Jacksonville River Park.

His sculptural concept is inspired by St. Johns River, which stretches throughout Florida and into the City of Jacksonville. The stainless steel sculpture is a literal reflection of the city’s history.

It is set to be 151 feet tall, or 1,822 inches, which corresponds to Jacksonville’s founding date on June 5, 1822.

The total linear length of the sculpture is 310 feet, which represents the length of St. Johns River in nautical miles.

JEFRË used these numbers to form abstract images and shapes to form the sculp-

ture. The initial image he had in mind was that of an anchor, with a series of nautical knots in the shape of a heart, the figure 8, and an “X”. From an elevated angle, it looks like it spells out “Jax”, short for Jacksonville. And from another angle, it could be seen as “I love X” or “I love Jacksonville”.

“That’s the beauty of public art. It creates dialogue and discussion,” shares JEFRË. “Everyone has an interpretation for it. It’s called ‘Jax’, but it’s not a sign, font, or letters. It’s a fluid form of water rising up from the river into the city skyline that forms curving shapes reminiscent of the oxbows and bends of the St. Johns River.

From every viewpoint, the river form is a completely different sculpture and reflection of a timeline in history.”

He continues, “If you think it looks like Jax, then great, But if you think it looks like a heart, an anchor, a figure-eight knot, a letter J, lox, lex, love, steel spaghetti, or paperclip, then that’s fine as well.”

JEFRË’s proposed sculpture is valued at $12-18 million and is expected to be completed by 2023.

The Sunsoon cooling vest is made with water- and heat-resistant material and equipped with a solar-powered fan.

Student creates solar-powered cooling vest for construction workers, couriers

Kristian Rafael Tan An art rendering of JEFRË’s 151-feet stainless steel sculpture that is set to become the new centerpiece of Jacksonville River Park.

YOUNG innovator Kristian Rafael Tan aims to improve the working environment of outdoor field workers as well as cyclists through a solarpowered cooling vest.

Conceptualized with the philosophy of form and function, Tan’s Sunsoon lowers the body temperature of the wearer and provides cooling sensation for up to eight hours to prevent heat-related health risks.

The vest is made with water- and heat-resistant woven polyester, and has thick Velcro shoulder pads, adjustable straps, double-woven layer pockets, and a detachable 140-millimeter case fan powered by a solar panel unit comparable to gas-powered generators.

Tan honed his skills at the Industrial Design Program of De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde School of Design and Arts.

Although Sunsoon solar-powered system was recognized with the Best Thesis Award, he believes this idea may still be improved by larger companies with better technology.

AUGUST 22, 2021

MAKING THEIR PARENTS PROUD.

NO SIBLING RIVALRY

R

n By NICKIE WANG

Mavy and Cassy Legaspi renew their ties with GMA Network and celebrate their 4th year in the business.

between MAVY and CASSY

ISING television stars Mavy and Cassy Legaspi are all-set to advance in their respective showbiz careers as they renewed their contracts with GMA Artist Center last Monday, Aug.16.

Present during the virtual signing ceremony were GMA top executives Felipe S. Yalong, Atty. Annette Gozon-Valdes, Lilybeth G. Rasonable, Oliver B. Amoroso, Redgie A. Mango, Angel

Javier Cruz, Gigi Santiago-Lara, Cheryl Ching-Sy, and Simoun Ferrer.

GMA Artist Center consultant Johnny Manahan, talent manager Vic del Rosario, and senior program managers Ali Marie Nokom-Dedicatoria, Mae Zambrano, Redgynn Alba, and Ruth Marinas were also present.

Coming from a prominent family in the industry, the Legaspi twins know that it has its pros and cons. Despite these, they continue to give their all in every project they get entrusted with and have picked up valuable lessons throughout the years as they carve their names in show business.

Speaking to Manila Standard Entertainment right after they renewed their contract they shared how being each other’s support system made their journey in showbiz “so much easier.”

“You’ll really have to learn through the ups and downs in the industry on your own. Even with all the tips, all the stories my parents told me, ako pa rin ‘yung gagawa ng stories and experiences ko. At the end of the day, it’s really you in this battlefield, ikaw ang gagawa ng actions mo and decisions, most

especially when you’re on set, on cam or off cam, I learned to be even more independent and diligent sa craft ko,” he started.

“With Cassy, we’re having a great right. It’s a healthy competition. We’re helping one another. It helped that our parents created a healthy environment for us. They made sure that we will a good sibling relationship,” he added.

For Cassy, having a brother in showbiz made her a “third parent.”

“It depends on the situation. Sometimes I’m the third parent. For example, when Mavy needs motivation. We have become professionals in helping each other out. There’s no sibling rivalry because we are supporting each other,” the 20-year-old actress explained.

Cassy also shared how she grew in her Kapuso journey and what she’s learned as an actor.

“I learned to be more loving, caring, and giving to my co-actors, always checking up on them. I guess treating the workplace as my second home.

Being a Kapuso for how many years, the people around you really grow on you, they instantly become family and you get comfortable with them and eventually, the values as a Kapuso, start to show within you,” she said.

Cassy won the hearts of the Filipino viewers as Nina in the top-rating GMA Telebabad series First Yaya. Now, it’s Mavy’s time to shine as he is part of the cast of the upcoming primetime series I Left My Heart in Sorsogon.

Lovi Poe is sweet as ‘Candy’ in new MV n By MHERYLL L. ALFORTE ACTRESS Lovi Poe slowly makes a name for herself as an international recording artist with her recently released music video for the summer pop single, “Candy.”

Directed by Jessica Fee, the music video is reminiscent of the early 2000s that expresses a fun and summer feel. Its retro vibes are highlighted through the nostalgic use of a vintage film theme and references of pop culture items like roller skates, disco ball, and crochet articles of clothing.

“Candy” was written by Amanda Lustbader, produced by Grammy Award winner Omen and Kris KeyZ, and released

by VIM Entertainment, a record label based in Los Angeles.

Seeing her potential as a household name, many fans have expressed that Lovi reminds them of famous American singer Ariana Grande.

True to her desire to establish herself as a recording artist, Lovi has already released two singles this year namely “Under” and “Lost.”

“Under” was her debut single released in February, marking the launch of her music career outside of the Philippines.

Lovi Poe rose to stardom after her role in the 2006 drama series Bakekang and winning best actress at the 2010 Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival for her role in Mayohan.

Lovi Poe drops her international single, ‘Candy.’

‘Kun Maupay Man It Panahon’ bags award at Locarno fest n By MARIA KATRINA SEGUI

Summer queens Irene, Wendy, Seulgi, Joy, and Yeri of Red Velvet make a comeback, claiming their reign with ‘Queendom.’

Red Velvet reigns with summer anthem ‘Queendom’ n By AREEYA TATJANA HO AFTER almost two years of doing solo projects, Irene, Wendy, Seulgi, Joy, and Yeri of Red Velvet finally dropped a new record that celebrates their being “summer queens.’

The K-Pop group dropped its sixth mini-album and the music video of “Queendom,” marking the start of its summer comeback with a mystical and colorful concept.

Red Velvet described the track as a “pop dance song with the message that we are all ‘Queens’ of our lives and that together, we shine more beautifully.”

The mini-album has six tracks in total with “Queendom” as the lead single followed by “Pose,” “Knock on Wood,” “Better Be,” “Pushin’ N Pullin’,” and “Hello, Sunset.”

“Queendom” instantly topped iTunes Top Album

charts in various regions across the globe. It also topped digital album sales on QQ Music and KuGou Music from China. As of this writing, the “Queendom” music video has been viewed more than 32 million times on YouTube and currently the second trending content in music.

Red Velvet is known for releasing summer tracks like “Red Flavor,” “Power Up,” and “Umpah Umpah.” They are also known for their hits “Psycho,” “Bad Boy,” and “Peek-A-Boo.” The group debuted in 2014 with “Happiness.” It is managed by SM Entertainment, along with other K-Pop acts like EXO, Girls’ Generation, Shinee, and Aespa.

“Queendom” is the first comeback for the five-member group since its last track “Psycho” in December 2019. During a year-end concert in 2019, member Wendy went on a hiatus following a stage accident which left her hospitalized for months.

DANIEL Padilla and Charo Stantos-Concio starrer Kun Maupay Man It Panahon , billed internationally as Whether the Weather is Fine, won a special award at the 74th Locarno Film Festival (LFF) in Switzerland.

“We have great news from Switzerland! Kun Maupay Man It Panahon (Whether The Weather Is Fine) bags the Cinema e Gioventù Prize from the Concorso Cineasti del presente Junior Jury at the 74th Locarno Film Festival,” the film’s social media pages announced on Sunday.

According to LFF’s website, the Cinema e Gioventù Prize is an “educational initiative of the festival aimed at students aged between 18 and 23” and is awarded by the event’s designated youth juries.

Directed by award-winning Waray director Carlo Francisco Manatad, the film was inspired by the tragic events of the super typhoon Yolanda in 2013, the film tells the story of how a mother (Santos-Concio) and son (Padilla) fought for their lives to survive the disaster that devastated the

city of Tacloban.

Whether the Weather is Fine competed against other countries including the USA, France, Italy, Switzerland, and Germany, under the Concorso Cineasti del Presente (Filmmakers of the Present Competition) category, a section for rising filmmakers from different parts of the world. Manatad’s debut full-length feature is also the only Filipino entry at the festival.

Apart from the LFF, Whether the Weather is Fine is also selected as one of the entries for the upcoming Toronto International Film Festival and is set to make its North American premiere on the same event from Sept. 9 to Sept. 18.

Kyujo, an impounded senior cat, adopted by Ei leen of Cat Care Phillippines, was emaciated and sick when Ei Leen got him from a pound and adopted him. He looked like BooBoo, Ei leen's cat who died due to chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Now, Kyujo a.k.a QQ is livjng like a king, with good vitamins and maintenance meds.

AUGUST 22, 2021

Important vitamins for senior cats A

S CATS grow older, they need more nutrients which a furparent can give through supplements.

“Due to better diets and improved veterinary care, cats are living longer.

The aging process creates imbalances that may require additional support.

Supplements can help bridge the gap to complement your senior cat's daily needs,” Pet Basics said in “Senior Cat Care: Nutrition and Supplements.

These kittens were just on the streets walking near a construction site. Rescuer Tet Santos saw them and decided to save them right there and then. Tet has been giving good food and lots of water to help them grow healthy and strong. This will also ensure they will not have a lot of medical issues when they are senior cats. They are very good cats, Tet said. She named them Bridget (more white cat) and Gie (gray and white cat) Both are neutered already.

Kyujo when he was rescued by Ei Leen from the pound.

Cats’ unique needs

Cats require more protein than dogs, Pet Basics said. They also like frequent small meals throughout the day. Early on in life, cats tend to develop preferences for the size, shape and taste of their food, Pet Basics said.

Bridget Gie

Senior cats’ food and nutritional needs

As they grow older, a cat often “needs more calories, experiences changes in their digestive system, and can suffer from joint problems and other negative effects of aging. Assessing your cat’s nutritional needs as they age can help them stay healthy for years to come,” Pet Basics said.

Until about 10 to 12 years of age, a cat needs fewer calories and has a tendency to be overweight or even obese.

When they reach 10 to 12 years old, a cat’s caloric requirement might increase. An older cat may lose weight at this time. They will also lose muscle mass, a condition called sarcopenia.

“Aging cats may also have reduced digestive function, as well as decreased absorption of certain vitamins and minerals. The normal bacterial flora that keep the feline gut healthy may also change as cats age,” Pet Basics said.

health in senior cats.

Other ways to make a senior cat comfortable Aside from assessing your senior cat’s diet and talking with the vet about supplements, Pet Basics gave the following tips to keep a senior cat happy and comfortable: “Make all resources easy for an older cat to reach. If an aging cat has to walk or climb for food or water, they may choose to do without.

Offer multiple padded beds or resting places with easy access or ramps.

Provide your senior cat with a large litterbox that has low sides and sandtype litter.

Create safe hiding places for your cat, in case they are stressed or just need to relax.

Ask your vet about ways to keep your cat stimulated and entertained through environmental enrichment.”

Best cat vitamins for overall health

Supplements for Senior Cats

Signs of aging in cats include changes in mobility, self-maintenance or grooming, activity level, and social and exploratory behavior. These are signs of declining joint health, stiffness or discomfort in a cat, Pet Basics said.

“Many of these changes are rarely observed during veterinary examinations, but they can be important clues to determine if an older cat is stiff

MANY dog are now asking vets what supplements they can give to their dogs, specially their senior pets.

Does your dog need vitamins and supplements?

It really depends on the dog and the type of supplements, said Jenna Stregowski in “Do Dogs Need Vitamins and Supplements? How Vitamins and Supplements May Help Some Dogs” in The Spruce Pets website.

“All dogs need certain vitamins and minerals to thrive. Fortunately, these can all be found in a complete and balanced diet. If you are feeding your dog a commercial diet with the AAFCO label, then the food contains all the vitamins and minerals necessary to keep your dog healthy. You can take this a step further and choose a diet made with high-quality ingredients. Many experts agree that the vitamins and minerals in diets made with high-quality ingredients are more easily absorbed and used by your dog's body, “ Stregowski said.

“If you choose to feed a home-prepared diet to your dog, then you may need to add vitamins and minerals to make the food complete and balanced. You must work with your veterinarian to find the right recipes and source the appropriate vitamins, minerals, and supplements, “ she added.

Stregowski also suggested that dog owners try using a website like BalanceIt.com or PetDiets.com to help them come up with a balanced, complete meal for their dogs.

“These sites are excellent tools to help you create a recipe that is complete and balanced. You can even develop recipes for dogs with specific health concerns. If the homemade diet is intended to treat a certain condition, your vet may prefer to refer you to a veterinary nutritionist to help you develop the right diet for your dog,” she said.

or uncomfortable and could benefit from supplements that help maintain healthy joint mobility,” Pet Basics said.

Ask your veterinarian about supplements for cats that may help your pet maintain good health as they grow older. Pet Basics listed the following important supplements: Antioxidants to support normal body system functions in aging cats and eliminate damaging free radicals, thus reduc-

ing negative effects in the body.

Glucosamine, green-lipped mussel and chondroitin sulfate will help support the structure and function of joints in cats as they age.

Omega-3 fatty acid supplements will help relieve occasional joint stiffness, among other potential health benefits.

Probiotics and prebiotics will help maintain a healthy microbial balance and support proper digestion and bowel

Important vitamins for senior dogs There is no need to supplement with vitamins and minerals if a dog is getting a complete and balanced diet. Giving a supplement might even cause problems if your dog is given too much of something, Stregowski stressed.

As an example, Stregowski said Vitamin A is important for a dog’s metabolism but too much can cause serious toxicity. Too much Vitamin A can lead to loss of appetite, lethargy, nausea, peeling skin, weakness, tremors, convulsions, paralysis, and death.

Stregowsk said an owner can give vitamins, miner-

verify dosing information with your vet before starting any supplements,” Stregowski stressed.

Human Vitamins and Supplements for Dogs?

Always ask the vet. It is always best to get products made specifically for dogs, Stregowski said.

“Before you start sharing your supplements with your dog or buying supplements at a human pharmacy, make sure they are safe! Although dogs need many of the same vitamins and minerals as humans need, the types and amounts may vary greatly. Ask your veterinarian about the strength and dose recommendation of each supplement you are giving. In many cases, it's better to get the products made especially for dogs,” she said.

WARNING: There are human products that contain inactive ingredients that are not healthy for dogs or even toxic to dogs.

Below, Stregowski discusses common vitamins for dogs: “Multivitamins: Never give human multivitamins to dogs. If your veterinarian recommends a daily multivitamin for your dog, ask for product recommendations. You must choose a multivitamin that is made especially for dogs. In some cases, you can choose a multivitamin made for dogs with special needs, such as joint support or senior age. Some vets recommend products such as Pet-Tinic or Nutri-Cal for dogs not getting enough nutrients.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids: These supplements may be beneficial to dogs with joint disease, heart disease, or

Shakti, 13, suddenly had seizures last month. Her comprehensive blood test showed all her values to be normal. Xrays and ultrasound did not show anything was wrong. We observed her and when she heats up or it is too hot, she has a seizure. She was given Vitamin B complex and we now make sure she is in a room that is not too hot for her.

Summer, 16 years old, is now taking CoQ10 (30 mg) for the heart, arthropet joint supplement, vitamin B complex for the nerves, Nutriplus multivitamin (one inch), and coconectar (3 ml).

als, or supplements if 1. “The vet prescribes specific vitamins/minerals after diagnosing your dog with a deficiency.

2. Your vet recommends adding certain vitamins, minerals, or supplements to help treat a health condition or support a dog with a poor appetite.

3. Your vet recommends certain vitamins, minerals, or supplements because you wish to feed a homeprepared diet.

4. Your vet approves of the use of certain supplements for your dog after you ask about them.”

“Either way, there is never a reason to just randomly start giving your dog vitamins. Always act under the supervision of your veterinarian. It's also important to

Lysine, glucosamine and probiotics are very good for senior cats, said theangle.digital/petsupplies.

These substance “help support your cat’s immune system, digestion, and joint health. Whether you have an older cat with arthritis or a young cat with bowel issues, these supplements can get your cat back on track to their happy and healthy selves, it added in “The best cat vitamins for your pet’s overall health.”

“As carnivores, cats get their nutrition from meat. This diet leads them to have specialized nutritional needs that sometimes are not met with a regular diet. A cat’s immune and renal systems need support, as they are prone to diabetes and kidney failure. Supplements are helpful for your cat or kitten’s overall health,” it stressed. DC

kidney disease. Normal fish oil might not do the trick.

Be sure to choose a formula with the right concentration of EPA and DHA based on your vet's recommendation. It is often better to go with a pet-specific formula. One example is Welactin.

Glucosamine/Chondroitin/MSM: These joint supplements can be very beneficial to dogs with an orthopedic issue such as arthritis, hip dysplasia, cruciate injury, etc. They can reduce inflammation in the body and help provide more lubrication for the joints. A popular formula recommended by vets is Dasuquin Advanced.

Fiber: Your vet may recommend adding fiber to your dog's diet in some cases. This may be to bulk up the stool and prevent anal gland issues. It may also be (recommended) to help with constipation or other GI issues.

Gandalf is also a Save ALL rescue who is now around 12 years old. He walks slower. than other dogs because of his age. He is given the same vitamins as Cloud.

Cloud, a rescued dog of Save Animals of Love, and Light (Save ALL Inc.), is now 13 years old. His supplements include CoQ10 (30 mg) for the heart, vitamin b complex, a multivitamin, and coco nectar.

Probiotics: These are nutritional supplements designed to restore healthy bacteria in the GI system.

Many vets recommend probiotics for dogs with chronic GI issues or to combat the side effects of antibiotics. Effective pet brands include Proviable and FortiFlora.”

A complete and balanced diet is till the key to keeping your dog healthy.

“There are many vitamins, minerals, and nutritional supplements out there. Some can be very useful for certain dogs. Some are harmless but a waste of money. Others can cause harm. Just remember that healthy pets eating a complete and balanced diet do not need supplements. Don't let yourself be convinced otherwise by clever advertising. If your pet truly needs supplements, be sure to take your vet's recommendations and choose the right ones,” Stregowski said. DC