Manila Standard - 2021 October 3 - Sunday

Vol. 35

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No. 230

2 SECTIONS

OCTOBER 3, 2021 8 PAGES

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IN MET R MANILAO

Davao City Mayor Sara DuterteCarpio fills up documents for her reelection bid as local chief executive in next year’s polls at the regional office of the Commission on Elections.

Facebook page of Sara Duterte-Carpio

Sara files COC for mayor of Davao City DAVAO City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio on Saturday filed her certificate of candidacy for a third and final term as local chief executive in the 2022 polls.

“I have been honored with the gift of trust and respect of many of our fellow Filipinos. Thank you to everyone who have expressed their support.

Many of you do not know me and yet you carry me over your shoulders,” she said in a Facebook post after filing her COC at the local Commission on Elections office.

“Like the other millions of Filipinos, I share with CONTINUED ON 2A

Substitution still possible until Nov. 15 Substitution due to withdrawal will only be allowed until November 15 and only for aspirants belonging to the same political party, Commission on Elections spokesman James Jimenez said.

“If one of the candidates did file their certificate of candidacy (COC), and they are your partymate, then you could substitute for them even if you yourself didn’t file a certificate of candidacy. It doesn’t matter if you are a candidate or not.

The point is as long as you are a partymate of the person who withdrew voluntarily, then you could substitute them,” Jimenez said.

President Rodrigo Duterte raises the hand of Senator Christopher Go, who yesterday filed his certificate of candidacy for vice president in the 2022 elections. Go was originally nominated as standard bearer of the Cusi-led faction of the PDP-Laban, with Duterte as his running mate. Robert Alfiler

TRILOGY OF POLL SURPRISES

Rody gives up politics, bows to people’s will

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RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte said Saturday he will not run for vice president in 2022 and will retire from politics.

Duterte, who polls show remains almost as popular as when he was swept to victory in 2016 on a promise to rid the country of drugs, is constitutionally barred from seeking a second term as leader.

“The overwhelming sentiment of the Filipinos is that I am not qualified and it would be a violation of the constitution to circumvent the law, the spirit of the constitution” to run for the vice presidency, Duterte, 76, said.

“And so, in obedience to the will of the people, who after all placed me in the pres-

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idency many years ago, I now say, my countrymen, I will heed your advice. And today, I announce my retirement from politics,” the President added.

Duterte declared in August he would contest the country’s second-highest office in the May elections.

But a recent poll by Pulse Asia Research showed Duterte well back in second place among the preferred vice presidential candidates.

A separate survey by Social Weather Stations showed 60 percent of Filipinos did not think Duterte’s run for the vice presidency was in the spirit of the constitution.

Duterte made the surprise announcement at the Harbor Garden Tent in Pasay City where he accompanied his close aide, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, register for the vice presidency instead.

He has not yet announced his preferred successor, but many expect it will be his daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Caprio, who has been the frontrunner in recent polls.

Duterte-Carpio, however, registered to run for her third term as mayor yesterday.

But Franco said she has until November 15 to make a late entry into the presidential race – as her father did in 2015.

“He [President Duterte] must have realized that if both Dutertes are talked about as running in 2022 then they might stand to lose, given the last survey results,” University of the Philippines political science professor Jean Franco told AFP. The election season kicked off Friday with candidates vying for thousands of posts from president to town councillor.

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Bong Go fills void, steps in as VP bet of Cusi-led bloc Senator Christopher Go on Saturday filed his certificate of candidacy for vice presipresident under the Duterte-led faction of the PDP-Laban.

The move surprised everyone as Go

earlier rejected his nomination as standard bearer of PDP for the 2022 elections.

“I have decided to run as vice president in the coming election to continue the good CONTINUED ON 2A

US sending 5.57m Pfizer doses to PH n By JOEL ZURBANO

The Quezon City Parks Development and Administration Department paints an artwork depicting the Filipino spirit of ‘bayanihan’ at the Welcome Rotonda to mark the start of the La Naval festival celebration.

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Customs on high alert vs smuggled meat, vegetables NEWS | 2A

THE United States said it is sending more than eight million COVID-19 vaccine doses to Bangladesh and the Philippines in the latest wave of aid to a world still struggling to tame the pandemic.

Five shipments totalling 5,575,050 doses will go to the Philippines by next week, a White House official said.

Another 2,508,480 doses will arrive early next week in Bangladesh.

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DOH: 93 areas nationwide under Alert Level 4

NEWS | 2A

COVID-19 PH AT

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GLANCE

2,580,173 14,786

144,061

38,656

164

2,397,456

894

New

Death

Recoveries

Active

New New

(As of 4 PM, OCTOBER 2)

Taiwan rebukes China over record fighter jet incursion

WORLD | 3A

COVID ROUNDUP

DOH: 93 areas remain under Alert Level 4

OCTOBER 3, 2021

Customs on heightened alert vs. agri smuggling

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n By JOEL E. ZURBANO

HE Bureau of Customs went on heightened alert against imported agricultural products following the seizure of smuggled vegetables worth P4.7 million during a raid at two warehouses in Manila.

“This is still in line with our mandate to protect the country’s borders against the illegal importation of goods. We’re making good our promise of strengthening border control and we’re intensifying efforts to assure the safety of these products,” said Deputy Commissioner for Intelligence Group Raniel Ramiro.

The bureau said unsafe, smuggled vegetables and meat and other products intended for the holiday season are expected to arrive during the “Ber months.”

On Wednesday, Customs Intelligence and

Investigation Service assigned in North Harbor raided two warehouses on Carmen Planas and Bilbao Streets after confirming that three market stalls got their imported vegetables from those establishments.

They found imported red onions, carrots, ginger, garlic, broccoli, red and yellow onions at the warehouses.

Lawmakers from the House of Representatives and the Senate earlier sought a congressional inquiry into smuggled vegetables flooding local markets which some said could

expose consumers and farmers to unchecked plant diseases.

In House Resolution 2263, the Makabayan Bloc in the lower chamber urged the House committee on agriculture and food to look into the matter, citing reports on the presence of small warehouses near Divisoria where imported vegetables were supposedly stored and are released in the markets when Benguet vegetable prices increase.

“Vegetable disposers at the La Trinidad Trading Post in Benguet said that orders have drastically dropped due to the proliferation of smuggled carrots in Metro Manila, Cebu, and Cagayan de Oro, among other cities,” the resolution stated.

“From the previous 100 sacks of carrots a day, vegetable disposers said they are only able to dispose of at least 30 sacks of carrots a day,” it added.

Solon to DOH: Address health workers’ exodus

FromtheFRONTPAGE RODY...

The week-long registration process launches a typically noisy and deadly seven months of campaigning for more than 18,000 positions – but the raging pandemic and economic misery caused by COVID lockdowns could dampen the party atmosphere. With AFP

SUBSTITUTION...“If you are going to make a substitution, you need to submit the name of the substitute by Nov. 15. After that, only involuntary substitution will be allowed,” he added.

Under existing Comelec resolutions, an aspirant who dies or is disqualified by final judgment may be replaced by a substitute candidate until midday of election day on May 9, 2022, provided that the original and substitute candidates have the same surname.

On the other hand, no substitute shall be allowed for independent candidates.

SARA...you the same goal of living a peaceful and prosperous life in our country, today and in the many years to come. I call on everyone to work together for

READY TO HELP. Senator Lito Lapid, himself a senior citizen, pays a visit to elderly residents of Brgy. Poblacion in Porac, Pampanga. Earlier, Lapid filed a bill that would grant 28 days of paid leaves for public and private workers who would have to undergo quarantine due to COVID-19.

DFA to open more passport appointment slots THE Department of Foreign Affairs is set to open up more appointment slots in the next few days, Undersecretary Brigido Dulay said Saturday.

“We just opened slots for October 2021. We will continue to open more slots in the next few days,” he said in a tweet.

“Slots in our consular offices and TOPS (temporary offsite passport services) are very limited due to IATF rules on physical distancing and venue capacity in our offices. We hope for an honest, orderly, and credible election in May 2022,” she added.

Her youngest brother, Sebastian Duterte, would run for vice mayor.

Duterte-Carpio continues to lead the latest Pulse Asia Survey for the preferred presidential candidates for the May 2022 national elections despite her earlier pronouncement that she will not seek a national position if her father runs for vice president.

President Rodrigo Duterte, however, announced hours before his daughter's COC filing that he is already retiring from politics.

In Duterte's stead, Senator Bong Go filed his COC as vice presidential bet of PDP-Laban.

University of the Philippines political science professor Jean Franco said Duterte-Carpio's pronouncement that she will not seek a national post was probably a tactic to generate publicity because Filipinos "love a reluctant candidate."

The latest Pulse Asia survey, conducted among 1,200 respondents from Sept. 6 to 11, showed 20 percent of them prefer Duterte-Carpio as their first choice for presidential candidate, followed by former Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. with 15 percent, Manila Mayor Francisco Domagoso with 13 percent and Senator Emmanuel Pacquiao with 12 percent.

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Tocilizumab steady supply still a‘challenge’ ENSURING a steady supply of the drug tocilizumab, which is used to treat COVID-19 patients, from other countries remains a “challenge,” Vergeire said.

“It is really a challenge for us to source tocilizumab because there is a local shortage and we don’t have supply,” she said.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III earlier said the government expecting 10,000 vials of tocilizumab by the end of September but there is still no word whether these have arrived.

Tocilizumab has been recommended for COVID-19 treatment by the World Health Organization, which said it reduces the need for ventilators and medical oxygen.

It belongs to the class of drugs called monoclonal antibodies that are used in the treatment of various diseases, including cancers.

n By MARICEL V. CRUZ A LAWMAKER on Saturday urged the Department of Health and other relevant government agencies to take immediate steps to address the alarming number of nurses and health care workers leaving the country in the middle of a pandemic.

In filing House Resolution 2241, Quezon City Rep. Alfred Vargas expressed concern over reports of health care workers leaving for other countries “due to the supposedly challenging working conditions” in the Philippines.

“Health care workers have been at the vanguard of protecting the health and welfare of the general public, as they risk their lives to serve and provide care especially for COVID-19 infected patients,” Vargas said in his resolution.

But despite orders from President Rodrigo Duterte to release the long-delayed allowances and congressional allocations for hazard pay and other benefits, Vargas said his resolution that health workers continue to face difficulties “accessing benefits duly provided by the government to recognize their heroism and dedication.”

“It is the duty of the government to ensure that the heroism and dedication of our health care workers are duly recognized and justly compensated amidst the ongoing pandemic, and that the proper implementation of such programs are transparent and accountable to the Filipino people,” the resolution added.

The Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines (PHAP) earlier warned of a shortage in the number of nurses in the coming months.

THE Department of Health on Saturday advised the public to remain vigilant and to strictly follow the health protocols despite the decrease in new COVID-19 cases, noting that 93 areas nationwide remain under Alert Level 4, meaning their hospital utilization rate is at 70 percent or higher.

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said in Metro Manila alone, hospitals are still full, with an average intensive care unit utilization rate of 76 percent.

“We are reminding everyone that we cannot be complacent at this point. We must continue what we are doing now to decongest the hospitals,” she said.

The country on Saturday logged 14,786 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the total to 2,580,173.

The DOH also reported 164 new fatalities and 894 new recoveries.

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your patience & understanding,” he added.

As of yesterday, all slots from October 5 to 9 in DFA’s seven TOPS hubs have been taken.

The DFA is loading the dates in a staggered manner to ensure that no “professional appointment setters” will take advantage of the additional slots.

Meanwhile, the agency asked for understanding from applicants who are also having issues with the release

of their passports.

The DFA said the temporary releasing site at DoubleDragon Plaza is for applicants who had incomplete or undeliverable addresses or are affected by the change of courier service.

“The clients were subsequently notified through email to come to DoubleDragon. All clients are asked to check their passport status on the DFA online tracker prior to coming to or contacting the DFA,” it said in a statement.

Others included in the survey were Sen. Grace Poe and Vice President Leni Robredo who came in 5th and 6th.

Lacson, who has declared he is running for president, occupied the 7th spot. With AFP

BONG...programs and real changes started by President Rodrigo Duterte and we will try to increase them even more,” the senator said.

Go, who was accompanied by Duterte when he filed his COC at the Sofitel Harbor Garden Tent in Pasay City, also vowed not to be a “spare tire” if he wins as vice president.

“Our economy was running well under the Duterte administration had it not been hit by the crisis,” he said.

We will try to give back our countrymen their normal lives and get people out of poverty because more have lost their jobs and are starving,” he said.

“I will not be a spare tire or a reserve. Expect that I will really work not only in words but also in deed). I don’t want to be remembered as just another senator or vice president. I want to be remembered as a public servant who can be approached by any ordinary citizen and who wholeheartedly serves for the good of our country,” Go added.

There is no word yet from PDP-Laban faction led by Duterte if it will field a presidential candidate in tandem with Go.

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

It, however, ruled out the possibility that it will support the presidential bid of Sen. Manny Pacquiao who is leading the other PDP wing but filed his certificate of candidacy under the Promdi party on Friday.

“Senator Pacquiao claims that he is the legitimate President of PDP Laban and even called his own national assembly where he accepted their nomination as presidential standard bearer and yet he is running for president under Promdi.

Let’s call a spade a spade. If that is not abandonment of PDP-Laban, I don’t know what is,” PDP-Laban secretary-general Melvin Matibag said.

“The party was only a vehicle for his presidential ambition. When it was no longer useful to him, he left us,” he added.

US...

The vaccines – all Pfizer-BioNTech – are being donated through the World Health Organization's Covax program.

The "administration understands that putting an end to this pandemic requires eliminating it around the world," the official said, noting that US donations represent "the largest-ever purchase and donation of vaccines by a single country."

The Philippines has recorded more than 2.5 million infections,

PH monitoring molnupiravir clinical trial

THE government is closely monitoring the clinical trial of molnupiravir, an investigational drug that is slated to be the first oral antiviral medication for COVID-19.

“That would be a big help once findings show that it is effective for the patients,” Vergeire said.

Molnupiravir, an oral pill developed by Merck and Ridgeback Biotherapeutics, is designed to prevent the replication of several RNA viruses, including the SARSCoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19.

Merck said the drug had significantly reduced by about 50 percent the risk of hospitalization or death among COVID-19-positive individuals who joined its late-stage trial. including over 38,000 deaths.

Just over a quarter of the adult population has been fully vaccinated amid a delayed and slow vaccination rollout.

Officials warn the economy could take more than a decade to recover from the pandemic impact, which has thrown millions out of work.

Nearly 70 percent of the economy, including 23.3 million workers, remained under "heightened quarantine" restrictions, Economic Planning Secretary Karl Kendrick Chua said.

The Philippines is expecting 100 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines this month, according to vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. Galvez urged local government units to scale up their vaccination rates, as well have ultra cold storage facilities where temperature-sensitive vaccines can be stored safely.

To date, more than 45 million vaccine doses have been administered nationwide, of which, 24 million doses were given as first dose.

The country now has more than 21 million fully vaccinated individuals or 27.36 percent of the country’s eligible population. With AFP

Rolando G. Estabillo Ramonchito L. Tomeldan Managing Editor Chin Wong/Ray S. Eñano Associate Editors Joyce Pangco Pañares News Editor Emil P. Jurado

Publisher Jimbo Owen Gulle City Editor Honor Blanco Cabie Night Editor Lino M. Santos Chief Photographer

Chairman Emeritus, Editorial Board

WORLD

INBRIEFS OCTOBER 3, 2021

Taiwan rebukes China over record fighter jet incursion

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AIWAN accused Beijing of bullying and damaging regional peace Saturday after Chinese fighter jets and bombers made their largest ever incursion into the island’s air defense zone.

Beijing marked its National Day on Friday with its biggest aerial show of force against Taiwan to date, buzzing the self-ruled democratic island with 38 warplanes, including nuclear-capable H-6 bombers.

Democratic Taiwan’s 23 million people live under the constant threat of invasion by China which views the island as its territory and has vowed to one day seize it, by force if necessary.

Under President Xi Jinping, Chinese warplanes are crossing into Taiwan’s air defense identification zone (ADIZ) on a near daily basis.

But Friday’s incursion sparked a particularly sharp rebuke from Taipei.

“China has been bellicose and damaging regional peace while engaging in many bullying acts,” Premier Su Tseng-chang told reporters Saturday.

“It’s evident that the world, the international community, rejects such behaviours by China more and more.”

Taiwan’s defense ministry said it scrambled its aircraft to broadcast warnings after 22 fighters, two bombers and one anti-submarine aircraft entered the island’s southwest ADIZ on Friday.

A second batch of 13 jets then crossed into Taiwan’s ADIZ later on Friday, in a rare night incursion, bringing the total to a record 38, according to the ministry.

The ADIZ is not the same as Taiwan’s territorial airspace but includes a far greater area that overlaps with part of China’s own air defense identification zone and even includes some of mainland China.

Mass incursions used to be rare.

But in the last two years Beijing has begun sending large sorties into Taiwan’s ADIZ to signal dissatisfaction at key moments – and to keep Taipei’s ageing fighter fleet regularly stressed.

Last week 24 Chinese warplanes flew into the area after Taiwan applied to join a major trans-Pacific trade pact.

Friday’s show of force came the same week Beijing accused Britain of “evil attentions” after it sent a frigate to sail through the Taiwan Strait.

China claims the strait as its own waterway, along with most of the disputed South China Sea. Most other nations view them as international waters open to all.

Beijing has ramped up pressure on Taipei since the 2016 election of President Tsai Ing-wen, who views the island as “already independent” and not part of a “one China.”

Last year, Chinese military jets made a record 380 incursions into Taiwan’s defense zone, and the number of breaches for the first nine months of this year has already exceeded 500.

The previous single-day record was on June 15 when 28 jets breached Taiwan’s ADIZ. Xi has described Taiwan becoming part of the mainland as “inevitable.”

US military officials have begun to talk openly about fears that China could consider the previously unthinkable and invade. AFP

Qataris begin first legislative polls QATARIS began voting in their country’s first ever legislative polls Saturday, AFP correspondents saw, with 30 of 45 seats in a previously appointed, largely advisory council up for election.

Analysts say the polls, open from 0500 GMT until 1500 GMT with results expected the same day, will not lead to power shifting from the ruling family and are a largely symbolic nod to democracy.

At a polling station in the Jawaan bin Jassim school in the district of Onaiza in Doha, Qatari citizens wearing white thobes signed in to vote at a registration desk.

They cast their ballots into a semi-transparent plastic box emblazoned with the dhow boat, crossed swords and palm tree emblem of Qatar.

The candidates are mostly men, with just 28 women among the 284 hopefuls running for the 30 available council seats. The remaining 15 seats will be appointed by the all-powerful Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani.

Qataris number about 333,000, but only descendants of those who were citizens in 1930 are eligible to vote and stand, disqualifying members of families naturalised since then. AFP

Khashoggi widow urges US to hold Saudis accountable

LARGEST EVENT. This picture shows the German pavilion at the Expo 2020, in the Gulf Emirate of Dubai, on October 2, 2021. Dubai opened its extravagant Expo 2020 Friday, with a flashy ceremony boasting fireworks and lights displays as it attempts to woo the world despite the pandemic. AFP

US surpasses 700,000 COVID deaths—report US FATALITIES from COVID-19 surpassed 700,000 on Friday, according to figures from Johns Hopkins University, a toll roughly equivalent to the population of the nation’s capital Washington.

The grim threshold comes with an average of well over 1,000 dying each day, in a country where 55.7 percent of the population is now fully vaccinated, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

After a heavily criticized early response to the pandemic, the United States organized an effective vaccine roll-out – only to see a significant portion of Americans still refusing to get the shots.

The United States finds itself having notched the most fatalities in the world, far exceeding other frontrunners such as Brazil and India, and facing a resurgence in cases due to the prominence of the highly contagious Delta variant.

While the latest global coronavirus wave peaked in late August, the virus continues to spread rapidly, particularly in the United States.

The vaccination campaign launched by US authorities in December – which had reached a peak in April, with sometimes more than four million injections per day – has meanwhile slowed considerably.

Coronavirus misinformation has been rampant in the country, and masking remains a political issue, dividing many Americans.

Some Republican governors, such as those in Texas and Florida, have sought to ban mandatory masking

in their states, citing individual freedoms.

The Democratic state of California on the other hand announced on Friday that COVID vaccinations will be compulsory for all students.

In Washington, hundreds of thousands of white flags fluttered on the grass on the National Mall, not far from the White House, as somber reminders of those who have died of COVID in the United States. AFP

(From left) Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, House Majority Whip Rep. James Clybur and House Majority Leader Rep. Steny Hoyer visit the “In America: Remember” public art installation at the ground of the Washington Monument on October 1, 2021. Lawmakers participated in a moment of silence to remember the now more than 700,000 victims of COVID-19 in the US.

Doctors find kilo of screws, nails in man’s stomach

UK’s top ballet stars leap back into spotlight Royal Ballet dancers Fumi Kaneko and William Bracewell rehearse a scene from Kenneth MacMillan’s adaptation of Romeo and Juliet. AFP

SAUDI dissident Jamal Khashoggi’s widow on Friday questioned US President Joe Biden’s commitment to hold the kingdom accountable three years after the writer’s brutal murder.

Marking the anniversary, Hatice Cengiz traveled to Washington for a demonstration outside the Saudi embassy and an evening vigil near the US Capitol where she unveiled a portrait of Khashoggi made out of newspaper columns.

She voiced dismay that days ahead of the anniversary, Biden’s national security advisor, Jake Sullivan, met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman who US intelligence says ordered the killing.

“Is this what the accountability that Biden promised looks like?” she asked at the candlelight vigil organized by rights groups.

“MBS took Jamal from me and the entire world. Will you hold him accountable or will you reward these murderers?” she said, referring to the 36-year-old heir apparent by his initials.

Khashoggi, a prominent Saudi who lived in self-exile in the United States, wrote critically about MBS in columns in The Washington Post.

On October 2, 2018, he entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul to file paperwork to marry Cengiz, who is Turkish. According to US and Turkish officials, a waiting Saudi hit squad strangled him and dismembered his body, which has never been retrieved.

US president at the time Donald Trump played down the episode, saying it was more important that Saudi Arabia buys US weapons and shares hostility toward Iran.

Biden vowed a tougher approach, declassifying intelligence and imposing sanctions on Saudis although not on the crown prince himself.

US officials said Sullivan traveled to Saudi Arabia, where MBS is also defense minister, largely to discuss the crisis in Yemen where the kingdom has led a devastating air campaign aimed at defeating Iranian-backed Huthi rebels.

Also addressing the evening vigil was the sister of Abdulrahman al-Sadhan, a Red Crescent aid worker who was arrested in 2018 and earlier this year was handed a 20-year sentence after criticizing the Saudi leadership through an anonymous Twitter account.

“They tortured him so badly, they almost killed him. They broke his hand and smashed his fingers until they were disfigured, saying, ‘Is this the hand you tweet with?’” said his sister Areej al-Sadhan, who lives in California.

She said she was hopeful the new US administration’s pressure would win her brother’s release but that changed after Biden let MBS “off the hook.”

“That’s how Saudi officials repaid President Biden’s generosity, by committing more human rights abuses,” she said. AFP

AFTER a year of playing to empty houses, Britain’s Royal Ballet dancers William Bracewell and Fumi Kaneko are eager to “celebrate what we do best” when they return to the public stage as Romeo and Juliet.

“I haven’t done this, a three-act ballet for ages,” Japanese prima ballerina Kaneko told AFP after a rehearsal of the famous balcony scene.

“To be able to dance with a whole company of ballet dancers is so special. Romeo and Juliet is my dream role, I’m enjoying every minute of the rehearsal right now,” she said of the Kenneth McMillan choreographed work, ahead of World Ballet Day on October 19.

In one aerial scene, Kaneko is

entranced by her Romeo, Bracewell, who twirls her around and draws her closer into an embrace, crowned by a kiss.

Bracewell said the return of in-person audiences after more than a year of rolling lockdowns was “what we needed to do, to come back together and celebrate what we do best, which is to tell those amazing stories.”

Kaneko revealed other problems thrown up by the pandemic, saying “even when we came back to the studio we had to wear masks.”

“I think we did struggle a lot, this breathing with a mask,” even if it meant they “could do what we wanted to do.” AFP

DOCTORS in Lithuania said they had removed over a kilogram of nails and screws from the stomach of a man who started swallowing metallic objects after quitting alcohol.

The man, who was not identified for reasons of patient confidentiality, was admitted to hospital in the Baltic port city of Klaipeda with severe abdominal pain.

An X-ray of his stomach showed pieces of metal – some measuring up to 10 centimeters (four inches).

“During the three-hour operation with X-ray control, all foreign bodies, even the smallest ones, in the patient’s stomach were removed,” said surgeon Sarunas Dailidenas.

The hospital provided local media with a photograph of a surgical tray heaped with nails and screws.

“We’ve never seen anything like it,” Algirdas Slepavicius, head surgeon at Klaipeda Hospital told local media.

The doctor said that the man had begun swallowing the metal objects over the last month after he had stopped drinking.

The patient was in a stable condition following the operation, he added. AFP

O C TO B E R 3, 2021

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YETTE Santiago is a serial entrepreneur behind innovative food outlets that have dominated shopping malls over the past decade.

Mom’s Ube Champorado owners Oyette Santiago, Dean Santiago and Giann Santiago

Food entrepreneur reinvents ‘champorado’ to revive business She used to work as an executive assistant at the Imarflex Group of Companies, but decided to venture into food business in 2010, with the first stall of Supreme Hotdogs.

Encouraged by the success of the venture, she also opened outlets of Panthree Chicken Bite and Tempura King.

Santiago established SmartBuy Marketing Corp. and hired dozens of employees to manage the expansion of her food brands with the help of franchising. The business was thriving until the COVID-19 pandemic derailed the economy and forced the government to close down most stores inside shopping malls.

“In March 2020 when the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 as a pandemic, the world

suddenly stopped. Several of our outlets and franchisees necessitated us to close our doors and we took shelter indoors,” says Santiago.

“Our office is located in Ortigas Center, Pasig City. Our employees were reduced to eight as of this writing, as a result of the pandemic,” she says.

Santiago is not someone who gives up easily. “While waiting for the world to heal, our small team and friends came together to reinvent ideas and things—hence the birth of Mom’s Ube & Triple Chocolate Champorado and Sushi Bake Kitchen,” she says.

The reinvented champorado quickly caught the fancy of customers. “When we launched our product at SM Megamall, we were so shocked and overwhelmed by

Alibaba helps PH firms thrive in the new normal ALIBABA Cloud, the digital technology and intelligence backbone of Alibaba Group, entered the Philippine market in 2019. As the world’s third leading and Asia Pacific’s leading infrastructure-as-a-service provider with multi-industry experience, it committed to help the digitalization of Filipino enterprises from various industries with Alibaba Cloud’s services and technologies.

Alibaba Cloud Intelligence Philippines country manager Allen Guo is particularly optimistic about the Philippine digital economy. “I like this country for its mixed culture and innovative spirits. Many local young people started their own online businesses with innovative ideas, leveraging advanced technologies like live streaming, supply chain, block chain and omni-channel,” he says in an e-mail interview.

“I saw lots of local talents return to their hometown to explore new digital business opportunities, thanks to the booming demand of digitalization in the Philippines. Here, I have lots of opportunities to talk with these young people and business owners, from which I learned a lot on how to embrace and be ready for the digitalization wave in the Philippines,” says Guo. “We are committed to empowering Philippines enterprises and SMEs to thrive through cloud and digital intelligence technologies,” he says.

Alibaba Cloud aims to be a trusted cloud service provider and partner in the Philippines, enabling local enterprises to adapt and thrive in the new normal by helping them to capture and capitalize on growth opportunities presented by digital transformation.

“To support the enterprises’ digitalization in the Philippines, Alibaba cloud has formed partnerships with more than 20 Philippine organizations across the retail, healthcare, fintech, Information and communications technology, business process outsourcing, media and education sectors.

Our business goal is to support about 5,000 Philippine enterprises on their digital transformation journey by end of 2023,” Guo says.

Among its Philippine customers are mobile wallet GCash and livestreaming platform Kumu.

Data center Alibaba Cloud is also about to launch a data center in the Philippines. Guo says this will allow MSMEs to have better access to reliable cl cloud infrastructure to efficiently meet their evolving needs and strengthen disaster recovery capabilities.

He says this will enable customers in the Philippines and Southeast Asia to deploy mission-critical workloads, enjoy more reliable cloud services and allow end-users to have lower latency. The data center will also offer a comprehensive suite of cloud products and services, ranging from elastic computing, Alibaba Cloud database service, networking, storage, Intelligence security, and middleware, to solutions that Philippines country address vertical industry challenges, he says. manager “As the only global cloud service provider with a Allen Guo data center on the ground, we believe we are well equipped to serve the strong customer demands on digital transformation in the Philippines,” he says.

Hybrid cloud Guo says more businesses are adopting a hybrid cloud approach to enjoy the benefits of both public and private cloud.

“Hybrid cloud deployments benefit from public cloud’s agility, elasticity and costeffectiveness without compromising on the robust data security provided by the private cloud,” he says.

Roderick T. dela Cruz

the numerous orders and repeat orders we have been receiving,” she says.

Mom’s Ube & Triple Chocolate Champorado took the favorite merienda a notch higher, with its different take on ‘cheesy ube’ and ‘triple chocolate’ flavors.

“It took us a while to introduce online orders in social media for fear that we might not be able to effectively attend to the influx of orders. We didn’t expect this turnout amid this pandemic,” says Santiago.

Following the repeated closures of shopping malls under the enhanced community quarantine, they decided to finally promote the product on social media.

“We welcome this upcoming part of our journey with open

arms in order to bring even bigger and better experiences to all,” says Santiago.

“To cope with the pandemic, we need to resort to retaining only few of our outlets for the time being, to sustain our existence and to utilize social media platforms to generate sales and product awareness,” she says, “For 2020 and beyond, we need to make a complete shift from the traditional selling to e-selling method. We also need to keep creating new contemporary food concepts that go well while living in this pandemic,” says Santiago.

She says her company differs from other establishments, “because our small team puts so much love, energy and sacrifice especially during these trying times

to come up with exciting food concepts that magically transform ordinary to extraordinary.”

Santiago says the key is to “put in quality ingredients with a very minimal mark-up that makes our product affordable to everyone”.

Santiago says the health crisis gave her time to reflect on her faith in God and discover her passion for product photography.

“Most importantly, this pandemic has afforded me to know our Creator deeper by intensely studying his word religiously,” she says.

“During this challenging period, it is a must that we foster strong internal motivation. Employing positive outlook can lead us to re-create, re-invent and re-imagine everything productively,” she says. Roderick T. dela Cruz

Amaia Steps Pasig offers right-sized living spaces for the needs, budget and preferences of starting families and career-driven millennials.

Developer to launch fourth mid-rise building in Pasig KNOWN primarily as an industrial town before the ’70s, Pasig is now a flourishing cosmopolitan city that is home to huge shopping malls, world-class hotels and restaurants, prominent schools and the bustling business district of Ortigas Center.

It is no surprise, then, that Pasig, which was tagged as one of the most livable cities in the world in 2013, sees a continuous influx of corporate denizens and entrepreneurs looking to settle down near their work or business places.

One residential project that has readily stepped up to the plate is Amaia Steps Pasig, a 4.5-hectare development of mid-rise condominiums on Eusebio Barangay San Miguel, Street, Ba Pasig City. Amaia Steps which has three Pasig, nine-story buildbuild Aria, Blanca, ings— Esperanza—is a n d

set to launch its fourth mid-rise building, Clara, to accommodate more potential homebuyers, mostly young professionals and growing families.

Amaia Steps Pasig offers right-sized living spaces perfect for the needs, budget, and preferences of starting families and career-driven millennials. It features studio units, which range in size from 23.70 to 26.95 square meters; deluxe, from 29.62 to 34.06 sq. m.; and premier, which offers a more expansive 40.56 to 45.47 sq. m.

Amaia Steps Pasig offers a variety of well-appointed amenities that promote a healthy and holistic lifestyle for residents.

These include a multi-purpose hall, swimming pool, basketball court and children’s playground. On the ground level will be a retail arcade for homeowners’ easy access to daily essentials.

While the Ortigas CBD—and the life-

style hubs in and around the area—are just a few minutes’ drive away, Amaia Steps Pasig is also close to retail centers such as Tiendesitas and SM Supercenter Pasig. Nearby, too, are the popular foodies’ destinations in the Kapitolyo Village, and further down Shaw Blvd. is the Greenfield District that is host to hip weekend markets.

Car-driving residents will appreciate Amaia Steps Pasig’s proximity to major thoroughfares such as C5 via C. Raymundo Ave. and Mercedes Ave., while commuters will have access to transport stations for jeepneys, shuttle services and ferries.

Amaia Steps Pasig’s soon-to-rise Clara building attests to the vibrant growth of the Amaia brand, which continues to provide cozy, modern homes to Filipinos and expand towards bigger and better opportunities for all.

Industry leaders at the DNA of GrowSari

GrowSari chief growth and marketing officer Maimai Madrid-Punzalan

THE ongoing pandemic has made e-commerce popular in the Philippines and it looks like it’s going to play a more permanent role in the future.

Estimates report that the country’s e-commerce market will reach $12 billion by 2025, a vast increase from $3 billion in 2019.

This positive outlook for e-commerce has encouraged traditional marketers and executives to join this booming industry. GrowSari, a techenabled B2B platform that helps the Philippines’ over one million sari-sari stores, has proven to be a hub for global talent.

GrowSari is a tech-enabled B2B platform that helps the Philippines’ over 1 million sarisari 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.

GrowSAri’s three new executives come from

some of the world’s biggest companies, and are excited to empower and elevate the sari-sari store ecosystem.

Building the brand Maimai Madrid-Punzalan is the chief growth and marketing officer of GrowSari. Prior to joining the platform, she served as the head of marketing for J&J Philippines and regional director for Baby Care in Southeast Asia for Johnson & Johnson.

Her longest role was at Procter & Gamble, where she was the senior regional director for feminine care Asia. Madrid-Punzalan also delivered unprecedented growth as Philippines commercial head for its beauty, personal and home care categories.

At GrowSari, the marketing veteran, backed by 18 years of experience, leads a team handling demand generation and growth and brand marketing for FMCG and e-Services. In her role, she hopes to nurture customer growth so sarisari store owners can reap bigger rewards.

OCTOBER 3, 2021

Protein-rich snacks are very important for participants in the bubbletype training of aspirants for the national kickboxing team.

What to EAT before and after WORKOUT?

H

3. Fuel Your Exercise with Pre-Workout Snacks.

Carbohydrates are the preferred source of fuel for exercising muscles. Timing is important: prioritize easy-to-digest carbs in your pre-workout snack.

A small amount of lean protein is okay, but limit or avoid fats, as they may cause digestive issues if eaten too close to the time of your workout. Timing will vary, but eating your snack one-hour

n By DANA RYAN

EALTHY snacking is an important part of anyone’s diet. But for athletes and active individuals, snacking ensures adequate fuel for exercise, improves muscle recovery, boosts mental performance, and helps maintain healthy body composition.

the fuel that was burned, restore fluids lost through sweat, and provide protein to promote muscle repair.

Aim for at least 20 grams of protein in your snack to prevent muscle breakdown and to promote muscle building. Eating your snack within the first hour after exercise is ideal for replenishment and rebuilding.

Examples of good recovery snacks include low-fat chocolate milk, a protein shake, a fruit and

Athletes often ask: What should I eat before and after a workout? What’s a good sports snack?

Healthy Snack Snacks are “mini-meals” between our main meals and are necessary to get the calories and nutrients our bodies need. The number and type of snacks should be determined by your hunger signals, as well as your work, academic, athletic, or sleep schedules.

The key is to make smart snack choices to keep you on track with your nutrition and performance goals. Here are my top tips on healthy snacking:

1. Combine Lean Protein with a Carbohydrate and/or Healthy Fat. In general, think of balance when looking for snacks to curb hunger.

Pair protein-rich foods with a carbohydrate or healthy fat for a balanced snack. It is crucial to have lean protein at every meal and snack to support muscle growth and repair. Protein also promotes fullness, helping ward off hunger until your next meal.

Carbohydrates provide both your body and your brain with energy.

Choose whole grains, like whole-wheat bread or crackers or a high-fiber cereal, for long-lasting energy. Healthy fats, like nut butter or avocados, also provide energy with staying power.

Examples of balanced snacks include Greek yogurt with granola, half a turkey sandwich, a fruit smoothie made with Greek yogurt, a banana with peanut butter, string cheese and fruit, and trail mix.

2. Don’t Ignore Your Hunger Cues.

Listen to your body and pay

The national kickboxing team aspirants doing stretching

attention to your hunger cues.

Common signals include stomach rumbling or growling, fatigue, shakiness or dizziness, and poor concentration.

If you have these symptoms, too many hours have passed without fuel. Being able to recognize these signals is crucial for athletic performance. You’ll need energy to perform your best.

Typically, spacing meals and snacks out every 2-3 hours is adequate timing to avoid hunger pangs and to ensure your body has enough fuel. This amounts to 2-3 snacks in addition to three main meals per day.

pre-workout should allow enough time for digestion.

Examples of pre-workout snacks include a fruit smoothie or applesauce, a handful of dried fruit plus whole-grain cereal, Greek yogurt with berries, a piece of fruit plus a carbohydrate-electrolyte beverage, and a piece of whole-grain toast with jam.

4. Refuel, Repair, and Recover with Post-Workout Snacks.

A good post-workout snack should have three components: protein, carbohydrates, and fluids.

The goal after exercise is to replace

Greek yogurt smoothie, trail mix with dried fruit, whole grain bread with nut butter, and banana plus low-fat milk.

5. Snack Mindfully and Avoid Distractions.

Munching mindlessly is an easy way to end up with your hand at the bottom of an empty bag of chips without knowing how it got there.

First, make sure you chose a healthy snack that aligns with your performance and health goals.

Then, stop what you’re doing for a few minutes – turn off the TV, put down your phone, and close your laptop – and eat your snack.

Eating without distractions will help you feel more satisfied and you’ll be less likely to overeat.

6. Don’t Get Tricked by Treats.

Distinguish a healthy snack from a treat. Healthy snacks are nutritious and satisfy hunger. Treats, such as sweets, fried foods, and chips lack useful nutrients and provide “empty” calories,” meaning they cannot help your body grow, recover or perform to the best of your ability.

Treats might satisfy a craving, but they rarely satisfy hunger, leaving you to reach for something else soon after. Treats often lead to overeating, which could eventually lead to weight gain. Instead, choose a healthy snack that can satisfy your craving while making you feel full.

7. Choose Healthy, Convenient Snacks to Fill Nutrition Gaps.

Whether you’re fueling for exercise, replenishing energy losses, or building and repairing muscles, your body needs constant nutrition. In my experience, many athletes are consistently hungry and can’t seem to get enough calories throughout the day.

When you’re on-the-go, choose a convenient snack such as a protein bar, fruit, or Greek yogurt. Snacking is a great way for active people to get the extra nutrition they need to achieve body composition and performance goals.

8. Plan Ahead.

Prepare healthy snacks at home to take with you to work, school, or training. Skip the vending machine and avoid buying snacks where healthy options are limited.

You’ll not only save money, but you’ll also get a bigger bang for your nutritional buck by preparing healthy snacks ahead of time. Pack portable snacks in your backpack or sports bag.

Planning ahead and knowing your schedule will keep you from missing your healthy snacks.

Taguig Lady Generals back on track

Game Sunday (Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center) 11:15 a.m. – Pacific Water vs. Quezon

Janet Rose Sison attacks the defense of the Quezon SparTan

THE Taguig Lady Generals got back to their winning ways after defeating Stan Quezon Lady SparTAN, 58-50, on Saturday in the Pia Cayetano WNBL Season 2021 at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center in San Fernando, Pampanga.

Janeth Sison lifted the Lady Generals to their second win in three games with 13 points, six rebounds, five assists and five steals, bouncing back from their 58-37 defeat against the Paranaque Lady Aces

last Sunday.

Sison drained back-to-back threes to go into the fourth quarter with a 45-40 lead for the Lady Generals.

Before Sison’s explosion, Taguig started out slow and trailed 10-1 in the game.

Taguig also got contributions from Tin Capilit as she scored 10 points and grabbed four rebounds in the game. Jocy Positos scored eight points, five rebounds and seven assists for Taguig as it solidified its hold of third place in the standings.

Dianne Ventura scored 15 points for the Lady SparTAN but lost their

third straight game. They will look to bounce back on Sunday as Quezon goes up against another winless team Pacific Water (0-3) on Sunday at 11:15 a.m.

Scores: Taguig 58 – Sison 13, Capilit 10, Positos 8, Hortaleza 8, Valenzona 5, Gandalla 4, Gonato 2, Manuel 2, Batnag 2, Bacaro 2, Felisarta 2, Chan 0.

Quezon 50 – Ventura 15, Duran 7, Faraon 6, Araja 5, Nadres 4, Valenzuela 3, Jimenez 3, Tupaz 3, De Austria 2, Razalo 2, Iida 0, Taroja 0.

Quarterscores: 8-16, 27-25, 45-40, 58-50.

OCTOBER 3, 2021

A couple receives a special delivery:

A wedding E

LDRIDGE Policarpio had been meaning to wed his partner of 10 years, Richelle Favor, since 2019. But the pandemic happened.

The situation and ensuing restrictions had forced them to hold off the ceremony.

“Magpapakasal na dapat kami ng partner ko na si Richelle, kaso nga lang hindi natuloy dahil sa pandemic (My partner Richelle and I were supposed to get married, but it didn’t push through because of the pandemic),” related Policarpio.

The couple decided to tie the knot in 2020 in a civil wedding plus a small ceremony for which they saved money.

But when total lockdown was enforced in March, the couple had no choice but to use the budget they allocated for the wedding for their family’s needs.

Even though Eldridge is a frontline worker – a delivery rider – Richelle shared the protocols for her now husband’s operations had not been cleared up in the first two or more weeks of the quarantine, hence, “hindi siya nakakabiyahe noon (he was not to able to go back on

Party favors and food and drinks sponsored by Grab’s partner-merchants.

SEALED WITH A KISS. Eldridge Policarpio and

Richelle Favor on Sept. 26 finally got the wedding they dreamed of and planned for but was postponed because of the pandemic.

the road to work)”.

“Yung naipon namin, naubos, nagastos (We used all the money we saved up),” lamented Richelle.

Over the course of the last two years, the couple kept an eye out for the opportune moment to finally get married, only for it to be consistently pushed back.

When Grab caught wind of the couple’s situation, Eldridge is one of their delivery-partners, through an inquiry posted on their group (about occasions that were postponed because of the pandemic), the delivery platform helped make their dream wedding happen.

On Sept. 26, the couple’s young son and a few of their immediate family members witnessed Eldridge and Richelle tie the knot in a quaint venue filled with flower arrangements and decorations created by Flowers by Ginger.

Food and beverage was taken care of by TGIFridays, Scout’s Honor, and Ram’s House of Wine.

The wedding cake was provided by Celebration Cakes by Mary Grace. Their guests took home special tokens from The Humble Market, Dean &

Cake from Celebration Cakes by Mary Grace

DeLuca, and Wildflour Pantry.

All sponsors are partner merchants of Grab.

Nearly all supplies for the celebration were delivered by GrabFood and GrabMart.

“Kaya rin pala ni Grab ibigay ang mga simpleng pangarap ng isang taong kagaya namin… September 26, Sunday… memorable talaga ito sakin – kasama si Grab. (These simple dreams of people like us are also possible with Grab… September 26, Sunday will be very memorable to me — as a day we celebrated with Grab)” enthused Mrs. Favor-Policarpio, who looked radiant in her princess cut wedding gown.

Prior to the ceremony, the couple had their civil wedding on Sept. 10 in Angono.

A teacher’s guide to fostering students’ mental health

Majority of Filipino millennials and Gen Z use audio to reduce their stress levels, according to a report.

Filipino youth turns to audio to seek comfort, connection

By Steph Llarena MUSIC is many things for different people. It is a source of inspiration, a distraction, a background noise, an outlet for emotions.

Mike Serafino, 28, listens to music and other audio for longer hours now than before. “I have to,” he said, “since I need music to drown the noise to help me concentrate at my work, which I’m now doing at home.”

But aside from blocking out noise that could distract him, audio also serves as a distraction. “Sometimes, I listen to a podcast or play a TV series I already saw just for the audio to help relieve my anxiety or to just feel that I’m not alone – as if I’m surrounded by people I like.”

“It has been this way since the pandemic,” shared Serafino.

Sound has become a form of escape for Filipino millennials like him and his younger Gen Z peers, according to a report by an audio streaming platform.

The Culture Next Report 2021 of Spotify revealed 87 percent of millennials and 85 percent of Gen Zs in the Philippines use audio to reduce their stress levels.

Millennials (aged 25-40) are turning to music from the past. On Spotify, millennials streamed ‘70s love songs 59 percent more in the past year, while ‘80s hits saw a 40-percent stream increase.

Meanwhile, Gen Zs (aged 6-24) are listening to Gen Z playlists like Spotify’s “idk.” to help them feel “more centered and generally happier”.

The audio habits of these generations go beyond music, with podcast consumption in the Philippines doubling over the past year (March 2020 to March 2021), according to the same report.

Filipinos are more open to diverse voices than ever before, with 62 percent of millennials and 58 percent of Gen Zs saying they’ve sought content from more diverse creators and podcasts in the last year.

Streaming platforms at large, including audio, have significantly shaped how these two generations discover and connect with others. Over 70 percent of Pinoy millennials and Gen Zs use music to learn about cultures and experiences that differ from their own.

Majority of them have become part of a global community because of music or podcasts.

THE havoc that the current public health crisis and continuous reliance on online classes wreaked on students and educators’ well-being has highlighted the importance of social and emotional learning or SEL. SEL is a methodology that helps students to better comprehend their emotions and demonstrate empathy for others.

Amy Eva, the associate education director of the Greater Good Science Center, which provides resources for the well-being of educators and their students, understands the importance of mental health for all concerned.

“It is difficult to imagine how we will navigate so many unknowns across this year,” Eva said. “With this lack of control comes the need for flexibility and the opportunity to do school differently than we have before.”

To help educators support their students, the Benilde Well-Being Center in Manila shares the following tips:

Focus on your well-being

Educators are encouraged to share their fears and struggles with their peers to lessen the psychological impact of the pandemic.

Make meaningful connections

Prioritize mental health

Start by supporting each other. Don’t Online learning may aggravate soEstablish clear support systems expect to impact students’ social, emo- among the staff. Share fears and strug- cial vulnerabilities of the students and tional, and mental health if you’re not gles with others to lessen the psycho- their families. There is a significant willing to engage on your own. increase in anxiety, depression, and logical impact of the pandemic. post-traumatic stress disorders amid the pandemic. Pay attention and listen to the grievances of students.

Emphasize SEL

Employ compassion-based practices to manage the stress and anxiety of students. Stay in touch with them.

Identify their needs. Facilitate regular consultations with their families.

Infuse the curriculum with exercises to explore their strengths and sense of purpose.

Cultivate belongingness

A sense of community may lessen stress and lead to greater academic success. Unknowns are always there, but reconnecting makes one feel together with the class and staff in general.

Engage in discussions

Another school year in front of the computer monitor can take a toll on students and teachers’ mental health.

Create check-in circles. Initiate your students to practice a moment of reflection. It is important for everyone in the class to feel seen.

OCTOBER 3, 2021

BGYO paints the world (the universe rather) with ‘Kulay’ FAST-RISING P-Pop group BGYO dropped on Friday (Oct. 1) another single that pays homage to the people who made a change in the lives of the group and its listeners. Entitled “Kulay,” the track is now available on all major streaming sites.

Penned by Kikx Salazar and Nhiko Victor, “Kulay” served as the official song of the Miss Universe Philippines’

national costume competition. It became an instant hit when the music video of the MUP national costume show streamed last Thursday (Sept.23) on Empire Philippines’ YouTube channel.

As of this writing, the video has garnered over almost one million views becoming one of the most-watched content on the channel.

BGYO’s previously released single, “The Baddest,” continues to soar high on streaming platforms. After a month, the song now has more than one million

Rising P-Pop group looking expensive in Louis Vuitton

streams on Spotify.

Apart from the group’s trending hit singles, BGYO’s current partnership with Louis Vuitton has created so much buzz on social media.

Meanwhile, music fans are looking forward to the back-to-back release of BGYO and sibling BINI’s respective albums: BGYO’s The Light drops on Oct. 7 (Thursday), while BINI’s Born To Win comes out on Oct. 14 (Thursday).

“Kulay” is available for streaming on Spotify, Apple Music, and other streaming sites.

Money and life

Reliving Beatrice Gomez’s crowning moment

advice from millennial women on top of their game advice from millennial women on top of their game

T

HE pandemic has made us rethink our priorities, realizing the importance of securing our health, finances, and our future. Due to uncertainties, however, many people may have been forced to put their dreams and goals on hold.

To inspire Filipinos to rise up to these challenges, three of the country’s most admired young female icons, who are also brand ambassadors of Manulife Philippines and Manulife Investment Management, shared their lessons on finding courage and strength to thrive in their personal and professional journeys.

Olympic record-breaker and gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz, singer and performer Sarah Geronimo, and artist and actress Heart Evangelista shared practical insights on life and finances amid the pandemic, and how making their everyday better means responsible financial planning and investing in their overall well-being.

Strive to become a better version of yourself daily Before taking home the Philippines’ first-ever Olympic gold, 30-year-old Hidilyn shared that she faced a lot of struggles in life, both financially and mentally.

“I thought I wouldn’t get a shot at winning a gold medal because of the pandemic. Thankfully, through the help of my team, I did not give up on training and still worked hard to be better day after day. It was a slow-but-sure process, but I persevered and powered through. Kasi

ang mindset namin talaga ay dapat arawaraw, maging better athlete, better person, and better Filipino.”

Being surrounded by trusted family, friends, and coaches really helped Diaz manage both her physical and mental health, and helped her focus on her Olympic journey. According to Manulife’s recent study, “Know Your Ys and Zs: A closer look at the financial and mental well-being of Filipino Millennials and Generation Z in the time of COVID-19,” declining mental health is one of the top stressors among young Filipinos during the pandemic. That’s why they are taking active steps to better manage worries and stress.

kept me going despite all the challenges, as well as my personal choice to be more strategic with my decisions.” Read full story on manilastandard.net

Plan to help you achieve peace of mind Before the success of her first virtual concert this year, 33-yearold Sarah Geronimo shared that the pandemic made her feel scared and anxious.

“Sobrang na-heighten ng pandemic ‘yung fear ko about the uncertainty of the health of my loved ones, as well as the financial security that my work brings. My faith in God

VIEWERS can watch the prestigious pageant Miss Universe Philippines again, this time on television.

As the organization’s official broadcast partner, GMA Network will be hosting the event’s muchawaited first national broadcast.

Last week, the 28 candidates represented their hometowns through the national costume competition.

Viewers also witnessed their wit and intelligence during the preliminary interview.

They also strutted down the runway of Clark International Airport wearing their glamorous evening gowns and stunning swimsuits.

Relive the crowning moment of the first openly gay local pageant winner Beatrice Luigi Gomez of Cebu City as she impresses the judges and pageant fans in her bid to represent the country in the popular Miss Universe pageant happening in Israel later this year.

During the pageant, Gomez won major awards including Best in Swimsuit and Best in Long Gown.

As this year’s winner, she also becomes the official ambassador of the pageant’s major sponsor, PLDT Home.

Don’t miss the grand telecast with exclusive interviews from the newly-crowned Miss Universe Philippines and judges today at 9:00 a.m., only on GMA-7. Nickie Wang

Emily is still in Paris

NOW more entrenched in her life in Paris, Emily’s getting better at navigating the city but still struggling with the idiosyncrasies of French life.

After stumbling into a love triangle with her neighbor and her first real French friend, Emily is determined to focus on her work—which is getting more complicated by the day. In French class, she meets a fellow expat who both infuriates and intrigues her.

Award-winning creator and showrunner Darren Star returns to helm the second season of the Emmy-nominated series Emily in Paris, which became Netflix’s mostviewed comedy series of 2020.

Producer and star Lily Collins reprises her role as Emily Cooper, alongside returning series regulars Philippine Leroy Beaulieu, Ashley Park, Lucas Bravo, Camille Razat, Samuel Arnold, Bruno Gouery, and William Abadie, recurring guest star Kate Walsh, and new cast members Lucien Laviscount, Jeremy O. Harris, and Arnaud Binard.

Emily in Paris, which premieres on Netflix before the year ends, is produced by MTV Entertainment Studios, Darren Star Productions, and Jax Media.

Lily Collins in ‘Emily in Paris,’ which returns to Netflix in December.

Olympic record-breaker and gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz, singer and performer Sarah Geronimo, and artist and actress Heart Evangelista share practical insights on life and finances amid the pandemic.

Miss Universe Philippines Beatrice Luigi Gomez

Mixing grit and intrigue in ‘On The Job’ finale FOLLOWING five episodes full of thrills, drama, and tension, the final episode of Erik Matti’s crime thriller On The Job premieres globally and exclusively on HBO GO today.

In the concluding episode of the series, Roman (Dennis Trillo) and Sisoy (John Arcilla, winner— Best Actor, 78th Venice Film Festival) work together in trying toget to the root of the killings. Amidst suspicions from his employers that he is ratting them out, Roman makes the decision to fight for his own freedom. In order to expose political crimes, Sisoy executes a daring plan, endangering his own family in the process.

Bearing a distinct mix of grit and intrigue, the HBO Asia Original series On The Job starts with the 2013 film of the same name which is divided into the first two episodes of the series but with a difference— the episodes have been remastered

John Arcilla and Lotlot de Leon in a scene from ‘On the Job,’ streaming exclusively on HBO GO.

and it includes scenes that were deleted from the original film.

The next four episodes of the series expands on Erik Matti’s uncompromising vision that first

wowed audiences back in 2013 and is only available exclusively on HBO GO. When a group of journalists suddenly go missing in the town of La Paz under highly suspi-

cious circumstances, a group of journalists investigate the truth behind the disappearances, uncovering a tangled web of crime and corruption with connections to politics.

Unflinching in its message that rings true even today, the series touches on real-world issues of press freedom, fake news, and how exposing the misdeeds about power in positions of power can sometimes cost your life.

The six-episode HBO Asia Original series features an ensemble cast that includes of Joel Torre (Tatang), Gerald Anderson (Daniel), Joey Marquez (Joaquin), Piolo Pascual (Francis), Rayver Cruz (Bernabe), and Leo Martinez (General Pacheco). It also stars Christopher De Leon (Arnel), Lotlot De Leon (Weng), Dante Rivero (Mayor Eusebio), Isabelle De Leon (Joni), and Andrea Brillantes (Diane).

Produced by Reality MM Studios and Globe Studios, On The Job is written by Michiko Yamamoto and Erik Matti and executive produced by Ronald “Dondon” Monteverde, Erik Matti, Joe Caliro, and Quark Henares.

OCTOBER 3, 2021

Pineapple:

Vitamin C for dogs

Y

ES, furparents. That sweet, a little sour, yellow fruit that is so delicious eaten as is, or made into a shake or juice, is safe to give to dogs.

“Pineapple is a favorite fruit for many people. It is tart, sweet, and tangy, and its tropical origins put us in mind of warmer climates. In moderation, it can also be a healthy treat for dogs, similar to other types of fruit, like strawberries and watermelon,” said Anna Burke in “Can Dogs Eat Pineapple?” in the American Kennel Club website.

The ripe pineapple in its raw form is packed with vitamins: vitamin C, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B6, and folate. Pineapple also contains a lot of minerals, such as manganese, copper, potassium, magnesium, iron, and

small amounts of calcium, phosphorous, and zinc.

“This makes it a nutrient-dense snack for humans and dogs, alike, and these nutrients play an important role in your dog’s immune system and digestive health,” Burke stressed.

However, “All of these vitamins and minerals make pineapple sound like a wonderful choice for dogs, but there are a few other things to consider before feeding pineapple to your canines, “ Burke warned.

Pineapple has a lot of fiber and a rather significant amount of natural sugar.

Most dogs love fruits. Ace and Feronia, born in the clinic after their stray mama was rescued by Save ALL, are used to eating vegetables and fruits. These two are very energetic dogs!

Thus, furparents are advised to give pineapple to dogs in small amounts.

“This means that while pineapple is a perfectly healthy treat in small quantities, it can have adverse effects on your dog’s digestive system if fed in large amounts. Keep an eye on your dog when you first feed him pineapple. If he has diarrhea or shows signs of an upset stomach, then pineapple might not be the fruit snack for him,” Burke stressed.

Take note too that you can not give the tough, central core of the pineapple. Why? Because “it has the potential to cause obstructions, as does the spiny skin, so stick to feeding the flesh of the pineapple for your dog’s safety,” Burke said.

It is safe for dogs to eat ripe, raw pineapple but do not give the skin and hard, middle part. Give only a small

Small dogs can eat pineapple but give lesser amounts too and during summer months or hot days only because they have a lot of fur. When giving Summer (white), Shakti (middle smiling), and our other small dogs warming food, like pineapple, we make sure we also give cucumber or watermelon or any cooling food.

Pineapple, apples, oranges and pears are safe for dogs. Peel and remove the core before giving to your dog. Give small amounts only.

There are fruits that are healthy for dogs. Jasper is a rescued dog of Save Animals of Love and Light (Save ALL Inc. ). He survived the fatal illness distemper but after 4 years, he is healthy and strong. He is given vegetables and fruits that are safe for dogs, aside from dry dog food and boiled meat. He loves to relax and stay in the kitchen.

amount to your dog as a treat.

“Raw pineapple, in small amounts, is an excellent snack for dogs, “ Burke said.

Avoid canned pineapples.“The syrup in canned fruits contains too much sugar for most dogs’ digestive tracts to handle,” Burke said.

“A few chunks of raw pineapple are usually enough for most dogs, provided they are peeled and sliced into bite-sized pieces,” Burke added.

During the summer months, freeze the freshly peeled pineapples for your dogs. They will love this delicious treat.

If the weather is too hot, and the pineapple is not frozen, give cucumber or any cooling food along with the pineapple which is a warming food.

This will bring balance to the body of the dog. Hot weather plus warming food like pineapple and mango might bring too much heat in the dog’s body and might lead to heat stroke. DC

Cucumbers as treats for overweight dogs IF YOUR dog is overweight, cucumber is one vegetable you can give as a treat to your dog.

In “Fruits and Vegetables Dogs Can or Can’t Eat,” the Animal Kennel Club (AKC) said cucumber contains little to no carbohydrates, fats, or oils. Despite the low carbs and fat content, cucumbers boost energy levels, the AKC said.

Likewise, cucumbers are packed with vitamins K, C, and B1, and minerals such as potassium, copper, magnesium, and biotin.

Maggie Clancy, in “Can Dogs Eat Cucumbers? Are Cucumbers Safe For Dogs?” in dogtime. com, said cucumbers are very safe for dogs.

“Can dogs eat cucumbers? Maybe you were preparing a salad and your dog accidentally grabbed a piece of cucumber, or perhaps you are looking for healthy treats for your dog.

Humans can eat cucumbers, so are cucumbers safe for dogs to eat?,” Clancy remarked.

Yes, she said. But not the pickled ones.

“In fact, with the vegetable’s low caloric value and water content, a cucumber can make an excellent healthy treat for your dog,” Clancy said.

But as always, please ask your vet first if you can give cucumber to your dog. Your vet knows your dog more.

“You should ask your vet before sharing any human foods with your dog, including cucumbers, “ Clancy said.

What a smile!!! Portia or Porky, eight years old, is one of the asong PInoy (aspin) babies of Anikka Kyra Flores. This furbaby will eat anything! And that is a good thing because there are many fruits and vegetables that are good for dogs.

“She’s fat and lazy po. She would sleep beside her food bowl right after she eats. Hehe, that’s how lazy she is po. She would usually wake up at 2 to 3 a.m. po and would sleep on my chest like a cat. Anak po siya ng first dog namin, which was given to my mom as a birthday gift,” Anikka shared.”

“She loves lettuce, carrots, sweet potato, sayote, and kalabasa po.

She would also sneak po sa egg basket ko to steal some pero lagi po siya nahuhuli kasi she can’t reach the kitchen counter. Hahahaha! She’s Wash cucumbers well, peel, then slice into small the smallest po kasi sa kanilang magkakapatid,” Anikka said. pieces so your dog will not choke.

Benefits of cucumber for dogs

1. Cucumbers hydrate dogs. It is best to be given during hot days, or during summer. “Cucumbers are about 96 percent water, which makes them excellent, hydrating treats for dogs,” Clancy said.

2. Cucumbers are low-calorie treats, “makes them an excellent choice for dogs on a weight-loss regimen,” Clancy said.

3. Cucumbers can help keep a dog’s bones healthy and strong too because it is loaded with Vitamin K. 4. Cucumbers contain vitamins and minerals that help keep a dog’s liver and kidneys functioning properly.

5. A great bonus, Clancy said, is that cucumbers have phytochemicals and phytonutrients that help eliminate bad breath. But feeding your dog cucumbers should not replace brushing their teeth, she said, but it can help with dogs who have stinky breath.

how many servings will be appropriate, Clancy said.

2. Like you do with other fruits and vegetables, please thoroughly wash cucumbers before giving them to your dog.

3. Cut the cucumber into smaller pieces, “as simply giving your dog a cucumber to gnaw on could easily become a choking hazard,” Clancy stressed.

4. It is best to remove the cucumber skin, as dogs can not digest them well. But a little bit of cucumber skin here and there won’t be detrimental to your dog’s health, Clancy ssaid.

5. Make sure to give your dog cucumbers in moderation. Too much hydrating vegetable can also cause gastrointestinal problems such as diarrhea.

Warning about cucumbers

NEVER give pickled cucumbers or pickles to your dog, said Clancy. “…the spices used to season the pickle can be dangerous for your dog. Stick to plain, peeled cucumbers if you want to give your dog a healthy snack, “ Clancy said.

Cucumber is a cooling food. Please make sure to give it during hot days or the sumSafe way to give cucumber to dogs mer time. During rainy season or cold days, Clancy suggested the following: give only a little but with a warming food 1. Talk to your vet and ask how much cu- like pineapple or mangoes or beef to balance cumber, if she/he allows your dog to be given the temperature in your dog’s body, and thus this vegetable, you can feed to your dog and prevent illnesses.

Dogs love carrots and lettuce too. You can put these two veggies with cucumber to give your dog a different treat: their own salad.

You can also put a slice of cucumber in a doggo burger with a little skin. Yuri, rescued by Save ALL from drunkards who planned to kill him and cook him for pulutan (appetizer), loves burgers. If you can help Save ALL continue to care for Yuri and other rescued dogs of Save ALL, please go to https:// www.facebook.com/saveanimalsofloveandlightPH and message them.