Manila Standard - 2021 October 10 - Sunday

Comelec to start ‘nuisance’ review

Vol. 35

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2 SECTIONS

No. 237

OCTOBER 10, 2021 8 PAGES

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IN MET R MANILAO

n By VITO BARCELO OVER 47,000 political aspirants have filed their certificates of candidacy (COCs) for national and local positions in next year’s synchronized elections, with close to a hundred aspiring to become the next president of the Philippines, the Commission on Elections said.

However, not all of these aspiring politicians would become legitimate candidates as the poll body will review and study whether they are qualified or not.

Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said there were 97 aspirants for president, 28 aspirants for vice president, and 175 for senators, among others, during the COC filing period from October 1 to 8.

He said the high turnout of people wanting to seek top national posts would be reduced after the Comelec reviews

AS NCR CASES, REPRODUCTION RATE CONTINUE TO DECLINE

DOH: Alert Level 3 likely n By WILLIE CASAS AND JOEL ZURBANO

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EALTH Secretary Francisco Duque III said Metro Manila may be placed under Alert Level 3 if COVID-19 cases continue to decline as the independent OCTA Research said the reproduction number in the region has gone down to 0.61 for the week of Oct. 2 to 8.

“The decrease in cases from September 29 to October 5 showed our daily average was at 13,500 cases based on a seven-day moving average. This is 23 percent lower than the previous week. This is a significant decline from the week before of 17,500 average daily cases. We hope the average daily cases will still go down to 45 percent or 50 percent this week,” Duque said.

“We are monitoring if the downtrend continues and if we can then lower the Alert Level from 4 to 3 in the National Capital Region,” he added.

Metro Manila was placed under Alert Level 4 on Sept. 16 under a pilot implementation of a new quarantine classification system.

For her part, DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said Metro Manila may see a decrease of as low as 1,000 in the average daily new cases by Nov. 15 if the region maintains the downward trend in its case count.

“If we will look at the daily cases, we

will be averaging about 1,100 cases

by November 15 here in the National Capital Region,” she said.

“If this continues and we further control the transmission of the virus, we hope that by Christmastime we would see an easing of restrictions,” Vergeire said.

Vergeire said a majority of the regions are showing a negative twoweek growth rate in terms of reported COVID-19 cases, including Metro Manila.

However, some areas’ case classification remains at high risk, specifically the Cordillera region, Cagayan Valley, Zamboanga Peninsula, and Caraga.

She also noted that while cases and admissions are decreasing in Metro Manila, decongestion in hospitals would not be instantaneous because the recovery period among the patients could last up to 21 days or more, especially

COVID-19 PH AT

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GLANCE

2,654,450 11,010

106,558

39,505

273

New

Death

Active

New

2,508,387 22,529 Recoveries

New

(As of 4 PM, OCTOBER 9)

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CHR chair dies of COVID-19 n By MARICEL V. CRUZ COMMISSION on Human Rights chairman Jose Luis Martin Gascon has passed away following his bout with COVID-19, his family announced Saturday. He was 57.

“Of all the fights you’ve fought, it was COVID that defeated you! Love you Kuya. Rest in Peace Chito Gascon,” said Gascon’s brother, Miguel, in a Facebook post.

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Oil firms to hike prices by P1.50/li OIL firms are set to implement another big time price hike next week – the seventh consecutive week of price increases – at P1.40 to P1.50 per liter of diesel.

Unioil Petroleum, in its price forecast for the Oct. 12 to 18 trading week, said gasoline prices may increase by up to P1.20 to CONTINUED ON 2A P1.20 per liter.

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‘Mayor Sara won’t be a substitute candidate’ NEWS | 2A

Two typhoons may merge and become stronger —PAGASA NEWS | 2A

This mixed media work that combines a special textured ground with layers of transparent metallic bronze and gold colored glazes over the graphite pentimenti is part of a 32-frame exhibit of local artist Krsitine Lim. The exhibit, dubbed ‘Soar,’ features the Philippine eagle as the central motif. Danny Pata

China’s Xi claims reunification with Taiwan will happen WORLD | 3A

Leonardia: Bacolod will soar to a new economic high

OCTOBER 10, 2021

Mayor Sara will not be a substitute bet—Palace

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n By MARICEL CRUZ

AVAO City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio will not be a substitute candidate for president of the ruling party, PDP-Laban, presidential spokesman Harry Roque said Saturday.

Despite mounting calls for her to succeed her father, Roque said Duterte-Carpio is firm in her reelection bid for a third and final time.

“She said there will be no substitution,” Roque said when pressed whether the Davao City Mayor will eventually replace Senator Bato dela Rosa as PDP-Laban standard bearer.

Roque himself abandoned his senatorial ambition as he said he will only run

Two typhoons may merge, become stronger WATERWAYs in Caraga Region may overflow due to rain from the trough of Tropical Storm Maring as it maintained its strength Saturday while moving west northwestward over the Philippine Sea, the state weather bureau PAGASA said.

“The trough may bring to Caraga heavy rainfall that can cause waterways there to overflow,” PAGASA hydrologist Richard Orendain said.

Communities in the region must brace for flooding of nearby low-lying and poorly drained areas, he noted.

He said the trough has already begun bringing light rain to the region.

The major Caraga waterways that may overflow are Surigao del Norte province’s Surigao and Magallanes; Dinagat Islands’ Malinao Inlet and Gaas Lulet; Agusan del Sur province’s Ojot, Wawa, Libang, Maosam, Kasilan, Gibong, Adgaoan, Simulao, Kayonan and Andanan; Agusan del Norte province’s Lake-Mainit-Tubay, Asiga, Agusan, Linugos and Cabadbaran as well as Surigao del Sur province’s Cantillan, Toracan, Tandag, Tago, Hubo-Oteiza, Hinatuan and Bislig.

Meanwhile, storm signals may also be raised in other areas with the storm’s “possible” merging with Nando over the next 24 hours. It is also poised to intensify with the merger.

“The resulting merger cyclone is forecast to continue intensifying within the forecast period and may reach severe tropical storm category within 36 hours,” PAGASA said.

Maring’s center was found 820 kilometers East of Virac, Catanduanes, packed with maximum sustained winds of 85 kms per hour, and with gustiness of up to 105 kph.

FromtheFRONTPAGE DOH... for those in the intensive care unit.

Vergeire reported that some hospitals in Metro Manila are still full and the DOH continues to assist them in any way possible to augment their capacity.

“This is not a point where we get complacent. We need to remain vigilant and protect ourselves so that we can sustain this downward trend in cases,” she said.

The country on Saturday logged 11,010 new infections, pushing the nationwide tally to 2,654,450.

Active cases stood at 106,558 as 22,529 new recoveries were recorded.

The government has already started easing further travel restrictions under Alert Level 4, shortening the quarantine period for incoming passengers who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 starting Oct. 8 and allowing minors aged 12 to 17 and seniors over 65 years old to travel in areas under the general community and modified community quarantine

by Oct. 15.

Fully vaccinated travelers from “green” or “yellow” list countries need only to undergo facilitybased quarantine until the release of their negative COVID-19 swab test results, which will be taken on their fifth day.

A young woman bottle feeds her baby while begging for alms along United Nations Avenue in Manila. One in 10 young Filipino women aged 15-19 years old has already begun childbearing while 8 percent are already mothers and another 2 percent are pregnant with their first child, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority.

Danny Pata

Tugade lets go of senatorial dream, to focus on DOTr n By DARWIN G. AMOJELAR TRANSPORTATION Secretary Arthur Tugade on Saturday said he dropped his plan to run as senator in the upcoming national elections in May due to “multiple reasons.”

“I decided not to file my certificate of candidacy for multiple reasons, one of which is by not filing my COC, I can emphasize that the efforts of

On the other hand, unvaccinated, partially vaccinated, or individuals whose vaccination status cannot be independently verified or confirmed as valid or authentic by the authorities coming from “green” or “yellow” list will be required to undergo facility-based quarantine until the release of their RT-PCR testing taken on the seventh day.

They will then be required to undergo home quarantine until their 14th day, with the day of arrival as their first day.

In the case of foreign nationals, they will be required to secure their own pre-booked accommodation of at least six days for the fully vaccinated; and at least eight days for the unvaccinated, partially vaccinated, or individuals whose vaccination status cannot be independently confirmed as valid or authentic by our authorities coming from “green” or “yellow” list

COMELEC...their qualifications, reiterating its provisions on “nuisance candidates.”

Citing the Omnibus Election Code, Jimenez said the poll body has the authority to reject the COC of individuals who fall under three categories: those who make a mockery of the election system; those who seek to confuse voters through similarity of names between candidates; and those who have no bona fide or good faith in

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if Duterte-Carpio joins the presidential race.

Political parties can replace their candidates for the May 9, 2022 elections until November 15.

Dela Rosa, after filing his COC on Friday, said he was not aware if PDP-Labas officials are talking to the Davao mayor.

“That would be better,” Dela Rosa said of the possibility of the presidential daughter replacing him.

Meanwhile, a citizens movement

formed to convince and support Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio’s supposed run for presidency on Saturday expressed sadness over the decision of the president’s daughter not to join the 2022 presidential race.

“As the last day for the official filing of candidacy comes to a close, there are undoubtedly countless Filipinos who are brokenhearted to learn that our chosen candidate has opted to continue her public service in Davao City,” said Deputy Speaker and Bagong Henerasyon Rep. Bernadette Herrera-Dy, spokesperson of the Hugpong Para kay Sara (HPS) movement.

“This sadness, however, needs to be contextualized. We are saddened by the fact that we do not have a really leading candidate but Mayor Sara has said that she is not interested in the position,” Herrera-Dy stressed.

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MEMBER Philippine Press Institute The National Association of Philippine Newspapers

the Department of Transportation (DOTr) in finishing projects are not, in any way, in aid of election,” Tugade said.

“It is just in doing and completing what we sincerely and honestly think is good for the country, the people, and the sambayanan,” he added.

Tugade was earlier included in the “Pandora Papers” report of the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) and Rappler,

which alleged that he did not declare his offshore investment in his Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN).

But Tugade denied any wrongdoing in his offshore investments in Solart Holdings as this was disclosed in his SALN. Tugade said his offshore investments in Solart Holdings “was a personal financial move that was established long before I joined the government.”

running for office.

Jimenez said they need to review the COCs of these aspirants to determine if they are fit to officially run for next year’s general polls.

Meanwhile, Philippine National Police chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar said the eight-day COC filing was “generally peaceful and orderly.”

“The Philippine National Police did not receive any significant incident that affected the eight-day filing of COCs and CONAs across the country.

We attribute this to the preparations made by our unit commanders and the hard work of our personnel on the ground,” Eleazar said.

Eleazar said there were a few reported incidents in other parts of the country, but these were not significant and were properly addressed by local police.

Among these incidents was an incident of direct assault, alarm and scandal and malicious mischief at the Comelec office in Taraka, Lanao del Sur on Oct. 7. An aspirant who filed his COC for Sangguniang Bayan member allegedly caused a commotion at the office but police were able to subdue him.

Two individuals were also arrested separately in Lucena City and Marikina City for alleged violation of the gun ban.

CHR...

CHR spokesperson Jacqueline Ann de Guia, in a statement, described

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

Gascon’s leadership as “inspirational and nurturing.”

“At a time of unprecedented human rights challenges, Chair Chito courageously and steadfastly upheld the constitutional mandate of the Commission,” de Guia said.

“Amid the unrelenting attacks against the institution and to him personally, he was unwavering and unflinching in fighting for the universal values of freedom, truth, and justice that are essential in the pursuit of human rights. He was undaunting in the fight for human rights, rule of law, and democracy out of deep reverence to the equal rights and dignity of all.”

She said the Commission en banc (would continue to function with Commissioner Karen Gomez Dumpit as officer in charge.

The United Nations in the Philippines described Gascon as an extraordinary leader and strong defender of democracy and human rights.”

“A remarkable human rights defender, he played a leading role in negotiating the UN Joint Program on Human Rights. Chairperson Gascon was fiercely committed to ‘dignity of all,’ and was outspoken on issues ranging from vaccine equality to protection of civic space. He emphasized that the work for human rights, institutions, rule of law and change is a continuing effort, and he stressed the importance of investment in youth to build a better and more peaceful future,” the UN office said in a separate statement.

Gascon was appointed CHR chair

Mayor Evelio “Bing” Leonardia

MAYOR Evelio “Bing” Leonardia has vowed to “bring Bacolod City to even greater (economic) heights” after he made his reelection bid official last week.

Leonardia, the incumbent mayor of Bacolod, filed his certificate of candidacy to run again for mayor in the 2022 national and local elections, together with his running mates belonging to the local political aggrupation Grupo Progreso (GP) which he himself formed in 2007.

“We will not fail you. We will bring Bacolod City to even greater (economic) heights. We have the track record to prove to you what we’ve done for Bacolod before the pandemic. We will do it again,” Leonardia said during the GP press conference held before they filed their COCs. The mayor cited the rapid economic progress in Bacolod, resulting from its “business-friendly climate,” as proof of his administration’s leadership competence.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government rated Bacolod as the “Best Performing Local Government Unit in Western Visayas” under Leonardia’s watch as well being the “Most Competitive City in the Visayas” in the Department of Trade and Industry competitiveness ranking.

“Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Bacolod City was among the fastest growing economies in the country.

It had its fastest growth rate ever as shown by facts and figures. We even have a record high of 25,637 business registrations in 2019,” said Leonardia, who is also the current president of the League of Cities of the Philippines.

The mayor said a reelection – together with all his running mates in Grupo Progreso – would allow him and the others to continue what they have started to sustain Bacolod’s progress.

in 2015. Prior to that, he served as a member of the Human Rights Victims Claims Board.

Gascon also served as the youngest member of both the Constitutional Commission that drafted the 1987 Constitution.

“Since Martial Law, Chairperson Gascon has continued his unwavering advocacies in the field of human rights; access to justice and the rule of law; transparency and accountability initiatives; political and electoral reforms; peace and conflict transformation; people’s participation and civic education; and state-building in the context of democratic transitions,” the CHR said.

OIL...

Year-to-date adjustments stand at a total net increase of P16.55 per liter for gasoline and P15.00 per liter for diesel, latest data from the Department of Energy showed.

Last week, oil players raised the price of diesel and kerosene

by P2.05 per liter and gasoline by P1.45 per liter.

According to the DOE, crude prices has been going up due to concerns over the prolonged tightness in supply as the US Gulf Coast oil output remains constrained.

Increasing infections and tightening of local restrictions in China and in Vietnam also remain an ongoing concern.

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 10, 2021

China’s Xi says reunification with Taiwan ‘will be realized’ Military delegates arrive for the commemoration of the 110th anniversary of the Xinhai Revolution which overthrew the Qing Dynasty and led to the founding of the Republic of China at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on October 9, 2021. AFP

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HINA’S President Xi Jinping said Saturday “peaceful reunification” with Taiwan “will be and can be realized,” days after Chinese warplanes made record incursions into the air defense zone of the democratically ruled island.

“Realizing national reunification by peaceful means best serves the interests of the nation as a whole including our brethren in Taiwan,” Xi said in a speech marking the 110th anniversary of a revolution that ended millennia of imperial rule and led to the founding of the Republic of China.

“Taiwan independence is the biggest obstacle to the reunification of the motherland and a serious hidden danger,” Xi warned.

Self-governed Taiwan, which has never formally declared independence, lives 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.

A large portrait of Sun Yat-sen, a Western-educated doctor who led the 1911 revolution that toppled the Qing empire, towered over the stage as Xi spoke.

Sun founded the Republic of China, which remains the formal name of Taiwan, where defeated Nationalists fled after Mao Zedong’s Communist forces won the Chinese civil war in 1949 and established the People’s Republic.

“The complete reunification of our country will be and can be realized,” Xi said.

He also warned against foreign interference in Taiwan after a Pentagon official confirmed

US special operations forces have been quietly training Taiwanese troops for months.

“The Taiwan issue is purely China’s internal affair and does not allow any external interference,” he said.

Beijing has ramped up pressure on Taipei since the 2016 election of President Tsai Ingwen, who views the island as “already independent.”

Tsai is scheduled to speak Sunday at an event commemorating the 1911 revolution, one of the few events that unite China and Taiwan.

Taiwan’s defence minister said Wednesday that military tensions with China were at their highest in four decades, after around 150 Chinese warplanes – a record number – made incursions into Taiwan’s air defence zone in recent days.

Xi’s warning comes after Britain last week sent a warship through the Taiwan Strait, challenging Beijing’s claim to the sensitive waterway, and a French delegation visited Taiwan despite warnings from China. AFP

Suicide bomber kills at least 55 at Shiite mosque in Afghanistan A SUICIDE bomb attack on worshippers at a Shiite mosque in the Afghan city of Kunduz has killed at least 55 people in the bloodiest assault since US forces left the country in August.

Scores more victims from the minority community were wounded in Friday’s blast, which was claimed by the Islamic State group and appeared designed to further destabilise Afghanistan in the wake of the Taliban takeover.

The regional branch of the rabidly sectarian IS has repeatedly targeted Shiites in Afghanistan. It is a Sunni Islamist group like the Taliban, but the two are bitter rivals.

“It was a very terrifying incident,” said a teacher in Kunduz, who lives near the mosque.

“Many of our neighbors have been killed and wounded. A 16-year-old neighbor was killed. They couldn’t find half of his body.”

Images from the scene showed debris strewn inside the mosque, its windows blown out by the explosion. Some men were seen carrying a body draped in a bloody sheet to an ambulance.

A medical source at Kunduz Provincial Hospital said 35 dead and more than 55 wounded had been taken there, while Doctors Without Borders (MSF) said 20 dead and several dozen wounded were brought to its hospital.

Aminullah, an eyewitness whose brother was at the mosque, said: “After I heard the explosion, I called my brother but he did not pick up.”

“I walked towards the mosque and found my brother wounded and faint.

We immediately took him to the MSF hospital.”

Matiullah Rohani, the Taliban government’s director of culture and information in Kunduz, confirmed it was a suicide attack, and put the death toll at 46.

The Taliban have been seeking to consolidate power but still face attacks from the regional IS branch, called Islamic State-Khorasan (IS-K).

The Taliban security chief in the northern city accused the mosque attackers of trying to foment trouble between Shiites and Sunnis.

“We assure our Shiite brothers that in the future, we will provide security for them and that such problems will not happen to them,” Mulawi Dost Muhammad said.

Residents of the city, the capital of Kunduz province, told AFP the mosque blast happened during Friday prayers, the most important of the week for Muslims. AFP

PINK MOVEMENT. People take part in a breast cancer awareness walk in Hyderabad on October 9, 2021. AFP

Chilean scientist plans to clean up mining with ‘metal eating’ bacteria STARVING microorganisms capable of surviving in extreme conditions have already managed to “eat” a nail in just three days.

In Chile, a scientist is testing “metal-eating” bacteria she hopes could help clean up the country’s highly-polluting mining industry.

In her laboratory in Antofagasta, an industrial town 1,100-kilometers north of Santiago, 33-year-old biotechnologist Nadac Reales has been carrying out tests with extremophiles – organisms that live in extreme environments.

Reales came up with her idea while still at university as she was conducting tests at a mining plant using microorganisms to improve the extraction of copper.

“I realized there were various needs in the mining industry, for example what happened with the metallic waste,” she told AFP. Some metals can be recycled in smelting plants but others, such as HGV truck hoppers that can hold 50 tons of rock, cannot and are often discarded in Chile’s Atacama desert, home to the majority of the country’s mining industry.

Chile is the world’s largest producer of copper, which accounts for up to 15 percent of the country’s GDP, resulting in a lot of mining waste that pollutes the environment.

In her research, Reales, who now runs her own company Rudanac Biotec, concentrated on iron-oxidizing bacteria called

Leptospirillum.

She extracted the bacteria from the Tatio geysers located 4,200 meters above sea level, some 350 kilometers from Antofagasta.

The bacteria “live in an acidic environment that is practically unaffected by relatively high concentrations of most metals,” she said.

“At first the bacteria took two months to disintegrate a nail.”

But when starved, they had to adapt and find a way of feeding themselves.

After two years of trials, the result was a marked increase in the speed at which the bacteria “ate,” devour-

ing a nail in just three days.

Reales says “chemical and microbiological tests” have proved the bacteria are not harmful to humans or the environment.

“We’ve always seen a lot of potential in this project that has already passed an important test in the laboratory,” said Drina Vejar, a microbiologist who is part of a four-person team working with Reales.

“It’s really necessary at this time when we have to plan for a more sustainable development, especially in all these cities with so many polluting industries.”

AFP

Chilean biotechnologist Nadac Reales shows a nail and screw inside a jar with metaleater bacteria in her laboratory at a mining site in Antofagasta, Chile. In her laboratory, Reales has been working with extremophiles, organisms capable of surviving in extreme conditions, which already managed to ‘eat’ a nail in just three days. AFP

COVID causes rise in anxiety and depression CASES of depression and anxiety surged by more than a quarter globally during the first year of the pandemic, especially among women and young adults, a major study showed on Saturday.

In the first worldwide estimate of the mental health impact of COVID-19, researchers estimated that 2020 saw an additional 52 million people suffer from major depressive disorder, and an additional 76 million cases of anxiety.

These represent a 28- and 26-percent increase in the two disorders respectively, according to the study, published in The Lancet medical journal.

COVID-19 has claimed nearly 5 million lives since it emerged in late 2019, but experts say this is likely to be a vast underestimate.

Friday’s study showed that the hardest-hit countries were saddled with the greatest mental health burden, with a strong link between high COVID-19 case levels, restrictions on movement, and elevated rates of depression and anxiety.

“Our findings highlight an urgent need to strengthen mental health systems in order to address the growing burden of major depressive disorder and anxiety disorders worldwide,” said lead study author Damian Santomauro, from the University of Queensland’s School of Public Health. AFP

US court allows Texas to resume ban on abortions A US federal appeals court ruled Friday that Texas could resume its ban on most abortions, two days after another court suspended the ban.

The decision by the New Orleans-based Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals temporarily set aside Wednesday’s ruling, effectively reinstating a ban on most abortions once a fetal heartbeat is detected.

On Wednesday, US District Judge Robert Pitman issued a preliminary injunction halting enforcement of the Texas law, saying it violated the landmark 1973 Supreme Court ruling in Roe v.

Wade, which enshrined a woman’s legal right to an abortion.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, a Republican, appealed that decision and the appeal was granted Friday.

“Great news tonight,” Paxton tweeted shortly after the ruling. “I will fight federal overreach at every turn.”

Laws restricting abortion have been passed in other Republican-led states but were struck down by the courts because they violated Roe v. Wade.

“The Supreme Court needs to step in and stop this madness,” Nancy Northup, president and CEO of the Center for Reproductive Rights, said in a statement following Friday’s ruling.

“Patients are being thrown back into a state of chaos and fear, and this cruel law is falling hardest on those who already face discriminatory obstacles in health care.”

The decision came as some clinics in Texas had resumed providing abortions for the first time since the law came into effect in September.

The “Texas Heartbeat Act” allows members of the public to sue doctors who perform abortions, or anyone who helps facilitate them, once a fetal heartbeat is detected -- usually at around six weeks.

They can be rewarded with $10,000 for initiating cases that lead to prosecution, prompting charges that the law encourages people to act as vigilantes.

The law makes no exception for victims of rape or incest.

Part of a broader conservative drive to restrict abortions across the United States, the law has prompted a public backlash.

Tens of thousands of women took to the streets in cities across the country last weekend, asserting their reproductive rights.

Advocates of a woman’s right to terminate a pregnancy have called on Congress to enshrine the right to abortion in federal law to protect it from any possible reversal by the Supreme Court.

A bill to that effect was adopted two weeks ago in the Democratic majority House of Representatives, but has no chance of passing the Senate where Republicans have enough votes to block it.

The Supreme Court is to hear a challenge on December 1 to a Mississippi law that bans nearly all abortions after the 15th week of pregnancy.

If the court were to overturn Roe v. Wade, every state would be free to ban or allow abortions.

That would mean 36 million women in 26 states – nearly half of American women of reproductive age – would likely lose the legal right to an abortion, according to a Planned Parenthood report.

AFP

Over 100 dead or missing after vessel capsizes MORE than 100 people are believed dead or missing in the sinking of a makeshift vessel on the Congo river, provincial authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo said Saturday.

Fifty-one bodies had been recovered by late Friday from the sinking during the night of Monday to Tuesday, and another 69 are believed to be missing, Nestor Magbado, a spokesman for the governor of the northwestern province of Mongala, told AFP. He said there were 39 survivors.

With no manifest of the passengers on board, the number missing is an estimate based on the capacity of the boat, he said.

The vessel was actually nine traditional wooden canoes, known as pirogues, all tied together, Magbado said.

He added that the accident may have been caused by “overcrowding aggravated by bad weather” during the night.

The scale of the accident was not clear until it was reported by the media late on Friday, and confirmed on Saturday by provincial authorities.

Magbado said the Mongala authorities had informed Kinshasa of the sinking just after it occurred, but had waited for more information about the number of casualties. AFP

CONVERGE CEO PROVIDES tips on growing business

Converge ICT Solutions Inc. co-founder and chief executive Dennis Uy gives advice on how to expand a business and be a successful entrepreneur.

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UNNING a small business is tough and growing it can be tougher. Without the backing of investors and access to market, it can feel like a constant battle to make ends meet, let alone trying to expand a business.

“Especially in these trying times, we need all the resources we can to survive,” says Dennis Uy, the Pampanga-based co-founder and chief executive of Converge ICT Solutions Inc. Growing a business doesn’t have to be impossible. There are ways to level-up the business by working smarter and with some careful planning. Uy shares four tips on how to achieve it.

START SMALL First, start small, but don’t think small. Uy says that when starting a business, one usually jumps to looking for investors immediately. While investors are key in the growth of a business, this is not considered a good practice. Businesses aren’t grown overnight. It may take years to grow a business so patience is key.

It would be best to start small to create room to scale up. One must understand the business they operate in to create value for their respective target market. Once the business’ value is created, only then will it be noticed by investors. Investors look for potential and that can only be present if a business looks to create a longterm solution for an obvious need.

When these are set in place, capital will soon follow.

Knowing that a business will not grow in a span of a few days, it is also good to remember why the business was started in the first place.

BE PASSIONATE Uy also shares another tip on how one’s passion can be translated into the business setting. Being passionate about the business is very important as passion is the main driver throughout the ups and downs. While a business can be fun and exciting, the work behind executing the business model can be a challenge.

To cultivate a passionate mindset, it is essential to continue learning. One must not only learn about the financial and operational aspects of the business but should also learn about how to deal with people involved in the business which can be potential partners and customers.

“While I can’t deny that hard work is essential in growing a business, I think that working smart is even more important. The unique way in which we direct a business to its goal attracts the right people.

This unique way of thinking can only be fueled by passion,” says Uy. “Have your passion push you to continue to learn and understand the business you are in because to grow a business, you yourself must not stop growing,” he says.

Passion can be strengthened with a deeper understanding of why a business was created in the first place. While one is usually motivated by money, striving to succeed in business to serve a

genuine cause is far more beneficial than that of financial gain. Uy continues to share a tip on using the business for the benefit of common good.

IDEAS INTO ACTION Conceptualization is the easy part of creating a business, he says. Everyone can think of the ‘perfect’ solution to a long-standing problem. The challenge is putting these ambitious ideas into action, and grounding an ambitious idea into a scalable and profitable business. Entrepreneurs shouldn’t stop at the ideation stage but have the foresight to plan the business until the execution stage.

“Entrepreneurs have to put their concepts into action. Having technology concepts are well and good but the execution—how will they go head to head with competitors, how will they take the business to market—that’s key to the survival of the business and the entrepreneur should have this in mind from the start,” Uy says.

SERVE A PURPOSE Create a business relevant to serving the people because when you are in a position to do good as you have scaled your business, you are then able to use the business for good.

One of the most important things investors look for in a business is its impact on society that aids in building the nation. A businessman’s new and fresh ideas should be able to help the different sectors of society in easing their struggles. Investors are on a lookout for businessmen that use their technology to uplift the lives of other people.

“My goal for Converge was to build a digital highway across the whole country that connects the unserved and underserved since I believe that a business should not be self-serving. Filipinos have always been the kind of people who look out for their community such that they are capable of creating new ideas that can offer ease and convenience to the public.

These are the kinds of ideas investors would definitely be supportive of,” says Uy. Uy is now on CNN’s The Final Pitch Season 7. He is joined by other esteemed investors judges in The Final Pitch such as Cauayan City Mayor Bernard Dy, 8Ventures chairman Jay Villarante, Wilcon Depot chief operating officer Rose Ong and Multisys Technolo-gies Corp. founder and chief executive David Almirol.

OC TOBER 10, 2021

Data center provider bullish on growth as hyperscalers arrive BEE Information Technology PH Inc., the country’s tellargest telco-neutral data center providing tel co-grade and tailored data center services, is confident that the Philippine data center market is ready to cater to the needs of global hyperscale companies.

This is due to a variety of factors, including the growth of enterprise cloud and data center adoption in the market, rising Internet use and the recent imim provements in the nation’s information and communications technology capabilities.

Recent forecasts revealed that developments in the Asia Pacific make the region a prime destination for hyperhyper scalers. According to Frost & SulliSulli van, APAC will lead all the other rere gions as the top data center market in the world by 2025. The firm also noted that the Philippines is expected to exex perience boom in data center growth, with an average increase of 24 percent in data center supply within the next Beeinfotech PH president three to five years. This was highlighted and CEO Reynaldo Huergas by the Department of Trade and IndusIndus

Developer takes Pampanga to new heights

FPH executive in the list of global governance leaders A SENIOR executive of Lopez-led First Philippine Holdings Corp. has been recognized by a US-based governance, risk and compliance company as one of the world’s top 100 GRC leaders for driving FPH’s efforts toward greater diversity, sustainable practices and sharper insights for company leadership.

Diligent Corp., a leading GRC software-as-a-service or SaaS company, announced in its website that Agnes de Jesus, the chief sustainability officer of FPH, is one of the honorees in Diligent’s list of “Modern Governance 100” global leaders of 2021.

De Jesus received the honor under the “ESG [environment, social and governance] and Diversity Trailblazer” category for her role in the accomplishments of FPH and its subsidiaries in environment and human rights protection, promoting

gender diversity and equality and in recognizing the rights of indigenous people on top of preserving their cultural heritage.

She won the recognition, based on the nomination coming from the Center for Social Responsibility of the University of Asia and the Pacific.

Diligent is the leading GRC SaaS company, serving more than one million users from over 25,000 organizations around the globe. Its modern GRC platform ensures that boards, executives and other leaders have a holistic, integrated view of ESG data, audit, risk, information security, ethics and compliance across the organization.

FPH is a conglomerate with a long history and a strong advocacy to fight adverse and destructive climate change. As part of its advocacy, FPH later on declared in 2016 that it would

Atome expands to PH ATOME, Asia’s leading buy now pay later brand, announced its entry into the Philippines, partnering with over 50 online and offline retailers across key shopping categories such as fashion, beauty, lifestyle and home and living.

Top retail partners include Agoda, Victoria’s Secret, Timex, Puma Select, Asus, New Era Caps, Giordano, Watch Republic and Timberland, who have come onboard to launch Atome as a “buy now pay later” payment option for customers. Other merchant partners include brands like Browhaus, Strip Manila, Apple & Eve, Mosaic, Mia Maison, Les Nereides, Davines, HairMNL, Palladium, True Religion, Plains and Prints and Ogawa.

Atome will also be integrating its payment option at Mizuno, Cole Haan and Time Depot in the coming months.

try in a recent online event announcing the arrival of hyperscale companies in the country.

“These projections show how the country’s ICT abilities have vastly improved throughout the years. It’s a testament that the Philippines is ready to take on a pivotal role in ensuring that the online services people around the world use daily and enjoy keep running through hosting the infrastructure of hyperscale companies within shores,” said Beeinfotech PH president and chief executive Reynaldo Huergas.

Hyperscale refers to the expansion of significant resources in a data center to quickly adapt to customer demand.

The companies that have this ability are mostly IT enterprises that deal with a lot of real-time data through their online services, such as Google, Microsoft and Amazon.

Huergas said that despite these companies having their own data centers, certain logistical considerations make it much more feasible for them to colocate or host infrastructure within data center partners that already have the facilities. Beeinfotech PH’s own multi-million peso “The HIVE” facility launched in August has a 3,000-plus rack space well-suited for scaling resources quickly.

“It will take companies years to build their data center, not just because of the construction itself, but due to several hurdles such as the paperwork and permits that need to be complied with first. By colocating resources to a local data center partner, hyperscale companies can deploy immediately to answer customer demand at once,” said Huergas.

Bria Homes in Magalang is just 20 mins away from Clark International Airport - Asia’s next premier gateway.

First Philippine Holdings Corp. chief sustainability officer Agnes de Jesus

not build, develop or invest in any power plant that runs on coal, a fossil fuel with intensive content of carbon dioxide whose release to the atmosphere contributes significantly to adverse climate change.

Atome Philippines head of business development Sheila Sta. Ines

Shoppers in the Philippines can now shop and pay using Atome at the above-mentioned merchant partners by either scanning a QR code at their physical store or selecting Atome as a payment checkout option on their website or mobile app.

Compared to similar services in the market, Atome does not charge interest and additional annual or service fees to consumers. Paying with Atome allows shoppers to purchase the products and services they want, and split their bill into three, zero-interest deferred payments over time.

Setting up an account takes three to five minutes and is completed entirely on Atome’s mobile app. Users will only have to link an active debit or credit card during the account set-up. A minimum order to pay with Atome is P300.

AS MORE Filipinos seek relief from the stress of big city living, they realize that resettling in secluded rural towns is not the only option available to them. With the government’s ongoing infrastructure projects altering the lay of the land, longtime urbanites know they can now enjoy the conveniences of modern living while reaping the benefits of life in the countryside.

Bria Homes, the ‘home of choice’ of Filipinos looking to get the best value for their money, are optimizing these positive developments by offering the most attractive prospects to earnest homebuyers.

Two of these are Bria Homes in San Fernando and Magalang, both in the province of Pampanga. Now considered prime locations for homebuyers, San Fernando is the capital of Pampanga while Magalang is a first class municipality.

Spurred by the sustained economic growth in the region, Bria Homes in San Fernando and Bria Homes Magalang have strategically positioned their residential communities close to business and tourism hubs. Both projects are relatively close to Clark and Subic. Bria Homes in Magalang is just 20 minutes from Clark International Airport.

San Fernando, for instance, is

hailed as ‘Asia’s Christmas Capital’ and plays host to the Giant Lantern Festival annually in December.

Magalang, on the other hand, draws flocks of Catholic devotees as the site of the many-storied St. Bartolome Church and other historic places of worship.

With proximity to both Mabalacat, Pampanga and Concepcion, Tarlac, Bria Homes Magalang offers readyfor-occupancy house-and-lot packages. Once the paperwork is done and payments are made, one can immediately move in.

Home seekers are encouraged to check out Bria Homes San Fernando and Magalang for their tastefully designed modern and comfortable houses and lots sprawled on family-friendly, well-secured residential communities. Bria house models include rowhouses Elena and Airene; two-story townhouses Angeli Duplex, Bettina, Angelique and Angeli; Duplex models Angeli and Alecza; and two-story single firewall Angeli.

Interested homebuyers can avail of Bria’s 360 Virtual Tours. From the safety of their homes, prospective buyers can get a glimpse of Bria communities’ beautiful, wide-open spaces where families can stretch their legs and do brisk walking.

OCTOBER 10, 2021

a 2’s This year’s Dot nal io at The Intern a s er off 0 10 (TI1 er ov of e iz pr d gran . on US$18 milli

Pinoy Dota gamers vie for US$18M top prize

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n By PETER ATENCIO

OCAL fans are keeping an eye on Abed Yusop, a Filipino professional gamer who currently plays for Evil Geniuses in the ongoing Dota 2 premier event, The International 10 (TI10).

The 21-year-old Yusop is one of five Pinoy esports enthusiasts seeking glory in the 12th year of the game’s annual world championship tournament, which offers a grand prize of over US$18 million.

Playing in his sixth season with EG, Yusop came up with a performance that put his team to the fourth spot in Group A on Friday.

The 21-year-old Filipino midlaner first led the EG to a 2-0 win over Team Aster, putting on a show with mobile and versatile melee agility hero Ember Spirit in Game One. Then, he helped EG sweep in by taking Game Two of the Series A4 duel through a decent Void Spirit performance.

EG advanced to the series duels of the Group Stage in a tie for third spot after coming up with a 2-1-1 win-draw-loss record in bracket A. To reach the group stage, EG needed to get past T1 side, which had Pinoy gamer Carlo “Kuku” Palad playing.

After their 2-0 sweep, EG still advanced after suffering its first loss in

Mhicaela Belen vows to be better the next time he gets a call for national team duty.

(Asian Volleyball Confederation/Eddy Phongphakthana)

Abed Yusop is a Filipino professional gamer who currently plays for Evil Geniuses. (Photo courtesy of Liquipedia/Beyond The Summit)

the Singapore major finals to top Group A qualifier Invictus Gaming.

The top-ranked North American squad is made up of Daryl Koh Pei Xiang, Andreas Nielsen, Israeli Tal Aizik.

The other Filipinos who are striving to make a name in the Ti10 scene are Karl Matthew Baldovino, Marc Polo Luis “Raven” Fausto, Palad and Djardel Jicko B. “DJ” Mampusti Baldovino, 23, is currently playing for T1, Marc Polo Luis “Raven” Fausto is with Fnatic, while Mampusti is the Fnatics skipper.

The Evil Geniuses is one of the oldest North American professional gaming organisations since it was founded in 1999.

The champions of TI10 will claim $18,208,300, as well as the coveted Aegis of Champions to serve as proof being the best Dota 2 team in the world.

Bigger, better This year’s grand prize is much bigger from previous years, with TiI9 in 2019 awarding US$15.6 million out of its US$34.3 million prize pool Since it inception in 2011, The International has transformed the landscape of competitive esports by gathering the world’s finest Dota teams together and setting a new standard for a champion’s prize.

From those origins, the Dota Pro Circuit has grown into a fierce competition that spans both the calendar and the globe, with all players still focused on a single goal—victory at The International.

This year, “Dota 2”

THE youngest player on the Philippine team, Mhicaela Belen, has made the most out of her senior debut in the recent 21st Asian Women’s Club Volleyball Championship in Thailand.

“I am both blessed and honored that I was given the chance to be part of the national team that gave me the opportunity to play with some of the country’s great and respected players,” said the 19-year-old Belen on the eve of the Philippine delegation’s flight home from Nakhon Ratchasima.

“As the matches progressed, I had my fair share of the team’s ups and downs but through it all, the experience was very fulfilling,” she said. “To collaborate with the great and best players allowed me to harvest ideas and techniques that I can use to further flourished my volleyball journey.”

The young but fearless Belen, who stands 5-foot-7, shone in Rebisco’s 23-25, 13-25, 17-25 loss to eventual champion Altay of Kazahkstan in the Pool B opener by drilling in 13 points.

In the following match, she was held to a single point in an 11-25, 16-25, 16-25 loss to Thailand’s Supreme Chonburi.

But Belen was able to recover from that reality check against the Thai powerhouse, contributing eight points in a 24-26, 25-22, 13-25, 17-25 loss to Iran’s

organizers decided to use an artificial crowd cheer function called Spectator Cheer, which allows the fans to send virtual cheers.

Under the group stage, former Eighteen teams are divided in two groups of nine teams each where they play in a round-robin format.

All matches are played in a bestof-two format, and the top four teams in each group advance to the Upper Bracket of the Main Event.

While the bottom team in each group is eliminated, the remaining squads will advance to the Lower Bracket of the Main Event.

Saipa, followed by a 10-point outing in a 25-22, 17-25, 19-25, 17-25 quarterfinals setback to Choco Mucho “I believe that there is always room for improvement for someone who is willing to learn and after the recent tournament, I know that my skills set are not yet sufficient, thus, I will continue to work hard to improve my attacks and my defense particularly my blockings,” Belen said.

“Given my height, I need to learn good strategy for proper timing so that I can execute my defense effectively and efficiently,” the product of Nazareth School of National University added.

As she looks forward to her future national team call-up, Belen is determined to become a better athlete.

“I aim for perfection and I have a passion for volleyball. With competitions to happen in between, I will show that I always put my best in every game. I will continue to grind and seek support and advice on how to better my game and with that, I am confident that I will be another force to be reckoned with. It will be Mhicaela 2.0,” she said.

Rebisco’s campaign as well as Choco Mucho’s in the continental club championship was supported by the Philippine Sports Commission, Rebisco, Taguig Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano, and Asics.

Jollina Go unleashes from the trey area

Pacific Water upsets Glutagence THE Pacific Water Queens stunned the Glutagence Glow Boosters, 71-61, last Saturday for their first win in the Pia Cayetano WNBL Season 2021 at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center in San Fernando, Pampanga.

Jollina Go scored 27 points and converted 6 of her 10 three-point attempts and the Queens finally won a game after five outings in the first season of the women’s pro basketball league.

Snow Penaranda had 13 points and 16 rebounds and Cara Buendia totaled 13 points and 15 rebounds for the Water Queens as they gave the Glow Boosters their first loss after starting out the season 3-0.

Pacific Water outscored Glutagence, 20-10, in the second period with Go converting three triples as the Queens led, 34-25, at halftime.

Go also scored back-to-back triples in the third and Pacific Water tasted a 13-point lead, 53-40, at the end of the quarter.

Buendia made a lay-up with 5:53 left in the fourth and the Queens gained their biggest lead of the game at 64-46.

Raiza Palmera-Dy scored 28 points for Glutagence but lost in its fourth game of the season and dropped to second place behind Paranaque Lady Aces.

The Glow Boosters return to action on Sunday when they face the Lady Aces at 1:15 p.m.

Scores: Pacific Water 71 – Go 27, Penaranda 13, Buendia 13, Bilbao 7, Mamaril 4, Adriano 3, Alba 2, Sebastian 2, Cortizano 0, Payac 0, Balasta 0.

Glutagence 61 – Palmera-Dy 28, Lualhati 9, Gula 8, Hufanda 6, Figuracion 3, Salapong 3, Ramos 2, Cainglet 2, Cancio 0, Garcia 0, Tan 0, Sangalang 0.

Quarterscores: 14-15, 34-25, 53-40, 71-61.

OCTOBER 10, 2021

BOOK REVIEW

SEEING OURSELVES THROUGH OTHERS' EYES:

‘The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy’

‘‘

‘The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy’ by Douglas Adams (2021 edition, Del Rey)

By Rory J. Bolivar and Robespierre L. Bolivar

O

NE of the recurring pop culture references in the hit sitcom “The Big Bang Theory” centers around the book “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy”.

Sheldon Cooper calls it a beloved novel. Leonard Hofstadter says it was his favorite book growing up. Penny bought Leonard a first edition of the novel as a birthday gift. Howard Wolowitz and Rajesh Koothrappali debate the answer to a scientific mystery by referring to the book’s plot.

The year 2021 is an ideal time to discover this cult sci-fi classic. This year marks the 42nd anniversary of the publication of this novel which spawned the original pentalogy. Since the number 42 is one of the most crucial plot points in the book, fans of the novel celebrate this anniversary as a milestone. A new Hulu series is also reportedly in the works, more than 15 years after the release of the 2005 film.

Douglas Adams’ “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” (42nd anniversary edition, 2021, Del Rey) begins, ordinarily enough, on a Thursday morning in a quaint suburban England town. Arthur Dent, whose sole claim to fame is that he works at the local radio station, is thunderstruck when he realizes his home is being demolished to make way for the freeway. His friend Ford Prefect intervenes and saves Arthur from a cataclysmic event which makes his home demolition travails seem completely inconsequential by comparison.

What follows is a trippy and raucous adventure of galactic proportions.

The novel is side-splittingly funny, ingenious, and delightfully cheeky. It seamlessly combines the best of absurdist humor with a penetrating look at the foibles of human society from an objective “alien” point of view. As such, we find ourselves both laughing out

A scene on ‘The Big Bang Theory’ where Penny (Kaley Cuoco) gives Leonard (Johnny Galecki) a first edition of ‘The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy’. (CBS/Netflix)

Raj (Kunal Nayyar) and Howard (Simon Helberg) debate the answer to the mystery of number 43 they found in a room Sheldon goes to. (CBS/Netflix)

loud and pondering deep insights into human behavior in equal measure.

“The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” is a superb satire of science fiction tropes. It lovingly skewers the hero’s journey, physics, cosmology, the search for extraterrestrial life, robotics, and our preconceived notions of UFOs, alien abduction, and dystopian futures.

Ford Prefect, an alien who has been living on Earth for 15 years, is the archetype for characters like Sheldon Cooper. He can be grossly insensitive, inappropriate, and sometimes downright weird. His seemingly incomprehensible actions, however, have an altruistic purpose and he is, at the core, a decent humanoid alien hitchhiker.

Arthur Dent provides the perfect foil for Ford Prefect. As a run-of-the-mill human who is unceremoniously herded off to the far reaches of space, Arthur is understandably confused and often quite nauseated. His natural human emotions play off well against Ford’s more calculating reactions. Their “perfect strangers” shtick and witty banter

provides much of the novel’s comedic fodder, much like how Sheldon and Leonard’s hilarious roommate dynamics fuel “The Big Bang Theory’s” hijinks.

“The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” is also a brilliant piece of speculative fiction. In 1979, when the novel was originally published, the closest thing to a personal computer was the 1 megahertz, 96-kilobyte Commodore Personal Electronic Transactor (PET) and the Atari 2600. What passed for a comprehensive information resource was the heavy 30-volume Encyclopedia Britannica sitting on a dusty shelf in the school library.

The novel, however, foresaw the rise of electronic and audible books, the touchscreen, the motion sensor, drones, live-streaming, and online information resources similar to Wikipedia at least two decades before they became commercially available.

In fact, aside from being the title of the novel, a fictional state-of-the-art travel guide called “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” is featured prominently in the novel.

Ideal for those wishing to visit the farthest reaches of the cosmos on a budget, the Guide merges the comprehensiveness of a travel book series like Lonely Planet with the powerful search and point-to-point direction functions of Google Maps. Despite containing a gazillion data streams to account for every planet, star, moon, gas cloud, asteroid belt, and life form that can be found in the vastness of this galaxy, it comes in an easily updatable electronic format in a device the size of a large pocket calculator.

While we now take for granted the fact that gigabytes of such information can be contained on our modern mobile phones, remember that in the late 1970s this would be like hauling an entire library of books in your backpack.

At its heart, the novel is an incisive and innovative – if irreverent – ethnography of the “other”, a socio-cultural examination of those whose way of life is “alien” to us.

By seeing ourselves from another person’s point of view, we develop a keener sense of empathy. We become more circumspect in our words and actions. We

It seamlessly combines the best of absurdist humor with a penetrating look at the foibles of human society from an objective ‘alien’ point of view. better understand the value of diversity, tolerance, and inclusiveness. Hopefully, we will also learn not to take anything for granted, since it would be a shame to waste time, goodwill, opportunities, and even relationships.

Instead of offering searing, in-yourface commentary which people tend to ignore or even resist, the novel offers us more easily digestible nuggets of wisdom wrapped in humor.

If laughter is the best medicine, then books like “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” are the sweet candy flavors which coat the pills we took when we were children. The flavors may not be therapeutic, but they make the medicine go down easily.

About the authors: Rory J. Bolivar is a registered microbiologist, educator, and writer. Robespierre L. Bolivar is a recipient of the Gawad Mabini, one of the highest Presidential honors bestowed upon Filipino diplomats. Follow them on Facebook @robroryreads and visit robroryreads. wixsite.com/bookreviews

WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY 2021 Twitter reaffirms commitment to mental health FOR this year’s World Mental Health Day, social network company Twitter reaffirms its commitment to provide a safe space and promote conversations about mental well-being.

“We’ve partnered with local mental health authorities and nonprofits across Southeast Asia to understand public conversations on mental health, promote advocacy and campaigns, and launch #ThereIsHelp,” said Monrawee Ampolpittayanant, Twitter’s head of public policy, government, and philanthropy in Southeast Asia.

Launched in 2019, the #ThereIsHelp notification service provides valuable mental health resources to vulnerable people and encourages them to seek professional help.

Mental Health PH hosts a thrice-monthly conversation about mental health on Twitter.

Twitter also launched a dedicated search prompt for suicide and self-harm to more than 30 markets globally to amplify awareness and help connect people with valuable mental health resources in partnership with local mental health authorities and nonprofits.

“We look forward to continuing the collaboration with more mental health organizations across the region to expand our efforts for those in need,” said Ampolpittayanant.

In the Philippines, the company has partnered with Mental Health PH and the National Center for Mental Health to address and destigmatize mental health issues through conversations on the platform.

“One life lost to suicide is one life too many,” lamented Mental Health PH co-founder and executive director Roy Dahildahil.

He continued, “#MentalHealthPH sees suicide and self-harm to be a significant public health issue yet highly misunderstood and stigmatized. We believe we could change this by providing a regular space for people to talk about mental health. For over four years, we have been carrying out #UsapTayo (Let’s talk), a Twitter conversation held every 10th, 20th, and 30th of the month that seeks to educate, work towards zero suicides, and destigmatize mental health.”

Throughout the month of October, a green ribbon emoji will automatically appear in Tweets with any of the following hashtags: #UsapTayo, #TuloyAngKwento, #WorldMentalHealthDay, #WMHD2021, #MentalHealth, #MentalHealthMatters, #MentalHealthForAll #MentalHealthAwareness, #StepUp2021, #OnMyMind, and #MentalHealthinanUnequalWorld.

Getting some sunshine, meditating, and doing physical activities are recommended for peak mind, body, and heart health.

Morning rituals for mind wellness THERE now exists a need to redefine what it means to be strong in today’s world. Strength today isn’t just about being in the best shape physically, it also entails taking a broader, more holistic view of our health – listening to our bodies and prioritizing both physical and mental wellness.

In celebration of World Mental Health Day on Oct. 10, electronics and fitness company Fitbit – with its data-driven insights into physical activity, sleep, nutrition, and mindfulness – suggests tips individuals can do first thing in the morning to achieve and maintain peak mind, body, and heart wellness.

Tap into your ‘ikigai’

A Japanese concept that combines the words “iki”, meaning life, and “gai”, which means benefit or worth, ikigai is literally the reason you get up in the morning, which is why tuning into it when you first wake up can be extremely beneficial to your mood for the rest of the day. Ask yourself: What do I love? What makes me happy? What makes me light up inside?

Wake up ‘naturally’

Doctors suggest trying to wake up naturally, without an alarm – ideally to the light of the sun for those whose schedules allow them to. Fitbit trackers, including the new Fitbit Charge 5, come with a Smart Wake feature that helps determine the best time to wake you starting 30 minutes before your alarm on your device is set. It avoids waking you during deep sleep so you’re more likely to wake up feeling refreshed.

Get some sunshine

Before opening your computer, take a few minutes to go outside and get some natural light.

This is one of the activities in a process called “grounding” – which are exercises that help you firmly anchor yourself in the present – that is helpful in situations where you feel distracted or overwhelmed by thoughts, feelings, or strong emotions like anxiety or anger. Read the rest of the article on manilastandard.net

OCTOBER 10, 2021

Nadine Lustre leads digital concert for mental health

T

Nadine Lustre headlines ‘Be Kind To Your Mind,’ a virtual concert that aims to spread awareness about the importance of mental health among Filipinos.

‘Squid Game’ director Hwang Dong-hyuk.

CNN Film School meets ‘Squid Game’ mastermind IN THE latest instalment of the CNN Film School series, CNN meets Hwang Dong-hyuk, the writer and director behind the global Netflix phenomenon Squid Game.

Released in September, Squid Game – a show about 456 debt-ridden contestants battling it out in a deadly series of children’s games – is currently on track to become Netflix’s most popular show ever.

According to Hwang, the show’s narrative reflects the “competitive so-ciety” we live in today.

It is also a personal story. To create his two main characters, Hwang drew from his own life. Not only are they named after his old friends, he also calls them his “in-ner clones”.

He tells CNN Film School producing the show was so intense he lost six teeth because of stress. But it hasn’t completely put him off the idea of making a second season.

“I feel like I’ve become BTS.. It’s as though I’ve created a Harry Potter or Star Wars franchise,” he said.

Watch his full interview here: https:// cnn.it/3FpV0gZ

ELEHEALTH service provider KonsultaMD brought some of the country’s top artists together for a night of healing, music, and fun in the first mental health concert on Oct. 9, 5:30 p.m. on KonsultaMD’s official Facebook page.

The lineup included popular actress and singer Nadine Lustre, indie rapper, singer-songwriter Curtismith, folk-pop band Ben&Ben, and two of the nation’s hottest DJs — Nix Damn P and Marvelous.

The concert was the culmination of KonsultaMD’s month-long “Be Kind To Your Mind” campaign which aimed to spread awareness about the importance of mental health among Filipinos.

Cholo Tagaysay, KonsultaMD CEO shared that the Philippines has come a long way when it comes to mental health awareness, although understanding that there is still some work to be done in order to standardize mental health services in the country.

He said, “More often than not, what stops a patient from seeking professional help for their mental health is the shame or stigma that it’s admitting to weakness, but what we want Filipinos to know is that seeking help is actually a form of strength. That is why, we at KonsultaMD remain committed in making consultations accessible to those who need it through our platforms and programs. This concert is only one of many that we hope to roll out for our patients and customers.”

Binibining Pilipinas queens eye international crowns BINIBINING Pilipinas Charities, Inc. (BPCI) continues its traditional farewell for competing queens via a virtual rousing send-off party for Binibining Pilipinas Globe 2021 Maureen Montagne and Binibining Pilipinas Intercontinental 2021 Cinderella Obeñita on Friday, Oct. 8.

Aired via the official Facebook page and YouTube channel of Binibining Pilipinas, the online gathering showered Maureen and Cindy with love and support from their Queen Sisters, members of the press, and their families, as they suit up for their respective pageants, days before their fly off to their respective destinations.

During the send-off, the queens were received

by BPCI Chairman, Stella

Jabbawockeez dances to BGYO’s ‘The Baddest’

Marquez-Araneta, in Araneta City with a warm recognition.

“My dearest Cindy and Maureen, I wish you the best of luck in representing the Philippines on the international stage. Embrace this opportunity to show the world the best qualities of a Filipina. You have the full support of Binibining Pilipinas in your next big adventure. We know you will give your all, so believe in yourself, just have fun, and bring home the crown,” Madame Araneta said.

Cagayan De Oro’s pride, Cindy will be first to compete at the Miss Intercontinental beauty pageant in Sharm El Sheik, Egypt on Oct. 30. She follows in the footsteps of Binibining Pilipinas Intercontinental 2019 Emma Mary Tiglao, who finished in the Top 20.

Cindy’s goal is to be the second Filipina to wear the Miss Intercontinental crown after Karen Gallman.

The Batangueña beauty, Maureen will vie for the Miss Globe crown on Nov. 6 in Tirana, Alabania. She follows in the tilt of Miss Globe 2019 2nd runner-up Leren Bautista, and aims to bring home our country’s second Miss Globe crown.

Binibining Pilipinas queens Maureen Montagne (right) and Cinderella Obeñita are off to their respective pageants abroad.

Artists Nadine Lustre and Ben&Ben have been long-time advocates for better mental health and well-being — using their individual platforms to spread awareness and encourage others to take the step in caring for themselves and others.

Last Sept. 12, KonsultaMD, together with Mental Health Matters actress, model, and former beauty queen Kylie Versoza launched the campaign to support World Suicide Prevention Day. The activities included free yoga classes and free meditation and sound healing.

Customers can get a free onemonth health plan with 24/7 unlimited access to licensed mental health professionals until Oct. 31.

All they have to do is download the KonsultaMD app and use the voucher code BEKINDTOYOURMIND to avail of the promo.

KonsultaMD is a 24/7 telehealth service provider manned by skilled and licensed Filipino doctors who give medical assessment and advice on basic healthcare and mental health. It is one of the portfolio companies under 917Ventures, the country’s largest corporate venture builder.

To learn more about KonsultaMD, visit https://konsulta.md.

GLOBALLY famous hip-hop dance crew Jabbawockeez just surprised fast-rising P-Pop group BGYO by posting a video on their Instagram, TikTok and Twitter accounts dancing to the graoup’s hit song, “The Baddest.”

Just last week, BGYO members talked about being inspired by the Jabbawockeez when they were growing up during an exclusive interview with Myx Global, the biggest global platform that celebrates the next generation of Filipino artists.

Fans got to know BGYO members better in an exclusive interview with Myx Global by answering submitted questions, playing fun games, and talking about their participation in the upcoming #1MXDubai and #OneDream concerts with BINI. Watch the interview on this link https://www.instagram.com/p/CUg1DVVAcyh/?utm_medium=copy_link Meanwhile, catch the vidvid eo by Jabbawockeez dancing to BGYO’s “The Baddest” here: https://bit.ly/2Yhttps://bit.ly/2Y shEoa Jabbawockeez surprises the fans of fastrising P-Pop group BGYO by posting a video on Instagram.

Andrew Garfield shows off vocals in ‘tick, tick…Boom!’

In ‘tick, tick…Boom!’, Andrew Garfield plays the creator of ‘Rent,’ who died unexpectedly at 35.

STREAMING giant Netflix has unveiled the official trailer for tick, tick… Boom! starring Academy Award nominee and Tony Award winner Andrew Garfield, who is showing off his singing voice for the first time.

The film is for release in select theaters on Nov. 12 and will hit the streaming platform on Nov. 19.

Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winner Lin-Manuel Miranda makes his feature directorial debut with tick, tick…Boom!, an adaptation of the autobiographical musical by Jonathan Larson, who revolutionized theater as the creator of Rent.

The film follows Jon (Garfield), a young theater

composer who’s waiting tables at a New York City diner in 1990 while writing what he hopes will be the next great American musical. Days before he’s due to showcase his work in a makeor-break performance, Jon is feeling the pressure from everywhere: from his girlfriend Susan, who dreams of an artistic life beyond New York City; from his friend Michael, who has moved on from his dream to a life of financial security; amidst an artistic community being ravaged by the AIDS epidemic.

With the clock ticking, Jon is at a crossroads and faces the question everyone must reckon with:

What are we meant to do with the time we have? tick, tick…BOOM! also stars Alexandra Shipp, Tony Award nominee Robin de Jesús, Tony Award nominee Joshua Henry, Emmy Award nominee Mj Rodriguez, Emmy Award winner Bradley Whitford, Tariq Trotter aka Black Thought of The Roots, with Emmy and Tony Award winner Judith Light, and Vanessa Hudgens.

The film, which streams on Netflix on Nov. 19, is written by Tony Award winner Steven Levenson, and produced by Brian Grazer and Ron Howard for Imagine Entertainment, Julie Oh, and Lin-Manuel Miranda.

OCTOBER 10, 2021

Vitamin A-rich mango

is safe for dogs

Please remember to remove the skin and the core or "buto" before giving to you dog to prevent choking.

M

ANGOES remind us of sunny beaches, beautiful sunsets, an awesome sunrise, and the relaxing sound of the waves of the sea. We love that sweet flesh of ripe mangoes, and savor its delicious juices in our fruit shake.

But can you give mangoes to dogs?

Is it safe for dogs?

In “ Can Dogs Eat mango? 12 Questions Answered,” Pet Rescue reminded furparents that not all fruits can be given to dogs. But one safe fruit is mango, a tropical fruit that is highly beneficial for dogs as it contains Vitamins A, B6, C, and E, potassium, alpha and betacarotene, Pet Rescue said.

You can give mangoes to dogs but Pet Care Press (PCP) in “Can dogs eat mango?” warned that mangoes are full of sugar. Dogs with diabetes or borderline diabetic should not be given mangoes. Thus, you should ask your vet first if you can give mangoes to your dog.

Mangoes can not be given frequently, PCP said. You can give mango to your dog once a week or once in two weeks is enough, Pet Rescue said.

“A slice or two of mango should be an infrequent treat for your dog as too much can lead to weight issues and the problems that come with it. But every now and then it will be fine,” PCP said.

Pet Rescue stressed that “an excessive amount of this fruit can be fatal for your dog. Try to feed the smaller amounts and usually as a snack, not a meal.”

“A quarter cup of mango for your dog would be ideal. As well as avoid feeding him the mangoes on daily ba-

sis. The regular consumption of mango for your dog is not good. So, always give your dog the smaller ratios and once in a while. It will be more beneficial as the vitamins and potassium in the mangoes are necessary for your dog to intake, “Pet Rescue said.

More tips and warning:

1. Do not give the raw mango to your dog without the skin and the pit or buto.

“The skin is not guaranteed to cause problems, but it is certainly possible (so why take this risk?) And it won’t be good for you either. Second, never let your dog get your hands on a mango pit as this can be a real choking hazard for any dog. Essentially, we recommend feeding your dog mangoes the way you would eat them – skinless and stone-free,” PCP said.

2. Mangoes has a lot of fiber which is good but if your dog suffers from an unbalanced digestive system, ask your vet a better way to include fiber in your dog’s diet.

3. For pups and tiny dogs, cut the mango into small slices.” Make the “biteable” pieces so your little friend can enjoy them perfectly. Otherwise, you can also let him eat that as he wants,” Pet Rescue said.

4. Mangoes can be given chilled but not too often. “Although mango is only

Krauss, rescued dog of Save Animals of Love and Light-Save ALL Inc. , loves to pick mangoes with us humans. The mangoes can be given to dogs in small amounts. Remember, a mango is a warming food, thus it is best to give it during cold months, or give cucumber with it during hot months so as not to cause too much heat in the body.

available in summers and eating frozen things in the summer season provides a pleasing effect,” Pet Rescue said.

5. But “You must also keep in mind the health factors of your dog as well.

Feeding the frozen can become dangerous for your dog’s health in certain conditions. Also, serving fresh mango to your dog is highly preferred,” Pet Rescue said. Thus, it is best to consult

Rafa and Nica (brown), both Save ALL rescues who survived parvo, love to smell the mangoes as we pick them during the summer months.

your vet first.

6. Always remember to give the right amount and in the right way.

“Removing the pit is essential because it can be toxic to a dog’s health. The pit of the mango contains cyanide and it can be deadly for your pet,” Pet Rescue said.

“Overall, it is a perfect treat for your dog and you can feed it

whether in the frozen form or at room temperature. Your dog will be going to enjoy this delicious treat,” Pet Rescue said.

“The mangoes are rich in vitamins, potassium, and fiber, which makes them a perfect fruit for your pet dog.

But the only thing to look for is to avoid overconsumption of mango, “ it added.

NUTRITION AND YOUR DOG’S BEHAVIOR

By Dr. Saza Curaming, DVM

These human kids provide not only love but also the right food for their pups for them to grow up healthy and strong. Here are the Hammer Sisters Chelsea, Nikki and Chynna and their Lola Mama Chie with their Chowsky pups. These pups have been very therapeutic for these girls, especially during the pandemic.

Dada, a four-year-old Dachshund and asong pinoy (aspin) mixx, is such a good mama to her four pups. Furparent Tet Santos gives her plenty of food-- a mix of vegetables, meat ad a little rice -- to keep her healthy and help her produce more milk.

THE ongoing pandemic has highlighted the benefits of having pets at home. Studies show that having a dog at home contributes to our wellbeing.

Our furry animal friends can us help fight stress, build confidence, ease anxiety, and keep loneliness at bay.

With all the benefits that dogs bring, it’s no surprise that more Filipinos are welcoming them into their homes. Organizations such as the Animal Kingdom Foundation have amped up their efforts to encourage pet adoption.

Of course, the benefits of dog ownership come with greater responsibilities.

Regardless of its life stage, a dog will need a pet owner’s regular attention and a healthy diet to develop appropriately.

When it comes to dog food, good nutrition is as important to your dog's health as it is to your own, but its nutritional needs are quite different.

A dog’s behavior can be determined by several factors – breed, socialization,environment, and its health. Pet owners should look at these factors if there is a drastic shift in their pets’ behavior.

Nutrition is key to all aspects of a dog’s development, and it is important to keep in mind that small breeds and larger breeds have different nutritional needs. Physically, having the right nutrition can help keep dogs active and healthy and prevent them from being sickly and lethargic.

A healthy dog is generally a happy dog. In terms of behavior, nutrition can help dogs develop good disposition. Excessive chewing, begging and incessant barking are telltale signs that something may be bothering your pooch and you need to make some adjustments.

Another thing to keep in mind is that adequate nutrition should start early.

In fact, nutrition starts when the mom is pregnant as she can pass on the right nutrients to the puppies. Pregnant and

These are what a nursing mother needs to keep her healthy and to provide nutrients her pups need.

nursing dogs need high-quality and nutrient-dense pet food, formulated for all life stages for growth.

Once the puppies are out in the world, the DHA in IAMS dog food can assist in brain development for smarter and more trainable puppies. IAMS is also equipped with the right ration of calcium and phosphorus for healthy teeth and bones, essential fatty acids for healthy skin and shiny coat, wholesome grains for better digestion, and an antioxidant rich formula for a healthy immune system.

Tailored dog food solutions such as IAMS provide meaningful care for pet parents of their pets. Otherwise, if

nutrients are insufficient for puppies, they cannot absorb proper physical, mental, and social skills needed for development and growth.

As creatures of habit, sticking to a routine diet will prevent dogs from becoming finicky eaters. It is important to be aware of what we feed our pets, since we treat them as part of the family. Feeding your pet with nutritional food appropriate to their age and size helps it develop socialization skills and behaviors which aids in having a long and meaningful life.

Editor’s Note: This article was provided

by Mars Petcare.