Manila Standard - 2021 October 31 - Sunday

PH logs record virus fatality NCR positivity rate down to 5%; Alert Level 3 extension welcomed n By WILLIE CASAS AND JOEL ZURBANO

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HE country logged a record-high daily COVID-19 fatality of 423 on Saturday, even as the positivity rate in Metro Manila decreased to five percent – the lowest since July 14.

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The Department of Health said 373 of the fatalities were initially tagged as recoveries.

This brought the total COVID-related deaths to 43,044, with a case fatality rate of 1.55 percent.

Some 4,008 infections were also recorded yesterday, raising the nationwide tally to 2,783,896, with active cases at 47,690.

Of the active cases, 74.4 percent were mild, 5.1 percent were asymptomatic, 2.7 percent were critical, 6.5 percent were severe, and 11.27 percent were moderate.

Nationwide, 49 percent of ICU beds, 36 percent of isolation beds, 33 percent of ward beds, and 32 percent of ventilators were in use.

In Metro Manila, 42 percent of ICU beds, 30 percent of isolation beds, 30 percent of ward beds, and 29 percent of ventilators were in use.

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Gov’t to complete inoculation of 12.7m minors by Q1 next yr.

n By ETON CONCEPCION

n By MARICEL CRUZ AND JOEL ZURBANO

LIKE the heroine of the well-loved Disney classic who is also her namesake, Cinderella Faye Obeñita reaped a happy ending in her quest to the Miss Intercontinental 2021 crown after she bested 71 other candidates from around the world during the finals held at Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt.

Obeñita, 25, became the second Filipina to win the title after Karen Gallman won the crown in 2018.

An early favorite during pre-pageant events, the model from Cagayan de Oro City was also named Miss IntercontinenIntercontinen tal-Asia Oceania.

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HEALTH Secretary Francisco Duque III said the vaccination of 12.7 million adolescents aged 12 to 17 could be completed in the first quarter of next year.

“Inoculating 100 percent of the 12.7 million minors could be accomplished in January or first quarter of 2022,” he said.

Duque said the government is eyeing to vaccinate 80 percent of the targeted population of minors by the end of the year.

The vaccination of all minors 12 to 17 years old will begin on Nov. 3 in Metro Manila while the nationwide implementation will be on Nov. 5.

A total of 23,727 minors with comorbidities have already been vaccinated. Non-immunocompromised minors will be vaccinated at regular vaccination sites.

For his part, National Task Force Against COVID-19 adviser Dr. Ted Herbosa said the government aims to fully inoculate 50 million individuals against COVID-19 by the end of the year as more vaccine doses arrive in the country.

“We have administered 58 million doses so far and I think more than half of that number are those fully vaccinated from COVID-19. Our vaccination rate continues to CONTINUED ON 3A

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Cinderella Faye Obeñita

2,783,896 4,008

47,690

43,044

423

2,693,162

6,887

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SWS: Rody’s net satisfaction drops to ‘very good’ 52% n By VITO BARCELO PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte’s net satisfaction ratings dropped to 52 percent, which is still considered “very good,” based on the latest Social Weather Stations survey.

The 3rd Quarter survey of SWS, The Third Quarter 2021 Social Weather Survey, conducted from September 12-16, 2021, found 67 percent of adult Filipinos satisfied, 11 percent undecided, and 15 percent dissatisfied with the performance of Duterte.

Compared to the second quarter survey, the President's gross satisfaction fell by 8 percentage points from 75 percent, gross undecided fell by one percentage point from 12 percent, and gross dissatisfaction rose by two percentage points from 13 percent.

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HOLIDAY STAPLE. The COVID-19 pandemic may be crimping

on holiday traditions, but Filipinos still go for lechon – a staple of the season whether whole or per kilo. At La Loma in Quezon City on Saturday, workers of Ping Ping Native Lechon prepare roasted pigs for sale. Agricultural organizations earlier appealed to President Rodrigo Duterte to issue an executive order suspending the excise tax on petroleum products for one year as continuous spikes in oil prices have impacted rice, corn, and vegetable farmers, hog raisers, chicken growers, and fishermen. Manny Palmero

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G20 key for momentum at Glasgow climate meet WORLD | 3A

Poll bets have until Nov. to file name corrections

Vietnam jails citizen journalists for ‘abuses’

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Bongbong wants Cebu City as PH devt hub

OCTOBER 31, 2021

Poll bets have until November to file corrections—Comelec

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HOSE seeking national and local positions have until the first week of November to file corrections to their names for the May 2022 polls.

Commission on Elections (Comelec) spokesperson James Jimenez said in a statement on Saturday that requests for the correction of names to appear on the ballot may be filed until November 8.

The deadline for the substitution of an official candidate who withdrew, died, or was disqualified by final judgment to file a Certificate of Candidacy (COC) is on November 15.

The Comelec issued the tentative list of candidates on Friday, although some regions posted just partial lists.

The list, which can be viewed at comelec.gov.ph,

was based on the COCs, Certificates of Nomination and Acceptance, and Certificates of Nomination filed from October 1 to 8.

For national positions, there are 97 aspirants for president, 28 for vice president, 174 for senator, and 270 for party-list. The extended voters’ registration ends on October 30.

Meanwhile, workers who would not be able to vote in the actual May 9, 2022 polls can file their applications for local absentee voting (LAV) until March next year, the Comelec said.

In Resolution No. 10725, the poll body said individuals who like to be part of the LAV must file

their duly accomplished forms (LAV Form No. 01) not later than March 7, 2022.

The people who may avail of LAV are government officials and employees, including members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and the Philippine National Police as well as members of the media, media practitioners including their technical and support staff (media voters) who are duly registered voters.

For government workers, they may submit their application forms before their heads of offices/supervisors/commanders/officers next-in-rank.

Media workers can submit their applications before the Office of the Regional Election Director of the National Capital Region (NCR) in case of highly urbanized cities in the NCR, including Pateros, Office of the City Election Officer in case of highly urbanized or independent cities outside the NCR and Offices of the Provincial Election Supervisor for other areas.

Leni lauds AFP for successful campaign vs. terrorist group n By MARICEL V. CRUZ VICE President Leni Robredo lauded the military after government troops killed the leader of terrorist group Dawlah Islamiya Philippines in an operation in Talayan, Maguindanao on Friday.

Robredo on Saturday said the efficient and determined action of the 6th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army brought Hassan to justice.

“We are grateful for the bravery of the Army, which ensured that Hassan, the instigator of the bombings in Maguindanao, North Cotabato, and Sultan Kudarat, was held accountable,” Robredo said in a statement in Filipino.

In her statement, Robredo said she joins the Filipino people in paying tribute to the noble and professionalism of the Philippine Army.

Major General Juvymax Uy, commander of Army’s 6th Infantry Division, told a news conference Salahuddin Hassan was killed in Barangay Damablac Friday.

“Salahuddin Hassan, also known as Orak, the overall emir of Dawlah Islamiya Philippines and most wanted Dawlah Islamiya terrorist, was neutralized by government forces,” he said.

The military said Hassan’s wife, Jehana Mimbida, allegedly the group’s finance officer, was also killed in the operation.

MENACING. A Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) officer gives a menacing look while giving orders to a trainee.

The PCG has convened 300 trainees under the Coast Guard Non-Officer’s Course Class 89 - 2021 presided over

by Coast Guard Education, Training, and Doctrine Command (CGETDC) Commander, CG Commodore Eustacio Nimrod P Enriquez at the Coast Guard Base Taguig City today. The trainees will undergo six months of rigorous training to transform them into disciplined Coast Guardians through military drills, basic soldiery, as well as lectures on PCG customs and traditions.

nary people,” Domagoso said during the launch of “Ako si Isko – Volunteers Day” at the Quezon Memorial Circle.

Domagoso explained that these minimum basic needs were what prompted him to build vertical mass housing projects in Manila as well as modern school buildings and fully-equipped and worldclass hospitals such as the Covid 19 Field Hospital in Quirino Grandstand and the soon-to-be-finished 10-story New Ospital ng Maynila.

“My dream is your dream. What I want is what you want,” Moreno said,

n By REY E. REQUEJO AKSYON Demokratiko standard-bearer Manila City Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso on Friday declared that he will continue President Rodrigo Duterte’s “Build, Build, Build” program but with a new focus–addressing the minimum basic needs of the people.

“If I become president, I will continue the “Build, Build, Build “ program of this administration. But instead of roads and flyovers, I will build hospitals, school buildings, and mass housing for ordi-

referring to housing, education, and health which are the main concerns of his “Bilis Kilos” 10-point agenda for governance.

“This is the fight of our ordinary Filipinos who fears every day if he still has a house, if you still have enough money for the fare. If he has anything to eat in the future. That is the real daily fear of our people,” Domagoso noted.

During his 23 years of being a public servant, Moreno said the welfare of the people and what is beneficial to the people, was his guiding principle.

n By MARICEL V. CRUZ

PACT FOR HIGHER EDUCATION. Philippine Collective Media Corporation

(PCMC) President Sofonias P. Gabonada, Jr. (2nd from left) and Polytechnic State University of Bicol (PSUB) President Dr. Charlito P. Cadag (2nd from right) show the memorandum of agreement they sign to establish the country’s first higher education institutional-based radio station and digital TV through Favorite Music Radio (FMR) University FM to push more educational and informative programs under the new normal. Also in the photo are PCMC National Director for Technical Billy Danryll B. Dulatre (left) and Station Manager and University Director on Student Affairs Hejie Estipona Andalis (right).

AT LEAST 1,000 people from Eastern Visayas benefitted from the feeding programs of the Tingog Party-list group.

The nominee of a party-list group and actress-singer Karla “Mamshie” Estrada has led two of the three feeding program events.

The party-list group launched late this week the feeding program not only to alleviate hunger among the youth but also reduce micronutrient deficiency among them amid the continued devastating effects of the coronavirus disease 2019.

Estrada, the mother of actor and recording artist Daniel Padilla, assured

that the Tingog Party-list group headed by siting Rep. Yedda Marie K. Romualdez, who chairs the House Committee on the Welfare of Children, will always work on programs that would benefit the people as many workers lost income as an offshoot of the pandemic.

The group through the help of Southern Leyte Gov. Damian Mercado also distributed three brand new wheelchairs to improve the mobility of Fidel Cadavero and Rosemarie Amaca of Maasin City and Mary Supangan of Sogod town.

In barangay Tunga-Tunga, Maasin City, Southern Leyte, Estrada said she was very happy to see the faces of 250 smiling kids who were fed hot arroz caldo with monggo and egg.

PCMC, PSUB sign digital education pact informative programs under the new normal.

Gabonada said the first in the country FMR University FM located in the Bicol Region will also function as a laboratory for university students enrolled in AB Communications and Electronics Engineering courses while PSUB Digital TV will offer a channel for each of the state university’s colleges and will serve as an alternative platform for providing high-quality higher education.

Dr. Charlito P. Cadag, president of PSUB said the radio station and digital television will be part of their response to the pandemic’s issues of shifting gears from traditional classroom education to broadcast-based learning using technological innovation.

ManilaStandard

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PARTIDO Federal ng Pilipinas presidential candidate Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Saturday vowed to usher in the progress of big urban hubs like Cebu City as the center of economic development in the future.

“I think we can always count on Cebu to be the hub of economic development in the future,” Marcos told Cebuanos during his continuous “knowyour-people’s-concern” consultation process with the various sectors across the country.

“I will serve the country and there is a saying that ‘when the water rises, all ships also rise.

Let’s raise the Philippines, and one of the first cities in the Philippines to rise is Cebu,” he said.

Marcos stressed he has already a lot of plans for the province being the center for commerce in the Visayas region.

The former senator said he is planning to continue the development his father, former President Ferdinand Marcos, Sr., made, recalling the creation of the Mactan Export Processing Zone which he said is one of the main drivers of progress in Cebu’s economy.

“If you remember, one of the main drivers of the progress of the economy in Cebu is the development of the port and I think we can continue that. Cebu is still the economic center of the Visayas and in some areas, it’s actually the economic center of the Philippines, so we must continue the development,” he said.

“The big urban hubs will be the center of development in the future so Cebu being so prominent will certainly be a major part of that. It’s important that Cebu is part of the plan because it has always had an entrepreneurial tradition. Cebu has a strong entrepreneurial spirit that we can take advantage of in making better deals with public-private sectors sharing,” Marcos added.

Domagoso wants to continue ‘Build, Build, Build’ Lacson-Sotto team

Tingog feeding program benefits Eastern Visayas

NABUA, Camarines Sur – The Philippine Collective Media Corporation (PCMC) has signed a memorandum of agreement with Polytechnic State University of Bicol (PSUB) to establish the country’s first higher education institutional-based radio station and digital TV. Under the agreement signed last Wednesday, Sofonias P. Gabonada, Jr., president of PCMC said the partnership will produce public information, education, and commercial/entertainment-based programs that will assist students and the community to become knowledgeable and obtain highly-relevant information.

The content will be transmitted through the PCMC’s Favorite Music Radio (FMR) University FM to push more educational and

n By REY E. REQUEJO

ONLINE

can be accessed at: manilastandard.net

MEMBER Philippine Press Institute The National Association of Philippine Newspapers

SPARKLING CHRISTMAS. Marikina Vice Mayor Marion Andres, SM City Marik-

ina mall manager Francis Brian Cruz and other city officials shows the gift box from Santa Claus during the “Sparkling Christmas” launch at SM City Marikina in Marikina City on Thursday night (October 28, 2021). The Christmas spirit lives on in the hearts of many Filipinos amid the coronavirus pandemic. Norman Cruz

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

pioneers hybrid online, in-person campaign sorties

MEXICO, Pampanga—Despite the benefits of digital communications, Partido Reporma chairman and standard-bearer Panfilo “Ping” Lacson understands that holding physical campaigns is still the best way to connect with the electorate.

Speaking to reporters at the third leg of his “Online Kumustahan,” on Friday, Lacson said he and his running mate Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III are prepared to go around the country and personally communicate their political platforms to the Filipino voters.

Both senators first held their virtual town hall forums in Antipolo City, Rizal over the last two weekends, which they attended online. Lacson said he found it quite “unfair” for their supporters to be going out while they stayed home, so they decided to make some changes.

“We made some adjustments kasi ‘nung una, (because, at first, it was) purely online, kaya ang tawag namin (so we called it) “Online Kumustahan.” Ganito rin, may mga (It’s just like this, there is a small) crowd din, iba’t ibang lugar (in different locations),” Lacson said.

“Nasimulan namin doon sa Rizal province. Pero kaming dalawa ni Senate President Sotto naka-online.

So, napapansin namin, parang unfair naman doon sa mga kausap namin na sila nasa on-site, tapos kaming dalawa, wala naman kami doon sa lugar. (We started this in Rizal province but Senate President Sotto and I were just online. So, we noticed it was quite unfair for the people we were talking to that they were on-site, but we were not there physically),” he added.

For the Partido Reporma presidential bet, nothing beats adding a personal touch to political campaigns, but he understands its limitations these days, considering the COVID-19 pandemic.

Lacson said they are planning to conduct more “Online Kumustahan” events where he and Sotto can also attend physically while keeping the crowd attendance for their political rallies at the bare minimum to stave off a possible superspreader event.

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 31, 2021

ALL ABOARD.

Passengers board a special Climate Summit train, which runs from Amsterdam Central, via Rotterdam and Brussels to London, from where they will travel to Glasgow for the annual UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Amsterdam October 30, 2021. AFP

G20 key for momentum at Glasgow climate meet

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S NEARLY 200 nations gather in Glasgow for UN climate talks starting Sunday, all eyes are on Rome where a G20 summit ending the same day will signal how committed the world’s major economies are to curbing global warming.

Never has climate change figured so prominently on the G20 agenda, and never have leaders hopped straight from a G20 to a climate summit: more than 120 heads of state and government are expected at the outset of COP26 in Scotland.

The G20 – including China, the US, India, the EU and Russia – accounts for 80 percent of global GDP and nearly 80 percent of greenhouse gas emissions.

“The G20 is going to be very important for COP26,” said Helen Mountford, VP

for climate and economics at the World Resources Institute.

“The idea is to get very clear and strong pressure signals from the leaders on what they plan to do, both individually and collectively,” she told AFP. Climate negotiators, CEOs, policy wonks and NGOs at the 13-day climate talks will parse the G20 communique for signs of where COP26 might break down or see breakthroughs.

No measure of success at COP26 looms

larger than capping global warming at 1.5 degrees Celsius below pre-industrial levels, a threshold only a few tenths of a degree away.

“We want to be able to say with credibility coming out of Glasgow that we have kept 1.5C within reach,” UK minister and COP President Alok Sharma told journalists by Zoom this week.

But that means slashing global emissions nearly in half by 2030 and to “net-zero” by 2050.

We are far from the mark. Recently updated carbon-cutting pledges – known as nationally determined contributions, or NDCs – would still see global temperatures rise a “catastrophic” 2.7C, according to the UN. “We need sharp emissions cuts within this decade,” said Rachel Cleetus, policy director for climate and energy at the Union of Concerned Scientists. AFP

Vietnam jails citizen journalists for ‘abuse of democratic rights’ VIETNAMESE court has jailed five citizen journalists for “abusing democratic rights,” drawing sharp US criticism of the communist government’s crackdown on freedom of speech.

Vietnam’s hardline administration often moves swiftly to stifle dissent, jailing activists, journalists and any critic with large audiences on Facebook, which is widely used throughout the country.

Critics say the government has adopted a much tougher approach to dissent since Nguyen Phu Trong was re-elected as the Communist Party chief after a secretive congress earlier this year.

Five people working on an online citizen journalist news page were sentenced on Thursday by a court in Can Tho, a city in southern Vietnam’s Mekong Delta region.

Truong Chau Huu Danh, the founder of Facebook page Bao Sach, which translates as “The Clean Newspaper” and has posts on hot-button social issues and corruption, was jailed for four and a half years.

Articles by Danh – a former journalist – had “reactionary thoughts, going deep into content that is not suitable for the interests of the country,” state-run Vietnam News Agency said, quoting court documents. AFP

FromtheFRONTPAGE PH...

The OCTA Research Group, for its part, said Metro Manila now has a low positivity rate of 5 percent as well as a low reproduction number of 0.55 percent.

“A positivity rate of 5 percent or less is an acceptable positivity rate according to the World Health Organization,” the independent research team said.

“Hopefully next week we will see something close to 4 percent. But based on history, the positivity rate in NCR plateaus around 3 to 4 percent,” OCTA’s Guido David said.

For his part, a former adviser to the government’s pandemic task force on Saturday expressed support to the extension of Alert Level 3 in Metro Manila until Nov. 14.

Dr. Tony Leachon said the government probably took into consideration the new variant from Mauritius found in a patient from Negros Oriental and the subvariant of the Delta strain that is not yet in the country, as well as a possible surge in cases due to the overcrowding at the Manila Bay dolomite beach.

“I think that’s the context of why Alert Level 2 was delayed. I think that it’s connected to the dolomite incident.

They want to find out if it will result in a spike in the next two weeks, that’s why they delayed it,” Leachon said.

Under Alert Level 3, the Depart-

TRICK OR TREAT? A man wears a Pennywise costume during a show at River View Park in Cali, Colombia, on October 29, 2021, ahead of Halloween. AFP

Andrew asks US court to dismiss ‘baseless’ sex case BRITAIN’S Prince Andrew insisted his sexual assault accuser was out to profit from a “baseless lawsuit” against him as he asked a New York court to dismiss the case Friday.

In a filing in Manhattan, the Duke of York’s lawyers accused Virginia Giuffre of suing the prince “to achieve another payday” from her accusations against the late disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.

“Most people could only dream of obtaining the sums of money that Giuffre has secured for herself over the years,” wrote attorney Andrew Brettler.

“This presents a compelling motive for Giuffre to continue filing frivolous lawsuits against individuals such as Prince Andrew, whose sullied reputation is only the latest collateral damage of the Epstein scandal,” he added.

Giuffre alleges Epstein, who killed himself while awaiting trial on child sex trafficking charges in 2019, lent her out for sex with his wealthy and powerful associates.

The 38-year-old sued Andrew for unspecified damages in August, claiming he sexually assaulted her more than 20 years ago when she was 17 and a minor under US state law. AFP

Russian tycoon pays $500 million to settle US tax bill RUSSIAN billionaire Oleg Tinkov was required to pay nearly $509 million to settle US charges of tax evasion, the US Justice Department said.

The banking and investment tycoon paid the back taxes and fine after pleading guilty on October 1 to felony charges of concealing more than $1 billion in assets to avoid paying taxes on them as he gave up his US citizenship in 2013.

Tinkov is the founder of Tinkoff Credit Services, which became the popular online Tinkoff Bank, and owner of the professional Tinkoff Cycling Team.

The Justice Department said that the Russian-born Tinkov, 53, became a US citizen in 1996.

In 2013 he took Tinkoff Credit public on the London Stock Exchange, valuing his holding in it at more than $1.1 billion.

Three days after the IPO, he sought to renounce his US citizenship at the US embassy in Moscow.

But, required in the citizenship renunciation process to report his full wealth and pay taxes on it, Tinkov submitted documents saying he only had $300,000 in assets. AFP

Tonga faces hard lockdown after first COVID case TONGANS flocked to vaccination centres Saturday after the government warned the main island Tongatapu might be plunged into lockdown next week after recording its first case of COVID-19.

The infected person was among 215 people on a repatriation flight from the New Zealand city of Christchurch.

A routine test on arrival Thursday, while in compulsory managed isolation, returned a positive result the following day.

Prime Minister Pohiva Tuionetoa warned islanders Saturday to prepare for the possibility of a lockdown if more cases emerge but said there was no need for immediate action as it could take “more than three days” before a person with the virus becomes contagious.

“We should use this time to get ready in case more people are confirmed they have the virus,” he said. AFP

Myanmar junta sentences Suu Kyi aide to 20 years for treason MYANMAR’S military sentenced a close aide of ousted civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi to 20 years in prison on Friday, his lawyer said, the first high-ranking member of her party to be jailed by a junta court.

The country has been in turmoil since a February 1 coup ousted Suu Kyi’s National League

ment of Transportation said it will implement a 30-day pilot study of the gradual increase in passenger capacities in all forms of public transport in Metro Manila and nearby provinces.

The government’s COVID-19 task force on Thursday approved the increase in operational capacity from the current 50 percent to 70 percent for public roadbased and rail transportation in Metro Manila and the provinces of Bulacan, Rizal, Cavite, and Laguna starting Nov. 4.

“The livelihood of public transport drivers and operators was severely affected with passenger capacity in public transport maintained at 50 percent due to previous pandemic restrictions.

Increasing passenger capacity will mean higher revenue for the public transport sector, considering the increase in expenses brought by rising fuel prices,” the DOTR said in a statement.

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, on the other hand, said the implementation of the truck ban policy will remain suspended while the National Capital Region is still under Alert Level 3.

“In support of the government’s effort to gradually open the economy, the truck ban being imposed by the MMDA on major thoroughfares will remain suspended until further notice,” the agency said in an advisory.

GOV’T... increase. We are already at 32 percent, so hopefully we will fully vaccinate at least 50 percent by the end of December,” Herbosa said.

for Democracy (NLD) government, accusing it of fraud in 2020 polls it won in a landslide.

Myanmar has since been in chaos, with huge democracy protests and a crackdown on dissent that has killed more than 1,200 people, according to a local monitoring group.

Former member of parliament and NLD

The 50 percent target, according to the NTF, represents the "low" threshold, but the "high target" remains at 70 percent.

In other developments: • A House leader on Saturday suggested the mass hiring of nurses and medical technologists to ramp up the country’s vaccination drive. “It is crucial for us to accelerate our national vaccination rate to ensure herd immunity before the end of year or even earlier. We can even hit two birds with one stone by employing qualified health professionals. Such an act will hit both our public health and unemployment concerns," Deputy Majority Leader and Rizal Rep. Fidel Nograles. “We are over the issue of low vaccine supply and as such, we need to do everything to speed up our economic recovery. I believe we are on the right track and as children will soon be fully protected, we are not too far from returning to face-to-face classes and the new normal,” he added.

• The Cebu Pacific Air attained a 100 percent vaccination rate for its active personnel in its own vaccination program. “We are very pleased to share this news with everyone as we prepare to ramp-up our domestic network to cater to the pent-up travel demand. CEB continues to boost its safety protocols and we know having a fully vaccinated crew will strengthen the trust and confidence of the public in air travel,” said Felix Lopez, CEB Vice President for People Department. CEB’s entire workforce is now 98 percent fully vaccinated.

SWS:...

This gave him a net satisfaction rating of +52, classified by SWS as “very good.”

It was 10 percentage points lower than Duterte's “very good” +62 percent net satisfaction rating in June 2021, and the lowest since his “good” +45 in June 2018.

Duterte's net rating fell to “good” in all areas except in Mindanao, where it stayed “excellent” from +79 in the second quarter to +76.

It was down by 15 percentage points in Metro Manila (from +63 to +48), by 14 percentage points in Balance Luzon (from +58 to +44), and by 9 points in Visayas (from +53 to +44).

His net satisfaction rating stayed “very good” among male respondents, although it was down by 12 percentage points from +65 to +53. It also remained “very good” among female respondents even as it declined by nine percentage points from +60 to +51.

Malacañang, for its part, thanked Filipinos who continue to appreciate Duterte's work performance amid the challenges brought about by the pandemic.

"We thank our people for giving the President a consistent 'very good' rating as reflected in the first, second and third quarter surveys of SWS for 2021," presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said in a press statement.

"Indeed, this is a clear validation

speaker Win Htein was handed 20 years in jail for treason by a special court in the capital Naypyidaw, lawyer Myint Thwin told AFP. He added that he would appeal the sentence, and that his client was in good health.

Win Htein, 80, is the first high-ranking NLD member to be sentenced by the junta after a trial. AFP that public confidence remains high on the ability and competence of the Chief Executive to lead the nation amid the current health crisis brought by the COVID-19 pandemic," he added.

The SWS had a sampling error margin of ±3 percentage points for national percentages and ±6 percentage points for Metro Manila, Balance Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao.

PINAY...

The rest of her court includes Miss Mexico (Intercontinental North America) as 1st runner up; Miss England (Intercontinental Europe) as 2nd runner up; Miss Seychelles (Intercontinental Africa), as 3rd runner up; Miss Canada (Power of Beauty) as 4th runner up; and Miss Colombia (Intercontinental South America) as 5th runner up.

During the final question and answer round, Obeñita was asked: "As an international ambassador, do you believe that speaking English is important for Miss Intercontinental?"

“As an ambassador, I don't think that speaking a specific language is very important here in Miss Intercontinental or in any pageant at all. As long as that woman is a woman of power and grace, commitment and intelligence, no matter what language she speaks, then she can win any pageant or any endeavor she is into,” Obeñita said.

Obeñita wore a Diwata-inspired national costume, symbolic of the Filipino folklore goddess designed by Odelon Simpao. She was also a head turner in her sexy Darna costume during the pageant’s Halloween costume party.

AIA Philippines shifts to total health solution A

OCTOBER 31, 2021

By Othel V. Campos

IA PHILIPPINES, a leading life insurance company, introduced Total Health Solution, an ecosystem accessible through a single touchpoint platform that allows customers to access all its services that can help them live better, protect better and get better.

“This is one of the many innovative solutions we have developed to take care of our customers as part of our transition to AIA Philippines.

Through Total Health Solution, providing the means for us to be with our customers every step of the way, we bring to life our purpose of helping more Filipinos live healthier, longer, better lives,” said AIA Philippines chief executive Kelvin Ang. AIA Philippines chief marketing office Leo Tan emphasized the importance of staying healthy in these challenging times and having a plan that will provide security and peace of mind.

“We all have different health needs but we have the same goal, which is to be the healthiest we can be. The Total Health Solution ecosystem will help our customers achieve this. Insurance companies used to be just about providing protection products. With Total Health Solution, we are there to help them live better so they are able to maintain a healthy lifestyle, protect better so they have peace of mind that they are prepared for life’s uncertainties, and get better, giving them access to healthcare needs should they find themselves unwell,”

he said.

AIA Philippines, formerly AIA Philam Life, is the country’s premier life insurance company. Originally established on June 21, 1947 as Philam Life, AIA Philippines earned the trust of customers for its financial strength, strong brand name and ability to deliver on promises.

AIA Philippines customers can find the support they need to sustain a healthy lifestyle in the Total Health Solution ecosystem. It houses the AIA Vitality program, the company’s game-changing program that incentivizes customers with rewards for knowing and improving their health. It’s also where healthcare partners such as EZ Consult can be easily accessed, allowing customers the means to consult nutritionists with a few clicks of a button.

“As a life insurance company, our mission is to race against risk to

protect more Filipinos. And at the end of the day, that is at the core of what we do. Through Total Health Solution, we are able to fulfill this mission by providing them the means to be protected, and more importantly, stay protected,” Tan said.

Within the ecosystem, customers have clear visibility on their policies, and allows them to make changes.

With these details on hand, customers can be reminded regularly when their premiums are due, helping them avoid missing their payments.

With Total Health Solution, customers have the support they need anytime, anywhere. Healthcare needs such as teleconsult, medicine purchase via delivery, vaccine administration, and discounted laboratory procedures are easily accessible.

“The pandemic has increased the need for healthcare solutions among

Filipinos. As their partner in health and wellness, we want to be able to address that need. These days, it can be a strain to schedule a consultation or a lab procedure, especially if you don’t know where to go. Having the Total Health Solution ecosystem reassures our customers that they will be supported for everything related to their health care needs,” Tan said.

The journey to helping Filipinos live better began in 2017 and with Total Health Solution, AIA Philippines has come full circle.

AIA Philippines understands the needs of its customers and provides holistic solutions that include life protection, health insurance, savings, education, retirement, investment, group and credit life insurance. It also offers bancassurance and fund management products and services through its subsidiaries―BPI AIA Life Assurance Corp. (formerly BPI-

Philam Life Assurance Corp.) and Philam Asset Management Inc. AIA Philippines head of health and wellness Kats Cajucom noted that AIA Philippines has been working hard to actually provide meaningful propositions for customers.

“With out Total Health Solution, we aim to help more Filipinos live better, protect better and get better and it is operationalized by what we call PPDTR or predict prevent, protect, diagnose, treat and recover pillars. So with live better we actually promote it with AIA vitality. This covers the prevent and predict pillars of the spectrum. Six years ago we became the thought leader in the health and wellness space with AIA Vitality when we introduce the program and it will remain as our core engagement chassis to encourage positive behavior change,” she said.

PH communications agency goes global COMCO Southeast Asia unveiled a 10-year masterplan to continue the growth and evolution of the company as a trailbalzer and award-winning communications agency.

“It’s a big feat that we have, indeed, came a long way from when we started 5 years ago. We have told stories and will continue to tell more as we navigate the globe helping clients achieve their goals. We want to continue to trailblaze and we will do so for another 5 years and more,” said COMCO Southeast Asia team COMCO co-founder and Southeast Asia regional integration and chief executive Ferdinand Bondoy.

To mark its fifth year in the business, COMCO SEA held a year-long 5-part celebration which includes the virtual townhall and digital unveiling of COMCO SEA’s brand evolution, the inauguration of the Camp COMCO Alumni Society “Unity Games”, the “Write to Ignite Blogging Project Season 2: Dear Survivor” and Citizen COMCO’s “5 Gifts to the Community” ingful storytelling to the United Arab launch via the Cause Marketing for Emirates (UAE) and MEA region.

The move is also poised to open Good initiative with World Vision. The last leg of the celebration is the Blaz- doors of opportunities for COMCO’s ing Sapphire Main Event where sever- client partners to take advantage of the multi-cultural team’s knowledge al major initiatives were unveiled. and network of both flourishing and NEW GROUNDS Among the announcements shared fast-moving markets and to unlock during the event was the launch of the gateway to launching inter-regionCOMCO Middle East & Africa, which al campaigns.

This is also especially momenwill bring COMCO’s brand of mean-

tous as UAE plays host to the World Expo, one of the first and largest international events on the planet, taking place every five years and lasting six months. With the COMCO team’s local presence, brands that are aiming to get a foothold at Expo 2020 Dubai are sure to be guided as they present themselves to a truly global audience.

COMCO SEA business development director, partner and co-founder Tricia Cusi-Jimenea will head COMCO MEA. An award-winning communications professional with over a decade of experience in the MEA market and exposure in industries including consumer, corporate, luxury, fashion, wellness, hospitality, entertainment and more, Jimenea will bring COMCO’s storytelling to the other side of the globe. Othel V. Campos

Young professionals choose condo living THE pandemic has driven some urbanites to seek homes in more tranquil environs outside the metropolis, but a great number of condo dwellers—mostly young professionals and business owners—prefer to stick right in the heart of the metro to support their mobile lifestyle.

A stylish, modern condo translates into a gracious and comfortable life with every convenience within reach. For young Filipinos still looking for such an idyllic setting, Amaia Skies Shaw, a two-tower residential condominium, comes to mind.

Rising on Shaw Boulevard corner Samat Street in Barangay Highway Hills, Mandaluyong City, Amaia Skies Shaw offers graceful living at an affordable price. The development features thoughtfully laid-out living spaces that appeal to highly mobile millennials or young working couples. Designed as optimized spaces that not only promote efficiency but also inspire creativity, residential options include 1-bedroom and 2-bedroom units ranging from 26 to 50 square meters and 36 to 93 square meters, respectively.

Amaia Skies Shaw is a low-density development that ensures privacy where it counts while fostering a warm and pleasant community vibe at its shared amenities: a swimming pool, a multi-purpose hall and a play area for the kids. Walkable pathways and landscaped gardens allow quick breaks for fresh air or when the need to see friendly faces arises. To suit telecommuting professionals, online learners, and entertainment-savvy residents, Amaia Skies

Shaw units are internet connection-ready.

Condo living is marked by unparalleled access to daily essentials, a convenience that is ensured by Amaia Skies Shaw’s retail arcade on the ground floor. Amaia Skies homeowners will likewise find food outlets, drugstores, banks and service centers in the vicinity, while a quick drive or commute away are the Shaw Center Mall and Starmall EDSA. Other known landmarks such as Shangri-La Plaza, The Podium, SM Megamall and a number of five-star hotels are in the Ortigas central business district on the other side of EDSA. Young families will also appreciate Amaia Skies Shaw’s proximity—post-pandemic—to schools and universities of note such as Rizal Technological University, Jose Rizal University and La Salle Greenhills. The condo is also well within reach of medical facilities like Mandaluyong City Medical Center, Olivares General Hospital and Unciano General Hospital.

Meanwhile, daily commuters will save time and energy with Amaia Skies Shaw’s proximity to transport hubs such as the MRT, the SM Megamall bus terminal and t h e Starmall transport terminal.

All in all, Amaia Skies Shaw provides yet another opportunity for Filipinos to live their best condo lifestyle at rates they can afford.

Amaia Skies Shaw is a lowdensity high-rise that offers internet-connection-ready units to suit telecommuting professionals, online learners and entertainment-savvy residents.

Mister Donut vows to forgo franchise fee

MISTER Donut is now offering a “no franchise fee” package to new franchisees in key areas to support Filipino entrepreneurs and spur employment generation as the country rises from the impact of the pandemic.

The “no franchise fee offer” allows entrepreneurs to start their own Mister Donut franchise for as low as P215,000 for a 4-square meter indoor kiosk. The amount covers assets and equipment and represents a P100,000 start-up capital savings.

“As the restrictions loosen, and as our kababayans bounce back, we would like to assist them by offering promos that can help them start a business at minimal capital,” said Cherryl Carino, franchise management head of Mister Donut.

This offer is on a limited time, first come, first served basis in these areas: Carlatan, Rosario, Bacnotan, San Fernando, Aringay, and Agoo in La Union; Mangaldan, Malasique, and Sta. Barbara in Pangasinan; Montalban, Rizal; Iba, Sta.Cruz, and Masinloc in Zambales; Hermosa, Limay, and Orion in Bataan; Sta. Rosa, Laguna; Tagudin, Sta. Maria, Cabugao, Sta. Cruz, Badoc, Marcos, Sarrat, and Piddig in Ilocos; areas in Palawan outside of Puerto Princesa; Quezon Province; Cebu, Iloilo City, Tacloban City, Bacolod, areas in Bohol outside of Tagbilaran; Davao, General Santos City, Sultan Kudarat, Zamboanga, Surigao, and Cagayan De Oro. Entrepreneurs in these areas can also opt for Mister Donut’s 90-day business trial package with an initial investment of only P100,000. The amount covers the rental of the assets, basic small wares, Covid shield and team member uniform, crates cabinet, mobilization fee, product deposit and incidental expense bond.

To apply, a prospective franchisee must have a readily available site with a minimum size of 4 square meters. After three months of trial, a test market location can be converted to a regular store. For a site to pass, it must yield an actual profit of at least P10,000 per month and show an ROI (return on investment) potential within 24 months.

“Mister Donut’s adaptable business format promotes continuous operations, marketing, training, and business development support even in areas under stricter quarantine, especially since we are included in the category of essential businesses. We have a proven franchise concept for 38 years already in the Philippines,” Carino said.

OCTOBER 31, 2021

Miado’s impressive victory will surely line him up for top-tier matchups in the ONE Championship

JEREMY MIADO ‘THE JAGUAR’ IS FOR REAL

He repeats over Chinese foe with another stoppage at ONE: NEXTGEN

J

EREMY “The Jaguar” Miado put on a masterful striking performance, stopping Miao Li Tao once again to punctuate their strawweight rivalry in a highly anticipated rematch on Friday night at the ONE Championship’s ONE: NEXTGEN at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.

Miado came out with all guns blazing in the first round, pum pummeling Miao with cracking right hands while maintaining distance with his jab.

Actions continued in the second, but a fierce barrage of punches ended matters abruptly, earning Miado a spectac spectacular technical knockout victory.

Miado’s impressive stoppage proved that his first win over his Chinese foe was not a fluke. He stopped Miao in November 2019 with a flying knee.

He has a profes professional MMA record of 10 wins against 4 losses. He has split his eight outings in the ONE Champion Championship, one of the noted victories was when he knocked out

Miado with wife Chesla and son Tobiko

Jeremy Miado’s superior striking in full throttle

legendary Muay Thai World Champion and former ONE Strawweight World Champion Dejdamrong Sor Amnuaysirichoke in 2018.

Dejdamrong came back strong in their return bout in February 2019 by scoring a TKO win of his own.

A third meeting between the two would settle the score once and for all.

Miado is one of the few Filipino martial arts athletes from the Philippines that doesn’t belong to the revered and dreaded Team Lakay.

He joined different MMA teams before being part just recently of the Marok Force MMA. Who is Jeremy “The Jaguar” Miado? And will he be the next MMA star to come out of the Philippines?

Late start, learn fast Miado, the Blaze FC Strawweight champion, is from Albay, a city in the southwestern part of Luzon island.

The son of farmers, he began training in Muay Thai at age 19, seeing it as a way to bring his family out of poverty.

Since then, his plan was always to become a professional martial artist, and he soon found success in both Muay Thai and boxing, putting together an impressive combat sports record of 76-7.

Upon debuting in the cage, Miado won four consecutive bouts to start his career, earning him a shot at Filipino promotion Blaze FC’s strawweight title. After winning the belt, he was back in the cage

less than a month later, securing another unanimous decision victory to earn a place on the ONE Championship roster.

Miado made his promotional debut on the global stage in 2017 and quickly established himself as a talent to watch after putting on some truly thrilling performances.

In 2018, he scored his most noted win in the ONE cage thus far when he knocked out Dejdamrong in Thailand.

Match made in the cage They say behind every man’s success is a woman. Unlike team Team Lakay fighters who enjoy tremendous support from a huge team of co-fighters, Miado has a unique yet effective backup from his wife Chesla.

At the beginning of 2018, right when Miado was about to start gaining traction in his ONE Championship career, he met Chesla Nuval at the UGB MMA facility in Marikina City.

The Filipina, who is also a mixed martial artist, originally stepped into the gym to prepare for a scheduled bout in South Korea.

But instead, she found a match made in heaven with “The Jaguar.”

Since that encounter, the two have become nearly inseparable.

For Miado, it is especially important to have a partner who can understand the lifestyle of a mixed martial artist, as well as the struggles and triumphs he continues to experience in his career.

“She is a martial artist and a fighter. It’s a big thing for me, and it’s a very good feeling because it makes things easier for us. Since she is a fighter, she understands the situation that I am in and the things that I am going through,” he continues.

“We’re always together in the gym, training in the fields, or cross-training [in general]. Wherever I train, she goes with me.

That’s one of the ways that we bond, from our travels to the gym up to when we train.”

Chesla’s impact on his career does not end with her involvement in the physical training sessions.

In fact, the Filipina has been active in reviewing tape of Miado’s upcoming opponents, helping to map out possible winning strategies, and even scouting future adversaries.

That has been happening since his initial encounter with Dejdamrong in 2018, which he won via knockout in an astonishing 89 seconds.

“She has been with me since my first fight against Dejdamrong until now. She still works with me in preparing for future fights,” he says.

Now, they are husband and wife, and parents to a beautiful baby boy named Tobiko. The couple could not be any happier.

“Wherever I go, she is with me, alongside our baby,” he says, proudly.

How to re-energize when you feel down n By SAMANTHA CLAYTON

WE ARE living in stressful times.

Due to the pandemic situation, many people are struggling to master the art of working from home while balancing the needs of a home-bound family. Many are also stressed over work uncertainties due to fluctuating economic situations and movement restrictions that are keeping people indoors more often, limiting social interactions and outdoor activities.

In fact, these are the top reasons that contributed to the deterioration of mental health amongst consumers according to the Asia Pacific Health Inertia Survey 2021, where 6 in 10 respondents indicated that both their

mental and physical health care in a less-than ideal state.

Those who noticed the deterioration of the latter attributed it to the lack of physical activity, eating more unhealthy food, and the lack of community support to continue their exercise regime.

It is at times like these, when we feel the most spent, that we need to remember how to take care of ourselves. Here are 5 hard-earned tips to help you face everything from relearning algebra to handling yet another video conference call.

Move more With all the juggling people are doing to keep themselves and their families thriving, finding time to

exercise can sometimes fall off the “must-do” list. Movement releases endorphins, which positively impact our mood and help us reclaim our energy. This is true even when we speak to Asia Pacific consumers for the Health Inertia Survey where 47% of them said exercise helped improve their mental health.

Without a gym or an exercise class to go to in person, many find themselves without a support group to motivate them. Online courses – from yoga to Pilates, and strength training to aerobics – are available, and many are free. Also, a daily walk, bike ride, or run before the family wakes up can help set you in an excellent mood to embrace the day.

Eat up Food is fuel and provides much-needed energy to support our bodies. Research shows that during the pandemic, unhealthy snack sales are up as people seek ways to cope by eating comfort foods they previously avoided. This is in line with our findings from our Asia Pacific Health Inertia Survey where the main reasons consumers eat less healthily is because they binge-eat when they are anxious and worried, as well as the lack of motivation to eat healthy food.

While challenging, it is important to seek a balanced nutrition diet that provides the nutrients you need to fuel your daily activities and promote and maintain good health. Healthy

foods ensure your body gets the nutrients, vitamins, and minerals it needs to work. Mix up your diet with nutritional shakes that add protein a healthy and delicious way to power up. And to involve your entire household, make healthy eating a family affair by making creative recipes that are sneakily nutritious.

Sleep smart Sleep is key to replenishing our energy levels. During times of stress, people often find sleep more elusive. Creating a sleep space is key to getting good sleep and it starts with a dark room free of distractions.

Dedicate your bedroom exclusively to sleep if you are able, so you aren’t tempted to work or do hobbies.

Manila Chooks TM bows out of FIBA 3X3 World Tour ABU DHABI - Manila Chooks TM went cold at the worst of times.

Shooting woes plagued Manila Chooks TM as it suffered a deflating 8-22 loss (9:03.3) at the hands of world no. 5 Amsterdam of the Netherlands to bow out of the 2021 FIBA 3x3 World Tour Abu Dhabi Masters, Saturday morning (Manila time) at the Kasr Al Amwaj here.

Coupled by their 11-22 (8:09) loss to Liman earlier in the day, the Philippine-side finished 11th out of 14 teams in this maximum level tournament. Utrecht, Minakami, and Abu Dhabi were the bottom three teams.

“Of course, we’re disappointed,” said Manila Chooks TM head trainer Aldin Ayo. “Even if we did not have Mike (Nzeusseu), it’s no excuse for the performance that

we had.

“We are looking to re-assess our lineup for the 2022 pro circuit,” he added.

Mac Tallo and the rest of the Manila quartet simply struggled to find the hole early on despite getting good looks.

Amsterdam, on the other end, pounded the Filipinos who were missing Cameroonian Mike Nzeusseu in the paint, racing to a 13-4 lead with four minutes left.

Old dogs Mark Yee and Chico Lanete tried to bring a semblance of fight but the momentum was clearly with Amsterdam.

Amsterdam finished with a 1-1 slate, losing to Liman as well, 16-10.

World no. 12 Dimeo van der Horst led Amsterdam with eight points and

five rebounds while Kovacevic had seven points and five rebounds.

Horrid was the shooting of Manila Chooks TM, going just 6-of-24 from the field and 0-of-5 from the stripe.

Mac Tallo had three points for Manila Chooks TM while Zachy Huang and Lanete had two points apiece.

Yee had one point and a game-high six rebounds.

Against Liman, Tallo was the leading scorer for Manila with eight points -- all coming from rainbow country. Yee had four rebounds and two points while Lanete had a solitary point.

Liman will face Ulaanbaatar in the quarterfinals while Amsterdam squares off against Riga Ghetto. OthMark Yee’s brand of hustle failed to overshadow the shooting woes of er match-ups are Ub versus PrinceTeam Manila Chooks in absorbing an 8-22 loss to Amsterdam ton and Antwerp against Gagarin.

OCTOBER 31, 2021

STARTING A COLLECTION?

Art collector

on appreciating artists and their works

'Fusion' by Allan Ancheta

A

RT collector Allan Ancheta takes readers through the wonders of appreciating and collecting pieces, especially in a time when art can bring solace amid the pandemic, with his first book.

Launched on Manila FAME’s digital platform FAME+, Fusion showcases artworks by Filipino talents featured at The

Ancheta started his collection with a ceramic Japanese Kabuki mask he purchased from his brother.

Art collector Allan Ancheta writes a book on art collection and appreciation, featuring works by Filipino artists.

Cabinet at Canterbury, an art gallery Ancheta built with his wife Jas inside their home in Alabang, Muntinlupa.

“Fusion is an exploration of the arts, self, and environment,” begins Ancheta.

“In learning more about the lives of the local artists and the contexts of their art, we go beyond what we see and gain a deeper appreciation of their work. This is a crucial step for those who wish to start their own collection.

One’s environment also plays an important role, as these artworks bring spaces into life and can transform a place into a cabinet of curiosities.”

He features the emotionally driven abstract works of Ben-Hur Cabana,

The Cabinet at Canterbury, an art gallery Allan Ancheta built with his wife Jas inside their home, features pieces that complement the color and form of the gallery's interiors.

who was trained by accomplished painter and printmaker Romulo Olazo.

Alongside Cabana is Khristina Manansala’s art inspired by childhood memories and religious themes, reminiscent of the works of her grandfather Vicente Manansala, a legendary cubist painter.

Conveying human truth and the arts’ role in the country, the works of Nixxio Castrillo, son of the late Eduardo Castrillo, are also included in the collection among the many other brilliant artists in the gallery.

In his book, Ancheta details his early influences and highlights the importance of choosing pieces that speak to the collector.

For him, it all started when his late father Pio once took him to the Venice Biennale exhibition in Italy. It was through his father that he met Filipino National Artists Arturo Luz and Benedicto “BenCab” Cabrera. Drawing inspiration from his personal journey, Ancheta became more interested in the arts during his visits to his great-grandfather’s collection of European artworks, nestled in his massive library in Baguio.

Now a management consultant and a head of a pharmaceutical company, Ancheta continues to pursue his passion through his growing compendium of books and artworks.

Guiding readers through the “how-

tos” of collecting, Ancheta also emphasizes that aside from their significance, the pieces must complement the color and form of the gallery’s interiors – evident in how Allan and Jas have turned The Cabinet at Canterbury into more than just a wonder-room but also a memorable melding of arts and design.

“In The Cabinet at Canterbury, our philosophy of fusing art and interiors is clearly displayed by these two rules.

Most of the artwork displayed in the gallery reflects a possibility of expressing personal tastes and preferences, but also serves as a possible complement to a room design option,” mentions Ancheta in his book.

From Awra to Zendee:

Content creator-approved cosmetics

Viber users can now set messages in a group chat to disappear 10 seconds, 1 minute, 1 hour, or 1 day after being read.

VLOGGER and entrepreneur Viy Cortez tapped some of today's favorite personalities on social media to be the faces of her latest product.

Cortez’ ViyLine OPC introduces Viyline Aqua Cream, a 3-in-1 tint that can be applied on the eyelids, cheeks, and lips. It features a whipped lightweight pigment with a softmatte finish and a nourishing formula. The multipurpose product comes with a big wand applicator.

Each chosen collaborator’s shade captures their personality.”Feel the energy” of Awra (Briguela), “feel the intensity of the voice” of Zendee (Tenerefe), “feel the fearlessness” of Sachzna (Laparan), “perceive the happiness through supremacy” with Baninay (Bautista), and “manifest

Viber expands disappearing message feature to group chats

GROUP chats have become the space for most of our conversations now that face-to-face interactions are limited.

Amid increasing cases of identity theft and other data privacy issues, Viber has expanded its Disappearing Messages feature to include group chats within the app.

Previously available only for one-onone chats, Viber’s Disappearing Messages feature allows each group chat member to decide whether they want a message to disappear right before sending it or not; the setting is not automatically applied to all messages. Users can set messages in a group chat to disappear 10 seconds, one minute, one hour, or one day after being read.

On devices using Android 6 or newer, Viber will completely disable forwarding, copying, or taking a screenshot of a message when the disappearing option is activated. For earlier versions of Android and all iOS users, group chat members will be automatically notified if any member takes a screenshot of a message set to disappear.

The feature can be applied to any type of message, including photos and stickers.

Personal and group chats on Viber are end-to-end encrypted, so users can be sure that their conversations are always private and secure.

“Privacy has long been a paramount concern for us, as evidenced by our

unwavering adherence to end-toend encryption. With this update, our commitment to privacy becomes even more personal for our users and the people they talk to the most,” said Nadav Melnick, vice president of product at Rakuten Viber.

New communities and sticker packs

The free messaging app also introduces new communities and sticker packs celebrating Cebu’s culinary specialties and Thirdy Ravena of SAN-EN NEOPHOENIX basketball team.

Food and delivery platform Let’s Eat Bai has launched its Viber Community, giving members exclusive access to promos and updates from their favorite local food businesses as well as food reviews and trivia.

To make their conversations more appetizing, Viber and Let’s Eat Bai have created a special sticker pack that also redirects users to the Community after download.

“We are truly proud and happy that through the new Let’s Eat Bai Community, Viber is able to serve the Cebu users even more as we bring Cebuano foodies together and support local businesses,” said APAC senior director David Tse. A few weeks earlier, Viber also launched the SAN-EN NEOPHOENIX Viber Community featuring stickers of its new team member, Ravena.

Viy Cortez' new 3-in-1 cream tint features shades named after Zendee Tenerefe, Awra Briguela, Sachzna Laparan, Baninay Bautista, and Michelle Dy.

Awra and Zendee with their eponymous Viyline Aqua Cream shade.

beauty” with Michelle (Dy).

The cream tint will be launched on Shopee and Lazada on Oct. 31. More details are available at Viyline Cosmetics’ Facebook page.

Elijah Canlas, Boys Night Out, and health experts talk about HIV and safe sex AWARD-winning actor Elijah Canlas answers questions many people are shy to ask in a video series about safe sex and HIV. Canlas joins the boys of Boys Night Out (Sam YG, Slick Rick, and TonyToni) in the first episode of SEXducated by Durex. The four debunk HIV myths – such as how a person can be infected with the virus – with hard facts.

The series also features Dr. Kilimanguru (Winston Kilimanjaro Tiwaquen) who addresses need-toknow information about HIV, while Dr. Rica Cruz offers tips for seeking pleasure for couples and singles.

Dr. Kilimanguru gained fame on TikTok for his medical advice videos that are easy to understand and entertaining because of his use of hugot lines and jokes. Meanwhile Dr. Cruz is a sexologist and media personality

The SEXducated with Durex web series features three episodes that tackle HIV and safe sex.

whose expertise is on sexual pleasure and sexual behaviors.

Targeted toward millennials and Gen Zs, singles, and stay-at-home couples, the SEXducated with Durex video series is a fun and creative treatment to lessons on practicing safe sex. All episodes are available on Durex PH’s Facebook page.

SEXducated is part of the brand’s mission to promote safe sex, as it says, the lack of information contributes to the continued rise in the number of people who test HIVpositive in the country.

The July 2021 data from the HIV/ AIDS and ART Registry of the Philippines (HARP) showed that 1,045 Filipinos tested HIV-positive while 60 people died of AIDS-related complications. This means 33 people tested positive every day from January to July of this year.

OCTOBER 31, 2021

Fast-rising P-pop groups BGYO and BINI dropped their respective debut record a week apart in October and will headline a joint twonight concert to stream on KTX.

P-pop

The biggest concert to watch

A

FTER launching their chart-topping debut albums “Born to Win” and “The Light” this month, P-pop sensations BINI and BGYO will perform their original songs live for the first time in their two-night virtual sibling concert, “One Dream: The BINI & BGYO Concert” on Nov. 6 and 7.

Steaming on KTX.PH, iWantTFC, and TFC IPTV, the P-pop’s first sibling concert promises a setlist of 40 songs that will also include fan-favorites and covers, with each show offering a unique repertoire.

Anticipation for the concert by BLOOM and ACEs, the fan groups of BINI and BGYO, respectively, has been tremendous as their exclusive limited edition concert merchandise sold out in only ten minutes after it was made available to the public last week.

Apart from BINI and BGYO, fans can look forward to electrifying performances by guest artists AC Bonifacio, Kritiko, and KZ Tandingan in the Nov. 6 show. On Nov. 7, meanwhile, BINI and BGYO will present more live collabs, sub-unit performances, powerful vocal showcases, and a fan meet on KTX.PH. Fans can buy the SVIP tickets priced at P1,950 or $39.99 to watch the two shows and join the fan meet on KTX.PH. VIP tickets, meanwhile, are sold at P1,490 or US$29.99 on KTX.PH, iWantTFC, and TFC IPTV and will provide access to the two shows.

Both groups hit new milestones recently as BINI already reached over one million streams on Spotify, while its new, retro-tinged single “Golden Arrow” has recorded 300,000 YouTube views since

its release.

Meanwhile, BGYO’s full album “The Light” has already hit the five-million stream mark on Spotify, with the latest single “When I’m With You” gaining over 400,000 Spotify streams and over four 450,000 YouTube views.

These achievements follow the sibling groups’ remarkable album launches, as BINI’s “Born to Win” and BGYO’s “The Light,” which were released a week apart, reached the number one spot on the iTunes Albums Chart in the Philippines. All of the tracks from both albums also entered the top 20 on the iTunes Songs Chart Philippines.

After their sibling concert, BINI and BGYO will also be performing live for their international fans at the 1MX Ultimate Music Festival in Dubai on Dec. 3.

Purchase your tickets now to watch “One Dream: The BINI & BGYO Concert,” on November 6 and 7 on KTX.PH, iWantTFC, and TFC IPTV. Get regular updates by following BINI_ph and BGYO_ph on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, and subscribing to their official YouTube channels, BINI Official and BGYO Official.

Christina Aguilera unveils new Spanish-language single AWARD-WINING global superstar and one of the best-selling artists in the world Christina Aguilera makes her highly anticipated return to Spanish-language music with a hot new single and video entitled “Pa Mis Muchachas.”

The song celebrates Latina sisterhood by featuring global Latin music superstar Becky G, explosive Argentinian rising star Nicki Nicole and Spain-based provoking songwriter and rapper Nathy Peluso.

On the track, simmering acoustic guitar threads around Global music star Christina Aguilera a head-nodding beat as Chris- rings out her vocals in new single tina’s instantly recognizable ‘Pa Mis Muchachas.’ vocals ring out. As always, her show-stopping delivery along each verse. with the voices of Becky G, Nic“’Pa Mis Muchachas’ embodki Nicole, and Nathy Peluso, ies the spirit of being a strong take the spotlight with spirit, woman and empowering other soul, strength, and style on the strong women; the track is payhook. The song unites some of ing tribute to the generations the boldest powerhouses in Lat- before us who made us who in music and culture, heating up we are, and to the present-day

women around us who are inspiring future generations.

This is also a song about owning who you are and accepting others free of judgment” expressed Christina.

The song was composed by Christina Aguilera, Nathy Peluso, Nicki Nicole, Becky G, Kat Dahlia, Yasmil Marrufo, Jorge Luis Chacín, Yoel Henríquez; produced by Rafa Arcaute and Federico Vindver and co-produced by Afo Verde.

Also, released on Friday is the video for “Pa Mis Muchachas” directed by Alexandre Moore.

Recorded in Buenos Aires, Los Angeles, and Madrid it is another testament to the infectious star power of these dynamic Latin artists.

The music video made its broadcast premiere on MTV Live, MTVU, MTV Latin America and on the Viacom CBS Times Square billboard.

Joaquin Domagoso faces biggest fears in Halloween special WHAT happens when a scaredy-cat and his without electricity because of a typhoon, and friends decide to spend their semestral break a mischievous ghost starts haunting the gang after playing a game of “spirit of the glass” in a on a haunted house?

Today, witness how three best friends sur- ruse to scare Eloy.

Will the boys make it out of this “scarecavive a disastrous staycation in the Halloween special of GMA Network’s award-winning tion”? Will Eloy remain a coward, or will he dare weekly magical anthology “Daig Kayo ng Lola confront the ghost that terrorizes his friends?

This Halloween special also features Ko: Scarecation.”

Eloy (Joaquin Domagoso), a certified award-winning actress Yasmien Kurdi as Floscaredy-cat who often falls victim to his friends ra and Liezel Lopez as Lily.

“Friendship is not just about road trips, makRoy (Jerick Dolormente) and Miko’s (Jamir Zabarte) pranks, agrees to celebrate their se- ing each other laugh, at kuwentuhan.” Joaquin mestral break in a rented ancestral house and explains as he shares his most important takeaway from their story. “It’s swim in the beach nearby. about making each other But expectation versus better people and being reality strikes when conthere when they need you trary to the photos postthe most.” ed online, the residence Under the helm of diappears to be run-down, rector Rico Gutierrez, and the caretaker (Pekto) head writer Agnes Gageis sporting a creepy, herlonia-Uligan, and episode mit look. writer Patrick Louie IlagThe much-awaited trip takes a turn for the worse Jerick Dolormente, Joaquin Domagoso, an, “Daig Kayo ng Lolo when the three boys get and Jamir Zabarte in today’s episode of Ko” airs at 7:00 PM, after “24 Oras” on GMA-7. stuck inside the old house ‘Daig Kayo ng Lola Ko’

Trick or Film: Spook your way around Halloween with acclaimed thrillers WE ARE more than prepared for some scares this Halloween season and what better way to immerse in the frights than to curl up under the covers and watch some of the best horror flicks.

From psychological to sci-fi to remakes of the classics, there are a bunch of horror films to choose from that can commence your screaming-slash-streaming fest through GMovies, the leading online ticketing platform, and UPSTREAM.PH, a new online transactional video on demand (TVOD) platform.

Grab yourself something to hold on to because here’s our list of thrillers which includes the 2018 blockbuster and critically acclaimed haunted film Hereditary and the 2019 reboot of the “Child’s Play” franchise.

The Forever Purge

No one is safe. On the morning after The Purge, a masked gang of killers attacks a wealthy Texas ranching family and their workers. Exposed by daylight, the two families are forced to band together and fight back as the country spirals into cha-

son-Cohen.

os and the United States begins to disintegrate around them.

Hereditary

When the matriarch of the Graham family passes away, her daughter and grandchildren begin to unravel cryptic and increasingly terrifying secrets about their ancestry, trying to outrun the sinister fate they have inherited. Starring Toni Collete, Gabriel Byrne, Alex Wolff, Milly Shapiro, Ann Dowd, and Mallory Bechtel.

Child’s Play Karen buys a high-tech doll called Chucky for her son Andy on his birthday.

However, horrific events follow as the doll reveals its ominous tendencies. Starring Mark Hamill, Gabriel Bateman, Brian Tyree Henry, and Beatrice Kitsos.

Mary Sea captain David is looking for a way to guarantee a better life for his family and buys a ship because he believes it’ll give them prosperity, but once they set

sail they discover that the ship holds ter terrifying secrets. Starring Gary Oldman, Emily Mortimer, Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, Stefanie Scott, Chloe Perrin, Douglas Urbanski, Jennifer Esposito, and Owen Teague.

The Invisible Man When Cecilia’s abusive ex takes his own life and leaves her his fortune, she suspects his death was a hoax. As a series of coincidences turn lethal, Cecilia works to prove that she is being hunted by someone nobody can see. Starring Elisabeth Moss, Aldis Hodge, Storm Reid, Harriet Dyer, Michael Dorman, and Oliver Jack-

Get Out A young African-American visits his white girlfriend’s parents for the weekend, where his simmering uneasiness about their reception of him eventually reaches a boiling point. Starring Daniel Kaluuya, Allison Williams, Bradley Whitford, CathCath erine Keener, Caleb Landry Jones, and Marcus Henderson.

Henderson

Truth or Dare A harmless game of “Truth or Dare”’ among friends turns deadly when someone—or something—begins to punish

those who tell a lie—or refuse the dare.

Starring Lucy Hale, Tyler Posey, Violett Beanne, Hayden Szeto, Landon LiLi boiron, Sophia Taylor Ali, and Nolan Gerard Funk.

Funk

Dawn of the Dead Heart-pounding action and bone-chilling thrills power this edgy, electrifying frightfest where a handful of human survivors wage a desperate, last-stand battle against flesh-eating zombies. Starring Ving Rhames, Mekhi Phifer, Sarah Polley, Jake Weber, Matt Frewer, Lindy Booth, Michael Kelley, Ty Burrell, and Kevin Zegers.

To watch the films, you just need to download the GMovies app on your smartphone via Apple Store, Google Play Store, or Huawei App Gallery or visit gmovies.ph. Select the movie, tap the “Pay” button and choose your paypay ment option, click stream now on UPUP STREAM, then sit back. For a one-time payment, the entire household can even watch the movies together.

OCTOBER 31, 2021

Lessons from rescued cats

who have crossed the rainbow bridge

By Rowena David

“G

RIEVE not, nor speak of me with tears, but laugh and talk of me as if I were beside you. I loved you so- ’twas Heaven here with you.” – Isla Paschal Richardson Fostering rescued cats is a fulfilling experience. You get to watch them transform from ugly ducks to gorgeous swans. But sadly, not all rescued cats survive due to severe injury or serious illness. Losing a foster cat can be traumatic, and even if you’re no stranger to the sight of a dying cat, it is always a heartbreaking sight to see. I would like

Mitsy, a disabled rescue kitten, died due to heartworm. Be kind to stray cats, please.

Give them a little food if you can. Or give them a home, specially if they are disabled like Mitsy.

to share some life lessons that rescued cats have taught me over the years.

1. Have the courage to trust again Most stray cats are aloof and distrustful of people. They avoid human interaction at all costs. Try to capture them, and you will end up with scratches on your arms and face. This is because they have had negative or traumatic

Panda, a TNVR cat, was run over by a motorcycle while crossing the street.

Please brake for the animals. They deserve to live too.

Preventing pet obesity By the Pet Food Institute IT IS hard for everyone to resist an adorable dog pout or a cute cat gaze.

But it is important to responsible pet owners to consider the health of one’s pet’s when tempted to give in to pleadings from a pet.

For many humans, feeding is equated with love, specially when it comes to their four-legged pals. This, however, should not always be the case because

chubby dogs and cats, regardless of how cute they look, are more susceptible to health problems and diseases.

Committed to educating the Filipino pet community on proper pet care, we want to shares tips on how pet owners can prevent pet obesity and show that true expression of love can come in different ways.

1. Visit Your Veterinarian When tackling pet obesity, many pet owners would assume that the most logical way to treat it is to decrease the

Georgy, also a rescued dog of Save ALL Inc., had no waist, as the vet noticed. This means she was obese. If your dog or cat has no waist or "wala ng balakang," that means it is time to change the diet. Please ask the vet to help you come up with a new diet that will slowly help the dog or cat lose weight and go back to her ideal weight.

encounters with humans. Teaching them to trust people again takes time, effort, and patience but it will be worth it. I am always amazed to see how an abused cat who hisses at me every time I open his cage could turn into an affectionate cat a few weeks later.

Stray cats just need to see and feel that not all humans are cruel, so they will have the courage to trust us again.

Some of us have trust issues because we have been let down by people in the past. As the saying goes, “Once bitten, twice shy.” It takes courage to realize that a bad experience with certain people does not mean that all people are bad. By having the courage to trust people again, we are opening

George died due to health complications.

If your heart can love another being, please adopt a cat, or a dog. Please make a former stray cat or dog feel loved before he/she crosses the rainbow bridge.

amount of food to feed but the truth is, managing meals is much more complex than that. The nutrition of both cats and dogs are very nuanced such that feeding and treat-giving must be properly administered.

Veterinarians have observed that one of the most common problems within the pet community would be the lack of knowledge regarding proper pet care and nutrition. Veterinarians have the expertise tounderstand the pet’s internal health to determine the pets’ ideal weight proportions and their proper diet. Hence, pet owners are urged to consult vets in order to do the proper way of treating pet obesity.

2. Let’s Get Physical!

Regular exercise is also important for pets, regardless of whether or not they are obese. Pets within the ideal weight can use their daily exercise to sustain a healthy weight. Meanwhile, pets who are overweight or obese should use this opportunity to shed some of those unhealthy pounds, along with a balanced diet that can support responsible weight loss.

Owners must take breed, age, and size into consideration as they plan an exercise regimen that would cater to each pet’s specific needs. For example, some breeds with short snouts or flat noses may have more difficulty breathing during strenuous exercise.

Age, like breed, is an important factor to consider as well. Young dogs under six months, though they have an immense amount of energy, should avoid sustained runs, which can be unhealthy for their developing bones and joints.

Senior dogs, on the other hand, may need to take things slow and avoid extraneous activities like jogging.

Last but not the least, owners must choose the type of exercise that fits their lifestyle. Forcing oneself to do something that cannot be done is more detrimental that advantageous. One thing that owners must keep in mind is that exercise can come in the form of games.

Belle, a trap-neuter-return (TNVR) cat, was a victim of hit-and-run. Please be more careful when driving. You can save a life, and your own, if you drive carefully.

up ourselves to positive experiences.

2. Not getting what you want is good for you Rescued cats, especially those who are injured, are put in the cage for their own safety. They stay in the cage until they regain their strength or until their injury is healed. Most rescued cats do not understand this, so they attempt to get out of their cage.

Sometimes, the reason we do not get what we want is that it might not be what is best for us at the moment.

There is a perfect time and place for everything. We have to trust the process.

We will be given what we asked for when we are ready, not before.

3. Adversity makes you stronger The life of stray cats is very challenging. They have no shelter to protect them from harsh weather, they have to constantly fight for their food, and they have no one to take care of them. And yet despite all that, or maybe because of that, they have a well-developed survival instinct. Although the lifespan of stray animals is shorter compared to animals who have homes, we can learn a thing or two from their resilience.

Dealing with difficult situations can be daunting, but it teaches us to bounce back from a crisis. Furthermore, hardship has a way of changing our awareness. It makes us more emphatic and kinder towards others. What does not kill us will make us stronger.

4. Everyone deserves a second chance I sometimes hear people say, “It’s just a stray cat, it’s not important.” This is far from the truth. Every stray cat de-

serves a second chance to live a good life. When I look at the “before” and “after” photos of my foster cats, it is sometimes hard to believe that I am looking at the same cats. In the “after” photo, cats look so happy and healthy. Rescued cats would not be living a comfortable life if someone had not taken the time to rescue and nurture them.

Helping another human being is never a waste of time and effort. The feeling of fulfillment when we know we have helped a fellow human being is priceless.

5. Learn to let go There are instances when a rescued kitten that you have been fostering for days did not make it despite your round-the-clock care. It happens especially if the kitten’s immune system was too weak. While it is easy to indulge in self-blame and in entertaining the thought that maybe you could have done more, in the end, you have to accept the fact that there are things beyond your control. Allow yourself to grieve and be comforted in the knowledge the kitten was cared for and loved during his last days.

Our pets who have already crossed the rainbow bridge will never be forgotten.

Their memory stays in our hearts until we meet them again someday.

About the author: Rowena David is faculty member at College of Computer Science in the University of Makati, is a freelance writer (Tagalog short novels), admin of Philippine Pet Lovers Society Facebook page, an animal rescuer and animal welfare advocate.

Shakti, like most dogs, loves to eat. She is not choosy at all! But she started to grow fat that we were told her food should be free of grains and her treats should be limited. It is always best to keep one's pet at an ideal weight to ensure he/she is healthy, and to prevent illnesses like diabetes or a heat problem.

Flash, a dog rescued by Save Animals of Love and Light (Save ALL Inc.), was given too much rice by a caretaker because he was one of her favorites. He ended up so fat that he had difficulty walking. Slowly, we lessened the rice in his bowl of food. A piece of advice from the vet: Slowly introduce new food, and slowly remove bad food.

"Huwag ninyo bibiglain, " the vet said.

Playing games as simple as fetch is also considered as exercise.

3. Monitor Your Pet’s Food and Weight Losing and maintaining a healthy weight is easier said than done, especially when it comes to a pet’s weight. Owners can use this as a basis to tell whether or not their pet is healthy however most pet owners are not aware of how they can check if their pet is obese.

Veterinarians remind owners that there are three things they need to pay attention to in order to determine whether or not their pets are obese.

First, owners must lightly feel the outline of their pet’s ribs when they run

their fingers along its side. Second, a pet’s waist should be visible or they should have an hourglass figure when viewed from above. Lastly, pets should have an upward slope around their stomach when they are standing up.

If one’s pet does not have any of the three indicators then it is best to consult a veterinarian in order to confirm if their pet is obese and what the next steps in order to address this problem.

Pet owners should also be aware of their pet’s ideal weight. When doing so, owners must remember that each breed is unique and the ideal weight of each breed varies.

About the Pet Food Institute

Angel, a son of rescued cat Blue, was gaining weight, thus, he was and is still encouraged to go up and down the terrace for exercise. Again, as the vet said,"Huwag bibiglain."

Since 1958, the Pet Food Institute has been the voice of the U.S. pet food industry. PFI is the industry's representative before Congress and state legislatures, as well as state and federal agencies; public education and media relations resource; organizer of seminars

and educational programs; and liaison with other organizations. PFI represents the companies that make 98 percent of U.S. dog and cat food, an industry with more than $20 billion in U.S. retail sales and $1.3 billion in exports in 2015.