Manila Standard - 2022 March 6 - Sunday

BICOL SAILFEST. With the

Vol. 36

perfect-coned Mayon Volcano in the background, sailboats race in the Exciting Bicol Oz Goose National Championships held in Legazpi City. Organized by the Albay Yacht Club and the Philippine Home Boatbuilders Yacht Club, and supported by the Department of Tourism and the Legazpi City Government, the regatta marked the launch of the sports tourism program for sailing in the Bicol Region. John Gochenouer/DOT Region 5

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No. 21

March 6, 2022

2 SECTIONS 8 PAGES

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IN MET R MANILAO

Pump prices going way up P5.50/l for diesel, P3.50/l for gas on Tuesday; Gov’t seeks solutions

DOH sees waning PH urgency to get COVID-19 booster jabs

n By ALENA MAE S. FLORES

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ONSUMERS must brace for a P5.50 per liter increase in diesel prices and a P3.50 hike in gasoline pump prices by Tuesday -- one of the biggest one-time price adjustments since the passage of the Oil Deregulation Law in 1998.

Unioil Petroleum Philippines forecast fuel prices to go up from March 8 to 14 by P5.40 to P5.50 per liter for diesel and P3.40 to P3.50 per liter for gasoline, triggered by the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.

This has forced the Duterte administration’s economic managers to meet on Monday to discuss how the soaring oil prices will impact domestic commodity prices, and craft immediate solutions to cushion its effects on the economy Rosemarie Edillon, National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Undersecretary, said during the Laging Handa briefing on Saturday that they, the Department of Finance (DOF), Department of Budget and Management CONTINUED ON 3A

COVID-19 vaccinations at local government units (LGUs) around the country slowed the past week, with some people losing the sense of urgency in getting booster shots, a Department of Health undersecretary said Saturday.

This was as the DOH logged 941 new COVID-19 infections on Saturday, bringing the nationwide tally to 3,666,678. Active cases stood at 49,374, of which 416 are asymptomatic, 44,586 are mild, 2,736 are moderate, 1,344 are severe, and 292 are in critical condition.

The Health Department also said

Duterte-Carpio (center) stands with Manila Rep. Manny Lopez at at Brgy. 105 in Tondo. The Davao City Mayor also to Muslim supporters at the Manila Golden Mosque in Quiapo, and to barangay leaders at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City, all on Saturday. Ver Noveno

STILL ON TOP. President

aspirant Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. speaks during the Liga ng mga Barangay 3rd General Assembly at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City. Lino Santos

PDP-Laban anoints Sara as VP bet THE PDP-Laban wing led by Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi formally endorsed Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio as its vice-presidential candidate during a proclamation rally in San Mateo, Rizal late Saturday.

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Rivals losing ground to Marcos even in own bailiwicks—survey

SARA’S MANY FACES. Lakas-CMD vice presidential candidate Sara

n By MARICEL V. CRUZ

there was no need to mandate COVID-19 booster shots for now, adding there were other ways to campaign for the country’s vaccination drive.

This came after Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship Joey Concepcion suggested that COVID-19 booster cards be made mandatory at establishments in areas under the loosest Alert Level 1, or in areas where administering the primary series had finished.

Metro Manila and 38 other areas this week deescalated to the lowest of a 5-tier

The faction, backed by President Rodrigo Duterte, earlier this year adopted the Chief Executive’s daughter as its vice-presidential bet.

This was after the Liga ng mga Barangay sa Pilipinas expressed its “1,001 percent” backing of Duterte-

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COVID-19 PH AT

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GLANCE

3,666,678 941

49,374

56,879

109

3,560,425

1,784

New

Death

Recoveries

RIVALS of Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) standard-bearer Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. are losing their grip even in their so-called bailiwicks, further diminishing their chances of toppling him in the May 9 elections, the latest Kalye Survey results have shown.

“With 67 days before the elections, other candidates are losing preferences in their regions to Senator Bongbong Marcos and Mayor Inday Sara Duterte by huge margins, either by scientific

Active

New New

(As of 4 PM, MARCH 5)

STAND STRONG. Demonstrators watch an address of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on the big screen during a rally in support of Ukraine in Tbilisi, Georgia on March 4. AFP

Port city latest Ukraine-Russia battleground KYIV—The Ukrainian port city of Mariupol delayed a planned evacuation of residents Saturday, blaming Russian forces for breaking their temporary ceasefire to allow civilians to flee one of the war’s fiercest battles.

Russia has besieged the strategic city, which

proudly resisted Moscow-backed rebels during a 2014 conflict, cutting off electricity, food, and water in the dead of winter.

“Due to the fact that the Russian side does not adhere to the ceasefire and has continued

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surveys or through our own Kalye Survey summaries. Any deviation from all these numbers would be highly dubious at this point,” SPLAT Communications, which conducts the analytics of these poll summaries, said in a statement.

In the latest Pulso ng Pilipinas, a summation of surveys conducted until February 24, Marcos enjoys a wide lead in regional clusters in the Balance of Luzon that are outside his known CONTINUED ON 3A

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Huge ‘cyberattack’ knocks thousands offline in Europe WORLD | 3A

MARCH 6, 2022

Rody: I’ll deal with probe on drug war by ICC myself

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RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has reiterated his stance on his controversial war on illegal drugs, brushing off the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) looming investigation.

During his speech at the inauguration of the Narvacan farmer’s market in Ilocos Sur on Saturday, Duterte said he would be happy to transfer power to his successor and take care of the ICC case himself.

“One is that I promised you law and order . . .

I’m now facing a criminal charge sa… International Criminal Court. Good, basta tinupad ko ‘yung trabaho, wala na akong pakialam kung ano ang

mangyari sa akin,” Duterte said.

“Dadalawang buwan na lang, I’ll be out. I’ll be happy to transfer the power to whoever you would elect as president. Iyon lang naman ang akin. Ako na ang bahala sa kaso ko. I did it for my country,” he added.

The President previously said he wanted his successor to continue his drug war, albeit a different approach, fearing that illegal drugs would

proliferate as the end of his six-year term neared.

This developed after Interior Secretary Eduardo Año reported that in the past week authorities intercepted more than P159 million worth of illegal drugs in 1,230 operations.

The international tribunal suspended its probe in November “while it assesses the scope and effect of the deferral request” of the Philippine government.

Rights groups who have lobbied for ICC to investigate the killings in the country have argued that the thousands killed under the war on drugs were more than enough to warrant an international probe — more than 6,000 based on official figures but more than 30,000 according to estimates of rights groups.

Leni draws 10k in Bulacan after 47k in Cavite n By ORLAN MAURICIO MALOLOS CITY—Vice President Leni Robredo and running-mate Sen. Kiko Pangilinan on Saturday joined over a thousand priests and church leaders of the Diocese of Malolos at the Immaculate Conception Seminary in Guiguinto town to pray the Rosary for a clean and honest election on May 9.

This was after around 10,000 Bulakeños were expected to flock the streets of Sta. Maria, Bulacan for the official visit of the Robredo-Pangilinan tandem there yesterday.

According to the local chapter of the Robredo People’s Council in Bulacan, they want to replicate the strong attendance put up by Cavite during the visit of the tandem there on Friday.

Robredo’s tour of Cavite province ended on a high note as the presidential aspirant drew her biggest campaign crowd yet in the Grand Rally organized by supporters at the General Trias Sports Park in Cavite.

An estimated 47,000 Caviteños – larger than the crowds which showed up for her rallies in her established bailiwicks in Naga and Iloilo – chanted “Hindi kami bayad!” and carried placards supporting the presidential aspirants’ platform of clean and competent governance.

Few local government officials have backed Robredo’s run for the presidency in Cavite, the second most vote-rich province in the country, with 2.3 million registered voters.

SEA OF PINK. Part of the massive crowd of 47,000

supporters of Vice President Leni Robredo pack the General Trias Sports Park in Cavite for the grand rally on Friday. Inset shows Robredo and Pangilinan deliver their speech at the People’s Rally in San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan on Saturday. John Mark Pineda

MMDA, World Bank execs meet to solve flooding n By JOEL E. ZURBANO METROPOLITAN Manila Development Authority officials met with representatives from the World Bank over the weekend and discussed the status of the agency’s program to mitigate flood in the metropolis.

MMDA chairman Romando Artes accompanied the World Bank team headed by Lead Irrigation Engineer Joop Stoutjesdijk in inspecting The Vitas Pumping Station in Manila.

Artes presented to officials of the

international financial institution the operational process of the Solid Waste Granulator and Brick Making Facility, a technology that converts solid waste to reusable by-products such as eco-bricks, eco-hollow blocks, eco-concrete barriers, and bio-waste compost materials.

The World Bank officials also witnessed the Market and Collection Day for the Mobile Materials Recovery Facility activity dubbed as “Recyclable Mo, Palit Grocery Ko” in Barangay Sto. Rosario Kanluran in Pateros.

The activity showcased how residents can trade their recyclables for commodities. Residents gain points upon surrender of recyclable materials, which they can use to redeem grocery items. All participating residents are then provided an Ecosavers Passbook, where all points earned and redeemed are recorded.

Artes assured that the phase 1 of the Metro Manila Flood Management Project Phase that aims to reduce flood vulnerability of Metro Manila is on the right track.

Watchdog lauds eco-friendly campaign n By MARICEL V. CRUZ

PING-TITO APPROVED. Partido Reporma presidential candidate Panfilo “Ping” Lacson and running mate Vicente “Tito” Sotto III flank John Mojica, 17, who now runs a fluorishing kangkong chips business thanks to a big order placed by the senator, in a press conference in Cavite on Saturday.

ENVIRONMENT watchdog EcoWaste Coalition on has lauded former House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano’s eco-friendly campaign, saying more candidates in the May 2022 elections should take concrete steps towards addressing the country’s mounting pollution crisis.

“This shows his deep commitment to the environment as well as the important mission of making the campaign cleaner, safer and more orderly right up to election day,” Zero Waste Campaign Officer Jove Benosa said on March 4, 2022, referring to Cayetano’s announcement earlier this month to launch a campaign that uses less waste and encourages supporters to recycle, among other action points.

The group urged candidates to follow Cayetano’s example and come out with

their own platforms and plans for the environment, with the Philippines being known globally as one of the countries most vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change.

“It’s good for each candidate to have clear platforms and concrete contributions or solutions to our worsening pollution problem and environment crisis,” said Benosa.

Data compiled by EcoWaste Coalition reveal that single-use campaign materials increase the amount of waste generated nationwide during election years by as much as 30 to 40 percent.

This is on top of the estimated 16.6 million metric tons of waste produced by the country every year, which makes the Philippines the third-worst solid waste polluter among Southeast Asian countries.

Comelec prexy debate slated to last 3 hours THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Saturday announced the first presidential debates it scheduled this month will be a three-hour event.

“The 3-hour debates will follow a single-moderator format, with no live audience,” Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said in a statement.

“Draw lots will determine to whom the first question will go. Succeeding questions, however, will be answered by the candidates in their alphabetical order,” he added.

The first debate will be held on March 19 while the second debate is set for April 3.

A vice-presidential debate is scheduled for March 20.

No announcement yet as to the venues where the events will be held.

“Each debate is anchored on a set of predetermined topics on pressing concerns of the country, such as pandemic and the economy, and the pool of questions will come from the concerned sector groups,” Jimenez added.

Meanwhile, with less than three months to go before Election Day, Metro Manila cities are looking at more contentious vice mayoral races based on data from the PAHAYAG NCR Election Tracker Survey conducted by PUBLiCUS Asia Inc. between February 18 to 24.

“I would say that the races for vice mayor are a bit more competitive because the average margin between the first-place candidate and the second-place candidate is half of what we observe for the mayoral races,” said Dr. David Barua Yap Jr., Chief Data Scientist of PUBLiCUS Asia and head of its polling and analytics operations.

According to the survey data, there is an average gap of 25 points between the first and second choices for the vice mayor position across all Metro Manila cities, compared to the 49-point lead enjoyed on average by the favorites in mayoral races.

The closest vice mayoral races were observed in Caloocan, Manila, Parañaque, and Pasay – where the largest proportion of respondents were undecided about their choice to fill the position.

Isko barnstorms Cagayan Valley, ‘wins’ Ilocanos AKSYON Demokratiko standard bearer Isko Moreno Domagoso on Saturday led his team in barnstorming the provinces of Isabela, Cagayan, and Kalinga in a 3-day sortie that his team said shattered the mythical “Solid North.”

Team Isko’s sorties in Cagayan Valley Region started Thursday in Nagtipunan, Quirino province where Moreno, his running mate Doc Willie Ong, and senatorial bets Dr. Carl Balita, Samira Gutoc, Jopet Sison and guest candidate Bro. John Castriciones were warmly received by residents led by Mayor Nieverose Meneses, a member of the Bugkalot tribe.

During the town hall meeting, Moreno won the hearts of Nagtipunan residents, including local indigenous peoples, especially after he vowed to support the town’s tourism industry which was badly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“If these things can create jobs and opportunities, then it is line with our goals and aspirations, kami ni Doc Willie (Ong), na in the first two years, life, and livelihood. This will be supported as a matter of compromise and promise and commitment to the Quirino people especially dito sa area kung nasaan tayo,” said Moreno.

To show their appreciation for Team Isko’s visit, Moreno and his slate were treated to modern and native dances as well as video presentations of the town and the province’s many tourist attractions.

From Quirino, Team Isko proceeded to Cauayan, Isabela and later to Alicia town where Moreno and his team held a motorcade around the Alicia public market.

As in past campaign motorcades, Moreno was the center of applause and attention by the crowd who went out in the streets shouting “Isko! Isko! Isko!” while some were seen holding homemade placards that read “We love Isko Moreno.”

Lacson pushes digitalization to end long gov’t lines REPORTS of people lining up outside of government offices even before the break of dawn—like what happened at the Social Security System (SSS) branch in Diliman, Quezon City—has made Partido Reporma standard-bearer Ping Lacson more passionate about pushing for digitalization.

Photos uploaded by a national daily on its official social media pages, showing people sleeping on cardboards and camping outside the SSS branch office along East Avenue as early as Thursday evening to claim various benefits by Friday, are scenes

that Lacson wants to avoid under his administration.

For the presidential aspirant, this kind of lengths that ordinary Filipinos have to go to just to feel the services of government could be resolved if we are going to have a leadership that will seriously invest on a digital infrastructure aimed at streamlining basic public services including those provided by SSS. Lacson has long been advocating for the digitalization of government transactions not only as a way to curb corruption at various agencies, but to ease the processes for our countrymen, especially

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the senior citizens and persons with disabilities.

The Partido Reporma chief will try to achieve this goal by allocating P18-billion for the National Broadband Program of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) once he receives the people’s mandate following the May 9, 2022 elections.

“We need to strengthen the digitalization of government processes by pouring in the resources needed for the automation and interoperability of government agencies,” according to Lacson.

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

KADIWA IN JAIL. Officials of the Quezon City Jail Male Dormitory (QCJ-PD) in partnership with the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Quezon City LGU GROW QC Program launched the KADIWA in Ani at Kita-KADIWA Carts Project at Bernardo Park, EDSA on Friday. In photo are DA Director for NCR Operation U-Nichols A. Manalo, BJMP-NCR Regional Director JCSupt Luisito C Muñoz, QCJ-MD Warden JSupt.

Michelle Ng Bonto, QC Market Development and Administration Department Head Ret. PCol. Procopio Lipana, DA Undersecretary Kristine Y. Evangelista, QC Parks Development and Administrative Department Head Arch. Nancy C. Esguerra, and QC Sustainable Development Affair Head Emmanuel Velasco. Manny Palmero

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

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

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

Emil P. Jurado Chairman Emeritus, Editorial Board

WORLD

INBRIEFS MARCH 6, 2022

MOLOTOV TRAINING. A man throws a Molotov

cocktail during a self-defence civilian course on the outskirts of Lviv, western Ukraine, on March 4. The Russian army occupied the Ukrainian nuclear power plant of Zaporozhie (south), the largest in Europe, where bombings in the night have raised fears of a disaster as more than 1.2 million people have fled Ukraine. AFP

Huge ‘cyberattack’ knocks thousands offline in Europe

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ARIS—Thousands of internet users across Europe have been thrown offline after what sources said Friday was a likely cyberattack at the beginning of Russia’s offensive in Ukraine.

According to Orange, nearly 9,000 subscribers of a satellite internet service provided by its subsidiary Nordnet in France are without internet following a “cyber event” on February 24 at Viasat, a US satellite operator of which it is a client.

Eutelsat, the parent company of the bigblu satellite internet service, also con-

firmed to AFP on Friday that around one-third of bigblu’s 40,000 subscribers in Europe, in Germany, France, Hungary, Greece, Italy and Poland, were affected by the outage on Viasat.

In the US, Viasat said on Wednesday that a “cyber event” had caused a “partial network outage” for customers “in Ukraine and elsewhere” in Europe who rely on its KA-SAT satellite.

Viasat gave no further details, saying only that “police and state partners” had been notified and were assisting with investigations.

General Michel Friedling, head of France’s Space Command, said there had been a cyberattack.

“For several days, shortly after the start of operations, we have had a satellite network that covers Europe and Ukraine in particular, which was the victim of a cyberattack, with tens of thousands of terminals that were

rendered inoperative immediately after the attack,” he said, adding that he was talking about a civilian network -- Viasat.

The outages also knocked offline some 5,800 wind turbines in Germany and Central Europe with a combined output of 11 gigawatts.

“Due to a massive disruption of the satellite connection in Europe, remote monitoring and control of thousands of wind power converters is currently only possible to a limited extent,” said the manufacturer, Germany’s Enercon which said the problems started on February 24, the first day of the invasion of Ukraine.

“There is no danger to the wind turbines” which continue to produce energy but can no longer be reset remotely if needed, the manufacturer said.

A report by Germany’s Federal Office for Information Security said that it was

“conceivable that the outages were the consequence of a “cyberattack”, German daily Handelsblatt reported.

Military and cyber specialists fear that the Russian-Ukrainian conflict could lead to an outbreak of cyberattacks, a “cyber Armageddon” with major consequences for civilians in Ukraine and Russia, but also globally, through a spillover effect.

But a worst-case scenario has so far been avoided, as the attacks observed appear to be contained in their impact and geographical scope.

Cybersecurity companies have observed attacks in Ukraine that deploy a new data-destroying virus, the actual effects of which are not yet known.

In Russia, institutional websites were made inaccessible from abroad, to protect them from denial of service (DOS) attacks that regularly rendered them inoperable. AFP

Nokor resumes testing blitz with ballistic missile launch

on testing long-range missiles and nuclear weapons.

South Korea’s military said Saturday it had detected a presumed “ballistic missile launched into the East Sea from the Sunan area around 08:48 am.”

South Korea’s National Security Council condemned Pyongyang’s “unprecedented, repeated firing of ballistic missiles”, which goes against peace on the Korean Peninsula and the international community, the presidential Blue House said in a statement.

Seoul will “even more thoroughly monitor North Korea’s nuclear and missile-related facilities, such as Yongbyon and Punggye-ri”, the statement added.

Tokyo also confirmed the launch, saying the missile had flown “at a maximum altitude of approximately 550 kilometres (340 miles) and a distance of approximately 300 kilometres,” Defence Minister Nobuo Kishi said. AFP

FromtheFRONTPAGE

discussed the strategic petroleum reserve plan during an emergency meeting with oil companies.

“The strategic petroleum reserve was discussed. Secretary Cusi wants that implemented soon,” Abad said.

The strategic petroleum reserve plan, he said, will be implemented in two phases — short-term and long-term. Under the short-term plan, Abad said the government will lease available spare capacity from the existing storage tank of oil companies.

The government will also contract an oil company to handle its orders for buffer stocking.

“The long-term plan is for the PNOC [Philippine National Oil Company] to build its own storage tank,” Abad said.

Cusi on Wednesday reiterated the DOE’s plan to establish the country’s strategic petroleum inventory as domestic petroleum prices have consistently gone up since the year started due to supply disruptions and the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine.

rally: actor Robin Padilla, broadcaster Rey Langit, House Deputy Speaker Rodante Marcoleta, former anti-corruption chief Greco Belgica, former chief presidential legal counsel Salvador “Sal” Panelo, former Agrarian Reform chief John Castriciones, and former Energy Undersecretary Astra Pimentel.

Guest candidates, the Cusi wing said, will be announced in the coming days.

“This event, organized by the party and San Mateo Mayor Cristina Diaz, will kick off and drumbeat our series of campaign events across the country to show that the PDP Laban is the dominant party in the country,” Cusi said in a statement.

The group earlier said Duterte would campaign for nearly 6,600 national and local candidates starting March 25.

It was not immediately clear if the President would campaign for his daughter or if he would be present in her campaign sorties.

support of the Muslim community behind the UniTeam of Marcos Jr. and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte of Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD).

Padilla, a Muslim convert, told a large crowd at the Manila Golden Mosque and Cultural Center in Quiapo, Manila that he had studied Islam and the history of Bangsamoro when he turned Muslim.

Padilla recalled that Mrs. Imelda Marcos flew to the Libyan capital of Tripoli to talk to the Libyan leader.

“Dun po ipinanganak ang (1976) Tripoli agreement (which ended the fighting in Mindanao). Kasama po sa Tripoli Agreement ang Golden Mosque (in Quiapo) at Blue Mosque (in Taguig, where there is another large Muslim community), at nagkaroon ng mosque sa loob ng Malacanang,” Padilla said.

PDP-LABAN... Carpio, who in turn

RIVALS... bailiwicks of North and

Central Luzon, with 45.67 % or 15,365 of 33,646 respondents.

Meanwhile, acknowledging that the labor sector badly needs a shot in the arm in these trying times, Marcos Jr. said he will push for measures that will “immediately redound to a better economic condition” when he is elected after the May elections.

He tempered expectations by saying that any major wage hikes at this time might meet some opposition from business owners considering the current state of the economy, even as the country is still trying to get back on its feet after being crippled by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Also, actor and senatorial candidate Robin Padilla on Saturday rallied the

considered as the shift to the “new normal,” to revive the pandemic-battered economy.

But Health Undersecretary Myrna Cabotaje said at the Laging Handa briefing: “Our vaccinations have slowed down a bit in the past week, we are only reaching a maximum of about 300,000 individuals, compared to the previous one million to 1.5 million individuals. It was difficult to reach other segments of our population.”

Responding to Concepcion’s concerns, Cabotaje said the government should first push for an information drive regarding boosters.

“We know that the number of vaccinations in the past weeks is slow, especially with boosters, for various reasons. While hesitancy had subsided, there was also a loss of urgency over

Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), will exchange analyses and estimates on how the continued increase in oil prices will impact inflation this month.

Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi has also ordered the DOE to expedite the implementation of its strategic petroleum reserve plan — the government’s oil buffer stock — to cushion the impact of price hikes in the domestic market.

Tuesday’s forecasted increase will be the 10th weekly consecutive price increase since January as world oil prices continued to surge. On March 3, the benchmark Dubai crude soared to $116.56 per barrel, but slightly declined to $108.80 per barrel a day later.

Based on data from the Department of Energy (DOE), the latest oil price hike will bring the average price of gasoline to P69.28 per liter, diesel at P58.65 per liter, and kerosene at P62.21 per liter.

However, some stations in the National Capital Region sell gasoline at a high of P79.48 per liter (RON91) and diesel at P62.59 per liter. Prices vary depending on the brand, location, and market forces.

“We will see what will come out in our estimates and what we can do about it. Once we have the estimates, what will be the immediate solutions —short-term, mediumterm, long-term solutions,” Edillon said.

The NEDA official said the government’s economic team is also monitoring how rising oil prices will impact food prices.

In an interview on Dobol B TV on Saturday, DOE-Oil Industry Management Bureau Director Rino Abad said Cusi

recognized the unselfish and “buwis-buhay” efforts of barangay workers in the country all throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

Duterte, chairperson of Lakas-CMD, served as the guest of honor during the 3rd general membership assembly of the league of village leaders at the SMX Convention in Pasay City.

Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP), the political party of Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., had also adopted DuterteCarpio for the country’s second-highest post and part of their UniTeam.

The PDP-Laban faction also endorsed the following senatorial candidates during their

BEIJING­—China set its lowest annual GDP target in decades Saturday, as Premier Li Keqiang warned of a “grave and uncertain” outlook against the backdrop of the coronavirus, a property slump and uncertainty over the war in Ukraine.

Li announced the unusually modest target of around 5.5 percent growth for 2022 -- the lowest since 1991 -- in his speech opening the annual session of China’s rubber-stamp parliament.

Addressing about 3,000 members of the National People’s Congress (NPC) in Beijing’s cavernous Great Hall of the People, Li said the world’s second-largest economy “will encounter many more risks and challenges, and we must keep pushing to overcome them”.

The target was based on a need to maintain stable employment, basic living needs and “guard against risks”, Li said in China’s version of a state of the nation address.

China’s economy is a key driver of global growth and crucial domestically for the ruling Communist Party, which has based its legitimacy on delivering steady economic expansion and improved standards of living.

The party is deeply concerned over social instability in its huge population should economic growth dip too low.

Economic stability must be a “top priority”, Li added. AFP

Biden eyes stronger ties with Finland WASHINGTON —US President Joe Biden on Friday called for stronger ties with Finland as he hosted the leader of the Nordic country, but neither mentioned the possibility of Helsinki eventually joining NATO. Finland, which shares a 1,300-kilometer (800-mile) border with Russia, has close ties to the Western alliance, and the Russian war against Ukraine has reignited debate about whether the relationship should be deepened.

“Finland is a critical partner of the United States, a strong defense partner as well, a partner to NATO, especially on strengthening the security of the Baltic Sea area,” the US president said in the Oval Office.

“This is another opportunity for us to further strengthen that relationship.”

Finnish President Sauli Niinisto said: “I want to thank you also for the leadership you have showed. We need it now.”

“We have a long-lasting partnership —very good relations—and I hope that during this meeting and discussion, we can strengthen them more between the United States and Finland and the Nordic countries all together.” AFP

Junta strips Myanmar rivals of citizenship

SEOUL—North Korea fired a suspected ballistic missile Saturday, Seoul’s military said, continuing this year’s record-breaking blitz of weapons tests with a launch just days before South Korea’s presidential election.

From hypersonic to medium-range ballistic missiles, Pyongyang test-fired a string of weaponry in January and last week launched what it claimed was a component of a “reconnaissance satellite” -- although Seoul described it as another ballistic missile.

Despite biting international sanctions over its nuclear weapons, Pyongyang has ignored US offers of talks since high-profile negotiations between leader Kim Jong Un and then-US president Donald Trump collapsed in 2019.

Instead of diplomacy, Pyongyang has doubled-down on Kim’s drive to modernize its military, warning in January that it could abandon a self-imposed moratorium

PUMP...(DBM), and the Bangko

China sets lowest GDP target in years

MUD BATH. People take part in a mud bath tradition, known as Mebuug-buugan, held a day after Nyepi - the Balinese “Day of Silence” - aimed at neutralising bad traits, in the village of Kedonganan on Indonesia’s resort island of Bali on March 4. AFP

Maricel V. Cruz

DOH... COVID-19 alert system, also

BANGKOK—Myanmar’s junta has revoked the citizenship of several members of an opposition government dominated by Aung San Suu Kyi’s toppled administration, it said Saturday.

Ousted lawmakers formed the “National Unity Government” weeks after the military’s power-grab last year and have vowed to overturn the coup.

The NUG has since been declared a “terrorist” organisation by the junta.

Those stripped of citizenship include spokesman Sasa -- who goes by one name -- minister for foreign affairs Zin Mar Aung, home minister Lwin Ko Latt and human rights minister Aung Myo Min. The group had “violated the existing laws of the State and... found to be committing acts that could harm the interests of Myanmar,” according to a junta notice in state newspaper Global New Light of Myanmar. AFP

booster shots. Most people were content with having two doses and the ‘novaccination, no entry’ policy,” she said.

On the DOH’s part, with the assistance of the Department of the Interior and Local Government and private sector partners, Cabotaje said they would strengthen their communication and advocacy efforts to improve the desire for boosters.

To vaccinate 70% of the provincial

population and 85% of the A2 category in the provinces, LGUs were implementing recalibration strategies.

PORT... shelling both Mariupol itself and its environs, and for security reasons, the evacuation of the civilian population has been postponed,” city officials said in a statement posted on social media.

Civilians who gathered to leave were told to return to shelters.

Negotiations were underway “to establish a ceasefire and ensure a safe humanitarian corridor”, Mariupol authorities added.

An evacuation had been seen as a prelude to a final assault that, if successful, would see the Russian army push north from occupied Crimea and link up with their forces from the east and take control of Ukraine’s coast on the Sea of Azov.

After Russia’s defense ministry declared a ceasefire to allow humanitarian corridors out of Mariupol and neighbouring Volnovakha, officials announced that the port city’s 450,000-strong population could begin to leave by bus and private cars. AFP

MARCH 6, 2022

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YOUNG couple who looks forward to their life together started producing sweet local delicacies on the side to augment their income from their professional career.

“We both are planning to get married, and are now preparing for our future together. We are very grateful for the opportunity to start our small business because sales will add up to our savings,” says Jaymee Millena who is engaged to Julian Quimpo.

“We want to save more for our future together. That’s why we decided to start doing business,” she says.

Their love for food and dessert led to the production of palitaw with yema filling, a sweet concoction that combines two local favorite sweets—palitaw or glutinous rice cake and yema, a confectionery made of egg yolk, milk and sugar.

Orders quickly came, followed by offers from resellers. “Our dream is to have our own food hub someday and more branches in the cities nearby. But right now, we are looking for resellers so that we can accommodate large number of orders outside our residence,” says Millena who works part-time as a licensed psychometrician in charge of validating students’ research questionnaires.

Quimpo, her fiancé, is a fulltime software developer for an IT company based in San Juan City.

Their business operations are home-based at the moment, and they do everything by themselves.

“I am the cook in charge of marketing, inventory and taking orders. Ayan [Quimpo] is in charge of packaging, and he is the driver and also product photographer.

We are our own delivery team,” says Millena.

Young couple mixes palitaw and yema in sweet venture

Young entrepreneurs Jaymee Millena and Julian Quimpo

“On its first days on the market, lots of people immediately loved palitaw with yema filling. We received lots of orders from new and returning customers. We also received lots of inquiries from resellers. We are also planning on adding new fillings to our palitaw soon. In February, we introduced a new product—coffee jelly drink,” says Millena.

It was not a walk in the park for the couple, especially after delving into entrepreneurship amid the pandemic and following two failed ventures.

“We came up with a plan to start up our own cosmetic line in 2020, because at that time it was on demand, but our product didn’t

click in the market,” says Millena.

“We were discouraged at that time. We often questioned ourselves, ‘Why do other sellers with the same product as we have, managed to gain more customers and why do people love their products. Maybe business is really not for us,” she recalls thinking.

A year after the cosmetic venture failed, the couple decided to venture into the food sector. “Since I love cooking, and we both love spicy foods, we tried selling our own chilli garlic oil. It’s funny remembering those times when we prepare the garlic and red chilli for cooking. Because we had no food

Filipino hotel brand set to redefine 5-star hospitality TRAVELERS who enjoy the good life will find Fili to be the new hotel in the Philippines that suits their sensory delight. At Fili, they are looked after and pampered like they have never been because here, they experience genuine Filipino hospitality.

Fili is located in Kawit Island that has a full view of the southern part of Cebu City and the newly-built Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway. It is about 30 minutes from the Mactan Cebu International Airport via the CCLEX. Fili will be the first hotel to rise in NUSTAR Resort & Casino, which is propped to be the first integrated resort in Cebu and the rest of southern Philippines.

Expected to be the regional icon of the south, the resort boasts of exceptional service in gaming, entertainment, leisure, retail, dining, and hospitality that caters to domestic and international guests alike.

Fili is the new 5-star, genuinely Filipino hotel owned and run by Robinsons Hotels and Resorts for discerning luxury travelers. It is envisioned as a chain that will expand and operate in Metro Manila and other parts of the Philippines and Southeast Asia, promising the global charm of Filipino hospitality where luxury is experienced in the details of Filipino care.

That Filipino hospitality is beamed from the hotel’s symbol—the parol or lantern that is ubiquitous in many homes, offices and public places in the Philippines during Christmas.

The parol symbolizes light and warmth, and its sight evokes comfort, joy and

Nustart Resort and Casino in Cebu

Millena believes that if one works hard enough and understands what the market wants, success will eventually follow. “We all are striving to make our businesses grow, pay our bills and become successful owners of our own someday,” she says.

“Pandemic actually pushed us to start a business. We realized how important it is to have another source of income aside from our salary, for us to be able to save more for the future,” says Millena.

Millena is optimistic about the business prospects as the country transitions to the ‘new normal’.

“For us, we see this challenge as an opportunity to gain momentum: whenever we overcome such challenge, we wonder how much more we can accomplish once this pandemic is over,” she says.

She says the plan is to take advantage of opportunities in the market. “Our expectations this year, aside from making our business grow, is to discover new opportunities and try out new things in food industry where we can diversify our line-up of products,” she says. chopper/processor at that time, so Millena encourages other young we chopped it manually and ended entrepreneurs not to give up. our day with burning sensation on “There’s plenty of opportunities our hands,” says Millena. to grab despite this pandemic.

While there were many orders When you do business, you for the product, initially, demand will encounter people who will eventually waned. “We were not say something bad about your receiving orders anymore. We products because not all people realized that maybe, not all people will like it. All you need to do is are fond of spicy food. So we started trust yourself and your product,” experimenting food that we think she says. people will love,” she says.

“As long as you made it with It is then that they tried cooking high quality standard and with the classic palitaw and gave it a twist, love, there’s nothing to worry which found a market following. “Our about. Just remember that when target market is mostly food lovers one door closes, another door who have a taste for food delicacies opens,” she says. with some twist,” she says.

Roderick T. dela Cruz

JobStreet career fair offers thousands of Asian tech jobs

By Othel V. Campos

pride in the Filipino beholder. The parol seemingly assures the guests: You are home and let me take care of you. Fili welcomes its guests with the promise of warm hospitality, efficient service, and genuine care during their stay.

Fili values The Fili staff are deeply rooted in their Filipino heritage and are well-versed in multi-cultures. They always find a reason or two to celebrate their rich and diverse culture and are proud to share it with the guests. But they also are not shy about learning from their guests. Fili guests will find it easy to engage the Fili staff in conversations about any topic under the sun or anything Cebu.

The Fili staff are a joyful lot, casting positive vibes at everyone around them.

Their joyfulness spreads to the guests who will feel welcomed every moment of their stay at Fili. It is the Fili staff’s complete pleasure to serve them.

Furnishings of the rooms and art work and installations in common spaces also speak of the luxury hotel’s pride in the Filipino heritage, culture and craftmanship.

Fili also holds the distinction of being the hotel with a view up close of Cebu’s new pride, the Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway.

At Fili, the best of the Philippines is celebrated with pride and joy.

Unique hotel Fili promises to serve a distinct Filipino luxury experience that hotel staff find joy in giving and guests receiving. This brand story is anchored on Filipino traits that

express the hospitality, joyfulness and efficient service distinct to Filipinos.

The Fili staff already understand the preferences of guests at the point of reservation. Guests are picked up in limousines at the airport and welcomed upon arrival at the hotel with the Fili signature drink. Suites and villas come with butlers or mayordomos.

Fili makes sure that guests are looked after and attended to in the best way it can, starting from their arrival until after their stay. Fili wants its guests to leave energized, happy, entertained, rejuvenated and surprised.

Fili space Each of the 379 guest rooms is equipped with smart TV, complimentary high-speed internet access for multiple devices, 24hour in-room dining service, minibar and coffee and tea facility, in-room safe, IDD telephone and voicemail, premium bath amenities, an oversized shopping bag, and premium coffee machine. The rooms have a view of the city, the sea, and the mountains.

The hotel will have a spa, swimming pools and lifeguards, fitness gym with an instructor around, babysitting services, limo and car rentals, among other amenities and services.

There will be four ballrooms of varying capacity, five function rooms, and a bridal lounge for wedding celebrations.

For dining, Fili Café will spread an extensive buffet that offers various cuisines and Filipino dishes from the different regions in the Philippines.

AFTER the successful run of job fairs offering government posts in cooperation with Civil Service Commission, top online jobs portal JobStreet Philippines teamed up with Tech in Asia to open up 80,000 jobs in the upcoming career fair in the region, “Hire the Future” happening on March 9 to 11.

JobStreet country manager Philip Gioca said it will be a first for the entire JobStreet in the region to hold a tech jobs fair.

“Our principals have seen that the virtual career fair is really effective in bringing the right information to candidates, jobseekers and hires. So we are now embarking on a new type of virtual career fair, and this is not just happening in the Philippines but it’s happening in all countries where JobStreet, Jobs DB and Seek are operating,” he said.

About 900 hirers from Singapore, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and the Philippines will participate in the simultaneous career fair.

“We are embarking this in Asia because there’s a lot of investments made in Asia to transform companies, to transform talents to be in the digitalrelated jobs and industries. In fact there is $165 billion invested in Asia trying to look for ways to digitalize industries and put more tech in many Asian countries as way to the future,” Gioca said.

Filipino jobseekers can access more

than 80,000 opportunities within the platform, with over 2,000 tech jobs. These jobs are being offered by more than 200 various notable local companies such as Globe, ePLDT, BDO Unibank, Cognizant, ING Bank and more.

Gioca said the COVID-19 pandemic drastically transformed the way people work, live, and play, with many activities shifting online. This accelerated the need for digital and tech-savvy workers, driving up the demand for quality talents in IT and tech on the end of employers.

“Many years ago, we hardly see the terminologies like virtual assistant, content creators, app developers, UX or user experience designer.

These are very rare. But nowadays, it’s a staple. In fact, these jobs are more in demand than the usual jobs we see. The goal of this career fair is that we are highlighting the need for technical and digital jobs because in post-pandemic these are the roles that are resilient compared to jobs with manual interventions,” he said.

The digital shift has birthed more career opportunities in IT development, JAVA, Cloud and SQL to name a few. The region-wide initiative is in line with SEEK Asia’s evolving Let’s Get ToWork campaign, which is targeted at encouraging participation and empowerment in the workforce. The portal also aims to connect jobseekers with Asia’s top companies with an accessible platform to search for jobs that are meaningful to them.

New investments in Bataan boost residential demand BATAAN province is emerging as a destination of foreign investments. Various multinational companies, including those from Taiwan, are setting up shops in the province which is known for its stunning beaches and historical landmarks.

These new ventures create job opportunities for both locals and migrant workers, persuading more Filipinos to settle down and build a secure, sustainable life in the Central Luzon province.

Leading property developer Bria Homes,

in anticipation of the increased migration of people to Bataan, built projects in Mariveles and Hermosa to add to its portfolio of over 50 projects nationwide.

Presenting itself as the home of choice for new families, Bria offers value-for-money house-and-lot units in its residential enclaves in Mariveles and Hermosa.

As multinational companies set up shop in these vibrant towns, Bria welcomes the influx of property seekers to their communities.

Family-friendly fixtures that define Bria

properties include sports and recreational facilities such as covered basketball courts, multipurpose halls and wide open green spaces that promote a sustainable and ecofriendly lifestyle.

Perimeter fences, guarded entrances and exits and 24-hour CCTV coverage secure them.

Those looking to settle down in Bria Bataan developments are assured of being in close proximity to schools, markets, churches and Bria Homes adds Mariveles and Hermosa in Bataan to its commercial centers. portfolio of 50-plus nationwide housing projects.

MARCH 6, 2022 Despite the odds, the PH sepak takraw athletes are going for gold in Vietnam

How are PH athletes preparing for Vietnam SEA Games?

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WING to several factors that derailed the Filipino athletes’ training, the Philippines is setting a modest goal when it goes to battle in the 31st Southeast Asian Games in Vietnam in May.

Since topping the SEA Games as host in 2019, the athletes have not had a normal training condition due to the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic in early 2020.

Worse, sources of funds for the Philippine Sports Commission intended for the national athletes were affected by the lockdowns implemented by the government to combat the pandemic.

With barely two months left before the Vietnam Games, the National Sports Associations have to make do with whatever is available in their arsenal.

Most NSAs turned to private donors to trump up their training in a bubble setup.

Remaining optimistic, Pilipinas Sepaktakraw lady chief Karen Tanchanco-Caballero found a home in Bulacan Sports Complex in Malolos City, courtesy of Bulacan Governor Danie Fernando, for their closed-circuit training. And against certain odds, Caballero remained optimistic.

“My boys are back to the grind. And they mean business. Sabi ko gold, minimum silver. If I can manifest for other sports and athletes, more so to my own sports children.”

The Samahang Kickboxing ng Pilipinas is also spending for the training of its 11 athletes in La Trinidad, Benguet, hoping that it would deliver good results so it can reimburse some expense from the PSC. Backed by some corporate sponsors, the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) will send its national men’s and women’s training pool abroad for training.

The PNVF has named 40 athletes for volleyball and 16 players for beach volleyball to the national pool. There are 20 athletes each for the men and women divisions for volleyball and eight apiece also for both genders for beach volleyball.

“It’s unfortunate that our promising

young players from the collegiate leagues couldn’t join the pool, and the SEA Games for that matter, because their respective leagues are resuming their competitions before the Hanoi Games,” said Suzara, referring to the University Athletic Association of the Philippines and the National Collegiate Athletic Association.

The PNVF president Ramon Suzara has envisioned a national team composed of young and promising players but although circumstances surrounding the collegiate leagues that were shuttered for two years stalled the federation’s goal.

Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) President Rep. Abraham Bambol Tolentino has so far summed 656 athletes will be competing in 39 of the 44 sports programmed by Vietnam for its only second hosting of the Games since 2003.

“Comparing the numbers when we hosted the Games in 2019, we’ll have a delegation that’s slashed almost in half from three years ago,” Tolentino said.

“And a quick look at the numbers show we’ll be hard-pressed to repeat as overall champions.”

FIGHTING TEAM There were 1,115 Filipino athletes in 2019—an automatic privilege that host countries have—and they won 149 gold, 117 silver, and 121 bronze medals for a guaranteed overall title.

“But we’ll have a fighting team in Vietnam, setting aside the difficulties of training and competing or training overseas because of the Covid-19 pandemic,” Tolentino said.

Filipino athletes will be competing in diving, swimming, finswimming, archery, athletics, badminton, 3x3 and 5x5 basketball, billiards and snooker, bodybuilding,

The national kickboxing team training at Team Lakay Gym in La Trinidad, Benguet bowling, boxing, canoe-kayak, chess, cycling, dancesport, esports, fencing, football, golf, gymnastics (artistic, aerobic and rhythmic), beach handball, judo, jiujitsu, karate, kickboxing, kurash, muaythai, pencak silat, rowing, sepak takraw, shooting, table tennis, taekwondo, tennis, triathlon/duathlon, volleyball, beach volleyball, vovinam, weightlifting, wrestling and wushu.

With barely two months to go, the Rizal Memorial Coliseum (RMC) and Ninoy Aquino Stadium (NAS) inside the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila, which were used as quarantine and Covid-19 testing areas since April 2020, are being readied for the training of some athletes.

The country’s two landmark sports facilities, according to SEA Games chefde-mission Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Commissioner Ramon Fernandez, will be extra two venues where the national athletes can train and for the national sports agency to save funds for the rental of training venues.

Aside from the NAS and the RMSC, the PhilSports Complex in Pasig City has also been used as a Covid-19 facility and is now being used for training.

The national boxing team has been training at the Teacher’s Camp while

Smart bolsters SEAG-bound Sibol squad AS A pioneer and stalwart in the Philippine esports and gaming scene, PLDT wireless unit Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) has bolstered its commitment to support SIBOL, the bemedaled national team for esports in the upcoming 31st Southeast Asian Games happening in Hanoi, Vietnam this May. Wrapping up the national qualifiers led by the Philippine Esports Organization (PESO) and powered by Smart, SIBOL will field 54 esports athletes to represent the Philippines in Mobile Legends: Bang Bang; League of Legends Wild Rift Men’s and Women’s Division; Crossfire; League of Legends; Arena of Valor; FreeFire; PUBG Mobile; and FIFA Online 4.

“It is our great honor to support the best Filipino esports athletes as they continue to prove to the world that we have the talent, skill, and drive to dominate this rapidly growing sport. Smart will continue to support the dreams of these young athletes and help them achieve glory for the Philippines in the international stage,” said Jane J. Basas, SVP and Head of Consumer Wireless Business at Smart.

PESO, the national esports organization under the Philippine Olympic Committee, also recognizes the role of the government and partners for the growth of the sector.

“This is a historical feat for Philippine esports.

Our 54-strong SIBOL delegation -- including the first all-female team -- for SEA Games is one of the biggest in the country. This was made possible with the support of the government and industry partners who paved the way and made this dream a reality,” said Marlon Marcelo, PESO Interim Executive Director.

POWERING ESPORTS IN PH “PESO is committed to further strengthen esports development within our country and our competitiveness abroad. We have gathered the top athletes in every game category to become SIBOL representatives. We look forward to achieving great success in repeating our 2019 medal results,” said Brian Lim, PESO President.

To help SIBOL’s quest for gold, Smart has also opened the doors of the Smart SIBOL Training Ground to the team, fitted with the latest connectivity innovations. Smart will also help in the training bootcamp of SIBOL to ensure that they are in fighting form before they fly to Vietnam.

Smart has long supported esports in the country. In 2019, Smart became the official sponsor of SIBOL for their debut in the SEA Games, where SIBOL bagged a total of five medals -- three gold, one silver, and one bronze – for the Philippines during its maiden year.

The mobile operator also recently marked its fifth year of partnership with Shanghai-based international gaming developer, MOONTON Games, as the official telco partner for all Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Pro League (MPL) Philippines tournaments in 2022.

Smart also hones the competitive spirit of esports athletes through its professional teams, Smart Omega and Smart Omega Empress, and backing leagues like The Nationals, Liga Adarna, among others. The telco also helps in developing potential athletes through grassroots events in partnership with local government units across the country.

the national athletics team has also been in bubble-type training at Baguio Athletic Bowl. Both teams are currently in Baguio City along with the national karatedo team.

The fencers are in Ormoc City while the rowers are in Leyte.

The National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) has conducted a qualifying tournament to form the national team while the Billiard Sports Confederation of the Philippines has released the roster of its eight-member squad for the SEA Games, top-billed by world champions Carlo Biado and Rubilen Amit.

While there is excitement as SEA Games preparations shift to high gear, PSC national training director Marc Velasco underscored that there is still the risk of Covid-19 infection despite the low alert levels and the downtrend of Covid-19 cases.

Coaches and athletes should not lower their guards and keep on strictly observing the minimum public health standards (MPHS) as PSC’s top brass makes the necessary preparations to secure and ensure the health and safety of the national teams in government-managed facilities.

MODEST GOAL “Can we defend the overall championship? A lot of things have happened. Mahirap sagutin yan. Second, the budgetary constraints will have a huge effect on our campaign,” Tolentino said.

“Kaya pa rin i-defend pero uphill battle,” said Tolentino, adding the host country has scrapped more than 40 events where the Philippines won gold medals in 2019 and added more than 30 events where the hosts are favored to win this year.

The cycling chief said it could be a battle for second overall among the Philippines, Thailand and Indonesia.

“Yan ang maglalaban sa two, three, four. I think Malaysia and Singapore kaya natin,” said Tolentino, who added that finishing fifth in the medal standings is a far-fetched idea.

“Malabo na siguro yan (fifth place) with what happened in 2019,” added the POC prexy, recalling the year when the Philippines hosted the Games and won the overall title for the second time.

The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) has P121 million funds allocated for the SEA Games. Originally, the budget stood at P200 million, but so much money was already spent for training before the pandemic kicked.

PSC hopes to hone more future champs at new Gymnastics Center THE Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) looks forward to discovering more world-class gymnasts to follow the footsteps of Olympian and World champion Caloy Yulo, as it welcomes the opening of the new Gymnastics Center in Intramuros, Manila Saturday.

“The PSC Board believes in our gymnasts to haul in more accomplishments in the coming years. This is why we support them in ways that our limited resources could. Last year, Caloy showed the world the true grit of Filipino athletes, fighting and winning despite injuries in another championship. Our collective efforts in developing sports can produce more Caloys in the future,“ said PSC Chairman William “Butch” Ramirez.

Since the present administration came in 2016, the PSC has given more than Php 71 million to the Gymnastics Association of the Philippines to cover expenses for the team’s international competitions, training, equipment, training supplies, and other expenses.

The said amount is on top of releases covering allowances of athletes, local coaches and trainors, which in 2021 alone amounted to P7.9 million. In addition, foreign coaches receive P287 thousand monthly in salaries and allowances.

PSC has spent Php 2.2 million for the training center rental expenses of national gymnasts in 2021 and January 2022 alone. The new facility will serve as the training ground for Yulo and other members of the national team.

The 22-year-old Yulo, who is a product of the PSC’s Batang Pinoy and Philippine National Games programs, honed his talent and skills inside the gymnastics center at the historic Rizal Memorial Sports Complex (RMSC)

before he finally became an Olympian and a world-class athlete in the sport.

In his guesting at the PSC weekly radio show “PSC Hour” aired Fridays on Radyo Pilipinas, the world champ thanked the sports agency for its support, “thankful po ako sa PSC na nandyan po sila sa likod ko. Hindi ko po ito lahat magagawa kung wala po sila. Kasama po sila sa aking family, coaches, NSA at sa iba pa po na sumusuporta sa akin. Maraming, maraming salamat po.”

“We thank Caloy for raising the bar high for Philippine gymnastics. It just proves that hard work is the key to the fulfillment of a dream.

I hope he inspires more youth to pursue their dreams and motivates us to further expand our grassroots program,” added Ramirez.

World champ and Olympic gymnast Caloy Yulo (left) training under Japanese coach Munehiro Kugiyama at the new Gymnastics Training Center in Intramuros, Manila.

Life Editor: Nickie Wang

MARCH 6, 2022

lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com

Kai’a Hanging Lamp London-based international competition recognizes Filipino-designed ‘lamp of hope’

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ESIGNED to give light and hope amid one of the world’s longest lockdowns, the Kai’a Hanging Lamp by young Filipino visionary Chini Lichangco was recognized with the Best in Use (Product) Award at the 2021 London International Creative Competition (LICC).

Established in 2006, the LICC aims to reward the freshest and most progressive talents from across the globe who have exemplified their skills in the fields of Architecture, Photo/Video, Art, Graphic, Interior, and Product Design in the professional and non-professional categories.

Among thousands of entries, the Kai’a Hanging Lamp from the non-professional division captured the attention of the jury members and industry experts.

The piece was conceptualized and created to transform the innovator’s pandemic anxieties into a manifestation of hope.

“As an artist boxed within the four walls, I had to divert and pour my energy into creating something positive,” Lichangco explained.

“Its soft warm glow mimics the veil of light trickling under the ocean,” she described. “It enthralls the viewers and wraps them under a deep-sea serenity – under the ocean secured from the storm above and portraying life safe from peril.”

The lighting fixture embodies the design philosophy of the Industrial Design graduate from the De La SalleCollege of Saint Benilde School of Design and Arts.

The artist apprenticed under the multi-awarded and internationally acclaimed designer Kenneth Cobonpue in Cebu, wherein she furthered her knowledge in design philosophies and experience with the diverse types of materials.

Artist and Benilde industrial design graduate Chini Lichangco

For the Kai’a Hanging Lamp, Lichangco relied on biomimicry to form the installation. With sustainability in mind, she minimized the usage of plastic products and by-products during the design phase. Instead, she reimagined pieces of parchment paper as scales, intricately placed along the body of the structure.

“My 2021 has been a whirlwind of ups and downs but we remain always grateful!” she beamed. “This is a call that whichever situation we’re in, don’t lose hope and keep moving forward.”

Lichangco is currently starting her own studio in Manila.

Discover more about Lichangco and her creations on her official Instagram account @chinilichangco (https:// www.instagram.com/chinilichangco/?hl=en). For orders and inquiries, email chinilichangco@gmail.com.

The lamp in an indoor setting. (Inset) The Kai’a hanging lamp is made with reimagined pieces of parchment paper

A cult’s conspiracy, an ex-priest’s perfidy in Charlson Ong’s latest

Shangri-La Plaza has gifts that make a love fall head over heels all over again

Timeless gift ideas that best express love any day of the year THE love month may be over, but making our beloved beam and blush knows no time and day. Expressing love shouldn’t be confined to a single date. Any day of the month, or the year, is always the best time to declare one’s love—as long as it’s from the heart.

Shangri-La Plaza lists down some gift ideas that can make a lover fall head over heels all over again.

Pearls, timepieces, and fragrances for keeps. Express a love that’s unlike any other by going all out and gifting a beloved some South Sea pearls like a pair of Les Classiques studs or L’Équilibre earrings, a Bollicine pendant or ring, or the Mon Secret bracelets from Jewelmer.

Or give a beloved the gift of time – timepieces, that is. At Tokyo Store offers a curated selection of elegant and functional Japanese watches like the sporty Prospex and the dressy Presage lines from Seiko and the allrounder Edifice and the utilitarian GShock collections from Casio. Scents can make memories linger, reminisce the early days of courtship or make new unforgettable ones this year with eau de parfum from Hermès, Dolce & Gabbana, Jo Malone, and Issey Miyake that are available at Rustan’s Department Store.

Stylish additions to their wardrobe. Add to a special someone’s stylish wardrobe by shopping for classic styles from Polo Ralph Lauren and Marks & Spencer, and high-quality denim staples from Calvin Klein Jeans.

There’s also the New Yorker brand Steve Madden which has studded shoes and handbags that bring out one’s edgy side.

French label agnès b., known for its chic and relaxed contemporary urban fashion pieces, offers hard-wearing leather wallets and multipurpose shopping bags to keep handy for quick purchases during a layover or while sightseeing. Patton Studio has some practical, simple, conscious, and purposeful essentials like sports bodysuits and athleisure wear.

Items for the next big adventure.

Prepare a beau for any escapade by gifting them with travel must-haves.

Travel easy with sturdy, reliable luggage from the American brand Samsonite. While at it, keep everything inside the luggage in place with sleek and durable organizers from Japanese lifestyle brand Muji.

Active lifestyle gear for the great outdoors. Planning to spend more time outdoors together like hiking, camping, running, or simply cycling around the city? Get the proper activewear and gear at Shang. Chris Sports offers cycling paraphernalia, camping materials, and a wide range of equipment needed to try outdoor sports tennis, badminton, and swimming. Or let them explore the city in a fresh new way with low maintenance Mi Electric Scooters from Cutting Edge to dash from one place to the next with ease.

Make sure to help them dress up properly for any outdoor activity with Toby’s Sports that offers activewear and footwear from a variety of brands like Nike and Adidas. Drop by The North Face or Columbia to pick some outerwear that provides protection from the cold and the rain with their durable windbreakers, puffer jackets, and other coats.

THOSE who have read Charlson Ong’s crime fiction novel Blue Angel, White Shadow will recall the fast-paced narrative and its “screwed-up cop” protagonist, the strangely likable detective Inspector Cyrus Ledesma.

Ledesma immerses himself in the search for the murderer of a young lounge singer, traversing Manila’s demimonde as he sifts through a bunch of likely and unlikely suspects.

Ong handles dialogue with a deft touch - the flow of conversations are cinematic in their scope and feel – and his prose is mellifluous, lyrical: “He stopped to listen and breathe in the melody-like mist but it reminded him of a half-forgotten tale and filled him with such longing that he knew it was too soon to discount the piano player. No, not yet, he’d at least have to hear the whole song.”

In his latest work, a thriller packed with intrigue and adventure, the song plays on as Ong returns to familiar surroundings – the urban wasteland of sin and squalor, recklessness and redemption. Dr. Chester Limhuatco aids Emily Mahiwo, a lounge singer (again), who has fallen unconscious in a stampede.

He recognizes her as the “white lady” who haunts his dreams.

That meeting leads to his becoming embroiled in a mystery involving, among others, members of a Black Nazarene cult and its leader Jose “Tata Peping” Crenshaw, the son of a black soldier and a Filipina (the “Black Christ);” Gerard de Bruyne, white ex-priest gone native and called the “White Igorot;” and Chester’s school friend Jefferson Po, a government agent working to unravel the cult’s machinations.

In between expositions on the characters’ pasts and presents, the narrative jolts forward - the cult pulls a disruptive stunt at the Traslacion; Chester and Jefferson are hot on their heels to prevent them from doing more harm; the real threat erupts from de Bruyne.

The prose is complex and dense, encompassing topics as diverse as the traditions of the Nazareno devotion, stent insertions, folk medicine and spells, and Philippine religious history.

As in his earlier novel, Ong parades a diverse lineup of characters whose foibles and quirks make them more realistic and relatable. Through skillful characterization, the archetypes of the crime fighter, protagonist who unwittingly finds himself in a fraught situation, damsel in distress, and villain are

NO SHELF CONTROL

BY JENNY ORTUOSTE

upended; there is no black-and-white, only a wide spectrum of gray.

Several of the characters are engaged on separate search quests as Ong taps the Rizal motherlode of fiction for familiar characters: Emily is looking for her father, the former priest Gerard de Bruyne; Chester is looking for Emily, who he has lost track of; Chester’s daughter Carmen, an academic dilettante,

her consent, to his condo instead of the hospital? Father De Bruyne muses as he looks at Maria: “…her face was aglow and her breasts proud.” Emily, in a dangerous situation in the Brotherhood’s lair, sees Peping “half-naked” and thinks “…how well built he was.

He could have stepped out of a gladiator movie and she felt her heart racing like a wild stallion.” Chester, while performing open-heart surgery on Emily, sees her “naked for the first time” and feels “a jolt of electricity surge through him.” With the characters trapped in patriarchal modes of thinking and behavior, the novel portrays the messiness of real life.

The convoluted plot is a challenge to follow. The cult and Crenshaw at first seem to be the story's focus, but then it pivots to de Bruyne late in the novel, his plan to kill the Pope coming out of the field.

Ong maintains a high standard of writing throughout. The sophistication of his prose shines bright as ever. His mind on the Wowoweetype stampede, Chester thinks: “… but these deaths…resulted only from callousness, from crassness, from another circus for the poor who could dream only of sudden wealth, sudden redemption – like Dimas – and whose pain must pass once the next circus or crucifixion hits town.”

The patient reader will be rewarded with a tale deeply rooted in Filipino-ness, in easily recognized social themes and issues, some characters seemingly based on actual personalities.

The song of the city’s underbelly plays on.

The cover of Charlson Ong’s latest thriller novel titled White Lady, Black Christ

*** is searching for her friend and crush Roger Geisler, a Swedish anthropologist, and de Bruyne’s nephew; Emily’s mother Maria is looking for her daughter; Po is looking for the cult leaders; and de Bruyne is seeking nothing less than the overthrow of the Catholic Church’s foundations in the country.

As in real life, some of the characters are flawed; the toxic masculinity of Chester and Jefferson are at times hard to bear, and sex intrudes in some characters’ minds at inappropriate moments, turning some of the writing awkward.

Was Chester’s removal of Emily from the stampede a rescue or a kidnap, because he brings her, without

Errata from the previous column on Book Development Association of the Philippines’ board members: Honey de Peralta represents the Overseas Publishers’ Representatives Association of the Philippines (OPRAP), and Dr. John Jack Wigley is an author-representative. *** For comments and feedback, you may reach the author on Facebook and Twitter: @DrJennyO White Lady, Black Christ

By Charlson Ong 288 pages, Milflores Publishing, 2021 P549.00 // www.milflorespublishing.com

email: lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com

MARCH 6, 2022

Pinoy boy group BGYO

The members of Filipino girl group BINI

‘Dubai Adventures’ with

S

VIP tickets to the live premiere of BINI and BGYO’s docufilm, Dubai Adventures, which premieres April 1 got sold out after a day of ticket sales on ktx.ph on February 27.

The lucky fans who purchased the SVIP tickets are in for a treat as they will see BGYO and BINI face to face for the first time in two years as well as witness some exciting surprises from their idols.

As of now, VIP tickets priced at P1,000 which includes red carpet access and access to the replays on April 2 and 3, and the general admission tickets priced at P399 are both

BINI, BGYO available.

The docufilm will feature neverbefore-seen footage from the sibling groups’ first international trip to Dubai, including their food trips, side adventures, and their experience to perform on their first international concert at 1MX Dubai held in December last year.

Meanwhile, BGYO and BINI recently made history as the first and only

Filipino artists to grace the cover of XPEDITION’s first-ever NFT magazine in the Metaverse.

The Metaverse is a simulated digital environment comprised of 3D virtual worlds designed to foster social connection and interaction.

To book tickets for the BINI & BGYO Dubai Adventures and get more information on it, visit www. ktx.ph.

Kygo, DNCE team up for disco tune ‘Dancing Feet’ A scene from the 'Dancing Feet' music video staring DNCE

MUSIC producer DJ Kygo releases “Dancing Feet,” his new single featuring dance-rock group DNCE, out now via RCA Records.

The vibrant, funk-fueled collaboration serves as the first taste of new music from Kygo this year and marks DNCE’s anticipated return to music since their last release in 2018.

Earlier this month, Kygo and D N C E celebrated the release at the Sports Illustrated

x Palm Tree Crew Super Bowl party in Los Angeles, where they performed together for the first time.

Released with the single is the official music video, directed by Johannes Lovund. The playful visual sees Kygo and DNCE frontman Joe Jonas channel Miami Vice as they cruise the sun-soaked tropical city, working by day at The Palm Tree Resort and losing their inhibitions on the dancefloor at night.

“Joe and I met years ago in Las Vegas and have wanted to find the right song to work on together for a while,” says Kygo. “When I started working on ‘Dancing Feet’ with David Stewart, it

immediately felt like a special song. He had previously done a few records with Joe and both of us felt he could be the perfect fit for it.

“A few weeks later Joe and I were in the studio together in LA and finally had a song together that we both really loved! It was also great to have the chance to shoot a fun music video in Miami with DNCE and perform the song with them during Super Bowl weekend,” the global superstar added.

“We first met Kygo when we did some shows together in 2016. We’re excited to collab with him for the first time on ‘Dancing Feet’ and share this song with the world and lean into our funk & disco influences,” ends DNCE.

‘Dubai Adventures’ is a docufilm the features never-before-seen footage of BINI and BGYO’s first international trip to Dubai

Faith Da Silva bares it all in ‘Sana Sabihin Mo Na Lang’ SCREEN actress Faith Da Silva expresses the pain of letting go and telling what you really feel in her latest single under GMA Playlist “Sana Sabihin Mo Na Lang.”

“Every word and line of this song brings back so many feelings. Letting go of someone you love after holding on and fighting for your relationship for so long is never easy. The song is about being in that difficult situation and being able to choose yourself instead of your partner or the relationship to make things better for the both of you,” shares Faith.

This new song, which is now available for streaming on digital platforms worldwide, is Faith’s first single as an official recording artist of GMA Playlist. Her previous singles with GMA Network, “Pabalik-balik,” “Stay,” and “Wag Na Lang,” were selected as official soundtracks of GMA dramas The Good Daughter, I Can See You Season 2, and Las Hermanas, respectively.

“I really want to thank everyone who watched and supported Las Hermanas. The whole cast felt the love from the audience, and this time I wish you also support me in my music journey and my future endeavors. I plan on going back to school soon to finish senior high school and go to college after,” she says.

Faith showcased her interest in singing ever since she joined the showbiz industry during Starstruck Season 6. Now that she is one

of the handpicked recording artists of GMA Playlist, she wants to focus on her talent in singing aside from acting.

“I worked so hard for this song. I took my time with it, preparing for it even when we were taping for Las Hermanas. And now that it’s finally here, I am very thankful and happy for everyone to finally hear it. When it was finished and I got to hear it, I’m proud of how it had turned out,” shares Faith.

“Sana Sabihin Mo Na Lang” is composed by Rina Mercado and is now available for streaming on Spotify, iTunes, YouTube Music, and other digital platforms worldwide.

Faith Da Silva deals with the pain of letting go in her newest single ’Sana Sabihin Mo Na Lang’

Brad Pitt takes viewers for a thrilling ride in ‘Bullet Train’ Brad Pitt headlines the upcoming action-thriller ‘Bullet Train’

GETTING back on the job is never as easy as you think especially with the world’s deadliest assassins on board. Take a ride with Brad Pitt in the first trailer of Columbia Pictures’ new action-thriller Bullet Train, exclusively in cinemas across the Philippines in July.

An original movie

event, Bullet Train is a fun, delirious action-thriller from the director of Deadpool 2, David Leitch.

Brad Pitt headlines an ensemble cast of eclectic, diverse assassins – all with connected yet conflicting objectives – set against the backdrop of a non-stop ride through modern-day Japan.

Directed by David Leitch, screenplay by Zak Olkewicz based upon the book Maria Beetle by Kotaro Isaka.

The film is produced by Kelly McCormick,

David Leitch, and Antoine Fuqua. The executive producers are Brent O’Connor, Ryosuke Saegusa, Yuma Terada, and Kat Samick.

The cast is led by Brad Pitt, Joey King, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Brian Tyree Henry, Andrew Koji, Hiroyuki Sanada, Michael Shannon, and Benito A Martínez Ocasio.

Bullet Train is distributed by Columbia Pictures, local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International.

FEBRUARY 27, 2022

Author Yumi with Milky, Tagpi, Puti, and pup Pandacoco.

MY DREAM CAREER PATH:

To be a veterinarian and an animal rights advocate

By Yumi Burgos

T

HE best career path, to me, is one that is centered around things that one loves to do.

I love animals, thus, I want to be a veterinarian so I can treat them and help prevent illnesses.

I also want to fight for animal rights.

Through my love for digital artwork and animation, I hope to someday use my skills in the arts to come up with communication materials to help stop or prevent different forms of animal cruelty.

I like fighting for animal rights, just as much as I like fighting for human rights. I believe animals should not be treated like they are beings whose lives are of less value than ours because they are "just animals" as others put it. That is my personal stand on animal rights. I have seen so many people treat animals like they are merely objects they could get rid of anytime they want. I believe animals deserve fair treatment, as fairly as humans. They are living beings after all, much like us.

Cruelty against animals continues despite laws on animal welfare. I see on television and on the internet that there only a few officials here in our country who care about animals. There was once a story in the news about the animals in the zoo not having sufficient food and who were not

Yumi's pets: smiling Doogie (front), his mom Coco (brown), Tagpi, Puti, Milky, and Pandacoco at the back.

Yumi with Milky (right), Puti (left), and Tagpi lying down on the grass and playing with pup Pandacoco.

being cared for properly. But no one did something about it until an animal rights group staged a protest and the story caught the attention of media.

Looking through the Republic Act 8485 otherwise known as “The Animal Welfare Act of 1998” as Amended by Republic Act 10631, I can say that there are a few loopholes in the said law. In section 6 of the said law, for

example, although it is great that dogfights and horse fights are cited as unlawful in this section, it is limited only to those two kinds of betting games. How about cock fights?

Are not roosters animals also which should be covered by the law as well? Why are cock fights not mentioned when it is very rampant here in our country?

"SEC. 6. It shall be unlawful for any person

Shih tzus are sweet dogs but they can be bossy too if you will let them. In photo are mother Summer (red and white stripes) and daughter Louse (blue polka dress) of the Salgadawgs.

Both are leaders but Louise knows Summer is the alpha and follows her lead.

Picking the Right Dog to be Your Pet

By Mariana Burgos

of each breed is imbedded in their genes. Farm dogbreeds like the Airedale Terrier, Australian Cattle Dog, IF YOU have not had a pet dog and you are planning to Australian Shepherd, Border Collie, Pembroke Welsh have one, you will surely need these tips Corgi, Dachshund, Dutch Shepherd, in choosing the right one for yourself.

Great Pyrenees, German Shepherd, and Choosing a pet dog that would best the Jack Russel Terrier are dog breeds suit you is not like in the movies where that are able to show off their best if they usually show the “love at first sight” they live in farms because they were kind of thing or the “true love” way, or bred for that kind of environment. It is even the “kindred spirit” style. Nope, innate for those breeds to do farm work that is not how it is in real life. It is not like herding livestock, protecting the even based on the kind of breed alone. I, farm and its inhabitants, exterminating myself, learned this only recently. Again, vermins, helping in hunting, and many I thank the internet and Google for this. more farm work. (10 Best Dog Breeds for I must say, I know now why we had our Farms, Gemma Johnstone, 12/12/21). difficulties with our past pet dogs durThe three positions in the pack is most ing my childhood and even with our pet important to know when choosing a pet dogs now. dog. The breeders have different terms for I used to think that there are only the three positions. For breeders, the front certain breeds of dogs that you will not of the pack is what they call the “pick of have any problems with because it is Author Mariana with one of the litter”; the middle of the pack is what built in their genes to be easily trained. I they call the “pet quality”; and the back of their pups, Doogie. thought wrong. Because, then, we saw a the pack is the “runt of the litter”. If you are lot of aspins acting more intelligent than the person who intends to train a dog as to those with breed. how police officers do to their canine partners, you should I also thought that, maybe, it depends on how the hu- pick the dog who is the front of the pack. If you are only man takes care and trains the dog that makes it a good, looking for a happy-go-lucky dog or a dog who is friendly reliable pet. Well, at one hand, yes, it is true that how to most both human and animals, then, you would want the human does it matters. It is also true that the breed the one who is in the middle of the pack. But if you need adds in the equation of a good pet. But there is more to a dog that needs to know you need them, then, pick the it than just those two things we have mentioned. most sensitive one and that is the one in the back of the According to Ceasar Millan, in one of his Youtube pack. The back of the pack dogs would make a very good posts, in picking the best pet dog for yourself, you have guard dog with proper protection and direction. How to consider three things: would you know what position in the pack the dog is in?

1. the energy of the dog; You must observe how the dog acts within the pack. Front2. your lifestyle; and of-the-pack dogs easily show confidence through their 3. the breed of the dog. eyes. They have an observant expression, and a calm energy. Middle-of-the-pack dogs are often very friendly and You must also take note of the dog’s place or its posi- attention seekers. They are easy to approach. Back-of-thetion in the pack that it is with. There are three positions pack dogs are mostly quiet and has a very cautious expresin the pack: sion on their faces. These three positions can also be easily 1. front of the pack; seen even with very young puppies. As Ceasar says, you 2. middle of the pack; and will know based on which approaches their mother first, 3. back of the pack (HOW TO PICK THE RIGHT DOG second, and last.

FOR YOU! BY CESAR MILLAN!).

Now you know what to look for in a dog for your pet.

I bet, if you take in mind everything that is said above Ceasar says that when you get a dog for a pet, you must when you choose your pet dog, you will not have a hard know if its energy matches your own. A hyperactive puppy time taking care of and training your dog when you fiwill certainly be a handful for a person who is used to gen- nally bring him or her home. tleness and calmness in his life. Considering your lifestyle is also very important because you most definitely will have About the Author: Mariana Burgos is a freelance artist. She a hard time with a dog that is used to running in wide open is a solo parent for 14 years now because she is wife to a spaces while you live in a tiny, cramped apartment in the desaparacido. She and her daughter are animal lovers and city with no front or back yard. are active in advocating not only human rights but the The breed of the dog matters because the culture rights of animals as well.

to torture any animal, to neglect to provide adequate care, sustenance of shelter, or maltreat any animal or to subject any dog or horse to dogfights or horse fights, kill or cause or procure to be tortured or deprived of adequate care, sustenance or shelter, or maltreat or use the same in research or experiments not expressly authorized by the Committee on Animal Welfare." (Republic Act 8485 otherwise known as “The Animal Welfare Act of 1998” as Amended by Republic Act 10631, CONGRESS OF THE PHILIPPINES, THIRD REGULAR SESSION, Oct. 3, 2013) My mother and I are in the process of writing an article on loopholes in the animal welfare law. We are hoping that legislators will take notice and recognize our comments on this. I hope one day, I will be able to make a difference on the animal rights issue and urge others to push for amendments to the animal welfare law which are indeed in favor of animals But advocating for animal rights is not enough for me. This is why I want to take up veterinary medicine. I want to save animal lives in medical terms as well.

I know that veterinary medicine is a fiveyear program now from an accredited college or university. I want to contribute to the demand of veterinarians here in the Philippines. According to the Department of Labor and Employment, there may be a shortage in veterinarians in the country since many opt to go abroad because the pay is far higher than what the local employment offers (Veterinarian, Bureau of Local Emplyment-Department of Labor and Employment of the Philippines, 2011). Even if the fi-

nancial prospects abroad is higher, I choose to stay here because of my advocacy.

I choose a career path involved in the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and control of animal diseases including terrestrial and aquatic animals.

A veterinarian is what I have always wanted to be ever since I could remember. When I was barely three years old, my mother told me there was a “Doctor of Animals.” Right there and then, I knew that it is what I want to be—a doctor of animals.

My goal when I finally become a veterinarian is to be the first to create the most complete animal hospital and shelter at the same time. I want to build a fully functional hospital-shelter with all the equipment needed to prevent illnesses, diagnose, and treat animals.

And, since I also want to become an animator or a digital artist, I plan to take an animation course after taking veterinary medicine.

My mother and I have actually started a shelter for animals and I hope that our little shelter will have better facilities by the time I finish my degree. But we continue to help animals in need even at this time, despite the limitations. I go by what my mom tells me about time and opportunities. She said: “Do what you can and with what you have now because time will not wait for you.”

About the author: Yumi Burgos is the only child of Mariana and Jonas Burgos. Now 17 years old, she is an artist who has won a number of national and international art competitions. She is an active advocate of both human rights and animal rights.

Pet Information: The Maltese WE WILL post information on different kinds of dogs and cats on this page. This will hopefully help you choose the kind of dog for your personality and lifestyle, understand the kind of dog or cat you want to have before getting one, and thus, help you make an informed choice.

This Sunday, we are featuring the maltese from the “Maltese Breed Information” by the American Kennel Club.

teeth brushed daily with a toothpaste specially formulated for dogs, as well as routine cleanings at the vet.

Recommended Health Tests From the National Breed Club: • Patella Evaluation • Cardiac Exam

Grooming

About the Breed

The tiny Maltese, 'Ye Ancient Dogge of Malta,' has been sitting in the lap of luxury since the Bible was a work in progress. Famous for their show-stopping, floor-length coat, Maltese are playful, charming, and adaptable toy companions.

Maltese are affectionate toy dogs weighing less than seven pounds, covered by a long, straight, silky coat. Beneath the all-white mantle is a compact body moving with a smooth and effortless gait. The overall picture depicts free-flowing elegance and balance. The irresistible Maltese face'¿with its big, dark eyes and black gumdrop nose'¿can conquer the most jaded sensibility.

Despite their aristocratic bearing, Maltese are hardy and adaptable pets. They make alert watchdogs who are fearless in a charming toydog way, and they are game little athletes on the agility course. Maltese are low-shedding, long-lived, and happy to make new friends of all ages. Sometimes stubborn and willful, they respond well to rewards-based training.

Chacha, a rescued Maltese, is so easy to please and care for.

Exercise

Maltese are full of energy but require only occasional exercise to keep them healthy and happy.

Daily walks with their owner or bouncing around in their fenced yard, or even indoors, will usually suffice to keep them fit.

Training

What To Expect When Caring For a Maltese

Owning a dog is not just a privilege; it’s a responsibility. They depend on us for, at minimum, food and shelter, and deserve much more.

When you take a dog into your life, you need to understand the commitment that dog ownership entails.

Health

The long, white coat of the Maltese is eye-catching and glorious.

It requires daily gentle brushing and combing to the skin to prevent mats and tangles. Maltese should also have regular baths and coat conditioning to keep their hair looking its best. They have fast-growing nails that should be trimmed regularly. Check their ears weekly, and remove any excess hair or wax and any accumulated debris. Because Maltese are prone to dental disease as they get older, their teeth should be brushed frequently'¿ideally each time their coat is brushed. If the dog has excessive tear-staining around the eyes , a visit to the veterinarian to determine a possible cause is recommended.

The Maltese dogs are very sweet, loving pets. Chacha here is one beautiful, fluffly, "kagigil," gentle and sweet doggy.

The Maltese is a healthy breed with few health issues, and will usually live well into the double digits. Responsible breeders screen their stock for health conditions such as luxating patella and heart anomalies such as PDA (patent ductus arteriosus). It is recommended that Maltese puppies be bile-acid tested to rule out congenital liver issues such as liver shunt and microvascular dysplasia (MVD). There have been reported incidences of Maltese developing encephalitis (aka as GME). At this time, there is no screening test available. The American Maltese Association is working with researchers to come up with answers and perhaps a genetic test in the near future. As in all toy breeds, dental maintenance is important, and Maltese should have their

Maltese are very intelligent, and in centuries of being companions to humans they have learned how to get exactly what they want from their people. It is important to be consistent with their training. Maltese are athletic and talented and make a fun choice as competitive companions in dog sports such as obedience or agility. They can be stubborn and determined, but they respond well to positive training methods.

Nutrition

The Maltese should do well on a high-quality dog food, whether commercially manufactured or homeprepared with your veterinarian's supervision and approval. Any diet should be appropriate to the dog's age (puppy, adult, or senior). Some dogs are prone to getting overweight, so watch your dog's calorie consumption and weight level. Treats can be an important aid in training, but giving too many can cause obesity.

Learn about which human foods are safe for dogs, and which are not. Check with your vet if you have any concerns about your dog's weight or diet. Clean, fresh water should be available at all times.”