Manila Standard - 2022 March 13 - Sunday

No fuel subsidy for rice tillers Corn farmers, fisherfolk only ones covered, to cushion oil price hit Vol. 36

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No. 28

March 13, 2022

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IN MET R MANILAO

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ITH fuel prices expected to hit record highs next week, only corn farmers and fisherfolk so far are entitled to receive a P3,000 fuel subsidy from the government, a Department of Agriculture official said Saturday.

“Only corn farmers and fisherfolk are on the list of 162,000 beneficiaries of the subsidy,” DA Undersecretary Kristine Evangelista said in an interview on Dobol B TV. The aid is meant to ease the impact of the series of fuel price hikes on their livelihood, she said.

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CONCERTS RETURN. As the country transitions to more relaxed health and safety protocols, the Cultural Center of the Philippines holds its initial live performance with the world-renowned Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Maestro Herminigildo Ranera at the CCP Grounds on Friday.

Danny Pata

Russian forces squeeze Kyiv, rout port city

New Comelec execs in limbo amid elections

KYIV—Russian forces stepped up the pressure on Kyiv on Saturday and pummeled civilian areas in other Ukrainian cities, including hospitals in Mykolaiv and a mosque in Mariupol, the port city already devastated by two weeks of siege.

Russian strikes destroyed the airport in the town of Vasylkiv on Saturday morning, about 40 kilometers (25 miles) south of Kyiv, while an oil depot was also hit and caught fire, the mayor said.

The northwest suburbs of the capital, including Irpin and Bucha, have already endured days of heavy bombardment while Russian armored vehicles are advancing on the northeastern edge.

Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak on Friday called it a “city under siege.”

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n By CARMELA FONBUENA, PCIJ

HEART AS ONE. Vice presidential candidate Sara Duterte forms a hand heart with presidential bet Ferdinand Marcos Jr. as their UniTeam met with various groups in Paranaque City on Saturday. Lakas-CMD President and UniTeam campaign manager Martin Romualdez also answers questions from the media during the sortie (inset). Ver Noveno

UniTeam eyes law enforcement upgrade; Sara still nixing debates n By MARICEL V. CRUZ

LAZY DAY. A balloon vendor takes a nap at a condominium garage in Makati City to escape the hot midday sun. Diana B. Noche I

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THE UniTeam tandem of former Sen. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte vowed on Saturday to strengthen law enforcement in the country if they win in the May 9 elections.

Vice presidential candidate Duterte, meanwhile, stood firm on her decision to go on with her campaign without attending any debates.

“I’ve already decided that I will do this campaign without joining debates. I leave it up to our countrymen to decide on who to choose as vice president given the direction of my campaign,” the President’s daughter told reporters on the sidelines of her meetand-greet with multi-sectoral groups in BF Homes, Parañaque.

“We will let you know if we will change our decision or not. But as of this very moment, the decision is to conduct this campaign without joining debates,” the Davao mayor added when asked if there is a chance that she will change her mind.

In late February, Liloan Mayor Christina Frasco, spokesperson of the Lakas-CMD vice-presidential candidate, said Duterte would instead woo voters on the campaign trail.

Duterte’s statement on law enforcement came during her meet-and-greet with various sectoral groups at Marymount Academy Gym, J. Villaroman St., Classic Homes, BF Homes, in Parañaque City organized by Rep. Joy Tambunting and former Rep. Gus Tambunting, who is running for Congress.

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UNLESS President Rodrigo Duterte calls a special session of Congress, his three new appointees to the Commission on Elections cannot be confirmed or rejected by the Commission on Appointments (CA) until weeks after the May 9 elections.

Chairman Saidamen Pangarungan and two new commissioners will run the national and local elections, but they will face the powerful CA for their confirmation hearings only when the 18th Congress resumes session on May 23.

By then the president-elect who will succeed Duterte will likely be known.

Duterte’s new appointees to head the Commission on Audit and Civil Service Commission — former Davao City accountant Rizalina Justol and former Secretary to the Cabinet Karlo Nograles, respectively — face the same situation.

The four other poll commissioners are former Court of Appeals Associate Justice Socorro Inting, former Davao election CONTINUED ON 3A

‘Hold off Alert Level 0 until after polls’ THE government should hold off going to COVID-19 Alert Level 0 until after the May 2022 elections, amid the threat of a new and highly infectious coronavirus variant.

Infectious diseases expert Dr. Rontgene Solante told ABS-CBN TeleRadyo on Saturday the new “deltacron” variant recently identified in the United States CONTINUED ON 3A

Russian demands threaten to derail Iran nuclear talks

20,811 pass teachers’ licensure exam in Jan.

HK, Macau travelers to enter PH visa-free

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NEWS | 2A

NEWS | 2A

INBRIEFS MARCH 13, 2022

COVID-19 insurance claims hit P16.7b in ‘20-’21, per IC

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NSURANCE claims related to COVID-19 reached P16.71 billion from 2020 to 2021, the Department of Finance (DOF) said Saturday, citing data from the Insurance Commission (IC).

In a statement, the DOF said over half or around P9.05 billion of COVID-19-related insurance claims were life insurance policies.

Citing the IC’s report to Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III, the Finance Department said 23 percent or P3.89 billion of COVID-related claims were paid between the beginning of the pandemic in March 2020 up to end-2020, while the other 77 percent or P12.82 billion were claimed in 2021.

IC Commissioner Dennis Funa said that for life insurance policies, the amount of P9.05 billion in claims corresponds to about 9,500 death benefits.

Meanwhile, the application for the COVID-19

Adjustment Measures Program or CAMP3, a one-time P5,000 aid to workers in the private sector affected by the declaration of Alert Level 3 or higher, was officially closed on March 4, the Department of Labor and Employment said.

Labor Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III, in an advisory released on Friday, informed the public the DOLE has already stopped accepting online applications for the CAMP 3 assistance on March 4.

However, should Alert Level 3 be reimposed, the system will be opened and start accepting applications for CAMP. Dominguez noted in Funa’s report that compared

with data from the Department of Health (DOH) of around 51,000 deaths as of end-2021 attributed to COVID-19, less than a fifth, or only 18.6%, were covered by insurance based on IC data.

The Finance Secretary said the low insurance coverage rate for pandemic-related deaths underscores the importance of securing financial protection to prepare for emergencies and other unexpected incidents.

Funa said the rest of the pandemic-related insurance claims in 2020 and 2021 were from health maintenance organizations (HMOs), which made up 39% or P6.44 billion of the payouts, mutual benefit associations (MBAs) with a 5% share at P833 million, and non-life policies with 2% or P382 million.

“Notably, the out-patient benefit, meaning people who were not confined in the hospital, have the highest number of claims paid with 413,000 for the whole of 2021. Followed by claims under other benefits at 54,000,” said Funa.

Leni draws 70k in Bacolod City; Kiko: No neutral PH on Ukraine BACOLOD CITY – The overcast sky and off-and-on drizzle was no deterrence to the estimated 70,000 people waving pink stars, flaglets, and balloons who flooded the Paglaum stadium here in this capital of Negros Occidental.

The ebullience and joy emanating from the supporters were the same warm welcome given to Vice President Leni Robredo all over the province in the sweltering heat throughout the day, and all over the country over the last few weeks.

It was the same spirit, too, that filled the streets from the airport in Silay to Bacolod back in October, shortly after Robredo announced her candidacy for President.

Meanwhile, Robredo’s running mate, Senator Francis Pangilinan, on Saturday said neutrality in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is damaging to overseas Filipino workers in particular and to the Philippines in general.

He said Philippine neutrality is out of the question as the United States and Europe have already imposed financial sanctions against Russia for invading Ukraine.

Pangilinan said the Philippines cannot stay neutral on the issue of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine also because the country may get the same treatment if China invades us.

In Bacolod, Robredo said that it was very apt that the people’s rally was held at the Paglaum sports stadium. Paglaum is Hiligaynon word for “hope”. With Joel Zurbano

PINK IN THE NORTH. Residents of Tuguegarao, Cagayan swarm the stage for Vice President Leni Robredo as she barnstorms the northern province on Saturday. VP Leni Media Bureau

Ping to hire secret agents to catch corrupt in gov’t n By JOEL E. ZURBANO Presidential candidate Senator Panfilo Lacson on Saturday said if elected, he will hire secret agents to catch erring and corrupt government employees.

This drastic measure, according to Lacson, will keep even hardheaded members of the bureaucracy on their toes, for fear they would be caught and punished.

“In the bureaucracy, we can field operatives who pretend to be appli-

cants, to catch mulcting employees.

The corrupt employees will soon be on their toes because they don’t know if the applicant they are extorting from is a secret operative,” he said in an interview on Radyo 5.

“It is good to adopt a drastic approach to remove the Inept, Corrupt and Undisciplined from the bureaucracy,” he added.

Lacson also said Saturday the country must be fully prepared for a possible spillover to Asia of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

The Partido Reporma standard bearer said the Philippines has to walk the talk since it has supported the United Nations General Assembly resolution condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

This, according to Lacson, includes allowing the use of our facilities by allies such as the United States.

“We signed the UN General Assembly resolution condemning the invasion of Ukraine by Russia. We should walk the talk. If our facilities are needed whether it be on land, sea, or air, that is but proper,” he said in an interview on DZRH radio.

Isko: 1st 30 campaign days ‘satisfying’ AKSYON Demokratiko standard bearer Isko Moreno Domagoso on Friday admitted that his first 30-days touring many parts of the country as a presidential candidate is “quite tiring but satisfying.”

Wherever the Manila city mayor and his fellow Aksyon Demokratiko bets went, ordinary people welcomed them with open arms, Domagoso noted.

“To be fair and honest to you, it is tiring physically because the campaign I want is very unique from the others, wherein what we want is to go straight to the people, to each person,” Moreno explained to reporters.

The 47-year-old presidential bet made the remark when asked during a media briefing at the Harvest Hotel in Cabanatuan City how he feels in the first month of the campaign period for national candidates, which include candidates for president, vice president, senator, and

RECRUITMENT DRIVE. A woman tries handling a rifle with full battle gear on as the Philippine Army held a two-day recruitment program to encourage qualified applicants to join the military, on the Army’s month-long celebration of its 125th founding anniversary. Norman Cruz

party-list representative.

Just like in their previous sorties, Moreno and the rest of the Team “Isko” were greeted and cheered on by thousands of Nueva Ecija residents, who came out of their homes to see the good-looking mayor on board a float that led the motorcade through the towns of Cabiao, San Isidro, San Leonardo, and Gapan City.

On Thursday night during the town hall at the Cabanatuan Freedom Park here, tens of thousands of Novo Ecijanos also came out to show their support for Moreno, his running mate Doc Willie Ong, the Aksyon Demokratiko senatorial bets Dr. Carl Balita, Samira Gutoc and Jopet Sison and guest candidate John Castriciones of PDP-Laban.

Having a small number of senatorial candidates on the campaign trail, according to Moreno, is also advantageous to them as they can move easily from one place to another.

20,811 pass teachers’ licensure exam in Jan. THE Professional Regulation Commission and the Board for Professional Teachers announced Friday that 8,737 elementary teachers and 12,074 secondary teachers passed the Licensure Examination for Teachers held on January 30, 2022.

Jenechielle Sambalod Lopoy of Saint Michael’s College of Laguna topped the exam for elementary teachers with a rating of 93.80 percent, while Lanvin Sean Bautista De Los Santos of the National Teacher’s College came first in the exam for secondary teachers with a rating of 92.80 percent.

According to the PRC and BPT, 55.66 percent of the 15,696 examinees passed the examination for elementary teachers, while 53.77 percent of 22,454 examinees made the cut in the examination for secondary teachers.

The PRC said the dates and venues for the oathtaking ceremonies of the January 2022 LET passers will be announced at a later time.

Manila’s water supply ‘enough,’ but cuts loom THE National Capital Region still had enough water for the so-called summer season, though some customers could expect supply interruptions, Metro Manila water concessionaires Manila Water and Maynilad said Saturday.

The concessionaires have begun what it called “off-peak interruptions” or the cutting of water supplies to some customers between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., Maynilad water supply operations head Ronald Padua told ABS-CBN’s TeleRadyo.

As for Manila Water, corporate communications services head Jeric Sevilla said the firm had not yet implemented off-peak interruptions for its customers.

However, these measures could be implemented as a last resort.

Both concessionaires said water rates for customers were not expected to rise in the coming months.

In Maynilad’s case, water bills were expected to become cheaper once the 12 percent value-added tax was replaced with a smaller franchising tax beginning March 21.

100 yellow trash bins for Binangonan, Angono THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has turned over 100 yellow trash bins to the municipalities of Binangonan and Angono in Rizal province to ensure the proper segregation and disposal of household health care wastes such as used face masks.

Benito Antonio de Leon, DENR Undersecretary for Enforcement, Solid Waste Management and Local Government Units Concerns (LGUs) and Attached Agencies, handed over 50 trash bins to Binangonan Mayor Cesar Martin Ynares and another 50 to Angono Mayor Jeri Mae Calderon in simple turnover rites at their respective offices on March 7.

“As former Secretary Roy Cimatu manifested, and as pursued by our new Secretary Jim O. Sampulna, we need to proceed in the direction of behavioral change,” de Leon said in a statement Saturday.

He also commended the efforts of the two local executives for implementing the National Solid Waste Management Commission (NSWMC) Resolution No. 1364 series of 2020 on “Adopting the Interim Guidelines on the Management of COVID-19 Related Health Care Waste” issued in April 2020.

The guidelines cover the proper handling and management of all COVID-related health care wastes generated by households and other facilities.

De Leon, who is also the NSWMC alternate chair, said the donation “goes a long way in equipping LGUs to mainstream sound solid waste management practices in their governance as public servants however small the donation may be and in the face of the huge challenges in changing people’s attitude and behavior towards wastes, particularly at the household level.” Maricel V. Cruz

Hong Kong, Macau travelers to enter PH visa-free TRAVELERS from Hong Kong and Macau are allowed to stay in the country without a visa for at least 14 days, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) said on Saturday.

Nationals of Israel and Brazil may also again enter the Philippines visa-free for an initial stay of 59 days.

The privilege was extended to citizens of the two countries under a reciprocal arrangement where Filipinos are also allowed entry into Israel and Brazil for 59 days without a visa.

BI Commissioner Jaime Morente said the relaxed policy is provided in the latest resolution passed by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) last Friday.

The resolution revived a Philippine foreign service circular that was in effect before the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This is a welcome development which expands the list of those who may enter the country visa-free,”

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Morente said.

“Hopefully this attracts more foreign tourists to visit the Philippines in the next few weeks, in time for the summer season,” he added.

The BI reported that in 2019, there were more than 5,000 arrivals from Hong Kong and over 3,000 from Macau SAR (Special Administrative Region).

In the same period, almost 25,000 Israelis and around 13,000 Brazilians visited the Philippines.

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

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

RED AND GREEN IN QC. UniTeam senatorial candidate Herbert “Bistek” Bautista

(third from right) raises the hand of Quezon City mayoralty bet Mike Defensor (in red shirt) and his electoral slate as Bautista said the city will go red and green for former Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte in a campaign rally on Thursday.

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 13, 2022

FUKUSHIMA ANNIVERSARY.

People take part in a candle vigil in memory of earthquake and tsunami victims in Mitaka, on the outskirts of Tokyo on March 11, on the 11th anniversary of the 9.0 magnitude earthquake which triggered a tsunami and nuclear disaster in Fukushima, Japan. AFP

Russian demands threaten to derail Iran nuclear talks

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IENNA —Last-minute Russian demands related to the Ukraine conflict threatened to derail the near-complete process of reviving the Iran nuclear deal Friday, as the EU announced negotiations would be paused.

The EU’s foreign policy chief Josep Borrell tweeted that the pause was “due to external factors,” despite the fact that “a final text is essentially ready and on the table”.

The current round of negotiations started in late November in the Austrian capital Vienna between Britain, China, France, Germany, Iran, and Russia, with the US taking part indirectly.

They had progressed most of the way toward their aim -- the revival of the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which began unravelling when former US President Donald Trump withdrew from the deal in 2018.

The EU diplomat who has been chairing the talks, Enrique Mora, told reporters that delegations had got to the point of “negotiating footnotes”.

He praised in particular the United States and Iran for their “very constructive, very positive approach”, adding that he hoped to see the talks resume “very, very soon”.

However, last week Russia said it was demanding guarantees that

the Western sanctions imposed on its economy following its invasion of Ukraine would not affect its trade with Iran.

As with the original JCPOA in 2015, Moscow had been expected to play a role in the implementation of any fresh deal, for example by receiving shipments of enriched uranium from Iran.

“The Ukraine conflict has now entered the Vienna talks in a very real way,” Eric Brewer of the Nuclear Threat Initiative told AFP. He said the “blanket guarantee” demanded by Moscow “has thrown a wrench into this process at the last minute that really threatens to upend talks and prevent the restoration of the JCPOA”.

The United States on Friday put the ball in Iran and Russia’s court after the EU announcement.

“We are confident that we can

achieve mutual return to compliance... (if) those decisions are made in places like Tehran and Moscow,” State Department spokesman Ned Price told reporters.

- Energy ‘weapon’ One EU source close to the talks said that Russia had at first made “reasonable” requests related to its civilian nuclear activities in Iran, but that they were then broadened “outside the scope of the JCPOA”.

Another diplomat from one of the European parties to deal said that “if the Russian block is confirmed to be definitive, we will be obliged to look at other options,” adding that Moscow could not be allowed to “take the deal hostage”.

The head of the British delegation Stephanie al-Qaq tweeted that she was “deeply disappointed” at the pause in the talks. AFP

Saudi blogger-activist Badawi released after 10 years in jail

MONTREAL -- After 10 years in prison for “insulting Islam,” Saudi blogger and human rights activist Raif Badawi, who has become a symbol of freedom of expression around the world, was released on Friday.

“Raif called me. He is free,” his wife Ensaf Haidar, who lives in Canada with their three children and had been fiercely advocating for his release, told AFP. Badawi’s release was also confirmed by a Saudi security official, who said on condition of anonymity that “he was released today.”

“I jumped when I found out. I couldn’t believe it. I can’t wait to see my dad, I’m so excited,” one of his daughters, Nawja Badawi, 18, told AFP. The winner of the Reporters With-

FromtheFRONTPAGE NO...This developed as the Em-

ployers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP) said Saturday it is open to the Labor Department’s directive to review minimum wages, but workers should not keep their hopes high as there are “realities” to be considered.

According to projections by Unioil Petroleum Philippines in its fuel price forecast for the trading week of March 15 to 21, the price per liter of diesel may skyrocket by P12.20 to P12.30.

Gasoline prices, meanwhile, are estimated to surge between P6.80 and P7.00 per liter.

Evangelista clarified that while rice farmers are not on the list, they are supported by another cash grant program called Rice Farmer Financial Assistance (RFFA), where they would receive P5,000 in cash aid.

“Now, we are looking into corn farmers so this time they will receive aid,” she said.

Likewise, farmers of vegetables and high-value crops are not included in the list of beneficiaries for the fuel subsidy.

Evangelista said the DA is helping them by giving trucks to farmer cooperatives.

Oil companies are poised to jack up the price of diesel by an unprecedented P12.20 to P12.30 and gasoline by P6.80 to P7 a liter next week, prompting the Department of Energy (DOE) to appeal for a staggered increase to ease the shock on consumers.

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM), however, rejected

out Borders prize for press freedom was arrested and detained in Saudi Arabia in 2012 on charges of “insulting Islam.”

At the end of 2014, Badawi, now 38, was sentenced to 10 years in prison and 50 lashes a week for twenty weeks.

His first flogging in Jeddah square in Saudi Arabia shocked the world and was described by the United Nations as “cruel and inhuman.” After the outcry, he was not lashed again.

“Raif Badawi, human rights defender in Saudi Arabia, has finally been released!” Amnesty International tweeted.

“Thousands of you have mobilized alongside us in the defense of Raif Badawi for 10 years. A big thank you to all of you for your tireless support.”

AFP

growing calls for the government to suspend the collection of excise taxes on fuel products, saying it would cost the government some P117 billion in lost revenue.

Economic managers instead favor “targeted relief assistance” such as a P3 billion fuel subsidy and discount vouchers for drivers of public utility vehicles.

The DA has a budget of P500 million through fuel discounts to assist farmers and fisherfolk who either individually own and operate agricultural and fishery machinery or operate via a farmers’ organization or cooperative.

Agriculture Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa said the department is working with the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) to distribute the cards to be used by the beneficiaries next week.

Meanwhile, ECOP president Sergio Ortiz-Luis Jr. said during the Laging Handa public briefing: “We have no problem with the review… There is a compelling reason, prices went up especially with the war in Ukraine, that’s why there is a need to review.”

“However, there are realities… These are the realities so that there are no false expectations,” Ortiz-Luis said.

Among the “realities” to be considered, the ECOP chief said, is that out of the 44 million workers in the labor market, only 16% are in the formal sector or those with an employer-employee relationship.

Meanwhile, 84% are informal workers such as tricycle drivers, farm workers, and small business owners.

With this, Ortiz-Luis said only the formal sector will benefit from raising minimum wages, since this sector is “under the auspices of DOLE [Department of Labor and Employment].”

CHEW TOY. A dog toy depicting former US president Donald Trump is displayed for sale on the first day of the Crufts dog show at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham, central England, on March 10. AFP

NEW...officials Aimee Ferolino-Ampo-

loquio and Marlon Casquejo, and former Manila City chief city prosecutor Rey Bulay.

“Unless the President calls Congress to a special session, the CA can only convene on May 23 to June 1 when Congress resumes session,” Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon, a member of the CA, told the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ).

“Note that when the CA resumes session on May 23, there is already a new president-elect, who can influence the vote and action of the CA on these ad interim appointments,” he said.

The situation presents a challenge to the new appointees, said former Comelec commissioner Luie Tito Guia.

“They are running an election [but their] tenure is dependent, number one, probably on the current people running. Di ba? Or depending on who will win,” Guia told the PCIJ. Drilon echoed Guia. “The continued stay in office of these appointees would realistically depend on the new president-elect,” he said.

Duterte filled three vacancies in the Comelec, which means the seven-member poll body will be run entirely by his appointees.

Apart from Pangarungan, the president appointed high-profile election lawyer George Garcia and former social welfare undersecretary Aimee Torrefranca Neri as new commissioners.

The appointments are ad interim, meaning “they all would lapse if the CA does not act on them when Congress adjourns,” said Drilon. — with reports from Martha Teodoro

Texas suspends probes of parents of transgenders WASHINGTON -- A Texas judge on Friday blocked investigations into the parents of transgender minors, halting for the time being a controversial directive by the southern US state’s governor.

“Victory,” the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) in Texas said on Twitter.

“A judge has blocked Gov. Greg Abbott and TexasDFPS’s unlawful actions targeting essential medical care for transgender youth,” it added, referring to the state’s Department of Family and Protective Services.

Judge Amy Clark ruled Abbott’s directive was unconstitutional, saying transgender minors and their parents would suffer “imminent and irreparable injury” if the directive was not halted, the Houston Chronicle reported.

Abbott issued the directive late last month to the DFPS to investigate instances of minors receiving gender-affirming medication and “sex change procedures,” which he argued “constitute child abuse under existing Texas law.” AFP

Chile’s millennial prexy sworn in, promises change SANTIAGO -- Leftist ex-student activist Gabriel Boric was sworn in Friday as Chile’s youngest-ever president and hailed the country’s Marxist former leader Salvador Allende in his inaugural address to the nation.

Standing in front of tens of thousands of supporters at La Moneda Palace in the capital Santiago, the 36-yearold said Allende -- who killed himself in 1973 after Augusto Pinochet’s coup -- had foreseen this moment.

“As Salvador Allende predicted almost 50 years ago, we are again compatriots, opening up great avenues where free men and women will pass to build a better society. We go on! Long live Chile!” he said.

“We would not be here without your mobilizations,” the new president said to the crowd, who chanted “Boric, friend, the people are with you!” AFP

Court orders ex-El Salvador leader’s arrest SAN SALVADOR -- A judge in El Salvador ordered the arrest Friday of former president Alfredo Cristiani for alleged links to the murder of six Jesuit priests and two co-workers by the army during the country’s the civil war, prosecutors said.

On November 16 1989, Salvadoran troops from the now banned Atlacatl battalion shot dead the Jesuits, five of them Spanish, at the Central American University in San Salvador. They also killed a woman who worked as their housekeeper and her 16-year-old daughter.

On February 25, prosecutors filed charges against Cristiani, who was president in 1989-1994, and a group of soldiers for alleged involvement in the murder.

Prosecutors said on Twitter Friday that a judge has ordered Cristiani, who is outside the country, former lawmaker Rodolfo Parker and four colonels to be put “under provisional detention.” AFP

UNITEAM...“All because everyone (Filipinos) wants a peaceful life not said Saturday there was a column of thick only here in our country but all over the black smoke rising from the eastern suburbs, world and that is the commitment of but no sign yet of ground forces moving into UniTeam,” Duterte said. the outskirts.

Duterte thanked Parañaque City Other cities have been utterly devastated officials and residents for the warm following Russia’s invasion of its neighbor on welcome her group received and for February 24, with civilians targeted in what their expression of support. the United Nations warned could amount to Though they are grouped under the war crimes.

UniTeam, Duterte is seeking the vice The southern port city of Mariupol is presidency under Lakas Christian-Muslim facing what Ukrainian Foreign Minister DmDemocrats, while Marcos is running under ytro Kuleba called “the worst humanitarian Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP). catastrophe on the planet,” with more than Lakas-CMD President and House 1,500 civilians dead in 12 days.

Majority Leader Martin G. Romualdez, Russian forces shelled a mosque there who accompanied Duterte, expressed where 80 civilians were sheltering, the elation over the vigorous and foreign ministry said Saturday, without specenthusiastic reception they received. ifying the time of the attack or casualties.

“We are happy, we were well received A new attempt was planned Saturday to help here in Parañaque,” Romualdez told civilians evacuate the city, via a humanitarian reporters in an ambush interview. corridor to Zaporizhzhia, around 200 kilometers to the northeast, Kyiv said.

Meanwhile an AFP reporter in the south‘HOLD... and Europe could cause ern city of Mykolaiv said a hospital in the infections to surge in the Philippines northern district of Ingulski came under fire, once more. while heating is out in the area, forcing many “We have to be careful in saying we residents to flee. are OK, right? Because, again, a possible “They shot at the civilian areas, without any new variant of concern in the form of military objective,” said the hospital’s head, Dmy- a recombination of the delta and the tro Lagochev, adding: “There’s a hospital here, an omicron,” Solante said. orphanage and an ophthalmological clinic.”

An undersecretary of the Department The United Nations estimates that 2.5 of Health (DOH) on Saturday also dismillion people had fled Ukraine since the in- missed claims the COVID-19 Alert Level vasion, most of them to Poland, in the worst 1 was considered the “new normal,” sayrefugee crisis since World War II. ing it should instead be an Alert Level 0.

Pay the price “In the view of our experts, Alert Level As Russia widens its bombardment and 1 is not yet the new normal. It is just going talks between Moscow and Kyiv seemingly to the normal, the new normal should go nowhere, pleas by Ukrainian President be Alert Level 0,” Health Undersecretary Volodymyr Zelensky for NATO to intervene Myrna Cabotaje said at the Laging Handa have grown increasingly desperate. AFP briefing.

RUSSIAN...AFP reporters in Kyiv

MARCH 13, 2022

Accenture surpasses gender-equality goal

By Othel V. Campos

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CCENTURE Philippines released key findings from its “Better to Belong” study, which had in focus women’s experiences in the workplace and how the workplace sustains equality in work and business.

Accenture technology lead in Africa and Asia Pacific Ambe Tierro

Serial entrepreneur seeks to disrupt PH grocery operations

Accenture technology lead in Africa and Asia Pacific Ambe Tierro said the pandemic has amplified issues that affected women the hardest.

“And so there’s no better time to pay attention on gender-related issues, especially for women than today. That is what we want to underscore especially as we celebrate women’s month, now that the issues are more relevant in our present time,” she said.

She underscored the depth of a woman’s multi-faceted role at home and in the workplace, where juggling tasks from work to home and from home to work has taken its toll on working women—moms, single women and the rest.

In the study, Accenture found that creating an inclusive organization where women can thrive must be at the top of a CEO’s agenda, not that it sounds demanding, but if not properly addressed, the talent gap, among genders, will only continue to grow.

Respondents in the survey revealed a feeling of inadequacy, that women are significantly less “net

Capital, JG Digital Equity Ventures and Foxmont Capital Partners among those who participated.

The latest $7.1-million round took total funding for the company to $10.7 million in 2021. With the new funds, SariSuki aims to deepen the breadth and depth of its operations to serve more Filipino consumers.

As a social e-commerce, SariSuki has been operating through the socalled community group buy model where members of communities set up their business as a community leader or KaSari, and earn a healthy profit from directly selling produce and goods while performing the last mile fulfillment.

The model has enabled SariSuki to offer supermarket quality products at wet market prices. SariSuki acts as a consolidator of grocery items for their KaSari who in turn own virtual “sarisari stores” that sell the goods to consumers.

While the Philippines’ e-commerce potential market size is estimated to reach $15 billion by 2025, the adoption of e-commerce into grocery and retail industry remains at less than 3 percent of businesses being online.

Armed with a mission to empower the community by buying fresh produce in bulk from local farmers and offering them to the local community at a discounted price, SariSuki provided opportunities both to producers and KaSari as retailers.

Openspace noted that the growing network of SariSuki may soon dominate the e-commerce grocery space as it address key pain points and barriers to e-commerce adoption with a model that builds confidence and value for consumers. Othel V. Campos

The study shows that leaders have a huge opportunity to increase women’s human potential. When they get the traditional moments that matter right, they can drive up NBO by 3.6 times, according to the study. When day-to-day experiences are maximized, they can drive up NBO by almost five times.

Accenture developed an NBO framework and found 10 everyday experience levers to help leaders unlock their people’s full potential. These include empowerment, communication, diversity, customer-centric, skilling, dependence, governance, technology, self-efficacy and growth mindset.

In the Philippines, Accenture has already surpassed its gender equality goal with women making up more than half of the organization as of fiscal year 2021, four years advanced from its goal of achieving gender-balanced workforce by 2025.

“Accenture is strongly committed to cultivating a culture of equality and creating an inclusive organization where women feel they belong, can advance and thrive. We support them at all stages of their careers in the company and make sure that we engage in open, honest and meaningful conversations. By doing so, we empower the women in the organization to take charge of their careers and inspire other women to do the same,” Tierro said.

Accenture reiterates its commitment to be the most inclusive and diverse employer in the information technology and business process management industry in the Philippines.

Flash Express reaches new heights in just six months

SariSuki team led by serial entrepreneur Brian Cu (right) Multi-funded e-commerce startup SariSuki aims to disrupt the online grocery space with lead investor Brian Cu at its helm.

Cu, a co-founder of Zalora and former head of Grab Philippines, was quite candid about his new investment.

“We are a set of founders that grew up in the Philippines and have an understanding of our market. This combined with our background in scaling up large tech companies in the region made us realize we can do more by increasing efficiencies in our supply chain infrastructure. We are also empowering community leaders to be strong micro-entrepreneurs that will help propel the country’s economic growth from the grassroots level,” Cu said.

One of the country’s rapidly growing startups in the e-commerce grocery sector, SariSuki offers Filipinos value grocery products at affordable prices that meet their daily needs, he said.

Introduced in May 2021, Sari Suki grew 36 times in terms of gross merchandise value in the past nine months. It is now serving over 60,000 consumers through its growing number of community leaders called KaSari.

SariSuki operations are spread across Greater Metro Manila Area, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna and some parts of Rizal and Pampanga.

The e-grocery is slowly but stably expanding both vertically, adding new stock keeping units and improving services horizontally, as it aims to reach even the deep recesses of the Philippines.

SariSuki is backed by significant fundraising that counts Openspace, Susquehanna International Group, Global Founders Capital, Saison

better off” and report less belonging than employees overall, like not feeling respected by peers and not having a senior leader help advance their careers.

About 29 percent of women report lower support across the talent lifecycle compared to 26 percent of men while 20 percent of women report dissatisfaction with their job compared to 17 percent of men.

When leaders support women during moments that matter—onboarding, rewards, transferring, life events, leaving—and support them every day, they leave them NBO. When women feel NBO at work, their potential can be maximized by 4.7 times.

Tierro said while the NBO concept is not unique to women, as this benefits anybody even the men and the binary genders, focusing on women will allow industries, enterprises to address the rest of the workforce.

Leaders leave people NBO by being curious about their unique situations and the external forces such as economic inequality, racism and environmental disasters that shape their work lives, which is a general tip-off found to be helpful for the corporate place and in any office set-up, as well.

An important understanding revealed by the study was that people who work for companies that leave them NBO, show a 1.9-times increase in trust for their company, a 1.7-times increase in job satisfaction, and a 1.6-times increase in believing their organization is a great place to work. This can double the impact of work outcomes.

FLASH Express continues to live up to its name as the fastest-growing logistics and courier service company within the first six months of operations.

Flash Express general manager John de Guzman-Tarampi said the company recorded an increase in customers who are switching to Flash Express from other courier companies since October 2021.

“We have grown our shipper customers from 220 to 620 and still counting. With this, we can truly say that more people are trusting and choosing Flash Express,” said Tarampi.

Apart from customers, the company also experienced a surge in the volume of parcels since its partnership with one of the country’s e-commerce giants in October 2021.

The average number of parcels that Flash Express has been receiving since it kicked off its operations in August 2021 was around 40,000 per month. After the partnership, the figures kept on growing until it achieved its peak volume of 990,000 parcels in December 2021.

Flash Express Philippines legal and compliance head Atty. Sherry Lou Bernabe said the abrupt boost in customers and parcels was quite overwhelming. “With our desire to fulfill our commitment to our Filipino clients, Flash Express is able to quickly adapt in meeting its consumers’ demands,” she said.

“In fact, in order for us to be able to accommodate the growing volume of parcels being referred to us for handling by our e-commerce partners, we have set up specific hubs to ensure that all parcels are being accounted for by our efficient onsite staff,” she said.

Tarampi said he is proud of what Flash Express has become. “I am also proud of the drawbacks that we have experienced in the past and overcome because they

Executives of Flash Express and Union Bank of the Philippines seal a partnership to support MSMEs. led us to where we are now. We will certainly carry with us everything that we have learned from those challenges in order to better serve our customers, particularly the social selling community,” he said.

“It is our honor to become more capable and competent to help businesses reach their goals through our services,” he added.

Flash Express established 238 distribution centers nationwide and plans to increase it to 650 this year. It also aims to grow its 6,695 employees to 18,000 by the end of the year.

Meanwhile, Flash Express teamed up with Union Bank of the Philippines to provide online business solutions to micro, small and medium enterprises, particularly online social sellers and e-commerce entrepreneurs.

“The main objective of this partnership is two-prong: to introduce and integrate Flash Express to the e-commerce

business platforms of UnionBank and to provide logistics business solutions to UnionBank’s clients by facilitating easy access to Flash Express’ services,” Bernabe said.

UnionBank vice president and SME and micropreneurs segments head for customer experience group Jaypee Soliman said the partnership “is a marriage of two innovative organizations”.

“Flash Express will bring the technology of logistics and UnionBank brings in the technology for banking and settlements.

Combined, we will be able to tap more MSMEs and grow their businesses further through our robust courier and banking solutions,” Soliman said.

Flash Express public relations and partnerships manager Reginald Rex Pumihic said the company plans to tap other brands and government agencies for partnership and introduce Flash Express’ logistics services.

Filipino women represent 48% of senior management roles GRANT Thornton International Ltd. recently released its Women in Business Report which shows that more than 70 percent of businesses are now working to create a more inclusive environment to attract and retain female talent.

The survey covered senior leaders from 5,000 businesses across 29 economies.

P&A Grant Thornton chairman and chief executive Marivic Españo said the road to overall business recovery against the background of disruptions in the new normal is still a challenging one, including opportunities for women leaders, and women, in general.

“Mid-size firms are confronted with major issues like winning the war for talent and accelerating their digital transformation initiatives. Despite these challenges, we see a lot of potential for companies committed to levelling the playing field and promoting gender parity in the workplace.

Embracing a forward-looking mindset with a vision to mitigating gender bias will allow firms to deliver improved company performance, and ultimately, lead to greater productivity,” she said.

The survey revealed that Philippine companies have learned to sustain the momentum in employing women in senior

management roles, which led to the rise of more empowered women in maledominated positions.

The number of female leaders in senior management roles in the country rose to 48 percent in 2021 from 39 percent in 2020. This placed the country on the top three spot in the list of countries which recorded the highest number of women leaders in mid-size firms.

The Philippine statistics was far more favorable than ASEAN region’s 30 percent.

About 39 percent of women leaders surveyed in the Philippines strongly agreed that indeed, new work practices benefitted

women during the pandemic. In the long term, majority or 56 percent of respondents from the country expressed optimism that these corporate practices will continue to boost and advance women’s career trajectories.

Compared with data showing very slow if not glacial progress in the increase of the number of women in senior management positions, respondents from the Philippines said that despite this fact, their companies are actively employing new ways of working to create a more inclusive environment for female talents.

Othel V. Campos

P&A Grant Thornton chairman and chief executive Marivic Españo

O

WING to her lofty world ranking, FilipinaJapanese Junna Tsukii has earned a slot in the World Games slated for July 7 to 17 next year in Birmingham, Alabama, USA.

“A Big Congratulations to Karate Pilipinas National Team Member Junna Tsukii for getting a quota in the 2022 World Games in Birmingham, USA. Junna is the only Southeast Asian to qualify,” the Karate Pilipinas Sports Federation announced on its social media page.

Only eight karate competitors from around the world will compete in each weight class. Tsukii is ranked no. 4 in the world.

“I was not able to participate in the last Olympics, but here I have a chance to give all my efforts and sacrifices. I will surely do it,” said Tsukii who is proud of his Asian heritage.

“I have two countries, since birth.

People like us are sometimes referred to as halves. I sometimes wonder, am I not perfect, do I only have half of each? I was sometimes anxious about this.”

Tsukii said he sometimes told “you are not Japanese” or “you are not Filipino.” She is both Japanese and Filipino.

“The fact that I grew up in Japan and now carry the Philippine flag and fight for the people I love in both countries is a fact that no one can change. So it is me, and no one else, who decides who I am.”

She vowed to make Filipinos proud in the World Games.

TWO FROM MUAY THAI In another positive development, US-based Muay Thai athlete Leeana Bade will also go to the World Games after qualifying in the 63.5-kilogram category as a wild card entry through the efforts of the Muay Thai Association of the Philippines.

Bade, who is training at Smash Fighter in California, has an unblemished 6-0 record in amateur Muay Thai and holds three Muay Thai titles,

MARCH 13, 2022

Two PH lady fighters going to World Games

including the West Coast East Women’s title.

Bade is the daughter of former Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) player Chris Bade, who formerly played for Shell.

Earlier, male Muay Thai athlete Philip Delarmino earned a ticket to the World Games following his victory in the men’s -57kg diadem in the 2021 IFMA World Muaythai Championships in Phuket, Thailand last year.

He was also nominated for the World Games Athlete of the Year.

What made Delarmino’s nomination special was that it’s the first time that a Filipino and a Muay Thai athlete has been considered for the prestigious award by the World Games, an international multi-sport competition that holds sports events that are not contested in the Olympic Games.

The games are held every four years, a year after the Olympics.

Delarmino beat Russian Alexander Abramov in the championship round to secure the gold. On the way to the final, he stopped India’s Laishram Bidyachandra Singh in two rounds, before beating Javad Vahid Reza of Sweden on points in the quarterfinals.

Then, he defeated Kazakhstan’s Almaz Sarsembekov in a tight semifinal contest to arrange the final duel with Abramov.

“I believe that in order to earn a magnificent triumph, one should trust in his capabilities and strength and give his best in every game.”

Karateka Junna Tsukii and Muay Thai athlete Lee Bade will carry the Philippine flag in the World Games.

Morales keeps Ronda red jersey n By PETER ATENCIO LEGAZPI City—A bright afternoon sun greeted a wet and tired Jan Paul Morales, who took it easy in stage 3, and still kept the red jersey for another day on Saturday in the LBC Ronda Pilipinas 2022.

Morales allowed eight other riders, including his teammates at Excellent Noodles, to fight it out for the stage honors in the 163-kilometer journey from Sorsogon City to Legazpi City.

When things finally settled down, Mendoza and his teammates found themselves at the top of the general classification standings.

He could have gone for a stage win, but cramps on both legs slowed Morales down after a short and sudden drizzle fell in the last 15 kilometers of a long chase going into the capital city of Albay.

When Morales fell behind, Go for Gold bet Aidan Mendoza took center stage, towing an eight-man bunched finish to earn first-place honors in 4 hours and 20 seconds.

When Morales coasted to a 17th place position at the Provincial Capitol finish line, Excellent Noodles bets Mervin Corpuz and Ryan Tugawin took charge and left the former Philippine Navy-Standard Insurance ride behind for second and third respectively with similar clocking with eight others.

“Pinulikat ako. Pero hindi naman nabago ang time,” said the 36-year old Morales, who widened his advantage from 32 seconds to a 40-second lead over his closest pursuer, Tugawin, for the overall individual honors.

Morales, who left the Navymen after taking the individual and team crown in 2020, took charge right from the start, towing some 14 others into the lead pack as they headed westward and left Sorsogon City.

Mendoza, a 23-year old aspirant from San Manuel, Pangasinan, and Tugawin joined the big chase to keep up with Morales, and stayed with him as they turned left from Maharlika Highway in Pilar and to the south coastal roads of Donsol.

With his teammates in Go For Gold backing him up, and staying behind in the second group to slow down rivals, Mendoza eventually claim his first stage win in his second season with Ronda.

“Binuwelo ako sa unahan ng mga teammates. Lahat sila,” said Mendoza, whose teammates dedicate the achievement to the birthday of their team owner Jeremy Go. The 24-year old Corpuz tried to go for a breakaway with Armyman Marvin Tapic, after he won the King of the Mountain honors after completing the kilometer-long

From left Aiden Mendoza of Go for Gold, Excellent Noodles’ Mervin Corpuz and Ryan Tugawin, Army’s Cris Joven in a bunched finish in Stage 3 of the LBC Ronda Pilipinas 2022 uphill climb with 87.4 kilometers to go.

“We just take it one day at a time. We don’t try to do defense, we just keep attacking,” said Corpuz in Tagalog.

But Corpuz, Tugawin then got support from his teammates at Excellent Noodles, with Morales and skipper Santy Barnachea staying behind in the main peloton to keep other rivals at bay.

Corpuz and Tugawin then tried to catch up and overtake Mendoza. But fatigue caught up with them as they entered Legazpi City.

“Na-groggy na kami. Malalakas iyung mga bata. Kaya, maintain na lang kami ng oras namin,” added Tugawin.

Morales now has an overall clocking of 5:31.59 in the general classifications standings, with Tugawin taking second spot from Barnachea with his 40 second deficit at no. 2.

Barnachea is behind by 44 seconds, while Corpuz and Mar Francis Sudario climbed up to fourth and fifth.

Mendoza, who was ranked 16th at the end of the time trials, improved to 10th overall.

Stage 4 today will be a longer 179.4 kilometer battle of endurance from Legazpi City, Albay to Daet, Camarines Norte.

Meanwhile, organizers will take care of the medical expenses of Nueva Ecija rider Xyrus de la Cruz, who crashed into the back of a passenger jeepney, which strayed into the race route during the afternoon team trials on Friday in Sorsogon.

“Ok at safe na yung bata. Walang may gusto sa nangyari.

At ongoing na ang investigation to assess the accident. The rider and his family have been briefed already on the help and support Ronda Pilipinas with the assistance of standard insurance and Sorsogon LGU,” said LBC Ronda Pilipinas project director Bernadette Guerrero in a statement.

Zoleta eyes Asiad soft tennis slot BAMBI Zoleta launched her quest for a slot in the 19th Asian Games with an emphatic performance in the 1st PSTA Soft Tennis National Open last week at the Zoleta Tennis Center (ZTC) in Lucena City.

The 30-year-old Zoleta used her home-court advantage to the fullest in dominating fellow national team member Princess Lobren Catindig, 4-3 (5), to clinch the gold medal in the women’s open singles event of this tourney that stakes two slots in the Asian Games set in Hanoi in September.

Christy Sañosa and Gab Zoleta settled for bronze.

But Zoleta, a gold medalist in the 30th Southeast Asian Games in Manila in 2019, still has to overcome four more legs to seal her spot in the squad that will vie in the Asian Games.

The qualifiers will be held at the ZTC from 19 to 20 March before moving to the Sta. Rosa Sports Complex from 26 to 27 March. Then, it will return to ZTC from 9 to 10 April

and Sta. Rosa Sports Complex again from 23-24 April.

The deadline of submission of entries for the Asian Games will be around May so Zoleta and other competitors are tipped to go all out in the upcoming tourneys.

Also making her presence felt was Zoleta’s niece, Gab. The 18-year-old College of Saint Benilde standout prevailed over Cristy Sañosa, 4-3 (9), to clinch the title in the 21-under girls singles while Shaira Gil Silva and Kyla Poon settled for bronze medals.

Her partnership with Zoleta, however, didn’t go quite well as Catindig and Sañosa downed them in the final of the women’s open doubles event, 4-2.

Meanwhile, Sherwin Ray Nuguit emerged victorious in the 21-under boys’ event, Joseph Arcilla ruled the men’s open class and Arcilla and Mikoff Manduriao conquered the men’s open doubles category to round out the winners in the first leg of the Asian Games qualifiers.

Le makes quick work of Tonon, retains ONE featherweight title REIGNING ONE Featherweight World Champion Thanh Le retained his belt after making quick work of Not. 2 ranked featherweight contender and submission grappling icon Garry Tonon, winning by knockout in the first round in the main event of the ONE: Lights Out in Singapore.

Le attacked from the outside, using his lateral movement to keep Tonon from closing the distance. Once the action hit close quarters, however, Tonon dove for the legs and grabbed hold of the defending World Champion’s ankle.

While fishing for his signature leg lock submission, the challenger left himself exposed, and Le took advantage. A series of bludgeoning right hands connected for the Vietnam-

ese-American, separating Tonon from his senses just under a minute into the bout.

In the co-main event, No. 1 contender John Lineker knocked out Bibiano Fernandez to claim the ONE Bantamweight World Championship. It was a furious start in the first round, with both men trading wild hooks at the center of the Circle.

Fernandes mixed it up well, taking Lineker down to the mat after hurting him on the feet. But “Hands of Stone” was a man on a mission, and in the second round, his unbridled power proved too much for the longtime World Champion to handle.

After pushing Fernandes up against the Circle Wall, Lineker connected with a huge left hook that ended mat-

ters abruptly.

Former two-division ONE World Champion Martin Nguyen put together a brilliant showcase of power and precision, finishing promotional newcomer Kiril Gorobets in the final stanza of a three-round war. Gorobets was elusive and problematic for Nguyen early, as he used his speed to land strikes from the outside. But it wasn’t long before Nguyen started to take over.

An overwhelming flurry from the Vietnamese-Australian had Gorobets on an unsteady footing in the final moments of the second round. Nguyen sealed the deal in the third round with an endless volley of right hands to score the TKO. In a ONE Super Series kickboxing matchup, hard-hitting Iranian striker

Thanh Le received US$50,000 bonus from ONE Championship following a spectacular first-round knockout of contender Gary Tonon.

Iraj Azizpour scored a come-frombehind knockout victory over Ismael Londt.

Londt dominated the first round, tagging Azizpour with powerful combinations like it was target practice.

But the Iranian survived the onslaught and turned the tide at the end of the round. With his opponent still reeling in the second frame, Azizpour imposed his will, knocking Londt down twice to force the referee to call a halt to the contest.

Indonesian strawweight star Adri-

an Mattheis notched the biggest victory of his career, as he stopped No. 5 ranked contender and former ONE Strawweight World Champion Alex Silva . Silva was dominant from the opening bell, showcasing his superior wrestling and grappling skills in the first five minutes of the contest.

But Mattheis survived the constant ground attack and then dropped Silva with a monstrous right hand just five seconds into the second round. The TKO was the Indonesian’s ninth finish in ONE’s strawweight MMA

Life Editor: Nickie Wang

MARCH 13, 2022

NO SHELF CONTROL

BY JENNY ORTUOSTE

A

lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com

Poetry and practical advice for Women’s Month

S THE country observes Philippine National Women’s Month, I share a quartet of slim tomes that provoke thought, elicit emotion, and provide practical advice for women’s health.

Three are works of poetry (two by women writers), and one is a non-fiction work on topics ranging from pregnancy to menopause. ***

Dinah Roma’s “We Shall Write Love Po- ‘We Shall Write Love Poems Again’ focuses ems Again” starts forcefully with a set of po- on different themes, such as social justice litical polemics that draw attention to social issues, life, travel, and identity justice issues. In “State of the Nation,” Roma employs a repetitive device that drives home the horror of tokhang: “Repeat it enough and relationship between father and daughter, you will learn the force / the words carry be- lover and beloved, man and wife. Other yond the boom microphones / numbing the sections are just as rich in theme, imagery, multitude into assent to a life … Repeat it and form. The poet’s use of the prose poem enough and you will learn how shooting / form is masterful, each ripe with narrative.

In a couple of works of acute insight, tallies bodies, swiftly…

Other sections deal with questions about Katigbak-Lacuesta bends space and time, life, travel, and identity as the poet explores confessing she still has a distance to travher feelings toward her own experiences el—“I’ve far to go. / Crossing words and and relationships with others, as writer and kissing clues, I testify / I’m far from done. / The puzzle / Is a box across and down as woman.

In “Palaspas,” a woman burns palm (“Spaces We Leave Empty”),” even as she fronds, “the fragrance rising up to the ceil- ponders time’s vagaries as an unknowable ing…she rose into the smoke, a goddess dimension: “If time is distance, / And disyoung again…” Roma’s spirit shines in each tance is the speed it takes / To erase ourverse, confident in her inner self, steadfast. selves, / At which point do we say we were here?” (“Testify / 6 Down”) Meanwhile, in “Hush Harbor” are po*** "Mookie Katigbak-Lacuesta’s" collections ems that hug erotic curves and plumb the Burning Houses and Hush Harbor have been recesses of sensuality: “Scent of jasmine collected in one volume by UST Publishing sprayed on a body after sex. To your sixHouse. This gives the reader twice the treasure teen-year-old self, it is sweet and sticky and you cannot name the smell” (“Lisp”). “Conof works on longing and love, loss and lust.

In the interesting section “Spaces We sider the damage,” the poet asks. Your own Leave Empty,” the poet uses crosswords to memories of passion awaken.

This is a volume one can return to again puzzle out thoughts and emotions on the

‘Burning Houses and Hush Harbor’ lets readers feel longing and love, loss and lust

‘Why Keanu Reeves is Lonely’ touches a wide range of topics like classic literature, internet memes, and more

‘Women Talks’ allows readers to learn more about pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, menopause, and illnesses related to the female reproductive system

and again to plumb the depths of its riches, not only of story but also of sounds, as the rhythms the poet plays lend themselves to spoken word readings.

would make an excellent textbook, as Dumdum plays with the forms of haiku, ghazal, sonnet, and others.

for those wanting to be proactive about their health.

For comments and feedback, you may reach the author on Facebook and Twitter: @ DrJennyO

*** In “Why Keanu Reeves is Lonely,” Simeon Dumdum, Jr. finds his center and reaches out with both arms to touch topics as wide apart as classic literature and internet memes, and in between war, jazz, death, art, religion, and love of family.

In the eponymous poem, musings on a meme: “Of sadness Keanu Reeves is nothing less than a master. / Without words he can impart being alone as given,” and we agree, seeing in our minds the photograph of the actor on a bench.

In the “Ballad of Pleading Jail,” the poet references Oscar Wilde and his own legal career as judge, expertly weaving the disparate strands of inspiration to tell a tale: “They looked just like the usual prisoners, / One short the other tall, / Men destined for a life in the slammer, / The children of the Fall…”

For the student of poetry, this volume

Fiercest female characters that redefine ‘girl power’ FROM Effie White with her amazing voice and personality that arrested everyone in the room in Dream Girls (2006) to Imperator Furiosa with her willingness to put her life on the line to free the Five Wives in Mad Max: Fury Road (2015), aren’t we all glad to have strong female role models across pop culture to inspire young ladies growing up?

With more women at the helm of productions in recent years, more of these girl power-focused tropes have come to life — with their stories of individuality, resilience, strength, and womanhood front and center.

Get to know and maybe learn a few life lessons along the way from these female icons. Warning: Spoilers ahead.

dition to the series, Seema is a breath of fresh air — playing a major role in showing the recently-widowed Carrie that there is still more to life after Mr. Big’s death. She even helps her find a new apartment! Unabashed and opinionated, Seema points out Carrie’s mistakes including this one insensitive — albeit unintentional — remark on her love life and age.

Gossip Girl’s Julien Calloway

Trauma affects people in different ways — Angela (Zoë Kravitz), a sexual assault victim too scared to step out of her Seattle loft, knows.

Angela works from home as a data monitor for Amygdala, a tech firm whose products include a smart speaker that uses human monitoring to improve its search algorithm called Kimi (think Amazon’s Alexa). It’s the perfect job for her until she hears a terrifying voice recording that has her suspect someone is being assaulted.

Angela reports the incident to her superiors, but none believe her — an experience she knows too well after being disbelieved for her own assault. In this new scenario, she finally musters the courage to check out what’s beyond her front door and gather enough evidence to make a case.

As the overdue follow-up series to the iconic Sex and the City, And Just Like That… proves that women can hold their own — no matter the decade or phase in life.

The show may have its original leads in Carrie, Miranda, and Charlotte, but no one translates this message more than 50-something realtor Seema (Sarita Choudhury). A new ad-

We Shall Write Love Poems Again

By Dinah Roma 72 pages, 2020 / P295.00, PB Burning Houses & Hush Harbor

By Mookie Katigbak-Lacuesta 149 pages, 2021 / P470.00, PB Woman Talk: Answers To Common Pregnancy and Gyn Questions

By Dr. Alice M. Sun-Cua 121 pages, 2019 / P400.00, PB

Andi Vida.

Photo by Vik Pena

Erika Arandez.

Photo by Vik Pena

Feeling extremely guilty after losing her family in a theater shooting, sole survivor Edee Holzer (Robin Wright) physically isolates herself in the mountains of Alberta, Canada. It’s as if Edee came to the mountains to die, as she leans on her pain and lives off-grid with no survival know-how.

After a bad snowstorm destroys her new home, she meets Miguel (Demián Bichir), a hunter who teaches her how to hunt and rebuild her home. Edee finds solace in her new friend, who also lost his family. Edee finally lets herself grieve for her own loss as she navigates her way back to the life she had left.

Batwoman’s Mary Hamilton

The Girl Before’s Jane Cavendish

And Just Like That…’s Seema Patel

Michaella Carreon.

Photo by Vik Pena

Why Keanu Reaves Is Lonely And Why The World Goes On As It Does

By Simeon Dumdum Jr. 108 pages, Milflores Publishing, 2021 P499.00, HC // www.milflorespublishing.com From UST Publishing House (shopee.ph/ ustpublishinghouse):

Land’s Edee Holzer

KIMI’s Angela Childs

She’s as moneyed as an Upper East Sider as she’s influential as an Instagram celeb. With her shaved head and supermodel bod, Julien (Jordan Alexander) rocks as the new Queen Bee of Constance in this Gossip Girl reboot.

Make no mistake, though: While usually nice, JC uses her Serena van der Woodsen-esque charm and Blair Waldorf-trademarked sense of authority to her advantage. In the recently concluded first season, she shows off a backbone of steel — defying her father’s wishes to connect with her half-sister Zoya and then confronting him about his sexual abuse allegations.

In contrast to the OG GG queens though, Julien exhibits more accountability.

find answers, a suspicious, justice-seeking Jane is led down a dangerous rabbit hole.

*** Dr. Alice Sun-Cua releases a timely tome of advice in “Women Talk: Answers to Common Pregnancy and Gyn Questions.” The topics tackled here are those often in the realm of old wives’ tales, and Dr. Sun-Cua busts myths and presents facts to guide those interested in learning more about pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, menopause, and illnesses related to the female reproductive system.

For instance – dark-colored food and pregnancy cravings can’t influence a baby’s looks, so go ahead and eat the flavonoid-rich chocolate and purple grapes. Likewise, a mother’s moods can’t shape her baby’s personality.

The author also devotes a chapter to the father’s role in pregnancy, something that many men need to be reminded about.

The book is written in layman’s terms, and the articles, arranged by topic, are short and easy to follow. This is a good read

Jane (Gugu Mbatha-Raw), after suffering from a traumatic stillbirth, ran away to escape her pain by renting a gorgeous home in One Folgate Street owned by an eccentric architect, Edward (David Oyelowo).

Despite red flags (strict rules, cameras everywhere, no personal possessions inside), Jane decides this is the perfect place for her to heal.

She even develops a romantic relationship with Edward but everything changes upon learning about Emma, the previous tenant who has more than a passing resemblance to her had mysteriously died. Feeling a connection and wanting to

In the dark city of Gotham City, the Batwomen— Ryan Wilder and Kate Kane — are fighting with its villains. On the other side of the coin is the cheerful Dr. Hamilton (Nicole Kang), who has hers anchored on nursing. She supports Kate upon learning of the latter’s identity as the female caped crusader.

Despite numerous setbacks, including becoming Poison Ivy and turning on her friends, Mary proves that strong women can do what’s right to help others. In an episode, Mary stops supervillain Alice from blowing up the Gotham Dam and saves thousands in the city.

Watch, discover, and be inspired by stories of strong female icons only on HBO GO, powered by PLDT Home’s fastest connections. Enjoy HBO’s collection of award-winning content with the undisputed fastest broadband network in the Philippines, as recognized at the Ookla Speedtest Awards.

For more information on how to enjoy HBO GO with your PLDT Home subscription, please visit the official website at pldthome.com/hbogo.

Emmerson Evangelino.

Photo by Vik Pena

Dance in the time of pandemic YOUNG dance artists will discuss diverse choreographic choices and creative philosophies in choreography during the pandemic in a free webinar-forum entitled From Us to You: Checking In on the Dance Community, on Friday, March 18.

The event aims to bring together the dance field to impart ideas and tips, expand support networks, sharpen organizational practices and deepen the inquiry around the trajectory of dance-making amid the psychological impasse brought by the continuing global upheaval.

Hosted by the Arts and Culture Cluster of the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, the sessions highlight the artistic practice as a core human need and investigate the significant role of advocacy, leadership, equity, and mentorship within an ethos of community care.

The conversations are spearheaded by the dance majors from Benilde School of Design and Arts, who share how different artists deal with pandemic-driven anxieties. They will impart coping strategies to complete a three-phased choreographic process, from gathering movement materials and developing them into dance phrases, to creating the final structure.

Emmer Evangelio and Andi Vida are set to discuss the uncertainties and challenges of dancers who were forced to

transition from the physical stages to the digital landscape in the new normal.

Meanwhile, Stella Estriber will elaborate on the creation of movement vocabularies amid the restrictions posed by the challenging times.

Erika Arandez and Michaella Carreon are scheduled to delve into the ways to translate and evoke emotions on film as the new performance platform.

On the other hand, John Tarroza will talk about the ubiquity and limitations technology has posed on the artistic discipline.

Melanie Lourdes Dionisio, RGC, RPsy, and Elmerando Mores, RGC, RPsy from the Benilde Well-Being Center will likewise join the session to share simple healing skills and self-care tips to foster the health and well-being of the dance practitioners.

From Us to You: Checking In on the Dance Community will be moderated by renowned artist and Benilde Dance Chairperson Nina Anonas, ACBE, whose professional portfolio includes roles with the Ballet Philippines, Manila Metropolis Ballet, Junge Ballett Compagnie, and Ballett Frankfurt.

The talks are free and open to the public. It will be conducted online via Zoom on Friday, March 18, 5:00 p.m.

Interested participants may register through https://tinyurl.com/5ftfppc7.

email: lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com

KD and Alexa make beautiful music together THIS year’s breakout loveteam is making beautiful music together as KD Estrada and Alexa Ilacad have come out with back-to-back song collaborations

“Misteryo” about the thrill and enigma of having a connection like no other and “When I See You Again” that talks about their exciting journey and rosy future ahead.

The phenomenal tandem dubbed KDLex, who started making waves as celebrity housemates in Pinoy Big Brother Kumunity Season 10, performed the two tracks during their recent Closer fancon.

Alexa thanked their fans called Sweethearts for supportKD Estrada and Alexa Ilacad’s back-to-back collaborations ing the song, which are titled ‘Misteryo’ and ‘When I See You Again’ currently has almost

Ashe returns with ‘Another Man’s Jeans’ CALIFORNIA-based platinum singersongwriter Ashe has released “Another Man’s Jeans” with a stunning music video that premiered on her official YouTube channel on March 3.

“Another Man’s Jeans” cuts right to the chase in conversation with an ex. Wild guitar licks wrap around handclaps as horns pipe up in the background before Ashe declares, “I don’t want to talk about the fights in your mustang, let’s just think about the nights drinking rosé-colored champagne.” “‘Another Man’s Jeans’ is about unashamed and uninhibited confidence, loosening up and having a good time. It sounds like what carefree feels like. It’s sexy! And loud! And fun! It’s a reminder to not take life too seriously,” Ashe proclaimed.

Following a three-day shoot at the W Hotel in Punta Mita, Mexico, Ashe, whose music videos are shot exclusively on film, returned to the US only to find out a week later that all of the footage was unusable.

It was the biggest production she had ever done and took months of preparation. The news was devastating, to say the least, but nonetheless, she made it back to Mexico to re-shoot the entire thing.

“Another Man’s Jeans” follows the release of Ashe’s debut album Ashlyn, which received acclaim from Variety, NYLON, Billboard, and more. The record featured “Till Forever Falls Apart” with Finneas, which was named one of

the best songs of 2021 by the Los Angeles Times and just surpassed 100 million streams on Spotify.

Her meteoric rise includes amassing over 1.8 billion streams, 230 million video views, 7.4 million monthly Spotify listeners, and a 4 million combined social media reach. She has a diverse group of notable fans including Diane Keaton, Brian Wilson, Niall Horan, Shawn Mendes, Camilla Cabello, Maggie Rogers, Dove Cameron, Arlo Parks, and Sam Fischer.

Ashe will spend the spring touring North America and Europe as part of her Fault Line Tour, which sold out one year in advance. She is also confirmed to perform at Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival in Manchester, TN on June 18, Osheaga Festival Musique Et Arts in Montreal, QC on July 29, and Mo Pop Festival in D e troit, M I o n July 31.

Singer-songwriter Ashe

RealestK strips down in new song ‘Love Me’ TORONTO native RealestK has formally introduced his music with the release of “Love Me,” his new single produced by J Grooves.

The single is a softly emotional vocal performance paired with irresistible guitar string as RealestK gently urges the object of his affection to display the love he yearns for.

Last year, RealestK released several bangers including “Toxic” (1.9 million video views on YouTube) and viral hit “WFM.” Debuting at #75 on the Billboard Hot 100, “WFM” helped certify the artist’s meteoric rise and generated over 1.7 million TikTok video creations made and over 10 million video views to date.

Alongside co-signs from some of music’s biggest talents including Drake, Nav, and Bryson Tiller just to name a few, RealestK is continuing to solidify his R&B throne with more on the way.

For RealestK, vulnerability is a virtue. Combining a feathery tenor and unashamed emotional transparency with chilly ambient soundscapes, the 17-year-old Toronto native produces soul-searching R&B at the intersection of intimacy and yearning, exploring themes of love and loss with a naked sensitivity.

Those qualities give life to songs like his ghostly hit “WFM,” a lover’s plea that spills out like a teardrop. Meanwhile, on “Patience,” he transitions from exasperation to conflict as he earnestly addresses a troubled romance.

Those introspective leanings have quickly made RealestK an emerging force in the world of R&B. Though he recorded his first songs

through GarageBand at age 14, he finally began gaining traction during the isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic.

When he released “Tuesday” in 2021, his gentle, reflective style had crystallized. So had his fan base, as the song quickly racked up over 100,000 streams.

Follow-up tunes like “SWM,” “Only You,” and “Confessions” only increased his following, and by the time he released “WFM,” he’d secured a deal with Columbia Records—and cosigns from artists like Nav and Drake.

Success aside, RealestK remains driven by an ambition to connect with listeners. As he keeps making songs, honesty outlines his artistic mission.

“Vulnerability is so important in music,” he says. “Men today are able to be open about heartbreaks, about the days they cried and the days they didn’t. I hope to continue that legacy.”

500,000 combined views on YouTube for its lyrics and performance videos and over 170,000 plays on Spotify. The singer-actress composed “Misteryo” with additional lyrics from Eunice Jorge, who arranged and produced the song.

“As the composer of this song, it warms my heart to see you all loving ‘Misteryo.’ This song has a very special place in my heart and I’m happy I get to share it with you all,” said Alexa.

“Misteryo” is about two people enchanted by each other and fascinated by how easy their love is. The love song narrates something that comes as an exciting mystery to both of them. It has pop, upbeat elements that give life to its sweet lyrics and melody.

KD and Alexa also collaborated for

MARCH 13, 2022

Alexa Ilacad (left) and KD Estrada during their recent ‘Closer’ fancon

another song “When I See You Again,” which they penned themselves about what they endured together inside the PBB house and what they wish for each other for the future.

The song was produced by ABS-CBN Music creative director Jonathan Manalo and is being heard on PBB Kumunity Season 10 as the latest eviction song.

Aside from their music collaborations, KDLex will soon star in a series entitled Run To Me. KD is also part of the upcoming iWantTFC Original Bola Bola topbilled by Francine Diaz.

Love blooms in Jollibee Studios’

‘My Crush is a Cactus Killer’

See how love blooms with Mandy (Gigi de Lana) and Mikey (Raphael Balaccua) in Jollibee Studios’ first-ever threeepisode mini-series

S

OMETIMES, it’s the unexpected change and uncertainties in our lives that bring us to a deep realization that our fate, indeed, has a funny way of making things fall into place.

The same is true for the characters of Mandy and Mikey — the main characters in Jollibee Studios’ first-ever three-episode mini-series, My Crush is a Cactus Killer.

Mandy and Mikey, played by Gigi de Lana and Raphael Balaccua, respectively, are plant-lovers who faced setbacks in their professional and personal lives due to the pandemic. Struggling to put their lives back together, they discover how their shared love for plants may just bring them a deeper connection.

“What I love about my character is how accepting she is,” said singer-actress Gigi De Lana. “She doesn’t judge and gives up. This story is about believing that there is still hope for when you make a decision and set your goals, even if there are a lot of things that hinder you,” she continued.

Known for her vocal prowess, Gigi has been put under the

showbiz spotlight with her new venture as a leading lady in My Crush is a Cactus Killer. This transition into an acting career has become a journey of growth for Gigi, one that she pursues with joy, love, and passion.

“First love ko ‘yung singing but acting is also a big accomplishment for me and something that I’d love to continue to explore.” According to her, both crafts have allowed her to embrace her vulnerability.

Directed by Sigrid Andrea Bernardo, Jollibee Studios’ My Crush is a Cactus Killer is a quirky romance story that shows how to find joy in love despite the struggles that come along the way. And when it comes to narrating stories like this, no brand does it quite like

Jollibee.

With over 700,000 subscribers on the Jollibee Studios YouTube channel and millions of views on each of their viral videos, Jollibee continues to share short films that tug at the heartstrings of its viewers.

When asked about her initial reaction to the opportunity, Gigi was quick to say that it was an automatic “Yes” for her. “I’ve been such a huge fan of Jollibee’s short films. I think what makes it popular is it makes people laugh, fall in love, cry, and most importantly, binibigyan kami ng lesson sa bawat kwento,” said Gigi.

Her co-star Raphael Balaccua also has this to say, “Working with the creative minds behind the new Jollibee series has been such a joy. With Direk Sigrid guiding me and Gigi, I feel confident that we gave justice to the characters of Mandy and Mikee because I know the right emotions were pulled from us.”

Catch the three-part Jollibee Studios series, My Crush is Cactus Killer, now out on Jollibee Studios’ YouTube page.

Torontobased artist RealestK

Life’s challenges and love for plants bring Mandy and Mike together ‘My Crush is a Cactus Killer’

MARCH 13, 2022

Understanding Your Pet Cat

By Mariana Burgos

I

LOVE many kinds of animals.

I have said before in my past articles that I love cats and that I prefer cats for pets than dogs if I were to choose just one. I have stated my reason then----most pet cats are not as dependent on their human owners as dogs are.

I was not able to really study scientifically the specific needs, traits, and habits of cats before to be able to say that I know well enough now to say I understand cats as pets. Throughout the years since my childhood days, I simply observed every little thing about my own personal cats. I did some “trial-and-error” things with them to help me understand them better every day. It is only lately that I got to know more about cats on a scientific level because of the internet. But what is gratifying to know now with the Googling I have done is that my personal experience in understanding cats was, in fact, valid.

I already know the answer to why cats do the weird things they do even before I began my research in the internet. Take, for example, why do cats knock an object from the table or shelf or from a high place from where the object will definitely make some noise if it fell on the floor? It is because they are bored and simply curious about what could possibly happen if they did that.

Another one is what they call “if it fits, I sits.” thing.

Ever saw a cat that once he or she sees a box, a bag, or any kind of container, no matter how ridiculously small it is for her or him to fit into it, he or she will still get inside the small space? They do that because they always want to be in a warm, cozy place or spot. Also, these spots make them feel safe. You see, a cat’s nature is one that is a “predator-prey” type. Meaning, it is innate in cats to feel their predator trait against smaller animals like rats, snakes, lizards, or insects. But it is also in them to feel they are the prey of bigger animals like dogs, bigger feline species, big birds, among others. This “predator-prey” nature of cats is what causes them to be very cautious, sensitive, and alert most often than not. That is also why they tend to seek out areas where they can be, either high and cannot be easily reached, or hidden or camouflaged and cannot easily be seen. They need to feel safe and covered that is why they get into these boxes no matter how small these are for them. Of course, domesticated cats

Cats sleep a lot to store up energy for the " hunt" at night.

Seb here, thrown in the neighbor's garbage bin and rescued

by Save Animals of Love and Light (Save ALL Inc.) when he was days old, sleeps a lot in the day time, and hunts cockroaches and even baby snakes at night. He has taken on the role of cockroach-snake killer together with Val.

Indoor cats also sleep a lot. The challenge now is to give indoor cats something to do to expend that storedup energy during sleep time. It is always good to put shelves that they climb or a storage cabinet like the one in the photo which they can sue to climb. It is also best to adopt another cat who can play with your cat.

The cats in the photo are also Save ALL rescues who enjoy little toys and climbing anything. nowadays have another reason in getting into these boxes----it is fun to be in one and play hide-and-seek!

Have you ever experienced your cat repeatedly pressing their front paws on you as he lays down beside you or on top of you? Sometimes, they would do that on one of your clothing or even in the air while laying down with their belly up and looking at you.

Some call it “kneading”. Others call it as “making biscuits” or “smurgle”. Why do they do that? It is one of their ways of expressing their love for you, their owner. They try to imitate their motions when they were still little kittens and nursing on their mother and with that, they are trying to tell you, “mommy or daddy, I love you!”

Here is one that some new cat owners mistake for a problematic behavior----the “zoomies”. Zoomies is when your cat suddenly runs wild all over the place as if it is trying to catch something. Actually, this also happens with dogs. Yes, dogs have the zoomies, too.

This is perfectly normal. It just means that your cat, is trying to let out his accumulated energy. His energy balloon is full and he needs to put it into use so he will not pop. You know what I mean? If you have been observing your cat carefully, you would notice that he often sleeps most time of the day or night. It is their nature. If they were in the wild, they do that because they are gearing up for the hunt. Once they have filled up their energy balloon, they are ready to hunt. And since domesticated cats do not need to hunt for food, doing the zoomies is how they use up their stored up energy if they have no other activities that could substitute for the hunt. This is why it is imperative to create some play time with your cat, else, you will end up having a lot of broken stuffs with their zoomies.

There are many more weird things that cats do and some of it are cute and make them look funny or adorable. But some of those things are a bit frightening for other cat owners who are not that well oriented on how cats are as pets, especially the newbies. To know more of the reasons for these weird habits or traits of pet cats, I recommend you watch Jackson Galaxy’s Youtube videos about cats.

If Ceasar Millan is my favorite dog whisperer, Jackson Galaxy is my favorite cat whisperer.

About the Author: Mariana Burgos is a freelance artist.

She is a solo parent for 14 years now because she is wife to a desaparacido. She and her daughter are animal lovers and are active in advocating not only human rights but the rights of animals as well.

Be careful when using a heating pad for dogs HUMANS suffering from aches that come with old age and arthritis use heating pads to relieve the pain.

“Heat therapy is a common tactic for dealing with everyday pain, especially pain caused by joint or muscle aches. And the same can be true for dogs, with some caveats of course,” said Laura Mueller in “Should You Get a Dog Heating Pad? The Benefits (and Safety Concerns) of Dog Heating pads” in The Spruce Pets website.

Dog parents have been using heating pads and heated beds to help their furbabies heal from injuries or cope with the aches and pains due to old age and arthritis. However, MAKE SURE YOU USE A HEATING PAD CORRECTLY. ALWAYS BE AWARE OF THE SAFETY CONCERNS. Mueller discussed what furparents should know about dog heating pads, including some quick suggestions for buying one for your own canine baby.

The Benefits of a Dog Heating Pad

Heating pads can be beneficial for dogs in the same for way they are beneficial for humans. Heat, when applied strategically to the body, helps improve circulation and blood flow, and offers a momentary increase in muscle flexibility.

The benefits of using a heating pad include: · Muscle soothing and relaxation · Relaxation of muscle spasms · Relief from stiff and/or sore joints · Relief from arthritis pain · General pain relief The benefits of a dog heating pad are temporary but it can help your dog while he/she is recovering from an injury. A heating pad is always found in homes with aging or older dogs and dogs who suffer from arthritis. “As a bonus, many dogs simply love to lay on a heating pad, especially on a cold day,” Mueller said.

How to Safely Use a Heating Pad with Your Dog

Heating pads are safe for dogs in general. But it is important that you know how to use them safely. A heating pad can turn into something dangerous for your dog if you do not use it properly.

1.Make Sure It’s a Dog-Specific Heating Pad Dogs and humans tolerate heat differently. You can not just use your heating pad for your dog.

“Purchase a heating pad that’s specifically made for

We do not put the pet on the heating pad itself. We just put the heating pad near the pet to warm the pet. In photo, Batchie wants to play with pad.

This is an electric heating pad. Never leave the pet alone near the pad as the pet might suffer a heat stroke if the heat is already too much for the dog or cat.

dogs, and read the manufacturer’s instructions carefully so that you know exactly how it works and how long your dog can safely be on it,” Mueller said.

2. Monitor Your Dog When They’re on the Heating Pad Your dog may have a heat stroke if you leave your dog in a heating pad for too long. Never leave your dog unattended or in a confined or small space when in the heating pad. Your dog may feel too warm at some point and being arthritic or in pain, he or she may not be able to get up from the pad quickly. “…help them out if it looks like they’ve had enough.

Signs of overheating include panting, increased salivation, and a rapid pulse,” Mueller said.

3.Regularly Check for Wear and Tear If your dog chews most stuff around him, he might chew your heating pad, specially its electrical component. “In addition to discouraging this, check the pad regularly for any signs of damage, since it can lead to wiring concerns that may put your pet at risk, “ Mueller said.

2. Thermal heating pad: This contains a “reflective layer that radiates your pet's body heat back at them.

They can’t get quite as warm as an electric bed, but there are no cords to worry about—plus no need to worry about overheating, since they can’t exceed your pet’s own body temperature,” Mueller said.

3. Microwavable heating pad: This is similar to a warm compress. This pad is filled with a special material (often a gel) that traps heat when you microwave it. It cools down while in use so there is not much risk of your dog being overheated. But this pad may be too hot after being heated in the microwave, so make sure it is not too hot for your dog to lie on.

4. Orthopedic heating pad: This offers additional comfort for aging or aching dogs. It is heavier than traditional heating pads, but has extra layers to protect and cushion joints, Mueller said.

5. Outdoor heating pad: If your dog will use a heating pad outside the house, this is recommended by Mueller.

“These are made with water-resistant outer materials to ensure they can stand up to moisture, and come in both electrical and thermal options,” Mueller said.

“Use the information above to choose a heating pad that’s the right fit for your dog and your home. It may be a good idea to talk to your veterinarian first to see what they recommend, both in terms of the type of heating pad you should purchase and how you should ensure safe use,” Mueller added.

Cats also love heating pads, Mueller said. Cats love heating pads whether or not they have arthritic pain or are injured.

Buying a Dog Heating Pad

Here are the kinds of heating pad to choose from: 1. Electric heating pad: You plug this directly into the wall and is often thermostat-controlled in order to maintain a consistent temperature. “They can get pretty warm, so it’s crucial that you monitor your dog and the heating pad itself. Keep an eye on the cord too, particularly if your dog or other household pets are known chewers.,” Mueller said.

Pawsbook

WE HAVE been encountering posts on dogs, cats, and other animals on Facebook that are eye-openers, or inspiring, or enlightening, or educational, or can make one feel good during a stressful day, or make one encouraged to help the poor souls among us.

Sunday Pets would like to share these notable posts of netizens through this space called Pawsbook. DC

Honoring a pet, loving beyond death

Arvee Gomez lost her dog late last year. The pain was unbearable. Worse, they could not grieve to ease the pain because of restrictions due to the pandemic.

There are many ways to honor a pet. These help us humans in our grieving process. One way is to adopt a rescued dog or cat. Another way is to volunteer in animal shelters.

To honor her beloved pet, Arvee decided to help animals who were rescued by animal welfare groups. Arvee donated dog food and cat food to three shelters.

She posted this on Facebook last month: “I finally got around to packing modest donations for three animal organizations: Animal Kingdom Foundation, Save Animals of Love and Light - Save ALL, and Stray Queen. The donations are made in memory of our family dog, Chibi. She passed away suddenly last year, and we did not have time to grieve properly. I decided to give back and rightfully celebrate her life at the same time with mine.

Chibi came into our lives like a storm cloud, dark and aggressive, her puppy form enveloped by my father's rough hands. I was in my uniform, surprised by the idea that we were getting a dog since my sister has asthma (surprisingly, an episode never happened again).

Chibi lived a fruitful 11 years. She barked after the neighborhood cats, received baths on weekends, and guarded the house against thieves. She left quietly one warm afternoon in August, outliving her brothers and sisters and even some of her offspring with her age.

She may have been named after a Japanese word almost synonymous with ‘small,’ but her impact on our lives is enormous. Go wild out there in dog heaven, Chibi.

If you plan to donate as well, please head over to the FB pages of the first two animal foundations, Animal Kingdom Foundation and Save Animals of Love and Light - SAVE ALL for the details.

Meanwhile, Stray Queen is a personal advocacy page of one of the nurses in the Makati LGU where I got my booster shot. She silently campaigned for her cause by tearing a piece of paper, scribbling the name of her page, and slipping said paper unto the hands of every person in the queue for a COVID-19 vaccine.

Kindly message the Stray Queen account on how to arrange the delivery of your donations, which she may receive at her address or at the school where she is based to work.”