Manila Standard - 2022 April 3 - Sunday

Quiboloy’s co-accused flip-flops To plead guilty to fraud role with pastor’s church leaders in US

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Quiboloy – who were accused of running a labor-trafficking scheme to bring church members to the US through fraudulently obtained visas where they were allegedly forced to “solicit donations for a bogus charity, donations that actually were used to finance church operations and the lavish lifestyles of its leaders.”

De Leon, a resident of Koreatown in Los Angeles, “agreed to plead guilty to participating in a scheme with

LOS Angeles paralegal agreed to plead guilty to participating in an alleged scheme to violate US immigration laws for members of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) Church, the US Justice Department said in a statement.

Maria de Leon, 73, was among the nine people – including the church’s founder, Pastor Apollo

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administrators of the church, which is known as the Kingdom of Jesus Christ, The Name Above Every Name (KOJC),” the US Justice Department said.

Quiboloy’s camp denied any connection with De Leon.

“First, we cannot comment on Ms. Maria De Leon, one of the supposed co-accused of Pastor Quiboloy, except to say that she is not a member of the CONTINUED ON 3A

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IN MET R MANILAO

UNITEAM TAKES ON TARLAC.

UniTeam standard bearer Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. (2nd left) and running mate Lakas-CMD vice presidential candidate Sara Duterte-Carpio thank Tarlac Rep.Victor Yap (right) for declaring full support to their candidacies during a meet and greet program with different town mayors and provincial officials held at Diwa ng Tarlac Multipurpose center. Ver Noveno

BBM, Sara in Tarlac ends ‘clash of colors’—mayor n By JMARICEL V. CRUZ

Oil firms to slash prices by P2/l next week OIL prices are expected to go down by as high as P2.70 per liter for gasoline next week, industry sources said.

Department of Energy-Oil Industry Management Bureau director Rino Abad confirmed the rollback, but said it will not be as high as this week’s increase.

“For diesel, the price reduction will be over P2.

There is also a rollback in gasoline and kerosene,” he said in a radio interview yesterday.

Effective March 29, 2022, oil firms hiked gasoline prices by P3.40 per liter, diesel by P8.65 per liter, and kerosene by P9.40 per kilogram.

On Friday, April 1, 2022, the price of kerosene again went up by as much as P3.27 per kilogram.

The latest price hikes brought the year-to-date adjustments at a net increase of P18.30 per liter for gasoline, P27.85 per liter for diesel and P25.75 per liter for kerosene.

“If the peace talks between Russia and Ukraine will continue and there will be no more sanctions from the European Union, we are no longer expecting a reversal of price rollback and the stabilizing of fuel prices will continue,” Abad said.

Industry sources said prices of gasoline will go down by P2.50-P2.70 per liter; diesel by P2.00-P2.20 per liter; and kerosene by P1.70-P1.90 per kilogram.

Mandatory booster card eyed as 27m doses expire in July SOME 27 million doses of COVID-19 are set to expire in July, presidential adviser Joey Concepcion said as he urged Filipinos, especially seniors, to get vaccinated, and if eligible, get their booster shots already.

“Time is of the essence. This is why I am calling it out now while there is still time before these vaccines expire.

If we don’t use these vaccines, we will have wasted the FIlipino taxpayers’ money,” he said.

“It’s money the Philippines can’t afford to waste,” he added. “Let’s not allow 27 million doses of the COVID vaccine to go to waste.”

As of March 22, some 65,343,446 Filipinos have already been fully vaccinated, but only 11,629,565 additional or booster shots have been administered.

This means only some 13 percent of the eligible population have received their booster shots.

“By the second half of the year, the majority of the population will have waning

TARLAC City Mayor Cristy Angeles on Saturday called for an end to the clash of colors in Philippine politics and urged the people to unite behind the leaders they elected.

Angeles made the call in her speech at the UniTeam political rally in Tarlac City with standard-bearer Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and running mate Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio in attendance.

This as leaders of the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) in Tarlac endorsed the UniTeam tandem.

The coalition was formed by the late business tycoon Eduardo Cojuangco Jr. It is now headed

by Senate President Vicente Sotto III, who is running for vice president in tandem with

Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson.“I have been tasked to relay the commitment of the party, of the NPC in our province, to support the UniTeam tandem,” said Rep. Victor Yap. The UniTeam candidates took turns in addressing their supporters in Tarlac, the home province and political bailiwick of the Aquino-Cojuangco clans.

“You know, this is history in the making – a Marcos setting foot in the city of Tarlac. The clash of colors is over. He is here now to foster true unity and lead us to greater progress because all of us will be united and will help each other,” Angeles said in Filipino.

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Will Smith resigns from Oscars after assault WILL Smith resigned from the body that awards the Oscars on Friday, five days after he assaulted comedian Chris Rock during a live global broadcast.

The actor said his actions, which overshadowed Hollywood’s

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glitziest night of the year, were “shocking, painful and inexcusable.”

“The list of those I have hurt is long and includes Chris, his family, many of my dear friends and loved ones, all those in

attendance, and global audiences at home,” Smith said.

“I betrayed the trust of the Academy. I deprived other nominees and winners of their opportunity to celebrate and be

Actor Will Smith

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China denies working to stop Russia sanctions WORLD | 3A

‘Focus on prexy bets present during debate’ NEWS | 2A

Pentagon commits $300m for Ukraine WORLD | 3A

APRIL 3, 2022

Comelec: Focus on prexy candidates in today’s debate

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HE Commission on Elections said focus should be trained on those joining the second part of its “PiliPinas Debates 2022” for presidential aspirants today (Sunday) rather than on UniTeam’s Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Marcos skipped the first of the three-part presidential debates at the Harbor Garden Tent of Sofitel Philippine Plaza in Pasay City on March 19.

His camp has not issued a statement yet on his participation in today’s debate.

Comelec Commissioner George Garcia said they are excited about the changes in the format for the second round.

“We would like to focus on those who are confirmed and will be present [Sunday],” he said when asked if the poll body is hopeful that Marcos will show up.

Dr. Jose Montemayor Jr., businessman Faisal Mangondato, Senators Panfilo Lacson and Manny Pacquiao, labor leader Leody de Guzman, former national security adviser Norberto Gonzales, former presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella, Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso, and Vice President Leni Robredo are all confirmed for Sunday.

They will have 120 seconds or two minutes to answer one general question and another 30 seconds for rebuttal.

For each succeeding segment, the candidates will be

divided into groups of three where each group will be given one question to debate on.

All participants will have 60 seconds each to deliver their closing statements.

Meanwhile, Comelec said it has already completed the printing of more than 67 million ballots to be used in the May 9 national and local elections.

“The last of the 67.4M official ballots for #NLE2022 was printed at approximately 10:28 a.m. today (Saturday), April 2,” the poll body said on its Twitter account.

The ballots for the National Capital Region were the last to be printed.

Defected ballots will be reprinted, Garcia said.

On Friday, Comelec signed a memorandum of agreement with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) for the hosting of four online services for the polls, including the voters’ precinct finder.

Volunteers do house-to-house drive for Leni SUPPORTERS of presidential aspirant Vice President Leni Robredo on Saturday launched a house-to-house campaign, highlighted by the participation of celebrities, among them veteran actress Agot Isidro.

Dubbed “tao sa tao” (man to man), the initiative aimed to generate mass support for the candidacies of Robredo and her running mate, Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan.

A “grand house-to-house day” was organized to mark the kick-off of the campaign, with volunteers sharing their views and testimonies during an impromptu event held at the Leni-Kiko Volunteer Center in Katipunan, Quezon City.

For Agot Isidro, one of the first celebrities to endorse the Leni-Kiko tandem, house-tohouse campaigning is a way to reach more individuals and enable them to learn more about Robredo and her platform.

“It is reaching out to those voters who are not in the rallies, reaching out to the people on the ground who I think are most affected by the outcome of the coming elections,” Isidro said.

She added that apart from being able to spread the word on Robredo, doing houseto-house campaigning also enables supporters to have conversations with people, learn more about their personal experiences, and share with them what the Vice President has to offer if she becomes President.

“I prefer house-to-house for us to know who we are talking to. How can we know what people want and what people should expect when we don’t know what they need?” the actress said. ”It is more inclusive. We have a certain feel, or a sense of what's happening to them on a daily basis, where they are economically, financially, socially. All of these make us more effective in reaching out to them, to address their needs,” she added

Ex-Defense chief roots for Lacson FORMER Defense Secretary Orlando Mercado has expressed support for presidential aspirant Panfilo Lacson, saying the country needed the senator’s advocacies on fiscal reforms.

Mercado underscored Lacson’s integrity of character and “clear vision and promises of transformation” anchored on the senator’s Budget Reform Advocacy for Village Empowerment (BRAVE) program.

The erstwhile Defense chief was among a group of former government officials who signed on Friday a manifesto of support for Lacson’s presidential bid.

Mercado publicly stood up for Lacson who is grappling with serious challenges confronting his national campaign.

He defended Lacson and his proposed reforms, saying many people apparently did not realize that the country needed to fix its mounting national debts, and bring the state of the economy back to pre-pandemic levels, if not better.

“The most important law that is being passed by Congress is the budget, because without money properly appropriated for certain programs and projects, the laws would be useless. That is what we call unfunded mandates,” Mercado said at the press conference of the so-called “Generals of Ping.”

According to Mercado, he could not help but notice some parallelisms between the supporters of Lacson and the legendary Spartan warriors led by King Leonidas, during the infamous “Battle of Thermopylae” where the underdogs and significantly outnumbered forces refused to give up the battle no matter the odds.

Although it became a cautionary tale of courageous defeat during the Greco-Persian wars in ancient Greek history, Mercado said Filipinos could all learn from the bravery, fighting spirit and valiant efforts of the Spartans in standing their ground.

“If we think about it, even if it seems that this battle is very difficult, let us be inspired by the Spartans. Three hundred of them took on 10,000. Let those who have been [there] and those who are going to join us more, be the source of our strength to know that we can win this fight, because we are fighting for something larger than the election,” Mercado said.

Solon wants Defensor challenges Belmonte to a debate PH to hasten digital switch HOLY MONTH. Muslim worshippers perform the Tarawih prayer of Ramadan at Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque in Istanbul. AFP

QUEZON City mayoralty candidate Mike Defensor challenged incumbent Mayor Joy Belmonte to a debate following the latter’s criticisms against him.

Belmonte criticized the Anakalusugan party-list lawmaker for his role in the non-renewal of the franchise of ABS-CBN and in the distribution of ivermectin to fight COVID-19.

“In the spirit of fair play and to

heighten voter awareness, I am inviting Mayor Joy to a debate on the issues that she raised and on other concerns that affect the future of Quezon City,” Defensor said in a statement released on Saturday.

He claimed the diatribes were Belmonte’s way “to prop up her own candidacy.”

Belmonte, who is seeking a second term in the May polls, said Defensor prioritized shutting down ABS-CBN—

which is based in Quezon City—which forced the company to lay off thousands of workers at the onset of the pandemic.

In a recent survey by Publicus Asia on Metro Manila mayoral races, Belmonte was still leading with 40 percent in March. However, the figure was down from her 57 percent rating in February.

Defensor, meanwhile, logged a 24 percent voter’s preference rate.

SSS to go after errant employers n By MARICEL V. CRUZ

BIG TURNOUT. An estimated 80,000 supporters give Vice President and presidential aspirant Leni Robredo a rousing welcome at the old airport in Tagbilaran City in Bohol Friday evening. VP Leni Media Bureau

DELINQUENT employers, beware.

The Social Security System (SSS) is set to go after employers remiss on submitting their workers’ contributions to the state insurance agency.

The SSS announced on Saturday that it has resumed the drive called Run After Contribution Evaders (RACE) in the National Capital Region starting April 1.

SSS president Michael Regino said initial targets of the operation were 10 non-compliant employers in Manila with combined contribution delinquencies estimated at P26.26 million, broken down as P9.12 million in overdue contributions and P17.14 million in penalties.

The 10 establishments employ 95 SSS members, Regino said.

“These employers were found to be delinquent in the payment of contributions even prior to the pandemic.

As a general rule, we have given them 15 calendar days from the date of the SSS’s visit to settle their obligations,” Regino said.

The campaign in Manila was part of a series of RACE operations nationwide, which aims to implement the continuous compliance of employers with their statutory obligations under Republic Act No. 11199 or the Social Security Act of 2018.

The drive also seeks to ensure the social security coverage of members, and enhance SSS’ collection efficiency.

n By MARICEL V. CRUZ A BICOL region lawmaker on Saturday urged Congress to hasten the passage of a bill on the country’s digital switch to speed up economic recovery.

Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Raymund Villaguerte issued the call in light of President Duterte’s recent issuance of Executive Order No. 166 embodying a 10-point agenda for economic recovery during the remaining months of his administration.

Villafuerte said he has three pending bills on institutionalizing the Bangko sa Baryo, e-governance and digital education, adding that the measures if enacted could help the country sustain its economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Villafuerte said Congress should prioritize digitalization in the remaining session weeks of the 18th Congress, “more so now when one of the 10 items on EO 166’s agenda for economic recovery is to accelerate digital transformation through legislative measures.”

“I call on my colleagues in both chambers of the 18th Congress to support EO 166 by giving top priority to these three measures that aim to close the digital divide by transforming the way we transact and do business at the grassroots level, and to provide fast and reliable services to our people,” Villafuerte said.

DPWH resumes weekend road repair works n By JOEL E. ZURBANO THE Department of Public Works and Highways has resumed over the weekend rehabilitation works on Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA), Circumferential Road - 5, and major streets in Quezon City.

The move was taken after the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority gave DPWH-NCR director Nomer Abel Canlas the go signal to continue the road works from 11 p.m. Friday (Apr. 1) to 5 a.m. Mon-

day (Apr. 4).

The road repair activities covered the northbound lane of EDSA in Quezon City, corner Panay Avenue to Mother Ignacia, first lane from sidewalk; along EDSA near Quirino Highway Exit; before and after Gate 3, third lane from MRT lane; Main Avenue to P. Tuazon Flyover, second lane from sidewalk; and after P. Tuazon to Aurora Boulevard, second lane from sidewalk.

First and second lanes from the driveway of Timog Avenue-Boy

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Scout Rotunda; and second lane from sidewalk of C.P. Garcia Avenue before Katipunan Avenue will be closed.

Road reblocking operations would also be undertaken in Pasay City, EDSA northbound direction of the innermost lane (bus way) along P. Santos Street going to EDSA-Evangelista Footbridge.

In Caloocan City, EDSA southbound direction in front of A. De Jesus Street, fifth lane from sidewalk will be also closed.

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

VCM ROLLOUT. Commission on Elections officials led by chairman Saidamen Pangarungan, leaders of the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting PPCRV, and representatives of various political parties witness Friday night’s rollout of vote counting machines and other election paraphernalia at the Comelec warehouse in Sta. Rosa, Laguna. Norman Cruz

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

Rolando G. Estabillo Chin Wong/Ray S. Eñano Joyce Pangco Pañares Jimbo Owen Gulle

Associate Editors News Editor City Editor

Publisher Honor Blanco Cabie Night Editor Lino M. Santos Chief Photographer

Emil P. Jurado Chairman Emeritus, Editorial Board

WORLD

INBRIEFS APRIL 3, 2022

REMEMBRANCE.

People light candles as they pay respect to Falkland/Malvinas war’s fallen soldiers at a memorial in Pilar, Buenos Aires province, Argentina.

April 2 marks the 40th anniversary of the war between Argentina and the United Kingdom over the islands. AFP

China denies circumventing sanctions imposed vs. Russia

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HINA said Saturday it was not doing anything “to circumvent” sanctions imposed on Russia, following warnings from EU officials that any attempt to aid Moscow’s war in Ukraine could damage economic ties.

In the clearest indication yet of Bei-

jing’s position on the matter, a foreign ministry official told reporters: “We are not doing anything deliberately to circumvent sanctions imposed on Russia

by Americans and Europeans.”

But the statement, delivered after virtual talks between top EU and Chinese leaders on Friday, comes as Beijing holds to its stance of refusing to condemn the invasion by its ally Russia.

Washington has raised fears that China could potentially send military and economic aid to Russia or help it get through the tough Western sanctions which are battering the country’s economy.

“We oppose sanctions and the effects of these sanctions also risk spilling to the rest of the world,” said Wang Lutong, director-general of the Chinese foreign ministry’s department of European affairs, at a press briefing.

Top EU officials warned China’s leader Xi Jinping at a virtual summit a day earlier that any attempt to aid Russia’s war could hurt ties between the two economic superpowers, adding that the business sector is closely watching events.

The talks with President Xi – initially intended to focus on issues such as trade and climate change – were overshadowed

by Western fears of Chinese support for Moscow in its attack on Ukraine.

In the face of European warnings, however, Wang said China’s normal trade with Moscow “should not be affected.”

“Even Europe has been conducting normal business with Russians,” he said.

“We are contributing to the global economy by maintaining the normal trade (with Russia), to avoid any

Pentagon commits extra $300m in security assistance to Ukraine THE US Defense Department announced it is allotting $300 million in “security assistance” for Ukraine to bolster the country’s defense capabilities, adding to the $1.6 billion Washington has committed since Russia invaded in late February.

The package includes laser-guided rocket systems, drones, ammunition, night-vision devices, tactical secure communications systems, medical supplies and armored vehicles.

“This decision underscores the United States’ unwavering commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity in support of its heroic efforts to repel Russia’s war of choice,” Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said in a statement.

On Wednesday, US President Joe Biden and Ukrainian President Volo-

dymyr Zelensky discussed “additional capabilities” to help the Ukrainian military, the White House said in a statement after the call.

In mid-March, Congress passed a funding bill that included $13.6 billion for humanitarian and military aid to Ukraine and NATO allies in eastern Europe.

Shortly after, Biden announced $1 billion in new security assistance to Ukraine.

A large portion of the military equipment the US has given to Ukraine has come from its own stockpile, through a process known as a “presidential drawdown.”

Unlike that process, the $300 million announced Friday will go towards new contracts for military equipment from the Pentagon’s defense industry partners. AFP

FromtheFRONTPAGE

certain KOJC members, she knew that the immigration paperwork was based upon false representations of the bona fides of the underlying marriages made by church officials,” read the plea agreement.

“Members who proved successful at soliciting for the KOJC were forced to enter into sham marriages or obtain fraudulent student visas to acquire legal status in the United States so they could continue soliciting donations, the indictment alleges,” the US Justice Department said.

Quiboloy and two other members of KOJC have been indicted in the United States and the Federal Bureau of Investigation has released “wanted” posters on the religious leader.

A federal warrant was issued against Quiboloy in the US on Nov. 10, 2021 over his grand jury indictment before the US District Court for the Central District of California, Santa Ana, California “for conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion and sex trafficking of children; sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion; conspiracy; and bulk cash smuggling.”

QUIBOLOY’S...Kingdom of

Jesus Christ (KJOC) which Pastor Quiboloy heads, and neither is she connected nor affiliated in any way with the KJOC, nor with Pastor Quiboloy officially or personally,” Quiboloy’s legal counsel Ferdinand Topacio told GMA News Online.

Topacio described De Leon as an “independent contractor whose company renders paralegal services to the public at large.”

“Secondly, under the legal doctrine of res inter alios acta — which is likewise applicable in the courts of the United States — any confession only binds the confessor.

Being the act of a third party, it cannot affect Pastor Quiboloy or any other co-accused, nor should it negatively affect the cases against them.”

“Third, we cannot discount the possibility of pressure being brought to bear on the 73-year old Ms. De Leon as part of the pattern of harassment being employed against Pastor Quiboloy and the KJOC in the United States for purely political motives,” Topacio added.

In addition to pleading guilty, De Leon agreed to cooperate in the case filed by the US government, the US Justice Department said.

“At the time De Leon completed the immigration paperwork for

BBM,...She pointed out that

Marcos “is worthy to lead not only in Tarlac City, but in the whole country as well.”

“We need what is needed by all. We need unity, that is why it is time to change, it is the time for the BBM-Sara

possible disruption of the supply and industrial chains.”

Beijing is Moscow’s largest trading partner, with trade volumes last year hitting $147 billion, according to Chinese customs data, up more than 30 percent in 2019.

European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen believes “China has an influence on Russia,” saying there is an expectation for China to “take its responsibility to end this war.”

But Wang cautioned Saturday that the role of China should not “be overestimated.”

“The key of this issue is not in the hands of China, it’s in Washington, it’s in Brussels,” he said, adding that the matter involved European security.

“It’s up to Europeans to get it sorted.”

AFP

MILKY WEATHER.

A person walks down a street in Lyon, centraleastern France, as the snow falls on April 2, 2022.

AFP

Monster surf hits Aussie’s east coast HUGE waves battered Australia’s east coast Saturday, sweeping water into properties and engulfing Sydney’s Bondi Beach.

Danger warnings were issued for most of the coast in New South Wales as strong winds whipped up damaging waves.

A video of a monster swell, which reached up to five meters (16 feet) high, showed the tide rushing up to the doors of homes, while onlookers ran from the surging water at Avoca Beach, about 90 minutes drive north of Sydney.

Peter Evans from the NSW State Emergency Service told AFP that crews were attending to several homes in the area where water had entered but conditions were easing.

“We’re hoping that the worst has passed and we don’t end up with anything tonight or tomorrow like we’ve had this morning and last night,” Evans said.

Clear weather was helping the workers but after months of heavy rain there was still a lot of water on the ground, he added. AFP

Israelis kill 3 Jihad militants ISRAELI security forces killed three Islamic Jihad militants when they came under fire Saturday during a raid in the West Bank, police said, the latest deaths in a surge of violence.

The bloodshed comes amid heightened tensions ahead of the start of the holy Muslim month of Ramadan, that has seen violence spiral in Israel and the occupied West Bank.

Last year during Ramadan, clashes that flared between Israeli forces and Palestinians visiting Al-Aqsa mosque in annexed east Jerusalem led to 11 days of devastating conflict between Israel and the Gaza Strip’s Islamist rulers Hamas.

On Saturday, Israeli police said security forces killed three members of the Islamic Jihad militant group who had opened fire during an operation to arrest them near the northern West Bank city of Jenin. AFP

Pope visits Malta for migrants’ rights POPE Francis makes his first visit to Malta Saturday where he is expected to ask the heavily Catholic country to do more to help migrants who have risked their lives trying to cross the Mediterranean to reach Europe.

The visit to the tiny island nation was scheduled two years ago but has been delayed by the coronavirus pandemic, and now comes as war in Ukraine unleashes a new humanitarian emergency across Europe, with millions fleeing their homes.

Francis said on Twitter Friday that his “journey in the footsteps of the Apostle Paul” would be an “opportunity to know at first hand a Christian community with a millennia-old history.”

Francis, who will visit a migrant centre during his two-day trip, is likely to renew calls for an end to the war while reminding the world not to overlook those who continue to risk their lives at sea trying to reach Europe from North Africa. AFP

Crisis-hit Sri Lanka deploys troops as protests escalate TROOPS armed with sweeping powers to detain suspects were deployed in Sri Lanka Saturday, hours after the president declared a state of emergency as protests against him escalated.

Gotabaya Rajapaksa invoked the emergency on Friday night, a day after hundreds tried to storm his house in anger over unprece-

dented shortages of food, fuel and medicine.

The emergency was for the “protection of public order and the maintenance of supplies and services essential to the life of the community,” Rajapaksa said in a proclamation.

Soldiers armed with automatic assault rifles were already deployed for crowd control

at fuel stations and elsewhere when the emergency was invoked. More were seen on Saturday.

“Before the emergency, the military could not act on its own and had to play a supportive role to the police, but since Friday they are on their own and they have more powers,” a police official said. AFP

Uniteam. Let us unite,” Angeles said.

She later told reporters that Filipinos should put away acrimony and fractiousness.

“It’s time for forgiveness and healing.

Let us unite,” she said.

Angeles predicted that the MarcosDuterte tandem would win not only in her city but in the entire province of Tarlac as well.

Duterte-Carpio thanked Angeles and the Tarlaqueños for their warm welcome and support for her team.

“To all of you, thank you so much for the time and opportunity you have given us this morning to be with you, get to know you and be able to give a message for all of you,” she said.

Former Tarlac congressman and now UniTeam senatorial candidate Gilberto Teodoro Jr. introduced Duterte-Carpio to his provincemates.

The UniTeam started its provincial visit with a motorcade, followed by the rally in Tarlac City.

Marcos and Duterte-Carpio later met with local officials and sectoral representatives led by Gov. Susan Yap at Diwa ng Tarlac facility.

closely cropped head.

Jada Pinkett Smith has alopecia, a condition that causes hair to fall out.

He returned to his seat and shouted obscenities at Rock, who has been widely praised for keeping a cool head and getting things back on track.

Half an hour after the astonishing attack, Smith was awarded the best actor Oscar for his role in sports biopic “King Richard.”

There have been conflicting reports in recent days over whether Smith was asked to leave the ceremony, with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences saying he refused to go.

The group said this week it was starting disciplinary action against Smith – only the fifth Black man to win the movie world’s highest individual award for a man – and warned he could face a rare expulsion.

But on Friday, Smith pre-empted that punishment.

“I am resigning from membership in the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and will accept any further consequences the Board deems appropriate.

“I want to put the focus back on those who deserve attention for their achievements and allow the Academy to get back to the incredible work it does to support creativity and artistry in film.”

Rock, who told a comedy audience in Boston this week he was “still kind of processing” events, has drawn praise for the way he handled events.

MANDATORY..immunity. If cases rise, we will lock down again. Unless we finish all the vaccines in stock and booster everybody that needs it, we risk going back to square one by yearend,” Concepcion said.

“We need to push a little, and we need to do the groundwork now. People have become complacent and no longer feel that they need to booster.

What they do not see is that the real danger is in the second half of the year,” he added.

The Department of Health said it is studying proposals to require a booster shot as part of the primary vaccination series.

“We are studying that. We recognize that boosters are very important,” Health Undersecretary Myrna Cabotaje said on Saturday.

“We are currently reviewing if we can include the booster or the third dose as part of the primary series as a requirement to enter workplaces,” she added.

The DOH official also assured the public that expired COVID-19 vaccines would be properly disposed of and incinerated to ensure that no unscrupulous individual would sell them to the public.

“We have what they call reverse logistics so that the vaccine cannot be used anymore. They will put it in a ziplock, make a report, collect the vials, and incinerate it through a third-party provider,” Cabotaje said.

WILL...celebrated for their extraordinary work. I am heartbroken.”

Attendees at the Dolby Theater watched open-mouthed as Smith mounted the stage and slapped Rock across the face after the comic made a joke about his wife’s

APRIL 3, 2022

WGC recognizes

SmarTrade CEO as

‘Hero of the Year’

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OR her commitment in promoting the financial literacy of Filipinos while effecting positive change in the communities she works with, SmarTrade president and chief executive Joyce Ann Mayo was bestowed the ‘Hero of the Year’ award by the Women of Global Change, an international non-profit and social impact organization, and Aspire Magazine Global.

The award is given to individuals and organizations that embody a strong social responsibility and implement humanitarian works.

“A hero is a person that is brave, loving, dedicated and inspirational.

Joyce Mayo displays all of those

qualities. She is a CEO and businesswoman who has been helping the citizens of the Philippines for many years and continues to inspire people all over the world through SmarTrade and her other businesses. She is known by so

many people around the world for all that she has done. Mayo uses her knowledge and heart for the better good of people making her a true hero,” said Rey Allen Castillo, WGC Philippines representative.

“I believe that business is not purely just business,” said Mayo.

“We have to do whatever it is that’s within our power to influence positive change in the communities we work with and with the people we interact with. Each of us has a responsibility to make this place a better world today and for generations to come. Here at SmarTrade, we do that by educating people on

SmarTrade chief executive Joyce Ann Mayo and WGC Philippines representative Rey Allen Castillo

how they can be financially literate and this is a mission that really aims to change the lives of the Filipino people.”

With Mayo at its helm, SmarTrade has trained more than 20,000 Filipinos in financial literacy for the past five years. The company has been providing free learning sessions and personalized one-on-one financial coaching to help individuals become financially adept and to teach them how to make better investments for themselves and their families.

The Women of Global Change is a network of business leaders and

Firm offers ‘easy button’ to secure remote workers data

By Othel V. Campos AS ORGANIZATIONS prepare for the realities of a post-pandemic world, one of the biggest challenges is addressing the cyber security concerns of remote work.

Home-based workers using common tools for work are the most vulnerable to digital breaches and cyberattacks which can easily penetrate and subject an organization to cyber hacking. This is why global security leader Forcepoint launched Forcepoint One, the industry’s first ‘easy button’ for securing enterprises with hybrid workforces.

“Data privacy is becoming more important as the digital landscape evolves. The business value of data security is seen in many ways, such as reducing sales delays, mitigating losses from data breaches, enabling innovation, increasing efficiency, building trust with customers, and making their company more attractive,” said Forcepoint country sales manager Pam Angeles.

The all-in-one cloud platform simplifies security for both traditional and remote workforces, allowing users to gain safe, controlled access to business information on the web, in the cloud and in private applications.

Based on a survey by Gartner, 47 percent of organizations would allow employees to work remotely full-time once the pandemic is over. Additionally, 82 percent of organizations said employees could work from home at least once each week.

In another study, Velocity Smart Technology Market Research Report 2021 found that 70 percent of remote workers experienced IT problems during the pandemic, and 54 percent waited up to 3 hours to resolve the issue.

These numbers likely only skim the total of potential security breaches waiting to happen. Data security, then, is a critical issue that needs to be addressed now, said Forcepoint APAC sales engineering director Brandon Tan. “We cannot know what the future

brings in the current environment, but we do know that employees need to have the ability to work from anywhere, and businesses must continue to implement digital transformation strategies if they are to remain innovative and deliver new services. The bottom line is that IT teams are looking for a data security solution that offers all the tools they need without creating security vulnerabilities,” he said.

Forcepoint One addresses a major challenge in data security today, which is the rapid growth in the complexity of enterprise IT infrastructures.

IT infrastructure is no longer restricted to desktop computers and servers.

Instead, there is a clear growth in the adoption of multi-cloud services.

Tan said that businesses, nowadays, use a mix of legacy and new platforms. These new platforms come with new risks. As an IT security team learns how to configure, monitor, and secure new environments, each new opportunity for oversight can easily result in a data breach.

Forcepoint country sales manager Pam Angeles

Developer builds modern residential communities in Davao

Bria Homes is building communities in Tagum, Panabo and Digos.

THE Davao Region has drawn the interest of top property developers in building shopping malls, hotels and tourism facilities.

Aside from Davao City, the region also has rapidly-growing residential and commercial areas in Tagum, Panabo and Digos.

Bria Homes is building major developments for Filipinos seeking viable housing options in these cities.

Tagum, the provincial capital of Davao del Norte, is known for colorful festivals that showcase the remarkable skills and talents in culture, sports, entertainment, arts and music. It is also dubbed as a ‘mango capital’.

Sharing borders with Davao City is Panabo, an agro-industrial city that is known as the “banana capital of the Philippines” as it hosts numerous banana plantations.

Digos City, the provincial capital of Davao del Sur, is home to Mount Apo Natural Park and quiet beach getaways like Dawis Beach. Ad-

venture seekers gravitate towards Digos, which provides mountain climbers access to Mt. Apo, the country’s highest peak, via a village called Kapatagan.

Eduardo Aguilar, Bria’s division head, is upbeat about the company’s prospects in Davao.

“Bria Homes is reaching out to more Filipino homeseekers and investors, encouraging them to settle down, grow and prosper at any of our three idyllic communities in Davao.

Few locations would surpass these as the best places to spend one’s retirement years,” said Aguilar.

With these three new locations, Bria affirms its reputation as the ‘home of choice’ for Filipinos, bringing more families close to major economic centers as they thrive in wellbuilt and comfortable house-and-lot and condo units.

Bria’s projects in Digos, Tagum, and Panabo offer safe and secure living to young families as well as Filipino retirees and homecoming OFWs.

entrepreneurs working in global business, promoting the belief that every human being should have the right to access clean water, food, health care, education, and income training beyond race, creed, religion, and circumstance. WGC engages all individuals to have the opportunity to propel global engagement, business, and social impact.

Aspire Magazine Global is an all-inclusive brand aimed at all sizes, ages, ethnicities, genders and sexual orientations. Alongside Youth Development, Aspire Global platform focuses on 30 advocacies.

Jobstreet Academy launched ONLINE job portal JobStreet teamed up with the Asian Institute of Management to launch JobStreet Academy—a free virtual course designed to help HR professionals and business owners address challenges in the evolving work environment and job market.

Through JobStreet Academy, employers can up upgrade their knowledge on recruitment and people management.

“JobStreet Academy’s courses are designed to help recruiters and business owners meet the changing market demands.

With the industry’s most trusted brands leading the way, it is an opportune time for our employers to catch up and learn from some of the top brains in business and recruitment,” said JobStreet Philippines country manager Philip Gioca.

The course offers three tracks: Business Essentials, which covers payroll and taxation, as well as managing employee compensation and benefits; Talent Management, which involves labor laws and supervising employee performance; and Leadership and Management, which aims to help employers better guide their workforce toward success.

Powered by AIM’s academic experts, JobStreet Academy imparts relevant skills shaped by a global perspective. This helps participants learn business resilience and solid leadership skills that can result in improved employee retention and added resourcefulness amid disruptions.

JobStreet Academy can also assist employers in navigating business management essentials through an overview of the tax code, payroll processing, and designing competitive compensation packages to attract top talent.

Upon registration, employers will receive free job ad credits and immediate access to JobStreet’s talent pool. They will also earn certificates upon completion of the course.

“It has always been our mission at the Asian Institute of Management to sustain the growth of Asian businesses and societies, and we are pleased to be a partner of Jobstreet in this endeavor. We believe that with Jobstreet Academy, we will be able to provide companies with greater knowledge and expertise to advance their recovery,” said AIM managing director for business development Mary Grace Reynoso.

Othel V. Campos

Epson focuses on sustainability

By Darwin G. Amojelar EPSON Philippines aims to put greater focus on green technologies that promote business efficiency and sustainability.

“Epson is always committed to put sustainability at the core of its business, and we hope that through our initiatives to constantly innovate our products and solutions, we’ll help shape an ecologically sound future,” Epson Philippines general manager for marketing Eduardo Bonoan.

“Through our efforts to put sustainability into focus, we hope that we can encourage our partners and the Filipino community to join us in this sustainability journey, not only for ourselves, but also for future generations,” he said.

Leveraging on its compact and precision technologies, Epson’s products are designed to contribute to transforming

how businesses work for the better as the market gravitates towards a more sustainable world.

Epson’s inkjet printers offer significant savings on power consumption compared to similar speed laser printers, allowing businesses to save on energy costs through Epson’s heat-free technology.

Epson’s technologies are also designed to create better spaces that enhance productivity, while championing business sustainability through the use of eco-friendly products, starting with its heat-free technology.

This enables businesses to save up on energy consumption and expedite processes, while also contributing to lessening environmental impact in the form of less carbon dioxide emission and less waste production.

As the global sustainability movement accelerated over the years, Epson

ensures that its innovative products and services are aligned with the company’s and the global drive for sustainability.

As businesses now enter the recovery phase in the new normal, Epson deems it fit that companies also embrace their role as responsible businesses in terms of energy and technology consumption.

Epson’s offering of green technology allows partners to transition to a low-carbon economy, and lessen their impact on the environment.

The company continues to capitalize on its technological expertise to create efficient, compact, precise, and energy-efficient products and services that are in line with its sustainability goals.

They have launched campaigns such as the “Turn Down the Heat” campaign, a partnership with National Geographic that aims to encourage people to practice energy conservation, a factor that will help slow down global warming.

HYFLEX CLASSROOM. Epson introduces the Hybrid-Flexible Classroom for an engaging and fun learning experience for both in-person and online students.

The campaign comes as scientists predict the world’s permafrost will thaw entirely by 2100, raising global sea levels, flooding coastal communities and creating frequent extreme weather events. Together, Epson and National Geographic are raising awareness on how people can reduce their own envi-

ronmental impact by adopting sustainable technologies.

The company also teamed up with World Wildlife Fund for Nature Philippines to create a three-dimensional virtual museum showcasing various habitats and how they are affected by climate change.

APRIL 3, 2022

The 31st Southeast Asian Games in Hanoi, Vietnam will showcase the biggest esports competition thus far with eight events to be contested in the fastest growing digital sports competition. The Philippines will send 54 athletes to the biennial event.

E

Get excited with big esports events ahead SPORTS has always been big in the Philippines but the last few years have given Filipino players the chance to show the world just how good they are.

From dominating tournaments in South East Asia to placing in the top 8 in global competitions, Filipinos have shown that they can not only keep up but even beat players from around the world.

Philippine esports teams taking center stage have provided the local gaming community Filipino talent to cheer on and aspire to be. While only a select few can actually go pro in an esports tournament, everyone can feel like a pro when you level up your game with your favorite players’ characters and skins with

Find out how the top players play your favorite games in these upcoming esports competitions: MOBILE LEGENDS The Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Professional League Philippines (MPL-PH) Season 9 finishes its regular season this coming April 10. Who will be among the top 6 teams to make it into the playoffs?

Will Blacklist International win their third championship in a row? Or will another team be able to unseat the reigning champions?

Check out the official Mobile Legends Facebook page and Youtube channel to keep up with all the action.

VALORANT CHAMPIONS TOUR The Valorant Champions Tour (VCT) has its first major international competition coming up with Valorant Stage 1 Masters in Reykjavik, Iceland from April 10-April 24.

After this tournament, the top Pinoy teams will battle it out in the VCT Challengers Stage 2 - Philippines starting April 30.

This competition will determine which top three teams that will move forward to the APAC Challengers Stage 2 to be held later this year.

Those there teams that move forward will have to face off against teams from the Asia-Pacific region for the two spots available for the Stage 2 Masters event to be held later in the year.

If they earn enough points in these different events, they will qualify for Valorant Champions.

This is the final tournament for the season where the 16 top teams from the world will battle it out for the biggest prize pool of the year.

Ccheck out Philippine Pro Gaming League (PPGL) for updates and streams with local commentators on the latest from the VCT. WILD RIFT The end of the Wild Rift Champions Southeast Asia (WCS) - Philippines regular season is

The Dota Pro is still a popular esports event among young esports enthusiasts

nearing its end.

The results of which will determine what teams will get a chance to represent the country in the WCS Championship against all the other countries part of the South East Asia region.

Fingers crossed, a local team will become the Champions of the WCS and represent the country on the international stage at the Icons Global Championship in June.

Catch the matches with Filipino Commentary on PPLG’s Facebook and Youtube page. The matches are also streamed with English commentary on the PPGL Twitch page and the official Wild Rift Esports Facebook page and YouTube Channel. Load up on Wild Cores to buy skins and champions through Codashop by using GCash.

DOTA PRO CIRCUIT The Dota Pro Circuit (DPC) SEA Tour2: Division I tournament is well underway and will wrap up by April 21.

This is an important tournament as the teams that place from 1st to 3rd will qualify for the year’s 1st international major in Stockholm.

ESL One Stockholm will be the first major of the year and is an important event for all the teams.

Doing well at both the regional and major tournaments means that teams will gain a lot of tournament points to qualify for the final tournament of the circuit, The International (TI).

However, there are plenty of opportunities for teams to earn points as there will still be SEA Tour 3 and the 2nd major of the year before The International.

VIETNAM SEA GAMES Finally, the best in Southeast Asia will meet not for money but for their country’s honors when they compete in the 31st Southeast Asian Games Hanoi, Vietnam on May 1322, 2022.

The national esports team Sibol has finalized the respective rosters for all the games.

Fifty-four athletes comprise the esports delegation and will be participating in Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, League of Legends, Wild Rift, PUBG Mobile, FIFA Online 4, Free Fire, Arena of Valor, and Crossfire.

The 2022 lineup has double the number of esports athletes compared to the 2019 lineup. These players have all been finalized and are ready to play come this May. Keep up with the Sibol esports teams through their Facebook page.

It looks to be an exciting year for gamers with such a wide variety of events to tune into. From local competitions to international tournaments, there will be many opportunities for Filipinos to be #GToPlay. Have an uninterrupted experience when purchasing your in-game looks through the GCash app, which is available on the App Store and Google Play.

Tigers outwork Falcons in 4th Q for hard-earned win UNIVERSITY of Santo Tomas claimed its second straight win at the expense of Adamson University, 79-72, in the UAAP Season 84 men’s basketball tournament, Saturday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

In a defense-filled fourth quarter, Joshua Fontanilla delivered the daggers for the Growling Tigers.

Ahead by just two, Fontanilla first drove to the basket and finished with a smooth reverse layup with 56.9 seconds left, 74-70.

In the ensuing play, Joshua Yerro missed for the Soaring Falcons before Fontanilla buried a three-pointer from the left wing to put UST up by seven with just 19.3 ticks to go, 7770.

Paul Manalang was a sharpshooter with five triples to end with 15 points, five assists, and three rebounds for the Tigers.

Fontanilla added 10 points, four rebounds, and three assists, while Bryan Santos got nine points and eight rebounds.

“Hindi na bata tong mga to, mga beterano mga to,” said UST coach Jinino Manansala as Fontanilla is a transferee from St. Clare while Santos previously suited up for Technological Institute of the Philippines.

“Sabi ko sundan niyo yung gameplan. Masisispag ang mga to. Expect more from the UST Growling Tigers.”

UST hiked its record to 2-2, tied for fourth with National University while pulling Adamson down to 1-3 for joint sixth with Far Eastern University.

Jerom Lastimosa flirted with a triple-double, dropping 16 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists for the Falcons. Lenda Douanga also made 16 points and seven boards.

UST will open Tuesday’s quadruple-header against De La Salle University at 10 am, followed by AdU’s clash with the University of the Philippines at 1 pm.

The Scores: UST 79 - Manalang 15, Fontanilla

10, Santos 9, Cabañero 8, Concepcion 7, Herrera 6, Ando 6, Manaytay 5, Mantua 5, Yongco 3, Gomez de Liaño 3, Pangilinan 2, Samudio 0, Canoy 0.

AdU 72 - Lastimosa 16, Douanga 16, Magbuhos 8, Peromingan 7, Zaldivar 6, Sabandal 5, Yerro 4, Colonia 3, Hanapi 3, Manzano 2, Maata 2, Jaymalin 0.

Quarterscores: 19-16, 45-41, 6458, 79-72.

Meanwhile, University of the Philippines survived University of the East’s late rally, 81-66, for its third straight win.

The Fighting Maroons cruised to Joshua Fontanilla and Paul Manalang bang bodies to celebrate the UST a 17-point advantage in the first quarter, before stretching the ad- Tigers’ victory over the Adamson Falcons vantage to as high as 30 points in down the stretch while Malick Di- improve kami and we just have to the third, 65-35.

The Red Warriors though opened ouf and Zav Lucero drained the be consistent.”

The Maroons picked up the fourth period on a 17-2 blast, daggers.

“Kung titignan mo yung first their third win in four outings led by Kyle Paranada’s hot shooting from deep, to chop their deficit to game, we moved the ball better for solo third, while the Red today,” said UP coach Goldwin Warriors stayed winless in just 11 with 5:42 left, 62-73.

But UP clamped down on defense Monteverde. “As a team, nag-i- four games.

PSC Rise Up features young swimmer from Aklan THE Philippine Sports Commission’s (PSC) Rise Up Shape Up (PSC-RUSU) will feature on its today’s (April 3) webisode the inspiring story of Kyla Ong Soguilon, a 17-year-old swimming prodigy who was honored as Gintong Gawad 2021 “Babaeng Atleta, Modelo ng Kabataan”.

Soguilon, a native of Kalibo, Aklan was a two-time recipient of the Philippine Sportswriters Associa-

tion (PSA) Tony Siddayao Awards in 2014 and 2015.

From 2014-to-2017, Soguilon was also recognized as Philippine Junior Athlete of the Year and Milo Junior Athlete of the Year – a feat that no other junior athlete in the Philippines has achieved to date.

Yesterday (April 2), the online series featured the province of Pangasinan and its various local sports development initiatives that earned

them the recognition as “Kaagapay ng Isport sa Komunidad” awardee of the 2021 Gintong Gawad.

One of the province’s notable sports development projects is the establishment of the Pangasinan Sports Academy, which offers training programs for numerous sporting events such as lawn tennis, archery, basketball, taekwondo, among others to build athletes with excellent athletic skills.

PSC Commissioner oversight for Women in Sports Celia Kiram values the support of grassroots communities in helping PSC in its vision of developing sports excellence nationwide and training top-performing athletes.

In back-to-back webisodes, Comm. Kiram will discuss the legal mandates related to grassroots and community sports and take us on a virtual tour of the country’s natural

pools in her regular segment “K-Isport.”

PSC’s Rise Up! Shape Up! is a weekly web series streamed via Facebook and YouTube on Saturdays and Sundays at 7 PM. For more information on Rise Up! Shape Up! visit its official Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/riseupshapeup and YouTube page at https://www.youtube.com/riseupshapeup.

Life Editor: Nickie Wang

APRIL 3, 2022

lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com

Pushing boundaries between comfort and luxury LONDON-based fashion brand COS presents it Spring-Summer 2022 campaign highlights transitional collections for women and men. The casting presents a line-up of inspiring individuals, led by supermodel and activist Christy Turlington Burns, DJ, producer, and advocate for trans rights, Honey Dijon, and writer, editor, and curator Antwaun Sargent.

In addition, actor Finn Wittrock joins models Rianne Van Rompaey​ , Chu Wong, Keisuke Asano, Awar Odhiang, Saye Wuo, and Liam Kelly.

Photographed by Paris-based Tim Elkaïm, each carefully composed portrait captures the collection in a classic Los Angeles setting; on the beach at sun-

set, within nature, and high above the vast and unending cityscape.

Promoting versatility, the collections adapt to everyday transitional moments.

Styled by Clare Richardson, creative and poetic combinations build the foundation for this eclectic direction while refined craftsmanship is prominent throughout.

Continuing its dedication to sustainability and a circular economy, 92 percent of the collection is sustainably sourced.

Pushing the boundaries between comfort and luxury, contrast is explored with revisited signature minimalist tailoring – structured linen styles join bold fashion pieces in graphic prints and uplifting cyan and sunshine orange hues.

Lifestyle show where soul and science meet

Humanitarian and triathlete Elle Adda AN INSPIRATIONAL health and wellness journey where soul and science meet awaits viewers in the new lifestyle show Born For This, which premiered yesterday on Metro Channel.

Hosted by humanitarian and triathlete Elle Adda, Born For This aims to empower Filipinos by breaking the stigmas of mental health, spreading educational awareness and guidance on holistic practices, and building community connection and support.

Elle is a French-Filipina composer, musician, motivational artist, and public speaker who believes that changing the world begins with oneself. She stressed, “How do we change the world? We change ourselves first.”

With the help of non-profit organization, Fuel To Flourish, which is chaired by

Elle and is comprised of a diverse group of health experts and practitioners, the new program also aims to “help 1 million Filipinos overcome stress and anxiety as well as flourish with complete well-being of the mind, body, and spirit” by 2025.

The premiere episode focused on defining true health to discover one’s mindbody engine and learning to utilize it as a source of personal brand of extraordinary.

In the succeeding episodes, viewers can further reimagine their limits and transform their lives through the active practices of behavioral health such as mindfulness, nutrition, fitness, bio-hacking, character strengths development, community connection, and a whole lot of passionate island adventures.

Born For This airs Saturdays on Metro Channel beginning at 6:30 p.m.

The first episode of ‘Born For This’ focuses on defining true health

COS’ Spring-Summer collection 2022 promotes versatility to adapt to everyday moments

The London-based fashion brand highlights transitional collections for women and men

Creative and poetic combinations are the foundation while refined craftsmanship is prominent throughout the new collection

A nostalgic look at Gen-Xer’s life

T

HE moment I received Angelo R. Lacuesta’s first novel Joy and flipped through its pages, I felt a shock NO SHELF CONTROL of surprise and

BY JENNY ORTUOSTE recognition. The story resonates with truth and throbs with nostalgia for those who were born in the 1960s, kids in the ‘70s, and teens in the ‘80s. This is the story of a Filipino Gen-Xer, much like Lacuesta and myself.

Lucas Letrero is the narrator of this story that is firmly rooted in a particular point-of-view of Manila’s past that is middle to uppermiddle class, the “broad C” demographic, as one of the characters puts it. His name derives from the word ‘luck’ – “the one thing people could get that they didn’t deserve,” as his father puts it.

Lucas’s father, the intrepid Ariston, builds a recording studio and works as a composer and, at one point, as the mascot of Hiro ice cream that becomes popular in the Philippines.

He also composes the English version of the Kabuto Kaizer theme song, and works at other “rackets.” For those who grew up watching Voltes V and the other mecha anime shows of the late ‘70s, they’ll recognize the robot as a version of Mazinger Z – twenty storeys tall that needed his pilot “to glide the Utaku module into his headpiece from a supergravitational chute.”

Lucas and his mother, who had him when she was 16, are abandoned by Ariston, who flees to Los Angeles with his secretary Odette. The son hears from the father after 30 years via cryptic emails. Meanwhile, Lucas has reconnected with a childhood friend, Dedes, who has long moved to the U.S. as well. They begin a loving and sexual long-distance relationship through Skype.

The stories of other characters weave in and out – Niña, who has an affair with her driver; Teddy Yap, Ariston’s boss who builds several successful businesses from scratch; admen, sewing circle ‘titas of Manila,’ and others who live lives of either of quiet desperation or raucous enthusiasm, and all very Filipino.

Some characterizations may come off a bit skeletal – Yap seems to be in the story only as a representation of the business-minded Chinese Filipino - but the characters’ motivations and the descriptions of life and work in Manila during the ‘70s to mid-2010s ring true.

As I leaf through the pages, the scenes about advertising seem drawn from my own father’s life. The references to the robot show remind me of my stepfather, who brought in the Voltes V robot show and four others, along with the Candy Candy anime, referred to in the book as ‘Sama Sama.’ The story is filled with Filipino cultural touchstones that will resonate with those who lived through those times.

Overall looms the shadow of Marcos and the excesses of his regime, and the culture of impunity he cultivated. Perhaps all Filipino narratives set during this period will inevitably mention this; it is a psychic scar on the collective Filipino psyche.

But because of their social class, the characters in Joy seem al-

‘Joy,’ by Angelo R. Lacuesta, resonates with those who born in the 1960s, kids in the ‘70s, and teens in the ‘80s most untouched by Martial Law, focused as they are on the unfolding of their daily lives. Ariston and Odette in LA, in fact, only muse on the instability of the country they left – “Back home, it seemed that the threat was everywhere instead of in one namable direction or thing. It was the NPA, it was the PC. It was Marcos, it was Imelda. It was Ninoy, it was [the] Metrocom, it was the Narcom, it was the Light-A-Fire Movement.”

Throughout the novel threads the storyline of Hiro the bear and Hiro the ice cream that Teddy Yap founded, that Ariston wrote a jingle and wore the mascot suit for. The ice cream is “always delicious, always delightful, always desired. But what is the nature of this desire?

“Immediate satisfaction, yes…But at the same time, we also aim to create that distinct but ineffable feeling of anticipation…” that one ice cream will be “followed by another, and another…” until we eventually realize that Hiro ice cream stands for the trait of enjoying the fleeting before it dissipates, just like politicians’ promises, “while already yearning for the next.” We are never really satisfied; we’re always looking for the next best thing.

Lacuesta’s writing style is engaging and spry, it flows and draws you in, and will have you flipping pages until the wee hours. “Joy” is exactly that.

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

JOY

By Angelo R. Lacuesta 190 pages, Penguin Random House SEA P995.00 for pre-order at Good Intentions Books (Facebook page). Also available at major bookstores starting April 10.

Five questions for the anxious mind

Anxiety is the feeling of worry, unease, or nervousness in anticipation of a future event

ANXIETY is the feeling of unease, worry, or nervousness in anticipation of a future event or an uncertain outcome that we cannot handle. While it is a challenging internal battle, calming our anxious minds is possible.

Northeast Ohio Medical University Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry Dimitrios Tsatiris, M.D., a prolific published writer, mental health advocate, and practicing board-certified psychiatrist who specializes in anxiety management, advised that identifying unease-provoking thought patterns is an essential step to reclaiming inner peace.

The Benilde Well-Being Center (BWC) of the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB), together with Dr. Tratiris, both passionate about empowering others to break free from worry to reach their fullest potential, promote self-reflection and certain questions may uncover, identify and stop negative thought patterns.

Here are five queries that serve as starting points to better mental health: 1. Why am I anxious?

While it may seem like a simple question, some are unable to name the source of their worries. Identifying the cause is the first step to reducing anxiety levels.

Enumerate and write down your different doubts and prioritize those that require immediate attention.

2. What are the odds that my fear will become a reality?

Estimate the probability that your worries will turn real. While we always treat them as impending and unavoidable, most actually have low chances of occurring. Understanding these likelihoods can calm our minds.

3. What can I do to lower the chances?

Consider reasonable steps to further lower these worries becoming true. This will help you focus as well as take charge of your sphere of control.

Prioritize worries that require immediate attention 4. Even if the worst-case scenario were to occur, can I handle it?

We have to accept the fact that some situations are unavoidable despite our best intentions to prevent it. While these may be tragic, the odds are you have already overcome worst-case scenarios before. Reflecting on these experiences can

Enumerate and write down your different worries guide you as you face present and future challenges. They likewise serve as evidence of your ability to persevere.

5. What is the cost of anxiety?

It is accepted that we often fixate on what can go wrong. But avoidance behavior can affect personal growth. It hinders us from reaching our fullest potential.

n Entertainment Editor: Nickie Wang

email: lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com

APRIL 3, 2022

Making music history

P-Pop Con 2022

at

S VXON

By Nickie Wang

B19’s ultimate goal is to put Philippine music on the world map. And in the process, the quintet also wants to help the local economy.

Since the group’s debut in 2018, its members have been very vocal about their dream to help the local economy through their music, just like how Korean stars make a significant contribution to the South Korean economy.

“We really hope that one day, P-Pop will become a genre that will be known around the world. We have this P-Pop Con as a venue to unite all groups and artists because all of us share one heart. And with the help of our fans, I know that it wouldn’t be impossible for us to introduce our culture to the world,” SB19’s

4th Impact

Spotify reveals RADAR Philippines Artists for 2022 IN ITS continued commitment towards artist empowerment, Spotify today unveils its 2022 slate of Filipino artists selected for Radar, a global program that supports up-and-coming local artists by helping them reach new audiences.

This year’s Spotify’s Radar Philippines includes a slate of exciting rising talents across various genres including P-Pop and R’n’B artist Arthur Nery, indie artists, Adie and Lesha, as well as group BINI.

Discovery on Spotify Through the program’s ongoing playlisting, marketing initiatives, and borderless reach, emerging Filipino artists are able to shine on both the local and global stage, allowing them to find, connect, and grow their fanbase – wherever they may be.

Last year’s Radar artist, Zack Tabudlo saw an international growth with more than 1,300 percent increase and grew listenership beyond the Philippines shores in the U.S.A.,

‘Betterman’ is the result of a collabo- Radar Philippines includes a slate ration between Alisson Shore, Kiyo, of exciting rising talents across Because, andJohn Roa music genres

Pablo told reporters during the grand media conference for PPOPCON 2022 held at the Monet Ballroom of Novotel in Araneta City.

The press event was the official launch of Pinoy Pop Convention (PPOPCON), the ultimate fan gathering and celebration of Filipino pop culture and music.

PPOPCON also marks the return of live entertainment and a return of audiences since the start of the pandemic. It is a pioneer hybrid event of its kind.

This celebration of Pinoy Pop Music will be attended by idol groups SB19, MNL48, BGYO, BINI, 4th Impact, Alamat, Press Hit Play, and 1st.One. Up and coming acts like VXON, KAIA, DAYDREAM, G22, and more will also be gracing the PPOPCON stage.

“P-Pop is quickly gaining international attention and many fans are recognizing the talent and passion of many P-Pop acts.

Through PPOPCON, we are celebrating the growing P-Pop community through the first event of its kind right here at the City of Firsts,”

DAYDREAM

Press Hit Play

Nery is one of our Spotify Radar artists, who started growing from strength to strength and made waves last year. Based on Spotify 2021 Wrapped data, one of his hits, “Higa,” appeared in all 20 Philippine cities that streamed Spotify the most in 2021, including his hometown of Cagayan de Oro. “Pagsamo” and “Binhi” also made waves in such key cities as Baguio, Bacoor, and Imus. “Pelikula”, his collaboration with Janine Tenoso, is among the country’s Most Viral Recordings of the Year. Tracks “Life Puzzle” and “Take All the Love,” also ‘You’ll Be Safe Here’ by Adie breathes rounded out the list of songs from Nery’s growing discography that made life into OPM it to the Most Repeated Songs in the Canada, Thailand, Australia, and more. Philippines.

“We are excited to champion “To be able to shine a light on OPM local artists at all stages of their music on the global stage is such an careers. Spotify is committed to artist opportunity! I’m honored and happy development and connecting fans that Filipinos appreciate what I create. with the music they love, through Knowing that they like my music has our platform and programs. We look also changed my perspective on music forward to elevating the local music as an artist. I’m excited to be part of scene and seeing our Radar artists Spotify’s Radar program, where I can grow through borderless access and reach more listeners at an international greater discovery,” says Kossy Ng, level and move more people with my Head of Music, Spotify Asia. music.” says Arthur Nery.

Filipinos are eager to discover The Radar Philippines playlist also new music, including that of budding features fresh collaborations like Filipino artists. To boost discovery, “Betterman” by Alisson Shore, Kiyo, Spotify featured about 39,000 Pinoy Because, and John Roa; and “Twin artists in local and global editorial Flames” by Lesha, Lewis Maxwell, playlists for the first time between 2020 and Ghauri. and 2021. With artists such as Arthur Ride the P-Pop momentum with Nery seeing an increase of average “Golden Arrow” by BINI and “When daily plays close to 400 percent, Radar I’m With You” by BGYO. “Paraluman” allows aspiring artists to connect by raven and “You’ll Be Safe Here” by to new fans by giving access to the Adie are among the new songs that world’s stage. breathe life into OPM.

Dreamworks Animation adapts best-selling children’s book series ‘The Bad Guys’

(From left) Marc Maron as Snake, Sam Rockwell as Wolf, Awkwafina as Tarantula, Anthony Ramos as Piranha, and Craig Robinson as Shark in ‘The Bad Guys’ IN THE new action-comedy from DreamWorks Animation, The Bad Guys will go good, the blockbuster Scholastic book series by Aaron Blabey, a crackerjack criminal crew of animal outlaws is about to attempt their most challenging con yet—becoming model citizens.

In the film, Awkwafina is the only female

member of the gang and doesn’t cut the guys any slack. In Aaron Blabey’s book series, Tarantula is actually a “Mr.” But when adapting the story for the screen, Blabey was supportive of the filmmakers switching the character to be a kickbutt female techie.

Producer Rebecca Huntley has loved the

audiences’ reception of Ms. Tarantula. “One of the surprising things was how parents responded to the fact that Ms. Tarantula was representing women and girls in S.T.E.M. She’s a cool, confident hacker, and to have audiences see her as a role model in that regard was wonderful.”

Additionally, Awkwafina admired how deftly the source material and the script balanced joyful imagination and poignant themes.

“The story is pretty existential, and these are characters with sincere dilemmas,” Awkwafina says.

“It is symbolic of how we, as humans, see ourselves, how society does and how we embody that—until we realize that we don’t have to be defined by certain things. I like the way that The Bad Guys plays with aspects of good and bad.

Those are two terms that we see misconstrued all the time. We see people that look bad but aren’t, as well as people who look good but aren’t.”

She was thrilled to join such a brilliant group of fellow voice performers, as well as occasionally work alongside them—a rarity in animation. “This is a stacked cast of brilliant actors, and I’m a huge fan of all my fellow Bad Guys,” Awkwafina says.

The Bad Guys is a Universal Pictures International release and will open in local cinemas on April 27.

said PPOPCON Project head Andhie Salutin in a press release.

The event will happen at the New Frontier Theater on April 9 and will be capped off with a concert at the Araneta Coliseum the following day, making it one of the biggest entertainment events to take place at the Big Dome since 2020.

“We are very proud to be part of PPOPCON, it’s been our battle to prove to the world that Filipino talents can go head to head with international music stars. We’ve said before that soon we will be able to show everyone na tama tayo at kaya nating tulungan ang economy ng Philippines. And I believe it’s happening very soon. We’re just glad that we’re here with other P-Pop groups na ipinaglalaban din ang nauna na na naming ipinaglalaban. P-Pop rise,” SB19’s Josh exclaimed.

The two-day event will feature established and promising PPOP artists, fan engagement activities, and booth exhibitions. The event aims to connect the fans and the artists, and to build a strong global PPOP community.

KAIA

1ST.ONE

Jackson Wang returns with ‘Blow’ RAPPER and singer Jackson Wang returns with a new single and video for “Blow,” out now via Team Wang Records/88rising Records/Warner Records.

The highly-anticipated “Blow” unveils an explosive new sonic direction – blending punchy guitar riffs with anthemic pop – and heralds Jackson’s artistic evolution.

“Blow” is accompanied by a music video directed by longtime collaborator Daniel Cloud Campos (Jackson Wang’s “100 Ways”, Panic! At The Disco, Zedd) which perfectly complements the song’s fiery energy. Brimming with theatrical suspense, choreography, and fashion, the video highlights his masterful showmanship and introduces fans to the first look at Jackson’s Magic Man persona (which inspired the creation and direction of his forthcoming album of the same name).

“Blow” is Jackson’s first English single release of 2022 and hints at what’s to come from the rest of the year. It follows the successful release of 2021’s “Drive You Home” and “LMLY”, which have garnered over 40 million and 90 million streams respectively. Both singles charted on the Mediabase U.S. Pop Top 40 chart. In the Fall of 2019, Jackson released his critically acclaimed debut solo album, MIRRORS, which debuted at #32 on the Billboard 200. With MIRRORS, Jackson became the highest-charting solo artist debut from China.

In addition to being a singer and producer, Jackson is also a fashion designer, creative director, founder of Team Wang, and member of the hugely successful K-Pop group, Got7.

Jackson has collaborated with multiple global brands including Fendi, Cartier, Armani Beauty, Rayban, L’Oreal, Pepsi, and BMW. In his ascent, Jackson has amassed over 50 million followers across socials.

The art for Jackson Wang’s newest single ‘Blow’

MARCH 27, 2022

Sersi is a former stray cat. She has been spayed and now living with her forever humans and their cat family

Stray cats have a high risk of contracting lifethreatening diseases.

Mia, a former stray, is now with her forever family.

Zoey, wanting to escape the house. As much as possible, keep your cats indoors to keep them from getting infected with contagious diseases.

Preventive Health Care for Cats

By Rowena David

A

S EVERY cat parent knows, cats are private creatures, especially when they are sick. Cats have a tendency to hide their symptoms, making it difficult for cat parents to notice that their furball is seriously sick until it is too late. There are, however, a few noticeable signs that a cat is not feeling well such as a loss of interest in food, sleeping longer hours than usual, vomiting, diarrhea, and dehydrated fur. Cats can get sick for any number of reasons and it is best to have them examined by a licensed veterinarian.

Here are the most common cat diseases and how to spot them early:

Kidney Disease

According to pethealthnetwork.com, chronic kidney disease (CKD) is one of the top five silent cat killers. If your cat has CKD, it means that 75% of both of its kidneys are not functioning anymore. Cats who have CKD will often display these symptoms: · Urinating more often than usual · Weight loss · Halitosis · Lethargy To prevent your cats from getting kidney disease, provide them with a moisture-rich diet, and always make sure that a bowl of clean water is within reach. Additionally, regular visits to the vet can help prevent

MY NEWS feed is getting filled with pups dying from parvo, and dogs fighting distemper, with some losing the battle. Some of the dogs died despite all efforts of owners to save them.

Most of the dogs who survived twitch like they are about to have a seizure anytime. The damage to the nerve system is irreversible, the vets said. Thus if the dog has started twitching during his battle with the distemper virus, the twitching will stay even if he survives.

To give your pups and adult dogs protection from parvo and distemper respectively, please have them vaccinated. We give the 5-in-1 or 6-in-1 vaccine to our dogs and rescues. Your pup or rescued dog needs a series of shots during the first year, with each shot given every two weeks. Every year thereafter, your dog will be given the booster shot or one shot to protect him from illnesses. Please talk to your vet about this.

However, pet parents must keep their dogs’ immune system strong by giving good food and vitamins recommended by the doctor, exercising or walking them, and making them feel loved by hugging and cuddling them.

When the immune system of a dog gets weak, the dog can still be infected with a deadly virus.

How does a pup get parvo?

1.When a member of the family has stepped on poop (sometimes, we do not see traces of poop on the road) and brings the shoes inside the house.

2. When the pup is brought to a place where another pup has pooped like parks, restaurants, or the streets (during walking) and the pup steps on the poop or traces of poop, then licks his/her paws.

How does a dog get distemper?

1. The distemper virus is in the air. This means a dog within 500 square meters of a dog positive for distemper can get infected if not vaccinated and his immune system is weak.

2.A dog can get the virus in public places frequented by dogs like malls, parks, and restaurants, among others.

3. If a human went to a place with dogs

your cat from getting CKD. The good news is cats with CKD can live for years provided there is proper management in place. A licensed veterinarian can recommend a suitable health management plan for the cat.

Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV)

This virus is sometimes referred to as cat AIDS because it works by damaging an infected cat’s immune system. When the cat’s immune has been compromised, the cat is susceptible to infections. FIV can only infect cats.

A cat who has FIV will show these symptoms: · Loss of appetite · Recurring fever · Seizures · Persistent diarrhea · Weight loss

· Eye problems According to thesprucepets.com, “You can help prevent infection with FIV by avoiding the things that put your cat at risk of infection. Have your cat spayed or neutered to prevent the spread of FIV)], keep your cat indoors. Test any new cats for FIV before you bring them into your household and allow them to interact with the cats already there.”

Diabetes Mellitus

Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is another silent cat killer. Cats who are overweight, and middle-aged to senior cats have a greater risk for DM. Cats who have DMs will manifest these symptoms: · Frequent urination · Urge to drink water more often than usual · Weight loss · Increased appetite · Lethargy While some cats are genetically predisposed to develop diabetes despite excellent care, there are steps that pet parents can do to reduce their cat’s risk of contracting the disease such as providing your cat with a high-protein, low-carb diet, refraining from over-indulging them with extra treats, controlling their calorie intake by giving them small-size meals, and allowing them to play and explore so they will have plenty of physical activity. Diabetes Mellitus is usually not a life sentence for your cat. If properly managed with Insulin injections, exercise, and a proper diet, your cat can still have a good quality of life.

Keep your pet alive: Vaccinate pups against parvo, dogs against distemper

Feline Lower Urinary Tract Diseases (FLUTD)

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) describes FLUTD as “A variety of conditions that affect the bladder and urethra of cats. Cats with FLUTD most often show signs of difficulty and pain when urinating, increased frequency of urination, and blood in the urine.”

FLUTD can strike at any age but it is usually common in middle-aged and overweight cats. Cats who have little physical activity or eat most dry diets are at risk. Urinary stones, urinary infection, and urethral obstruction are the common cause of FLUTD. Cats who have FLUTD will show these symptoms: · Difficulty urinating · Frequent licking of the genital area · Urinating outside the litter box · Blood in the urine It is possible to prevent FLUTD, provided that certain precautions are carried out. Water intake is very important so make sure that your cat has access to clean drinking water 24/7. Make sure that your cat’s litterbox is clean, and make it a point to check for blood-colored urine. Providing a balanced diet for your cat is also another way to prevent your cat from getting FLUTD. Your veterinarian can advise you on the ideal diet for your cat.

bestfriedsvet.com reported that the

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

To prevent parvo from infecting rescues and personal dogs, we disinfect cages which were used to bring a dog to the clinic or any public place.

If one of your dogs has been infected with parvo or distemper, you have to keep your infected dog isolated, as far away as possible from other dogs. You also have to clean spaces all the time, for at least three months, and a maximum of six months.

The Most Common Cause of Sudden Death in Cats

Save Animals of Love and Light (Save All Inc.) is grateful to Nude Handmade Essentials and Joyce Esteban for sending over these disinfectants and madre de cacao shampoo for the rescues of Save ALL. This will help us keep the areas where dogs and cats stay safe for them as we can disinfect all the time. The madre de cacao shampoo helps us to address better the skin issues of former stray dogs.

Nica was six weeks old when she was infected with parvo virus. She survived through an intensive medical intervention which cost a lot! This could have been prevented if her owner had her vaccinated. and one dog is positive for distemper, the human becomes a carrier.

When we were feeding about 89 dogs in the Cainta pound in 2014 every day for six weeks, all volunteers of Save Animals of Love and Light (Save ALL Inc.) were reminded of the following measures to prevent bringing the virus home to their pets and rescues: a. When we leave the pound and we are more than 500 meters away from the pound already, even if we do not want to, we sprayed Lysol disinfectant on our bodies and shoes (eyes closed and nose covered of course). We do this to make sure stray dogs or unleashed owned dogs on the streets will not get infected. b. Stay somewhere else with no dog for at least two hours. But it is better to let four hours pass before going home. c. Change clothes and shoes in a restroom in a fast food resto or mall where there are no dogs before going home. Put the clothes in a paper or plastic bag, spray Lysol on the clothes again. d. If you can, wash your face and hands and other exposed skin with Safeguard or a soap that can disinfect.

e. At home, take a bath before entering the house. You can wash your hair and exposed parts in the garage. Change your clothes again. f. Put clothes in a basin with Joy dishwashing liquid to disinfect your clothes. g. In another basin, put your shoes. Or spray Lysol thoroughly. h. If you have a lot of dogs and cats at home, and you have rescues too, please never bring shoes or slippers you wore outside your home inside the house or in areas where the dogs and cats stay.

Recently, we discovered a more effective disinfectant to prevent illnesses in our home, and the places where rescues of Save Animals of Love and Light (Save ALL Inc.) stay. It is easy to use, too, and it is safe for pets. You can directly spray on fur of dogs and cats after a visit to the vet, items used by pets, surfaces, cages, areas you want to clean, shoes you used outside or on a tray which people now put at the entrance of their homes to disinfect.

Called Clean Pro’s PARVOTECT, it is distributed by Nude Handmade Essentials.

Joyce Esteban of Nude Handmade Essentials said “there is no need to dilute it, just

most common cause of sudden deaths in cats are Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV), Feline Immunodefficiency Virus (FIV), and Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP).

The website says, “About 10% of cats in this country (United States) are infected with one or more of these viruses. Once your cat becomes ill with any of these diseases, he or she will eventually die. There are no effective treatments or cures.

What will save cats' lives is preventing the spread of these infections through blood testing and vaccination.”

While there is no cure for these deadly diseases, there are preventive measures that can be put in place to prevent them from spreading. These preventive measures include: · Have your cats vaccinated. · Keep your cats indoors. · Have your cat spayed or neutered. · Never allow new cats to interact with your cats until they are vaccinated. · Wash your hands after handling unfamiliar cats outside your house.

Some people believe that cats have nine lives. If only it were true. Cats have only one life just like the rest of us and it is up to us, their human guardians, to keep them happy, healthy, and strong.

spray directly on the surface or area you want to clean. “

Benefits:

· Protects your pets from illness-causing viruses, bacteria, and molds. Clean Pro's Parvotect is a fragrance-free disinfectant that is effective against parvovirus and adenovirus, among others.

· It is also good to use in areas where a dog with distemper or parvo stayed.

Clean Pro’s Parvotect is available in Lazada Mall, Shopee, Yoorekka, Pickaroo, Grabmart, Pandamart, and Metromart. A gallon of Parvotect is only P820; a litter is P280.

Their madre de cacao shampoo and conditioner protects dogs from ticks and fleas and is only P348 per gallon and P128 per liter.